Collapse by M B Wood

Author:M B Wood [Wood, M B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Faucett Publishing LLC
Published: 2018-09-30T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

A Season to Grow

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the passing of the brave men and women who gave their lives in defense of our community..."

Franny listened to Father Scacavelli who had his arms raised, eyes closed, standing on top of a weather-beaten park bench before the Clan in the grassy meadow below the Hill.

A clump of tall maples behind him provided shade. He’d organized a group funeral service because too many had died for private services. As yet, there was no church or chapel. However, they now had a large, new cemetery.

Franny knew how those around her, sweltering in the afternoon sun, had suffered. For two days after the battle, she had tended the wounded with no time to think about her own problems. As she prayed for the dead, she felt thankful, that in spite of her suffering, she and her children were still alive.

I know there's nothing I can do to change what happened, but if I try, perhaps the future will be better. I've been so wrapped up in myself, she thought, I've driven people away from me. As the opening notes to 'God is our Fortress and our Rock' sounded, she opened her heart and raised her voice to God.

#

At the funeral service, Taylor sang almost without feeling. It brought back memories of Vivian and the life they'd once shared. His heart ached to hold her again. As he scanned the faces of those present, he recognized the Clan needed a sense of continuity and he knew for many, religion was a source of comfort and mysterious strength. He supported the establishment of formal religions even though he no longer felt any need. Something inside him had died.

Taylor's sense of self-reliance forced him to look within to find solutions. He found what kept him going was a sense of responsibility to others. The loss of Vivian and the devastation of the battle lay on him like a black fog.

I have done evil. My only chance of salvation lies in helping others.

#

After the funeral service, Taylor assembled the team leaders. "We took too many casualties and sustained too much damage."

Heads nodded.

"We can't let this happen again. So, what should we do about it?"

"Well." Weitzman cleared his throat. "The Oxbow residents would like to move onto the Hill, where it's safer.”

"All right." Taylor paused. "What about your animals?"

"Maybe we can use the Oxbow area as farmland." Weitzman had a distant look. "However, I'm still concerned about its security. We'll have to strengthen its defenses.”

"Let's schedule a separate meeting on that," Taylor said. "Any objections to the Oxbow people moving to the Hill?"

"No, but I'd like to say something." Pat Rice cleared his throat. "Edgepark has some natural defenses, but they're not as good as the Oxbow and nothing like the Hill. Even though we took only minor casualties, we're vulnerable, too. We'd like to move to the Hill, as well.”

Taylor stroked his chin. "In reality, there's a lot of space on top of the Hill if we're not concerned about hiding our presence.

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