Tight Spot [√]

Step 3 (part 2)

(Step 3 continued...)

Faces appeared at the windows.  Then someone dressed in a long flowing white robe ran towards the gate.  She was small but very pretty with long black hair that looked almost ebony against the white she was wearing.

“Show yourselves,” she demanded from behind the chain gate.

“We’re survivors,” I said as I stepped out of the car. 

She looked at me briefly but then her gaze fell on Tank.  Her eyes lit up and she smiled broadly, “Then welcome!” 

With that the gate opened and I looked up to see at least ten other women in the same style of dress standing on the church steps.

I glanced over to Tank but the dark haired woman had him by the hands and was leading him into the gated area. 

“Umm, Tank...” I wasn’t sure why but this woman sent warning bells off in my head. “Maybe you were right.”

Tank must not have heard me because he followed her into the gated complex.  I had no choice but to follow.  The women on the steps were all surrounding Tank while I stood there watching on. 

“Flock, Flock,” A tall skinny man appeared behind the women, “Sparrow tells me that we have guests.  Give them room!”

The women quickly stepped back and I didn’t hesitate to push forward and take Tank’s hand.  

The man looked at us with curious eyes, “Please excuse our manners.  We don’t get many visitors.  I am Father John and this is my flock, Sparrow, lark, Jay...”

He continued to list off bird names as each woman acknowledged her name.  Bird names?  His flock?  Really?  I was still scowling when Tank introduced us.

“Thank you Father,” I interrupted Tank who was just about to explain how he got his nickname, “We aren’t going to stay we just wanted to say hi as we passed by.”

The women all made sounds of disappointment and Father John pursed his lips, “It getting late you must stay at least tonight.”

“No...” I started to say but Tank turned to me.

“We should Miss Kate.  It will give you your chance to rest and ask your questions.”

“Please, we have plenty of rooms and we are eager to hear how the rest of the world is fairing.  Stay tonight.”

I looked up into Tanks eager eyes and felt something painful twist in my heart.  There was no reason to leave but I still couldn’t shake this feeling.

“Alright but we will have to go tomorrow morning.”

“Very well,” Father John smiled but something was off.  His eyes were on me and they didn’t match his smile.  “You have arrived in time for our end of day prayers.”

The women all giggled with excitement as they pulled at Tank.  His hand left mine as they surrounded him and swept him into the church.  I was left standing on the steps with Father John.

“Is he Tight?”

“Who Tank?  No!”

“Are you sure he isn’t Tight?” his voice was low and harsh.

“Yes Father, Tank is naturally that way.”

The man next to me made a humph sound, “You can’t be sure.  The men of this world were weak when it came to TIGHT.   The devil did well when he thought up this temptation.”