The Culling: Book 1 (The Culling Series)

by Tricia Wentworth

  “Are you afraid of heights?” I ask, wondering why he was on the roof the night I waved at him if he is afraid of heights.

  “Yes, but I’m trying to get over it. I’m fine with planes and copters, just don’t want to look straight down from the window,” he says with a shrug. It must take a confident man to admit to something that he is afraid of so freely.

  Looking out the window, I get completely lost in what I see. We fly over an area that is obviously maintained and inhabited, another area that looks desolate but still cleaned up, and then just a short half an hour or so later, there is total destruction. I see cars parked on the side of the road with weeds growing out of them where they were abandoned so many years ago. I see all sorts of wildlife, deer and antelope especially, as they run rampant and are becoming quite the problem, even in Denver. I see broken buildings and old houses. Some houses are just piles of crumbled brick it seems.

  I get caught up in how disorganized everything is. The weeds are out of control growing on top of buildings, around the buildings, on cars, and just everywhere. In fact, in some places the weeds and grass are so tall I’m sure you wouldn’t even see some buildings if you weren’t above them looking down. The roads look cracked, faded, and deserted. Things are just left in the middle of nowhere and there is debris strewn about. Stuff is just everywhere, right where people left it in their haste to escape Trident. It’s crazy to think that we aren’t even that far from Denver and there are still areas that look like this. No wonder Professor Zax made us do this project. There is still so much that needs cleaned up.

  A half an hour later, after flying around that area and beyond, I am told we are about to land in one of the deserted suburbs of an old neighboring city to the south Denver. We have a half an hour to look around but are not to go into any of the buildings. We land and the helicopter with its huge blades shuts off and powers down. I’m about to jump down and just take off, but am instead given a hand gun, much to my own surprise.

  “Just in case you need it. You never know with the wildlife. Keep the safety on at all times. That is the little red button here.” The guard shrugs and places it in my hands seeming rather annoyed and then proceeds to give me a lesson on how to shoot the thing. Jamie is talking to the pilot unfortunately, so I just have to stand there and listen to the guy.

  “Oh, like she knows how to use that,” Oliver says with a huff. “Don’t worry Reagan, I will protect you.” He bows to me and gives me an overdone wink before turning towards the guy. “Is it necessary she even have one?”

  I’m standing there somewhat annoyed while holding the gun, but not saying anything either because I just want the guard guy to shut up, when Lyncoln pipes up for the first time today sounding impressed. “She’s shot a gun before. She knows how to hold it.” He shakes his head. “Even Better.”

  I’m about to ask what that means before I see Henry’s surprised look. “You have?” He grins at me with those amazing dimples.

  Joshua whistles. “You have? That’s crazy. Ha. You would. And I bet you are a better shot than Oliver here. Those other girls better look out!”

  I’m ready to get moving, but they are all just standing there looking at me, waiting for me to explain. Even the guard guy who was giving me my gun lesson stops and looks confused.

  “We have a huge problem with wildlife where I’m from.” I shrug. I know exactly how to fire this weapon. Now aiming it is an issue. I have never had to defend myself from a wild animal with a weapon, but when packs of coyotes stray too close to our farm, a couple of shots in the air chase them off pretty quickly. Dad and Ashton sometimes even have to go coyote hunting to keep them away from the cattle. Coyotes and the occasional mountain lion are all we really have to worry about fortunately. Some people from other subdivisions have told stories about other predators, so we know it could be much worse.

  One time I killed a wild turkey on a dare from Ashton. The thing is, I didn’t kill the turkey I was aiming for. There were just so many of them that I managed to hit one about two feet from where I aimed, not that I ever admitted that to Ashton or anything. Smiling thinking of it, and wanting the attention off of me, I tell the boys that story as we start out and they get a big kick out of it. The stressed out guard even almost cracks a smile.

