Echoes of Family Lost Read online

  Lily climbed down as Orloff jumped to the ground. He unslung his battle rifle, so she figured she’d best take out her pistol. They could hear the bridge creaking now, sounding almost like a wounded animal. Off to their left, across the river, stood the city of Memphis. Since Fausta had not said anything about signal, it must be dead to electricity.

  Orloff saw her look. “Used to be over a million people in greater Memphis. Likely as not ninety nine percent are dead, now.”

  Lily just nodded. Without power to move and process food, modern urban life was impossible. She’d seen that with her own eyes when she and Sean had taken a rather macabre ‘tour’ of the suburbs of burnt-out Dallas. They fancied themselves cannibal-zombie hunters. Thinking about that now, Lily fancied her then self to have been dumb as a box of rocks for that stunt.

  “Halt.” Orloff called and pointed. “There.”

  Not quite in the middle of the span, and closer to their side, a gaping hole had been blown in the deck. On the north side, there might just be enough room for a man to safely cross, but not a horse, and certainly not a wagon.

  “Dammit!” Lily said, letting the river’s breeze snatch her word away. “Now what?”

  Orloff climbed over the concrete divider towards the north side of the span.

  “Rail bridges out, too. Looks as if the fell some time ago, maybe years.” He looked about. “Let’s go back.”

  Lily went rigid.

  “But we’ve come so far! I can’t give up on my sister now!” She cried.

  Orloff stopped and turned towards her, contempt on his face.

  “I meant to the cart.” He walked off.

  Stupid old man, Lily thought. Why don’t you say what you mean!

  Back at the cart, Lily fed Clive an apple while Orloff considered.

  “When we set out, you said that the best your family knew, the next standing bridge was in St. Louis, right, Miss Fausta?”

  “Yes.” Quietly. “But, the Black Muslim Brotherhood controls that area. You two would be shot, and I likely broken up for parts.”

  That sounded awful, Lily thought. Her stomach rumbled. She was suddenly hungry for bacon.

  “…considered this a possibility ever since we heard the rumor in Pine Bluff…”

  Orloff was still talking. Another stomach rumble. No, she could swear she could smell bacon….

  “Fausta!” She called, interrupting Orloff. “Can you smell that?”

  Like Ai’s body, this one didn’t ‘breathe,’ but she could create a negative pressure and analyze the air. The subroutine had originally been designed to detect a gas attack, but it should work for bacon, too.

  “Complex hydrocarbons, partially burnt.” She sounded sad. “I’m sorry, Lily. I’m too stupid to be sure, right now.”

  Lily leaned into the cart and patted her hand. Wait. ‘Partially burnt…?’

  “Biodiesel!” Lily called. She stood on the driver’s seat and looked about with her field glasses. What had been hidden by the fallen rail spans came into view.

  “Over there,” she pointed out at the river. Orloff climbed into the cart for a better view.

  “A ferry.” He said. “There would have been no need for one when this bridge was up, so that means a clever entrepreneur. Good.”

  He looked about. He saw the little dock the boat was headed towards, and the path that led to it.

  “Down, please, Lily.” Orloff said in his harsh voice. “We’ve a boat to catch!”

  They had to backtrack about a mile all the way to the off ramp to exit the highway. Then north to the rail lines. Orloff turned the cart right and gee’d up Clyde into a trot. It was nearly three o’clock and there was no telling if the ferry would make another crossing today. He slowed back to a walk when they saw two carts coming the opposite direction. As this was more a path than a road, Orloff made way as best he could.

  “Hello!” He barked, waving his human arm. “Y’all come across on that ferry?”

  The three Black men in the cart stared at them. I bet they can’t see Fausta from this angle, so it’s a burned old man and an Oriental girl. In a cart by the Mississippi River. They’re doubting their eyes. They held their shotguns, but were kind enough to not point them.

  “Yes-um, we did.” The driver said. He pointed towards the river. “He might be makin’ one more run, if you’s can catch ‘em.”

  “Thank you, very much.” Orloff replied. “Did I allow you enough room to pass?”

