Rock and a Hard Place 11-Part 2 The Church of the Dead

Rock and a Hard Place 11 –Church of the Dead- Part Two

            It has been a week since Gloria arrived on the island and she never felt more apprehensive. She gleaned as much information as she could from the women population barely seeing any man besides David and his few guards. The residents were not too forth coming but they made her feel uneasy; as if everyone was hiding something.

            “Good morning Gloria.” Clara walked in with a radiant smile. Clara had been shadowing Gloria around with the pretense of “showing her the ropes” but Gloria was no fool. Clara’s sole purpose was to watch her and to scrutinize the information Gloria was getting. “It’s a glorious day. A perfect day for church.” Clara began pulling clothes out of a drawer and laying them on the bed.

            “Church? Is that really necessary?  The world pretty much ended, instead of going to church and praying we should be out doing something productive.” Gloria suggested.

            “This is productive Gloria. Not everyone is as…strong emotionally as you seem to be. Some people need their faith now more than ever. All have lost their families and homes and ways of life; we need our faith to keep us going. So, David has deemed that we all attend church once a week. Here you are, I’ll wait outside.” Clara finished laying out the clothes and closed the door behind her.

            Gloria had to admit that Clara had a point. For someone who has lost everything, what is their reason for living now? Faith that the human race will survive may be all they have. It wouldn’t hurt to give church a chance. Gloria dressed in the khaki pants and white button down that Clara laid out.

            Walking outside, Gloria saw the other residence dressed in similar clothes. Clara took notice of Gloria’s semi-shocked expression.

            “We dress similar as a sign of our unity.” It was little statements like this that would cause warning sirens to go off inside Gloria’s head. Once inside the converted cabin, Gloria sat in a pew with Clara and other happy congregants.

            “My brothers and sisters, welcome.” David took the pulpit and began to speak. He looked like a compassionate politician but Gloria learned that not everything is what it seems here.

            “It has been 10 months since our forming of this community. We started out with nothing, a few scraps. We were scared and disheartened.  But we survived and we thrived and here we are together in a working community. We’ve had to sacrifice much to have what we have. While people are still dying on the mainland, we’re safe and should be grateful for all we have…” David’s speech ran long and Gloria thought it felt forced and disingenuous.

            She took this time to look around the church and saw eyes blinded by faith and obedience. These people were still scared and had to stay in line to live on the island. This was no life for her. Gloria made the decision to leave the island on the next boat. She’d rather take her chances among the dead than be surrounded by these people.

            “Bless you, David. You saved me and my daughter. Bless you.” A woman stood to give her praise. Strange, Gloria thought, they were more focused on David and less on God in this church.

            “Welcome our sister, Gloria, she’s a newcomer but I believe she will fit in perfectly here. Gloria, come up here, please.” David smiled with his hand outstretched. Gloria didn’t want to go near him but as she stood with a nervous smile, all eyes were on her.

            “Go ahead, Gloria. This happens for all newcomers.” Clara assured her. She stood with Gloria and walked her down the aisle. The church was full of claps and cheers as she walked, the mood can only be described as joyous; so why was Gloria’s heart racing?

            “Gloria, why don’t you say a few words.” David spoke with his hand at the small of her back. Just that minor contact unnerved her.

            “There’s not much to say but…my story is the same as everyone’s. I lost my family and people I love. It makes it hard to find something to live for…”Gloria was somber but truthful.

            After the service David took Gloria aside in the church. The people had dispersed and only she, David, Clara, and two men remained. “What did you think of the service?” David asked her. She didn’t want to tell him what she really thought. From what she saw it was a way to blind the people to what may be really going on. People talked about David as if he were God and in a way, he was. With a word from him he could give life as well as take it away. David seated himself as the ultimate power on this island and Gloria wanted nothing to do with it.

            “It was good. Very….inspiring.” Gloria said cautiously and smiled.

            “Now that’s not what you really think, is it Gloria?” David sat next to her so close she feel his body heat. He placed his hand on her thigh, it made her skin crawl.

