Bloody Sunset

by Gwendolyn Harper

  Behind them, the school loomed in the cold grey morning light.

  Realization twisted in her gut.

  “They’re visible from the windows,” Caitlin told them, staring up at the panes of glass. “That side of the building has a few of the classrooms turned into bunks. Whoever did this sleeps in one of those rooms.”

  Clutching the modest silver chain her cross hung from, Sister Agnes tried to hold her composure.

  “You’re sure?” She asked, voice thinning.

  “Not one hundred percent,” Caitlin admitted. “But I have a gut feeling about it.”

  “How do you know it’s someone in those rooms?”

  Caitlin faced the other woman. “Because I can feel them watching us now.”

  Sister Agnes’ grip tightened on her necklace.

  “Would make sense,” Booker said, keeping his voice low. “Creep like that would wanna have eyes on their handy work. Keep tabs on anyone pokin’ around…”

  “Like we’re doing right now,” Caitlin said.

  “Yeah, well let’s have him come on out here and try somethin’,” Booker said, glaring up at the windows. “Least then we’d know who it was.”

  “This is certainly concerning behavior,” Sister Agnes started. “But isn’t it possible the individual just needs counseling?”

  “They tried to get our home overrun with Geeks,” Caitlin argued. “You were there. You saw the danger everyone was in. I don’t think counseling is going to be sufficient in keeping them from doing something like that again.”

  Nodding in understanding, Sister Agnes glanced from Caitlin to Booker. “Then what do you suggest we do when we find them?”

  Exhaling with a sigh, Caitlin shrugged. “That’s not up to us.”

  “Put it to a vote, just like everythin’ else,” Booker added.

  “I try to stay optimistic, even in the darkest of times, but do you really think the majority of our group will grant mercy for this lost soul?” Sister Agnes frowned. “Once everyone finds out the truth, it may be difficult to convince them not to do something irreversible.”

  Booker dragged his boot through the thin dusting of snow, exposing dry grass beneath.

  “Nobody got killed that day,” he said, looking up. “Maybe… Maybe folks’ll see the sense in not takin’ a life for lives that won’t lost.”

  Uncertainty still clouded Sister Agnes’ eyes but she didn’t try to dispute him.

  She still held onto hope.

  Turning her head, Caitlin stared up at the school again, eyes locked on one window in particular.

  Suspicion scratched the inside of her skull, irritating her into a decision.

  She’d need more evidence, and a way to find it without getting caught.

  But she knew exactly where she’d start looking.

  * * * * * * *

  Fancy trotted down the hallway, carrying a stuffed bear in her mouth.

  “Hey girl,” Booker greeted as they walked by. “Whatcha got there?”

  Wagging her tail, Fancy refused to give up the bear. Clearly it was her newest find.

  “Hope that didn’t belong to one of the kids,” Caitlin said, watching as Fancy circled them once and continued down the corridor.

  Booker chuckled. “A little dog drool never hurt nobody.”

  Just as Caitlin was about to tell him how gross that was, a loud discussion around the corner made them both halt.

  Men’s voices echoed off the tile and cinderblock.

  “…Not true!”

  “We saw you…”

  “It couldn’t have… You need proof!”

  Booker frowned. “That ain’t good.”

  Hurrying towards the commotion, they got there just as Edward was shoved by the once mild-mannered Bob.

  “Whoa, hey, hey,” Booker called, leaping into the scuffle to break it up. “Y’all, now hold on here!”

  Bob jabbed a finger at Edward, face red with anger. “You tell him to back off!”

  “You’re the one with a bloody knife and boots hidden under your cot!” Edward yelled.

  “You have no proof that’s mine!”

  With a hand on Edward’s chest to keep him at arm’s length, Booker turned to Bob.

  “Alright, now what’s this about a knife under your bed?”

  Taking a breath to steady himself, Bob purposefully kept his gaze away from Edward and the other man who’d joined them.

  “I don’t know whose it is,” Bob said. “I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Then why’d your bunkmate find with your stuff?” Edward countered.

