by Angela White
The sign for Roscoe Street was a simple wooden board with that exact title scratched across it. It gave a feeling of being neutral that only Alexa’s men didn’t fall for. The other travelers were murmuring and chatting softly in excitement at reach their destination alive, and even their animals perked up.
Alexa drew one gun and let it hang along her hip. Her men did the same and the travelers behind them all tensed, scanning for the trouble.
“You won’t need those,” the thief informed them. He was now out ahead of Alexa, swaggering cockily through the first decaying buildings. “I told you. He wants people here.”
“All people?” David asked.
“His crew is a mix of everyone here, plus blacks and whites who don’t want to fight anymore,” the thief explained. “Everyone stays to their side of the lines. We don’t have problems.”
“The bones back there say otherwise,” Daniel commented sarcastically. “Keep lying, dead man. She sees right through you.”
The thief flushed scarlet and turned to protest to Alexa.
Alexa’s cold expression discouraged him and the thief shut up. They had a deal. She wouldn’t break it.
“No eyes on us yet, boss,” Mark commented, staying close to her. He was the middle, right spoke on the wheel, and he didn’t intend to leave Alexa’s side while they were in here.
Alexa didn’t comment on his words or thoughts. She liked it that her men were protective. It was a result of their bond. They cared for each other, respected each other. She would do the same for them that they did for her, and they knew it. She pitied any woman who fell in love with one of her men. That female would never be able to live up to what these men needed. Only her kind would ever be enough for them now.
“How does he handle groups who cause trouble?” David asked quietly, watching garbage roll across the broken street ahead of them. The dirt was about to become concrete, but it was full of ruts and holes and weeds.
The thief pointed to a small rise where a large prison sat in glorious abandon. “He has them locked in the prison until they agree to follow the rules.”
“Or he sends them on their way?” David continued to get details.
“No. He keep them until they agree,” the thief confided eagerly. “A year in a cell will settle anyone down.”
None of Alexa’s men liked hearing that, but it was hard to argue with. As long as the people were fed, it wasn’t exactly right or wrong. And it miles ahead of simply killing them.
“So, they can’t leave?” Paul asked, worried.
“No one wants to. Roscoe has a great setup here. You may not to want to leave either.”
“Tell us about it,” Alexa directed, sweeping the tall buildings, dark alleyways, and dead streetlights. There were abandoned, rusting automobiles and all the other debris they’d come to associate with the apocalypse, including fading bloodstains, casings, and bones.
“He uses the river for power. His street even has running water.”
“Hot water?” Mark asked. He hadn’t had a hot shower in years. A used bath in grimy, tepid water was usually the best to be found in any ton now.
“Yeah, it’s heaven,” the thief stated, turning around to examine them as he walked backwards. “He serves a nightly buffet with steaks and burgers, and corn that you can eat.”
Alexa’s men felt the draw, but resisted asking any more questions. Alexa also stayed silent, willing to let the man ramble on with his lies. Steaks and hot water were only memories in most of the places she’d been, and even the few who’d had them, couldn’t sustain them for long. There was no wealthy class anymore.
Clop. Clop. Clop.
The sound of a horse echoed and Alexa motioned them to keep going. If they had a welcome party waiting, her men would handle it.
The sound came from in front of them and the fighters tensed at the sight of a large wagon rolling around the corner and into their path. It only took a minute to discover that it was piled with fresh garbage and the travelers made their way to the side of the cracked, weedy street.
The garbage wagon was being pulled by two oxen and driven by a heavily bearded old man who stared curiously at them as he passed.
“Good day, folks,” the man called, eyes sliding to Alexa’s Colts and then to her men.
“Good day to you, sir,” Alexa responded. “Where can we find a town merchant?”
Almost by them, the driver had to swivel around to point. “Straight ahead to that old church and go left. Can’t miss it.”
“My thanks,” Alexa called loud enough to carry to him and then turned toward the downtown area. She didn’t look back and her men didn’t either. If she wasn’t worried over it, they needn’t be either, was a rule they were adjusting to.
“I told you where to go,” the thief complained to Alexa. “I’m not lying.”
“Then why do you mind if I verify that information?” Alexa asked tonelessly.
“It’s my honor, that’s why,” the thief sputtered.
“And do you have a lot of that?” she responded dryly.
The thief flushed and snorted before taking a place by Paul.
Mark and Edward exchanged amused glances and then sent their attention to the ominous landscape. The buildings above them implied they could crumble at the slightest vibration and while both men knew it was an illusion, it didn’t stop the worry. These old structures might have been built to last a lifetime, but they hadn’t been designed to withstand a war.
As if to prove the pint, several roof tiles dropped heavily to the ground in front of them, throwing up clouds of dust and dirt.
The men stepped over the rubble, staying in formation. They’d already been worse places while fighting with Alexa, but most of them had been in worse areas even before joining her quest.
“Questions, my pets,” Alexa intoned. “Everyone ready?”
