by Nathan Combs
McNulty turned to Shelton. “Well, you heard him, Gabriel.”
“Don’t worry, David. They aren’t going to kill innocents. They wouldn’t be able to live with themselves if they did, which is why we’re going to insert the women and children into the armored column when we get within range.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
“I’m not wrong, David. They won’t kill civilians. On the other hand, if I am, then we have fewer mouths to feed, so it’s a win-win. Besides, the bulk of the bourgeoisie will be well behind the combat forces, so we can afford to lose a few. The critical thing to remember is that while they’re concentrating their efforts and attention on the north, the Gulf force will sweep in from the south and west and annihilate them.
“After we resettle, we’ll restart the refinery at Saraland, Alabama, which has plenty of oil in the tank farm, and Florida Nation will be bigger and better than Texas Nation ever was.”
Chapter Sixteen
Alliance
Noah’s flushed face blanched. A chill launched from the top of his head and exited his toes.
Is Anna insane?
The newly fabricated Anna/Nina cocked her head and coyly took Noah’s hand. “I know this is a lot to comprehend, much less accept, Noah, but you have to trust me. Everything is going to be all right. I promise.”
Her hand on his arm was hot. He touched her forehead. She was burning up. Before he could respond, her eyes rolled into her head, and she collapsed in his arms.
He looked at Horst. “Don’t move.”
Noah laid Anna on the couch, ran to the bathroom, hustled back, placed a cold rag on her forehead, and attempted to get her to swallow two Tylenol.
She gagged and shoved his hand away. “Noah. Don’t. Don’t…I don’t feel good.”
“You have to take these, Anna. You have a fever.”
She retched, but nothing came up, and after dry heaving several times, she successfully swallowed the medication. Her attempted smile mutated into a grimace, and she groaned and passed out.
Noah felt helpless. He stood looking at her for what seemed an eternity before Horst’s voice broke through the haze. “Noah. Noah! No-ah!”
He turned his gaze in the direction of the voice and focused on Horst’s terrified face. He shook his head and went to the kitchen.
Horst’s voice followed him. “Jesus, Noah, she’s nuttier than a fruitcake. What’re you gonna do?”
Moving to stand in front of Horst, he said, “I don’t know.”
“Are you gonna kill me?”
“I don’t know.”
Horst regained some of his bluster. “Well, what do you know? You gonna keep me tied up here forever? Come on, man. Let me go. I don’t want any part of her. She scares the livin’ shit out of me. And if you had any sense, you’d be scared too. Cut me loose, and you’ll never see me again.”
“I can’t do that, Horst. I have to protect the baby.”
Horst slumped. “Nina was right, Noah. A leopard can’t change its spots. I’ve been an asshole for a long time, that’s true. But I would never harm a pregnant woman, much less a child. It’s not in my DNA.”
Noah stared daggers at him for several seconds, then shook his head sadly and took out his knife.
Horst swallowed hard.
In one swift motion, Noah cut the tape binding Horst’s wrists. “I hope I don’t live to regret this.”
Horst exhaled heavily. “You won’t.” He motioned toward Anna/Nina passed out on the couch. “You have other things to worry about.” After opening the door partway, he turned back. “You seem like a good dude, Noah.” He nodded toward the living room. “Watch your six.”
Noah hoped he hadn’t sealed their death warrants by freeing Horst, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. As soon as Horst was out the door, he picked Anna up and carried her to a house four blocks away and laid her gently on a couch. Ten minutes later, he returned with the baby and two of their packs. One more run and everything essential sat beside him where he took up station at the window.
He nursed Anna all night and plied her with both Tylenol and aspirin to keep the fever in check. He had no choice but to put the baby to her breast, and although he momentarily felt like a perv, it worked, and after being burped and changed, Stormy slept.
When no one came knocking by noon, Noah held hope that Horst would keep his word, even though a few hours didn’t amount to much. Thus, he shrugged mentally and returned to the window and kept watch.
Late that afternoon, Anna’s fever broke. She was dizzy and disoriented.
“You’ve had a rough time, Anna. Take it easy.”
“Help me sit up.”
As she looked around, her face took on the confusion she felt. “Where are we?”
After Noah explained what had happened, she tried to stand and suddenly cried, “Oh, my God. Stormy. Where’s my baby?”
Noah picked up the baby and placed her in her arms.
Anna frantically checked the child from head to toe, and when she determined Stormy was okay, she calmed and began to nurse her.
“She’s fine, Anna.” With a sheepish look on his face, he said, “I had to put her to your breast several times while you were out. I couldn’t think of anything else to do.”
Anna grinned a feeble grin, caressed the baby’s head, kissed her, took a deep breath, and started to cry. “Noah, what’s wrong with me? Am I crazy?” Without warning, tears came in a torrent. Massive sobs wracked her body, and she gasped, “I have never been so frightened in my life.” She started blubbering, and between sobs and gasps, said, “I don’t even know who I am.”
“Yes, you do. You’re my wife. The mother of my child. You’re just confused.”
“Am I, Noah? Confused?”
Noah was silent.
