WWIV_The Last Finders Read online

  “Well, that’s an easy one,” Wayne replied. “First of all, I love to sail. I got a huge boat up on a lake just north of here. Love the water.” Wayne sat on his desk and continued. “Plus, I run the show around here. All this land was my land. Everything we grow out there on the land, that’s mine.” He leaned forward slightly. “So I’m the Captain of this ship.”

  Wilson tried to smile, but just managed to twitch his lips a small bit.

  “So,” Wayne continued. “Any chance you all might want to stay with us, on a permanent basis?”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “I don’t know about that,” Wilson answered, glancing back at his group. “We been on the road a long time. Kinda gotten used to a certain way of life.”

  Wayne smiled and motioned for the three to sit.

  “Let me tell you a little more about this little Utopia we’ve created here in the middle of a world gone mad.” Wayne crossed his office and grabbed an easel with a large map attached. He set it down in front of his desk and went at his task like a college professor.

  “Okay, I already told you about some of our food plots. Here’s the ones in the hills in the south,” he said pointing at the bottom of the map. “And you could see the cows and chicken barns to the north.” The group studied the map as best they could. Honestly, the diagram confused Wilson greatly.

  “Now over in the west, we have 10 fields, 20 acres each. There, we’ll plant corn and carrots and such. Up in the north, we have five more fields, same size.” Wayne pointed to the top of the map. “Up north, we plant wheat in all but one field. Jerry,” he asked, “what’s going in that other field this year?”

  Jerry looked up from his seat in the back of the room. “Spinach and cauliflower this year, Captain.” Wayne smiled broadly and pulled his green corduroys higher on his waist. “You know, cauliflower is packed full of nutrients.” His students nodded.

  “And then out of the far east end, we have another set of five fields, again 20 acres each. A lot of good fertile soil surrounds this community.” He stared at the group. “All land that I owned before LO.” Their faces displayed a puzzled gaze.

  “LO means ‘lights out’. You know, whatever happened 16 years ago,” Wayne added. Wilson and the others finally nodded.

  “Were you a farmer or something?” Sharon asked, pointing at the map. “That’s a lot of land. Had to be expensive once upon a time.”

  “Good question, great question.” Wayne sat back on his desk. “I owned a couple large software companies. Made millions from them when we could still sell the stuff. I like land, always have. My father said it was the best investment in the world. So, I bought up a bunch some 20 or 25 years ago.”

  Wilson nodded. “Smart,” he said quietly, studying Wayne’s demeanor.

  “Yeah. It was,” Wayne agreed. “Because what good does millions of dollars do you if money’s worthless?” Wilson shrugged and Wayne grinned. “We all had the same money once the power went down. Can’t get anything from the bank. Can’t use credit cards. No more bank notes. Lucky for me, I owned all this land…” Wayne stared at the map. “And several warehouses full of good stuff.”

  “Now, it took a few years to get everything planned out, but once we did, it all worked perfectly.” Wayne circled his desk and pulled his leather chair in front of the group. “We organized the people into labor pools. That way, everyone had a job and everyone was invested in their own future. And the future of this community. Some people serve as law, some as protection from outsiders, we have people who cover every task of food prep. From the fields, to the planting, to harvest and storage.” Wayne picked up some papers from his desk and studied them carefully.

  “Why would you want us here then?” Sharon asked.

  Wayne smiled again. “We’re running short on hard-working younger people. Some have left. I tried to warn them,” Wayne’s face became sad, showing perhaps just how much he cared for everyone else. “But they still left. Some have died, of course. Disease has been bad the last few winters. Everywhere it’s been bad the last few years.”

  Wilson glanced at Sharon and nodded in agreement. He noticed Tiny seemed lost.

  “Every unit of four people in Eau Claire gets two pounds of hamburger a week. They also receive a dozen fresh eggs twice a week. Add to that five pounds of flour every two weeks, just about all the fresh milk they can drink every day, within reason of course.” All heads nodded with Wayne’s seemingly wise words. “And a whole crap load of fruits and vegetables year round. Fresh in season and dried after that.” He leaned forward. Close to the group, his face became serious. “People are well taken care of here.”

