“Scarlett,” Travis said, placing a hand on her shoulder, “you can’t sit there all night. Take a shower while you can.”
“I need to see who comes back.”
“You know the plan. We’re meant to meet in the house when everyone’s back.”
Scarlett sighed and nodded sadly, “I’ll meet you over there.”
By the time that Scarlett had cleaned herself, the truck was gone and the laundry tent was closed. She slipped on her boots and quietly left the cabin.
The curtains were closed in the main building and the yellow glow confirmed that the ones left alive were having a solemn meeting.
Scarlett stared absently at the laundry tent. The equipment from inside had been hurriedly dumped in piles outside, and Scarlett knew that Homeside’s and Newhill’s fallen lay in their place. Her breath caught in her throat when she realised that Riley was in there; cold, pale and chewed on.
“Hey,” Travis’ voice startled her, and she flinched again when he rested a hand on her shoulder, “you ain’t gotta go in there.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I’m just trying to get my head around it all. We don’t even know who made it back alive yet.”
“Trust me; you don’t wanna find out that way. We need to speak to Piper.”
“I will. I just need a minute.”
“Alright,” Travis rumbled. He took Scarlett’s hand and pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll be in the house.”
Travis made his way inside. It was so quiet that Scarlett heard him softly close the door and, confident that she was alone, she took a deep breath and peeled back the gazebo’s side panel enough to shuffle inside.
She released the noisy material and it fell back into place. The moon shining through a plastic window served as a lantern, but it only illuminated half the shelter. Scarlett grudgingly reached to her left and flicked a switch hanging from the ceiling. White Christmas lights adorned the top edges and their twinkling provided enough light for her to see the extent of their loss.
The dead lay on tables with sheets or tarps over them, but Scarlett could tell by the shape of the body furthest from her that it was Riley. Her face dropped and a cloud of sadness crept across it.
Despite Travis’ words, she found herself at Riley’s side, gently peeling back the sheet that covered his face.
She knew he was under there. She knew what to expect. And still, for a moment, everything stopped. Regardless of seeing him hours earlier, his face still came as a shock. He didn’t look like the man who’d been her family for several years. He was puffy and swollen, and his mouth hung open with the pressure of his engorged tongue.
Scarlett cradled his face in her hands. When her warm flesh made contact with him, she almost choked on her own breath. Standing over him, she traced her fingers along the protruding veins on his head and let silent tears fall on him. Her whole face was awash with pain as she realised that he would never open his eyes again. She took his hand in hers and rested her head on the side of his to say goodbye.
“Oh, Riley. I’m sorry this happened to you,” she whispered between sharp breaths. “If I could switch places with you, I would. You didn’t deserve this.” Lifting her head, Scarlett observed his face again, “Please wake up, Riley. We need you. Especially Jack. What’s he going to do now?” When he didn’t answer, Scarlett lowered her head again, this time resting on his chest. “Thanks for picking Jimmy and me up at the side of the road that day. You didn’t have to. That’s what I love most about you; your sense of responsibility. I know that from that day on I’ve been a total liability to you,” she scoffed. “And I’m sorry for what I did to you. It was wrong to use you the way I did. I should have told you this before. I know that. You brought me back to my family, and you treated my son like your own. We’re all gonna be lost without you, Riley. You had our collective back. You’re our leader and you always will be. I love you, Riley Mills.”
With that, Scarlett stood and gently kissed Riley’s head. She made for the door before she had the chance to break down again. On her way, her hand caught a tarp covering another body, exposing the top of its head. She turned around to move it back and noticed who it was.
Removing the cover from the cadaver’s head and chest, she didn’t know how to feel. Lying there lifelessly was her father. For a moment, she simply stared at him. Studying his chest, Scarlett observed multiple bullet wounds to his torso. Her head dropped forward and her feet became heavy with angst on recognising that she would never get to know him like he’d promised. She’d treated him like dirt for the person he had been more than two decades ago, and he’d quite literally died for a cause that she’d recruited him for. The only reason he’d been anywhere near Ethan’s compound was because she’d asked him to.
