“This is my fiancee Ally,” Thom said, reaching out to take the hand of a short, slim woman with her hair hidden under a royal blue shayla. A white spark burned in her chest with a rainbow of motes spinning around it frenetically.

“Alyiah Aludra Alli,” she introduced herself, offering me her hand. “I am glad to meet you.”

Clasping her hand in mine, I gave her a welcoming smile. “Shalaam aleekum, Alyiah. Your accent is from Egypt, yes?”

Thom laughed and nudged Ally. “I told you, didn’t I?”

Her face lit up, exposing a smile full of brilliant teeth. “Salaam 'aleikum,” She corrected me. “But it was understandable. Mostly.”

“Ouch. Sorry, I’ll practise harder. How did you meet Thom?” I asked.

“He was working at the university and I fell in love with his beard,” she blushed.

“It is a very powerful beard,” I admitted, reaching out a hand to tug the hairy appendage on his face. He slapped at my hand until I let it go. “You’re a student?”

“I’m pursuing my Master’s in organic chemistry,” Ally said, a fleeting frown crossing her face. “Was. I don’t suppose I’ll ever finish now.”

“It’s a new world with new opportunities,” I said. “The old laws have gone AWOL. Imagine all the new stuff you can discover now.”

Her face brightened at that. I could see a small ember catch flame in her eyes, suddenly excited at the thought of what challenges the future would hold.

“And who is this?” I said, turning on Nick. His partner was cute Latina woman with ebony hair framing expressive eyes. “Hola! Soy Emmet. Hablo como un nino.”

“Ha!” she said with a mocking laugh. “I’m a bartender. You’ll not charm me that easily.”

“A bartender?” I gasped, placing a hand over my heart and winking at her. “Galliano, vodka, orange juice, garnish with a cherry. What am I?”

“A Harvey Walbanger,” she said without a moments hesitation. “Not even a challenge. Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth. What am I?”

“A Negroni,” I answered after several moments. “Beefeater gin, Meadowsweet syrup, green apple juice, basil leaves, garnished with a basil sprig. What am I?”

Her eyes squinted at me, wondering if I was taking the mickey. “I don’t know that one,” she confessed.

“A Basil Fawlty,” I said, “Absolutely famous in a certain English pub. I only know a couple dozen cocktails, so please don’t beat me too hard when we play in the future.”

She turned to look at Nick. “You never mentioned he was a bartender.”

Nick looked down at her and shrugged. “I didn’t know either.”

“I had to work my way through university, so I’d bartend on the weekends,” I confessed. “It was many years ago, but I still have a couple of books at home.”

Fixing her with a serious look, I asked a rude question. “Do you have any other skills besides bartending?

Her eyes widened a bit and Nick stiffened up next to her. “I’m a hard worker,” She snapped, venom in her voice. “And I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I know I don’t have much of an education, but I don’t think that really matters any more.”

“It does matter,” I said. “More than ever. But you know what’s more important?”

She shook her head, staring me down.

“Happiness,” I answered, sticking out my hand. “And if you’re willing, I have the books and materials that will allow you to brew alcohol. People are going to need a good stiff drink in the coming days. It will help them to forget, to ease their pain, even if it’s just for a short while. Would you like to take up that challenge?”

We shook hands, smiling like a couple of thieves who just planned the perfect heist. “Autumn Maria Ortiz,” She said.

“Emmett Rice Carter” I replied grinning from ear to ear. “I look forward to taking advantage of your family discount.

Turning to Doug, I addressed the young woman next to him. She was tall, maybe 6’1” next to his 6’4” with a blue spark burning in her head.

“I’m Paige Ellison,” she said, her bubbly personality overflowing to the point she was practically bouncing on her toes. “I’m a Vet Tech and was supposed to take my exams next year, but all this happened and well, I’m not sure when I’ll get certified.” Her forehead creased before she shrugged and continued cheerfully. “I met Doug when he brought Cookie in for her shots and he was so sweet and quiet, I just had to talk to him, you know?”

