At Night's End

by Benham, Tara

  “McCaid. Do you think Dad heard the announcement?”

  “He does have a television downstairs. I made the call for all of you to come and listen, and he would have heard so I’m sure he listen.”

  “McCaid.” He was speaking through the intercom just as I finished.

  “Dad. Dad I’m scared.”

  “McCaid, listen. I know Master Sergeant Long instilled Code 723 already, but you need to start the emergency lock down code now. Set up the fence, give everyone one of the pills in my room we discussed, except for little Miss Sasha and Henry give them two. I will not be communicating with you anymore. I have work to do in order to try to come up with a more permanent antidote. I love you all.”

  “Love you too.” We all spoke at once. I instructed Ever to make sure that Master Sergeant Long was doing well on his own, or needed any help. I went upstairs to the emergency pack Dad and I had created years ago for situations just like this. Inside of it was a multi-vitamin boost pill that would help with increasing our immune systems. We will all be heading to the guard post to use the scanner to make sure we were clear of any kind of infection or virus. I grabbed the pills and headed back down the living room.

  “Okay guys, the emergency plan is in place. There are a few things that you haven’t been told yet that will be happening. Johnnie did you get the fence up?” This was the second time I had referred to the Master Sergeant by his first name, which gave rise to Ever’s interest.

  “Yes McCaid.”

  “We have to head to the guard post and step inside the holding cell. There each of us will be scanned to ensure our health, and then be given a multi-vitamin pill that will help with boosting our immune systems. Let’s go ahead and get to the post so that we get this first step done.” Everyone was still staring at me like I had three heads.

  “Um, by chance what if one of us scanned isn’t well?” The question, which was expected, was from Micah.

  “I don’t know.” The tears started to slide down my face without my consent. I wasn’t prepared for this. I was prepared for everything but the fear and possibility that one of us could be affected. Ever jumped up quickly to come over and hug me. I think she was trying to comfort me but she just made it worse. My tears turned to sobs, which caused Darcy and Denver to break down as well. Sasha who had calmed down some began to cry again. I was trying to catch my breath when I noticed the hysterical faces of the guys not knowing what to do with a room full of crying teenage girls, and I think I lost it. My sobs turned to giggles. They were going to think I had lost it and maybe I had.

  “McCaid, are you okay?” Baxlie mix of concern and relief made it worse. I took everything that could muster to help with calming down so that I could answer them.

  “Yes….” I took another deep breath. “I’m sorry I’m just a bundle of nerves. Let’s head to the post.” We walked in silence to the head guard post that was towards the end of our drive way. Dad had set it up there for visitors but also for the purpose of being able to scan ourselves when necessary.

  “McCaid, what will we do if one of us are contaminated?” Ever whispered now that we were a little ways ahead of the group.

  “I’m not really sure. When Dad and I came up with these emergency plans he didn’t seem too concerned that anyone would ever be contaminated with any possible disease, but that was before Sasha came up. I’m not completely certain about this, we’ll have to investigate later, but I think Dad has been pumping the water with antibiotic, antiviral supplements since we moved into this house and had our water system input.”

  “That would make sense, knowing your dad.” It was the first time she had said “your dad” and not “Dad” in a very long time.

  When we made it to the guard house, I made Milo show me how to set up the scan. I went through first after he showed me the steps. The scanner room was a glass cell that was about five feet by five feet with concrete flooring and two doors. One door lead to the outside area beyond the fence, and one that lead back to the area where everyone else was waiting. The scan took about two minutes, and I was deemed clean. Ever went, then Darcy then Denver all scanned clean. The guys went in next all clean. Sasha was the last to get scanned, and the most scared. She had been with us for the least amount of time, and had less preventative care and more contact with anyone that had the sickness. We all held our breath as we waited the one hundred and twenty seconds it took to complete her scan. At the end of the time, when it popped up that she too was cleared there was a communal sigh of relief.

  After each of us stepped out of the scanner, we took the pills. Henry and Sasha both took two, in hopes of improving the ability to stave off any infection or illness. We had not been able to complete any shopping prior to our initial lockdown from leaving the house, even before we put the fence up. Now that it was up, along with the newly instated Martial Law we would have to start coming up with a schedule for hunting to start storing meat for when our store in our pantry got low. I was making mental notes of everything we needed to do once we were back at the house. I looked around me and everyone else also appeared to be lost in their own thoughts as well. I wasn’t well read on Martial Law although I knew it meant that the government had complete control. I also wasn’t sure what complete control meant. We made it the house with about thirty minutes before the eight o’clock news would start. Everyone pooled into the living room to wait.

  I remembered that before all this had started that Sasha had wanted to get pants and let her hair down. I couldn’t fix most of her fear, but I could do this for her. I whispered in her ear if she still wanted to change and she nodded. I grabbed her hand and took her up to Darcy’s room. I grabbed some of the folded pants from the bottom of her dresser that were now too small for her, and a long sleeved plain purple shirt for her to try on. I sent her into the bathroom while I waited in Darcy’s room. She and Denver had done well dividing up the room and making it both their own. I was looking around at all the new decorations when Sasha came out. The clothes fit well and she had let her hair down. She looked very pretty.

