IV - Do You Have My Back?
Luna fiddled with her fingers behind her back as she watched Maria shift through the cabinets inside the kitchen. She then pulled out a small box and closed the cabinets.
"I hope you and Sam are doing okay," said Maria as she walked into the living room.
"What…?" said Luna confusedly.
"I know it is not none of my business, but does she know about this?"
"O-Oh… this— this isn't for me," said Luna.
"Oh, okay."
Maria removed her nonlatex gloves and tossed them into a trash can. Luna looked at her. She was worried that Maria was silently judging her.
"It's for Lori," said Luna.
"Really?" smiled Maria.
Realizing that this lie served as a conversation starter, Luna now just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"Yeah. I'm gonna go now and give it to her."
The door then opened. Lori walked inside.
"You're here," gulped Luna.
"Ah, we were just talking about you!" said Maria.
"I don't really have time to chat," said Lori. "Is Becky here?"
"No. She left about ten minutes ago."
"Where'd she go?"
"I think she went home. Her house, I mean."
"Dang it. That's the first place Schoffner's gonna go. Anyways, what are you doing here, Luna?"
"Getting this… for you," said Luna, showing her a box. "You said you were gonna be too busy to get it so you asked me to get it for you. But it looks like you weren't too busy."
Lori grabbed the box and looked at it. It was a small blue box with a pregnancy test inside it. She then gave Luna a sharp glare.
"Thanks," said Lori.
"I did not know you and Bobby were thinking of starting a family already," said Maria. "I am not quite sure how I feel about being an abuela, haha!"
"Heh, yeah. Don't tell Bobby about this… I wanna surprise him."
"Of course, cariña. I will keep my lips closed."
"Thank you, Mama Santiago."
Lori forced a smile as she and Luna walked out of the infirmary. After closing the door and stepping out onto the sidewalk, Lori killed her smile and glared back at Luna.
"Who's this for?" asked Lori.
"If I tell you, you have to keep it a secret," said Luna.
"It's Luan, isn't it?"
"How'd you know?"
Lori gasped softly. She then continued to walk along the sidewalk. She couldn't help but chuckle nervously.
"Wow," said Lori. "She looked like she wasn't feeling well earlier. Well… nothing's for certain. Why don't we go home and give this to her. Secret's safe with me."
Luna nodded with a smile. They both walked in the direction of their home.
Ms. Carmichael placed a can of tomato sauce on the counter next to the sink in her kitchen. She pulled out a loaf of bread and placed it on the counter. She reached into her lightweight shopping crate and pulled out more items before hearing a noise coming from the jiggling doorknob of the back door. She looked at the curtained door and saw a shadow behind it. As the noise grew louder, she slowly backed away and reached for her kitchen knife. She grabbed the knife and held it next to her as she sought to see who it was.
The door opened, revealing Becky holding a pair of keys as she stuffed them inside her pockets. She then looked straight ahead and saw her mother holding a knife.
"Don't freak out," said Becky, closing the door. "It's just me. Sorry for not shooting you a message. My phone battery died."
"What the hell?" gasped Ms. Carmichael.
"It's a joke, just in case you couldn't tell."
"You… disappear for five months… making your little brother, your father, and I worry… and you start cracking jokes as if nothing happened?"
Becky rolled her eyes and walked across the kitchen.
"I told you not to freak out, Mom. Shit, and here you are— about to blow up."
"How could I not? I was worried sick! I was thinking maybe you died out there or—"
"Ugh, is that what you think of me? Poor little girl out there alone with her days numbered?"
"What's with this disrespectful attitude? Don't think I don't know what you did to Detective Plesko! You ran away, didn't you? And you came back right around Election Day— what a coincidence that your friend is running!"
"I don't know anything about that."
"You do this all the time! You get yourself in trouble and instead of owning up to it, you run away and disappear! Like that 'hiking trip' with Tad!"
Becky scoffed and shook her head as she tried to hold in her anger.
"You love bringing up the past, don't you?" said Becky.
"It's related to the problem that you still have!"
