Paradise

by Michael R. Watson

  She signed and handed it back.

  Damon folded it, stuffing it back inside his coat pocket, then abruptly stood. “Thank you, Mrs. Thomas. It’s been a genuine pleasure. Mr. Grey’s duties will begin immediately.” He abruptly headed straight for the tent flap and was gone.

  Sarah went to the flap and peered out, wanting to see Grey’s reaction. Damon appeared to be explaining the terms of the agreement to Mr. Grey. He responded by kicking at the dirt and shouting a string of obscenities as he stepped up close to Damon, nose-to-nose. One of the guards quickly stepped in and pushed him back. It was curious to Sarah how Damon never seemed to show any anger, always in control.

  As Damon left with his escort, Grey found a wooden box and situated it near the tent entrance and sat down in a position to keep watch as intended, continuing to mumble to himself, grabbing a rock up off the ground and throwing it nowhere in particular. Sarah could only speculate that Mr. Grey must have expected to move in and make himself at home. The conditions as explained to him must have come as quite an awakening.

  * * *

  Chapter 7

  I attempted to start a conversation with Levi several times the first day, but all I received in return were grunts or one-word responses. I didn’t know if he was just trying to be the strong silent type or if he had something against me. Maybe I just rubbed him the wrong way or maybe it was because he didn’t like the idea of being forced to accompany me. Even though I had tried to be as subtle as possible, I hadn’t been able to learn which, if either, was the case. Perhaps both applied.

  His silence was making the trip drag on endlessly. I was looking forward to when we would stop to rest and water the horse. Anything would help to break up the monotony.

  As we continued to the northeast, our line of direction didn’t seem to vary much at all. I noticed we were following the well-worn impression of wagon tracks in what appeared to be a straight line as far as I could see. Occasionally, we would cross the crumbled remains of what had once been an asphalt road, now overgrown with weeds, a reminder of earlier days.

  “I see you’ve been this way before,” I mentioned, hoping once again for more than a one-word response. He gave no comment at all.

  “Am I right?” I persisted.

  “Yeah,” he replied.

  “How often do you make this trip?” I continued. From what Samuel had told me, I already knew they came this way every six months to pick up supplies for the town. Then, learning about the disposal drop-offs from Ryder, they had attempted to coincide their trips with those times.

  Levi shrugged.

  I knew he knew the answer. Evidently, he didn’t want to talk and avoided it by playing dumb. I wondered if this was the route they usually took to Sector 4, which led to another question.

  “You’ve been to Sector 4 before, haven’t you?” I asked, already knowing the answer to that question too.

  I finally got a response. He looked at me like I was crazy. “Yeah, why else would I be taking you?” he snapped.

  I almost preferred he stay silent, which was exactly what I got as he once again fell silent.

  He wasn’t volunteering any additional information. My frustration could have been compared to a dentist trying to pull teeth when a patient refused to open their mouth. I was getting nowhere.

  “I suppose you have contacts in Sector 4 that help you out?” I continued, not giving up.

  He turned his head slowly toward me with a deadpan expression. “Yeah.”

  It took a while, but I finally took the hint. He didn’t want to talk and nothing I did or said was going to change that. I sat back, willing to temporarily give him a break from my questions. But I wasn’t going to give up entirely. There were things I needed to know. There was too much at stake to go into this blindly. I refused to rely solely on this young man without the information I needed. At some point we would need to work together. Perhaps he’d be more willing to exchange information when we got there.

  On the third day we came across a less traveled trail that forked off to the west as the main trail continued straight ahead. We stayed on the course straight ahead. When I asked, Levi confirmed with a grunt that the other trail led toward the area where we had been left for disposal.

  * * *

  As we drew closer to Sector 4, I began to recognize the surrounding area. The landscape contained an increased spattering of old farmsteads, now abandoned and in ruin from the quakes and subsequent fires. It was hard not to wonder about the families that had lived there. Levi pulled back on the reins and stopped the wagon.

  “This is as far as I go,” he stated. “I’ll be over at that partially standing barn tomorrow at sunset. You’ll have approximately twenty-four hours. If you’re not back here by then, I’ll assume something has gone wrong and I’ll be heading back.”

  Those were the most words I’d ever heard him string together at one time.

  “Can’t we get a little closer?” I asked. “We’re still a ways out.”

  “No. This is near where I meet our contact with the supplies. And Dad was very clear about not taking any undue risks. I don’t have any papers and neither do you. If we were to be stopped, we’d be arrested.”

  I knew what was coming next. It had been covered in our outcast orientation. If anyone was unfortunate enough to make it back and was discovered, the penalty was death by execution. No appeals, no reprieve. And as a deterrent to others, the punishment would be dealt out swiftly during a public execution. To the best of my knowledge, it had never happened before, and I had no intention of being the first.

  I was still about a mile from my family by foot. I could almost smell Sarah’s hair.

  “I’ll be here, with my family,” I said as I jumped down.

  “You might need this,” he said, handing me a knife and scabbard.

  “Does Samuel know about this?” I asked. I didn’t see Samuel condoning its use.

  “No.”

