Caldera 9: From the Ashes by Heath Stallcup

Author:Heath Stallcup [Stallcup, Heath]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DevilDogPress

18

“I just feel helpless,” Hatcher stated softly. He held the same glass of whiskey in his hands while Vicky listened patiently. “If I’d had a clue what he was going to do…” He set the glass on the edge of her desk and held his head in his hands.

“If someone decides to do what Nick did, there’s little that you can do to stop them.” She reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Not if they’re serious.”

Hatcher nodded slowly and sat up, his eyes swollen from unshed tears. “I don’t know why this old geezer has gotten to me. I barely knew him.”

Vicky rolled her chair closer and lowered her voice. “He represented hope, Danny, and then he took it away. You fear that more of the Zulus will react the same way once they’re cured.” She gave him a soft smile and patted his arm. “It’s an understandable worry.”

“I knew that coming back from this would be tough, but I didn’t really give much thought to the mental state of people afterwards.” He sat back and lay his head on the back of the couch, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. “I’m not sure what to do.”

“What you’ve been doing.” Vicky’s voice sounded stronger as she spoke. “You’ve kept these people alive this long by sheer will and smart thinking.” She scooted closer and gripped his hand. “Keep following your gut.”

Hatcher nodded and sat forward again. “That works for us.” He gave her a frown. “But if this is all that’s left? The human race is doomed.”

“Danny, you can’t save all of humanity.” Vicky couldn’t keep the emotion from her voice. “It’s pure vanity to think that you could.” She saw the look on his face and she lowered her voice again. “Look, there are people offshore on the military flotilla. There has to be more settlements similar to ours out there. Maybe even bands of roving survivors.”

“Like the Marauders?”

“Maybe. Or maybe they’re just regular folks, moving around to avoid the risky areas.” She sighed and hung her head. “The point is, even if we are all that’s left of the human race…” She met his gaze and smiled. “And I don’t think we are, but if we are, there’s still hope. As long as there’s one man and one woman, there’s still a chance that we’ll pull through this.”

He looked up and thought of Candy. “How’s Roger doing?”

“He’s woken a few times. Ate a bit earlier.” She reached for his chart and looked over it. “Honestly, I think he’s past the worst of it. His vitals are all strong and other than waiting for his wounds to heal, I think he’ll make a full recovery.”

“Has he told you about his plans to move out?”

She gave him a surprised look. “Really?”

Hatcher shrugged. “He drove me through a housing addition and mentioned that he wanted to pack up Candy and move her to a ‘private’ place.” He smiled as he remembered how excited Roger had been. “I even talked to Stanton about possibly doing to a gated community what he’s done here.

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