Maya reached out and took Layla’s hand in hers. She grabbed Ariel’s with her other hand and gave them both a squeeze. “I’m so glad I found you then.”
“How did you find us?” Ariel asked. “What were you doing in the city alone if you have a safe place?”
“Looking for survivors. It’s what I do. I go out at night and help people get to safety. Several of us do it.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Layla pointed out.
Maya nodded. “I guess, but when I find people like you, I’m reminded it’s all worth it. The thought of anyone falling into the hands of the militants makes me shudder. And that’s just one of the groups who would like to get their grubby paws on two young women traveling alone.”
Layla sighed. “That’s what our parents warned us about. But I’m not sure they knew how bad it was.”
“Yeah. The list of crazies out there is long. Religious zealots, private citizens, the US government, pimps… People from all walks of life will do almost anything to get their hands on a woman. They don’t even care how old you are. If you were to get captured, chances are you would immediately be sold. Most of the groups out here hunting at night work for someone higher up the food chain. Their job is to find women and bring them back to whoever they work for. It keeps food on their tables.”
Layla swallowed. “Jesus.”
Maya looked at her again as they continued walking. “Never trust anyone who isn’t with The Wanderers. Young women like us are a priceless commodity. Even people who were otherwise decent citizens just a few years ago will not hesitate to snag you and sell you to the highest bidder. People are desperate. They’d trade you for food.”
Layla knew it was bad. She knew the situation in the world had grown worse and worse in the past few years, but this was the first time she’d ventured out to see for herself. It was the first time someone who really knew the situation had explained it to her.
She and her sister weren’t totally inept. Their parents had raised them to fend for themselves. They were well-educated, could grow their own food, fight off nearly any attacker, and even shoot a gun if they needed to.
Layla shivered as she recalled exactly that—needing to shoot a weapon just two weeks ago. It hadn’t saved her parents, but it very well probably saved herself and Ariel.
“Is your group comprised of only women?” she asked.
Maya shook her head. “No. Most are men, just like in the regular population, and that number is growing. But we’re very careful when we take in men. It’s dangerous. They must be well-vetted. There are still good men in the world, ones who believe in democracy and free will, ones who would never take what isn’t offered to them.” Her voice trailed off.
Layla was nervous about what she would find when they reached wherever they were going. She was leery of nearly all people, women or men, but her interactions with men were few and far between. What she knew was that they were taller, broader, stronger. They could take what they wanted and often did.
Her father had been one of the good guys, and he’d told them that often, but he’d also warned them that he was an anomaly and they should be careful. The world was an ugly place.
They walked for another hour before Maya stopped them with an outstretched hand, squatting down at the edge of the tree line.
Layla stared at the cabin in front of her and then glanced at Maya. “Where are we? That looks like a one-room cabin.”
Maya grinned. “That’s what it’s supposed to look like. But it’s a bunker. It can house twenty people.”
“Underground?” Ariel asked.
“Yep. I just want to be sure the coast is clear, and then we’ll go in.” She set her backpack down in front of her and pulled out a walkie-talkie. After turning it on, she tuned in to a specific channel and pushed the button on the side. “Hey.”
A few seconds later, a man’s voice responded, “You’re back. Got anyone with you?”
“Yes. Two women. We clear?”
“Yes. Come on in.”
Layla pointed at the walkie-talkie as Maya tucked it back into her pack. “How do you have power for that?”
“Solar.”
“Ah. That’s amazing. Is your compound solar powered?”
“Yes. Most of it. Did you not have any power where you lived?” Maya asked.
“We did. Intermittently. We used it sparingly when Dad traded for propane or gas.”
Ariel nodded. “We even had a TV. Without old movies and videos, we would be far more ignorant about the world.”