by Shelly Crane
“Yeah. I saw. I’m sorry I threw it out there like that, but I figured that be the fastest way to deal with it.”
Piper is still by far the strangest Keeper I’ve met. She had feelings of jealousy and hate even back when I first met her. That doesn’t seem right considering that Keeper’s themselves don’t harbor those feelings.
“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you did. We have too many other things to deal with right now that to worry about... things like that.”
I nod and pull him down for a quick kiss, he bends willingly even wrapping his arms around me and pulling my feet from the floor. I’m not sure if he’s doing it for me or for her to see but I don’t care. I don’t open my eyes, I don’t want her to think I’m taunting her, I’m not. There are plenty of available men, even other Keepers to suppress her Merrick-appetite. I just hope she realizes that.
I pull back and look up at him to see his green eyes bright and burning.
“I really do need to make something for them. They don’t look so good. You can help if you want but I’m sure you’d rather be catching up with the other Keepers.”
He shakes his head.
“Nope. No where else I’d rather be. Besides, you need me. Admit it, wife,” he says playfully.
“I need you,” I whisper, rolling my eyes and smiling at his sweet consideration.
He kisses me again and we set to the task of making a bagillion sandwiches. I’m stealing cute Calvin’s word of course. Everything is so over exaggerated with him. In his eyes it takes 100 hours to get through a day of boredom. There’s a million cards all over the floor when we play 52 card pickup. And when we make sandwiches for a crew this size, it takes a bagillion of them.
After we get done, with Kay, Lana and Marissa’s help, we pass the ham sandwiches out along with bottles of water. While they eat, Jeff fills everyone in on what we’ve been doing since we parted ways.
I see familiar faces and new ones. We still have Piper and Polly. Yay...
There’s also Susan and Frank with his Keeper Kathy, then of course Lillian and her husband Michael’s Keeper Mitchell. Where is Michael? Oh no. And Sam and Lavonne and the others? Is that why Lillian looks so broken?
There are two new faces. Mitchell introduces them to us as Kenny and Alec. They are both about thirty or forty years old, hard to tell with so much dirt and what have you. Both are ordinary nobodies like me. Not Special and not a Keeper. Seem nice enough but quiet.
I wonder why the bell didn’t ring. We installed a door bell up in the stock room of the store. If we have new visitors or a problem up top, you ring the bell to signal us down below to be alert. I know. Top notch technology, right? It was all we had to work with and it’s efficient. Maybe Margo just didn’t ring it because she brought them down herself. I hope it’s not broken.
Jeff begins to introduce us. It takes a while, which is a good thing. I hope one day we’ll have so many, you can’t keep track anymore. He smiles a huge smile and winks at Marissa when he says her name. When he gets to Merrick and me, he leaves his script behind and improvises.
I love Jeff.
“And most of you know Merrick and Sherry from the basement, but what you don’t know is that they got married since we’ve been down here and they adopted an adorable little girl, Lily, who’s napping right now.”
Then he went on, leaving no one time for anyone to say anything to us or dwell in their negativity. I didn’t have to even look at Piper, though I did, to feel her glare on me. But I also got some smiles and a surprised and amused yet sad look from Lillian.
Merrick pulled me closer into his chest from where we sat on the floor, leaning on the wall and kissed my temple. I smiled thinking how Jeff said we adopted Lily. It wasn’t said or talked about. It wasn’t confirmed. Everyone just took it as it was. She was ours.
I realized I was avoiding Lillian, to some degree. I knew I’d have to ask about Michael and I wasn’t ready yet. Poor Lillian. I can’t imagine loosing Merrick. I remember how she loved Michael. Talked about their future. The kids she wanted with him. It breaks my heart to have to ask her that and remind her, not like she forgot.
Cain was on one side and Merrick on the other when Lillian came to kneel in front of me while we heard the chatter from other’s getting acquainted.