  The other man looked ahead. “Yes-um. You all take care.” He flicked his reins and got underway. The other cart followed. More stares. There was a commotion on the second cart when they looked back to see Fausta. Once past, Orloff eased onto the path and got Clyde back into a trot.

  “I bet they talk about us for a month!” He tried to laugh, but it sounded like coughing.

  Past the last line of trees, they saw the little dock and the ferry still there. From the amount of smoke, it looked as if it might be about to leave. Orloff tried to make Clyde trot faster; a gallop would likely break the cart.

  “Dammit! I bet they don’t know we’re here!” Orloff growled. “I’d fire a shot, but they’d think us bandits….”

  They heard a shuffle behind them. Fausta turned around and shifted onto her knees.

  “Cover your ears,” she said quietly. Lily did both, Orloff, just his right.

  “PAYING PASSENGERS ON THE WAY!” Fausta turned back and sat down.

  “You could’ve heard that across the river,” Orloff said. He was relived to see one of the boatmen wave at them. Clyde slowed his trot and Orloff stopped him just shy of the dock. He counted six men that he could see. Both Black and White. Good: that means they knew the most important color was silver.

  “Afternoon.” He said as amiably as he could manage. “We’d like passage to the other side, please.”

  A tall, thin man came over. His close-cut hair was more gray than black, and he smiled to reveal a mouthful of gold teeth.

  “Certainly! One cart, and you and the lovely lady? That’s ten ounces of silver.”

  Lily’s jaw dropped at that.

  Orloff just stared. They’ve a monopoly of a week, maybe only days, before others see this revenue stream. And, if I call Fausta cargo, Lily will make a scene.

  “Actually, it’s three passengers. My wife is asleep behind us, here…”

  Lily swore she heard an “eeep!” from Fausta.

  “…and our cart’s load is light. I think seven is enough for us to make sure we tell everyone on our travels to use your ferry, Mister…?”

  The man worked his jaw as he considered.

  “Samuel,” he said with a slow smile. “We’s appreciate you advertising for us! Come on aboard!”

  The cart tied down, they’d quickly set off. Lily stood next to Clyde, petting his neck and reassuring him while he rolled his eyes at the water. So as not to think they were taking Fausta by force, she looked about and smiled at the crewmen. With her glasses down.

  Lily took a deep breath as she stared at the rushing water of the great river. They passed under the ruined bridges, fighting the current to the far shore. We’re going to make it. We’re going to find you, Callie.

  two months prior

  Lily let the shower’s hot water run over her head. Seeing Ai off that morning was one thing. Damn near dying in their home fifteen minutes later was quite another. Still, she couldn’t help but smile!

  She’s alive! And looked fine…but really: married with a son?

  “Eeee! That’s awesome, Callie!” Lily cried out.

  Toweling off, it suddenly occurred to her: she might not be married…. No, my older sister wouldn’t do something like that! Lily walked into her bedroom to get fresh clothes. She looked at the old picture on the dresser.

  “Would you, Callie?”

  Her phone chimed. ‘Thaad making plans. I called your cousin. We can’t find Fausta. You OK?’

  Yes, Ai, I’m fine. Now. Wait. She called Kyle? Her phone rang just then an
d she tossed it into the air in surprise. Catching it, she saw the caller: ‘Kyle Stephens.’ What now?

  “Yes, Kyle? What did I do wrong this time?”

  Nothing.

  “Kyle?”

  “The day…” He stopped, started again. “The very day that Ai sends that android home, I get a requisition list from her brother. When I send him a message wondering what’s going on, he sends me over a hundred pages of maps and notes—”

  “She’s alive, Kyle. My sister, Callie, is alive.” That stopped him. “I…I first thought I was going to rescue her, but I don’t need to. But,” her voice caught, “I am going to go see her.”

  There was a pause. “Where is she? Can’t you just call her? Lily, please: you’ve no idea how bad it can be out there.”

  “Ai’s family found three images of her in Knoxville. They say there’s electric power there, but they can’t seem to find any other traces. They’re really puzzled about it… and Kyle? She’s married and has a son. He’d be what, your third cousin or something?”

