Jared studied the man in the darkness and was able to make out what appeared to be a rifle leaning against one of the stone pillars the gate was attached to. The house was a block and a half up the street and seemed to be the likely source of the cooking smell. Jared crawled forward, passing through three yards in order to get a better look at the man out front. The man appeared to be of Pacific Islander descent, his large hulking frame convincing Jared of this possibility.
As Jared watched the man by the gate, there was movement from behind the man. A woman appeared, handing the man something before kissing him on the cheek and disappearing back into the darkness of the residence’s yard. Jared watched while his mind raced and his mouth watered. Here was a house with food in the middle of a world lacking sustenance, yet these people had it. They had a guard out front, but he was sort of just out there, not concealing his presence.
Jared didn’t know any Pacific Islanders, but he’d seen plenty and knew they were, for the most part, a large well-mannered people. He wondered what the man would do if Jared were to saunter up and say hi. Jared considered this for a moment, but the possibility of being shot stayed his hand. Instead he led Stephani down the side of a house to the rear yard, where they climbed fences until they were across the street from the man standing guard.
Jared motioned Stephani to remain in the backyard as he moved up the side of the residence, stopping at a six-foot wooden gate. He poked his head over, searching for the guard. The man was slightly to his left and across the street. Jared liked this because if there was any shooting, the angle would work in Jared’s favor. The guard would have to fire through the house if Jared retreated even five feet towards the rear of the structure. Jared knew houses weren’t bulletproof, but they sure as hell were more bullet resistant than thin air.
Taking a deep breath and hoping his instincts weren’t failing him, Jared let out a low whistle followed by a greeting. “Hey there,” he called out only loud enough for the guard to hear without alerting anyone down the block.
The man surprised Jared with how nimble he was as he snatched the rifle and slipped behind the wall.
“Don’t bring trouble here,” came the man’s voice from across the street. He had a heavy accent, but spoke otherwise clear and understandable English.
“No trouble, friend,” Jared responded. “We smelled your cooking and didn’t realize anyone was left around here.”
“Come out where I can see you,” the man ordered, ignoring Jared’s comment about the cooking.
“How ’bout we both come out and talk like normal people?” Jared parried.
To Jared’s shock, the man stepped out onto the sidewalk. Not wanting to offend, Jared fumbled with the gate’s latch for a second, and he too stepped out into the front yard of the house he’d used.
Jared raised a hand. “Hey, I’m Jared.”
The man tilted his chin up in acknowledgment. “My name is Atamai. We don’t want trouble,” Atamai reiterated.
Jared smiled, realizing the man’s rifle was hanging at his side in a mostly nonthreatening manner, which helped Jared make a decision he prayed wouldn’t cost him his life. Jared struck out across the street, letting his rifle hang from the sling, even shoving it to his right side out of the way so the barrel didn’t crash into his knees. Atamai must have seen this gesture and leaned his rifle against the pillar where Jared had originally seen it resting. Jared in turn pushed his rifle all the way around to his back, giving Atamai a toothy smile as he approached.
Jared reached Atamai and stuck out his hand. Jared was beyond relieved when Atamai did the same. The men shook hands, sending tingles of joy through Jared’s nervous system.
“We’re not here to cause any trouble or ask for any handouts,” Jared said, trying to reassure the man.
“What do you want?” Atamai asked so matter-of-factly, Jared was speechless for a moment.
“Ah, we don’t see many people, and mostly the ones we see are trouble. I just wanted to say hi,” Jared declared.
Atamai stared, scowling at Jared for several seconds before turning and calling out, “Alisi.”
A woman appeared seemingly out of thin air, almost causing Jared to step back. He was then aware of others, men with rifles on the wall, peering over, some looking him over, while others searched the surrounding neighborhood. Jared also realized the five-foot stone wall had a roll of razor wire across its top.
“Jared stopped by to say hi,” Atamai said as Alisi stopped next to him.
Alisi was a large woman by American standards, but probably a normal-size Pacific Islander as far as Jared knew. Alisi studied Jared, a quizzical look on her face as he stood uncomfortably waiting for her approval. Jared wanted to call Stephani over, but also wanted these people to feel comfortable with their presence and understand they truly were not there for a handout or anything sinister.
“I have a woman with me, Stephani. She’s across the street, scared and tired. We’ve had a rough time after the power went out,” Jared said, maintaining eye contact with Alisi.
“Call your friend,” Alisi said as she shot a look to the men on the wall.
Jared turned and hollered, “Stephani, come over here.”
A moment later, Stephani emerged from the side yard of the house she’d remained secreted behind. Stephani looked like ten miles of bad road, and Jared couldn’t have been happier for her beleaguered appearance. He hoped Stephani’s physical state would assist in putting these people’s minds and trigger fingers at ease.
Stephani crossed the street, the rifle banging against her legs, the new shoes screaming I just got these as she stopped next to Jared, staring wide eyed at the people standing at the gate. Jared gave Alisi a
