I huffed. He didn’t know just how stubborn Maddie could be.
Blake led the way up the gravel driveway with his gun in hand. Jay was off to the side, studying our surroundings and keeping his eye on what was left of the barn. It was almost as if he expected sick to be hiding inside. Or maybe he was thinking about his sick sister-in-law who’d been locked inside the barn at his brother’s house.
Blake opened the truck door and reached inside. “No keys.”
“Check inside?” Jay asked.
“We need warmer clothes and a break,” I said.
“Maybe some blankets too,” Jay suggested.
Dillon looked at the house suspiciously. “What if there is someone inside?”
“We’ll check it first,” Blake said pointing his gun at the house.
Dillon ducked. “Dammit, I hate those things.”
“Wait out here,” Blake said. “Keep an eye on each other.”
Blake was looking at Dillon but it felt like he was speaking to me. Dillon reminded me of a fragile baby bird and I was pretty sure Blake noticed it too.
“Want me to wait with them?” Jay asked shooting a nervous glance in our direction.
Out of all of us, Jay appeared to be the healthiest. He hadn’t been on the road nearly as long as the rest of us, which was probably why.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s a great idea,” Blake said.
“No,” I said shaking my head. “You shouldn’t go in there alone.”
“I think I can manage on my own,” Blake said.
Jay caught my eye and jerked his head toward Blake. He was subtly trying to tell me to go with Blake.
“I’ll join you,” I said taking a step next to Blake.
“Not necessary,” Blake said holding up his palm
“Of course, it’s not but you know, just in case,” I said. “It’s not like you’d let any of us go alone, so I guess you don’t get to go alone either.”
Blake held my gaze. “Fine.”
I followed him to the front door. The screen door wasn’t quite closed and neither was the front door.
“Shit,” Blake said stepping in front of me. “Stay behind me.”
“If someone were inside, they probably wouldn’t keep the door open,” I said keeping my voice almost silent.
“Unless they’re in there right now,” Blake whispered back.
Blake placed his hand on the door. The hinges squeaked and the floorboards creaked as we stepped into the quaint, empty living room.
The screen door smacked against the door frame behind me and I hopped forward grabbing Blake’s shirt. His eyes were wide as he turned to look at me.
“Don’t do that,” Blake said flicking his eyes to the gun.
“Oh, sorry,” I said. “My nerves are shot.”
“Well, if anyone is here, I’m sure they’ve heard us,” Blake said. He looked around, lowering the gun slightly. “Hello? Anyone here?”
I swallowed and let go of his shirt. “That’s bold.”
No one responded.
“Hello?” Blake called again.
We stared at one another as we listened in the silence for any kind of indication that anyone, sick or not, was inside the house.
I walked close behind as Blake made his way through the first floor. There was a small kitchen, a bathroom, and a single bedroom. He checked the closets to make sure they were empty too.
We walked up the stairs. I kept looking over my shoulder, unable to shake the feeling that someone was walking behind me.
“This house is creepy,” I said.
“Yeah,” Blake said.
It was like walking through a graveyard in the middle of the night… alone. The room was cold and as I exhaled, I could see my breath. It almost seemed as though inside the home was even colder than it had been outside.
There was another bathroom upstairs and two small bedrooms that were minimally furnished. It seemed as though the house had perhaps belonged to a single person and based on the coat and boots that had been next to the door, I would have guessed the owner had been male.
“No one’s home,” Blake said tucking the gun into the back of his pants.
“Doesn’t mean they won’t be back,” I said raising a brow.
“Didn’t you just say no one would be inside since the door was open? Why would someone leave and keep their door open, especially when the sick could just wander inside?” Blake asked allowing his lip to curl at one end.
I bit the side of my lip. “I guess they wouldn’t.”
I looked down at Maddie from the upstairs window. She looked so small.
“Hey, Blake?” I said wrapping my arms around myself as I turned to him.
“Yeah?” he said studying the room. There wasn’t a single picture or piece of art hanging on the poorly wallpapered walls.
“I think we should probably spend the night here.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Are you sure about that? I thought we were in a hurry to get to your sister.”
“We are but it’ll be dark soon and no one is going to want to ride in the back of the truck at night,” I said. “If we can even find the keys.”
“There was a set sitting on the table,” Blake said.
I looked back out the window. “I wonder if he got sick and just left.”
“Maybe he was taken with the others to the base,” Blake said. “It doesn’t matter, though, does it?”
“No, it only matters if we have to worry about him coming back,” I said.
“We’ll lock the doors. He can’t get inside if we have his keys.” Blake flashed a wide grin.
My eyes narrowed as I shook my head. “He could have more than one set.”
“Well, I’ll keep watch. We’ll make sure Maddie gets enough rest,” Blake said.
“I’m worried about her,” I said taking a step toward the door.
Blake didn’t move. I thought he’d turn and go back downstairs but he didn’t. My body warmed just being close to his body.
“I can tell,” Blake said in a voice that was like black silk. “I’m worried about both of you.”
“I’m fine,” I said with a strange, uncomfortable laugh.
