by Pamela Davis
"Oh," Zack said darkly. "Margaret."
Maria was looking blearily at the mayor and asked, "Why do you say 'they' are calling it the Samuels' house? Aren't we a part of 'them' now? You sound like you're keeping us separate from them. I know we've only been here for less than twenty-four hours, but this is going to be our new home."
Dusty glanced from one to the other of them and sighed. "Ah, such naiveté. Listen up, we may not be staying here. When that fellow Black came by to let me know we were wanted at the Samuels' house, it wasn't a request. It was a command. I'm not sure just what our fate will be this morning. We may not be allowed to stay here."
Zack frowned. "What? Why wouldn't they let us stay--oh. Margaret. We brought her here into their nice safe little, well, safe zone. And suddenly people and animals are dying, wounded, damage done to the Power Station, oh, shit. They may not want us here at all."
Maria groaned. From what she'd seen of Cape Fair, of the inhabitants, she felt this was a place she could settle down, a place to start over. The thought of leaving, of going back out into the chaos of the rest of the world was utterly frightening.
Phoebe and Alan walked in with bottles of juice. Alan said, "I found a machine with drinks, but no real food. This will have to do."
As the mayor caught Phoebe and Alan up on the discussion, Phoebe's face fell.
"I want to stay here," she said firmly. "I'm tired of running from one place to another. And," she paused and then continued in a slightly shakier voice, "things are much cleaner here than anywhere we've been in a long time."
Alan patted her on the shoulder and said, "I agree, this is where we should stay. Do you really think they'll kick us out, Dusty?"
She shrugged and said, "I don't know. I think they might, but the fact that they summoned us there so early today--something is going on, that's for sure."
A knock on the door was followed by the sight of a woman, short, curly hair and a cute friendly face--and wearing a shoulder holster which contained a gun. No hiding it, Dusty saw.
"Hey guys, my name is Rachel and I'm part of Cape Fair Security. I've got a car outside to run you up to the Samuels' house," the young woman told them.
Phoebe asked in a trembling voice, "Are we under arrest?"
Rachel looked startled. "Arrest? I'm not sure yet how I'd go about arresting someone, so no, you aren't. John just told me to get you there pronto. Now if my big brother wanted you under arrest, I'm sure he would have sent Black along to help me out."
It was the mayor's turn to look surprised. "Your brother is the leader we met yesterday? John?"
Rachel grinned. "Oh, yeah, that's him. He's a good guy even if he does drive me crazy. So, no arrest, okay?" she asked, turning to Phoebe.
Phoebe nodded, relief spreading over her face.
As they walked out of the hospital, Rachel said in an amused voice. "Although, we maybe could question John's judgment a bit. After all, a month ago I was in New York, working in advertising on a commercial for deodorant. Now I'm second-in-command of the police." She laughed and as they reached the SUV, patted the gun and said, "Guess it's good I know how to shoot this thing, huh?"
Zack chuckled a bit uneasily and said, "Uh...yeah."
The mayor just said, "I like the cowboy boots, Rachel."
The Samuels' House
In the large den, John sat at his desk in his leather chair. Next to him stood Samantha, hand resting lightly on Harry's head as he sat beside her. Jessica stood behind Samantha, watching the five people get settled on the couches. Mrs. Philpott and Perceval sat to one side. Out of the way, yet keenly observing.
"We need to discuss Margaret," John began. "Before we decide what to do with her, we want to know why you brought her here--especially if you knew how disturbed she was becoming. You, Zack, mentioned yesterday that she had gotten strange, and you, Maria, agreed with him."
Zack nodded. "Yes, we did know she'd gotten more and more out there. She and I were having arguments almost every day about what the dreams meant, what all the disasters meant. But we had no idea, none, that she would lose it like this."
"It was the whales," Mayor Dubois said firmly.
John, nonplussed, asked, "The whales?"
The mayor said, "When we went to see the whales, up in the Northwest, she communicated with them. Actually, Zack and even Alan did as well. Up until then, Zack had the dreams, but Alan didn't. After the whales, Alan got bits of the dreams. But anyway, it was after talking to the whales that she seemed to get so much more certain, so much more fanatical about her beliefs. I don't know what those damn whales told her, but up until then she was still into the idea of warning people, getting them out of harm's way. After that, she...changed."
Samantha waved a hand out to the side in negation. "No, no, the whales didn't make her that way. The whales tried to stop her. She was already going the wrong way. Thinking all mixed-up about what was going on. They told her she was wrong. Then--" She stopped looking frustrated at not completely understanding what she needed to convey. As she looked to Perceval for help, Maria spoke up.
