“Guys! They must be on propane!”
“Nice,” Rylen said.
I opened cabinets and drawers to find dishes and utensils.
“We’ve got some meds and vitamins in the bathroom cabinet,” Mark called. Ooh! I stood to see, when Devon’s steely, careful voice made us all freeze.
“Hold up.” He was standing in the corner crouched by a gas fireplace with fake logs, his hands outstretched. “It’s hot.”
Oh, shit. Someone was just here. Suddenly our whole group was alert, guns out.
Devon kicked back a small rug and scuffed the toe of his boot on a thick line on the floor between boards. He motioned to it and put a finger to his lips.
Some sort of cellar?
I held Grandma’s gun tightly and sidestepped across the room to stand before Remy as Rylen and Tater moved beside me and the others went forward.
Devon slowly bent and put his fingers in the crack enough to grab the edge, but when he pulled it didn’t budge.
“Yo,” he said. “Who down there? Open up.”
What the hell, Devon? Was he crazy? We waited in tense silence for six seconds before a polished male voice responded, quavering with terror.
“Get out of my home or I will . . . ignite this bomb!”
Devon’s eyebrows came together. “Hey, what kinda bomb you got, man?”
The man in the cellar hesitated before saying, “A big one! And I will blow you the fuck up. Now get the hell out! My partner is coming back any second and he is fucking huge! He will kick your ass!”
Oh, this poor guy was terrified, and his threats were pitiful. Officer Sean moved forward and sank to a knee before the trap door.
“My name is Sean. Listen, we’re not here to hurt you, or to take anything. We’ll even help you in any way we can. We’ve been walking for two days and one of the girls with us is really sick. Can we stay here, just one night?”
The man was quiet for a long time. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“You don’t,” Sean said. “We’ve all got guns and we could have shot this door open by now if we wanted to. I guess sometimes you just have to trust.”
The guy snorted sarcastically. “Kind of like how you shot my front door open?”
Tex pulled a face and Sean sighed. “Yeah, sorry about that. We were desperate.”
We waited, remaining very still. Finally a latch clicked and the hatch creaked open a couple inches. Beautiful brown eyes with dark lashes peered out and stared up at Sean.
“Hey,” Sean said.
The guy stared a long time. “Hey,” he whispered back. He looked mid-twenties. As he pushed it open farther his entire attractive face was revealed. His hair was black and wavy, well-kept, unlike Tater’s mess, and he had a five o’clock shadow that contrasted the rest of his baby face.
Sean stared openly for a moment, then blinked. “What’s your name?”
Devon and Texas Harry shifted closer, and the guy gasped in fear, going back down a step. Both soldiers put their hands up.
“We ain’t gonna hurt you,” Tex said. “Just being nosy ‘bout what you got down there.”
“We’re not going to take anything,” Sean reiterated, glancing up at Tex, who glowered at the beratement. “What’s your name?” he asked again.
“J.D. And there’s really nothing down here but ramen-fucking-noodles that I might die if I have to eat again.”
Every single one of us straightened. My mouth watered. J.D.’s eyes widened as he looked around at our faces.
“Oh, my God. You guys are starving.”
“We’re . . . really hungry,” Sean said carefully.
“Dude,” Mark pushed to the front. “If you have enough packs, that would be so awesome. We’re just staying one night. We’ve gotta be out of here first thing in the morning.”
He studied each of our dirty faces. “What will you give me?” Then his eyes landed on the handgun at Sean’s side.
“Do you have a weapon here?” Sean asked. J.D. shook his head. “I’ll give you this one and a round of ammo if you let us all have some food.
Tex scoffed. “Your gun for some fucking ten cent noodles?”
Sean eyed him and Texas Harry let out another low sigh. “Whatever man. Your gun.”
“Deal,” J.D. said softly.
“Um, hi J.D.” I stepped forward. “I’m Amber. My friend over there is the sick one.”
He grimaced as he glanced at his couch. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing contagious. But do you mind if I see what you have in the medicine cabinet?”
