Teyla was trembling as she placed the chopped carrots and cubed potatoes into the boiling water sitting on her solar-operated stove. Compliments of the solar panels on the roof of her farmhouse, she’d been able to have access to hot water, a stove, and a bath, simply by switching over batteries when one was drained. It had been her husband’s idea when they’d first moved in, several years before the Catastrophe struck. Being in such a rural place with frequent violent snowstorms in the winter and thunderstorms in the summer, the backup solar energy when the electricity went out came in handy. Neither of them had anticipated exactly how good that idea would be until the electrical grids across the entire world fried during those solar flares. Last she’d heard, it would take years before her farm would be hooked to the grid again.
Until then, she could only hope the solar parts she had on hand wouldn’t break on her. Solar parts were very expensive on the markets. Any type of light creation such as candles, matches, oil lamps, gas lamps or any heat creation items such as wood stoves and pellet stoves could cost an arm and a leg. Thankfully, she had a cast-iron wood-burning stove in the kitchen as well as fireplaces in each of the bedrooms of her century-old farmhouse. Speaking of fireplaces and wood stoves, she’d tossed even more wood onto the fire crackling in their bedroom, no, correct that, her bedroom, as well as shoving more wood into the cast-iron stove, so it was nice and toasty in here.
She’d also checked his saddlebag, the one he’d slung over the back of the chair, and had been surprised at the arrangement of knives, guns, and ammo he kept in there. Way too much for somebody just passing through. But it was none of her business, she told herself, reminding herself that Dr. Liz had sent him, so he would be fine.
So she’d brought the money he’d had in the feed sack downstairs to the basement and hid it in the fruit cellar behind a shelf. She’d quickly checked the amount and it was exactly half of what he owed her, as he’d said. Having that much money in her hands, in her basement, caused her to be nervous. It was just way too good to be true. Great sex and getting paid for it. Amazing. She’d also dressed in the clothing he’d indicated in that package. The negligee was similar in style to the other one, except this one was black, the skirt part was quite short, revealing the thin panty she wore underneath. A panty that also had a wide opening so he would have easy access to her.
She worried her lip and gazed down at herself, whimpering as she caught sight of her bare breasts sticking out seductively through the openings. She’d been stunned to discover he wanted her to wear such a provocative garment. But after her initial reaction, her pussy had clenched with such a desperate need to have him buried deep inside of her again that she’d been surprised at enjoying the erotic sensations shimmering through her at the thought of Logan gazing upon her breasts while she wore something he’d picked out.
She couldn’t believe how easily he’d taken control of her body. Couldn’t understand why she wanted him back in here with her so badly. Was it loneliness? Had she been living out here by herself for too long? It hadn’t bothered her too much. She’d always been a bit of a loner, preferring her own company to others. Her husband had been the exception. He’d been the same as her. An introvert like herself.
They’d been true nerds, interested in farming the old-fashioned way and creating organic foods for their community. That was how she still made some of her income. Growing organic food in her greenhouse out back. Not that people cared if the food was organic or not these days. Empty bellies made people desperate, and they accepted all kinds of crap on the market.
But she’d managed to keep her vegetables clean and her prices from skyrocketing, refusing to take advantage of the desperation that was so rampant nowadays. During her last trip to town a few weeks ago, the last her horse had taken before he died of old age, she’d heard that in some cities people were turning cannibalistic out of desperation for meat. They were reverting to kidnapping people off the streets, killing them and cooking them, preserving them and even selling them as meat.
Teyla forced those horrid thoughts away. She preferred to live in her own fantasy world out here. Beyond her property was none of her concern. It was better this way. It kept her nerves intact. Nerves that unfortunately, weren’t quite intact at remembering Logan saying he wanted the agreement to include her having sex with his friends.
A wave of anguish washed over her. Three men? Oh lord. How would she be able to handle that? Would she be embarrassed or react as she had with Logan, easily succumbing to pleasure? She’d never given up total control to a client before.
At the sound of his boots on the steps outside, she resisted the impulse to dash over to the chair where she’d laid her robe over the back of a chair. No, she wouldn’t hide herself from him.