            “I don’t know what you mean. It was nice….it’s just I never thought to go to church even before the world ended.” Gloria found herself looking for the words that wouldn’t upset him.

            “Gloria, I know what you’ve been asking people. I know what you’ve been doing. You’re trying to find a fault where there is none. This world now is what we make of it; what I make of it.” David spoke calmly and with that smile plastered on his face.

            “What you make of it? I thought this was a group, a team. But to me it looks like everyone is here to serve you. Why?” Gloria couldn’t hold her tongue any longer.

            “I made this place what it is. I saved these people’s lives. Brought them here to live in peace without the constant fear of the walkers ripping them to pieces. Is that what you want? You want to live on the run?” David’s smile never wavered. His piercing brown eyes offered no warmth. It was that vacant look and imitation smile that caused Gloria real fear; in that moment, she wished she was never brought here.

            “David, what you made here is great but…I want to leave. I don’t think I belong here and I want to go off island. I think I may still have surviving members of my group out there. I…I want to find them.” Gloria knew that wasn’t true. Her group was completely destroyed but she’d rather take her chances alone than stay her one more day.

            “It’s such a shame we couldn’t make this work for you. Clara, please gather Gloria’s things, she’ll be leaving on the next transport.” Clara left without question. “I sincerely hope you find what you’re looking for. The next transport is arriving in 15, wait here please.” David stood and left the church. Gloria felt a huge weight off her shoulders. She’s sure that David was just shocked that someone didn’t want to stay here in this pseudo-paradise. But Gloria couldn’t live with her eyes shut, not in this new world.

            Clara returned with her belongings and the men told her it was time to go. The four of them walked out the back of the church along a path and took them away from the camp. The island was really lovely, too bad the company isn’t so nice, Gloria thought. They walked about 10 minutes before reaching a small hill overlooking the dock where a small motor boat sat idling. David was there waiting on the hill.

            “I guess this is goodbye Gloria. Unfortunately, you won’t be taking the boat to the mainland. I’m sorry, but we can’t risk other people knowing about us. This island is…well…invite only. You say you don’t belong here and I think you’re right. You…ask too many questions. You’re strong willed and intelligent, I need people who are subordinate and obedient.” That smile, that same smile.

            “I won’t tell anyone,” the men grabbed each arm and forced Gloria to the top of the hill where David stood. Gloria was shocked to see what lay immediately beyond the hill on the other side. A large trench had been dug in the ground. The trench was deep and wide, it seemed to follow the natural curve of the island. Inside the trench were walkers. Hundreds of walkers clawing upwards looking for a meal.

            “Amazing, isn’t it? This trench is very useful in keeping the unwanted out but also to keep members of my flock in.” The men brought Gloria close to the edge. She looked down in the darkness of the pit and the deafening sound of the combined moans. “I have a few strays. People much like yourself that think a little too much. They may try to leave the island without my permission, I can’t allow that. Some fall in the trench….they get what they deserve. Why would anyone want to leave paradise?”

            “Because this is not paradise. It’s a prison. And I know why you get rid of people like me…because we know it’s a prison.” Gloria’s voice caught in her throat. She knew she was going to die. “You’re an asshole.”

            “No Gloria, in this church, I am God.” David smiled wider and there was a twinkle in his eye. He must only truly be happy when he’s killing someone. David was standing behind her, his breath on her neck. Gloria turned to face him, she wasn’t afraid to face the devil.

            David thought he saw fear in her eyes, so use to looking down on others that he didn’t see the determination instead. There was nothing Gloria could do to save herself but maybe she could make one last difference in the new world. Quickly, Gloria reached up and grabbed David’s collar shirt balling the fabric in her fist. His body guards had no time to react so taken aback with her intentions.

            Bending her knees she pushed herself back into the pit and carried David with her. She focused on his face, his celebrity type face with a strong jawline and handsome features. She watched with satisfaction as that conceited look of triumph quickly turned to terror. David was a coward and he screamed all the way down.

            As the walkers began to rip at her body and face, Gloria didn’t scream. Surprisingly, she felt calm. She was accepting of her fate and relieved that this hard life was finally over. Memories flashed in her mind, her parents dancing, her sister laughing, her first love, her honeymoon in Hawaii; life was good.

