Charlie delighted in the opportunity to have a fire. Though it wasn’t dark yet, Rafe wouldn’t build a fire when it was dark, she sat close to it watching the flames. Aiden sat a few feet from her eating his hot dogs hungrily. The one thing they didn’t have to worry about with the boy was his appetite. Once the hot dogs were done, Rafe went into the cave to grab a surprise he had scavenged the last time he was in town. He came out and handed a paper bag to Charlie. She looked inside, her eyes lighting up.
“S’mores?”
“I thought you and Aiden would enjoy doing them. Dessert?” Rafe said, shifting from foot to foot. He didn’t understand how the little woman could make him feel so uncomfortable with just a look.
“Aiden, look! Do you want s’mores?” Charlie said, turning to the little boy. There was confusion on his face at first, but once Charlie explained what they were he was very excited about his dessert.
Rafe watched them roast the marshmallows and smash them between graham crackers and chocolate. Aiden was a sticky mess by the time Rafe said they needed to put out the fire. The sun had started to dip lower in the sky and he didn’t want the light of the flames to attract any unwanted visitors. Inside the cave again, with the tarp and net swung into place, Charlie used a wet washcloth to scrub at Aiden’s stickiness, much to the boy’s disagreement.
“I am going to go into town tomorrow. I would feel safer knowing if things have changed or not,” Rafe said, once Aiden was asleep in his bed.
“Are you sure you need to go?” Charlie asked.
“I wouldn’t if I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“I know. I just feel so scared when you’re gone. What if you don’t come back at some point?” She asked, wringing her hands in her lap.
“You know that if I don’t come back in four days, you head straight for home. Do you want to go over the map and compass again?” Rafe offered.
The first time he left Charlie and Aiden alone, she was scared. Rafe mapped out how she should get back home, to the compound, should the need ever arise. They agreed on four days. If he was gone longer than four days, she knew she had to go home. Rafe had kept his trips to town at three days so far and she was always extremely grateful to see him.
“No. I understand the map and what to do if you don’t come back. I just don’t want that to be the case. 'The Suit's’ men are out there, hunting us all the time. You could stumble onto them on accident.”
“They will have a fight on their hands if that’s the case,” Rafe said confidently.
She left the conversation for now and Rafe was glad. He didn’t want to go to bed while they were at odds. Their harmony was important to him. They spent so much of their time together as a group, he didn’t like when they argued or didn’t talk. It made life uncomfortable in their makeshift shelter. Rafe preferred their easy companionship. Luckily, they rarely found reasons to disagree and have the hard silences. Rafe left Charlie to do what she was good at and she did the same with him.
Falling asleep was going to be difficult that night, knowing he was going out early the next day. Before going to bed, he worked to get his pack ready by the lowered light of a lantern. He crept around quietly to not wake Aiden, though they had found the boy could sleep through an avalanche. He made sure all his normal items were in his pack and added new MREs for the days he planned to be gone.
With the packing completed, he turned to climb into bed. He found Charlie laying in her own bed, watching him. Once he settled he looked over at her before he turned the lantern out.
“What’s wrong, Charlie?”
“Just the usual. Wondering if you’ll get eaten alive while you’re gone. Wondering if you’ll come back with my dog.”
Storm lifted his head from Charlie’s legs when he heard her refer to him. He looked around, trying to determine if anyone needed him. Charlie absently rubbed his head until he laid back down.
“He’s definitely your dog,” Rafe said with a low chuckle.
“Goodnight, Rafe,” she said.
“Goodnight.”
As planned, Rafe strapped on his bag early in the morning as sunlight was peeking over the mountains. Storm hopped and ran around, knowing they were going on a trip. He always went with Rafe, because he was such a good early warning system. Charlie surprised Rafe by hugging him after she kissed Storm on the head. He stood stock still for a moment longer than he should have, not knowing how to react to her. But he wrapped one arm around her and squeezed her for a second before she released him.
“Be careful,” she said, as Rafe started to walk away.
“Four days. If I’m not back in four days, you know I wasn’t careful.”
