The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side

by A. S. Thompson

  "But you made us kill that man!”

  “Why would you lie to us?”

  “Why would you make us think that was the only way to be saved?"

  The Preacher released a hearty laugh. "I didn't make you do anything! You all wanted to! All so eager to kill aheathen. I can count the people who came to me and asked to do the honors. You are just as guilty!"

  The people could not believe it. Their lives had been turned upside down. Everything they knew, thought they believed in, was all a lie. Some stuttered as their minds attempted to process the information. Others began feeling so physically ill from their participation in Nick’s sacrifice that they dry-heaved and vomited. A majority grabbed their mouths and sobbed as tears of guilt fell to the mud.

  "I'll take that confession," Steve said triumphantly. Then he spoke to the people. "I will not tell you what you should or should not do with this man and his accomplices. But how things used to be done is that they would receive a fair trial and get a verdict from their peers. Something Nick never got!"

  All around were subtle head nods- an indication the Preacher and his cohorts would receive their due process.

  The words weren’t easy to say, and Steve wasn't happy, but he was relieved.Justice with a relatively blood-free conclusion...Nick would be proud,he thought, walking over to his friends.

  Binky paced over to handcuff the Preacher. "I think you'll be coming with me now."

  Then it happened.

  The Preacher pushed off Binky and pulled out a concealed blade from his sock. Arm cocked back ready to strike, he rushed at Steve from behind. “G-ah!” he shouted through clenched teeth.

  “Steve!”

  The knife came bearing down on Steve’s defenseless back near the upper vertebrae.

  Then came the sound of one gunshot.

  The bullet entered the Preacher's head, where his crooked nose and dark eyebrows met. His head snapped backward as the 9mm bullet exited, spraying the cold air like a bottle of perfume.

  Jaw dropped, Steve spun around and watched the Preacher's body thump against the muddy ground. Then he looked to Eddy, but the foreman hadn't shot. Then to Lisa and Landon, but the tips of their rifles were down.

  "Jenny?" he mumbled.

  Still pointing the gun where the Preacher once was, Jenny’s hands had begun trembling as adrenaline poured into her system. Her chin was moving up and down, causing her teeth to clatter. Unable to speak, her expression was emotionless yet determined.

  "Jenny,” Steve repeated, taking soft steps toward her. “Jenny, it's okay. It’s over. Can you lower the gun for me?"

  The fourteen year old was unresponsive, so Steve slowly put his hand over the weapon and lowered it for her.

  "It's okay. Let me have the gun, Jenny. Everything is okay. It's over now."

  "I-I killed him," she mumbled, eyes staring at the blood that seeped from the cavity in the Preacher’s skull. "I-I killed him didn't I?"

  Steve grabbed her by the shoulders and rotated her body to keep the Preacher’s corpse out of sight. He dropped to a knee and moved the strands of hair that had stuck to her teary cheeks.

  "No," Steve said, shaking his head. Then he pulled her in close and hugged her tight. "You saved me, Jenny. You saved me."

  1004 hours

  "Alex, we don't have long," Steve said, speaking on the satellite phone. "The battery is almost in the red. To answer your question, we are just a few miles west of Donner in this town called New Jerusalem; doubt it’s on the map though."

  "West, they are a few miles west of Donner," Alex relayed before resuming the conversation. "We'll find it. We'll get to you guys. How's everyone, how's Lisa, is she okay?"

  Steve was in the street, closer to the grassy park than the businesses. He peered inside Binky’s home and observed his people.

  Both Lisa and Jenny had bathed and were dressed in clean clothing gifted to them by the townspeople. Lisa stood behind Jenny and brushed the wet locks straight. With a plate full of food, Eddy crutched one-handed to the couch, then collapsed into the cushions.

  "Ya she's fine. Jenny and Eddy too.”

  "Oh, thank God. Tell her I can't wait to see her!”

  Steve whistled. "Jenny, get Lisa's attention.”

  "Alex says he can't wait to see you and he misses you."

  Lisa blushed. "Tell him I miss him, too," she said, blowing a kiss.

