by Angel Lawson
Movement to my left catches my attention and I steal a look at Cole, tugging his cap off his head. Curly yellow hair spills across his forehead, instantly aflame from the breaking sun. He stares at me for a moment and then looks back at the sunrise, his face awash in light.
“Maybe it’s a sign we’ll be okay,” I say quietly. “That we’re headed toward something better.”
Wyatt doesn’t reply, he’s too cynical for that, but his arms tighten around me and we stand on that mountain top with our friends, ready for what comes next.
We stop overnight in Mount Airy and find the town plastered in posters. The town itself appears abandoned—the streets are quiet other than a few roaming Eaters we ignore. No one is in the mood for an altercation and when we find a small house cleared and already boarded up, we settle in before dark.
“I’ll take first shift,” Cole says.
Jude’s expression doesn’t hide his concern at leaving Cole on duty, so before anyone can argue I chime in, “Me too.”
Cole heads outside and I check my weapons. Wyatt grabs my arm. “I’ll be inside if you need me.”
“I’m a big girl, Sergeant Faraday. I can take care of myself.”
He gives me a fast kiss and says, “You’re not the one I’m worried about.”
I walk away but then groan when I spot Paul loitering in the doorway. “You too?”
“I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“About Cole? Trust me, I can handle him. We’ve been through hell and back together.”
He runs his hands through his hair. “He’s doing better. Less angry than before. The time on the road gives him a chance to breathe and think about everything without having to deal with people.”
“How’s he handing Chloe’s death?”
“Not great.” He grimaces. “He’s not dangerous—to you or anyone else here, but just be careful. He’s on edge.”
I nod. “Thanks for the info. I’ll behave out there.”
“He will too.”
I button my coat and step outside, tugging up my collar from the chilly breeze. Cole stands on the front porch, rifle standing by his leg. He leans over the railing and looks down the picturesque street. It’s dark with nothing but the moon to light the night.
“Did you know I used to be afraid of the dark?” I ask. My voice sounds too loud, but there’s no way to modulate it for the utter silence of the town.
Cole glances over at me, eyes dark. He says nothing but shakes his head. I continue. “I don’t just mean when I was a kid. I was scared even when I was older—like up to when we left the house. I always had some kind of light on in the house but even then, once I got into bed I wouldn’t get up. I was terrified of something under my bed or lurking just out of sight in the darkness. One time we went camping for Girl Scouts and I cried until my mom let me sleep in the car.”
Without looking over, Cole finally speaks. “I find that hard to believe.”
“I was un-athletic. I played video games and spent most of my time on the computer or with my nose in a book. I wanted straight A’s and desperately to be valedictorian. Everything about me was the opposite of what I am today.” I shake my head at myself. “I was such a nerd.”
“But you’re here.”
“I am. I’m no longer afraid of the dark. In fact, I find it sort of comforting.” I turn to face him. I’m not prepared for what he says next.
“Thank you for taking care of Chloe.”
I stare at him for a second. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I had to do it.”
“I know. She gave you no choice, but you…you gave me one by not making me do it. I owe you for that.”
“We don’t owe each other anything, Cole. We’re both just survivors out here.”
We settle into quiet. I have a million things I want to ask him; about himself or about the EVI-3 still running in my veins. The questions are on the tip of my tongue when I feel him watching me.
“What?” I ask.
“Is he good to you?”
He. Wyatt.
Just his name kicks my heart into gear and I feel my cheeks flush with heat. Cole doesn’t need to see my face to know these things. Even in the dark his senses, which are much stronger than mine, pick up on it but I answer him anyway. “Yes. I know he can be difficult to work with sometimes but—”
He holds up his hand. “Don’t. I just wanted to be sure, because you deserve the best.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be. Like I said, you deserve the best and that’s not me right now.” I touch his shoulder. He tenses. “But I’m trying.”
“Good. We don’t give up on each other out here. We can’t afford to.”
He opens his mouth to speak but whatever he was going to say he keeps to himself. An owl hoots in the distance and we pause, both listening for danger. For once, it doesn’t come.
13
We roll into Winston-Salem the next afternoon, parking the Camaro at the edge of the city. Cole and Paul don’t come into town with us. It’s too risky and although they haven’t given specifics it seems they’ve got their own mission.
We parted about thirty miles out and I took Paul to the side. “You guys be careful, okay? I doubt Walker is far behind.”
“Okay, mom.” He made a face but it was kind. Paul actually knew my mom and it’s always nice to have someone else who remembered her. “Hamilton may be unhinged but he’s right about the Hybrids.”
“So you’re going to track them?”
“Just trying to assess the situation with them and the other Mutts.”
“Yeah, I reiterate: be careful.” I glanced over at Cole, who was tinkering on his motorcycle with Jude’s help. “And take care of him. You’re right. I think he’s doing better but he’s got a ways to go yet.”
Paul searched my face. “How are you doing? Any side effects from the EVI-3? Jude says he still gets a kick from the juice here and there.”
“Yeah, a little. Nothing we can’t disguise and nothing I think that will stick around long term.” I frowned. “I guess that’s the downside of experimental medicine.”