He was her client. He was paying for her services. She was glad she’d applied some more delicate perfume on her wrists. It would cover the scent of her arousal. At least she hoped so. She didn’t want him to know how hot she was for him. She needed to keep things strictly professional.
She felt anything but professional as the door creaked open. God help her, she couldn’t stop herself from glancing over her shoulder and gasping at the erotic sensations wrapping around her like a seductive glove when she caught sight of how wide his shoulders were as he stepped inside the kitchen, his arms laden with a pile of firewood. Kicking the door shut behind him, he stopped when he caught sight of her watching him. His dark eyes literally glowed with appreciation.
“Turn around,” he instructed. His voice sounded thick and aroused, and when she did as he asked and turned to face him, his gaze zeroed in on her exposed breasts. Her pussy creamed at the carnal look of promise flickering across his face.
“Put on your robe. I’ll take you later. After we eat.”
She creamed at his words. I’ll take you later. Gosh, what in the world was her problem with this guy? First he wanted her robe off, now on. Grabbing her robe, she slipped it on and returned to her chopping and trying to ignore how small her kitchen suddenly seemed with him in it. He placed the firewood down on top of the current pile before heading back out the door again without so much as an explanation. She was thankful for his disappearance, for it gave her a moment to catch her breath.
The scorching way he made her feel, when his gaze had dropped to her bare breasts lit a fierce fire of need coursing inside her. It was insane, the sexy way he made her feel. Everything about this client was so wrong. What she was feeling for him was wrong.
She shouldn’t be anticipating their next sex session with such enthusiasm. Why wasn’t she embarrassed at wearing these revealing clothes he’d told her to wear? Why was she so easily following all his instructions without a second thought?
Because he’s your client. That’s what he pays you for, stupid. She should be going up to him, unbuckling his pants, teasing him, playing the part of the prostitute and reaching inside his pants to keep him aroused. She should be all over him like she forced herself to do with the other men she entertained. Instead, she was letting him pleasure her and she was making him supper, like she was a domesticated wife.
Teyla blinked as a sudden roar of surprise washed over her. She hadn’t cooked anything for a man since her husband.
Okay. She was definitely lonely. Apparently that’s what had to be going on, but why with this guy? Why Logan? With a man who was going to share her with his two buddies? Maybe it was some sort of forbidden fantasy syndrome. Yeah. That’s what it must be.
One thing she knew for sure, she was attracted to him because of his confidence. She’d never met a man who could so easily speak of sex, bring her such pleasure, or want to share her with other men. To her, those traits were sexy. It spoke of confidence in his ability in the bedroom. No shyness. And, yes, she had to be totally nuts to believe all this bullshit she was telling herself. But believe it she did.
He returned a few moments later with a saddlebag slung over his shoulder. He looked like a biker cowboy minus the cowboy hat. His leather jacket creaked as he lifted the worn black leather saddle off his shoulder and plopped it on the kitchen table.
“I’ve got salted bacon. Throw it into whatever you’re making,” he said as he withdrew a pink paper-wrapped package the size of a shoebox and tossed it onto the counter near her. “I got it at the butcher shop that just opened up in the nearest town. The bacon is salted and smoked. Should last you a few months, if you go easy on it. Don’t share it with any of your customers. It’s for you only.”
Emotions thick and raw welled, tightening Teyla’s throat. No one had ever given her such an extravagant gift. She accepted the item without a word. Not that she could say anything at the moment, anyway. From its weight alone, she bet the bacon must have cost him a small fortune, and she simply could not believe her luck. With shaking fingers, she unwrapped the package and her mouth watered at the succulent-looking choice cuts. She’d never been a vegetarian type and had always enjoyed her meat, being raised on a cattle farm before marrying. She appreciated the work involved in raising animals for food. The Catastrophe had made the price of meat skyrocket, and Teyla couldn’t remember the last time she’d had store-bought meat, let alone bacon.
Tonight’s supper, no doubt, would be a feast. She could almost taste the salty meat melting over her tongue, and it looked so fresh and healthy. Removing several precut slabs, she chopped them and placed them into the boiling water. Gosh, she felt like a queen tonight. A man had sexually satisfied her twice with the promise of more to come, plus he had provided decent meat for supper.
