He needed to be in control! The realization hit him as he sat there, and he wondered why he hadn’t figured it out before. That was why he had such a hard time trusting that God knew the best plan for him. In a subconscious part of his mind, James always thought he knew better. He thought he knew better than God! He chuckled at that and his brother glanced over at him.
“What?” Connor asked.
“Nothing, just thinking,” James said.
“You’re not talkin’ to yourself again, right?” Tank asked.
“I haven’t done that in years,” James said.
“Bro, I just heard you doing it last week,” Connor said.
“What a weirdo,” Tank said. “Who would talk to themselves like that?”
How could James, even subconsciously, think he knew better than God? The concept was just so wrong. Every time he tried to take control, it’d failed. Yet, when he surrendered and trusted God, things seemed to work out. It was time to stop trying to take control, stop pretending he knew better than God and everyone else. It was time for him to trust. In that moment, he fully surrendered the situation—being captured, the safety of the rest of their group, getting to Alaska, all of it. He gave it all to God. The peace that settled on his heart and soul was more refreshing than a cold drink of water, and he wondered why he’d been fighting so hard.
Thank you, Jesus, James said, smiling. I know you’ve got my back. I may be seeing you soon, so make sure to save me a place at the table.
He closed his eyes and laid his head back against the hot metal of the brush guard as the answers to life seemed to fall into place. The world was in order again, and yet nothing had changed but his perspective.
9
Skeleton in the Closet
Post-outbreak day seven, evening
Ana stood outside the barn with the captives inside. The captives? They were her group! She was already starting to think differently. Clamping down on those thoughts, she pushed everything from her mind. She didn’t trust herself right now. If she started thinking too much, she would break down. Taking a moment, she put her thoughts back into their boxes.
“Well done in there,” Jezz said, turning to look at Ana. “You will make a fine addition to the Reclaimers.”
Jezz proffered her hand. Ana hesitated only a moment, then took it in a firm shake. Jezz smiled and Ana had a hard time not killing the woman right then and there.
“Since you will be joining us, I will show you to your room,” Jezz said, turning to leave. “Max, put your best guards in place. I do not want our guests trying anything tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Max said, moving to the two guards outside the barn door.
Jezz started walking down the dirt road leading to the rest of the compound and Ana followed. The temperature had dropped a few degrees as the sun sank behind the hills. It wouldn’t set for another hour, but it was gone from the valley. The day had passed and she was still alive. She didn’t know how she felt about that.
As they walked, Ana compiled a mental image of the compound. When she’d first seen it all this afternoon, she’d been impressed. They’d found the perfect place to set up their base. There were three different houses on the property, nine outbuildings, and six RVs, where most of the Reclaimers lived. She wasn’t able to get a good estimate of how many Reclaimers there were, but she guessed over two dozen. She still wasn’t sure where they were holding the kids; however, that didn’t matter unless she decided to help them all. Her mind wasn’t made up yet.
The compound sat at the head of a valley, surrounded by hills on three sides. The valley stretched north and the driveway followed it. She didn’t know exactly where they were, but from what she’d gathered, they were east of the interstate somewhere.
The Reclaimers weren’t what she’d expected. Not all of them were cold-blooded killers. Some just saw killing as something that needed to be done so they could continue to survive. Then there were the others like Jezz, who loved killing. They were the dangerous ones. She hadn’t been able to move freely throughout the compound since Jezz made sure she was never far. The woman didn’t trust Ana yet. She was clever.
They arrived at the house farthest from the pole barn. The six RVs were parked around the house and this was the most densely packed spot on the whole compound. That was no accident. There was a man with an AK-47 outside the door to the house. Jezz nodded to him and he opened the door. Inside was a quaint living room with a TV and two couches. The left part of the room was the kitchen and dining area. There was a small hallway leading to the right with three doors. A man was sitting on the couch with a Glock holstered on his hip. He stood up while quickly shoving a bottle of amber liquid behind his back. Jezz ignored him and walked down the hallway to stand outside the last door. As Ana walked by the man, she could smell the booze on him. If this man was her guard tonight, she should have little trouble getting out.
“This is your room now,” Jezz said, as Ana walked up to her. “Someone will bring food shortly. You will stay here tonight under watch. Forgive me if I do not trust you yet.”
Ana nodded. She’d expected as much. She offered Jezz the Glock she still held.
“You keep it,” Jezz said, “as a reminder.”
Ana didn’t need the handgun to remember what she’d done that day. Walking into the room, she looked around. It was simply furnished, with a barred window set in the back wall, a queen bed on the left, and a dresser and small bathroom to the right.
“And Ana,” Jezz said, “you will fit right in with us. You have that killer instinct. I can see it in your eyes.”
Jezz smiled and shut the door, and Ana heard a lock clicking into place. She stood in the middle of the room, trying to force her thoughts into order but failing. Looking down at the Glock, she dropped it to the floor and sank to her knees as tears streaked down her face. She’d killed two people today, two innocent people. There was no coming back from that. It’d taken her years to forget about the last person she’d killed. Her mind shut down and she curled up on the floor.
