It's been a half-hour since Charlie and Bass had left the Matheson camp, Charlie has been very quiet, and Bass was becoming concerned. Looking over at her, he could see that she had been crying. He brought his horse close and reached for her hand.
"Hey, Babe. Are you okay?"
"It's harder than I thought it was going to be."
"Charlie, we can turn around if you want. I'll deal, figure something out. I hate that I'm responsible for you splitting with your family. I don't want you to end up resenting me in the future," he says to her, his blue eyes showing concern.
Charlie pulled Mazy to a stop and turned in her saddle to face him. "No… No, I don't want to go back. I'll be okay, thank you. I love you; I'll never resent you. I want to keep going. She leans over for a kiss. Chamberlain starts dancing, and Charlie laughs. "Looks like he's ready to go."
Bass had chosen to follow a route that kept them along the Sabine River, giving them access to water for most of their journey. That night they set up camp in a clearing not far from the riverbank. Bass hobbled the horses and Lilly, letting them free graze and drink from the river. They had a simple supper of food that they had brought from camp. It was a warm, clear night, and they made slow and tender love under the stars. Later, Charlie was snuggled into his shoulder as they watched the sky when Bass spotted something shining brightly in the stary night. Brighter than the stars.
"Charlie, look. I think that's the International Space Station."
"I remember Aaron talking about it. There are actually people up there."
"Probably not anymore. The blackout ended any resupply missions. They were stranded."
"My parents did that," Charlie said sadly. Bass held her close, kissing the top of her head. There was nothing that he could say.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you sad."
"I know. It is pretty cool knowing that at one time, people were able to go up there."
The plan was to stop every four days for two days so that the animals could be fully rested. It was their third day out and late afternoon when there was a storm brewing on the horizon.
"Looks like we need to find some shelter if we can," Bass says.
After a few more miles, Charlie spots an abandoned farm, and they head for it. Along with the house was an old barn that looked sturdy enough. They got the horses and Lilly settled in the barn with water and grain. Charlie spoiled them with some carrots. Grabbing their packs and some food, they headed for the house.
Although it was in disrepair, the farmhouse was solid and would offer good shelter from the storm that was almost upon them. Bass checked the chimney then got a fire going in the living room fireplace. The kitchen had a wood-burning cookstove that they used to heat up some beans and jerky.
Just as they finished their supper, the storm hit with driving rain and thunder.
"Wow! Good that we found this place. I'd hate to be out in that, even with the tent," Charlie says.
"Wouldn't be the first time, but this is good. Perfect, actually."
With the wind howling through the eves and thunder crashing, Charlie and Bass snuggled on the old couch and read by candlelight.
Morning brought bright sunshine. Everything smelled clean after the rain. The house was comfortable, and Bass suggested that they rest the horses there for one more day before pressing on.
Bass turned the horses and Lilly out in the pasture, and Charlie took off to do some hunting.
That night, Charlie had settled on the mattress that Bass had dragged into the living room. He sat near the big window, keeping watch.
"Come lie down with me for a while. We haven't seen anyone since we left camp."
"Old habits die hard," he says as he leaves his perch by the window, stretches out next to her, pulling her close. "I never thought that I would ever be truly happy again. I know that I keep saying it, but it's true am, and it's because of you."
"I love you, Bass."
"I love you too, Babe."
"When fell into that pool, if anyone had said that I would be married to you, I would have said they were delusional," she chuckled.
A week had gone by since they left the farmhouse behind. Still following the river, they found a suitable place to stop and rest the horses for an hour or so and have some lunch.
"Hunting looks like it could be good here. I'm going to go and see if I can get us some supper, then later we can just relax."
"I like that plan, you hunt, and I'll nap," he said with a Cheshire grin. Charlie cuffed him on the shoulder. "Seriously, Babe. Stay in shouting distance."
"I'll be fine, Bass."
"I know you can take care of yourself but do it for me. For my peace of mind."
Charlie bent and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll be back."
Bass grabbed his saddle and put it down under a tree. He leaned against it, laid back, and closed his eyes.
He was jolted awake by Charlie's scream.
"BASSS! BASSSS!"
