Eden's Root (25 page)

Sean raised his eyebrows. Fi felt a little annoyed and then reminded herself that she had never really talked about the danger. She had always let Sean assume that she was just great at what she did, slipping in and out without having to fight. If he had paid closer attention, he may have noticed an occasional bruise on her arms or legs, or seen a slight limp due to a sore ankle. But Fi was so good at covering her own pain, her own needs, that he could hardly be blamed for thinking her invincible. It was her goal that he should think that, she reminded herself.

“For example,” she continued, “if you find a store that is ninety percent or more empty, then you turn around and run. At best, it’s a waste of your time. At worst, it’s a trap.” Sean sucked in and covered his mouth, not that Fi was surprised. She knew this would shock him. She stood and stretched and Sean followed her lead. It was time to get going again.

“The worst sign,” Fi added as they broke into a trot, “is when you see nothing in the store except some canned food. Way out in the open too.” She was quiet for a moment and Sean spoke to break into her thoughts.

“So note to self, leave the super-empty stores right away?” he said and she nodded. For a while were silent as they jogged. It was growing warmer now that the sun was overhead. Fi’s stomach growled and she ignored it. There would be time for food later. By now she’d learned that you might have to go farther than you thought to get what you needed. It was always better to ration your food on the way out rather than the way back…just in case.

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

Sean figured that it was getting close to lunchtime. He reflected on the things Fi had told them. Obviously, Fi had been caught on her raids before. At the very least she had been chased, and he now felt certain she’d had to fight at some point. She may have even had to shoot someone.

As he tried to picture it, he realized that he couldn’t, that he couldn’t imagine her that way. He saw that she was tough, that she could fight, that she could hunt, that she could shoot. But he’d never actually seen her in action, defending herself and the Family. He guessed that he was about to see it for the first time, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready.

Fi spoke up. “We are getting close to the point where we have to start being silent, so I want to share one more aspect of raids.” Sean nodded, interested.

“Well if you do find things that may be of value to Others, and you have room in your pack, grab them. Even if it’s something we don’t need ourselves.” Her voice was calm; “You never know what you may be able to barter for something better.” Sean was stunned. So stunned in fact, that he actually stopped walking for a second and then skipped to catch back up. Was she serious, he wondered? It violated one of their major rules as a Family.
Stay Away from People
!

“How come I didn’t know you traded with Others?” he demanded. She shrugged her shoulders.

“You never asked.”

“Hmmmnph,” he grunted. She had him there. He just had never imagined it. His eyes slid sideways to glance at Fi as she floated over the rough terrain at his side. The ever-present buck knife was strapped to her left thigh and her gun was holstered at her waist. Her hair had grown very long. Though the Family had scissors, she had opted not to cut it since their escape from home. The thick chunky braid swung down to the middle of her back, stray curls pinned back by the constant presence of the black elastic headband and now, a fuzzy winter ear warmer. Her low hiking boots allowed her to run quickly if needed. She wore her usual gear, everything dark, camouflaged, and functional.

Everything about her was this now, Sean realized. Whether she didn’t feel the same way that he did because she would never feel that way, or because in this world she was not free to feel that way, he didn’t know. What he did know was that it was kind of Fi to allow him to be affectionate with her at all. It was an indulgence, he realized, because she cared about him and doesn’t want to hurt his feelings.

He nodded his head. I’ll take it, he thought. I will love her, but not push her, and she will let me. That’s enough for me. For now.

“So,” he said. “Tell me about your trading experiences then.” He put his head down and focused, striding with Fi, being her foot soldier. They had a ways yet to go.

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

Good God, it was cold, Fi thought, her eyes searching the road and woods ahead as she stood sentry. A sudden sound caught her attention and she saw two figures making their way up the road. She waited until they were close enough that she had the advantage and she drew her weapon.

“Hold it right there! Don’t move,” she commanded from the darkness. The larger figure stopped and moved in front of the smaller figure.

