Page 103 of Resistant

I’ve been undercover for months. After the horrifying mission to save the kid that went no kinds of well, Declan asked me to help him find Brynn. I figure that I have nothing better to do than return to my cabin in the woods.

I can make a difference for him and others. I spent a few weeks with him at the mansion. Jesus, what a fucking trip that place is. I fucking got lost wandering around the place. Twice.

Riesa, she’s a fine little piece, who’s a smart cookie too; she found this open job posting in the Reform government. Turns out, Declan’s motherfucker number one is looking for security.

There are no ties from me to Declan in the military, thanks to our super-secret scrubbed mission. So, I make my way across what is left of the country.

This place has turned into a shithole. Took me three weeks to drive to Louisiana, it used to be a few days drive. The roads are fucked, and there aren’t many gas stations open anymore.

People have turned weird, living in abandoned buildings and trying to stay off the grid. They trust no one. But who am I to judge? I ran off into the woods at the first hint of bullshit when it started rolling out.

Knox’s security team is something else. It’s more like the secret service. This shit is crazy. My boss man Andy Trout is a tight ass. He gets on my last nerve, but I’ve rolled back into my Corps days doing what I’m told and doing it well. No arguments from me. Fucking funny thing is it turns out my bullshit high school theater classes have saved my ass. I have become someone else entirely, and apparently, I’m good at this shit, since no one has caught on in the weeks I’ve been employed here.

I haven’t uttered a swear word out loud since I got here. Most of my duties include following Knox around at events, to the office, meetings, all boring shit. No one has attempted to assassinate him, so I’m curious why he needs a detail. The man is former military and he’s no slouch. I’ve watched him spar with some of the guys on the team. Lennox will fuck you up if you give him an opportunity.

Turns out the Arcadia crew were right about Mr. Lennox Swann, aka Lennox Richards. He pronounces it Reeshards. I’m told the pronunciation is common in parts of Louisiana. Motherfucker likes his liquor too, and when he’s drunk, he speaks Cajun French.

I had to find a bookstore for a French English dictionary to try and understand what the fuck he’s saying when he’s drunk off his ass. Let me tell you, finding a fucking bookstore was not easy. Turns out Cajun French is not the same, so I’m doing the best I can. I should have taken French in high school too.

I’ve got new orders to accompany Knox to one of his safe houses for a new detail. We leave in the morning. I’m hoping Brynn will be there. The man has not mentioned her once in my presence and my anxiety about her for Declan is distracting.

* * *

It’s fucking snowing. I’m in a limo stuck with motherfucker number one, wearing a monkey suit and it’s fucking snowing. I’m struggling not to pull down my tie and to remain perfectly still. My toes are cold in my fancy shoes, and I stare out the window, pretending to be an ornament.

I hear a clink and glance over at Knox. He’s getting the whisky out already. God help me if I have days upon days of travel like this. At least the car is semi-warm, and the seats are comfortable.

“Mr. Anderson, I need to brief you on your new detail. It’s a temporary assignment. After the charity event, you will accompany the asset back to the safe house. Then, you will be reassigned to my regular detail rotation.”

I nod at him, so he knows that I’m listening. I’ve learned to talk only when necessary. Mr. Reeshards has a temper, and I don’t want to light that match until after we take Brynn.

“The asset is very special to me and is essential to the work we are doing to cure radiation sickness. I need her kept safe at all times. She will either be with me or under your protection in public settings. You will travel with us to the event, where I will finalize my ownership of her. I won’t have final control until she signs the papers publicly at the event, if you fuck up you will be terminated. And I don’t mean fired. After the event, you will accompany her back to the safe house. You will not speak to her unless absolutely necessary. Am I understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.”

We travel in silence for a few more hours and I watch as the city disintegrates into rubble, the suburbs now resemble inner city neighborhoods from The Before. Most of the population is dead, the homes abandoned along with trucks, cars, and heavy equipment all rusting in the swirling plume. The fog continues and I see glimpses of the swamp, naked trees with moss hanging from them and water covering the ground. This must be the bayou. We arrive at a beautiful, but modest house surrounded by water oaks and pines. An ambulance is in the driveway and Knox walks past it without any indication that this could be bad.

I follow closely behind scanning the area. A cat runs through my feet and hisses at me before I can enter the house.

A woman is seated before a fire. There are several medical personnel fussing around her, they are taking blood, she has electrodes on her head and arms. They talk quietly, and I strain to hear the conversation. One leans over and gives her a shot in the shoulder, and they pack the gear and detaching the woman from the tubes and wires.

A book is discarded on the table next to her chair. She looks at Knox as he takes a seat next to her, and my heart tries to beat out of my chest. It’s Brynn, I’m certain of it. Her son’s green eyes shine up at Knox and I swallow away the lump in my throat.

I feel sweat gather on my brow and I keep my distance. I can’t show emotion, and my fucking feelings have burst in my chest in sympathy for this mother who doesn’t know her son is dead. A son who I watched die in my brother’s arms. I stand by the door and look straight ahead.

“Who is this?”

Her voice is soft, curious but defeated. I look to Knox to see if he will introduce me, or if I need to become invisible.

“This is your security, Mr. Anderson. He will accompany us to the event and bring you back here when it’s over.”

Brynn studies me openly. I approach and offer my hand to shake. She does so hesitantly, and her grip is limp. This is not the woman Declan and Riesa described.

The Princess they know would have resisted having a babysitter, and most likely would have had something sharp to say to Knox. Moreover, she would try to kick someone’s ass to prove she didn’t need me. She drops my hand and sits back in her seat, turning her focus back to the book.

The driver enters the front door and drops my case in the entry. Knox follows him out.

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