Chapter 26
The nerve damage in his arm still flared to life every once in a while but compared to the utter agony of multiple gunshot wounds, it wasn’t too bad in comparison.
Vin had learned to live with the pain and breathe through flare-ups.
He had sat with healers and medicine men of the tribe who had performed rituals of spiritual healing.
Vin had no idea if what they were doing was having any effect, but these rituals certainly made him feel a lot better. He was thankful for them and the continued kindness of the tribe.
Everyone here had been so gracious to him throughout his experience, so accepting of his presence.
There were some he could tell did not trust him or thought he shouldn’t be within the bounds of the reservation.
But those people never met him with outright contempt.
They simply kept their distance and didn’t interact.
But Vin could still feel their eyes on him as he walked through the dusty streets.
He was struck by how small many of the homes on the reservation were and how modestly these people must have lived, even before the EMP had gone off more than half a year ago. It made Vin loathe the government even more.
He had believed the way they had treated him as a veteran was harsh and horrible, and it was in many ways. But the way these people had been treated, the way they had been thrown scraps by a cold and unfeeling system that had committed genocide against their people, was utterly appalling.
As he watched adults and even children working together to move the entire community onward, Vin felt a need to keep this special place safe, to give back to this community that had taken him in, saved his life, and sheltered him from harm.
But he was one man, and the oncoming storm of Chainz and his followers was more than any one person could stand against, even someone with his resilience and training.
But still, he had to try.
It wasn’t solely for these people who he knew he had to fight.
Their plight only piled on top of his already steel resolve when it came to toppling Chainz and his criminal empire.
At the top of his priority list were Deb and Jimmy.
For six months, he had agonized over their safety, had worried about what was happening within the bounds of that ranch he had once called home.
But how could he topple an empire by himself? How could he stand against an army and come out whole on the other side?
Sean alone was more than a match for him, and Chainz had a reputation for being one of the most vicious fighters the underworld had ever seen. Add on top of that several hundred angry and loyal followers hell-bent on ending his life and Vin didn’t have much of a chance.
He might as well try to fight a hurricane.
In three months, Chainz had made no move to take the reservation, which seemed to relax a great many within the tribe.
But Vin knew once that miserable mountain of a man set his mind to a goal, he didn’t deviate.
It was only a matter of time before Chainz expanded into tribal lands and pushed these people from their homes.
And that was a best-case scenario.
Vin had to fight against visions of this wonderful community in flames as men, women, and children of the tribe bled and died in the streets.
Chainz didn’t like to leave loose ends. If he believed there was a chance these people would try to come back and reclaim what was once theirs, he would wipe them out to the last baby.
Vin couldn’t let that happen, but for three months, he had been unable to convince the elders of the tribe that action needed to be taken. They still hoped for a peaceful solution or that Chainz would focus his attention elsewhere and leave the tribe alone.
Vin shook his head sadly at the thought. That wasn’t going to happen.
“Vin!” a voice called out, and Vin looked over to see a young Native man in his mid-twenties jog over to his location from one of the small homes.
“Jolon,” Vin said, by way of greeting, tipping his hat to the young man.
“I’m pleased to see you up and walking about town unassisted,” Jolon said, brushing a strand of long ebony hair away from his face.
“I appreciate that, kid,” Vin said, reaching out to pat Jolon on his strong muscled shoulder.
The young man was in impressive shape and served as a sort of sheriff for the local community. The reservation was large, with many communities dotting the land. This one was protected by Jolon, with many able-bodied men and women keeping watch over the others.
“How’re you feeling?” Jolon asked.
“Good as new,” Vin said before giving a shrug. “Well, as good as possible, at least. When you break a plate and glue it back together, it’s never quite the same.”
“I understand that,” Jolon replied, looking off into the distance as though he had something on his mind.
“What’s up, kid?” Vin asked, clearly sensing an ulterior motive in Jolon’s greeting.
“Am I that obvious?” Jolon asked sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck.
“Well, I’m good at reading people,” Vin said with a shrub. “But yeah, you’re pretty damn obvious.”
Jolon blushed and turned away, looking toward the horizon and the morning sun. “I met with some of the other protectors of the tribe yesterday,” he said, his voice tight and grim. “They said outsiders have been seen scouting the boundaries of the reservation lands again.”
“Chain Gang?” Vin asked, already knowing that was the case.
“Indeed,” Jolon said, with a sad shake of his head. “The government soldiers haven’t been seen in these parts for months.”
“Well, that’s one problem that ain’t coming back at least,” Vin grumbled under his breath.
“Indeed,” Jolon replied. “But I worry that the presence of these men means that Chainz has taken an interest in tribal lands again.”
“Yeah,” Vin said, shaking his head slowly. “I had a feeling he was gonna get that itch again. It’s why I keep trying to convince Uncle that you have to fight back, hit him there before he hits you here.”
“You know I agree with you, Vin,” Jolon said. “But the words of the elders are respected, and they are hesitant to enter armed conflict.”
“Then Chainz has already won,” Vin said darkly. “It’s just a matter of waiting for him to come to claim his prize.”
“I don’t want to think like that,” Jolon said, and Vin could see a shiver pass through his strong body.
“You’re gonna have to, kid,” Vin said. “Wishing something away doesn’t make it go away. Y’all can close your eyes and pretend it don’t exist, but the bad shit is waiting for you again the second you open them.”
“I know,” Jolon said. “It has been keeping me up at night.”
“That makes you smart,” Vin replied. “Any sane person would be terrified at the thought of what might come walking through these streets any day now.”
“Yes,” the young man said, “and you seem to be the only one who will listen.”
“What about the other protectors?” Vin asked, an eyebrow raised with interest. “Aren’t they worried?”
“Yes,” Jolon said, “but none of them are willing to cross the words of the elders and take any action.”
“Ah,” Vin said, starting to realize where this was going. “And you think that I’ll help because I’m an outsider.”
“Won’t you?” Jolon asked, his eyes pleading intensely.
“Well, sure,” Vin said with a shrug. “But I don’t know how much I can do on my lonesome. What’d you have in mind?”
“A scouting mission,” Jolon said. “Just you and me, making our way into their lands and taking a look at exactly what we’re dealing with. Then we can report back to the elders and let them know what we saw.”
“They ain’t gonna be happy about that,” Vin said. “Didn’t word come down from the chief himself that no one was to antagonize them?”
“Yes,” Jolon said. “We’d be violating tribal law, but I think it would be for the good of all, and everyone would eventually see that.”
“All right, kid,” Vin said, holding up a hand. “You don’t gotta convince me. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into. And if the shit does hit the fan, well, then I’ll take the hit for you. No sense in you getting in trouble with the tribe for trying to protect them.”
Jolon was quiet for a moment and nodded, the gratitude evident on his face.
“When do you wanna head out?” Vin asked, looking in the direction of the ranch.
“As soon as you’re ready,” Jolon said with a relieved smile.
Vin reached down and touched the handles of his twin pistol and gave the young protector a conspiratorial grin. “I’m ready.”