Chapter 15 Cam
December
Cam listened to the on-duty doctor at xTerra’s Med Center as she confirmed his ankle injury had several mostly healed fractures among his tarsals. No wonder he’d been in agony.
“You can see where the bones have healed differently than the areas around each fracture.” She pointed, then traced a place on the X-ray with her pen.
“There’s a faint line on this one deeper inside where it’s still partially fractured.
” The doctor turned away from the image.
“You walked sixty miles this week, returning?” She shook her head.
“With all the detours, it was more like ninety.” He leaned back in his chair.
“You overexerted yourself, which is why your ankle’s swollen and painful again. I recommend staying off it for all but an hour or two at a time for the next week. We’ll see if the swelling goes down. If not, I’ll do another X-ray, and we’ll proceed from there.”
That timeline shouldn’t interfere with his plans, as much of his active duty at the Outpost could be spent sitting. Today was for laundry and practical matters in his bunker. Tomorrow, he would try to speak with his mother before he was due at the Outpost the day after.
Cam returned to his place, driving his electric cart to the storage shed outside his entrance.
He glanced around outside before heading underground.
With thirty guard towers around the walled city, the Watch had eyes in all directions, even if there was just a single gate.
Over the years, xTerra’s people had cleared the trees in a wide swath beyond the walls to increase visibility.
They were surrounded by rough, empty country.
If the Slains breached the wall, they could damage community buildings, but the underground homes and people would be safe.
Of more concern were the gardens, barns, and livestock areas.
Protection plans centered around them. Much of xTerra’s new wealth lay in its ability to produce fresh food and to be mostly self-sufficient.
Cam hoped that once their problems with the Slains became less urgent, much of the agriculture could expand outside the walls.
Until that time, they’d keep the animals and crops close.
Punching in his code on the panel, he swung the thick steel door open and went inside.
He flicked on the fans to circulate the slightly stale air.
He unpacked in the laundry room, throwing his clothes into the washer immediately.
Before turning it on, he changed into clean clothes and added what he’d been wearing.
While not usually one to be too interested in what he wore, he was sick of the same four shirts and two pairs of pants he’d been wearing for two months straight.
He’d left his favorite blue t-shirt behind with Lissa.
As usual, thoughts of her infused everything, even here where he’d only lived alone.
His bunker seemed empty and strangely quiet without her company.
Not that she was a talker, but her presence had made him feel seen and heard.
They’d become close in a short time, almost as though they’d been destined to find each other—a perfect match.
He rubbed his temples, trying to massage away the tightness clamping his head. His brain was busy again today.
With the laundry underway, he investigated his dinner options. He’d spent his day with Captain Wilson and then at the Medical Center. Cam didn’t have fresh food here, not after a lengthy absence, but he pulled a few dehydrated options from storage.
He took a breath. At least with an increased Watch of four to six others stationed with him on a revolving basis he wouldn’t be alone.
But loneliness was another matter. He expected that to continue, though he was determined to get to know Kory Walker better after having spent the evening with the man. Maybe he could be a friend.
Cam focused on mundane tasks to quiet his brain.
He dug through his drawers, locating a couple of different warm shirts and thick socks for his stack to take to the Outpost. He focused on all-weather and hiking gear.
As his ankle allowed, he wanted to patrol from the Outpost into the empty lands surrounding xTerra.
After his debrief with Captain Wilson this morning, they’d decided that all hunting and scavenging parties would include members of the Watch to remain on guard.
With the increased presence of the Slains, confrontations seemed inevitable.
Before leaving his bunker the next morning, Cam dialed his mother’s number through the interbunker system, hoping she would pick up.
He doubted that a reconciliation would be so simple, but he had to try.
She always screened her calls, so he wasn’t surprised when she didn’t answer.
He let it ring for several minutes before dropping the receiver into its cradle.
If his family had holed up a month ago, they might not even realize he hadn’t returned when expected.
After the reasons he’d left Lissa, this was a harsh blow.
He clenched his hands. Maybe they hadn’t even missed him or worried. Anger surged through his veins. He deserved better.
Cam drove to Section 2, Bunker 227, rolling to a stop on the crunchy frozen gravel outside the bunker where he’d grown up.
He parked, dismounted, and punched the call button on the outdoor panel.
He knew the door code, unless it had changed, but he didn’t live here anymore, so using it would be rude.
He held his breath. Waiting. It rang five times before someone answered.
“Hello. How can I help you?” It sounded like his next-oldest brother.
Cam waved at the surveillance camera. “Jed, it’s Cam. I got back last night from my extended trip and wanted to speak to Mom.”
At first, there was no reply. Then, a muffled sound, like his brother had covered the mouthpiece to speak to someone else.
Jed sighed, the sound emerging from the speaker like a blast of static. “She says she doesn’t know a Cam. Or a Cameron.”
Her petty response wasn’t unexpected, but it still stung.
“Can I come inside to talk to the rest of you?” Cam held his breath.
It was unlikely. But he didn’t want to remain estranged from his brothers either.
A difference of opinion didn’t make him a traitor.
No matter how things played out with his mother, perhaps he could salvage a relationship with his brothers.
Another goal for his remaining time in xTerra.
His heart sank when Jed said, “Best you don’t.
It would cause too much trouble. Mom’s still devastated about losing the election.
Reasonable or not, she holds you responsible.
This place means everything to her, and you helped them take it away.
Plus, Cam, you chose the Watch and then the newcomers over us.
I’m not sure there’s more we can say. We’re not close.
You also preferred that old man’s company to ours.
Traipsing all over the country with him. Nothing’s changed since.”
Cam waited a heartbeat or two. “I’ll be stationed at the Outpost after tomorrow. If someone needs me, send word through the Watch. If any of you want to join, we could use good people.” He left the invitation open, hoping Jed would take it under consideration. “Tell Nate and Aiden. Please.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” said Jed. “We’ve gotten along fine without you for the last seven years. I don’t see that changing.” The line went dead.
This was bullshit. Still, Cam had tried. He couldn’t imagine Aiden going beyond the wall, but maybe Nate would consider his offer if he could force an opportunity to speak with him.
Cam trudged to his cart, his teeth aching and jaw set. If it wasn’t for the Watch, he had nothing to tie him to this place. It wasn’t enough. He gave the Watch until fall to sort out the Slains. If things remained in a standoff, he’d leave and make a life he’d prefer.
Until then, he’d have to dream about Lissa from afar. He hoped she’d understand.