by Angela White
“Not a fan of storms?”
“No,” she answered, putting the pencil down. “This draft is done for now, but once people are using the caves every day, we may have to expand a little. It will depend on traffic.”
Theo was impressed with the bathroom setup she’d drawn and he understood what she meant by traffic. Unless there was an epidemic or outbreak, there would be enough stalls and water to accommodate their waste needs. If there was an outbreak of some kind, Theo assumed the QZ would have to handle the overflow anyway, but Jennifer wasn’t finished with those prints yet.
“Thank you.”
Theo lifted a brow. “For?”
“Letting me do this without harping and shoulder-hunting. It’s nice.”
“I almost didn’t believe it,” Theo admitted. “But I’ve been in engineering for a long time. You’re good. Be crazy not to have you doing these.”
“Still,” Jennifer insisted. “It’s nice.”
Theo blushed a bit and cleared his throat. “You’re welcome. Ready for more coffee?”
Jennifer grimaced. “No. I want a Mountain Dew, a Twinkie, and a better eraser. This one keeps leaving crumbs.”
Theo chuckled, fishing in the kit on the stone floor under the table. “The pop and eraser I’ve got. The Twinkies all vanished again. We’ll hope one of the teams brings some in.”
Jennifer nodded thanks for the can, but kept her hands away from his out of habit. Cesar hadn’t liked her to have physical contact with another male in any way.
That thought made her frown and she tried to shake it off, not sure why she would be thinking of that evil man right now. He was dead and that hell had ended.
But some days, I still don’t believe it, she admitted silently. I’m still waiting for his punishments.
Theo glanced around the room they’d chosen, aware that everyone was listening. Most of them had promised to keep an eye on Jennifer, but they were also using each other to hold their demons at bay. Being inside the ground and listening to the groans and creaks of shifting rock above them, was unsettling even for the senior men. The only miners in Safe Haven were the Miller family men.
An odd growl sounded from a lower level of the cave and all of them focused in that direction. That hadn’t been the storm or the stone settling.
“You want me to check it out?” one of their rookies asked.
“Nope,” Theo denied. “Stay alert.”
The rookie, Brent, sighed in bored disappointment. He clearly wanted to be doing more than babysitting.
The storm increased in power, rumbling down to make the hair on their necks stand up.
“It’s getting bad up there,” Jennifer commented. “I think they’re going to have to come here soon.”
Her voice was dazed and Theo didn’t hesitate to get the team going on preparations for that. It would please the boss.
Jennifer joined them, but stayed in the same room so that she could watch Autumn. That cave-dwelling voice might be harmless right now, but Jennifer didn’t want to test it on an innocent soul. It already hinted of too much power and too much time alone. When they confronted that obstacle, Angela had to be here.
“Everyone okay?” Zack called a short time later from the cave entrance. “Boss wants an update.”
Zack shook off the rain from his yellow slicker, adding, “And I’d like to be able to say you’re all alive at least.”
Theo’s crew snickered.
“We’re good,” Theo stated, placing a crate of mats near Zack’s feet. “Getting it set for the bugout.”
Zack grinned. “She’ll like that. Need a few hands? Lots of Eagles up there doin’ nothin’”
“Can I give you a list?”
“Absolutely. We’ll each bring down an armload.”
“Perfect.”
Jennifer wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation. She had Autumn’s seat by her ankle and a handful of bags that held towels the workers usually used for wiping their hands. Tonight, the camp might need them for drying off. She turned around to put them on the table and froze at the sight of the nun in full habit.
Jennifer blinked, aware that it was a premonition, but freaked out just the same. “What do you want?”
Beth, who had lost her child at birth, was paler than the parts of her habit. She lifted her head and Jennifer shrieked.
The sound of it spun through the caves and brought everyone to her side.
“Get to Beth!” Jennifer sobbed, cowering. “She did it!”
The ghost smiled sadly, turning around to deny Jennifer the sight of the rope around her neck. She’d hung herself in the empty garden truck.
Jennifer continued to sob, but the storm prevented radio calls and there was no one who could comfort her. She hadn’t realized Beth’s depression had gotten so bad since she lost the baby.
At her feet, Autumn also stared, not upset by her mother’s pain. She was distracted by the glowing green orbs that bobbed and jumped in the darkest shadows behind Beth’s ghost. It was mesmerizing and the infant was mostly ignored as two guards ran for help and the others tried to console Jennifer.
6
Angela grabbed Marc’s arm. “Get to the flap!”
Marc went immediately, convinced by the urgency of her tone. He marched into the pouring rain and found Zack, pale and panicked.
Marc led him away from the tent of curious members, taking him into the nearest truck. Full of turkeys that had been brought in, it was noisy and stank, but at least it was dry.
Zack filled him in quickly, glad to be away from the crying girl. With Kyle gone, they didn’t know what to do for Jennifer.
The wind increased again, shoving until the trailer wanted to roll. Marc could feel the hum, the vibration of being on the edge of movement. “We’re not staying here much longer.”
“Theo was already getting things set in case you needed to bring people down,” Zack remembered. “He could use a hand.”
