Along came Reid

22. Home Sweet Home

As Jamie ascended the hard slate stairs, her fingers reverently gliding atop the cool iron rail at her hip, slowly moving her palm upwards to the smooth cobblestone exterior of the country cottage. Marigolds and tulips poked out of planters lining the windows; windows that were as transparent as air with no wood, duct-tape or steel to mar or hide them.

This place wasn't a fortress or a stronghold; no spike traps littered the yard and there were no splashes of of old blood to paint the stone it was made of. It was a home plain and simple; one with green grass, flowers and a smoking chimney. Jamie didn't fully understand why, but the revelation of this gave her pause and made her heart heavy and full. Reid's hand move to her shoulder and she turned to find him looking to her with concern.

"You alright Bean?" he asked, inspecting her face for injury. Jamie shook her head, inhaling the clean country air around them. Bees buzzed, summer cicadas chirped and not a single deader moan could be heard.

"Yeah." she breathed, nodding softly. "It's been awhile since I've been to a real home."

Reid's head cocked to the side briefly before understanding reflected in his slate eyes. He turned to face the bright red door before them where Drew disappeared into with the boys. "I've gotta say," Reid began, moving his hands to his hips. "I still think the museum was a lot cooler. Bet these guys don't even have a sarcophagus."

Jamie chuckled breathily, still overwhelmed by the calm and peace presented before her. Reid extended his elbow to Jamie with a flourished bow. Laughing, she took it. Together they entered the home to find Drew in the periwinkle painted foyer.

"Marj, we're home!" he announced as he kicked off his mud caked boots at the door. "Take off your shoes here. She'll slay me if the floor gets dirty." Drew muttered to them under his breath before speaking louder. "I've brought guests!"

The woman Marjorie popped her head around the corner, revealing a moptop of frazzled chocolate curls and freckled caramel skin. "Oh, come on in then. I think we have enough." she greeted, wiping her notably calloused fingers on her apron. Judging by the deep cuts and scrapes marring her hands and arms, Jamie could only guess as to what horrors the woman once endured.

"Don't need to feed me." Reid said raising his palms as if surrendering his meal. "I ate before I got here."

"And I had a few apples on the way." Jamie added, patting her stomach. Apples of course wouldn't make a meal, but if they were thin on food, Jamie didn't want to impose.

"Nonsense. If we need more I can cook more. There's plenty. " Marjorie sushed as she popped back into the kitchen, rushing to the stove. "Please, take a seat. Make yourselves at home" Drew looked to them and shrugged gesturing that they take their seats at the quaint wooden table.

Reid beat her to her chair, pulling it out for her. "How's this all possible?" Jamie asked, thanking Reid briefly before sitting. Drew moved to sit on her left while Reid took the seat on her right.

"So how is it out there?" he asked.

"Out there?" Jamie echoed.

"Beyond the reserve." he clarified. "Is it still bad as the kids said it was? We've been here for over two years and haven't been out since."

Reid propped his chin atop his knuckles and leaned towards Courtney beside him. "Did you mention the thousands of spawned?"

"Yup." Courtney agreed solemnly.

"End of civilization?"

"Yeah."

"Food shortages?"

"That too."

"The stench?"

"Sense of smell got burned away about two years ago." Courtney admitted, waving a hand in front of his round nose. "It doesn't bother me much anymore."