Author's Note
: All characters are over the age of eighteen. This is a work of fiction: any resemblance to person's living or dead is coincidence.
Author's Apology
: This chapter simply refused to go according to plan, and some of the story is going to need to restructure around the way the events demanded to unfold. The juiciest stuff is going to have to wait for Melissa's Late Afternoon segment, which we will return to in Ch. 14.
Recap
: Melissa, once a God-fearing church-girl has been transformed by an alien infection, and is leading the over-eighteen's in the quarantine operation protecting the young people from the consequences of the disease. Melissa has come to believe that those who survive the sexual impulses caused by the infection are blessed by God and is preparing to winnow the over-eighteens by trial. Meanwhile, everyone is poised to hear what the President has to say about the situation!
>>> Day 2: Early Afternoon: Melissa
Melissa felt like she might be glowing. She was bright with these wondrous gifts of the spirit. She was a vessel for the Word. The Lord's work was happening. It was happening
through her
.
She had always been a "good girl." She was studious, attentive to her elders, obedient. She took a real interest in bible class. She wasn't just going through the motions like some people she could have named.
They were dead now, weren't they!
There was one passage she had never been comfortable with. Pastor Paul had said that it was good to have some discomfort with the Bible. That God was challenging them to a deeper understanding. That there were mysteries to God's love that continued to unfold.
The Apostle had written to the Corinthians: "All things are permissible, but not all are beneficial."
She had always been annoyed by "All things are permissible." The church had many guidelines, many rules. So what did it mean that all things are permissible?
And now she knew. Now the mystery was open for her.
In normal, everyday life, one has to live by rules for society to function. That's what the old testament law was all about, making society function. Jesus-and the Apostle Paul-were not interested in making society function, although of course, that still needs to happen. But they were teaching about
souls
.
And now, for the first time in her life, Melissa saw it clearly.
God had filled her with the Word, just like Jesus had been filled. God had blessed her with a gift of the spirit. And she was using this gift to truly transform the world. She had
definitely
saved Robbie and Cody, she was making progress with Noah. She really needed to find another woman who could pass through the trial. That was her next objective.
But she felt like she
had
connected - finally! - with Dr. McKinnon. The older woman had called her late in the morning, and they had spoken at length. Dr. McKinnon-
Emily!
--had really invited her to share honestly. And she had: as much as was "beneficial." Emily didn't need to know
all
the details, of course. Some things were between God and herself. But Melisssa had felt that Emily was
really, truly
listening. So, maybe when this was over, Melissa would have a powerful ally to spread the Word.
Someone had found a radio, and her leadership team was gathered to hear the President's address. Everyone was fascinated, of course! What would the President of the United States say about Philipsburg, PA? About
them?
Melissa watched everyone settling in, drinking their electrolyte solutions, shifting nervously.
Robbie and Cody, sitting near her, attentive, ready. Noah sitting beside Hannah. Kyle kind of spread out, lounging in the back. Jim sitting ramrod straight, as was his habit. The other girls-
women
-spread out. Melissa observed them. Which of them would pass the trial? She wasn't sure who she
wanted
it to be; there was a competitiveness amongst them now. It was all transparent to Melissa, she saw everything, how Nancy and Vannah were looking at Kyle (and frowning at each other), how Julia was sitting properly just in view of Jim. How Emma was licking her lips and trying to catch Cody's eye. Avery surprised Melissa; little Avery was tracking Robbie. Melissa hadn't imagined anyone would be after scrawny little Robbie, but she supposed there must be a type for everyone. The other women, Kayla, Isabel, Natalie, Paige, at the moment they were more focused on the radio than the other members of the team.
Melissa turned her attention back to Emma. Cody had yet to be fully tested himself. She had no doubt he would pass of course. He was
her
favorite, so of course he would pass. But did she really want him to be tested with just anyone? He was
hers
after all.
But this was the power of the Word. Melissa could even see into her
own
heart, and she saw that selfish, possessive impulse. That was not love. No, she should bless Cody with the same trust she was giving Robbie, and soon, Noah. Cody would bring the trial to Emma. Melissa decided.
And then the President spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States."
That familiar voice, authoritative, calm, measured. Old.
"My fellow Americans, I come before you today to address rumors and speculation that have been swirling about events in Pennsylvania. I'm here at Independence Hall, where our nation began two hundred and forty six years ago.
