“Understood.”
Accustomed to stealing, Riley said, “I need diesel.”
“Water and food I have sweetie, diesel is another story.” She pointed over to the sparsely filled shelves and said, “Prices are on them, if it doesn’t have a price, just ask and I’ll make one up for you”.
Riley nodded, scrutinizing the shelves. She about fell over when she picked up several jugs of water priced at twenty-three dollars apiece. Peanut M&M’s were ten bucks and twenty-eight dollars for a large bag of jerky. Riley inhaled a deep breath making several trips back and forth to the counter. The woman smiled.
“You must be hungry sweetie and a sweet tooth at that.”
“Yes.” Riley replied. “Hungry.” She waited for her to tally the prizes because that’s exactly what they were. “Is there anywhere to stay….that’s safe?”
“A hundred and forty eight dollars sweetie, no credit cards.” Her fuchsia grin widened revealing hot pink streaked teeth. “We got rid of coins a year or so ago. No more penny for your thoughts.” She shifted her feet, keeping her hand on the gun waiting for Riley to pay. She didn’t answer her question and Riley didn’t push it. Instead, Riley reached into her shirt and handed her the money.
“You really shouldn’t carry that there. It’s the first place they look, especially the men.”
The woman reached in a bag and made change. Setting a box on the counter, she waited for Riley to load it. It was obvious she was not only analyzing her, she wasn’t about to turn loose of her gun. Rosy perfume mixed in with the smell of old cigarettes made for an unpleasant aroma. Riley tried in vain not to crinkle her nose, but the smell was getting stronger. Riley’s eyes began to water.
“I know of a place you can acquire diesel and stay for the night.” She took out a pen and began writing on a piece of paper. “I take it you’re not from around here so I won’t confuse you.” She laid out a detailed map, highlighting the turns.
“Thank you.” Riley took the paper from her.
“How long you been gone?” she asked.
“Two years.”
“You listen to me now. There are only a few troopers left and there aren’t enough of them yet to keep control of the uncontrollable. You being a pretty woman, you need to be especially careful. That address is a safe one. It’s my son and daughter-in-law. Tell them Shirley sent you and flash a little cash. I hope you have more of that cuz the diesel’s going to cost you.” She smiled and tossed in some gummy worms. “That’s for the little one. Welcome to the new world!”
Riley grabbed the box, did a thorough check of the parking area and then made for the truck. “Let’s go get some diesel.” She said, reaching in the box pulling out the M&M’s.
Megan looked at the candy. A big smile formed on her face. Forgetting she had to pee, she let out a small “yes!”
TWENTY-ONE
It was predawn. The desert sky hadn’t exploded with color just yet. The temperatures were down in the low thirties again, freezing freestanding water. It was the first part of December that made the weather fitting for the coming holiday season. They gathered in the adjacent building near the ranch house. Jack watched his family gather, Nick wearing a look of concern, Lynn anxious and Ben silently watching over everyone. Shay, on the other hand, appeared calm.
Yesterday Shay had proved to Jack that she was capable of protecting herself as well as his team. By the days end, she moved with agility and accuracy with several different weapons. This morning there was fire in her eyes and confidence in her movements. He hoped it was enough to get her and her son back alive.
Jack packed the last of the supplies into the rear of the Hummer built specifically to be tactical, fully off-road ready and dressed with bulletproof glass. It not only looked aggressive, it was. Packed with extra gas, water, a spare tire, tools and a whole lot of guns, it wasn’t only safe it was effective.
“We should be back tomorrow.” Jack said. He loaded in the last of the supplies. “Don’t come looking for us.” He looked at Ryan who was already looking like himself again. “I’ll be back.”
Ryan looked away from his brother. “I should be going with you.”
“Yep. Dam you for getting shot anyway.” Jack said. “Take care of the place.” He hugged Ryan gently, “don’t break anything while I’m gone”.
“Asshole!” Ryan said.
