Chapter 29
He might not be the Lord Jesus thought Marion with a slight grin but he had the same stylist.
The man was as tall as Samson, but built on leaner lines – most of which were hidden by the long white robe that was only loosely corded around his waist. His hair was a soft brown and fell to his shoulders with a slight curl, his half beard the same colour. She looked down yep – there's the sandals.
"Welcome, welcome," he was saying as he walked towards where they'd both stopped rather abruptly. "welcome my friends – I am Elijah." His eyes took in their stance and focussed on the cuff that he could see on Merle's wrist and he turned frowning eyes to Samson as he stepped around them, his tone slightly reproachful. "Samson – please – was that really necessary?"
Samson had holstered his weapon and now placed their weapons on the floor – to Merle's right at a significant distance away. He straightened; a slight note of humour in his voice. "Aaron, Amos and Daniel thought so, this gentlemen wasn't overly enthusiastic about joining us."
Oh fuck – not another brainy fucker thought Merle with an inner groan even as Marion protested.
"We just crashed our car! Then you dragged him out and started belting him up."
Elijah's eyes rolled to Samson who shrugged. "The spikes were more effective than we had considered – we almost lost them – except for this gentleman's skill at the wheel. And to be fair – I think he did start throwing punches first."
"That is no excuse for throwing them back," reproved Elijah mildly. "We will discontinue the spikes then – go back to the road block." Samson nodded. "Now please Samson?"
Samson hesitated, looking at Merle whose teeth were gritted spikes! No wonder he crashed, before reaching into his pocket for the key to unlock them. Merle snatched his hand away even as Samson held Marion's wrist for a short moment, looking at the raw mark that she worked around her wrist and the bottom of her hand. She looked back at him steadily and his eyes dropped as he released her hand, stepping back.
"Why have you brought us here?" Marion asked, feeling Merle close behind her still, his hand now hovering just above the weapon inside her shirt. She dropped her hand, reaching out to grab one of his fingers between her own, not seeing Samson's eyes follow the movement as she looked at Elijah.
"For your own protection," said Elijah with a smile. "It's very dangerous out there."
"Yes – there's some crazy people putting tyres spikes on the road," she said coldly.
"A mistake," admitted Elijah. "We have learned however that we must protect what we have here, there are some unsavoury characters around."
Was it his imagination or did the prick just look at him wondered Merle.
Elijah's eyes had moved on though and he indicated a set of chairs. "Please," he said. "Sit – have something to eat, something to drink." He clapped his hands and a door at the rear of the building opened. A woman, dressed in a long plain dress stepped out carrying a tray with glasses and a couple of jugs and what looked to be cookies. She set it down on a table near the chairs, flicking her eyes up and meeting Marion's, giving her a shy smile. Her eyes flicked at Merle with a little more uncertainty and flicked away hurriedly as he glared at her. "Thankyou Bethany," said Elijah softly and she nodded at him. "Please," he said again to Marion and Merle.
Merle eyed off Samson. He held no gun, Merle wasn't sure whether it had been placed in his belt or whether he just didn't have it anymore, but there was something about him, how he held himself. There was some type of assurance. Merle looked back up and found intense hazel eyes looking back at him calmly with a slight suggestion of amusement. He was ready realised Merle, and by his size it might be a close run thing. He relaxed slightly, nudging his hand forward into Marion's hip and she stepped forward, releasing his hand as she took one of the seats. Merle didn't sit down, but rather rested against the arm of one of the chairs, noting that Samson positioned himself so that he could move between him and Elijah. The guard dog sneered Merle, but guard dogs were there for a reason, so he abandoned his plan to grab the long haired git and eased down.
Marion had glanced at him only briefly before turning back to Elijah, accepting the glass of juice that he offered her almost guiltily. She closed her eyes briefly as the fresh tartness hit her tastebuds before looking at the man casually sitting before her.
"So where were you headed Mrs...?" his eyes widening slightly as Dog jumped up onto her lap and made himself comfortable.
Marion considered him for a moment as her hand buried itself in Dog's hair out of habit, his hazel eyes were gentle on her. "Marion," she supplied after a moment. His eyes flicked over to Merle and she continued, "And this is Merle. We were headed to Fort Benning.
"Fort Benning," he repeated in a musing tone, looking up to Samson.
"It's gone," Samson said.
"What?" gasped Marion.
"Wha' do ya mean 'gone'?" snapped Merle.
"Over-run," replied the large man without any lift to his tone. "There's not a living soul left there now."
