Forager - the Complete Trilogy (A Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Trilogy)

by Peter R Stone

  I decided to try the phone on the off chance it still worked, and to my surprise, it did, despite one side having been bashed in.

  The boss was understandably shocked when I told him what happened. He plied me with questions and then gave me the day off, though without pay, of course.

  That taken care of, I went into the kitchen and dug into my father's toolbox. Then I set about re-attaching the cupboard doors. This turned out to be a lot harder than I had anticipated since the vandals had bent some of the hinges. I was so engrossed in my task that I didn't register the arrival of a truck outside until I heard the engine splutter off.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I put down my tools and rushed outside to the walkway. The truck sounded very much like one of the Recycling-Works delivery trucks.

  And that’s exactly what it was. To my further astonishment, David, Shorty, and the boss – his name was Trajan – climbed out of the cab and opened the back of the truck. I hurried downstairs to meet them.

  "Thought you could do with a hand, well, three pairs, actually," Trajan said when I reached them.

  I shook his hand, and winced as he crushed the life out of mine. "I don’t know what to say."

  "Don’t say anything, just give us a hand with this blasted bed frame – it weighs a ton!" Shorty complained as he struggled to hold the wooden bed head that David was pushing out of the truck. I quickly gave him a hand, but with my left arm still unable to lift anything heavy, it wasn’t much of one.

  "What’s all this?" I asked when I looked into the back of the truck and saw the rest of the bed frame plus matching bedside tables, a mattress, a sofa, and an aluminium table and chairs.

  Trajan ran a hand through his thinning hair. "It’s stuff I don’t need any more but haven’t had the heart to throw out. I’ve been storing it in the Recycling-Works for years, wondering what to do with it. So you may as well have it rather than leave it there to rot."

  I was so moved I had to hold my breath for a moment to keep back the tears that threatened to spill. "Thanks, Boss. That's…wow, I really appreciate this."

  "My pleasure. Now let’s get it upstairs."

  When Shorty and I entered my flat carrying the bed-head between us, he froze and gazed about in shock – for about a second. Then a broad grin split his face. "Woah, Jones, next time you have a party, you gotta ask me over...but hey, where’s your fridge?"

  "They tossed it out the window."

  "Really? Wow, wish I'd seen that," he said with a smirk. "Imagine standing down below and suddenly this fridge comes flying out the window. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super Fridge!"

  "Glad you think it’s funny. Can we put this bed-head down? My arm’s about to drop off," I said, smiling in spite of myself.

  Nanako was absolutely blown away when she saw the wooden bed frame, especially since it was much higher quality than our old one. We set up the bed and its mattress – which was free of mould, by the way – and brought in the table, chairs, and sofa. Then we took the ruined bed, table, chairs, sofa, and TV back to the truck so they could be disposed of. Due to Shorty's small stature and me only able to use one arm, Trajan and David ended up doing most of the work.

  That done, Trajan took a moment to survey the flat. "They sure made a mess, but let’s see what we can do about that."

  "But what about work, Boss?" I asked, confused.

  "We figured you needed a hand, so we’ve all taken the day off too," Trajan said, smiling. I was touched for the second time today. I had always considered him a decent enough chap, but this display of sacrificial generosity revealed the goodness in his heart.

  "Right then," he continued. "Shorty, David, into the bathroom and rip all those broken tiles off the wall. Jones, you’re with me. Let’s see if we can make your front door indestructible."

  The boss and I put a brand new lock and then a deadbolt on the front door. After that, he reinforced both the doorframe and the door with metal strips so it couldn't be kicked in again.

  As we worked, I wondered if Shorty and David were actually doing any work. The only sounds coming from the bathroom were laughter.

  Curious, I stuck my head in the bathroom and laughed in spite of myself. Shorty had wrapped himself up in toilet paper and was doing a mummy impersonation, arms outstretched and all. David was standing in the shower with a chisel and hammer in his hands, but was laughing so much he was on the verge of tears.

