"Right through here," Reverend Cox cautiously leads both the deputy and I to a conference room near the back of a wing of the church.

My gun is gripped in one hand, and pointed toward the ground. After the gun battle this afternoon, I am taking no more chances. Whatever evil has gripped our little patch of Heaven is no small evil. In a day, more people have died than we usually lose in a week-- from natural causes. It's not exactly like we have a very big population to begin with.

The reverend approaches a large door with purple and gold trim. A large golden lion's head is set into the center of the door. Two simple words are emblazoned on a golden plate above the lion's head: Committee Room. We have arrived.

Deputy Wheeler and I glance at each other.

"I don't hear anything," Reverend Cox whispers. "Like I said, I think someone broke the window in there. They might be gone. Well, some of them. Priscilla...Now, I don't think she's still alive. No way. Or Danny. There was so much blood. I just don't know if..."

Deputy Wheeler puts a finger to his lips and silences the reverend. He politely uses a hand to move Reverend Cox from in front of the door.

" 'Scuse me, Reverend. If we go in there...I want you to stay out here!"

The reverend nods and backs away. His eyes seem large in his sunken face.

"Sure. Sure."

Weapon at the ready, Deputy Wheeler starts a silent countdown. I train my gun to the left of the doorframe, and prepare to draw down on anyone standing behind that door. My heart pounds a thousand miles a minute in my chest.

The countdown ends, and Deputy Wheeler aims a solid kick at the wood above the door knob. The door explodes inward and slams against the wall. Silence follows.

No movement. No wild screams. No attacking mob of crazed zombies. Only silence.

It is as the reverend said. Both Priscilla and Samantha lie dead in congealing pools of blood. Danny Porter's brains are spilled all over the organ keys. And Miles Kauffman...Poor Miles is crumpled under a broken stained glass window. A puddle of drying blood is under his right hand. In his left hand, is a large piece of the broken window.

Deputy Wheeler walks in the direction of Miles' crumpled form. His eyes are wide with fright.

"Oh damn! Miles...He done killed himself. Oh hell! Is this the rapture, Reverend? Or...Or some kind of judgment? It's like the whole town has gone crazy. Miles...He would have never done somethin' like this! Miles was a rock. I can't tell you how many times he helped me and my brothers out of a jam. What...What could possess someone to do...to do all of this?"

Deputy Wheeler motions around the room-- indicating all of the chaos. Reverend Cox steps gingerly into the room and approaches Deputy Wheeler.

"God knows the heart and tests the mind, Son. Who knows why he is visiting his wrath upon us this day."

Kneeling by Miles' lifeless body, Reverend Cox gently closes the dead man's eyes. He begins to utter a silent prayer. Deputy Wheeler backs away and turns in my direction.

"Let's go see 'bout the others."

*************************************

Tiffany Masterson paces anxiously back and forth. I am almost certain that if she paces any more frantically-- she will either wear a hole in the carpet or set it afire.

The reverend, Deputy Wheeler, me, and three others are seated in the pews. More than one head, including Wheeler's, is dipped in prayer. I watch Tiffany continue to pace, in front of the pulpit, with a weary feeling in my gut. With all of the madness going on around us...I fear I will never see my wife again.

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"You really think this is the wrath of God, Reverend?" I inquire. My voice is the only sound in the eerily silent room.

Reverend Cox looks up from the seat back in front of him and meets my gaze. His eyes are red from crying.

"I do, Son. I truly do."

"But why these people, Reverend? And what about all of the missing people?! What about my wife? We scoured every building nearby and didn't find one single person....Alive. Why would God do this?"

Reverend Cox raises his eyes to the ceiling and places his clasped hands atop the seat back in front of him. Deputy Wheeler raises his head and nods slowly in agreement.

"Reverend, I've got to agree with James. The God I was raised to believe in...He's a just God. A good God. A God of mercy. Nothing I've seen today....This...All of this....It doesn't look real merciful. Seems more like vengeance. Like some kind of demoniac is toying with us? I don't think God did this, Reverend!? I'm with James. What could any of these people have done to deserve this? 'Specially the Crawford kids? They were tortured! That can't be God's will!? I just can't believe in that, Reverend! I can't. This is more like demons at work!"

For a moment, it almost seems as if Reverend Cox is going to lose his cool. He closes both eyes, takes a deep breath, and answers calmly.

"Son...Frank....Like I said before....God knows the heart....And he tests the mind. If a man...Or a woman's heart is corrupt....The Lord will know it. He knows all. He knows the very number of hairs upon our heads, and the many evil deeds we have done....Or will do. He is God! And he is a jealous God. Those who will not obey....Will be dealt a holy justice. And to those who choose to do evil with their freewill....There will be a great judgment for the lives they take. These acts do not reflect upon the Lord! Evil is not in him!"

Deputy Wheeler once again bows his head.

"Yes, Reverend. I understand. I'm just...I'm so hurt and confused. I just want to see Loranne. I want to know she's okay."

Reverend Cox manages a small smile.

"You shouldn't worry, Frank. Really. For if she be with the Lord....She is more than okay. She is blessed. Beyond measure. And she is safer than either you or I. For who can separate us from the Lord?! Be comforted in that, Son. Be comforted in that."

Deputy Wheeler is about to respond when a scream pierces the night.

"Someone's outside! Someone's hurt! Oh God.... Someone's hurt!" Tiffany cries and rushes away from the pulpit. "We have to help them!"

Tiffany races for the door, but a tall man blocks her path. He stares angrily down into her face.

"Move out of the way, Everett! Didn't you hear that? Someone's out there. We have to help them! They may even know more of what's goin' on. We have to let them in!"

Everett squares himself even more and tries to appear taller.

"We can't let anyone know we're in here!"

Tiffany looks up into Everett's reddening face.

"Why? Why not?! They may be hurt!?"

Another scream. Closer and louder. A wailing voice accompanies the scream. A frantic voice. A familiar voice.

"We can't let anyone in here," Everett intones. He points toward the pulpit. "Go back to yer pacing!"

I rise from my seat in the pews. My eyes burn angry holes into Everett.

"There's no need to talk to Tiffany like that! This is a church, for crying out loud! She's right to expect some Christian charity for someone in obvious need."

Everett returns my fiery retort with one of his own.

"Well, we ain't lettin' nobody in here. Like Reverend said, this is a judgment from God! Who God chooses to save....He saves. Everything else....Works to the will of God! If we interfere....We may be judged as well!"

I stride confidently in Everett's direction. My right hand absently fingers my pistol.

"And if we don't interfere....We may also be judged!"

Deputy Wheeler eyes both me and Everett warily. It is evident he is hoping that tempers won't flare up into another bloodbath. For his sake, I release my weapon and raise my right hand into the air. Not in surrender, but to show my intent.

"We're goin' out there, Everett....To help whoever's out there. And you....Are not goin' to stop us! Understand?! I'm bein' as plain as I'm gonna be."

Everett takes a step forward and growls nearly in my face.

"You go out there....You ain't comin' back in here! We can't risk the reverend's life. Not for anyone."

I tilt my head in distaste and give Everett a once-over, my voice drips with sarcasm.

"If I go out there....It's 'cause I'd rather be out there....Than in here....Anyway!"

Deputy Wheeler drops his head in shame as I shoot him a look over my shoulder. Reverend Cox continues to pray. The two other people watch the goings on with frightened expressions.

"You comin', Tiffany?"

†***********************************†

As Tiffany and I step outside the church, Everett slams the heavy main door behind us. And locks it.

I train my pistol forward, into the dark silent night.

"Let's go, Tiff."