by Kip Nelson
“It's something that not a lot of people have done in my life. Most have written me off before they've even come to know me. But you helped me become this person, and for the first time in, I think, pretty much my whole life, I'm actually happy with who I am. And a lot of that is because of you. And I just wanted to say that, well, I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying. I want to be able to tell people what they mean to me because, like you said, in this world we never know how much time we're going to get with each other.” Mack waited patiently while she worked up to saying what she really wanted to say.
“I never knew my parents, and growing up I didn't have anyone to take care of me, not to love me anyway. There were times when I used to think about my parents; who they were and what they were like, and then I thought about the kind of people I would like as my parents. Well, what I'm trying to say is if I met my father now, I'd want him to be a lot like you.”
Her cheeks had reddened and she turned her face away from him, feeling the heat that came with opening up her feelings to somebody else. It was something she still was getting used to, and it would be a while before she was entirely comfortable with it. Mack stopped walking.
“Grace, that's the sweetest, most wonderful thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He enveloped her in his strong arms and felt her shake with emotion. Tears burned his own eyes as well, for the two of them had been through so much together, and there still was so much yet to come.
“I'm glad you got that out of the way now. We'd better keep things professional in front of the prisoner,” he quipped, alleviating the heavy emotion that hung around them.
Grace laughed, too, and they continued walking, side by side, but Mack couldn't stop beaming after what Grace had said. He was proud of himself for meaning so much to someone, and he knew then that he loved Grace just as a father would a daughter. In that moment, he took on all her struggles as his own, even though he subconsciously had been doing that from the first moment they had met.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AFTER MAKING their way across the settlement Mack and Grace slipped through the alley toward the building in which the prisoner was being kept. Grace had thought it prudent to keep the prisoner away from most of the people in the settlement. She didn't want anyone going in by themselves, or for the prisoner to be aware of what was happening in the settlement, in case she managed to get word to her allies. Mack praised her for this thinking when Grace explained it to him. Mack also had something else on his mind, though. He found it strange how much the city had changed, and how, even though there were still streets and pockets of neighborhoods, they weren't as clear as they once were. The barrier ran through the streets, cutting off some of the other buildings in view, giving the entire place a strange sense that it wasn't quite complete.
“What can you tell me about her?” Mack asked.
Grace tilted her head and exhaled deeply. “She's troubled. Probably quite scared. She's around my age. She's got a scar on her face, I think one of the people in the camp did it to her, although she hasn't told me. But she's hinted that they're dangerous. I tried telling her that she can leave them and we can keep her safe, but she says we can't. She told me they found her at the beginning of all of this and, at first, she thought she was saved, but now she knows she's a prisoner. I feel really bad for her because I know that if things had been different I might be just like her.”
Mack pondered her words. “And she hasn't said anything else to you?”
Grace shook her head. “She said it won't help anyway. I tried asking her about guns and the numbers of people, but she won't tell me anything. It took me a while even to get her to talk to me. I tried to do some things you said, but I know I'm not as good as you. So, I may not have done them right.”
“I'm sure you were fine. You got her talking, which is a big deal. Hopefully, I'll be able to weasel something out of her. But what else did you talk about? Did you tell her much about you or the settlement?”
Grace shook her head once again. “Not that I remember. I tried keeping the focus on her, and I didn't really talk to her for that long. Once she told me she wasn't going to tell me anything I wanted to know, I left her and I haven't been back since. We had other things to worry about.”
“It's fine. It sounds as though she's been through a lot, especially if she has been forced to do things to survive. She's probably very confused right now.” He paused and held her arm, stopping her mid-stride before they reached the building. “I know you feel some affinity for this girl--”
“Lily,” Grace interrupted.
“For Lily,” Mack said, pressing his lips thinly together, “but I need you to try forgetting about that. Don't forget that she is one of the enemy, and I know she's been through a lot, but she also could be using this as an opportunity to gain our trust and sympathy. These are delicate matters, and what I need to do in there may not be easy for you to watch. To do what I'm going to do, I need to play out a role, but whatever I do in there does serve a purpose. I do it for the good of the settlement and, ultimately, for the good of Lily as well.”
Grace nodded, although she wasn't sure she fully understood what Mack was trying to tell her, and he only hoped she wouldn't see him in a different light. They nodded to Saul. He told them she was all ready for them and that, so far, she had been as quiet as a mouse, and had not caused any problems. It had been a long time since Mack had entered a room such as this, one used solely for interrogation. He thought back to all those times in all those different countries where he had been tasked with extracting information from people, and how he had been about to turn his back on all of that.
When he stepped on that plane with Grace, he had been expecting to touch down at home. Then he would go to a military base where he would sign his early retirement papers and leave everything behind to go enjoy the rest of his life with Anna. But now he was back in that world, where lives were on the line and it was his responsibility to do all he could to keep the people around him safe.
“Follow my lead,” he said as he opened the door and entered the room.
