Mason woke up in a bad mood. Can't say as I blamed him but at least he was going to be okay. He was not going to be able to drive the truck though and I was going to have a bit of trouble but I thought I might be able to manage it. The riders showed us a place where it was shaded and cool and provided fresh water so we pulled in around some picnic tables and fixed some more of that wonderful chicken Alfredo. They inhaled it. I don't think they tasted any of it they ate so fast, so I decided to fix more, later. We needed to figure out what to do with these people.
We were told of a town nearby that had a small clinic so Riley went with a couple of riders to get some medical supplies. While they were gone I talked to the women to find out what they wanted to do.
"I just want to be safe." A woman by the name of Sandy said. "We've been so scared. Not just of the walkers either. Mad-dog was nuts. He ate most of the food and was horny most of the time. He couldn't manage it cause of his weight but that didn't stop him from trying."
"Yea," a blonde said, "he tried it with me and when he couldn't get anything done he blamed it on me. Like I was worried."
"Where are you guys going?" asked Sandy
"We have a place in Montana. It's protected and we have a cow and some pigs and chickens."
"Fried chicken," Sandy said and she got this dreamy look on her face. I'd forgotten how it was to want something like fried chicken and not get it.
"It took us a while to fix up the place. We used semi trailers as a fence along with the natural features of the surrounding land. The addition of electronics and a computer genius and we're protected. We each have a job though. The monitors have to be watched 24/7. Someone takes care of the livestock and another the greenhouse. We have a medic, cook, housekeeper. Everyone does his share and we get along fine. Like a family. No one person is in charge. We discus things and decide together. There is no Mad-dog or Dudley, we won't allow it.
"Can we come live with you?" One asked.
"I don't know, it would have to be voted on. But there is a place nearby that has a few members and they might be able to take you in. That would be up to them. I'll call the lodge tonight and see what Duke says.
"I thought you said there was no leader. If you have a Duke, that doesn't sound much like a democracy."
"Duke is the nickname of our computer genius. He is the only one that knows how to operate the sat phone. He'll get news to the other group and get back to us tomorrow. In the meantime, we'll rest up, heal up and teach you everything we know." I dug around in one of the trailers for the office supplies I had found. The box was already broken into so I figured that's what the others found when they had rummaged around in the trailers earlier. No wonder Santa was pissed.
Then school started. We were into the air turbine for electricity part when the medical team returned. Mason got stitched up and doped up. I just got wrapped up until bedtime then I'd happily take a pain pill. They'd found a couple of cross bows and lots of arrows so I was a happy. They also brought back two RV's and some black spray paint. We used the paint to darken the bottom of the windows on the RV. That way anyone walking past can't see inside. It works well for walkers because they just turn their heads, glance in and keep going. I did have one once who saw themselves in the window and went nuts for a minute but as a general rule it's a good deterrent.
We talked it over and decided to stay the night. The women would take one RV and the men the other. I don't know what they planned to do with their bikes but I don't think it mattered to them. They were comfortable for the first time in months and that's all they seemed to be worried about. It amazed me that some of the simplest things they didn't pick up on. But then, with a leader called Mad-dog, what can you expect.
Mason would wake up a bear the next day, but I figured with the drugs he should do ok. I called Duke later that night and even with the lousy reception I got my point across. We had picked up more people, Mason was shot but would survive and we would get home as soon as humanly possible. We went to Arizona to save Northern uncle Bill and George. We'd managed George and seven other people. Riley was okay cause he was married to George and an asset to the lodge. I even liked the guy. Jill was a pleasure to be around. When she discovered she didn't have to be responsible for everyone around her, she relaxed to the point of being jovial. She might have made a wonderful General but she made a better friend.
The riders wanted more of the same for supper, so they got it. I didn't think I'd ever be able to eat the stuff again so I let them eat my share. I ate something calling itself ham and cheese casserole, and I think I may have found a piece of ham like substance in there but I didn't recognize anything resembling cheese. I was tired and cranky from my wound and my face still hurt like the dickens so I didn't give it too much thought. I wanted a pain pill and to curl around a cowboy and I didn't think that was too much to ask. If it was that just too damned bad.
