Read Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus for Free Online Page A

it a few times on his lap. “I’m thinking we need to shore up our defenses. That’s how George put it.”
    “In what way? And what defenses, exactly?” asked Peter.
    “Well, to be honest, we don’t really have any defenses other than the natural ones like gators and stuff. So we need to put something together and try to anticipate what our enemy … I mean, the canners … might try to do.”
    My mind was racing with the possibilities, both of attack and defense. “We really could do something, I’m sure. To make it more difficult for them to get too close.”
    “That’s what I was thinking. So when do you think we can start working on it?”
    I held up my arm. “Well, I’m a little out of commission for building stuff, but I’m okay to discuss and plan.”
    “So long as you don’t overdo it,” said Peter. He looked at Kowi. “She passed out on the toilet yesterday.”
    I shoved Peter with my good arm. “Shut up, Peter!”
    Kowi laughed. “I heard.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Oh great. Paci’s gonna get punched.”
    “No,” said Kowi, shaking his head, “it wasn’t Paci.”
    I put my good hand on my hip. “Who was it, then?”
    Kowi lifted up an eyebrow but said nothing.
    “Oh, right. Yeah. Roller coaster whacko.”
    “Hey,” said Kowi. “Try not to forget she’s my girlfriend.”
    “Fine. Sorry. Whatever. She’s not the nicest girl in the world, though. You can’t blame me for being pissed at her.”
    “No, I don’t blame you. But Coli’s a complicated person. She’s just … a little lost right now.”
    “I can help her find herself …” I said, thinking about doing it with a nice upper cut to the jaw.
    “I’m sure she’ll do it on her own, eventually. But thanks for the offer,” said Kowi, winking at me.
    “So where’s Trip?” I asked, looking around the clinic. I knew he’d been hurt, but hadn’t seen him since we got back.
    “I don’t know,” said Kowi. “Haven’t seen him.”
    “He’s back at his hut,” said Peter. “Do you want him to come by? I’m going to see him later.”
    I looked at Peter confused. How come I didn’t know he was taking care of Trip? And what’s that all about, anyway?
    “Yeah,” said Kowi. “Tell him to come see me. I want to be sure he’s okay with all this. If he is, we can start planning tomorrow. I’m sure Nurse Coli will tell me I can’t do anything else today after this meeting.”
    “Sounds lame,” I said.
    “She’s just looking out for me,” he said, shrugging. He obviously didn’t care she was smothering him.
    Good for them . Even wackos need love. “Alright, so I’ll see you later.” I held my hand out for a fist bump and Kowi joined in. Peter tried, but fumbled around helplessly, so I just grabbed him in a hug before releasing him and walking out of the hut, shouting, “I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” over my shoulder. “Come on, Buster. Let’s go take a walk,” I said, patting my leg to get his attention.
    “Where are you going?” yelled Peter.
    “Nowhere!” I said, lying my butt off. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
    “Okay. Later.” Peter left going in the opposite direction.
    I practiced my quiet walking techniques as I headed out to the clearing where I’d first seen Bodo with Nina. I was going to give the harmonica in my pocket a try, and see if I could call any scary-looking pterodactyls over to me. The leaves crunched under my feet and I sighed, knowing I sounded like a herd of pachyderms moving through the brush.
    ***
    I reached the clearing where I’d seen Bodo working with Nina a couple times. There were gators lazing around near the banks and some long-legged birds out in the water, wading around looking for fish; but there were no big hawks that I could see. I’m not sure what I expected, really. A part of me had hoped to see her and another didn’t really want that. Maybe if she weren’t here it meant she was somewhere with Bodo, looking for a way to come home.
    I took my shirt off