"CHARLIE?" He went running toward the sound of her voice.
Charlie had been tracking a small coyote through a clearing not far from the river when three disgusting clan wannabes jumped her from the brush and surrounded her.
"Well, well, well, looky here, boys," asshole number one says.
"She's a looker, looks like we're gonna have us some fun," adds asshole number two.
The third asshole is just cackling like a hyena. They close in their circle around her. Too close for her crossbow, she drops it and goes for her knife.
Asshole number one sees her going for her knife and advances on her from behind to try and disarm her. Charlie had been well trained by both Miles and Bass. She was always aware of where her attackers were. She sensed him coming as she kept an eye on the other two. Then asshole number rushed her, and she shoved the knife backward into his gut.
"BASSS! BASSS!"
The other two were on her in seconds. They had been drinking before she stumbled upon them and were halfway to being drunk, making them clumsy. Just as one of them reached her, she was able to drop and roll away from them. As she popped back onto her feet, asshole number two, or maybe it was number three, grabbed her from behind and got a knife to her throat.
"Well, you are a feisty one, aren't ya. Make no mistake, you're going to pay for killing Bubba. You are going to die, but not until we have some fun with ya. Not gonna fuck a fucking corpse."
Bass burst through the brush and tree line, took in what was happening, and ran asshole two or was it three, through with his sword. Then he spun, and before the last asshole knew what was happening, Bass nearly took his head clean off.
Charlie was shaking from adrenaline. She had been in tight fight situations before, and it never got any easier.
Sheathing his sword after wiping it off on one of the dead guy's shirts, he wrapped his arms around Charlie.
"You heard me…thank God, you heard me…."
Bass kissed her and tried to get his own breathing under control.
"What do we do with these assholes? Do we just leave 'um?" Charlie asks.
"Don't want to leave them in case they have friends. The river is running fast here. We'll toss them in, let the current carry them downstream. Then we'll clean up this mess and get out of here covering our tracks when we leave."
"There's what seems to be an old hiking trail that follows the river along the bank; it's rocky, that should work," Charlie suggests.
They dragged the bodies to the river, tossed them in, and watched them get carried swiftly downstream.
Grabbing leaves, sticks, and rocks, they covered over the blood.
"Looks pretty good," Bass pronounced. "Let's get the hell out of here."
Fifteen minutes later, they were packed up and heading north up the river trail.
It's been a little more than two weeks since they started on their journey, and it's getting to be time to refresh their provisions. They both were ready for a night or two in a bed. Bass checked the map.
"We shouldn't be too far out from the town of Parkerville," Bass says.
"That sounds good."
After a few more miles, they come to a beat-up road sign announcing Parkerville, ten miles, population 1220.
"Bet there aren't that many people there now," Bass remarks. "Whatch'ya think?"
"Will there be a bed?"
Bass laughs, "Guess we'll find out."
Riding into town, everything looks peaceful enough. The first thing they do is look for the town stables. Once the animals are settled, Charlie announces that she's hungry. The stable hand pointed them to an old-fashioned diner that the owner was still making a go of it.
"John tries to keep the menu fresh. He has a lot of different things that other places don't offer. Especially if you're sick of stew." The stable hand told them.
They both laughed. "That sounds perfect. Especially if I don't have to catch it to cook it before eating it." Charlie says.
"Hey, who cooks it?" Bass asks, causing the stable hand to snort.
They find the diner easy enough. John doesn't serve booze, so they both order sweet tea. Charlie ordered a ham and cheese sandwich on fresh bread; Bass ordered the same.
As is his habit, Bass keeps an eye on the door. A tall man with graying hair has just walked in and went to the counter to place his order. He sat on one of the counter stools to wait when he noticed Bass. (Something's familiar about that guy… can't place it.) Bass thinks. The guykeeps stealing looks, and Bass is getting twitchy. He was just about to mention it to Charlie when the man in question made his way over to their booth. Bass rests his hand on his sword, already figuring ways out of this if it turns ugly.
"Can I help you, friend?" Bass asks with a disarming grin, but not really too friendly.
"Ahhh, Ba…Bass? Bass Monroe?" The man asks in a friendly manner.
