by Angela White
4
Safe Haven began to roll out of the area a little after noon, a line of hope that stretched for two miles behind a red, white, and blue semi with a shotgun behind the seat.
Seth slid into the passenger side of his assigned vehicle, one of the last dozen to leave. “Good morning, Rebecca.”
The girl turned to glare at him, exposing deep bags beneath her bloodshot eyes. “It’s cloudy, my head hurts, and there’s a rock stuck in my shoe. Again. What’s so good about it?”
Seth blinked. For some reason he sometimes still expected cheerful little Becky. “Uh...not so much, I guess.”
They drove in silence for a few minutes, noting the ugly signs of their world gone by. It had been six months since the war. The dead were everywhere, bones showing through tattered cloth, and most horrors didn’t faze the Eagles anymore. Occasionally, however, a scene that was above the usual nastiness drew awareness and haunting pain. Such as the stack of rotting corpses that they were passing.
The bodies stretched the length of an entire cornfield. On the top, the decay was current, but the bottom layers of the structure were in tatters. What wasn’t dragged off by predators or shifted during the storms would fuse together and remain for hundreds of years. Six-feet by two-feet, it was the beginning of a skeleton wall.
“Why would someone do that?” Becky was horrified.
“Marking their turf, I think,” Seth said. “There are letters painted on some of the bottom skulls.”
In their revulsion, it was easy to miss the rotting frame of a house in the corn behind the human wall. Of the entire convoy, the animals and Angela were the only ones to feel the menace inside it. They shifted restlessly in response.
“I don’t understand men at all,” Becky grumbled.
Seth hated her being so changed. He tried humor. “How do you know it was done by a man?”
Becky couldn’t find an answer, and it made her angrier. That was something she didn’t have an outlet for, didn’t know what to do with.
When she guided the truck toward the wall and stopped, Seth frowned.
Becky took her mom’s ‘secret’ bottle of whiskey from the glove box and fashioned a quick Molotov cocktail with napkins.
Seth was impressed by the finished product. It was definitely usable.
When she held the small bomb out, waiting patiently, he grudgingly lit the tip for her. John wasn’t even allowing the girl a lighter right now.
Becky hit the wall, but the bodies didn’t want to burn. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the struggling flames were extinguished by the wind less than a minute after she’d thrown the cocktail.
Seth let her go for a minute, and then whistled lowly.
Becky’s head snapped up at the noise. “What?”
Seth motioned toward the wheel. “Let’s go–forward or back, but one of the two.”
Snarling, Becky hit the gas and forced them back into the line of vehicles. It shoved a Blazer over and earned a nasty gesture from the driver.
Seth figured if she were already angry, a little truth might not hurt as much. “It’s time to rejoin life, Rebecca, to start talking to people again.”
She didn’t answer, and Seth didn’t push yet. Right now, he was the only one she was letting stay close. The other guards and observers were often shouted at, sometimes even used for target practice–the ammunition whatever she found in reach. When Becky said leave me alone, the area cleared.
“I’ll think on it.”
“Good.” Seth gave the teenager an approving smile and directed them back to the oral lesson they’d begun yesterday. “Eagles rejoice in life. The best moments are to be clung to as a shield against the ugliness that comes with this job.”
Seth paused. “Do you understand what that means?”
Becky shrugged stiffly, following Kyle’s truck and ignoring his glare in the mirror at her. “It’s how I felt when I s-saw you over Rick’s shoulder.”
Seth watched a tear trail down her cheek and his heart shuddered.
Becky turned her head. John and Angela said so much crying was good–a release–but it felt awfully heavy to be healthy. Some nights the sobs were so hard that her stomach hurt the next day.
“That’s not exactly what it means,” Seth stated neutrally, trying not to absorb any more of her pain. It was making him worry over her too much, distracting him from his duties, and drawing fire. People were starting to think he was doing what Kyle was. Very few people knew of Becky’s rape, and it was easy to misunderstand the assistance Seth felt compelled to give. He wasn’t like Neil or Kyle.