“Alright we don’t want any trouble,” he said, his tone gruff. “We are just passing through. I got a lady with a baby here.” Fi slid a bullet into the chamber and she saw the man startle at the sound. He obviously was familiar with weapons. She stepped into the road with gun drawn and pointed a flashlight at the intruders. The light was small, but powerful. She knew that he would be blinded by it, that she would appear as a mere shadow. The man was older, much older, Fi saw. The woman, by contrast was young, perhaps in her late twenties, and her long wool jacket covered a cooing bundle that Fi took to be the baby.

“Do you have any weapons?” Her heart pounded while the man considered his options.

“Yes, I do,” he replied with a sigh. “I have a shotgun, and a machete.” Fi was surprised. Honesty was not usually the way of Others these days.

“You may remove your weapons and place them on the ground between us,” she said. “At that point, I’m going to holster my own weapon, but be aware that I’m not alone.” The man did as she asked, slowly placing both weapons on the ground at their feet while she watched. As promised, she lowered her weapon and put the safety on before holstering it.

“Names,” she barked. The man responded, his voice clipped like that of a soldier.

“My name is Mitchell Barnes, but people usually call me Sarge.” He stepped sideways to reveal the woman behind him. “This here is my granddaughter Lydia, and my great-grandson Charlie.” He put his hand in front of his eyes to block the glare of the flashlight. Fi turned the flashlight sideways so that all could have a better view.

“Alright, Sarge,” she said in a firm voice. “I’m Fi, and I’m the Leader of my Family. You appear to be truthful, so I’m going to return the favor.” Sarge half-smiled and his eyebrows rose, but she ignored him. His reaction to her was hardly unique.

“This is my Family’s territory,” she continued. “Depending on your intended route, we will allow you to pass or possibly assist you on your way. If you make any move to harm any member of my Family, you will be killed. No questions asked, no hesitation, you understand?” He nodded, still obviously stunned by the age and size of this grim little soldier.

“If you’re in need of resources or shelter and you mean no harm, we will also allow you to rest on our land, but we will not reveal the location of our home at any time.” He nodded again, exchanging glances with Lydia, who also seemed shocked by the scene.

“Finally,” she added, “on occasion, we initiate new Members to the Family. If we find peaceful and useful individuals who are willing to work and contribute, then we will consider them for addition to the Family. If you’re not looking to join a larger group, so be it. If it’s something you do want, then speak now.” Sarge and Lydia were silent for a moment. “Well?” Fi prompted them.

“Well,” he responded, “I know that I don’t look like much at my age. Most others we’ve met either try to kill us or just hurry us along. But I’m seeking a group to help protect my Lydia and the baby. They need more protection than I can provide.” It was an honest assessment of their situation, Fi could see. The man was too old to protect the woman and baby by himself. “So I hadn’t thought about joining you until just this minute, but I’d like to be given a chance, if that is an option.” Fi cocked her head.

“Sarge, huh?” she said. “I assume that you were in the military then?”

“Yes Ma’am. All of my life. Retired honorably. Served in the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War, and in Somalia. I’ve seen some stuff and I know a thing or two about strategy and weapons. With a weapon I can fight, but honestly, without one, I’m not much to you.” Fi nodded, appreciating the continued honesty. She turned to Lydia.

“And what about you Lydia?” she asked, her voice softening somewhat. “What is it that you did before the world fell apart?”

Lydia’s voice shook a little. “It’s not so helpful really. I was a third grade teacher.” Her smile was unsure. “Not a skill set that is so useful now, I guess. I’m sorry, but I’m not a trained fighter. I haven’t even handled Grandpa’s guns except when there was no other choice. I hate them.” The misery in her voice spoke to her honesty.

Fi smiled. “A schoolteacher. What a coincidence. We happen to have some little ones who are missing their regular schooling right now. I bet the parents and adults would be interested in setting up a small school.” She peered at Lydia. “Would you want to teach again?” Lydia sucked in her breath.

“Oh, yes! I would yes, for sure,” she nodded. The baby strapped to her coughed a little and gurgled from inside her coat. She bounced him anxiously, “Um, he is going to need to eat soon, so we need to get out of the road and to some kind of shelter before he starts having a fit.”

“Of course,” Fi said. “Give me a moment.” She put her fingers to her mouth and made a light whistling call. In the distance they could hear several response calls. “I’m going to turn out the light, so that you do not see my Family approach. We will have to blindfold you to take you to our location, and they will help you to navigate safely with us. Please stand still and do not be afraid. I promise, we will not hurt you.” She turned out the light and the darkness fell over them like a cloak. In a few minutes they could hear soft footfalls as the others approached.

