That night, the sirens had almost disappeared. Many of the fires that started had burned out, but some had grown, uncontrolled, and were still burning. The sound of gunfire, both single shots and automatic, continued to grow. It reached a crescendo before midnight, and then, slacked off toward morning. But I knew little of it except when I got up to urinate and check outside if anything was out of order.

I woke in the morning with much on my mind. I actually beat Derek up. So, it was me that started cooking and thinking while I waited for him to wake up. Smoke rose up under the burner for the frying pan. I opened a window to let the kitchen air out a bit. Where we live, the dry conditions and sea breeze means there are really no bugs to speak of; hardly anyone has screens on their windows.

Suddenly, the room was full of flies. We didn't have a flyswatter so I rolled up a magazine and went around swatting them. Finally, had to close the window because so many were coming in to the smell of bacon frying. I knew why there were so many. All those bodies we had dragged out in the neighborhood had now had enough time to attract hatches from earlier rotting bodies looking for new egg laying sites. As I looked out the window I could see them in swarms and I could also see seagulls and other birds attacking them with zest. I thought of those dogs experiencing them for the first time in their lives, swatting away with their tails and covering their eyes with their paws.

And then, Derek appeared…

"Sorry I'm late, got a call from Daphne. She told me that her uncle has been after her to pose in lingerie for his painting and sculpture… She said he's being creepy like she's beginning to remember from before… And, she had another problem…

"She told me that her nosy, precocious, geeky friend, Wondah Mohammed, keeps calling. Telling her that she's all alone, out of water and food and has had to hide in the crawlspace under her family house to escape armed marauders. She said they're going house to house and killing people for what little they have. Took all the food she had in her refrigerator and pantry."

"Where does she live?"

"Daphne said over in Inglewood on the east side of Edward Vincent, Jr., Park. Daphne gave me her phone number and address. Said, 'You need to rescue her.'"

"That's near our company yard and warehouse in South Los Angeles. We need to swing by there anyway to get some things for the barricade or we'll have half of Los Angeles coming here after what we have. Why don't you give her a call and tell her that we will try to come by as soon as late this morning after we do a few things here, first."

"Will do. What's with all the flies Drae? I heard you swatting them in here and I can hear them buzzing outside… See them in swarms."

"The result of leaving bodies out for the vultures. At least I saw the local birds having a field day eating them. I'm not sure how long we'll have them around… I hope not long."

"Me, either."

While we made and ate breakfast together, we discussed what we would do for the day. Wondah presented a whole new interrupting challenge among many we had facing us. We left the house as early as we could after tending to the garden. Fighting off flies as we did. Martha and her charges were okay, but forced to stay in the house. Some of the dogs were eating flies as though they were good protein and otherwise okay along with some of the exotic birds who were also big fly eaters.

I called Robert Emerson to see how he and his family were doing.

"Bob, just checking in to see how you are doing." I left the speakerphone on so Derek could join us.

"Not well. I can foresee, even with that grocery store, that our food won't last. Finally, don't think it's safe to stay here, even with your efforts. I applaud you for staying, but we are packing. My hybrid truck should be able to make it to Albuquerque where my brother says they have a mountain retreat that we can go to. So, we are leaving this morning so we will have a lot of daylight getting out of the city and on our way into what we hope won't be in dangerous country getting to Albuquerque."

"I think that's a good plan, Bob. My grandfather is in the Central Valley at his farm. If things get too bad here, we can go stay with him. But for now, I'm going to try to make this, our home, livable and sustainable. Is it okay to use your place for growing food and gathering water?"

"Go ahead. I know you guys are resourceful. Anything you do here will be an improvement if we come back in the future. I just don't have the energy that you guys seem to have."

"Have a great journey with no trouble, okay?"

"I'm sure we will… Bye."

"Bye."

