Lucas nodded to her. Her blue eyes shifted to his, holding his stare without blinking. When she spoke, her voice was thick, and she had to clear it and try again after an unintelligible start.
“You…you saved me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes. “Water…”
The doctor nodded and returned momentarily with a one-liter plastic bottle. He handed it to Lucas, who walked to the woman’s side and held it out to her. She sensed his presence and opened her eyes, and then took the bottle and drank, gulping without pausing for breath.
“Easy there. It’s not a race,” the doctor cautioned.
She drained the bottle and handed it back to Lucas. “Where am I?”
Carl answered. “Loving, New Mexico. Little ways north of the Texas border.”
“How far from where we were attacked?” she asked in alarm.
“Maybe…twenty-five miles as the crow flies,” Lucas said.
“Oh no…” She looked into Lucas’s eyes. “What about the others?”
He shook his head and looked away. “They didn’t make it.”
“None of them?”
“I’m sorry.”
She didn’t seem to hear them, her eyes wild again. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
“You’re not going anywhere for a while,” the doctor said. “You just about died. It’s a miracle you didn’t.”
She shook her head and clutched at the sheet the doctor had draped over her. “No. You don’t understand.”
Carl threw a look over his shoulder at the doctor, now out of his depth. Lucas stayed by her side, and when he spoke, his voice was soft. Calm.
“What is it?”
“She’s still there. I told her to hide, to wait till I came back.” The woman closed her eyes. “How long since you found me?”
Lucas calculated quickly. “Two days.” He waited until she opened her eyes again and then inclined forward. “Who’s still there? I didn’t see anyone.”
“Because she’s hiding.” The woman swallowed hard and seemed to deflate. She struggled for breath and winced, and then shook her head. “I left her with a canteen and some dried venison. But she’ll be out of water by now. She’s got to be terrified. Alone…she’s only five.”
“Who?” Carl whispered.
When the woman spoke, her voice contained all the misery of the world. “Eve.” She hesitated and turned toward the wall. “My niece.”
Chapter 12
Carl moved closer to the prone woman. “Let’s start at the beginning. What’s your name?”
“Sierra. Sierra McKinley.”
“Where are you from?”
“Originally? Chicago. But we moved to Dallas when I was fourteen.”
“What were you doing in the foothills?”
Sierra sighed. “Traveling.”
“From where to where?”
“What does it matter? Isn’t everywhere pretty much the same these days?”
That stopped Carl. Lucas stepped into the awkward breach. “Why don’t you tell us what happened in your own words? Take your time.”
“Didn’t you hear me? My niece is still out there.”
Lucas nodded. “We heard you. Tell us what happened.”
Sierra pursed her lips and seemed to think for a beat. “We were making our way from Dallas. Eve, myself, and four men who were our guards. It was late afternoon, and we had stayed off the roads, which we thought would be enough, but it wasn’t. Somehow we attracted the wrong kind of attention. One of the guards spotted dust approaching and had me find a cave to hide Eve.” She blinked away a tear. “They were on us so fast. It was blinding. One minute we were alone, and the next we were under attack. It…it didn’t last long. They were unorganized, but there were more of them, and we were caught in the open.”
“Did you get them all?” Lucas asked.
“I think so. It all…it gets foggy after I was hit.”
“That’s not unexpected,” the doctor said.
Lucas nodded again. “Why did you have guards?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Not guards like I was a prisoner. Guards to keep us safe.”
Lucas’s expression remained neutral. “Who were they, and how did you find them?”
Sierra seemed to tune out. Lucas waited until she was back with them. “Does it matter?” she asked.
“To me it does.”
She nodded. “Fine. They helped us escape from a hellhole near Dallas. Eve and me.”
“Escape?” Carl demanded.
“That’s right.”
“Escape from what?” Lucas asked.
“We were being held by…have you ever heard of the Crew?”
Lucas nodded. “Prison gang.”
