by Benham, Tara
“Baxlie, breakfast. You’ll need the food and energy for all the exciting outdoor work you’ll be doing.” I rolled my eyes at his back and Baxlie chuckled, but followed Henry and the rest of the guys into the kitchen. I wondered if I could get away with using my iPod to listen to music. Probably not, we’ve been trained to never use anything that could decrease our attention to our surroundings.
I went to the living room to watch the news for any updates while I waited for the guys to finish breakfast. They were showing coverage of the military patrolling the streets, and hanging rules of the newly enforced Martial Law. They were showing the closing of the borders and the extra guards being posted. They were showing lines outside of the hospital of people of varying ages, races, sexes, and levels of sickness waiting to be seen in hopes that their symptoms were that of something other than this new mutated virus. It was all getting to be too much, and I shut the television off, and stared outside the window. Outside, the trees were bending with a slight breeze. The skies were clear blue and perfect. Looking outside, no one would ever guess of the chaos happening around us. For the first time I was extremely happy with Dad’s insanity and paranoid planning.
“We’re ready when you are.” Henry didn’t even look at me as he spoke to me. He was already headed out the back door. Baxlie was standing waiting with a slightly confused look on his face. I’m sure he had begun to notice the coldness that Henry was showing me. I flashed what I hoped was a convincing smile. He smiled back but if mine was as believable as his, we were both bad at lying. The thought made me smile a little more, which he returned.
“I’ve never collected fire wood before, any tips?”
“We don’t want wet wood, or wood with moss. Too much green is bad. Other than that not really.”
Henry was several steps ahead of us heading into the woods. We were headed towards the area where my favorite spot was with the natural well. I decided to collect some of the flowers there to save for medicinal purposes as well. One of the first things we were taught with outdoor survival is to make sure you always had a baggy on you in case you found something that may be of use to you later. We made good time to the area, and I was showing Baxlie the moat and the key pads for the moat.
“Stay within hearing distance, but separate so we can cover more distance.” Henry glared at me. I don’t know why he was acting jealous. He made it very clear last night that he had ended whatever we had started. He gave up rights to get mad that I was talking to anyone. I didn’t want to spend too much time and energy wondering what was going on with him, so I started looking for logs, twigs, anything that could help with making a fire.
“McCaid! Henry! Do we have poisonous snakes out here?”
“Yes, why?”
“What do they look like?”
“They have a diamond back shape and a rattle at the end of their tail. Wherever you are, try not to move if you can avoid it.” Henry made his way slowly over to where Baxlie was standing. I tried to walk over there as well but Henry pointed very strongly at me to stay put. If I didn’t know he had more knowledge in this area, I might not have listened. He was still my master though and when he was teaching I had to listen. He was standing right beside Baxlie in no time. He looked to where Baxlie was pointing and snorted. The snort then turned into a full blown, head thrown back laughter.
“I hope this laughing means we’re not in danger.” I couldn’t hide the bemusement from my voice. Baxlie could have been in danger. Henry didn’t have to laugh, he could have simply stated that whatever had been mistaken as a dangerous snake wasn’t.
“Everything is fine. It’s just a limb. Not even a snake. He’s good to go.” He was still wiping tears from his eyes as we went back to collecting the wood. We were making good time, and getting a decent pile when we stopped to take a break by the well. About two years ago, I had hidden an old wooden bucket and ladle in an old wood stump. I walked over to the stump and got the supplies so that we could get a fresh drink and cool off some. I was dipping the bucket into the well when I heard Baxlie and Henry laughing.
“Yeah I guess I see why it would be funny now. At the time not so much.” Henry slapped Baxlie back and they laughed again.
“Do you boys want a drink?”
“Sure”
I’m not sure when I decided to do it, but just as I got to them I threw the full bucket of ice cold well water on them. The looks on their faces were so comical. They’re eyes opened wide and they gasped loudly.
“Oh, McCaid, you really shouldn’t have done that.” Baxlie was grinning. I had a feeling I was going to get it soon.
“What? I’m tripped. I’m so sorry.” I tried to play innocent but I couldn’t hold it back anymore. It felt great to laugh that hard. I had to sit on the rock beside them because my stomach was starting to hurt. I looked up at Henry and he had a slight grin on his face too. As soon as he noticed I was looking, he stopped. I hated that we couldn’t even joke or have fun anymore. I got up and got them another bucket and was nice this time. I handed them the full bucket and the ladle. They took turns taking drinks. Just as I thought I was safe and let my guard down, I noticed the movement. I tried to dodge it, but they calculated my move and drenched me. It was so cold, I squealed. It felt refreshing. I felt alive. When the shock of the cold dissipated, I giggled. I pulled my wet hair up in a high pony and went to sit in the sun to dry out. I could feel eyes on me as I leaned against the rock. Closing my eyes I allowed the trickle of the well to lull me into a light sleep. We had been resting for about ten minutes, when Henry suggested we finish up before we had to head back for lunch. I replaced the ladle and bucket back into the stump and headed to get the remaining stack I had created earlier to carry to the pile.
“I think I heard the bell for lunch guys.”
“No, Baxlie I think that was just your stomach rumbling.” I smirked and he made a ha-ha sound.
