The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

People always said soldiers were good with their hands. That they could fix, build, and grow just about anything, Hayley had to admit that that was true.

They reorganized the vegetable garden as well, doubling the farmland.

Before, she used to just toss the seeds wherever and hope for the best. The area around the shelter wasn’t used efficiently at all.

Now, everything was carefully sectioned and replanned, which meant the harvest would be several times larger than before.

The fish and shrimp ponds were also redone. They dug a new pit about 15 feet deep next to the old one, then rerouted the existing pond water to expand it. With more space, the fish and shrimp would thrive and multiply faster.

Everyone worked fast and hard, which made Hayley pretty pleased.

During the day, she sent Leonard and three others out to explore and expand the territory, while the rest stayed behind to help rebuild the base. In exchange, she promised them two meals a day.

Yep. Two was enough.

As a self–proclaimed responsible landowner, Hayley figured that was fair for short–term workers who wouldn’t be sticking around anyway. No need to spoil them with three meals.

Still, she treated Leonard, her permanent worker, differently. She made a point of giving him a special breakfast right in front of everyone else, just to show who she favored. Subtlety was not her thing.

Hayley had always protected her own people fiercely. With outsiders, she made no effort to hide her double standards.

Derek and the others were getting used to it by now. That was just who she was–blunt, bossy, tough as nails, and absolutely unapologetic about it.

But honestly, they couldn’t complain. Having someone like her as their boss was kind of amazing. There was no question about it.

That night, Leonard and his team came back with a big surprise–they each drove in a massive delivery truck.

While expanding their territory, they had stumbled upon a pileup on a nearby highway–several huge trucks that had crashed into each other. They cleared out the zombies, staked Hayley’s claim on the area, and realized that a few of the trucks were still in working condition. Even better, most of them were loaded with delivery cargo.

After fixing up the vehicles, they drove them straight back to the base.

“Boss! We found supplies!” Leonard called out.

Hayley’s eyes practically sparkled when she saw all the goods they’d brought back.

“Nice work!” she said, patting Leonard on the shoulder. She glanced around at everyone else, suddenly in a good mood. “Everyone gets extra meat tonight!”

“Whoa!”

“I’m gonna cry! I never thought I’d live to see the she–devil act generously.”

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“What did you just say?” Hayley kicked Derek in the shin. “You’re not eating.”

“No, I’m sorry! You’re not a devil, you’re an angel!”

Hayley snorted. “Say it right! I’m the most amazing, beautiful, and generous boss in the world.”

Derek hesitated, torn between his pride and the promise of meat. In the end, he sighed in defeat. “You’re the most amazing, beautiful, and generous boss in the world.”

“That’s better. Now unload all this cargo first. You can eat after the work’s done.”

Derek muttered curses under his breath, but he didn’t dare talk back.

Hayley waved for Leonard to follow her inside to grab some ingredients. She decided they’d make slow–cooked beef and potato casserole for dinner.

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