"I don't need to hear this. Especially not from you."
"What do you even do when you run away? Get yourself into more trouble? Huh? Don't think I don't see those tattoos in your fucking hand!"
"These tattoos have fucking nothing to do with anything. You bring up that hiking trip like you don't believe it."
"Can you blame me? You're a good liar— you've proven that time and time. You definitely inherited it from your father. And you loved lying your tongue out whenever you were with Tad."
"Is he all you and Dad think about? Stop fucking bringing him up! Just… stop!"
"What the hell is wrong with you, Rebecca?"
"What are you so mad about? You're mad because I killed Plesko? So, what? He's a damn rapist! Don't fucking tell me you want a rapist in a position of power!"
"That is not your decision to make! You don't just execute whoever you want to! There's laws— a justice system—"
Becky walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
"Where are you going? Come back here, Rebbeca, I'm not done with you!"
"What? What do you fucking want from me?" yelled Becky. "To say I'm sorry? I'm not, okay? He's a cop! He was the justice system!"
"Why'd you run away like a coward? You got your father locked up for a crime you committed, and you made your little brother ask me every single night when you were coming home!"
"I was kidnapped, tortured, almost killed! I didn't 'disappear'! The Yellowjackets took me! You have no idea…"
Becky's voice grew raspy as she held her hand over the scar on her throat.
"...what they did to me. Their leader… someone who I thought was my friend… she wanted to make sure that not a single day went by where I didn't suffer. I wanted to die, Mom. But you don't seem to care, do you? You just wanted an excuse to let me know how much of a burden I am."
"Rebecca…"
Becky turned around and walked upstairs while clearing her throat. She didn't want to look at her own mother anymore.
Ms. Carmichael looked down and groaned. She placed her hand against her head as she felt a headache growing more intense. Then, she heard a knock on the door. She walked over to the door and opened it, seeing Schoffner standing outside.
"Sorry to interrupt your afternoon, Ms. Carmichael," said Schoffner. "We are currently conducting a search investigation for your oldest— Rebecca Rhonda. As you know, she's wanted for the murder of Detective Plesko."
"Yeah," said Ms. Carmichael.
"Is she here?"
"Why would you think—?"
Schoffner walked into the house as a few rookie police officers followed her inside.
"Hey, you can't just come in here."
"We got permission from Melissa," said Schoffner. "Wanna complain? Take it up with her. But first… I asked you a question."
"I don't know why you think I would hide a criminal."
"Because she's your daughter?"
"I… I'm sorry. I can't help you."
"Sure you can."
Schoffner grabbed her own handcuffs and walked behind Ms. Carmichael, who tried turning around before a police officer kept her still.
"Wait, what are you doing?" asked Ms. Carmichael.
"We're arresting you under the suspicion of hiding a fugitive," said Schoffner as she handcuffed Ms. Carmichael. "You're just not a good liar, ma'am."
"I… I'm not— this isn't right!"
"What's not right is that you're hiding a murderer in your home. Are you or are you not?"
Ms. Carmichael remained silent. Schoffner scoffed as she shook her head and turned around, walking towards the stairs. Ms. Carmichael's eyes grew wide as Schoffner took a step up the stairs. Then, Schoffner paused and gave the upper floor a good look.
"Becky— if you're there, just know that we are arresting your mother and taking her to the police station. If you want her free, surrender yourself."
Schoffner tapped on the wall softly as she waited for a response. She then huffed as she turned around and walked towards the door.
"If she's here, she got the message," said Schoffner. "Let's go."
The police officers walked out the house with a handcuffed Ms. Carmichael. Becky took a deep breath as she heard the door close downstairs. She stayed inside her pitch-black closet, trying to make out any noises from inside her house. But she heard nothing.
She opened the closet and walked out, holding a gun in her hand.
The sound of urine splashing could be heard outside the bathroom in the Loud residence. Luna leaned her ears against the bathroom door as Lori stood next to her with her arms crossed.
"Really?" asked Lori. "Can't you give her some privacy?"