Glancing around at the other covered bodies, Scarlett was faced with the realisation that every person lying icy in that tent was there because of her.
Leaving the gazebo, Scarlett recoiled and yelped when she saw Travis standing outside with his arms folded. He stared at her with raised eyebrows.
“I know,” Scarlett nodded, “you were right.”
“I spoke to Piper. Are you okay?”
She looked him in the eye and began to crumble, “No,” she whined.
Travis’ chest ached for her and he quickly took her in his arms. Scarlett wrapped her arms around his back and he rested his head on hers while she sobbed.
“Scarlett, I’m sorry.”
“They were all there because of me,” she wept.
Travis pulled away and took her hands.
“We did the right thing. Grey’s dead and every person here is free. None of the people in that tent had to be there. You didn’t force any of them. They died for the future of this place. You hear me?”
“I don’t--”
“You hear me?” Travis interrupted, taking Scarlett’s head in his hands.
“I hear you.”
“Good. Now come inside. It’s freezin’ out here.”
Gently taking Scarlett’s hand, Travis led her into the building. When Scarlett entered the living room, Jack got to his feet, quickly followed by Piper.
“Scarlett, I’m--” Piper was swiftly interrupted.
“Wait,” Jack was bleary-eyed and Scarlett felt yet more tears teetering in her own as he spoke, “Scar, I want you to know that this isn’t your fault. I know you’ve got a tendency to blame yourself when we lose people, but…” Jack trailed off, and Scarlett saw that as her cue to comfort him again.
Throwing her arms around him, they both began to bawl. Scarlett’s grip on him was tight, like she was trying to physically extract the pain he was feeling.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Scarlett woke with a dry mouth and the weight of a toddler on her legs. She could hear men’s voices outside.
“Where’s Daddy, Hope?”
“Daddy’s gettin’ breakfast,” Hope replied excitedly, while Scarlett picked James up from his draw and automatically began feeding him. Sure enough, Hope appeared to be picking up her father's southern twang, and it made Scarlett smile. “Aunt Jack is diggin’ a big ol' hole out there.”
Moving to the window to investigate, Scarlett observed Jack, Chino, Mouse and Bill digging what appeared to be graves in the small garden opposite the cabins.
She skilfully dressed around a suckling James and made her way outside. The four men smiled at her. Jack stopped digging and nodded in her direction.
“Is it okay for me to look at you while you’re nursing, or is that sexual harassment?” he joked.
“Go right ahead and gawk, Jack. Wanna see my cracked nipples?” Jack grimaced and Scarlett sniggered back at him and made her way over. “You alright?”
“Yeah. I just didn’t want to leave them in the marquee any longer, you know? They need a funeral.”
“Piper and I were talkin’,” Chino interjected. “She suggested we could have a little gathering later. In memory of everyone who died, and to celebrate Grey�
�s demise.”
“Sure, I’m in,” Scarlett agreed.
Travis approached from the food tent, balancing two plates and two cups of steaming coffee, and with a giant strawberry hanging out of his mouth by the stem. He managed to shout his daughter’s name around it and she skipped out of the cabin. Travis crouched down to her level and she marvelled at the giant fruit, taking it eagerly from her father’s mouth.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she said, wide-eyed.
Travis handed Scarlett a coffee and stroked James’ head.
“Take Hope in the house if you want,” he said. “I’ll help these guys finish out here.”
Piper, Scarlett and Travis stood one side of the graves facing the rest of the remaining survivors of Homeside and Newhill. Scarlett clutched a scrap of paper in one hand. Despite her earlier cheery disposition, Piper’s red eyes and blotchy face told of her sadness. Scarlett’s gaze was fixed on the blue tarp wrapped around Riley’s body as he lay on the grass. The residents looked on expectantly, and Piper took a deep breath before speaking.
