It would be almost odd traveling without Peter and Ricky since any time we've had to split up for anything, we've typically worked together as a team together and seldom split up until under extreme circumstances and if it was really necessary. I've worked with Justine the majority of the time since he was my partner, however, I also sometimes work with Peter or Diana.
The mere mention of Diana's name almost brought me emotions. I bit my lower lip and stared longingly at my hands, which were perfectly tucked in my lap, trying not to fidget. But I couldn't help myself. Her fateful minutes came flooding back to me in excruciating detail.
As she fought to keep going, I could hear her heavy breathing. Her blood was soaking through her clothing, and I could smell it. When she recognized we were abandoning her behind, I could see the dread and hopelessness in her eyes. Not Mikaella, but she should still re
Justine came to a halt, and Ricky collided with him, his eyes widening as he decided to walk away swiftly."You really ought to comprehend something," he ominously said. "I am the group's leader. I looked up highly to you Ricky not only as a brother but as a potential leader as well. But if you continue acting like you're not on your sanity, then I'm afraid I would have to do something. Now, if you don't like that then, you and Mikaella are encouraged to remain.""Clementia will not let you-"Justine guffawed. "Clementia understands her position in this division, and you must learn yours. Peter and I are in command, and he concurs with me. Ricky, you're out of Goddamn good fortune. This is what's going on.""You're frightening her," Ricky said solemnly. "I'm not a moron, Justine. You're attempting to frighten her so you can abandon
Justine stopped for a moment. "I'm not confident whether we'll remain for the evening," he said. "It's still early in the morning, and we may get a few more hours of driving in." We have to go to New York."Lesley cocked her brow. "What about New York? You're going to need all of your stamina and energyif you want to get there. Why don't you all spend the evening and help me out around the cattle ranch a little bit, and we'll get you some delicious food, an excellent night's sleep, and a wonderful breakfast to start you leaving tomorrow?"Stull, Justine pulled back. Ricky and Mikaella both looked at him with startled eyes."Please, just let us remain for one overnight, dude! New York is not going away. Besides, I know you want a delicious sirloin just like the remaining of us."Justine cracked a beaming smile. "Yeah sure, we'
"We're aware of the consequences," Justine stated knowledgeably. "But not all of us will be heading," he said, looking at Ricky and Mikaella. "Those two will be going to have to stay in a nearby establishment, where they will be safe, and soundand we will not have to be concerned about them. Ricky's capable too, but he needs to look after Mikaella.The remaining of us is far more competent than we appear.""You appear competent," Kelly said, casting a skeptical glance our way. "But some of you don't, I'm sure. I'm not sure what your arrangements are, but you'd be much safer remaining and stayingin the neighborhood and helping us out on the homestead. Lesley's leg is deteriorating, and even more so with the impending cold, and we're going to need every support and assistance we might get.""He's correct," Lesley stated. "You're free and welcome to remainhere and help out to make
I rolled my eyes and entered the family room, where the others had congregated. Justine indicated the place next to him on the sofa, and I gladly sat down, allowing him to throw his arm around me and bring me in deeper. I kept an eye on the threshold, waiting for Peter and Ricky to emerge. It was already getting late outside, and I would not want them to be out there unaccompanied for too long, even when they were still on the premises. I squeezed my hands together, attempting to restore some heat to them. My nose was runny and burning now that I was no longer chilly, and I prayed there was a heater or any hearth nearby. Ugh! So much for this particular day. I beamed gratefully at Justine as he took a comforter from the back of the sofa and put it over me. To create a fire, it would have to do without a chimney or any furnace. My skin was tingling from being outdoors for so long. I'm simply grateful we've been doing a couple of complex hard work and manual effort to keep ourselves wa
"Sure, I respect and trust you," I answered with a chuckle. "I think it's great that you're willing to discuss it and be willing to understand with us.""I've had this discussion with fresh acquaintances hundreds of times previously. I'm pleased you're okay with it. Even though you are basically random people to me, it makes a huge difference to me. An aspect of me even loves discussing such topics. It's one of the primary reasons I would like to become a mental health professional: to lend a hand to fellow troubled children come to find a way to deal with who and what they are, even when society expects them it's unrealistic and extremely difficult.""That's very refreshing," Peter said. "I'm sure you'll be outstanding at it."Kelly smirked. "I suspect I'll ever have the opportunity to serve people again. It's difficult to assist individuals who are no longer alive."I nearly opened my lips, but Peter's glance made me close them. I'm not certain what damage it would do to inform Kel
"You'd be correct," Justine murmured as she stood at the threshold. He brought Lesley with him. His facial wrinkles were murkier than normal, leaving him to seem much older. "Lesley is looking for anybody who is prepared to assist him in forming a search and rescue team and finding John. He may be a jerk, but it's not fair to let him perish from visibility out there, particularly when there are plenty of qualified individuals in here to assist in his search."Peter sighed. "Are you sure you're willing to do that? Are you for real? Did you forget he's a freaking pussy? That dude's no doubt a sociopath. He's relieved that the world has come to an end. Didn't you remember him saying that? We'd be greater off without him.""But we won't be here indefinitely," Justine calmly said. "And Lesley and Kelly won't be capable to operate this property on their own for much longer. John doesn't really do anything around here, but it's one less thing for them to worry about. The weather isn't too a
The door swung open as Peter yanked on the doorknob. The door screamed as he grumbled from the exertion. He took a step back and flashed his spotlight into the entryway, searching for signs of life. Because nothing ever changed, he returned my gaze. "Hurry up. Let's come inside.""Should we scream for that brute's name?" I inquired.I'm not certain I intended to go inside this underground. It seemed to be a bit spooky, and there's no knowing what was under there. Perhaps the proprietor was heavily guarded or maybe rigged with explosives the whole establishment. We may blast our heads off or be skewered by anything!"We might, but I'd want to have a look around. His tracks went up to the entrance, indicating that he is within someplace. But there really is no knowing what we'll discover once we get down here. Except if John got them back up while attempting to hide out elsewhere, a profound vault like this is constrained to have stockpiles of some kind.""I'm curious whatever he does o
I raised my handgun. There's no time to start making a leisurely, methodical scan of the chamber like in the cellar. So, Peter wrenched the door wide open and walked inside, his handgun up, ready to take out any remaining rottens. I'm close behind him, moving up on his right so we could keep an eye on each other's backs.The entertainment room resembled a warped version of the chamber where the girls were being imprisoned. Shackles dangling from the ceiling and were chained to the partition to prevent his little entertainment from escaping and eating him. There were now two unsavory visitors in his lounge room. One was shackled to the furthest facade, while the other was fastened to a lengthy podium, like in Dr. Melendez's tests. I trembled simply gazing at them, thinking what atrocities John had perpetrated while imprisoned here."There it is, dangling on a handle."Following his eyes, I saw a house key twisted around a handle on the distant partition."We'll have to get that rotten