Linda and Lily swung the back door to their house open, stomping to shake off as much snow as possible before stepping inside. Clatter from the upper floor reached their ears. "Ooops, think we woke someone up."
Linda wasn't too bothered and continued to take her wet things off in the mud room as the thudding could be tracked down the stairs. There was the distinctive click and a tall imposing figure stepped into the doorway, pumping a shotgun threateningly.
"Hello, Pa."
"Lily? Lily is that... and Linda?" Her father's scarred face illuminated as the orange light of a lamp drew closer. "Honey, they're back!"
Lily and Linda's father caught his younger daughter in a big embrace. Peering over his shoulder, Lily saw her mother's slender figure, her skin almost as pale as the nightgown she wore. Lily ran over and hugged her, nearly knocking the lamp out of her mother's hand. Meanwhile Linda picked up after her sister, glancing up and sharing a look with her father.
"Lily, where have you been! Oh you poor thing, you look pale!" Her mother set the lamp down so she could stroke her daughter's cheek, getting a better look at her. "You've lost weight, too."
"Have I?" Lily responded, a little disconcerted how much attention her mother was paying to her appearance. Her mother's hand slid up her cheek to pat her head, disturbing the headscarf Lily wore. Knocking it off, Mrs. Day's eyebrows furrowed. "What... what happened to all your hair!?" Her mother ran her hand over her daughter's shorn scalp, as if she could magically find hair hiding somewhere.
"Got a big gob of sap in it. Nothing'd wash it out no matter what I tried. So just cut it all off. It'll grow back." Lying to her mother wasn't Lily's favourite thing to do, but she had to get good at it.
"There ain't a fire in your rooms. But I can heat you a water bladder to take to bed with you, Lily," Mrs. Days offered as she tied the scarf back onto Lily's head. Lily adjusted the knot, as her mother made it too tight, causing it to dig in just under her chin.
"Yes, get some rest you two, then you can explain why you ran off without a word," their father said, a gravity in his voice that forbode a scolding.
"Yes, Pa," Lily said meekly.
Both the girls walked past their parents, Linda ignoring the scowl she received from her step-mother as she shuffled towards the stairs.
Lily caught the exchange and drew in a sharp breath, but tried not to bring attention to it. "Do you want to sleep with me tonight, Linda?"
"Yeah... especially if Ma'll only warm up one bladder," Linda whispered.
----------------------------------------
Ash grumbled as he stood on a stool beside his grandmother, drying the dishes she handed him. He wanted to be out playing, but since his fight with Ronald, he had been given extra chores, and not allowed out of the sight of an adult. He gave his sister a scathing glance as she hung up her apron.
"I'm done. Can I go out and play?"
"Yes, Maple," Jill responded as she plunged her hand into the murky dish water, pulling out another plate that she scrubbed vigorously.
"Can I go too?" Ash asked hopefully.
"No, Ash," Jill said tiredly. Ash groaned and threw down his drying towel.
"It's not fair she gets to go out and I don't!" Ash insisted.
"It's perfectly fair." Jill countered as she held the dripping dish out to Ash. "She didn't hurt anyone, and she's done her chores."
Ash glared at the dish with an intensity. He crossed his arms and refused to help. Jill sighed and set the plate down on the counter. "Come now, little bud. If we get these dishes done quickly, we'll have time to play checkers before I need to get dinner started."
"Dry your own dishes!" Ash said and hopped down from the stool. Maple, who was standing in the doorway, gripped the doorframe, blocking Ash from going.
"Ash! You were told to stay!" Maple insisted.
"Let me through!" Ash yelled, raising a fist. Jill dried off her hands and walked over to Ash, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"That's enough, love. Maple, go play, I can handle this."
Maple hesitated, but after a stern gaze from her grandmother, she complied and dashed off. Jill spun Ash around so that he faced her, gripping his arms tight.
"Calm down Ash. I know you're not a bad boy. We all make mistakes. But we all pay for them. And when we get older, we pay more. So best to learn from them now, right?" Jill tilted her head to the side, her blue eyes scanning Ash's face closely. Ash turned his head away. He loved his grandmother, but she had bad breath and creepy teeth.
