War of the Five Tribes: A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure (After the End Book 3) by Doug Troxell

Author:Doug Troxell [Troxell, Doug]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2022-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

The crowd around the fire was larger than most nights and included some faces Draven normally wouldn’t see screwing around when they were supposed to be on duty. Cortez and Charlotte were there. So were three of the Keeper captains. Mac was there (no surprise) with Mowz and several of the other runners. Most surprising of all were the Triplets, who usually followed Ash around like loyal guard dogs. Mecca’s unexpected visitor had opened a Pandora’s Box that still hung open.

Cortez held a pen and an open notebook. There was laughter and smiles all around. Draven watched from the shadows while they played their game. Cortez was making a list of things everyone would do if everything suddenly went back to normal. Everyone took a turn adding to the list.

Cortez spotted Draven and pointed his pen at him.

“How about you, General? You wanna play?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on rounds?” Draven asked Cortez.

“We’re just finishing up. C’mon! What would you do if things magically went back to normal?”

“I don’t think we’re supposed to play that game.”

“I know, I know, but play anyway. The Madness is gone. The power comes back. No more killing and anarchy and insanity. Do you go back to who you were before?”

Draven didn’t know how that was even possible. Not in a world with Ash. Not in a world where he had seen the things he’d seen and done the things he’d done. He ran his finger along the scar carved into his cheek.

He realized that some scars can never be erased.

Draven motioned for Cortez to pass him the notebook. He read some of the items on the list:

Make things right with my brother.

Go to college.

Compete in the Olympics.

Go surfing.

Fall in love.

Backpack across Europe (what’s left of it).

See a Steelers game was written three times.

Draven couldn’t bring himself to add anything to the list.

“Past? Present? It wouldn’t matter to me,” Mowz said. “I was nothing back then. I’m nothing now. What’s it matter?”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Mowzy,” Cortez said. He playfully pulled Mowz’s hat down over his eyes. “You just haven’t had your big moment yet. When you do, I’m sure you’ll blow everyone away.”

Mowz adjusted his hat and shrugged.

“I like the world we live in now better,” Charlotte said. Everyone turned toward her, confused. “I’m serious. It’s high stakes. Everything we do matters. We’ve trimmed all that superfluous bullshit from life: watching TV and student loans and car payments. Insurance? What the hell was that? Pay a bunch of money just in case something bad happens? It was all bullshit and now POOF! It’s gone.”

“And 99% of the population went with all that bullshit,” Draven pointed out.

“Good riddance. Just people sitting around doing nothing anyway. And look who’s left. Only the best and brightest. Makes me proud to be here. Makes me feel like I matter.”

“The best and brightest … and Mac,” BDE said.

Everyone laughed and Mac flipped them all double middle fingers.

“Hey, leave my lil’ bro alone,” Cortez said, wrapping his arm around Mac.

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