“It's easier to prevent something than to undo it, once bureaucracy gets their claws in,” she said. “If Gorstrom manages to get everyone she arrested onto those buses tomorrow, it's going to become a hundred times harder to get them back.”
“What do you suggest?” Johnny snapped. “Running seems like a bad idea when Gorstrom can send the entire Armed Forces after us if she needs to. And trying to fight is an even worse idea for the same reason.” He snorted dourly. “Assuming we could even convince anyone to join that fight.”
“Not me, that's for sure,” Starr grunted. “Even with what Gorstrom's doing here, I won't abandon my loyalty to my brothers and sisters in arms . . . you'd have to go through me to get to them.” He snorted. “Besides, even if you thought you had a shot against just the platoon she has here, Gorstrom could easily call in as many reinforcements as she needs to stomp you flat.”
“I certainly don't want to fight,” Ellie protested hastily. “But we have to do something. This isn't fair.”
Her words prompted another glum silence. “This is BS,” Bruce muttered darkly after a while. He'd become the informal leader of the group living around his house, and seeing half of them arrested, and most of the rest of them choosing to volunteer for the rebuilding efforts to stay with their loved ones, including his own grandson and Gen, had hit him hard.
“We survived months with Zolos hanging over our head,” he continued, building up a head of steam in his anger, “and the threat of starvation, and even bombing attacks from a bunch of deranged lunatics.” He punched his palm. “And the moment we get things under control and we're doing just fine, now they swoop in and want to start bossing us around!”
Ellie abruptly stood and strode towards the stairs leading down from the gazebo.
She'd finally come to the realization that the leaders of the town and quarantine camp had settled from preparing to take action to stop Gorstrom to just sitting around bemoaning this turn of events. It wasn't as if there was anything they could do, sure, but she had to resign herself to the fact that they wouldn't be able to get it done.
So she made her way towards the relief camp, intending to confront Gorstrom directly. She doubted she'd be able to convince the woman to change her mind, but maybe at least she'd be able to get some answers.
And if nothing else, maybe she could convince the administrator to let Nick go; it was selfish, but that was the main thing that mattered to her.
They'd both spent so long separated from their children, for one reason or another. Ellie wasn't about to let this woman and her arbitrary judgments rob Ricky and Tallie of their father now.
She spotted Gorstrom by one of the semi trucks, discussing details over a clipboard with one of her aides. The woman had to have seen Ellie storming towards her, but she turned away and kept talking as if she hadn't.
That infuriated Ellie even more. “I'm surprised you didn't trump up charges against me!” she shouted at Gorstrom's back.
The administrator froze, then turned her way, eyes icy. “I beg your pardon?”
All of Ellie's conflict resolution instincts were screaming for her to shut up, but she ignored them; Gorstrom wouldn't be reasoned with, but maybe a direct confrontation would break through her rigid shell of professionalism.
“You're so desperate for workers that you're willing to piss off an entire town and quarantine camp by arresting dozens of their friends and neighbors, not to mention most of their leaders, on BS charges,” Ellie said. “So with how interested you were in me volunteering my management skills to the rebuilding effort, I'm surprised you didn't fabricate something on me as well.”
Gorstrom's eyes glinted. “Why, are you guilty of a crime?”
Ellie snorted bitterly. “Yeah, because that's your priority.”
The older woman turned away sharply. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Westmont. I believe you have friends leaving tomorrow to join the rebuilding efforts . . . you should spend some time with them before they leave.”
“Please,” Ellie said, anger giving way to desperation; Gorstrom paused but didn't turn back. “Please, don't take my children's father away from them. We've already been through so much.”
The administrator turned again, expression genuinely pained. “You're in a better position to do something about that than I am.” At Ellie's blankly incredulous look she continued sympathetically. “Mr. Statton is facing the consequences of his own decisions, however good his motives were. I can't make an exception for him, even if I'd like to . . . justice falls apart if it's not applied equally.”
