Dystopia (Book 4): The Dark Days

by Cooper, DJ

  Rita began to object, just as Ryan, whom had entered the room without her noticing said, “Dez is right.”

  The doctor entered the room behind Charleigh who had Ariel in tow with Dickie and Rich right on her heels. He began to object to Dez’s over stimulation when she raised her hand to him. Dez reached out for Ariel and held her close, snuggling her into the bed beside her.

  Ariel’s small hand brushed Dez’s hair as she sung, “Puff a magic dragon…lived by the sea…”

  Dez faded back into unconsciousness and the doctor shooed everyone from the room. Ariel refused to leave and was allowed to nap with Dez for a time. The doctor had a nurse come and keep watch on them while Ryan placed two men at her door for security.

  Chapter 5

  Revelation

  “When the world is pregnant with lies, a secret long hidden will be revealed.”

  -Mark Mirabello

  It was midday and the was burial over. Sam and John sat with Toni and Tawny, discussing what they thought about the women’s lack of combat training. The women agreed, and Tawny began to work on the changes to the sentry duties. Those who had little to no experience, or training, would be kept in less vulnerable places until improved training occurred. Toni agreed to start working with Laurie and Sarah to rotate chores with training for those needing more.

  John, waving his cup at Janice, while nodding in request of a refill said, “I think everyone should be involved in training, either in teaching or learning. Not just defences, but in other areas as well. How many of us could have taken the task of butchering that goat? If we are to survive, we will all need to learn new things.”

  Janice walked up with her ever present pot of coffee saying, “Glad to see someone understands that all roles are essential.”

  John smiled saying, “So speaks the most important role of all.”

  Laughing, Janice waved him off saying, “Suck up.”

  Everyone laughed as she walked back to the kitchen area of the barn. Turning back to the others to continue the plans for training, John saw Tawny watching Janice.

  He asked, “What’s on your mind Tawny?”

  She replied, “In the beginning Herb and Janice thought they would be a burden rather than an asset. Noting how their advanced age would make them less valuable. I was just wondering how they felt they fit in now. Both have been instrumental in so much of the comforts we now enjoy.”

  Sam said, “It’s hard to tell where someone might be able to add to the group, this is an excellent example of how everyone can have a positive effect.”

  In the area across from the kitchen, the children sat playing games, all but Matty. He instead watched the meeting of adults.

  Determined, he walked up to Tawny saying, “I need to get training too.”

  Looking over at him John smiled. “We haven’t forgotten you, or the other children. You will all be scheduled into the training rotation.”

  Matty was pleased with the thought, yet still looked troubled. Tawny knelt in front of him asking if there was anything wrong.

  Matty, shuffled his feet and a tear rolled down his face as he said, “I needed to protect Dez and she got shot. It’s all my fault she’s gonna die.”

  Tawny grasped his arms, looking right into his face saying, “It is not your fault, and Dez is not going to die. Do you understand me?”

  Matty began to cry, nodding to her. She held him close saying, “Come with me.”

  She took him outside the barn, and over to where Loel worked with his children Nina and Axel. They were stacking wood between the outhouse and the barn as a barrier. When Tawny approached, Loel raised his hand in greeting. Tawny mimicked the motion and waved him over to where she and Matty were standing.

  Loel approached shoving his gloves into his back pocket. “Whatcha need?”

  Tawny looked at Matty and patted him on the shoulder. “Go on over and help the others while I talk to Loel, ok?”

  Matty nodded and sulked over to the kids and began to help carry wood over to the pile. Looking curiously at her Loel raised his eyebrows looking for a response from her. “Do you know where the clinic is?”

  Loel replied, “Sure do, why?”

  “I want you to go check on Dez and take Matty with you.”

  Loel shrugged crossing his arms. “Ok, I can do that. Is there a reason?”

  “You can take Astrid with you, she’s a good shot and will probably want to talk to Ryan and see how Eric is doing. I need you to bring back Jeremy and Dickie, we need them here. And ask Ryan to come by when he can. We’re going to need our militia friends before this night is through I fear.”

