The Roar (The Roar Series Book 1)

by A. M. White

  Timothy pulled the knapsack open and rummaged through it. Finally, he nodded in agreement.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Timothy moved over to Cara. He hugged her and allowed her to rest her head in his lap. They were beautiful creatures. I wished cameras still existed so that I could capture their sibling moment of tenderness.

  Timothy spoke to her in a hushed voice. I was sure he was telling her about the things we saw and what Max had told him.

  Cara’s demeanor relaxed with his words. He knew his sister best out of all of us. I knew he could calm her.

  Darkness enveloped us and a fog covered the water. I was thankful for it because it would help shroud us from anyone on the banks. It was difficult to see too far ahead of us. I took this as a lucky sign.

  As time passed, Max sat up. He turned to Cara. She also roused from Timothy’s lap. Timothy took this as a sign to give them some space. He made his way back to me.

  “Are you holding up alright?” He asked.

  “Honestly, I’m getting sore,” I confessed.

  He took the oars from me. He jumped right back into the pace I had set.

  “Will she be okay with it?” I questioned.

  “Yeah, once he gets around to explaining it himself,” Timothy reckoned.

  Max asked Cara if he could sit by her. She scooted over to put some space between them. She looked exhausted from the day.

  She listened as he spoke. He reached for her hand and she allowed him to take it. Cara melted into him. I believe the thought of him going blind to right and wrong for her was ultimately attractive to her. Her brother had been the only one to love her. Now she had to adjust to letting Max love her, even though he might not always show it the right way.

  “Alex,” Timothy muttered, “We are going to be nearing another compound soon. One like you came from.”

  My breath caught, “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know how you would react. I decided I couldn’t keep it from you any longer,” he sighed.

  “Tell me about this place. Are we going to be in danger?” I panicked.

  He put his arm around me to console me, but keep us moving.

  “We will be passing by in about an hour. Hopefully, this fog will stay and help keep us hidden,” he said.

  “What do they do there? You said each compound has a different function,” I recalled.

  “This one is a farm. They grow plants and livestock to feed the other camps,” Timothy said.

  “Is it run like mine?” I felt sour about him keeping this from me. My stomach clenched from nerves.

  “It is similar in the way they use humans as slave labor. The biggest difference is its size. It is huge,” he told me. “As you can imagine, it takes a lot of food to keep things running. They even provide some of the food for the underground communities.” He glanced at me.

  “How many people do you suppose are there?” I was growing angrier.

  “I’d say upwards of a thousand,” he stated.

  I huffed at his response. I tried to imagine the scale of the camp. It was unfathomable.

  “I will have to tell Max soon, too,” Timothy relented. “I hope he can handle it since he has had such a rough day.”

  “He doesn’t have much of a choice, does he?” I said sharply.

  “Please don’t be angry with me. I wanted you to not worry about this on top of everything else,” he confided.

  I sat in silence. I wanted to be mad, but how could I? In his own way, he was trying to protect me in a way I didn’t think was right, which is exactly what I had hoped Cara would see with Max.

  “Be real with me, what are we up against here?” I realized I sounded like Cara.

  “Depending on their alert status, we range from not a concern to we need to be ready to fight.” He closed his eyes. I took it that Timothy feared the worst.

  “You are killing me,” I shook my head at him. “We have one gun, an incredibly loud outboard motor, and are about to pass a high security compound. Tell me if I’m wrong but that seems like our odds are ridiculous.”

  “Like I said, if this fog stays thick, we should be okay,” he replied. He was growing impatient with me. “If you have any ideas, please, share them.”

  I crossed my arms. “You better break it to Max, soon. How’s that for an idea?” I sneered.

  I scooted away from him and sat on the floor to sulk.

  “Max, if you can’t tell, I have some bad news to break to you,” he gestured to me. He went on and repeated the upcoming situation to Max.

  As Timothy talked, I realized that I was trembling. I was scared. I had every right to be. We were venturing into enemy territory. I tried to talk myself through the growing anxiety swelling.

