In the Aftermath: Burning of the Dawn Page 24

  “I can do that,” Daniel pleaded. “But it’ll be a little difficult with you latched onto me like this.”

  “I have faith in you,” Vita professed. “I’ve no doubt you can overcome this minor inconvenience and succeed in your mission.”

  Daniel looked to Clarissa for assistance; she seemed uninterested in his current plight. He appreciated her burgeoning trust in him, but that also meant she would be less likely to call off her odd daughters when they began jesting at his expense. Thankfully for Daniel, Maria intervened on his behalf.

  “What do you want to eat?” Maria asked her sister with a wily leer.

  “Anything remotely eatable will do at this point,” Vita answered. “High hopes and low standards – remember that for my epitaph, will ya?”

  “What for?” Daniel asked. “You’ve already proven to be indestructible.”

  “I kinda did, didn’t I?” Vita replied. “I did get a little help from you guys, too, but I guess I can take all the glory for myself.”

  “You’ve earned it, kid. You did the impossible: checkmated Death himself.”

  “Go home team!”

  “Would it be a little strange to have lasagna for breakfast?” Maria asked as she emerged from the storeroom and presented Vita with a large canister of freeze-dried lasagna with meat sauce.

  “Damn, that looks good…” Vita praised. “I have no issues with being a little strange.”

  A little? Daniel thought. Eventually a compromise was reached: Vita would trade Daniel out for her sister and cling to her instead while Daniel undertook the easy task of preparing the meal. He would soon have to prepare another as the Hannigan twins made short work of the freeze-dried lasagna. Everyone had a good portion that morning, including Daniel and Clarissa. Maria, Vita, and Daniel all embraced this moment of near normality with delight and enthusiasm; they credulously anticipated many more mornings just like this one. Clarissa, however, remained indifferent. She enjoyed the fact that her daughters were happy, yet she refused to release her steadfast grasp on the realization of how quickly everything could change. This morning, to her, was a fabrication and little more… but at least it was a happy fabrication.

  After breakfast was finished, Vita expressed a vehement desire to see the outside world again; a wish willingly granted by her mother. Daniel unlocked and opened the front entrance and Vita and Maria were immediately out through the door. Clarissa and Daniel followed. With no assistance from anyone, Vita limped her way out onto Daniel’s driveway. She reached her hands towards the eastern sky and inhaled a deep breath as if attempting to breathe in the light itself.

  “Praise the sun!” Vita ordained aloud. She was a fierce inamorata to the sacred sunlight and was elated to see and feel its presence upon her once again.

  “Insane as she ever was.” Maria conveyed to her mother and Daniel. She smiled approvingly to them both and then joined her sister out into the praiseworthy sun.

  The pain from Clarissa’s injuries troubled her less this morning, mostly due to the more favorable amenities offered to her now that Vita did not requiring her persistent care. Because of this, she opted to avoid any more pain pills for the time being. Clarissa was mindful of her propensity towards addictions. Recidivism was not likely, but it was not implausible either. She thought it best to avoid temptations as much as possible.

  “They’re an entertaining duo.” Daniel spoke as he watched Vita and Maria wander around his yard together.

  “They will keep you on your toes,” Clarissa replied. “For better or worse.”

  “For the better, I’m sure. Though I wouldn’t wanna try and win an argument with ‘em.”

  “No, I wouldn’t wish that even on you, Mr. Holloway.”

  Daniel cracked a conspicuous smile. Her voice was apathetic as usual, but did Clarissa actually make a joke?

  “Thank you, Mrs. Hannigan… I think. Still, you can’t really ask for two better kids.”

  “I wanted a girl and then a boy,” Clarissa stated as she evoked memories back from the early days of her pregnancy, before she realized she was having twin girls. “But I ended up with two girls who act like boys… I suppose it all sort of worked itself out.”

  “They’re a fine reflection of you and your husband,” praised Daniel. “You guys did very well.”

  “Yeah…” Clarissa laconically responded.

