The Fall (Book 3): War of the Living by Joshua Guess Read Free Book Online Page B

stopped just inside the gate, one in a long line that would be tended to as needed. He stood, stretching before attempting to climb over the tailgate. His broken collarbone was going to make everything harder.
    His feet hit the grass, but before Kell could take a step, Dodger called out to him. The man motioned for Kell to climb into his vehicle.
    “Come on,” Dodger said. “I need to report to Will, and I want you to tell him what you told me.”
    “Sure,” Kell said, climbing into the truck. It was a short drive, of course, a distance they could have walked in five minutes. Kell was thankful to avoid that, since his shoulder was throbbing and his body aching from two fights in as many days.
    They waited only a few minutes as Will finished up a meeting, and were ushered into his office as soon as the previous guests made it through the door.
    Will motioned for them to sit.
    “How'd it go?” he asked without preamble.
    Kell sat quietly as Dodger gave his report. It was detailed but not overly so, a concise summary of their encounters with the three Hunter groups. Kell even learned a few things by listening, facts he hadn't been aware of as a fighter on the ground. When Dodger finished, he gestured to Kell.
    “K came to me with an idea,” Dodger said. “Told me we can make chemical weapons to kill the Hunters without fighting them.”
    Will leaned back in his chair. “Did he?”
    Dodger nodded. There was a strange smile on his face. Kell was reminded of cats and canaries.
    “Yes, sir. He even had some thoughts on how we could deliver the gas to the enemy without risking even one of our soldiers. It's like he's some kind of scientific genius or something. It's a little suspicious, you ask me. I think he's hiding something.”
    Kell's heart began to pound, but before his brain could begin to process a reaction other than base fear, Dodger lost control and broke down into laughter. Will, seated across from the two of them, smiled as his defense coordinator wiped tears from the corners of his eyes.
    “Sorry,” Dodger said after he regained control of himself. “Sorry, man, but it was just too good. I couldn't resist messing with you a little.”
    Confused, it took Kell a few seconds to understand. When it finally dawned on him, he turned to scowl at Will. “You told him who I am?”
    “Of course I did,” Will said, an edge in his tone. “Did you think I would let you go on a trip this dangerous without the man in charge knowing what he'd be risking by putting you in the middle of a fight?” Will shook his head in frustration. “To be honest, I told him about an hour after I found out who you were. Dodger is in charge of the defenses. He needs to know everything I know if he's going to do his job well.”
    Kell fumed. “What right did you have—”
    “I had every right,” Will cut in. “You asked me to protect your identity, Kell. I've done that. But you're also a member of this community, which means I also have a responsibility to ensure your safety. Since you're also a tremendous resource, I have to make judgment calls. Things like telling Dodger who you are so he understands that the knowledge you hold is irreplaceable. You volunteered for this duty and I let you go, and it's because Dodger knew your identity that he didn't stick a gun in your hands and send you into the middle of the fight.”
    A heavy silence followed. Anger still boiled in Kell's chest, but was joined by guilt. He had volunteered, after all. There were only so many people good with a bow who could also get in close enough to use it without making noise. It was part of his duty to the community to do the job if he was suited for it.
    “I didn't think about it that way,” Kell finally said. “That you'd have to take extra precautions to protect me.”
    “I know,” Will said, the fire gone from his voice. In no time flat he had regained his composure, speaking with the calm control he nearly always displayed. “The fact is, you've