Tank smirked despite himself. “Fair enough.”
“Oh, man,” James said, still chuckling. “She got you good.”
“Shut up, Jamesy Boy,” Tank said.
“Oh,” Chloe said suddenly, “and I found this.” She pulled out a thin leather book.
“What’s that?” James asked.
“Bryce’s journal,” Chloe said. “I know who Elliot was.”
“Really? Who?” James asked.
“His twelve-year-old son who died last year. Bryce has been hearing his voice and started talking to him a few months after his death. By June, he was acting like his son had never died. And,” she said, pausing, “he was going to kill you guys today.”
“What was he gonna do with you?” Tank asked.
“Try and marry me, I think,” Chloe said, looking sick.
Tank started laughing. “Of course he was. I told you, you laid the flirting on a little too thick.”
“Whatever,” Chloe said.
“Wait, who cares about any of that,” Connor said. “What does it say about the outbreak and what his people were doing there?”
“I never thought to check that,” Chloe said.
“Typical woman,” Tank said.
“At least I don’t go around measuring my manhood with every other guy I meet,” Chloe said.
“Gross,” Tank said.
“Okay…” James said. “We need to check it out then.”
“We might want to wait on that,” Connor said.
They’d arrived at I-90 and Tank took them onto the ramp heading north toward Sheridan.
“We’d better keep our eyes open,” James said. “No tellin’ where they might be.”
“Grab more magazines,” Connor said to James, “and one of the ACRs with the longer barrel and a scope.”
“On it,” James said. “Oh, and guys, you didn’t let me finish earlier. This thing has a latch on the roof where you can stand up and shoot.”
“Damn,” Tank said. “I’m definitely in love.”
James climbed into the third seat and grabbed one of the black bags. Chloe had done a really good job of packing everything and the gear was easily accessible. He pulled out the longer-barreled DMR and handed it to his brother. Connor stuck his shorter ACR by the seat and racked a round into his new rifle. James grabbed one of the full ammunition cans with magazines and then one of the boxes with the only two other drum magazines for the SAW. Then he retrieved two of the Kel-Tec KSG tactical 12-gauge pump-action shotguns, setting them on the seat next to him. It was hard to believe that a weapon just over two feet long could hold fifteen shotgun shells.
“Switch me,” Connor said.
“So you can get at the hatch?” James asked, grabbing one of the Kel-Tec shotguns and switching seats with his brother.
“Yeah, it’ll give me a little height advantage,” Connor said.
“Fine by me,” James said from the passenger’s seat. “Just watch yourself up there.”
“I will,” Connor said.
They suddenly grew quiet. There was no telling what waited for them up ahead. The Reclaimers could have recaptured or killed their friends, or they could be waiting for them, knowing they were coming. They continued north of Sheridan, the sun painting the cloudy sky crimson.
“That’s a beautiful sunrise,” Chloe said.
“Don’t you get them like this all the time up here?” Tank asked.
“Yeah, they call it ‘big sky country’ for a reason,” James said.
“Red sky in the morning,” Connor said, “sailors take warning. There’s a storm comin’.”
21
No Matter the Cost
Post-outbreak day eight, morning
The infected’s head exploded, its mouth a mere inch from biting into his leg, and Emmett wasted no time shooting the next infected. Rising to his knees, he took aim and shot another. Once on his feet, he turned and rushed back to the truck. He jumped in, started the engine, and spun the truck around, leaving the house and infected behind.
“Why were there so many of them in there?” Troy asked.
“No idea,” Lucas said, “but that was close.”
Emmett looked at Greg and nodded. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” Greg said.
“Why were they all inside?” Troy asked. “It’s almost like they were hiding or something.”
“Maybe they were staying out of the wind or sunlight,” Lucas said.
“I hope not,” Emmett said. “If so, they’re more intelligent than we think.”
“Now what?” Troy asked.
“There was something farther up the road,” Lucas said.
“We’ll check it out,” Emmett said, turning onto the highway and heading north.
“See,” Lucas said, pointing.
“Looks like some kind of staging area for the mine,” Greg said.
“Would you look at that?” Troy said. “I see one, two vehicles parked out front.”
“That’ll work,” Emmett said, pulling next to the white truck and van.
He stopped the truck, leaving it running, and got out. Glancing around, he didn’t see any infected.
“Make it quick,” Emmett said.
Lucas ran over to the van and opened the door, getting in. After searching around for a bit, he climbed back out. “Nothing,” he said. “No keys.”
“I could hot-wire them,” Greg said, stepping from the truck.
“That won’t help us in the long run,” Emmett said. “Greg, you and I will head inside the office and look for the keys. You two stay out here and keep watch.”
“Got it,” Lucas said.
Emmett walked toward the small building the vehicles were parked in front of. Could they be so lucky as to find the keys inside? Judging by the blue-and-black logo on the side of the vehicles, they were company-owned. With luck, that meant they kept the keys on site. He approached the door and nodded to Greg.
“What?” Greg asked.
Oh, right, Emmett thought. He doesn’t have any training.
“When I nod, open the door,” Emmett said. “I’ll go in first, then you follow. I’ll go left, you go right.”
