Chapter Thirteen
LANA PICKED HER WAY through the forest and stopped at the edge, peering at her destination. She’d slept only when they were safe inside the emerops facilities and downed anti-sleepers between. Thus far, none of the emerops facilities had been in a town. That this one was in the middle of a town—even a tiny one—made her nervous. After ten days of walking, she needed a rest, now that she’d made it to the river.
The emerops facility was across a field and a road then down a few blocks in the ghost town that was the city of Randolph on the eastern shores of the Mississippi. Lana’s heart pounded as she left the forest. She’d traveled nonstop, sticking to narrow country roads and the forest to avoid both people and zones marked as having any sort of radiation fallout from the nuke strikes.
All the cities along the Mississippi River had been marked as contaminated to some extent. Randolph was the smallest of them, so she’d picked this town to cross the River rather than the larger ones south along the Mississippi.
Jack sat beside her. Lana sipped water. Her shoulders had ached the first week, and she’d traveled through a hazy world of discomfort and fear. She’d run into no one in her two weeks and grown comfortable in the forest with Jack. The idea of possibly running into people whose alliances she couldn’t predict made her queasy. However, she needed to get to the emerops facility in the town and then cross the bridge across the Mississippi. Once she did that, she could risk contacting Tim on her net and pray he reached her before Greenie or anyone else found her.
Because her Guardian wasn’t coming this time. The ache of loss had faded a little over the past two weeks, but she still cried herself to sleep at night.
With a deep breath, Lana left the forest. Jack loped ahead of her then paused to wait at the center of the field. As she reached him, she heard a sound that jarred her. A military transport rolled from the main road leading out of the forest a few hundred meters away towards the town. Lana froze, hoping they didn’t notice the lone figures in the middle of the field.
People emerged from the buildings that looked abandoned. Surprised, she watched a few men and women meet the transport in the road just outside town. Soldiers dressed in PMF grays and others in the fed’s black uniforms began unloading the transport, tossing cases of rations to the ground.
A few glanced her way, and Lana braced herself. Only one stared longer than a second. She held her breath, expecting them to charge her. No one did. Lana started forward again and circled the transport, puzzled by the mix of uniforms. She’d thought at first maybe the PMF scavenged the fed uniforms.
“Refugee?” one of those who had emerged from the town asked.
“Yes.” Her word came out a croak after two weeks without speaking. Lana cleared her throat.
“Follow Kelli in.”
A short brunette waved her over. Lana followed, unable to take her eyes off the soldiers.
“Where you coming from?” the brunette asked.
“Eastern Tennessee. The rebels are bringing supplies?” Lana asked.
“Rebels and regular military. They’re all there is now. I heard everything is fine out west, though.”
“Why don’t you just cross the river?”
“The bridges were all destroyed, and the old barriers from the war are back up.”
Lana sighed, her mind quickly turning to her alternatives.
“The government pretty much abandoned us,” Kelli said, tone hardening. “We found their emergency back-up supplies here. It’s all that’s kept the people alive.”
Lana’s second plan was foiled. As they walked into the town, they were greeted by people calling out to Kelli. The brunette waved in return and led her through the small town to a boardwalk lining the wide, slow-moving Mississippi River. The size of the river made Lana tick off one of her alternatives. There was no way she could swim it. Even if she did, the feds had thrown up walls on the other side that looked like they could withstand a nuclear blast.
Kelli led her into a building. “We keep a record of everyone who comes through. Just need your thumbprint.”
Lana gazed at the micro on a table, hesitating. “Could I possibly use the restroom first? I’ve been walking for a while.”
“Down the hall.” Kelli said and pointed.
Lana went, trailed by Jack. She ducked into the bathroom and pulled out her micro. Tim had said not to mess with anything, but she’d heard the anger in Kelli’s tone when she mentioned the feds. Lana hacked into the federal system, changing her own profile. She tucked the micro away and returned to the foyer.
Kelli waited by the door, gazing out at the river. She and the others appeared healthy, which surprised Lana. Lana pressed her thumb to the screen, relieved when the new info she’d entered popped up.
“Nice to meet you, Lana,” Kelli said, looking over her shoulder. “From Asheville. That’s a long walk.”
“It was,” Lana agreed.
“You look it, too. But you’ll be fine here. We divided up the buildings into small apartments. Everyone stays in the city or under it. It’s safer here, and the supplies are dropped off every day about this time,” Kelli explained. “Follow me.”
“So you haven’t tried to cross the river?”
“Why would we? For all we know, the reports we hear are false and the whole country is like this. In any case, my husband, Mike—who was voted to be the liaison with the soldiers—isn’t likely to let it happen. Neither will the soldiers.”
It’s not like this over there, Lana thought silently. She trailed Kelli, who walked to the main street again.
“We turned those buildings into a makeshift hospital. They’re the only ones with electricity. We’re building a bigger battery to store the energy we generate from the river, but …” Kelli shrugged. “It’s not as easy as that. No one here had the skills. For now, just the hospital has power.”
“I still can’t believe the PMF and army are working together,” Lana said.
