Civilization (Displaced Book 2)

by Stephen Drake

  “He was the contractor for the community building at the pod,” Keith said to Declan, “and he blames you for two weeks of nightmares. I think he’s being a superstitious ass.”

  Declan blanched at hearing about the nightmares. “I had nothing to do with his nightmares!”

  “I know,” Keith said. “It’s ridiculous to think anyone can give someone else nightmares!”

  “If it will help, I’ll leave and go back to camping under the trees,” Declan said to Emily. Keith was about to say something and became silent and turned to look at him. Emily’s mouth was agape.

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Emily said excitedly, smiling. “I’ll join you!

  “Now, wait,” Keith said pleading, “will both of you calm down a little? I need a second or two to think. Em, tell me you weren’t serious!”

  “As serious as a heart attack,” Emily said sternly. “Keith, why don’t you gather everyone together that gave the go ahead for Declan and persuade them to twist some arms, or break a few heads, or whatever it is you do, and when you get it all handled, let me know. I’ll be with Declan.”

  Emily stormed toward the cave entrance with Keith in her wake trying to plead with her not to go. Those who saw her coming quickly got out of her way. Declan followed along behind them. He could see that she had a good mad going on, about what exactly he couldn’t be sure, and she wasn’t about to have it dowsed quite so easily. Emily didn’t slow down until she was back at Declan’s campsite. Keith almost ran into her when she stopped suddenly. Declan had followed, but was back far enough that any sudden stops would be avoided easily.

  “You can just march your ass back to that ungrateful bunch and tell them I resign,” Emily yelled when she stopped walking and turned on Keith.

  “Now, Em, calm down! Let me see if I can get the others calmed down. Are you going to stay here?” Keith asked. Declan could see that Keith was panicked at the thought that Emily would quit.

  “Are we?” Emily asked Declan sweetly. Declan noticed the marked change in her tone when she spoke to him. So did Keith.

  “I’m not planning on moving any time soon,” Declan responded. After a short pause he added, “Unless, of course, Emily decides she wants to move somewhere else.” He managed a sheepish grin at Keith and a quick wink to Emily. He saw Emily grin a tiny bit.

  “Declan, in all the excitement, I forgot to ask if you wanted company,” Emily said sweetly. “I’m truly sorry for assuming or imposing.”

  “I didn’t take it that way,” Declan responded softly. “As I have told you so many times before, you are always welcome.”

  “In that case, what do you think of moving the camp?” Emily asked.

  “I don’t know,” Declan said, playing to her remarks, “I was starting to be comfortable here. Honestly hadn’t thought about it much.”

  Keith first looked to Declan and then to Emily, trying to figure out if either was serious. All he got back was grins, the kind that gave him an unsettled feeling in his stomach. Without another word, he turned and went back to the cave.

  Emily was having trouble holding in the laughter long enough to let Keith get out of ear-shot. Once she was sure, she started laughing, heartily. She was laughing so hard that Declan had a hard time not laughing.

  “Serves him right,” Emily said as her laughter wound down. “I took the job of leading that . . . that mob, on his suggestion.” Emily started to storm around. “I took the job because I was truly trying to help as many as I could. I was trying to make things better for everyone.” She started flapping her arms around in wild gestures. “You have no idea how many hours of sleep I lost worrying about the job. How many times I made sure everyone had eaten and drank before I had any!” Declan could hear her voice start to tremble a little. Her storming had slowed to pacing. Suddenly she stopped. “I’m sorry if I got your hopes up about joining the group, Declan!” She crumpled to the ground where she was standing and started sobbing.

  “It’s okay, Em,” Declan said softly as he came over and sat next to her to comfort her. “I understand, more than most might think.” He touched her shoulder gently. It was then that she threw herself into his lap and started sobbing uncontrollably. All Declan could think to do was to just be there and let her get it out of her system.

