by Nathan Jones
“It only got worse from there,” she admitted to Trev about an hour later as they climbed over the last low rise before town and came in sight of Aspen Hill's first houses still about a half hour away. “Eventually the hoodlums stopped trading and started taking, if you get my drift. That's when I decided it was time to leave, even if it meant setting off away from the highway on my own. I knew there had to be some towns around here, some way to get to Price.”
The description of what she'd gone through sickened Trev. “Did your group say anything about stopping at Aspen Hill or passing through the town?” he demanded. If so he could talk to Deputy Turner about doing something to stop what was happening.
She shook her head. “They're following 6 all the way there. I was traveling well off the road so I'd stay far away from them.” The blond woman gave the houses a longing look. “Oh look at this place. It's like the riots and all the violence up north completely passed it by. I wish I could stay here.”
Trev shifted uncomfortably. “If you were sent to Price you should keep on going there. Like I said, I'm happy to offer you a meal and a bed, maybe a bit of food to help you make it the rest of the way, but that's all I can do. The town decided together not to take in refugees.”
“But what if you took me in yourself?” she demanded. “If you've got food to spare you could feed me, and nobody would have a right to say you can't be generous with your own possessions.” She reached out and shyly took his hand. “That would be okay, wouldn't it? I promise I'd pull my own weight.”
Trev took his hand back, uncomfortably reminded of her initial offer. He wanted to help her, but at the same time she was a complete stranger. He was almost certain Lewis would refuse to take her into the shelter, and for that matter he wasn't sure he wanted the commitment of being completely responsible for her future wellbeing just an hour after meeting her.
Just like with the town's decision to refuse the refugees, if he took Mandy in he'd feel more and more pressure to take in anyone else who came by his patrol route. And he wasn't about to be a hypocrite who told other people not to take in refugees then did it himself. Besides, two people eating from his stores halved the amount of time he could live off them: careless generosity could clean him out pretty quickly.
And he needed that food. He was still worried he didn't have what it took to survive long term, and that food was the only buffer he had to figure things out. As terrible as it made him feel to send her on it was the best thing. “Sorry, I can't,” he said. “You need to go on to Price.”
Mandy frowned at him. “Well fine then. Thanks for a meal and a bed at least.” She didn't sound nearly as thankful as she had before.
They continued the rest of the way into town in silence. Trev followed the dirt, gravel, and then narrow paved streets towards Main Street, planning to follow it to town hall and talk to Turner or Anderson or whoever about his decision to take Mandy in. The situation was made more awkward by the fact that he couldn't take her to the shelter and she needed a place to stay.
But it turned out he didn't need to go that far. A crowd was gathered at Roadblock 1, and it looked as if a delegation to the refugees was just returning when he arrived.
Before he could seek out Anderson or Turner Matt caught sight of him and waved frantically. “Trev, I'm glad I found you!” his friend called, hurrying over. “Listen, I'm really worried about-” he cut off abruptly, looking over Trev's shoulder at Mandy. “Who's this?”
“This is Mandy,” Trev said, stepping to the side to introduce the refugee. “I found her heading our way on the north border.”
Matt gave him an irritated look. “Weren't you the one telling everyone that we can't survive if we welcome people in? You sure managed to convince everyone else!” Trev could only look helplessly at his friend, and after a few seconds of angry silence Matt glanced at Mandy and took in her pitiable state, then looked quickly away to give Trev a slightly more understanding look.
Trev took his friend by the arm and led him away a short distance. “Listen,” he whispered, “has anyone been out to the refugee camp to check things out? From what Mandy told me on the way here things were pretty bad in her group, and those people out there might be having the same problems.”
“That's what I needed to talk to you about,” Matt replied. “At least kind of. It is pretty bad out there, and the refugees want to camp closer to town to avoid more dangerous groups even though we're not letting anyone through the roadblock . . .” he said that last bit with another pointed look at Mandy. “But that's not the problem.”
