Dystopian Girls 2

by Rodzil LaBraun

  Captain Barnes looked surprised by my question. I could also tell that she was beginning to warm up to me just a tiny bit. I prided myself that I was choosing my words carefully. "Yes, there is a treatment. It doesn't work on all of them, though. But, if they are not too far gone, as you say, there is a good chance that it will at least help. The New Hampshire Avenue Militia has captured the doctors responsible for the medicine, halting all production outside their organization for the time being. They plan to use it on their slaves for their own benefit."

  "Helen, I'd like to show you something. Will you follow me to the pool house?"

  There was much trepidation among their group at my request, until finally curiosity won her over. One of the dismounted women with a rifle joined Riley and I as we went to the small building. This second woman was maybe in her thirties, light brown skin, and stocky like a wrestler. She was not even remotely a looker.

  Our visitors covered their nose and mouth as we approached the cesspool that had somehow gotten nastier each day. The heat from direct sunlight was absorbed by the dark green liquid. I decided then that we needed to move pool cleaning up the project list. I was embarrassed by it, which was sort of weird, all things considered.

  Inside the pool house, Jamila and Hedy may have already been overhearing the conversation. They had remained quiet and did not peek out during the encounter. I was a little worried at what the Captain might think initially when she sees our hidden friends.

  "These two women took shelter here," I said, refraining from use of the word skank or infected. I figured humanizing them was a must at this point. Before pulling open the door, I told her, "Their names are Jamila and Hedy. We're kind of looking after them as much as we can. Talk of a cure had us hopeful."

  The two infected women did indeed expect us. Cowering was still unavoidable for them, though. I worried that it would set off the military minded woman. Instead, she simply acknowledged the situation with a clear head. I was thankful that Jamila was covering her normally exposed breast for the encounter.

  Addressing Jamila and Hedy, Helen asked, "Can you understand me?" They both nodded. "Are you captive?" They shook their heads. "Has this man harmed you?"

  "No," Jamila responded with a raspy voice. "Mason has been caring for us. He brought us blankets, pillows, and food."

  Captain Barnes then exchanged a look with her comrade, then nodded. The second woman then reached into the cargo pocket on her black shorts and pulled out a thin leather bag. Unzipping it revealed five glass vials of unknown content. She then pulled one out of its restraining strap and handed it to me. The liquid was as clear as water. A screw cap with a dropper visibly attached sealed it off.

  "Mason," Helen addressed me, using my name for the first time. "You surprise me. And that doesn't happen often. Unfortunately, there is no place in our organization for you. Perhaps one day that will change. For now, maybe we can work together. This vial you hold is incredibly valuable. I have a limited supply until we break up the New-HAM. That's what we call the army controlling the highway. Please be careful with it."

  "This is the cure?"

  "It is a treatment. From the looks of Jamila and Hedy here, it should help them significantly. Fill the dropper and apply orally once a day for three days. If there is no improvement there is no reason to waste any more of the product on them. If they do respond favorably, give them another three days of drops. That's it. That vial holds enough to completely treat five women. I do ask in return that you won't use it on any men."

  "Jamila and Hedy are the only two prospects we have at this time," I replied. I did not agree to her terms, but I found it unlikely that I'd being using the drug on a skunk anytime soon.

  Helen Barnes and her friends reminded everyone of her offer just before she left, promising to return tomorrow. She asked Riley if the people next door were part of our group, which she answered to the affirmative. The Captain requested that she convey the offer to them as well.

  Once they were gone from our view, I thanked Corinne and Nadia for their support. I believed that was a defining moment in our alliance. You can be friendly without being friends. Coming to the aid of someone when their life was in danger made a clear statement.

  When I asked why John wasn't with them, she indicated that he was passed out drunk from our liquor. As long as he didn't get violent Corinne said that she would just as soon keep him that way. She no longer attempted to hide the fact that she alone was in charge of their group.

  The two women took the opportunity to check in on their clan mate, Stella, as well as our progress on the farm. I had to admit that it was off to a slow start. It was depressing for me until I overheard Stella speaking to her true clan leader.

  She said to Corinne, "I like it here. It feels good to be farming again. And they treat me good, too. How long can I stay with Mason until I have to come back?"

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

  I began to cry. I didn't want to. I had always been a sensitive guy, but now as a leader I needed to portray strength and determination. At least the only crew member around to see me was Riley, and she was currently to my rear. Perhaps the super observant girl would not notice. Or, if she did, she wouldn't say anything. Riley was incredibly obedient. Thinking back, I probably should tell her when I wanted something kept a secret. Details of the blowjob that she gave me got around unbelievably quick.

  To be clear, only one tear managed to escape my watery eyes. It was nothing compared to the flood pouring down the faces of Jamila and Hedy. They had completely understood what had just been handed to me. A cure. Well, at least an effective treatment.

  I could not imagine how hard it would be to live life as an infected. To slowly watch your body as it deteriorated, knowing that eventually your mind would follow. I remembered watching my grandfather pass away years ago with cancer. He fought hard, but in the end, he just didn't have the strength to beat it. Until then, though, there was always hope. He could have a remission. The torturous treatments to stop the spread of the death dealing disease could have had better success. Or one of the many natural healing techniques could reverse the negative effects on the infected cells in his body. It was not the same as this 'zombie flu,' as Seiko called it.

