Happy Halloween, everyone! Hopefully, you got some candy with you as you begin to read this chapter! Enjoy!
The rain splashed against the wet pavement in the road, creating a tranquil and lingering aroma of the pleasant petrichor. The dark neon sign by the Medway Motel was further shadowed by the gloomy rain clouds. The RV passed by the trail of skeletons in the parking lot.
Lightning clapped the sky, revealing the rotten skeleton stuck on the gates in an alleyway by a certain hotel building in Bangor. The roamers wandered around the city, finding it more comfortable indoors, though the thunder caused them to scatter once again. The wheels of the RV splashed on the puddles in the highway as it passed by the city.
The raindrops slipped down the metro maps on the walls of the building. A low thundering from the distance and the winds blowing against the leaves filled the troubling air. The RV remained parked outside the building. The survivors stepped outside with the leader glancing inside the barricaded windows.
"So, this is the place?" asked Lori, turning around.
Becky nodded. Kimi whimpered before Hana rubbed her back. Luan stared at the combination lock in the entrance.
"Let's knock then," she added. "It's been a while since I've seen David."
Lori knocked on the locked door. A light inside the building turned on. She smiled.
Chapter 19: One Man
I - The Subway People
Water splashed against the edge of the containers that were in the wooden wagon that Leni rolled to the infirmary. Jace ran to the door and held it open for Leni as she continued rolling the wagon.
"Thank you, Jace!" she said as she rolled the wagon inside the building.
"No probs. Just know I'm always there whenever you want me."
"Aww, you're too nice," said Leni as she gave Jace a hug. "Do you think this is enough water or will I need less?"
"Need less? Don't you mean more?" Jace chuckled nervously.
"Oh, you're right… this is too much! I'm going to need more!"
"No, no, it's enough! It's enough water. You know, they'll take any amount of water they could get. It's so nice of you to do that for them."
"Yeah, it felt hard watching people clear their throats and cough out ash from their mouths! I would love to talk more, but I have to help out the thirsty people! BRB!"
"Thirsty people…" smirked Jace, "–just like Preston."
"What was that?" said Preston, standing behind Jace.
"Jesus! How– what are doing here?"
"Don't use Christ's name in vain. I'm here to help out Leni. What are you doin' here?"
Jace crossed his arms.
"I was helping her out too. And she wants MY help, not yours!"
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from her?" hissed Preston. "You're a terrible influence. All you care about are bikes, lesbians, and your weird brother!"
"Alex is my sister, you asshat! Leni deserves someone better than a judgmental brainwashed dick!"
"All you want from her is to fulfill your lust, Jace, I've seen it. Always coverin' your crotch when you're next to her, unable to stop your indecent flirting, starin' at her when she's not looking. That's why I judge you. 'Cause you're full of sin. Just like your sister!"
Jace lashed out and swung his fist at his rival's face. Preston lost his balance and stumbled to the ground before wiping the blood off his lips. Jace prepared to block an incoming attack, but all Preston did was stand up and stare at him intensely.
Some of the bystanders watched as the two older teens glared at each other. Jace then looked at the spectators.
"What? Mind your business, guys!"
Jace then turned to Preston.
"You're not going to hit me back?" he said.
"Violence doesn't solve anythin'," said Preston. "And Leni knows that."
"Well Leni wouldn't ever judge people based on their 'sins' or anything of that bullshit."
"Only one way to find out. We'll ask her who she really cares about the most. Then, you'll see she would never go for a nuisance like you."
Leni poured water on a paper cup, then handed it to one of the wounded fighters in bed. She walked around the infirmary room, giving out more cups of water, being thanked by everyone she helped.
She then walked upstairs to her room and walked to a small white cradle. She smiled as Zoey remained asleep.
Coming back down to the infirmary rooms, she was stopped by Carol.
"Hey, is Zoey still asleep?" Carol asked.
"Yeah, she totes looks like an angel!"
"Thank goodness. I've never had to treat this many people before! You're my savior!"
Leni smiled as Carol went back to the rooms, treating the wounded. She grabbed the handle for her wagon and was ready to enter another room to serve more water when she heard the door slammed open. Jace and Preston raced inside.
"Leni, I have to ask you something!" said Jace.
"No, I was goin' to ask her first!" growled Preston.
