Crazies

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter 37

With Maverick walking in front of me and Karen, I feel secure enough to allow my attention to take in my surroundings. 

The entrance to Mr. Kentworth’s farm is similar to the one leading to our home with the heavy cluster of tall trees hiding everything from view.

But within a few feet, the trees disappear to reveal close to three acres of open farmland nestled in the middle of a few hillsides. 

The long dirt road we’re walking down leads straight to this red brick ranch house with white shutters and colorful tulips lining the length of the front. There’s even this large tree off to the side of the house with one of those large pouch swings hanging from a thick branch. 

The sight makes for this picture-perfect scene. 

Which is ironic when the owner is the complete opposite of the sweet old man that would normally accompany the sight of such a house. 

But, as I found out recently, there’s a heart of gold under all that snarky attitude. 

On my last rotation to work here, I found him slumped in the swing with an empty bottle of whiskey barely hanging from his fingers. 

I had to get Jay’s help to carry him inside and the whole way Mr. Kentworth drunkenly spoke about his late wife. 

About how she dreamed about buying this place to raise their family in but died of cancer shortly after moving in.

Listening to him drunkenly talk about his Linda was heart-wrenching but it gave me a new perspective on why he has such a surly attitude about having people invade his home.

He just wants to protect his wife’s dream. Can’t fault him for that.

Karen bumps my arm to catch my attention before pointing towards the Jeep and truck parked on a paved square space that's off to the side of the house. From the angle we're walking down the path I can see Jay standing on the driver’s side of the Jeep, his rifle out and ready as he talks to the three inside. While Wil is at the back speaking with Mr. Kentworth who has his trusty shotgun slung over his shoulder. 

Relief floods my system at the sight of the scowling old man.

“See,” Maverick states with a wave of his hand towards Mr. Kentworth, “completely fine. No need for all the hostility, Killer.” I roll my eyes but go ahead and flip the safety back on my Desert Eagle and sliding it back in the holster.

“We live in a hostile world now,” I say to him as the others finally notice us moving closer to them, “might want to get used to it Maverick.” Karen chuckles beside me while Maverick arches that perfect eyebrow again.

“Wha da hell ya doin girl?” Mr. Kentworth grunts out when the three of us step up next to him and Wil.

“Being cautious.” Kentworth scuffs at my answer and from the hard look in his dark blue eyes he wants to lecture me about pulling my gun out on his land, but Jay randomly steps between us. 

For a second I think it was to keep the peace but then I see him staring at Maverick who moved to stand slighting away from the rest of us.