“I think Baxlie is right. Let’s place the last of our stacks into piles and head to the house.”
I dropped the last of the wood I had collected into the pile that we would later be chopping and stacking in neat piles to prepare for the cold weather. Both the main house and the guest house had furnaces for heating that could be powered by wood if need be. Collecting wood too late or waiting until we needed it would be difficult, as well as cold. I made my way back to the main house several steps behind the guys who seem to have built a quick bond, especially after the snake fiasco. I could only shook my head. I had been worrying the entire how it would be to be stuck for a couple of hours with both of the guys and neither were concerned with me. I couldn’t decide if that made me happy or not.
Back at the house Ever had just released the rest of the group from classes. Johnnie had made lunch today even though it wasn’t on the schedule for him. There was soup and sandwiches at each of the places at the table as well as a can of soda per person. We were stocked piled up on sodas for a while, but we were still trying to pace ourselves because no one know how long the lock down would last.
“We will all be eating together each day for most meals when possible to allow for further discussion of how days are progressing as well as to make any necessary changes when needed.”
Johnnie asked each of how our day had been going. We all spoke an answer as we took our places at the table. School seemed to go well, and it was a group agreement that Ever was a good teacher. Micah didn’t have much to input, nor Johnnie. By the time Baxlie told his story about the snake the whole table was laughing, including myself. I was starting to think that Micah might have a competitor for story telling in Baxlie. I was glad that even in this crazy time we were able to have some laughs. Sasha seemed to be adjusting well to the new clothes, she smiled more and seemed more at ease. I knew it was not likely, but I hoped that if we were going to be stuck with each other a way from society that it would remain like it is, but I knew better.
Chapter 19
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. We celebrated my eightee
nth birthday, Ever’s eighteenth birthday and Baxlie’s nineteenth. Milo’s dad had caught what they’re now calling a super virus, and died about a month ago. He was taking it better than we had expected. Both of Baxlie’s parents were still safe, but were taking extra precautions. They came and visited in the guest house cell about once a week. News reports stated that about thirty percent of the nation has contracted the disease and of those, about half have died. The ones that haven’t died just haven’t advanced far enough. The reports keep coming in on advancements with the antidote but none that have been completely successful. Last month the US Marshalls had come to escort Dad and Miss Andersen to the CDC. They decided he would be better suited working in an environment with the patient as opposed to being cut off and hiding in a hole. Things were running smoothly lately.
All the guys’ training has advanced their skills closer to us girls. We’ve all learned new skills as well. Johnnie had really stepped up the training. We were hunting now and storing the meat that we get in freezers in the basement. The snow had started fall and the wood we had collected had started to come in handy. We still had electricity, but decided that we needed to conserve it as much as possible. Baxlie and Micah had been working on building solar power panels to help with supplementing the electricity for if or when they did cut it off. According to news reports that may be sooner than most would like. With a decrease in work force, certain amenities were going to start being used only for official business such as the government and hospitals, leaving everyday people with a challenge to find a way to keep their electric working for as long as possible. I was preparing breakfast for the group because it was my week to cook. I had just placed the last of the plates on the table when a buzz came from the intercom.
“Hello? Is anyone home? Hello? Open the gates please?”
“Yes, hello who is this?”
“McCaid, is that you? It’s Kryst. I came to visit Ever. Can you let me in, please?” I stared at the intercom dumbfounded. I didn’t even she knew where we lived. Ever had been trying to get a hold of her since she begged her months ago to come live with us but never could find her. I hollered up to our room for Ever.
“Your mom is at the gate.”
“What?”
“Your mom, she’s at the gate.”
“Well, let her in.”
“Ever, you know I can’t do that. She has to be scanned first.”
“Well then let’s go to the guard post and get her scanned so she can come in.”
I left a note on the table so they would know where we were and we headed out the post. As we got closer, I saw Kryst. I knew that scanning her wasn’t necessary, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything to Ever. She looked very pale and ragged. Her clothes were dirty and her hair was undone. Kryst never went anywhere unless she was fully done up, so I knew she was sick. I braced myself for what was going to be a very bad day for Ever, and possibly Kryst. We waved her over to the cell. We told her she had to be scanned and she nodded, but had a defeated look on her face. Ever was still talking and chatting like nothing wrong was going on. I knew Ever, and this was one of her ways with denying something was wrong. The scan took one hundred twenty seconds, but it felt like a one hundred twenty years. The scanner read infected, and everything seemed to stop. The air came rushing out of Ever’s lungs. Kryst leaned against the window and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Mom” Ever sobbed.
“Ever, baby don’t cry. I just came to see you one more time. I knew I was sick. I’ve been sick for while” She was coughing between speaking and blood was on her the handkerchief in her hands. She slide down the glass wall to a seating position, using it as a support.
“Why didn’t you come here when I asked you to? I could have kept you safe.” She had slid down to so she was leaning against the glass area. They would have been shoulder to shoulder if the glass wasn’t separating them.
