Cleric of the Wasteland: Book four of the post-apocalyptic series by Jon Cronshaw

Author:Jon Cronshaw [Cronshaw, Jon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dystopian
Publisher: No World Press
Published: 2020-07-17T16:00:00+00:00

AFTER EATING A MEAL of toasted bread, scrambled eggs and beans, Clark shows Sal and Abel to a room off to the side of the main church.

He pushes aside some empty crates, wheels away a rusty wheelbarrow, and makes space on the floor for them to settle. “You’re welcome to stay here or in the main church, if you’d like.” He looks back over his shoulder. “The main church will be colder and there will be people coming and going, but it’s your choice.”

Abel scans the room and nods. “This is great. We can stay in here and keep out of the way for the night.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Then good night.” Clark spins on his heels, his cape flapping behind him, and marches away.

Sal closes the door behind him and sighs as Abel takes a candle from his bag and lights it. “It’s as cold in here as it was last night,” she says, rubbing her hands together.

He shakes his head. “It’s cold, sure. But it’s not as bad.” He gestures towards the door. “We can go sleep with the others if you’d like. We could probably get a place not too far from their fire.”

“No, thank you. I suppose we’ll just have to make do with what we’ve got.”

“Hey, at least it’s sheltered.” Abel unfolds his bedroll and sets it out on the floor.

“I think we should leave at first light.” She slides her backpack across the floor and leans it against the door. “I don’t like these people.”

Abel lies back and stares at the ceiling. “They’re good people, Sal.”

“They’re heathens.”

He frowns. “I don’t know what a heathen is.”

“I just can’t get past this phony religion.” She begins to pace. “There is only one true God, and they’re preaching...this...I don’t know what it’s supposed to be, but it’s wrong.”

Abel sits up, rests his chin on a hand and cocks an eyebrow.

“What?”

“This is coming from the woman who says she’s lost her faith? Seems like it’s pretty intact to me. Maybe this is what you were looking for?”

She frowns. “No. Their beliefs are wrong.”

“Who cares what people believe? It’s what they do that matters.”

“No. Beliefs are everything. If you put your faith in the wrong place, it could be devastating.”

Abel shakes his head. “These people seem fine. They’re letting us stay. They didn’t give us hassle. Damn it, Sal, they gave us food, water, shelter...and you’re annoyed with them? For what? Not believing in the same magical being?”

“If only they could see the true way.” She turns to him. “If only you could too. Maybe that’s what this is about.”

He raises his hands and shakes his head. “Not interested.”

“But—”

“But, nothing. I’ve listened to you talk about God and quote from the Bible for years.”

“And you just dismiss it as ‘God stuff.’”

“I dismiss it because I don’t need it.”

“Everyone needs it.”

“No, Sal. They don’t.”

“Of course they do. They just don’t realise what they’re missing.”

“And what if Clark’s right? What if the Superman is real and everything he said is true?”

She sits next to him and shakes her head.

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