“Soon.”
It was all she could manage. It was an effort not to throw up as her mind replayed that man’s head exploding. That was why she wanted Kiara to cover her ears. Despite being curled into a tight ball in her arms, Fi knew that she could still hear the screaming.
“You cover your ears too Zoe, Rachel,” she instructed and they did. Zoe whimpered. Kiara did not make any noises, but Fi could feel her body tighten in her arms with every shout and gunshot. Kiara’s terror made Fi realize that she could not afford to break down or else everyone might lose control. She had to stop the shaking.
With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and imagined that she was made of rock. As she drew each breath she imagined herself hardening, literally, into a statue until her shivering stopped. Several Family members sniffled as they cried in silence. Gripping each other in shock, they waited in a huddle until halfway through the following day.
When Fi gazed out the window, nothing could be seen but the feet of a body lying in the yard across the street. Otherwise there had been no sound, no voices, and no gunshots for at least five hours. Time to do some scouting, Fi resolved, ignoring her shaking hands.
“Ok,” she turned back to the Family. She moved in a crouch to the back door to the garage and checked her gun one more time. “I’m going to do a quick check around and I mean quick. I won’t go far until I get more information. We’ll go further and further out based on what I see, understand?” They all nodded, but John’s mouth opened to protest.
Fi shook her head before he spoke. “Again John, no you can’t come. No one can go out there without a weapon. I can’t guarantee your safety, one gun needs to stay here, and you can’t shoot, so you can’t cover me.” She shook her head one more time. “I’ll be quick, I promise.”
Hopefully that would suffice for reassurance she thought as she turned her gaze to Sean. His scowl deepened and she sighed. He always wore his feelings on his sleeve, she thought. Though he was angry at being left behind, he couldn’t argue with her position. The Family had to be guarded by someone who could shoot a gun. Who the hell knew what was out there? She couldn’t risk everyone. He was staying.
“If I do not come back by nightfall,” she said, “Get out of here. I know where we’re going and can join you later. You can’t wait.” They nodded, but Kiara sniffed. Fi turned to her with a nod. “I’m coming right back baby girl, alright?” Kiara wiped her face and nodded. Maggie nodded too.
“Be safe,” her mother’s whisper shook as she folded her arms around Kiara from behind.
Fi gently pushed the door latch and it opened without sound. Thank goodness, she breathed. As she slipped out the door, she drew her gun. It was difficult to fight the fear as her heart pounded. The daylight made her feel terribly exposed and she had trouble forcing her feet to keep taking the next step forward. She pinned herself against the garage wall and took a deep breath. C’mon, she told herself. You can do this. You have to do this. She slid to the end of the wall and peered around the corner. There was no one there. Fi stepped out toward the street and she gasped as she swept her weapon back and forth.
Burned out cars and houses smoked in the afternoon air, some with partially torched skeletons still inside. Glass glittered in the streets and bodies littered lawns and driveways. Fi’s stomach lurched and she doubled over and gagged. Though she had not had much to eat in days, she could not hold her stomach back as she turned cold and bile filled her throat. She coughed up spit until the heaving turned dry and she gasped for air, pulling her arm across her mouth and nose and sniffing. The burning in her nose and throat was excruciating. As she stood, a lightheaded sensation swept through her limbs and she thought she might faint.
‘No!’ Her mind shouted at her, snapping her back to reality. Her Family needed her to handle this. She reset the aim of her weapon, locking her hands to stop the shaking. She surveyed the situation. Despite the great number of bodies, her unemotional eye told her that all seemed stiff with dark, dry blood. Nothing and no one was moving. She heard birds, and wind, and…nothing else.
Fi explored the perimeter of the closest house across the street. She found nothing and decided to expand her search. Might as well check out the entire block to get a sense of how hard it would be to break for the woods once dusk arrived. In the back of her mind, the continual worry about food began to overcome her fear. If this place was actually a ghost town now, she thought and then she stopped. Ghost Town. There were going to be a lot of these, she realized. Regardless, at this point an abandoned town with leftover resources was a useful thing. There was no time or room to feel guilty about taking things from the dead, she resolved. They didn’t need their food and she did. Even if it was Sickfood.
