The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  She scanned the parking area again and reluctantly went that way.

  Chapter Seven

  In the Dark

  1

  “I don’t like it. You shouldn’t be leaving.”

  Becky didn’t tell Seth that only the chain of command was grounded. He already knew.

  “I’ll be fine. Neil’s crew is one of the safest teams I could be on, right?”

  “Yeah,” Seth admitted. If she had to go, Neil could keep her alive.

  “And we’re only going to a lighting store. Hardly anyone uses that stuff now, so there shouldn’t be anyone around to cause trouble. Right?”

  ‘Yeah,” Seth echoed, unable to ignore the bad feeling in his gut. “Just stay with Neil, huh?”

  Becky rolled her eyes, but gave the expected, “You got it.”

  Seth pulled her in for a quick kiss and then forced himself to get into the passenger side of the truck that Donald was driving until they got to the golf course. After that, they would be gathering trucks to use for hauling. Angela’s notes had said they would be passing a truck stop on the way, to pull their needs from there, and Seth was eager to do well and help assist with their settlement. But he knew something was wrong.

  Becky climbed into the next truck over, taking the backseat. She took out her notebook and scribbled, waiting for them to leave. Her kit was at her feet, her rifle lying on top of it, and she felt okay. This wasn’t hard compared to surrendering yourself to the enemy to lure them into a slaughter. She didn’t expect problems, but it bothered her a bit to have Seth upset. When she returned, safe and sound, he would be able to relax, and hopefully after each run that would get easier.

  Becky glanced at the next truck over, where Kyle’s men were prepping his vehicle. They’d lost men over the months, but they were still the strongest team, the one to fear and to beat, the one to be like.

  Becky scribbled harder on the page. She wanted that some days, but most of the time, she wanted to sleep and eat. She assumed it was because of the pregnancy and was doing both of those as much as their rations and schedules would allow, but her mind also seemed to have a fog over it when she woke. She was one of the people Angela had mentioned, but resigning didn’t feel right either, so she was going to do her duty and keep being an Eagle. At least, for a while. Once she got big, she would have to discover other ways to be useful.

  Why? That voice inside questioned without rancor. Why must you play their games? You have power beyond their narrow minds.

  Becky didn’t like to listen to that voice. It told her things and pointed out ugly truths that she had no defenses for. She didn’t want to be evil. She liked being accepted and she loved being Seth’s mate.

  Because he’s like you, the voice stated. He has gifts like yours.

  Becky knew that. Not many people did, but in time, they would and they might resent Seth for not telling them. He would need her help with that.

  Walking by the trucks, Angela paused as Becky’s thoughts came to her. She examined the girl deeper, not caring for the slightly depressed colors. Becky hadn’t honestly recovered yet, but the time for the next stage in that was almost at hand. Becky would make a hard choice soon and then she would be free to recover or she would be damned and pull others down with her.

  Hoping to swing Becky towards the light, Angela went to the window and tapped lightly.

  Becky rolled down the glass, face betraying only a little of her guilty thoughts.

  “Remember to count the cost.”

  Becky winced, but nodded, aware that she was being given the chance to do the right thing. The problem was…she didn’t want to.

  “That’s a line we all walk, Rebecca,” Angela responded tolerantly to the thought. “When you count the cost, the choices become easier.”

  Angela left the girl to consider the words, both of them glad no one else had heard. It would be easy for someone to misunderstand. She hadn’t given Becky permission to make the wrong choice, but she had given her a chance to salvage her darkening soul by making the right one. Becky had witnessed Tonya’s treatment for playing with the men, and the others who had come through here and tried to twist people against each other to satisfy their own desires were either gone or pariahs. If she took a moment to count the cost, she would be fine. If she didn’t, it would force someone else to make the right choice and Angela wasn’t confident that Neil was capable of it.

  2

  “We’re ready now,” Kenn stated, standing up. “Tell her we’ve done everything we can.”

  Greg wrote it down and then lingered, waiting for a moment alone with Kenn. They were gathered in one of the huge tents that Angela had Safe Haven sheltered in until the caves were ready. The heavy new roofs Marc had insisted on yesterday were perfect for the solar energy system Kenn had put in place. In fact, Greg now almost hoped the tent did get hit by lightning. Kenn’s setup would steal some of that power and store it in their battery bank. They couldn’t hold much of it without blowing up, but Kenn had installed an automatic cutoff switch and then a release line that would direct the energy into their garbage pile. Extinguishers would be standing by. It was a dangerous experiment and Greg was actually anticipating seeing if it worked. So was Theo.

  Kenn glanced around the tent, surveying the concrete supports they’d poured. It would take weeks for the pylons to fully dry and harden, but they had roughly thirty-six hours before the storm hit and Kenn thought it would be enough. They’d already double-tied all ropes, driven vehicles up against the weakest side, and rechecked the stakes they’d driven in. Kenn estimated the tent could withstand 60 mph winds without much trouble. Higher than that and they would have to use the backup–the cave. The trucks around the tents would drive people to the entrance and crews already laboring down there would help get everyone inside safely.

