by Kadin, Karri
“Yeah, cool. I’d love to see whatever you can show me.” Allison picked the comforter up off the floor and tossed it back onto the bed. She felt her pistol against her hip and her pocket knife in her back pocket. “I just need to get a few things from my truck.”
The twins nodded and followed Allison outside to the old blue truck. She opened the door and pulled out her backpack from Dave and Sandra. It had all the necessities in it.
“You can just leave that here if you want. There’s really no need to lug all of that around town. It’s really safe here. Like, really safe. We haven’t even seen any Collectors come through here,” Matt said as he slipped his thumbs into his pockets and drummed his fingers on the outside of them. “We haven’t even heard of Collectors coming inside the gates. Or Infected. Forget about it. They haven’t seen any Infected in months.”
“I feel safer with it. I feel prepared with it.” Allison swung the backpack on, locked the truck, and tucked the keys back in her pocket.
“Suit yourself. Let’s go see what this town is up to today,” he said, smiling as he started off down the sidewalk.
Morgan raced to catch up with her brother and Allison followed behind. They showed Allison the town’s gardens full of fresh vegetables she had seen earlier and the town’s small herd of goats used mainly for milk. There was a large chicken coop with at least one hundred chickens in it.
“We eat a lot of chicken and eggs here. Really, it’s the only animal they eat because everything is just so scarce. Sometimes the hunters bring back some rabbits. They say they’ve brought deer back before, but they haven’t since we’ve been here. I’d spit shine a Collector’s boots for a steak!” he winked at Allison as he said this. Morgan rolled her eyes.
“It’d take a lot more than a steak to get me to even talk to a Collector. They are scum.” Morgan folded her arms across her chest and sighed heavily.
“So, Collectors aren’t very popular here either, are they?” Allison asked.
“Are they popular anywhere? They take what isn’t theirs. When they show up people go missing or get hurt. I don’t know how it is in other regions but here they all answer to Dr. Neff and that cannot be a good thing. If you looked up ‘ass’ in the dictionary, his picture would be there.” Matt scowled as he spoke.
“Yes, he is the worst! He totally gives me the creeps but he’s the most powerful person in this Zone. I wouldn’t want to piss him off,” Morgan said. “Have you met him?”
Allison twirled her hair tensely in her hand.
“Yeah. I met him. He is the worst,” Allison answered.
“We met him at a medical camp almost a year ago. He had this look in his eye. I can’t explain it. He looks at people like they are things, not people. It just makes me uncomfortable,” Matt said.
Allison and Morgan both nodded in agreement. Matt pointed across the street at a small house on a corner lot.
“That’s the school and kind of a daycare. There are about twenty kids here. They all go there and spend their days with a couple of older women while the parents contribute around town. Do you know what job you may want to do here?” he asked.
“I’m not staying. I mean, I’ll do whatever they want me to while I’m here. But I don’t plan on being here very long.” Allison watched as a woman holding a young child’s hand walked him up the steps and into the school. A small sense of normalcy had been carved out here. It was refreshing but terrifying at the same time. I am far from normal.
“Where are you going?” Morgan asked as they continued to walk, leaving the schoolhouse behind them.
“I just have some things I need to take care of. Things I need to do first.” Allison sped up her pace until she was even with Morgan. “What about you guys?”
“We won’t stay here forever. Don’t get me wrong, this place is great. But eventually we want to be home,” Morgan replied. “We grew up a few hours north of here. It’s not cleared of Infected yet, but when it is, we will be back there. Where is home for you?”
“Well, I guess Oklahoma. That’s where my mom and brother are, or were, I’m really not sure. I was out here going to college when everything started. My dad lives up in New York. I don’t know where my family is now or if they are even alive.” Allison shifted the backpack from shoulder to shoulder as she readjusted it to avoid Morgan’s gaze.