“They pretty much run Houston – most of Texas, now, actually, by the sound of it,” the doctor said. “I hear reports on the radio every so often. Really crazy stuff.”
Sierra grimaced. “You have no idea. But I’m surprised you heard anything. They make it clear that you’re under their control. If you broadcast anything about them, they hunt you down and kill you. End of story. They’re brutal.”
“Why were they holding you?” Carl asked.
“Because they wanted to. They do whatever they feel like. I caught their eye.” She didn’t have to finish the thought. Stories of atrocities were legion. The Mexican cartels had come over the border in places like El Paso and, between them and their gang affiliates in the city, had turned the cities into death camps. The same scenario had played out in many areas, and no place had gone unscathed. Houston had a particularly dark reputation since the collapse.
“What’s Dallas like now?” Carl asked, and Lucas gave him a sidelong glance.
Sierra’s gloom deepened. “It’s a nightmare. There’s power, but only for them. They set up some kind of steam turbine, and they’ve been systematically tearing down anything that they can burn to fuel it. The survivors are mostly used as slave labor to demolish houses so they can keep the turbine going round the clock. There’s a constant cloud of polluted smoke hanging over what’s left of the city – which is a ghost town. I mean, you can’t imagine how bad it got after the grid went down. Dead bodies everywhere. Disease, no water, gangs, killings on every block. When the Crew showed up, they introduced a kind of order, but it quickly degraded into slavery and mass murder of anyone who opposed them. And there were plenty, at least at first. But a few isolated people with a stash of guns and food, trying to survive the best they can, are no match for a prison gang made up of former military, hit men, gang enforcers, all armed to the teeth with the latest weaponry…”
“Why didn’t you leave?” Carl asked.
“And go where? To what? I had my clothes, but nothing else. I don’t know how it was here, but in Dallas, food ran out after a week. I stretched what I had for another week, used up my bleach purifying water, but what was I supposed to do? By the time I realized things were never going to return to normal, it was too late. So I just holed up.” She looked away again. “I did what I had to do to survive.”
“You say that the Crew has the latest weaponry. How?”
“Rumor was they overran an army depot. So they’ve got anything you can imagine and then some. I’ve seen AT-4s used on resisters. Trust me, it’s not pretty watching an entire family blown to pieces for refusing to do their bidding.”
Lucas cut in. “What’s the story on your tattoo?”
“The eye? That’s how they brand their property. It’s to send the message that they see everything and will find you if you defy them.”
Carl cut in. “So these guys that helped you escape. Who were they?”
“Good Samaritans.”
Lucas’s tone hardened. “Pretty well armed for Samaritans. And why guard you? From what?”
“From the world. From the Crew if they came after us.”
Lucas wasn’t satisfied with the answer. “But why? What was their motivation?”
“I…look, my niece is shivering i
n a cave out in the middle of nowhere. Can we put aside all the questions about the dead and talk about that? You have to go get her. Please. She’s all alone, and she’s running out of time.”
Carl looked to Lucas. “You think you could find the spot again?”
“I’ll draw you a map. I’m not ready to do that ride again. I haven’t slept more than a handful of hours in the last couple of days, and my horse is more exhausted than I am. Sorry. It would be suicide to press it.”
Sierra shook her head. “You have to go.”
Lucas returned her stare. “I saved your life because I was there. I’m not there anymore. Carl here wants to play hero, that’s fine, but leave me out of it. Desert’s filled with dead heroes.”
“She’s only five.”
“She’s a long ways away, across dangerous terrain where I’ve been in all-out gun battles over the last twenty-four hours.” Lucas’s tone softened. “Look. I understand you care about your niece, and I feel bad for you, but I did my part. I’m not going to risk my life for anybody.”
Sierra looked at him oddly. “Sounds like you did for me. For which, thank you.”
Lucas waved her off. “Like I said, I was there. If I’d known what I was getting into, maybe I wouldn’t have.”
For the first time, a trace of a smile flittered across Sierra’s face before it grew serious. “Somehow I doubt that.”
