by Jami Gray
The older woman set her teacup down with carefully precise movements and focused her attention on the mundane task. Familiar with her mannerisms, Ruin didn’t push but gave her the moment to craft her response. No doubt the rescued kids had managed to kick Mandy’s protective instincts into overdrive. Which meant she wouldn’t be so keen on letting just anyone in to see them, regardless of who was asking.
Proving her skill at reading people, Charity didn’t fill the silence with useless words but waited for Mandy to take the conversational lead.
Finally, Mandy looked up and locked on to Charity. Light reflected off Mandy’s lenses giving her a strange, alien appearance. ‘What the Raiders put those children through …’ She swallowed hard, her eyes bright with unshed tears, but they didn’t fall. ‘We’ve barely gotten most of them back on their feet.’
‘I’m not surprised.’
At Charity’s softly offered response, Mandy arched a brow, colour riding under her skin as her head tilted. Echoing the spark in her eyes, an angry edge rode through her question. ‘Are you that familiar with the damage those beasts can do to the young?’
‘Raiders aren’t the only animals that prey on the helpless.’ Darkness swam through Charity’s bright eyes, leaving Ruin unprepared for the whisper of protectiveness that woke in tandem with an uncomfortable ache in his chest. Absently he rubbed at it as the two women continued their careful verbal dance.
‘Then you’ll understand my reluctance to upset their environment.’
‘I do,’ Charity agreed. ‘I wouldn’t ask if I had another choice.’
Mandy studied the younger woman and finally came to some inner decision. ‘We’ve gotten one of the younger girls to give us her name. Not Tabby,’ she gently clarified when Charity leant forward. ‘One of the older girls is in a coma.’
‘Is she a redhead?’ Charity’s question came out strangled.
Mandy’s expression softened. ‘No, but the girl who won’t talk is.’ There was no missing Charity’s excitement, and Mandy held up a hand as if to hold her in place. ‘Be warned, neither her nor the young man who stays at her side have willingly said a word. They could be staying silent for any number of reasons, not the least of which is anger towards those who were supposed to protect them.’ Mandy’s insightful comments reminded Ruin there was more to patching people up than bandages. But she wasn’t quite finished with Charity. ‘How did they take your girl?’
Charity handled the question with better grace than Ruin anticipated. ‘I was away and arrived back just after her family found her gone. They were frantic and desperate, so they reached out to me for help. When I started retracing Tabby’s movements, I found she left that morning to go to studies but never made it to class.’ Charity shifted in her chair, then winced and absently rubbed at her injured shoulder. ‘When questioned, her friends said they saw her talking to a guy. Not one they recognised, but they didn’t think anything of it.’ She shook her head, her expression exasperated. ‘Kids being who they are, they saw Tabby talking, nothing overtly threatening happening, and shrugged it off. Tabby is known for being the type to help anyone in need, so if someone stopped to ask for directions, she wouldn’t blink twice before offering help.’ She held Mandy’s gaze. ‘This time, someone took advantage of that sweet spirit.’
Mandy didn’t say anything for a few moments, instead, she studied Charity intently. Ruin wondered what she saw because Charity wasn’t giving much away. Finally, Mandy asked, ‘If her parents are so worried, why are you here and not them?’
Ruin’s instincts were riled when something too quick to catch slipped through Charity’s gaze just before her lashes dropped veiling her eyes. ‘My skills are better suited to tracking down a missing girl.’ Those long lashes lifted once more, her gaze steady and clear.
Before the conversation could continue, the front door shoved open sending dust mote-filled light spilling across the room. ‘Doc, you in here?’ A dark-haired teen stepped into the room, only to come to an awkward halt, his face turning beet red as the four adults turned to him. ‘Um, sorry?’ He dragged a faded baseball cap from his head releasing an influx of dark curls and then proceeded to wring the cap into a twist of material.
The fumbling teen brought a welcoming smile to Mandy’s face, chasing away the shadows. ‘What do you need, Zane?’
The teen swallowed, his voice coming out high with nerves before settling down. ‘I was passin’ by your place, and Liza asked me to remind you to stop by Crusty’s to pick up her order.’
‘Thanks, Zane. I’d forgotten I promised to do that.’
