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Chapter Twenty
Morning sunlight streamed in through two windows. Cadence found Highbrow attractive as the warm beams of light fell across his skin. He licked maple syrup from a plastic fork and punched it into a stack of pancakes they shared. His muscular body was a delight to take in while having breakfast in bed. They shared a feeling of contentment after their night together. In this moment, everything was okay. A thick, black string weighted by a bear claw hung around his neck, same as the one she wore. Highbrow stabbed another stack of pancakes as Cadence reached over and lifted his claw.
“Once a Tiger, always a Tiger,” she said.
Highbrow set the fork down and leaned in close to tickle her.
“Why do you make that funny little oomph sound when I touch you in certain places? You sound like a little gremlin. I can’t tell if you like it or not.” Highbrow continued tickling her while she laughed. She ended their sport by pinching him. “Not fair!”
“I don’t make that sound,” said Cadence.
Highbrow moved their plate out of the way as he pounced on top, his tickling evolved into kissing. She giggled and removed any space left between them. Neither of them noticed the door open until a figure was already stepping through the doorframe. Cadence froze, seeing Logan standing there watching.
“What the hell do you want? Can’t you knock?” said Cadence.
Highbrow spun around and threw a blanket over Cadence. Logan remained in the doorway as they both dressed at a frantic pace.
“Man, you have some nerve,” said Highbrow. “This better be good, Logan. You have something to report?”
“Isn’t she the commander?” asked Logan, smug. He glanced at Cadence and let out a sultry whistle. “You sure are pretty when you relax a little, commander. I wonder.”
The punch from Highbrow sent Logan tumbling. Cadence finished dressing as Highbrow landed a second fist. She strapped on her sword as Highbrow stepped back in the door. Logan lay still on the wooden deck, eyes closed.
“I hit him hard,” said Highbrow. “Get dressed and come back out.”
Cadence shut the door and knelt toward Logan. Her first inclination was to kick him in the side. She noticed blood on his jacket as she placed her hand on his forehead.
“You okay?” Cadence leaned closer and breathed into his face. “Sorry you didn’t get any pancakes. They were delicious.”
Highbrow walked out, frowning.
“Let’s hear what happened, Logan. Did you catch the puma?” Cadence demanded. “Did you see Luna? I gave orders not to harm her or the other girls.”
“God, you’re all business.” Logan got to his feet and gave his jacket a shake. “We killed a big one, but it didn’t turn back into a girl. We cut it open and didn’t find much, although it was curious to find it rotting from the inside. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if we hadn’t shot it.”
“Did you haul the carcass back to camp?”
“Burned it. We set up a few non-lethal traps on the trails. You gave orders not to kill Luna. It’s a safe bet they moved into high country. I’ll go back and see if we caught anything, after I have some of those delicious pancakes and a cup of coffee.” Logan winked. “Nomad is waiting for me in the mess hall.”
“Those werepumas are my friends,” she said, defensive. “I don’t want them hurt.”
“Correction. They were your friends and now they are infected. If they retain any connection to their human lives, they might return here. I don’t think you want them here if they’ve gone feral.”
Highbrow remained silent while Logan spoke. Cadence put her hand on his arm. He looked way from Logan and gave her a thin smile.
“I assigned Corporal Sterling as the new security chief,” said Cadence. “I’d appreciate it if you spoke with him about security for the camp.”
“It’s Sunday,” said Highbrow. “Did you forget? It’s the only day of the week we get to sleep in until nine.”
“Patrols used to sleep in, not soldiers. We’re all soldiers now, so go find him and make sure the entrance is secure. Sterling suggested we retrieve the fence sections and use them to surround the box canyon. Sort out the details and make it happen.”
With Logan watching, Highbrow planted an awkward kiss on Cadence before jumping on a four-wheeler and speeding off.
“That boy is too young for you,” Logan said, when the competition was gone. Cadence glared at him and crossed the porch to the stairs. He followed.
“You actually made Highbrow your captain? How old is he? Sixteen? Seventeen? Does he even shave? I’m pretty sure I saw him on the news about a year ago. Something about a Colorado senator embezzling money. I can see the dutiful wife and son standing on the steps of the courthouse.”
