The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4

by Krista Street

  As the nurse wheeled me out of my room, Davin walked at my side while Sharon and the twins trailed behind. My parents had returned to the Kazzie house they’d been staying at to collect their things.

  Harsh fluorescent lights shone brightly above us, and the soft squeak of the wheelchair filled the hall. My heart ached knowing what was coming.

  Within the hour, I’d be returning to Sioux Falls while Davin moved to Rapid City. Even though only a five hour drive separated us, I still hated the distance. Sooner or later, we’d have to figure something out. We’d spent too much time apart.

  Davin strode closer to my side. Walking beside me, he reached down, a sad smile on his face while he entwined his fingers through mine.

  I squeezed his hand, holding tightly to him.

  Cold winter wind blew outside when the hospital doors opened. The nurse pushed me out and made sure I had all of my belongings before retreating inside. Davin bundled a blanket around my lap. His attentiveness hadn’t lessened despite me being awake.

  On the horizon, I spotted my parents’ car. They drove steadily down the road.

  Right on time.

  Another car followed them. It was strange to see two civilian cars within the reservation. Ever since the Kazzies had been released, the reservation had become a ghost town.

  During the past twenty-four hours, Davin and Sharon made sure to keep me informed on how the Kazzies were doing. There had been a few incidences in several cities where the Kazzies with more prominent physical changes had relocated. They’d been harassed by angry neighbors. Other than that, there weren’t too many cases to report. I knew that could change. I knew at any time the public could turn on them and more protests could ensue.

  It was my hope that as time passed and people realized they would not become sick that everything would die down. I had no idea what kind of lives the Kazzies would now lead, but at least they were free.

  My parents pulled up in their station wagon as cold wind whipped hair around my face. Just as my mother opened her door, the car that had been following them pulled up behind them.

  It wasn’t until my dad stepped out of the driver’s door, that I realized the person behind them was also emerging from her vehicle.

  I made a move to unlock the wheelchair’s brakes when Davin’s breath sucked in.

  The woman from the other vehicle strode toward us. She appeared to be around my age. She had long blond hair, a curvy build, and only wore a light jacket. Her eyes were glued to Davin’s.

  I glanced behind me and realized he was staring at her. My stomach sank. I didn’t know why, but I felt like something bad was about to happen.

  “Meghan, how are you feeling, kiddo?” My dad bustled to my side just as the girl reached Davin’s.

  I didn’t reply. My gaze didn’t leave Davin.

  Davin’s face turned white. “I . . . How . . .”

  Sharon’s eyes turned to saucers. “Jenna? Is that really you? What are you doing here?”

  My stomach sank even more. Jenna. I knew that name.

  And in that moment, my eidetic memory roared to life. The letters I’d found under Davin’s mattress flashed through my mind. Every single page burned behind my eyelids, like hot coals that someone pressed against my skull.

  Jenna smiled. “Hi, Sharon, it’s so good to see you again.”

  My mother and father both stood at my side, collecting my things. Neither seemed to be paying attention to what was transpiring right beside them.

  My dad picked up my bag and put it in the back of the car while my mom fussed over the blanket on my lap. It was the first time she’d ever fussed over me in my life. That flustered me even more.

  “Are you going to introduce us?” The words bubbled out of me. My stomach had turned into knots and more than anything I wanted to twist my hands together.

  “Oh,” Davin muttered. He still wore a shocked expression. “Um, Meghan, this is Jenna.” He seemed to make the introductions on autopilot, as if the words that escaped his mouth weren’t really his.

  Jenna held out her hand.

  I automatically shook it. Her hand was warm, not like mine which was ice.

  “I’ve seen you on the news, Dr. Forester. I’m so thankful for what you’ve done for Davin.”

  “You’re welcome.” My words were so quiet I barely heard them.

  Sara’s narrowed gaze told me she’d picked up on my anxiety. I’m sure the mental chaos rolling off me right now was extreme.