  "She says she misses you too," Steve relayed. "And I think your girl just blew me a kiss."

  "Hey, back off, bro," Alex said, joking.

  Both cousins shared a laugh.

  "You seem different.”

  Steve ran a hand through his wavy hair. "A lot's gone down these last couple days...everything's been so crazy. You wouldn't believe the shit we've been through."

  "You and us both. We're all beat to shit over here...and so you know, we lost that Clint guy. Asshole, but one brave dude."

  "Hold on," Steve said, walking down the street, away from the others. He made his way to the boardwalk and continued. "We aren’t whole over here, either."

  "What are you talking about? You just said everyone was fine. What happened?”

  “Kelly got shot.”

  “What! How? When?”

  Steve frowned. “Long story, basically not so friendly fire.”

  “Damn, that’s terrible. I’ll get Travis; probably better to hear it from you-”

  "Wait, Alex. Something else happened. Something bad..."

  Steve zoned out momentarily as he stared at the Sioux hatchet in his free hand.

  "It was Nick. He didn't make it either...Alex? Alex you there?"

  Then Steve heard what sounded like rustling and clanking, followed by silence.

  "Steve? This is West. What just happened? Alex took off without saying.”

  Steve left out the graphic details but informed West of both Kelly and Nick's murder.

  "Sorry to hear. Nick was a good man."

  "Bad news is the theme I guess."

  "Not exactly."

  "What do you mean, West?"

  We'll explain when we rendezvous."

  "Any suggestions on how we are going to do that?" Steve asked, staring into the sky.

  "I think I do. There's a private airport about twenty-five miles to your east by northeast. Can you make it there?"

  "Ya, I think so. Donner had some cars. We could probably get one of them running. Might take us a few hours to get to the airport though."

  "That’ll work. We are still at the bunker but will be leaving soon."

  "So what then?"

  "Something big is coming if you want to be a part of it."

  Steve didn't understand the cryptic nature of the comment, but knew they didn't have the battery power or time to discuss it over the phone.

  "Okay, we’ll get packed up and on the move. See you guys soon."

  Steve powered off the phone and looked up. He found himself wandering in front of LT’s Diner, looking out into the heart of town. He lowered his body to the planks and sat on the edge of the deck, exhausted.

  He was feeling the entirety of his injuries for the first time. The bullet wound in his shoulder from days prior had been ripped open so many times that it was as fresh and painful as when it happened. The knife, shrapnel and other abrasions riddling his body stung constantly. The days-old blue and green bruises along with the newest ones from the battles, fights and wear and tear were soft pressure points, tender to the touch.

  Soon you can rest, but not yet.

  "Steve!" Binky shouted from the church's steps. Surrounding the Lawkeeper, many of the townspeople were hard at work, bringing over chairs and tending to funeral arrangements. "Ah, one sec,” he said, pausing to help a woman who needed assistance lifting a table.

  Steve waited until Binky drew close enough then greeted him. "Hey Binky, what’s up?"

  "Your friend was able to get the antibiotics I had sent over, right?"

  "Ya, Eddy got ‘em, and he says thanks. Saves me from having to
make penicillin. I did leave the steps and instructions with LT in case you guys ever need it, though."

  "We appreciate that, but to be honest, with all the stuff we recovered from the castle, we should be good for a while."

  There was a long pause in the conversation. Both men stared at the hustle and bustle of New Jerusalem.

  "I still can't believe it," Binky said, shaking his head.

  "What's that?"

  "The Preacher and his charade. Using the fear of God to keep us scared and locked in here, stockpiling supplies behind our backs, just everything. This entire time has been one big lie. Goes to show ya the sick people in this world and the foolish people who will believe in anything."

  “Religion can be a scary, powerful thing," Steve wanted to say, but instead he sat silently.

  Binky kicked at a section of dirt. "Had I only acted sooner. Had I only stepped up. Maybe Nick-"

  "Don't," Steve interrupted. Nick's name was just as, if not more, painful than his injuries. "Don't do that. Everything happens for a reason. As fucked up as it is and as much as I don't understand it, Nick believed that, and I guess...and I guess I do too now. I have to.”