“Easy enough,” Greg said.
“And pay attention. No telling what’s inside,” Emmett said.
He nodded again. This time Greg did his part and Emmett peered into the room before going in. With the infected, he had to adjust his normal training. These things weren’t like armed tangos. They behaved a lot differently. Inside was clear, with only one door leading to a small bathroom. It was clear also.
“Check for the keys,” Emmett said, looking around the room.
On the left side was a small kitchenette with a couple of couches along the back wall next to it. To the right sat a counter with a computer behind it, and the back corner held the bathroom. Greg was already behind the counter, searching. Emmett turned and looked by the door. There was an empty coat hanger, a small table with an empty bowl, and what looked like a key hook. It was also empty.
“Got ‘em,” Greg said, holding up two sets of keys.
Greg walked out from behind the counter and out the door to the vehicles. Emmett followed, closing the door to the office. Greg tossed the set for the van to Lucas and walked over to the truck.
“Nice,” Lucas said, walking to the van with Troy following.
“Make sure they start and have enough gas,” Emmett said.
Both vehicles started.
“Mine’s good,” Greg said.
“I have a quarter of a tank,” Lucas said. “So good enough for now.”
“Roll out and meet back at the other rigs,” Emmett said.
He climbed into his truck and led the way to where they’d left the rest of their group. Arriving a minute later, Emmett was happy to see nothing had changed while they’d been gone. He half imagined he’d come back and see nothing but the burning wreckage of what was left of his
life.
“I told you I’d see you soon,” Alexis said as he climbed out.
“Yes, you did,” Emmett said, then turned to the rest of them. “Everyone ready?”
“I think so,” Helen said.
“Good. Find a vehicle and let’s hit the road,” Emmett said.
“And don’t be afraid to spread out,” Alexis said. “We have plenty of room now.”
Olive and Felix climbed into the backseat of Emmett’s truck.
“Hello, Mr. Emmett,” Olive said.
“Hey, Olive,” he said.
Alexis watched as all the kids and adults loaded into the four other vehicles. Then she climbed into the passenger’s seat of the truck. Emmett pulled his truck parallel with the other vehicles.
“I’ll lead,” Emmett said. “Greg, bring up the rear and let’s keep our eyes open. If we can make good time, we’ll be at the border before nightfall.”
“Which way are you going?” Troy asked from the driver’s seat of the truck they’d taken from the Reclaimers.
“I was told you knew a good way to stay off the interstate,” Emmett said.
“I do,” Troy said. “We’ll want to stay on MT-314 ‘till we get to US-212. Take that up to MT-39. We’ll stay on there until it runs into I-94.”
“Good,” Emmett said. “You can tell me the rest after we stop and pick up a map. Stay within sight and keep track of the vehicle following you. If anyone gets into trouble, flash your hazard lights.”
“Sounds good,” Lucas said from the driver’s seat of the minivan.
“Move out,” Emmett said, driving past the line of vehicles.
The other rigs turned around and fell in line behind him. Arriving at MT-314, he turned north. The rest followed and they topped out at a good cruising speed. The sparsely furnished hills rolled out all around them. This part of the country was pretty bleak, with nothing but small trees and sagebrush. Emmett liked that—a lot of open country and not a lot of people. If they hadn’t had the fallback house in Alaska or didn’t think they could reasonably make it, he would set up in this country on a hill where he could see for a good long way.
“Felix,” Alexis said, “how’d you get a black eye?”
“That is a pretty good shiner,” Emmett said.
Red rose in his cheeks. “The guys back there were picking on the kids so I attacked them. It didn’t do much good.”
“That’s a lie,” Olive said. “They were picking on me and Felix punched one in the face. Gave him a bloody lip. Then they hit him.”
“Are you okay?” Alexis asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Felix said. “Just a little sore.”
“That was very brave,” Emmett said.
“Thanks,” Felix said, then grew quiet. After a minute he spoke up. “Mr. Wolfe?”
“Just call me Emmett,” he said.
“Emmett,” Felix said, “can you teach me to shoot?”
“Of course, kid,” Emmett said.
“I told you,” Alexis said, smiling back at him.
“I just wasn’t sure,” Felix said.
“Why?” Emmett asked.
“Well, I’m only ten,” Felix said.
“That doesn’t matter anymore,” Emmett said. “You’re going to have to step up and be a man now. I’ll teach you to shoot. But I won’t let you have a gun until I know you understand when it should be used and what the consequences are.”
“That’s okay with me,” Felix said, excitement in his voice.
“Good,” Emmett said. “Next time we stop I’ll show you how to properly hold a rifle and the rules you need to follow. Then, when we have somewhere safe to practice, you can shoot.”
“Sweet!” Felix said.
“Can you teach me, too?” Olive said.
“Sure,” Emmett said. Alexis looked over at him disapprovingly. “But you can’t shoot one of these rifles just yet. You can watch while I teach Felix. Everyone should know gun safety, whether you’re shooting yet or not.”
“Yes!” Olive said, looking triumphant.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Alexis whispered to him. “She’s only eight.”