  She stepped forward. “And who exactly are you, Jenna?”

  I was grateful that she didn’t beat around the bush.

  Jenna turned to Davin, her eyes dipping down as long lashes rested against her cheeks. “I’m Davin’s old girlfriend. I haven’t seen him since before the First Wave. I thought he had died.”

  Jenna glanced up at him, unspoken questions swimming in her gaze. “I know we said we’d meet in Rapid if you were ever freed, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to see you.” Tentatively, she placed her hand on his arm.

  And then I saw it—words on the letters that my memory had captured like a photograph the moment I’d seen them—yet they were words I hadn’t wanted to read, so I’d buried them away.

  I can’t wait for us to meet again. And I agree, meeting in Rapid would definitely be nostalgic. If you’re ever free, that’s where we should meet.

  I clenched my eyes tightly closed as pain ripped through me.

  “And I agree . . .”

  That meant Davin had agreed to meet her. Even though I’d never seen his letters to her, I didn’t need to. Those three words said it all.

  Davin had planned to meet her despite his feelings for me. Despite my feelings for him.

  The feeling of absolute betrayal fired so deeply inside me that nausea rolled my stomach.

  My mother and father had finally sensed that something was going on. Both stood quietly at my sides.

  “I need to go!” The whispered statement escaped my lips.

  My mother leaned down, her eyebrows knitting tightly together. “What was that, Meghan?”

  Tears filled my eyes. “I need to go! Now!” I placed my hands on the wheelchair and grimaced when pain shot through me.

  My dad steadied me just as Davin looked my way. I couldn’t meet his gaze. Not now. Not ever. He’d willingly agreed to meet his first love while knowing about my feelings for him. While telling me that he’d never give us a chance as long as he was contained on Reservation 1.

  Yet, he’d made plans to meet with Jenna should he ever be free. He hadn’t kept her at arm’s length. Only me.

  I’ll never forgive him.

  In a blur, Davin appeared at my side, worry rolling off him, but something else did too. Guilt.

  “Meghan?” He placed his hand over mine.

  I snatched my hand back as if burned. “Don’t!”

  My parents shared a concerned look before stepping closer to me. My dad’s brow furrowed. “Meghan? Are you okay?”

  “Get me out of here. Please!”

  Jenna stood frozen, her full lips downturned.

  My eyes sought my dad’s. When he saw the tears I was barely controlling, his face tightened before he shot Davin an accusing look. Shouldering passed him, gratitude filled me when my dad’s body blocked Davin from view.

  My mother also seemed to notice the tension and pain oozing from me like a wound gushing blood. “Take my arm, honey. We’ll keep you steady.”

  With my parents flanking my sides, the scratchy feeling from Sara entered my mind.

  Meghan? What’s going on? Who is this girl?

  I bit my lip so hard the coppery taste of blood hit my tongue. I can’t, Sara. Right now . . . I just can’t.

  I felt the twin watching me, but she didn’t push.

  Behind me, Davin’s presence loomed. I felt his pain.

  His guilt.

  It was his guilt that was my undoing. With my parent’s help, I hobbled into the backseat of their car. When they slid into the fr
ont seat and began driving us away, I didn’t look back.

  25 – NEW BEGINNINGS

  I spent the weekend at my parents’ house in Vermillion. Sara and I spoke every day through our bond. She knew I was horribly upset, but I couldn’t talk about it. Not yet.

  It didn’t help that Jenna had taken up residence in Rapid City. Sara said Jenna had been over to the house a few times. She would know since the twins were living with Davin and Sharon. But every time Sara tried to go into details, I stopped her.

  I didn’t want to know.

  My heart was breaking, and it was everything I could do to keep myself together.

  “Can I get you anything, dear?” My mother’s question pulled me out of my trance. I was sitting on a chair in the living room staring out the window. Our Christmas tree, with its twinkling lights and homemade ornaments, stood behind me. Christmas had come and gone while I’d been in the hospital. And now, the New Year loomed.

