Forever Winter Box Set (Books 5 - 8): A Future Dystopian Survival Series Adventure

by KM Fortune

  "I had guessed something was unusual about his relationship with you, but in this case, my hands are tied," Emilia replied. "The Patrols continue to hunt us whenever we leave the safety of our walls. They are our enemy. The people will never allow one to live."

  “And if I insist you spare him?” Willow asked.

  “Your request would not be welcome. Nor perhaps your presence here at all,” Emilia replied. “Do not put me in a position to ruin our friendship.”

  Willow furrowed her brow and looked away. She let her eyes wander over the mass of people who filled the lodge. They seemed content and even happy. But do they bear any mercy in their hearts? she wondered. Would I have if things were different and I did not know Matthew? She turned back to Emilia and the man beside her. “At least let him plead his case,” Willow said. “It is the last favor I will ever ask of you.”

  Emilia was quiet. Her eyes were thoughtful, and Willow patiently waited. No matter what the young woman decided, Willow knew the decision was entirely out of her hands. At last, the clan's new chief nodded. "I will let the prisoner explain to my people why he should be spared the torture all of them wish to rain down on him," Emilia said. "I hope your comrade is good with words. The people want his head."

  CHAPTER 3

  Blaze watched as two men flanking Matthew walked him into the main room of the lodge. The guy did not look good. His face was bruised, and blood was crusted around his mouth. The clothes he wore, the black and gray of the Patrols, were filthy like he had been forced to sleep in the dirt. They treated him like a dog, Blaze thought. But would I have done any different? Not knowing anything about the man?

  When Matthew reached the center of the room, near the large fire pit of shaped stones, he was roughly forced to his knees. Wisely, he lowered his eyes and stared at the floor. A crowd had gathered to watch the proceedings and parted when Emilia came forward from the wall where she had been standing. Willow walked beside her and Blaze was glad to see his friend and chief was looking so much better. He noted the shackle and chain were gone. No doubt the clan’s craftsman had found a way to break the lock, Blaze thought and was happy to see she now wore soft leather boots. They went along with the rest of her changed clothes. She once again looked like a leader and not a captive.

  Emilia stopped ten feet away from where Matthew was kneeling. Her face was stern, and her lips were in a tight line of displeasure. Blaze could see the woman was only a hair's breadth away from complete disgust at the sight of her enemy. "Look at me," Emilia commanded, and Matthew lifted his face to her. Blaze was impressed. Matthew's eyes showed neither fear nor contempt. He seemed merely patient. Blaze watched Emilia tilt her head as if not sure what to make of the soldier and his lack of emotion. "You are lucky," she said. "Only because of my respect for Willow and her group are you even still alive."

  Matthew nodded but stayed quiet. Emilia continued. “Willow has even asked I spare you and only send you away,” she said. There were murmurs of protest from the other people in the room. Emilia held up her hand for silence. “I have not made my decision on this,” she snapped. “But be assured, soldier, it is unlikely you will survive this day.”

  Willow stepped forward then. Blaze saw Matthew turn his eyes to the woman and the first hint of emotion showed on his face. There is fear there, after all, Blaze thought and could not help but feel sorry for the man. Blaze watched Willow give Matthew a slight smile of encouragement. Matthew swallowed hard and then spoke up.

  "Let me at least explain," Matthew said quietly. Immediately the man to his left brought down a crushing blow with his fist. It hit Matthew just above his ear and sent him sprawling face first. A few people in the room cheered.

  "Kill him. There is nothing he has worth listening to," said a voice. Blaze looked and saw it was Twig. The teenager's face was filled with rage. "He is a murderer. He killed my pa, and he deserves to die a hundred times." Blaze knew the statement was not entirely true. Matthew himself did not kill Twig's father, or at least Blaze was fairly sure he had not. In his opinion, Matthew did not seem a killer at all.

  "Speak the truth, Twig," Willow responded. "The Patrols killed your father, but you do not know if it was specifically this man."

