When Was? (Book 2): Who Are You Acquainted With? Read online

  Morgan swung his first into the bottom of Coleman’s jaw, dropping him to the floor. “Is that what you wanted?” he hollered, lifting Coleman up and swinging him face first into the cold metal railing. “Is it?” he shouted, beating his face repeatedly off the railing until all his teeth were destroyed.

  He threw Coleman to the floor and looked to the workers, chained up below. “Everyone! Take a break from what you're doing and watch what happens when you daaare fucking do, what he just fucking did!” Morgan grabbed the knife off the floor and lifted Coleman’s head up. “You did this to yourself,” he yelled, sitting on his back as he began scalping him.

  • • •

  Back in Argentina.

  John, Tom and Norman sat atop an old school bus outside the Argentina wall. They talked as they stared at a jeep parked down the road, with the sun setting behind it.

  “We’re gonna get through this,” John said, grabbing Tom’s shoulder. “He ain’t gettin' Rachel, he ain’t gettin' Callie, we’re gonna kill Hershel and Morgan, and after that, it’s done.”

  Norman stared off into the distance and lit a cigarette. “What happened to that attitude when he was bitch slappin’ you in front of the town?”

  “I was worried for our people... But this time we know he’s comin’ back. We’ll be ready.”

  “Naw.” He shook his head. “Ain’t no bein’ ready when it comes to him. He could show up tonight, he could show up tomorrow. Hell, for all you know he’s sittin’ in your daughter’s bed right now...”

  Tom sighed and shifted his bloodshot eyes to the ground. “Logan was the whole reason I had any power in here to begin with... After you left, he and I became best friends... it was only me and him running this place...” Tears ran down his face and through his beard. “And now he’s gone.”

  “Come on,” John said as he got up. “Head inside, be with your family.”

  As John and Tom climbed down from the bus, John looked back at Norman, who was still sitting. “You not comin’?”

  “I’m fine here,” he said, staring at the jeep.

  “Alright. Be safe... Don’t do anything stupid.”

  After heading back home, John took off his shirt and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “How’s Tommy?” Kesler asked, walking into the kitchen as John sat down.

  “He’s takin’ it the hardest, that’s for sure...”

  Kesler teared up and nodded.

  Opening the bottle, he took a drink and poured some into his hands. Rubbing the water on his face, he looked at Kesler. “We’re gonna kill them for what they did. To you, to Rachel, Trinity, to Car-” He gulped. “…To Carl... Logan.”

  Kesler started to cry. “I miss him so much.”

  Getting up he held her close and rubbed her back. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. His face, his voice... That cute little laugh...” Tears ran down his face as he kissed her. “They’re not gonna get away with this.”

  She sniffled. “We should have another one.”

  “What?”

  “We should.”

  He held her face as he stared into her eyes. Unsure for a moment, he nodded. “As soon as this is over, and as soon as we know they’ll be safe, we can have as many as you want... But not yet, okay?”

  She nodded and wrapped her arms around him as she started crying harder.

  “I know,” he said, holding her tight. “I know...”

  Chapter 2:

  God, or Morgan?

  The next day, John and Rachel were relaxing on the couch, talking with Janey as Kesler got some much-needed rest.

  "So what’s the plan? Come up with anything yet?” Janey asked, tying her hair in a ponytail.

  “Today I’ll be talkin’ with Tom and Norman, in the church if you wanna join in. I’m thinkin’ I’ll go to Cascadia after Morgan stops in, get some of their people to help us.”

  “Cascadia? Weren’t they the crazies who threw you in a death pit?”

  Rachel nodded. “It was more Carver’s fault though.”

  “Yeah, Joshua's a good man. Crimson too I think. Hopefully they'll-”

  The door flew open and Tom was thrown to the floor. John jumped up and pulled out his revolver as Hershel walked in, all smiles and aiming at Tom.

  “I thought I’d stop in and pay you a little visit before the big show tomorrow. Can I spoil the surprise?” Hershel laughed.

  “Give me one reason not to kill you!” John commanded, aiming for Hershel’s face. “Right now. One reason.”

