Both women were hungry, starving now. Tilly swayed beside Megan and she put her hand on Tilly’s arm to steady her. Megan knew they needed water soon. Her back was screaming with pain, and she was sure her kidneys were about to shut down. Before them, were many tents and porta potties. The air was redolent of sewage and she breathed shallowly. Her body trembled with fatigue.
There were several very large camouflaged tents as well as several construction trailers. The camp was situated between Vaquero Lake and west of Sherwood Lake, in a large cleared area, it was someone’s property, the grounds well kept, or what she could see of the grounds.
“I think we need to go to those larger tents. Check in, I guess. See if we can’t get a tent and some food.” Megan said, pointing to one of the large tents. Both women walked toward the larger tents, weaving in and out of the smaller ones. There were people all around, looking just as weary as her and Tilly. There was a low rumble of voices that filled the air. Constant chatter. Megan investigated some of the tents, children sleeping. She couldn’t imagine trying to bring children to a place like this. But people had few choices.
It was a recurring theme, they looked thin and dirty and she was sure that she and Tilly looked just as bad. Ahead, they saw a long line, that curved and twisted, outside one of the large tents. People held their belongings, children sat at their feet, staring vacantly into space. She and Tilly went to stand behind and at the end of the line. The wind blew around them and Megan shivered. She could smell the porta potties and was glad when the wind shifted.
“It’s getting colder by the day.” Tilly said, her teeth chattering. She pulled her coat around her, her blonde hair blowing around her face. The woman in front of them turned and smiled tiredly. She was older, perhaps in her fifties.
“You girls are lucky, I heard that this camp is getting ready to reject anyone else coming in. They are only accepting maybe one hundred more, but that’s it.”
“Where will others go? If not here?” Megan asked, looking around.
Shrugging, the woman shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m just thankful I made it here safely. I’ve been hearing about robberies, murders and rapes along the way. You girls have any problems? I’m Karen, by the way.” Karen grinned.
“I’m Megan and this is Tilly. We had our food stolen. We didn’t have much, but some assholes took it. He had a gun and friends. Guess we should be glad we weren’t assaulted. We joined a bigger group, but some of their women had been raped. I think we were really lucky.”
“You are lucky. At least here in this camp, there are local guardsmen, they patrol the camp. I’ve been talking to a lot of the people here. As they pass by, I ask what I can.” Karen smiled.
“At least we’re here. I’m so tired I could sleep standing up.” Tilly said.
“Don’t get too comfortable. We’re going to be put to work. Apparently, they are going to build some kind of permanent housing for us. It’s called the Hive. And this is just rumor, mind, but one gentleman said that a rich high muckety-muck is funding the build. This is his land. Said the government or rather FEMA can’t house and feed all of us. Seems like they are talking about millions on the move. All of them heading east. So, some of the rich, and I’m talking about some serious one percenters’ are footing the bill and building Hive complexes all over.” Karen said, looking around.
“So, what are we supposed to do? We’re not builders.” Megan asked, confused. They moved forward and the line was growing shorter.
“Don’t know. I just know, there ain’t no free ride. If we don’t work, we don’t stay. I heard even the children will be put to work. If you’re sick, you can’t stay.”
“What? That’s crazy. That’s wrong. People have lost their homes. There’s nothing left for them.” Tilly said, looking around for the sick.
“I don’t know for sure. But, if you’re not healthy, they’ll send you away. An old man had been sent away earlier. He came out of the tent, crying. When I asked him what was wrong, he said he’d been rejected. Said he was too sick. He said he has cancer, but he said he could still work. They told him no and that he’d have to leave.” Karen shrugged, a sad look in her eyes.
“Jesus Christ. That’s terrible.” Megan said and shivered. Where in the hell is the compassion, she wondered?
“I guess there are so many people that they can’t take on the very ill.” Tilly said quietly, looking down at her hands.
“But where will he go?” Megan worried.
“He’ll have to find someone willing to take him in.” Karen said quietly. “Life is going to be harsh for the very old and the very ill. They won’t live long.”
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Kansas City, MO
“I’m going to take a drive over to the Tiffany Greens Golf club. There is a refugee center there. I am