  "I suppose you're right," Binky replied, dissatisfied but accepting of the answer.

  "Besides, you ended up coming through, and for that we thank you."

  Binky nodded. "I suppose today coulda gone a lot worse."

  "And been a lot bloodier." Steve nodded over to the jail where Jill, Alice and Justin had been locked up. "What about them?"

  "We're gonna do it like you said. Give 'em a fair trial, then we'll figure out what to do with 'em. If it was up to me, I don't think they deserve to live here after all they did, but we'll see."

  "Good. So what are you guys going to do now?"

  "Rebuild. We have a lot of work here. I want to start organizing search parties to look for others in need and bring them in here if they want."

  "Nick would have liked to see that."

  "What about you guys? What are you going to do?"

  Steve rose to his feet and brushed the light dust from the back of his pants. "After the service, we need to get going. We are meeting our friends at an airport about twenty-five miles east. Looks like there's still more to be done."

  "Best of luck to you guys," Binky said, extending his hand. "Thank you for everything you and your friends did here. If you ever find yourself in the area, you have New Jerusalem’s full support and hospitality."

  Steve shook back firm. "Thanks, Binky."

  "I should probably get back to the work, the service is almost ready."

  The Lawkeeper turned to walk away, but Steve stopped him.

  "Binky...before you go-”

  “Ya?”

  “I didn’t know her, but your wife...Linda, she would be proud of you. You helped out some people in need."

  “Thanks.” Binky half-smiled before walking away.

  Steve looked back and noticed Lisa and Jenny helping Eddy down the street.

  They look nice. They look different, he thought.Almost like before all this.

  "Hey Steve," said a voice behind him.

  "Hey LT."

  "This is for you guys," Landon said, handing him a loaf of fresh bread inside a bag filled with other food and supplies. "I figured you could use it for your trip."

  "Thanks, LT, you didn't have to."

  "Ah it's the least I could do."

  "Wait, I thought you were going to come with us?"

  Landon looked at the townspeople. "I did want to leave, believe me, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized.”

  “Oh ya? What’s that?”

  “If the last couple days have been even the slightest indication of the craziness and instability outside these walls, I think it's best if I stay. At least for now."

  "Life on the road isn't easy, that's for sure. Especially with us."

  "Besides, if I go, who's going to do all the cooking? Toby? No offense to him, but he can’t cook eggs to save his life."

  Steve chuckled. He shook Landon's hand and said, "Thanks again for everything. We couldn’t have done it without your help."

  "Likewise," he said, then nodded toward Eddy and the girls. "I'll give you guys some time."

  "Looks like everything is almost ready," Lisa said, gazing down the street.

  Next to the church, under the large Willow tree, the townspeople had worked all morning to prepare a funeral service for Nick. They worked vigorously to excavate a large plot next to Kelly’s. They sat out chairs, took clippings from the forest trees and for the limited materials they had, created a beautiful service.

  Earlier, something had made Steve think that Nick would like his body to be given back to the earth, like the energy he used to talk about. To Steve, that tree felt like the perfect symbol of strength, resolve and Nick’s love of nature.

  "Shall we?"

  ***

  Steve led the service. He spoke to the townspeople, with strong, yet gentle words. Despite looking in to the eyes of the dozens of accomplices to Nick's murder and the man who killed Kelly, Steve did not damn them all to Hell.

  The Steve from one day ago would have. The cold, emotionally void Steve would have had no issues seeking retribution rather than justice.

  But Steve was different now, and Jenny noticed the change as she watched him officiate. She gazed at him as he talked about the recently departed.

  Starting with Kelly, Steve spoke kind words in this graveside eulogy. When he talked about Camp and Nick's pledge to help those in need, he segued into a topic about being a good person. How now more than ever, people need to help one another.

  Jenny could sense there was life inside Steve now. He wasn't all dead. He wasn't the lost soul he became after Sarah died. Thinking that, believing that, made her smile.

