No one came downstairs. It wasn’t long before whoever was up stopped walking around.
“Close one,” Archer said, pulling my hand to his lips. He kissed the back of my hand, keeping his eyes on mine. “I’m not going to be able to leave you now, you know that, right?”
“You should definitely stay,” I said.
“That Erik guy doesn’t like me too much,” Archer said.
I chewed my cheek. I’d gotten the same feeling, but Archer didn’t need to know I agreed.
“He’s just apprehensive,” I said.
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
“You both have something in common,” I said, swallowing down the yawn that was trying to fight its way out of my mouth. I failed to hold it in.
Archer cocked his head to the side. “What’s that?”
“You both want to avoid the crazy people,” I said.
“It’s really bad out there,” Archer said, looking down at his hands.
“I know,” I said. “Sam and I went north, and the entire town was destroyed. There were dead bodies.”
I grimaced, remembering the smell. Archer slid closer and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“Glad I came this way then,” he said. “I’ve seen enough dead bodies to last me a lifetime.”
“It was pretty bad,” I said.
“What were they doing? Fighting?” Archer asked.
I shrugged. “We were forced out of town at gunpoint. I think we’re lucky they didn’t kill us too.”
“Maybe you’re alive because you didn’t take anything from them,” Archer said. “People are getting greedy. Hoarding anything they can get their hands on.”
“Do you think help will come?” I asked.
“You want the truth?”
My head bobbed slowly.
“I don’t think there will be any help, but I do think that some groups will figure out a way to live again,” Archer said. “One day, maybe not even in our lifetime, things will be kind of normal again. For a long time, though, we’re going to be living off the land, fighting for survival.”
“Why can’t people just work together?” I asked.
Archer sighed. “There isn’t enough for everyone. Just think of how many people already must have died. People in hospitals. People that require medicine. I don’t think most people realize how much we depended on electricity, computers, communication, and transportation.”
“Well, they realize now,” I said, yawning again.
“Why don’t you get some sleep,” Archer said. “All this talk is going to give you nightmares.”
“I really should get some sleep,” I said. “The wine has made me extra tired.”
Archer raised a brow. “Just the wine, huh?”
“Not just the wine,” I said, biting my lip. “Are you going to run off, or will I see you in the morning?”
Archer smirked. “I can’t give away spoilers.”
“Good night,” I said, backing away toward the stairs.
He leaned back, resting his head on the armrest. “Good night, Mel Carter.”
26
I used a brush in the bathroom to comb through my messy hair. There was probably a fifty-fifty chance that Archer had actually stayed.
After changing my shirt, I went downstairs where everyone was gathered around the table. Heat filled my cheeks when I saw Archer.
“Hey, look who finally woke up,” Archer said.
“Morning,” I said, crossing my arms. “What are we all doing?”
Sam pressed her palms together. She turned to me, wearing a big smile.
“Guess who’s staying with us?” Sam asked, wagging her brows.
“That’s great,” I said, noticing the indifferent look on Erik’s face.
I stepped closer, noticing the four guns on the table—Erik’s handgun, the shotgun, and two guns I hadn’t seen before. They weren’t eating breakfast like I’d initially thought.
“Where did these come from?” I asked.
“The basement,” Erik replied.
“You never mentioned having all this,” I said.
Erik leaned back in his chair. “There was no need to mention it.”
“And now there is?” I asked.
“We need to protect ourselves,” Erik said.
“I get that, but it just seems like a bad idea when none of us know how to use a gun,” I said.
Erik looked up at me and blinked several times. “I think it’s time we learn. Especially if we’re going to go on the road.”
“On the road?” Archer asked, squinting.
“We’re leaving for Massachusetts soon,” Sam said, shifting her weight. “I’m sure I mentioned that last night.”
Archer shook his head. “You most certainly did not. I’m fine staying here, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to travel right now.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Erik said.
“What’s so important in Massachusetts?” Archer asked, shifting his eyes to me. It was like he thought it was my idea to leave.
Sam stood, placing her fingertips on the table. “I have a daughter back home, and I need to get to her.”
“All right then,” Archer said. “When you guys leave, I’ll be heading to Washington Island if anyone wants to join me.”
I looked at my feet, so I didn’t have to know the comment was directed toward me. It wasn’t like I could just not go with Sam. After all, she wouldn’t even be in Wisconsin if it hadn’t been for me.
The chair squeaked against the floor as Erik stood. He jerked his chin toward a white box on the counter.
“Grab a donut, Mel. Then we’ll get started on the lesson,” Erik said.
“Um, okay,” I said, feeling uneasy.
“I can help,” Archer said, pushing his chair back. “I’ve known how to use one since I was thirteen. My dad was big on deer hunting and insisted on taking me up north every year.”
Erik shrugged. “If you want. We’re not going to actually shoot, though. I need to ration the ammo I have, not to mention it might not be a good idea to make a lot of noise.”
“Good thinking,” Archer said. “But I know where you can get some ammo.”