“I know you’re wondering about Michael,” she said bluntly. “He died a week after we left you guys. It was hard to find a place to hide for a while. It actually didn’t have anything to do with them, the Lighters, ironically. He was electrocuted when he entered an abandoned house that we were scoping out to see if it was safe to stay there, for a while. Somebody had rigged the house for intruders. They were dead already but the trap was still set there. We’ve just been bouncing around, house to house for so long. Never feeling safe. Never getting a full nights sleep. Never knowing which one of us is next...”
She finished and just sat there, looking at the wall behind my head. She started to sway on her knees and her bottom lip started to quiver. I knew she was about to lose it. I left Merrick’s grasp and reached up to hug her, both of us on our knees.
I held her for a minute, feeling the pressure of Merrick’s warm hand on my back. Then I heard an exasperated sigh and a tapping. I look over Lillian’s shoulder to see Polly, watching us and tapping her annoyingly small foot. Her arms crossed and a less than tolerant smile on her lips.
“Oh no. Not this again. Sherry, just leave her alone. She starts this all the time. I mean, how many months has it been for goodness sakes? Michael died a long time ago and he wasn’t even killed by a Lighter or whatever those flying things are, he was killed the normal way. At least you should be grateful for that Lillian. He died a human death, some of us aren’t so lucky.”
It took all my power not to throw Lillian to the side and charge Polly with all my puny strength. I felt my eyes go wide and my breath heave in a heavy long intake. Everyone stayed silent, watching the interlude. Lillian didn’t even turn around.
“I mean,” Polly continued, “why does she get to be the one to complain all the time? None of the rest of us get our way either. Poor Lillian. Poor Michael. Poor sweet innocent blonde Lillian. I’m sick of it!”
I won’t have anymore it.
Polly opened her mouth to speak again and I stopped her.
“Enough Polly! Like you haven’t lost anybody. This isn’t just about Michael if you’d have been listening to her. You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I all but yelled.
I must have surprised a few because everyone’s eyes gravitated to me and I saw they were wide. Even Cain beside me took a swift intake of breath in shock. I refused to feel bad. No one was sticking up for Lillian.
“Sherry, I see you haven’t changed. Still chasing Merrick, still yelling at me, telling everyone what else what to do. I have to say, I didn’t miss you.”
“Ditto,” I answered.
“Enough is right, Polly. You are always on Lillian about something. Enough,” Susan snapped and then sent a small smile to me.
Jeff intervened.
“Alright. Alright. Everyone is tired and beat, I’m sure. Let’s just get your rooms ready and everyone can hit the sack for a while, huh?” Jeff said, motioning for Miguel to join him down the hall with the others trailing behind him.
I released Lillian as Marissa came and asked her if she could help her find a room.
“Thank you. We’ll talk later,” she said and left.
I sat back and watched them go.
“What the heck was that, Sherry? I’ve never heard you yell at anyone before,” Cain asked, looking more amused than upset.
“She always pressed my buttons, everyone’s buttons, back in the basement before. She has no regard for anybody’s feelings. Who’s to tell Lillian how long she can mourn her husband? What she can and can’t be upset about?”
“No, I agree. I’m just surprised it was you that said it,” he said smiling and chucked my chin.
I smiled back and then laughed as he gasped a
nd flinched. Lily snuck up on him and jumped in his lap when he was looking at me.
“Lily bug! Did you sleep good?” Cain asked her, settling her better in his lap.
“Yep, Uncle Cain, I did. I was dweaming about pancakes,” she said matter-of-factly like it was completely normal.
Us that were left in the commons room all laughed.
“Me too. I dream about them all the time. Sherry makes good ones doesn’t she?”
“Yep,” Lily answered, twisting her doll’s hair.
I smile and turned to Merrick and he was lost in thought, staring into nowhere.
“You ok, babe?” I ask rubbing his arm.
He turns and smiles, pulling me into his lap.