Aiden came up from behind Charlie’s legs then and looked up at Rafe expectantly. Kneeling down, Rafe brought himself face to face with the boy. His little arms wrapped around Rafe’s neck.
“Bye, Rafe,” Aiden said over his shoulder.
“Bye, buddy. I’ll see you in a few days like before.”
“Ok.”
With that, Aiden pulled back with a big smile before running off toward the cave and his toys. Charlie watched him for a moment before turning back to Rafe. She looked at him for a moment longer before turning away as well. Rafe took that as his time to head into the trees. He whistled to Storm who pranced ahead a few feet before running back to circle Rafe’s feet. The antics made Rafe smile, despite the heavy feeling he had. A feeling he hadn’t felt when leaving the cave before. What had changed?
Into the trees, the sunlight was spotty between the leaves and branches of the mature giants around him. Rafe enjoyed the silence as they walked, the only sounds coming from the crunching of his feet on the dried brush. Storm ran around sniffing everything and marking trees whenever he had the chance. At one point he stood and looked off into the distance and Rafe stopped, waiting for the dog’s cue. When he didn’t make a sound and just continued on his way, Rafe guessed it was an animal that caught his attention.
Rafe always took a roundabout way back to town. In the off chance someone came across his trail, he didn’t want it to lead directly to the cave. He often backtracked and would take different turns around trees that weren’t necessary. If he hiked directly he was sure he could make it in just over a day. But that was a risk he wouldn’t take for Charlie or Aiden. Storm also delighted in the new path every trip, giving him a million new smells and places to run.
Normally, Rafe would camp somewhere in the woods before getting to town, not wanting to walk during the night. Yet, this trip felt different. He wanted to push through. With Storm, he knew that they wouldn’t stumble across any infected without warning. He kept his flashlight on the lowest setting, pointed at the ground. The moon gave a soft light, but it was blocked by the trees nearby. Storm finally slowed and walked with Rafe, realizing that walking at night was something they normally didn’t do. His vision was far superior during the black night.
The first signs of the town began to show as they crossed an asphalt road, breaking into the fullness of the forest. Rafe decided to follow the road into town. Another thing he typically didn’t do. But with the moon, he could follow the road without using a flashlight. He was on edge as he tried to be as quiet as possible. When he came to the first set of homes, he was careful to stay within the shadows. There was no knowing who had seen the wanted posters and who would turn him into the mercenaries given the chance.
Windows were lit in places, soft lights of lanterns or candles. Shadows of living people could be seen in some homes. It gave Rafe hope to know there were still living people in their homes. Though they didn’t come out often, the safest way to be, they were still there. They weren’t all part of the infected walkers, wandering aimlessly through the country.
Rafe headed directly for his normal hiding place. Issac had never failed to open his door to Rafe, letting him sleep in the dry cleaner. He would also bring the old man whatever provisions he could carry, knowing Issac couldn’t get out as often as he should for food and water. Issac
always said he didn’t need it, but Rafe knew better. The old man would go without, making sure everyone else had what they needed before he did. He once remarked to Rafe that he had lived enough life, he was ready for what was to come. Rafe told him no one should want their life to end on the note of the plague. That had changed Issac’s perspective, but not much.
As he rounded the alley that led toward the cleaners, Rafe was faced with bodies in the shadows. Storm’s growl was low and menacing, but he didn’t bound forward to attack. That told Rafe it was people, not infected. He immediately stepped back from where they had come from, hoping Storm followed without a whistle. Rafe didn’t want to give away their position. He pressed his back to the building he was next to, hiding next to a large trash can that overflowed with disgusting waste.
He could now hear voices from the alley. He realized one was Issac. Storm came to Rafe’s feet, still on alert and bearing his teeth.
“Shhh, Storm. Stay,” Rafe said as quietly as possible. He needed to hear what was happening in the alley with Issac. Until now, the mercenaries hadn’t come into town at night to look for Charlie and Rafe. They were clearly changing tactics.
