“This might get messy.”
She smiled at him. “That’s why I’m bringin’ Bessy.”
“You named the shotgun ‘Bessy?’”
She shrugged. “She didn’t mind.” She slung it up onto her shoulder. “Shall we?”
Simon began the short climb up to the upper campground. He was surprised at how quiet the place was and immediately noted the lack of people outside. “This place was alive with folks when we arrived,” he stated rhetorically.
“Maybe then they were just curious about the newcomers?”
He spotted Jake and Tommy sitting outside an RV whispering to each other. He immediately marched toward the pair. “Where’s Trent?”
Tommy shot him an evil smile. “He’s inside.” He cleared his throat and gave him a knowing look. “He’s ‘dealing’ with the hippies.”
Simon groaned as he reached past the two nitwits and beat on the door. “Trent!”
“Hey, man…he said not to disturb him.” Jake snickered. “We’ll all get our turn when he’s done.”
Simon glared at the man. “No. You won’t.” He leaned forward and beat on the door again. “Trent, get out here!”
Tommy came to his feet and shot Simon a pointed stare. “Who the fuck are you to come in here and tell us how to run things?”
Tommy’s face twisted and his eyes bugged as Simon pressed the barrel of his pistol to the bottom of his jaw. “Your new fucking leader, that’s who.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Care to disagree?”
Tommy nervously shook his head and both men turned when Lana racked a round into the chamber. “I wouldn’t even think it if I were you.”
Jake slowly pulled his hand out from under his jacket and dropped a large Bowie knife to the ground. “We’re cool,” he stated nervously. “W-we’re cool, right, Tommy?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He swallowed hard. “Totally cool.”
Simon pulled the pistol away from Tommy’s head and nodded toward the RV. “Get him out here. Now.”
Tommy turned and beat on the door, rattling the knob. “Dude, get your ass out here!! Right now!”
The door swung open violently and Trent was buttoning his pants. “What the hell is…” His voice trailed off. He looked at Simon and Lana holding his boys at the end of barrels and slowly raised his hands. “What’s going on?”
Simon met his gaze then waved him down from the RV. “Out. Now.”
Lana stepped forward. “How far did you get?”
Trent swallowed hard and nodded back to the RV. “Her old man tried to put up a show. I had to tie him down.”
Lana glanced to Simon then back to Trent. “Did you do her?”
He shook his head. “I was about to until you fuckers interrupted.” He smirked at Lana. “Let me guess, you want to go first?”
She smiled sardonically at him then glanced to Simon. “Please let me shoot him.”
“Not here.”
A banging noise in the RV had Simon glancing to the window. He saw a bloody face staring back at him. “Tommy, you have any weapons on you?”
Tommy shook his head slowly. “No, sir.”
Simon kicked the Bowie knife toward him. “Go cut them loose. Apologize on Trent’s behalf and tell them that they won’t have to worry about something like this ever happening again.”
“Who the fuck are you to—” Trent’s words were cut short as Lana pressed the shotgun to his neck.
“Like I told these boys, I’m your new Alpha.” He waved Trent away from the door and the man slowly stepped toward the campfire out front.
“So now what?” Trent asked, his face a mask of anger.
Simon shrugged slightly. “I reckon that’s up to you boys.”
Trent slowly crossed his arms and glared at the smaller man. “How’s that?”
Simon shrugged again. “The way I see it, you have a few choices to make.” He glanced toward the interior of the RV and waited for Tommy to return. “Have you visited any of the other campers?”
Trent’s face twisted and he nodded. “Yeah. I told them what to expect.” He spat on the ground and glared at Simon. “But we was starting with this one.” A slow smile formed and he gave Simon a lecherous look. “This one is still hot.” He glanced to Lana. “Nice ass. Like an upside down heart.”
Lana’s face twisted and she applied just a little more pressure to the trigger.
