The World We Once Knew

by Trahan, Leeaja

  Leon turned his head to Addie and Dane felt himself figuratively jump out of his seat, “She's not going. We are not doing anything if she has to go. Why should we do this?” Dane cut Leon off.

  Quinta listened to what he had to say and before she could get a word in, Dane had already made rushed decision for them not to go. True, he had Addie to worry about but even she could see that they lived on borrowed time even here. There was a way to get out and that interested her.

  Addie glanced over to her brother for a moment before she returned her gaze to Leon, “What? How would I even be able to go? I can't go I'm not allowed.”

  Quinta arched an eyebrow and leaned back in the chair and waited for an answer.

  Leon put his hands up and kept his eyes on the one who was most agitated, Dane, “Calm down and just listen. To move sectors, you need to pay a heavy sum. If you have experience on a government priority mission, the sum will decrease and over time you can just transfer. That's for each of you. The only exceptions are biological children or spouses. You guys are neither so Addie needs to gain admission herself in this case. I can give her clearance to start working on priority missions and not the shitty raids you and Quinta have been reduced to.” Leon leveled.

  Dane eased back but his mind was still fairly made up, “Then we don't need to switch sectors. It may be easier there but Addie is safe behind these walls.” He retorted.

  Leon immediately shook his head and his gaze grew desperate. This was the main reason he was pushing them so hard. He was looking ahead.

  “Addie is going to be eighteen in three weeks and when that happens she is automatically drafted for raids. No ifs, ands, or buts. What happens if she ends up on a team with a guy like Mike? With a leader who cares more about the salvage than your sister's life? Then what?” He asked.

  Addie's eyes widened not because she had forgotten her own birthday but because she was to be drafted. Then to add on to the fact that she might not even get to be with her brother or Quinta worried her. Especially after what she'd heard about Mike.

  Leon pressed his finger down on the table repeatedly to get his point across which only caused Dane to take an insecure glance to Addie, “Civilians have no choice about raids. Who they are teamed with and where they are sent. The only reason why Quinta has been with you is because of me. The fact that you're not a seasoned recruit I can't put Addie with you. She'd have to go with a person who has been here longer. But government agents and officials do have a choice. Even in the lower ranks where you would be, you have wiggle room and benefits. Sign up if not for yourself at least for Addie. Do this mission with me and be my team. You'll get paid enough to save and move to a better place than this shit hole. You won't have to go over the wall anymore, none of you will until we're needed again. You'll actually be able to have time to spend together.” Wetting his lips, Leon looked between Dane and Quinta, “Which I know you both rarely have time to do anything.”

  Quinta placed her drink down and tapped her fingertips against the glass.

  Quinta exchanged looks with Dane, Addie, and then Leon before she cleared her throat, “Me not lettin’ Addie go out dere with any fool and me tink Dane will agree.” She started to say.

  Addie lifted her finger to put in her two-cents, “I… I agree with that too. I can't fight or defend myself well enough. They won't care about me if I survive or not.” She looked to Dane with a pained and worried look.

  Quinta rolled her shoulders, “‘ow much for da transfer? If me goin to put me life on da line, me want to make sure dat it's goin to pay. So 'ow much are we gettin' paid for dis? And me want to know what dis level C mission is.” She answered.

  Leon nodded to Quinta because she asked valid questions, “You'll get paid fifteen thousand each. If you all agree with me, in as early as four days we'll be leaving on a trip that's about a three-day walk. We're retrieving documents of importance and the rest Decker will brief you on with me when you agree.” He told them.

  Fifteen thousand. That was a lot of money to go and retrieve papers. Sure, the walk was further but what exactly did they do before they settled here? All they did was wander around trying to find a place to call home. Quinta's gaze met with Dane's for a moment before she nodded her head to him. They were to trade in their constant work schedule for the same thing they did once upon a time.

  Though this had monetary perks.

