"Don't let them drag in any blood, Mason," Alexa urged me. The girls had done a great job keeping the place clean since our occupation. Gaining the meat would be worth a little mess in my mind, but not if it could be avoided.
"I think the blood is well contained, Alexa," John replied as he entered with Corinne, dragging the plastic bundle cautiously across the doorstep. "There might be a little dirt on the bottom of the tarp."
"I'm sure it's fine," I answered.
"Let's see how much of a mess it makes before you drag the whole thing into the kitchen," Alexa insisted, hurrying over to take a look. I was little confused by her speaking up so much with the strangers. She usually liked to sit back and analyze while I did the talking. The rest of us were all on guard. This adjustment in her demeanor must mean that she was growing comfortable with our new neighbors. I was honestly humored that in this world of kill or be killed that my wife was worried about a little dirt on the floor. I saw Jada shaking her head and smiling while Riley remained focused on her task. We patiently allowed Alexa to do her thing.
Once my wife gave the approval, the visitors continued to drag the dirty but bright blue tarp into the kitchen. Instead of offering my assistance, I focused on the young woman with the rifles, Stella. She bowed her head to me in respect as soon as she entered and placed the rifles where I had requested without hesitation. She was cute as a bug's ear with a very innocent schoolgirl appearance. Her black tights showed off some sexy slender legs that were almost identical to Alexa's. A silky blue long sleeve top concealed her upper body. Her tan skin was almost as alluring as Bianka's.
"When you are done over there, sweetheart," Alexa caught my attention. "Our new friends would like us to refrigerate this meat."
I'd been caught staring at another girl again, but it was all good. Alexa was there to put me back on track. I had John hand me each paper wrapped morsel as I filed them into the freezer of our side-by-side refrigerator. I finally got to use my Tetris skills for real world benefit. Combined with the excitement over our future dinners, it was kind of fun.
Camilla hugged Corinne without disguising their fondness for each other. They then proceeded to get caught up on things that had happened while they were apart. Both appeared a little cautious not to say too much since they were now members of separate clans, and in the company of others. I hoped that Camilla would continue to do so even after I was out of eavesdropping range.
Stella silently stood off to the side like some anti-social child that the family decided to ignore until there was an errand to run. Alexa noticed this as well and made an effort to befriend the girl while Jada and Riley nonchalantly kept guard on the situation. Though the shy female was only one year her younger, Alexa couldn't help but speak to her more like a child than an adult. The girl's behavior just drew it out of you.
Seiko had informed us earlier that she was a vegetarian, so we asked that she stay in the basement as we processed the meat. The sight of animal chunks and fluid would apparently send her into a fit. We certainly did not need that distraction. Once we opened the tarp for unpacking there was definitely some blood that could have been an issue for her. I told John if he didn't need the tarp anytime soon, we would clean it up and have it ready for their next visit. You know, good neighbor stuff.
As everyone was standing around figuring out what to do next, I casually pulled Camilla aside along with Alexa. Then I asked Camilla, "does John have any special abilities?"
"No," she replied. When I looked to Alexa to confirm, Camilla got a wee bit offended. "You don't have to ask her if I'm lying. I'm not. John is just a regular guy."
Alexa confirmed nonetheless, so I enacted a new plan. I invited John and Corinne to join me in the basement with Jada. We'd send Seiko back upstairs while the four of us talked down there. That left Stella alone with our people, but she was friends with Camilla. Additionally, Alexa would work to get the young woman comfortable. We were hoping to make use of the girl's farming skills in the near future.
Once downstairs I led them over to the bar and offered them both an alcoholic beverage. "Hell, yeah!" John replied. "I'd love a cold beer."
Corinne, however, kept a serious tone and answered, "I shouldn't. If my skills are to be needed, I will need to stay focused." I got the impression that she didn't care much for John's lack of caution by the look she gave him. He just shrugged it off like he was a man with a nagging wife at a party with all his friends.
Corinne then turned her attention to Jada and said in a softer tone than I had yet heard from her, "I understand that you are still healing from the hip wound that was applied in battle."
"I'm doing okay," Jada replied stubbornly, chin forward. She was not shying away from Corinne's gaze.
"If it is already healing, I should be able to help you complete the process quickly, possibly instantly. Will you accept my help?"
They stared at each other for a moment. I had a notion that Corinne knew exactly what she was dealing with. Not only did they look incredibly similar, their personalities were remarkably close as well. Eventually Jada pulled down her shorts just enough to expose the puncture wound. I had not seen it for some time and had expected it to be less visible at this point. Instead, it was very dark. The bluish bruised area against her already brown skin had me wondering if she was ignoring possible complications.
"I'm not a doctor," Corinne stated. I immediately thought back to actors in commercials saying the same thing right before they tried to convince you that their product would cure whatever ails you. "I can't diagnose what all is going on inside your body. What I can do is apply what I call a 'healing touch.' It's possible that the accelerated mending process could cause extreme pain. I warn you to be ready for that scenario."
"I can handle the pain," Jada replied resolutely.
