Forager (9781771275606)

by Scheer, Ron

  How could the mayor not know I’d been gone for two days? Did no one know? It seemed that way. It was a disturbing thought. It seemed nobody even missed me.

  Just out of town, I passed a grain wagon pulled by a team of horses. Scott Taylor, one of the field hands, drove the team. I knew Scott from school, though he’d been a couple years ahead of me. “Did the mayor get his daughter back?” he asked, like he expected I would have been there with everyone else to watch the negotiations, and not out of town searching for a alternator.

  Luckily, I’d seen enough to answer. “No, things are worse.” I told him what I’d seen and about the triple ransom.

  “Can we make quota and still have enough food for us?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know, Scott. All we can do is try. We’ve got to get Chane back. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”

  “This is going to sound cold, but is she worth it? Is anyone? What I mean is, if we’re all going to starve to save one person, who’ll end up starving right along with the rest of us, is it worth it?”

  My first thought was, of course she’s worth it, but Scott made a sound point. “I don’t know what the right answer is.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I like Chane as much as the next person. I don’t want anything to happen to her, but sometimes we have to look beyond the here and now. We’ve got to see past what’s right in front of our eyes and look at the long term.”

  I could only nod. In his way, he was right. I tapped Fred’s sides lightly and Scott got his team moving in the opposite direction. He’d given me a lot to think about.

  When I arrived at the east fields where Charlie harvested, clouds of corn dust filled the air. The heaviest dust settled right back to the ground in the still air. The harvester was almost to the end of the field, moving away from me. I stopped and waited for Charlie to get to the end of the row and turn the harvester around.

  I was positive Frank had kept my leaving a secret. I’d have to ask him how he’d managed it. On one side, I was glad I wouldn’t be banished. On the other, no one would know that I found the alternator.

  Charlie waved at me from inside the combine’s cab. I motioned for him to stop. When the big machine’s wheels came to a halt, he opened the door and climbed down from the cab. “Dillon, what brings ya out here? I thought you was sick.”

  That explained it. I figured since Frank had worked so hard to keep me out of trouble, I’d better play along.

  “Frank sent me out here with this.” I pointed to the alternator still tied to the saddle horn.

  Charlie’s face lit up with the biggest smile I’d ever seen. He placed his thumbs through the shoulder straps of his overalls and leaned forward on the balls of his feet. I thought he might do a little jig right there. “Now where’d ya get this little beauty?” Charlie asked. “Never mind, I don’t care where it came from, long as it works.”

  I was glad he didn’t want an answer. I didn’t want to lie.

  “I see your still ridin’ that Forager’s horse. How’s he doin’? That leg o’ his heal up alright?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him for a couple of days.”

  “That’s right, you wouldn’t have seen him, being sick and all. Looks like you’re better now. He got any tools in those horse bags?”

  I smiled and nodded.

  “Well, get ’em out! We got us a combine to fix!”

  It almost made me sick for real to watch Charlie change out the alternator. His scar-covered hands used the same wrench I’d use to remove it, yet he made it look easy. Like the tools were oddly shaped fingers that were as much a part of him as the ones he’d been born with.

  Not once did the wrench slip. He didn’t turn the bolts the wrong way. No skinned knuckles. No dropped tools. In no time at all, the old alternator was out.

  “Dillon, Frank give ya a belt to go along with this alt’nator?”

  Walking over to Fred, I unpacked the belt from the saddlebags, and brought it back.

  “Okay, I need a bit a help with this part. We gotta make sure the belt’s tight. We need somethin’ to pry with.”

  I went back to Fred again and got my pry bar. “Will this work?”

  “That’s just the ticket, now you pry the alt’nator so’s that it lines up to the mount…That’s it…Now, just let me get a few turns on these bolts...good….okay, you can let go.”

  Charlie finished tightening the bolts and snapped the wiring harness together. “Okay, let’s fire her up and see if she works.”

