by E A Lake
With our packs in place, we continued south and west. Ontonagon or bust — that was our motto.
We paused later in the day for a quick meal, a few slurps of fresh water directly from the lake, and a chance to take off our shoes for a few minutes. When we got back to No Where, I wasn’t walking anywhere for a very long time.
All afternoon, the familiar odor dogged us on and off. How was it possible that every spot we chose to pause we found another gut pile? It just didn’t seem like that was the likely explanation.
It came to me from nowhere. Snapping my fingers, I leaped from my resting spot. “It has to be something with the lake,” I exclaimed as if I’d struck gold. “That smell has to either be stagnant water or decaying fish. Has to be!”
Violet looked at me skeptically. “Then why didn’t we smell it on our journey up the shore, Sherlock? Why just now?”
Damn, she had a good point. But there was a reasonable explanation; at least I thought there had to be.
“Must be something with the way the air comes off the lake,” I countered. “Or maybe even something in the water currents or undertow.”
She grinned, pulling her boots back on her feet. “Yeah,” she chuckled. “You just keep working on that theory. But the next fish camp we come to, I’m asking someone.”
I too replaced my footwear and tied them tight. Standing, I stretched my arms wide and arched my back. And there was the smell again, only stronger. It seemed to come from our rear, back towards the lake. Taking several steps in that direction, I plugged my nose. It was really strong.
The memory came back, striking a spot in my brain at the precise moment the gunshot struck me.
Day 1,172 - continued
The shot instantly knocked me to the ground. Pain flooded my entire body immediately. I writhed and twisted, each movement intensifying the agony pulsing throughout my being.
Violet was on me in a heartbeat, clutching at my collar. “Oh my God!” she screamed. “Bob, don’t move, you’re bleeding everywhere.”
Nothing made sense. She hadn’t shot me; I knew that much. Recalling the odor, I knew who had. But where was he?
“Grab my gun,” I moaned, reaching behind my back. But it wasn’t there. It must have fallen out when I fell. Maybe I was laying on top of it. Maybe it was by my side and I could reach—.
No. It wasn’t there. I hadn’t picked it up when I dropped it in the leaves. We were sans protection, at the worst possible time of our lives.
“Oh my,” a voice called out from behind Violet. “That looks messy. I didn’t mean to do that. I meant to kill the bugger with one shot. But the bastard wouldn’t stand still.”
Violet’s head spun towards the voice. I didn’t need to see the face, though. I recognized the man from his stench.
Magnus.
Violet jumped up and dashed to attack the man, but he knocked her down mid-swing. She leaped to her feet and went in for another try, only to be caught around the neck by the beast’s giant paw.
“Let’s not get too feisty here, little girl,” he laughed. “You’re no good to me if I have to kill you before trading you off for a half-year’s worth of supplies.”
He raised his weapon and I rolled to my right. The gun exploded, sending a shot where my head had been a second before.
“Lie still,” he shouted. “Let me finish you off so you don’t have to lay there squirming like a wounded animal. It’ll be nicer this way.”
“Leave him alone!” Violet shrieked after he tossed her aside again. “You don’t have to kill him. Just take me and let’s leave. Let him die in peace.”
I saw Magnus grin, winking at me…I think. The pain was already clouding my vision.
“Now that wouldn’t be proper,” he spewed. “Leave a wounded man to die. No, I think I’ll…” He raised his weapon again.
Violet sprinted in the weapon’s path, knocking the gun away before he shot again. “No, please. Don’t kill him. Please.”
“Why?” I said as loudly as I could. “Why now? Why not back in the woods two weeks ago?”
Magnus nodded, lowering his gun. “The boys got greedy on me,” he announced. “I told them to wait because it sounded like there’d be two women to trade if we were patient. But those boys, not them. They went rushing in.”
“Did you kill any of them?” I asked, trying to extend my life by minutes. I wanted, needed, to hear the whole story.