I had the keycode to the Bloom compound, so we didn't have to climb over the wall. We just opened the gate and drove the four wheeler in. We knocked on the door though, rather than just walking on in. We heard Melody call out…

"Come on in guys! What took you so long… We're already packed."

As we entered the bedroom, she was dressed in white denim shorts, a light yellow top short at the bottom that bared her taut, tan midriff. It was almost transparent and clearly showed, not only that she wasn't wearing a bra but she was wearing a shoulder holster with a pistol under her right arm. On the bed were packed suitcases.

"We've been up since before dawn. I left the sliding glass door open like I usually do, and suddenly we were being attacked by flies! Took us a half-hour of swatting to get rid of them. I guess it must be Spike's revenge. Look, the vultures are on him. Have been all morning. I want us to get out of here." She pointed to where they had dragged Spike. It was the first time that Derek saw what was left of him. A man he didn't know. He winced at the thought of what he was seeing.

I changed the subject. "Why are you carrying?"

"Because I can, sweetie. Have you heard all the shooting out there like I have? Spike was a detective for the LA Police Department. The only reason we were able to buy this place was kickbacks he got for special favors for special people. Part of the reason he was rotten to the core. This is his service FN 509 that he forced me to learn how to fire. Now, I'm glad he did. There's also his police issued rifle and shotgun in the closet. I suggest that you take them if you want to protect us."

"You're right. We were just planning to beef up our defenses today by covering those open gates we have so that intruders can't see into what we have. We'll take the guns and get you out of here."

Flower took the opportunity to run over and hug me. Then, we began picking up their things and taking them to the trailer behind the four wheeler. Derek and Flower walked while Melody rode with me.

 I turned into the Rosenberg place and Marsha and Melissa came out to greet us. Derek and Flower soon caught up. Flower ran down ahead to hug her friend Melissa, so glad to see her alive. Although in different grades, they were in the same school together.

Melody got a sour look on her face. "Are you expecting me to stay with that old broad?" She said it loud enough so that Marsha could hear.

"Yes, I thought it was best because we have to leave and go to our fathers' business where we will pick up supplies to barricade our gates and the entrance to the street. It will take most of the day and we thought you would like it better here with some of Marsha's great cooking.

"We're both starved, but I thought I was going to stay with you!" She gave me one of those looks like a spoiled child but I knew it wasn't. It was more like jealousy.

"Okay, you can stay with us, but what about Flower?"

"She can stay here. Did you see how those two hugged? She'll be happier here. Look at that gorgeous dog…" Pointing at Regis, the two girls were petting. Mike was dutifully sitting by the four wheeler licking Melody's bare toes. "I like this German Shepherd and I think he likes me. Or my perfumed nail polish. Vanilla?" She laughed that raunchy laugh of hers.

"That's Mike, I think he'll make a good guard dog. Might need some training though… he's too friendly." I chuckled.

We unloaded Flower's stuff and took it into the house and dropped it off in the same room where Melissa was staying. In the background, I could hear them already discussing what they were going to be doing while swatting flies.

Marsha brought some breakfast for Melody and Flower and some hot coffee all around. We relaxed while they ate and, while watching them devour it, declared, "Not bad for an old broad." We all laughed.

Once Melody had finished three cups of coffee, we were able to return to my house.

Before we left, I told her, "Mel, you can use my sister's room. You could take Mike with you for company, but we have to get on our way to South LA to the warehouse and shop and then make a rescue in Inglewood."

Melody got that look on her face again. "Why can't I go with you?"

I thought for a minute… "Okay, we could use another hand loading material. Are you up to that?"

"I sure am. And, I believe I'm ready for any action." She patted her pistol with her right hand like it was a pet. "Don't you think you guys need to be armed going out there… All those shots we've been hearing?"

"That's a good idea. I'll get dad's 9 mm Glock and Der, Will you take the Beretta?"

