Eden's Root

by Rachel Fisher

  “You’ve seen our situation here with Rachel and Maggie,” she said. He nodded, though she did not elaborate. There was no need. “Obviously we need to find some source of Truefood that can sustain us, or we may all face a long slow death,” she said.

  “But what about the game and the forest?”

  “True, I have thought of that, but it’s still difficult to get enough. In the winter, it’s impossible. This winter we wouldn’t have made it without the canned Sickfoods Sean and I were able to find. And we still don’t know how much the plants up here have crossed with the Sick strains over time. I’ve gotten to where nothing I eat besides game meats or mosses feels safe.” Sarcasm and honesty mixed equally in her voice and he suppressed a chuckle.

  “Yeah,” Asher agreed with her. “It’s pretty crazy worrying about everything you eat.”

  “Well the good news is that we have a plan,” she grinned. Her smile grew as she noted his obvious confusion and she stood, offering her hand. “Let’s go back to the house so I can show you my father’s journals.” Taking her hand, he sprung up to stand beside her. She gazed up at him with her warm eyes squeezed in a smile and he felt his chest tighten. “It’s time that you learned about Eden,” she murmured.

  And then once again, she took him by surprise, leaping the stream in a flash and sprinting back toward their Home. Stunned, Asher laughed and then followed, pushing himself to catch her once again.

  “Wait up Fi,” he called as she streaked away from him. Her laughter told him that there would be no such mercy and he redoubled his efforts, pulling just behind her as they got Home. “Jesus Fi,” he gasped. “Your idea of fun is kind of exhausting.”

  Fi was breathing too heavily to respond, but she smiled. In that instant, Asher was struck by her expression. Her curls were wild and her cheeks were flushed with the bloom of effort. The joy in her face was clear. Jesus, he realized, she wasn’t kidding. Pushing herself to the limit actually did make her happy. He shook his head. No wonder she was the Leader here, he thought. It was hard enough just keeping up with her.

  ----------- Fi -----------

  After catching their breath, the two went inside where Fi directed Asher to sit on the couch. Pulling out her father’s journal, Fi handed it to him and sat back. As she had done with his journal, Asher flipped through her father’s journal in amazement.

  “I can’t believe it Fi!” he murmured. Everyone had given them some privacy, though Sean seemed to be hovering in the kitchen. Asher’s eyes were wide. “You mean there is an answer, a safe haven?” he asked. His voice was a mixture of anxiety and relief.

  “There may be several really,” Fi said. “I’m sure that the government built their Diaspora colonies.” Asher nodded.

  “Yes, they must have,” he said absently, thinking out loud.

  “But Eden isn’t a government colony and,” she paused, “more importantly, we know where it is. Well, at least we are pretty freaking sure where it is. Having Jose and Mayra to help pinpoint locations will be essential, ” she admitted, groaning as she stretched her neck. It had been a while that she had been bent over the journal. She rubbed her eyes. It was starting to get dark in the room and there was no fire started yet. Fi brushed back a stray curl and narrowed her eyes.

  “So…” she drawled. “You’ve joined us in a sort of safe place, just as we plan to throw caution to the wind and go back out there.” She waved her hands toward the shutters to make her point and gave a tired laugh. Fatigue washed over her and the laugh transformed into a yawn that was cut short by the lingering pain in her side. Fi made a mental note to mix in some naps in the next couple of days. “Are you sure you want to stick with our crazy Family?” Asher gave her a half-smile.

  “What if we don’t find Eden?” he asked. Startled, Fi’s fatigue disappeared as she folded her arms in defiance.

  “That won’t happen,” she retorted with a shake of her head. Despite her outward bravery, Fi felt nervous. Would that answer be enough for him? Would it be enough for him to follow her into the wilderness? As his eyes searched her face, she felt herself flush. Why was it so easy to be everyone else’s Leader, she pouted, feeling irritated. Her heart pounded as he continued to hold her gaze and then he stood up. Like she had done, he stretched with a groan. His shirt rose as he raised his arms and she caught a glimpse of muscled stomach. Unconsciously, her breath caught, and then she looked up at his face. He didn’t seem to notice, she thought with relief.

