Free Exodus: Book Two: Last Days Trilogy by Jacqueline Druga

with the scriptures .”
    Agent Harris motioned his head. “Let’s go.” He gestured to the two priests on the altar.
    “ He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father .”
    Fr. Mahoney and Father David closed their eyes, braced themselves, and prayed.
    “ He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. And His kingdom will have no end.”
    “No!” A woman cried out, halting the prayer, as four soldiers rushed the altar and seized Father Mahoney and Father David, dragging them from their firm stand.
    “You gentlemen are being taken into custody,” Harris declared. “You will be detained for questioning.”
    Fr. Mahoney stared at his shocked congregation as he was handcuffed, then began to pray aloud again, “I believe...
    “ In the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life. Who proceeds with the Father and the Son .”
    Cries and sobs, overwhelming, accompanied the prayer.
    “ With the Father and Son he is adored and glorified .”
    The other six men were handcuffed and taken away too.
    Harris spoke over the prayers and murmurs of protest. “You will be released. You have done nothing.”
    “ Who has spoken through the prophets ?”
    A soldier shoved Fr. Mahoney down the main aisle, needlessly, a scowl on his young face. Two men dove from their seats to stop it.
    “ I believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic church.. .”
    Agent Harris, mildly annoyed, twitched his head and two quick shots rang out. There were screams, the prayers ended. Father Mahoney’s would-be saviors dropped dead in the aisle, each shot cleanly through the temple.
    “Move it.” Agent Harris took charge of Father Mahoney as his soldier escorts snapped to about-face, then led the priest down the aisle, flanked by six of his men, saying, “You are being charged with the following crimes: Terrorist threats. Terrorist actions. Crimes against the State...”
    Fr. Mahoney sighed and slumped forward, the tips of his shoes dragging on the floor, but mustered the wherewithal to call out to his flock, “Keep praying! I confess....”
    “...confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins... ”
    “Crimes against the government...”
    “... I look forward to the resurrection of the dead ...”
    “Crimes against the United States.”
    “...and life of the world to come...”
    “Crimes against Humanity.” The door slammed. Agent Harris was the last one through and he murmured, “Amen,” with a grin.
     

Haskell, Indiana
     
    The eyes.
    Peaceful. So green. The voice, soothing.
    Yet Marcus couldn’t make out the face. Only the eyes, their corners graced with fine lines, not so much older, but wise.
    “I will need her, Marcus,” he spoke. “I will need her.”
    “Marcus,” another voice said.
    “I will need her, Marcus.”
    “Marcus.”
    Marcus opened his eyes. “Reg?”
    She was leaning over him as he lay on top of the bed. “Did you fall back asleep?”
    “Um, yeah.” Marcus rubbed his eyes and sat up.
    “You okay?”
    Marcus nodded.
    “Well?” Reggie stepped back and smiled as she modeled her outfit, a full U.S. Army ensemble. “What do you think? I think the ‘Militant Reggie’ look works. Don’t you?”
    “It certainly answers the big question… Is Reggie a lesbian?”
    “What?” Reggie gasped. “Who thinks I’m a lesbian?”
    “I’m joking.”
    “Good, I’m proud of you for that.” She moved to the duffel bag at the end of the bed. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look weird.”
    Marcus sat up. “I’m fine.” He swung his legs over the bed, and then stood. “But I need to speak to you. It’s important. About last night…”
    “If it’s about all the deaths, don’t.” Reggie held up her hand. “It’s frightening. And....” Reggie took a deep breath. “Right now I don’t want to be frightened. So go on, tell me, but don’t frighten me.”
    “It’s not about that. It’s about us.”
    “Us? Last night? Marcus, what do you mean?”
    “Us... in