The Swamp (14 page)

             
Sam examined the area outside his cage. There were a total of ten cages, set in a semi circle that butted against the edge of the clearing. The cages were closely spaced, and he could see six other cages that held people, each had a cage to themselves.

Sam
was surprised that he had been out for that long. “What about the others, have you heard anything about our people that ran for it?”

             
“Nope, not from any of them, they got Ted though, and killed him, the sick bastards.” Mike looked crestfallen as he spoke

             
Sam took a good look at Mike and was shocked. His left eye was swollen almost closed, his lower lip was split, and his face was covered in some nasty bruises. “You sure aren’t any prettier. I take it you didn’t give up without a fight.”

             
“I gave worse than I got,” mike bragged, and then indicated the direction behind Sam, “There are a few over there who will regret being the ones to find me.”

             
Sam slide his butt around to look in the direction mike had pointed. A large house stood in the center of the clearing surrounded by tents of every description, there must have been a hundred spread out over the several acres the house occupied. All over the place, Sam could see people milling about, at least enough to account for the number of tents. This was a large group.

             
The house was a two story structure that would have looked more at home in the English country side, its stone walls and exposed beams would have very been attractive under any other circumstances, but now they looked menacing. The house was bordered by expansive well maintained flower beds and large trees.

             
Over the porch, a large “L” was carved in to one of the stones. Sam’s eyes were pulled to a man standing on that porch leaning on a cane.

             
The man stood there staring at him, a smile spread across his face, and he started down the porch stairs towards the dog cages. Sam took in the man’s appearance. He was an older man, mid-fifties if he had to guess, dressed in an expensive looking bright yellow polo and khaki pants. He was walking with a dark wood cane with a silver head, but Sam could tell it was just for show, the man walked fine.

             
“Oh god, he’s coming,” said a voice to the side away from Mike. Sam glanced over and saw a brunette woman of about college age. He hadn’t noticed her before, which made him look around. His cage was one in a string of about ten. Most held a person. Some looked like that had been there for a while. The voice continued “Be polite, say yes sir and no sir, and do what he tells you.” Her voice trailed off into a whimper as the man approached closer.

             
“Well, I see you have rejoined us her in the land of the living” spoke the man in an accent Sam had only heard in old southern movies. “Welcome to my home, I am your host, Joseph Looper. And your name is?”

             
Sam considered saying something rude or demanding to be let out, but something in the man’s eyes stopped him. “My Name is Sam Hobbs, sir.”

             
“Aw, Hobbs, now would that be of the Georgia Hobbs or of the Carolina Hobbs?” The man asked.

             
Sam knew the answer was neither, but wasn’t sure how the man would take that, “I’m not sure sir, I grew up here in Florida.”

             
“Well that’s too bad, a man should always know where his family comes from, and it helps you find yourself if you’ve gone astray.” The man looked pensive for a moment, and then concentrated his full attention back on Sam “I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, and welcome you to the church of light and love. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask.” With this the man turned to go.

             
“Can my friends and myself be let go, please?” Sam thought he should at least try.

             
The man, now ten feet away turned back to Sam, “oh no, I am afraid not. My people have plans for you, and it wouldn’t be polite of me to spoil it for them. They do so love their little parties.” And with that he left. Sam didn’t like the sound of that, not one bit.

             
Under one of the spreading oaks, he could see a large table was being set up like a buffet. Breads and vegetables were already on the table. Somewhere behind the house he could smell meat roasting and his stomach growled.

             
“I’d sure love some of that, I am starving,” said Sam.

             
The dark haired lady in the next cage laughed. “No you wouldn’t, I’m guessing that meat you smell is one of your friends.”

             
Sam looked at her with horror and disbelief. He started to tell her to shut up, and that that wasn’t something to joke about, but then he glanced at Mike.

             
Mike just faintly nodded his head, “They brought Ted in a couple of hours ago tied to a log they carried on their shoulders like some kind of a damned animal. They had cut his head off, but it was definitely him, you could tell by that concert t-shirt he had been wearing. We had to sit here and watch as the strung him up on that oak limb over there. They skinned, gutted, and butchered him right in front of us. The smell of meat started less than an hour later.

             
Sam’s mouth fell open in shock as Mike spoke, “Why?” was all he could manage to say.

             
The woman answered, “They eat whom they catch. This area has plenty of farms so they have lots of vegetables, but the dead have eaten all the cows and pigs except a few. We are the backup. When they catch a group any they don’t kill right out are put into cages given a chance to convert and join them. Those they don’t feel worth converting or those that refuse get to be dinner...”

             
“Who are they?” Sam asked and looked to Mike. Mike just sat there slumped against the side of his cage staring at nothing in particular.

             
Again the woman answered when Mike didn’t say anything. “They are some kind of cult that lived here before all this happened. The one that is called Joe is very talkative about it, like he was trying to convert me. Apparently they have been here for a long time waiting for god to come get them. The kicker was that the end came but god didn’t. They kind of snapped, all except Joe. The way he explains it, they decided that since god didn’t come for them, they must not be people, and became animals. They apparently had some kind of communal dormitory around here somewhere around here, but now they all stay here in the tents. They don’t talk, wash or anything, but they do whatever Joe tells them, no matter what it is.”