"You know how I feel about firearms and shooting people. But this time, I believe you're right, Drae. It's only sane for us to be armed for self-defense. I'll take a shotgun with birdshot, too. That wouldn't kill anyone, but it'll sure hurt."

"Another a good idea. Let's pick them up on our way out. We're burning daylight. Der, you take your dad's truck, and I'll take mine. You lead and I'll follow."

Melody interjected, "And I'll ride with you Drae. It's okay to call you that, isn't it." She chuckled.

"I guess so, I've been calling you, Mel." I smiled, looked over and saw a bit of envy in Derek's expression.

As we drove down familiar streets to the yard where the warehouse and shop were we encountered several burned out areas and some areas still burning. We didn't hear any shooting, but we saw evidence of shops broken into and debris on the street that was evidence of looting. Shot up cars and bullet holes in walls and storefronts.

 The smell of death was everywhere and sometimes overwhelming so we rolled up the windows. When we picked up any speed, flies were splattering on the windshield. Requiring frequent washing with our wipers to get them off.

We even saw coyotes roaming openly and dogs eating bodies. They were somebody's pets but had already turned wild in their hunger and probably were forming packs for protection in their wild state. It made me wonder about the zoos and people that had exotic pets. Did they let them out before they died? I didn't know but wanted to. Would we see lions and tigers in the streets?

We arrived at the yard and found that the padlock on the gate had not been breached. From the gate it didn't look like anything had changed inside. We sat down for a moment in the office and made a lunch from the food and drink that was there, thankful that the refrigerator was still working. While eating, we put together a list of what we would gather and then began doing it. The first items were power tools that we would need. Most of them were already charged and ready for use.

And then, we started loading materials. Plywood, two by fours, cement, rebar, construction barriers and other supplies on both trucks until they were fully loaded. We left with the hope that the heavy construction equipment would not be destroyed or damaged. Hopefully, we would be able to come back and get it to do work later.

It was about 4 o'clock when we finished all that loading. I was so glad that Mel was willing to pull her weight with the rest of us. She was sweating so much her breasts were clearly defined like in a wet T-shirt contest. We both noticed and she didn't seem to care. We were all exhausted, so glad to get into the trucks and get moving with a/c on again.

Wondah's address was on West Boulevard and her house was on the park. All of the houses along that stretch had been remodeled or even rebuilt. The garages had been turned into living space either for rent or for increasing the square footage for second mortgages or equity loans. As a result, both sides of the street were lined with parked vehicles. Along the way, we had to push aside three cars and one pickup truck that blocked our way with bodies inside.

When we arrived, we found that Wondah's house was much larger than the others and had been obviously rebuilt on two lots and updated by the looks of it. We rang the doorbell that didn't work. It was a camera doorbell and the camera probably didn't work either. Then, I noticed that the door had been broken at the deadbolt so when I pushed on it, it opened easily.

We called out, "Wondah! Wondah!" A few times and got no answer. Finally I called out, "We are Derek and Drake from your school. Daphne told us that you needed help. We are here to rescue you."

From back in the recesses of the building we heard, "Okay, okay… I'm coming out… I'm really glad to see you guys, just afraid from what I've experienced. Some of our classmates aren't so nice."

I wondered what that meant? But I didn't want to waste time, so we greeted her with hugs and told her that we were there to take her with us where we had food and water and she would be protected.

As we gathered her things in her room, Wondah told us why she was alone. "Mom called from the school district office and told me that she volunteered to help out caring for kids in the high school next door. They were too sick to go home and were in the infirmary in the gym where a temporary care unit had been set up by other school officials and the school nurse.

"Dad came home from Cal State U., Long Beach, sick. I cared for him, but he died in three days telling me that he was sorry. I told him it wasn't his fault. I buried him in the backyard." She broke down crying while Mel hugged her, knowing somewhat what she was going through.

