The Dead Lands Diary [Vol. III]

by S. David Staggs

  ME: Roger.

  JIM: He’s an interesting fellow.

  ME: He’s a good guy. I like him.

  JIM: So, ending your little story book with Roger?

  ME: No. I want to sit down and speak to those of us that were here from the start and helped build all this. That’s why I’m talking to you right now.

  JIM: I’ve been set up!

  ME: [laughs]

  JIM: You rat bastard. I like it though. It’s fitting. So who will be last?

  ME: Haven’t much thought about it. Just kinda going around at random.

  JIM: Reggie. Make it Reggie.

  ME: Any particular reason?

  JIM: Two actually. One, he’s your best friend. And two, end it all on an uplifting note. I have no doubt that your recordings have been filled with much grief and sorrow. When people read that project of yours, let it end with a man that knows how to bring out the best in the folks around here.

  ME: That’s a pretty good idea. I wish I’d thought of that [laughs].

  JIM: Glad I could be of use!

  ME: Thanks. I gotta run, tell Kelly I could use her help at The Retreat tomorrow.

  JIM: Oh, I certainly will!

  **

  Catching up with Rachel Flynn

  ME: How you been?

  RACHEL: Tired! Last two days I was helping Ray cut a bunch of wood. Well, he cut. I stacked it. Not my kind of work but we all gotta do what we gotta do.

  ME: How is Ray, anyway?

  RACHEL: He’s fine. Bitchy but fine. Him and the old man arguing about everything that needs done before winter gets here.

  ME: Oh, we’ll be fine. We’ve all been busting our asses to make sure things are ready. Some of us have been helping out over at The Retreat too. You still haven’t visited there have you?

  RACHEL: No, I haven’t.

  ME: It’s coming along nicely and has a whole new look and feel. Is what it’s supposed to be. You should really check it out sometime. Maybe the next time I make a run that way?

  RACHEL: I don’t know. Maybe.

  ME: What’s your hesitation? You just don’t like leaving Haven?

  RACHEL: No, it’s not that. Just not sure I want to see where my uncle and my friend died. Knowing they were killed there. Makes me kinda not want to see the place.

  ME: I can understand where you’re coming from. May I tell you a different prospective?

  RACHEL: Yeah, sure.

  ME: The Retreat…it was bad. Now it’s a place of real refuge. A real community where people, good people, are making it and helping others and are safe. Yes, they died there…but they died to help people be free. They died to make it a home and true place of safety and not a trap. I think you should see what a great place it is. To see what they were killed for.

  RACHEL: I know that you’re right [sigh]. That’s not something I was even thinking about. Still, you can see my perspective as well.

  ME: I do, yes.

  RACHEL: Yours makes better sense though. I’ll get to it I guess. I’ll let you know when.

  ME: No rush. How’s Ben? Bugging the shit out of you?

  RACHEL: Ha! No, he’s fine. He’s good company. Unless work comes up. He helped me stack some wood for about half an hour and then bounced. I was like thanks a lot!

  ME: Sounds about right.

  RACHEL: Yeah, he always does that to me. I gotta stack some more shortly and he’s nowhere to be found. Probably off with Heather somewhere. They both dodge work.

  ME: I’ll talk with Ben.

  RACHEL: Oh, it’s fine. I ain’t really bitching, just saying.

  ME: He still should help out more, he’s older now and needs some more chores.

  RACHEL: Whatever you say. Don’t get him mad at me. Be thinking I’m a rat or something.

  ME: It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I’ll let you get back to wood stacking.

  RACHEL: YAY for me.

  ME: Have a good time [laughs].

  RACHEL: Can’t wait!

  **

  Catching up with Ben, moments later.

  ME: Hey! Ben, come here.

  BEN: Yeah? What’s up?

  ME: What’s up?

  BEN: Yeah, that’s what I said?

  ME: I know, I was asking the sa- never mind. What are you doing?

  BEN: I was talking to Karen, looking for Heather.

  ME: What have you guys been doing?

  BEN: Just hanging out. Having fun.

  ME: You’re staying in the walls, correct?

  BEN: Of course. We’re not stupid. I only go outside the walls with you or whoever for runs and such.

  ME: Okay, I’m just making sure. How you been? Good?

  BEN: Yeah, I’m fine. Why?

  ME: [laughs] I’m just asking.

  BEN: Okay…so, that it?

  ME: Actually, no. I wanted to talk to you about something.

  BEN: Alright?

  ME: I know you’ve been having some fun and playing around but we have a lot of work to get done before winter sets in. Which will be very soon. I need you to take on some jobs and chip in buddy.

  BEN: Ugh, okay. What?

