Katrina picked the bark from a stick as they sat around the crackling fire. “How long is she going to be mad at me?” She asked throwing the stick into the flames.
“Not long,” Dreya told her. “She is just scared, and it seems like we can finally breathe up here. Don’t stress about it.”
“We are all scared.” Katrina pulled her knees to her chest. “The trick is to not make dumb decisions based on fear.”
“But is it though?” Jayden leaned forward to join the conversation. “I mean, I’m down for whatever, but is it really that dumb of an idea to stay here? We do need to get supplies, but would it be that bad of a plan? We have been lucky so far with escaping those guys and not having anything major happen, but who knows how long that luck will hold out?”
Katrina sighed. “I guess it isn’t an awful plan. We still would have to get supplies somehow and I am still going to the cabin. If it is better here than it is there, we can always come back.”
“Good.” James smiled at Katrina. “I like it here.”
“And we are all going to the cabin with you,” Dreya crossed her arms as she looked to Katrina. “We are all in this together.”
Katrina smiled. “Do you think this will make Mia happier?” she asked.
“It makes me so freaking happy!” Mia yelled from inside her hut.
Chapter 9
The next morning, they rolled up their blankets to attach to their packs before scattering the camp and heading across the valley. When they crested the eastern most ridge, Mia turned to wave goodbye to their paradise before beginning their descent down the mountain. The next valley had a rocky climb down which led into the trees. They crunched their way through the fallen pine needles underneath the forest coverage. By dusk, the kids had climbed out of that valley and made camp on another ridge.
“Are we following the moss on the trees?” Mia asked. “Isn’t that how you know which way is north?”
Katrina smiled. “The moss doesn’t just grow on the north side of the tree. It grows wherever it is shady and damp. I’m following the sun and those mountains over there.”
“They all look the same.” Dreya raised her eyebrows. “What are the mountains telling you?”
“The snow pack on the mountains,” Katrina laughed. “The snow melts faster on southern facing slopes so the heavier snow pack should be north.”
“Are you sure you know where we are going?” Dreya asked.
“For the most part,” Katrina answered.
*
A small river ran through the valley that they crossed the following day. The water was only calf deep, so they took off their shoes and waded across. Mia went first. When she reached the opposite bank, she let out a high-pitched scream. Dreya grabbed her little sister and turned her around to check if she was hurt. Mia extended her arm to point to the left and turned her head away from the sight. Dreya looked at where she was pointing and then ran to the bushes while gagging. Katrina and James rushed to the shore with Jayden trailing close behind.
A dead deer lay in the sand of the bank with his head propped up at an unnatural angle in the grass. It was bloated and flies were buzzing around the carcass. The stench made Katrina hold her breath.
“Did a coyote get it?” Katrina asked as James went to take a closer look.
He shook his head. “Look at the sores. It has no hair either. Radiation poisoning, I think.”
Jayden quickly checked his monitor. “The air is still okay,” he said. “How did that happen up here?”
“It didn’t.” Katrina turned away from the sight. “It happened somewhere else and she ran up to the mountains for safety.”
Mia was shaking. “Is this what happened to our mom and dad, Dreya? Is this what they look like now?” Dreya wiped her mouth and pulled her sister away to calm her down. Jayden walked over to help.
“That’s what would have happened to me.” James’ voice was distant. “If Morgan hadn’t snuck me into the shelter, my dad and I would have run up here.” He turned to look at Katrina. “This is what happened to all of them, isn’t it?”
She heard the pain in his voice and went to him. “Shh,” she soothed. “We don’t know that. He could be in someone’s basement hiding right now for all we know.” Katrina laid her palm on the side of his cheek.
James held her hand there. “That would be worse,” he said. His eyes were crystal blue like the glacier fed streams. “If he stayed in a shelter he probably would have been shot by now.” Katrina’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Don’t you get it?” he asked. “Those people in the trailer were shot point blank in their house. No one raided it, no one took anything, no one even cared what they had. It was someone who wanted them dead just because they survived.”
“You don’t know that…” Katrina’s voice trailed away as she tried to piece together the situation.
“I do know that. I know that if my dad was alive, he would have been there when those doors opened. I know that I am here, and he isn’t.” Pain creased James’ face in wrinkles by his mouth and nose.
“I’m sorry,” Katrina whispered and kissed him gently on his lips. “I wish that I could take this away from you.”
James rested his forehead against hers. “It’s not your fault. Don’t be sorry.” He exhaled and stood up straighter as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m fine. Let’s get going.” The two of them linked hands as they walked over to their friends.
*
“Did I hear you say someone snuck you into the shelter?” Jayden asked James as they hiked up the hill.
“Oh yeah,” James smiled. “I forgot to tell you all that. Technically I wasn’t supposed to be there. My dad’s girlfriend is in the Airforce and she got me in somehow.”
Dreya stopped climbing as she turned to look at him. “How did she do that?” she asked.
“No clue,” James said as he helped Mia over the rocky path. “It’s not like parents tell us anything that is actually important.” Dreya looked to Katrina and then back to James. “Is this a problem?” He smiled at her.
