by Kip Nelson
“Now that we're out here, do you mind telling me where we're going?” Mack asked. He hated being in the dark, especially when it meant he was in an area he didn't know and so couldn't formulate a strategy or an escape plan.
He was completely in Maggie's hands, and if they were separated, he wasn't sure he knew how to make it back to the settlement. As the horse trotted along, he had tried making note of signs and landmarks to point the way back. Yet, things looked different in the night, and he wasn’t certain he would be able to make it back. From what he could tell, Maggie was looking for someone very special to her. Although she hadn't said much about this person, Mack was assuming it was either a lover or a family member. She had mentioned the gender as 'he,' so he was working on the assumption that it was a brother or a lover. She wasn't wearing a wedding ring, although he supposed she either could have lost it or taken it off as too painful a reminder of what she had lost. However, when she answered he changed his mind. She told him they were going to find the Lost Children, and suddenly it all became clear.
“You're looking for your son,” he said. She nodded, and because he was sitting behind her Mack could not see the tear that rolled down her cheek.
“His name is Tristan. It's my fault that he's here. I have to go find him, to bring him back.”
“It's not your fault. None of us could have predicted this,” Mack said. Maggie sighed.
“Do you have kids, Mack?”
“No, we were going to try when I got back, but then, well, you know what happened.”
“Having him was the happiest day of my life, but I don't know what happened. Being a cop always came first, I guess. I always tried doing my duty, and figured I'd fit in being a good mother somewhere along the line, but it never quite happened that way. I worked too much, I know that now. I thought I was working so much to give him a good life, when really, I just was putting distance between us. It caused problems with me and his father, and eventually we split up. Tristan lived with him. I didn't fight it. I felt as though I should have, but it seemed he would be better off with his father. I think some people are made to be parents and some aren't. We still spoke and saw each other, but it wasn't the same. I don't know what happened to me, to us, and I hate that it did. But it was too late to change.
“He grew up and I became less and less a part of his life. His father remarried and they got to be a family. Meanwhile, I was still out there, fighting the good fight. I was telling myself that it came before everything and I had to make sacrifices to be a good cop, when deep inside I just wanted to get my little boy back, to get the life I wasted back. When we were on that freeway, and all the cars stopped, I knew something was wrong. My first thought was to Tristan. He should have been with me so I could have protected him. I knew I had to get back here to find him, if he even still was alive. Bob told me he went with the Lost Children.”
“It was good of him to look out for your son.”
“He was Tristan's godfather. Guess he must have tried finding him, probably tried finding me as well. But they got to him first. I thought I raised him right, I can't believe he would do something like this.”
“He's probably just scared.”
“I should have been there to raise him properly, to teach him how to defend himself and how to take care of himself. I never should have given him up. Every day I ask myself why I did it, and I can't for the life of me remember. I failed him as a mother, and a cop, and I just have to make up for all of that.” Mack listened intently and he got the feeling Maggie hadn't told anyone this before.
“We'll get your son back, and then you can tell him all this yourself. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it.”
“I doubt he'll be pleased to see me,” she said.
“He will. He's been scared this whole time. But he has you, and you've come all this way just for him. He'll see that, in time,” Mack said. Maggie smiled softly and the two of them rode forward in silence, through the barrier into the territory of the Lost Children.
Chapter Seventeen
After speaking with Bob, Grace and the others were left with little recourse about what to do. Grace, Luis, and Saul were used to turning to Mack for advice, while Freddie and Hank had been following Maggie's leadership. Without the two of them in the party, they were directionless, and it was difficult to know what to do. Bob was steadfast in his opinions, and he seemed to treat all of them with derision. So, it was difficult to see how they were going to talk him down from his aggressive stance. Even if it was possible, Grace had the impression he was the type of person whose pride and ego would not allow him to admit he was wrong. Covertly, they made their way through the community to try gauging the opinion of the regular people. Aside from Bob, a few other cops had joined the settlement and, like Bob, they were willing to take the risk and go to war to defend themselves. However, people such as Mindy were not. When they approached her to see what she thought a sad look came over her face.
“What we really want is what you preached, Hank,” she said, focusing her attention on the preacher. “We'd like everyone to be able to live together in peace and harmony. Sometimes I wonder if we're fighting a futile battle. It seems that no matter the situation people always will be hostile to each other.”
“Do you think most people feel that way? Bob seems to think everyone wants to fight, but I'm not so sure,” Grace said.
Mindy paused for a moment and tapped an index finger against her lips. “I don't think people want to fight, but I think people will, for Bob. He has done a lot for this settlement, and he commands great respect and obedience. He's in charge, and people will follow his orders.”
“How did he get in charge anyway?” Luis asked.
Mindy shrugged. “He was the one who wanted the job, and seemed to be the best fit.”
And then the germ of an idea started growing in Grace's mind. It was risky, and something she wasn't sure Mack would approve of, but it seemed the logical thing to do, and the only way to prevent a war. As soon as they had finished speaking to Mindy, Grace ushered them back to their apartments and spoke quietly, for she was plotting treason.
