Milly counted them blessed, however. They were healthy. Laura was a nurse and could see to their needs, if anything happened. Bart and Quinn were good hunters and their larder was full of canned meat and jerky. The dogs patrolled, taking turns. One was always outside, even at night. It was now like the changing of the guard. Someone was always up at night. While Bart slept, she was up, roaming the house. She didn’t mind. She rarely slept anyway. She took a nap during the day to catch up.
Quinn would spell her, and she’d head back to bed. They couldn’t let their guard down. But at least for now, things had been quiet. It made them all paranoid, but they couldn’t waste their time with fear. She smiled a vicious smile. She was waiting for the stupid son of a bitch that stepped foot on their property next. She’d plug him sure and fast. There was no kindness here, no handouts, no second chances. They’d learned that lesson several times.
Bart snorted and sat up abruptly, his white hair sticking straight up. Its wispy tendrils making him look as though he was in some kind of shocked misapprehension. The group looked over at him, his pale blue eyes owlish and large. Milly sniggered.
“Come on, you old devil dog, it’s bedtime.” Milly said, getting up off the couch.
“Oorah.” Bart grunted softly. Milly smiled and walked over and shut the heavy drapes. She walked over and kissed her granddaughters, good night. It was still early, but she was tired after a long day. There had been no noon nap. She’d be up in a couple hours, prowling the house.
“Night kids.” She grinned as she pulled her husband to the bed. Bart grunted and lifted a hand in farewell, he didn’t resist the pull of his wife.
Ӝ
Topeka, KS
Tilly sat at the foot of her bed. She was combing her blonde hair out. She’d had to cut her golden locks short. The shampoo was some kind of industrial shampoo and there was no conditioner. Her hair had tangled easily, and she’d been going nearly bald, trying to comb the long tangles out. Megan was in the shower now. They were on the even day. The water wasn’t hot, but it was warm. They chose to shower at night, after their long days of work. Showering in the morning only lasted until you started sweating at hard labor. She was beginning to get used to the hard days. Her body had gained some of the weight back.
There was no deodorant yet, though they were promised some. It was barebones existence at the Hive. The newness had worn off quickly. Their first day there, she’d gone quickly through the laws set down at the Hive. Capital offenses were rape, murder, theft, drugs, drinking, prostitution and food exploitation, food hording. Death. No food was to be taken from the cafeteria. No food was to be stored in quarters. There were no unauthorized pregnancies allowed. Period.
She wondered what the Hive would do. Force a woman to have an abortion? The literature said the Hive could not support new children at this time. There were other offences listed, but it was pretty clear. Most offences were death sentences. No trial, no lawyers. Outside the fence was civil unrest, and at times, inside the fence. Rumors were plentiful and early on, there had been a small delegation of lawyers, who’d gone to complain about the living conditions and the summary executions that seemed to be rampant. They had also wanted better food and living conditions as well as freedom to come and go from the refugee camp.
The lawyers had been taken to the administrative tent and had never been seen again. Tilly thought perhaps they were disposed of. No loud or squeaky wheels here. The rules also said that no more than four people could congregate at one time. No large crowds were allowed. Children were to be supervised at all times. It was strange, since moving in, Tilly hadn’t seen many children, at least not the very very young. She looked up when Megan came into the sleeping area.
“Hey Meg, have you noticed that there aren’t any small children, like there was when we first got here? And there aren’t any older people either. Where did they go?” Tilly asked. Megan had a towel on her head, drying her short dark locks as well. Both women had opted to cut their hair short. It was easier when they worked.
“Now that you mention it, I remember there were a lot of deaths, early on, when it started getting cold at night. But then when they started construction on the Hive, I don’t think I remember many of the older people around. Some, but not a lot. You think they got sick?” She asked, pausing in front of Tilly.
“I don’t know.” Tilly said.
“This is an unauthorized subject; further discussion will cease.” An announcement came over the intercom. Both women cringed. They’d found out that their rooms were monitored. Megan had said it was more like a prison here, and Tilly thought she was too right. Though they could talk about most anything, mentioning the administration or criticizing the Hive or its rules and regulations would bring an announcement.
“Sorry.” Both women said at once. There was no reply and Tilly looked at Megan and mouthed the words, later. They could whisper their concerns, and big brother couldn’t hear them. Any negative talk about the Hive was quashed.
“Hey, they got books in. I picked up a couple.” Tilly changed the subject to something safe.
“Oh, really? God, I’d love to read something.” Megan breathed happily.
“They opened the library this morning.
