Eden's Root (12 page)

“Yeah,” she agreed with him. “I’m really good at all the cruel stuff,” her voice was quiet and she dropped her eyes. Sean patted her leg and his hand reached for hers and squeezed it.

“Thank God someone is,” he whispered softly and her head snapped up, startled. His gaze was suddenly intense, and he leaned toward her. Oh gosh, Fi thought and she jumped up, pretending not to notice that Sean had drawn closer.

“So it’s decided then.” She forced a tone of merriment. Although she was avoiding his gaze, she peeked at him from under her lashes. His face looked quizzical and a little…hurt? It was hard to read. To lighten the mood, Fi pointed toward Sean and grunted in her best caveman voice, “You gather!” She pointed to herself. “Me hunt!” Sean’s face screwed up and he burst out laughing, Fi joining him. Thank goodness, she thought. Whatever that was before had passed. “Grab your stuff,” she urged, “let’s get back.”

Together they made their way through the forest and emerged into an open field. Fi stopped, peering at their surroundings. Wind whistled over the large field, still half-covered in melting snow. Forest lined the edges, the grey spidery branches showing the first tips of green as spring began its tiptoeing arrival. Even with her sunglasses on, Fi found herself squinting at the glare of the hazy sunlight on the snow.

“That’s weird,” she murmured. Sean had taken a few more steps into the field before he’d noticed that Fi had come to a stop. He turned back to her, mystified.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. She shook her head.

“I don’t know,” her voice was hesitant. “It just feels like something is wrong here.” She pointed. “You see there where all the snow has melted?”

Sean nodded. “Yeah, so?”

“Well, isn’t it weird the way that there is no grass there?” She said, nodding to herself. Yes, she though, it was weird. “There is no dead grass leftover beneath the snow and there is no new growth at all, unlike in the forest.” She pointed at the leaf buds on the trees behind them. Fi walked out into the clearing. “There’s not even any dry, dead grass sticking up above the snow.”

Sean’s feet crunched as he shifted his weight. “That
is
weird,” he said. “Now that you point it all out.” Fi shook her head and sighed.

“This isn’t good Sean.” She knew that if they left for Eden now they could still face dangerous late season snowfalls. But if there was one thing she’d realized from what she saw in that field, it was that the grasses were not returning with the spring. Whether she was afraid to get going or not, she realized they would have to very soon. “It means it’s almost time.”

Surrounded

----------- Sean -----------

“I would like to reiterate,” President Winter said, smiling firmly from the television, “that there is no need to panic. We will be handling these food shortages and we will weather this storm,” she continued. “Right now I will hand over the podium to Secretary of Defense Jim Holland who will brief you on the steps that we will be taking to ensure the safety and sustenance of all Americans,” her voice caught slightly. She coughed and moved aside as the other man stepped up.

Sean watched the screen transfixed, his breath quickening. The man wore a dour black suit and grey tie and an even more dour expression. He stepped up without any papers and grasped the podium. “Thank you President Winter,” he said giving a deferential nod and coughing. “Due to the severity of the food crisis, all branches of the military will begin coordinating in a nationwide operation we have dubbed ‘The Staff of Life’.”

The chair slammed to the ground as Sean leapt up. Taking the stairs two at a time, he ran to his room to grab his things. “Gotta go Mom!” he yelled as he ran out the door. Stumbling, Sean tore across the backyard.

On the television the man droned on, his tone flat. “Soldiers will be spreading out across the country to provide coordinated food rationing locations and distribution centers. In large city centers the rations will be brought in. It’s absolutely essential that everyone remain calm. This is just a temporary situation…”

----------- Fi -----------

Fi jumped as a door slammed downstairs.

“It’s time Fi, it’s time!” Sean yelled as he came running up the stairs. “They’re coming right now!” He burst through her bedroom door and came to a screeching halt, frozen in place.

“What the hell?” Fi yelled, startled. “Sean! Get out!” She stamped her foot. She was wrapped in a towel and was standing with a comb in her hand, her hair wet from the shower.

“Whoops!” he whirled around. “Sorry. Sorry. Ummm, we gotta go Fi,” he bounced on his toes with anticipation. She noted that he was carrying his pack and wearing his gear: cargoes, hiking boots, dri-fit T-shirt and vest. Her heart fluttered and she felt her breath quicken. Sean was ready. It was time.