  Vita and Maria eventually wandered back to their mother and Daniel. The girls were in good spirits and Vita wished to remain outdoors a little longer. Clarissa was feeling the twinges of tiredness and had every intention of getting some much needed rest. She allowed her daughters to remain outside so long as Daniel was with them. Clarissa’s plan to journey west was revealed to her daughters earlier that morning during their breakfast together. Initially, the shock of the announcement stunned her daughters into a solemnly vindictive silence, but they were soon roused back to their more spirited selves when they learned that Daniel would be accompanying them on this journey. He then gave the girls free reign to take anything of his to go along with them on their impending expedition. Maria wanted to waste no time in going through Daniel’s collections to scavenge for anything that might suit her fancy, so she returned to the house with her mother to see what treasures she could uncover.

  Vita was in no hurry to stay still for too long. She was anxious to be rid of the languor and stiffness she had endured over the previous days. Daniel and his M14 rifle accompanied her as she ambled through his modest estate. At her first chance, Vita took hold of Daniel and walked arm in arm with him.

  “You think it’ll be dangerous?” Vita asked as she and Daniel leisurely strode down the short path leading to his nearby garage. “Well, I know it’ll be dangerous, but how dangerous do you think it’ll be?”

  “I plan on avoiding any dangers,” Daniel assured her. “There are inherent dangers in whatever we do – stay or go. But your mother and I can keep you safe, I’m sure of it.”

  “I believe you.” Vita reassured with a smile, yet she still had her fears. The attack months prior on her sister still haunted her; it was not an ordeal she was ready to relive. “Is Cincinnati as far west as you’ve been? Mom said it was really bad; though I’m not sure how she’d know that… just from rumors maybe.”

  “She’s not wrong,” Daniel wasn’t eager to get into specifics over his previously failed foray into the west, but he was not going to be dishonest with the young girl either – tactful for sure, but definitely not dishonest. “I made it as far as Illinois: saw some things I didn’t like and saw some people I didn’t care to meet, so I decided to try east instead. And, thus, here I am!”

  “Lucky for us.” Vita clutched Daniel a little tighter as she spoke her words.

  Daniel was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and his overcoat over that. He wondered what Vita would think if she could see what his arm looked like underneath his clothing. He had a good idea of what she would think: she would be concerned, and also curious. It was Daniel’s personal, and brutal, reminder of how wicked the world could truly be, even in the sunlight. A reminder he did not need and definitely did not want.

  “Lucky for me, too.” Daniel retorted.

  “What kind of things did you see?” Vita asked. She considered herself neither morbid nor depraved in any way, yet the macabre side of life still had an odd effect on her. More than anything she just wanted to understand how people, and monsters, could do the things that they do. Ugliness was ubiquitous: that much she already understood.

  “Unpleasant things.” Daniel answered.

  “Such as? If you don’t mind clarifying.”

  “Murderers, thieves – you’ve met some yourself, I’ve heard.” Rapists, cultists, pederasts, supremacists, enslavers, cannibals… Daniel neglected to mention those individuals.

  “Yeah, they’re everywhere I guess, but what makes the west so much worse?”

  “There’re more of ‘em to run into that way.”

  “The Mississippi River? My mom says it’s imposs
ible to cross.”

  “I wouldn’t want to try it, night or day, but thankfully we can go around.”

  “We can? I didn’t know that – figured it hooked up with the Great Lakes somewhere.”

  “Not with the Great Lakes, but it does with about ten-thousand others.”

  “Minnesota! Hah! My geography isn’t all stupid… damn, that’s a long drive though.”

  “It is, but it might actually work. It’s cold and wet there, so most people aren’t gonna like it. There’re so many lakes, the Sayona will spend less time hunting on land… it’s not a bad plan all-in-all. Sure as hell beats my last plan at least.”

  “What was your last plan?”

  “No plan.”

  “Yeah, I can definitely see a few concerning holes in that ‘strategy’…”

  “Not my finest moment, that’s for sure.”