Using the connected backyards, Fi passed the next two homes and selected one with a secluded back entrance. As she turned the doorknob, she prayed, and it clicked open. Thank you small towns, she breathed and slipped inside. She found herself in the kitchen. Perfect, she thought and began looking for the pantry. When she opened the large cabinet beside the refrigerator, she suppressed a happy laugh. They still had quite a bit in this home, she rejoiced, grabbing cans of veggies and soups, and one pie filling. She also grabbed granola bars. It was difficult to concentrate with her heart pounding in her ears and having her back turned to the room made her stomach sick. After last night’s horror show, the silence in the house was almost worse...eerie. She briefly wondered if the house’s owners were dead somewhere inside and she shuddered. Never mind, she thought. Her mission complete, Fi snuck back out of the home and moved down the row.
The next home also yielded a few more cans, though not as many as she would have liked. She had gotten some other good resources including First Aid and personal hygiene supplies. The Family would be pleased with those, she thought. Still, she wished there had been more food.
The backyard of the next home had a small chain-link fence that Fi easily hopped. She’d only taken one step when she raised her head and froze. In the yard with her stood a large, emaciated, brown dog. He barked and lunged. Paralyzed, she screamed and covered her face with her arms, waiting for the pain of his attack. Suddenly the dog yelped. Fi dropped her hands and saw that he was tied to the tree on the other side of the yard. He’d been cut short in his lunge, she realized, her heart pounding. Despite his continued barking, Fi bent over with her hands on her knees for one moment to regain her breath.
As she watched him struggle, the old animal-lover in her felt enraged for him. They tied him up! They didn’t even give him a chance! Then she thought about what she saw last night and she realized that his owners might have been murdered. Her stomach squeezed and she made up her mind. She snuck around the back edge of the fence and approached the tree where the rope was tied. The dog barked and yelped and Fi winced at the noise, but the town around her remained still. She pulled her buck knife and sawed at the rope. After a few swipes, the twine separated and the dog was freed from his bonds.
Fi scurried away. It wasn’t ideal. She knew that he was still behind a fence, but he was big and she hoped he could get over it. He also would be dragging a rope that could choke him, she thought. Or he could starve. She sighed. Stupid, she thought. Still, she felt like she had to give him a chance. It was the best she could do.
She continued in her mission, sweeping homes for resources. As she started to leave the last house, a low groan from upstairs made her nearly jump out of her skin. Run! Run, her mind urged, but for some reason she moved toward the staircase instead. Her weapon still drawn, she scaled the stairs with caution. Halfway up, she detected voices.
“Shhhhh baby,” she heard a warm female voice. “Just rest.” Then Fi was startled by a child’s high, boyish voice.
“Daddy, squeeze my hand. It will make your head hurt less.” Fi exhaled, relieved and lowered her gun as she continued up the stairs. This was a family, she realized. The door to the room was cracked open and Fi pushed it. The family inside turned and gasped.
An Africa
n-American man laid on the bed with his head in the lap a beautiful African-American woman, who must have been his wife. His bloodied scalp left no question as to who was hurt. On the floor beside him crouched a boy wearing wire-rimmed glasses who appeared to be about nine years old. All looked shocked and terrified to see her.
“It’s ok,” she said, putting both her hands above her head. Her gun was still in her hand, but she wanted them to know that she was friendly. “It’s ok, I was worried you were going to hurt me,” she explained. “But I heard your voices and knew you were safe.” She holstered her gun. “I’m Fi,” she held out her hand to the woman on the bed. “It looks like you folks could use some help.”
As she stepped forward she saw a movement in the corner, and in a flash she drew her gun and swung around. The family behind her screamed. The girl facing her was pointing a gun at her as well. She was petite, Caucasian and freckled with a long red braid, and she was dressed like a soldier.
