“AIRIA, what did you say?”
“Skylar Ross, movement detected within the perimeter.”
Rex and I shoot to our feet simultaneously. We look at each other in alarm. Is it those men? Are those men back to make sure the boys died?
“AIRIA, how many?”
“Skylar Ross, two life forms detected.”
Rex rubs the sleep from his face and shoots a quick look at his little brother who is trembling in fear.
“It’s ok, Matty. They can’t get in here. No one even knows we’re here, right Sky?”
I nod reassuringly to the boy. “He’s right, Matty. No one can get in here. You’re totally safe! Listen, why don’t you boys get this place cleaned up a bit, brush your teeth and Rex and I will work on getting breakfast ready?”
The boys calm down a bit with something to do and as they fold up their blankets and take down the fort Rex and I move into the kitchen where we speak in lowered voices.
“Do you think it’s them? Did they come back to make sure you and Matty didn’t make it?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know. Why would they and what about the radiation? Why would they risk it? Is there any way we can find out? Do you have cameras or something we can see out there with?”
I frown in frustration. “No, the cold temperatures kept freezing the cameras so Dad stopped replacing them a long time ago. AIRIA, how’s the weather?”
“Skylar Ross, radiation cloud front has mainly passed from the region. Radiation levels have dropped but are still elevated and may cause future health issues. Recommend covering all exposed skin to limit exposure.”
Rex looks over at the boys as they finish cleaning up and head to the bathroom to wash up. He waits for the door to close behind them before speaking.
“I need to go. I need to get down to the hotel and find out what’s happening with my people.” He swears under his breath. “Who’s out there? I can’t just go out and shoot those guys, can I?”
I grab his hand and give him a steady look. “You might have to, Rex. Those are the bad guys. They tried to kill you! I… wait.” “AIRIA, is there any way to determine who is in our perimeter? Do you still have audio working or did that fry with the cameras?”
“Skylar Ross, body mass scans indicate a male and female. Scanning remaining exterior audio now…Scan complete, patching audio through now.”
Rex’s face is filled with confusion at the news that there’s a man and a woman outside. We both strain to hear anything that will give us a clue as to who they are but the sound from the speakers is filled with crackles and static. I’m about to give up and tell AIRIA to shut it off when we both hear Rex’s name faintly shouted from a distance. When Matty’s name is yelled next his face splits into a grin and he barks out a laugh.
“That’s Marsh! He’s looking for us! Sky, I have to let them know we’re here. I need to go out there!”
I try and smile. I’m happy his friend’s out there and not those men, but that means all this is over. My life here alone with Ben and the time I’ve had Rex to myself is over. It’s what I wanted but I’m scared and nervous for what comes next. Everything’s about to change and I’m not sure I’m ready, but Rex is looking at me expectantly so I force a full smile on my face.
“I got this, hold on. AIRIA, are they in sight of the door?”
“Skylar Ross, intruders are traveling towards living quarter’s exterior door and will be in sight in four point six minutes at current travel speed.”
“AIRIA, once they’re in sight, open exterior door and announce the location of Rex and Matty. Tell them to enter the airlock and decontaminate.”
Rex is practically bouncing he’s so excited. He grimaces as he puts too much pressure on his leg but his voice sounds thrilled.
“It’s either Sasha or Belle with him! You’re going to love my family, Sky. They’re such good people. I should have known they’d come looking for us!”
I just smile and nod. I really am happy for him. If some of his family are here looking for him then that means Rex won’t have to put himself in danger going to rescue them. The boys come bounding out of the bathroom demanding breakfast but after Rex explains what’s happening they bounce around whooping it up. I don’t think Ben really knows what’s happening but he’s really excited about all these new changes.
“Skylar Ross, airlock door opened and the announcement made. Subjects entering airlock.”
Rex moves over to stand in front of the door and pulls me to his side. His grip on my hand tightens the longer we wait. The boys are practically vibrating as they wait just behind us. I’m just about to ask AIRIA what the hold-up is when the small red light above the door flashes to green before it slides to the side.
