Retrospect

Posted on Sat Jun 21st, 2025 @ 7:38am by New York Survivor John ("Dodger") Smith

850 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbor
Location: Safe Harbor---Home
Timeline: After Fishing?

It was night at Safe Harbor, all was quiet, peaceful but for one he was restless. Dodger got up silently and dressed as to not wake the others. It was a full moon, and the moon cast its pale light upon the path to the dock as he went to his site of refuge with baseball bat in one hand, cooler in the other, he headed to Briar's fishing boat. he liked the little boat. It was small to be sure, but he liked the smallness, it made him feel secure. He checked the rods and the crab pots; He would bait them with some of the octopus he had caught earlier, brought down in a small cooler and then put them out a bit later.

He sat in one of the seats and reflected on recent events. The group was doing well. They had shelter, food, power. Independence. They had acquired another boat when they had gone to explore Crescent Island and met Rafe and Midge. He closed his eyes as he thought about the encounter. Those two were no good and would have killed Briar probably raped her before killing her and they would have killed George and himself without a second thought. But they were in turn killed by the teens. Dodger didn't have any qualms about killing the two, it was a matter of survival and protecting the group. he would do it again if he was forced to.

Dante had taught him that, when he had been found by the Infernal leader on the streets of New York breaking into a locked store in search for food and the name Dodger was born. He could blend into shadows and moved as quietly as a ninja. However, his best talent? Was that of being a pickpocket. He had cultivated that talent into an art form before the end of the world came and he was the best. Loyalty, trust in the group. Protect them and they will protect you. He believed in the group, He believed in Briar, Amy and George. he regretted deeply not knowing what happened to the Infernal leader but perhaps it was for the best not knowing. He looked out at the horizon; the sun was beginning to rise. It looked to be a good day, and it had been far too long since there had been a good day.

Sighing softly, he began to bait the hooks when he heard a scrabbling on the dock. Grabbing his bat he turned to defend himself when he saw the source of the noise it was one of the pups they had found on Crescent Island. It had awakened when Dodger headed to the boat and its curiosity got the best of him. His black and tan coloring shining in the moonlight. "Well, hello, little one, come to see what is going on? Well come aboard and I'll show you." Dodger told the pup and patted the seat next to him. The pup didn't hesitate and jumped onto the boat. Making a soft yip as it did. "Now watch and learn." Dodger spoke softly as he baited the hooks on the rods and dropped them over the side and then did the same with the crab pots. As Dodger worked, he sang softly. It was a talent few knew about, and he was surprisingly good.

"If you could see me now
The one who said that he'd rather roam
The one who said he'd rather be alone
If you could only see me now."

Dodger looked down at his tiny companion. 'I think I'll name you Fisher. Since you seem to like fishing. What do you think?" Another soft yip in approval was his answer. As he sat, the gentle waves lapping at the dock, Fisher sitting by his side. He thought about the others who made up the ruling council. "The Four Musketeers." He joked softly. There was Amy, their leader, she was strong and organized. Decisive. Made sure things got done. George was strong and dependable, knew about boats and scores of other topics. Briar was also strong, caring, nurturing and there was him., the self proclaimed fisherman of the group. The one thing they all had in common was the group. Protecting, caring for the group. The group was family.

He thought Dante would be proud of what they had worked long and hard to achieve and were still working on and improving their little society, not in grand leaps and bounds but with small steadying steps. They had chickens and cows, fish and some crab along with vegetables that had been preserved along with a solid home for them all. It brought a smile to his face He patted Fisher sitting beside him. "Okay Fisher, now we wait and see what we can catch. Maybe we'll catch a ray in addition to some more fish. Wouldn't be great if we caught a shark? That would be something. The group would talk about it for six months." He chuckled at the thought and Fisher let out a soft bark of agreement.

 

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