Snow on Cinders (The Tallas Series Book 2)

by Cathrina Constantine

  “Is it friendly? Looks like it could take my head off if it wanted to.”

  If bears giggled, Fabal thought Tibbles was giggling as his shoulders heaved and nodded. “So it’s friendly, and, it can take my head off?” Tibbles continued to bob as he licked his paws clean.

  Even standing full height on top of the boulder, Fabal still had to look up at the relaxing bear. He lay on the cool boulder cradling his head in his hands. Content, they lingered listening as the forest awakened.

  “I never thought I’d miss school,” he said, listless. “After our assignments we’d play in the fields until it got dark. Cool, huh?”

  “Hoh?” Tibbles tumbled on his four appendages and shook like a wet dog. Watery pellets sprayed the area and Fabal.

  “Hey, you silly bear!” He mopped his face, shook out his hair and snickered. “Let’s go for a walk. I don’t feel like going back yet.” Tibbles rooted to the ground for the boy to climb aboard. “No, you’re too wet. I’ll walk.”

  “I’m happy to have you and Fulvio, but I miss my friends,” Fabal said trekking along the streams outer bank. “I wonder if I’ll ever see them again.” Passing under a sycamore tree, a splintered branch hung low. He tore it from the bark and used it like a sickle to carve encroaching bushes. “Now that Knox is hurt I have no one. Well, that’s not exactly true. There’s Swan. But she’s a girl.” He wrinkled his nose. “You know what I mean?”

  Tibbles acted indifferent bumbling next to the boy.

  “Maybe you don’t know what I mean. Have you ever played with a girl?”

  “Urff?”

  “I guess that’s a no. I haven’t seen another bear like you. Here I am telling you how sorry I am for myself, and you have nobody.”

  Tibbles stopped short. “Errrth” A giant-sized paw patted the boys head.

  “Yes, you have me. But...” his words ended, figuring he shouldn’t make him sad just because he was mopey. A blade of sunshine crossed their path and Fabal viewed the developing whitish-blue sky. “Hey, it’s going to be a warm day for a change.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Cities had been decimated and blown asunder during the final days. What remained, a concrete jungle of mangled buildings, craters and sinkholes, a miscellany of contortion, submerging with the onslaught of abnormal vegetation.

  A trotting Zennith arrested by the flatbed truck. “Gus,” Fulvio said. “See if this truck will start.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Gus slanted over the buckboard for a closer look inside the cab of the truck. “For one thing, I’ve never been in one of them contraptions in my entire life and did you happen to notice the driver?” Boney fingers of a clothed skeleton gripped the steering wheel. Like the person was killed instantaneously deprived of a warning. It’s skull propped over the headrest and it’s jawbone dangled in an ineffaceable scream.

  “We’ll see a plethora of these as we pick around here, boys.” Fulvio dismounted and in doing so, pet Zennith’s neck. “I used to think the bombs would’ve decomposed human remains, bones and all. But in my travels I’ve seen more of my fair share of corpses.”

  He strode over to the cab, screeching open the door. Rusty particles flittered into a hazy mist. Gently, he disengaged the boney fingers from the steering wheel. “I believe, my friend, your vehicle is no longer of use to you.”

  He collected the skeleton and walked a few yards over the street, and with reverence laid it on a grassy knoll. He brushed his hands over the thighs of his pants. “There now. Your work here on Earth is over.”

  “That there man’s work been done thirty years ago.” Smelt cackled.

  “Gus, over here.” Fulvio motioned to him. “You’re going to learn how to drive.”

  Gus and Smelt jumped down from the wagon’s bench and joined Fulvio. “What should I do?”

  “The keys are in the ignition.” He indicated a suspended set of keys. “Hop in there and give them a turn.”

  “Okie dokie.” Gus high-stepped onto the trucks running board and slipped into the cab. He grasped the steering wheel with two hands and with his third arm, turned the key. A sick-grinding noise soaked the air causing a tremor up his arms. “It sounds broke.”

  “Turn it again.” Smelt listened to the grind with interest.

  “I was afraid of this.” Thoughtful, Fulvio stroked his mustache and beard.

  “Fulvio, what’d you expect? This darn thing gonna start up after all this time?” Smelt said behind a thinly veiled frown. “These contraptions are a waste of time.”

