LAW #15 - An Interview with Marc Brady - Wolfman and Contender for Second in Command

 

 

Cynthia Quest Reporting

May 10^th, 2013

 

After the way the camp was so fast to accuse Marc of trying to kill Kenn and Adrian, I realized it was way past time I asked this hard loner some of the questions still lingering in everyone’s mind.

He looks too calm, too ready for this as he sits down in the chair that has now held so many of Safe Haven’s Eagles. I hope that isn’t true, and to increase the odds of honest answers, I’ve chosen some questions he won’t care for. Everyone settled at a table with a tray? It’s time to talk to Marc Brady - Wolfman and Possible contender for Second in Command.

 

“So, tell us Marc. Why did you agree to this interview?”

“I didn’t. It was on my schedule, so I showed up.”

Cynthia grinned in slightly jealous understanding. “If the boss man says jump…”

Marc’s snort was light. “Yeah, that’s about it.”

“Do you always follow orders?”

Marc grinned widely. “Nope.”

It wasn’t true anymore, but for now, how close he and Adrian were working together wasn’t public knowledge.

“Why not? I thought all the Eagles have complete faith.”

“Guess I’m just a rebel.”

Cynthia glanced down at her notes. “Let’s talk about the wolf first. Where did you get him, and why does he stay with you?”

Marc looked over at the large animal curled protectively in the doorway of the tent. “Dog was brought in with a pack of wolves. He was supposed to be put down. He’s a survivor, the same as the rest of us. I think he senses that bond and it keeps him with me, but really, I don’t know why.”

“So you’re saying he thinks like us?”

He shrugged, grinning again. “Wish I knew - would make breeding him easier.”

Marc watched her face flush, realized he’d drawn first blood without meaning to. Inwardly, he braced for the real topic the reporter wanted to cover. Outwardly, he gave a smoldering stare that had her squirming and him swallowing a grin. It was easy to see what she needed, but he wasn’t interested in being the one to deliver it.

“Ah, yes, breeding. You’ve sired an interestingly obedient child. How does it feel to be the dad of a teenager you didn’t even know you had?”

There was no shocked response from him like she’d been hoping for. He and Adrian had covered it a week ago. “Good, actually. I got to skip diapers.”

Cynthia frowned slightly, hating it that these men were always one step ahead of her ambushes. She’d thought her knowing of Charlie’s parentage would be a hard hit. She moved on quickly. “What about his mother? You two sure have stirred up a lot of anger and bad energy here.”

“Sometimes, even those things have a place.”

“How long have you two known each other?”

“All our lives.”

“Ohh… Childhood sweethearts?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you two split?”

“Life got in the way.”

“Who walked away first?”

“Our parents made that choice.”

“Has Angie told you why she kept the truth about your son from you?”

“Yes.”

“Will you tell us why?”

“Of course not.”

Expecting it, Cynthia didn’t react. “When did you find out about Charlie?”

“After the War.”

“When you… helped his mom to get here?”

The tone was suggestive, and Marc frowned. “All I did was drive and show her a few Marine things. She did the rest.”

“Sure, sure. Can you tell us about the trip here, while you two were alone together all that time?”

Marc held in the sharp remark. “It was hard. We traveled a rough road.”

“What about all those long nights around the campfire, talking about your past, your teenage son, the future?”

Marc snorted, thinking there hadn’t been nearly enough of those. “Not Angie. We traveled or took turns sleeping.” He let out a proud snort he didn’t feel. “She was always in a hurry, but we got here in record time after she killed her first man - made her more determined.”

It was an answer she wasn’t expecting, and Cynthia dropped down to her hardest queries restlessly. Her respect for Angela went up, along with her jealousy. Afterward, there had been Brady’s big arms for comfort. She’d bet on it.

“How do you feel about your mate being an Eagle?”

“I worry over her safety and love it that she’s so strong. The same as she does me.”

“Uh-huh. But it wasn’t always this way, was it?”

“No.” His hard tone said to leave it alone.

Cynthia pushed harder. “In fact, I remember a few of those moments. Most of us didn’t think she could yell that loud.”

Marc blew out a sigh, realizing he would have to take the blow she wanted to deliver. “It took me a while to get over the way I still saw things from the old world. It’s better now.”

“So there won’t be anymore screaming?”

“Not unless she gets pissed at you for printing personal questions.”

Cynthia smiled coolly. “I think I can manage. Tell us about your rivalry with Kenn. Do you think you’ll be able to bump him out for second in command?”

“No.”

Cynthia raised a brow. “Given up?”

“Yep. Just gonna fall in line where I belong.”

