by E A Chance
As they all headed for the door, Adrian gave the room a last look. “It may feel that way to you, but I have years of happy memories in this place. Even though my family’s gone, it’s comforting to be in a familiar place after so many harrowing months.”
Riley squeezed his hand, then linked her arm in his and nudged him toward the door. She understood his feelings. It was how she’d felt when she made it to the ranch, a place she’d never see again. It was tough enough that the CME had destroyed so many lives without Kearns piling on. All Riley could do was hope that one day Kearns would pay for her crimes.
Coop led them back to the house they’d stayed in to retrieve Biscuit and their belongings. The poor horse wasn’t thrilled to have to pull the cart again after so little rest.
“Just a bit longer until you can rest for an entire day,” Riley whispered to him and gave him an extra piece of apple as Coop and Adrian hooked up the cart. “You’re doing great, old friend. You’ve got this.”
Biscuit nodded twice as he chomped his apple. There were times Riley was convinced he understood her. Even if not, she knew they could trust him to do what they needed. She climbed onto her cushioned makeshift seat, feeling guilty that she got to relax while the others had to ride. They needed a day of rest as much as Biscuit.
Coop and Adrian agreed it was best to double back the way they entered, even though it was out of their way. They couldn’t risk running into a checkpoint. They saw occasional patrols in the distance but never ran into any directly. They headed southeast until they were clear of the city limits, then turned due west. None of them knew what to expect from that point on, but hoped it would be as uneventful as their journey to St. Louis had been.
They traveled roughly thirty miles and couldn’t go another inch. They stopped south of the Missouri River in a forested area by a stream. As the sun rose, Riley helped the others set up their tents and put together a cold meal of the last of the bread Adrian had baked two days earlier, jerky and apple slices. After eating, they all collapsed in an exhausted stupor while she cleaned up, then took out a novel she’d found in the house they’d stayed in on one of their stops. She’d dozed some during the night and wasn’t tired, so she lowered herself into a folding chair to read.
She got through a few pages of the novel but had too many thoughts racing through her brain to keep focused on it. She’d convinced herself that Adrian would find his family and stay behind and hadn’t thought through what would happen if he didn’t. Even though Kearns’ people were searching for all four of them, she’d hoped that separating from Adrian would mean less danger for the rest of them. If he didn’t figure out who Cousin Jack was, she had to accept the possibility that he could remain with them along all the way to Colorado. As fond as she was of Adrian, she’d hoped to avoid that risk.
Another new situation to contend with was that Kearns’ troops were no longer chasing them but were out in front, waiting to capture them. The slightest miscalculation could mean their journey would end in an instant. Another fear lurking at the back of her brain was that the military had reached Colorado Springs and her children were already in a Residential Zone. Odds of that were slim since Kearns’ reach possibly didn’t extend that far yet, but it was a possibility. If that were the case, she’d not only have to find her children without being captured, but rescue them, too.
She shook her head to clear it. There was no point in planning for trouble that hadn’t happened. They faced big enough challenges as it was. She turned her thoughts instead to what was working. They’d easily found the food and water they needed. The weather had cooperated, even if temperatures were higher than normal. It was the middle of July, so the heat wasn’t going away soon.
As they made their way out of St. Louis, Coop suggested they travel at night to avoid the worst of the heat. Traveling in the dark presented its own set of challenges, but Aaron had provided them with a solar-battery powered light for the cart, so at least they wouldn’t be moving blind. They always had the option to change their minds if night travel didn’t work.
Dashay sat up and stretched. She’d been riding in the cart, napping with her head in Riley’s lap. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Two hours. Look at Adrian.”
Dashay turned toward where Adrian was weaving back and forth across the road with his eyes half-closed.
“He needs to get off that bike before he crashes or passes out from heat stroke. It must a hundred degrees out here,” Riley said.
