Thief River Falls Run by David Robbins

Author:David Robbins [Robbins, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Adventure, sf_postapocalyptic
ISBN: 9780843962345
Google: yqYsPwAACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 6764327
Publisher: Leisure Books
Published: 1985-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Blade called a meeting and informed the rest of Bertha’s decision to accompany them. He explained his motives for leaving Thief River Falls before the day was out.

“First, we can’t be positive the Watchers won’t return in sufficient force to give us real trouble. Secondly, the rats might decide we’re too tempting a meal to pass up and attack us en masse. Third, there’s a possibility that whatever jumped me earlier has friends waiting outside to ambush us after dark. Finally, we’re under a time constraint to return to our Family.

I’ve decided we leave before sundown.”

Blade, Hickok, and Joshua were sitting at the table. Bertha was lying on her mattress. Geronimo stood at the door.

“What about Bertha?” Hickok protested. “Is she fit enough to travel?”

“Don’t worry about me none, White Meat,” Bertha chimed in. “I’ll manage.”

“We’ll clear a space in the rear of the SEAL for her,” Blade detailed.

“She’ll be comfortable and safer than she would be in here.”

“What about all of this?” Geronimo pointed at the stack of boxes.

“We load all of that into the SEAL, along with the generator, and transport it to a building on the western edge of town. Put it on the second floor in a room we can seal and protect from the rats. If the Watchers return and find it missing, I doubt they’d take the time to search every abandoned building in Thief River Falls. It would take them weeks.” Blade gazed at each of them. “Any questions? Disagreements? Now’s the time to let me know.”

“I would enjoy moving on,” Joshua said. “This place fills me with vivid memories of violent death.”

“I like it,” Geronimo concurred.

“I reckon it’s okay by me, pard.” Hickok was staring at Bertha.

“Good. Joshua, Geronimo, and I will load the SEAL and hide the provisions. Hickok, you stay here and guard Bertha.” Blade stood.

“Thanks, Blade.” Hickok smiled at his friend and walked over to Bertha.

“Looks like you got me babysitting you for a spell, Black Beauty.”

“Will you burp me too?”

Hickok grinned. “I’ll paddle you if you don’t behave yourself.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Get some rest.”

Bertha closed her eyes. “Funny,” she said in a whisper. “This is the first time in years I’m going to sleep feelin’ safe and protected.”

“Before you doze off,” Hickok mentioned, “would you answer a question?”

“What?”

“Why’re you doing this? Going to the Twin Cities? I thought you’d never go back there.”

Bertha stared at the ceiling. “I just changed my mind, is all.”

“Why?” he pressured her.

“Your friend made me see the light.”

“Blade? What’d he say?”

“Not much.”

“Come on!”

“Really.”

Hickok watched Blade heft a box and carry it outside to the SEAL.

“He’s my best friend, Bertha. If he said something I’m going to regret, I need to know.”

“He just told it like it is.”

“All right,” Hickok said gruffly. “Drop the subject.”

Bertha touched his arm. “Besides, Hickok, you know by now I kind of got a thing for you. You’re the prettiest honky I’ve ever seen.”

Hickok opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind.

“I don’t want to let you out of my sight.

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