Jesus! Fi lowered her gun. It was a freaking mirror. The long oval mirror tilted backward, making her appear even smaller than she was in real life. It felt like a long time since she’d seen a mirror. Besides the obvious dirt visible on her skin and clothes, the most pronounced difference was her eyes. They were set and flat. She sighed. I look tired, she thought. Turning back to the family, Fi re-holstered her gun.
“So sorry,” she apologized. To put them at ease, she knelt. “Still a little edgy after last night,” she explained and the woman nodded. “So tell me about yourselves, how badly is he hurt?” The man groaned and sat up against the woman’s protests.
“No, Ronald, stay down,” she urged, but he pushed her hand away.
“It’s ok Aliyah,” he said, wincing as he touched his head. Fi could see that he had a good lump with a small cut that had bled a lot. It looked gruesome, but it was probably mostly just painful. He reached out his hand to Fi and she took it. His hand was warm and dry.
“Doctor Ronald Cooper. ‘Doc Ron’ for short.” His voice was warm. “This here is my wife, Aliyah,” he indicated the woman. She held out her hand and Fi took it. Her grip was strong, her fingers long and slender. “And this fine young man is Aldous,” he nodded to his son. The boy with the wire rimmed glasses smiled tentatively and held out his hand.
“Aldy,” the boy offered as she shook his hand.
“Aldy,” Fi repeated and nodded. She smiled and his smile grew into a genuine grin. “Here,” she rummaged through her pack and grabbed an instant icepack. She popped it and rubbed until she could feel the deep, chemical cold seep through. She handed it to Doc who touched it to his sore head.
“Ooof!” he winced. “That really smarts.” His wife patted his hand and thanked Fi.
“So, quickly now,” Fi said with newfound urgency, feeling unsure of the safety of their situation. “Tell me who you are and what you’re doing here.”
Doc Ron summarized for Fi as fast as he could. This town was their home and they had lived here for Aldy’s whole life. Doc Ron was an oncologist who had a private practice and who also volunteered at the hospital clinic, a point that Aliyah added to the story. Fi could tell Aliyah was proud of her kind, gentle husband by the way she straightened up whenever she spoke about him. Aliyah took over the telling of their past twenty-four hours.
“When the first gunshots fired we were terrified,” she began. “We all hid in this upstairs closet because the doors are sort of hidden. We thought they were looking for food so they might not come upstairs. But two men came up and were searching the bedroom when one noticed the closet and opened the door. Ronald jumped out, rushing them,” her eyes glistened at the memory. “And the bigger one hit him on the head with the butt of his rifle and he just…fell.” Her tears welled over, but she kept her expression calm. Fi bit her lip as she felt tears well in her own eyes. She could feel the pain Aliyah felt at the memory.
“I screamed and pulled Aldy behind me,” Aliyah continued, her voice shaking. “And I thought we were really done when the bigger one turned to me and smiled. But then there was a shout outside. Not the screams,” she explained, referring to the sounds of their dying neighbors. “I don’t know what it was, but they both looked out the window and cursed and just…left.” Her face twisted with confusion and relief. “They never came back. Once it was quiet outside, we took the risk of having Ronald lie in the bed here until nightfall. We aren’t really sure what to do now.”
Fi considered the entire situation as quickly as she could. She wasn’t sure they had much time. It was quiet outside, but if these folks were alive then Others may be too, she thought. Others, she repeated to herself. That is what people have become. There is Family, and there are Others, and she knew which side she was on.
“So, now what Fi?” Aliyah asked, her gaze level. Somehow Aliyah knew not to treat her like a child. The consideration was over from Fi’s perspective. If there was Family and there were Others, then these people were Family. Plus, they could really use a doctor, even if he needed one himself at the moment. She smiled. Poor thing. He was definitely concussed and in pain. Imagine attacking armed men with no weapons and no training! It was terribly brave. He loved them enough to risk his life for them, she thought. Everything about the Coopers said ‘Family’.
