Derek drops his fork and grips the table for support. Knuckles turn white as he starts to rise from his chair.
“It’s OK. The girl can ask anything she would like,” Red interjects, a piece of bread slurring her tongue.
“My name is Kelly.”
Red nods her head yes and rolls the end of her fork in the air. A signal to go on as her lips continue to smack.
“Why were you with him?” Kelly starts again.
“That is the easy one. I don’t know when the last time anyone of you left the boundaries of this town of yours, though I can’t see why you would, but the world out there has gone to Hell in a hand basket. If the poisons and dangers of a world with no technology doesn’t kill you, then a million infected and beasts you can’t even name anymore will surely do the job.”
“Merchant protected you?” Kelly asks and now everyone is looking toward Red.
Though she sits opposite of Derek and Mary, they all no longer care for eating. Only Brother George is paying more attention to the food on his plate though she is certain he is still listening. Nothing gets by him if he doesn’t want it to.
“Protection isn’t exactly what I would call it.”
“What then? Did he own you?”
Red looks up at her, eyes narrow and lips turn into a straight line.
“Kelly! Now that is enough,” Mary jumps in.
The features on Red’s face soften as a few strands of red hair drop down over her eyes and she wipes them away, the half-smile returning with the passing of her hand. She waves the heal of the bread in the air like a baton instructing them to wait. Her eyes turn to the back of her hand and she examines it like she hasn’t seen it in the longest of time.
“No, he did not own me, but it’s hard to say I didn’t owe him something,” Red says.
“He did something for you then?”
Kelly can’t stop herself.
“Again, with another one of those ‘hard’ words. I wasn’t exactly in any danger of dying, but I wasn’t exactly with the greatest of crowds. We kind of took something that belonged to Merchant before we knew who he was and when he came looking for it,” Red slides the dull edge of her knife across her neck.
“He killed everyone?”
Red chuckles and takes the whole heel of the bread into her mouth, the bulge stretching the skin of her face before her eyes roll into the back of her head.
“You know this is the best tasting bread ever? So fucking good,” Red says as small bits fly from between her teeth. Mary gasps and puts a hand over her mouth.
“What did he do, Red?” Kelly insists.
“A lot worse than you can probably imagine. Honestly, we also didn’t give him a choice. Like I said, the people I was with weren’t exactly the nicest, you know? A girl has gotta do what she has gotta do to stay alive. When I told him he could take back whatever he wanted, he left me alone. Then after a few other misadventures, I figured it was safer staying with him then out there on my own.”
“But he’s killed people?” Kelly says as a matter of fact.
The idea sickens her stomach and she can see the look on Mary’s face, pale white and her tongue holds back something that doesn’t want to stay in her mouth.
“We all have, but in his case, he seems to only kill those who he needs to. At the moment it didn’t seem to be me, so I figured if he could keep the monsters at bay, I’d be willing to follow behind for a while.”
“That means you’ve killed people,” Derek cuts in.
He puts his hand on Mary’s shoulder and pulls her and the chair she sits on closer to him. Red shrugs her shoulders.
“Isn’t that what I just said? Anyway, you do what you have to if you want to survive out there. I don’t regret doing anything that I’ve done. I’m still alive and that is more than a lot of people can say.”
Words fail as the room goes silent. Kelly watches as everyone turns back to their plates, some empty and others barely touched.
“Do… do you think he’ll come back?” Kelly asks.
As if the wind itself tries to answer, the howl outside the wall rattles the roof and the shutters of the parsonage.
“Merchant?” Red looks her way. “Not if the fucker is smart. I’ll kill the bastard if he comes back this way.”
Kelly doesn’t know what to say to that.
“Find a way to forgive the man, my daughter,” Brother George cuts in. “He carries a weight and burden on his shoulders that no other man can carry.”
Red smiles and points her fork in Brother George’s direction.
“That is one true statement, my good man. That bag of his. God-damn thing weights a ton and if you try and carry it yourself, you might as well cut your own throat. It will kill you as sure as if you injected the infection directly into your arm.”
“Please don’t use our father’s name in vain,” Brother George says, his voice calm yet final.
Red looks at all of them and shrugs. Kelly can feel her cheeks redden with embarrassment enough for the both of them.
“Have it your way, but I know that weight he carries. It’s a real bastard and if I see him again, I’ll drop it on that silly cue ball head of his.”
A chuckle breaks from Kelly’s lips and Red winks her way.
“Plus, he made his choice and I’ve made mine. Of course, if the offer is still good,” Red says and goes back to eating.
Brother George puts his fork and knife down and turns to look her in the eye.
“Never once did I think of rescinding my offer. Our town is home to anyone who chooses to stay here and live in peace. We ask only that you take comfort in our hospitality and treat your new brothers and sisters with the same care that they have shown you.”
Caught with a mouthful of potato and chicken, Red’s eyes sweep across them all. Kelly can feel the smile of her own shining bright at the idea of Red staying. It is always a cause for celebration anytime someone comes and joins their community.
“Have yourself a deal then, George. I can’t say no to the man who made me back into what I am, now can I?”
