Aloha everyone. Alpacalunch here again. It's fun writing this one, just like the others. Anyway, have fun.
Day 22
Empty.
Empty.
Empty.
EMPTY.
I cursed Jim in my head. If only he listened to me a week ago. We're too late. The nearest supermarket to the GCPD was already purged. All the items on the aisles were emptied. There were trashes of beer cans and wraps of snack bars scattered on the floor.
I kept on canvassing the area, who knows they may have left something behind. I walked and walked, getting angrier at each empty aisle I see. I hoped Troy found something on the other side. I brought him with me to scavenge for food. Malik is with Hassan. We take turns on who went out and who will stay with Malik. This week is his turn to stay at home.
"Gah!" an ugly scream escaped from me, creating an echo in the supermarket. Kid (the mute little girl) appeared when I turned around. We called her Kid, since we don't know what else to call her. I was readying my fighting stance while she was just standing there with a can in her hand. "Kid, you're scaring me!" I didn't even hear her walking behind me. I snatched the can from her hand. It was a can of cat food. "No, we don't eat this. Why are you here? You should be Hassan."
Then she acted like she's asleep. Her head tilted backwards, with her mouth hung open. That way she was telling me that Hassan was sleeping. He must be very exhausted, taking care of the kids. He didn't even have the audacity to get angry or scream at them.
Jim had given Hassan and me the task to house orphans and street children. Well, no. Not really. No one wants to take them, so I volunteered. Immediately, eleven children were shoved into our place. The place was actually Mrs. Weller's apartment. It was empty. We took the third floor. My old apartment was for my family and the other rooms were occupied the other eleven children. Rue and Troy took up one apartment as well, right next to us.
"Hey Troy!" I shouted, receiving a rude 'what' in response. "You found anything?"
He then appeared from one aisle. "I found these." He threw a blue colored item to my face and I caught it. Feminine pads! Thank you God.
"Take them all. What about tampons?"
"Got them all here," he sang, carrying a grocery bag. I peeked inside. There weren't that many. But at least there's something.
"But no food?"
"Nope."
I huffed miserably. "Let's go to the precinct. We need to distribute these."
"If we go there last week, there's a chance that foods are still there… we're too late," I ranted, placing a bag full with tampons and pads on one of the tables. I think its Alvarez's table.
"The reason I don't want to do it in the first place is because it's stealing," Jim reasoned, earning a bitter laugh from me. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed he rolled his eyes.
"That's like saying you won't kill, Jim." I knew I hit a sensitive spot because his lips were set in thin line and his eyes narrowed in a heated glare. He's angry and I'm not finish talking. "In case you haven't notice, we are on our own. The shops do not belong to anyone anymore. This is an emergency situation. We can take what we want unless someone else already put their name on it!"
"Get. Out." His nose flared in anger.
"If you need any help, you know where to find me." I grunted, turning around and took a few steps, before stopping. "Oh, and you are very welcome!" Then I walked a few steps before stopping again, returning to Alvarez's table, taking two packs of the pads. After that, I briskly stormed out of the building.
Once I was out, I stretched my arms up in the air and exhaled loudly on purpose. I need to calm myself down. Troy was on my left side while Kid was on my other side. "You know that he's the boss in this area, right?" he asked.
"Well, the boss in this area should wake up." I started to walk down the steps with them following me. "Three weeks. No help whatsoever from the government, like we're not important to them. Like we're just some bunch of measly dots. Easily gained and discarded. You know what they should have done?"
"Ugh. Here we go again," complained Troy. But I ignored him.
"They should have sent more boats and ferries the next day after the bridge explosion. They should have sent more soldiers; the SWAT maybe. I don't care. I mean the criminals in Gotham would not last long against their high-tech and highly-trained military soldiers. They should have started to rebuild the fucking bridges since day one. I cannot comprehend the reason why they choose to ignore us… Because we chose to stay back? That's bullshit! The number of boats provided to accumulate the number of citizens in this city is not enough. Maybe they should go back to school to learn math!"