“Go sit down before you bust a stitch or something,” Jack said. “Pops, try not to shoot any of the good guys, okay.”
Ben reached out his hand and Jack took it. The old man pulled him close to him, patting him on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you son.” Ben said softly. “Weathers acting odd. Be careful.”
“Thanks Pops,” Jack said.
“You’re burning daylight.” His father said.
Lynn didn’t say anything as she hugged Jack. Lily leaned across her mom and latched onto Jack. Her fingers laced behind his neck. He glanced down at the pink winged fairies on her sleeves. “When you get back Uncle Jack, can you take me for a ride on Baily?”
“Yep! A ride on Baily for Lily Bean.”
Nick took one last look at Jack’s shoulder and patted him gently on the other. “It’s healing nicely Jack. Try not to tear the stitches.”
“Okay Doc. Take good care of our family.” Jack slid down into the Hummer. He glanced over at Shay who was already in the passenger seat.
Nick leaned down toward the window. ”Ryan’s doing good.”
Jack nodded. “He’s in good hands Doc. Just make sure he stays put.” He hesitated for a moment. “John should be here any time”.
“Be safe Jack and get back here as soon as you can.” He said, stepping away from the window.
Through the dim glow of the cab lights, Jack looked at his family. He wanted these missions, needed them. However, leaving his family was always hard. Once he put some distance between them, it’d be business as usual.
“You ready?” Jack turned to Shay.
“I’m ready.” Shay whispered. “We’re coming Jonah.”
TWENTY-TWO
The sun was ascending into the sky bringing with it a crimson red streak. The jagged mountain base was shadowed while the sunny side exploded with color. Atop one of the highest of the peaks, a torn American flag lay limp in the morning stillness. The high desert appeared unchanged existing as it had for centuries, vast, arid and with weather carved sand and stone. Jack cherished its isolation, its calm beauty, and endless skyline. It was undisturbed by the infected troubles occurring in its realm. They’d been on the road for some time, the only travelers.
“It’s been so long.” She said aloud and then she went silent, closing her eyes. He glanced at her as she dropped her sunglasses down over her face. The sun, rising into dark clouds, attempted to shine through the front windshield. “Why aren’t you married Jack?”
Unexpected. “Who said I’m not married?” He said.
“You’re married.” She was looking out the window.
“Was.”
There was another long strand of silence.
“Is she alive?”
“No.” He gave no explanation. She bit her lip. He hadn’t spoken of his past in a long time. It was easier to keep it in a closet because that’s where it belonged. He didn’t want to say her name in fear it’d make him remember.
“Were you together when the shift happened?”
“No….” Pause. “She was in a meeting in Phoenix. There were only a handful of survivors and she wasn’t one of them.”
The demise of their relationship happened a long time ago. Still sometimes, he could smell her expensive perfume and feel her fingers on his face. Her materialistic greed had ruined his impression of her beauty. His friends and family had warned him, but she wasn’t so transparent to him. Women came easy to the Colton men like honey to a hive. Kate had seen herself as a trophy and Jack had accepted his win.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He replied.
“Destiny?”
&
nbsp; “I don’t believe that.”
“What do you believe then?” Shay asked.
“I don’t think about it.” He answered.
“I wonder if anyone knows.”
“You mean why some people started killing and others didn’t. Probably. But it doesn’t matter.” Then he thought twice. It did matter. He knew things she would never know.
Outside the scenery remained unchanged. The highway was a straight line of pavement with soft curves and roller coaster dips that flooded during monsoon season. They had miles of desert to look at as well as desolate whistle stops abandoned by time and man. Morning light showered strands of violet across the jagged rocks making their depth and height deceptive. A few soft streaks of white clouds reached across the sky. Pollution was dissipating. With no airplanes, the skies held a deep silence.
As they approached Ash Fork, the land changed to high desert. Behind them, a truck approached fast, the driver clicking his headlights on and off.
“The team’s behind us.”
Shay straightened in her seat as though she hadn’t heard him. “There.” She said pointing.