“Good. I’ll draft a crew for it, “Marc replied, mind on Jennifer. He had also promised to watch out for her.
“What about the…Beth?” Zack asked, not wanting that chore. At least not in the dark, during a storm.
Marc sympathized. “Leave it for in the morning. Put a quarantine notice on the truck so no one opens it before then.”
Relieved, Zack ducked out and Marc took a moment to nod to the shadows in the truck. “Very nice. He never saw you.”
Marc left the surprised Indians to mutter and chuckle. Angela had asked them what they would like to do in Safe Haven and all of them had told her they wanted to be useful to Marc. The Ghost was their spirit guide in the flesh and they’d come here to live among the white man–for him.
Angela had seized that opportunity and placed them out here in the trucks to monitor things during the storm. The Indians didn’t mind and didn’t view it as dirty work. They were honored to be trusted so quickly and to be given such an important post. It was good to be useful, but they also got a thrill from living on the edge that couldn’t be matched in any other way.
Marc returned to Angela’s side, casually signaling a few men to go help Zack. It was handled calmly and few of the sleepy camp paid much attention. Marc was in the middle of congratulating himself on handling their first issues quietly when lightning struck the tent directly and all chance at a peaceful night was lost.
7
It wasn’t hard to get the scared members into the trucks, but it was chaotic and the next hour was spent running loads of people and gear into the caves that had only gotten a few days of preparation.
Angela put sentries on the entrances to the other levels and kept everyone on the first floor, aware of the bad vibes coming from the bottom of the cave. Something would have to be done about that, but for now, she was busy trying to calm a herd that didn’t want to be underground at all, let alone so soon.
“We’ll be up and out in a few hours,” Angela stated, making her voice carry. “Until then, it’s a good practice for when w
e move in here. Take this time to conquer your fears. And if you don’t have a fear of this, kindly reach out and help those who do.”
Shawn carefully pushed his way through the tense crowd and leaned down to whisper in Angela’s ear.
Marc saw her first glaze of terror and then her cool façade of battle fell into place and the leader of Safe Haven took over.
“Everyone! Pay attention! We’re getting snow now and it’s going to get cold. Please put on more clothes, immediately. Eagles will be around with blankets and sleeping bags in a few minutes and then I’m sending them out to get all our heaters. Be patient and stay out of the way while they get our heat flowing.”
The camp all seemed to start shivering and noticing the cold at the announcement. Angela immediately wished she’d had another option, but the people would have detected the snow on the workers anyway and it was best to have everyone prepared to get out of the way.
Standing outside the entrance, Angela surveyed the sky, and Samantha appeared at her side, looking exhausted.
“Sorry, I missed that one. Not sure how, but I assume nature doesn’t like me trying to predict her moves.”
“No worries,” Angela stated, hoping that was true. “We’ve got gear to cover a day of cold.”
“And if its winter coming now?” Samantha questioned lowly.
Angela grunted, letting that be her answer. Prepping these damp caves in freezing temperatures would be a nightmare and it was one she hadn’t considered.
Worried, Angela gave Marc Point, gesturing distractedly, and then sat down to concentrate on searching the future. They shouldn’t have snow yet.
What did I miss?
The descendants around her felt Angela probing those halls and doors that connected to their own, and it was eerie when they also began searching, but for Angela, it was a boost of fresh energy that allowed her to pry the heaviest door open and peer inside.
Angela’s sigh of relief let everyone else relax and her words, “Just flurries.” were missed in the tension break. Small conversation attempts began, kids shifted restlessly, and Eagles got busy carrying out their orders. It would be a long night, but they would be okay. They had magic on their side.
Angela didn’t like that common thought, but didn’t dissuade them of the notion. A few of those here understood how much danger they were all in at this moment and Angela was relieved that those people were controlling themselves and not panicking the others. In this atmosphere, it wouldn’t take much to spark the fuse of panic that always seemed to be with them since the war.
8
“The ants are coming in!” Zack called from the entrance a bit later.
Angela pointed at the clear area in the rear that Jennifer had suggested. The teenager was talking and moving, caring for Autumn, but Beth’s suicide was obviously weighing on her.
The ants, dusted in snow, marched into the cave without hesitating, despite there being more than two hundred people inside. They went to the corner that Angela had insisted be left clear and made a spectacle of themselves by curling their bodies into a large circle that their young and larvae were placed inside. More ants then covered their young and all of the insects slept, except for two huge ants that marched back and forth in front of the colony.
The arrival of the ants signaled the end of the evening and the camp settled down to sleep inside the cave for the first time. Burning cans near the entrance provided a little heat, but the light went a long way, as did the lamp glare and penlights people had around their necks. Piles of blankets made large cushions for kids who sprawled out on top of each other, much like the ants. Adults and off duty Eagles found a spot to sit and lean, and the final hours of waiting began.
Marc was wiped out and knew Angela had to be feeling worse, but she strolled among the people, chatting and offering positive thoughts with little signs that it was bothering her.
Is she okay? he asked his demon.
For now, came the foreboding reply. I wouldn’t let her go much longer without a fill.
Marc felt his body respond at that suggestion. Yes, sir.