  “Sasha, you look nice. Do you still want your hair braided?” She grinned shyly and nodded her head again. I patted the bed in front of where I was sitting and she climbed up and sat cross legged.

  “McCaid, if I had stayed with my parents I would have died.” Her little shoulders heaved again.

  “You don’t know that. Besides you’re here with us now and safe, no need to worry about that anymore.” I quickly braided her hair than gave her a quick hug.

  “Henry says I have to be nice and listen to you and Ever and Mr. Dobbins if he ever comes back out from the lab. I will try to be a good girl if you continue to let me stay.”

  “Sasha, listening to us will help you yes, but you get to stay no matter what. You are one of us now. I promise. Besides I wouldn’t listen to everything that brother of yours says.” I winked at her to let her know I was teasing. We were getting ready to go back downstairs when I noticed Henry in the doorway. He had a sad look on his face but smiled when I looked up at him. I asked Sasha to go back downstairs so I could have a word with Henry. It’d had been weeks since we’d been alone. As she passed he tugged her braid and gave her a wink, she smiled back and skipped down the hallway to the stairs.

  “How are you doing?” I was afraid to get too close. I was unsure of how he was feeling about us, about everything in general.

  “I’m going to be ok. I promise. I’m just still adjusting that I’ll never see my parents or my little brother again. I never went back home to visit. I should have went back home.” There was unshed tears on his lashes. I went forward to hug him, but he shook his head. “I am sorry McCaid, but we can’t do this anymore. Part of your dad’s condition that I could stay here with Sasha was that she wasn’t sick and that I put a stop to anything I might have going one with you. He wanted to tell me face to face out of respect that it was not his wish that you be with me, he wanted something more for you than young love or marriage.”

&nbs
p; I tried to protest to say that my dad had no say in my relationships, especially since in four days I would be turning eighteen, but I couldn’t say anything. I swallowed the lump that was growing in my throat, and blinked away the burning from my eyes. I was angry at my dad and upset that Henry hadn’t even tried to fight for us to have a chance. We hadn’t been serious, we had just been starting but we could have been. I stood there looking at him for what seemed like ages, before I was able to speak again. I couldn’t bear to say anything about what he just said, so in a voice just above a whisper I suggested we head down to the living room before the news started. I pushed passed him and made my way downstairs.

  Once in the living room there was a space between Ever and Baxlie on the couch or a space on the floor. After what happened upstairs, I decided Henry could have the floor. I sat down on the couch with my feet pulled up under me. Ever looked at me questioningly. I feared I might break down if I said anything at all or even looked at her again. I just shook my head and fixed my eyes to the television. I could hear Sasha speaking with Henry, and Micah speaking with Master Sergeant. I couldn’t hear Denver and Darcy, but from my peripheral vision I noticed them whispering to each other. I could feel Baxlie glancing at me occasionally, as well as Henry, but I made myself maintain focus on the television, even though I had no idea what was being said. I came back to attention when they announced the President was about to begin his speech.

  “Good Evening Citizens. Martial Law has been initiated today as of twenty hundred September 20, 2025. General Arthur Sheroan will now be in charge of all us. Please stand and show respect as he enters the building to list the new rules to be followed under Martial Law until further notice. General Sheroan.”

  “Good Evening, please take your seats. Under the Martial Law you will have the curfew as previous stated earlier in this evening. This curfew is to allow you to remain as safe as possible. There will be shifts of patrols on the streets. If you have a job that requires you to be out past the curfew hours you will be issued an escort and an ID to keep you from being arrested. Schools will continue as usual. If you have any of the symptoms that were listed before you are to report immediately for treatment. If you are found to be sick and have not sought medical attention you will be detained. If you are caught out past curfew you will be detained. If you are caught breaking any laws you will be detained and be held until a court date can be assigned. There is nothing further to address this evening. Please note that any changes or updates will be announced in due time and will be mandatory to be watched. Thank you and good night.”

  Without further ado, the General and the president exited the stage and the news broadcast returned to the anchors at their desks. They as well looked dumb founded as to what to say. I looked at Master Sergeant Long.

  “Johnnie, any input for us?”

  “Not really that was pretty straight forward. None of it will really affect us because we won’t be leaving the property for anything. We are self-sustainable for years. The only difference will be that Ever, McCaid, Micah, Henry and myself will be rotating the position of teacher for Denver, Darcy, Milo and Miss Sasha.” Master Sergeant Long had grown a soft spot for the newest and littlest member of this mismatched gang. “When I speaking with your Dad, he also suggested that Baxlie, McCaid and Ever that you all will drop all classes for this semester at least...” Before he could finished Baxlie raised his hand.

  “Sir, why was I not mentioned for the rotation of teaching?”

  “Well because on the days that you’re not training, you will be monitoring both the television for updates, clues, ideas of what’s happening outside the fence, as well as blogs, social media sites, etc.”

  “What for, exactly?” This time the question came from Milo.

  “Because, we will not rely on the government to provide us with the only information about the situation. Rule number one, never have just one source of information.” Master Sergeant Long beamed at Darcy’s answer. I nodded at her, proud that she was not afraid to speak up about her training in front of Denver anymore.