The woman's voice became firm. “On the other hand, if you really feel so strongly about not separating your children from their father, you only need to join the rebuilding efforts and accompany him. Plenty of others have made that sacrifice for the sake of their loved ones.”
Ellie fought back a wave of fury at the suggestion she was the one being unreasonable here. But it was joined by a tinge of guilt, because Gorstrom had a point.
That didn't make Ellie any more likely to change her mind about volunteering. Even less so, after the shenanigans the relief administrator had pulled. So with great effort she managed to hold back from cursing at the woman, gritting her teeth helplessly, and turned and furiously stalked away.
She wanted to do something for Nick, but all options seemed to be exhausted. It looked as if he had a choice of either becoming a fugitive or joining the rebuilding efforts.
And now she felt selfish for deciding to stay here, on top of it.
Defeated, she made her way back to the Norsons' house. There she found Ricky and Tallie helping Nick sort through his meager pile of possessions, deciding what to take with him. In the fading dusk she saw Gen and Billy in the house, apparently also packing.
The sight made the reality of the situation sink home. But at least it looked as if the children, while a bit glum, didn't look completely devastated by what was happening; Nick must've explained it to them.
Then again, they probably didn't fully understand just how long he'd be gone, or that they might not be able to see him during that time. In two years, according to Nick his minimum sentence, Tallie would be almost eight, and Ricky would be ten. That was a long time to not see their father.
Nick spotted Ellie and waved her over, pointing to the pile of stuff he was leaving behind. “I guess you and the others can sort through this and take anything you need.” He smiled wanly. “If nothing else, with so many of us leaving the group's food stores will last a lot longer. You shouldn't have to worry about having enough to last until you're self-sustaining at this point.”
She abruptly felt tears stinging her eyes and blinked quickly, forcing herself to stay cheerful for the children's sake. “That's true. Need any help packing?”
“Nah,” he chuckled wryly. “It's not like I have much to take with me anyway, even if I had room for it.”
Ellie couldn't bring herself to share his smile. She lowered her voice, glancing at the children. “Are you going to be okay with this?”
He sobered as well. “It doesn't seem like I have much choice. But yeah, in a way I think so. Gen deciding to come with me makes all the difference.”
She could see that. “Gorstrom tried to guilt me into bringing the kids and coming too. Although since I kind of just burned my bridges with her, I doubt the generous offer she gave me still stands. Even so . . .”
Nick must've heard the reluctance in her voice, because even though hope briefly flashed through his eyes at the prospect of not being separated from their kids, he immediately shook his head. “It's not fair for me to ask you to uproot your lives because of my mistakes.” He grimaced. “Besides, if they're willing to pull something this to get workers, that's all the more reason to thumb your nose at them.”
Ellie had to snort derisively at that. “I wish everyone else who volunteered felt the same.”
He blinked. “Really? Everyone who volunteered is still going? I would've figured watching their mayor and leaders get yoked into
forced labor as a reward for what they did to help the town would've made some people have second thoughts.”
“You'd think so.” She shook her head. “A few changed their minds, but that loss was more than made up for by all the friends and family of the people who were arrested who decided to volunteer in order to stay with their loved ones.”
The door to the house abruptly flew open and Billy charged out to join the kids, who momentarily forgot about helping their dad pack and ran to meet him. Gen followed behind at a more sedate pace, giving Ellie a strained smile without much hope in it. “Any luck finding a way to stop Gorstrom?”
“I'm afraid not,” Ellie said heavily.
“Yeah, she doesn't seem like the type to let something as small as mass outrage stop her.” Gen looped an arm through Nick's and leaned against him, the gesture comfortable. “Bruce and Winn were thinking we should have a farewell dinner for everyone who has to go. A proper sendoff, at least.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Ellie said. “Can I help you cook something?” She'd been so busy these last few days that she hadn't helped out with the group's chores nearly as much as she should've. If nothing else, she could at least help give Nick and Gen and Billy and the others a proper sendoff.
