Isolation , Jones, Nathan [top 20 books to read TXT] 📗

living around his house, and seeing half of them arrested, and most of the rest of them choosing to volunteer for the rebuilding efforts to stay with their loved ones, including his own grandson and Gen, had hit him hard.

“We survived months with Zolos hanging over our head,” he continued, building up a head of steam in his anger, “and the threat of starvation, and even bombing attacks from a bunch of deranged lunatics.” He punched his palm. “And the moment we get things under control and we're doing just fine, now they swoop in and want to start bossing us around!”

Ellie abruptly stood and strode towards the stairs leading down from the gazebo.

She'd finally come to the realization that the leaders of the town and quarantine camp had settled from preparing to take action to stop Gorstrom to just sitting around bemoaning this turn of events. It wasn't as if there was anything they could do, sure, but she had to resign herself to the fact that they wouldn't be able to get it done.

So she made her way towards the relief camp, intending to confront Gorstrom directly. She doubted she'd be able to convince the woman to change her mind, but maybe at least she'd be able to get some answers.

And if nothing else, maybe she could convince the administrator to let Nick go; it was selfish, but that was the main thing that mattered to her.

They'd both spent so long separated from their children, for one reason or another. Ellie wasn't about to let this woman and her arbitrary judgments rob Ricky and Tallie of their father now.

She spotted Gorstrom by one of the semi trucks, discussing details over a clipboard with one of her aides. The woman had to have seen Ellie storming towards her, but she turned away and kept talking as if she hadn't.

That infuriated Ellie even more. “I'm surprised you didn't trump up charges against me!” she shouted at Gorstrom's back.

The administrator froze, then turned her way, eyes icy. “I beg your pardon?”

All of Ellie's conflict resolution instincts were screaming for her to shut up, but she ignored them; Gorstrom wouldn't be reasoned with, but maybe a direct confrontation would break through her rigid shell of professionalism.

“You're so desperate for workers that you're willing to piss off an entire town and quarantine camp by arresting dozens of their friends and neighbors, not to mention most of their leaders, on BS charges,” Ellie said. “So with how interested you were in me volunteering my management skills to the rebuilding effort, I'm surprised you didn't fabricate something on me as well.”

Gorstrom's eyes glinted. “Why, are you guilty of a crime?”

Ellie snorted bitterly. “Yeah, because that's your priority.”

The older woman turned away sharply. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Westmont. I believe you have friends leaving tomorrow to join the rebuilding efforts . . . you should spend some time with them before they leave.”

“Please,” Ellie said, anger giving way to desperation; Gorstrom paused but didn't turn back. “Please, don't take my children's father away from them. We've already been through so much.”

The administrator turned again, expression genuinely pained. “You're in a better position to do something about that than I am.” At Ellie's blankly incredulous look she continued sympathetically. “Mr. Statton is facing the consequences of his own decisions, however good his motives were. I can't make an exception for him, even if I'd like to . . . justice falls apart if it's not applied equally.”

The woman's voice became firm. “On the other hand, if you really feel so strongly about not separating your children from their father, you only need to join the rebuilding efforts and accompany him. Plenty of others have made that sacrifice for the sake of their loved ones.”

Ellie fought back a wave of fury at the suggestion she was the one being unreasonable here. But it was joined by a tinge of guilt, because Gorstrom had a point.

That didn't make Ellie any more likely to change her mind about volunteering. Even less so, after the shenanigans the relief administrator had pulled. So with great effort she managed to hold back from cursing at the woman, gritting her teeth helplessly, and turned and furiously stalked away.

She wanted to do something for Nick, but all options seemed to be exhausted. It looked as if he had a choice of either becoming a fugitive or joining the rebuilding efforts.

And now she felt selfish for deciding to stay here, on top of it.

Defeated, she made her way back to the Norsons' house. There she found Ricky and Tallie helping Nick sort through his meager pile of possessions, deciding what to take with him. In the fading dusk she saw Gen and Billy in the house, apparently also packing.

The sight made the reality of the situation sink home. But at least it looked as if the children, while a bit glum, didn't look completely devastated by what was happening; Nick must've explained it to them.

Then again, they probably didn't fully understand just how long he'd be gone, or that they might not be able to see him during that time. In two years, according to Nick his minimum sentence, Tallie would be almost eight, and Ricky would be ten. That was a long time to not see their father.

Nick spotted Ellie and waved her over, pointing to the pile of stuff he was leaving behind. “I guess you and the others can sort through this and take anything you need.” He smiled wanly. “If nothing else, with so many of us leaving the group's food stores will last a lot longer. You shouldn't have to worry about having enough to last until you're self-sustaining at this point.”

She abruptly felt tears stinging her eyes and blinked quickly, forcing herself to stay cheerful for the children's sake. “That's true. Need any help packing?”

“Nah,” he chuckled wryly. “It's not like I have much to take with me anyway, even if I had room for it.”

Ellie couldn't bring herself to share