Page 32 of The General's Captive
“It is complete enough to at least send those that cannot fight so they could wait it out in safety. That is, if you still aren’t willing to allow us all to fully evacuate.”
She screwed her face up at this, and I seriously was waiting to see if the rest of the group were going to jump in at any moment. Were they really all that scared of her?!
“It’s too risky,” she argued again, sticking her heels in.
“We can send a small group of soldiers with them, the soldiers that have been working to secure the Train Yard because they’ll know it well. There’s enough food there to last until we can retrieve the supplies we can hide here,” Riley said.
Her face was getting redder and fucking finally, the second she looked like she was about to interrupt again, another council member held up his hand.
“Let him finish, I want to hear this,” Officer Michaels said, as he lifted his arm and brushed a hand along his corn rows. It wasthe only hint of nervousness that showed anytime he spoke to Councilor Taylor.
Though, in his late fifties, the only wrinkles that etched his deep brown skin were the ones that appeared around his eyes when he smiled encouragingly. He honestly didn’t look a day over forty-five. He was most likely the only one who hadn’t aged a decade thanks to the apocalypse.
Riley nodded his way in thanks before he continued.
“We can spare a couple of vehicles if they need to go out looking for more supplies. The lookouts haven’t seen any creatures lurking around the station, ever. It’s a solid plan and much better than the fate they will have if they stay here,” Riley finished.
Before Taylor could open her mouth I added, “Of course, all being well and good, and we actually manage to survive the fight, then we can send for them to come back. If we do not, well, then at least they have a chance. Even if it’s a small one, it’s one we should take, nonetheless.”
At this she pursed her lips but before she could argue further, Officer Michaels got there first.
“We need to talk about this, and seeing as we know what your vote is, we want to discuss this further in private. Besides, I think Officer Brooks could do with the reprieve. Go wash up, son, take a moment to grieve, as we all will.”
Riley nodded and, without a word, turned to walk away as I did the same. However, before I left, I wanted to leave them with one last thought…
“Please don’t let the children die here. They’ve already been through enough, save them that terror.”
Taylor looked away but Michaels gave me a nod, telling me he understood. As for Camron, the only other council member that had remained silent, he gave Taylor a look I couldn’t explain. One I didn’t like.
But in the end, it didn’t matter.
Not when…
We didn’t have an hour to spare.
Secondary Base Camp
Eastern Idaho Railroad.
Address - 618 Shoshone St S, Twin Falls, ID 83301, United States.
Time by car - 30 minutes’ drive from the Jerome Base.
By foot - 5-hour walk.
Negatives - No fence. No buildings suitable.
Positives – The train cars are strong, can be locked, less likely to be attacked or people found.
Notes - We have set up each of the train cars with beds, lanterns and enough previsions to last a potential emergency evacuation. But we need to do more for the long term if it is to be a serious consideration. Hopefully the rest of the council agrees.
“Riley, hold up!” I shouted, trying to keep up with his long, angry strides as he made his way into the main building. Of course, I knew he was pissed, we both were but he was holding onto a lot of grief, which only added to the stress of it all. So, I knew if I didn’t do something to calm him down, he would likely self-destruct and do something he would regret.
“Riley, come on, just wait a…”
He stopped suddenly and whirled to face me. The anger there I knew wasn’t aimed at me, but he lashed out anyway.
“Just leave it, will you?!”