"Aren't you even a little bit curious?" asked Luna.
"Yeah, but—"
"Then, join in."
Bobby walked out of Lori's room and looked at both women.
"What's up, chicas?" asked Bobby as he knelt down to join Luna. "What are we doing?"
"Nothing, dude, just go," said Luna, waving her hands at Bobby. "Lori, get him out of here."
"Hey, what'd I do?"
Lori helped Bobby up as she chuckled nervously.
"It's nothing personal," said Lori. "Just wait downstairs."
"Alright…"
Bobby walked downstairs as Lori lightly slapped Luna's head.
"Ow," said Luna.
"Did you have to be so rude to my husband?" asked Lori.
"This has to stay a secret, remember?"
"Yeah, but—"
The doorknob was unlocked, which prompted Luna to quickly move away from the door as she stood up. Lori backed away as well. Luna then stood next to her, whistling. The door opened with Luan coming out of it. She looked at Lori and Luna, both standing in awkward positions as they talked about something random.
"Oh, hey, Luan," said Luna. "So…?"
"Is there some way to double-check?" asked Luan.
"No way… you're pregnant? That's… that's amazing!"
"Mom always did tell me to be positive."
Luna hugged Luan. Lori let out a delightful gasp as she walked towards her sisters. Luna released Luan. Lori then hugged Luan. Amidst the sounds of joy, Luan felt terrified.
"I thought you guys were gonna be mad at me," said Luan. "Or perhaps give me some long lecture about being reckless or stupid or—"
"No, of course not, dude! We're happy for you, right, Lori?"
"Yeah. But… Luan— you are happy, right?"
"More like nervous," said Luan.
"That's okay," said Luna. "I mean, knowing that you're gonna be giving birth in nine months must be a crazy feeling! Congrats, you did the one thing Lori has been too chicken to do. So, how are you going to tell the curly-haired, brown-eyed, average-sized—"
"Luna!"
"Woah. Height. I'm talking about height, here. Average height."
"I don't know. But still, I want everyone to keep it a secret."
"My lips are sealed."
"Lori?"
"I'm not going to tell anyone," said Lori. "I would tell you to confide in Carol… but I don't know how she'll react. Could bring up bad memories."
"Yeah. I just need time to think. That's all."
"Babe?" called out Bobby from downstairs. "Becky's—"
Lori's eyes widened as she jogged over to the stairs. She found Becky closing the front door as she kept her hands over Bobby's mouth. Lori reached for her revolver before she watched Becky release her grip from Bobby.
"Don't just shout my name out like that, idiot," said Becky.
"Sorry," said Bobby.
"What are you doing here?" asked Lori, subtly waving her hands around her shorts awkwardly.
"You guys have to go after the Laborers," said Becky.
"What? The Laborers? That raider group from Ann Arbor?"
"Yeah. Someone must've told the cops that I was here. And if none of you said anything, then it must've been the Yellowjackets. They're creepy as shit— they got eyes everywhere."
"They did ambush Schoffner and Orlando— that's Melissa's son— outside of Royal Woods. They're unharmed though. But if Schoffner doesn't catch you and hand you over to them, then they're gonna release a herd here."
"I know what herd they're talking about. They may be a bit small in numbers… but they have a large army of roamers. The roamers are their weapons— but that's their weakness. They rarely use guns. They just use bladed weapons, but they do have allies."
"The Laborers."
"Bingo. Hana and Zheng are really close for some reason. Must be an Asian thing."
"They're just super territorial," said Lori. "Makes sense if the leader of the Laborers can reason with someone who would not enter their territory. But why be allies?"
"For their guns."
"I thought you said they didn't have guns."
"No, I said they rarely use guns. But they got a big stash of them. That's what the Yellowjackets need the Laborers for. But what does the Laborers need the Yellowjackets for? That— I don't know."
"Probably to gain more information on the communities. They need to improve on their ambushes against our communities, especially Auburn Hills. April's soldiers have been guarding their oil really well lately."
"That makes sense," smiled Becky. "If you want to kill off the Yellowjackets, you have to kill off the Laborers first."