  We walk around talking while holding our guns aimed at the ground. Oliver and Joshua go to check out an old gas station while Henry, Lyncoln, and I wander aimlessly. I should be annoyed by both of them feeling the need to be my bodyguards, but the fresh air feels so good and is distracting me from my head cold, that I try not to dwell on it. Plus, Oliver and Joshua were talking a hundred miles a minute. So it’s nice to have some peace and quiet. Our guards let us meander, though they are always following at a distance.

  We walk by an old grocery store and I wonder about the simplicity of what life used to be like. No more growing food on a large scale, just swing into the store and pick it up. They even had places that you could drive up to and get food without ever having to get out of your car. I just can’t even wrap my head around the technology and busyness of pre-Trident. In some ways I’m glad that things are a bit simpler now. Their way of life seems intimidating and busy, but yet somehow lacking real purpose. Everything we do post-Trident is done purposefully and for the ultimate goal of rebuilding. Every little thing has a purpose.

  “Can you imagine all these houses being plum full of people?” I say as we turn the corner and find a bunch of run down houses. Some have holes in the roofs. Some don’t have roofs as they have completely collapsed. And some look like you could still live in them. Some even still have run-down cars in the driveway, and I shudder wondering if there are carcasses of the people inside the homes. After 150 years, probably just skeletal remains. I shiver as a breeze blows random plastic trash across our pathway.

  “Crazy.” Henry shakes his head in agreement with me.

  As we round another corner and head down an old alleyway, I’m just thinking to myself that the other two are oddly quiet, when I am all of a sudden roughly thrown up against the old decaying brick of one of the houses. I drop my gun in the process and it skids across the ground. Lyncoln has his hand over my mouth and his dark eyes are inches from mine, just looking at me. I can’t make a sound. Or breathe for that matter. Henry is standing in front of us, but not facing us. With his gun drawn, he walks a few steps down and listens, pointing his gun at different angles. Hearing nothing, he comes back shaking his head.

  “I thought they cleared it since we were coming,” Henry whispers, sounding mad for the first time since I met him.

  Lyncoln is still inches from my face with his hand around my mouth though he loosens it a bit. The other hand is gripping his gun like he’s held one thousands of times. “They did,” he says defensively but quietly in Henry’s direction, “Yesterday AND this morning. You think they would have let you out of the castle otherwise?”

  “Then what the heck is on our tail?” he asks while listening again, never dropping his gun for a second.

  Just then a black cat goes scurrying across the alley where we are hiding, carrying a large and dead mouse in its mouth.

  Lyncoln starts laughing, then laughing harder, releasing me because he’s laughing so hard. He rests his hand beside me on the brick like he will fall to the ground in laughter if he doesn’t. I have never seen him laugh at all, let alone like this.

  Henry joins in and shakes his head. “We need to get out more often. We thought a flipping cat was a drifter.”

  They banter back and forth for the next few minutes laughing together and paying me no attention.

  “Ummm. Still here,” I say confused but smiling at their good spirits. Lyncoln’s smile is a work of art, but his laughter is pure magic.

  “Hey,” Lyncoln turns his attention back to me with the first real and genuine smile I think I have ever seen.

  “What is a drifter and why would you think we were being followed here of all places?” I ask very much confused.

 
They look at one another. Lyncoln shakes his head back and forth. “Probably best you don’t know, yet anyway.” He then reaches behind my back and gently pulls me away from the wall and towards him. “Sorry if I hurt you at all. I tried to be gentle.”

  He picks my gun off the ground, dusts it off, and hands it to me, adding quietly, “Love the ponytail by the way.”

  I ignore that. “Well if I am going to have to actually use this,” I say gripping my gun, “I would like to know why.”

  “I would love to tell you, but you don’t have clearance, yet.” Lyncoln shrugs and looks me in the eyes as if apologizing. “I promise I’ll tell you as soon as I can.”

  “We both know she eventually will, so you might as well just tell her now,” Henry says with a hand in the air as if to say “screw it”.