  Shorty noticed me watching and fixed me with one of his classic sheepish grins.

  "Shorty..." I said.

  "Hey, why do you always blame me?" he protested as he dropped his toilet paper covered arms to his sides with a humph.

  "I don't know, something must have tipped me off."

  Playing along, David lifted his hands. "Wasn't me, Shorty, I promise."

  "Well, I'll let you two get back to it," I laughed and rejoined Trajan, who was turning the ruined cupboard shelves over in his hands, thinking of the best way to repair them.

  "Your sister’s very attractive," he said.

  I looked at him in shock; perhaps I’d completely misjudged his character after all. "She’s only twelve, Boss," I hissed angrily.

  "Not her, you silly git, your older sister," he said as though it should have been obvious. "What's her name?"

  I was shocked again, but for entirely different reasons this time – someone found my older sister attractive? I glanced over at her and tried to see her in a new light, and I guess with her fine features and long auburn hair she could be considered attractive, but all I saw was the bitterness and disdain that radiated from her person all day, every day. "Her name's Ruth," I replied when I finally found my voice.

  "I can't see a ring on her hand – she didn't marry?"

  "No."

  "But how's that possible, she's older than you, right?"

  "Yeah, she is." And I had to admit he had me there. It wasn't something I'd ever given much thought to, but now that he mentioned it, I was puzzled. She was twenty-four – why hadn't father married her off?

  "You know my wife passed away two years ago, right?" the boss shared quietly.

  "Sorry, no, I didn't know that."

  "It's been tough, you know, raising two little 'uns without her. I want to remarry one day, but I don't want more kids – two's plenty – I just want a wife and a mother for me kids."

  "I see."

  The boss fell silent after that and we concentrated on repairing the cupboard shelves, though he appeared lost in deep thought.

  As we worked, I couldn't help but overhear Nanako and my older sister chatting amicably as they began the arduous task of stitching our new curtains back together – someone had sliced them up with a very sharp knife.

  "If I am not being too forward," Nanako asked, "How is it your father hasn't arranged for you to be married yet?"

  "He can't," my sister whispered.

  "But why?" Nanako pressed.

  "Because no one would have me."

  "Of course they would."

  "No, you don't understand – I can't have children," my sister admitted, her voice barely audible.

  Time slowed to a standstill and I turned to appraise my sister, seeing her for perhaps the first time in my life. She was barren? Since when? I hadn't heard this mentioned, not once. Yet she must be speaking the truth. My father mentioned his desire to marry off my little sister as soon as she came of age, but he had not once mentioned finding a husband for Elder Sister. Was this why was she was so bitter and angry all the time? Because she couldn't get married or have children?

  Before I knew what I was doing, I put down my tools and walked over to join them. For the first time in my life, I felt sympathy for my sister and wished there was some way I could comfort her.

  Nanako noticed me approach and flashed me a beautiful smile, but Elder Sister looked at me with nothing but contempt, as usual.

  "Elder Sister, I'm so sorry, I had no idea," I said gently, trying not to let her attitude rile me.

  "N
o idea about what," she snapped.

  "That you can't have children," I said softly.

  "How dare you eves drop – that was private!" she spat angrily, each word laced with hate.

  "Private? We're family. Why wasn't I told about this?"

  "Because it's none of your business!"

  My attempt to remain patient failed – my hackles were up. "Elder Sister, what exactly have you got against me?"

  "What are you talking about?" she shot back.

  "All my life you've been so distant and cold towards me, criticising me every chance you get. Why?" I demanded.

  She just stared daggers at me.

  "Well, come on, what's the reason? There must be one?"

  "You really don't know, do you?" she said, glowering at me.

  "Know what?"

  "Oh good grief, Younger Brother! Why are you so blind? While I've had a life of hardship and suffering, you've been spoilt rotten!"

  "Me? Spoilt by whom?" To be honest, I was at a loss. Was she suggesting Mother spoiled me? If so, she was completely mistaken. I glanced at Nanako, who was watching us bicker with alarm.

