“Fair enough,” said Gus.
“Marc, Karl, can you please show these people to the living quarters?”
Two men who had ridden in back with us straightened their posture in answer. “Yes ma’am,” they replied in unison.
“Follow us,” said the one who had looked at Susan in the way I hadn’t liked. He scared me. I wouldn’t want to be alone with him and I sure as heck was going to make sure Susan was never in that position.
Jane stayed close by my side, never letting go of my hand. I wondered what her name really was. We were standing in a large concrete parking lot. It was surrounded by an expansive chain link fence, topped with loops of barbed wire. There were several large buildings, some metal and some stone. Old tires surrounded most of them. I told myself to ask Boggs or Gus about it later on. We walked to the middle of the compound and one of the men, Marc or Karl, held a heavy metal door open for us. I could tell that Jane didn’t want to go inside, and quite frankly I felt the same way. I took a deep breath, held the little girls hand tightly, and stepped forward into the structure.
Once inside the building we were met with concrete walls and floors in varying shades of utilitarian gray. It felt cold and unwelcoming. Jane stepped closer to me. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be back in our cozy bed in our little cabin in the woods. I fought back tears, refusing to cry here.
“The area straight ahead is the cafeteria,” said one of the men. “To the left are living quarters. To the right is medical and research, which is off limits unless you’re escorted. No exceptions.”
Three hallways led to the three different areas.
“What is this place?” asked Gus. “It looks civilian.”
“It was originally a small airport. At some point this building was added as a boy’s reformatory,” said Nadine from behind us. “But time for questions later. There’s a lot to be done here today so we need to get you all checked in. Head to the left and Sasha will get you assigned to beds.”
We did as instructed, heading down the hallway to the left. It was windowless and lit by fluorescent light bulbs.
“You have electricity,” stated Gus.
“Two windmills and two generators,” said Nadine. “Take the first door on your right. Sasha will take care of you.”
Within a few more yards we were at the door. It was metal with a small window, the type that has a wire grid built into the glass. I found Boggs’ hand and took it in my own. I looked up at him. He looked back and his eyes calmed me. I glanced behind me to make sure the others were near.
“I’ll announce you,” said Nadine crisply. She opened the door. “Sasha. We have nine more to process in. Two are children.”
Nadine stepped back, signaling us to enter the room. The walls were a faded yellow, with bare concrete showing through the worn paint sporadically. There was a long counter made of worn speckled Formica with a metal edge. One man sat behind it.
“Welcome, I’m Sasha,” said the man. He was young, which surprised me for some reason. “I’ll assign you all new clothes. Looks like you need them. After that I’ll direct you to your bunks. First we need to get your names, ages, and check in any weapons.”
“Why weapons?” asked Gus, obviously not liking that part.
“Policy. Only people on duty outside carry weapons. You can check yours in and out as you please.”
“Fair enough,” said Gus, although from his tone I could tell he was reeling with anger on the inside. “We only have two. The rest were lost in a fire this morning.” Gus set his sawed off shotgun on the counter.
“Ok, we can start with you,” said Sasha. “Name?”
“Gus.”
“Last name?”
“O’Donnel.”
“Age?”
“Thirty nine.”
“Ok, Gus O’Donnel, your number will be twenty six. Remember it. You’ll use this number for meals, weapon check out, and colony work duties. Next?”
Emilie stepped forward. “Emmeline.” She paused. “O’Donnel. Twenty-four.”
Gus looked at Emilie questioningly, and then nodded once. She had used his last name.
“Ok Emmeline O’Donnel, twenty four, your number is twenty seven. Please remember it. Next?”
“Susan Smith. Twenty three.” She was assigned the number twenty-eight.
Boggs made sure the chamber of his Kahr was empty, removed the clip, and set it on the counter. “Adam Boggs. Twenty three. And this is Zoe Kate, twenty.” Boggs hadn’t told them my last name.
“And the girl?” asked Sasha.
“She doesn’t talk,” I said. “They’ve been calling her Jane.”
“And how old?”
