Free Grid Down: A Strike against America - An EMP Survival Story- Book Two by Roger Hayden Page B

you join us here?”
    The double doors of the building opened, revealing the pastor, dressed in a three-piece suit and tie. He had a trim beard and freshly cut slicked-back hair. He also looked nervous—apprehensive, perhaps—about being there.
    “Let’s get started!” Arthur said, smacking his hands together. “The reverend, here, is going to guide us along.”
    Rob looked ahead, beyond Arthur to the shattered windows of the town hall building and the glass strewn across the concrete entranceway. The charade he was to become a part of felt like a trial of some kind, and he was beginning to see how Arthur had seized power in such a brief period of time.
    “The reverend is here to validate my ascension, not only as king of the outsiders, but as a prophet of the divine word.” He paused and looked at the reverend. “Isn’t that right?”
    The pastor hesitated then nodded. “Yes. That’s correct.”
    “So as a divine prophet and king, the first thing I want is to receive a blessing and homage from our visitors.” He turned to Rob and held out a hand with one particularly large, golden ring on one of his fingers.
    “You may kneel now, Rob, and kiss my ring.”
    The ring shone in the gloomy light. It looked like something stolen from a jewelry shop, where Rob had no doubt it came from. He closed his eyes, emitting a heavy sigh and dropped to one knee. He opened them to find Arthur’s pale hand in his face, the ring right below his lips. His stomach turned as he pressed his lips against the ring and gave it a quick, light peck. Nonetheless, Arthur seemed satisfied.
    “Please rise,” he said.
    Rob stood up and stared at Arthur’s sunken eyes, his gray stubble and sagging cheeks. He saw a man without scruples. A man void of humanity.
    “And you recognize me as your king and divine ruler?” he said loudly for the crowd to hear.
    “Yes…” Rob said softly as the knot in his stomach tightened.
    “Louder!” Arthur said.
    “I said yes. I do!” Rob repeated.
    Arthur gazed out into the crowd with his arms spread wide. “So there you have it. Your mayor is now divine king in the eyes of his enemies! They shall harm you no more!” He signaled two men to his side. “That’ll do. Bring out the captives.”     
    Rob felt a wave of relief rush over him. It seemed as though the worst was over. Mila, and Carlos looked as if all the tension had drained from their faces and bodies. Carlos unclenched his fists, and Mila held back tears as they waited in anticipation for the children, watching intently as the two men went into the building. A hushed silence came over the crowd. Trees swayed in the breeze along Main Street—absent their leaves but rustling as the wind shook the branches. It was the only sound resonating. A few moments passed, then two of Arthur’s gun-wielding men emerged from the building, followed by a group of children. Mila moaned. Their dirty faces were ghostlike. Their wrists were bound by zip ties.
    As they appeared, one by one, Rob’s heart jumped. Josh and Kelly were in front. Mila cried out. Rob took a quick step forward, only to be rebuked by Arthur.
    “Not so fast, loyal subject. We still have some things to work out.”
    Rob turned sharply toward Arthur. His eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you talking about? We have a deal.”
    Arthur nodded. “Yes, of course. The deal still stands, with one exception.”
    “What’s that?” Rob said. He tried to push past Arthur, but four armed men on both sides of him held him back. They clutched his shoulders on either side, pinned his arms, and hemmed him in. The men guarding the children formed what looked like a human wall to keep the children at bay. They were calling their parents’ names. Arthur spoke to the crowd once again, revealing the latest demand to be made of the outsiders.
    “Rob here wants to know what else I ask of him. As if another request by your king is unreasonable.”
    Arthur’s men chuckled, joined by some in the