The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4

by Krista Street

  I pulled my scarf down, and his eyes widened.

  “Will you let me in?”

  He nudged his fellow officers. As they hurried to move the blockade for me, people began to notice.

  “Is that . . .”

  “Yeah, I think it is!”

  “Meghan! Meghan Forester!”

  I slipped around the roadblock just as someone in the crowd reached for me. My hair got snarled in someone’s hand which yanked my head back. The police officer yelled something.

  A few harrowing seconds later, I was on the other side. I straightened my jacket and smoothed my hair as the officer pulled me up the hill toward the gates.

  “Are you crazy? What were you thinking coming here alone?” He glared at me.

  “I didn’t know it would be like this. I didn’t think to—”

  “Severson!” The police officer yelled over my head. “Get her up to the gates and away from these crowds!”

  A different officer appeared. He was younger and didn’t hold as commanding of a presence. “Follow me.”

  Snow flurries drifted through the air as we hiked up the hill. Sharon spotted me and grinned before waving.

  I raised my hand so she’d know I’d seen her. “Have they been here long?” I asked the officer. The crowds’ yells carried in the wind behind us.

  “Them?” He nodded behind his shoulder at the unruly crowd. “Yeah, some arrived yesterday and spent the night out here. Crazy nutters. It was below freezing last night.”

  We didn’t say anything else as he led me up the hill. When we reached the gates, the MRRA soldier gave me a stiff nod. His hands gripped his assault rifle tightly.

  “You’ll need to stay with the families. It’s not safe for you down there.” The police officer waved at the crowds.

  His stern order was in complete contradiction to his age. He couldn’t be any older than me. However, I nodded as he hurried back to be with the other officers.

  Sharon hugged me tightly when I reached her side. Her familiar scent of soap and lavender wafted to my nose.

  “Sorry it took me so long to get here.”

  She pulled back and waved my words away. “It’s fine. Don’t worry. I’m just so glad you made it. I had no idea the crowds would be this bad.”

  “When do the gates open?” Other family members bumped into me. Nervous energy strummed in the air.

  “Two minutes.”

  Her reply made my heart race.

  Sharon and I stood with our arms wrapped around each other. Everyone huddled together since it was so cold.

  We didn’t have to wait long. Rumbles grew in the distance. Vehicles from within the reservation appeared on the crest of the hill.

  At least twenty buses drove from town. The crowd went wild. Some cheered, some booed, some yelled obscenities, and some began to cry.

  All of the family members tensed. Through the chain-link fence, we had the best view.

  “How will they get through the roadblock?” I asked a soldier. I had to yell at him over the crowd. Sharon continued to grip my hand.

  “We’ll move the blocks when the gates open.”

  “But how will you contain the crowds?” A bitter wind blew across my face. I barely felt it. All I could think about was what was to come.

  “We’ll contain them.” He didn’t elaborate.

  The buses grew closer so I tapped into my connection with Sara.

  I’m outside of the gate.

  I’ll look for you. We’re on the last bus. All of the buses ahead of us will drive to out of state locations. Those of us that are staying in state are on the last bus. They’ll drop us off outside of the gates to be with our families.

  Her sadness oozed through our bond. She and Sophie no longer had a family. They only had each other.

  I’ll see you soon. The first bus is coming now.

  We shut down our connection as the bus approached the gate. All at once, the soldiers and policemen kicked into action. It was like watching a coordinated dance. They all moved together and as one.

  I felt a little better watching them. It was obvious they had rehearsed exactly what they were going to do.

  The officers at the bridge pushed the roadblocks to the side, effectively herding the crowd out of the way. Just at that moment, the gate to the reservation opened, and the first bus barreled through. It didn’t slow down. It kept its pace of at least thirty miles an hour as it flew out of the reservation.

  It was amazing to watch, like the Red Sea parted as bus after bus flew through the gates. I grinned. The crowd kept yelling and calling things. It didn’t stop the buses.

  It was only when the last bus approached that it slowed. When it reached us just outside of the gates, it stopped.

