by Kate Morris
He walks with Kelly to the town hall to speak with the sheriff. He is one of their most trusted allies in this fight, so Kelly explains what’s been going on with the Parker situation.
“That’s so strange,” he tells them and takes a seat behind his desk.
“Why?” Kelly asks.
“One of our units running a mission for supplies up north just saw Parker last night as a matter of fact,” he states, shocking the hell out of Cory, which is the same response his brother apparently feels because his face mirrors his own.
“What? Where?” his brother asks.
“Couple hours north of here. My guard said they ran into him and some of his men moving through.”
“Did he say where they were going?”
“Back to Fort Knox, or so they assumed.”
“Interesting,” Kelly remarks.
“Can we use your radio, sir?” Cory requests and gets a nod without hesitation.
He calls home to the farm and connects with Doc. Then he explains what they’ve discovered from the sheriff. Doc tells them he’ll call his son and see if Parker has returned to the base. They wait patiently until Herb’s voice comes over their channel again.
“He returned this morning,” he explains. “But he’s gone again. Said something to Robert about trying to find medical supplies in a hospital up in Louisville. Said he’s been going over there the past few days. Robert said his men did say that Parker and his group brought back supplies.”
“I don’t believe he was just on a supply mission,” Cory says to Kelly.
His brother shakes his head, “Me, neither.”
“Think he was in Louisville, though?”
“Not sure,” Kelly replies, then says to Herb, “Thanks, Doc. We’ll let you know if anything else comes up.”
“Think we should head up to Louisville?” Cory asks.
“I don’t know, man,” he says. “That’s a hell of a long way.”
Cory considers this a moment before saying, “I could take my bike. It does better on gas.”
“Maybe,” Kelly says. “I could pull Roy from his work here and take him with me to Coopertown.”
His brother pauses for a few moments without saying anything, “What is it?”
“I don’t know if I like you going to Louisville by yourself. That’s a big city, or was. Could be really damn dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful,” he assures him.
“Take the Professor,” Kelly says.
Cory scoffs. “Both of us on the bike?”
“No, take the Jeep. The weather could get shitty the farther north you go. Seems like a storm’s blowin’ in,” he says. “I’ll call this in to Derek, let him know what we’re doing.”
Cory nods and walks to the window that overlooks the main street in their town. A pair of patrolmen rides by on horses. His brother might be right about the weather. The few brown leaves left on the oak tree across the street are turning over on their branches from wind gusts. They’ve had a few snowfalls so far, but he knows how bad it can get north of the Tennessee border. It doesn’t matter. He wants to know if Parker is sneaking in and out of Louisville and if the President is hiding out there. He’s going to need a big place to hide an army of men that size. Cory thought the man would’ve chosen a place like Fort Campbell or a giant dairy farm somewhere nearby.
The Jeep Wrangler Kelly referred to is a newly acquired vehicle, one of many they took from the highwaymen. A few of the survivors who had their possessions, including cars and their freedom stolen, stepped forward to claim their confiscated vehicles seized by the highwaymen, but most did not. Cory believes the unclaimed cars and trucks belonged to people who were killed by the highwaymen. Thus, they’ve garnered many new vehicles, some of which were donated to people in their town, others to K-Dog’s village, and also many to Dave’s. The Jeep is an older, standard shift model, but it does seem to be dependable and is indeed a lot quieter than taking the motorcycle or his hotrod. It’s also parked behind the clinic in town, so he’s also sure that’s why his brother wants him to take it.
Cory turns back to his brother, who is calling in their change of plans to Derek, who in turn sounds somewhat pissed.
“Have them stay with General McClane overnight,” Derek says. “They’ll be close to Knox. It’s faster than coming home. I’d rather they stay up there than be on the roads if it gets bad out or even just that late at night. Over.”
“Ten-four,” Kelly answers and turns with a sigh.
“Everything ok?”
“Yeah, he just gets testy when we change up his plans,” Kelly says. “Used to calling the shots. That’s just the way this shit goes, though. Always does. Never changes. The only constant in war is change. Let’s go to the clinic and let the others know what’s going on.”
Twenty minutes later, Reagan, Sam, and Simon are apprised of the new plans. Melora and her brother, Hardy are also present and were assisting with patient care.
“I’ll go, too,” Hardy volunteers.
“Me, too,” Melora offers, to which her brother doesn’t argue. “We’ll meet here in a few minutes. We need to pack an overnight bag.”
Cory looks to Kelly to make the decision, and he gives a nod. “Sure, more sets of eyes are a good thing. Got room in the Jeep?”
“Yes, sir,” Cory agrees.
“I’m going, too,” Sam states without asking. “I don’t have anything to pack for an overnight bag, though.”
“You can borrow some of my things from the house down the street, Sam,” Reagan tells her.
Kelly just nods knowing that arguing will probably just waste time. “Looks like it’s you and me, Little Doc.”
“Great,” Reagan jokes good-naturedly.
Cory smiles. “Am I clear to head out?”