  “You mentioned you had contacts here. Can I get in touch with them if I need to?”

  “No, it’s too risky. You’re on your own.” And that was all he had to say.

  I understood the need for secrecy, but not knowing who I could count on made me uncomfortable.

  I decided I wasn’t going to get any more out of him, so I nodded a thank you and started the walk toward Tent City. I was going in blind, but my desire to see my family far outweighed any of my concerns.

  “Good luck,” he called out and then headed the horse and wagon toward the barn.

  * * *

  “Mom,” said Cindy. “That man gives me the creeps.”

  “I know, honey. Me too.”

  “I can hear you in there!” shouted Mr. Grey, standing just outside the tent entrance.

  “I don’t care!” Cindy shouted back.

  Sarah couldn’t help smiling, but at the same time holding her finger to her lips.

  The tent flap was thrown back and Grey rushed in. He stopped just short of the two. “You should be showing me some gratitude and respect instead of constantly belittling me,” yelled Grey. “I’m out there every night giving you my protection.”

  “The only one we need protection from is you,” blurted Cindy.

  “You should leave now before I’m forced to report this to Counselor Damon,” said Sarah.

  He took a step back. “There’s no need for that. I’m not going to hurt you. I need this job.”

  For the first time, Sarah began to wonder if Grey was possibly in a similar situation as they were, being forced to comply with the governor’s manipulation.

  “What do you mean? Are you being forced to do this?” she asked.

  He didn’t admit it, avoiding the question all together. There was a noticeable change in his demeanor to one of timidness with downcast eyes. “I’ll be outside if you need me.” He ducked back out, pulling the flap closed behind him.

  “Mom,” whispered Cindy. “What was that all about?”

  “We may have been too critical of
Mr. Grey’s part in all this. What do you say we try to be a little nicer?”

  If you say so, I’ll try,” said Cindy. “But I’m not sure Chris will go along with it.”

  “I’ll talk to him. Let’s try to show Mr. Grey we do appreciate him. Can you take him a glass of water?”

  “Do I have to?”

  “I think he’d appreciate it.”

  “Okay. But I hope he doesn’t start to expect it.”

  Sarah was beginning to see Grey in a new light, but refused to drop her guard. She would remain cautious around him until she knew more about the dynamics behind their situation. For one thing, how far would Mr. Grey go to keep any negative reports from reaching the counselor’s office? Just from what he said and how he said it, he needed this job.

  * * *

  The prison and governor’s compound appeared in the distance on top of a hill overlooking Tent City. The anticipation was overwhelming, my pace quickening. Lights began to flicker into existence as the last sliver of the setting sun disappeared behind the horizon. The darkness would be to my advantage, but I would still have to be careful. The last thing I wanted was to be recognized and reported. I worked my way easily through the crude barrier of vehicles around the perimeter of Tent City. I stayed in the shadows whenever possible and kept my head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone. I heard my name called out once, but kept on the move, hoping the person would assume it had been a matter of mistaken identity. And why wouldn’t they. I was dead.

  It was almost completely dark now. Everyone should have been home from work by this time with meals being prepared over the open fires outside the entrance to their tents. The smell of the meals cooking made me realize I hadn’t eaten since morning. But food would have to wait.

  I was getting close now. I’d have to be especially cautious. My neighbors would be able to recognize me at a glance, if they could believe their eyes. And, even more importantly, I had my family to think of. It would come as quite a shock for them to see me unexpectedly alive. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to just throw back the entrance flap and step inside.

  When I was within sight of my family’s tent, I decided to watch for a while, waiting for the right moment when I could catch Sarah alone outside. Then, after she had gotten over the initial shock of seeing me alive, she could gently break the news to Cindy and Christopher. I knelt down behind the back edge of a nearby tent where I had a clear view. Immediately, I saw something I hadn’t expected. There was a man sitting just outside the entrance. Then, Sarah came outside, carrying a pot and setting it over the fire. She poured something into a cup and handed it to him. It seemed very cozy.

  How long had I been gone? I tried to remember. Two months? I hadn’t thought she’d replace me this quick. I hadn’t even considered it. I’d expected everything to go back to how it had been before. Maybe she won’t want to come back with me at all. Perhaps she’d already started a new life. I didn’t blame her, she had herself and a family to think about.

  * * *

  Grey saw a man not far from the tent. He could tell the man was looking them over, trying to be inconspicuous. He stood and took a couple of steps in his direction. His role, as he saw it, was more of a visual deterrent, a protector for appearances sake rather than one of actually having to do anything. But he needed the job and if it came to it, he knew he was expected by the counselor and the governor to do whatever it took to fulfill his contract. The man didn’t move.

  “Hey, you!” shouted Grey, taking two more steps.

  The man stood and began to walk toward him. Grey had a twinge of panic as he swallowed hard. He was going to be forced into action.

  Sarah stuck her head out of the tent. “Taylor, what’s wrong?” They had come to terms, both in a forced situation. Now, they were on a first name basis.

  “There may be trouble. You better stay inside,” he said, motioning for her to stay back.