Cynthia laughed at the sarcastic humor, but sensed he really meant it. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be the front of a line.”

Marc’s face reddened at the open compliment. “Thanks.”

The waves of need flowing from the flowery scented woman were smothering, and Marc was glad to see their time was almost up. Five minutes was all the sheet said, and that was all she would get from him.

“A lot of the camp and Eagles think you’ve been going head-to-head with Kenn, trying to get him thrown out. Are you?”

“No. I have what I want.”

“His wife...”

Marc’s face darkened ominously. “My soul mate.”

Cynthia watched him stand up, seeing his instinctive glance toward the flap. Time was about up, but she had one last topic to cover.

“How did it feel to kill for her?”

His head swung back, blue eyes blazing, and she wisely kept the triumph from her face. He hadn’t been expecting that one.

Marc stared at her, thinking of seeing her spying on the Eagles. When he’d told Adrian, the blond leader had said she was important to Safe Haven’s future. Today, under his scheduled time, there had been four words. Off balance is best. What threw someone off balance more than honesty?

“It felt good. Doing my job well usually does.”

Marc left her staring in surprise, hoping he’d given Adrian whatever it was that he needed from the encounter. One thing was for sure. The more FND work he did, the better he felt about their leader’s past. Anyone who had this many irons in the fire had better be an evil genius to keep them all straight.

“Do you really see him as evil?” That voice inside asked.

Marc shoved the answer away. He’d swung to Adrian’s side, but he clearly wasn’t a convert yet.

 

 

 

 

 

"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?

Hello? Is anyone out there?"

The Survivors

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LAW Day # 11- Luke and Kendle

Kendle Roberts

Age: 26

Height: 5'6

Very reddish skin

5/20/86

Weight: 120lbs

Grayish Blue Eyes

Caucasian / African American

Short Black Spikes

BW: Star of Survival Challenge.

AW: Castaway, stranded on Pitcairn Island

Quote: "The old world is gone. You’re no longer that man."

Strengths

- Faces her fears till broken or injured

- Very Resourceful. A Great problem-solver.

Weaknesses

- Very Insecure. Requires the spotlight to be happy.

- Has a weaker, needier side that she keeps hidden from the world.

FBI Notes

DNA Marker confirmed. Due to public view, careful termination is being considered. Location: California, Beverly Hills.

Back-story

Kendle was an actress before the war came, as were her parents, star of the Survival Challenge, the reality artist isn’t afraid of anything. Before, when she was backed up by her crew, and her father's endless money. After the war, Kendle is alone, everything familiar gone. Adrift on the ocean, the survivalist has discovered terror, and it was life-changing. She's no longer sure who she is.

Upon meeting Luke, she begins to regain some of her self-confidence but it's clear she'll never who she once was. Before the war, Kendle's only goal was to be noticed for being as good as her parents. Now, only survival matters.

Because of Ethan Kraft and the mysterious illness now circling the island, she may not get the chance to recover. Even though she somehow wasn’t infected, the rest of the island, including Luke, is in danger.

 Luke Johnson

Age: 60

7/6/52

Height: 6’1

Weight: 185 lbs

Lean, in great shape

Island Outcast

Blue eyes

Machete

Nightmares

Retired pilot-Vietnam vet

Was a POW for 18 months

Luke is head-over-heels in love with Kendle. He eased her into woman hood as gently as he knew how, but only got to spend a short time with her before she was taken by Ethan. Unable to get inside the Kraft hole-up, LJ was forced to wait until Ethan came out –leaving Kendle at his mercy for over a week. And he didn’t have any. Kendle survived, but recovery? We’ll have to see how deep the wounds are.

Ethan Kraft

Age: 30 something

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 225 lbs

Great body and teeth

Arrogant, unkind

Curly blond

Daddy’s boy

Rich, but ostracized from wealthy society for his abuse of their women

Vivid green eyes

Ethan is the typical rich boy who is determined to get what he wants. Until he and his father contract the rage walkers illness during a sale of cargo…human cargo. Ethan and his father have turned their banishment into a lucrative slave-trade with Africa and South America. Upon learning what the future holds for those who catch the side effect of the War, Ethan’s father begins shoring up his families control over the island and getting rid of the evidence –the women they’re holding. Ethan has other plans. He couldn’t care less who has control when he’s dead. He only wants to taste Kendle before he dies. And he gets his wish. His death is minor compared to the torment he’s put her through and he barely fights back when Luke finally gets inside the hole-up.

Wracked with guilt and anger, Luke will help her anyway he can…but I’m not sure it will be enough. Her new goal is to make it home, to America. If she can get that far, she might stand a chance. You see, there’s this refugee camp where a crimson-killing gold and green waits for survivors just like her. He heals them with his light.

