2021 Watering Event

Maddie said the words slowly in a mischievous, knowing tone.

Candy accepted the bottle from Maddie, shook it, carefully unscrewed it, took a sip, then quickly screwed the cap back on.

“Candy... I want *you* to drink it!” Maddie said helplessly with her hands on her hips.

“I’ve made a new friend recently. I think it needs water more than I dotomatoes can provide me with water too.” Candy replied politely. Her sweet smile made it hard to be angry with her.

“Well, I think you're the one who really needs it. Look at those chapped lips, dry as dust! You even go to the bathroom less often!”

Candy firmly shook her head. For the sake of her new friend, this was nothing.

Bottle in hand, she briskly jogged past the gates, ignoring the doubting eyes that followed her.

“She's watering that weed again...”

“There's something wrong with that girl's brain. Water's so scarce. She doesn't even drink her own ration! It would be better to give it to me, she's pouring into the ground!”

“Nothing special about that darn weed...”

The others liked gossiping about Candy and her little “friend” after she left.

“Shut up!” Maddie broke in angrily, “Everyone gets their own the daily ration of water. That's the quota system. She can use hers any way she likes!”

A barely audible growl from Frank instantly silenced the crowd. But Maddie could see that they were still defiant.

Candy also knew what they thought. She didn’t care.

In a sheltered spot not far from the Settlement stood a seedling.

She carefully unscrewed the cap and poured the water slowly onto the surrounding ground.

Bathing in this shower, the little plant seemed to stretch its leaves and become even more luxuriantly green.

“Grow up fast, little buddy. Then I'll can them what you can do.”

This inconspicuous little plant was not the weed it appeared to be. Its Latin name was ‘Selaginella,’ but in Candy's hometown they called it ‘ReturnfromtheGrave’.

Ever since she had discovered it, not matter what, she came every day to gently water it.

The Selaginella took a lot of water to grow. But that didn't matter, Candy would rather go thirsty herself in order to take care of it.

Despite all the grumbling in the Settlement, she knew it would all be worth it one day.

One night, as darkness fell, the Squad returned unexpectedly.

Groans of pain filled the twilight air. Rusty lifted Sarge and Ghost out of the car, both of whom were bleeding profusely.

“Ghost! Sarge!” Maddie ran to them anxiously.

“We were ambushed by Raiderz on the way.”

Trish examined their wounds and shook her head, “We’ve run out of hemostasis agent, I don't have anything to stem the bleeding with... Sarge, Ghost... good luck...”

“Isn't there anything else you can do, Doctor?” Maddie clutched at her shirt anxiously.

As Trish applied pressure to the wounds she looked up at Maddie, she opened her mouth but nothing came out.

The Settlement gathered round.

“...too much blood. I've seen people die like this... nothing to be done.”

“No, if we can stop the bleeding, they can still pull through.” Candy insisted.

“What do you know, little girl. Are you a better doctor than Trish?”

“Even if you gave back all the water you wasted, you still won't save Sarge or Ghost.”

“Wait a second!” Candy leapt up and shot out of the gates towards the little Selaginella. “Please friend, I need your leaves, thank you.”

Candy breathlessly pushed through the crowd. After rushing past a bewildered Trish, she crudely mashed the leaves and applied them to the wounds.

First the blood flow slowed, then it stopped.

Those who had doubted Candy stood there, speechless and in shock.

“It's ‘Return-from-the-Grave.’ It not only stops the blood, but also brings us the hope of survival.” Candy explained patiently.

“Sorry... we're sorry for what we said before.” Those who had mocked her apologized.

Candy's only reply was a polite smile.

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