New city
We spent the next 2 and a half days in a bus that Jason, Leo and Ryan had stolen from the school bus station. It really was an easy way to travel from New York to the Appalachian mountains, where the community was hidden away. Jason and Nathan took turns driving, each sleeping while the other drove. A sheet separated the back part of the bus that was used for when we wanted fresh clothes, though we still stopped every couple hours for a release of our bladders. We'd passed dozens of abandoned towns, fueling up periodically. The towns were so isolated, that they probably hadn't had any survivors, judging from the foul stench of death each one had. At night, I would sit in the back of the bus, but left the makeshift curtain open in case whoever was driving needed to see behind us. I would hug my bag close, knowing that it still held the 2 pictures of my family. Each morning I woke up to ice in my eyes, but no one else seemed to notice. Maybe because they were having nightmares of their own. Amber had created a fire in the bus twice.
About half way through the third day, trees came into view, and dirt roads became all we were traveling on. I played on the iPod I'd taken 2 months prior to replace the one I'd broken. It was all that held me during the days of driving. At least, it had until it had died.
Sometimes I would hear Amber whimpering or crying in her sleep, or Ryan would call out for his mom. We'd all lost people we loved and now we'd lost our home. I hated to admit it, but I was starting to understand why Mother had done what she had. Not that I agreed with her actions.
I sometimes wondered how I'd react if mother had never forced our genes to activate and my own children were where I was now. I wanted to say that I'd support them, but I had my doubts. At least I knew for sure that I'd be better than Jason's parents. I'd rather die than abandon my child.
After several turns and lots of flying dirt, we reached the end of any roads, just at the base of the slope of the mountain.
We got out of the bus, each of us holding our duffle bags and looking around at all of the trees. We had to walk the rest of the way, much to everyone's displeasure. Sadie complained regularly, and Amber often fell or tripped. It was a rough time.
"How much father is it?" Sadie asked for the millionth time.
"We should see it once we reach the peak" I answered again.
"Meaning?"
"2 or 3 more hours" Nathan guessed.
We'd picked the lowest peak to climb, relying on a map we'd found in the old rangers cabin. We didn't need a compass with Kyle leading the way. His connection to the earth made him a great navigator.
"Why don't those who can fly just carry us to the town?" She continued.
"Sadie, we're all tired and it wouldn't be right to push all of the work onto others. Besides, we've only been walking for a few hours." I tried reasoning.
"I think you just want to make us suffer" she pouted.
"Yes, that's it" I said sarcastically.
"What if the community isn't actually there. Maybe somebody should fly up to check for sure" She tried changing tactics.
"We'll get there just fine by walking" I told her, using a warning tone.
She finally shut up, accepting what I'd said, unhappily.
We'd actually made much greater time than Nathan had estimated. Though his estimation was better set for normal people, not for those who were faster and stronger than your average man. In about an hour and a half, we were at the top of the peak. It wasn't entirely clear with the trees, but looking hard enough, I could make out what looked like a light source. Electricity was somehow lighting up what looked like a clearing.
We started going down into what looked like formed a large, heavily forested crater. The sun was starting to set, but we still made it to the edge of a clearing large enough to house 2 and a half football fields. There's wasn't any snow in the open land, but there was a large farm, filled with crops, just as the pamphlet had described. And just beyond the farm and large barn, there were dozens of buildings. All looking to be in amazing condition. There wasn't any evidence of destruction here. A single set of tracks went from the hidden town to a path in the trees. It was most likely where supply got delivered. A crowd started gathering where the fields met the houses, clearly watching us.
Had we been able to find everyone of those infected, our group may have been seen as a threat, but with only 10 of us and lots of them, they could know for sure that we wouldn't stand a chance. Honestly we all looked pretty pathetic. The only cleaning we could do while on the road was done at rest stops, and our clothes weren't exactly in good condition after the hike through the trees and mountains. Of course, the clothes of those who had been working in the fields weren't in the best state either, but they clearly had a good touch for plants.
