by T A Williams
“And you’re still here.”
Again Jess fought back the tears and instead just smiled. “Yes we are.”
Alec
The hot days of summer gave way to the cool winds of fall and before they knew it the frozen days of winter had arrived. At first it was gradual but then one day they woke up to snow on the ground.
Alec felt a slight chill and pulled his blanket tightly around him. The fireplace in the living room gave off a warm glow and the fire caused the shadows to dance around the dark room.
He could still remember the harsh winter his family went through the year before. Weeks of huddling around a small wood stove on an empty stomach. Watching his father and the others return day after day with no food and watching as his family wasted away in front of him. This winter was different.
For starters they had food, lots of food. The orchard and gardens had provided them with more than enough to eat. Trevor and a couple of the older men would hunt during the day, sometimes they caught something, sometimes they didn’t but it didn’t matter. Whenever Alec’s snares caught a couple rabbits or raccoons it was a treat, not a necessity like the prior winter. He was pretty sure that he was actually gaining weight this winter.
The town’s “protectors” returned every few weeks with their hands out, and every time the town handed over food. Malcolm and the other’s weren’t fools though; they had stashed away enough food that their supplies looked limited enough that the men only took so much. They knew if this town starved to death they would have to start farming themselves.
Trevor and Jamie were bundled up on the nearby couch staring into the fire, while Malcolm and Margie sat in nearby chairs.
The crackling of the fire and the cold blowing winds were the only sounds filling up the room until Trevor finally broke the silence.
“A Big Mac.” They all stared at him in confusion. For a long while Trevor didn’t say anything else he just continued staring into the fire. “Either that or a large deep dish pizza.”
Margie smiled. “Taco Bell bean burritos. I don’t need anything special, keep the cheese and the sauce on the table, just pure bean.”
“Ice cream.” Jamie’s smile was from ear to ear. “An ice cream cake. Chocolate frosting, vanilla ice cream, with chocolate cake in the middle.”
Alec laughed. Ben had always loved ice cream cake. Ben had his ice cream cake, Joseph had always wanted his ice cream and his cake separate, and Ally would eat anything with sugar in it. He had always preferred a giant cookie cake himself.
Jamie sat up and looked over at him.
He thought about it for a second and when the answer came to him he smiled. “Chinese food. A plate of sweet and sour chicken, another plate with General Tsaos chicken, noodles and a couple of crab ragoons on the side.”
Trevor began to clap slowly. “You win.”
“A smoked pulled pork sandwich,” Malcolm said much to everyone’s surprise. “With steak fries, baked beans with bacon sprinkled in, potato salad, and a cold beer to wash it down.”
Trevor looked over at Alec and gave him a slight frown. “I spoke to soon, Malcolm you win.”
The old man let out a sly smile and began chuckling to himself. The room had no choice but to join in. They continued this late into the night until all but Trevor and Alec were asleep.
Alec’s mind was focused on his family. He trusted the old man to watch over and protect Ben, so while he wished he was still with his brother he knew he was in good hands. It was his sister that he worried about. He prayed that she was somewhere warm with plenty of food to eat.
Trevor coughed a few times drawing Alec’s attention to him. He seemed to be a good man; he had managed to protect his daughter from the dangers of the world, not to mention he had saved Alec’s life. There was something that Alec had never thought to ask him though.
“What happened to your wife?”
Trevor’s focus never left the fire but a shadow passed over his face. He took in a deep breath and glanced down to make sure that Jamie was still asleep. “She was diabetic. Type one diabetic to be exact.”
Alec wasn’t entirely sure what that meant but could still see the struggle on Trevor’s face.
“She required constant medication in order to manage it. Right after everything happened we were able to grab some medication from a drug store that hadn’t been looted yet. That lasted a little over a month. After that we stayed around the larger cities and searched every drug store we could find. Eventually we couldn’t find anymore.”
Alec didn’t know what to say, he was fairly certain there wasn’t anything he could say to comfort the man.
“She lasted almost two months after the power went out. I don’t think that Jamie has fully accepted it yet.” He ran his hand through her hair. “Before we got here there were times when she wouldn’t say anything for a day or two and then just as quickly as it hit she would be back to normal.”
“I’m sorry.”
Trevor looked to him. The man’s eyes were red and misty. “Thank you.”
The man didn’t provide any more details and Alec didn’t ask any other questions. Alec had lost his father and youngest brother to men that would have been kept in check in the old world, while Trevor lost his wife to a condition that was easily managed before. This was the world they inhabited now.
He laid his head back against the soft couch and watched the fireplace until he eventually fell into a trouble sleep.
Ben
The ice hung down from the tree limbs like frosty chandeliers that glistened in the sunlight. Ben peered out the window at the frozen wonderland with the warmth of the wood stove on his back and the cold radiating from the window on his face.
He was bored.
His days, which had been so busy in the months leading up to winter, were now formulaic at best. He woke up, brought in enough wood to last the majority of the day, ate breakfast, checked and reset the snares, and if he was lucky then Jack would take him hunting. Then sleep and repeat.
