Born and Raised

by R A Doty

  Samuel answered without taking his eyes off the water. “Nothing, honey. We’re trying to catch some fish.” He glanced up at his daughter. “You stay away from the water now, you hear?”

  Elana charged from the house searching for her daughter. She was relieved when she saw her standing on the beach by her husband and son. “Are you watching her, Sam?”

  “Yeah, I got her.”

  “Don’t let her get too close to the water.” After waiting a few seconds for her husband’s reply, which never came, Elana went back into the house.

  Tiny footprints in the sand trailed Jessie as she walked back and forth along the beach. She occasionally bent down to pick up a pretty rock or seashell, and after studying it for a few seconds, threw it back down. With her head facing the ground, she scanned the beach for the next fascinating thing that would capture her attention.

  Samuel saw a fish swimming about ten feet away. He carefully watched as it moved closer and closer to the ideal spot where he could spear it. He raised his weapon and thrust it into the water. “Dammit, I missed one,” he said, watching the fish dart away. With his eyes glued to the sandy bottom of the ocean, and giving it his full attention, it didn’t take long for him to spot another.

  Jessie had ventured down the beach and was standing with her toes at the edge of the ocean. The water was shallow for the first five feet before dropping off quickly. A white ball-like object was stuck in the sand about four feet away. She took one step forward and then backed up. The water was cold, but the sand was warm. She took another step and then another, each time edging closer to the object. When it was just in front of her toes she crouched down to grab it. Walter’s legs submerged as she reached. She pulled it out of the water and held it in the air, water draining from the eye sockets. The sand under her feet started to slip away, and just as she began to submerge deeper into the water, two hands grabbed her under the arms and carried her back to shore. With the object still in her hand, she stared up at Cole.

  “Can you read to me again, Mr. Cole?”

  “Can I see this, honey?” Cole took the human skull from her.

  “Jesus Christ, Jessie,” Samuel yelled, rushing toward them. “What’d I tell you about going near the water? You could have drowned.” He took his daughter from Cole and glanced back at the house to see if his wife had noticed.

  “Where’d you get that?” Samuel asked, noticing the skull.

  “From Jessie. She found it over there.” Cole pointed at the water.

  The sun emerged from behind a cloud, illuminating the ocean floor. A cluster of human skulls and bones became visible.

  Samuel looked at Cole. “Where do you think they came from?”

  Cole peered down at what seemed to be hundreds of skeletal remains. He raised his head and looked in the direction of Ancada. “I know exactly where they came from.”

  Samuel followed his gaze. “Are they surviving out there by eating...?” The thought silenced Samuel. Cole didn’t need to answer for him to understand.

  “I got one!” Stevie yelled, his spear held high in the air with a fish flapping wildly at its end.

  With his daughter propped onto his hip, Samuel forced himself to dismiss what he had just realized and rushed over to his son. “That’s a big one, son!”

  Cole tossed the skull into the water and started to follow Samuel when he noticed Jessie’s teddy bear lying in the sand. He picked the bear up and brushed it with his hand. He noticed Jessie staring in his direction with outstretched arms and a wide smile on her face. How could this small child possibly survive in this world when just a few feet away lay the remains of hundreds of humans that never had a chance? He looked at her face as if he would never see it again. He knew that, more likely than not, she too would become a memory that he’d never forget, like the body of the girl he buried that became a meal for the rats. Why did the future have to be so easy to predict? He would give anything to be wrong.

  LATER THAT DAY, THE scent of grilled fish wafted through the house as Samuel Thorpe and his children sat at the table with Cole. His wife placed a plate containing a generous amount of fish in front of each of them, and then placed one on the table for herself.

  “This smells incredible, hon’,” Samuel said.

  Stevie grabbed a piece of the meat and shoved it into his mouth.

  “Stevie, honey,” Elana said, “I know we’ve been living like wild animals up until now, but can you start using a fork from now on? I just want to act like we’re civilized again, even if it is just pretend.”

  Samuel and Cole were both going to grab a piece of the fish with their hands as well, but chose to use forks instead. Elana smiled, pretending not to notice.

  “I’m amazed at how much fish you guys caught,” Elana said. “I’m afraid it’ll spoil before we get a chance to eat it all.”

  “We owe it all to Cole,” Stevie said. “He showed us how to catch ‘em with a spear.”

  “Too bad we don’t have a freezer,” Samuel said. “We could stock-up for the winter.”

  Cole swallowed, and then replied after taking a sip of water. “You don’t need a freezer for that. I noticed some canning jars in the pantry. Tomorrow I’ll show you how to make a smoker out of that old fridge in the kitchen. If you and Stevie keep fishing throughout the summer you should be able to preserve enough to get you through the winter.”

  “You say that as if you’re not gonna be here,” Elana said.

  Although she believed her husband, Samuel, would always do his best to protect and provide for his family, Elana couldn’t deny the fact that she felt more at ease with Cole around. He was obviously a man that had an intrinsic ability to survive, whereas Samuel’s knowledge came more on a learn-as-you-go basis. Her husband was a good man and a loving father, but having spent the better part of his adult life behind a desk in an office instead of working with his hands, she wondered how long they could realistically survive in this world.

