Many at the base had commented about how different he was since his surprise return. He was now a more levelheaded and even-tempered man. In private conversations some had even gone as far as to express their happiness in his changed behavior. He was aware of some of the new sentiments about him and he welcomed them. His desire to be a new kind of leader was strong. He had a purpose greater than himself, and he was going to do what it took to see his country survive.
Sebastian’s change of heart about bringing Annaliese along resulted in a bitter back and forth with Samuel. Their fight was an accumulation of weeks of animosity. If Sariah hadn’t intervened, the argument would have escalated to a fistfight. Samuel didn’t like Sebastian from the moment they had met. There wasn’t a real reason, he just didn’t like that a nonbeliever was living among them and that he and Annaliese had developed an intimate relationship. Samuel was a deeply devoted Mormon. He didn’t believe in the need to travel back east like others had done, but nonetheless, he didn’t think it healthy to have someone like Sebastian around. He was also a very controlling individual and Sebastian’s talents threatened his own. When Sariah described Sebastian over the radio before their trek there, he was eager to have him, but upon meeting him all he could see was a young, handsome, and charismatic man who was out to take Annaliese away. When Sebastian had originally said he was leaving he supported it, but now this new development proved his own deep-seated prejudices about Sebastian.
Eventually, after much discussion, Samuel acquiesced to Annaliese leaving, but under one condition: He insisted that they take Luke and Brandon along with them. Samuel looked at the boys as just snotty-nosed, spoiled brats.
Sebastian was doing his best about being available to the boys for counsel since he found them that day in Rancho Valentino weeks before. He talked to them as much as he could. Luke was a nice kid and easy, but Brandon had been acting out, and Samuel didn’t want him around anymore. This wasn’t the plan Sebastian had in mind, but he was desperate to put an end to the conversation and to get on the road as soon as possible. Plus, if there was one thing he took away from the Marine Corps, it was to adapt and overcome. He could make this situation work.
To Sebastian’s surprise, Samuel put aside his animosity and gave them a truck for their journey, a 1983 Ford F-150 crew cab, to replace the car that he had arrived in weeks before. For all of Samuel’s faults, being unprepared wasn’t one of them. Samuel had prepared for every event. Most of his equipment, including the truck, had been kept in massive protective bunkers. All of his spare equipment, like radios, GPS, generators, phones, even CD players, he had kept in faraday boxes to protect them against EMP bursts.
Samuel approached the truck and handed a paper to Sebastian. “Here, you’ll need these.”
“What is it?” Sebastian asked, unfolding the paper.
“It’s the coordinates for the people along the way who can provide support if you need it. The GPS in the truck is working fine; I haven’t experienced any issues when I’ve used it since the attacks.”
“Ahh, thanks, Samuel,” Sebastian said. “Hey, listen, I’m sorry we got off…”
Samuel took a step forward, so he stood just inches away from Sebastian’s face. “You can say your thanks but I don’t want to hear it. Listen, boy. When you leave, don’t come back, you understand? You have soiled the Sorenson family. I don’t want you here anymore. I’m only doing this because my sister asked me too. If it were up to me, I’d toss you out with nothing more than what you came with.”
Sebastian took a step back. Given the way the conversation went yesterday, he wasn’t shocked by Samuel’s attitude, but he was fed up. He had done nothing to harm Samuel or his family—in fact, they owed him their lives.
“Guess what, Samuel? We have no intention on coming back now. There’s nothing here for us. You take your bullshit and shove it up your ass,” he snarled.
Samuel’s eyes widened. “Pack up and leave now! You leave now!”
Annaliese came out of the house the instant she heard Samuel yell, with Brandon close behind her. “What is going on?” she called out.
“It’s fine, Anna. It’s time to go.” Sebastian turned and stepped away from Samuel.
“Turn tail and run, boy!” Samuel blurted out.
Annaliese could see the expression on Sebastian’s face change from irritation to anger.
“Sebastian!” she yelled out.
Sebastian heard her but he was too far gone. He turned and struck Samuel in the jaw with a well-placed punch. The old man reeled backward and fell flat on his back.
Brandon shouted, “Yeah! Kick his ass!”
“Enough, Samuel, enough!” Sebastian barked.
Samuel was dazed from the hit and scrambled back to his feet. He charged at Sebastian, but Sebastian quickly sidestepped him and pushed him. Samuel hit the ground face-first with a thud.
“Ha, ha! Get ’em, Sebastian!” Brandon cawed.
“Shut up!” Annaliese yelled at Brandon, running to break up the fight.
“Just stay down!” Sebastian yelled.
Samuel picked himself up again and was approaching Sebastian when Annaliese grabbed him. Instinctually he elbowed her, hitting her square in the face, with such force she was knocked off her feet. That was enough for Sebastian. He grabbed Samuel by the throat with his left hand and punched him with his right. Finally, the old man collapsed to the ground.
“Stop!” Annaliese screamed. Sebastian knelt down and struck him once more.
“Oh my God, he’s fucking up that old man!” Brandon laughed.
When Luke finally appeared from the house, he stopped in his tracks. He had seen Sebastian in action, but this was different. He wasn’t fighting to defend himself; he was unloading pent-up anger and stress.
Sariah pushed her way past the boys and ran over to Sebastian. She grabbed his arm tightly to prevent him from striking. Sebastian turned around with a crazed look in his eyes. He looked at Sariah, then looked at Samuel. The rage melted away and he let go of Samuel. Wearily, he got up and walked away.
Annaliese crawled over to Samuel and picked up his head.
Sariah yelled at the boys, “Get over here and help him into the house!”
Luke and Brandon came over immediately. Brandon still had a grin on his face as he bent over to pick up Samuel’s legs.
“Wipe that smile off your face, you evil little brat!” Sariah yelled as she smacked Brandon in the back of the head.
Annaliese and Sariah followed them inside, leaving Sebastian outside.
Sebastian walked down the gravel road and looked at the horizon. A throbbing pain began to emanate from his hand. He looked at his bloodied hand and rubbed his thumb across the cut and bruised knuckles. As he flexed his right hand he knew that the next few days would be painful, but not as painful as Samuel’s.
Sebastian began to look into his soul to find a deeper reason for why he acted out so violently. Samuel had been berating him since the day he had arrived there. The snide and rude comments, the cold stares. The uncomfortable meals where he’d not even speak to him and would mumble complaints under his breath. Normally one to keep his cool, Sebastian had reached his breaking point. There was only so much disrespect he could take. He did feel bad, but in some ways he felt justified in hitting him. No person needed to be treated in such a way. Not once had Samuel thanked him for bringing his family there safely. Not once had he ever mentioned anything of gratitude. It would have been nice to receive just one comment positively remarking on his sacrifice. Looking toward his hand, he regretted losing his temper, but he did feel a bit righteous.