"Oh, I get it," the reporter said. "They confronted her. She couldn't handle being wrong, so she just went even more strongly in the direction she wanted to go--she had to be right and the whales had to be wrong, because if she was wrong, then she'd have to ask herself if she could have done more to warn people. But how--how do you know what the whales told her, Samantha?"
Sam smiled at her. She liked the reporter and thought it was pretty cool she got to meet someone she'd seen on TV. She thought it would be fun to be on TV. Of course, maybe there wouldn't be any more TV.
"Do you know everything about TV?" she asked. "Like, could you and Zack put me on TV some day?"
"Samantha!" Jessica said, "I don't think now is the time--"
"Okay, Mommy. But it's just that I know about the whales like they know about TV. They know lots of stuff about how TV works without even thinking about it. 'Cause they worked there for years and years prob'ly. And I know lots of stuff without even thinking about it. I had heard the whales before when I started hearing all the different animals and stuff. And I knew something was upsetting the whales. Their voices were different for a while. But I didn't know know until finally when I talked to Margaret. Then I knew what they said to her. If I'd known ahead of time, I coulda maybe listened to them when they talked to her, but I didn't know very much about Margaret then, so I didn't know to listen. I just knew something upset the whales and that it was one of you who were coming here. If I'da just known...."
John said quietly, "Remember what Alex told you? You can't fix everything, kiddo, you just can't."
The mayor spoke up then, surprise in her voice. "You knew one of our group was trouble and you still let us in here? Why didn't you just refuse to let any of us into Cape Fair?"
"Oh, we couldn't do that, Mayor," Sam answered. "That woulda been prejudice and that's wrong. Mommy and Daddy told me that a long time ago."
Alan Beakman chuckled. "Glad to hear that."
The mayor looked shrewdly at John. "You knew some of this already, didn't you? From your daughter here, and from," she said, turning to Mrs. Philpott and Perceval, "from him." She pointed at the cat.
John nodded. "Yes, we did. But we wanted to hear you tell us, see what you'd say. We were pretty sure we wanted you to stay in Cape Fair, but I felt it would be good to meet and discuss the Margaret situation. And so now," he said decisively, leaning forward with palms on his knees, "we'd like to know what you'd do with Margaret. Specifically, we want to know your thoughts, Mayor."
"Ahh," she replied, thoughtfully. "If we were back in Texas and if it was a few decades ago, people would say string her up and be done with it. But I don't think you want this community to start off by executing someone, even if you may end up having to do that someday. No...and she can't stay here. Too dangerous. Only solution--get her away from Cape Fair. Get those security folks of yours--that man Black and your sister Rachel--and send them off with
Margaret. Take her as far as they reasonably can and dump her. She's all into being one with nature, well then, let her go do just that. Don't drop her near any people if you can help it. But like you said to your daughter just now--you can't fix everything. And then keep some kind of watch to be sure she doesn't try to come back here." The mayor leaned back in the couch and said, "There--did I pass?"
Phoebe asked in surprise, "Pass?"
The mayor chuckled as John exchanged glances with Jessica and Mrs. Philpott. "That, Phoebe, was a test of sorts. Actually, I think it was a job interview."
John smiled at the feisty woman. She was going to be an interesting addition. "Yes, of course, you're right. A test. And a job interview. You want the job?"
Dusty Dubois' eyes narrowed behind her steel-framed glasses. "Only if you remain as leader of the community. If you do, then yeah, I'm up for it. Granted, it's a lot smaller town than Houston was, but on the other hand I've never been mayor of a town after the end of the world. Should be a challenge."
Phoebe sagged with relief and leaned back with her eyes closed. Zack and Maria just looked at each other and grinned as it sunk in they'd be staying.
Alan Beakman whooped. "All right! Back in business."
The newly appointed Mayor of Cape Fair said, "I only need one thing--I want a damn cowboy hat again."
Samantha giggled.
The Rock
The tall trees whispered, leaves softly moving in the warm breeze. The sun shone down through the branches, shafts of light that sparkled on the bits of quartz in the large rock in the center of the circle. Around the rock, a circle of humans and animals was forming. As they approached, Mrs. Philpott read from Perceval's laptop, while he perched on a tree stump next to her. She called out the names solemnly.
"John Samuels--The Leader."
