Read Apocalypse Atlanta (Book 4): Apocalypse Asylum for Free Online Page A

safe.
    “That’s neither here nor there, and I won’t hash over what could’ve and should’ve been with everything going on.” Sawyer said after a moment.  “But Gunny, you can’t just walk out on us.”
    “I’m not walking out.  It’s been nearly two months, things are stable, and you’re effectively in maintenance mode.”
    “We still need another week before we can be certain we’ve got enough calories on hand to make it through to spring.”
    “The food’s out there, and gas and trucks to get it back too.  The scavenge teams know what they’re doing, same as the perimeter guards, the camp staff . . . I’m a fifth wheel at this point.”
    “You’re a leader.”
    “Maybe.” Peter shrugged again.  “Probably.  Okay, yes.  But there’s not a lot of leading that needs doing at this point; not from me anyway.  Everything’s going well.  I’m not kidding that things might get tough when winter settles in and people start getting cranky from the cold, but you’ll pull everyone through.”
    “We’ll pull everyone through.”
    Peter looked at her with his most serious expression.  “I think, right now, the best and most useful thing I can do to help the camp is to help Ellsworth speed their relief operations up.”
    “If they’re organized enough to have that much of what’s left of the government up there, then I’m not sure how much speeding up one Marine can offer them.” she objected.  “Even a Master Gunnery Sergeant.”
    “You know how hard the military got hit when the outbreak started.  Hell, your own camp census is proof enough; there are the better part of five thousand people here and excepting the people I arrived with, only a few dozen others who were active service — or recently active — turned up.  I might be an E-9, but odds are someone with an ‘O’ number should have materialized by now, even at least a fucking butterbar O-1.”
    “I’ll take you over just about any officer I’ve ever dealt with.”
    “That’s flattering Shellie, but my point is trained manpower is thin on the ground after all the turning and eating the zombies did in the first few days of this thing.”
    “All the more reason I need you here.”
    “I’ve passed my knowledge along and things are organized smoothly here.” Peter said.  “You can do without me now, so I’m leaving.”
    Sawyer studied him for a few moments.  “What if I forbid you to?”
    “You can’t.”
    “No?”
    “No.” Peter said calmly.  “I’m your subordinate when it comes to the camp, but my oath was sworn to what’s pulling itself together in South Dakota.  That’s where I need to be.”
    “Damnit Gunny, I need you.”
    “No you don’t.”
    She gave him an imploring look.  “You’re my sheriff and field commander.  I might be in charge, but if things drop in the pot a lot of people are going to look to you.  What happens if you split; where does that leave me?”
    “In charge, same as you are now.” Peter told her.  “Relax.  You’re doing fine, going to be fine.  People respond well to you, they respect your position.  You don’t need me.”
    “I need someone.”
    “Mendez has a good rapport with the camp guards, and Whitley has a surprisingly clever knack for keeping her eye on the big picture.  Either one would make a fine military advisor.”
    “I assumed you were going to pull everyone out with you.”
    Peter shook his head.  “I’m going; they can make their own decision.  I’ll let them know what I’ve decided, but ever since Atlanta we’ve all been volunteers with a shared purpose.”
    “What if they all do want to leave with you?”
    “I’ll do what I can to dissuade them, at least, some of them; but I don’t expect that to be the case.  Frankly, if more than half want to tag along I’d be shocked.”
    “Why’s that?”
    Peter checked the hallway reflexively, then lowered his voice slightly.  “They’re all good people, especially considering what