  "And do you know what the clincher was?" Elder Sister said, continuing her attack.

  I shook my head. "I still have no idea what you're talking about."

  "When I was fourteen I was diagnosed with a non-cancerous Pituitary tumour, which if left untreated would leave me barren. But the treatment was very expensive and Father flat out refused to do it. He said we couldn't afford it."

  I didn't say anything. I was ten then, and although I knew at the time something was going down, no one told me what it was.

  "Yet when you got shot, Father didn't even hesitate to take out a fifteen year loan to pay for your operation," she continued heatedly.

  "Hey, that's not fair," I protested, feeling as though I was suddenly on trial for crimes I didn't commit. "I didn't even know about the loan."

  "It's been like that our whole lives, Brother. Father's never done anything for me or Younger Sister, but he's always pulled out all the stops for you."

  "But none of that's my fault," I said, trying to get a word in edgeways.

  Elder Sister stood. "Try telling that to a fourteen-year-old girl whose dreams for the future have just been crushed because her father told her he can't afford to get her the treatment she needs, yet on the very next day when you break your arm, he spends his whole wage getting it reset by a specialist."

  After delivering that final barrage, my sister stormed off and joined my younger sister and mother in repairing the towels and bed sheets. My mother met my gaze fleetingly, and then looked away, her eyes moist with tears.

  I felt like an absolute heel. My childhood had not been a happy one, since I clashed so often with Father, and because of the derogatory comments frequently thrown my way by Elder Sister. I had thought of myself as the unlucky one, the victim. It had never occurred to me that there was a reason my sister acted as though the whole world was against her. But it wasn't my fault, why couldn't she see that? Throughout my childhood, I assumed my father didn't like me, that I was an annoyance he couldn't escape. It wasn't until I found out about the loan that I realised he actually cared for me, and that his way of demonstrating his love was by doing things for me. I'd been looking for camaraderie, for kindness and compassion, and had therefore completely missed his way of expressing love.

  But what then of my sisters? Was Elder Sister right – didn't he care for them at all? I guess I shouldn't be surprised if that was the case. We lived in a male orientated society where the sons carried on the family name, were educated, and given jobs. On the other hand, maybe he did care for them, but didn’t know how to show it. It was obvious he had no idea how to relate to women – especially my mother.

  Back to the present situation, I needed to clear the air with my sister. She was over near the windows, but she could still hear me. “Elder Sister, I’m really sorry...”

  “Forget it!” she said, keeping her back to me.

  I sighed and sank onto the bed beside Nanako, who was studying me compassionately.

  "Welcome to my family," I snorted.

  She laid a hand on mine, but didn't speak.

  I went back to helping the boss work on the cupboard shelves, and was so lost in my thoughts of self-recrimination that I didn't even notice my younger sister's approach until she tapped me on the arm.

  "I didn't know any of that stuff about Elder Sister either," she whispered as she stole a furtive glance in Ruth's direction. "And besides, I think you're an ace brother."

  I rewarded her with a heartfelt smile. "Thanks, Younger Sister, you're the best."

  She gave me an impishly cute smile and darted back to her sewing project before the women could notice her absence.

  * * *

  We continued working until late afternoon, by which time we’d achieved quite a bit. The front door and cupboard doors were all reattached, the cupboard shelves were repaired, the smashed tiles in the shower were removed and thanks to my boss's generosity, new ones had been purchased and installed. They weren't an exact match, but who cares, right? The shower curtain, patched up to the extent that it reminded me of Frankenstein’s monster, was rehung, and the curtains were back up as well. Many articles of clothing, sheets and towels had been repaired. Some were destroyed beyond repair and would have to be replaced.

  My mother and sisters made a quick exit since they had to go and prepare dinner lest they get home too late and suffer Father's wrath. However, they left behind a picnic basket full of food.

  When they were leaving, I noticed my boss watching my Ruth’s departure with more than a passing interest, which set my mind a-wondering.