“Leave him alone. Leave me alone.”
Logan blocked her path.
“Highbrow is Senator Douglas Powers’ son, right? The son graduated a year early from high school and entered the AFA on a full-scholarship when the scandal broke. Shame he’ll never get to be a fighter pilot. What about you? Did you graduate before the Scourge happened?”
Cadence wanted to shut Logan up fast. People were drifting into the mess hall and the morning patrols were reporting to their assigned posts.
“The first rule here is the past no longer matters,” she said. “We don’t talk about who we were, what we did, or discuss our families. Camp names are given to protect people from any stigma they may have brought with them and gives everyone a chance at a new start. The simple fact that you are here puts a strain on my ability to maintain law and order. Quite a few people would love to feed you to the zombies, and right now I’m starting to like the idea myself. You either make yourself useful or move on, but don’t think you can come in here and start trouble.”
The sound of an insect buzzing around her head distracted her. She glanced down at a clump of wild flowers growing, and watched a honeybee flitter from flower to flower.
“If those are the camp rules,” said Logan, “I guess who I was before coming here doesn’t matter. The slate is wiped clean, unless you have dual standards. You should be able to overlook what I’ve done in the past and let me start fresh.” He stepped closer. “You should trust your instincts. Keep away from me if you can. Not going to be easy, but try.”
Cadence kept her back turned. Logan was an unknown element, and that was a signal to stay clear. She was not going to wind up as one of his games to be played.
“I’m not interested, Logan.”
“Pity,” he replied with a grin.
Chuckling, Logan turned toward the mess hall. Cadence walked in the opposite direction through the maze of tents set up along the creek. It was a beautiful morning and she let the sun wash over her. Her worries melted for a moment as she approached the Tiger’s tent.
“Morning, commander.” Whisper looked up from the small campfire. A grate over the flames held a coffee pot. “Cowboy coffee?”
“Sure,” said Cadence. “Thanks.”
Whisper handed her a cup, put a sock on his hand to lift the pot, and poured a serving of tea-colored coffee. Cadence saw another sock hanging out of the pot.
“Did you put the coffee grounds in your sock? They better be new.”
Whisper smiled. He smiled a little longer when Blaze emerged from the tent wearing only jeans and a bra. She stretched her arms and fetched her freshly-washed sweater from a tree. Satisfied it was dry enough, she slipped it on.
Shouting came from the creek. Dodger and Smack fought over a tube of toothpaste as they popped each other with towels.
“Those two are so annoying,” said Blaze.
She accepted a cup of coffee, thanked Whisper, and sat down on a log to put on her boots. The snap of a twig turned their attention. Freeborn approached the tent, looking like she hadn’t slept. Dark circles sunk her eyes and she moved sluggish.
“Sarge and Lieutenant Destry just arrived at camp,” Freeborn told Cadence. “They brought about fifteen soldiers and
some scavengers they met on the way here. Highbrow and Sterling are talking to them. Let me drink some coffee and we can go meet with them together.”
“Sarge?” Cadence set aside her coffee cup. “Is the Captain with them?”
Freeborn shook her head as she took a cup from Whisper. She took a sip, spewed, and handed it back to him.
“Cowboy coffee? Tastes like a foot. Sarge wants Destry to be in charge. Better have the team follow us. When you’re ready, commander, I have an ATV parked on the road.”
“Get up there as soon as you can guys,” said Cadence.
“We’ll be there in a few minutes,” said Blaze. “Dodger! Smack! Stop screwing around and get dried off. We’ve got to go.”
Cadence and Freeborn drove through the winding road, flanked by the majestic cliffs and trees. They arrived at the new barricade that stretched from one end of the canyon to the other, cutting off the main road leading into the park. Four school buses and a fire truck were parked bumper to bumper to block the road. Giant trash bins, wooden crates, and even furniture wove together with barbed wire filling any gaps. It wasn’t quite what Cadence imagined, but it would do for now.
“You need to assert yourself,” Freeborn warned. She slid off the ATV after Cadence, assessing the situation. “How bad do you want to stay in command? From what I see, you’re going to have to fight to keep it, commander.”
