New Plan

Chapter 28

***

“I need a bath,” Holliday says for the hundredth time. “This place is giving me fleas or something.”

We have been camped out at the Hummer by the train yard where we parked the first time. All of us have been on edge for the last two days as the Twisters pick a new leader and everyone decides the fate of the 2 Mormon princesses.

Seattle snort as I roll my eyes at this comment. It is the same thing we have been doing every time he has said it. At this point I think he is just saying to have something to say rather than remind us of how dirty we are getting.

“Why don’t you give it a rest Holliday,” Saber says. He puts little force behind his words as he is just as tired and bored as the rest of us.

“Our welcome committee is here,” I say brightly from atop of the Hummer.

I have been sitting on the roof keeping a look out. I have been just a bored as Holiday. I blink to shift out of magnification, the bright sunlight dazzles me for a moment. I slip down the side, landing lightly next to Saul who has been leaning up against the Hummer trying to write down our little adventures of the last couple of days.

“Who’s coming? ” Saber asks greedy for more information.

“Some people,” I say in a bored tone. Giving nothing away.

“You’re not helping here,” Saber growls at me.

“Was I supposed to?” I quip back.

“Never mind,” Saul breaks in before we go any farther. “I can see them now. It looks like the Twisters. See there is Swanson,” he points down the street.

“And we got incoming from over here,” Seattle says pointing at the opposite street.

“They have us trapped.” Holliday snarls and whips out his guns.

Saber quickly wraps one of his big hands around Holliday’s wrist. “Let’s not be so quick to judge.”

I decide now would be a good time to get out of the way. I tap Saul on the arm and gesture for him to follow me as I climb back up to the roof of the Hummer. He struggles for a second to put away his notebook and then scramble up the hood the Hummer next to me.

“You think there’s going to be a fight?” Saul whispers his question in my ear.

“I do not know,” I shrug my shoulders. “but it is my hope that there is none.”

“I hate that -wait and see- attitude you have developed of late.” he hisses in annoyance.

I grin brightly back at him. “In that case, stay behind me until Saber says it is alright.”

Saul sputters but can’t seem to find the right words, I laugh out loud at him and pull his face to mine for a kiss.

“I mention the word bath and they are at it already,” Holliday jokes from his spot in front of the Hummer.

“Wishful thinking,” I mutter into Saul mouth.

“Hell yes,” he says back with a smile.

By this time the two groups have converged on us. Swanson steps forward and raise an empty hands in greet us.

From the other side Marcus steps forward and does the same.

“Welcome to Saint Louis,” Swanson says.

“We are all friends here,” Marcus says.

“Does that mean you’re not going to try stealing our car?” Holliday asks.

“Or feed us to your river monsters?” Seattle asks.

“Or try to kill us?” Saul asks

“We ain’t going to be doing any of that any more.” Swanson promises solemnly.

“We been talking, really taking this time.” Marcus says. “We admit we was scared by what them girls said to us. But you have been straight with us. And that damned green haired witch of yours killed half our fighters,” Marcus points an accusing finger at me. I try to look innocent in return.

Swanson ends for him. “So we are asking for peace.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Saber smiles like a proud parent at the two men.

“See, it was a good thing you took me along.” I say, sounding very smug.

 

 

End