  Loel again said, “Ok, is there a reason?”

  Tawny glanced at Matty saying, “Yes, that poor boy believes it’s his fault Dez got shot. Admittedly no one at this point knows if she’s alive and I’ll need to know by this evening’s meal. If she is ok, leave him there with Charleigh, if not make him feel like he’s along for his lookout skills.”

  Loel agreed and turned to leave. Turning back, he asked, “Are we removing him because of Matt?”

  Tawny nodded yes. “I’m worried if he tries to run, he’ll take him. I also feel like he needs to be with Charleigh and Ariel during this time. He and Ariel are close and if he has her to protect it’ll give him the purpose he seeks.” Pausing a tear in her eye she said, “We all pray Dez is fine, but I fear he’ll end up doing something he thinks is brave and more likely end up getting himself or another killed with this protection thing he has going on right now.”

  Loel turned to prepare to leave when she turned back to him. Quickly glancing at Matty. “And Loel…Tell no one.”

  Nodding that he understood he prepared to leave, taking Matty with him, telling him as he’d been instructed, that he was needed to help with an important mission.

  While they prepared to leave, Tawny returned to the barn, finding Toni working with a piece of chalk on the old barn board. Janice, Sam and John were there helping discuss who should be placed in which areas to learn.

  Sam asked Tawny what she was doing outside, to which she simply shrugged. Janice looked over at Tawny, giving her a knowing look and a slight smile and nod. “Some things girls just need to keep to themselves.”

  Going along with the innuendo Tawny said, “Right? Gee whiz can’t a girl have a moment?”

  Janice stood in the middle of the barn proclaiming, "Tonight we feast!”

  Everyone looked at her, she smiled a sheepish smile and in a quieter tone said, “Lunch is ready.”

  Sam suggested that they eat in shifts, but Tawny smiled at them all. “We may be looking at some rough times, I think it’s safe to share a good meal with all of our friends.” Looking to John and Amy saying, “New and old.”

  Janice clapped her hands together. “Agreed! Lunch is served.”

  Many of the farm’s inhabitants, new and old began to enter the barn. Among them was Matt, almost escorted by Charleigh’s husband Conner. John nodded to him and walked over. “Anything going on with Matt?”

  “Not really, nothing I can see anyway. He went to the outhouse a few times and was splitting some wood, but that’s all he did.”

  Patting him on the shoulder he turned back to the tables. “Alright, thanks.”

  Looking to Tawny, he shrugged a silent response to the unasked question.

  Matt looked around the barn and asked the other kids where Matty was. Tawny walked up to him. “He was struggling with everything so I gave him the job of lookout to go fetch Ryan.” Lying she continued, “He should be back anytime now.” Knowing if anyone saw Matty leave with Loel that a partial truth was better.

  Matt sat off to the side with his plate and pretended not to pay attention to the conversation. He’d gone from being in charge, by Dez’s side to one of suspicion and mistrust with a single act. John looked at Tawny, who readily excused herself to the outhouse. After a few minutes John asked Jeremy’s wife Toni, “What will happen if Dez doesn’t make it? Will we have to leave here?”
>
  Only Sam, John and Tawny knew what was going on with this conversation, so John felt bad when Toni began to cry. “I really don’t know, I guess we would have to ask Jeremy.”

  That was all it took to get the speculation going. Sam watched Matt to see if he could see any signs of sadness over the thought of losing Dez or any interest in the fate of the farm. He noted that there was no sadness. Thinking back through everything, after Dez went to the infirmary he had not yet asked about her condition. Watching him, he noted that he was intently paying attention to the conversation.

  A few more frightened thoughts were expressed when Tawny walked in. Janice asked her what she thought. Tawny looked at everyone with a feigned but indeed real anger. “First of all, it’s not time to worry about this. We don’t know Dez is dead, and if I know my friend she will be here in no time.” Walking over she hugged Toni who was sobbing openly by now saying, “She’s gonna be fine, you’ll see.”

  Stepping back to the head of the table she began, “Secondly, no one will need to go anywhere in the event the unthinkable happens.”