  Dane looked at his sister and saw that she stared right back at him as though she depended on him for the final answer. Trading a look to Quinta, it was clear that they didn't have much of a choice. Keeping Addie safe was top priority. This was the least he could do for his parents.

  Dane spoke first, “We'll do it. Addie and I.”

  He then looked to Quinta and hoped that she would also go along with the risk.

  Quinta clenched her jaw before she rolled her lips in, “Me in.” She stated

  After they agreed, Leon cleared his throat. He had this sudden flash thought of the life being choked out of him. The details were vague for him as well but the fact of the matter was that this mission had been on the board for two months. Being that he asked permission on the beach he had to agree to retrieve what they needed. There was a reason that others refused to go out there and they would find out exactly why soon enough.

  Leon placed his hand outwards in the middle of the table as though he expected them to stack, “So, you're all in?” He questioned.

  Even though she felt foolish, Quinta placed her hand out over Leon's, “Let's do it den. If it means one step closer to getting’ out of 'ere.” She answered.

  Addie grinned from ear to ear. The sound of money was enough to get her mind going with the possibilities of what she could buy. Then again, she surely didn't want to waste her money on trivial trinkets here when she could save for bigger and better.

  Addie stamped her feet happily while she clapped her hands, “I'm in!” she called.

  Addie placed her hand over Quinta's before all eyes then fell on Dane. All Dane could do was watch this semi-humorous scene unfold in front of him. Just like the women he was in for this plan now. They were going to upgrade their lives and work hard to do so. Reaching in, Leon was thrilled and he threw his hand up with the others with a broad smile on his face.

  Leon stood up and pat along Quinta's back and Dane followed suit to refresh his drink, “Well aren't we corny?” He asked.

  Passing Dane by, Leon, in his elation, swatted Dane on the ass and quickly grabbed a stack of papers from his coffee table.

  “Alright, it's decided then. I already took the liberty to fill out your application and participation forms. You just need to read and sign them. Tomorrow when we go into the main office to turn them in, your status will change and you will begin receiving modified rations and special privileges. Welcome aboard.” Leon said while he handed the papers out.

  Addie held her arms high over her head, “WOO!” She exclaimed. “Special privileges and MEAT! Sweet, succulent meat!” She gushed.

  Throwing her head back, Addie clawed at her throat happily all while Quinta broke into a smile. She, on the other hand, was still stuck on the fact that Leon was so excited he couldn't resist the urge to touch Dane.

  Quinta's eyes were still wide in shock, “Me nah know yuh swung dat way, Leon.”

  Dane was still rubbing his ass and looking at Leon as though he was a two-headed mutant. He took the pages and read through them. Addie lowered her head all while Dane passed her the pen and she went on to sign her life away. With a heart over the I to boot.

  “Oh, you didn't know? I thought one look at him and you could tell!” Addie quipped.

  Passing over the pen to Quinta, she skimmed over the information on the page and simply wrote her name out. “Now dat yuh say sometin’. Me see it now.”

  Leon scowled at them and crossed one hand across his torso, “I will have you know that I love. Love. Love. The ladies. And they love me.” He said as he crossed his arms.

  Addie and Quinta brok
e out into even louder laughter, “YEAH RIGHT!” Addie giggled.

  Narrowing his eyes, Leon stepped over to Dane and held his hand out as though to show them what he meant, “Look! It was a football tap! They did it all the time! Dane come over here.”

  Dane clenched his jaw and in an instant stepped just out of his reach, “I didn't play football in school and now I never will.” He replied.

  While ignoring the humor the others found in his misstep, Leon paused suddenly and his head turned downward to stare at his fish on the counter.

  His expression became complicated because he hadn't thought this whole pet business through, “Now who on Earth is going to feed Leon Jr. while I'm gone?” He uttered to himself.

  Quinta broke into a sinister grin, “Bring 'im with us. Dat way we can share 'im on da road. Filet of fish.” She said.

  Leon's slate gaze snapped over towards Quinta all before he moved the bag away from her, “That would be the most expensive happy meal you ever tasted. No!”

