He tries

"I confiscated those photos from a pervert," Erwin lies. "Remember that guy we spoke to last week, the one with the peace sign tattoo? He was--"

"You know, Erwin," Mara says, "that isn't the way phones work. You just erase photos. You don't move them to your phone, unless, of course, you want to look at them."

"I'm... I'm not that good at technology. Sara and I are separated from the world, looking for the better world that is coming soon."

"Same as has been coming soon for couple thousand years," Anna observes.

"But now the prophesies have been fulfilled," Erwin points out.

You're pretty sure nobody in the 21st century is stupid enough to believe you can confiscate photos off someone else's phone by copying them to another phone but you're also pretty sure Sara wants to believe Erwin. After all, if you've invested years of your life in a supposed relationship, it's human nature to be willing to throw more resources into futile attempts to rescue it.

"Erwin," you say, "there's nothing wrong with being attracted to guys. Do you really believe in a deity that makes some people incapable of finding happiness with the people they love just because they defy some rule some bronze-age sheep farmers thought God gave them?"

For just a second, hope springs up in his eyes but it fades even faster. "The word of God is clear."

Okay, maybe attacking the book at the center of his life wasn't the right approach. You jibe to a new tack. "And your faith is real clear on that. What happens to guys who come out as gay?"

"Pastors council them, of course. Through prayer, they may be healed of their sickness."

"And have you tried praying to be..." you make air-quotes with your fingers... "healed."

"Of course. Every day for the past ten years."

"I suspect they'll be disappointed in you, probably find that you're not a true member of the faith because the failure of your prayer indicates your lack of faith."

"But I have faith."

"Of course you do, Erwin. You've given up your life for your faith, haven't you? Still, they'll reject you when they find out about those photos. And, if they catch us, we won't have any choice but to tell them, will we?"

The girls all shake their heads. "Nope," Mara says. "It would come out for sure."

"Of course," you go on, "if they don't catch us, there'd be no reason for us to spill your secrets."

"You're... blackmailing me."

Sara looks from Erwin to you, then back to him. "You could have told me, Erwin."

"But it's a sin. I hate myself for who I am. God hates me for who I am. I can't defeat my sin."

"Do you love Jesus?"

"Of course I do."

"Then Jesus loves you. It's that simple. _You _don't have to defeat sin. Jesus defeated sin for all of us. For all time."

"It isn't that easy. The church--"

"We have to go, Erwin," you say. "I'm afraid you've thrown in with some people who are using your faith and the faith of other victims for their own power. I guess it's up to you what you tell them about our meeting... if you tell them anything at all. Just know that we'll keep your secret if we can."

"No," Anna says. "We kill and make sure."

You're pretty sure she's putting on an act but if she is, it's hella convincing. She looks like she'd love nothing more than carving him up and gnawing on the bones left behind.

"But... what will we do?"

"There is no we," Sara said. "I forgive you for your lies but I won't wait any longer. I'm going with Mike and his girls. Tell them that you spent this time trying to persuade me to stay with the Church and that I left. That's all."