“PMF has transports, army has supplies. Seems logical enough,” Kelli answered. “The Twelfth Army settled into Arkansas about a week ago. They were headed to Tennessee but we heard something bad happened, split the government at the top level. Someone sent them south instead of north. Good for us, though.”
“Amazing.”
“Where you been all this time? Under a rock? Anyway, we’ll put you in temporary housing until we have a place for you,” Kelli said. “This is your new home for now.”
Lana looked at the building. Few people were out in the streets, but the front office area of the building held several women who had turned it into a living room. Mismatched chairs, crates, and one couch had been arranged in two circles around stacks of antique books and lanterns.
“A few of us hunt every night for meat then have a bonfire to cook it up. Not bad for the end of the world, eh?” Kelli asked with a smile.
“Only until the supplies run out,” Lana said in response. “What then?”
“We planted crops in the field you walked across and a few others down the road. We’ll just have to protect them from others. We have a plan,” Kelli answered with confidence Lana didn’t share. Kelli greeted a few of the women in the room and led Lana into what looked like a former warehouse in the back of the building. The warehouse had been divided up with hanging blankets into a maze of hallways and personal rooms. Each room held a low bed or cot and two crates.
“One for your stuff and one to sit on,” Kelli explained, ducking into one such room and holding up the blanket acting as a door for Lana to enter. “You’re responsible for cleaning your own clothes and linens. We have more blankets in the corner nearest the entrance. It can get chilly here at night. This is the most important thing.” She held up clothing covered in mosquito netting. “The bugs are bad here, and they have diseases. We all wear them.”
Lana looked Kelli over more closely, noticing the clothing for the first time.
“Questions?” Kelli asked.
Lana shook her head. Jack climbed onto
her bed and stretched out.
“We have dog food, too. Tons of it. More than we have dogs,” Kelli added. “I’ll bring you some for him.”
“Thank you,” Lana said. Kelli flashed a smile and left.
So far, this wasn’t what Lana expected. Her room was tiny, and she heard others rustling in rooms nearby. She couldn’t help but feel surprised by the kindness and careful planning of the refugees who’d lost everything but electricity in one building. Of course, she’d spent the last twenty years in the competitive upper-class circles, learning how to keep out of the way of those who would use her to get to Mr. Tim. He’d urged her to hide herself away when she wasn’t at work with him, telling her tales of how bad the upper class was.
On many occasions, she’d seen the duplicity and cold manipulation he’d spoken of. Usually, he was the one doing it, so she’d listened to him.
She’d never wondered if the lower class was different. She had few memories of her mother and grandparents and never crossed paths with anyone from the poor class. If these people had been from the elite class, they’d have shot her on sight. Nothing in the town would be standing, because the elite hoarded power and anything that would give them influence.
Even though her bed was a cot, she didn’t think she’d seen anything so appealing. Tired of puzzling over the world around her, Lana shrugged off the rucksack, pushed Jack over, and lay down with him. She didn’t expect to sleep, not with the amount of anti-sleepers in her system. However, she fell into a deep slumber soon after she lay down.
She dreamt of what life with Brady might’ve been like, away from the war and betrayal. The dream was sweet and short. When Kelli woke her, the warehouse was dark, except for the low light of lanterns like the one dangling from the ceiling into Lana’s room.
“I thought you’d be hungry,” Kelli said. “Change into the mosquito gear and come on out.”
Lana struggled out of bed, exhausted still. She changed and placed her micro and vault into her pockets then followed Kelli out of the warehouse, through the front office space and into the street. Where the street had been vacant during the day, they were crowded at night. Groups of people milled and moved towards the fields surrounding the town, guided by moonlight and the light of handheld lanterns.
“It was a good hunting day,” Kelli said, excitement in her voice. “Five bucks. Big ones, too. Looks like you were good luck!”
Lana said nothing but touched Jack’s scruff, nervous around all the people. She feared staying here too long and wondered again how she’d cross the river.
They left the town and joined those in the field beside the river. Five bonfires had sprung up, each one with a massive spit turning a large deer in its center. A cool breeze swept over the river, and Lana shivered until they neared one of the spits, the one with the least amount of people there. Kelli greeted one of the men with a kiss and a quick hug before going to the woman cutting chunks of meat off the deer. Lana stood to the side, watching Kelli prepare two plates. Beside the spit were two kettles over smaller fires. Kelli ladled out the contents of the kettles onto each plate. When she returned, Lana identified rice and beans.
“Enjoy,” Kelli said. She plopped a piece of flat bread over the top then sat down with her own plate.
Lana hesitated then sat, watching Kelli use the bread in place of utensils to eat her dinner. She mirrored the movement, feeding meat to Jack as she ate. The meat was well cooked and tender, which made up for the lack of seasonings. The rice and beans were bland until mixed together. Lana found herself eating faster than she should have, hungry for real food after ten days of appetite suppressants and the dehydrated staples that she’d stuffed her bag full of. She had enough for a month, but after a few days, she found herself wishing for real food instead of the stale bars.