I got up several times during the night to get Mason pills and water. I even took another pain pill. We woke early the next day because it got hot in the truck. While George dressed Masons shoulder, I rousted the rest of crew and threw together a meal for us. The women were happy to leave the bikes behind but a couple of the men wanted to keep theirs. They worked it out so one guy was driving the RV and the women seemed happy to be on their own.
My rescuer, Alan, took a liking to one of the women and decided he'd drive their RV. Whatever. After breakfast, I showed a couple of the girls, Sandy and Tina, how to use the cross bows. They seemed to catch on quick and became good at it by the time we got to the mountains. It's a good thing because we saw a bunch of turkeys and they were able to kill two of them. When we camped that night, they put one of the turkeys in the oven of the RV and we cut the other up, rolled it in the flour we had in the trailer and fried it in canned lard. The smell of turkey made my mouth water.
Mason started to act more like a human by afternoon. He was still on pain killers but wasn't as knocked out by them as he was. We had his arm tied to his chest and he wasn't happy about that but when he tried to wear it loose his face went white and he almost passed out. He did what he was told after that. A couple of the guys whose names I can remember, went down the road and returned an hour later to tell us the bridge was out, so I dug the maps out and tried to figure out the next route. It was without a doubt the longest day of my life.
Duke called later that afternoon, while the two riders went to check out another bridge and said the place east of us would be happy to take the new people so that was settled and I felt better knowing I wouldn't have to introduce another group to the rigors of frontier living. I kinda thought this new group would be happy any where they ended up because of the hell they went through. I was trying to teach them to be ready for nearly everything and not expect to much. I think the disappointment was the hardest thing to deal with. It was for me anyway.
We'd almost made it to the Montana border. The backtracking was driving me nuts and we were getting low on fuel. We finally found a fuel truck at a small truck stop and filled up everything we could before circling the wagons or trucks in our case. The boys spent the afternoon clearing out the truck stop and getting them some new clothes. They managed to get several boxes of potato chips so everyone pigged out on turkey and chips. Mason was speaking English again but still needed the pills while my face was beginning to turn that wonderful color of green, purple and yellow.
I touched base with Duke again and updated him on our location and condition. We sat around that night, discussing the pros and cons of leadership of which Jill didn't say much of anything. I didn't blame her. That was a past life and I know as well as the next person how dragging that kind of baggage around is very unhealthy.
It was a new life for a lot people in our little group. For me, I just wanted my old life back. Sitting on the porch watching the eagles fly and the blue birds building nests and Mandy and Bubba discussing Santa Claus. Yep, that sounded real good to me.
Chapter 12
The better part of the next day found us doing so much backtracking I had trouble remembering where I was. I think we were in and out of Montana 3 times before we got to the interstate. I'd started sending Lacy mental messages, testing out the distance of our mental abilities, when she finally answered me. I hadn't realized I'd missed her so much until she did. I was almost in tears when we finally turned off the interstate unto the gravel road leading to the lodge.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when the Sat phone rang. Mason was able to reach it before me and talked for a minute before he shut it off. I stared at him until he finally said, "The gate will be open when we arrive." He looked a little flushed but seemed in good spirits, so I let what I was going to say die on my lips. Joe, our resident medical officer, would take good care of him, although I doubted he would make it easy on Joe or anyone else for that matter. He's only been good so far because he had no choice.
The gate appeared and I started to relax. Ken had some trouble maneuvering the long truck though the gate but finally did about the time I was gonna tell him I'd do it. That wouldn't have went over well, so I'm glad I managed to keep my mouth shut. The convoy of three semi's with trailers, two RV's and two motorcycles slowly wound its way around the large hill to the parking area. Everyone was waiting on the porch for us. A better sight I've never seen.
