Deadland's Harves(57)

Since Jase and Tack had left, Clutch and I had circled the deck countless times, taking breaks only for food and when Doc came for me. My anxious nerves were making it impossible to focus on anything. At noon, Griz begged Tyler to let him take a small crew out to find Tack and Jase. We all hoped that the reason they weren’t back yet was because they’d had trouble finding Sorenson’s boat. Any other alternative meant something had gone seriously wrong. I tried to focus on the positive, but as the day went on, horrible imaginings began to cycle through my mind.

I shaded my eyes against the sun and looked out over the river for any sign of either boat. Even with sunglasses, the glare off the water gave me a headache. An engine noise to my right pulled my gaze to find Kurt returning on a Jet Ski from his scouting run in the north. The Jet Ski, which we’d found at a dock a few miles upriver, had extra plastic fuel tanks strapped on both sides, and Kurt wore a large backpack. He’d had enough fuel and food for a three-day trip, but he’d been gone only two days. “I wonder how close the herds are now,” I said.

Clutch wrapped his gloved hand around my mine. “Come on. Let’s head back to the galley and grab a snack. There’s nothing we can do out here except wear holes in the deck.”

I looked to the south another time, still seeing nothing. “I guess you’re right.”

I moped as we headed back toward the galley. Clutch rolled slowly over the deck boards. After several feet, he came to an abrupt stop, peeled off his worn gloves, and picked at a blister on his hand, grumbling under his breath.

I picked his gloves off his lap and rubbed at the soft leather with holes and slashes. “Wow. These are worthless. You really need a new pair.”

“That’s not going to happen. I can’t find any more. What I need is to get rid of this chair and back on my feet.”

I wanted to snap back at his infuriating refusal to give his body time to heal. Instead, I dropped his gloves with a smack on his lap and gripped his shoulder. “A week ago you couldn’t even stand. Just be patient.”

“It’s hard to be patient when we’ve got a shit storm of zeds heading this way.”

Good point. I left my hand on his shoulder while I looked to the north. I forced a smile. “The zeds aren’t here yet. So you can be patient a little longer.”

“Hmph,” he replied.

As I turned to look back down at Clutch, something in the distance caught my eye. I stepped back and lifted my rifle to look through the scope. Off the edge of the island, a deck boat with several people in it came jetting around the corner. I quickly made out Jase’s sandy, shaggy hair.

I lowered my rifle and let out a whoop. “They’re back! They must’ve had boat trouble since they’re all loaded up in one.”

Clutch narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the incoming boat for a long minute.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go meet them at the top of the ladder.”

He didn’t move. “I only count four on the boat.”

“What?” I asked. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

When I’d seen Jase, I hadn’t bothered counting the crew. I squinted in the sunlight as I counted. Clutch was right. Griz had gone out with two other scouts today. There should have been five on that boat. “Maybe the fifth man is still bringing in the other boat,” I offered hopefully.

“Maybe,” Clutch said. “Let’s get over there.”

We hustled over to where the rope ladder and pulley-driven elevator platform hung. Deb was already there, watching each man climb up the ladder. Consternation filled her face.

Jase was the second man up the ladder. I grabbed onto his shivering, wet form and helped him climb over the railing. He collapsed on the deck, and I wrapped my arms around him to share my body heat. “What happened? Are you hurt?” I asked.

Clutch put a hand on Jase’s back.

Deb kneeled by Jase. “Where’s Tack?”

“Don’t-know,” Jase replied between chattering teeth and started to pull himself up.

I helped Jase to his feet. “Let’s get you a hot shower.”

By then, the others had reached the top. Griz’s sleeves were wet, but everyone else was dry. He gave Clutch a hard look. “I think it’s safe to say Sorenson is headed this way.”

Clutch nodded. “I’ll meet you on the bridge in five.”

Griz and the other two scouts jogged across the deck, followed closely by Deb, who kept asking them about Tack.