The Chosen Ones: Book 3: The War

6

Matt drove towards the motel where Thomas Weller was staying to give him an update on what they planned to do. Casey was in the backseat with Tyler. Matt relayed to Casey what he told the others, Tyler was coming everywhere with them. No more leaving him at the O'Hara's house. There was no safer place than right by his side. She agreed, telling him it was a smart move.

"I feel like an Uber." Matt remarked, looking over at the empty passenger seat.
"I'd give you two stars, dad." Tyler called from the back.
"Hey!" Matt replied, acting offended.

This made Tyler laugh harder as Casey gave him a high five.
"You guys are mean." Matt said as he pulled into the motel lot.

He and Casey got out and tucked their 9mm handguns in the back of their pants. Weller's story checked out, but he was still sort of an unknown, despite his story being in line with what Mama Q had told them.
They both took one of Tyler's hands as they walked up the stairs. They stopped in front of his door.

"What's this guy like?" Casey asked.
"He's.........nervous, let's put it that way."
Matt knocked on the door. The curtain in the window moved.

"Who is it?" Came Weller's voice.
"Open the door, man." Matt said, impatiently.
Weller opened it but then had to undo the deadbolt attached to it. He peeked out the crack to make sure it was them, then he let them in. He was a paranoid mess.

"Jesus, man. You look like shit. Have you been outside? Have you eaten?" Matt asked.
"I'm not going out there." Weller replied.
His hair was disheveled and he was wearing the same outfit he wore when he showed up at Matt's house. There were empty beer bottles on the nightstand and the bed was unmade. Fast food wrappers were all over the floor.

"I don't think anyone knows you're here." Matt informed him.
"If Walker is out there then I'm in danger." He replied.
"Suit yourself." Matt said. "This is Casey, and that's my son Tyler."

"Casey, the protector? It's so nice to meet you. I know all about you." He gushed.
She nodded, unimpressed. Weller then knelt down to Tyler's level, causing her to shield him.
"It's okay." Matt told her.

"The child." Weller said. "I can't believe it. I spent so much time planning your arrival. You've done well with him." He said to Matt.
"Yeah, well, I had a lot of help." Matt replied. Tyler held onto Casey's leg, unsure of Thomas.

"So I take it you're here because you've come up with a plan of action?"
"Yes we have. The plan is to attack. Plain and simple." Matt said.
Weller wasn't expecting this. He squinted his eyes at Matt. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." Matt echoed. "You're coming with us."
"Have you ever shot a gun before?" Casey asked.
He scoffed. "I've been to a shooting range once."
"That'll work." Casey said.

"When do you plan on doing this?" He asked. He was talking like the whole idea was ludicrous.
"Two days. We'll come back for you. Be ready." Matt said. "And for God's sake, go outside and get some sun."

He didn't care that Weller was afraid. He was a number for them, and that's all that mattered.