No one besides my mom and Polly had ever worried about me. And after what happened to Dax and Whitney, I’d thought I’d be last on Blake’s list of people to worry about.
Blake rested his hand on my shoulder. The look in his eyes made my knees feel weak. My mind went back to the night I’d first seen him. He’d come to the house and he hadn’t put up with Freddie’s shit.
I’d felt something the minute I’d looked into his eyes. What was it?
My thoughts disintegrated when I heard the gunshot.
Chapter Nine
Blake bolted down the stairs. I was at his heels but his thoughts weren’t on me. They were on whatever was happening outside.
Blake’s shoulders were rising and falling as he stopped abruptly on the driveway.
Jay was standing there with his gun aimed at the old barn. Maddie and Dillon stared at something on the ground. It took no more than a second to realize it was a body.
“What happened? Are you okay?” Blake said as he looked Maddie over.
“I’m fine,” Maddie said.
“Yeah, I’m fine too,” Dillon said trying to hide the fact that he was rolling his eyes. He knew Blake hadn’t asked about his well-being but he thought he’d offer it up nonetheless.
Blake ignored him and started walking toward the body on the ground. Jay was a step or two behind.
“Put your mask on,” Jay warned. “The man was sick.”
Blake reached into his pocket and pressed the mask to his face. He didn’t bother with the elastic. Blake only went close enough to verify that the man on the ground was in fact, sick.
“Shit,” Blake said. “We’re going to have to—”
“Yeah, I know,” Jay said.
“Have to what?” Dillon asked wrinkling his nose. The look of disgust made me think he already
knew what would have to be done.
Blake turned slowly. “We have to take care of the situation.” He turned his back to us and placed his hands on his hips. “Kit, take everyone inside. I’ll handle this.”
“Okay,” I said.
Maddie and Dillon started to follow me toward the house but Jay didn’t move. He handed me the pillowcases and waved me toward the house.
Jay didn’t bother to ask Blake if he needed help because he would have just sent him into the house. I was glad neither of them would be outside alone.
Inside, Dillon flopped down on the couch, draping his forearm over his eyes. Maddie sat down at the kitchen table and rested her head down on her folded arms.
“You want something to eat?” I asked.
“I’d love something,” Dillon said.
I wanted to tell him to get off his ass and help me search the cabinets but rather than deal with him, I tossed him a bag of chips. He hadn’t been prepared and they smacked against his arm.
“Ow,” Dillon said dramatically.
“Sorry,” I said biting back my smirk.
Dillon exhaled as his eyelids fluttered. He knew I wasn’t even a little sorry.
I set down a small bottle of water and a breakfast bar in front of Maddie. Her eyes were focused on the window as she tore open the foil packaging.
“You should have something, too,” Maddie said.
“I will,” I said but instead of taking something from the bag, I started going through the cabinets.
The cupboards were almost entirely bare. There was a can of tomato soup and two boxes of pasta, both of which were half gone.
On the counter next to the sink was an opened can of mushroom soup with green and white mold growing up the sides. The smell reminded me of our basement. I grabbed the can and dropped it into the trash can next to the fridge.
“I’m going to see what I can find for jackets,” I said tapping my fingers on the table to get Maddie’s attention. She didn’t take her eyes off the window but she did offer me a nod.
The closet near the front door had several thick flannel jackets and a brown winter coat. They looked like they’d even be a little big for Jay and Blake. I pulled them off their hangers and tossed them on the nearby recliner.
I walked down the short hall and into the bedroom. There were more clothes in the closet but nothing that would fit Maddie or me.
There was a large faded blue comforter on the bed but nothing else underneath. I left it on the bed in case someone wanted to take a nap but I made a mental note to take it when it was time to leave.
I walked back out into the kitchen as Jay and Blake entered along with an icy breeze. My body jerked with the closing of the door.
“That’s done,” Jay said brushing his hands together. “Gets easier every time.”
“It does?” I asked.
“No, not really,” Jay said.
I showed Blake and Jay the jackets. Jay tried on one of the flannels.
“Dude was a lumberjack,” Jay said.
“At least you’ll be warm,” I said tugging at the arms as if somehow, I’d be able to make them shorter.
“Yeah, I won’t complain,” Jay said.
“I might,” Blake said frowning as he turned around.
He was drowning in the tan jacket. I tried not to laugh but I couldn’t help it.
Blake laughed too. “You think this is funny, huh?”
“A little,” I said.
Blake wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. “Maybe you should try it on.”
“You both could probably fit in there,” Jay said sliding down into one of the chairs with his jacket still on. “This one is warm. I’m not mad.”
“Does anyone mind if I take a nap?” Maddie asked with her arms wrapped around her thin middle.
I pulled away from Blake and walked toward her. “Of course not, want me to come with you?”
“No, mom,” Maddie groaned. “I can manage on my own, thanks.”
“Right,” I said softly. “Well, just let me know if you need anything.”
Her nod was so small that I would have missed it had I not been staring at her. We were all silent as she climbed up the stairs.
