He crested a rise in the street as the pavilion came into view. There was an overturned end table that lay there in the weeds. He righted it and sat there for a few moments. His hip burned with pain. He grimaced...as of yet, the progression to perfect health had not commenced. The "conclave" would not begin for a few minutes. He didn't want to be there any earlier than was required. Most could only guess at the time. Any time pieces or watch batteries that were found were to be immediately turned over to the "seers" or their subordinates. They controlled the time. He however had managed to obtain an old wind up watch from off the wrist of one of the bodies that they had disposed of. He did so undetected. It was considered contraband, and if it was discovered, he would be severely disciplined. It was a woman's Omega brand watch. He kept it hidden, tucked under the fold of the inside band of his “Lake Okeechobee" cap. He observed a group of four or five "seers" huddled in discussion under a small tree off to one side of the pavilion. They seemed quite animated. No doubt they were colluding about who would present the different parts of the program. He noticed that a number of the "Compeers" were already seated towards the front of the pavilion. They were a tight group who were a bit more impassioned about their assignments than he was. But of course, they weren't shoveling blackened entrails into a five gallon bucket everyday either. Others were approaching the building in small groups or singly. He observed that most seemed to walk with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. "Compeers" was a new term that the "Directorate of Seers" had determined to refer to the survivors. It was supposed to convey the idea of equality. He had noted that the "Seers" seemed to be well fed. They all wore fresh khaki pants and clean short sleeved, buttoned collared shirts. It was common knowledge that "food details" were ordered to set aside certain items when they were found. The building where they were stored was brimming with assorted delicacies. Smoked oysters, kippered snacks, vacuumed sealed cheeses and salmon, canned meats, chocolates, sweets, olives and cases of wines and liquor, that had been gleaned by the "search details". These items were reserved specifically for the "seers" He smiled wryly and thought, "Well, some are just more equal than others". With a few minutes left, he rose and hobbled towards the pavilion. As he drew closer, he was greeted by a few of the straggling "Compeers"; a mechanical nod of the head, a momentary meeting of the eyes, as they shuffled blankly forward to their benches. He took a seat on the end of the last row of benches. They were simply salvaged 2x10's laid across stacked concrete blocks. There were a few rows of plastic lawn chairs that had been found. They were reserved for the “Seers" and their families; well, what remained of their families after the "day of fury". That's what they called it now. Some of their children who had left the "teachings" were conspicuously absent. He heard a weak voice at his side say "Excuse me." A young woman holding the hand of a young child stepped in front of him to take a place on the empty bench. The child rested her hand on his knee as they passed in front of him and their eyes met. He was struck by the child’s eyes. She seemed, to him, to have just stepped out of a Margaret Keane painting. She was unsmiling, numb, devoid of emotion. He could only imagine what the child had been through. A grinning seer approached the podium (the podium simply a salvaged Whirlpool electric dryer) and introduced the "conclave". He invited them to stand for the opening "laud" (song). As he stood and removed his cap, the Omega watch fell from the band and onto the concrete floor at his feet. He quickly snatched it up and secreted it in his hand hoping that no one had noticed. He glanced at the young woman whose eyes had remained forward. A broad smile had radiated across the face of the little girl.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.