Breakout (Final Dawn) Read Free

bathroom fifteen minutes later, Hannah and Markie were still sound asleep. Markie had rolled over and was on his stomach now, but his feet still maintained their positions atop his beauty’s head.
         He smiled and shook his head, then walked out the door.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
         Mark passed the security control center on his way to the kitchen for breakfast. John was already hard at work, watching all the monitors, trying to determine if there were any blind spots they didn’t cover that would allow marauders to sneak up on them.
         John was a Dallas cop for many years, and the logical choice to be their chief of security. He took the job seriously. It was a given that he’d do everything in his power to keep the unwanted and unwelcome out of the compound. And that if someone did break in, he’d be their first line of defense. He’d gladly give his life to save any of the others. No one wanted that to happen, of course. But just knowing it was enough for the others to appreciate his efforts. He was therefore easily the most beloved man in the compound. The ladies went out of their way to bake him cookies and to give him extra big portions of his favorite food. The men let him beat them at pool and at cards. John thought he was the best pool player in the group. But everyone other than him knew the truth.
         John asked Mark, “I know there’s a thousand and one things to do today. Are you going to address the group?”
         “I thought I would, but only for a moment. Just long enough to ask them to carry on the same duties they had in the mine. At least for the time being. It’ll be a lot easier that way, knowing that I don’t have to wonder whether the cattle are being fed and such.”
         “Robbie already asked me what he’s going to do now that he no longer has to work in the water plant, collecting and recycling water. Have you given any thought to that?”
         “Yes. We’ll have several people who will fall into that category. The three guys in the water plant. The three in the power plant. I thought we’d ask them to become farm hands, or to help Karen in the greenhouse. We’re also likely to need more help with the livestock, as the herds start to grow.”
         “Good idea. That’ll make Robbie happy. I got the impression he was bored because he didn’t have to go stir the water pools first thing this morning.”
         “Yeah. Old habits do die hard, don’t they?”
         Mark walked over to the dining room, and was greeted by smiles and the sweet smel l of bacon wafting over from the adjacent kitchen. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits. A couple of them complimented Mark on the job they’d done designing the facility.
         “Oh, trust me,” he said. “Hannah made all the key design decisions. I just made sure her wishes got done. But you’re right. She did a really great job.”
         He looked around and saw that a few were missing besides Hannah and Markie. That was okay. They deserved to sleep in after all they’d endured in previous years.
         “Can I have everyone’s attention, just for a couple of minutes ? I know everybody is anxious to finish unpacking and getting settled in. I’ll keep it short. But I understand that some of you who no longer have chores are looking forward to getting some.”
         “I’m going to make some notes on the whiteboard behind you. Basically, we’re looking for two people to help Karen in the greenhouses. As you know, there are two of them and they’re pretty good sized. Karen used to grow just enough plants in her tiny greenhouse to keep her seeds fresh from year to year. She was able to do that by working only a couple of hours a day. Now she’s going to be growing a good portion of our food supply, and she’s going to need two full time helpers. I’ll make a request for two greenhouse workers on the white board. Please think it over,