  “Why does it matter?” another person yelled out. “He is the enemy. His people killed our chief!” The crowd muttered ascent and grew restless. Blaze looked around. Everywhere, he saw hate filled eyes and knew Matthew was beyond saving.

  Hector called a stop to their hike. Raven could not be happier. Even though it was earlier than usual to set up camp, she was tired of walking along the tracks. Hector's pace over the last couple of days was grueling. She was also happy to see there was a shed beside the tracks. It leaned precariously, and she was not entirely sure it would last much longer, but it was better than nothing. Just as long as it makes it overnight, she thought. Snow was falling, and she did not want to sleep on the ground in the open again. "I'm going to gather some wood," Hector said. "Think you can get a fire going?"

  Raven sighed. "No, actually I do not," she said. "How about I gather wood, and you make the fire?"

  Hector paused and looked at her. “You’re pretty helpless, you know that?” he asked. Raven did not bother to answer and headed away into the brush. Picking up dead branches and twigs, she knew he was right, but was determined not to give him the satisfaction of admitting it. Even if she hunted and camped in her previous life, it had in no way prepared her to live so rough. For not the first time, she wished she had Kit’s survival skills. Now that is a resourceful woman, she thought and then wondered where the other girl was at the moment. Kit had not been seen for hours. I just hoped she is not planning some sort of ambush on Hector. Even though Kit was cunning, she was no match for the cat mutant’s strength and fighting skills. Just as well she stays away. Raven started back to the fire and dropped her pile of wood beside where Hector sat coaxing the flames.

  “Any sight of your friend?” he asked.

  “No,” Raven replied with a shake of her head.

  Hector grinned. “Probably not going to either. She has hung you out to dry.”

  Raven shook her head. “She wouldn’t. I just hope she is okay,” she said. Hector snorted.

  “Not sure I’d waste my time with that line of thinking. If anybody is okay out there, it’s that little thief,” he said. “Just wish she’d have brought back dinner.”

  “True,” Raven said although if she had to admit it, she was pretty sick of jackrabbit. If only I could get my hands on a burger and fries, she thought and sighed at the memory. Fast food restaurants were clearly a thing of the past.

  “What?” Hector asked no doubt having heard her sigh. Raven shook her head.

  "Never mind," she answered. Hector dropped down to sit on the edge of the open doorway to the shack where they were camping.

  “No, really. What were you thinking? I’m tired of all this silent treatment,” he said.

  “Fine. I was remembering some of the foods I used to eat. Back where I come from,” Raven said. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “From the past, you mean? You’re going back to that business again?” he asked.

  "I said never mind. You're the one who kept asking," Raven said giving him a glare. Hector raised a paw to try and pacify her.

  “Okay, okay,” he said. “Let’s pretend for a second I believe you. How can you explain this fantasy time travel?” Raven raised an eyebrow. Could we possibly be making some progress? she thought.

  “I was frozen. Up on the mountain. A scientist found me on an expedition and brought me back to life,” she said. Hector looked away and stared off into the distance.

  “You’re completely serious?” he asked without looking at her.

  "I am," Raven said and decided to keep quiet until he had time to process what she told him. The moment stretched on. Finally, he turned to her, and she could not read his face. His cat features masked any emotion.

  “So you’re not a witch. Just a time traveler, of
sorts,” he said.

  Raven swallowed. She had not considered the possible outcome of Hector learning she was not someone with magical powers. She slowly scooted back a little.

  “I am not a witch,” she confirmed. “But I do know things it appears have been forgotten over time. Like medicines and vehicles and ...” She trailed off. He did not look impressed.

  “But you didn't know the bombs took out the big cities,” he said. Raven nodded.

  "Right. Because that all happened while I was frozen," Raven explained. "A lot goes on over a hundred years." Hector shook his head and snorted out a laugh.

  “A hundred years? You were frozen a hundred years? Seriously? How can you possibly expect me to believe that?” he asked. “Where is this scientist then?”

  “He was with the Patrols. After he helped me escape from the underground laboratory, the place you all call the Great Cave, they must have forced him to be a soldier as punishment,” Raven said. It felt good to be telling all of it to someone, even if he did not completely believe her.