  “Why do you have to keep throwing our family into my face,” he sighed. “Give me a few days to think about this, alright? There’s no way, none, that a young woman goes out into the badlands alone. Are we clear? I’ll have you arrested at the border if you try.”

  Hurray! “What do you think you can do, Kyle?”

  Another pause.

  “I…know someone. He’s something of an expert on what’s out there and how to survive in it. If I can get in touch with him, he might agree to be a guide.”

  Lily laughed. “And a bodyguard, too, I suppose.”

  “Not really.” Oh, that surprised her. “He’s not in the best of shape. But I agree with you: you will need one.”

  There was a sharp click on the phone.

  “Leave that to me.” Fausta’s voice!

  “What the…!” Kyle yelled. “Were you listening in?! That’s illegal!”

  Another click. Lily chuckled again.

  “They have their own Laws, Cousin, even if they play them kinda loosely! Was that all?”

  “Yeah.” He said. “I’ll call you as soon as I can.”

  Chapter 4

  South of the bridge and still fighting against the current, Lily could see the dock they were headed for. The boatmen bantered amongst themselves while Orloff spoke with Samuel in the wheelhouse.

  “…because of a rather odd condition that has made it difficult for my wife to get around.” Orloff was saying.

  “Strange for a man to take ‘is woman out in this world when she can’t no walk!” Samuel replied, his eyes everywhere on the river. “But, it not for me to say.”

  Orloff nodded. He waited before talking again until the boat bumped up against the dock and the men ran to secure it.

  “There is something that can help her,” he continued, “but it needs electric power. We’ve not seen any since we were in Pine Bluff.”

  “Where dat?”

  “Sorry. It’s in south-central of what was Arkansas.” He’d forgotten how amazingly local life was in the badlands. He returned to their cart and got aboard. The boatmen had the broad gangway in place. He saw two men with rifles standing idly where the causeway from the dock met the land. After taking the cart from the boat to the dock, he stopped.

  From a pouch on his belt he took seven silver coins and passed them down to Samuel, who stared at them.

  “Lookee, that!” He said. “Lone Stars! Ain’t seen any o’these in forever!”

  He looked up at Orloff.

  “Ain’t none my bidness, but you and yours take care. If you come back dis way, we be sure to give you a fine ride back across!”

  “Obliged.” Orloff turned forwards, then turned back to Samuel. He held up one more coin.

  “Electric power? At one of the hospitals in the city, maybe?” Orloff asked.

  Samuel frowned at that and shook his head. “My brother was killed tryin’ to defend St. Judes and those kids…ain’t nothin’ but the dead in there!”

  “Now, some been through here talkin’ ‘bout big ol’ windmills out by Collierville, but that’s just talk.” He waved at the coin. “I ain’t takin’ a man’s money just for talk.”

  Orloff returned the coin to his pocket. “Again, obliged.” He flipped the reins, and they rattled over the causeway onto land.

  “Swing south, then east!” Samuel called from behind them. “They’s still gangs in the city!” Without turning, Orloff waved.

  “What now?” Lily asked. Orloff pointed ahead.

  “We should be able to get up onto the old highway there. After that, we’ll follow it and do just what Samuel suggested: swing south then east along the I-55, if,” he said grimly, “it’s still standing.”

  She just nodded. It was a miracle that they’d made it across the Mississippi. They had to take things hour-by-hour, day-by-day.

  “Mister Orloff?” Fausta asked quietly.

  “Mmm?”

  “Do you really think of me as your wife?”

  Lily bit hard to not laugh: Fausta was so young, sometimes!

  “I apologize for the subterfuge, Miss Fausta. However, I am already married.”

  “Oh.” She seemed disappointed. Lily was surprised to hear that; then again, the vow was ‘sickness and in health.’

  “However,” Orloff went on, “were I not, I’d surely be courting you by now.”

  The cart shuddered slightly. Did they roll over something? No. Lily looked back at Fausta. She saw her suppress a second shudder, but not the huge toothy grin on her face. Lily looked away towards the abandoned and burnt out houses around them before she laughed.

