Apocalypsis 04 - Haven

help.”
    “Sorry,” she said, looking at the ground and handing me the binoculars. “Stressful.”
    “We can’t let them kill any kids in cold blood like that,” said Ronald. “We have to stop them.”
    “The only way to stop them, is to kill them,” I said. “If you’re ready to do that, then get your butt out to one of those barriers and get ready to shoot.”
    Ronald opened his mouth to say something and then shut it. “I prefer to act as your guard.”
    “Okay, then. Just take your signals from me.” I looked at Jamal and he nodded. “Keep your shields up and your eyes open.”
    We all moved to the door. Another signal came from the first watchtower.
    “Two whistles. They’re within shooting range,” said Winky.
    “Let’s go out and see what they want,” I said to the twins.
    “Where do you want me?” asked Winky.
    “Stay here and watch our backs. If anyone gets through from one of the side gates or back, you take them down from in here.” I reached around my shield to grab hers and yanked it up. “Keep your shield up! Don’t leave your neck exposed like that.”
    “Okay, okay, no need to be so bossy.”
    “Do you know who you’re talking to?” asked Peter.
    “Oh, that’s right. Go ahead and be bossy. I know you can’t help it.”
    I tried to kick her shin, but she moved too quickly.
    “And where should I go?” asked Peter.
    “Behind the desk. You’re Winky’s backup.”
    “Seems kind of like the chicken’s position to me,” he said.
    “You’re the City Manager. If you die, all our plans for civilization die with you. You need to just stay safe.”
    He smiled. “You act like I’m the crown jewels or something.”
    “You are,” I said smiling back. “You are the jewels in the crotch of this mighty empire.”
    “You just called me testicles didn’t you?”
    “Yes, I think I just did.” I pushed open the doors to the lobby, stepping out into the humid air just as a slash of lightning lit up the sky not far away. The rumble of thunder followed about three seconds later.
    “Just a few miles away,” said Jamal under his breath. “What a night this is going to be.”
    “You aren’t kidding,” said Ronald.
    The twins lifted their shields and put them out in front. I stood in between them and did the same. Together, the three of us walked up to the gate to meet with the forward guard of the Bad Penny’s canner friends.

    ***
    We stopped at the fence, and the canners stopped about fifty feet from the other side of it. They’d neatly sidestepped all the traps we’d set for them, thanks to that traitor asshole Gail.
    “We’re here for the ball-biter!” one of them yelled.
    Jamal snickered.
    I nudged him in the ribs with the butt of my gun.
    “Nobody here by that name! Sorry! Time to go back home!” I yelled.
    “That’s not what we hear!”
    One of them pushed Robson forward. “Got a gift for ya! Little trade!”
    Robson took several steps in our direction. She could barely walk, she’d been beaten so badly. Her face was a mess of old blood and swollen bruised parts.
    “Ohhh, no. Baby girl, don’t do it,” whispered Ronald.
    “Robson, stop!” I yelled.
    She halted and swayed where she stood.
    “We don’t trade people!” I shouted.
    Robson lifted a hand and put it to her face, crying into it and dipping her head down a little, as if the effort of keeping it up was too much.
    “Robson does!” yelled a girl’s voice.
    “Oh, Lordy. That girl …” Jamal recognized her as well as I did.
    “Gail, this isn’t right what you’re doing!” I couldn’t see her. She was hiding behind a group of man-eaters.
    “You’re one to talk! That’s your ball-biter there, guys. Go ahead and get her!”
    Several of them ran forward.
    “Better stop!” I yelled. “Last warning!”
    They didn’t listen.
    A warning shot came from a watchtower and hit the pavement near one of their feet.
    That guy stopped running and froze in place, but the other one kept coming.
    A second shot rang out and hit the second guy in the leg. He went down with a yell, blood quickly pooling below him on the pavement. “They shot me! They shot me!” He sounded surprised.
    “Fucking idiot,” I said under my breath.
    A voice came over a bullhorn from up in a watchtower.
    Fohi.
    “Testing. Testing. Can you guys hear me out there?”
    “Who gave that boy a bullhorn?” asked Jamal, sounding mystified.
    “This should be good,” said Ronald.
    Fohi continued. “Hello, canners.