by Ison, S. A.
He took his time walking back to the camp, he had no privacy with all of them and he needed to get used to that. At least at the cabin, he had his room waiting. When he arrived back, he went to sit beside Iris. She looked up at him and he mentally cringed, her face was swollen and battered badly. She’d put up a hell of a fight.
“I’m Tomi. Are you hungry Iris? I’ve got plenty of rations, the turkeys are going to take a while.” He asked her softly, understanding that her nerves were raw. She smiled, it trembled and he dug in his pack. He poured water into a small pot and set it by the fire.
“Tomorrow, we’re going to swing by a thrift store for clothing. None of us have anything except this camo stuff. You can also pick some things up as well.”
“Thanks. Thank you for saving me. Why is this happening? All the cars, they’re abandoned and I didn’t see any people around, until those two bastards.”
“No need for thanks. Our country was hit with a weapon that takes out everything that runs on electricity or computers. Power, electronics and so on. We were in Ashland when it happened, and luckily, in a sporting goods store. Linda was kind enough to let us supply ourselves for the trip to my uncle’s cabin.”
“Do we have to fear more reprisals? More bombing?” She asked, her voice shaking.
“No, I don’t believe so. They might invade, but I doubt they’ll make it deep into the mountains, where we’re headed. I guess as things go, we’ll be better off than most. We’ve got forested land to hunt, and my uncle grows his own food.” Tomi shrugged, adding the packet of instant food.
“Why does she get to eat? Christ, you change the goddamn rules.” Jack spat out, his face red. Tomi looked up and stared at the man, until Jack got up and walked off.
“What is wrong with him?” Iris asked, confused.
“I’ll tell you now, Perrin and Dawn are corrections officers, Linda, she’s the manager of the sporting good’s store I mentioned and me, Liev, Jack and Norman were inmates at Ashland Correctional, minimum security. You don’t have to worry, we were all up for release soon, in fact, I was getting out today.” He smiled sadly and lopsidedly. He saw the fear in her green eyes.
“Don’t worry, no violent crimes, just bouncing checks and identity fraud. Liev was a bank robber… ish.. He was blind drunk trying to get money for his grandmother’s mortgage. He had $28 when they tased him at the teller. He didn’t remember a thing.” He smiled crookedly.
“I’m a lawyer, or was. What were you in for?” She asked, a hint of a smile on her busted lips.
“Identity theft. Served seven years. And, today was to be my release date. Guess I’m reformed.” He grinned and shrugged.
“Well, thank you again for saving me. Saying that I appreciate it seems like an understatement. So why is Jack upset? Am I eating his food?”
“No, we each packed away as much food as we could carry. I have plenty and the food I can hunt will help supplement our diet. No, we had to advise him to slow down on his intake. High sodium and all that, not to mention, he’ll run out of food before we make it to my uncle’s home. He’s a little resentful.” He said, handing over the pot for her to eat.
She cautiously took a bite and began to eat. He sat and stared into the fire while she did so. He added more branches onto the fire, feeling its hypnotic pull.
“Hey buddy, me and Dawn are gonna go bathe. Linda said she’d go with Iris, if you wanted to take them and guard them while they do.” Liev said, a slight blush on his face. Tomi lifted a quizzical brow, his mouth quivering.
“No, it isn’t like that.” Liev said, his blush growing brighter and spreading across his face like a grass fire.
“I didn’t say a thing brother.” He grinned big now and Liev shot him a filthy look and walked away with Dawn. He sniggered when they were out of earshot.
“What was that about?” Iris asked, watching the couple go into the woods.
“Liev has been in love with Dawn forever. Now that the world has ended, they don’t have the legal barrier between them. She’s pretty much always liked him as well. We think it’s sweet.” Perrin said, coming to sit down beside Tomi. Linda came over and sat down.
“When they come back, me and you can go bathe if you like. I actually have a spare set of woodland camos. You’re more than welcome to them Iris.” Linda said, smiling.
“Thank you, Linda, that’s so very kind of you.” Iris said, her mouth trembling. Linda reached over and squeezed her hand.