“Yesterday we lost twelve friends; twelve family members. These people gave their lives so that the rest of us could go on surviving. They gave their lives so that we can rebuild and make a life for ourselves.” Piper wiped a lone tear from her face and took another deep breath so that she didn’t crumble, “Today, we will show our respect and gratitude by celebrating their lives and their sacrifice. Before we begin to bury the departed, I want us to acknowledge each of them by name. Scarlett, if you would please.”
Scarlett cleared her throat, unfolded the paper and began reading.
“Kyle Watkins. Evelyn Hampton. Lydia and Chester Freeman. Wade Dawson. Joshua Mullins. Enrique Garcia. Reuben Kirby. Edward Jennings…” Scarlett had to pause. Reading her family’s names out would make their deaths real. Travis slid an arm around her waist in silent support. “River Blake. Colin McKenzie… and Riley Mills.”
They buried the bodies in silence, with an occasional sniff or sob emanating from the residents. Travis, Bill and Jack elected to finish filling the graves while the others set up for a wake.
* * *
Scarlett couldn’t help thinking that it was a little morbid to hold a wake in the same marquee as the bodies had been the day before. She allowed herself a small cup of Piper’s awful moonshine to ease her discomfort.
She stayed on the outskirts, right by the stereo, while Piper gathered everyone for a speech.
“It would be wrong of me to conclude without thanking each and every one of you for the roles you played in bringing the Headhunters down,” she announced. “Particularly Scarlett McKenzie and Travis Young. Travis has been with us a while now, and he has always proved valuable to us. And if not for Scarlett and her friends from Newhill, we wouldn’t have succeeded. Which is why, with your blessing, Homeside, I want to make them co-leaders. And, of course, those of you from Newhill, we’d love for you to stay with us.”
This announcement was met with approving nods from Homeside’s residents, and Henry raised his glass appreciatively.
When Scarlett saw Jack approaching, she took a deep breath, preparing a false smile.
“Nah, it’s okay,” he said knowingly, “you don’t have to pretend with me, Fox.”
“Are you alright?”
“I will be. I really miss him.”
“Me too,” Scarlett sighed.
Jack caught her eye, silently offering comfort. Scarlett accepted by wrapping her arms around him.
“I know Riley wouldn’t want us to feel like this, but I can’t help it,” Jack whispered. “It feels so unfair.”
“It is unfair,” Scarlett confirmed, pulling away to look at him. “Out of everyone here, Riley didn’t deserve what happened to him. Every single person here has done something morally questionable… but Riley never did. He was the purest soul I’ve ever met.”
“He was a soft bastard. Especially for you as it turned out.”
“I remember this supply run Riley and I went on together when we were living at Bluehaven. It was the second time we’d visited this mall; it was untouched. We take our time, wander around. Riley points out this jewellery store. He crowbars the shutter and goes inside. From the window, he starts beckoning me with his hand, “Come and look at this,” he says. I go in, and he’s looking around at all the glass cabinets, biting his bottom lip. There’s a twinkle of mischief in his eyes and he looks at me, then at the cabinets with his eyebrows raised.” Scarlett took a swig of her drink and looked to Jack. He was listening intently, eager to hear Scarlett’s story to bring Riley back to life just for a moment.
She looked down at her lap and smiled as she continued, “He says, “wanna let off some steam?” Before I know it, Riley’s pushing one of the tall cabinets over. It crashes to the ground and all these necklaces and bracelets spew out onto the floor. He looks at me again and nods toward the axe in my hand. So, I swing it down onto the counter in front of me. He smashes the other end with his crowbar. The two of us completely obliterate the store; there’s diamonds and glass everywhere by the time we’re done. When we leave, we’re both covered in sweat and cackling at each other… I haven’t belly-laughed like that since.”
When she lifted her head, Jack was still staring at her with a wide grin.
“I never saw that side of Riley,” he mused.
Travis spotted Scarlett nursing her drink with Jack. He swallowed hard and reached into his pocket, more nervous than he’d ever been before. He had no idea how she would react to what he was about to say, especially with everything still being so raw. However, Travis also reminded himself that, in his mind, there was no better time to do it. Despite what everyone had lost, they all needed something to smile about.