"But I HAVE learned. So why can't I go outside?" Ash insisted, still craning his neck and looking away.
"Maybe you have learned. I'm not saying you haven't. But we said a week, so it will stay a week. And it's not my decision, lovey. So let's get this done and play a little game of something, alright?"
Ash huffed and puffed and squirmed. But after stamping his feet he sighed in defeat. "Fine." He did want to play a game. He still felt grievously wronged, and didn't understand why his grandmother wasn't taking his side. She seemed so fond of him before. If she really loved him, she'd let him go and just not tell his mother. Still, playing a game with her was better than playing alone.
As promised, Ash and his grandmother sat down for a game of checkers once the dishes were clean. The door opened and he heard the stomping of boots. Ash looked up as his parents entered the room, with Maple trailing behind them.
"Oh good, we're all here. We have some news," Peter said, clapping his hands together. This got Ash's curiosity piqued and he put down his game piece.
Nel sat down on the rocking chair that Jill Fisher often occupied, and Peter stood beside her, placing a hand proudly on her shoulder. At first Ash was worried the news would be something bad, but he had not seen his parents smile this much in a while. He found himself smiling as well, and wondering if maybe he could squirm out of his punishment.
"Alright, let's hear it," Mrs. Jill Fisher said, straightening up on the stool she'd been sitting on.
"Ash, Maple, you are going to have a new little sibling," Nel announced, holding her hands out for them to approach. Maple immediately walked over to Nel, hugging her mother fondly.
"I hope it's a girl! I'd like a sister!" Maple said excitedly.
Ash stayed right where he was, despite the beckoning gestures of Nel and Peter. His face went pale \and his stomach fluttered like he'd swallowed a whole swarm of gnats. Tears well up in his eyes.
"You don't love me anymore!" Ash blurted out and ran from the room. He heard his father calling his name and the sound of footsteps after him. Ash didn't bother with his coat and went dashing out into the cold with no thought for his exposed arms.
Ash did not get very far before he was caught up in the arms of his father. He wriggled and fought and screamed and cried. However, a part of him was deeply relieved that his father came for him. Maybe his father still loved him, even if his mother did not.
"Ash, why would you think such a thing? Of course we love you!" Peter set Ash down again when his fighting ceased, turning him so he could be face to face with his boy.
Ash sniffed, the cold air freezing his tears to his cheeks. "Because no one's got more than two kids, so you're gonna replace me!" Ash's words came out strained and high pitched, the beginning of some works coming out in a goose-like honk.
"What? No, Ash, there's no limit on children. Other people in the village just... haven't had other children. And that's up to them." Peter patted Ash on the head, then his rough hand slid down, cupping the plump cheek in the palm of his hand. "Come inside. It's cold out here and you don't have a coat."
Inside did sound mighty nice. Ash was feeling the cold despite the heat that welled from deep within. He wiped tears and snot on his sleeve and nodded his head. He placed his cold fingers in his father's warm hand. "I thought because I threw that rock you didn't want me."
"Nonsense. We want you. We just want you to be the best you that you can be. And I think the best you wouldn't hurt your cousin." Peter opened the door, leading Ash inside. He leaned down and whispered, "Even if Ronald wasn't being his best self either."
Ash didn't want to see his mother. He still felt betrayed. Instead, he went straight to the bedroom he shared with his grandmother and sister. He could not understand why they would want another child if they were completely happy with him. He could hear the hushed voices in another room and he wondered why no one came to check on him. Sniffling miserably, Ash eventually fell asleep despite his attempts to rally his self pity.
----------------------------------------
A blast of sound roused Peter. Once Nel awoke beside him, he rolled out of their sleeping roll, hurrying to get his pants on. The high pitched, mechanical sound rose and fell.
"What is going on?"
"Get the kids." Peter instructed tensely. Rapping at the front door caused Peter to hurry, pulling on his shirt as he rushed. Nel, meanwhile, threw on a robe and shuffled to her mother-in-law's room.