  It was foggy; that was in our favor. On the water, they could not track us on whatever radar the moles were using. There was the gun, it offered little protection if we were bombarded, but at least, it was something. I was with Timothy and I knew he would have my back.

  At the end of Timothy’s debriefing, I saw Max’s eyes focus on the gun in the bottom of the boat.

  “Let me take over rowing for a while. You need to be ready to get us past there, fast. I don’t think I’ll be able to take the gun, not this soon. Please, can someone else be in charge of that?” He requested.

  “I’ll do it,” Cara volunteered.

  “Okay, so we have a plan?” Timothy replied.

  Everyone looked at me. “I guess we do,” I shrugged.

  Max made his way to the oars. Timothy stretched his arms, moaning in release.

  “How long will it take you to get us past the compound?” I directed at Timothy.

  “Maybe fifteen minutes or so,” he said delicately.

  I groaned. Fifteen minutes was going to feel like a lifetime.

  “On a good note, they haven’t built a bridge over the river, yet,” Cara noted.

  “Gee, great,” I rolled my eyes.

  Cara lifted the gun and inspected it. She checked the magazine and loaded it with the remnants of ammunition Max brought with him. She appeared to have enough to load once more, if needed. That was the end of it.

  Timothy shuffled over between Cara and I. “Only shoot if it is really necessary,” Timothy told her, “If they can’t see exactly where we are, firing will give it away.”

  She nodded in response.

  “There is no other way around?” I questioned.

  “Timothy is right, unfortunately, the compound stretches the river. Either way around would be even more dangerous. We are safest in the water, our kind rarely know how to swim. We only learned because of necessity in this business,” Cara smirked in defiance.

  One more thing to add to our list of advantages, I noted.

  “To go around by land at a far enough distance might add several more days,” Timothy revealed.

  “Okay,” I succumbed to our route.

  “When we get close, you and Max will stay low. Let us handle everything. Stay quiet, no matter what,” Timothy commanded.

  He grabbed my hand and drew me near. His hands gripped the back of my neck; he kissed me hard. This time was different than before, it was hurried, even a little desperate. He wanted to remind me of how he felt.

  He turned his head into my shoulder. “I love you. I am sorry we have to do this,” he whispered.

  I kissed his cheek. “I know,” I paused,” I love you too. You better not get yourself killed because I’m really starting to get attached to you,” I joked.

  Timothy lifted his face to meet mine. “Say it again,” he begged.

  “What the part about not getting killed?” I giggled.

  He kissed me and spoke between my lips, “The other part.”

  “Oh, you mean the, I love you part?” I moved my lips against his. He pressed his lips into mine again. The kiss went on for a few seconds and I broke away. I could feel Cara and Max watching us.

  “Dear lord, you two!” Cara teased.

  “Get o
ver it,” Timothy spat back.

  Max laughed and I blushed while still holding on to Timothy. He was my anchor in our journey. At least, they had each other.

  Chapter Thirty

  We sat in silence waiting for the inevitable to come. Cara leaned over the side of the boat and let her fingers trail in the water. I watched the ripples that formed beside us in the black water.

  Timothy held on to me, tightly, caressing the tops of my hands with his thumbs. Every so often, he paused to kiss my hands.

  Max rowed steadily ahead toward the place that might very well determine our fate. The air became heavy. We traveled this way for a while.

  “We better get ready,” Timothy announced.

  He plucked his contacts from his eyes and stored them in their case. Cara followed suit and removed her tinted contacts.

  Each of us carried out the beginning of our plan. Timothy climbed back to rowing position where Max relinquished duty. Max moved to the middle of the boat, stopping to quickly give Cara a peck on the lips and a hug. I sank down below the sides of the boat. Cara curled herself around the rifle, barely peeking over the edge to stay as hidden as much as possible.

  “If you need me to take over, I can do it,” Max said to Cara in support.

  “If I need you, you’ll know it,” Cara replied.