“I think that…I mean, I…remember talking to Nina. Her telling me that she loved you with every fiber of her being. And that everything was going to be okay. And—and we were going to…to merge…but…”
“Is Nina still there?”
She cocked her head to the side, then shook it slowly. “I’m not sure. Ever since she showed up, I could sense her on some level.” She paused as though in thought, her eyes moving slowly from side to side. “I don’t feel her anymore.” Her face brightened. “I think she’s gone, Noah.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her gently.
She continued. “Maybe Nina was right. Everything’s gonna be okay.”
He slowly pushed her to arm’s length. “As soon as you get a bath.”
She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and snorted. “That bad?”
He laughed. “Bad would be an understatement.”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I have to pee. Where?”
“Outside. For now.”
“Do you think Horst will keep his word?”
“If he doesn’t, we’re in deep shit. I was reluctant to let him go, Anna. I’ve killed a lot of people, you know that, but I’ve never murdered one. I just couldn’t do it.”
“That’s one of the many things I love about you, Noah. Even after everything that’s happened, you still have principles. But unless you show me the door—like right now—you better be a world-class swimmer.”
He placed the baby back in the seat and helped her stand.
She wobbled momentarily, then headed for the door.
As Horst rounded the bushes at the front of his house, he startled Ransom, who was sitting on the porch. Ransom yelped and jumped up, which startled Horst.
“Jesus, Ransom. You scared the crap outta me.”
Ransom giggled. “Ah jist pooped mah pants. Ah was getting’ worried ’cause you din’t answer the door.”
“Yeah? Well, I went for a morning walk. What’s up?”
“Nuthin’. Jist need to
know what ya want me ta do today.”
Horst cocked his head to the side. “When’s the last time you had a day off, Ransom?”
Ransom went into deep thought mode. Horst could almost see the wheels turning slowly in his head.
“Ah…never?”
Horst laughed. “Probably right. Take the day off. In fact, we’re gonna make today a holiday. Everyone has the day off. Except for the watches. Let them know, then come back.”
Ransom acted like he’d just heard the Earth wasn’t flat. He stood still, mouth gaping wide.
“I’m serious, Ransom.”
Ransom grinned. “Yes, suh.”
Horst went into the bathroom, cleaned up, brushed his teeth, and changed his urine-soaked clothing. He rummaged through his meager food stores and settled on some dried fish, stale bread, and an orange. When he’d finished eating, he went to the patio and sat staring out across the yard, thinking.
Seeing Nina again was frightening but also cathartic. He hadn’t felt positive about anything since he’d lost his wife and boy. For some strange reason, he felt good. He no longer feared Nina. He pitied her. And he hated no one. Well, maybe Coltrane and Scarlett, but even that emotion was dim and distant. The weight of the world had somehow been lifted from his shoulders and he pondered the future anew.
After ten days of stealthily shuttling back and forth between the two houses with no contact from Horst, Noah’s hopes soared. He made a decision. He was 99 percent sure they were safe from reprisal, but he needed to be 100 percent positive.
“Anna, I’m going to pay Horst a visit.”
“Oh, Noah. Maybe we should just leave well enough alone. It’s been almost two weeks. If he were going to do something, he would have by now.”
“I think that’s true, but I don’t intend to spend every waking minute looking over my shoulder. I need to concentrate on our future, not worry about Horst. I’ll go in the same way I did last time. It’ll be okay. Trust me.”
Anna was silent.
“Okay?”
“Okay, but…”
“But what?”
She breathed deeply and exhaled. “What if going to see Horst upsets the applecart?”
“Then we eat apples.”
That night at 0300, Noah tried the slider into Horst’s bedroom. It was unlocked, and he entered. “Horst, you awake?”
Horst sat up, slowly swung his feet to the floor, and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Yeah? Well, here I am.”
“I gave you my word, Noah. Ten days and you still aren’t convinced?”
“Just want to clear up that last one percent.”
“I gotta tell you, man. What happened that night with Nina—Anna—was an eye-opener. This’ll sound crazy, but it’s the best thing that’s happened to me since the collapse. Everything’s changed. The fear…the hate…the bitterness…it’s all gone. Anna will always be Nina to me. I can’t help that. I have a difficult time reconciling who she was then with the woman she appears to be now. I have nothing against you, Noah. You can rest easy. In fact, you’re both welcome to visit if you want to. Watching her act like a normal woman might take some getting used to, but I can handle it. It’s up to you.”
“You’re serious?”
“As death. And since she’s pregnant again, I have a doc she should see.” He chuckled. “Well, he’s a vet, but he’s all we have. He’s actually pretty good.”
“I might take you up on that. Anna’s…different than when you saw her.”
Horst’s face showed concern. His eyebrows rose. “Different, how?”
“Anna said she could always sense Nina’s presence, but she doesn’t feel her now. Anna’s like she was before Nina showed. She’s just…Anna. And I’m telling you, Horst, a more gentle, honest, caring woman has never drawn a breath.”
“For your sake, I hope you’re right. You’ll forgive me if I reserve judgment?”
Noah said, “I have no idea what transpired between you and Nina, but I’m assuming it wasn’t good, so, yeah, I understand.”
Horst nodded, thinking, You do not want to know.
