100 Days in Deadland (Deadland Saga, #1)(79)

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. When I reopened my eyes, I smiled. “Thank you.”

Griz and Clutch set down the last of the boxes.

“We’d better head back,” Clutch said.

I checked the sun sitting just above the roof of a two-story house across the street. Zeds tended to disappear at night, especially on cloudy nights. I suspected it was some sort of instinctual need for self-preservation. They couldn’t see any better than us, so they could walk right into a river or off a ledge in the dark. Not that they were bright enough to avoid doing that in the daylight.

Except last night was a full moon. Tonight wouldn’t be much better, without a cloud in the sky. It would be a good night to be back at the park and locked in before the sun set.

“I saw what they did to your farm. That’s a damn shame,” Griz said. “Where you staying now?”

Clutch narrowed his eyes. “Why do you want to know?”

“I’m guessing it’s out this way,” Griz said, looking around. “We’re tight on resources, but whenever we have a squad out this way, I can have them stop by to check in to see how things are going.”

“Things are going fine,” Clutch retorted.

“I read you loud and clear. But, the attack really cut into our numbers and decimated our ammo supply. We’ve started training civilians, but we could use all the help we can get.”

“Help?” I asked with a hand on my hip. “Tell me something, do they still have the prison cell waiting for me?”

Griz’s lips thinned and shook his head. “Lendt’s wiped the slate clear on anyone charged with assaulting the militia. After the stunt Doyle pulled, Lendt realized that he had to revisit his approach to military law. Hell, you just might get a medal now.”

I didn’t share his confidence. “Clutch is right. We need to get going.”

“Hold up.” Griz jogged back to the Humvee and pulled out something. “This radio pack is fully charged, and it’s got an adapter for a cig lighter. I already dialed in our frequency. Call if you need anything. Leave it on so we can reach you. If we see any herds or any of Doyle’s guys sniffing around this area, we’ll let you know.”

Clutch nodded and took it.

“Thanks, Griz,” I said and followed Clutch to the truck.

“Do you think they’ll try to reach us?” I asked, closing the door.

“Yeah.” Clutch paused. “The radio is Masden’s way of saying I’ve been called back to duty.”





Chapter XXI


“Why can’t anyone just leave us the f*ck alone?” Clutch growled as we drove back to the church two days later.

I reached out and intertwined my fingers with his. “That’s because we’re irresistible.”

Neither of us laughed. I wasn’t any more comfortable with the idea of tying ourselves to Camp Fox than Clutch. When Tyler had called in on the radio this morning and said he needed to meet with us, a rock had formed in my stomach and had been expanding ever since.

As we rolled up to the church, we found two Humvees waiting for us.

When Clutch turned off the ignition, the back door on the first Humvee flung open, a nearly full-grown coyote jumped down and a teenager with a wide grin stepped out.

My eyes widened. “Jase!”

He waved wildly and met me midway with a bear hug. Clutch came up from behind me and patted him on the shoulder. “Damn, it’s good to see you, kid.”

Jase took a step back. “Man, when Griz told me you guys were okay…well, it’s just good to see you. Really, really good.”

The golden coyote sat behind Jase, and I grinned. “I see Mutt’s turned out all right.”

He bent down and picked up the furry canine, and she licked his cheek. “Yeah, she’s a regular zed hunter now. She comes with me scouting.”

Clutch frowned. “You go on scouting missions?”

“Yeah.” Jase nodded back at Tyler, Griz, and Tack, who were now walking our way. “They asked for folks to join up after the attack. Eddy and I are on Captain Masden’s squad.” He stepped to the side, making room for Tyler, while Griz and Tack stood back with their rifles ready, scanning the area.

Tyler smiled at me. “It’s good to see you again.” He held out his hand, and I shook it, having a hard time returning his smile.

Tyler didn’t even try to shake Clutch’s hand. Tyler never liked Clutch, and Clutch still held a grudge against Tyler for abandoning me in zed and Dog country. I wasn’t angry. Not anymore. Tyler had simply been trying to do the right thing in a world where all the old rules had changed.

I still wanted to punch him.

“What do you want, Captain?” Clutch said.

Tyler gave a thin smile. “Always to the point, Sarge. I respect that. Griz said he filled you in on our current situation with Doyle and his minutemen.”

“He said you guys were at war,” Clutch said.

Tyler chortled. “It’s been more like a hunt than a war. Though, Jase might have found a game changer.”

“How’s that?” I asked.

“Your boy here came across one of Doyle’s outposts.”

“When are you going in?” Clutch asked.

“Tonight.”