The serious mood was lightened momentarily as they all heard Sam saying, "Hey, Daddy, just like in the movie on the scifi channel--when the aliens land and say take me to your Leader, we'll know who to take them to. Cool."
He looked stunned and said, "Aliens?"
His daughter laughed. "Just kidding, Daddy."
Mrs. Philpott continued. "Jessica Samuels--The Guardian." Jessica walked forward to stand near John, reaching out a hand to pat the rock in welcome.
"Black--The Protector." Black walked forward with White perched on his shoulder.
"Alexandra Hobson--The Advisor." Alex stepped forward, twitching her long braid over her shoulder.
"Dusty Dubois--The Mayor." Dusty straightened her shoulders and marched up to the rock.
"Rachel Samuels--The Huntress." Everyone stirred at that unexpected title. Rachel blushed and looked like she felt they had the wrong person. Perceval meowed commandingly at her and she moved to the rock.
"Mark Shapiro--The Doctor." Mark tiredly brushed a lock of black hair out of his eyes as he came forward. Exhausted, yet well content with his patient's recovery, he'd raced over here in Alex's car.
"Gracie Samuels--The Farmer." Gracie was dressed in her city clothes for the occasion and muttered, "Honestly, this Chanel suit doesn't really fit with that title."
"Nathan Ames--The Bard." There was a stir as that announcement was made. Nathan, guitar strapped against his back, just grinned widely and walked up to the rock.
"Lisanne Locklin--The Mathematician." Lisanne walked carefully forward, holding Merlin tenderly.
Sam's voice was heard again, asking, "Does this mean I gotta learn math after all?"
Mrs. Philpott cleared her throat warningly.
"Harmony Gold--The Helper." Harmony practically skipped up to the rock, dozens of tiny flowers woven through her long curls and braids that cascaded down her back.
"Janine--The Horsewoman." Janine rode forward on Feathers, and then jumped lightly off and stood proudly by the horse's side.
"Clayton Ames--The Animal Doctor." Clay walked with bowed shoulders up to the rock. Jessica reached out a hand to him, and he grasped it like a lifeline. A hushed kind of quiet fell over the group.
"Maria Santiago and Zack Tyler--The Recorders." Maria looked startled, and then pleased at her new appellation. Sounded like some reporting was still going to be necessary after all, she thought. Zack was busily filming this gathering at the rock with the camera he had lugged all across the country. It might never be seen, but this should be recorded, Mrs. Philpott had told him earlier.
"Cap'n Joe--The Fisherman." Mutt followed behind Cap'n Joe as he stomped up to the circle around the rock. "Dunno why you need me here for this. The bass are biting something fierce this morning."
Mrs. Philpott just stared at him and he shrugged and took the cap off his head.
"Sergeant Milton Wachowski--The Engineer." As he stumped forward, cigar stuck in the corner of his mouth, the man said gruffly, "There'll be no calling me by the name of Milton after this or I'll have someone's head. Just call me Sarge like the damn cat does. And can we hurry this along? Tommy's got his hands full up at the Power Station."
Mrs. Philpott looked at him and he harrumphed and moved the unlit cigar to the other side of his mouth.
She closed the laptop and said, "The one who couldn't be with us today is Andy Jordan--The Weatherman and, of course, Waldo. That's the end of Perceval's list." She didn't add the words, 'for now' since she knew that would only bring up questions she didn't want to answer. No need to discuss Max as the Soldier just yet. Or the future roles of the newcomers, Emma and Hank. After all, Perceval could only see so far ahead...and they were only possibilities at this point.
Samantha waved her hand in the air, saying, "Hey! Mrs. Philpott you didn't tell them who you are."
Mrs. Philpott looked a little flustered for the first time that day. "All right, all right. I don't agree with the title but Perceval insists. I'm a scientist...but he says I'm...The Wizard."
Jessica smiled broadly. "I told you so."
Mrs. Philpott said in a low voice, "I blame you for this, Jessica."
Samantha walked forward to the rock and John lifted her up to sit in the center of it. Harry jumped up and sat next to the little girl who sat straight-backed and cross-legged.
John nodded to Black, who pulled out his radio and said into the microphone, "Okay, bring her in."
They all turned to watch as Max led Margaret into the circle up to the rock. Hands cuffed in front of her, she still stood very tall and straight, with tangled hair blowing around her face as the breeze picked up. Her emerald gaze as it fell on Samantha was venomous.
"What is this?" she demanded. "Some sort of tribunal? A trial? Am I to be burned at the stake for my beliefs? Or just given a bullet in the head?"
