Melt (Book 8): Hold by Pike JJ & Kraus Mike

Author:Pike, JJ & Kraus, Mike [Pike, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Survival
Publisher: Muonic Press Inc
Published: 2019-10-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Alice lay the sleeping bag on the ground beside Fran’s body. She wanted to look away. The girl was so crumpled and crushed and not at all the Fran she remembered, but she made herself look one last time: As penance for failing her; as a tribute to a life that had faltered at the end; as an act of love.

There was so much to do: Talk to Christine, find out what Helen and Claire had been looking for at Jo’s place, get to her family…but taking Fran to a place where she would have a proper burial ranked up there as one of those things she could look back on and be proud of. It took time away from everything she wanted to do, but that wasn’t the point. The point was to do the right thing though it was neither convenient nor expedient.

Michael was immobilized—not for long, only a few seconds—by the horrific state of his former lover. He walked, wordlessly, to her feet and nodded. He was willing to help lift her into the sleeping bag that was going to double as her shroud. Alice had handed all the supplies that had been in the wagon to the soldiers so she and Michael could put Fran in the conveyance and wheel her home. It wasn’t dignified, but at least it was better than being eaten by wolves or raccoons or bears or whatever found her lying there under the trees.

They moved her gently, with a crowd of onlookers standing at a respectful distance, their heads turned away or lowered in prayer. Even the dogs knew something sacred and separate was happening. They sat and watched. No barking. No tail-wagging. No interference.

The trees rippled and swished, layering the space with the music of air and leaves and distant birdsong. It was to be Fran’s last journey and Alice was determined to make it as peaceful as possible. She kissed her own fingers and touched them to Fran’s forehead before zipping the bag closed.

As they finished, and the soldiers fell back into formation, Alice watched Betsy pop a couple of pills. The old woman shrugged. It explained how she was walking on her bad foot, but what did it mean in the long term? She’d been so adamant about not taking narcotics. They’d have to talk about it later. It was too delicate and personal to discuss when there were so many strangers in tow.

Alice collected Aggie’s rifle and they set off. Michael pulled the wagon with Fran’s body. The soldiers marched behind him. Betsy was off to one side, walking in parallel with Fran. Christine was way in the back, close (but not too close) to the general.

Which left her prisoners.

Now was as good a time as any to talk to “the girls”. If seeing someone with their skull blown wide open didn’t unsettle you, nothing would.

Helen and Claire were bound together and roped to a tree. She’d left them there while she dealt with Fran’s body. Now it was time to collect them and join the procession.

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