Tales of Junction

by Davis IV, John L.

  Bill rubbed absently at an imagined itch on the thick scar on his cheek while he watched Mitch spike the dead kid in the head. Tool joined him in dragging the body to the edge of the pit and tossing it in.

  Pushing past several onlookers, Bill made his way to Filler.

  “Seems you’ve had some excitement, Phil.”

  Watching the body as it went into the pit, Filler said, “Yeah, sure looks like it. There’s always more where that came from, though.” He turned to look at Bill and noticed the rifle hanging by its strap. “Spiffy new toy ya got there, Bill. Have a good run?”

  “Yeah, wasn’t bad at all. Had some excitement of my own on the way home. When you got a minute, I’ll come sit down and tell you all about it.” Gifting Filler with a huge grin that made the edges of his scar bright red he said, “I’ll even make you a cup of coffee.”

  Filler stopped in his tracks, his head jerking around to stare at Bill. Just as he opened his mouth to speak a voice from behind them said, “Did I hear someone say coffee? Bill, did you find real coffee out there?”

  Both men turned to see Bibi standing there cradling her shotgun.

  Chuckling, Bill said, “Yes, ma’am, Miss Janet, I did happen to find a little. Why don’t you join us, I’ve got a few things to tell you all anyway.”

  “Well, hot damn, real coffee! Lead the way, boys.”

  As the trio headed to Filler’s, Bill asked, “So what the hell happened, anyway?”

  Keeping his stride, Filler looked at Bill and Janet and smirked. “Just another day in Junction.”

  A New Plan

  Tool wasn’t happy with the day’s events. He had wanted to talk to Filler about Corey, and then make a plan to catch the rotten puke, tie him up, spend days cutting little pieces off of him before finally hammering a spike into his head. Things rarely go as planned in Junction. Corey had gotten off far too easily, but it was done now and there was no way to undo it. But oh, how he would have liked to beat him to death rather than watch him bleed out at Filler’s feet.

  Improvise, adapt and overcome, he thought. It was time for a new plan.

  The new plan was quite simple. Go to Filler’s. Get something to eat. Get drunk. Get very drunk.

  “Tool. Hey Tool. Stop. “

  Tool was already imagining how good it would feel to lose all control. To pass out from the liquor rather than falling asleep from exhaustion.

  “Tool! Hold on a minute. I want to talk to you.”

  Tool slowly came back to the here and now, stopping in mid stride as he realized someone was calling his name. Turning around, he saw the new gate guard, Danni, coming down the ladder.

  “Tool. Got a minute to talk?”

  “I guess. What’s up?”

  “I need your help. I want to be a scav and I was hoping you would help me.”

  “Are you insane? You want to go outside the walls, risk your life and end up wandering around as a zombie? Or maybe you want to be captured by Sores who will do things, terrible things, things that will make you wish you were a zombie?”

  “Come on Tool. Everyone says you are the best. If you teach me, I can earn my own way around here.”

  “Wanna earn your own way? Go see Janet.”

  “Fuck you, Tool. I’m not going to work on my back.”

  “Knees maybe?”

  “You’re an asshole!” Danni turned and went back up the ladder to where Mitch was looking out over the road that lead to Junction.

  Frito was dead, and Corey’s body was still burning, and this girl had the guts to bring this shit up now. Tool was impressed. Guts were important, but they weren’t enough. Frito had guts and he had died alone out there.

  “Now back to the plan.”

  He stepped into Filler’s and found his way to a small table in the middle of the room. As his eyes adjusted he saw Filler and Janet sitting at a table with that guy Bill. Tool couldn’t recall ever seeing Filler and Janet sitting at the same table, especially not when they were actually smiling. That guy Bill seemed to hold a power over Filler. The rumor in Junction was that Filler doesn’t charge him for food or anything else.

  Tool signaled the kitchen girl who brought his usual bowl of thick brown stew and pitcher of water. He was just getting started on it when Mitch Burton came in.

