Einstein had thrown himself at his tormentors in a flurry of fists that were as ineffective as was his ability to do what was needed to survive. The teacher intervened, an old man who had less patience for Einstein’s feelings than for those of the rabbits he’d been teaching them to raise.
At the time Meat and Window had been hanging out together since Window’s arrival. Naturally gravitating to one another, two lost souls seeking confirmation that they were not alone in this world. Their paths to The Bluffs, while somewhat the same, were as different as the night and day. Two years older than Einstein they had already taken the class for raising rabbits and currently oversaw several small herds they’d started from rabbits they had captured beyond the fence. In the small school yard they came upon Einstein cornered by his tormentors. His ferocity in the face of such odds impressing even Window.
Einstein simply refused to give up. With a busted lip, one eye nearly swollen closed, and blood from his nose smearing the front of his shirt he had stood his ground. Holding his fists up in a vain attempt to defend himself as they pummeled him at their leisure.
“Don’t seem fair two against one,” Window said as he came up behind them.
“This ain’t none of your business, Window,” Franklin, the oldest said. His father was currently serving on the council and from the way Franklin acted you’d think it was he who was serving. The fact that his family had been among the founders of this outpost further added to his sense of entitlement.
“I’m making it my business,” Window said.
“I don’t need no help,” Einstein said through tears of anger and frustration.
“Could have fooled me.”
Franklin and his friend turned their attention from Einstein to Window, two big boys who were confident they had the upper hand. Meat saw the look in Window’s eyes, a wild glee, a barely restrained rage that flashed in greedy anticipation. Faster than they could react Window drove into Franklin’s friend, hyper extending his knee with a well placed kick right beneath the kneecap, followed up with a one two combination that doubled him over and set him up for a crushing uppercut that sent him falling to the ground like a tree felled in the forest.
It happened so fast Franklin barely had time to react. One moment he and his friend were towering over what they considered easy pickings. The next second his friend was lying at his feet unconscious while Window stood silently in front of him, his hands on his hips as he gazed up at him with quiet eyes.
Franklin held up his hands as he backed away from Window, “I don’t want no parts of this,” he said.
“That should even things up for you,” Window said before he turned on the ball of one foot and walked away.
With a smile Einstein advanced on Franklin, who once he was alone, suddenly realized just how vulnerable he really was.
The memory receded as Meat once more came face to face with the problem that was growing within his own ranks. Twice now Window and Einstein had clashed over differences. At the barn Window had been right and Einstein was wrong. But now there appeared to be a new problem.
“It’s like he’s trying to get me killed,” Einstein said.
Window jumped to his feet and walked to the back door. His gaze fixed on the forest behind the house.
“What’s wrong?’ Maria said looking up from Billie-Bob’s shoulder as Window brushed past her.
Window pushed through the back door and raced down the steps into the backyard. He ran across the yard, vanishing into the forest behind the house.
Eleven
Meat followed, stopping at the door long enough to tell everyone else to stay put. He ran out into the rain and followed Window who was weaving among the trees of the forest. After fifteen minutes Window slowed down, coming to a stop in a small clearing where he dropped to his knees, and as Meat got closer he heard him crying.
“What’s wrong?” Meat said, resting one hand on Window’s heaving back.
Window shook his head as he cleared his nose.
“Did you get any on you?” Meat said trying to lighten the situation. There had been something about that woman in the basement.
Window laughed at Meat’s question, “Why won’t you leave me alone.”
“Who else would I bug then? Einstein? Billie-Bob?”
“I seen the way you was looking at her.”
“Who?”
“You know who, that girl, what’s her name, Maria?”
“So, when was the last time you saw a girl like that? And Anna doesn’t count.” It was a known fact that Window had a crush on Anna, of course all the boys did, Meat included. But Anna had her sights set on Ritchie who worked with one of the scavenger crews and barely recognized Anna. It was rumored that he was gay and lived with an older man on the outskirts of the growing town. Just a couple of more things that hadn’t changed. Human nature’s desire to have what one could not possess, and the need for gossip.
“Anna, the dreams I’ve had about that one,” Window said as he pushed himself to his feet.
“What happened back there? Why did you freeze up? I’ve never seen that happen to you before.”
“She reminded me of my mom.”
“You remember your mom?”
Window nodded and that sadness once more clouded his eyes. “Of course I remember my mom, I should, I was the one that killed her.”
Meat stepped back stunned. It wasn’t everyday that a friend admitted to matricide, even in their current situation, an act like that was not normal.
“My dad was pretty smart, he was what they called a Prepper. When the shit hit the fan he took my mom, who was pregnant with me, into the hills outside Richmond where he had a small cabin on a little lake. It was there that I was born. I don’t remember much about my early life. I do recall my dad teaching me how to shoot when I was very young. He gave me a little twenty-two pistol. I could barely hold it up. But I practiced with that thing every day while my dad hunted or fished, cured hides, or tended to our little garden in the back. We were safe there, or so we thought.
