Blanche rolled her eyes.
“You know what? Do whatever. But you better be damn well sure you are setting a precedent you can live with,” Travis said, and stormed out.
“…may be human after all as he exits the top secret meeting…”
Juan followed Travis down the hall and into the lobby. Travis tried hard not to let his temper get the best of him.
“Travis,” Eric called out from nearby, and rushed over to him.
Travis took several deep breaths as he looked back and forth between Juan and Eric. Both of the men looked concerned and maybe a little fearful. Travis could feel the heat of his anger burning in his eyes. He rubbed them with his fingertips.
“What’s going to happen?” Eric asked.
“A vote. The fort will vote on what to do,” Travis answered.
“Okay. That seems fair,” Eric said. “Are you okay with that?”
“Just scared,” Travis confessed.
“Why?” Juan folded his arms over his chest. “This is a good thing. ”
“But what if people vote to keep them?” Travis shook his head. “I hate this feeling. Voting out a person into the deadlands. It doesn’t feel right. ”
“We don’t want them here, that’s for damn sure,” Eric reminded him. “I know you want them gone. ”
“Yeah, but what if we start voting out people for the wrong reasons?” Travis shook his head. He felt compromised by his own beliefs in this moment. He wanted Shane and Phillip gone, but the thought of people voting out someone from the safety of the fort was terrifying.
“It’s the right thing to do, man. It’s the right thing. You know it,”
Juan assured him.
Travis set his hands on his hips as he considered this, then sighed.
“Nothing feels right anymore. Nothing. ” And with that, he walked to the elevator to go up to be with Katie.
When Travis finally entered Katie's room, he found her fast asleep with Jenni holding her close. He walked over and gently smoothed Katie's hair back from her face, then sighed. Sitting in a chair next to the bed, he sat in silence, deep in his thoughts
Chapter 12
1. Justice
The next week was sheer hell.
The idea to vote on what to do with Shane and Philip had seemed like a good idea at first. Nicely printed copies of the depositions of those involved were handed out to anyone over the age of seventeen who were willing to vote. It became the most popular reading material in the fort. It also became the most talked about and scandalous.
Philip and Shane were tucked away in one of the guardrooms where they could be constantly monitored and put to work keeping an eye out for marauders or zombies. They weren’t allowed to touch weapons during their watches, but their duty did allow them enough time to flap their jaws to spread rumors. Roger had become so disgusted by their tales, he had asked Nerit not to assign him to their guard duty anymore. Nerit had made sure Roger understood that he needed to keep his spot to limit the damage they were doing.
Rumor was rife throughout the fort and Katie’s sexuality became the focus of a lot of discussions. Some people staunchly refused to believe she was anything other than a good ol’ straight girl. Others suspected that she was a lesbian in hiding. That it was even considered part of the decision making process made Katie angry and feel hurt all at the same time.
“Yeah, someone asked me if I was your mustache,” Travis said with a wry smile one night.
“Huh? Oh! My beard!” Katie rolled her eyes. “I’m surprised they even knew the term. ”
“Yeah, I’m the mustache for you and Jenni. ” Travis shook his head and laughed.
“Of course. What else would you be,” she said with a laugh. The words hurt more than she cared to admit.
It was painful reminder of all she and Lydia had gone through. The furtive looks, the guarded questions, the gossip: all of it had been hell.