Eden's Root (47 page)

“Yes, that makes sense. I wonder how many Others stayed in that city.” Fi nodded, it was the thought that troubled her the most as well. Hopefully it had been long enough that Montreal was mostly a Ghost Town. Fi piped up.

“Sean and I thought that the three of us should scout our desired route tonight when we arrive. We could get the lay of the land and maybe even conduct a raid, depending on the resources and the conditions.” Turning to Asher, she asked, “You up for that?”

“Of course,” he said as he drew his sword. The blade sang as it slid from its sheath and Asher sank into fighting stance with a grin. “Bring it on,” he murmured and Fi and Sean both laughed. Even if it seemed dramatic, they all knew that one had to get raring for a fight or you wouldn’t stand a chance. It was time for them to get ready for the fight that could lie ahead. Asher sheathed his sword again as they strolled and the rest of the day was spent breaking down scenarios, planning out fights, and debating escape options.

That night, they left the rest of the Family on the opposite shore, safely tucked away in an old auto-body shop. After a twenty-minute hike they reached the end of the first bridge. It felt like deja vous to Fi. Standing under the starry sky, facing another darkened skyline.

“This is really depressing,” she whispered. “I hate going into the cities now.” Asher touched her hand gently. She knew he understood. It wasn’t like her to complain, but the sight of a city skyline brought back too many memories. Her side hurt just thinking about it. At least their packs were light for this mission. This was an in-and-out scouting trip, period. There did not appear to be a soul on or around the bridge and it seemed intact, so they headed across.

Here, you could see some signs of panic. There were cars abandoned at the end of the bridge, a few even on the bridge. Probably ran out of gas, Fi thought until she saw some with skeletons in the seats. Maybe some were murdered, she corrected herself with a shudder. It was a stark reminder of the other reason she hated the cities. They snuck across the bridge and into the city. It was humid and overcast, the night air heavy. Even sound seemed muffled as they progressed northward across the southern side of the city. There were no signs of life. They peered around at the buildings looking for gang signs, but from what little they could see, there were none. The three were silent except when they stopped to confer. They kept their whispers minimal and moved quickly. It wasn’t long before they’d reached the other bridge.

“Let’s go all the way across it to see what’s on the other side as far as cover goes,” Fi suggested in a whisper. The guys nodded their agreement and they began to sneak their way across the bridge.

“Stop!” a harsh voice spoke from the darkness ahead of them as soon as they stepped onto the bridge and they froze. Fi’s hand hovered over her gun. She hadn’t had to use it in so long that she was almost excited. The feeling made her a little sick.

“Mains en l'air!” the voice shouted. Fi didn’t understand the words, but she was pretty sure she knew what they meant. She raised her hands.

“Oui, Oui,” the voice confirmed. A light switched on and was pointed in her face as the Other approached. Blinded, the three tightened their formation, ready for attack.

“We’re Americans,” Fi spoke into the darkness. “We mean no harm,” she added, trying to remember what little she knew of French from Maggie. “Um, Parley-vous Anglais?” she asked and the voice laughed.

“Oui,” the man said. “Though it has been a long time.” His words were deliberate and thickly accented. Fi’s eyes adjusted as the flashlight beam lowered and she could see that there were two men blocking their passage. There was no way to know if there were more waiting in the wings. Both men were extremely gaunt. They were of average height and seemed to share a resemblance, even in the dim light. One appeared to be about twenty years older than the other. Father and son, Fi concluded. Both had thick, dark hair and beards. The speaker addressed Asher.

“What are you doing, sneaking over my bridge at night?” Asher smiled and indicated Fi.

“She speaks for us,” he said and the man made a strange face.

“Ah, ok.” His tone was confused. “What are you doing, and how many are you?” Fi was cautious. She knew giving out information could be dangerous.

“We were scouting,” she said simply. “There are three of us, as you see.” The man grunted.

“Scouting for what? Food?” His tone grew tougher.

“No,” she said truthfully as she holstered her weapon. “We’re simply seeking to pass through the city into the wilderness,” she said. “No one is so stupid that they wouldn’t take food if they found it, but if you want to inspect our packs, you’ll see that we haven’t any food.” She grabbed the straps of her pack to show her willingness to have them search it. The man stood silently for a moment.