He smiled. “Nah, can’t be killing your own. Never know when you might need a big group like that. Just grabbed a gun from Larry and shot it in the air a couple times. The rest just sort of happened naturally. They took no offense, not after I beat some sense into a few of them.”
“Then why now?”
He grabbed Violet’s arm and pulled her close to his massive body. “Just lucky circumstance, I guess. We were trailing some other folks. They had plenty of supplies. But the night before we planned our attack, I got laid up with the trots. I had to stay still for a day or two and the boys went and followed them other folks. I told them I’d catch up with them.
“But wouldn’t you know it; I got back on the trail two days ago and ran into you two. Except you just didn’t realize it.” He stroked Violet’s hair with his free hand. “I figured you were on to me yesterday, sniffing the air like you did. But you never came and found me. But you knew today so I needed to finish the job, and now was a good time.”
I pushed against my wound as much as I could without passing out. Each time I lifted my hand, I saw more crimson. Now there was so much that it ran down my arm. I was a dead man.
“So, if the boys get those supplies they’re after, and I get a good trade for Miss Prissy Pants here, we’ll all be set for quite a while. May not have to hunt or pillage before winter this way.”
“Where you taking her?” I asked, pointing at Violet. “We’ve been to every fish camp within 60 miles. They’re going to recognize her. They’ll know something’s up.”
He dragged Violet closer. “That’s the problem with you amateurs,” Magnus chided. “You got no imagination. I ain’t gonna get half of what’s she’s worth from a fish camp. Hell no; she’s going to Hancock. There're a dozen whore houses there that will bid on a nice young one like this. I’ll get a pretty penny worth of trade for this fair lass.”
Violet ripped her arm from his grip but he got his hand wrapped around her hair before she could flee.
“She’s not a virgin,” I countered, breaths coming harder with each word. “She’s had a child. Maybe she’s not worth it.”
Magnus grinned broadly. “No worries there, friend. All that means is she’s experienced. I might be able to get more for her that way.”
I felt the life draining from my body with each elongated heartbeat. This was over. There’d be no finding Daisy, no life with Violet, no life for Violet. The best I could hope for was Violet to do something to get away, or get herself killed.
Magnus tossed her aside, raising his gun again. “Before we take off, I need to finish something,” he said in an ominous tone. “I know you’re going to die anyway, so let me send you to the afterlife.”
He raised the larger caliber handgun and pointed it at my head. “Any last words?” he asked.
I stared at him, focusing as tight as I could. “Yeah, go to hell.”
Again, he grinned, cocking the hammer. “That’s where I plan on sending—”
And his words cut off.
Day 1,172 - continued
Magnus’ left hand rose to his throat. The gun dropped from his right. With his mouth hanging agape and eyes wide open, he reached behind his neck. It was then I saw the blood.
He staggered slightly, turning to try and reach for Violet, but she stepped out of the giant’s reach.
He swiped at her several times before falling to his knees on the dirt path. Staring at Violet, words failed him. Instead, he made loud gurgling sounds as bloody froth spewed from his mouth.
It wasn’t until he flopped into the dirt that I saw what brou
ght Magnus down. From the back of his neck stuck a light-colored wooden handle, the kind from a fillet knife. Much like the one Violet had insisted on liberating from one of the fish camps.
I expected her to remove the knife and plunge it several times into his prostrate body or kick him several times, or spit on him, hurling a string of profanity so he’d know with his dying breaths just what she thought of him.
Instead, she dashed around him to my side. Kneeling in the brown grass next to me, she studied my wound.
“This is not good,” she said, terror causing her voice to tremble. “I think you’re hit in the hip. But there’s so much blood, I can’t tell. Lie still, I need to pull your pants down a little.”
Just the undoing of my belt, by what I’m sure was the gentlest touch Violet could manage, caused a new wave of pain.
“Okay, I see bone,” she moaned. “I need to get help. You need to lie still. Can you do that?”
