Seeking Shelter by Clay Wise

Author:Clay Wise [Wise, Clay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

26

John,

This place is really coming together. I found a few more people who are willing to take on this project with me. They seem like good, honest, hard workers. Their names are Ray and Linda, and I think with their help, we can finish the farmhouse.

I just wish you were here to see it with me, to help me build it, but I know that will probably never happen.

Dad

Lori is in the backseat, cradling Victor in her lap, while John races down the highway back toward home. The boxes and totes rattle and shake in the cargo bed with every pothole and bump they pass over.

“I’m sorry about what happened,” John says, glancing at Lori in the rearview.

She looks up, her eyes watery, but her tears have been replaced with a stern expression.

“It wasn’t your fault,” she says.

“I was in charge, so I’m responsible.”

She shakes her head.

“We’re all adults, John. We all made a choice. Victor chose to come with us. He knew the risk. Zeke is to blame for this…and Zeke alone.”

John sighs and begins to slow down as they approach the turnoff for the Homestead.

“If I had planned things more carefully, maybe-”

“Stop it, right now,” Lori says, her tone much more forceful. “I don’t even want to hear you talking like that.”

“I can’t help it,” John says as he pulls up to the gate.

The moment that Dean sees them, he frowns, and after opening the gate, he steps up to the Scout and glances in the back.

“Oh, Jesus,” he says. “What happened?”

“Zeke,” Lori says, and Dean just shakes his head.

“Motherfucker,” he says while watching the road behind them as John drives through the opening.

Rebecca steps out of the trees and looks at Dean.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Victor.”

She steps up to the truck and puts her hand over her mouth before looking at Lori.

“Are you two okay?” she asks.

“We’re okay,” John says.

“Well, that’s something I guess.”

“Can we get an extra person on front gate duty?” John asks. “Because you and I need to talk, Rebecca.”

“Sure…sure. Meet me back at the house in about half an hour.”

John nods and starts down the driveway toward the main house.

“Did he have family here?” John asks, realizing that he knew almost nothing about their fallen companion.

“Not that I know of,” Lori replies quietly.

“Good,” John says, breathing a sigh of relief.

“It doesn’t make things any easier,” Lori says, putting John’s thoughts into words.

“I know.”

They pull up in front of the house and Ray and Mary step out onto the porch. The second that she sees John’s face, she knows something is wrong. She jumps down, skipping the steps and rushing over to the Scout. She starts to ask what happened when she glances into the back seat.

“Oh God,” she mutters.

John shakes his head and climbs out. Ray descends the steps and John walks over to him.

“I’m sorry,” he says, and Ray pulls him into a powerful hug.

“It’s not your fault,” he says and a moment later, Lori joins them, the three of them holding tightly to each other.

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