by Ison, S. A.
“Yeah, when you watched me and walked right into a wall and bounced off, but still kept looking at me, I knew you were the one.” She’d laughed.
“Garsh.” He’d laughed, like the character Goofy.” He got a punch for that. He was still smiling at the thought when the blood froze in his veins.
“Look.” He hissed, pointing twenty feet into the tree line. Hanging and swinging in the late morning breeze, was a woman. He could smell her; she’d been there a while. Her eyes were gone and her face bloated and discolored. There was no way to tell if the woman had been black, white or green. Her hands hung at her side and her gut was bloated, splitting her shirt, as though she were grotesquely pregnant.
He felt Dawn’s nails dig into his arm and he reached around to draw her close to him. Perrin and Tomi walked toward her and Linda looked up and down the road. Iris was doing the same, keeping watch. He too looked into the surrounding woods. He detected no movement.
“This is like the other, around the same time frame. Gone better than a week.” Perrin called over his shoulder. Both he and Tomi moved back and rejoined their group.
“That’s not a coincidence.” Liev muttered darkly.
“No, keep sharp everyone. I don’t know what’s going on, but it ain’t good.” Tomi warned.
They began walking once more, everyone on edge. They’d gone about a mile, when Linda gasped and pointed into the trees. It was another body. A man. This one looked fresher, if one could use that word. He was discolored, badly, but the bloating wasn’t as bad. The group drew in closer. Liev put Dawn behind him, Linda walked shoulder to shoulder with her. Looking over his shoulder, Liev saw that Tomi had pulled Iris in front of him and Perrin brought up the rear. Everyone’s head was on a swivel now. The women were pale, their faces leached of any color.
“There.” Tomi called, a half mile later. Another man, ten feet from the tree line. Liev heard Linda softly weeping. He heard Dawn speaking softly to her. His mouth was grim and in a hard line. His heart was beating heavily in his chest. Something was very, very wrong here.
=
Keeler stood on his porch, looking down the steep slope. It had been a hard rain the night before. He wondered if Tomi had gotten caught in it. He wondered where his nephew was and he was beginning to fear that the young man wouldn’t make it there. It had been nearly about week and a day since the power had gone out. He could smell death on the wind. Not always, but when it came from the north, he could detect it.
He thought perhaps it came from Tandy, or even Elkhorn City. There were thousands dying now. He was sure that there were millions in the bigger cities. Bodies, laying on the streets, bloated and covered with rats, crows and dogs. He was also sure that disease would be breaking out soon. Typhoid, cholera and anything else that would develop in that petri dish. The nights were getting colder. Especially at the higher elevations. He’d already started using his wood stove.
When hard winter came, more would die. He couldn’t even imagine the horror of it all. Food would have been gone in merely days in those large cities. Even if people worked together, where would they get more? It was well too late to plant gardens. Though perhaps farther south, one could be grown. It would be worth a try, to avert starvation. His own garden was lessening its output. He was now canning potatoes that he dug up daily. He’d keep a bushel or better in the cellar, but the bulk, he’d canned.
His canned foods were his reserve food, he ate what he pulled from the garden. When Tomi got to the cabin, there would be plenty. It then struck Keeler, what if he brought friends? It had not occurred to him, but he knew Tomi to be a generous and kind soul. He grunted and lit a cigarette. He’d have to go and inventory his supplies. He was sure he had plenty, for maybe ten people. That would be pushing it. If Tomi brought ten people with him, the biggest problem would be space.
The cabin was big enough. There were two other outbuildings on the property. They’d been private hunting lodges years back. But when Keeler had bought the two hundred acres, he’d gotten several hunting cabins as well. He’d checked them out over the years, making sure the buildings hadn’t collapsed, nor any bears or animals living in them. Perhaps he should spend his time getting those ready? He snorted and shook his head. If he knew Tomi, he knew the boy was dragging people along with him. Maybe that was why he was taking so long to get there?
It would be a lively place and he’d lose his peace and quiet, but it would be worth it to see his nephew again. Besides, anyone Tomi chose to bring, would be good people. At least he had something to do over the next few days to keep him occupied. He just hoped that Tomi would get there soon. He wasn’t up for heartbreak.
