"I'm not planning on doing anything. I could have kicked her out there if I wanted, but she'd find herself dead within two days without us, and I can't wish that upon anyone that's been through this ordeal with us. Even Laylia."
Carson rolled his eyes but didn't object. "And if she does something to make her regret your decision? Like gets one of us killed? Gets you killed?"
"She could never do anything to get me-" she stopped, because she knew Laylia very well could. She might not even try to. It could just be something as she provokes a fight, gets her out in the open and she ends up getting gunned down. It could happen.
Their conversation stopped as they reached the entrance. Like last time there was a bouncer- an older woman who looked to be in her forties, choppy blonde hair and stern green eyes. They wouldn't be able to sneak past her. They might as well just turn around and go back.
They paused and she parted her mouth to speak when the woman just waved them in. Confused, Shay stopped and shot her a quizzical look but the woman just nodded.
"We're going to close if we don't get more business around here. Just go."
She replied with a brisk thank you before slipping past, stepping inside. She didn't get the same rush she had the first time- there was no thrill of being somewhere they shouldn't be anymore. It was similar to the feeling of a roller coaster ride- its heart-pounding the first time you ride it, but after it isn't as thrilling.
"Well that was a little too easy," Carson said as he stopped beside her. She titled her head so she could meet his gaze.
"Think we just walked into a trap?" She asked him, sensing the worry they both shared. He was right- it was just a little too easy getting in here.
"Dunno, but I'm keeping my hand on my gun," Marena butted in, hazel eyes sweeping the room. "I don't see any cops, or agents, but that doesn't mean they aren't here."
"Can we ever go one day without having to shoot someone?" Shay muttered, weaving through the throng of people to a booth, cautious not to accidentally touch someone as she did.
"Probably not," Marena replied with dismay as she followed. "Let's just hope it doesn't happen here."
The trio sat down, thankful for the secluded location of the booth. From here, they could observe everything the others did. Katrina and Owen had once again hit up the bar, but if they had any money to purchase anything she didn't know. Kyleigh was out dancing again, seeming to forget about all the troubles that plagued them. Laylia and Jaycee had found their own booth, the two sitting and talking. Even though she didn't waste time trying to read their lips it wasn't hard to realize they were discussing her. Miss Alpha.
They sat and talked for a while, sometimes joking, sometimes insulting anyone up for grabs, and other times discussing group matters. It wasn't hard to realize Shay was the leader, but Marena and Carson were just as crucial to the support network as she- all three of them, powerful, important, vital.
"I think tomorrow morning we need to head south," Shay said as she eyed a man hovering in the corner. He hadn't taken his eyes off of them in a while. She could tell Marena noticed as well, for her hand was on her gun, concealed beneath her shirt.
"How much further south can we go before we're in Arkansas?" Marena asked, looking to her best friend with a quizzical expression.
"I don't want to cross over just yet- we'll know when it's time to go to another state, but for now we should stay here. It's home turf. There are lots of campsites down here in the Ozarks- off the radar. It might be our best bet to go there." She responded, drumming her fingernails against the wooden table as she did. "Carson, what do you think?"
When he didn't respond she titled her head, wondering if the pounding music had drowned him out. When she turned she found the space he'd been sitting empty. Confused, believing he had only just been there, she felt the seat. It was cold. He'd been gone a while.
"Where'd he go?" She asked, turning back to Marena, who shrugged.
"He said he was going to get drinks a while ago."
"For us or himself? He couldn't stomach any last time."
"I assume both. We do go to these places to get a break, you know."
"Yeah, but he hasn't been back in a while. We should at least go and check," she replied, although her tense body language made it seem more like an order. Marena took the hint and stood up, Shay following. They hadn't gotten more than five steps when someone bumped into her.
"Oh hey, there you are!" He beamed. "Look what I brought you," he said with the wry smile so casual to his character etched into his face. He slipped a cold beer bottle into her hand, locking her fingers around it just to make sure it wouldn't drop.
