by Castle, W. A
We all get out and crowd around until Jax stops in front of one of the boulders and touches some random part of it. A panel opens up and he types something in.
Who is Jax? All of this seems too high-tech for a doomsday redneck. I mean, Jax is a cool guy and all but I never would have pegged him as the sort to be loaded. Goes to show what I know.
My eyes shift to Maddie who is talking animatedly with Eli. Who is Maddie? I focus on her grin when she laughs at something Eli says. I shoot a quick look to Trevor who is a few feet away but he’s busy looking at what Jax is doing.
I look around. There are only trees and boulders around us. There is a clearing towards the front of the property but the rest is wildlife.
Jax’s movement pulls my attention back to him. He pushes a boulder away easily and then he pulls something from the ground, a set of doors.
Well I’ll be damned.
I can’t believe we’re actually here.
I look at where Jax is waving me over. I take Eli’s hand and together we follow Jax down some very steep stairs.
“Everything down here should still be in excellent condition,” Jax tells me as we wait for momma and a few others to come down. We won’t all be staying down here but Jax feels it’s important everyone get a tour and knows where things are and what they’re for. The bunker was designated for five or six people but it can easily accommodate more if people don’t mind a bit of closeness. The supplies in the bunker are only for five people to last two years, but we can scavenge, so that isn’t too worrisome.
I look around wide eyed. Everything is very technological, but it can also be operated by hand if the generators fail or something. The bunker has two entrances/exits. The one where we came in from and one at the back of the bunker that will take us a few yards across the property, an area that is more elevated than the front.
“This is so cool!” Eli grins at Jax.
“I know, right?” Jax laughs.
“I never in a million years thought I’d ever be inside a bunker,” Tom says in awe as he runs a hand on the bunker’s wall.
The bunker is divided into six compartments. When we enter the bunker, we go down a steep set of stairs and walk along a long hall, the first room we walk into is the living area, off to one side is the kitchen area, so it’s a living area/ kitchen, across from that is the bathroom. There’s another set of stairs that lead down to a room with a few bunk beds. Walking back up to the living area there’s another hall that leads to where all the food and essentials are stored, another bedroom with a few bunkbeds, next to it is a green room with seeds and UV lights ready to be used.
When everyone has had a chance to have a look around we all gather back outside. I stick with momma and Diego as one of the guys starts a campfire and we cook some of the food we brought with us from town.
“So, I’m just going to address the elephant in the room, Jax, who’s going to be getting one of those five bunkbeds in your place?” old John asks. Everyone grows quiet and looks at Jax. I stare at the cooking meat on the fire.
“The children for sure,” Jax begins, “And even with the limited beds a few more people can makeshift beds inside.”
“Maybe we can build a house or two here on your property? You have an electrified fence protecting all of this land,” says Ulises, turning over the meat that is heating over the fire, “This place could be perfect to settle down…for now.”
“If you’re okay with it, man, we can build something here. A community,” says Tom.
“Even if it’s just us here,” interjects Nadine.
“Yeah, yeah, we can build a house or two,” Jax scratches his beard, “Or hell a few of them, make this home. If that’s what ya’ll want, I’m good with it.”
People nod in agreement and I smile at his generosity. Jax looks my way and winks. The food is passed around and the mood is light and joyous. We finally have a safe place.
“Hey man, I’ve wanted to ask, how is the electrified fence still electrified? Even if this grid still has electricity I wouldn’t have thought this far up the mountain gets much reliable electricity.” Matt asks as he inhales some potato salad. I prepare Diego his bottle of milk and hold him up, so he can eat.
“The entire fence around the property is solar powered, but there are also generators and back-up generators,” explains Jax but I’m distracted from Jax’s explanation when Sandra comes to sit next to me, she struggles down with her big belly so I give her a hand.
“Why are you feeding your baby formula?” she asks as she finally plops down.
I frown at her question. “What do you mean?”
