“Temperatures are falling at a couple degrees per hour. Once it hits zero, they better get a move on. For it to reach zero or a little below, we’re looking at two or three days. After that, they’ll never make it longer than five minutes out there.”
“Three days.” Tony said. “What I suggest are round the clock guards on the Bay area and the Hatch. Also vital security monitoring, round the clock. Someone to walk the floors as well. It’s a lot, but it’s the only way. I also want to keep an eye on our fire hall people.”
“What if…” I spoke up. “What if that isn’t the reason he left? What if he isn’t that bad and he just wanted to help those at the fire hall and didn’t think we would, so he took and did it himself?”
“What?” Tony laughed. “Anna, I told you, you are gonna have to lose this ‘people are good’ attitude.”
“And do what? Assume all people are bad?”
“Right now, yes.” He nodded.
“Are you bad? Am I? How about Pete? Not everyone went bad because the world went to shit. I refuse to believe humanity slammed into the ground when the comet did.”
“And right now, thinking that nothing is going to happen, puts you and everyone else in danger. He knew our routines. He learned our weaknesses. He took a map of the complex, for crying out loud, Anna. What else do you need?”
“Has anyone talked to the others from his group to see what they know? To find out his motivation for this?” I asked.
Abe answered “Anna, all due respect, they wouldn’t say anything if they knew.”
“Did we try? No. We don’t even trust them and yet we didn’t give these people a chance. We call them vague names. Fire Hall people, Breast feeding woman, Survivor Two.”
Tom muttered. “Burn girl.”
“Birthmark guy,” said Pete.
“See? The only person whose name we bothered to find out or remember was the man who you singled out, Tony.”
Tony tossed up his hands. “What do you propose we do? Have a chat?”
“Yes. Talk with them. We don’t even know how many are remaining at the fire hall…”
“Every second we waste not getting together a strong defense is another second we put lives in danger.”
“It’s not a waste of time to get more information.”
“And I will, Anna, I will. It won’t be by gathering them all in a room, but I will. I am.”
“Why you?”
Tony seemed taken aback by my question. “Excuse me?”
“Why are you the one doing this all? You aren’t the GSS anymore Tony, this doesn’t need to be attacked like it’s a GSS case.”
“Really, Anna?”
“Really.”
In that silent tense moment, someone cleared their throat and another person let out a soft whistle.
Tony stared at me. In the nearly two months that I had known him, I had never seen his angry face directed toward me. I did at that moment.
He stared and then lifted his hand. “Will you guys excise us for a minute please?”
Abe jumped up. “Absolutely. I need some water.”
“Me too,” Tom stood.
“I’ll stay” Peter added. “Someone needs to watch the monitors.”
“Tony can do that.” Tom grabbed Peter and yanked him up. “Uh, Tony, keep an eye… on that.”
Tony didn’t reply. His eyes were locked on me.
“Uh, yeah.” Tom nervously said and slipped out.
Once alone, I stood leaning on the counter with my arms crossed. “I sense a fight.”
“You think?” Tony reached back and slammed the door.
I waited.
“We don’t bicker, Anna,” Tony said. “Why are we starting now?”
“I’m not bickering with you.”
“Then you’re being argumentative.”
“I’m playing devil’s advocate.”
“If that’s what you think, you are walking a fine line.”
“I do see your point.”
“Do you?’
“Yes.” I nodded.
“I don’t think you do.”
“Now who’s being argumentative?” I said.
“You want me to believe that this man, Lenny, took food, morphine, lights, sneaked things out, waited in the dark and then left to go back to the fire hall and help out the people there, so they can all snuggle in during the minus thirty degree weather. And of course, let’s not forget he took the map which you know gives the layout of our bunker.”
“It’s possible. I just want you to consider the possibility that’s all. You don’t seem to want to consider that.”
“I did and I am. But the other possibility deserves our attention.”
“You have given the negative much more attention,” I argued.
“You have only looked for the positive.”
“So we’re even. Stalemate. What now?”
“It doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the bad. It does, however, hurt to be prepared for the good and dismiss the possibility of bad. Where is all of this coming from?”
“I don’t believe this attack that you are waiting for is going to happen. I think you’re over reacting.”
Tony gasped. “Over reacting? Just because you don’t think something bad will happen, doesn’t mean it won’t. I swore up and down the comet wasn’t going to hit and here we are. Stop for a second and think about this. We have six men, and three women. One is ill, two are older. If Lenny returns, even with one person and the adults from the fire hall all grabbed a butter knife, we are outnumbered. They don’t need a gun to kill us while we sleep.”
“You don’t know that.”
“And neither do you!” Tony yelled. “Where is this passive attitude coming from? I am working day and night on this.”
“Yes, you are. And what about Joie?”
“What about her?” Tony asked with edge.
“You brought her to this bunker. Don’t you think she’s scared enough? And she’s not seeing you.”
“Oh my God, are you questioning me as a father? Now you’re getting personal.”
“I’m sorry, that was what got me thinking.”
“My working and leaving my child with someone to watch made you suddenly think of playing the Positive Penny game. As if I stop leaving her, suddenly we won’t be in danger. I am doing this because I did this for a living and I am good at what I do.”
“Did. This not the GSS.”
He stepped back with such dramatics. “When you say that it’s insulting. And you’re picking on me.”
“I’m picking on you?”
“Yes, you are picking on me totally. Fighting over everything I do. Calling me a bad father.”
“I did not.”
“Giving me excuses… that’s it, isn’t it? You don’t want me handling it. Is that it? Want me to step back? I can step back, Anna. How about I turn it over to your buddy, Pete?”
“Guys,” A voice called from the other side of the door. “I’d appreciate you leaving me out of this.”
Tony’s jaw dropped and he spun to the door yelling. “Quit eavesdropping! Go away.” he turned back around to face me. “Unbelievable!”
That was it. That was what the moment needed. Peter on the other side of the door making a comment. At least for me, the tension was broken. I tightened my arms and lowered my head.
“What?” Tony asked.
And then, for the first time in weeks, I laughed. I genuinely laughed.
“Oh my God, you’ve lost it.”
“No. I didn’t.” I smiled. “I’m sorry. That just made me laugh.”
“Anna…”
“Tony.” I stood straight. “You’re right. We don’t bicker or argue. I don’t want this to be a habit. I just want you to see the other side as well. This scares me. The possibility scares me.”
“I know. And I know that’s where this fighting is coming from. And I do, Anna. I see the other side. I don’t think you realize it. I am preparing for the worst, because there’s no reason to prepare for the best. Make sense? You said you trusted me. Please trust me on this one. I know people. Characteristics make them predictable. It’s almost as if you know when you open a door…” Before I knew it, Tony had swung open the door, exposing Tom, Abe and Peter standing in shock. Peter was actually slightly bent over sipping from a drink box. “That.” Tony said. “Will be waiting for you.”