by JK Accinni
“No, please stay here. We can’t help her. We need to go.” The girls pleaded with her as she stepped outside the car, shutting the door firmly. Slowly making her way to the front of the Maine car, she glanced inside, seeing another baby car seat, but no baby.
As she hurried to the woman’s side, she gasped at the woman’s face. Raw skin peeled off her face flapped to the sides, her nose was smashed in, her features swollen and purple. There was little doubt she was dead. Lorna bent down to smooth the women’s skirt down over her nude torso that evidenced her missing panties. Placing her hands together, she noticed a pale band of white skin on her ring finger, the ring missing. Jesus Christ, is that all men can think of in a disaster, to revert to beasts? No—not beasts. Beasts don’t rape and murder. That’s what man does. She reminded herself never to confuse the two.
Searching the area she found no trace of a baby or the woman’s ID. Nothing would be accomplished by lingering. She had to think of the girls.
Skirting back to her rental, the girls unlocked the car and off they went.
“Gram, don’t do that again. Don’t leave us.” Suzy stood up in her seat, stomping her feet, fear turning to anger. Jen spoke stoically from the back seat.
“Gram, you can’t just leave us like that for a total stranger. What would Mom say?”
“Jennifer, you should be ashamed. The poor woman is dead. We don’t go through life without considering the needs of others.”
Jen and Maryann remained silent as they continued further down the road. They drove for five minutes when Lorna felt the car drive over something on the road. Her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror that reflected pieces of wood in the dim light, haphazardly resting on the road. Relief flooded through her as she prepared to seek a place to hide the car for the night. She knew she could drive another few hours but finding a safe place while she could still make out shapes in the fields made good sense.
She drove slowly, scanning the fields to the right and to the left, mysterious shapes far in the distance beckoning; a siren’s call. She ignored all, hoping for a clump of trees near the road or a small trail to turn on to, afraid to drive across a field that threatened the car with hidden ruts.
As she continued down the road, the steering wheel suddenly pulled to the left, jerking her hand. As she readjusted the wheel, she felt a thud. The sounds came from one of the wheel wells; a flat? She banged her hands down on the steering wheel in frustration.
“Girls, I think we have a flat tire.” She carefully braked the car, rolling to the side of the road. Everyone held their breath as Lorna scanned the area.
“I think I’ll be okay. Lock the door behind me.” Lorna stepped outside the car. Her driver’s side tire was clearly flat. Why now? she wondered with exasperation.
Rummaging around in the trunk, she finally removed the tools she needed to change the tire. Now she smelled like the gasoline still stored in the trunk. Dragging the jack and the lug wrench to the front of the car, she wondered how hard it could be to change a tire.
“Now, you don’t want to do that nasty job by yourself, do you?” The soft voice came out of the dusk like a warm breath on the back of her neck.
Startled, she turned to face a mild-mannered man, in his early forties, on a bicycle. He wore a pink rugby shirt with khaki shorts and expensive leather hiking boots. Strapped to his back was a large backpack.
She stared into his baby-blue eyes, noticing his wide, amused smile; teeth large and gleaming in the dusk; his thick brown curly hair expertly and expensively quaffed. The only thing out of place was a thick red welt sitting on his cheek like a worm drying out in the late-day sun.
“I didn’t hear you.” Lorna backed up against the car defensively.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Where you headed?” Lorna relaxed as she succumbed to his friendly, nonthreatening manner.
“I’m trying to get to New Jersey to meet my husband.”
“Madam, pardon me for saying so but you must be out of your mind. You’ll never make it. New York took a direct hit. Where in Jersey you going?”
“I plan to skirt New York City by coming in through Pennsylvania. The northwestern part of the county is where we need to go.”
The man shook his head. “Must be a special reason you want to go to all that trouble with your kids in the car. It’s dangerous on the roads for a bunch of unarmed women. Don’t you know the President said to take cover? There might be more bombs.”
