The Boarding School

County Militia

Hugh Hoheisel

"Hey," Damien's voice startled Hugh. He turned to find the older boy standing just a foot from where he knelt examining his rifle in the closet. "That's a beautiful rifle you have there."

"Sure is," Hugh nodded, "Spent a fortune on her and her additions"

"So, you're a sniper?" Damien fished.

"That's right," Hugh confirmed carelessly.

"What brought you to the cause?" Damien was clearly skeptical of Hugh's good intentions and intended to learn more. 

Hugh, well aware of this, turned and looked Damien right in the eyes. "The money," he declared.

"The money? What money?"

"There's not much for a high school dropout to do to make money for himself and his runaway brother, so I took my good aim and put a price to it and people take me up on it - or they don't. The 'cause' as you call it is my best customer," Hugh paused, "That's what I do."

"So you're a mercenary?" Damien responded evenly.

"That's right," Hugh responded calmly, but defiantly.

"I see," Damien nodded. He stood there a moment longer as though waiting for another thought. When none came, he meandered out without another word. 

Luke appeared from the bathroom. "Got a problem?" Hugh demanded.

Luke shrugged, more or less careless, "You don't have to demonize yourself. They'll do it well enough on their own."

"Figured I'd save everyone time and just put it like it is," Hugh retorted. Luke shrugged again and pulled out several weapons from the closet along with one of the black bags and began stuffing them in. "You think we'll be able to make it outside the radius in a night's walk?"

His younger brother nodded slowly, "We both walked it twice to check the patrols. Even if we have to be particularly careful, we'll still get on the outside before first light."

"Alright," Hugh stated, packing the rest of the stuff in the last tactical gun bag, "Then we'll head back and drive out that night." Luke exhaled heavily. "What? Not up for the long night?"

"Nah, I can do it," Luke assured, "Just not super excited."

"I'll drive out," Hugh offered.

"We'll switch," revised Luke, "but that sounds good."

"Get some sleep today, then."

"Will do," Luke agreed, giving him a nod as he left the room.

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Hugh grabbed Luke and pulled him back. Luke's eyes darted in the direction Hugh was facing. Down the hill, Sarah was making her way through the tall grass, unaware of their presence. Hugh grinned and whistled a mournful tune. Startled, she jerked her head in their direction. Seeing them, she shouted, "Darn you, Hugh, I could have shot you!"

"Nah, you wouldn't have gotten the shot in before we were in the brush," replied Hugh, coming forward and trotting down the hill, followed by Luke.

Her eyes became grave, "How'd you find us?"

Hugh replied easily, "Followed the cops." Her face fell.

"He's teasing," Luke assured her dryly.

"A bit," Hugh replied seriously, "Your troop get kicked out of town?"

Sarah started to say something when Donovan Knowles came into view. He waved and they started towards him. He met them halfway. "See anything, Sarah?"