by Hannah Ross
"I do hope it worked, though," Kate went on. "No government should be able to decide how long people will live. No government should feel authorized to send children out there into the wild. Those are two sides of the same coin."
She stopped when she noticed her mother's eyes filled with tears.
"Sorry, Mom," she said in a hushed voice.
"No, no." Rebecca shook her head and took a hasty sip of tea. She had forgotten to add sugar, and the drink was so hot it scorched her tongue. "Bring Tony over for dinner sometime, will you?" She was pleased to see the blush spreading over Kate's face. "Only, please, find him something decent to wear."
21
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"What do you mean you think the Fat Bears are up to something?"
Andy opened one bleary eye and sighed.
"Do you really want me to repeat everything I just said? Give me a few minutes, Ben. I've never walked so much in one day."
Andy Steel made the trip from the city to the country camp in record time, and intended to head back soon so as not to leave Edeline and the children alone for too long. He settled into a chair.
"I'm telling you, Barry is planning something really fishy. He's been holed up in his camp far more than usual, and he's spent nearly all his time with those Mexican thugs. If you ask me, he's still on about that insane idea of storming the Boundary. And whenever we see any of the Bears, they're hurrying somewhere and talking among themselves in low voices. They hardly even have any time for bullying others, which must be a record. Ask Ron when you're in the city if you think I'm exaggerating."
"OK," said Ben, "so what do you suggest we do?"
"We have to find out what they're planning," said Andy. "I think Barry's already understood he won't get any support from the other camps. Now he's acting alone, and if you ask me, he's up to no good."
"Yeah," Ben said, nodding. "I mean, when has he been up to any good? But if he's hiding something, it isn't likely he'll just come and tell us what it is, right?"
"I suggest we break into their camp. We'd have to gather people, of course."
Ben was not in the least surprised Andy suggested something like this. "No," he said, drawing out the vowel as his head shook. "First, we have to find out more. We need someone to go into the Bears' camp."
Andy snorted. "I'll bet Barry will just invite us right in." He repeated the snort.
Ben stood slowly nodding for a few seconds before he said, "Maybe not. But maybe he… Relax and give me a few minutes."
He left Andy to rest, and went to find Jen who was sitting on a wooden stool in the garden in the shadow of a large peach tree. She was busy shelling peas into a bowl. Marleen sat on the ground at her mother's feet playing with her rag doll.
When she saw him, she laid her bowl aside. "Hey, Ben. What's up?"
"I have something to ask you." He paused and she waited, her curiosity piqued. Finally he asked, "Do you remember how you told me once that Barry the Bear used to like you?"
The question took her by surprise. "Yeah. Why?"
"Do you think he still does?"
Clearly taken aback by the question, her eyes narrowed. "I don't know. It's been a long time. Why does it matter?"
"Because Andy, and I guess Ron, think he's up to something, probably something no good, and we need someone to visit his camp and find out what he's hiding in there. And I can't think of anyone else he might let in."
Jen went back to shelling peas, shaking her head. "I don't think it's a very good idea, Ben. It would look too suspicious. Me, just dropping by the Bears' camp for a friendly visit, after all this time? After…after Michael? Who would ever believe it?"
"Barry, hopefully. You know his ego." When she did not respond, he refused to be discouraged by her skeptical expression. "I realize this isn't the perfect plan, but it's the best I could think of. And hopefully, even if Barry suspects something, he won't hurt you."
He told her everything Andy said, but when he was done, her head shook. "I think he could be wrong. Maybe it's nothing after all."
"Maybe, or maybe not. If there really is something, we have to at least try to find out. Please, Jen?"
"You expect too much from me. I hoped I'd never have to see that city again." Her head shook as she released a long sigh. "Oh, all right. I'll try."
"I have to say that sea fish taste much better than what you get around here."
Sidney and Elisa were sitting on the riverbank, their feet dangling in the water, their eyes on their fishing rods. The goats were peacefully grazing behind them, paying little attention to the fat round little puppy, a gift from Raven, that darted here and there among them. He was a funny little creature, black all over except for his ears and paws, which were white.
"Have you tasted fish from the sea?" Her eyes widened with interest. "I thought the coasts were much too polluted for that."
"Some parts of the coast are, and probably will be for centuries. Other areas, though… This is a vast country, and a magnificent one. And many of the boats go far out to fish."
"It used to be magnificent," said Elisa. "Before the War."
The puppy dashed over and came to rest in her lap, his tongue hanging out as she stroked his fluffy head. He promised to grow into a great shaggy dog and, judging by his parents, an excellent shepherd's helper.
"Oh, I don't know. It's true most of the cities lie in ruins, and others are abandoned, but nature has an amazing ability to repair itself. The plants and animals are thriving, much more so than they did before the War. The ancient beauties of this land are almost all untouched, just the same now as they had been many thousands of years ago. I wish I could show you the Niagara Falls."
"There are pictures of them in an old book we have in the house," Elisa said, her smile bright. "They look magnificent. It must have been amazing, being there."
"It was the most incredible experience of my whole life. Just standing there and looking at it all gives you a very humbling perspective of your own insignificance, and yet you're so happy you feel as though you could soar. It's…" He paused, searching for words. "It's one of those moments that make you say, living was worthwhile, if only for this."