  He climbed back in the cab. A moment later the big engine roared to life. His gaze fixed on the gauge panel inside. The smile stretching across his face was all the proof I needed that I’d done my job.

  Charlie shut off the combine and climbed out of the cab. He pointed to my raw, scrapped knuckles. “You weren’t sick. You was out Foragin’. I left enough of my own skin behind while wrenchin’ on engines to recognize what happened to them knuckles. I shoulda guessed it right off when I seen ya ridin’ the Forager’s horse.”

  I wanted to deny it. I wanted to confirm it. I didn’t know what I wanted.

  Charlie put his hand on my shoulder the same way my dad used to. “Don’t worry about it, son. Your secret’s safe with me. You got your reasons for stayin’ quiet an’ that’s okay, but let me be the first to say thanks.”

  I’m not sure if there was a better feeling in the entire world than to have the true, heartfelt thanks of someone wash over me. My chest swelled with pride and my cheeks grew warm.

  “You best get on back to town. Me and the lady,” he pointed at the harvester, “we got us a lot a work to do.”

  “Charlie, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, kid. What is it?”

  “When I was out searching, I found a lot of harvesters. Most were in really good condition. Why are we still using this one? Why couldn’t we bring one in for a backup?”

  “It all goes back to the numbers, kid. The gov’ner wants everybody makin’ food. Even in winter, we got too much to do. We just ain’t got time to go out there and get one.”

  “But won’t those machines be useless if their left abandoned?” Seemed to me the town could spare a person or two to retrieve those machines.

  “It sure ain’t good for ’em. Still, the only way we’re getting’ a new machine is if this one completely fails. If that happens, we’re gonna be in a world a trouble. It ain’t like we can just go out there and drive one back to town. There’s a ton a work needs doin’ before any one of them machines would even start.”

  I understood the governor’s position. It was his job to make sure no one went hungry, but how long could those machines sit unused before they were nothing but scrap metal. And, wouldn’t the time saved by having two harvesters make up for the time it would take to get a second one up and running?

  A sudden fear gripped me. “Charlie, what if the Scavengers get them?”

  He sniffed and rolled his eyes. “What would a bunch of no good thievin’ savages want with a combine? It ain’t like they ever settle down in one place long enough to grow anything. ’Sides, I doubt there’s a one of ’em knows the first thing about gettin’ one of them machines runnin’.”

  Charlie turned to climb the ladder, hesitated, and turned back to me with his hand out. I shook with him.

  “Thanks again, Dillon,” he said. “If ever there’s anything I can do to help you out, just let me know.”

  He fired up the harvester as I gathered the tools. I packed them away and started Fred walking back to town.

  On the way back, I wondered how Frank was going to explain the now fully-working combine. I decided that as long as he kept my name out of it, it wasn’t my problem.

  I guided Fred to the infirmary to visit Sawyer. I passed a few people on my way in, but no one stopped me or seemed surprised to see me. With the sun lowering in the western sky, I guessed they were too busy going to the Dining Hall for supper to pay me any attention.

  I found a large bu
cket inside, placed it on a wheelchair and filled it with several gallons of fresh water. Fred was already grazing on the lush grass outside, but she looked up appreciatively at me when she scented the water. I muscled the bucket onto the pavement and let Fred drink her fill.

  Leaving the bucket for Fred, and after wheeling the chair back inside, I wandered around the infirmary, checking rooms until I found Sawyer. His face was pale and clammy, his eyes bloodshot. I knew even before seeing the huge bandage on his leg that the infection was worse.

  He’d been reading, but put the book down when he saw me. “You’re back. Good. How’d it go?”

  I started with the botched ransom delivery. Then I detailed the last two days. I told him everything, mostly. I left out a few of the more embarrassing parts. He didn’t interrupt until I got to the part where the Scavengers started shooting at me.

  “You were lucky Fred was under you. She’s the fastest horse I’ve ever had. I can’t figure why they bothered you, though. Usually, Scavengers aren’t that bold.”

  “What about the ones that captured Chane? They seem pretty bold to me.”

