The Survivors Book III: Winter (18 page)

"
These people with me, they're the settlers that are going to found this new civilization, the bones on which the world is going to be rebuilt.  There are twenty-two of us at the moment, but if you agree to join us, then there will be twenty-four.  Our odds of success would be that little bit better.  We need you, Jim, Rebecca.  We also want you, as our friends.

"
Please come with us, if not for our sake, then for yours."

There was a long silence in the wake of my impromptu speech.
 Rebecca and Jim just stood there, staring at me.  Over their heads, I saw Michael and Hemi watching with interest.  Eventually, Jim heaved a sigh and looked at his wife.  "Up to you, woman."

Rebecca just smiled.
 "Well, with an invitation like that, how could we possibly refuse?"

There was perhaps an hour of sunlight left by the time we made it back to the warehouse where we planned to bunk down for the night.  Rebecca strode along beside me, content to chatter away about nothing of any real importance, but I could feel Jim's silent thunder at my back the entire way.  Although he'd agreed to join us, there was always something off about his attitude that never failed to put me on edge.

A shout of greeting met us as we rounded a corner into the street outside the warehouse.
 I glanced up, and spotted a couple of the kids waving to us from a window on the second floor.  I smiled and waved back, then turned my attention back to Rebecca.

"
So, what should we bring?" Rebecca asked.  Despite how sudden the proposal had been, she seemed excited by the prospect of going out in search of a new home.  Her enthusiasm was infectious, and the only one not affected was her gloomy spouse.

"
We'll have to travel light," I answered.  "There are twenty-four of us now, and we've only got four cars.  In terms of clothing and personal effects, I'd ask you to limit it to what you can carry on your person.  So, try to keep it to one bag or backpack.  Wear your favourite outfit, and bring your second favourite as a change of clothes, plus as many socks and undies as you can fit in your bag.  We need to keep as much room as we can for vitals."

"
We have a car," she piped up.  "Would that help?"

"
Maybe," I said.  "What kind of car?"

"
My little ladybug."  She turned around and looked at Jim.  "What's the proper name, dear?"

"
Sports utility vehicle," he supplied for her.

"
That's it!"  She smiled, turning back to me.  "I bought a brand new SUV just before the plague hit.  Jim's been keeping her in running order for me.  Her name is Sophie, and she's lipstick red.  Can't miss her."

"
Sophie?"  I froze in my tracks, and shot a startled glance back at Michael.  His expression mutated in an instant, from a genuine smile to one that was very much forced.

Rebecca looked back and forth between us, clearly sensing that something was going on.
 "What?  What's wrong?"

"
I had a niece named Sophie," he said flatly, his expression unreadable.

I reached out and touched his arm, drawing his attention to me.
 "That just means that it's fated, right?  Meant to be?"

Michael stared at me for a long moment, then finally his expression softened.
 He nodded and gave me a faint smile.  "I guess so."

I let out a breath that I hadn't quite realised I was holding until that moment, and put my arm around him.
 He hugged me in return.  Somehow, through some sixth sense that I'd established purely for the purpose of reading my lover's mercurial moods, I could tell that he was okay once the shock had worn off.

"
So, anyway," I cut in, directing the topic back to safe territory for the sake of his sanity.  "Yes, it would be great if you could bring your car along.  You have plenty of food, right?"

"
Oh yeah."  Rebecca nodded and laughed.  "We have more food than we can eat right now.  I'm not sure how much of it is still good, but I'll do an inventory when we get home, and then we can work out what's best to bring."

"
Sounds good," I agreed.  "You also mentioned at one stage that you have a generator.  Is it transportable?"

"
No, the solar generator is tied into the power station, like the radio," she said, shaking her head.  "But I think we have a portable propane generator in storage.  You want me to bring that?"

"
Yes, and any gas you have as well," I answered.  "We have a couple of propane camp stoves, and it's handy to have them since we're going into unknown territory.  Do you want me to lend you a couple of the boys for the night, to help with the heavy lifting?"

"
That would be appreciated," Rebecca said.  She jerked a thumb at Jim and rolled her eyes.  "His arm isn't healed yet, and I don't want to give him an excuse to strain it trying to show how manly he is."

Jim shot her a black look, but said nothing.

"It's all good."  I smiled at her, amused by the playful banter.  "You two head off whenever you're ready.  I'll send the boys to meet you when I find them."

"
Yes, ma'am!"  Rebecca gave me a mock salute and grinned at the folks standing around me.  "You know, I think I like having this lady in charge.  She knows how to get things done."

I just laughed and shook my head.
 "I'm only in charge because no one else wants to do it."

Michael let out an indignant snort.
 "She's just trying to be modest.  She's in charge because she's damn good at leading, and she actually has a vision, which is more than I can say for the rest of us."

It was my turn to shoot Michael a dark look as my cheeks started to burn.
 "I'm sure everyone would be just fine without me."

"
Lass, don't put yourself down."  To my surprise, it was Jim that spoke up in my defence.  "You've managed to get together twenty-four very different people, and give them hope that there's something better out there for all of us.  That's no small feat."  Suddenly looking embarrassed, he issued an inarticulate grunt and walked away from the group.

Rebecca stared after him until he was out of sight, then laughed and shrugged.
 "Well, I guess that's that, then.  I better catch up before he gets himself killed.  Do me a favour, and send those sexy Maori brothers, huh?"

"
I'll think about it."  I laughed, and made a shooing gesture.  "Go on.  It's not safe to be out alone at the moment."

"
You got it, boss-lady!"  Rebecca saluted again, and rushed off.  I watched until she was out of sight, then turned to look at my companions.  Matt and Priyanka had already vanished, bored by the grown-up chatter, but Michael and Hemi stood watching me with open amusement.

