by S A Ison
“This morning. Can’t you go find them? They could be in danger.” She said, clasping her hands to her chest. Her eyes had begun to tear up, not from acting, but from fear. She was concerned for her friends and their safety. She was also grieving their absence.
“We’ll see what we can do. I’m authorized to have this man chip you.” The beefy man said and stepped aside. Another man opened a case that held a kind of gun. That frightened her and she’d backed away.
“What is that?” She asked, fear real in her voice.
“It’s a locater chip. This way, if you get hurt, we can find you. It is just a quick sting, not bad.” The man with the gun said. Tilly had nodded woodenly.
“You guys don’t need to be in here for this,” the man said, “I need her to expose her shoulder.”
The other two men left the cell and exited out to wait in the hall.
“Just open your jumpsuit enough, I just need to put this into the top back of your shoulder. Good, thanks.” He said, and she could feel the cold wet of the alcohol swab. Then she heard the pop and sting of the shot. And she squeaked in pain, but then it was gone. She shouldered her coveralls back over her shoulder and zipped the jumper closed.
“I’m sorry for your friends. I’m not sure they’ll be able to find them.” The man said apologetically and Tilly thought, perhaps a bit wistfully. She wiped at the tears now streaming down her face.
“I hope they do find them. They don’t need to be out there with all that danger and craziness.” She sniffed. The man smiled and nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Tilly’s legs nearly gave out and she went to the couch and sat down. She was jerked out of her thoughts about the night before, when a crow flew overhead, cawing. She hoped the bird wouldn’t dig up the corn she’d just planted. She looked around and saw that the others were watching as well.
That morning, when they’d stood in line to get on the bus, three men came and went down a list. Each of the people getting on the bus was given the chip. She’d already had hers, and they’d skipped her. Ian and Megan had made it out, just in time. They could never have gotten away, had they stayed. A little part of her was sad, but, she thought, a bigger part of her was glad.
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Franktown, CO
Laura was snapping beans for dinner, Alexa and Allain were helping. Her mother was out digging new potatoes.
“Will we have to keep killing bad people mommy?” Alexa asked, in her straightforward manner. Laura was flabbergasted, and at first, didn’t know what to say. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish.
“We might, granddaughter. It’s just a sad fact of life now. If we don’t kill them, they might come back an hurt us.” Milly said, walking in with a basket of small potatoes, her hands stained with dirt.
“Good, cause I don’t like those bad people. They scare Allain.” Her lip pulled down with mulish intent.
“They scare you too.” Allain said defiantly and Alexa shrugged.
“They scare me too, but I’ll protect you girls. So will your mom, grampy and Quinn.”
“Will we be able to shoot a gun one of these days?” Alexa asked, her dark eyebrows raising nearly to her hairline.
“Only when you get old enough. It takes a lot of care and practice.” Laura said, giving her mother a look. Milly smiled at her and shrugged.
“Guns are dangerous tools. Just like your grampy’s plow. They are not to be played with, nor touched, ever, without permission.” Milly admonished sternly.
“Is Quinn our dad now?” Allain changing the subject completely.
“Um, what do you think?” Laura asked, holding her breath.
“Yeah, I think so. I think daddy would be glad. I miss daddy.” Alexa said, biting into a string bean.
“Me too, I miss daddy too. I’m glad Quinn’s our dad now. Can I go play?” Allain asked and Alexa seconded that request.
“Sure, stay on the porch or with grampy or dad.” Laura said the last faintly. The girls jumped up and yelled, “Okay.” Then disappeared out of the house. Milly snorted and shook her head.
“Christ. Leave it to kids to make things simple, in the simplest terms.” Milly sat down at the table. She picked up a cup of cold coffee and drank it.
“Jesus, I feel bad that they have to even ask those questions.” Laura said, sadness filling her.