“Yeah. I’m great, actually. I hate to say that I was worried about them, but I was. I hated it when we had to split up back at the basement. I can’t believe they found us. It’s just bizarre. Small world.”
“It is, isn’t it. That all? You’re sure? Nothing’s wrong?”
“Nope.” He pulls my forehead down to his. “I’m fine. Just thinking. I’m proud of you too. Polly shouldn’t get away with that crap.”
I smile at his often use of slang words. He never used to do that.
He kisses me and we’ve barely touched lips.
“Eew!” Lily and Cain both groan.
I make a fake jump to tickle her and she bolts, laughing and squealing.
“So what’s up with Lillian?” Cain asked, stretching his legs back out and flexing them.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I mean, what’s up? Kids? Husband I know of. She seems sweet. And she’s cute, in a dirty ragamuffin sort of way.”
“Cain! She just got here!”
“I know! But you did promise me a girl, remember?” he says smiling.
“A promise is a promise, Sherry,” Merrick mocks, laughing while Cain bumps his fist.
“Jeez! Give her a minute! She might not even like you, ya know. Her husband, Michael, was a pretty great guy.”
“Yeah,” he said and sobers. “I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t be joking about this right now, should I?”
“I don’t think it’s that Cain. She’s not pining over him. I think it’s just that she hasn’t had time to stop since we split up. It sounded like it was pretty bad for them. She probably hasn’t even had time to grieve properly, especially with Polly yelling at her about it. Just give her some time. Besides, you’re cute enough I guess.”
“Cute enough?” he says and grabs his chest in mock hurt. “I’m taking my wounded pride to the hall to see if they need help down there.”
I push his shoulder playfully as he gets up.
Merrick and I sit there for a while. Me enjoying his warmth and his shoulder. I doze off after a while and wake up to see him asleep too, with Piper watching us through hooded eyes from across the room.
Cleansing Waters
Chapter 3 - Cain
“Dang it,” I hear myself mutter as I stub my toe on an ugly bag someone left in the hallway.
I kick the bag to the wall, and immediately regret it as I see the tall and strange dark haired girl from before, who was blasting Lillian for crying, come out of a room and lock me in a heinously wicked gaze.
“Sorry,” I mutter but keep walking.
What I want to say is ‘you left your bag in the way and you deserve more than just having your bag kicked you hateful Amazon’. But I don’t say that and never would.
The rooms are filling up again. We’ll have to start digging again soon to make more halls and rooms. Mike thought Jeff’s idea about going deeper instead of further out would work. He should have known I guess. He was a nice guy.
I’m seeking out Lillian of course. Not just because I was joking with Sherry about her but because she did seem sweet, but she also seemed like she could use some help. A little broken and fragile. I like to feel needed and useful.
I find her with little problem, Marissa leaving her room after getting her settled. She goes straight to Jeff and whispers in his ear then bites her lip, playing the innocent seductress nicely. He smiles and laughs, pulls her into his room a couple doors down across the hall and shuts the door.
I shake my head. Those two are almost as bad as Merrick and Sherry, who seem to be touching or talking to or about each other, every waking minute of every day. Which would be fine except for one thing.
I am absolutely in love with Sherry.
I know, I have to get over it. For one she’s only nineteen. Seven years doesn’t usually make much difference but for someone that young it does. But she doesn’t act young, that’s the thing. But number two and most important, she’s married.
And I would never ever act on it. I would never ever say anything to her about it. Merrick is the best. He’s like a brother to me. I couldn’t do that to him, plus the fact that Sherry loves him and doesn’t love me.
I’m fine with it. Well, not really but I’ll find a way to deal.
I’ll busy my time with something other than Sherry, which what with us being trapped together and almost dying, then worrying about her all these weeks as she has hobbled around trying to take care of everybody has been hard.
