The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  Chapter Eleven

  Twice the Men

  June 2nd

  1

  “Remember to pivot on three and look. If you don’t look, you can’t pass. Go!”

  Aware that the routine exercise would be a part of their first test, Cynthia got into the rhythm, ducking and remembering to look as she held her body under rigid control.

  The rookies rolled together across the training area that had been cleared for this, nine souls working together to cover the targets coming at them from dozens of angles.

  Cynthia spun awkwardly, caught herself in time to recover, and was there to lay a steadying hand on Samantha’s arm as she also spun wrong. They dropped into their places, attention going overhead. They drew as they rolled, dry firing at the targets to their right.

  Sweating, Cynthia grunted heavily as she spun again, starting the routine over, and heard Samantha echo the sound. This was the hardest thing the males had tried to teach them so far, this teamwork, and she wasn’t the only one struggling with it.

  “Take five.”

  The group of Eagles dropped to the floor in relief at Doug’s call. It was the tenth time they’d run it in two hours, and though it was getting better, it still needed a lot of work.

  Now that they’d all been evaluated by the senior men, Cynthia had been put with Kevin, who’d already been training her on most of her Eagle duties. Samantha was still with Daryl. Leslie was XO training with Jeremy, a fact that Jax and Samantha were upset over without being able to express why.

  Cynthia moved toward their head trainer for the day. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Yes.” Kyle shrugged, clearly not in the mood to be here. “But at your own risk.”

  “Why didn’t you ever bust me?” Cynthia leaned against the tent wall. “I know you saw me tracking Adrian plenty of times.”

  Kyle didn’t bother with the expected sneer. He didn’t hate her anymore. “We needed you busy. You chose the activity, and we made sure you saw what we wanted you to.”

  Not a bit hurt, Cynthia fired her next question. “Are you going to claim Jennifer publicly?”

  Kyle’s expression tightened, mind going straight to the pregnant girl he’d left in the chair with a heating pad for her back. “None of your business.”

  “That’s interesting.”

  Kyle smothered a growl, waiting for the next dig. Hate her still or not, there was little love between him and the reporter.

  “If you wait much longer, you might lose your place,” Cynthia told him quietly. “Action is about to be taken.”

  Kyle turned to snarl and found himself alone along the tent wall. Was it time for the next step? He’d been waiting publically, but inside, it was a done deal.

  Coughing, Daryl slid into Cynthia’s spot. He hated the smell of the perfume Cynthia wore. Damn flowers. “Word says you can expect a visit from the den mothers.”

  “And a call to the moral board after that?” Kyle guessed.

  Daryl shrugged. “If you don’t obey what they decide, yes. They’ve set it up to talk to her, too.”

  “They what?”

  Daryl took a step back. “They always check on the new females, Kyle. You know that.”

  Kyle cursed, storming from the tent in a show of Italian temper that the camp rarely witnessed.

  He climbed the steps to the new female shower camper a minute later, with no thought to the rules and caught Hilda and Peggy mid-undress.

  “I need to see you!”

  Peggy, not flustered by most men like the younger females were, had a good idea what had brought him here and nodded. “Okay. We’ll wash, you talk.”

  Hilda’s mouth dropped open as Peggy removed her shirt, exposing her bra and a waist that was still slender.

  Kyle blinked. “Put your clothes on.”

  “Wait until we’re done.”

  Kyle crossed his arms over his chest. “No.”

  He didn’t bother keeping his eyes on the molding stall doors or the foggy windows that were screwed shut to keep out the draft and curious teenage boys. He leaned against the door that was now being knocked on by Doug, the guard on the campers.

  “Is everything okay?” Doug called.

  “Go away! We’re all full here!” Kyle shouted as Peggy stepped into the stall and closed the half door.

  “What the hell, Kyle?” Doug’s bewildered voice faded.

  “I want you to support me and Jennifer,” Kyle demanded.

  Neither woman responded with anything more than frowns.