  Booker dug his fingers into the other man’s chest as a warning.

  “I don’t know!” Bob ran his fingers through what little was left of his hair. “I’m telling you, it isn’t mine. Someone must have put it there.”

  The other guy—Mark, Caitlin thought—scoffed. “Likely.”

  Gesturing to him to be quiet, Booker faced Bob.

  “Y’gotta admit, it seems a bit suspicious,” he said.

  “C’mon, you know me Booker,” Bob pleaded. “You have to believe me. I’m telling the truth.”

  “Alright, then help me out here,” Booker said, tone even. “Think, Bob. Who’d wanna put somethin’ like that in with your gear?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “D’ya see anybody comin’ in or out of your room? Anybody askin’ for you to hold onto somethin’ for ‘em?”

  Bob shook his head. “No, but I was on watch duty all night. Anyone could have slipped in and planted it there.”

  “Seems like a lot of trouble for someone to go through just to frame you,” Edward argued.

  “Frame me for what?” Bob cried. “I haven’t done anything!”

  “A’ight, I think we’re gettin’ ahead of ourselves here,” Booker said, motioning for the men to settle down. “Who found the bloody boots and knife?”

  “Donna,” Edward told him. “She dropped a pen and when she went to look for it, she found Bob’s knife and his boots hidden under a rag beneath his cot.”

  “It’s not my knife,” Bob repeated tersely.

  Stepping closer, Caitlin called, “Can I see it?”

  The men turned to look at her.

  “You want to see his bloody knife?” Mark asked, furrowing his dark brows.

  “Everyone in this camp has had blood on their knife at some point,” she said primly. “If he says it isn’t his, maybe we can find out who the real owner is.”

  Extending her hand, she waited for Mark or Edward to give it to her.

  Edward yielded finally, withdrawing the blade from the back of his belt and placing it in her palm.

  As the men continued to disagree over Bob’s innocence, Caitlin examined the long, filthy buck knife.

  The wooden handle was worn and covered in blood, as was the blade.

  Caitlin frowned.

  The knife was too bloody. No one would leave their weapon that unkept unless they were in the middle of a fight. Even the less experienced fighters like Vanessa knew to clean their knives properly, if only for comfort the next time they had to use it. No one wanted to spread Geek blood all over a box of instant oatmeal they had to cut open or have a sticky handle to hold during chores.

  She flipped the knife over in her hands, paying close attention to the near perfect palm print that wrapped around the handle.

  Caitlin’s gaze flicked up to where Bob stood, still frantically explaining he didn’t own the weapon or the bloody boots.

  His knife sheath—the one she assumed was really his—was strapped to the left side of his belt.

  The palm print on the handle was of a man’s right hand.

  “Bob, you’re left handed,” Caitlin said, interrupting whatever Mark had been saying.

  The group went silent.

  “Uh, yeah,” Bob said. “Why?”

  “And you’re not ambidextrous or anything?”

  He wrinkled his brow. “No.”

  Caitlin looked to Edward. “Then thi
s definitely isn’t his knife. But someone really wanted us to think it is, and that he’s the one who cut up those squirrels.”

  “Cut up… what?” Bob gaped. “What happened?”

  She inwardly cringed. She forgot the majority of the group didn’t know about the real cause of the Geek attack.

  “Never mind,” she said, hurriedly. Glancing at Booker, she said, “This knife was used by a righty, not a lefty. And it’s almost comically covered in blood. Whoever planted it under Bob’s bed was really going for the theatrics.”

  “Well it clearly worked,” Edward said. “Donna freaked when she saw it.”

  Caitlin frowned. “Why would Donna have known to be worried about a bloody knife and boots?”

  Mark and Edward glanced at each other in confusion. It hadn’t occurred to them it was strange either.

  Handing the knife back to Edward, Caitlin nodded. “Someone should clean that. It’s disgusting.” Facing Booker, she added, “We need to talk to Donna.”

  Fighting a grin, Booker agreed. Cocking his head at the others, he said, “Think y’all can kiss ‘n’ make up now?”

