The Collective Read Online Free PDF

the chair. His rest was broken by
prodding children who giggled at his dazed look. The children were in good
health, if not a little dirty, and their eyes sparkled as they poked at the
newcomer. It was obvious he was not from town. Abel playfully jumped at the
children, they laughed and scampered into the street. Isnor was at the counter
trading with an older woman. As she made her way out of the makeshift store,
Abel could see the bottle of Xonox water in her hand. Even as he slumbered, his
debt was paid. Isnor nodded towards Abel. “Sleep well?”
    Abel grabbed the back of his sore neck. “I’ve slept
better.” Before he could inquire about the water, a woman screamed outside the
store. “Help! Someone please!”
    The woman who left the store was in danger, Abel quickly
deduced. He swirled towards the window were he saw a woman in the distance. She
was young, her clothes were dusty but even from where Abel sat he could see her
subdued beauty. It was not the woman from the store.  Three bandits were
surrounding her on motorcycles, they seemed more concerned with the package in
her hand.  From their posturing, Abel knew trouble was imminent. In one smooth
motion he stood up, grabbed his vest and headed to the door. He turned back to
Isnor. “Watch my back. I may need you.”
    “Sorry lad I can’t get involved with these affairs.” Isnor
stepped back with his hands in the air waving Abel off. “They come every so
often to pillage. It’s best to give them what they want so they’ll be on their
way. I’m too old for these constant scuffles.”
    Looking at Isnor, Abel knew he had been shaken down before
by these ruffians. “Alright old man, watch my bag.” Wiping the front of his
vest, Abel smiled as he strode toward the door. He really hoped these bikers
gave him trouble.                
    The gang members were focused on the young woman and her
bag. Two were hovering around, while the leader had his hand on her shoulder
harassing her. “Hey sweetie, stop struggling and hand the bag over. Nobody is
going to help you, unless they want my boy Merck to rip their heads off.”
    The gang leader pointed towards the brawny man who gave a
wide smile, with few teeth to show. If teeth equated to smarts, the man had
little of both. Holding Uzis at their sides, the two goons were covered in a
thick layer of brown dust, except for the clear rings left by their goggles.  It
was clear from their easy manners and general disregard for their surroundings
that this was not their first time in Bourdain.
    The leader kept fixated on his prey even as Abel
approached. He was confident that his two henchmen would take care of any small
problems. Only Warden and his people dare challenge the gang. Warden was a
powerful man encamped on the edge of town. People pledged themselves to him for
his protection. He traded freely with the Water Facility and kept an ample
supply of water, which he kept as a reward for his monthly tournaments. The
gang thought they could overrun the Warden taking control of his water supply.
Many brothers were lost in that battle, weakening the gang and subsequently
growing Warden’s popularity. A mistake the gang would not make again. They
always traveled with automatic weapons, steering clear of Warden’s domain. If
this young man challenged him, he would be easily dispatched. The town people
had to be kept in place.
    The two men tensed as Abel got closer, they were seldom
approached. Abel looked upon them with no fear and an air of confidence that
unsettled them. One of the gang members called out to the leader. “Reaper, I
think this guy has a problem!”
    Fondling the woman’s shoulder, Reaper never turned to
acknowledge Abel. He was whispering to the woman to give up the bag among other
things. Her hands were at her waist, as she clutched the bundle like a baby.
Trembling she sobbed silently waiting for the inevitable. Reaper continued his
advances without turning around. “Then take care