  A hiss of the brakes followed and the door opened. The crowd continued to yell.

  Other family members, along with Sharon and me, stepped forward. We all rushed to greet them, crowding around the door. Tears poured down the faces of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. There weren’t many people greeting the Kazzies. I guessed that most had died in the First or Second Wave. Still, it was heartwarming to see.

  When the first Kazzie emerged, someone pulled him into a hug. I guessed it was a sister or cousin. They appeared to be around the same age. Since the Kazzie appeared normal-looking, I knew he had one of the strains that didn’t outwardly Change him. He and the young woman stepped to the side, still hugging. The next Kazzie stepped out.

  I held my breath as I waited for Davin.

  When he finally stepped to the front of the bus, his legs appeared first as he walked down the stairs. My gaze traveled up his tall, strong frame as my heart caught in my throat.

  This is it. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for ever since I met him. He’s finally free!

  Bright blue eyes met mine when he hopped onto the ground. Despite the cold weather, he only wore a sweater and jeans. Sharon rushed forward and grabbed him in a hug. He lifted her off the ground and hugged her back fiercely. I clutched the scarf around my neck. Tears formed in my eyes and threatened to spill onto my cheeks.

  When Davin let Sharon go, his gaze found mine. A deep swimming emotion swam in his irises. In a husky voice he said, “You did it. You got us out. You really did it.”

  I wrapped my arms around him just as he pulled me into a hug.

  The tears fell then. I couldn’t hold them back. They streamed down my face in icy rivers. I closed my eyes tightly shut as his hard chest pressed against mine.

  Everything I’d been working for, everything I’d ever dreamed of, was right here in my arms.

  He was finally holding me, and he was finally free.

  It felt like minutes before he set me down. When he did, the twins rushed forward. I hugged both of them as all three of us laughed and cried.

  I knew the crowds were still cheering or booing, but I didn’t hear them. Everything I cared about in this world was right in front of me. My best friends, a woman who felt more like a mother to me than mine ever had, and the only man I’d ever loved.

  My entire world stood right here.

  Several guards stepped forward. “We need to get you to your vehicles. This crowd is getting too unruly.”

  I pushed a tendril of hair out of my gaze. The wind was picking up, and the snow was falling harder. All I could manage was a tight nod. “Sure, we’ll follow you.”

  Sharon held on to Davin’s arm, while the twins flanked my sides. It was then I saw the bandages around their wrists. The tracking devices. They must have removed them.

  We followed the policeman and MRRA soldiers to a Jeep. I tried to ignore the crowds. At least nothing was thrown at us. The five of us climbed into the vehicle. It was a tight squeeze to fit all of us in. I crammed in the middle next to Davin and Sharon.

  “Will you take us to our vehicles across the river?” I clicked my seatbelt on.

  The soldier in front nodded at me in the rearview mirror. “Yes, ma’am.”

  It took forever to t
ravel across the bridge. The jeeps carrying other Kazzies and family members split up once we reached Mobridge. At least the crowds weren’t as bad over here. Most of the crowd was still across the river by the gates. Even those who had run after us hadn’t been able to keep up.

  “You have a short window to get out.” The soldier skidded to a stop beside my vehicle. “I suggest you start driving immediately.”

  I opened my door and turned to my friends. “Should I follow you to Rapid? If I miss work tomorrow, I’m sure Dr. Sadowsky will understand.”

  Sara and Sophie grinned. “Yes!” they yelled simultaneously.

  Giddiness welled up inside me. They’re finally free!

  Davin squeezed my hand. “I’ll ride with you. Sara and Sophie can ride with my mom. It’ll give her a chance to get to know them since they’ll be living with us.”

  Sharon nodded. “You two go on. We’ll catch up with you on the road.”

  Davin and I walked carefully on the slippery pavement to my vehicle. He stopped just outside my door, towering over me. His eyes were so bright that all I wanted to do was gaze into them.

  “How does it feel to be going home?”

  He smiled. “Better than I could have ever imagined.”