Charlie feels Bass stiffen and go on high alert.
"I think you've made a mistake, pal. I'm…"
The man interrupts, "Come on! Don't remember me? Declan, Declan McMurphy…Jasper High? I know it's been eons. We played ball together."
Recognition shows on Bass' face. "Shit! Declan! Best catcher a pitcher could ever ask for! Wow, this is weird. Who would ever have thought?" (I hope he wasn't in Jasper when I went bat shit crazy.)
"Mind if I sit?"
"Please," Charlie answers.
"Declan, this beautiful woman is my wife, Charlie. Charlie, this guy helped me get a scholarship to the U of Indiana."
Declan reaches across the table to shake Charlies' hand. "Honored to meet you."
"Thank you, you too."
"What brings you out this way?" Declan asks.
"We just got married, well, almost a month ago now. We're heading to Oklahoma Territory." Bass replies.
"Got family there?"
"Nah, we're just looking for a fresh start. We, uh, had family issues."
Declan looks at Charlie, can see how young she is, and determines that she is pretty close to his daughter's age. (I bet they did…)
"Bass, listen, are you planning on staying in town for the night?"
"Yeah, we were. We've been on the road, sleeping on the ground, kind of hoping for a night in a bed."
"Well, I'm in town to get some provisions, then I am heading back out. Why not follow me out to the farm, meet the family, have some supper, and spend the night.? We've got room."
Bass looks to Charlie; her answer is a slight shrug.
"Declan, that's really kind. Thanks, I think we will," Bass answers for them.
"How are you traveling?"
"Horses, and we have a mule. They're at the livery."
"Finish up your lunch. I'll finish getting what I came into town for, and I'll meet you at the livery."
"Hey! McMurphy! Your sandwich is up!" John calls out from the kitchen. Declan waves that he's heard him.
"Okay, I'll see you in an hour or so." Declan grabs his sandwich and leaves the diner.
"Holy shit… if that wasn't weird. He never even mentioned the Republic…he must know, right?" Charlie says.
"I can't imagine that he doesn't know about the Republic. Don't let your guard down. We'll just see how this plays out."
Declan runs a dairy farm with his father-in-law. He led them down a long lane that opened to a large yellow farmhouse with white trim and a wrap-around porch. A woman in her forties came out to greet her husband and found herself being introduced to two house guests.
"Declan! Bringing home strays again?" she said with a smile. "I'm Amy, this schmoe's better half," chuckling.
Bass and Charlie dismounted as Declan climbed down from the wagon he was driving.
"Amy, this is Bass Monroe and his wife, Charlie. I found him in town eating at John's. Bass and I played baseball together in high school."
"Well, isn't it a small world," Amy says. "Charlie, grab your things and come on in while those two get the horses squared away."
Charlie smiled at Bass. This was going to be okay, she thought. Amy showed her into the large, sunny, country kitchen.
"Can I get you a sweet tea? Or, hot tea, perhaps?"
"Sweet tea would be perfect, thanks. Declan's a long way from Jasper. Are you from Jasper too?"
Amy hands Charlie a glass of tea and picks up a plate of cookies. "I met Declan when we were in college. This is my family home. After the blackout, we made our way here. We were living in Fort Wayne, Indiana when the blackout happened. I was a paralegal; Declan was a structural engineer. Our daughter Rebecca was eight, and Sophia was just four."
"Are your parents still with you?"
"My dad is here. He and Declan run the farm. My mother died just a few months after the blackout. She was diabetic, and when her insulin ran out, there wasn't anymore."
"Insulin?"
"It's a medication that many people who are diabetic must have to live. She was just one of the hundreds of thousands that died because they couldn't get the medication they needed to live."
Charlie was once again disheartened by what her parents had done. "What about your daughters. Are they still around?"
"Rebecca's in Austin, learning to be a doctor. Sophia is still here with us. She is student teaching at the school, so she stays in town during the week. She should be getting here soon. What about you? Where's your family?"
"They're back in Willoughby. My grandpa is a doctor, my mother is his assistant. My dad died six years ago. I had a brother; he died too. My uncle lives with them." Charlie was uncomfortable with this conversation, but she didn't know how to get out of it without seeming suspicious. She decided that she just wouldn't elaborate.