  Addie howled out with laughter before she collected the papers and handed them over to Leon. Not at all knowing what they'd just signed up for in a whole. Though the stakes were high and the risk was great the horizon didn't seem so bleak. Just the thought of knowing that there was a better life made all the variables against them worth it. All they had to do now was survive and thrive.

  If only it were that easy.

  If only.

  Chapter 10

  Waking up in Leon's apartment, Dane yawned and rolled out of the bed while Leon snored steadily on the other side. He felt groggy and deprived of sleep. Which was normal because Leon sounded like a train at night. Stretching, Dane pulled his shirt over his head and went straight for his bag to grab his medicine bottle. He ventured to the kitchen for a drink of water and simply enjoyed the silence.

  Leon soon followed Dane after he brushed his teeth, showered, and made himself presentable in uniform. Going out to the kitchen to make breakfast, he encountered Dane who ate toast and butter. The blonde looked around his condo after he noticed the lack of feminine presences.

  Leon made his way over to Little Leon who swam around in his pitcher, “Where are the girls at?” He asked.

  Sprinkling a few flakes of slightly expired fish food into the water, Little Leon hurried to the surface and gobbled the little pieces which in turn caused Leon to smile. Dane shrugged his shoulder while he chewed. His chews we slow and drawn out as he made his way towards the guest bedroom.

  His feet were heavy and thudded with every step before he knocked on the door, “Addie, Quinta, breakfast.” He mumbled.

  Having spent quite a bit of their night chatting and listening to Addie's dreams and desires, the two girls were fast asleep when the boys roamed that morning. They slept back to back with Addie's arm wrapped around one of the plush pillows; drooling. Half of Quinta's body hung off the side of the mattress and her knuckles brushed along the floor. For the first time in a long time, Quinta missed the sunrise.

  The sun filtered into the windows and over her face which caused her to wince before one eye opened followed by the other. She stared at the window for a long moment because she could not for the life of her figure out where she was. Addie's snoring caught her attention which caused her to roll over and see the cute, younger female curled up. The knocks at the door caused Quinta to grunt before she pushed her long twists from her face and over her shoulders.

  Quinta then pressed the back of her hand into Addie's back before she pulled herself out of bed, “Addie...breakfast...” She murmured.

  Getting up, Quinta opened the door only to be met with Dane's chest.

  Tilting her head back, she rubbed her cheek along the ingrained lines on her face before she slipped around him, “She's in dere. Me goin to get a shower.” She said to him. Shuffling past Leon in the kitchen, Quinta lifted one hand towards him while she grabbed her bag, “Mornin.” She stated.

  Leon lit up the moment Quinta entered his sights, “Good morning to you!” He replied cheerfully.

  Having Quinta pass him by, Dane figured a shower would be best even if he had to change back into the same clothes. Dane peered into the room to see that Addie had rolled over, pulled the pillow over her head, and drowned out the world like the stubborn teenager she was. He gathered up the blanket at the bottom of the bed. The cool draft along her feet caused her to curl her knees towards her chest. Dane caught her halfway and grabbed around her ankles. Slowly and steadily he dragged her down the mattress at an increased pace until her body hung three quarters off the mattress.

  “Get up. I'm about to shower and Leon's making food. You know we have somewhere to be today.” He reminded her.

  Addie pouted in an exaggerated manner, “I just want to sleep.” She cried with a huff.

  Groaning out, she held tightly onto the pillow and the only reason it didn't fly across the room to Dane's head was because the soft texture had enamored her. Quinta passed by Dane again and entered the bedroom only to see Addie awkwardly positioned on the bed. A short chuckle escaped her lips before she clicked the light in the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Turning away, Dane passed across the living room and back into Leon's bedroom in order to take a shower at the same time as Quinta.

  This man truly was spoiled.