Rock and a Hard Place 11-The Church of the Dead

Rock and a Hard Place 11- The Church of the Dead-

            Gloria awoke lying on a cot in a candle lit room. Her eyes felt grainy and strained to remain open, fighting against the dim light. Where was she? Her last memory was of chaos igniting all around her when her group’s camp was overrun by walkers.

            How did they get past the patrols? People ran in all directions as a flood of walkers took the clearing. She could no longer tell the living from the dead and simply ran into the surrounding woods. Did she fall and hit her head? Gloria raised her arm to her head and found it bandaged with a splitting headache exploding behind her eyes as she sat up.

            “Shush dear. You need to lie back down, that’s a nasty injury.” A woman’s voice sounded from beyond the edges of the light.

            “Who’s there? Where…where am I?” Gloria asked.

            “You’re safe.” The voice said.

            “Nobody’s safe anymore.” Gloria began to swing her legs down the side and went to stand up but her knees gave out under her weight and she collapsed back to the cot.

            “Stop. You’re not well enough to stand. Lie back down, please.” The woman came to her side. Her clothes were clean and mended. There was no dirt on her face and she had kind green eyes and auburn hair. “My name is Clara. We found you in the woods on one of our runs. I’m sorry about your camp but the dead have taken it.”

            “Where am I?” Gloria asked

            “This is Eden.” Clara said in an airy voice and stood to retrieve a glass of water. “Here, drink this.” Gloria grabbed the glass as a strong thirst suddenly gripped her.

            “It’s cold.” Gloria said with excitement and gulped down the entire glass. “It’s been so long since I had something cold to drink.”

            “We are fortunate here to have many generators.” Clara busied herself around the room after opening a curtain and letting natural light back in. “Please excuse the darkness, with your head injury I didn’t think you could stand the bright light.”

            “Are you a doctor?” Gloria asked still sitting on the cot.

            “Oh know, but I do consider myself a healer.” Clara began to clean.

            “Clara, you said this place was Eden. What does that mean?”

            “Oh that’s just the name of our little settlement. In the beginning we didn’t have as much as we have now but we are self-sustaining and safe from the dead.” Clara spoke with a twinkle in her eye.

            “How are you safe? No one is safe from them. It’s only a matter of time before they get you.” Gloria thought back to Jennifer, her sister. Even with her military training, she wasn’t able to survive a horde finding their small camp.

            “We are. You cannot see it but we are on a small island and completely surrounded by water and since we have yet to see the dead swim, we have never had an incident here. Sleep now, umm well I don’t even know your name child.”

            “Gloria. My name is Gloria.”

            “Gloria, sleep.” She walked out of the room and Gloria heard the sound of a lock clicking into place. Of course, everyone here is safe so what’s the purpose of a locked door. Sleep however came easily and as soon as she closed her eyes, she thankfully had a dreamless sleep.

            “Good morning Gloria. Time to rise.” Clara was back sliding open the curtains.

            “What’s going on?” She rubbed her eyes.

            “David would like to meet you. He’s the leader of our group and he wants to meet any potentials we bring back.”

            “Potentials? What does that mean?”

            “Gloria, this world is no longer safe. Anyone who wants to live in our settlement needs to be screened as to their potential here. What skills they bring, what vices they may have, we can’t just let anyone in.” Clara said with a smile on her face as if she said it every day. Screening survivors before helping them? What happens to those who don’t make the cut? Gloria thought.

            “How do you know I want to live here?” Gloria cautiously asked.

            “I’ll show you.” Clara took Gloria on a tour of the island. She was right, the island was small and surrounded by water. She wondered what island she was on, she couldn’t see any mainland on the horizon. There were about 30 people populating the village including some children and one German shepherd, children and pets, two things she never though she would see again.

            They passed by an older woman moving a basket of fruits. She had splashes of gray in her once black hair and small lines were just beginning to form around her lips.

            “Nicole, please meet Gloria, she just arrived last night.” Clara introduced them.

