by Angela White
Jennifer followed Angela, neither one of them commenting on the stack of bodies that they passed as they climbed the ladder above the mess tunnel. They knew each face. They had laughed and eaten with them just six hours before, and now, they would never hear those folks again. Jennifer didn’t know what Angela planned to do with all of the bodies, but since they had no way to bury them and they couldn’t burn them in here, she suspected that they would be dumped into the pits. The rest of the camp wouldn’t be told.
Angela and Jennifer went up to the first level through the same entrance that she and Adrian had used when they got the vent open. Jennifer was fine until they hit the rear room. Angela needed to check each of the chambers to determine if the cables on this level were intact, and that meant traversing through the bodies to reach the walls where the wires had been stapled to the wall.
“Oh, my God.”
Angela didn’t echo Jennifer’s horror but she felt it. There were kids up here, kids that should not have been.
“Why were they here?” Jennifer asked, scanning the faces with her light. “Why weren’t they in the mess with the other kids?”
Angela made her way through the horror. “We’ve always had roamers. Slaver kids were locked up for so long they can’t stand to be in one place. You know that.”
Jennifer did. It explained some of the smaller kids, but not the teenagers who never missed the evening snack together. It was another mystery to add to the list of things that she had already come across since Kyle had helped her over the gap. There were bodies that didn’t have injuries from the earthquake and there were bodies nowhere near debris that looked as though they had been bashed in. After they got things settled down, she would tell Angela about the things she had found. They had yet another killer in Safe Haven.
Angela caught that, but didn’t respond to it. They’d always had killers in Safe Haven–the good kind and the bad kind. It was sad, but the odds were high on that never changing.
Chapter Five
Four More
1
“Shine that light over here.”
Angela and Jennifer both swung around as steps echoed through the passage behind them. It was a group of men coming to the weapons compartment.
“Take what you can carry.” Kenn’s voice echoed. “There are vests up here. Most of us don’t even have our jackets, so get suited up.”
Angela listened in approval as she continued to track the wires.
Jennifer watched the shadows and listened to the grumbling of the mountain around them, wishing she could turn back time.
“Is anyone else up here?”
“I am, with the boss.” Jennifer stepped into the corridor so Kenn could view her. “She’s working on power.”
“That’s good. Marc stacked a way up to the residence level. Some of us are gonna secure the people there and help them get down to the bottom. The rest are going with Marc to make sure the sealed tunnel will hold until we’re ready to handle the Mexicans.”
Angela didn’t contradict the orders, but she was certain the small blast had sealed the passage. If not, they would already be hearing shouts and screams, and fighting of the men coming through. She could feel Charlie’s troubled mind, but that also had to wait. The camp needed power.
Jennifer listened to Kenn talking to someone.
“Stay here. Don’t let anybody through that the boss doesn’t approve.”
“You got it.”
Relaxing now that Kenn had put someone on guard, Jennifer joined Angela in tracking wires. The women forced their minds away from the bodies of their friends. It felt awful to step over them. Some of these folks had been terrified of dying down here and it was like adding insult to injury.
2
“Keep going.” Charlie knew his parents were worrying. “My dad’s on the way.”
Charlie and Tracy stayed between the warriors as they hurried toward their damaged camp. Behind them, came the sounds of digging through the rubble.
“Hey! There’s a new tunnel!” Tracy pointed out as they ran by. The group stopped to sweep it with their lights and gifts, hoping that it was empty. If there was another breach, it would make it even harder to protect what remained of their camp.
“I see a boot.” Tracy walked into the darkness without considering the danger.
Charlie hurried in front of her. “You don’t have your gun. Stay here.”
Charlie shined his light as Natoli took his right.
Tracy slid into the middle of the warriors like Charlie wanted. She was regretting all the time that she had spent mourning instead of strengthening her body. The few lessons that she had done with Angela last week had been great. It had cleared her mind and helped heal her heart a little. Now, she wished she had been doing that the entire time.
“It is a boot.” Charlie picked it up. “Looks like... It’s Shane’s!”
Charlie went deeper into the corridor despite not having the time to do so, light shining on blood spots and torn clothing. He didn’t know what had happened in here, but the feeling of someone needing help was too strong to ignore.
The cavity dead-ended in a pile of stones and dirt. As Charlie approached the blockage to be sure there were no gaps, fresh grit fell over his shoulder.
Goosebumps breaking out on his arms, the boy shined the light upward in horror.
Ants were on the ceiling. They were carrying something bloody that appeared to be human.
Charlie wasn’t sure about firing. He could tell the person was alive, but with those injuries, he doubted it would be for much longer.
Natoli rushed forward and began stabbing the ants with his staff.
Squealing as they fell, the ants tried to fight by clawing and biting feet that stomped on them.
Tracy and Charlie stayed back as Natoli and his warriors killed the ants. During the battle, the body fell, but neither of them hurried over to it. They didn’t want to get in the way.
As the last ant was knocked from the ceiling, the others were either killed or scurried off, squealing in hurt rage.
The rescuers all gathered around the body.
Shane opened his eyes, unable able to see. “Shoot me.