  “Maybe, but the experience you gained is gonna save us all,” proclaimed Vita as she and Daniel approached the garage. She noticed his trailer lying semi-hidden nearby. “I’d say that’s a plus.”

  “I did learn a few things; you’re right about that.” Daniel confirmed as Vita led him towards his trailer.

  “Can we use this?” Vita pointed to the trailer. “On our trip? Are we taking both cars – ours and yours?”

  “No, the less cars the better, and this trailer’s too big to bring along, but I have another one stashed that we can use.”

  “This one’s tires are flat. Did our car do that?”

  “I did that. The Sayona are looking for us; they’re not likely to find us here, but seeing anything with decent tires might rouse their curiosity. Better to play it safe.”

  “Damn right. If they see what’s in that garage… that would not be good.”

  “Well, we’re leaving soon, so it’s nothing worth worrying over. Right?”

  “Heh, No! Wrong!” Vita objected mockingly. “I’d worry less if you hid with us in your secret, little closet.”

  “That would make things a little crowded,” Daniel kindly pointed out. “And I have to know if they’re nearby.”

  “We can handle crowded.”

  “I’ll be fine, hon’; don’t worry.”

  “If you say so, Cacciatore di Sayona…”

  “Sayona bait would probably be more fitting, but not near as cool as what you just said.”

  “You speak Italian now?”

  “No, but I know a little Spanish, remember? Cazador, Caccia, whatever you said: Hunter right?”

  “Damn Spaniards; I bet they took our swearwords, too, didn’t they?”

  “I think you both took ‘em from Latin.”

  “Yes, Latin, an Italic language… I wonder where Italic languages come from.”

  “Okay, fair enough, Ms. Hannigan; I concede defeat.”

  “Then my name for you still stands… though I could call you frog hunter instead, if you’d prefer that.”

  “Frog hunter? Now you’re confusing me, kid.”

  “It’s what you told me,” Vita explained. “You and your brother use to go frog-giggin’ back in the day. Now I don’t know what that is exactly, but it really doesn’t sound too pleasant for the frogs.”

  “When did I tell you…?” Daniel started to ask, but soon he remembered. He had told Vita many things about his life while she was still paralyzed after the Sayona attack. He wasn’t sure she was even conscious at the time and he especially did not anticipate her actually remembering any of the mundane details he conveyed to her about his life before the war. “That’s right, I did tell you that. Wow, I’m surprised you remembered… impressive.”

  “Maybe you’re more interesting than you realize,” Vita kindly spoke; then added, “Of course, it wasn’t like I could go anywhere or plug my ears now, was it?”

  Vita’s remarks elicited a twinkling of laugher from Daniel, “I’m so sorry; I should’ve just stayed quiet.”

  “No,” Vita was quick to counter. “I’m really glad you didn’t. Between my mother’s well-intentioned—though slightly disturbing—catechisms and my sister’s touching—yet extremely depressing—pleas for my well-being, I needed a change: something sane, and you gave me that. Thank you so much.”

  “Well, you’re welcome then.” Daniel replied. He and Vita began taking a course back towards his house. Daniel desired to ask her something that had been weighing on him since she was injured. He dreaded the potential answer, but this moment alone with Vita was as good a time as any to pose his question. “Can I ask you something, Vita?”

  “Ask me anything, Daniel!”

  “Were you in pain?” Daniel asked, hesitantly. “After you were paralyzed?”

  Vita was quiet as she momentarily relived those early, dreadful hours after the attack on her and her family. She remembered the pain very well: it was as if flaming lances were being gouged into her abdomen and shredding her flesh into a thousand burning pieces. It was a terrible time.

  “Yeah, I was at first… it was pretty bad.” Vita answered. “I passed out while you guys were getting me into the truck. When I woke up it was dark. I know my eyes were closed and all, but still, it was dark and quiet. I could feel my mother and hear the sound of my breathing bag. Most of the pain had gone by then, thankfully.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that, I really am. I should’ve helped you and your sister first. Your mother can handle herself; she didn’t need my intervention, not then.”