  16

  As Murdock was packing the cart for the family trip to the other encampments, he had the idea of loading a couple of axes along with the extra deer hides and a hind-quarter of smoked venison. He had also packed Rose’s machetes and water skin, as a gift for Declan. Beron had kept him apprised of Declan’s situation and he had seen the mental vision of Declan, and some woman, sleeping under a tree, away from others, for the past couple of nights. He didn’t know if Declan had any tools, but Murdock wasn’t opposed to loaning him some.

  Beron had also shown him where all the other newcomers were located and it pleased him to see that the group he had helped were still off the first ridge. That meant that Annie Cooper and Doctor Harris would probably be where he had left them. Once the cart was loaded, Mei Lee and all the children took up their positions for traveling. As they left, Murdock pulled the cart while the two older children took up point. The two younger children rode in the cart and Mei Lee either walked or rode as it suited her. He had opted for a more leisurely pace, at least to start off. This allowed him to communicate with Mei Lee telepathically and impart to her all that Beron had shown him.

  “It’s nice that Declan has a woman interested in him,” she replied telepathically after the information was imparted to her.

  “I’m interested in seeing if Declan has dealt with his issues,” Murdock replied.

  “If he hasn’t, any relationship will be fraught with problems,” Mei Lee finished his thought.

  “To say the least,” Murdock added.

  After several hours, they had reached the river crossing. After a short rest, Murdock levitated everyone and the cart over the river.

  “On!” he shouted and Mei Lee and the two older children climbed aboard the cart. They were settled in seconds and Murdock started his ground-covering trot. They were at the top of the ridge in short order.

  After checking for possible observers, Murdock levitated the cart, while Mei Lee levitated the older children and herself, down from the ridge. Once at the bottom, everyone resumed their positions on the cart and, once everyone was settled, Murdock resumed his trot. A few hours later, the Murdock family reached the top of the second ridge and, same as before, descended after checking for observers and finding none. At the base of the ridge, Murdock and Mei Lee set up a midday camp.

  #

  As he walked back to the caves, Keith Rogers wasn’t pleased. It was about midday of the third day of Emily’s resignation and he had refused to tell the others that she had resigned. He liked the perks of being the power behind the throne and wasn’t about to give them up easily. He felt that Emily was being unreasonable and he blamed Declan for turning her head. Until Declan had come, he had Emily under some control. Now, things were a mess and he deplored political messes.

  As he approached the encampment, he saw Raymond Tutt and fifty of his followers packing up equipment.

  “Where are you going?” Keith asked Tutt as he approached.

  “Anywhere but here,” Tutt said sharply.

  “Is there anything I can say or do to change your mind?” Keith asked, trying not to seem like he was pleading.

  “As long as Declan is around, we won’t be,” Tutt yelled. “No one here wants to experience those nightmares again and no one had them before he came around!”

  “That notion is ridiculous,” Keith said vehemently. “No one can give you nightmares. That isn’t possible!”

  “You haven’t talked to the others that were on that ridge with Declan and me, so how would you know?” Tutt snapped back at the smaller man. “We have warned you and everyone else that keeping him around is dangerous!”

  “I agree you have disturbed a lot of people with your suspi
cions, but they have no basis in reality,” Keith explained. “Since you’ve made up your minds, how can we contact you?”

  “Once we decide on a place, we’ll send someone back with that information,” Tutt explained irately, “until then you’re on your own!”

  “Dammit,” Keith said, more to himself than anyone else, as he stood there watching the procession of heavily laden people headed away from the camp and away from the river.

  #

  Declan watched as Emily paced back and forth, ranting. He had listened to Keith while he tried to convince or cajole Emily back to the caves and the leadership. It was the same arguments he had heard four times a day for the last three days. At one point, yesterday, he had seen Emily get so angry that she grabbed Keith by the front of his shirt and lifted him off the ground, one handed. Seeing the feat had impressed him. He knew he couldn’t have accomplished it.

  “Em, let’s go for a walk,” Declan said finally, with an up-beat tone. He knew that she had a lot of nervous energy that needed to be burned off.

