by Kip Nelson
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GRACE HAD SPENT a long time thinking about the people she thought were well-suited for being members of a patrol. It took a particular mindset, since anyone who went out into the city had to be willing to put themselves in danger. It was one thing to fight and defend New Haven from inside the walls, but quite another to venture actively outside the relative safety of the barriers into the unknown.
Grace knew almost everyone in New Haven, at least everyone who had been there when she first had arrived. She had to acquaint herself with the newcomers. So, she went around and spoke with many of them to find out how they felt about being a part of a patrol, and was glad to find many of them were quick to volunteer. By the end of it, she had more people involved than she thought. She had the numbers to make up a range of different patrols, some smaller groups that could go out into the immediate area to scavenge for anything that people may have missed, then larger groups that could go out for days or perhaps weeks, roving the city for large bounties of supplies that would provide the main source of what they needed to survive.
It was at times such as these when she remembered traveling through the forest, living day by day, foraging and hunting for their meals, trying not to think of the days ahead because everything was so uncertain. In some ways, she missed those days because things were simpler. Now she had a list of names that she had to divide into groups and send out into different areas of the city. Her life now had responsibility. While that was a good thing, it also made her nostalgic for the things that had been lost. For example, her relationship with Mack was much different now. While they still shared their special bond, they rarely got to see each other. She understood that, because he was spending as much time with Anna as possible while she recovered from her wounds and tried to acclimatize to the new group. As yet, Grace only had met her in passing, but she was sure the time would come when they would talk properly. Yet, she was apprehensive because she hoped she would meet with Anna's approval.
But there was time enough to think of that in the future. For now, she had the survival of New Haven on her mind. She was glad when Mack had asked her to be part of his council. Although she found being the leader of the settlement stressful, she did enjoy playing a part in its well-being, and was happy to take on the role of an important member. She, Mack, and the others had worked together for so long that it only seemed natural they still should work together now. Although this time, instead of moving through the world for themselves, they were helping other people, and the people of New Haven had so far opened their arms and welcomed them for it. The people there had been through a lot, and Grace was pleased that they weren't making things difficult.
After she had completed the list, she took it to Mack, who was in his office, and allowed him to look over it. He read through each name, and the groups that Grace had suggested, and nodded. He only had one change to make, and that was to mix up the groups so people who didn't quite know each other that well yet had the chance to do so while they were out foraging. Mack emphasized the need for New Haven to integrate and stop thinking of themselves as separate groups of people who all had come together in one place. They needed to think of themselves as one fist, one mind, and one heart. Grace understood what he was saying, and made the necessary adjustments. Then the two of them were ready to officially send out the patrols.
The two of them split up around the settlement and gathered up the men and women who had accepted the invitation to be a part of this task force. They met outside of the building in which they had stored most of the food. When they first got there, Mack and Grace divided them into groups. Some people were annoyed that they were split up from the people they already knew, but the grumbling was kept to a minimum. Once that was done, Mack and Grace addressed them.
“We've brought you here,” Mack began, “because this is going to be your primary goal. We need that building to be filled with as much food as possible, because that's what we need to survive, and we're never ever going to have enough. We need to be careful with what we get because it can spoil. So, look for canned goods where possible. Winter is coming and it's going to be difficult, if not impossible, to grow anything. However, the colder temperatures will mean meat can be frozen. So, if you come across any animals, take that into account.”
“And speaking of winter,” Grace continued, “let's not forget the other things we're going to need, like warm clothes, blankets, anything that will help us get warm.”
Mack pulled out a map of the city, upon which there were thick lines marking various zones.
“We've taken the time to mark the areas you'll patrol. Some of you will be focused on food, others focused on medical supplies, and some of you just will be out there to gather anything you can find. Some of you will be going out for a long time, so we hope you're prepared for that, but we want to make one thing clear. If any of you get into any trouble, come back here and report it. We don't want any of you taking any undue risks while you're out there. Yes, we need supplies, but we also need all of you to return safely. If we're going to turn New Haven into the place that we all want it to be, then we're going to need as many bodies as possible. Safety first, always.”
“And with that in mind,” Grace said, pacing along the line of the patrols as people looked with curiosity at the map Mack was holding, “if you do come across any other survivors out there, you should approach them with caution. Observe first and stay hidden. See if you can get a sense of who they are and if they're a threat. WE are going to trust your judgment. If you find new people out there, bring them here. New Haven isn't just a place for us. It's a place for all of those who are struggling out there. How many already have died because they haven't found enough food? How many people are going to die through the winter because they don't have a way to keep warm? Again, don't be reckless with it, but there are people out there who need our help, and we're going to give it to them.”
“You're not just patrols. In a way, you're ambassadors as well, and I have faith in each and every one of you that you'll give a good account of New Haven. Tell people about us, let the truth move through the world that there is a place where people can be safe. People need hope more than almost anything right now, and if they knew there's a place out there where people are building toward a better future, that might just give them the impetus they need to survive.”
