She looked out the window and saw the laundry, flapping and snapping in the wind. Her thoughts turned to Tilly, and she wondered how her friend was. There had been no one to show up. They’d not seen anyone, but for those in the small community. She hoped her friend was happy and had found someone. Megan hoped that things had gotten better for the people in the Hives. It was not a life that she wanted. Her life meant more to her than to live in a cage.
They each had to choose their paths, and her path would lead her to Corky, one day, later. She sniggered and saw Corky coming to the house, a determined gleam in his brilliant blue eyes. Well, maybe sooner than later, she decided.
Franktown, CO
Allain and Alexa pulled the wagon, three-year-old Bryant was urging them to go faster. The girls began to run.
“Slow down girls, he’ll fall out.” Quinn called, he was sitting beside Laura, who was snapping beans. Milly was in the rocking chair, watching the kids play. It was a hot day and thunderstorms could be heard in the west, rumbling like quarreling titans. There would be a downpour tonight. Laura smiled, she enjoyed listening to the thunderstorms. Bart came around the house with a garter snake in his hand and called the children to him. The girls ran squealing to their grandfather, Bryant clambered out of the wagon and fell twice before he got to his grandfather, his deep blue eyes round and his mouth an O.
“Will it bite?” Bryant asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowing up at his grandfather.
“Not if I hold on tight. You can pet him.” Bart grinned down at the boy. Laura snorted and looked over at Quinn. Quinn grinned and shrugged.
Life had slowed down for them and Laura had been grateful. There were the occasional skirmishes, but after so many years, there weren’t many of those. Earlier that spring, a family had come by in a cart, drawn by a horse. They’d been the first non-hostiles that they’d seen in years. They lived on a farm seven miles away and they were out looking around.
“We’ve had a terrible time. But we’ve not had trouble for six months now, so we figured we would get out and see who’s left.” The man had smiled. His wife, a little older than Laura, had smiled shyly. They had five children, ranging from sixteen to three.
“You run into any other homes, you know, with families?” Bart had asked.
“Sure, a few. They keep to themselves. But we’ll let them know you’re here. They’re good people. Some you may know. We’ll be off now, got a couple more miles to go, then we’ll head home.” The man had said, and all had waved goodbye.
They’d not seen them, nor anyone else since, but it was good to know that others had survived. Their lives were filled with work, like days of old. Laura often thought of Hogan and hoped he was happy. That he’d found a family of his own. That was all they could ever hope for now, so separated were they. She felt the old hurtful tug in her heart, and she let it sit there a moment. Then, she took a deep breath and blew the sadness away.
Kansas City, MO
Hogan put his arms around Caleb, helping him hold his little sister, Monica. Trish smiled at Hogan and reached her hand over. It had been a long labor, twelve hours, but Monica had come out as smooth as butter, after only seven good pushes.
“I think I’m done wanting kids.” Hogan said, still showing nerves from the experience of childbirth.
“She did great. Especially at the end.” Ester O’Sullivan said, grinning.
“Ester is right. I’ve seen worse.” Trish grinned and squeezed Hogan’s hand.
“She looks all squishy.” Caleb announced.
“That’s because she was squished out.” Trish laughed.
“Can I go out and play?” Caleb asked, now bored.
“Stay by the house. Ask Grandpa Chuck to keep an eye on you.” Hogan yelled as the child disappeared downstairs.
“Better he keeps an eye on Grandpa Chuck.” Ester laughed and left the room. Hogan sniggered.
“She’s beautiful. But I’m serious. That’s it for kids. That’s just too scary and two is enough.” Hogan said, kissing the top of his daughter’s soft head.
“Yeah, I’m not getting any younger. At least we had Ester here. I’m so glad they moved into the farm next door.” Trish said, stretching.
“They’re damned lucky to be alive. If those guards hadn’t felt sorry for the lot of them, they’d all be dead, like Caleb’s mother. I wonder if they’ve stopped killing the old and very young?” Hogan said, his fingers moving gently over his daughter.
“There probably isn’t any more of them left.” Trish grunted, trying to get comfortable.
Four years ago, seven seniors and a father and his two-year-old were set free by the guards from the Hive. They’d been slotted for execution, but the guards had lost their taste for slaughter. All nine were set free, to figure it out, the best way to live. Chuck and Ester O’Sullivan, along with Robert Petters and his two-year-old, Robby, had taken up residence in the farm, two miles up the road. They’d come over and introduced themselves.
Over the last years, they’d helped each other and so they thrived. They’d seen no more of Dr. Wang, or anyone else from the Hive. They’d had no more intruders and life had been quiet. Hogan handed Monica over to Trish when she started
