Return

Posted on Sat May 3rd, 2025 @ 10:36pm by Survivor Chloe Rouen & Leader Serena Reynolds M.D. & Survivor René Rouen & Council Member Vienna Quinn & Council Member Timothy Reynolds & Survivor Edward Harrison Jr & Council Member Henri Rouen

1,298 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Winter's hope
Location: Homestead
Timeline: September 29th, 2010

Grandfather and grandson were about a mile out from Hale's cabin. The last two weeks had been rather productive. Henri had wanted to go in search for seeds to gather for next spring's planting season.

Henri had convinced René to go with him on the journey. He had spent enough summers at the family vineyard to learn what supplies and equipment were needed in establishing an a viable farm come spring but his main reason was to give the boy time away from Vienna. He glanced briefly at René. "Everything okay? You seem anxious."

René didn't take his eyes off the mirror. He was a bit anxious. Truth be told. He had spent the last two weeks thinking about Vienna when they hadn't been gathering everything they were going to need for spring. "I am just glad to be getting back. I didn't think that our trip would be this long."

Henri sighed. "Well we are almost back. Why don't you get on the wireless and see if anyone can meet us at the gate."

René picked up the microphone for the Citizens Band radio. "Base camp. René and Henri here. We're almost back to the cabin. We have seed and farming equipment to unload. Over."

There was silence for a moment. "Hales compromised. Next door." was the response. The Radios were used extremely rarely due to power conservation concerns.

Henri turned the SUV around and headed back to the road. Five minutes later they pulled up to the gate to the Blaine homestead and got out to see Serena and several others waiting for them.

René hopped the fence and ran to Vienna, a smile on his face. "I've missed you. Sorry we were gone so long. Grandpere wanted to do a thorough search for seed for next spring."

Henri stepped up to the gate and smiled at Chloé briefly before turning to Serena and Timothy. "Bonjour Monsieur et Madame Reynolds. We had a moderately successful foraging run. My apologies for it taking so long."

Timothy opened the gate for Henri to pull their truck in. "Next time, tell someone that you're heading out." His tone was terse, though there was a politeness to it, almost a military feel if an officer reprimanding one under their command. Then, he softened some. "It's good to have you guys back. We lost a few people a few days ago to a small horde. We could definitely use some good news."

Henri frowned at the news that several folks had been killed during their absence. He made a mental note to consult with Serena and Timothy later for the particulars. "We can discuss matters after we get unloaded. I was able to obtain seed for about five acres of various crops. Potatoes, strawberrys, apples, corn and wheat. We will need to make additional seed runs. I estimate we'll need approximately fifteen to twenty acres to sustain the group long term." After speaking with the two adults, he returned to the SUV and drove it inside. "Get in and I will drive us all up to the house."

René glanced at his grandfather. "I'm good to walk grandpere." He glanced back at Vienna. "That is if you don't mind walking?"

Vienna was more relieved at Renè’s return than he realised. She had almost given up hope of seeing him again. “I don’t mind at all” she offered a warm smile. “To be honest I didn’t think you were ever coming back.”

René returned Vienna's smile and embraced her, pressing his cheek to hers. He spoke softly into her ear. "I will always come back to you."

Henri sighed and glanced at the others. "Perhaps we should give them a moment." He turned to René and Vienna. "We have seed to unload. Don't be long." Henri gestured to the others to get in the SUV.

Chloe rolled her eyes and moved to help unload things. She was still upset with the two of them running off.

Vienna smiled as she looked at René. “Let’s start walking, they’re going to need our help when we get there.” She gently took hold of his hand.

René squeezed Vienna's hand and started up the dirt road to the Blaine Homestead. He felt so happy to be back with Vienna again. He never wanted to leave her, but his grandpere had convinced him that they would need to seed for crops if they wanted to sustain the small community beginning to grow. "What has been going on since we've been gone?"

“Too much, and none of it good” Vienna sighed. “The soulless found their way onto Hale’s homestead, that’s why we had to move here. I just hope we can settle safely here now.

René held Vienna's hand as the walked up the long, dirt driveway of the Blaine Homestead. He wasn't about to give up their new home without a fight. He glanced at Vienna, paused their walk and squeezed her hand. "We'll figure something out. I promise." He gazed into her eyes for a moment before turning to her and wrapping her in an embrace. He gave a light, lingering kiss that sent tingling through his entire being.

Vienna let herself get lost in the kiss, it was the most wonderful thing to happen to her, and she was going to hold onto what she had. As their lips finally parted she simply smiled at a loss for suitable words.

René squeezed Vienna's hand again and resumed their walk to the house. There were things to do and there would be time for private moments later.

Henri glanced about the new surroundings. The house was certainly larger than Hale's cabin with crop fields already to harvest and a chicken coup large enough for a dozen or more hens. He turned to Serena and Timothy. "Why don't you bring me up to speed."

Serena nodded. "Hales place went under. We could not stay there. Hale, Ethan and Alonzo have gone off on their own. We were going to move on when the three kids from here came and told us their grandparents were taken by people in black trucks. We came here, enough housing in the house for now, and food supplies and stores. We should be safe enough here for now. We have a few new faces, Jackson and MacKenzie, they joined us just before Hales went to pot. He is a builder and we are building a wall and defences."

Henri held a thoughtful expression as Serena spoke. He looked at the young woman. "Did we lose anyone else?"

"Lydia. She was turned. But we buried her back at Hale's." Serena said. "A few have gone off on their own to find others."

At the mention of Lydia's name, Edward's face darkened with pain. He still hadn't gotten over, not only losing her when they had started to become close, but being the one who had released her from the hell of being a monster.

Henri slowly nodded his head. He spotted René and Vienna making their way up the long drive way and motioned them to hurry along. He turned to Serena and Timothy. "I am sure we will have time to talk more after we get supplies put away." He gestured at Rene as he and Vienna arrived. "René, toi et Chloé, apportez les graines à la cave pour les stocker." (Translation: René, you and Chloé get the seeds to the cellar for storage.)

René nodded as he released Vienna's hand. He hoisted a bag of crop seed and headed for the house. It was good to be back.

Serena nodded and watched as Chloé moved to do so though she gave her grandfather and Brother dark looks. She was not over being abandoned.


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