Slowly she extended her arm and looked away as the researcher wrapped a rubber band around her bicep. “You may feel a slight pinch.”
The older woman held her breath until Tammy announced that she was done and removed the rubber band. She pressed a cotton ball to the injection sight and taped it in place. “There. That wasn’t too terrible, was it?”
She slowly shook her head. “No. I didn’t feel a thing.” She held the cotton ball in place and slowly looked around the lab. “Is this it?”
“Excuse me?” Carol asked.
“This is all you have to work with?” She nodded toward the equipment along the perimeter. “I think my doctor’s office was better equipped.”
Broussard stepped closer and peered into her eyes, a penlight in his hand. “I assure you, we have everything that we need.” He turned to Carol. “Pupillary reaction is positive.”
Carol smiled as she dotted the notes. “That’s better than last time.”
“We’ll check your reflexes next.” Broussard had her dangle her legs off of the edge of the table and tapped at her quadriceps tendon. Her leg bounced outward and he gave Carol a nod. “All good.”
“I should hope so,” Deborah said as she continued to tug at the oversized top. “How much longer will this take? I’d really like to be able to go back to my room and—”
“You won’t be going back to your room,” Broussard stated flatly. He turned and gave her a serious look. “Until we are certain that you are in complete control of your emotions and that the violent tendencies have subsided, you’re stuck with us.”
She slowly smiled and it didn’t reach her eyes. “Apparently, doctor, you have no idea who I am.”
He shook his head. “I honestly do not care, madam.”
“I am a United States Senator.” She slowly crossed her arms and all but sneered at the man. “I was a bitch before I was ever elected and graduated to Super Bitch after my first term. I was BORN with violent tendencies.”
Broussard hung his stethoscope around his neck and sighed. “So you’re telling me that it’s going to be that much more difficult to know if the treatment was successful.” It was more a statement than a question. Slowly his own smile formed. “I guess you’ll be staying with us for quite some time, then, won’t you?”
Simon chuckled politely as the other campers told their stories. He continued to poke at the fire as more people came to sit around it, slowly adding fuel until a small bonfire had formed.
He was listening to one of the hippie fellows recite how he was able to get away from a Rager when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Expecting Lana, he glanced up and saw Hammer peering down at him. “We should talk.”
Simon excused himself and pushed up from the folding chair. He let Hammer use his shoulder as a brace as the two walked toward his fifth wheel trailer. “Some of the other guys and I have been spitballing.”
Simon nodded. “About?”
Hammer leaned on the front of his trailer and slowly turned to face him. “We still want to leave.” He winced as his body attempted to cramp on him. “Trent may have planted the seeds of hitting the open road, but it took root. There’s about a half dozen of us that want to go.” He glanced at the others in the camp. “These people aren’t our scene.”
Simon sighed then glanced back at the boring folk laughing and telling stories around the bonfire. “I agree.”
“So you’ll come with us?”
Simon slowly shook his head. “Look, I just came from out there. There’s nothing left.” He met Hammer’s gaze and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “No people, anyway.”
“We don’t give two shits about people,” Hammer replied. “We just need a change of scenery.”
Simon nodded. “I understand completely.” He lowered his gaze and tried to find the right words. “But for right now, I need to decompress.”
“So you’re staying.”
Simon nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of trying to stop you, though.” He looked up at Hammer and their eyes locked. “If you need to go, I understand.”
“Why do I sense a ‘but’ coming?”
Simon chuckled. “Yeah. But…if you stay, just a bit longer, I think things will change around here.”
Hammer’s eyes narrowed. “How so?”
“My man is gonna take charge,” Lana stated flatly, appearing out of the shadows. “Isn’t that right, my love?” She slid up alongside Simon, purring as she ran her hands across his chest.
Simon seemed to waver for just a moment then nodded. “I wasn’t going to put it that bluntly, but…” He turned back to Hammer. “All the shit you’ve heard about me is true. But that violent streak that ran through me?” He shook his head slowly. “Let’s just say that I’ve mellowed a bit.”
“You? Mellowed?” Hammer laughed. “Man, I’ve heard stories about you and your people.”
Simon nodded slowly. “And all those people are dead or gone.” He glanced at Lana and smiled. “Now it’s just the two of us.”
“But a leader’s gotta lead,” Lana insisted. “And my Simon, he’s a leader.”
Hammer sucked at his teeth as the wheels turned in his head. “What do you have in mind?”
Simon glanced back at the people before he locked eyes with Hammer again. “We both know that Trent is too stupid to stay away.”
“Oh yeah.”
“So, we wait. And when the squirrelly fucker shows up again, I blow his fool head off.”
Hammer raised a brow. “And what will that accomplish?”
Simon smiled and it didn’t reach his eyes. “It will show the lambs that this old wolf don’t play.” He wrapped his arm around Lana’s shoulder. “They’ll know that their world has taken a serious turn.”
“For the worse?” Hammer asked, a slow smile forming.
Simon shook his head. “Just…changed. For better or worse is up to them.” He pulled Lana close and she ran her hand down his back, gripping his ass. “They’ll know who’s in charge without anybody