  “Mind if I join you while I wait for my to-go order?”

  Tool looked up, “Sure thing, Mitch.”

  “I saw you and Danni talking before. She’s pretty upset that you won’t help her.”

  Tool dropped his spoon and watched it sink out of sight.

  “Tool, she wouldn’t have asked for your help if there was any other option.”

  “Mitch, it’s not like I’m the head of the scavs union. All she has to do is tell Filler she’s a scav.”

  “She tried that. Filler shot her down.”

  Tool stopped staring at his stew and looked at Mitch. “Why?”

  “She’s going to need some stuff to get started. Filler is afraid he’ll outfit her and she’ll skip town without paying him back. “

  “Can’t blame him. It’s happened before.”

  “Look Tool, Junction is running short on scavs and this town needs you guys. Scavs don’t just bring in supplies and things to make our lives less shitty. You bring us stories and information from the outside world. You bring us a reason to keep going. Junction needs scavs.”

  “Mitch, I’d like to help but I’m already pretty deep in debt with Filler and with Frito gone I’m running low on friends. If I try to show her the ropes and she gets eaten by funkers I’ll feel responsible.”

  “What if it was strictly a business arrangement? One that could help with your debt. You could work together as she learns with you keeping a share of the loot, like an apprenticeship.”

  “A business arrangement? It would have to lean heavily in my favor.” Tool mulled it over for a few moments. “Alright, Mitch. Tell her to find me if she’s serious about being a scav, but I’m telling you right now, when she dies out there I ain’t takin the blame.”

  “Will do, Tool.” Mitch grabbed his jar of stew and the bottle of water the kitchen girl had dropped off then headed back to his post.

  When Danni showed up, she sat down without saying a word.

  “Ok, Danni. Here’s the deal. You want to be a scav. I can help, but we do it my way. I’ll cover your gear with Filler, but I expect something in return.”

  “I told you, I’m not a whore.”

  “Just listen. While you’re training, I keep everything we bring back. The first ten times out on your own, I get half of everything you bring in.”

  “NO WAY! “

  “There’s more. When we’re inside the walls, you work for me. You do whatever I ask you to do.”

  “You’re crazy!”

  “Look, Danni, I don’t really want to do this, but if I’m going to do it, I gotta get something for my efforts. Take it or leave it.”

  Danni was quiet for a few minutes, “The first five times out you can have half.”

  “Six, but we start tonight.”

  “Ok, but if you try any funny stuff I’ll cut it off.”

  “We have a deal?” Tool stuck his hand out.

  “Deal.” Danni shook the offered hand.

  “Here take this over to my shack and feed Maynard.” Tool shoved a jar of stew across the table to her. “Then come back here for your second assignment.”

  “What’s the second assignment?”

  “You’re going to keep me from dying. You see, I’m gonna to drink tonight. I plan to get drunk. Very drunk. And for once, something around here is going to go exactly as I planned. Your job will be to watch me get drunk and keep me alive until morning.”

  Dawn’s Early Light

  A bright sliver of light shone through a gap in the plywood that made up the walls of Tool’s little shack. As the sun moved higher in the sky the sliver of light moved across a pile of blankets to find the scav who lay unmoving on the improvised bed. When the light found
his closed eyes, Tool flinched and rolled away onto the dirt floor. Maynard nosed at him as he searched for a bottle of water to wet his dry mouth and wash the hair from his tongue.

  Just then, Danni entered the shack, a bottle of water in each hand. “Here. You’ll be wanting to rehydrate after the night you had.”

  Tool took the bottle and sipped it slowly, feeling the coolness spread out from his stomach to his extremities as if his entire body was a dry sponge absorbing the liquid.

  While Danni waited patiently for him to finish the bottle, she emptied the second bottle into a bowl for Maynard, stroking his side as he lapped at the water.

  When she could wait no longer Danni spoke again, “When do we talk to Filler about outfitting me as a scav?”

  “As soon as my head stops threatening to explode. Filler may not be real excited about our deal. I’ll need to be straight if he needs some convincing.”

