Defending Camp

3

Georgia glared down at Max and John.

“Get the hell off the ground, you two.”

They both started sputtering out words, trying to explain themselves.

“You’re acting like two little kids,” said Georgia. “And I don’t want to have to treat you like such. You’re two grown men. I know you’re forgetting that, but I need you to act like the men that you are.”

Everyone else was piling out of the tents and the van now, rubbing their sleep-filled eyes.

It took Max and John a few minutes to calm down, but when they did, they acted embarrassed, and apologized to everyone for waking them up.

“All right, everyone,” said Georgia, clapping her hands together. “Show’s over. Back to bed if you need the rest. If not, it’s time to work.”

“You two should be ashamed of yourselves,” said Mandy.

Georgia was glad to be back on her feet, so to speak. She could actually move her body now, almost in the way she could before she’d been shot. It felt good, but not as good as getting things done.

“What do you need help with, Mom?” said James. He had a sunken look to his eyes that killed Georgia every time she saw it.

“Go get yourself something to eat. And some coffee. Then we’ll get started. Sadie, you do the same.”

“Is this another one of your fun little projects?” said Cynthia. “What are we doing today? Arts and crafts, maybe?”

“You’re still sarcastic as hell even on no sleep,” said Georgia. “You were up all last night. Go back to bed if you want to be any use to anyone.”

“Right. I’ll catch up my beauty sleep then. Another couple hours and I’ll look five years younger.”

Georgia didn’t even crack a smile. There was work to do. She surveyed the campsite. It was a complete mess. Gear was scattered everywhere. The woodpiles had slowly grown into nothing but messes that were starting to creep over the whole campsite. They needed to get organized.

“Georgia, can I talk to you for a minute?” It was Max, looking as sheepish as she’d ever seen him.

“What’s up, Max?”

“In private, I mean,” said Max, casting an eye back to his brother.

“Let’s take a walk,” said Georgia.

They walked together, side by side, in silence towards the trees.

Georgia’s rifle had been slung over her back. She took it in her hands now. She didn’t like being far from camp without it at the ready, even though things had been calm. No sign of anyone.

They stopped in a small clearing in the trees, within eyesight of camp, but out of earshot.

Max took his binoculars from around his neck and began looking off into the distance.

“See anything?”

“Nope,” said Max.

“So what’s this all about?”

Max lowered the binoculars and looked Georgia right in the eye.

“I have to go,” he said. “I’m leaving tonight.”

Georgia didn’t say anything for a moment. She’d been worried about this. Max had been talking on the radio with some kid for the past week, ever since he’d first made contact. The conversations hadn’t been long, but they seemed to have been on Max’s mind the entire time.

“You don’t have to go, Max,” said Georgia. If she hadn’t been holding her rifle, she would have crossed her arms in front of her.

Max didn’t answer. He was busy digging into the ground with the toe of his boot.

“This just doesn’t make sense, Max. And it’s out of character.”

“Out of character?”

“Yeah, you’re always talking about practicality, about being realistic. You’re always trying to protect us. Our group. You know you can’t save everyone. What makes this kid different? I know this sounds harsh, but why does he deserve to be saved?”

“I don’t know,” said Max. “He’s just… I don’t know. He reminds me of… If I had a son, I guess.”

“Like the son you never had? Something’s gotten into you, Max. This doesn’t sound like you at all. Since when did you get all emotional?”

Max shrugged.

“I think you’re feeding me a line of bullshit,” said Georgia, looking him right in the eyes. “I think something else is going on.”

“Maybe I am. You know me too well, Georgia. And what else is going on, then?”

“I think you’ve gotten addicted to this.”

“To what?”

“To all this. To all this running, all this fighting. It’s not fun. No one’s saying that. Mostly it’s hell. But it’s like guys who keep signing up for tours abroad again and again. They get addicted to it.”

Max didn’t say anything, but the expression around his eyes had changed.

“Things have calmed down now,” said Georgia. “And I’m doing better, so you know that I can take care of things here at camp. For now, at least. I just want you to be aware of what’s going on with you, Max. In the end, I can’t tell you what to do. It’s your decision. I just hope you realize what you’re getting yourself into.”

It took Max a long time to respond. “Maybe you’re right. But I’m not the type to overthink things. All I’m doing is trying to go rescue a kid who’s in a bad situation. I’ll take the pot farmer’s truck.”

“All right,” said Georgia. “If that’s what you want to do. I’m going to get this camp in good order. By the time you’re back, you won’t recognize it. There’s one thing that you need to know, though. One thing you’re not considering.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re going to have a hell of a time getting out of here without Mandy going along. She cares about you more than you realize, Max.”

Max said nothing. He just nodded and turned, and walked back toward the camp. He limped slightly as he walked.

As Georgia watched him walk away, she couldn’t help but thinking that this might be the last day she’d see Max. They’d worked and fought hard to carve out their little bit of relative safety here away from the madness of the collapsing world. And now Max was throwing himself right back into it all.