Siege (As the World Dies #3)(29)

“I can’t remember something important. And it’s eatin’ at me!” Calhoun let go of him and shoved open the door to the construction site. “I saw something long ago and then again a few days ago, and I know it was something important. It’s important because...” He faltered, obviously struggling to grasp a flitting thought. Plunging into the night, the old man seemed to be chasing after that thought. Rune sighed and followed. He headed toward the stairs that would lead him over the wall into the area where the fort secured all its vehicles.



Calhoun ran back and forth in front of him, hands outstretched, grasping at the air. He didn’t feel the ghosts anymore, but they would catch up. His only real hope for any peace of mind was to head out into the deadlands and keep changing his location. Leaving the fort so soon was an annoyance. He had allowed himself the luxury of becoming a part of the community for a few days. Maybe he had even deceived himself into believing he could stay. It was a damn shame he had to go. He would miss Maddie and Dale.



Calhoun suddenly came to a stop and turned around. “The Whore of Babylon. That was what it was about. She was cohorts with the one that ended up killed in a woman’s dress. She..she...” He faltered, his eyes rolling wildly in their sockets. Clutching his hands to his face, Calhoun wailed. “I can’t remember. It was...it was...”

In the distance a rooster crowed, long and loud. “Chickens!” Calhoun exclaimed. “Chickens!”



Rune blinked, then shook his head. The old guy was in a tizzy and there was nothing he could do for him. It had to suck to have lost your mind. He climbed up over the wall and entered the huge parking area from which the teams were launched. His bike was in one of the old newspaper garages. The doors were open and he headed inside to uncover his bike. As he pulled the tarp off, he heard a noise behind him and quickly turned. It sounded like a door opening, but he didn’t see anything through the gloom.

“Hello?”

There was no response and he shook his head. The damn ghosts had him spooked. Securing his bags to the bike, he took a deep breath. It was that time again and that was all there was to it. No time for regrets or fear. He rolled his bike out into the open air, noting that the sun had began to slowly peek over the horizon.

“Heading out, Rune?”



It was the old guy named Ed.

“Yeah. Time to go.” Ed stared at him thoughtfully. Behind him, the sentries were charging out on the wall; the early morning crew was arriving to work on the wall reinforcements. In Ed’s gnarled hand was a steaming cup of coffee. Rune would kill for a cup right now, but he didn’t feel like stirring up the ghosts anymore than he had. It was hard enough keeping focused when he had to deal with one or two. He couldn’t deal with a whole town’s worth.



“Well, you’re welcome to stay,” Ed finally said.

“Yeah. I know that. But it’s time to move on. I can’t stay long in one place. My nature don’t permit it.” Rune felt that was explanation enough.

“I understand. I’ll see about getting the gates open for ya.” Ed moved off. Rune straddled his bike and tugged on his thick leather gloves. The braid of white hair fell over one shoulder as he zipped up his leather jacket and made sure to keep his neck covered. As he finished getting ready to head out, he sensed someone standing near him.



Looking up he saw a woman with short brown hair smiling at him. Her long black dress flowed to her shiny black boots and ornate jewelry decorated her neck and wrists. “Damn,” he whispered.



“We’ll let you know when it is time to head back,” she said in a clear, melodic voice. Rune slowly bobbed his head, mesmerized by the woman. “Okay.”

“You’ll be needed later,” she continued.



“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Stay alive. You’re needed on this side.”

“Okay.” Rune noticed that the edges of her figure blurred slightly. Still, he swore he could touch her if he tried.

Ed stepped through the apparition and she vanished. “Get ready. We’ll open the first gate and once you’re inside, close it, then open the second. Area is clear of zombies, but be careful. Got Katarina, the sniper, watching out.”

“Gotcha. And thanks, man.” Rune clasped hands with the older man, then gunned the motorcycle to life. “You’re always welcome to come back.”

“I think I will head back one day. Kinda...got that feeling.” He pulled on his goggles as Ed nodded his head and walked on.



Once free of the gates, his bike roared down the abandoned streets of Ashley Oaks, away from the fort and into the deadlands.





4. The Whore of Babylon

For once, Jenni dreamed blissful dreams. Secure in Juan’s arms, she slept deeply and did not awaken once.

Juan left early in the morning, leaving her to sleep in. Jenni briefly remembered him kissing her lips before sliding out of bed. She also remembered him kissing her again before he left. When the alarm clock went off two hours later, she groggily climbed out of the bed, naked and disoriented.

After a long hot shower, she pulled on her work clothes and fussed with her hair. The night before had been wonderful and she felt amazingly at peace. Juan was too wonderful for words and she couldn’t help but be happy.