“You guys use discretion. Don’t let anyone know.”
“We won’t.”
We parted from there, the sound of their motorcycles tearing down the road. They were not quiet but I supposed it was intentional. They wanted to lure their friends and enemies out of hiding.
The city has a similar gated system like New Hope so it must have been provided by the Feds before the Crisis, just like Hamilton explained. The metal structure rises two stories high and it’s visible two blocks away. Wyatt stops the five of us and says, “Don’t use your real names or give them any information about New Hope.” He gives Zoe a hard look. “Stick together.”
“How do we ensure that?” Jude asks.
Zoe points at Mary Ellen’s hand—and the silver band wrapped around her ring finger. “Tell them you’re married. If the process is similar to New Hope they won’t split up families.”
Jude raises his eyebrows at Mary Ellen and she nods. She looks better today. I think getting out of the mountains helped. “We can do that.”
Zoe looks at me and Wyatt. “It’s okay if you don’t have a ring. Just say it was stolen. But we’ve both got dark hair. I’ll tell them you’re my sister,” she says to me. I want to suggest being my sister carries a stigma that certainly doesn’t ensure safety but I nod my approval.
I clench my fingers on the straps of my bag and take a step toward the main road leading to the gate. A sharp tug brings me to a stop and Wyatt’s standing over my shoulder. Jude looks back and Wyatt says, “Give us a minute.”
“What’s up?” I ask, taking stock of the man before me. He’s got his hand shoved in his pocket and a tight jaw. His hair is longer than normal, curling behind his ears and the hair on his chin more beard than just scruff. He won’t look at me directly, instead somewhere near my right boot and clarity rings like a bell in my mind. “Look, we don’t have to pret
end to be married. Zoe and I can play sisters. You can be our brother or whatever.”
He replies with a laugh and he glances up at me with amusement. “I’m not your whatever.”
“No.” I push my toe into the dirt on the ground and blink at the ground. “No, you’re not.”
He steps forward and I look back up, something shiny flashes in his hand. “I found this in your bag when you were gone—when Chloe took you.”
Emotion wells in my chest. “I thought I lost it.”
“I just wanted a piece of you with me. Then it felt like I should just…wait for the right time or something.” He catches my hand in his own and pushes the ring on my finger. “Now is not the right time. I know that and I know it’s not for real, but—”
“It’s real enough,” I say. I push up on my toes and kiss him on the lips. I’m not ready to be married but nothing about this world is normal anymore. I’ve found a partner I can trust and we’re good together. I’m not scared.
Mary Ellen’s eyes notice my new accessory immediately but there’s no time for discussion. Guards approach us and we’re about to enter another walled city and another quarantine and check point.
Zoe moves to my side and Wyatt’s fingers thread through mine. At least I won’t be doing it alone.
14
Winston-Salem is a small but functioning city. Getting through quarantine isn’t easy and we spend 48 hours being processed. It’s smart and although it’s tedious, no one complains. No one wants an infected roaming the streets.
For the interview we have a basic story; friends and family that managed to stay alive for nearly two years when our supplies ran out and we were forced on the road. Along the way we heard about Winston-Salem. It’s not far from the truth.
Just before we’re released were gathered for a smaller, less dramatic orientation that the city was chosen due to its size, location and strong medical and academic communities to be part of the Safe City program the government had established in case of catastrophe. It took time for the communities to get on their feet and the city itself is a fraction of the size of the original town, but they are in the process of establishing trade with New Hope.
“There’s also a viable Safe City in Birmingham, but getting across South Carolina and Georgia has proven to be a problem,” the woman leading our tour explains. Her name is Sophia and she’s young and Asian with short, cropped hair and wearing the kind of shoes that are appropriate post-Crisis. I like her already.
Jude clears his throat. “What kind of problem. Exactly.”
“From what we understand, the Georgia-Florida line was the hardest hit by the parasite. It caused an immediate breakdown that took a little bit longer to ripple up here. Between the Eaters, subsequent military action, and what seems to be additional biological warfare added into the mix, that entire area is a hot zone.”
“The Death Fields,” I say.
“What?” she asks.
“We call them the Death Fields. The no-man’s land between the cities. And yeah, we spent time in the middle of that. It was pretty bad.”
“You were there?” She looks shaken. “And survived?”
Jude answers, “It wasn’t easy, but yes.”
“I’m sure the council will be interested in what you have to say. They’re always looking for as much information about outside the city as possible. There are a lot of rumors so they’re particularly interested in firsthand accounts. We’re establishing our first expeditions outside the walls.”
“You’ve had no military?” Wyatt asks.
“Oh we have a military. But their primary function has been to clear the surrounding area from Eaters. We’ve been busy here, pushing into the surrounding towns like Greensboro and Durham. Luckily it’s been some time since we’ve had an attack.”
“Have you made it to Raleigh?” I ask hopefully.
“Yes, they’re all mostly cleared of the infestation. Now that our own environment is under control, we hope to come to a better understanding with New Hope so we can get trade routes established.” She smiles, pointing us to a hotel not far from intake. Armed guards stand in the doorways. “That’s the plan, at least.”
