Read Online Wormwood Dawn (Episode IX) by Edward Crae - Free Book Online Page B

the truck. “Drew, Eric, and Jake are in trouble. Everyone who is able is going to get them.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Cliff will explain,” Max said. “We have to load up the RV.”
    “Cliff’s alright, then?” Dan asked, happy to hear the man’s name.
    Max nodded. “Who are your new friends?”
    “This is Bill, and his daughter Linda,” Dan said. “Bill saved my life the other night. We ran into a little bit of trouble.”
    “I’ve heard,” Max said.
    “You killed a guy named Russ,” Toby said. “Somebody named Seth is very mad about it.”
    Dan winced. How did they know about Russ? Who was Seth?
    The gate clanked and Cliff and Gena stepped out. They were armed to the teeth, and Cliff was bandaged but seemed alright. Dan went to him, hanging his head low.
    “Dan,” Cliff said. “It’s okay. I’m fine. But we’ve got other things to worry about.”
    “Tell me about this Seth,” Dan said. “Maybe our new friends here can help.”
    Dan introduced everyone, glad to see that Bill and Linda’s presence didn’t raise any alarms with the rest of the group.
    “Come inside,” Cliff said. “We’ll bring you up to speed and make a plan.”
     
    “It was Mike,” Dan said after he was asked about the incident at Bill’s farm. “He was the guy I was held captive with at Robert’s house.”
    “I thought he was your friend,” Toni said.
    “He seemed like an alright guy. But I guess he was just worried about getting out alive. He didn’t stick around after we got out. He just left and went back to Martinsville, I guess.”
    “This Seth said he didn’t really care about Russ,” Cliff said. “It was the principal of the thing. He has a brother named Enoch who I assume is their leader. He said Enoch would be pissed. I think we’ve got some trouble on our hands; more than just a simple rescue.”
    Dan nodded. “Mike said something about this being their territory. I thought he was talking about his little group. I guess there’s something bigger, though.”
    “If there’s a bigger group,” Toni said. “Then that could mean a war. We can either pack up and leave, or stay and fight.”
    “Either way,” Dan said. “We have to get the guys back. What did this Seth ask for?”
    “All of our weapons, ammo, and food,” Cliff said. “And we have to get it to them by nine this evening or they’ll kill all three of them.”
    “Fuck that,” Dan said. “We’ll go with your plan, Cliff. We go early, get our guys back, and leave none of them alive. These guys seem to be everywhere. I don’t know how safe it’ll be here once the shit hits the fan.”
    “We’ve got the RV loaded up with the rest of our weapons and food,” Cliff said. “If we need to leave, we’re ready. Max, Travis and Grace will stay here with Toby. And I guess Linda will, too. Bill, you have no reason to join us. This isn’t your fight.”
    “The hell it isn’t,” Bill said. “Because of them, Linda and I had to leave our home. I know for sure they’ll be back and burn the place down. But I’ll stay here and help keep the others safe. I’m too old for that kind of shit. I ain’t a grunt anymore, and this ain’t Vietnam.”
    Cliff smiled, nodding. “You’re a vet, then. That’s good. I feel better leaving them here with you.”
    “Linda’s a good shot, too,” Bill said. “And she’s full of piss and vinegar.”
    “Cliff, brother,” Travis said. “You shouldn’t go, man.”
    “What do you mean?” Cliff asked.
    “You just lost your forearm in case you forgot. It isn’t fully healed. You could pop your stitches and bleed to death, or get an infection if you get caught. With no antibiotics, a septic infection could kill you.”
    “He’s right,” Dan said. “You should really stay behind. I don’t want you getting fucked up any worse. It’s my fault this happened to you anyway.”
    Cliff shook his head, giving Dan a look of sympathy. “Don’t blame yourself, man,” he said. “You saved my