by Hannah Ross
"Is it far?"
"No. Not too far. I expect I'll be back this evening or, at most, tomorrow if we get invited to stay for a visit, which we probably will."
"Can I come too?" A faint blush spread over her cheeks. "I mean, the people around here are really nice, but I hardly know them yet. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable staying on my own."
Ben looked surprised but gratified. "Sure! That'd be great. Only, you know, we're taking horses. Tony's not a great rider, but he can keep in the saddle."
She suppressed a smile. "You're forgetting where I grew up. We have a stable at Silver Oaks. It's just for pleasure rides, of course, but my sister and I have been riding ever since we could walk."
"Oh! That's… that's great, then."
* * *
Breakfast was an early, quick and comparatively quiet affair, as most of the children were still asleep after last night's excitement. Ben, Priscilla, and Tony quickly finished their fried eggs and slices of goat cheese and were ready to set out by seven o'clock.
The brown mare Ben offered Priscilla was a gentle creature, but very timid, and gave a nervous neigh at the sight of the stranger.
"Cherry is a little shy," Ben said, "but she's nice and steady once she gets used to you. You'll see."
"We'll get along just fine," Priscilla assured him, walking over to the horse. "Here, let me try. There's a nice girl, Cherry." She ran one hand down the horse's neck and offered half an apple in the palm of the other. Cherry sniffed at the apple and took it, touching Priscilla's hand with velvety lips. "She's darling," Priscilla said as the mare sniffed at her ear, hoping for another treat. She mounted with one light, energetic movement and glanced around at Tony, who sat in the saddle so stiff and rigid it seemed he might topple over any moment. "What's the matter, Tony?"
"Riding's not really my thing."
"To tell the truth, I like horses, but riding's never been much of a thing for me, either. It was always too confined back home. Maybe it'll be different out here, though."
It was. The country stretched on all sides of the riders, wild and limitless. For nearly three hours, the horses walked up and down hills, across shallow streams, and passed a small ghost town that was once quaint and picturesque, but now stood as a melancholy remainder of a life gone by. There were bits of landscape disfigured by bombings and one crater so deep that even a century of quiet overgrowth was not enough to soften its contours. Rainwater pooled at its bottom and remained there in a stagnant bog.
As the sun slipped behind a fair-weather cloud, the travelers turned upon a winding path that led into a small forest, young-looking and not very dense.
"Nearly there now," Ben said.
Priscilla expected another log house like the one at Ben's camp, only smaller, and gasped with surprise once they reached the small clearing where Sidney and Elisa's home was situated. "It's a hobbit house!"
The house was dug into a small hill, with the low walls being only partially above ground level, and the sloping roof very close to the ground. The turf-covered roof was overgrown with grass and flowers. The front door, obviously and lovingly handmade, was artistically rounded and harmonized with the semicircle windows. It was a fairy-like dwelling and Priscilla fell in love with it instantly.
"Neat, huh?" Ben smiled at her enthusiasm. "Wasn't too hard to build, either. We all pitched in."
"It's a cave," Tony said, as the door swung open and he saw a pretty young woman with a long golden braid walk out, closely followed by a grinning man in paint-stained overalls, who hurried over to shake hands as they all dismounted.
"Ben! What a surprise! Goodness, we weren't expecting…but, of course, we're so happy to see…you've brought visitors?"
"Elisa, Sidney, good to see you. These are Nell and Tony."
"Happy to see you all," Sidney said. "And we'll be even happier if you keep the horses from trampling the vegetable patch," he added with a wry smile.
"Gotcha." The three went to unsaddle and tether their horses in a place that would render Elisa's precious vegetables safe. Priscilla also noted a goat pen and poultry-house, similar to what she saw at Ben's camp, only smaller.
"So how are you guys getting on?" Ben asked as Sidney opened the door for them. "It's been a while since I visited."
Unable to suppress her excitement, Elisa said, "Check this out" as, to Priscilla's immense surprise, she flipped a switch and the little house's interior illuminated at once. She expected there would only be candles and oil lamps, like in Ben's camp.
