by Ison, S. A.
The boy who’d shot him had eventually ended up committing suicide. It had all been a horrible accident that had ended two young men’s lives. Now, Norman was gone and those old hurts had resurfaced. She no longer had the store to bury herself with. All she could do was walk.
=
Tomi looked at the sky, the clouds had continued to gather all day. It was going to rain, and it was going to be a wet, soggy and miserable night if they didn’t find someplace to stay.
“I think we need to find some kind of shelter for the night. Our sleeping bags are waterproof, but I don’t think we want to be laying on a cold wet ground.”
“Yeah, you’re right about that. Christ, this sleeping rough is starting to seep into my bones.” Perrin grinned.
“You’re an old man.” Tomi laughed.
“You’re right behind me. You’ve already got the salt to show it.” Perrin laughed and tugged at Tomi’s beard. Tomi elbowed him and laughed.
“Black might not crack, but your old bones will.” Liev sniggered. Perrin shot Liev a salute with his middle finger.
“We need to keep a look out for any kind of structure that will hold us. Doesn’t matter, barn, shed.” Tomi suggested.
“I’m game, especially if it has a separate wedding suite.” Liev grinned and got a smack from Dawn along with a withering look, her cheeks pink.
“Brother, you’re treading on deadly ground.” Tomi sang, nodding toward Dawn, a grin splitting his face.
They all heard the loud and distant crack of thunder. The group picked up their pace, there were homes around, but they weren’t going to try to take over a house. No telling who lived there and they didn’t want to encounter anyone. Some of the homes they passed, they saw smoke from chimneys, those lucky enough to have fireplaces or wood stoves. The ones who had electrical heat or oil heat were in for a cold winter.
The puppies were out once more and running and sniffing. They’d both been watered and given their ration of puppy food. Now, Liev had both puppies, so they could play together as they walked. That way, they’d pass out for the night.
“When we find a place, I’m going to go hunting. I’m assuming you’ll go with me?” Tomi grinned at Perrin. Both men were thinking about the last botched hunting incident. There weren’t many openly bigoted people, like with the KKK, but when the men with swastika tattoos wandered the woods, it was good for no one. It had been absolute bad luck that Perrin had bumped into the man. No one wanted a repeat of that.
They were now passing an area with homes and small stores. They were somewhere near Harold. They were getting closer to Elkhorn City, but would avoid it by veering west. The shop’s and store windows were shattered out. There was trash and debris from different stores, strewn about the street. It seemed like a ghost town. The group moved in a tight formation, constantly looking around and watching out for threats.
Tomi breathed easier when they were out of the small town within the hour. He’d seen a few faces looking out windows from homes or apartments. It seemed like an alien place, and it had felt uncomfortable to be there. There had also been the stench of decay. People had died and were left to rot. He was glad they’d not seen any bodies, but the fug of death was indisputable. It wrapped around the small town, like a wretched cloak.
More thunder cracked and the sky roiled in the west, moving restlessly. The wind was picking up and there was a distinct bitter cold biting at the group. Ahead, they saw a gas station, and from the looks of the building, long abandoned.
“How about there?” Tomi suggested.
“I’ll go ahead and check it out.” Liev volunteered, and ran ahead. Dawn and Iris now kept the puppies from chasing after the big man. Tomi felt the first drop splash his face. It was going to be shitty hunting, but at least there was a forest that was taking over the old gas station. It was as though the forest had crept up on the structure and was now poised to engulf it. Liev came from around the back and was grinning widely. He did a jig, which caused all to laugh.
“It’s dusty and dirty, but there is enough room that we can all sleep inside. Also, it has a kitchen with a big cast iron sink that sits beneath a broken window. We can build a fire in the sink and cook inside, easily. The door to the kitchen area can be closed off, so the whole place isn’t filled with smoke.”
“That’s if we don’t burn the whole place down.” Perrin breathed. Tomi grunted. They hurried into the back of the old station. Dusty it was, with trash strewn on the ground. Not much other damage, having been long forgotten. The group began to drop their backpacks. Linda and Dawn found a couple of brooms and began to clean an area for sleeping.
