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White Hat Black Heart
Chapter 480: A new charge

Chapter 480: A new charge

“What do you mean we can’t come in? You know me, Jack,” Aiko said.

“I know you, but not these folks, they could be raiders as far as I know.”

“I will vouch for all of them; they are my friends.”

Nigel watched as Aiko argued with an old man with white dreadlocks. It took a very long time to scale the massive walls that surrounded the sewer runoff. Aiko found a way up, and it was dark by the time they made it to the top. Now, it appeared doubtful they would get the jet fuel that Aiko had promised. Nigel didn’t think it would be possible to get fuel to a helicopter that was dozens of stories atop a skyscraper. Nigel watched the remnants of the day fade away with the setting sun. He didn’t think that Aiko was going to be able to convince the old man to let them in.

“You’re lucky this young woman is with you. Otherwise, you all would still be outside,” the old man said.

“Thanks for letting us in, old timer,” Nigel said.

“Who you calling old, boy!?!”

“Oh, sorry,” Nigel said.

The old man laughed. “I’m just screwing with you, kid.”

At least this old coot has a sense of humor, Nigel thought.

Jack’s home smelled of cooking stew meat. Nigel’s stomach roared when he smelled it. Blanka sat next to Nigel, taking his hand in hers.

“How are you holding up, my love?”

Nigel turned toward her and smiled. “None of those symptoms have returned. I’m still feeling alright.”

Blanka kissed him, and a tingling sensation filled him. It was more powerful than anything he had experienced with any woman. He’d thought he had sparks with Jet, but with Blanka, it was much more powerful.

“Whoa, get a room, you two,” Jack said, laughing. “In all seriousness, I’m happy that you found each other in this crazy world.”

Nigel flushed, feeling like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“Jack, thank you for opening that door. I don’t know what we would have done otherwise,” Aiko said.

“Don’t thank me yet. I still don’t know what you want from me. I like you, kid, but there’s only so much I can do.”

Aiko explained the situation with Doc Chop, his capabilities for mass destruction of the city, and the enslavement of its people. Jack didn’t seem to be affected by her words. He stirred the soup and added some more ingredients. Finally, he faced her.

“What do you need?”

“Some fuel for Sally’s helicopter to get us to Boston.”

“You will have it, but I need something in return.”

“Name it. We have weapons, ammunition, and all sorts of other stuff, like radios.”

“You can keep it. I have plenty. What I need is your help. That goes for every one of you,” Jack said, pointing his finger at Nigel and his companions.

“You have it,” Aiko said.

“Mine too,” Nigel replied.

Sally and Blanka also agreed.

“Come out here, boy!” The old man bellowed.

A boy of about nine came out. He was blond and skinny. He looked like he had not eaten in days.

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“This is Jerry. I’m looking after him after his parents went missing. I need you to take him to a safe place north of here. It’s run by my nephew and his wife. What do you say?”

Sally exchanged looks with Aiko. They both looked uncertain about committing to the boy’s safety.

“I will protect the boy,” Nigel said.

“In your condition?” Sally said.

“It’s controllable so long as I have some Newport’s Finest. Besides: he reminds me of my brother Ralphie. Where is the orphanage?”

Crazy Jack gave Nigel the coordinates. He punched them into the mapping program on his phone. “This place is in Haven, not far from Milford. I grew up there.”

Jack patted Nigel on the back. “Then perhaps things are looking up already. Let’s eat!”

The old man opened the cupboard and passed out bowls for everyone, then filled each with some stew.

“I’m sorry I don’t have any bread, but I have plenty of stew.”

Nigel took a bite. It was one of the most delicious meals he’d had in a very long time.

“This is good; what’s the meat in it?” Aiko asked.

Jack gave Nigel a mischievous smile. “You know, meat is hard to come by in the city. Many have taken to eating their fellow fallen human.”

A pang of fear welled up in Nigel’s throat. “Is this… ?”

Crazy Jack laughed. “I’m joking. This is rabbit that I raised myself.”