The first time I knew she was gonna be trouble for me was the coffee shop. Yes, way back then, the very first time I saw her. She came in with her long brown curly hair pulled across one shoulder, leaving one side of her neck exposed. I immediately busied myself behind the counter so as not to draw attention with my staring. I wiped a circle into the counter the full minute she looked around the shop, watching people.
I thought it was such a waste for a cute pretty thing like her to be enthralled by evil but she wasn’t watching the tv. She was watching the people. It was interesting, because the Lighters speak drew you right to it so I figured I’d bust out the question that would make or break her story once she finally made her way to the counter.
I knew right off something wasn’t right but I thought it was too good to be true. After the whole kissing-to-save-us incident, which was a good idea, I then learned she was married and I remember thinking, crap. I remember exactly what her lips felt like. The way the soft skin of her wrists felt as I held her arms above her head.
Of course, I thought to myself. Of course, she’s taken. Then I met Merrick and realized how he could get her. He was a beefy tall dark guy with a fierce protective streak for Sherry. Then I learned he was a Keeper and knew why.
I’ve tried every since then to stop loving her. Us getting trapped in the cave together did nothing to help the situation and her constant willingness to be her sweet smiling touchy self doesn’t help either. I tried. Really. I’m still trying.
But now, I have distractions. The new guys...and girls. Or girl I should say. Lillian. The others seem a little too young and hell bent on revenge for my taste. But Lillian is really cute. She looked a little young to be married, but then again so does Sherry.
“Hey, Lillian is it?” I ask, tapping on the door slightly. “Need some help in here?”
She looked up at me. I can see her better now. She’s a mess. A pretty mess but a mess just the same. Her eyes are red from crying, her hair is matted and she’s got dirt on her arms and face. Her eyes though, are clear and a deep bright blue and fastened to mine instantly.
Man, the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Um, I don’t think so. I didn’t bring a lot with me,” she said softly and chuckled sadly.
“Yeah, I guess not. Well if you need anything, let me know. I’m Cain.” I reach out to shake her hand.
“Oh!” She made a big show of wiping her hands on her pants legs, even dirtier than her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m such a mess. Nice to meet you.”
She extended her hand, but I knew she didn’t want to and was just being polite. I took it anyway.
“You too. It’s ok, Lillian,” I said grasping her hand, surprisingly soft for someone in her appearance. “I’m not sure what happened to you guys but you’re not the first new people to
come in here. We know it’s rough out there. Like I said, if you need anything, I’m two doors down, that way,” I say and point further down toward the hall.
“Thank you, Cain. Actually, if you could show me to the bathroom, I’d like nothing better than a shower before everyone starts fighting over it.”
“Sure thing. Follow me.”
She did and we parted our way through the hordes of people crammed into the hall and doorways looking for rooms. She was getting pushed around a bit and wasn’t in any shape to force her way through so I reached back and took her arm, pulling her in front of me until we got out of the hall.
I decided to take her to the less crowded bathroom on the other end. We entered the commons room and no surprise, Merrick and Sherry are murmuring and smooching on the floor, as are Celeste and Danny in their usual corner.
To be perfectly honest, and to my dismay, I’ve never seen happier people.
Lillian stops and turns to me.
“So, Sherry and Merrick got married?”
“Yep. That’s what I’m told. It happened before I got here.”
“Huh. That’s strange. I wonder when that started. But Jeff and Marissa too? I saw them before in the hall.”
“Yep. Not married though, just, I don’t even know what you’d call it these days. Dating doesn’t seem to fit does it?”
“No, it doesn’t. So how did you come to be here,” she asked, her eyes drifting back to mine.
“Uh, Sherry came into the diner I work in. She helped me get my family, then they brought us here.”
“You sound very fond of her.”
“Do I?” I shrugged. “I am. That little gal and me been through a lot together since then.”
I look away remembering it all. The cave where we almost froze to death, Sherry’s broken leg, the Markers and Lighters. The Taker. Their van going over the bridge into the river. Lily’s parents. The list of blunders could go on for miles.