"Blah. Blah. Blah. You can get used to abandonment, at least."
My anger faded away and replaced with guilt. These street children has been struggling their whole life. I guessed things like this didn't really bother them. I never hear Troy complained unless he was bored. And he's always bored which pisses me off everytime he complained. The other children also never complained that they were hungry or in pain. But when I brought lunch (which was not much), they would inhale their meal quickly, an action that telling me that they were indeed starving.
About Kid… well… our interactions were minimal. She never asked for anything. Not that I know if she did. But what I noticed was that she is a martial artist. A few days ago, a boy bumped his fist on her shoulder and then she threw the boy, Judo-style. She also noticed if someone sneaked up behind her. Since she has limited facial expression, no one really know what she was thinking or feeling. The other children are now scared of her and refused to play with her. She was usually hanging out with the older kids, especially with Troy.
We used the usual shortcut path to home. In the alley, I jogged to one area. Crouching down, I took out the cat food that I took from Kid and opened it up. The fake flavoring smell of tuna attacked my noise and then came a few meows. Four kittens came out from their hiding and approached me. They followed the smell of the tuna. As I was about to pour the food out, a tiny hand strongly grabbed my wrist.
"This is for them," I slowly said to an upset Kid, jerking my arm away, pouring the food on the ground since there are no plates. With a grunt, I stood up. The scar from the shooting on my left thigh by one of Jerome's men sometimes tingled when I moved. I pointed at the picture of a cat on the can, and then pointed at the kittens. "Cat food." Then, I pretended to eat the cat food and then pretended to die. "Not for humans." I admitted that I exaggerated it; human couldn't possibly die eating cat food.
She furrowed her eyebrows, studying the can and then the kittens. Then, she pointed at the kitten and then pointed into her mouth.
"No! You can't do that!" I was surprised that she even thought of eating those kittens. She read my expressions and knew that I was angry so she lowered her gaze to the ground. Okay, with that face, of course I feel guilty for snapping at her. With a sigh, I passed her the can. It still has some inside. She tilted her head to look at me and I nodded towards the kittens. She bowed down and poured the remaining food for the kittens. "Come on. We don't have to wait for them to finish." I flashed a small smile but she just blinked. I don't think she ever smile or understand the meaning of a smile, and it saddened me. But I was curious as to why she was brought up with lack of human emotions. She's still a kid, probably eight or nine years old. Children her age should be reckless and likes to play and joke, but not Kid. She's one different child.
When we arrived, I walked straight to my apartment, pushing the door open and then shutting it close loudly. "I am under the impression that my dear wife is in a bad mood," Hassan said, as I threw my bag into the couch, then massaged the bridge of my nose. He was on the couch, leisurely reading an agriculture book.
"We were too late," I sharply stated and then turned around. "Gah!" I grabbed the nearest thing which is the table lamp on impulse as I saw another person. "Kid. Why are you still following me?" I asked, knowing that she didn't understand me. "Go to your room. Sleep." I pointed at her and then acted like I was sleeping.
She gave me a curt nod and walked away. I followed her trail, locking the door once she was out. Then I returned to the living room to Hassan.
"She likes you… and Troy. That's probably why she sneaked out and followed you guys," he replied, setting his book aside. "I apologized for letting her slip a…" he didn't finish his sentence because I straddled his lap and zealously attacked his lips with mine. He quickly responded to my action, kissing me with the same amount of passion, sliding his hands on my back. "I could get use to this," he murmured after I let go of his lips and gave eager pecks to his jaws, down to the side of his neck.
"Don't get this over your head," I said, softly biting an area of skin at his neck, earning a low hum from him. I feel frustrated and needed tension release.
I pulled his shirt off, revealing his smooth solid body. Running my hand down his chest, I placed soft caresses all around where my lips could reach. And then, a cry from the bedroom slowed down my movement.