  "Incredible," Hector said still shaking his head. "So you have no idea where this scientist is now? To corroborate your story and all." Raven frowned and felt sadness wash over her. Over the last few days, she worked hard to keep the worry of all her new friends from depressing her. Now she felt tears of fatigue and anxiety come to her eyes. Before they could fall, she wiped them away.

  “Whoa now. You must really like this scientist,” Hector said with a hint of sarcasm. Raven looked away.

  “His name is Matthew,” she said. “Don’t be rude about it.”

  "Hey, no problem. I just thought the red-haired guy was your sweetie. Not some scientist-soldier. At least that is how it looked when I was watching you two the other night," Hector said. Raven was about to snap back at him to stop being ridiculous, but then she paused. Biting her lip, she realized she did care a great deal for Blaze as well as for Matthew. They were both important to her in entirely different ways.

  "Well, it doesn't matter right now. Thanks to you, I have no idea where they are or how they are doing," Raven said turning back to the fire and picking up a stick to stir it. Thankfully, Hector was smart enough to stay quiet for a change, and she was glad for it. Instead, she let her thoughts wander. Where are they tonight? she wondered and prayed to the universe to keep them safe.

  CHAPTER 4

  The man was in real trouble. Willow watched Matthew struggle back to his knees, and blood trickled from his nose where it had slammed into the floor. She felt sorry for him, even though she wished she did not. He was the enemy. He was a member of the Patrols. People who had killed her loved ones for years. The monsters who murdered her husband and parents at her wedding. She could not forget it and forgive Matthew for being a part of the men who celebrated their crusades against the nomads. She swore she would not be swayed by the kindness he had shown the group. Even though he undoubtedly saved their lives. And this is how you repay him? By letting these people torture and kill him? Willow thought. The entire situation made her stomach hurt. At least let the execution be merciful. I can try to repay him with that if I can’t convince them of anything else.

  "I need you to listen to me, Emilia," Willow said softly so only the woman could hear. "This man is a soldier and our enemy, but he has also done things for my people and me. Things which saved our lives."

  Emilia turned and looked at Willow. Her face was cold. “What are you asking of me?” she said. “I cannot go against my clan, you know that.”

  Willow shook her head. “No, I am not expecting such a favor. But at least let him speak for himself. Let him plead for your mercy,” she said. Emilia looked away and was quiet. Her face was thoughtful and, Willow realized, truly wise. This is not the frightened child I once knew, she thought. She is now a battle-hardened chief. At last, Emilia raised her hands and silenced the crowd.

  "As a courtesy to our guests, we will let this man speak and explain to us why he merits a merciful death instead of the dunking in the lake we all believe he deserves," she said with a grim smile. The crowd rumbled and looked unhappy, but they did not protest outright. Emilia nodded once the sound faded again. She looked at Matthew. "So, soldier, what say you?"

  Willow watched Matthew visibly gulp down his fear and clear his throat. She had no doubt his mouth was bone dry and would have offered him a drink from her canteen if it would not bring down the wrath of the masses upon her. Instead, she waited. After another beat of time, Matthew started the most important speech of his life.

  “I am not a soldier,” he said. “I am a scientist. I have never killed. When I was faced with having to take another’s life, I instead helped her escape.” The crowd shuffled impatiently. Unphased, Matthew coughed and went on. “I was forced to be with the Patrols as punishment. It is not what I want. If you spare me, I will never return to them,” he said and looked straight at Emilia. “I will do nothing but serve you,” he promised. “Until the end of my days, if you ask it.”

  "Well there won't be many more of those!" shouted a voice from the back of the crowd. The majority of the clan laughed, yet Willow noted not all of them. In particular, one man looked eager to hear more. He was young, but Willow noted he looked unusually tired and almost frantic. She was surprised when he stepped forward from the others.

  "May I speak?" he asked Emilia. Willow saw curiosity cross the chief's face.

  “What is it, Andres?” she asked. Andres rubbed his hands over his face and glanced around at the people nearest him. It was evident whatever he was about to say would not be popular with everyone.

