by L. S. O'Dea
She climbed the tree and her heart skipped a beat. Jethro, Bell and another male Almighty wearing military uniform, complete with sword at his side, headed their way. They were checking the fence line. She glanced down at Travis but he stared into the camp, eyes wide. There was no way the kids had climbed the fence. They had to have dug under. It was only a matter of time before the Almightys found it. She could get away but the others would never make it.
“You’re sure it’s this area?” asked Jethro.
“Positive,” said Bell. “There’ve been a bunch of young Producers around here off and on for the past couple of days. It seemed suspicious to me. That’s why I reported it.”
“Good job,” said the other Almighty.
“As I told you, I was a great asset to his father.” Bell stood a little taller.
“Uh-huh.” Jethro scanned the forest. “You two continue that way and I’ll check over here.” He headed toward them as the other Almighty and Bell went in the opposite direction.
She shifted farther back in the tree, careful not to make a sound.
Jethro walked directly to the bushes where Stuart had been hiding. He moved the brush near the fence line and there was the hole. He stared into the forest for several minutes, at one point his gaze stopped on her tree.
Her heart raced as she stared back into his blue eyes. Why hadn’t he called out about the hole? If he sent a group of Guards to investigate the area, she and the others were in big trouble. The Guards would catch their scent in a second.
Jethro turned away and moved farther along the fence. He walked another several yards and then joined Bell and the other Almighty.
“Didn’t see anything,” said Jethro.
Her breath caught in her throat. He wasn’t reporting the hole.
“Me neither,” said the other Almighty.
“Still. I’m glad you told me. It was best to check.” Jethro patted Bell on the shoulder and then turned and looked directly at where the Producers were hidden in the bushes. “I don’t want anyone escaping. It’s not safe out there.” His gaze ran up the tree, searching and then it stopped.
She could barely breathe. He was looking right at her, but there was no way he saw her. If he were a Servant, maybe, but he was an Almighty. He was too far away and she was too well hidden.
“All sorts of predators live in these woods.” The corner of Jethro’s mouth quirked up in a half-smile and then he turned and walked away, taking the others with him.
Her last words to him rang in her ears. She should’ve let him explain what he’d meant instead of saying those awful things to him. She didn’t wish she’d let him die. She could never wish that. He had to have a good reason for what he’d said. She refused to believe that he’d meant it. If he had, he would’ve reported the hole.
After the three disappeared into Bell’s hut, she dropped from the tree, her heart lighter than it had been in days. She hadn’t been wrong about Jethro. He didn’t hate her. She pulled back the brush and whispered, “We need to go now.”
Travis was holding one of the smaller Producers and had the hand of another. He nodded and as quietly as possible for Producers, he and the others moved out of the bushes and farther into the forest. Mirabelle kept her head down, but Trinity saw the wet cheeks and red eyes. Even though Mirabelle’s father had reported them, it had to be hard to see him and leave him there awaiting his fate, even if he unwittingly chose it.
CHAPTER 57: TRINITY
THE JOURNEY BACK TO camp was torture. Trinity, Travis and Mirabelle were constantly trying to herd the young Producers back into a tight group. The six kids, all between seven and twelve years old, refused to take the forest seriously.
Trinity grabbed one of the worst offenders by the ear. It wasn’t an easy task since he was already taller than she was. “Listen to me, you little brat. It’s dangerous out here and if you don’t stay with the group you’re going to be gobbled up for dinner.”
“Yeah, right.” He jerked away from her, rolling his eyes at his friends as he sauntered farther ahead. “There ain’t nothing in these woods...”
The young Producer was yanked from his feet, disappearing into the brush. Mirabelle and the kids screamed.
“What? Where?” stammered Travis, looking around.
A slight shimmer in the bushes, like a breeze had passed through, was the only indication that something had happened there.
“Get together, quick.” She pointed at Travis and Mirabelle. “Put the littlest in the center.”
“Aren’t you going to save him?” ask Mirabelle as she and Travis herded the remaining Producers together.
Unbelievable. Mirabelle hadn’t wanted her there. Had said they were fine. Now, Mirabelle wanted her to risk her life to help the kid. She would, but Mirabelle should be embarrassed to ask. “I need to make sure you’re safe first. It could be an ambush. There could be more of whatever took him.”
Laughter came from above where the Producer had disappeared. Mirra sat in the tree, holding the boy in front of her with her large paw over his mouth. “Little One teach but they no listen. Mirra told Little One. They no smart. They no learn.”
She exhaled. He was fine. She hadn’t lost another one. Not yet anyway. “Mirra, let him go and get down here.” She kept her voice upbeat. She hadn’t seen Mirra in weeks. The Tracker had become wilder like the last time the serum had worn off.
Tears ran down the boy’s cheeks and onto Mirra’s paw. The Tracker place her nose near the boy’s neck and licked upward, following the trail of tears and stopping right under his eye. “He taste good. Mirra like.” The Tracker’s tone had changed from amused to something soft and threatening.
“Trinity, do something,” whispered Travis.
She took a deep breath. She needed to stay calm. The Tracker could smell their fear and it excited her. She’d tell the others to calm down, but it’d be a waste of breath. “Quit kidding around, Mirra and let him go. He’s my friend.”