“The week before my sixth birthday a stranger came to us, he had been shot and was losing blood fast. My Mom and Dad tried to save him but it was no use, he died. The next day a group of men on horseback came to the cabin, they were looking for the man who they claimed had stolen from them. My dad took them out back to show them the grave, there was an argument, somebody shouted, and the shooting started. They killed my dad. We were hiding inside, me and my Mom, when they came looking for us.” Window stopped and took a deep, shuddering, breath as the memory washed through him. Meat placed his hand on Window’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to keep going if you don’t want to.” Meat said.
Window shook his head, “I have to, I have to get this out of me, I’ve been keeping it bottled up for the past seven years and it’s eating me alive. Last night when I saw that woman it was like I was back at the cabin.
“They raped my Mom, took her into the back room where I couldn’t see what was happening, but I knew from the sounds they were hurting her and I wanted to help. I had my twenty-two and pulled it out, they thought it was funny and laughed when I aimed it at them. One of them snatched the twenty-two from my hand and handed me my father’s pistol.” Window pulled the Forty-four from its holster and ran his finger along the intricately carved barrel. “It was still loaded.
“The last one came out of the back room pulling up his pants, he told the others that he’d strangled her, and they all laughed. After a bit she came out of the bedroom, nearly nude, her dress torn, with the cord the man had used to strangle her still wrapped around her neck. They told me I had to shoot her quick, to give her peace. I’d fired the Forty-four several times before, with my dad, so I knew what to expect. There were five rounds in the chamber, I saved the last round for her.
“Everything happened so fast they hardly had time to react. The last man I shot knocked over the kerosene lantern and a fire started in the cabin. My mom staggered towards me, that cord sti
ll tight around her neck and I remember wondering how she could still be breathing with it like that. Then I realized she wasn’t really alive anymore so I shot her and she fell back into the fire.
“I didn’t have time to do anything, I couldn’t change out of my pajamas. My mom had wanted me to know what it was like to be a kid so she’d made me a pair of batman pajamas. My dad had found a comics book store so I was familiar with Batman and Superman, along with the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spiderman and a bunch of other Superheroes, it was how I learned to read.
“They just wanted me to know what it was like to be a kid, to have the same kind of childhood they had.” Tears were rolling down Window’s cheeks and Meat remained quiet, though a bit uncomfortable, it wasn’t easy listening to another’s confessions.
“Then you found your way to the Bluff?” Meat said.
Window shook his head. “When I came out of the cabin my Dad was staggering towards the front door, I didn’t have any rounds left so I turned and ran into the forest. I don’t know how long I ran. In the morning I realized I was completely lost with no idea which way to go. I set up a camp, those things my father had taught me finding their way through the fear, and as the night came I saw a faint glow to the west. I followed it for three days, drinking stump water and getting sick, trying unsuccessfully to catch something to eat, failing miserably in nearly everything I tried to do.
“On the fourth morning I found Bremo Bluff, had I missed it, I would have died.”
Window became silent, his emotions spent on the telling of the tale, it was a silence Meat didn’t want to interrupt. One day he would confess his own sins, but for now that day lay somewhere in an uncertain future.
Twelve
By the time Meat and Window returned to the house the dark clouds had thinned enough to allow the sunshine through and the day, that had started cold and dreary, promised to end on a high note. The forest around them was alive with the chatter of life as birds and squirrels moved among branches sprouting new leaves.
Spring was gearing up with the promise of renewal as Mother Nature ramped it up a few notches. It was another of the many truths of the world. No matter what happened the world would continue following its predetermined course. The death that was winter would continue to bring the snow and cold winds that would always be followed by the rebirth of spring.
Gregory and the others were waiting for them, sitting at a picnic table in the warming rays of the sun, and as they crossed the back yard Einstein got up from his seat and crossed towards them.
“Is he okay?’ Einstein said, nodding in Window’s direction.
“He’ll be all right,” Meat said, “what about you?”
Einstein shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets, “After you left Gregory talked to me, pointing something out that should have been obvious to me.”
“Oh?”
“If Window really wanted to kill me he would have done so already.”
“He’s got a pretty good point.”
“He said something else too.”
“What’s that?”
“He said he didn’t feel it would be a good idea for Maria to come with us.”
“I’ll have to agree with him on that,” Meat said.
Window joined them and stuck his hand out to Einstein. “I’m sorry about what happened last night.”
Einstein pushed aside his hand and wrapped him in a hug, “it’s all right, man, I understand.”
Stepping back Einstein turned to Meat, “so what are we going to do with her?”
“Do with who?” Window said.
“Gregory doesn’t believe it’s a good idea for Maria to come with us,” Einstein said.
“I suggest we leave her here with Billie-Bob, we’ve got Gregory, and he wants revenge.” Meat said.
“But we’re not looking for revenge, we just want to get the children back, that’s all.”
Meat shook his head. “I wish it was that simple. They know where Bremo Bluff is; they know what’s in the compound. Remember what they told us in class.”
“I know what they told us,” Einstein said. “We can never let anyone know about Bremo Bluff. No one can ever leave,” Einstein recited in a robotic monotone. “But they have, what about the Jenkins family, they left last fall.”
