Apocalypse Trails: Episode 5 by Joe Nobody

Author:Joe Nobody [Nobody, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Kemah Bay Marketing, LLC
Published: 2017-05-12T04:00:00+00:00

Jack knew that the sandman wasn’t coming back that night. Carmen’s visit and the day’s other events formed an endless parade of questions, secrets, and mysteries in his head.

After pulling on his boots, he rose from the edge of the cot with his face fixed in determination.

The commander’s weapon was still leaning against the rock wall, exactly where he’d left it. When he started to reach for the carbine, he noticed the magazine had been removed. “Shit,” he hissed, wondering what other pieces of his gear had been pilfered.

Memories of the locked room and Norval’s reaction dominated his thinking. It was the first time he’d seen the head ranger flash angry. There was more to the restricted area than any loose electrical wires or dangerous equipment. He needed to know what was being done behind that door.

The commander had been a resident of the cavern for several hours and hadn’t noticed any sentries inside, even at key intersections and strategic points throughout the compound. Other than the tall ranger posted outside his sleeping area, there hadn’t been any obvious examples of security. Some sixth sense told Jack that guards were present, and if he was going to go snooping around, caution would have to be a priority.

Using his pillow and a wad of bedding, Jack did his best to create the fake outline of a man sleeping in his cot. The ruse wouldn’t pass any but the most casual inspection, yet it was better than just leaving behind a clearly empty bunk.

“I’m just looking for the bathroom,” he whispered, rehearsing his excuse if discovered.

Wanting to avoid the man who was plainly posted outside his sleeping quarters, Jack chose the opposite direction, treading carefully and creating no noise. He soon found himself in a lesser corridor, the route Ms. Legs had sashayed down just a short time ago.

Getting lost was still a major concern, but Jack had been paying more attention as Pickett’s tour progressed. There were numbered markers along most of the walkways, the numeric landmarks probably used by the rangers and tourists to keep their bearings. The commander was now confident he’d figured out the system.

Moving slowly and being stealthy took time. At each intersection, Jack stopped to listen, projecting his senses in the hope of detecting any human presence. He eventually found the ponds and crossed the bridge in a rush to avoid exposure.

He exhaled with relief once inside the hidden nook, happy to be in a less-visible space. Ahead of him was the door with its heavy padlock that had raised Norval’s ire.

It was an easy decision not to attempt picking the lock. Jack didn’t have any skills in committing petty larceny. Busting open the latch was out of the question as well, as he didn’t want to leave any evidence of breaking and entering.

Down the narrow rock hall he continued, glad the dim, battery powered emergency lights were functioning well enough for him to see the way.

Soon he approached a second metal door, its green, government-issued paint an identical shade to the first opening.

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