Simon stepped forward and pulled the barrel toward the ground. “Not yet.” He turned back and saw Tommy stepping down from the trailer, a handful of cut rope in his hands. “Now that all three of you idiots are together, I’ll tell you what. You have a choice.”
“Of what?” Tommy asked, unsure what they were talking about.
“You boys can either apologize to all of the decent folks here and then play nice…”
“Acknowledging that Simon is now in charge,” Lana added.
Simon nodded. “Or, you can pack your shit and leave the mountain.” He turned a dark eye to Trent. “And know that if you ever come back, I will kill you.”
Trent slid his shoulders back, squaring up. “I don’t think you got the guts.”
Jake placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. “Dude…I know this guy. He’ll cut your nuts off and hang ‘em around your neck to wear as a reminder.” He glanced at Simon then back to Trent. “Consider yourself lucky that he’s giving us a chance to keep breathing.”
“Yeah, Trent.” Simon cocked the pistol and pointed it straight up, ready to lower on Trent’s face in an instant. “Consider yourself lucky.”
Trent’s jaw bulged as it ticked. Even under the scraggly beard, it was obvious that he was grinding his teeth. “Okay fine.”
“Fine?” Simon lowered the pistol, leveling it on the man’s chest. “Fine…what?”
“We’ll leave.” His reply was through clenched teeth. “But if we ever do return, you’ll never know it.”
Simon smiled and it didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, trust me…I’ll know it.” He raised the pistol and pointed it at Trent’s nose. “But you’ll never hear the bullet that blows your head off.”
Trent eyed him for a moment longer then slapped at Tommy. “Grab your shit. We’re out of here.”
“Only what you can carry,” Simon stated firmly. “I saw those hogs parked on the other side of the campground. Hop on ‘em and don’t look back.”
Lana leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t let them leave here alive, Simon.” Her eyes were wild and she was shaking her head. “You’ll regret it if you do.”
Simon watched the men march toward the bikes and decocked his pistol. “No.” He glanced at her then nodded toward the RVs. “There are kids here, Lana. I would regret it if they watched their new leader kill three men in front of them.”
She slowly smiled and stepped closer to him. “You’re ready, aren’t you?”
“I was born to lead.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “Just like you said.”
“Thank you.”
Simon turned to see a leggy blonde with a nasty bruise on the side of her face. Her top had been torn and her fake boobs threatened to spill out.
“I couldn’t stand by and let something like that happen, ma’am.” Simon averted his eyes as she tugged at the shirt.
The roar of engines echoed through the woods and the people of the campground watched as the three men spun rooster tails of dirt behind them as they split.
Simon turned and watched as people seemed to ooze out of their campers and trailers, their eyes still searching for the outlaws. “It’s okay, folks. They’re gone.”
“For how long?” Simon turned and watched as Hammer slowly made his way out from behind a trailer. “They’ll be back, ya know.”
Simon shook his head. “Not if they know what’s good for them.”
“That’s just it,” Hammer replied. “They’re too stupid to know what’s good for them.”
Simon shrugged. “Then I’ll learn ‘em a thing or two.” He tucked the pistol into his wai
stband and hooked his arm around Lana. “For now, we fortify the perimeter. We’ll set watches if we have to.” He turned back and raised his voice so that all could hear. “Anybody tries to fuck with you, they’ll answer to me.”
“And who are you?” a man asked, still clinging to the door of his camper.
Simon turned and gave them all a broad smile. He bowed slightly. “Just call me Simon.”
“Who put you in charge?” the man asked.
Simon’s face went dark and he glared at the man. “Would you rather I invite your friends back?” He glanced over the man’s shoulder at his wife. “Or is it her that wants them back?” The man’s face reddened and he shook his head. “No? No arguments?”
The man shook his head and Lana chuckled. “Good job, sweetie.” She clung to him as he turned and started back down the path. “I still think you should have killed them where they stood.”
Simon nodded. “There’s still time.”
19
“And that’s why I’d like to borrow your daughter.” Roger sat down gently, his face hopeful.