  My heart beat in my ears. Adrenaline filled my body with nowhere to go.

  I turned on my side so I had both Timothy and Cara in my sights. That way, I could spring into action if either needed me. Both siblings had their brows creased in concentration.

  My ears tuned into any sound that caught my attention. I waited.

  It would be after working hours at the farm so most would be back to their shelters by now. I forgot to ask if the guards here were human or of their kind? It would make the difference between seeing us in the dark or not. I silently cursed myself for not asking.

  Timothy rowed quietly but with long strides. He winked at me, giving me a reassuring glance. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I just wanted this to be over.

  Cara kept swiveling her head from side to side, watching both sides of the river. It was difficult in the fog to make out the shoreline or the trees beyond. I hoped the same would be for anyone keeping watch.

  Muffled noises greeted us. Light peeked through the fog and darkness. The flickering light of fire flashed along the tree line.

  Timothy stiffened at the sight. His reaction made me shudder.

  Voices carried from the shores. I couldn’t make them out but several men spoke and the sound struck me rigid.

  Cara was on high alert. She turned from side to side keeping an ear out for signs that we had been seen.

  I saw sweat drip from Timothy’s jaw. He had such a strong jawline. I traced it with my eyes. If we made it through this, I promised myself to make sure I kissed it. His arms flexed, then released. Every moment was savored, we were still alive.

  The voices continued. The water rumbled beneath us. I looked to Timothy, his eyes pierced mine. Another rumbled came. I reached for his ankle.

  A roar followed, it was deafening. I covered my ears, my eyes squeezed shut. It didn’t travel through me, but crippled me with its volume.

  Once I was able to bear it, I squinted at Timothy. He seemed immune to the roar. He rowed faster than he had before. I noticed that he had turned on the engine, to help propel us. Timothy used the roar as a distraction in our favor.

  He shut off the engine once the blaring noise of the roar wound down.

  I looked back at Cara. She held Max’s hand with one hand and the gun with the other. I repositioned myself and pried Max’s fingers from hers. I nodded at her to signal that I would handle him.

  Max’s whole body shook. He was back in the fetal position, rocking himself. I took both his hands and pulled him into me. He was terrified.

  “Shhh, ssshh,” I whispered.

  His eyes were wild.

  “Look at me,” I soothed. “Keep it together, Max. Look at me.”

  His eyes focused on me. “I can’t. I can’t do this,” he stuttered.

  “Yes, you can. Focus on me. We will be through this soon. Just hold on a little longer,” I coaxed.

  “I can’t do this, Alex. I’m not meant to be out here. I should’ve stayed. I should’ve stayed at the house. Maybe, Cara and I, we could’ve been something there,” he cried. Tears streamed down his face.

  “Cara.” I said sharply. “Give me the gun. You need to talk to Max.”

  She handed me the gun and slipped into the floorboards. I took her position. I tried to keep my eyes on the passing shore, but the exchange between Cara and Max was growing louder. I put my finger to my lips and motioned at them. It only seemed to spur Max to become louder.

  “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. I’m sorry,” he shuddered.

  He tried to wriggled free of Cara’s embrace. She clung to him with panic.

  The people on the river banks must have roused. Shouts echoed back and forth. I swiveled from side to side, trying to decipher the movement of figures. I only saw shadows running back and forth in the fog. My finger rested on the trigger.

  Max was becoming manic. He told Cara once more, “I’m sorry.” He pried himself from her. He looked at each of us and said, “I can’t. You are stronger than me.”

  He jumped from the side of the boat. The splash was loud. More yelling echoed from land.

  The boat plunged to the side he jumped. It listed hard. I leaned against it, I saw Timothy do the same.

  Cara clamped her hands over her mouth to muffle the scream that came. I kicked Cara hard to knock her down and then spun around, waiting for gunfire to come.

  Max swam away from us, back downriver. I assumed, in his madness, he thought he was going back home. Then the gunshots rang, not at us, we were still moving upriver, but toward the splashing sound Max was making. The bullets sprayed water as they hit the surface.