  Orloff’s been trolling poor Fausta since they met!

  one month prior

  The email Lily received from Kyle told her that he’d be driving up from Austin that afternoon, bringing the man who would be her guide. He’d written that he’d meet her after work at the same coffee shop they’d been to on his first visit.

  Thaad seemed to enjoy logistical minutiae and had passed on information about a cart and horse he’d procured in Lily’s name. She and her guide would take possession of that at a border control garrison on the Red River, just north of Texarkana. She shuddered at them memory of that. Of Sean. She shook her head and went back to the Nurse’s Station.

  “Mrs. Watters?” She asked. “What was it you wanted?”

  “Come with me to my office, please.” Uh, oh. What had she done, now?

  Lily sat across the desk from her Charge Nurse. The older woman had left the door open, so it couldn’t be too bad, she hoped.

  “Where was it, where was it?” Mrs. Watters searched the piles of paper on her desk, with little success. “I’ll look again in a minute. Lily, I wanted to let you know that your leave of absence was approved. The request was rather abrupt, but I certainly sympathize with your situation.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Watters looked out her window.

  “It’s a long, dangerous road for you. We’ll all here miss you. Ah! There it was!” She leaned towards the windowsill and pulled a sheet of paper towards here. Finding a pen, she signed it with a flourish.

  “I’m not sure who’s going with you, but I think it’s best that they have a trained nurse along, don’t you?” She handed the paper to Lily.

  “You mean… I’m… the apprenticeship…?”

  “A nurse should talk in complete sentences, Nurse Barrett!”

  “Yes! Sorry!” Lily was trembling. “Thank you so much!”

  She shook her head. “It wasn’t me, but your dedication. Now, don’t you have meds due at 1400?”

  Still smiling, Lily stood and went back into the hallway. There, she was surprised to see much of the Staff waiting for her. Amidst the cheers and applause she tried valiantly not to cry.

  At the end of her shift she was surprised to find a flat box in her locker secured with a red bow. She opened it to find a new set of blue scrubs, befitting her change of status. She hugged the box close
and kept changing.

  This is a special day, she thought as she rode her bike to the coffee shop. I think I’ll splurge just a little bit for a piece of cake! She stopped at one of the towns few lights and returned the waves of the locals. No matter what Kyle wanted for me, anonymity is impossible here, but everyone did seem to be looking out for her and the children more. She patted her smartphone as she thought about that.

  About a week after Ai’s android’s departure, anyone in town with a smartphone, tablet, or computer suddenly received a ‘Lily Alert’ app. Written by Fausta, apparently, it was an early warning system for reporting any outsiders or odd behavior to anyone with the app, with a copy of all messages going to Lily. When some kids tried to use it as just another messenger service, someone wiped all of their electronics. Lily didn’t need to wonder too hard who that was.

  As she coasted up to the coffee shop, she saw the white sedan with government plates, just like last time. She locked her bike and went in. Not seeing Kyle by the window, she looked about. Ah: at a table furthest in the back, in a gloomy corner sat two men. Kyle she recognized. The other… her walk slowed as she got closer. The other was a wreck.

  He’d been burned, badly, and not that long ago. No hair, with scar tissue on his head and down his left side that was exposed. A patch covered his left eye, and he stared at Lily through the monocle on his right. His left leg reminded her of Ken: artificial. And his left arm… the hand she could see was obviously a machine. The rest of his face seemed to radiate tiredness with the world. This is going to be my guide?

  The two men stood, one of them slowly.

  “Good to see you again, Lily.” Her cousin said. He gestured at the other man. “This is Orloff. He’ll be your guide.”

  No one moved. Lily thought of Ai: ‘where are my manners?’ She stepped towards Orloff and held out her hand.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Mister Orloff. I’m Lily Barrett! It would seem I’ll be in your care!” She tried to smile and not to stare.

  He took her hand. She couldn’t help but notice the roughness and scar tissue there, as well. What in the world happened to him?