Earth(20)

I looked back; everyone appeared to make it out of the way in time.

"Sorry!" Someone from the top deck of the steamboat shouted apologies. I gave them a dirty look, then did the same to Robert, who was laughing.

Something else caught my eye as the steamboat passed. Dragged alongside it was several large water filters. "Look!" I shouted.

Susan turned, and a wide grin spread across her face.

"Micah's been here," I breathed.

They were exactly the same as we found near Robert's camp.

"Let's pull in over there," I said, pointing to a large, cemented area that sloped down into the water. "We need to check it out."

The other boats followed our lead. As Robert came closer, I resisted the urge to dump him in the water again. Just barely. He was still laughing when they pulled ahead of us. As soon as our canoe hit cement, Margie was there, pulling us in.

"Sorry," she said, voice lowered. "I had no idea that thing could pick up speed like that. I don't think they heard my warning shouts."

I put Bee on my hip and took Margie's extended hand for help out of the canoe.

"Are you guys okay after yesterday?" she asked. "When I came up and saw you, but not Bee, my heart skipped a beat. I went back under and almost got caught in the undertow and I just got scared—"

"Margie, come help with the boat," Robert growled at her. Their kayak was completely out of the water. What help he needed was beyond me.

She rolled her eyes and turned back to me, smoothing out her hair. "I should've kept looking—"

"No," this time I interrupted her. "It wasn't your fault; don't worry about it."

She nodded. "I'm glad everyone is ok. Thank God for Susan."

"Margie!" Robert yelled again.

"I'm coming." Margie squeezed my hand, wiggled Bee's bare toes and walked away.

I turned, watching Susan pack a small bag with Bee's toys, a change of clothes, and extra food.

Yes, I thought. Thank God for Susan. Susan and Alex both.





Chapter 13





The Spirit of Evansville





"Welcome aboard your ship," the captain held out his hands in a grand gesture as we walked up the gangplank. I paused in the middle of wiping grime from Bee's cheek to look over my shoulder. There was only Alex – standing off to the side with his arms crossed. The captain was, in fact, addressing me.

"My…my ship?"

He smiled, nodding his head with enthusiasm.

"I don't follow."

"Come, come. Let me show you around. I'll remain to drive you down the river, of course."

"No – me drive!" Bee shouted, kicking to be let down.

As soon as I set her on the ground she ran for the captain's outstretched hands. Alex stepped in between the two, swooping Bee up in his own arms.

The captain shrugged. "Looks like I've got myself a co-pilot." He tousled her hair and walked away with a skip in his step, leaving me like an idiot, with my hand in the air and speechless.

I glanced at Alex, who was glaring at the captain.

"Come on," I said, nudging him forward. "Let's at least hear him out."

"Now this ship wasn't a steamboat until after Daybreak," the captain waited for us to catch up. He reached over and pinched Bee's cheek. "No it wasn't. We had plans, but weren't motivated to put them in effect until the diesel stopped coming."

We followed him down some stairs. The elevators had a large 'out of order' sign posted.

He continued, "Daybreak was good in a lot of ways like that."

It was the first time I'd heard anyone refer to Daybreak as a good thing. Bee leaned over to pull on the captain's beard.

"Honey, be careful." I said.

"She's fine. I'm Captain Carl, by the way." He stopped suddenly and stuck out his hand in delayed introduction.

"Oh, I'm Kaitlyn." I shook his hand. "And this is Alex, and…well – I guess everyone else is busy."

"Yes, yes – I'm having them load the canoes and all your supplies on the boat. Eventually we may reach a point where the steamboat is too big for the river. Anyway." He turned down the stairs again. "Took us over a year, but we got her ready just in time for Micah to come along."

"I'm sorry – if you could explain how exactly he purchased the boat?" I couldn't imagine what Micah had traded.

"Well, for one – this entire community owes him and The Seven. Under their guidance, the Wiccans were able to build our own Chakra Center."

"Chakra Center?" I looked at Alex, eyebrows raised.

He shrugged.

"Community-based farms that are able to support any who come. Permaculture at its finest," touted the captain.

"What else did he give you?" I asked.