  I turned to Timothy. He shook his head in dismay. There was nothing we could do for him. They weren’t shooting at us. They were shooting at Max and he was going to be caught or killed.

  Cara pulled herself to the side of the boat. She saw the river pummeled by bullets and reached out, sobbing. I was afraid she would pull herself over to go after him.

  I laid the gun down and wrapped my arms around her waist to pull her back to the floorboards. She fought me. She kicked and hit me, all the while, logical enough to stay quiet.

  Once I had her pinned beneath me, I rose to survey the scene. The bullets still pierced the water but Max’s splashing had ceased. A dark red circle stained the surface of the water where I had last seen him.

  Panicked, I glanced at Timothy, his head was lowered. His eyes concealed; he knew Max was gone.

  Cara struggled to the side once more, kicking my stomach to reach the edge. She saw the crimson water and went slack. I pushed her back down into the boat.

  I slumped down into the boat using my own weight to hold Cara down. I had no more strength to fight her or anyone else for that matter.

  I sobbed as I sat on top of her, straddling her waist, to make sure she didn’t try to jump in again. Her body writhed and heaved under me. All I could do was hold on to her and keep her from the same fate.

  The chaos on the banks continued. Orders were being given to retrieve the body. A canoe was pushed from the shore.

  Selfishly, I hoped they thought he was a lone traveler. That hope was answered with a cease fire. Either they hadn’t seen us or were only directed to shoot at splashing. Timothy was rowing in near silence.

  Timothy kept his pace; his head hung between his pumping arms. His strength to keep going came from within.

  That was when it dawned on me why I loved him. He had an innate will to go on, despite any situation. He would keep pushing forward.

  His will to survive all of this had inspired me; it made my will stronger. I would make it. I had to, to prove the odds wrong.

  Maybe the thing in my leg woul
d set us all free. I rubbed at my shin with the thought. Thankful the object had been tolerable.

  In spite of this, I wept for Max. Cara was heartbroken, unable to acknowledge me. I laid my head on her shoulder and held her under me. Her pain reverberated through me.

  Hours passed with us this way. Timothy finally wore out and directed us to shore. The darkness of the night was thick but we were beyond the danger of the compound.

  He stepped out of the boat and pulled the boat onto the rocks enough that we wouldn’t drift away. Timothy came into the boat and positioned himself so that he could wrap himself around both of us. An arm was placed around Cara and me against his side. He gently kissed his sister on the head, holding her hand, as she continued to cry for her lost love.

  I pushed myself as close as I could into his side. I laid an arm over him to comb my fingers through Cara’s hair. She didn’t seem annoyed so I took that as a sign that it was soothing. I knew pain; I knew what it was like to lose. Empathy poured through my strokes. Sadness enveloped all of us and squeezed our hearts.

  How do you make this better? Cara had seen hope with Max; hope is a dangerous thing in the new world. I feared it would callus her further. She had opened a door to her heart only to have it brutally slammed.

  We all knew Max was weak from isolation, but to do this, to give up on her was the gravest form of betrayal. Her mind was working through these thoughts, also.

  We lay in the boat drifting off at times due to the exhaustion of mourning. The sun rays reached over the horizon to cast long shadows in the forest behind us. Timothy squeezed my hand and pulled me to Cara to take over.

  He met my eyes and nodded telling me to not let go of her. He left the boat and went ashore. His footsteps echoed lightly from the crunching of leaves and dirt.

  Cara still sucked in hiccups from crying, but she appeared to be asleep. I nestled into her warmth, hoping I provided her some. She flinched every so often in her dreams. I feared what they might be. I had seen the red water where the bullets had hit Max and I knew she did too. I tried to push the memory from my mind.

  Timothy rocked the boat when he stepped back inside. Cara sat upright and looked around, grabbing at me. Her eyes were wild with fear. I grasped her shoulders until her eyes focused on mine. She searched my eyes for answers. When she saw, I had none she broke down.