Angela nodded and took another swig of whiskey.
9
Maddy went for a walk, enjoying the sight of trees after so long in Portsmouth. It still hadn’t sunk in that this place was real – an oasis hidden in the remnants of a shattered world. People, alive and well, deep in a forgotten forest. It made her wonder how many other people might still be alive somewhere, eking out an existence. The hope she had lost in leaving Portsmouth was starting to return. A little.
Most breathtaking of all was the castle. Augmented by wooden scaffolds and rickety structures, the stone keep was an impressive sight. The archers peeking through the crenellations made Maddy feel like a peasant in some fat lord’s service. Next, they would all be riding out on horses, dispatching demons with their lances.
Tosco exited the guest cabin and joined Maddy in the courtyard. “Some place, huh? One thing America doesn’t have is castles. I’ve never seen one before.”
“Can’t say I’ve seen one up close like this, either, but if you think about it, what safer place is there to be? We should go round the country snapping them all up. We could even build catapults.”
“Ha! I quite fancy myself as a knight. Sir Tosco the brave.”
Maddy smirked. “You’re definitely brave enough. Not sure about the chivalry though.”
“That’s the knight’s code, right? It means being a gentleman and rescuing damsels in distress? I think I’ve covered that.”
Maddy realised he was right. She had most certainly been a damsel in need of rescuing, and Tosco had been there for her without hesitation. “I suppose you do qualify. I wouldn’t be here without you, James. Thank you, I mean it.”
He reached out and squeezed her arm. “My pleasure. It all has to mean something, right? You know, before this, I wasn’t a man to be proud of. The only thing that mattered to me was my career. The whole time I served under Guy, I was eyeing his position. It nearly came to mutiny when he stole The Hatchet to go and find his kids.” He pinched the air with his thumb and forefinger. “I was this close to putting him in the brig and taking command.”
“So why didn’t you?”
“Maybe I wasn’t bold enough to go through with it. I kept telling myself to seize the opportunity, and I kept meaning to, but the right moment never seemed to arrive. Now I’m glad I didn’t. If this horrible existence has given us anything, it’s time to think about who we were and who we want to be. Guy Granger was a good man, and I’m proud to have helped him find Alice before he died. Today, I’m proud to help Nancy in the same way. If I had taken The Hatchet from Guy, things would have been different. I still don’t know why I didn’t, but maybe it was fate.”
“Not fate, James. You didn’t betray Guy because, when it came down to it, you weren’t that man. Thinking about something – even planning on doing it – doesn’t make it a reality. Actions define us, and you supported your superior officer and helped him find his daughter. That’s what you did, that’s who you are. You gave everything up to help me too. When people need help, you’re always there.”
Tosco looked at her and seemed to consider her words. A variety of expressions crossed his face, but it was a complete shock when he leaned in to kiss her. Maddy stepped back and dodged his affection. “I-I’m sorry, James. That’s not what I…”
Tosco’s cheeks were already red, and when he looked at her again, he turned into a stammering boy. “I-I’m so sorry, Maddy. I-It was just the moment. The things you just said about me…” He shook his head, like he was trying to get a hold of himself. “I won’t ever do that again, I promise.”
“No!” She reached out a hand to stop him from fleeing. “You don’t have to promise that. It’s okay that you… Jesus, I feel like a teenager. Look, James, I started the end of the world with a husband who I loved very much. I lost him, and it took a lot for me to open my heart again to… to…” Tears filled her eyes.
“Amanda. It’s okay, Maddy. You can say it.”
Maddy swallowed, a lump pulsing in her throat. “I’m still confused about the whole thing, to be honest, but I know I loved her. Then I lost her. Whatever happens next, it’s too early to—”
“I’m sorry, Maddy. It was unsympathetic of me. I suppose, with the way things are, taking things slowly feels like a risk. All the same, I never want to do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
Maddy hugged him. “You’re the only person left who means anything to me, James, so please don’t think you don’t matter. I don’t want to lose you too.”
“You won’t.”
A crack of gunfire alerted them both. They ducked, but their weapons were stowed inside the guest cabin. More gunfire sounded and the archers on top of the castle started shouting. There was no ambiguity about the situation. Demons.
“Shit,” said Tosco. “This place was supposed to be safe.”
Maddy had a terrible thought. “You think we led them here?”
“Damien drove us here after we saved his ass. If demons followed, it’s not on us. Come on, let’s make ourselves useful.”
The men Tosco had brought with him from The Hatchet exited the cabin, all brandishing rifles. One man handed Tosco his weapon, and Sarah, the female sailor, gave Maddy her handgun. Tosco shouted commands and everyone headed off in the direction of the gunfire. It didn’t take long to find out what was happening.
To Maddy’s surprise, a dwarf – although she knew that wasn’t the appropriate word – started barking orders at everyone in a broad accent. “Get on them walls, the lot of ya. Get on them walls.”
“We’re new,” said Maddy. “What can we do to help?”
The small man glared at her. “Didn’t yow hear me? Get on
