“What do you want?”
“Can you… Can you just open the door, please?”
“One second! This… this here will have to wait.”
“Hey, thanks for coming to the door. No one else would answer. You remember Joseph? Can you say hi to Mr. Tom, Joseph?”
“It’s alright, little man. You don’t have to…”
“Thomas, I know we don’t know each too great, but your dad was a good friend of mine. I’m sorry by the way.”
“Thanks.”
“I—uh—I don’t really know how to put this, but I’m—I’m taking Nancy to this guy. They say he’s been helping people with this virus thing. I have to try something… you know? I just—I just don’t think it’s safe to take Joseph too. I was wonder—hoping that you could watch Joseph. Can you watch him until we get back? I’ll be back.”
“I don’t know. I’m kind of… I’m kind of busy.”
“Please… please. I need to know he’ll be safe while we’re gone. I know you served in the military. You can protect him if things continue to get bad, right? I mean look at you.”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“I trust you to make sure he’s good. You’ve always been a good guy. Even when you were a kid. You’ve always been tough, you know, able to handle things. You’re just like your dad.”
“I…”
“Please.”
The truck tossed him slightly as it slalomed through a pattern of disabled vehicles—wheels stripped, resting on their axles, barricading the road that led up to the gates of L.P.H. Fortress. A roar of cheers poured over the walls surrounding the town, taking Thomas from his much-needed sleep. His eyelids fluttered. He blinked through the sunlight as he woke. The circumstances surrounding him were slowly coming together. A rush of farmers came toward the city from the fields. Guards posted along the rooftops pumped their rifles in the air. The women, children, and Soldiers that had returned with the caravan were clamoring for the gate, eager to get off their feet from the long trek back.
Thomas heard the metal doors squeal and vibrate as the Sentries worked to push them open. The convoy slowed to a stop. He rested his hand upon James. “We’re here, man.” He turned to watch, looking over the cab of the pickup as the gates were finally opened.
Eager faces filled the streets, gathering along the unplanned parade route. Throughout the crowd, only two people meant much of anything. Where are they? His heart beat faster—anxious. It’s probably just taking Kate a bit to get over here. He took to his feet to get a better look over the dense crowd from the back of the truck. There they are.
Joseph’s excitement radiated through the crowd—Kate’s arm outstretched, doing her best to keep him close as they meandered down the street from their building. Despite her smiling, Thomas could see her getting after him, begging him to slow, but his feet wouldn’t stop. Their smiles warmed him, easing him from the tragedy that had befallen him in the camp, reassuring him that his service meant something—that his service would always be appreciated.
Thomas smacked the top of the pickup’s cab twice, and the driver stopped. He hopped down from the bed. “Make sure to take James over to the offices.”
“Yeah, no problem. Get some rest.”
“Will do.”
“Thomas!” Cindy called to him, grabbing hold of his arm from behind. “What’s going to happen to us?” Her face showed concern at the overwhelming scene.
Thomas took her hand and looked her in the eyes. “They’re going to process you in. Get you the basics—clothes, a meal, a bed. You’ll like it here.”
“This is too much.”
“It won’t be. I promise.” His voice stayed smooth and unhindered. “Eventually, you’ll get your own apartment, but for now they’re going to keep you with the other women.” Thomas smiled at her as she looked over her new home. “I’ll find you tonight and show you around.”
She took a deep breath.
“We saved you, we didn’t take you,” Thomas reminded her.
“Promise you’ll find me tonight?”
“Absolutely.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I promise.”
Thomas took to the crowd, searching for Kate and Joseph. Now, where’d they go? With each step he took, he was greeted by others requesting his hand, patting his back—his ears flooded with congratulations and thank-yous. A waving hand caught his eye. Kate and Joseph stood atop the landing to Oyler School.
“Tommy!” Joseph yelled—the words barely audible as he ran down the steps toward him. He paused for a moment, waiting for Thomas to break through the fringe
“Hey, buddy!” Thomas scooped him up, flinging him in the air while his legs dangled and kicked.
“Let me down! Let me down!”
“Were you good for Kate?” Joseph looked to her, and she smiled back as she inched toward them.
“You know I was.”
“I know.” Thomas tousled his hair and patted him on the bottom. “Go have a seat for a sec, I have to talk to Kate.”
Joseph did as he was told, wandering back to the top of the stairs and slumping onto the top step. He buried his face in the nest of his crossed arms as he ground his foot into the step below him.
“You look like death itself.” Kate slapped the back of his hand. “Have you even slept at all these past two days?”
Thomas scratched the back of his head, “It’s been a rough couple of d—”
“I don’t want to hear anything about it. I’m afraid my heart couldn’t handle that kind of talk.”
Thomas chuckled. “Fair enough.”
“You’re okay though?”
“Of course. Just tired.”
“Clearly. Why don’t I take Joseph a while longer?”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I think you earned some rest.”
“Thanks, Kate. Someday I’ll pay you back, you know?”
“You don’t need to do that, I enjoy watching the little man. Keeps me company and helps me out with things.”
Thomas waved Joseph over. He leapt from the stoop and rushed to Thomas, giving him a big hug. Thomas knelt down to speak with him. “Hey, I’m sorry big man, but you’ll have to stay with Kate just a little more.” Thomas lifted Joseph’s chin from his pouting. “It’ll only be a few hours. I need a little sleep and then you can come with me while I take care of stuff tonight.”
“Really?” Joseph’s face lit up. “Promise?”
“You know it.” He put his hand out, and Joseph gave him a five. “Ouch!”
“Finally!” Joseph threw his fists in the air and cheered. “I got you good!”
Thomas mouthed a thank you to Kate, and she led Joseph away by the small of his back. He watched for only a moment as Kate began introducing Joseph to some of the other Soldiers that stood nearby.
Without any coaxing, Thomas’s feet took over, dragging him to his apartment. Soon, the familiar bang of his metal gate welcomed him. He glided up the stairs, and as he stood before his apartment door, Thomas had never felt so relieved.
Close:
Across the street, a trash-ridden alley with prying eyes. A man carrying a thin, high-powered rifle across his back, had made the journey paralleling the parade of victors back home. His low mutterings, obsessive and dangerous, kept him going despite his lack of sleep. The horrors of the night before drove his desire. His people slaughtered and now the enemy’s home was here, right there in front of him to serve his anger.