“Think whatever you want.” Lucas turned to Carl. “You going looking for her?”
“I kind of have to, Lucas.”
“No, you don’t. Town chose you to protect it, not to go off on suicide runs.”
“I’ll put it to a vote, but I suspect I know how it’ll turn out. A defenseless child abandoned in a cave…” Carl shook his head and eyed Lucas grimly. “Takes a hard man to turn his back on that.”
“Or a man who’s used up his nine lives and is out of gas.” Lucas stepped away from the bed. “Carl, I’ll draw you a map. Shouldn’t be impossible to find the spot. I’ll wish you all the luck in the world, but there’s no way in hell I’m riding on the trail all night with no sleep. That’s tempting fate, and I don’t feel lucky.”
Carl’s expression hardened. “Suit yourself. A map would be much appreciated.”
“Doc, you think you can rustle up a pencil and paper?” Lucas asked. He tried a final time with Sierra. “I’m deeply sorry about your niece, and if anyone can get her back, it’s the sheriff here.”
Sierra didn’t respond, just gave him a look of pained disgust.
Lucas followed the doctor into the living room and sat at the dining table while he rummaged around for a pencil and paper. The doctor returned with a stub and a notepad. “If it’s any consolation, Lucas, I completely agree with you about not going. You’re in no kind of shape to do anything but harm to yourself.”
Lucas busied himself with a sketch of the landmarks he used for orientation. When he was done, he pushed his chair back. Carl emerged from Sierra’s room at the sound.
“What do you make of her story?” Carl asked quietly.
“Part of it doesn’t add up, but I’m so tired I can barely think.”
“And the kid?”
“If you want to wait till morning, I was planning to ride down that way anyway. But I need sleep, Carl. I’m running on fumes. I’d just slow you down.”
“No problem. Alan and I will go. Got the map?”
Lucas handed it to him. “Night riding’s a good way to get yourself killed before you can help anyone, you know. I’ve done enough to know better.”
“We’ll be heavily armed. Plate carriers. Whole nine yards.”
“NV gear?” Lucas asked.
Carl looked uncertain. “You mean night vision? I wish.”
“That makes you hamburger for anyone that has it.”
Carl eyed Lucas’s M4. “You’re the only one I’ve ever seen in these parts with one.”
“Duke has a second-generation monocle. Uses a rechargeable battery like mine.”
Carl frowned. “I wouldn’t do business with that bandit.”
“That wasn’t what I was suggesting. I’m just pointing out they’re available. Don’t assume anything about what any hostiles might or might not have.”
“We have to do something, Lucas.”
Lucas rubbed a tired hand across his beard stubble, fatigue darkening the area below his eyes. “You want that on your headstone?”
“You were a lawman once, Lucas. I’m surprised at your attitude.”
“That was a different life, Carl. No such job anymore,” Lucas said, a rebuff to Carl’s insinuation. Carl was a good man, but he’d been a National Guard reservist before the collapse, not a cop – he’d actually worked at a nearby shipping company and had volunteered to keep the peace when it had become obvious that things were going to stay bad for the duration, and Lucas had said no to the job.
“There’s still common decency.”
Lucas nodded and made for the door. “That there is. But you have to be alive to have it. I aim to stay that way a little longer.” He paused at the threshold. “If you’re in a rush to get to the pearly gates, that’s your business. Don’t try to drag me into it.”
Carl watched Lucas leave and shook his head in silent disapproval, the doctor by his side. The cat poked its head up to look through the window at them before disappearing again, its late afternoon nap postponed until the house was quieter.
Chapter 13
Darkness had fallen by the time Lucas made it back to the ranch. He unlocked the gate to Bear’s joyous barking and walked the horse to the barn. Hal sat on the porch, watching him, his lever-action Winchester propped up against the house beside him. When Lucas made his way to the house, the older man took a sip from a half-filled glass.
“I fed and watered Tango,” Hal said by way of greeting.
