EMP No Power Omnibus by J. S. Donovan

Author:J. S. Donovan [Donovan, J. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | EMP
Published: 2016-12-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Neighbors

In a disheveled mass, the strangers walked forward without haste or worry toward Brighton. Their laughter and dialogue faded as they neared the twelve-foot curtain wall. Harper peeked out from the wooden battlement. James breathed heavily as his eyes bounced from stranger to stranger. His warm carpenter palm constricted against Harper’s own. Their connection only lasted an instant before Harper slid her hand away and rested it firmly beneath her cold rifle. Knives, axes, handguns, and other makeshift weapons clacked against the intruders’ bodies as they walked. Though not all were armed, their number caused a shiver to scurry up Harper’s spine.

Church manned one of the two front watchtowers that stood four feet higher than the rest of the wall. More men climbed up and joined them, filling the wobbly wall-walk with two dozen spectators.

“How many guns do we have?” Church growled, watching the figures through his sniper scope.

“Plenty,” Harper replied. “But bullets are a completely different ball game.”

Dustin bent the bill of his hat and slid it over his greasy head of brown hair. “You tell me where to find ’em, and I’ll get ’em for you.”

“Are you serious right now?” James exclaimed. “They outnumber us two to one.”

“Guns are in Trudy’s cellar,” Church told Dustin.

The country boy nodded and bolted down the stairs, vanishing in the center of town.

“Yeah, let's shoot at our neighbors. I’m sure that will leave a lasting impression,” Sawyer said sarcastically. “I’m going to check on Karla.”

Church continued looking through his scope, but his voice was ever commanding. “You’ll stay here until instructed otherwise.”

Without a word, Sawyer crouched back down.

Harper moved next to Church and whispered, “I agree with James and Sawyer. Inciting an unnecessary assault seems like a stupid idea. Maybe there’s an alternative.”

“You vowed that you’d defend this settlement,” Church growled. “And you will defend this settlement.”

“Church.” Harper grabbed his shoulder. “As your council member and friend, please opt for a peaceful resolution. We are not ready for a fight. Think about your people. Think about the children. Many will die if they’re foolish enough to jump this wall, and people do stupid things when they are afraid.”

Church glared at Harper until she removed her hand from him. “If we shoot, they scatter.”

“Maybe,” Harper said honestly. “Or they charge.”

“Hey,” James yelled. “One of them just raised a white flag!”

“Let’s talk to them,” Harper said before Church could aim again. “If they're a threat, we take them out. Deal?”

Church paused for a moment, gritted his teeth, and then nodded.

Harper and Church moved between both of the watchtowers and looked down at the strangers. Dirt smudged their faces and arms, and mud caked their shoes and socks. Knotty hair twisted in the morning air. Sparse beards, sunken cheeks, and bony ribcages were the first three signs of negligence. The youngest looked to be around fourteen. He had a faint yellow mustache sprouting from his upper lip and a deteriorating bandage wrapped over his left eye. The others had cuts, scrapes, and bruises. A

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