“I believe you’re scouting.” He spoke with care. “If you were the guard, what would you do?” She thought about this. It was a fair question. Her response was both honest and reluctant.

“I would tell you to get the hell off my bridge and go back where you came from,” she said, not sure why she said it. The man snorted and then a small laugh emerged. And then both men burst into laughter.

“Jeez Fi,” Sean whispered, “looks like you’re the comic relief,” he touched her hand. They were still on guard.

“You,” the man pointed at Fi in the dim light. “
You
are a funny girl,” he said. “So you want me to kick you off my bridge then?” he asked. “What do you suggest?” Fi smiled.

“I suggest that we work out a deal, a barter of sorts,” she said and he tilted his head. Fi turned to Sean and Asher. “Our cured meat for our safe passage tomorrow?” she checked with them in a whisper. They nodded. These guys and their Family clearly needed food and since Jose the great hunter had joined them, Fi’s Family had been able to get wild meat with some regularity.

“It’s not with us, but we have cured meat, game meat,” she explained. “We have been living in the wilderness and have done well at getting meat. If you don’t mind the occasional hedgehog or porcupine,” she added. The older of the two men chuckled, but also looked extremely interested. Resources must not be so available here, she thought to herself. “I intend to bring my whole Family across the city and then across this bridge tomorrow,” she began. “I realize this will mean that your Family will be taking a risk, in letting us pass close to your Home.” He nodded. “I would be willing to give you a good portion of our cured meat in exchange for safe passage across the bridge and up the river out of your territory.” The two men conferred in French and the younger man stepped up.

“Oui,” he nodded and offered to shake Fi’s hand. “We will take the deal, but there are some things you should know,” he added. Fi could feel both Sean and Asher tense next to her when the man shook her hand. She smiled. It was nice knowing you were covered.

“Ok,” she said. “It’s a deal. Now what do we need to know?”

“First,” the man said, his accent lighter than his father’s. “You should come again at night. Though the city is mostly abandoned now, there are some bad people around.” Fi shivered. “Also, there was violence in the heart of the city. Bad riots.” For a moment he paused. “You must avoid going north. If you go too far north in the city you’ll find piles of bodies.” The trio gasped.

“Why? Why are there…piles…of bodies?” Fi stammered, shocked.

“Some people tried to do the right thing, grouping the bodies together so that they could be claimed, could be buried,” he said, his voice shook. “But no one could come to claim them,” he threw up his hands. “Everyone had to leave so fast to protect their families once the soldiers disappeared. So now there are just piles of skeletons,” he whispered, “in the streets.” Fi’s group exchanged glances, shock written across every face. Despite her shock, Fi understood. It was a sight to be avoided, she realized, appreciating the warning.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t asked your names,” Fi said to the men, feeling their sadness. They saw these terrible things happen in their beautiful city, she knew. “I’m Fi, and this is Asher and Sean,” she said, indicating each. The younger man nodded.

“This is my father Jean, and my name,” he said, “ is Luc.” Fi gasped. A hand touched hers and she met Sean’s eyes.

“Good omen,” he whispered. Fi nodded and squeezed his hand.

“Definitely,” she murmured. Jean and Luc allowed them to leave and they easily made their way back to the Family. It had been a successful scouting trip, Fi reflected. They were safe and had secured passage across the second bridge. Still, they had learned that there was possible danger in the crossing. Fi prayed as they jogged back to camp. All they needed to do was make it past Montreal and they would be at Eden’s doorstep. So close, she thought, so close. Please God, let it be so.

The next night Fi got the Family ready for the crossing. If it went as planned, it would be very smooth.

“Everyone have your packs ready to go?” she asked and was answered by a chorus of quiet ‘Yes’es around her, even from the kids. She knelt down to speak with Zoe. “Zoe, I know you have learned to be a good quiet girl on our hikes when we ask it,” she began and Zoe nodded. “Ok, well, tonight it’s going to be extra super-duper important that you be quiet. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Zoe nodded her little head. “We are going to a place where there may be Others,” she added, surprising Fi.

“Don’t you worry now Zoe,” Fi reassured her. “We may not see any Others besides Jean and Luc, and they are safe,” she began. “And you have all of us here to keep you safe.” she finished and Zoe nodded again, her eyes wide. Kiara walked up to her and took her hand.