  “Speaking of convincing, what changed your mind?”

  “Junction needs scavs and I need to get some debt paid. This is strictly a business arrangement, Danni. I want to get started right away so I can see a return on my investment. Is there anything you already have? Weapons? A decent pack?”

  “I have a pack in my room at Trina’s. One knife that I’ve used with reasonable success in the past.”

  “Alright. Filler will have everything else you need. At the very least we’ll have to set you up with more weapons. Let’s hope he’s in a good mood. Please tell me I didn’t do anything to upset the fat piece of shit while I was drinking.”

  “I think you’re good. Filler, Janet and that new guy were having a pretty good time of their own.”

  “Something strange is going on with those three. Keep your ears open, Danni. And get your stuff from Trina’s. You’re moving in here until our deal is complete.”

  Danni was about to protest when Tool added, “I know! No funny business.”

  Danni’s Deal

  Tool stepped from his little shack followed closely by Danni and Maynard. The pounding in his head had settled into a dull rhythmic ache. One of the benefits of drinking on an Olympic level was the rapid recovery time.

  "Take Maynard for a walk outside the gates. I'll go break the news of our deal to his greasiness, Lord Filler."

  "I trust you won’t be calling him that until after everything is settled?"

  "I’ll handle the fat man, Danni. You take care of Maynard. Don't forget, check the wall for hiding spots. Look for anyplace you could cache small items without being seen by Mitch or anyone else at the gate."

  "I still don't understand why you wouldn't just turn everything in to Filler like you’re supposed to."

  "If you're gonna be a scav, you gotta start thinking like one. We cache a few items nearby when we have a good haul. Then when you come back empty handed you grab that stuff and turn it in."

  "But if you're just going to give it to him anyway, what's the point?"

  "The point is that you never want to come back empty handed. A scav that doesn't bring anything back isn't good for shit. Filler will cut you off in a second if he thinks you aren't an asset. Understand?"

  "Look, I know he's a bit difficult, but surely he wouldn't."

  Tool shook his head slightly then drained the last drops from the water bottle before walking away.

  Danni looked down at the dog, “Come on Maynard, looks like I have homework to do.”

  The mutt was almost unrecognizable when compared to the filthy bag of bones who had saved Tool’s life months earlier. The people of Junction seemed to like having a dog around, and the dog enjoyed the attention and the bits of food that came with being Junction’s only canine.

  Tool went in the front door of Filler’s and threaded his way between the tables. At the kitchen counter, he shook the empty water bottle until one of the girls took notice.

  From the back of the kitchen one of the girls chided him, “Hey Tool! I hear Danni is moving in with you. Must be serious. Guess you won’t be coming to see me anymore.”

  Tool ignored the obnoxious whore and spoke to the one who brought him a fresh bottle. “Where’s Filler?”

  “He’s out with the Beetle. Said to send you out there if we saw you.”

  “Really? Any idea why?”

  “No. He’s been pretty weird lately. Spends all his time with that Bill Robb guy. It’s strange. He hasn’t even yelled at any of us since that guy showed up. And all the stuff with that fat kid, Corey, we were all kinda figuring on him being more grumpy than usual.”

  “Ok. Thanks. I owe ya one.” He turned back towards to door.

  “Tool, for what it’s worth, we’re all sorry about Frito.”

  He kept walking, not bothering to acknowledge the kind words. Everybody liked Frito, he was the nice one. Every man, woman, and child in Junction knew him and considered him a friend. The shithole of a town was a little worse without him. Hell, even this shit world, that seemingly couldn’t get any worse, had somehow managed to sink a little lower.

  Tool shook his head hard to clear the dark thoughts from his mind. Instantly, the thoughts were replaced by pounding pain, though it quickly receded back to the dull ache that was almost comforting. He wondered just how many more days he’d spend like this, hungover and missing his friend.

