Reentry

by Heather Carson

  A tall man with auburn hair shaved close to his head and a blunt mustache came over with the group of replacement guards. He looked young, Katrina thought. And familiar. The man glanced briefly at Katrina and then turned his face forward again as he went walking by.

  The moment their eyes met a hundred memories came rushing to her. Sitting in her dad’s office, waiting for him to get done with a meeting. A young Marine at the front desk. Rock or Stone or Boulder. Corporal Boulder. He was a wounded war veteran, highly decorated, on a light duty assignment.

  Two years he had been there. Waiting for her dad to give him an order. Taking messages, making calls. When she had gotten hurt in P.E. she talked to him on the phone. He had run into the meeting to pull her dad out so that he could come pick her up from school. Katrina felt sick to her stomach. She turned and vomited on the ground.

  “Is this really happening?” General Edwards looked at her in disgust. “I guess it isn’t babysitting duty without the tantrums and the throw up.”

  “That’s Sgt. Major Floyd’s daughter,” Lt. Bayer said.

  “You don’t say?” The general rubbed his chin. “You’d figure she’d have a stronger gut.”

  Bayer laughed. “That’s what I thought too.”

  Katrina stared at Mia and said nothing back to the men.

  “Alright kids,” General Edwards said. “Here are the new rules. You have lost all your privileges. No more movies, no more free time. Bed time is now 20:00 hours. No more meetings or gatherings in secret. There will be guards stationed down in the shelter twenty four hours a day. One will be posted outside each door to the rooms. Life is about to get a whole lot harder until you can prove to me that you can earn back my trust. Cut them free and get them back down there,” he directed the men.

  *

  Mia crawled into her bed sobbing. Katrina walked over and awkwardly put her hand on Mia’s hair.

  “It’s going to be alright.” Katrina patted the girl’s head. “We will find a way to get her back.”

  “How?” Mia choked out the word between broken sounds. “Your plans suck. How will we get her back?”

  “Shhh,” Katrina soothed as a guard crossed their room to stand by the tunnel door. “It’ll be okay.”

  Mia cried herself to sleep and Katrina crawled into her bed exhausted from the night’s events. She turned her head trying to get comfortable on the pillow and heard James tapping softly on the metal frame. He reached his hand up the side of the bed and Katrina leaned over to weave her fingers through his. She squeezed his hand and laid there in the dark with their fingers interlaced.

  *

  Katrina coaxed Mia out of bed the next morning and got her to the lesson. The guard outside the door escorted all of Room 3 to the common room. Dr. C’s eyes were puffy and red, but she carried on with the lecture. Mia sat quietly in front of Katrina. Becca slid over next to them.

  “We were so close,” Becca whispered looking straight ahead. “I can’t believe how close we were.”

  “I’m sorry,” Katrina whispered back. She stared down at Mia’s slouching shoulders. “I wish I would have made us wait or something.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Becca sighed. “How could you have known? We will try again.”

  Katrina said nothing as she looked at Mia’s back.

  “You girls,” a guard snapped from the side of the bleachers, “separate now.” Becca put her hands up and scooted away from Katrina. Dr. C kept talking.

  Chapter 24

  Outside privileges had been revoked. The guards ran the kids in circles around the common room until Katrina’s heart wanted to jump out of her chest. She stayed by Mia’s side through the run. James and Jayden kept right behind them. When Mia slowed down around a turn, a guard yelled at her to go faster. Mia glared at the man as she took off at full speed leaving Katrina, James, and Jayden to catch up.

  More guards came down after the exercise session and stood inspecting the kids as they cleaned the entire shelter from top to bottom. By the time the dinner packets arrived, Katrina was a new level of exhausted. She fell onto the floor beside James and devoured her entire meal.

  Mia barely touched her food. Jayden sat with her and kept encouraging her to eat. After dinner, General Edwards had all the kids gather in the common room.

  “This is what every day will look like until I feel you all have learned your lesson. The minute one of you steps out of line, we start back over from the beginning.” Katrina looked over to see Willow staring at her. She gave her a small smile and Willow turned back to face the general. “I expect you all to show your gratitude for this world we are working so hard to build for you.”