“While we still have the daylight and light rain, let’s go see what we can fine.” Tomi said, picking up the crossbow. He locked in an arrow. He’d leave his AR15, but would also bring his Weatherby. Perrin left the shotty and brought his AR15. Liev would guard their camp while they were gone. It had been quiet on that stretch of road, but that meant nothing these days. Tomi and Perrin disappeared into the woods, out back of the station.
The rain was coming down harder now, and they’d not be able to hear anyone coming up from behind. Looking over his shoulder, Tomi saw that Perrin was watching their six. He smiled. It did make a difference to have military trained friends. Both men stepped carefully and as quietly as they could. The woods were dense and there was quite a bit of undergrowth. They’d have to check for ticks. The spray they applied to their pants, had to be reapplied daily. It didn’t always prevent the little buggers from latching on for a ride.
Tomi felt a light tap on his shoulder and froze. Perrin’s hand came beside his head, pointing to his eleven o’clock. Using only his eyes, Tomi looked until he found the fat gray rabbit. Slowly, Tomi brought the crossbow up and aimed. The arrow flew and hit the target. They walked over to claim their prize. One more and they’d have a good dinner. Tomi was still dubious about cooking in the sink, but he’d leave that to Liev, since it was his idea. He’d just hoped the man thought to get firewood before it got too wet.
They swung farther east, moving into higher ground. The rain was dissipating for the moment, but the thunder said, it was just for a moment. The sky, from what they could see was heavy with rain. It was going to open and pour buckets soon. Perrin checked his compass, keeping them on track, so they’d not get lost. They were swinging back toward the gas station, moving in a large radius. Tomi guessed they were roughly three miles from the structure.
The birds were quiet, rain tended to quiet everything in the forest. The birds knew to hunker down. Tomi saw a movement and froze. Then he saw the rabbit. He brought the crossbow up and took careful aim. He didn’t want to miss, he wanted back to the gas stationed before the heavens really opened up with the promised downpour. He pulled the trigger and the shot was good. He grinned at Perrin, but lost the grin when he saw Perrin’s face.
“What’s the matter?” He asked softly. Perrin shrugged, looking around. They walked to the rabbit and Tomi retrieved his arrow and the carcass.
“I’m not sure. I caught the scent of decay. Something’s dead around here.”
“Look around a bit, before we go back?”
“Yeah, just want to see.” Perrin said, still uneasy.
They walked though the woods, heading a little east of the gas station, which was still about three miles away. They followed their noses and the scent of death became more prevalent. Tomi ran into Perrin, when the man had stopped in his tracks. Tomi looked around and the hair on his body stood. Deep in the woods, a man hung from a tree. He’d been there for a week or better. Perhaps when things first went to shit. The man’s hands were not bound and Tomi wondered if it was suicide or foul play?
“What do you think?” Tomi asked, not getting any closer.
“Shit, no telling. Why would you come out in the middle of the woods to hang yourself? Saying, maybe a suicide?”
“Don’t know, but let’s get away from it. If we’re on someone’s land, I don’t want to be next.” Tomi
said and began backing away. Perrin nodded. There was nothing they could do for the man. It would just be one of those tragic mysteries. Both men moved quickly away, going north and then west. It was a circuitous route back to the gas station, but both unconsciously wanted to make sure they’d not been followed.
Both he and Perrin kept looking behind and all around them. They weren’t spooked per say, it had been well over a week since the man was hung. And again, by whom? He hoped they’d not find out. He breathed easier when they got within sight of the abandoned station. It was raining harder now and he and Perrin skinned the rabbits and cleaned them. They let the rain wash the blood and hair off themselves and the carcasses. They walked into the back door of the station to see that it had been thoroughly cleaned.
There was a controlled fire going in the large sink and Tomi laughed, Liev had fashioned a grate over the fire and was boiling water for hot chocolate. He saw the packets lined up neatly, along with cups. Liev laughed when he saw the rabbits.
