World of Anarchy/Chapter 27

This is a preview of chapter 27 of World of Anarchy entitled: Cornered

Chapter 27 – Cornered
Leo's POV “Leo?” Chris said to him as he entered the cabin.

“Yeah?” He asked arching one eyebrow as he noticed Chris' unease. “Somethin' the matter?”

“It's...it's about Penny...she--” Chris faltered as he turned to look at her from across the room.

She was talking to Abby and Emily about something that seemed to have them all in a good mood. Leo didn't see what had Chris worried.

“She what, Chris?”

“The other night I caught her talking to—well—no one. When I asked her who she was talking to she said she was talking to her...mom. She told me she talks to her all the time.”

Chris' words left him dumbfounded. He looked back across the room to his daughter and felt saddened. A deep, deep sadness for her. Ever since Anna died he refused to talk about it with anyone except for when he lost his cool with David a few weeks earlier. But now he new that he should have talked to someone. To Penny. He moved past Chris without a word and walked over to the girls.

“Abby, Emily--I need to talk to Penny for a second.” Leo told them.

“Sure.” Emily nodded and she and Abby quietly left.

“What is it, Dad?” Penny asked looking up at him with her bright blue eyes.

He sat down on the hard wood floor beside her. However, he just couldn't seem to get the words out. He kept thinking about she didn't deserve everything that happened to them since the dead started walking. He wanted to tell her that. He wanted to tell her everything was going to be okay once they got to Rapid City but it wouldn't. Not really anyway. She'd be safe, but she'd still have the memories of the road to get there. And eventually all her memories of her mom will fade away with time. He began to think that maybe he should let her keep “talking” to her mom to keep her memory alive. But would that fair to Penny?

“Penny...Chris told me you--” He started but got cut off by the sound of gunfire somewhere of in the distance. “The hell?” He said standing up and exchanging glances with the other adults in the room.

“That sounded close.” Riley said looking out the window.

“Too close.” Omid blurted out. “What are we gonna do about it?”

Leo thought for a moment. “Omid—You and Riley grab you gear and lets go take a look why some asshole is firin' his gun.” He said grabbing his rifle. “And Teresa and Jane—You two stay here and hold the fort. David should be back any minute—Catch him up when he gets back.” Leo said as he swung open the front door and exited.