"Why did you and Bass leave? Family is important."
"They wouldn't accept Bass, made his life hell. I love him. We love each other. We couldn't stay there, so we're looking to start fresh, somewhere new."
"Of course, that's a shame. Is it the age thing? I can't help but notice. You must be about Rebecca's age. How long have you been married? I noticed your rings; they're lovely."
"They were Bass' mothers. I'm twenty-four. We've been married just about a month now. And, yes, it's partly the age thing, but it's more than that… It's complicated. Bass, my family, and I fought in the Patriot war. Bass and I were partners, and then we were best friends before we became more."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry. Couples come in all sizes and shapes in these times. Life is too hard not to grab happiness when you can. He's good to you?"
"The best. We're good to each other."
"Does Bass have family?"
"He lost his family in a car accident about five years before the blackout. His mother, father, and two younger sisters."
"How tragic! How awful for him."
"Yeah, they were close, and he took it hard. Still does."
"Can I ask how you met? Was it because of the war?"
"No… I knew him before then. Ahh, well, he was my uncle's best friend. They grew up together, and our families were close."
"I can see how it would have been awkward when you and Bass started seeing each other."
"Like I said, it's complicated."
"Charlie, let me show you your room. We have a nice bathtub upstairs with running warm water from the cistern that Declan set up if you'd like to clean up."
"That would be wonderful."
Declan and Bass were in the barn getting the horses and Lilly settled. "These are some beautiful mounts. And what a great mule, she's so gentle."
"Chamberlain was a gift from a friend, Mazy belonged to Charlie's grandfather. The mule came from the Texas Rangers stable in Austin. Charlie and I did some work for the Texas government. President Blanchard gave us our pick of mules from the stable as a wedding gift."
"Unusual gift."
"He knew that we were going to be traveling. Charlie named her Lilly."
"Well, she's a beauty, fine disposition."
"Declan, I have to ask… You do know about me and the …."
"Yeah, I know. Seems to me the fella that I played ball with lost his way. I had a hard time reconciling the guy I went to high school with the guy running the Republic. I didn't believe everything that I heard. What happened, Bass?"
"Shit, Declan, it's a long and complicated story. A lot of shit happened, bad shit, and…well…the truth of it is, I went batshit crazy. Miles, you remember Miles, and I started out trying to save people from themselves, keep them safe. Fact is…we fucked it all up."
"Does it bother you to talk about it?"
"Sometimes. Some of what I did hurt Charlie and her family. She forgave me, Declan, she forgave me, and she loves me. I don't deserve her."
"Is Miles still around? You two were so tight in Jasper."
"Yeah, he's in Austin. Blanchard made him a General with the Rangers."
"No shit."
"You two were thick. Are you still?"
Bass huffed, "We were brothers…that was part of my going crazy."
Declan went into his tack room and came back with a bottle. "What Amy doesn't know won't' hurt me," he said, chuckling.
"What, she won't notice if you turn up at dinner shit-faced?"
Declan smiles, "Okay, she pretends she doesn't know."
The two men pulled up a hay bale and passed the bottle between them. Bass loosened up and proceeded to tell Declan most of his story. An hour later and more than a few questions from Declan, they were both buzzed.
"Seems like you're doing okay now."
"It's Charlie…all Charlie."
"Miles' niece, huh? That's a lot of.…."
"Yeah, a lot of weird. Didn't go over very well. What can I say, we love each other. She's some kind of special."
"I can see that. It's all that matters when it gets down to it. She's young, but she's an adult. She is an adult…."
Bass chuckled, "I'm an asshole, but I'm not a pervert. She's twenty-four. Declan, is there somewhere I can clean up?"
"You bet. I rigged up an outside shower at the side of the barn. Farming can get messy. Sometimes I like to clean up before heading inside."
Bass grabbed his pack and followed Declan to the shower. "Thanks, man."
"There's a washtub near the well pump if you need to wash out anything."
"Great, I'll probably do that."
