“I don’t think we’re going to have a choice.”
All eyes were on the main building and in particular the double door entrance. The doors had long fallen away and a pair of twitching limbs pulled free from the darkness within the opening. Another figure joined the first, each rushing forward with a piercing cry. Bale released a pair of arrows before Mia brought her sword up in front of her face.
The sound of impact told the value of Bale’s aim with a bow, but neither of the strikes put the lead figure down. Several more infected ran out from the darkness behind the first pair, bringing the count to half a dozen. Mia’s long stride to get out in front was bested by Bree. The young girl quickly placed herself between Mia and their attackers, sided by Bale and two others.
The fight was brutally quick. Mia’s group spread out wide enough that the advancing infected had to focus on one at a time. The formation left them exposed to multiple attacks. Bale led the offensive with another series of arrows, followed closely by one of the other’s bow. There were three infected standing when the hand-to-hand combat began.
Mia didn’t get a good look at the attackers until Bree took a swing at one of them and left an opening for her to move forward. They were scrawny, far beyond anything she’d ever seen. Dark, gaunt sockets exposed the haunting golden hue of their eyes, each marked by wild and ferocious blood lust. Unnatural spastic movements produced a horrifying vision.
Bree’s advance put her directly in one of the men’s path. Mia saw the mistake but couldn’t react fast enough before the two smacked into one another. The force of the impact lifted Bree’s slight frame off the ground, landing with the infected man on top of her. He had one hand on her face and the other around her throat as he bit at her chest. Mia plunged the tip of her sword into the base of his skull as his ghastly teeth tore into Bree’s clothes.
“Get it off me,” Bree screamed as the full weight of the naked man pressed down on her. “Help.”
She managed to roll the limp body off to the side before Mia could get a hand on it. The conflict was over by the time Bree was up and moving again.
“Are you all right?” Mia asked, frantically pulling at her coat. “Were you bit?”
The shock of the question struck Bree all at once, and her eyes opened impossibly wide. She patted her hands across her chest, panting wildly. Her hands shook as she stopped, pulling her jacket open. Mia could see through a newly made hole in the shirt to the skin between her breasts. The vision of faint teeth imprints showed no sign of blood. Mia reached out for her and slipped her fingers over the mark.
“It didn’t break the skin,” she said and then let out a deep sigh.
It took a moment for the news to break through Bree’s frightened haze. She still had her coat held open when Bale took notice. Mia stepped in front of the girl and pulled at the edges of her jacket.
“She’s all right,” Mia said before taking a head count. “We’re all still here.”
Marcus looked over the bodies littering the edge of the field. He knelt down beside a woman, turned her head to one side, and then slid his knife into her brain.
“You can bet these aren’t the only infected roaming the main house.”
Mia forced Bree to look at her. “Try to breathe,” she whispered before turning to Marcus. “No one thought the site would be abandoned.” She eyed the wall surrounding the complex, counting the open gates and sizable breaches as she went. “Could we really fit everyone in here?” she asked.
“Will everyone be willing to come with us?” Bree countered.
Mia shook her head. The choices for the Canaan tribe were drying up. They hoped they had several days before the massive undead horde reached the compound, but the army of the northern continental alliance would surround them long before then. Mia knew she rushed away from the compound partly to hide from the decisions that needed to be made, but truth be told, the answers were right in front of her.
Marcus was near the field, digging in the dirt with his knife. He’d found something and worked to uncover it as best he could. Mia went after him with Bree at her side. Marcus motioned at the tubing he’d found buried in the field.
“What is it?” Mia sked.
“Some kind of irrigation system would be my guess.”
Mia knew the word, but not much about its application. Marcus stood up and walked along the edge of the field, stopping every couple of paces to ensure the tubing continued until the plantation building loomed overhead. He let his eyes run the remainder of the distance. He put his hands on his hips as he studied the building from top to bottom.
“I think there’s more here than meets the eye,” he said.
“How so?” Mia asked.
“If there ever was a true irrigation system here,” he surmised, “it would have to be connected to a water source. And that water source,” he paused, “would need some type of power.”
“Like Canaan’s generators?” Mia said.
Marcus shook his head as he turned to face them. “I doubt it,” he said. “I’d guess it’s something far less sophisticated.” He scratched at the stubble on his chin. “It’d still be beyond what the tribes could have worked out. Probably been here for a long time.”
“But it might still work,” Bree said with a note of optimism. “I mean some of our people may be able to get it to work.”
“It has to work,” Mia said matter-of-factly, before Marcus had a chance to respond. “We’ll take whatever we can use from the compound and scavenge the surrounding structures for serviceable material.” She settled her sights on Marcus. “If we can avoid the horde, we could settle here and restart.”
The decision brought with it a sizable weight. There was still a persistent hope within the Canaan compound that power would be restored and with it a return to the old world pleasantries most of them had known. A decision to relocate to the gardens would end that hope once and for all. If they gave up the compound now, there was little doubt the commission and the northern continental alliance would reclaim it once the horde moved on. The lingering question in Mia’s mind was if the former commission supporters who elected to remain a part of the Canaan tribe would turn away from the group when they needed them most.
