Read Online The Capture by Tom Isbell - Free Book Online

going through the town south of us. I’m guessing this is that train.”
    â€œSo that’s perfect. We’ll just get off there.”
    Hope gives her head a shake. “The town is run by Crazies.”
    She can see the hair rising on Book’s arm. And no wonder. On the march east, they came across a band of Crazies. They were scraggly and gave off a rank smell and looked like they hadn’t bothered to shave or shower since long before Omega. They’d somehow survived the bombs twenty years earlier and now lived a life of violence and squalor. A group not to be messed with.
    â€œBut now that Dozer’s on this train, he won’t want to get off,” Book says.
    â€œThat may be true, but we have to.”
    â€œShould we tell some of the others?”
    â€œExactly what I was thinking.”
    Hope is just rising to her feet when a voice bellows out, “Where do you think you’re going?” It’s Dozer,towering over her, arms crossed like a sultan.
    â€œBack to my friends,” Hope answers. “Do you mind?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I do. ’Cause it’s time we had us a little trial.”
    He nods over his shoulder, and Red, Angela, and Lacey sweep in from either side. They grab hold of Scylla, Diana, and Helen and toss them toward Hope and Book. The five of them now find themselves in the very middle of the boxcar.
    â€œWhat’re you doing, Dozer?” Flush asks.
    â€œHolding a trial. What’s it look like?”
    â€œIs this because of Cat? ’Cause the others didn’t have anything to do with that. Only Book.”
    â€œPerhaps,” Dozer says, eyes sparkling with mischief, “but they all have something to do with treason. And if you’re sticking up for them, it makes me think you’re on their side, too.” Just like that, Dozer grabs hold of Flush and pushes him into the middle as well.
    He orders the “defendants” to sit, and everyone stares at Dozer, waiting to see what he will do next.
    â€œOn trial are these six,” he announces loudly, gesturing dramatically to the group seated at his feet. “Their crime is nothing less than the act of treason.”
    â€œ Alleged treason,” Book mutters beneath his breath.
    â€œTreason,” Dozer corrects him. “Which I shall shortly prove.” Without taking his eyes off Book, he calls out, “First witness!”
    Angela steps forward. Her face is hard and flinty.
    â€œState your name,” Dozer commands. His legs bend and flex as he navigates the swaying of the train.
    â€œAngela,” she says confidently.
    â€œAnd do you know these six prisoners?”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œWho are they?”
    â€œHope. Diana. Helen. Scylla. Book. Flush.”
    â€œExactly,” Dozer says. “Hope, Diana, Helen, Scylla, Book, and Flush. And what did you hear when we were marching?”
    â€œHope was talking to some of us. Looking for volunteers.”
    â€œFor what purpose?”
    â€œTo help free the Sisters from Camp Freedom.”
    Dozer’s eyes widen in mock surprise. “And what did you say?”
    â€œI said I’d think about it.”
    â€œBut you didn’t commit to helping her, did you?”
    â€œNot in a million years, no.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause that’d be going against you. And you’re our leader.”
    â€œExactly. And that’s why you’re not on trial. Thank you, Angela. You’re free to go.”
    She shoots Hope a condescending smile as she steps away.
    â€œNext witness!” Dozer roars, and big-boned Laceysteps forward. She gives the same answers as Angela: Hope was recruiting volunteers, but Lacey wanted no part of it. She didn’t want to do anything that would go against the wishes of their commander-in-chief.
    When Dozer is done questioning, he calls Red to the stand. Red doesn’t have firsthand knowledge of Hope’s recruiting