The Blackout (21 page)

33.

After the so-called “come to Jesus” talk with Seth, things were a lot easier.  He kept his distance for the most part, and Molly focused on school, the house, Beth, and what her plans were when Gary came home.  It had been 101 days.  She and Beth sat down and figured out how long it would take Gary to walk from Philly back home, and they estimated at least three months, if he didn’t have any problems.  Molly didn’t want to think about what might happen if he didn’t show up.  She tried to remind herself that he could’ve gotten hung up somewhere, so she shouldn’t be discouraged that he hadn’t shown up right on day ninety. 

That afternoon she was curled up on the couch, lost in
To Kill a Mockingbird,
when someone knocked on the door.  Dug barked to alert her, on the off chance she hadn’t heard the knocking.  She marked her place and unfolded herself from the couch.  “Yeah, just a sec!” 

A breathless Beth stood at her door.  “What’s up?”

“A Wanderer,” she puffed.  “They caught a Wanderer.”  She put a hand on the doorframe to steady herself.

“What?”  Molly processed the information.  “Gary,” she said and pushed past Beth, running for Burt’s home. 

Molly assumed Burt’s house was where they would take a Wanderer, and Beth didn’t have any better ideas as she struggled to keep up. 

She burst through Burt’s front door without even knocking.  “Burt!”  She called. “Is it Gary?  Burt!”  She heard some muffled sounds coming from the basement, so she darted down there.

Molly tripped over what she thought was a heap of clothes at the bottom of the stairs.  She sat up and checked herself for injury, miffed about the obstruction.  Beth caught up and helped her to her feet.

“Molly!  What are you doing here?”  One of the Watchers asked.

“James.  What the hell?”  She gestured toward the pile of clothes with a slightly battered hand.

“We found her outside the wall.”  A voice startled her from the darkness in the corner of the basement.  It was Jimmy.  “She proved to be uncooperative.”  He said as he moved into the light.

“Uncooperative with what, Jimmy?  What the hell were you trying to get her to do?”  Molly couldn’t get her mind around a scenario where this outcome would be acceptable.

“That’s not really any of your concern.”  He folded his arms across his chest and looked at Molly.  The other men backed up, but Molly knew him too well to be intimidated. 

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Jimmy.  Does Burt know about this?  Does he know you’re beating young women to a pulp for some mysterious purpose?”

“Burt knows what he needs to know.”

“So no, in other words.” 

Jimmy frowned.  Molly bent down to check on the girl.  She was alive, but her breath gurgled, and there was fresh and dried blood covering all of her exposed skin.  Beth cradled the girl’s head in her lap while Molly tore some of the cloth away and dampened it with some spit to wipe at the girl’s face.  Jimmy simply stood by and watched. 

When some of her fair skin was revealed, but already turning a nasty purple color, Molly looked up at Jimmy.  “Well, now we’re even, Jimmy.” 

He puzzled at her.

“I disappointed you, and you sure as hell disappointed me.” 

Once the girl was settled into the hospital, Molly headed back home.  She was exhausted from the day, disgusted with what had happened, disappointed that it hadn’t been Gary, and just ready to be done.

The hospital was really just someone’s home that had the bottom floor stocked with supplies and beds.  So, when Molly stepped out onto the front porch, she didn’t even notice Jimmy. 

“Molly, wait.”  He startled her, and she nearly fell down the steps to the sidewalk. 

“Jesus, Jimmy.  You scared me.” 

“Sorry.”  He paused.  “For everything.” 

She narrowed her eyes at him.  “Are you sorry because I can’t understand why you did what you did, or sorry you carried it that far, or sorry it happened at all?” 

He shifted his weight.  “Everything, I guess.” 

She scoffed and shook her head.

“Look, it’s so easy for you to pass judgment.  You don’t understand what we do to keep you safe, the sacrifices that must be made for the greater good.” 

“Sacrifices, huh?  She’s someone’s daughter.  Someone’s sister, Jimmy.  How would you feel if it was me someone had beat up like that?” 

“You know what?”  His voice rose with his anger.

“What?”  she fired back.

He took a deep breath and lowered his voice.  “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry, and was stupidly hoping you’d be able to see my side.  Maybe not see me as such a monster.”

He turned to walk away.  She let him get to the end of the sidewalk before she said, “I could say the same thing to you.” 