Sure, an easy chore. Since breathing made the pain worse, moving was pretty much out of the question.
I reached for her arm. “Violet,” I breathed, “find someone to take care of you. Just let me die. I deserve it.”
Tears came next, hers, not mine. I felt her hands on my face. “No, no, no, no,” she cried. “You’re not going to die. We’re going to find Daisy, and you two are going to be happy for years and years to come.”
Laying a hand on one of hers, I tried to smile through clenched teeth. “I don’t deserve Daisy. And after what you told me, I don’t think she wants to be found. I think she wanted us to have a chance.”
More tears, more strokes on my face. A hand pressed something against my wound and for the first time, it didn’t hurt as much. I guess shock had arrived.
“Don’t be silly,” Violet replied between stifled sobs. “If we don’t find Daisy, I’ll take care of you. You know I will. I promise to always be there for you, no matter what.”
I finally got a deep breath and was able to smile at the weeping teen. “But I don’t deserve you either. I’ve hurt you every chance I got. Just let me go; everything will be okay.”
I felt her fingers wrap around the back of my head, drawing it onto her lap. “Now listen to me.” She kissed my lips firmly. “I’m going to go find help. There’s a fish camp just south of here. I know there is. I’m going to find someone, and we’re going to get you patched up again.” Another kiss dotted with free-flowing tear drops.
Darkness crept in at the corners of my vision. It was time for me to leave. I had one last thing that had to be said.
“You know I love you,” I groaned. “You know that Violet, right?”
The back of her hand wiped at her drippy nose. “Of course I do,” she said, crying freely. She set my head on the ground and rose, stealing one last kiss before she hovered over me. “Please, don’t give up. I promise I’m going to be back as soon as I find someone. Don’t die on me, Bob Reiniger. I need you so badly; please don’t die.”
I looked up from my position on the ground and gave her what I hoped was the best smile she’d ever seen. “Okay,” I replied, my voice starting to fail. It was a lie, and both she and I knew it. But I think it was a good lie.
She blew a kiss my way and took off running.
I let myself stare at the blue sky overhead, dotted with a few thin, wispy clouds high above. This was a good place to leave the world.
Closing my eyes, I thought about my family, all of them. My mom and dad, all the love they gave me throughout the years. Bud and his wife and kids. Sure, they drove me crazy most of the time, but I still loved them. Shelly, how I missed her still, even though it had been a long time since I’d last hugged her and kissed that beautiful face. Dizzy and Frank, friends when I needed them the most.
Daisy lingered somewhere in the forefront of my mind. She gave me hope when I thought all hope was gone. Hope and Libby, two rays of sunshine in an otherwise low overcast world. Nate, Marge, Lettie, oh how I would miss them, each in their own way.
My last thoughts dwelled on Violet. I wondered if I had perhaps squandered the unrequited love she had for me. Could we have been happy together? Or would we have been at each other’s throats most of our time on Earth?
“I’m sorry, Violet,” I mumbled, “for everything.”
And the world, my world, went dark.
Day (or days) Unknown
I did not dream, most likely because I was dead. No thoughts of my family in Chicago, nor my family in No Where, filled the dark void. It was as if nothing existed on the other side of life.
And then came the light.
Day 1,184
I found myself in a new world. Though my vision was fuzzy, I could see the spectacular, brilliant light. The light made me happy, whole again.
I laid on a bed in a room filled with the light. As things came into focus, I noticed them one at a time. First were the stark white curtains, billowing away from the window, pushed by a freshening breeze. Next were the walls and ceilings of the room, also a beautiful white color. If this was heaven, I approved.
The bed was soft. It felt as if I were set on a cloud and the cloud surrounded my former body like a gentle, loving old friend. The sheets and blanket were white as well. I felt warm, and safe, and so loved in that moment.
Sounds filled the room, coming from somewhere else. Birds sang, and I heard voices, happy voices. Children laughed and played, screeching their delight for the world to hear. A man sang a tune I’d never heard before, his words not clear enough for me to comprehend. But I knew that would come. All I needed to do was to accept my fate.
