Free The Survivalist - 02 by Arthur Bradley Page A

“But I didn’t mean for this to happen. There’s no need for violence.”
    Alexus put her hand on the woman’s shoulder.
    “That’s for me to decide.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Did he hurt you?”
    She rubbed her wrist, hiding it like a child might hide a toy he had taken from his older brother.
    “Not really.”
    “Let me see.”
    The woman reluctantly held out her hand. There was a red welt around her wrist and a small bruise forming on her palm.
    “He did hurt you.”
    “Really, I’m okay.”
    “You know the rules.”
    The woman looked down.
    “I’m okay,” she repeated softly.
    Alexus motioned to Coveralls by pointing to her hand.
    He said something to the man on the ground, who immediately began to protest. Shaking his head, Coveralls aimed his rifle at him. For a moment, Mason thought that he might shoot the unarmed man. After a few seconds, the man rolled over and slowly placed his hand, palm down, on the pavement.
    Coveralls raised his boot and stomped as hard as he could. Only those closest to them heard the snapping of bones. Everyone heard the agonizing scream. Coveralls reached down and snatched the stolen watch from the man’s wrist. Then he walked back to the woman in the crowd and handed it to her.
    Alexus turned to Mason.
    “Are you familiar with Hammurabi’s Code?”
    “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”
    She smiled. “What could be fairer than that?”
    “Perhaps, but it must be administered in a just way.”
    “And was this just?”
    Mason looked at the man lying in in the gutter, cupping his broken hand like a kitten that had just been run over.
    “It seemed more about making a point.”
    She touched him gently on the arm.
    “Exactly. We were telling everyone who witnessed this that there are consequences for their actions.”
    Mason shrugged. The man would live, and there seemed no point in pressing any sort of self-righteousness. Lord knows, he had certainly administered his own brand of justice on more than one occasion.
    They turned and walked slowly back toward the courthouse. Alexus moved close and slid her arm through his.
    “Why are you here, Marshal?” she asked.
    “Like I said, I’m just passing through.”
    “To where, if I might ask?”
    Mason considered how much to tell her. He didn’t see any harm in her knowing his plans since they in no way impacted her town.
    “I’m headed to the law enforcement center in Glynco, Georgia.”
    “To see if you can help?”
    “Yes.”
    “That’s noble. Really, I’m impressed.”
    “It’s my job.”
    She laughed. “There are no jobs anymore, Marshal. Just things we do to survive.”
    “Is that why you set up the Free Militia? To survive?”
    “That’s one reason, yes. I suspect there are similar militias forming all over the country. The Free Militia is small, barely forty men and women. We’re starting with the simple goal of establishing an orderly society here in York. That’s not something to be feared, is it?”
    “I’ve fought for similar causes,” he said, thinking back to Boone.
    “I thought as much,” she said, squeezing his arm. “The truth is that you and I are not so different.”
    “Strong and good-looking?” he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
    “Driven by purpose.”
    He nodded. “Where are we going now?”
    “You need some rest.”
    Again he noticed that she told him rather than asked him. In this case, however, she was right. It was already dusk, and he was growing more exhausted with every hour that passed.
    “I could use a bit of down time.”
    “Let’s start by getting you fed. Then we’ll find you a warm bed for the night. We southerners are known for our hospitality.”



CHAPTER
    10
    As nightfall approached, Samantha grew more anxious. She stared at the broken doors leading from Outdoor World to the street beyond as if expecting a horde of undead to stagger in at any moment. Given the pile of blistered bodies already lining the floor, it didn’t strike her as