Cookie was Doug’s dog. A German Shepard / Doberman mix, she was a sweet and fiercely protective girl who was all about the scritches and cuddles.

“Where’s Cookie?” I asked, looking around for the dog.

Doug’s face fell, sorrow written across his features. “She didn’t make it,” He said.

“She saved us,” Paige said, her voice quiet. “The first day after the aurora, we were attacked and she protected us.”

I placed a hand on Doug’s shoulder. “It’s always hard to lose a pet. You can’t replace her, but don’t be afraid to love another.”

He nodded in understanding. Losing a pet is like losing a child. It’s an anguish that you just can’t explain to some people.

“And this is my Um-Friend,” Astrid said, breaking the solemn mood and sweeping Kristina into her arms. “My very best bestie.”

“I remember you, Kristina,” I said, giving the girl with a tiny blue spark in her head a smile before turning back to Astrid. “Um-Friend? Really?”

“Yeah,” she said, blushing and pulling Kristina in closer. “My um, friend.”

“Good for you,” I said to Astrid, then addressed Kristina with mock seriousness. “If you ever hurt my daughter, I’ll bury you.”

“Daddy!” Astrid protested, stepping up to push a finger against my chest. “Seriously?”

“Hey,” I said, tossing my hands up in defence. “I’m just looking out for my only daughter.”

“You don’t have to be such a boomer about it,” she complained.

“Fair enough,” I said, casting a glance overhead. The sun was hidden behind thick, multicoloured clouds, but it felt around noon. “So… Where’s the Mega-Beast?”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Sylvia said, facing me down with an orange spark burning between her eyes. Tony stood next to her with a look of long worn patience. A week ago with my back in the shape it was, I’d have thought thrice before getting into a fight with the younger man. Today, I could end him without a single problem and drink him out of existence.

The ex and her family were gathered in an atrium on the backside of the school, along with a score of others. Tents were pitched in the common grassy area, along with simple shelters built out of tarps, and even piles of blankets and clothes shoved against the brick walls where families with almost nothing had sought shelter. Adults were gathered in small clusters while children huddled nearby, desiring to run and play but uncertain of the situation.

“She’s going home,” I countered, my children and their lovers arrayed behind me. “And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” I flared my spark, burning mana, causing it to explode like miniature sun.

Sylvia winced and covered her eyes, unable to block the brilliance.

“Jeebus Christ, Dad,” Astrid exclaimed next to me. “What the fuck?”

“Language,” Sylvia and I said at the same time.

“She’s safer here,” Tony interjected, unaware of my mental flexing. “There’s lots of people around and we’re rebuilding.”

“I have no doubts that I can protect my daughter,” I retorted, tamping down my spark and watching Sylvia try to control her emotions. That’s what cost her custody last time, exploding like a volcano and threatening me, my lawyer, and the judge when the evidence was stacked against her.

“How are you going to protect her on that farm of yours,” Dick said, staring me down with his fierce blue eyes. My father-in-law had always been somewhat intimidating. Now I saw him as nothing more than an old man with a tiny blue spark in his chest, sitting in a rickety camp chair.

The mother-in-law came swooping in with a dark-red aura and three men dressed in uniforms. They carried truncheons and had a certain eagerness reflected in the pink and lavender aura that surrounded them. Happiness and passion. “He’s trying to kidnap my grand-daughter,” Therese said, pointing at me.

Each of the officers had a spark in their chest, but none had managed to condense the cloud of motes into an accretion disk.

“I have paperwork from the court,” I said, pulling out the envelope of papers I had fetched from Miguel earlier, waving them in front of me. “I am the legal guardian of my daughter and have full custody. My ex-wife is attempting to keep me from bringing her back home.”

They paused for a moment, then one stepped forward and took the envelope from my hand. I watched as he scanned over the documents and handed them back. “You do have custody, but this area is under martial law. You can’t leave until it’s lifted.”

“I’m not sure you understand,” I said, aggravated and allowing the monkey-brain to direct my actions. “I’m telling you what I’m going to do. You have no power to stop it.”