Peter threw open the door, seeing the young man wearing battle leathers. "Jordie, what's going on? More vamps?" There was a loud boom, causing both Jordie and Peter to jump. Peter hurried to get his shirt buttoned up while he awaited an explanation.
"No! Not vamps. Raiders! We don't know how they got past the sentries. They're coming over the walls!"
"F..." Peter was acutely aware that his wife and children were standing behind him. "Flash it all..." Peter turned to Nel. "Nel, take the children and get them somewhere safe. Mother-" Peter was cut off by the sound of clunk-click. Jillain Fisher stepped out of her room in her nightgown, carrying a loaded shotgun. "...take care of yourself."
"This isn't my first raid," Jillian said, her wrinkles which usually told a story of smiles, deepening and showing the determination. Nel grabbed a spear from the wall and handed Maple a hunting knife.
"Stay close to me. We need to go somewhere dark and we'll need to be very quiet," Nel said, placing a hand on Maple's shoulder.
"Why don't I get a knife?" Ash demanded.
"Not now, Ash!" Peter snapped. "Listen to your mother. I need you all to stay safe." Peter wriggled his way into a parka and grabbed his gloves.
"Don't do anything too heroic, Peter," Nel warned. He smiled at her but said nothing, and then turned away to follow Jordie. He was certain Nel would do everything to keep their children safe. What worried him most would be that she might endanger herself for their sakes. He just hoped that the presence of their unborn child would temper her other instincts.
Peter went with Jordie to the town hall, where every able bodied man, woman, and youth was assembled. Sierra Strauss barked out orders of where to focus the defences and went over the backup evacuation plan. Peter glanced around expecting to see Rena, but found her curiously absent.
"If you're looking for your vampire friend, Pete, she went to get her precious pets," came a voice that caused Peter to grind his teeth. He looked over at his older brother and nodded.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
"They're good fighters," Peter said blandly as he tried to focus on the tactics that were being quickly hashed out.
"Hm. Well, we'll see if Rena can pull her weight. She says she's our guardian. I hope she's up to the task when it isn't mindless monsters she's up against." Geoffrey looked around. "Where's Nel?"
"With the kids, taking them to one of the cellars."
Geoffrey took in a deep breath and sighed with relief. "Good. Take care of yourself, Pete."
"You too..." It really did not seem like the time or place to remind Geoffrey for the thousandth time he did not like to be called 'Pete'.
Peter grabbed an axe on his way out once Sierra dismissed everyone. His stomach churned the whole time, images dancing in his mind of Nel becoming a widow.
The denizens of Fisham all spread out, weapons in hand, as fires danced all around them. Ahead of Peter, one of his cousins was engaged in a brutal battle. The sound of a crash and a scream caught his attention as another raider hacked at a door. Peter rushed, striking from behind. A jolt ran through Peter as his weapon stopped abruptly, wedging into the man's head. The man flailed and Peter trembled. The axe head wedged too deeply into the skull for Peter to pull it out. To his horror, the man swung around, his own axe raised. Peter braced and grabbed the falling axe by the handle. Peter realised, with some panic, that this man was very, very large. Peter was not.
A struggle ensued. The resident of the house swung open her door and grabbed Peter's axe out of the assailant's skull. Blood sprayed freely out of the man's head and he lost all strength, falling in a heap at Peter's feet. Breathing heavily, Peter looked up at the woman who had just defended her home. Peter took the enemy's axe while the woman held Peter's axe close to herself. "Keep it, and barricade yourself, Fifi."
Peter walked away, giving the swapped out axe a few experimental swings to get a feel for its balance. He needed to protect his home and his family, but the sight of the man fighting on with an axe in his head was making Peter sick, and his legs felt weak. "Pull it together and man up Peter...." he muttered to himself.
Peter heard some shouts nearby, and he quickly dashed behind a wood pile. He saw two men he did not recognise, with their faces painted black run past him. A third walked in their trail. He recognised the man as Art. It took all of Peter's self control to not swear and expose his location. Nel was right to doubt them.
Peter snuck around the wood pile, as Art drew his bow and notched an arrow. Peter bull rushed the turncoat, tackling him to the ground. The stronger man struggled beneath him, but Peter quickly pressed the haft of his axe into Art's throat, pinning him. "Where are Cat and John? WHERE!?"
