Eden's Root

by Rachel Fisher

  Half an hour later, Fi, Sean, Maggie, and Kiara all waited nervously in the Skillman’s normally warm and homey kitchen.

  “Fi, seriously,” Maggie said, “what is going on? Why can’t you tell me anything?” she pleaded. She looked stressed and tired. Fi hated to worry her, but it was a necessary evil. Like many, she thought.

  “It has to wait Mama,” she kept her voice calm. “We have to wait for the rest of the Family.”

  “Fi? Sean? What the heck is going on here?” John asked when he strode in the door with Rachel and saw them both sitting at the table with Maggie and Kiara. Seconds later, Lucy flew in from the garage with Zoe in tow.

  “Sean, are you alright? Is someone hurt?” Fi flinched at the panic in both their voices, but something in the two teenagers’ demeanor and military style clothing made them stop in their tracks.

  “It’s Ok, Uncle John, Aunt Lucy,” Fi reassured them. “It’s ok. No one is hurt.”

  “Oh thank God!” Lucy sighed and collapsed into a kitchen chair. Before she could say anything else, Fi interrupted her.

  “But something more important than you could possibly imagine is going on and we don’t have much time,” she said. “I’m going to need,” she began, and then shook her head as she smiled at Sean. “We are going to need everyone to have a seat and just listen for a while.” Her tone was so firm that no one questioned her and all took their seats in silence.

  Thirty minutes later, the faces before her ranged from complete shock to depression. Zoe and Kiara were frightened, she could tell and it made her stomach hurt. Though they did not really understand what was happening, the time for innocence was over. With so much time to prepare for this moment, somehow she still hadn’t realized how much it would sadden her.

  “Believe me, I wish this weren’t so,” she lamented. “I wish we had more time. But you saw the news story yourself. The troops are coming. We don’t have much time.” She shook her head.

  Maggie broke her silence. “Fi, I think I should be completely honest before we all get into this boat together.” Fi froze. She hadn’t expected Maggie to actually talk about it. So Maggie was aware that Fi knew? I guess I’m not as good an actress as I thought I was, Fi sighed. Searching Maggie’s face, Fi decided it was her right to share. She nodded.

  “I regret,” Maggie began and then coughed. Lucy jumped up and got her a tissue, concern for her dear friend etched on her face. “I regret that I will be adding a burden to this trip,” she began and Lucy and John nodded. They’d seen the signs.

  “It’s ok, Margaret,” John said lovingly, using the name Papa sometimes used with Maggie. There were tears in his eyes. “None of us are ever a burden to each other,” he said and he put his hand on Rachel’s shoulder. Maggie’s eyes widened and she turned to Fi who nodded, a small gesture meant to avoid giving voice. Yes, there would be two on this trip who would need help. Maggie gave a small choke and then bit her lip, silenced.

  John studied Fi, his gaze intent. “Lucy and I are too old and out of shape to kid ourselves that we can lead a survival mission with our children. And though it sounds crazy to follow a young girl like you into the wilderness,” he began. “It may be the only logical choice left.” John punctuated his thought with a nod. It was almost like he was making the argument out loud for himself and Lucy, to convince them.

  “I know Uncle John,” Fi smiled gently. “I still look like a baby to you, but I haven’t been a baby since the day that Papa told me this was coming.” Hesitating, Fi made a face. “Actually I haven’t been a baby since Luke,” she corrected herself. “Once Papa had me convinced of the reality of this situation,” she sighed, “I got to work.”

  Fi shifted her gaze, making eye contact with the entire assembled family. “You know that I love all of you more than I love anything or anyone else in the world,” she said and they all nodded and murmured in agreement.

  “I love you too Fi!” Kiara piped up triggering a few nervous titters.

  “Thanks Kiara,” she smiled. “The point is that I would give my life to protect you all and I’ve dedicated the last four months to getting ready to do that.” She pushed her chair back and stood up with her hand held out above the table, palm downward. “Now, we don’t have much time. I will need us to function as one large Family with no divisions.” She gave her ultimatum, “And I must insist that I be the Leader. So who is in?”

