“Yeah, looks like it. Though, it’s hard to tell, they’re still that blueish color, but they look like they want to turn brown.”
“Might. Never know. God, that breeze feels good. I think we should try to go fishing tomorrow. What do you think?” She asked.
“Might as well. I don’t think that rain’s gonna stay for long. Fish would be a nice change. We can dig up some worms after it rains.”
“You can dig up some worms, after it rains.” She laughed, taking the baby back.
“You’re such a chicken.” He laughed.
“I just hate the way worms feel, sue me.” She sniggered.
“What do you think about having another kid?” He asked, looking sideways at her.
“Yeah, no. Not until this one is out of diapers. Besides, my breasts can’t take that much punishment.”
“Good to know.” He grinned.
Ӝ
Topeka, KS
Megan was tired, but she was also excited as well. They were now only a mile away from Ian’s home. The dawn was coming, and she could see around them. Fields surrounded them.
“We’re about there, this is our land that we’re passing now. We should be there in about twenty minutes.” He grinned at her. Megan’s heart did a triple beat. They’d made it. There had been no pursuit, or at least, none that they knew of. The bike hadn’t been useful, the tires too rotten to hold the air. They’d gotten good sleep however, though she’d been dubious about it when they’d crawled under the bed. But she’d fallen asleep within seconds of relaxing. By the next house, she went to sleep faster, enjoying the stillness.
Ian began to jog again, and she did as well, she felt a renewed sense of energy as they drew closer and closer. His pace became faster and she let him pull ahead. She couldn’t keep up with him and she smiled. She’d give anything to turn back time. It had been a mistake leaving home, but she’d no place else to go. The Hive had saved them, but the Hive had wanted to enslave them. She just couldn’t live in a cage. Freedom was just too precious to her.
Ian was now far ahead, and it was full on daylight now. There was corn growing, though it wasn’t very high. She could hear morning birds calling back and forth. The insects droned on with their morning conversations. She also saw a large pasture with horses, and she smiled. Her heart felt light and free. She knew it had to be doubly so for Ian, to see his loved ones again. A wave of sorrow washed through her, thinking of Tilly. Tilly was just too afraid of the unknown. She’d rather give up her freedom, than face an uncertain life. She heard Ian’s shouting and laughing ahead. She picked up her pace and she heard someone yelling. She felt the sting of tears and wiped at them.
Three men met Ian on the road and lifted him off the ground. She could hear laughter and a woman screaming his name, over and over. She felt her throat choke with emotion as she saw the men set Ian to his feet and a short woman came to Ian and engulfed him in her arms. She rocked the taller man, as though he were an infant. She was crying, “My baby, my baby, my baby’s come home.”
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
Topeka, KS
Tilly stood in the field. The beans were getting high. It was a good crop this year. She looked around at the people who surrounded her. They’d all gotten used to the grind of working the fields. They were now allowed two days of rest. That had come two years ago, when their Hive had suffered a deadly revolt. Better food and more food, and education for their children. Also, better rest, one more day off. They’d gotten their demands.
Tilly had gotten married, a soft smile curving her lips. There was still a ban on pregnancies, but there was talk that in two years, women could start putting in applications for having children. Glen was a good man, he also worked out in the field. He had been a farmer, in the life before and so enjoyed working on the land. They had their own apartment, that they didn’t have to share with anyone else and over the years, had picked up small things to make the cell homey.
She wondered about her friend, Megan, and hoped she’d made it to Ian’s home. Perhaps one day, she’d see her friend again. One day, if the Hive ever let them free.
Farmington, KS
Megan carried the water into the house. There were a lot of dishes to wash. It had been an enjoyable afternoon. Ian’s wife had announced that she was pregnant again. Megan smiled. Sheila was fertile, that was for sure. Sheila’s family owned the farm that bordered Ian’s family’s farm. The two farms visited each other often. There were other farms around and when Ian had told his family of the Hives, word had spread throughout the farming community to shoot anyone on sight, that wore black uniforms.
“They’re here for no good reason.” Ian had told the group. The farmers were a tightknit community and Megan had been accepted and adopted into their group. She worked alongside them all. It was a lot like the Hive, the work aspect of it. There was always lots to do and never enough time. But she had her own room and could say no, when she wanted. She smiled. Corky Yerst didn’t want to take no for an answer.
The Yerst farm was bordered on the other side of Ian’s farm. Corky’s wife had died ten years before and he’d never remarried. He’d been after Megan for three years now and she smiled at the thought. He was a brash man and damned good looking and