"I'm sure that you can," Corinne with an understanding grin. She then applied one hand to the front of the once very sexy hip, and the other to the back. Closing her eyes Corinne began some deep breathing routine. I half expected some chanting in Latin at that moment. I had yet to see a sense of humor from the dark-skinned visitor. I wouldn't have to wait much longer.
"Should I be doing something?" Jada asked, feeling vulnerable in her recent enemy's hands.
"Yes, you can massage my left breast and kiss me on the cheek."
"Fuck you," Jada replied as John and I broke into laughter. Corinne, however, maintained her concentration. I was beginning to appreciate this woman's value to a clan. I would have thought that her warrior skills would be enough, just like Jada. Her 'healing touch' gave her an attribute edge, but my version of the chocolate hottie was more attractive in every way. Corinne’s personality was a welcome surprise, though.
"Then just stay still and be quiet." Jada's face then exploded with a pained expression for two seconds, then it was gone. She gasped for breath another few seconds after Corinne pulled her hands away. "How does it feel now?"
Jada walked around a little, then did some squats. A smile appeared on her face as she did a couple jumps into the air while pulling her knees to her chest. Her eyes began to water from the joy of feeling so much better. "Thank you," she told Corinne with her warm voice. The words were simple but clearly sincere.
"You are welcome, my sister," Corinne replied as she opened her arms to receive Jada's embrace. "I know what it is like."
"Can you not heal yourself?" Jada asked as she casually broke off the body contact. They still held each other at arms-length, though. "I couldn't help but notice that your nose isn't perfectly straight."
Corinne initially took the comment like a punch in the face. Her confidence faded as she reached for the bridge of her nose. "I can, and I did. We set it while it was still swollen, and I couldn't tell how straight it was. It was painful, of course, so I wanted to apply my healing power as quick as possible. Once I did, there was no turning back without breaking it again."
"I'm sorry for bringing it up. I was just curious."
"It's okay."
The two b
eautiful black women then began a dialogue that had no need for us men. They walked over to the poker table and sat down with little interest in anything except what they had to share with each other. Once fierce enemies in battle, the compassionate attention to Jada's wound had quickly destroyed that barrier. John and I grabbed a couple stools ourselves and a couple more beers.
"So, tell me about these gorgeous women of yours," he said.
"What would you like to know?" I replied. I had no intention of revealing details about their special abilities or personality flaws that could be exposed. However, I would like to learn more about his clan members. I could say enough to encourage him to open up.
"Are you fucking all of them?"
I laughed. Instantly I got the impression that John was a locker room kind of guy. I knew a few from high school sports. A little blunt and possibly somewhat demeaning to women. Not a particularly sensitive man. I needed to lean that way a little if I wanted us to be friends.
"I've been intimate with three of them."
"That has to include Camilla. She's always in a hurry to get on top of her man."
"Actually, Camilla and I have not hit it off that well so far. She is eager, as you say, but we haven't really had a good opportunity."
"Shit!" John replied in surprise. "So, you bang three and have another one waiting in the wings. You've got it so good, Mason. I hope you realize that."
"Well there is certainly nothing wrong with your women. Surely you have them all begging for your attention."
"Not so much," responded John with a wince. "I mean, Corinne is great. She does everything I like, and just look at her. If she wasn't so damn dark, she'd be the hottest woman that I've ever been with. But she doesn't get horny all that often. Going at Nadia is like fucking a horse. You can do it, but it just doesn't feel right. She even sounds like a barn animal in bed."
"Watch it now," Corinne shouted over. John had been babbling on loud enough for the women to hear. The beer was getting him a bit too loose lipped for his counterpart.
A little quieter he continued, "Bianka is gay. I can sometimes get a handjob out of her, but it's not the same. She won't look at me while she does it. She won't even let me feel up those nice titties of hers anymore. And Ling, hell she's hard to look at in the face. It's a real challenge to have sex with someone that always looks disgusted. And honestly, her pussy is so tight it feels more like rape than sex. She even squeals like a pig!"
That was a lot more information than I needed to hear. I concealed my alarm at his comments and did my best to play along. After our laughter died down, I asked, "What about Stella? She's a cutie."
"Yes, she is," John replied, glancing over at his clan mate deep in her own conversation. "But Corinne won't let me touch her. I don't think that she is a virgin, but all the girls are kind of protective of her. She has that little girl appeal, like someone you want to take care of, keep safe. You know?"
"Yeah, I picked up on that, too."
We talked for a few minutes more, mostly about our backgrounds, and areas of the city that we were familiar. John was a security guard at the seven-floor mall in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was raised in southwest Virginia in a rural community but couldn't wait to leave home. He joined the military but never saw any real action. Married once but divorced without any children. He liked to play sports and drink beer. Never was much of a dancer but would do his best to snatch a pretty drunk lady at the club on the weekend.
Alexa eventually came down to check on us. "Hey, sweetie. You all have been down here a while. Is everything okay?"
"Yes," I replied, getting down off my stool. "I think we are done socializing for now. We need to get that lumber over to John's place next."
"What about the healing? Did Corinne work on Jada's hip?" She eased her way down the steps as she spoke and waved friendly to the women.
