Maddie by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Chapter 4

They entered the heart of the pass, still with the company of the clustering Joshua Trees. They may have crossed into their final destination, California, but couldn’t be sure. They believed what they wanted to in mindless moments. It didn’t matter anyway, as whether or not they had entered a territory someone else had named and defined was of no particular consequence to anyone except dead Google. They were where they were. And they were close.

The walk became less tiring, as with the mountains on both sides, they only had to endure the direct rays of the sun around mid-day. Jon observed; “Maybe all along it would have been better to sleep all day and walk all night.”

Conk replied; “I thought of that too. I actually did. But, I decided against it.”

Maddie said; “ ......... “ But, she also looked at him curiously.

Conk continued; “It’s difficult to walk in the dark unless you know the terrain well. Even then you have to go slow.

‘Sides, we wouldn’t be able to see our enemies.”

“Five of the seven are dead, and the other two got scared off. Maybe it’ll be okay now.”

“Who says that there’s only seven? We’re not home yet.”

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“Ah, just talkin’. What can you expect from a guy who has been sitting by a computer all day and part of the night with a degree in physics.”

The pass was passed with no further aggravations. It was so tranquil that the three trekkers often felt as if they were on a spring, Sunday morning walk at the local “nature preserve.” The following flatlands contained skeletons. Though not those of dead Saguaros and Joshua Trees, the view became that of the official death of suburbia. The abandoned tract houses finally stood in the silence which the California dreamers envisioned when they weren’t envisioning profits from resale. They no longer required an economic scheme of any sort and were available for free. Walk right in.

None of the trekkers walked right in for a myriad of reasons and non-reasons. The largest consideration was that the whole thing looked too sad to want to get involved with. For them, it was “LAWLESS or bust.”

They each had overcome personally based obstacles to have gotten this far. It was impossible to tell whether their periodic whiffs of the Pacific were truly something near, or whether it was a teasing prayer with the finality of an abrupt

“Amen” at the end. They just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

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They got to Palm Springs and were glad that it was not summer. Dry heat or not, one hundred eight degrees is one hundred eight degrees. They were surrounded by mountains. The San Jacintos were to the west; the San Bernardinos were to the north; the Santa Rosas were to the south and the Little San Bernardinos were to their east. No climbing was required as there were paths right between all; making them something to look at rather than a hazard.

Conk said; “Just a couple of days.”

Jon said; “First thing I’m going to do is get in that ocean and stay there about five years.”

Maddie said; “ ........ “

Conk said; “Yes sir. Nothing like a long hike in the desert to make you appreciate the water.”

The somber, low stepping trio trod on, reaching the flatlands on the outskirts of Los Angeles. This was a psychological improvement as their countenance would have been absolutely suicidal had they not handled the enemies they had encountered.

Jon said; “Almost LA. You can tell by the almost houses.”

Conk and Maddie said; “ .......... “

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Out of the off balance remains of one of the low end tract subdivisions some red bandana devotees appeared. The trio saw the slow moving contingent of ten and Conk grimaced in disgust.

A few were tall enough to be third graders. He said; “Prepare yourselves for the lowest of low ends. Got nuthin’ but the hope to scare ya into doing sumthin’ stupid. ....... Let ‘em see the nines and they’ll go after easier targets. Just let me do the talkin’.”

The trio stopped moving and awaited the slow approach of the bandana banditos. From twenty feet, the scraggly goateed, five and a half footer in front said; “Watcha got bro?”

Conk displayed his firearm across his chest at a ninety degree angle and answered; “Just what we need, bro.”

“Hey man, what’s up with the guns? We come in peace.”

“Makin’ sure you leave in it. We’re all friends here, but you know I got this thing with paranoia. Since I was a kid. Too much Kafka or some shit. Unowhumsayin?”

Head red bandana looked to his compares out of the corner of his eyes. He slowly nodded and did a fake smile which was returned ten times over. He said; “Hey, you know I can dig that.

........... See, I just got one little problem. This road is our territory. And while I got no problem with good people like you usin’ it; when the bad guys see that I just let you, they’re

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gonna think we’re real soft here and try to take over.

Unowhumsayin?”

“Yeah. Tell you what. You get out of here and we’ll keep movin’. That’ll give the bad guys less chance to spot us.” He took Maddie’s arm and said; “Come on now.”

Head Red Bandana’s pitch approached falsetto when he said;

“Hey, man. You can’t just come walkin’ through here like that and pay no tribute.”