"Oh hey, guys!" greeted Leni. "Watcha' wanna ask me?"
"I know we've been hanging out–" said Jace.
"–get to the point!" interrupted Preston.
"–you got to spend a lot of time with us…"
"–we know you like one of us–"
"–but not Preston the douchebag, right?"
"–at least I don't go picking fights with people!"
"You disrespected my sister!"
"You disrespect Leni by tryin' to–"
"Oh, fuck off with that bullshit–!"
"I'll keep her away from you!"
"She won't ever fall for you, you piece of shit!"
"Guys, guys, GUYS!" shouted Leni. "Preston Salas and Jace Taylor! What is wrong with you two!"
Leni dropped the handle to the ground. Haley and Carol peeked out from the room that they were in, catching the boys' dumbfounded expressions.
"There are people who are hurt– like actually hurt, maybe even dying– and you two are fighting over who I like more? How… pathetic!"
Leni picked up the handle for the wagon.
"Gosh, wanting to know who I like more? I don't even want you two here! Go before you wake up the baby!"
Jace nodded. Preston raised his arm as Leni walked away, and lowered it. They both shook their heads and left the infirmary.
"Damn," muttered Jace. "I didn't think she could get angry like that."
"We acted so stupid," said Preston. "She's right. What is wrong with us?"
"We're supposed to be helping out, not fighting. I– Leni's right… like always."
Preston nodded as he looked at roamers piling up by the fences. Jace felt the raindrops falling harder on his head. The destroyed town was once again showered by the rain.
The banging of the turnstiles signified the return of familiar survivors to the subway people. The footsteps left behind a trail of tainted water. However, the concrete flooring soaked up the water quickly, adding to the damp atmosphere in the subways.
Lori twisted her wet hair and tied it back to a ponytail. Hana placed Kimi down to the floor where she shook her fur, drying herself. Luan removed her raincoat and handed it to Jax, who placed it in a hanger by the turnstiles.
Lori looked around the subway station and found lamps hanging from the low ceiling. She saw survivors carrying wet carcasses to their cafeteria– one had to go through the subway trains to access it– which consisted of benches and metal tables.
Najjad made a turn and led Lori through the narrow pathway to another part of the long subway station.
"Waylon's taking care of some affairs at the moment," said Najjad. "So, you're able to see your friend first."
"He sure got a lotta friends, right?" commented Joshua. "You close with him?"
Lori touched the wall and felt the dust and moss stick to the tip of her fingers. She pulled it away and wiped it against her jeans.
"You could say that," she replied. "This is more than just a visit."
"Oh, we know that," said Najjad. "Leader of another community? We met people in charge of groups, but a whole town? That's a first."
"Though, I gotta say," remarked Joshua. "You are really young for a leader. If you don't mind me asking, Ms. Loud, how old are you?"
"Nineteen. I was just finishing up high school when the dead started to rise. Too bad I couldn't finish the last few weeks."
"Graduation would've been fun," said Joshua. "Mine was. What about everyone else? I've never asked you girls before."
"We're all high school dropouts," said Luan.
"Even Hana?" asked Becky, to which Hana responded with a nod. "How'd your parents take the news? Did they threaten to disown you or anything?"
"Family was not that kind of traditional," said Hana. "What is this, 1945?"
Najjad continued walking and stopped before an open room that was in the other part of the subway station. Lori looked at the sign above and found it smeared. Over the paint was the letter B.
She walked to the new section and looked at the end of the room. She placed her hands over her chest and smiled.
"David, what a beard you have!" exclaimed Lori, barely able to contain her excitement. "Oh my god… you're– you're really here…."
"Hey, Lori. Long time no see," said David as he stood up.
Lori walked over to David and hugged him, caring the least about his dirty clothing and unkempt beard.
"Yeah, no kidding," she grinned. "It's been almost a year!"
David and Lori released each other from their embrace of reunion. David looked at Becky, Luan, and Hana, and nodded at them.
"I'll come back with Waylon," said Joshua.
Lori turned around and nodded, wiping a tear from her eye. She let out a soft chuckle, which caused Luan and Becky to smile with her.
"How's it going, Lori?" asked David. "You seem… much better than the last time I saw you."