Trevor looked at Donna and wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m confused” was all he could think to say. “Why Brandy?”
“She still looks like one of…them.” Roger squirmed. “I know that sounds stupid, but I’m hoping that she can connect with him.” He looked to Donna, worriedly. “The last fella we found ended up killing himself. I don’t want to lose another.”
Trevor sat back and stared to the end of the camper where Brandy was supposed to be taking a nap. “I guess I just don’t understand what she could do.”
Roger sighed and rubbed at his eyes. “I have no idea either. I guess I’m just hoping that he’s a father or grandfather. Maybe they could make a connection and he’d find a reason to keep going.”
“I think we should ask her,” Donna stated quietly. She looked to Trevor. “She has such a big heart. I’m sure if she understood the situation she—”
“I’ll do it.” All eyes turned to stare at the little girl. She had entered quietly and now stood behind Roger, her face hopeful. “If there’s a chance I can help somebody who’s hurting, I’ll do it.”
Trevor shook his head. “Sweetheart, this may be bigger than you can handle.”
She walked past Roger and wrapped her arms around Trevor’s neck. “If nothing else, I can spend a little time with him.” She leaned back and gave him a soft smile. “Either he likes me or he doesn’t.”
Trevor looked at Roger, his eyes hard. “We don’t know anything about this guy.”
“So we make sure that we’re there with them,” Roger came to his feet and pleaded. “I wouldn’t ask, but I have no idea what else to do. The man’s a mess.”
“He lost his wife,” Brandy replied softly. “He’s lonely, daddy. He needs someone to talk to.”
Trevor stared into her wide eyes and caved. “You have me wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?”
She giggled and touched Trevor’s chin. “Yep.” She slipped away from him and reached for Roger’s hand. “Where is he now?”
Roger took her hand and gave her a sad smile. “You’re a strong kid, you know that? Not many people would be willing to help a stranger.”
She glanced at Trevor. “Only the special ones, right, daddy?”
Trevor had to swallow the lump in his throat as the four of them exited the camper and worked their way through the construction zone of the compound.
Brandy swung Roger’s arm as they walked. “Daddy let me pick out our new house.” She smiled at him. “We’re only staying here until the water is on there, then I get to paint my room.” She pulled him closer and whispered, “Somebody painted it all pink and it’s yuck.”
Roger raised a brow at her. “You don’t like pink?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Pink is for girly girls.”
“Oh.” He nodded knowingly. “I should have guessed.” He led her down the hall and found the room that Buck had taken Eddie. “Well, he’s inside here…and he’s really sad.”
“I know.” She seemed to grow taller as she stood up straight. “I was sad too, a long time ago.” She opened the door a crack and peeked inside. Roger started to follow but she turned and held a finger in his face. “You can wait out here.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If I need you, I’ll yell.” She glanced to Trevor and winked.
The three of them stood nervously in the hallway as she shut the door.
Brandy stepped into the room and looked around. “This is plain; I like it.”
Eddie turned slowly and looked at her. “Are you lost, little girl?”
Buck sat up from his chair and blinked at her, disbelievingly. She pointed to him and hooked her finger towards the door. “I got this.”
Buck looked at her then back to Eddie. “I, uh…”
“Go on.” She pushed him toward the door. “I’ll call you if I need you.”
Buck was ushered out the door and stood in the hallway, staring at the others. “She’s bossy, ain’t she?”
Donna chuckled, “You have no idea.”
Brandy walked across the room and faced Eddie. “I’m Brandy. With a ‘y’.”
He stared at her little hand then slowly extended his own. “I’m Eddie. With an ‘ie’.” He couldn’t fight the smile that formed as she shook his hand. “I guess you’re supposed to be in here?”
She nodded. “My daddy and uncle Roger think you’re sad.” She stared into his eyes and nodded slowly. “I think you are, too.”
Eddie looked away and sighed. “My wife passed away.”
