Ezekiel strode confidently across the rough, trampled earth of the settlement, his movements steady, purposeful, and exuding an air of casual authority. The midday sun warmed his back, its rays casting short shadows around him. To his right was Dan, with his large frame and silent presence making him the perfect companion for Ezekiel''s frequent walks around the settlement. The two men moved with practiced ease, their conversation casual yet businesslike as they made their way toward the forest.


    Just as they were approaching the outer boundary of the settlement, a hesitant voice broke through the ambient sounds of the settlement’s day-to-day life, interrupting them and getting their attention. "Uh, Excuse me... Ezekiel? Can I talk to you for a moment?" The slightly wavering voice asked.


    Ezekiel stopped, soon followed by Dan, as he then turned to face the source of the voice, and at the same time, he put on his well-practiced, casual smile. Martin, a young, wiry man barely out of his teens, stood awkwardly a few steps away, his anxious eyes darting between them as he shifted nervously from one foot to the other.


    "Of course, Martin," Ezekiel responded warmly, making sure he included the young man''s name in the response. "What can I help you with?" Hearing the reply Martin hesitated for a brief moment, clearly gathering courage as he decided on a course of action before continuing, his voice low, uncertain, and hurried. "It''s about my dagger, the one I recently got from a quest… It’s missing. I’ve searched everywhere these past two days. At first, I thought maybe I’d just misplaced it or something. But no matter how much I look I can''t find it, I haven’t loaned it out to someone or taken it with me out of the settlement. I haven’t even left the settlement in like a week, been helping the others with building new chairs and furniture, like you asked. Also, I can almost swear that I left it last at home and now it''s nowhere to be found."


    Having hurriedly said all of it, he paused and took a deep breath as his eyes flickered briefly toward Dan and then back to Ezekiel. Clearly uncomfortable but determined to press on. "I think maybe someone might have... borrowed it without asking, you know?" Ezekiel''s eyes narrowed subtly, his smile still firm. "You think it might have been... taken?" he asked gently, his tone kind, almost sympathetic. Martin didn’t answer directly, only glanced downward and nodded slightly.


    Ezekiel glanced briefly at Dan, whose stoic expression gave nothing away except a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. Having taken an internal note that Dan was unaware of any thefts within the settlement, he turned back to Martin, his expression softening, as best as he could into one of concern.


    “I understand your concern, Martin,” Ezekiel reassured him smoothly, patting the young man’s shoulder with a comforting gesture. "We certainly can’t have people losing their things like that. I''ll make sure we look into it, and I promise we''ll get to the bottom of it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."


    Martin visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping slightly, relief evident in his posture. "Thank you, Ezekiel," he mumbled, nodding gratefully. "Of course," Ezekiel said, his voice friendly yet authoritative. He patted Martin briefly on the shoulder once more, before turning back to Dan, indicating they should continue their walk.


    As they resumed their path toward the forest, Ezekiel’s expression shifted to one of mild contemplation. "Dan," he said quietly, leaning slightly toward the larger man, "when you take the other hunters out today, make sure you bring back as much food as possible. But also... keep an eye and ear open. See if you can find any clues about our missing dagger." Dan’s mouth curled into a knowing smile, his eyes sharp with understanding. "Understood."


    "Good," Ezekiel replied, patting him on the back. "Report anything unusual to me immediately. We can''t have any thieves among us." Dan simply nodded in response, and Ezekiel sent him off with a brief wave. Now alone he continued the rest of the distance towards his destination. As he walked past the last of the new structures, he paused briefly, looking back at the settlement, his gaze sweeping past it all and settling possessively on Hellen''s small wooden home. A private whisper, so low spoken to be barely audible escaped him. "In time, you''ll recognize the beautiful future we are meant to share, Hellen." a satisfied and arousing smirk played on his lips as he said her name.


    Then turning, he moved swiftly onward. Not long after entering the outskirts of the forest where Francis and some of the others tasked to help him, had been cutting down trees and gathering wood. Ezekiel easily recognized the sound of rhythmic chopping long before he saw Francis’s massive figure swinging his axe with formidable strength. Once he was close enough, Ezekiel paused to watch, admiring the sheer physical strength that Francis possessed as he split through the remaining off a sizable tree trunk with just two powerful hacks.


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    He shook his head slightly, marveling at his fortune. The Lord had truly blessed him. It never ceased to amaze him how perfectly suited he was to this new reality, a reality where proof of the divine was abundant, and guiding the unfortunate came easier than ever. He chuckled inwardly at his previous life, filled with luxury and decadence hidden carefully behind the display of piety, with journalists ever-threatening to uncover his so-called secrets. These so-called secrets, were things that in his humble opinion should not be looked down upon, as he was simply and rightfully enjoying the fruits the lord had made, and offered to men.