  “It’s more of a chance than I ever had before,” Asher answered honestly. As he gazed down at her, his face softened and loose hair fell into his eyes. He tilted his head and reached out to touch her face. Her heart started to pound and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. When his hand had almost reached her cheek, there was a small sound from the kitchen and he stopped. They heard the back door click closed as Sean slipped out. Fi didn’t move. She held Asher’s gaze, unsure why she didn’t stop him. Sighing, Asher touched her cheek with his fingertips and Fi closed her eyes. She leaned into his cool palm and sighed. When she opened her eyes, he was still staring at her face, his gaze gentle.

  “I will follow you Fi,” he said, his fingers leaving her cheek as softly as they had arrived. “I will follow you to Eden.” He bowed and then turned to walk wearily toward the kitchen to rest. Both collapsed into their sleeping bags.

  It felt wonderful to lie down, Fi thought. She flexed her feet to stretch her sore calves. Today’s run was the last time she would waste her energy again until her Family was secured, but it had felt fantastic. Running free through the forest, laughing, doing what she wanted instead of what was best, instead of what was prudent. And best of all, Asher, she thought as she dropped off to sleep. They were going to Eden together.

  On the Road Again

  A Fresh Start

  ----------- Fi -----------

  “Let’s take a moment to say our thanks and goodbyes in silence,” Fi requested. Holding hands, the Family stood gathered in a semicircle in the dusty yard. The spring sun had risen and warmed the air. They bowed their heads and gave thanks for the shelter and relative stability that the Home had provided all of those cold winter months. It hadn’t been easy, but it had been their Home, and they would miss it.

  “Alright,” Fi said with enthusiasm as she let go of Kiara’s hand and stepped in front of the Family. “Let’s get this show back on the road!” she yelled, surprising them all. Everyone else whooped and yelled and high fived. Fi couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Asher as the Family celebrated. Even though she was confident in her leadership, his opinion mattered to her. He held her gaze and nodded. Comforted by his silent support, Fi smiled. She knew it was a risk to yell in the daylight, but it had been a year since the start of the Famine. Though she knew that it was sad, it also was a fact that most of the Others were dead.

  They set out to take the road for the first part of their journey. Jose and Mayra assured them that it would be a small rural route for quite a ways. Fi focused on the positives as they walked down the gravel roadway in the beautiful morning. They could go back to using roads now, she thought. That was going to make their quest much easier. Even Maggie could walk a couple miles at a time if it was all on road. Besides, Jose had assured her that they would have to use roadways when they got to the White Mountains. Fi worked her way back through the group to stroll beside Asher.

  “Having any second thoughts?” It was an effort to keep her tone casual, her glance sliding sideways to gauge his expression. He smiled.

  “Nope,” he shook his head. “Five minutes in, I can’t say that I have any second thoughts,” he teased and she smacked his arm.

  “Don’t make me punch you,” she threatened and he pretended to look surprised.

  “Oh, is that how you run your Family?” he asked, “Ok, I see how you are,” he raised his eyebrows and laughed as she turned purple.

  “You see nothing,” she retorted, feigning offense as she marched further back to walk with Maggie and Kiara. Even though
they were just beginning, the Family knew that someone always had to walk with Maggie to gauge how she was doing. You couldn’t count on Maggie to tell you herself if she needed a rest, Fi thought, sighing. Sometimes stoicism can be as difficult a form of stubbornness as petulance.

  “What was that about?” Maggie asked Fi when she joined them. Her eyebrows were raised and she had a look on her face that resembled a smirk.

  “What are you talking about mama?” Fi asked her, confused. Maggie smiled. She shook her head slowly and hummed to herself as they walked. “What?” Fi was mystified. “What?” she demanded, her voice rising as she grew annoyed. Maggie tilted her head toward her.

  “Fi, really?” she asked, her voice doubtful. “You’re sure you don’t know what I’m talking about?” Fi shook her head and Maggie smiled, whistling through her teeth. “I forget sometimes how young you actually are,” she murmured. “Maybe you really don’t know.” Fi was frustrated. She hated to show frustration to Maggie, but she also hated being called young, and Maggie knew that. Noting Fi’s expression, Maggie laughed, the airy sound flying away on the morning breeze.

