All of our accounts must have the same title, or almost the same. So, this is the account of me, Kathy, Mayor of Petersburg, titled Surviving the Fog-Kathy’s Recollections.
The End
#kathysrecollections #survivingthefog #howardthered #doulgaslives #sasha,thescarred #postapocalypse #newadult
Mike waved to them, walked down to his cabin, opened the door, and went inside. Annie was sitting in the rocking chair Hector had made for her.
“Are you pregnant?” Mike asked.
“Yep.”
“Then everything is okay.”
The End
#survivingthefog #kathysrecollections #howardthered #douglaslives
Douglas is probably far to the north by now. I worry about him, but I think he'll turn up. He always does.
In accordance with the agreed upon format, and in fond memory of Ignacio, I am giving my account the title, Surviving the Fog−Howard the Red.
The End
#howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult
Eric was re-elected Mayor, but I expect Kathy to follow him when he leaves office. Jean and I were invited to vote, but we declined. The people living in Petersburg should make that decision. Those who reside at Davis Brown Farm are doing well, too. Mail is delivered regularly. #howardthered
An Update:
It has been one year since we left Petersburg. I am twenty-two years old, married, and we have two girls. From what we hear, Petersburg seems to doing fine without us, and I'm happy for that, for though I don't live there anymore, I still love those people. #howardthered #postapocalypse
I was sorry to see him go. After they left, Jean and I walked hand-in-hand to the end of the field overlooking the valley of Fog. It might have been a wistful hope, but the Fog seemed to have dropped faster during the last winter.
"I think we'll be happy here," I said. #howardthered #postapocalypse
But Mike, Annie, Erin, and Rudy rode in the bed when it left. Rudy had said their presence was a show of force, but I wondered if Major Collins had considered my need for moral support. Regardless, I was grateful he had sent them.
George accompanied them. #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult
Patti bicycled away from East Post in the company of Tonya. That happened a week before the bittersweet appearance of the food wagon arriving from Davis Brown Farm. It was exciting to see friends, and we gratefully accepted the load of potatoes. #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult #mountains
"You should have said something."
"I know you, Jean. You always do the right thing. It was only a matter of time. That's only one of the reasons I love you."
There were many makeshift families created after the Fog. Ours was one of them. #howardthered
After a half dozen steps Jenny whirled. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."
"Go, or you'll be late," my wife responded.
When she disappeared from sight Jean lowered her head and blew out a breath. "We have two daughters, don't we?"
"Seems that way to me." #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult
"No, I'm not firing you. I'll never fire you. You're a part of our family. Hurry up. Get ready, and I'll brush your hair."
"I need to stack some wood," I said.
It wasn't really necessary, but it seemed wise to leave them alone, and besides I had got something in my eye. #howardthered #postapocalypse
Jean sighed. "Yes. Put your dress on, wash your face, and go to the play."
Puzzlement and then panic appeared on Jenny's face. "Are you firing me?"
"Come here."
The girl took two tentative steps forward. Jean took a long stride, pulled Jenny into her arms and hugged her. #howardthered #mountains
Jenny spun. "I have the laundry sorted. I'll soak the whites tonight, so they'll be ready to wash tomorrow." She took a step toward the other room.
Jean, her expression solemn now, said, "No."
Jenny halted. "You have something else for me to do?"
#howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult #mountains
"You're not coming?" Clarice asked Jenny.
"No, I have too much to do."
Clarice picked up Cathy and walked out. Jenny watched them from the door. I didn't think anything of it, until I glanced at Jean. She was staring at Jenny with a mixture of pain, sadness, and something else. #howardthered
I sighed but didn't say anything. Our daughter's nickname had followed her to East Post.
Clarice arrived, as excited as Cathy. "Ready to go?"
"Yeth," our daughter lisped, and then she turned to hug Jenny. "Bye, Jee."
"Bye. Be good."
"Kay. Love ew."
"I love you, too."