Harry barked loudly at her.
Mayor Dubois sighed loudly and said, "Shut up, Margaret, just shut up."
John read from a document hastily drawn up an hour before. "We, the Council of Cape Fair, have determined that you are a danger to our community. Therefore, Margaret Larson, you are shunned from this town, county, and region for all time. You will not be allowed to return here. If you try to return, you will be executed."
"And just how are you going to stop me from living nearby?" she asked derisively.
Samantha spoke in a clear voice, "Many will be watching for you, Margaret. The birds, the trees, the deer, the elk, the bears, the raccoons, the beavers, the voles, the field mice--the Earth itself, Margaret, will be watching. Don't try to come back--ever. We know you can still do some things, talk to some animals, but you can't get into our minds now like you could before. And just to be certain of that--" Sam motioned to Max, who pushed Margaret forward until she was standing right up against the rock. He placed her hands on top of the rough surface as Sam and Perceval had instructed earlier.
Then the trees felt it begin, a swift braiding of energy, emanating from the rock, spreading among the circle of people and animals standing there. Samantha was the link, the conduit, but the rock controlled what happened next. As the braid of dark light touched Margaret, they all felt a sharp shearing of co
nnections within the woman, who cried out. And just that quickly it was over.
Margaret stood shuddering and stared at Samantha who sat calmly on the rock. A beaming ray of light shone through the trees to gleam off the child's golden blonde hair.
"What have you done to me?" Margaret gasped.
"Made it so you can't do the mind pressing thing ever again," Sam replied. "You can't make people do stuff anymore." She paused and then said earnestly, "It's not too late for you, Margaret. You can change. The Earth really does love all of us, you know. We're all a part of each other. You can stop hating and being so mad but," she continued sadly, "I don't think you will."
Margaret just glared at the little girl, and then was marched away by Max.
As the circle broke up, Janine said, "Hey, what's Sam called? Doesn't she have a title or whatever, like the rest of us?"
Sam giggled and said, "Haven't you figured that out yet?" Then she jumped down from the rock and ran back to the house, laughter floating on the wind, Harry at her side.
Power People's Home, Table Rock Lake
Lisanne looked up from the telescope's eyepiece and gazed off into the distance.
Merlin meowed.
"What? Oh, sorry. You were right, there is something. Mars. Mars is...changing. The colors, the contours--I don't think we will be able to call it the Red Planet for much longer. I swear I'm seeing green, patches of green. You know what this means?"
Merlin growled at her.
"Okay, okay, I'll get on with it. I think it means everything that happened here, to us, is bigger than we thought. Like way bigger. I think maybe it's not just the planet that is conscious. I think maybe the whole damn cosmos is awake." She laughed. "Oh Merlin, what a time to be alive!"
Chapter 25
Salmon Creek, Idaho
"You want to know how we're doing here? Well, now, haven't I just been telling you? We're doing fine here. It's a different kind of life, that's for sure. Lots of hard work, but lots of good things too. We got them animal talkers here, that's what you called them, right? Not many, but some. We just usually call 'em cat people or dog people. Only been cats and dogs that folks here have been talking to. You say you got horses and other animals that talk where you are? Well, ain't that something. After the disasters were over--well, as far as we knew they were over--they were over for us anyway, 'cause we had no more television or radio to tell us if anything else happened. After that, we got down to the business of growing food, learning how to survive the cold winters here. Me? Oh, I became a fisherman. They don't call this Salmon Creek for nothing, you know. The dreamers--yeah we call 'em dreamers here, too. My Gladys is one, you know. Right proud of her I am too. And she's darn useful to me, sometimes gettin' dreams about the best fishing spots. Guess you know they don't have special dreams all the time, no, siree, they don't. But when they do, we all sit up and take notice. I figure it's like a trade-off. We lost lots of stuff we used to have, some of it stuff we wish we still had, some of it, like the government, stuff we were just as glad to see go. But we got new things, good things--like the dreamers and animal talkers. And...we got to live. All in all, not a bad life. I'm sure glad to hear there's others like us out there. Your Cape Fair sounds like a decent place to live. And you say you're gonna put all this stuff I've been telling you into a song? To teach history? Well, that's somethin' all right, it surely is. Right nice talkin' to you, Nathan. And you say they call you a bard, is it? A bard, don't that beat all. Hey--you just be sure to put my story in a song with a catchy beat. 'Cause it's not a sad story, not at all. It's lively, downright lively."