Chapter 4
Anna handed out the hardtack to students who eagerly gobbled down the food.
“Eat slowly,” she said. “Make it last.”
She passed around a canteen of water. “A healthy drink. It will help fill you and keep you from getting sunstroke.”
The children obeyed, a carryover from their presence in her classroom. In the shade of the big oak at the top of the hill, the group was one of a few others who had survived the flood.
Anna had not yet informed the children as to their new status.
That their parents hadn’t come looking told Anna all she needed to know.
Those parents hadn’t survived. The six children in her charge were orphans.
That would become clear soon enough. She wanted them to eat in peace. The crying would begin soon enough.
On the hillside, several small groups were busy with makeshift tents and fire pits. Anna was of the opinion that what was left of Vance Fields was safe. With the dam breached, there wasn’t another wall of water to come racing downhill. Still, most folks were reluctant to head back into town.
On the far side of the cemetery, half a dozen men and boys were digging a long ditch—mass grave.
She saw the corpses stretched out on the ground.
The bodies needed to be buried. That was the only safe and prudent thing to do.
Even as she watched, a man added a small child to the group that waited for the dirt to be opened.
There was time or money for a wood coffin.
The dead were wrapped in a blanket, a water-soaked blanket, and put to rest.
She didn’t count the dead. That would be morbid.
On the other side of the cemetery, another group of bodies were stretched out on the grass.
They weren’t the dead. They were the dying…
if Dr. Burke couldn’t save them. As Anna watched, the doctor pulled the blanket over the face of a child and signaled a helper to move the corpse to where the other dead were.
Anna shook her head. She was witnessing not just the deaths of people but the death of the town.
She didn’t see how the town could continue with the loss of so many able-bodied residents.
The people were the life blood of Vance Fields.
Without them, there was no growth or rebuilding.
She was reminded of a human who had lost too many limbs or too much blood.
While a bit of life remained, death stood waiting nearby.
What was she to do?
What was the fate of the children who trusted her?
She was no mother. She was a teacher. She couldn’t possibly become responsible for these six.
But what else could she do?
“Is my mama coming?”
Anna turned to the soft voice. Elsie Chen was but five and the youngest of the children. While Anna didn’t want to cause pain, she saw no benefit in lying, not even a small fib. She moved closer to the children.
“Listen to me.”
Six faces stared at her.
“More than likely, you are all now orphans. That means your parents have died. It also means you have no living relatives here in Vance Fields. If any of you know of kin in other places, you need to tell me so we can get word to them.”
“All dead?” Owen’s voice cracked. “All?”
“That’s right, Owen. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but the truth is what you must embrace.”
All the children began to cry. While some of them fought the tears, they couldn’t hide their fear and grief.
“Are we… are we gonna die?”
May Chen’s question stabbed at Anna’s heart. The stupid flood had brought so much pain with it. The eight-year-old voiced the fear all the children felt.
“No, May, you’re not going to die. For the time being, I’m going to care for you. Soon, we’ll find other kin or folks willing to raise you as their own. Until then, I’ll do what it takes to keep you fed and healthy.”
Not a single child looked at her, their eyes turned to the grass. Her words were wickedly painful. She couldn’t help that.
“I won’t pretend that I know everything about raising children. I do know that we need some rules. Everyone look at me.”
The small faces focused on her.
“First, we’re going to institute the friend-friend rule.
I’m going to pair you in twos. You will be responsible for the person you’re paired with.
Stick together. Don’t wander away without telling your friend.
If your friend disappears, you need to inform me immediately.
I cannot keep track of all of you, so I am relying on you keeping track of each other. Am I clear?”
The children nodded.
“Good. First, May and Elsie are a team, since they’re sisters. May, you’re the older, so keep Elsie close.”
May nodded.
“Ruth, you’re paired with Moses.”
“Can I be paired with Joshua?” Ruth asked. “We play together a lot.”
“Certainly, if Joshua doesn’t object.”
“I… I’m f… fine.” Joshua stuttered.
“Then, it’s done. That leaves Owen and Moses. You two get along?”
The boys nodded.
“Good. One rule in place. Rule number two. If anyone tries to take you or talk you into leaving us, run away and find me. I’m guessing there will be chaos in our future.
Chaos offers opportunities for adults to grab children.
We must be mindful. Adults can be very tricky and persuasive.
Don’t trust them just because they’re adults. Understood?”
Nods.
“Rule three. We share. No doubt, food and water will be more scarce than it has been. I will see to it that you all have enough to eat. You are not to steal food or drink from the others. When you’re hungry, you’ll be tempted to take what you want.
That is not allowed. Do not force me to punish you. Agreed?”
More nods.
While Anna was happy for the nods, she didn’t for a moment think the children would become little angels. She needed to right the wrongs that would occur.
Firm and fair.
“I have no idea how long it will take to find you all a new home. That is the goal. Until then, follow the rules.”
Moses held up his hand.
“What is it, Moses?”
“Are you gonna feed us to the wolves?”
“What? Who told you that?”
“That’s what my pa always said. If I was bad, he would feed me to the wolves.”
“No one is going to be fed to the wolves. I will try to keep you all out of harm’s way. If someone tells you different, report to me.”
No other hand rose, which pleased Anna. She knew her problems were just beginning, and she wished for the strength needed to handle them.
At the bottom of the hill, she spotted a man walking a horse with two bodies on it.
She recognized the young man. Ernest Vance was a member of the rich-man’s club.
Everyone knew him. Even as she watched, Evelyn Price marched through the headstones, heading for Ernest. Anna found that appropriate as Evelyn was betrothed to Ernest.
They made a handsome couple.