“Our family’s dead. We know that,” Morgan said sadly. “But I still want to go home. I hope your family is alive. But to get to Oklahoma you have to cross Zones and you need special permission for that. It’s not easy to get.” Morgan placed her palm briefly on Allison’s shoulder and gave her a weak smile before she bounded forward, interlocking her arm with her brother’s.
Matt slowed his pace so his sister could keep up with him easier. Allison was grateful for this as it also made it easier for her to keep up. She had to take three steps to equal one of his. Matt pointed out a blacksmith, a market where everyone bartered for different goods and services, a police station, the doctor’s house, and the home of a woman who claimed to be able to tell your future by reading your palm.
“I haven’t been in there, but the people who have say she’s got a gift!” He nudged his sister in the ribs. “Morgan here actually believes in that stuff.”
“I believe that some people can tell the future, but I’m not sure I believe that she can. Either way, I think it’s fun. Would you want to go see her with me, Allison? I have been trying to convince Matt to go with me but he just ends up teasing me.” Morgan glared at her brother.
“Kent paid her a week’s supply of MREs for his palm reading. It’s a waste of supplies and I won’t take part in such utter crap,” Matt said as he poked at Morgan teasingly.
“I’ve never been to a psychic before. I don’t believe in that stuff, but I could use a little fun.” Morgan’s face lit up at Allison’s words.
“I’ve never been to one either! We can burst our psychic cherries together!”
“Gross! You ladies go do that. I’m going to see if Mr. Samson needs any help in the mechanic shop today. I heard one of the hunters’ trucks came back with some heavy damage. I’d love to check it out. Meet at Town Hall for lunch around noon?” Before either of them could reply, Matt took off in a jog, quickly disappearing from their sight.
Morgan grabbed Allison’s hand and pulled her across the street, up onto the palm reader’s porch. She knocked on the door and fidgeted with excitement next to Allison. A woman answered the door. Her long black hair was pulled over her shoulder in a braid almost touching the floor.
“Can I help you?” the woman asked in a pleasant voice as she stroked the fringes of her tan beaded vest.
“Yes, we would like a palm reading, please,” Morgan said excitedly.
“I see. And what have you brought for payment?” she asked. The woman did a once-over on Morgan, quickly realizing she had nothing on her to trade. Her eyes fell on Allison’s pack.
Morgan’s face fell. “Oh. I was in such a rush to see you I completely forgot. I don’t . . .”
“I have a lot of different things in my pack. I’m sure we can come to an agreement.” Allison smiled at Morgan.
“Please come in. I’m Sophie.” She stepped to the side, her bright, flowy skirt swishing as she moved.
She ushered them through a curtain into a room at the front of the house that must have originally been a dining room or an office. Colorful fabric draped the walls, and a thick rug covered most of the tile floor. A sheer pink fabric was swathed over the windows, illuminating the room with a pink hue. Candles were scattered across every surface and a table with a green felt top sat in the center of the room surrounded by four chairs. They each took a seat around the table and Allison opened her pack. She laid out some items for Sophie to look at. A can of cherry pie filling, a half-full bottle of water, purification tablets, a small Swiss Army knife, and a small can of tuna.
“This will do,” she said. Sophie took a basket out from under the table and placed the items inside bef
ore returning the basket to its spot. She looked at Morgan as she spoke: “Now place your hands on the table, palms facing up.” Sophie placed her hands on the felt tabletop.
Morgan did as she was instructed. Sophie pulled a crystal from her pocket and ran it over distinct lines on Morgan’s palms. Morgan grinned from ear to ear, tapping her feet under the table excitedly.
