The Long Dark by Billy Farmer (best book club books for discussion .txt) 📗

“What now?” I asked.

He looked me over for a few long seconds before he finally spoke. “If fate frowns on me in the same way you are, I’d guess I’ll be dead pretty soon.”

I sighed deeply. “I’ve woken up to a damn nightmare. Apparently, a nightmare you helped create. And the look I’m giving you is your goddamn takeaway?”

He took another long drink of what was quickly becoming an empty bottle. “I’m acutely aware of what I’ve done.” He paused for a moment, trying to grasp and claw at whatever composure he could muster before continuing. “My daughters, remember? If they’re dead, it’s because of…” He said, with a trembling upper lip.

I felt like punching the drunk bastard in the face. For whatever reason I didn’t. Maybe his ruminating over the potential demise of his daughters kept me from it. They were sweet girls. They didn’t deserve any of what was happening.

Having quickly regained his composure, not to mention an unabashed and unrepentant supply of arrogance, he said, “None of this was ever my intention. I’m just a man who got caught up in things that were already in motion – a small cog in the machine that the world has been creating to bring us down a notch or two for a long time.”

I fought hard to stifle a laugh. “You’re so full of shit--”

“Hate me or not, I’m leaving. I’m breaking every rule I have by giving you the information I gave you. No one else can know. Don’t let me down.”

Don’t let me down. I shook my head.

“If I were you, I would go back the way we came before I open this door. This garage is soundproof, but it won’t be as soon as I open the door. Good luck, William.”

I turned around to leave without saying a word.

Over the loud whine of the powerful engine, he said, “Remember when I told you I left one of them alive?”

I nodded.

“He’s in the second-floor conference room. He’ll have answers, but you have to hurry. It’s only a matter of time before those people regroup and come back. They’ll not make the same mistake of only sending a handful of people this time.”

I didn't bother looking back. I exited through the small passageway as the large garage door opened. Once back in Miley's office, I rifled through the backpack he'd given me. There was a wad of cash; hundred-dollar bills and a lot of them. There was a radio and phone, and just like he said they both worked, aside from the cell phone not having a signal. There was also a GPS receiver, a notebook with some numbers in it, and a few other odds and ends, including a key to what I imagined was the other tracked vehicle. A small penitence for all the shit he had caused.

I threw everything back into the bag and hid it under his desk. I then went back to the conference room where everyone was sitting quietly around the long, black-lacquered table. It looked like they were eating MREs. I hadn’t seen those since I was a little kid. My uncle would bring home some for me after his summer national guard training.  Avery and I would sit around on warm summer days, imagining we were in the army. Avery didn’t like to play war much. He was more of the strategic planner. That left me with the dirty work of doing all the fighting. Kind of like real life, honestly.

“The Salisbury steak is pretty good, son. Ya should try it,” Sam said.

“They are better than the ones we used to eat when we were kids,” Avery said, smacking his lips.

“Not really in the mood to eat,” I said.

Sam’s eyes got big. “You not hungry? Must be a pocolypse or somethin.”

“Not now, Sam.”

He sucked on his fork for a second before saying, “Just tryin ta lighten thangs is all.”

“Will Miley be joining us, soon?” Tish asked.

“No.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“He left to go find his daughters--”

“So, he’s gone?” Tish asked.

Before I could reply, Kelley practically jumped out of her seat. She grabbed her stomach and quickly asked Tish if she would mind watching the baby while she went to the bathroom. Tish flashed a look at the woman. I couldn’t tell if it was out of anger or disbelief or maybe both. She angrily tossed her fork on the table before taking the baby.

“What’s that all about?” I asked.

The baby squirmed in Tish’s loose embrace. For a moment, I wondered if she was going to let the baby squirm out of her arms. But as if someone had flipped a switch, Tish’s demeanor instantly changed. She began to examine the child. “The bitch,” she uttered just loudly enough those nearby could hear her. “There’s something the matter with this poor baby. Not only that. This baby is white, but Kelley is Inupiat.”

“Oh, shit, son. Playin the race card durin end times? Not cool,” Sam said, smiling.

“Shut the fuck up,” Tish said. I’d never known her to flash so much anger, especially towards Sam.

"Come on, guys,” I said.

Tish had the blankets off the baby. "This poor baby girl.” She began examining the baby in earnest. “She’s bruised all over her back and bottom.”

“Shhh,” Titouan said. “Do you hear that? She’s whispering herself.”

“Or to someone else,” Avery observed.

I ran to the bathroom door and jiggled the knob. I heard the metallic racking of a pistol slide. I cursed silently to myself. How could I have been so stupid. All the signs were there, but I had completely ignored them. I quickly withdrew my hand from the door knob. No sooner than I had, the door burst open and Kelley was through it in an instant. I caught a quick elbow to my face, causing me to stumble long enough for Kelley to maneuver behind me for cover. Goddamn she was fast.

“If you move another inch, I’ll blow your fucking head off,” Kelley said, aiming her pistol at Sam, who had