  She saw the man coming, but the faint flickering light of the fire wasn’t bright enough to make out any of his features. Cindy pushed past. “What’s going on?”

  “Go back inside the tent!” Sarah said forcefully, sensing danger from Taylor’s reaction. Cindy saw the man striding directly toward them and darted back inside.

  “Hold it right there, mister,” instructed Grey.

  The man kept coming. Grey looked around quickly and picked up a stick of firewood the size of his arm. “I’m warning you. We don’t want any trouble. Just go away and leave us alone.”

  Sarah stood behind Grey, too curious to go inside. There was something familiar about the way the man walked. His features were becoming clearer the closer he came.

  * * *

  I stopped near the fire with its glow lighting my face.

  “John?!” Sarah murmured with disbelief. She looked harder.

  She burst into tears, running past Grey, throwing her arms around my neck.

  “What is this?” asked Grey, not understanding what was going on.

  Christopher and Cindy came out, wondering what all the commotion was about. Instantly, they broke into a beaming smile, running to their father and throwing their arms around him too.

  Grey felt out of place and uncomfortable. It didn’t take long for him to figure out who this man was. But how was that possible? He had been taken out to the wasteland. No one ever survived out there.

  Finally, Sarah released her grip and looked into my eyes, “John, how? We thought you were dead.”

  “I’ll explain everything, but right now we need to get inside,” I said, looking around. They had already drawn the attention of some of their neighbors. I could only hope they wouldn’t say anything and was thankful when they turned away, minding their own business. They all began to go inside, except Grey, who stood at the entrance, not sure if he should go in or not. Sarah noticed. “C’mon in, Taylor. It’s okay.”

  “I’m John, Sarah’s husband,” I said, introducing myself and offering my hand to Grey.

  “I figured as much,” said Grey, shaking my hand. “Shouldn’t you be dead?”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  “Yeah, I would.”

  “Boys!” said Sarah.

  We all sat on the ground in the front room of the tent, Cindy and Sarah at my sides.

  With me showing up, I could tell Grey’s mind was racing with questions.

  “John, this is Taylor Grey. He’s been helping out,” said Sarah.

  The first question entering my mind was “So, Taylor, what kind of things have you been helping out with?” Realizing after the words had left my mouth I may have sounded a bit like I was accusing him of something, which I was.

  “John,” said Sarah, recognizing jealousy in my question, answered for Grey. “Taylor is part of the governor’s program to keep an eye out for us, to protect us from any undesirables, after you were taken away.”

  “Then, I guess I owe you my gratitude,” I said, without an ounce of sincerity. “So, how long have you had this arrangement?”

  “First,” interceded Sarah, “I want to know what happened to you and how you are here.”

  “Yes, John. I’d like to know myself,” commented Taylor. This man could ruin his situation and security.

  “Daddy, are you going to stay with us?” asked Cindy, excited and smiling.

  “No, honey, I can’t stay here.” I wanted to tell my family everything, but I couldn’t let Grey hear what I had in mind. I was still confused about what all was included in his role and how much time he spent there. I had a bad feeling about him and had no reason to trust him.

  “Taylor,” I asked,” would you mind giving me a moment with my family?”

  His face flushed red, angry at being excluded. He looked at Sarah, who nodded that he probably should go. I thought it odd he would look to my wife for her approval. He quickly rose and stormed outside.

  “Tell me again, what is he doing here?” I asked.

  “Why John, are you jealous?” asked Sarah with a hint of a
smile, already knowing the answer.

  “Of course not, but why is he here?”

  “Just like I already said, he’s here to keep strangers away. It’s okay, we have an arrangement.”

  “I’ll bet you do.”

  “Now, John, you know better than that.”

  I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I know. Sorry.”

  “It was the governor’s idea. He provides a man to protect widows and their families and in return he takes a portion of our grain allotment.”

  “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “I had heard stories, but I didn’t believe them. Not until we were paid a visit by Counselor Damon in person, explaining everything.”

  “Couldn’t you refuse? Christopher is the man of the house now.”

  Christopher sat up straight, chest out, beaming with pride at the faith his dad had in him.

  “I tried, but we didn’t have a choice. If I refused, they were going to take Cindy and Christopher away from me.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. “They can’t do that!” I shouted. “And Taylor works for those people?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

  “The counselor would have done it,” Sarah said calmly. She paused to gather her thoughts.

  “It’s turned out alright,” she said. “Taylor has been a perfect gentleman. I’m afraid we gave him a pretty hard time at first. Since then, I’ve learned he was placed in a similar predicament to the one we were in, forced by the governor to go along.” She paused. “Now, it’s your turn. Did you escape from the wagon? I want to know everything.”

  Cindy and Christopher moved in closer, anxiously waiting for the details.

  “I’ll give you the short version,” I started. “We were taken out into the wasteland and dropped off, just as expected, after riding in the wagon for ten days. We started walking toward a low silhouette of high hills to the west. After two days of walking, with our supplies almost gone, we were rescued by two men who picked us up in a wagon. They took us further south into the wasteland and after two more days we came to a green and luscious valley where there were other people, young and old, and a town. They call it Paradise.”