He shrugged. “There’s nothing much, but go ahead.” He went down into the cellar and came back up with ten packages of ramen, then closed the cellar door and slid the rug back over it. I went into the bathroom and opened the mirror cabinet. My heart leapt when I found vitamins and cranberry pills with some other herbal remedies. What were the chances? I ran back into the living room area, beaming, and collided with Ry.
“Antibiotics?” he asked.
“No, but cranberry!”
His forehead scrunched in confusion.
“Cranberry pills are good for your urinary tract,” I whispered. “It helps keep new bacteria from growing.” I chewed my lip. “Don’t tell her I told you.”
He nodded. “What can I do to help?”
“Let’s melt some snow and get the water boiling.”
We worked quickly readying water to drink and use for ramen. Rylen worked by my side, our arms brushing now and then in the cramped space. When the soup began to boil, Rylen whispered, “God, that smells good.” He leaned forward enough for the steam to hit his scruffy face, and he closed his eyes. I stared, jealous of the damned steam. When he opened his eyes I quickly looked away and chugged more water. My stomach was about to burst, and for a second I felt sick from drinking so much so fast.
The guys were loud and boisterous, all except Tater, who sat by Remy’s feet staring off into space. She slept soundly through it all. Someone had turned on the fireplace, which sent a cozy warm glow over the room. The small space heated quickly, and my bones finally began to feel thawed. Sean and J.D. stood in a corner talking. I watched their curious eyes on one another, and nearly smiled to myself.
I brought a bowl and glass of water to Remy, along with a handful of pills. She sat up, wincing, when I nudged her awake. I showed her the pills.
“Two for your fever, and two cranberry pills. Take them with your dinner, and try to eat all of it.” She nodded and her eyes rounded when she saw the soup. She lifted shaking hands to take it.
Soon we all had heaping, steaming bowls. J.D. and Sean sat at the tiny table together. The rest of us sat on the floor. We were too happy to care. For five minutes it was completely silent except the sounds of eating. When we finished we continued to sit there, but the silence turned expectant.
“So,” Texas Harry said. “What’s your story, J.D.? What are you doing alone out here in the middle of nowhere?”
The guy blushed a little and rubbed his arms. “This is my partner’s parents’ cabin. We came up here together from Arizona when . . .” He rubbed harder, holding himself tighter. “When his parents were taken away. We were all supposed to go—everyone in the city—but my partner, Thomas, was freaked out about some things he’d heard. So, we came out here instead. It was crazy. There was a border patrol, and so many cars were trying to leave the state that the border patrol couldn’t catch all of us. Thomas had a Rover, so he just went right off the road and took off into the hills.”
Before anyone could ask questions, he rushed on, getting emotional. “Thomas left three days ago because we were running low on food. He was going to Salt Lake City. It should have only been a day trip. And the day after he left, a helicopter came down. I got in the cellar, and two people came in. I think they were DRI. They didn’t find me, obviously, but when I came back out later they’d taken everything of any value. Every scrap of food and snacks that were left.” He swallowed hard. “I d
on’t know why Thomas isn’t back yet. H-he’s probably hiding somewhere or . . . or he’s helping someone. He’ll be back soon.”
Oh, no. We all looked around at each other, sharing similar expressions.
“No,” J.D. said, stubbornly lifting his chin. “Stop looking at each other like that. He’s not . . . he’s not anything. He’s fine.”
“You should come with us,” Remy said softly. Her cheeks were red and chapped.
J.D. shook his head. “I have to stay here and wait for him.”
“Listen, man,” Matt said. “We understand—all of us had to leave people—but it’s not safe for you to be out here alone—”
“I’m not leaving.” His voice was firm and final. “If you tell me where you’re going, maybe he and I can meet you there. Eventually.”
“Can’t do that,” Tex said.
J.D. exhaled. “Oh well, then.” He tried to sound nonchalant, but his expressive face and gestures gave away his worry, and my soul hurt for him.
