Impersonator (Forager Impersonator - A Post Apocalyptic Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

couldn’t spot them. I worried needlessly, though, for three foragers strode straight for me as soon as they saw me.
    They were three of Brandon’s teammates. Con Dimitriou, the team leader, bore down on me like a bull at a gate. He was overweight, with a round face, beady eyes, and flat, oily hair. Matching his pace was Matt Bancroft, a tall guy with a head of curly red hair. A couple of steps behind came Jack Kwan. He was my height, had a buzz cut, and an impressive muscular build. Of the three, he was the least intimidating. There should have been another guy, Dan Smith. He was relatively new to the team, if memory served.
    “Who the blazes are you?” Con asked when they reached me.

Chapter Five
     
    The greeting on my lips came out as a muted squawk. They didn’t recognise me – I was done for! My plans to escape were already ruined.
    “Hi, I’m Matt. You must be the new guy,” the tall redhead said. He reached out to shake my hand.
    I was too stunned to react. I was wearing Brandon’s clothes, cap, and backpack – who did they think I was?
    “Nice of you to bother turning up again, Brandon.” Jack said. I risked a glance at him and saw a hint of mirth in his eyes.
    Oh – they were teasing me! The feeling of relief that accompanied that revelation was so powerful my legs almost buckled.
    “Where the blazes you been this past week, you gutless wonder?” Con asked. He stepped so close that his forehead almost bumped the rim of my cap. His beady eyes transfixed me with such intensity it felt like I was under the scrutiny of a search light.
    “Been sick,” I said, sticking to the plan I’d worked out in advance, doing my best to copy Brandon’s voice. Something I’d spent hours practising in front of the mirror.
    “Sick? You never get sick,” Con said.
    “It was something I ate. Spent six days with my head in the can.”
    “Your absence had nothing to do with what happened last Thursday?” Con mocked.
    “This is me you’re talking to, remember?” I snapped as my mind went into overdrive. What happened last Thursday? Whatever it was, it must be what upset Brandon so much he left home that night and skipped work ever since. Did they bully him? No, that didn’t make sense. He was close friends with Jack, and often spoke of Matt. Con, not so much. I so wanted to ask them what it was, but that would have given the game away big time.
    “Looks like you’ve shed a few kilos. You okay, mate?” Jack asked, clearly concerned. He flashed an irritated glance at Con.
    “Yeah, had to take a stupid pill to make it stop,” I replied.
    “Did you see a doctor? Could have been gastroenteritis,” Matt said. “If so, good thing you took that pill. Gastro can severely dehydrate you if you let it go too long, and that can be fatal.”
    “If we needed a biology lesson, we would have asked for one.” Con glared at Matt.
    “Just saying,” Matt replied.
    “You’re always saying,” Con replied. He turned his penetrating gaze back to me. “Still think your timing’s sus.”
    “Good for you.” I gave him my best Brandonesque sneer.
    “Look here, you little runt,” Con blustered.
    “Knock it off, Con, you can see how pale he is,” Jack said, coming to my rescue again. I guessed being the youngest in the group explained Con’s patronising attitude and Jack sticking up for me.
    “Whatever.” Con backed off.
    I started breathing again. I hadn’t even been aware I was holding my breath. I just wished we could get in the truck and out of town so I could get this escape attempt over and done with.
    We wandered back towards one of the battered trucks when a tall, handsome, lanky guy strode into view, accompanied by several other foragers. He looked about my age.
    “Great, here comes his Royal Highness, Ethan flippin’ Jones,” Con growled.
    I studied the guy carefully, and something about him struck me. He seemed unpretentious, determined, yet haunted. I wished I could talk to guys without waiting for