Final Stop: Tragedy

Mallory wasn't too pleased to hear from Yumiko the one called Magna would be trouble, although she should've guessed as much considering the woman had already been seen stealing supplies. Mallory wasn't entirely unsympathetic though. She knew some people who had rewired themselves to only think of survival and would need time to adept. Yumiko telling her she'd handle Magna if she'd make trouble inspired trust though. Still, as it was with the world before, stealing was a crime in Bar Harbor.

"Thank you." Mallory said to Yumiko. "You should know my people already saw her stealing, I let it slide to keep the peace but that can't happen again. Like it was everywhere before, stealing is a crime here. I meant it when I said that if you needed anything all you'd have to do is ask. Next time someone is caught stealing, there will be consequences."

After George and Yumiko had left, Mallory opened the notebook George had handed her. Doctor Arroway, Ellie's mother. A great mind they said. At least Ellie and her were reunited before the end. Maybe they were together in a better place now. Mallory flipped the notebook open and started reading. Apparently doctor Arroway had figured out they believed in some kind of made believe god, but wasn't able to determine which one or its origin. Mallory guessed the Wisconsin community had lacked a horror fanatic like Kellen. Hell, if Kellen hadn't come into her office they'd probably still be fishing around, pun intended. There were more objective notes in the book though.

"That might explain their ferociousness..." Mal muttered to herself, remembering people testifying to that. She kept on reading, it was more accounts of the two groups meeting and the effect it had on the community. Before long, about an hour had passed and Mallory finished the notebook, putting it in her desk. It was time for her to call it a day. She knew she had her work cut out for her in the days to come. Just as she was about to walk out though, one of the soldier brought in two teen girls.

"Ma'am, we caught these two breaking into the library." the soldier spoke.

Mallory sighed. Great, she was almost out the door.

"Fine, sit down, both of you!" Mallory said. "Thank you private, I'll take it from here."

Melanie and Kelly sat down in front of Mallory's desk, Mallory herself took a seat behind it.

"Well that must be a first." Mallory spoke. "Two teen girl breaking into a library. Guess you guys really love books?"

Melanie and Kelly looked at eachother. "It's not fair, Kinsley did the same!" Melanie answered. "Did you punish her too or does she get a free pass because she's your cousin!?"

"Crap." Mallory thought to herself. She knew why her cousin was at the library. Melanie must've seen her and the others go in though. She didn't appreciate Melanie's tone though. That girl was just like her mother, entitled and self-righteous.

"Miss Caldwell, you'll keep a civil tongue when addressing me or any other militia member." Mallory said. "That said, Kinsley accompanied my corporal Kellen Moseley on an errand I sent them for. You'll find that corporal Moseley signed out the library keys at the quartermaster's office which, I might add, is a possibility for every inhabitant of this town if they require reading material!"

"I... I didn't know that." Melanie answered. She figured it best not to tell Mallory she wasn't interested in books, but figuring out what Kinsley and the others were doing.

"So... we can go?" Kelly asked.

Mallory was silent for a moment. Somehow these two didn't strike her as the reading types. And Mallory knew Kinsley had been at odds with Melanie Caldwell ever since they were little. Kelly was just a 'worker bee' though. It was best to deter Melanie from asking too many questions about Kinsley though.

"Well I'm not going to throw you guys in jail, even though I should." Mallory answered. "You will however report to the work crew first thing tomorrow morning at eight am sharp."

"That's not fair!" Melanie protested. "You can't just make us work!"

"No, no! We'll do it!" Kelly said.

"Fuck!" Melanie cursed.

"And that's an extra day for you miss Caldwell." Mal spoke.

Melanie and Kelly left and Mallory shook her head. She knew she'd hear from mrs. Caldwell very soon. Maybe she'd let Claudia deal with her, just for fun. She got up from behind her desk and went out, locking her office and leaving for the night.

Mallory passed Ziggy and Sara on the steps down. Sara had just asked Ziggy to have dinner with her but Ziggy wasn't hungry, even if she wasn't still nauseous from the anaesthesia she couldn't eat with all that grief tied in a knot in her stomach. That, and her arms were aching something fierce. She just wanted to be alone too.

"I love you too Sara." Ziggy said. "But I can't eat now, so much as think of food. I'm going to stay here and rest up. You guys should go though."

"Fair enough Zigs." Brody answered. "But you gotta eat at some point, even if it's just a dry cookie or something. Try at least."

Having caught the conversation from a few steps up, Mallory went down to the group.

"She needs rest guys." Mallory said. "Come on Ziggy, I'll see you back to the clinic. You guys should do the same though. Rest up, take some time for yourselves and come see me in a few days."

"Yes Ma'am." Thomas said. "If such a thing is possible at this time."

Mallory carefully smiled at the group, then helped Ziggy get up carefully not to touch her sore arms. Once she had, Ziggy followed Mallory back inside. Mallory felt like she should say a few things though.

"I know nothing I say right now can make you feel better Ziggy." Mallory said. "But trust me when I say at some point it'll start to wear off."

"If you're wondering if I'm going to do something stupid, I won't." Ziggy answered. "Already tried to back on the train, but couldn't."

Mallory sighed. At least that was out of the way. Mallory opened the door to the clinic, Ziggy passed her by but then turned around facing her.

"All I ask of you is that you give me my chance for revenge." Ziggy said to Mallory.

"No, I won't." Mallory answered. "I'll give you a chance at justice. Now you try and get some sleep. The more you sleep the faster you'll heal."

Ziggy went back to her hospital bed and Mallory closed the door, going back outside and into her jeep, driving home. She was dead-tired, but with today's events, she hoped she'd sleep as well.