Meat shook his head, “I talked to one of the guys who escorted them out, sure they left the compound, but they didn’t get very far.”
“You’re lying,” Einstein shouted, stepping back as shock skewed his features.
Einstein’s outburst drew the attention of those still seated at the picnic table. Gregory started to get up and Meat motioned for him to stay. This was his problem and he would handle it himself.
“I spoke with the council before we left the compound, they gave us their blessing for this little trip and have guaranteed us a scavenging spot if we rescue the children, but they stipulated that we could not leave any survivors. It’s a matter of survival. About what’s best for the greater good.”
“But we take in survivors,” Einstein said.
“Of course we do, and many choose to stay, those that don’t are allowed to leave but don’t get very far.”
“How do you know all this and I don’t?”
“Because they told me. That’s the way it has been since the beginning, yes we will take in survivors, but once someone knows about the compound, they can’t be trusted to keep their mouths shut.”
“But what about us? We know about the compound, we’ve been allowed to leave.”
“They know we’ll be back, it’s the only real home we’ve ever known. Haven’t you noticed it’s only the people who have been in the compound the longest that are allowed to scavenge?”
“No, it can’t be, I know they’ve left newcomers out to scavenge,” Einstein said, clutching at straws, the realization that Meat was right slowly dawning in his eyes. If only he’d be honest with himself, then he would see the truth.
“Name one,” Meat said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Outwardly Bremo Bluff looked like a paradise on earth, especially to anyone who had struggled to survive beyond its fences. It offered safety and security, the warmth of human contact, a roof over the head and a warm meal in the belly.
But like many of the silver linings we discover in life, at its heart lay a dark secret.
For everything we take something must be given in return, for what we give we receive as it is in all facets of life. Karma rested upon the razors edge of a finely crafted blade, balanced by the give and take that made the world go round. The compound had survived as long as it had for two reasons. One it was off the beaten path, two it kept the knowledge of its existence close, much like a poker player will keep a good hand close so no one can see what they have. It was how they had managed to survive as long as they had.
Meat understood this with a wisdom that exceeded his years. But Einstein, for all his smarts, still maintained a naïve view of the world around them. He had been born at Bremo Bluff so he had never experienced the uncertainty Meat had grown up with. Never sure when, where, or even what, you were going to eat next.
While the man he called dad had done a tremendous job keeping him safe he could still recall days of wanting. The desire for a hot meal, a warm place to sleep, the ability to let ones guard down completely and totally relax. It was no way for a child to grow up. But what choice did any of them really have.
“I give up,” Einstein said as he threw up his hands and walked away.
“Is he gonna be all right?” Window said.
“I hope so,” Meat said as he turned back to the others still gathered around the picnic table.
As they approached Gregory got to his feet and met them before they could reach the picnic table. “I didn’t want anyone else to hear this, but I don’t believe it’s a good idea for Maria to come with us.”
“You’ll get no argument from me, in fact I’ve pretty much decided the same thing,” Meat said. “I was going to leave B
illie-Bob here to protect her until we returned, then she can come to our compound with us.”
“What about me? Am I invited?”
“Everyone is welcome, but you do realize that once you know the details of our camp, you can never leave.”
“Three hots and a cot, right?” Gregory said with a wink.
“What does that mean?” Window said.
“It’s an old saying from before. It was used to describe prison. Three hot meals and a cot to sleep on. I’ll have to sleep on your offer. Don’t know if I’m willing to give up my freedom just yet.”
Meat shrugged, realizing that Gregory had come pretty damned close to describing what they had at the Bluff. For the first time he considered what the lights at night really meant. There were watchtowers every fifty yards or so along the fence, manned by men with high-powered rifles and spotlights. Many times as he lay in bed at night he’d hear an occasional rifle shot that would be explained away the following morning as the killing of a wandering zombie. No one ever questioned that explanation, no one ever asked to see the body, and occasionally one of the inhabitants would report that one of their family members was missing.
It all became chillingly clear and his loyalty to the people who ran Bremo Bluff was suddenly called into question. He couldn’t let anyone else see the doubt he was beginning to feel. For now his personal feeling would remain his own little secret.
“Billie-Bob, I need you to stay with Maria until we come back through, then we’ll return to the Bluff.”
“But I wanted to see Richmond,” Billie-Bob said.
“I’ll stay with her,” Einstein said.
Was that a good idea? Meat wondered. Einstein had been shocked to discover the truth about Bremo Bluff, a truth that Meat had suspected long before he’d learned about it himself. It was Quid Pro Quo. If you wanted to be safe, protected from all the bad things that existed beyond the fence, you had to give up something in return.
But was the chance to live a free life beyond the fence an equal trade? It was a question he had no ready answer for. Anything one wanted in life had to be traded for. If you wanted to eat you learned to hunt, and took the time to do so. If you wanted protection from the weather you built a house.
All Roads Lead To Terror: Coming of age in a post apocalyptic world (Dreadland Chronicles Book 1) Page 6