Linda Andrews - Extinction Level Event

How did she do that? He shifted his weight from foot-to-foot. And should he lie? What was the point? “The Schultzs’.”

“Oh, dear.” She held her hand over her mouth. “That house has been empty the longest. You children can’t stay there. It’s bound to be infested with vermin. Lots of vermin. Especially, since it backs up to the vacant lot. You’ll have to come home with me.”

She thumped her cane on the ground as if that ended any argument.

Manny licked his lips. Why should he argue? If he stayed with her, he’d have a legitimate reason to be here. No one would be able to force him to go. But what would she want from him in return? No one did something for nothing. Ever. He learned that in Juvie. “Why?”

“Why?” Her brow furrowed. “Why don’t I want you living with vermin? Because it’s unhealthy for one. And—”

“No, I mean why are you being so nice?” He braced the handle against the wagon’s body. “If its food you want, I’m willing to share. You just need to tell me which houses are empty so I can get supplies. I’ll even pick up your share from the soldiers.”

He snapped his mouth shut. Nice going, Manny. Next, you’ll be willing to trade her your food stuff just to stay in the neighborhood. He glanced at the brick wall leading to the field beyond. Maybe giving up a little of his rations wouldn’t be so bad.

“Oh, you dear boy.” She released his arm to cup his cheek. “Is it really so bad out there that people are… are…” She pursed her lips for a moment. “Yes, I suppose it is. People being people.” She dropped her hand to his shoulder and squeezed. “Well, that is why we need to band together. Separate, they can pick us off, but together, we can stand up to the thugs and other unpleasantness, pool our rations, share the chores, and keep each other company. Many hands make even the heaviest load, much lighter.”

Manny swayed. He’d said something similar in his own neighborhood, but they hadn’t listened. Perhaps… “How many of there are you?”

“In my house, there’s just the three of us. Mildred, Henry and I.” She gestured back the way they’d traveled. “But we have four others in the association. Although we’re scattered around the neighborhood, we look out for each other.”

Seven people plus the six of them. It was a practically a crowd.

A crowd had carried the Redaction.

He shook his head. The Redaction was over. Still, it was more than just him at stake. While the niños might not care, Irina could. Removing the woman’s hand from his shoulder, he placed it on the wagon’s handle. “I’ll need to check with the others.”

“Of course, I’ll stay here and guard the wagon.” With her free hand, she gripped her cane in the middle as if to use it as a club. “Hurry up. We have lots to do.”

Lots to do. No doubt, breaking into the rest of the houses in the neighborhood. Well, that’s fine with him. If he needed to earn his keep, so be it. At least, he had some experience at it. Looking both ways, he hustled across the street before glancing over his shoulder. She still hadn’t moved. He’d been right to trust her.

He hoped.

Ignoring the front door, Manny marched over the flagstone walk leading to the backyard. The wrought iron and wood gate swung open on silent hinges as he approached.

Shielded behind the fence, Irina clutched the edge of the gate. Her blue eyes were wide, her skin pale, and her knuckles, white tipped. “Who is that woman? Do we have to leave?”

“Her name is…” His mind blanked. Damn. He’d forgotten to get her name. Looking toward the street, he spied her green tracksuit and gray hair through the low hanging Ironwood branches. “I don’t know her name. Yet. And no, she doesn’t plan to report us.”

He stepped into the backyard and eased the gate closed. Footprints marred the inch of dust coating the patio running the length of the house. Rats popped in and out of the stuffing on the cedar lawn furniture cushions. Thirty cans, some with gnawed labels and others without any, were stacked on the glass-topped table. Bottles of cleaners, soaps and shampoos were lined up next to it.

Beyond the patio and patches of green grass, Lucia hung from the monkey bars connecting the two towers of the wooden jungle gym. Mary squealed as she slid down the red plastic slide. Mikey and Jose fought with sticks on the left tower.

“Thank God.” Sighing, Irina scratched at the red marks on her arms. “But Manny, we can’t stay here. The place is crawling with rats and fleas.”

Just like the woman had said it would be. “She said we could live with her.”

“Should we?” Irina sucked on her bottom lip. Her attention darted from the niños to him then back again. “We don’t know her. What if she’s a creeper or something?”

Creeper. Pedophiles. He hadn’t thought of them. Stepping away from Irina, he cleaned a spot on the arcadia door and peered inside the house. Despite the dim lighting, he could make out the roaches and rats freely roaming across the travertine floor. They couldn’t stay here; neither could they return to their neighborhood. “I don’t think we have a choice.”

She nodded before gently sweeping her fingers over her bruised face. “I got all that I could salvage from the house. But it’ll be mystery food for dinner.”

“I found a wagon full of stuff.” Manny shrugged off his pack and wedged a few small cans inside.

“It’s not going to fit, is it?”

He zipped it to the top before tucking one more in the pocket of teeth. “Did you see any bags inside?”

Irina shuddered. “None that didn’t already have residents.”

After donning the backpack, he looped the excess straps through the bottle handles and knotted them. The weight cut across his shoulders. His muscles trembled and his stomach growled. God, he was hungry. He eyed the pyramid of cans. Too many to carry in his arms. But he would be damned if he left any behind.

Irina shuffled next to him. “Maybe we can use Mary’s blanket to carry the rest.”

“Mary!” Manny winced as his voice carried across the yard. It’s all right. They were safe. The Aspero wouldn’t dare come here. Yet, they’d attacked the Marines.

“Manny!” The niños leapt, slid and jumped from the jungle gym, before scrambling back, grabbing their packs and sprinting toward him. Smiles wreathed their faces and red brushed their cheeks.

Crouching near the ground, he felt four sets of thin arms fold around him. He kissed each head smelling of sunshine and orange soap. Sighing, he leaned away from them and focused on the youngest. “Mary, do you think I could use your blanket to carry these things?”

Sticking her thumb in her mouth, she hugged the blanket tightly.

“I’ll give it back. I promise.” He resisted the urge to tug it from her hands. She had to give it to him. “I just need to use it to carry the food.”

She followed his hand as he pointed to the cans on the table.

Plucking her thumb out, she stared at the shiny metal. “Aren’t we going to eat?”

“Soon.”

“‘Kay.” She thrust the blanket at him.

Taking it from her, he ruffled her hair. “Thanks. Why don’t you guys play, while Irina and I pack this up?”

With a whoop, Jose and Mikey dropped their packs and raced back toward the jungle gym. Mary eyed her blanket before following.

Lucia jerked on his shirt. “I wanna go home, Manny.”

Fabric snapped flat before drifting down onto the table. “We’re going to get a new home, Luce.”

Ignoring them, Irina laid the large cans on their sides in the middle of the blanket.

Luce yanked harder. “Without rats?”

He glanced down at her.

She stuck her chin out and scratched at the red welts on her hands.