“Here you go chef, looks like that grate will make a nice grilling rack.” Tomi grinned; he’d tell the group later about the body in the woods. He’d also make sure they buttoned the gas station up tight that night. They’d still be on watch, making sure someone was awake, but he’d not make it easy for someone to get in. There was no telling who was around. With the rain however, more than likely, it would be a good deterrent and they’d get a good night’s rest.
NINE
Tomi watched Linda, he worried about her. He knew that she’d grown attached to Norman, and she’d mentioned that he’d reminded her of her late husband and son. She’d hardly touched the rabbit. She was now holding Sakura, petting the puppy and looking out one of the dirty windows, at the rain, pouring down. The sky had finally opened up and let go a torrential rain. The air around them in the abandoned gas station had gotten chilled. The light was fading and Tomi had opened his solar lantern a crack. The brilliant light pushed the dim shadows away.
“We saw a body, about three miles from here. Hanging in the woods.” Perrin said, he was laying back against the counter, his legs stretched out before him.
“Oh my god, someone murder him?” Iris asked, shock clear even in the dim light.
“We’re not sure. The hands were not restrained. Also, it’s been there a while, maybe a week or better.” Tomi said.
“You think maybe suicide?” Liev asked, Dawn asleep beside him, his arm around her. The puppy lay by her legs. He’d braided her hair, and was braiding it. Dozens of thin braids. He was sure Dawn was going to beat him, when she woke, to find a Medusa’s head of braids. A soft smile curved Tomi’s lips.
“That’s just it, why go into the woods to hang yourself? Unless the guy’s home was nearby.” He shrugged.
“We didn’t hear anything or see anything else, but then again, it was raining.” Perrin said.
“What a way to die.” Linda said sadly, still petting Sakura, who was now asleep.
Tomi grunted, and shifted. He looked over to the window and it was now dark. He could hear water dripping somewhere in the station, the roof had a leak. The sink had worked surprisingly well. There was a small stack of firewood for the morning’s fire. He hoped it would be a clear day. They were getting close to his uncle’s home.
“Tomorrow we head west, we’ll give Elkhorn City a wide birth. I’m wondering how bad it is there. Also, if it’s spread out, into the suburbs and rural areas.” He said, he shivered and pulled the sleeping bag higher. It was Norman’s bag. He hoped that Linda didn’t begrudge him the use. She was pretty fragile on the subject of Norman.
“How much longer to your uncle’s home?” Iris asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. Depending on how far we have to walk to get around Elkhorn. Then we have to cut back east and try to get to the Flannagan Dam road, and cross over the Flannagan Reservoir. Once across there, then we head down that road. Then we have to head west once more. We’ll be zig zagging for a while. The hardest part will be crossing Cranes Nest River.”
“Do you know how deep it is?” Perrin asked.
“Some places are shallow. Once we cross it, we’re almost there.” Tomi grinned tiredly.
“My god, it has been one hell of a journey. It doesn’t seem like the world ended a week ago.” Perrin said, shaking his head. He must have felt the cold, as he pulled up his sleeping bag as well. Tomi got up and went to the door that housed the sink and broken window. He suspected that was where most of the cold air was getting in.
He went back to his place and got back into his bag. The warmth of it felt good. He’d noticed that Iris had set her bag next to his, earlier in the day. He wondered at that and looked at Perrin, who wore a Cheshire grin. Tomi scratched his nose with his middle finger, eliciting a humorous grunt from Perrin.
Dawn woke up and when dozens of braids fell forward, she looked sideways at Liev, who grinned and shrugged. Then her hand went to her face and she looked at him, her eyes narrowing.
“No, I didn’t put marker on you. I wish you’d let me though.” He grinned at her, his brows bouncing up and down.
“No, you can’t.” She said and scooted down into her sleeping bag. Liev scooted down as well, Moon between them, their heads together. Linda and Perrin scooted down and got comfortable. Sakura made her way over to Tomi and he pulled the puppy into his bag. He shimmied down. Iris did the same, smiling at him.
“Good night, Tomi.” She said softly, and shut the lantern, plunging the room into darkness.