  “That’s been bothering me too. Scavenger’s just aren’t that daring. Did you recognize any of them from the attack on the town? Is it the same gang?”

  “I wondered that, too, but when I rode into town, a whole slew of Scavengers had gathered for the ransom delivery. There’s no way they could have beaten me here.”

  “That sounds right. And I’ve never known them to leave anyone behind. I think it has to do with being banished. No one wants to be shut out again. I’m guessing here, but I think the band you ran into on the way back was a totally different one…unless…”

  I perked up. “What?”

  “Did you see the mayor’s daughter at the ransom delivery?”

  “No, and I looked for her, too.”

  Sawyer rubbed his chin. “I’m thinking that maybe they left her behind to make sure they’d get what they came for. They know from their failed first attack that they can’t outgun you. They may have been trying to outsmart you.”

  “Are you saying the mayor wasn’t going to deliver the ransom?”

  “I’m not saying that was his plan, I’m saying that’s what the Scavengers planned for.”

  I frowned, the pieces not adding up in my mind. “But why wouldn’t he have ordered us to attack them when he found out Chane wasn’t with them?”

  “Think about it. If he killed all the Scavengers, how would he know where to find his daughter? The men you stumbled across probably were left behind to guard Chane. If I’m right, she couldn’t have been far away.”

  A shiver ran up my back. How close had I been to Chane? Had she seen me? Would she have recognized me? Had she tried to call out for help?

  “But why shoot at me? Wouldn’t it have been better if they’d stayed hidden?”

  Sawyer paused, looking thoughtful. “Darn fever’s making my head foggy. This is what I think—at least some of those Scavengers saw me during the attack. They’d have known I was in the area. When they saw you on the road, they must have thought you were me. They would have assumed I’d been sent to find Chane.”

  “I got too close, didn’t I?”

  “That’s my guess.”

  Frank entered the room. He took my hand in his and gave it a shake. “I hoped I’d find you here, Dillon. Great work finding the alternator. Did you get it out to Charlie?”

  Nodding, I said, “I helped him install it. You should know that he figured out I was the one that Foraged it.”

  Frank scratched his head. “Charlie’s a good man. I think he’ll keep quiet. Just to be sure, I’ll talk to him.”

  “I’m glad you kept my leaving quiet. I really didn’t want to be banished.”

  Frank brushed that thought away with a wave of his hand. “Doing what I do, it was easy to convince the mayor you were sick. The hard part was persuading him you were too ill to be jolted. When he hears you’re up and around, he’ll want you back in the town square.”

  I hadn’t forgotten the upcoming jolts, but I’d done a good job of not thinking about them over the last couple of days. Leave it to Frank, the organizer, to make sure everyone was where they needed to be when they needed to be there. I changed the subject.

  “What happened with the ransom delivery?”

  “When the mayor and his entourage rode out to meet the Scavengers, the ransom was in wagons on the side of the road ready for them. It seems their plan was to take the wagons and then bring Chane back.”

  I looked at Sawyer. He nodded. His theory was panning out.

  Frank continued, “When the mayor understood what the Scavengers were planning, he refused the ransom. He thought they were trying to con him. They argued back and forth. I don’t know what the mayor was thinking, taking his sons out there.” Frank shook his head in disgust. “Josh couldn’t handle it. He pulled out a pistol and shot their leader.”

  “I saw that part,” I interrupted. “I’m guessing she was wearing her bulletproof vest?”

  “Yes, good thing too, if Josh had killed her…? Well, I can’t say what would have happened, but I would be even more concerned about Chane than I already am.”

  “So exactly what do they want now?” Sawyer asked.

  “Triple everything. There’s no way we can give it to them, make quota, and survive the winter. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

  “Dillon may have come near their camp while he was out Foraging the alternator.” Sawyer said.

  I explained it to Frank. The frown on his face gave away his doubts.