  “’Cause if you kill me, Morgan’ll kill all of you! Startin’ with Gingersnap, then Hairless over there,” he said, pointing his gun at Rachel. “Then he’ll probably dig up your boy-”

  John shot Hershel in the arm, knocking him to the floor. “DON’T TALK ABOUT MY SON!”

  Hershel grabbed his gushing wound, blood ran through his fingers. “You wait till Morgan gets a load of this, you son of a bitch!”

  John walked around the couch. Pulling back the hammer, he aimed at Hershel’s face. “Yeah what’s he gonna do?”

  Quickly swiping his gun off the floor, he took a shot at John and grazed his left shoulder.

  Running inside with his rifle in his hands, Norman spotted Hershel and swung his foot into his stomach. “The hell are you doin’ here?”

  “You god damn traitor! If you shoot that bastard and help me, Morgan might take pity on you!”

  Norman looked back at John. “Go, I’ll take care of Hershel.”

  “I’m fine,” he said, holding onto his shoulder.

  Rachel grabbed a cloth from the bathroom and ran over to John. “You were shot,” she yelled, pressing it against his wound.

  “NOW,” Norman hollered. “First to go’s gonna be your doc. That’s how he operates. Get it looked at.”

  “What are you gonna do with him?” John asked, staring at Hershel.

  Norman grabbed John and pulled him to the door. “NOW,” he shouted, throwing him out on the ground. “I ain’t tellin’ you again!”

  Rachel ran past him and went to help John. “What the hell?”

  John got up and brushed himself off. “If you weren’t my friend-”

  “Morgan Williams likes to fuck with people. I ain’t kiddin’, you piss him off, your doctor’s first to go. Now get.”

  Later that day, after Norman threw Hershel out, he and Rachel talked, sitting on the steps of the hospital.

  “I still don’t know why you let him live.”

  “If we kill one of his they’ll kill more of yours. Especially if it’s a higher up. And John already went and fucked shit up by shootin’ him.”

  “...God I hate this.” Rachel stared down at her feet and leaned her head on Norman’s shoulder.

  “I know what you mean. Losin’ one of your friends... Right there in front of you.” He spit. “Acquainted ain’t nothin’ but a bunch of murderers and thieves. I watched my own brother turn into somebody I don’t even recognize anymore.”

  Rachel looked at Logan’s blood stain on the pavement. “It only gets worse from here, huh?”

  “...Yeah. But I’m sure whatever happens next, Tom and your dad’s gonna make the right move.

  “Now go let them people in,” he said, nodding and pointing at the front gate as two people approached. “They probably ain’t Acquainted. Women ain’t exactly allowed to leave.”

  Running down to the gate with her hand on her revolver, Rachel saw an older man and a young woman.

  The man was shorter than the girl and had a round gut. His greying black hair was balding and he had a grey goatee. His clothes, black slacks and a light blue dress shirt, were drenched in sweat.

  The girl appeared to be around Rachel’s age. She had long black hair that hung down to her ass, beautiful green eyes, and pale skin, her face red from the sun. Her white t-shirt was somewhat transparent, revealing a black bra underneath, and her faded blue jeans were covered in dirt.

  The girl grinned as she slid her
hand through the bars of the gate. “Billie.”

  “You’re not from here,” Rachel said, smacking her hand down.

  “No, but we’re looking for somewhere to stay. We were hoping we could stay here, in Argentina?”

  Rachel looked at Norman as he walked u behind her. “I don’t know.”

  “Go on, just a girl and an old man, even if we can’t trust ‘em it ain’t like we can’t take ‘em,” Norman said, resting his hand on the handle of his hunting knife.

  Billie smiled at Rachel as Norman climbed up to the post and opened the gate. “Nice place you got here.”

  Rachel backed up, keeping her hand on her revolver as the gate opened. “What’re your names? Both of you.”

  “I’m Billie, and this is my father Ro-”

  “He can speak for himself!”

  “He’s shy, nervous! Calm down, okay? We’re not here to cause trouble, I promise.”

  “We lost a guy yesterday and one of our men just got shot! Then you show up right behind the guy we just kicked out!”