It was obvious that the man wasn’t going to survive his injuries. He had missing fingers, chunks of flesh gone and his skin was waxy, pale grey from the loss of blood. He would be dead before they could get him to the doctor.
Natoli knelt down next to the man, “Close your eyes, my friend. Close your eyes.”
Tracy glanced away as Natoli slid his knife across Shane’s neck.
“Aww, Shane.”
Charlie stared. Viewing this much death up close was also shaking his desire to serve.
Natoli wiped his blade across his knee and stood up. As he sheathed it, he noticed Charlie’s glazed expression, as well as the pale countenance of his woman. The Indian directed them toward the cave, understanding these were rookie warriors. He treated them the same way he would have any of his braves. “Get to work!”
Charlie and Tracy left Shane’s body with slow steps. It was heartbreaking to treat their friend this way after he’d died such an awful death, but they couldn’t do anything else right now.
As they stepped into the main cave, the sound of digging was louder. There were also voices coming towards them from the direction of the camp, with the heavy stomp of running boots.
Natoli marched his group in the direction of the boots, hoping that whoever was coming was ready for the problem. The Mexicans were coming through behind them. The sound of shifting stone was distinctive.
Boom!
The group broke into a fast run as part of the passage behind them exploded and Mexican shouts filled the dusty corridor.
3
“I got a complaint, boss lady.”
Distracted by the battle she was keeping track of, Angela turned to face the camp member who had muttered in her ear. “What can I do for you?”
Benny grinned cruelly, big hands reaching out. “Die.”
&nb
sp; Angela struggled to reach her gun as the man squeezed her neck, preparing to snap it.
Angela tensed her muscles as tight as she could get them and lashed out with her demon’s wrath.
Benny jerked, body stiffening.
The vet snatched his knife from Benny’s thick neck.
Angela absorbed the life force, groaning.
The vet spun into the shadows.
Jennifer and Oliva gaped in shock. Both women had been about to shoot, though Jennifer had drawn her weapon first.
Angela gasped air into her lungs, hating the painful sensation. Roger had done worse to her, but that didn’t stop the dangerous, hungry rage that had to be controlled.
Feeling fate call, Angela glanced at Jennifer.
Jennifer sighed, holstering. “Are you sure I should?”
“Yes. That’s four of them. I was certain there was double that number. Expose them now.”
Jennifer went to join Marc and Kyle. Angela believed their other hidden assassin was in the group that was fighting the invaders.
“I can get others up here to watch over you.” Olivia stepped closer, hoping the vet didn’t come back before she finished. He was eliminating all of her kind. If she didn’t act now, she probably wouldn’t get another chance.
Angela knelt down at the wires again. “Do it fast, before you lose your nerve.”
Olivia stiffened. “You know?”
“I’ve always known.” Angela pushed harder, wanting it over. “You were the one confused by your destiny.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Olivia lifted her gun.
“Yes, you do.” Angela’s voice didn’t shake as she challenged her latest would-be killer. “You could have been one of us. You’ve chosen to follow old orders and kill me instead. At least admit what you are and why.”
“I’m your enemy. You let me in.” Olivia’s face tightened, finger squeezing… Blood ran over her lip and dripped down her chin.
Angela didn’t glance up. The vet was handling the heavy chore she’d given him and doing it well. So far, only a few people had witnessed anything, and Olivia wasn’t going to tell. The vet’s knife had slid through the back of her neck to cut her vocal cords, among other vital items. Angela had heard him plan it out in his mind when the woman left her post. Angela hadn’t known Olivia was a traitor, but the vet hadn’t cared. He viewed everyone that way, allowing him to see things she didn’t.
Angela watched the vet caress Olivia’s twitching fingers.
“Killing is wrong. If you can’t control yourself, Marc will slit your throat while you sleep.”
Chris frowned, dropping the body. “Sorry.”
Angela sighed. “So am I. You can’t be cured. I should have you removed.”
“Yes.”
Angela didn’t speak again.
Neither did the vet. He watched her as she worked, protecting and obsessing.
Shouts of victory echoed, with a short series of blasts that said Marc had blown up more parts of the tunnel to buy time. If it were bad enough, the Mexicans might even abandon the attempts to reach Safe Haven that way. Angela hoped it was. They’d already lost a quarter of the herd. She couldn’t take much more.
4
The fighting in the corridor echoed from second floor and spread through the cave. Those with minor injuries and those not sure what they should be doing began to gather around the tunnel entrance, listening in concern.
Marc swung at a short Mexican and knocked him into the cave wall, then fired his gun. He heard a body fall behind him, but there was no time to see who it was as the rest of the Mexicans came through the passage screaming for blood.
This part wasn’t wired like the rest of the tunnels around the cave had been. Marc watched in horror as one of the Mexicans threw a grenade that bounced off the stone wall and landed in a crevice about four feet up.
“Duck!” Marc threw himself to the ground.
The explosion echoed, making ears pop as showers of dusty debris fell over them. Men didn’t have time to avoid the blast and were knocked off their feet or killed outright from the shrapnel.
The ceiling collapsed in front of the Mexicans, blocking them from coming in farther, but it also blocked Safe Haven from getting out. Now they were trapped in here.
