Roamers (Book 2): Fear. Loss. Survival. Hope.

by Viper, Velveteen

  Scarlett could see that Kate was shaking as she held the point of the needle upright to Mouse’s flesh. She took a deep breath and pushed the sharp metal down. As it entered his chest wall, an obvious hissing could be heard; a sign that Kate’s diagnosis was right and the pressure was being relieved.

  She attached the tubing and taped the needle in place before investigating his arm. Scarlett’s jacket was unrecognisable with the volume of blood. Panic flicked across Kate’s face when she removed it and realised that something had caught an artery.

  “I--I don’t know if I can fix this,” she stuttered.

  “There must be something you can do, Kate. Please!” Scarlett begged.

  “Scarlett, it’s his brachial artery, he needs surgery! I have no idea how much blood he’s lost already.” Kate replaced Scarlett’s combat jacket on Mouse’s injury. “I’m sorry, Scarlett. I can’t save him.

  The door opened behind them and Scarlett turned around to see Chino enter. He clasped a hand over his mouth when he saw his brother.

  “Is he gonna be alright?” he asked, holding back a sob.

  Kate shook her head sadly and moved aside. Chino approached the bedside and sat next to his brother.

  “What happened?”

  “The building wasn’t stable,” Riley explained. “It collapsed on top of him. I’m so sorry, Chino.”

  Chino continued to watch Mouse. He’d closed his eyes and the rise and fall of his chest was shallow and slow.

  “We should allow Chino some time alone with his brother,” Kate said quietly. Scarlett nodded and Riley put an arm around her as the three of them left the room.

  * * *

  Their haul was spread neatly on a kitchen table; a row of rifles, boxes of ammunition, and magazines. Scarlett, Quinlan and Jack stood over them.

  “I’m impressed, guys,” Quinlan nodded.

  “Yeah, well it came with a price,” Jack said. Quinlan frowned at him. “We lost Mouse.”

  “Christ, poor Chino.”

  “We’re gonna have a busy night,” Jack observed, eager to distract from his anger about the day’s events. He realised that the magazines would have to be loaded and bagged up. “The good news is that there are enough rifles for each person to take one. Ammunition’s a bit trickier. We don't know who's going to be able to advance the fastest.”

  “What about those who have their own, preferred weapons? Personally, I’m much more efficient with my axes and my pistols,” Scarlett wondered.

  “You’re coming?” Jack asked, sounding more surprised than he meant to. “I thought you were staying with the kids.”

  “I can’t let you all go without me. I’m going to ask Kate and Henry to watch them.”

  “Are you sure that’s--”

  “We should set this up tonight. Everything about tomorrow, from the moment people wake up, should be as calm and organised as possible,” Scarlett said.

  “Yeah,” Jack sighed. “We’ll set up a table in the water tent.”

  “We should get to it now,” Scarlett asserted. “Kate already organised a bunch of canteens, so no one should need to use the water tent tonight. We can cover it up once it's ready, to avoid reminding everybody of what lies ahead tomorrow. Let's let them enjoy one more evening together. Someone needs to get Chino drunk.”

  Scarlett swept the ammo boxes back into a holdall, while Jack and Chino gathered up the weapons. Quinlan sat down.

  “Hey, Scar, can I have a word?” Quinlan asked.

  “I’ll catch you up, guys,” Scarlett said, handing the holdall to Jack. “Everything okay, Quin?”

  “I’ve got a favour to ask.”

  Scarlett sat down opposite him, preparing herself, “Go for it.”

  “This last year has changed my life. I can’t escape the things I’ve done, but I can try to redeem myself by doing good now. The problem is, I’m just no good at fighting.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “With your permission, Scarlett, I’d like to stay here and look after Hope and James.”

  Scarlett stared at him. She’d got to know Quinlan well over the course of the last few months, but the sting of their first meeting was something that she couldn’t imagine ever forgetting. She couldn’t forget the feeling of finding Hope missing from her Wendy house; fear so colossal that it choked her.

