Hope in the After

I sit on the top level of the bunker, crossbow drawn. It’s my night to take the watch; keeping the fire going at night seems to be effective in keeping the beasts away. The night watch has been getting easier but it cannot be obsolete. It is too risky if the beasts got brave and tried to break into the camp - we’d have to move. I do not want to move again… It would be too hard with the group I have now; the younger ones are finally starting to recover from everything we’ve been through.

I unload and lower my crossbow, walk over to the opening, and look over my little band of troops. The typical band of misfits. I’m in the middle of my headcount when - Snap!

I turn and aim my crossbow, walking toward the edge of the bunker, but I see no one. There are no beasts… So what made the noise? It couldn’t be one of the traps; the teens had figured out how to set silent traps so the beasts don’t hear when we catch smaller animals.

So something is out there. I put my crossbow on my back and use the rope system we have made for us older ones to get to the ground quickly. I grab one of the torches; even though carrying a torch would prevent me from using my crossbow, still, fire is as good a weapon as any.

I walk along the chain fence. I’m not sure what I’m looking for but I’d rather be lectured about being overly cautious and protecting them than lose anyone else.

I hear rustling in the bushes and move in closer. “Who goes there?” As if I expect some kind of answer.

“Help me,” a woman's voice quietly calls out.

Someone is there!? Someone else is alive in this nightmare? I have to help her; the beasts are worse at night. “You are near our entrance. Are you hurt, can you keep moving?”

“I think my need to survive can last a bit longer.” She whispers, almost like she is trying to make a joke.

“Alright, follow the light as quietly and as quickly as you can.” We creep along the fence and bush line; once we are at the gate I put the torch in its holder, carefully unlink the fence, and open the gate. “Quickly now.”

She races in and falls to the ground. I quickly relink the fence. “Hey, hey,” I whisper. “I need you to stay with me a bit longer.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, fighting to stay awake. She clearly is in no condition to walk anymore.

“I’m going to pick you up, okay?” She nods.

I pick her up, carefully grab the torch, and start walking back to the bunker. “Tell me something about yourself.” I need to keep her awake.

“I miss the song that the birds used to sing.” Her voice is pained.

“You and me both.” We finally get inside. I carefully set her down on my bed, then race across the room and wake up Rose. “A survivor found us. She needs to be looked over now.” Rose shoots up and I light her lantern.

She walks to the bed and looks over our newest survivor. “She hasn’t been attacked. She is exhausted, starving, and in desperate need of water.”

“I’ll go get her something.” Tim-o, the teenage boy who is apparently awake, lights his lantern from my torch and takes off toward the supply shed.

“I brought some cloths and water, and she can use some of my clothes tonight.” This offer comes from Lady Ace, who has appeared beside us. I look at her and she shrugs. “I woke up when you came in. She’ll sleep better if she’s not covered in dirt or sweat. Jimboy and Tiny are both still fast asleep.”

Rose and Lady Ace help our newest survivor wipe off the top layer of dirt. Tim-o returns and states, “I brought a fresh canteen, some dry fish and one of the fresher loaves of bread.” He places them beside her.

“Eat and drink slowly, we don’t need you to make yourself sick,” I advise.

She takes a few bites and a long sip of water.

“Good, now the rest of you…” I look at the two teens and Rose - “...To bed with you, morning will come soon enough.”

The teens head back to bed without a word. Rose looks at our guest once more. “Don’t worry deary, Big Al will take care of you, just like he does all of us.” Rose turns to me and places a hand on my cheek. “Good work, my boy.” And she lets us be.

I kneel next to our newest survivor. “You think you’ll be warm enough? We have extra blankets. We’ll get you a sleeping mat in the morning.”

“I’ll be fine, thank you. For everything. I didn’t think…” The tears well up in her eyes.

I rest a hand on her shoulder. “Tomorrow, there will be time for that tomorrow. You're safe. I need to go keep watch.” I point to the opening in the roof. “I’ll be there, you’ll see me make my rounds. It’s why my bed is here, I can keep tabs on the kids when I can’t sleep.” I get up to leave.

She catches my hand. “I’m grateful to not be alone again.” Out of an old habit, I squeeze her hand.

I climb up the ladder back to the roof. I look back and see her amber eyes staring back at me; I give a wave. She waves back. I go back to my rounds, thoughts plaguing my mind. Who are you? How did you survive the last six months alone? Or were you alone?

After a few laps, I make my way back to do my head count; she’s fallen asleep.

***

Morning comes fast and Tiny runs up to find me like always. “Morning, Big Al! Did you see the new lady? We haven’t had new people since Lady Ace and Jimboy joined!” Tiny keeps talking; I didn’t stop her, I am grateful she found her voice again. I can hear everyone is up so I help Tiny down the ladder.

Once my feet hit the ground, Tim-o walks up beside me. “She’s still out.”

“Of course, Tim-o; remember how dead tired you and Rose were when you found Tiny and me? We have no idea what she’s seen. Like all of us, she needs grace as she adjusts.” I lead the kids over to the eating area we’ve set up outside.

Shortly after breakfast, our newest survivor joins us outside. She’s in a set of Lady Ace’s clothes. She’s had a few scrapes and bruises but she looks beautiful. My heart skips a beat or two; Tim-o gives me a look, I shoot him one back.

“Good morning, deary. We have some breakfast left.” Rose hands her a plate. The kids look at me pleadingly.

“No, you can't stay and visit with her, you have chores. And I need to talk with our new survivor. But you can all finish early. Then we will all get to know each other. Alright?” I shoe them off and they all go somewhat reluctantly. Rose gets started with the cleaning.

“You in charge around here?” She asks between bites of food.

“Not intentionally. But Rose and I are the oldest, and Rose gives more grandmother vibes than a camp leader. So I take charge, trying to keep all of us alive as long as I can.” I look over at them.

“I assume you have questions about me? I’ll tell you wh-”

I cut her off. “We’ll answer them all in time. So few of us remember life before the explosion and the invasion of the beasts. There is no rush for the answers.” I reach across the table and put my hand on top of hers. “The only thing that matters is getting you healthy and helping you find a place here so we can all thrive as best we can.” I lean back, moving my hand away.

“Is that why you and all the kids have such… unique names?” She looks over at them, watching us. She smiles; it looks nice on her.

“The kids can’t remember their real names, only Rose and I do. But Tiny remembered me when I found her. She called me Big Al, it’s what the kids at her school used to call me. So I told her if I was gonna be Big Al, she’s got to be Tiny.” I shrug.

“So did you all knew each other before?” She finishes eating and Rose takes her plate.

“Tiny and I did. Rose and Tim-o met trying to survive. Not sure who was protecting whom. And Lady Ace and Jimboy are siblings.” I motion to everything around us. “Welcome to our little home…” I gesture to her, waiting for her to give me a name.

“Songbird. Like the sound I miss most.” She looks up to the sky, like she’ll hear them sing. Her smile still seems to have hope.

How does she still have hope?

“Songbird. It suits you. I can just tell.” My heart skips another beat. Maybe there is something after the world ends, after all.