I looked down at the girl. “Honey, what are you, about six?”
She nodded.
“Six it is then,” I said to Sasha.
We were assigned numbers twenty nine through thirty one.
Nathan had set Abbey down. I watched him whisper something into her ear. He stepped forward with her and Kelsey. He checked all three of them in, stating his own age as thirty and that of the girls nineteen and nine. I assumed he had lied about Abbey’s age to present her as younger, in hopes of portraying her as a younger child and off limits to boys older than her.
“Ok, time to go shopping,” said Sasha. Go through the door on the other side of the room. We’ve set it up with clothing, shoes, and linens. You can each find two pants, two shirts, a pair of shoes, and a set of linens. Oh, and don’t forget a coat and four pairs of socks. Use the black marker on the clipboard on the wall to mark the clothes with your number. Sheets go back into the community pool, so leave them unmarked. Log your number on the clipboard, and check the boxes for what all you took please. Go through the last door and you’ll find your bunks. We’re putting you all in two rooms. Sorry it’s all the space we have. Look for the ones marked ’30’ and ’31.’ They’re impossible to miss.”
“Where will our firearms be?” asked Boggs.
“They’re kept in a locker closer to the front exits. There are other weapons there too. Crossbows, firearms, grenades, clubs. Eventually you’ll have access to them all. You’ll get the full tour later.”
Gus sighed heavily. “After you, Boggs.”
Boggs, Jane, and I walked into the supply room first. It was neatly arranged with metal shelves throughout, much like a store. Men’s items were on the left and marked by size. Women’s was to the right, mirroring the men’s. Children’s was a similar arrangement against the back wall. Shoes were in the center. Everything looked new. I wondered where it had come from.
Little Jane still held my hand tightly. I looked down at her. “Jane, let’s look for some things for you first, ok?”
She looked back at me, and nodded her head. We walked to the back wall together. She picked out a pair of pink sweat pants, a blue skirt, and two t-shirts. She wore shoes already, and shook her head ‘no’ when I asked if she wanted to pick a new pair. At the end of the children’s display was an assortment of teddy bears. She seemed taken by one that was small and fuzzy with a pink bow around its neck. I hoped it was ok to give it to her. She hugged it, letting go of my hand for the first time.
“Ok, honey, I need to go find myself a few things. Want to come with me?”
She eagerly nodded her head.
We walked together to where Susan and Emilie were sorting through clothes. I was relieved to find a pair of jeans in my size, as well as a pair of sweat pants. I finished off with a t-shirt and a pullover sweatshirt. I found a pair of sturdy Nike’s and added them to my pile. After another few minutes we each had a set of sheets and a pillowcase. I was stuck with a winter jacket that was too big for me, but was grateful for it. We marked items as instructed and logged out on the clipboard.
Boggs helped Jane carry her bundle of things, and Jane helped me carry mine. We left the supply room and headed down the next hallway. There were rooms on both sides, each labeled with a number above the door. Each door had a large glass pane in the upper half
, larger versions of the window in the door to the check-in-room. The rooms weren’t huge, about the size of an average bedroom in the suburbs, and had assortments of bunk beds and dressers arranged inside. Most of them had linens on the beds and a few personal effects, but none were occupied by people at the moment.
“Here it is,” said Emilie. “Number thirty.”
“Jane, can you open the door?” Everyone else had full arms.
She nodded, and turned the knob for us. The door opened inward. She and I stepped in first. There were two bunk beds, the kind that have a full sized mattress on the bottom and twin on top. They faced each other with only a small walkway between them. At each end of the beds, facing the door, were two dressers. The only open corner of the room had two simple wood chairs.
“Can I sleep with you?” Jane asked without warning. Her first words took me by surprise.
“Of course you can,” I said with a big smile. “And since you found your voice, can you tell us your name?”
She shook her head ‘no.’
I ruffled her hair. “Ok. But I’ll keep calling you Jane then.”
She nodded her head ‘yes.’ The little girl was growing on me.
Gus and Emilie joined us while Susan, Nathan, Kelsey, and Abbey walked across the hall to the second room.