The patrols looked at Mack and nodded toward him and Grace. Some of them seemed unsure, but those who did show those signs quickly were buoyed by their colleagues who bought fully into Mack's way of looking at life. After this was done, Grace and Mack went through the various territories and wished people luck as they walked out of New Haven. Some of them they would see soon, others not for a while, and given the dangers of the world, they couldn't be sure they would see some of them again.
“Let's hope this works,” Mack said.
“The city is a big place,” Grace replied.
“There are bound to be more supplies out there. Every one of them can handle themselves. I have faith that they'll be back,” and she truly did.
She smiled at Mack and then made her way to the place of worship as she had neglected her prayers for a while, leaving Mack to himself, although he had other places to be. He cast a gaze at the patrols who had disappeared from view, and silently wished them well, hoping they would be able to bring back enough supplies for everyone in New Haven to enjoy a full belly after every meal.
After this was done, he met with Maggie and Luis, who had their plans for law enforcement. Mack was glad to see the two of them were working well together. He had been unsure about how well the partnership was going to go when Luis had first volunteered, for they were two different characters. So far, the plans they had seemed sensible, as he had expected. Mack had learned a long time ago that the best way to lead wasn't through a dictatorship, but to surround yourself with intelligent, talented people and trust them to do what they knew was right. So far, it was working well. Luis mostly remained quiet
as Maggie outlined the plans, only offering a few comments here and there, but Mack noticed they all were in support of the sheriff.
“It seems you have everything in order here, sheriff,” Mack said, smiling approvingly.
“I think so, although we'll see how it actually works out once we're up and going. I think the first test will be the first crime.”
“Hopefully, we'll have to wait a while for that to happen, but I think just seeing the two of you around will give people a sense of calm.”
“There is one more thing I wanted to talk with the two of you about, though,” Mack said, just as Maggie and Luis had been motioning to leave, “and that's guns.”
“What about them? I'm keeping mine. I think it's best if the sheriff and deputy have a way to defend ourselves.”
“I'm not suggesting otherwise. I'm more thinking about the general population. So far, everyone has their own ways of defending themselves, especially the other people who have been living in the city. I was thinking about an alternative. What about creating an armory where we could store all the guns, keep an inventory, and distribute them as and when we need to do so? I want to keep people safe, and with the children around I don't think we should have guns where they can get their hands on them, especially since they know how to use them now.”
Maggie's brow creased and Mack knew even before she opened her mouth that she was not in favor of the idea. “People have a right to defend themselves.”
“I'm not saying they don't, but do you not think it's a little dangerous to have them all over New Haven so that anyone could pick up one and start shooting? So far, people have been responsible, but if we get more and more people into New Haven, that may not be the case.”
“I think if we're going to have more people coming into this settlement there has to be a level of trust, and people aren't going to like it if we start taking their guns and hoarding them. Think about it, if you've been struggling through the world, day by day, with your gun as your last protection, will you really want to give it up for some common goal? It's just going to cause a lot more trouble than it's worth. And what if there's a surprise attack? Are you going to want to waste time with people getting to the armory? How many lives are going to be lost then? We only managed to repel the earlier attacks because everyone was armed. I'm not saying it's ideal, and I appreciate what you're saying with regards to the kids, but that's going to be on us to keep an eye on them, which we should be doing anyway.”
Mack stroked his chin. “I also was thinking it would make your job harder if people had guns. What if you accuse someone and they don't like it? It's going to be harder to arrest people who can shoot back.”
“Given what we gain from having guns around, I think I'd rather take that chance. I fancy my chances in a duel over anyone, anytime.”
“What do you think, Luis?” Mack asked.
Luis so far had remained quiet, happy to let the two of them argue it out. However, he knew he wouldn't be allowed to stay silent over this, and that this question had larger repercussions than this singular issue. He believed if he backed Mack, then Maggie would feel like she couldn't trust him, but if he backed Maggie, then he ran the risk of alienating Mack. He glanced between the two of them, and thought a long time before he answered, eventually siding with Maggie, who wore a smug smile.
“I'm still not sure about the whole thing,” Mack said, “perhaps we can come to a compromise.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“How about we still take a register of the guns that are in New Haven? Then we can be aware of what's out there, and add to the list whenever someone new joins us. The more dangerous weapons be kept in an armory, to be used only when they are needed.”
Maggie pondered the suggestion for a while, then looked at Luis, who shrugged noncommittally.
“I think that will work,” Maggie said.
“Glad we could come to an agreement,” Mack said.
“Now you can start keeping this place safe. Meanwhile, I have a date with my wife,” he said, rising from the table, showing Maggie and Luis out.
All three of them were glad they had been able to discuss the issue civilly, but Luis still had doubts in his mind, worried that at one point he would have to make a choice between the two that had greater ramifications.