  ME: Don’t moan and complain. We all need to do our share. You think I enjoy work? No one does. I would like you to go help Ray and Rachel with the wood. We’re gonna need a lot of it. Help each day for a few hours or so until it’s done. And when it’s done, come find me or Ray or Alan and ask what else needs done. Okay?

  BEN: Alright…now?

  ME: Yes, now.

  BEN: I was supposed to meet Heather for-

  ME: I’ll let Heather know, don’t worry. If she wants to hangout she can help with the wood. She needs to chip in too. Everyone else is.

  BEN: Alright, alright. I get it. Winter. Work. Chip in. I’m going.

  ME: Thank you.

  BEN: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

  **

  Catching up with Heather Knox shortly later.

  HEATHER: Hey! [jogs over]

  ME: I was looking for you.

  HEATHER: You were? Why? I was gonna ask if you saw Ben? He was supposed to meet me on the other end of the community to chill with Karen.

  ME: That’s exactly why I was looking for you. I told him I would let you know that he was busy.

  HEATHER: Busy?! With what?

  ME: I sent him over to help Rachel and Ray with the wood supply.

  HEATHER: Ughhh. For how long?

  ME: You know, you and Karen could gladly go help them too and hang out while you work. Shit needs to get done. You want to freeze this winter?

  HEATHER: You’re a real downer sometimes, you know that?

  ME: So I’ve been told before. C’mon, a couple hours won’t hurt you.

  HEATHER: It sure as hell might, but alright. Whatever. I’m never shouting for your attention again.

  ME: What the hell do you guys do?

  HEATHER: Well, if you all would figure out how to set up all the solar shit you keep screwing up then we’d be watching DVD’s or playing games. But until then, we play stuff from way back in the day. Like CARDS! So a little snappity snap on the solar would be awesome!

  ME: You could always try to help us figure it all out instead of complaining about it.

  HEATHER: Ugh!

  ME: I’m also going to ask you the same thing I asked Ben. You haven’t gone outside the walls have you?

  HEATHER:….What did he say first?

  ME: Heather!

  HEATHER: [laughs] I’m playing. No, we don’t nor have we gone out there. I promise. We don’t want to. Not after all that happened. If we feel closed in we know we can go on runs or trips with you all to The Retreat anytime.

  ME: Okay, good. So how have you been?

  HEATHER: I’ve been…just…chipper!

  ME: Don’t start. When will you let that go?

  HEATHER: NEVA!

  ME: I have no doubt. Please, get Karen and help poor Ben and them out.

  HEATHER: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

  ME: Now I see where Ben gets that shit from
.

  HEATHER: Damn right. I’m a good influence!

  ME: [laughs] Go on.

  HEATHER: Peace out girl scout!

  ME: What did you-

  HEATHER: BYYYEEEEE [runs off]

  **

  Catching up with Larry Berns. He was sitting outside drinking a beer. This is where he’s normally located.

  ME: Hi, Larry.

  LARRY: Hello back. How goes it?

  ME: Keeping busy?

  LARRY: Nope.

  ME: Want to cut some wood?

  LARRY: Imma go ahead and let you guess that answer.

  ME: I already knew before I asked.

  LARRY: Then why the fuck did you ask? [laughs]

  ME: Just making conversation.

  LARRY: Grab that plastic chair behind you. Sit awhile, grab a beer.

  ME: I’m not thirsty, but thank you.

  LARRY: When I man offers one of his beers, that he doesn’t want to give up, you take it! That’s an insult.

  ME: Alright.

  LARRY: So how’s it going, Jack? What’s new? You look like the beer is needed.

  ME: I do? How so?

  LARRY: Just look do. Drink up. You gotta sit now and then and just relax. It does you good. I always take some time to relax. Just look at me. Does it look like I need a beer?

  ME: No. Actually, looks like you’ve had one too many.

  LARRY: [laughs loudly]. You could be right about that. You’re alright, Jack. I’m glad I got to know you better. The others too.

  ME: Likewise. What’s new with you?

  LARRY: Nothing. Just been helping Todd on some of the new cars we found and brought in. Can’t have enough good working cars.

  ME: How many we got now?

  LARRY: Twenty.

  ME: Nice.

  LARRY: Yeah. Keeps me busy at least. I enjoy it though so it hardly seems like work.

  ME: Loving your job is a good thing.

  LARRY: Sure as hell is! Todd bitches sometimes and gets frustrated with a tool and shit. Always makes me laugh and always makes him mad.

  ME: He working on cars now?

  LARRY: No, him and Alan ran over to The Retreat awhile ago for something.

  ME: I talked to Heather awhile ago. She was bitching that we haven’t gotten the solar panels up and going.

  LARRY: Then tell her to do it.

  ME: I told her she was more than welcome to help figure it out.

  LARRY: Exactly. Need a hand?

  ME: Yeah…you know about solar?