"Why not just stop the Yellowjackets directly?" asked Lori.
"Their herd acts as a shield. You would have to gun through them just to get into their territory. But it's too many of them. You'd waste a ton of ammo and alert the Yellowjackets who may have already left. And before you know it, they created another herd. Another option is to sneak through the herd using guts, but then you really can't use your guns, unless you want to be trapped and eaten alive by the herd. And you're fighting against people who are experts with swords and knives. Only people that could even stand a chance against one of them is Luan and Benny. Maybe Lynn. Maybe a few others. But Hana? No one can stand a chance against her with just bladed weapons."
"What about suppressors?" asked Lori.
"Do you guys have suppressors?"
"No, but we can ask April. No doubt she has some in storage."
"Would she just be willing to give it to you guys? How can you guys be sure you won't get ambushed by the Laborers on the way there? We don't. However, we do know that the Laborers have suppressors because I've seen them hand them out to the Yellowjackets like they were worthless. You stop the Laborers, you get the suppressors, you stop the Yellowjackets. And you can live in peace."
"Alright, we get your point," said Luna. "So, what can you tell us about the Laborers?"
"Nothing, really. But I do know that a Yellowjacket goes there to talk with the Laborers frequently. I overhear the Yellowjackets sometimes. They mentioned something about being by a mall south of the University of Michigan Golf Course? They might be talking about Briarwood Mall, but you should double-check with Tim about that."
"Do we make this Yellowjacket talk?" asked Lori.
"Make her suffer if you can. For me."
Lori took a deep breath.
"Anything else?"
"Cops went to my house," said Becky. "They didn't really look for me, though. They just came in there to arrest my mom and then they left. Assholes. So… I'm looking for a place. Good thing I have one of the bestest friends in the world that loves me very much."
Lori sighed.
"We can't hide you here," said Lori.
"Why not? Cops aren't looking for me. They just want me to go to the police station because they think I'm gonna feel bad for my mom being there enough so that I surrender myself."
"Well, do you?"
"I do, but I'm not surrendering myself. I just need a place to hole up for one night."
"Well, this isn't the place."
Becky couldn't hold back her anger.
"Why the hell not?!" she screamed.
Becky huffed and puffed. Bobby and Luna looked frightened while Luan appeared confused. But Lori remained serious and unflinching.
"You want to know why?" said Lori. "Melissa gave Schoffner permission to search any house if she suspects you might be there. What happened at your house may be a bluff. But I know Schoffner, she won't stop at nothing if it involves an investigation of hers. She could be coming here right now, so you need to leave. Please, it isn't personal."
"What do you fucking want me to do?"
"You should consider leaving the community for the night. Come back here after the votes have been counted tomorrow. So make it two nights to be safe."
"Uh, hello, is this Lori I'm talking to? Why would I wanna go out there? You want me to get captured by a Yellowjacket again?"
"No, that's not what I was suggesting! We can have someone sneak you back into Orchard Lakes. I mean, Miriam is not gonna give you up to Schoffner. She's great!"
"No, I'm staying here. No one is sending me out there beyond those walls. I'd rather kill myself than go out there again."
"But you can't stay here, Becky. It's just too risky."
"Too risky for me or too risky for you?"
"Too risky for us! If they find out I'm hiding you, I will not become the leader of this place!"
"You said people supported me and my family. Me and my family. Me… and my family."
"Not enough. Melissa is going to concede as long as I don't get found with you."
"So just take over. You killed Oscar. Why'd you stop there?"
"I didn't kill Oscar. Your dad did."
"Wha—? He did?"
"He shot him to save my life."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I let you assume I did it because after he shot him, we could've saved him, but then I told your dad to finish him. He listened to me and now Oscar's gone."
"That's… great! He listened to you because you were a leader! And he's someone who was loyal to Oscar! See? If you toppled Melissa right now, you would have tons of people supporting you! The ones who don't— we could exile them all. Kill those who resist. We could do it together—"
"No."
