Colony East by Cramer Scott

Author:Cramer, Scott [Cramer, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-09-24T06:00:00+00:00

AHA-B

CHAPTER ONE

DC Trading Zone

Jordan felt like he was inhaling swamp water with every breath. Not even Miami had been this stifling.

Longing for cool, Castine Island fog, he squinted at the Washington Monument. It rose like a white shadow in the blinding haze. Someone had decorated the spire by pouring a bucket of purple paint from the observation area at the peak.

Sheets of sweat streamed down his forehead and stung his eyes. “This has to be the biggest zone we’ve visited.”

“And the hottest,” Monty chirped.

“Compared to the last time we were here it’s a ghost town,” said Jenny, the captain of the Lucky Me. After spending six weeks together in cramped quarters, Jordan and the captain were now on a first name basis. He and the entire crew were family.

For the past hour, Jordan, Monty, and Jenny had been camped on the grass next to the Lincoln Memorial, awaiting the trading delegation from the White House Gang.

“Where is everyone?” Jordan asked, meaning traders and shoppers. About a third of the people wore germ masks.

“The Pig,” Monty whispered, his eyes going wide.

Jordan punched Monty in the arm. “The fear of Pig is spreading faster than the germs.”

Monty punched him back. “Are you afraid?”

“I’m thirsty.”

“Last time we were here,” Jenny said, “the traders gave us iced tea.”

Monty closed his eyes as if closing his eyes could shade the blistering heat from his brain. “If you knew someone had the Pig, and they drank from a bottle of cold iced tea, would you drink from the bottle?”

“No,” Jenny and Jordan said at the same time.

Monty licked his lips. “I would.”

“Mind if I do the deal?” Jordan asked Jenny. He knew it might be his last chance to lead a trading session. He had not yet told them he planned to leave Lucky Me once they returned to Castine Island.

Jenny smiled. “Think you’re ready?”

“After watching you?” He gave her a big nod.

“Here’s what you should know. After the night of the purple moon, the White House Gang found a large warehouse with canned goods and freeze-dried foods. They eat well.” She pointed out a chubby trader. “He’s probably an associate.”

“Or has the Pig,” Monty interjected.

Jenny ignored the comment. “Whatever you do, don’t mention that our friend came from Colony East. Otherwise, they’ll have a million questions and we’ll be here all night.”

Monty punched Jordan in the arm. “Listen to the captain.”

Jordan punched him back. “C’mon, they’ll invite us to the White House. Do you want to sleep in the West Wing or in the Lincoln Bedroom?”

“Only if they have air conditioning and iced tea.”

They agreed not to mention Colony East. Fifteen minutes later, the crowd parted as the delegation of three kids appeared: a girl with red dreadlocks, a skinny boy, and a boy with muscular arms. They appeared to be fourteen or fifteen years old, but it was hard to tell since they were wearing germ masks. Dreadlocks led a dog, part pit bull terrier, part something equally menacing. Jordan eyed the rope leash, hoping it was strong.

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