  *

  When the fluorescent lights came on in the morning the guards switched duty with new ones. Katrina watched in disgust as Corporal Boulder took his post by the tunnel door.

  “What are you even doing here?” she asked him as she pulled the breakfast packs out from the cabinet. “How could you betray your country like this? And where is my dad?” She slammed the cabinet shut.

  Cpl. Boulder looked straight ahead with a peculiar smile playing on his face. “Hurry up and eat, kid. You don’t want to be late,” he said.

  “Are you kidding me?” Katrina threw the food packets on the floor. “You don’t even have the decency to answer me.”

  “Do we have a problem?” The guard by the exit put his hand on his rifle.

  Ethan hobbled over to pick up the food packs as James pulled Katrina to their bunk.

  “No problem sir,” James smiled. “She just gets crabby when she is hungry.”

  “Well eat. Then get moving.” The guard relaxed his hand.

  “What’s the matter with you?” James whispered as he opened a packet and handed it to her.

  Katrina bit her bottom lip. “I know that guy,” she whispered. “He worked for my dad.”

  James looked to Cpl. Boulder and then back to her. “Does he still work for your dad?” Katrina shrugged.

  “Eat,” the second guard snapped. “You are going to be late.”

  *

  They finished breakfast and started walking down the hall. Cpl. Boulder was escorting them, but he stopped halfway through the tunnel and pulled Katrina back. “Keep moving,” he directed the others. James hesitated but Katrina nodded to him, so he kept walking.

  “Don’t do anything stupid and don’t say anything stupid,” Cpl. Boulder whispered. Katrina turned to glare at him but stayed silent. “Your dad sent me here to get you out.”

  Katrina’s heart skipped a beat. “Is he… okay?” she stuttered.

  Cpl. Boulder’s lip raised. “Of course he is okay. Did you think he wouldn’t be?”

  “I don’t know what to think anymore,” she said as she crossed her arms.

  “Well don’t think then,” Boulder said as he started walking.

  “Wait,” Katrina held him back. “Tell me why. Why are you guys shooting civilians? Why did you turn against your country? How could you do it?”

  Cpl. Boulder chuckled. “You’ve got that all wrong.”

  “Enlighten me then.”

  “Your dad has been trying to warn us all along. No one listened to him. It’s too late now.”

  “So now you are just following orders?” Katrina rolled her eyes.

  “There is more to the story than you know, and I don’t have time to explain it all right now,” Cpl. Boulder sighed. “Just be ready to go when I tell you.”

  Katrina watched as Jayden put his arm around Mia to protectively guide her into the common room. James looked back to her just as he was exiting the tunnel. She smiled at him. “I’m not leaving without them.”

  “I said don’t be stupid.” Boulder grabbed her good shoulder. “Those aren’t the orders I was given.”

  Katrina pushed his hand away. “I don’t care what your orders are. I don’t leave without my friends. You’ll have to find a way to make that happen if you want me to go.” They were nearing the end of the hall.

&nb
sp; “And what am I supposed to tell your dad?”

  “Tell him that I fell in love.” Katrina’s lip curled into a half smile.

  “I did tell you not to say anything stupid.” Boulder ran his hand over his face. Katrina laughed as she walked out of the tunnel and went to sit with the rest of Room 3.

  *

  The same recording as the previous two days played on the screen. Dr. C wasn’t there for the class that morning. In her place, an elderly man with large ears and a long chin stood uncomfortably in front of the bleachers. Ethan was allowed to skip gentleman class while his ribs healed so he sat with the health class.

  The man cleared his throat. “Good morning students, I am Mr. Wilkson. Today we are going to cover infant CPR. This is important so pay attention.”

  Ethan raised his hand. “I have a question. Why don’t we learn survival anymore?”

  Mr. Wilkson chuckled. “Well son, you won’t need it. That was just a precaution put in place by a very influential man. There was no telling the damage all those nuclear explosions would do so he wanted you to be prepared in case you would be all alone. Turns out, you don’t need it. We are here to guide you and protect you now. As long as you play by the rules you won’t have to worry about anything.”

