The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  “You sure?” Jeff asked, reading her reluctance. “Not all men are bad. Not all animals are good.”

  She hated the reminder that he could get into her head and it made the choice. “Yes. Please go.”

  “You got it, toots,” Jeff sent, annoyed. “There’s meat in the backyard. Too much for us to carry. Don’t let it go to waste.”

  Sally didn’t respond, moving aside as Jeff came by with his arms full. He struggled to open the door and she sighed, advancing to assist him.

  Jeff didn’t breathe enough to thank the woman. Her arm was up, holding the door while surrounding him with yet more noxious fumes. Jeff quickly stomped through the drifts, not caring if he was attacked by an animal. Anything was worth getting fresh, crisp air into his lungs.

  Kevin came out right behind him, inhaling deeply. “Yummy!”

  Jeff snickered as he swept the few animals in sight. The wolves weren’t paying any attention to them, but a small bear cub glowered from across the street. Jeff hoped momma wasn’t around as they hurried through the drifts to the garage sheltering their wheels.

  Kevin held things while Jeff fought to unlock the icy door and went inside to lift the main bay. It took a couple of minutes that Kevin spent with his back to the building, studying his surroundings as he’d been taught to do. Eagle training was more than handy now. It was a lifesaver.

  Jeff helped Kevin into the wide garage with the load and began packing the rear of truck. He did it quickly, but tried to be as quiet as he could. He was still worrying over the bear cub when Kevin whispered, “Bloody hell!”

  Jeff climbed down and unslung his rifle. Kevin wasn’t running yet, so the threat might still be far enough away to pick off before a handgun was needed. He liked to be hopeful that way.

  In the distance, the sky was a brilliant red, but it wasn’t from the sun. That dim ball of light was almost topping them, magnifying the glare effect of the snow. The eerie view to the east was from something else and with the shape of the clouds, it was hard to come to any other conclusion on the source.

  “Nuclear?” Kevin asked, stunned. How was that possible? They had destroyed the government. Angela had promised they were done with that enemy for years.

  “Looks like it,” Jeff agreed, going over to heft another bag into the truck. “Let’s get rolling.”

  “West?” Kevin asked hesitantly. Jeff didn’t give out many details on their destinations.

  “North,” Jeff answered. “We’ll bag our cooler on the way.”

  The memories of shooting from the passenger seat during Jeff’s insane driving spread a grin over Kevin’s lightly bearded face. That was a real challenge. He was already a better shooter than what he had been upon leaving Safe Haven. “Deal.”

  They hurried back to the house, still watching out for the various animals around them. They didn’t spot Dog anywhere, or the wolves that had attracted him with the howl.

  Jeff doubted the wolf would return. All the animals seemed to be heading north and Dog would be no different. They probably wouldn’t run into him again at all. He had his freedom.

  2

  I missed you!

  Dog was nose-to-nose with the female, breathing in her thick scent. Her bloody muzzle was the sweetest perfume and he licked the wound gently. The last hare she’d grabbed had scratched her.

  The female allowed his comfort, trembling with joy. She’d thought he was dead. After being split up, Brute had killed the other members of their pack. When these men males had discovered them, they’d been too big for him to do the same.

  Around them, the female’s new pack, plus Brute, observed angrily as another male was added to the competition. These newer wolves were larger due to hunting the herds that were also traveling north. The Wind had forbidden it, but this new pack didn’t care about orders. They were going north to kill man, and on the way, they were hunting everything else for strength and practice.

  Dog nuzzled her neck, hoping for a sign of her interest. He wasn’t going to fight for her again if he wasn’t going to get the prize in the end anyway. Do you still want me?

  My mate! Natalia exclaimed, snarling at the others.

  Satisfied, Dog snapped at her to get back.

  Natalia whined in warning as Brute charged through the melting snow.

  Dog reacted too late to avoid the jaws clamping down on his neck. His thick fur saved him as he ducked, not allowing Brute’s fangs to drive through.

