Once we’d poured ourselves some lemonade, the nectar that fueled the laborers of the town, we took up a bench a little ways away from the construction under the shade of a broad-leafed magnolia tree. I’d made it a point to learn the names of the plants and animals as we traveled, and my knowledge had grown exponentially, largely thanks to Macon. I could now mimic most birdsong and identify scat and animal prints, the latter of which was key for tracking game.
“So, what’s up?” I asked once we were both seated.
“First, we need to talk about this tiger. Where exactly did you spot it?”
I pulled out my map–I kept it on me all the time, just in case we needed to make a speedy retreat–and pointed to where I’d found Marion, bordered on one side by a rock face. This land was nestled in a valley between two peaks in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and the sudden outcroppings of rocks were sometimes surprising.
“The horse’s carcass should be there too, but I sensed the tiger’s presence from the moment I left Promised Land. It felt as though it were stalking me the whole time.”
Larry nodded. “At least it’s not hanging out near the river where we fish and keep our traps. What do you think is the danger to our people?”
The tiger was dangerous, but for some reason I liked knowing there were natural predators in the woods and not just Rabids. “Seems like a tiger could take down a few Rabids from time to time. It might even scare off the local population if they sensed an apex predator in their midst. Still, I would be cautious.” The way that tiger had taken down Marion’s horse was a beautiful but terrible thing.
“This tiger has killed a scout and two horses already.”
I nodded. “You could tie up something as bait and try to lure it out of the woods, shoot at it then.” It was a practical solution, but it twisted something inside me to see such a magnificent beast be brought down.
“Live bait? That might do. For now, we’ll restrict people from traveling outside the gates. I’ll mention your idea to the Council and see what they say.”
He didn’t have to tell me his plans, but I appreciated the bit of confidence.
“So, how’s your family settling in?” Larry asked.
“The chicken pot pie was all anyone could talk about last night.” I thought briefly of Kitten fellating his fork and tried not to be jealous of a savory pastry.
Larry nodded. “One of my favorites. And the town? People have been friendly, I hope.”
“Very welcoming. I’m impressed by what you’ve built here, Brother Larry, though I remain skeptical about what it takes to keep folks in line.”
He let out a low, raspy chortle. “You are bold for a youngster. I believe we’re cut from the same cloth, Cipher. Do you mind if I call you that? A bit less formal, don’t you think?”
“Honestly, I’d prefer it.”
“I understand you may be slow to trust. Your life up until this point has been about survival, and in the not-so-distant years, mine was too. But I sincerely believe this is a great place to raise a family, all things considered. Your children will be fed, they’ll receive healthcare and an education, and you won’t have to worry about your loved ones contracting the fever, not under my watch.”
Go forth and multiply.Hadn’t Donnie warned me that was Larry’s philosophy on life? Well, it sure as shit wasn’t mine.
“No disrespect, Larry, but I’m not interested in reproducing. I’m happy to work hard and be a contributing member of this community, but I’m not looking to be a father.” I was happy with the family I had, and I didn’t want the added responsibility of caring for a child or potentially losing them to some misfortune. There was a limit to how much pain I could endure.
“You’re young still. Your feelings may change.”
“But my sexuality won’t.” I watched him closely for any signs of disdain or disgust. Here was the test, to see if he was down with the gays or if he was a homophobe at heart.
“The curly-haired one is your mate?” he asked mildly.
“My boyfriend, yes.”
“I can see the attraction, but there are plenty of healthy young women in need of a partner. They say that babies born nowadays have some natural immunity to Rabbit Fever. If that ain’t the future, then I don’t know what is.”
This conversation had me itching for a cigarette, so I pulled one out my Ziploc baggie and shot him a questioning look. He waved his hand in assent, so I lit one up and took a deep drag, aiming the smoke away from him so he wouldn’t have to inhale it.
“If the children are our future, then why don’t you have a dozen or so kids and I’ll train them up on how to slay Rabids?” I said at last.
He laughed heartily and it quickly turned into a wheezing sort of gasp, a glimpse of my own future if I kept up with my smoking habit. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it, but I only shoot blanks, as they say, and with the way my health is, why it’d be irresponsible.”
I glanced at him sideways. “You seem pretty fit to me.”
Larry shook his head and spat out a gob of phlegm. “I got bad lungs. Inhaled too much construction dust in my working days. I feel it in my chest more and more these days. I’m slowing down.”
