Kamiyo smiled. “Couldn’t agree more. Hey, you know Tammy’s pregnant, right? Can you believe we’ve come that far?”
“People feel safe. The irony is that it puts them in more danger. They need to know that they’re still only a split second away from jeopardy. You and I both saw what came out of the lake.”
Kamiyo flinched and looked away. The mere memory of the giant creature emerging from the lake was terrifying, and they rarely spoke of it. “Have we had any sightings? Any at all?”
“Not one. The few scouts that know about it have been searching everywhere, but it’s like the thing vanished.”
“Let’s hope it did. That’s what happened to the demons near the lake.”
Ted blew air out of his nose and headed for the guest cabin. “Come on, I want to know what these newcomers are all about. Hey, have you found out anything about our other guest?”
“Angela? Not a lot. She says she’s here to help us fight, but she hasn’t said a lot else. She keeps asking for a drink.”
Ted frowned. “So give her one.”
“No, I mean she keeps asking for a proper drink. Whiskey. She got quite arsey about it actually.”
“I’ll talk to her later. One thing at a time.”
Despite being the unofficial leader of the camp, Ted’s manners forbade him from entering the cabin unannounced, so he knocked. It was Nancy who appeared to bid him inside. White as a sheet, she had a desperate look in her eyes. Ted hadn’t known the woman long enough to trust her, but there was no doubting a mother’s misery.
“Nancy, any news about your daughter?”
“Alice, and yes! She’s safe. I can hardly believe it. If only I could get to her.”
Ted tried not to think about his Chloe. “Amazing.”
One of the Americans spoke up at the back of the cabin. “If you can spare a vehicle, and some people who know the safest way back to the coast, we can get Alice here today.”
“First things first,” said Ted. “Who are you people?”
The man gave a casual salute. “Captain Tosco. I served on The Hatchet with Nancy’s ex-husband. He died handing the demons a great defeat in one of your cities to the south. Portsmouth.”
Ted nodded. “There’s a settlement there?”
“Thirty thousand strong.”
The figure seemed impossible. The number of survivors at Kielder was a feat of pure human determination, but thirty thousand was miraculous.
“The problem is,” said an attractive brunette in her thirties, “that the whole place is under the control of a power-mad old man. It puts us all in danger.”
Captain Tosco nodded. “Maddy’s right. General Thomas might not be a threat to you yet, but if he ever deals with the demon problem, there’ll be no stopping him from taking control of the entire country.”
Ted thought for a moment and ended up shrugging. “If some general wants to wipe out the demons and bring back some authority, I can’t see it being anything but an improvement. We’re hanging on by a thread here, and every battle might be our last. I really don’t care who’s in charge so long as the people here live. You’ve had a wasted journey if you’re hoping to stir up some kind of opposition.”
Tosco raised his palms. “We’re not here to incite anything, but we do request asylum.”
Ted huffed. “Asylum?”
“Yes, we request to stay here at Kielder under your protection. We’ll work hard and help you face whatever threats may come.”
Over by the door, Dr Kamiyo cleared his throat. “By the sound of things, the biggest threat to Kielder would be letting you people stay.”
“I agree,” said Ted, nodding to his friend. “This General Thomas wants you all dead, I presume?”
The woman, Maddy, glared at Ted, which was a little brazen considering her position. “The bastard planned on killing me in my sleep before I had a chance to tell people how he murdered Portsmouth’s true leader. Captain Tosco gave up everything to help me escape. We came here because we hoped you were decent people.”
“We are,” said Nancy, “and you’re welcome here.”
Ted raised a hand. “Hold your horses. I don’t think you’re in any position to be making promises, Nancy. You only just got here yourself.”
Nancy rolled her eyes at him. “You might think yourself the mayor around these parts, but this place belongs to everyone. Every man, woman, and child at Kielder has fought to stay alive and build this place. Nobody has a right to rule them. I came here with Damien to help protect Kielder from monsters and men.”
Ted was flabbergasted, and he let it show on his face. “Is that some kind of threat? I knew you and your misfits couldn’t be trusted.”
“Let’s calm down,” said Kamiyo. “Maddy, you’re right, we are good people. That’s why Ted has to be extra careful to keep everyone safe. You’re welcome here, of course, but your problems are not more important than Kielder’s survival. I think it’s safe to say that we can’t make you any promises if this General Thomas makes trouble. As for you, Nancy. You might think Kielder belongs to everybody, but no one has done more for this place than Ted has. Show some respect.”
Nancy averted her eyes and turned away. Dr Kamiyo was a mild-mannered young man, which was what made his judgement so damning.
Maddy moved in front of Ted and put her hands together, almost like she was pleading. “I promise we didn’t come here to cause you people any trouble. We just want to be safe.”
“We’re decent people, too,” said Tosco, “and so are the people of Portsmouth. We only left because General Thomas gave us no choice.”
Ted sighed. As much as he didn’t like it, he’d already made up his mind to let these people stay. “You’ll need to do
