by Lake, E. A.
Down the road, I spied a man in a bright green tank top and shorts coming our way. It didn’t take long to recognize him.
He waved and called out our names, happy to see us.
“What do you suppose Mr. Crazy wants now?” Violet asked as we rose from our spots.
I didn’t know, but at his quick pace, we’d find out soon enough.
“I was hoping I’d find you here,” Stuart announced with a grin. “Won’t be but two or three hours and the truck will be back.”
Violet and I met him in the dead grass in her former front yard. He was sweaty, as in dripping wet.
“I was just out for my afternoon walk and thought I’d track you down. I have a proposal for you, both of you actually.”
I hadn’t noticed before but this guy was ripped. He had the whole package: abs, bulging arms, and legs of steel. Muscles bulged, covered in a thin sheen of moisture. His arms and legs were tan, dark brown like his face. Where was this guy finding time to work out and tan in the middle of an apocalypse, I wondered.
Steering us towards the road, we walked with him — albeit at a slower pace than when he approached.
I decided to strike first with my questions. “If that truck gets back before dinner time, we could leave and make it back home before dark, right?”
He nodded, pushing his short dark hair back on his forehead. “True, but if you had any trouble you’d be stranded between here and there in the dark. And I know from my group that there’s been a lot of wolf sightings down that way lately. So I’d prefer, for your safety of course, that you leave tomorrow morning after breakfast.”
“We haven’t seen many wolves,” Violet added, sounding non-confrontational for a change.
“You probably haven’t been out much at dusk, though. Have you?” Man, this guy had an answer for everything.
“That’s when the wolves are at their best,” Stuart continued, almost enthusiastically. “They have such an advantage over us mere humans at night. I’m afraid they’d make quick work of you.”
I glanced at Violet who seemed unmoved by his speech, but it had my attention. Their nightly baying had been increasing all summer. We were, back home at least, surrounded by them.
“I guess we wouldn’t be averse to staying,” I admitted. “Depending on when that truck gets back.” Violet jabbed at my ribs to let me know her dissatisfaction. However, based on our chat over the past hour, I was thinking of her safety…as well as mine.
Stuart clapped his hands loudly. “Excellent. I’ll let the cook know to expect two more for dinner then.” He began to trot away, but stopped and spun to face us. “By the way, Susan is looking for you both. She’s downtown where we had lunch. I believe she has some refreshments prepared.”
With that, he jogged away. Just like a normal person would during the summer…if the world as we knew it hadn’t ended a little less than a year ago.
Day 321 - continued - WOP
We found Susan lounging outside the building downtown, just as we were told. She motioned for us to join her on the old wood park bench set back in the shade to keep away the warm summer sun.
“Please, join me,” she called in a sweet voice. “I’ve some lemonade made with cool well water. I think you’ll like it. Violet sit on my left so I can be in between you two.”
We sat as instructed and the promised beverage was delivered to us immediately. Susan smiled, chasing her long auburn hair away from her collar.
“How’d you find your home?” she asked Violet, clutching at her hands like a caring mother.
She shrugged. “About the same,” she answered in a pouty tone. “Seems like most of our stuff is missing.”
Nodding at the words, Susan raised Violet’s chin so they were face to face.
“Most of it was traded,” Susan answered. “For food and fish. Anyone who left made themselves open to these types of actions.”
“Stuart’s idea?” I asked.
Turning, she smiled graciously at me. “Yes, it was. And I must say, I approve. We’re going to need plenty of food here in Covington when winter comes. And any trades we can make with new communities will be vital.”
“How many fish camps are being set up?” I meant to ask this before.
“I’d have to check with my brother for the accurate number, but I know of six or seven at this time. Several have been extremely productive so far. Harvests have been good. Given what little they have to work with.”
I grinned and leaned back against the wood slats. “Let me guess: small boats, large nets, some might have motors, others just oars. Probably fishing from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Women and children cleaning and preserving the fish.”
Again she smiled and I found it, and her, attractive. Still I knew deep inside she was dangerous. Stuart Callies was her brother after all.
“I really wouldn’t know, Bob,” she replied, almost sounding bored. “The whole adventure is quite barbaric and smells to high heaven in my mind. So I’m avoiding going anywhere near any of those places. I prefer the quiet life here in Covington.”
She slipped an arm around Violet’s shoulder, as they both sipped their drinks. While on the surface her actions appeared innocent enough, my gut did back flips watching her pay attention to the teen.
“Is most of the killing done, now that you’re here?” The question slipped out of my mouth as a reaction to her actions. I watched Susan’s eyes closely as she turned.
“My brother has promised me that he would treat people with more respect now,” she answered, seeming to take no offense to my blunt question. “People are dying of starvation, but we have no hand in that. It’s of their own choosing.”
“You could give them some of your food,” Violet stated, sounding as snotty as possible. “You seem to have plenty.”
