by Jeff Beeman
We continue down Cummings, passing various neighborhoods in different states of damage. In the area of homes that are burnt down, there is the spray painted words, some of which are naughty and the same symbol that looks like the flag that was painted at the other places. Why would whoever had been here want to burn down things and put such hateful words everywhere. They must have been people fully affected by The Bad.
We finally come to one of the highways that connect the distant cities like what the base is next to. Slowing down more, I take the movement to carefully move around on the tailgate so I can see more while B.B. moves to the driver’s section of the cab and props up on it. Like the base’s highway, there are cars still on it but there are also cars on the grassy section, but the biggest difference is there is a big truck with trailer hanging off the overpass.
The truck part looks like it landed on a car that had been going under the overpass like what we want to do. Both the truck and the car must have caught on fire when it happened. As we get closer, Mr. Bates begins to swear while Mr. Oliver only says “Sueet Jesahs” in a heavy version of his accent. I wish I hadn’t looked, because I see the big truck’s driver and what might have been two passengers. I say might have been two passengers because all of them are encased in the melted parts of the inside of the truck, sort of like it vomited everything up. The driver is the most distinctive as his what was his face is “preserved” by the melted plastics in a very detailed and eternal scream that will last forever. The other occupant or occupants are more like hinted here and there within the hardened plastic sludge. It is too much to look at, so I look away before Mr. Oliver realizes so he still says, “Chald, look you away!”
It takes a bit of time to maneuver around the vehicles but we are able to pass under the over pass. I keep sitting where I have moved even though it is not that comfortable just so I don’t have to look at the scene again. Finally we make it to Industrial Blvd and take a left. We travel past old buildings that once held different types of business like fast food, drug stores, and such. Most have the well-searched look especially if they dealt with medicine or food. One building to our right seems to excite Mr. Bates who calls out to Mr. Oliver as we come to a stop. After talking to each other through the open sliding pane in the back window, most of which I can’t hear, but I seem to be part of the discussion since Mr. Oliver points at me. When they are done, the truck starts going again.
Again Fate is involved because we drive to the high school that I had thought Fate had wanted me to go to from the beginning. Fate really leaves messages that are way too complicated. The high school bears scars like the YMCA and neighborhoods we passed with the remains of how, in the past, the government, not sure if it was local, state, or national, tried to use such a place in an attempt to save people but in the end The Bad and the living people it had affected would not be denied.
At the moment, the school has new visitors. The first thing I see are three vehicles. The first one looks like a moving truck like what people used to move into and out of the apartments. This one came from Poor Firefighter and Police Movers. There are people working on it. The next is a big pickup truck that has the extra wheels in back. It also has two motorcycles in its bed. It seems like it is set up to also tow some type of big container on two wheels. Finally is the weirdest vehicle that sort of looks like the kind of big bus I saw when we went to pick up or drop off relatives at the airport. At least that is what the form looks like. This vehicle seems to have been turned into a building with its side windows protected with metal strips and wire. The door that would let passengers in and out looks more like a metal building door. The driver section has also been made more secure with the wire work and metal panels that only allows a person to see out in a horizontal section in the middle of the window. It has a tent roof attached to its side. Currently it is folded out to provide shade for a person who is sitting and holding a bundle. As we continue towards this group of vehicles, people begin to prepare to meet us, all have some type of weapon ready and their eyes are alert as they look for trouble except for the one with the bundle.
Four men and a woman come to meet us, while another woman with a pistol goes towards the person with the bundle under the shade. One of the men and the woman heading to meet us is dressed like Mr. Bates and Oliver, she must be “command”. Of the remaining men, one is wearing a leather jacket and has thick jet black hair. The second non-military gentlemen is an older man who only has greying brown hair on the side of his head and is wearing a black t-shirt with some type of badge printed on it. The last is a really heavy set man with a reddish beard, wearing a no-sleeve plaid shirt and a straw cowboy hat. As mentioned earlier, they all have weapons. The two dressed like Mr. Bates and Oliver have similar rifles, so does the man in the leather jacket. Black t-shirt has a deer rifle in his hands and a pistol in a holster attached to his belt. Straw-hat has a pump action shotgun like Papa used to go bird hunting with. As if by magic, once they see me, their stances change and their expressions become that of interest. This makes me feel like I want to go hide and not be looked at.
