Snagging a Danish, half of a club sandwich, and a hot cup of coffee, Katie found a corner and sat down to enjoy her meal. The townies weren't as open to her as the construction crew. The townspeople looked at her curiously, but seem locked in their own worlds. Of course, this was their town and it was now dead. They were probably in shock, in mourning, and not sure what to think of any of this, including the blond in the camouflage pants and black tank top.
Jason joined her at the table, Jack hot on his heals with his ears perked and looking at the boy anxiously for any scraps. The teenager seemed a bit moody this morning and Katie didn't blame him. Being here, being safe, made her feel raw and more vulnerable emotionally. Being on the run, living on the edge of death, was numbing and comforting compared to a quiet moment to actually reflect on all they had endured and lost.
"Mom's still asleep?" he asked.
Katie looked at him, noting his use of the word "mom. ” "Yeah, she seemed really tired. "
"She was out late with that guy," Jason said moodily.
Katie opened her mouth to say something and faltered. Of course he was upset. Jason's dad was dead and already his step mom seemed to have her eyes on another man. She took a bite of the Danish, noting it was close to being stale.
Jason sighed and gave the dog a few bits of cold chicken, which were immediately gulped down. "Dad was a shithead, but…" He shrugged.
"Yeah," Katie said. Not sure really what she was agreeing to, but Jason nodded back at her and set ab
out eating.
"It would be different if it was you," he said softly, so no one else could hear. "At least you wouldn't be replacing Dad. "
Katie reached across the table and touched his cheek. "Jason, I think Jenni is just dealing with things the best way she can. I don't think you have to worry about anyone replacing your father right now. "
Turning his face away, he shrugged. "Whatever. "
She sighed softly and returned to eating. Jason didn't seem to want to talk, so she finished up, gave him a brief hug, patted Jack on the head, and headed downstairs.
When she stepped out into the fresh, cool air, she saw that the construction of the wall was complete. Made of concrete and at least two feet thick, the wall stood sturdy and defiant about five feet from the perimeter of the hurricane fence. It was, at the very least, ten feet high. She stared over the top of it at the buildings surrounding their little fort. There was no way to be sure, but it looked like most of them had been abandoned long before all of this went down, except for the Dollar Store across the street.
Hands on hips, she surveyed the interior of the little fort and noted a fairly clear path along the edges, except for where some of the bigger machinery was clustered in a corner. She had noticed the day before that the bulldozers and heavy equipment was parked outside the wall. She flicked her gaze up to the enormous crane attached to the building with the faded Coca Cola advertisement. How it all worked was beyond her.
Stretching out, she felt the coffee giving her a nice little rush, and she felt almost normal for a second. She started to jog at a nice even clip over the packed earth of the site, darting around port-a-potties, the lunch wagon, and behind the portable office buildings. After a few minutes, she felt her energy increase and her endorphins kick in and soon she was jogging at a fair clip despite her heavy Doc Martens.
She was on her third circuit around the fort when Travis dropped in beside her. He matched her pace easily and said, "Hey. "
"Hey," she answered with a smile.
He looked a little groggy.
"Late night?"
"Sentry duty until midnight kinda took it out of me. I really need coffee, but they were fresh out and making a new pot when I went to grab a cup," he answered.
"You jog?"
"Every morning," he answered, and she noted the natural ease in which he carried himself.
"I used to run every morning with Lydia," she said, and was instantly tormented by the vision of Lydia running at her. She shook her head and looked away from him, tears abruptly in her eyes.
Travis jogged next to her, silent, yet watchful. He waited until she had control of herself, then said, "Ralph called in this morning before we were up.
He wanted to know if we'll be heading his way today. "
Katie glanced toward Travis. "Are we?"
"I'm seriously worried about the school. It is an older building. They will eventually get out and when they do, they'll come here. "
Katie expertly dodged around a few people who were standing and talking. All three were construction workers, looking dirty, tired, and nervous.
"How far away is the school?"