Two blurs sped through the camp, one bluish gray and the other whitish brown, and both followed by cries of childish laughter. Long lanky legs and massive paws churned up the soft late spring mud between the tents. Ears and jowls bounced up and down with each bound as long, swollen tongues flopped out the sides of the hounds’ mouths. Tails went wild as the puppies finally stopped their race to turn and pounce on the throng of little ones chasing them.

Renni pulled up the rear, watching with a smile on her face as Gloria and the other camp children played with the two four-and-a-half-month-old puppies.

“Mina,” she called. The bluish gray one perked its head up, intelligent eyes staring into her owner’s. With a final lick for the children, the loyal puppy leapt around the bunch and pranced to Renni’s feet where she accepted a long luxurious pet behind the ears.

“How in the world do you have that pup trained already?” Carter sidled up to her and gave Mina a pat. “Gloria and I are still trying to get Pappi to learn sit and stay, and here is Mina obeying your every word.”

Pappi, hearing her name, also bounded around the children, or rather bounded through them. Her long lanky legs flailed every which direction before she slammed head first into Carter’s knees. The pup sat dazed and shook her head before looking up and giving a great wide grin that only hounds can. She then proceeded to bark incessantly. Mina joined in, pouncing on her sister. The puppies proceeded to play-fight around Renni’s and Carter’s legs, nearly tripping both.

Pappi, or rather, Paprika, had earned her name three days after joining Carter’s family. Gloria took it upon herself to name the red, brown, and white hound, but couldn’t think of the right name. Renni smiled as she remembered the moment Gloria had shouted out, “Paprika” instead of “Eureka.”

Renni had no problem naming her pup. Colored very much like her father, she also sported darker blue black spots on her back and a black hound’s mask. Mina was the runt of the litter and had shown great tenacity and intelligence in getting what she needed from her larger, more rambunctious siblings. It was one of the reasons Renni had chosen her. The other was that she reminded her of Wilhelmina, Maximus’ old dog who’d passed away shortly before they went off to college. With her beloved and loyal pup, Renni felt she had a piece of Max with her now. Mina had given her the joy she needed to get through the last few months of loneliness. 

 “Care for some coffee?” Carter asked, lifting one leg clear of a rolling mass of fur and mud.

“Love some.” They walked away from the wrestling pups, knowing Mina and Pappi would follow their scent as soon as the two realized their owners had left.

Renni and Carter strolled through the camp, taking in the small gardens outside each tent where vegetables and flowers sprouted and bloomed. Beyond the tents sat a larger plowed field where many worked through the day, their ultimate goal the harvest that would come at the end of the summer.

Renni waved to some men who carried various planks and tools. The mess hall no longer had cloth walls. In the peaceful months following Renni’s arrival, two simple buildings had been erected. One, the hall. The other was the first cabin, near the mess hall and given to Mr. Sharp. Many now worked on additional wooden shelters, mostly for the elders of the camp. Solomon and Carter both labored alongside the builders, each providing their expertise. Renni helped where she could with the carpenters and the farmers, but most of her time she still spent making rounds throughout the camp with Marshal. With the Mongerers no longer haunting the skies, there was little for them to do to protect the camp. Still, they did what they could, seeing to the people and their needs.

As they approached the new mess hall, Renni couldn’t help but brim with pride at the hard work of the camp. Every person, no matter their ailments or previous lives, worked in some way or another to build the center of their new homes. Even Phys and Marshal helped by providing glass for the many windows. Just like the food, no one asked where the Harbingers got the materials. Everyone was simply thankful.

Both Renni and Carter stopped at the door and removed their muddy boots. Almost every campmate had fallen into the habit of removing their shoes before entering the mess hall. They wanted to keep it pristine, to maintain the beauty of the building. Muddy boots and tracked in water would warp the blessed floor boards. She smiled as she set her boots onto a shelf that Carter had built on the outside of the building near the door.

“Pretty soon, we’ll be able to move these tarps and I’ll build a proper porch and awning. Just as soon as this rainy season is over.” Carter set his boots next to hers.

“It didn’t rain yesterday, so yeah, I’m sure you’ll be able to start soon.”

Renni spotted Thomas at the back of the mess hall, his metallic skin glinting in the sunlight that streamed through the windows. He waved back. “Did you hear?” he called out to them.

“Hear what?”

Thomas walked over, his motorized joints slightly whining with each step. Renni had gotten used to the faint sound, her own leg always making it with every move. Involuntarily, she flexed her renewed fingers, feeling the flesh of her pinky with her thumb. It’d been only a month since Phys removed that unit.

“We’re expanding the camp.”

Carter stared at the younger man a moment, a frown suddenly splayed across his bearded face. “What do you mean expanding?”

“Marshal found another camp only about twenty miles from here. Guess we weren’t the only ones who sought refuge in the mountains.” He paused and took a deep breath, closing his eyes and savoring the mid morning fresh air coming through the open door. “They’ve been flooded out with all the rain and melt-off,” he continued. “Marshal and Phys think its best to bring them here. We have plenty of food and supplies and it seems like they’ve had it pretty harsh the last few months.”

“I don’t know.”  Again, Carter frowned, his eyes intent. “This camp has grown into a tightly woven community in the last few months. I would hate to deny anyone shelter and food. And yet at the same time… Well, I guess it will just take some getting used to.”

“People adapt,” Renni said. “I am certain they’ll adapt quickly to the way things are here. And our own campmates will be just as quick to adapt to having new neighbors.” She turned to Thomas. “When are they coming?”

“I start today.” Marshal gracefully walked from the shadows near the door.

“Great, let me get some things and I’ll meet you at the ship.” Renni turned to leave but felt a long hand grip her shoulder.

“No, Shepherd. You stay and protect.” He turned her around. “I will go. You stay.” Renni sighed, but resigned, knowing Marshal was right. Though they had not seen any signs of the Mongerers for months, they could not leave the camp unprotected.

“Alright.” At that moment, both Pappi and Mina joined their owners, Mina planting great big muddy paw prints on the back of Renni’s knees. Everyone laughed, the tension broken. Everyone except Carter, who’s face remained in a contemplative frown.