  “Truth is,” Cole, said, “I will be heading on soon. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not one to stay idle in one place for any length of time, and I certainly don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

  “You’re not overstaying your welcome at all, Cole,” Samuel said. “I said it before and I’ll say it again, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. Ain’t that right, dear?”

  “Of course,” Elana agreed. She turned to her daughter who was grabbing a piece of fish from the plate with her hand. “Besides, I think Jessie’s grown attached to your reading to her every night.”

  Cole nodded. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me, but before I met you folks I was on my way to find a man who might just have the solution to getting society back on track. He’s a geneticist that’s figured out a way to bring back some extinct species that could be used to solve the food shortage.”

  “Where’s he located?” Stevie said.

  “I’m not exactly sure, son, but if my calculations are correct his estate is about ten miles north of here, just outside the city.”

  Elana raised her head. “You won’t be going in the city, will you? I mean, you did say it’s dangerous there.”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  Elana continued. “So when would you be leaving?”

  “There’s three more chapters in our book, so when Jessie and I finish it I’ll be on my way.”

  A solemn quiet fell upon the room and, having lost her appetite, Elana left the remainder of fish on her plate.

  FOUR DAYS LATER FOUND Samuel and his son stuffing water-soaked wood chips into the bottom of their new smoker. The refrigerator’s metal storage shelves became hanging racks for strips of fish. Each rack was completely filled, with smoke billowing around the meat and out a hole that had been pounded through the top of the refrigerator’s metal shell.

  Elana was inside the house, placing jars of canned fish in the pantry, and Jessie was sitting on the couch, legs crossed, with Walter on her lap. Cole walked over with a book in his hand, and sat ne
xt to her.

  “Would you hold onto this for me, Jessie?” He handed her the paperback book. A water rat and a mole sitting in a boat on a pond adorned the cover.

  Jessie took the book and stared at the cover. “Can we read it again, Mr. Cole?”

  Cole scooted next to her. “There’s nothing I would like better, Jessie, but I’m afraid I can’t. I have to go away to help some people.”

  “Are you coming back?”

  Elana stopped placing the jars on the pantry shelves and leaned toward the door, waiting for Cole’s answer.

  A part of Cole wanted to come back and do everything in his power to protect this child, but another part knew that no matter how hard he tried there would come a time when he couldn’t be there. He worried that that would be the time that fate ran its course, as it did for his own daughter, and deep down inside he didn’t want to know about it. As hard as it was for him to leave, he wouldn’t put himself through that again. He wiped a tear forming in the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry, honey, but I don’t think I can.” He kissed Jessie on the forehead and grabbed his rucksack.

  “Wait,” Elana yelled, stepping out from the pantry. She walked to Cole and stuffed four jars of canned fish into his pack. “I really can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us.” She wiped her eyes. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but it’s so rare anymore to become attached to someone.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I really am gonna miss you, Colton.”

  Cole leaned in and gave her a hug. It was the closest he’d been to a woman since his wife had passed. “I’m the one that should be thanking you for sharing your family with me.” He released her and continued toward the door. With the screen door held open, he turned back. “If I ever come this way again I’ll stop by to say hello.”

  Elana smiled and, seconds later, Cole was gone. She knew he was lying.

  Chapter Ten

  A SEVEN-FOOT TALL MOUND of badly decomposed corpses burned in the center of the street, with five people dancing around the fire.

  David Crullen walked up to the dancers. “Did you search every building and street within a two-block radius, Nicolas?” He covered his nose with his sleeve when the wind shifted in his direction.

  The dancers kept dancing.

  “Nicolas!” David shouted.

  A skinny man in his mid-twenties immediately stopped dancing and faced David Crullen. “What was that, David?”

  “I said did you search every building and street within two blocks? I’m tired of smelling the rotting flesh of the dead, and I’m sure the congregation feels the same.”

  “Yes, sir. We searched everywhere. They’re all on the pile.”

  David walked over and placed his hand on the nape of the young man’s neck. “You’re a good boy, Nicolas. I knew I could count on you.”

  Nicolas trembled.

  “When did you last find a sinner?” David asked. “Our supplies are running dangerously low. We can’t survive on a diet of grubs and worms, now can we? Sinners are animals are they not?”

  “Yes, David. They are.”

  “And didn’t the good Lord put animals on this earth for us to feast upon?”

  “Yes, David.”

  David stepped in front of Nicolas. His piercing brown eyes studied the boy’s face. “Then why am I eating worms?” he shouted. “Are you trying to starve me? Have I not done enough for you by providing shelter and a warm bed to rest your head? Did I not protect you and the others from the evil that walks the earth as predicted by none other than our great Father himself?”

  “You did, David. And I love you for that.”

  David backed away. His head tilted slightly to the side. “Love me? You call this love? To let me starve?”

  David stared at the four people standing by the fire, three males—two skinny and one on the chunky side—and one dark-haired female. He pointed to the heavy-set male. “You. Come ‘ere.”

  The man’s heart pounded as he stared at David.

  “I said, come here.”

