Reluctant Necromancer

The return trip took a single day, mostly because no one wanted to stay the night when we were so close to home and there were drivers to switch out. It was uneventful and we didn’t run into any more people or towns. We stopped at the same gas station. It was just as grisly, but still abandoned.

Once we reached the city limits we split off from the others. They all made their way with Dennis to the grocery store to unload what little we’d been able to scrounge up for the town. We made our way to the police station to give Montgomery an update on what had happened.

Ten minutes after we arrived Montgomery met us there. He unlocked the doors and ushered us inside. It was dark and covered in deep shadows until the flicker of overhead lights came on as Montgomery flipped the switch by the door.

“What have you all got for me?” he asked quietly. His arms were folded over his chest and he already looked like he was preparing for bad news.

“Fuck, where do we start?” Mara started.

“Best to start at the beginning and tell it like that,” Montgomery answered.

With a nod Mara began telling our story from the last few days with a few comments and additions from the rest of us. About the shady walled towns. Bandits in ambush. Dead and deserted places of business. More refugees from towns nearby. Monsters on the road. And finally about the warehouse that had been raided and then taken over by monsters.

He stayed quiet throughout the story, only asking a few clarifying questions and having us repeat a few things. When Mara finally wound our tale to a close he rocked back on his heels and let out a long sigh. “The refugees that came in while you were all headed out had a similar story to the ones you found on the road. That group never made it to us though, so I don’t know where they ended up.” He sighed and wiped his hand over his face and for the first time I could see just how tired he was.

“We want to investigate what’s going on,” I announced.

“Hmmm,” Montgomery hummed. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending out just five people. And all my deputies are busy keeping things running with the new influx of people.”

“We can handle it just fine,” I argued.

“I’m sure you’re powerful enough, but five people isn’t enough to keep an eye on everything at once, no matter how powerful you are,” he replied.

“What would you suggest then?” Mara asked. At least my team was still with me on this. That we needed to protect more than just the people we’d been lucky enough to portal to.

“Give me a couple days. Clear out the dungeon again to give yourself more time. Run the clinic again. Let me round up another team or two to support you out there.”

“We’ve already wasted so much time,” I whined.

“I understand that it sometimes feels that way. But with things like this it pays to take your time and do it right than to rush in and get someone hurt. Including each other,” Montgomery said quietly trying to defuse the situation.

“But there are people in danger right now,” I was starting to get worked up again.

“In order for there to be enough people to run an entire town out there either had to be a lot of people in this gang, or they were very powerful. Worst case a combination of the two. You can’t go in halfcocked or you’re more likely to get those people you’re trying to save hurt.”

I ground my teeth in frustration. I really wanted to take a look at both those towns and see if there was a pattern. If it was the same people. I wanted to track the assholes responsible down and deal some justice their way. I don’t know why I was so adamant that I be the one to do it. It just felt like somehow being there made me somewhat responsible. It made me connected to the situation in a way another just wouldn’t be.

But unfortunately I also understood where Montgomery was coming from. And looking around I could see the others being swayed by his logic. Being the only one to keep pushing wouldn’t get me anywhere. I could take the time to prepare. But if something had happened to those people that had been left behind I was going to have more than just strong words for everyone in this room.

Ashley reached up and squeezed my shoulder. I turned to look at her and she gave me a small smile and a nod. I took a deep breath. “Fine. Two days,” I finally agreed. “We’ll clear the dungeon and do the clinic. Then we leave. Whether you have someone ready or not.”

“If I can’t get someone to come with you in two days then I’ll come myself to help out. Alright?” Montgomery offered.

“God, I hope he finds someone else,” Mara muttered under her breath next to me. I was sure that I was the only one to hear. “Alright,” she agreed louder.

A few minutes later we were tramping back to the van and on our way to the house. It wasn’t home. Not by a long shot, but it was familiar and comfortable. And we all needed that after the past few days.

Ashley followed me to our room where I flopped unceremoniously onto the bed. “Oh, no you don’t,” she tutted at me. “You are fucking filthy, same as me. We are going to take showers before getting anywhere near that bed.”

I gave her my most puppy dog eyes.

She stared back at me, “I will make you sleep on the floor.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. “Fine.” I rolled to my side and climbed back off the bed. It took infinitely more energy than anything up to now had cost me. I just wanted to crash and let my mental and emotional baggage go for a few minutes. “Share?” I asked with a hint of whine in my voice.

She chuckled as she closed the door and started pulling out clean clothes from the dresser. “No. I don’t know about you, but I do not have the energy for that.”

“Just to shower, honest.”

“Uh huh. Sure. The answer is still no. I need the water way hotter than you can stand. I have been dreaming about it since the first night in the van,” she grinned at me unapologetically.

“Don’t steal all the hot water!” I cried.

“I won’t. Geez. I can take a quick, but oh so hot shower. And if I don’t hurry I’m going to have to go after John and Oliver get their beard shavings everywhere.” She made a face as she headed back out into the hallway.

She was right in the end. Taking a shower felt amazing. I didn’t even realize how dirty I had been until I saw all the dirt and sweat washing down the drain. Finally getting to cuddle with her under the sheets after was more than the icing on the cake. It was the point.

I curled up into her and she ran her hands through my hair whispering soothing sounds. I don’t even think there were any words to what she cooed at me. But I was too far gone into a state of pure bliss at the time to decipher real words anyway.

I fell asleep wrapped up in her arms. For the first time in days I felt relaxed and at peace. I was right where I was supposed to be.