             
As she spoke, he had noticed a flurry of activity at the table as several large trays piled with loose meat were brought out. Sam felt bile rising in his throat and almost vomited as it dawned on him what it was.

             
About a hundred people were gathered nearby, most were people his own age, but a smattering of older men and woman could be seen in the crowd. What disturbed him the most was the children, some were barely walking and here and there he saw infants in the arms of the woman.

             
They were gathered around the table in a circle. Joe walked to the middle of it and raised his hands as if reaching for something, and spoke in a loud voice. The gathered crowd fell to their knees and bowed their heads.

             
“Our heavenly father,” Joe began, “Thank you for the bounty you have provided on this day. May it nourish our minds and our bodies so that we can better do gods work in this trying time. Please find a place for those of god’s soldiers who fell in gathering this feast so that the rest of us could survive. Please god, show light to the heathens that walk the world and bring them to us so that we may purify them in your name. Amen.”

             
The throng of people raised their heads and waited. Joe looked around the group and smiled, as he stepped away from the table. “You may begin,” He told them and they rushed forward and began filling plates and bowls. They dug into the foods with bare hands and when they had filled their dishes, they retreated to form small groups and ate. Some used their hands, but most simply pushed their faces down and eating directly from whatever vessel they carried. The sight renewed Sam’s nausea.

             
They feast lasted the better part of an hour before the group was sated. Sam had notice Joe hadn’t partaken of the meal, but rather had just sat there and watched, smiling the whole time.

             
When it was obvious that everyone was done, Joe again addressed the group, “My friends, it is so good to have our entire congregation together. This happens so rarely, but we must get cleaned up and prepared for when the hunter groups go out again in the morning. We also mustn’t forget our manners. We have guests who must also eat.” He indicated a few of the men. “You guys make some plates for them, while the rest of you clean up and help our brave soldiers prepare for their departure.” The followers jumped to their task without question.

             
The indicated men piled food onto plates and started towards the cages. Sam felt the wire against his back and realized he had subconsciously been backing away. A man walked to the door of his cage and kneeled, sliding the plate into the gap under the door and grunted at Sam before walking to the next cage and sliding another under the door to the brunette.

             
Sam heard a commotion from Mike and looked over to see him kick the plate back under the door at the kneeling man. The sudden violence surprised the man and he fell backwards onto his butt. Mike was holding the small door and shaking it violently, spewing rage at the man. The captor, a large muscular man with an acne scarred face leaped to his feet and pulled a wicked looking knife. He brandished the knife while Mike clung to the chain and screamed something horrible about the other man’s mother.

             
The big man lunged forward and jabbed the blade at Mike, but Mike was able to leap out of the way in plenty of time. The man put the knife in his teeth and reached into his pocket and came out with a set of keys. The commotion had drawn the attention of the crowd at the table. Sam looked up to see Joe running over, “Stop right now and back off!” he yelled as he crossed the distance. The big man glared again at Mike, and Mike glared right back, but the man obeyed.

The leader arrived huffing and ordered the man to return to the group. “That was uncalled for Michael! That man was just trying to show you some southern hospitality.” He said in
calm, scolding voice.

             
“That asshole was trying to serve me my fucking friend, you psychotic mother fucker!” Mike raged “Let me the hell out of here you bastard!”

             
Joe let a shocked look spread across his face, “Now Michael! I will ask you to watch your language; there are children within ear shot”

             
“Fuck you!” Mike screamed at the man and through himself at the bars again.

             
Joe turned to a nearby man, “Mr. Michael would benefit with some calming.” He said and the man ran towards the house.

             
“Let me the fuck out of here! I am not anyone’s fucking dinner!” Mike bellowed as he repeatedly rammed his body against the door, it bent a little, but the chain was holding.

             
Within a minute, the man had returned and handed something to Joe. Joe looked at the item and pointed it at Mike. “I am really very sorry about this. He said and Sam saw him pull the trigger.

             
A loud popping noise sounded, immediately followed by a crackling sound as the tasers barb struck Mike in the chest. Mike screamed and fell stiffly to the concrete floor. The sound stopped and mike sat motionless for a second.

             
“I’d advise you to stay down and be very quiet, “said Joe sternly, “I'd hate to have to do that again, and it’s not very pleasant.”

             
Mike groaned, but put his hands under himself and started to push up. The sound rang out again and mike went back down. This time the trigger was held for almost a full minute as Mike writhed on the ground. This happen twice more, before Mike stopped moving. Satisfied, the crowd wandered off, leaving the prisoners to think about what they had seen. Sam walked to the door and gently pushed the plate back out with his foot. He saw that the woman in the next cage had done the same, but the other prisoners sat quietly in corners of their cages eating timidly.

             
Joseph had taken a seat in a nearby yard chair and watched as the two refused their meals. “I see that some of my guests have started to come around.” Joseph said, as he watched the men in the other cages eat. “I do so wish you would, Rebecca. We have a place for you at my right hand.”

             
The brunette answered politely, “No, thank you.” Sam could see anger in her eyes as she looked back at the man. “I will not be joining.”

             
“Brother Samuel, What about you?” The preacher asked.