"
Are you actually going to send Tane and Iorangi?" Michael asked, fighting to keep a grin off his face.

"
No," I answered, feigning a haughty tone.  "I'm going to send Iorangi and Richard."

"
Eh?"  Michael raised a brow, his expression shifting to one of genuine curiosity.  "Iorangi I get, but why Richard?"

Suddenly, realisation dawned in Hemi's eyes, and he burst out laughing.
 "She's playing match-maker!  Very clever, Sandy.  Very clever."

I grinned at him and nodded.
 Michael stared at us blankly, looking bewildered.  "Matchmaker?  Between who?"

"
Richard and Jim, of course," I answered.

Michael's eyes widened in shock.
 "Richard's gay?"

"
He's either gay or bisexual," I replied, nodding firmly.  "It took me a while to figure it out why he always looks so out of place.  He's so quiet and shy, my bet is that he wouldn't know what to say.  Jim is the complete opposite.  He's discreet, but not shy.  If he figures Richard out and there's any kind of spark there, then I'm pretty sure Jim will take the lead.  I feel like Richard needs that."  I glanced at Michael, and gave him a smile.  "Someone strong, to help him feel stronger, himself."

Michael looked surprised but not scandalised, and that pleased me.
 He'd never struck me as the kind of person that would be homophobic, and my instinct proved to be correct.  "Wow, I had no idea.  You're right, he does always look sort of lonely and uncomfortable.  Let's hope your scheme works, honey."

"
It will if it's meant to," I answered with a shrug.  "You can't force love where there isn't a spark, and I wouldn't dream of trying.  I just hope that there is a spark.  Everyone deserves some happiness, right?"

Hemi cleared his throat, and shot an uncomfortable glance at me.
 "Actually, while we're on the subject… Sandy, could I speak to you alone for a second?"

"
Of course."  I smiled at him, then looked at Michael.  "Can you go check on the foraging teams, please?  If anyone's found fishing gear, send them down to the docks to see if they can catch us some dinner.  I want them back here before dark, though."

"
Sure," Michael agreed immediately.  He kissed me quickly, then vanished into the warehouse.

I turned back to Hemi, and gestured for him to follow me.
 Side by side, we wandered far enough away to give us a little bit of privacy.  "Okay.  What's up, bud?"

"
Aw, mate, it's your sister," Hemi admitted, shooting a helpless look at me.  Suddenly, he seemed to fall apart on the inside, like a house of cards.  "I think she likes me, but I don't know, I can't tell.  I like her, though.  I mean, I
really
like her.  As more than a friend, you know?  I thought I stood a chance, but now that Ryan guy is back… I just don't know any more.  What do I do, Sandy?"

"
You tell her," I answered, fighting the urge to laugh.  I stopped walking and turned to face him fully.  "You know as well as I do that the only person who makes decisions for Skylar is herself.  I don't know if she likes you as more than a friend, but I know she respects people that tell her the truth.  I'm not exactly the best person to give you romantic advice, but I'd say the best thing you can do is be honest with her."

"
Honest… right."  He nodded slowly, processing the information – then, suddenly, his expression changed to one of open panic.  "But what if she says no?  What if she isn't interested?  What if she laughs at me?"

"
I'm pretty sure she won't laugh at you."  I gave him my gentlest smile, and reached out to rest my hands reassuringly on his shoulders.  "But if she says no, so be it.  You're still friends, and that's the most important thing, right?  I know it feels terrifying, but even if she says no it's not the end of the world.  Just relax and tell her how you feel.  You won't know for sure until you do."

"
True."  Hemi took a long, deep breath, and let it out slowly.  "Yeah.  Yeah.  Too right.  Okay.  I'm going to go do it right now, just get it out the way, and we'll see how it goes.  Yeah!  Thanks, Sandy!"

"
Any time, kiddo."  I released my grip on his shoulders and stood back.  Hemi scampered past me and raced back to the warehouse, leaving me alone in his wake.

I loitered for a couple of minutes, just enjoying the sound of birdsong, and the clean smell of the breeze.
 Unlike many of the bigger cities, Arapuni wasn't full of the stench of decay.  I suspected that Rebecca had spent some time cleaning up the bodies, with the exception of the two that she'd missed.  She seemed a lot like me, in that regard.

Once I judged that enough time had passed, I headed back to the warehouse.
 I rapped on the door with my knuckles, and waited until I heard the rusted bolt slide back.  The door opened, and the doctor waved me inside.

"
Hey, Doc," I greeted.  "What's our status?"

Doctor Cross closed the door behind me, and bolted it firmly.
 "Everyone's reported in to drop off various things, then the good constable came and took most of them down to the docks to fish for supper.  The children are upstairs with Anahera and Skylar having a cooking lesson, and I'm working on an updated inventory."

"
Great."  I smiled at him and nodded my approval.  "I'm going to go look in on them, then I'll be off to help the fishers."

"
Understood."  The doctor adjusted his spectacles, and pointed towards the stairs.  "Up there, second door on the left."

"
Thanks."  I nodded in acknowledgement and headed off.  Before I could get more than a dozen steps, he called out to stop me.

"
Oh, Ms McDermott?"  I paused and looked back at him.  To my surprise, our perpetually-grumpy doctor was actually smiling.  "Excellent find with the honey.  Well done."

"
No problem at all, Doc," I answered with a grin.  "I'm going to teach everyone to keep an eye out for it.  It's nature's super-food, after all."

"
That it is."  He chuckled quietly, and waved me away.  I left him in peace and headed up the stairs to the second floor of the building.  The noise of the children would have led me right to them, even if he hadn't given me directions; the sound of Maddy's delighted squeals made me smile.  I opened the door, and peeked inside.