"Yes!" Jada answered for me, hopping from her chair. Running over to greet Alexa, she said "It's practically as good as new."
"That's awesome! Can we try it on Seiko now?"
"Sure," Corinne replied without even getting John's input on the matter.
"I hope that it works on her just as well," Jada said. "Maybe she'll stop all that bitching about her arm."
"We can't all be as strong as you, Jada," replied Alexa as she led Corinne upstairs. My guard was dropping quickly with our new friends. Between the three formidable women of my clan, I didn’t feel the need to retreat upstairs immediately.
A minute later, we did follow. But first, John took a huge interest in our collection of alcohol. I could tell that he was wanting me to offer him a few bottles to take home. I considered it but figured these things should be done in trades. We were still finishing up the ones already agreed upon. I could use liquor in bargaining later.
Seiko's arm remained a little tender after Corinne's 'healing touch.' Overall, though, it was a huge improvement. The Asian woman gave a brief 'thank you' but then ran off with an obvious attention deficit. We had begun getting used to it but had to explain to the healer that her services were indeed appreciated.
Several of us then helped carry lumber and supplies to the house next door over the next couple hours, while the less physically capable women kept watch for any threats. We had to chase off a dog that wouldn't stop barking. The mutt might not have been rabid, but he was announcing our presence to the world. Any skanks that might have heard the commotion were too intimidated by our numbers to approach us.
The plan was to give our new neighbors some time to board up the windows in their home before trying to get the electricity going. They didn't want the lights to attract unwanted company. It would be our turn to visit them tomorrow at noon. We would cook up some of the venison and enjoy a nice meal together before attempting to repair their solar panel system.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
What was once considered normal is now downright weird. And vice-versa. Imagine back before the multi-pandemic going into a suburban neighborhood. Even as a stranger you might get someone to wave at you. Mostly small children, but there were still adults that were that friendly. Others might give you a nod just in case you were someone that they knew. If you were to move into that neighborhood many of them would put forth an effort to make eye contact and even greet you.
Sure, the days of every neighbor bringing you a house-warming gift were long gone. But any sane person would not immediately assume that you were there to steal their food and rape their women. Any people that you came across these days either had a weapon aimed at you or took off running. Unless, of course, they were crazed by infection. Then they might charge.
Those first few weeks when almost everyone died off, I held loosely onto those old values. When I spotted a healthy human, I wanted to introduce myself, learn more about them. Some if it was out of boredom and loneliness. There was also a deep-rooted fear that one day I might be completely alone.
Once I experienced enough crazy violence, everything changed whether I wanted it to or not. I had to take the side of caution if I wanted to remain alive. Hide, watch, maybe even as the person I was hoping to meet got killed. It was tough, but if you wanted to survive you had to harden your heart to a large degree. New friendships were difficult to come by and even harder to trust.
This is why I felt like a complete idiot today. We all got cleaned up and put on fresh clothes to go visit our new neighbors. Each person carried some form of food, most of which we had just finished cooking or heating up. Leaving our home without anyone left to guard it was a very difficult decision, but we did it. The wi-fi wouldn't work hundreds of feet away, so there was no chance of keeping an eye on the camera feed. We would just have to trust that our fortifying efforts would hold up against any threats over the next couple hours. The last person out barred the door and crawled out of a lockable window hidden behind a shrub.
We did not throw caution completely to the wind, though. I had us stagger our movements across the open spaces, just like we did the day before with th
e lumber. We each carried a gun, too. Well, at least the core of our clan. I had my trusty forty-five. Riley carried the Weatherby so she could periodically use the scope for scouting. Though easy to handle for a rifle, she still struggled with its weight at times. I imagined even its paltry recoil might knock her on her ass if she fired it standing. Alexa and Jada each had a handgun, which Jada had recently taken to calling 'nine-milli-Glocks' for some reason.
John had managed to bar up his front door just like ours. He quickly confessed to copying our home as much as he could. They just finished boarding up the windows an hour before we arrived and barely had time to get themselves cleaned up for visitors. Like us, they felt the dinner arrangements were unusual for our societal situation, but welcome.
"I come baring gifts and an offer to assist you in fixing your power situation. I ask in return that we need not drop all our weapons at the door," I said to John as we handed them some of the dishes of prepared food.
"You plan to carry a rifle through the house?" John asked jokingly. At least the notion of us holding on to our handguns didn't immediately offend him. Looking at his group, most of them had a weapon in hand. Trust was still hard to come by these days, for sure. They did seem to relax quite a bit with the sight and smell of hot food.
"Nah," I replied, thinking I should respond with a light tone as well. "We'll just tuck our pistols in, so we don't forget them when we leave."
"It's alright with me," John said as he carried one of the food dishes to the beautiful ceramic counter kitchen. Though it felt like we had been thrust back to the stone age in some ways, we did have a lot of nice things left over from recent civilization. I even spotted Stella in the dining room placing the fine china around the table.
Corinne, however, was obviously not in agreement with my proposal. With a shocked looked toward John she replied, "It doesn't seem fair to me that we had to disarm to enter your home, and you are unwilling to do the same. We even brought you the meat! You are just returning a portion of it to us cooked."
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