  “I have another question.” Mia raised her hand. “Where is Dr. C? Why isn’t she here teaching us?”

  The vein on Mr. Wilkson’s neck bulged. “She was deemed unfit to guide you,” he said. “Let’s begin.”

  “Wait.” Mia sat up straighter. “Where is she?”

  Lark sighed loudly from across the bleachers as he turned to face Mia. “How about you let Mr. Wilkson get on with teaching the class, princess?”

  Mia started to stand up and Katrina pulled her back down to sitting. “Look straight ahead,” she whispered into Mia’s ear. “Don’t respond.”

  Lt. Bayer came walking over to the bleachers. “Is there a problem here?” he asked.

  Lark smiled. “Why don’t you ask Room 3?”

  “Ah. My wayward children,” Lt. Bayer said as he walked over to Katrina. “Not causing any trouble, I hope. We can always go see General Edwards if you like.” His teeth reflected the harsh lights as he stared into Katrina’s eyes.

  She lowered her head. “Nope. No problem here,” she whispered. James tensed beside her, but she pressed her leg against his until she felt him relax, long after Lt. Bayer walked away.

  Chapter 25

  Ethan laid in bed with a headache during dinner. When General Edward called them to the common room before bedtime, Ethan was already asleep.

  Mia climbed into her bunk. “I’m not going. I don’t feel good either.” She pulled the blanket over her head.

  “Mia,” Jayden said pulling the blanket back. “We need to keep playing by the rules for a while. You can do this.”

  Katrina walked up beside him. “Come on sweetheart. This won’t take long hopefully.”

  Cpl. Boulder yelled over to the guard by the exit. “Daniels escort these boys to the common room. I’m going to get the doctor.”

  The young guard jumped up and ran over to the door. “Let’s go,” he shouted to James and Jayden.

  Katrina looked at Cpl. Boulder as he walked away from the door. “She is fine. She just doesn’t want to go.”

  “You look sick too kid,” Cpl. Boulder stared at her. “Better get into bed.” James looked back to Katrina as Daniels pushed him and Jayden out of the room.

  Katrina turned to Cpl. Boulder in confusion and then her heart started to pound as his actions began to make sense. “Not without them,” she whispered. “All of them or I don’t go.”

  “Listen,” Cpl. Boulder pulled her to the exit. “I radioed your dad earlier. He said the girl comes too. That’s all I can do.” He stopped by the door. “Mia,” he called. “Come with us to see the doctor.”

  Mia climbed down from her bunk. “I’m not really sick,” her voice trailed off as she saw the look on Boulder’s face.

  Katrina stood her ground. “Fine then. Take Mia somewhere safe. Take her to my dad. But I’m not leaving without the rest of my roommates.”

  Cpl. Boulder groaned as he stared at Katrina. “Ethan, get up,” he yelled.

  “I’m already up.” Ethan turned to face them with bloodshot eyes. “Go without me.”

  “You’ll be okay buddy,” Katrina reassured him. “We are going somewhere safe.”

  “I’m sure it is safe.” Ethan put his hand over his eyes. “But I can’t leave. Willow is here. She needs me.”

  Katrina’s voice caught in her throat and she coughed to clear it. “I’m going to find a way to get the rest of you out.”

  “I know you will, but for now get Mia out of here.” He turned his face back toward the wall. Cpl. Boulder pushed Mia and Katrina up the dirt steps.

  “I’m serious.” Katrina pushed herself against the wall of earth. “I’m not leaving without James and Jayden.”

  “I know,” Cpl. Boulder said pushing her up the next step. “I heard you. First let me get you to the truck and I’ll figure out the rest.”

  Katrina inhaled deeply as she stepped onto the surface and away from the tunnel. The red sun was starting to set behind the mountains in the west. Grey streaks of fog still filled the sky but blue, the weakest shades of blue, began to filter through. Night would be here soon, Katrina smiled to herself. Another day would come and another gust of wind and another moment for the earth to heal.