“The only way we're going to prevent this war is by taking control of this place. You heard Mindy, the only reason Bob is in charge is because nobody else has challenged him. We can do that and show them there's a better way. All we have to do is convince them we're the right people for the job,” she said, an excited gleam in her eyes. However, that gleam soon disappeared as her eyes scanned her companions and saw only uncertainty and doubt.
“I don't know,” Freddie finally said. “Bob's not going to like it, and what if it doesn't work? We're sure to be thrown out. I don't fancy our chances out there in the city alone. Even though this place gets attacked, at least there are barriers, and other people to keep us safe, and a warm bed.”
“And what about when the war starts? What about when a gun is thrust in your hand and Bob tells you to march through the city and lay siege on some other faction because, apparently, the only thing people know how to do is fight? You really want to be standing here when Bob gives the order to attack and the other factions all come for us as well? They're not going to take it lying down. They're going to fight back, too, and if Bob thinks it's going to be easy to defeat them he's got another thing coming. I'm not sure he knows how difficult it's going to be. We have to stop this war before it starts.” Although she spoke with great passion the others were not rallying to her side, and Grace did not understand why.
“What you're asking of us is something drastic, Grace,” Hank said in a patient tone, “and I'm not sure we're willing to throw this settlement into disarray. It's easy to say that we should take control, but how, and when?”
Grace sighed and folded her arms.
“Maybe we should wait for Maggie and Mack to get back,” Freddie said in a low voice, not meeting Grace's face when she glared at him.
“I don't know where they've gone, and with the world the way it is, we don't know for sure they ar
e coming back. We can't always wait for them to make decisions for us. We've been through a lot as well, and we're capable of making decisions. I think we all know in our hearts that this is the right one to make.” As she spoke, one by one, they all started looking at her. In their eyes she saw the same look she gave to Mack and knew that they had turned to her for leadership.
“So, boss, what do you propose?” Luis asked with a cheeky grin. Despite her words, Grace now felt the pressure of leadership. She wished Mack was there, but she couldn't back away now.
“I'm not sure yet, but for now lay low, and just talk to as many people as you can to find out how they feel about everything. We'll meet again later and talk over things once we have come up with some ideas.”
With that, she left the rest of them to go to the place of worship, where she stayed for a while, thinking. There were many things on her mind as she never intended to be the group’s leader. She never had thought of herself as a leader, yet everyone had turned to her, even Saul. That was strange, as she thought he would have leaped at the chance to take over from Mack. She decided that perhaps it all was posturing; he just had been lashing out in a misguided way and never really had wanted to be in charge at all. And she couldn't blame him. Now that she was the one who had to come up with a plan, she wondered how Mack was so good at it. She had been thinking for a while when Hank came in. She watched him speak to Mindy, who seemed to have taken a shine to the preacher, and then he came over to her.
“It's nice to see you here,” he said, and smiled warmly.
“I thought it would help me get some guidance, or clarity, or perspective or...something.”
“And has it?”
“I have no idea, really. It's hard to concentrate on anything at the moment. I thought I'd try working on my faith, but I don't really know where to start.”
“Start with what feels right and go from there,” he said. Grace frowned as that was the typical vague advice she hated.
Hank laughed when he saw her expression. “Grace, there's no rule book for these things. You just have to be willing to start the journey and follow the paths that present themselves.”
“I guess,” she sighed.
“What were you thinking about?”
“I just was looking around at all these people, and how their faith is so strong, even though what has happened. It's quite remarkable, really.”
“That's the wonderful thing about faith. The more that gets piled upon us the stronger it gets, and the more we can draw strength from it.”
“Do you really think God is up there now, watching over us?”
Hank smiled. “Yes, I do. I think He's all around us, taking stock of everything. We are His children. But it's okay if you're not fully convinced of that yet. I remember when I was your age I had a crisis of faith.” Grace looked up at him, surprised, but let him continue.
“You see, I had been brought up a Christian by my family, but by the time I grew up I realized I never really had chosen to believe in God. It just always had been a part of me because that's what my parents had taught me. But then they started saying the music I liked and the movies I watched were the work of the devil. They brought me such joy I wondered why God would give people the ability to create such wonderful, beautiful things. So, I had to look deep inside myself and see if I was truly a Christian, or if it was simply something I had been used to.”
“And...?” Grace said.
“Well,” Hank said, gesturing to his outfit. Grace laughed at her mistake, and Hank joined in.
“But yes, I had a new resolve and I realized God is beyond music and movies. He is in everything, and it is up to us to remember that people find Him in different ways, and at different points in their lives. That was the point in my life when I realized what it was truly to have faith in something bigger than myself. In turn, I had more faith in myself as well, and who I was.”
“I guess that's what I'm still struggling with. I don't quite know what it means to have that faith in myself.”
“I'm sure it will come to you in time. You have a lot of spirit, Grace, and you seem to be one of the people who are thriving in this world.”