  “The Mediators have several of these trucks in Tallas.” The determined silver haired man banged a fist on the front hood. “We have to try. How else are we going to haul equipment?”

  In haste, his arm extended into the cab toward the dashboard and pulled a knob. The hood of the truck clunked open. Fulvio noticed Gus’s hands caressing the steering wheel like a kid with a new toy.

  “Really, Fulvio. Really?” scoffed Smelt. “You think you can get this thing running?”

  “Little do you know my good man, in my prime, I used to drive these contraptions.” Fulvio stepped to the hood and lifted the metal lid. “And I was on the first salvage mission when we acquired some of the trucks that are still in use.”

  Gus had climbed out of the cab to peer into the grimy engine, peering inquisitively. “Jeez, Fulvio, I didn’t know that. Then why don’t you drive the truck instead of me?”

  “Hey, you ijit,” Smelt said wiping his forehead on the sleeve of his coat. “We need to get the rust bucket started before anyone can drive it.”

  “Gus, you’ll do just fine.” Beneath a stern brow, Fulvio glared at Smelt. “Let me tinker under here for a while and see if we can get this thing in motion.”

  An hour later, either by chance or a miracle, the engine grumbled to life. Smelt who’d been snoozing in the bed of the wagon wrenched upright. “Well, I’ll be jiggered! That dang piece of junk started.”

  “This is so freaking awesome.” Gus’s three hands smacked the hood of the truck. “You’ll have to show me what to do.”

  “Gladly, my boy.” When Fulvio sauntered to the passenger side of the truck, he sent a thumbs up to a stunned Smelt. And Zennith and Gingersnap hoofed the ground whether annoyed or celebrating at the raucous racket. “Okay, let’s see if this baby can move.”

  “Put the gear in drive and lightly step on the gas,” he instructed Gus, after a hurried education of what the instruments meant on the trucks dashboard.

  “Which pedal is that? The right or the left?”

  “Gus, I just explained that. The left is the brake and the right is the gas pedal. Press the gas pedal, lightly.”

  Performing like a jumping jackrabbit the truck lurched ahead and stopped. “Jeez, is it supposed to do that?”

  “Give it a chance to warm up. I can’t believe it has almost a full tank of gas. Poor guy must’ve just topped the tank before the big whammy.” Recalling horrific memories, a profound inhale expanded Fulvio’s chest. “Now keep your foot steady on the pedal and turn the steering wheel to the right. You don’t want to hit that car up ahead and don’t steer near that massive pothole.”

  “It’s like threading a needle, and I can’t thread needles. How am I going to get this truck past that garbage and those sink-holes?”

  “You can do it. I have faith.”

  “Glad you do.” Gus’s fingers gripped the wheel, knuckles turning white. With eyes narrowed in concentration, he leaned forward. The truck rumbled and squealed to the right and suddenly bounced and thumped down. “What’d I do?”

  “Don’t worry, you ran over some debris on the road. You’ll have to get used to that.” Fulvio stuck his head and arm out the side window and signaled. “Zennith and Smelt follow us.” He straightened back onto the vinyl seat. “Gus, keep it slow and steady. Veer off to the side of the road here and turn to the left when you get past this traffic of cars. Let’s see how far we can make it into the city.”

  “Okie dokie.”

  Gus
was able to drive the flatbed approximately a mile before the impediment of concrete and rubble made them come to a stop. “Cut the engine,” Fulvio said.

  “What’s that mean?”

  “Put the truck’s gear in park and turn the key. It’ll turn off. You did well for your first driving lesson.” Gus gave a confirming nod as they stepped out from the truck.

  “Okay gentlemen, grab your weapons. Don’t shoot at anything unless it’s absolutely necessary.” Fulvio checked the magazine in his Glock and stowed it into his holster, then walked over to where Zennith grazed and retrieved his rifle.

  “Whoa, looks like serious business.” Smelt turned toward the bed of the wagon to grab two rifles. He lobbed one of them to Gus who caught it easily with his third hand.

  “You’d be shocked at the grungy mutts I’d come across during my travels. Better to be safe and have eyes in the back of your head.” Fulvio crammed his hat on his head and tipped the rim over his eyes to block the sun. “Smelt, unharness Gingersnap from the wagon, just in case she needs a quick getaway.”

