End of the Road Christmas Blistering sun blazed down, fiercer than ever, as a battered red ATV skidded to a stop outside the barbed wire fencing of the McKenzie property. Orrin was a scruffy man who could have been anywhere between his late twenties to mid-forties dismounted and pulled the goggles over his head to get a clearer look at the surroundings. He considered bringing the sawn-off twelve gauge with him, but deciding it would hinder any attempt at diplomacy, left the gun in the holster attached to his bike. Replacing his goggles and adjusting his hood to shield him from the sun, he crept up to the fence, crawled underneath, taking care not to jostle the wires, lest he set off a perimeter alarm. After the Great Cataclysm five years ago, several airliners crashed not far from the McKenzie property. There were no survivors. After ensuring the victims received a decent burial, Maisie McKenzie took it upon herself to haul the various plane segments back to her property, acting both as an artificial hedge of sorts and extra cover during her skirmishes with roaming bands of raiders. Orrin sheltered behind a section of fuselage as he planned his next course of action. The scavenger was about as welcome as a bout of Tuberculosis around here, so if he could help it, he’d be in and out without Maisie even knowing until he was safely home. *click* So much for that. “That’s far enough, Orrin.” Orrin slowly raised his arms. He didn’t need to see Maisie to know that wherever she was, her trusty 1866 Winchester was levelled at the back of his head, and at this range, she wouldn’t miss. “It’s ok, Maisie,” he said. “I’m unarmed. Keep your hands up and slowly turn around to face me. Orrin complied, and turned to see Maisie McKenzie perched upon the Airbus wing. She was a pretty woman, without being showy, standing around half his height with a wiry build. She looked faintly comical in her long, khaki poncho and floppy sun hat. Despite this, Orrin knew that Maisie was a force to be reckoned with, especially where her family was concerned. Hed seen firsthand what happened to people who underestimated the pertinacious woman. After our water again, Orrin? Not this time, Maisie, I promise. Then why are you here? Dont you know what day it is? I dont know, replied Maisie. Thursday? Thursday the twenty-fifth, clarified Orrin. Of December. Maisie took a few moments to process this, and the gun barrel dropped slightly as her eyes widened. Oh my gosh, I completely forgot, she said. Ive just been so busy trying to keep this place together. Tell me about it. Maisies eyes narrowed and the rifle snapped back into position. Dont tell me you came all the way out here to tell me that. Look, I know Im probably the last person you want to see, but I thought in light of the season, we could have a momentary truce. And what makes you think I want anything to do with you that doesnt involve putting a slug into your worthless carcass? You really think Im worth the ammo? asked Orrin. Maisie shrugged. The scavenger disgusted her, but there were bigger threats out there, and for those she would need every last bullet she could get. Then again, it would be nice to get at least one problem out of her hair. Ill risk it, she said, and prepared to pull the trigger. She expected him to threaten her, run or even beg for his life, but what he did, truly shocked her. Im sorry, Maisie. Huh? Im sorry, Maisie. For everything Ive done, all I’ve stolen from you, said Orrin. Truth is, Ive just been trying to survive, but at the expense of your family. I realise that now, and Im truly sorry. Pleasantly surprised though she was, Maisie wasnt about to forgive him there and then. And the camel? she asked. Yeah, Im sorry I shot your camel. Jefe. Huh? The camel, said Maisie. His name was Jefe. Alright, Im sorry I killed Jefe Dont tell me, tell Jefe. What? But hes dead? In response, Maisie indicated upwards. Are you serious? Maisie nodded. Orrin lifted his eyes skyward. Jefe, if you can hear me up there, Im sorry I killed you, he said in an overly loud voice. You charged at me and I panicked. In hindsight, you were probably coming over for a hug or thought I had treats or something. Anyway, sorry again. Orrin heard giggling coming from somewhere behind the planes, and felt his face begin to burn. Even Maisie seemed to be having trouble holding back a grin. I should let you wallow in guilt a little longer, but Jefe isnt dead. What? Youre a lousy shot, Orrin, you only injured him, she told him. Hell pull through just fine, but he wont be working for another couple of weeks. Again, Im so sorry, Maisie. Its a start, she said. So I guess you can go. Wait, before you send me off, I have something for you, said Orrin. Its in my satchel. Maisie paused as she calculated the potential risk, but finally deciding to give him the benefit of a doubt. Ok, Orrin, take it out of the bag slowly, she said. If you make any sudden movements or I dont like what I see... she trailed off, leaving the scavenger to draw his own conclusions. After what felt like an entire epoch, Orrin reached millimetre by agonising millimetre around, unzipped his satchel and produced a small item, wrapped haphazardly in some kind of brightly coloured paper. Its a present, he told her. Maisie eyed the package suspiciously. Unwrap it, she ordered. Orrin tore off the grimy paper and the tape holding it together, revealing a bottle. Its wine, he explained. Red, I think. I found it buried in the sand on one of my jaunts, which seems to have kept it cool. Im not sure about the brand or the date, but I think itll still be ok. I thought you might like it. Open the bottle, said Maisie. Grabbing the twist-top, he did so. Have some. But its for you. Have some. But I dont drink... I wont ask again, Orrin. Orrin sighed, lifted the bottle to his lips and had a mouthful. The liquid was tepid, tasted fruity and bittersweet and he resisted the urge to spit out the wine. After waiting a few minutes, she seemed satisfied the beverage wasnt poisoned. Ok, put it on the ground and step back. He did. Why are you doing this? Orrin shrugged. I dont know, he replied, honestly. This day has been and gone four times already, but this year is different. Maybe I just got caught up in the spirit of things - peace on earth and goodwill to mankind and all that- but I started thinking that maybe it was time to bury the hatchet. And what better time than today? A few tense moments crawled by, then Maisie finally lowered the rifle. Ok then, she said. You mean were all good? Only for today, she said. You try this again tomorrow and youre target practice. Fair enough, said Orrin. Merry Christmas, Maisie. Thanks, she replied. Unsure what to do next, he made a sort of half-bowing gesture and turned to leave. As he did, he caught glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye, probably one of McKenzie children. Wait up, called Maisie. Orrin froze, then slowly turned back. Maisie lobbed something through the air toward him, which landed in the dirt at his feet. It was a canteen. He picked it up and heard the sloshing of water. It was nearly full. Merry Christmas, Orrin, she said with a faint half-smile. Orrin waved in acknowledgement and headed back to his ATV. Mounting up, he gunned the engine, paused, then cut the motor and hopped off. He took the gun, but left the keys. Jefe the camel wasnt just a pet, he was a valued member of team McKenzie and a primary means of conveyance. Having him laid up was making things that much harder for the family. So, Orrin decided hed loan them the ATV until Jefe was back on his hooves, or as long as they needed it. A scavenger like Orrin could easily find another vehicle. So with a newly acquired canteen of fresh water, his twelve gauge by his side and a strange lightness in his heart, he set off down the dirt road, homeward bound.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 11:58:44 +0000
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