First Night

Posted on Thu May 8th, 2025 @ 9:55pm by New York Survivor Amythyst & New York Survivor Briar Maddox & New York Survivor John ("Dodger") Smith & New York Survivor George Brooks

2,337 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Winter's hope
Location: Safe Harbor Island
Timeline: September 14th Evening

Evening was falling as the children gathered in the main house. Outside, the forest creaked and whispered with the wind, but inside, the farmhouse had begun to feel like something it hadn't in a long time: alive.

A fire crackled in the large stone hearth of the living room, casting golden light across the worn rugs and softening the corners of old furniture. The heat took the edge off the chill that crept in at dusk, and shadows danced across the newly filled bookshelves. Amythyst — Amy — had made sure to pack every book she could carry from the apartments. She knew what stories meant to this group. In the worst days, they had been lifelines.

The children had sorted the clothing by size earlier that afternoon — what they brought, what they found, what they traded — and each now wore clean, dry clothes. Even the older teens, whose faces showed exhaustion carved deep under their eyes, had showered and changed. There was something sacred in the act — not just hygiene, but transformation. A shedding of the filth and fear they’d carried for weeks.

In the kitchen, Briar stood beside Amy, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back, and a streak of flour on her cheek. Together they had made dinner — real dinner. Not rations. Not scavenged crackers. A meal.

Amy had decided they would mark this night with a feast. She’d used one of the few things her mother had ever taught her: how to make bread. Flour, salt, yeast — the smell now filled the house. The loaves, golden and warm, sat nestled under cloth on the wide wooden table, inviting, comforting. Briar had helped slice vegetables and stir the heavy stew simmering on the stovetop, rich with carrots, potatoes, beans, and strips of meat salvaged from their stores.

The scent alone was enough to stir tired bodies into motion.

She’d been relieved to find enough plates and flatware in the old house. What the cupboards lacked, she’d made up for in what they’d brought from the city. Nothing matched — but that didn’t matter. It made the table look like a rainbow of places and people, all pulled together.

"Colin! You and Michael, please go around and close the shutters and curtains!" Amy called out, her voice light but clear.

There were two eager “Yes!”s followed by the sound of quick feet on wooden floors, little hands tugging fabric shut against the coming dark.

In the dining room, Meredith and Paulina set the table with care — Meredith fussed with fork placement while Paulina folded napkins that didn’t really need folding. The overhead lights, powered by solar and battery, glowed a little dimmer now, but still warm.

Amy took a long breath and looked around the room. It had been a house. Now, it was starting to become a home.

She clapped her hands softly, catching the attention of the rest.

“Alright, everyone — hands washed! Time to eat.”

There was a shuffle of movement, some groans from the bunk room, laughter from the hall, and the quiet hush of children who hadn’t had a real sit-down meal in far too long.

The table was long, but not quite long enough — people would squeeze in. Someone would sit on the hearth. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that for tonight, they were safe, full-bellied, and not alone.

After he had finally woken up, George had waited until all of the other children had washed up. He then stood in the shower for several long minutes, just letting the warm water flow down over his tired body. Once he was clean and dressed in bew clothes, he made his way to the dining room, his nose taking in the wonderful smells that drifted from the kitchen. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to relish the silence and the safety that that were now enjoying. He knew it wouldn't last, but for now, it was perfect.

"Alright everyone, since there's not enough room at the table, the youngest will sit first, with two seats reserved for both Amythyst and Briar, as they prepared this feast. Everyone else, we will find a place to sit around the room."

Briar watched with Rowan at her side as Amy served the youngest children first then everyone else in age order. There was more than enough for all. Once everyone was served she found herself sitting beside Amy with their food.

George waited until everyone else had been served, then took a serving for himself. He then moved to sit on the hearth, and took a spoonful of the stew. "Mmmm..." he savored the delicious flavors that flowed over his tongue. "This is delicious! Thank you, Amy, Briar." He nodded to both teens, his eyes lingering a bit longer on Amythyst's.

After clearing out the cold cellar, getting rid of the old and rotten vegetables and then restocking with rice and what vegetables were left over Dodger had helped Briar move the trees she had cut down into the barn to dry. Only then did he allow himself to relax...slightly.

He showered in hot water, getting rid of the dirt that had been like a second skin. He watched as it ran of his body down the drain with the soap that removed it. Then he dried off and dressed in clean clothes joining the others for the meal Amy and Briar had prepared. Warm, heady aromas filled the dining room where they all had gathered. The youngest already at the table where they were served by Amy and Briar. Taking a small amount of stew and a slice of the still warm bread, he moved to a chair near the hearth and sat down. Looking at the two older girls he said "Amy, Briar thank you for this wonderful meal you have prepared for us." To the younger ones he said, "Eat up and enjoy this meal and be thankful for it." With that he took a forkful of stew into his mouth savoring the warmth as it slid down his throat and came to rest in his stomach. For at least one night, life was once again good.

As they ate, Amy looked around at the gathered children. "Henry, you and Phoebe are on dishes, Rowan will help Patrick and Andrew tidy up after dinner. Austin can you and Colin bring down all the dirty laundry to the laundry room so I can get it ready for tomorrow? I will do up a chore chart tomorrow that will be fair for all." as she spoke her gaze hit all of the named children.

There were nods all around.

Dodger listened as Amy delegated task to the younger children and was pleased there were no objections. "Perhaps tomorrow I can go and look at Briar's fishing boat and the hand nets and fishing poles she has," He grinned, "Maybe if we're lucky we 'll have fish tomorrow night."