Several patrols stood guard behind the barricade and on the buses, watching between the road and the conversation heating up between Highbrow, Corporal Sterling, and the new arrivals. Some of the soldiers were injured, and one was guarding a group of scavengers huddled together. Sarge was angry and had the soldiers agitated. He and Destry were the last two soldiers Cadence ever wanted to see again, and now they were in her camp.
“Hey, Freeborn! What’s up?”
Black Beard and his Buccaneers were adding a cement table to the barricade. They finished and joined Freeborn, who filled them in. As Cadence walked toward the soldiers, she saw the Blue Devils leaving their positions at the barricade. Led by Echo, a stocky, red-haired girl, they joined Cadence’s growing entourage.
“What’s the situation?” asked Cadence, turning to Echo.
“Sarge arrived a little while ago. We had to kill a group of zombies before we could let them in,” said Echo. “Don’t worry, commander. We’re not letting them take over our camp. The Panthers and War Gods are with us. Kahn and Caesar have their eyes on Sarge and Destry.” She indicated the two patrols standing on top of the buses. “Give the word and we’ll drop them both.”
Freeborn readied her shotgun. “Dragon is bringing the rest of the camp,” she said. “This may get ugly.”
“Stay beside me and say nothing,” said Cadence, as she waved Black Beard over. “Have Drake get on his radio and make sure every patrol is coming here. I’m not letting Sarge and Destry take control of this camp. We took it. We’re keeping it.”
Lifting her chin, Cadence and Freeborn marched over to the soldiers followed by the Blue Devils and Echo. Sarge nudged Destry. Highbrow and Sterling turned around, but only Highbrow looked relieved and saluted.
“Commander,” said Highbrow.
Cadence saluted Highbrow. Not one soldier saluted her, including Corporal Sterling, making her regret his promotion. There were more teenagers than soldiers, but Sarge and a few of his men were armed. Cadence did not want things to escalate, but backing down was not an option.
“Good morning, Captain Highbrow, Corporal Sterling,” said Cadence. “How many people arrived with Sarge and are any infected?”
“Twenty-five, including the scavengers,” Highbrow reported. “As far as I can tell, no one is infected. The soldier on the stretcher fell down a flight of stairs. He probably broke some ribs, but he wasn’t bitten. I checked him.” With a quick glance at the growing number behind Cadence and Freeborn, he began to calm. “How do you want to handle this?”
“Lieutenant Destry, as senior officer, requests he assume command immediately.” Corporal Sterling gave Cadence a look she couldn’t quite decipher. “I explained that you’ve replaced the Captain as commander.”
Sarge was pacing and rubbing his hands together. Cadence saw that he was close to cracking. Whatever had happened since the Battle of the Peak, they had not fared well. Most looked banged up and exhausted, and not in any shape to fight. Destry’s face was contorted as he glared at Cadence. He wasn’t man enough to talk for himself in the presence of the soldiers.
“We’re not taking orders from a little girl,” shouted Sarge. “Corporal, are you siding with these punks? Highbrow, you’re no more a captain than I am and I’m certainly not going to call that one commander. Lieutenant Destry is the rightful commander and we intend to take charge of this camp. The first thing we’re going to do is hang every last one of these scavengers.”
Freeborn bristled. “Not gonna happen, Sarge. Cadence is our commander.”
Shouts fueled the air behind Cadence. The teenagers weren’t going to back down without a fight. The soldiers noticed those at the barricade were aiming at them and grew nervous.
“This is my camp, gentlemen,” Cadence asserted. “We are not at the Peak and the Captain is dead. I’m in command. If you don’t like it, leave. It’s that simple.”
“What about the scavengers?” demanded Sarge. “Do they get to stay?”
“Looks like the scavengers have been through a tough time of it, commander,” said Freeborn. “We need to be sure they’re not infected. Best to have them strip down and check for bite marks.”
Destry looked offended but nervous. “None of us are bitten,” he said. “It’s not zombies you have to worry about, Highbrow, but the monsters at Miramont Castle! If Rafe hadn’t helped us escape, those creatures would have fed on us. You kids have no idea what you’re up against. Those little demon children turned a bunch of scavengers into vampires and they’re coming here next. Rafe said they might follow.”