He stopped dead in his tracks and reeled on her from on top of his soapbox.  “What you were doing with Seth was just wrong, Molly.” He jabbed his finger at her.  “Gary is out there somewhere, trying desperately to get back home, and you thank him by cheating on him?  What kind of wife does that?” 

“Not this kind.  You’re the one who leapt to conclusions.  I never cheated on Gary, with Seth or anyone.” 

Jimmy’s finger froze mid-air, then fell limply by his side.  He was defeated.  “Sure, I thought about it.  And yes, I was attracted to Seth, but I never acted on it.  In fact, I told Seth he probably should stay away from me from now on.  So you could say that I’m the kind of wife who’s loyal, loving and devoted to her husband, even though we haven’t seen each other or spoken to each other in,” her voice broke as she started to cry.  “In months.  I know how easy it is to be on that soapbox, Jimmy.  But for the rest of us, down here on level ground, we sure could use,” she sniffled, “some understanding is all.” 

He closed the distance between them and embraced her.  “I’m sorry.  I’m sorry Gary isn’t here.  I’m sorry all this is happening.” 

She cried into his shoulder, saturating his shirt.  It felt good to have her rock back, even if it wasn’t Gary.  “I’m sorry for what you had to do today.” 

He smoothed her hair.  “Me too.” 

After a lot of rest and some coaxing, they learned the girl’s name was Charlotte.  She was a nursing student at a school in northern Georgia when the Blackout happened.  Far from home, and worried about her family, she decided to make her way back.  But, she hadn’t calculated correctly, and the journey took far longer than she’d thought, so she ran out of supplies.

“Didn’t you run into other Wanderers?” 

“Yes,” she said in a soft voice.  “But most of them didn’t bother me.  I guess I wasn’t enough of a threat?  A few groups asked me to join them when they found out I was a nursing student, but I told them no, that I wanted to go home.”  She paused.  “One group didn’t take too kindly to that.” 

Molly frowned but didn’t press her for details.  “So, where is home, Charlotte?” 

“Sanford.”

“That’s still, what do you think, Burt?  A hundred miles from here?” 

He nodded.  “Yeah, thereabouts.”

“So, what’s your plan then, Charlotte?”  Charlotte snuggled deeper into the blankets on her bed in response.  “Mkay, well I see this playing out one of two ways.  We’ll give you what we can spare to help you get the rest of the way home, or you can stay here until the power comes back on.”  Burt cleared his throat.  Clearly he didn’t like the second idea.  Molly ignored him.  “But, if you decide to stay, you have to work.  Everyone contributes to this community to keep it running.  Since you were studying to be a nurse, I think this would be the best place for you.”  Charlotte looked around. 

Burt frowned.  “Can I speak with you a moment?”

Molly smiled down at Charlotte.  “I’ll be right back.”

They went out onto the front porch for some privacy.  “Molly, what are you thinking?  She can’t stay here with us!  She’s a Wanderer!” 

“Burt, for Christ’s sake, she’s a person.  You’re as bad as Jimmy!  She’s someone’s daughter!  How would you feel if your daughter was separated from you and received such a reception as we’ve given Charlotte?  Wouldn’t you want to know someone was willing to help her?” 

He didn’t like the comparison one bit and it showed.  “Molly.  Please try to be realistic about this.  Not everyone is as open-minded as you.”   He gestured towards the house where Charlotte lay.  “These people have threatened us, killed us, taken our food, and destroyed our supplies.  Jimmy is rightfully cautious.”  He looked Molly right in the eyes.  “You can’t expect her to have a happy, safe life with us.” 

Her gaze didn’t waiver.  “Don’t you think that’s sad?” 

“Maybe it is.  Doesn’t make it any less true.” 

“Well, maybe we won’t have to deal with it.  Maybe she won’t even want to stay here.”

He shook his head.  “And if she doesn’t?  Who will happily give up a portion of their rations to a Wanderer?” 

Molly glared at him.  “I will.” 

Charlotte decided not to stay, much to Burt’s relief.  Once she was feeling better, Molly loaded an old backpack with what she hoped would be enough food for ten days.  She didn’t give her enough water to last that long, because water is heavy to carry.  Molly gave her two canteens full and told her to make finding drinkable water a priority along the way.  She also gave her a bike.  She decided it would help her cover the distance faster, and would serve her better than if Molly kept it. 

