Talos: Book One by Brian D. Anderson

Author:Brian D. Anderson [Anderson, Brian D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

Part Seven

Jim managed to stay awake for another two hours. Three times they heard shots go off, but Lindsey assured him if anyone found Peter, she would be told immediately. Carl came by looking extremely upset. He cast a wary glance at Jim, but didn’t say anything other than to tell Lindsey what had happened.

“Son of a bitch snuck up and hit me in the head with a damn two by four,” he told her. “Next thing I knew, I woke up tied to my bed frame. Good thing Delmar came by to pick up some smoked pork or I’d have been sittin’ there till mornin’.”

Lindsey took a moment to examine his wound. “Looks like you’ll be all right. Go on back home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You gonna be safe with that one?” Carl asked, motioning to Jim.

“Safer than I was with you,” Jim cut in before Lindsey could respond.

Carl glowered, but Lindsey smiled and waved him away.

“He’s a good ol’ boy,” she said once the old man was out of earshot. “I’m glad your friend didn’t hurt him too bad.”

“I wouldn’t call him my friend,” Jim remarked sourly.

Lindsey laughed. “Yeah, he did sort of leave you hanging. It’ll be rough traveling with no supplies or weapons.” She took a long drink. “Of course, you could stay here if you wanted.”

Jim coughed a laugh. “And what would I be expected to do? Fight for you?”

She shook her head. “No, no. We still have Lonnie Junior for that. It’ll take a while, but he’ll mend. No, I was thinking that a man like you could do really well around here. You’re smart, tough…and to be honest, sooner or later, I’ll run out of travelers to catch. You and the other guy were the first in two months.”

“Sorry, but I can’t hang around,” Jim said. “Supplies or not, there are things I have to do. Besides, something tells me you’ll figure out a way to get by, even without your redneck coliseum.”

Lindsey regarded him for a moment and then shrugged. “Suit yourself. It’s your funeral. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. From what I hear, the further north you go, the worse things get. And you with no gun and nothing to trade...” She clicked her tongue. “You won’t last very long.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Jim replied. “But I don’t have a choice.”

After a few more minutes, Lindsey showed him to an unused bedroom. “I’ll get you up early.”

Once she had left, he stripped off his shirt and pants. His head was easing a little, though the rest of him still ached badly from being kicked and thrown to the ground. He stretched out and sighed. Lindsey was right. Without weapons or supplies, making it to Atlanta would be almost impossible. People preyed on anyone they thought to be vulnerable. And without a gun, he would be more vulnerable than most. He considered trying to steal a sidearm or rifle before leaving, but rejected the idea. He didn’t know where to look, and now that Peter had escaped, they were sure to be on extra guard.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.