Free 15 Years Later: Wasteland by Nick S. Thomas Page A

shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about. When I woke up, I had this on me. If it belongs to someone else, then I am sorry. If I could return it, I would."
    "Let me see those photos again," Red demanded.
    He didn't want to part with them, but he had to take a chance. Right now he had nothing to go by, and this got him curious. He handed them to Red, but the Sheriff still looked cautious and wary of him. He stopped at the picture of him and the other man. He looked back up to be sure it was actually Zed, but even through the passing years and dirt on his face, it was unmistakeable.
    "How do you know that man?"
    Zed shrugged. He had a theory, but he didn't want to share it, not until he knew what he was dealing with.
    "I told you. I can't remember. All I know is I have those pictures and this flask. The people in those pictures know me, and for that reason alone I have to find them. I have to know who I am."
    Red seemed to take him a little more seriously. It was obvious he knew something.
    "You know that man, who is he?"
    "You don't want to have anything to do with him. If you're smart, you won't go looking, and you'll stop asking questions."
    "Why?"
    "Why? Because that is Johnnie Walker."
    "Like the whisky?"
    "Ah, it's some nickname he got. I don't know why."
    "Well who is he?"
    "Some tough guy who thought he could be a hero. The Boss sure made him suffer for that. Trust me, don't show this picture around anymore, and don't go asking about him. It's likely to get you killed."
    "But I have to know. You can see me right there. I know him. I need to find him."
    Red reached forward and grabbed his jacket, holding on tight as he hauled him in close.
    "Look, I don't want to hear that name or see that photo again, and you won't go showing or talking about him around town, you hear? You do, and you won't be walking out of here in the morning."
    Zed couldn't understand where the hostility was coming from, but he held his tongue.
    "Don't push me on this. I am not a violent man, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect the people we have here. You keep your mouth shut!"
    He turned and left, but Zed noticed him look back and keep a keen eye on him as he went about his business. Zed climbed back down from the wall and back over to Rave. He was even more frustrated than before. He had found someone with answers, and yet they hadn't helped at all.
    "You see, they look all civilised, but they ain't no better than anyone else," she said.
    "They aren't trying to kill us."
    "Not yet, but don't think they won't. I'll take first watch tonight."
    "Come on, we're safe here."
    She didn't look convinced. The day soon passed into night. Zed would have been bored to death sitting there all day if he didn't have so much to think about and so many questions to try and answer. He was asleep before he knew it, and being shaken awake in what seemed like just a few moments later.
    "Come on, wake up," said Rave.
    She was shaking him more violently, and he eventually arose. He was exhausted and wanted a little more sleep.
    "Is it my turn already?"
    She nodded before lying down.
    He dragged himself up into a seated position against a post on the porch of the building that had been their home for that day. He was looking out into the town. Only the moon provided light, and there was no movement at all. A single guard sat on duty at the wall. He wondered what lay at the other side of town, another wall perhaps? It didn't matter. His mind began to wander, and as he fell deeper into a dream like state, his eyes began to shut only half an hour after being awoken. He descended into a deep sleep.
    There she was again, the woman, and the girl. He played the memory over and over again in his mind, and yet there seemed nothing either side of it. It was a cruel turn of events, as he could tell it was a fond and treasured memory. Finally, another came back to him of that woman with her arms around his shoulders and hugging him. The feeling seemed so real, and