After we come to a stop, Mr. Bates and Oliver go over to the woman and salute her but in a casual way, not like the way they do it in the T.V. shows or movies. Her response is slower as if she is tired. The man with the jacket goes over to their group while black t-shirt and straw cowboy hat come my direction. I slowly get off the truck tailgate so I won’t move my shoulder or arm too much. This also gives me a chance to run and hide if necessary. Remember, I remind myself, keep your eyes and ears open but the living don’t play by the rules.
Black Shirt’s shirt indicates it is from the Dallas Police academy. He is wearing glasses that have been repaired with tape. His blue eyes are seeming to see everything. Straw Cowboy Hat has a tattoo on his big left forearm of a detailed hammer that has what looks like a chain drawn to make it look like it that goes all around his entire forearm, which is a lot of chain. He also has what I think is a large Celtic symbol in a circle on his left shoulder.
“Hello little girl. What is your name?” asks Black Shirt with a voice that sounds like one of the news people from N.P.R. that Daddy used to listen to when we were in the car. Straw Cowboy Hat doesn’t say anything.
I just look up at him while B.B. pants as he stands in the truck bed next to me.
After a moment, he says, “Maybe you will tell me your name if I tell you mine. I am Mr. Tom Kevins.”
I just look up at him while B.B. pants as he stands in the truck bed next to me.
After a few more awkward moments, he simply adjust his stance and asks, “Well how about you introduce me to your dog?” I blink and just look up at him while B.B. licks his lips and goes back to panting as he stands in the truck bed next to me.
“Great” huffs straw cowboy hat, “They brought back a deaf mute. I don’t have time for this sh”
“Watch your language TV!” scolds the upcoming woman with the bundle. I look over at her and the other woman who is a few feet behind her and to the left of the two men. The bundle turns and looks at me with light brown eyes...I am sure my jaw dropped because it is a baby!
“She has surely been through a lot and we can learn her name later.” Says the woman with the child. I can only stare at the baby who is staring back at me. Straw Cowboy Hat only makes a disgusted “humph” as his turns and heavily heads back to the moving truck.
“Never mind him sweet heart. My name is Amanda Kevins-Stahl and this little wiggle worm is Michael. I see you have met my father.” She says with a smile like a mother should have. “You can call me Amanda if you like because I would like us to be friends. This is Officer Isabel Jimena López Salazar. She is an Arlington police officer, like my father was. Oh you have a little friend. He is cute. What is his name?”
I unexpectedly hear my voice shyly say, “Bouncy Bouncy”
Mr. Kevins looks over at his daughter and there seems to be a slight smile and a look of pride in his eyes. Officer Salazar looks at me though and
something dark seems to pass over her eyes, then she turns and walks away at the same time the four members of the Panther City Fencibles and leather jacket walk over to our group.
“Kiddo”, starts Mr. Oliver whose accent has calmed down to its barely noticeable level, “This is Sergeant Joyce Margaret Kasprzak, our boss for this mission”. When he says “our boss” he points at everyone who was dressed the same. “This is Mr. Frank Nguyen who is head of the civilian experts”. The two leaders are like night and day. Sergeant Kasprzak is an older woman with light blonde hair. Her eyes look tired and she may be suffering from allergies because they are a little red. She has a smirk on her face which I feel might be her normal expression. Her face has a slight case of what Daddy called “jowls”. She has some wrinkles and her cheeks and nose are slightly red and puffy looking which might be due to allergies also. She is almost as tall as some of the men. Mr. Nguyen on the other hand looks Asian with jet black hair and is the shortest adult here. His eyes are hard and when he looks at me, I feel like he is seeing all of my weaknesses. I also get a feeling that there is something deep inside him that I can’t quite put into words. I don’t think he likes me. His body seems to be made of stone.