In the far corner of the room, I spotted someone, a woman perhaps. Her medium-length blonde hair created an aura that surrounded her head, like a halo. She was an angel, I decided. She would take me to the other side.
When she turned, I felt my heart leap. The face; it almost looked like her — Daisy.
She approached and I noticed the angel’s smile. Instead of feeling thrilled, sadness overtook me. It wasn’t Daisy.
“Welcome back, Mr. Reiniger,” the angel said, stopping beside the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Confused was my first thought. I didn’t think you were supposed to feel anything when you were dead. But I felt her cool palm settle upon my forehead.
“Your temperature seems to be gone,” she continued. “That’s a good sign.” Her smile made me feel better.
“I’m not dead?” I uttered, not recognizing my own hoarse voice.
Another broader smile. “No, you’re not. Though you did try to die on us several times.” I felt the bed shift as she sat next to me. “You must have some strong will to live. I couldn’t believe you were still kicking when they brought you in 11 days ago.”
She stared at me as if expecting me to tell her my story. But that wasn’t possible, I knew nothing of the lapsed time.
“I’m Doctor Fulbright, by the way,” she went on. “You can just call me Pam.”
I felt myself nod; I could still move.
“Okay, Pam,” I said a little clearer. “Where am I?”
“Ontonagon Hospital. Well, the new hospital. Which is really just a refurbished boarding house. We’re about two miles east and south of the fish camp. That’s why it doesn’t stink in here.”
Ontonagon, a long ways from where I last remembered being. “How’d I get here?”
She rose and stopped at the end of the bed, smiling that beautiful smile again. “I think your friend can fill in the blanks for you. I’ll go get her. She’s going to be pretty excited to see you amongst the living again.”
“Violet,” I whispered.
Pam turned back towards me and nodded. “Yes, Violet. Your own personal guardian angel. If it wasn’t for her…” her smile saddened, “…you would have never made it. She should be just outside. I’ll go get her for you.”
The woman who entered my room moments later looked nothing like Violet. She wore an orange dress that hung to just above her knees with a dark blue sweater covering the top. Her
thin, bare legs were capped off with a pair of brown flats that squeaked when she walked.
The hair on her head that once hung past the middle of her back was neatly cut off and brushed the top of her collarbone. She appeared clean and fresh, almost angelic. It made me wonder if I wasn’t alive and actually in heaven.
But her smile was all Violet. She hopped over to the bed, leaning over the rails, and gently kissed my lips.
“Hey you,” she said, doing a terrible job of holding in her tears. I felt a couple of them fall softly on my face.
“Hey yourself,” I replied, letting my eyes roam over someone I wasn’t used to seeing. “You’ve changed.”
She backed away and did a pirouette for me. She looked good, as if she’d never seen a day in the apocalypse.
“You like?”
I nodded, feeling a smile grow. “You look really nice, Violet. And you chopped off a bunch of your hair.”
Her fingers pulled through what remained of her locks. “It was really long, and in terrible shape. I thought you’d like to see something new when you came back around.”
“And the dress…”
She grinned, blushing slightly. “I don’t think you’ve ever seen me all freshened up before. I wondered what you’d think.”
I liked it; I liked it a lot. Gone was the precocious child from our early days together, the teen who fought my every thought, and the terrified young woman I last laid eyes on as she dashed off to rescue me.
Next to my bed stood a woman; a young adult who offered me hope when I was alone and ready to pass from the world. The woman who had saved my life.
A woman I didn’t deserve.
Day 1,184 - continued
Violet sat on the bed next to me, holding my hand while telling me what had happened after I lost consciousness.
The spot where I fell and laid dying was just northeast of Beacon Hill Fish Camp. Violet ran the mile or so and summoned help in the form of an old animal doctor and a horse-drawn wagon.