  I turned my gaze back to the window. My words sounded hollow when I replied, “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

  She checked her watch. “Your next dose of pain medicine is due in an hour.”

  I just nodded. My mother had been surprisingly caring since I returned home. She made sure I took my pain meds on schedule and helped me dress since it was hard to bend my arm.

  Despite her urging me to eat, I’d lost weight. I couldn’t help it. All I could think about were Jenna’s long eyelashes and beautiful blond hair.

  It was all so painfully ironic. Davin was finally free, and his old love had returned.

  I hadn’t spoken to him since I came home. It had been three whole days since I’d heard his voice. He called my cell phone every day, sometimes several times a day, but I never answered, and I didn’t listen to the messages. It was all I could do to keep myself together. If I spoke to him, I’d break down.

  “Would you like to go for a walk outside?” My mother perched on the chair beside me with her back ramrod straight. Her blond hair was in a bun while her sharp hazel eyes watched my every move.

  “Maybe later. I’m kind of tired right now.”

  “The doctor said you need to go for walks every day. You’ve been sitting here all afternoon.”

  Tears filled my eyes. I hastily blinked them back so she wouldn’t see. “Okay, can you give me ten minutes?”

  She continued watching me. A tenseness hung between us. I knew I hadn’t hidden my tears as well as I thought.

  She finally stood and turned, but she only took two steps toward the kitchen before turning back. Her mouth opened then closed before she simply nodded.

  “Sure. I’ll come back in ten minutes.”

  Outside, snow fell as the winter sun shone down on the earth. Everywhere else in the country excitement was brimming. Things were returning to how they used to be. The economy was speeding up. There was talk of opening country borders, and the Kazzies were free. It should have been the happiest time in my life.

  A knock sounded on the front door as I stared at the snowy landscape. I waited to see if my mom would get it, but since rustling sounded from the kitchen, she probably hadn’t heard it.

  Pushing up from the chair, I grimaced and supported my weak arm as I hobbled to the door.

  Another knock sounded just as I reached it. Louder. More persistent.

  Tentatively grasping the door handle, I swung it open. My eyes widened.

  “Dr. Forester, please. Help me!”

  Bethany stood at my doorstep. The Kazzie from Minnesota with strain 15. The woman the soldier had shot from the sky. Her large pleading eyes were filled with unshed tears.

  A cloak surrounded her. It hid the skin that connected her arms to her latissimus dorsi muscles.

  I opened the door wider as cold wind blew into the foyer. “Come in.”

  She stepped awkwardly into the entryway just as my mother appeared from around the corner.

  “Oh!” My mother stopped short. “I didn’t realize we had a visitor.”

  “This is Bethany. She’s from Minnesota and used to live on Reservation 1.”

  Bethany shuffled her feet, her eyes downcast. “I’m sorry to show up unannounced like this, but I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

  I stepped closer to her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  Tears fell onto her cheeks as she reached for my hand. “Help me. Please! I can’t live like this!”

  I found myself nodding even though I wasn’t sure how I could help. “Of course. What do you need? A place to stay? Money? Someone to talk to?”

  She shook her head as the tears fell faster. “No, I need a cure, Dr. Forester. I need you to find a cure, so I don’t have to look like this anymore.”

  She dropped her cloak. The thin skin attached to her arms and upper body was so long it hung to her knees. She lifted her arms, her wings appearing. My mother’s breath sucked in.

  “Please.” Her eyes pleaded as more tears ran down her cheeks. “Can you help me?”

  And suddenly, seeing her standing there, desperation coating her face, all of my pain, all of the hurt that had bled from my heart since parting with Davin . . . It all shifted to the background.

  With my good arm, I reached for her. “Yes, of course, I’ll help you. And if it’s a cure you want, I can certainly try.”

