by Poe, S. B.
The bulk seed bins were lined against the wall and he walked over to them. The smell was sickly sweet. Some of the seeds had germinated and grew just enough to die and rot. The mold grew from that. He shined his light into the bins. Most of them were covered in mold. He grabbed a paper bag from under the rack and started filling it up from the bin that wasn’t moldy. He filled a bag with snap peas and sunflower seeds.
He turned his attention to the smaller racks with the seed packs. He opened the backpack up and just started pulling seed packs off. He didn’t bother paying attention to what it was. He figured they could use it all. He was halfway through the rack when he realized it was all flowers. He had filled his pack with flower seeds. He dumped it out and walked to the other rack. The sign said vegetables. All the racks were empty.
“Shit.”
He loaded the bags of seeds he did have into his backpack and started towards the door again. He looked up to see Vernon climbing into the bed of the truck. He was turning his head this way and that. He hurried out the door.
“What?”
“Listen.” Vernon said.
“I don’t hear anything.”
“Shut up and listen.”
He did. He still didn’t hear anything. Then he did. His eyes widened and he looked up at Vernon.
“A car. You hear it?” Vernon asked.
“Yeah. Which way?” Cody asked as he climbed into the bed of the truck with Vernon.
“That way. Towards the crossing. Towards the farm.” Vernon nodded southeast.
“Let’s go.” Cody said as he slung the backpack into the truck bed. Vernon stepped down and got back in the cab.
“You think it’s the Baker’s?” Vernon asked.
“Could be. We’ll ride out there and see. You got that pistol loaded?” Cody asked.
“Sure. You think we’ll need it. We haven’t seen any looters in months.” Vernon said.
“Well, when the weather starts warming up, you know snakes are gonna crawl.” Cody said as he pulled the gearshift down and started out of the parking lot and onto the road leading south.
“That’s it. Right there.” Ed stuck his head between the seats and pointed.
“Ok. Let’s pull in.” Bridger said.
Jahda turned. The dirt road was bordered on each side with brick gateposts. The wrought iron gate was swinging free of its lock. It had been swinging long enough for the top hinge to begin to work loose and it sat at an odd angle to the ground.
“That’s a good sign.” Bridger said.
“What’s that?” Jahda said as she stopped at the gate.
“No one bothered to fix the gate.” Bridger said.
“Maybe they’re deaduns and just waiting on us to come up for supper. Let’s just go back, get the seeds and head home.” Ed said. “Y’all like a bunch of cats.”
“Cats?” Devin asked.
“Yeah, way too fucking curious.” Ed said. Bridger laughed out loud as he exited the SUV to swing the gate open.
Jahda pulled through followed by Josh. Bridger climbed into the bed of the truck for the ride to the house. He reached through the sliding window.
“Hand me your walkie.” He said. “Jahda?”
“Here.” Jahda said into the walkie he left in the SUV.
“We’re going to go around. Just follow us in.” He said.
“Yep.” She said.
“Here.” He handed the walkie back to Josh. “Go around. Nice and slow.” He stood in the bed of the truck and propped his elbows on the roof of the cab. He took the binoculars out and held them just below his eyes. He watched the road as it bent around a small hill and on the other side it opened up to a raw, gray field of dead grass. The road snaked through what was once a neatly mowed large lawn and up to large brick single story home. There were at least three other buildings behind the home, probably barns Bridger thought.
“Stop here.” Bridger said. Josh stopped the truck. He put the binoculars up to his eyes and looked at the house. He didn’t see anything moving.
“Alright. Let’s go.” He said.
They pulled up to the front of the house and stopped. Bridger jumped down from the truck and met Jahda as she exited the SUV.
“You and Devin with me.” He turned to Josh. “Josh. You, Lori and Ed stay out here. Keep the walkie close.”
“What are you going to do?” Ed asked.
“Just knock on the door. See if anyone is home. And if not, see if they left anything behind.” Bridger said.
They walked to the front door and Bridger knocked. Jahda raised her eyebrows. She walked by him and beat her fist hard on the door three times.
“You gotta knock like a cop if you want folks to come.” She said as she stepped back. He smiled at her.
They stood listening for a minute or so. Bridger put his ear against the door. He couldn’t hear anything moving. He reached down and turned the doorknob. It was locked. He put his back to the door and swung his leg up. He delivered a swift horse kick to the place where the latch met the frame. It cracked. He kicked again and it gave way. He turned and put his shoulder against the door and pushed until the bolt cleared the striker. The door swung open. They walked inside.
The back of the house was mostly windows and the light filtered through. They walked into the room and looked at the rolling hills below the windows.
“Nice view.” Jahda said.
They looked around the house. Although all the cupboards in the kitchen were bare and all the closets empty, it wasn’t in any disarray. Things had been removed methodically and deliberately and then the place was locked tight. Bridger went from room to room.
“This is odd.” Devin said.
“Yeah, it’s like it is just sitting empty. Was it for sale before this happened?” Jahda asked.
“I don’t know. I didn’t see a sign. I would have thought Ed would have said it was just to keep us from coming up here. So no, I think they just moved everything.” Bridger said. “And no one has been here since.”
