Beyond Armageddon: Book 02 - Empire by Anthony Decosmo

Author:Anthony Decosmo
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Amazon
Published: 2011-01-16T06:00:00+00:00

Despite a bandage wrapped on her wrist, a deep thigh bruise, and a throbbing ache in her head, Nina drove Denise home to Wrightsville Beach.

“You know,” Denise said as they approached the row of condominiums where most of the Wrightsville survivors lived. “I suppose, if you really wanted me to, I could hang at that City Hall.”

“You could, could you? Well, it was fun having you around but I think Mr. Brock is probably missing you.”

Denise smiled devilishly and said, “Yeah sure, if that’s the excuse you’re going to use to see Jim.”

Nina shot the girl a stern look. Before that look could dissolve into a smile, Nina refocused on the road ahead.

Brock met them at the condominium complex the ‘orphans’ called home. He wore a disapproving expression.

“You should not have done that. We were worried sick about you.”

“Hey, like, I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

The young girl turned to face Nina before she went inside.

“Um, yeah, well, see-ya.”

“Hey,” Nina stopped her. “You want to get together again, you don’t have to stow away.”

Denise tried to hide a smile as she turned around and disappeared inside.

Jim and Nina stood on the sidewalk alone in silence for a moment. It took him that long to realize the woman had injuries.

“Hey, you look all banged up.”

“Gee, thanks, aren’t you the charmer?”

“Well, I mean you look great. No, wait, I mean to say that looks like it hurts, but not in the ‘oh my God what happened to your face’ way.”

Nina said, “We ran into a pretty nasty baddy today. Don’t worry, Denise wasn’t anywhere near it.”

“No but she was near you. You should be honored. D’ isn’t the type to start hero-worshipping the first person who comes along with a gun and an attitude.”

“I have an attitude?”

Brock stumbled, “Well, um, I meant to say—”

“Yeah,” Nina nodded. “I have an attitude.”

The radio crackled, “HK teams, two Devilbats sighted in the northeast quad. Need assistance to track and kill. All units please respond.”

Nina walked to the radio lying on the front seat of the Humvee.

“This is Forest, I’m coming.”

She sat in the driver’s seat and turned to Jim Brock. “I’ve got to get going. I’ve got a job to do.”

Brock’s eyes sagged. “Yeah, sure, I know. But hey, thanks for bringing her back.”

“I’d like to stop by and see her again. I kind of feel responsible for her now. Besides, she’s got some sharp instincts. Pretty good reflexes and all.”

“She’s a good kid. They all are. Just, a bad break for them. For all of us, I suppose.”

“Better get a taste for it, Mr. Brock, beause it’s the only world we’ve got these days.”

“I’ll try. But speaking of tastes, do you have a taste for seafood?”

“Huh?”

He explained, “We eat a lot of seafood around here. I don’t know if you guys—I mean girls—I mean whatever—get much of that.”

“When I’m not in the field, I live in Annapolis. We get a lot of crabs. Not a lot of regular fish though. Not for me at least.

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