Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

to know how I can get my hands on one of those looms like you have. If I’m going to be starting over somewhere, I need to be able to make cloth like you guys do.”
    “It’s not going to help if you don’t have the raw materials,” she said, sounding sad. “I want to help you, though.”
    “I know that about the materials … I plan on getting some of those, too. Somehow. I’m not sure how yet, but I will.” I smiled at her sheepishly, a little embarrassed about not having all the pieces together.
    “I can help you. Just go to your hut. I’ll come by in a little bit. Maybe an hour or so, okay?”
    “What are you going to do?”
    “Just go. I’m going to do whatever I can, but I don’t want to make you any promises, okay?”
    “Okay,” I said, a little worried that her idea of help might not actually help me the way I needed right now. But she walked away and left me standing there, striding down the walkway and into the trees, so there would be no more questioning done by me tonight of Mandy.
    I heard wet feet coming over and noticed LaShay approaching.
    “Hey, girl. I feel so bad for you, right now.”
    “Don’t. I’m going to be fine.”
    “How are you going to be fine? I don’t mean to be all Miss You-Ain’t-Got-No-Hope an’ all, but seriously … I’m scared for you and them boys.”
    I rubbed her upper arm. “Thanks for your concern, really. But we’re going to be fine. We have a plan.”
    “You do? Already?”
    “Yeah. We didn’t make it this far by being a bunch of dummies.”
    “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just surprised you’re bouncing back so soon. That’s good. I’m proud of you, baby. You’re strong.”
    Her words warmed my heart. “Listen, LaShay … if you’re ever kicked out of the swamp, come look us up, okay? I think all of us would like that, but especially Jamal.”
    “You think so? Hmph . Well. Maybe I will someday. Where you gonna be stayin’ at?”
    “The big prison south of here.”
    “What’s it called?”
    “I have no idea.”
    She let out a big belly-laugh. “Oh girrl, you crack. Me. Up! … Don’t know what it’s called …” She threw her hand up. “Well how’m I gonna find you then?”
    I smiled, giving her a high five and folding my fingers in with hers for a second before letting her go. “I’ll find the name and give it to you before I leave. I’ll give it to everyone. Anyone is welcome to join us there.”
    “I’ll spread the word. Maybe someday when my arm is all better and they don’t need me around here, I’ll wander on down and stay a while.”
    “They’re never going to stop needing you here, LaShay. You’re the best medical person they have … that anyone could have. And I don’t want to take that from them; but I’m just saying … if you ever feel the need to leave, you have somewhere to go.”
    “You make my soul feel alive again, you know that, Bryn? Today I know for a fact that there are good people out there, doin’ good things, watchin’ out for their fellow men and women … you are restoring my faith in human beings, and after what I went through? … That means a lot. A lot , lot, if you know what I mean.”
    She grabbed me with her good arm and pulled me in tight, soaking me with her wet clothes. “You stay strong. Everyone here ‘cept that nasty old Coli is pulling for ya. You gonna make it, I jus’ know it.”
    I patted her back. “Thanks, LaShay. I’ll see you around,” I said, drawing away from her. “Lots of people to see before I go. Maybe I’ll see you again in the morning?”
    “Count on it. I’ll be at the goodbye party,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.
    I left her, my heart swollen with love for the kind words she’d shared with me. Leaving this safe home didn’t feel quite as awful as it had just an hour ago.
    ***
    I was making my way through the trees to go back to my hut when I ran into Rob and Fohi.
    “There you are!” said Fohi. “We’ve been looking all over the place for you.”
    “Here I am. I was at the pool, saying goodbye and trying to figure some other stuff out.”
    “Other stuff like what?” asked Fohi
    “Stuff like how I can get a loom to take with me.”
    “A loom?” asked Fohi, his voice cracking. “What do you want a loom for?”
    Rob hit him in the arm. “She wants to be able to set up shop at her new place, stupid.”
    “Oh, yeah. Hey, that’s a good idea.”
    I smiled. “Thanks, Fohi. High praise coming from our demolitions