“Have a seat, big guy.” Simon used his leg to pull another chair closer. “We can discuss this like real men.”
Tony gripped the chair and slowly sat down in it. “I figured you’d be mad.”
“Why?” Simon sat back and gave him a deadpan stare. “If you want to allow a woman to manipulate you, who am I to stop it?”
“Manipulate me?”
Simon chuckled as he sat forward. “Look, Tony…you’re a big guy. But I have a feeling that you’re more the ‘strong like bull, smart like tractor’ sort of guy, am I right?” Before the words had a chance to sink in, he continued. “She’s on a power trip. She wants to know that she’s screwing the dude that’s in charge. That way she can run things in the background.” He sat back and held his hands up. “I didn’t want the job. Hell, I told her that we didn’t need a leader. So she went and found you.” He jabbed at the fire again and sighed. “If you really want the job, who am I to stop you?”
“Wait…what?”
Simon leaned forward and met the larger man’s gaze. “Buddy, she’s using you. But if you want the job, have at it. It’s all yours.”
Tony nodded slightly. “Okay, well…good.” He glanced at his two friends, who were now giving him a disgusted look. “I mean…what?”
The one to Simon’s left turned and walked away and the man on his right huffed. “Man, the bitch is playing you.”
Simon nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, she really is.”
“But…I wanted to run this place,” Tony said.
Simon poked at the fire again. “So run it.” He withdrew the stick and turned to him again. “But tell me this…what are you going to do when we run out of food?”
“I, uh…”
“Or somebody tries to attack us?”
“Oh, well, I’d…uh…”
“Right.” Simon snapped his fingers to get the larger man’s attention. “If I were you, I’d have a long sit down with Hammer or one of the old-timers. Pick their brain. Then assume leadership…with them as your council.”
Tony nodded, his face a mask of total confusion. “Right.”
“In the meantime, feel free to call Lana yours. Tell her to pack her shit up and move it into your place.” Simon leaned closer and lowered his voice. “She really is great in the sack, ain’t she?”
Tony broke into a toothy grin. “Hell yeah, she is.”
“She’s all yours, buddy.” Simon reached over and clapped his arm. “Have at it.”
“Yeah.” Tony came to his feet and turned to Simon’s RV. “I think I will.”
Simon watched him stomp off toward the RV and couldn’t help but smile to himself. “Too stupid to know any better,” he mumbled. He gave a quick glance as Tony jerked open the door to the RV. “You both deserve each other.”
Jedidiah Proctor pushed open the door to the empty movie theater and escorted his new soldier inside and out of the bright sun. “Your brothers in arms are just through those doors.” He snapped his fingers at the infected man and pointed a finger in his face. “No fighting. Do you hear me? These men are your kin. If you want to stir up trouble, you keep it bottled up inside until the time is right.” He patted the man’s shoulder and turned him towards the double doors. “You’ll be able to vent that anger and frustration soon enough.”
He watched as the infected man entered the darkness of the theater and heard the muffled grunts and growls of his other soldiers. He stood by the door and listened, ensuring that each of his soldiers obeyed his command. Once the men had all sniffed each other’s butts and decided that the newcomer was just another of their kind, Jedidiah stepped away and pulled a bottle of water from the supplies stacked next to the concession area.
He pulled the black wool felt hat from his head and set it down on the glass display case. He sighed as he rehydrated and stared out through the glass doors. The visions had told him that there were many more of the Lord’s soldiers out there. The angel of light in his vision told him that they were all making their way to him, and he was to provide leadership for them. It was his duty to finish the acts that the cleansing had started.
Jedidiah had never before felt that he was an important man. But now? After the angel had come to him and granted him the ability to control these abominations? He had no doubt that his place in Heaven was solidified.
He had only to continue the Lord’s work here on earth with the time that was given to him.
21
Hatcher slowed the truck and turned to enter the subdivision. He came to a complete stop and smiled at the steel gates closing off the road. He was just about to tap the horn when a man appeared at his window.
“Who are you?” Hatcher studied the man’s face, trying to remember if he knew him or not.
“I thought you said you were in charge here before you left?” Rich asked.
“I was.” He turned back to the sentry. “Where’s Roger?”
The sentry gripped his rifle tighter and stiffened. “Roger who?”
“Roger who?” Hatcher repeated. “Roger Mulroney. The man that I put in charge when I left just a few days ago.” He squinted at the sentry then pushed the door open. “Who the hell are you?”
The sentry’s eyes widened and he stepped back, unsure what to do. “I-I’m David.” He suddenly squared his shoulders and thrust the rifle toward Hatcher. “I asked who are you.”
“I’m Daniel Hatcher.” He crossed his arms and glared at the guard. “I run this place.”
“Y-you’re Hatcher?” David stammered. “Oh shit.” He lowered his weapon and seemed completely lost. He snapped a weak salute then stared at him, still unsure what to do.
“Where is Roger?” Hatcher repeated slowly.
David’s head shook side to side. “I…um, I’m not sure. He’s usually—”
“Hatcher!”
Daniel spun at the familiar voice. “Who the hell
