“Perhaps you’re right,” he said, shaking his head. “Is there war still?”
“Of course there’s war. There’s always war. Countries are always fighting amongst themselves. Religion, politics, land; all the things that drive people crazy and make them kill each other.”
“I see.” He shook his head and threw a rock into the air. He got it three times farther than the ones I had thrown.
“Well, I guess it’s not all that bad. There are some pluses. We are quite technologically advanced now compared to the 40’s like phones-I’m sure you remember phones don’t you?” I asked.
“Yes, I believe that invention was around while I traipsed the streets of Toronto long ago,” he smiled.
“Toronto, huh? You know the Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup since the 60’s?” Somehow I thought this was important to tell him.
“That long?” I nodded and he sighed. “My Maple Leafs have not faired well over the years.”
"Not really," I laughed. "Anyway, phones. There are these things called cell phones now,” I explained. “They’re about the size of a card, you know, like the ace of spades and as thick as a pencil. You can carry them around with you wherever you go and you can play video games on them and store all your favourite songs on them and search the internet and so many awesome things.”
“I thought you said it was a phone?”
“It is,” I said.
“Then why don’t you telephone people on them?” he asked.
“I do!” I said. “Well, I usually text my friends on them.”
“Text?”
“Yeah. There’s a keyboard on them that you can type out your messages to friends instead of actually talking to them.”
“Oh, you mean like a telegraph.”
“No! Well, kind of.” I had never thought of texting as the same as a telegraph. I guess it was like a telegraph and the thought made me a little angry, like Robert was making fun of our technology. “I don’t think your getting the coolness of it all. We don’t just send messages; we can send pictures to each other too.”
“Oh, I see,” he held back anymore comments, not wanting to upset me further. “What else is new?”
“You know,” I said. “Just a lot of technological stuff. Computers are the way of life now; everyone has one. We have three, two laptops and a desktop. Our cars are pretty cool but there’s always debate about how much fuel we have to fill them. They’ve actually come up with electric cars now that you can just plug in to recharge. Pretty neat eh?”
“At least there’s progression.” He shook his head and threw another rock.
“Yeah, I guess, but it’s lonely. We have everything we need at our fingertips and keep our friends inside our computers and phones. We’ve lost our empathy. I think we’re becoming tech zombies.” Barker looked up at me as if agreeing with what I said and I wondered who he belonged to up there.
“You are very old for seventeen.” I raised an eyebrow. “Marshal told us how old you were.”
“Marshal’s nice,” I said. “He didn’t care that I was a newcomer.”
“Marshal never cares what others think.” Robert stopped throwing rocks and looked at me. “He’s worried about the water. He told us he thinks that the out-of-town people had something to do with it and I tend to agree with him. I think we should go and find out what’s happened but we must be prepared to negotiate with them. If we go with shields of anger, we will only provoke a fight.”
“So, tone it down is what you’re trying to tell me. Is that why you came up here?” I laughed at him. “I’m not always so cranky. I’m just really pissed off with getting dropped into this world without any kind of warning.”
“I agree; we all struggled with the reason for our extradition from our old lives but, after a while, the reasons don’t mean anything. We are here and we must adjust,” he said. I decided that I liked Robert. “Now, tell me Nicole, I’m sure that’s what Nicky is short for,” I nodded, “Emma Lee from Kentucky; what is her story?”
“Story? What story?” He tilted his head and sighed and I knew there was no way to fool him. He knew something was wrong and I decided the best thing to do was tell him everything about the Blood Demons. I figured a man as smart as Robert would be a great asset when it came time to plan our defences against the gang from the south if they ever came this far north.
“I see,” he said after I had recounted the story Emma Lee had told us. “Of course, Madge and I will help you and I’ll join you on your voyage to the source of our water troubles. Just come and get me after you’ve done your visiting and I should be ready by then.”
Chapter 8
We spent another three days visiting people. We spoke to another couple named Betty and Nigel. They were scared of their own shadows and I knew there was no way they’d ever fight the Blood Demons. They did, however, have an idea about the water. They told us that Butcher had stopped by their place on his way to town and took the liberty of depleting some of their supplies. While he was drinking some homemade whiskey Nigel had a knack for making, he bragged about Pig’s plan to block the river. Pig was the name of the leader of the out-of-town people.
“He said the out-of-towns were gonna keep the water for themselves,” said Betty, a small mousy woman of about thirty. “Said that everyone downstream would either die of thirst or crawl to him begging for water. Then he’d have complete power over these parts.”
Now we knew for sure who was responsible for the river’s size. We just had to go to Pig and convince him it wasn’t right to hoard the river and to let it flow again. Yeah, like that was going to happen. Just his name, Pig, suggested he wasn’t good at compromise or intelligent thinking. I thought we should build an arsenal, march into his little ‘encampment’ and kill everyone but, then again, I played too much Call of Duty in my spare time. Marshal wanted to build a team of diplomats and try to negotiate. I was pretty sure that wasn’t going to work but, apparently, I was of the minority.
