Disclaimer: As usual, thanks to Mutant Enemy for the characters and hope you can forgive the liberties I'm taking with them.

Author's note: About the bones - there are 206, according to my source.

Things Fall Apart - Chapter 9

The boy in the wheelchair watched as they brought the preacher into the theatre, with many of the Reavers gathered out in the hall following them inside, jeering and spitting. The boy turned to regard the Reaver leader.

"Remember what our purpose is here," he instructed. "This is neither the time nor the place to settle old grudges. We must look to the future of our people, not our past."

The tall Reaver's expression flickered, but he continued to watch the preacher's approach with icy intensity. River glanced between them apprehensively.

"He is my tribe now," she said, her voice sounding thin in the silence of the auditorium. "He took a different path."

"And it lead him right back to me," the Reaver leader said grimly, speaking in the common tongue for the Shepherd's benefit. "It's almost enough to make you believe again, ain't it Shepherd?"

The Reaver spat out the last word, and River saw Book flinch. They had stopped a few feet from the edge of the stage, the crowd of Reavers behind them falling silent in anticipation. The preacher looked up at the Reaver leader, his gaze unwavering.

"I am called Shepherd Book now," he said calmly.

"So you're calling yourself a man of God now," the Reaver leader said, shaking his head slowly. "Looks like your God has a few scores to settle with you still, don't it preacher? Do you see what the Great Betrayer does to those who believe in Him?" He asked of the Reaver deserters and ex-soldiers crowding into the theatre. "You are delivered into the hands of your enemies!"

There were shouts of approval, and the Shepherd was jostled and dealt a couple of heavy blows before their leader gestured for silence. The tall Reaver folded his arms and studied the Shepherd, half smiling. "You see, I learnt my lesson along with al