Shiloh

I was six the day the world ended.

We hadn't known or understood what was happening at first, it had been chaos for months afterwards.

It had all started with a fishing trip. My dad's unit had talked and decided that the nine of them who had sons were all going to take a father son weekend and go down to the Niangua and fish. The problem had been that my brother hadn't wanted to go fishing with him at all, he wanted to stay home and play minecraft with our neighbor. He'd just gotten the game and even though it was old news to most people, it was new to him and the neighbors older brother had been a huge minecraft nerd for a decade and was passing on his wisdom to his little brother and my older brother.

I had wanted to go, desperately. Fishing sounded like it would be the most amazing time to me, especially with all of my dad's military buddies and their kids. That was what I remembered most about the day before we left, my dad's face when he made that video call on facebook to the group. He'd looked so sick and upset when he'd told the others that Luke didn't want to go, but I did.

The relieved grin that crossed his face when they'd all quickly and happily agreed had confused me so much. Why would he be relieved? I didn't understand it back then, why they might not want a younger girl to come along to their all older boys weekend.

Oblivious, I happily packed as my daddy told me what I would need, him even more excited than I was. My dad and I had always gotten along more than him and Luke had.

It was on the last morning of the trip that it had all started. The dark shapes in the sky, the confusion. The power going out, the radios, internet and everything going down. I hadn't understood it all, I didn't know why the dads were all so worried and freaking out. Two of the men had driven into Bennet Springs to see what was happening, but they'd come back before they'd been gone half an hour.

I never knew what was said among the adults, just that they packed up all of us kids and went further up the river in the two four wheel drives, then south towards the mountains, pushing into the woods and the foothills to a run down cabin. It was small and crowded, but I didn't care at all, it was a fun adventure and I was having a blast.

It wasn't until two days later when I'd gone outside and saw my daddy crying that I'd known something was wrong.

I was the youngest there, and no one really told me anything at all. What I did learn, I gleaned from listening. I grew up learning to be quiet and listen carefully if I wanted to know anything at all.

The invaders had come from the sky, aliens the fathers called them. Thousands of ships, hundreds of thousands of cities and towns, all sprayed. They'd wiped humankind out like some sort of pest, fumigating. Next came what the fathers had called terraforming. Ships that slid over the landscape and 'scanned' buildings and roads and anything man made. Whatever it scanned became unmade and gone. All that was left was dirt.

Soon after that was all done, they dropped in what the fathers called 'settlers'. Aliens who were taking possession of earth.

They were small, as small as I was even, but their technology was advanced.

By the time I was twelve, I knew how to hunt, both animals and Fowakeen, though I wasn't strong enough for either. They didn't stray from their major hubs, realizing quickly that the 'humans' had been spread out and lived places besides the cities. Their ships had missed some of us. They had missed some of us and we were pissed.

They stayed in their larger hubs and the humans stayed in small communities out in the woods and in rural farm towns that had been overlooked. My fathers unit had spread out, going one and two at a time to the other communities to teach those who were left how to fight and how to use guns and bows and other weapons. 'The fathers', as us kids had dubbed them, split up. My father was still with his best friend, Dunleavey, at the cabin. I stayed with him, along with Dunleavey's son, Hayden who was three years older than I was and a complete shit.

Years passed and I taught myself everything I could, becoming a healer of sorts. I gathered what I needed in the woods and near the river and people came to me when they needed remedies or other things.

When I turned 17, we moved into a small community, no longer able to stay so spread out. The Fowakeen had called to their home planet and told them there were still humans left who were fighting back. They'd sent soldiers to come and hunt us. We grouped into larger more defensible areas, but not so large that we drew attention. We still stayed quiet and low.

By the time I was 20, things had changed. It wasn't small hunting parties and little raids, it was a war for survival. The humans who were left were migrating to the Ozark mountains, all of us together in little pockets here and there. Far enough that there weren't too many in one spot, but close enough that we could answer a call for aid if someone needed help.

None of us knew if there were more humans out there in the resistance, we only knew those of us on the mountain.

I was known all over the mountain, though most couldn't pick me out of a crowd. My name was known, and what I did was known. My father kept me close and he was my liason, as he called himself. A community needed more anti-inflammatory, he told me, I made some, gave it to him and he got it to them. He always kept me away from most people and he always told me it was for my own good. He was starting not to trust people anymore. They seemed to fight among themselves almost as much as they did with the aliens.