  Though she tried to sound firm, Fi’s heart was actually pounding at the thought of leading this group. She’d only really thought of leading Maggie and Kiara, but now she’d have to lead John and Lucy too. She took a deep breath as she waited. John reached over and rubbed Lucy’s hand. Then he turned to Maggie and they all nodded. John stood up and put his hand out to cover hers.

  “I’m in Fi,” he said. “I will follow you.” He waved to the others. “Come,” he said. “Hands in,” and they all stood and put their hands into the middle, layering them on top of one another. Lucy nodded.

  “I’m in too Fi,” she said, though her smile was conflicted. Fi knew that it would almost be harder for Lucy to accept her leadership than it was for John. A worried frown marred Maggie’s beautiful face.

  “I’m in, of course Fi,” she said. “I will do whatever I can to help.” They had to stretch the pile of hands down low so that Zoe could reach from her chair.

  “What should we say?” Fi asked.

  “Let’s say, ‘To Family’,” John suggested and they all agreed.

  “Ok,” Fi said, “One, two, three…to Family!” They shouted and threw their hands up.

  It seemed ridiculous, to give a cheer like this was a little league game, but they needed some ritual to turn the corner, Fi realized. She’d had the luxury of months to prepare her mind. The rest of them were just wrapping their mind around it, with little time to waste.

  They would have to wait until nightfall to make their escape to avoid making themselves obvious to the soldiers who were sure to arrive soon. That gave the rest of them only a few hours time to make decisions about what to leave behind. Fi and Sean had already assembled packs for the adults and Rachel that contained rations and survival gear. Maggie and Kiara headed through the backyard to the Kelly home to sift through some personal items and decide what to take. Before Maggie left, Fi opened the pack she’d started for her and pulled out the folded papers she’d included. Maggie’s hands shook as she unfolded them.

  “Oh Fi,” she sighed, her eyes welling up as she stared at Luke’s drawings. Smiling, she nodded in understanding at this selection. Space in the packs was limited. They could bring only the most important things with them, and the smallest.

  “Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you Mama?” Fi asked. Maggie shook her head and smiled down at Kiara.

  “I think we’ve got the task of picking out the best stuff covered, right Kiara?” she asked. Kiara’s eyes were still like saucers, but she braved a smile and nodded. Fi was impressed. So far, her little sister was handling this all pretty well. Fi stayed with the Skillmans to help Sean and his parents make their choices. Maggie and Kiara would come back when they were done.

  From her spot on the floor amid scattered piles of personal memories, Lucy made a strange noise, holding an object aloft.

  “Mama’s ring,” she exclaimed and then covered her mouth. “Oh no,” her face started to crumple. “Jewelry won’t have any value anymore will it?” Shaking her head, her shoulders slumped. She knew the answer to her own question. Fi set down the box in her hands and crouched next to Lucy and patted her back.

  “Aunt Lucy,” she murmured, “I can’t tell you how sorry I am about all this, you get no time to process.” Lucy’s head hung forward in depression and shock. “But this ring is such a little thing and it has value to you, so I think you should bring it.” Lucy smiled up at her with tears in her eyes.

  “Thanks Fi,” she said as she wiped the tears away and sniffed. “That was very helpful.” She breathed, getting herself under control once again.

&
nbsp; The Skillmans opted to bring a tablet, despite Fi’s warning that both electricity and the Internet were likely to be gone at some point very soon. At Fi’s suggestion, they printed some favorite digital photos. Fi had done the same with some of the Kelly photos to make sure that they would have physical copies.

  When the soldiers rolled into town in the late afternoon, the Family was grateful that they’d taken precautions to cover their actions. They had closed up their homes, pulled the shades and pretended that no one was home. John had even moved his car to the hidden spot along the side of the house. No one would see it, but they could easily pile into it to get to their main escape point.