  “Well tomorrow starts day one of the training schedules we’ve been creating these past three weeks. Classes for the younger ones will start at zero eight hundred in the morning and will end at lunch time. After lunch training will be broken down each day according to the calendar. This week will be gun safety and use from one to two, then outdoor survival from three to six. After dinner there will be free time, until nine which is when bedtime will begin. This is the schedule, no exceptions, no arguments.” Master Sergeant Long bid good night to us all and we each went our own ways to bed. Sasha has been staying with the guys, and was following Henry back to the guest house. She kept looking back though tonight as if she had wanted to stay. I was about to call out to tell her she could sleep in the main house tonight when Ever pulled my arm.

  “Our room, now.” We followed Darcy and Denver up the stairs. Denver had been behaving again, these past couple of weeks. I was unsure if it was due to fear, if she had done some growing up recently. If history was of any reliance, I would go with the former rather than the latter. Darcy gave me a hug and they both said goodnight. They closed the door behind them. Ever and I went into my room and closed and locked the door as well. We changed into pajamas and climbed into my bed. Ever, being Ever, knew I wouldn’t just come out and tell her what was going on. With some poking and prodding she was able to get everything out of me. The stress of the epidemic, Dad being out of reach, overstepping of boundaries, and Henry. By the time the subject of Henry and my dad come up, I was inconsolable. She brushed my hair and shushed me until at some point I fell into a fitful sleep.

  Chapter 18

  The alarm went off extra early in the morning, or so it felt. I awoke to find Ever already up and showering. I knew I had some time to stretch and think. I was not teaching this week, so I would have to check the calendar to see what I would be doing until lunch time. Ever would be teaching which is why I assumed she was up early. She normally slept longer than anyone, but that was because she was normally in the labs with Dad until real late. I figured I would get up and pick out my outfit while I waited for Ever to get out of the shower. My closet was a complete mess. I was going to clean my room this evening during free time. It would be productive and allow me time away from everyone else. I had just picked out hot pink running shorts and a white tank top with pink flowers when Ever exited wearing her towel. She gasped, giggled and said she thought I would still be in bed. I just waved her off and went to take a shower myself.

  Ever, the girls and Sasha were sitting around the table. Ever had set out my plate and some juice for me to drink. I thanked her and she gave me a grin. I had told her last night, that we needed to be strong for the others, so that I wouldn’t be speaking about anything from last night to anyone else. She agreed.

  “Good morning ladies!”

  “Good morning Johnnie.”

  “Okay, I give why are you calling Master Sergeant Long, Johnnie?”

  I giggled.

  “I asked her to. I want you all to call me Johnnie as well. Understood?”

  “Yes sir!” came the resounding answer from the table. Johnnie was grinning as he bit into an apple. He never ate what we ate for breakfast, but he had made it a routine to come eat with us each morning since Dad was not around. We were all adjusting to Dad’s absence, and came to enjoy our breakfasts with Johnnie. He always had jokes and stories for us, and would be the loudest one to laugh at ours. This morning I was extremely grateful for his humor, after yesterday, I was unsure if I would ever laugh again.

  “Remember class starts in thirty minutes.” He made sure to point it out to no one in particular as he made his way back to the guest house. I was guessing he was going to wake the guys seeing as none of them were here eating breakfast, and because Sasha had said earlier they were still asleep when she had got up and dressed. Seeing her reminded me that she was looking back at us last night.

  “Sasha, would you like to
stay in the main house with us girls, if your brother says it’s okay?”

  “Very much so, I was afraid to ask him because I thought he might get mad, or upset. He cries a lot lately.” She looked sad.

  The lump from last night came back quickly. Thankfully Ever spoke up for me, so that I wouldn’t lose the battle of tears again. “That’s sounds like a wonderful idea for you to stay with us. I will speak with him later today!”

  “Thank you Ever!”

  “You’re welcome. As a matter of fact, if he lets you. You can have my room and bed, and I’ll move in with Caid. Her room and bed are big enough for both of us. Also, we can take some of Darcy’s old clothes, and check the attic for some of mine and Caid’s so you can have a few more outfits as well.” Sasha looked as though she might burst from excitement. I left the girls at the table to continue discussing clothes to go check what was on my list of activities for this morning. Fire wood collecting with Henry and Baxlie…..great. This was going to be a very challenging day indeed.

  I decided boots would be better for the activity than the tennis shoes I had on, so I went into the foyer to change shoes. Just as I had finished tying my boot laces, the guys came in the front door. I froze. I was not prepared to face Henry today, especially if I was going to have to spend the entire morning with both him and Baxlie.

  “Good morning McCaid. How are you?” Baxlie asked.

  “I’m good. After you eat breakfast you and I are with Henry collecting fire wood to begin a stock pile for the winter months.”

  “Nice. I’m ready to do some work outdoors. Especially since I will be stuck inside later this evening doing espionage.”

  I snickered. “It’s not really spying, Baxlie. Its keeping us informed.”

  “I know, but I have to call it something more interesting or I might die of boredom.”