Ascended, 1

A heavy tread from behind him caused Marlon to jump in fear. Father placed his hand reassuringly on the young man's shoulder. "Another bleak night. Why don't you let me take watch and get some rest? Nothing like the rain to get you to sleep."
"No, thank you, Father." Marlon replied. "You took watch last night, and tomorrow you have to harvest the garden before the frost."
"Marlon, you worry about this old man too much. I do just fine, I always get my nap in the afternoon."
"Father, you're the only family I have left, I have to watch out for you."
"Well, good night, Marlon. I'll come and get you at sunup."
Marlon expected little trouble inside the walls of the library. The only time anyone had disturbed the ivy covered brick building was just after the two of them had found the abandoned structure. The two had hidden in the tall grass near the lake while the gang of disheveled men tore through the place, tossing and kicking the books and tearing the plants from the garden plots. It had taken Father two months to reclaim the garden from the overgrowth and weeds when they had originally found it, and three more to coax the beans into bearing their first tender bounty. After the destruction, Father seemed a bit dispirited, but had simply packed a bag and traveled into the remains of the small town of Greensberg, to the local hardware store. He and Marlon had chosen seeds from the deserted isles of the store, picking their way over litter and scattered debris. Most of the big ticket items like generators, flashlights and all of the food had already been looted, but the two were able to track down watering cans, gloves, seeds and an assortment of tools. Father had insisted on leaving money and a note behind the counter. Marlon would have argued, if he had thought it would have done any good.
Secretly, Marlon was relieved at the steadfast dedication to doing the right thing that the Father evidenced. Just after the event, while Marlon wandered the empty streets alone, he had been well and truly convinced of a nameless evil within himself. One vile and wretched enough to deny him access into the kingdom of Heaven when nearly every person around himself had ascended.
Father had soothed him those three years prior by saying, "Do you really think the Lord would leave his flock without any shepherds? And leave those who remain no way of reaching Heaven? I believe this is a test of our faith, Marlon. We must not allow this trial before us to cast doubt into our hearts. You are a good person. I know it. God left us here for a reason, Marlon. We must find our purpose in His new world."
Although Marlon had his doubts as to the truth of the old priest's words, he came to know the Father too well to ever doubt his character. The old priest was a good and kind man, truly devout to his faith. This simple and clear truth helped to resolve the anguish that had plagued Marlon since the event was first widely described as "The Rapture."