Hassan chuckled, grabbing my waist and placed me on the couch, next to him. "Our son needs our attention now," he said, standing up to move to the bedroom while I leaned my head at the back of the couch in controlled annoyance.
I shut my eyes after taking off my sport hijab. I have been changing my headscarf style to sport hijab recently. It is far convenient to perform activities. Sometimes I put on a cap over it.
Malik's cries had stopped. The place turned silent. Actually all parts of Gotham are not that noisy anymore. No more traffics. No more busy streets. It was far too quiet. But it has been three weeks of silence in the city and I just got used to it. With the silence, gradually I was lulled to sleep.
But then I felt ticklish sensations on my cheeks. I hummed in contentment and let my body laid down on the couch as the sensations increased. A presence propped on top me. Smiling, I opened my eyes to greet my lover. "You know that you're not getting away after you started it, so please don't sleep yet, babe." His breath pooled against my neck when he said those words.
"Not planning to stop," I smiled, pulling him down for more kisses.
"Sarah!" Dee Dee called, followed by a rap of door knocking.
Thank God, we had finished our love making minutes ago and we were snuggling, bathing in each other's' presence on the small couch. "A minute, gigglemug!" I shouted, releasing myself from Hassan's embrace and grabbing my clothes. I smacked his arm, hissing at him to wear his clothes, before I opened the door for Dee Dee.
He picked up his boxers and jeans on the floor and put them on. I wore all of my attire as fast as I can, leaving my headpiece behind and rushed to the door, swinging it opened, greeting the blond girl.
"'Sup?" I asked, tucking a few of strands of hair behind my ears.
"It's story time," she reminded.
"It's not my turn to entertain you guys. This week Hassan is yours," I countered.
"But he's bad at reading stories."
"Hassan will read you the stories. Period. He'll be ready in a few minutes." With that I closed the door to her face. Hassan had already fully clothed when I got back inside. "You remember I said about not having ten kids?" He nodded at my question. "I, with full certainty, mean it. Maximum is two kids, or I think I'll be pulling my hair like crazy."
He grinned, embracing me tightly. "But the kids love you and I love you. That's what matters."
"Yeah. That, and you go to the kids for story time. Now, shoo."
Day 44
"Children! You ready to go?" I yelled from my door, banging at the wall. "Come on. Let's go now! Let's not waste time to spare. You said you want to go out." This week, it is my turn to watch the kids. They were bored because they had to stay in the apartment the whole time, so I decided to give them a 'field trip', to the hospital. I was actually wanted to visit Selina, but got no time, so I use this time to visit her.
"Where are we going?" a 7 year-old Madeline asked. A few other children tagged along with her.
"Hospital," I curtly replied as I set Malik comfortably in the baby carrier that was strap on me. Hassan was out, probably with Lucius or Jim. I rolled my eyes at the scared look on the children's faces. "And then we'll go to the precinct, meet the other kids..."
"Yay!" All of them chorused together, jumping excitedly.
"Okay. Sean, you take care of the six and seven year-olds. Rue, eight to ten. And Troy… uh, keep an eye on Kid, will ya? Don't let her wander off alone." Then I looked down at those doe-eyed eager children. "Listen to Sean, Rue and me, okay?"
All of them nodded in simultaneously. You guys better not making trouble, I said inwardly.
"All righty then. Keep those lines straight, and follow me!" I commanded. I instantly recalled the time when Uncle Nate bringing all of his nephews and nieces to a park nearby. I have no idea if he was still alive or not, but no one saw him anymore.
The children lined themselves according to their age. I marched at the upfront, them behind me and then the older kids behind them. Meanwhile, Kid walked alongside with Troy. You can never be too careful, even though the streets are empty. No cars, but there might be other potential danger.