“I’ll stay with you,” Sean said. The room stilled.
The guy fidgeted. “You will?”
“Yeah, I will. But you have to swear you’ll leave here with me when I say it’s time.”
J.D. looked down at his thumb nail and chewed his lip. “All right. Fine.”
Sean nodded, then peered around the room as if daring us to argue. Nobody did.
A muffle cry sounded from behind Remy’s hand, clutched over her mouth.
Tater bolted up straight beside her. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just . . .” She sniffled. “So sweet.” And wiped her eyes. Tater rolled his eyes when he realized nothing was wrong, and the rest of us tried not to laugh. Sean and J.D. squirmed in their chairs, suddenly very interested in the last of their broth.
I stood and stretched, then brought my bowl to the sink.
“I’ll take first watch outside,” Rylen said. He started getting his gear back on, tightening his boot strings and wrapping his head. I watched him go and covered my arms against the blast of wintery wind that came in as he exited. Tex, feeling guilty for blasting the door, rigged up a rope to keep it closed.
Since there wasn’t a ton of room in the kitchen, I offered to do all of the dishes myself. It wouldn’t be hard, considering every bowl and glass was practically licked clean.
The guys and Remy sat around in the living room, sipping water.
Sean and J.D. were quietly talking in the bedroom with the door open. Sean sat on the edge of the bed, while J.D. had scooted up against the headboard, his knees pulled up. I went to mine and Remy’s bags and pulled out our dirty undies. Then I put them in a small pot of boiling water.
“What are you cooking now?” Matt asked from his place on the floor.
My face heated. “Nothing. Just cleaning. Laundry.”
They looked at me funny, and to my horror, Tex stood.
“Oh, my God, go sit back down.” But that only made me grin as he sidled closer to peek in. I laughed and tried to shove him away, but now Mark and Matt were there too.
“Are those sasquatch holders?” Mark asked.
All at once the guys were dying laughing, leaning against counters and falling on the floor.
“What the hell is all this sasquatch shit?” Tater asked.
Remy was staring at me with wide eyes, her lips pressed together like she was trying not to laugh. “It’s their stupid word for a girl’s crotch,” she answered so he’d drop it. “They’re cavemen.”
Actually, I had come up with the stupid word, but nobody corrected her. They were too busy trying to breathe through their laughter. Normally Tater was immature enough to laugh at stuff like that too, but he only glared at them.
I was so glad Rylen was outside. I swatted the guys away from me.
“Don’t you have anything better to do than harass me? Go get your sleeping bags out or something.” But I had to admit, their laughter had brightened my mood.
By the time I boiled our underwear and was hanging it in the bathroom to dry, Tater had fallen asleep on the couch, lying down with a sleeping Remy in his arms. Texas Harry, Matt, Devon, and Mark were all passed out on a layer of sleeping bags in front of them with their boots still on. It was probably only five o’clock, so it was weird to see everyone sleeping. My own eyes were heavy, and my body felt weighed with weariness.
I knew I should spread my sleeping bag and lay down in front of the fire like the others, but I wasn’t ready to sleep yet. I wanted to be outside with Rylen. This was our last night before we’d get to the base, which may or may not have allies waiting for us. Or enemies. I shivered and began wrapping my head with the damp clothing I’d shed earlier when J.D. called out from the room.
“Amber, right? You’re going out there?”
“Yeah. Just for a few minutes.”
Sean gave me a soft grin, probably knowing why I wanted to be outside. J.D. climbed off the bed and went to a small closet.
“I know it’s butt-ass-ugly—it was Thomas’s mother’s that she kept here—but you’re welcome to it.” He handed me an oversized women’s coat from a hanger with a plaid scarf and wooly gray hat that looked hand knitted. A grateful smile plastered across my face.
“Seriously? Thank you! It’s perfect!” He shrugged, having no idea what I would have done for this yesterday and earlier today.
I put it all on and opened the door. I pushed forward against a blast of wind to close the door as quickly as possible.
