by Nikki Lewen
Before briefing the visitors, Sadie asks Caleb to check on the others without divulging the fact it’s only Jose who still sits on watch. The boy, along with Anna and Clara, will remain unknown to their guests until Sadie decides what information needs to be shared. As Caleb walks away, Sadie sits at a makeshift table with the men and begins her carefully thought out order of business. When Caleb returns, Hank’s is asked to go with him so Sadie can talk privately with Gus.
Outside, Hank and Caleb get the chance to talk. Hank’s first line of questions all concern Sadie and Caleb grows uncomfortable with the newcomer’s level of interest. Hiding his jealousy and answering what’s possible to share, Caleb makes several attempts at changing the topic. By the time Gus emerges, he appears relieved to leave the bargaining table with Sadie.
“Jesus Christ, Mary, and Joseph!” are Gus’s greeting words. He runs a hand over his stubbly hair, fighting a combination of awe and excitement. He turns to Caleb. “Only you’d find a woman like that. I’m positive she’s gotten everything she wants…and I get the feelin’…I’m strictly on a need-to-know basis here.”
Caleb, patting Gus on the back, chuckles, understanding the feeling, and in her absence, the men talk further about Sadie. She’s disappeared to update Jose and giving him his next set of instructions, she sends the boy to the homestead to share news with Clara and Anna and then to man the Intrepid II’s radio. Establishing communication between the boat and the helicopter before they depart is the next priority. As the boy leaves, Sadie joins the men as Caleb serves dinner. They grow silent as she approaches, making Sadie sense she’s been the topic of discussion. Conversation is minimal while they eat, and afterwards, they get back to business.
With dark approaching, they’ve refueled the helicopter from the barrels stored nearby and have nearly completed loading all the supplies. Gus, sitting at the radio, establishes communication with Jose, then, he confirms the route they plan on using to travel back to the colony. The boy grows nervous, knowing they’ll lift off early the next morning and he’s their only link back to the island. If something goes wrong, he may have to ship out to retrieve them.
At the clearing, the visitors retreat to their tent to talk amongst themselves and turn in for the evening. As Sadie and Caleb watch the fire burn out, a comfortable silence settles between them. It’s been a busy day, and everything went smoothly, without hassle. Both look forward to rest, but the anticipation of tomorrow’s journey won’t allow it. Sadie’s extracted as much information as possible from Caleb with regard to the colony, but still, she’s not sure what to fully expect. Her biggest fear is not being able to return home. Even with all the careful planning and preparations, doubts about leaving creep in, making Sadie second-guess herself. She knows the dangers of thinking this way and forces herself stop.
As the last of the embers cast their glow, Sadie says goodnight and heads over to the nearly empty storage shack while Caleb watches her. Fighting the urge to join her, he retreats in the opposite direction. In his lean-to, he tries to find comfort, but tosses and turns, thinking only about Sadie and what lies ahead. He’s the last to wake in the morning and when he emerges, the other two men are sitting with Sadie.
Joining the group, Caleb serves himself a helping of last night’s leftovers while Sadie pours him tea. The talk revolves around leaving as soon as possible, and Gus and Hank begin their pre-flight checks as butterflies flutter in Sadie’s stomach. She’s never ridden in a helicopter before and leaving the island’s sanctuary feels unsettling. She fights the gnawing fear of not being able to return and climbs in.
Packed full of supplies and extra fuel, space is confined in the heavier than normal helicopter, and Gus feels the strain on lift-off. Taking a slow circle of the area, they turn south, as per Sadie’s negotiations. She wants to fly around the tail area to inspect it from the air before heading to the colony, but as usual the fog doesn’t cooperate. Satisfied with the attempt, she gives Gus the go-ahead and the helicopter banks, setting a course back to what remains of the mainland.
FORTY-FOUR
Sadie’s dumfounded by the landscape changes. It’s difficult grasping the once picturesque national park is nothing more than a dying wasteland, sitting along the shoreline of a bloated Pacific. Most of the giant sequoias have fallen, the waterfalls, long dry, aren’t recognizable, and barren patches of hardened dirt replace the once expansive meadows. The sight is unnerving and the further they fly into the Yosemite Valley, the more difficult it becomes to witness.