“Which hand is your dominant hand?” Sophie asked. Morgan shook her right hand and Sophie grasped it between her hands, leaning in as she stared at her palm. “You have an Earth hand. You are a very level-headed person.” She ran the crystal across Morgan’s hand. “You will have a long life. See this line here? It is your lifeline.” She used the crystal to point to different lines on Morgan’s hand as she spoke. “Your left hand shows your potential and your right shows what you have done with that potential. See your heart line on your right is small, showing you have very little experience falling in love. But on your left, it is long and starts under your index finger, showing you will have a satisfying love life.” Sophie glanced back and forth between Morgan’s hands, running the crystal over the lines, sighing slightly as she did. “This line indicates you will have a child, maybe two, but the second line is very faint. But at least one.” Sophie’s face briefly appeared concerned, but she quickly replaced the look with a slight smile when she noticed Allison looking at her. “You overindulge yourself and hold on to grudges. You have difficulty letting go. Your fate line shows you have a very specific destiny, but your life will be riddled with hard choices. You should evaluate your choices logically instead of following your emotions. That is all I see,” Sophie said. She released Morgan’s hand and leaned back in her chair.
Morgan placed her hands in her lap and stared down at them. “You can tell all that just by looking at my hands? That is so cool,” Morgan giggled with happiness. “What is my destiny? I thought I’d be an actress in Hollywood, but that seems like it is not an option anymore.” Morgan sighed and looked at Sophie.
“Oh, child, your destiny is much bigger than a stage, but what it is I cannot tell you as I do not know. I do know that you will influence this world and help shape it into what it will be. You will have to decide which side of history you want to be on.” Morgan tried to speak again, but Sophie held up a hand, stopping her. “It is now your friend’s turn. May I?” Sophie extended her hand toward Allison.
“Um, yeah, sure,” Allison placed both of her hands on the table, palms up, in front of Sophie as Morgan had done previously.
“And which is your dominant hand?” Sophie asked.
“My right,” Allison told her.
“Another thing we have in common.” Morgan winked.
“Interesting.” Sophie ran the crystal over Allison’s hands, running over the same spots until Allison’s hand hurt. She furrowed her brow as she looked at Allison’s hands. “You have Air hands. You worry and stress far too much.” Sophie dug the crystal into Allison’s hand, following the lines. “Your life line is solid on both hands. That is a good sign; you will have a long life. But your life line and fate line cross, indicating you will be a public figure of some sort. There are so many crosses in your headline I fear you have many emotional crises to work through. You will be challenged in this life. But you too are destined to help others, to impact this world in a way no one has ever seen before.” Allison felt the familiar sensation of heat building in her core, the adrenaline rush pulsing beneath the surface of her skin. Allison pulled her hands away from Sophie, a little more strongly than she had intended. The jerk caught Sophie off guard and she almost fell out of her chair.
“I think I’m done,” Allison said. She stood up and swung her bag onto her back. “Let’s go, Morgan.” Allison began walking toward the door with Morgan at her heels.
Sophie remained seated but called out, “Just because things seem one way today, child, does not mean they will not be completely different tomorrow! You will help people, you will save lives, you will save us all.”
The woman’s voice faded as Allison and Morgan walked out the door back down to the sidewalk. Allison did not know where she was going, but she sure as hell wasn’t staying near that woman. Her? Save people? She was no one’s savior. She was someone’s nightmare, probably the nightmare of every person left alive on this giant rock. She couldn’t even save the backpack man. How the hell would she save anyone? Morgan rushed to Allison’s side and grabbed her arm.
“Whoa, slow down. I can hardly keep up with you. And I thought Matt walked fast. Come on, stop. What was that about?” Morgan tugged on Allison’s arm and Allison slowed to a pace that Morgan seemed more able to keep up with.
“I just felt she was full of shit, and I didn’t want to sit there and continue to listen to it.” Allison let out a sigh and her shoulders dropped.
“It seems like more than that to me.” Morgan scanned Allison. “How about I take you somewhere fun?” Before Allison could answer, Morgan had her by the hand leading her off down the street. They came to a small parklike area with benches and gazebos. Morgan led them over to a gazebo and pointed across the park at a group of men on an old football field. “People come here to practice survival stuff. Shooting, fighting, foraging for food, that kind of stuff. An older man teaches most of the classes, but the doctor does come teach some first aid sometimes. I don’t know what the man used to do before the outbreak, but he knows a lot of stuff. I think he must have been a Navy Seal or something. Mostly men and boys take the classes, but girls are welcome. From my short experience here, every cute boy that comes to town will end up on that field. So it’s the perfect place for some breathtaking views.” Morgan smiled at Allison and then turned her attention to the football field.