“Pepper?” Rylen called from ten feet away. “What are you doing? Whose is that?” He pointed the binoculars toward the coat. I raised my tired legs to trudge through half a foot of snow until I was at his side.
“They were Thomas’s mom’s,” I explained.
He nodded. “What was everyone laughing about in there?”
My face warmed despite the cold. “Nothing. They were just being dirty.”
“Dirty, huh?” He stared out. “What’s Amber Tate’s idea of dirty?”
I made an awkward chuffing sound. “I don’t know.” My face could officially melt all the snow around us. Just the thought of dirty talk with Rylen . . .
“Aw, I embarrassed you.” He chuckled. “That’s cute.”
I elbowed him, but the gesture was muffled by our many layers.
We stood side by side, looking out at the wintery landscape. The smattering of pines were flaky white, and the hills looked like smooth mounds. Snow hid every jutting rock and imperfection. Flakes drifted down lighter now, and the cloud covering wasn’t as thick overhead as it had been hours ago. Some patches of sky had stars peeking out, bright and brilliant.
I marveled. “It’s funny how scary the snow was earlier when we were in it, but now that there’s a cabin with a fireplace it’s . . .”
Rylen peered down at me. “Stunning.”
“Yeah,” I whispered back. “But do you think it’s safe here?”
“I’m not too worried about this place since DRI already checked it out,” he said. “Hopefully it’s off their radar now.” Yet he still peered through the binoculars, turning slowly in all directions.
I stood with him for a long time. Long enough to get cold again. I crossed my arms and took turns bending my knees to try and keep blood flowing. I tried, and failed, to blow smoke rings with my breath. I looked over to see him staring off, binoculars lowered.
“What are you thinking?” I whispered.
Air puffed from his nose and he shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me.”
He was quiet so long I thought he would refuse, and then: “I wonder if it mattered at all that I got Liv out of her village. Maybe it would have been better for her to have gone with her cousins. Maybe she’d still be alive.”
My gut pinched. Of course he was thinking of her. The woman he’d tried to save. The woman he’d hoped to love someday. I wanted to tell him he’d given her a good life here in the U.S., but after learning how unfulfilling their marriage was, I didn’t think it would be m
uch comfort.
“I highly doubt she’d still be . . .” I stopped myself, feeling callous. “I mean, those small towns and villages around the world were the worst to suffer from water plagues.”
He didn’t respond. After a minute he simply raised the binoculars again and kept scouting. He still felt guilty. He probably still blamed himself for not bringing her with us, therefore letting her be taken to that camp and dying with my family. My parents and Abuela cared for her and I knew she liked them, but I understood what Rylen meant. She might have died happier with family members in her homeland, rather than people she’d only known for a few weeks. I wanted to tell him there’d been no way of knowing, and that he’d done nothing wrong, but they were only words.
Time passed and the wind picked up as the clouds thickened overhead again. When my teeth began to chatter, Rylen put one arm around me, pulling me close in front of him, even as he kept watch with the binoculars in his other hand.
I snuggled nearer, pressing us together to garner warmth. His sweatshirt was wet, but I still rested my face against his chest.
“You don’t have to stay out here,” he murmured.
“I know. But I want to.”
“Well, I appreciate the company.”
I lifted my face to smile at him just as he pulled the binoculars away to look down at me. We both tightened our grips, jolting to find our faces so close. I felt the warmth of his breath on my nose and cheeks. I knew his mouth would be warm. So warm. When he didn’t move away, I slowly went up on my tip-toes and pressed my lips to his cheek, his scruff rough against my softness. I stayed there, my face against his. Oh, my God, what was I doing? This wasn’t like holding hands. We were too close. Too intimate. His breaths puffed out faster. My hands moved up to his chest.
“Pepper . . .” I could feel his heart beating fast through his sweatshirt.
I didn’t move, didn’t speak. His face turned toward me the slightest bit, enough to put our lips even closer, our breaths mingling. Then he cleared his throat and turned his head away. “You should probably go in out of the cold. Get some rest.”
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