"Was going there part of one of your…missions?"
A sly smile curled Sidney's lips. "Strictly speaking, no. I'm supposed to stick to the ruined cities. But once I'm outside the Boundary, there's nobody to control what I do or where I go. The trip to the Niagara falls meant a month-long detour that made my boss go berserk and nearly got me fired, but it was worth it."
"I wish I could go there," Elisa said with a wistful sigh.
"We could. I'd like to take you there. I can get plenty of gas for the Explorer, you know."
She raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that get your supervisors mad again?"
"I suppose so." I have to admit I've gotten awfully sidetracked here with the Eagles. I can imagine Winthrop's scowl when he read that last, short report, wondering why there was no detail. The corners of his mouth curled up again. It's just so much nicer spending my time hiking and hunting and fishing and helping fix the farmhouse and working in the garden and tending the goats with Elisa. His head shook the slightest bit. I'm supposed to be studying them, not living as one of them. I'm supposed to be documenting their life, with its endless privations and chores that those within the Boundary would certainly consider bleak and monotonous. But they don't think of their lives that way, and neither do I any more. Each day seems longer and fuller and so much more meaningful than any other time in my life. His head shook again, accompanied by a slight shrug.
Eliza noticed the motions and, misunderstanding, asked, "Are you bored around here?"
I can never be bored when I'm with you. Good night, I almost said that out loud. "It's impossible to be bored around here. There's always so much to do."
Elisa smiled. "Well, you'll get a rest when you leave for the city tomorrow."
If she only knew how much I dread going to t
he city with Ben, Tom, and the others. I wish I could get out of it and stay on the farm, but the city is on Winthrop's maps. He'll be expecting a detailed report and there's no way I can explain not going where there are so many orphans.
They set out next morning in Sidney's Explorer, which would convey them a lot quicker and easier than a journey on foot. Nobody seemed especially eager to be off except for Lauren, who was giddy with happiness at the prospect of seeing Ron in a couple of hours. Ben sat next to Sidney in the front seat, and Tom, Jimmy, Enzo, Jen, and Lauren were all crammed in the back. The luggage compartment was packed with supplies they were due to give to the city camp.
Driving through the streets of the ruined city felt odd to Sidney. Every other city he visited across the Boundary was completely abandoned, but here he saw signs of makeshift settlement. Piles of rubble were cleared in places, broken windows were boarded up here and there, and once he spotted a group of people in the distance.
When they reached the Eagles' camp, Lauren hopped out before all the rest, and ran to meet Ron. Jen, in contrast, stepped down slowly and looked around.
"I hope Marleen will be fine without me," she said. "I've never left her overnight before."
"She'll do great with Elisa," said Ben. "And you'll be back in no time."
In the bustle of going into the camp and meeting all the others, Jen's reply was lost to all but Sidney, who stood next to her. "It feels odd, being here," she said, her voice soft, like she was talking to herself. "It's like everything is rushing back. All the memories. So many memories. But I don't want to remember."
Jen walked through the curtain tugging on the fringed hem that just reached her knees. The red dress with the black and white beads Edeline loaned her was flashier than anything she had worn in recent years. She usually dressed in simple, practical garments and felt self-conscious as she stood there in the middle of the camp.
"I look weird," she said.
Edeline seemed to take it personally. "No, you don't! You look terrific! I love that dress. I found it at that little store downtown, next to the ruins of the bank."
"I don't know why you bothered to keep it," said Jen. "It looks nice, but it isn't much good for anything."
"I know," Edeline said with a guilty smile. "I normally just stick to my jeans and T-shirts, but once in a while I like to put on something fancy and walk the streets and imagine what the city looked like when it was alive. So I kept the dress, even though it's not much use."
"You really do look great, Jen," Lauren said. "Those beaded slippers add just the perfect touch."
"They pinch."
"Doesn't matter. You don't have to go far."
Jen set off from the camp at a steady pace. The tight slippers mashed her toes together, but at least they did not make a sound, for which she was grateful. She would not feel comfortable drawing attention to herself when she felt so alone. She knew she was not really, though. Ben and Enzo walked quietly in the shadows, keeping their distance. Their task was to interfere should something go wrong.
She slowed her footsteps once she reached the Fat Bears' district. She tried to look casual, as if she was just browsing shop windows. One very old-looking building caught her eye. Obviously built many years before the War, it had intricately designed windows and balconies that were mostly undamaged. She tried to imagine the kind of people who used to live there. Rich, probably, with no cares in the world. What would they feel like if they knew the end their houses came to?
A sharp voice startled her out of her thoughts. "What are you doing here?"
She recognized Luc but the young man did not seem to recall her. She was wondering what she should say when Barry's bulky outline stepped around a street corner. "What's the matter, Luc?"
"It's this girl walking here, Barry."
"Alone? Leave her, she's not likely to do any harm, are you…Jen!?"
She moved from the shadows into the reddish glow of the sunset. Summoning her courage, she said, "Yes, it's me."
