Apocalypsis 04 - Haven

places. And they have links to spots I can’t quite reach. We just pass messages along, like that silly game my sister used to play when she was little: operator. Only it’s more reliable ‘cause we ain’t countin’ on the birds talkin’. They just take the same message from point to point.”
    I was too stunned to speak. These kids had done something so amazing, I wouldn’t have even dreamed it could be possible: communication over long distances. Networking on a massive scale. And secret, like a spy ring. They could totally thwart any attacks planned by the canners.
    “I want in on this,” I said, feeling as passionate about it now as I did the cattle, maybe more so.
    Jackson smiled. “I’m real glad to hear you say that, because we need a contact down there. Even though it’s a little worrisome that you have such a fat target on your head, the benefits are way more important now. But if you don’t mind, we’ll train someone else on the codes, and not you.”
    I nodded like a crazy bobble head. “Yeah, no problem. Whatever you want.”
    “You can teach me,” said Bodo, holding up his hand halfway. “I already know how to take care of birdts.”
    Jackson frowned but nodded his head. “I’ll think about it. There’s time to figure that out. Why don’t we head back to the house and see what we can do about outfittin’ you to leave?”
    We were just walking away when a bird appeared out of nowhere.
    “Ya’ll go on ahead. I’m just gonna grab this message first.”
    Bodo and I walked back to the house.
    “That was the most amazing thing I think I’ve ever seen,” I said, hoping he’d respond. I didn’t want to be talking to myself all the way back to the house.
    One of the larger dogs jogged over and walked next to me, giving me the willies. He was huge, and he didn’t seem very friendly. It was more like he was making sure I went where I was supposed to go.
    “It is the second most amazing thingk I have ever seen. I think dat Nina is more better, but da pigeons are good. Definitely good.”
    “I just can’t believe none of the Miccosukee or Creek knew about this. It would have been so helpful for them.”
    “Dey alwayss wanted to be alone. Dey wanted to hide out dare, not talk to udder people.”
    “Isolation is not the answer,” I said, mostly to myself. Isolation was the best way to become a sitting duck as far as I was concerned. And the idea that we’d have a network of friendly spies all over the state was just blowing my mind. I could see peace on the horizon. Real, lasting peace. I was almost giddy with it.
    We reached the porch to find all of the kids sleeping, even Chantal.
    Katy was sitting in a rocking chair with a big metal needle and some yarn.
    “What’s that?” I asked, walking up the steps.
    “Crochet. Ever done it?”
    Thoughts of Winky sitting there like her crossed my mind. “No. Never.”
    “I’m makin’ a blanket. Can never have too many of ‘em in the winter seems like, now that we don’t have any heaters anymore.”
    She was right. Even in winter, Florida could get cold. It made me glad we were staying in a place that had tons of blankets and sheets already made. Hopefully, by the time we’d need to make more, we’d have looms, sheep and everything else that was part of that equation.
    “So ya’ll want some cows, eh?”
    “Yeah. We really do. And we’d be willing to trade something for it, but I guess we’d have to go get it since we came here with nothing.”
    “Well, you brought us these here hands. I guess that’s a pretty fair trade for a bull and a cow.”
    I felt a little sick. “I’m not sure I’m cool with trading people. Sorry about that.”
    She shrugged. “Whatever. Your call. But we ain’t just gonna let you take two animals from our herd ‘cause you’re the ball-biter. Gotta have more juice than that.”
    I sighed heavily. “Please don’t call me that anymore. It makes me sick to my stomach, and I really don’t want to see that stew come up and land on your front porch.”
    She stopped crocheting and lifted an eyebrow at me. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    “Don’t push it. Seriously, that’s a memory I’d like to forget forever.” I shuddered for effect.
    “Whelp, I have to say, I admire a girl who’d go that far to live. I might’ve died that day if it were me.”
    “No, you would have bit the guy too.” I sat down in front of her feet on the porch.
    “Ha! Then I’d be the world famous ball-biter, the girl