Standing in the small room is a boy around Rex’s age with long blond dreadlocks tied off to the side with a piece of leather string. His eyes go big and dance with amusement and glee when he sees Rex standing with me. Beside him is a very pretty girl a few years younger than me with gorgeous red hair. Her eyes lock onto Rex and are full of relief and love before sliding across to me and then down to mine and Rex’s joined hands. Her expression blanks out but her eyes look hurt for a split second before they harden.
After all the teen dramas I’ve watched over the years, I can see what’s coming in a heartbeat. Without ever speaking to her I’ve already made an enemy.
Chapter Twenty-Eight … Rex
My face hurts I’m smiling so big when Marsh steps into the living room and looks around with his happy, goofy face.
“DUDE, little Dude! Oh wow, pretty Dudette and another little Dude! Man, it’s so good to see you! We totally thought you got nuked!” He went to say more when his eyes zeroed in on the TV and the game on the screen that the boys had been about to start playing while they waited. His face changed to disbelief and his voice came out in reverent awe.
“DUDE, is that Rally Racer 6000?”
Laughter just explodes out of me. I’m so relieved that they’re here and safe. I reach out and punch him in the arm.
“Marsh, focus man! Priorities!”
He shakes his head making his dreads bounce and looks back at me with his Marsh grin.
“How did you guys find us? Is everything ok with the others?”
Marsh’s face goes serious but he snags Matty’s arm and pulls him into a playful headlock while he talks.
“Man, it’s a total cluster! Ted’s gone power mad. He snagged Belle and locked her and Dads up but Sasha and I hid out in an empty wing at the hotel. Pops hasn’t been back from the scout of the ski resort but I’m guessing he’s under cover somewhere because of the temp drop. I did some sneaking around yesterday to see if I could find Belle and Dads but they’re locked down hard. I did find Jones. He’s the one who told me what happened to you and little dude.”
I look over at Sasha but she’s busy looking around the room so I ask Marsh, “Who’s Jones?”
Marsh lets Matty go and throws his hands up.
“He’s the Wag that took you and Matty! Karma worked him and his buddy Bo over good. He’s a melted man. Too many rads fried him up good. He was feeling guilty now that he’s about to meet the maker so he told me how they snatched you guys and where they left you. As soon as the temp started going up Sasha and I bailed out and came looking for you two. So… who’s the la-dy?” He asked with his eyebrows moving up and down comically.
I was relieved that Sasha and Marsh had escaped. It would mean the three of us could work together to go and try to free Belle and Ethan. Even better, Sasha could stay here with the boys and Skylar could go down with Marsh and I. She’d be a real asset with her sharp shooting.
I tugged Skylar closer to me and made introductions.
“This is Skylar and her brother Ben. This is their place. She rescued Matty and me and brought us in here right before the radiation cloud hit. She saved our lives. Skylar, Ben, this is Marshal, but we call him Marsh for short. He’s my best friend and this is Sasha. She and her mom, Belle took me and
Matty in on the first day. She’s like a sister to me.”
Marsh gives Skylar and Ben fist bumps in greeting but Sasha only nods with a tight insincere smile before turning to me.
“Great, I’m glad you and Matty made it to safety Rex and I’m super happy that you made some new friends but let’s go! We have to get back and rescue Mom and Ethan!”
Before I could say anything, Marsh bumps his shoulder into Sasha’s.
“Yo, take a breath Sash! I told you they’re fine for now. Ted’s not going to hurt them. He wants Dads for his doctoring skills and Belle’s locked in with him in the clinic. Dads won’t let anything happen to your Mom. We need to get our game faces on and work out a plan before we launch. Besides, we haven’t eaten in two days, I’m sure Skylar wouldn’t mind sharing any vittles she might have handy!”
I could easily see how frustrated Sasha was by the anger that flashed through her eyes and the red spots on her fair cheeks but she again flashed Sky that tight insincere smile and spoke through gritted teeth.