  Edward and Mark shifted their weight while Bob crossed his arms.

  “Sorry goes a long way,” Booker told them.

  After a moment, Edward mumbled, “Sorry, Bob.”

  Jutting his chin out, Bob said, “I’m sorry too.”

  Clapping them on the shoulders, Booker smiled. “Now don’t that feel better?”

  The muttered, faint agreements were enough.

  Caitlin forced her expression to be neutral as they walked away from the other three.

  She cracked as soon as they rounded the corner.

  Chapter Ten

  Passing the door to the group’s makeshift clinic, Caitlin thought twice and backed up.

  “Hey,” she said to Scott and Nicole, poking her head in. “Have either of you seen Donna?”

  Nicole looked up from the textbook she was making notes in. “Not today. Why?”

  “There was a… well, a kind of incident,” Caitlin said, faltering over the words. “We just wanted to ask her a few questions.”

  “Have you tried the maintenance work detail?” Scott asked. “Last I heard she was put in charge of it since she had so much experience from the Iowa camp.”

  Nicole frowned. “Wait, what incident?”

  “Just something connected to the Geek swarm,” Caitlin said, not wanting them to worry.

  Yet.

  Stepping back into the hallway, she added, “I’ll see you at dinner.”

  “Is it ‘cause of the chopped up rotters?”

  Caitlin’s sneakers squeaked on the tile as she pulled to a stop.

  “Desi?” She scowled, scanning the room.

  From beneath one of the tables, Desi emerged with a screwdriver in her hand.

  “What were you…?”

  Desi jerked her head at the piece of furniture. “The leg was wobbly. I fixed it.”

  Nicole tested the table’s sturdiness and smiled. “Good as new.”

  Stepping further into the room, Caitlin pegged Desi with a firm stare. “Back up. What did you say about the Geeks?”

  Stuffing her hands into her overall pockets, Desi shrugged. “I saw them this morning out my window.”

  “What time was that?”

  “I don’t know… Early. The sun was barely up.”

  Caitlin leaned in. “Did you see anything else?”

  “Like did I see the person cutting them up?” Desi shook her head. “Nope.”

  Inhaling, Caitlin tried not to let her disappointment bleed into her expression. After a moment, she squatted in front of Desi.

  “I’m really sorry you had to see that,” she murmured.

  Desi looked off, trying to seem disinterested. “They’re just dead rotters,” she said. “It’s no big deal.”

  It was like looking in a mirror fifteen years prior. The tough-gal act, the refusal to admit when something was upsetting for fear of being told to quit being a wimp or to stop being dramatic.

  Caitlin’s heart ached behind her sternum.

  “Well, you’ve got a stronger stomach than I do,” she said softly. “It really got to me seeing those Geeks like that.” She paused, waiting for Desi’s gaze to drift back. “It’s okay if it got to you too.”

  Pressing her lips together, Desi only gave a jerky nod, but didn’t say anything else.

  “Hey, I bet Max and David would let you play with Fancy in the gym if you want,” Caitlin said, tone brighter. “Want to go ask them?”

  Desi glanced over her shoulder at Nicole and Scott. “Is it okay if I don’t finish the chapter today?”

  Scott smiled. “Of course. Go play, Desi.”

  “Cool,” she said, already sauntering towards the door.

  Caitlin turned to Nicole. “Chapter?”

  Holding up the high school chemistry book, Nicole grinned from ear to ear.

  “She’s through half the book already,” Nicole said. “If the world hadn’t ended, she probably would be in all advanced placement classes.”

  “She has what it takes to graduate high school before she’s even able to get her driver’s license,” Scott added proudly. He then paused, tilting his head. “Well, if that were still possible, that is.”

  “No wonder she’s a smart ass,” Caitlin chuckled softly. “I can’t wait to tell Booker.”

  Before she could leave again, Nicole whistled for her attention.

  “What happened this morning?”

  The sour feeling returned to Caitlin’s stomach.