“Yeah, it’s probably already gone,” Erik said.
Archer’s head bobbed. “You’re probably right, but you could check the gun club on your way out of town.” He turned to Erik, his brow furrowing. “How are you going to find a working car? Everything is dead. Trust me, I know.”
“Well, you couldn’t know they were all dead,” Sam said, pushing back her shoulders.
“I tried a lot of cars,” Archer said. “None of them worked.”
“Something older without electronics should start,” Erik said. “At least that’s what I’m hoping.”
Archer stroked his chin. “You might be right. Even if you find something, you’re going to have to worry about gas and all the people along the way.”
“No one else will have a car,” Dorian said with a half-smile. “Should be easy enough to outrun everyone, right?”
“Yeah,” Archer said. “Maybe. It might not be a terrible idea if you can find something that works.”
“So, you should come with us!” Sam said, her eyes wide and filled with hope.
She seemed more excited by the idea of having Archer with us than I did, which was ridiculous after what happened between us. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to jump at the chance to be with Archer. Although, Sam rarely stuck with a guy for more than a week or two.
“Or I could just stay here and take care of Erik’s house while he’s gone,” Archer said, raising a hopeful brow. “I can’t even imagine how bad things could be in the city when the little towns here are a disaster.”
“But you know how to use a gun,” Sam said, practically begging. “It would be so much safer for all of us to have someone like you along.”
Erik turned away and rolled his eyes. He’d been watching over us practically since everything started
, and Sam didn’t know the first thing about Archer.
I bit back my smile as Erik picked up the guns. He grunted as he walked toward the back door.
“It will be best for all of us if we learn how to use what we have,” Erik said. “Let’s get started, then we can worry about who’s coming and what we need to pack for the trip.”
I grabbed a donut and followed everyone outside. Dorian walked by my side, clicking his tongue.
“Does it make me a bad person that I’m still hoping she’ll change her mind?” he asked.
“It doesn’t, but she’s not going to change her mind,” I said.
“Maybe I should stay here with Archer,” Dorian said.
I looked into his eyes. “You know, we probably aren’t going to come back.”
“What makes you say that?” Dorian asked.
“You’re assuming we’re going to make it there,” I said, taking a bite of my donut. Powder rained down to the ground. “You should stay here. It would be the smart thing to do.”
Dorian slowed his pace. His shoulders dropped. I understood how he felt because it was the same thing I felt. He didn’t want to go, but he didn’t want to be left behind either.
Our gun lesson took the entire day. I was comfortable holding the gun, and I was pretty sure I could shoot if I wanted to, but I couldn’t imagine that would ever happen.
The only time I had needed to shoot another person was when Elijah had locked me away. He wouldn’t have done that if I would have been armed.
I helped Dorian prepare dinner while Sam, Archer, and Erik discussed the items we’d want to take. Erik was certain we’d be able to find things along the way, but the less we had to stop, the safer it would be for all of us.
“What if you get to the city but then can’t get to your daughter,” Archer asked Sam.
“There isn’t anything that will stop me,” Sam said.
Dorian and I exchanged a look. The group to the north had stopped us from getting to the pharmacy with no trouble. There were a lot of things that could stop us from getting to Jameson’s apartment.
“Okay,” Erik said, getting to his feet. “So, tomorrow, Archer and I will go into town and fill up as many gas cans as we can find.”
Archer had his legs crossed wide and his fingers steepled. His head shook from side to side.
“This is never going to work,” he said. “The pumps aren’t going to work. How are we going to get to the gas?”
“We’re going to siphon it from abandoned cars,” Erik said.
“My SUV was nearly full,” I said over my shoulder. “There are probably even gas cans in the garage.”
Erik nodded. “I’ve got a few.”
“It would be a hell of a walk, but there were some at the gas station where I worked too,” Dorian said, keeping his eyes on the grill.
There were baked beans in a pot and veggie patties on the side. If Erik would have allowed it, I’d have gone out into the woods to look for blackberries and wild asparagus.
“I just have to say this one last time,” Erik said, looking into Sam’s eyes. “If there is any way I can talk you out of this, let me know. She’s not going to understand if something happens to you. She’ll never know the trouble you went to just to get back to her.”
Sam crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “There isn’t anything you can say to stop me. I’ll walk back to her if I have to.”
“Maybe you should listen to Erik,” I said.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now, Mel?” Sam said
“Hey! Whoa!” Archer said.
Erik’s jaw stiffened.
“No! I’m sick of this,” Sam said, holding up her hand. “Mel, Mel, Mel. Everything is always about Mel. Her crazy family. Her panic attacks. Her medicine. I’m always walking on eggshells, and I’m tired of it. For once, something can be about me. I’m sorry Elijah was a monster, but it’s time to get over it and think of someone else for once.”
My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
It felt like I’d been punched in the gut. My hands clenched into fists, and instead of telling her where she could go, I walked toward the house.