Amy nodded. "I found an old cookbook. I will look into it see what we can learn to make."

"I think I saw crab pots in the Sea Dock." Briar said softly. "Might be worth a look as well."

Dodger nodded, "Both excellent suggestions. Did you know you can catch crabs with just a line with some bait on the end? the crabs will walk up the line."

"Well we will need meat for that." Briar said softly. She was about to continue when a howl echoed across the island, followed by soft yips.

Amythyst frowned. "That's not a walker." She said standing up.

Briar shook her head. "Fox. Heard them once upstate when on holidays with my parents." She looked at Amy. "Is the coop secure?"

"I checked it very carefully and reinforced the bottom with planks from the barn." But Amy was already moving from the table, grabbing her machete from the wall where she had left it and one of their solar flashlights. It was getting dark outside.

"Wait a second Amy. No one goes outside by themselves." Dodger said as he grabbed his baseball bat. to join her. "Okay, now we can go."

Amy nodded and opened the door. As she crossed the threshold she said over her shoulder "This does not mean chores get ignored!" And she led Dodger out into the dusk light.

She headed towards the barn, slowly. There moving along the path further up was a fox. Well fed though. Obviously there was enough of a wildlife to keep it fed but it was after easy prey. "Oh no you don't" Amy muttered.

Dodger held his bat at ready to knock the fox into next week if need be. The chickens were vitally important, and they would be protected. "If we kill it, I can use some of the meat to bait the hooks for fish and crabs." He muttered softly.

Amy nodded, hearing him but not replying. She slipped onto the grass and began moving faster. The pelt would help keep predators away as well. She managed to get right behind the fox and she lunged and caught it by the tail.

The fox screamed and spun around to try and bite her, but Amy didn't let go.

Dodger was by her side in an instant and brought the bat down one, two, three times in rapid succession on the fox's head, killing it. "You won't bother our chickens' pal." He said in a no-nonsense voice. "You messed with the wrong people."

Amy rolled to a crouch. "He was signalling friends. I will go check on the chickens and if I have to I will reinforce it."

"We'll take care of his friends just like we took care of him." Dodger replied firmly then added, "Let's take care a look at the chickens."

"Bring him do not want to loose it." Amy said as she began to jog.

Dodger didn't reply he just picked up the fox by the tail and followed after Amy.

Amy reached the barn's side door next to the Chicken Coop extension. She flashed the flashlight along the coop's exterior, no gaps, the wire she had reinforced was still tight and she had checked when they had arrived, there was 6f of concrete below the coop. "Clear" She said softly.

"Excellent news." Dodger replied as Amy gave the verdict on the chicken coop. "Chickens are safe and secure and we have one less fox to worry with. Let's get back to the others with our trophy."

"Yes. We need to set traps as well and I think I will put more wire around it tomorrow. There are rolls in the barn." Amy gave the area one more sweep. "If we ever find more animals, we may have to put up a proper fence."

"Agreed. traps are a given. Maybe we can find some goats and some sheep. get goat milk and goat cheese. Lamb chops, get more variety into our diets." He pointed out.

"Well not sure where we are going to get them but .. maybe the other islands have something? Once we get everything settled here though." Amy said as they headed back to the house.

"The other islands are definite possibilities to be sure but as you said, we need to get everything in order here first before we set off to do any exploring." Dodger replied.

Amy nodded.


== House ==

Briar finished her meal as Amy and Dodger left. "Leave their plates until they come back." She said softly and began helping the children clear the plates.

Rowan moved beside his sister and helped pick up plates and put the remnants into a bucket for compost (under Amy's instructions).

Briar moved to the door, spear in hand as the children moved around behind her in the house as she kept a look out. She considered the night and was not sure she would be able to sleep at all, she didn't know how much sleep Amy and Dodger had gotten during the day but she didn't think it was long.

George was already outside, holding his rollerhockey goalie stick across his body, like a two-handed battle ax. He was watching the area that Amythyst and Dodger had gone. He glanced back when he heard Briar step to the door. He gave her a soft smile.

Amy and Dodger were coming back, they could see the flashlight.

Amy led the way up. She was exhausted but she pushed on. "I will take first watch tonight" She announced as they reached the veranda. "You all get sleep with the children and I will wake one of you at midnight."

Dodger was about to argue but instead clamped his mouth shut and instead said, "Wake me Amy. Then I'll wake Briar and she can wake George."

Amy nodded. "I think everyone goes to bed early tonight. get as much rest as we can. Tomorrow the real work at making this our home starts."

Sounds like a plan." Dodger replied simply.

"Here, give me the fox. I learned how to strip a carcass a few years ago, when my uncle took me and my cousins hunting, upstate."

Dodger handed the fox over, "Here you go, be my guest. Though put aside a few pieces so I can use it as bait."

George nodded, then headed off to the kitchen, where, in less than an hour, he had the fox stripped of its hide, cleaned of entrails and organs, and the rest of the meat stripped from bone and quartered up. He then set aside the organ meat for Dodger to use as his bait. He then cleaned everything up and carried the fur hide downstairs, to stretch and dry, before it could be used to make things with.

While George went and did that, Briar went back to gather the children to get ready for bed.

Amy went to wash her hands and then handed out books as the children trooped upstairs, they would be able to read for a bit before lights out.

OFF

 

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