“We will be quiet together, right Zo?” Kiara’s tone was encouraging and Zoe smiled. Proud of her sister, Fi mouthed ‘Thank you’ to her over Zoe’s head. Everyone did his or her part in this Family, Fi reflected.

When they reached the first bridge, Fi warned them not to look inside the cars.

“It’s dark enough that you don’t have to see if you don’t want to,” she said. “Just pass by like it’s all a dream.” Single file, they wound their way through the cars on the bridge and into the city. In silence they flowed from shadow to shadow, always moving toward the other bridge. After thirty minutes they were getting close and Fi was starting to feel more relaxed. They had not heard a sound besides their own movement the entire time. Fi was directing the Family across an open intersection when the silence was broken by an air-horn. In the darkness, Fi saw several shadowy figures spilling out of the streets behind them.

“Run Sean!” Fi screamed to him at the front of the line. “Get the family to Luc!” she added as she and Asher drew their weapons. Sean didn’t hesitate.

“Run,” he yelled to the Family, “This way!” He charged ahead, melting into an invisible side street. Fi knew that her best strategist would get the Family to safety, if she and Asher gave him time.

“Fi!” Kiara yelled as she was pulled away. “Fiiiiiiii!” Doc Ron grabbed her and picked her up, sprinting. Fi felt the hair on her neck stand up as she readied herself for battle, her legs coursing with adrenalin and her weapon steady. The darkness was going to make this tricky, Fi thought, assessing. It was impossible to know the total number of attackers. More might be hiding in the alleys. Together, she and Asher kept moved backward in tandem, trying to position themselves with a wall at their backs. Asher’s weapon required range, so Fi had to give him space. It was less reassuring than being back to back like she used to do with Sean, but then again, having Asher there was the most reassurance Fi could have.

“What is this?” a female voice said as the shadows approached. Fi was shocked to hear a woman. A laugh almost escaped her lips when she realized that even she reacted this way to a female leader. As they drew closer Fi saw that there were four in the group. As she approached, the woman flicked on a light. This is the second night in a row I’ve had a light blind me, Fi thought, annoyed.

The small shaft of light flicked over them both, glittering off Fi’s .22. It was obvious the moment that they saw Asher’s weapon from the gasps. Yup, she thought smugly, that’s right bitch. How about them apples? Her heart raced with adrenalin. One mistake Fi knew she wouldn’t make would be to underestimate this group, or to assume that the woman was good-hearted because she was female. Fi had seen all kinds of people do all kinds of things in this world. She knew that women could be just as violent and evil as men.

In the light, she was able to take better stock of them as well. The woman was about thirty years old and was extremely gaunt. In fact, they all were. Though it looked like she had once been pretty, the starvation had stolen her beauty. There were two adult men with her. The woman carried a long knife and the two men each had ‘clubs’ of sorts. One held a tire iron and the other a bat. The second small figure was a young boy who did not appear to carry any sort of weapon.

“What are you doing in my city?” the woman asked, her tone icy. “Especially,” she peered over Fi’s shoulder into the darkness, “so many of you,” she hissed. She addressed Fi directly, either sensing Fi’s Leadership or out of fear of Asher’s sword, Fi couldn’t tell.

“We’re just passing through,” Fi answered honestly. “We don’t wish to stay, but we needed to cross the river. I promise you that we are not seeking resources.” Asher remained silent beside her, ready and waiting.

“Hmmph,” the woman said, her eyebrows raised in suspicion. Her gaze flitted to Asher’s blade and Fi saw the fear flash in her eyes. “Well,” she said, “Maybe you are and maybe you aren’t, but you aren’t going to get any resources here,” she emphasized. Fi nodded in the darkness and then spoke.

“I understand,” she said. “You have to protect your people. I get it.” Fi assessed the group facing her again and realized that they didn’t stand a chance in a fight. They were so weakened and their weapons so useless that Fi knew that having numbers wouldn’t help them. Not against Asher. And her own .22, she thought with a touch of arrogance. The other woman had to have realized this as well, Fi thought.

Tilting her head, Fi changed course. “How about this,” she began. “How about we give you a little of our resources as a show of good faith, and you let us go to pass out of your city?” It was a barter. Fi realized that the Others may have tired of violence. They were so weak. It was better to barter if you could, if you had something of value. The woman smirked.