“Don’t turn around Sean,” she warned. “Or I swear, I will kick your ass.” She grabbed the clothes she’d chosen for this day…for the day of their escape. As she yanked on a copy of Sean’s cargo pants and black long sleeve dri-fit T-shirt, she felt like a soldier for the first time. She stared at herself in the mirror and saw that she was stronger now, so much stronger. She’d grown actual muscles, their soft lines gently bulging through the dri-fit in places. Her hair was braided back for efficiency and her clothes made her look tough, unisex, and ready.

“Ok turn around,” she said. Sean turned.

“We gotta round up the family Fi,” he said, his fingers twitching. “It’s time. It’s all over town. The government has sent soldiers out to provide us all with ‘food relief’,” he emphasized the last part. “It’s happening just like you said. The soldiers are already on their way and will be gathering people starting tomorrow morning. They could roll into town tonight!” His voice rose to a squeak and she realized that the adrenalin had to be coursing through him as well.

“Sean, take a deep breath. We have to be calm,” she urged. He nodded and gulped in air, blowing it out slowly. “Do you have the materials for yourself and your family ready to go?”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied. He’d taken to calling her ‘boss’ or ‘ma’am’ whenever she took charge. It was part joke and part reality. She clearly was the boss.

“Good,” she responded as she threw on her vest and grabbed her pack. “Let’s go get them all. Meet me in your kitchen in thirty.” She opened her door and threw him a last glance, “And Sean remember, NO ONE can know but the Family, so whatever you do to get them here, make it quick and quiet.”

“Understood.” He nodded. They left her house and split up.

Half an hour later, Fi, Sean, Maggie, and Kiara all waited nervously in the Skillman’s normally warm and homey kitchen.

“Fi, seriously,” Maggie said, “what is going on? Why can’t you tell me anything?” she pleaded. She looked stressed and tired. Fi hated to worry her, but it was a necessary evil. Like many, she thought.

“It has to wait Mama,” she kept her voice calm. “We have to wait for the rest of the Family.”

“Fi? Sean? What the heck is going on here?” John asked when he strode in the door with Rachel and saw them both sitting at the table with Maggie and Kiara. Seconds later, Lucy flew in from the garage with Zoe in tow.

“Sean, are you alright? Is someone hurt?” Fi flinched at the panic in both their voices, but something in the two teenagers’ demeanor and military style clothing made them stop in their tracks.

“It’s Ok, Uncle John, Aunt Lucy,” Fi reassured them. “It’s ok. No one is hurt.”

“Oh thank God!” Lucy sighed and collapsed into a kitchen chair. Before she could say anything else, Fi interrupted her.

“But something more important than you could possibly imagine is going on and we don’t have much time,” she said. “I’m going to need,” she began, and then shook her head as she smiled at Sean. “
We
are going to need everyone to have a seat and just listen for a while.” Her tone was so firm that no one questioned her and all took their seats in silence.

Thirty minutes later, the faces before her ranged from complete shock to depression. Zoe and Kiara were frightened, she could tell and it made her stomach hurt. Though they did not really understand what was happening, the time for innocence was over. With so much time to prepare for this moment, somehow she still hadn’t realized how much it would sadden her.

“Believe me, I wish this weren’t so,” she lamented. “I wish we had more time. But you saw the news story yourself. The troops are coming. We don’t have much time.” She shook her head.

Maggie broke her silence. “Fi, I think I should be completely honest before we all get into this boat together.” Fi froze. She hadn’t expected Maggie to actually talk about it. So Maggie was aware that Fi knew? I guess I’m not as good an actress as I thought I was, Fi sighed. Searching Maggie’s face, Fi decided it was her right to share. She nodded.

“I regret,” Maggie began and then coughed. Lucy jumped up and got her a tissue, concern for her dear friend etched on her face. “I regret that I will be adding a burden to this trip,” she began and Lucy and John nodded. They’d seen the signs.

“It’s ok, Margaret,” John said lovingly, using the name Papa sometimes used with Maggie. There were tears in his eyes. “None of us are ever a burden to each other,” he said and he put his hand on Rachel’s shoulder. Maggie’s eyes widened and she turned to Fi who nodded, a small gesture meant to avoid giving voice. Yes, there would be two on this trip who would need help. Maggie gave a small choke and then bit her lip, silenced.

