Independence Day by Bob Mayer

Author:Bob Mayer [Mayer, Bob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Time Travel, Fantasy, Alternate Universe. Science Fiction, Thriller, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781621252832
Google: Z-lFvgEACAAJ
Amazon: 1621252841
Barnesnoble: 1621252841
Goodreads: 29885399
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2016-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Vicksburg, Mississippi. 4 July 1863

“How’d you get the knife from the General?”

“He gave it to me,” Joey said defensively. “He stays with us at times. Helps my mama out. Brings her some food, but it’s never enough. So the rest is up to me and Buster.”

“Then you best do what you set out to do,” Ivar said. “I’ll help.”

“You will?”

“Sure. I’ve got to report to the General in a bit, anyway. Might as well go with you.”

“Thanks.” It was obvious Finster’s scattergun worried Joey more than he’d let on.

The kid led the way between abandoned houses along the outskirts of the town. Finally, Joey halted and pointed to a small patch of dirt between two fences. That was it. The garden a man was willing to defend with his life. But no one here had any idea how long the siege might go on, and that garden might indeed turn out to be the difference between life and death.

Old Man Finster sat on a crate on one side of the garden, a shotgun across his knees. Joey held on to Buster, and the dog was well used to this, making no sound. Ivar wondered how long this would last, but then Finster got up and teetered to the right, disappearing behind the fence.

Joey let go of Buster, who tore off into the garden. Dirt started to fly as Buster dug. Joey followed, digging with his bare hands next to the dog, stuffing whatever he found inside his shirt.

There wasn’t much.

Ivar moved forward, next to the fence, keeping an eye out.

“I knews it was you!” Finster was at the edge of the fence, leveling the shotgun.

Ivar snatched it out of the old man’s hands before Finster realized he was there. “Sit down, old man,” Ivar said.

Finster had a sour face, and he glared at Ivar, but did as ordered, settling his bony butt on the crate.

No longer afraid, Joey and Buster took their time to gather more potatoes.

“Blast it, you thieving, stealing devil dog. And you, boy. I know you. Didn’ your mama teach you better? Course, she a whore lying up with a married man. An’ him a traitor to boot.”

“Quiet,” Ivar said. “You should be kinder to your fellows.”

Finster made to spit, a habit, since chewing tobacco had been long gone around here. “Easy for you, you fat do-gooder, in your fancy uniform. Telling other people what to do with their food. And you an officer. Allowing thieving.”

Ivar had never been called fat before, but he’d also never been in a besieged city.

“There weren’t much garden to start with,” Finster complained. “And there’d be nothing now for that boy and his devil-dog to steal if I didn’t watch it every dang second. And I do share with my neighbors, but those blasted soldiers, they’d be taking everything if’n I let them. They’d rip the plants out, and then there’d be nothing.”

“Those soldiers are starving to keep you alive,” Ivar said, making an effort to act the part.

“Fat lot of good that’s done,” Finster said.

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