It was touching and more than he knew, I would savor each sip.
“Thank you again,” I embraced him. “I look forward to seeing you and Gail in a couple months. If not sooner.”
“Us, too. Be safe.”
Just to be sure, I reiterated what channel I would use to give him updates and trusted him with the location of Protocol One should he run into any problems.
Tony, however, began his rant about that the second he got in the Humvee. “He’s gonna tell his friends and all of them are gonna pull an invasion on us.”
“Tony stop. He will not,” I said. “He will keep that location secret unless needed.”
The taillights of the truck blinked brightly, then after a short honk, Spencer, Craig and Duke pulled forward. I placed the Humvee in gear.
“You don’t know, Anna,” He argued.
“Neither do you. You were passed out.” I replied.
“What about the stuff you found in Gwen’s phone.”
“And another thing we can discuss later. For now. Rest up. You want to be strong when we pull into Protocol One. Because we’re on our way.”
And we were.
It was a balmy forty-two degrees but it could have felt like eighty. I took off my coat for the drive. The sun was hopeful and bright, and a clear cut indication that the seasons just may be switching. We were away longer than we anticipated, but we were on track and finally heading back to Protocol One.
One phase of drama was over, and I was certain, another was not far behind.
At the Bunker – Peter
I knew the moment I returned from the restroom and saw the look on Tom’s face, that the news was good. He set down the radio and turned to me with a look of relief.
“They’re on the highway,” Tom said. “That section they plowed on the way down is starting to melt and they should be here in less than two hours.”
“That’s awesome news. How’s Tony?” I asked.
“Better. Not a hundred percent, but well on his way.”
“Are they bringing anyone?”
Tom laughed. “I asked that same question.”
“Well, we all know Anna.”
“And the answer to that was ‘no’.”
“No? Wow.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.” Tom turned around again and faced the console.
“Is there anything they need us to do?”
“Actually, yes. Anna asked if I could get Melissa to make sure things were in order in Tony’s room.”
“Like a housekeeper?” That made me laugh. “Don’t let Gwen hear that.”
“I guess with him being under the weather, and stuck in his room, Anna wants it to be a relaxing environment.”
“You know what?” I placed down my drink. “I’ll go do it. In fact, I’m gonna find Joie, tell her the good news and her and I can work on that room together.”
“She likes you. She’ll appreciate you telling her. Plus, Tony’s kind of Obsessive Compulsive, I really don’t think his room will be that bad. I bunked with him once, and he made the bed perfectly so the maid wouldn’t come into a messy room.”
“Doesn’t … Doesn’t everyone?”
“No.” Tom answered, laughing out the word.
“I’ll be back.”
I probably was as excited as I knew Joie would be about the return of Anna and Tony, along with Craig his dad and Spencer. It wasn’t the same without them. After all we were the first settlers in the bunker, and in their absence, things got weird.
They were quiet, not happy, and Gwen developed a new friendship with that Elwood woman Clarisse. The one that was part of the takeover but we didn’t kick her out because of her son. Although, I was pretty convinced Gwen just made her the chamber maid or something.
I thought, because it was the middle of the day, Joie would be in the living and recreation area. I went there first and she wasn’t there, nor was she in the kitchen.
Melissa was. I told her of the news and she told me that Nelly and Joie were upstairs cleaning up. At least the last she heard. If they weren’t there then she suggested the medical room that was next on their tidy up play.
Even though Nelly was psychically one step ahead of me, I still wanted to be the one to tell Joie. I took her under my wing the previous few days especially when I found out how intrigued Joie was about the images we received from the International Space Station. After seeing her enthusiasm, I was bound and determined that I would make her into the next scientist.
I hit the second floor of the hive and the main living area. Anna’s door was locked, but Tony and Joie’s door was open. I knocked once, received no answer and went inside.
The room was impeccably clean. It smelled fresh so I knew the duo had been there.
Tuning to leave, I pulled the door closed and decided I would just check Nelly’s room. I made it a few doors down the hall when I stopped.
Gwen and Gil’s voices carried into the hall.
They weren’t arguing, they were talking. It was calm and collected, unlike most of the time I heard them speak.
Being the king of eavesdropping, I slowed down.
“Next week,” Gwen said. “More than likely.”
“That works. Have you come up with an explanation?” he asked.
“Not yet. Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked
“Positive,” Gil said.
“Don’t you worry about that they’ll think?”
“Doesn’t matter. I make the choices.”
Whoa, I thought. What did I stumble upon hearing? Was I wrong for listening? Just when I decided to walk away, I opted against it. It was my duty as main gossiper to listen further.
“Choice and decision is made. Now are you sure about Mason?” Gil asked.
“I’m positive. They have more than enough doctors to spare. They’ll send him up here without question. Especially since we won’t have one after you enforce...” Her voice grew louder, telling me they were heading out of the door. “Just...”
The door opened and despite my quick attempt to move back, I didn’t make it far enough.
“Peter?” Gil said my name with question. “Can I help you?”
“Yes. Have you seen Nelly or Joie? I’m looking for them.”