“You will address Commander Cadence directly,” said Highbrow. “As for the vampires, we already know about them. The zombies remain the greater threat. If any followed you here, we’re going to have a bigger problem on our hands.”
“Oh, we don’t have a problem.” Cadence smiled wide. “I know precisely what I’m doing and how to handle these jokers.”
The roar of ATVs and vehicles filled the canyon. At a nod from Cadence, Black Beard instructed the arriving patrols to join the others flanking their commander. The Fighting Tigers, China Six, Vikings, Bandits, Panthers, Valkyries, Razorbacks, and Bulldogs fanned out, aiming at the soldiers. The Elite were missing and Cadence assumed Uther had taken his team to Midnight Falls to join Logan and Nomad in their search.
“Corporal Sterling,” ordered Cadence, “relieve Destry of his weapon. The rest of you will place your weapons on the ground and take three steps back. Captain Highbrow, please shoot Corporal Sterling in the leg if he refuses to follow orders.”
Several in the crowd gasped.
Highbrow drew his gun and pointed it at Sterling. “You heard what the commander said Corporal Sterling. Take the man’s weapon. The rest of you lower your weapons and move back three steps or else.”
“Or else what?” Sarge snatched the rifle from Destry, aiming it at Highbrow. “You’re not going to do anything! None of you move or Highbrow’s a dead man.”
In a rush of surprise, Sterling drew his pistol and leveled it at Sarge. Highbrow kept his own weapon aimed at Sterling. The corporal removed the weapon from Sarge and handed it to Highbrow. Sarge stepped back, confidence shattered, and motioned for the soldiers to lower their weapons. Every soldier placed their weapons on the ground and, except for Destry, took three steps back. Corporal Sterling stepped in and backhanded the lieutenant. Destry twisted backward from the strike and stumbled.
“I’m the new commander,” said Cadence, “Captain Highbrow is my second. Destry, you are demoted to the rank of private. As for you, Sarge, the only duties you will have are those I assign you. Corpora
l Sterling, escort Sarge and lock him inside the storage shed so he can reflect on things. If anyone would like to join him, please raise your hand. Otherwise, you will acknowledge me as commander or you can get out of my camp.”
“You can’t do this,” protested Destry. “I’m in command! I’m next in line!”
Echo moved to Destry and snatched the Freedom Army beret from his head. The Tigers gathered the surrendered weapons, and the patrols let out a cheer. Corporal Sterling apprehended Sarge and walked through the patrols.
“Make sure Sarge is locked up and post guards,” said Cadence to Echo. The leader of the Blue Devils signaled her team and they followed Sterling and Sarge to the shed. “Whisper, have the Tigers take the scavengers to the tunnel. Conduct a strip down and let Raven check them for bite marks. Give them food and water and assign them a place to sleep. Stay with them until you hear from me. Turn the weapons over to China Six before you go.”
Everyone carried out their orders as fast as they could move. The Bandits moved into position and replaced the Blue Devils at the barricade.
Highbrow holstered his pistol. “What about the rest of the soldiers, Cadence? We could use their help. Sarge and Destry are the only troublemakers. They look tired and hungry.”
“So what,” Freeborn muttered under her breath.
“Black Beard.” Cadence motioned for him to come closer. “See that the soldiers strip down check them for bite marks. If anyone is bitten, leave them here for Captain Highbrow to deal with. Anyone with a noninfectious wound is to see Raven for medical aide. Get the Panthers and Razorbacks to help you escort the soldiers to the mess hall and get them something to eat. Keep them there under guard until I decide otherwise.”
“You got it,” said Black Beard with a salute.
The Buccaneers approached the soldiers and soon had them stripping down. Feeling a little unsure of himself, Highbrow put his hand on Cadence’s shoulder. She didn’t shrug him off.
“Hey, it’s all under control,” he said. “I’ll handle things up here. For a minute, I thought you really wanted me to shoot Sterling in the leg. Did you mean it?”
Morbid Hearts (Dead Hearts Book 1) Page 20