Molly walked Charlotte to the wall, pushing the bike and going over the route with her again.  “Just stick to I-95 south, and you’ll be fine.  Try to stay away from other Wanderers, now that you have things they might want, OK?  Don’t sleep on the road or in plain sight.”  Words tumbled out.  “With the bike, it shouldn’t take you more than a week to get home.”

When they got to the gate, she turned.  She seemed so young to be doing this on her own.  But no one in the town wanted to risk their necks seeing her home safe.  Molly would have gone, but she needed to be there if Gary came home.  She said a silent prayer for the young girl’s safety. 

“I’ll be OK, Molly.  Thank you for everything.”  Molly hugged her and she took the bike.

“Good luck.  It was wonderful to meet you.”  She smiled at Molly and rode away.  It was the last time Molly saw her.  She could only hope that if Gary needed help out there somewhere, someone would be willing.

Saturday morning, after Charlotte left, Molly lay in bed, imagining Gary’s return.  She expected him to come through the door any day now. 

A thought occurred to her, and she sat up in bed. 
My door is protected by the wall.  He’ll have to get past the wall to come home.  What if the Watchers don’t recognize him and turn him away? 
Panic set in. 
Or worse?  What if they treat him the way they treated Charlotte?

She jumped out of bed, jostling Dug.  She had to do something, but what?  She stood in the center of the bedroom, thinking, when her eyes fell on Gary’s face.  Most of their pictures had been digital, trapped inside boxes with nothing but a black screen.  A precious few were printed, framed and scattered throughout the house.  The one on the dresser was a picture of the two of them on their trip to Greece last year.  She grabbed it and ran her finger along Gary’s face.  They had such a wonderful trip.  It seemed so long ago.

If I showed the picture to The Watchers, would they know him then?  How would I possibly catch them all?
  Then, another thought hit her. 
Am I the only one in town with a loved one on the other side?

Picture in hand, she ran to Jimmy’s house.  She knocked on his door, hoping she didn’t smell too much like sweat and outdoors. 

Jimmy answered in shorts and a white undershirt, a towel slung over his left shoulder.  “Hey Molly, what’s up?” 

“Jimmy, I was thinking, when Gary comes home, how will anyone know who he is?  What if you or the other Watchers mistake him for a Wanderer and won’t let him in, or worse?”

He knew she was referring to Charlotte.  “Well, that is something to consider.” 

“Is there anyone else in town with a similar situation?  Relatives outside the wall?”
 
 

“I’m sure there are.   I don’t think anyone else has a spouse on the other side, but I know there are siblings or close friends out there.  Everyone is worried for someone.  What are you driving at, Molly?” he urged her to get to the point.

“What if we put up a bulletin board for the Watchers?  That way, if they do come across a Wanderer, they can see if they belong here.” 

He was skeptical.  “You know what happened with Charlotte was an isolated incident right?  Seeing lone Wanderers is highly unlikely.”

Molly didn’t miss the implication that the incident was isolated because of Charlotte, not because the Watchers’ reaction would be different next time.  She decided to let it pass, for now.  “No, I know, but I’d hate for someone’s loved one to get turned away or…” She paused, “well, beaten because no one recognized them.” 

“But don’t you think Gary would tell the Watchers he was your husband?”

“Do you think the Watchers would listen?  Would you listen?  After everything the Wanderers have done?  After what happened to Charlotte?”

He sighed.  “OK, Molly.  Snag a bulletin board and post your picture.  I’ll make sure the Watchers study it.  Heck Molly, I know it’s been a while since I saw him, but I might even recognize him.” 

Molly hugged Jimmy around the neck.  “Thank you!  Gary will find his way home safely, I just know it!” 

Jimmy chuckled sadly as he embraced her.  “I’m sure he will, Molly.” 

The following Saturday, Molly got a few of the boys from class to drag a double-sided cork bulletin board down to Burt’s basement.  It was decided that if any more Wanderers were found or apprehended, that was where they would be held.  She thought it best to have the bulletin board there for easy comparison. 

After she thanked the boys and they left, she was alone with the empty board in Burt’s basement.  She looked at one of her only pictures of Gary and smiled, remembering when their lives weren’t so broken.  She hesitated to put the snapshot on the corkboard.  It would mean leaving it there.  One of her most valuable possessions was going to be exiled to someone else’s basement indefinitely.