  “Yeah, but if for some stupid reason you decide you are done with her, I would like her protected, pretty boy. Rules are rules,” Lyncoln says, squinting his eyes coolly. Goodbye fun Lyncoln, hello dangerous Lyncoln. It took all of three seconds for one to leave and the other to settle on in.

  “Oh, is that all you would like to do…protect her?” Henry smiles and cocks his head at him, but I’m not sure it’s a playful smile this time. It seems like more of a sarcastic one.

  Having enough of their alpha male argument, I take off down the alley back the way we came before I even hear how Lyncoln responds. I hear them follow but they keep their distance. I really want to know what a drifter is and why they thought we were in danger, but it sounds like they aren’t going to tell me. Which is fine, because right now I am more disturbed with their little spat.

  I will not be the reason two boys who seem to get along great come to hate each other. I won’t be that girl. I don’t even know how I got to be that girl. Before the Culling, I hadn’t ever had a boy look at me that way.

  “You okay?” Jamie asks as I round the corner back the way we came, “You look pissed.”

  I just nod at him and keep walking rather fast.

  “Boy trouble?” he grins knowingly.

  I don’t answer.

  “Annnd we are walking,” Jamie laughs, trying to keep up.

  ****

  The helicopter ride back ends up being a quiet one. Henry and Lyncoln seemed to have kissed and made up, but I was more reserved, partially from not feeling well, and partially from being freaked out over their spat. Oliver and Joshua talked about the gas station and other things they found fascinating. I was grateful for the opportunity to be quiet and listen while getting lost looking out the window again. I don’t think I will ever forget what the destruction and damage looks like from up there.

  Upon returning, I find my way back to my room and Jamie brings me a late lunch. Frank knocks on my door in the middle of my lunch to tell me that they are going to get my dress for dinner and will be back soon. Upon seeing me, he gives me some medicine and tells me to nap and not leave the bed until they return. I gladly do so. I’m exhausted both physically and emotionally.

  When they come back, Gertie somehow manages to bring me a full pitcher of iced tea, having found out it was my favorite. After my first full glass, I’m already feeling better. Maybe it was the sleep? Or maybe it was because I got away from those confusing and infuriating boys?

  “Would you like to see your gown?” Frank inquires.

  “Sure,” I respond, not looking forward to my evening with more tension and the President on top of all that.

  He opens a dress bag and I find a lovely, bright pink dress. It’s floor length. It has lace sleeves above the smooth pink bodice that fall off the shoulders. My entire front will be covered in either the smooth material or lace, no cleavage or anything. However, for as well covered as the front is, the back is entirely open. The front is pure elegance and the back is a party.

  “Frank--you’re genius,” I say, admiring the dress.

  “Well, we knew you wouldn’t want to feel sexy since you are the only girl. That dress can be worn at a later date.” Gertie smiles.

  “So we went with feminine, yet intriguing,” Frank says with a wiggle of his eyebrows and I laugh.

  “I’m so glad I have you two with me for the long haul.” I mean my words more than they know.

  “I have a feeling we will be around for a while.” Gertie gives me a quick hug.

  Everyone around me seems to always be saying that, yet I don’t believe it. I won’t allow myself to believe it. If Henry and Lyncoln were logical, they would each find someone else. I’d like to make it as far as I can for my family, but I need to be honest with myself too. And the honest truth is that the Culling is a mess.

  ****

  The elevator doors open and I walk out with my arm in Sarge’s. He unhooks my hand and gives it a squeeze as we enter the Presidential Quarters. I smile at him thanking him for the encouragement. I look around to find everyone present and looking at me, well, more like staring at me, as I have stopped their conversations. I don’t let it go to my head; I am just the only girl in the room full of men. Henry grins his dazzling grin. Lyncoln, who was talking to the President, looks dangerous as ever but has a hard time not staring at me. Joshua lets out a whistle and gives me a thumbs up. Before I can choose what direction to go, Oliver steps up and takes my arm. Turning away from the others, I mouth thank you to him and he smiles and gives me an exaggerated wink.