  “Someone mutilated six of the Geek’s used along the perimeter,” she said, keeping her voice down. “Sister Agnes found them and showed Booker and I.” Taking a deep breath, she added, “I think whoever did it is bunking on the east side of the school.”

  “And you think the same person who did that also caused the herd attack?”

  “Only way to answer that is to find out who it is,” she said. “And we’ve got a long list of people to ask.”

  * * * * * * *

  Meeting Booker halfway between the cafeteria and the school lobby, Caitlin instinctively reached for him the moment he was close enough.

  “I haven’t been able to find Donna anywhere,” she said with a sigh.

  Booker shook his head. “Me neither. I checked with her work detail, but nobody’s seen her after ten o’clock this mornin’.”

  Caitlin was sure her frown was going to etch itself permanently into her forehead.

  “I don’t like this,” she murmured. “Donna’s not one to ghost people.”

  Rubbing his thumb along the side of Caitlin’s wrist, Booker said, “She’s prob’ly helpin’ somewhere else and we just keep missin’ her. We’ll find her at supper and ask her about what happened then.”

  “Maybe Trish or Luna confided in Donna,” Caitlin offered. “She’s trustworthy and attentive. Maybe they wanted her to know to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior.”

  Booker nodded. “Maybe. It’d make sense.”

  Chewing the inside of her lip, it took her a moment before she realized Booker was staring at her.

  “What?”

  “Thinkin’ too loud again, songbird.”

  Sighing through her nose, Caitlin shifted her weight.

  “Desi saw the Geeks outside,” she told him quietly. “The gutted ones Sister Agnes showed us.”

  Cursing under his breath, Booker ducked his head to glare at the floor.

  “I don’t think it traumatized her any worse than it did us, but… I hate that she saw it at all.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “I told her to take Fancy to the gym to play,” Caitlin said. “I figured it would get her mind off things.”

  Nodding, Booker continued to stare at the tile work for a beat.

  “That child’s seen too much already,” he murmured, voice close to hoarse. “Drives me crazy we can’t protect her from seein’ more.”

  “I know,” she whi
spered, running a soothing hand up his bicep. “But at least we know she’s resilient enough to handle it.”

  Grunting at the back of his throat, Booker jerked his chin in a nod.

  Lifting onto the balls of her feet, Caitlin leaned close, kissing him warmly.

  It took a moment, but soon the tension left his shoulders and Booker was wrapping an arm around her waist to hold her to him.

  Pulling back to catch her breath, Caitlin grinned.

  “I never get tired of that,” she said, bumping the tip of his nose with hers.

  “Good. Wouldn’t want ya bored with me too soon.”

  Sinking her fingers into the thick hair at the back of his head, she said, “Never.”

  Booker slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her like he had all the time in the world.

  Breaking away a second time, he took half a step back and Caitlin inwardly pouted.

  “Why dontchu go play fetch with Fancy and Desi and I’ll meet up with you in a bit.”

  Caitlin frowned. “Where are you going?”

  Booker’s expression softened and he flashed her a lopsided grin.

  “Figured I better talk to Scott before things get too hectic,” he murmured. “See if he can screw my head back on straight.”

  Surprise and pride blended together, blooming in Caitlin’s chest and making her breath catch.

  Booker would be okay.

  They’d be okay.

  Reaching up to wrap a warm hand at the back of her neck, Booker tugged her closer for one last kiss that sent sparks dancing over her skin.

  “’N if I’m a good patient maybe I’ll get a treat later, huh?”

  He winked at her and Caitlin had to fight not to giggle.

  “What’ve you got in mind?”

  His gaze flicked down to the curve of her breasts beneath her long-sleeved shirt, and a blush rose high up on her cheeks.

  “Wouldn’t say no to that thought ya had when we were on the road,” he murmured, dragging his lips to the shell of her ear.

  Caitlin shivered, involuntarily tightening her grip on his waist.

  “Anythin’ you want, darlin’,” he told her. “As long as I get to watch you.”

  Mumbling an agreement as she turned her face to kiss him, Caitlin wondered absently how she wasn’t going to combust during the day while she waited.