  He slowly walked forward.

  David grabbed a knife from Nicolas’ belt and held it against the man’s neck. He turned to Nicolas. “It is I that will provide this time.” With one swift motion, he slid the knife across the man’s throat. “But I expect you to provide the next.”

  The man grabbed his neck. A stream of red spurted from his hands. He staggered toward the pile of bodies and fell facedown into the flames.

  “Don’t you let him burn,” David yelled.

  The others pulled the man from the fire. A drag mark of blood followed the man as his face scraped the concrete.

  David walked up to Nicolas and cradled his face in his hands. “If you fail I can only assume you joined sides with the sinners and you do indeed want to see me starve.” He kissed his forehead. “But fear not my son, I will then feast on your flesh and devour all your sins.”

  FROM THE CONFINES OF his office, Thomas Steinberg faced a life-sized holographic image of Bill Weston.

  “We’ll pick you and your family up on the coast this evening at nine p.m.,” the image said.

  “Why so late?” Steinberg asked.

  “Less visibility. If we approach the mainland any earlier we risk the chance of being noticed.”

  “And what about my research?” Steinberg said. “I can’t bring all of that with me.”

  “Once you and your family are settled into Ancada, a team will escort you back to your estate to collect all of your work. We’re very excited to assist you with your research, Thomas. I believe this will be beneficial to all involved.”

  “You have no idea, Bill. What I’ve discovered will not only benefit us, but the entire future of the human race.”

  “I look forward to discussing it with you in person. We’ll pick you up on the north pier. We won’t wait, Thomas. Nine p.m.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  Monica walked into the office as the image faded away. “Who was that?”

  Thomas kissed his wife on the cheek. “That, my dear, was the man who’ll be providing us with a new home at Ancada.”

  Monica smiled. “When do we leave?”

  “They’re picking us up on the north pier this evening.”

  Monica hugged her husband. “Thank you, Tom. I’m so excited. We have to pack. What do we bring? What about our furniture?”

  “Relax, dear. It’s all taken care of. Just pack whatever clothes you and Josh need to survive for a few days and we’ll get the rest later.”

  Monica hurried from the room. “Josh,” she yelled, rushing down the hall.

  LATER THAT DAY, THOMAS Steinberg walked up to one of the many barns located on his estate. It was red and had five open bays, all housing various types of farm machinery. A hayloft lay under the mansard roof on the second floor. Luke was standing in front of a grinder, sharpening the blade of a brush hog. A stream of white sparks hit the concrete floor as he dragged the metal across the spinning wheel.

  “I need to talk to you, Luke,” Steinberg said.

  Luke kept grinding, stopping momentarily to slide his thumb along the blade’s razor sharp edge.

  “Luke,” Steinberg shouted.

  Luke turned off the grinder when he noticed his employer standing behind him.

  Steinberg continued. “I need to discuss something with you. Let’s take a walk.”

  Luke grabbed a rag from the workbench and followed Steinberg. He wiped his hands as the two men walked down a dirt road leading to an open meadow. The sun was bright and he squinted, having grown accustomed to the shaded barn. Four deer ran toward the wood-line when the men approached.

  “You said you wanted something, boss?” Luke said.

  “I did, Luke. You and Dan have been living on the estate for quite a while, which allowed me the time to continue with my research.” Steinberg stopped walking, as did Luke. “Well, I’ve finished what I’ve been working on.”

  Luke tucked the rag into his back pocket. A look crossed his face—half an
ger, half concern. “Does that mean you no longer need us?” He remembered telling Dan how they needed Steinberg more than he needed them. Now he worried that he was correct.

  Steinberg hesitated, trying to come up with the exact words of what he needed to say while trying not to anger Luke. He knew Luke and his brother could easily overtake him and do whatever they pleased if they wished to. So, how could he tell this man that he no longer needed him or his brother, and that he and his family were going to a place where they would be safe but they couldn’t come? How could you possibly find the words to tell somebody that they would more than likely die in the near future without making them angry? He stammered for words.

  “Well, I suppose that’s exactly what I’m trying to say.”

  Luke inhaled deep. His tanned face turned a darker shade of red. His eyes pierced Steinberg’s.

  Steinberg continued. “You see, Luke, now that my research is complete I no longer need this place.” He looked around at all he created. “My family and I are leaving and if you’ll accept it, I’d like to turn this over to you. Everything. The house, the grounds, all of the machinery and equipment.”

  The man standing before him no longer intimidated Luke. Steinberg seemed weaker, vulnerable—a shell of a man. Like a man having something to hide. Luke knew his employer better than anyone, including the man’s own wife. He knew the real Thomas Steinberg; someone that would do whatever had to be done to serve his own interest, and he would never voluntarily give anything away unless he had something to gain from it. “Where will you go?”

  This was one of two questions that Thomas Steinberg had been anticipating. His reply could inevitably raise the second question. A question he couldn’t possibly answer, at least not to Luke. He had to be very careful how he proceeded. “I have to go to a place where I can continue with my studies. I’ve gone as far as I can with the equipment I possess.” Did Luke buy it? Could it really be that easy to convince him?