“Don’t honey. They’re strong girls and they’ll need to be strong. I sure as hell don’t know what’s coming, but we’ll do the best we can. It’s all we can do honey. Worrying about it won’t help or make it any easier. We’ve got the holes dug with the sharp sticks. There are bodies up and down the road as warning. All we can do, is all we can do.” Milly smiled.
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Kansas City, MO
Hogan lifted the chain and hooked it into place. They’d found an old porch swing in the barn, while they were looking for fishing poles. He’d cleaned it up and had taken some old sandpaper and had smoothed out some of the rough edges. It was solid enough. Trish held Caleb, who seemed very interested in his fist, which was wedged in his mouth. She was grinning down at him, rocking back and forth.
“That should do it. I’ll try it out, make sure it doesn’t fall.” Hogan grinned and sat on the swing. He rocked back and forth, testing it and bouncing on it.
“Seems pretty sturdy.” Trish grinned.
“I think it will hold us. Give me that boy.” Hogan said, reaching for the baby. He grinned and held the baby aloft.
“Who’s a big boy? Who is? You are, yes you are. Are you daddy’s big boy? Yes, you are.” He said in a goofy voice and brought the baby’s tummy to his mouth and blew on it, eliciting a delighted squeal. He laughed and cradled the small bundle.
“Looks like it’s gonna rain.” Trish sighed happily.
“Good, we need it. God’s rain is the best rain. Things seem to grow better.” Hogan agreed, Caleb’s fist now in Hogan’s mouth. Hogan grinned and nibbled on the baby’s hand.
“I think he’s gonna have brown eyes, like yours.” Hogan said absently.
“You think?” Trish asked, stretching her legs out before her.
“Yeah, looks like it. Though, it’s hard to tell, they’re still that blueish color, but they look like they want to turn brown.”
“Might. Never know. God, that breeze feels good. I think we should try to go fishing tomorrow. What do you think?” She asked.
“Might as well. I don’t think that rain’s gonna stay for long. Fish would be a nice change. We can dig up some worms after it rains.”
“You can dig up some worms, after it rains.” She laughed, taking the baby back.
“You’re such a chicken.” He laughed.
“I just hate the way worms feel, sue me.” She sniggered.
“What do you think about having another kid?” He asked, looking sideways at her.
“Yeah, no. Not until this one is out of diapers. Besides, my breasts can’t take that much punishment.”
“Good to know.” He grinned.
Ӝ
Topeka, KS
Megan was tired, but she was also excited as well. They were now only a mile away from Ian’s home. The dawn was coming, and she could see around them. Fields surrounded them.
“We’re about there, this is our land that we’re passing now. We should be there in about twenty minutes.” He grinned at her. Megan’s heart did a triple beat. They’d made it. There had been no pursuit, or at least, none that they knew of. The bike hadn’t been useful, the tires too rotten to hold the air. They’d gotten good sleep however, though she’d been dubious about it when they’d crawled under the bed. But she’d fallen asleep within seconds of relaxing. By the next house, she went to sleep faster, enjoying the stillness.
Ian began to jog again, and she did as well, she felt a renewed sense of energy as they drew closer and closer. His pace became faster and she let him pull ahead. She couldn’t keep up with him and she smiled. She’d give anything to turn back time. It had been a mistake leaving home, but she’d no
place else to go. The Hive had saved them, but the Hive had wanted to enslave them. She just couldn’t live in a cage. Freedom was just too precious to her.
Ian was now far ahead, and it was full on daylight now. There was corn growing, though it wasn’t very high. She could hear morning birds calling back and forth. The insects droned on with their morning conversations. She also saw a large pasture with horses, and she smiled. Her heart felt light and free. She knew it had to be doubly so for Ian, to see his loved ones again. A wave of sorrow washed through her, thinking of Tilly. Tilly was just too afraid of the unknown. She’d rather give up her freedom, than face an uncertain life. She heard Ian’s shouting and laughing ahead. She picked up her pace and she heard someone yelling. She felt the sting of tears and wiped at them.
