by KM Fortune
Slipping from his cot as silently as he could, he pulled on his combat boots and started to stand up. “Where are you going, traitor?” one of the men in the tent asked. Matthew looked but could see almost nothing. Then the corporal assigned to the group of six flicked on his dimmed flashlight. They locked eyes. Matthew knew he could not back down.
“I need to use the latrine,” he answered. “Got a problem with that?” The corporal frowned, and it was clear, he was torn. If he thought Matthew was being dishonest, he would have to get up and escort him. If he believed Matthew, he could stay in his warm bunk. Finally, he gave a short nod.
“You have three minutes so double-time it,” the corporal said. “Don’t make me come looking for you. You won’t like the outcome.” Matthew did not bother to acknowledge the threat and turned to the exit flap of the tent. “Hold it,” the other man said. Matthew paused, his heart beating fast. Now what? he thought. He saw the corporal motion with his flashlight back toward Matthew’s cot. “Take your knife. You never know what’s out there. Remember Jonah had his throat ripped out this morning.” Hiding a smile, Matthew went and picked up his weapon. He would never have risked leaving with it before, but now the corporal basically insisted.
“Thanks,” Matthew muttered to the other man, and then he ducked out of the tent.
KIT HAD NEVER WANTED to kill something as much as she did the man standing on the bluff about twenty feet from where she crouched in the darkness, hidden in among the low shrubs. The soldier, a slightly darker silhouette against the night, had no idea she was watching him. He yawned and then shook his head, clearly fighting to stay awake. It was early in the morning hours, and daylight was only a couple hours away. The hardest time to stay alert when on guard duty. It was also bitterly cold. A biting wind snaked across the prairie, and no doubt added to the man’s discomfort.
Kit felt it too, but it meant nothing to her. All of her being was focused on the man in black and gray camouflage. One of the Patrols assigned to be a lookout. She smiled a little, knowing this man was most unfortunate. He was about to die. Kit slipped one of her razor-sharp knives from under her cloak and taking slow, silent steps, crept up on the soldier. Before he even knew what was happening to him, she had jumped onto his back and with a quick motion driven the knife into the side of his neck. With a gurgle of surprise, he sank to his knees. Kit slipped off his back, and the man pitched forward into the snow. She wiped the knife on his pant leg and then turned to look behind her into the darkness. Three figures emerged. Blaze, Raven, and Twig slipped up beside her. The plan was risky but simple. Now with the lookout down, they would split up and each sneak into the camp to search for Dawn and Willow. They had identified four tents, and each would take one. Once the two captured women were found, the group would go to the truck parked at the edge of the clearing and Raven would drive them away.
There had been no talk of killing any soldiers they found in the tents, but it was definitely Kit’s plan. They all deserve it, she thought. I have no problem helping them move on to the place they call heaven. Fingering the handle of the knife she still held in her hand, she looked to Blaze for the signal to start. His face was almost undetectable in the darkness, but she could feel his hesitation. It was up to him to keep his clan safe. But there are not enough of us left to call a clan now, she thought. Still, she was patient out of respect for her friend. Finally, he gave a quick nod, and without a second glance, Kit slipped into the night and headed straight for the camp.
HECTOR COULD NOT BELIEVE his eyes. Where in the devil are they going? he thought as he watched the nomads in front of him. The group of four had just split up and were undoubtedly each headed straight for the Patrols’ camp. It is suicide, he thought with a shake of his head. When the decimated clan had prepared to leave their shelter earlier, Hector had decided his best course of attack was to jump them when they walked by his location. Considering there were only a few adults and he still had the combat rifle, killing everyone but the witch would be easy. The plan fell apart when the nomads turned and went east, away from him and toward the Patrols’ camp. It made no sense then and it made no sense now. His best guess was they were intent on trying to rescue the women taken during the Patrols’ hunt earlier in the day, but there was no way they would get away with it. Still, he was intrigued and so had followed a safe distance behind them, intent on seeing how the whole thing unfolded. Not to mention he had a vested interest in keeping the witch alive. She was important to him and because of it, he elected to follow her instead of any of the others. Ideally, he wanted to kidnap her before she even engaged with the Patrols but he worried escaping would be tricky. Let’s just play this by ear, he thought and started after Raven.
RAVEN’S HEART WAS BEATING a hundred miles an hour. As she crept slowly toward the Patrols’ camp, she was overcome with the realization of what she was doing. The feeling was surreal. In her memories, scattered as they were, she was nothing but an elementary grade school teacher in her previous life. Even though it had been explained to her weeks ago, Raven still found it almost impossible to believe over one hundred years had passed while she laid frozen in a mountain glacier. Now she was walking through the night, a large combat knife in her hand, about to sneak into a soldier’s camp to try and rescue two women she hardly knew. It was overwhelming and she paused in place. What in the world am I doing? she thought. How is this possible? For not the first time, she wondered if she was dreaming. Maybe I really did fall while climbing the mountain and I’m in a coma? It actually seemed more plausible. Then a strong gust of icy wind blew against her face and she realized where she was and what she was doing were incredibly real. In fact, it was because of her presence in this dystopian world that the two women were captured and now in great peril. Feeling more determined than ever, Raven started creeping forward again. She would save the two women, even if it cost her life. In her heart, she knew all of this was her destiny and it was the reason she was put on Earth. Even if it seemed crazy.