  “Thanks, I never thought of that.” His tone more sincere than normal. Smelt spoke in soft undertones while releasing the animal from its tethers. His palms smoothed the pony’s neck to her withers. “Good girl.” Gingersnap nickered her appreciation and clomped to the yellowish tall weeds. When Smelt looked into the ruins, he said, “Did you see that?”

  Gus’s neck twisted toward the demolished city. “See what?”

  “I saw something move.”

  The three men examined the district.

  “Must’ve been a figment of my imagination.” Smelt inhaled making a snorting noise.

  “Just keep your eyes peeled.” Fulvio butted his rifle to his shoulder and peeked through the scope. “I don’t see anything now.”

  They began to pick through the rubble. “There’s tons of brick and stone. While we’re close let’s load some of this onto the truck.”

  Morning temps escalated as the men worked. Rivulets of sweat permeated clothing and exertion was taking a toll. “Fulvio, are you a man or a beast?” Smelt scowled, huffing and puffing. “You don’t tire and I’m twenty years younger than you. I’ve had enough of this back breaking crap.”

  A low grunt vibrated in Fulvio’s throat. “More like thirty years older than you.” He flipped off his hat and scrubbed his glossy face with his shirt. “That’s enough for now. Pick up your guns and grab those burlap sacks. Let’s see what this city has to offer.”

  “Hold on a sec.” A bare-chested Smelt had previously discarded his shirt. He now used it like a towel, wiping himself down, then stuffed it over his head. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

  The men climbed above piles of wreckage into a dead city. Unbelievably, a couple of high-rises and diners were not a total wreck. Patches of sidewalk and asphalt streets showed through a formerly busy intersection. What once was a corner, Meggie’s Diner stood fairly intact, though, the picture windows were nothing but misshapen rectangular holes.

  “Hey, let’s go into the diner,” Gus suggested while climbing over a timbered tree trunk. “Maybe we can find canned food and water.”

  “I’m starved and thirsty,” Smelt said, clucking his tongue and licking his lips.

  “I wouldn’t count on any goods here, boys.” Fulvio booted a lump of cloth and bent down to inspect it. He picked up a soiled jacket and stuffed it into the burlap sack. “Gather clothes too. C’mon lets go into the diner and order a sirloin steak, baked potatoes, and veggies. And chocolate cream pie and roasted coffee for dessert.”

  “That’d be nice, real nice—” Smelt snickered.

  Suddenly, a merciless shriek punctured their ears.

  ***

  Whop, whop, whop

  “We’re running behind schedule,” Ennis said, tapping the fuel gage with the tip of his finger. “We better find gas. We’re running on fumes.” The helio puttered through the sky as they continued to seek for signs of life and taking note of viable provisions. Flying over a swell of land, a cataclysmic spectacle left them breathless. Probably once a bustling metropolis now a wretched sight of decay lay before them.

  “Hey, there’s Zennith and Gingersnap.” Doogan planted his forehead on the helio’s glass to get a better view. “They look spooked. Zennith is trying to jump over a downed telephone pole to get into the city. Something’s wrong.”

  “Maybe it’s the sound of the craft. Look there.” Ennis pointed. “They must’ve gotten a truck to work. It’s stacked with bricks. Apparently they didn’t wait for us.”

  “Don’t set it down yet. Fly over.” Doogan’s chest tightened. “Let’s see if we can find them.” Scarcely two hundred yards ahead, his suspicions were correct. In a fist-of-cuffs, his father, Smelt, and Gus were battling with humans. “Why the hell are those people attacking?”

  “They look like savages.”

  “Doesn’t make sense.” Doogan leaned sideways reaching for his pistol. “Take it down. See if we can scare them off.” Ennis careened the heliocraft into a nosedive while he aimed his gun over their heads.

  “Don’t shoot, boys,” Fulvio crowed, implementing his rifle butt like a battering ram. His aggressor doubled over, knees crashing to the pavement.

  Smelt cursed at a gangly man that had him in a headlock. A rabbit punch to Smelt’s temple sent him spinning one way and his rifle the other. The man seized the rifle, swinging it toward Smelt.

  Looking down the barrel of his own gun, Smelt swore, “You mother-fucking...” Suddenly, the man’s eyeballs rolled in their sockets. The rifle slipped from his fingers and Fulvio snatched the gun before it hit the ground. He chucked it back to Smelt.