  The others began to look around and murmurs began. Tawny noted Matt sat straighter as she continued. “I know you know Dez and I have been friends for years, but what you don’t know is that before the kids came of age she named me as guardian in her will so trust me when I say I know what her will says. There are five people named in her will but only two who will gain interest. That is Jeremy and Charleigh. I know there was some finagling going on before this mess but Dez was alerted by her attorney and transferred everything into a trust. Still naming Jeremy and Charleigh. I am her executor and have copies of the paperwork and even if the government comes back the interest in the farm and much more will be revealed. You all know Jeremy and Charleigh, they would never harm any of you. You’re all safe here, just relax.”

  Noticing Matt was intently thinking Sam asked aloud, “You said there are five people mentioned in the will.”

  Tawny motioned her head upward to watch Matt as she spoke, “There are two others, Ariel and Matty.”

  This got Matt’s attention and he sat straighter, leaning forward to hear more. As she continued, “Ariel is the ultimate beneficiary in this trust, all of it will eventually pass to her.” Looking at Toni, she continued, “And, any future grandchildren. However, she did make a stipulation for Matty. While he will never be a beneficiary or entitled to any of it, she left instructions for his care and wellbeing. Ensuring he had college tuition and care through his educational years.” Looking dead at Matt saying, “Any interference or attempts to gain control of any assets by any of Matty’s family will summarily end his care.”

  Looking around, she noted Matt was angrily bobbing his head, as if in silent argument with himself while the others began talking amongst themselves.

  Matt got up and tossed his plate in the metal wash tub on his way over to Tawny. He walked up and asked, “How come I never heard any of this? Where are these papers?”

  Tawny whispered an inch from his face, “She changed things right before you went to tell the lawyer she was not competent to handle her assets and needed you to help her. The attorney simply appeased you but would never make a change without her consent or a court order. She let you spend as you pleased because she could, not because you ever had any real control.”

  Growing angry he said, “Where’s my son?”

  Tawny leaned in closer whispering in his ear. “He’s with Dez, go and try and take him from the whole Militia.”

  Matt angrily stormed out of the barn. Sam rose to follow him, when Tawny reached for his arm. “Let him go, keep an eye on him, but he’s not gonna do anything.”

  After he left, Matt’s mother stood and asked, “Is all of that true?”

  Tawny replied, “Yes.”

  She started to leave when Mark grabbed her arm and said, “Where are you going?”

  She shook his grip off and said, “With Matt of course, he promised me luxury and I intend to have it.”

  She and Kimmie proceeded out the door after Matt. Connor had been watching him as he gathered some things. It only made things seem more concrete when he noted that he already had a bag packed and hidden by the driveway. Since he’d been watched continuously since the attack, it seemed like it had been there even before the battle began. Kimmie and Renee also began to pack. The three of them left in Mark’s pickup truck. Never looking back or even asking Mark her husband, their father to join them.

  Connor came into the barn saying, “They left, and they took Mark’s truck.”

  Mark rose and looked outside, troubled he returned to his seat and said nothing. Sam asked, “Hey man, did you see this coming?”

  Mark sighed looking down, he said, “Renee has always been this way, greedy and selfish. I only stayed for the kids. Turns out I was probably wrong to do so because now so are they.”

  “Damn, guy that’s harsh.”

  “Yea well, I guess I just felt trapped. No way out.”

  Tawny came over and sat next to him and said, “Stay with us, I know Dez cares about you. She has always said you were kind. And just for the record…We are NEVER trapped in things like this. All we need is to take the initiative to make a change.”

  Mark smiled a little but still sat solemn.

  Chapter 6

  Reunited

  “Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten”

  -David Ogden Stiers

  Matty was happy to see Charleigh, running towards her slamming into her legs, he hugged her tight. “Where is Ariel?”

  “She’s napping with my mom, wanna see them?”

  Matty smiled like a light shown from the inside and nodded. Practically dancing, eyes full of questions. Holding Charleigh’s hand as they walked his whole attitude changed. Looking up at her, questioning in his eyes. “Is Dez ok?”