“Coop, hold up,” Dashay called. When Coop tugged on Biscuit’s reins to stop him, she climbed out and walked to Adrian. “Adrian, get in the cart. I’ll bike for a while.”
He didn’t seem to hear and kept riding straight for her.
“Adrian!” Riley shouted.
He slowly raised his eyes and saw Dashay just in time to press the breaks. Coop got off his bike and walked back to join them while Riley got out of the cart. They started examining Adrian in tandem.
“Heat exhaustion,” Riley said. “Dashay, grab three canteens. Help me get him into the shade, Coop.”
They helped Adrian off his bike, then each took an arm and half dragged him to the nearest tree. Riley ordered him to strip down to his underwear. When Dashay ran up with the canteens, Riley opened two of them and doused Adrian, then handed him the third one to take a drink. He took a few sips, then lowered the canteen.
Riley squatted next to him and raised it back to his lips. “All of it. Drink it down.” He scowled at her but took several gulps. “Good boy.”
“I’m not Biscuit,” he mumbled.
She straightened and put her hands on her hips. “You’re feeling better though, aren’t you?”
He nodded and took another drink.
Coop took off his cap and leaned against the tree. “I’m not feeling much better and look at Biscuit. It must be at least a hundred and ten. We’ve got to stop.”
Riley scanned the area. “I agree, but I’m not comfortable this close to the road where anyone passing can see us.”
“We haven’t seen a soul since we’ve been on this road,” Coop said. “Everyone else is too smart to be out in this heat.”
Dashay said, “These trees are the only shade I can see. Looks like farms and wild fields for miles.”
Riley signaled for Adrian to take a drink, then said, “We’ll rest here for thirty minutes, then we can find more secluded shade.”
“We need water, too,” Dashay said “We only have two full canteens. I’m fresh after my nap. I’ll go scout the area for shade and water while you rest.”
Riley put a hand on her arm. “No, Dashay. You’re not going out there alone.”
Dashay cocked her thumb at Coop and Adrian. “These two are in no shape to go, and you can’t ride a bike. I’ll take the rifle with me. Like Coop said, we’re the only fools out here.”
Coop squinted at her. “Not exactly what I said, but you’re not wrong.”
“I could ride Biscuit,” Riley said.
Dashay burst into her deep, melodious laugh. “Even if Biscuit were in any shape to go, we’d never get you into that saddle. I’ll be fine on my own, Riley. Trust me to know how to stay out of trouble.”
“I vote no, but it’s up to Coop. He’s the boss.”
“Go but be back here in thirty minutes, tops. Riley, give her your watch. Take a canteen and the rifle.”
Riley wasn’t happy with Coop’s decision, but kept her mouth shut for once.
Dashay got the equipment she needed from the cart, then carried the other canteen to them. She held it out to Coop. “Drink, then give your stubborn wife some.”
Coop saluted her before unscrewing the canteen cap. “Thirty minutes,” he said as Dashay took off down the road.
Riley could feel him watching her. She looked up and said, “What?”
“Dashay is smart. She’ll be fine.”
“Every time you say that something goes horribly wrong.”
He winked at her. “Not every time.”
He handed her the canteen, and said, “Sometimes we have no choice. We’re pushing that horse and ourselves too hard, and I’d like a little advanced information about what we’re storming into for once.”
“That’s true,” she conceded. “Feeling better, Adrian?”
When he didn’t answer, she spun around to check on him. He was sound asleep, breathing steady and deep with his mouth hanging open. She pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. He was much cooler.
“Think I’ll do the same,” Coop said. He sank down next to the tree and pushed his cap over his eyes.
Since Riley wasn’t tired after riding in the cart, she retrieved her novel from the cart to give it another shot. Not wanting to disturb Coop and Adrian, she carried it to where Biscuit was resting in the shade of a different tree. She lowered herself to the base of the trunk, hoping she’d be able to get up again without help. That was getting more difficult the bigger her belly grew.
