Free Fountain of the Dead by Scott T. Goudsward Page B

now,” Pierce demanded. Catherine turned to Pierce, hand raised and caught herself. Pierce flinched and backed down.
    “I will not risk a journey of this magnitude on a fatigued and hungry crew. We would be dead before the state line and I will not subject myself or any of my friends to that. You’re welcome to leave now Mr. Pierce if you want. We were safe and happy before you showed up and we’ll be safe and happy after you’re gone.” Pierce looked around at the crowd. For the first time, Frank didn’t have his hands on his guns; he looked amused at the fear in Pierce’s eyes. He smiled and waved. Pierce skulked off to the medical shed and closed himself in. Frank sauntered over to Catherine and kissed her on the cheek.
    “There are days, like today, I have no doubt why we follow you.”
    “Days like today I doubt it enough for everyone.”
    “It’s nice you got Pierce trained like a dog. He skulked off to a dark place to hide. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll lock him in for the night.” Frank whistled a tune and headed for the shed to keep the crazy locked away from the night. There’d be enough for that in the next few weeks for everyone.
     
    * * * * *
    The vehicles tore out of the gates under a cover of gunfire. Frank’s Jeep, one truck with a trailer hitched to it, and the SUV. Catherine watched through pensive eyes as the tail-lights disappeared from sight. She nodded to the towers and the gates were closed up again. Pierce walked up to her shining an apple against his chest.
    “Where did you get that?”
    “The doctor lady’s daughter felt sorry for me and gave it to me.” Pierce took a big bite, practically biting it in half. Catherine slapped him hard across the face; thought about doing it again. She held her hand to her chest rubbing it. The pain was worth it. Chunks of apple and spittle flew from his mouth. He looked shocked at her and dropped the remains of the apple on the cracked pavement.
    “You’ve disrupted our lives, maybe brought in some excitement and hope for this cure. Beverly has done what she can with the water you gave her, which was nothing.” She looked at him knowingly and rubbed her arm.
    “What’d she find out?” Pierce asked rubbing his cheek.
    “It’s water. No special properties. Do we look like we have a test lab here?” Pierce shrugged and looked at the apple at his feet and then stepped on it.
    “But we know better don’t we, Catherine?”
    “Did someone say something to you?” Pierce locked his lips and tossed away the imaginary key. “If any of my people get hurt on this trip--”
    “You told me, you’d take me out yourself.” Pierce said bored.
    “Don’t mock me, Pierce. You think you found a patsy for your little trip. I’ve dealt with far worse than you. We’re doing this so maybe this shithole existence can end.”
    “Please. Do you think I’m threatened? Or threatening? I’m trying to help,” Pierce said. Catherine looked Pierce in the eyes and scowled.
    “Have no doubt that I can and will cut you from crotch to throat and leave you behind as zombie chum if I have to.” Catherine stepped back catching herself. “And if I don’t have the strength in my arms to do it, I know 30 or so volunteers that will step up.”
    “You really don’t frighten me,” Pierce said. “You forget what I’ve seen in the swamps.”
    “Part of me just wants to choke the life out of you right now,” Catherine said as Frank sauntered over, scratching his chest with the barrel of his pistol.
    “There a problem here?” Frank asked.
    Pierce shook his head and wandered off. Frank looked down at the apple. “Perfectly good waste of food. Are you sure about this trip, Catherine?”
    “Why aren’t you out hunting, Frank?” Catherine asked.
    “Someone has to watch you riff-raff.”
    “You’re still fiddling with the Monte aren’t you? I want you to keep an eye on him, on Pierce.”
    “I’ll give you both eyes.” Catherine smiled a little. “I