Mirra stroked her other hand along the young Producer’s face and sniffed his neck and hair. “Little One have too many friends. Mirra hungry.”
“Please, Mirra.” Her stomach felt like she’d swallowed an entire loaf of Gaar’s bread without any water. She hoped that Travis and Mirabelle were blocking the kids’ view, just in case.
Mirra sniffed around to the back of his neck and then let go of the boy. He fell out of the tree and hit the ground hard, but he was up in a second and scurried over to the others, his face pale and his eyes wide.
“He move fast. Maybe, he live.” Mirra laughed as she dropped from the tree.
Trinity turned and stared at the Producers. “You’ll listen to me from now on, won’t you?”
“Trinity!” Travis frowned at her. “This is not the time.”
“We can’t coddle them. He was lucky. Lucky it was Mirra”—her eyes met Travis’ and then moved to Mirabelle’s—“and lucky I was here.” Mirra wouldn’t have let him go for the others and they all knew it.
“Little One lucky. Mirra ate Cold Creeper.” Mirra rubbed her large belly, as her eyes roamed the Producers. “Mirra always hungry now.”
She walked over to the Tracker and hugged her. “It’s good to see you.” She pulled back, holding her hand out near Mirra’s belly. “May I?”
Mirra smiled, showing her large sharp teeth and nodded.
The Tracker’s stomach was hard and warm. There was slight movement under her hand. She laughed.
“Babies kick Little One. Babies like Little One.”
“I’m so happy for you.” She stepped back, her hand still warm from the contact.
Mirra petted Trinity’s head. “Why you alone? No safe.”
She wasn’t actually alone but Mirra didn’t consider anyone but herself or Gaar as suitable companions in the forest. “We freed some Producers. We need to get back to camp. Could you mask our scent in case anyone comes looking for us?”
Mirra grunted and the comforting odor of pine and herb wafted around them as t
hey started walking again. They were already late and even with the young Producers no longer running around like mad, the trip would take time. Mirra shortened her long stride to Trinity’s pace and the Producers followed, keeping a decent distance between them and the Tracker. Even Travis and Mirabelle were still nervous around Mirra. To them, Mirra would never be a friend; she’d always be a predator. Trinity touched her tongue to her teeth. Her too. She glanced back, her gaze meeting Travis’. He gave her a questioning look. She was sure he’d seen the sadness in her eyes but she smiled and shook her head as if to say it was nothing. They’d stay friends for a while but once he paired there’d be no room for her in his life. She was pretty sure that his mate wouldn’t allow that.
“Why are you in this part of the forest, Mirra?” The Trackers usually stayed in the deep woods, far away from Almightys.
“Mirra bored. Mirra miss Gaar-Mine. Mirra miss Little One.”
“I missed you too.” She bumped her shoulder into the Tracker’s arm.
Mirra snorted.
“Where’s Nirankan?”
“Hunting.” Mirra turned her head and stared at the Producers for a long moment, a small strand of drool forming on the side of her mouth.
She needed Mirra to focus on her and not the others. “Oh. Is he around here?” Trackers in this part of the forest would be dangerous for everyone.
Mirra shrugged.
She hesitated. Mirra hadn’t had her serum in a long time, but she had to warn her. “The Almightys will be coming this way in force soon. You and the other Trackers shouldn’t be around when that happens.”
“Mirra no fear Almightys. Almightys fear Trackers.”
The Tracker was as stubborn as ever. “We’re leaving this part of the forest. We’re going to Harbor Point. Hugh thinks the one section will make a good camp.”
“Almighty know nothing.”
“He said that with the ocean on the one side and Harbor Point on the other, that only leaves two avenues for attack.”
“Two way in. Two way out,” said Mirra.
“Not, exactly. Gaar said that there are caves in that area where we can hide if we have to.”
“Gaar-Mine say good. It good.”
She envied Mirra’s faith in Gaar. The longer she lived out here the less she trusted anyone completely. Even Gaar and Mirra were loyal to each other first and soon Mirra would have her own family. She kept getting pushed further and further down their list of important people. If she didn’t start her own family soon, she may end up alone with no one to trust but herself.
CHAPTER 58: TRINITY
WHEN TRINITY AND THE others arrived at the campsite the place was hustling with activity. There were hundreds of new Guards and House Servants and dozens of new Producers.
She stopped her group while they were still hidden in the trees. “Mirra, maybe you should find Gaar. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.” If Mirra entered the clearing all activity would stop and everyone would know that they were late.
“All you friend, Little One?” Mirra stared into the camp, a bit of drool running down her chin.
“Yes.” By the look in Mirra’s eyes, she was pretty sure that if she or Gaar weren’t around, the Tracker would kill whoever crossed her path. They needed the serum or to get Mirra as far away from here as possible. “Gaar would love to see you.’
Mirra blinked and disappeared into the brush.
“You guys should sneak back into camp a few at a time,” she said to the others.
“Mirabelle, you go first,” said Travis.
“Are you sure?” Mirabelle’s brown eyes hardened as her gaze fell on Trinity.
