by Kip Nelson
Tristan had held onto his anger as though it was as precious as gold. He was scared to let it go because he didn't know what that would mean for the future. Yet, as he watched Deborah in the middle of the circle, he realized how hard it must have been for Sharon. He thought about the state he would be in if it was Maggie in Deborah's place. He didn't say anything because he didn't think it was his place to speak, so he sidled beside Sharon and placed his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him, surprised, and saw the remorse in his face because he realized that his actions had been monstrous. He and Sharon both needed some tenderness, and they could get it from each other rather than pushing each other away. These were the first steps to that end.
Mack felt more positive than he had in days, even though their food supplies still were lacking food, and there was another powerful group out there on a collision course with New Haven. But Mack had seen the people of New Haven come together, and he knew there was no force on the planet that could beat them. He watched Deborah being taken away, then walked away himself, planning for the next challenge.
Chapter Eleven
“You know, I'm beginning to like you with this thing,” Anna said, sliding her hand across the side of Mack's face and the thick beard that had grown there.
“I wasn't sure how I felt about it when I first saw you, but it's grown on me.”
“Took me a while to get used to it as well,” Mack said, turning toward her in the bed, kissing her softly. She winced.
“You are going to have to keep it under control, though. It's starting to give me a rash from kissing you.”
“Maybe you just need to get used to it,” Mack said, leaping on her and kissing her fervently.
She squealed and tried playfully to beat him away for fear that the beard would scratch her too much. He broke off the kiss and spent a few moments staring into her eyes, those eyes he had spent so many nights dreaming of, and so many moments fearing he never would see again.
“Have I told you how lucky I am?”
“A few times, but I never get tired of hearing it. And we've both been lucky,” Anna replied, caressing his face as she kissed him lovingly.
“This is the beginning of the rest of our lives, you know that, right?”
“I hope so, as long as we can keep New Haven and the people within its walls safe.”
“If anyone can, you can,” she said.
He kissed her again, and felt the old stirrings that had been absent from his life for so many long months while he had been lost in the wilderness.
“I really missed you,” he said, breathing into her ear as he nuzzled into her. Anna smiled.
“I'm sure there are many things you missed,” she said, “but I think you have an important meeting to get to.”
“No rest for the wicked,” Mack said as he hung his head and gave her a weak smile. “Later?”
“It's a date,” she said, and smiled as she wrapped the covers of the bed around her and sighed with contentment.
Mack got dressed and left her, taking a moment before he stepped out the door to admire his wife and that she was there with him. Sometimes it still felt as though the world was some strange dream, or a nightmare; a nightmare he knew he never would wake up from, although the world which now existed would keep on turning. He stepped out of his apartment on this crisp morning, feeling the chilled air biting at his skin. It was getting colder every day, and soon they would be fully into winter. Already people were changing their clothing to have thicker layers, and they always were glad when a patrol returned with more blankets to offer warmth through the night.
He walked up to City Hall where he was meeting the council. On the way he met Freddie, Luis, and Grace, the latter two walking hand in hand. He nodded at them and they chatted a little bit as they walked up to Mack's office, ready to start the day and a new chapter in the lives of this growing colony.
It didn't take too long for everyone else to arrive. Once again, they were huddled together in this office, with the city as a backdrop. A map of a town, with scribbles and pins on it to keep track of various things such as the patrols, and the movements of the dangerous group, sat on the desk. The morning had a pale light to it, and Mack thought to himself that, at some point, he would need to get a lantern or candles just to see things he needed to read.
As he looked at his friends and colleagues, he realized how much he had come to enjoy the time he spent with them, and how much he had come to rely on them. While he knew that some of them, Grace and Luis especially, thought they owed him their lives, he knew that he owed them as well. They all had taken care of each other. Now he was glad they had a chance to build something together, and that, hopefully, they would be able to stay together for the foreseeable future.
Mack always had enjoyed a tight-knit group of friends, which came from his time in the military. He had fond memories of serving in the lower ranks and forging bonds that he thought would last a lifetime. Although, sadly, for some of his friends a lifetime was never as long as they thought it was going to be. As he rose through the ranks, he still had friends, but they drifted apart, partly due to the simple nature of time and life, and partly due to his position in military intelligence. He was privy to secrets that he could not share with anyone else, and secrets made it difficult to share trusting bonds.
He greeted his friends, and they greeted each other back, and he allowed them a few moments to catch up before he sat down at his desk and cleared his throat, indicating the meeting was about to begin. He clasped his hands together in front of himself and looked at each of them in turn as he raised the matters that were going to be discussed that day.
“First on the agenda is the general mood of the settlement. We've had a rough time of it, what with the rat attack and the hunt for the murderer. How are people holding up?” he said.
It was an open question that anyone could answer, although he looked to Hank and Freddie in particular, since they were the people who had the most familiarity with the way people were feeling.
