Page 11 (1/2)

"You can’t do that It’s our property" Stephen’s voice rose in pitch and a few people walking by hurried on "We paid for all of that Our money

Our property Give it back"

"Stephen, no We took food and anything else the fort needed e salvaged your place It’s part of the stores no are we supposed to knoe took at this point? That was o We probably ate the food by now" Travis set his hands on his hips and gazed steadily at Stephen "And why do you want the Hu to use it to drive you and Blanche out to areas to salvage?

Where are you going to get your food? Your supplies? Chances are, we give you the Hu outside our walls in a few days"

"Don’t underestimate us, Travis"

"Blanche won’t even clean her own da to cook?"

"Actually, Blanche thought o with us if we promised them some jewelry and other valuables," Stephen answered in a cold, angry voice He was growing i able to push around local officials He did not like being rebuffed

"You mean stuff that is worthless now that the zombies have risen" Travis shook his head "Unbelievable Really"

"Why do you want us here? You hate us! Everyone does You hate our wealth and our prestige"

Travis gripped Stephen’s arhtly with one hand "Stephen, you’re not wealthy or prestigious any You’re a part of this town This fort I wish to God you tould settle down and just adapt Look, I get that you used to be spoiled rotten, but those days are gone All of us need to carry our own daet that? Do you understand that? We can’t afford to be selfish any his arm away, Stephen looked unsure of what to say next He rubbed his arone This is the neorld You gotta adapt Be a part of us Settle down Learn some useful skills Chip in Make so about the old world being gone But it’s really not It’s just waiting for us to push back the dead then everything will go back to the way it was I will rise to the top again I will take care ofa fore around acting like you’re the ry, but defensive "All these people you want us to be friends ill go back to their pathetic lives You think everyone is equal, but people with power, like ain it and we deserve it"

"Stephen, you got your h to take advantage of the railroad when it cah these parts way back in the day He worked his ass off to be a success and bring commerce to this area He put this town on the ht jobs into this town and he randma I’ve been in that littleside by side with the townspeople Sothis fort a success Let that be your legacy"

"You don’t get it, Travis You think I’ to earn my keep Well, I have I have worked damn hard

And I love my wife I want her to be happy and she is not happy She wants our supplies back and our Hu to work the estate I think she deserves those things Being here is hard on her And being a good, decent husband, I plan to do what she needs to ed

Travis shook his head, frustrated at not being able to get through to the o out there and it will be just you and her unless soh to fall for your ruse"

"I am not a man to be trifled with, Travis" Stephen stared at Travis for a long, piercing second, then turned and stomped off without another word

Travis raised his hand to rub his very tired eyes When he lowered his hand, Bill was staring at him "What’s up?"

"He isn’t an easy man, Travis You can’t make him be what he doesn’t want to be"

"You heard that, huh?"

Bill nodded, his hands resting on his belt It was cinched tighter than in the past and his once round face was now more oval, with a hint of jowls

"They ain’t never been easy people Stephen is the younger brother asn’t supposed to inherit his Daddy’s et his ass killed doing so to prove himself, and his wife ain’t ot lucky beco a beauty queen Stephen has been smitten with her since the day he saw her He has poured tons ofher sister’s political career work They don’t wanna be here, Travis, because this is what they wanted to avoid all their lives Being co this was probably true "Do you want to give them a bunch of supplies, the Huive theh A week’s worth of supplies Weapons A We both know it Either they’ll get their asses eaten or show back up in a week or two begging to come back in" Bill’s expression was soreed on that point then I told hiain" Bill shrugged slightly "It’s the huets easier, does it?"

"It will One day"