“I know.” She propped her elbows on the small desk and rested her head on her hands. “I lost my mom and dad, too.”
Eddie looked at her with confusion. “I thought you said your dad—”
“He’s not my real dad.” She looked up and smiled. “But in a lot of ways, he’s better.”
Eddie’s brows hiked. “How so?”
She stood up again and grinned. “Because silly. He chose me. He didn’t have to, but he did.”
Eddie leaned back in the chair and propped his arm on the back. “You don’t say.”
“Yep. Then he found me a new mom.” She wrinkled her nose again. “I’m not sure about her yet, but she makes daddy happy.”
“Don’t you miss your mom and dad? Your real ones?”
She nodded. “Oh yeah.” She turned and hopped onto the narrow mattress. “But…daddy says they’re in a better place now. I think he means Heaven.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Would your wife be in Heaven, too?”
Eddie chuckled and nodded slowly. “She’d better be. She was very devout in her beliefs.”
Brandy shook her head. “I don’t know that word, but if she’s there, I’m sure my mommy and daddy are making friends with her.”
Eddie smiled and lowered his face. “I’m sure they are.”
“You know…daddy says that they aren’t sad there. Only we can be sad, because we miss them.”
“Your daddy sounds very wise.”
She nodded. “Sometimes.” Then she chuckled lightly. “Sometimes not so much.”
“I think that’s all dads,” Eddie replied conspiratorially.
“Do you have any kids?”
He nodded slowly. “They’re all grown.”
“Have you seen them?”
Eddie shook his head. “They live…lived far away.” He looked up at her and gave her a sad smile. “They moved for their jobs.”
She reached out and took his hand. “Maybe you should wait a bit and try to find them.”
“Wait a bit?” He gave her a confused look.
She looked away and her voice was tiny. “They’re afraid you might hurt yourself.” She looked up at him. “Because you’re sad.”
Eddie’s eyes widened. “Is that so?” He shook his head slowly. “No, I’m not going to do that.”
She studied him for a moment, trying to guess if he was telling the truth. “You sure?”
>
Eddie chuckled lightly and reached for her other hand. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She leaned closer and he spoke softly. “Years ago, Evelyn and I promised each other that if something should ever happen to one of us, the other would carry on.”
“For real?”
He nodded gently. “That way we could keep the memory of the other alive for as long as possible.” He leaned back and sighed. “Your daddy is right. I am very sad. But as long as I remember her, she’s still alive.” He tapped his chest. “Right here.”
She smiled broadly and slid off the mattress. “I think I like you, Mr. Eddie.” She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug.
He patted her little back and fought back tears. “And I think I like you, too, little Brandy.”
She pulled back and wiped his cheek. “I have to go now, but I’ll visit you again.” She chewed at her lower lip as she thought. “Maybe you could tell me about her.”
He nodded slowly. “I’d be happy to.”
She smiled then put her hand up, “Okay bye!” then turned and reached for the door. “Hey, maybe you could move to a house by ours?”
Eddie smiled. “I think I’d like that.”
Captain Hilliard frowned as he loaded the deuce and a half truck. “This is insane,” he muttered.
“And General, I think that perhaps one or two of us should accompany the captain,” Broussard stated. “I think the subjects would be more likely to volunteer to come back with us if a civilian asked them.” He turned and glared at the captain. “Rather than being forced at gunpoint.”
General Green raised a brow at the man. “I suppose you’d prefer that it was yourself and Dr. Chaplain?”
“Given a choice, yes. We work well together.”
The general scoffed. “You do realize that if either of you try to run off—”
“We are fully aware of the ramifications,” he interrupted. “However, that won’t be an issue.”
“And why’s that?” Captain Hilliard asked.
“Because we are committed now to finding a cure,” Carol stated flatly. “Besides, the general made it clear that we are responsible for all of the CDC personnel now.” She looked to the general. “And we wouldn’t want anybody’s blood on our hands.”
Caldera 10: Brave New World Page 14