Days of Love and Blood

on heavy batteries for energy storage and made more runs for the basics, most often being food. Cooper and I went alone most of the time. It was easier that way. And faster. We worked well together even without more than a few words uttered between us on each trip.
    We knew what the other was thinking about a questionable spot or the dangers that might lurk within the dark shadows of an abandoned building. With a single nod or a wave of the finger we were able to silently plan an attack and take down several homicidals. I never complained and he never told me what to do. He didn’t have to. We handled everything similarly, as if we could literally read each other’s thoughts. We moved together in lockstep and each action of one complimented the other. If Cooper went for huge bags of fertilizer, I swung a carriage or trolley around. If I suddenly became still and tense, his gun was already cocked.
    Our relationship might have looked strange to anyone looking in from afar - the way we would ride together for hours, without saying a word. But it wasn’t strange to me. I found comfort in it. We tolerated each other without having to know any of the personal details. His attitude changed with me over the weeks as well. He continued to lash out at everyone else but it was my presence that steadied him. I don’t know if it was because we were so similar or because he felt comfortable around me. I think he felt safe with me, since I was the only one who wouldn’t ask him about his past - the only one who wouldn’t dare tread onto his memories and dig around inside his pain. Nor would I burden him with my own grief. The damage was still too fresh for me. Talking about how I lost Ritchie was like washing a fresh wound with salt and sandpaper, so I didn’t.
    I felt safe with Cooper in more ways than one. The less we spoke, the better. I was less apt to make a mistake and cross the line with him - cross the line with myself. Without talking, I didn’t feel as guilty when I let myself mentally slip those few times. Once in a while, I found myself fighting the natural urge to hold his hand or caress his face. Catching myself with these thoughts reddened my cheeks and I would walk away from him without a word, whatever we were doing. He never asked what the problem was and if he had, I would have lied.

    I brought the camper down to Ivy’ s farm for the afternoon to celebrate three houses up and running with power, including Ivy’s. Five turkeys were slaughtered for the occasion and I brought a large selection of libations - my choice contribution to the festivities.
    With a stiff drink in one hand and a meaty plate in the other, I sat down on my blanket sprawled in the middle of the yard. Ronan was off playing with the boys again and Solomon was the one who sat down next to me. I could see Cooper leaning up against a tree, alone. As soon as I looked away, I felt his keen eyes narrowed in on my direction.
    “Ivy seems to be upset lately,” Solomon mentioned.
    “Oh yeah? At what?” So this is why he came over.
    “Well, she thinks you’re different. She’s worried that you’ve lost respect for life.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “She is.” He adjusted his Irish cap and then rested his arms over bent knees.
    “Do you think that?”
    “Well, I never knew what you were like before.” Ouch.
    “ I’m sorry - do you think that what I do is wrong?” I asked, almost laughing. “I mean, I kill them, indiscriminately, but to me they aren’t human. They’re the ones who have no respect for life. I have to kill them, or they’ll kill me. They’ll kill you. What’s wrong with her? Of course I haven’t lost respect for life. I’m trying to preserve it.”
    “I know, I do understand. We have to kill them, we all do. To survive. But I think she thinks that you enjoy it or something. Like you get some kind of thrill out of it.”
    “Not at all. It’s like a job to me. Good parenting.”
    “Can I ask you something?”
    “You can ask me anything,” I lied. Again.
    “What would you do if you came across a homicidal that you knew? And not just anyone, but someone close. What if Ivy turned into one? Would it be easy then?”
    “Of course not. I can’t really answer that because I haven’t thought about it. It hasn’t happened. It would be hard, that’s for sure.”
    Solomon bobbed his head gently and then chewed on the corner of his mouth as he looked down.
    “Solomon? Did you? Did you know someone?” Again,