Amitola: The Making of a Tribe

by A. Grant Richard

  “But at least it’s there. We can figure it out.” Caleb exhaled. “Man, that is so much better than we could’ve hoped for.” He pondered the possibilities.

  “And we could eventually find somebody who knows how all of that works,” Tye said.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, but we have to be very careful about who we bring there. We’ll have to talk about that when the time comes.”

  “What have you been doing for food and supplies?” Caleb checked questions off of his list.

  “We’re still using the food we found stored there. It’s a lot of long-term storage food, and then we were able to scavenge houses that were empty. That gave us a couple more months worth.”

  She put away some pens and stacked the books on the desk where Caleb was sitting. “We also found a couple of trucks full of food on the interstate. We hauled all of that back a little at a time. Some of the men hunt, so we have fresh meat sometimes. There is a grocery store that didn't get scavenged. The owner lets us get food in exchange for other things which is why we go out scavenging so much. We trade for what we need. We found other places with food stocked. We probably only have a months worth of food left, but I know where there’s more.”

  “But the store owner uses your water?” Caleb asked.

  “No, he still has plenty of bottled water. It’s just him. The rest of his family didn’t make it,” she replied.

  “I remember Lance saying one of the reasons people had issues with the place was because it was self-sufficient with aquaponic systems, a greenhouse, a ranch and other stuff that they didn’t believe crazy people needed. It has all that stuff?” Tye asked.

  “I wish. Like I said the bones are there for a lot of things but none of it’s complete, and it’s not functional. I haven’t seen any of that stuff.”

  Chapter Ten

  Caleb had nearly all of his questions answered when a thought hit him. “You said most of the people in Amitola are men. How many women are there and are they spoken for?”

  Slightly confused by his question, she replied, “Aside from me, as far as we know there are only seven and yes, they're spoken for. Why do you ask, Mr. I’m Married?”

  “Because, if there are only eight women total in a community full of men and only one of them,” he pointed at her and continued, “you, is single…what are we facing when we get there? Are you with one of them or do any of them think they have a chance with you? Any overprotective brother figures we should know about?”

  “Oh, hush puppies. Here we go!” Charlie said finally sitting up on the couch.

  “What?” she asked, giving her mean eyes to Charlie. “There’s no one there I’m even remotely interested in. Not that I would have the time or the peace of mind anyway.”

  “Heh. That’s not what he asked you, sweet pea,” he replied, turning his attention and his smoldering morning breath to Caleb and Tye. “There are a few guys there who are interested, obviously. She’s the only one left.”

  “Gee thanks, Charlie.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it but face it, it’s the truth. The only innate desire a man has that’s stronger than his need to conquer is his need to continue his family line. You’re lovely, cupcake but he don’t care what you look like as long as he can spike the punch,” he said matter of factly while Maia curled her lip up at him.

  “Anyway, as far as I know,” he said turning to look at her then back to the guys, “she has let them know she’s not interested but there’s two that I can promise ya, they don’t get the hint. That Jay guy who lives in the trailer and the doctor, what’s his name, uh, Bergeron. I guess they figure they can wear her down until she caves.”

  “Y’all have a doctor?” Tye asked.

  “Sort of. He’s a plastic surgeon…and a total wuss. He won’t go outside the community. I'm sure he's scared he'll mess up his hands or something. He still thinks his rich friends or the government is gonna come and save us.” She looked at Charlie and continued, “And I’ve told both of them, repeatedly, that it would never happen.”

  Caleb and Tye were all ears at this point. They needed to know what they would be walking into.

  “I know you say you’ve told them you aren’t interested but have they accepted that? I’m asking, would they be okay if Caleb and I waltz in there with you, even though we’re not together like that, or would they be overly protective?” he asked as he waved his hands in protest.

  “Brian is a jerk either way. He’s some Beverly Hills elitist who was here visiting his mom when everything went down. He thinks he’s God’s gift to, well, everyone,” she rolled her eyes in disgust.

  “Jay is overbearing, pre-occupied with drinking, sex, and violence, and every other word out of his mouth requires an ‘R’ rating. He also thinks burping the alphabet and smelling farts to see what a person ate for dinner is entertaining.” She wrinkled her face in disgust. “He’s nasty.”

  Charlie laughed as he stuffed his face with Vienna Sausage. “He’s her favorite if you can’t tell. Wait till you see what she says to his face. The guy is a moron. I think he likes it more when she insults him.”

  Tye looked at Charlie, “So if we had to put either of them in their place who would stand in the way?”

  Charlie rubbed his beard, “There is one guy there who’s the self-appointed protector of the group, but he’d probably help ya. I don’t think he likes either of ‘em too much. There’s an older gentleman there though. He’s sort of the leader. He’d likely try to make peace. He’s not the kind to encourage violence.”

  “Danny and Clarence,” Maia interrupted, “Danny’s wife is Shelly, the one who stays with us. Mr. Clarence is a good man. He wouldn’t prevent you from staying. There are requirements if you decide to stay though.”

  “Like what?” Caleb asked.

