Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

thing about me being a chiefesse. I had no intention of being the chief of any group. “I’m no leader.”
    “Just say that you were. What would you do in this situation?”
    “I’d let them stay, of course.”
    “And what about the next hundred people that came by? What about them?”
    I shook my head at him. “You’re not getting it. I’d let anyone come and stay. Anyone who didn’t mean us harm.”
    “But how would you support them?”
    I threw my hands up in frustration. “The same way you’re supporting people now! Hunt and grow food, grow crops to make clothing, build huts for them to live in. The place is big enough for thousands of people.”
    “But what if you had a ton of kids show up, all at once, and didn’t have the crops or food or whatever?”
    “I’d find a way, Paci. I’d plan ahead and assume they’d come. I know it might not be comfortable for a season or two, until crops grew or animals were born, or whatever … but this country was big enough for millions of people before. Surely it can manage a few thousand around here.”
    “You make it sound so simple,” he said, shaking his head.
    “It is simple. People need to be with people. There’s safety in numbers. Kids who are doing the right thing deserve to be here. Add it all up. You want to stay safe against a canner invasion? You’d better start inviting some friends in here. Your tribe is about to lose several. You should be building your tribes, not whittling them away. It’s just plain stupid and ignorant, and I’m not going to hang around here and get slaughtered with the rest of you.”
    “That’s kind of harsh, don’t you think?” he asked, no censure in his voice. It was almost as if he were testing me with his questions.
    “Harsh? Only if you consider reality harsh. I guess it is, these days. Read George’s journal, which has never been wrong, so far. There’s safety in numbers. Our enemy is growing. There are gangs of those animals in almost every town now. They’re going to band together at some point when they realize they can take down an entire community of easy meat like you guys and feed themselves for months.”
    “That’s kind of disgusting when you put it that way.”
    “Whatever. It sucks, but it’s our reality. And I’m not going to be a sitting duck.” I walked away, leaving him standing there. “I have to go, Paci. Goodnight.”
    “Night,” he said.
    I barely heard him as I intentionally put distance between us as fast as I could. I didn’t need to waste my time explaining myself to him; he either got it or he didn’t. But regardless, I was leaving and he was staying and I’d probably never seem him again after tomorrow. And maybe I wouldn’t even see him then. I wiped my mouth off with the back of my hand, hating myself for kissing him back.
    ***
    I got back to the hut and the guys were sitting on the mattresses, deep in conversation.
    “What’s up, guys?” I asked, coming in and dropping down onto the floor, grabbing Buster into my lap to play with his ears. I needed some doggy therapy to cool my jets. I watched their faces, looking to see if they were judging me over what they might suspect I’d been up to, but all I saw was concern.
    “We’re just talking logistics,” said Peter. “I’ve got backpacks for everyone, a pair of moccasins for each of the guys, so we’re all set there. And the food we brought that hasn’t been eaten is all in. I guess what we don’t have is our trailer and bikes. I’m worried about doing this whole thing on foot.”
    “We’ll get our bikes and our trailer back,” I said.
    “Do you think they’ll let us have them?” asked Peter.
    I frowned at him. “Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not getting kicked out of this place. I’m leaving voluntarily. And I’m taking everything I brought, including my weapons. If they think they can stop me from doing that, they’ll soon learn they’re wrong.”
    “I’m pretty sure they’re not going to give up the grenades,” he said wryly.
    I stood. “I’m pretty sure they don’t have a choice.” I stalked off, intent on finding the location of the grenades and bringing them back.
    “Bryn, wait!” yelled Peter, but I ignored him.
    I went into the trees towards the clinic, not bothering to try and walk silently. I was too mad and didn’t have enough time to make the required effort. I needed to get some sleep before we left and darkness had fallen a long time ago. The grenades