    He had feared that when the Judgment had come, he would burn like the rest of the sinners. But no. Judgment Day had not punished him. It had rewarded him and punished his enemies instead. Here, now, no damned soul could judge or investigate the righteous way he lived, proven by the fact that he had been spared. He might have lost the fancy cars and houses, but here he was Noah reborn, chosen to lead, understanding all too well the deepest desires of man. Who knew, he might just build something greater than there was before. Ezekiel let a pleased smile creep on his face.


    Francis noticed him then, having finished up, the big man approached, sweat glistening on his forehead, his bushy beard flecked with bits of splinters. Ezekiel greeted him warmly, his tone casual. "Francis, my friend! I hear you wanted to speak with me. The messenger you sent made it sound urgent."


    Francis hesitated slightly, shifting the weight of his axe. "Could be something, could be nothing. Just figured I should mention it." he began roughly, his deep voice thoughtful. "Spit it out then," Ezekiel said with a laugh, slapping the much bigger man friendly on the shoulder. Francis scratched at his beard, not minding the gesture. "I went to deliver logs to the shop earlier, and neither Hellen nor Annabelle were there." Ezekiel’s expression tightened slightly, his brows knitting together. "Alright. Have you checked their home?"


    "Yes," Francis confirmed, "but no one was there either. I''ve asked around a bit. Turns out, no one’s seen either of them since yesterday’s meeting. Someone mentioned they saw Hellen leaving early during your speech" Ezekiel quickly interjected, his eyes narrowed slightly, "Yes, I saw her myself. She slipped out quietly."


    Francis nodded solemnly. "Well, figured I’d check if you’d sent them out on some errand or task." Ezekiel shook his head, deep in thought. "No, I haven’t. Did you ask June if she’s seen them?" Francis shook his head. "I haven''t yet," he admitted.


    "Alright," Ezekiel said decisively, placing a reassuring hand on Francis''s shoulder. "I''ll look into this personally. Come to the shop later; there are important matters regarding the recent divine message we need to discuss." Francis simply nodded in acknowledgment, and with that, Ezekiel turned swiftly back toward the settlement, a bad feeling setting in. His mind started to immediately spin with possibilities as unease etched clearly in his features. His steps were quick and purposeful. It didn’t take him long before he arrived at Hellen’s home, he knocked once on the wooden door. Almost immediately, a voice called from behind the structure. " Back here!"


    Ezekiel rounded the corner to find June practicing awkwardly with a long bent wooden stick, its end crudely sharpened into a makeshift spear tip. Looking at how she kept thrusting it into the dirt and air, attempting to mimic the movements of spear fighting. He couldn''t help but chuckle lightly. "Practicing to get a quest, are we?" June turned, her expression guarded but polite. "Something like that," she said neutrally, wiping sweat from her brow. "Well I hope you succeed," Ezekiel said as he displayed a humored smile, carefully stepping slightly closer. "I came looking for Hellen and Anna. Do you know where they are?"


    "No," June replied without hesitation. "And before you ask, I came back late yesterday, it was fully dark by then and I went straight to sleep. When I woke up today it was already late, and nobody was there. Haven''t seen them so far either." Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed slightly, his smile never faltering, but shifting from being a pleasant one. "That was somewhat a quick, well-thought-out answer, no?... Are you truly sure you haven''t seen them at all?" He took another subtle step closer, and June instinctively stepped back, her posture stiffening. "Yes, I''m sure," June replied firmly, her eyes unwavering. "Now, if there''s nothing else I''d like to get back to my practice."


    Ezekiel''s smile widened slightly, revealing a calculating expression. "Of course," he said smoothly. "Thank you, June." As he walked away, He soon caught sight of Benjamin speaking with an old woman. He gestured discreetly, and Benjamin made his way over, concern evident in his features. "What''s wrong?"


    "Hellen and Annabelle are missing," Ezekiel said curtly. "We need to find them immediately. I am getting a bad feeling, and you should already know how important they are to this settlement. We can''t have anything happen to the both of them." Benjamin quickly nodded in affirmation. "I''ll handle it."


    "Good," Ezekiel said, his voice softer as he was aware of the woman watching them closely with subtle interest. "Report back everything you find out at the meeting later." Benjamin gave another quick nod and turned to leave. Ezekiel then waved to the watching older women Benjamin had been speaking with. Along with it, he showed one of his warmest, most polished smiles, getting one in return. Then he turned toward the shop, to continue preparing for the meeting and his future plans.