  “Why would I do that?” Emily snapped at him without thinking.

  “Because you need to get away from the pressure Keith is applying and he won’t follow us if we go to the river,” Declan explained calmly. “Besides, I want to go for a walk with you!”

  Emily was about to protest, but thought better of it. She held out her hand for him to take it as she smiled. Declan took her hand and led her to the river at an angle that would put them at the river by the ridge. Most of the people that went to the river went by a path that would lead them a fair distance downriver from the ridge. He had no idea why he went that way. His intent was just to walk with Emily, hand-in-hand. He liked the feeling he got whenever he held her hand or kissed her and felt the need for more of it.

  It wasn’t long before he heard children laughing at the river ahead of them. He stopped suddenly and Emily saw him blanch.

  “What is it?” she asked concerned.

  “I think Murdock is at the river,” Declan said to her quietly.

  “How do you know it’s Murdock?” Emily asked quietly.

  “I hear children laughing and Murdock has the only children here, so far,” Declan explained.

  “Is that a problem?” Emily asked. “I would like to meet him and his family.”

  “I’m not sure that would be a good idea,” Declan said haltingly.

  “Oh, sure it is,” Emily exclaimed while pulling him along.

  Declan managed to stop Emily from dragging him just before they cleared the cover of the trees close to the bank.

  “You don’t understand, Em,” Declan protested. “You don’t know how dangerous Murdock is. I’d try, but I’m not sure I could defend you if Murdock decided to —”

  “If Murdock decided to what?” came Murdock’s voice behind Declan and Emily.

  They both jumped and spun around to face him. Emily had her machete out and ready.

  “You won’t need that,” Murdock said calmly, looking between the pair. “Hello, Declan. Who is this?” Murdock asked indicating Emily.

  “Emily Brooks,” Emily said with a wry grin. She sized up the much smaller man in front of her and didn’t see that he was any threat and put away her machete and extended her hand with a smile.

  “Kevin Murdock,” Murdock said as he took her large hand and shook it, firmly. “Nice firm grip you have there, Mizz Brooks!”

  “Everything okay?” a female voice came from behind Declan and Emily.

  Declan closed his eyes as if he were in pain, tilted his head slightly back, and slumped his shoulders. Emily turned slowly to see a very small and petite-looking Asian female with a bow at full draw. To Emily, the arrow looked huge, mainly because she was looking at it from the business end.

  “Hello, Mei Lee,” Declan said without turning.

  “Mizz Brooks, this is my wife, Mei Lee,” Murdock said. “It’s okay, Mei,” he said to Mei Lee, who slowly let off on the bow and replaced the arrow in her quiver and slung the bow over her shoulder.

  “Mizz Brooks? Mei Lee Murdock,” Mei Lee said as she walked forward to the bigger woman.

  “Em or Emily, please,” Emily said as she stuck out her hand for the much smaller woman.

  “Em,” Mei Lee said with a smile taking the huge hand of the amazon.

  “How have you been Declan?” Murdock asked jovially, clapping the man firmly on his shoulder almost knocking Declan to the ground. “Hey, I like her! She has good reflexes and good instincts!”

  “We were about to have something to eat,” Mei Lee said to Emily with a friendly smile. “We’d like it if you two would join us.” She turned and started toward the river, assuming Emily and Declan would follow.

  Emily and Declan followed Mei Lee into their campsite and were met by the two older children, machetes drawn.

  “It’s okay, children,” Mei Lee said as she entered. Emily saw the children put their machetes away.

  Emily had the impression that she and Declan at no time had the upper hand in this encounter and was glad it went as it did. She and Declan walked over to a log close to the fire and sat.

  “What was that argument all about?” Murdock asked after they were seated and given a skewer of hot meat.

  Emily’s mouth dropped open. “I wasn’t aware we were being observed,” Emily said, after a pause and maintaining her friendly grin. “How long had you been there?”

