The Gathering of the Clans

Book 1 Chapter 16

The Gathering of the Clans

Book 1  Chapter 16

<<<Pepepski >>>

Duncan had been quite straightforward with his plan to get people out of Avon. They would simply drive out and if Bluford refused to let them have their vehicles they would walk out and Ian and others could come to get them. Pepepski was willing to take in anyone that needed it. Even if they didn't have the marks.

This was good for those families that had some with the marks and some without and wanted out from under Bluford's thumb. The best thing of all is he would be able to sell it to Bluford as being positive for the town and a way to get out of supporting future orphans.

Bluford was running Avon like a dictator. He had the population scared of his hand-picked men that he had put in charge of security for the town. He had fired every officer on the Avon police force because they followed Jasper and not him. He confiscated the property and belongings of anyone that died, claiming it was supplies for the living.

He couldn't tell Ian of the situation of the orphans, afraid he might come down in a killing fury. The orphans were all being cared for by the men of the police force, Duncan and his son, Father Freid, and a few other kind people in the community.

Father Freid had the orphans housed at Saint Stephan's church since Bluford's cousin had thrown them out of their homes. He had given the bigger and better homes to his men and sycophants. Father Freid had argued for their clothes, and toys, and needed things for babies such as their diapers, bottles, and such. Bluford had granted Father Freid's requests. The men had packed up what they could and took it to the church.

Bluford's cousin, George Calford, a mean-spirited and obese man, had tried to stop them from taking the food in the houses to feed the children. Bluford had yelled at him to stand down and that he would not starve children to death. Jasper's men used Bluford's permission to take every crumb of food they could find. They even took the large chest freezers it was stored in. Jasper was honest, they would get the freezers back, eventually.

Swanhue Hospital

Rod and Aaron finally came out of the surgery room. Ben and Hunter walked up to them. Aaron nodded at the two of them. "We've done all we can. He made it through the surgery, and if he survives the Sickness he should be okay. Let's get him moved to a bed. Garret is in there cleaning up." Ben nodded. "Zackarias will update you two."

Rod grabbed Aaron's arm. "That means sit down and get some juice, boss's orders." Aaron laughed tiredly "Okay boss." Zackarias updated them on Audrey and Hiram that they were nearing the second stage of the fever. The new arrivals of the gossip club and the reluctant husbands who refused to share a room with them. The Diedrick brothers, one with an infected bite. Henry brought out bowls of hot soup and ham on rye sandwiches for the two of them.

Zackarias sighed "That brings us to today's orphans. We stand at a total of nine and Job's newborn son. We've already let Kyle know and he said they were ready for them. Maybe we could have our three new helpers walk them over." Rod raised an eyebrow. "Shane gave a wake-up call to the last three of his neighbors, Miles, Charles, and Raymond showed up to help today." "Are they any help?"Zackarias nodded "They've been a big help so far. Pretty good at it too for newbies."

Aaron smiled "I wonder if we can get them to stay here."Zackarias grinned "According to them they are coming back tomorrow. They want to go home before dark though. They are the last ones alive in their neighborhood and they are scared by all the darkness and silence. All three of them are sleeping at Raymond's place, because of it, even though they each have their own apartment,"