The Gathering

As the days passed, Pippa began to feel more and more at home. She had never been close to anyone, really, and the children she now lived with showed her what friendship was. She was happier than she ever had been. She cuddled and played with Daisy, taught Frances all about Little Women (making it the first book she had enjoyed that wasn't an adventure story). Naomi seemed to really care for the girls she looked after, especially Daisy, who was only five and very sensitive.

The children could get dirty, but when they got too filthy, Judah led his clan to the freshwater Caroline Sea, where they cleaned thenselves and their clothes using soap they had scavenged.

Today, the clan was getting themselves clean for a very special event: the annual Gathering.

"It's the day when all of the clans get together at the Junk Tower and have a bit of a party," Naomi explained.

"What's the Junk Tower?" Pippa asked, shivering in the cold water.

"You'll see," the older girl said.

The next day, the clan gathered up the food they had saved up to bring to the Gathering. Judah had found enough batteries to power his battered cd player to play musicfor the event. Finally, they started out as a group across the plains.

Pippa had not yet gone outside of the Tiger's territory, and so far, the landscape looked much the same. After a while, they climbed a massive hill, at at the summit, she gasped at what she saw.

"Is that- "

"The Junk Tower, yes," said Judah. "It's been built up over generations."

The Junk Tower was, to put it simply, a pile of junk, heaped up into a hill that resembled a tower. It was very tall, with a flat top. Much of the trash in the layers had decomposed, the plastic and metal that refused to do so sticking out like exposed bone.

"It's so..." Pippa stared at the hill in the distance.

"Ugly?" Judah grinned at her and Naomi, as the Tigers plunged down the hill. "It's a monstrous thing."

They came down to a valley, already filled with milling children. Morgan was amongst them wearing a dress that looked as though it had been cobbled together from several different dresses.

"It looks like we're here first," Naomi said as they set down their food offerings.

"How many of these have you been to?" Pippa asked, looking around at the kids greeting each other.

"Four, not counting this one," Naomi replied. She knelt down to Daisy's level. "Now, you can play with the other kids, but don't run off, and if there is a problem, come get me."

"I can take care of her," Frances said loudly. She took Daisy's hand, and they disapeared into the crowd. Pippa noticed that other clans had arrived. Naomi told her who was leading which clan: Wanda, a short, fierce-looking girl, led the Lions; a large boy named Tauren arrived at the head of the Cheetahs; and the Eagles were led by a pair of identical twin boys, Michael and Jared.

Naomi peered into the crowd as the Eagles and Lions began a baseball game, using a single ancient bat. "I don't see the Falcons. Angelica leads them. I'm not sure if they will even come, even though that is sort of against the rules."

"Why?" asked Pippa. The two of them were eating now, and she was only have listening to her.

"Well, you see - "

"I'm, ah, starting up my music," Judah said, coming hurriedly up to them. "Naomi, would you like to...dance with me?"

"Sure," Naomi replied, looking surprised. "You'll be okay, Pippa?"

"Yeah," Pippa replied. The two walked away.

A bonfire had been lit in the center of the valley, illuminating the night. It was by the light of the fire that she saw the new group arriving. They were led by a dark-eyed girl, who Pippa assumed was Angelica.

"Well, well," someone said from behind her, "Look who finally decided to show up after two years. I could have you removed for that, but I won't."

Angelica stopped. "Hello, Morgan. My clan comes in peace. You know why we did not come before."

Morgan was beside Pippa now. "Right, you were grieving. How are you doing, my dear?"

Pippa shivered at the depths of hatred in the other girl's eyes. She had never seen so much animosity towards someone as she was seeing now.

"Join the party, Falcons," Angelic said, her voice as cold as winter snow. "Now."

She walked past Pippa, giving her an unexpected smile.

Pippa was about to walk away when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Philippa, is it?" She looked up into Morgan's eyes. "That was Angelica. She doesn't like me very much, but I'm sure you'll like me just fine. Walk with me, new girl."