The scrape of the chair indicated he was sitting down at the kitchen table, and she could feel his scorching gaze watching her as she rewrapped the rest of the meat. She’d place it in the fruit cellar later.
“Did you count the money? Make sure it was all there?” he asked in a teasing tone, obviously noting his money had disappeared.
“Is there a reason why I can’t trust you?” she asked as she shook some store-bought pepper and herbs from her greenhouse into the soup.
With the bacon, she probably didn’t need any salt. Besides, salt cost just as much as meat. She’d taste the soup a bit later when the meat was thoroughly boiled and add some if needed.
“You never did give me an answer regarding bondage.”
“I didn’t?” she answered a bit too quickly and a bit too breathlessly. The question had caught her off guard, and she felt flustered.
“No, you didn’t,” he said firmly.
No, she guessed she hadn’t. That he would bring up the subject again and not force bondage on her said something about this guy, didn’t it?
“And if I said only with you?” God, had she said that out loud?
“Then I’d say just with me.”
She nodded, not knowing if she was acknowledging what he said or if she was agreeing to it. Her cheeks grew quite toasty. It had to be from the steam wafting out of the soup, right?
“Exactly what would you do?” She had to be crazy asking him that question, but the curiosity of what he would do to her burned through her.
“Why don’t you look at me when you ask me that question, Teyla?” His voice had dropped to a quiet tone. Quiet, yet oh-so-bold. Gosh, why did he have to be so bold?
“I need to cut up some more bacon and get the table set. And so many other things…”
The squeak of his chair had her tensing and blushing furiously. When his hands slid around her waist like two sizzling brands and his hard body pressed against her backside, that big knot of his arousal pushing against the crack of her ass, Teyla’s breath caught. He ground into her gently, his pressure whipping an excited frenzy through her, making her cream. He nuzzled his face against the juncture of her neck and shoulder, and the raspy feel of his unshaven whiskers brushing against her delicate skin sent delightful shivers racing up and down her back.
“What would you like me to do to you, Teyla? Would you like me to bind your breasts? Tie them up until your flesh is so swollen and plump and I’m sucking your nipples so hard you’ll be coming from those sensations alone?”
Teyla swallowed at the sudden dryness in her mouth. Could a woman come, just like that? With him, probably, she acknowledged.
“Or maybe you’d prefer it if you were lying naked, bent forward over the arm of the living room couch? Your arms bound behind your back. Your legs spread-eagle and tied apart. Your ass and pussy bare and vulnerable while three of us take turns with you. Our cocks thrusting and plunging into your pussy or ass over and over until you’re screaming and begging for release. How’s that sound, baby?”
Teyla cleared her throat and tried really hard to stay focused and not allow his soft voice to lure her into his world of bondage.
“Or would you rather have the three of us surprise you with something dark and naughty?”
He was still grinding his erection against her ass, and now he was kissing her earlobe and sucking on it much in the same manner as he’d done with her nipples earlier in bed. Sucking and drawing on her flesh with confident, erotic pulls that had her pussy pulsing and the area between her thighs soaking wet.
“I think I’d like the surprise,” she whispered, loving the sexy way he made her feel and the scorching way he rubbed up against her.
He tensed ever so slightly, obviously surprised at her sudden submissive agreement.
“I think you’ll be pleasurably surprised,” he replied, nuzzling her neck some more. “Keep going. I’ll just stay here and watch you work on supper.”
Have mercy. With him touching her like this she could barely concentrate as she cut some more pieces of bacon. And he
“Um, could you pass me that frying pan?” she asked hesitantly, not wanting to break the erotic contact by getting out of his arms.
Holding her against him, he pulled the pan from the counter and tugged it over onto one of the burners. She turned on the burner and placed the bacon into the frying pan.
“I’m going to whip up some hash browns and bacon. I’m sorry if that’s not enough, but it’s all I’ve got until the soup is ready.”
“Maybe you got all I need.” He nuzzled his hot, moist mouth against the juncture of her shoulder blade and neck, making curious tingles flare through her. Oh, she liked this feeling. Having a man snuggling against her, having his strong, hard body envelop her, making her feel safe.