=
Tomi stepped quietly as did the rest. His mouth was dry and he took a drink from his camel pack. He offered it to Iris, who also took a drink. Her green eyes were large and fearful and she stuck to him like glue. He couldn’t blame her. Poor Linda was still weeping softly. Christ, he hoped she didn’t fall apart. She was so fragile after Norman’s death. He hoped this didn’t push her over the edge.
“There.” Perrin hissed harshly. It was a body, and it looked like a teen. A girl. She had long blonde hair that fluttered in the wind. Her face was also distorted and swollen, eyes missing as well as the soft tissue around her nose and mouth. She had a macabre grin and he felt Iris’s hand on his arm, her nails digging into the material of his coat. He reached a hand over and laid it over hers.
“What the hell is this, who has done this horrible thing?” She whispered.
“Christ, maybe some cult.” He said softly.
“There.” Dawn called, and pointed. Another teenager, a girl. She had a dress on and her thin legs swung in the breeze. There were more bodies, clustered together now. Every three to four hundred yards. Men here and there, a few women, but mostly, teenaged girls. Iris was now weeping softly. He too had a difficult time keeping his emotions under control. Fifteen young girls so far. The bodies were getting fresher. They’d not been hanging as long as the one he’d seen yesterday. Someone was hanging these children. Who and why?
Tomi jerked when Sakura started growling. He felt the hair go up all over his body. He hissed and everyone stopped. Even Moon was growling softly. He looked at the faces around him. Fear was stamped on them. They felt it as well. Something evil was around them. Liev pushed Dawn toward the middle, with Iris and Linda. The men formed a phalanx around the women, keeping them tight in and covered. They picked up their pace. Wanting to get the hell away from the bodies.
They passed another body, but then they skidded to a standstill. Fifty feet from them, just inside the tree line, two men were struggling with a girl. She had a rope around her neck and one man was holding her hands down.
“Hey!” Tomi barked, rage surging his body forward, as he lifted his AR15, flicking the safety off. Blood flowed through him and his vision tunneled to the two men, who were cadaverously thin and wore black suits with black string ties. Both of the strange men looked at Tomi, he was heading toward them like a runaway locomotive.
“Let her fucking down! Now!” He roared.
Both men grabbed the girl, using her like a shield and to his horror, they jerked her hard and he heard the sickening sound of her neck breaking. She’d stopped struggling. He shot at them, aiming for the gut. He wanted answers. Two rounds and both men were on the ground, screaming. He could smell blood, and knew it was the rage that was overwhelming him. He wanted to kill these men, like no other.
Coming up to the writhing men, he kicked the hell out of one, kicked him in the ribs and in the legs.
“What are you doing? Why are you killing these girls? He screamed. He felt hands on him, pulling him back and he struggled against them. He wanted to kick them to death. He knew it was Liev, he could feel the vice like grip on his arms. He struggled hard, and then felt Iris’s hand on him and he stilled, breathing hard. He could feel the wetness of tears, sliding down his face.
“Why, for Christ’s sakes? Why?” He asked, his voice choked
and breaking.
“Blasphemer.” The man he’d been kicking hissed, like a snake. Spittle flew from the man’s mouth, he looked like a rabid animal, his eyes bulging with hate.
“Are there more girls?” Perrin asked, his voice sounded dead.
“We have sent them to our God. You’ll not touch their purity with your flagitious ways. You foul spawns of Mephistopheles.” The other man said and spit up at Perrin.
“Please, are there any more girls, we can help them?” Iris pleaded. Tomi could feel the vibration of her trembling, through her hands.
“Begone, you diseased and odious cunt. I smell your vileness from here.” The man hissed, like a snake. Tomi had had enough. He pulled his Sig Sauer and shot the man in the head. Then he shot the other man. Iris cried out and she turned and he took her into his arms, and he felt her harsh sobs into his chest.
“They were crazy as bedbugs.” Liev breathed, he was holding Dawn, who was weeping.