Bass was in heaven, an actual shower… with warm water no less. After his shower, Bass was bending over his pack getting out a clean shirt; Declan came around the side of the barn. His father-in-law had just come in from the fields, and he had wanted to intercept him before he ran into Bass, but he was too late.
"Good God, man! What the fuck happened to your back?" Declan exclaimed, shocked when he saw the damage.
Bass stood, turned to face him along with his father-in-law.
"I had a bit of a run-in with a Mexican drug cartel when I was trying to get my son."
"Don't mean to be rude, but the rest of you doesn't look so good either."
"Yeah, some people have it easy; I'm not one of them. Miles and I spent over ten years in the Marines, two tours in Afghanistan, and then post blackout shit along with the Patriot war." Bass shrugged on his shirt.
"Sorry…this is Amy's father, Mack Hutchens," Declan introduced. "Bass and I played ball in high school."
Huchens didn't offer his hand and just stared at Bass. "Declan, I'll see ya inside." He turned his back on them and walked to the house.
"Sorry, Bass. He can be tough."
"Don't worry about it; I'm used to it."
Amy's father pulled her and Declan aside in the kitchen. "How the hell did that man come to be on my farm?" Hutchens asked angrily. "You do know who he is."
"Yeah, I'm aware. I ran into him in town. I brought him here. I knew him from school. He's traveling with his Missus, and I offered them a night."
"Don't want him here. You know that there is a bounty on his head. Don't need that kind of trouble."
"Dad, that's the past. They're trying to make a life. Everyone deserves a second chance."
"You are aware of the things that he's done! He's a heinous war criminal, and he deserves whatever he gets. They go!"
"Dad, I may not go to church services anymore, but I still believe in the teachings and Christian values. A man repents, then he is forgiven. 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others.' Let them stay through dinner, then decide." Amy adds.
"I don't like it," storming off.
Charlie had been returning from her bath with an arm full of laundered clothes when she heard stern voices coming from the kitchen. She hung back and listened. Hearing Amy's father, she was getting nervous. Time to find Bass, and she slipped out the front door.
Wandering towards the clothesline, she saw Bass leaning over a washtub.
"Bass…" she softly called out.
"Hey, Babe. What's up?" He could tell by her face that something definitely was.
"Bass, Amy's father is upset that we're here. He knows who you are. Maybe we should go."
Bass pulled her close, kissed her forehead. "Let's see how it plays out. I don't think we're in any danger. If we have to leave, we'll go. If you're too uncomfortable, we can go."
Charlie hung her clothes on the line and helped Bass do the same with his. "Ready to face the music?" he asks her.
"Yeah. Did you talk to Declan about things?"
"I did. He's not holding anything against me. He knows about my reputation, and he's accepting it."
Dinner was ready. Declan's younger daughter, Sophia, had arrived and was introduced.
The meal was like nothing that Charlie had remembered. She had bar food, stew mainly. Bass had had meals like this when he was President, but not since. There were mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, and a roasted chicken with gravy. An apple pie for dessert.
Over diner, they all talked about their lives after the blackout and the invasion of the Patriots. Mack Hutchen's had nothing to say; he just sat there and scowled.
"Bass, you were telling me that you and Charlie fought against the Patriots." Declan said for the benefit of his father-in-law."
"We did; we had the northern front; I was with Charlie's family and the Paige War Clan."
"Isn't there a bounty out on you? I don't want any trouble here." Hutchens says to Bass, scowling, still not happy that he is there.
"The bounty has been rescinded by President Blanchard and the Texas government. I have been given a Presidential pardon, Mr. Hutchens. I know what I've done, and I regret it every day. I went to a dark place after I lost my second family. No excuse, I know, but that's the facts.
Charlie and I just want to start a quiet life together. Mr. Hutchens. That's all we're looking for."
Mack Hutchens grunted.
Declan turned the conversation which led to Bass and Declan reminiscing about their school days and playing baseball. "Didn't you get a scholarship to the U of Indiana?"
"Yeah, thanks to your making me look good." Bass smiles.
"Did you go?"
"I did, most of freshman year, anyway."
"What happened?"
"Miles happened. Miles stayed in Jasper after high school, went to work for Tom Buckley's garage."
