Free Apocalypsis: Book 2 (Warpaint) by Elle Casey Page B

the option we agree to go with.”
    “I’m fine with it, too.  But we need the person to act as the tie breaker for decisions that are stuck, and we need to figure out the specifics of who does and gets what.”
    “Let’s figure out one thing at a time,” said Kowi.  “First, the issue of tiebreaker.  We nominate Bryn.”  He looked at me as if waiting for me to say something.
    “Uh.  Are you sure?”  I asked.  I actually thought Peter would be a better choice than me.  Or even Bodo.  They were less emotional than I am and always seemed to be talking sense when I was going off, following my first instinct.  “Why not Peter?  I think he’d make more sense.”
    “You’re welcome to consult with him, but I prefer you,” said Kowi.
    I looked over at Peter and he just shrugged his shoulders.
    “I agree to this,” said Trip, “but only if she has plans to stay here for a long time.  There’s no use giving her that kind of power if she’s just going to be here for a little while and leave.”  He was staring at me intently, a challenge in his eyes.
    Trip was really putting me on the spot.  I looked over at Peter and he nodded his head, encouraging me to accept.  But I wasn’t sure what to say.  Can I promise I’ll never want to leave?  Do I even know what it would mean to actually live here?   So far it had been more like a camping trip than a lifestyle.
    Kowi must have sensed my reticence because he chimed in with, “I don’t agree that she needs to commit to the tribes forever.  I think it would be good to get some sort of commitment from her, though.”  Kowi looked at me and then Trip.  “Would you agree to six months at least?”
    Trip shook his head.  “No.  But one year?  Yeah.”
    So it’s a one-year commitment or I can see my ass out of the swamp.   I looked over at Peter again, and his eyes were begging me.  Bodo wasn’t there, but I had to assume he’d want to stay, too.  He was always talking about doodling on the house to make it nicer; I was going to take that to mean he wanted to make it more homey - as in a place he’d want to put down roots.  Buster licked my ankle, which felt a lot like moral support, and that was the final sign I needed to agree.
    “Fine.  I can commit to a year.  I guess we’ll look at this again when we get to that point and decide what works for us then.”
    Kowi nodded his head.
    Trip just stared at me as if he were trying to read my mind.
    It made me uncomfortable, but I stared back without flinching or glancing away.  Obvious and purposeful strength was important to earning and keeping his respect.  I knew that.  I wondered if he knew even this much about himself, or if he was a slave to his ego like most guys were.
    That’s where Bodo had it over Trip, as far as I was concerned.  Bodo knew who he was and could make a joke about himself without worrying about being seen as less of a man.  But not Trip; making a joke about him would probably get you beat down in a hurry.
    I watched Trip and Kowi standing side-by-side, wondering how two close friends out in the old world, like they apparently had been, could become such rivals when the world fell apart like this.  What had caused Kowi to become this calm and thoughtful leader, and Trip to become so belligerent and short-fused?
    Kowi spoke again, gesturing to Peter.  “We need jobs for the three additions to the tribes.  Who’s got a spot for Peter?”
    One of the Creek girls raised her hand.  Trip acknowledged her.  “Jen?”
    “What can he do?” she asked.
    Everyone looked at Peter, who immediately squirmed under the attention.  He seemed at a temporary loss for words, so I spoke up for him.
    “He’s very good at organizing and cleaning.  He’s going to keep my training schedule for all of us, so that’ll keep his brain busy.  But he needs to do something with his hands.”
    “And not cleaning the outhouse, please,” he said in a meek voice.
    Everyone