His friend fell silent, looking worried. Trev waited for a few seconds and then lost patience. “What is it, then?”
“I went out with the delegation so I could look through the refugee camp,” Matt said heavily. “I was searching for news about my sister and her family. They were planning to stay put in Midvale, but with things so bad up north I was hoping they'd come south after all. But nobody has seen them or recognized their names, and from what I've heard from the refugees about their trip south I don't want my sister's family in that sort of danger. Terry's great, but I'd feel better if they had more people protecting them.”
“You've got that right,” Mandy said over Trev's shoulder. “If your sister's hot you should definitely be worried.”
Trev gave the sunburned woman an irritated look. Whatever she'd suffered that was a pretty callous thing to say. “I'm sure she's fine,” he quickly said.
But even as he said it he felt his own worries for April's family. Trev had heard all about the chaos in the valley from his friend after Matt had finally decided it was time to get out, and had heard more from his cousin about the dire situation in other cities. If Terry and April and their boys were still back in the middle of that they could have run into real trouble.
But as a friend he thought he should be the voice of hope. “If they just decided to stay put until things calmed down they might have avoided all the trouble,” he offered. “They could still be up in their house in Midvale. It was on the outskirts closer to the mountains, right?”
Matt shook his head, but not in answer to his question. “The refugees had plenty to say about what's going on up there. Looting, rioting, even gunfights in the street. Word is FETF has come in to restore order, but before they did anything else they sent off the refugees to their designated evacuation areas. After that nobody's quite sure what's happened up there, and with the internet and phones out there's no way of telling.”
“We could try Lewis's radio,” Trev offered. “There's got to be people up there exchanging news.”
To his surprise Matt shook his head firmly. “I need to go up there,” he said. “It's the best way to find out what's really going on, and if I can find my sister and her family I can help them get back down here safely.” He hesitated, then squared his shoulders and looked Trev square in the eye. “Will you come with me?”
The request hit him like a blow. That was a huge thing to ask, even for a friend. After all Trev had done to make sure he had a place to escape from the chaos, and especially after he'd left immediately after the attack just to avoid getting caught in it, going back up into the cities was the last thing he wanted. They could end up getting shot, or at the very least robbed and stranded with no food in a desperate situation.
A situation April and her family might already be in. Matt's sister was enough older than them that she'd barely acknowledged Trev's existence, aside from to come down on him and Matt and Lewis hard for any disturbance that pestered her. But at the same time he she was a good person, and he knew his friend loved her and absolutely adored his nephews. He'd even showed Trev pictures of them after visits.
“This is insane and it's going to end badly,” Trev warned. “Do you really want to go over a hundred miles to get there and the same distance back, about half of it through densely populated areas where who knows what kind of violence is happening, on the off chance your sister might still be at her house? We might pass right by her and
never know, so she gets here safely with her family while we end up dead up north trying to save her.”
“We'll follow Highway 6 up to I-15 and take it the rest of the way to Midvale,” Matt said. “That's the only way they could go so if they're headed south we'll meet them.” His friend met his eyes miserably. “Please, Trev. I don't think I can do this alone.”
Trev looked away. “Fine. But I'll need you to find Mandy a bed and let Turner know we'll both be away so he'll need to replace us on our shifts. Pack up just what you need, food and water and a sleeping bag and warm clothes, along with your gun and as much ammo as you think you can carry over long distances. I'll go pack up and let Lewis know what I'm doing.”
His friend grabbed his hand and pumped it. “Thanks, man! Don't worry, after all the walking we've done on patrols this trip will be a snap. We'll be up and back with my family in no time.”
He somehow doubted that. They might be in decent shape but April and her family wouldn't be, and traveling with children was always difficult. “Head to my place when you're ready,” he said. “I'll be waiting.” As he turned and walked away he cursed himself for an idiot, but he really couldn't refuse his friend.
He was definitely going to strip his pack down to just the bare essentials for this trip. The only downside was that he'd probably have to bring food for more people in case Matt's family didn't have enough.
