by Kip Nelson
“I feel better than I have in a long time,” he said contentedly. Anna looked up at him with sparkling eyes and they kissed again.
“But I'm guessing you can't just stay in this bed with me all day,” she said.
Mack stroked her face. “Unfortunately not, although I wish I could. It still feels like we've got so much catching up to do,” he said, as his eyes roved down her naked body suggestively.
“We have all the time in the world,” Anna said, kissing him his chest, then urging him to get up.
New Haven needed its leader, and Mack needed to lead. Reluctantly, he pulled himself out of bed and pulled on some clothes, the sunlight casting him in a golden glow as he stood by the window. Anna languished in bed, looking at the impressive figure of her husband. It was almost as though they were living in the old world; he was going off to work in the morning while she lingered in bed for a while until it was time for her to get up as well. But this time, instead of going to a military base, Mack was in charge of an entire settlement of people and had to form plans to ensure its progress in the days to come.
“I'll catch up with you later,” he said, kissing her goodbye, then leaving their apartment.
As he walked outside the air was fresh, and seemed to be getting cooler every day. People were in good spirits and were going about their tasks with great vigor. People had integrated nicely and all were friendly. Mack waved to them and engaged in some brief conversations. The size of the settlement was such that everyone knew everyone else, and it fostered a warm feeling of safety and belonging among the population.
People were getting used to their roles and places in the settlement, including the newcomers. As far as Mack was concerned, it couldn't have been going any better. It felt like a new dawn after everything they had been through, and Mack was hopeful this period could continue and New Haven could flourish. There was always a fear that another threat would spring up, but Mack was confident that by working together they could face anything and emerge triumphant.
After the feast, Mack had begun putting policies in place to make the settlement run more smoothly. He was on his way to meet with Grace and Hank, who had been appointed to a small council that he oversaw that made most of the decisions about running of New Haven. The others were off doing their own tasks. Mack was filled with hope, and he couldn't hide the smile on his face as he walked into his office to find Grace and Hank waiting for him.
“You're in a good mood,” Grace said.
“I'm assuming the reunion with your wife is finally complete,” Hank said with a twinkle in his eye. Grace blushed a little.
“You could say that,” Mack said, smiling widely as he swung around the desk and slid into his seat, placing his hands on the large, wide desk. The sun streamed in behind him, pouring through the wide window, illuminating the entire room.
“So, what's on the agenda for today? I'm pleased to see everyone is working hard out there,” Mack began.
“Yes, people are in good spirits and that's no doubt due to the speech you gave at the feast. Since then people have shown a real togetherness,” Hank said.
“I can't take all the credit for that. We're all responsible. Everyone here has given themselves to this vision, and we're all reaping the benefits. And long may it continue,” he said heartily. Then it was time to get down to business. It was Grace who spoke first, and she sighed heavily.
“I am really worried about the state of our supplies. The city already has been ransacked, and I know we've lost a lot of people, but we've also taken more in. I'm not sure we're self-sufficient enough to survive, especially not with winter coming, when the ground will harden and it'll be impossible to grow vegetables.”
“Our ancestors were foragers and hunter-gatherers. I'm sure we'll be able to survive,” Hank said.
“It's all well and good saying that, but I think we need to put plans in place. I've noticed it is getting colder. The sooner we prepare for this the better. I don't want to get into a situation where we're freezing to death and we can't get any food. I know what it's like to never know where your next meal is coming from. I would prefer not to return to that state,” Grace said, giving a glimpse into her old life.
Sometimes Mack forgot about the type of life she had led. He had become so used to her being an inspiring young woman with a strong personality who rose to a position of power within New Haven thanks to her own ingenuity. Mack took a breath and pressed his lips together in a thin smile.
“Thank you for your concern, and we'll definitely look into this. There are some advantages to the cold, though. It will act as natural refrigeration, so we'll be able to store meat. But you're right, it would be good to create a stockpile of food so everyone won't have to be distracted by worrying about eating. What do you suggest?” Mack said.
“I think the only thing to do,” Grace said, “is to send out more patrols, search the city far and wide for additional food and supplies. I know most of the places already have been salvaged, but I'd rather it be us who found whatever is left in the city than somebody else. And it's not just food we need, but blankets and warm clothing as well. I don't know how much we're going to find out there, but we're going to need as much as possible. I'm just worried there's not going to be much for us to find.”
“There will be enough,” Mack said.
“This city took care of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people. There still will be enough supplies out there, we'll just have to send the patrols out farther and wider if necessary. It'll be more dangerous, as they will be going into unknown territory, but like you said, we need to do it.”
“Perhaps we could create small groups and send them out to different areas, groups of, say, three or four people that could pose a formidable threat to anyone who means to do them harm,” Hank suggested.
“Do we have enough horses for that?” Grace said.
