Amitola: The Making of a Tribe

by A. Grant Richard

  Tony hit his fist to his chest. “Calm down, dude. You’re talking to a bunch of people to whom Maia is their family too. You have to trust us. They’re better off not moving.”

  Arguments and discussions erupted. Caleb sat reading through the notes. In Maia’s notebook, he found something that gave him an idea. “Guys, guys! Listen up, Tomas and Parker, forget your other task, we’ll get the others to do that. What I want is a safe room and escape route out of this house. Start looking around for possible places and jot down all ideas, okay?”

  Danny walked over to the man and his son, and the attention in the room shifted towards them. They talked briefly then Danny introduced him to Caleb and Tye. “I told ya he was here already. This is my cousin JT and his son, Wade. He said he knows just the fellas to get.”

  “We appreciate you helping out, man. We need it,” Caleb said, offering his hand.

  JT shook Caleb’s hand, then Tye’s. “No problem, Amitola’s our home. That’s our land and our people. I ain’t about to let nobody get away with trying to take any of it from us. I’m assuming the young girl is yours?” Tye nodded, “Yes.”

  “Don’t worry. I got some ideas. We can keep the two of them safe here.”

  “Thanks, man,” Tye replied.

  Caleb tapped Tye on the shoulder. “I need to talk to you bro,” he said as he walked into the family room. Tye followed behind.

  Tye held his hand up to Caleb. “Dude, I already know what you’re going to say. I don’t even—“

  “Chill, you don’t know what I’m gonna say. I was going to ask you to please consider staying here with them while we go out and fight. I don’t want to leave them here alone, at all. Someone has to be here to protect them. Maybe we get one of the boys to stay here too.”

  Tye wrung his hands and thought for a moment. “I’m not opposed to it. I don’t want them left alone, but I want to make sure I do my part. If you need me to fight, then I want to fight.”

  Luke walked into the room. “Hey man, we gotta go if we’re gonna keep good time.”

  Caleb followed after him then turned to Tye and said, “We’ll play it by ear. Hold down the fort till I get back.”

  After everyone divided up into their appointed groups and began their tasks, Maia showed Sadie and Elex some of her favorite spots around the house. The grand mansion had five bedrooms, two nurseries, and three full baths upstairs alone. Three other rooms upstairs were used as social spaces but could have easily been bedrooms as well. The landing and hallways were large enough to host parties. To say the home was vast was an understatement.

  Downstairs was home to a family room, living room, kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, office, drawing, music, and then there were even some rooms that didn’t have a name or function. One thing they all had in common was craftsmanship and attention to detail. From the ceilings to the chair rails then to the floors, everything was hand carved and placed. As the three of them walked along the old wood floors, Elex ran his hand across the walls. Years of soot, grime, and humidity caused them to be sticky. Maia wrinkled her nose when she saw him grimace and wipe his fingers on his pants to get rid of the gunk. They approached the library then saw Charlie and Danny planning over a war table.

  When they first discovered the old house, they went through every room and closet looking for things they could use. At first, all of Maia’s boys thought it would be fun just to set up all the pieces of the train and rural scape set, but over time it became useful for hunting and scavenging. They carefully selected each piece to create a replica of the area. The beauty of this location was that natural barriers of protection surrounded it. The coywolf territory, the quickdust pits, the ancient Indian burial ground, and the flood mounds full of debris were all represented. If they lacked pieces for something then sticks, Lincoln Logs, and other items were used as placements. The result was used to plan many things, but today, it became an efficient and effective war table.

  Sadie and Elex took an interest in the model table and were quickly put to work building enemy camps using popsicle sticks and red paint for the roofs. Maia made sure it was okay with the two men if the kids stayed behind while she went to prepare the bedrooms. They had no problem with them staying since they could use the creative help.

