Home Coming (The Survivalist Book 10) by A. American (ebook reader .TXT) 📕

die? That’s not going to happen. Like Jeff Goldblum says in Jurassic Park, life will find a way. That’s what we’re doing now. Just finding a way.”

Now, Thad smiled. “I like that movie. I’d like to watch it.” Then he looked me over. “When we get home, come to my house. I don’t want Mel and the girls to see you like this. Leave these clothes at my house and I’ll wash them for you.” He grimaced and shook his head, “You look like something out of a chainsaw horror movie.”

I looked down at myself. He was right of course. I did look horrible. Nodding, I replied. “Thanks, man. I’ll do that. I didn’t really want to go home looking like this either.”

We dropped the ammo, water and food off, said our goodbyes and headed back to the truck. Walking back, I asked Thad if he wanted me to drive. “No,” he replied and wrinkled his nose. “You’ll get that gore all over the driver’s seat. You sit in the back. I’ll drive.”

I smiled. “If you insist.”

He laughed, “I do! Now get in the back.”

I climbed in the back of the truck and stretched out as best I could. I felt the truck move and then quickly fell asleep. I woke up when Thad opened the rear door. It startled me, and I sat up in confusion before I realized where I was.

“We back already?” I asked.

“You been back here snoring like a freight train taking a gravel road,” Thad replied with a laugh. “Come inside and change your clothes.”

While we were talking, Mary came out of the house. It was dark, and she carried a small LED lantern. Seeing her, Thad brightened. She came up and put her arm around him. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

“Morgan is going to come inside and change his clothes. Can you find something for him to wear in the stuff we put away?”

“Of course,” Mary replied. “Come with me, Morgan. Let’s get you out of those dirty clothes. You leave those here and I’ll wash them for you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I replied as I took my gear off.

“Nonsense. It’s no bother. I know you don’t want to go home looking like this.”

“Thank you,” I replied. I wanted to give her a hug but didn’t want to touch her with the clothes I had on.

I went inside with her and she told me to go to the bathroom and take my clothes off. I did as she said and tossed them into the tub. I took a moment to wash my face and arms and looked considerably better. Mary knocked at the door and I cracked it open, so she could hand me a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I had no idea who they belonged to, or rather, who they had belonged to. But it didn’t matter. They were clean, and they fit, and I quickly dressed and came out.

Mary smiled when she saw me and said, “You look much better.”

“I feel better. You don’t have to wash that stuff. I’ll come by tomorrow and pick it up and wash it myself.”

“It’s no bother. I’ll take care of it. I know you don’t want Mel seeing you like this. Just go home and get some rest.”

I walked outside and found Thad getting his things out of the truck. I thanked him for looking out for me and for driving while I slept. He told me not to worry about it. We agreed to get together in the morning for what we expected to be another long day. I left Thad and Mary, giving her a hug now that I was cleaner, and headed home.

It was dark, and I could hear the Stryker moving around somewhere towards the old man’s place. I smiled, thinking of Mikey driving it around, probably still pissed he missed the opportunity to fire the big gun at real targets. I was looking forward to going back to the auction tomorrow, just so I could screw with him about it.

The dogs met me in the road. Meat Head and Drake were off on their nightly patrol, I guessed. I took a minute to rub their heads as they sat with tongues lolling in the road. But they were anxious to get on with whatever it was they were up to, and they quickly disappeared into the night. I envied them in a way. They came and went as they wanted with no thought of tomorrow. Or so I thought. We still fed them every day, they weren’t going hungry by any means. Yet, every night, they would disappear and return before the dawn.

While out walking, I had to pass my house. Aric stayed at the site and I needed to let Fred know. I’m sure she was sitting up waiting on him. It was a bit of a walk to the house that she and Aric shared. I could have driven down, grabbing an ATV or even the Suburban, but I was enjoying the time alone. Walking in the dark quiet of night felt good. The only sound was my boots on the road. I looked up at all the stars. To imagine all those stars could have planets around them just like our sun was amazing. What did those planets look like? What kind of life lived on them. I always liked astronomy, just wasn’t smart enough to get into it.

The house was dark as I approached it. Getting closer, I could finally see a little light coming from what I assumed was the bedroom. I was relieved that Fred was probably still awake. I stepped up onto the porch and knocked on the door. There was a thud, then a quick shuffling inside as the light moved from room to room. The door jerked open and Fred was there with a smile on her face. Seeing me, it faded as fear washed over her.

Realizing what she was thinking, I