  “I’m not sure how to handle this,” he said. “If I go to the mayor with this, he’s going to be furious with both of us. You, for Foraging, and me for letting you do it. But if I don’t tell him, and you’re right, we could be putting our future and Chane’s life in real danger.”

  “How long did they give you to collect the ransom?” Sawyer asked.

  “Four days,” answered Frank.

  Dr. White knocked on the door and entered the room. His eyebrows rose when he saw me. “Dillon, glad to see you’re feeling better. Gentlemen, please excuse us, but I’ll need the two of you to wait outside while I examine Sawyer.”

  Frank and I walked out and stood beside the door. “He doesn’t look good,” Frank said.

  “I know. He’s so pale. The infection must be getting bad.”

  Frank nodded, started to say something and stopped. He ran a hand through his hair and finally said, “You did great getting that alternator. It’s…it’s not right for you to be punished. I wish there was something I could do. I’ve tried talking the mayor out of it, but he just won’t listen. I’m sorry.”

  I’d gotten the impression that Frank didn’t care one way or the other if I were punished. It was nice to know he was on my side, even if he couldn’t do anything to help me. “Thanks,” I said.

  “It’s worse than that now. If I tell the mayor you were Foraging…I don’t know what he’ll do to you.”

  We fell into an uncomfortable silence. A few minutes later, Dr. White came out. He nodded as Frank strolled back in to talk with Sawyer. When I tried to walk in, the doctor stopped me. His lips were set in a thin line and his eyes were serious and sad. “Dillon, Sawyer’s body isn’t fighting the infection. If I don’t see improvement by tomorrow, I won’t have a choice. I’ll have to amputate.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Does Sawyer know you might have to amputate?” I asked.

  “I told him.” The doctor clenched his fist in frustration. “If only I had some antibiotics, I’d have him cured in a week.”

  I thought of all I’d seen in my last few days of travel. “What if I could get some?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Let’s go back in the room. I can’t talk about this without Frank knowing.”

  Dr. White was as unaware as the rest of the town of my Foraging. If my idea was to work, he’d have to be told. I trusted Dr. White, but that di
dn’t matter. The question was, did Frank?

  Back in the room, I began. “Frank…” I stopped. I really wanted to help Sawyer, but was this going to get me into trouble? Was I on the road to banishment?

  Frank looked up from where he and Sawyer were talking. “What is it, Dillon?”

  For a moment I stood there with my mouth slightly open, speechless. Then, letting the cobs fall where they would, the words tumbled out of my mouth. “Frank, Sawyer needs medicine. I think I know where I can get some, but it means going back out.”

  “What this all about?” Sawyer asked. “What medicine?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know,” Dr. White added.

  “Frank, can I tell the doctor?”

  “No, I will.” Frank took a deep breath and looked at the doctor. “Dillon wasn’t sick. He was filling in for Sawyer. He was Foraging. He’s just come back after successfully finding the alternator for the combine.”

  Dr. White’s eyebrows came together in confusion. “That’s great, but what does that have to do with Sawyer’s leg?”

  “While I was out, I think I found where Scott Cook, the pharmacist, lived.” I said. “At least I found a shed with several old cars and trucks with his name on them.”

  Dr. White looked thoughtful. “It wouldn’t have been Scott. He’s been dead for more than sixty years. It might have been his son’s place, though. You’re think there’s medicine inside the house?”

  I nodded.

  “It’s possible,” Dr. White said. “I remember when the pharmacy closed. One day it was full of medicines, the next, they were boarding the windows. I remember peeking inside and seeing row upon row of empty shelves. Those meds went somewhere.”

  I didn’t want to ask the question that popped into my head, but I needed to be sure there was a chance I’d find something if I went out again. “Why wouldn’t the pharmacist have given the medicines to the town?”

  “You’re too young to know, but when everything fell apart, nobody knew how it would end,” Frank said. “Everyone hoarded whatever they had. It was a few years before the caching and sharing was implemented. By that time, food was scarce. A lot of people died. I imagine the pharmacist and his family were among them. In which case, the meds could very well still be in his house.”