  “Awhile,” Murdock answered cryptically, “long enough to know that it had something to do with the leadership of a group and long enough to see that Declan was concerned.”

  “I didn’t see you there,” Emily responded.

  “You weren’t supposed to,” Murdock stated flatly. “So, Declan, tell us how things are going.”

  While the group ate, Declan informed Murdock and Mei Lee of his life since he’d left. Emily added in her role in the recent events and of her assuming the leadership of a group of one hundred people that had left the transport pod after the fall of Phylicia. Murdock and Mei Lee sat and listened intently while the couple talked. By the time they had finished eating, all the information was revealed.

  Murdock sat in silence for some time. “Do you really want the leadership, Emily?” he asked finally.

  “I don’t know,” Emily responded honestly. “I do like helping others, when I can, but I don’t like the expectation of not having a life away from the leadership position.”

  “Do you understand that you can’t please everyone?” Murdock asked pointedly.

  “Of course, I also know that I can’t hold people together when they don’t really want to stay together,” Emily explained.

  “Well, then, you have your answer,” Murdock explained.

  “I don’t get it,” Declan said.

  “He means that I can either lead or stay out of it, but each has its price,” Emily said. Murdock grinned coyly.

  “In my opinion, you don’t need to lead everyone by the nose,” Murdock expounded. “If they can’t figure out that they need to get water to drink and want someone to tell them to go get it, then the leader needs to step back until they figure it out. You aren’t doing them any favors by doing their thinking for them. That would allow you to have a life other than being the leader all the time.”

  Emily nodded seeing the wisdom in Murdock’s statement. “Do you think I have been doing too much of the thinking for everyone?” she asked finally.

  “I don’t know,” Murdock answered. “Only you can decide if you’re hampering them by doing too much for them.”

  Mei Lee had been seeing to the children, allowing the three adults to talk without interruption. She had noticed that it was getting close to sundown and had sent the older children to gather fire wood and fill water skins. She also reminded her husband telepathically of the lateness of the day.

  “You two can stay here tonight, if you want to,” Murdock offered. He arose and motioned to Declan to follow him to the back of the cart. Once there, Murdock dug out Rose’s machetes, w
ater skin, and hatchet. “These belonged to your sister and I think she would want you to have them,” He told Declan as he handed them to him. “Do you have feelings for this woman?” he asked as he burdened Declan with the weapons.

  “Yes, I do,” Declan stated.

  “Then stay with her. Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of that. Do all you can to make sure she feels how important she is to you. Just some free advice,” Murdock said as he shrugged.

  “Thank you for the weapons,” Declan said quietly, “and the advice. It’s much appreciated!”

  “What have you been sleeping on?” Murdock asked.

  “The ground, it’s all we have, right now,” Declan responded sheepishly.

  “I thought so,” Murdock said as he dug out several hides and gave them to Declan. “You can make a quick shelter with a couple of them and lay on some and cover yourself with the rest. There are five hides, so that should work for a while.”

  “Thanks! I’ll make sure to clean them up before returning them,” Declan said, expressing his appreciation.

  “No need,” Murdock said seriously. “Consider them a wedding present!”

  “But we aren’t married,” Declan corrected.

  “Really? If you love her with everything you have within you and she returns it, then you’re married. That is the way it was with me and your sister.” Declan heard Murdock’s voice break a little at the thought of Rose. “Marriage is more than a piece of paper. A piece of paper can’t keep you together and you have a very long wait for anything resembling an Earth-style marriage. By the way, you sleep with the fur side against you.”

  #

  While Murdock and Declan were at the cart talking, Mei Lee took the opportunity to talk privately with Emily.

  “Do you care for Declan?” Mei Lee asked.

  “Very much,” Emily responded. “He listens when I talk and really cares about me. Something I haven’t had before.”

  “He hasn’t had it either, I suspect,” Mei Lee informed. “From what I know, he’s had a very hard life, before coming here, and it made him tougher than he thinks. He has some issues, but then, who doesn’t? Did he tell you why he left us?”