The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 63

hapter 63

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“It’s the apocalypse. Food’s tight. We don’t owe her anything, and she sure as hell doesn’t owe us food!” one of the soldiers said, a voice of reason.

“We didn’t even eat her stew!”

“You did eat her ribs,” Leonard cut in. “And you used her medicine.”

His eyes lingered on Hayley for a moment, serious and steady.

Hayley coming out like this was her way of telling him she had noticed everything he’d done. Yet she had never called him out or scolded him. That meant she wasn’t actually stingy or unreasonable–otherwise, she wouldn’t have let things slide so many times.

That was kindness. And she’d chosen to pass that kindness through him to the others.

But they still hadn’t figured it out.

“She is actually really decent,” Leonard said. “She’s a good person. You guys have her completely wrong.”

“Leonard, stop defending her!”

“Yeah, no matter what, we’re not sticking with her. If you want to, fine. But once the captain wakes up, heading back.”

“My mom’s still at Base K1. I have to go back.”

“Same here. I can’t stay either!”

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Inside the shelter, Hayley watched the whole scene play out on the security camera feed. She pulled over her headset and spoke into the loudspeaker. 1

“I don’t give a damn what you think or want. As long as you’re under my roof, you work. Tonight, all of you are on watch duty. If you don’t like it, then get out!”

Outside, the men all fell silent.

Satisfied, Hayley turned off the mic and headed back to her bunk.

There was no need to rush. She had plenty of time. But the rule was simple–if you eat her food, you work for her.

On her way back, she passed Liam, who was still lying on the ground. She had already given him an emergency pill and applied Valenex to him. His life was safe now, and he was recovering fast.

Hayley gave him a quick glance, then stepped right over him and climbed back into bed.

By the next morning, the shelter was running like clockwork again. Those stubborn guys still refused to accept her authority, but they had done all the chores.

The vegetables from her garden were harvested, the chickens, ducks, and goats were fed, and she noticed they had even expanded her fishpond while out on patrol.

Hayley couldn’t help but think that maybe it really was better to have a few extra hands around. At least now, the work was getting done.

“Boss, where do you want these vegetables?”

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“Come with me.”

She led Leonard into the shelter and had him stack the veggies near the big steel door. She would haul them into. storage herself later.

Power and responsibility had to balance out. She hadn’t given Leonard any truly critical tasks yet, so he didn’t deserve full access to her warehouse. That was for his good as much as hers.

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