He really didn't like the cold.
Chapter Four
"We could use some of your hospitality for the night, John," Roark said. "We're headed down to Colorado Springs in the morning, and our horses could use a rest."
"Of course," John replied.
Stefan rolled his eyes when John's gaze strayed to Frankie. That seemed to happen almost everywhere they went. People were fascinated that the guy whose picture was plastered just about everywhere was alive and well and sitting at Roark's side. Stefan would have suggested they leave Frankie back at the Mesa Verde compound, but the guy really was a great medic.
"John Cretan, I'd like to introduce you to Frankie James." There was a wealth of pride in Roark's voice when he spoke. "Frankie, this is John. He's in charge of the Castle Rock settlement."
Frankie gave a nod. "Hello."
"I can't believe you found him," John whispered. "I heard you had, but to actually see him in person…"
"How's your healer doing?" Roark asked. "Frankie is a nurse."
"Our healer is pretty good. He was a doctor back in San Francisco before the mechs hit. He does a good job of keeping us healthy. We could use some medical supplies, though."
"Send someone down to Martin Steele's settlement with some trade goods. They have some extra medical supplies they might be willing to trade."
"Oh, that's good to know." John grinned. "I think we might have a few things around here we can trade. We liberated the stock of a distillery up in Denver last month. We figured it would be good for bartering."
Roark chuckled. "You're probably right."
He was. Alcohol nowadays was worth its weight in gold. Stefan was often amused by how quickly the simplest things in life had become so important and vice versa. Dollar bills weren't worth the paper they were written on, but medical supplies, nonperishable food, personal hygiene items, alcohol, seeds, and livestock had become the most sought-after commodities ever.
Stefan was shocked how much a roll of toilet paper went for.
The unfortunate part was that the other commodities that had become much sought after were weapons and people. There was a flourishing black market that sold slaves, weapons, and just about anything people could get their hands on. The ADF was working to shut the black markets down, but that was hard to do when so many people were clamoring for the stuff.
"Come on." John turned his horse back toward the settlement. "Maybe I can find a bottle of that stuff we liberated and liberate it." He chuckled at his play on words. "I'm sure that I have something that ails me and requires a good belt."
"I can't remember the last time I had a good drink," Roark replied.
"I can." Frankie sent Roark a hard look before turning to glare at Stefan. "When you got shot."
Stefan glanced away from the smoldering anger in Frankie's eyes. The guy might have forgiven Stefan now that Roark was healed, but that anger still lingered between them. It probably would for a good while.
He made sure to steer clear of Frankie as they entered the settlement. The little man had a fierce temper, and Stefan didn't particularly like being on the receiving end of it.
When they reached the stables, which were basically an indoor warehouse, Stefan climbed off his horse then went about caring for him. He'd never ridden a horse in his life before the virus hit. Now, he pretty much didn't take any trips without the four-legged creature.
He finished up with his horse, made sure he had something to eat and drink, then grabbed his travel bags and headed out of the barn. John's settlement was different than Martin's. Everything was built in a large industrial warehouse complex, or more specifically, under the complex.
With the exception of a few buildings, like the barn, all the living quarters had been placed in the basement levels. From what Stefan remembered from the last time they had stopped here, there was even an indoor hydroponics lab.
He was often amazed at the changes in how people lived now. Gone were all the technological advances they'd made over the last hundred years. There was no television or World Wide Web or cell phones. They didn't even have rotary phones.
Hell, they didn't have indoor plumbing.
All those doomsday preppers everyone made fun of were now the leading authorities on how to live off the grid, because doomsday had arrived. They recycled everything, grew all their own food, and learned to live without indoor plumbing or electricity.
A hundred years ago, their lives would have been ideal. Now, not so much. Stefan missed hot water more than anything. That, and pizza. He really missed good thick-crust pizza. He'd pretty much sell his left nut for a beer and a slice of pizza.
Stefan walked to the entrance of the underground facility where the others were standing talking to John and a few other men. It took him a moment to figure out what they were talking about, but when he did, his heart sank.
"None of the others know who freed them?" he asked just to be sure.