  “Ok, sorry,” Maggie apologized. “I’ll just say this,” she began and Fi waited, wanting clarity. “I wouldn’t throw him out of the kitchen for eating crackers either.” The statement finished with a chuckle. What? Fi thought, even more annoyed. She followed Maggie’s gaze forward through the backs of the walking Family Members to the swaying blonde braid. Fi gasped and her head whipped around to glare at her mother. Maggie was trying to suppress her laughter, Fi saw, as she pinched her lips and her shoulders shook. Betrayed by her pale skin again, Fi felt her face flush and her heart race. Dammit, she hated having her embarrassment be so visible all the time. Kiara gazed up at Maggie while they walked, completely confused.

  “What?” she asked them, not wanting to miss the news. “Why is Fi mad?” Maggie chuckled and sighed.

  “Fi isn’t mad sweetie,” she told Kiara. “She’s embarrassed.” Fi sighed. Maggie’s explanation was embarrassing. Kiara still looked confused.

  “Why?” she persisted, turning to Fi. Maggie answered for her.

  “Because she agrees with me.” Maggie’s tone was still teasing and Fi flushed all over again. She smiled at Maggie, chagrined, and then shrugged.

  “He doesn’t think of me that way Mama.” Fi was sure of that. He had made it pretty clear that he thought of her as a little girl…a cool little girl maybe, but a little girl nonetheless. He was just as kind to Kiara, she thought wistfully. “It would make more sense for him to be with Lydia,” she said, feeling a sting of jealousy as she watched the delicate blonde mother walking beside Sarge.

  “Hmm,” Maggie mused, her tone unconvinced. “Lydia is too old for him, I think,” Maggie said and Fi guffawed. Lydia was only twenty-six years old. “No, I mean it Fi,” Maggie insisted. “You two are closer in age, though he’s a little old for you.” Oh great, Fi thought, groaning at the sudden sternness in Maggie’s voice. It’s like Maggie already had them dating in her mind. Fi shook her head at her.

  “Wasn’t that my point?” she retorted. Changing the subject, she asked Kiara. “What story would you like to create today?” Kiara perked up.

  “Something about dragons,” she said, skipping while they walked. Having enough energy was not a problem for Kiara, even when the rest of the Family was tired.

  “Ok,” Fi said, “Dragons it is then. Are the dragons good or bad?” she asked and Kiara giggled.

  “Bad of course.”

  Fi smiled at Asher’s back striding along in front of her. Not all dragons were bad, she thought. Zoe walked back to join them and Lucy nodded to Maggie who waved back. This was how the children were all team-supervised. Fi got ready to include Zoe’s input into the story. She should call Sean back to join them. He was really good at storytelling. It was a good start to their summer’s journey, she thought, contented.

  Two weeks later, they had made progress and the entire group was in good spirits. They had left the roadway for a while, guided by Jose and Mayra’s careful scouting. Every time that the Family had to rest, the two of them would split up and scout ahead, determining the best path. They always weighed terrain versus taking the shortest possible route and made their decisions with Fi accordingly. That way the Family didn’t waste time dragging their weaker members over unsuitable terrain, or too far out of their way. Not much for daily prayer, Fi still found herself thanking God anyway for sending the siblings to guide them. There was no better term for them than ‘Godsend’.

  Fi had taken to walking with Asher whenever she got a chance. He liked to play word games with her, and it kept them both entertained.

  “Castigate!” Fi cried triumphantly to Asher’s back as they walked single-file around the perimeter of a muddy Dead Zone, keeping just inside the cool, dry, border of the forest.

  “Hmmph,” he said, with a glance over his shoulder. “Tough one.”

  “C’mon,” Fi laughed, “It’s not any harder than ‘excoriate’ for goodness’ sakes.” Asher grunted. They walked silently for a moment while he thought, the rest of the group chatting as well.

  “How about this,” Asher started and Fi perked up. “The researchers castigated themselves for contributing to worldwide catastrophe,” he finished with a grin. Fi frowned at first, but then she had to break down and smile in return.