“People are feeling the strain,” Freddie said, “but I think they're coming around, and things like this help to bring the community together. There always are going to be differences of opinion, and some people are going to be more vocal about it than others. However, I think, for the most part, people are glad to have shelter and food. While the rats getting into the food stores was devastating, it wasn't anyone's fault, and I think they're proud of Grace for leading the attack,” he said, nodding to the young woman.
“I can't say that it was particularly heroic of me. They were only rats, after all,” Grace said, but the others disagreed with her and said that she did well.
“But what about Deborah? How is she feeling? And how are people feeling about her?”
“That's a little more difficult,” Freddie said.
“I think a lot of people still agree with what she did, but it's clear that you've shown things like that won't be tolerated.”
“Yes,” Mack said, “and I wanted to say a personal ‘thank you’ to Maggie and Luis for all the work you did on the case. You two did a great job, and I know that New Haven is going to be safe with you looking after the law.”
This was met with soft applause from the rest present, although Maggie and Luis squirmed in their seats.
“I'm not sure we really did anything. She only came forward to protect her daughter,” Maggie said.
“But you put the pressure on her. Without you chasing the crime, she would have gotten away with it. We never would have known who did it, and always would be looking over our shoulders for fear that there was a killer on the loose. Freddie, do you think that people are going to be comfortable with having Deborah continue living with us?”
Freddie placed his hands together as he sat back in his chair, wearing a thoughtful expression on his face. “To be honest with you, I think the fact that a lot of people can understand why Deborah did what she did makes it more likely that she will be assimilated back into the s
ocial structure. It's going to take some time, and I'd like to have a few sessions with her to make sure this was an isolated incident. I'm glad we're able to forgive her as well, and that we're not just sending her out into the cold.”
“That wouldn't be very humane of us,” Mack said, “but she does have to pay her price, and we'll have to watch her carefully for a while. Are there any other issues that anyone wants to bring up about the mood of the settlement? I'd like for us all to keep an eye on things as we get closer to winter. I think we're going to see a shift, because life is going to get harder, and people are going to start doubting whether we can make it through the season or not. We've faced tough challenges before, but this is going to be perhaps the toughest one yet, since there is no enemy to rally against, just the forces of nature.
“I'm sure that most, if not all, of us never really had to struggle against the environment before. We had our central heating and our comfortable beds, with plenty of warm food to keep our bellies filled and to ease away the cold. There was a romanticism about the winter, and I even would have classified it as my favorite season. I loved snuggling up with Anna and a couple of hot chocolates to watch a movie. I liked seeing the mist fall, with Christmas approaching and seeing how people looked so happy. But that isn't what we're going to get this year. We're going to have to fight tooth and nail to survive, and we're all going to have to push ourselves to our limits.
“The rats depleted our food supplies. So, we must send out more patrols and go even farther into the city to try finding more food so we can make it through the winter. I know we can do it, as long as we stick together. Keep the community spirit up. If you see someone who looks as though they're going through a hard time, talk to them. Offer them a shoulder to lean on if they need it. We must change beyond the way we used to live and look to share everything we have. We're all equal and we're all in this together and... I'm sorry,” he said, hanging his head and smiling to himself, “I think sometimes I tend to get carried away with my speeches.”
“We don't hold it against you. Frankly, I was waiting to see how long you were going to go on for,” Luis said, and there were a few chuckles that followed his comment.
“Alright, alright,” Mack said, holding out his hands to quieten them down.
“My point is that, as the leaders of this settlement, we must take it upon ourselves to look to everyone else and be mindful of what they're going through, and that goes for us as well. I want you all to know that you can come to me with any kind of problems, and I hope that the same goes for the rest of you as well.” His words were met with nods.
“Now,” he said, standing up to lean over the map. The others craned their necks so they could have a good vantage point of the map as well.
“I've been looking at other areas we can send patrols out to, areas that might have food. It's going to be a bit of a trek, but I think we could make it to the docks. There could be fish there, and maybe even food in boats. If we're lucky, there even could be boats that work. If that's the case, then we could start sending out teams to fish, and perhaps even scout out other areas up the coast to see if there are other survivors. That being said, the docks are a likely place for other survivors to hunker down. So, I wanted to bring this to you to see if you all think it's worth the risk. I don't want to send our people into a potentially dangerous zone if I can help it.”
“I think anywhere you send them is going to be dangerous. We must take risks in this world if we're going to survive, and I think the benefits outweigh them. Having boats would give us plenty more options when it comes to transportation. I know we need to focus on survival right now, but I think we also need to keep one eye on the future,” Hank said.
“I'd like to lead that patrol,” Grace said. Mack was a little surprised.
“Are you sure? I could use your help here. You are a part of the council, after all.”