Squabbling blue jays woke Tomi up, there was light streaming through the dirty window. They’d barricaded the door and he’d stayed awake long into the night with his NVGs. At some point, Perrin had sat up with his NVGs and grinned and waved to Tomi. Tomi had then taken his rest. He looked over and saw Dawn and Liev kissing and he coughed softly, grinning at them. Liev gave a huge shit eating grin and Dawn blushed, smiling.
“Morning sleepy head.” Perrin said, smiling and drinking coffee. Tomi sat up and looked around.
“Linda and Iris are walking the puppies. It stopped raining a couple hours ago.” Liev said, picking up a cup of coffee, still steaming. That looked good and he began to crawl his way out.
“Here Tomi, we made one for you.” Dawn said, reaching over with a steaming cup. Tomi took the hot cup and cradled it in his hands. It felt good. The air around them was chilled. He’d be glad to get off the road. The mornings were growing cooler and without a fire at night, the mornings were cold and damp.
“Water’s boiling for oatmeal.” Dawn said. Tomi nodded, sipping his coffee. He didn’t care that it was instant, it warmed him from the inside out. The door opened and Linda and Iris came in, with happy puppies. Iris set out some kibble and gave the puppies a couple pieces of raw rabbit. They wolfed it all down. Linda and Iris went into where the water was now boiling and Tomi heard them making up bowls of instant oatmeal.
Iris came out and handed Dawn and Liev their bowls, then Perrin and then Tomi. She sat down beside him, getting back into her bag. It was quiet while everyone ate their breakfast. He was glad that Linda had stocked plenty of instant camping food. It would have been lean for them. He supposed they could have stopped at a grocery store on the way out of town, but was sure that would have caused trouble.
Within the hour, everyone was repacked and was ready to go. They left out of the abandoned gas station, leaving it to go back to its silent ways. They walked up the road, everyone aware that they’d be getting close to Elkhorn City and what ever had sprawled out of it over the last week.
=
Liev looked down at Dawn, he smiled. She’d left the small braids and had put her wool cap on over top. He just wished she’d let him go at her with the blue marker. It would be epic!
“Don’t.” She said.
“What?” he asked, defensively.
“You get that look when you want to do something you know you shouldn’t.” She said, looking at him through narrow eyes. Liev grinned when he heard sniggers behind them and it stoppe
d when Dawn shot a filthy glance behind her.
“You never let me have any fun. All I want is to be matchy matchy. You’d look so awesome with blue paint and your hair like that. Really. Pleaseeeeeee.” He said, stopping and getting on his knees. Moon jumped around, happy at the new game. He clasped his hands to his chest and squeezed his eyes shut tightly, begging as best he could.
“Oh my god! You’re pathetic. Okay, but don’t make a mess.”
Liev jumped up and grinned widely, he took the marker out, before she could change her mind. He carefully drew a thick blue line, down the bridge of her nose. Then a thick blue line across each of her cheeks. He leaned down and kissed her on the tip of her nose.
“Thanks babe.” He whispered and she snorted in his face, tugging his long hair.
“You’re hopeless.” She laughed.
They then continued. Liev’s face screwed up and he sniffed the air, like a coonhound. He stopped, turning in a circle, sniffing.
“I smell something bad.” He announced, unnecessarily. The group had stopped around him. He pulled his AR15 around and checked his mags. Dawn did as well.
“Keep an eye sharp folks. This might be related to the body we found yesterday.” Perrin said.
“Better put the pups in the backpacks, in case we have to run.” Tomi suggested. It took a few minutes to get the struggling puppies into the backpacks and they settled quickly.
Liev noticed that Iris was sticking close to Tomi, he smiled and nudged Dawn, who looked over and smiled.
“You think they’ll get together?” He’d asked Dawn, the night before. He’d seen that Iris had put her sleeping bag beside Tomi’s.
“Maybe, she seems drawn to him.”
“You don’t think that’s kinda quick?” He’d asked, surprised.
“I knew I loved you about the first week I started working at the prison.” She’d laughed.
“You did?” He’d asked, a huge grin on his face.
