Page 78 of Marked for Execution
We reached our front porch to find old Margaret setting down a tray of fresh vegetables. “There’s the lovely couple! I hope you guys are hungry. Some of the women were able to fertilize the ground really well this season.”
“Thank you, Margaret. You are too kind.”Siliwalked up to her and gave her a hug that lasted too long to not be suspicious.
Margaret looked over her shoulder at me while she rubbedSili’sback. She whispered something into her ear andSilinodded her head, pulling away.
“Thank you,” I told her, not sure of what else I should say to get her off my damn porch so we could get things moving.
Margaret walked down the steps slowly and placed a hand on my arm. “I don’t blame you. Take care of her. Her mother would have been proud of the woman she’s grown into.” Her eyes sparkled and she left so quickly, I didn't get a chance to ask her questions aboutSili’spast.
“Come on, Eliseo!”
“I’m coming.”How did old Margaret know Sili’s mother? Was she in the same community? How did she end up here?
Walking up the steps, I laced my fingers inSili’sas we unlocked the door. “Grab your shit and some extra, in case we run into trouble. Even the holey clothes, in case we need to make makeshift bandages.”
Silitippy toed and kissed me on the cheek before doing exactly as I instructed. Heading to the back of the house, I checked my weapons store and contemplated what to leave behind.We couldn’t move quickly with this much shit. We might have to steal the Humvee.It was the better vehicle, but a truck would help more with supply runs.
“Eliseo! You here?” Reed’s voice came through the front of the house.
“Yeah, he’s in the back,”Silianswered.
“Samuel told us what he learned.” The door slammed shut and the sound of the lock engaged. “Shit’s gonna go to hell in a handbasket. We might as well take our chances out there.”
“I never trusted these people. The doc was already here when I arrived.” Gunner’s voice came towards my location. Looking over my shoulder, I nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, crazy Otis has always been here,” I said.
“Why now? If he wanted to plan some crazy shit like a coup, why not do it already? Why wait this long?”
“Who the fuck knows?” I said. “At this point, who the fuck cares? We need to get out of this place before it happens. It’s about time Sergio steps up and takes command of this place. Besides the guards he posts by the front gate, we’ve never really had any changes or improvements.” Turning to the group, I stared at each and every one of them.
We had arrived at Ashborne at different times, coming from different journeys in life. The moment we clicked, we knew nothing else but sticking with the team to increase our chances of survival. Now, life had thrown us another wrench that tore us from what we considered a home.
Silence reigned, until Reed spat out, “I was getting bored of this place, anyway.”
“Bored? This isn’t the kinda entertainment I was thinking about,” Gunner replied.
“Eliseo’s leg was enough entertainment for a lifetime,” Reed chuckled, and I smirked.
“Collect your shit before I stick this fake leg up your ass. We leave at nightfall. The Humvee is what we’re going to take. It’s stronger than the truck. We might need the coverage on the way out, in case we run into trouble.”
Reed and Gunner prepared to leave. “You think they’re gonna shoot us down before we exit the gates?”
“It’s possible. For all we know, Crazy Otis has been the one who organized all the runs from the background, using Sergio as a front.”
“Alright, we’re going to lay low and keep our ears open in case anyone gets wind of the mission before we make a break for it.” Reed tipped his head up at me and exited the front door.
“I brought your veggies in,” Samuel said, leaning against the wall.
“We should eat before we go, get our energy up.”Sililooked to me for direction. My chest swelled with pride and fear. I didn’t know if I was making the right decision, but I knew it felt like a smart one.
“You’re right,Sili. See if we have enough to make some sandwiches to go.”
She nodded and left for the kitchen. Samuel walked up to me once she was gone.
“You know Hannah might go back and tell Crazy Otis about all this. Even if she doesn’t know the details of the plan.”
“Possibly.” We had no other choice.What was done was done.