  DIVISION 5

  Book 4

  1 – HOME

  “Meghan, you can’t go to work with a gunshot wound!” My mother stood in the doorway of my childhood bedroom with her arms crossed. One of her blond eyebrows arched in disapproval.

  I struggled to get my shirt on and grimaced. My mother didn’t try to help. It was the first time in four days she hadn’t stayed at my side, helping me with every little thing.

  “Mom, I have to go to work. You heard Bethany. I can’t leave her in that state if she’s going to be miserable for the rest of her life. I need to help her.”

  I turned my back so she wouldn’t see how much it hurt to put clothes on.

  Janine Forester frowned.

  I knew she did even though I wasn’t looking at her. I also knew she was studying me. I could feel it. Like someone was holding a burning poker to my neck.

  Her exasperated sigh followed. “There’s no reason you can’t return in a few weeks. The doctor said you’re supposed to rest, take short walks, take your pain medication and antibiotics on schedule, and not lift more than ten pounds for at least six weeks. Not to mention, you’re not supposed to drive.”

  I finally turned around to face her.

  My mother’s fingers drummed on her bicep. Glittering hazel eyes met mine—eyes that mirrored my own eye color.

  “Mom, I’m leaving. It’s not up for discussion.”

  Searing pain shot down my right arm when I tugged too sharply on the sleeve. I carefully put my arm back into the sling. The sound of ripping Velcro, when it took several attempts to get the straps right, filled the room.

  Thankfully, my pants were already on. Now, it was a matter of packing the rest of my clothes one-armed before I headed back to Sioux Falls.

  It was crazy to think my recent physical limitations had begun only a week ago. That was when I’d woken up in the hospital after my former boss shot me in Mobridge, just outside Reservation 1 in northwest South Dakota. Dr. Roberts had been waiting near a building beside my vehicle. I had no idea how he’d found me. I could only guess that he’d followed me when he spotted me driving through the streets.

  And when I’d returned to my vehicle with Davin, the twins, and Sharon, Dr. Roberts had raised his gun to shoot Davin. Without considering the consequences, I’d lunged in front of the only man I’d ever loved.

  So now, a still-healing bullet wound marred my upper chest. But it had been a week since the incident, and I’d spent the entire weekend in Vermillion at my parents’ home recovering. And while my mother was right, I wasn’t 100%—far from it—I couldn’t stay here any longer.

  For multiple reasons.

  My hand stilled over my suitcase as
those reasons pummeled my mind. It had been four days since I’d seen Davin Kinder—the Kazzie infected with strain 11—the man I’d been in love with since I started my job at Compound 26 over a year ago.

  Davin was free now. He was no longer a prisoner in the Compound or on Reservation 1. All of the Kazzies were free. The Post Wave Rehabilitation Act ensured that despite Senator Douglas’ promise to overturn the law.

  White-hot pain squeezed my heart, an ache that had nothing to do with the bullet wound. It felt like someone had taken my soul and clenched it between their hands, wringing the life right out of me. Not only had I been shot by my former boss, the same man who’d tormented Davin and my friends for years, but I’d also made a startling discovery about Davin only four days ago.

  Unbeknownst to me, he’d been in communication with his former girlfriend, Jenna, during his time on Reservation 1. Weeks ago, I’d found letters from her under his bed. They’d agreed to meet in Rapid City if Davin were ever freed.

  When I’d found those letters, I hadn’t wanted to believe what I was reading. It hurt too much.

  For so many months, Davin had pushed me away despite our feelings for each other. He’d been adamant that a relationship would never work with someone on the outside. So when Jenna showed up at the hospital four days ago, looking for Davin, it became apparent his rule had only applied to me—not her. The only explanation for her arrival was that he’d cultivated a relationship with her long-distance while he’d lived on the reservation.

  The flash of guilt I’d seen on his face, when Jenna had arrived at Reservation 1’s hospital, had confirmed my suspicions. That guilt seared itself into my memory like a deeply embedded tattoo. There was no removing it. It would forever haunt me.