  “Everyone has to do their part. Everyone scavenges, hunts, fishes, and has to be prepared to defend the place. I say, everyone, they throw fits if women even mention doing any of that. I think I probably ruffle their feathers a lot, so I sneak out to avoid the lectures. Some, like Brian, get away with just being the doctor.”

  She continued, “Speaking of, they would want to be sure you weren’t carrying any viruses. Every time we come back, we have to go through this process of showering outside and being doused in hydrogen peroxide. I’ll also make you some tea with some natural herbs that boost your immune system just in case you have anything incubating. We try to drink it every morning while we’re out.”

  “I’ll heat up some water for the tea,” Charlie said.

  A look of concern spread across her face, “And Brian has to give you a check up to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Brian, the plastic surgeon, who’s into you, Brian?” Caleb asked sarcastically. “That should be fun.”

  The three grown men just gazed at her. This was a dangerous and complicated new world they lived in. All of them just longed for some semblance of normalcy knowing that’s something they may not ever have again. Or, they could, but they’d have to redefine what “normal” is.

  It only took two days after the initial earthquake for the mainstream media to begin reporting that FEMA and the Red Cross had run out of food due to the magnitude of the events. That was four days before it was confirmed by the Speaker of the House. The media also reported that no other country could offer assistance because they too experienced catastrophic disasters. The domino effect made its way around the world and kept circling.

  The media reports led to panic and mayhem, everywhere. Grocery stores were looted, and people began stealing from neighbors and friends. Those who didn’t find food, which was the majority, became weak and malnourished. That’s when something as simple as a stomach virus or flu turned deadly. Add to that the respiratory infections caused by the ash-laden atmosphere along with cholera and dysentery from the garbage and human remains that filled the waterways and it was a recipe for disaster. Millions died because their immune systems were no longer viable enough to fi
ght for them.

  Maia pulled a lunch bag out of the cabinet, careful not to let any of Charlie’s salvaged clutter fall on her head, and went through its contents. She took out the bottles of vitamins and made a pile for each of them. She looked at the C, B6, E, Iron, and Zinc and couldn’t help but wonder if it made any difference.

  She and Dr. Bergeron researched at length a variety of ways to holistically prevent and treat illnesses using what was available to them. Their options were limited since there were only two drug stores within their community and one was in the grocery store run by Mr. McCain. He was a selfish man who would only give out the meds if there was something of value to trade with him.

  The other pharmacy was a small hometown apothecary, so there wasn’t much to choose from. They decided to save what they found there for emergencies. That left the Bohemian lady’s holistic shop on Main Street. It was well stocked because they were also a mail order distribution center. Since most drugs originated from these natural sources, it was only logical to use them for prevention and basic care.

  She grabbed some coffee filters to make tea bags filled with a variety of herbs like elderberry, echinacea, calendula, oregano, ginger, cinnamon bark, licorice, and astragalus root. When the bags were full, she tied them off with some string and dropped one in each mug of hot water. The aroma made her mouth water. Once the bags steeped long enough, she removed it and added a teaspoon of raw honey.

  Finally, she took a small spray bottle full of an amber liquid out of the bag and showed everyone how to apply the solution like a mosquito repellant. Indeed, that's what it was except the recipe contained the oils of plants similar to the ones used during the black plague.

  Dr. Bergeron found the information in an old medical journal from Europe, and while he couldn’t attest to it’s antiviral or antibacterial properties, after using it for several nights, he could guarantee it was a mosquito and bug repellent. That alone was worth it since many viruses transmit through insect bites. It couldn’t hurt, and if it had other beneficial properties, then that was a bonus. Why of all the things allowed to survive and thrive during the apocalypse did it have to be blood-sucking insects?

  “Oh, also, this sweet little concoction is going to make you regular within the hour if you know what I mean. There’s only one bathroom in the shelter, but there are two commodes within the ruins that Charlie can show you. We reserved this bathroom for us girls,” she said, then while fist-bumping Sadie.

  “We have to go out there? In that?” Tye protested.

  “Are you scared?” she teased. “You’ll be okay. It’s the original bathrooms for the house. We reinforced them. There’s water in a bucket for flushing, and there should be some toilet paper in there. It’s dark though so bring a flashlight. You don’t want the Rougarou to get ya.”

  “Rouga…what? I wish you people would speak English,” Caleb said.

  “You’re better off not knowing, bruh. And it’s a Chupacabra,” he said, arguing with her.

  Now on the other end of the shelter, she taunted him, “You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. I told you the Chupacabra is only one of the many creatures the Rougarou turns into.”

  “You are evil, woman,” he replied back realizing he never should’ve said anything about his silly childhood fear of such things, to begin with.

  It had come up one day during training. A student asked if there was any opponent he was afraid of and that’s when he told the story of how his grandmother would threaten them as kids back in Texas. Apparently, her stories were graphic and believable. She’d say to them, if they weren’t good, the Chupacabra would get them. You can fight another person with reason and logic but not a supernatural creature. It was just a silly myth like the overgrown rabbit who delivered various forms of sugar to every kid in the world, but until he was eleven, he still believed in the Easter Bunny too.