It was late fall, cool weather starting when Dunleavey hurried into what daddy called my mad scientists lab, his face haggard and distraught.

"Shiloh," he began softly, his head shaking slightly. "Grab what you can, we have to go now. We can come back for what you need later, come on."

"Where's Daddy?" I asked, looking behind him into the front of what used to be a small mom and pop restaurant.

He looked down and away, his face full of pain. "C'mon, we need to hurry. There's a force right behind me. He made me promise to come get you out of their path."

"But he's alright?" I asked, terrified as I grabbed my 'go' bag and hurried out to the retrofitted ATV. "Dun?!?"

"We have to stay quiet," he told me softly, motioning to Hayden who hopped up in the back of the ATV and stood with a huge gun propped over the rollbar. The ATV moved soundlessly through the trees.

"Where is he?" I asked, looking behind us. "How far back? We can circle around and go back for him, if he..."

"He's dead," Hayden snarled in a loud whisper. "Saw it myself. Took a load straight to the throat, it almost took his head completely off."

"Hay!" Dunleavey cried angrily.

"What? Stop coddling her, she's part of this shit just like us! Quit treating her like a fucking princess."

I turned away, stunned.

"We're going to Miners," Dunleavey told me gently. "You remember Jake? He's there, him and Junior. He's running that group. I'm going to leave you with him, he's furthest from the line, then Hay and I are heading down to the Manor."

"Miners..." I repeated numbly, then tried to actually pull it up in my mind. "That's the cave that used to be storage?"

"Yeah, that's where most the women and children are staying, along with some of the soldiers there to protect them. It's the safest place."

"She should've been there all along!" Hayden growled, his eyes on the woods as we sped through. "If Joe hadn't been holding on to that place for so long just for her, this wouldn't have happened!"

"Shut up Hayden!" Dunleavey yelled angrily. "Just shut up! We all get it, you don't like her. Finn had a crush on her and you had a crush on Finn and he was a shit to you about it! None of that is her fault! She didn't even look twice at him! It's not her fault he treated you like shit! Stop giving her..."

"It's her fault that EVERYONE coddled her and treated her like some precious little thing that could do no wrong! That everyone acted like she was the last good thing on this earth, like the rest of us didn't exist because we had fucking dicks!"

"Both of you stop yelling, please!" I begged them, a lump in my throat. "Just let it go! I don't care how he treats me, Dun, I know he's a petty, jealous little creep. I stopped letting him get to me when I was nine. Please, just... no more! Where did it happen? How many Fow?"

"A few dozen at least, they caught us unaware. We surprised them too, though, or those of us who did wouldn't have gotten away. Hap and Clint took off in the other ATV up the mountain, but me and Joe and Hay were pinned. He bought us time, helped us get away. Told me to get to you and get you out of their path and safe. They were headed straight to the Yard like they knew where it was and what was there."

"Our witch," Hay sneered, still watching the surrounding trees.

"Not healing you next time you get the clap," I told him angrily.

"You swore not to say anything!"

"Jesus, Hay, really?" his dad asked in exasperation.

"Stop being a dick to me," I told Hayden. "Or I name off everything else too and won't heal you for that either."

"Fucking cunt," he spat, but went quiet after that.

"Where?" I asked Dunleavey.

"Quarry. Hap was pulling parts off some machinery and Clint thought they might have some explosives somewhere. After they pass through The Yard, I'll take a couple men back and we'll gather up all your things, I know you need them to keep making remedies."

"Thanks... do you think... maybe they chased you and didn't..."

"Shi, I'm sorry. Even if they followed, one always stays back to use that decomposer on the dead. They never leave a single body behind, not even their own.

I sighed and turned away, trying not to cry yet. I didn't want to show weakness in front of Hayden. Anyone but him. Asshole.

Dun seemed to sense that I didn't want to talk and he stayed quiet as well. We made it to Miners just before nightfall and my heart was aching so badly, I knew if I spoke I would lose it. Any amount of commiseration would open the floodgate and I didn't want that. Hurrying, I went into the caves before Dun could say anything. I felt him following me, but I didn't wait. Passing the open common area, I went straight through to where the sign showed the dining hall and back to the kitchen. It was empty like I knew it would be. Hiding in the old walk in fridge, I curled up against the wall and slid down, hugging my knees.