Zane dipped his head in a jerky nod, then spun on a heel and darted back out the door. Mandy turned back to Charity, all traces of the warmth aimed at the teen gone, replaced by a core of determination. ‘The children don’t react well to strangers.’ When she shifted in her chair, Worth inched back, giving her room to slide her chair out and stand. From where he sat, Ruin caught the subtle brush of Worth’s hand on Mandy’s spine as she brushed crumbs from her pants. It acted like a silent warning because Mandy turned to him. Worth dipped his chin and Mandy’s jaw firmed just before she blew out a breath and turned back to Charity. ‘You’re welcome to come and see if your Tabby is my redhead.’
Next to Ruin, the scrape of wood over wood sounded as Charity stood. ‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t thank me,’ Mandy muttered. ‘The only reason I’m allowing you to see the children is because you helped bring Simon home.’ She moved around the table and headed for the door. ‘That, and I won’t be responsible for keeping those babies from their families.’
Charity bid Worth a soft goodbye. Ruin stood, then followed Charity as she headed to Mandy, who held the front door open, waiting.
When Charity came even with the door, Mandy stepped in front of her, bringing the younger woman to a halt. ‘I’m not one to ignore my gut, especially when it comes to those in my care, so fair warning, Charity. You showing up on the heels of trouble doesn’t reassure me of your intentions.’
Standing behind her, Ruin waited for Charity’s reaction, expecting her defences to slam into place. Instead, she barely blinked at Mandy’s comment. ‘My first priority is to find Tabby, not to court trouble.’
The dry response managed to get Mandy’s lips to twitch, but it did nothing more to ease her formidable mask. ‘Courting it or not, don’t invite it near those children.’
Chapter 11
After giving her warning at Grave Hall, Mandy led Ruin and Charity to a nearby bakery. She disappeared inside and returned a few minutes later with the promised delivery in hand. Silence accompanied the trio for the remainder of their walk to the doctor’s house. Charity’s nerves wound tighter and tighter with each step thanks to the equal parts of anticipation at possibly finding Tabby and the looming knowledge of what lay ahead after this visit.
Close to fifteen minutes later, Charity entered the well-tended front yard of a sprawling ranch style home, the flat roof doubling as a flourishing garden. Sitting among the pruned bushes off to the right was an updated rain collection system paired with an older cistern. To the left, beyond the storage area, the long blades of the wind turbine turned in slow, quiet circles providing power for the soft lights beginning to glow in the late afternoon.
It wasn’t the only home in the neighbourhood with signs of natural power. Other turbine blades rose like graceful herons between trees and flat, garden roofs. If Pebble Creek followed the same pattern of most rural communities, each home was served by similar set-ups for water and power. After the Collapse, rural areas turned to more natural sources for energy, learning to use what was at hand. Something the urban populations could benefit from. Out here no-one could afford to rely on the rare fossil fuels used in the cities, because delivery if it came at all, was spotty at best.
Mandy climbed the trio of stone steps, crossed the porch, and stopped with her hand on the doorknob, half turning to face Charity and Ruin as the bag from Crusty’s bounced against her hip. ‘Chances are
Liza has the girls out back, in the yard. Ruin, you should stay inside.’
Charity’s heart winced at Mandy’s implication. No matter how much shit she saw, it made her sick to think of how much damage had been done that just the sight of a male would threaten these fragile souls.
At the foot of the steps, Ruin’s face darkened with grim understanding. ‘You sure my being inside won’t hurt things? I can always wait here.’
The fact he was in tune enough to ask that question snuck through Charity’s lingering resentment and softened the edges. At the door, Mandy worried her lower lip, taking the time to think it through. ‘Just stay at the table and try not to glare at anyone.’ Her comment got a small return smile. The doc turned back to the door and went inside, leaving them to follow.
Ruin waved a hand, letting Charity take the lead. Reigning in her nervous anticipation, she tried to steel herself for possible disappointment as she followed Mandy through a simple, but comfortable, living room and into a huge, light-drenched kitchen. An influx of light funnelled through the skylights and the wide entryway framing a deck leading to an expansive backyard. A refinished barn door hung next to the opening on a sliding system, making it easy to move the heavy door open or closed depending on what the inhabitants desired.