  “That all sounds good, Captain,” Wilson started. “We just ain’t sure we want to put down roots just yet. You understand, right?”

  Wayne grinned, sitting back in his chair. “Of course. People like you need to be able to roam. I don’t hold that against you. Just keep it in mind. If you don’t wander too far from here by fall, we’ll save four spots here for you.” He rose and pushed his chair behind his desk before continuing.

  “So, I suppose you’d like to get down to business?” Wayne said. The entire group agreed. Wilson noticed the short man share a quick smirk with his hired gun. “What’d you bring me today?”

  The group rose and Wilson began to dig in his deep bag. He sat several items on his chair before beginning.

  “We got some gold here. Not a lot, but I figure about five pounds,” Wilson said, handing Wayne the first bag.

  “Feels like three pounds to me,” Wayne countered, bouncing the bag in his hand. “But it’s gold.”

  Wilson continued, digging through his pile. “Got a set of 12 silverware here. Two kinds of forks, two kinds of spoons, two knives and some serving pieces.”

  Wayne studied the set. “Not really silver, you know,” he said, “But nice nonetheless. We can use it as some kind of bonus for people. You know, an incentive for hard work. What’s that?” he asked, pointing at the pile of silver items on the chair.

  “That there is a sterling silver tea and coffee set we found.” Wilson handed the creamer to Wayne. “Found it sitting in the open. Don’t know why someone hadn’t taken it yet.”

  Wayne picked up the other items from the chair.

  “This is real nice,” Wayne said, admiring the tarnished silver. “Put a little elbow grease to it and it’s a nice set.” He seemed impressed in Wilson’s mind. Just not overly impressed yet. “I could give it as a gift to my fourth wife. She’d like this.”

  Wilson moved back and glanced at Wayne through the top of his eyes. “Four wives? That’s a lot of women,” he said carefully. Wayne waved off his comment.

  “Wife one was a divorce. Mutually agreeable,” Wayne stated. “Two and three both died. Part of not having any power or enough of the right kind of meds.”

  Wilson stared at Wayne, understanding his experiences. It was something that wasn’t uncommon to come across in the last number of years. Wayne shared a sad smile with the three. Jerry remained in the back of the room, staring at the floor, shaking his head.

  “Let’s be honest,” Wayne said quietly. “So far, all you have for me is a little pile of trade. It’ll get you a dinner and bed each. Maybe a few pounds of carrots or something on your way out tomorrow.” He leaned closer to Wilson. “You gotta have more than this, right finder?”

  Wilson went back to his bag and began digging out some reserve items.

  “Got a box of 16-gauge shotgun shells. Three liters of vodka. A bag of rings.” He set each item on the desk forcefully. This was Menomonie all over again in his mind. As he dug deeper, a commotion rose in the hall outside the closed doors. He tried to ignore it, but then listened carefully as Miranda lit into one of smaller boys.

  “Damn it, Sharon,” Wilson spat. “Go have Judy shut them kids up. A man can’t think with all that racket.” He glared at his friend as she rose from her chair.

  Wayne jumped at the comment and grabbed Sharon’s arm softly. “Kids?
You have kids? How many? Where?” The questions shot out faster than Sharon could think.

  Sharon scowled at the hand resting on her arm. “We found four children in a house in the hills by Elk Mound,” she said as Wayne noticed her uncomfortable gaze and removed his hand. “Our fourth party member is in the hall taking care of them.” Wayne’s face lit up.

  “In the hall? Why would you leave four precious children out there?” He almost shouted with glee. “Bring them in here, please. I’m dying to meet them.” Wayne cast a quick glance at Wilson. “And they’re not related to you at all?”

  Shaking his head, Wilson looked back at the door as Jerry opened it. “Nah, orphans as best as I can figure.” Wayne’s grin grew.

  When the door opened, Wilson saw the four children and Judy standing quietly in the hall, peering into Captain Wayne’s spacious office.

  “Come, come inside,” Wayne cooed as he waved for the others to join their meeting. Judy slowly guided the three youngest as Miranda followed cautiously behind. “Please, everyone, come in and make yourselves comfortable.” Wayne spoke graciously as they crept inside the chamber. Finally, Jerry closed the door.