As we got closer, I could make out the differences in the people. Mixed cultural backgrounds. African American, Native American, Caucasian, Asian, and even some Middle Eastern. The ages varied, from small children to elderly couples. A woman stood at the front of the gathering. Maybe mid 30's, with curly brown hair and bright green eyes. I couldn't deny the jealousy I felt when I saw her curves. She was beautiful, even with her fake smile.
"Hello there" She called, layering her tone with warning. "Are you guys on a camping trip? Lost?"
"Actually, we're hoping in the right place" I said, pulling the pamphlet from my duffle bag.
"Where did you get that?" She asked tensely.
"Someone named Dr. Erin Ryker sent it to my parents about 2 and a half months ago. Just before the shadow creatures crawled out of the earth. Before they killed my parents." I did my best not to hide the hurt in my voice, something new for me.
If I wanted her trust, I had to let her see inside my emotional armor.
Her gaze softened slightly, and she seemed conflicted.
"My parents were Dr. Karen Daniels and Dr. Henry Daniels." I went on.
"Subject A?" She asked.
"My name is Kim Daniels" I told her.
"If I recall correctly, there were more of you. Where are the others?"
"We tried finding the others, but they either weren't in New York, died, or they didn't want to be found." I explained.
"I see" she paused, thinking, then said "Let's go back to my place to talk out the rest of this."
She started walking, the crowd dispersing with clear acceptance and curiosity. We followed her, not really having any other options. We followed her to a large, sky blue house, positioned in the center of the town. Even with the 2 large couches, some of us were stuck standing.
"For starters" She started, sitting in a chair she'd grabbed from her office, the next room over "Let's get through introductions. My name is Erin Ryker. I'm a doctor, but I'm also what we refer to as a Genom. We are all human, but we're different. We are are genetic anomalies. I have taken on the role of leading this community in a peaceful life."
"I'm Kim, and I guess you could say I've been the leader of this group so far." I started.
Introductions were made down the row. Starting with Leo and ending with Amber. Next was the topic of our abilities. Erin could easily tell Leo's since his shadow stood against the wall. Erin had power over all plant life, having had a huge impact on the fields. Again, we went down the row, some of us showing our abilities, while others explained what they could do.
"This place may not be New York, and it most definitely won't be the lives you are used to" Erin started, finally seeming to trust us. "But I, and everyone else in this community, welcome you to stay here. To call this place your home. We'll also be keeping our feelers out for the others."
"Thank you so much" I smiled, relieved.
"No problem" She stood, extending her hand to me.
I took it gratefully.
The only had 3 houses available. They were good sized houses, each having 3 bedrooms, 2 upstairs and 1 downstairs, 2 bathrooms, the living room, dining room, and a kitchen. Sadie and Kelsey had already decided to share a room, leaving a room for Amber and Mariah to claim. Ryan, Jason and Kyle claimed the second house, and Nathan and Leo were determined to claim the third house along with with me. I claimed the upstairs room farthest from the stairs. Each house was a copy of the each other, with the only difference being the color of the walls and the type of wood that we stood on. Food supplies had been brought to the house, along with fresh clothes, which we were all grateful for.
"Think they'll give us jobs?" Leo asked.
I'd just gotten out of a cold shower and I was relaxing on the couch in the living room, feeling the stress tension ebbing away.
"Probably" Nathan answered.
"I bet they'll want you as a teacher" Leo thought aloud.
"I would be honored to be a teacher for these people" he smirked.
I didn't understand what he liked so much about being a teacher anymore, even though I'd dreamed of it before. He had to feel like he was surrounded by idiots.
"I wonder what kind of job I'd even be able to do" I wondered.
"Maybe you could apprentice under Erin and become the future leader." Leo suggested.
The tension returned. I'd hated leading the small group, why would I want to lead an entire community. But, I guess I couldn't tell him that. For some reason he looked up to me. Nathan watched me, giving me this expression that told me, that he knew exactly how I was feeling.