"You haven't been in the city for a while," Barry said, his eyes moving slowly from head to toe and back again.
"That's true. We live on a farm now. I came to stock up on some things you don't find out there."
"Well, you're welcome to anything you can find here." Barry made a sweeping gesture at the dark store fronts. "Though it's a little empty. We've transferred most of the useful stuff to the warehouse we built in our camp."
"Is it near? I've forgotten."
"It is. Just a little to the west. If you like…you can stop by and have a look."
Jen raised her eyebrows. "May I really? I didn't realize you welcomed people into your camp."
"Well, I'd have to be stupid to let troublemakers like Andy Steel in, wouldn't I? But you aren't just any people, Jen. I was very sorry you decided to leave. I'd like you to know that I never meant to drive you away."
"I know," Jen said, as she reached him and started walking alongside Barry. "It's just that I felt going someplace else was better…healthier…for Marleen and me, all things considered."
Barry stopped to look at her, and for the first time, Jen saw something akin to emotion in his face. Is that remorse? Sadness? Or merely discomfort? All she knew was that Barry was not as glib as usual.
"I've wanted to tell you this for a long time," he said. "It's true that Michael and I weren't exactly best pals, but I didn't mean to kill him. As far as I was concerned, he was a pain in the ass, but he was also a fellow orphan. I meant no harm to him…or to you."
Jen nodded, not risking a reply. She feared that if she spoke, Barry would sense the tremble of suppressed anger in her voice.
It was the first time she saw the Bears camp so close up. Easily the largest and most organized camp in the city, the broad area was surrounded by a sturdy fence, and neatly repaired buildings could be seen behind it. Two boys, in their late teens by the look of them, stood by the gate. They hastened to open it when they saw Barry, showing no surprise or recognition at the sight of Jen.
A blazing fire burned in the middle of the camp, and the delicious smell of roast meat wafted through the air.
"Some of our hunters returned today," said Barry. "We're in luck. There's venison for dinner."
Several folding tables were set end-to-end beneath the sky, which was quickly turning from ruby red to indigo, with silvery stars twinkling here and there. Torches blazed brightly in the darkness. Barry called someone, whispered something in his ear, and a few minutes later, bottles of old wine were brought to the table.
Surprised, Jen asked, "Where did you get that?" Only once in her life had she tasted old wine. Bottles that were still fit for consumption were extremely hard to come by.
Barry offered a modest smile. "One of our most valued treasures. You can hardly ever find any, so we only have them on very special occasions."
They sat at the head of the long table that held least twenty others. There was a great deal of noise and chatter, but Jen noticed how different the dynamics were in this camp, compared to their own. Ben Grey was an elected leader, but nobody had to show him deference or think twice before speaking in front of him. Barry was different. When he cracked a joke, everyone laughed. When he took a drink, everyone else drank as well. When he spoke, everyone was silent. Jen did not need to think too hard to know the kind of leader she preferred.
The venison was good, and there was as much of it as anyone could wish for. There were different fruits, too, harvested from one of the overgrown orchards in the abandoned farms surrounding the city. The wine was much stronger than the fermented brew they learned to make on the farm, and after the first careless swallow, which was tart on her tongue and went straight to her head, Jen became much more careful. Though Barry refilled their cups, she did not touch hers again. Barry, on the other hand, continued drinking until he became slightly cross-eyed.
"I'm really glad you stopped by, Jen," he said, slurring his words. "I was always… hic…sorry for the misunderstanding between us. I've always f
elt it would…hic…all be resolved if we just sat down together, like now, and had a drink all nice and relaxed."
Jen thought about Michael, and about the cold hard lumps of earth falling on his grave. She thought about little Marleen, who already stopped asking about her father. She won't remember him. Jen felt a stab of grief. Fury seethed and bubbled within her, but she forced her face into a pleasant smile.
"Why don't you show me around the camp."
Barry was pleased with the request. Despite the amount of wine he drank, he was steady on his feet when he rose from the table. Several people moved as though they meant to rise together with him, but he waved them down.
"Carry on," he said. "Jen and I will just have a look around."
Despite herself, Jen was impressed with the neatness and order of the camp. Everything seemed to be in excellent repair.
"Here's the apartment building we restored," said Barry, pointing at a four-story building right in the middle of the camp. "It took almost two years and a good bit of work, but now it's as good as it was before the War."
"And these here?" asked Jen as they walked past some smaller, lighter buildings. "Are they warehouses?"
"Here's a workshop where we do all kinds of projects, carpentry and the like, you know. And here's a playhouse for the children. We finally have some children in the camp now. These two here are warehouses. The first one is a storage area for clothes, tools, all sorts of supplies, and any food that can keep for a long time."
"And the second one, with the lock on its door?"
"Ah, this one." Barry seemed to sober up. "We keep it locked so no kid goes inside."
"Why? What have you got in there?"
Barry flashed a smile, enjoying her curiosity. "Some things that are worth stocking, and protecting."
Their stroll soon brought them back to the apartment building again.
"Would you like to see what it's like on the inside?"
Jen tried to look as though the idea was mildly tempting. "Some other time. I really should get going now. I hardly noticed, but the time has really slipped by."