  “Well,” he started. “I was wondering what kind of scientist he is exactly.” Emilia raised her eyebrow and then looked over at Matthew.

  "Okay. Elaborate," Emilia commanded of the soldier.

  Matthew cleared his throat again. “I am engineered to know anatomy and the reproductive sciences,” he said. “I have spent my life analyzing ... ” He paused. Willow realized what he almost said and held her breath. Do not call us specimens or they will rip you apart on the spot, she though, hoping Matthew could read her mind somehow. Luckily, Matthew reconsidered his line of explanation and started again. “I have spent my life trying to cure the fertility plague. I can see from the low number of youth here, your clan suffers from it.” An unhappy murmur went through the crowd. Emilia raised her hand again to quiet them.

  “You are correct,” she told him. “Most women cannot conceive. Those who do often lose the child or die with it. We only sustain our numbers by allowing other nomads to join us.” Matthew nodded with understanding.

  “That is wise. You have to use the numbers to your advantage. More people trying to breed will have a better success rate and—” he said before he was interrupted by Andres.

  “That’s why I asked,” Andres said. “My wife, she is having her baby. But something is wrong.”

  Willow watched understanding cross Emilia’s face. She apparently knew of the woman in labor, but like so often was the case, stayed away. It was hard to watch a woman suffer and produce a dead baby. Before Emilia could speak, Matthew jumped in. “How long has it been? When did she lose her embryonic fluid?” he asked. Andres looked around confused.

  “I ... I don’t know. This morning?” he answered. “The midwife is with her. She would know.” Matthew looked straight at Emilia. Although bruised and bloodied, his face was filled with determination.

  “I can help this woman,” he said. “But only if you let me.” Willow watched Emilia consider his words. Let him, she thought, wanting to say it to Emilia, but knowing it would make things worse. Finally, Emilia gave a curt nod and then walked away into the crowd. Andres ran to Matthew’s side and helped the man up.

  Kit sat on her haunches and stared down at the train tunnel. How have I never found this thing before? she thought from where she rested on a narrow shelf in the rock above the entrance. It was impressively camouflaged by the steep mountainsides. From even a short distance, the opening in the solid granit
e was hard to detect. But even more importantly, where does it go? The railroad tracks led straight into the dark mouth. As night was falling, there was no way to see if the path led underground or if it went all the way through the mountain. Curiosity nagged at Kit. Following the tracks themselves had been boring and she only bothered because the cat mutant was insistent they walk along them. She wanted to know where Hector needed to go. Now Kit thought she knew. He was leading Raven to this tunnel. The question now was why.

  Kit considered her options. She could go through the tunnel in the dark or wait until morning to see more of a lay of the land. With a smile playing across her lips, Kit knew there was no way she was going to wait. Some things were too exciting to put off. Slipping down from the shelf, she moved from the cover of one boulder after another. There did not appear to be anyone around, but Kit knew it never hurt to be smart. Before long, she crouched in the long shadow of a bush near the tracks. The sun was slipping below the horizon, and in another few minutes, it would be dark enough to make walking along the rocks tricky. Not as dark as it will be in that tunnel though, she thought and considered the large, black opening. She wondered who made it and how they accomplished it. The only guess she had was it came from the Before, back when trains used the tracks somehow. The tunnel was clearly designed for them to pass through. All the more reason to see where it leads.

  Pulling her flint from under her cloak, she swept aside the snow and gathered a few dry twigs from the bush beside her. After a slow scan of the land around her to check she was alone, Kit used the edge of her steel knife blade on the flint, and in a minute there was a small fire going. She fed the flames more pieces of wood and, while it grew hotter, she cut a strip of cloth off of the hem of her cloak. Wrapping the fabric around the thickest branch she could find near her, Kit lit her makeshift torch. It was not much of a light source, yet Kit knew it would seem like a beacon in the pitch black of the tunnel. Without a moment more of hesitation, Kit stepped out from where she was hidden and started toward the yawning opening.