The Last Days of Want: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller by Derek Shupert

Author:Derek Shupert [Shupert, Derek]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-03-10T16:00:00+00:00

23

MACI

Logan and the others sat across from Jinx at the kitchen table, listening to what she had to say. It was a hard sell at first to let her inside after Maci showed up late, and empty-handed, but they agreed after some persuasive talking from Jinx.

The receding sun dimmed the interior of the unsightly home, drowning the house in shadows. Lights were unresponsive from the rolling blackout that struck without warning.

Maci lit a candle and placed it in the middle of the table, then retreated to Logan who rapped his fingers on the table.

“So, what are we talking about here?” Danny asked, lounging in his seat. “Specifics, please.”

Pete chimed in with his southern drawl. “Yeah. What sort of bounty are we looking at?”

“I don’t have exact numbers,” Jinx answered, resting her arms on the edge of the table. “What I can say is that it’ll be worth your while. Given the constraints on the supply chain, it would behoove you to consider a partnership of sorts that would be equally beneficial for all parties. Given your talents of procuring other peoples’ property and using it to barter with, this wouldn’t be a stretch for any of you.”

That was one way of putting what Logan and the others did. Instead of calling them thieves and scum, Jinx made it sound like a professional job, in a way.

A lull fell over the group. Each of the three men peered at the others, mulling things over.

Jinx shot Maci a subtle wink as the others chatted among themselves.

Maci was in awe of Jinx and her ability at weaving tales of intrigue, tales of bountiful food, and other riches to tantalize and entice the trio. She spun a convincing web that played on the egos of them being masterful thieves. Each carefully scripted word kept their attention and caressed a bulging sack of brass balls that only grew bigger the more she fed the beast.

Jinx getting even this far surprised Maci. She thought for sure they’d kick her to the curb, or worse, intimidate her into submission by way of threats or physical force. They viewed women as servants and beneath them, but Jinx was different in how she responded to their comments with the same sharp tongue, stowing any derogative suggestions.

“Okay. Shut up and let me ask her,” Danny said, quieting the chatter. “If we decide to join your cult or whatever, what will our cut be and more importantly, the risk that we’ll be taking? Peacekeepers are going to be in the picture, correct?”

Jinx smiled at each of them, acting as if she was trying to sell gold instead of garbage. In a way, she was.

A flash of movement from outside passed the window adjacent to the entrance. Maci caught sight of the shadowy figure that vanished just as fast.

What was that? She thought, squinting at the blinds and the murkiness at the front of the home.

Maci stepped away from Logan, crossing into the living room toward the entrance of the house as Jinx shoveled gratuitous amounts of grandeur without missing a beat.

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