Free Fancy Gap by C. David Gelly Page A

Pierce,” Susan said as she saw him to the door.
    The sheriff climbed into his car and took out his cell phone. Not only would Father Tony be a good sounding board for Tim and Susan, he would also distract them from hindering his team’s progress in the investigation. He looked up the priest’s number and pushed the Send button.
    “Hello, this is Father Tony,” a voice answered.
    “Father Tony, this is Sheriff Pierce. Is this a good time to talk?”
    “It is, sheriff. How can I help you?”
    * * *
    He knew the first week would be the most difficult for the children. The world they knew had suddenly ended. They were now in a strange place with someone they didn’t know. He knew what had to be done. He needed to change the way they thought about their parents and convince them that he was the best person to care for them now. He would provide the food, shelter, and love they needed. He would quickly become their new Daddy.
    For the first few days, he had tied them to their beds and kept them blindfolded. He had them eat separately and go to the toilet alone. He took the blindfold off Pete first. Pete started to cry as soon as he saw him. He slapped Pete across the face.
    “If you stop crying, I won’t have to hit you.”
    Pete started to cry harder and said, “I want my mommy and daddy.”
    He slapped him harder. “Your mommy and daddy are dead. I have to take care of you and your sister now.”
    “Who are you?” Pete asked.
    “I’m the person God put on earth to protect you from the evils of this life. I’m your redeemer. I’m your new Daddy”
    Pete cried harder. He slapped him again.
    “If you don’t cry, I won’t slap you. Be a nice boy, and I won’t hit you.”
    “How is my sister? Did you hurt her?”
    “She’s fine. She’s just sleeping a little longer. Are you hungry?”
    “Yes,” Pete said hoarsely.
    “What do you like to eat? Do you like pizza?”
    “Yes. So does Katie.”
    He sat Pete in the chair and left the room. He went into the makeshift kitchen and put a large frozen pizza in the microwave oven. A few minutes later, he returned to the room with plates and a can of Coke for Pete. Pete was staring at the wall. A little smile came across his face when he looked at the hot pizza on his plate. He ate two slices before speaking.
    “This is good pizza. Can Katie have some?”
    “She can when she wakes up.”
    Pete was halfway through his fourth slice when Katie began to stir. He went to her and untied her wrists. Katie lay there for a while and focused on Pete.
    “What are you eating?”
    “Pizza. Want some?”
    “Yes, please,” she replied as she raised her head off the pillow.
    He went to her bed, took her hand, led her to the table, and put two slices of pizza on a plate in front of her. Katie gently took one piece and took a little bite.
    “Can I have some Coke?”
    “Of course, you can,” he said as he went to the other room to get the soda.
    Katie slowly ate two big slices. She looked at her brother after she finished the second slice.
    “Where are Mommy and Daddy, Pete?”
    “I think they’re dead. He told me they’re dead and he’s here to take care of us. I hope they went to heaven.”
    He smiled at Pete’s words. This was a crucial step. The little girl would accept him if her brother did.
    “I have to go to the bathroom,” Katie announced.
    “It’s all right, sweetie. You can go on your own. It’s right over there.”
    Katie walked to a bathroom that used to be a closet. The door had been removed. She looked at them both as she urinated.
    When she returned to the table, she had another slice of pizza. As she ate, she looked toward the side of the beds and saw games and a Wii console. The room was very bright, but there were no windows.
    Pete looked at him and asked, “Why don’t we have any clothes on?”
    “In the bad world you left, you needed clothes to cover up and hide your sins. In our new world, there are no sins. We are free from our sins and free