“You did the right thing in there,” Maggie said when they were out of earshot of Mack. Luis thanked her, although he wasn't so sure.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AFTER THE MEETING with Maggie and Luis, Mack decided to return home for a break. His head was starting to ache and his eyes were hurting. It had been a while since he had been in charge of any sort of department, and he was starting to remember the pain that came with administrative duty. That's why he always liked to be out in the field where he could feel as though he was really making a difference.
He liked Maggie and Luis, of course, but could tell that now that people were starting to get defined roles, things were going to change. They each had their own priorities, and it was up to Mack to try managing them so they all were pulling in the same direction. It was funny how people could cling to a role so quickly, as Luis had with being a deputy to Maggie. Mack wasn't blind. He had seen how Luis glanced at Maggie before answering, and Mack was sure he had sided with Maggie purely because she was his direct superior. He didn't mind it so much, after all the two of them only would be effective if they had each other’s complete trust as a team, but Mack hoped there wouldn't come a point where Luis was forced to choose between him and Maggie.
Mack wasn't a fool. He was aware of human nature, and wasn't going to delude himself with the notion that everyone was going to be happy all the time. There would be rivalries, and people would have arguments. It was up to all of them to ensure these conflicts were resolved and didn't escalate into something more serious. There would be teething problems as well, he was sure, as New Haven found its feet, but so far things were going even better than he had expected. He was looking forward to seeing how it would grow. He only hoped he could keep his hair from falling out with the stress that he was under.
To give himself a moment to relax and let his mind rest he returned home to spend time with Anna. Along the way he still was stopped by a number of people who either wanted a quick word with him or wanted his opinion on an important matter. Mack was perturbed by this, since all he wanted to do was see his wife, but he put on a friendly smile and listened to what they had to say, offering advice as best he could. As the leader, New Haven was going to reflect how he acted, and he had to lead by example at all times, even when he didn't particularly feel up to it.
And, in a way, he was glad he felt annoyed at being kept away from Anna. When his wife first had returned, part of him was afraid something had changed between the two of them. He was afraid the end of the world had robbed them both of what they had that was so special, but things were back to normal, and he couldn't wait to see her and spend more time with her again. Yet, part of him was worried as well. He replayed the harrowing tale of her survival in his mind, and hoped the time alone wouldn't affect her too badly. In some ways, he was amazed people weren't suffering from PTSD, but perhaps the human brain knew that it needed to survive, and collectively they were able to continue without suffering. Or maybe the whole bunch of them were in deep denial, and it all would hit them eventually.
So far, Anna mostly had been like Mack remembered, if a little distant at times, which was to be expected. Things never were going to go back to the way they were. Her wounds were healing nicely. She always had been blessed with a good metabolism and the ability to heal quickly, and she also was integrating herself into New Haven. She'd met Mack's friends briefly. He was looking forward to her getting to know them better, but there was plenty of time for that. Right now, Mack just was pleased he was getting to fall asleep with his wife beside him every night, rather than having to stare at a picture and wonder if she was even still alive.
He approached home, expecting to f
ind Anna sitting inside, whiling away the day. His heart swelled when he saw she was sitting outside with a canvas, painting. She had dragged a chair outside and was sitting with a brush in her hand and a few paint pots around her. Mack smiled widely, and she beamed when she saw him.
“Where did you get all this stuff?” he asked, astonished.
He walked around beside her, leaning down to give her a quick kiss that turned into a longer one. His hand rested on her back, then came up to play with her long hair, a little gesture that he hadn't realized how much he had missed. Then, his eyes turned to the canvas. The painting still was very much in its early stages, but the splashes of color already were starting to form patterns. Mack enjoyed watching her work as creative endeavors often escaped him. His mind was focused, and he didn't have it in him to let it drift away and come up with weird and wonderful things.
“While you were in your meetings, I decided to wander and explore a bit. I got talking to some people, and I thought I'd ask if anyone had any art supplies. Figured it was a long shot, but it's been a long time and I wanted to feel my hand around a paintbrush again. Since I've come here I've been feeling more like myself, and I don't want to lose this part of me. They said they thought they saw some art supplies somewhere, in one of the houses they'd been looking in when they first got here and wanted food. I went on a little hunt and found these. There are probably lots more here. I bet it's a real treasure trove. Things like this weren't exactly a priority when the world ended.”
“No, they weren't,” Mack said as he watched her paint.
She had long brush strokes of gray and green, letting the paint seep into the canvas. She deftly moved the brush around, dipping it in water before getting another color and adding to the painting, bringing the image to life. Mack soon recognized it as the surrounding area.
“It looks good,” he added. She smiled with thanks.
“I really think it's important that we don't lose our soul. We've already lost so much in this new world. I've been thinking about it a lot. Not so much in the early days, because I had other things to think about. But when I got to the city, I had more time to spare since I wasn't spending every waking moment trying to survive. There were times when I was out there that I saw so many things, but it was too easy to forget the beauty in the world when everything else was so ugly. I think it's important we remember the world is still here, and we should make sure we remember that.”