  On the other hand, Scarlett had always tried to remind herself of why Quinlan did those things. In a world where survival was all that some people had, Scarlett was seldom shocked by what human beings were capable of.

  But giving him the responsibility of caring for the most vulnerable and cherished people in her life was not an easy decision to make.

  “I don’t know…”

  “Please, Scarlett. I want to prove myself to everyone, but I can’t do that by killing The Headhunters. I’ve seen enough death. I’ve… been responsible for enough death. Seeing your kids’ faces everyday it’s… it’s such a privilege. I want to protect them.”

  Scarlett considered his plea. She stood and walked toward the door while Quinlan watched her and waited. She finally turned to face him.

  “Alright, but you’re gonna have to clear it with Travis too.” Quinlan’s face dropped. “He’s not going to be so easy to convince because he hasn’t spent seven or eight months on the road with you.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Good. I trust you, Quinlan. If you need me, I’ll be in with Jack and Chino.”

  Quinlan nodded his understanding and Scarlett left.

  Making her way back through the main house, Scarlett spotted Travis alone in the living room, rocking their son to sleep. He was humming something, but Scarlett couldn’t make out the tune.

  “So, I just had a conversation with Quin,” she said quietly.

  “Mm-hm.”

  “I think I should give you the heads up, because I told him that it was a decision that both you and I would need to agree on…”

  “What is it?”

  “Quinlan wants to stay with Hope and James when we go to The Headhunters.”

  Travis stopped singing to James and stared at her. He gave a short, sharp, “No,” and continued rocking the infant.

  “He wants to ask you. Please, just hear him out… and be kind. He’s not the monster you think he is.”

  “He abducted our daughter and took her to a place where they raped girls and kept men as slaves. He’s the reason that Alexa bitch almost killed you,” he growled. “I don’t trust him. Why does he want to look after them anyway? What does he gain from that? It’s a bit fuckin’ weird if you ask me.”

  James wouldn’t settle while his father was so tense, so Scarlett took over.

  “I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I thought that our babies would be in any danger. Please, Travis?” she implored. “Just let him explain?”

  Travis surveyed Scarlett’s wide eyes and sighed, “Alright, fine. I’ll talk to him. But I ain’t promisin’ anythin’.”

  “Thank you. He’s in the kitchen.”

  Looking back at Scarlett, Travis nodded once and opened the door to leave, almost colliding with Riley.

  “Hey, Riley,” Travis said.

  “Sorry,” he replied dimly before walking into the room and dropping himself on the couch.

  Travis shrugged and continued into the hallway while Scarlett looked at Riley expectantly.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  He stared at the floor, trying not to acknowledge a question which he assumed Scarlett already knew the answer to.

  “My head’s been somewhere else.”

  “I know... Riley, I--”

  “I don’t think we should talk about it. Wouldn’t want Travis to overhear.”

  Scarlett perched on the arm of the sofa, facing him. He finally looked at her and allowed her to see the hurt that she’d caused.

  “Riley, I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t need to be. I know it only happened because you were lost. It’s just, waking up with you...” he t
railed off, but continued when he saw that Scarlett was about to interject. “It was exactly like I expected. I gave up a lot to come with you, and those few moments made it so worth it. I’ve wanted you to know for so long; I couldn’t tell you when we left, it wouldn’t have been fair on you after everything. I couldn’t tell you that night and I know I shouldn’t tell you now.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “I love you, Scarlett,” he revealed. Scarlett stared at him, open mouthed. “I am in love with you. I know it’s unreciprocated, and that’s fine. Shutting myself away gave me time to think. This fight with Grey’s people is going ahead, and I didn’t want to die without telling you.”

  Scarlett slid down onto the seat next to him and held one of his hands.

  “Listen to me, Riley. You’re the one person who’s been a continual, positive part of my life since Jimmy died. You’re my friend, my ally. And until that night, you were the closest I ever had to a brother. You saw me through the most vulnerable time in my life and made damn sure I didn’t do anything stupid. The things you’ve done are a reflection of the person you are. I do love you, Riley. Just not in the same way I love Travis.” Riley gave a gentle nod and a sad smile. “And don’t you dare talk about dying. You’re not going anywhere. Anyone who tries to hurt my best friend has to deal with McKenzie wrath.”