“What have you got Fi?” Sean called as he approached. “You didn’t give the distress call?”

“Sean, I have a couple travelers and a baby here. I think they may make good Members of the Family and I want to present them for Consideration.” She peered into the darkness. “Is John with you?”

“Nope,” called a deep voice. “It’s me, Fi.” Out of the corner of her eye Fi saw Sarge’s silhouette stir. Probably surprised to hear Doc’s voice, she thought. An older man like him must be wondering how it is that I am in charge.

“Doc, ok. Great. This will work. Ok, Sarge? Lydia?” Fi called out to them.

“Yes,” they both responded in the darkness.

“My Family Members Sean and Doc Ron are going to blindfold you. Lydia, make sure you feel you have a safe hold on Charlie, but can still have a hand free. Each Member is going to hold you by the hand and lead you to our home in the dark. It will take close to thirty minutes unless you can hurry, but we don’t want you to fall, so please take care.” There was a pause. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes,” they responded again. Lydia let go of Sarge’s hand to adjust her hold on Charlie. She had him pressed to her chest in a makeshift sling. Doc stepped up behind Sarge while Sean approached Lydia.

“Now I’m going to tie this blindfold on you gently,” Doc reassured Sarge. “Just a minute.” Doc took Sarge by the hand and started to pull him forward. “Let’s go,” he said. Sarge and Lydia both began marching hand-in-hand with the Members of Fi’s family.

“I’m going to go ahead and get the Family prepared for the new arrivals.” Fi said and then she dashed away. With Doc Ron and Sean’s help, Sarge and Lydia walked as quickly as they could without tripping over the uneven snow and clods of dirt. For a while, they did not speak and then Fi came racing back to join them.

“We are almost there guys,” she reassured the blindfolded duo.

“It’s ok to whisper if you want to,” Sean added. “You aren’t marching to your doom or anything.” Lydia breathed out hard.

“Thank you,” she breathed gratefully. “It’s just scary a bit, with the blindfolds. It feels like a kidnapping or something.” She bit her lip. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Sean chuckled and squeezed her hand.

“Yes, you did. But that’s ok, it was honest,” he reassured her. “Fi is right, you two do seem to have an honesty problem,” he said and he chuckled again. “It will be ok, believe me. Fi is the best Leader of a Family ever.” Fi shot him a smile over her shoulder. In the darkness he probably did not see it, but she appreciated his vote of confidence to their new acquaintances. They continued on in silence, concentrating on their movements. Now that the tension had eased, all four were worked together with whispered directions or encouragement when needed. They came to a stop.

“Ok,” Sean said. “We’re here.” Doc let go of Sarge’s hand. “Please stand here and give us a minute,” Sean requested. Sarge and Lydia stood still, Lydia bouncing and comforting a fussy Charlie. Sean pried open the cellar doors and Fi vaulted down them first, taking her seat on the makeshift bench they’d built in the corner. Above she heard Doc explaining the final step to Sarge and Lydia.

“We are going to go down some steps,” he said. “Just seven of them, but they are a little steep and creaky. I will take you down one at a time.” They moved forward and Doc helped Sarge navigate his way down the stairs and Sean followed with Lydia.

“Ok, time to remove the blindfolds.” Doc said as he untied Sarge’s blindfold. Sarge and Lydia blinked their eyes as they took in their surroundings. A small fire glowed from inside a metal basin placed on the dirt floor of the farmhouse cellar. The roof was so low that Sarge could only just stand. Smoke from the firepit curled out a small window in the nearest wall, just above ground level. Sarge swung his head around, conducting a count, Fi thought as she studied him. Just like a good soldier would do. When footfalls crossed on the floor above them, his head swung up and he exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Lydia. Fi nodded to herself, Sarge was definitely determining their numbers.

Fi smiled up at him from her perch on a bench made of cinderblocks and pillows. She could see the shock on Sarge’s face now that he could truly see her face and her youth. His expression changed when he saw his rifle and machete at her feet.