The demon chuckled and Marc marveled at how quickly he’d become accustomed to that voice inside. It was almost as if it had always been there, helping and guiding.
But I haven’t, the demon reminded. You locked me away.
You know why, Marc stated. Don’t start shit with me.
The demon fell silent and Marc chose to worry over that later. If the demon was still holding onto the past, that wasn’t a good sign of things to come and he would need a clear head to deal with it.
Two hours after bugging into the caves, Angela leaned against Marc’s big arm and fell asleep almost right away. She had time to think he smelled like she did–tired–and then she was flying west through the snowstorm and a shadowy figure followed on her heals.
Angela knew who it was and allowed the breeze to carry her wherever it wanted. Marc had the camp protected and Adrian had her six. Both sides of the line were covered.
9
Late night changed into early morning with a shift in the winds that blew directly against the boards they had placed over the entrance to the cave. It caused the temperatures inside to plummet and leadership to worry.
Marc woke Angela two hours after she’d fallen out, regretful but unsure what she wanted him to do. He wasn’t going to step on her toes, in any situation.
Angela sat up groggily, and pushed away the tea. “Coffee,” she croaked.
Marc handed her his mug and quickly lit her a smoke, aware of her morning habits.
Angela struggled to wake up, to return fully from the adventure she’d been on with Adrian. The island is so clean! So green!
“It’s cold, Angie. I can do some things about that, but you need to pick.”
Angela shook it off and focused on the paper that Marc was holding out. She scanned it, picking, “Tents.”
Marc stuffed the paper in his pocket, glad he didn’t have to leave the cave to go get their winter gear. Erecting a few tents and putting what heat sources they already had here would hold them until dawn.
“I’ve got it now, baby. Lay down.”
Angela did, gratefully. Marc knew what he was doing. In the morning, when her brain and tongue were connected, she would let him know he had permission to go ahead and handle it as he saw fit next time. The calm people around her said he’d been doing a good job and Angela slipped back into the darkness eagerly.
10
“Have you made a choice?”
Peggy nodded in response to Hilda’s lowly spoken question. They were standing at the entrance, pretending to observe the snow like many other people had been doing while Marc got the tents set up.
“So have I,” Hilda stated. “Now we leave them alone, right?”
“Yes, we have to make sure our representatives are worthy.”
Not far away, Doug saw the women chatting and didn’t like the sense of wrongness. He was with Maria’s sons, enjoying the cooler weather that fascinated the kids, but he already knew Peggy was doing something that would get her in trouble. Why else would they be whispering?
Peggy rotated to inspect the area and found Doug’s disapproving gaze on them. She immediately left Hilda and came to his side.
“You feeling okay?”
“No,” Doug stated. “I’ve got this ugly feeling and it’s your fault.”
Peggy flushed, looking down to find the kids staring at him in surprise. “Later?”
Doug nodded stiffly. “Absolutely, woman.”
Needing him to back off, Peggy put her hands on her hips. “Have you tested your sugar yet?”
11
Marc quickly got the three large tents set up inside the cave and directed people inside them. They’d found two small space heaters and with the piping already in the cave for tomorrow’s toiling, they were venting with no trouble. They also had the blankets and sleeping bags, and the temperature difference was noticeable.
Marc swept the slowly re
locating crowd, aware of groggy mutters and complaints, but he didn’t feel any true resentment. Everyone was a bit on edge from being forced into the caves before they were ready, but come dawn, they would be eager to get outside and play in the little bit of snow that had accumulated so far.
Marc nodded to Samantha, who had taken up a post near the entrance. She was obviously feeling guilty about missing this part of the storm, but Marc knew she was also worrying over Neil and Jeremy. Neil’s was the only crew they hadn’t heard from yet, but Jeremy had also remained topside, swearing he was more useful there. Several people had tried to talk him out of it, but Jeremy had walked into the storm with tense shoulders and none of them had followed him. Now, Samantha was holding a vigil for both men.
Marc spotted Cynthia inside her personal pup tent, flashlight illuminating while she labored on the first edition of her newspaper. Angela hadn’t given her a deadline, but Marc was confident the reporter would have a rough draft ready in the morning. Settled on a ledge slightly above them, Cynthia hadn’t come out of her tent once.
Marc made his way through the grumpy people to get to the contest board that Angela had insisted on bringing. It held a sheet of paper with the names of those who had signed up for the Eagles and Marc hadn’t gotten to it yet. He wanted to know who the next soldiers in their army were.
Marc ignored the other men standing stiffly in front of the board and began reading. He skipped the females names, positive Angela would weed through those and he frowned when he found Charlie’s name. With all the chaos of their freedom fight, the Jr. Eagles had been broken, the same as the other teams. Charlie wanted to make sure his mom hadn’t forgotten about them.
Marc kept reading, happy the list was long. They needed all the new…
Marc burst out laughing as Kenn’s name caught his attention. Kenn was about to be a rookie!
Marc’s amusement carried and sent calm over the camp that was now inside a warm tent and getting comfortable. Marc kept reading, thinking Kenn had finally gotten tired of hearing that he wasn’t really an Eagle.