Allison sat on the bench next to Morgan, placing her bag on the ground behind her. She looked at the field. A few men were practicing archery; they were not very good. At the opposite end of the field was a larger group of younger men huddled around two others who were fighting. Every once in a while, an older man would stop them, correct them on something, then have them start again. After a while two new men entered the circle. One was taller than the other, with shaggy hair that covered his ears. He took off his shirt and Allison could see the definition in his abs from where she sat. This guy was fit. The surrounding crowd cheered and chanted as the two men faced each other. From what they were saying, this guy’s name was Elliot, and he was the best fighter in town. His opponent was half a foot shorter than him, his shoulders were broad like a linebacker’s, and his hair was cut close to his head. The two began circling the ring with their fists in the air.
“Elliot is my favorite. Oh, my god, he is so handsome! Every girl in town likes him. Even the older women! I don’t think he has ever lost a fight. He was an MMA fighter or something.” Morgan grinned and clutched Allison’s hand excitedly. “This is going to be great! He will destroy that guy!”
The two men continued to circle around the ring, moving in closer to each other. Elliot threw the first punch, a strong right jab, but his opponent dodged the blow. Elliot swung again, this time with a left hook, but the man blocked it with his forearm while sending a punch of his own dead-on into Elliot’s chest. Elliot stumbled back a few steps, caught off guard by the blow. The man advanced forward and threw a combination set of punches into Elliot’s abdomen. Elliot jabbed, but the man blocked it then lobbed a cross which his opponent dodged, a left hook to his opponent’s abdomen which landed, and another cross which was blocked by the man. The man sent a jab toward Elliot’s face. As Elliot raised his arms to block the punch the man seized Elliot’s hands and ducked, using his body weight to pull Elliot down and flip him over his back. The man used the time Elliot was on the ground to back away and put his fists back up, ready to continue the fight.
The crowd was louder now, so loud Allison and Morgan couldn’t make out what they were saying. But everyone was clearly shocked by this man’s ability to get Elliot on the ground. Elliot brought himself to his feet and propelled more punches so quic
kly it was hard to keep up with each swing; a good half of them landed on his opponent. Elliott delivered a right uppercut, hitting the man directly in the jaw, causing him to spin and fall toward the ground. The man caught himself on his hands and jumped back up again. He stumbled a bit and Elliot charged him again, delivering another rapid round of blows, but this time the man was able to block all of them. He seemed steadier on his feet now.
Elliot clenched his fists, and his jaw tightened. Elliot lunged toward the man, the man dodged him. The man placed his hands on Elliot’s back and pushed, using Elliot’s own movements to send him into the crowd. Elliot landed on a few onlookers, knocking them to the ground. He stood again and turned to face his opponent. Elliot brought his fists up to block as the man delivered his own round of rapid hits. One shot landed on Elliot’s right flank causing him to flinch from the pain. His hands dropped to his side, no longer blocking his face.
That brief moment was all the man needed. He dispensed a strong left uppercut to Elliot’s jaw followed by a right hook. Elliot spun to the right and fell to the ground, landing flat on his face. He didn’t move. The instructor moved in and turned Elliot over, patting his face. An onlooker handed him some water, which he tossed on Elliot’s face. Elliot sat up clutching his head with both hands before he fell back to the ground.
The doctor emerged from the crowd and evaluated Elliot; he said something to the onlookers as he stood. Two onlookers helped Elliot up and escorted him off the field out of the girls’ view. The doctor followed. The instructor went over to Elliot’s opponent and shook his hand. The victor dripped in sweat and had a bit of blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. They stood and chatted for a bit while some onlookers walked over and patted the man on the shoulder. The instructor saluted the man before walking off toward the archers. More of the onlookers gathered around the man, patting him on the back and congratulating him on his victory.