One eager young trooper stepped forward, lifting their baton. I snaked out my psychic tentacles, grabbing their leg and using his body to bludgeon his teammates. They all went down in a heap, struggling to rise while I grabbed the truncheons with my auric appendages and tossed them into the grassy area.

As they scrambled to their feet, I poked and slapped at them with my invisible pseudopods, forcing them back against the brick wall of the school.

“You have no power here,” I growled. “Do you understand?”

Wide-eyed, they nodded.

“Go harass someone else,” I said, shoving them with my psychic arms. “If I see you again, I’ll fling you into the woods. Not joking. I will literally fling you into the woods if I see you again.”

Turning back to face Silvia and the others, I was surprised to see brilliant auras surrounding Nick, Thom, Doug, Astrid, and Paige. Nick had several hovering flechettes corralled between his palms. Astrid was struggling to support an enormous raven sitting on her arm.

“You guys look kinda fierce,” I said, scratching at the stubble on my face. “You ready to leave?”

Sylvia changed tactics. “We’re going with you!” She shouted.

I looked at Astrid, who rolled her eyes and banished her raven. Red motes swirled for a moment before vanishing into a glowing mana stone in her palm. Nick’s flechettes dropped into his palm and vanished into the pocket of his jacket. The aura around Thom, Doug, and Paige flickered and subsided, collapsing into an unorganised cloud in their heads.

Glancing at Sylvia’s husband Tony, I cocked an eyebrow. He responded with a barely perceptible shrug. Taking a silent vote from the kids, I turned back and addressing Sylvia directly, said. “If you can keep up, whatever. We leave in half an hour.”

Hell is an ex-wife that just won’t go away.

Sylvia elbowed Tony in the ribs and scrambled towards their tent.

The boys had managed to gather ten horses on their way from Baton Rouge, enough for them and their ladies, along with one for Astrid and a spare. Two of the horses were too young to ride. Doug explained that they had liberated the horses from a half-burnt pasture on their way from Baton Rouge.

Astrid had managed to wrangle up Chris Pace and his daughter, Kristina. “I can’t promise anything,” I said, looking at him and his daughter, then over to Astrid. “You’re welcome to come with us, and I’ll make certain you and your daughter have a place on my land for as long as you want, but it’ll be a dangerous trip.”

Chris looked at his daughter, then at the group of men that moved in to surround us. “My gut tells me that we would be better off with you,” He said. “I was a truck driver, so I’m not sure what I can contribute.”

“Sounds perfect for hauling all the materials that we’re going to need to rebuild,” I said. “Learn how to take care of the horses and you’ll always have a job.”

He smiled at that. “I’ve never ridden a horse,” he admitted.

“Now’s your chance,” I said, pointing at two mares. “Those two are yours. Grab your stuff and let’s head out.”

Astrid gave Kristina a happy hug and began packing her gear on Miguel, giving him plenty of affection with their reunion.

A small coterie of defenders surrounded us as we packed everything up on the horses. “What do you want?” Nick demanded, facing down the dozen or so men armed with an assortment of trash weapons. Not that I’d want to get hit by a baseball bat, but with enough opportunity I’d take it from them.

A older man stepped up. He had a greying moustache and a silver spark in his chest, dressed in a police uniform with a large star on it. “I’m the Sheriff here, and I’ve declared martial law…” he said.

Thom interrupted. “Your laws mean nothing, old man. We’re leaving.”

I smiled at his outburst. The first thing I taught my children was to question authority, even mine. It was frustrating at times, really frustrating, but I honestly believe it made them better people. Maybe. Hopefully they weren’t too contrarian to assemble for the common good.

“Martial law!” The old sheriff shouted, the silver spark twisting in his chest. “I’m the authority here. We’re confiscating the horses for Albany. You’ll be assigned to work details…”

“Sounds like a you problem,” Doug said in a low voice. I saw a silver thread dart out of the spark in his head and smash into the aura surrounding the sheriff. A moment later, the Sheriff spoke.

“Whatever. Get out of here.” He said, turning to walk back to the school. “Men, let them go. Back to your posts.”