Our next stop was at a little tent that looked like one of those cold weather things; like what they took in their backpacks when they climbed Mount Everest. It was portable and I figured its inhabitant moved around a lot. It was late afternoon when we arrived so whoever lived there was probably out looking for food. There didn’t seem to be any cache around unless it was buried out of sight somewhere. The tent had been set up under the only tree in the empty field and a ways from the small trickle of water that used to be the river. I stopped to give Barker a drink and took a sip of water for myself.
“Cornelius, time to wake up,” Marshal shouted as he approached the tent.
“Are you tellin’ me that there’s someone sleeping in that thing?” Emma Lee sounded just as surprised as I was.
“Yeah, Cornelius always sleeps all day,” said Billy. “He likes to study stars at night. Kind of loony, you know.”
“Cornelius, get up,” cried Marshal again. “You have visitors. And make yourself decent, there’s women folk with me.”
“Good Lord, Marshal. Is that your awful voice I hear out there?” A strong English accent accompanied the deep voice from within the tent.
“Yes, yes, yes, Cornelius. I am here with Billy and two beautiful girls so put on your smiley face and get out here,” said Marshal. “We have questions.”
A cowboy boot appeared first, brown and scuffed. Brown chaps covering dark jeans and a faded denim shirt followed. Finally, a messy crop of blond hair backed out of the little tent. He was hunched over and carried a cowboy hat that he quickly put on his uncombed hair before he turned to us. He was a good looking guy, about twenty five years old, with smooth skin, bright blue eyes and looking annoyed that we were there, that is, until he saw Emma Lee. Then he broke out into a wide grin.
“M’lady,” he swept off his hat and bowed before the southern belle. Emma Lee blushed and then cleared her throat and tried to look unaffected by his attention. Cornelius stood up straight and put his hat back on. “Tell me, then, Marshal why have y
ou woken me from my slumber?”
“I wanted to talk to you about the river.” Marshal just laid it out without any introductions or small talk.
“Aye, I have wondered about that myself.” He turned and looked at the water behind him. “The work of Pig, no doubt.”
“That’s what Betty told us.”
“Then we shall give Pig a visit and tell him to stop,” Cornelius said.
“Yes, my idea exactly,” Marshal smiled, “but no funny stuff this time.”
“I have no idea what you speak of,” Cornelius said, looking innocent. “Let me pack up my provisions and I will make my trek with you. It’ll only take me a few minutes.”
“Right, we’ll just be over here having lunch,” said Marshal.
“That’s it?” I asked. “He’s just going to come with us, no questions asked.”
“Yep,” said Marshal. “Cornelius is always up for adventure, especially when it involves Pig.”
“He doesn’t like this Pig fellow?” asked Emma Lee.
“To say the least,” said Billy, “Pig killed his girlfriend.”
“What?” I asked.
“Billy,” Marshal interrupted, “that’s Cornelius’ business.”
“Ah, Marshal, come on. You know everybody knows about Cornelius and Pig.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea to have this Cornelius guy come with us if he has some vendetta to play out against Pig?” I said, remembering what Robert told me about facing the out-of-town people with anger.
“Oh, he won’t come to the bargaining table,” said Marshal. “He’ll stand guard from a distance with you.”
“Me?” This was the first I heard of my role and I didn’t like it. “What do you mean with me?”
“Oh, you’re not coming into the ‘Pigpen’. You and that dog have to keep out of sight,” he explained. “You get to have a gun, I know how good you can shoot one. Oh, and try to keep the dog quiet or he will get eaten this time. If anything goes wrong, you, Cornelius and whoever else we can get will come rushing in to save us.”
“But, that’s not fair,” I protested. “Why can’t I come and talk to this Pig guy?”
“Because, Nicky, you’re a newcomer,” explained Marshal. “As soon as Pig sees you, he’s not going to take anything we say seriously. Anyone who befriends a newcomer is frowned on. Newcomers are supposed to be able to survive on their own. If they can do that for their first 360, then, maybe, they can be talked to and welcomed into homes.”
“That’s stupid! How the hell are newcomers supposed to survive?” I was shocked by the way I was supposed to be treated. “For the thousandth time, it’s not my fault I got sent down here. How am I supposed to know what to do? I had no idea this friggin’ place even existed! You guys are a bunch of racists! No, not racists, newcomerists. You discriminate against newcomers and it’s wrong!”
“Ready, mate.” Cornelius had his tent and everything he owned strapped tightly into a mountaineering backpack. He had two pistols sitting in holsters strapped around his waist and a rifle in each hand. “By the way, I agree with you young...Nicky is it?” I nodded. “I’ve been to many places and have always been mistaken for a newcomer and treated like a piece of shit and I’ve been down here for more than four hundred years. It’s a ridiculous notion to treat the new and inexperienced with such disdain but it’s how it is and not much will change it.”
“Four hundred years?” I looked at the young Englishman in shock. “You’ve been here for over four hundred years?”
“That’s right,” he smiled at my surprise, obviously used to this reaction.
“Then you, like, could have known Shakespeare when he was alive?”
“I knew him quite well, actually,” he said. “A very strange and talented man.”
“Cool!”
