Free Barren Fields by Robert Brown

type of hope for how we can continue to survive, I won’t be running things for long.”
    “That probably means Jeremiah would be in charge, right?”
    “Yes, if I’m out, he would be running things. You need to know we already planned on going to your ranch before we arrived here. I thought you would be there and we could ask you for help, but Jeremiah was certain you would be dead and any supplies that were there we could take. Maybe even move everyone there and stay at the ranch if its condition wasn’t too bad.”
    “I can understand why he would assume we were dead. Most of the world is gone.”
    “It’s more than that, Eddie. My group, my family , we are all God fearing people and without anyone to communicate with after the fall, all of our time was focused on finding repentance for our sins. I thought you might still be alive, but he was convinced you would be dead or possessed because of your lack of faith.”
    “And what does that mean?”
    “He and several of the men that are closest to him said they would take your ranch even if you were still alive. To him it would be better if you were a Muslim than a non-believer.”
    “And you expect me to welcome your group in when some of you are willing to kick me off my ranch or kill me and my family because I’m an Atheist?”
    “I want you to know that if you bring us in, I will be in charge and those people won’t be able to do anything. If you don’t help us in some way, I don’t know if I’ll even be able to keep Mariah safe, and won’t be able to do anything if they decide to try for the ranch.”
    “He would kill his own sister?”
    “He believes he is trying to protect her soul. Hell, you saw me out there today. Even I shot our man before he could change because we all believed it. Sure, a part of me thought it was a disease we were dealing with and not demons, but I wasn’t sure. Now I know for certain it’s a disease, but it will take some time for the others. With Jeremiah, I’m not sure any amount of time or evidence will help.”
    I nod trying to take in everything he’s telling me, and then look at Simone, who just shakes her head and shrugs her shoulder at my gaze.
    “How many people did you leave back at your camp?” I ask while exhaling a sigh.
    After looking at a small notebook, he says, “We left eight men to guard the camp, seventeen women and seventeen children. Seventeen women, including my sister, who shouldn’t be here.”
    “Give me a few minutes to get the trucks on their way and talk this over with my people,” I say to Isaac, and he nods back at me.
    “Are the trucks loaded?” I ask as I reach the loading dock.
    “Most of our people and all of the Stick People that are going are loaded up. We were just waiting for your say-so to get everyone else on board to leave,” Donald replies.
    Donald, Arthur, Samantha, and Simone gather close so we can figure out what to do. I motion for Hannah to come over so she can be a part of the discussion as well.
    “They have over sixty people, including seventeen kids, who we would have to add to the ranch. Any idea’s or comments?” I ask.
    “It will already be a stretch dealing with the thirty people we saved from this place. We’ll have to start some serious scavenging for more resources to take care of everyone through the winter,” Arthur says. “On that note though, Isaac’s people could be a big help in guard duty and caring for the Stick People we are bringing with us. However, they might be a danger if many are like his brother and consider anyone not adhering to their brand of Christianity as the Devil’s helpers.”
    Simone and I look at each other knowing how true that is after what Isaac just told us.
    “They seem like good Christian people to me,” Samantha adds. “Maybe some are a bit overzealous to my liking, but I don’t see what harm they would pose to us. Especially if they already know you and your family are Atheists and they still want to join