Free What Survives of Us (Colorado Chapters Book 1) by Kathy Miner Page B

mechanic.  Everyone had a specific role to play, and most of them had cross-over training in other skills – Levi and Tyler Kelly, the mechanic, were also the group’s cooks, and Noah, she was surprised to learn, had been trained as an EMT – his father intended him to serve as backup for Ruth.  Finally, there was Brody Sanders, who was a tactician like Noah’s father.
                  “Sanders is the son of a guy my dad served with in the Marines,” Noah explained.  “He’s only a few years older than Levi, so early 30’s, but he’s totally old-school.  He’s fourth-generation Marines.  His dad lived in Walden until he died from cancer a few years back – he was one of dad’s best friends.  Dad felt like it was his duty to look after Sanders, but neither Levi nor I like him much.”
                  “Why not?  Were you jealous of your dad’s attention?”
                  “No, nothing like that.  It’s like I said – Sanders is old school.  He fancies himself a real hard-ass, and in a way, he is – he thinks qualities like compassion and mercy are weaknesses.  And he can justify anything.  I’m pretty sure he’s the only man on Earth I’m afraid of.”
                  That surprised her.  “You’re not scared of your dad?  Or Levi?”
                  “No, not at all.  I wouldn’t want to face either one of them in a fight, but if I did, at least I know they’d fight fair.  Even if you beat Sanders fair and square, you could never turn your back on him again.  He’d put a knife between your ribs and you’d never see it coming.”
                  On the 5 th day of their isolation, Noah’s father died.  Levi came to the clearing to tell them, his face lined but controlled.  He looked a decade older than the first time Piper had seen him.
                  “He fought hard, Noah.  It gave him a lot of comfort to know you were here, even if he couldn’t see you.”
                  Piper rested a hand on Noah’s shoulder.  His face was locked tight, but he couldn’t hide the misery or the sheen of tears in his eyes when he looked at her.  He rested a hand over hers for a moment, then turned back to his brother.
                  “And Karleigh?  How is she?”
                  Again, Levi didn’t hesitate with harsh truth.  “She’s not going to make it.  Lucas is sick, too.”  This time, Piper didn’t have to guess at what Levi was feeling – it was all over his face.  He was grieving for his niece and nephew and didn’t feel a need to hide it.
                  “Jesus, they’re just babies.  Karleigh is what – 3?  And Lucas will be 9 next month, is that right?”
                  “If he makes it.  It’s bad, Noah.  Jenny is crazy.  We can hardly get her to eat or sleep.  She made Aaron take Caden to one of the remote cabins – they’re both fine so far, but Aaron is just totally out of it.  That little Karleigh, she’s the apple of his eye.  I took Max out to stay with them until it’s over, one way or the other – he’s got a comforting way about him, and he’ll make sure they both eat and rest.”
                  Noah’s hands clenched into fists.  “How much longer do we have to stay here?  We haven’t had contact with anyone but each other for six days, and neither one of us is sick.  We should be doing something to help.”
                  “I told Sanders you’d feel that way, but he says two weeks.  Before Dad died, he asked me to abide by Sanders’ decisions.  For now, that’s what I’m going to do.”  Grief flashed on Levi’s face again.  “And Noah, I’m sorry, but we can’t wait to bury him.”
                  “I understand.”  It was all Noah could get out before he turned his back on both of them and stood there for a moment, hands