  Wayne beamed as he moved around the new group, introducing himself and listening carefully for their names. When he came to Miranda, he stopped and opened his arms. Miranda inched forward slowly, allowing Wayne to hug her only because she probably thought it was best for the group. Her face showed her creeped-out attitude as she stepped back. She also noticed the older man was no taller than her, which made Wilson grin slightly.

  “Wonderful,” Wayne continued as he moved on to Judy. “And you are, my dear?”

  Judy took his extended hand and shook it briefly. “Judy Barlett, sir.” Wayne smiled larger, still holding her tiny hand, but now between both his hands.

  “Judy,” he said, still staring. “You are an absolutely beautiful young woman. How old are you, if I may ask?”

  “Twenty-three,” she answered, staring at the ground. Wayne’s continued stare seemed to make her uncomfortable.

  “Exquisite. Don’t you agree, Jerry?” Wayne shouted to the back of the room. Jerry smiled slightly and nodded. Turning to Wilson, Wayne began again. “You must consider staying with us. You have two perfect pre-made families here. We can set you up in two houses right next to each other. We’ll double your rations for the first year.” He paused and smiled again. “Heck, the first two years.”

  Wilson eased forward, studying the man. “That’s a very nice offer, sir,” he said. “We’ll, ah, consider it, if that’s okay with you?” Wayne nodded enthusiastically. “Until then, we were wondering if you could check your rosters to see if their parents might be here. Last names Hardy and Hosgrove.”

  Miranda stepped forward.

  “Bill and Sue Hosgrove. And Warner and Leah Hardy,” she said as forcefully as she could. Wayne nodded and stared up at Jerry. He was already jotting the names down on his small notepad.

  “Of course we will, Miranda.” He patted her thin shoulder as he spoke. “It may take a while. Several weeks to do a complete search. Nothing’s in order without computers any more. Names are written in a large book and edited as people come and go.” He squeezed her shoulder tightly. “But we will look. I promise you that.”

  Wayne looked back at Wilson. “Until then, we have places for them. They’ll receive food and clothing, somewhere nice to sleep. They’ll be with other children about their own ages. They’ll go to school and help out as much as they’re able.” Wayne paused and shook Wilson’s hand. “We’ll take great care of them. And if tomorrow morning you all decide to stay, we’ll make arrangements then. No pressure though. We’re just happy to help with the kids.”

  “That all sounds pretty good,” Wilson said, turning to his three companions. They nodded in agreement, perhaps skeptical, but agreeing. He looked back and noticed Wayne grinning at the children. This old coot must really love kids.

  Wayne trotted around the side of his desk, leaning over and scribbling something on a piece paper. “Okay, we got a new deal. I got four beds for you all, four dinners, four big meals tomorrow morning. And you take this note to the warehouse just up the road and they’ll give you the provisions I’ve ordered up.” He looked past Wilson. “Jerry, tell those clowns over at the hotel kitchen that these folks can have whatever they want for dinner tonight. And as much as they want. We’ll have the kids join them for dinner after we get them settled in.”

  Jerry disappeared out the door. Several minutes later, a new person stepped in, a plain-looking middle-aged woman. She smiled dutifully at the children.

  “This is Miss Miller,” Wayne said to the children. “She’ll take you and get you all set up for tonight. And she’ll bring you around to have supper with your friends here.” Miss Miller herded the children out the door and into the hall. Noticing the long faces, Judy and Sharon followed the group. Tiny left with the women.

  “Now, if you want to stay, Wilson, all you have to do is just say the word,” Wayne whispered. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Wilson grinned warily at the man. He didn’t believe a single thing he’d heard from the Captain. Not until he had his meals, and sleep, and supplies tomorrow.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Wilson and Tiny laid on separate queen-sized beds in the near dark. A single kerosene lamp sat on the dresser in the corner, offering a small amount of light to the old motel room. His stomach gurgled, stretched to its limits from the gigantic meal they’d had. Wilson laughed.