It was fascinating to watch her men brighten as if suddenly filled with life. Their heads rose and strides became lighter, faces easing into eagerness like rain sweeping across a thirsting landscape.
“The best meeting place for a group that gets spit up.”
The men searched their steel landscape, but no one spoke right away or tossed out clumsily given guesses. She wanted her men to think about their answers first, and even Paul remained silent.
The other travelers quieted to be able to hear the lesson, as Alexa had intended.
“The tower at two o’clock,” Edward stated firmly. “We’d be able to view the entire city from there, I’d bet.”
Mark, who’d been about to suggest the same place, nodded. “Exactly.”
“And that is our spot,” Alexa chose. She shifted slightly to show Edward a different location by hand code. He would make sure the rest of her men knew, but not anyone else. “Name three items that can still be scavenged from a city even after years and thousands of survivors have come through.”
That one was harder and they all paced forward in thoughtful quiet as they swept buildings and signs for the answer, but it wasn’t until the library came into view that anyone felt confident enough to try.
“Books, right?” Billy guessed. “Information?”
“Yes.”
Billy grinned, but knew it hadn’t been a full credit because the crumbling brick building they were now passing had triggered the idea. He struggled to think of. What else would people ignore? “Materials, like from the buildings?”
“Perhaps, but not on my list as useful in the same way that books are.” Alexa increased her own alertness while she had them distracted.
“Equipment, like medical machines and electronics. There’s so much of the computer stuff that it won’t ever all be looted or destroyed, and the medical stuff needs too much power and training to use.” Daniel gave them the second answer and was pleased when Alexa nodded.
“One more,” she reminded.
“Cars? Vehicles?” David asked.
“Yes. They won’t have power or fuel, but cars and trucks will alway
s be in these cities, usually right where their owners left them. And a few, my pets, will be useable.”
“After you charge the battery and add gas?” Paul asked. He liked knowing how to get a car rolling if he had to. Transportation was something he’d been thinking about a lot.
“Yes, though luck will matter a great deal this long after. Internal parts erode,” Edward answered his student reluctantly. He still didn’t want Paul with them and he was glad they were here, where the scientist would stay. “And you’d have to check other things, like having water in the radiator, but no water in the engine, oil filled. Basic mechanics.”
Paul didn’t respond. He was trying to imagine himself doing all of that alone and failing badly.
“Tell me what we should not do while we’re here,” Alexa instructed, sensing they were nearing a contact point.
“Make noise,” Mark answered, glaring at Paul.
Paul, still in his thoughts of vehicle hell, missed it.
“Get split up,” Daniel said.
“Become distracted,” Jacob answered firmly. “We keep our eyes on you.”
Alexa straightened her shoulders and the command of a leader flowed from her lips. “My rules, one through five.”
The men recited them together.
“My life is your life to give. Mercy only goes to those who deserve it. Justice, the true law of my land, will always be honored.”
Their voices in harmony were fascinating and the travelers listened studiously.
“There is no order I am given that I won’t follow. I will never quit this quest, even when I’m dead!”
They shouted the last, sending birds into the sky and snorts through their animals.
The men checked their weapons and silenced their gear, and the thief realized she’d gotten them set to fight. “What are you doing? Roscoe wants people here!”
They ignored him, making sure weapons they already knew were ready, were ready. It was a habit that Alexa had insisted they get into and they had.
“Wait,” the thief stopped in front of Alexa in panic. “You can’t do this.”
Edward looked at Alexa with a raised brow.
“Take care of that,” Alexa grunted.
All six of Alexa’s men rushed forward before the thief could react. As they marched his struggling body forward with Edward’s huge hand over his mouth, the other men tied his hands and secured the gag.
Mark jerked the thief’s arm out and swung him up over his shoulder, and the others tied his ankles. Now secured, Mark and Edward took the struggling thief to the rear of the first wagon and dumped him roughly inside. Mark them climbed in next to him.
The shocked travelers put a bit of distance between them and the fighters, but they resumed their places by Alexa without even glancing at anyone else. It was a proof of their vow to follow any order given and their reputations increased with the fear. Those who had survived this trip now had stories to tell that everyone they encountered would pay to hear.
“Final question,” Alexa said, noting the corner that proclaimed a change in scenery. The edges of bright green trees were waving gently in the breeze. “Where is the sniper they supposedly don’t have?”
Silence came, and Alexa glanced around pointedly. “Exactly. Our chosen meeting place would be an excellent spot for a sniper. Watch your six.”
It was an important detail that none of them had thought about, but now they knew to beware of that if they did have to meet somewhere. The travelers wouldn’t be surprised when they fled there, and Alexa’s group wouldn’t be surprised when they tried to help the travelers escape the city. Alexa did not intend to allow these people to be held against their will. She’d know what was up with Lincoln and Roscoe long before she ever left.