Nigel and his companions looked at each other, but they all kept eating the stew.

“Uh, um… How are we going to get the tank filled? My chopper is atop the United Nations building,” Sally asked.

“Don’t worry about the details. I have guys who know guys in that building. I will have the fuel up there by midday tomorrow.”

“Are we going to stay here until then?” Nigel asked.

“That would be the safest. And I have sleeping bags for all,” Jack said.

“I need to go back to the encampment,” Sally said.

“Why? It took forever to get here. We should go directly to the United Nations building,” Nigel said.

“I need to get something important before we travel,” Sally replied.

“I agree with Nigel, we agreed to take care of the boy. We shouldn’t expose him to greater risk than we have to,” Blanka said.

Jerry grabbed Nigel’s arm, he gave the kid a reassuring smile. “What do you say? Do you want to see our home base?”

“Going to the encampment is good, Nigel. I can feel safe with that,” Jerry said.

Aiko gave the boy a sidelong glance. Nigel noticed that she had been uneasy since the boy appeared. Nigel knew Aiko She didn’t spook easily, but something didn’t quite sit well with the presence of the boy.

“I’m with you, Nigel, but I think if we’re up against Doc Chop and this professor, we need all the guns that we can get,” Blanka said.

“Okay, Nigel, let’s regroup with the extended team. We need to coordinate plans for Boston,” Aiko said.

Nigel had the nagging feeling they were already too late.

“Okay, but only for a short while,” Nigel said.

“Good; you will take Jerry to your camp, then leave from there. I will ensure that your fuel is delivered by midday tomorrow. I will miss you, kid,” Jack said to Jerry.

The boy gave the older man a hug. He squeezed tighter when he heard howls and other noises outside.

“I will take the first watch,” Blanka said.

“That’s not necessary, dear. You’re safe,” Jack said.

She pulled out her gun and checked the clip. “And I’m here to make sure that we are.”

“Very well, suit yourself. I’m happy that you all are staying the night. It will be close quarters, but you will be safe until dawn. Good night, everyone,” the older man said as he disappeared into the back room.

Nigel took a sleeping bag and found an unoccupied corner. He wished he could cuddle with Blanka, but now that she was taking the first watch, that wasn’t possible. He began to unravel the sleeping bag when Jerry came over with his sleeping bag.

“Nigel, can I sleep next to you?”

“Sure, buddy.”

Nigel drank another bottle of Newport’s Finest just before lying down. He didn’t want to get out of control in the middle of the night. The thought terrified him.

“Is it true that you have a brother?” Jerry asked Nigel.

“Yes, and I miss him.”

“Does he live in Milford, where you grew up?”

Nigel thought about it for a long moment. He had tried to contact John Appleton, the FBI agent his mother was seeing, but when he was at the lodge with Blanka, Eva and Vedrana, things had gotten a little out of hand. He had lost track of his brother and mother. He longed to see them again.

“I think so, but it’s been a long time,” Nigel said.

“Oh… I miss my papa and mama,” Jerry said.

“Well, I will drop you off soon and hopefully they will be waiting for you.”

“Papa might be there, but Mama is gone,” Jerry said, sobbing.

Nigel gave the boy a hug. “I’m sorry, Jerry.”

The boy wiped his eyes. “That’s okay, Papa said that mama had the most important job when she brought me into the world.”

Nigel’s eyes were heavy. He wanted to listen to the kid, but sleep was coming. He hadn’t slept well in days, and he was exhausted.

“And what job is that, Jerry?”

“Papa tells me that I’m special and I will be the catalyst…”

“For what?”

“I don’t know, but I bet it’s something big. Papa doesn’t do anything small and has helped many others find their true purpose.”

“Your dad sounds like an important man.”

“He is. Soon the entire city will look up to him.”

Nigel fell asleep to the sound of Jerry’s voice and the increasing rainfall. The next couple of days were going to test him to his limits. As he drifted off, he hoped he would be ready for the trials to come.