Upon their arrival at the colony, a small group gathers as the helicopter appears. Peering down, Sadie battles a mixture of emotions. She’s grateful for a safe arrival, curious as to what Yosemite offers, and suddenly, hesitant about interacting with so many new faces. By the time she emerges, the group’s grown and surrounds Gus, Hank, and Caleb. The mood is especially celebratory, since one of their own has safely returned. Feeling out of place, Sadie stands near the copter, observing everyone. It’s Caleb who breaks from the pack to start introducing her.
“Everyone…this…is Sadie. And, Sadie…this is, well…just about everyone.” He laughs as the group turns their attention to the newest arrival.
One-by-one, they introduce themselves. Assaulted by their intense body odors and filth, Sadie does her best to stay genuine and not react poorly, but it’s not what she envisioned. They’re dirty, undernourished, and poorly clothed. Seeing them makes her appreciate all she has even more, and encouraged by their seemingly good nature and gracious welcome, Sadie retrieves a small box purposely placed within reach.
“I’ve brought a few things…to share…and later…maybe…do some trading.” Sadie observes their reactions. “But these,” she holds up the package, “are gifts. Thank you for such a warm welcome.”
The group, intrigued, squeezes closer. As Sadie opens the box, a low murmur spreads amongst them, growing louder as small, travel-sized sets of toothbrushes and toothpaste get handed out. Each person, genuinely thankful, accepts the gift, and the crowd slowly disperses. Straggling behind the adults, a small child catches Sadie’s attention. Between the child’s indiscriminate hand-stitched clothing and long dirty dreads it’s difficult to tell if it’s a young girl or boy. Sadie kneels, lowering the box, and the youngster, even more curious, peers into it.
“What color would you like?” Sadie asks softly.
“Dis one,” the child timidly responds, pointing to a yellow one.
Sadie lifts it out of the box while asking a second question. “What’s your name?”
“Luna.”
“Well then…here you go, Luna,” Sadie says, giving it to the girl.
Turning it over in her tiny hands, Luna’s amazed by the crinkling of the plastic wrap. She’s never seen anything like it. Sadie, captivated by the youngster’s reaction, takes a moment before realizing the child has no idea what she’s holding.
“It’s a toothbrush…for your teeth,” Sadie says, ripping another open and removing the small box of toothpaste and collapsible brush.
She shows Luna how the brush opens and snaps into its plastic square cover. Opening the tube of paste, Sadie demonstrates how to squeeze it out, while talking about the importance of cleaning your teeth. Luna, memorized, follows Sadie’s every word and action. As Sadie returns the unused brush, Luna makes a shy inquiry.
“Whaa ’bout da others? Do dey git one?”
“Of course…” Sadie begins, “How many do you think didn’t get one?”
Luna, without hesitating, answers in detail, using her fingers to keep track as she lists names. Sadie, impressed, hands Luna the box and asks her to be in charge of making sure they all get one. The girl’s eyes light up, and her grin widens.
Sadie adds more. “After everyone gets their gift…I want you to check back with me. Okay?”
“Okay!” Luna exclaims, excitedly holding the box and running ahead.
Both Caleb and Gus share smiles with Sadie. They’ve joyfully watched the entire interaction, but r
eady to move, Sadie grabs her pack and crossbow, then helps pull the camouflaged cover over the helicopter. Still a little uncomfortable about leaving all the goods she’s packed, Sadie hesitates, and Gus notices.
“Don’t worry, everything’s safe. First thing tomorrow, we’ll unload it,” he reassures her.
Sadie, sensing his trustworthy integrity, shoulders her pack and nods. Gus leads the way along a well-worn trail leading toward the colony and through the remnants of the once world-renowned park. Any surviving structures serve a purpose and along the entire way, Caleb talks about each. His only pause comes when Gus explains some of the recent destruction they encounter en route, promising later to share the detailed story of fighting off a Splitter raid. When they stop, it’s at an old ranger station, serving as the colony’s headquarters and doubling as Gus’s lodging. Inside, the colony leader opens one of the adjacent rooms, offering the space to Sadie.