  Maia and several of his other students had been told the same thing as children except in South Louisiana; it was the Rougarou who would get you. A quick Google search revealed the mythical Rougarou was far scarier than any Chupacabra, so every lesson after that someone came in with some new story they’d found on the internet just to spur Tye on. He fell for it every time, just like today. She got such a kick out of making the tough guy squirm.

  While Charlie entertained the kids with stories of old, Tye and Maia cleaned the mess that surrounded them. Caleb was still in the bathroom. They both knew it was folklore but more than once she mentioned he must’ve gotten caught by the Rougarou. Each time Tye wound up the dishrag and attempted to towel-whip her. Of course, he missed on purpose, and she figured as much, but that didn’t stop her from jumping and squealing. She always flinched, and he knew it. That’s what made it so much fun, for him anyway.

  She held her hands up to block him, just in case. “You better stop! Don’t make me have to beat you up in front of your children.”

  “All right, all right, sissy girl. I’ll quit.”

  They continued picking up books and paper and random items that Charlie had found in various places. The man was a packrat. He believed he could find a use for anything, including a metallic pink selfie stick that obviously once belonged to a girl named Andria.

  How he thought he could fit it all in this tiny space was a mystery. Maia would pack it up when she came over and store it in one of the rooms inside the house that was still standing. She put away the first aid book they’d used the night before, and Tye watched as she drifted off in thought.

  “What?” he asked, touching her elbow.

  She looked back at him. “Did he die? The guy I stabbed. Did he die?”

  His instinct was to protect her and tell her no. He didn’t want her to have to live with something like that. But he knew she wasn’t naive, and he also knew she was stronger than most women he’d known.

  “I don’t know. His pulse was weak. He was drunk, so he was bleeding a lot. He didn’t wake up while we were there.” He scrubbed the counter. “We couldn’t let them follow us or you so we tied them up and blindfolded them. We took their stuff too. If he died then that’s on him and us, not you.”

  She shook her head to let him know she understood. Then she rested her arms on the counter and put her head down.

  He washed and dried his hands. “You did the right thing. When your life is in danger, you can’t hesitate. I need you to remember everything I taught you.” He put his hand on her back. “Is that the first time you had to do something like that?” he asked, searching for clues as to what she’d been through since it all began.

  She picked her head up, “No,” was all she said.

  “It was difficult for me the first time. I kept thinking there must be something I could’ve done differently. But there wasn’t. This guy came in with a gun and shot two people, and he was bent on taking everything we had.” He ran his fingers through his hair and continued, “And this guy wasn’t desperate. He was ruthless and evil.” He pointed at his eyes. “I know the difference. He wouldn’t have stopped. He would have killed us all.”

  “What’d you do?” she wondered out loud.

  “I acted like I was giving him some bullets. When he was close enough, I knocked the gun out of his hands. Then, I strangled him.” He looked away, biting his lip.

  “How many were there? That you, had to--I mean,”

  He knew what she meant. “Three for me, Caleb, one. That’s the ones we’re certain of. There’s quite a few we didn’t stick around long enough to find out, like the guy you stabbed. All of that happened in the last couple of months. We didn’t see anything like that before then.”

  She found that hard to believe. “How is that possible? The crazies were out in full force the first week. What, were y’all locked in a nuclear shelter somewhere?”

  “Sort of,” he began, “We were holed up in Celtic Studios with Shelton Foist for the first few weeks.”

  “Shelton Foist?” she asked, having no clue as to who he was talking about even thoug
h he said the name as though she should recognize it.

  “He was a famous director Caleb’s dad picked to do a movie he was producing.”

  Then with a strong emphasis and a mischievous smile, he remarked, “It would’ve been a great film, that’s all I’m saying. But anyway, that’s why he was here and not in Boston when it happened.” He paused and looked at her, “You have no idea who he is, do you?”

  Confused she put her hands up and shook her head no. “Caleb Finnigan…the guy who helped save me?”

  He grinned. “Caleb is one of his dad’s main associate producers, so he was lead on the deal. That relationship afforded us about three months of preferential treatment. Shelton knew a lot of big wig politicians and other influential people. It wasn’t the Hilton. It was still cots, MREs, and bottled water but the National Guard was protecting us, most of the time anyway.” He put away the drink mix the kids left out. “He kept promising us some Garden of Eden. We just had to wait it out until Caleb’s dad sent someone for us. We moved with him from place to place until there was no one left to pull strings. Then Shelton died. In the middle of the apocalypse with every need at his disposal, the man dies from a peanut allergy.” He shook his head. “At least that’s what the medic thought happened. It’s not like there was an autopsy. And Caleb’s dad never did come.”

  He pointed to the sofa and motioned for her to sit down with him. “We didn’t get a real feel for what the new world was like until a couple of months ago. Granted, it was a crash course, but we learned quickly. Then Lanie was taken.” His mouth dropped open, and he shook his head.

  “I get it if you don’t want to talk about it,” she said.

  “I’m good,” he said, albeit unconvincingly. “I looked everywhere and talked to anyone that would listen to try to find her. I didn’t sleep for days, and I got nowhere. I checked out for a bit after that. Caleb, he had my back. He took care of Sadie and Junior until I got my head right.”