Lorna bristled at the inference that she couldn’t take care of the kids. “My husband has a huge bomb shelter waiting for us. He said we’ll be perfectly safe with plenty of supplies to wait this out. No matter how long it takes.” Lorna placed extra emphasis on her statement, reasserting her female control of the situation.
The man, smiling widely, dismounted from his bike. “Well then, we better take a look at that tire of yours, can’t have you driving off without it changed correctly. I’m Seth, by the way.” He held out his hand to her. She extended hers for a shake, feeling calm strength in his grip.
Relaxing, she bent down to show him the tools. Seth parked his bike at the side of the road. Slipping off his backpack, he reached inside. Lorna held her breath while he searched the large pack to emerge with a high-powered flashlight. Lorna smiled with relief, making room for him at the tire.
Seth changed the tire in no time at all, amusing Lorna with funny quips as he wrestled with the tools. The girls in the car rolled down the windows, watching as he worked, offering heartfelt but useless suggestions, giving Lorna and Seth more reasons to laugh. The experience was a welcome relief from the tension they’d been under since they left Tampa.
“Well, look at that. You must have picked up a nail on the road somewhere.” He pointed to the spot on the tire where Lorna saw an unusually large nail head sunk deep in her tire. She thought back to the pieces of wood strewn in the road miles back. There must have been a nail sticking out of the wood. What ass dropped wood in the road? It figured it would be her car that came along first.
“Why don’t you pop your trunk and I’ll put this inside. You never know, you might need it again. I’m sure you can have it fixed at a gas station . . . oh, sorry, I forgot for a moment.” Seth sat back down on the ground, sighing deeply. He rubbed his hands against his forehead as if to push out the memory of the last two days. Lifting his head to face Lorna, she thought she noticed the sparkle of tears in his eyes. In a rush of emotion, the feeling of being in this together overtook her as she placed her arm on his shoulder, patting gently.
“Which way are you going, Seth?”
“I don’t really know, Lorna. I’m just trying to stay one step ahead of the bombs. I guess I hoped to find a spot that no one would care enough to bomb, then settle down. What are you going to do now?” he asked.
Lorna glanced at her watch. “I was hoping to find a place to safely park the car when I got the flat. We need to get some sleep and eat something before I can drive anymore.”
Seth’s face brightened. “Lorna, what do you say if I hitch a ride with you? We can split the driving. That way you won’t have to stop to sleep. We can get you to your husband in half the time.”
Lorna was taken aback by the proposal yet sorely tempted, anything to get to Clyde as soon as possible. God knew, she could use a capable male presence if the situation turned dire. Gosh, what to do? Seth stared at her, a trusting light in his blue eyes, an encouraging smile on his lips.
“Oh, okay. Why not? This will be good for all of us.”
Seth gave her a high five and, reaching into his backpack, withdrew a long length of rope to tie his bike to the roof.
After everything was stashed away, Seth slid behind the wheel with Lorna in front, Suzy sitting in her lap. Jen and Maryann fished out some sliced meat and bread from the food stock, passing out water and snacks. It wasn’t long before all the women were sound asleep with Seth happily tooling down the road, on the way to Sussex County.
As Netty ushered the large group of people with their attendant animals and pets down a wide corridor, she paused in front of the first of two openings, one on each side of the corridor.
“Wil is in one of these rooms. Both rooms house the precious wildlife. They will be split into open chambers, giving them the ability to roam but protecting their privacy.”
A voice from the crowd rang out, its bitter tones suggested Peter. “I think it’s the height of ridiculousness to expect us to live cooped up with wild animals that will eventually kill us.”
Netty halted, turning to face the voice, a serene smile on her face. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot to invite you all to leave anytime you choose.” She scanned the stunned faces, hearing no objections. “No takers? Well then, allow me to remind you once again. The Hive is here to protect the animals. They are what matters. The Womb is master here. The Elders and the minions serve the Womb. You have no role at all. Allow me to suggest that you keep your complaints to a minimum.” Netty took her time to size up the reaction of the survivors, her golden eyes boring deep into their own.