Three men met Ian on the road and lifted him off the ground. She could hear laughter and a woman screaming his name, over and over. She felt her throat choke with emotion as she saw the men set Ian to his feet and a short woman came to Ian and engulfed him in her arms. She rocked the taller man, as though he were an infant. She was crying, “My baby, my baby, my baby’s come home.”
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
Topeka, KS
Tilly stood in the field. The beans were getting high. It was a good crop this year. She looked around at the people who surrounded her. They’d all gotten used to the grind of working the fields. They were now allowed two days of rest. That had come two years ago, when their Hive had suffered a deadly revolt. Better food and more food, and education for their children. Also, better rest, one more day off. They’d gotten their demands.
Tilly had gotten married, a soft smile curving her lips. There was still a ban on pregnancies, but there was talk that in two years, women could start putting in applications for having children. Glen was a good man, he also worked out in the field. He had been a farmer, in the life before and so enjoyed working on the land. They had their own apartment, that they didn’t have to share with anyone else and over the years, had picked up small things to make the cell homey.
She wondered about her friend, Megan, and hoped she’d made it to Ian’s home. Perhaps one day, she’d see her friend again. One day, if the Hive ever let them free.
Farmington, KS
Megan carried the water into the house. There were a lot of dishes to wash. It had been an enjoyable afternoon. Ian’s wife had announced that she was pregnant again. Megan smiled. Sheila was fertile, that was for sure. Sheila’s family owned the farm that bordered Ian’s family’s farm. The two farms visited each other often. There were other farms around and when Ian had told his family of the Hives, word had spread throughout the farming community to shoot anyone on sight, that wore black uniforms.
“They’re here for no good reason.” Ian had told the group. The farmers were a tightknit community and Megan had been accepted and adopted into their group. She worked alongside them all. It was a lot like the Hive, the work aspect of it. There was always lots to do and never enough time. But she had her own room and could say no, when she wanted. She smiled. Corky Yerst didn’t want to take no for an answer.
The Yerst farm was bordered on the other side of Ian’s farm. Corky’s wife had died ten years before and he’d never remarried. He’d been after Megan for three years now and she smiled at the thought. He was a brash man and damned good looking and knew it too. He would also inherit the large farm and there were other girls looking at him, with greed in their eyes. She snorted at the thought. Corky was a good man, and sweet. She’d say yes, eventually, but she’d draw it out a little longer. She’d had her choices taken away from her and wasn’t so eager to have someone try now.
She looked out the window and saw the laundry, flapping and snapping in the wind. Her thoughts turned to Tilly, and she wondered how her friend was. There had been no one to show up. They’d not seen anyone, but for those in the small community. She hoped her friend was happy and had found someone. Megan hoped that things had gotten better for the people in the Hives. It was not a life that she wanted. Her life meant more to her than to live in a cage.
They each had to choose their paths, and her path would lead her to Corky, one day, later. She sniggered and saw Corky coming to the house, a determined gleam in his brilliant blue eyes. Well, maybe sooner than later, she decided.
Franktown, CO
Allain and Alexa pulled the wagon, three-year-old Bryant was urging them to go faster. The girls began to run.
“Slow down girls, he’ll fall out.” Quinn called, he was sitting beside Laura, who was snapping beans. Milly was in the rocking chair, watching the kids play. It was a hot day and thunderstorms could be heard in the west, rumbling like quarreling titans. There would be a downpour tonight. Laura smiled, she enjoyed listening to the thunderstorms. Bart came around the house with a garter snake in his hand and called the children to him. The girls ran squealing to their grandfather, Bryant clambered out of the wagon and fell twice before he got to his grandfather, his deep blue eyes round and his mouth an O.
“Will it bite?” Bryant asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowing up at his grandfather.
“Not if I hold on tight. You can pet him.” Bart grinned down at the boy. Laura snorted and looked over at Quinn. Quinn grinned and shrugged.