Art glared at him and spat in Peter's face. He rammed the haft harder into Art's throat, causing him to sputter and gurgle. Art reached up with one hand, grabbing and clawing at Peter's face, trying to thrust his gloved fingers into Peter's eyes. Peter turned his head away, but kept up the pressure. But with his gaze averted, he did not see Art grab another arrow. A sharp pain pierced into the side of Peter's neck and he screamed in spite of himself. Peter's grip weakened as one of his hands instinctively went to the arrow, but he stopped himself from yanking it out. Knowing death could be very close, Peter dropped his axe and sprang to his feet, fingers on either side of the arrow protruding from his neck to try and stop the bleeding.
Art got to his feet, picking up the discarded axe and glowering at him. Peter trembled, seeing the grotesque malice in the man's face. Danger nipping at his heels, Peter again thought of his wife, and before his pride could get in the way, his feet took flight. Peter didn't know where he planned to run, as there were dangers around every corner. Bodies lying in the street. Streaks of bloody slush. Burning homes.
Peter heard a whizzing sound as an arrow flew by his head, barely missing him. Peter turned around a corner, placing his back to the brick wall of the foundry, trying to catch his breath. His hand went to the arrow again. Peter took off his glove and placed it between his teeth. Closing his eyes, he broke the shaft of the arrow close to the head. The pain was overwhelming and he bit down on his glove, trying not to cry out and alert anyone to his location.
Desperately, Peter looked around. There was a charred chunk of wood that might work as a club. Two men ran past his hiding spot, but he recognised them both. The bushy beard and red knit cap of one was unmistakably Basil. The other was one of his many cousins. "Wait wait..."
They turned, weapons drawn, but upon seeing Peter, they lowered them. Basil continued running, while the other approached Peter, lending him a shoulder. "Let's get you to the hospital."
"Before... that... Art... Art is one of them. Cat and John betrayed us!"
Basil paused. "I'll make sure Graham and Sierra know!" He hollered and then continued running.
The two men made their way to the hospital. A makeshift barricade of sandbags and furniture had been erected. There was a skirmish going on, as a bulk of the raiders seemed to be intent on occupying the medical facilities. Peter and his cousin gave each other meaningful looks, then directed their attention to a pair of archers. Despite his injuries, Peter and his cousin set out to flank the ranged fighters and quickly subdued them.
Peter grabbed one of the bows and clumsily took aim. The pain in his neck from pulling back the bowstring was too much and he dropped the weapon. "I can't..." An arrow sailed through the air, arching beautifully before felling one of the melee fighters. "Damn, Matthew."
With another arrow already notched, Matthew grinned. Realising their support had been taken down, the front line skirmishers turned their attention towards Matthew and Peter. "You've got a short window. Run!"
Peter didn't need to be told twice. Grimacing and feeling woozy from the flint lodged in the side of his neck, Peter loped towards the hospital doors. His vision fixated on a pair of combatants, quickly identifying one as Siobhan and the other as an unknown. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone attempt to flank him, and he narrowly managed to stumble out of the swinging club's path. He slid, losing traction on the red slush beneath his feet. Peter couldn't stop the fall that was happening, but threw himself forward to at least direct his fall towards a raider. The two of them tumbled to the ground, causing Siobhan to yelp. With her assailant on the ground, she shouted for Peter to move as she raised her spear high. Peter rolled out of the way just as Siobhan's spear struck the other woman's neck. She bled out rapidly, but there was no time to be horrified. Siobhan helped Peter to his feet and banged on the door, hollering the password.
Peter and Siobhan rushed in once the doors were opened, slamming the door shut again just in time to cut off the approach of another raider. There was a bang as a body hit the reinforced doors.
"Peter! Oh damn..." Siobhan said, looking at his neck wound. "Sarah! SARAH! It's Peter!"
Adrenaline drained from Peter once he was someplace safe, and he felt his knees give out. Siobhan, being the stout woman she was, easily caught him in his swoon as she continued to call for help. Peter's vision became blurry, and he barely managed to look up and focus on Sarah's concerned face, vignetted by fading consciousness.
