The Incident | Book 3 | Winter of Darkness by Johnson J.M

Author:Johnson, J.M. [Johnson, J.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian
Published: 2021-07-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17 - Doyle’s Dilemma

Snowflakes drifted down from a gray sky, covering the woodpile and hiding the mountains from view. Stan raised the axe over his head and drove it into another log. Danny was busy piling the split wood into the wheelbarrow. Smoke drifted from the makeshift chimney sticking out of the boarded-up window.

“Do you think we have enough?” Danny pushed his hands into his armpits to warm them. “I’m cold.”

Stan kept chopping. Steam issued from his mouth with every breath. “I know it’s cold,” he replied. “That’s why we need lots of wood. That little heater burns it fast.”

He gave his son a sympathetic look. “Why don’t you go unload that pile and ask mom for something hot to drink? I’ll finish another few logs and come in too.”

Danny quickly disappeared into the house, leaving the wheelbarrow half full.

Stan was startled when Superintendent Doyle appeared beside him. “I didn’t hear you.” Stan took his woollen toque off and wiped his forehead. He couldn’t help but notice that the once burly officer was noticeably thinner. He even appeared shorter, hunched over with worry and responsibilities.

“You’d better come in,” Stan said. “You look like you could use something hot.”

Doyle shook his head. “Let’s stay here a minute.” He looked around as if he expected someone to jump out and grab him. His eyes darted back and forth, watching for some undefined danger.

Alarmed, Stan buried the axe head in the chopping block. “Is something wrong?” He turned around half expecting to see someone climbing over the fence or waving a gun at them.

Doyle handed him a tattered notebook. “I went and looked at the wrecked cars,” he said. “That’s a list of the owners. Can’t tell who was driving them though.” He shuddered. “I’ve seen lots of awful things in my career, but going through those cars after bodies had been in them all this time was one of the worst. Some of them had collided at top speed and been killed right away. Some were injured and had tried to go for help.” He took a deep breath. “Little kids, old people, all tossed around like toys.”

Stan looked down at his feet. “Any teenage girls in those cars?” Of course, Tara had disappeared long after the initial incident, but he had to ask.

“Hard to tell.” Doyle sat on the top step, heedless of the snow that had piled up in the few minutes since he had arrived. “It’s been over two weeks and I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see those empty eyes staring at me. If I do drop off, I have terrible dreams.” He looked up at Stan. “We don’t know when this will end, or what caused it. People come to me for support and answers and I’m useless. There have been another dozen suicides this week and God help me; I’m beginning to understand them.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Stan said gruffly. “Come in and have some tea. Miriam managed to scrounge some cookies.

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