Chapter VI

Sebastian awoke the next morning at home and thought about what to do with his day. Usually, he’d start preparing for his sermon, but there would be no one attending church that morning. He rose out of bed and sauntered across the room to get dressed, walking to his closet and grabbing his priestly attire out of habit. He stared at it for a moment and replaced it.
"I guess there’s really no need for it today,” he thought. He replaced the garments in his closet, and looked at them feeling sad, but also relieved. The relief struck him as odd and when he thought about it, he realized just how much of a burden for him it was to wake every morning and tend to his “flock.” This recognition shook him to the core, right to the very heart of his religious values. He found the urge within himself to say that it was the Devil tempting him, trying to turn him away from God.
The disappearance of most of the human race weighed heavily on the priest, and he desperately wanted to turn to a higher power for answers. Throughout the course of his years as a clergyman, though, he had seen many prayers - both of his parishioners and of his own go unanswered. For the first time in a long time, he felt decidedly shaky in his convictions about God.
He realized that he wouldn’t need his frock for some time now, maybe not ever again. Suddenly, he couldn’t bear to look at his ceremonial garb and turned away from his closet, staring out the window. He didn’t know what to think or how to feel, but he couldn’t help but single out a meandering thought:
“What if Olaf was right? Are we truly alone?”
Sebastian shook the thought from his head, headed back to his closet and reached for his civilian clothes. He donned a pair of tan cargo pants and a long sleeve navy blue shirt. It was casual and fashionable, one of the vices that he allowed himself. His acquaintances seemed to always be poking fun at him for this, saying he was too old to be “hip” now. He was saddened by the thought of them not being around any more to do so now.
He went to his front door and opened it, finding Olaf in mid-knock as he did so. Startling the pudgy fellow brought a good-hearted chuckle from the priest.
“Good morning, my friend,” he said with a laugh.
Olaf regained his composure and smiled, albeit with a red tint to his cheeks. “Hey, Father,” came the reply.
Sebastian thought for a second about his actions earlier, and responded to him with, “Please, Olaf, you don’t have to call me that. Sebastian is fine enough.” The words felt strange as they escaped. He‘d never before refused his title.
“So what’s on the agenda today, Fath...? Erm… Sebastian?”
Sebastian thought about this for a moment. What was there to do? He looked around his yard and down the street. Of course, there was nothing but empty cars and houses. Empty - just like how he felt.
However, he wasn’t going to let Olaf in on how he felt. He needed to be strong for the both of them. He was a soldier, just like always. In the steadiest voice he could muster, he answered Olaf’s question.
“I say we do a little bit of shopping today.”
“Shopping?” replied the confused fat man. “What are you talking about?”
Sebastian gave him a wry grin. “Well, it occurred to me that there is not really any need for us to hold back any more - when it comes to our well being, that is - so, I think we should see what we can gather from our neighbors. There’s no need to feel ashamed about it now.”
Olaf looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights, so shocked was his stare. Sebastian had some idea that what he’d said would be shocking, but he had grossly underestimated its full effect. He was pretty sure he knew what Olaf was thinking, and he imagined it was something along the lines of: “What has gotten into the priest? I’d never have thought that I’d hear the man say anything of that nature. He’s quite possibly the personification of good.”
But Sebastian also knew that he had a good point. Olaf would not disagree with him - not about this.
“I guess you’re right. So which place are we hitting first?” Olaf asked.
“The army surplus is the best bet. The MREs have come along way since I was in the military, and they actually taste pretty good now.” What Sebastian also wanted to look for, but didn’t vocalize, was his desire to find a weapon or two as well. He had a feeling they might need some protection now, and he‘d be damned if he went without a fight.
“Good idea, sir. I like the way you think, and you know I can’t pass up a good meal!” exclaimed Olaf, who forgot about his apprehensions regarding his friend as soon as food was mentioned.