Apparently satisfied, she added, “I’m sure you will be pleased the Womb has decided to use you to care for the animals. You will all become intimate with every single creature before long. That will be your new purpose for life. Servants to those you subjugated.”
As a cry and hue erupted, Netty’s magical laugh trickled over the crowd. “I know . . . life can be so ironic, yes?”
As the unrest of the crowd rose, Clyde stepped forward. “What’s all the fuss, for Christ’s sakes? You all love animals anyway. Look at you. Most of you have your own pets in your hands.”
Dezi stepped forward, his hands held up in front of his body as if to ward off Clyde’s words. “Dude, don’t speak for me. I got no love lost for something this smelly and stupid.” He pointed his skinny arm toward Tobi and her small herd. “Anything that can poop and piss like these mothers ain’t worth a damn thing, and how we gonna feed ‘em anyway, babe?”
“Dezi, Dezi, I can see you are a man of little faith. By the way . . .” Netty’s eyes bore into his as she approached him, their noses inches apart. Dezi’s legs faltered as he tried to stand up to her. Everyone watched as his face turned green, hypnotized and overcome with vertigo. His butt hit the ground with a resounding splat.
“I am sure you just forgot my name, let me introduce myself again. I am Mrs. Wil Capaccino, you may call me Netty.” She walked away then turned. “Are we clear, Dezi?”
“Sure, ba—uh, Netty—I mean Netty.” His face brick red, he struggled to stand, avoiding her eyes.
She smiled, turning to the crowd. “I can see most of you are starting to flag. Shall we continue our tour?” Waving them forward, she directed them to the next two openings in the corridor. Pointing to one, she explained that it opened on a pool of water for some of the wildlife to play and drink from. The other was for the people. She moved to the opening.
“Does anyone care to join me?” The crowd moved forward into the opening.
*
Kenya entered slowly, her arm supporting her expanding stomach, her small white shorts now grimy and ripped. As she turned the corner of the opening, she felt a wisp of warmth engulf her perfect face. She glanced at Johno with raised eyebrows then cleared the opening to face the unexpected.
“Oh . . . my . . . God.” Her voice whispered in awe as everyone gathered round, jaws dropping to the damp, warm floor. Her stunned eyes moved over every inch of the brilliant glowing cave. Every color in the rainbow represented itself in the swirls of marbleized quartz: emerald, topaz, ruby, diamond, garnet, citrine, amber, coral, opal and moonstone that encased the enormous stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the soaring ceilings and emerging from the warm water that lapped at the edge of an enormous pool, mysterious in its depth.
Shadows from the stalactites cast private silhouettes in nooks around the pool begging the company of lovers. As everyone expressed their amazement, Netty explained the purpose of the cave was for bathing. The warm water was generated from the proximity of an underground river to a minor lava pit that existed hundreds of miles away.
“You will find drinking water in an underground spring that runs alongside my kitchen.”
Kenya brightened up at the mention of a kitchen. She had failed to notice any food anywhere and she needed to keep up her strength. Johno’s company served as a pleasant distraction but his focus belonged to the elephants in his care. What kind of support could he give her? She craned her neck to see where Kane might be standing. She thought he’d be a more likely source to rely on than Johno.
“If you will all follow me, I think it is time to feed these magnificent creatures.” Netty linked her arm with Johno’s, nodded to Kenya, and looped her other arm around the neck of the nearest baby elephant, easing the fragile creature back into the corridor.
As they proceeded, Kenya worked her way toward Kane, who was huddled with Chloe and Scotty as they examined the corridor wall. She watched as Scotty pushed his hand through the wall, the gloppy membrane enclosing his hand up to his wrist.
“What do you feel?” Kane’s questioning voice contained an undercurrent of distaste.
“Nothing, and I have no intention of going any further.”
Chloe reached over to grasp his arm, pulling him back to withdraw his hand. She ran her fingers over his skin, finding it smooth and dry.
Almost to herself, she muttered, “Just another mystery, what’s one more in this crazy world I live in?” Scotty pulled her close.
