Darkness upon the Land

“It started just after daybreak.” Doreen began describing of the morning’s events. “They just descended upon us.”

Everybody except the kids was gathered around the dining room table. Alexia had dug out some of her old childhood toys for them to play with in the living room after all the refugees got some water to drink and a few fresh garden vegetables to snack on.

Mѐre was seated at the head of the table, and Alexia was in the chair to her right. Reuben stood between them with his rifle slung over his shoulder. Doreen sat directly across from Alexia with Mitch beside her, and Percy was on his other side. Carlo sat at the other end of the table. Larissa was between Alexia and Darius.

Mitch added his assessment. “They didn’t seem to get much resistance from the so-called guard at the north end of town. There was some gunfire, but the next thing we knew they were helping themselves to all the businesses and homes they wanted to. It was lucky for us we lived on the south side, and when we saw other people fleeing we got out of there before they made it to us.”

“There were some folks who tried to fight back,” Doreen interjected. “But if the gang wasn’t able to shoot them down, they burned them out.”

“How big a gang are you talking about?” Mѐre asked.

Her mother still looked a little haggard. It had been only a couple of weeks since the assault, and her face was still bruised and scratched. She was wearing black gym shorts and a green button-down blouse because those were the easiest clothes for her to dress and undress with. And since she wasn’t leaving the house yet, she remained barefoot.

“Big enough,” Darius announced gruffly. “There’s got to be over a hundred of them. And they’ve managed to get some older cars running, maybe even some motorcycles. They’ve got a couple of old dump trucks they use like tanks.”

“So they’re also after gasoline,” Reuben commented.

“What all weapons do they have?” Mѐre asked.

“Plenty of guns,” Mitch replied. “And to start fires they’d use those gasoline bomb things.”

“Any firearms beyond rifles or handguns?” Reuben asked. “Anything more military like machine guns?”

Several heads shook slowly. “If they did we didn’t hear it or hear about it,” Mitch replied.

Alexia looked at Doreen. “Do you know anything about any of the other parishioners? What about Father Nick or Deacon Bernard?”

She shook her head again. “We ran into Larissa and Darius by accident, fortunately. I haven’t heard about anybody else.”

“Did they seem to gun down or burn out only those who tried to fight back?” Her mother asked.

“Well, yes.” Doreen seemed hesitant about answering. “At least those were the people they killed.”

“They kept breaking into home after home,” Mitch added. “Even those who couldn’t fight back were usually ... roughed up.”

Larissa spoke up. “I’m afraid after the bastards get what they want and move on, there won’t be anything left.”

“Watch it,” Reuben responded. “You can’t always assume the kids are always in another room.”

She stared at him with a mixture of surprise and disdain.

“Initially we just ran for it,” Doreen continued. “It wasn’t until after we ran across Larissa that I remembered you lived out here. So many of the other people were going to just keep moving until dark, or try to stay at a friend’s or even a stranger’s. I don’t think many others had anywhere to go.”

“You may regret coming here,” Mѐre replied bluntly. “I’m definitely on the radar. That’s how I got these beauty marks.” She pointed to her face.

“Wasn’t that done by someone local?” Larissa frowned. “The gang doesn’t know you’re out here.”

“If they don’t, they’ll find out. Don’t think for a second there isn’t someone who will try to save their own skin by selling me out.”

Darius shot an accusatory glare at Doreen. “You said this place would be safe!”

“Well...” she stammered, “I thought it would be.”

“So what do we do now?” Percy also appeared disgruntled. “We can’t keep going south, there’s nothing but swamp out there.”

“It’s your decision to move on or stay,” Mѐre replied calmly. “You may have noticed we’ve implemented defenses, so we’re ready for a fight if one comes our way. We’re also prepared to make a run for it if that’s what it comes to. But you are duly notified that those who stay become part of our resistance effort. I can give some supplies to those who move on.”

“Surely you don’t expect us to decide that right now?” Darius asked.

“No, but as long as you’re here, you help out.”

No wonder her mother and Reuben got along so well. Alexia could well imagine the exact same words coming from his mouth. As the refugees muttered among themselves about their predicament, Mѐre leaned toward her.

“I suspect the Grahams will stay,” she murmured. “Would you be willing to give up your bedroom so we can keep their family together?”

She quickly nodded, although did feel a little bit of a twinge of loss. “Would I be bunking with you?”

“It’s me or the goats. I can’t promise which is the better option.”

She smiled briefly.

Her mother looked up at Reuben. “And you may need to take in lodgers.”

“I get dibs on the goats,” he replied.

“Well, we’ve certainly nowhere else to go,” Doreen announced. “Mitch and I and the kids will stay, at least for a while.”

“That goes the same for me and my cousins,” Darius grumbled.

Mѐre looked pointedly at Larissa. “And you’re in agreement with this decision?”

She looked a little startled. “Of course I am.”

“So then, since I’ve just made arrangements with Reuben and Alexia, this is how we’ll arrange sleeping quarters: Doreen, your family gets Alexia’s room. Alexia and Larissa will stay with me. The rest of you guys will join Reuben in the upstairs bedroom.”

“Don’t you have any other rooms?” Darius frowned.

“This is a three-bedroom house,” Mѐre replied calmly. “Your only other option is the barn.”

“You kept those two together. Larissa and I are a couple.”

Alexia noticed a condescending tone to his voice. Doreen seemed to sink down into her chair.

Mѐre met his glare with that tranquil yet firm expression she knew well. “You were designated as the boyfriend. My sleeping arrangements stand.”

“Get with the times, lady.”

“You know,” Reuben remarked, “it’s mighty impudent of you to come under Liana’s roof looking for charity, and then turn around and insult her when she lays out the house rules.”

“You’re one to talk,” Darius snapped. “Aren’t you Alexia’s boyfriend?”

His response was aloof. “Weren’t you listening? The Grahams get Alexia’s bedroom and the guys move in with me.”

“There’s nothing to argue about,” Mѐre stated. “You accept these conditions, and if not, you know where the road is.”

Darius grumbled something to Larissa before he growled, “Fine for now, then.”

Alexia heard Reuben mutter something under his breath, and the only word she recognized was yonega. He’d probably just called Darius “white boy,” which she knew was a term he used whenever, as he’d explained in the past, somebody would “get his Injun up.”

“Since I’m still somewhat confined,” Mѐre continued, “you will assist Alexia and Reuben in whatever they request. Besides the daily chores we will certainly appreciate your helping to shore up security around here.”

“How many guns you got?” Darius squinted at the rifle.

“Just ol’ Betsy here,” Reuben replied matter-of-factly.

“We’ve arranged several alternative forms of defense.” Mѐre surveyed all the newcomers. “Again, these two will bring you up to speed.”

“What about the kids?” Doreen looked distinctly ill at ease.

She smiled consolingly. “Alexia is very good with children. If trouble comes, she’ll see to their safety.”

“Alexia?” Mitch sat straighter. “What about their own mother?”

Mѐre steadily returned his gaze. “Doreen isn’t the only mother here. Believe me, any invaders will have to get through me first before they’d have any chance of reaching the kids.” She looked at Doreen. “I’m sure it would be the same for you.”

The woman squirmed, and Alexia glanced at her mother while trying to keep her own discomfort at bay. She had been making her plans with Reuben on what she could do to support their defense, and now learned she had just been assigned “child protection” duties. On the one hand she was disgruntled Mѐre had probably given her that assignment as part of keeping her safe. Yet on the other hand she recognized her mom had given her a very real responsibility.

And although Mѐre probably believed that she herself was the last line of defense, she was actually very wrong.

She’d unwittingly just given Alexia that designation.