Lily pricked up because she expected it to be Grace. Saul had made sure that her meal times were kept regular and it wasn't one of those scheduled times. But Mack’s appearance was a surprise, and upon seeing the tall, imposing man enter, Lily shrank back on the bed, drawing her knees up. Mack looked at her quickly and then pulled out a chair for Grace to sit down, then stood behind her. Grace took a seat and smiled at Lily.
“I'd like to have another conversation with you, if that's alright,” Grace said, and gestured to the chair opposite. Lily looked at her, and then at Mack. “That's Mack, he's going to be sitting in with us today. Don't worry, you can trust him. He saved me when this all began.”
Reluctantly, Lily pulled herself off the bed and made her way to the table, looking warily at Mack the whole time. She sat down and gulped as she looked at Grace. “I already told you I have nothing more to say.”
“That disappoints me,” Grace said with a heavy sigh, “I was hoping you would change your mind. I'd like to know more about your people and why they're so intent on attacking us. From what you've told me they're not very nice, but I'm sure that if we worked together we could keep you safe. It is possible to have a new beginning in this world. I know sometimes it doesn't seem that way, but it is true.”
“Not with them. They take what they want, and they're not going to stop. If I left to join you, they'd only kill me as well. No, I'd much rather stay in here and wait for them to attack. If I'm lucky, they'll believe me when I say that I was captured and they'll take me back. I'll get a few bruises for it because we're not supposed to get captured, but at least I'll be alive, unlike everyone here.”
“I don't know why you're acting like it's such a foregone conclusion. We're not as helpless as you seem to think we are.”
“You are compared to them,” Lily replied.
Grace was about to ask another question when suddenly Mack spo
ke up, his voice low and loud and clear, filling up the emptiness of the room with its sonorous baritone. He spoke without moving from the wall, looking the picture of calm. Grace turned around to look at him, and Lily's eyes shot up.
“Who are 'them'?” he asked. “Who is in charge of your group? Is there one leader or do you just run around in a pack?”
“I can't tell you that,” Lily said, looking away.
“That's interesting. And why can't you tell me?” he said, his voice getting a little louder, with a little more bite to it.
“I... I just... it's not allowed.”
“Oh, so there probably is some leadership structure then. There must be I think, to co-ordinate the attacks. I'm surprised you won't tell me, though, not if we're all going to die anyway. What difference does it make?”
“He'll know,” she said, looking directly at Mack.
“Somehow, he'll know. He takes everything you have, and then takes more, until there's nothing left, not even the memory of who you used to be, because that seems so long ago, it was another life.” Grace looked at Lily with sympathy, but Mack did not stop.
“Who gave you that scar? Was it this leader?” he asked.
Lily's lower lip trembled. “It was an accident,” she said.
“I'm sure. I bet there have been plenty of these ‘accidents’ with your people. What do you want out of this, Lily?”
“What do you mean?”
“Us? What do you want from us?”
“I don't know. You were the ones who took me prisoner.”
“But you don't want to die. What makes you think we're not going to kill you if you don't give us what we want?” At this, Grace's head shot around and she glared at Mack, but he ignored her.
“I don't think you're that type of people.”
“Oh, really? And what type of people do you think we are?”
Lily shrugged.
“I think I know what type of people you think we are. I think you think that we're all cowards, and that we're just sitting behind these barriers waiting to be attacked, that your people just are going to come in here and take us all out and we're going to let them, just like we let you take away all that food when you raided us. I bet you all laugh about us back in your camp, don't you? Probably see us as easy pickings, thinking that you're the top dogs. Well, I've got news for you.” He moved forward and placed his palms on the table, leaning over the surface to glare at Lily, lowering his voice even further so it was more akin to a growl.
“We're not who you think we are. Each one of us are survivors, and we're tired of being bullied. We held you here because we thought you could give us some information, but if you're not willing to talk then you've outlived your usefulness. You think we have enough resources to keep feeding you every day? Maybe we would if many of our supplies have been taken. No, we're not simply going to let you wait here until they come so you can try making your way back to them. I think much better would be to string you up outside, then you can act as a warning to the others.” At this point he pulled out a knife and placed it on the table. The sharp blade caught the sunlight that poured in through the window and gleamed.
“Mack!” Grace said.
“I thought you were in charge here?” Lily said, looking at Grace, her face ashen and drawn.
“Look at me!” Mack said, thumping his fist on the table to seize Lily's attention, “Tell us why you're here! Tell us something that will make me want to spare your life. I don't believe you're content to just wait. Like you said, they're not going to look kindly on the fact that you've been captured. You know that you must stand a better chance giving up and staying with us.”
“Because I'm scared!” Lily blurted out, tired of Mack shouting at her.
“Because I'm scared that this is all just a game, and you're only promising me freedom to get me to talk. Because if I talk and you throw me out, then I'm nothing in this world. I can't go back there, not now. At least when I'm in here, I'm safe. I don't want to be a part of that group, but I've gone too far and done too many things to be innocent. You wouldn't want the likes of me here. You're good people. I know that, and I'm sorry for everything we've done. But if you kill me and hang me up, it'll only make them angrier,” she said.