After we had gathered all of her personal things, Wondah lead us to her office that was partly broken up and gathered a bunch of computer gear that she wanted to take with her. She explained…

"I have an online computer business where I consult with and help companies with their automation needs. It's been quite lucrative and the website is still up. But I need a safe place to continue working. You guys seem to have given me a chance to rebuild what I started."

She looked directly at me as she said it. Those huge, modified eyeballs tearing up in gratitude when she did. It was obvious she could be a huge asset for us. A genius with AI skills in our midst. The first thing I had in mind was an autonomous camera security system.

As we carried Wondah's things and gear to the trucks, Mel had something to say…

"Drae, I'm going to ride with Der on the way back. Wondah can ride with you."

I couldn't challenge that one. Didn't want to. I was already getting too turned on catching glimpses of her boobs and nipples so clearly defined.

It gave me time to get Wondah's story as we drove back. She told me that her mother met her father in college at Long Beach State when both of them were seniors. But when she went into teaching after college and they had her out of wedlock, they separated. Her mom, Becca Mayes, converted to Black Muslim, changing her name to Mohammed. She gave Wondah her surname, Mohammed.

Wondah's dad, Oliver Anderson, went on to UCLA for a master's degree, and then, to Berkeley for his PhD in physics. Upon graduation, his alma mater hired him to teach physics. That's when her mother and father reconnected, but never married, and bought this house.

Wondah also told me a bit about how frightened she was when twice, gangs broke into her house and ran through it very quickly while she hid under the house in a crawlspace hearing their loud voices and their footsteps overhead with rats, snakes and spiders crawling all around.

Fortunately, they took only valuables. Unfortunately, they took most of the food she had. She ended up eating noodles and cake mix. The power had gone out so she couldn't begin to repair her electronic equipment and check on her online business. Her cell phone had run out of battery just before we arrived. She was really desperate.

Wondah said that her mother had her tested when she was about five and her IQ was in the genius category. As a child, she was skinny, short and had thick glasses, so she was continually picked on until she got Lasix surgery for her eyes, started doing bodybuilding, and transferred to private schools where they appreciated her abilities with language, music, math and science.

Wondah wasn't immediately attractive, but as I listened to her and saw what a mind she had, I began to get interested in her for what she knew about things that I didn't. She was much more interesting than Melody. And I knew she would be a real asset to our growing family.

But, while we were talking we almost missed it! Actually, had to turn around, and go back to a Wireless Alley store with the storefront window broken. I quickly called Derek and told him what we were doing.

Soon, we were in the store that still had a lot of equipment that hadn't been looted. Wondah had me filling a shopping cart full of cameras, computers, modems and monitors for our security set up. In the back, we found a huge storeroom filled with boxes of equipment that hadn't been touched. I made a note of it to make sure to come back later to get more.

Before returning home, we stopped at the grocery store again. Inside, it stunk, the power was off, and it was filled with flies. What produce hadn't been taken was rotting. I let Melody and Wondah gather any home and kitchen supplies, while Derek and I grabbed food that was in cans,  packaged or, otherwise, not perishable.

We arrived home after dark and were all too tired to do anything but drop Wondah and her stuff with Marsha where Marsha fed us all with a hot meal and fresh produce from her garden and fruit trees. We were starting to depend on her to feed us. While there, Wondah fell in love with the girls and found that Jake's den would make a great office, with permission from Martha.

The three of us rushed to the shower in the master bath. I let Derek go to the one in the second bathroom when he offered, while I politely let Melody shower first. When I handed her a towel, she made sure that I saw her all over tan before moving off into my sister's former room to bed.

After dark, the flies disappeared, so I was able to open my sliding glass door that led to the pool that we had neglected using these past many days.

I awoke when I heard splashing. When I looked outside, I could clearly see that Melody was swimming in the pool. And she wasn't wearing anything. I slipped out of my briefs I was sleeping in, snuck out across the deck to the pool, and slipped in. She knew I was coming.

Copyright 2023 © Ronald W. Hull

4/10/23