Free Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden

We’re finding lots of food, and you know you’re going to run out eventually, so why don’t you take this one?”
    Letting the kids get by with their Robin Hood style thievery was one thing, but accepting the spoils was another. Hugh shook his head. “I’ll be all right.”
    The girl shrugged, and the group headed for the elevator. Mr. Lee came out of the room with the broken door, and Hugh did a double take. The little Korean man sorted through the bag in his hand. He looked up at and nodded in greeting. Hugh blinked hard.
     
     
     
    Jennie
     
    “ When’s Daddy coming to ge t us?” Mickey tugged on Jennie’s sweater, as she stood in the tall window of the church and watched Pastor Billy pull into the driveway.
    The rumble continued to drone in the distance, but she couldn’t help but search the surroundings for any monsters. It was no longer just the aliens she searched for.
    It had been two days since she’d last seen her father. Two days since she’d last taken a shower. Two days since she’d slept in her own bed. She refused Pastor Billy’s offer to take them to the Crawford’s house. Honestly, she feared going anywhere, since her father promised to pick them up at the First Free Will Baptist Church. Besides, Pastor Billy didn’t want to leave them alone at home with all of the dangers going on right now. He felt that the church was a defensible position, and by staying at the church, they could help any members who came in need.
    Mrs. Crawford and Pastor Billy grabbed bags from the back of the van, but their eyes still darted around the area. Jennie stepped over toward the door and unlocked the double bolts to let them in. A gust of wind picked up and blew the fallen leaves around the yard of the church. July? It definitely felt more like October.
    “I said, ‘When is Daddy coming to get us?’” Mickey stamped his foot.
    “The answer didn’t change from the last time you asked. I don’t know. But he’s coming, okay?”
    Mickey scowled and narrowed his brown eyes at her. “He better come soon. I’m tired of sleeping on these wooden P.U.’s”
    Jennie smiled at him as the Crawfords stepped up. “Hey, Jennie. Anything happen while we were gone?”
    She shook her head and helped take a few of the plastic bags from his hands while he held two paper ones to his chest. Mrs. Crawford stepped up with a wide smile of her own and two big, folded quilts in her arms. She grew serious, as she said, “We drove by your house on the way, Jennie, and didn’t see your father’s car there.”
    The large white doors closed out the breeze that had built up, and Jennie shook off the chill as it faded. Pastor Billy turned the locks.
    Jennie looked at them both. “What are we going to do?”
    The Crawfords exchanged another of their married-couple glances before Pastor Billy continued. “We were listening to the emergency band on the radio while we drove. The Shisa, as they are calling the aliens, don’t seem to swim. So, they are quarantining off Fort Monroe and blowing up all the bridges except for one.”
    Jennie blinked hard. “Seriously?”
    Pastor Billy nodded. “They believe it will take three to five days to clear the island. Langley and Fort Eustis are building up their walls and defenses as well, blocking off all of the entrances. In a few days, they are going to open up all three bases to uninjured civilians so that we can all find safety.”
    “I know the bases are big, but is there enough room for everybody?”
    Wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, Pastor Billy paused before continuing. He watched Mrs. Crawford take Mickey toward the kitchen at the back of the church. Her brother swung a plastic bag in his free hand as he helped her carry the items to the back. Once they were out of earshot, Billy leaned in and lowered his voice. “Since the aliens attacked the sun and water supply, the population of the whole world has decreased. Too many people got sick or just gave up. Here on