Two days later, Anna put Stormy in the chest carrier, and she and Noah walked to the school. Horst greeted them warmly, the doc proclaimed Anna and both babies healthy, and Ransom gave them a tour, introducing them to the other Horstmen. They had lunch with Horst, Ransom, and Doc and whiled away the day chatting about safe and insignificant topics.
When they were ready to leave, Horst, Noah, and Anna, with Stormy in a chest sling, stood basking in the sun in the driveway of Horst’s house.
Horst smiled and said, “Hold on a second.” He whistled.
Ransom rounded the corner of the house with two saddled ponies.
“Beats the hell out of walkin’.”
Anna’s smile was blinding. “Thank you, Horst. That is so sweet.”
Horst blushed. “Anna, you’re nothing like Nina. You’re a good woman. But do me a favor?”
Anna was still smiling. “Of course.”
“If she shows up again, let me know?”
“I’m pretty sure she’s gone for good, Horst, but in case I’m wrong, you have my word.”
Still blushing, Horst said, “You guys should consider moving here. You’d be welcome.”
Anna said, “Thank you, Horst,” and kissed his cheek.
Noah shook his hand, then they mounted, waved goodbye, and rode home.
After Stormy was changed and in baby-land, Noah said, “That was totally unexpected.”
“It was. I like Horst. I like his people too.”
“Yeah, me too. Horst told me a bit about his issues with Wade and Bill. It’s time I made that trip.”
Anna hesitated.
“Anna?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Another but?”
“I’m sorry, Noah. I’m being selfish. The old applecart again.”
She smiled. “But, of course, it is time. Maybe you can convince Wade that I’m not a threat and that Horst has changed too. Maybe we can all live happily ever after.”
“I’ll give it a shot.”
Early the next morning, Noah was ready to leave.
Anna hugged him. “How will you find them, Noah?”
“I won’t have to. They’ll find me.”
At 0900 with a white flag attached to his saddle, Noah rode slowly south on US-27. As he approached the Publix Supermarket in the South Highlands Shopping Center, two armed men appeared on either side of him.
“That’s far enough. Raise your hands. Slowly.”
“Paul? It’s Noah.”
“Noah?”
A pause. Then, “Holy shit. Noah. We thought you were dead.”
Noah grinned. “I damn sure hope you’re not disappointed, Paul.”
The barrels of the M4s swung south, they shook hands, and a beaming Paul asked, “Does Wade know you’re here?”
“No, but I need to talk to him.”
“Come on. We have a sat phone on the roof.” He motioned with his head toward the Publix. “You can call him.”
Wade was thrilled that Noah was alive. “I’m sending Randal to get you. Leave your horse with Paul. He’ll take care of her. See you in thirty. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Yes, sir, we do.”
The reunion between Noah and Randal was brief. The two old friends shook hands, slapped backs, and grinned like fools.
“l can’t wait to hear what happened. Did you find Nina?”
Noah’s grin faded. “If it’s okay with you, Randal, I’d prefer to tell the story just once. Can it wait until I see Wade?”
“That bad?”
“Let’s just say I haven’t been living the dream. It’s complicated. I’d prefer not to have to repeat it.”
&nb
sp; “Just one question?”
“Yeah.”
“Is Nina alive?”
“Yes. And no.”
During the half-hour trip, Randal filled Noah in on New Fort Terminus but decided the briefing regarding the Texas Nation could come later.
Randal parked the Humvee in front of the command center and said, “They’re waiting for us in the Powwow Room.”
“Powwow Room?”
He laughed. “The command center. The Powwow Room is…” He shrugged. “It’s Bill’s name for”—he grinned while shaking his head—“I’ll just let you see for yourself.”
As they walked into the Powwow Room, Noah received a standing ovation. Smiles were huge, hands were shaken, backs were slapped, and hugs were shared.
A grinning Wade said, “On behalf of everyone at New Fort Terminus, welcome home, Noah. You have the floor.”
Noah began by telling them of finding Anna on the couch in their old home and cycled through everything that had transpired up to the moment he abducted Horst. He paused in the monolog. “That takes us to about two weeks ago.”
No one was smiling.
“Jesus, Noah. You actually pulled her on a fuckin’ sled all the way from Tennessee?”
“I had no choice, Bill. And it wasn’t all the way. Just to Macon.”
“Just to Macon? That’s insane.”
There were a few chuckles.
He finished bringing them up to date and ended by saying, “So Nina’s gone. Anna’s alive, healthy, mentally stable, and pregnant again. Before Nina disappeared, killing Horst was at the top of her bucket list. At the eleventh hour, she forgave him whatever he did that made her want to kill him. I discovered that Horst lost his wife and son during the collapse. I didn’t know him then, but he’s a decent man now. I trust him. That’s it.”
The ensuing silence made Noah nervous. He looked around the room at each face in turn. Wade’s, Randal’s, Cole’s, and Stuart’s faces showed no emotion. The room was silent for several seconds until Bill cocked his head to one side, grinned, and said, “So what’s the fuckin’ problem?”
Wade stood. “Bill has a penchant for understatement. But you already know that. What do you want?”
