Safe Harbor - Making plans and a home

Posted on Mon May 12th, 2025 @ 9:15am by New York Survivor Amythyst & New York Survivor Briar Maddox & New York Survivor John ("Dodger") Smith & New York Survivor George Brooks
Edited on on Mon May 12th, 2025 @ 9:22am

1,187 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbor
Location: Safe Harbor Island
Timeline: September 15th Morning

Amy, despite being on watch for half the night and not having slept well in over 2 days, was up after dawn. Her body clock was pulling all sort of crap. Breakfast, she considered would be simple. She cut up their remaining fruits and slices of bread from the night before and laid it out on the table. Then she went outside to check on the chickens. She looked up. It looked like rain was coming in. She would have to make sure they put out water collection bottles just in case. They had a rainwater tank but always good to have portable water.

She came back 15 minutes later and put on the kettle for the older children to have either tea or coffee. While it boiled, she put out plates and cups for the remaining juice and water for the children. Once they got the day underway, she wanted to speak with Dodger, George and Briar about plans.

Soon there was the sound of running feet down stairs as the younger children came down from a good nights sleep in the first safe place many had, had in weeks. Laughing softly at their happy faces, Amy held up a hand. “ok! Before breakfast, wash, hands, faces,”

Amy pointed to the downstairs bathroom and off they trooped.

Amy pinned a piece of paper to the fridge. “Chores are here” she called out.

After breakfast Chores:

Dishes: Meredith and Patrick
Compost: Paulina and Lincoln
Firewood Collection: Henry and Phoebe
Chicken Feeding: Colin and Michael
Floor Sweeping: Rowan and Andrew
Laundry: Amythyst
Water Bottles out for collection: Austin
Scouting: George and Amythyst
Dock and Fishing Boat: Dodger and Briar.

Dodger came into the kitchen. he had relieved Amy last night and it had been uneventful and refreshingly boring/ "Good morning, all." He greeted the younger children before greeting Amy, "Good morning, Amy." He greeted her as he looked at the chore list.

"hi" She replied as she finished pouring water into glasses. "Coffee will be ready soon."

Dodger nodded, "Sounds good.'"

George came upstairs, from the basement, pulling on a hoodie as he walked. "Mornin," he said to everyone present. He then sniffed the air and smiled. "Ohhhhh...coffee!" He then stopped to look at the chore list, glancing over at Amythyst, a quick and slight smile crossed his face. He then grabbed a plate and, after ensuring everyone else had something to eat, grabbed some fruit and bread for himself.


==

Amy waved the older children outside the house while the younger ones ate their breakfast. She took them to the far end of the veranda. “We need to discuss things. Now before we go any further.” She said straight out. “We have been just doing what is needed but we need to have a plan.” She held out a rolled up piece of paper. “I found this upstairs. It’s a map of the island and other islands and even a small location on the mainland.” She unrolled it.

Dodger looked at the map as Amy unfolded it and studied it. "We should explore the surrounding islands first. We may be able to find items we can use here. Maybe even find some animals we can bring back."

George looked at the map for a few beats. Then, pointing to one that looked to be a military fort of some kind, he said, "We might be able to find some more fuel for the boats there, but, it could also be dangerous. You guys said you saw military boats shooting at each other. There might be more of them there."

Amy nodded slowly. "This here." She pointed to a pencil mark. "Driftwood Cay. Its not on the official map. Might be where other survivors went."

George nodded, then responded, "Which could also be dangerous. In my opinion, the only people we can trust, are the ones here in this group, and the ones back at the house." He looked around the gathered group of teens, then back at Amythyst. "And something else. While we each seem to have our own skillsets, I think you should be our leader. You've already stepped up and started to get things moving." He looked at Briar and Dodger. "What do you think, guys? We'll be the ruling council for our group, with Amythyst as our leader?"

"I say we check out the fort. It will offer the best opportunity for finding supplies and other items we can use." he was silent for a moment when George suggested Amy be the group's leader. "Sure, that's fine with me."

Amy shook her head. "No. I am not a true infernal. Dante would laugh himself silly and Dodger was his second in charge."

"Dante isn't here." Dodger said quietly. Not knowing what happened to him, hurt. It was one of the few things that did. "I was when he was the leader. Amy can be leader or we just keep it as a ruling council."

"Ruling Council is fine with me" Amythyst said softly.

Briar nodded slowly. "I really do not have a preference."

"Then you can be head of the Ruling Council Amy. I am a good second in command because I get things done, I follow instructions, and the little ones listen to me." Dodger replied.

Amy bit her lip. "I think its best we all discuss things before big things are done. Daily chores are going to be normal. Cooking, cleaning, feeding the animals, laundry that sort of things. The older boys can help with firewood and building the watch tower we discussed Dodger. You and George will be in charge of that and protection."

George was thoughtful for a moment, then spoke. "That's another thing. When Dante was our leader, we called ourselves the Infernals.' He paused a beat, then asked, "Do we stay by that name or grow into something better? Maybe we rename ourselves after the name of our new island home?"

"Sure thing Amy." Dodger replied easily. "Change the name. It's a new day and a new beginning for all of us."

"We will think on names and ask the others" Amy said softly.

Briar nodded in agreement. "I am interested in this place" she pointed to the mainland. "Probably a good place to get more ... hard to find supplies."

Amy nodded. "Yes, eventually. I think this Island." She pointed to Crescent Island. "Might be a good start."

Dodger looked at the island, "Sounds good. We need to start somewhere."

Briar nodded. "After we get this one sorted. We need to get started, the day will go quicker now as we head towards winter."

Amy nodded. "Keep your eyes out.. I think these guys had cows."

George glanced around the area. "I don't know anything about cows, other than my mom loved their faces." He cracked a soft smile as he remembered his mother's kind face.

"And you get milk from them." Dodger added with a grin.

"I don't know anything about them either" Briar said. "But we can learn I guess if we find them alive."

After they spoke, they set about getting into the day.

 

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