"Wow!" Ben was duly impressed.
"Sidney took out some of his savings and made a trip into the Boundary, and got these solar panels. They power the lights and the fridge. And also the little pump that gets us water from the stream nearby. Watch this!" Elisa walked over to the sink in the little kitchen, turned on the tap, and triumphantly watched their expressions as the water began to run.
"We're quite comfortable now," Sidney said, slipping an arm around her shoulders. "We're planning to add an attached greenhouse on the eastern side. It will help us keep warmer in winter. Not that last winter was bad for us. With the house being dug in, we're really well insulated."
"And what about that extension you were talking about?" Ben asked.
"You guys up to another week of digging?" Sidney's eyes crinkled with humor. "Why don't you come back for a visit soon and talk Mac and Tom into it? It's no worse than logging."
While they were talking, Priscilla's eyes swept the interior of the house. It was a charming little place. The few stairs that led down from the entrance made the windows almost level with the ground, and the light was green and diffused. There were curious-looking, hand-carved couches and comfortable-looking poufs, many shelves laden with books and utensils, and shiny copper pans hanging on the walls. There was also a fat little iron stove which, at the moment, was empty due to the warm day outside. A pretty, rustic-looking staircase led upstairs to the sleeping loft.
It was settled beforehand that the entire truth of Tony's situation would not be revealed to Sidney and Elisa, for their own safety. They were only told Tony was in some trouble with the government and that he needed a place to lie low for a while, which evoked ready sympathy and immediate willingness to help. Tony had some scruples about involving two unsuspecting people, but he realized the less Elisa and Sidney knew the better for them.
As the darkness fell, it began to rain, and the small company sat very comfortably in front of the iron stove with its brightly burning logs. They had cups of tea in their hands, and Sidney pulled his guitar down from a peg on the wall and began strumming, sending a plaintive melody into the air.
"This felt so strange at first," Elisa said. "When Sidney and I first moved out here, and it was just the two of us. After all the years of living with the camp, I wasn't used to so much space and quiet. It was weird. In a good way, though."
"I guess it was inevitable that people should start moving out bit by bit," Ben said as he turned to Tony and Priscilla. "I mean, until not too long ago, we had to live all bunched up together, with as many pairs of working hands as possible, in order to survive. But now that we're a little better off and things are getting easier, people, especially those with families, will want to start their own households. It's only natural."
"Mac would love that, I know," Sidney said. "We spoke about it more than once."
"But Gabby will never agree," Elisa said. "She loves having everyone around. And the company sure makes it more cheerful for the kids."
"Well, it's not like we're that isolated here," Sidney said. "We visit often enough, and can do that even more often now that we're more or less settled."
"Is it true that you used to work for the government once?" Priscilla blushed for prying, but Sidney saw nothing awkward in the question.
"Yes," he said with a smile. "My ex-boss, Chuck Winthrop, raged and raved when I told him I was never coming back."
"Chuck Winthrop?" Priscilla looked agog. "You used to work for him?"
"He was my direct supervisor." Sidney gave her a curious glance. "How do you know him?"
Priscilla's blush deepened. She met Winthrop at a couple of soirees organized by the Van Wullens, and remembered him as an obnoxious loudmouth who drank too much and spoke in a rumbling thunderous voice, but Nell had no occasion to have personally met the man. "I read about him in the newspaper once."
Sidney nodded. "That's like him. The man loves publicity and never misses an opportunity to be interviewed. I'm so glad I'm not working for him anymore. Hey, Ben, did you see how I fixed up the staircase to the loft? It's a lot steadier than it was before. Have a look."
Ben and Tony walked off to admire Sidney's handiwork. Elisa remained in front of the fire, immersed in her knitting. "This forest is a remarkable place," she told Priscilla. "There are some species of rare birds around here. Some I've never even seen anywhere else. I hope we can encourage them to hang around by putting out nesting boxes and feed. I think Kirtland's Warbler especially…"
Priscilla nodded, and listened, and put in a word now and then, as she allowed herself to be enveloped by the soothing, friendly atmosphere of the magical little dwelling.
