by Lisa Acerbo
“You could get me to do almost anything if you asked nicely,” Jenna’s voice turned husky. Her hair was in wild disarray from the previous night, and her bootlaces untied. He stopped her in the middle of the room and led her to the bed.
“You’re an absolute mess.” Caleb’s eyes radiated heat.
Insecurities streaked across her face.
“It looks perfect on you.” He tousled her hair. “I love my women wild, and I love you.”
Caleb began to remove the few articles of clothing she wore, boots first.
Jenna didn’t get around to starting her chores until it was past noon. This was unlike her, and she hated the rush. Luckily, after months of hard work, most of her routine was easy to complete.
She scrubbed the water bins for the horses and goat, filling them anew. Her flannel shirt quickly became covered with mud and animal hair. The Clydesdales still had plenty to graze on in the meadow, but the group had left two fields to grow. With cold weather right around the corner, they would cut and harvest hay for the winter. In addition, Jenna had planted corn and soybeans. While the group used some for food, the animals could also benefit from the excess in winter.
After tending to the animals, she began working on the garden. She was surprised to find most weeds gone and assumed someone had competed the chore in the morning. She wondered who had worked in the garden and if Caleb would have to do something in repayment.
No complaints.
.
Between the equines and the harvesting in the garden, hours flew by. She was surprised Emma or Gus hadn’t arrived to interrogate her, but, for once, they granted her some time. She was sure that would change at dinner. Wiping dirt from the garden on her jeans, she headed back to the inn.
The view from the front porch was riveting with the lush meadow leading into dense woods. She sat, stalling before going inside and facing everyone with their good intentions.
Was this a hallucination? One. Two. Four. Six.
They moved through the meadow.
Panic flooded her system. She stood and ran, pushing open the front door.
“Streakers.” Jenna grabbed a gun kept in a nearby closet. Ford was first at her side, also reaching for a weapon. The two headed out to the porch.
“Where?” Ford asked.
Jenna pointed to the figures moving toward the inn. They moved quickly and efficiently in a straight line.
“They don’t appear to be Streakers, do they?” Ford asked.
“No,” Jenna squinted
More people joined them on the porch, weapons in hand. As the figures reached the middle of the field, people could recognize strangers not Streakers. A blond, angular woman shadowed a tall Hispanic male, both charismatic and carrying weapons. Four people followed.
Word spread and everyone crowded on the front porch. Some held weapons at the ready while some stared in awe.
Peter stepped forward to greet the new arrivals and no one stopped him.
“Good evening,” the strange, blond woman addressed Peter, her voice lilted with a strong accent.
“My name is Peter,” he said. “It is not often or ever we receive visitors to the inn. We’re happy you’re here and safe. Everyone is healthy?”
“Of course,” replied the woman. “My name is Tundra.”
“Come inside and share some dinner. Welcome to our home.”
Jenna shifted from foot to foot. Was Peter sizing them up? Determining if they were friend or foe? Shouldn’t there be a test before allowing strangers to enter?
The pressure of Caleb’s hand on her back gave her instant comfort. She could not resist leaning against him.
“Thank you,” replied the blonde, clearly of the New Race. “These are my companions, David and Gunnar.” The blonde pointed at the two men next to her, also of the New Race. David was Hispanic, well-muscled, with tattoos running in sleeves along his arms. Gunnar, his polar opposite. Bright green skinny jeans and an oversized jacket that hung listlessly about him amplified his skinny frame. Long, shaggy brown hair covered one of his eyes and reaching to his shoulders.
“Of course,” Tundra continued, finally recognizing the humans in her group. “These are our humans . . . human companions. This is Lilly, Jim, and Mack.”
The three humans issued quiet hellos. It was obvious the travel and stress of the Streakers had worn on them. Jenna was excited to learn more and hear their stories. A babble of voices erupted from the porch when the new arrivals entered, everyone curious to find where they had been and what it was like on the outside.
