The Geezer Quest: World After Geezer: Year Two by Penn Gates

Author:Penn Gates [Gates, Penn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: genrebendingfiction, suspense, Dystopian
Publisher: Penn Gates
Published: 2021-03-12T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22: Free At Last

In the dim hall outside what used to be the first grade classroom, Nix St Clair stands staring at the wall. It hasn’t occurred to Lisa until now that Nix, too, may have gone to school here as a child. But whatever memory is playing in her head, the only clue to what she’s feeling is the death grip she’s got on her husband’s arm. Behind them, Margaret stands in the shadows, hands clasped in front of her. Lisa thinks she may be praying.

Holden has been tightlipped since he asked Nix one question back at the ball field: You sure you want to do this? His worried frown tells Lisa that he’s also aware of what may happen to her if she goes through with this confrontation.

“Has Gypsy Woman given you any trouble?” Holden asks McAllister in a low voice.

“Haven’t heard a peep out of her,” the private answers. “She’s probably still out. She’s drunk as a skunk - smells like a distillery in there.”

“Let’s wake her up,” Holden says. He indicates the bucket of water sitting next to his feet. “I brought a little pick-me-upper - just in case she decides to play possum.”

McAllister hesitates. “Maybe we should just leave her be. I get the feeling she could whip up a curse if she’s really pissed.”

“You know, McAllister, the whole horror movie thing isn’t funny any more,” Holden says. “This is somebody’s God damn life. So shut it!” He picks up the bucket. “Get the door.”

Sound is magnified in the empty classroom and can be heard clearly, even through a closed door. Water splashing. Unintelligible curses bouncing off walls. A male voice low and threatening, and then a yelp. More time goes by. Finally Holden and McAllister step back into the dark hall.

“How is Mommy Dearest?” Nix asks, coming out of her daze.

“She’s awake,” Holden answers, “Still pretty groggy - hard to tell how much she understands right now.”

“I doubt I’d recognize her sober,” Nix says through clenched teeth. “She’s been marinating in alcohol and chemicals since I was a kid.”

She tries to push past Holden, who looks unsure about how to stop her without using force. Cash puts his arms around her from behind and holds her until she stops struggling.

Lisa feels like a coward because she doesn’t want to be here. This is going to be too brutal, too ugly. But Nix needs to confront Cindi Lou before her rage pushes her beyond speech and into matricide. And in spite of her fear, Lisa wants to stand by the woman who’s become her friend.

“Margaret,” Lisa says quietly. “It’s time.”

The girl’s head remains bowed for another second, and then she squares her shoulders and steps forward.

Lisa lowers her voice. “You know Cash will keep Nix safe from any physical harm - but she needs a woman - the exact opposite of her mother - a counter-balance against—”

“Evil,” Margaret says simply. “There is no other word.” She walks to Nix’s side.

With his arm still firmly around Nix’s shoulder, Cash stares into Margaret’s eyes.

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