"I remember that place."
"He didn't do well after high school; he had no direction. Miles was always a bit of a drinker, but it got out of hand. He had two DUIs and then got a third. He was on his way to some jail time."
"DUI?" Charlie asked.
"Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Charlie. His brother Ben called me."
Bass looked over at Charlie when he mentioned Ben's name. She flushed a bit but otherwise gave no reaction. "It was just about the end of the school year. Ben called; Miles had gotten his third DUI and was due to go before a judge. Could I come, stand up for him in court. I hung up, packed my things, left a note for my roomy, and headed for Jasper.
When I got back to Jasper, I found Miles passed out on his couch in the ratty apartment over the garage. The next day I dragged his ass to the recruitment center. We both became Marines. Three days after that, Miles went before the judge, enlistment papers in hand. Seeing that he enlisted, the judge gave him a suspended sentence."
"I imagine that your parents weren't too happy about your leaving school and joining the Marines to save Miles' ass," Amy said.
"My mother cried, my dad… well, he was disappointed. Called Miles a selfish prick. Sorry, Sophia."
Sophia giggled, "Nothing that I haven't heard before."
"What happened then?" Amy asked.
"Two tours in Afghanistan. We both became Sgt Major and instructors at Parris Island in South Carolina. That's what we were doing when the blackout happened."
"Lucky you weren't in Afghanistan when the lights went out," Sophia remarked.
"Yeah, very lucky. We didn't miss it by much, either. I can't imagine, the poor bastards that were still there."
"Matheson was with you in the Republic, wasn't he?" Hutchens asked.
"He was. We were together."
"Is he still alive?"
"Was when we left Austin." It was evident that Bass didn't want to talk about it, so the subject of Miles was dropped.
As Mack Hutchens listened to Bass' story, he gained some respect for him, but he still had reservations. He looked at Bass. "I'm a Marine. I can't help but feel that you disgraced the Corp with the Republic," he said gruffly.
"Mr. Hutchens, I am proud of my service. Proud to be a Marine. The Republic was started as a way to keep people safe. While Miles and I were on the road looking for his family, we saw so much depravity. Society had gone in the toilet. Miles was disgusted and wanted to do something, so we established a safe camp. The camp grew. We formed a militia to protect the people. I wanted to stop there, but Miles wanted to keep going. Miles' militia grew, and somehow, we became the heads of a nation. Miles wanted me to be president; I was more of a people person. Our goal was to offer some basic services, get schools reopened. Miles and I taught people how to defend themselves. Then it all went wrong…terribly wrong. We lost our vision. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
After dinner, Mack Hutchens invited Bass to join him and Declan on the porch for a whiskey or two. Amy, Charlie, and Sophia retired to the living room with tea. Charlie would have rather been outside with the whiskey.
Being farmers, the family turned in early at 9:00. Bass and Charlie said goodnight and went up to their room. As soon as the bedroom door closed, Charlie threw herself at Bass.
"Hey, what's this? Not that I'm complaining."
"I was scared when Amy's dad was going on about the Republic," she said as she held on to him. "Then your story about Miles…how you saved him from jail. You weren't always the bad guy."
"No, I wasn't. I gave up a lot for Miles. He and Rachel seem to forget that. Let's go to bed; we're safe for the night," he says as he tugs Charlie's top over her head, then kissing her neck and that soft spot where her neck meets her shoulders. "You are delicious, Mrs. Monroe…."
"I love you, Sebastian Monroe."
After waking to the aroma of bacon and coffee, they made their way down to the kitchen for a breakfast of eggs, potatoes, bacon, and coffee. Amy packed up some food for them to take with them, enough to last a few days.
After spending time with Bass over drinks, Mack had done some thinking overnight and softened his opinion of Bass. He said goodbye, shaking Bass' hand before he went out to start the milking. "Good luck, Son."
"Thank you, Sir." Declan helped Bass pack up Lilly and saddle their horses.
"Bass, it was really great seeing you again. Stop in if you're ever this way again."
"Declan, Amy, thank you for everything, Charlie says."
"Our pleasure," Amy replies.
One last wave and they ambled down the lane to the main road.