“Nope,” Dreya resumed climbing. “It’s surprisingly the least shocking thing that I’ve heard this month.”
Chapter 10
At dinnertime they reached the top of the next mountain. A small village lay in the valley below them tucked between two lakes. There was one main road through the center and a handful of houses nestled into the mountain side.
“Well we are a lot closer than I thought we were,” Katrina said as she peered at the valley below. “Over that next ridge line is a dirt road that leads to the cabin. We could probably make it by tomorrow night if we cut straight through but let’s take the long way around to be on the safe side.”
“I thought you said there were no more towns.” Jayden sat down on a fallen log.
“I don’t really consider this a town. It’s more like an outpost where the guys who work at the ski resorts live and tourists come visit. The only business they have here is a little sandwich shop that I used to come to with my dad when we would fish the lake.” Katrina sat down on the log next to him.
“I like the idea of going the long way,” James said. “I don’t want to take any chances again.”
“It looks like there is no one there though.” Dreya stood on a rock to get a better view.
“Oh!” Mia climbed up next to her sister. “Maybe we could get supplies and store them back up here. That way if we go back to our valley, we would have stuff we need and wouldn’t have to carry it so far.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jayden agreed.
“I don’t think it is,” James told him. “Remember we aren’t trying to push our luck anymore?”
“But look,” Mia said pulling James over to the rock. “There isn’t anyone there. I think they all abandoned it.”
James watched the town below. Nothing moved. “This feels like a bad plan,” James said while climbing down from the boulder. “We should at least camp here tonight and keep an eye on it to
make sure no one is really there.”
“What do you think Katrina?” Mia asked coming over to sit next to her on the log.
“I don’t know. I guess we could use some extra food, but it is a risk.” She looked over to James. “I’m willing to do whatever you guys want though.” Mia jumped up and hugged Katrina so hard they almost fell off the log.
“Keep your voice down Mia,” Jayden laughed. “We are on a stakeout.”
James walked away from the group and sat on a bed of pine needles as he leaned his back against a thick tree trunk. Katrina wiggled herself out of Mia’s arms and left the others to set up camp as she went to sit with James. She slid down onto the ground beside him and picked up his hand to hold. “You alright?” she asked.
“Mmm,” he mumbled.
“If you are upset you can tell me.”
“It’s just a dumb idea.”
“It isn’t that bad of a plan. Besides it looks like it is a ghost town down there.”
“It probably is,” James smirked. “They are more than likely all dead.”
“I’ll go in so that you don’t have to see anything.” Katrina traced the fingers of her free hand down his forearm.
“It isn’t that. I can handle that. It’s just a risk that we don’t have to take, so why take it?” James turned to face her.
“It’s a diplomatic decision.” Katrina gave him a defeated smile. “Majority rule.”
“Well if you are the leader then you get to veto that rule.”
“I’m not the leader,” she laughed. “I was going to do this alone remember? But now we are doing it as a group. What kind of leader would I even be? I’ve got my own agenda and I’m selfish.”
James smiled at her. “I’d follow you.”
Katrina sighed. “I’d follow you too.” He leaned over and kissed her softly on her forehead. She scooted closer and laid her head on his shoulder. “I don’t think he is dead,” she whispered. “My dad. I think he is okay somewhere. He couldn’t have left the truck for me if he wasn’t.”
“Okay,” James said as he smoothed down the top of her hair.
“But just so you don’t think I’m delusional. If he didn’t make it, well my plan is to honor his life by surviving and living the rest of mine. I don’t know much but I do know that life is precious and worth fighting for.” Katrina nodded her head and put her chin up in the air.
“Okay,” James laughed as he wrapped her in his arms for a crushing hug.
*
They shared another MRE with two cold cans of beans for dinner that night because they didn’t want to risk giving themselves away by the light of the fire. Jayden climbed higher into the rocks to watch the town.
“Anything happen yet?” James called up to him as they were getting ready for bed.
“Nah, man. Not even a mouse moving down there,” Jayden yawned.
“I’ll take a shift,” James said as he began to climb the rocks. “Get some sleep.”
Katrina watched as James settled into his guard position. Then she cuddled under the quilt and tucked it all around her. The night was dark, but the distorted light from the moon reflected off the boulders giving them an eerie glow. They would make tomorrow quick, she thought. In and out, then on their way. They could use the extra supplies.
She and her dad had been stocking the cabin with canned and dehydrated foods for years. Every trip they made up there they brought more. There was medicine and water, even a good water filtration system- better than the dirt filter they had been using. Guns and ammo, seeds and tools, traps and fishing gear. Plus, a CB radio. She had even left a few books and board games there for rainy days. They were prepared for the two of them. A few extra kids wouldn’t hurt the stock pile that much but having more wouldn’t hurt.
All the times her dad had drilled the doomsday stuff into her head. She mentally cursed herself for secretly doubting him. He had been planning for the worst-case scenario and that day had come. He was right and right now the cabin sounded like her idea of paradise. She remembered her dad standing in the creek gold panning as he talked to her about life, told her to be ready for anything. The fresh mountain air and the water bubbling clear down the valley full of wildflowers and spring. Katrina rolled to her side to try and get a rock out from underneath her back. Two days, she smiled to herself as she drifted to sleep. Two days and we will be there.