  Kenn knew that would be chaos and spent an extra minute rechecking the support posts. Maybe he could get them to take another 10 mph if he added a layer of gravel and enclosed it.

  Greg cleared his throat. “Um, you got a minute?”

  Kenn, who had forgotten he wasn’t alone, turned around in confusion. “What?”

  “I need you for a minute.”

  Kenn didn’t like the tone or the expression, and joined Greg in the corner of the empty tent. “What?”

  “The boss wants a message sent to Adrian.”

  Kenn understood he was being asked to deliver it, and instantly worried over what that would mean for him if Brady or the Eagles found out.

  “So?” Kenn replied, stalling while he ran it through his filters. How badly would it hurt his place if the camp found out? Would it hurt Tonya?

  “She said he has work to do. She also said you’re the only one who can get him to do it without creating more drama.”

  Kenn relaxed. That, he could do. Adrian would accomplish any task that came straight from Angela and she knew it. “What is it?”

  “Give him these instructions,” Greg stated, holding out a folded piece of paper. He had read it in surprise, but not shock. Angela always had an eye on their future.

  “When?” Kenn asked, reading.

  “Now, would be best,” Angela stated from the flap behind them. “And you don’t have to hide it. That part of your life is over.”

  Kenn was glad to hear it. “I’ll go after I add a little more support to our supports.”

  Angela left the flap and Greg followed, glad to hear he didn’t have to lie to Marc. He was also relieved that it wasn’t a personal message, but it mattered more to him that it wasn’t another grand secret. He’d had enough of those.

  “So have I,” Angela commented, spotting Kyle emerging from the canvas he now shared with Jennifer. She and the baby were currently sleeping in the builder’s common tent and Angela was positive the mobster wasn’t happy about it. Many of Safe Haven’s couples would spend the next ten days apart, but it would strengthen most of them.

  “I’m ready for the next list,” Angela stated, steering them toward th
e caves where teams with engineers, plumbers, and electricians were about to descend into the earth and begin the next phase of their settlement.

  “I’m actually caught up,” Greg stated. “We had two loads come in, two crews left, and the bell for meals has been changed to a call on the radio. Other than the wind picking up from last night, I’ve got nothing new for you.”

  Angela noted the slightly surprised men going eagerly into the caves. They’d assumed they had been forgotten all this time. Now, they knew their time to be useful just hadn’t come yet. In Safe Haven, there was work for everyone.

  “I have things for you,” Angela said. “Ready?”

  “Shoot,” Greg answered, taking out his notebook.

  “We need to get the water crew drafted and gear for them separated. After that, the next fuel crew will be chosen and their locations picked. After that, have more cleaning supplies and tools brought up. Then, have Zack…”

  Greg trailed behind her, taking notes. As far as she was concerned, they were about to be living in those caves and that meant her lists were almost never-ending. When they got the caves ready to live in, then they had to get the people inside and that would be no easy feat. It would take long days, hard labor, and any remaining luck they might have.

  3

  Kenn kept the paper in his hand as he made his way through the crowds of people changing shifts. Angela said he didn’t have to hide it and he wasn’t going to.

  Curiosity from the sentries became glares and frowns as Kenn neared the gate and then exited while a new crew was hauling a load inside. When he took the rough, trampled path toward Adrian’s site, the mutters were audible. Kenn didn’t let the comments goad him into a reaction. He also didn’t respond to the shouted questions and complaints of those in Zone C, except to mentally disapprove of their attitudes.

  “Lower, boy!”

  Kenn followed the voices, recognizing a training session with only those two words. Once you’d gone through it, you never forgot the feeling.

  Kenn took the next path to lead him into a small wooded area in an alcove of stone. It was so much like where Safe Haven was, just in miniature, that Kenn burst out laughing.

  His hard, surprised brays alerted everyone to his presence and told Adrian he was being mocked.

  Conner rose from the pushup position quickly, stepping back as his dad’s face turned dark. They’d risen to a drillmaster today and Conner was glad for any break.

  “She shouldn’t send you again,” Adrian stated.

  Kenn understood it wasn’t because of the laughter. “I can handle the fallout.”

  “What do you want?”

  “There’s a storm coming tonight.”

  “I know. Why are you here? You shouldn’t be here.”

  Adrian didn’t want anyone around right now. He had too many mistakes to ever atone for and being near Kenn, who he had been closest to, was salt in his wounds.

  “Boss has a message.” Kenn gave him Angela’s note with angry amusement still lining his words. “You have work to do, like the rest of us. Get on it.”

  Adrian’s eyes misted over as he read the cold instructions.

  After the storm, have Conner and four good men meet a Safe Haven crew at the very bottom of the road. Assist and provide security. This is not FND. It’s survival.

  “Anything you need,” Adrian whispered gratefully.

  Kenn, repulsed again at Adrian’s weakness for Angela, left without saying anything that he wanted to. How could he have idolized that man so much?

  That’s not Adrian, his mind whispered hesitantly. That’s a shell. She’ll fill him back up in time.

  Kenn paused, hidden under the cover of a wildly growing tree. He hadn’t heard that voice in a long time and wasn’t sure he wanted to now. The inside whisper had led him into so many mistakes that he would never fully be free of.