“Not recently,” Gil replied.
Gwen folded her arms. “He was listening. I can tell. He’s worse than two old women at a funeral home.”
“What?” I laughed. “What kind of statement is that? God.”
“Peter.” Gil tilted his head. “We all know your reputation. Were you listening?”
“Not on purpose.” I started to walk away, then stopped. “You do know that Craig is on his way back?”
“Yes,” Gil replied. “We do.”
“Ok, just checking.”
“Pete,” Gil called. “Again, I’ll ask. What did you hear?”
I simply replied, “Enough” and continued to walk away. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing what I overheard. That information I would save for Anna.
SIXTEEN – RETURN
By the number of people outside the bunker when we returned, I would have thought it was summer. Skyler, Craig’s partner was wearing a tee shirt and jeans. The only winter wear he had on were his boots and a pair of gloves to form snowballs.
It was warmer, but far from … warm.
They were a welcome sight.
When we stepped from our vehicles, Craig was greeted with a snowball and then greeted with a warm embrace from Skyler.
Joie was with Peter. That surprised me because Peter wasn’t an outdoor person. Joie squealed loudly and ran to her father.
I had to stop him from lifting her. “Honey, Daddy is still sick. When he gets back to the room you can hang out with him there.”
Joie agreed and grabbed hold of my legs, upon that I crouched down and embraced her. “I missed you,” I told her and planted my lips to her head. “We aren’t leaving again.” I peered up to Peter. “Where is Melissa?”
“Working. We’re over-egg-loaded again,” Peter said.
Skyler hurried over. “Need some help, Tony?”
“No,” Tony answered.
“Yes,” I said. “He does. Please. If you don’t mind?”
“Not at all,” Skyler replied.
“I do,” Tony argued. “Anyone care?”
“Daddy, be a good patient.” Joie held his hand, as Skyler gripped one of Tony’s arms.
I knew by the way Tony moved he wasn’t well. He staggered some, moved slowly. If it had been pre-comet, Tony would have had a wheelchair waiting. He wasn’t in top shape, yet he had a long way to go to get to his room.
Peter gave a nervous twitch to his head and rubbed his chin. “We uh, need to talk.”
“About?”
He looked over his shoulder and Gil had stepped out. Somehow I expected him to approach me, greet me, I knew that wasn’t going to happen when I saw Gwen behind him.
However, his lack of focus on me wasn’t what shocked me. It was him, simply stating to Craig, Spencer and Duke, “I need to speak to you three. Inside. Now!”
After blinking in shock, I finally stood up. “Peter, is that what you want to talk to me about?”
“Yep.”
“What’s it about?”
“Oh, boy.”
I didn’t need any further information. Immediately, I followed Gil and the others into the bunker. Gil hadn’t a clue I was behind them, and that I heard what he said as soon as he pulled them into Peter’s little computer lab.
“I’m not gonna beat around the bush. You three broke rules, disobeyed the regulations. You have three days to leave this compound. We will provide you with enough...”
He didn’t get to finish, I walked right in. “Over my dead body. Oh, wait. It could have been over mine and Tony’s dead body had they not come after us. I assume that is the rule they broke?”
“Anna,” Gil stated. “This is my domain.”
“Yeah, but it’s my bunker. Didn’t you say that? Didn’t you build it for me?”
“I did. But didn’t you give leadership to me.”
“I did.” Folding my arms, I stepped to him. “But being a leader isn’t being a dick. What the hell, Gil? Do what I say and you’re fine. Disregard me you’re gone.”
“They took valuable supplies and resources, Anna.”
“To help us. Seriously? You want to throw them out?”
“Seriously? Yes. If they don’t leave, I will have them removed.”
“Fine. You can bet Skyler goes, too. They go. I go. If I go, Tony and Joie go. We leave, Nelly will go as well as Melissa. I’d add Peter to that pack, but I doubt he’d go.”
“No,” Peter’s voice interjected. “I would go.”
“There you have it.” I tossed out my hands. “How dare you throw out my friends? This is their home. They kept this place running. They risked their lives for me and Tony. The resources they used belong to the bunker. Our bunker, all of us.”
“But someone needs to be in control. In a leadership position.”
“Gil!” I held up my hand silencing him. “You’re pissing me off. Guys, can we have a minute please.”
“Absolutely,” Craig said.
“I’m gonna check on Tony,” said Spencer as he left.
Duke walked out as well.
I waited. “Pete, that means you, too.”
“Oh. Okay. Sorry.” Peter finally walked out.
“Anna.” Gil stated firm. “I understand your compassion. Please don’t undermine my authority.”
I laughed in ridicule. “And you don’t think, kicking out a good team is going overboard?”
“They broke the rules.”
“No, Gil, they enforced the rules of what this bunker was about. To make sure I lived. When I gave you running power, I did so because you had a save the world vision. Tossing them out isn’t saving the world, it’s a dictatorship, and I won’t have it.”
“Anna, I know it sounds like a dick move. But when one group disregards the rules set forth, how can I execute strength as a leader if I let them go.”