"How?" breathed Marion.
"How tha fuck do ya know?" demanded Merle.
"I was stationed there," replied Samson. Explains a bit thought Merle. "I was out with my patrol, we were heading into Columbus to evacuate a hospital when the call came for help. We never made it," he said flatly. "There was too many of them. We radioed in, told them we wouldn't be coming. We heard the orders – saw and heard the explosion."
"They blew themselves up?" whispered Marion.
"Death seemed a pretty good plan B at the time," shrugged Samson.
It didn't even cross her mind not to believe him, there was too much sincerity in his voice, too much grief, although it was well controlled.
"Were you headed there to find family?" asked Elijah.
"Maybe," nodded Marion. "We weren't sure that they'd be there – but it was the best plan we could come up with at the time."
"I am sorry," said Elijah and Marion had no difficulty in believing him either. "But you are welcome to stay with us as long as you like – at least until we are able to help you fix the car," he added hastily and Marion didn't need to look up to know Merle was glaring at him. "Perhaps you'd like a tour?"
Samson cleared his throat. "I am going to have to take that now mam. There are no weapons in camp."
Marion turned to him, her eyes wide. He stared down at her evenly, holding out his hand.
Fuck thought Merle as she ruefully reached under her shirt and passed the gun over to Samson, flashing him a glace that said well what else can I do bright spark?
"We have almost thirty people here – we lost some during the sickness but we have had some new arrivals over the last couple of months" Elijah led the way and Marion looked around as he talked, Merle stalking at her shoulder, Samson bringing up the rear. The small building seemed to sit in the middle of the camp – there was one large marquee to the left of the door about 50metres away, another marquee to the right by about the same distance. There was an open area immediately out the door – she could see the gates that they came in, manned by two men with military grade rifles probably came with Samson she thought. "We have our own garden," Elijah continued, leading them to the left and he pointed to the tilled rows where the remains of some plants could be seen, two women bending over them and collecting with practiced ease into a basket on their hip. Two men were situated in adjacent beds, using shovels and forks to turn the soil, a large pile of hay to the side as if ready to be placed. "and orchard," he pointed at the grove of trees behind the garden. They were neatly trimmed along the branches as well as the crown of the tree, some laden with the beginning of winter produce. "Plus we have a little farm," he pointed further and Marion realised the dots in the grass on the other side of a large pond were cattle, sheep, goats and horses. "We pretty much have all that we need here, although there has been some experimentation with the use of the local herbs," he said with a grin towards Samson. Marion turned to see an answering grin on the larger man's face and something grabbed at her, but she couldn't put her finger on it. "Come, I will introduce to you some people."
A tall, stately woman was the first that he led them to. She too wore a long dress, its sleeves just to below her elbows, the neck a demure curve. It seemed to be homespun, it was slightly coarse with no colour. She smiled warmly as Elijah walked up to her, offering a similar smile to Samson before turning back respectfully to Elijah. "This is Deborah," he said, taking her hand in his and smiling down at her before turning to Marion and Merle. "She is the sister of my late wife – and a great support to me in the running of the camp."
"I am pleased to meet you," she said in a honey toned voice, her brown eyes meeting Marion's directly.
"This is Marion and her husband Merle," said Elijah.
"Fuck's sake," groaned Merle and Marion's mouth twitched.
"Marion," she nodded and extended her hand. After a hesitation Deborah reached to grip it – it was clear that she wasn't used to this form of greeting, her grip was soft and undefined. "And Merle isn't my husband," she added.
Elijah looked at her, then down at her hand. "Your rings..."
"I was married," she nodded. "He passed."
"Oh I am so sorry my dear," said Deborah and Marion found herself enclosed in a hug, which had a slight smell of lavender. She was released before she could feel awkward and she offered a smile in response.
"I apologise for my assumption," said Elijah. Hey! thought Merle with some disgruntlement, then his eyes narrowed as he took in a strange look between the two men.
The introductions continued – Delilah, Abraham, Joanna, Hazael, Barnabas, Naomi, Bathsheba for fuck's sake, Josephine, Chloe, Adam, Elizabeth, Miriam, Hannah, Judith, Aaron, Amos, Mary, Bethany, Goliath, Benjamin, Emmanuel, Daniel, Gideon, Cain, Jacob, Caleb, David, Gabriel as in the angel. Merle's head was spinning by the end of it and even Marion was looking slightly dazed.