“Well, I have a Family of eight right now,” she began and saw the look of surprise on Doc Ron’s face. “I’m their Leader.” The Coopers all nodded. Aldy got up and sat on the bed next to his father and touched his hand. “I’ve been,” she paused and squished her lips to the side in thought, “…uniquely prepared for current events.”
Fi got to her feet and stretched her limbs, peering out the window. Nothing was stirring. It would have been a beautiful spring day, she thought with sarcasm, if there weren’t bodies all over the place. It might be a sick thought but by now she’d figured out that she would have to divide the part of her that felt things from the part of her that did things in order to survive. Humor, however dark, would help.
“We’re headed north to a place that I heard we’d be safe,” she cocked an eyebrow. “Even from the Sickfood.” Fi leveled a serious gaze at him with this statement. She was testing him. Was he the kind of doctor who paid attention? Who thought for himself? He nodded in acknowledgement. Of course, she thought. He was an oncologist…he would have had an idea with all he’d seen. Good.
“It will be hard going,” she warned. “We have some among us that are Sick.” Another test that elicited another nod from the good Doctor. Excellent, she thought. “Our Family could use a doctor and you all seem honest and devoted to each other. That goes a long way in my opinion. There are Rules that we follow and you would have to as well. The most important one is that you would have to obey my decisions.” Aliyah’s brows knitted, but Fi’s face and voice were firm.
“Maybe that decision is a few hours into the future,” Fi waved her hand. “The truth is, I don’t know how my Family will react to the idea of adding you to our group. It could go any way, but I figure we should at least sit down and talk about it.” Fi held out her hand to Doc. “Look, you can’t stay here. Food is running out fast. We may be your only chance. I say you at least come talk to us and we can all decide what to do together.” The doctor appeared conflicted, not that Fi was surprised. His expression showed his desire to accept and his confusion at being led by a child at the same time. Finally his face settled into a resigned smile.
“We’re honored and accept the offer,” he said. “Please, lead the way.” Though his tone still held an undercurrent of concern, Fi nodded. She and Aliyah helped him up.
“Follow my directions ok?” Fi requested. They nodded in silence, their faces serious. Good, she thought. They meant it. They were willing to follow her. She led the way with her gun drawn.
Thirty minutes later, Fi gave the secret knock on the screen door behind the garage. She poked her head in the door.
“I’m back guys,” she said and then grunted as a hurtling Kiara hit her and knocked her backward into the wall.
“Yes, baby girl,” she said. She turned to the figures behind her. “And I brought a surprise,” she smiled. Fi’s Family gasped and murmured as the Coopers crawled through the doorway behind Fi and then huddled beside her on the concrete floor. Each carried plastic bags stuffed with cans and other items. All faces in the room appeared frightened, Fi realized, as she saw eyes dart back and forth.
“Don’t worry,” Fi reassured them. “I will handle introductions.” Nervous nods did nothing to reduce the tension and Fi turned to Sean and jumped. “Oh, for pete’s sake Sean,” she hissed. “Put the gun away! I think everyone is scared enough already.” Her hands gestured at the Glock he still had aimed at them. He nodded, startled, and the put the safety on before stowing it in his pack. With a deep shudder, Fi decided that she had to reconsider her feelings about his unwillingness to fire the weapon. Restraint could be a good thing, she thought.
“Ok,” she said. “Everyone have a seat. Firstly, it seems safe to go out at dusk and head for the woods and get out of this town.” Everyone seemed to sigh and relax a little.
“Secondly,” she smiled, “I have found us a Doctor,” she gestured toward Doc Ron. “I invited his family to join our Family, but we all realized that it would need to be a discussion. They will have to know about us and trust us, and we will have to know about them, and trust them. Does anyone have an idea for how to do this?” Because I don’t really, she thought. By now she was much better at accepting other people’s ideas. Aliyah cleared her throat.
“Well, I’m an attorney,” she began and then coughed. “Was an attorney,” she corrected herself. Everyone perked up to listen except Zoe, who squirmed in her mother’s arms. “I think I would be good at helping us to figure out a process by which we could consider the pros and cons of joining.”
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