Life had slowed down for them and Laura had been grateful. There were the occasional skirmishes, but after so many years, there weren’t many of those. Earlier that spring, a family had come by in a cart, drawn by a horse. They’d been the first non-hostiles that they’d seen in years. They lived on a farm seven miles away and they were out looking around.
“We’ve had a terrible time. But we’ve not had trouble for six months now, so we figured we would get out and see who’s left.” The man had smiled. His wife, a little older than Laura, had smiled shyly. They had five children, ranging from sixteen to three.
“You run into any other homes, you know, with families?” Bart had asked.
“Sure, a few. They keep to themselves. But we’ll let them know you’re here. They’re good people. Some you may know. We’ll be off now, got a couple more miles to go, then we’ll head home.” The man had said, and all had waved goodbye.
They’d not seen them, nor anyone else since, but it was good to know that others had survived. Their lives were filled with work, like days of old. Laura often thought of Hogan and hoped he was happy. That he’d found a family of his own. That was all they could ever hope for now, so separated were they. She felt the old hurtful tug in her heart, and she let it sit there a moment. Then, she took a deep breath and blew the sadness away.
Kansas City, MO
Hogan put his arms around Caleb, helping him hold his little sister, Monica. Trish smiled at Hogan and reached her hand over. It had been a long labor, twelve hours, but Monica had come out as smooth as butter, after only seven good pushes.
“I think I’m done wanting kids.” Hogan said, still showing nerves from the experience of childbirth.
“She did great. Especially at the end.” Ester O’Sullivan said, grinning.
“Ester is right. I’ve seen worse.” Trish grinned and squeezed Hogan’s hand.
“She looks all squishy.” Caleb announced.
“That’s because she was squished out.” Trish laughed.
“Can I go out and play?” Caleb asked, now bored.
“Stay by the house. Ask Grandpa Chuck to keep an eye on you.” Hogan yelled as the child disappeared downstairs.
“Better he keeps an eye on Grandpa Chuck.” Ester laughed and left the room. Hogan sniggered.
“She’s beautiful. But I’m serious. That’s it for kids. That’s just too scary and two is enough.” Hogan said, kissing the top of his daughter’s soft head.
“Yeah, I’m not getting any younger. At least we had Ester here. I’m so glad they moved into the farm next door.” Trish said, stretching.
“They’re damned lucky to be alive. If those guards hadn’t felt sorry for the lot of them, they’d all be dead, lik
e Caleb’s mother. I wonder if they’ve stopped killing the old and very young?” Hogan said, his fingers moving gently over his daughter.
“There probably isn’t any more of them left.” Trish grunted, trying to get comfortable.
Four years ago, seven seniors and a father and his two-year-old were set free by the guards from the Hive. They’d been slotted for execution, but the guards had lost their taste for slaughter. All nine were set free, to figure it out, the best way to live. Chuck and Ester O’Sullivan, along with Robert Petters and his two-year-old, Robby, had taken up residence in the farm, two miles up the road. They’d come over and introduced themselves.
Over the last years, they’d helped each other and so they thrived. They’d seen no more of Dr. Wang, or anyone else from the Hive. They’d had no more intruders and life had been quiet. Hogan handed Monica over to Trish when she started fussing.
“I think she’s hungry.” He grinned.
“Just like her daddy.” Trish laughed and took the small bundle. Hogan heard Caleb laughing and Baby barking. Jewel had died last winter, and it had broken their hearts. Ralph laid on the porch most days now. Hogan came up and laid on the bed beside Trish and the baby and watched Monica nurse. A soft smile spread across his face. Monica reminded him of his daughters, Alexa and Allain. They would be ten now. In a few years, teenagers. Laura would love that. Christ, he missed her and his girls. His heart was still sore, still tender in that one tiny spot. It would never heal, it would always hurt, but he knew that they were happy, somehow, in the very marrow of his bones, he knew they were happy and so was he.
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