  Smiling at him while tousling his hair. “Yes, I’m pretty sure she’ll be fine. I know she’ll sure be happy to see you.” He smiled as she continued, “You have to be careful though, she had to have an operation so don’t touch her tummy, ok?”

  Matty nodded, jumping up and down with excitement and anticipation of his chance to see them. “Ok, ok. I won’t, can we go see her?”

  With a tear in her eye she asked the doctor, “I’d like to take him to see my mom.”

  Admonishing her, he reminded. “I want her to rest, she needs to rest.”

  “I promise only for a few minutes and I’ll also retrieve Ariel, so that she can.”

  The doctor nodded, “Only a few minutes.”

  Loel pulled Charleigh aside, “Let’s not mention his mom yet. I need to check with Ryan first and talk to him about a few things.” Pausing, he turned back to her before walking away, “Don’t let him out of your sight, Tawny sent him here to get him away from Matt.”

  Charleigh nodded and grasped Matty’s hand again for the trip to Dez’s room. Matty was chattering happily about how he couldn’t wait to see Ariel and that now he could protect them. Passing Rita’s room, Charleigh saw her peek out of the small window in the door and shook her head no. Tears welled up in Rita’s eyes, every bit of restraint had to be mustered as she longingly watched her son skip past.

  Lightly knocking on the door, the nurse opened it. Charleigh walked in to find Ariel busily chatting to her grandmother about the wood chopping and hole digging at the farm. Dez just laid patiently, smiling at her. But Charleigh could see the exhaustion in her expression. When Matty entered the room Ariel exclaimed, “Matty, look Mimi’s ok.”

  Matty stood there behind Charleigh, silently, his head down shuffling his feet. This brave ten-year-old, who’d seen protecting Dez as his important task, began to cry. Dez reached out her hand and said, “Hey now, what’s that all about? Get over here and give me a hug.”

  Matty ran to her, throwing his arms around her neck, saying, “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I’m sorry you got hurt. It’s all my fault. I hate Morgan!” Sobbing and clinging to her neck he said, “She h
urt my mom and now she hurt you.” Lifting his head, tears flowing freely, he angrily said, “I’m gonna kill her like she killed Kevin.” Hugging Dez tighter, still sobbing into her shoulder his back heaved with great sighs.

  Dez lifted his head off her and said, “Is that what this is all about?”

  Sniffling he nodded to her.

  “Well, I’m fine and now I have a job for you.”

  He wiped his tears and sniffled, stood straight and nodded to her waiting for his job.

  “I’ll need you to help Ariel… always, ok? You’re older than her and she needs help sometimes. She’ll need someone strong like you to look out for her. Can you do that for me?”

  He smiled and wiped his snotty nose on his sleeve. Happily, he hugged her neck again and grunted in agreement.

  “And I promise, that will help protect me too because then I won’t have to worry so much about her.”

  Lifting his head, he nodded vehemently and hugged her again. Ariel was getting jealous and called out to him. “Hey, why don’t you come over here and talk to her with me.”

  Dez told him to go ahead and share the seat with Ariel. She motioned the nurse over and whispered to her. Immediately leaving the room she returned a few minutes later with Ryan. Looking at Matty with an indicating look and then to the door, Ryan knew she wanted him to see his mother. He nodded it would be ok and went to get her.

  Dez turned to Matty and said, “We have a surprise for you.”

  He smiled at her clasping his hands around his knees. “I like surprises.”

  Looking past him and pointing for him to look, she motioned towards the door as it opened. Rita walked through smiling. Matty turned and looked. Seeing her he jumped from the chair and ran to her, again sobbing some unintelligible mumblings. Wrapping his arms and legs about her, she couldn’t even move. Everyone in the room was crying, even Ariel, although at four years old she didn’t really know why. The reunion was as sweet as it could get. Kneeling to her son, Rita reached into her pocket pulling out a stick figure on a string she handed it to him. He exclaimed, “My pendant, you found it!” Happily hanging it around his neck, he turned to show Ariel.