“Yeah, get your gear, grab some extra ammo from the stash, and move your asses. You’ve got a long haul up and then to the general’s place, too. I’ll give you enough time to get up there and three or four hours to scout it out. If you aren’t over to the fort by dawn, we’ll be heading your way.”
“Got it,” he says.
“Cor,” his brother says and places a hand on his shoulder to stop him as Cory reaches the doorway across the room from the others. “Be careful, little brother. We’ve seen all that the highwaymen had to give.” He pauses for a moment before continuing, “We don’t know what to expect with this President jerkoff.”
“Yes, sir,” he answers his brother before leaving.
The anticipation of being back on the hunt causes his stride to lengthen until he is jogging to the house down the street where they have a hidden stash of ammo and supplies. Simon joins him, sprinting over and falling in line. As he’s climbing the stairs of the porch, snowflakes begin to fall. No matter. A bit of bad weather isn’t going to stop them, not tonight.
They rummage the hidden ammo cans in the basement and take extra mags for their weapons. Simon grabs another magazine for Sam’s sidearm, as well. Then he pulls back a dark blanket nailed to the wall to reveal a few long rifles and grabs her an AR-10. Simon removes his eyeglasses and rubs at his eyes before pocketing them and pulling on a black stocking cap. He looks tired.
“I figured you woulda’ slept good last night being back home,” Cory observes as he shoves another mag for his own rifle into the interior pocket of his coat. He knows the Professor didn’t have to pull a watch shift last night, so he’s not sure why he looks so fatigued. Maybe a rough day at the clinic.
“No, not much,” he replies, trying to appear nonchalant. “Restless last night, I suppose.”
“Gee, yeah, that must be it,” he razzes. His friend shoots him a grin, tilts his head to the side, and offers a look that lets Cory know to back off, which, of course, he doesn’t. “Get any time to talk to Sam? Alone?”
“No, none,” Simon replies. “Ready?”
“As we’ll ever be, I suppose,” he answers and pounds his fist against Simon’s already outstretched one.
As the
y are jogging back to the clinic with their packs and stashed ammo, Simon asks, “Think we’ll ever be done with this crap?”
Cory thinks on it for a long moment before answering, “Man, I hope so, brother.”
Normally, he wouldn’t care. Hunting, scavenging, killing people to protect oneself or family members has just become a way of life. However, now that he has Paige and Tessa to look after, Cory understands better why his brother, John, and Derek always seem so upset and distressed to learn of new threats, possible battles, and enemies in their territory. Cory feels a newfound sense of responsibility, not just to keep Paige and Tessa safe, but to return home to them in one piece. He’d hate to leave his new bride a widow this early on in their marriage.
Chapter Eight
Simon
Riding on the cramped rear bench seat with Melora and Sam is uncomfortable, even if he does appreciate the fact that her thigh is touching his, but Hardy had wanted to act as Cory’s spotter. They both know he has experience in sniper work because he holds this position from the south watchtower in town most nights now. He and Cory get along very well, too, and are engaged in animated conversation while he sits in the back with the girls. In a tense silence. Melora seems oblivious and has earbuds jammed into her ears listening to something that sounds like heavy metal at a blaring decibel, but Sam is quite aware of the tension between them because she is sitting stiff as a board.
Simon hands her the extra magazine for her pistol.
“Thanks,” she whispers and resumes staring straight forward.
He looks at her out of his peripheral vision and then slightly more direct. He could stare at her all day, she’s so lovely. Her black eyelashes are so long they nearly touch her dark eyebrows. Although she won’t look at him, he knows those mysterious blue eyes of hers so well and the secrets they hold. Her soft, full lips purse as if in deep contemplation. Then she surprises Simon by turning to look squarely at him.
“What?” she asks quietly.
His eyes dart to his knees momentarily, but every ounce of his being tells him to dig deep into his gut and find the bravery he needs to look back. So he does.
“You. I was just looking at you,” he says gently so as not to upset her. “You look pretty tonight.”
And she does. Her short, black wool jacket blends seamlessly with her hair, but the stark contrast of her dewy pale skin and bright blue eyes stand out against so much darkness.
She elicits a light snort of disbelief, “Yeah, right. I spent all day at the clinic.”
“I know. I was there, too,” he points out. “It was unfortunate that we didn’t get to work together. And odd. Reagan usually has us pair up.”
“Yeah, well, I spent most of the day with our new doctor and nurse showing them our system and how we do things. Really exciting stuff.”
He smiles at her quip, “Yes, but helpful if they’re going to run their own clinic on the community farm that group is going to establish in the spring. At least you got to see your uncle.”
She nods. Simon pushes his hand between them, causing her to jump, unclips her belt holster’s latch, and removes the pistol. He works the slide, sets the safety and places it back, remembering to button the closure again.
“I can do that for myself, you know,” she reminds him with a jaunty tilt of her head.
“Right,” he says. “I know. I just want to make sure you’re ready. It just…it just makes me feel better knowing I checked it.”
“Still trying to take care of me?” she asks knowingly and sounding a bit miffed about it.
“Always,” he says without pause or humor.
This causes her to look away sharply.
They travel in silence the rest of the way there until they reach the outskirts of Louisville.