"I do feel better. For a long time, I was distant. But now– well, you could say I'm more caring. More compassionate for my family and the people of Houlton."
"Oh yeah, these girls here told me about your work in leading that town. I gotta say, good shit on making the town feel safe for everyone. Last thing I heard about what was going on was that there was a chopper heading for the town, maybe bringing a herd with it?"
"That was taken care of a few days after. We used tanks and rockets and fire to fight against the herd… we eventually took back the town. Remember that gut trick Dana showed us a while back? I wouldn't have been here if she hadn't reminded me of that."
"Wow, that gut trick? Almost slipped my mind, but yes, I do remember her telling us about it. How's she doing?"
Lori's smile slowly faded as she looked at Becky, Luan, and Hana.
"A lot happened these past three months. We've suffered some painful losses both to the herd… and the rogue army."
"I see now," said David. "I was going to ask you what you were doing in Augusta, considering that I told these girls to not tell anyone I was here, but clearly a lot happened. Who did you lose?"
"Wavehead, Tabby, Dana, a few other civilians and fighters in the town. And we need your help to prevent further losses. David… General Black returned and he wants to take back the town."
David sighed and glanced at the approaching leader. Lori turned around and found Joshua with two other people in front of him.
"Lori, this is the man in charge, Waylon Prasad and his wife, Kavya."
"Hey, Waylon, pleased to meet you. Pleased to meet you too, Kavya. My name's Lori Loud."
"It's an honor to meet you, Lori Loud. These girls have told me a lot about you. But I want to know more."
Waylon and Kavya walked to the benches that sat upon the three walls of the open room. David remained in the floor, his back against a couple pillows that he propped up against the hard concrete. Lori sat next to David, her ankles crossed and her hands on the bench.
"First, I'll tell you how I run this place," said Waylon. "Our main goal is to make sure that my people survive by getting everyone to work to make this community work. We don't take dead weight very kindly unless it's something you can't control– when Luan was sick, for example."
Lori was given a chance to comment.
"My main goal is to bring back the normal life that my family used to have. We want it back to how it was, and we'll do that by rebuilding our town and creating a new future."
"Unfortunately for us, we can't afford a normal life," Waylon responded. "We haven't lost a single survivor in over a year, and this is all because we worked to keep each survivor alive. You see, when you got enemies in every corner, you can't afford to run around with your guard down. It's like trading your life for a few seconds of a comfortable lifestyle."
Lori looked down. Kavya noticed her expression.
"Sounds relatable?" she asked.
"Yeah," replied Lori reluctantly. "I– umm– my community, Houlton, has a problem with enemies. Have any of you heard of General Quentin Black?"
"Only time I heard about him were in the form of that question," said Waylon. "David asked me the same question. I said, no. He explained it to me who he was."
"So you know what kind of man he is," said Lori. "He has a goal, which is to enslave the people of Houlton so he could subject them to experimentation. I've experienced it firsthand. He's a very sick person."
"Remember when I was held captive?" said Luan. "That was him. That was Black."
"I see," said Waylon. "Continue."
"He besieged the town twice while putting it under pressure using blockades and threats. And he'll stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. And that's why I'm here. I need your help."
Waylon smiled and nodded.
"I have something to show you."
The group crossed the train and made it to the other side. They passed the cafeteria and made their way to the abandoned ticket offices. Waylon took out his keys and unlocked the door to one of the offices, revealing a cache of firearms.
"We have ammo and melee weapons in the other offices, but these are the spare weapons that we could lend to you guys," explained Waylon. "We'll even keep lending them to you as long as you bring them back."
"This is all great, but firepower is nothing without manpower," said Lori. "You think you can help us in finishing our fight with General Black?"
"You want… my people to help you out? What do we even get out of this? How can you even repay us back?"
"I… I don't know," muttered Lori. "I know I'm asking for a lot, but I want to make it work. I need my town to be safe once again."
"You can stay here and pull your own weight in this community. And if you want what you want… then you got a lot of weight to pull," said Waylon.
"This entire community is like family," said Kavya. "We know every single name by heart. And we don't value one life over another."
"That's right," said Waylon. "It's gonna take a lot to motivate them to fight for a bunch of people they don't even know. In fact…"
Waylon pulled himself closer to Lori.
