Gehenna: A Novel of America's Coming Financial Nightmare (Black Swan Book 3) by Mark Goodwin

Author:Mark Goodwin [Goodwin, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.

C.S. Lewis

Shane, Jimmy, and Johnny walked the long winding road home. “Feels like a hundred degrees out here!” Shane squeegeed the sweat from his forehead with his fingers and wiped his hand on his shirt.

“It’s the humidity. I doubt the temperature is over eighty-five.” Johnny drew deep breaths as the three men marched up an inclining curve.

“The least they could have done is give us a bottle of water for the trip,” said Jimmy.

Shane maintained an even stride. “This is supposed to be a lesson in who’s boss.”

“Yeah?” Johnny turned to his brother. “And how do we feel about that?”

“They’ve got the guns and the men to pull the triggers,” Jimmy replied. “I guess they’re the boss.”

“All the guns?” Shane asked.

“Pop and I buried a bunch of the AK-47s we took from the Iron Devils.” Johnny paused to catch his breath. “We took a page from your playbook.”

“Yeah, I wish I had been more proactive. I never got a chance to stash any weapons.” Shane waited for Johnny to continue walking. “We hadn’t even been back for a full twenty-four hours when Commander Abdulov showed up. I do still have some of the gold which Dad and I put in the ground. If you two decide we should fight, I’ll dedicate what I can to the war effort.”

“If we decide?” Johnny continued up the hill. “You’ll have as much say in it as anyone else.”

Shane focused on the pavement under his boots. “More fighting means more death. I don’t see any point in getting a bunch of people killed just to lodge our grievance.”

“I agree,” said Jimmy. “If we don’t stand a chance at winning, I have no interest in starting a war.”

The tenuous ten-mile trek, which took them up and down tall hills and short mountains, finally came to an end. Shane waved at the weary brothers when they turned off to the Teague compound, then continued up the road another half mile to his own.

“Shane!” Bobby was the first to see him. He came running up to his old friend. “You look rough. Did they hurt you?”

“No. Just made us walk home. But I suppose that was cruelty enough in this heat.” Shane plopped down in the shade just inside the metal gate. “I could use a drink of water.”

“I’ll get my canteen. Wait here.” Bobby sprinted away in the direction of the trailers.

Shane removed his boots and moved his toes. He enjoyed the cool feeling of having only his sweaty socks on his feet.

Bobby returned in a matter of minutes. He handed the large canteen to Shane. “They let Johnny go also?”

“Yep.” Shane chugged a long drink then wiped his mouth. “Jimmy, too. Did Julianna come back?”

“No. They stayed at the Franzes’. Kari and Scott are still here. I thought Scott was going to kill one of those UN soldiers when they took Dan’s guns. He didn’t like that at all.

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