HOOD: A Post Apocalyptic Novel (American Rebirth Series Book 1) by Evan Pickering

believed in you. They died for you. What are you going to do with that? He bowed his head, running his hand over his mouth.
    “Taylor's still alive,” he said slowly. “I saw her. They took her captive.”
    Whiskey's head whipped around. “She's alive? What, are they sellin' her to slavers?” He moved towards Hood, the jaw muscles on the side of his face flexing, his eyes demanding a response.
    Hood rubbed his raw wrists. “It was Ian who took Taylor. He's working for the Kaiser. Though I'm sure he has no choice in the matter.” Just saying the words was a strange mix of relief and fear. I should be glad I saw her with Ian. He won't let anything bad happen to her. But how did he get mixed up with the Kaiser militants?
    Words seemed to fail the both of them for a moment.
    “Well, that's some family you got there,” Whiskey grunted.
    “He was trying to save her! I heard him say as much,” Hood shouted.
    “You're defending him? You said it yourself. He works for the goddamned Kaiser .” He nearly spat the name, baring his teeth slightly with his eyebrows set hard over his blue eyes.
    “It's because of Ian that she's still alive . You can bet your life on that!” Hood bit off the words, pointing at Whiskey. “And at least maybe. . .” Hood paused, unsure if he even wanted to say it. “At least maybe he can protect her from anyone doing. . . anything to her.”
    Whiskey moved closer to stare Hood down, the creases in his forehead pronounced. Someone exploiting or hurting Taylor was an idea Whiskey didn't look like he wanted to entertain. “Let me explain something to you. We have to save her. Every hour it takes us to get to her, her life expectancy goes down. I don't give a damn if he's your long lost clone. I don’t care what he thinks he's doing. If anyone gets in the way of us getting her back, they are not long for this world.”
    Hood shook his head, his brow set as he stared back at Whiskey. “You don't think I feel the same way? She's my fucking sister, Whiskey. But Ian is my brother. He's not some maniac. You and I know damn well not every person under the Kaiser is doing it of their own will. I'm telling you, we're on the same side.”
    Whiskey did little to hide his doubt. “Yeah, well. It sure don't seem that way.” He turned away, resuming his search for anything of value.
    Hood shook his head. “I got the Sheriff talking.” He looked at the old man's contorted body. “That murderous bastard thought himself a godly man. He won't be stringing up any more innocent people in the name of god anymore. He told me the Kaiser wanted to bring me to the Church of the Epiphany in D.C.. Stands to reason if that's where they are headed, that's where Ian will be bringing Taylor.”
    Whiskey's demeanor softened, the weight of not knowing where to go lifting from his broad shoulders. “No kidding. How'd you get him to tell you that!?”
    “I just kept talking to him. He sure as hell wanted to talk. Just a lonely bitter old man, I guess,” Hood's eyes again were drawn to the crumpled body.
    Whiskey clapped Hood on the shoulder. “Hell of a job, kid. I don't give a damn what this Kaiser thinks he's doin'. We're gonna get her back.”
    Hood grinned. “Took the words outta my mouth, kid . ” He said it in a mock-Whiskey voice. You can fight. That's what you can do for those who died. Fight to save your sister, fight for anyone worth fighting for. That's what they would do.
    “Come on. We've got to take what we can and get moving,” Whiskey had returned to his stoic demeanor as he turned to continue inspecting the contents of the portable, though clearly he carried himself with a renewed determination.
    Hood exhaled deeply through his nose, thinking about the crew. There would be no more nights when the whole crew would pile into Hood and Whiskey and Taylor's house to drink and party and gamble until they'd watch the sun rise over the trees on the roof. The image of Lucky in his last moments, collapsing in