New Birds

The Nephew Part 26

Tilly was just drifting off to sleep, one arm loosely draped over Louis, her head on his chest, when the watchtower's bell rang. She groaned. Marshall was on watch again, and she hoped this was just another false alarm. He had a tendency now to be a little over cautious. All had remained quiet since sharing their troubles with the town, eighteen days ago. Keitin had returned from getting oxygen and supplies, not to mention tobacco, from Calgary, with no sign of trouble. Tilly had him drop off several jars of her soup at the market on his way by. Louis thought for sure that was the last they were to see of Keitin, or his Hummingbird, but Keitin proved him wrong. Although, the vehicle smelled strongly of pipe tobacco as they helped him unload the refilled oxygen tanks, which had Louis cursing. Keitin was always somewhat careless with that pipe. Other than that, things had remained safe and quiet behind her great grandfather's steel wall.

Louis had already slid out from beneath her and was pulling on his pants. "You stay here, and I'll run down to make sure nothing's breached."

"I'll go with you. I won't sleep until you arrive back anyway." She grabbed up a flannel shirt, buttoning it while she searched for the sweatpants she had climbed out of before climbing into bed.

Louis pulled on his boots.

With the semi now in her hands, she searched for its clip. Louis nodded to the top of the dresser.

Farling was just disappearing down the tree-lined roadway on foot towards the gate, when they came down the veranda's steps and climbed into the Hummingbird. They had set up a cot for him in the barn. Tilly didn't like the idea at first. Yet another person, however temporary, staying on the ark, but with Farling here they now divided the watch six ways most days, which gave her more time to spend studying her robust little crane, and Keitin more time to care for his father.

Olive was the name she assigned to the crane. It was always harder once she named them, and so she rarely did until they became fledglings, but Olive was the exception, since everything about her was an exception. The high-quality of care she was receiving from her foster parents kept Tilly well back, but what she observed gave her such hope. She would not disturb a moment of that for as long as possible.

When they came up behind Farling, he stepped off the path and waved them by. Which was just as well, for there was no room for him in the Hummingbird. Its light bouncing from the road to the trees and then back again as they drove to the gate. Her heart went to her throat once they were out from the trees and spotted the fires. It was her worse of all fears. When the vehicle stopped, she jumped from it to join Marshall and Samantha, who were stomping out several tiny blazes along the interior of the wall. Several scorched areas showed where fires were already stomped out, one of which had been a spitting distance from her trees.

"They came over the wall, exploding once they landed," Marshall said as he continued to stomp.

Louis grabbed a spade from the back of the jeep, and between the four of them, they quickly put out the rest of the tiny fires.

"Who? How many are out there? What did you see, Marshall?" Tilly returned to the jeep to fetch the automatic as she continued to search the top of the wall, wondering what else might come over. All remained quiet. She glanced over at Marshall, still waiting on a response. When the outside bell rang, all four of them jumped a little.

"Open the gate." It was Allison's voice.

"Check that out, Louis," Tilly said.

Louis dropped the spade and headed up the watchtower ladder. Farling had arrived by now, but remained back, nearer the trees.

"All clear," Louis yelled down.

Tilly nodded towards Marshall. When he pulled open the gate, half of Smoke Junction stood on the other side. They had two captives with them. Terra's ancient looking, lever action wooden rifle was pointed at one of the two. Cameron held a pistol just above the ear of the other. The captives were men, both young, both dressed in black jeans and t-shirts with their hands tied in front with what looked like old communication cable of some sort. Tilly glanced down at herself, making sure her attire was reasonable this time. She had since cut up that flimsy gown, much to Louis's dismay, into several neat squares and placed them in her material bin.