  Dog lunged at his rival, snarling wildly, “Mine!”

  “Die!” Brute demanded, advancing.

  Dog was tired of this threat. He slid low through the slush from their warm bodies and came up under the big wolf. He snapped to part the fur, and then dove in for the kill.

  Brute tried to yelp and draw back, but Dog locked his jaws and started squeezing. Using his full strength, Dog bit through and felt blood burst over his teeth. Bones crunched next, and he tightened the grip, slinging his head to ensure the death.

  Around them, the other wolves let out howls that chilled the humans nearby.

  Dog waited to be certain there was no life left before letting go. Brute dropped to the snow, blood melting through the drift as soon he landed.

  Dog regarded the rest of the eager wolves. “Go away!”

  He lunged forward, bloody teeth snapping, and half of the pack fled, tails tucked.

  Dog faced the other three with low growls and a bushed tail. “Leave us!”

  The female joined him for the fight this time. She came in low, growling in warning that Dog was her chosen mate now. As the fight began, a loud whistle sounded, but the five wolves didn’t pause in their battle.

  3

  Jeff and Kevin stared with a hand up to block the glare, wolves fighting and cubs edging closer forgotten.

  “That’s a train!”

  Sally came to the window, gaping in surprise. She hadn’t viewed a train in almost a year.

  “It’s heading south…”

  Jeff understood Kevin’s concern. He tried to count the cars on the train and then realized it didn’t matter. One car or fifty, they had no way to know how many people were in each car. “Get out of sight.”

  He and Kevin swiftly took cover, motioning Sally to get away from the window. When Jeff thought he was in a good position, he took out his binoculars and zoomed in on the train. As he did, it ended, only to be followed by a second.

  He wasn’t able to spot any of the people on the long trains, but he did get a clear sense of menace that sent his mind straight to Safe Haven. It appeared their former camp had drawn more than just the government and the Mexicans.

  Five minutes later, the fourth train finally finished passing them. Jeff hadn’t moved, mind spinning. They needed to go home, but through this snow, they had no hope of beating the rails.

  “What should we do?” Kevin asked, aware of the woman listening from the cracked door.

  “We can be the other slice of bread,” Jeff murmured. The snow melting into his clothes wasn’t noticed as he plotted the future.

  “What?”

  “We’ll squeeze them in–follow and block.”

  “The two of us?” Kevin inquired incredulously.

  “Maybe.” Jeff continued to work on the plans. “We just need the right equipment. Let’s finish packing and roll. We can’t let them get too far ahead.”

  “Can we run on the railroad tracks?” Kevin wondered.

  “I plan to try,” Jeff confirmed. “Come on. It’s time to slide out of this frozen cemetery.”

  “Oh, man!” Kevin groaned, snickering.

  As they pulled away, Sally came out into the yard to witness it. They hadn’t tried to convince her again and she hadn’t changed her mind. As the truck tried to turn at the end of the snow-covered block and skidded into the sidewalk, she hoped they didn’t make it in time. She didn’t wish for Jeff or Kevin to get hurt, only for them to be too late to prevent whatever fate was heading for Safe Haven on those trains. The people there were just as bad as
the government and they had to be eliminated before the entire world was covered in atrocities.

  Sally returned to the pungent home and locked herself in, allowing the relief to come. She was alone, alive, and free. It was perfect.

  4

  Dog and the female took shelter for the night in the house next door. Dog’s leg was hurting after the fights that had broken off the cast. His mate was hurting too. Her injuries were minor, but blood was still leaking from her muzzle.

  Finally alone with her, Dog was too tired to encourage her or even to communicate. He dropped down in the corner of the cold room, between her and the door they had nudged closed.

  The female–Natalia–circled the spot next to him and then huddled against his haunches, shivering a bit from the stinging in her snout.

  Dog whined lowly, lids shutting.

  When he opened them again, full night had fallen and Natalia had wiggled under his big body for warmth. His jaw was resting on her shoulder and Dog took the next logical step. He mounted her.