  "I'd like to end with a quote," Steve said, pausing. "A man once told me that life is the culmination of our existence, not our individual choices. It is about living for the sake of being good and allowing ourselves to do good because it is the right thing to do..."

  Steve paused and turned to face his friend.

  "That man was Nick Stronghead. A good man and an even better friend. Someone I'll always remember."

  At the conclusion, many in attendance were crying, sniffling and wiping their eyes. And one by one, the townspeople walked past the survivors and offered sincere apologies and condolences. And Lisa, Jenny, Eddy and Steve accepted them without reservation.

  When the townspeople had all departed, the group of survivors hugged and consoled one another before retreating to their room.

  In the end, all who remained were Steve and Jenny.

  Steve patted the dirt on top of the graves. "Goodbye my friends. Be free."

  Jenny stepped forward and stood next to Steve, and like him, stared at the fallen.

  It was well over a minute before words were spoken.

  "I'm so sorry-”

  "Stop saying that. You couldn't have saved them, Steve.”

  "No," Steve said, turning to face her. "No, not them. You. I owe you an apology."

  "Me? For what?"

  "For the way I've been acting, for how I've treated you. I've pushed you away since...since Sarah died and that wasn't fair..."

  Jenny's eyes began to tear up. Her innocent look made it even harder to continue, but Steve carried on.

  "It was never anything you did. It was me hating everything and not dealing with losing her. And I couldn't stand being around you, I couldn't stand looking at you. You were, are, this constant reminder of her, of Sarah. Not just because you girls were close, but I even see it in the way you act...”

  Steve started crying.

  "You picked up Sarah's mannerisms. From the way she would talk, to her gentle nature. The way she used to hum to herself. Even the way she braided her hair...And I couldn't face it so I ignored you. And I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve to be treated like that. You didn’t-"

  Jenny lunged forward and wrapped her ar
ms around Steve, interlocking her fingers.

  Raw emotions fell with their tears. Both cried for a long while. Neither of them willing or able to release the other.

  Chapter 12

  “The Reunion”

  The Fox Hole

  December 5, 2009

  0900 hours

  “Attention everyone,” Donald Quick said, speaking into the Fox Hole’s intercom. “The time has come for our departure. I ask that you gather only essential personal belongings and make your way to the surface. The Marines and Secret Service will guide you."

  “Sir, speaking of Secret Service-”

  “I know, Staff Sergeant Fikejs. Our house isn’t clean. I have already begun to vet each and every one of them. I’ll expect the same from you and your men.”

  Fikejs appeared unreservedly confident in his loyalty and that of his men. “Yes, sir.”

  “Sergeant Fikejs, what is the status of the Marines who left for Blue Springs? Are they almost back?”

  “Last radio report put their Humvee two hours out, sir.”

  “Mr. Quick,” Charlie politely interrupted, “our friends aren’t here either. Can you give them just a little more time?”

  “I’m sorry, but we have already waited long enough. I have spoken with the east coast and they are expecting our arrival. You can come with us or stay here. Whatever your decision, we will be leaving in less than an hour. Sergeant Fikejs, that directive goes for your men, too. If they aren’t here in time, they will need to find alternative transportation.”

  This time when Fikejs said “yes, sir” a bitter disrespect was made known.

  “Come on, West. Where are you?” Charlie mumbled, then looked over at Matty and said, “I’ll be right back.”

  “Where ya going?”

  “Dylan,” Charlie replied, backpedaling.

  "Hey, Mr. Quick, what about the Vice President? Are we just going to leave without him?"

  Donald looked at the men and women who worked tirelessly to chisel, break, and pull away the endless barrier of rock.

  "Even if we had the right equipment and manpower it would take us days to get through. Jared was my friend, and as much as I want to retrieve his body, he would want us to continue on with the plan. But I still don’t know what to do...your camera, President Tufase’s message, the evidence, it was in there. All of it. Now it’s probably destroyed…Mr. Finch, why are you giving me that look?”