The afternoon wore on. His foot sore and the light fading, he considered his options.
If he pushed on, he should make the outer gate by nightfall, or he could camp once more and push on in the morning. His muscles thrummed, his legs like jelly after another strenuous day. He’d be cold and hungry because he wouldn’t feel safe with a fire overnight. Again. He glanced over his shoulder toward where the sun was about to dip below the horizon. He’d been so wrapped up in evading people and his thoughts that he’d forgotten to monitor the passage of time.
Dark clouds loomed, biting a chunk from the sinking sun and moving fast. Fear slithered down his spine. With a final look, he steeled himself, increasing his pace.
***
Cam slowed, his face hot and chest tight, his leaden feet even heavier than his heart as he made his way up to the gatehouse of xTerra’s outer gate. He glanced overhead at the storm clouds as the first flakes of snow swirled through dusk’s fading light.Shivering, he adjusted his scarf as the icy wind pushed him toward the barrier. He’d just beaten the worst of the weather. He sucked in a breath, his lungs aching in the frosty air.
The Outpost at the edge of xTerra’s territory along the only road in was left manned by at least two guards. Often four. Even overnight, one person would remain awake while the other slept. Maybe he could offer to stay out here when he returned to active duty. Cam had no desire to return to his empty place inside xTerra’s walls. Although he’d rushed home, his heart was elsewhere. But word would get back to his mother that he’d returned. He sighed. If only he could put off the confrontation—even though it was a major reason for leaving Nebraska.
He stepped up to the gate and rattled the hanging chain like a bell—the clanking sound louder than the blustery wind. Less than a minute later, the door to the Outpost opened, a pool of yellow light spilling onto the icy ground.
“Who’s there?” said a deep voice. A giant figure stood silhouetted in the doorway.
“Sergeant Walker, is that you? It’s Cam Montgomery.”
“Montgomery? We’d about given you up as dead. We expected your return over a month ago.” The towering man strode across the packed snow and unlocked the gate. He held it open just enough for Cam to slip through before relocking it. “Hell of a storm brewing tonight. You’re in the nick of time. Some trouble keep you out there?”
“It’s a long story,” said Cam. “But the Slains are all over. I spotted them half a dozen times in the last two days, and heard even more, though they didn’t see me.”
“Come inside and get settled. I was about to eat and have enough to share. You also look like you could use a hot drink. We’ll call the captain with your news.”
They crunched through the squeaky snow, and before they went inside, Cam released his snowshoes. He propped themagainst the wall just inside the door, shrugged out of his jacket, and slipped off his boots. His boots off, he wiggled his toes, rotating his stiff ankle in gratitude. He groaned at the shooting pain in his foot.
After the last few strenuous days, some of the swelling had returned. His hands and face tingled in the warmth. He glanced around for the second member of the Watch.
“I just took over,” said Walker. “My partner came off shift and is sleeping. You look beat. After dinner and your report, you can crash in the bunkhouse. There’s plenty of room.”
“Thanks,” said Cam. “I could use a full night’s sleep in an actual bed.” There’d been little sleep his last night in a bed. The image of Lissa and their lovemaking flashed through his mind. He shook his head to clear it, his gaze resting on a stove much like the one he and Lissa had installed, which heated the cozy guard station. He sighed. A wave of homesickness for her and her place rushed over him.
Walker poured Cam a cup of hot tea and set it on the table. “Take a load off.”
He dropped his pack in the corner and sat, propping his sore foot on another chair. Sergeant Walker stirred something on the stove and pulled out a pair of bowls and spoons. Whatever he was cooking smelled delicious.
Cam’s stomach gurgled. “What have I missed? Lots can happen in two months.”
The sergeant turned. “As expected, Christopher Winters is the new mayor. He’s perceptive and has worked with the different factions, smoothing out some of the hard feelings stirred up by the campaign.” Walker shot Cam a look. “The former mayor and your brothers haven’t been seen since, choosing to stay underground in their bunker. I suspect it’ll be spring before they emerge.”
Cam exhaled heavily. That was one less immediate concern. He’d seek them out, but should have time to do it on his terms. “And the Clarks?”
Kory nodded, an expression of satisfaction on his face. “They moved into a bunker the day after you left. They’ve been a great fit, and assets to the community. The old couple have already made several notes on how we can improve our food production next year and have a full list of buyers for piglets to raise next spring.”
That was a relief. “Have the Slains come looking for them?”
Walker shook his head. “But I’m sure their leaders know the family’s here.”
Cam nodded. “Has anyone else gone missing?”
“Just you. But now you’re back. I still need to call the captain and let him know you’ve returned. I expect he’ll want a full report about what you saw outside.”
Cam nodded, unsurprised. That was standard procedure.
Walker crossed the room and picked up a walkie-talkie. “Outpost to Wilson. Over.”
A crackling sound emerged, then words. “Wilson here, Outpost. Over.”
“Cam Montgomery just returned. Should I send him on? Over.” Kory looked at Cam and grinned, almost baring his teeth. He shook his head. As if the captain would insist on a night like this.