#howardthered #postapocalypse
She gave me a rueful look.
"I know. But the kids insisted, and it's their play so..."
"I'm fine with it. It would have been interesting to see Douglas' reaction."
"He wouldn't have attended."
"Maybe not."
"Here's your basket, Kitty," Jenny said, holding out the paper sack. #howardthered #newadult
On the afternoon of the play, Jennifer dressed Cathy in her burgundy frock.
"Oh, aren't you the cutest," Jean said, tying the red scarf around Cathy's head.
"She'll make a great Red Riding Hood," I remarked.
"Now if they were only using a wolf instead of a zombie." #howardthered #postapocalypse
But he wasn’t the kind of friend I wanted to share a beer with. It irritated me to know I would miss him.
A few days later, Mike found me at my desk. "He's gone."
I knew who he meant. I grunted, not knowing what to say. #howardthered
I didn’t tell him I was going see if Tonya’s beer making project had been successful. There are friends, and there are friends. Douglas was the kind of friend I would want by my side if I got into a killing fight, and my daughter would be safe with him. #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult
I was mildly pleased by the thought of the trouble he would go through. “And don’t forget the zombie sock puppet you stick on the end of your stump. You know she loves that.”
“I said I would do it; I’ll do it.” He was grinding his teeth by then. #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult #mountains
“Anywhere I want.”
“Not today, you’re not.” I leaned down so my nose was inches from his face.
He stilled in the deadly way he had. “Back off, Howard.”
If I was irritated before, I was downright pissed now. “Douglas, there is no way in hell I’m letting you leave today.” #howardthered #newadult
There was no sign of his rifle, so I assumed it was in the bag, unassembled. His Ruger was probably in his pea coat pocket. He scowled when he saw me; he probably had been planning to skip town while I was busy.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult
“There’ll be another time,” I replied, though I knew Mike was leaving soon.
I was on my way to Tonya’s cabin when I saw Douglas, limping in his off-center gait due to his handmade prosthetic. His duffle bag was slung over his shoulder, and he was using his spear as a walking stick. #howardthered
I handed the Kel-Tec to her.
“What about mine?” the two men chorused.
“Sorry, guys, but the Council wants to wait another week before deciding about you two.”
“What the hell for?” Nick asked.
Heat spread through me, but I tamped it down.
“I don’t know,” I replied as calmly as possible. #howardthered
I found Nick, Isabella, and Tyson working on a new cabin. Carlos was at school. They were industrious, and I appreciated that, but the cabin was located where it would block the scenic view of other cabins, and I knew it would cause me more complaints.
“Belle, I brought your gun.” #howardthered
After getting rid of the chronic complainers, I grabbed what I needed and went looking for other newcomers. I knew I shouldn’t be thinking of them that way, because the town needed decent people as citizens, but I wasn’t in the mood to be charitable. #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult #village
My time as Mayor of Petersburg was in the past. I had no authority to make laws, though I could make a few rules for the purpose of enforcing the laws. The Town Council was constantly questioning my rules, and thinking of that irritated me more. #howardthered #postapocalypse #newadult #mountains
"They have plenty of firearms, and no restrictions as far as I know. That will be a better fit for you, and they can use your help."
"Well, if they need help, he muttered still staring at the revolver, "maybe I'll head that way."
Other confrontations have not been as peaceful. #howardthered
When he spoke, his voice was as icy as the snow, high on the peaks above us.
“No problem.”
Alarmed, I glanced at Mike and saw that his expression was as cold as our friend’s voice, and I was suddenly reminded that when Mike was thirteen years old he hanged a man for rape and murder. #howardthered
“Belle's got a Kel-Tec.”
“Hell with both of you,” Charles said angrily, his face reddening. “I don’t care if you two are giving in to these crazy gun control bastards, I’m not. I’m not giving up my guns, and I’m going wherever I want to go, including into your town." #howardthered #postapocalypse