“Mia.”
She heard Marcus, but she was still lost in her thoughts. She couldn’t shake the feeling that everything they’d fought for was about to come crashing down around them.
“Mia?”
Bree grabbed her arm. Mia nodded.
“Let’s get back—”
A brilliant flash of light in the night sky cut her order short. The explosion was far to the south, the source hidden by the towering buildings in the distance. All eyes locked onto the orange afterglow as a nervous silence filled the space between them. Marcus muttered to himself as he took a step away from the others. He was running before Mia realized it. She raced off after him with the sound of the group’s stomping feet echoing behind her.
“What is it?’ she asked. “What does it mean?”
Mia caught up to Marcus as they passed through the complex’s southernmost gate. The pair came to a stop in the center of a road running parallel with the perimeter. Neither of them were out of breath, but the mounting tension had them breathing deeply. Their position placed them with a perfect view of the light in the sky before it died away. Mia started to repeat her question when another shot rose into the darkness, this one closer than the first.
“It’s a flare,” Marcus said before Mia could ask. “It’s a signal from one of my teams.”
The rest of the group slowed to a stop behind them, and Marcus turned to face them. The certainty of his explanation produced an unmeasurable amount of dread.
“The horde has reached the city.”
22
“What do you mean, she left?”
The stunned silence from the crowded tribal council room didn’t answer Rowan’s pleading question. Most of them focused squarely on Connor’s familiar face. It was apparent that the once
proud commission enforcer was a well-known celebrity of sorts. Rowan sent his boot directly into the back of Connor’s good knee and the impact drove him to the floor.
“Why the hell isn’t anyone answering me?”
Sara was the first to snap out of her silent bewilderment.
“You’re going to need to sit down,” she said, taking him by the hand. “A lot has happened while you were down there.”
Rowan allowed himself to be led, but first he left a parting warning.
“You get up off this floor and I’ll let these people do whatever they want to you.”
One look around the room was enough to get Connor to remain motionless. Rowan took a seat. He was desperate to see Mia and now he knew that was going to happen. What he didn’t know was if he was going to have to go running off after her.
Sara relayed the details of the events surrounding the death of Tate, the ultimatum by the apparent surviving commission force, and Mia’s absence. The story was a lot to take in. Rowan couldn’t imagine what was going on in Mia’s mind nor could he envision the hell she was going through with him gone and the confirmation of Jonah’s life hanging in the balance. Above all, it made him feel like he’d wasted his time.
“We have to leave,” Sara finished.
Rowan looked up at the room, suddenly realizing everyone was watching him. He’d spent the last few months trying to pull away from the leadership position handed to him. His desire to let others handle the countless problems was stronger than ever. All he wanted to do was figure out how to get Mia and Jonah back safely. The problem was that he didn’t know if that was possible anymore.
“What do you want me to do about it?” he asked getting back up on his feet.
Frustration flashed across Sara’s face. “We’re making plans,” she said. “And everyone is getting together all of their essential items.”
Rowan heard the words, but he was already working through his own plans. He glanced at Connor. Rowan figured there was only a small chance that Connor would be enough to ensure Jonah’s safety. The haunting story of this new heinous leader offered little hope that there was another viable solution.
“We’re not going to have to leave.”
The announced preceded Asher as he made his way toward the table. Rowan was surprised to see him up and moving around, let alone carrying a full pack of gear. Gabriel followed him in, offering a wave to Rowan as they came to a stop. Rowan met Asher’s gaze as the two came face to face.
“We’re going to get the power on.”
“And then what?” Rowan countered. “We don’t know what will come back online. The security doors may have been damaged beyond repair.”
“I’ve looked over the crucial exits,” Asher said. “They’ll close.”
“We can’t depend on your estimate,” Hinnick said.
“Do what you have to do,” Asher said. “I have my time limit. If I can’t secure the facility, then go.”
Hinnick shook his head. A number of the other council members chimed in, most of them focusing on Connor’s usefulness. There was a lively debate as to whether the captive would be enough to ensure Jonah’s safe return. Rowan didn’t need to hear their input to have his doubts. He kept his concerns to himself. The debate took a swift turn when Walker cleared his throat and spoke up.
“We have a problem.”
The announcement brought with it a sizable amount of weight. Walker’s sense of entitlement was built on the idea that the people of the safe sector didn’t need any support from the rest of the tribe. Rowan took note of the self-satisfying grin forming on Hinnick’s face. Walker cleared his throat with obvious discomfort.
“I have not been fully honest with this council,” Walker said. “And the path forward is one that requires everyone’s trust.”
Rowan inadvertently leaned forward, intrigued by the coming admission. Walker had to clear his throat again before he could continue.
“The people of the safe sector were closely aligned with the commission,” he said but then quickly added, “as they controlled every piece of information about the outside world.”
“I believe,” Sara spoke up, “that this council has openly accepted that fact.”
Walker nodded. “You have,” he said. “And I am grateful for it. In preparation for our exodus we are forced to admit that we continued our allegiance to the commission after the detonation of the compound’s security system.”