  “Ouch,” he chuckled.

  “That’s right.” Scarlett squeezed Riley’s hand as she spoke, “I’m sorry, Riley, but you have got to get your shit together.”

  “I know,” he admitted. “But I’m better off out of this fight, Scar. I’m going to get people killed.”

  “Riley, if we lose this fight, it won’t be because those of us fighting weren’t strong enough. It’ll be because the ones not fighting were. We can win this in the same way that we survived at Bluehaven, in our camp and at the cottage: we pull together and get shit done. We all have jobs to do. It only goes bad when somebody stops doing theirs.” Scarlett pulled Riley’s chin up and made him look her in the eyes. “Do you love my children, Riley?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then do this for them; for their future. Look at this little boy in my arms. You brought him into the world. Do it for him. Do it for the children that you and River might have some day.” Riley scoffed at that last remark. “Fight with me, by my side, just like we always have. You, me, Travis, Jack and everyone else; we didn’t get where we are today by giving up.”

  “Fine,” he said softly, “I’ll do it for Hope and James.”

  “Good. Set your alarm for 0600, soldier. Piper and Bill are making breakfast for six-thirty tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Leaning forward, Riley placed his lips to James’ forehead. “I love you, little guy.”

  When he pulled away, Scarlett drew him into a one-armed hug. He reciprocated and held her like it might be the last time.

  “In the meantime,” Scarlett said, pulling away, “why don’t you come and have a couple of beers with everyone? We’ll all be in here in a couple of hours.”

  Riley took a deep breath, but nodded, “Yeah, why not?”

  Chapter Twenty

  Glancing through the dining room window, Travis noticed Quinlan sitting alone at one of the worn-out oak tables. He took a deep breath, determined to take on board what Scarlett had said, but still resolute to know Quinlan’s reasons for wanting so desperately to stay with Hope and James instead of going to fight. Travis knew he was more than justified in being vigilant around the man who he saw as nothing but the person who once snatched his little girl.

  Quinlan flinched when the door swung open, and let out a deep sigh on seeing that it was Travis who’d opened it. Not a man for small talk, he got straight to the point.

  “Scarlett says you’re hell-bent on staying here with Hope and James. Mind tellin’ me why?” There was a hint of aggression in Travis’ voice as he spoke, “You see, I’m just curious to know why you think I’d be comfortable with this. You kidnapped my little girl to save your own hide, and now you’re resident babysitter? It don’t sit right.”

  “You and Scarlett, you’re needed with the convoy.” Quinlan seemed nervous, and rightly so, Travis thought.

  “That ain’t good enough.”

  “I just want to protect them; keep them safe.”

  Travis reached behind himself and slid a rickety wooden chair up to the dining table to sit directly opposite Quinlan.

  “You want me to trust you with the two most important things in my life; the very reasons me and Scarlett are going out there, then you’re gonna have to start bein’ honest with me. Right now you’re just pissin’ me off.”

  “Come on, I kept Scarlett safe, didn’t I? I never laid a finger on her or the baby.”

  “That wasn’t you keepin’ her safe. That was Riley. You and I know damn well he would’a taken you out if he thought it was needed, now stop bullshittin’ me. Why are you so insistent?” Travis demanded.

  Quinlan looked at Travis from under his eyebrows. He could see the hostility in his eyes and knew he had to explain.

  “I had three beautiful children;” Quinlan began, “two boys and a girl. Aoife, my daughter, had the most gorgeous blonde hair and dazzling green eyes. She loved belly tops and boys and smothering herself in make-up.” He grinned, “My boys, Conor and Adam, looked like they could have been twins, they were so similar, and only born eighteen months apart. They were always getting each other into trouble. And their mother… my God, she was stunning. Easily the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. With a name just as lovely: Orla.”