“Formula isn’t good for babies. Why aren’t you breastfeeding him, are you one of those moms that thinks breast feeding will lead to sagging?” Sandra shoots me a look I can’t decipher. I blink at her, unsure how to respond.
“I’m not sure what answer you’re expecting, Sandra. What I feed Diego is my business, not yours,” I say crossed. Sandra lifts her hand up and backs off.
“Sorry, I’m being a bitch aren’t I, hormones,” she smiles up at me. I give her a token smile.
I look around the camp. Everyone is listening to Jax or talking amongst themselves. Laughing, eating and drinking. The fence isn’t visible from here, we’re smackdab in the middle of the property and there are lots of big trees and boulders around. I swallow thickly. I don’t believe flesh eaters have made it this far up here, or if they ever will. Just thinking about the lack of flesh eaters is making my thirst painful. I need to drink another flesh eater. Sooner would be better than later.
“You okay, baby?” momma asks from besides me.
“Oh yeah, momma, I’m good. I’m just relieved we’re finally here,” I say, “There were moments I thought I would never see this place.”
“Things will be so much better now, baby. We’re safe up here.” Momma throws an arm over my shoulders and kisses my cheek.
“Behave yourself little girl. Sue-Anne is going to tuck you in tonight while I check the perimeter but I will come in to give you a good night kiss,” Aaron crouches in front of Patty when the food is finished and eyes get tired. The perimeter doesn’t need to be checked but it seems the guys won’t be at ease until they make sure of it with their own eyes. Aaron, Tom and Luis go off their separate ways and walk along the electrified fence.
The group makes their way into the bunker and everyone begins to claim a spot for themselves.
Jax leads momma and me down the hall with the second bedroom. “This room is slightly bigger and close to the pantry, plus there’s more privacy here.”
“Sweet! Top or bottom bunk?” Clara comes whizzing past us with a big grin on her face. I can’t help but laugh at Jax’s surprised face.
“I’ll definitely take the bottom bunk,” Momma races Clara to one of the bunks.
“Thanks Jax, for everything,” I throw an arm around him and try to hug him with Diego in my arms. “Where are you going to be sleeping?”
“Out in the hall,” he says pointing out the door. “Listen, the others want to start shifts for perimeter checks. Do you gals want to sign up for a shift?”
“Sure, I’ll take one,” Clara says from on top her bunk, above momma.
“Me too,” says momma.
“Me three,” I say.
“Awesome, I’ll let Aaron and Ulises know, they’re making the list,” Jax wiggles Diego’s foot and walks out. With a content sigh I turn towards the women.
“Someone is eager to sleep in his new home,” I say jostling Diego making him smile. I set Diego down with momma and start folding up baby blankets to make a cushiony bed.
“I think Jax has some of those thick wool blankets, fold two up and you’ll have a good base, then you can fold the soft blankets on top of that,” Leena says as she enters. She begins to set her stuff down as she looks around the small room, “Um, maybe I’ll set up shop in the living area,” she says when she sees it’s a bit cramped here. The other room only has one bunk bed, not enough beds
for everyone.
“You can take the single bed, I was thinking about sleeping down here with Diego, actually,” I tell her, which is true, I was thinking about setting up my sleeping bag next to him.
“Are you sure?” Leena asks.
“Absolutely,” I smile at her as I get to my feet, “I’ll be right back with those blankets, watch him for a minute?”
I walk a few feet down the hallway to the room where the supplies are kept. I close the door behind me and take in a deep breath. I turn the light on and look for those blankets Leena was talking about.
Flesh eaters. My thoughts always come circling back to flesh eaters, and my thirst. I could hardly eat earlier. The food just gets stuck in my throat. I might have to end up having to sneak out of here at some point.
“Do you hear yourself?” I mutter out loud to myself. I am actually considering sneaking out of this safe haven to go look for flesh eaters to drink. I gently tap my forehead on a shelf. I grab a few blankets and head out.