“Thank you for rescuing and taking care of my boys Skylar. Would you happen to have any extra food you’d be willing to share?”
Food, yes that’s a great idea. We’ll eat and Sky and I can tell them about the plans we have to move everyone up here and then plan our rescue. I give her hand another squeeze.
“Sky, do you mind if Marsh and Sasha stay and eat something before we go back to town? We can fill them in on all the things we’ve talked about.”
Skylar tugs her hand out of mine and gives me an almost identical tight smile to Sasha’s before she nods and heads over to the kitchen. Uh, what just happened there?
Chapter Twenty-Nine … Skylar
That’s just frackin’ great! I’ve got a “mean girl” in my house. I guess she missed the memo that there’s no high school anymore and the apocalypse wiped away all that petty teen crap. Judging by the way her eyes and mouth tightened when Rex made that “like a sister” introduction, she doesn’t feel the same way. I ignore the “Oh goody” sarcastic mumble from her when Rex says we’ll tell them about our plans and head over to the kitchen to get breakfast started. I’m going to kill this girl with kindness until she lets it go. After all, she’s been with Rex and Matty for the last seven years. I kind of understand her feeling territorial and I know how important these people are to Rex, they’re his family.
I start pulling out everything I need for a full on fry up breakfast and see Sasha watching me out of the corner of my eye as Rex fills them in on what’s happened to him and Matty over the last couple days. Her eyes almost bug out of her head when I set a bowl full of fresh eggs on the counter so I try and extend an olive branch.
“Sasha, would you like to help me make breakfast?”
I send a smile over to Rex when she turns her back to me as if she didn’t hear me. He’s got this clueless confused look on his face that makes me want to laugh a bit. I’m definitely not an expert when it comes to relationships with other kids my age but I have the wide wisdom of teen TV shows to draw from. I know that not everything I’ve seen on TV is real but I’m sure a lot of it was drawn from real life.
As soon as the bacon starts to send out its distinctive aroma, Marsh thrusts a hand up in front of Rex’s face cutting him off mid-sentence and strides over to me. He leans over the counter and gives me the biggest puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Bacon Goddess of my dreams, please say you’ll marry me? I’ll just tie Rex back up to the nearest tree and we can live here together in bacon love forever. I…WILL…BE…YOUR…SLAVE!”
I let out a genuine laugh. This guy is seriously cute in a goofy, squeeze him and put him in your pocket kind of way. Rex elbows him aside with a fake snarl.
“Too late, finders keepers! She and her bacon glory are all mine!”
I shake my head in an amused way and send an eye roll at Sasha to try and include her. The flat hostile look I receive back tells me I’m not gaining any ground there.
The boys all descend on the video game controllers while I finish cooking the meal and Sasha walks around the room peeking through doors. I keep one eye on her as I cook and try and think of a way to connect with her. This girl will be living in my space soon enough and I don’t want there to be animosity between us. She doesn’t need to be my BFF but I refuse to have to tip-toe around her in my own home.
There’s a minor male stampede when I call everyone to eat and the bacon induced moans from the boys fill the air above the table. At Rex’s prompting, I fill them in on Ben and my story and explain some of the features of our home. Rex takes over with our idea about moving the town’s groups up here to live. Marsh seems excited but Sasha just sits in silence picking at her food until she finally throws down her fork.
“Yay, super Skylar will save us all! Now can we go rescue my Mom?” pours out of her like sarcastic syrup.
Rex frowns at her tone but gives her an understanding nod.
“Marsh man, are they in danger?”
Marsh wipes his mouth with his sleeve before answering.
“I don’t think so. I checked on them a few times when the guard was called away. They’ve got a long chain on Dads ankle attached to the wall so he can still take care of patients and Belle’s free to move around the room to help out as his nurse. They stripped our rooms of all our supplies so they got what they wanted. I don’t think anything will happen until the scouts get back from the ski resort. Who knows how many of those guys got caught out in the weather that locked us down. I’m sure Pops is fine. He’s way too sharp for one of those idjits to get the drop on him.” He looks over at Sasha and pats her hand before continuing.