“You think the whole town is like this?” Jahda asked. “Abandoned?”
The walkie crackled to life.
“Hey guys, y’all might want to get out here. There’s a truck coming down the road.” Josh said from the speaker.
“I guess that’s your answer.” Bridger said. They turned and started back out the front door.
6
Living among the Dead
He sat tall in the saddle. The horse was turned broadside. He could see a swath of downed trees with limbs sticking this way and that. He could see the branches and fodder of fallen timber scattered for a hundred yards in any direction. And sitting right in the middle of it he saw the fence. And he saw the bus parked against the gate. The horse snorted.
“Yeah, no shit.” He said.
He turned the horse parallel with the muddy track and started a slow walk down the short slope. He saw a few of the dead lying on the ground. One had a crushed face. He saw another just off the track with its head impaled. As he approached closer he began to see movement behind the fence. A little girl he thought. And an old man with a white beard. He saw the girl run into the building with a plume of smoke rising from its chimney. He slowed the horse more. The little girl emerged from the building followed closely by woman with bright red hair. The little girl pointed at him. He raised his right hand and waved.
“Well here goes nothing.” He said as he patted the horse.
He walked the horse up to the gate. The people gathered on the other side stood back from the fence. The red head walked up with the little girl close behind. The little girl stared at him.
“Hello.” He said. He looked at her staring at him. “I know, I know. A French halberd and a Roman short sword. Sorry for mixing my periods but it was the best I could do.”
“I don’t think that’s what she’s staring at mister.” Tilly said. “Who the hell are you and where did you come from?”
“Well I came from what I can assume was a place you have been, judgin
g from the companion bus to the one I spent the last few nights under. Although I must say this one is in considerably better condition.” He nodded at the bus beyond the gate. “Before that I came from a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Before that I came from a little home behind a post office, which sadly burned and sent me on this journey of discovery. And I have discovered you. As to who I am, my name is Cameron Day.”
Kate and Scott came from around the other side of the barn. They had both gone back to their shacks and retrieved their shotguns. They had been in the saloon when Ham came in telling Tilly of a man on a horse with a spear. Dottie and Martin stood behind Tilly and Ham. Raj, Charlie and Jennifer were walking from the barn when they saw the others gathering at the gate. They joined them. Evelyn had gone to sleep in her shack after the others left earlier this morning. She was still there.
“Hello.” Cameron nodded at the two with the shotguns. He smiled nervously.
“How the hell did you find us?” Tilly asked.
“I heard a car engine this morning. Actually I heard several last night, and then I heard two more this morning. I followed the road from my former encampment under the aforementioned bus and came upon the tracks. After determining that I would be remiss to not explore their origin prior to pursuing their destination I found myself here. Having a lovely conversation with you.”
“But why? Why would you go exploring in this world? The way things are. Are you hoping to die?” Charlie asked.
“No. Quite the opposite.” Cameron said. “Speaking of which, I would love to have a conversation about all of this but unless you are going to offer me sup and succor I fear I must retreat to find reasonable accommodations for the evening. The day flutters away.”
“You talk funny?” Ham said.
“Yes. I do.” He said. Smiling at her.
“You’ll have to leave your weapons on your horse. Or here by the gate if you want to take the saddle off.” Tilly said.
“Wait a second. We’re letting him in?” Scott asked.
Tilly turned to look at Scott but caught movement out of the corner of her eye. The stranger spun in the saddle and reached for something in the bag behind him. Before he turned back around she had her pistol out, the safety off and pointed at his head. He turned around slowly and raised his hands. He had a can in his left hand.
“I have coffee.” Cameron said with both hands still in the air.
“Let him in.” Dottie called from the back.
Tilly lowered her gun and smiled. Cameron climbed down from the saddle. He was thinner but still tall and broad at the shoulders. He took the reigns in his hands and led the horse through the gate. Tilly stood next to him as he passed through. He took the rifle and sword from their scabbards and leaned them against the fence. He unhitched the halberd and stood it next to them.
“Where can I tie her up?”
“There is a stall in the barn actually. There is an old wheelbarrow and a few other tools in it but we can clean it out for her.” Martin said.
“That would be kind.” Cameron said.
“Follow me.” Martin said.
“I’m coming too.” Ham said. “Can I pet him? Her?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Ham put her hand out and touched the front shoulder. She could feel the softness of the hair at first. Then it began to feel courser as it moved under her touch. She could feel the muscles twitching under the skin. She had ridden on a horse at a fair but it was small. Not like this. She was surprised and a little nervous at just how big it was. She smiled as it stepped away. She looked up. Cameron was holding the reigns out to her.
“You want to lead her?”
“Can I?”
“Sure. All you have to do is hold this and walk. She’ll follow.” Cameron said.
Martin watched as Ham took the reigns and started walking. As soon as she put pressure on the lead the horse began to follow. She beamed. They walked into the barn.
“So he just comes in?” Scott asked turning back to Tilly.
“Is that a problem?” Tilly asked.