“Hey Maddie,” I run into Lexi out in the hall.
“Hey, how are you settling in? Where are you setting up tonight? You can join us if you want, Leena and Jax are bunkering down with us but we can make room,” I spit out unable to stop myself from babbling like a fool.
“Um,” Lexi runs a hand through her hair, “Actually, I’m already settled in the other room, but thanks,” she smiles. “I’m just on my way to get some blankets,” she says pointing to where I’m standing in front of the supplies room.
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” I step aside from the door.
“But hey, if you ever need a babysitter for Diego, I’ll never say no to spending some time with the little guy,” she grins before entering the supply room.
I breathe out forcefully and walk back into my room with a grin on my face. I don’t think Lexi and I will ever be close friends but I do hope we can be friends one day.
A week passes in relative normalcy. There has been no sight of a single flesh eater and we haven’t seen another human. Then again, we haven’t left the property in all this time. There hasn’t been a need, we have all the foodstuffs we need, fresh fruits from Jax’s trees and bushes around the property, and enough water packets to last us a good long while. But water isn’t one of the sources that are found inside these gates so eventually we will have to go out and look for the water source that according to Jax, this mountain has.
It has been an amazing reprieve and also a hell week. The thirst is constant and I can’t ignore it anymore. I’m on the edge all the time and something will snap if I don’t do something about it soon.
“Earth to Maddie,” Ulises waves a hand in front of me.
My eyes snap to him in surprise. “My goodness Ulises, make some noise or something. I’m going to find a bell to tie around you.”
“Are you okay?” he asks as he sits next to me on the boulder. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for a good minute but you looked… spaced out.”
I force out a laugh, “I might’ve been day dreaming. Not much else to do lately.”
“A few of us are planning to go a few miles east and see what we can see.”
I perk up at this, “When are we leaving?” If I can get out of here I can find myself a flesh eater and-
“Tomorrow morning. But…it might not be a good idea for you to come…” Ulises scratches at his chin, looking uncomfortable.
“Oh,” I smile wide at him to hide my disappointment. I’m a little bit hurt, but if they don’t want me to tag along I can’t really be mad at them, I guess. “Okay, you guys be safe out there. And try to come back in one piece, please.” I hug him quickly and jump off the boulder I’m sitting on.
I shouldn’t feel like the kid who didn’t get invited to the cool kid’s party, but fuck if I don’t.
Ulises looks at me for a few beats and all I can do is paste a smile on my face. I don’t want him to feel guilty. It’s not his fault certain people are uncomfortable in my presence. I can’t really blame those people either.
“Are you sleeping okay?” he asks out of nowhere.
I’m thrown off by his question but I reply anyway, “Yeah, I’m sleeping fine.” I lie through my teeth. The only way I can sleep is when I pass out from exhaustion. The thirst makes it very hard to function normally, it’s like all of my concentration is on that itch I can’t scratch. Even now I’m tapping my foot anxiously.
“Is there anything you want me to keep an eye out for? Clothes or something?” he asks as he gets off the boulder and starts walking back to camp with me. Over the past week people have set up tents outside the bunker and a large communal fire pit has been made where we cook the majority of our food for everyone. The bunker has amenities but we save whatever resources we can where we can.
I smack my lips together as I think, “If you could look out for milk powder and other baby foods, I would really appreciate that. I’m halfway through my last can of milk powder for Diego and I don’t think it’s too healthy for him to be mostly eating mashed up fruits. He needs protein and other vitamins.” Unfortunately Jax never thought to stock his bunker with baby foodstuff.
Ulises smiles, “I will do that.”
“You kids are just in time! The stew is just about ready, grab yourself a bowl and come eat,” Jolene exclaims as she stirs the pot of stew boiling over the communal fire. I lick my dry lips at the wonderful smell but my stomach cramps. I haven’t been able to keep anything down all day.
“That looks delicious, Jolene, sure. You want a bowl Maddie?” Ulises hands me a filled bowl. I know I’m not going to eat the stew but perhaps I can give it to momma.
