- - End of All Things, The (51 page)

“Sounds like it came from the gate,” Kaden said. His eyes were as wide as saucers.

Justin took off at a run and climbed the set of wood stairs built on the side of the shipping container. Carly ran up behind him and collided with his back when he stopped short. He laughed and turned to her, his eyes shining with joy. “It’s Mindy and Stan!”

Stan was throwing hedge apples at the gate. Shadowfax and Storm ambled behind them, munching on choice bits of grass beside the road. Stan saw Justin and waved. “You people missing a kid?” he called out. Mindy stood beside him, Dagny in her arms.

Justin grabbed the chain beside the gate and jumped off the wood stairs, using his weight to pull the door up as he swung down. He landed lightly on his feet and grabbed Stan in a bear hug as he came through the opening. Carly screamed with delight and hugged Mindy before snatching Dagny back into her arms. Plump, eyes shining—a happy,
healthy
baby. Carly laid her head on top of Dagny’s and inhaled her sweet, clean baby scent. Tears of joy streamed unheeded over her cheeks.

“How did you know?”

“The fire,” Stan said. “We figured it was a signal. We’ve been staying at a fishing cabin not far from here. Mindy saw the smoke.

“I’m glad you’re back,” Justin said. “God, it’s good to see you.” 

Stan shuffled, a little uncertain. “Listen, we’re not alone.”

“What?” Justin asked.

“We found some people. Really nice folks. I think you’ll like them.” Stan whistled, and a small group of people came from the tree line on the other side of the bridge. “I told ‘em to hide because I wasn’t sure . . .” He didn’t need to continue.

There was a young couple with two children.

“Stacy was a nurse at a hospital. That’s where she got the kids. The guy is Mark, and he met Stacy there after he brought his mother to the hospital. Both of them were the only ones who . . .” Stan noticed the little girl standing shyly behind the teenage boy, and he changed the subject. “Anyway, I think you’ll like them.” 

Is this how it starts, re-building civilization?
Carly wasn’t sure, but that glimmer of hope she had felt the night before was a little brighter.

En ma Fin gît mon Commencement
 . . . In my end is my beginning.

~ Finis ~

~.~