  “What happened to them, Quinlan?” Travis didn’t know what sort of horror story he was expecting, but he was expecting one.

  “After things went tits up, we decided to stay put in our home. It was a fairly quiet little street and there were plenty of places nearby to find food; supermarkets mostly. Of course, I knew the supplies would dry up quickly, but I guessed we’d deal with that when it happened.”

  Travis’ expression remained unchanged and Quinlan realised he was growing impatient.

  “I’d gone out one morning to one of those supermarkets ‘cause we were low on water. Ran into a bit of trouble on the way back; I’d taken the last pack of bottled water and someone had seen me.”

  Quinlan’s voice started to falter as he reminisced, “Aoife… she’d started getting panic attacks at the slightest things. I hadn’t realised when I fought off the other guy that I’d dropped my walkie. I used to talk to her whenever I left the house so that she’d know I was safe. When she couldn’t get hold of me, she walked out onto the street and started calling me, shouting my name. I could hear her, and I knew she was going to attract Shufflers. Back then I hadn’t had much experience with them. I’d never put any down – I’d never been close enough. As I ran around the corner, I could hear my little girl screaming. There were three of them. They were all over her and she was so desperately trying to get into the house. My wife was trying to help her; trying to prize their decaying fingers and rotting teeth from our daughter’s flesh. I froze. I watched the creatures barge their way into our home when they heard my sons screaming. I was terrified…” suddenly, he could no longer look Travis in the eye and his gaze fixed on the scratched tabletop. “I left them,” he admitted. “I dropped the water on the floor, and I ran in the opposite direction.”

  Travis felt a rush of anger building within him. He couldn’t understand how it was possible for a father to leave his children and their mother, guaranteeing them a death sentence. Observing Quinlan’s face, however, he quickly realised that he’d been paying the price ever since. Just recalling the experience had broken him all over again. Remembering the faces of his girls, and the sounds his children all made, crying out for their father, each memory was a knife in his chest, and it was clear to Travis that he hadn’t been the same man since.

  “Maybe I could have saved my boys, I don’t know. I abandoned my family. But I refuse to do the same to yours. So, I’m staying. We all have a
better chance if you and Scarlett are part of the convoy.”

  Travis rubbed his hand over his face and surveyed Quinlan for a moment.

  “Alright,” he growled. “But you keep in touch the whole time and you don’t let them out of your sight.”

  “Thank you, Travis. I won’t let you down.”

  Travis stood and made for the door. Before he made it all the way outside, he turned back to face Quinlan.

  “Hey,” he started, and Quinlan looked up at him, “I’m sorry about your family.”

  “Thanks, Travis. Me too.”

  Travis left, closing the door, and Quinlan wiped the moisture from his face with a sleeve. The guilt of what he’d done – or rather, hadn’t done – still weighed heavily on his shoulders, but he wanted to redeem himself. He would protect Hope and James and fight for them if he needed to.

  Travis wandered the garden looking for Scarlett. She’d busied herself in the laundry tent with Kate. Scarlett was learning how to sew.

  “So, then you do your double loop and pull it tight to stop it coming undone.” Kate explained.

  “How’s that?” Scarlett asked, presenting her wobbly line of stitches.

  Travis approached the tent and stood behind Scarlett’s chair. He laid his hands on her shoulders, rubbing slightly. Scarlett smiled. She could recognise those hands instantly.

  “How’d it go?” she enquired.

  “Can we go somewhere else?”

  Scarlett excused herself and followed Travis inside. They stopped in the hallway and Travis slipped his hands around her waist.

  “I’m sorry,” he declared. “I should’a let you explain. I talked to him, and I get it. I’ve told him he can stay as long as he checks in regularly.”

  “I knew you would.” Scarlett pulled him closer and planted a single kiss slowly on his lips. When she pulled away, she stayed close, enjoying his warmth and the look on his face telling her he wanted more. “I think there’s some sort of gathering in the lounge. I’m gonna turn in soon, but maybe we could join them for a while?”