  She grabbed a basket full of linens then made her way back up the old rickety stairs and started in the first bedroom she came to. Early on they’d found a warehouse containing boxed mattresses, pillows, bedding, and other supplies they could use. The boys, along with some of the men from Amitola, loaded up as much as they could and brought it to the old plantation. When hunting parties went out, they stayed here and slept on mattresses on the floor. They had nearly four dozen of them, twin size.

  Maia grabbed one off the pile and dragged it across the floor to the corner of the room. She put the sheets on the mattress, tossed a pillow, and small blanket on top then moved on to the next one. She laid out as many as she could until the floor was covered with only room to walk in between them. Because it got colder at night, they slept only in the rooms with working fireplaces. In addition to the living area downstairs, two bedrooms upstairs had a shared fireplace. That’s where they slept. It worked best to put as many as possible in one room, and the fire and body heat tended to keep the room warmer than it would otherwise.

  She grabbed her basket and opened the door to the next room. Tye was sitting in the same spot they’d been in earlier when they talked about Sadie. He smiled when she walked in and continued writing on his notepad. “Are the kids close by?” he asked.

  “They’re downstairs with Charlie and Danny. They’re building little camps for the model table. They're all right.”

  He realized she was setting out all of the mattresses and putting the linens on. “You want some help?”

  “I’m good. You can finish what you’re doing.”

  He replied, “I’m trying to take a break actually.” He walked over and grabbed a mattress off the pile and set it in the opposite corner of the room. “Use these sheets?”

  “Yeah,” she said as she fumbled with the second corner of the mattress trying to put the fitted sheet on it. She saw that Tye was deep in thought. He was going through the motions, but he wasn’t present. He had that deer in the headlights look like he had before his fight with Jason.

  They set up the last mattress together then she sat down on top of it and asked him to sit by her. “Can we talk about it?”

  “About what?” he asked.

  “Whatever it is that’s on your mind.”

  “I don’t know. I’m trying to settle it in my head that this is real. This isn’t like the stuff we’ve dealt with before. There was no time to think. We just did what we had to do. This…we’re planning this, knowing people are gonna die. It’s a lot to take in, that’s all.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Surprisingly, the route to the boat was uneventful. The men saw one of the camps from a distance, but there was little activity. They even saw several camps of ordinary people along the way. They wanted to warn them but knew if they did it would cause chaos, and their plans would backfire. Still, it was eerily quiet. They hoped it would remain that way long enough for them to get their people and supplies back to the plantation.

  They reached the landing which used to be the off-ramp for the interstate. Rodney fetched the boat. They were kept hidden in various places. They rode for forty minutes through flooded neighborhoods and shopping centers. They went forward, left, right, left, back, right and forward again. Caleb could hardly comprehend the work that went into securing the place. It was an intricate maze. If you didn’t know where you were going, you would easily get lost.

  The boat cleared a line of trees, and there she was. A single road with houses lining each side. The elevation increased on that one road which made it look like a ramp coming out of the floodwaters. As far as they could see from left to right and behind them was nothing but water.

  When they finally reached Amitola, they climbed
out of the boats and took a look around. It was dry, but it didn’t appear to be anything special, and yet, Caleb couldn’t shake the feeling that it was. Somehow this part of the old town escaped destruction when everything that surrounded it hadn’t. This would be their new home. This was the place where they would put down roots.

  As they strolled through the rotten and broken remains of the once bustling town, Caleb's mind filled with anticipation. The faded glow of the sun-exposed remnants of life. Oak Place Lane was no more than an old blacktop subdivision road. Houses built in the late seventies and early eighties gallantly stood watch on each side. Cars and trucks were still in the driveways. Bikes and toys still littered the lawn. Curtains were open, and mailbox flags were still raised, but the overgrown grass and shrubbery gave way to the fact that no one was home.

  “No one lives in these houses anymore?” Caleb asked.

  Clarence cleared his throat. “No, a lot of them weren’t here when it started, or they left to go find loved ones. They never came back. Those that stayed, most of them died of starvation or got sick. We tried to help everyone we could, but a lot of people wouldn’t even answer their doors. We finally searched every house and buried the dead. We had quite a few suicides too. The people that survived moved closer to Main Street since it’s safer. We buried nearly a thousand people.”

