Telling the group

Posted on Fri Jun 19th, 2026 @ 7:41am by New York Survivor Briar Maddox & New York Survivor John ("Dodger") Smith & New York Survivor George Brooks & Survivor Elena Marwick

1,282 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbor
Location: Gull's Refuge and above
Timeline: October 4th 2010

It was mid afternoon when the sound of running feet came to the remaining children and Elena on the beach in the place called Gulls Refuge.

Austin and Patrick raced down the gravel cliff face towards the eldest children. They didn't shout, because even now they knew the importance of being quiet.

But they waved and ran up to George and Dodger with wide grins.

Dodger looked up from his conversation with George. "Austin, Patrick." He greeted the boys, "What's the rush and why the big grins?"

Austin grinned and opened his mouth.

Briar came up. "Where is Amy?" she asked because the boys had been with Amy on a scout.

Austin looked at her and then said. "At a farmhouse, a couple of hundred yards from the cliff. We found.."

Patrick broke in over the top of him. "A girl! More cows and Wagons! Stuff to get us to Pine Hollow! And we can use the crane" he waved at the large crane above.

"Whoa!" Dodger said looking at the two boys, "A girl? Who is she and where's Amy?" He looked at George and then back at the boys. "Take us there."

Patrick and Austin exchanged looks then Austin said. "I will. But Amy wants us to start moving stuff to the cliff wall so that the Crane box can be lowered down."

Patrick nodded. "I can get Elliot to help with that."

"Take us to the girl Austin. Patrick you and Elliot start moving supplies to the cliff wall. Does Amy know about the girl you found?"

"Yes, she is with her. The girl is named Leah. And she cannot walk right. She lives in a farmhouse." Austin said. "She uses crutches" He quickly swapped out two empty water bottles and stashed them into his backpack from the supply. "The house is small but Leah says we can stay there, bring our cows and animals up, use the wagons and such."

"Okay, okay." Dodger replied. "Her name is Leah, she walks with crutches and she lives in the farmhouse all by herself? How old do you think she is Austin?"

"She is 12." He said. It was stated firmly as it was known. He looked at George and Dodger. "From what she said, she has been alone for a while. Her parents went looking for help.. maybe they chose not to come back or they cannot." Then he headed to the cliff track.

"Twelve." Dodger repeated as the trio walked towards the farmhouse. Do you know what is wrong with her legs?" He asked pushing her missing parents to the back for a moment.

Austin shook his head. "No I didn't ask. But there is a wheelchair upstairs, and one in a closet downstairs and she has two sets of crutches."

"It's okay, we'll find out soon enough. I wonder if she had polio has a child?" Dodger muttered to himself as they entered the forest between the cliff and the farm land.

Austin shrugged. Then the forest had simply ended. Beyond the trees lay a broad clearing carved out of the wilderness. Fields stretched across the gentle valley floor, surrounded by weathered fences and low stone walls. Several buildings stood beyond them—a farmhouse, a massive barn, sheds, and smaller outbuildings scattered across the property.

"Oh wow." Dodger exclaimed as the farmhouse and the surrounding landscape came into view. "That's some spread right there." He noted and was silently impressed by the view as well as the thought of a lone girl living there by herself.

Austin nodded and pointed to the farmhouse. There on the porch, sitting beside a girl with dark brown hair, was Amythyst or Amy as she had become known to the group.

The girl was slender and watched the three of them carefully. Amy placed a hand on her shoulder and stood and walked towards them, smiling in her friendly way at both George and Dodger. "Thank you Austin."

Austin grinned. "I can go back and help Patrick?" He suggested.

Amy nodded. "Yeah go do that, Once I introduce these two to Leah I will get to the crane"

Austin nodded. They had a lot to do. He handed her a waterbottle and headed back the way they came.

"Amy." Dodger greeted her. "Who do we have here?" He asked not unkindly but in an inquisitive way.

Amy led the two older boys over. "Leah, this is Dodger, and George."

Leah looked up at them. "Hello" She said. She didn't hold out her hand or anything just watched them.

"This is Leah's home." Amy said. "Her parents went to find others and get help. Weeks ago."

"Nearly 2 months now. The undead have not come down the road" Leah pointed to the dirt road that ran off inland. "Mom and Dad must have closed the gate."

"Hello Leah." Dodger returned, his eyes going to the dirt road Leah pointed to. "Have you seen the undead?" he asked wondering if the group needed to kick moving into high gear.

"A few months ago. We were in town for a doctors appointment, and they were on the side of the road on our way back." Leah said. "Dad ran one of the over in the truck"

Dodger nodded, that answered one question. The undead were around just not in close proximity at least not yet. "Where are your parents Leah?" He asked gently.

"They went to the Harrowoods. Their farm is about 20 minutes drive away. To get help. They have not come back" Leah replied.

Amy watched and then said. "She barely has any food left, the pantry is nearly empty and she has been trying to grow food but,"

"I am not that good a gardener." Leah pushed herself slowly to her feet and grabbed her crutches. "Amy and I spoke. You can take the wagons. There are five and a smaller one for goats. You should take the cows, and the chickens. They wont do me any good here."

Amy frowned. "Leah.."

"I know but if they vote against my joining.." She shrugged.

Dodger listened as Amy and then Leah spoke. One young girl out here all by herself. He made a decision. "We don't need to vote," Dodger said firmly. "We're not leaving you behind Leah. Consider yourself part of the family."

Leah looked up at him as she settled her crutches under her arms. She then let her gaze sweep to George to see if he would say something different.

George had been quite since they had left the safety of the island. He didn't think this was a good idea, however, the majority had voted to move, so he did whatever was necessary to keep the group safe and together.

He nodded to the younger girl, then got to work helping the others get their things and the animals moved to the top of the cliff.

Amy watched George leave and took a breath. "Leah, it will take us a bit to get everyone up here. its late in the day and such. Can we store things in the barn?"

Leah nodded. "Yes."

Amy nodded and said "Dodger, You and George get the Cows and Goats up here by the track. Everything else can come up by the crane."

Dodger gave a quick short nod. "Sure thing." He replied.

Amy headed back down to the main camp to fill in Elena and Briar in on what was going on.

As Dodger walked back to George, Fisher appeared at his side, he bent down and gave the dog an affectionate scratch behind his ears, he thought on Leah joining their group and was happy over it. Their little family had gained another member.

 

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