  Whop, whop, whop

  Bullets zinged overhead as the helio dived.

  Gus tangled with a wily girl; at least he thought it was a girl. He respected Fulvio’s command not to shoot and feinted the girl’s violent jabs. She spun; brown draggled hair whipped his face, blinding him for a second. Just in the nick of time he caught her jolting knee to his private parts. He snagged her leg before his precious jewels were dusted. A female voice cursed as she fell. Punting with her opposite leg, catching him in the shins. He toppled to the ground.

  On his backside, he spotted the heliocraft whisking downward, and so did the others. Their assailants, the ones still conscious, ran for cover. Gus vaulted up, binding the girls forearms. He wasn’t through teaching her a lesson.

  When she turned to look at him, his breath caught in his throat. Strikingly beautiful. Periwinkle eyes like a midsummers dream. Not begging for mercy, resilient and innocent, she stiffened. Gus suddenly felt like the attacker, not the one being attacked. His banding fingers slackened. For a moment, each stared at the other, unsure of what to make of the situation.

  Sprinting by, a man snagged the girl, yanking her into a run. She craned her neck for a backward glimpse. She disappeared into a heaping tower of a dilapidated building.

  “Dagnabbit, Fulvio.” Smelt’s fingers raked at his frenzied hair falling in his face. “Why shouldn’t we shoot the buggers?” He stomped over to one man lying unconscious. “Lemme kill ‘em. The sons-of-bitches had no right to attack us.”

  “Smelt, lower your rifle,” Fulvio ordered. “This is their city, or what remains of it. We’re the intruders. We’re here to steal from them.”

  “They don’t own the city. It’s free for the taking.”

  “They didn’t have weapons.” Fulvio hitched his shoulders, uncertain.

  “Good thing or we’d be dead. They probably ran out of ammo or something.”

  “Or they’re just like us hunting for food and stuff,” Gus said. “They looked pretty young.”

  “I’d rather not kill people that are trying to survive, like us. These city dwellers are afraid to venture into the woodlands where food is plentiful.”

  “Yeah,” Smelt said dryly, “if the food doesn’t eat you first.”

  “Ennis must be setting down in the clearing by the truck.” Peering east, Fulvi
o shelved a hand to his brow. During the skirmish, his hat had been knocked from his head. Now brushing fingers into his hair, he looked for his worse for wear hat and found it blending into a rock pile. He clasped the brim and smacked the hat on his thigh, a pouf of dust burst in the air. “Let’s check out this diner. But be on guard.”

  “What about this guy?” Smelt nudged the unconscious man in the ribs. “When he wakes and comes after us again, I’m gonna shoot.”

  Fulvio and Gus ignored him, trudging through garbage into the diner.

  When they emerged less than a half hour later, Ennis and Doogan were loitering outside. “Hope you found something useful?” Doogan said, noticing a bulging sack weighing down Smelt’s shoulder.

  “It must be the hubbub for the people living here,” Fulvio said. “There was drinkable water in containers, tinned food, and some usable items. No wonder they accosted us. We weren’t greedy, only took some water and tins. Maybe we’ll find more.”

  “We have good news.” Ennis swapped a glance to Doogan and then back to Fulvio. “We flew over that valley and it appears perfect. From above it looked like several clean water springs, but can’t be sure until we test them. The property damage is minimal. You were right.”

  “Nothing is perfect, my friend.” Fulvio massaged his shoulder. “Yet, that is good news. How far is it from this city?”

  “On foot, ‘bout four hours.” Ennis scratched his cheek while thinking. “By vehicle about two, and on horseback probably three hours. Not positive.”

  “I’ll go along with that,” Doogan said.

  Fulvio nodded.

  “Anybody recognize a building that might resemble an Infirmary?” Doogan swiveled on his feet, monitoring the area.

  “Son,” Fulvio said, “back in the day they were called hospitals. Let’s head to the left.”

  “I’m high-tailing it out of here,” Smelt said, staring up. “Before the sun starts to set. I’m not gonna be anybody’s meat on a stick.”

  “You boys have nothing to worry about.” Fulvio huffed, exhaling. “Skinny with hardly any meat on your bones. It’s me they’d be wanting.” His two hands rounded his girth. “Enough here to feed a family for days.”