Back to the group on this one…I just keep playing this like a show in my head! And of course….more Tom and Anya…this time with a little surprise! I know where I would like this to ultimately go and am working towards this goal…having a great time with it. Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: Just a fan!
Greg, Abby and Peter drove in the Land Rover, Al and Naj were in the car behind. They were heading North in hopes of tracking the plane. Their plan was to go into a town looking for supplies but to stay on the outer edge of it to be safer. During the drive, Abby had been looking out the window. Greg asked if she was alright but she only answered that she was enjoying the peaceful view. She was worried about Peter's health. He seemed to be weaker than the others especially in comparison to Naj. He was always asking Peter to kick around the football but Peter just didn't have the energy. She was ever the overprotective Mother, as her husband would say, 'making a big deal out of nothing, worrying too much, smothering the boy'. Their marriage had really taken a toll during Peter's battle with Leukemia. It had been a long time since she allowed herself to think of that period of her life. She was more careful this time and didn't want to unload this burden onto her new family, especially not Greg.
"Abby, you alright?" Greg asked.
"Yeah" Abby nodded and gave Greg a reassuring smile.
They had arrived to a small town close to where Najid's cousins were from.
Greg looked around through the windshield. "Well, looks like everywhere else. Let's see if we can find some supplies and stay out of trouble."
As they walked through town, they noticed it was very quiet. Greg reminded them not to get too comfortable, to keep their guard up. There were very few things left in the shops. They got a more detailed map and headed towards the houses. Al and Greg siphoned petrol from the cars at the homes while Abby, Naj and Peter went inside to search for supplies.
They scraped together enough to last a few days and headed to a somewhat secluded and quiet area to regroup. They were putting together a hodgepodge meal when two men carrying iron pipes came up towards them.
Their conversation volleyed between them in a language no one recognized. It was as if they were trying to decide what to do with these people they had just found. They all stood idle for a moment, neither side sure of what to do when Naj, clutching his football, said, "We're not your enemies. We're good people. No one wants to be enemies here."
Just as the pair looked at each other, a young woman walked up to the group. "Oi! What you two doin' down here?" then realized that Greg, Abby and the others were standing there. "Who are you? Did she send you? Trying to get more of us to leave are you?"
Unsure of what she meant and as innocent as ever, Naj took a step closer, "I'm Najid. These people are my family. Who are you?"
The young woman looked slightly surprised, then turned to the two men and said, "I don't think we need to be concerned here." She turned back to Naj. "I'm Sadie. These brothers are Abram and Alex. Please excuse them. They are just trying to protect us. We have not always met nice people since the virus."
"We know what that's like. We have had some trouble ourselves, "answered Al.
The rest of the group introduced themselves and Jane and she invited them into their living area which was at one time a hall used for parties. It was easy to secure with high windows and only two sets of doors. Greg could see that it was a smart place for them to have chosen. There was a large open room and a kitchen area. There were sleeping bags and tables in different areas of the room. And an old woman, skin wrinkled and soft, sitting in a rocking chair near the window.
Sadie gestured for the group to wait and she approached the woman. They spoke softly and then Sadie turned to Abby and Greg, "This is Adira".
The woman spoke in a raspy whisper. Jane remained close and translated from Adira's native language, which none of them could identify, she spoke so softly.
"Adira says we are being punished for the way man was living. Like the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible. Almost all life wiped out except for a select few of us that were spared. She believes we will continue to be punished if we do not change our ways."
Abby contemplated this, "There has been a loss of trust for other people. We know firsthand how dangerous it can be."
"Adira asks what has brought you here."
"We are looking for our friends, Tom and Anya. We believe they headed North. We came through this town to look for Najid's family. He has cousins that lived close."
Adira looked to Najid, motioned for him to come closer. "Who is your family?" the woman whispered in broken English.
"My cousins are Iman and Nabil Hanif. My father said I should try to find them."
Adira looked sadly at Najid then whispered, "I'm sorry." She spoke again to Jane.
With sadness in her eyes, Jane explained that Adira knew of the family but that none of them survived the virus. Najid nodded, mumbled a 'thank you' and with his head hanging low, headed outside. Al was close behind to give some comfort.
"Where have your friends gone?" Jane asked.
"We're not exactly sure," Greg answered, "We became separated and our information says they headed North."
"Were they enticed into leaving?" Jane asked.
Greg gave her a questioning look, "What exactly do you mean, enticed?"
Jane looked around, as if afraid of causing tension among her own group. "Well, there was a group of people that came round not long ago. They drove through the town with a megaphone shouting that they were the government…that they were there to help bring everyone back together. They had a place for us to go where we could work together towards the future. They brought a truckload of supplies. All we had to do was watch a video and they let us have whatever we needed from the truck."
Adira made a few remarks and Abby understood by her tone what she thought.
Greg and Abby looked to each other then Abby asked "I have a feeling I know who was on that video."
"The wolf in sheep's clothing" Adira whispered. "Do not follow that one, she has evil in her."
"The men who came were very nice, but once the video began, Adira could see that something was wrong. She saw something in their leader that she knew to be untrustworthy, dangerous. But even so, most of our group left. They wanted a life that was easier. Adira says easier and better are not always the same. "
"Jane, did you recognize the woman in the video?" Abby asked.
"Oh, yes, it was the Minister, Samantha Willis."