Conk turned and pointed his gun at the group. He said;

“This conversation is over. My automatic pal here can spray every one of you in about one second. So, do yourself a favor and go back where you came from.” He prodded Maddie and Jon to get moving. He got behind them, pedaling backward like any decent football player can, wearing a big fat grin.

When they had gotten about two hundred feet away from the dissipating gang of befuddled ten, he said; “See. That was a bluff. If they really wanted to do something they probably could have. Of course, a number of them would have bullet holes. The thing is they first advertised that they were bluffing. They don’t want any game which fights back.”

Jon said; “This is so eerily quiet. Suburbs without the blare of power equipment. And roads without the blare of autos.

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People might start moving back here. So, tell us Conk. Now that we are here how are we going to find these LAWLESS people?”

Conk winced and made a small shrug. He said; “I don’t know.

I never asked. Maybe they’re in the phone book. ......... All right, all right. I never said I was perfect. We’re close. You figure it out.”

Jon said; “Well, if this is some sort of compound, they must have a few acres of land. So, let’s not walk toward any of the skyscrapers.”

Conk said; “That does leave a few options.”

Maddie giggled.

Conk said; “What’s so funny?”

Maddie said; “ .......... “

Conk said; “Let’s try a little northwestern, toward the trees.”

The trio made their way through housing developments and strip malls. They primarily stayed on the sidewalks which showed no evidence of patching. As the areas through which they travelled were not main roads, it was not a likely spot for buried mines.

Jon had an unusual thought. He said; “These now empty houses were once astronomical in price. Now, anyone who wanted to can have any one he wants. Or two, or three .......”

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Conk did not initially understand how the current situation could be of benefit to anyone and replied; “That’s true, but it’s also warped in a way. I mean like it would be weird without any neighbors, surrounded by a bunch of empty houses. The lawns wouldn’t be maintained and it would start to look like an abandoned graveyard ..............”

Jon said; “You have to get over your bourgeois attitudes.”

Maddie laughed, and this time everyone thought that they knew why, though Conk said; “What’s so funny?” not anticipating a reply for a few reasons. He turned to Jon and continued;

“Anti-social?”

Jon shrugged and said; “ .......... “

Conk said; “Now, if you got a large group together and they all took one it would be fine, except for the air. You mentioned that you suspected that VX was used. Continued breathing of this air might be a problem.”

Jon said; “No and a miniscule yes. The good news is that if there was any VX still in the air we’d be dead already. The bad news is that it has a nasty habit of sticking to plants. I guess that if you aren’t a plant sniffer you’ll be okay.”

They walked for a day through similar terrain. On the following day they entered the forest. The defoliated branches provided little relief from the sun, but no one complained of

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the small benefit. The two men were thinking of their new home in LAWLESS and nobody knew what Maddie was thinking. Then they saw it; two pine posts twenty feet apart with a cross stretcher from which dangled a sign saying; “Los Angeles Wild Living Edibles Survival Syndicate.” Their temporary uplift was tempered when they looked down, seeing the two watchmen, one on each side.

“We’ll take the knives and guns, friend,” grinned the bearded one by the left post.

Conk hesitated just a split second before surrendering his arms. He thought that if necessary he could get more at one of the abandoned stores in town. Jon followed his procedure.

A welcoming arm was extended by an elderly gentleman who appeared to be attired in something akin to a toga. His perennial, baked on smile was as convincing as that of a used car salesman. However, under the limited options dictated by circumstances even a faulty, overpriced used car was an improvement for the trio; at least insofar as that determination was effectively delegated to Conk. Conk took that hand and introductions were made.

Lohamei inquired of the trio’s reasons for being there.

Conk attempted to appeal to Lohamei’s funny bone and said;

“Do you see another choice around?”

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It might have been taken as dismissive by an elder statesman seeking praise and congratulations. It might also have involved a myriad of other considerations; ostensibly none of them favorable. In the absence of a polite chuckle, Conk modified his stated “reason.” He was still somewhat amused at the overly obvious question, which led him to make a somewhat silly enjoinder. He said; “We have come from far and wide seeking an oasis in the midst of this devastation; as was spoken of by an angel who has given kind direction. In other words, I was told about it by some broken down biker right outside of Jersey.”

Lohamei momentarily blinked, but was quickly restored to his baked on countenance. He said; “Welcome brothers ....... and little sister.”

Maddie effectively mimicked his baked on and added a curtsey.