“We should be able to make it work. I'm going to put you in charge of these patrols, Grace. I'd like for you to gather the people you think are most suited to spending days, perhaps weeks, away from New Haven, and make a list of things we need. We'll come together and discuss it so they won't ever get overloaded with things they don't really need,” Mack said.
Grace rolled her eyes. “I could tell you that right now. Food, blankets, warm clothes, medical supplies, books, condoms.” At this Hank and Mack glanced at each other.
“Don't look like that, do you really want a load of babies springing up?”
“I wasn't aware that it was a big concern,” Mack said. Grace narrowed her eyes at him.
“For someone so smart, you're sometimes really naive. There's a group of men and women who have a lot of free time now, and who have seen a hell of a lot of misery. What do you think they're going to do? I'm surprised you haven't noticed all the people getting together.”
“I guess I've just been focused on other things,” Mack said, although he wasn't surprised at what Grace had said.
Humans were a sexual species, but she made a good point with babies, one that nobody really had discussed yet. He hoped that, at some point in the future, New Haven would see babies being born, and legacies starting to be passed down. However, raising a baby in this new world was a risky proposition, and he didn't envy the first couple who tried it. He and Anna always had planned to have children. As yet, they hadn't spoken about the way they felt about it now, but Mack wanted the settlement to be established before they decided to bring another life into this world. It now was a dangerous and cruel world.
Although Mack always had thought life was precious, and really the only thing in the universe that mattered, in some ways it felt like giving birth was condemning someone to life rather than giving them a gift, and he was sure that others felt that way. But the world wasn't going to have such a dramatic change again anytime soon. So, at some point, new life would have to be born, and they would have to face that challenge as a community. For any children born would not just have two parents, but an entire legion o
f people ready to care for and raise them as their own.
“Well, we're going to need them anyway. But sure, I'll go make a list and bring it back to you for the next meeting. I have some people in mind for the patrols as well,” Grace said, satisfied with the task she had been given.
“We also should consider sending people into the Lost Children’s territory. If I recall, they had warehouses filled with supplies. I very much doubt they managed to get through all of them in their time there,” Hank said.
“That's a good idea,” Mack said, and nodded to Grace to ensure she made a note of it.
“I'd also like to make a general comment about the mood of the settlement,” Hank said.
“I've been trying to keep a watch on how the new members are integrating and I'm pleased to say the merger has been seamless. I think people still tend to stick with the people they already know, but it's difficult to avoid meeting new people. So far, everyone is getting along nicely. I think the settlement is at a good size now. I remember reading a book, I can't remember the name of it now, but it was a fascinating book. It talked about the size of communities and how a community of about 150 people was the largest where everyone knew everyone else. When they started getting bigger than that the groups started to splinter. So, I think that's something we should keep an eye on as well.
“We live in a time of great self-awareness and knowledge. We should use that to our benefit. I particularly would like to see books being brought into New Haven. I think we should remember to educate ourselves. There should be plenty of books left in the library as I doubt people would have been desperate for them when food is such a big priority.”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Mack said.
“I think we need to educate others on the skills we have as well. Would you be able to oversee that? Perhaps find out anyone who has a specialist skill and are willing to teach it. We could set up various classes open to anyone who wants to learn, and that also will foster a better community spirit.”
“Of course,” Hank replied.
“In fact, if there's nothing more, I'll get started on that now.” Mack gave him an assenting nod and the preacher rose from his chair, leaving the room.
“So, how's Anna doing?” Grace said, lowering her voice and wearing a wicked smile.
“She's fine,” Mack said, shaking his head with amusement.
“I bet she is. So, what does the future hold for you now that you don't have to find her anymore?”
“Oh, I'm sure there are many challenges ahead,” he said, and looked out the window.
For the moment he only could think about how happy he was to be reunited with his wife, and that New Haven was growing into more than just a place where survivors came to make it through the world. It was growing into a place that people could call home.
Chapter Eleven
Maggie was sitting in her apartment when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Luis standing there, and welcomed him in. He still was using a cane for the time being, and moved to the couch, where he leaned in against the arm. He nodded to Tristan, who excused himself and went to his room. Maggie took a seat at the other end of the couch.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“I'm getting there,” he said, “I'm still a bit sore, but I don't know how much of that is actually there and how much is just in my mind.”
“Yeah. I never got shot myself, but I know plenty of people who did. Some of them dealt with it better than others, but either way they all recovered. It was brave of you to take up the offer of being my deputy. Not having any regrets, are you?”
“Not so far, ma'am,” Luis said, putting on a faux Southern drawl. Maggie look unimpressed.
“Just calling me Maggie will be fine,” she said. Luis looked suitably chastised.
“Have you had any experience with law enforcement before?”
“Nope, I wasn't even a hall monitor,” he said, and again Maggie didn't even crack a smile.