She was a killer, always had been. No matter how fast or far she ran, she couldn’t outdistance that single most damning fact of her existence. Most of her life had been dedicated to forgetting the past, and it was the only way she’d been able to survive this long. Now, in the course of a day, her self-control had almost completely eroded and the memories were close to bursting from their boxes.
No! she screamed in her mind.
Needing something to latch onto to make her forget, her hand reached for her locket and she began to rub it, taking comfort in old habits. She found her anger and unlocked the box it was contained in. Immediately, the tears stopped. So what if she’d killed two people? Because of that, she’d saved herself, and hopefully Alexis.
That bitch! Ana thought. How dare she judge me?
Didn’t Alexis know what it’d cost to do what she’d done? Didn’t she know that no matter what, Ana would never be the same after today? And she’d done it for Alexis, no less! She’d done it to rescue her! But Alexis dared to look at her like that, with all that judgment in her eyes? Ana almost wanted to leave and let Jezz kill them all. She could just disappear into the night. Or she could stay and truly join them. Some dark part of her wanted that. She could join them and let that side of her out into the open. No more hiding, no more trying to restrain it. Let it out and feel the power.
I can’t!
She’d made a promise to Uncle Zeke a long time ago. Control. She had to remain in control. That other part of her would wreak havoc with who she truly was. It was the opposite of control and she always had to stay in control. Plus, she owed a debt, and debt had to be repaid, no matter the cost. Rescuing Alexis would pay that and then she could worry about the rest after. She just had to find a way to get out of the room and to the pole barn unseen.
Her mind began to run through a list of possibilities. A half hour passed and she’d moved to a more comfortable position on the be
d. Her plan still needed a few tweaks, but it was coming together. She’d always been able to plan and strategize in a way that impressed her father. That was why he’d always come to her before making important decisions. She could see the complications and consequences of his actions, and she’d become her father’s top advisor and at the age of just sixteen.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Ana said.
The empty Glock sat on the table by the door since there was no need to try to hide it. The same guard who’d been outside the house earlier brought her a tray of food. There was a plate of spaghetti, a salad, and a can of Dr. Pepper—a fine dinner for the apocalypse. He set the tray down on the table, eyeing the Glock but leaving it where it lay, and then left the room without saying a word. She noticed a slight wobble in his stride; the effects of the alcohol were setting in. He shut the door and she heard the lock click into place again. She walked over and took the tray of food to the bed.
As she ate, her mind mulled over the plan, trying to find the weak points. There was only so much more thinking and picking it apart she could do. Even with all the planning in the world, it came down to chance. That was the one thing she’d learned while working for her farther—either it worked or it didn’t. This plan would only work if carried out soon, very soon. She would make her move tonight when everyone was asleep. When the morning came, she and Alexis would both be free of this place. Or dead.
10
Bryce’s Friend
Post-outbreak day seven, early evening
The afternoon passed and the sun neared the horizon. The Reclaimers would be killing the second survivor soon. James felt grief in his heart and a desire to help them, but it was tempered with the reality of their situation. They were chained up and weren’t going anywhere. His epiphany earlier in the day had changed his perspective. It hadn’t, however, magically freed them, like some would’ve expected. Intervention from on high was rare. More often than not, it was the internal changes that mattered the most. He was at peace, and maybe being at peace would affect those around him.
“You finally lose it?” Tank asked.
“What?” James asked, being pulled from his thoughts.
“Your mind. Did you finally lose it?” Tank asked again.
James chuckled. “Not yet, just surrendering control.”
“Ah,” Tank said. “You been prayin’?”
“Yeah.”
“What’d ya hear back?” Tank asked.
“That everything will work out somehow.”
Tank nodded. “I’m glad you’re back to normal.”
“Thanks,” James said.
“He has to come out of there at some point, right?” Chloe asked. “I could use some water.”
“I could go for that and some aloe,” Connor said.
“Amen to that, brother,” Tank said.
“Nah, just some water,” Chloe said.
“That’s because your tanned skin protects you from the worst of it,” Tank said. “Although it does look like you got a little burned.”
“Doesn’t feel too bad,” Chloe said.
“I’m pretty sure I look like a lobster,” James said.
“You do,” Tank said. “Trust me. I have intimate knowledge of lobsters.”
“Wait, what?” Chloe asked. “Actually, never mind.”
“Not like that!” Tank said. “I used to bartend at a seafood restaurant. Geez, get your mind outta the gutter.”
“If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t be worried. But you?”
“She does have a point,” Connor said.
“Ha, ha,” Tank said. “You guys are hilarious.”
“So what do you think now?” James said. “Should we try and get him over here again?”
“Might as well,” Connor said.
“Hey, Bryce!” Chloe yelled. “Could you bring us some water, please?”
A minute passed with no response, just the fluttering of the pavilions in the soft breeze. The wind felt good on James’s skin. It was a welcome reprieve from the intense heat of the afternoon.