Mason sat in the one of the recliners near the wood stove and gently tapped his head against the back wall. If Ben was dying of boredom then that man had died a thousand times over. Dr. Frank told him that they were going to take his homemade brace off next week but in the meantime the man was once again ordered to stay off his feet, not that he listened, but the frozen ground prevented him from leaving the house.
Mason noticed Ben watching him and gave the boy a bored grin. “What’s up chuck?”
There was a question that Ben had been avoiding for the last month because he knew he wasn’t going to like the answer. “What happens when you’re better?”
“I’m getting out of this house and going for a long run.” Mason said longingly.
“No, I mean are you going to leave?”
Mason recognized the concern in the boy’s face and got serious. “Once I’m back up to full strength.”
Ben put his head down to try and hide the disappointment. It was dumb of him to think the man was going to stay at their house forever. The man was a soldier tasked with protecting society from killing itself and Ben wanted him to stay around and play house.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to miss me sitting around all day and eating your food?” Mason joked.
Ben didn’t say anything.
“I’m going to the supply cache and hopefully I’ll find a radio so I can contact command and find out what’s going on. A lot of things could have changed in the last couple of months.”
“Where is the supply cache?”
“Around a two-three day drive depending on how rough the roads are.”
“What if someone has already gotten to it?” Ben asked a little too hopefully.
Mason either didn’t notice or ignored. “It’s hidden and secure so even if someone managed to stumble upon it they wouldn’t be able to open it. Even if another squad accessed it there should still be some supplies or at least a means for me to make contact.”
“Can I co
me with you?” Ben instantly regretted asking. He already knew the answer but his mouth asked before his brain could stop it.
“Sorry Ben, military only.”
“What if I joined? I mean with everything going on I’m sure-“
“You need to be here for Jack and for when you’re brother returns with your sister.”
Ben shook his head but didn’t say anything. He fought back tears, the last thing he needed to do was to start crying in front of the man. “Ok.” He choked out.
“I’ll be back you know? Just because I leave once I get better doesn’t mean you will have seen the last of me.”
“Sure.” Ben said glumly.
Mason sighed and tried to sound cheery. “Don’t be down Ben, it’s not like I’m leaving anytime soon. Frank said the brace is coming off next week but I’m not going to try and head out during the winter. That would be a perilous journey fully supplied and in shape and I can’t mark either of those boxes. Once spring comes and the snow melts I’ll head out, but not a moment sooner.”
Ben nodded and tried to give the man a smile. It didn’t matter to him WHEN the man was leaving because he knew regardless he WAS leaving. It was only a matter of time. “Are you going to go on foot?”
“No, I’ve already talked to Whitford. They have an extra truck I can use and I promised I would do everything in my power to make sure they get a supply drop or some kind of assistance. But again you have a while. I’ll be bugging you for at least another month or so.
“Sounds good…I’m going to bring in a couple more loads of wood.”
Mason looked around confused. “It looks like we have enough for the day.”
Ben had already walked out of the room before the man could finish. He wasn’t going to get upset or feel sorry for himself. A man was judged based on his actions and he was going to live up to that, one way or the other.
Jess
The small girl aimed the even smaller bow towards the target in the middle of the tree. Ally’s face, which was usually covered in a mischievous grin, was now serious with determination. Gruff and Jess stood behind her in silence with the only noise being the leaves swaying gently in the warm afternoon breeze.
Ally let loose with the arrow which promptly sailed past the tree and into the darkness of the woods. Jess started to say something encouraging until Ally threw down the bow and started to stomp away.
“Hey!” Gruff yelled, his voice shattering the quiet, causing Jess to jump and Ally to freeze in place. His voice softened, “What did I tell you about learning how to use a bow?”
Ally’s face was scrunched up in frustration. “That it was hard.”
“Do you think I’m a liar?”
“No.”
“Then why would you believe that I would lie about something like that?”
Ally shrugged and kicked a nearby rock.
Gruff looked to Jess and gave her a wink. “You know what’s good about being as old as I am?”
“Nothing.” Ally answered, her mischievous grin returning in force.
Gruff chuckled. “I’m been around a long time and I know a lot about how the world works. Let me tell you something sprout, nothing in life is easy, nothing.” He let the words sink in. “You asked me to make you a bow and I did. The only thing I asked in return is that you take the time to learn it, it’s time for you to hold up your end of the bargain.”
“But it’s hard.” Ally whined.
“Which means you have to work even harder. The good thing about hard things is that most people give up without learning how to do them, which means there are few people who can do hard things. You learn how to use that bow and you will be a part of a select group of special people.”
“Ok.” Ally grumbled her head still focused squarely on the ground.
“Now let’s go find your arrow.”
They made their way through the woods but didn’t manage to find the arrow, which just put Ally in an even worse mood. Gruff sensed it and made a point to make fun of her height every chance he got, which in turn caused Ally to shoot back about his age. The whole thing reminded Jess of how things used to be, or at the very least how things used to be according to television. Her version of the old world wasn’t as lite.
