The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

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By building a few extra cabins outside the shelter, Hayley could let Leonard live just beyond the base and work as a lookout to monitor the whole area’s security.

After finishing up the assignments outside, she headed back to the base to get some sleep.

That was when Gavin spoke up. “Buss, how’s Captain Caldwell doing?”

“Still asleep,” Hayley replied. Before she’d gone out, Liam had still been unconscious.

It was a little strange, honestly. Why hadn’t he woken up yet?

She had already checked his wounds and breathing. His injuries had mostly healed, and his breathing was steady he just looked like he was peacefully asleep.

“Then can you let him be out here with us? We’ll take care of him!” Gavin asked.

“No way.” Hayley refused instantly.

Liam was her hostage.

There was no way she’d fully trust a bunch of people who weren’t under her command, especially inside her own territory.

Like they’d said before–what if they decided to escape and take Leonard with them?

They were clearly loyal to Liam, and even while he was unconscious, Hayley hadn’t been able to win them over. If he woke up, there was a real chance he might convince Leonard to leave with him.

She couldn’t let that happen.

To Hayley, this wasn’t some kind of test for Leonard.

A test would be an unplanned thing that happened in a crisis, not because she’d been careless and given someone a chance to mess things up.

She didn’t need to test people’s humanity–she needed to keep Leonard far away from dangerous choices. That was the smart move.

So no, letting Liam stay outside with his team was absolutely not an option.

“Then how are we supposed to know how he’s doing?” Gavin pressed.

“If you’re that worried, ask Leonard,” Hayley said flatly and walked away without another word.

Everyone was already used to her bad temper by now.

“I swear, I’ve never met a woman like her in my life!” Derek complained behind her back.

“How many

women have

you even

met?” the team teased, grinning.

“Still! She’s heartless, cold–blooded, mean, and scary. She doesn’t have a single ounce of gentleness in her! When Captain Caldwell wakes up, I’ll-”

“You’ll what?” Leonard looked at him calmly.

“I’ll run for my life! I never want to see her again!”

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That made everyone burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny? Am I wrong?” Derek said, pouting like a kid. “Don’t tell me when the captain wakes up, you guys aren’t planning to run too!”

“Of course! We’re all getting out of here!”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

After the laughter died down, everyone turned to Leonard. “Make sure you take good care of Captain Caldwell, okay?”

“You should trust the boss,” Leonard said. “Captain Caldwell’s injuries are healing fine. I saw it myself. He just needs a few more days of rest.”

“Alright, keep an eye on him for us,” Gavin said.

“Got it.”

Two days passed in a blur.

With a few extra hands to help, Hayley took the chance to fix up her shelter.

Leonard’s new cabin was completely finished now–a small tin–and–wood house, sturdy and practical.

It gave him a good view of the garden and the animals, allowing him to guard the entrance to the shelter at all times.

She also decided to rebuild and expand the chicken and duck pens.

She had all those freeloaders working for her now, so she sent them up the mountain to chop wood and weave branches and vines. Under her direction, they completely redid the coops she had built before, making everything bigger and sturdier.