“Brother George.”
“Huh? Oh… yeah. Brother George. I’m glad to be a new part of the family,” Red says and turns back to her plate once again.
The butterflies have not gone away.
Eyes burn. Muscles ache, stomach tosses and turns, but Kelly does not care. Long beams of light shine low into the window of her room as the sun breaks over the horizon in the east. Robins and mourning doves sing into the air and the heat of the day has yet to settle in.
She stretches and the nerves running through her body twinge with excitement. She cannot believe that Brother George has given her the duty of showing Red around. Usually one of the older women, no longer able to tend the fields or work in the community shops, work with any newcomers.
Not today.
Throwing on a new set of clothes, one of her best Sunday dresses of reds and yellows, Kelly pulls back her hair with a comb and does her best to straighten out any knots. Today will be so much fun she can already picture all the things she will show her. For once the room around her feels empty. Brother George isn’t for keeping much and its rubbed onto her as well. She tries to imagine what it would have been to live in one of those great cities, full of people and things from all over the world.
The feeling of emptiness hits her quickly, heavy and cold, but the light coming in from the window quickly warms her feet and helps push it away with the blood running through her body.
Taking a deep breath, she forces her mind back to what lays ahead.
First it will be the farms up on the hills. The heat of the day will scorch the ground dry and there is very little shade there. Then through town there will be all the shops and other community buildings. There is no way she won’t be impressed with all the crafts they have collected in their community. Or the way they all work together to keep things going and to provide for anyone who lives here. Anything she wants is within reach. She’ll introduce
her to everyone she knows and maybe even Red will share a few things with her.
What is it like outside in the wild? Is it really as dangerous as she has been told and dreamed in her nightmares?
Kelly’s heart races as she finishes tightening her shoes and runs to the door.
“Remember Kelly,” Brother George calls from the back of the parsonage. His voice is as clear as if he was right beside her. “Take it slow with Ms. Red. She’s been on her feet barely a day or two. Let her lead the way and give her anything she needs. Remember, we want to treat her as we want to be treated ourselves.”
“Of course!” Kelly answers and is outside the door in the blink of an eye.
Dirt kicks up into the air beneath her feet as she turns up the road. The Sick House is around the nearest corner and three buildings down. No hesitation will slow her as she speeds along the path. Breakfast can come later. She doesn’t have time to stop and eat.
“Watch out!” Bert’s voice calls out.
Elbows and knees hit soft flesh as Kelly collides with a body much rounder than her. The shadows of the side street spin and the hardpan of the road loses its grip on the soles of her shoes as she spins and tumbles into the ground.
Oink! Oink!
A piglet squeals.
Waving at the dust, Kelly opens her mouth to scream, but quickly bites her tongue. Bert looks down at her, a look of pure dread on his face and the soft pink flesh of a tiny pig trying to claw itself free beneath the arm held tight against his chest.
“Are… are you OK?” Bert asks.
Her friend looks her over as if she has fallen from the sky and splattered on the ground.
“Of course, I’m alright you, knucklehead. Help me back to my feet,” Kelly says and reaches up for his empty hand.
Wiping it dry on his overalls, Bert reaches out and helps pull her back to her feet.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” he asks.
She wipes the dirt off her dress, the material clinging to every last grain. The pig in his arms squeals in fury as it tries desperately to fight its way to freedom.
“Didn’t you hear we have a new member in town? She came in three nights ago and Brother George asked me to show her around.”
Pulling the pig higher into his armpit, Bert looks up and down the road, his eyes scanning for something that isn’t there.
“Isn’t that someone else’s job?” he asks.
She punches him in the shoulder. He goes to rub it but stops as the little pig almost slips free.
“Today it’s my job, and that is all that matters. Plus, I thought you told me it was only a rumor that you and your family carried around little piglets in your pockets.”
Bert’s cheeks turn red. His smile returns when she reaches out and scratches the little squealer behind the ear.
“My dad told me I needed to carry this one into town to see if Mr. Yerlan wants to take him in.”
Now it’s Kelly’s turn to look confused.
“What would Mr. Yerlan want with a pig?”
Bert shrugs his shoulders and puts his open hand gently on the pig’s head. The little monster tries to bite his fingers and gets a tap on the nose.
“Dad didn’t tell me, but my brother says it’s because we don’t have any dogs for his little girl. I guess he figures a pig will have to do.”
Kelly chuckles.
“I can see it already. Mr. Yerlan’s daughter walking this little guy around on a leash. Maybe they can teach it to sit and roll over?”
Bert joins in on the chuckling.
“They’d be lucky if it doesn’t eat their couch first. Darn thing won’t stop nibbling on anything it gets its little snout near.”
Kelly pets the little guy again and it tries to bite her as well. She frowns and shrugs her shoulders.
“You wanna come with me and meet her before we go exploring?”
“Show her around, Kelly. You know better than anyone, Brother George will be angry with you if you try and go exploring outside the village limits again.”
Bert looks up and down the street. A few people are out and about, but no one looks their way.
“I know how to take care of myself,” Kelly responds.