----------------------------------------
Nel stood with her back to a wall, each hand holding on to one of her children. She peered to where she saw some men run by, waiting. Giving each child's hand a squeeze, she urged them to run to a low stone wall which surrounded a desolate community garden.
Nel caught her breath, and then pulled Ash back down as he rose to try and see over the wall. "Just a little further and we'll be in the root cellar. I know this is scary-"
"I'm not scared!" Ash objected.
"Me neither!" Maple insisted, gripping the knife she had been given. Distress rippled through Nel's body as she imagined her daughter having to use the weapon in her hand. Nel had already had to discard her spear during a narrow escape from a tenacious raider.
"Well you should be! Fear keeps us alive," Nel hissed. She took in a few deep breaths as she tried to gain control of her frantic heart.
"Are you scared, Mom?"
"Yes. But I'll be fine once we reach the cellar, so let's do that together, okay?"
"Okay!" Ash said with renewed enthusiasm. There was a scream in the distance and Nel fought the urge to try and see the source. She focused, instead on where they were headed next. There was a small tool shed they could hide by, and the cellar was not far from it. Nel heard crunchy footsteps and held her children close. Once the sound faded, Nel rose and dashed towards the shed. As they approached, the shed door opened. Nel's feet tangled over themselves and she began pitching forward. Her children, much smaller than herself, were being pulled down with her. Panicked, she let their hands go and rolled to the side, her shoulder hitting the edge of the wooden structure. Nel landed awkwardly on her side, sliding in the snow. Maple held out her knife threateningly and Ash rushed to check on his mother.
The man who emerged was holding a neglected pitchfork. He spun it around, pointing it at Maple.
"No!" Nel shrieked as the man lunged at her little girl. Nel couldn't get to her feet fast enough, only managing to bring herself up to her knees, seizing Maple and pulling her out of harm's way. "Don't you DARE hurt my children!" Nel said fiercely.
The man grinned, showing all two of his teeth reflecting the firelight. "Oh yeah? What'll ya do for me if I spare yer pigglet?" The man asked with a drooly lisp, holding the pitchfork ready. Nel sneered. She was not going to waste words on him. Unfortunately, her children were not quite so tight lipped.
"You'll leave us alone if you know what's good for you!" Ash shouted. Nel hissed at her son to be quiet. At the same time, she gestured with a hand behind her back to Maple. It took Maple a moment to figure out what it meant, but she placed the knife in Nel's hand.
"That right? I ain't get no giddies outta killing squealers like you, but fewer mouths to feed the better." The man lunged forward with his pitchfork. Nel quickly brought up the knife to deflect it, the seven-inch blade sliding between the tines. One of the prongs of the pitchfork scratched Nel's cheek, but she didn't flinch as she twisted the blade, wrenching it from the man's hand.
The moment the pitchfork fell into the snow Ash dove for it, landing on his hands and knees. The man, disarmed, grabbed Ash from behind. The young boy squealed indignantly and kicked as he was lifted from the ground. The pitchfork was too large for him and Ash ineffectually swung it around.
"Gimme that!" The man said, grabbing for the handle. Nel sprung, plunging the knife into the man's ribs just under his extended arm. He grunted and released Ash. Ash tumbled on the ground, clinging tenaciously to the tool. With only brief hesitation, glancing to make sure Ash was alright, Nel pulled the knife out and stabbed the man again.
"Who's the pig now?" Nel whispered in the man's ear as he lurched forward. He spat a red gob into her face. Nel was committed to the action. With him doubled over, she slashed the man's throat, stepping away as he collapsed, a pool of blood congealing in the snow. Nel breathed heavily, wiping her brow with the back of her sleeve.
The sound of whimpering drew her attention. Trembling, Maple helped Ash to his feet. At that moment, Nel felt something in her shatter. Her knees nearly gave way, but she had no time for those emotions. Face set grim, she cleaned the knife off as best as she could. "We need to go."
Ash clung to the pitchfork, staring at the exsanguinating man. "Think that'll attract vamps?"