“And why should I trust you? How do I know you're not just lying to me about all of this?” Mack asked, his brow knotted, a vein throbbing on his temple. Lily looked taken aback.
“Because I wouldn't lie to you about this. Because I want to live and I want to see another day. I want to try forgetting about what I've done. I want to be like Grace. Grace, please, you must believe me. We're about the same age, right? I know that if things were different, I could be like you. I just want a chance, that's all, the same chance you had, the chance that you've promised me,” she said, reaching over to Grace, pleading desperately.
“I think I've heard all I need,” Mack said, picking up the knife and sheathing it back under his belt. He walked out and Grace knew that he expected her to follow him. He closed the door and tilted his neck from side to side.
“Was all that really necessary?” Grace said, her face angry as she hadn't expected him to go that far.
“Unfortunately, yes. I'm sorry if it got uncomfortable for you in there. I tried to warn you, but I know seeing it is something different. Still, at least I know now that she has no intention of leaving her group,” Mack said nonchalantly.
“But what about everything she said?” Grace replied, flabbergasted. “How can you possible know that?”
“She was trying to make a play on your good nature. You may not think you told her much about yourself, but she knew you pitied her, and she played on your similarities. She also considered using the knife.”
“What?”
“When I put the knife down, her eyes flickered toward it and she thought about picking it up, but no doubt she knew she wouldn't have been able to take us both down. And what was more telling was all the reasons she gave me after I asked why I should believe her.”
“What do you mean?”
“If people are telling the truth, then usually they'll say that, because they're telling the truth. So, what other reason would they need? She was trying too hard to convince me. But you played your role well, and at least I know one thing, there is a single leader behind them,” he said, and walked off with Grace trailing behind. She still was trying to think back and figure out how he could tell all those things. She truly was left in his shadow, and even happier he had returned to take charge.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NOW THAT MACK had met one of the other group, he was sure the community needed to unite and prepare for an attack as quickly as possible. He had learned from Lily that there was a leader, and this was, at least, some good news. He knew that if the leader could be disposed of, then the rest of the group may fall into disarray. Lily was an interesting case, he thought. Grace hadn't been wrong to have had sympathy for the young prisoner, but it was clear to Mack that Lily had no intention of turning her back on her people. She still was convinced they were going to emerge triumphant, and Mack was determined to prove her wrong. He wondered about the type of man who would be the leader of such a group. Was it another case such as Mr. Smith, or could there be someone even more vicious out there? He didn't enjoy the prospect of finding out.
After meeting with the prisoner, he left Grace to be by himself and ruminate on things. It was unfortunate that they still had little information about the exact number of this group and the identity of the leader, but that all would come in time, he was sure, if they survived long enough. He took some time to stroll around the settlement and talk to various people, asking them how they were doing and what they thought of the settlement's prospects of defending an attack. Most of them were bullish and were eager to appear brave and strong, but Mack could see in their eyes that their faith in each other faltered once they became aware of the stakes. They went about their business dutifully, though, and Mack admired their work ethic, even though th
ey weren't soldiers. While he walked around, he told a few select people about a crisis meeting he was holding. In time, the stalwarts of the community--people such as Bob, Will, and Mindy, along with Mack's trusted group--gathered together to talk about the impending future and how they were going to cope.
Mack stood tall before all of them, looking at each one of them in turn as they entered. He put on the posture of a soldier and remembered the role he had played so well for so long, returning to his career in which, on a few occasions, he had to order other soldiers to their death. He very well could be doing the same thing here. He paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back as he waited for everyone to settle. There was a distinct tension in the air as different people dealt with the knowledge of an impending attack in different ways. Some, such as Bob, Saul, and Maggie, were used to fighting. They were ready to put their lives on the line, and to throw themselves into the fiery fray of battle. Whereas others, such as Freddie and Luis, were more reluctant.
As his eyes drifted across the small gathering of people, they fell upon Hank. Mack found the preacher to be a curious case. He had known a number of people who had been pacifists. Yet, from what he knew about Hank, this man did not hold fully true to a vow of non-violence. Perhaps it was just a sign of the times, or just another example of the contradictions inherent in human nature. Mack certainly had seen plenty of those in his lifetime. His eyes continued to Mindy, the other main religious guide in the settlement, and he wondered if she had a similar ethos, or if she would cling to peace no matter what the cost.
“I wanted to gather you all here like this so we could talk frankly about what's happening. We've all had a chance to go away and think since we last spoke. Since we have no idea when the attack is going to come, we better be prepared as soon as possible. I've had a talk with the prisoner, and I've learned there is a leader. Whether he will be present at the attack is another matter, but I have no doubt they are a ferocious group and will not stop until this place is burning. But I am going to tell you now that this will not happen. It is our duty to not let it happen. There is too much at stake here. We have to fight to the death to defend this settlement.” His voice rose and his cheeks became colored. He took a moment to compose himself, and when he spoke again it was in a softer tone.