John studied Fi, his gaze intent. “Lucy and I are too old and out of shape to kid ourselves that we can lead a survival mission with our children. And though it sounds crazy to follow a young girl like you into the wilderness,” he began. “It may be the only logical choice left.” John punctuated his thought with a nod. It was almost like he was making the argument out loud for himself and Lucy, to convince them.

“I know Uncle John,” Fi smiled gently. “I still look like a baby to you, but I haven’t been a baby since the day that Papa told me this was coming.” Hesitating, Fi made a face. “Actually I haven’t been a baby since Luke,” she corrected herself. “Once Papa had me convinced of the reality of this situation,” she sighed, “I got to work.”

Fi shifted her gaze, making eye contact with the entire assembled family. “You know that I love all of you more than I love anything or anyone else in the world,” she said and they all nodded and murmured in agreement.

“I love you too Fi!” Kiara piped up triggering a few nervous titters.

“Thanks Kiara,” she smiled. “The point is that I would give my life to protect you all and I’ve dedicated the last four months to getting ready to do that.” She pushed her chair back and stood up with her hand held out above the table, palm downward. “Now, we don’t have much time. I will need us to function as one large Family with no divisions.” She gave her ultimatum, “And I must insist that I be the Leader. So who is in?”

Though she tried to sound firm, Fi’s heart was actually pounding at the thought of leading this group. She’d only really thought of leading Maggie and Kiara, but now she’d have to lead John and Lucy too. She took a deep breath as she waited. John reached over and rubbed Lucy’s hand. Then he turned to Maggie and they all nodded. John stood up and put his hand out to cover hers.

“I’m in Fi,” he said. “I will follow you.” He waved to the others. “Come,” he said. “Hands in,” and they all stood and put their hands into the middle, layering them on top of one another. Lucy nodded.

“I’m in too Fi,” she said, though her smile was conflicted. Fi knew that it would almost be harder for Lucy to accept her leadership than it was for John. A worried frown marred Maggie’s beautiful face.

“I’m in, of course Fi,” she said. “I will do whatever I can to help.” They had to stretch the pile of hands down low so that Zoe could reach from her chair.

“What should we say?” Fi asked.

“Let’s say, ‘To Family’,” John suggested and they all agreed.

“Ok,” Fi said, “One, two, three…to Family!” They shouted and threw their hands up.

It seemed ridiculous, to give a cheer like this was a little league game, but they needed some ritual to turn the corner, Fi realized. She’d had the luxury of months to prepare her mind. The rest of them were just wrapping their mind around it, with little time to waste.

They would have to wait until nightfall to make their escape to avoid making themselves obvious to the soldiers who were sure to arrive soon. That gave the rest of them only a few hours time to make decisions about what to leave behind. Fi and Sean had already assembled packs for the adults and Rachel that contained rations and survival gear. Maggie and Kiara headed through the backyard to the Kelly home to sift through some personal items and decide what to take. Before Maggie left, Fi opened the pack she’d started for her and pulled out the folded papers she’d included. Maggie’s hands shook as she unfolded them.

“Oh Fi,” she sighed, her eyes welling up as she stared at Luke’s drawings. Smiling, she nodded in understanding at this selection. Space in the packs was limited. They could bring only the most important things with them, and the smallest.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you Mama?” Fi asked. Maggie shook her head and smiled down at Kiara.

“I think we’ve got the task of picking out the best stuff covered, right Kiara?” she asked. Kiara’s eyes were still like saucers, but she braved a smile and nodded. Fi was impressed. So far, her little sister was handling this all pretty well. Fi stayed with the Skillmans to help Sean and his parents make their choices. Maggie and Kiara would come back when they were done.

From her spot on the floor amid scattered piles of personal memories, Lucy made a strange noise, holding an object aloft.

“Mama’s ring,” she exclaimed and then covered her mouth. “Oh no,” her face started to crumple. “Jewelry won’t have any value anymore will it?” Shaking her head, her shoulders slumped. She knew the answer to her own question. Fi set down the box in her hands and crouched next to Lucy and patted her back.

“Aunt Lucy,” she murmured, “I can’t tell you how sorry I am about all this, you get no time to process.” Lucy’s head hung forward in depression and shock. “But this ring is such a little thing and it has value to you, so I think you should bring it.” Lucy smiled up at her with tears in her eyes.