  For a moment, we both stared at one another as an undercurrent of energy flowed between us. It was here, finally here, the moment we’d been dreaming of for months. He was free. I was free. Both of us lived in the same world.

  I opened my mouth to tell him how excited I was for our future when a scuffle sounded behind the building beside my car. I turned to see what was going on. My eyes widened as my mouth dropped.

  Dr. Roberts appeared from around the building’s corner. He looked haggard and tired, as if he’d aged a decade in the last month.

  A scream formed in my mouth when my gaze dipped lower.

  He carried a gun.

  I grabbed on to Davin and tried to pull him away from Dr. Roberts’ sight, but it was too late.

  Dr. Roberts raised the handgun. His expression was blank, as if he’d resigned himself to what he was about to do. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. That blank look said everything.

  Davin yelled as I lunged.

  I flew in front of Davin’s body just as a single shot fired. A burning sensation ripped through my skin. Screaming, I fell to the ground.

  “No!” Davin’s roar filled the air.

  I had no idea what happened next. Car doors slammed. People screamed. Others shouted. The guard was out of the jeep and running, weapon raised.

  Another shot fired.

  Dr. Roberts fell to the ground, clutching his chest.

  The sky appeared above me. Blue sky and wispy clouds. I hadn’t realized it had turned into a beautiful day. My eyes began to drift closed as Davin’s face hovered above me.

  “Meghan! Meghan! Stay with me! Meghan!”

  I tried to tell him that I would be fine. Pain ripped through my body, as tiredness descended, but I was sure I was fine. It couldn’t end here. Not like this. Surely, he’d know that.

  Davin’s hand closed around mine as tears filled his eyes. He screamed my name again as his face drifted in and out of focus. I smiled or tried to. All I’d ever wanted was for him to be free, and now he was.

  I squeezed his hand as commotion filled the street. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. Davin still gripped me as he yelled and called for help, but his grip felt looser and looser, as if I was disconnecting from my body.

  I watched his beautiful face and memorized his blazing eyes as the world around me grew quieter and colder. I love you. I always have, and I always will.

  I knew the words never left me. For some reason, I felt too weak to say them, but my love for him burned brightly all around me.

  The last thing I saw was Davin’s look of agony, as the blood poured out of me and smeared over his hands. There was so much blood.

  Then, darkness claimed me.

  24 – RECOVERY

  Heaviness filled my body. Deep, dark heaviness. Everything around me was empty. Cold.

  As I drifted in nothingness, a sound reached my ears. A steady beep beep. The sound was jarring. Different. But something urged me to hold onto it, to not let it go. Everything else around me was silent.

  Vacant.

  I followed the sound. It was then I felt things. Something hard beneath me. Something smooth covering me. My other senses began to awaken. Light beyond my eyelids grew. I felt so heavy and so unbelievably tired, but I knew if I sank into the nothingness again, I would disappear.

  Open your eyes.

  It was a struggle. An immense fight to blink my eyes open. When I finally managed to, I noticed two things. I was in a room that I didn’t recognize, and I lay on a bed while Davin sat quietly in a chair beside me.

  His elbows rested on his knees while his hands cradled his head. Strong forearms rippled as he massaged his scalp. His hair looked greasy, as if he hadn’t washed it in days. Coarse stubble covered his cheeks.

  “Davin?” The word croaked out of me.

  His head snapped up. “Meghan!”

  He bolted to a stand and appeared above me. The movement had been a blur.

  Leaning closer, his eyes frantically searched mine. “Meghan, can you hear me?”

  “Yeah.” My voice sounded awful, like rocks running over gravel. “Where am I?”

  “Reservation 1’s hospital. Do you remember what happened?” He frantically reached for a button on the side of my bed and pushed it. Over his shoulder, he yelled for the nurse. Turning back to me, his eyes were as dark as the ocean. “Are you okay? Does anything hurt?”

  I moved, or tried to. My shoulder felt stiff, and my upper right chest hurt. “Yeah, a little.”

  “Where?”