Next Week: This blog is off for the summer. Sorry, had to have a break, ya know? Check out the Characters tab at the top of the page for the previous character days and I’ll see you in the fall.

Stay safe and hey! It’s only 6 months until 12/21/2012…you ready yet?

Angela White

"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?

Hello? Is anyone out there?"

The Survivors

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Author’s Website    Diesel   iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

Life After War Wednesday-3-The Twins


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The Twins



Dean and Dillan Kelly

Age: 34

Hair: Bald

Eyes: Black

Height: 6’

Weight: 220 lb

Birthday: 12/30/78

Like to use their knives

No known twin connection

Before war: Awaiting extradition for rape and murder

AW: Ruthless hunters stalking Angela & Safe Haven.

Quote: "Look for holes in their defenses. We only need one mistake."

Strengths.

- Until the Witch, they feared nothing.

- Their twin connection allows them to function as a perfectly lethal team.

Weaknesses.

- Their over-confidence hinders them to some threats. Like Adrian.

- They have loved no one but themselves and each other. Ever.

FBI Notes:

Dean and Dillan Kelly are 36th on the Top Most Wanted list. Report their whereabouts immediately upon confirmation.

Back-story.

Dean and Dillan were born evil. At 5, they tortured small animals. At 10, they were in juvenile hall for attacking their prostitute mother with baseball bats and became wards of the state. They are remorseless killers who, if it can't be found, will make it.

Operating mostly in Mexico, the brothers were the men who could find anyone, kill anyone, and they worked with a lot of mad men. Like Cesar, leader of the Slavers now stalking American survivors.

The twins were captured only two days before the War of 2012. Surrounded, with a hostage, they barely survived their standoff with border patrol. Their captive hadn't.

Current Status: Deceased as of books 3 and 4.

Cause of Death:

Dillian- Killed by Brady with a blazer in book three.

Dean- Killed by Kenn with a single bullet in book 4.

Vote

The twins don’t seem to have any goals beyond revenge. They have no heart or mercy, and barely any compassion or emotion for even each other. They are evil, in one of its many forms.

Question to consider: Why do you think the twins turned out this way? Go here to vote.

Something else I wonder about: Are the failed health, poverty, parenting, security, drug, law, and school policies of our world to blame for the disrespect we’re currently putting up with from the younger generations? If so, do we then deserve it?

Excerpt:

Arriving before dawn, Cesar’s men had the lone twin surrounded before the gold convertible was fully stopped. Dean’s eyes dared one of them to touch him. He had come to talk but he would kill right now with little provocation, much like a wounded animal.  There was no doubt the Mexican’s had heard what went over Safe Haven’s radio channels and this time, the waves of energy shooting from the Witch would have been impossible to miss. The Slaver now had his proof of their words but would he still want Dean’s help?

Cesar considered these things as he moved toward the twin who’d been sitting in the center of the muddy, abandoned campsite. Safe Haven’s last site. He’d been sure both brothers were dead after hearing the witch’s voice checking in. From the look of the muddy man in the rutted center of camp, only one of them had survived the encounter.

Why would Dean come back? Vengeance for his brother? To try to take over his men and attack recklessly? The Slaver had no intentions of killing the brother if he could avoid it. After seeing and hearing the enemy close-up, he now wanted every deadly hand he could get and there was no doubt that Dean was a killer.

“You should have called us. We could have taken her from a group that size.”

Dean’s face was a mask of hatred that Cesar was careful to ignore for the moment. Business first, always. There would be time for lessons later.

“We saw an opening and took it. They weren’t away from camp long enough for you to get here.”

Cesar shrugged, stretching tiredly. “The only question that matters, is what you planned to do once you had her.”

Dean looked up from his seat on the muddy ground. “Get our share of the pie.”

Cesar frowned, unfamiliar with the saying and the twin blew out a sigh of disgusted contempt. “Her first orders were to destroy that camp. Yours next if you tried to take her from us.”

José drew his pistol and stepped forward but Cesar only laughed and waved him back. The Witch would be theirs to make suffer and then this mercenary would no longer be needed.

“Your hermano was the balls, si?”

“Always.”

“Now, maybe you are both.” Cesar extended a hand that Dean took warily, letting the Slaver help him up.  “Come, let us share a whore in your brother’s honor. At dawn we will go meet the tank team I sent out. They’re ahead. We’ll meet Safe Haven in the middle.”

Next Week: Adrian & a Sneak Peak

"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?

Hello? Is anyone out there?"

The Survivors

*Free on all retailers

Author’s Website    Diesel   iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony