Returning with the spoils

Posted on Fri Oct 24th, 2025 @ 2:48pm by New York Survivor Amythyst & New York Survivor Briar Maddox & New York Survivor John ("Dodger") Smith & New York Survivor George Brooks

1,630 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbor
Location: Safe Harbor Island
Timeline: September 19th 2010 - late in the day and in the evening

it was getting dark as the boats approached the dock. Ami climbed to the bow of the flatbed boat and pulled her knife. She was watching and waiting for the right time to cut the tow lines and coast into the dock on the opposite side to the Yacht.

As they approached the dock, George looked back and, seeing Amythyst about to cut the thick line, he shouted a warning. "Wait! Don't cut it! The pressure on the line will cause it to whiplash back at you!" He started to maneuver the two vessels, attempting to use their momentum to drift them both towards the dock, while he used the boat's engines to attempt to slow their approach, much like maneuvering thrusters that the larger cruise and cargo ships had.

Once he had then turned around, he watched the aft, and started shouting out commands. "Stand by to lash the flat boat to the pier. Do it fast, while I reverse thrust back away from the dock. That'll keep us both from slamming into the dock itself."

Amy nodded and followed his instructions.

Dodger was at the fishing boat, checking the gear. making sure everything was in it's place. Fisher sat next to him. When he heard the sound of boat engines. Going back on the pier, he saw George and the boys on the big boat and Amy on the flatbed boat. "Briar!" He yelled, "They are back! Everyone come quick!"

Briar came down the hill path, behind her, several of the infernals followed cheering at the return.

As soon as he saw everyone was ready to lash down the ropes, George adjusted his power, but missed the timing slightly, as the aft of Amythyst's boat overshot her securepoint. He slammed the throttle forward, for a quick burst, then lowered them again. The resulting burst of forward speed, caused both boats to jerk heavily, spilling some of the supplies they had gathered "Tie off now! Make sure the bumpers are out!" He shouted to the boys on his boat and to Amythyst as he slowed the forward speed of both boats.

Dodger stood ready to tie off the boat once he was tossed a line. he saw Briar and the others were also ready to assist in tying the boats off as well as seeing what the group had returned with from their recent trip.

Amy finished tying off her boat. "This boat has animal feed and medications. The Medications are to be put in the barn's cupboard. The food into the loft." She instructed as she lifted off the trolley she had brought to help with transport. "The yacht has food, and more. Anything with suitcases, or blankets are to be into the Attic. Food to the kitchen. Books to the lounge. There is also kitchen supplies and more."

"Sounds like you made quite the haul Amy. Well done. You did good, real good. I am impressed." Dodger said honestly listening to Amy rattle off what they had returned with. "Were you able to find any weapons like a bow and arrows? I want to try spearfishing off the pier or even the fishing boat."

"Two hunting bows and quarrels." She replied. "And more."

Dodger nodded, "Excellent." He exclaimed simply.

The Infernals gathered and began unloading the boats.

As the group started to offload both boats, George busied himself with doing a post-trip inspection of the main boat first, then he would look over the new flat-out after. Moving down into the engine compartment and checked over both marlin marine engines carefully. He knew that the added weight during the trip back had put a strain on both engines, he just hoped that any damage would be minor and easy to rectify.

When the majority of the children were walking to the cabin with the spoils, Amythyst looked at Dodger. "The four of us need to talk after unloading and dinner."

Dodger quirked an eyebrow at her, confusion on his face which quickly passed. He nodded, "Sure thing Amy." He agreed.

Two hours later the boats were empty. The new pets were curled up on a cushion before the fireplace, the dogs were wary but no fights yet.

Briar had made dinner and they all ate. The younger children were now heading to bed, Amy making sure the younger ones brushed their teeth.

Once done Amy came back down stairs, leaving them all with new books from the trip. She looked at George, Dodger and Briar. "Lets go to the Barn." she suggested. "They don't need to hear this."

Dodger remained silent as Amy suggested the four of them go to the barn but he was thinking *Something's up and something has Amy concerned.* He simply nodded, got up and headed for the barn.

Briar followed curious.

George nodded and followed the senior group. He was glad that they had basically unofficially set the four of them up as the leading group. The younger kids all needed to be protected from as much of the horrors of the world as possible.

After they all stepped into the barn, George pulled the door shut, sealing them off from the cold wind outside. He looked over at Amythyst and asked, "What's on your mind?'

"Our continued survival." Amy said as she sat on a wooden bench. "While this island is great, and we are safe enough here from the deadlings (Which was what Amy called the undead that roamed), but what we are not safe from is, eventual starvation, and loss of the animals we currently have due to what my biology teacher once described as attrition."

"Survival of the fittest," Dodger muttered before looking at Amy."We need to increase the animals we have, to ensure the ones who die from various causes can be replaced. Have you an idea?"

"We have a few options." Amy said softly. "One, which may be the easiest in the short run, is to stay here, use what fuel we have to look for more animals and such. An other is to move from here, to the mainland with everything we have." she pulled out a map and placed it on the ground, opening it. There were several red circles on it. Two were close to the coast, three further in land and one right near the boarder of Canada. "The Coastal locations are farms, which may not be abandoned. This one." She pointed to the one Penobscot river. "I remember this one from the news before the major outbreak. Hearthford, a town they fortified at the very first sign of the deadlings. But it was also one of the first emptied. Before the news stations went down there was a report that the occupants were rescued by the military. Its a good 3 days walk for us, unless we can get the boats up the river." she let her finger drift to another circle. "This one... a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. Very hard to get to."

Dodger listened intently to what Amy said and then took a closer look at the map. After a few seconds he spoke, "I think with winter rapidly approaching we stay here and still do short excursions to the other islands to find more animals. Then when spring comes we we head for Hearthford though I am curious about this town in the mountains Amy, It looks on the map to be the best choice. What can you tell us about it?"

"Not much. Its about 6 hour drive under normal circumstances... its called Hollow Creek." Amy said softly.

"Hollow Creek," Dodger repeated. "Perhaps when the spring comes one of us or two can do a recon of it and see if it is a viable alternative or we just go with Hearthford."

Briar looked at him. "Its a long way away. Can anyone here drive a car?"

Dodger looked sheepish. "I um, I ride a motorcycle and if we find one with a side car someone can go with me or just sit behind me. Besides a motorcycle is more agile and gets better gas mileage. We can worry about car driving if it pans out."

George looked at the map for several bests, then added his thoughts to the conversation. "I agree with Dodger. Staying the winter is our best first step. If, for now better reason, then it would give us time to fully plan out, and train as necessary, for the move, when the day does arrive. The fortified town would be a perfect jumping off location for us. We just need to be careful and ensure that nothing one stronger has already claimed the area for their own."

"And figure how to transport the younger children and any animals we want to take with us. The dogs, cats, maybe the cows?" Briar suggested.

"Lots to plan and figure out and then plan again." Dodger replied.

Amy nodded. "I also want to point out that there are probably people out there, both on the sea and mainland. And we should be cautious."

"Truer words were never spoken." Dodger observed. "being cautious is a given or should be."

Briar studied Amy. "I will take the first watch tonight. Amy, you and George should get some sleep."

Amy looked up as she folded the map. "I am fine." she protested.

"Don't care. Bed." Came the reply from Briar. "We should all head back to the house. In a couple of days we should go to other islands and hunt for meat, we can then save meat for winter."

"Enough. You both go to bed, I'll take the first watch and then you can relieve me Briar." Dodger replied.

Briar nodded.

Amy however just gave a shrug and left the barn in total silence.

OFF

 

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