“I’m not sure it would be such a good idea to join you. My dad said to go right to Mr. Yerlan’s place and then straight home.”
Shoulders stiffen, and his breathing stops as Kelly wraps her arm around his wide shoulders. She gets a strong whiff of dirt, mud, and pig. Everything she always recognizes about her best friend.
“Today is making to be a heatwave. You know your brothers will be in the shade before it ever approaches noon. I bet they will never even notice you are gone. Live life, Bert. You’re a grown man now. Come with me and meet our new friend.”
Bert’s face is as red as a tomato.
“If you say so… Maybe until mid-day. Then I should be home by lunch.”
“That’s the spirit.”
She hits him again before spinning him the way they need to go.
Arm in arm, Kelly leads Bert through the streets. Dust kicking into the air behind their heels, they duck in and out between the early risers warming up for the day of work and play.
"Come on, we don't want to be late," she says.
Red cheeks puff and Bert loses his breath quickly. The pig squeals angrily and bites at his arm, but tucking it tighter, he does his best to keep up.
"What is the rush? It's not like she is going to go anywhere," he coughs out.
She doesn't look back at him. Sick House coming into view, she can already see the plans for the day playing out in her mind; fresh, fun, and right at the end of her fingertips.
Gaping open and empty, the front door to the house is silent. Kelly slows to a halt and lets Bert catch up, his big boots crushing the dirt like thunder. His breathing is short and shallow, and he rubs the back of his sweaty head with a dirty hand.
"Can we at least take a moment's break before we start," he says.
With a cry of victory, the pig breaks free of his arm and hits the dirt road running.
"Get... back... here!" Bert yells.
Kelly chuckles and shakes her head as her friend goes off chasing the little beast. He might end up spending the entire morning catching him now. The pig gives another squeal of joy.
Wiping the damp hair away from her eyes, she pats away the dust from her dress again and approaches the opening with her shoulders back and chin held high. Red doesn't seem like the person who likes weakness.
Why would she? She's killed people. She said so herself. Kelly's hands tremble at the idea of such a world. Death isn't uncommon but finding your path to God while you sleep is different than being shot or possibly eaten by these infected.
What are they like anyway? Are they really monsters? Too many questions to ask, but today she really has the time to ask them.
Boards creak beneath her feet as she steps up to the door.
"You're the one they sent for me today?" Red's voice echoes from the quiet hallway inside.
Moving with a confident sway to her hips and shoulders, the woman steps out and leans against the frame, a slender hand shielding her eyes from the brightening morning. She is everything Kelly imagines being a woman should be. Confident, strong, and fearless. The borrowed white work shirt and brown canvas pants cling tight to her recovering body.
A ball as thick as her neck lodges in her throat.
"Um… Brother George said I have the opportunity to show you around your new home," Kelly starts.
Red looks over at her and smiles. Flames work their way across the startling red hair that cascades down over her shoulder and the depth of the dark beneath the light is endless against the softness of her skin. Even her ruby red lips are brighter than the sun.
"My new home," Red says and looks up and around at all this quiet town has to offer this early in the morning. "Those aren't words I ever thought I'd hear again. Well, what are we waiting for? Lead the way my new friend."
&
nbsp; Pride and excitement fights for control as Kelly can feel her chest stretch inches wider. Something about Red is different than anyone she has ever met. For the last four years everyone in this town has been her family, but something about this woman feels so much more, exciting.
Kelly notices that Red is looking down at her, her lips cocked to the side and her arms crossed over her chest.
"Yes... we better be on our way. A lot to cover and the sun will be too high and too warm soon enough," Kelly stammers before turning back to the path that led her here.
"Hey, there you two are," Bert calls out.
Dust covers his legs up past the knee and his white t-shirt is wet with sweat and dark with mud smeared by the angry hooves of the pig still kicking at his chest.
"Who are you and why the fuck do you have a pig?" Red asks with a chuckle in her voice.
Kelly can feel the fire searing the skin on her face. Bringing Bert with her was a big mistake. Maybe the biggest mistake of her life as his eyes dart between them and he licks his lips, smearing small streaks of mud in thin layers beneath his tongue.
"His name is Bert," Kelly says. "He's a friend and said he'd walk with me to pick you up on his way to sell the little beast on the other side of town."
"Little beast?" he asks. "Walk you here?"
Kelly turns the way they need to go and leaves him behind her. She can feel his eyes cutting through her back, but maybe he'll get the hint and let them go without too much of a fight.
"You can't imagine what we would have done to find something like that when we were starving last winter," Red says before making a slurping sound with her lips. "Out there you would kill someone even for something that small."
Kelly turns back toward them. Red reaches out and softly pets the animal's pink head.
"We really should get moving," Kelly says.
Red lifts her hand and taps Bert on the cheek with the tips of her fingers. If they thought his face was red from running to catch the pig, he's absolutely on fire now.
"Yea... yeah, I really should get moving now. Maybe I can catch up with you guys later," Bert stammers, his eyes locked on Red.
Traveling Merchant (Book 2): Pestilence Page 9