            “Gloria, welcome. Are you on your way to see David?” Gloria wondered how this was common knowledge.

            “Yes, I guess so.” Gloria answered.

            “Such a nice young man, he saved my life. He saved all of our lives, we owe him so much. I only hope I can be useful to him.” That seemed like an odd statement to Gloria but she let it go as they continued on.

            It was tranquil here. They went about their chores, some were mending the small houses others were tending a garden and so on. No one looked haggard or weary from running and fighting to live. Oddly enough, Gloria saw mostly women and girls in town. Probably the men were in charge of weapons and protection while the woman did the laundry and cooked; sexism in the apocalypse.

            “We have a garden that yields fruits and vegetables, there is a small hospital with our own doctor; she bandaged your head. This island was used as a small resort back when the world was different so it has a fresh water supply with an underground pipeline that’s fed from the mainland. We have raised a few goats for milk, wool, and meat. We have been fortunate in finding this place.” As Clara spoke, Gloria found it hard to believe that this place could even exist but it’s what most people in her decimated camp dreamed about.

            An isolated land with natural protective barriers and fresh water? Almost too good to be true and there always has to be a catch. Gloria looked around at the scenic beauty of the island and wondered if she really died in that walker invasion.

            “How many people live here?” Gloria felt the need to ask.

            “I’ll let David answer the rest of your questions.”  Clara didn’t divulge any more information.

            David the leader, lived in hut on stilts at one end of the island. It was moderately sized and there was even a pool on the deck. This must have been the main resort housing that David happily took for himself.

            The main lodge was richly appointed with expensive looking rugs on bamboo floors, fine paintings decorating the walls and inviting sofas with colorful pillows graced the sides of a free standing fireplace. From the looks of this home, you wouldn’t think the end of the world happened at all, in fact it looked like this room was ready for a photo shoot in Homes magazine.

            “You must be Gloria, welcome to our home. Please, come sit down.” David sat on the main couch, he had coffee colored eyes and dirty blonde hair that was styled in a way that male models would envy. His clothes were free of stains, rips, and blood which is the uniform of the day currently. Gloria was grateful for her change of clothes as she would feel completely underdressed but a thought struck her, why was she worried about how she was dressed at all. Seems like an inconsequential concern now.

            “Have you toured our island?” He asked.

            “Yes, it’s amazing. And you’re able to survive here without any problems?” Gloria asked.

            “No, not survive, live. We live here without any problems. We grow our own food, have our own water supply, we have the protection of water on all sizes but we’re close enough to the mainland to make runs if we need to. We maintain a form of government with our laws and regulations to keep order and everyone has a job to do. It keeps everyone busy and our little world functioning.”

            “Laws? What kind of laws?” Gloria was intrigued.

            “You know, the kind that protect us all. Things like not going out after a certain time, no going to the mainland on your own without permission...”

            “Permission? And what about my weapons, they were taken…”

            “Yes, another regulation is no weapons on civilians, only those charged with guarding the island. It helps to prevent unnecessary violence.” David said all this with a smile but he was tense as if he’s not used to being questioned so much. Gloria felt uneasy and was starting to feel trapped.

            “Personally, I think to go without a weapon can do more harm than good in this new world.”

            “This world is what we make of it. If we want a world full of violence and death, that’s what we make for ourselves. Personally, I want a world of life and peace.”

            “But my weapons are …”Gloria stood up.

            “You are safe here, Gloria. You have no need for your weapons unless you are on guard detail which we have plenty of at the moment.” David stood up also and faced her. He stood a full foot over her.

            “I’m sure you’ll want to do all you can to become a part of this community. Going against the rules is a sure way of finding yourself back on the mainland, fending off walkers alone. You don’t want that life, do you?” He was still smiling, Gloria wanted to wipe that smug look off his face but the thought of being alone surrounded by walkers was terrifying enough to hold her tongue.

            “I’m sure we can find a place for you here but you have to want to be here Gloria and follow those rules. Can you do that?” Gloria said nothing instead following Clara back out of the house. When something is too good to be true, it usually is. Gloria thought.

            To be Continued….