“Thank you,” she said, blushing slightly.
She still was not used to receiving compliments, especially from adults. Most adults she had encountered when she was younger sought to control or change her and treated her as though she was nothing but trouble. Then in later years she had been viewed with suspicion because of her appearance.
“It's funny, back when this started I didn't think I would have a chance of making it in this world at all. The main reason why I stuck with Mack was because I was afraid of what would happen to me if I didn't. I barely could walk a few miles without needing a rest, and now here I am.”
“Here you are,” Hank replied in his warm, earthy tones, his dark brown eyes sparkling. “I think there's a plan and a place for everybody, if you just look. That's where having faith comes in. It gives you the ability to see that plan, and trust that it is the right one for you. Walking into the future can be a scary proposition and faith can be a valuable weapon.”
As he uttered those words, Grace suddenly knew what to do and she smiled. She felt at peace with herself and her place in the world, and she was ready to become the woman she had the potential to become. All of a sudden, she hugged Hank and thanked him. The gesture seemed to take him by surprise, but he was glad to have made such a difference in someone's life. Grace then rose and left the church, needing to be alone to flesh out the plot that had begun forming in her mind.
Mack and Maggie didn't speak much as they made their way toward the territory of the Lost Children. Mack wasn't particularly enthused about returning to their territory, but given the show he'd made of helping Maggie, he couldn't very well ask her to turn back now or abandon her. He knew she would not surrender her quest to find Tristan. However, he did wish they had left the others a note as those people must have been wondering where they were. Given the danger of the area they were approaching, he didn't know if he ever would see them again. It was a big gamble that Maggie was taking. There was no guarantee the Lost Children would look upon them kindly, even if she was Tristan's mother. Given the way Bob had spoken about them, Mack and Maggie had everything to worry about, and suddenly the guns they were carrying didn't seem like enough. His throat dried as they reached the barrier through which Will had rescued them. Maggie positioned the horse and Mack felt his stomach lurch as the great steed powerfully leaped over the barrier, and landed with a thud, almost shaking Mack off. They were now in the territory of the Lost Children and moved forward slowly.
“Do you have a plan now that we're here?” Mack asked.
“I'm going to find Tristan,” she said bluntly.
“And how are we going to accomplish that?”
“We'll find a way,” she said.
Mack started thinking he had made a mistake in following her. However, he was sure that if this had been a search for Anna, he would have been just as bullheaded and stubborn, ready to run into any kind of danger if there was even a slim chance of seeing her once more. They moved up the street toward the warehouses. Once again, the area seemed barren. Then the low whistles started again, and became louder and deeper as more whistlers joined in. Mack and Maggie both drew their weapons and pointed them around, trying to get a sight on a target. None presented themselves until a bullet scratched the ground in front of them, halting their advance.
“Drop the guns!” a high-pitched voice yelled. Mack and Maggie glanced at each other and then another shot was fired, this time getting closer to the horse.
The adults complied and then held their hands up. From everywhere a swarm of children of various ages appeared and came up to them. Some were as young as four or five, while the eldest were in their teens. A girl with blonde hair came up to the two of them and sneered. Most of them had guns that were pointed directly at the two adults. Maggie was about to ask about Tristan when the girl told them to keep
silent, and given the array of weaponry pointed at them the adults thought it was best to listen.
“We're going to take you to our leader. Lucky for you, he said we shouldn't kill people on sight before we know what they've come here for,” she said, and clicked her fingers.
The Lost Children ran around and surrounded Mack and Maggie, then escorted them to the leader. Maggie's plan definitely needed some work, Mack thought, but he was curious to see just who was leading these children.
Chapter Eighteen
The gaggle of children that surrounded Mack and Maggie stopped whistling and were quiet. It was difficult to determine their number as they constantly were moving, especially the little ones. As they walked, Mack made careful observation of them. Only the older ones had guns. The others had catapults or held rocks in their hands. They seemed excitable and, evidently, the appearance of adults was a rare thing. They also were dirty. Their clothes were tattered, and they had the appearance of feral beings.
Maggie's expression was hard to read, but Mack felt a great sorrow for these children as they should have been cared for by adults. Their being here was not doing them any good. They seemed malnourished, and many of them were moody. The likelihood was that none of them really understood what was happening and they had been led astray by the vocal minority. Hopefully, he would be able to get through to the leader, Mack thought, and see that these children were taken back to safety as quickly as possible. He wished he could speak to Maggie, but the Lost Children seemed to mean business. He wondered if they truly could comprehend what it meant to hurt someone, or even kill them, or if they had so numbed themselves to reality that this was all some sort of game to them.
They were led into one of the large warehouses. The windows were so huge the light level barely changed from the outside, and the place had been fitted out to look like one big slumber party. Blankets and makeshift beds were strewn across the floor, and some boxes had been upturned to act as tables. Empty cans of food and drink were all over the floor as well. Mack had to admit it was a smart move to base their camp in these warehouses, which were filled with all kinds of supplies.