  After that, the boss, Shorty and David, also left. We thanked them for their kindness and help, and Nanako apologised profusely that she had been such a poor host by not providing them with any food or drink during their stay.

  After everyone left, I knocked on the doors of my adjacent neighbours and asked if they'd seen or heard who had trashed our flat. Both neighbours I spoke to, a grandmother and a middle-aged father, denied having any knowledge of what happened, and quickly closed their doors.

  That left me to conclude that they did know something, but what they knew terrified them. Did the vandals threaten them? Or, if Sienna was involved, did she bring some lowlifes with her to do the deed?

  Leaving that issue aside for now, Nanako and I ate a dinner of sandwiches at our new aluminium table and chairs. When we’d finished, Nanako looked about the apartment at all that had been accomplished today, and smiled. "I'm exhausted, but happy. I couldn’t believe it when your boss, friends, and even your family all turned up to help."

  "They're good people."

  "That they are."

  I took Nanako's small hands in mine. "There's something from my missing year, about us, that I've been wanting to ask."

  "Okay."

  "We got married two months after we met, right?"

  "That's right. But why do you ask – does it sound too quick?" She looked worried.

  "No, it's common in Newhome for fathers to give short notice to their sons when they’ve chosen their wife. We often don't meet the bride until the wedding day."

  "So what did you want to ask then?" she asked, relieved but puzzled.

  "Was our marriage arranged or did we decide to marry by ourselves?"

  "What do you think?" she asked as she leaned forward with sparkling eyes.

  "Well, it can't have been our parents, since mine were in Newhome. And you told me previously that marriages in Hamamachi can be arranged by the couple themselves."

  "That's right."

  "So my guess is that we decided it ourselves."

  "Yep."

  "So who mentioned marriage first, you or me?" I asked, although I was pretty sure I knew the answer to this question.

  "What do you think?"

  "I reckon you did, because before I went to Hamamachi, I had vowed to remain single until I was th
irty," I said. Besides, Reina told me Nanako was a fast mover.

  "Nope," she said with a giggle. "You asked me."

  I raised my eyebrows, but I wasn't all that surprised. She must have made just as big an impression on me back then as she had two weeks ago. Still, to have asked her to marry me in two months sounded awfully fast for me. "Just like that?"

  "That's all I'm saying – you have to remember the rest."

  "That's not fair," I pouted.

  "You remembered when you met me, yeah? Now you have to remember why you asked me to marry you when you did."

  "If you insist."

  "I do, and now I have a question for you," Nanako mused as she looked about our flat. "We've got no TV, so what are we going to do to amuse ourselves until we can afford to replace it?"

  "I've got an idea," I said as I stood and held out my hand.

  "Thought you might," she said with a grin.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next morning we finished the food my mother gave us for breakfast, and then discussed what to do without a fridge. We came to the conclusion that Nanako had to buy fresh food from the market every morning.

  And that presented another problem, as the market stallholders refused to supply her. But as it was Sunday, I suggested I come with her and try to talk some sense into them.

  We headed off to the open-air market mid-morning, and while on the way, I tried to encourage her to open up about the secret in her past alluded to by Reina.

  "Nanako?"

  "Hmm?"

  "What did you do after the Custodians dropped you back in Hamamachi, you know, two years ago?"

  She looked up and frowned, no doubt wondering why I suddenly asked that question out of the blue. "I’ve already told you. I tried to get someone to give me a lift back, but as the driver I paid to take me to Newhome the first time never returned, no one would do it. Besides, I had no money left."

  "But what about Councillor Okada and the Ranger colonel, didn’t you ask them?"

  "Well of course I did. But the colonel said it would be a waste of time because the Custodians wouldn’t let me back in. And Councillor Okada said it was too dangerous. I haven't told you this before, but when they kept saying no, I set off for Newhome alone a few days after the Custodians brought me back. I intended to walk all the way here, but Councillor Okada came looking for me and brought me back home. I was so upset."