“I was six when my father taught me to shoot,” Emmett said. “Plus it’s the end of the world. They need to know how to protect themselves.”
“You know we can hear you,” Olive said.
“I’m just worried about you,” Alexis said, looking back at her.
“I know,” Olive said, “but I’ve had to take care of myself for a while now.”
“You still amaze me,” Alexis said. “You know that?”
“Yeah, I’m kinda awesome,” Olive said.
“Oh, really?” Emmett said. “Don’t go gettin’ a big head now.”
“Big head?” Olive asked.
“Yeah, like prideful or cocky,” Emmett said.
“Oh,” Olive said, giggling. “That’s a funny way to say it.”
“A little before your time, maybe,” Emmett said.
“Before all of our times,” Alexis said.
“I’m not that old,” Emmett said.
“You could be my grandpa,” Olive said.
“Hey!” Emmett said.
Alexis started laughing, and Felix and Olive joined in.
“Grandpa Emmett,” Olive said.
The laughter died down after awhile.
“It feels good to laugh,” Alexis said.
“My mom always used to say laughter is the best medicine,” Olive said. “Whenever we were at the hospital, she’d always make me laugh. It would help with the pain.”
“Your mom was a wise woman,” Alexis said.
Olive nodded, sniffling. “Do you think James will find us?”
“If anyone can do it, James and Connor can,” Alexis said.
“Don’t worry about them,” Emmett said. “They’ll meet up with us at the border.”
“Good. I miss him,” Olive said.
“Me too,” Alexis said.
Emmett glanced at his daughter. She was gazing out the window, twirling a piece of loose hair between her fingers. The look on her face and her fidgeting spoke volumes. She was worried about James and Connor. They fell into silence as the miles slipped by and the sun climbed higher behind the clouds, which blocked it from view. It was going to rain today, if the clouds were any indication. It didn’t look overly threatening, just a light shower.
Emmett thought back to the incident by the house that morning. That had been a little too close. He hadn’t worried about it in the moment, but now that he had a little time to think, the outcome played in his mind. If Greg hadn’t stepped up, he might not have been quick enough to stop that infected from taking a chunk out of his leg. Then he’d end up like Jane—his wife. He hadn’t thought about her since she’d died. Even though they hadn’t been on good terms for the last few years, he still had feelings for her. She’d been his only wife, and after the divorce he’d never considered remarrying. Mason’s death had been the straw that broke the camel’s back, but he didn’t hate Jane for it. In fact, he didn’t blame her at all. He blamed himself.
Nothing had been the same after that. Jane had grown even more distant, and Emmett dove headfirst into his deployment, trying to fight the feelings of guilt. Less than a year later, they were separated and Jane had Alexis. At the time, he didn’t think he could raise a daughter so he hadn’t fought the custody hearing—in fact, he was overseas. But after another year, he realized that if he couldn’t be there for his son, he had to be around to see his daughter grow up. He’d finished his tour and left the corps three years later. It was the easiest and hardest decision he ever made. To this day, he carried the guilt of leaving his brothers behind. But his daughter needed a father, and he was going to be there.
It’d been the joy of his life to watch his daughter grow into the woman she was, and he’d do anything he could to keep her alive and be there for her. That’d almost changed today from one little s
lip. The world had become just like the battlefield—one small mistake and it could cost him and those around him their lives. There would come a time when he wouldn’t be around anymore. But until that day, he would keep a sharp eye out. A careless mistake like the one earlier couldn’t be allowed to happen again, and he would make sure it didn’t.
“Ana’s not going to meet up with us,” Alexis said, drawing Emmett from his contemplations.
Both of the kids were asleep in the backseat. They’d had a long couple of days. He was surprised they were able to keep going as well as they were.
“What do you mean?” Emmett asked.
“I mean, she’s going her own way.”
“She said she was going to join up with us.”
“Her eyes said something different. She’s not coming back.”
“What happened?”
“She killed them dad. Mila and Evan. I can still see it.”
A tear slipped from her eye.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I know that’s hard to handle. Did she explain why she did it?”
“She said she did it for me, but I can’t accept that. I don’t want this on me.”
More tears started to streak down her cheeks.
“It’s not on you. It’s on her. She may have had good motives and done it to rescue the group, or it might have been to save herself. Either way, it was her choice and she’s the one who has to live with it. Not you.”
“I just thought I knew her better than that. The woman who killed Evan, whatever her motives, wasn’t the same Ana I knew.”
“She’s had a hard life. I can only imagine what her childhood was like. She made the choice she felt was best, and Alexis, I support it.” His daughter looked at him, scrunching up her brow. The vulnerability in her eyes broke his heart. “I do. It enabled her to rescue you. Even if I hadn’t shown up, she would’ve been able to get you out. That’s what matters most to me—your safety. I would kill anyone to save your life, no matter the cost.”
“Please don’t ever kill an innocent person for me.”
“I can’t promise you that. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. But don’t worry. The only killing we should have to do is the infected and evil people.”
“But how do you know the bad ones from the good? How can you make that call?”
Wolf Pack Page 15