"I will be honest. Before this week I didn't know much about Philipsburg. We are a large country, with many beautiful small towns where the citizens of our nation work, live, build their families, contribute to their communities. Towns of churches, schools, and the small businesses that are the true essence of our great Nation.
"But now I know Philipsburg. I have spent the last 24 hours with the Vice President, the cabinet, and our security and military advisors learning everything there is to know about the lovely town of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania... and the radical terrorists who are holding this town hostage.
"We have always known this risk was out there, and —"
The room erupted in sudden shouts, cries of "What?"
Cody had gone pale. He stepped forward and switched off the radio.
"We don't need to hear any more of that, I guess."
"What does it mean?" Hannah asked, an edge of fear in her voice.
Melissa spoke, putting all of her
gift
into her words.
"It means that they still don't understand this
condition
well enough to name it. Government scientists are making excellent progress, but Dr. McKinnon has explained that they don't want to cause a panic."
Kyle spoke up, the first time Melissa could remember him actually speaking in more than grunts of acknowledgement. "They're gonna kill us."
"What on earth?" Melissa said, suddenly terrified. It's what Dr. McKinnon had been hinting of during their call. But she couldn't let anyone think it. Not any of her team. Not herself. "No! Of course not."
Kyle shrugged. "The president just told the biggest lie he could find. There's no way they're letting us out of here now."
Melissa took a breath. It was a good point.
"They have poured so much help into this place, they are still dropping supplies every few hours. We are
protecting the children
. That's not so that they'll just turn around and
kill
us," Melissa said, passionately.
She went on before Kyle could speak again. "I am sure they have a plan, but they have to avert a global panic. It's..." she hunted for the word... "
imperative
to keep everyone calm. Here, outside, and in the nation. In the
world
."
Kyle took a breath to speak but Melissa met his gaze and poured all her intention into him.
He shrugged, and looked away. Melissa was going to need to get better control over Kyle, but for the moment that was good enough.
"Now listen everyone. I had a
long talk
with the scientists this morning, and they
assured me
that this would all be sorted out by tomorrow. They are making excellent progress,
with our help
. The President is making sure the rest of the world doesn't panic, and we need to do the same. We need to keep calm, keep our routine, keep things organized, do our duty by the young people of our town, and squarely face this tragedy. Like Kyle, like all of you, I don't think it's right for the president to lie to the American people. But that's not our problem right now. Our problem is keeping each other safe, and keeping the children safe and healthy."
She looked around the room, reaching out to everyone with her heart, filling them with the love and confidence to keep doing the work they needed to be doing. She saw who was doubtful, who was scared, who was resistant. Kyle was not persuaded. She would take care of that herself. Hannah was still a thorny one. Jim was skeptical. Natalie and Paige had a bright resistance in them that was very similar. They were sitting next to each other. Were they holding hands? Melissa pursed her lips. She would have to do something about
that
.
She had her hands full!
"Ok everyone, let's make sure the seniors have the afternoon properly organized."
* * *
Melissa made her rounds.
Cody
"Cody, thank you for taking charge in the room back there and turning that liar off. We didn't need to hear any more of
that
garbage!"
He looked distracted. Melissa straightened her dress, tugging it a little to give him a little more cleavage.
That got his attention. "Cody," she said. "I
need you
... to help me with something."
His eyes got that glaze. "Of course, Melissa."
"I
need you
to comfort Emma, Cody."
"Comfort Emma?" He didn't look confused so much as just awaiting further instructions.
"I can see she is upset by these developments. Maybe in about half an hour you could take her up to the teacher's lounge and, soothe her. Help her... relax."
"Oh. Robbie has told me about this. But, Melissa, Emma is... not..."
"You don't think she's pretty?"
"Well, sure, but..."
"What's on your mind, Cody?"
"Emma's a little too... sweet. I'd feel bad if..."
"Don't worry, Cody. I have a good feeling about her. I think she's going to pass the test."
"Test?"
"God's test, I thought Robbie had explained?"
Cody laughed, a short, tight laugh. "You really don't get it, do you, Melissa. Ok. Let's see if Emma passes the test. God's... or mine."
Emma
The conversation left Melissa a little on edge, but she knew that Cody was still under her control. Still, she wanted a word with Emma.
Emma had just finished helping get the lunch lines sorted. Meliisa took Emma's hand and looked her in the eye.
