Page 137 of Into the Mist

“I am, and our new home is breathtaking,” said Mercury.

“Just wait until we scavenge supplies from Mitchell,” said Ford. “Did you know Imani has a minor in engineering?”

“Huh? I had zero clue,” said Mercury.

Imani nodded as she walked up the gentle incline from the creek. “Yeah, that’s right, I’m smart, and an engineering minor means that I can definitely help us figure out how to tuck adobe homes into the side of these cliffs.”

“That’s fantastic, Imani!” Mercury said.

“What’s also fantastic is that we’ve arrived at the perfect time of year,” Imani said. “As Ford explained while you were getting your beauty sleep, we’re leaving the rainy season and have a couple months before it’s stupid hot during the day. That should give us time to get a sizeable shelter ready for coming summer weather extremes.”

“And also give us time to plant crops,” said Stella.

“Andround up some goats and chickens!” Gemma added as Georgie nodded and clapped.

“But our first step is checking out Mitchell,” said Ford. “Stella, I’ve been thinking about what might happen if there are a lot of survivors there. We’ll need to barter. Do you think it’d be okay to offer those bottles of twenty-five year old Macallan in exchange for supplies?”

“It would break my heart a little, but that does sound like a good idea,” said Stella.

“If no one disagrees, I’d like to make that first town run sooner rather than later,” said Ford.

“Oh, we need to go today—now, actually,” said Stella.

“Okay, who all’s going?” Imani asked.

Stella crossed her arms over her chest as she considered. “Ford is the only one of us who’s been to Mitchell, so he needs to go.”

“I’ve been, but I don’t remember much about it except that I had a salmon sandwich from some little restaurant and then got super sick and puked all the way home,” said Gemma.

“I would rather remain here,” said Karen.

“Actually, so would I,” Imani said. “And I could use Gemma’s help with setting up a shelter over the latrine. I got soaked last night when I went to pee, It would be really nice if we could get a cover done by dark.”

“Any kind of cover over the latrine would be dreamy,” said Stella.

“Well, I’d like to go to town,” said Mercury. “I’ve already started a mental list of necessities.”

“Add to that list straw, if you can find it,” said Imani.

“Straw?” Mercury’s raised her brow.

Imani nodded. “Yeah, it’s key to adobe brick making. Sand would be good too, but I have a feeling the clay from those colorful hills may not need the help.”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” said Stella.

“I’m really glad you two know what you’re talking about,” said Mercury.

“We absolutely do.” Stella and Imani exchanged self-satisfied grins.

“I’m glad to hear it too, and look forward to you two explaining the process. Cliff dwellings—that was definitely not on my apocalypse bingo card,” said Ford.

“You have an apocalypse bingo card?” Mercury asked.

He smiled. “I do now. And I finished unloading the truck a little while ago,” said Ford. “So there’s plenty of room in the bed to pile stuff, especially if we take off that camper shell.”

“How about we get that shell off while Mercury eats something?” Stella said. “Then the three of us can be on our way to Mitchell.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Karen picked at the frayed hem of her cardigan.