  As he approached the old three-sided garage made of pallets he could see the Volkswagen. Filler had the tarp pulled back far enough to expose the motor as he poked around in the engine compartment.

  Normally Tool would have gotten a bit closer before saying anything, just to piss off the fat man, but this time he decided to do the polite thing and keep a respectable distance.

  “You wanted to see me?”

  Filler rose to his full height and dropped a wrench into the old metal toolbox at his feet before answering.

  “Tool, I know we haven’t always gotten along, but I need you to do something for me. I need you to train some more scavs. I’d like for you to start with that girl Danni.”

  Filler paused expecting Tool to object vehemently. Instead a wide grin spread across the scav’s face.

  “What’s in it for me?”

  “Dammit, Tool! This is important. Not just to me, to all of Junction. We need more scavs. There’s some serious stuff going on and I need you to cooperate with us.”

  “What sort of serious stuff? And what do you mean by us?”

  “I don’t want to argue with you. Just take my word for it.”

  “Filler, I know you too well to agree to anything before I have all the facts. If you, how’d you put it, need me to cooperate, you better come clean.”

  Filler’s face was turning red with frustration and anger. Two things that were consistently present when dealing with Tool. Worse yet, the scav was holding all the cards this time. Filler didn’t like it when someone else had the upper hand, especially when it was a scav. He weighed his choices and decided against acting on his anger.

  “Alright, here it is. Bill Robb went into the city. He got in and back out again without so much as a scratch, well maybe a scratch. He says that he can do it again, but there is far more than one man can carry. We want to put together a team of scavs to go in and bring out as much stuff as possible. We’re not talking about canned beans here either. He found guns, ammo, the works. Enough stuff to keep Junction safe for a long time.”

  “How soon are you planning this little safari into Hell?”

  “How soon could you have Danni up to speed?”

  “It’ll be winter soon. That’s a tough time to be out there. I might be able to have her ready by spring.” Tool paused for effect. “Assuming I agree to teach her at all.” Another longer pause, “Tell you what, since this is so important to you, I’ll take her under my wing, but we do it my way. She isn’t ready until I say she’s ready.”

  “But you will make every effort to have her ready by spring?”

  “Absolutely, but you’ll need to get her outfitted. Some knives, a decent pack, blankets, the works.”

&
nbsp; “That’s shouldn’t be a problem.” Filler was smiling now. He couldn’t help but feel that he had won a small victory.

  “Oh, and you’ll need to pick up the tab for that stuff. I don’t want her going into this with all that debt hanging over her head, might slow down the learning process.”

  That feeling of victory began to slip away, replaced once again by anger and frustration. “Wait just a minute! You can’t expect me to carry her!”

  “I’m the one training her. I’m the one who’ll be out there with her. You want me to do this, we do it my way! Do we have a deal or not?”

  Filler’s face was flushed. His hands were clenched into tight fists that shook with the strain. This was not how he had pictured this conversation ending.

  “Fine.” Filler seemed to deflate as he relaxed his hand and extended it the scav. “We have a deal.”

  The two men sealed their agreement with a handshake before Filler asked, “Are you going to talk to her, let her know?”

  “Sure. I’ll get her on board then send her over to get some gear.”

  “Any idea where she is? I haven’t seen her today. Usually she takes Mitch his breakfast.”

  “Filler, you really need to pay better attention to the goings on in our little community.”

  The scav walked away without further explanation. As the big man pulled the tarp back over the old Beetle he had the nagging feeling that he was missing something.

  END

  Bites and Scraps

  Let me preface the following snippets of life in and around Junction by saying that these are posts originally from the Tales of Junction Facebook page. There is no rhyme and little reason to these. Consider them an added glimpse into the lives of those people doing all they can to survive in Junction. There’s no order, and they do not impact the overall tale in any meaningful way. Enjoy.

  ***

  If you think life is tough now, just wait til you get to Junction.

  ***

  Welcome to Junction

  A place where those who scavenge are rock stars, the doctor is a drunk, and prostitutes double as teachers and waitresses.