Peter led the group into the dining hall where Jenna helped ladle out bowls of hot soup with fresh vegetables, broiled venison, and some recently found, canned pineapple. Jackie had attempted a new bread recipe and rolls perched on each table.
Tundra spoke while the humans in her group ate quietly but with vigor. They were skinny to the point of emaciation, obviously suffering from worse conditions than at the inn. The two New Racers next to Tundra stared at her with adoration, and there was no doubt who kept the group together.
“David, Gunnar, and I hail from New York City,” Tundra began to tell their story. “New York is now a wasteland, but I’m originally from Belgium. We are some of the very few who made it out, but not before losing many of our companions. We have been searching for quite a long time for a quiet place to call home.” Tundra addressed the members of the New Race, avoiding eye contact with the humans.
Feels great to be ignored. The bitch keeps staring at Caleb. What is going on here?
“My companions and I found Jim and Mack on the road together about a year ago. They joined us, and then Lilly was a surprising find about five months ago. We see less and less humans as time goes by. We don’t often run into anyone these days, except, of course, the Streakers.”
English is her second language. Maybe that’s why it sounds like Tundra refers to Lilly as a pet rather than a person, Jenna thought.
“How long did it take you to get to Virginia?” asked Aiko. “How did you find us?”
“I assume we had a similar idea to you,” Tundra said. “The colder states would have less people and less Streakers but would also be harder to survive in. We decided to venture south, hoping to find more survivors, and run into less Streakers by staying away from big cities and off major highways.”
“How’d you end up here?” Peter asked.
“We’re actually on our way further south. We hope to find an island off the coast of Florida. David and I noticed this place from a distance and considered staying the night. When we moved closer, we smelled wood burning and were curious.”
“It is a nice place you have here,” Gunnar added.
“It speaks,” Billy joked, and Josh and Kyle snickered.
“You don’t address us that way.” David jumped out of his seat and turned a malevolent stare on them, pale eyes spiraling to red.
The boys quieted, fear apparent on Kyle’s face.
George, gun in hand, rocketed out of his seat. “You don’t talk to anyone here like that ever. This is our home, not yours.” The gun barrel was mere feet away from David’s head.
Peter and Tundra stood in unison.
Tundra aimed her gaze at David, voice cold and venomous. “We are guests here. You need to control yourself.” She placed a pale hand on his shoulder, fingernails digging into his flesh.
“I’m sorry,” David met Tundra’s eyes before the group. “I am sorry for the comment. It was not my place.”
To restore normalcy, Peter steered the conversation to his own experiences and spoke to Tundra about the group forming and traveling together. George sat and the conflict dissolved.
As the evening wore on, Lilly, Jim, and Mack became more communicative. Lilly, tiny and thin, was roughly the same age. The two rehashed life before the pandemic while Quentin, George, and Gus showed Jim and Mack the improvements to the inn. The New Race went to bond on the hunt.
Jenna loved having another person her age to reminisce wi
th. It brought back reminders of sleepovers and gossip sessions. Lilly was sweet and shy but warmed when the discussion focused on the years before the virus.
Emma came over with a bottle of Chianti and poured it into three mismatched mugs.
“You broke out the wine for a special occasion,” Jenna said.
“Nothing more special than finding people.” The older woman pulled them both into a hug.
“We were reliving the past. I hated middle school when I was in it,” Jenna said. “I was thirteen and such a geek. Who would have thought I would give anything to go back if I could.”
“I’m sure all the little boys were dying to give you your first kiss,” Emma teased.
“Not at all. I was tall for my age in middle school. All the boys were shorter than me for a year or two. Just imagine me bending down for my first kiss?”
“You’re lucky,” Lilly said. “I was always a midget. Everyone towered over me or jostled me out of the way. I tried so hard to be cool, always into make-up and trends, but hated the fashions. It was all leggings and short skirts when I wanted to be different. Now, I just wish we were all the same. Human. No Streakers.”