  Addie fell onto her knees and crawled to her feet. The smell of Leon's cooking finally brought her around and she sat at the table with her shoulders slumped forward and her hands in her lap. Leon was whipping up a meal of eggs and small amount of bacon. He tossed some diced, seasoned potatoes onto a skillet with a shake of his ass when he noticed Addie made her way into the kitchen.

  “Hey kiddo, are you starving?” He questioned.

  Addie's lips puckered, “I'm exhausted. Why do we have to be up so early?” She whined once more. Slowly, her body fell forward until her forehead hit against the glass, “Sleep.”

  Leon glanced up from the pan and smirked to himself with a shake of his head. Addie looked less than well for the morning and it was only 8 AM. She wouldn't be able to survive the 5 AM wake-ups he usually did for his shift.

  Returning to the table, Dane paused and immediately had an odd sensation. As though he had just experienced what it was like to be their father. Most mornings Dane would be energized for breakfast while Addie simply died on the table. For a moment, he allowed himself to remember once upon a time before he pushed the memory away. He sat beside Addie who almost resembled those that roamed outside the walls. His large palm ruffled her hair for an added touch of irritation before he pulled his plate closer.

  Leon set an egg on both Dane and Addie's plates and now cooked his and Quinta's, “When we leave we'll contact my superiors, hopefully they'll get all of us set up and we can start on the mission.” He stated.

  After showering herself up, Quinta changed into a fresh pair of undergarments and back into what she'd worn the previous day. Her long twists hit against her backside and shoulders as she tried her best to clean up after herself for Addie. She rubbed her hands together while she met the others out in the dining room with a small smile; refreshed and finally awake. Addie perched her palm against her cheek and ate at the food and simply savored the bacon in her silence. Quinta looked to Leon and simply nodded her head all while Addie muttered about a shower under her breath.

  Quinta watched Addie wander off before she pointed to Leon with her fork, “Me already dressed and ready. Me just wonderin’ where yuh frilly apron is, Leon.” She teased with a chuckle.

  Dane sat back after he finished his meal with a smile, he couldn't suppress, full of toast came through. His eyes bounced between them as he rolled his lips in mid-chew.

  Leon then turned around and cocked his hip to the side, “I'll have you know it's at the dry cleaners. That's where I get all my gowns crimped and ironed.” He responded with a wave of his spatula at her.

  A broad smirk crossed over Quinta's features, “Oh yuh so fancy, Leon. Me never would take yuh as a battyboi.” She whispered.


  She then leaned into Dane and mimicked a motion with her finger through a hole in the side of her hand. Dane's eyes widened all while his head snapped up at Leon's figure. Leon did questionably slap his ass the previous night. He already showed his interests in Quinta AND his sister but was he in the scope of this man’s desperation as well? After they slept in the same bed?

  A deep-set frown was set on Dane's mouth when Leon answered, “I don't even know what that means but sure. Obviously, I'm fancy.”

  Quinta quickly lifted her hands to clamp over her mouth and stifle her laughter while Dane just stared at Leon in a new light. Leon looked over his shoulder at Quinta with his brow high with obvious sarcasm. Quinta's hands fell from her mouth before he had a chance to see. The damage was already done. He made their plates and set one in front of her before he sat down across from them.

  After Addie was showered, they all left Leon's condo and rode over to the central lobby where Dane and Quinta usually met for scavenging. They climbed out of the cart and made their way through the side entrance of the building. The lobby was empty and the vast staircase wasn't riddled with speeches from officials and government heads. This time they would finally see what lay beyond the stairs.

  As Leon led them up the steps, Quinta blew out her nerves and followed the others. Making their way down one of the many halls of this building, there was an eerie sense of emptiness in when there wasn't something to be around for. The officials had their own offices and private business to attend to and oversee. The halls were modestly clean and visibly empty. Posters had been ripped down from the walls and a bit of chatter would emit from behind closed doors. Addie and Quinta both looked over their shoulders towards the end of the hall to see uniformed soldiers who rushed after a nurse. Glancing to one another, Addie shrugged her shoulders and Quinta shook her head. Neither of them wanted to know and neither said a word.