After The Apocalypse (Book 2): Church of Chaos by Gen Griffin

outside in more than twenty years before she was taken by the flesh-broker. My dad is loud and he's a fighter. He wouldn't have gone quietly. You would have heard him arguing with people. He would have fought for his life and the lives of everyone around him.”
    Gauge hesitated for a second. He was frowning now. “You said your dad's name was George?”
    “Yes.”
    “You happen to know the name of the flesh broker who brought your folks in?” Gauge asked.
    I hesitated and looked over at Seth. He nodded. I took deep breath. “His name is Bud Moon.”
    Gauge looked me up and down. He rubbed his sandy blonde goatee thoughtfully. “Bud Moon only brings in people from inside the Cube.”
    “I know,” I said.
    “You two are from the Cube?” Gauge asked.
    Seth and I exchanged a startled look. Gauge shook his head again. “Scratch that question. She's from the Cube. You're not. I don't know what you are.”
    Seth didn't answer.
    “I'm from the Cube,” I explained. “He's just. Well. He's Seth.”
    “Yeah. He got wrapped up in a spiked whip and didn't even flinch. Most people would be crying on the floor from pain or panicking about their risk of infection by now. He can't even be bothered stopping the bleeding.”
    “He's-.”
    “I'm not important. Have you seen Pilar's parents or not?” Seth cut in. “She's told you the truth.”
    “I don't remember her mother. I may have seen her, but she didn't stand out to me if I did. I do remember her Dad. He was loud. Outspoken. Angry but he didn't rage. He preached. He sat in the cage and preached about equality, values, god and forgiveness.”
    “He was a pastor before the apocalypse,” I whispered.
    “Everyone in the meat market was calling him Preacher George,” Gauge said.
    “You know what happened to him?” Seth asked.
    “Same thing that happens to everyone else who winds up for sale in the meat market. He was sold for slaughter.”
    “Oh god.” I couldn't breathe. I felt like a massive weight was pressing down on my chest.
    “You know who bought him?” Seth asked. “He might still be alive if it hasn't been that long since the sale.”
    “Not a clue,” Gauge replied.
    “Can you find out?”
    Gauge stared thoughtfully at Seth. “I might be able to, depending on what you can do for me.”
    “You want the money, it's yours.” Seth reached into the pocket of his jacket to pull out the money bag again.
    “I don't want money. I want the gun you're wearing in the waistband of your pants.”
    “You want the gun?” Seth looked both startled and relived as he turned to me. “Your call, Pilar. It's your gun.”
    I opened my mouth and then frowned at him. “The gun was my Dad's. It's the only thing I have left from my parents. I'll only give it to him if he helps us get my Dad back. Or at least helps us find out what happened to him.”
    Seth turned back to Gauge. “You heard her.”
    “I did,” Gauge said with a nod. “My information isn't going to be enough. You want me to get my hands dirty.”
    Seth shrugged with feigned casualty. He was great at keeping a straight face behind those dark sunglasses. I got the feeling he was amused by the negotiation.
    “I want help,” I clarified. “We came here today thinking my parents would be in the meat market and hoping that we could purchase them and then walk away. It's not going to be that simple now. We might need help getting to Dad.”
    “If he's even still alive,” Seth mused under his breath.
    I shot a nasty glare at him. “Don't. Please don't. I can't let myself think he's gone.”
    Seth abruptly shut up and raised his hand in surrender. “Sorry.”
    Gauge narrowed his bright eyes at Seth. “I'll help you guys find her dad. You have my word. I'm a man of my word. I hope you are too.”
    “Oh, you can trust me,” Seth said with a dark smile.
    “Why do I very seriously doubt that?” Gauge asked.

Chapter 9
    “I need to go back out into the city for a little while. Do you want to come with