“Amen, girlfriend,” Emma slugged back her Chianti.
“Hey.”
Jenna and Lilly jumped, and Jenna wondered once again how Caleb moved so soundlessly, she failed to hear when he came near her.
“You scared me,” Jenna studied him. “You finished with the hunt?”
“I didn’t want to stay away too long. Dinner was a little tense, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay here.”
Jenna introduced Lilly. Caleb stuck out his hand so she could shake it. Her face turned white, and she stared at his fingers like she didn’t understand the social protocol.
“Are you okay?” Jenna asked.
“Sorry,” Lilly replied. “Stupid of me. Nice to meet you, Caleb.” She shook his hand.
Caleb joined them and after a few more glasses of Chianti the conversation erupted. Lilly came out of her shell and told funny stories about her past life as a band geek. It was obvious Lilly was intelligent and sweet, but she acted nervous and scared around Caleb. After Lilly retired to bed, Caleb and Jenna returned to her room.
She jumped on her bed and motioned Caleb next to her. Her hand drifted to the leg of his jeans and she let her hand drift along the fabric when they conversed.
“What do you think of the newcomers? Especially Tundra? She’s different.”
“I like Lilly. She’s charming. I didn’t really get a chance to meet Jim and Mack tonight. The hunt with the visitors was intense. Tundra and her crew are pretty extreme, but I guess you need to be that way to live in the world these days. We’ve gotten soft at the inn.”
“I don’t like her.” Conviction permeated the words. “There is something off about her and her group. She must have been a good leader because they all survived, but I find her really condescending.”
“How so?” He entwined their hands.
“Like Lilly was less important than the New Racers in her group. She made it apparent she doesn’t like me or maybe all humans. Tundra addressed Peter and the New Racers, while ignoring the rest of us.”
“You’re reading too much into it. Peter stepped in to introduce us. Its natural Tundra would consider him in charge. Plus, it must be easier for New Races to relate to their kind and humans to humans.”
“Really?” Jenna asked, freeing her hand from his. “I guess we are done.” She stroked his washboard flat stomach. “Unless you’d like to articulate what a New Racer is doing with this human?”
“Good question,” Caleb teased. “Maybe I should dump you now that some new blood is in town.”
“Don’t joke.” She swatted him.
“Sorry.” He lowered his eyes. “Seriously, Jenna, there is no one else I could ever imagine being with, and no one I want more than you.” Caleb’s gaze intensified and his eyes darkened to the color of thick blood.
He leaned in and kissed her. She was suddenly aware of how small she was against him. His scent, musky from the hunt, made Jenna tremble. At first, Caleb was gentle, nuzzling her neck and arms, causing them to tingle. Then he let his desire be known.
Jenna met his kisses with equal fervor, something she never would have imagined. She ripped at his clothing, wanting to touch skin, feel his nakedness next to her.
Caleb, on the other hand, took his time, easing Jenna’s shirt over her head. His hand leisurely trailed from neck to navel to tackle the single button on her jeans. He liberated Jenna from those.
He nuzzled her neck.
Jenna’s pulse raced. Her body longed for his and whatever existed between them was real. As the night advanced, Caleb found a way to bring her joy she could never have imagined.
Afterwards, Jenna snuggled in the tangled sheets against his broad frame, his arms wrapped around her. She fell asleep to the sound of his whispered words.
Harsh banging on the door roused her and Caleb before dawn the next morning.
“Group meeting in fifteen minutes. Move yourselves sleepy heads.” Victor’s baritone boomed.
Caleb and Jenna arrived late, entering a crowded main hall where closed curtains sealed out the light. Tundra stood in the corner politicking to Aiko, Victor and John, who laughed, captivated.
The hairs on Jenna’s arms rose, and she grabbed Caleb’s hand for support. He smiled reassuringly and found two seats.
Peter brought the group to order. “Tundra and her group are happy to find us. They never thought they’d find people settled and doing well and want to join. Let’s start the discussion with concerns. Every situation has both pros and cons needing to be addressed.”
