by Eric Vall
“True,” Bailey sighed.
“We’ve done nothing wrong here,” I assured her.
“I know,” she said. “We’re only protecting our family.”
“That’s right,” I said.
I scanned the area across the bridge once more. I could only find the three footprints I had already seen, and I was confident none of them had made it across.
Winchester barked and ran down toward the river.
“What’s that?” Bailey asked, and she pointed to the river bank where Winchester stood.
“I’m not sure,” I said as I moved toward the mound of snow. “But I bet it’s not good.”
I got as close as I could to the mound of snow without losing my balance and falling into the river, but cold droplets splashed my face as I perched on the side of the hill.
I reached down and brushed at the mound of snow. It only took a couple swipes of my hand before I recognized the unmistakable form of a human head.
The body was blue, but frozen in place. It was a man, maybe a few years younger than me, with brown hair and a long, thin face. His eyes were wide open and frost had accumulated on his nose and cheeks. I had no idea how long he had been dead, but it had to have been less than a day. Winter had taken him quickly.
“Jesus,” Bailey breathed from behind me.
“It looks like he froze to death,” I said.
“What a terrible way to die,” Bailey said.
“I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant,” I sighed.
“He made it across, though,” Bailey said. “That’s bad, isn’t it?”
“Not in this case,” I said. “In fact, it reaffirms my suspicions.”
“Which are?” Bailey asked.
“That anybody who was able to swim across wouldn’t make it far before the cold overtook them,” I said.
“He barely made it out of the river,” Bailey said.
“He would have already been freezing from the water,” I said. “And to step out into the snow would only make it worse.”
“Who would even try that if that’s the risk?” Bailey asked with astonishment.
“Someone extremely desperate,” I said.
“Should we close his eyes?” Bailey asked. “Isn’t that what people do for someone who has died?”
“I don’t think we can.” I shook my head. “He’s frozen. His skin might just break if I tried.”
“Gross,” Bailey said. “Sad too, but the idea of someone’s skin breaking off is really strange.”
“It is,” I agreed. “I’m sure Anna would have loved to see this.”
“Probably,” Bailey chuckled. “Another horror movie come to life.”
“Let’s get back,” I told the blonde.
We made our way back up the river bank and toward the trees.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” I told her as we walked.
“It’s okay,” Bailey said with a shrug. “We’ve seen worse.”
“That doesn’t make it any easier,” I told her.
“That’s true,” the blonde sighed. “But I just remind myself that our family is safe.”
“That’s all that matters,” I said with a smile.
“Right,” she agreed. “We should check on the horses and cows while we’re out here.”
“Good idea,” I told her.
We made our way to the barn and found the cows and horses to be doing well. I broke the ice that had formed over the top of their water trough, and Bailey made sure to give them lots of pets.
Winchester jealously rubbed against Bailey’s legs as she walked around the barn petting each of the animals.
“You think they’re okay down here?” she asked as she petted Gray Lady.
“I think they’re fine,” I told her. “Do they seem cold to you?”
“No,” she said. “And it’s a lot warmer in here than it is out there. I just worry about them.”
“And I love you for it,” I said. “But they’re animals, they’ve endured much worse and evolution has prepared them for it.”
“You’re right,” she said. “It’ll be dark soon today, but can we take them out tomorrow during the day? I bet they’d like to get out for a bit.”
“I’m sure they would,” I agreed. “That’s a great idea.”
“Winchester seemed to enjoy his time out today,” Bailey laughed.
“He did,” I chuckled. “Let’s head back. We’ll check on the chickens on the way.”
“Okay,” Bailey said with a smile.
It was growing dark by the time we arrived back at the campus. The darkness brought colder air, and I found myself shivering as we walked, so we quickly checked on the chickens and made our way inside.
“Oh, my God,” Bailey sighed as we stepped into the warmth of the dorm building. “It’s so nice in here.”
“How was Narnia?” Tara asked from the couch.
“We were starting to worry,” Anna said. “You were gone for a while.”
“We were out there for an hour at most,” I laughed.
“Yeah, but it’s getting dark,” Paige protested.
“It went well,” I told the group as I stripped off my winter gear and took a seat on the couch.
“Any signs of anyone?” Paige asked.
“It looked like a few people had tried to swim across,” Bailey said. “Only one made it.”
“Geez,” Tara said.
“Did you take care of it?” Anna asked.
“Well, he didn’t exactly make it,” I said. “He made it across the river, but that was as far as he got.”
“Oh, shit,” Paige breathed.
“Yeah,” I said.
“You guys okay?” Anna asked seriously.
“We’re fine,” Bailey said with pinched eyebrows.
“I just bet that wasn’t a great sight,” the redhead said.
“I’m okay,” Bailey said. “Thanks, though.”
Winchester came to the middle of the room and stopped for a second.
“No!” Tara shouted. “Go over to the door!”
“Winchester!” Bailey said, and she tried to call him to her.
It was too late. Winchester shook out the snow and water from his fur.
Tara screamed and raised her hands over her face.
“That is the second time he’s done that!” she breathed angrily.