CHAPTER 11
WILLOW STOOD WITH THE chain poised in her hands. She waited to the side of the tent’s entrance flap and knew the soldier doing rounds would be in to check on her and Dawn soon. It had taken hours of cooperation between the two women to shake the wooden stake driven deep into the dirt back and forth until it came free. Luckily the shackle and chain she wore were not attached to Dawn’s so they could divide and conquer. The other woman still crouched at the spot where they had been tethered, hopefully confusing the soldier enough he would pause for a second and allow Willow time to throw the chain around his neck. Willow flexed her hands, eagerly anticipating choking the man to death. Her hate for the Patrols threatened to distract her, and she took in a deep breath to steady her nerves. Not long now, she thought and waited.
BLAZE MADE HIS WAY around the side of the large army green tent. Seeing the canvas flap which led into the structure, he paused to listen. So far he had not heard or seen anyone. The camp was quiet and still. Please let Willow and Dawn be alive and well in this tent, he thought as he tightened his grasp on the machete he carried. He knew there was a greater chance the tent was filled with soldiers sleeping. As much as he wanted to kill them, he was aware his chance of escaping such an attack were low if not impossible. Just be calm. Moving silently was the name of the game. He only needed to quickly poke his head in the flap, scan the space, and then slip away if the two women were not there. Swallowing hard, he made himself ready. Here we go, he thought and started toward the doorway.
KIT CROUCHED NEAR THE entrance of a different tent. All was quiet. There was no way to tell if this was where her friends were being held. No light came from any of the structures. So far she had not encountered any soldiers, and a part of her was a little disappointed. Coming up on one of them solo would clearly be to her advantage. The man would not know he was dying from her knife in his heart until he hit the ground. This is not the time, she thought. I need to find Willow and Dawn. Then if I can find someone to kill while we escape,
so be it. A part of her had trouble believing the group really could get away. Raven had made it sound so easy. Find the women, sneak to the truck, and hit the horn to alert the others in the group. Everyone rallies at the truck, jumps in, Raven starts it, and they peel rubber. Whatever peeling rubber means, Kit had thought. She still did not understand other than guessing it meant to go fast. Going fast sounded like a great plan, but first Kit knew she needed to get into the tent and check it out.
TWIG, STUMP’S SON, stood with his hands shaking as he waited beside the entrance of a different army tent. At any second he was sure he was about to wet himself from fear and adrenaline. In each hand, he gripped a knife and tried to take confidence in his knowledge that he was good at fighting. If there are men inside, I will kill them in their sleep, he thought. He actually hoped this was not the tent where his mother and Willow were being held. Seeing her after all that had happened would probably be his undoing. Hot angry tears of fury threatened even now. His hatred of the Patrols brewed inside him. He wanted to pay the monsters back for killing his father and taking his mother. Steadying himself, he set his feet, lifted his knives, and prepared to spring forward and into the tent.
RAVEN HELD HER BREATH. Across the clearing was a different tent. Its thick, green canvas rippled in the cold, winter wind. The entrance flap was slightly ajar, and it looked like someone had recently gone through it and had not secured it tightly behind him. She was glad for it. It will make it easier for me to slip in and take a quick look for Willow and Dawn, she thought. She hoped against hope the two women were inside and not too hurt. There was no doubt in her mind Willow had put up a fight when she was captured, and there was no telling what they did to her. Raven thought of Dawn too and the baby she carried. Do the Patrols know of it? she wondered. What will they do if they have found out? It seemed likely the discovery would be significant. After learning of the state of the world from Matthew before she escaped from the horrors of the mountain laboratory, a fertile female was highly coveted, but one already with child would have worth beyond measure. It is time to rescue them, she thought and prepared to sprint forward across the clearing. Her idea was to bolt straight into the tent, look around, and if the women were not there, to flee before anyone noticed. She had to get to the truck quickly too. It was her job to have it running and ready to leave. She ignored the possibility the keys would not be in it. The universe had not failed her yet, and faith filled her heart. I am where I am supposed to be and doing what I am intended to do. Taking a deep breath, she took off running toward the tent.
MATTHEW WAS NEAR THE edge of the perimeter of the Patrols’ camp, and he looked out into the night. It was cold and desolate and he stopped to contemplate what he was doing. Will I find her? he wondered. Is it even possible? His heart told him yes, but his mind told him no. Divided, he turned back toward the tents to think about his options. As he looked, the clouds slid across the sky and a first glimmer of morning light illuminated the space between the army tents. A figure was moving. Matthew squinted and tried to make out more details, thinking the corporal had decided to get up and follow him after all. Knowing he either had to flee now or be caught, he turned to run. He resolved to find Raven no matter what it took. Before he even moved, he heard a scream from one of the tents.