“Boys, I’ve told you every time you’ve been in town, I haven’t seen those two. Maybe they’re dead,” Issac could be heard saying.
“Old man, everyone we see says you know everything about what happens in this town. We know Duncan has been seen in town. How have you not seen him?” This voice was gruff and low, a new mercenary come to fight with Rafe.
“That’s hogwash, kid. I rarely leave my place. How could I know for sure the comings and goings of anyone?”
“Listen, if we find out you’re lying, you will pay for it. Our superior shows no kindness to those against the US Government.”
“The US Government hunts down its own citizens now like this? What happens to local police? Trials? A jury of peers and all that fun?” Issac asked, his voice sarcastic.
Rafe cursed to himself. He knew Issac was a tough old man. But he didn’t want him to push the wrong buttons with the soldiers he was faced with. Rafe knew firsthand what they would do to get what they wanted. They had no problem trying to use deadly force to get to Charlie, even if they weren’t ordered to kill Rafe in the process. After killing most of the men that first night, Rafe was sure the orders had changed where he was concerned.
“If you see them, you need to let us know when we are here,” the mercenary finished. Clearly, they didn’t believe they would get information from Issac.
Realizing the conversation was coming to an end, Rafe wracked his brain on what he needed to do. He couldn’t stay in his hiding spot; the soldiers could come his way and they would find him easily. Storm was itching to attack, his hackles high and his body prone for a charge. Rafe touched his head to get his attention and he realized he startled the dog when he turned and almost bit at his hand. Rafe looked at him in surprise for a moment before Storm realized what had happened. His ears twitched slightly, his head lowered, telling Rafe he was back.
Moving as quietly as possible, Rafe motioned to Storm with his hand as he slid along the wall away from the mouth of the alley. Suddenly Issac’s voice could be heard again and Rafe froze to hear what was being said.
“I don’t know why I need to do anything. I don’t even know you are really the US Government,” Issac said, defiance strong in his voice.
“Shit,” Rafe muttered to himself.
He knew that Issac was trying to stand his ground but fighting with these men wasn’t going to win anything. Things were quiet a moment. Rafe could hear murmuring between the soldiers. Suddenly the sound of flesh against flesh could be heard and a grunt as something fell. Without seeing, Rafe knew one of the men had hit Issac. Rage began to build in his gut, flowing through his veins like molten lava. They could come after him, an able-bodied man, all day. Rafe would give them the fight they wanted. But an old man, he should be off limits.
As a buzzing started in Rafe’s ears he could hear the scuffle continue and he knew he had to act. He pulled two of his throwing knives and whistled to Storm, no longer worried about giving away their position. The dog lowered himself and began to stalk toward the alley. The go-ahead was all he needed to be prepared to handle the men that threatened them. Storm liked Issac as well, the man always having treats of some kind for the dog when they visited.
Rafe followed and just as they burst around the corner, Storm shot forward. He planted his front claws into the leg of the first soldier, causing the man to grunt in pain. And then sharp teeth were embedded in the calf muscle and the grunt turned into a scream. This caused the other soldiers to turn around to see what had happened, looking for the threat. Rafe took his chance of throwing his knives in the waning moonlight, unable to confirm he hit his targets. A curse and fall of one body told him one knife was true.
“No, Rafe!” Issac croaked from the ground.
Rafe could just make out the cut on his head and blood coming from his mouth. The livid rage that was in Rafe couldn’t be contained. His hand went to his 9mm, pulling it quickly and pointing it at the nearest soldier. He shot him in the shoulder, knowing he wore body armor for protection. The shot spun the soldier to one side and the sound of the gun was all the mercenaries needed to pull their weapons. For a moment Rafe hesitated, wanting to get to Issac and protect him. Yet, there was no way to get through the attacking party without being killed.
“Run, boy! Run!” Issac yelled.
Making a split decision, Rafe called to Storm who was avoiding being hit by the soldier he had bit into. The dog turned at his name and raced after Rafe as they ran from the alley. Rafe zigzagged through buildings until they made their way into a neighborhood. His hope was to find an empty house to hide in until the soldiers gave up. The yelling and pounding of boots on the pavement behind him was a clear indication that they weren’t stopping anytime soon.