“So...what’s your name?” asks Sergeant Kasprzak in a funny way.
I look away from the baby for a moment and to Sergeant Kasprzak but I still can’t bring myself to give them my name which causes me to just look into her tired reddish eyes.
“We haven’t won her trust yet” gently advised Mrs. Kevins-Stahl.
The Sergeant only rolls her eyes and walks away with a sort of sashay gait as she motions her group and Mr. Nguyen to join her. Before they leave, Mr. Bates states” You better look at her right arm because it looks to be hurt and whatever you do, do...not... mess with the bunny!”
“Sweet heart are you hurt?” quickly asks Mrs. Kevins-Stahl to which I find myself slowly nodding yes as my eyes go back to the baby who is now looking at B.B. with curiosity.
“Come on over to our mobile clinic and we will do what we can do for you”
Passively I let them lead me to the weird vehicle. As I look at Mr. Kevins, his daughter, and the baby Michael, I can see what I believe is called a family resemblance. They all have light brown hair. The adults have blue eyes, while the baby’s eyes are brown. They also feel like they are a family. A weird sad feeling settles on me when I look at them but I can’t take my eyes off them.
Mr. Kevins goes in first and turns on a couple of switches. I can hear a beep then hum before my mind explodes. They have lights in this thing! The inside has sort of beds and a couple of small cabinets with bottom doors. There is even a sort of sink but most importantly they have lights.
My mind is numb with shock as I blind myself by looking at the lights, so I didn’t notice them taking my shirt off until the pain hits and I cry out.
Mrs. Kevins-Stahl comforts me with the ease of a real mother until I can handle Mr. Kevins looking over my shoulder and my arm which has a big black bruise on it. Painfully we go through the exam process as he moves my arm and shoulder different ways and ask how much it hurts, which it does. Mrs. Kevins-Stahl calls out to Officer Salazar and asks her to watch baby Michael. Then Mrs. Kevins-Stahl fills a bowl with water from the little sink which is another shock, running water.
B.B. keeps trying to see what is happening though he doesn’t try to bite anyone. Mr. Kevins gets a book and reads while his daughter takes the water and cleans me up as best she can. When she is done, she smiles very prettily and says, “Now I see that pretty girl I thought was under all that dirt. Once we can get your hair washed, we will have to beat the men back”. I find myself smiling.
Mr. Kevins finishes with the book, and after looking for some things, gives me something to drink. It is okay but I wouldn’t want to drink it a lot. After a moment, they both begin to wrap my arm and shoulder to keep them still, they say. I kind of stupidly look at them as the pain begins to go away and the lights begin to fade. Darn just when I find lights again they fade away. Maybe...I...can find...some (yawn)...when I wake up, I sleepily think to myself just as they lay me down to rest, just like a real family would do.
Chapter Eleven
The Magnum Speaks
Darkness.
Darkness with distant voices. The voices sound upset.
Darkness and there is a growl but it isn’t B.B.’s.
Darkness only again.
Darkness with voices close but not making sense except for the word, “three”
Darkness with the feeling of floating
Darkness with the feeling of warmth and softness.
Darkness that is engulfing.
Darkness with shadowy images that swirl and dance but come into focus. There is no longer warmth. My body feels like it is dragging my mind behind it on a long chain.
Darkness with a familiar feel and the sound of B.B. breathing.
Light from a vision is up ahead. The light comes from my room at the apartment. I can see myself coloring in a coloring book because I am upset. Bouncy Bouncy is sitting next to vision me. Slowly he turns and waves hello to darkness me. I have no hands to wave back which makes me sad. I don’t want him to think I don’t care, I decide to enter the vision me so I can say hello and hug him but of course as soon as I merge with vision me, I forget all about darkness me.