Chapter Ten
Human Tide
“Aspen Hill is a lovely town,” Mandy commented as they made their way to his house. “I'm glad FETF sent me to the evacuation shelter here.”
Matt gave the refugee an uncomfortable look. “FETF may have sent you, but we decided we're not taking anyone in.”
The sunburned blond's expression turned alarmed. “Trev promised me I could stay here, that he'd take care of me! Didn't he ask you to get your parents to let me stay at your place until he got back from helping you?”
What? Matt frowned, trying to remember what Trev had said. His friend had just wanted her to have a temporary place to sleep, hadn't he? Matt hadn't intended to offer Mandy a permanent bed in his parents' house. They were already struggling for food as it was.
But then again he'd done it for Sam, and Trev was risking himself going north with Matt to find April's family. If Trev had promised to take care of the woman and Matt was taking him away so he couldn't, didn't that mean it was up to him to sort it out? Although wasn't that more Lewis's responsibility as Trev's family?
“Yeah, I said I would,” he agreed reluctantly. “But I can't speak for my parents.” He'd have to see if they could talk to Lewis about getting some of Trev's food storage to feed her. That seemed reasonable at least.
She gave him a relieved look and took his arm. “Oh thank you! When Trev dumped me on you I thought he was trying to break his promise.”
That annoyed him. “Trev doesn't break his promises. He just agreed to walk into whatever's going on up in the cities to the north to help me, right?”
“Of course,” Mandy said, letting go of his arm. “I didn't mean it like that. I was just afraid he'd forget in the bustle of getting ready to go.”
“Sure,” Matt said, turning to look ahead. He saw Sam stopped dead in middle of the street, staring at him with wide eyes, and in alarm he immediately felt like he'd done something wrong. He hurried to meet up with her, waving.
“Who's this?” Sam asked. He'd expected her to sound suspicious but there was no trace of that in her words.
Matt hurriedly introduced the two women. “Trev promised her help, and I agreed to ask my parents to find her a bed since he's going with me up to Midvale and won't be here to take care of her.”
Sam's eyes had started to soften at that, but as he finished she stiffened. “Wait, what?”
“We're going up to find April's family,” Matt said firmly. “I have to make sure they all get down here safely.”
The dark-haired woman's eyes flashed angrily. “Are you insane? You saw what we escaped from and you want to go back into that?” Before Matt could answer she abruptly calmed herself, looking a bit embarrassed. “Sorry, I was just surprised. If we're going we're going.”
Now it was Matt's turn to stiffen. “Wait, what? I can't take you with me.”
“You're not taking me with you, I'm going with you,” she corrected, although for the life of him Matt couldn't see the distinction. “I want to help.”
Matt turned and gave Mandy a helpless look. “You just came down, can you tell her what she'd be getting into?”
“Oh believe me, I can,” the blond woman assured him. She stepped over to Sam and leaned close, whispering in the younger woman's ear for quite a while. At first Sam looked merely attentive, but after a while her eyes widened in horror and she visibly paled, then abruptly threw her arms around Mandy and hugged her tight in sympathy.
Matt looked between them, somehow thinking he didn't want to know what the refugee had said. “I'm sorry, Sam. I don't want to leave you but at least I know you'll be safe here.”
The dark-haired woman gave him a sad look, then gently turned Mandy towards the house. “Come on, let's get you washed up and in clean clothes. It's just cold water I'm afraid, but we've got soap and shampoo.”
Mandy laughed. “With these sunburns hot water would be a nightmare anyway. Thanks.”
Matt caught up to the two women as they made their way to his house, opening the door for them and explaining the situation to his mom as Sam led the refugee upstairs to the bathroom. It wasn't ideal, having it there with no flowing water or power, but since it was the only bathroom in the house they didn't have much choice but to haul water up the stairs for the toilet and for washing.