“Hey,” Travis mumbled as he approached, “Scar, can I talk to you real quick?”
“Sure. Alone?”
“No. No, I want everybody to hear this.” He reached behind her and switched off the stereo. Without hesitation, everyone looked straight at him. He cleared his throat and tried to pretend that he and Scarlett were alone, “Scarlett, I don’t even know where I’d be now if we hadn’t met, and despite the circumstances of that day, I will always look back on it as the luckiest day of my life.”
“Travis, what are you--”
“Look, I ain’t great with words, but I want you to know that you, Hope and James are the best things to ever happen to me. I wouldn’t swap any of this for anythin’, not even the Roamers, because without them, our paths would never have crossed, and you’d be a stuck-up teacher and not the axe-wieldin’ badass you are now.” Scarlett sniggered and her eyes grew misty with tears, “And I’d still be hidin’ away from the world, or rottin’ in prison. I wouldn’t know the joy of being a Dad. I wouldn’t know real love. I love you, Scarlett.”
“I love you too,” Scarlett wept.
“I ain’t ever done this before, but I did promise that I would. So, I’m just gonna copy what I used to see on TV, alright?” Scarlett frowned at him and he retrieved the wooden ring from his pocket.
He sank down on one knee, unaware of the, “what the fuck,” that had just spilled out of her mouth.
“Scarlett McKenzie, will you do me the honour of becoming my end of the world wife?”
The room was silent. Scarlett felt everyone’s eyes fix on her in anticipation of her answer. She gazed down at Travis; the man she loved like no one else. The father of her children. The person she’d always been able to rely on. The man who’d forgiven her. Her partner, accomplice, best friend, lover. Her equal.
Scarlett took a deep breath and smiled, “Of course I will.”
Travis took her left hand in his and gently slid the ring onto her finger. The beautiful redwood was smooth and varnished, and a princess cut ruby was sunk into the wood so that it was flush and unable to catch on anything. He stood and she kissed him before admiring his handywork.
“Travis, this is stunning. Where did you find it?”
“I made it,” he said. “I’
ve been hidin’ out in Piper’s room for a couple of hours every night when you’re asleep. She knew all about it; even found the stone for me to use.”
“It’s from a necklace that belonged to the people who used to live here. That’s a real, big-ass ruby,” Piper added.
“I love it,” Scarlett said, “almost as much as I love you.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Two weeks passed and the rest of Newhill’s residents had joined Homeside. The little settlement was thriving, and Piper, Travis and Scarlett had been discussing plans to expand their boundaries.
But for one day, plans were halted; no one did their usual duties, apart from Bill. At midday, everyone congregated near the forest gate.
It was to mark a fresh start for every resident; a day for celebration, joy and unity.
Scarlett and Travis waited anxiously for everyone to gather. They were both nervous, and more than once in the run up to the event, Scarlett had herself convinced that it was a ridiculous idea, considering the state of the world. But then, she realised that that’s exactly why they should do it. Surely, she thought, a marriage when the world had ended meant even more; there were no contracts to sign, no legalities, no eventual divorce to worry about. Now, it could be exactly what marriage was intended to be; a declaration of love and dedication, in the presence of family, to one person, forever.
Piper faced the crowd, with Scarlett and Travis in between. Travis was secretly surprised that she hadn’t dressed up for the occasion as a joke. She cleared her throat loudly to get everybody’s attention, and Travis felt a peculiar, nervous fluttering in his gut.
“Together,” Piper began, “Scarlett and Travis are an unstoppable force, and, boy have they demonstrated that fact over the years. They are living proof that friendship, love and desire, when held with both hands, are the only weapons any of us need to stay human… but, if you’ve got an axe or a bow, you should probably keep those to hand too.” The group tittered and Piper continued, “They found each other when the odds were stacked against them, and they’re raisin’ two beautiful children together. The ultimate team, and a testament to the fact that there is more to life than just survivin’. So, with that said, let’s get you end-of-the-world hitched.”
Roamers (Book 2): Fear. Loss. Survival. Hope. Page 25