Rafe ducked behind a hedge, hoping the men would rush by. He pulled Storm to hide with him and they waited, both panting from exertion. As they waited the group following them went by and discussions could be heard. Rafe listened, trying to determine their plan so he could go the opposite way. They were going to search the homes in the vicinity, sure they were hiding there. Rafe would have gone that way, but now he would backtrack once they started their search.
As the men got further away, Rafe stood in a crouch and began to go in the direction they had just come. Storm’s bark was the first sign Rafe had that something was wrong. The second was the footsteps that seemed to come out of nowhere. Storm shot behind Rafe, causing him to whirl and find a gun pointed at his chest. The dog hit the man in the arm, going for the gun, but this soldier was prepared. He moved and kicked out, planting his booted foot cleanly on Storm’s side. The blow caused Storm to slide to the side, whining in pain. It took everything Rafe had to not check on the dog, keeping his eyes on the gun.
“I knew you wouldn’t just go into a house. So, I waited,” the soldier said with a harsh laugh.
“Good luck doing anything about it,” Rafe said as the knife he had concealed in his hand went flying toward the throat of the soldier. It embedded true and the soldier’s eyes widened in surprise as he dropped his gun.
Rafe was just stepping forward to retrieve his knife when his world went black, a bag shoved over his head and arms roughly grabbing his. Storm began to bark wildly, his teeth slashing at whoever was holding Rafe. In his mind, he cursed at his stupidity. He should have kept running. He should have waited to move. He should never have come into town in the dark.
“Shut that dog up!” One voice called out.
“Damn it, you do it! He already bit my arm!” Another voice answered.
A thud could be heard again, and Storm’s whine intensified. Rafe couldn’t allow the dog to die with him. In his mind Charlie’s face flashed, thinking of the worry she had over him coming into town. That picture caused Rafe to fight harder, getting one arm loose. Without his vision, he tried to use his hearing to strik
e out at who was holding him. His fist connected with something hard and he realized he had punched into the body armor of a soldier.
“Get his weapons before he does, idiot!” Voice number one yelled out.
Rafe’s arms were grabbed again and roughly pulled behind him. He felt the zip tie and knew he was in trouble. Thinking again of Storm, his barking and whining were deafening, Rafe made his decision.
“Storm! Go home!” Rafe yelled.
The dog’s noises went silent as Storm raced away. Rafe again was thankful for the training the dog had, knowing he would go straight back to Charlie and Aiden. He would be there to protect them when he couldn’t. He could hear the panic about the dog disappearing. The soldiers’ confusion around if they should try to follow the animal and wondering what home Rafe was sending him to. While other voices chimed in that they just wanted the beast gone, too many wounds from his sharp teeth already.
“Enough about the dog,” a voice said. This voice seemed to be in charge because as soon as he spoke the other soldiers quieted.
“This man killed our brothers. We need to get him back to Callahan, he can decide what to do with him.”
That was the last Rafe heard, before he was struck in the back of the head and his mind went black.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Alex
Clanging cans caused Alex to freeze in her steps. She looked around at Max, Griffin, and Marcus. With a sheepish look, Marcus looked up from the cans he had knocked to the ground. Alex just raised one eyebrow before following the cord of the obvious alarm system. None of them were looking for booby traps, but Alex realized then that Rafe would have found a way to alert himself to anyone approaching the cave.
Max stepped up next to Alex, whistling quietly under her breath. Alex looked at her, happy to see fewer shadows in her eyes. The talk they had the night before had created a vendetta inside Alex. When Max had arrived at the compound, broken not only physically but emotionally, Alex had known it was bad. Max had told them some of it when she told stories of Callahan looking for Rafe. But she had never given as much detail into the torture as she did the night before. Just thinking about it again made Alex feel sickening hatred in her heart, something she had never felt for anything in her life.
Alive (Sundown Series Book 3) Page 24