by James Ryke
They opened trailer after trailer, each one revealing more and more valuable items: farming equipment; diesel generators; a collection of lights and light bulbs; an impressive array of weapons; simple electronic machines like tillers, lawnmowers, table saws, sanders. The resources went on and on. One of the trailers even contained two old tractors with various attachments.
The next trailer Isaac opened held something quite different. As he approached the trailer, a putrid smell hit his nose, forcing him to cover his mouth. It took a second before he could fight through the scent, but he was finally able to open the back door. As the door swung wide, he instinctively took a step back, his hands fumbling for his rifle. Dozens of blank faces stared back at him; their skeleton-like frames seemingly so frail that they would break in a strong wind. They were dirty and foul, as was the excrement that covered the floor, but they were alive. It took him a while to adjust to the smell, but when he did, he took a step forward. “My name is Isaac Savage, and I’m here to help. You’re safe now.”
***
Rick stood on the roof of Costco, his eyes still replaying the scenes of the battle. He reflected on all that had gone right, and everything that could have gone wrong. Black smoke still hung in the air, adding a sense of reality to the images that flashed through his head. Pride—that’s the only thing that saved us—the Executor’s overwhelming pride. Not too many things would have to be different for there to be vastly different results. He might have known his history, but he was foolish enough to believe that he would not repeat it.
“There you are,” said Isaac from behind. “You’re a hard man to find.” The Pastor looked his brother over and, after seeing the fresh blood spots on his shoulder and leg bandages, shook his head. “What happened?”
Rick turned his head and gave his brother a warm smile. “I ripped my stitches when I threw that bastard through his car window. I was running on pure adrenaline, so I hardly felt it, but it’s burning now.”
“You better take it easy,” Isaac said.
Rick did not know how to respond. He decided to change topics. “How are those survivors doing?”
“You heard about them already? Well, they’re pretty scared. Most of them won’t talk—the few who do speak, say that they’ve been stuck in that container for several days. They were dehydrated and starved—I’m just glad that none of them died when we transported them over here.”
“I’m sure they’ll eventually fit in to our motley crew.”
“I’m surprised you’re not going to try to fight me on this.”
Rick laughed. “How cold of a person do you think I am, little brother? We’ve got more than enough food and shelter for them.”
They did not say anything for several minutes until Isaac finally broke the silence. “It was Chass, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“Chass stopped the mortars.”
Rick nodded. “After we never found him among the dead, I figured as much. It’s a good thing too—who knows how much abuse those Terracotta planters could have taken. Luckily, they didn’t have us sighted in before Chass cut them down. The thing I don’t get is why Chass would help us just after he betrayed us? He gave up important information to the Executor just before the Red Sleeves arrived.”
“We don’t know if it was Chass.”
“Yes, we do,” Rick corrected, “the Executor pretty much spelled it out.”
Isaac shook his head. “I don’t know—maybe we’ll never know why he did it. I wonder what happened to him.”
“He’s still out there,” Rick said.
“I’m sure he is,” Isaac turned to his brother. “By the way, thank you. Without you, I have no doubt that my family and I would be dead, along with everyone else. It seems no matter how many times I say thank you, it will never be enough. I keep thinking about those people locked in that trailer. That could’ve been us.”
Rick nodded. “I guess I should thank you too.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’ve learned a lot from you, little brother.”
“People are saying that you and Kate are a thing now.”
Rick snorted. “Who said that?”
“Jane saw you two kissing, and she’s been spreading rumors.”
“Can’t keep a secret, just like her father. I wouldn’t define it as a kiss, per se…more of an awkward encounter of two sets of lips. I felt like a twelve-year-old boy playing spin the bottle.”
Isaac laughed. “You’ll get better.”
Rick shook his head. “She’s half my age.”
“Not quite,” Isaac replied. “You’re not as old as you think you are. I’m just wondering what people are going to gossip about now that you two are on good terms. Everyone always looked forward to the Kate and Rick soap opera—it was better than reality TV.”
“There will be plenty of drama in the future, trust me,” Rick replied, his voice turning suddenly serious. “We’ve survived so far, but we’re only three months into this thing. And in a way, we’re in more danger now than before.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because we have things—and word will get out. And you’ll be twice as motivated to take in every stray pup you see along the road, just like when we were kids.”
“You’re a good man, Rick. You’re not as hard as you like to pretend.” There was a pause before Isaac continued. “I’m honored to be your brother.”
Rick turned towards Isaac. “I feel the same about you. But, enough of this touchy-feely crap for one day. You’ll have me quoting scriptures before dinner, and heaven knows, it’s already annoying when one of us does it.”
A Note from the Author:
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