The sun broke across the sky shedding light on the valley floor. The remains of a vehicle, no tires, glass or seats sat in desecrated ruin on the side of the highway. The heap of metal was no longer a vehicle, but Shay had seen it for what it was, the very spot that had changed her life. Deep gouge marks engraved the pavement where tires had split from the rims and dug in, causing metal to grind into the asphalt. Even the skid marks were identifiable after all this time. Jack pulled over and climbed out of the hummer. Shay remained.
Jack stepped up to the three young men. “Blake,” Jack outstretched his hand. The kid, Blake Harris, once a star quarterback at Arizona State, had been Arizona’s star athlete. He was a good-looking broad shouldered kid with dark hair, blue eyes and more talent than one man should own.
“Jack,” he said taking Jack’s hand in a firm grasp. “It’s been a while since we’ve been a part of your team.”
“My brother keeps you busy, which means he holds you in high regard.” Jack said.
“Ryan’s a good leader. You already know Dan Manning and Matt Cooper.”
Jack glanced at the Hummer. Shay was slowly climbing out. She turned towards the SUV, stopped and stepped in to join the group.
“This is Shay.” Jack said.
She stepped forward, extending her hand to Blake first.
“I appreciate your help.” She said.
“I have to be honest Shay. I have a personal interest in this mission.” Blake said. He pulled out a photo from inside his shirt pocket and handed it Shay.
She stared at the photo. There was an instant recognition in the expression on her face. “That’s Terra. Terra is there.”
“Terra is my girlfriend. She came up missing about a month ago.” Blake’s voice crackled slightly. “She’s alive then?”
“She was when I left.” Shay handed the photo back to Blake.
Blake smiled slightly and then returned the photo to his pocket.
“You recognize any of these women?” Blake handed Shay a few flyers.
Shay thumbed through them. “No. I don’t recognize any of these women… girls.”
“It’s all you now.” Jack said taking the papers from her.
Shay turned her attention to the land around them. She looked towards the mountains and then behind her.
“Shay thinks they’re in Seligman.” Jack said looking around, “any ideas?”
“Seligman is small but I could see some lunatic moving in there. Lots of mannequins dressed up hanging around.” Blake replied. “Burger joint, depot. Buildings resembling an old west setting. Probably super eerie now.”
“That’s it.” Shay said.
“It’s is about 25 miles ahead.” Matt said.
“Marylyn Monroe?” Dan spoke finally.
“Marylyn Monroe.” Shay repeated.
“Burger joint used to have the best damned cheeseburgers.” Dan said.
Out of the team other than Jack, Dan was the oldest of the three men and the quietest. He’d graduated several years in front of Blake and Matt and had become one of the youngest deputies in the state of Arizona. He was on the way to climbing the ladder to detective when the Shift took his career away. The guy had natural instinct and dependable as hell.
“Oh please don’t say anything more about cheeseburgers.” Matt said rubbing his stomach. “Awesome milkshakes too.”
Matt Cooper looked like Blake’s brother, but they weren’t related. Coop was determined to follow his father’s example by joining the Navy in his senior year in high school. The Shift voided his contract but not his drive to become a soldier. Matt got his training and he’d seen more combat from the Shift than if he’d gone into the military. The kid was resiliently tough and one of the best sharpshooters Jack had worked with.
Even though this was Ryan’s choice team, Jack knew each man and what they were made of. While most were learning how to survive, they’d been training extensively to counter attack the evil destroying the cities. Standing here together, they looked like fighters. Dark clothing underneath camouflage desert sand fatigues and enough weapons to take down an army. With great care, they began to check their choice of weapons. Each one selected specifically as an individual preference and they all had them, favorites. However, the three were keeping a watchful eye on Shay. Had Jack been them, he would have too. They saw her as a liability. Maybe she was, but when it came time to walking those women out, Shay would be his best asset.
“I think we should get as close as we can. Hold back until nightfall.” Jack said.
