John Ringo - Islands of Rage and Hope

“The real question is not whether there’s what you’d like . There are three big questions: How long are we going to be here? How long will the supplies hold out for all of us? How are we going to keep from killing each other when we turn? Anybody got any helpful suggestions?”

“We’ve got one thing going for us,” Anna said.

“What?” Athena said, spinning on her.

“We’re all used to dieting.”

There was a moment of silence, then a giggle. In a few seconds the whole group was laughing hysterically. Christy looked as if she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry and had settled on both.

“So short rations won’t be a problem,” Athena said, nodding. “Good point.”

“I’ve got a question besides those,” Brenda McCartney said, still holding her cheek. “Who put you in charge?”

“I did,” Athena said. “Because I know all of you and you’re mostly airheaded idiots . And you fucking well know it. Any other stupid questions?”

“Not a question,” Anna said, raising her hand. “But I second her self-nomination. Athena’s capable and you know it.”

“There aren’t any guys in here to get to do all the work,” Brenda said, crossing her arms. “ I’m not going to do it, that’s for sure.”

“You know she’s come up with half the good ideas on the challenges,” Anna said. “And she is organized. You most certainly are not .”

“ You’re a leader,” Christy said quietly. “Why not you?”

“Age,” Anna said, ticking off the reasons on her finger. “With it experience. Athena runs her businesses, she doesn’t just let others manage things. And force of personality. While I could and would…ahem…’cunt punt’ any of you if it were necessary, you’re rather less in fear of it than Athena’s threat. She has more force of personality. I do, however, back her one hundred percent. And as to that specific threat, I have played football since I was four. It would be a quite righteous cunt punting, I assure you.”

“Any other takers?” Athena said. “And, Brenda, if you raise your hand I swear I will break it off at the wrist.”

There weren’t.

“Fine,” Athena said. “And, yes, I get the guys to do all the work. It’s called ‘delegation,’ Brenda. And if I delegate something to you, you’re going to do it. In fact… You wanted to know what kind of water. Fine. He said those boxes had water,” she said, pointing. “Find out what kind and how much. Take Sarah…”

“Wait,” Sarah Cassill said, raising her hand. “I’ve got a question.”

“What now?” Athena said, tiredly.

“Um…What’s Brandon doing in here?”

The crowd parted to reveal Brandon Jeeter, vocalist and every teen girl’s heartthrob.

“Good question,” Athena said, her hands on her hips. “What are you doing in here?”

“I wanted to go with the guys,” Brandon said, holding up his hands helplessly. “This cop just kept pushing me into the girl group.”

“Figures,” Sarah said, laughing. “ Nobody believes you’re a guy. Even French cops can figure out the truth.”

“I am totally a dude,” Brandon said shrilly. “And, by the way, got nothing for any of you. That’s why I wanted to be with the guys . I told him, ‘Do you know who I am?’ and he, like, said ‘Nun’ or something. I am not a nun ! I’m not even a chick !”

Athena, Anna and at least three of the other women dropped their heads into their hands. Athena got enough of a look to know which had at least some clue.

“The word is ‘non,’” Athena said. “French for ‘no.’ Meaning that he didn’t know who you were and could care less. Sarah and Janet help Brenda get an inventory of the water. Anna and… Oh, hello, Your Highness.”

“Hello again, Athena,” Princess Julianna Gustavason said. “Nice of you to finally notice.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t raise your hand is all,” Athena said sweetly.

“Like I wish to be in charge of this?” Princess Julianna said. “Why don’t Anna and I take the food stores?”

“Thank you,” Athena said. “But hold off for a second. Any thoughts on how we’re going to keep from biting each other when one of us turns? Seeing Hector go all Hulk was really fucking unpleasant. It took half the crew to subdue him and he bit Terry and Phillip in the process. And it could happen any second.”

There were a series of prettily furrowed brows, then Christy tentatively raised her hand.

“Yes,” Athena said, pointing. “Christy.”

“We could tie each other up?” Christy said tentatively.

“This isn’t a porn flick, Christy,” Athena said with a sigh.

“No…” Anna said. “She has a point. If we’re secured, the…afflicted is easier to subdue. Or she should be.”

“I’m not going to be tied up when one of you goes nuts,” Sarah Cassill said. “Not going to happen. And besides who is the last to get tied? Leaves one untied, right?”

“Possibly light restraints?” Princess Julianna said. “Easily removed on the wrists. When we’re not moving around, tight on the feet. Possibly comes sort of hobble when we are forced to move. That way, at least, the afflicted isn’t free to move around. When one of us turns, we can pile on?”

“What’s this we shit?” Sarah said. “ I’m not getting bit.”

“It’s a thought,” Athena said. “I’m just having a hard time with it being Christy’s good idea. No offense, Christy.”

“It’s okay,” Christy said.

“Is there any rope? Yes…Christy,” she said, pointing as the girl raised her hand again.

“I gotta pee,” Christy said.

“Why didn’t you go before we left?” Athena said angrily.

“It was a long walk,” Christy said, hanging her head.

“Fine,” Athena said. “Somebody bang on the door for our friendly—”

She paused as there was a clearly heard shot in the corridor beyond the door. Then screaming.

“Or…perhaps not,” Athena said, running over to one of the partially empty shelves. “Julianna, Anna, Sarah, Christy! Help me push!”

There was a loud bang against the door followed by a series of irregular thumps and a keening howl.

“PUSH DAMNIT!” Athena yelled.

The shelving section tipped over and effectively barricaded the door. Whatever was on the other side just kept banging, though. And now there were ration boxes all over the floor.

“Now I really gotta pee,” Christy whimpered. She had her hands over her crotch.

“I think we all do,” Athena said. She walked over to a pallet of five gallon buckets and read the labels. “Sarah, Brenda, new job. Get into this pallet and get out a bucket. It’s semolina, basically cream of wheat. Dump it on the floor. Keep some in the bottom for absorption. Christy, use that. Everybody else, start looking for anything that resembles rope before one of us turns…”

“Fuck you, you pampered bitch!” Snoopi Lucessa suddenly screamed.

“What did you say?” Athena said, raising one eyebrow.

“I said fuck you!” Snoop screamed. “I don’t take orders from some…what the fuck is on me? WHAT THE FUCK IS ON ME…?”

“TURNING!” Princess Julianna yelled.

Most of the women scattered, screaming, but Julianna, who was slightly behind the smaller woman, height-wise anyway, hit her with an expert rugby tackle and drove the New Jersey native facedown to the floor.

“Rope! String! Anything!” Athena yelled, grabbing Snoopi by the hair and holding her gnashing teeth away from the princess.