Isolation by Jones, Nathan (the first e reader .TXT) 📗

and working together, children laughing, and public parks and other similar spaces full of people gathered to prepare group meals, trade, and socialize.

The people of Stanberry had embraced Gen and Billy with open arms since they'd fled the Norsons' house for the safety of town, and most of these people felt more like family than friends.

Which was why it saddened her to hear Nick and their friends in the quarantine camp, even Ellie and Hal, talk about the town. They weren't here and couldn't see the wonderful things these good people had accomplished, couldn't appreciate that they just wanted to be left alone to try to get through this, but were still willing to do everything they could to help out the refugees in the quarantine camp.

From the outside, all they saw was the paranoia and isolationism.

That was why Gen was so disappointed that Darby hadn't let Ellie's group come into town; if her friends could just see the warmth and cooperation within the barricades, they'd understand what a wonderful place Stanberry was. How vital it was to protect these good people from monsters like Jay.

Of course, not everyone in Stanberry was sweetness and sunshine; actually, a big part of the reason the people in the camp might not like them was walking down the street towards Gen right at that moment.

“Back from that sideshow at the quarantine camp?” Darrel called as he came within earshot, and Gen bit back a groan as he changed directions to head their way.

“That “sideshow” was a very sweet and romantic ceremony for two of our friends,” Winn replied, showing her characteristic patience.

“I'm sure it was,” the leader of the town's patrols said. “Feldman, or I guess Westmont now, is just the prime example of a sweet blushing bride.” His sneer abruptly turned to a scowl. “You know, I should make all you idiots who left the barricades to attend the festivities go through another quarantine period. I would, too, if my cousin hadn't graced the wedding with his presence . . . the Mayor hardly has the time to be twiddling his thumbs at home.”

Gen bit back a scowl at the man's unkind words. She'd noticed Darrel referenced his relationship to Darby more and more these days; maybe he realized people were getting sick of his BS and was leaning harder on his one claim to authority.

She wasn't the only one irritated. “If that's all you have to say, I suppose that means this is just a social call, so good day,” Bruce said stiffly, starting to walk around him.

“Not completely a social call.” Darrel jerked his head towards Gen, making her jump. “Did you forget you're on the roster for a sentry shift on the southern barricades in ten minutes? With you out wasting time I thought you wouldn't show, so I was about to find someone else to replace you.”

“I'll be there,” she said, some stiffness in her own tone.

She'd never considered herself very aggressive or confrontational, just the opposite really. But with Jay threatening her town, including her and her son, she'd realized there was something she'd be willing to fight for.

At first her only weapon during sentry shifts had been binoculars, so she could call in a warning if she spotted trouble coming. But with Nick's shootout with Jay and then the bald maniac burning down the outlying houses and threatening to do even worse, she'd found herself joining the town's firearms training sessions every evening, learning to shoot the big hunting .30-06 she'd started borrowing from Bruce for her shifts.

She hated the thought of shooting someone, and honestly the big gun was so unwieldy and had such frightening recoil that even with some practice she had her doubts about whether she actually could.

But if the Wensbrook maniacs thought they were going to sneak into Stanberry again and burn down the house Billy was sleeping in, or try anything else to hurt her and her son and their friends, she was determined to be ready to stop them.

Although she hoped Nick was able to keep them far away. And that he'd stay safe in the process; part of the reason she'd asked to be put on the southern barricade was so that she could see the quarantine camp and catch the occasional glimpse of him.

Maybe it was a bit pathetic to admit, but at the moment even that was a highlight of her day; she and her boyfriend had even exchanged waves a few times.

Darrel nodded curtly and walked off. As he disappeared down the street Winn patted Gen on the shoulder. “Go ahead and head to the barricades. We'll go get your gear and bring it to you, and of course watch Billy during your shift.”

“Thanks,” Gen said, briefly hugging the older woman. Then she turned around and hurried back to the barricade, climbing up onto the walkway and nodding to the people on shift she passed as she made her way to her post.

It was empty, the previous sentry already gone. Darrel wouldn't be happy about that; he'd probably yell at both her and the sentry who'd abandoned his post before being relieved. Assuming either of them told him.

She settled down, squinting south into the distance in search of any potential threats. It felt pointless without her binoculars, even though she had decent eyesight, but an unmagnified view was better than nothing.

To her surprise, though, she did spot something worth reporting: a pickup truck coming into view along the south road, well beyond the quarantine camp. Probably just outside the survivor patrol route, within easy shooting range, although so far she didn't hear any gunfire.

Gen reached for her radio, then remembered it was with the rest of the gear Winn was bringing her. She turned to the nearest sentry and raised her voice. “You see that truck?”

The man curtly pointed at the radio he held to his mouth, an unspoken reply that he was already calling it in.

She turned back to squint at the truck, just in