Botanicaust (52 page)

Several questions flowed from children all at once. Josef refused to let go of Levi
’
s shirt collar.
“
Papa, take me with you.
”

The nurse put her hands out, palm down to quiet the crowd.
“
Everyone, Mr. Kraybill has to go.
”
Levi smiled in thanks. She didn
’
t smile back.

Crouching near his son, he pried the boy
’
s weak fingers loose and placed them around the glass of milk.
“
Josef, you can
’
t. Drink your milk, okay? I
’
ll be back as soon as I can.
”

“
You
’
ll come back?
”

“
I promise. Tonight.
”
He planted a kiss on the child
’
s head and strode purposefully from the room. As soon as he resolved the situation with Tula and the girls, he would spend every moment possible with his son.

On the road to the abandoned milk house, the sound of a tractor coming up behind Levi made him automatically step to the side of the road. The engine revved high and loud, and he wondered how the Blattvolk made their vehicles so quiet. Maybe Tula could help redesign some of the Old Order engines. The nose of the tractor pulled into his peripheral vision and Levi waved to the driver. Brother John sat behind the wheel, with the other two preachers, the deacon, and Bishop Eldon perched on the running boards. Samuel balanced with one foot on the hitch, his ruddy face somber. They focused on Levi.

“
Brother Levi, a word.
”
Bishop Eldon called out. He was an old man, but his back and voice were strong.

Much as he wanted to get to Tula, Levi halted. The men stepped off the tractor and Brother John cut the engine.

“
It
’
s good to see you, brothers. You won
’
t regret
—
”

“
The fate of the Blattvolk has yet to be determined,
”
Bishop Eldon interrupted.

Levi frowned.
“
What do you mean?
”

“
They are marked.
”

Dread took root in the pit of Levi
’
s soul.
“
The color of their skin does not deny them God
’
s love. They were but children when it was done. They were not of an age to choose.
”

“
The Brethren have been praying for guidance. But the congregation must vote.
”

“
On what?
”
Surely they didn
’
t mean to turn the Blattvolk out? Lowering the fence would expose the Holdout to danger with cannibals so near. The Elders would never do such a frivolous thing. Or did the Bishop mean worse?

“
I cannot say where the Lord may lead us.
”

A chill settled over Levi.
“
Tula could sing Jesus Loves Me before I met her. And the Twins can recite the Lord
’
s Prayer. They are Children of God, Brothers.
”

The men exchanged tight-lipped glances.

Brother John put a hand on Levi
’
s shoulder.
“
Come to meeting, Levi. You
’
re in the Bann, but we
’
ll let you speak your piece.
”

They had officially banned him after he left, but there was more at stake here than his own shunning. If they meant harm to Tula or the twins
…
“
Have you talked to Tula?
”
His voice wavered with emotion.

“‘
Satan masquerades as an Angel of Light.
’“
Deacon Yonnie crossed his arms over his chest.

A deep tremor shook Levi and he straightened his spine. Although the Deacon
’
s position was filled by a lottery guided by Gotte
’
s Wille, Yonnie liked being Deacon far too much in Levi
’
s opinion.
Act within the Ordnung
. Taking a breath he said,
“
The Apostle Paul urges us to prove all things. If you do not open your heart to the truth, you are but blind guides.
‘
When the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit.
’“

The men drew up in indignation.

Levi didn
’
t stop.
“‘
Anyone who professes to be in the light and yet hates his fellow man dwells in darkness.
’“

“
Do not quote scripture at us, Brother Levi, when you are in the Bann yourself,
”
Deacon Yonnie thundered, a vein in his forehead pulsing.

Brother John put a hand on Yonnie
’
s shoulder in placation.
“
Brother, peace. Levi has a valid point.
”

Bishop Eldon chewed his tongue.
“
God instructed the Prophet to baptize the faithful during the Botanicaust. And there are other precedents to accepting outsiders into the fold.
”
He nodded to Brother John. John
’
s jaw twitched. His grandmother had been a cannibal left as a baby outside the gate. The Old Order had felt moved to take her in.

“
Not Blattvolk!
”
Yonnie bristled.