  Several blocks later they reached the end of Oak Place Lane and took a left onto Baker Avenue. “For Sale” signs poked out of the grass and the bold colors of a childcare and learning center stood out among the old homes.

  Caleb laughed out loud at the election sign that read, “Hank 'T-Nuts' Campanella for Police Chief.” He pointed at it. “That’s the best thing I’ve seen in five months.”

  Clarence smirked. “Yeah, old T-Nuts, he was a good man; hell of a name though.”

  Caleb asked, “How many people are left here?”

  “One hundred and ninety-eight people. Well, two hundred three now.” He smiled.

  “And you run things?”

  “We all run things, but I believe these people look to me because I’m older and I’m sane. The other geezers out here belong in the looney bin, or they’re on their way out if you know what I mean.”

  Caleb looked around. “And this place is protected?”

  “For the most part. We have guards, and we’ve only had a couple of people sneak in until recently. We don’t know how the guys who took Mae and Aurora found them, but they were in the swamp, not in the new city lines.”

  They passed a huge Baptist Church and took a right on Main Street. “This is your street. I’m assuming you’ll be staying with Rodney, Maia and her boys. Am I right?”

  Caleb looked over at Rodney then back at Clarence. “That’s up to Maia and Rodney, but I hope so.”

  Clarence smiled at him. “You’ll be in the most secure building in the area. It’s our safe zone. There are five other women here along with seven kids sixteen or under: four boys, three girls. If anything were to happen, they all take refuge with Maia. I’m assuming you and your buddy are ready to defend them at all costs, right?”

  “Absolutely,” Caleb said. “I can’t believe that’s all the women and children that are left.”

  “A couple of weeks after Judgement Day the Guard came through and took most of the kids and women. Said it was temporary; for their protection. That’s when most of the folks left. They went to find them when they realized they weren’t coming back. There are a few more young women and kids with Maia, but that’s the jest of it. We already have men fighting over the women. We have to figure out how to deal with that.”

  Caleb narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. “Shouldn’t the women be allowed to be with who they want?”

  “That’s proving to be a problem too. Recently a woman decided she wanted two men. At first, the fools agreed to it, but now they can’t stop beating the hell out of each other.”

  Rodney let out a heavy sigh. “Let me guess. Cane, Sunny, and Travis?”

  “Yeah,” Clarence replied.

  “We saw that coming from a mile away. She tattooed the guy's name on her neck. You’d think her man would’ve asked questions then,” Rodney said.

  They passed De Store, the Dirty Clothesline laundromat, and the Munch Box which was once the local fried chicken joint. Cars still sat in the parking lot as though there were customers inside. It was as if time stood still.

  “Why are they fools for agreeing to share her?” Caleb asked. Clarence glanced over at him with wide-eyed wonder. Caleb held his hands up. “I’m just curious.”

  “Do you mind if I speak freely? Un-politically correct, Mr. Political Commentator?” Clarence replied.

  “Go for it. That’s what I encourage: free speech and all. I just like to play the devil's advocate.”

  “I’ve been around a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of things. I’ll tell you what I know. No matter how strong a partner or person a woman may be, the man will still see himself in a superior position. Not because he thinks she’s weaker or unable to care for herself, no sir. Most likely he knows she’s stronger in a lot of ways. He’ll believe himself to be superior because he’s spent his entire life with an innate need to protect and provide for those he loves. He’s willing to lay his life down for her and their family and that alone means he gets the final say in many decisions."

  Clarence took a sip of water from his canteen. "Now, if she’s smart, especially today, she’ll depend on him because she can’t do it by herself. Egotistical, cowardly savages won’t allow her to. When you add the second man to that equation, the woman becomes superior by default. She decides who does what and that leaves the men uneasy and at odds. They will always fight and vie for that dominant position, but they’ll both fail to realize that the person they’re fighting isn’t the one in control, so it will never end. It’s a messy situation.”

