Harmonic: Resonance by Nico Laeser Read Free Book Online Page B

swollen lids. “Randall.”
    I frowned and opened my mouth to speak, but he continued before I could ask the question.
    “My name is Randall. I’m not worthy to be called a preacher.”
    “Is this about Margaret?” I asked.
    The preacher’s eyes refocused on mine as he nodded slowly. “Margaret and the rest of them. I hope this is not a test, if it is, then I’ve already failed.”
    Powell placed a plate of food and a fork down in front of the preacher. “You need to eat something,” he said. They exchanged a glance before the preacher picked up his fork, and Powell set to serving the rest of us.
    Haley and Sean joined the four of us a few minutes later, and although all the stools were full, we ate in relative silence. We each enjoyed the best meal we’d had in some time, and each dealt quietly with our own internal demons. I glanced around at each of their faces. They were all cut and bruised, even the preacher. Although his wounds were below the skin, they were still easily seen and would probably take much longer to heal.
    ***
    “Do you think someone will come to help us?” I asked, looking eagerly around the living room at the rest of the group and awaiting their response.
    Gary met my stare. “Eventually, the Army maybe. If the fires broke out everywhere though, then they’ll have their hands full for a while. Small towns like ours won’t be a high priority. Think what’s going on in New York, London, or any major city, Jesus—sorry, Preacher,” Gary shot a glance at the preacher, but Randall didn’t react to the blasphemy, nor the name. He remained lost in his own thoughts.
    “Think about what Hong Kong must be going through,” Gary continued.
    “We should make a few more supply runs, to make sure we have enough to last until they do get around to us,” Powell said.
    Gary nodded. “We should pick up weapons and ammunition too.”
    Each of us looked back at him, even Randall. He had everyone’s full attention.
    “This house is lit up like a Christmas tree, you’ll be able to see it for miles at night. Seeing as it’s the only place with power, you can bet people are going to head this way and try to take what we have,” Gary said.
    I wished that I had not eaten all that food with the sudden bout of nervous energy now trembling in my gut. “Would it help if we blocked up the windows?”
    “It wouldn’t hurt, but people are going to see smoke from the fire or see the truck on the way back here one day. It’s going to happen, it’s only a matter of when,” Gary said.
    “There’s a shotgun in my dad’s closet and a couple boxes of shells, buckshot, I think,” I said.
    “I’ll do whatever I can to help,” came an unfamiliar voice.
    I turned as Sean continued in a steady and even tone. It was no longer the frantic tone of a frightened man trying to fight back a malicious mob, but of a gentle and loving father, a tone that reminded me of my own father.
    “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for Haley and me. If there’s any way I can repay you, all of you, then let me know,” he said.
    Haley held on to her father’s hand as he said his piece and as I daydreamed of my own family, my father, and Sam. I thought about how close Haley had been to losing her father, and the sadness of my own loss crept up into the back of my throat. If we had accomplished nothing else, we had saved Sean and his daughter from the church and whatever madness had followed the gunshots as we drove away.
    The look of horror on Haley’s face snapped me awake and away from superimposed memories. I watched her terrified eyes and traced her gaze to Gary’s lips as he continued to outline plans for arming our group and defending the house with lethal force.
    “Gary,” I called and gestured toward the little girl clutching her father’s hand. “I think we’re scaring her.”
    Confusion spread across his face, his expression clearly defining a single thought, but she’s deaf, and then the realization