“Hey, Bryce!” James called louder. “We need some water!”
“Will you shut up!” Bryce yelled from inside the pavilion. “We’re trying to think in here!”
“We’ll keep yelling until we draw all the zombies for miles unless you bring us some damn water!” Connor yelled.
“C’mon, man!” Tank yelled.
“Please!” Chloe yelled.
“Fine!” Bryce yelled, storming out of the pavilion. He entered the middle one and came out with a case of water in his hands. Walking over to them, he threw the water down on the ground between them.
“Happy?” Bryce asked.
“Very. Thanks,” Chloe said, smiling sweetly at him.
“Any chance you’d be willing to hear our side of the story?” James asked calmly.
Bryce looked at him. It seemed like he was about to respond but stopped, searching James’s eyes.
“We thought you were the most unhinged before,” Bryce said. “You look… different now.”
“I feel much better,” James said. “I just needed to have a little talk with myself.”
“Yeah, we know what you mean,” Bryce said. “We often have to give the other space. Otherwise, we’ll drive each other crazy.” He nodded to his right.
James looked but couldn’t see anything he might’ve been referring to. “Umm… who’re you talking about?”
“What do you mean?” Bryce asked, looking confused. “He’s standing right there.” He pointed to the spot next to him like there was someone in plain sight.
“Oh,” James said.
“I see him,” Tank said.
“Good. I didn’t want to have to kill you,” Bryce said. “The only people that can’t see Elliot are crazy.”
Tank choked on a laugh. Bryce narrowed his eyes at him, reaching for the handgun at his hip.
“Don’t mind him,” Chloe said. “All our throats are dry. We’ve been hacking all day.”
Bryce moved his hand away. “Well, you have plenty of water now.”
“Any chance we can get some food?” Chloe asked, batting her eyelashes.
Bryce looked at her, a smile tugging at his lips. “I think she likes you, Elliot,” he said, nudging the air next to him.
Tank coughed again, hocking up some spittle and spitting it out on the ground. “Sorry, I should probably take a drink.”
“Yeah,” Bryce said. “I’ll go get some food.”
“And maybe a few blankets if we’re going to spend the whole night out here,” Chloe added.
“Sure,” Bryce said, continuing to walk away. He disappeared into the middle pavilion again.
“Nice,” Connor whispered.
“I told you layin’ on the charm would work,” Tank said. “Although it might just be that our captor likes crazy.”
“What are you implying?” Chloe asked.
“Oh, nothing,” Tank said. “Help me get this case of water.”
They spent two minutes trying to move the case of water with nothing but their legs and feet. By the time Bryce returned, they’d only been able to move it a few inches. He tossed a handful of blankets and protein bars on the ground by the water and then turned to leave.
“Hey man, we might have a problem,” James said.
Bryce turned back, finally noticing their failed attempt to get the water.
“If you could un-cuff one of our hands,” Connor said, “we could just grab it.”
“Okay,” Bryce said and pulled keys out of a pocket, drawing his handgun, “we give Chloe the keys. She un-cuffs one hand and locks the empty cuff to the cattle guard. Then she’ll have a free hand to get the stuff.”
“It’d be easier if you just let us all have one hand free,” Connor said.
“Do you think we’re stupid?” Bryce asked, anger rising to his face.
“No,” Connor said.
“I just—”
“That sounds perfect,” Chloe interrupted. “Thank you for your generosity.”
“See, at least she has some manners. You’d make a great mother,” Bryce said, eyeing her.
He brought her the keys, all the while keeping his handgun pointed at them. She unlocked her right hand and then cuffed the second loop to the brush guard, tossing the keys back. Bryce caught them without even looking. The whole time he had his eyes on the three of them. It would be hard to get the jump on him; however, that was still their best option. They just had to wait for the right opportunity. James had been ready to act, but Bryce was too far back and had never taken his eyes off of them.
“Now, we’re going to go figure out what to do with you,” Bryce said. “If you need anything else, too bad.” He then looked at Chloe. “Unless you need something.”
He smiled at Chloe and then walked off. Tank started laughing, but Chloe elbowed him in the side and he coughed instead. Bryce didn’t look back as he entered the last pavilion, and Tank started chuckling.
“I think our friend here has an imaginary companion named Elliot,” Tank said, between laughs.
“That’s the name of the dragon in Pete’s Dragon!” James said.
Everyone started cracking up.
“That’s why you were bustin’ a gut,” Connor said when he’d caught his breath.
“I barely held myself together,” Tank said. “I’m just glad he didn’t start calling himself Pete.”
After the laughter settled down, they were able to push the water and blankets close enough for Chloe to reach with her free hand. She tossed each of them a bottle of water, which they struggled to catch, and they chugged it down. After they’d eaten a protein bar, she gave them all a blanket, and they were barely able to drape it over themselves. The sun had set and it was cooling off quickly. It would probably drop into the fifties overnight. On its own, that wasn’t cold, but the added wind-chill and fact they were seated on the ground would make it feel even colder.
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