  Alzheimer’s would be a closer comparison. I had a great aunt suffer from it for a few years before passing. She spent the last few months in a nursing home nearly clueless about where or who she was. People stopped visiting because it was so painful to see. With that disease you knew that she would not recover once it was that advanced. But then, that wasn't the same either. Jamila and Hedy were not forgetting who they were or what was happening around them. They were subject to this nasty parasitic-like attack on their bodies as they watched. Seeing the thousands around them infected turn into hungry, belligerent beasts made it clear what was ahead. There was no hope.

  Until now.

  Neither of them said a word. They did not rush me to obtain this vial that could literally end their suffering and save their lives. Not even a hand was thrust forward begging for it. They knew what I held, and they wanted it. And somehow, barely knowing these women. And yes, I considered them unfortunate women, not skanks. They were trusting me to help them.

  Why not? I'd been helping them to a much smaller degree. I brought the captain in here to see them. I obtained the tube of treatment for them, not myself. It had no value to someone that was already immune. And, there was enough to cure five people. Why wouldn't I give it to them?

  "How long are you going to make them wait for it?" Riley said softly from behind me.

  "Oh, sorry. I was caught up in the moment."

  I motioned for the two odorous women to come forward, and they quickly responded. Far from shuffling like a zombie, they did stumble a little due to their ailment. I hoped that we were not too late. Slowing as they approached, I realized that I had never been this close to them before. Not wanting to offend, I tried to hold my breath and not screw up my nose. But it only made me cough, which may have
been worse.

  "Sorry, Mason. We try bath," Jamila apologized for her stench. She had let go of the torn part of her dress, and that little brown titty stared at me once again. If this treatment worked, we would have to do something about that problem.

  I filled the dropper with the clear liquid and released it into Jamila's mouth first. Her breath was like fresh garbage from a Chinese restaurant. Without hesitation she accepted the fluid and swallowed. There was no lack of trust in her eyes. I guessed that if you were in that bad of shape you would try almost anything. I could've convinced them that a certain color dog turd was their salvation and they might accept it.

  Hedy's eyes were huge as she waited patiently for me to fill the dropper again. Once inserted into her mouth I worried that she might devour my entire hand in her eagerness.

  "I don't know how long it will take to see progress," I told them. "I'll be back tomorrow with another dose. I think it is best if I hold onto the vial. If anything happens to me, I'll make sure the girls know what to do."

  Both women smiled and started wiping the stream of tears from their faces. I was very happy for them. Hopefully, they would start getting better quickly. But what then? Do I invite them into the house to live with us? At what point during their recovery will their body odor become tolerable? I had no idea.

  Jamila took a tiny hesitant step forward and said, "I want hug."

  "Oh my God," the words escaped from my lips before I could stop them. I imagined that once healed Jamila would be a real cutie, assuming her flesh returned to its original state. And undeniably my type. But could I lie down with someone that was recently an almost skank? I mentally compared it to holding back your girlfriend's hair as she was puking. Then, in appreciation, she turned back toward me for a kiss. Hell fucking no! Obviously! But how do you say so politely?

  "Um, maybe not just yet," I replied, instinctively shuffling backwards. "Let's see how things go before you show your appreciation in that way."

  "Ok," Jamila retreated a bit, apparently without offense. "Morning?"

  "Uh, yes. I'll be back in the morning with the next treatment," I told her.

  "Ok," she replied with a sly smile. It was strange indeed to see the expression on someone in her state. "I bath again for hug."

  "Alright," I replied, almost stumbling away from the pool house doorway, bumping into Riley as she watched. Despite her straight face, I had to assume the scene was amusing to her. "We'll see. Tomorrow."

  Riley closed the door to the pool house and followed me to the gate. "That was funny," she said.

  "Maybe for you."

  "May I bring them soap and sand to get cleaned up?"

  "Uh, okay. I guess." We had plenty of bags of sand. The different types of soap and detergent available were not close to running out either. Cleanliness was not a high priority for scavengers, so every house had some.

  "Jamila needs to get ready for your date."

  "Ha, ha. Laugh it up. But seriously, maybe you can take them some mouthwash, too."

  "Do you plan to kiss her?" Riley asked, finally cracking a smile.

  "Hell, no! Were you not close enough to smell her breath?"

  I filled everyone in on the treatment plan for the infected women in the pool house. We would also supply them with a few things to help with their recovery. Everyone accepted my instructions without complaint, but I could tell that Jada was concerned. Whether it was about our rations or caring for the sick women, I did not know.

  We continued with our plans for the farm. The new fence idea was much easier, allowing us to get it up considerably faster. By early evening we had fastened the last sheet of dark gray plastic to the posts and rails. Stella and Riley had already begun a process that Stella called furrowing by then. The next day we would get the ground ready and begin transplanting some vegetable producing plants from nearby. Apparently, I had completely overlooked many things that were hidden in the overgrowth. It was possible that we could fill half of the new garden space with existing plants.