St. Luke's Hospital was quite far on foot and since my left thigh throbbed once in a while, it started to become uncomfortable, but I held it in. Turning around, I checked the children. I smiled slightly because they were walking in straight lines. "Everybody good?" I questioned, walking backwards, receiving a few mumbles of yeses. I looked at the back at Troy and Kid. Both were furrowing their eyebrows. It was like they born with frown on their faces.
I sighed and turned around, facing the front. The hospital is now just a few blocks away. Thank God, I thought. Please let me arrived at the hospital.
Bruce and Alfred were about to leave the hospital when we entered. I'm now used to see Bruce in all black attire. I greeted them politely.
"Thank you for visiting Selina. She needs this," Bruce expressed. Ever since the bridge collapse, he changed. I mean everyone changed but he… he could have leave early but he is here. Jim mentioned how Bruce might feel responsible for this, because of a man name Ra's Al Ghul. He made this young man suffered. I don't know much in details but Bruce looked like he had grieved so much.
I forced a smile on my face, trying to see that everything's going to be fine. "No problem," I answered. He glanced at the children behind me. "Oh, meet my 'cadets'." I joked.
"I heard that you take all the orphans and street children."
"Yeah…" I have no words to say to him and Alfred. "We better go. I had to bring the children to the precinct after this. They want to play with the other kids."
"Very well. See you."
"See you. You too, Alfred," I bid my goodbye. Alfred gave me a nod and then both of them walked out of the hospital. I noticed how Kid was eyeing Bruce until he disappeared out the door, which made me raise my eyebrow.
"Huh…" I muttered to myself.
Oh well... She may be has a puppy-love crush on him. After all, the young Wayne is very attractive.
Selina's back was at me as she snuggled in the covers. I know she heard me coming here. When she stayed in my apartment with Ivy, she always knew when I snuck up behind her. She said that she memorized the sound of my footsteps. The boots I'm wearing today are not particularly silent.
"I know you're awake," I stated. But there was still no response from her.
I think she already grasped the fact that the doctor here couldn't help her anymore. She can't walk anymore, but Bruce still wanted to help her, giving her all the things she need. I bit the inside of my cheeks as I think of ways to cheer her up. Even I almost lost hope, if not for Hassan and Malik, I would have gone crazy. I glanced down at my baby, safely tucked in my arms.
"I… uh…" I slowly started. Then I changed my voice to a higher tone. "You know what happened to me this morning? I was changing Malik's diapers, and then he peed on me. Right on my face and Hassan just laughed at me." I chuckled lightly and then peered at Selina, who hasn't budged ever since I walked into the room.
"I almost drink his pee," I added. But still no response causing me to let out a sigh. "Has Tabitha visited you? I could ask Jim to allow her to come to this place to see you." I arose from the uncomfortable chair, when she turned her body around to face me.
"You don't have to do that. I'm okay," she softly said.
"Okay. You need anything?"
"Nothing that you can give me," she countered. Damn, she's strong.
"Well, ask me something that I can give you then. A can of tuna or something…"
"I don't need anything from you." She almost looked angry, but I persisted. She was just blocking me out and I need her to let me in.
"Okay. I'll wait for… eight more minutes until you think of what you want." I sat back down. I cannot stay here that long because I had to go to bring the kids.
I suppressed a smile as she rolled her eyes, thinking that her old self is back. But then she turned her back towards me which made me frown. Okay. Eight more minutes on this hard stool. Great.
Day 66
My eyes opened. It's still dark outside. I shifted my eyes from the window to the watch sitting on the night stand.
2.33a.m.
I thought I heard something, that's why I was awake. Hassan was still sleeping soundly beside me. Malik as well, in his cot. Pulling out a handgun from under my pillow, I rose from the bed.
There was that sound again. Footsteps. Very light footsteps. Are the kids awake?
Silently, I tiptoed to the bedroom door, cupping my right ear against it to listen to the sounds again. I slipped my gun into my pants and get a belt of throwing knives; that was hidden inside my ugly brown storage seat. I placed my ear against the door again. Nothing was heard. Slowly, I twisted the knob, opening the door a bit. It was dark and I saw no one, unless they were hiding within the shadows.