Jenna had plenty of concerns, but she didn’t want to be the first to speak and come across as negative. She liked Lilly, Jim, and Mack, but was already ill at ease around Tundra and her creepy sidekicks. There were more base concerns too. More mouths to feed, more people to house and keep healthy. Until the inn was fully functional, they’d drain resources. Saying that to everyone would sound childish and petty, especially after her campaign to save Quentin.
“It will be fine.” Caleb squeezed her hand.
Luckily for Jenna, George decided to play the role of jerk for the day.
“You know we have limited supplies. Six more mouths to feed could drain our surplus quick.” George’s gaze focused on the new arrivals.
“Consider what you said. We all know you’re more concerned about the wine than the food. Three of the group are New Racers. They can help defend us and bring in deer meat with the hunt,” Jackie said. “They won’t be using much of the medical supplies because they are always healthy.”
George scowled.
“As for Lilly, Jim, and Mack, I am sure they will be useful around the inn.” Jackie sent a smile in their direction. “We have so much we need to get done before the winter sets in. We need the manpower. Sorry, Lilly—and the womanpower—to survive.”
“I’m just one voice,” George said. “I still have concerns.”
“We all do with important issues.” Peter stepped into the conversation. “And we should. Debate is healthy. Thinking about all sides of an issue is important. Does anyone else want to speak.”
Aiko made the case for the new arrivals to join.
“We are good on medications,” Emma added. “If anyone does get sick, we’ll handle it. I do wish one of you all had been a doctor though. It’s stressful caring for this lot on my own.”
“Let’s vote,” Peter said. “What would you want to happen if you were in the same situation?”
Jenna helped pass out slips of paper and writing utensils once again. Tundra, Gunnar, and David sat whispering together in the corner. Lilly, Mack, and Jim gazed around with saucer eyes.
What would life be like out there? And the struggle e to survive day-to-day? Fighting Streakers and scavenging for food and supplies must have been horrible for everyone.
As concerned as she was about Tundra in her h
ome, she couldn’t live with herself if she forced them out.
The votes were collected and tallied, revealing the vast majority of people wanted the new arrivals to stay. There were only two votes against them. Jenna assumed George had been one of those, but she was curious about who had cast the additional negative ballot.
When Peter announced the decision, Lilly gave Jenna a hug, and a celebration started. People milled around conversing or went to the kitchen to help prepare a meal. Gus and Jackie began to plan new work rotations that would help everyone settle. Lilly would shadow Jenna for a few days until she was comfortable around the inn on her own. Gus would show Mack and Jim around, and Peter, Aiko, and Victor could help the others.
The celebration lasted into the morning with wine flowing and conversations about the future. For a moment suspended in time, everyone appeared happy and slightly drunk on the wine from storage.
Caleb and Jenna left the party early, but it was not to sleep.
When Jenna and Lilly headed out into the morning, Jenna’s head thumped heavily, and she wondered if she had a little too much wine. The air was crisp, and winter appeared much closer than it had only a few days ago. Without a calendar, it was hard to keep track of time, which now passed in small spurts or rushing waves, never in a consistent flow.
“This is Moon and Star.” Jenna introduced the woman to the Clydesdales.
“They’re beautiful. I can’t wait to help you with the animals. This is the most wonderful thing after being on the road forever.”
“Was it tough?”
Lilly’s face shuttered over. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s hard.”
“But I’m here now.”
“Do you think you’ll be okay helping here. It’s dirty work, and some people don’t like it.”
“One hundred percent yes.”
The two women dug into mucking the stalls. As the days trudged forward, Jenna and Lilly became a strong team caring for the animals and the garden. With the additional help, Jenna had time to focus on the greenhouse project too.
Jenna and Lilly quickly established a close relationship and happy work routine. Each day would begin with the two started with barn chores and then migrated out to the garden.