Knights of the Apocalypse (A Duck & Cover Adventure Post-Apocalyptic Series Book 2) by Benjamin Wallace

is
cool.”
    The engine came to a stop somewhere beyond
the station, and the guards pushed them towards an open-air passenger car. They
seated the couple back-to-back on a bench that ran the length of the car and
secured their bindings through a metal ring at their feet. Chewy was placed in
a freight car next to them and was still not happy about it.
    Several knights spread out across the
benches. There was ample space in the car for twenty people, but the knights
found maneuvering difficult. Several men repositioning in such close quarters
with four feet of sword sticking out behind them produced more “excuses me’s,”
“my bad’s,” and “oh, I’m sorry, was that your face’s” than Jerry had heard in
years. Even in the apocalypse, chivalry was not dead. But it had grown stupid.
    “How fast does it go?” Jerry asked the knight
closest to him.
    There was no response.
    “Do we get to go over any big bridges?” he
asked another.
    Again there was no answer.
    “What are we going to see?”
    Nothing.
    “You guys are no fun,” Jerry said. “You’re
spoiled. That’s what it is. Not many people get to ride a train anymore. You
should be thankful.”
    The guards made it obvious that they did not
share his enthusiasm. “You won’t be making jokes when you start to freeze. Now
shut up.”
    “I might. I’ll try and think of some freezing
jokes for you guys.”
    The whistle blew and the pistons began their
slow and steady churn. Jerry leaned back and opened his mouth to speak to
Erica.
    “I don’t want to hear about the train
either.”
    Jerry remained silent for a moment before
changing the conversation. “So that Mr. Christopher is kind of a dick, huh?”

 
    # # #
    Jerry’s questions about the train were
answered quickly.
    How fast did it go? Slower than the speed of
interesting.
    Would they cross any bridges? Yes, several very
low and dull bridges.
    What would they see? Trees. Tree after tree after tree and a river.
    The train moved along at a slow and steady
pace, making only one stop to attach a plow car and fill the boiler. All in all
the ride was so beautifully boring that the guards eventually broke their
silence and began to talk to the prisoners.
    “So what was that fight all about, anyway?”
    Erica answered with a question of her own.
“Didn’t he tell you when he paid you to look the other way?”
    The knight crossed his arms. “I don’t know
what you’re talking about, miss. Taking a bribe is against the king’s Law.”
    Erica snorted. “Just like that?”
    “Bringing false accusations against one of
the king’s men is also against the king’s Law. You’d better be careful what you
say. You’re in enough trouble as it is.”
    Erica sighed. “We’re not really sure what
it’s all about. He’s been following us for months. He’s a bounty hunter and
he’s convinced himself that we’re wanted.”
    “Now why would he think that?” the knight
asked.
    Jerry shrugged. “Did you see how he was
dressed?”
    The knight nodded.
    “He’s clearly an idiot,” Jerry said.
    The guard chuckled and nodded again.
    Another knight spoke up. “He didn’t look like
much of a bounty hunter to me.”
    Erica smirked. “You run into a lot of bounty
hunters, do you?”
    “Nah, but you hear about them. The good ones, anyway. People pass through and tell stories.
Like, ‘Deadeye’ Dick Devlin.” The knight made a gun with his finger. “He’s the
best shot in the wasteland.”
    “Second best,” Erica said. “Apparently.”
    “What’s that?” the knight asked.
    “Oh, nothing,” Jerry said and shot Erica a
look she couldn’t see. “Rumor has it he was shot dead outside of Abilene.”
    “Really? That’s a shame. He was the best.”
    “Second best,” said Erica.
    Another guard jumped into the conversation.
“You know who I always liked? Kamikaze Cooper. I met him once, you know? Hell
of a guy. Wasn’t afraid of anything.”
    Erica shifted in her seat. “I’ll bet he’s
scared