  I’m sorry. It’s my nature.

  You almost destroyed me and everything else, Kenn responded, thinking clearly for the first time when dealing with his demon. I won’t ever trust you.

  I can try to follow the light, the demon offered apologetically. You’ll have to help me.

  The wind blew the leaves around aggressively and Kenn got his feet moving. No. Go back to sleep until you can do better than try. I won’t risk my place again.

  Relieved and disappointed, the demon faded away and Kenn felt his soul lighten. He was a better person now, a stronger person, and he loved his life. It had been good under Adrian and he still missed that, but serving under Angela was quickly becoming necessary. She was good at it and she didn’t hold a grudge anymore, as far as he could tell. The future had never looked better to the Marine, and he entered the main gate with a tolerant nod to the guards who glowered. “We all have work to do. Get on it.”

  Behind Kenn, Conner stood under the same tree and gazed at the gates of Safe Haven in confused longing. A team had just come in with three large trucks and it was holding up a line of people on their way to the supply vehicles. One of those people was Candy and Conner stared, heart hurting. He was hers! Why couldn’t she understand that?

  Adrian’s hard hand settled onto his shoulder and Conner accepted the comfort, trying to fight the need to rush the gates to be with her. At least his dad understood how that felt. They did have one thing in common.

  “Come on. We need to get some things ready for our mission.”

  Conner allowed his father to lead him to their site, not asking what they were being sent out to do. He was willing to go wherever Angela wanted, if it meant he might have a chance to earn his way back in.

  4

  “We’re all set,” Whitney stated, handing Kyle a paper. “It’s all in there.”

  Kyle had understood by their gear list that Angela was sending them out to a dangerous area and hadn’t argued. They needed the items on her list and he planned to return with them. “Good. Half hour after mess. Tell the others.”

  Whitney rushed off to get cleaned up and eat, and Kyle lingered, verifying that the guards were alert and the camp was calm. It was always hard to tell with so many people, especially when whining about sore muscles was so natural, but to his ear, everything was fine.

  “That’s when his place is the most dangerous,” he grumbled. Kyle wasn’t anticipating being away from Jennifer for the next few days. Hell, he didn’t like being away for a few hours!

  “Then we should go have a nice meal,” Jennifer stated, coming up behind him.

  Kyle froze when she wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing those breasts into his back.

  Jennifer retreated, understanding and yet annoyed at the same time. “Or maybe I should go eat by myself.”

  Kyle, frustrated and tired, slid in front of her and delivered a kiss that promised she would never have to eat alone.

  Jennifer giggled as Kyle pulled away and stared at her. His thoughts were now complete chaos. It was cute.

  “It’s not cute!” Kyle protested. “It’s frustrating.”

  Jennifer’s demeanor became cold and she went to the mess without saying anything else.

  Not sure what he’d done wrong, Kyle followed, replaying the scene.

  Jennifer stopped at Peggy’s table to collect Autumn, and Kyle went to get their trays, still confused. Why were women so hard to figure out?

  Jennifer was busy blocking her thoughts from the baby and missed Kyle’s observation, but it wouldn’t have mattered. She was having a hard night. Sleeping alone was hard. She’d had a bad dream and Kyle hadn’t been there to comfort her. She didn’t like this schedule at all.

  “I’m sorry,” Angela said, joining them at the center tables. “It does matter.”

  “It’s okay.” Jennifer smiled tiredly. “We’ll be fine.”

  Angela waved at the sleepy baby. “Yes, you will.”

  Jennifer took hope from that and allowed Kyle to slide in without giving him the cold shoulder. All she’d wanted to do was share a good moment with him to replace her bad mood, bu
t she needed to control her own emotions and not depend on her man to do it for her.

  “Eagle signups are still open folks, but there are only a few slots left,” Tonya’s voice told them over the radios. “Come see me. I have the sheet.”

  Angela was pleased with how that was going–both the rookies and the radio–and she skimmed the board that Doug was currently updating. Theo’s team had been in the lead until Billy’s crew got in today and dumped three semis of stuff in their site. No one knew how they’d managed to do so much in only one day, but Angela was more than happy with their ingenuity. The coats and boots would keep them all alive.

  “You all set?” Angela asked.

  “Yes,” Kyle answered, not sure how much of his run he should talk about. “We’ll get in, get the stuff, and get home.”

  “Perfect,” Angela agreed. The run north wouldn’t be pretty. Neither would a couple of the other missions that she had crews leaving for in the morning, but without water and food, they were doomed. Fuel was also a necessity, though, most people here wouldn’t understand why for a while yet.

  “Have we seen any movement?” she asked next, making the people at the table tense. All of them knew she meant their old enemy.

  “Nothing so far,” Morgan said. “From either source.” He was fresh off sniper duty with the teens and he felt as tired as Angela looked.

  Angela was glad. She hadn’t been able to view anything about the remaining government or the Mexican’s, and it was making her twitchy.

  The crowd cackled and groaned as Billy’s team was listed in first and Angela took the opportunity to inspect her people for problems.