*If you haven't done so already, click on the story's title to the right to view the title page and intro. 

Part I:

A New Season

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  All things are wearisome,
   more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
   nor the ear its fill of hearing. 
What has been will be again,
   what has been done will be done again;
   there is nothing new under the sun. 
Is there anything of which one can say,
   “Look! This is something new”?

Ecclesiastes 1:8-10

    It began innocent enough. The brisk, cool day was a pleasant reminder that the scorching temperatures of summer were now behind her. Sarah, not real keen on hot weather, spent a good deal of the summer in the air conditioned comfort of her home. As much as the rest was needed, lethargy began to settle in. With it came the

awareness that she had been running on reserved fuel. Meanwhile, the extra bulge around her waist seemed to confirm her growing suspicions, a change was overdue. It appeared her season of rest had run its course. Now seemed the time to shake off her complacency and re-enter the race, and with the entrance of the new fall season she vowed to turn over a new leaf.  

     After enjoying a large mug of stimulating coffee, Sarah changed into some sweats and headed for the garage to get re-acquainted with her bike. Once avidly ridden, it was now just taking up space and accumulating dust, and as she wiped the seat clean she couldn't help but wonder if her legs would hold up during the ride or go into shock. 

     While peddling through the quiet streets of her neighborhood, she saw there were changes going on that she had not previously registered as she journeyed in the speed and comfort of her car. Generally, she enjoyed the plants and trees that flourished bountifully, yet now they were weighed down by withering branches that were bent over as if beckoning for a vigorous pruning. Furthermore, the discovery of sporadic litter and overgrown grass seemed to indicate this lethargic state was not exclusively hers. At times like this she found herself weighing the advantages of a Home Owner's Association, even as she was aware the privilege for that service held more than monetary costs.

     Being fond of the familiar, Sarah had lived a few years in the same place and generally took the same route, but that was all behind her now. Today was a new day with a fresh start. Opting to leave the old behind, she headed for a different route. 

     Once she had journeyed a good distance past her neighborhood, it dawned on her that she had been at it for over an hour. To her delight she found she had ample motivation and energy, and like the invigorating wind billowing around her she was thus far breezing through. The fact that she was also enjoying herself was like the icing on a cake.      

     Then suddenly, there appeared beams of bright lights that caught her eye. Turning to give it her undivided attention she found its source, the illumination of a community sign. The flashy lights were blinding in the morning, twilight hours, but somehow she was able to see beyond that and make out the words in the darkened background.  They read, "Christian Stepfordville". With curiosity getting the better of her, she crossed the street to investigate further.

     At the entrance Sarah discovered the community was surrounded by a large, iron fence. Beyond it Sarah spotted an outhouse with a security guard. Visibly disappointed, she thought, Darn, it's locked and secured. From the outside looking in it sure looks like a nice neighborhood with a great security system implemented, but it doesn't appear to be accessible to the general public. And just when she had turned to leave, the gate opens for her and she eagerly proceeds in...

Part II:  Christian Stepfordville