She settled in and flipped to the last page she read at the river. She had better luck getting into the story the second time and fifteen minutes had passed without her noticing when Dashay gave a soft whistle as she rode toward her. Riley didn’t bother to get up.
Still straddling her bike, Dashay said, “I hit the jackpot. There’s a village just over that rise. I wouldn’t even call it a town. A couple there has a bottled water stand on the side of the road. They found a warehouse filled with cases of bottled water and now they trade for things they need.”
“That’s fantastic news,” Riley said. “They must be doing a booming business today.”
“They also pointed out a small park with a gazebo where we can rest until dark when it’s cool enough to travel. Glad I went scouting?” Riley scowled at her as she tried to get up. She only made it as far as her knees. “Need help?”
She held out her hand and Dashay helped her to her feet. She dusted herself off and grabbed her book. “Mind getting Biscuit harnessed while I wake those two? I’ll make room in the cart so they can both ride with me.”
Once they were on their way, Riley rigged some shade with a blanket and two fishing poles. It did little to reduce the temperature, but it kept the direct sun off them.
She was relieved when they reached the water stand after twenty minutes, ready to trade whatever it took to get safe water. Coop and Adrian climbed out of the cart first, then helped her out. A couple who looked to be in their late twenties sat under a pop-up canopy at a card table covered with bottles of water. A toddler slept under another canopy behind them, and a girl of about four played with blocks on the blanket next to him. Riley looked on fondly as the baby did flips inside her. She hoped he’d never have to nap on a blanket by the side of the road.
“Here are my friends I was telling you about,” Dashay told them.
“Hello,” they said in unison.
Coop tipped his cap to them. “Afternoon. Dashay says you trade water for goods. What’s your price?”
The man looked up at him, shading his eyes with his hand against the glaring over Coop’s shoulder. “We trade for what we believe is fair. We won’t gouge you, but we need to survive in these crazy times, too.”
Riley stepped closer to be in the shade of their canopy. “What are you looking for today?”
“Food,” the woman said. “Food is always at the top of our list.”
Coop put his hand on Riley’s shoulder. “For us, too. Unfortunately, we can’t part with our food for obvious reasons.”
The woman glanced at Riley’s belly, then at her children. “I understand. Medication and medical supplies next.”
Coop and Riley exchanged a look, and Riley nodded. “We can help you there. We’re doctors. We have a limited stock of medical supplies we can part with. We can’t give you prescription medications unless we examine you and see you have a need. We’re willing to trade over-the-counter drugs you need.”
The man sat up straighter. “You’re doctors? Will you look at our son? He scraped his leg last week by the creek. It was just a minor scratch, but the wound is getting worse.”
“Of course. We’d be happy to,” Riley said. “Can you grab the med pack out of the cart, please, Dashay?”
Dashay gave Riley a knowing look as she turned toward the cart. Riley didn’t like the thought of taking advantage of the child’s injury, but being doctors had been a clear asset and had even saved their lives on their journey. Their medical knowledge and skills were their currency, but it was also a privilege to put those skills to good use. Riley would willingly give that service and hoped it would mean not having to sacrifice their precious provisions.
“Can you lift your son up to the table?” she asked. “I have a hard time getting on my knees these days.”
They removed the bottles of water from the table and the woman spread a blanket over it before her husband lifted the little boy to the table. He wasn’t happy to be awakened from his nap and plunked on a table in front of strangers. He took one look at Riley and let out a wail as he reached for his mother. The woman stepped closer and whispered calming words in his ear.
As he wiggled on the table, Riley saw the angry three-inch wound on his right shin. It was tomato red, swollen and oozing pus.
“What’s his name and how old is he?” Coop asked before Riley reached for his leg.
“This is Miles. He’s eighteen months.”
Riley gave her a warm smile. “My nephew’s name is Miles. He would have just turned one.”