  “So, you’re saying it’s natural for a man to be dominant?”

  The older man spoke sincerely and with authority. “Not always, it’s a delicate thing. Women are dominant to men in many ways and vice versa, but the specifics we’re dealing with today require the dominance of a man protecting and providing. Men know women are far stronger than them in many areas depending on the couple, but some things are just nature taking its course. By nature, most men are stronger. By nature, most men will lay down their life for their family and community. By nature, most men provide and conquer. By nature, most men will seek to be the dominant partner whether they are aware of it or not. The dynamics of nature can’t be shaken. You have to work with nature for something like that to succeed. We aren’t there yet.”

  A low hum increased in intensity. They turned to find a motorcycle approaching. The driver slowed once he was beside them and a full-throated growl erupted as he revved the engine. He put his feet down to balance the bike, and when Clarence motioned to him, he shut the engine off.

  Rodney raised a hand in his direction. “Caleb, this is Jay Morvant. Jay, this is Caleb Finnigan, a friend of Maia’s.”

  Jay removed his helmet and sized up the stranger. Caleb reached out to shake his hand, but Jay ignored him and turned his attention to Rodney. “Where is she? Where the hell has she been?”

  “To hell and back but they made sure she was safe. Now she’s at the booby bungalow across the swamp.”

  Caleb tried once more to shake his hand. This time Jay obliged him. “It’s nice to meet you.” Jay stared, confused as to who this man was and why he was there.

  Clarence walked up to Jay and put his hand on his shoulder. “Would you get Adams and please ride over and tell Nunez to institute plan B, twenty men? Tell him Dumais is across the swamp and can’t leave, so he’s in charge. We’ll be gone a couple of hours, and we’d like all the men assembled and ready for when we get back. All the women and children need to be inside the Psych Hospital on lockdown until further notice.” Clarence gave him a stern look. “And Jay, this isn’t a drill. Hurry, and you and Adams meet us in front by the transport bus.
We need you both to come with us.” Jay wrinkled his forehead and scratched his nose before he put his helmet back on. He peeled out as he took off.

  A few minutes later they stood in front of a dense landscape of forestry that camouflaged the razor wire and twenty-foot stainless steel fencing. Rodney led them through the maze of trees and bushes revealing the massive hill the facility was built on. Caleb stopped and scratched his chin. “Huh, it’s baffling that you have no idea any of this is here just looking at it from the main road.”

  Clarence looked over at the younger man and smiled. “I think that was the point, don’t you?”

  They climbed to the top of the hill and approached the main gate. Rodney pushed the button and waited for the usual static response. “Beeep krrrrrrr, kssh…Ro—ey! Is th—krrrrrrr —a?” Rodney turned to the group, “We have to fix this.” He turned back and spoke directly into the camera’s microphone, “I’m three heavy. I’ll show them to you.” One by one he brought up Caleb and the crew to show them who would be coming into the compound.

  “Yes,” was the response that came back from the speaker. The fifteen-year-old on the other side was Lincoln. The people of Amitola affectionately referred to him as “the resident geek.” He had a love for old-school electronics and computers.

  They waited for a few minutes until a boy who was the size of a full-grown linebacker ran up to the gate. “This is Truck,” Rodney said.

  “What’s up?” Truck said as he went through the gate. “Did you find Maia?” he asked them.

  “Yeah, she’s safe. She’s at the house across the swamp,” Rodney said.

  With a look of relief sweeping across his baby face, Truck closed the gate behind them then pushed a button and waited. A light lit the keypad alerting them that Lincoln had okayed their entry. Rodney and Truck each put their codes in the main gate then placed their keys inside and turned them together. The gate clicked allowing them to walk into the tunnel of steel mesh. They continued the process to get them through several gates until they’d reached the central area in the back.