“We have time. There’s no point in us storming the gates without a solid plan. We should try and intercept Pops on his way back to the hotel so we’re all on the same page and he’s not ambushed. We also need to talk about how we go forward once we get Belle and Dads back. Skylar, it’s righteous of you to offer a spot for us here but it’d be pretty tight quarters with all of us living here.”
Rex and I share a knowing look before I push back from the table and stand.
“I don’t think space will be a problem. Why don’t you let Rex and I show you around a bit? There’s also some things here that I can give you to help with the rescue.”
Ben and Matty asked if they could stay and play more video games so I said yes but warned Ben that his chores still needed to be done after the tour. Rex and I led Marsh and Sasha into the cavern and showed them the grow area and animal pens. While we were there I collected all the eggs from the hen house and left them by the living quarter’s door in a basket. The cow would have to wait a bit for her milking.
Marsh was pretty excited about everything he saw but Sasha just scowled and followed behind us with her arms crossed. I decided to just leave her to her misery for now. Until her Mom was safe she wasn’t likely to change her attitude. I palmed open the door to the connecting tunnel and listened to Rex and Marsh talk about how cool it would be to skateboard in the long stretch of corridor. The barracks had the same effect on Marsh as it did on Rex the first time he saw it. He walked around in amazement as we showed him all the supply rooms and huge kitchen and washrooms. When we opened the door to the massive grow room with its empty beds and tiered shelving filled with pots waiting for plants he whooped in excitement.
“Sasha, your Moms will go spaz for all this space to grow her plants!” He spun around. “Sash? Sasha? Hey, where’d she go?”
We backtracked through the room looking into doorways, but we couldn’t find her. I was silently fuming at her pouty behavior as we made our way back through the tunnel. Rex was starting to limp more even with his crutch so we’d have to wrap it up and get him on some pain killers before we set out for town. I had almost thought I could go with them to help if Sasha stayed back with the boys but she clearly wasn’t going to go for that.
We made it back to the cavern and after calling her name and getting no answer went to the door to the living qua
rters. I couldn’t believe how immature this girl was being. I stopped at the door to grab my basket of eggs but they were gone. A smile crossed my face. Even with a buddy to hang with, Ben was keeping up with his chores. Except he wasn’t.
The boys were exactly where we had left them, playing video games on the couch, and Sasha was nowhere to be found.
Chapter Thirty … Rex
“She left,” Matty replied when I ask him if he’s seen Sasha, never taking his eyes from the screen. I walk over and hit the power button on the TV to get his full attention.
“Matty, where is Sasha?”
He looks sideways at Ben before shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know. She came back not long after you left and said she was going to get Ethan and Belle. She said you guys were going to meet her there.” He looks past me at Skylar. “That was really nice to give Sasha all those eggs for the people at the hotel. You’re really nice Skylar.” The kid blushes bright red and looks down at his feet.
I spin around and see Sky’s face has gone chalk white and her eyes are cold with fury.
“Sky, what is it?” I know Sasha’s desperate to get her Mom back but I don’t know why Sky’s so mad about her leaving.
“SHE TOOK THE EGGS.” Each word of that sentence could cut glass they’re so sharp. Now I’m even more confused. Sky’s mad over a few eggs? She’s been so generous to us that I don’t see her being this mad about a few eggs. When she sees my confusion she explains.
“Your “like a sister” is going to sell me out! She’s going to go and bargain with that Ted guy for her Mom. The eggs are the proof! She’ll tell him what we have and where we are in exchange for her MOM!”
My mouth falls open in disbelief. I know Sky has trust issues but there’s no way Sasha would do something like that. She might try and barter with those eggs for Belle’s freedom but she wouldn’t sell Sky and her brother out. Marsh is just standing and shaking his head. So I try and reassure Sky but before I can say a word she’s already talking.
Endless Winter Box Set: Books 1 - 4 Page 17