Роберт Уилсон - Days Since... - Thomas - Day 758

“How did it happen?”

“We located her near a tree on campus. She was sobbing as she cut herself. We attempted to stop her, but she ran. She kept muttering to herself, but she may have been delusional. There’s no telling how long she’s been alone or whether she suffers from some sort of mental illness. She’s lucky we intervened as she might very well have succeeded in killing herself.”

“What did she say during the interview?”

“She spoke briefly of abandoning her sister,” Blaine replied. “I didn’t require her to elaborate. There wasn’t a need. She’s been through enough. It was important to let her know she has a way out. She provided adequate Intel, but wants our protection. Before we commit to finding her a job and a place within our world, we need to confirm that she truly wants a new life.”

“So what should I expect?”

Blaine took his notepad again and flipped through a few pages. “She said there are eleven women, a few kids, the Butcher, and about fifteen armed guards.”

That’s fewer than what originally thought.

“They’ve enlisted a few individuals we would consider civilians—a cook, a nurse-type, and a mechanic. The Butcher’s set up below the gazebo as initial reports indicated, and the sleeping tents radiate outward from there.” Blaine set the notepad in front of Thomas. “She drew a crude map of the area.” He traced the diagram with his finger as he spoke. “The tents where the women conduct their business are on the northwestern side of the gazebo. All of their valuables are stored within a U-haul parked near the playground south of the center. We’ve provided a map of the area. I’ll lay them out and ensure this information is available for the evening’s briefing.”

“Any details on weapons?”

“She lacked specifics but said there are ‘long ones’ and pistols. It sounds like most patrol with one of each.” Blaine withdrew the notepad from Thomas. “She stated the women have an agreement to surrender if attacked. The men expect them to fight alongside them, but they’ll refuse. You shouldn’t have to concern yourselves with them being a threat once the assault begins.”

“Any word on how the system works there? What do I need to say or do?”

Blaine peeled back another page of his notepad. “They’ll accept anything and everything. Mostly, they desire ammunition, guns, gasoline, water and food. She’s seen them take books and clothing but they don’t equate in value.”

“Books will have to do. We’re not going to arm them. We’re also not looking to engage with the women. We just need a way in.”

“Let me interview the kid, and I’ll attempt to speak with her again once she’s had time to rest.”

“I’ll be right here.”

Thomas looked on as Blaine entered the office and motioned for one of the Soldiers to escort the kid from the library to someplace more appropriate for a “conversation.” As Blaine led the other two from the office, Thomas decided to part the pages to his book once again. Shortly after, he found himself slipping toward sleep—the words fading in and out with each indentation that pushed the story forward.

His focus faded—the lack of sleep tightening its grip on his consciousness, pulling him closer toward rest. Thomas gave in. There was no use in denying the sleep any longer, not even the laughter from the office could keep him in this world.

“Dad… Dad… How you feeling today?”

“Hey, Tommy boy.”

“You feeling better?”

“Better… maybe… If I could just get a decent meal, I could get my strength back. The food here’s disgusting.”

“What do you expect?”

“For how much this is going to cost in medical bills? Something better than this slop.”

“Alright, Dad. I didn’t mean to get you all fired up. Did Mom come by today?”

“She left maybe an hour ago.”

“The doctors—did they tell you guys anything yet?”

“No. If they know anything, they aren’t sharing much. All they keep saying is that it’s some sort of flu. Doesn’t seem like they know what they’re doing—keep saying they’ve never seen it before—keep running tests on me. I feel like a damn lab rat in here. Look at how many tubes they have running into me.”

“Try and relax, Dad.”

“Yeah… Sorry. I feel like I’m going mad in here.”

“Let’s talk about something else then.”

“Okay… You still at school? How’s that going?”

“Good. Only another two years to go.”

“You know I’m proud of you.”

“Dad—“

“No, hear me out, Tommy. I know when you went to Syria I wasn’t that—I wasn’t that supportive. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t want you to have to go and do that. I was hoping your mother and I would be able to figure something out for you.”

“I know. It’s fine.”

“If there could have been another way—“

“Dad. Stop. I’m fine.”

“I know you are.”

“Can we talk about something positive?”

“What about James? What’s he up to?”

“We don’t talk anymore… I thought I told you that.”

“Yeah, maybe you did. What about school? How’s that?”

“Dad…”

“What?”

“The kid’s name is David,” the interrogator said, his foot tapping against Thomas’s ankle.

Thomas jerked his leg in response, and his head shot off the table. “Huh?” He swallowed then smacked his lips in an attempt to freshen his mouth.

“The kid’s name is David,” Blaine repeated. “He seems highly intelligent, wild, but could prove effective with appropriate conditioning.” He took the book from in front of Thomas and casually flipped through the pages as he sat on the edge of the table. “You don’t strike me as a reader.”

“Yeah…” Thomas rubbed his eyes and straightened himself up in the chair. His hand slid across the stubble of a day-old beard. “Why’s that?”

“Something about you Soldier types. Maybe you’re the anomaly.” Blaine pitched the book back onto the table—the loud smack clearing the remaining fog from Thomas’s mind. “This kid… You said he attacked you? Correct?” He took the glasses from his face and wiped them with a handkerchief.

“Looks like he got at you too,” Thomas said smugly, noticing a gash on the side of Blaine’s nose and a mark on his cheek.

Almost immediately, Blaine shoved the glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. “I made the mistake of trying to make him more comfortable. He’s surprisingly agile.”

Thomas let a short burst of laughter slip.

“He thinks very highly of himself—”

So you two have something in common?

“—Reiterated the idea that he spared the two of you.”

Thomas smirked. Let us live, huh? “I’d think he’d have to be pretty cocky to come after me and James like that, but who knows? He wasn’t conscious too long after we met, so I didn’t get to ask him. He tell you that?”

“He mentioned there may have been a few holes in his memory.” Blaine smiled, nodding slightly at Thomas as he continued. “He spoke of many things—admitted to being here for the Butcher and coming to the library specifically for books to exchange. Spoke openly on it…” He paused. “Perhaps too graphic at some points.”

“What’s the plan with him?”

“I’m uncertain that we’ll be able to convince him of our work, but it would definitely be worth the attempt. The boy has a brightness to him…” Blaine rested his hands on the tabletop across from Thomas. “I’m not sure how to explain it. He has value to him, but it’s currently misplaced. He holds loyalty to some other faction, but won’t tell us where.”