“You can store your supplies here,” he says, then nods towards a folded cot, “and you’re more than welcome…to bunk here...” Gus trails off, looking between Sadie and Caleb, unsure if their sleeping arrangements are together or separate.
“You wanna leave your stuff and finish the tour?” Caleb quickly interjects, turning to Sadie. “I’ll show you around…and we’ll wrap up in time for dinner.” He turns to Gus. “We’ll meet you there…and hear the rest of that story you promised.”
Gus nods, affirming the plan, as does Sadie.
“Just give me a few minutes,” Sadie says, entering the room and shutting the door.
True to her estimate of time, Sadie returns, carrying a daypack with her crossbow also slung across her back. She proceeds directly to Gus, who’s taken a seat behind his desk.
“I’m not sure what colony policy is,” Sadie motions to her bow, “and nothin’ was mentioned while walking here, but…with your approval, I’d like to keep it with me. The recent attacks on the colony, along with the security measures you’ve pointed out…lead me to believe…safety is of the utmost concern.” She pauses, letting her words take hold. “I like to be prepared and…if needed, offer my services…may they never be needed, but…despite the unlikelihood of another attack…I can be of assistance, if you need it. You have my word.”
Gus doesn’t doubt for a second that Sadie could ever be prevented from protecting herself or those around. The icy calm in her eyes speaks more than words. She’s no stranger to the evils unleashed by the world’s destruction, and besides, her logic’s sound. If attacked, they could use the help, and knowing she’d be a powerful ally, Gus extends a hand to shake on it.
“I accept…and officially declare you on emergency security detail, but…as you said…may it never come to that.”
As they part company, Gus chuckles under his breath. Once again, Sadie’s gotten her way and has done so in a manner that makes him feel good about it. Caleb sticks close to Sadie as he introduces her to everyone they pass, even the ones she’s already met. With each greeting, Caleb becomes more comfortable establishing a connection with his gorgeous companion, who draws endless attention. Several men don’t take Caleb’s subtle hints and offer Sadie their places, if she needs somewhere to stay. Each time, without answering, she graciously thanks them, and by the time they reach the medical facility, Sadie’s a little uncomfortable and realizes staying anonymous is not a realistic notion.
Entering the structure, it’s clearly obvious it used to be a gift shop. Faded Yosemite postcards and posters of Half Dome and El Capitan still line one of the walls and display shelves have been rearranged to store what little supplies the colonists possess. A few cots, scattered across an open floor space, serve their sick, but currently, the only occupant is an elderly man. Adjacent to the building sits an outdoor kitchen with an accompanying mess hall that consists of picnic tables arranged in two long rows under a large pavilion. Like many of the colony’s other structures, the area’s covered in a homespun version of camouflaged netting in an attempt to hide its existence.
There’s plenty of activity in preparation of the evening meal and as others begin to gather, each person makes an effort to talk with Sadie or wave to her. When the line begins to form, Gus, who asks Sadie her thoughts about the colony, joins them. She gives detailed accounts of her observations, shares amazement at their ingenuity with the workstations and converting the park’s campground into living quarters, and in turn, asks specifics about the garden’s productivity, livestock management, and desalinating the ocean’s water. As the line moves, Gus answers all she asks and when they reach the front, the conversation shifts to the meal being served.
Each person receives a single bowl of chicken soup, accompanied by a chunk of fry bread and a glass of water. It’s meager, at best, but provides some relief to the hunger that plagues the colony. There’s enough for all, but none ever get as much as they’d like. Throughout dinner, small talk travels across the table, until near the end, when Caleb begins asking about the recent Splitter attack.
Gus slurps the last of his soup, then responds. “Not long after you left, a small troop overtook one of the lookouts. A patrol scout managed a few warning shots…so at least we weren’t caught completely off guard. They attacked, firing heavily and torching buildings, but luckily they were unorganized...and we surrounded ’em.”
