AVALANCHE (STREET RATS OF ARAMOOR 6) by Wisehart Michael

Author:Wisehart, Michael
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Easthaven Publishing LLC
Published: 2023-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

THE DRIVE BACK TO THE old garrison was a quiet one. Half the wagons, led by Sergeant Wilben, split off once we reached Circle Drive and made their way back to their respective stations. Our last load was smaller than the previous and wouldn’t require as many wagons. We kept four, which would leave us just enough room for the extra patrollers needed to keep the occupants in line.

The Avalanche compound doors were open when we arrived, and Sergeant Lowell and a few of his men greeted us at the first barracks building on the left, directly across from the main office. The shouting and threats from inside that had seen us off earlier seemed to have stopped for the time being.

“Our guests behaving any better than when we left?” Captain Arns asked as he dismounted.

Sergeant Lowell stepped off the barracks’ porch with pipe in hand. “Seems they’ve given up on the shouting and moved on to pouting. I’ve heard nary a peep from them since after you left. Reckon they’ve realized there’s no escaping now.”

I swung down as well, wanting to be there in case those inside decided to try fighting their way out. We had come this far—I wasn’t about to take any unnecessary risks.

Arns stepped up onto the porch. “Let’s get this over with,” he said and waved for the patrollers standing watch at the door to open it.

They did, and five patrollers walked inside just ahead of Arns and Lowell, no doubt to make sure none of the prisoners had gotten loose.

I crossed the porch behind them and peered inside. The light from the windows was enough to see faces clearly. The Avalanche kids were huddled down the center aisle between bunks. Half on the right, half on the left. The boy who’d threatened me in the cells was with those on the left. None of the prisoners had been gagged. The patrollers probably didn’t want to take the chance of any of them choking, especially with them having to sit and wait here at the garrison while the first batch was delivered.

“Had to separate them,” Lowell said. “This bunch here”—he pointed left—“tried attacking this group here,” he said, looking right.

“That’s cause they’s traitors!” the boy on the left said, glaring over at the other group. Even with his hands and feet bound, he tried to lunge for the other kids, but Lowell and another patroller nabbed him and forced him back down with the others.

Lowell looked up at Arns. “See what I mean?”

The place stunk. When was the last time any of them had bathed? I had a feeling Sandstorm was going to have its work cut out for them. It reminded me of the first time I’d brought Tubby back to the Granary. He hadn’t been properly washed in quite some time, and cleaning the giant boy had been a most unpleasant chore.

As soon as I stepped through the doorway, those sitting on the floor turned their angry glares to me. They suddenly didn’t seem to care one wit about Arns and his men.

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