My eyes begin to tear up again. I grab Bouncy Bouncy as I lose all control. I don’t want Momma to be dead. We have so much we promised to do together once she was better like make homemade cookies, take sewing classes, and go on another momma/daughter Girl Scout retreat again. Daddy is different now too. All he does is look stuff up on the internet or leave me here alone with the cats. He says he is securing our safety when he goes out and that there is too much that could harm me so I have to stay indoors. I have to stay in even when it snowed. Tracy can’t watch me because Houston has some type of bad cold. The few times I have seen her since Momma died, she looks like she has been crying even before Houston got sick. Daddy says it is because she is worried about Ron, her boyfriend who is a long haul trucker. He was doing a series of hauls in California when things started to go bad. Daddy also said that Tracy hadn’t heard from Mr. Ron since we buried Momma’s ashes. My tears stop as I feel my cheeks redden because I’m getting mad.
I am tired of staying inside with these dumb old cats. They have been acting weirder and weirder lately. I want my T.V. shows back on because I am bored of the news.
“I want my favorite cereal again!” I shout out loud. “I am sick and tired of whatever is they still have on the shelves! I am really tired of powdered milk!! What happened to milk?!” I continue screaming.
I hear the locks click and Daddy enters the apartment. I don’t wait for him. I throw open my bedroom door as I scream “I don’t want this....I want my Momma!!!” Tears are streaming again and I start coughing on my snot. Daddy has a look on his face like surprise for a moment then he comes over to me and begins to give me a hug.
I bash him with Bouncy Bouncy like my bunny is a bunny of war. Daddy’s glasses go flying off his face and I don’t care. Before he can recover, I hit him on the other side of his face as hard as I can. Before I can hit him again, Daddy snatches Bouncy Bouncy away from me and throws him down the hall.
I start kicking and scratching at Daddy but he pins my legs between the short couch and his hip while he holds my hands behind my back with one of his hands and pulls me to his chest with his other arm. I try to bite him but he keeps my head turned away from him using his head and shoulder. I try to fight but he is too strong.
Finally, my anger gives into crying. Gently Daddy picks me up while holding me to his chest as he rubs my back and says softly, “It is okay to cry. It lets the poison out. Cry all you want. I am here with you.”
Eventually he stands up as he holds me, goes down the hall, and then kneels. The arm that was rubbing my back moves away then I feel my sweet bunny kiss my cheek. I grab him and hold him against my and Daddy’s chest as I sta
rt crying loudly again. Daddy takes us to his rocking chair and we rock for a long time. Once I have no more tears to shed, I look at Daddy, who is silently crying also. He raises an eyebrow at me and says, “I needed to get some of the poison out too”.
We sit there holding each other as the shadows of evening begin to creep about. Daddy gently takes Bouncy Bouncy into his hand, then turns him so they face each other. He says, “Bouncy Bouncy, I am very sorry that I threw you down the hall and I forgive you for knocking my glasses off.” He then kissed Bouncy Bouncy and gave him a hug. Then Daddy faced me and asked, “Does Bouncy Bouncy forgive me?” I shake my head yes. I then take my bunny back and move him to so I can face him. “Bouncy Bouncy, I am sorry for using you as a bunny of war. You are a bunny of peace.” Daddy then has Bouncy Bouncy whisper into his ear, then says “He forgives you too”. We all three hug so more for a while.
All of a sudden, all three cats start yowling and crying like they are in pain. I suddenly feel cold wash all over me as I can sense Daddy tense up. It is then that I hear it, a moaning off in the distance and I am afraid. For a moment all I can hear is the moaning until all at once there is a screaming. Daddy puts me down and goes to the dining area where he keeps the small wooden case that Papa had built. Without a word he brings the Magnum out of the box. There is another scream and this time I can tell it is from Tracy. Daddy goes to the front door, looks out the peep hole, then goes outside. I hear the door lock. I feel like I am going to number one on myself. The moaning is everywhere. The cats are fighting each other and I am too scared to yell at them. Some where I hear Daddy calling to Tracy, who is now screaming to Houston. I start trembling and wanting to be somewhere else. The cats are running all over the place in a panic. I want my Daddy. I unlock the doors and dash out into the hallway right into our neighbor Mrs. Elkwood. It was more of a crash. I fall backwards to the ground and Mrs. Elkwood bumps into the wall.