"Shi," Hayden called softly, surprising me. I'd thought it was Dunleavey following me. "I'm sorry about Joe. I liked him, he was a good guy and a great soldier, and... he saved my life. Mine and dads both. Gave his life so we could get away. I just... wanted to say sorry for your loss. And... if you fucking need anything, whatever. Just... send for me or something. Or don't, whatever."

I couldn't answer, the lump in my throat too big.

"Shi?" he asked hesitantly. "Fuck. Do you even fucking know anyone here? Shi? Shit. Umm. I'll let someone know you're here, but not to fuck with you for a while, ok? Shi? Shiloh?"

I still didn't answer, tears streaming down my face as I hugged my knees and hid my face.

He left quietly and I let myself roll down to the floor to sob alone.

Half an hour later someone came in and laid a blanket over me, then set a pillow next to my head and left.

I cried myself to sleep on the floor of the old kitchen, someone waking me when they came in to start fixing breakfast.

The two women stared in confusion, but neither of them bothered me as I sat back in the corner by myself.

Mid morning, a young man stepped in. "Shiloh?" he called loudly. "Is there someone named Shiloh in here?" he asked the women.

I stood, still wrapped in the blanket and his eyes went to me. Immediately, I felt judged and found wanting as his eyes swept over me and I blushed. He was... very attractive. I'd been around cute guys before, ones that had even flirted with me, but I'd grown up with them and they were all like brothers. This man was a stranger, and hot, and... he looked at me like I was a chore he didn't want to have to do.

"You Shiloh?" he called to me, lowering his voice and softening his tone. He sounded condescending now too.

I gave him a singular nod, my face heating.

"My name is Tripp. I was told to come get you and bring you along for foraging?" he asked, still sounding condescending.

That sounded good actually, I needed to get my mind off of things and getting outside to find some plants and things I needed sounded perfect. I gave him another nod, then crossed the room, motioning him to lead the way.

More than once he looked back at me as he led me out to the ATV, but he said nothing as I climbed in with him and the other three soldiers. The other three looked confused when I got in, giving Tripp 'what the hell?' looks.

"Garrett said to get her," he shrugged. "Said she needed to be taken out to forage. Figured we'd just let her look during our patrol?"

"No one going to train her, just toss her out to the wolves?" one man asked with a scowl.

Another older man spoke up. "They probably just wanted rid of her for the day and to make her feel useful. Let's just go. Kid, stay down and stay quiet," he demanded.

I looked at him, looking him over. "Nice to see you again too, Brandt."

The man spun to look at me in confusion, his eyes taking all of me in. "Do I fucking know you?"

"You used to, once. You were among the first to leave, though."

"Shit," he sighed, deflating as he looked at me and realization dawned on him. "Sorry, Shi. You look a lot fucking different and not near different anough."

I only nodded, knowing what he meant. Once I'd reached nine or ten, I'd stopped growing. I only looked like a woman to the men who already knew I was one. To everyone else, at first glance, I was a kid. Even to him, who'd been with us on that fishing trip and had spent the first couple years with us.

Brandt didn't explain to his confused comrades and I just turned and looked away from all of them as he pulled away. Tripp cast me a confused look, but said nothing either.

I was surprised when we went down the mountain instead of up, down being a lot more dangerous. There was a bigger chance of running into Fow off the mountains, a much bigger chance.

When we pulled into the old bait and tackle shop, I knew they were checking for messages from some of the other groups as well as running patrols. I let them do their thing without bothering them, heading off into the woods alone.

Tripp and another man followed me, hovering and keeping an eye out, but not bothering me or questioning me.

"Kid," the other man growled. "There's a whole mess of wild onions there! Dig some up!"

I ignored him, looking over the lichen on the side of a tree to see if it was what I was hoping it was.

"KID! Did you hear me?" the man demanded.

"Dunlop, keep quiet," Tripp hissed. "She's obviously not looking for food, she's looking for something else. You want the fucking onions, get them yourself."

"You said she was foraging!"

"She is, that doesn't mean food. Stop thinking with your gut and shut the hell up."