“I’m afraid water is all I have to drink for us,” she whispered, trying hard not to get too distracted with his cuddling.
Running some water in the sink, she quickly washed her hands. Reaching for her cutting board nearby, she brought it closer to her so she could cube some potatoes.
“The whiskey I brought into your bedroom will do.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get drunk.” That was one thing she was adamant about. Another pleasure worker she knew had made the poor choice of allowing her clients to drink. At one point, she’d been servicing several men at the same time, and they’d gotten too drunk. Things got out of hand and the worker had been viciously beaten and raped repeatedly over a span of several days. And now the woman didn’t go near men. Teyla didn’t want something so horrific happening to her.
“I like a little whiskey with my woman, but I promise I won’t get drunk.” He slid his hands off her waist and found the sash on her robe. Untying it, he slid the sash out of the loops. Uneasiness snapped into her. Was he going to strangle her with it?
For one horrible moment, she realized exactly how vulnerable her line of work made her. She entertaining men who could kill her by simply snapping her neck. To her surprise, he brought the sash down in front of her open robe. Looping the belt beneath her bared breasts, he then brought both ends up behind her neck, the sash lifting her breasts, making her very aware of them as he tied the sash behind her neck.
“How does it feel?”
It felt amazing, actually. This new position made her breasts stick out more and made them feel tighter.
“Umm… different,” she confessed.
She couldn’t help but gasp as he cupped her breasts, his hands holding her flesh while his thumbs erotically brushed across the tips of her nipples.
“Umm…I…can’t cook with you doing this,” she admitted. The knife loosened in her palm.
“Don’t worry; you’re cooking up a storm.”
He nuzzled his face between the strands of her hair and kissed the back of her neck. She lost all concentration and dropped the paring knife.
“Just ignore me,” he whispered, his warm breath sending red-hot tingles shooting through her.
“Kind of hard,” she mumbled, but managed to grab the paring knife again and struggled to finish cubing the potatoes.
“Your breasts feel truly amazing,” he breathed as continued to cup them while she stirred the bacon and tried hard not to submit to the molten desires he invoked with his caresses.
“What you’re doing feels amazing,” she acknowledged.
“Good. It’s because I am actually seducing you.”
No shit, Batman.
“You’re succeeding.”
“How so?” He returned to nibble on her other earlobe.
“I want to have sex with you again.” Her cheeks burned at her admission. He must think she was some inexperienced chick at the way she kept blushing around him.
“And I with you. But first we need to eat. I plan on working you again, so you’ll need your strength.”
Oh, my. He certainly did have a way with words. “You better put those potatoes into the pan before the bacon burns.”
Teyla blew out a tense breath, and while his hands caressed her breasts and his calloused thumbs brushed her nipples, she barely managed to get the potatoes into the frying pan.
“I bet you are nice and wet for me, aren’t you?” he asked.
Wet is an understatement, mister. And why didn’t he check? She found herself lying back against him, her body melting into his hardness.
“Was wondering when you’d loosen up.” He chuckled against her ear.
Loosen up? Was he serious? She couldn’t get any tenser.
“Where are the dishes? I’ll set the table.” There was hesitation in the way he unfolded himself from her and she wanted him back, pressing against her. Wanted him wrapping his arms around her, his cock pushing into her ass. His hands cupping her.
She swallowed and cleared her throat and her mind of those intimate thoughts.
“Up there. In the cupboard.”
Gosh, she felt shaky. She bet he could hear it in her voice, too. And, yes, he was right, she thought as he opened the cupboard and dragged out two plates. She was so wet, and her pussy felt so unbelievably swollen. She didn’t think she’d felt so turned on before, ever.
He grabbed some forks and knives from a drawer, plus a couple of glasses from another nearby cupboard and set the table. A moment later, he disappeared from the kitchen and she knew he’d retreated to the bedroom for the whiskey bottle. She wished she could touch her pussy and bring herself off. She swore she was steaming down there, and her breasts weren’t any better off.
She dared to look down and gasped at the fullness of her breasts. Her nipples were red and throbbed painfully against the material of her robe as she tugged it closed.