“What did you mean?”
That’s why she responds to me, Seth thought. Because I let her lead.
“I mean good moments that are not a result of something bad. Watching kids play, petting animals, or even enjoying Kenn and Marc doing challenges at the shooting contest. Good things rarely happen outside our borders–you know that. Hold onto the light, and it will ease the hell inside your mind.
“You really think so?” Becky asked coolly.
“Yes.” Seth didn’t back down “I have my own horrors to handle. All of us do. I’ve just told you how we survive it, and I think it will help. Especially if you want to be an Eagle.
“After all this, I’d never go beyond Level One,” Becky scoffed. “And that won’t be enough.”
She’s growing up, Seth observed, hating Rick even more. “Not if you convince Adrian.”
Silence.
“Do you want to be an Eagle?”
“Yes.” Becky sighed unhappily. “And yes, I know he’ll give it to me as a reward and to ease his own guilt, but I don’t want it that way.”
Becky dug through her pockets to find a tissue, taking her attention and both hands away from the road–completely.
Seth hurriedly grabbed the wheel and straightened the truck, heart pounding. John was right to still have her under suicide watch.
“Did you take the pills John gave you?”
Silence.
“Be...Rebecca, you need to take the meds until you feel better.”
Becky glanced over at him with fury. “Pills won’t fix me. My life is over now.”
Instantly furious, Seth yanked the wheel and sent the truck into the muddy cornfield next to them. They hit a rut and flew up into the air, tilting dangerously.
Becky jerked the wheel from his hand, tugging lightly, and easily regained control. “What the hell, Seth?”
Seth leaned back in satisfaction. When he wanted to play with fire, he knew how to light a tightly twisted fuse. “Why stop us from rolling if your life is over?”
“Why are you with me all the time?” Becky glared, jarred from her depression by panic and anger. “Don’t you have other duties?”
“You are my duty!” Seth sent right back. “And I’m telling you it’s time to step up or Adrian really will overlook you.”
Silence...and then, “Angela.”
Seth frowned, eyes going to Marc’s Blazer far ahead of them in the line. “What about her?”
“It’s Angela’s team. She’ll pick it.”
“And you want a slot?”
“Oh, yeah, just any slot.” Becky’s snort was derisive.
Seth grinned, vaguely aware of how many vehicles had moved closer. Their driving incident had caused concern. “Well, you just showed you can handle an out-of-control vehicle. What would you like her to see next?”
Becky didn’t think she had much of a chance at getting the XO slot, but it was all she had to hope for now. The bright dreams she’d had for the future were gone, left on a charred mattress stained with her blood. She was rolling through the motions as best she could, but there was only pain in her heart. She didn’t feel anything else.
5
“That’s where we’re going,” Charlie muttered, feeling eyes on the convoy as they rolled. He sent the information of the spies directly to Adrian and was shocked when his mom didn’t react. Had he slipped that by without her noticing?
/> “No, boy.”
Charlie grinned, but just as fast as she sometimes did, fell back into that hazy place between then and now.
Angela closed her journal, staring at the battered billboard.
The island paradise being advertised was one that Marc had heard of, but only distantly.
“Pitcairn… That’s thousands of miles south,” he commented.
Driving, a quick glance told him that Angela wasn’t surprised, and Marc swallowed the denial that wanted to fly out. Where she went, he did.
“Are there other people there?” Angela asked.
“A few. One is a woman with scars all over her body. She’s the one he needs.”
Angela frowned, trying to decipher. Charlie had her glazed eyes from the precognitive trance that she was so familiar with, and it felt odd to be on this side of it “Who needs her?”
“Adrian,” Charlie answered slowly.
“Is she from the dream you told me about?” Marc asked.
“Yes. She will come to mean a great deal to all of us.”
“But especially Adrian?” Marc reinforced.
