Rocky Mountain Die by Jake Bible Read Free Book Online Page A

glanced at John and feigned surprise. “Oh, sorry, sniper boy. Didn’t see ya standin’ there.”
    “Ha ha,” John replied. “And she’s not sweet on Charlie. She’s been training him. I’ve even given her some pointers.”
    “They sure is trainin’ a lot lately,” Critter chuckled. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
    “Knock it off, Critter,” Melissa scolded. “Don’t stir shit up. We don’t need that right now.”
    “I’m bored,” Critter said. “All this runnin’ from Zs and runnin’ from the Consortium and runnin’ from crazies is borin’ the livin’ shit outta me. I’d give half my right arm to get back to my holler and just be runnin’ things the way I used ta.”
    He gave me a huge grin.
    “No offense, Long Pork,” Critter said. “I’m sure you’d give your left nut to have half your right arm back.”
    “How about we stop giving body parts and start getting loaded up?” Lourdes growled. “Stuart?”
    “Folks are already getting the gear stowed back in the RVs and the rest of the convoy,” Mr. Flips said as he came up to us. “Sorry to interrupt, but thought you should know that we can be gone in fifteen minutes, if that’s fast enough.”
    “I’d like it to be faster, but that will work,” Lourdes said. “Thank you.”
    Mr. Flips doffed his top hat and gave her a short bow. Always the showman, that guy.
    “Let’s do a head count,” Stuart said then looked at Stella. “You find Greta?”
    “She’s with Dr. McCormick,” Stella said. “But I need to go get Charlie.”
    “I’ll go,” I said. “If Stenkler doesn’t mind helping me.”
    “You really should get back in the RV and rest,” Stenkler protested.
    “Yeah, but I know El better than everyone here,” I replied. “Might be time to find out what the hell she and Charlie have been up to.”
    “You don’t think it’s training?” Stella asked.
    “Do you?” I replied.
    Talk more about the tanks. When will they get here?
    Okay, the voice has got to stop. It’s starting to make me a little sick to my stomach. Seriously. I think I’m going to barf.
    Everything waivers and wiggles and for a brief second I’m not standing out in a snowstorm. I’m in some dark building with the stink of mold and mildew all around me. And something else. I smell something else.
    “No, I don’t,” Stella said.
    “What?” I asked.
    No one responds. I mean, no one responded. I...I don’t know what I mean. Or meant. Or whatever.
    “Let’s both go,” Stella said.
    “I’ll go check on Dr. McCormick and Greta,” Stenkler said, letting go of my stump. “See if they need help with moving anyone or the medical supplies.”
    “Nope. Don’t think so,” I said, clamping my hand on his arm. “You can stay with us.”
    “Jace, let the man go do his job,” Stella said.
    “Greta is fine, I’m sure,” I said, not wanting the man anywhere near my underage daughter.
    “How about you come with me and check on Dr. Kramer?” Stuart said to Stenkler. “The guy’s been asking to see you all day. He thinks he can help with Jace’s head.”
    “Yeah, that’s great,” Stenkler said. “I’d also like to ask him a couple questions about these sisters of Elsbeth’s. I have a theory on their conditioning and how to reverse it. I mentioned it to Elsbeth a while back, but she, well…”
    “Stared at you until you wanted to pee yourself?” I asked.
    “Something like that,” Stenkler frowned.
    “She’s good that way,” I said. I looked at the burned-out building and smiled at my wife. “Shall we, my dear?”
    “We are moving out in fifteen, Stanfords,” Lourdes said. “Be in a vehicle before then.”
    “You wouldn’t dare leave us, would you?” I asked.
    “Yes,” everyone said.
    “Except Stella,” Critter said. “We’d find her, but leave your ass.”
    “The love,” I sighed. “It overwhelms.”
    You talk too much and say basically nothing of value. How is this possible?
    Tell me about it, strange