Elijah laughed. "Never mind – they'll all remember you and will remind you of their names as occasion requires! Come – it is almost dinner time."
The small building had been transformed into a dining room in their absence– one single large table situated in the middle with chairs lining either side. Men, dressed in plain trousers and shirts, some in almost smocks over the top of loose pants were helping the women, almost universally in the long dresses, place large plates overflowing with food on the table. Additional people began to file in, taking places that seemed to be established by long routine. Seats were pulled out for the women, several in late stages of pregnancy, by the men before they sat down next to them.
"Please," invited Elijah and he indicated a pair of seats at one end of the table that had been left vacant.
Marion glanced to Merle and he shrugged slightly – she walked forward to take her seat, her lips twitching as she pulled her own chair out and sat down, Merle easing in beside her. Elijah moved to a chair on the opposite side of the table, smiling as he held the chair out for Deborah, Samson behind him and sitting on her other side, directly opposite Merle. Merle's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Dog pushed in between Marion's legs, propping up on his hind feet to extend his twitching nose to just beneath the tablecloth. He received a reproof for his manners and popped down. "Joanna," said the pretty young girl next to Marion as she lifted the tablecloth, offering her hand to Dog in request. Dog stood up again, half closing his eyes as the girl's fingers found the exact spot behind his ear. She giggled "He's cute – what's his name?"
The plates were passed along each side of the table, Marion held the plate for Merle to choose his portion and then he took it off her so she could do the same before passing it across the table to Samson. He let Marion's conversation with the blond haired kid next to her wash over him, looking carefully up and down the table. There was a group of men at the far end of the table, a group of women up on the other side of Elijah but in the middle of the table they sat in pairs – 9 pairs in total. Some obviously couples, the way in which there were whispered exchanges and soft hands around shoulders and on hands. Others, while they sat next to each other didn't seem to be very couplish – and given that two of these included heavily pregnant women, he was intrigued.
Merle shrugged internally and reached for his fork, stabbing some of the roast turkey bit early for turkey he thought before a soft clearing of the throat caught his attention and he looked up into the hazel eyes of Elijah.
"We'll say grace first Merle," he said without any reproof.
Merle blinked, but no-one else had lifted their knives or forks and in fact a lot had their hands clasped in front of them. He placed his fork back on his plate, casting a glance at Marion – but she was determinedly not looking at him.
"Lord," began Elijah. "We thankyou for this bounty that you have provided; the peace and safety that we have here at Babylon. We ask that you continue to provide for us and lead us along the path to your everlasting glory. We pray for Hazel, Miriam, Bathsheba, Elizabeth, Hannah and Josephine as their time approaches. Please may their babies be gifted with the strength of the Holy Spirit. We pray too for Bethany and Abraham – may their union be blessed with the wonder of new life." He paused. "We thank you for the hand of protection you held over Marion and Merle and ask that you continue to watch over them. Amen."
"Amen," murmured Marion, even as she felt Merle twitching a first for him she thought fighting the upward tilt of her lips.
"Bray it up bitch," he muttered and she lost her fight, giggling.
"How long have you and Merle been married?" asked Joanna next to her.
Marion laughed again. "We're not married Joanna," she explained again.
"Oh," Joanna blushed, ducking her head.
"We're just travelling companions," said Marion with a slight frown. Joanna's face cleared and she looked up. "We came upon each other and started travelling together... er... just a little more than a week ago," she explained.
"They're pretty rings," said Joanna in an abrupt change of topic.
"Thankyou," replied Marion, fiddling with them around her fork. "My poor husband had such trouble getting my engagement ring – the chicky in the shop just wanted to sell him a big rock and he knew that I wouldn't like that. Then because it cost more than the allowable withdrawal amount they didn't want to let him pay for it – and he was across the street from his bank!" she smiled. "The wedding ring we got made for us by his ...er.. 2nd cousin's husband or something like that because of the shape of the engagement ring – anything off the shelf would have just rubbed at it."
"Well I think they're beautiful," said Joanna. Her face took on a slightly mournful tone, her blue eyes dulling. "I will never get something as pretty as that."
"It's not their prettiness that I love," shrugged Marion.
Merle found Samson's eyes on him. "Wha'?" he demanded around a mouthful.
"How long did you serve?"
Merle's mouth twitched in unwilling admiration. "T'ree years," he replied. He saw Samson's brow lift. "Me and aut'ority don't git along too well."
"Really?" said Samson dryly and Merle reluctantly grinned back.
"'ow about you?"