Me and Joe helped Mason down then Flynn and Joe practically carried him into the clinic. Joe looked at me over his shoulder, "Don't go far, I want to check you out next." I waved him off over Lacy's shoulder who was hugging the crap out of me. Then the others had their turn as we gradually made our way into the lodge. Bubba was barking and jumping up and Mandy was yelling my name to the point that I had to stop and bend down to give her a hug and pat Bubba on the head.
When the new people straggled in and stood in one corner I started to introduce them. I didn't get far cause I couldn't remember their names. One by one they stepped forward, introduced themselves then stepped back. "James, pleased to meet you. Brandon but most people call me Buck. Thanks for having me. Alice, I used to be a seamstress so if you need anything sewn let me know. Sandy, I used to be a nurse, we appreciate your hospitality. Freda, I'll do just about anything as long as it's legal."
"Sarah, is our cook and does about everything too. I understand she has a nice spread laid out for us so if you would like to wash up, we'll get ready to eat." I left them in the tender care of Sarah and went to check on Mason. Ken introduced George and Riley to everyone while Lacy had her arm around her. Duke stuck his head out and I started to tear up at the sight of him in his Hawaiian shirt and hat, a unlit cigar stuck in his mouth and cut off denim shorts. His wife, Sarah, would strip him alive if he ever lit a cigar so he just chews on them. Duke is a little person and a lot of people have problems with him being married to an average person. It just looks strange. He teasingly says it's because she has a thing for little boys.
"Lord girl, I can't let you out of my sight for five minutes." I smiled at him and blew him a kiss where upon he threw his hand against his heart and rolled his eyes. "What can I say, good looking, you can't follow me around all the time. I'm glad to be home, Duke, no matter how battered." He smiled then went back to his computer and many monitors.
I wandered into the clinic where Joe worked on Mason. An IV bag was set up and after a glace I could see it was an antibiotic, I took his hand and brushed his hair from his forehead.
"He'll be fine," Joe said, "just a little infection and we'll kick it in the ass in a few days. He needs a lot of rest and decent food then he'll be up aggravating you. Now come over here and let me see you. He'll be out for most of the day." I kissed Mason on the nose and walked over to the desk and sat on the edge of it. The cut on the back of my head where I was hit with the bridge was doing ok. It was still a bit tender but no way near as tender as my face. Joe poked and prodded to the point of pissing me off then sent me on my way after a shot of antibiotics. I blew him a kiss and after a glance at Mason, went in search of food.
I don't think I'd seen the dining room full before. Everyone was quietly eating, so I helped myself right behind Riley in the line at the buffet table, then sat at the table with my bottle of raspberry tea, too content to say much. Sarah sat down beside me and whispered, "They're a hungry bunch, but you look starved. How on earth did you manage to do that to your face?"
"I am starved."
"I fell face first on the pavement."
"See, now that wasn't so bad, was it? Like I tell Mandy every day just be truthful and it will be ok. I made apple pie for dessert,and put back a piece just for you in the fridge so this crew wouldn't eat it all. I'll put back a plate for Mason too."
"Thanks sugar, but Mason won't be eating anything tonight but soup. Maybe tomorrow, okay? We need to fatten him up."
"Sure things, sweetie, let me know and don't forget that pie now."
"It's right up there on my list of things to do before bed tonight. Thanks Sarah." She patted my knee before she went over to the other tables to see if everyone had enough to eat. When they all said yes, she jokingly implied that they wouldn't be able to hold any pie then. Needless to say it's a good thing she put back a piece for me.
I ate three pieces of chicken, a baked potato and salad. I think I drank more liquid than I ate food but I didn't care. I was home, safe, full and in a bit, clean cause that shower has my name written all over it. I hated the thought of sleeping by myself that night but knew Joe wouldn't let Mason out of the clinic until his fever was down. So I showered, put on my night clothes and robe and headed back down stairs. The new women were planning to stay in one of the cabins while the men in another. So everyone was settled in for the night.