“Thanks,” I say taking the bowl from Ulises. “The sun is getting to me a bit, I’m going to eat this inside,” I say, taking the bowl of food into the bunker. The other’s gather around the fire and fill up their own bowls.
Eli is alone in the living area when I enter. He’s reading a book, one about a cat getting into mischief during Halloween. I remember reading it as a little girl. “Hey Eli have you seen my mom?”
Eli looks up from his book, “Um, I think she went with Leena to pick some apples. Clara and Gary and Trevor are making rounds right now.” He goes back to his book.
“Are you hungry?” I wave a hand over the bowl so he can smell the deliciousness. He instantly looks up from his book and folds the corner of the page to save his spot in the book.
“Yes! I was on my way to get something to eat but this cat is too funny. He gets into so much trouble!” he giggles.
I hand him the bowl of stew and he digs in right away. I stare at him eating animatedly. I swallow thickly, I’m so hungry. Hunger and thirst is consuming me. My eyes zone in on Eli’s moving chest. I can almost hear his heart beat if I concentrate hard enough. The smells and sounds and the other side effects have ebbed into a mild annoyance but they aren’t completely gone. And right now I am transfixed on Eli’s rising and falling chest.
Eli drops his spoon into the bowl with a loud clang. “Maddie?”
My eyes snap up to his. “Yes?”
“What are you doing?” he asks. I cock my head at him, confused. “You’re snarling. Your lip is curled up.” He points to his own teeth to show where mine are showing. I touch my mouth and he’s right. I snap my mouth shut.
“Was I? That’s weird. I was trying to purr just like Timmy the cat.” I nod towards his book.
Eli’s faces smooths as he grins, picking up his spoon again. “You need to practice more, you looked silly,” he laughs.
“I did, did I?” I laugh with him, “I guess you’re right. I need to practice some more. Take your bowl out to Miss Jolene when you’re done, okay?”
I turn and walk into the room I share with momma, Clara and Leena. Jax moved out from the hallway and into a tent outside on the second night. I close the door behind me and press my forehead to the door. Oh my god. I’m starting to lose it. I was completely zoned out, I wasn’t even aware that I was snarling at Eli. Could I have attacked him?
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br /> “What’s happening to me?” I moan quietly.
I move over to my bed on the floor and I start taking out the stuff I need to make Diego’s bottle. He must be hungry by now though I’m sure Lexi’s fed him some fruit mash or something. He still needs the protein in the milk.
My eyes stop on my mangled finger. It’s still startling to see half of my finger missing sometimes. I have had innumerable nightmares about that night at the library. I push the memories away so much that sometimes I’m caught off guard when a memory resurfaces and takes me back to that time and place when I was in midst of the flesh eater horde and they were all on top of me. Pressing me down not letting me breathe or scream or do anything. I guess I can view it as a little revenge that now I have to consume them just as they had tried to consume me. But if I go too far down that rabbit hole I end up in panic attacks. That’s another thing I never thought I would be feeling again. Panic attacks. They started just after we moved into the bunker.
My breathing is coming faster. I need to calm my shit down. I open Diego’s milk powder can a little too forcefully and the whole thing tumbles out of my hands dumping the contents unto the bed.
“Goddamnit,” I grunt. I scoop what I can back into the can, but the top is ripped so it won’t stay fresh long. I stand up to go to the supply room and get something to clean the powder milk residue from my blankets.
Just as I’m about to open the door to the supplies room the door opens by itself. In that moment my instincts override my common sense and I pounce on whoever is about to step out.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Ulises holds me at arm’s length when I try to bite him.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I step away from him. I run my hands over my face and continue to step back until my back hits a shelf. I turn around to give Ulises my back. I can’t believe I attacked him and was about to bite him! What would have happened if I had bit him? Would he have turned? Died?
“What the hell just happened?” Ulises asks again.