“I’ll guard you two while you do. Then Norman and Jack can go bathe.” Tomi said.
“God, I’m tired.” Linda said, rolling her head around.
“You’ve done a lot better than yesterday.” Tomi smiled.
“Thanks. I think as each day goes; I’ll do a lot better. At least my legs don’t hurt as bad.”
“I think by the end of this, we’ll be lean, mean, walking machines.” Perrin grinned, adding more branches to the fire.
=
Iris felt overwhelmed. It was difficult not to burst in to tears, at every moment. These people were so very kind to her and sharing what little they had. If what Tomi had said was true, then things were going to get worse for people all over. She thought about her colleagues back in Lexington and felt sorrow for them. They were ill-equipped, like herself, to deal with this. She had no idea how to survive without a phone and her computer. She had a few salad things in the fridge, a half bottle of wine and left-over pizza. Her friends were the same, unless they were married and had children. Her heart broke at the thought of those children, and the desolation their parents would feel, or perhaps did feel, if they figured out what was going on.
She also wondered at the ease between the officers and these cons. The big man, Liev, looked wild, with his hair and the blue paint. Dawn had been sweet, but she too was marked up. Both had seemed very gentle and kind. As did this man, Tomi. Had she have met him on the street, she’d not have known he was a con. He was soft spoken and had an innate kindness too him. He reminded her of Perrin, who was also soft spoken and sympathetic. Both men were well spoken, and intelligent, unlike the resentful Jack. The thin man, Norman hadn’t spoken to her, he’d seemed afraid. Not of the people around her, but just fearful in general. Perhaps high strung.
She had to wrap her mind around this paradigm shift in her world. She had to wrap her mind around the loss of Belinda, her best friend. She felt the sting of tears and wiped absently at them, which caused her pain. Her face was swollen and painful. She was glad her nose hadn’t been broken by the brute. She was also grateful that he’d not been successful in raping her. She’d managed to keep him out of her and then he’d been shot and killed. Good goddamn riddance.
Those around her were quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. They looked tired. Had they had much trouble? They were well armed, she saw all the weapons they carried. She was against guns, had protested against the NRA, but the men who attacked her hadn’t any guns, and thank god the man who’d saved her, had a firearm. Again, it was paradoxical now, her beliefs and thoughts. She turned when she saw Dawn and Liev return to the campsite. Linda was digging in her pack and pulled out a bottle of something and clothing.
“Here dear, you can wash your own clothing and lay them on those cars out there on the road, so they’ll dry, when we get back.”
Tomi stood and she stepped ahead of him and walked with Linda. It didn’t take long to find the secluded pond. It was peaceful here. Tomi went to the trees and turned his back, his AR15 held at the ready. There were cattails that hid her from his view. She and Linda undressed and went into the water.
“Everyone seems really nice.” Iris said as she washed that bastard’s blood off her skin.
“Oh my, they are. Tomi was helping me with my software for the store when everything stopped. If they’d not been there at the time, I don’t know what I would have done. I think maybe I’d have been dead. We’ve had two run-ins so far. The last one in town, didn’t end well. Seven savage men, but Perrin and Liev took care of them
.” Linda said, satisfied.
“It doesn’t bother you, that they’re cons?” Iris said softly, looking back over her shoulder.
“Oh goodness no. Tomi is an angel, and he was innocent of the crime anyway. No, and Liev, a sweet and gentle giant. He loves our Dawn. Jack, well, he’s a pain, but harmless and poor Norman is as timid as a little mouse. He reminds me of my son and my husband. They didn’t have to take me, Jack or Norman, and we’re slowing them down. But both Perrin and Tomi said we’d go as slow as we needed.” Linda said, beaming.
“What do you mean Tomi’s innocent, he said he spent his time in prison?”