“He’s a dog,” I said. “That’s what he does.”
“We can teach him to do it outside,” Bailey said quickly.
“You better,” Tara said with narrowed eyes. “Or he is not sleeping in our bed anymore.”
“I don’t think you have that authority,” Anna laughed.
“I’m giving myself that authority right now,” the platinum blonde seethed. “I am soaked with his doggy juices.”
“Ew,” Paige laughed.
“Uh, yeah,” Tara said. “I’m going to change.”
“Where is everyone else?” I asked.
“I think they’re upstairs,” Paige said.
“I’m going to check on Joe and Frank,” I said, and then I followed Tara up the stairs.
“Tav,” Tara said as I watched her ass while she walked. “You better help Bailey train that damn dog.”
“Oh, hush,” I chuckled. “I know you love him.”
“Not after today I don’t,” she groaned, but I saw the smile at the corner of her lips.
I rolled my eyes at the platinum blonde and kept going up the stairs when she broke off to go change.
I found most of the civilians in the common room on the third floor.
“Hey,” I greeted them. “How’s everyone doing?”
“We’re good up here,” Marla said happily.
“Frank,” I said, “Joe, how are you two?”
“Can’t complain too much,” Joe laughed.
“I’m feeling good,” Frank said in his small voice.
“Good,” I said with a smile, and I looked around the room once more. “Has anyone seen Betty and Rolly?”
“And Rolly is with Kimmy somewhere,” Donna added.
“Thanks,” I said.
I had almost forgotten about the solar panels. I made my way to the supply room where the circuit breaker was. That’s where we had set up the battery.
Sure enough, I found Rolly and Kimmy fiddling with the machine.
“How’s it going in here?” I asked.
“We are ready to go,” Kimmy told me with a grin.
“Great,” I said. “Let’s flip it on.”
“Would you like to do the honors?” Kimmy asked.
“I think you’ve earned it,” I said.
Kimmy turned on the machine, then flipped some breakers on the circuit board, but nothing happened.
I looked at her with a raised brow.
“Give it a second,” she said, and she held a hand out and looked upward.
It took about ten seconds before the power went on. It blinked several times, then stayed on.
The bright artificial light blinded me for a moment, and I realized how comfortable I had become with our candles and daylight.
“You did it!” Rolly exclaimed, and he clapped Kimmy on the shoulder.
“Oh, my God!” I heard Tara squeal from above us.
Just then a loud uproar came from every inch of the dorm building.
“I think they’re excited,” I chuckled.
“Sounds like it,” Kimmy laughed.
We made our way to the first floor common room and found everyone funneling down in an excited panic. They all blurted questions and had large grins on their faces.
“Alright, alright,” I said. “Yes, we have power now.”
“This is amazing,” Donna breathed.
“I honestly never thought we’d have power again,” Jeff said.
“I called first shower!” Tara shouted as she came down the stairs.
“No way!” Anna said.
“I dibsed it!” Tara retorted.
“I don’t think we can dibs it,” I chuckled. “I’m sure everyone would like a shower, so let’s figure out a fair way to decide the order.”
“We could draw straws,” Paige suggested.
“Or names from a hat,” Bailey said.
“I think Kimmy should get first shower,” Rolly said with a smile at the young woman.
“Oh, no,” Kimmy said. “I couldn’t.”
“I think Rolly is right,” I announced. “Kimmy is the one responsible for us having power.”
“Then of course she should get the first shower,” Cathy agreed. “We’ve all waited a long time for a shower. A little longer won’t kill us.”
“I appreciate that, Cathy,” I said.
“No, really,” Kimmy said. “You all have been here so much longer than I have. And you’ve done so much more work for this place.”
“She has a point,” Tara said with a raised eyebrow.
“You hush,” Anna told the platinum blonde. “Without Kimmy we wouldn’t have power. She should go first.”
“Yes,” Betty agreed. “Kimmy, dear, please take the first shower.”
“Are you sure?” she asked with a frown.
“Yes,” I said with a soft smile. “So Kimmy will take the first shower. We’ll figure out who goes next.”
“I know we are all excited about the power,” Donna said. “But I’m willing to wait. Whoever really wants one can go first.”
“Me!” Tara said.
“Just for that you’re going last,” Anna teased.
“Hey,” Tara said defensively. “She said whoever wanted one.”
“Alright,” I chuckled. “How does everyone else feel about it?”
“I can wait too,” Marla said with a smile.
“Yeah,” Justin agreed. “I’m not even sure I remember how to take a proper shower.”
“Really,” Jenny added. “It’s not a big deal who goes first.”
“I’m very proud of all of you,” I told the group. “We just got something amazing accomplished today, and nobody is fighting over it.”
“Except Tara,” Paige muttered.
“I heard that,” the platinum blonde said with a glare at the brunette.
“Everyone, remember, this will be the first of many showers,” I said.
“I bet we could all take one if we kept them short,” Paige said. “Kimmy, how much hot water will we have?”
“There should be enough to last the night,” Kimmy said. “We’ll have more in the morning.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “Can everyone live with that?”