“What kind of understanding?” Zoe asks.
The smile falters and Sophie’s face takes on a more guarded expression. “You would think at the end of civilization things would get less political—that we would have common goals of survival and progress.”
“They aren’t?” Mary Ellen asks. Her face betrays nothing. None of us give an inch on what we know.
“I have faith, but nothing is easy,” she says, stopping at the doorway. “I’ll set up a meeting for you all with the council. Until then you can find details about our community in your rooms. It’s only two bedrooms but the pantry is stocked. If you pass the interview we’ll give you all more permanent quarters.”
“Thank you, Sophia,” I say. “What can we expect from the interview?”
“It’s a standard process everyone must go through. Full background and any information you can share about how you got here and what you’ve seen.” She smiles. “Go rest. I suspect the council will want to speak to you soon.”
I have no doubt that’s true, but I do wonder how much they’ll actually know. Zoe and even Walker admitted we’ve gained some celebrity status. Has it come this far? If they recognize us will they know we’re wanted and on the run? Or exactly what kind of experience we have in the Death Fields? Once again I feel myself getting sucked into another powerful entities game. I glance at the ring on my finger. More and more, I just want to live my life in peace.
Even though it’s mid-day we use the time in our hotel room to sleep. There’s not much preparation we can do. There are guards on every hallway, the elevator and at the exits. It’s a smart move—this town seems nice. I would protect it too.
The room is more of a suite and has two bedrooms attached. I’m about to move into one with Wyatt when Mary Ellen grabs my wrist. “Will you stay with me? It doesn’t feel right sharing a bed with another man.” She swallows. “Not yet.”
I’ve noticed the dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes. She’s still mourning Finn and deeply exhausted. “Sure,” I say. “Zoe, you take the couch. Guys, the other room.”
A grimace ghosts over Wyatt’s face but he looks sympathetically at Mary Ellen and heads to the room with Jude. I crawl into the bed, dressed with my boots on. I have no idea if the sheets are really clean but my last solid sleep was in the car, so no complaints. I tuck my hatchet under the pillow and close my eyes.
“Get some rest,” I say, already half asleep.
“You too, Alex.”
I fall hard and even when I feel the shift of the bed and squeak of the bathroom door I can’t bring myself to fully wake. It’s only hours later, when the sky has grown dark that I realize Mary Ellen has left the bed and never came back. The bathroom door is closed and I spot a faint light underneath the crack.
“Hey,” I call out. I stretch my arms over my head. “Are you okay?”
There’s a long hesitation and then, “Yes.” Her voice wavers and it’s followed by the sound of her blowing her nose.
“M.E., I can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose someone like that. If I lost Wyatt…well, there were a few times I did think I lost him. I thought he was dead when Chloe locked us up. I mourned him. For months. It wasn’t easy, but if you need me I’m here. Anytime.” I lean against the door frame and push away those terrible feelings of loss. There’s no response from the other side of the door and I call out, “Mary Ellen?”
The door jerks open and I stumble forward, nearly smashing into the girl. Her face is streaked red and it’s clear she’s been crying. I reach out to give her a hug but she pushes my hands away before balling hers into tight fists.
“I have something to say,” her voice wobbles, but her chin juts in the air.
“Okay. Sure.”
“Finn and I weren’t married, you know that. But we were very much in love. I�
�m sure he was my soul mate.”
“He loved you so much, M.E. I’ve never seen a man look at someone with such devotion.”
She shakes her head. “We never could have been together in our old community. Never. It wouldn’t have been allowed.”
I reach for one of those balled-up fists and take it in mine. “Then I’m glad you had time together, even if it was in the middle of the freaking apocalypse. I mean, I never would have met Wyatt if this hadn’t happened. I wouldn’t know you or Jude or Paul. I’ve made some amazing friends because of this and it’s too hard to say if I’d give them up to make everything go back to normal, you know? Would I trade Wyatt for my mom?”
The thought makes me queasy.
“Alex?”
“Yeah?” I look up at Mary Ellen’s face and suddenly she seems very, very young.
“I’m pregnant.”
There’s not enough time for me to process Mary Ellen’s announcement before Sophia has returned, asking us to follow her to the council meeting. A hundred scenarios flip through my brain about the pregnancy; the biggest is who would bring a child into a disaster like this? Between the Eaters and Hybrids and people living on the fringe I can’t imagine the burden. I don’t speak my concerns and try my hardest to keep the thought off my face. Instead I say, “We’ll figure something out.”
“I’m worried about the EVI-3. I didn’t know when I took the shot.”
Great. Add mutant baby to the pile of things to worry about.
Mary Ellen cleans herself up and I meet the others in the living area. Wyatt studies my face and asks quietly, “You okay?”
“Just girl stuff.”
He raises an eyebrow and my cheeks blush. He’s not an idiot. “Not my girl stuff. Hers. No big deal.”
Lies lies lies.
By the time we reach the council meeting I think I’ve regained my composure and to be honest, Mary Ellen looks fine. Relieved, even. I guess telling someone made her feel better and she’s had longer to accept it. I’m still reeling.