“Oh, well, you being from out of town, guess you wouldn’t know. Poor boy’s sister had set him up. Fooled him into taking the rap for her, the boyfriend put her up to it. Then, the boyfriend killed her and himself. It was in all the newspapers here, or rather in Ashland. Judge refused to let him go. There were a bunch of protests, but nothing came of it. The poor boy spent seven years in lockup for a crime he didn’t commit. But he was getting out and had a good job already. Guess that doesn’t matter now.” Linda shrugged, her eyes holding sadness in their depths.
“He and Perrin seem like two peas in a pod.” Iris noted.
“Yes, they were both in the military. Perrin was in the army and Tomi was in the air force. It’s just a shame what happened to him.” She sighed heavily, exiting the water. Both women dried off and redressed. Iris squatted at the water’s edge and washed her clothing. When it was done, she squeezed it out and both women joined Tomi.
They walked quietly back to camp. Iris’s brain was whirling like a pinwheel in the wind. Her head hurt, both from the beating and the news about the weapon that destroyed their world. There was no smoke and fire, but it had ended her life, all the same. Now she was with strangers and would never see her friends or extended family again. Her world had shifted and she grieved for that. She knew it hadn’t really hit her yet, she was dealing with the loss of her friend and the brutality of the near rape. Her face and body throbbed with pain but with the news of the EMP, it had been pushed to the background.
Her brain felt like it was in a cotton cocoon. She wasn’t numb, but she knew her mind wasn’t functioning with its normal acuity. She found a likely car and placed her wet garments on the heated metal of the vehicle. The clothing would be relatively dry in a few hours. She walked slowly back to the camp, her mind still in a jumble and still in shock.
=
The group was depleted mentally but their stomachs were full, even Jack who was still gnawing on one of the turkey carcasses. It was late afternoon, just after five. All were bathed, their laundry done and drying on the cars that lined the road. Later, they’d take their clothing back to the campfire. There were now constant gunshots in the distance, though none close.
Linda was taking a nap, her soft snores emanating from inside her sleeping bag. Norman lay on his, staring into the fire. He was a quiet man and Tomi worried for him. He’d found the man weeping from time to time. He thought about talking to him, but Tomi already knew what was wrong. The man was terrified and rightfully so. He’d have to conquer his own demons and fear. He thought that Linda helped him a bit, as when the two spoke together, he seemed to calm down.
“How long will it take until we reach your uncle?” Iris asked, her body relaxed. She seemed calmer and Tomi was glad. She had a strong will, after having the hell beat out of her and learning the world had ended, he’d expected her to be like Norman. She wasn’t, she was chatting with Dawn and Liev. Dawn was animated and he smiled. He knew there had been something there and he silently chuckled. The two had been circling each other for years. Now at least they have a chance at love. What a crazy world.
“I’m not sure. We’ll go as far as we can each day. We each have enough food, and don’t worry, I’ve enough for you as well. I’m going to be supplementing as much as I can with fresh game. We’re heading south now, but will cut east and then south east. Perrin is our map holder and will keep us on target.” Tomi explained, he was chewing a piece of grass, relaxed and satiated.
“How did you know so quickly what was going on?” She asked, plucking a piece of grass and chewing the end.
“Perrin and I served in the military. I was in communications. I also had the ability to attain my masters in telecommunications and computer software, thanks to the prison system. That being said, between my training in the military and my college courses, I learned about EMP. Electromagnetic pulse. When the transformer exploded, and we went out, the cars were stopped. I also saw an aircraft fall from the sky. Cell phones were out as well. This all pointed to the EMP.”
“I take it that our country will not recover from this?” Iris asked softly.
“I’m afraid not. Especially not here in the mountains. Perhaps in other areas, we are low on the importance list, in the scheme of things.” He said with a crooked smile.
“I’m going to sleep, for now, wake me when you’re ready to sleep and I’ll take the watch.” Perrin said. The man looked exhausted. Tomi nodded and smiled.
“When you get tired, wake me, Perrin and I’ll take the next watch.” Liev said.
“And when you get tired, wake me Liev.” Dawn said, giving him a look, daring him to refuse her.
“Yes dear.” He grinned and fluttered his lashes and she punched him. He sniggered and rubbed his arm.
