\u201cAll right, Matt,\u201d Phelan said through tears of laughter. \u201cWe\u2019ll leave it at that, then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matt cast a hooded look at him and nodded slightly. \u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019ll leave it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thom arched a brow slightly at their silent accord, then shrugged and looked to Cameron. \u201cI guess all we have to decide now is when we\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like that?\u201d There was a hint of wonder and disbelief in Cameron\u2019s voice. \u201cJust like that, we up and go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like that,\u201d Thom answered. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to inventory what we\u2019ll be able to take with us for trade on the first run, too. That\u2019ll take a few days of sorting through.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNails. Axes.\u201d Matt glanced up from the anvil. \u201cNot sure if you want to take any real weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure there\u2019s not that many people out there that would be able to figure out how to use one of the swords,\u201d Thom said, brows knitting. \u201cThough you never know. You\u2019re right, though. I don\u2019t think we want to take any weapons for trade\u2014not this time, not until we know what\u2019s out there, who\u2019s out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a healthy level of paranoia,\u201d Phelan said, crossing his arms. \u201cThe community down where Holland used to be seemed fairly…welcoming, I\u2019d have to say. I didn\u2019t really stay there, but they fed me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thom snorted and shook his head. \u201cWell, that says something, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that we\u2019ll start there,\u201d Cameron muttered. He scrubbed a hand over his face. \u201cHow far?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s left of St. Joe or Benton Harbor, maybe,\u201d Thom said. \u201cDon\u2019t want to go as far as the city.\u201d He caught Phelan\u2019s flinch out of the corner of his eye and grimaced. \u201cPhelan said there wasn\u2019t much to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Phelan agreed quietly. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t. Maybe something\u2014someone\u2014survived on the outskirts, or the \u2018burbs, but the city itself…\u201d His voice trailed away and his eyes grew distant, pain lurking there, pain he so often kept hidden. Thom patted his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a trip for another time,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll network with the folks that are closer first. Then we\u2019ll go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a good plan,\u201d Matt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to think so.\u201d Thom set aside the whetstone and leaned back. Hope I\u2019m right, because if I\u2019m not, everyone may end up paying the price.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cAll right, Matt,\u201d Phelan said through tears of laughter. \u201cWe\u2019ll leave it at that, then.\u201d Matt cast a hooded look at him and nodded slightly. \u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019ll leave it.\u201d Thom arched a brow slightly at their silent accord, then … Continue reading