“Staff Sergeant Walsh,” I told her, hoping my position might convince her to be more forthcoming. She didn't even flinch.
“Well Staff Sergeant Walsh, you would need to get that information from your own commanding officer. The city Wardens keep their own chain of command and we don't answer to soldiers-“
“I'm a Marine.” I winked at her but she didn't look amused.
“And you're standing too close to the coach,” she said, placing a hand on her holstered gun.
I raised my hands in surrender and backed away with a smile. If she wouldn't give me any answers then I'd get them myself.
I jogged back to the porch and grabbed the satphone from one of the steps. It rang a few times before Hawker answered.
“We’re kinda busy right now Walsh.” I took a seat on the stairs and smiled at the Wardens.
“A coach just pulled up outside the house next door. It was driven by Wardens from the city but they don't wanna tell me what they're up to. Any ideas?” I waved at the Wardens standing sentinel by the coach as they scowled at me.
“I'm guessing your neighbours are important. They're selecting valuable civilians and getting them and their families inside the walled cities. They're saying it's just a precaution, to make sure they have people with important skill sets inside in case this contamination problem gets any worse.”
“And do you think it's going to be getting worse?” I asked.
“I think it's about time we told our families to get inside The Wall,” she said in a low voice.
“Thanks Hawker.” I hung up on her and ran my hands through my hair as I tried to decide what that meant for me.
“Just give them a few more minutes! I've left messages, they'll call back soon!” Katy’s mom, Aubrey, called and I looked up to see the Wardens heading back to the coach. They stopped to have a whispered conversation with the the other Wardens before turning back to her.
I guessed I'd be saying to goodbye to Katy again sooner than I'd planned. The thought left a hol
low pit in my stomach and I frowned at the step between my feet.
“It will take an hour for us to travel around and collect the rest of the families on the list. We’ll come back for you and your children then. If they aren't here then we can't wait. We have our orders and not a lot of time.” The Warden nodded to her before the four of them filed back onto the coach.
I waited until it drove away then eased off of my spot on the steps. I crossed the drive and slipped through the hedge before heading to the Lewises front door.
Aubrey was still there, standing in the doorway and watching the coach disappear into the distance.
“What's wrong?” I asked as she spotted me.
“Oh Lincoln!” She stared at me with wide eyes for several seconds before recovering. “I never would have recognised you. My gosh when Kaitlyn said you'd become a Marine I guess I just didn't realise how much that would have changed you. I'd invite you in but…”
“I'm guessing they told you not to tell anyone why they were here?” I asked as she trailed off awkwardly. “It's okay. I've got my own security clearance. I know they came to take you to Harbour City because of the contamination.”
“Oh.” Her face broke into a relieved smile then she suddenly started crying. “They aren't home. Kaitlyn and Reese; they went to the cinema with their friends and I can't get hold of them. I can't drive - Terry didn't even leave the car keys here.” She covered her face as a sob escaped and I stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her to comfort her.
“I'll go and get them,” I offered. “Where are they?”
“Orville. But there isn't time to get there and back before the coach comes for us.”
“I'll get them,” I said firmly. “Just get yourself organised and if I'm not back by the time the coach returns then just get on it. I promise I'll get them inside the city.”
Aubrey looked up at me with wide eyes, hope shining in them. “I can't ask you to… they said there are hordes of contaminated people heading towards the city. I think they're going to close the gates - permanently.”
“Hordes?” I asked with a frown, Hawker hadn't said anything about that and there had been nothing on the news either.
“They said that the contaminated people are drawn to each other. They're forming groups and attacking anything that comes near them.” Her eyes shone with terror and I felt a knot of it form in my stomach.
“I don't know anything about that but if it's true then the best thing you can do is get to the city. You can make sure they let Katy and Reese in when I get them there.”
“I can't leave without them,” she said with wild eyes.