  Stella spoke very little with me. She gave me quick, efficient answers to my questions. But she never initiated conversation, except regarding the farm. I had hoped that after her statement to Corinne earlier in the day that she would become more talkative. Maybe she was, but just not with me.

  "Mason is a good man," I overheard her say quietly to Riley as we were retrieving our tools to keep them secure overnight. "It is so nice of him to want to help those poor women. He reminds me of my daddy."

  "Your daddy, huh?" replied Riley, almost snickering. "You know Mason is about the same age as you, right?"

  "I know. He is just like a young, more handsome version of my father. He is much nicer than any other man that I've met since everyone starting to die off."

  "So, you are going with the shy schoolgirl look, and the 'love you so much, daddy' approach. Nice. You are very good at it. If you stick around long enough, Mason is really going to like spending time with you."

  "Really?"

  "Oh, yeah. Trust me."

  I did my best to pretend that I did not overhear the conversation between them. If I wasn't already attracted enough to Stella, this new development was going to push me to thinking about her constantly. That wouldn’t do. In times like these I needed to stay strong minded. As much as the young woman was growing on me, I was looking forward to sending her back from whence she came. Her desire to stay longer would be an issue, though. My tendency to want to make everyone happy was getting in the way of my leadership decisions.

  I laid in bed with my wife Alexa that night discussing the status of our clan. No one knew what was going on with the individuals better than her. I wanted to be sure of anyone's wants and needs before Helen Barnes returned. Her desire to recruit my women, our women, could push her to be more forceful with her next visit.

  "Let's start with you," Alexa said as she began her analysis of our group.

  "Me?"

  "Yes. You are the leader, so it begins with you. The decision to start a farm has made everyone feel a sense of permanence here. That is a good thing. The stress about what will happen tomorrow is at an all-time low. So, good job there."

  "Thank you."

  "Your use of Stella to assist in the process makes sense. But there is some negativity there. It is obvious that you are growing fond of her very quickly. And not just to me. Everyone is getting a little jealous. You talk to her differently than the rest of us."

  "I was not aware of that. I'm sorry."

  "I'm sure that it has to do with her 'little girl' persona, and your desire to help people."

  "Well, she'll be gone soon. So, that will fix that problem."

  "Will she?" Alexa asked. "That girl wants to stay here with us. You can't blame her, really. When she makes that clear, you will no doubt allow her to stay. I don't know how you will appease Corinne and John, but you will find a way. You won't be able to force her to go. It is not your style."

  "I'm not going to worry about that until the time comes. I've already picked up on that being a problem and I think it is best that she returns to her clan. I don't understand why you three are getting jealous of her, though. She is not the least bit flirty."

  "You are completely wrong there. You just don't recognize it. I'm not saying that she is ready to bend over for you just yet, but that time will come eventually. And you will want it. You did a decent job of managing the needs of both me and Jada. Adding Riley to the mix was as good as it could have been. Her mentality makes it hard to get upset with her. She is just so eager to please all three of us. You the most, of course. But Stella? I don't see how you are going to be able to add her to your list of lovers without losing someone. I'm not saying that it would be me, but I do feel that way at times."

  "I assure you that I will never risk losing you. So, consider the matter handled. She won't be staying."

  "That brings me to Riley. She is absolutely ready to bend over for you. She is thinking about it a lot these days. And, she wants you to impr
egnate her. Or, at least to try over and over."

  "And she knows that you know this?"

  "Yeah! Hell, she even asked me to be present!"

  "What?"

  "She wants to be treated like our handmaid! Could you imagine her resting against me between my legs as you hammer away at her vagina?"

  "I can now."

  "Hah! I bet you can. You pervert."

  "So, what did you tell her?"

  "I told her no! Damn, Mason. I said that it was up to you if you want her to be your baby mama. Cuz I ain't ready. It's not like she is trying to steal you away from me. I just ask that you think of it the same way. I know that you have strong feelings for her. But it's different than with me or Jada somehow. Just don't get too passionate with her is all."

  "How do I do that?"

  "I don't know," she replied. And that was that for the sex talk for the evening. We spoke of a few other matters for several minutes then decided that we were ready to sleep. When I reached to turn out the lamp, I heard a soft knock at the door. It was so soft that I wasn't sure that I heard it, until Alexa begrudgingly asked that I check to see who it is. Of course, she already knew.

  When I pulled the door open a few inches it was Riley standing there in the doorway, wearing a nightgown that she had found in our closet a few days ago. I immediately tensed up thinking that something was wrong. She assured me that was not the case. She just wanted to visit the two of us.

  "It's Riley," I whispered to my wife.

  "I know, dear."

  "She wants to come in. How do you feel about that?"

  "Uh-oh," she replied. "Here we go."

  "Is that a yes?" I asked. "Should I let her in?"

  Alexa shrugged her shoulders as I felt Riley's soft fingertips on the back of my doorknob hand. When I turned back to face her, I was entranced by her angelic face once again. Remembering what she did for me in the bathroom a few days ago, combined with her supportive nature, I just couldn't turn her away. When I motioned for her to enter, she immediately floated to Alexa's side of the bed and sat down.