It Was 2052, High Haven Read Online Free Page B

factories were in partial operation, lots of bars and
small jobs.” He dug some silver coins out of his overall pocket
and laid them on the worn table. “Usually got paid in coins,
sometimes goods for trade. There were rumors of a strong organized
group that ran most of the city's higher paying and unsavory
operations, the drugs, the prostitutes. I was warned more than once
to just steer clear of anything to do with that group. I did just
that. I never really knew what Lauren did all day. She was quick to
tell me, I can take care of myself. I had to accept it, she'd
been doing that long before I came along.”
    Cissy's dad walked around the table, a
little closer to the story teller, “What about law? Any kind of
government, any military or local law enforcement?”
    The coins were gathered and Taylor
stuck them back in his pocket, “There was a sheriff, some
spotty enforcement of laws. You couldn't be sure who were the bad
guys and who were the good guys.” He paused, looked down, with
a quietness in his voice, said, “Hard to believe how the years
just went by.” In a stronger tone, “We had our routine
and life, a bit disconnected from each other, yet we were together.
We trusted and needed the partnership. Then, one day...it was very
late and Lauren hadn't come home. I didn't even know where to begin
to look. Finally, right after dark, she dragged in. She had a long
knife wound in her thigh and had lost a lot of blood. There was a
clinic in town and I tried to get her help. She didn't leave that
place, infection set in and she didn't survive. I never really knew
what had happened.”
    Emily, Cissy's mom said, “That's
rough. It must've been very hard.”
    His back straightened, he was nearly
through this telling, a rough hand pushed against closed eyelids and
he said, “Thanks--- it wasn't my first painful loss. I stayed
on for about three years in the city, new rumors started drifting in.
Crazy stories about the organized group, how they were up to a lot
more than typical no good, how they had plans to take over America.
It was said that they were growing in all the bigger cities. I talked
to this man that I met while working at the bar. He came from Dallas,
down in Texas. He said the United States military had defeated a
branch of the organization in that city, waging a pretty big battle.
The tale was the military is re-building, growing stronger and there
will be more battles in cities across the country. Some stories, I
really didn't quite understand. Talk of the bad group breeding super
soldiers and that their rule wouldn't mean anything good for the
citizens, predictions of forced labor and slavery.”
    The younger men were very
interested now. Kevin and Bubba moved toward the kitchen table,
where the elders of the family were seated. Kevin said, “Do
you think these rumors are true? Did you see any military in the
city?”
    “ I didn't see any
visible military where I was. If there's any government soldiers,
they're not making their presence known. I wonder about Colorado
Springs, where my father was in the army. That was a huge base and
there was also an underground disaster bunker in that area. I had
nearly made a decision to move north, in that direction.” He
paused and looked out through the screen door, “I really don't
know what changed my mind. One day, I just gathered some supplies,
Peaches and I begin to walk south. I remembered how my father and I
hunted at the base of the mountains and his advice to get away from
the cities.”
    Nearly to herself, Cissy
said, “How strange that you ended up here.”
    Taylor once again gave
her just a fleeting glance.
    Kevin took an opportunity
and slid into a vacant chair near the stranger. He began to pelt him
with questions about the city he came from and the story of battles.
    Wasn't long before Emily
spoke up, “Kevin, shut up now. You can talk to the man later.
He is exhausted and I think...” she looked to her husband and
to Cody and the other