He opened the door to the RV and stepped inside, praying that Tony didn’t try to call his bluff.
Jedidiah Proctor stepped out of the movie theater and turned to the east. He smiled as the rising sun’s rays warmed his face. The early fall chill was quickly fading from the morning air and he stepped out onto the sidewalk, inhaling deeply of the clean fresh air.
“What a glorious morning.” He pulled the flat-brimmed hat from his head and bowed slightly while he silently recited his morning prayers.
Once he had finished he stood and squared his shoulders. The angel of light had come to him again in his dreams and told him where to find more of the Lord’s soldiers.
He knew from the vision that he had to go north. Where 550 crossed 528, a contingent of potential soldiers would converge. If he wasn’t present to stop them, they would attack and kill each other. The waste of flesh and muscle would be intolerable and he simply could not allow that to happen.
He glanced at his watch then peered at the quickly rising sun. “I’m going to need transportation.” He glanced around the area at the abandoned cars and sighed. He hated the idea of using one of the very reasons that God sent this plague upon his greatest creation, but time was not a luxury he could afford.
He turned and stared at the doors of the movie theater before marching off to search for a vehicle that would start. He had little time to waste.
23
“Vic said you were back.” Hank slapped Hatcher across the back a bit too hard before Wally stepped in and bear hugged him.
“We missed you, man.”
“Let. Me. Down,” Hatcher grunted. When his feet hit the ground he stepped back and blinked at the two. “Seriously? It’s not like I was gone that long.”
“We just really missed ya,” Hank flushed. “Not to spread rumors, but Roger is a bit of a stick in the mud.”
“He was a cop.” Hatcher stretched his back, trying to get feeling back in his extremities. “They’re not known for their sense of humor.”
Wally snapped his fingers. “I bet Candy has his nuts in a vice.”
“Enough about Roger’s nuts.” Hatcher held a hand up to stop them. “Tell me you actually needed something.”
Wally cleared his throat. “Will has us hitting any place in a twenty mile radius that might have solar panels. He’s on this kick and…”
Hank stepped closer. “I want to use that big assed truck you brought back.”
Hatcher raised a brow. “My truck?”
“The big diesel. That thing could pull a huge trailer.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “We’ve been using that half-ton over there, and it’s just too much strain.”
“Strain?” Hatcher shook his head. “Solar panels weigh nothing.”
Hank gave Wally a knowing look. “The way Will is going on about ‘power consumption’ and ‘battery life,’ I think he’s wanting to re-roof the houses with them.”
“Rather than make ten trips, we could do it all in one or two with the bigger truck.”
Hatcher scoffed. “Guys, there are literally a hundred million vehicles available. There are semis and deuce and halfs and…” He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Take the truck. Keys should be in it.”
“Yes!” Hank hissed. “Thanks, Hatch. You’re the man!”
Wally spun on Hank. “I’m driving!”
“The hell you are!”
Hatcher watched the two argue as they trotted towards the truck, each pushing the other away from the driver’s door.
“They’re more like little kids every day,” Candy stated, catching Hatcher off guard.
“I didn’t hear you.” He pulled her into a hug. “And you look…”
“I swear to god, if you say fatter, I’m gonna punch you.”
He shook his head, fighting a smile. “I was gonna say that you’re glowing, but I think I’ll settle on something safer like, ‘healthy.’”
“Smart move.” Candy fell into step with him as he crossed the street. “I heard you found another survivor out there.”
“Yup.” Hatcher paused outside Vicky’s door and thought about Missy. “She was a spitfire, I’ll give her that.”
“And you didn’t bring her back?” Candy gave him a cautious look.
Hatcher fought a smile. “Let’s just say that she found somebody that interested her at the other camp.”
“The one outside Orem.”
“Correct.” He turned and searched the area, hoping to spot Rich. “I brought one of theirs back with me. He’s out there…somewhere.”
Candy planted her hands on her hips and gave him a stern look. “Do you really think that was smart? We don’t know this guy.”
Hatcher held a hand up to stop her. “They offered us a hot meal and a safe night’s rest. They invited me to join them, and when I told them about what we were doing, they were interested.” He exhaled slowly and gave her a knowing look. “We have to start trusting people at some point. If we can give them ideas that make life easier for them, I say we help.”
“Hatcher, that sounds good in practice, but look at what people have been reduced to.”
He studied her a moment. “And how many of the cured have you allowed in?”
“That’s different.”
“How?” He didn’t like flipping the tables on her but felt it was necessary to drive home the message.
“They straggle in one or two at a time. They usually have one foot in the grave already.” She shook her head. “We’re saving them, and they’re not a threat.”
“And I brought one guy with me. One.” He pointed to the tops of the greenhouses. “He’s probably out there right now, checking out the gardens. He’s not a threat. He just wants to see what we’re doing so he can help his people have a better life.”
She pursed her lips and slowly shook her head. “I just have an uneasy feeling.”
“Relax.” Hatcher placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s probably just the hormones…” He froze and gave her a weak smile. “I didn’t mean to say