Several soldiers—two in grays and three in black uniforms—approached the bonfire, speaking with the men gathered in a group on one side. Lana’s eyes settled on them, and she found herself tensing. She’d seen what the PMF did to feds; if not for Brady, she’d be raped and dead by now. She knew nothing of the military regulars aside from the very few she’d met.
And Brady, who had been in both worlds.
Her gaze dropped to her plate, and she stared at the runny beans and floating rice. She’d tried not to think of him while traveling. She didn’t want to admit he was dead. She didn’t want to think about losing the man who made her feel something so strong for the first time in her life.
“I need to cross the river,” she told Kelli.
The woman glanced up from her plate, surprise on her features.
“I have … family in Colorado,” Lana said. It wasn’t completely untrue; Mr. Tim was in Colorado.
“A few people have tried. No one has come back,” Kelli said slowly.
Because they’re dead, Lana guessed. There were likely some nasty security features on the other side of the Mississippi left over from the East-West Civil War. Lana’s access was limited to the eastern part of the country. She could see nothing in her micro beyond the River.
“Hey, Kelli.” Two soldiers—one in black and one in gray—approached. The one in gray spoke.
“Hi, Leo,” Kelli said with a smile. “Anything on patrols tonight?”
Lana studied the soldiers. They were well armed and their uniforms pressed and clean.
“Nothing. It’s a good thing. Found a few more refugees just south of here. You have room in the warehouse?”
“We do. We had another refugee wander into the town today,” Kelli said, motioning to Lana.
Lana braced herself as the two looked her over carefully.
“Welcome,” the man in black said at last. “She looks healthy.”
“Seems that way. We didn’t test her for radiation yet,” Kelli added. “The equipment isn’t working again.”
“We can send someone to fix it,” the soldier in gray said.
“I didn’t expect to see you working together,” Lana said, unable to help her curiosity.
“Still our country,” the PMF soldier said. “We’re just trying to keep the people safe for now.”
“You have a common goal,” Lana said thoughtfully. “Interesting.”
“We’re all there is here in the States,” the military regular said. “The rest of the military is overseas. Domestic protection fell to PMF. For once, someone in the chain of command had some common sense.”
“Only time in history,” the PMF solider said with a snort. “Kelli, you checked her profile?”
“She’s clean,” Kelli confirmed. “Sorry, Lana. We welcome everyone with open arms but are cautious nonetheless. We’ve thrown a few in the prison we created and sent a few more home with these guys. No idea what happens to them then.”
“Better you don’t know,” the PMF soldier said with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Lana.”
“Thanks,” she managed.
“How’re the kids?” the other solider asked Kelli.
“Very well, thanks,” Kelli said with a warm smile. “The radiation treatments we found in the feds’ storage facility worked. Thanks again to your docs for showing us how to use them.”
“I’m just happy they’re all right. Lots of others aren’t. We’ve gotta finish our rounds.”
“Hellos to the others.”
The two soldiers moved away, greeting the next group of people before sitting down to talk.
“Your kids are sick?” Lana asked.
“They got a dose of radiation poisoning. We got here about five weeks ago from Georgia. My husband and I got separated. He came with the kids and I came alone. Thank god we all survived!” Kelli said. “But the kids were pretty messed up. Someone found the supplies and all the drugs. It’s what keeps the hospital functioning, so we can treat everyone who comes this way. My kids are recovering.”
Lana said nothing, dismayed. She’d never thought to open the supply points for the general public. Suddenly, she felt guilty for using the emerops depots for herself like a
typical member of the elite.
“So, who do you lock up?” she asked.
“Who else?” Kelli said with a laugh. “Feds! They got us into this mess. Rumor has it they’re trying to revive the East-West War. No love lost between us and them in any case.”
“I don’t blame you.” Lana turned her attention to her plate. She placed it on the ground and watched Jack wolf down the rest. “They’re all selfish bastards.”
“That they are. Though I’m grateful they stashed stuff here, where it was found and my kids could get treated. So many other lives have been lost that might’ve been saved.” Kelli’s gaze grew haunted, and Lana couldn’t imagine what she’d seen during her journey from Georgia to the small town of Randolph.
“I think I need some sleep,” Lana said, feeling ill. “Is it all right if I retire to my room?”
“Of course. I’ll come get you in the morning, so we can assess your skills. Everyone here has a role to support our little community. But we’ll worry about it tomorrow,” Kelli said.
“I’d be happy to help any way I can.”
Kelli smiled again. Lana walked back to the town and to the storefront that was her temporary home. She retreated to her room and turned up the lantern overhead to hide the light of her micro. Jack stretched out on the floor, content after his dinner, while she stared at the screen of her micro. With a deep breath, she released the locks on all the emerops facilities east of the Mississippi.
The token seemed too small to make up for not thinking of it sooner. It did little to fill the emptiness within her. Lana tucked the micro away. Distraught, she lay down on the bed and stared at the flame in the lantern.
Her thoughts went to Brady again. She took deep breaths to keep from crying. The loss of him and all the other lives made her feel like the worst person on the planet. She missed her Guardian.