  5

  Sally and her dogs had gone up to the attic. The number of animals in the yard was incredible. She was suddenly very sorry she’d sent the men away, but she didn’t belong in a camp of people–of any kind. She was too broken to be rehabilitated.

  Sally’s dogs slept in the bed with her, uncaring of the personal or environmental drama. They didn’t hear the wind or the woman. Both of the dogs were half blind and half deaf. Sally had taken them in when no one else would, saving them from being euthanized. They were completely loyal to her and the Wind’s orders weren’t being received.

  The rest of the animals heard the demands for the woman’s death loud and clear. They gathered around the house, sniffing for an entry.

  Dog also felt the order, but he and his mate were locked in the ages old position of love and neither of them responded.

  Furious, the Wind called for the attack, including the two rebellious wolves as their targets. Disobeying commanded a terrible price.

  6

  “I feel bad for leaving her behind.”

  Jeff sighed in warm truck. So did he, but he refused to live that way. If he wanted to worry over his safety at night, he could have stayed in Safe Haven.

  “Can we…”

  Jeff grunted, turning the wheel to spin them wildly through the drifts as he rotated the truck on the wide street. He’d known as they left that he hadn’t seen the last of her yet.

  Kevin was relieved. “Thanks, man. We’ll drop her somewhere, but it’s wrong to leave her, you know?”

  Jeff didn’t agree, but he was tired of women dying, so the choice wasn’t a hard one.

  They had only been gone for an hour, but the sun had already sunk. Nights came quicker now, as if the very earth didn’t want people to receive more light than it absolutely had to give.

  “Did you get through on the radio?” Jeff asked, speeding up a bit.

  “No. The storm must be over them right now.”

  “Angela saw it all coming, I’m sure,” Jeff replied bitterly.

  “Yeah,” Kevin agreed, still reaching down for the mike. “Kevin to base. Come in, Safe Haven.”

  There wasn’t even static.

  “How long do you think it will take–”

  “A couple of days, at most,” Jeff interrupted, tiring of the tension. “Tell me why you left. Was it because of Cynthia and Adrian?”

  Kevin was surprised at the fast topic change, but answered, “Partly. The rest was feeling of it all ending. Nothing was the same.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about you? Crista’s death or Adrian?”

  “Both,” Jeff admitted honestly, wincing at the words that Kevin hadn’t hesitated to speak. He had all the tact of a bull. “Also because of my failures. I saw no reason to fix them if I was going to be unhappy there anyway.”

  “And now?”

  Jeff wiped at the windshield, disliking the old Ford. It had been the only thing left at the lot. “I’ll defend them. I still believe in the dreams. But I won’t stay. Once this is over, I’m out.”

  “Same here,” Kevin promised.

  Jeff doubted that would be true, but didn’t say so. After a month away, Jeff was betting Kevin would realize how civilized it was compared to the way they’d been living. For Jeff, their trek was perfect. For Kevin, it had been an adventure, but if Cynthia gave him the slightest sign, Kevin would stay. The warmth of a willing woman was hard to resist after not having one for a while.

  Jeff winced at his own thoughtless phrasing and forced his mind back to issues that were more important. “How can we get her to leave those damn dogs behind?”

  7

  “Help!”

  Dog tried to ignore the woman’s screams, but she’d done a lot for him. He would likely be dead right now if not for Sally and her love of animals.

  Wounds and stiff body protesting, Dog reluctantly stood up to regard his mate. “I have to go.”

  “Why?” Natalia asked, yawning. She was perfectly content to remain in their nest.

  “I have to help her.”

  “The human?” Natalia asked, shocked.

  Dog knew she wouldn’t like it, but he refused to lie. “I have a bond with humans. I won’t ever hunt them.”

  “You traitor!” Natalia growled, rising.

  Dog limped toward the door, hurting. “No, that’s you. The Wind commands and you follow like the woman’s pets.”