I spotted some familiar faces. “Hey, didn’t I tell you three that I’d toss you in the woods if I saw you again?”

“Fuck this guy!” The upstart from earlier spat, taking a step towards me. “He can’t take us all.”

I launched him towards the woods with a grunt, taking care not to hurt him too badly. I’m abrasive, but I’m not an asshole. Reaching out for his two comrades, I punted them in his general direction with my auric tentacles.

“Anyone else?”

The gathered guards looked at each other and quickly dispersed back to wherever they came from.

“I saw that,” I said, turning to Doug. “What did you do?”

“I Pushed him,” Doug said. “Made him believe that letting us go was his idea.”

“Neat trick,” I said. “Maybe you can show me how it’s done one day.”

“Maybe,” Doug said, holding his cards close to his chest as always.

The horses were loaded up in short order and we waited on Silvia and Tony. They showed up soon enough with Tony’s 12 year old son, Anton. The ex-in-laws were with them. “Dick, Therese, are you coming as well?” I asked.

“No, Rice. We’re staying here,” Dick said, calling me by my middle name. Once he discovered my middle name was Rice, he used it exclusively. So I called him Dick instead of Richard. My ex-mother-in-law Therese looked like she had swallowed a lemon. Her face twisted with the urge to say something, but she held back.

“You’re welcome to come,” I said. “It’ll probably be safer than here.”

“Maybe,” He said. “But this is our home. We’ll rebuild.”

“I can respect that,” I said. “But I think you’re a damn fool.”

“The feeling’s mutual,” he replied.

Silvia gave her parents a quick hug and looked at me. “Which horses are ours?” She said.

“You don’t get horses,” I replied. “They’re all taken. You’ll have to walk. Keep up if you can.”

“That’s bullshit! Why do they get horses?” She screamed, pointing at Chris and Kristina who were loading up the two mares I had pointed out earlier.

“Because those are their horses?” I answered with a half shrug.

Chris looked uncomfortable, hesitating before all the family drama. “Hurry up and get your gear stowed,” I said to him. “We’re waiting on you.”

“It looks like there’s some…”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Put your gear on your horses and let’s move out.”

Sylvia’s face crumpled into a precursor of a toddler’s mad-cry. God damnit. I don’t like my ex-wife. And when I say that, I mean that I don’t like her as a human being. But that look, that look of desperation and helplessness, I just can’t.

A child needs both their parents, even if one is an absolute cunt. It’s up to the child to cut them out of their lives, not me. My job is to raise Astrid to be a responsible member of the community, allow her to learn from her mistakes.

“Horses walk about three to four miles an hour, same as an adult human,” I said to her. “You should be able to keep up with no problems, and I promise I won’t abandon you in the middle of nowhere.”

A symphony of emotions ran across her face and flickered through her aura; hatred, jealousy, relief. Gratitude? “Fine. We’ll keep up.” She said, shouldering an ill-fitting bundle of belongings. Tony shifted his pack and looked like he would rather be anywhere else but here. He pulled Anton in for a quick side-hug.

Maybe I am an asshole.

“Hey Tony,” I said, drawing his attention to me. “You’re welcome to come and I’ll do my best to make certain that you and your boy are safe and cared for, but you have no obligations to follow us. Sylvia is Astrid’s mum and your wife, but if you want to stay here no one would blame you.”

Their auras shifted like kaleidoscopes, cycling through a gamut of emotions before settling down. I could tell Tony was reluctant to say anything. He shifted uncomfortably before speaking. “It’s all right.”

Bob the Archer approached our group. Terrell, that was his last name. “Hey, I hear you guys have a safe place to stay,” he said. Can my family join you?

“It’s not a safe place,” I said. “It’s just my farm in the woods, about a hundred miles from here. But you’re welcome to join if you can keep up.”

A huge smile lit his face. “Hell yeah, gimme a few minutes.”

Twenty minutes later, we were on the road with a dozen more people.

Copyright © 2022, Conteur. All Rights Reserved.

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