  Kyle’s tenor rose. “And, stay away from her!”

  “You’re not exempt from the rules,” Peggy warned, carrying a grudge against any male who wanted an underage girl. “And doing this isn’t helping your cause.”

  “Depends on what we can work out,” Kyle said.

  Hilda’s gaze flew to his in denial.

  Kyle scoffed. “Tell me there isn’t anything you two want, and I’ll call you both liars.”

  Again, neither woman spoke.

  “What is this?” Kyle groaned. “A guessing game? Tell me what you need!”

  Now that he’d said the right word, Peggy grinned, a harsh smile befitting a sly female determined to have her way. “When the time comes, support Angela, not Marc or Kenn. Do that, and you can have any willing female in this camp.”

  “So long as there’s no physical contact until legal age,” Hilda added.

  It took Kyle a minute. What...who... A bit stunned, he uncrossed his arms. “And they say men are ruthless!”

  “Yes, but we’re also survivors, Mr. Reece,” Peggy sneered bitterly. “And she’ll make sure that we stay that way.”

  Kyle opened the door. “I’ll get back to you. Until then, leave us both alone.”

  He slammed the door, ignoring Doug and the other scowling guards.

  Kyle paused on the landing, caught in a haze of longing as Jennifer tilted her chin up to catch the sun’s warm rays. She and Dog were walking by, ignoring everyone around them to enjoy the beautiful day, and Kyle forgot how to breathe.

  Jennifer felt the heat, the strong, protective presence that was Kyle, and immediately started searching. She found him nearby and gave a small wave, detouring.

  Kyle held up a hand, telling her to wait.

  He slid back inside the shower and gave Peggy’s now naked chest an appreciative leer. “Nice, Ms. Kelly!”

  He enjoyed their startled expressions for a moment, letting the tension build. As they both started to speak, Kyle delivered scorn and surrender. “You’re conspiring against Adrian. You’ve offered a deal for a teenage camp member, to get what you want.”

  Kyle dropped his eyes in respect. “And it worked. Give us your approval and so will I, if the time comes.”

  “It’s the right choice–unlike the one you’ve made with that little girl,” Hilda stated.

  “Don’t think you can push me any further than this, ladies.” Kyle’s demeanor became dark and dangerous. “You have no idea how big of a mistake that would be.”

  Peggy studied him, this big killer with the bleeding heart showing for everyone to judge. She relented reluctantly. “Walk the line we’ve set, and you’ll have what you want.”

  Kyle understood the word choice, and now flung it back at her. “Need, Ms. Kelly. If I only wanted her, I would have made a different deal, and it wouldn’t be with you!”

  Peggy and Hilda exchanged satisfied nods as Kyle left. He would love Jennifer, and their plans would have the support of the top Eagle in camp.

  The two females looked up in surprise when the camper door immediately opened again.

  Doug limped inside, hand up to cover his view. “Everyone okay in here?”

  Hilda opened her mouth to answer, and Peggy stopped her with a quick motion.

  Understanding what would happen, Hilda quietly grabbed her towel. She’d thought Peggy had a spark for the big Irishman, but hadn’t been positive.

  Doug cleared his throat, not hearing anything except runni
ng water. What had Kyle done? “Hello? Hilda? Ms. Peggy?”

  Steadily running showers and silence.

  After the way Kyle had stormed in and blocked the door, then stomped away without answering him, Doug knew he would have to look. He slowly lowered his hand, braced to see anything.

  Anything, but beautiful breasts being lovingly washed without a thought for his shock.

  “Son of a...”

  Peggy snickered, making sure he was getting her best angles. Age hadn’t been unkind to her, but it hadn’t been exactly generous either. “We’re fine, Doug. Thank you for coming to make sure.”

  Hilda didn’t approve of the way Peggy was letting him know she was interested, but it was amusing to see Doug’s jaw drop and his eyes grow dark. Hilda hid a grin.