27
I didn’t go up to my room because if someone wanted to find me, that was the first place they’d look. And I didn’t want to be found. I wanted to be alone. I went into the dark basement and hid behind a stack of boxes in the pantry behind the bar.
Maybe I was selfish. Maybe I was the problem. After Elijah, I’d been so messed up, I’d never been able to find my way back to myself. And to be completely honest, I’d never been who I wanted to be.
Growing up with my mom in that messy house had given me anxiety. Everyone in my family was screwed up in some way. It all probably started when my mom tragically lost my dad.
I’d been young when the car accident had taken his life. The only thing I remember was what it had done to my mom.
The hoarding probably started after that. Gina turned to drugs and ran away. Ezra left probably because he didn’t want to get stuck taking care of mom and me.
And here I was… sitting in the basement thinking of myself. I reached over and took a long swing from the bottle of vodka I’d taken from under the bar.
“There you are,” Erik said, cautiously peeking his head around the boxes.
“Here I am,” I said without looking up.
“You okay?” Erik asked.
I sighed. “I’m fine. Just sitting down here selfishly drowning my sorrows.”
“She didn’t mean any of it,” Erik said.
I met his eyes. “She definitely, one hundred percent, meant all of it.”
“Okay,” Erik said, sitting next to me. He grabbed the bottle from me and took a drink. “That doesn’t mean she’s right.”
“I think she’s right,” I said. “We’re all probably being selfish trying to talk her out of going to get her daughter.”
Erik exhaled. “It’s not selfish to want to do the smart thing. We have good reasons. You aren’t the only one that tried to talk her out of it.”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t have any problem freaking out at me,” I said, taking another drink. “And in front of everyone.”
“Don’t let it get to you,” Erik said.
“I won’t,” I said, holding up the bottle.
Erik smiled and took the bottle from me. He took another quick drink before setting it on his other side.
“You don’t need that,” Erik said.
“Are you sure? It seems to be helping,” I said.
“I’m sure,” Erik said, getting to his feet. He stretched out his hand. “Food is ready.”
I sighed, letting my chin drop. “I’m not hungry.”
It was a lie. My stomach had been rumbling the entire day. The powdery donut hadn’t been very filling.
“I’ll go get our food then,” Erik said. “We can eat down here in the dark basement together.”
“Fine,” I groaned as I took his hand.
He yanked me to my feet, and I bounced into him. My chest was pressed against his.
He looked down into my eyes, and my head started to spin. I placed my hand on his stomach to steady myself, and it felt as though I’d touched a light socket.
I jerked my hand away and took a step back. He cleared his throat as he gestured toward the exit.
“So, what’s the plan?” I asked, trying to cut through the thick air that surrounded us.
I wanted to think about anything other than why it felt so weird being close to Erik. Erik shouldn’t have been in my head at all, especially after my night with Archer.
Archer was staying, and it was most likely due to the house and supplies, but maybe I was part of the reason too.
“We’re going to put everything we want to take with us into the garage,” Erik said. “Then when we get the vehicle, it should be quick to transfer our supplies over.”
“That’s smart.”
“And then we figure a day for Arche
r and me to get the gas,” Erik said. “Sam wants to leave as soon as possible.”
I squeezed my hands into fists. “Of course.”
“She also wants to have a big party tonight,” Erik said.
“That sounds like Sam,” I said.
“I think she’s got eyes for the new guy,” Erik said.
I swallowed hard. “Oh?”
“I don’t know for sure. Just a feeling.” Erik chuckled. “You should probably just forget I said that. If I knew anything about women, I probably wouldn’t have been single most of my adult life.”
“I thought you were just too busy.”
“It’s both.”
Sam wasn’t at the table. She was still mad.
Fine. Whatever.
I was still mad. If Sam had issues with me, she could have taken them up with me privately.
I didn’t feel the need to go to her little party. There was no reason to have a party.
Hell, I probably wasn’t even invited. Erik was probably right about her interest in Archer.
I grabbed my plate off the counter and sat down at the table. Archer hooked his foot around the rung of my chair and yanked me closer.
Both Erik and Dorian looked toward the sound. Archer held up his hands and laughed.
“Sorry,” he said. He leaned closer, his voice softening. “They don’t want me to be close to you?”
I blushed. “I think the noise just surprised them.”
Erik’s plate clanked as he plopped it down on the table. He pulled the chair closer and sat down. It felt like his eyes were on me, but I didn’t want to look up and see that I was right.
“Seems like it might storm again,” Archer said, tilting his head toward the window.
Erik’s fork clanked loudly against the plate. He shoveled some of the beans into his mouth and chewed slowly.
“It’s rained a lot since the solar storm, don’t you think?” I asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” Archer said, leaning closer. “I don’t mind the rain, though, do you?”
“It can be relaxing,” I said.
Archer placed his arm around the back of my chair. “Is there anything more romantic than snuggling up under a blanket during a thunderstorm?”
“I could think of a few things,” Dorian said.
Absolute Darkness - A CME Survival Thriller Page 14