Conk said; “Please pardon her as she doesn’t speak.” He was thinking; “Isn’t our behavior strange for people who have just reached a potential promised land?” To his verbal repertoire he added; “Do you have any idea of what happened?”

Lohamei said; “Specifically no; generally yes.”

Jon said; “Sounds strangely familiar. Could you elaborate on the ‘Yes’ part?”

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Lohamei said; “Somebody set off a number of nuclear devices and used tons of poison gas.”

Jon said; “Thanks.”

Lohamei continued; “We here at LAWLESS have been expecting this. But, we were far too early in our expectations. A generation has already grown in this camp. Come, allow me to show you our facilities."

Lohamei led them through the camp, pointing out the dormitories, cooking facilities, military arsenals, and communal farming areas. He said; “A shortage of food has become a problem here. We are humanitarians and have not turned any away. So, we have to insist that able bodied newcomers spend time in the fields.”

Conk asked; “Who has access to the guns?”

“Only the ones who were members prior to the disaster. I think you’ll appreciate that we are no longer able to do background checks.”

Conk said; “I guess you originally had the guns here as protection from the authorities and the crazies.”

“Yes. Though we are humanitarians we wanted to have some chance against any Mount Carmel-like attack. Often the government crazies can be more dangerous than the independents.”

“Is there some religious belief here?”

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“Many of us share one called Caribai, basically a Christian splinter approach, but it is not a requirement to stay here. You may be interested in taking one of the classes offered.”

Jon nodded.

Maddie said nothing and paid more attention to the armed people who were milling about.

Conk politely said; “That’s a thought,” though he had zero interest in religion.

Lohamei said; “It’s much larger, but the rest is basically a repetition of what you’ve already seen. May I show you to your quarters? I’m sure you’ll be more interested in touring after you get settled and get your things squared away.”

Conk said; “Yes, thanks,” and the group followed Lohamei to a four level structure which appeared as if it had been recently constructed with an eye for economy. The exterior walls were made of unfinished plywood and a sign over the entrance said;

“Provisions #06095724” in dribbling bloodshot paint. Maddie took special note of it and blinked her eyes as if she was doing some sort of numerical association. Conk saw her and thought she was trying to remember the number as other structures in the area were identical.

Lohamei took them to a room at the back of the first floor, opened the door and said; “It’s a bit Spartan, but under the circumstances ........”

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An armed man appeared at the door. Lohamei said; “Meet Yezernitsky. He’s the manager of the apartment complex and he looks much more fearsome than he really is. We sometimes get trouble makers here.”

The two turned to leave and Conk said; “You forgot to give us the keys.”

Yezernitsky said; “There are no keys.”

Somewhat surprised and uncomfortable Conk shut the door and started to unpack.

Maddie spoke clearly, saying; “We’ve got to get out of this place.”

In a silly tone Jon said; “We just got here.”

Maddie went on, saying; “We have to move. There is no doubt that these walls are bugged. I saw their medallions. They are the same as mine. My father is one of them and my mother was human. I know who they are. Caribai is a little known ‘religion’

which is as Christian as Voodoo. The difference is that in Caribai it is not chickens being slaughtered. It is humans who are and then they are eaten. Cannibalism or something like that.

Since these monsters are not human there may be a technically different irrelevant definition.”

Leaning in her direction, Conk asked; “Who are they?”

Maddie replied; “You can believe them to be demons. You can believe them to be gods. You can believe them to be anything you

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can imagine. It doesn’t matter. They have been secretly controlling the world since day one, causing and solely benefitting from the strife. I believe that they are the descendants of the Khazars, filtered through the Lehi Group, then phony Sabras, and most recently Mossad and their supporters. It gets gray through inter-species marriage, new recruits and defectors. No matter if there is a further shade; the further fact is that you are their food and harvest time has come. They have already rounded up all the easy ones and put them in freezers. Now they just wait for the final delicacies to come to them. Did you really think that you were on the top of the food chain? So do the cattle. So does an ant. So does a frog. So does a turtle. So does an eagle. Now, you know your

‘reason’ for existence.”

Conk said; “Why didn’t you speak up before?”

Maddie seemed a bit reticent to, but looked at the lifeless ground at her feet and responded; “Two reasons. I didn’t have the whole story pieced together until now. And nobody ever listens to what I say anyway. I have no doubt that this room is bugged and we have to get out of here right now! ”

Maybe To Be Continued. Maybe Not.

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