"There's no Fow here, we were just here yesterday," Dunlop grumped irritably, kneeling to dig up the onions.

I moved on, the lichen not what I was looking for. Tripp stayed close, staying quiet. Spotting a ring of fungi, excitement surged in me, knowing I DID need as many of those particular kind as I could find. Kneeling, I gently plucked them, shaking them so the spores would fall and they would regrow here.

"Tripp, there's more!" Dunlop called loudly.

A grunt made my head jerk up and I stood and stumbled back as 3 Fow appeared, heading towards Dunlop's yell. My foot dropped into a hole and I heard my ankle snap seconds before I felt it. My scream as I started to fall back was as much for the pain as it was for the 3 surprised creatures who raised weapons.

An arm caught me from behind before I hit the ground, and all I could see was a hand extending with a gun. Three rapid shots went off before the Fow had their weapons drawn and it was over.

"We need to move, now!" Tripp yelled, picking me up completely as he holstered his gun and sprinted with me back to the ATV.

Dunlop looked chagrined as we all converged on the vehicle, piling in quickly.

"What the fuck happened?" Brandt demanded as we sped away. "Is she shot?" he asked, looking me over in Tripp's lap.

"I think her ankle is broken," Tripp answered, his eyes swiveling as he looked around. "Fucking Dunlop yelled and drew them right on us, startled us, but she startled them too. Stood up right under their feet, they were looking towards his voice and she was right under them. She screamed and bought me the three extra seconds I needed to draw and kill them."

"Go back," I breathed, trying to breathe through the pain. "Get their bodies!"

"No! Those gunshots will draw every Fow in earshot!"

"Why the fuck do you want a Fow body?" Tripp demanded, incredulous.

I didn't answer, the pain making me nauseated.

Brandt took us back the long way, making sure we weren't being followed, but we weren't the only ones pulling in when we got there. There was chaos and yelling as injured men from another group were yelling for help.

Tripp carried me to the same group, to a man who was directing people. "I think her ankle is broken," he told the man quickly.

"I don't have a bed left, Tripp! I guess put her in the barracks with..."

"I'll put her on my couch," Tripp said quickly. "She doesn't need to be with all those men."

"I'll get to her when I can then, but I don't know what I'll be able to do for pain. Just found out Joe was killed yesterday and that means no more meds."

"Shit!" Tripp breathed, then turned and hurried away with me. I didn't bother telling them I was the one who provided Joe with all the meds and I was right here. I wouldn't be able to do anything for a while.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to think. What was happening? Were the Fow sending a force into the mountains? Trying to drive us out? I needed the things from my old lab!

"Here, it ain't much and I know it sucks as far as couches go, but it's better than the floor, right?" Tripp asked, setting me down on the couch. "Seth will be in when he can. Sit tight, ok? I'll be back," he called impatiently as he hurriedly left.

Sitting up, I positioned my leg like I knew it would need to be to set it. Then looked around miserably. This room used to be one of the storage spaces in the caves and it was partitioned off with a curtain now to make it a cramped apartment. The 'couch' was an antique sofa that was as soft as a wooden board with cloth over the top of it. The plus side of the place was that it was filled with books, odd stacks everywhere. They were all fiction and held zero useful information, but anything was better than staring up at the bald lightbulb that the solar panels outside on the mountain were powering.

When 'Seth' came in ten minutes later, I was no longer holding back tears. His grim face told me things were bad and I was a nuisance he didn't need right now. Clumsy kid making his job harder.

"Sorry, girl, this is going to hurt," he told me brusquely, not bothering with a bedside manner. "Bite into this," he demanded, shoving a stick in the direction of my mouth.

I took it, but clenched my teeth instead, gripping the back of the couch as I moved so he could access my ankle more easily. When he set it, it hurt badly enough that I lost a few minutes, swimming back into consciousness as he was splinting it.

"Stay off of it," he told me gently. "Did the best I could with what I have, all I can say is stay off of it until it's had some time to heal, then we'll see about finding you some crutches. Till then, I mean it. No weight on it at all. I'll send someone along with a bedpan, I have a few of those. Sorry I don't have anything to give you for the pain, we're out of pain meds here and the guy who used to get them for me... He was killed yesterday before he got me my order."