Beyond the Brink_Toward the Brink IV by Craig McDonough

Author:Craig McDonough [McDonough, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-12-24T22:00:00+00:00

Against All Odds 2

Almost back where it had all started, Elliot sat, unaware of his surroundings. The room he was in may have been as bare as Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard or decorated with the finery of an extravagant millionaire. He had no idea. Smell was his only guide, and the strongest scent was Jerry’s body odor. Sweat, clothes that hadn’t been washed for days, grease, and a faint hint of dirt. Elliot assumed he smelled just as bad before the shower and change of clothes at the base.

“Here, Elliot, I think you should eat something.”

Eliot heard a plate or bowl and what sounded like silverware placed on the table in front of him.

“Yeah, thanks, I am kind of hungry.”

“Eat up, and then we’ll see about removing those bandages, eh?”

“That would be good. What have we got here anyway?”

“Baked beans my friend, cold. I’m short on firewood at the moment.”

Elliot reached forward tentatively until he found the bowl, then the fork next to it. He pulled the chair in closer until his knees touched the edge of the table.

“Hot or cold it, doesn't matter. But where did you manage to get hold of the beans?”

“I scavenge. Did likewise in Boise before it became too dangerous. That's what I was doing when the flash occurred. Luckily, I was inside at the time, but it was so intense, I knew what it was. Then I heard the roar, and not long after, the sound of your chopper in its death throes.”

Elliot listened to Jerry’s stories of scavenging for food and other supplies while he ate his beans. It was a full-time occupation now. How ironic, Gerry told him, that mankind’s so—called technological advances had reduced the survivors of the world right back to where they began—back to hunter-gatherers. When Elliot brought up a hand to wipe his chin, he noticed a stubble of at least a few days.

I had a shave at the base after my shower, and I don’t grow a beard that fast.

“How long have I been here?”

“Let me see…” Jerry paused for a moment. “This would be the fifth day since I found you.”

“Five days?” Elliot slumped back in the chair, and rubbed a hand over his mouth.

“It’s a shock, I know. But after your last reaction to bad news, I planned to ease into it, I hope you understand?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure. I understand.” Elliot pushed the bowl back across the table. “Maybe I’ll eat the rest later,”

“Sure thing. At least you don’t have to worry about them getting cold.” Jerry picked up the bowl and gave a slight chuckle.

“Anyway, you said we could take the bandages off?”

“Yes, I did, even if only to change them. But if your eyes don’t hurt and you can see okay, then we’ll leave them off. I’d recommend dark sunglasses for a while, though. Let me get some scissors and my kit.”

Elliot ran his hand over his upper legs, arms, and chest as he waited. He had on long, thick pants, but the lack of thigh pockets indicated they were jeans not military pants.

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