Perrin unrolled his sleeping bag and crawled in, groaning. Jack followed into his own bag, then Norman. He checked his watch, six. It would be dark in a couple hours.
“Do you think we’ll be safe out here?” Iris worried.
“Should be, we’ll not keep the fire. You can use my sleeping bag.”
“What will you sleep in?”
“I’ll take Perrin’s, and he’ll take Liev’s.” He smiled.
“I want to do my bit as well. Earn my keep.”
“When you heal a bit more, say in a few days, sure. Thanks. Hopefully, we’ll be able to handle what comes.
“I’ll warn you, the closest I’ve come to camping is looking out the window and watching the nature channel. I’ll try not to be a handicap.” She smiled softly.
“You can’t be any worse than Jack.” Tomi said softly and her mouth trembled in a smile, her green eyes crinkling up.
“Try to get some sleep Iris, it’s been a long day and don’t worry, you’ll be safe.” He said, handing his sleeping bag over.
“Thanks Tomi, really.” She said and laid out the bag and crawled in. Liev and Dawn came to sit beside him. Liev grinned and waggled his brows.
“What, you goof?” Tomi asked.
“Nothin. Just happy to have had the turkey. Man, that was some good eating. I think Jack is still sucking the bones in his sleeping bag.” He sniggered, his head rocking back and forth.
“I’m glad you were able to save her Tomi, thanks.” Dawn said softly, nodding to the sleeping woman.
“I just wish I’d gotten there before the bastard killed her friend. Christ, it was horrible. I’d not seen anything like it.”
“The violence didn’t take long to happen.” Liev sighed.
“This crap with Iris was just pure opportunistic; those bastards were drunk and high. I doubt they even knew what was going on. We’re the lucky ones. Cause about now, I think those in the big cities are starting to riot. There are millions there and no where to go.” Tomi said softly, throwing the chewed grass into the dying fire.
“Christ, I just hope we can avoid large groups of people. At least on these back roads, there aren’t many out and about.” Dawn said.
“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure our luck will run out at some point.” Liev said and put his arm around Dawn. She smiled sadly and laid her head on his shoulder. Tomi raised a questioning brow.
“We’re in the courting stage.” Liev shrugged and hugged Dawn, who winked at Tomi. He laughed and shook his head.
“It’s about time, I guess. You two have been dancing around it for the last seven years.”
“Hush, don’t ruin the moment Tomi.” Dawn grinned and then giggled. Giggled, he’d never seen her as anything else but stern or sarcastic to everyone. She’d been nice to him, but had maintained that professional distance. Once more he thought about how crazy the world had gotten.
FIVE
The group turned onto 757 East, and looked around at the homes that lined the road. They were set well back from the road. Jack was becoming a problem. Perrin said the man was chewing through his food and would be out soon. He was lagging behind, and no wonder. The amount of salt that the man took in everyday was astronomical. He’d already emptied his camel pack, and had to refill with pond water. Tomi had given him the chlorine water sanitizer tabs to put into the water bag. He bitched and complained with damned near every step he took. He was bringing morale down and that was a problem.
Tomi fell back and walked beside Jack, who was sweating profusely.
“We need to stop Tomi; my feet are killing me.” Jack whined.
“Jack, your feet are hurting because you’re eating too much of the sodium packed food in one day. We told you that you can’t do that. I’m pretty sure that your blood pressure is through the roof. The sodium is also causing your feet to swell.”
“I’m fucking hungry.” He hissed.
“We’re all hungry Jack, we’re burning calories, with this walking. But you need to take it easy with your eating. Your joints and feet will swell with all of that sodium. You also need to keep the bitching down. We’re all tired and afraid, but you bitching every step of the way is bringing us all down. Can you please just chill?” Tomi asked softly.
“What the fuck, you tell me how to eat and now you don’t want me to talk? What the fuck man.” Cried Jack, his face turning red. The group ahead stopped and looked back.
“I don’t give a rats ass what you say, but your negativity is a drain on all of us.” Tomi hissed; he was now losing patience with this obdurate idiot. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to gain control over his anger.