“We don’t know anything about him.” He said.
“I think Scott is just being cautious.” Kate said.
“As we all should be.” Raj mildly interjected. He looked at Tilly.
“Listen, I get it. But he’s alive. Think about it. He is the first person we have met since Josh brought the group from South Springs. The first. Be cautious, that’s fine. But the man is alive and I don’t want to be the ones responsible for changing that unless we have to be. So we shelter him, feed him and if need be, send him on his way. We’re all here because someone helped us. Let’s not forget that.” Tilly said.
“We haven’t. And you’re right.” Kate said. She put her arm around Scott. “You’re dad would have let him in too.”
“He’d have kept an eye on him.” Scott said.
“Well let’s go invite him to supper. We’ll keep an eye on him while we eat.” Kate said. They walked towards the barn. Most of the others headed towards the saloon. Tilly turned and looked at the weapons the man left by the fence. She reached down and grabbed the handle of the sword. She lightly swung it back and forth in front of her. She thrust it once or twice and set it back down. She turned to see Raj still standing there smiling at her.
“Having fun?” He asked.
“It is pretty useful. Both sides sharpened and a pointy tip? It’s looks more useful than this.” She touched the machete on her hip. “I get plenty of use out of this.”
“Well now I know what to get you for Christmas.” Raj said.
“Is that still a thing?” She asked.
“I hope so.” Raj said. They turned and walked towards the saloon.
“Ok folks weapons down. Just wave.” Bridger said as he came around the SUV to see the truck coming around the road leading up to them.
Jahda and Devin both stood beside the SUV and Ed walked up next to Bridger. Josh and Lori climbed out of the truck and stood by the open doors, guns lying on the seats.
“What’s the chance you know these folks?” Bridger asked Ed.
“I don’t know. That truck looks like Cody Smalls. And this is his place. I would guess it was him.” Ed said.
“And do you know him?” Bridger asked.
“Yeah. Well I guess.” Ed said.
“What the hell does that mean?” Bridger said.
“He just don’t like me none. That’s all. Nothing big just kid stuff.” Ed said.
“Does he think it’s kid stuff?” Bridger asked.
“I guess you’d have to ask him.” Ed said.
“I swear to God Ed, if this goes tits up because you’re being a horses ass right now I will personally kick the everloving shit out of you.” Bridger turned to him.
Ed remembered that day when Bridger made him show him where the compound was. He remembered the road full of deaduns and Bridger going through them like they were nothing. He looked at the man standing in front of him. The smile was gone.
“It’s nothing. I swear.” Ed said.
“Ok then.” Bridger smiled at him. He could see Ed frantically searching the memory banks behind his eyes trying to make sure that it really was nothing.
“Maybe you do the talking.” Ed said.
“Sure.” Bridger said. He turned back to face the truck.
“They’re just standing there. Waving.” Vernon said as he looked through the windshield.
“I see em.” Cody said. “They’re trespassing.”
“Seriously? Trespassing?” Vernon said.
“It’s still my place.” Cody said.
“If you say so.” Vernon said.
The truck slowed as it wound around the last turn towards the house. This part of the road was lined with a split rail fence that Cody had spent a summer painting white. He looked out over the fence to the small meadow below. The grass was brown but he had spent plenty of time cutting it when the weather was warm. It had been a long time since he came to the house. He turned bac
k at the strangers standing and waving in front of his home like he was the arriving guest.
He slid the truck to a stop. He looked through the glass at the people in front of him. A young kid and a girl standing at a truck, some chick with short hair and a skinny guy by the SUV. No problem. The man out front was different. He reminded him of someone from the movies or maybe television. It was either something about a plane crash or military or something. He couldn’t put his finger on it. He looked familiar somehow. He looked at the other guy standing next him. He looked at him a little closer.
“Ed? Ed Riggins?” Cody said as he stepped from the truck.
“Hey Cody. How you doing?” Ed said. He raised his hand.
“I thought I told you the next time I caught you on my property I was going to put a bullet in your ass.” Cody said. He started slowly walking towards them. Vernon stepped from the other side nervously watching Cody.
“Yeah, but that was before.” Ed said. “Besides, “I wasn’t hurting nothing.”
“It’s my property. It still is.” He was a few feet away and getting closer to Ed.
“Asshole.” Ed muttered under his breath.
“What did you..?” Cody started forward but Bridger spoke.
“Hey let’s…” Bridger started to speak.
Cody pulled the gun from his side and swung it up towards Bridger. It never made it more than a few inches beyond the holster. Bridger’s right hand connected with his jaw as his left hand lifted the gun from the briefly unconscious hand connected to the briefly unconscious Cody. He hit the ground hard. Vernon stepped around the truck.
“Nope.” Josh said. He was pointing the shotgun at Vernon.
“I’m good.” Vernon said as he raised his hands.
Cody landed hard on his bottom and stayed seated. His head swung left and right briefly and then his eyes blinked. He managed to put his hands behind him just as his head rolled backwards. He blinked again. His eyes began to focus. He could see a large shape squat down in front of him. It came into view.