  “No, I think she kinda did actually. The only thing to blame here are the monsters – not ourselves. I could be mad at my mother for taking us to that place, or I could be mad at myself for turning my back on the Sayona. I mean, seriously, how stupid was that? But I’m not going to blame anybody. It’s pointless. We’re all okay and we’re all together now… and stop blaming yourself, please. You saved our lives; don’t forget that. I know I never will.”

  “You’re wise beyond your years, girl.”

  “I know; just one of my many gifts.”

  “Indeed it is. I’m sure having that tube down your throat for days wasn’t very enjoyable either, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “I’m glad you did it. I thought I was a goner for sure that night. Besides, the tube down my throat wasn’t that bad. Now the tube up the other end – not quite as pleasant!”

  “I don’t imagine it was. You have my eternal sympathies, Ms. Vita.”

  “Not my finest moment, but hey, still better than dehydration… I think.”

  Vita and Daniel made their way back to the house. As they entered they found Maria kneeling on the living room floor with an assortment of smart phones and digital music players lying on the coffee table.

  As Daniel and Vita joined her, Maria asked, “Do any of these things have music on them?”

  “Yes they do,” Daniel answered. “Older stuff mostly, but yeah, I did save a few tunes to help kill the time.”

  Daniel knelt down beside Maria; Vita was quick to join them. He picked up one of the music players, turned the device on, and then handed it to Maria.

  “There’s a decent list of songs on this one,” Daniel explained. “It’s the one I use to use; don’t know if any of them will interest you ladies though… like I said: old stuff.”

  “Thanks!” Maria exclaimed as she received the device from Daniel. It had been a very long time since she had last heard any music other than her sister’s occasional singing. None of the titles on Daniel’s device were familiar to her, but she didn’t care. To hear music again would be a blessing. Ultimately, her first choice was the Bill Withers song, Ain’t No Sunshine. Neither girl had ever heard the song before. It was more than sixty years older than the twins, but still they both adored it. They sat quietly listening to the somber tune as Daniel departed from their company to begin preparations for the imminent journey out of Pennsylvania.

  Daniel spent the next few hours rummaging through the many items he had accumulated throughout his house. He set aside or boxed anything that might be useful. Daniel’s bigges
t concern was food and ammunition. He had a good amount of both, but he could not take his entire weapon stash. In fact, he didn’t plan on taking any more guns than what was already in his and the Hannigans’ possession. Avoiding any gunfights was the reason Clarissa was bringing him on this trip, so he planned on doing exactly that.

  Clarissa slept through the majority of the morning. When she awoke she joined her daughters who were huddled together nearby, still listening to music. Clarissa was more knowledgeable than her daughters when it came to the music Daniel had collected, though all of the songs were well before her time as well. Nevertheless, she, too, was pleased to hear music again.

  There was not much Daniel could do with the items he had set aside for the journey until he could acquire something to place them in. He had stashed another trailer, a smaller one, in his town that he was sure Clarissa’s vehicle could pull with no problem. Her car was still full of the items he had previously given to her, so the trailer was a must if they wanted to bring anything else. Daniel decided he would go and retrieve the trailer tomorrow, most likely, and prepare it for departure. It all depended on when Clarissa wanted to leave. Keeping the trailer away from his house for as long as he could was the best course of action. There was no need to risk it being seen by anybody, or any beast.

  Clarissa took a keen interest in Daniel as he joined her and her daughters in the living room. She could see that he was looking weary and showing signs of fatigue.

  “You should rest,” Clarissa spoke. “Sleep while there’s still daylight left.”

  “I’m okay, Mrs. Hannigan,” Daniel replied. “Sleeping only makes me tired.”

  “Not sleeping will make you crazy.” Vita commented.

  “Ah, but maybe I’m already crazy.” Daniel jested.

  “It’ll kill you, too, after it makes you crazy.” Maria added.

  “I do appreciate the concern ladies, but really, I’m okay.”

  “You might not be later,” stated Clarissa. “What’s the problem? Just get a few hours of rest while you can. My daughters and I will be fine.”