Page 46 of Claimed By Ruin

“Look, are you going or not?” I said, tapping my foot against the dry ground. When I realized what I was doing, I stopped the movement and stood firm, staring at him.

“I’ll answer that question when I understand why.”

“Jesus, Jack, can you just⁠—”

“Just what? Follow orders like a good little soldier?”

“Jack, are you going or not?”

“Yeah. I’ll go. While we’re on the way over, you can tell me two things.”

“What two things?”

“Why we’re doing this. And what Caitlin sent me for.”

“Fine. Be ready in ten.”

“Weapons?” he asked.

“Yeah. I keep a gun in the glove box, a knife on my waist, but I try not to take too much.”

“Because you’re worried Christopher will take them.”

I shrugged, though I was anything but nonchalant. I just didn’t feel like arguing with him. “Be ready to go in ten.”

I excused myself and went to pee for probably the fifteenth time today. The book said this was normal, but it was getting old. When I came back, Jack was at the truck waiting. He had his gun at his side along with two rifles.

“Did you not hear the part about not taking too much?”

“I heard it,” he said.

I just shook my head. We loaded three gallons of Elliot’s vinegar, some of the tomatoes from the bush, and half of a ham.

“I thought I said no weapons,” I muttered. “You know what, never mind.”

We got into the car, Jack insisting on being the one to drive.

“I still don’t know why I couldn’t drive,” I said.

“Because you’re going to keep your eyes peeled and focus on telling me what’s going on.”

“Caitlin wanted you to come because she thought it would be good for Christopher to see you here.”

“Christopher’s already seen me.”

I ignored the fact that I made the same point. “I know, but Caitlin says it’s important.”

“You listen to Caitlin now?”

“She’s been here,” I responded.

Jack didn’t take the bait. “And why are you delivering him your shit on a platter?”

“Because it’s better to give it to him and keep up the pretense than have him on the farm. Less dangerous that way.”

Jack huffed. “You’re giving in to him. It’s gonna bite you in the ass.”

“Eventually everything will, but for now it’s working. Up ahead,” I said, pointing at trucks gathered in the road.