  “That was steak, Tiny. Real steak; from a cow, not a horse.” He glanced at his friend lying silently on his bed. “What’d you have, three of ‘em?”

  Tiny exhaled loudly. “Yeah, something like that,” he replied quietly. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling and he looked sad.

  Rolling onto his side, Wilson stared at his friend. “What’s wrong? Got a stomach ache?” Tiny’s head moved slightly.

  “I was just thinking,” Tiny replied.

  “Well that’s trouble,” Wilson joked. Tiny didn’t share the smile. “Thinking about what, Tiny?”

  Tiny rolled over and faced his friend. “I was wondering; do you think they’ll let us see the kids tomorrow morning before we leave?”

  Wilson’s reaction was immediate. He rolled his eyes and flopped on his back. “Forget them, Tiny. They’re better off here. Remember, two days ago, we hardly knew them.” He snuck a peek back at Tiny’s frowning face. “It’ll be okay.” Wilson sounded less convincing than Tiny now.

  “They were nice kids, Jimmy. The kind you don’t mind having around,” Tiny said, choking back tears.

  Wilson scoffed at his friend. “First thing they did was steal from us. After that, we found out they already took all the good loot.” Wilson noticed a crack in the wall above his headboard. He reached and traced the seam with his finger. “But I’ll tell you this much; it’s a darn good thing we brought them with us. Man, we got loads for them. Loads, Tiny. Judy said the requisition for the morning adds up to 50 pounds of supplies. That’s a lot.” He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head on the clean pillowcase. “Good thing I thought of bringing them with us.” He smiled contently at the ceiling.

  Tiny finally let out a small chuckle. “Sharon hears you talking like that, she’s gonna kick your butt,” Tiny said through a grin. “If it was up to you, they would have got left behind.” Wilson shook his head, grinning at Tiny’s words.

  The large man suddenly became solemn again. “But I’m gonna miss those boys.”

  “Stop it,” Wilson snarled. “You don’t see Sharon and Judy carrying on like that, do you?”

  Tiny shrugged as Wilson drifted off to sleep.

  In a room similar to the men’s, just down the hall, Judy sobbed uncontrollably into her cousin’s loving embrace. She’d been fighting off her tears all afternoon and into the evening. Finally, when they said goodbye to the children after dinner, Judy’s heart broke and the tears erupted. Sharon held her tightly as she shed a few t
ears herself.

  “I just feel like we’re making a terrible mistake,” Judy got out between sobs. “Something inside of me says we need to be with them, Sharon.”

  Sharon stroked her cousin’s hair and held her tighter. “They can’t go on the road with us. And I don’t think this is the place for any of us, do you?” Sharon asked quietly.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know.” Judy became angry with herself. “I just don’t think we should leave without them.” She pushed away from Sharon, her eyes red and puffy from crying. “Something just isn’t right here. Don’t you feel it?” Sharon shook her head.

  “No, Judy, I don’t. I’m sorry, but I don’t.” Sharon tried to get a smile from Judy but failed.

  Judy leaned back on the mound of pillows at the head of the bed. Staring into space, she spoke without emotion. “We’ve been doing this eight years, Sharon. I was 15 when we left our parents; you were almost 21. I suppose if it hadn’t been for Jim, we’d be dead by now.” Sharon leaned back next to her. Judy finally made eye contact.

  “We are kind of dead though,” Judy continued. “Aren’t we?” Sharon simply shrugged. “We just wander from place to place, barely living. I know we have a plan for Ashland, but I have something to tell you, Sharon.”

  Sharon sat up and rubbed her cousins hand. “What’s that, Judy?”

  “When we get to Ashland, good or bad, I’m done.” She wiped away a quick tear and glanced at her cousin further. “I can’t go on like this anymore. I have a mark now, you have two. We have to get off the road.” She flashed her eyes at Sharon. “Whatever that means, whatever it brings, this has to be my last run.”

  Sharon nodded. “Mine too, Judy. If you wouldn’t have come with me, we’d probably both be sitting in some respite camp by Omaha.” She smiled at her younger cousin. “We’d probably both be dead.” Judy knew her cousin was right.