The Less Year: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Story (The Less Years Book 1) by Christopher K. Oldfield

Author:Christopher K. Oldfield [Oldfield, Christopher K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Magnus dragged his feet into Hope to see Ax. The dying wood that enveloped the village was devoid of sound, its lifelessness palpable. Hope, too, was quiet, though people were about. Most businesses were open and plenty of folks lingered around the square, chatting and bartering and playing dice. He found Ax near the hall, half naked and sopping wet.

“Mag!” the old-timer hollered. He was stripped to his waist, dragging a wooden comb through his grey mane of tangled hair. The man’s torso was mapped by more scars than Magnus could count. “What brings you back to civilization? Here to play sheriff for a few hours?”

Magnus grinned at the jab, tossing Ax his shirt. “Bit cold for a swim, ain’t it?”

“Keeps me young!” Ax joked. “I’ll go back in if ya want. Race to the pier?”

“Rain check. Got a question though.”

Ax toweled himself off with his shirt before tossing it on, wringing out his hair one last time before tying it back. “Shoot.”

“It’s Tom. That storm flooded his cellar and he’s outta food. Or, he will be sooner rather than later.”

“Well shit,” Ax sighed. “Poor bugger. Gonna go north?”

Magnus shook his head. “He’s not a fan of the idea. Doesn’t wanna leave the fam. Was thinking maybe there was work here? Militia needs more hands. Any room in the budget to let me bring him on?”

“Militia does need more hands, no question. But we got nothin’ to pay folks with—nothin’ that’ll be any help in the short term, anyway. Whole village is short, Mag. There’s gonna be trouble, mark my words. We can’t even pay you for bein’ sheriff, truth be told.”

Magnus nodded, tightening his jaw as he tasted the inevitable.

“Wish I could help, Mag. I do. Think he’ll do somethin’ stupid?”

“Unfortunately, Ax, I don’t think he’ll have the chance.”

Magnus embraced his friend before turning home, stewing in his predicament. He was hardly past the gallows when he ran into Tom.

“Tom? What you doin’ in town?”

Tom was sweating in the heat, a leather bag slung over his shoulder. His straw hat was beat-up and chewed at, a thin handkerchief tied around his forehead to keep the sweat out of his eyes. He looked tired, maybe even tense.

“Just sellin’ a few odds and ends. Found a couple’a bolts I don’t need—sold the crossbow years ago—so I figured I’d sell ’em. Can afford to part with some arrows too. Never run outta arrows if ya don’t miss!” Tom grinned. Magnus studied his friend. He couldn’t tell if the smile was forced.

“You talk to Ax?” Tom asked.

“’Fraid they ain’t got much to offer.”

Tom shrugged. “Figured as much.”

“You wanna head north for a few days? Ain’t no trouble. Hell, we can leave tomorrow.”

“Nah, I’ll figure somethin’ out. Already got some ideas,” Tom smiled again, shifting his stance.

“Oh yeah?” Magnus prodded. Something felt off.

Tom didn’t look him in the eyes, his gaze drifting over the gallows. “Heck of a thing ya did, Mag. With the McKelsie kid? You got balls, I’ll give ya that.

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.