Susan turned and took Violet’s hands again. “Listen to me, Violet. There’s an important lesson for you here. My brother, my husband, all of their people are working so hard to make this a sustainable community. Everyone has to do their part. But some people…”
Susan reached out and squeezed Violet’s face to turn her head back to facing hers. “Some people take advantage of us. We allow them the latitude to harvest their own crops. Half is for the community, and they can keep or trade the other half. Yet, when we go and inspect their shelves, do you know what we find?”
Violet shook her head slightly. I could tell by her expression that she was scared. “Sometimes they give us a third of their bounty. Sometimes, not even a quarter. Now I ask you, where is their sense of community? Where is their love for their fellow man? How can we feed those that aide and protect them, if we aren’t given our share?”
“I don’t know,” Violet squeaked.
“We don’t kill them for their transgressions any longer, Violet. But they are punished. And yes, sometimes we may make a larger example out of one of two of them, but it’s for the good of the community in the end.”
I watched as Susan waited for the teen to digest her diatribe. And what a load of crap it was. If Violet was expected to buy that fairy tale, we’d be here another week before it sank in.
“Which brings me to another topic,” Susan added, straightening her sundress. “Matt didn’t have a chance to inventory all of the pills before we had to ship them off. But he did make a quick list so we can match it against the inventory sheets.”
She had my attention. She also had the full container of pills, according to Marge.
“Brought you back everything Marge took,” I stated, noting her sweet expression was gone and replaced with a semi-scowl. “She may have used some items for her family, but everything else should be there.”
Susan raised a hand. “I have no issue with the woman taking care of her family. I’d do the same for my own. Matt mentioned though it appeared we were still missing a number of bottles, perhaps penicillin and some other painkillers. Might you know anything about that, Mr. Reiniger?”
I shook my head honestly. “Absolutely no
t.”
“How about you, dear?” Her eyes were back on Violet.
I saw the flash right before the eruption came. “I don’t know nothing about your stupid pills,” she shouted, slapping at Susan. “My mom gave them all back to you just like that piece of shit husband of yours—”
Susan grabbed a handful of hair and pulled back. Her face changed so much I hardly recognized her. Her eyes small, lips tight.
“Listen to me and listen to me good,” Susan spewed at Violet. “I was 13 once and you had better believe I was never allowed to speak with an adult in that tone you just used. I expect you to behave like a proper young lady while you’re here. If you want to act like a piece of gutter trash elsewhere, then be my guest. But not in my home.”
She released her hair and stroked Violet’s tear streaked face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But I expect more from you.” She turned and faced me. “Both of you.”
Guards were close enough to keep my rising anger in check. But they sure didn’t seem taken aback by Susan’s rant.
“I got no idea what you mean, lady. I just want to get this trade over with so the girl and I can get back. Really, that’s our only purpose here.”
Susan sat quietly, tapping her lips with her left index finger. There was more, and her evil dark eyes foretold of something I wasn’t going to like.
Day 321 - continued - WOP
“I want to speak honestly with you,” Susan began, her face tight, her body rigid. “With both of you. So listen carefully to what I have to say.”
I noticed Violet roll her eyes behind Susan, and I fought back a grin.
“I appreciate honesty. And if you two are being honest with me, then we have no problems.” Susan paused, glancing at me, then Violet. “But I won’t tolerate lies.”
She stood and began to pace in front of us. I slid closer to Violet.
“If I find out either of you has lied to me about your knowledge of any missing drugs, there will be serious repercussions. Am I understood?”
I nodded, but Violet ignored her. Susan reached and clutched the teen by her cheeks, jerking her eyes up to hers. I saw the nails of the other woman digging into my friend’s face, causing little red indents. Before I said something I might regret, I noticed a guard had slipped in closer. So I resisted.
“Listen to me you little bitch,” Susan seethed. “When I find out you’ve lied to me, either of you, I will bring you back here, dragging you by your hair if I have to. Then I will hurt you, both of you, badly.”
She knelt in front of the shaking girl. “I will hurt you in ways you never imagined possible. I will have you begging me to stop. By the end, you’ll beg to die. But I won’t do that.
“No, I’m going to tie you to a chair, as battered and bruised as you’ll be. I’ll glue your eyelids open if I have to. I’ll make you watch me hurt your friend here in ways that will shock your mind. You won’t ever forget the things I do, because they’ll be that evil. If you think you’ve ever felt pain before…”
She laughed manically in Violet’s face. “When I’m done with him, then I’m going to come back to you, little girl. And I’m going to hurt you more. I’m going to keep at it until your voice gives out. And only when your screams become little squeaks will I stop.”
Glancing back at me, Susan continued. “If you two get back there and find any of the missing drugs, I expect you to turn around and immediately bring them to me. I want you to walk her barefoot to show me your contrition. If you think about running and hiding, I will find you. And my wrath will be twice as bad.”
She rose and wrapped her arms over her waist. “I trust my honest conversation has gotten through to both of you?”
I nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Violet answered quietly.
“I don’t want to be this way,” Susan admitted. “But if it’s the only way we can keep order, I trust you understand.”
She turned and left. Violet refused to look at me as I watched Susan disappear down the street. I had my answer. Both brother and sister were just as bad as the other.
“Told you she was crazy,” Violet spit in my direction, some of her normal disdain resurfacing.
“Sounds to me like she’s a lot like your dad was,” I said, sliding next to her. “Maybe not the lopping off of body parts she implied, but the words at least.”
“Where are we going to stay tonight? She’ll kill us if we stay at her place.”
She had a point. I no longer trusted Mrs. Weston, or her brother. Either could snap and we’d just be two of the poor souls that didn’t understand how things worked, in Covington at least.
Dinner was a quiet affair. Except for the clinking of silverware on plates and the occasional question that was answered promptly and politely, not many other sounds filled the dining room. All throughout our tenderloin, new potato, and asparagus meal Violet and I shared nervous glances.
When the subject of sleeping arrangement arose, I stated we’d prefer to stay in the shed again. Though Susan glared at me while I spoke, she knew why. I’d seen her fangs and didn’t want to risk her bite.
A guard followed us back to our accommodations; I guess our carefree unwatched time was over. By the shed, we found Matt waiting for us with my loaded cart nearby.
“Everything’s here,” he stated, pounding on the large bags of salt. He lifted the lids and let the bag crash into the cart, just to prove to me that they were there.
“I’ll give you back your gun in the morning at the same place you came into town,” he continued. “I’ll have the cook pack some toast and jam for you, maybe even a canteen of water. You’ll want to be on the road right away I bet.”
Opening the door, the heat of the day rushed from the shed. That was okay, I couldn’t imagine much sleep. Violet neither I assumed.
“Susan talk to you about the missing drugs?” he asked.
“Alleged missing drugs?” I countered. “As far as we know, you got everything. If we discover different, we’ll get them up here right away.”
Sighing, he looked away. “Don’t be a hardass about this, Bob. If that lady didn’t send them all, we need them. And its best you bring them to us, rather than making us come get them. That’ll just piss Stu and Susan off royally. And neither of us wants that.”
“But if you got everything already, then this over, right? You’ll leave us alone.”
He nodded several times before strolling away. “You’ll never see us again, most likely. Just be sure we got everything. That’s the only safe play.” He waved. “Sleep tight; see you both in the morning.”
The guard followed him, leaving Violet and me truly alone.
“I hate this place,” Violet said from behind. “Even more than when I lived here.”
“Well, hopefully we’re never coming back, right?” I turned to see here glaring at me.
“Is that a wish or a promise?” she asked. “I kind of need to know.”
“I have no idea, Violet. Only your mother holds the answer to that question.”
She turned and plopped on the single bed, patting the place next to her spot for me to join her.
“So, what are you thinking?” she asked, lying down, shoving the pillow under her head.
A small chuckle came before my words. “I really hate this place too. Probably as much as you do.”
She smiled, closing her eyes, grasping for my hand. “I told you this was a bad place,” she said, yawning.
I watched as she drifted away for the night. Her tiny mouth opened slightly, easy breaths came and went. Perhaps her dreams would be pleasant. Maybe, if she was lucky she’d be like me most nights and no dreams at all would disturb her sleep.
Day 322 WOP
We left without issue the following morning. Just after sunup Violet and I retrieve my 45 from Matt. Retreating down the highway, south towards home, I was glad to leave Covington behind. The place was a dump run by a foul crowd and I didn’t want to return anytime in the near future.
Just past midway, Violet (in the lead at the time) stopped at pointed into the brush just off the left shoulder. Watching carefully, I noticed the leaves and stalks move. Four pups leaped out onto the road.
“Cute,” she squealed, looking back at me. They were cute, and furry and some sort of large breed, I figured.
She turned and took a step when I noticed more the brush move again.
“Stop,” I whispered as loud and severe as I dared.
Mid-stride she glared back at me. “Why?” she demanded in a typical teenaged tone. “I want to go play with them.”
The look on my face must have been enough to give her pause. Slowly I pointed as the mother lumbered onto the road.
“Those aren’t dogs, Violet,” I whispered. Moving sloth-like, I stepped forward and pulled her close to me as the mother barred her canines at us. A guttural growl followed as she moved towards her pups.
I felt the teenager tremble as I moved her cautiously behind my body. The female wolf studied our shapes and movements, her eyes alert for any sign of danger.
I slipped my gun from my waistband and checked the chamber. Still loaded, good. Carefully, I released the clip and examined it.
Bone dry.
“Shit,” I muttered, checking the wolves again. “I hope this doesn’t get too dicey. Those bastards emptied my clip. I got one shot.”
Violet’s slim arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Her trembling was now an all out shaking. Glancing at my knees, I expect the same. I was happy to find I was standing firm.