  A nurse in green scrubs strode purposefully into the room. She approached the bed and pushed Davin aside. “Meghan? Can you hear me?”

  When I nodded, she proceeded to ask me strange questions. If I knew my name, where I was, what day it was, if I remembered what happened to me.

  I grew more confused by the second. “Why am I here?”

  Her eyes softened. “You’re recovering from a gunshot wound.” She placed a blood pressure cuff on my arm and put her fingers to my wrist. The machine hummed as the cuff inflated. “I’ll get the doctors when I finish. They’ll tell you about the injuries you suffered.”

  “I was shot?” My voice rose.

  “Yeah, Dr. Roberts shot you.” Davin’s face grew hard. “He was aiming for me, but you lunged in front of me and took the hit.”

  My eyes widened as foggy memories surfaced. The crowds around the gate at Reservation 1. The buses leaving with the Kazzies inside. The MRRA soldier giving us a ride to my car. Walking with Davin at my side.

  Dr. Roberts appearing from around a building with a gun in his hand.

  My eyes widened in horror. “Oh my God, I remember. He did shoot me!”

  Davin’s hands clenched into fists. A muscle ticked in his jaw.

  I winced when I turned my head to face him. “What happened to him? Where is he?”

  “They took him away. Last I heard he was in some mental hospital recovering from the gunshot wound that MRRA soldier nailed him with.”

  More memories returned to me. I was relieved that my memory was still intact.

  “Do you know that a Kazzie deliberately killed Dr. Roberts’ wife and daughter?”

  Davin cocked his head but gave no other reaction.

  “That’s why he hates you and all of the Kazzies so much. In a twisted way, he feels that all of you are as bad as the guy that killed his family.”

  That muscle in his jaw ticked again. “That’s hardly an excuse for everything he’s done.”

  The nurse finished assessing me and mumbled something about getting the doctor. She scurried from the room.

  “Davin?” My voice still sounded hoarse and weird, but I forced myself to talk. It didn’t help that my throat was so dry, but the emotion o
n Davin’s face trumped all of that. “Are you okay?”

  His arms fell to his sides as anguish distorted his features. “He shot you because of me, Meghan. You should never have lunged in front of me.”

  “I . . .” I didn’t know what to say. Instinct had roared to life inside me when Dr. Roberts had raised his gun. I hadn’t thought. I’d simply reacted.

  Davin crouched by the bed again. “You could have died, Meghan.” The emotion that swam in his eyes tugged at my soul.

  “But I didn’t. And I’m fine.”

  He guffawed. “You have a bullet hole in your chest. You’re hardly fine.”

  Before I could respond, a team of doctors and nurses entered the room. The next hour passed in a blur. They took me for tests and did blood work. Apparently, this was the first time I’d woken up in three days. I was informed that I’d been shot in the upper chest. The bullet had just missed an artery.

  The doctor said if it had hit my artery that I probably would have died. When he said that, Davin’s entire body tensed. He raked a hand harshly through his hair again and again. The agitated movement garnered a few concerned glances from the hospital staff.

  When they finally left, I sank into the bed. I felt exhausted, like I’d just run a marathon. “I’m so tired.”

  Davin settled again on the chair at my bedside. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  As my eyelids fluttered closed, I was filled with memories of my time in the Sanctum when I’d been bedridden after being exposed to Makanza. Davin had stayed by my side then too.

  TWO DAYS LATER, I was scheduled to be released from the hospital. My parents had also been at my side periodically. Apparently, they’d been on the reservation the entire time but had been out of the room the first time I woke.

  My parents, along with Sharon, the twins, and Davin had all been staying together in the Kazzie town. Despite it being Christmas, none of them wanted to leave until I was okay.

  Due to my injury, I wasn’t allowed to drive for several weeks. It was a good thing my parents were here, otherwise someone else would have had to drive me to Sioux Falls. I knew Davin would have in a heartbeat, but I also knew he’d been under enough stress. Right now, it was more important that he travel home and get settled into his new life. We had our entire lives in front of us. A few weeks apart was nothing.