The Five Pillars by Adrian J. Smith

Author:Adrian J. Smith
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Tags: Apocalyptic, Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Publisher: Great Wave Ink Publishing
Published: 2019-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

— 19 —

Jack couldn’t sleep. He knew it was pointless trying as, tired as he was, his mind was whizzing at a hundred miles an hour, thinking of all the possible scenarios. He never let on to the others, but the pressure of always navigating, always being on point, wore him down. Yes, he was good at it. Most of the time he loved it. But right now he’d had enough.

Max had made himself a bed on some discarded clothes and was resting his head on his paws, snuffling as he breathed out.

I wish I could do that.

Jack paced around the cramped sleeping quarters. The walls were pale grey. Above each bunk, the scientists who had once lived and worked here had adorned their wall-space with photos of loved ones. He only glanced over the pictures, not wanting to focus on the people in them. They reminded him too much of family he’d lost.

The Variants in the hall had given up trying to break through the door some time ago, but the sounds of them scampering around, joints popping, still filtered through. Thankfully the solid steel door muffled the worst of it. At the back of the room was a small bathroom with a shower and toilet in each corner. A long hand basin unit and mirror dominated the other wall. A metal grate covered the floor.

Jack looked up at the air conditioning vent and sighed. Too small for the adults. Aroha could fit through, but then what? The ceiling, like the walls, was solid concrete, so he couldn’t escape that way this time. He cast his eyes to Boss and Aroha, curled up together as they slept, and the next bunk, where Yalonda snored softly, her rifle tucked by her side. He eyed them all with envy. His muscles longed for rest, but his OCD was having none of it.

Dee had volunteered first watch and had pulled up a chair next to the bunks blocking the door. She dutifully kept her AR-15 trained on the door.

Jack smiled at her as she caught him gazing. He walked over and sat on the bunk next to her.

“Still can’t sleep?”

“No chance. I hate feeling trapped.” He pulled down his fatigues, smoothing them. “The only way I can see out of here is the air vent, but only Aroha could fit through. So that’s out.”

Dee shifted in her seat and rested her carbine on her knee. She made eye contact with him. “Do you remember that scene in The Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf is stuck at the junction in the mines of Moria?”

“Of course.”

Dee raised an eyebrow. He stared at her for a moment, trying to figure why she’d mentioned it. He mulled over the scene in his mind. Having seen the movie countless times, he knew it completely.

Grinning, he glanced back at his wife. “Gandalf sat and meditated. He knew the answer would come to him eventually.”

“Exactly. Jack, you know I have faith in you. We’ve always found our way out.

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