*
“I didn’t see anything move all night,” James whispered as he climbed under the blanket next to Katrina.
“What time is it?” she asked sleepily as she curled up next to him.
“Before dawn.” He pulled her body against his and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m going to close my eyes for an hour or two.”
“Uh-huh,” Katrina muttered as she fell back asleep in his embrace.
Chapter 11
The morning sun was a brighter red-orange than it had been since they left the shelter. Jayden was sitting perched on the boulders overlooking the town when Katrina peeked out from under the blanket.
“Anything?” James called out still holding Katrina next to him.
“Not a single movement,” Jayden said as he climbed down the rocks.
“Let’s go then,” Mia said bouncing around. They ate a quick breakfast, packed up, and headed into the village.
“Stay together,” James warned as they neared the main street. “We hit one house and then we get out of here as fast as we can.”
They crossed the road to a blue house with a red painted door. A white wooden rocker sat on the front porch surrounded by windchimes. A brown faded welcome mat lay on the doorstep dusted with ash.
“Mia, you are going to stay out here,” James said looking to Dreya. She nodded and stood on the porch with her little sister. Jayden handed Mia the pistol.
The inside of the house looked like no one had been there in years. There was dust accumulated in every corner and cobwebs along the ceiling trim. Mixed plaid patterns lined the curtains, pillows, and furniture. “Gone Fishing” signs hung along the hallway.
“It might be a vacation rental,” Katrina remarked as they walked into the living room. “I’ll go check if they have any food.”
“At least we won’t find any bodies,” Jayden said as he headed upstairs. He rummaged through the hallway closet. “Score!” he yelled down to his friends. “Sleeping bags.”
Katrina laughed as she walked into the kitchen. She began to open the cabinet doors to find dozens of mismatched coffee cups and plates. In the cabinet by the refrigerator there were a few cans of chicken broth hidden behind an old spice rack. She took them along with a half open bag of coffee, plus the sugar and garlic powder. On impulse, she opened the refrigerator door and was greeted with the pungent stale smell of mildew coming from the empty shelves. “This place isn’t really stocked for people to live,” she called back over her shoulder as she put a kitchen knife into her bag.
James came into the living room with a hammer, nails, and a spool of wire he had found. Jayden tossed the sleeping bags down the stairs.
“Guys, hurry!” Mia shouted from the front porch. “Someone is coming!” James turned to Katrina with his eyes blazing icy blue. He took the rifle from his shoulder sling and ran out the door. Katrina scanned the room quickly and grabbed the cast iron fire poker next to the wood stove as she rushed to join her friends. She opened the door to see Mia pointing the pistol down the road.
“Put your guns down,” a man’s voice called from the street. Katrina turned to see three men walking up all carrying rifles.
“Maybe you should put your guns down first,” Dreya called back in a voice so calm that it almost made Katrina laugh.
“Keep your gun up,” James whispered to Mia. Jayden opened the screen door and came out from behind Katrina to stand in front of Dreya just as she called out again.
“You guys can put your guns down. We aren’t looking for a fight. We are leaving and we will leave the stuff here if you want.”
The man in the
wide brimmed brown leather hat with a pink button up shirt and cargo shorts grinned. “We know you aren’t looking for a fight and you can take whatever you need from there.” He turned to the other two men and all three laid their guns down in the street. “Come on out and talk.”
Dreya looked to Katrina and raised her eyebrows. “Do you know who we are?”
The man in the hat rubbed his chin. “Well, let’s see. You aren’t infected with radiation poisoning and you are just a bunch of kids, so I’d say you are either unnaturally lucky survivors or you all are Project Dandelion. Go ahead and put the guns down now. I don’t feel like getting shot today.” Dreya put her hand on Mia’s shoulder and she lowered the pistol.
James looked over to her but kept the rifle pointed. He shook his head. “I’m not trusting them.”
“I’m not asking for you to trust us boy,” the man in the hat said. “I’m just asking for you to not shoot us.”
“And why wouldn’t I?” James turned to face the man. “What do you want with us?”
“Want with you?” The man laughed. “We’ve been watching you up on the hill since last night, hoping you would leave us alone. But now we can see that you are scared and in need, so we figured we would help. Put the gun down son, let’s just talk. I can get you kids a decent meal.”
Dreya smiled. “I think this one is okay James.” He shook his head again.
Dreya nodded to her sister and then stepped out from behind Jayden to walk down the steps into the street. Mia followed her while James, Jayden, and Katrina stayed under the porch. She walked up to the man and extended her hand to shake his. “What’s your name?” she asked.
“Tom,” he smiled at her. “What’s yours?”
“Dreya and this is my sister, Mia. Forgive my friends but we are all a little on edge. The only other people we met on the surface tried to take us as hostages to sell to the government. My friends aren’t in the mood to trust anyone else right now.”
Reentry Page 5