The group nodded their agreement.
“So let’s say ten minute showers for everyone tonight,” I said. “And anybody who doesn’t get one this evening can take one first thing tomorrow.”
“Kimmy, get your ass up there and shower,” Tara ordered. “Let’s get this ball rollin’.”
“Alright,” Kimmy chuckled.
“There’s more than one shower,” Paige pointed out.
“Yes,” I agreed. “Kimmy, can we run more than one at once?”
“I don’t see why not,” Kimmy said. “But I would limit it to three or four.”
“You heard the lady,” I said.
Everyone ran upstairs to get ready except for Bailey, Anna, Paige, Rolly, Betty, and I.
“You all don’t want a shower?” I asked as I took a seat on the couch.
“It can wait,” Rolly said.
“Yeah,” Bailey agreed.
“Alright, then,” I said. “How about we have some drinks while we wait?”
“I’ll get some booze,” Paige said with a smile.
“Uh,” I started.
“You want that cupcake vodka?” Paige asked with a raised brow.
“Do we have any more?” I asked.
“Yeah,” the brunette chuckled. “I’ll be right back.”
“Cupcake vodka?” Betty asked with a wry smile.
“It’s delicious,” I laughed.
“I’m sure it is,” the old woman chuckled.
Paige returned and poured us each a drink.
“I think I’ll start some dinner,” Betty said after a moment.
“That would be great,” I told her.
“I’ll help,” Rolly said, and he followed Betty to the laundry room.
“They are so cute,” Anna sighed.
“They are,” I agreed.
After a few moments Tara came down the stairs. Her hair was wet, and she had a wide smile on her face.
“Enjoy your shower?” Paige asked.
“Oh, my God, it was amazing,” Tara said as she perched on the arm of the couch. “I can’t even talk about it.”
“I bet,” Anna laughed.
“You guys should get up there,” Tara said. “Everyone is in line.”
“I’m fine here,” Anna said.
“Me, too,” Bailey agreed.
“Suit yourself,” the platinum blonde said with a shrug. “You all down here drinking without me?”
“That’s what you get when you run to take a shower,” Paige teased.
Tara reached for the bottle, but Anna snatched it away.
“Hey!” Tara protested.
“Ah, ah, ah,” Anna tsked. “Like Paige said. It’s what you get.”
“Fine,” Tara said with an eye roll. “So, what do I have to do to get a drink? Make dinner?”
“Betty already has that covered,” I said.
“This isn’t fair,” Tara said with a glare.
“It’s called extortion,” Paige laughed.
“Well what are your demands?” Tara joked.
“Christmas songs!” Bailey exclaimed.
“We played Christmas songs yesterday,” Tara scoffed.
“You heard Bailey,” Anna said with a nod at the piano. “The lady wants Christmas songs.”
“You can never have too many Christmas songs before Christmas,” Bailey said softly.
“I think it’s a fair trade,” I told
the blonde hippie.
“What day is it anyway?” Anna asked.
“I think it’s Christmas Eve,” Paige said. “But I could be wrong. It’s hard to keep track sometimes.”
“We should do Christmas tomorrow,” Bailey said with a wide grin.
“Wait,” I chuckled. “Do I actually get to be part of the surprise this time?”
“Looks like it,” Anna said.
“What can I do?” I asked.
“Wait,” Paige said. “How are we going to have Christmas anyway?”
“We have everyone’s comfort items,” Bailey said. “We can give them to everyone in the morning.”
“I can make a big dinner,” Tara said.
“You’re just trying to get your drink,” Anna said.
“Damn right,” Tara said. “Now give me the bottle.”
“Alright,” I chuckled. “I think she’s earned it if she promises to help cook tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Tara sniffed, and she grabbed at the bottle that Anna reluctantly handed over.
“Wait,” Paige repeated. “What about Kimmy?”
“What about her?” Tara asked.
“Yeah,” Kimmy said as she came down the stairs looking clean. “What about me?”
“Shhh,” Bailey said, and she waved a hand for Kimmy to come sit by her.
“Is this a secret meeting?” Kimmy asked warily. “I can go.”
“No, no,” Bailey said. “Please stay.”
“We got everyone comfort items,” Paige explained.
“Comfort items?” Kimmy asked.
“When we went out on runs for supplies,” I said. “We had people write down one thing they would like to make them feel comfortable during winter.”
“Since we’re inside so much now,” Bailey added.
“I see,” Kimmy said. “So, how can I help?”
“Well,” Paige said, and she bit her lip. “You came late, so we don’t have a comfort item for you.”
“That’s okay,” Kimmy said.
“But we were going to do Christmas tomorrow,” Bailey said with a frown.
“I’m just grateful to be here,” Kimmy said softly. “I don’t need anything else.”
“Okay,” Paige said, but she looked at me, then at the door to the laundry room.
“If you’ll excuse me for a second,” I said. “I’m going to check on dinner.”
“I’ll come,” Paige said quickly, and she followed me.
We burst into the laundry room in a hurry, and Betty and Rolly pulled themselves away from each other, and both of them blushed bright red.