“Christ in heaven. Let’s get the girl down.” Perrin said, pulling his fixed blade. Liev took the knife, he was taller and could reach higher. Perrin held onto the girl and Liev cut the rope. She slumped into Perrin’s arms. Dawn and Linda were weeping quietly. Tomi had to swallow several times. He wanted to breakdown and cry. The girl was no more than thirteen. Young. He held Iris tightly as she continued to weep. He watched as Perrin and Liev laid the girl down gently. Perrin shut her still open eyes.
The puppies began to whine and cry, struggling to get out of the backpacks. Tomi let go of Iris and turned. He could feel her freeing Sakura.
“Let’s bury the girl.” Tomi said quietly. Liev and Perrin nodded silently. The women moved away with the puppies. To let them burn off energy.
“So, it was some off the charts religious cult.” Perrin said softly, using his fixed blade as a pick and shovel. The ground was soft because of the previous night’s rain.
“Those bastards, those hateful men.” Was all Tomi could say. He’d been shaken to his core. They were evil men, so very evil. He wished he could have kicked them to death. A bullet to the head was too fast for them. But, what kind of man did that make him, to want to prolong their deaths and make it as painful as possible?
It took about an hour and they got the hole about three feet deep. They were beginning to hit large rocks beneath. Liev lifted the child easily and laid her in. Perrin walked over with the two black coats the dead men wore. He laid it over the girl’s body and face. The men shoved the muddy dirt over the girl and tamped it down. Tomi walked around and found large branches and rocks. He began to stack them over the grave.
“This might help keep the animals off the grave.” He said softly, shrugging. Liev placed a large hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
“You okay brother?” Liev asked, worry clear in his face.
“Yeah, I just kinda lost it. I really wanted to kill those bastards with my bare hands.”
“Sure, I got that clear. They sure as hell deserved it and more. Bastards.” Liev said and spit. Tomi used his camel back to wash the mud from his hands and the men walked back to the road where the women were. The puppies were running around now, and the women had pulled them farther up the road, away from the two dead men. When Tomi walked past them, he spit on them. Then walked down to the road and joined the women. Linda walked forward and hugged Tomi.
“Thank you for avenging that girl. Those men were nothing but pure evil. At least those children are with God now.” She said, her voice trembling. Tomi hugged her tight and patted her on the shoulder.
“I’m just sorry that there are people out there like that.” He said softly, giving her one last hug. He squatted and Sakura came to him and he held the puppy, burying his face in the wiggling warm body. He sighed heavily and tried to center himself and let the rage and sorrow fall from his shoulders. He felt hands on his shoulders and looked up, it was Iris. Her face was pale beneath the fading yellow bruises.
“You okay Tomi?” She asked softly. Her eyes were puffy from crying. He tried to smile, but failed. He nodded instead.
“Sorry I lost it. I’ve never wanted to hurt someone more than those men.” He said softly, feeling shame move through him.
He felt himself pulled into Iris’s arms and he laid his head on her shoulders. He felt himself weeping, the sorrow flowing from him. He felt like he was crumbling. Everything hitting him at once. The loss of the world, the loss of his dreams. The betrayal from Jack, and the loss of Norman. The fight to stay alive when everything was trying to kill them. Unsure of who to trust. It had finally hit him, and his rock had cracked.
He took a deep shuddering breath and pulled back from Iris. He wiped at his eyes and he felt her small hands wiping the tears from his face as well and he tried to smile. He looked around and his friends were up the road, leaving him and Iris by themselves.
“Sorry again, that was a very ugly side to myself, I didn’t even know I had.” He said.
“Tomi, those men were evil, nothing but pure evil. You did what any decent person would have done. I’m glad you killed them. I’m so goddamn glad you killed those bastards.” She said fiercely and hugged him again. He held on to her and nodded.
“Thanks. I still feel badly about how I acted. I really couldn’t help it.” He said, pulling away. He looked down into her kind green eyes. He leaned his head down and kissed her. Holding her face gently. She returned his kiss and smiled softly when he pulled back. He pushed strands of deep copper hair out of her face. He hugged her again and they began to walk in silence, catching up to the group.