  John stood at the window, peeking behind the curtain at the vehicles rolling through the street. Humvees and supply trucks made their way through the suburban neighborhood as if it were an everyday event. They broadcast a repetitive recorded message as they passed.

  “Do not be alarmed. We are here to provide you with food relief as a part of the national operation ‘Staff of Life’. Soldiers will be leaving pamphlets at your doorstep with the information that you need about how to obtain food resources. Please do not leave your homes until the time designated on the pamphlets to ensure the efficiency of our efforts. God Bless.”

  Everyone held their breath when two soldiers climbed the stairs of the Skillman home to leave the pamphlets. It was still work hours, and most homes in the neighborhood were empty. There was no sign that the soldiers were suspicious as they tucked the pamphlets into the door handle. Once they moved on, John reached out and snatched them. He turned to face the others and began to read. Despite Fi’s expectation that it would say something awful, the reality still frightened her when John read it there, printed in black and white.

  All residents are required to report to your local food supply processing center. Your location is 112 SE 2nd Ave, in the north end of the Northern Town Center mall parking lot.

  This is a regional drop and we will be servicing hundreds of citizens. It’s essential that you follow all instructions so that we can ensure a fair and orderly distribution of necessary rations.

  Your designated arrival time (DAT) is 4:30 PM. If you do not arrive within 20 minutes of DAT, your rations will be reassigned and you will forfeit any future rations.

  “Wow,” Sean breathed as they read that. “One strike you’re out, huh?” Huddled together around John, they read on.

  All residents are required to bring medical cards. If you do not have your medical card your rations will be reassigned and you will forfeit any future rations.

  “Medical cards?” John whispered. “Why would they want that?” he asked and Lucy glared at him. He choked. “They’re going to starve the sick?” He turned to Fi, his eyes wide. “Is that really what our own soldiers are going to do?”

  “Maybe,” she shrugged. “The people at the top know there isn’t enough food. They are probably safely inside the Diaspora colonies now and waiting while the rest of the world…” her voice trailed off.

  “Starves to death,” John muttered, shaking his head.

  Fi nodded. “If they’re lucky.” Getting up, she returned to helping Lucy with her pack. There was still time until nightfall and work to be done. And then it really begins, she thought, and her heart fluttered.

  Trapped

  ----------- Asher -----------

  As Asher sat in his dorm room staring at his tablet, the old pipes above him shuddered and clanged. After a full school year of living with the noise, most times it barely registered in his brain…but it was cutting into his concentration now. Asher frowned and turned up the volume on the clip he was viewing. As it played, he took notes on the printed copy of the article in his journal.

  “And so,” the translator droned, “It’s my professional conclusion that westernized foods are increasing the rates of cancer in Northern Africa, particularly in Egypt.”

  The contrast between the passion in the voice of the speaker and the dullness in the voice of the translator was startling, Asher thought, pushing his speakers further into his ears. He reviewed the article, bobbing his head and scribbling notes. This guy was really direct in his opinion, for a scientist, Asher reflected. I mean, no one had really said it like this before: Western food increases cancer, period. He wasn’t dancing around it or trying to say this type of cancer is higher here and that type there, so we can’t come to any conclusion. His opinion was clear.

  It was also going to be perceived as biased, Asher thought, sifting through more articles on his tablet. This guy was very controversial after all. Egyptian born and U.S.-educated, he’d returned to Egypt before the regime fell. He was right in the middle of it all, yelling things that would definitely scare some ‘Western’ people.

  Asher ran his hand through his sandy blonde hair. It had darkened over the winter in New York. He pulled it in front of his eyes. It had also gotten too long, he thought, as he pushed it behind his ear. He tucked the article back into his journal, in order, in 2022. Just another piece of the puzzle, he thought.

  The door flew open and his roommate Jeff burst into the room, startling him. In a frantic whirl, Jeff started rushed around the room grabbing things and throwing them into his backpack. An unbroken stream of babble accompanied his actions.