"If Schoffner gets in the way—"
"I won't."
"We have to! You think these people are gonna give up their power to you voluntarily? No! You have to get there and force them to—!"
"Stop!"
"I won't stop! If you're not gonna do it, I will! We need to kill those who—"
"I told you to stop! Just go away! Find someone to take you back to Orchard Lakes 'cause you're starting to become a problem to me and my family right now!"
Becky clenched her fists as she felt her heart sink. She gulped as she stared at Lori before looking away, trying to hold back her own tears. Lori instantly regretted what she said.
"No," said Becky. "I'm done running."
Becky put her hoodie up and began to walk towards the back door in the kitchen. She growled and kicked the trash can, causing it to topple and fall. Lori, Luna, Luan, and Bobby followed her into the kitchen as they wondered where the noise came from. Becky then turned around to say one last thing. Her eyes looked teary and angry.
"You should've never closed that opening in the wall."
Leaving the cryptic message behind, Becky opened the back door before walking out and closing it. Lori let out a frustrated groan as she walked away. Bobby followed her as Luna and Luan slowly looked at each other.
"Wow, that really killed the mood," said Luna.
"Yeah," said Luan. "What's going on with Becky? She sounds… erratic."
"I don't know."
"It's dangerous," said Lori, sounding serious. "I had a feeling when we first arrived here. No— even before that. But her time out there with the Yellowjackets… it's changed her for the worse."
"Are we going to listen to her then?" asked Luna. "We're going after the Laborers?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow. We'll be back before the vote count."
"Why? It sounds like you don't trust her anymore."
"Carol is going to stay. Lincoln, Sam, Bobby. People who can keep her in check. But one thing she didn't lie about— those Laborers and Yellowjackets are a threat."
"She's unpredictable, isn't she?" said Bobby. "Does she think of us as family anymore?"
"I hope she does. I can't imagine what she'd do if she doesn't. Didn't go so well last time."
"I have to go warn Sam and my friends," said Luna.
"Wait, what are you guys on about?" asked Luan. "What is Becky even gonna do? She's just angry, but it's not like she would do anything to hurt us. She wants to see us like family more than anybody else in the world. But can she do that when we don't see her the same way? Because that's what it feels like. Feels like we're thinking of her like a dangerous stranger."
"I'm going," said Luna.
Luna walked out of the house. Bobby then followed her.
"Sorry, Luan," said Bobby. "I just don't want my mom feeling bad and taking her in."
"She understands," said Lori. "Go on, honey."
Bobby closed the door. Lori and Luan were now alone in the house.
"You really trust Becky don't you?" asked Lori.
"She's my— our friend," said Luan. "Yeah, she did terrible things before, but who hasn't?"
"You, for starters. Lily, Clyde. Bobby."
"But most of us have, right? She just wants to be with her family, but they're in jail. We're the only ones who matter to her. That's why she's so indifferent to Melissa and Schoffner and everyone else— that's why she wants us to take over. Because we're all that matters to her."
"Yeah. I guess you're right. But that's no reason to feed into her violent fantasies. I'm trusting my gut on this one. My gut is telling me that something is seriously off about her. Isn't yours?"
"Yeah."
"You don't want your child to grow up in a place that doesn't respect democracy."
"I don't. That's why I don't want to have a child. Along with… other reasons."
Lori looked at Luan with a mildly surprised expression before nodding softly.
"You sure?" asked Lori.
"If I don't have a child, I can always try again. But if I do, there's no going back. I don't want what happened to Carol to happen to me."
"Okay. I understand. Talk to Haley. She'll give you what you need."
"Are you… okay with my choice?"
"It doesn't matter. It's your choice. Not mine. Not even Benny's."
"Okay," whispered Luan. "And about Becky?"
"I'll talk to her. Remember, I want to help her too. But I have you guys to think about too."
Luan nodded as she slowly made her way to the front door. She then walked out of the house as Lori sat herself on the couch, staring at the TV screen, showing her reflection. Lori palmed her face and groaned in frustration again, wondering what to do next.