“Getting settled in?” asked an older woman we had yet to meet. She was blonde, tall, and looked kind. “I’m Maddie,” she said with a warm smile. “Welcome. I heard about the house fire. I thought I’d offer to make up your beds while you all get cleaned up.”
“That’s sweet,” said Emilie. “Thanks.”
“We didn’t realize there’d be bigger beds, so only grabbed twin linens,” I said.
“No worries, I’ll take care of that. Go ahead and put your clothes in the dressers, and just bring one set with you to the shower rooms. There’s towels and soap already in there. While you’re getting cleaned up I’ll trade in the linens and get things ready for you in here.”
Maddie looked at Jane. “Is she yours?” She addressed Emilie, probably because they both had red hair, fair skin, and freckles.
“She wasn’t with our group, but I think she’s claimed Zoe,” answered Em.
“What’s your name sweetheart?” asked the kind woman.
Jane crept closer to me. “She doesn’t say much,” I said. “We call her Jane.”
“That’s a pretty name,” said Maddie. “Jane, we have a special bathroom and playroom for kids. Do you want me to show it to you while Zoe gets herself cleaned up? We have snacks there too, and other kids.”
Jane looked up at me, as if asking for permission.
“It’s ok, Jane, if you want to go.”
Maddie held her hand out for Jane, who to my surprise took it. They walked across the hall and gathered Abbey. The three walked farther down the hall and into a room on the right.
“Think they’ll be ok?” I asked.
“We have to trust so, darlin’, we have to trust so,” said Gus as he put a hand on my shoulder. “While we’re alone, we need to talk quickly,” he added. “Let’s go into the other room with the others, shall we?”
We filed into the cramped room that Susan and Nathan would share with Abbey.
“I’m not sure what the deal is here. They seem genuine. Still, correct me if I’m wrong Zoe, but they claim the dead were near the cabin and you claim your head was clear.”
“Right,” I said.
“So, that leads me to believe something is off. Still, we have nowhere else to go. For right now I say we go along with it all. Zoe, I don’t want them knowing anything about your…abilities…or your pregnancy.”
“What?” asked Kelsey in surprise. “Zoe? You’re pregnant?”
I looked at Kelsey and nodded. “About eight weeks.”
“I had no idea,” she said.
“I guess it just hasn’t come up. Sorry Kelsey,” I said.
“I agree, Zoe, we need to keep your special circumstances a secret for now.”
“I didn’t like how that guy in the truck was looking at Susan,” I added, wanting to shift the focus off of myself.
“I agree,” said Susan and Boggs at the same time.
“He gave me the creeps,” added Susan.
“Just stay close to me, Susan,” said Nathan.
Maddie was back within a few minutes.
“Jane is playing with a couple of the other kids,” she announced. “Abbey is keeping a close eye on her. Little ones tend to bounce back quickly. Angela is in there getting snacks ready, and I think they’ll be just fine. Ready for the showers?”
I nodded.
Maddie led us to the farthest end of the hall. We filed into a large locker-style room with community showers.
“There’s not much for modesty around here,” explained Maddie. “So if you all want privacy I suggest coming in at odd times. And if you need privacy right now you’ll just have to take turns and the next group is due to come in soon.” She looked apologetic. “There’s a cart to your left with towels, and bottles of soap and shampoo already in the showers. Take your time and I’ll get your beds made up.”
“Thank you kindly,” said Gus.
Maddie smiled and slipped out of the room.
We all looked at each other awkwardly.
“Uh, there’s no curtains,” I said.
“I think we’re all family, Zo, no one’s going to care if we see each other naked,” said Boggs quietly. “You all ok with just keeping your eyes to yourself?” he asked the others.
“I’m too tired to care,” mumbled Emilie as she stripped out of her soot-coated clothes. I turned my head away. Everyone else began stripping.
“Zo, no one’s going to care,” whispered Boggs into my ear. “Do you want me to wait and you and I can shower last?”
“I’m not sure,” I said.
“There’s a chance more people will be here later, so this might be your best chance.”