When sleep time came she was settled on the couch, and Ben and Tony spread their sleeping bags upon the floor.
23
________________________
Tuesday, April 15
Sleep came easily for everyone and next thing they knew, it was morning and time to head back to the camp. After milking the goats, Elisa provided a sumptuous breakfast for everyone. She and Sidney went out of their way to make Tony feel welcome, but Priscilla noticed a shade of unease on his face. She knew Ben saw it as well.
"It will be a little dull around here, Tony," Ben warned.
"Never mind," he said with a shrug. "Dull is good, under the circumstances. And I daresay I can make myself useful."
"That you can," Sidney confirmed with a vigorous nod. "There's plenty of work to go around. If you're up to it, we can get started on the greenhouse."
"You better take the horse, Ben," Elisa said, coming out to say goodbye. "When the time comes to bring Tony back, we have Sidney's car."
"Thanks for everything, Ben," Tony said, shaking hands. "And…" He hesitated for a moment. "If you see Kate, tell her I… well… never mind."
"I don't think I'll get to see Kate anytime soon, but we'll be in touch."
Before long, Ben and Priscilla were on their way. The day was glorious, the earth and sky fresh after the night's rain awakened the smells and sounds of spring under a warm sun. They again allowed the horses to take a leisurely pace and made several stops for sightseeing and snacks.
"Sidney and Elisa have a gorgeous home," she said at one point as they sat on a riverbank, dangling their bare feet in the water while the horses grazed nearby. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Well, I should think not," he said with a grin. "It is gorgeous, though. I think…" He hesitated for a moment, and his ears reddened slightly. "I think I'd love a place like that myself one day."
"You mean a hobbit house?" She worked hard to keep a straight face.
"Nah, that's a fancy of Sidney's. I mean… I hope the camp never breaks apart. Someone will always stay on for the sake of youngsters and loners. And we're like family, really, after all these years. But I'd like a house of my own. It would be nice. Not that I'd want to live all alone."
Priscilla didn't know how it happened, but Ben's hand was wrapped around hers, and their fingers twined together as if of their own accord. It was the most natural thing in the world, as natural as leaning close to him and resting her head on his shoulder. She never felt more comfortable in her life.
"I can imagine Chuck Winthrop thought Sidney was crazy," she said. "Everybody must have thought so when they heard he was going to live out here. But I understand him. He was a prisoner, and now he's free. Nothing compares to being free after you've had a huge invisible cage pressing on you all your life. I don't want to go back to Silver Oaks, Ben. Not ever."
Priscilla raised her head from Ben's shoulder, meeting his eyes. He was close enough for her to count all the freckles on the bridge of his nose. His hand lifted to touch her cheek and he drew her closer, slowly, as if allowing her time to withdraw, but she did not. There was magic all around, in the singing of birds and the rippling of water, and the warm spring sun shining through leaves and blades of grass, filling the whole world with its golden glow. And as they sat together for a whole precious hour, time and space, reason and prudence and limitations ceased to exist, and there was nothing in the world but the two of them.
24
________________________
Thursday, April 17
Barry's eyes rounded as he glimpsed the report. "Wow, Miguelito! This is a princely addition to the budget. Any idea what's behind it?"
"They want results, and they want them fast," Miguel said with a shade of weariness. "They call almost every day now. Usually it's Frederick Pearson's assistant, but once he even called me himself and asked about the progress."
"Pearson himself? You don't say. Working here makes me feel pretty important, now."
"He told me I can have whatever I need that would, in my opinion, make the work go more effectively. More money, space, people, equipment… anything."
"And what did you tell him?"
"That what I really need is more peace and quiet to work."
Barry chuckled. "That's a good one."
"He suggested that I might have more time to concentrate on the work if I can dispense with the administrative part. I told him it might not be such a bad idea. So we're getting a larger budget and they're screening more people to join us here."