  The big man nodded, gaze glued to Peggy’s chest. In the halls below, shifting began. “Yeah, um, it’s my…” Doug trailed off, aware that he was staring, but that tone! It said if they were alone, more than looking might be allowed!

  Peggy slid under the water, studying him from under lowered lashes as his eyes glowed like the bonfire. She was enjoying the rush. “Was there anything else you wanted…needed, maybe?”

  “Aye!” It was almost a growl, and Doug tried to snap out of it. “I mean, no! I’ll go now.”

  He didn’t budge.

  Peggy thought of her late husband, of the way he’d been so big and quiet. Was it okay that she liked the same things in Doug, was drawn to him because of it? She hated his dreads, though. They would be the first thing to go.

  Peggy swept his faded red vest and army jacket, seeing how raggedy both were becoming after so many hand washings. Bet there’s a story attached to them, she thought. Other than just a symbol of his time in another war zone.

  Hilda stayed quiet, waiting for the kind giant to be gone so she could dress. She had enough to do with the things Adrian had her working on. She didn’t need to add man trouble to it. She was perfectly happy being Safe Haven’s top Den Mother, thank you very much.

  Peggy arched a sexy shoulder at Doug as she rinsed. “It would probably be best if you left now.”

  Doug forced his feet to work. What did I come in here for?

  Behind him, the hens cackled.

  2

  Wanting Kenn in on this run, Adrian slowed down as he neared the small, neat tent Tonya had put up herself. Right in the center of the female canvas area, she wasn’t able to get away with anything. Her convertible had been traded in for a sturdy truck, the fake accent was gone, and that shorn hair had drawn attention. The camp knew what Kenn was trying to do, and to the surprise of the Eagles, people were helping her. When Tonya went against an unspoken rule, camp women took the time to correct her. It wasn’t always gentle, but it was effective–mostly because she was listening. Tonya’s reform was a learning experience.

  “Do I have to?”

  “No.”

  “What happens if I don’t?”

  “You’ll lose progress and have more work to do later. Up to you.”

  Kenn didn’t sound like he was being hard assed, and Adrian changed directions; sure they were discussing how she was running the pharmacy. Kenn’s transgressions were ones to rival Tonya’s, and it was uplifting to have them both trying so hard.

  Kenn was handling his outcast status well, not even voicing a protest at being forced out of the level tests as an instructor. The Eagles had done it intentionally, causing double pain. Kenn wasn’t really one of them and they were making sure he knew it.

  Adrian headed for the parking area, confident that Kenn would join him soon. This was the first time he had sent so many teams out of camp all at once, and he wouldn’t be able to relax until they returned. Kenn would know that and keep him busy, like the Marine was still doing with the grief that was lingering over Alexa and Connie.

  Adrian winced, distracted himself with the sight of Cynthia and Matt awkwardly setting up a large tent to work in. The hand-cranked machine to print her paper was already waiting in a crate for her use. The reporter didn’t know it, but she would help push these people into another level of cooperation and manipulation. If it was in the paper, it must be true. Everyone knew that.

  Marc was aware of Angie watching with open longing as he and the others prepared to leave. Over half the bruised Eagles were going, but not her. She hadn’t been cleared for full duty yet.

  “You should take her along as your right hand,” Adrian offered, coming up next to him. “We both know that’s all she wants.”

  Marc stared at Adrian for a long moment before speaking his mind. After last night, he was in control with Angie, but with other males? Not so much.

  “I don’t need your help to make her happy,” Marc warned.

  Adrian wasn’t about to argue that point. “Shall I surprise her with it, then, and be slapped by the heat of her smile while you watch?”

  Trapped into accepting the gift, Marc felt that inner male wanting to lunge out and draw more blood. “Be careful. I won’t stand for much interference.”

  “Understood,” Adrian grunted, pushing away the need to respond in kind. “Now go tell her, so she’ll have time to get the new vest setup.”

  Distracted, Marc spun that way, frowning. Why hadn’t she already been given one?