“Leave it open. I want to watch them while we eat.”
A funny spasm zipped through her pussy at his words, and she watched him come into the room with the whiskey bottle in his hand. Involuntarily, she let out a little whimper. It was a sexual sound. Aroused and full of heat.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll bring you the relief you’re craving. Just remember that good things come to those who wait.”
She didn’t say anything. Heck, couldn’t think of anything to say as she lifted the frying pan, turned off the stove, and prayed she had enough strength in her legs to carry the rest of the way to the table.
“We can eat this. I expect the soup will be done in about an hour,” she said as she dished out the crisp bacon and steaming potatoes. Her mouth watered at the tangy scent of the dish.
“We won’t be having soup tonight,” he replied as he poured them both a healthy shot of whiskey. He trapped her gaze with his, and she saw the dark look promise more pleasure.
Boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. She could only hope his two friends were going to make her feel this good when they showed up tomorrow.
The bacon tasted better than she ever thought it would, and so did the potatoes. The saltiness exploded over her taste buds, and she found herself thinking this must be how it felt for her tongue to have an orgasm.
“What’s got you all smiling?” he asked as he quickly shoved forkfuls of food into his mouth. The man was definitely enjoying his meal, and that made her feel really good.
“Tastes good. Thanks for the bacon,” she said.
He smiled around the fork and once again her belly did the awesome fluttery flip.
“Thanks for the sex,” he replied, and his smile got even bigger as he wolfed down another forkful.
Okay, her cheeks were heating up yet again and so was she as his scorching gaze dropped to the area where the robe had been left open as per his request. He licked his lips, and the sight of his tongue had her just about squirming in her chair wanting to squish her aching pussy against her seat in an attempt at some sort of release. God, he seemed like some sort of drug to her. And the exotic way he’d touched her had her wondering if he wanted her hooked on him.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, his gaze now back on her face. His eyes had a nice twinkle to them, and she recognized it as curiosity.
“Well, I am wondering who you are. Where you come from?” she admitted. And why am I reacting so much to you?
He shrugged his shoulders and frowned, giving her the impression he didn’t like her question. Well, tough.
“I am a man who comes from here and there.”
“Hmm, here and there and everywhere, right?”
He winked in answer and helped himself to more bacon and potatoes.
“What kind of work do you do?” she asked.
“Let’s just say I’m a traveling salesman and leave it at that.”
“A seller of bacon, no doubt.”
He grinned. “No doubt.” “Mystery man.”
“It keeps the ladies curious and interested.”
I’m sure. A fissure of jealousy at the thought of him being with other women reared its ugly head. Suddenly she needed to know this man. Needed to peel away the layers of mystery he hid behind.
“Where were you when it happened?” she asked. By the way his shoulders tensed and the fork full of food halted midway to his mouth, she could tell he knew what she meant. She also realized her mistake. Never ask personal questions of your clients. It helped keep the relationship strictly professional and kept an emotional barrier between them. But she realized she’d never wanted so badly to crash through that wall he’d just erected.
“Let’s say it was a bad day for everyone and leave it at that.”
She nodded jerkily, but questions began to form in her mind. Did he have a wife? Girlfriend? Kids? He had to be around her age. Maybe he had had a family and they all died? Just like hers had died. All turning to ash or dust or whatever one called it when one simply self-combusted.
Remembering how she’d found dust on her parents’ kitchen chairs when she’d gone searching for them made the bacon and potatoes she’d been chewing turn into a flavorless cloth. She struggled to swallow it. Left the rest on her plate. Best not think about family. Best to live in the present. He was right. It was best to leave it.
He continued eating, his watchful gaze on her, but he remained silent. That is until he finished.
“I’ve got something that’ll cheer you up.”
He pulled his saddlebag closer, reached in, and to her surprise and delight, he pulled out a tin of peaches.
“Oh my God. They’re making canned fruit again?” she asked as she took the heavy tin into her hands and read the paper pasted to it. Made in Florida. No way! She’d heard that Florida was a cold place now and all the citrus trees had frozen and died.
“Actually, no, I picked it up a few days ago. It was made before the Catastrophe, but I’m told it’s still good. Shall we find out?”