‘Liza, I’m home with visitors.’ Mandy bypassed the battered table with eight spindle-backed chairs, and headed to the counter and sink just to the side of the wide doorway.
‘We’re out back.’ When the woman who belonged to the voice stepped through the wide entryway, Charity was stunned by the young, dark-haired, delicate, and very much pregnant, Liza, who tucked a pair of garden gloves into her back pocket.
Charity came to a stop by the quietly humming refrigerator just on the inside of the kitchen. Ruin slipped around her and took a seat at the table, as far from the open doorway as possible.
Liza’s smile was open and real as she nodded at Ruin and Charity before wrapping Mandy in a hug. ‘Did you get my bread?’
Mandy returned the affectionate squeeze before stepping back. ‘Yep, Zane found me. I’m guessing it’s for Cody?’ She handed over the Crusty’s bag.
Liza took the bag and then bussed Mandy’s cheek. ‘Of course it is. He and Kyle love this stuff, and I promised them spaghetti and garlic bread.’ She turned and took the bag to the large centre island. There she opened a lower cabinet and brought out a basket. As she began splitting up the bread, she kept talking. ‘Besides, Cody’s been riding herd on Kyle for me for the last couple of days. I think that deserves a reward.’
Mandy propped a hip against the cabinets by the sink. ‘So long as you don’t overdo things.’
Liza laughed, and the pure sound of joy unexpectedly charmed Charity. ‘I’m fine, Mandy.’ She rubbed gentle circles over her extended belly. ‘Baby and I are doing just fine. Besides we have a couple months yet before my toes disappear.’ She leant against the counter’s edge and watched Ruin settle in at the table. ‘Ruin, right?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Since Liza managed to rile Charity’s protective streak, she was unsurprised by Ruin’s switch from snarly and gruff to gentle and charming.
Liza’s lips twitched. ‘Ma’am is for those much, much older than me. It’s just Liza.’ Her gaze drifted to Charity. ‘You must be new.’
‘I am,’ Charity said, stepping forward and extending her hand to the young woman. ‘I’m a friend of Boden’s.’
Liza grasped her hand in a firm grip as her mouth fell open comically as she gave a dramatic gasp. ‘Boden has friends?’
Charity laughed, then raised a finger to her lips. ‘Shh, don’t go telling anyone.’
Mandy touched Liza on the shoulder even as her attention shifted to the backyard. ‘Are the kids outside?’
The bright humour in Liza’s face dimmed as a sombre awareness set in. ‘They are. Laura spoke today, not much, but enough to give me some hope.’ She followed Mandy’s gaze. From her position by the refrigerator, Charity couldn’t see what or who they were watching. ‘The other two aren’t talking much and still refuse to give me their names.’ Liza rubbed her belly again and from the frown creasing her brow, Charity wondered if the action had become Liza’s comfort tool. ‘Our sleeping beauty is still dreaming.’
Mandy went to the open doorway leading outside and propped a shoulder against the frame. ‘We take our wins where we can, and today you got four of them outside. That definitely goes in the win column.’
Liza turned back to Charity. ‘Since Mandy dragged you home, I’m guessing you’re here to see the kids?’
Once again, Charity ran through her explanation, but unlike Mandy and Ruin, Liza barely batted an eyelash. Instead, there was no missing her spark of excitement. ‘Well, then, let’s head out and introduce you. Maybe we’ll be able to get one of these darlings back to their family.’ Liza grabbed Charity’s hand and all but dragged her out the door, completely oblivious to Charity’s internal turmoil.
They crossed the deck and headed into the yard. Well-established trees with foliage thick enough to provide a natural privacy barrier ringed the backyard. Plants in various colours exploded in a charming display of spring, and tucked in spots were sitting areas. One of which was half-hidden in shadows and currently held a young, dark-haired boy, standing guard over a brunette in a pretty, floral shift, her thin arms wrapped around drawn up knobby knees, her chin resting on top, her gaze focused on the two similarly dressed girls currently kneeling among the flowers.