There was a collective gasp from the room.
Hinnick urged his constant sparring partner to continue. “How so?” he asked.
“We opened the safe sector and took in some of the commission members.”
The statement hit the room with the impact of a small bomb. Several of the council members popped up from their chairs. The yelling started all at once with some of them moving around the table to get their hands on Walker.
Rowan was up on the table before he knew what he was doing. He took a few long strides and hit the floor on the other side directly between the advancing crowd and Walker. The safe sector’s representative backed himself up against the far wall and lost any chance at escaping the room. Rowan’s first instinct was to draw his weapon, but he resisted the urge.
“Everybody get back,” he yelled. In truth, Rowan wasn’t particularly sure why he felt the need to protect Walker except for a nagging feeling that it was what Mia would have done. “I said get back.”
The crowd slowed and then stopped.
“Look at yourselves,” Rowan said. “What are you going to do, kill him?” He glanced at Walker’s terrified face and hissed, “You better make it good.”
Walker nodded and Rowan sidestepped out of the way.
“I understand your anger,” Walker said. “I’m not asking for forgiveness, but you must understand our point of view, particularly, in the aftermath of the tribe’s takeover.” He pursed his lips as he paused. “I’ve learned, no, we’ve learned a great deal about the world we once thought we knew. We learned that from you, more than you realize.” He shook his head. “The people of the safe sector can’t survive alone. We need the tribe.”
Rowan studied the faces of the dozen or so watchers, and none of them appeared satisfied with Walker’s explanation.
Hinnick’s familiar voice called out from behind the pack. “Turn them over to the council.”
A series of agreeing head nods followed.
“I can’t,” Walker replied in a tone that said he knew the demand was coming. “We helped them escape.”
Rowan considered, for a brief moment, letting the crowd do whatever they wanted. He changed his mind a heartbeat before the front row took a step forward.
Walker continued as if he wasn’t about to be torn apart. “I didn’t have to tell you this,” he said. “I didn’t have to tell you anything.”
The fact was enough to get everyone to stop before Rowan had to intervene. They waited for a moment to see if he had a worthy follow up.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” he said, surprisingly in his usual condescending tone. “There’s nothing I can do to take back what happened. You pledge to be a council representing all of us. Are you going to turn your back on us now?”
Rowan understood. Walker’s personality apparently wouldn’t allow him to play the beggar so instead he would try to call the council’s bluff. The voice of reason was an all-too-familiar one.
“He speaks the truth,” Sara said, “whether we want to hear it or not.” The crowd parted for the old woman and she worked her way between them. “How are we any better than the commission if we turn to violence?” She was a step from Rowan before he moved out of the way. “But I am not fooled by you,” she said as her eyes narrowed, focusing on Walker. “What else do you know?”
Walker’s stone face cracked. “We have communication with them.”
Sara’s mouth opened, and her gasp revealed her surprise.
“You knew they were in hive six?” Rowan asked. Walker nodded, and he had to stop him
self from punching him in the jaw. “You knew this whole time what they were searching for?”
“I didn’t ask,” Walker said, adjusting his gaze from Sara to Rowan. “But I had a notion.”
Rowan felt his hands shake as his anger boiled. He lost his internal battle, grabbing Walker by the throat. The force of his hand launched the bigger man off the ground and up against the wall.
“Tate’s dead because of you and Jonah might be next.”
Walker’s face turned a shade of blue as he tried to get out a response. Several hands pulled at Rowan, but he held firm, for a moment content to choke the life out of Walker. The room erupted as the crowd pushed in close around the fray. Sara’s voice cut through the noise.
“This won’t help them, Rowan.”
The simple truth snipped at his anger. He released his grip and let Walker fall to the ground. It was Sara’s turn to step in front of him. Rowan tried to control his breathing as she glared down at Walker.
“If you truly want our help then you must tell us everything you know.”
♦
Walker’s debrief was sickening. He and a small group of safe sector leaders had been passing on information to the commission from the moment they lost control of Canaan. Their enemy was already intimately aware of everything that the tribe had planned. The radio contact had been in place for as long as anyone in the safe sector could remember.
The probe provided a number of details that left the tribal council in stunned disbelief. The former Canaan commission was a small section of a much larger organization. Walker didn’t have specific numbers, but he was aware of at least three other existing compounds, each with a similar hive structure. The revelation brought with it a considerable jolt of fear.
The reasoning behind Walker’s sudden need to tell the truth also came to light. Apparently, Walker and the rest of the safe sector had worn out their usefulness. All communications with the other compounds had been cut off. The leadership among the group had been in heated discussions about if and when to approach the tribal council with the news.
In the end, Sara was able to calm the crowd with some surprising help from Hinnick. The members of the tribal council filed out of the conference room with a great deal of information that none of them knew precisely how to use. Walker was one of the last to leave, still partly surprised that he wasn’t killed in the process of relaying the information. The room felt abandoned as Rowan, Sara, and Asher sat looking at one another.
The Decaying World Saga Box Set [Prequel #1-#2 & Books #1-#2] Page 87