"Carson, where have you be-" She was cut off by two shouting men shouldering their way through the crowd, making a beeline towards the trio.
"Hey asshole, give us our beers back!" One shouted as the other made his way to stand behind Carson, blocking off all exits.
"Don't let go of the bottle." He bent down and whispered in her ear, just loud enough so she could scarcely here. Whatever he'd done to piss these guys off, it couldn't have been good.
"Gentlemen, I don't know what beers you're talking about," he lied, holding his hands out in front of him.
"Is that so? Then what's that in your hand?" One sneered, his speech slurring as he gestured to the bottle in Carson's hand. A look of panic flashed across his features as he tried to hide the bottle. "That's all the confirmation I need."
"Move girl!" The one behind him snarled, roughly shoving Shay out of the way. She stumbled into Marena, who caught her with a stunned expression on her face. The two girls exchanged shocked glances that suddenly turned to angry ones within seconds- so much for not averting attention. Neither of them were the type to stand there and take treatment like that. Without warning Carson whipped around, his fists balled and nostrils flaring.
"Did you touch her?" He shouted as he took a few daring steps towards one of the drunken men, who were at least five inches taller and a hundred pounds heavier than he. The man shook his head, a giddy grin on his lips.
"Even if I did, what would you do about it?" He hissed back, speech slurred to almost the point of no recognition. "She looks like the type who likes it rough." Disgusted, she locked eyes with Carson and barley nodded her head. Do it. He got the hint, for he nodded back.
"This." Carson spat blatantly before taking a swing at the man. It all happened so fast she didn't even have time to react. His fist connected with the man's jaw, sending a crack echoing through the bar. Her assailant stumbled sideways as his buddy lunged at Carson, wrapping his burly arms around the smaller boy. He struggled against the man's grip- to no avail.
"Hold him Jim," the other commanded, wiping a dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Damn sick of all these little shits, disrespectin' their elders."
"We only respect those who deserve it!" Marena shouted, her words acting as a battle cry as she hurled herself at the man bracing to strike Carson. Shay, stunned, remained where she was, feet glued to the floor. Oh, fuck the rules I made. This is worst case scenario.
Marena struggled with the man for a few moments- although their height difference was evened, he was still much heavier and stronger than she, and easily sent her tumbling into a booth. She got right back up, kicking and swinging. Knowing her friend was rather capable she rushed over to Carson's aid, punching his captor in the nose as hard as she could.
The man released Carson and his hands flew upwards. She was expecting them to go to his nose, which was now bubbling blood. Instead, his hands found his neck as he doubled over, the first of many brutal coughs escaping his throat.
Turning around the other man was doing the same, back against the brick wall. Pained expressions clouded on both of their faces, but she didn't even feel a twinge of remorse for them. They deserved it. With the imminent threat of danger diminished, the trio regrouped, breathing hard. Her knuckles throbbed, the skin broken in a few places. It was then they realized the chaos around them.
Nobody had stopped to break apart the fight, for the entire bar had broken out into one around them- shouting, cursing and punching at anyone in sight. They'd caused a classic Hollywood-style bar fight.
"Goddammit, the cops are probably already on their way! Marena, find Katrina and Owen! Carson, stay with me, those assholes might come after you again, and help me find Kyleigh, Jaycee and Laylia!" She barked her orders sternly, coming in loud and clear over the commotion. Marena nodded her head briskly and vanished into the fray, having to shove two cat-fighting girls off of her. The two began to cough and she could make out Marena's skinny figure freeze and turn, guilt glittering in her eyes. Go, she mouthed silently. The other blonde dipped her head, understanding, and was gone before the worst of the coughing came.
Chapter 20
Not waiting around Shay began to shove her way through the throng of people, skillfully avoiding punches when thrown in her direction. With the adrenaline and fear flowing she had little time to dwell on the consequences of her actions- every person she shouldered out of her way would die. Consumed in the heat of the moment she kept going, struggling to get to the booth she'd last seen Laylia and Jaycee.