He just hoped the sewage didn't back up. He had no idea what caused it or how likely it was, but if it happened that would be a nightmare. They'd have to plug the toilet and dig an outhouse or something. Although he seemed to recall his dad mentioning that the topic had been brought up in the meeting and residents were being encouraged to dig outhouses even before the sewer system failed. It made him feel bad about leaving, thinking of all the stuff his parents and Sam would need his help with.
His mom greeted the news of a new guest with equanimity, although she definitely agreed about getting some of Trev's food from Lewis. “I'm happy to help a friend, and if he's going with you we do owe him, but we just don't have the food to take anyone else in. It would be impossible.”
“Did Trev really agree to take care of her?” Sam whispered, coming into the kitchen. “I mean Mandy seems nice and it's a nice thing to do, but she's a complete stranger. Also isn't he the one who made a big deal about keeping refugees out?”
Matt could only shrug. The decision really didn't make much sense to him, but he had to trust that his friend wasn't being irrational. “How is she?”
“Fine I think. I loaned her some more sensible clothes and showed her the system we're using to wash up.” Sam glanced back at the stairs, frowning. “Poor woman. She's had a pretty terrible time.”
“Hopefully that's all behind her.” Matt turned back to his mom. “I'm sorry to leave you to find a way to handle her but I don't want to waste a minute. The sooner I can get April's family back here the better off they'll be.”
“I know, and I agree,” his mom said, coming over to give him a hug. “We'll make do, right Sam?”
“I still think I should go with you,” Sam insisted stubbornly.
Matt didn't know whether to be pleased or annoyed that she wanted to stay with him even after he'd already told her no. “It's going to be dangerous up there. I don't feel comfortable putting anyone but myself at risk.”
“You asked your friend to go,” she pointed out.
He hesitated, trying to think of a way to respond without insulting her. He was pretty sure she could handle herself, but he didn't want her to be put in a situation where she had to. “Trev has already been in a fight. Some guy tried to rob him at gunpoint just outside his dorm room.” He patted the 9mm at his hip. “Th
is is the would-be robber's gun, if that tells you anything.”
She opened her mouth, still stubborn, and Matt quickly cut her off. “Besides, I'd feel a lot better about things if you were here to help my parents. Things are going to be tough and they might not be able to handle it alone. Right, Mom?”
“Of course, dear,” his mom said, hugging Sam. “I couldn't sleep at night knowing I let you go into that. I'll be worried enough about Matt, but it's our family and our problem and it has to be done.”
Matt glanced sidelong at the stairs where the refugee had disappeared. “Also I'd really appreciate it if you could help make our guest feel welcome.”
After a few stormy seconds of silence Sam finally relented. “Fine, but be careful.” She stepped closer and punched his arm. “You're my traveling buddy, remember?”
Although her tone was flippant her expression hinted at something far more serious. Or at least he liked to believe it did. Matt felt his face flushing and suddenly felt really awkward. “I will,” he promised. “And you be careful too. Things might get unfriendly around here if the refugees decide they want to enter town after all.”
Before she could answer a creak on the stairs turned them both around to see Mandy descending wearing some of Sam's borrowed clothes, which looked too small for her. The blond woman seemed much more revived after washing up, even if it was just with a clean cloth and soap in cold water, although the skin on her face, arms, and legs was terribly sunburned. At the sight of her Sam immediately hurried to get her a cup of water, which she gratefully accepted and gulped down in several long swallows.
“My parents are happy to let you stay until me and Trev get back,” Matt offered the refugee. “You can use my room for now.”
To his surprise Sam hurriedly spoke up. “I think it would be better if I moved into your room so she can have the guest room. She'll be more comfortable there.”
Matt wasn't sure how to interpret that. He was also a bit embarrassed at the thought of her being in his room, although of course she'd seen it before. It wasn't exactly an embarrassing relic from his days as a kid, but he did have a lot of paraphernalia from his time on the high school basketball team hanging on the walls, as well as a few posters of his favorite players and one or two bands. And he'd also collected a lot of cheap used CDs growing up as MP3 players took over in popularity.