“Yeah. Take the four littlest.” He glanced at Trinity. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay. Whatever you think is best.” Mirabelle’s tone was simpering-sweet and she touched his arm in a soft caress before heading through the brush into camp.
Travis had a goofy look on his face as he watched Mirabelle walk away.
“We’ll go back for Stuart soon, but promise you won’t go without me.” They could go alone, just the two of them and it’d be the perfect time to convince him that Mirabelle wasn’t the right Producer for him. The other female would make him miserable in the long run.
He jerked a little as if her voice had brought him out of a daydream. “Okay.” He flushed slightly. “Thanks for coming to find us.”
She nodded, biting her tongue. She wanted to scream at him that he’d been an idiot who’d almost gotten all of them captured or killed, but if she did that, he’d probably try and go alone later. “No problem, but you shouldn’t have gone by yourself.”
“I didn’t go by myself.” He shifted away from her. “Mirabelle was with me, remember?”
“Yeah, but Mirabelle...Really?” She wanted to slap her hand over her mouth. This was not the right way to deal with Travis and she knew better.
“There’s nothing wrong with Mirabelle. You’d know that if you gave her a chance.”
“Me? She hates me.”
“You haven’t made it easy on her either.”
“I never did anything to her.” This was exactly what she’d feared. Mirabelle was whispering poison in Travis’ ears.
“She said you wouldn’t understand.” He grabbed the hands of the two remaining kids. “Let’s go. We’ve waited long enough.” He dragged the kids through the brush.
She cringed as a few Servants and Guards looked at them. “Way to sneak in unnoticed, Travis.”
His back stiffened a bit but he kept walking. She wandered around the perimeter. She wasn’t going to slip back into camp in that spot, not now that Servants and Guards had noticed Travis’ entrance. He was such a stubborn jerk and he had poor taste. He could do so much better than Mirabelle.
Hugh came out of his tent. His face was swollen, his eyes blackened and his hands bandaged. She raced out of the brush, skidding to a halt next to him and Jackson. “Are you all right? What happened?” Her fingers hovered near his face, afraid her touch would cause him pain but needing to feel him to ensure that he was okay.
He took her hand. “Things didn’t go exactly as planned.” His lips twisted up in a half-smile. “As usual.”
“I knew I should’ve gone with you.” Her eyes roamed the camp. “Where’s Gaar? I told him to take care of you.” She looked at her hand in his bandaged one. “He obviously didn’t.”
“Actually, he did.” He stared at something over her shoulder and dropped her hand. “Like I said, this was unexpected.”
She glanced behind her. Dad was near her old tent site, watching them. She smiled and waved. Great. She’d hear about this later.
“Hugh, decided to be a hero,” said Jackson.
“We needed a diversion. The Servants couldn’t get the bomb lit. The fuse got wet.”
“What did you do?” She frowned at him. Obviously, it was something stupid.
“He stormed over to the shelter, without backup, and killed an Almighty.” Jackson’s tone was disgusted.
“You could’ve died.” She’d almost lost him. She couldn’t lose him. He was her friend and...well, she wasn’t sure what else, but she knew she didn’t want him hurt. “That’s the stupidest thing you’ve done and you’ve done some stupid things.”
“Speaking of stupidity, you’re late.” Hugh glared at her.
She cringed. She’d made a huge mistake. She should’ve watched and waited. She’d seen him. She’d known he was alive. She should’ve let him hunt her down. Only stupid prey ran to the predator. “No. I’ve—”
“Don’t lie. I caught your father packing up your tent,” said Jackson. “Your group got back hours before Hugh arrived.”
“You can’t keep sneaking away.” Hugh’s face was hard and his arms were folded over his chest.
She was getting tired of hearing that. “Really? You were fine with it when I was helping you.”
“That was before. This is now.”
“Please. At the time, that was now.”
“I didn’t sneak out for an adventure.” She was sick of them always thinking she was running around having fun in the forest.
“I know. You father explained. Did everything go okay?”
She nodded. There was no reason to mention Jethro. “Mirra’s here. She needs serum or Gaar needs to take her back into the forest, if he can.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “I don’t think any of you will be safe around her until she gets her shot.”
“Suddenly, you’re eager for me to leave.” Hugh’s eyes studied her, an unasked question in them that she wasn’t ready to answer.
“I never said I wanted you to stay.” She smiled to let him know it was a joke. “I said I wanted you to help.”
“I’ll get the serum as soon as I can. We’ll talk to Gaar about taking Mirra away.” The look in his eyes dimmed slightly, but he leaned toward her. “But that means the training is left to you.”
“What training?”
“They all need to learn to fight and how to survive in the forest.”
Her jaw dropped as she looked around. There were hundreds of Guards and Servants.
He touched her chin, pushing it upward. “Now, you have your army.”
“I...I can’t train them all.”
“Some of us will help with what we know, but you’ll be the advanced trainer on everyone we send up,” said Jackson.
“Me?” She flushed at the squeakiness of her voice.
“Yes, you.” Hugh grinned. “You keep telling us that you’re the best in the forest besides Gaar and Mirra.”
“Yeah, well...”
“Time to prove your words and share your skills.”