  We walk into the dining room to a huge, long table. It only needs to seat the seven of us, but this table looks like it could easily sit twice that. Oliver leads me to my spot and I’m pleased to see more iced tea already there, but this time in the fanciest glass I have ever seen. I take my seat and take a drink while he heads for his spot across and down from me. I try to put my hair behind my ear as I usually do when nervous, but then I remember that my hair is curled and on top of my head. Instead, I put my hands in my lap while trying to sit tall, just like Dougall taught us.

  The rest of my company enters the dining area, sits, and the small talk starts as our salads are served. From etiquette class, I know that they wouldn’t have sat until I did. I think of home and how who sits first or where is never an issue. How my life has changed!

  The President is sitting to my right at one end of the table. Professor Zax sits at the other end. Lyncoln is to my left, but far enough away that his amazing smell all freshly showered isn’t quite so enrapturing. Joshua is on the other side of him. Henry is straight across from me, and Oliver is on the other side of Henry.

  “You should have seen it, Mr. President,” Lyncoln says with a rare genuine smile. I realize as I have been quiet, they are telling the story about the cat.

  “Yeah, I about had to shoot a poor cat!” Henry pitches in as the others laugh. I notice no mention of the word “drifter” has been made again this time.

  “Better you than Reagan,” Joshua offers, “She can’t even hit a turkey at 20 yards.”

  “I bet you can’t either,” Oliver says with a wink at me before turning to Joshua, “Mr. Demolition man. You aren’t into aiming, just explosions.”

  “Saves time,” Joshua says nonchalantly with a shrug and I can’t help but snicker.

  “I can see why this group won.” The President nods at Professor Zax, “They seem to get along swimmingly. And are quite the characters, too.”

  If he only knew.

  “Reagan, what did you think of your field trip today?” the President asks, nicely trying to include me.

  “It was enlightening,” I begin and slightly tense up thinking about the two boys and their showdown in the alley. “Kind of hard to see. With Trident there was just so much…loss. And destruction. All those people.” I shake my head. “And not only that but art, engineering, technology…even music. It all just abruptly stopped. Everything stopped.”

  He nods, “I agree. I have been president for 30 years, and it still affects me. As much as things have changed in the last 150 years as we find our way back, things are still very much the same. We will be feeling the shockwaves from Trident for a
t least another 150 years. Sometimes it’s just easier to live within the bubbles of our townships and not think about it too much. Ignorance is bliss, as they say.”

  Our entrée of steak is served along with cheesy potatoes. I smile at the President and he winks at me.

  “What?” Henry asks, picking up on it and looking from one of us to the other.

  “It seems all my favorites are showing up.” I smile.

  “Now how would I know that?” the President jokes.

  “Well, you could have done someone else’s favorite something,” I offer with a blush.

  “Lyncoln’s favorite is steak also. Oliver loves chocolate as well. Don’t worry, they aren’t hurting any. Plus, it isn’t often I have a good-looking lady over for dinner. I thought you might like the spoiling,” he says with smile and a nod towards me.

  “Well, thank you. It is appreciated, but wasn’t needed. And now I can’t wait for dessert!” I say enthusiastically and hear a “me too” from Oliver’s direction.

  I want to keep talking to just the President all evening. There is much less tension that way. He is a very intelligent man. Very tired and very intelligent. I suppose that’s what happens after forty-some years of stress from running a country. And I can see that Henry gets his charm from his father too.

  As we eat our steak, Joshua, Oliver, and I take turns discussing our townships. Professor Zax lets it out of the bag that he was from Detroit having also been in the same Culling as the President, and he and Joshua have quite the discussion on the place. I know Henry and Lyncoln have both been looking in my direction often, but I’m very purposeful in not looking at either of them after today. I stay focused on my food and drink and the President only.

  Before I know it, dessert arrives and is a chocolate cheesecake with chocolate chips and chocolate drizzle on top. I take a bite and close my eyes trying to remember what it tastes like for forever.