The entire fight had lasted less than two minutes.
Marc stood up, wiping dust from his face. As he swept the bloody, dusty corridor, his flashlight began to die. “Let’s get back.”
They were forced to leave the bodies where they were. That had to come later.
Jennifer met Marc and his group as they reentered camp.
“The boss says to scan your group.”
Marc understood this was to flush someone out. He raked the group with his demon’s penetrating sight.
“Hands up!” Eddie ordered, getting his gun out before Marc could read his mind. “I’ll shoot the boy. None of you can heal the healer.”
“My mom can.” Charlie wasn’t afraid. He was angry. “Bluffs won’t work.”
When the others didn’t react, Eddie scoffed. “See, boy? They know I’m right. Your momma was hurt bad and she hasn’t healed well.” Eddie motioned toward the passage. “All of you get in there and start digging.”
“You’re working with the Mexicans?” Jennifer asked in shock. Burrowing into his thoughts, she caught a glimpse of Eddie trying to shoot Marc during the fight they’d had and missing only because of bad aim. “How can you do that to us after escaping them?”
Marc realized the man was like Rick and snapped. He lunged forward, taking the surprised killer to the ground.
Everyone else got out of the way as they fought for the gun.
Marc tried a mental shove when he felt the assassin’s strength, but there was no response. Another one who’s immune or a psychopath?
Eddie slammed his chin into Marc’s nose, trying to break it.
You want down and dirty, you got it, asshole. Marc rolled over and pretended to stand. When he reached halfway, he lunged forward and slammed his head into Eddie’s face, shattering the man’s nose and splitting his own brow line open in a blinding stab of excruciating pain for both of them.
Kenn was there to drag his knife across the traitor’s throat as Marc rolled away. He stayed down for a minute, recovering. “This has been the longest day of my life.”
5
“Help me!”
Terrified, Dale heard a shout and then struggling as he cowered in the shower where the curtain blocked his view.
Not wanting to, he ducked under the edge of the flap and peered out.
The vet slammed Dennis onto a pipe that had fallen from the ceiling, impaling him.
Dennis screamed, clutching his stomach. Blood pattered to the dusty ground like rain.
Finished with his chore, the vet left the smoky residence.
Dale crawled into the corner of the shower, not about to come out and challenge the vet. The man had saved his life, but Dale had also watched him kill someone. Dale was scared he would be next.
Noise from fighting came to Dale a short time later, then footsteps.
Marc and a dozen other fighters entered the living quarters and walked around the gap in the center of the room, hoping to locate more survivors.
Recognizing someone he knew he could trust, Dale barreled out of the shower. He ran into Marc’s knees, knocking them both to the floor near the gap.
“He killed him! He killed him!”
From his awkward position, Marc scanned and found a fresh body.
“Get off.” Marc shoved Dale toward the shower and joined the other fighters around the scene.
“He killed him!”
“Who?” Kenn swept the position and condition.
“Her pet killer.” Dale shivered. “The vet. She told the vet to kill my Dennis!”
At that moment, Ray came through the tunnel into the living quarters. Relieved to find Dale alive, he hurried forward, smiling.
Dale flew across the bodies and d
ebris, striking Ray. It knocked them both to the floor. “You did it! You told her to do it! I hate you!”
Marc and Kenn separated them, not sure what to say. It was possible that Dale was right.
Dale was still screaming horrible things at Ray as he was dragged down to the line of wounded so that one of the students could give him a sedative. It was a long minute where Ray stood up and refused to look at anyone except the dead man he had come to loathe over the last month.
“I hate this place.” Dale’s miserable statement echoed up to Ray.
Me too, baby. Me, too. Unable to help his mate, Ray followed Marc and tried to forget about the emptiness in Dale’s heart for him now.
6
Gus stroked gently, loving the softness under his fingers. “Pretty pussy.”
Tonya snickered despite the gravity of the awful situation they were in. It sounded funny.
Gus also chuckled as he realized what had triggered her amusement. He held onto the cat while Tonya wrapped the cat in her sweater. She cradled the hissing feline under her weakest arm.
“Is it sick?”
Tonya took the first step on the ladder. “It has cancer. I’ve been treating it, but so far there hasn’t been any results. Now there won’t be more treatments, so I guess we’ll have to hope that was enough.”
She and Gus descended, both inhaling deeper of the cooler, cleaner air as they reached the next level.
Tonya untied the cat, but kept a hold of it, trying to calm the angry animal.
She and Gus stared at the line of wounded, both horrified at everyone’s condition. Tonya swept the wounded and the debris piles. “Where’s the boss?”
Gus pointed upward. “Working on power, I believe.”
Tonya released the growling cat and went back up the ladder. She didn’t like the idea of Angela being without a guard and she needed something to do to keep her mind off the fighting she had heard. One of those shouts had belonged to Kenn.
Tonya got to the top level to find Ozzie and several of their team with Angela and Jennifer. All of them were tracing down wires, except for Olivia, who was lying face down in a pool of blood. Tonya didn’t ask what had happened, even though it was obvious the injuries were recent. Tonya joined the others, eager to have the power on. The light on her belt had already died.