  Adrian motioned to the other team leaders, and got nods in return. They were set. He pushed the button on his barely working radio carefully. Since the sinkhole, well over half of their communication devices were useless. “Hurry home.”

  Headlights flashed in comforting response.

  3

  Wichita appeared completely abandoned to the four teams approached. Through the trees, that dark city skyline was haunting and a somber mood settled over the Eagles. No one envied the men sent to gather supplies from that menacing mausoleum. It looked like a place where death still lurked openly, eagerly waiting for those who would trespass.

  As they reach the city, the four teams split up. They all had a destination, a much-needed goal, and a long day ahead of them. Due to the other half of the level tests being tonight, some of the returning teams would have to relieve those who were standing watch while they were gone. Even with the three new rookie teams being formed, they still only had eighty-seven Eagles.

  They currently had three missions taking place inside those dark halls and rotting buildings. Neil’s team was on a search and rescue for the trader hostages just outside the city limits. Zack’s team would secure a load of fuel–jet and normal–if they were lucky. From the heavy squat of the tires on some of the heavy planes and trucks that the recon scouts had seen lined up around undamaged terminals, the odds were good. Unless they built vehicles than ran on something else, survivors were either stuck using what was left from the war, or just plain stuck wherever their luck ran out. Adrian was determined to get his camp to the mountains, and if they found enough fuel today, he could stop worrying about it.

  The second mission was headed to the Reddi Industries Plant to find water. Samantha’s idea was a sound one. The chance that there had been water cleaning taking place when the war came was good. It stood to reason that if it hadn’t been looted already, the water would still be there, waiting to be drained into Safe Haven’s trucks. If there wasn’t any water in the clean tank, they had instructions to attempt hooking up a power source and following the codes and specs they could find. Water was badly needed. Seth and his men had charge of that mission, with Jeremy along as Samantha’s personal guard.

  The third team–Angela and Marc, surrounded by his crew and a team of rookies–was going to the Westlink Branch of the Wichita Public Library to research a number of things and bring back medical and gardening books. Among their other more pressing needs, Adrian had them gathering information on projects that would take a while to put in place, like solar panels to absorb the energy from their truck-tops. Driving or parked, they would be collecting power and eventually become self-sufficient, in so far as power.

  When finished, all teams were supposed
to report to the treatment plant and either help with gathering and cleaning water, or provide extra protection for the trip back to camp. All four teams would travel together to provide less opportunity for anyone hoping to take what they gathered. It was a lot of risks, a lot of time for something to go horribly wrong, and all of them were aware of it.

  “This is creepy.”

  Zack agreed with Allan’s observation. They were slowly rolling through the suburb outside the airport, and the sense of emptiness was everywhere.

  “Do you think the whole city is this way?”

  Allan meant the weather-abused, but otherwise undamaged neighborhood around them. Some of the homes still had cars parked neatly in weedy driveways and sprinklers set up. If not for the mildewing Christmas decorations and grass growing through the pavement, it could have been before the war. The effect was enough to make stomachs tighten with longing, while hearts clenched in grief. Their generation would probably never know this lifestyle again.

  “What were the numbers for?” Lee asked.

  Zack peered through the window, studying the painted and carved numbers that were on most of the front doors. “Number of dead, I guess.”

  “What about the letters after them?”

  The trucker stared, noticing that A and S were the only letters. Some of the numbers were low, four and five the most common, but a good deal of them were over fifteen.

  The Eagles’ dismay changed to horror as they rounded the next block. On these doors and windows, below the numbers and that one letter, were silent screams.

  21 S

  No food

  Please help us!

  18A

  Starving!

  39 S

  Murders! Need law!

  11S

  Will trade bullets for food

  “Alive,” Allan moaned in horror. “They were survivors!”

  “This isn’t good,” Lee stated sickly from the backseat. They needed the fuel from the airport, but not the depression that would come after this trip’s pictures were shown to Adrian.