“Maybe I should get some rest too,” Dillon said. “I imagine you don’t want me going upstairs. That would like, make you uncomfortable or something, right?”
“Oh, umm, yeah, I guess I didn’t really think about it but I’ll share a room with Maddie,” I said.
“Is there another up there?” Jay asked.
I nodded. “Two upstairs and one down here.”
“I’m going to get stuck with the couch, aren’t I?” Dillon asked.
“I’ll take the couch,” Blake said. “You can have the bedroom down here.”
“Oh, perfect,” Dillon said clapping his hands.
He got to his feet and stopped at the kitchen table, opening one of the pillowcases. Dillon took out two snacks and a bottle of water.
“Sorry,” he whispered as he pointed at his middle. “I’m obviously famished. Wake me when it’s time to go.”
We stood there in silence as he walked down the short hallway and closed the door behind him.
Jay stretched his arms over his head and yawned. “I should probably call it a night too.”
“It’s not even night,” I said raising a brow.
“Does it matter?” Jay asked. “I can sleep almost anywhere at any time.”
“Must be nice,” I said.
Jay flashed a quick grin. “I want to be well-rested. Tomorrow could very well be the big day.”
“My stomach is stuffed with butterflies,” I said. “Worried about whether we’ll find her or if things will be as bad as Dillon says.”
“Understandable… but we’ll figure it out,” Jay said forcing a smile. “We will definitely approach with caution.”
Blake’s head bobbed up and down. “It’ll be okay. We’ll go in prepared. With a plan. We know what to expect after having been at the outpost.”
“This place sounds worse than the outpost,” I said. “I just need to make sure nothing happens to anyone else.”
The room grew silent.
“There is no way to know what will happen,” Blake said. “But we’ll do everything we can.”
“Exactly,” Jay said trying to hide another yawn. “Sorry.”
“Go on,” I said jerking my chin toward the stairs. “We can talk about it more in the morning.”
Jay stepped up to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. He looked into my eyes.
“I know we don’t know each other well but if it wasn’t for you guys, I’m pretty sure I’d be dead. So, maybe bad stuff happened, but try not to forget the good,” Jay said. “You saved me. Dillon would say the same. Try not to only focus on the bad stuff even though there seems to be a lot of it right now. It’ll get better. It really will.”
“Thanks, Jay,” I said giving him a quick hug.
Jay’s eyes widened as he glanced over at Blake. “A hug! It must be my lucky day.”
“Don’t get used to it,” I said.
Jay leaned closer. “I will cherish it for the rest of my life.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely the last one,” I said.
Jay turned and walked up the stairs leaving Blake and me in silence. I stared at my feet for a long moment.
“Um, I should go up.” It sounded more like I was asking rather than making a statement.
“You don’t have to,” Blake said pulling a chair closer to the window. He sat down but after a second, he stood and adjusted the chair. “This isn’t the best.”
I cocked my head to the side.
“Can’t see very far in either direction,” Blake explained. “My view is blocked by trees and this is just an awkward angle.”
“Oh,” I said.
“And it’s going to get really cold in here,” Blake added.
The bedrooms had blankets but there wasn’t anything except for the large jackets
. “I’ll check upstairs for an extra blanket.”
“Oh, thanks,” Blake said. “But you don’t have to do that. My legs work just fine. Besides, those coats are practically blankets anyway.”
I laughed.
Blake looked at me and the small smile faded. “Want to sit with me?”
Chapter Ten
He brought over one of the chairs from the dining room table. Neither looked very comfortable but he offered me a choice between the two.
I took the wooden chair and wrapped one of the flannel jackets around my shoulders. He shot me a smile before leaning forward and peering out of the window. Perhaps Blake didn’t hate me as much as I thought he had.
“Might be better in a vehicle because we’d have a heater,” Blake said. His voice sounded loud in the silence.
“It feels like my bones are made out of ice,” I said.
“Too bad we hadn’t found something with a fireplace,” Blake said.
A smile curled onto my lips. “You wouldn’t have let us use it anyway.”
“You’re right,” he chuckled. “I probably wouldn’t. People could see the smoke.”
There was a long moment of silence before I sighed. “What if we’re doing all this and she’s not even there?”
“Can you even change your mind at this point and not find out?” Blake asked. “You have so much doubt but I wonder how much of a choice you really have in the matter.”
He was absolutely right. It was like I was trying to find an excuse but there wasn’t one that would be good enough. Good enough for me.
“I’m just so worried about her,” I said glancing toward the stairs. “Every minute of every day, I’m putting her in harm’s way. I should be done doing that to her. All my life I made every stupid choice thrown my way. It’s beyond time to stop doing that.”
“Do you really think you could have stopped her from coming here? If you hadn’t gone with her, she’d be out here right now by herself,” Blake said.
I looked down at my hands. “You’re probably right.”
“I’m definitely right.” Blake reached over and took my hands into his. They were so warm and his touch was like a bolt of electricity jolting through my body. “Your sister must be something else. I don’t think Dax would have done this for me.”
What Remains Series (Book 4): Evasion Page 5