“Yes. He needs her more than he knows.”
Angela smothered her unwanted flare of heat. “Are we supposed to go find her?”
Charlie shook his head, laying back against the seat. “No. She’ll save us.”
Marc and Angela exchanged worried looks. To need saving meant danger was coming, and they’d already had more than their share.
“Do you know when?” Marc questioned.
“As we recover.” Charlie’s pitch began to normalize, breathing evening out. “With her comes salvation and blood.”
There was silence as they pulled into the main parking area of their campsite and waited for the Eagles to secure it. Marc never stopped scanning the cloudy, corn-littered farmland around them.
“All clear, folks,” Mitch gave the okay over the radio, after Adrian gave it to him.
“Charlie to the livestock truck.”
Billy’s voice didn’t sound encouraging.
Charlie sighed, hitting the button on his new rookie belt. “Copy.”
Charlie liked how the guards were eyeing him closer, paying more attention to his moods, and even calling on him for things. It was what they did with his mom, and the feeling was outstanding. Except for calls like these. Calls like these were hard on him.
Marc was aware of Angela’s worry as they climbed from their vehicle, stretching and watching Charlie head into the lengthening shadows with a wolf at his heels. Marc wanted to offer her comfort, but wasn’t sure what would help.
Angela placed a light hand on his arm. “Together, right?”
Marc nodded. “You know it.”
“I turned in my tent.”
Marc grinned, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to her mouth. “I’ll get a larger one and set it up.”
Angela smiled against his lips and reluctantly moved away.
The setting sun glinted off her long braid, sending a jolt through Marc’s body, and he forced it down. He’d always been attracted to Angie, even when it was forbidden, but he didn’t think he had ever wanted her more than now.
Marc slowly moved toward the perimeter. At some point, he would get to help her conquer those fears, not Adrian.
6
As he got to the livestock truck, Charlie saw Matt in the shadows of the moldy trees. He motioned for him to come along, ignoring the nearby guard.
It took Matt a full minute to gain his feet.
Charlie grunted unhappily. When would Matt shape up? “Where’d you get the bottle?”
“Paid Zack’s boy to lift it from the supply truck.” Matt was drunk enough to not care who got in trouble. “Said it was for his old man.”
Matt pulled the bottle out, and Charlie snatched it.
“Knew you were ready for one!” Matt exclaimed.
Charlie’s arm drew back. “I should hit you with this!”
Matt flinched and fell clumsily back to the dirt.
Charlie tossed the mostly empty bottle to the concerned guard. “Tell Adrian where it came from.”
Billy pocketed it with an approving nod.
Charlie looked at the confused boy on the ground. “If I catch you with a drink, Matt, or even smell it on you, I’ll never speak to you again.”
Matt watched him go through hurt, blurry eyes. He couldn’t do anything right these days. His dad was talking to him again, but it was only in short scolds and the words were always the same.
“Why don’t you try out for the Eagles, like Charlie?”
“Why can’t you be more like Charlie?”
“Charlie’s parents don’t go through this shit with him.”
The tears started, and Matt ducked away from the hard-faced guard now hitting the button on his mike. You can all go to hell. What do I care?
Charlie stomped toward the shower campers, and then headed for the area behind them. He ignored the other teenagers that were always trying to get his attention these days. There were thick trees here and the privacy to think. There had to be some way to reach Matt…
Charlie stopped at the waves of fear and anger coming from a small group of women standing behind the campers. Six of them were surrounding one, all of them former slaves from Cesar’s camp, and Charlie inched closer, wondering who he should call.
When he recognized the girl in the center of the mob, Charlie reached out to the one who would care the most.
Kyle’s response was tormented.
New group arriving. Can’t get away. Do what I would.
Can’t, Charlie replied. I’m not allowed to kill.
Jennifer kept an arm around her stomach as she faced her attackers, cursing herself for not bringing Kyle’s gun. These females had been a small threat in the Mexican camp, but here, where women were allowed to come and go, they were a serious danger.