  Norman grabbed Rachel’s arm. “Don’t, it’ll be fine, they ain’t Acquainted.”

  “How do we know?”

  “Could always try this.” Norman swung his rifle around from his back and hit Billie’s father, knocking him to the ground and holding him at gunpoint. “WHO’RE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM! TELL ME NOW OR YOUR WHORE HERE GETS IT!” Norman put his arm around Billie’s neck.

  “NORMAN,” Rachel screamed.

  Norman drug Billie back and threw her to the ground. “WHO ARE YOU ACQUAINTED WITH?”

  Billie’s father cried. “I don’t understand!”

  “WHO ARE YOU ACQUAINTED WITH? GOD OR MORGAN?”

  “I don’t know,” the man wailed. “Neither?”

  Norman stepped back and helped Billie up. “Good, ‘cause either of them answers woulda got you with a bullet in your head.”

  Rachel spun Norman around. “What the hell was that?”

  Norman spit and headed back to the hospital. “Least we figured out they ain’t Acquainted.”

  “Oh my god, I’m so sorry about that!” Rachel helped Billie’s father up and brushed the dirt off him.

  Billie let out a little laugh. “First impressions.”

  “Is there any way we can pretend like that didn’t just happen?”

  “No.” Billie shook her head. “I kinda liked it.”

  Billie’s father gasped. “Are you kidding me? You almost got us both killed!”

  “He’s Robert. We were headed to New Colombia, but by the time we got there all we found was burnt stuff. Then we remembered this old radio message by a guy named John. Was that him? The crazy redneck guy?”

  “No, he’s Norman. John’s in the hospital right now, he was our man who got shot. It’s nothing serious.”

  Billie grinned and looked back at her father. “It sounds exciting. What do you think?”

  “Look, I’m following you. Just don’t get us killed.”

  “Alright, let’s try this again.” Turning around, Billie shook Rachel’s hand. “I’m Billie.”

  Rachel pulled away as Billie circled her thumb on the back of her hand. She reached to Robbert. “Rachel,” she said, shaking his hand. “Sorry about that.”

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  “Rachel, one of the leader's kids. I have a lot of experience with running places, actually I co-ran New Colombia a while ago. If you’ll come with me, I’ll interview you both and we’ll get you on your way.”

  Billie followed her in. “Sounds good!”

  “Don’t let them be here too,” Robert whimpered.

  Heading into the office building, Rachel sat Billie and Robert down on the bench in the lobby. “Who first?”

  “I- I will.” Robert’s voice shook.

  “Relax. You’re safe here,” she assured him. “Billie, you just wait here, I’ll get to you in a minute.”

  Taking Robert, she led him across the room to the meeting area. A small walled off area in the lobby with windows facing the entrance.

  They sat across from each other at the long wooden table. “Welcome to New Col-” Rachel stopped herself, she was so used to doing this back in New Colombia. “Welcome to Argentina, Robert. My name is Rachel, the daughter of John, one of the members of the Argentina Council. I just have a few questions for you then I’ll speak with your daughter and we’ll see what happens.”

  “Are you sure we shouldn’t speak to one of the actual leaders?”

  “I’m an interviewer.”

  Robert folded his hands on the table and stared at them as he nodded. “Alright.”

  “Alright. Now how many people have you killed?”

  “None.” He shook his head. “Ever, no.”

  “How many infected have you killed?”

  “None.”

  She raised a brow. “Are you sure?”

  His eyes watered. “I’m positive.”

  “It’s going on six years since the infection spread, and you’re telling me you’ve never even killed an infected?”

  “Never,” he cried. “I wouldn’t, I swear.”

  As Robert put his head down and started to cry, Rachel and Billie made eye contact through the windows behind him.

  “It’s not something I like to think about- the ferals! God, their faces, their voices... They terrify me!”

  “Well you have to be honest, so let’s start over. How many people have you killed?”

  Robert made an attempt at answering this time, but Rachel found herself distracted, watching Billie play with her hair in the other room.