  “It’s crazy man, you have to come get this,” he said, gesticulating wildly. “There are people freaking out and soldiers everywhere,” he continued, grabbing his giant digital camera and peering at it, then changing attachments and throwing it around his neck.

  “What the hell are you talking about Jeff?” Asher asked, confused. “What soldiers?” Jeff slid into his jacket and shook his head. Smiling, he spread his arms.

  “It’s the story of our lives man,” Jeff said and headed for the door. “You’re gonna wanna be there,” he added as he turned back to close the door behind him.

  “Wait Jeff!” Asher called and began running around his room and grabbing things. The door stopped and Jeff poked his head through. “Where are we going?”

  Jeff grinned with excitement. “Anywhere man, the whole City is in uproar. Look outside!” He pointed toward their tiny window and Asher peered down to the street below.

  “Holy Shit!” Asher yelled and Jeff nodded. There was what looked like thousands of people milling around in the streets. Some appeared to be walking in groups, shouting and waving. And around the corner marched a group…squadron…platoon…whatever, he saw soldiers! He dashed out the door with Jeff and rushed down the stairs, metal doors slamming behind them as they ran. It could be the story of a lifetime, Asher thought as he followed.

  Twelve hours later, Asher sat gathered with a large huddle of students and administrators, staring at the television in disbelief. President Winters was live, giving what was supposed to be a reassuring press conference to the people of the U.S. In this room, Asher noted, it was not having the intended effect. With every few words a new comment rose up mixed in with boos and jeering.

  “Bullshit!”

  “Don’t lie to us anymore!”

  “And so I would like to reiterate my pride and gratitude to the people of America,” the President said, nodding her perfectly coiffed head. “For their cooperation and cool heads in this crisis situation.” She paused to shift her papers and Asher noted that her hands were shaking. She cleared her throat. “By now it has become apparent to many Americans that we are in the midst of a global food crisis, but let me assure you that the ingenuity and perseverance of the American people will see us through. We will need to work together, to remain peaceable, to help our neighbors.” Her gestures grew expansive as she warmed up.

  “It will require the untiring efforts of our military, all branches,” she added firmly. “To make sure that the fair, safe, and timely delivery of rations takes place. Though I’m here to reassure that all will be well,” she intoned. “That will also be up to you, the people.” She shifted papers again. “The fact is that food will be tight for a time, very tight in fact,” she said, a grim
smile on her face. “I didn’t get to this position by feeding people a bunch of lies that they wanted to hear. No, it’s time for us to be truthful that we are facing a serious crisis.”

  Asher noticed that the voices in the room had quieted down. Everyone was listening. Murmurs followed the President’s statement that the world was in trouble. It was the first time that she had admitted as much. The crowd went from angry to nervous, the energy shifting in a more frantic direction. What does a fear of the unknown really look like, Asher wondered as he scribbled his observations in his journal.

  President Winter continued in the background.

  “And so in some metropolitan areas in particular, we have had to instill temporary martial law. We will all do our best to go about our daily business but there will be an adjustment while you all get used to restricted hours and restricted travel. I know that this situation will be devastating to everyday life, to businesses and families all over this country,” she added. “But the simple truth is that we are now focused on survival. The right to the pursuit of happiness can’t be held above the right to life.”

  Voices in the room murmured and then were hushed. “I ask that every American listen to the soldiers who are handing out food or controlling crowds. I ask that every American understand that the consequences for violence and unrest will be extremely severe. Until this food crisis comes to an end, and we are not certain exactly when that will be, we must all stay calm and work together.”

  Once again the room erupted into angry cries.

  “Is she fucking kidding?”

  “What the hell do they mean martial law? Can they do that? Does this mean we won’t be allowed off the island?”

  The noise was raucous and Asher recorded as much of it as he could with his tablet. Some people dashed off to call or find relatives while others sat down on the spot and talked with each other. After a time, Asher slipped out the side door to the street and into the City night. He had no idea where Jeff had gone. They had spilt up hours prior when they were still following the crowds to find the source of the outrage.