They came across a small creek that cut through the woods giving the area the relaxing sound of water cascading over the rocks. Ally immediately ran to the creek and waded into the water much to Jess’s dismay. There wasn’t much that frightened the little girl.
Gruff squatted down next to her and splashed some of the cool water onto his face.
“Where do you think this goes?” Ally asked in excitement.
“Where ever the creek takes it.” Gruff answered.
“No, I mean where do you think the creek goes?”
“Where ever the water takes it.”
Ally splashed him with water and he just smiled.
Jess stepped in and felt the cool water wash over her ankles causing her body to let out a shiver.
“Hey Ally, come check this out.” Gruff yelled. Ally came up next to him and they looked down at the mud surrounding the creek. “See these markings? Looks like a deer came through here for a refreshing drink.”
“Wow, where did it go?”
Gruff studied the markings for a few seconds then pointed out the tracks that led back to the woods. “There.”
Ally looked from the woods to the tracks and back again. “When?”
Gruff thought for a second. “I’d say these are probably around a day or so old.”
A small whine came from the woods on the other side of the creek. Gruff stood up straight and put Ally behind him.
That’s my move Jess thought, right before she quickly trotted over to the man.
The whine returned, small and pitiful.
“What is it?” Jess asked him.
“Stay here with Ally, sounds like something is hurt.”
Gruff pulled out an arrow and placed it loosely in his bow as he crossed the small creek and made his way to the edge of the woods. He took a few steps into the forest way and came to a stop, his attention down to the ground. The older man glanced around and then waived them over. Jess held Ally’s hand tightly and slowly made her way to where he was.
As they approached the whining grew louder and louder and when Jess saw what was making the noise her heart melted. The dog couldn’t have been more than five or six months old, no more than a puppy. It was the very definition of a mutt, long dirty brown hair, short nose, and big puppy eyes. Jess had been around dogs most of her life and she had no idea what mixture of breeds this thing was, but it was adorable.
Jess held Ally back as the little girl tried to run to the puppy. “What’s wrong with it?” She asked Gruff.
The man laid his hand next to the small puppy who immediately began licking his hand. Gruff let the puppy do this for a few moments then began petting it gently, which the puppy enjoyed until he got to one of its rear legs. The puppy let out another pitiful whine when he put pressure on its leg.
“It’s hurt?” Ally asked.
Gruff ignored her and reached down and gently picked up the small puppy, the small creature’s ribs were far too easy to see. He inspected the rear leg and shook his head. “I’m not much of a vet but it looks like he might have sprained his leg, nothing serious.”
“It is going to be ok?” Ally asked visibly upset.
He gave her a reassuring smile. “With a little rest and plenty of food I’m sure he’ll make it through. I’ll need some help finding food for him, think you can learn to use that bow?”
Ally’s let out a smile that brightened her entire face.
Gruff gave Jess a questioning look and she nodded back at him.
“Well I guess that settles it, let’s find some food and get this little guy home.”
Alec
The warm spring breeze felt good against Alec’s face. He closed his eyes and took a moment to enjoy the feeling.
“Are you sleeping?” J
amie asked, her hair dancing gently in the wind.
“No, just enjoying the warm weather.”
Tina, Jamie’s young friend, ran up behind her and gave her a playful push and then ran away. Jamie turned and took off running after the young girl. Alec allowed himself a smile and continued walking down the main street.
Things were good.
The town, while still weary of them, had learned to accept them. During the winter months Alec’s snares helped bring in a consistent source of meat, while Trevor’s ability to treat the minor colds that popped up help to develop that relationship. Despite all that this wasn’t the place for him.
He had already begun to gather supplies for his trip home. The food wasn’t a problem but collecting enough gas was. They had already drained all the nearby gas stations and abandoned cars. The few trips he took outside of town had also turned up empty. Margie told him some of the old farmers used to keep large tanks of fuel for vehicles and tractors on their property so he was going to start checking out some of the abandoned farms on the outskirts of town.
The bell began to toll and Alec froze. The raiders were returning.
His stroll had taken him too far from Margie’s house to make it back in time so he ran to the nearest house. An old woman, he believed her name was Beverly, came to the open door just as Alec got to it. Her intention had been to close the door and for a second she seemed to still consider closing it, but then she stepped to the side and Alec ran inside.
“Get to the attic. The rope is in the hallway, hurry.”
Alec didn’t have to be told twice. He pulled down the step ladder, climbed into the attic and closed it behind him.
The attic was more of an unfinished storage space. There was a window on the far side facing the street and the sun light coming through showed the dust particles floating through the air. He made it to the window just as the first of the three trucks pulled onto the street.
The last of the trucks stopped directly in front of Beverly’s house and over a dozen men piled out of the trucks. The man with the tattooed face was with them. He stood next to the first truck while the rest of the men spread out and began walking towards the nearby houses. One man turned and began to walk towards Beverly’s front door. Alec’s stomach tightened up.