Finally breaking free of the crowd she found the two of them cornered back in their booth by a young man, Laylia holding out a broken bottle in an attempt to ward him off. The man's hands were outstretched, either preparing to block a blow or to show he meant no harm.
"Laylia, Jaycee, come on!" She shouted with her hands cupped over her mouth, standing on her toes in case they couldn't see her. Jaycee's head turned first, almond-colored locks bouncing with the movements she made. The nimble girl jumped over the table and landed on her feet before turning and helping Laylia. The young guy turned, his eyes wide with recognition.
"Shay!"
It was like seeing a ghost. It had been five days since they barely escaped the city with their lives. After all the newscasts she hardly felt like she'd ever see any of her other friends back home alive again, yet here one was- Axel Larson, a guy she'd known since middle school, and happened to be Carson's best friend.
"Axel?" A male voice said beside her. She turned to see Carson, dark brown eyes wide with a mixture of shock and happiness. Someone from back home is alive. Someone from back home is alive!
"Carson!" Axel shouted and covered the distance between them quickly, Laylia and Jaycee following awkwardly at his heels. Up close, she'd almost forgotten how tall he was- somewhere around six feet, probably more with a similar build to Marena- long legs and long, lanky arms. Although it was definitely the same guy she'd known for four years, something about him seemed different. The rebellious spark that used to glow in his hazel eyes seemed to have dulled and his dusky blonde hair was darker, as if he'd barley seen the sun in weeks. It was still the same face, high cheekbones, squared jaw, narrow nose, yet something still seemed different about him- she didn't realize what it was until she looked at his eyes for the second time.
Taking a few steps back she almost backed into another fist fight, the perpetrators cursing at her before continuing on. Stunned, she looked up, trying to blink away the image. No matter how many times she tried, she couldn't. There, circling Axel's pupils, were rings identical to the ones in all of their eyes- he was a Carrier.
"Axel…You too?" She asked, stopping to gaze up at him. The relieved smile that had been painted on his face moments ago vanished. The excitement in his eyes faded.
"Yeah… As of three days ago. I've been trying to find you guys ever since, I… I couldn't stay back home. It got… It got too bad." His face darkened even more. She was tempted to ask just what was happening back home, but she had a pretty good idea of just what was- and she didn't want to get confirmation from someone else that it really was happening. They were, in a way, lucky. They didn't have to see the things Axel had seen. They never would. They couldn't go home. Ever.
Scanning around for Marena she found her poised nervously in a bar stool, her eyes glued to something just outside the glass doors. She felt her heart fall to her feet as several possibilities coursed through her mind, none of which were good.
"Everyone, this way. Now!" She commanded, beckoning to the others to follow her forwards. Axel and Carson followed first, the reunion conversation they'd been sharing silenced when they noticed the urgency present on her face. Jaycee and Laylia followed reluctantly, eyeing any person who dared come close to them. They'd never had to fight someone off before.
"What's wrong?" Carson asked as he shouldered his way through people to walk beside her.
"Marena sees something outside, and by the look on her face it isn't good." She tilted her head to meet his gaze. Understanding darkened his face and he turned forwards, walking straight ahead beside her.
A shout came from behind them. She turned heel to see a woman rushing towards her, arm raised as if she intended to hit one of them. Shay put her arms out, bracing to defend herself, but Axel grabbed the woman around the waist and flung her down. She collided with a chair before continuing to crash to the floor, lying winded in a heap.
"Damn Larson, where did that come from?" She said, eyeing the woman cautiously.
"I play football, Shay. It's my job to protect the quarterback." He replied briskly, avoiding meeting her gaze.
She opened her mouth to reply again, but a loud string of dry coughing diverted her attentions elsewhere. The woman had propped herself up against the leg of the table, hacking into her sleeve. She wasn't sure, but this could possibly be Axel's first infection, and the timing couldn't have been worse, for just inside the doorway stood six cops, guns drawn.
