Grayson turned back to the carnage and walked to each of the bodies. He took out the knife that he’d stolen out of Christian’s tent the night before he died. He’d slipped past the people guarding the main camp and he’d gone into Christian’s tent, looking for a weapon. He’d found it, a Swiss Army knife, the blade sharp. He’d gone over to look down at the dying man. He could smell the putrefaction.
“You won’t need this Christian, so I’ll take it.” He’d said and smiled down. Christian’s eyes had been open, but the man hadn’t said anything to him, just nodded. Grayson had slipped out of the tent and back into the forest.
He walked among the bodies, they’d retrieved their spears. He admired their work, they’d done a good job of killing these fellows. He squatted down beside Matt, he yanked Matt’s shorts down and then took his knife and cut Matt’s privates off. He then opened the dead man’s mouth and shoved the bloody mass into it. He performed it again with each dead man.
“See Carol, they can’t hurt you anymore. You can go to sleep and dream sweet dreams, you don’t have to visit me any more and you don’t have to cry. I won’t dream about you either.” He promised.
¤¤
It took a few hours, but they made it back to main camp. They were welcomed with hardy cheers and laughter. William came up and hugged Diana to him, and she began to cry hugging on to him. He took her to the med tent to take care of her. Aiden looked around at the faces of the survivors of the group. Their numbers were now down to fourteen survivors. But they were mostly whole and resilient. He and Sarah would spend the night, but in the morning, they would head home.
“Do you think you will stay with us, Aiden?” Marla asked, her hands fidgeting.
“No, Sarah and I want to live where we are now. We like it and it has become our home. But don’t worry, we’ll be back every few weeks for visits and trading. Grayson is out there somewhere. I think he’s lost his mind a little Marla, but I don’t think he is a threat. He helped us. It might take time for him to rejoin you, but he might eventually. For now, I think he will just stay on the perimeter of your camp.”
Marla looked around, as though she could find him in the woods. She smiled and nodded, she turned and went to the med tent. Everyone was talking amongst themselves and Aiden and Sarah went to sit before the fire. It wasn’t as large as the one that Connor had built. He suspected Connor lived in fear and tried to keep the night at bay. He should have worried about the people he hurt. Sarah sat beside him and sighed heavily.
“I’m so glad they are dead Aiden, life will be difficult enough without having to look over our shoulders. What do you think will happen to everyone?”
“I think we’ll all find our rhythm with this place, I suspect we’ll live our lives out in seclusion from the rest of the world. I’m almost glad, I don’t know what it is like in other places, or how far the EMP struck, but I think that the world is filled with Connor’s waiting to prey on the weak and vulnerable. We’re actually lucky, we killed our enemies. Unless and until anyone can cross that huge gorge, I think we won’t be bothered and I think the rest of the world will turn in on itself until there are only a few left.”
¤¤
Grayson sat watching the sun rise. He was facing the east this time. He’d come up here last night, after he’d taken care of the men for Carol. It had been a silent hike to the top. He’d not heard her crying, or whispering to him. He smiled, he thought she was happy. He’d slept up there among the rocks. It hadn’t been comfortable, but he’d slept. He had wanted to see the sun rise and so it was.
Around him, he heard the rousing of his companions, they would be coming soon. He would feel their small busy hands, and their calming presence, but today he would not weep. He could feel now that the madness was gone. It had gone away last night. Now he would sit and enjoy the sunrise and he would accept his life in this land primeval.
EPILOGUE
Five years had passed, once more spring was making the earth around them vibrant with flowers and insects. The birds in the trees were noisy with their ardent cries of lust. Aiden led the way past the falls, they were going to the main camp. He had three-year-old Michael on his shoulders and Sarah was bringing up the rear with Grace, wrapped warmly in soft rabbit fur.
They hadn’t been to main camp for two months. Grace was six months old and squirming to get down. Sarah held tight and nuzzled her daughter. She smelled clean and soft.
Michael was talking, one arm waving as he pointed out interesting things to his father. The other hand was clasped in Aiden’s long dark hair. She smiled softly at her two boys, father and son. She was looking forward to seeing Diana and her twins. Though the beginning of their creation was heinous, their birth and their existence brought joy to the group. The four-year-old twins were as sweet and wild as the land around them.
They were hailed with happy shouts as the camp came into site. There were several sturdy stick homes built in and around the campsite, Henry’s and Gabe’s
