Resurrection by Kevin Collins Page B

soon after the plague began and joined up with the Republic later. We’re the law in this area, we keep it safe for us and our children and any other citizen who may still be alive although other than those you see around you there aren’t many left.
    “We patrol the highways and the backroads of this county and the towns around the area and dispose of Wasters when we find them. If someone has a loved one who dies we allow them time to grieve by having a funeral before disposing of the body in the specified manner, in a dignified way of course.”
    Mark was silent, listening to Tom’s words as he ate his breakfast. Soon the red–haired girl who had brought him supper the previous night came by.
    “Would you like some more coffee?” She said.
    Mark pushed his cup toward her. “Yes please,” he said.
    She smiled at him and he smiled back. Tom observed the interaction between the two and rubbed his chin
    “Nice girl,” he said after she had moved on. “Young and pretty; we call her The Red Angel.”
    “Well that’s a fitting name for her because she brought me a plate of food last night otherwise I would have gone hungry.
    “That not the reason she is called that, it’s because she’s a seer.”
    “A what?” Mark stuttered.
    What are your intentions Mark?”
    The question took him aback.
    “What are my intentions? What are you talking about Tom?”
    “You see Mark we’d like you to join up with us, we’re always looking for able bodied volunteers to work the farm and become part of the thin line of sanity.”
    “Join up, you mean stay here. I don’t know I kind of had my sights on…”
    “New Mexico, I know,” Tom interrupted.  “All you’re gonna find out there is desert and more desert.”
    “Maybe that’s what I’m looking for, Just maybe I want to get out in the middle of nowhere and hide out in some secluded canyon or mountaintop.”
    “Maybe that’s so, but I’m offering you a purpose, a life with some kind of meaning not just disappearing into the landscape like a ghost.”
    What Mark saw around him was by far better than from where he had come and surviving on the road had become more of a chore than he had first imagined. He pulled at the edges of the thought of remaining where he was and putting Resurrection on the back burner for now.
    “You know what Tom, I believe I’ll give it a go with the understanding that if I decide different later I am free to go.”
    “Sounds fair enough but once you get settled in here you won’t want to leave. Good tomorrow morning you start training”
    “Training?” Mark said.
    “Well you can’t very well be in the Texas Militia without training. We train five days a week and afterwards we work the farm so it’s a pretty long day; won’t be much time for socializing if you know what I mean Mark. We’ll talk about those weapons in your truck later.
    “How many men are in this unit?” Mark said.
    “About two hundred and fifty in this outfit and that includes many of the woman; not all but many of the ladies can carry their own weight and yours if need be when it comes down to it.
    “Not all of them can fight nor do we expect them to, some see to the needs of the camp by being caretakers of the children, cooking and making certain no one goes hungry. Their contribution is no less a necessity than being able to go on patrol and keep the camp safe. Our sister unit in Jimenez has about four-hundred so altogether we are about six-hundred fifty souls.”
    Mark saw Isabel walking toward him followed by her two children.
    “Good Sunday morning Tom and how are you Mark, You slept well I trust.” She said.
    Tom and Mark both stood “Yes ma’am very well thank you,” he said.
    “Such manners, I like that in a man. Mark I want you to meet my children, this is Luz and I believe you have already met Rafael.”
    “Good to meet you Luz and Rafael.”
    Isabel and Luz were both dressed in matching yellow sundresses which was in striking contrast to