  “Where are you taking those kids?” A soldier called from under the tent.

  “To medical, Sergeant.” Cpl. Boulder snapped to attention. “They are coming down with something.”

  “Get moving then Corporal. We’ve got to take care of our livestock.” The sergeant laughed as he walked away. Boulder pushed the girls further into the tent behind a screened off room.

  “This isn’t the plan,” Boulder whispered to Katrina. “Just play along. We are improvising.” Mia grabbed Katrina’s hand as they stepped into the medical section.

  The doctor was a tall, thin man with strawberry blond hair. His arms and face were dotted with freckles. He stood hunched over and leaned against a table with his arms crossed. Dr. C was sitting in the chair talking with him. Her eyes lit up when she saw Mia and Katrina enter.

  “What is going on Corporal?” The doctor addressed Boulder.

  Katrina stepped forward. “We don’t feel so hot.”

  “Well let me take a look at you,” the doctor said taking his stethoscope off his neck.

  “Um, actually,” Mia said while eyeing the device. “It’s more along the line of girl problems.” The doctor flushed as he turned to Dr. C. She covered a giggle with a cough as she stood up.

  “Why don’t you let me handle this one John?” Dr. C nodded toward the door. John began to walk out and motioned for Boulder to follow.

  “One second doc,” he said, and John quickly left the room.

  “Go get them,” Katrina said to Boulder. His jaw dropped open as he looked to Dr. C and then back to Katrina. “We can trust her.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Now please find a way to get James and Jayden out.” Boulder sighed as he ran out of the tent.

  “What’s going on if you don’t mind me asking?” Dr. C guided Mia and Katrina to sit on the patient bed.

  “I just don’t feel good.” Mia glared at her. “This place sucks and I want my sister back.”

  “You poor sweethearts.” She went to grab them each a water bottle. “I am so sorry that you have to go through this.” When Dr. C turned to the light, Katrina saw the bruise on her cheek that she had tried to hide with makeup.

  “What did they do to you?” Katrina asked as she took the bottle.

  Dr. C’s hand fluttered to her face. “Oh. Nothing. Please don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” She smiled at the girls.

  Katrina shook her head. “None of this is fine. Why is this even happening?”

  “I don’t know honey. None of this is what was supposed to happen. They called us
all up, all the active duty military, right before the bombs went off. We should have known that they knew about it. How else could they have planned this far in advance? Except, the orders didn’t seem right. We hunkered down the first two days and then we were given MOPP suits to withstand the radiation. They mobilized us shortly after, sending various units out on missions. I was sent to a holding facility in Fallon, Nevada to provide medical care to patients that never came.”

  Katrina nodded. “We were there. They kept us for a few days when we got captured on the mountain. A woman with a high bun was nice to us, the colonel not so much.”

  “That was probably Vivian. Colonel Adams is a little rough. The food there was just awful wasn’t it?” Dr. C put her hand on her mouth.

  Katrina smiled. “It wasn’t so bad. We each got an apple.”

  “An apple sounds delicious right now.” Dr. C returned her smile. “Anyway. Sometime in the second week they took away our uniforms and replaced them with these green jumpsuits. Then they took down the flags. I should have known then, but it was all so confusing. We couldn’t call anyone, and we had no news. Three weeks in there was a rumor that military members were deserting because they didn’t want to follow orders. They were being told to wipe out the survivors. To go into the bunkers and get rid of those who lived.”

  Tears began to roll down Dr. C’s cheeks. “That day they told me I was being reassigned to Project Dandelion. They said you kids were the hope for the new world and that you needed us here to protect you. I was happy to come, but now… Now I don’t know what to think.” Mia had pulled her knees to her chest and stared through Dr. C with a vacant look in her eyes.

  Katrina took Dr. C’s hand in her own. “We are getting out,” she whispered. “The corporal is going back for Jayden and James and then we are getting out of here. Will you help us?”

  Dr. C dried her tears with the corner of her sleeve and then tilted her chin up. “I don’t know what I can do but I will do whatever you need me to do.”

  Katrina hugged her. “Right now, we just need to sit here and wait.”