  LARRY: Nope, but some of it’s mechanical work I assume. So, sure I could help out in some ways with it. We’ll get it figured out.

  ME: That’d be great. I’ll bring the plans over and you can take a look and see what you think.

  LARRY: I’ll be here with the beer, Jack.

  **

  Catching up with Alexis Kyser as she returns from a trip outside the walls.

  ME: Supply run?

  ALEXIS: Nah, clearing some Shamblers out of a warehouse with Jeff and Beth. Wayne thought it might be worth looking inside but didn’t scavenge much.

  ME: You had Beth with you?

  ALEXIS: Yeah. She’s been going out with us a couple times a week. She wants to know how to handle herself; wants to learn. I think that’s a good thing.

  ME: It is. How does she do out there?

  ALEXIS: At first not so well [laughs]. Lots of being startled but she’s gaining confidence now.

  ME: Teaching her how to shoot or anything?

  ALEXIS: Yeah. A few of us have. She’s a quick learner overall. I’ve begun teaching her archery. She’s not picking up on that as easily, but that’s understandable I guess.

  ME: What’s new?

  ALEXIS: Nothing really. Hustle and flow, ya know? Keeping busy. Got a lot of stuff to get done.

  ME: Too bad Heather, Ben and Karen don’t share that view.

  ALEXIS: Heather needs one of these arrows in her ass. Maybe she’d motivate then. Karen’s been doing stuff though.

  ME: She has?

  ALEXIS: Yeah, she’s been helping Kelly with canning things and Kelly is teaching her how.

  ME: Oh! I didn’t know that. That’s good.

  ALEXIS: She’s come a long way.

  ME: She has…so it’s just Heather and Ben that need arrows in their ass.

  ALEXIS: Seems so. Even Larry busts his ass these days. He never used to.

  ME: He came out of his shell. After the war he really became a part of things and he contributes to it all now. I think he always felt he was an outcast and that was mostly his problem. Now he knows otherwise.

  ALEXIS: Mhmm. So where is Heather and Ben anyway?

  ME: I made Ben go help Rachel and Ray with the wood. Ran into Heather a few minutes later looking for Ben. I said where he was and that she should chip in and go help them out. She did, but reluctantly.

  ALEXIS: Good. She needs to. Shit ain’t gonna do it itself. She was a slacker in school, too. Always trying to get me to do her homework [laughs].

  ME: Did you?

  ALEXIS: Fuck no I didn’t. Tina did [laughs].

  ME: That doesn’t surprise me one bit. I know you’re busting your ass but it is okay to take a break on some days.

  ALEXIS: Shit, I gotta pick up Heather and Ben’s slack. Ain’t no time for breaks.

  ME: Always time for breaks! They’re needed. I’ll stay on those two’s asses and keep them doing shit. What’s next for your days agenda?

  ALEXIS: Well, since you got the slackers doing shit and are staying on their asses, I think I’m gonna just go ahead with that advice and take a damn break. I’ve been nonstop for five days now.

  ME: Well take it easy then and relax. You’ve more than earned it.

  ALEXIS: You know it. I think I’ll take watch on a wall.

  ME: That’s not a break.

  ALEXIS: It’s simple and I can sit still and just enjoy the scenery and feel like I’m still doing something to help at the same time. It’s a win win.

  ME: I wish Ben and Heather had your logic.

  ALEXIS: Don’t we all?

  ME: Go take it easy.

  ALEXIS: Catch ya later.

  **

  Catching up with Ray Flynn a few days later.

  RAY: Drink?

  ME: No. I’m okay. Thanks.

  RAY: Sure?

  ME: I’m good.

  RAY: Okay. Phew, I’m glad the woods almost done. Also glad it’s cooled down a lot. I know winter is going to suck but doing that wood when it was hotter…that sucked ass, man.

  ME: Probably much worse for Rachel.

  RAY: Oh, yeah! She is miserable when I ask her to help, but she doesn’t complain. It’s not her kinda work but she puts in her all and gets it done. She knows we need it all.

  ME: Did Ben and Heather help like I asked them to the other day?

  RAY: Yeah, they did.

  ME: Good. I was going to be pissed otherwise.

  RAY: Ben whined for a bit but then once he got used to it and talking as he worked, he did fine. Heather now, she bitched for an hour or more. After awhile even Ben told her it wasn’t that bad. She seemed to feel abandoned by her lazy sidekick so she stopped bitching as much and helped out more. Rachel was very grateful and thanked them a dozen times. I could tell it made Ben feel good. Wanted and needed and he promised he’d keep returning to help. Heather promised too. What else did she have to do anyway? [laughs].

  ME: Did they?

  RAY: Yep. Been there every day! It’s helped us get a lot done a lot faster. We’ll be finished up with it soon.

  ME: I’m glad they pitched in.