"...let me tell you something. It's part of human nature to come together. It's also human nature to fight. But there's gotta be a reason for both to happen alongside each other. Some people fight to keep their loved ones safe. Others fight for themselves. There are also the ones who fight just to make life easier… and they don't give a damn about the consequences as long as it doesn't affect them in a shitty way. To fight these kinds of people without doing it out of love… makes you just like them."
Waylon pulled himself away from Lori.
"And then there the ones who fight out of vengeance. Someone who has nothing to lose are the most dangerous kinds of people. Just remember why you're fighting the General. And keep in mind why he's fighting you."
Lori placed her hands together. She followed David to his room with Luan, Becky, Hana, and Kimi. Waylon, Kavya, Najjad, and Joshua walked away to tend to their own business.
Later that evening, a bowl of dog food sat in the middle of the room for Kimi to satisfy her hunger with. Hana sat on the floor next to Luan with a bag of peanuts, ignoring the conversation that Lori and David were deep in. She grabbed a peanut and offered it to Luan.
"No, thanks," she said.
Hana offered it again, this time moving the peanut closer to her face. Luan sighed and took the peanut, tossing it into her mouth, followed by a crunching noise.
"...we took down the entire base all thanks to Donovan," said Lori. "A week later, the rogues made their way to the closer bases like he said they would. We were situated at four different locations…"
Becky lied her head on the wall. She opened up a cup of gelatin and stuffed pieces of it in her mouth. Her expression grew more defeated as she heard the rumbling of the thunder grow deeper.
"...some of the rogues made it back to their main base, which is where the other rogues took Dr. White to…"
David placed his spoon inside the can of peaches and grabbed his food. He stuffed it in his mouth, lying back against the concrete wall.
"...then one of the rogues– Captain Moss, I believe– walked around the town with his squad, all holding grenade launchers. They blew up every single house in the town except for a few by the infirmary…"
Lori placed her can of soup down.
"...Black and I had one last talk. He gave me one more chance… but I didn't take it– I can't. Even if it is almost completely destroyed, Houlton is our home. So I told him that he would have to leave or else we would kill his entire army. Of course it was all words… but I want to follow through with my word. I want to make sure his army dies."
"What was the ultimatum?" asked David.
Lori rubbed her arms and sighed.
"Everyone who traveled with us to free our family in Houlton would be able to leave the town… if we gave you and Vonda up."
"Oh, I see…" said David, placing his can down. "The answer is no."
"No? What do you mean no?" gasped Lori.
"I'm not bringing my ass back to Houlton."
"David… we're not going to give you up!" exclaimed Lori.
"I know, I know. It's just– you're gonna get the people together to fight against Black? Suppose I'm there fighting alongside you guys. What happens when we lose?"
"He'll execute you like he did with Buck," said Becky.
"Hell no!" said David. "He'll do worse. I'm going to rot somewhere… tortured for the rest of my life. However long that'll be before I find a way to off myself."
"You think we'll lose," said Lori. "That's why you don't wanna come? 'Cause I can't defend Houlton?"
"I don't want to go because I'm scared," said David. "I have been scared this whole time… I just didn't show it."
Lori took a deep breath and faced the other girls.
"You should all go. I'm going to stay here until I can find a way to convince Waylon to lend some men and women to fight for us. I'll also see if I could get David to come back home with us."
"Lori, you don't–"
"I'm staying!" said Lori. "I'm staying and I'm not going until I know I could give someone a ride to Houlton!"
The thunder rumbled. David flipped over his mattress and covered himself in his blanket. Lori set her sleeping bag down and lied on it.
"We're going now?" wondered Becky. "We just got here in the morning."
"You three have been away from home for so long," said Lori. "Plus, I need you three to give the community the news. And also, I want Dr. White to lead the town while George becomes his enforcer."
"We'll tell them," said Luan. "Please stay safe here."
Lori stood up and wrapped her arms around Luan.
"You know, I can't believe how much you've grown," whispered Lori. "I know I've been spending a lot of time away… but thank you for understanding. You're so brave. I love you, Luan."
"I love you too, Lori."
The three girls and Kimi walked away from the room and made their way to the narrow pathway to look for Najjad. Before Lori and David were out of sight, Luan turned around once more, saddened by the fact that she didn't know when she would see her sister again.