  “Pretty good,” she admitted. “Now it’s your turn,” she prompted him to feed her the next word. Their silly invented game consisted of using a given difficult word in a sentence that related to the Famine in some way. Verbal games made a good way to pass the time when there was nothing to do all day but walk very slowly. Though she knew it wasn’t everyone’s idea of fun, it was definitely hers.

  “Ok,” Asher said. “Supercilious.” As he spoke, he emphasized the “s” sounds like a snake. Fi rolled her eyes.

  “That’s too easy.” For a moment, she was silent while she reflected.

  “Thought it was easy,” Asher goaded her. Fi swatted at his back from behind.

  “Give me a second,” she laughed. “It’s easy. I’m just picking the sentence.” She paused for another second. “Ok. The supercilious smile on President Winter’s face belied her true message.” Fi made certain to draw out ‘belied’. Asher howled.

  “Belied?” he glared over his shoulder in disbelief. “‘Belied’ in the same sentence? You’re such a showoff,” he whined and Fi shrugged and made a small sound of pleasure at the recognition. It was her turn. Her mind pored over possible words.

  “Obstreperous,” she crowed and Asher groaned.

  “Hey guys,” Fi heard Lucy pipe up from the back of the line, and they all stopped. Lucy stood with Maggie’s arm around her shoulder, helping her to navigate. Fi could see that both were tired and Maggie’s legs were sagging. “I think we all could use a little rest, ok?” Lucy proposed. Maggie smiled weakly. She had stopped even saying ‘sorry’ for causing them to stop. Everyone agreed that the Family wasn’t the same without Maggie’s positive spirit, and they urged her to keep telling them when she needed rest. They settled into an area nearby with a small stand of boulders.

  Taking her seat beside Maggie, Fi sat with her pack at her back and rested her head on it, the sunlight washing over her upturned face. Maggie needed support to walk now, and though Fi wished she could be the one to do it, she was just too short to help. Instead Lucy, Aliyah, Sean, and Asher had all been taken turns walking with her. That was why Fi tried to spend a lot of her rest time with Maggie, although Maggie was often so exhausted that she would drop off to sleep as soon as the group stopped.

  Whenever Fi saw Asher helping her mother to walk, it made her heart feel like it would stop beating. His gentleness brought tears to her eyes. Fi would carry his sword for him because he could not wear it while he was supporting Maggie. The first time that Asher handed his sword over to Fi without question Sean had been startled, though Fi hadn’t noticed. If she had turned around, she would have seen the shocked
look on Sean’s face. She would have noticed his amazement that Asher would just turn over his most prized possession to her without hesitation. But she didn’t notice, because all of her attention was on Asher. She wished that she could carry his sword on her back like he did, but it was just too long. It banged into her legs as she walked. Instead she carried cradled in her arms.

  Asher supported Maggie with one hand around her waist and the other at her left elbow, like he was leading her onto the dance floor. He said it was more ‘polite looking’ than having her arm slung over his shoulder. The truth was that he was too tall for Maggie’s arm to go over his shoulder anyway, but no matter the reason, Maggie loved it. Walking together, they would talk and he would make Maggie laugh. Fi often overheard him asking Maggie for stories about Fi and Kiara, whom he had started calling ‘Ki’. Of course, Fi protested whenever she heard Maggie telling baby stories.

  “That’s not fair,” she’d complain, her eyes begging Maggie not to embarrass her.

  One day she’d overheard Asher asking Maggie, “So what is ‘Fi’ short for anyway?” Like a fire suddenly given oxygen, Fi felt a forgotten anger roar to life. That was her special thing to share with her father, she fumed. Why did Asher have to be so nosy? If Sean couldn’t call her by her full name, then no one could.

  “No,” she’d declared, walking toward the pair and shaking her head. “There’s no reason for you to know that.” Her eyes cut through Asher as she spoke. “My name is just Fi.” She’d spun and stalked to the front of the line to talk to Jose and Mayra. Asher had been confused.

  “Did I say something wrong?” he’d asked Maggie with concern. Maggie just shook her head.

  “Just memories Asher,” she’d assured him, shaking her head. “It’s not you. Just give her time.” Maggie explained, “…I mean give her time to trust. She’s a girl who’s been very badly hurt.”