Apocalypsis 04 - Haven

were people smarter than me involved in planning that particular event. It was going to be a nightmare made much worse by the fact that we’d probably be fighting off canners the entire trip down.

    ***
    We got up before the sun broke over the horizon. Someone shoved a bowl of food in my hand and threw my pack over my shoulders, heavy with supplies. I thanked the girl distractedly, searching for the rest of my friends.
    Rob and Winky came over from another hut and joined Bodo and me. We ate while we talked over the day’s plans.
    “So here’s the deal,” said Rob, “we’ve got six horses, four head of cattle - two cows and their two babies, four sheep, two pigs, three dogs, some chickens, one loom, three bales of wool, and this and that. The kid in charge of the breeding program says he can get us sperm later when we need it, so no bulls are going on this trip.”
    “Okay, can I just say ew to that?” I asked.
    “Who’s going to be the sperm delivery person?” asked Winky, snickering.
    Rob smiled big. “Fohi gets my vote.”
    “What’s dis and dat?” asked Bodo, just before shoving a hunk of meat into his mouth that was so big I wasn’t sure how he was even going to chew it. Somehow he managed to talk around it, though. “You saidt dat dare is dis and dat too.”
    “Feed for the animals, extra harnesses, food, junk like that.”
    “What about the ATVs?” I asked.
    “We have two four-wheelers and one swamp buggy. We’ll hook all the cows and sheep together and ride two-by-two on the horses. It won’t be the most comfortable trip in the world, but it should work. Most of the kids will be on foot, but we’ll ride ahead and check things out, get advance warning of any trouble.”
    “What about canners?” I asked.
    “We’re bringing three grenades and plenty of firepower,” said Winky.
    “Do you guys know if Trip is sending anyone to the Triple Bar D?” I asked. “And is he coming with us?”
    “I heard him asking for volunteers for the birds,” said Rob. “I don’t know if anyone offered to go. And I’m not sure if he’s going with us or not.”
    Winky spoke up. “With Kowi gone, he might not feel like he can.”
    “That’s stupid. The ranch will have the fewest amount of us. More of us are going to be at Haven. That’s where he should be.” Rob sounded cranky.
    I could see both sides. “I hope he comes, but I understand if he feels like he should stay. Maybe we could get to a point someday that people could go back and forth.” It was wishful thinking, but I liked the idea. Maybe if we could establish more settlements between the two points it would be safer to travel… I shook my head, getting it out of the clouds. Baby steps, Bryn. Get to Haven in once piece and then maybe you can dream about settlements and safe passage .
    Trip came into the hut as we were finishing our breakfast. “Ready to go?” he asked.
    “Are you?” asked Bodo.
    “Yes. I’m going just to make sure you get there okay. Then I’ll come back.”
    I kept my comments to myself. Maybe seeing Peter would change his mind. Or maybe I could convince Flick to flirt with Peter a little to make Trip jealous.
    I laughed at my pitiful ideas of matchmaking. I was probably the last person who should be doing anything like that. My own love life was a total mess and clear proof I had no idea what I was doing when it came to boys and knowing what the heck they were thinking or what they wanted.
    “Follow me,” said Winky, putting her bowl down on a table as she walked out of the hut. “Time to get our butts to Haven.”
    I left my uneaten portion on the table next to hers and walked behind her. Bodo was after me and Rob brought up the rear. Trip disappeared into the trees or something because when I looked back he was gone. Sometimes he made me think that he did that crap just for effect and not for any good reason.
    “What’s the plan for Coli?” I asked Winky.
    “I don’t know. I talked to Trip about her yesterday. They’re going to see if she wants to come to the ranch, but none of us think she’ll come. Kowi was the only reason she stayed semi-social. I think she’s going to be the loon of the swamp or something.”
    “That’s sad.”
    “Yeah. If you can ignore all the times she tried to kill us, maybe. I’m having a hard time with that right now.” She held up her bandaged arm.
    I smiled, lifting up mine. “I hear ya, sister.” At least I had Winky to thank for a clean bandage and LaShay