Sunlight brushed familiar burnished copper curls of one of the girls and Charity’s heart lodged in her throat. For a moment tears pressed hot and hard, but she fought them back, trying to speak around the weight settling on her chest. Her first attempt came out in a puff of air that Liza ignored as she pulled Charity along. Only when they drew close did Liza finally slow, letting her go, and then called out softly, ‘Hey, kids.’
Four pairs of eyes turned towards them. It hurt to see the depth of fear and wariness painting their thin faces, but it was the one who paled and jerkily got to her feet that had Charity’s legs turning to water, until she slowly sank to her knees, unable to stand.
‘Aunt Char?’ It was barely a sound, but Charity heard it.
‘Tabby baby.’ It came out husky but audible. Tabby barrelled towards her as if flung forward and Charity caught her, holding the small, shaking body tight, her face pressed into the beloved copper curls. ‘Oh, Tabby love, we were so scared.’
‘I’m sorry,’ the little girl sobbed, her arms wound around Charity’s neck in a stranglehold.
Without letting her go, Charity shifted until she was sitting on the ground, Tabby cradled in her arms. ‘Nothing to be sorry about, baby girl.’
Tabby turned her head until her nose was buried next to Charity’s ear and whispered, ‘Mom’s going to kill me.’
Charity closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing through the massive ache in her chest. Setting her hands on either side of Tabby’s head, she carefully pulled the girl’s face up until she could see the girl’s green eyes. It was hard to see the shadows slip into what once shone with innocence. Charity brushed her thumb over an escaping tear and rested her forehead against Tabby’s. ‘Your mom may smother you with kisses, but she won’t kill you. She’s worried sick. We all were.’
Tears welled as Tabby burrowed back in, clinging like a monkey, her sobs rattling her entire frame. Charity sat there, arms tight, rocking the little girl and making nonsensical comforting noises all the while trying not to think about what Tabby endured. The storm of weeping slowly passed leaving Charity’s shirt damp with spent tears. Tabby lay in her arms, hands locked on Charity’s arms, her eyes and nose red. Focused on calming the shaking child, Charity was barely aware of Liza gathering the other children and leaving them alone. Tabby’s lingering sobs wracked her small frame and were heartbreakingly quiet as if she was afraid of being heard.
Rocking her among the flowers as the shadows grew around them, Charity waited until the emotional storm had passed.
It took time, but she wasn’t about to rush Tabby. Besides, it gave Charity a chance to make her decisions, even as she compulsively traced the edges of the yellowing bruises marring Tabby’s arms, waiting to erase the marks of her abuse. Rage and heartache fought for dominance, drowning her initial relief.
The time for secrets was passed, and any doubts she harboured about the outcome of her upcoming phone call were shattered. She couldn’t shake the disquieting blankness shared between all four children when she first saw them. The stark evidence of what they endured triggered a visceral rage that could only be appeased when the ones behind it lay bleeding out and castrated at her feet.
At some point Ruin slipped onto a nearby bench, a move Charity caught even though Tabby remained oblivious. With the other kids in the house, the practical side of Charity understood why he was there, but the protective side wanted to snap at him to get the hell away. Perhaps it was best he was here now, where Tabby’s presence could temper his initial reactions to what he was about to learn. Dealing with the repercussions later didn’t faze Charity, but she didn’t want Tabby caught in the middle.
The sun was beginning to duck behind the horizon, and the small lights placed throughout the garden flickered to life when Tabby’s breathing finally slowed and evened out. Running a gentle hand through the soft curls, Charity pressed a kiss into the top of her head, then rested her cheek against the soft curls. ‘Tabby, baby, I need you to tell me what happened.’
Tabby stiffened, her arms tightening into a stranglehold. Charity continued her slow strokes and concentrated on keeping her breathing steady, silently encouraging her. When Tabby finally spoke her voice was barely there and shaky, but little by little she began to share.
Much like Charity suspected Tabby had fallen for the boy in need story. He introduced himself as Sean, new to town and lost. Tabby tried to be smart about it, agreeing only to walk to a nearby shop in search of an adult that could help direct him, thinking if they stayed out in the open nothing would happen. Not only did Sean have other ideas, but he wasn’t working alone. It didn’t take much for the two males to overpower Tabby, drug her, and then hit the road before anyone knew what had happened.