“You didn’t think we’d let you off the hook, did you?” Lilly demanded.
Jennifer trembled angrily. “None of what he did was my fault. I wasn’t willing.”
Lilly, who had cigar burns dotting her exposed skin, leaned closer. “I told you no magic, and you went and claimed that Italian man anyway! He’s in the chain of command. Ain’t that a surprise?”
Jennifer was aware of their loathing, but also their jealousy. “It’s not my fault they’re avoiding you. I didn’t force anyone. In fact, you begged me to do it because you didn’t have the guts!”
Knowing they couldn’t have children had caused Safe Haven’s males to exclude the women as their future mates, due to the need to repopulate. Cesar had cursed them beyond death.
“I told you no magic!”
Jennifer’s own weak control teetered. “You think I can’t do anything because we’re outside, but keep in mind that I’m being fed regularly now. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.”
Lilly, once a children’s therapist who’d lost two sons in the war, slapped Jennifer across the mouth. “Not if you’re having a miscarriage!”
Jennifer was ready to fight as she was shoved down at Lilly’s feet, but the shadows in the grass behind her attackers had her forming a different, more useful plan.
“Don’t hurt my baby!” Jennifer shouted.
Lilly hadn’t noticed the witness and drew back to punch. “Knew you were too weak right now!”
“If you do that, I’ll have you thrown out of Safe Haven.”
The male voice made all the women turn, but they weren’t intimidated by the sight of Charlie or his crossed arms.
Lilly approached him with her hand on her hip. “I know who you are, and you won’t do anything, boy, or I’ll slip inside your mom’s tent while she’s still off-duty and–”
Grrrr....
“Oh, now you’ve done it!” Charlie warned happily as the bushes parted by his side.
Dog’s expression was ugly, and the women moved away from Jennifer.
The wolf’s body had filled out with the extra food and constant exercise. Hi
s flanks and haunches bulged with muscles and gave him an even stockier appearance. It was enough to keep rookies jumping back when he came by on a patrol.
The wolf snarled angrily at the thoughts Charlie was flashing, and the women quickly began to deny that they were a threat.
“We’ll leave her alone.”
“We won’t bother her again.”
“We were only talking.”
“I think they’re lying,” Charlie stated. “Teach them some manners.”
Dog snarled obligingly, padding forward, and the bullies fled back to camp with Lilly in the lead.
Charlie patted the wolf firmly. “Nice.”
Dog nudged his hand in agreement and they both turned to look at Jennifer, who was pushing herself off the ground.
Jennifer had already heard enough stories that she hadn’t been afraid of the big animal. After this, she was grateful. “Thank you. Both.”
Charlie shrugged, thinking Kyle would be pissed about the handprint across her cheek. “They deserved worse, but our rules are strict on not hurting women.”
“He wouldn’t have attacked them?”
Charlie stared at the wolf thoughtfully. “I don’t think so, but it was my mom that Lilly threatened, so I’m not sure. Angie and Dog are close.”
Jennifer realized who her rescuer was. Rumors of Safe Haven having their own witch were fleeting here, but in Cesar’s camp, it had been public knowledge.
“She’s who he wanted,” Jennifer remarked. “Why he attacked you guys.”
“He paid for it.” Charlie’s gaze hardened. “Unlike some people.”
Jennifer knew that wasn’t directed at her and knelt down. She held a hand out toward the wolf and was thrilled when she was allowed to stroke his soft fur.
“Star had a litter last week,” Charlie told her. “You could probably play with the pups.”
Jennifer smiled at the thought. “Maybe.”
Distracted from his own troubles by hers, Charlie stayed close as they moved into view of the camp.
Dog stayed on her other side and the trio drew attention from not only the herd and the Eagles, but also from the former slaves. It was clear that she had protection, and the hard glares she was receiving in return were enough to make Charlie silently ask Dog to travel with her for a while.