  “...He tried to steal my son's puffer so I shot him. This was in the very beginning, and it was in self-defense!” His hands were shaking. “I- I didn’t want to, I swear, but he didn’t give me a choice!”

  Snapping out of it, she shook her head and blinked. “Where’s your son now?”

  Gazing out the window, Billie noticed Rachel staring at her and stared blowing kisses.

  Robert began trembling. “...Please don’t make me think about it. No. Do you have any more questions?”

  “Uh... Yeah.” Rachel watched as Billie pulled her top up and ran her hands up underneath her bra. “Wow.”

  “What?”

  Rachel couldn’t look away, watching Billie as she grazed her fingers over the top of her breasts. “Why choose New Colombia?”

  “We thought they could help us but by the time we got there it was burned to the ground.”

  “Argentina! Not-… Why did you choose Argentina?”

  Rachel’s face turned red. She watched as Billie lowered her shirt and slid her hand down the front of her pants.

  “We thought about Virginia, but we heard Ferals were there too, they’re everywhere. We also considered Washington, we heard a rumor there was a group-” Robert stopped, noticing Rachel staring past him. “Excuse me?”

  “Sorry- I just zoned out! I’m sorry about whatever happened to your son, if you ever need to someone to talk to, I’m here. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll interview Billie and we’ll see what happens next.”

  As Robert moped his way out, Billie skipped her way in and plopped down in the seat across from Rachel. “Hey, Boss Lady.”

  Rachel leaned ahead and whispered. “What the hell were you doing out there?”

  Billie laughed. “What do you mean?”

  “When you... You know, when you were... touching yourself?”

  “You into girls?”

  “What? No! I mean? I’m not gay, but- no?”

  “Ever been with a girl before? I’ve never even-”

  “Whose interview is this?”

  “You’re right, sorry.” Billie smiled. “Please, continue.”

  “...How many people have you killed?”

  “None, but my dad has. He used to be a badass back in the day. We were in this prison group for a while, ended up leaving after my brother, my uncle convinced him to... So... What did you think when I rubbed my-”

  �
��How many infected?”

  “Ferals? Rotters? None. My dad’s killed a lot though.”

  “What happened to your brother?”

  “That’s a bit personal don’t you think?” she asked, letting out a laugh.

  “Not really, considering I watched you touch yourself.”

  Billie shrugged. “Good point... This one day, back at the prison, we got attacked. This huge horde of ferals like the size of a hundred of this place swarmed through. Me, my dad, and some of our people hid on the second floor, we used ladders and blocked off the stairs. Rotters can’t climb, ya know? Turns out neither could my brother... He didn’t make it up and one of our people died trying to save him... I don’t blame Rodney or the group though, using ladders is a smart idea, but it really fucked up my dad.”

  Rachel’s eyes watered, thinking of Carl. “I’m really sorry that happened.”

  “It’s alright... Honestly I kinda wish we could go back, I loved the prison... So, uh... On a happier note, did you like watching me? Or? What?”

  After losing Trinity, Rachel was a mess, if Billie was gay, she wanted that. She wanted to fill the hole left by Trinity after the Acquainted stole her from her. She blushed and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “I think I know exactly how that made you feel.” Looking back to make sure her father wasn’t looking, Billie leaned ahead and planted a kiss on her. She leaned back in her chair and grinned. “What do you think?”

  Rachel smiled and nodded, hopeful that Billie would fill the void and make her happy the way Trinity did.

  An hour later, the hospital.

  “You are lucky it barely hit you,” Zander said, bandaging John’s wound as he sat on one of the clean white hospital beds. “A shot to the shoulder can be quite dangerous.”

  John laughed. “Luck’s got nothin’ to do with it. I can’t die.”

  “You can’t die?”

  “I mean anyone can- But shit, the last time I was in here for a gunshot wound I was runnin’ around, killin’ critters just over a month later.”

  “Which you were advised against.”

  “Yeah, it still hurt like a bitch,” he said, kicking his feet up and relaxing on the bed.

  “You’re free to go, John.”

  “Right now I think I just wanna relax. Take a few minutes before I go back to worryin’.”