  The female remembered a time when she hadn’t hated people, but the voices in her mind were insistent that the humans had to be eliminated to restore the natural balance.

  “We are of the natural world. People do not belong!”

  “Maybe animals don’t,” Dog replied, thinking of how he’d become a wolf. Natalia may have also been born that way, but he’d seen no signs so far that she remembered her previous life if she’d had one.

  “I won’t aid them.”

  Dog pawed at the door, letting in a rough draft. “Just don’t attack them. And be here when I come back. I like the scent.”

  Natalia’s tail wagged, ears perking up. “You like my scent?”

  Dog grunted tiredly, wishing he could mount her again and then sleep for a week. “Enough to follow you north, but don’t expect me to act like you. I have no grudge against people.”

  Dog hefted himself through the drifts, not hearing the screams of the woman now that he was outside. He waited to hear Natalia shove the door shut and felt like he could now understand Marc’s intense feelings for Angela. The need to have a mate had also driven him hundreds of miles into a harsh land that had tried several times to kill him.

  His bond with Marc lit up, bright and shining in his mind. Dog wondered if he could send a message so far, but didn’t try. He needed all the strength he had to save Sally. The sense of her death being near was impossible to miss, as was the scent of something big. She was being stalked by an animal that even the other wolves were letting go first. The tracks were clear in the snow.

  Dog padded through the animals surrounding the cabin without drawing notice. He was simply one of many who had come for the fight. Despite the Wind’s command for the two wolves to be killed, nature couldn’t change herself. The animals had already been given a target.

  Dog edged to the door that was open, smelling something large, like a lion. He’d been near one of those a few times, and known to be careful.

  He tracked the scent into the kitchen area that was filled with animals he normally would have eaten. Dog followed the stairs to a door that he hadn’t been able to get through earlier. He went up the final, narrow flight of steps to find danger already waiting for him.

  Without a single noise, the huge cat leapt.

  8

  Jeff slid the truck onto the street, letting it go where it wanted until he felt the tires gain a bit of traction. Then he steered them across the dark, frozen tundra that had once been a playground. A swing set was yanked up, crashing into them.

  “Hold my beer an
d watch this!” Jeff shouted, cackling madly.

  Kevin tried to grin and hung on to the seatbelt, praying they didn’t die.

  Jeff slid back into the street, bumping them off a small car to straighten the route. He gunned the engine to clear the hill in front of the house.

  “Hang on!”

  Kevin did and Jeff charged them through the front door of the house, where it was most vulnerable. The wood splintered easily, letting them go all the way in. Wood and debris fell, but the frame of the house held.

  Jeff opened his door with a hard shove to move the rubble and corpses of the animals that had been in front of the house and inside it. He rushed up the stairs, confident of where Sally would be.

  Kevin followed, after shutting both doors so that their escape was secure.

  Jeff ran up the last stairs, rifle ready. They’d viewed Sally’s wild shadow through the top window, but Jeff hadn’t expected to find a wolf and a panther battling it out in the narrow space. The attic had been destroyed by a massive fight.

  Sally, clutching her two snarling dogs, was on top of a cabinet in the far corner, crying.

  Jeff tried to get the panther in his sights, but there wasn’t enough room. The fight was moving too fast. He couldn’t rush up to fire or he would be knocked down in the melee, and who knew where the bullets might go then. He settled for trying to get to Sally without interfering in the fight. If he could get her down to the truck, maybe Dog could run after them and jump in the bed.

  Dog had never had fight a like this. The panther was his match in speed and ruthlessness, but she was more than he could handle in strength. Her jaws tried to snap his neck repeatedly, long claws swiping away patches of skin and fur. He wouldn’t be able to hold her for long.

  Jeff skirted around the snarling, snapping animals, and ran to Sally. He jerked her down into his arms, not caring if she kept ahold of the mutts. He was actually hoping she wouldn’t. The panther might eat them while the people escaped.