The trees ahead of them became larger, clearer, and revealed themselves as large plastic displays that were moldy and cracked throughout their length. It gave the display a realistic appearance that caught attention. It would have been easy to miss the forms of people standing behind these trees. Alexa hadn’t, but she waited to discover if her men had.
“Want us to flush ‘em out?” Daniel asked.
“I’ll negotiate, if you want,” Jacob volunteered quickly. Alexa loved him for it. He valued all life and hated to shoot before talking.
“We’ll let them come to us,” Alexa chose, saying it as they neared the first person who had to know they were no longer undercover. “We’ll talk, trade, stay a night and be on our way.”
“You’d have to cross the line first,” a young female voice stated from behind the trees. “We can’t.”
Alexa slowed her stride to allow the shadowy girl to keep pace. “Black or white?” Alexa guessed.
“Both,” the young woman answered. “And therefore, outcasts. We stay on this side of the city and the others leave us alone.”
Alexa recognized a contact post beyond the plastic trees and gave a quick promise. “I’ll stop by your area while I’m here. Find me then.”
“I’ll be at the ceremony seeing my dad off. Talk to Robert.”
The shadow ran off and Alexa was still frowning as they reached the line of men waiting for them. She’d almost recognized that voice.
Behind these men was an iron gate as tall as the nearest buildings.
The ten men, two clusters of sagging shoulders and bearded faces, slowed the convoy, but not Alexa. She strode straight to them, talking.
“I have several deliveries and I’m only making them to Roscoe. His orders.”
The tallest man had a dusty clipboard and he rifled through the papers. “Sorry, ma’am, but he’s out in the neighborhoods right now. You can give me the id numbers and I’ll send someone for him.”
Alexa was aware of the wagon train very slowly following her through the gap in the men, forcing them to retreat a few paces to make room for the mules and horses.
“Tell him I have all three of his packages,” Alexa stated.
The pen stopped and the thin, haggard face came up.
Cliff shifted his glasses further onto his nose. “Really? All three?”
“We also met one of Roscoe’s scavengers on the Stairway of Hard to Reach Places. He won’t be making his delivery either.”
Cliff groaned. “Rick, too? That’s sure to improve Roscoe’s mood. He’ll be here at lunch time—”
“I’m not waiting,” Alexa informed them. “Send someone out to get him.”
Cliff scowled. “Hey! Roscoe isn’t to be called to your side like some adoring lover. He’s the Mayor here, our leader and we don’t—”
“He has two hours,” Alexa stated coldly. “After that, I’m taking my three possessions out into the wilderness. Maybe to Port City.”
Cliff grunted and motioned to one of the closest men. “Go get him.”
“Where do you want us to wait at?” Alexa asked, subtly drawing every drop of energy from him that she could.
Cliff struggled to break the sudden lethargy sweeping over him. He felt exhausted. “We have an area for new people. Nice hotel once upon a time.”
“And our animals? Supplies?”
Cliff surveyed the few wagons and families, and shrugged. “How about a warehouse next block over?”
“We’ll all take the warehouse,” Alexa accepted. “And my thanks.”
“Sure, sure,” Cliff responded, not sure why he was so tired. “Go left at the next block and down Roscoe Street to the fencing. It borders the warehouse.”
Cliff stopped, watching them all pass in a daze. He needed a nap.
Alexa smirked a little once he couldn’t observe her face anymore. She enjoyed that some days.
2
It was soon clear why Roscoe made newcomers travel the length of his street. The citizens already here were lining their windows, porches, and doors to get a good view. There were even a few people taking pictures on old camera phones and Alexa increased her pace a bit. There were dozens of people on both sides of the street, more than enough to overwhelm them.
The homes sheltering these residents drew her attention next and she admired the small gardens in front of each. She didn’t care for their trash pile being in the middle of the street, though. There was so much that her group had to move to the side to get by it, but she understood that was where people would throw it anyway and so it saved a stage of collection. She wondered if they were using the same type of setup with human waste. Other than manure, she didn’t smell much in the way of bad odors despite the landfill type piles and assumed they were dusting it with something. It implied organization, someone caring for them.
It was the clothes that caught the attention of her men, the clothes of the women. They hadn’t been around females dressed for success since the war, and it was enough to keep them doing second takes. Alexa didn’t scold them. Many of the travelers were staring. There was a lot that they hadn’t expected. There were vines of fresh fruits and vegetables that they hadn’t had in years, livestock pens and meat hanging from eaves. There were butter churns and washboards, and on a few of the porches, camping stoves to replace cooking fires. It was impressive, and yet, sad in some way that the fighters couldn’t define. The faces of these residents were long and tired, like there was an invisible weight holding them down.
“No kids,” Edward muttered lowly. He had no hopes they would find a good man in charge here. He understood harshness was called for, but segregating a city was wrong. To function properly, a city needed everyone.
“No elderly, either,” Jacob noticed. “Maybe they send both of those inside whenever new people come through.”