"Ashton!" Nel grabbed Ash's other hand and pulled him away from the unsightly corpse. Ash offered very little resistance, but would not relent his weapon either, although it was not ideal for his small stature. "It won't matter because we'll be safe in the cellar."
"What's wrong with you!?" Maple scolded in dismay.
"Hush!" Nel snapped as they huddled behind the tool shed. Nel searched for the pair of rose bushes that marked the cellar's location. Ash tried to pull away, but she held his hand tight.
"Mom! It's Cat! It's Cat! I think she might be hurt!" Ash said excitedly, pointing with the pitchfork in the direction of some nearby trees. She followed his line of sight, and saw Cat with her hood down, leaning against a tree, holding her shoulder. "We gotta help her!"
"Shush! She can take care of herself!" Nel hissed.
"Even if she's hurt?" Ash sounded mortified. "Help me out Maple. You don't want Cat hurt either do you? Maple? Hey... Maple!" Ash swung the hand that Nel was holding firmly and tried to get his sister's attention. Nel looked down and saw her daughter looking pale, perhaps a little green. Her eyes were half lidded and the colour had gone out of her lips, looking almost blue.
"Maple! Are you hurt?!" Nel asked, ripping off a glove and checking her daughter's forehead, met with cool and clammy skin.
"I feel sick..." Maple admitted quietly.
Nel placed both of her hands on Maple's shoulders. "Can you just hold on until we're inside? That's all I ask of you right now."
Nel heard the rapid pattering of feet and turned her head to see Ash sprinting off towards Cat. "Ash! No!" Nel turned to go after Ash, but her daughter took hold of her hand.
"Don't leave me, Mom!" Maple pleaded piteously. Nel took in a sharp breath, watching Ash sprint off to Cat, and then looked back at Maple who seemed to be wilting before her eyes.
"Come on," Nel said through grit teeth as she hurried her daughter towards a pair of naked rose bushes. Nel used her foot to kick excess snow off of a pile of fake tree branches. Just as she thought. She looked worriedly to where Ash was now standing in front of Cat, speaking to her. Cat did not exhibit any hostile behaviour, yet. The torn mother licked her lips and pulled on the handles. Ice had formed in the crack between the doors. Nel wanted to scream in frustration, but she feared alerting the enemy. Her chest burned as she stomped on the wooden doors angrily. Maple went down on her knees, holding her stomach. Nel let out a strangled noise, as she couldn't keep all the tension inside any longer. As Maple wretched, Nel pulled the door open.
"Finally." Nel knelt beside Maple who was heaving, and rubbed her back. "Alright sweetie, time to go inside." Nel took Maple by the shoulders and guided her down the stone steps. Once inside, Nel hurriedly gathered a bunch of empty sacks and some reserve hay, fashioning a bed for Maple to lie down on. She helped the young girl out of her wet outer layers, and bid her to lie down. "There now... just get some rest. I need to go get your brother."
"Oh Momma, don't go! Forget what I said. I am scared! I am!" Maple sobbed.
Nel stroked Maple's bangs and patted her cheek. "Hey now... it's okay to be scared. It's okay." Nel leaned down, kissing her daughter on her forehead. "But your brother needs to be safe, too. I won't be long."
Nel rose as Maple whimpered, curling up tighter on her sad sack bed. Just as Nel approached the cellar doors she heard Ash's voice.
"Down here! You'll be safe! Hey! What are you doing? No! You need to open it not... WHAT! LET GO! HEEELP! HEEELP! MOM!"
Nel's pupils dilated as her hair stood on end. She rushed up the last few steps to push the doors open but was met with resistance. Nel began banging on the door. She was locked in! Nel took a few steps down and then launched at the door, but the angle made it hard to get the force she needed. The second attempt at bursting the door open nearly caused her to fall down the steps. "ASH! ASH! WHAT'S HAPPENING?"
"What? What is it?" Maple asked from her roost.
All Nel heard in response was Ash's voice making muffled sounds as if his mouth were covered. The noise trailed off and Nel slammed her hands into the thick wooden doors until they stung. When she could no longer hear Ash, she sat at the bottom of the steps, her face in her hands, and sobbed.