She wasn't the best cook, especially with what they had to work with these days, but Gen seemed to understand her thinking and nodded warmly. “That would be great. We were thinking of doing a casserole.”
Ellie nodded and followed her friend inside. “How are you holding up with all this?” she asked as they got to work in the kitchen. “You going to be okay with leaving?”
“I really think I will be,” Gen said, with more optimism than Ellie could muster. “I want to stay with him, and I don't want him to have to be alone out there.”
Ellie felt another surge of guilt. “Thank you,” she said. “For being there for him.”
Her friend patted her arm. “I'm glad you'll be here with Winn and Bruce. Please look after them for me.”
“I will.”
The conversation shifted to other things at that point, thankfully. Ellie had a feeling neither of them wanted to dwell on the current situation any more than they already had. Soon enough they were carrying their dishes outside, where everyone was gathering for the farewell dinner.
As parties went, this was one of the glummest Ellie had been to. While most of those Gorstrom was strong arming into going had been allowed to spend their remaining time before leaving with their loved ones, the group was were keenly missing Chet and Ben. As well as Chase, who as it turned out had been arrested for looting.
They'd only found out about his fate a little while ago, when Nick had gone with Aimee and Brant to visit the brothers. Their main purpose had been to arrange with the relief workers for Aimee and Brant to volunteer for whatever work could keep them near Chet and Ben, as well as stopping by to let the brothers know they hadn't been forgotten.
But during the visit they also spotted Chase in another cage, and the man had morosely explained his situation. Which apparently wasn't great, although not as dire as Chet and Ben's.
Ellie had a hard time sympathizing with him. Whether the man was a member of the group or not, as far as she was concerned he was one of the few legitimate arrests Gorstrom had made. Chase had never made any secret of how he'd hoped to get rich from scavenging valuables from houses, so he could live comfortably for the rest of his life once things got back to normal.
He was probably regretting being so frank about his activities right about now.
But whatever she might've felt about the man, his absence along with Chet's and Ben's was keenly felt, casting a pall over the dinner.
Because of the somber mood, Tallie seemed to have figured out that something was wrong, and her daddy wasn't just leaving for a while to do a job like mommy had used to before the virus. She became inconsolable, clinging to Nick and begging him not to go.
It had to be heartbreaking for him; Ellie certainly felt tears stinging her eyes at her daughter's sadness. She tried to intervene and smooth things over, but eventually just gave up and let Tallie spend those few hours being held by her daddy before he had to leave.
It wouldn't make their parting any less painful tomorrow, but at least they had this time together.
As for Ricky, he withdrew into himself more than she'd seen since he'd been forced to go into quarantine all by himself when first arriving in Stanberry. He didn't put up a fuss when she pulled him into her lap and cuddled him during dinner, but it didn't seem to do much to lift his spirits, either.
It was almost a relief when the people who'd be leaving began excusing themselves to make their last preparations and get an early night. Nick and Gen left too, taking Ricky, Tallie, and Billy out on a walk around the block to spend a few more precious minutes with them before bedtime.
Ellie stayed behind to help clear up after dinner. Hal stayed with her, doing his best to try to cheer her up, but while she appreciated his efforts her heart remained heavy.
It was safe to say that most of them went to bed early that night. Although she wondered how many, like her, slept poorly.
✽✽✽
Nick, Gen, Billy, and the rest of their group arrived early to the relief worker camp, not wanting to give Gorstrom any more reason to go after them. Which meant they had plenty of time to sit around watching the bustle of activity, after her aides had jotted down their information and bustled them off to join the gathering crowd of volunteers outside of town.
Considering how much of a hurry Gorstrom had seemed to finish her business in Stanberry and move on to the next town, the relief convoy had almost looked like it was putting down roots. But now, after three tireless days, they were preparing to leave in the same sort of whirlwind with which they'd arrived.