“Thanks, Hal. He deserves some pampering.”
“How’d it go?”
“She’ll make it.”
“I’ve seen you happier.”
Lucas shook his head. “Damn fools plan to ride tonight.” He gave Hal a rundown on his meeting with the woman. When Lucas was finished, Hal didn’t say anything, just took another appreciative sip of his drink.
Lucas sniffed. “White lightning?”
“You got a problem, Lucas?”
Lucas took the wood chair next to Hal and turned it slightly so he could face his grandfather. He set his weapons beside him, and Bear pushed his head into Lucas’s lap. Lucas scratched him to tail wagging and a low growl of pleasure. After several moments, Lucas patted the dog’s head and eyed Hal, who appeared to be enjoying the evening without a care in the world.
“You think I did the right thing? I keep thinking about that old Indian saying about saving a life creating an obligation. I don’t want that. Slate’s clean, far as I’m concerned.”
“Man’s got to do what his conscience tells him. You’re right about it being a lousy idea to ride at night, especially when you’re worn out.”
“What would you have done?”
Hal laughed. “Nobody’s asking old men to ride off into the sunset, boy. Glad I don’t have to make that decision.”
“Which means you would go.”
“It means never walk in another man’s shoes. You did what was right for you. End it there.” Hal set the glass down. “How old you say the little girl was again?”
“Five.”
Hal sat wordlessly for a few moments as the last of twilight faded behind the hills. “That’s a tough one, sure enough.”
“I almost said yes. But it’s a fool’s errand.”
“Got to live with your choices.”
“I know this is the right one.”
Hal eyed him. “Don’t sound sure.”
“I’m going to clean up.”
“Got rabbit stew on the stove.”
“Battery bank charged up?”
“So far, so good.”
“You know that won’t last forever,” Lucas said, rising and colle
cting his weapons. The solar batteries were eight years old. If they got another two out of them, they’d be lucky. After that, they’d be running dark at night and on rainy days, the solar panels only providing electricity real time during daylight.
Hal toasted Lucas. “Neither will I.”
“Don’t talk that way. You’ll live to a hundred.”
“Never had much interest in doing so.”
“Nobody’s asking.”
Lucas entered the house and switched on one of the LED lamps, and then stowed his Remington 700 in the gun safe and toted his M4 to his room. All of the window shutters were closed to avoid any light leaking from the house – a sensible, routine step Hal took every night. They’d never been attacked, but there was always a first time; and by now, living with the expectation of imminent danger was second nature. Hal’s time in the Marines had served him well for the current challenges, and the old man had never forgotten the harsh lessons combat had taught.
Lucas learned quickly, coached as he’d been by Hal as a teen, and the pair worked efficiently together, Lucas deferring to his grandfather in tactical matters involving the ranch’s defense. Fortunately, they usually saw eye to eye and were as prepared as anyone to repulse threats. Preparation being the key – even as a youngster, Hal had drilled self-sufficiency and the importance of readying one’s self for the worst through Lucas’s head, and the discipline instilled in him as a boy had served him well as an adult.
Not that anyone could have been fully prepared for the super flu and collapse of civilization. Lucas had been fortunate to have Hal’s ranch to bug out to when it all crumbled. If not, he probably would have survived, as Duke had, but it wouldn’t have been as comfortable. With power, well water, and a garden, they were well set, and the cattle and horses were icing.
Sierra’s description of Dallas returned to him as he moved to the kitchen, taking in the mouth-watering aroma of stew. He couldn’t imagine an existence in one of the cities. The few travelers that made it as far as Loving invariably described a living nightmare, where the most vicious ruled over the less aggressive like feudal warlords. Sierra’s accusing eyes floated through his memory and he shook off the vision, busying himself with preparing the meal for Hal and himself. Bear would finish anything they didn’t, and truth be told, ate as well as any of them – certainly better than most of the unfortunates who weren’t members of tight-knit communities like the town.
The Day After Never (Book 1): Blood Honor Page 8