Her breath caught as memories of Lily’s baby unexpectedly flooded over her. She took a few breaths to fight her tears and turned her attention to Miles.
“Hello, sweetheart,” she said as she gently placed her hand on his foot. When he pulled his leg away, his mother put her arms around him and held him tight. Riley cocked her head for Coop to help her. “You’re going to have to hold him still. He won’t like this.”
Coop wrapped his hand above and below the wound while Riley leaned over and shined her penlight on it. The broken skin had closed over a foreign object. That meant she’d have to open the wound to remove it.
“Dashay, do we have any more lidocaine?” she asked over the boy’s whimpers. Dashay unzipped the med pack and searched through it. After a few seconds, she held up the vial and smiled. “Prefect. I’m going to have to inject your son with medication to numb him so I can open the skin. It’s going to be very painful for a few seconds, then he won’t feel a thing. You’re going to have to hold him still and keep him distracted.”
The man came up beside his wife and spoke to Miles to get his attention away from Riley. The father made funny faces and sounds while she filled the vial. She glanced at Coop and held her breath before injecting the needle. Miles let out an ear-piercing shriek, but Coop kept his leg immobilized. Mile’s parents tried to calm him, but he was inconsolable. A minute later, he quieted and forgot about Riley when his father offered him some cheese crackers.
Riley let out her breath and pulled on a pair of gloves. Coop and Dashay handed her the instruments she needed so she could go to work on the wound. She opened the skin with a scalpel and Dashay dabbed at the blood and pus that poured out. Riley saw the cause of the infection as soon as the field was clear. A large, angry thorn was imbedded in the opening. She plucked it out with a pair of tweezers and held it up to show Mile’s parents. She dropped it on the ground and after disinfecting the wound, asked Dashay for sutures. She had the skin closed within ten minutes. Dashay bandaged it, then Coop let go of Miles’ leg. The child was oblivious to the fact he’d just had minor surgery.
As Riley pulled off her gloves, she said, “You’re lucky we came along when we did. That infection could have become septic and possibly even fatal without treatment. I’ve put antibiotic cream over the incision, but I need to give Miles an antibiotic injection. Is he allergic to any medications you know of?”
They both shook their heads. “He’s never even been sick,” the father said.
“That’s fortunate. It means he should recover
quickly. I’ll inject him and keep medicine on standby, just in case. You need to keep his incision clean and covered for a few days. We’ll leave you with bandages and scissors to remove the sutures. Dashay will show you how.”
The mother jumped up and gave Riley a hug. “How can we repay you?”
“I know a way,” Adrian said, “with water.”
The father picked up the bottles that had been on the table and carried them to the cart. “Take as much as you can carry. It’s nothing compared to the price of our son’s life.”
“You have no idea how much that means to us,” Riley said, “especially today. I’m Kate. That’s Coop, my husband and the other man is Andy.” Adrian raised an eyebrow at her but dipped his chin and smiled. “What are your names?”
The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulder. “I’m Cody. This is my wife, Monica. Our daughter’s name is Mandy. She’s four.”
“You have a lovely family,” Riley said, again overcome with memories of home.
While Coop and Adrian helped Cody load several flats of water into the cart, Monica laid Miles back on his blanket under the canopy. Mandy continued to play with her blocks as if her brother hadn’t just had an operation.
Monica gestured to the chairs, and said, “Please, both of you sit.” Riley and Dashay took the seats without hesitation.
“Where do you live?” Dashay asked as they watched the men work.
“We have a small farm near here. My husband inherited land from his grandfather. We moved from St. Louis about a year ago. That’s where our families are, the ones that survived. We haven’t been able to get into the city since the Zone was created, but we’re hoping that won’t last much longer.”
“Why do you say that?” Riley asked.
“Because of the war.”
Dashay glanced at Riley, then said, “War?”
Monica raised her eyebrows. “Seriously, you don’t know?” Dashay shrugged. “Where have you been hiding?”