Teyla nodded and he produced a can opener from his bag. My, the man came well prepared, didn’t he?
He chuckled. “Cost a pretty penny. Hell, I never thought a can of peaches would be worth the same amount of money that a car used to sell for before the catastrophe.”
Alarm bells once again whispered through her head. Where did a man get so much money? Illegally was the only answer she could come up with. But how unlawful was illegal?
Who cared. It wasn’t her business where he got his money. He was her client and that was all that mattered. Right? Right, she firmly told herself. Not her business.
Her mouth watered as he lifted the lid and proceeded to divvy up the healthy-looking peaches. They were sliced just the way she liked them. In quarters. And her taste buds literally exploded when the sweetness of the peaches splashed around in her mouth as she chewed. Definitely still good.
They both made sexy moans as they slowly savored the treat. Teyla was smart enough not to rush it, accepting the flavor, committing it to memory, knowing she may never have another chance at having canned peaches again. At the very least, not for a very long time.
They both tipped their plates and allowed the remaining juices from the peaches to slide into their mouths. She made sure to lick her plate, too, savoring the sweetness. When they were both finished, he gazed at her untouched glass, half-full of whiskey.
“How about shooting down your whiskey, and then we can take a nice walk outside.”
His suggestion of a walk both disappointed and excited her. Having the peaches had chased away the sad memories of the past and brought back the need for more sizzling sex with him. Taking a walk in the dark had been something she hadn’t done in quite some time. The dark spooked her, but taking a walk with Logan sounded very nice.
“As long as I can wear some warm clothes,” she teased.
“The minute we come back, I want those clothes off,” he commanded in a hoarse voice.
“Only if yours come off, too. I’ll drink the whiskey when we come back.”
He nodded. “Okay, get dressed, and hurry, or I just might take you right here again.”
She wanted to tell him that’s what she wanted, but he was already heading to the hook where he’d left his leather jacket. As he zipped it up, he saw her watching him and chuckled for her to get a move on.
Minutes later, she’d put on a pair of jeans, snug wool socks, a warm pink sweater, and her burgundy cardigan. Giving her long hair a quick brush, she enjoyed the look of appreciation in Logan’s eyes when she joined him at the kitchen door. Stuffing her feet into a pair of her late husband’s warm work boots she followed Logan out the door and into the darkness.
Frosty air snapped against face and hands as she locked the door. She didn’t expect anyone to be around out here, but having all that money in her basement called for some sort of security. Sliding the key into her cardigan pocket, she turned around and realized it wasn’t actually that dark.
The sky literally danced with white and green moving lights. She’d heard the light had something to do with the magnetic layers surrounding the Earth’s atmosphere which had been disturbed since the solar flares. That was another reason the climate had gotten colder since then. A mini Ice Age, they said, was happening on the other side of the Earth. Surviving scientists couldn’t agree if the Ice Age would eventually encompass the entire Earth or if things would stay the same or get warmer someday.
She followed him down the stairs, and they walked along the dirt road that wound through her property. They walked side by side for a long time in the stillness, and she really felt safe having him here. Gone was the feeling that every shadow was a murderer and every sound a pack of wild dogs sneaking up to rip out her throat.
“I want to apologize for my earlier behavior,” his deep voice burst through the quiet night air like a thunderclap shaking her feelings of security.
Earlier behavior? Until now, he’d been quite the gentleman. Had she missed something?
“You asked me where I’d been during the Catastrophe, and I gave you the brush-off.”
“It’s my fault,” she said, trying to reassure him. “It’s none of my business.”
He gave her a weak smile. “If you can talk about it with me, a complete stranger, I should do the same. I owe you that much.”
“You don’t own me any explanation.”
“I had a wife and two daughters,” he said quietly, and she immediately detected the pain in his voice.
“You don’t have to-”
His gaze snapped to her face and his eyes softened.
“I know. I want to. I figure it’s as good a time as any. And I’ll have you to drown my sorrows in after.”
She swallowed and waited.
“I was with my daughters when it happened. We’d gone on our annual dad-daughters camping trip. My wife hated camping, so she always stayed home. But my girls…” His voice thickened with emotion.