"I was in my last year of return service," he replied. "The Corp put me through medical school," he clarified. "So I owed them 7 years." Merle nodded, taking another bite and Samson considered him. "I'll take a look at that arm later if you'd like?"
Merle cast his stump a glance, acutely aware of Marion seated next to him even if she was occupied in conversation. "Wha'ever lights ya tree."
"Can you shoot all of those guns you had in the bag?" Samson asked after a slight pause. Merle nodded. "You any good?" Merle looked up at him and Samson laughed. "My apologies! I shouldn't have had to ask!"
The dinner passed in a gentle hum of conversation, Deborah leaning across the table to engage Marion on occasion and another young woman Naomi joining in a conversation with Joanna and Marion about horses. Merle and Samson talked about experiences in the Corp and he felt himself relaxing more than he had in a long time. The plates were cleared by some of the women, Marion's offer to help virtually shouted down but only finally discouraged by a promise to accept help at breakfast. She did however follow the women to the kitchen to retrieve some scraps for Dog, who danced at her feet in anticipation.
Night had fallen and lamps were extracted from cupboards that lined the walls of the room, candles inside being lit, and couple by couple and small group, the men and women filed out.
Marion returned with a satisfied looking Dog and paused next to Merle, leaning up against the wall looking out to the camp. There was obviously some type of guard posted on the fence, he could see a couple of lamps propped up as high as they would go, and occasionally he would see a shadow passing by their soft glow.
"Marion," said a soft voice and they both turned to Deborah, holding an illuminated lamp with Joanna and Naomi close behind her. "If you are ready, we will show you the sleeping quarters?"
Marion hesitated, looking up at Merle.
"You are not together?" said Deborah with a slightly worried tone. "Because if you are..."
"No, no, no," Marion shook her head. "We're travelling companions – that's all."
Rub it in bitch thought Merle sourly.
Deborah's face cleared. "Then the single women sleep down in that marquee – the single men up in that one," she added to Merle. "I have already placed your bags in."
Merle nodded once and Marion smiled. "Thankyou then."
Deborah nodded and stepped past her, the two young women following her.
She looked up at him, shrugging "When in Rome..."
"Ya sure?" he said quietly, looking out at the night. "We don't know much of t'ese people."
"I think we're safe," she replied softly. "Don't you?"
He shrugged. There was something off, but dammed if he could place it. He sure as hell couldn't see anything but damn earnestness in Elijah and he would almost go as far to say that he trusted Samson. That's probably what's wrong big brother wheezed a voice. Ya ain't ever trusted anyone in ya life! "I know where ya'll be," he said instead, his eyes on the large tent and inwardly mapping the route between it and the other and the best way through the fence.
Marion saw the women waiting for her just out of the glow of the light. She sighed and stood up on tiptoes, placing a hand on his arm to steady herself as she kissed him on the cheek. Except that her hand on his arm made him turn to her and her lips landed directly on his.
For an instant they both froze, then Marion dropped off her toes, separating their lips quickly. She gave him a little smile. "Goodnight Merle."
"Night woman," he said, watching her join the other women and fade into the distance, Dog's white coat glowing back to him almost to the door of the tent.
"Merle," said a voice behind him and he looked to the right. Samson stood there with his old friends Amos, Aaron and Daniel – Merle smirked. "We've got your rack this way."
The marquee was quite spacious with eight beds spread along most of its length, an area at the end obviously devoted to recreation where there were a few lounge chairs and a small bookcase. Merle saw his bag neatly placed at the end of one of the beds, situated towards the far end of the tent and he made his way down there, nodding to the few men already either in bed or getting ready for it.
"You've had a big day," said Samson as he sat to remove his boots. "But maybe tomorrow night you'll be able to help with watch duty?"
Merle looked at him for a moment and nodded. "Sure t'ing – I'll be wantin' me guns back t'ough."
Samson smiled slightly. "I am sure something can be arranged. Goodnight Merle."
He grunted a response, watching as the man left the tent with Aaron. His other two guards had peeled off to their beds and were now in the stages of undressing. Merle stripped off his vest and shirt, wincing slightly as the scab on his back twinged a little. He crawled into bed, sighing at the feel of the soft mattress and a proper pillow. He rolled onto his right side for a few minutes but after a muttered curse, rolled over onto his left side. It wasn't like he missed her – it was just that he was used to her being there he grumbled to himself and closed his eyes, hearing the slow breathing of the others. Besides, it'll make it easier to do what he had to do.