IF KIT HAD BEEN MORE than four feet tall, Willow would have killed her. When she detected someone coming into the tent, Willow had flown into action and reached out with the chain. She caught nothing but air and nearly tripped over the small woman. It took her a full minute to realize what was going on and in that time Kit had already assessed the situation and sprung into action. Willow watched as the girl grabbed Dawn by the arm and started to drag her to her feet. Dawn stood up and gathered up the chain around her one ankle. It was then they all heard the scream from outside the tent. The sound jolted Willow into action. She recovered from her surprise and realized what was going on. The survivors of her clan had mounted a rescue. It was in complete disregard for the nomad rule to never take on the Patrols. For once, Willow was thankful her people did not listen to her. Gathering up her own chain, she looked at Kit and waited to see what the girl had in mind. The tiny woman took two knives from her belt and handed one to Dawn and one to her. It felt good to have a weapon and Willow gave Kit a grim smile. She knew escape was impossible and they were all about to die. But I’d rather go down fighting, she thought.
BLAZE FELT THE SOLDIER’S blood spray across his face and he jerked his machete from the man’s skull. At least he is no longer screaming, Blaze thought. It was unfortunate timing the soldier making rounds of the camp wandered by just as Blaze was sneaking back out of the tent. He had been stealthy enough to avoid detection by the sleeping men and considered himself home free. Right up until the guard stepped out from behind the side of the tent and saw him. Blaze was surprised when the man screamed like a girl. It just reinforced to Blaze how spooked the Patrols were since Raven escaped from them. Luckily Blaze had his machete still in his hand and could use it before the man thought to bring up his rifle and fire. Unfortunately, the scream had been loud and there was no doubt everyone in the camp heard it. Time to go, Blaze thought and ran toward the truck at the edge of the clearing. He could only hope one of the others had found Willow and Dawn and were already there waiting for him.
CHAPTER 12
RAVEN WAS EXITING THE tent of sleeping men at a run when she heard the scream in the night. Her heart leaped into her throat as she hoped against hope the person who was injured was not one from her group. But there is no time to worry about that now, she thought. She needed to get to the truck and find a way to start it so they could all get out of the camp. As she raced across the clearing, she saw the vehicle dead ahead. Three other people also appeared out of the darkness to her left, running to the truck. She immediately recognized one of them as Kit, and as they drew closer, she saw Willow and Dawn were with her. Both of the taller women were limping and Raven could hear the clank of metal on metal. It dawned on her they were attached to a shackle and a chain, and it made her sick with fury to think of how they had been treated by the Patrols. It just reconfirmed to her the men from the mountain were truly evil.
Reaching the truck at the same time as the other three women, Raven had to contain herself from pulling them all into a hug. In the world she came from, where people were not hunted, it would have been appropriate, but not in this moment. Not when we are running for our lives, she thought. With only a nod to Kit, Raven jumped into the cab of the truck. Frantically she searched for the key but it was not in the ignition. No, no, no. It has to be here! she thought as the reality of the key being gone finally started to hit her. Thinking about where it might be, she flipped down the truck’s visor and as if by magic, the key fell into her lap. “Thank you,” she whispered to the heavens and plugged the key into the ignition. “Get in the back,” she yelled to Kit and the other women. She turned the key and the engine coughed but did not catch. Before she could try again, a half dozen soldiers appeared beside the truck and pointed their combat rifles at her.
“Hold it,” one said. “Raise your hands and step down from there. Now!” Raven’s heart sank. Even if she could start the truck fast enough, she would never get it moving before they fired at her. Helpless, she raised her hands. A flicker of movement behind the men caught her eye and she looked, thinking it was one of her group to help but also wishing the person had just run when they had the chance. The odds were too far against them. As she watched, she saw the figure was not someone she recognized at first. Then she realized it was the cat-man beast from the prairie days ago. The one she took the jeep from. Confused, Raven shook her head as she watched the thing come forward with a combat rifle in his hands.
HECTOR HELD THE GUN against his hip, opened up on full auto and enjoyed watching the bullets he fired mow down the soldiers. “Yeeeee hawww,” he howled as the men fell. He knew it was crazy to be in the middle of the Patrols’ camp shooting soldiers, but when he saw the witch was cornered
, he decided to act. The last thing he needed was for her to get captured or, even worse, killed before he had a chance to use her for his own agenda. With the original group of men down, he turned and saw another handful of soldiers headed his way. Pulling the trigger again, he fired until the rifle clicked empty. Most of the new group were down but a few were smart enough to dive for cover and they were firing back in his direction. Over the sound of the shots, he heard the oversize truck fire up and he growled in frustration as he had to duck and could not get over to where the witch was in the cab.
BLAZE, WITH TWIG HOT on his heels, sprinted toward the truck and watched in absolute amazement as a cat mutant shot a long burst of gunfire into the group of soldiers gathered around the truck. Not stopping to even try to understand what was happening, he ran to the back of the vehicle and dove in. To his intense relief, he saw Kit, Willow, and Dawn were inside the truck bed with him. Twig yelped and grabbed his mother. The two of them started to cry and Blaze ran to the front of the bed to shout through a divider screen between the cab and the back. “Everybody’s here! Go, go, go!” he yelled.