“I was too busy having fun baby. I didn’t want to stop. I thought it’d be like a regular flu outbreak and in time it would go away. When I got sick I went to the doctors, but I was too far gone they said. They wouldn’t even let me get on a trial medications. I was in New York, but I came back here to say good bye. I spoke with your dad about two weeks ago. He had flown out on an international flight when the borders closed. He’s safe, he’s been living in London.”
“I’m sorry momma.” Ever looked pitiful. She put her hand up on the glass and Kryst placed hers on the same place. My heart was breaking for my best friend. I wanted to comfort her and give her space all at the same time. I handed her a tissue, which she took but didn’t say anything.
“I know I wasn’t the best mom, but I did, I do love you. Always remember that, okay baby. Before I came here I transferred all my money into your account, and the apartment too. You’re eighteen now, and when all this is over I want you to have a place of your own if you want.” Ever tried to interrupt, to protest, but Kryst wouldn’t let her. Her coughing became more frequent and violent. At that moment, I was so angry that Kryst would come in some selfish need to seek for forgiveness, while causing her daughter the pain of having to see her die. “I don’t know how long I have but I want to spend it with you. Tell me about what all has been happening in your life.”
With a tears rolling down her cheeks Ever begin to fill Kryst in on all the happenings both in the house as well as what the news reports had been saying. I indicated to Ever I was going to step outside to give her some alone time, and she nodded, but continued to talk. Just as I got out the door my own wave of sadness hit. For Ever, for the memory of my mom, for my dad. I just couldn’t control my emotions anymore. Waves of sadness washed over me, and I was sobbing by the time I heard footsteps. I looked up to find Henry was standing a few feet away.
“McCaid, are you okay?” Henry’s kindness just made everything much worse. Now I was thinking about what he had said so many months before.
“No, Ever’s inside saying goodbye to her mother and watching her die. It’s just bringing back memories.” He came over and sat down beside me, bumping his shoulder against mine. “Henry, don’t. I can’t take kindness from you right now, it’s only making it worse. I need to be able to calm myself down so I can be with Ever when she needs me.” He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t move either. He was watching me. Finally, as though he made some big decision in his mind, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. I felt both safe and sad. I didn’t want to associate him with safeness. I wanted him to remain cold and distant, it made it all easier.
“I’m sorry McCaid. I really am, it’s not what I wanted, but for Sasha’s sake I had to agree. She had nowhere else to go if I didn’t. Trust me, it’s been torture staying away from you.” He placed his chin on top of my head and just held me. His confession made me turn into even more of a blubbering mess. We sat forever like that, until I was able to finally calm down.
“MOM! MOM!” Ever was screaming from inside the guard post. I jumped up quickly and ran in. Kryst had fallen slump, and her eyes were closed. I got to Ever just as she was trying to open the door. I grabbed her around her arms and waist and pulled her away. She was fighting and screaming about going to her. I was losing the will to hold her, as she begged me to let her go to her. “Please McCaid, please let me go to her. Please, she’s dying she needs me, please let me go.” Ever’s fight was dying but her urgency wasn’t.
“Ever. I can’t let you go in there. She’s contagious. I don’t want to end up losing you too. I know you want to go, but you can’t.” My heart was breaking and my voice was strained as I tried to not cry in front of her. I needed to be strong for her.
“Actually” Henry spoke up from the doorway, “Your dad has been pumping medication into your water for years, and he told me that you all couldn’t catch the virus at all. She can go to her, we just have to decontaminate her before she comes back through the glass.” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kiss or kill Henry in that moment. I was afraid to trust his belief in my da
d’s medications, also, I was afraid that even if it worked for us, she might still be able to spread it to one of the others who hadn’t had years of medications coursing through their bodies.
“Go to her then, but then we will have to call someone to come collect her body. She’ll have to go before we can decontaminate you or the cell okay?” Ever nodded, took a deep breath and went into the cell. She went over to Kryst’s body and felt for a pulse. There wasn’t one, but she still bent down and cradled her mom’s head anyway and wept. I wept with her. I knew how she felt but there wasn’t anything I could do for her. I stepped out and called the local funeral home for her. This I could do. I gave them our address and told them the situation. They were more than willing to come help. Especially when I told them I would pay them a nominal fee for doing so.
“Ever, the funeral home will be here in ten minutes.”
“Thank you Caid.”
I went back outside and leaned against the wall of the post. I was taking in deep breaths and trying to calm my nerves. Henry remained at my side, not touching me or saying anything. I heard the car pull up ten minutes later and went back in. They took great care to pick up her body and lay it on stretcher. They allowed Ever one more goodbye and then left. I told Ever to close the door. After asking Henry to leave, I started the decontamination process. Ever had to take her clothes off and put them into the incinerator. The spray of the decontaminator covered her body. She just stood there and did as I asked her to, but she was not her usual self. The tears on her cheeks became mixed with the spray. It took about three minutes from start to finish. Once she was ready, she stepped through the door, and I wrapped her in one of the robes we had in the closet in case of someone entering that needed to be cleaned. I closed and sealed the cell door and began the second round that would clean the cell. I took her to the bathroom in the guard post and let her shower and get dressed. I had to lead her around to each, helping her get dressed. The sadness and emptiness seemed to radiate off of her. Oh Kryst why did you do this to her?