I nodded. “Ok.”
I stepped to a corner and began undressing, facing away from the others. Boggs stepped up behind me. I could hear the showers turn on.
“Zoe, I promise it’s fine.”
“Boggs, I don’t want Susan seeing you naked.” Now undressed, I turned to face him.
“So what if she does? My body belongs to you, not her. Don’t sweat it, Zo.”
I walked with him to the showers. He kept me shielded with his body the best he could. I tried to not glance at any of my naked friends. I stepped under the spray of one of the showerheads, Boggs close behind me. I scrubbed myself with the body wash that was on a little built-in soap dish and lathered my hair with shampoo. The water at my feet was dark from fire residue. I looked up at Boggs’ chest. He leaned down and kissed me briefly.
“Zoe,” I heard Gus say to get my attention.
I peeked out from behind Boggs.
“Let’s get you dressed, darlin.’”
I nodded. “Boggs, walk ahead of me?” I reached behind me to turn the shower off.
Gus, Emilie, and Susan were already wrapped in towels.
To my relief, Gus walked our towels to us. He leaned down enough to whisper to us. “A couple guys just came in. They’re in the bathroom but we need to keep Zoe’s hip under wraps.”
Boggs took both towels and wrapped me in one before tending to himself. “Keep it on, kid,” he whispered.
“’Kay.”
We dried quickly and dressed in our new clothing. I toweled my hair dry one last time. As we were leaving the room, another group walked past us. Two women and one man. My eyes locked with the man’s. His left cheek was streaked with familiar green lines. I halfway turned, as did the man, and Boggs pulled me down the hall toward our room.
CHAPTER 13
“Did you see his face?” I asked in a strained whisper as Boggs pulled me into our cramped room.
“Yes,” was all Boggs said. “I also saw how he looked at you.” He sounded angry.
“Calm down, Boggs,” said Gus in h
is usual level-headed tone. “It was probably just a reaction to a new face.”
“It was just like my hip,” I said, ignoring the two men and their ridiculous debate on how the stranger had looked at me.
“Zoe, I really do think it’s best if we keep your situation private,” said Emilie. “We just don’t know these people and this place feels like it has a weird vibe.”
“I know,” I said. “But what if he’s just like me with the zombies and brain stuff?”
“In time, Zoe, in time,” said Gus. “Let’s just lay low for now.”
I sighed. I knew they were all right, but I also needed answers.
There was a light knock on the door. We all turned to look at the same time. Maddie had come back.
“Glad to see you all got cleaned up ok,” said the woman. “Ready for some lunch?”
Susan grinned. “Please!” She had a huge appetite for someone so skinny.
“Follow me,” said Maddie with a smile. “The meal crew’s made up some stir fry and rice. It smells good. You’ll be eating with the first group.”
“How many people are here?” asked Gus innocently, but I knew he’d have a reason for every question he asks.
“Oh, last count I think about forty men, women, and children. That’d include you all. We always have people outside for security, repairs, gardening, hunting, so we work and eat in shifts. The kids always eat with the first group, and Abbey and Jane are already in there. They both got cleaned up as well, and I admit Jane looks much better. That poor thing looked like she’d been on her own for some time.”
“I hope she’ll be ok,” said Boggs.
We walked down the hallway as a group. I held onto Boggs’ elbow. Touching him helped me feel grounded. The smell of stir fried vegetables, garlic, and meat began to surround us. Maddie led us through a double swinging doorway and into a small cafeteria.
People sat in plastic chairs with metal legs at long tables. I took notice that most of them were women of various ages, and a handful of children. Jane peeked from around a little boy about her age and waved at me eagerly. I smiled and waved back. She seemed to be doing well and was clean and dressed in her new clothes. With her hair washed, it was a much lighter shade of ginger than I had first thought. I watched as she hungrily stuffed a spoonful of rice into her mouth. I was glad to see her eating and fitting in. Several people looked up as we walked in, no doubt curious about the new faces in their midst.
The Grace Series (Book 2): Tainted Grace Page 13