The bishop raised a hand.
“
We must not form superficial judgments.
”

“
They bear the Mark of the Beast!
”
Deacon Yonnie countered, and Brother Evan nodded somber agreement.

“
I will speak to her, that none may find blemish in my guidance.
”
Brother John stood straight and tall, never wavering in his gaze on Yonnie.

Levi nodded gratefully. When the Elder Brethren had voted on Levi
’
s request to search for a cure for Josef, the split had been four to one, with Brother John his only supporter. The congregation had grumbled over that. Years ago, many had opposed John
’
s nomination into the lottery for a new preacher, but the Bishop had calmly insisted on the choice being God
’
s. The position was for life, barring excommunication. John siding with Levi had caused a lot of turmoil.

The Bishop sighed and climbed onto the tractor with Brother John. Although the Bishop had ultimately denied Levi
’
s request to search for a cure, at least he
’
d listened to Levi
’
s request. Yonnie
’
s mouth puckered, but he clambered onto the tractor along with the others.

Looking at Samuel, Levi asked,
“
And you, Brother?
”

Samuel looked over the men on the tractor, then back to Levi.
“
I shall walk at your side.
”

Together they cut across the field ahead of the tractor. At the orchard, men and women stopped singing and lowered long-handled fruit pickers to watch the tractor chug past. They didn
’
t notice Levi and Samuel slip through the field toward the milk house, and Levi was relieved.

“
There
’
s talk of witchcraft, Levi. That you
’
ve been seduced.
”

“
And what do you think?
”

“
I
’
ll see the Blattvolk first. And pray for God
’
s wisdom.
”

Levi sighed. What his brother-in-law meant was he
’
d wait to see what the Brethren said.
“
I will pray for that, as well.
”

At the milk house, men with dogs rested near each corner. Against cannibals, the dogs didn
’
t seem so awful, but with the threat directed at Tula, Levi felt ashamed. Was it hypocritical for the Old Order to condemn violence, yet train dogs to do the dirty work? He rubbed his fingers against his palms, remembering Dr. Kaneka
’
s death, remembering the cannibal
’
s bloody face. He was a changed man, and humbler for it.

The guards greeted the party with nods but remained in place. Brother John opened the door to allow the group inside.

“
Tula!
”
Levi squeezed past the men.

At the sound of his voice, she rose from the floor and hurtled into his arms.
“
Levi! You are all right?
”

She wore a proper dress, fastened below her chin, and Levi grinned. He located Eily, her own dress in a pool around her as she sat with her head bowed as if in prayer.
“
Where
’
s Ana?
”

Eily slumped forward, her forehead in the dirt, and began to moan.

“
Tula?
”
Levi looked into Tula
’
s suddenly teary eyes.

“
She sacrificed herself so we could run.
”
Tula
’
s voice cracked.

Levi
’
s mouth went dry. He spun to the Brethren.
“
Why didn
’
t you tell me?
”

“
Her action drew the cannibals away from the gate.
”
John gazed sadly at Eily.
“
And her prayer turned our heads.
”

Yonnie huffed, but said nothing. The Bishop and the others folded their hands in front of them.

Kneeling at Eily
’
s side, Levi stroked the child
’
s frail back. Ana was gone. He couldn
’
t believe it. Shock swelled into anger. He glared at the men crowding the doorway.
“
If you had let us in when I asked, she would be alive right now.
”

Tula knelt and put a hand on Levi
’
s where he petted Eily. Her voice was small, but calm.
“
They couldn
’
t risk the entire village to save us. But they used the opportunity Ana provided. Don
’
t be angry.
”

Bowing his head, Levi held back the tears. He wanted someone to blame. But Tula was right. His anger would serve no purpose.

He cupped Tula
’
s cheek.
“
Are you all right?
”

“
They
’
ve not treated us unkindly. I
’
m glad to see you
’
re well.
”
She put her fingertips to his face near the burns from the fence.
“
Levi, my Papa is here.
”

“
Your
…
Papa?
”

“
At the gate. He called me Katie, and I remembered it all.
”
She clutched the fabric of her dress over her heart, as if afraid the memories might escape if she didn
’
t hold them in.
“
I was born here, Levi.
”