“I know, but I don't think that means we never should go out there again. I want to help, and I think it'll be good to have an ambassador if we do meet any survivors at the docks. At least then I can evaluate the situation and see if it's worth us taking the risk.”
Mack nodded in quick agreement, although he also noticed the glare that Luis was giving Grace and knew the two of them would have an awkward conversation later.
“Saul, I've noticed that you've been doing good work with the barriers. If our fears are right, and this other group is on its way to us, then we're going to need to defend New Haven. I don't want to scare people, but I also want to make sure we're ready to defend ourselves again. So, all of you make sure that people know the procedure if we do come under attack. Grace, when you're out on patrol, and I want you to tell the other patrols this, too, make a note that we're going to need wood for fire. We're going to need multiple sources to keep us warm. It's going to add to the weight of everything we have to carry but it's necessary.”
With that settled Mack introduced another few points to discuss, and the others had their issues to raise as well. Although there were some disagreements, they worked well as a team and the distinct personalities all brought something to the table. Mack watched them closely and knew he couldn't have asked for a better group of people to begin a new world with. However, his gaze moved to the map and along the path of the mysterious group. They knew nothing about them other than they used animals as well as weapons, and left a vicious trail of destruction and death in their wake.
Chapter Twelve
Once the meeting was over Mack said goodbye to them as they all went about their duties. Before she left Grace offered to stay for the next meeting. “I think you could use an ally,” she said. Mack laughed off her comment.
“It'll be fine. I think it'll be good to get their input. Sometimes all people want is to be heard, and I should have given them the opportunity a while ago. Besides,” he said, nodding towards Luis, “I think you're going to have to have a conversation yourself.”
Grace raised an eyebrow and didn't seem to be looking forward to that as she moved away. Mack found it strange that Grace would volunteer to go out on patrol, but he assumed she was wanting to be out of New Haven again. He got the impression that Grace was the type of person to feel stifled if she stayed in one place for too long, and he could understand the need to get out and experience new surroundings now and then. He just hoped it didn't put her in any undue danger because he didn't know what he would do if she died.
Thankfully, he didn't have long to let his thoughts linger on that dark subject as the other council arrived, along with Tash. These people had been the leaders of their respective communities, and Mack wanted to involve them because he could understand their egos were bruised by being assimilated into New Haven. Because of everything that had occurred in recent weeks, Mack hadn't gotten to know them as much as he would have liked, and had been irked by Gary's constant sniping at any decision Mack or the others made.
As far as he knew there hadn't been any trouble from the others, with the obvious exception of Deborah, who was not present at this meeting. In fact, some of them had adapted quite nicely. Mack knew, for example, that Alison and Saul had become quite close, and Daisy had been out on patrols and was proving a valuable member of New Haven. Still, it didn't hurt to give them the opportunity to share their ideas and their feelings, not least because they were still newcomers to New Haven and it may help them settle in.
“I'm glad you all are able to join me today. I was hoping to do this a while ago after you first arrived, but you know how hectic things have been. Perhaps it's better this way since you've had a chance to settle in now, and see the way we do things around here. I wanted to talk with you about New Haven and if you have any ideas of what we can do to make it a good place to live. You all have had a part to play in leading communities, and I know that I'm not perfect, so I'd love to hear any ideas you have.”
As he said this Gary snorted, and was met with a stern look from the others. He folded his arms and exhaled angrily. Mack thought about tak
ing him aside to talk and asking him directly what his problem was, but Tash started to speak in her light accent.
“I've really enjoyed it here. You have a good set up, much better than we did, and all of my people have felt welcomed and included. I can't thank you enough for what you've done, Mack. I'm not sure that if we stayed where we were we would have made it through the winter, but here in New Haven I'm sure we have a chance. I want you to know I will do anything I can to help you, and I want you to know that, although I am glad you called me here, I do not think of myself as the leader of a community any more. I am fully a part of New Haven, as are the people who I once lived with, and I do not really have anything to add. I think this place is a blessing to us all, and we all are fortunate to have come together in this place.”
Mack was thankful for her words and gave her an appreciative smile, but he knew the other people present would not be so kind. He expected Gary to speak first, but for now he was remaining quiet. It was Hugo who first opened his mouth. The large man, who barely fit in the chair, stroked his thick beard with his sausage fingers and spoke in his rumbling voice.
“I have a great respect for what you've built here, but you must start thinking about the future. Now, Mack, I know you are an admirable man, and you've been through a lot, but we found it wasn't any good to have one person in charge. The pressure inevitably got to them, and it was a burden that we all had to share.”
“I understand that,” Mack said, “and I hope you have noticed I have formed a council of my own. There are no decisions made that aren't approved by the majority between myself, Grace, and Hank.”
“I know that, and it's a good start, but you must think long-term. You know what they say about power, and I'm not saying that it's going to happen to you,” Hugo said, raising his hands defensively.