She and Luis hadn't spent too much time together, and barely any when it just had been the two of them. So, this was new territory for them both as they tried getting used to how the other worked. She leaned forward and had a serious look on her face.
“Luis, I appreciate that you want to help out, but if you're not going to be fully into this then it's not going to work out. This isn't going to be some adventure or a lark, this is serious business. I've been a cop my whole life and it took away everything I had. This isn't a decision you can make on a whim, you must really want it. Furthermore, if you're not sure that you're ready for that dedication or commitment, then it's best if we stop this before it starts. There won't be any judgment on my part, because I know the toll it takes.”
Luis hadn't been expecting that when he first stepped into the apartment. He looked at the floor and thoughts ran through his mind. He started doubting whether he did really want it or not. He hadn't really given much serious thought to it. The opportunity had arisen and he'd volunteered because he had wanted to make a difference, but he hadn't thought about the realities of it. He looked down at his body, at the wound he had suffered, and wondered if he really could endure being shot again, giving his life to this solemn duty.
“You know,” he finally said, “it would be easy for me to walk out of that door and be like everyone else, but throughout my life I've taken the easy option. I've never really pushed myself. Even walking away from home was easy for me because it meant I didn't have to face life and make the hard decisions about what I wanted to be. Honestly, even here I've struggled to fit in sometimes. Everyone else seems to know their role and what they're supposed to do, but it feels like I've just been floating. When you needed someone to be your deputy, there was something inside me that told me it was the right thing to do. I'm sorry if I seem too laid back, that's just the way I am. I want to make a difference, and I want to feel as though I matter to this place. I can assure you I am taking this seriously, and it means a lot to me.”
“I'm glad to hear it, because this is my life's work, and I'm not going to tolerate anyone who is just going to fool around. We must get to know each other extremely well, so it's better we get these things out of the way now. I'm sure there are things about me that are going to annoy you as well, but I'm the sheriff. So I get to get away with them,” she said.
At first Luis thought she was being serious, but then he saw the twinkling in her eyes, and he smiled, too.
“So, how are we going to tackle law enforcement in New Haven? I'm assuming Mack would like us to come up with a plan pretty quickly,” Luis said.
“Maggie sighed a little, “I'm sure he does, but he can get it when we're ready with one. I've been thinking about it a lot, and I'm trying to get out of the mindset of a cop a little bit because I know it's going to be different.”
“In what way?”
“Well, there's only two of us, for starters, and we don't have a whole justice system to fall back on. There isn't a judge, and we couldn't have a trial because everybody knows everyone else.”
“Do you really think it would come to that?” Luis asked, a look of surprise on his face.
“Nothing would surprise me when it comes to human nature. I know Mack likes to believe in the best of humanity, but I've seen the worst. As much as things are good now, it won't surprise me if people start pushing the boundaries of what's allowed. We need to be prepared for that.”
“Do you think the threat of punishment is going to be enough? Maybe the fact that the settlement is small is going to make crime a lesser thing. After all, who is going to want to steal from their neighbor when they have to work with them on a project the next day?”
“I'm sure it will help to some extent, but eventually there will be some people who will want to break the law. That's just the way humans are built. I mean, look around you, the whole world is this way because of us. We destroy the world only to rebuild it, and then it'll get destroyed again. It's one of the few constants in the universe. But whil
e we're here we get to try stemming the tide, for a little while at least. I think we should have a cell building where we can hold people if needed, and while they're there they'll be on slim rations.”
“Didn't they hang people in the Old West as well?” Luis asked, although by the sound of his voice it was clear he didn't see that as a desirable prospect.
“They did, but I don't think Mack is going to go for that. No, I think the worst punishment in this world is being exiled. Having to live out there on your own, struggling to survive, that would be the punishment only the worst crimes deserve. Even then, I'm not sure Mack will go for it.”
“You think he's soft, don't you?”
“I wouldn't say that exactly, but he's an idealist. That's great, the world needs them, but it also needs people like me who are practical and see what needs to be done. Which side of the line do you sit on Luis?”
Luis started to feel as though he was being asked to choose between two parents. He fidgeted in his seat and looked down at the floor.
“I guess I'm with you sheriff, all the way,” he said.
“Good. That's what I need from a deputy. Unquestioning loyalty. I think we should go around New Haven and introduce ourselves, let people know that we're around if they have any problems.”
Luis nodded and rose, but he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. The way Maggie spoke it was as though she had her own ideas about how New Haven should be run. While, for the moment, she was happy for Mack to take the lead, Luis wondered if there ever would be a point when the two of them would clash. They both were strong personalities, so it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility, but if so then which side would he choose? Would he be the loyal deputy, or would he stay true to the man who had saved his life and given him a new direction? He could only hope it was a decision he never would have to make.