She left and I tried to sleep.
They were lying -- not about meeting the people from the bunker. That felt true. They were hiding something else, I just didn't know what.
Chapter 22- Riot
Just do it yourself.
Itore the flyer off the nail and stared at it with disgust. The bunker boys had been hanging these up all over town.
REWARD $5000 FOR THE RETURN OF SOLDIER MILTON HAPSCHATT.
I crumpled the paper, and tossed it in the trash, and looked up at Munroe, the store clerk. He snickered from behind the counter.
"Yeah, I told them they couldn't hang that shit up in here, but then they handed me a few coins. I figured they can come back tomorrow and do the same thing over. What can I do you for, Riot?"
"Just need a few things for the shop. Cherry sent me with a list." I pulled the paper out of my pocket and slapped it on the counter. He took it and squinted at it through his dusty glasses.
"Let me go in the back and see what I can do."
The doors swung open with a loud squeak behind me, and I turned to see Boone storming in, waving the same flyer over his head.
"Man, they just don't give up, do they? Their man is probably dead by now."
He joined me at the counter. We'd ridden in together; he and Bonnie had been staying at Heathen Heights in their own room. I'd been invited to join them a few times, but I've been keeping my cock to myself these days.
"If he isn't, he wishes he was." I pulled my cigarette case from my pocket and stuck a smoke between my lips. Boone flicked his lighter and lit it for me. He moved close to my face and kept eye contact, making the act more intimate than it was. He'd been the one that was the most disappointed in my lack of libido lately.
"Facts. Those bunker boys probably don't have the shot. Plus, he can only keep that mask on for so long. Eventually, he'll need to eat or drink. Turning into a creepie is worse than death."
Munroe came from the back with his arms full of ingredients for food and soaps and other shit Cherry was currently into making. She went through phases where she'd make hundreds of something and then never want to touch it again. I was glad her current fixation was soap.
"She's keeping busy over at Heathen Heights, huh?" Munroe laughed as he put everything in a crate and rang me up. "I put the usual stuff in there for you. Oil, screws and bolts."
"Thanks, Munroe."
I paid the man and followed Boone out, hooking up the crate to my bike.
"I want to know why this one is so damn important," I told Boone. "I've lived here my whole life and ain't never seen them come this far away from those bunker doors, let alone stay. Who is this Milton guy?"
"I've thought about that too. He looks young, probably our age. They say he's just a soldier, but I think that's a lie."
Boone agreed and shut up as two of the black suits walked by, carrying their guns and looking menacing. They hadn't shot anyone yet, but they'd sure pointed their weapons around enough.
"Come on, let's get going." I hopped on my motorcycle and kicked up the stand.
We took off toward home and I spent the rest of the day out in the junkyard with Boone and Soda, while Bonnie and Cherry worked inside, making soap and whatever else Cherry came up with. I'd almost forgotten what was happening in town until the sun fell, and as we were walking back to the house, we saw men in armored suits again.
"Gentleman!" One of them called to us. I flipped them off and kept walking. I was exhausted, sweaty, and filthy. I needed a shower, warm food, and my fucking bed."Halt! Or we'll use force!"
I halted and turned
"Ex-fucking-scuse me?"
They glanced at each other. "We’re checking every housing area for our missing soldier. We'd like to go inside and search your home."
Boone and Soda moved behind me. My fists clenched and I stormed over to them. "I'd like you to get the fuck off my property. Your little bunker bitch is most likely rotting in the dust somewhere. There, I solved your question. Can I get that five thousand now?"
They cocked their guns but didn't point them. I laughed and reached for the pistol on my hip. I pulled it from its holster and pointed it at the one to the left.