A calm had descended over Tomi. The sorrow and rage left him and he was peaceful. He looked over at Iris, who looked back at him. A soft smile playing on her lips. He smiled back and her and hugged her once more. He saw Liev turn to look and a large smile spread across the Viking’s face. He snorted.
“What?” Iris asked.
“Look at yon knucklehead.” He said and heard Iris snigger.
They watched as Liev was pulling Dawn and made her look behind. Dawn looked back at them and smiled, then turned and knocked the hell out of Liev, making him turn around. When he tried to turn around, Dawn yanked his hair and he stopped.
“He’s a hot mess.” Iris said, a smile in her voice.
“Yeah, he’s something for sure. I’m glad he’s here with us. He kind of makes this new world more bearable.” He said, his voice soft. He felt with the friends he had around him and he felt especially blessed, that he had Iris.
TEN
The group moved into the woods. Evening was fast approaching and all were spent from the earlier events. They found a large natural pond and wanted to camp there and have fish for dinner. Their spirits were low due to the young girls, who were strung along the forest. Liev was building a huge fire. Perrin and Linda were fishing and Tomi was walking the perimeter. He wanted to make sure that they were on no one’s property. He also had Iris with him. No one wanted to go anywhere alone. The terrible events stuck with them all, like a cement coat, pulling them into despair.
Their comradery and humor pulled them away from the abyss that threatened to pull them all over. Tomi and Iris were quiet, listening intently to any sounds of humans. There were no echoing gunshots now. That had stopped two days ago. Tomi didn’t know if they were in an area of less population or that people have simply killed each other off. He stopped and pointed, deep within the forest were deer, at least twenty of them. They were moving slowly through, heading toward the large pond, he thought.
They watched the animals sojourned near them, eating leaves and grasses and twigs from the trees. Tomi and Iris didn’t move, enjoying the nature show. This was better than tv. There were several bucks and Tomi knew that soon, those same bucks would be fighting each other in a couple of months. By then, Tomi was sure that he and Liev would go on a hunting trip around his uncle’s property. He remembered several hunts years ago. There were plenty of deer around and they’d be a welcome protein source.
One of the deer snorted and all
heads came up, looking. Their large ears twitched and then they took off, leaping and running gracefully, deeper into the woods. Both let their breaths out and Tomi sighed happily.
“That was really awesome.” Iris smiled.
“Yeah, I needed that. Seeing something so right with the world, kind of sets your mind right.” He grinned and she nodded. They worked their way back to camp.
“I think we’re out in the middle of nowhere. I sure hope it will be a quiet night.” Iris said, moving around the dense undergrowth. They both walked closer to the pond. It was easier to navigate the woods. They heard ducks quacking and watched as a flock lifted off and filled the sky. They paused and watched them.
“Not sure, but duck would be great for dinner.” Tomi sighed.
“You willing to go swimming to fetch it?” Iris laughed, her cheeks turning pink.
“We need to train Sakura and Moon.” He joined her laughter. He saw Perrin and Linda, standing by the edge of the pond. They’d made makeshift poles and were chatting amiably.
“Is Linda alright? I don’t know her very well, but she seems really disturbed. I understand about losing Norman and of course the girls. There seems to be something more.” Iris asked softly. He watched Linda, she was talking and fishing, but something was missing. Something was taken from her or came to haunt her since Norman’s death.
“It started right after Norman was killed. She’d gotten really close to him. She’d mentioned on an occasion or two, that Norman reminded her of her son. She never really said what happened to her son. But you could tell it was something bad and painful. Maybe that’s it? It’s like she’s between two worlds. She’s here physically, but mentally, spiritually, she’s some place else.” Tomi speculated.
“I wish there was something we could do for her. But I know, only time will heal her. And if it is linked to her son, that may not be possible.”
They walked into camp. The two puppies were playing and fighting to the enjoyment of Liev and Dawn. A nice fire was going and it threw off heat that was welcome. Tomi sat down on a downed log.