Some would be staying, of course, those who'd been assigned to oversee the quarantine camp until its residents could be relocated and the place shut down for good, no longer necessary thanks to the Zolos vaccine. As well as an aide who'd stay as a liaison with the town.
But as for the rest, they would be moving on to the next town to deliver the vaccine, enforce law and order, and dispense “justice”.
In spite of the fact that the relief workers had brought the lifesaving vaccine, as well as much-needed supplies and the inspiring vision of a country restored to its former glory, few would be sorry to see them go.
Nick wondered if they thought it was worth it; desperate to find workers or not, alienating every single town they passed through in order to get a few dozen more people seemed like a terrible idea. But then, as Ellie had said with a sort of bitter humor, bad ideas tended to gain wings in bureaucracies, somehow getting past everyone with a lick of common sense to become standard practice.
Speaking of bureaucrats, the convoy was still busily making their preparations to leave when several of Gorstrom's aides arrived to inform the waiting volunteers (and prisoners) that they should say their last goodbyes and get ready to load up.
Nick was a bit curious about how the relief administrator was going to get the thousand or so people who'd volunteered to join her rebuilding efforts south to the Gulf Coast.
Her relief convoy had plenty of vehicles, but those vehicles were already packed with personnel or were meant to carry supplies. And while she planned to leave people behind to take over management of the camp and coordinate continued relief efforts in town, that was going to be a dozen people at most.
But whatever else he might've thought of the administrator, at this point he didn't doubt her ability to get things done.
He was standing with Gen and Billy among the rest of the crowd of volunteers, a stone's throw away from where a few soldiers kept a wary eye on the fifty or so people who'd been arrested by Gorstrom's people for lawlessness during the pandemic. Including the McCleese brothers and Chase.
While he felt bad for his friends, he couldn't help but be relieved that Gorstrom had let him be part of the volunteer group. Along with D
arby and several other town leaders, and Denny and Starr and a few people from the camp.
Many of the nearby volunteers were family of the prisoners, including Brant McCleese and Aimee. The labor programs were tiered based on the severity of the prisoners' crimes, and Gorstrom had assured the families of those guilty of lesser crimes that they'd be able to visit their loved ones, and depending on good behavior those prisoners might even be able to live with their families under reduced supervision.
That offered a bit of hope that Chet and Ben might get to have a better situation than some hard labor camp.
At the aides' invitation, the loved ones of the people who'd be leaving approached to say their goodbyes, including Ellie and the kids. Nick stepped forward to crouch and sweep Tallie up into his arms, holding her as her little arms wrapped around his neck almost tight enough to cut off air.
“Don't go, Daddy,” she begged, looking up at him with tears in her big brown eyes.
Nick kissed her forehead, vision blurring with his own tears. “If I could, sweetie girl, I'd never leave you. But I have to go, so I need you to be brave until I can see you again.”
“You need to come back soon,” she admonished him, burying her face in his shoulder. “Really soon.”
“As soon as I can,” he promised. Giving her a few more seconds, he reluctantly passed her off to Ellie, heart breaking anew when she was reluctant to let go of him and began crying again. Then he dropped to one knee and held his arms out to Ricky.
Sad and withdrawn as his son had been, Nick was disappointed but not surprised when he didn't come. “You shouldn't go,” Ricky said sullenly. “This isn't fair.”
Nick settled on the trampled grass, patting the ground beside him until Ricky reluctantly came and sat down. “A lot of things in life aren't going to be fair,” he told his son gently. “A lot of people's lives don't go the way they would've wanted.”
Ricky was glaring at the ground, and Nick lifted his chin until his son reluctantly met his eyes. “There can be a lot of negative feelings, when life doesn't go our way,” he continued. “Some people turn that energy outward, hating the world or other people, blaming them for everything that's going wrong. That's not healthy for those people, and doesn't help make their lives any better either. Usually the opposite.”
Isolation | Book 4 | Holding On Page 31