Apocalypsis 01 - Kahayatle

  “So what now?   You won the right to make some decisions.   I’m not sure how much right you actually won, but at least I agree you can take your friend back.”
    “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve won whatever the hell I want.”   I held up my hands to appease the people with feathers starting to ruffle.   “But … I don’t want a lot, so hopefully this will be pretty painless.   At least more painless than it was for Trip.”
    I got a good laugh out of that one, and it helped people feel more at ease.   I could tell by the frowns disappearing and the folded arms dropping.   The only one who still looked pissed was Coli and I was starting to get used to that.
    “Here’s what I want:   First, Peter’s coming with me.   Second, he, Bodo and I will be living here full time until we decide we don’t want to anymore - and I expect everyone here to not only respect that but also to make sure others respect it.   Last, I want all of you to get together with the Miccosukee and find a way to live together and cooperate.   Put together a new tribe or an alliance or whatever you want to call it.   Just get it done … like soon.   Tomorrow.”
    “Why are you so fixated on this alliance?” asked Jeremy, loud enough that everyone could hear.
    “Because we’ve been outside the swamp, as far north as Sanford, and there are groups of cannibals forming out there - gangs - who are moving around and terrorizing all the towns that we saw on our way down here.   They’re going after and eating other kids.   And let me tell you, those cannibals are fat, okay?   They’re not just doing it to survive.   They’re enjoying it.   Enough freaks are moving into leadership roles out there and they’re brainwashing everyone with them to think it’s okay to eat people.”
    “So, what does that mean to us if a bunch of white people are eating each other.   Let ‘em,” said Jeremy.
    “Right.   And how long do you think it’ll take them to realize you’ve got some prime beef right here in the swamp?”   I reached out and pushed on Trip’s body with my foot.   “You guys are easy pickins if you keep your tribes separate.   They have guns.   They’re going to find more ammo and they’re going to eventually find the rocket launchers and bazookas and everything else.   You need to get your shit together and grow your community.   We need more people to fight against them when they come.   And they will come, I guarantee it.”
    Several of the onlookers began talking in low tones to one another.   I couldn’t hear what anyone was saying.   Jeremy took the bull by the horns and said the words I wanted to hear.
    “What you’re saying makes sense.   We have some history with the Meeks.   Our parents were once friends … at least some of them were.”   He gave a pointed look to his sister.   “We heard rumors, from Celia, that there’s some weird stuff going on out there.”   He looked at his tribesmen.   “What do you guys think?   Trip’s out of commission but I’m his second.   I’m willing to take a vote and suffer the consequences from Trip’s temper later.   Who’s in favor of discussing an alliance?”
    Most of the hands went up.  
    Jeremy shrugged.   “Looks like majority says we do that.”
    “Good.   I’m going back to my hut now.   Why don’t you guys come tomorrow afternoon to the hut used for rituals, and we’ll have a meeting there.   We can figure out the details with the whole group together.”
    “We’ll eat together,” said Coli, standing up straight.   “Like our people used to do when there were tribal gatherings.”
    “Good idea,” I said.   “It’s potluck.   Bring your covered dishes and we’ll see you in …,” I looked down at my watch, “… fifteen hours, give or take.”
    Bodo put his hands on my shoulders from behind, giving me a strong, quick massage as we walked back towards the canoe.   “Dat wass amazsing.   I can’t wait to learn dat stuff.”
    I smiled tiredly.   Now that I’d kicked butt and taken names, I was exhausted.   I hadn’t eaten enough calories to do what I’d done today - I was going to have to find a belt to hold up my shorts or pretty soon I’d have to run around in one of those breechcloths too.
    “You’re giving lessons?” asked Jeremy.
    “Yeah.   That’s what I agreed to do in exchange for a place to live.”
    “I’d like to get in on that.”
    “Sign up with the Miccosukee and