“How old were they?”
“Jenny was twelve. Lynn was eleven. They loved to go to a new camping place every year. So this time around, we decided on a group of caves two days’ drive from home. We were going to make it a weeklong trip. We were actually inside the caves when it happened.”
Horror raced through her. He must have seen them disintegrate.
“We had no idea anything was wrong until we returned to the campground and realized there weren’t any people around.”
Relief swept through her. “The girls survived the solar flares.”
He nodded. “My daughters survived the Catastrophe. I wish they hadn’t. It would have been a much easier death.”
Uneasiness snapped through her. Obviously, his kids had died.
“I couldn’t get the car started, couldn’t find a soul to help. Not one person. It was eerie, and I could tell the girls were getting uneasy. There was nothing but static when we tried to use our cell phones. I knew something was seriously wrong when we went to the campground office and found the door unlocked and no one inside but a whimpering dog who was lying beside a pile of what looked like ashes on the floor.
“I thought maybe some nutcase was on the grounds and had maybe tried to build a fire indoors and everyone had been evacuated. That’s when I also noticed there was no electricity. The coolers full of food and drinks weren’t humming. The air conditioner wasn’t going as it had been the couple of times we’d gone in during the week, and it was pretty warm inside the building. Things were just off, you know what I mean?”
Teyla nodded. Yes, she understood. All survivors understood the desolation they’d experienced after realizing something of cataclysmic proportions had happened.
“We found a car with a key in the ignition and piles of ash on the front seats and back seats. I sat on the ash, turned the ignition, nothing happened.”
He sat on the ash. On a dead person.
“How did you get home?” She didn’t have to ask if his wife had survived. She knew instinctively she hadn’t.
“We stayed at the campsite that night. Realized we were totally alone. Realized something bad had happened. We spent the next day outfitting ourselves with knapsacks, filling them with non-perishable foods from the store. Bottled water. I had a gun, and we found some hunting knives for the girls. My youngest, she wasn’t handling it too well. Crying. We were worried about Ann.” “Your wife?”
He nodded.
“We started walking. You know kids that age; they can’t walk as long as an adult, so after a few hours, they were pretty tired. We noticed a farm with grazing horses. Helped ourselves to four of them, and of course, no one was around at the nearby farmhouse or barn. My oldest daughter had a passion for horses and knew all about saddles and bridles and what horses ate. Don’t know what we would have done without her. She showed us how to ride, and we followed the highways home. We saw no one. Just abandoned cars and trucks-ashes in them. I kind of got the idea they were people, disintegrated.
“Checked out a couple of houses for more food. It was the same story. Unlocked doors. Pets going hungry. We left the doors open so they could get outside. We couldn’t take them with us. When we got home, we found Ann in the bed. Nothing but a pile of ashes beneath the covers. She was probably taking an afternoon nap. She did that sometimes after working in the vegetable garden. We buried her out back and tried to make do the best we could.”
“And your daughters?” she asked softly as they turned and headed back to her farmhouse.
“I made the mistake of leaving them home alone one day while I went foraging at some neighboring homes for more food. When I came back, they were both dead. Hung themselves in the basement.”
Shock sliced through her. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
He cleared his throat, and it sounded thick with emotion. Understandably. She felt her own emotions welling too at the thought of how horribly shocking it would have been to find his two children hanging. It must have been so devastating.
“They wanted to be with their mother. Besides, I wouldn’t want them growing up in this world. It’s an evil, dark land now. Every person for themselves. They would have grown into desperate human beings, doing things that they would normally never have had to do in the old world, just to survive. Just like the rest of us.”
Just like the rest of us. Meaning he was doing something he would never have done in his life. Just as she was doing.
They both fell silent again as they walked. The glow lacing the sky lit their way, giving an eerie, greenish view of her farmhouse and the outer buildings in the distance. She realized now that there really wasn’t anything to be afraid of out here. Just her vivid imagination. She smiled at that thought, and to her surprise, Logan’s hand laced with hers. He squeezed her fingers gently, as if telling her everything was going to be all right, and for the first time in a long time, she actually felt that, yeah, maybe things might work out okay.