Chapter 12
Layla was oddly comforted by the kind woman who rounded the table and pulled a chair up so that she could sit in a small circle with Layla and Ariel. She reached out and took both of their hands. “Relax. I don’t know what you’ve been through. You can tell me about it later. But you’re safe here.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Ariel murmured.
“Please, call me Willa.” She gave Layla’s hand a tight squeeze, meeting her gaze. “I know you’ve formed a relationship with my son and his partners, but I want to make sure you understand your options. You’re welcome to move into their living quarters if that’s what you choose. You’re also welcome in my home now or at any time in the future.”
Willa cupped Ariel’s cheek. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen.”
Willa smiled. “God, I remember when I was nineteen. Times have changed though. We live in a different world.”
Layla cleared her throat. “Is it okay if Ariel stays with me for now? We’ve never been separated. We’ve never even slept in different rooms.”
“Of course, dear. You’ll stay wherever you feel most comfortable. I just want to ensure you don’t feel pressured to be sponsored by my son and his partners. There are other options. Just because they’re the first people you met from our society doesn’t mean they get to lay claim to you and that’s the end of it. Even if you would like to stay with them, you’re under no obligation to remain under their care.”
Layla nodded. “I understand. They’ve all been polite. I can assure you.”
Willa beamed. “Good. I’d be disappointed to hear otherwise. I raised Ledger to be a gentleman. He and his partners have been together for many years. I’ve only ever known them to be kind and respectful. I know they’ve waited patiently to meet someone who might be willing to join their family unit. If that’s you, I’ll be over the moon. If it’s not, that’s your prerogative. There are hundreds of people living here, and even more in our other compounds. Like-minded folks who believe in free will. You will not be used for experimentation. You will not be forced into any arrangement against your will. You will not be expected to have children without your consent.”
Layla wiped a tear from her cheek. “Thank you. I promise I’m not always this emotional.”
Willa reached over to stroke her cheek. “It’s expected, dear. I know The Wanderers and what we stand for can be overwhelming at first. I’m sure you’re exhausted and hungry. I won’t keep you. After you’ve eaten and showered and had a chance to rest, please come meet my family. My daughter, Liana, will be so excited.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Ariel said again.
Willa smiled at her, not correcting her. It would take time for either of them to call this woman by her first name. Their parents had taught them otherwise.
The three of them stood, and Willa reached to open the door to the outer room. She leaned out. “Why don’t you take them to the cafeteria first, and then let them shower and sleep? These girls are dead on their feet.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Ledger said as he leaned in to kiss his mother on the cheek.
A huge weight lifted off Layla’s shoulders just seeing the interaction of Ledger with his mother and Gatlin with his father. These were good people. Good men. No matter what happened, she knew she was in good hands.
It was Nile who claimed Layla’s hand as they headed down a long hallway finally emerging into a very large space filled with tables and chairs on one side, couches on the other side. A giant communal living space.
There was a food line along the wall behind the tables, like a cafeteria. The flooring was gray stamped concrete. The tables and chairs were metal. Everything was clean and organized.
Not many people were around.
“Where is everyone?” Ariel asked.
“It’s midafternoon,” Nile responded. “Most people are working at their assigned jobs.” He tugged Layla toward the cafeteria line. “No matter what time it is, there’s always something to eat. Let’s grab a bite and then we’ll show you where we live.”
Layla was starving and stunned by the number of options. Fruits, nuts, and vegetables looked like they were always present. Thick sandwiches too.
“Mmm. Is that peanut butter and jelly?” Ariel asked.
Ledger chuckled. “Yep.” He grabbed a sandwich and handed it to her.
Layla smiled. “Mom made peanut butter sometimes when we were growing up. She said it was a staple before the apocalypse but a lot of trouble to make at home.” She reached for one too. “How do we pay for things?” she asked.
“We don’t,” Nile informed her. “Not with money or trades at least.” He signed a form at the end of the line and handed it to the man working there. “If everyone eats what they need and doesn’t hoard anything, there’s always plenty. You’ll learn more about how we grow our food and sustain our increasing numbers soon.”
They sat at a table with glasses of water and their sandwiches. No one spoke while they ate—scarfed really. It had been a while since Layla or Ariel had had a decent meal.
Gatlin cleaned up their space when they were finished, but Layla noticed there was little waste. Everything in this compound was efficient and sustainable.