"Anyone there?" I uttered with full cautiousness. There was no response. My heart sped up when I noticed that the window was opened. I closed my bedroom door, scanned my apartment meticulously. Only with the moonlight that I could make out the place. "Kid?" Maybe it was her, sneaking in. Last time, after Subh prayer, I found her sleeping in the couch.
With alert steps, I skidded towards the couch to check for her. But she was not there. Then, I saw a shine from the corner of the room. "Who's there?" I demanded.
"No worries, no worries," a person caroled. Something was thrown to me and I caught it. My wedding ring? I remembered I placed it and the kitchen counter last night when I helped Hassan with his little agriculture project.
Then I heard a movement and looked back up. A woman with a bizarre silver hairstyle jumped professionally and swiftly out of the window. I ran to the window with the ring in my hand. "Hey!" I furiously shouted. She hopped and swung from one place to another. "Give me back my ring!" I threw the one in my hand towards her. I knew that one was not mine. Why? Because it doesn't feel like mine. Suddenly, the ring that I just threw popped in a small explosion.
What the…
"What's going on?" Hassan appeared behind me. He was worried. He looked out at the window as the woman somersaulted in glee. Her laughs could be heard in the distance.
"My ring… She stole my ring," I breathed, feeling unhappy.
"Are you hurt?" He turned me to face him, checking my figure for any injuries.
"My ring…"
"Come here," he consoled, dragging me from the window. He locked the window and returned to me.
"I should have put it in the room, in the drawers. I'm an idiot…"
"Babe, you don't have to worry about that."
"That ring is meaningful. It's about you and me."
"You and me is about you and me. That's enough."
"I know you would say that." I smiled bitterly. "But if I saw her again, I'll grab her collar and demand for my ring, maybe shake her up a bit, you know… and you can't stop me, okay?"
"Duly noted." He pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. "Now, let's rest. We have a long boring day tomorrow."
Day 77
"The bands are getting strong. It's gonna be anytime until they'll start to expand territories," Jim grunted, massaging his temple. We were out of wits. We can't rely on the government anymore. We are our only hope. We have to survive with what we have here.
It was more than two months since government declared Gotham City as off-limits. We have barricades now around the area where GCPD took over. We put marks on each building using blue spray paint; GCPD, our territory symbol. There are more than a hundred people under GCPD's protection. We do have small gangs tried to infiltrate and take over our territory, which we managed to shoo away. At least, for now.
However we have problems. We are low in ammo and food and this shows that we are almost vulnerable to threats. If the big gangs tried to attack us, then we would than no chance. If Oswald or Barbara decided to attack us, we'll be dead. They are very comfortable now than they ever be before No Man's Land. We are in their world and they got the upper hand. They chose not to attack us; we're lucky. I surmised it's because they have some weird relationship with the GCPD, especially with Jim.
"We need to start making our own weapons," I suggested. "Haven't you watch any apocalypse movies?" I said again with a light humor. But he didn't find it funny so I returned back serious. "It's back to Stone Age. We make weapons. We hunt. We gather. We put marks on places, warning others that this is our territory… We have to be prepared for anything."
"Bullock and Lucius said the same thing," replied Jim, taking a sip of his whiskey. Dark circles and stress lines were prominent on his face. He almost looked like he lost hope. We were inside his office. Just the two of us.
I don't want him to lose hope.
"Jim… I'm scared." I picked my nails in nervousness. "I never show it to anyone ever since this island was sealed off, but I'm fucking terrified. I don't want to stay here. I hated that we could not get into that boat that night. I have a baby here… and things could happen."
"I'm scared too. But we keep on going," he murmured. I felt a bit at eased to know that he still want to survive and protect the people. I know he was trying very hard to keep hopes up for the people and more to himself.
"We keep on going," I echoed him.