“Kicking them out doesn’t show weakness in leadership it shows how much of a tyrant you can be. I don’t know what your motivation was for not wanting them to help, I don’t care.” I stepped to him. “But let me tell you something, Gil. I don’t like this man before me. I don’t like what you have become. What you showed me and what you do are two different things. I want the old Gil back. If he even exists or was that a smoke screen and act to hide your true colors?”
“Anna, stop this.”
“No, I’m pissed. I really am. You wanted to kick them out. You told them to leave. That’s bullshit. If you ever …” I moved even closer. “Ever fucking pull a stunt like that again, call it a mutiny, Mr. Leader and I will give you three days to get out.” I spun on heels and moved to the door.
“You can’t do that.”
“Watch me.” I stopped. “And if you don’t go when I tell you, I’ll remove you myself.” On those words, I finally left.
I don’t know if Gil took me seriously or not. Hearing him ‘kick out’ Craig, Spencer and Duke infuriated me. Was Gil implying that their taking of the truck, medical supplies and fuel was stealing? They weren’t doing anything bad, they were doing good. I really needed to sit down and talk to Peter because obviously he knew things. Gil’s sudden turnabout sickened me. It was not the kind man I knew. Not the selfless man I loved. What happened? Was it power? Gwen? Or maybe he had changed over the years and I never saw it. If something like an impromptu rescue set off what Tony called the Giltatorship, I didn’t want to know what would happen if and when something truly bad occurred.
Seventeen – Back and Forth
Gil tried several times to talk to me throughout the day. I wanted no part of it, I just wanted to spend time with Joie and Tony. I needed Tony back to where he had been and for that he needed to rest. I asked Spencer, Craig and Duke not to mention anything to Tony about Gil’s threats. That was something I would handle, and they agreed.
At one point, just before dinner, Gil did manage to corner me.
“I don’t want us to be like this, Anna. We never were before.”
“Do you even comprehend how this looks?” I asked him. “You were gonna throw out three really good and reliable men. I feel foolish. I have made bad choices this whole time. Not thinking about others. That’s why I thought for sure, letting you take reins would be the best thing. It wasn’t. This is not you.”
He lowered his head some. “This is not the same world. In situations like this, we need order. Defiance is …”
“Oh, stop it.”
“No, you stop it. You are not thinking this through. You gave me the leadership position here. I have a plan. One that will get many people fed, happy, and back on their feet. Everything they need.”
“Hitler tried that once. You saw how well that worked out for him.”
Gil bit his bottom lip. “Everything is planned out. Every gallon of gas. Every vehicle.”
“What were you gonna do about me, Gil? Leave me there?”
“You were fine, Anna. We would have sent someone for you when the weather broke. Those three risked a needed vehicle and the amount of fuel they consumed to do so was insane.”
“What about Tony? Was his life not worth it?”
Gil didn’t answer.
“Guess not.”
“Anna, what would you have done as leader, if say, three of the new survivor guys took the biggest gas guzzling truck you had, after telling them they couldn’t, and disappeared for days.”
“If they did it to help someone, then nothing.” I replied.
“That is why you are not leader.”
“And this is why you are not my husband anymore.”
“Stop.” He lifted his hand. “That hurt. Okay? Now what is it going to take to get you to like me again?”
“Be the way you used to be. I trusted you. I really did.”
“Anna,
I haven’t changed. You just never got to see me in this scenario.”
“It’s just hard to believe. But seeing that the whole divorcing Gwen was a lie, it only makes sense.”
He slowly shook his head. “You don’t get it. I don’t care about Gwen. I would have and still would give my right arm to be with you.”
There was one thing that was certain. If you have a conversation in a community area such as a stairwell, in a bunker, and you don’t want someone to hear what you say … they will.
Gwen did.
While her expression and gasp were priceless, it was my out and I excused myself from that stairwell.
There were two things I needed to do, one was talk to Peter and the other meet Joie for dinner and then Joie and I would head back to my room with Tony.
I missed my room.
But the bunker didn’t hold the same effect as it did before I met Larry and the others.
I couldn’t even call myself a survivor any longer. What I did was beat the odds due to being privileged. Larry and the others beat the odds of the comet and were truly the survivors. I carried that with me. I wished I could have brought them all back to the bunker.
<><><><>
Peter was easy to find. Other than his room, he was usually in one of three places. His office, the safe room or in the kitchen getting a drink box. Luckily, he was alone in the safe room when I found him and I closed the door, locking it.
“I’m going to take it this isn’t some sort of seduction,” he said.
“No.” I smiled and sat down next to him.
“Thought I’d ask. What’s going on?”
“Tell me. What happened when I was away?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean with Gil. How was he?”
“He was Gil. I mean, he was worried about you.”
“What did you find out or hear?” I asked. “That you needed to talk?”
“I overheard him and Gwen talking about a replacement doctor. I figured he was kicking them out. Because, Anna, he was freaking pissed they took the plow truck.”
Deep Freeze: Protocol One, Book 2 (Protocol One Saga) Page 8