“It’s okay, Chloe. We’re all here together. I don’t think any harm will come to us. I’m grateful that we’re here rather than topside, aren’t you?”
Kenya intruded. “Hi, chickies, mind if I hang with you? I feel so hungry I could eat a . . . aahhh.” Kenya clutched Kane’s arm as she spied the ferocious cat that had peed all over Scotty on the boat coming around the bend. The tiger’s eyes unwaveringly focused on Scotty alone as he stood with an arm supporting Chloe. As everyone turned to watch the tiger, Abby joined them. Echo followed with Baby toting his kitten, the new white puppy trying to keep up.
Scotty shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t worry, it’s only Caesar. I guess he likes me. He seems to have made himself my guardian.” While they watched, Echo approached Caesar. The tiger chuffed lightly. Echo grasped the magnificent coat of the great cat, pulling herself nimbly up onto his back. Baby wobbled over with his kitten, handed it up to Echo, dipped down to pick up the white puppy then, in a flash, joined them on the back of the tiger, who steadfastly failed to even blink.
Kenya stared in horror. “That big stinkin’ cat is not normal. We better get him some food before he decides to eat the little guys. Kane, get me out of here.”
With that pronouncement, they funneled quickly down the corridor to find Netty and the rest of the group at an opening to a new cavern that glowed with an eerie lavender-blue light. As Kane elbowed his way through the crowd, Kenya made her way to the front. Passing through the opening, she felt a distinct sensation of pressure that dissipated immediately as she passed through. Her eyes popped as she surveyed the cavern before her, the sight overcoming her rational ability to believe.
Johno’s little herd had fanned out, their trunks excitedly smelling the air that hung heavy with the fragrance of ripening fruit. Kenya stepped out in front of the crowd, her cumbersome belly weighing her down. She blinked, trying to clear her unbelieving eyes.
Before her stretched a subterranean field that measured the length of three football fields. The rich soil gave rise to an aroma of rich organic loam mixed with a powerful bouquet redolent of every fruit tree imaginable. Her stomach churning, she gazed further to marvel as row upon row of every vegetable under the sun (or should she say, under the earth?) grew to mammoth proportions. The probability of the existence of this amazing sight was outnumbered only by the spectacle of the plants and trees themselves.
>
She heard a series of trumpets as Tobi’s tiny herd rushed forward to gorge themselves on the aromatic sight. Kenya glanced quickly at Netty who smiled wide with delight at Johno and his keepers as they danced with unexpected joy over the discovery and the happiness it meant for all of them.
Trembling, they made their way down to the fields, marveling at the drainage and irrigation system that brought water to the trees oddly sporting strangely exposed roots.
“Necessary for the voracious amount of oxygen they consume. Don’t worry, they are well anchored with a prolific root system,” explained Netty.
Kenya could certainly understand that. For the trees rose high in the sky like monolithic miracles. Most tree branches grew to the thickness of two men, necessary to hold up the eye-popping weight of the most unusual fruits Kenya had ever seen. A mysterious undulating haze of blue hung over the trees and crops. As she marveled at the size of just one fruit, she realized there was not a one that she could finish eating by herself. Scanning the faces of the crowd, she observed a range of emotions: incomprehension, dawning delight and reverent thankfulness.
Hugs and laughter filled the cavern as the impact of the glorious sight sunk in. It became clear that they actually stood a chance of surviving this catastrophe. Kenya rubbed her belly, tears flowing from her sparkling eyes. She turned to Kane. “Help me down, chicky?” He reached out quickly, lowering her softly, a question on his lips. She patted the ground next to her. “Please, join me.”
As others in the crowd noticed them on the ground they one by one knelt to join Kenya in her prayer.
“Dear Lord, as your humble servant Kenya, I send you my blessed gratitude for all you have provided for us. I pray I am worthy of your trust and promise to treat my neighbors as I know you would approve, and the creatures too. I thank you in their stead for the abundance you have provided and the roof over our heads. We’ll be eternally grateful for your continued benevolence, your trusted servant, Kenya McCready. Amen.”