"Sounds pretty generous to me. With good reason, of course. They do nothing without a reason."
"Yes. They want this formula badly, and I've already made some progress."
"Have you?"
"Yes. I've had some pretty impressive examples of rejuvenation in mice. I have artificially sped up the aging process in some females and then managed to reverse it and bring them to have offspring again. Problem is, it isn't consistent. But I think I'm getting pretty close, even without the additional materials we were supposed to get from the Source."
"You should tell this to Fred Pearson next time he calls."
"Are you kidding me? Before I know it, he'll have me chained to the laboratory desk so I might work non-stop. I want those Yankees out of my hair as much as possible, thank you very much."
Barry grinned. "Yes, I suppose you're right. Well, for a while you'll have to enjoy this newfound wealth without me. I'm going north."
Miguel squinted. "North? To the abandoned lands? What are you up to now?"
"I have some unfinished business there."
"What kind of business?"
"Oh, you know. Places to visit. Trinkets to pick up. Old accounts to settle."
Miguel crossed his arms on his chest. "You're going smuggling."
Barry sounded almost sincere when he said, "I'm not," but the corner of his mouth twitched in a way Miguel knew well.
"You're lying. You are! How do you think you'd handle… wait! Please don't tell me you're going with Los Lobos."
"No, of course not," Barry said, but again Miguel was not fooled.
"Don't give me that shit. Mierda, Barry, what does it take to teach you a lesson? Messing around with these people will be the death of you. They're dangerous, dammit. Besides, you can't just up and leave when there's so much work to be done. No, you're staying put."
Barry shrugged. "Sorry, Miguel. But you'll pull through until the extra staff comes in. And I'll be back, don't worry. I like my life here in Tampico too much to give it up."
Miguel sighed as his head shook. "Suit yourself. Only don't expect me to lift a finger to pull you out of this shit later, OK?"
Barry laughed. "That's nice of you, Miguelito. Don't fuss, though. I'll bring you some pretty souvenirs out of the ruined cities."
"I doubt you'll
bring your sorry ass back," Miguel muttered, but the door already closed behind Barry. That big bear can go north to his ruin. It's not like there's much I can do about it. And I have more pressing things on my mind.
I'm sure I'm getting close to cracking the secret of NOAGE. I'm sure that given time, I can achieve the same results Keller did, and not by reconstructing his steps. I can work out a way of my own. But when I do, what do I do with it? I'm not sure it should belong to the White Tower. Or to anyone. Once Dahl gets his hands on the formula, he and his people will have more power than anyone who ever lived. With the power of eternal life, they'll become more than just rulers, they'll become supreme overlords. And there'll be no stopping them. No reversing the trend. It would be surer power than any weapon.
Miguel closed his laptop and pulled on his white robe. He went into the inner sanctum of the laboratory, where his ongoing work was spread out on three wide, long desks, and fiddled with some tubes and pipes. Then he walked over to the corner, where the white mice were squeaking in their cages. A red-eyed female, vigorous and full of energy, looked at him apprehensively, shielding her new litter of bald pink offspring. Only a month ago, she was suffering from the ailments of human old age, including stiff joints and rheumatism. Miguel was sure she didn't have more than a few days to live. Now she was in her prime again.
The wheels of the process I set in motion are going faster and faster, and there isn't much I can do to stop it. Unless I throw myself under those wheels. The thought made him shudder.
* * *
Two sleek, new, black SUVs with small trailers behind were waiting for Barry as most of Tampico slept.
"Hola, Oso," said one of the men. "We've been waiting for you this half-hour. Hop in quick. We have a long ride to the border and if we don't make it in time, we won't be able to move north until tomorrow."
"Don't fret, Ricardo." Barry slid into the seat next to the driver and the cars set out. "This place is safe to cross, yes?"
"We have an understanding with the guys on the day shift. They look the other way, and we make it worth their while. Once shifts change, though, things get more complicated." Ricardo stepped on the gas and the other vehicle followed.