The Vulgus Chronicles

Vulgus Chronicles - Chapter 14

14

Manny could only guess about the soldier's activity based on their footsteps and shadows underneath the door. Light reflected off the water trail he'd left. He hoped they wouldn't put it together. Who could imagine a gimp like him slithering down the stairs and across the floor?

The soldier came down from the third floor and joined the second at the top of the stairs to the first floor.

"I got nothin'," one said.

"Clear!" the other called out.

Both soldiers went down the stairs.

Manny carefully turned the doorknob and pulled the door open a crack.

"Oh, this is lovely! It's got such fantastic bones!" the woman said.

Manny could hear several footsteps in the foyer.

"It's got a lot of broken windows," one of the men said. He sounded young and casual. Must be the man in the dark overcoat, Manny thought.

"Colonel, you can have some of your laborers take care of that, can't you?" the woman asked.

"No problem. My resources are available for the mayor any time." Manny could tell by the gravelly voice that that was the older man in the Global Alliance uniform.

"There's apparently some significant roof damage on the west side of the house and some water damage on the floors below," dark overcoat said.

"Any sign of squatters?" the woman asked.

"An old lady and a young kid live here alone." That sounded like the sergeant. "Doogan, go find the woman and bring her here."

"Will do." Footsteps indicated he went to the kitchen.

"I'm sure we can move them out," the woman said.

Manny's heart raced at the words. He was already trembling from the intrusion. The thought of Cookie and Dweasel being moved out would leave him completely alone. He thought of the staff cottages across the lane.

"Ms. Cameron, the labor won't be a problem for me," the colonel said. "The problem will be getting the materials, which are scarce."

"Oh, there are plenty of abandoned houses with salvageable materials around," she said.

"There's several right across the street," dark overcoat said. "They looked in pretty good condition."

"Dominic, you're brilliant! I didn't even notice them."

"Well, before we go down that path, those would be a good place to house the laborers. That will save a fortune in transportation from the labor camps."

Manny could hear their footsteps walking around the parlor. The sound of fabric being torn suggested the makeshift curtains were being yanked off the windows. He pressed his ear to the crack to catch their words.

"How will you stop them from escaping?" Ms. Cameron asked.

"Trust me. We'll have our pick of the most reliable in the camp," the colonel said. "A project like this will be a God send to them."

"An actual roof over their heads during the winter months..." Dominic said, "they'll never want to leave."

"Getting to work on a mansion like this will be the cherry on top," the colonel said.

Tears began streaming from Manny's eyes. He'd have to find someplace to hide. The winter cold would kill him if he didn't starve first.

"When can you get started?" Ms. Cameron asked.