Yesterdays Gone: SEASON TWO (THE POST-APOCALYPTIC SERIAL THRILLER) (Yesterday's Gone)

almost black, making it impossible to see inside.
    “See anything?” Charlie asked Adam.
    “Nothing,” Adam said.
    “OK, let’s go for the front. Remember, do not shoot until you’re sure.”
    “Got it,” Adam said.
    They reached the back of the van, then fell from one another’s sight, each on one side of the van. Charlie kept his eye on the door as he closed in, gun aimed straight at the window. He hoped he wouldn’t accidentally shoot if Callie was in the front seat.
    He was about five steps from the front passenger door when Adam screamed from the other side, and then fell quiet, his scream muffled.
    “Adam?!” Charlie called out.
    No answer.
    Fuck, fuck, fuck.
    Charlie backed away from the van, rifle raised squarely at it, hands shaking, waiting for someone to run from Adam’s side and hoping like hell he didn’t accidentally shoot Adam or Callie.
    He never saw the shooter that hit him from behind.

    * * * *

DESMOND ARMSTRONG: PART 2

    The Sanctuary
    March 25
    5:47 p.m.

    Desmond stared in the mirror. It was hard to believe it had been just months since he left his home in Warson Woods forever. He looked like he’d aged a half decade, if not the full 10 times around the sun.  
    Desmond was fine living life without luxury. He’d lived plenty of his early years going without. But he’d be a liar if he didn’t admit to missing some of the finer things from the yesterday now gone forever. From the scalding shower in his finely tiled bath, to the L’Occitaine shaving bar and brush, to the ridiculously thick towels.  
    Hell, he’d gladly settle for the wine cellar and nothing else. Looking like shit was fine; feeling like shit, not so much. And he’d love nothing more than a bottle of Pinot.
    Desmond combed his hair back, which was longer than it had been in forever, put on some fresh clothes for dinner, then, like clockwork, raced downstairs and joined up with Mary, Paola and Luca, as they walked toward the main house for dinner. Linc was a few paces ahead, walking beside two brothers from the congregation.  
    Before Desmond had a chance to wish the group a good evening, Linc broke rank with the brothers, then fell back and into step with the Drury Crew. “Did you hear?” he said, addressing them all at once.  
    “Hear what?” Mary asked.
    “Will is leaving tonight. Not sure what’s going down, but apparently he talked with Brother Rei, and words were said, I dunno.”  
    Desmond said, “Who told you that?”
    “Brother Reginald. But Brother Mark told him.” Linc’s voice dropped to a whisper. “If Will leaves, does that mean we’re leaving, too?”  
    Desmond wasn’t sure if Linc was asking for himself, or if someone had sent him to find out. And really, Desmond didn’t trust him either way. Linc had gotten too friendly with the others during their short time there. He’d steadily drifted to his own side of The Sanctuary from Day One forward, and wasn’t really talking with the Drury Crew as much. Desmond felt bad for not trusting him since Linc had always been so nice to them, and had saved their asses more than a few times in the prior months. But survival meant staying alive, and that meant keeping watch over both sides of your shoulder. Linc was so spooked by what happened at the farmhouse, he was more than willing to trade freedom for safety. If Linc was comfortable living with a cult, he had to be willing to pay the rent, even if that meant turning on his old friends.  
    “I don’t know,” Desmond said. “Mary thinks we’re safer staying here. Why is Will leaving? Are they forcing him out? Isn’t there anything you can do to get Brother Rei to change his mind?”  
    Desmond didn’t think Linc had a shred of influence over Brother Rei, or any of the brothers for that matter. But this could provide a good indication of Linc’s loyalties.  
    “Would if I could, believe me,” Linc said as they entered the house and walked to the dining room. “I like the crazy old coot as much as you, but from the way I hear it, Will wants to leave. Was his idea to go. Said he had itchy feet and wanted to get to someplace where the spring would come up pretty.”
    “I haven’t seen Will since this morning, and he didn’t say anything about leaving, so I’m pretty sure that Brother Rei must have something to do with this,” Desmond said.
    Luca said, “That will be great when Will’s gone.”  
    Linc raised his eyebrows. “You know something I don’t?”