“They start drinking early.” Shay replied. “By nine or so, they’re liquored up. Some will be in town. Jonah will be at the house, which is further away. Once we get there I should be able to lead you back to where they are.”
Jack nodded. “We go at ten.”
TWENTY-THREE
Jack said nothing in the darkness. His breath felt warm against the frigid air. Once night had fallen, the temperature dropped in the low 40s.
“I used to bring Terra out here to ride.” Blake said from the shadows. The trucks, well hidden by several tour buses drug out into the desert, sat side by side.
“Terra’s strong.” Shay leaned against the Hummer. “She’ll be okay.”
“Hot Wells Dunes. Hell yeah! That was a good time.” Matt said. “We really tore it up.”
“I haven’t been over this way in a long time.” Dan stepped in from behind them. “Wonder what the town looks like now.”
“Creepy.” Shay said. “They have those creepy mannequins posed all over town. They’ve shot up a lot of them too.”
“Used to bring em in by bus loads headed for Vegas.” Blake said. “Anyone left?”
“No. They put up a good fight but in the end, they were no match for Ringo and his men. Burned up the homes to keep markers away. They’re the only ones left. The men, they talk a lot when their drinking.”
Where do they hang out?” Blake asked.
“Roadkill Cafe.” Shay answered. “Motel.”
“Do they patrol at night? Security? Matt asked her.
Shay chuckled sarcastically. “Hardly ever. People just know not to come here.”
“Be alert. We’ll be hiking in,” Jack said. “Hope you brought some good hiking boots.”
“Danners.” Blake said.
“Dan, you mind staying with the vehicles?” Jack asked.
“No problem.” Dan answered.
Jack pulled out two vests and tossed the smaller of the two to Shay. She caught it, turned it, and then sighed. “Bullet proof, hope it keeps me warm too.” She said with teeth chattering.
“Put it over you t-shirt and the rest of your layers go on top of it.” Jack said.
“I’m going to feel like a Christmas present. All wrapped up and no one to open me.”
Jack chuckled softly and then looked over at the other three men. “You guys have p
rotection?” He asked.
“Fits like a glove,” Blake said.
“That’s not what she said” Matt teased. He ran his hand down his side, turning from side to side. “Look dad, no lines.”
“Great,” Jack pulled out four headsets and handed them out. He looked at Shay. “You’ll be able to hear everything we say.” He put her microphone and earpiece into place. “Ten minutes guys. Looks like Pops was right about the weather.”
The Seligman sign, broken into kindling on the shoulder of the highway was barely visible under their feet. They had no choice but to keep to the open until they reached the town making for easier walking. With no moonlight, the darkness made them almost invisible. The slight breeze of the night gave little warning to the storm overhead, but gave notice that the town was ahead. They eased forward eyeing the buildings clumped together in the distant and closed in on the historical little town together. They used dying trees and fence lines weaved with tall weeds as protection. Tumbleweeds passed in front of them catching on broken chain-link taking up permanent residency.
“You wanna check a few places.” Blake asked Jack.
“Wouldn’t hurt.” Matt nodded. He and Blake peeled off to the right.
The first dwelling Jack and Shay encountered was nothing more than a shack. The front porch was broken, splintered wood and exposed nails swayed underneath their weight. The door, hanging by one hinge fell when Jack went to open it.
“So much for being quiet.” Shay said following Jack around the door into a studio type apartment. “Jeeze what smells?” Shay plugged her nose.
Jack, his eyes adjusting to the darkness, opened the bathroom door. With a dim flashlight, he exposed himself to the contents in the tub. The sight and the smell were horrific. “Let’s go.”
The second house was no better. Shredded curtains blew from the inside out waving dramatically in the night wind. Glass lay in heaps near the big windows and the porch had gaping holes as if someone had taken a hatchet to the boards. In red spray paint someone had wrote warning.
The Fighter Series (Book 1): Not Alone (The Beginning) Page 10