A flourish of visuals assaults the forefront of Gus’s mind, but pushing them aside and wishing he could forget, he shares more. “We suffered…eleven causalities and afterwards, we discovered some of the Splitters were camped ’bout a day out…hidden up in the higher elevations. We caught ’em by surprise and…ended it quickly…but…it wasn’t all our doin’.” Gus nods in the direction of a lone female sitting at the end of a far table.
She arrived much later for the meal than everyone else and sat separately from those remaining. Sensing their attention, she downs her soup, returns the dish, and leaves. When she’s out of sight, Gus speaks again.
“They had women with ’em...who fought alongside the men, but she didn’t. She helped us…actually…she ended it.” Her rampage tears across Gus’s mind. One dropped gun and opportune moment had given her the chance she’d been waiting for.
Gus returns to describing it for the others. “She eliminated the last of ’em…and then dropped her weapon, raised both arms, and asked to speak with our leader…which, after some pause…I allowed. We negotiated and…eventually, came to an agreement. I offered asylum in exchange for intel on the Nation. She’s shared what she knows, and…any time I have questions, she cooperates, but…as per the terms, she answers only to me, and she’s never pressured to speak or interact with anyone else. She keeps to herself…and…after our conversations…I understand and respect her privacy. That girl’s been through a lot and deserves sanctuary.”
Refocusing, Gus talks specifically about the Nation and shares what’s been learned, confirming the militant force is on the prowl. They’re vacating Tahoe in small units, searching for new refuge and any remaining resources. Between the depletion of their water supply and the severe in-fighting that’s erupted, their leadership brutally enforced a re-organization. Units are systematically being sent out, traveling by land and sea. Assigning long-term scouting missions to a vast number of their troops reduces the demand on the Nation’s remaining resources and keeps them from killing one another. They’re traveling on meager rations, basically fending for themselves and leaving behind a swath of destruction.
Gus’s information paints a clearer image, making sense as to why Splitters arrived here and on Sadie’s island. Even though they both managed to wipe out the ones sent in their directions, the news is still unsettling. Knowing that others may follow, or, scouting Splitters may return to report their findings back in Tahoe worries Sadie deeply. As Gus wraps up, they transition to an old outdoor amphitheater where a gathering’s been called. One takes place anytime there’s a new arrival, someone returns, or there’s news to be shared.
As the log slab benches fill, Sadie notices only adults are
present. Two fire pits, located on opposite sides of a small raised platform, cast flickering light upon the front area where Gus stands, addressing the group. Sadie and Caleb, sitting in the front row, listen as he gives a brief synopsis of the events leading to tonight’s meeting. A few colony members make inquires that he easily answers, but when one asks specifically about the island Caleb’s returned from and what’s it called, he stammers.
“Aaaahh…well…I guess, its Sadie’s home so…” Gus trails off, looking to Sadie.
Caleb turns and seeing she’s got nothing, blurts, “Three Sisters.”
“Three Sisters?” questions one of the men in attendance, “Sadie, if you got sisters…I’d like to meet ’em.”
A chuckle spreads among the men, but many seriously hope there are more women like Sadie. The lightness of the mood and the pause give Sadie just enough time to respond.
“Sorry, boys, hate to disappoint, but…I don’t have any sisters.” They appreciate her jovial response and Sadie’s decisive with what she shares next, “It’s called Three Sisters because…it’s actually three islands…mainly only one that’s inhabitable, but there’re two smaller extensions to the southeast.”
Sadie knows Caleb was referring to her, Clara, and Ana, but that’s not information she wants to divulge. Caleb understandingly nods and appreciating Sadie’s uncanny ability to think rationally in terms of safety, finds her explanation plausible. Gus, directing the gathering back to their main focus, asks Caleb to speak. Standing, he tells his version of the expedition in which he nearly died, keeping it brief and to the point. He talks about the loss of his friend, and their comrade, and shares details establishing Sadie’s role in both his survival and the final elimination of the Splitters remaining on Three Sisters.