Chapter 6 #4
I glanced up at the tree we rode under. Small red apples weighed down the branches.
Trey plucked one off and held it out to me with a grin.
I took it from him and watched as he grabbed another, wiped the dust off with his sleeve, and bit into it.
I took a cautious bite. The apple cracked with a muted snap under my teeth, juice spilling sharp and sweet over my tongue.
Trey finished his apple, tossing the core to a group of chickens.
I nibbled mine slowly, still nervous about being sick and half-expecting punishment for eating something so fresh, but my stomach stayed calm.
I’d been eating more solid food due to Sam’s pestering, and so far I hadn’t been sick.
I never would’ve guessed from looking at him that Sam would be such a mother hen.
“Seems like your stomach is adjusting,” Trey said.
“Yeah.”
“That’s good.” He sure sounded genuine.
I didn’t know what to say, so I bit into my apple again.
We passed a series of solar panels hooked up to a massive generator.
The panels looked old but well cared for, and Trey continued, “The builders also set up the solar power generator and the plumbing. Originally there were workin’ toilets and everything, but the pipes were so eroded the founders decided to let them be and put in the outhouses.
All the original buildings have water and electricity, though, like the clinic.
We keep the power turned off in most buildings during the day so we don’t drain the generator.
Yours should be on all the time now, though.
Me and Mac convinced Madame you would need good lighting to work. ” He flashed me an easy grin.
We rode past a water spigot where a line of people waited to fill up jugs and bottles. I’d seen a couple spigots scattered around. Most of the people waiting looked like they’d come from the slums, which made sense. I doubted they had any plumbing or electricity in those shacks.
I was surprised, however, to see Nemo walking toward the spigot carrying two large plastic jugs.
“Well, howdy, Trey, Bones,” he said with a kind smile, and I tried not to stare at the awful scar on the side of his face. “What are you two up to?”
“Givin’ Bones a tour of the Vault,” Trey said with a responding smile, then he looked at the jugs. “Your water go out?”
“No.” Nemo set one of them down to lift his hat and run a hand through his greying hair. “I’m helpin’ some folks out who have trouble carryin’ these jugs.” He chuckled. “Old age comes for us all.”
Trey nodded and asked him about the harvest, and I took the opportunity to study Nemo.
I couldn’t guess his age from looking at him.
He could’ve been in his late forties or early sixties.
The scar didn’t help. I took in the puckered, rough flesh, wondering how it had happened.
It really did look like an animal took a bite out of the side of his face.
He had weathered skin, but his dark blue eyes were clear and full of a similar warmth to Trey’s.
He wasn’t big, but he carried the heavy jugs with an ease that suggested more strength than his build let on.
He met my eyes, and I flushed at being caught staring, but he only smiled.
“Well, I better get a move on,” he said, lifting the empty jug again. “You two have a nice day, now.”
As we rode away, I realized I’d seen Nemo a few times taking on more manual labor than I’d expected a member of the council to be doing. I sure as hell had never seen Madame or Zana out working. I wondered if Nemo knew what Madame did down in that dungeon room. Feeling nauseous, I tossed my apple.
A small market was set up on the east side of the hold, and next to that sat a huge, long building Trey identified as the kitchens and canteen.
A series of small workshops billowed smoke from their chimneys to the north.
I noticed the blacksmith I’d bandaged a few days ago.
He glanced up from his work and waved, which Trey returned, and I pretended not to see.
I realized with relief that we’d made a full circle and the clinic appeared again.
Noon had passed, and I desperately wanted to be done interacting with people.
When we arrived, Sam and Jax were kicking an old faded ball around outside.
I dismounted, my legs aching, as Trey greeted them.
I tried to slip inside unnoticed, but of course, all three of them followed me in, Trey and Sam talking loudly.
“You show Bones where everything is?” Sam asked.
“Yep,” Trey responded.
“Everything?”
Trey rolled his eyes. “Alright, no, I did not show her the place where you shot that cougar.”
“Why not?” Sam asked, outraged. “It’s an important part of the hold history!”
“You were piss drunk and you got off a lucky shot,” Trey retorted.
“I saved the whole fuckin’ hold from that cougar.” Sam glared at him. “Bravely risked my life and limbs. And this is the thanks I get. Can you believe this bullshit, Jax?”
Jax rolled his eyes in an exact imitation of Trey, and Sam pounced on him, wrestling him into a headlock while they both yelled, and Trey laughed.
I opened a cabinet to hide the smile I was fighting.