She turned to Carson and pointed towards Marena. He nodded and made a beeline for the bar, ducking his head to hide his face. She then turned to face Axel, who was standing rigid, hazel eyes glued on the woman. His eyes were glassy, stretched wide and his face paled.
"Did I…" he faltered. "Do that?"
Shay swallowed hard. She could feel her heartbeat begin to rise as her nervousness continued to swell. They needed to leave, now. She grabbed ahold of Axel's wrist and pulled hard, but he refused to budge, still absently staring at the woman.
"Goddammit Axel, come on!" She hissed through gritted teeth, pulling harder. He stumbled and followed her lead as she began to weave her way through the people, skillfully avoiding any more human contact. She knew what her friend was going through, but his inner turmoil couldn't have come at a worse time.
Three feet from the bar one of the cops fired his gun. Instinctively she dropped to the floor, hands covering her head. Carson and Marena were a few spaces away, Carson tucking his gun under his chest while Marena held the thin end of a beer bottle, both prepared to spring into action. She snaked her hand around to feel the 9 mm tucked beneath the waistband of her shorts, taking hold of it slowly.
"Stop right now or we'll arrest all of you!" One of the officers boomed, his gun still pointed towards the ceiling. The noise of the fighting was silenced. With a tilt of her head she could see the other people in the bar had done the same as she had, hitting the floor. "Do you even realize you're all guilty of assault?"
Someone whistled softly near the bar. She shifted her gaze over to Marena. Their eyes met and the other blonde nodded. The cops had no idea they were here.
Craning her neck to observe everyone's locations, relief washed over her when she realized the group was all relatively close together. Katrina and Owen were a few feet behind Marena and Carson, Kyleigh wedged between the two of them. Axel was off to her right, Laylia and Jaycee watching from the protection of a table. If they could all regroup and get out the doors quickly there'd be a possibility they'd be able to avoid violence at all. That's not going to happen. We never get off easy.
The officer who had spoken before strode forwards, stopping a few inches in front of Shay on the floor. She froze, all her muscles going tense at once. It could very well be the moment where all hell breaks loose.
"You, stand up. You don't look like anyone's tried to punch you."
He commanded. She hesitated. "Come on now, I won't hurt you." You're lying.
Slowly she stood, sensing her eight companions eyeing her as she did. Even standing straight the man was at least five inches taller than her- she had to crane her neck backwards to see his face. He looked her over for a few moments before continuing.
"Tell me what happened, little lady."
She shifted her eyes to the bar, her brown gaze falling upon an empty glass. It would be a better alternative to shooting him, if things came to it. The man cleared his throat. Nervous, she moved her gaze back to him, settling on the badge secured on the breast pocket of his uniform. Eye contact was out of the question.
"I don't know, I was in the bathroom," she lied, her words coming out slow and unsure.
"Look me in the eyes and say that. Prove you aren't lying."
Her heart was pounding in her chest, pumping adrenaline through her veins. She was curling her hands into fists, bracing for the fight she knew was coming. Why try to prolong something inevitable? She looked up, craning her neck to look the cop straight in his eyes.
"You're right, I was."
With that she lunged for the bar, grasping the glass and whipping around. The cop had already rushed after her, but she met him by smashing the glass against his skull. It shattered on impact, a few shards digging into the skin on her palm. She cursed as the officer crumpled to the floor, a dazed look in his eyes.
Around her, the others sprang into action. The cops did as well, the remaining five rushing towards her. Marena came in from the side, cutting two off from the pack. She smashed one in the temple with the butt of her gun before turning and promptly kicking the other hard in the gut. He doubled over, which allowed her to get an easier blow to his face, smashing her elbow against his teeth and knocking him backwards.
Carson was struggling with another, an equal amount of blows being exchanged on both sides. The officer delivered a well-aimed blow to his jaw, which sent him stumbling to the side a few steps. In the blink of an eye the cop had his gun pointed directly at Carson's head- he'd never be able to attack him without getting shot.
Carriers Page 17