“They said that Parker was spotted on the road near some sanatorium close by,” Cory says.
“Weird,” Melora comments.
“Yes, I suppose so,” Simon agrees. “But if the building is large enough, it could house troops.”
“Do you know how to get there?” Hardy asks.
Cory says, “Yeah, we’re real close. I think we’ll leave the Jeep somewhere around here and go in on foot.”
“This is a big city, and we don’t really know who all could possibly live here, including the President or his men or leftover highwaymen if they were working together,” Simon reminds everyone.
“Right,” Cory agrees and pulls the Jeep into an alleyway that is already littered with abandoned vehicles.
Everyone exits and checks their weapons and night-vision gear. Then they split up into teams. Melora and her brother go east while Simon, Cory, and Sam head in and to the west. Cory runs ahead of them to scout their trail. It doesn’t take long before they are off the concreted roads and on soft ground, the dead grasses long and thick.
“If things go south, try to get back to Fort Knox,” Simon warns her.
“I know,” she says. “I was in on the planning meeting, too.”
“Yes,” he concurs, worried that she’ll come into harm’s way tonight. He attempts small talk while holding back a branch for her on their path, which is overgrown and wild. Cory is leading their way, so he knows his friend won’t walk them into danger. “How is it over on Dave’s compound?”
“You mean, Henry’s farm?”
“Yes, one and the same,” he says, trying not to cringe at the sound of his archnemesis’s name on her lips.
“Fine. Things are settling down now that the highwaymen issue is almost over,” she tells him. “Everyone is less tense and stressed out all the time.”
“That’s good,” he says, actually wanting to know more about her personal life than her everyday life on the compound and the overall, general mood of the place. “And how have you been?”
“Fine,” she says and scowls as a light snow begins falling, coating her hair lightly with white flakes.
“Damn,” he swears. She even glances over at him with surprise. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I’m just starting to wish you’d have stayed back in town.”
“Why? I’ve been snowed on before,” she informs him.
“I know. I just don’t want you to get sick.”
She chuffs through her nose and says, “You could get sick, Arizona boy.”
He doubts this but offers an ‘mm-hm’ instead. Cory has pulled so far ahead of them that he is no longer visible at all, but his voice comes across the radio on Simon’s hip. “It’s just ahead. I don’t see any lights. I’ll scout it out first.”
“Roger,” Simon answers and keeps moving forward.
“Professor, there’s a spot for you inside the woods to the left of our path. Out.”
“Roger that, out.”
A few minutes later, they come to a field, a clearing of sorts where concrete used to be but is now more grass than cement. Simon indicates over his shoulder to the dense woods to his left, and Sam joins him behind a broken down old truck with no windows that was abandoned decades before the fall even happened. It’s good protection. Hardy calls in to let them know they are on the other side of the building also awaiting orders from Cory.
Simon squats low behind the vehicle, and Sam follows suit. They are protected from the weather by the dense overhang of white pine branches, which makes him feel a little better about her being out in these conditions.
“Do you think the new President is staying in Louisville?” she asks quietly.
“I don’t know,” he answers honestly. “He’s going to need amenities like access to water and heat.”
“This place probably had water and heat at one time,” she says, observing the dilapidated building in front of them.
“Not going to be easy to heat a building that doesn’t have windows, or many left,” he says. The sanatorium looks to be about five stories, solid brick and concrete and has seen better days. It was likely abandoned many, many years ago. If this were another time, Simon would be creeped out by the old building. Now, he’s se
en just about all that there is out there. Having been in so many bad situations, he realizes as an adult that real people, not ghosts and the supernatural, are much more terrifying.
“No, it would be rough to stay here for the whole winter.”
Cory stops him from commenting by saying through the radio, “I think we’re clear, but I think someone was definitely camped out here. I’m on the west side on the second floor. Meet there.”
He and Hardy both answer to the affirmative before Simon stands and leads Sam to the entry door, which is gone. Using their night-vision gear is essential in the dark building. As he goes, he sees what Cory meant by someone having lived there. Debris litters the hallways and stairwell, and it seems like some of it is recent because it is not covered in dust.
“Stay close,” he warns, feeling apprehensive.
“I don’t need to be told. This place is freaking me out. Bet there’s ghosts,” she comments and scoots closer, crowding his space. Simon isn’t about to complain. She’s even holding onto the hem of his coat. “My friends and I went to one of those stupid haunted house attractions once at this old, former school. That was creepy. This is even worse. This is next level nightmare stuff.”
“Just stay close,” he says again grinning. “Not because I’m worried about a ghost snatching you. I just don’t want an actual person to see you. Plus, some of this doesn’t look very stable anymore.”
And it doesn’t. The floor has been saturated by rain many times after having been abandoned, which has caused weak spots that he feels press down slightly and give under his feet.
“Of course, you’re a lot smaller than me,” he observes. “I don’t think you weigh enough to push through the floor.”
“I’m not that much smaller,” she grumbles.
Simon smiles to himself. “I beg to differ.” She harrumphs in the cutest way possible, causing Simon to beam. “You’re quite a lot smaller, actually.”