“Yes, very cool,” he said. “Back to the topic. Although I agree with you on the cruel treatment of newcomers, I also agree with Marshal on keeping you out of sight. Pig will never listen to Marshal if you’re with him.”
“What about Emma Lee?” I asked, not wanting to offend her. “I know she’s not a newcomer but she’s still new to these parts.”
“I’ll stay back if you like,” she volunteered. “I can shoot a rifle pretty good. I’ve shot a few squirrels in my time."
“Right, miss. You can stay with me.” Cornelius handed her a rifle. “Cornelius is the name and you are?”
“Emma Lee,” she said with a shy smile.
“How lovely to make your acquaintance.” He reached for her hand and brushed his lips across the back of it, bowing dramatically. “Now, let’s go. Have you stopped by Sarah’s?”
“No, I thought I’d come get you first,” said Marshal. “Robert’s coming with us. We just have to stop by there on our way to Pig’s.”
“Jolly good but it will be even better if we get Sarah. You know how soft Pig is on her.”
We made our way to Sarah’s who, I was told, was thirty three, blond and the nicest person around. She fell down here in 1988. She had been a kindergarten teacher up top and had a way of talking to people that made them feel safe and loved. Pig had tried to kill her when she first fell but her charm and innocence had made him stop. He released her and promised to never come after her again. Cornelius believes it’s because Pig’s in love with her. Whatever the reason, Pig respects everything Sarah says and it was vital she become part of our negotiating team.
“Sarah,” called Cornelius as we approached a small, poorly put together house, or what tried to be a house. It was four boards sloppily nailed together and an old rug thrown on top. I expected to see a little candy cottage by the way they explained this woman to me. “Sarah, are you in there?”
“Sarah, sorry to disturb you, but we’ve come to pay a visit...” Marshal started.
“I heard you and I saw you.” A small flap opened and a woman came out that did not fit the description of how I imagined her to be. I thought she would be this beautiful statuesque goddess who commanded attention but instead I was surprised to see a very plain and simple woman standing before us. She had blonde hair that was pulled back in a ponytail for practicality more than looks. She had blue eyes that sat close together on a long and narrow face. Her lips were thin and her cheeks were bony. I couldn’t believe that this unassuming creature could ever hold a man named Pig at bay. “You have a big group to make rounds with Marshal. It’s not like you to have company.”
“Well, Miss Sarah,” he smiled and I actually saw him blush, “there’s more than greetings this time.”
“I figured as much,” she said. “Came to find out about the water, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Think Pig had something to do with it?” Marshal nodded. “You’re probably right. I’ll get my things.”
“You’re okay with coming?” asked Cornelius.
“I packed as soon as I saw the river,” she said and went back inside. Wow, she was smart I thought to myself.
“Who are these two young women you have with you?” she asked when she came back with a bulging backpack resting on her back. She knelt down and gave Barker a pat behind his ears. He wagged his tail and licked her fingers. “And who is this lovely dog?”
“This is Emma Lee,” piped up Billy happy to have a chance to talk. “She’s from down in Kentucky and this is Nicky. She just fell.”
“Hello, Emma Lee,” she stuck out her hand for the southerner to shake. I rolled my eyes at being ignored yet again. “And greetings to you, Nicky. I know you must be so confused and lost right now. I still remember how terrified I was when I fell.”
“Y-yeah, thank you.” I shook her hand, stunned at finally being acknowledged by someone.
“I assume the dog is yours?” she asked me. “I can tell by the way he walks by your side. He seems pretty faithful to you.”
“Y-yeah, his name’s Barker,” I said. “You don’t mind me being new?”
“Oh, no. I find all that ‘ignore the newcomer’ rule stupid. How
is anyone going to learn how to survive if no one helps them?”
“That’s what I thought.” I liked Sarah. She seemed like the nicest person I’d met so far. I caught myself and smiled. That was how they described her to me. Now I knew why Pig liked her.
We finished our rounds by meeting with another couple, Peter and Doris, who lived further east than anyone else. They were a private couple who didn’t seem to like visitors. They nodded and agreed with everything we said but told us they’d rather keep to themselves. If the river ran out, then they would simply pack up and move to a different river. It didn’t bother them if Pig wanted to have this territory. They were thinking of finding a new home anyway. We only stayed there about twenty minutes but it was enough to know it would be a waste of time to try and convince them otherwise and telling them about the Blood Demons was out of the question.
We did tell Cornelius and Sarah about them, though. We decided there was no point hiding it. If these Blood Demons ever made their way up here, it was best we were well prepared for them. Cornelius liked Emma Lee; I could tell by the way he maneuvered his way to her side and made us all shut up while she spoke. She had a devoted fan in Cornelius. She didn’t even get a chance to ask if he was willing to go to war against the Demons before he volunteered willingly. I laughed at his schoolboy crush. It was fun to watch him try to impress her.
Sarah was concerned by Emma Lee’s story. The thought of a group of men with that many members coming up here and killing everyone scared her. She could live with Pig and his little group. They were cruel but their bark was usually much worse than their bite. She could handle Pig. This new group was different. They sounded like a group of animals.
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