Lockey vs. the Apocalypse by Meadows, Carl (7 ebook reader TXT) 📗

But since the fall of the world, Nate has been my rock. He gets me, and few people do, and has this unwavering faith like when we rescued Dean. All it took was a look and an unspoken assertion that this was important to me and he had my back, with no argument or question. Just a nod and his eye behind the scope.

Nate’s also given me the skills to survive. He’s taught me how to shoot, how to make smoke bombs, how to hunt, how to gut and dress a deer, how to maintain weapons, building clearance tactics, vigilance… shit, I wouldn’t be sat in that room with a decision to make had it not been for Nate.

It was almost like asking me to throw my support behind one or the other, and I thought that was a bit unfair of Dean to put me in that spot. In fairness to him though, he’s only just met Nate and doesn’t know just how important the gruff old marine is to me.

“It’s a great place, Dean, it really is.” Dean started to nod, but I felt bad as I put the brakes on any celebration. “But the simple fact is that wherever Nate is, that’s where I am. If he thinks we should all be here, then I’m all in. If he wants to wait a little longer, then I’m at the lodge with him. Everyone is free to make their own choice, and I’ll not argue against anyone wanting to move here. But since all this started, Nate and I have been a team, and I won’t change that. Wherever we go, we go together.”

I glanced over at Nate and he seemed more relaxed in his chair, a little smile on his lips as he looked back at me. I think he was relieved, like he was unsure which way I’d swing on the issue, and my clear statement of support was a weight off his shoulders.

After all the weight he’s carried for me, like dealing with that awful scene in the apartment block and the pregnant woman, and taking the responsibility of your last request Freya, I wasn’t going to leave him because I thought it might be more convenient. If Nate says he’s going to find this bunch of cult nutters and take them on alone, he’ll have me chattering in his ear all the damn way.

Remember, we’re Flint and Locke, action heroes. We’re the ultimate buddy movie.

Dean looked disappointed for a moment, but he doesn’t have it in him to hold a grudge. That’s just not his way. I think it also emphasised to him just how close Nate and I have become living and working so closely together. For those first few weeks, before we found the lodge, it was just me, Nate, and our lucky little pug.

“Fair enough,” he said, and didn’t push me any further.

As foreseen, Isaac jumped at the chance and was the first to state his desire to move. Maria was almost apologetic when she declared her intent to move, but we all understood. Her husband and goddaughter were here, so this is where she needed to be.

“I’d like to move here,” said Mark tentatively, his eyes still on Nate. “Charlie and I could take one of those houses down in the maintenance area. Having our own little house would be nice, and it is more secure here. Plus, although they’re all a few years older, there are kids here closer to his age, rather than just being stuck with a bunch of adults.”

“I resent being called an adult,” I chimed in, eliciting a laugh.

Nate nodded. “You do what’s best for you and your boy, Mark. You don’t need my blessing.”

“Actually Nate, I do,” said Mark, surprising everyone. “Nate, if it weren’t for you and Erin, none of us would even be at that lodge in the first place. We’d still be a slave to Jamie Bancroft, or likely dead from one of his rage tantrums. All of us owe the two of you everything, and I can’t in good conscience go anywhere without that blessing. If you want me to stay and help at the lodge, I will. You both pulled us from the fire, taught me how to defend my son, you took us in and gave us a home, and security, and purpose. You gave us a family. Without you and Erin, I wouldn’t even have a chance at a life with my son.” He laughed and shook his head. “So, honestly Nate, I do need your blessing.”

My already high estimation of Mark went through the bloody roof at that. I hold Nate in the highest esteem, and it was genuinely heartwarming to hear that from someone else so open and honest.

Nate was quiet for a moment, digesting Mark’s words. The whole room was silent before he sighed.

“They’re kind words, Mark, and I appreciate them. But Erin’s the one who takes the credit for that. I was against getting involved to begin with, but she fought so hard I had no choice.”

“Don’t you try and give me the credit, you swine,” I laughed. “You went through that building like a one-man army and the whole thing was your planning.”

“It doesn’t matter who did what,” interrupted Mark. “However it happened, both of you came through for us. Like Lockey just said, the two of you are a team.”

“If you want my blessing, then of course you have it,” sighed Nate. “Whatever you feel is best for Charlie, you’ve got my full support.”

Mark looked relieved. It was obvious he wanted to move to Crenshaw, but I think he was genuine in his promise to stay at the lodge with us. With Nate’s blessing though, it was like a weight had been lifted from him.

So, as expected, Maria, Charlie, Mark, and Isaac agreed to move. Just like that, half our little family was