“What the hell was that?” Trevor asked the moment he reached Lisa.
“What do you mean?” she asked, rocking back on her heels.
“Jay could have killed you for interfering like that. He’s not called the Beast for no reason,” Trevor said, his anger blazing forth.
“I couldn’t just let him kill Neil,” she protested.
“Why him, of all people? What is it about Neil that has you so infatuated you’d risk your life for him?” Trevor added before storming off.
Lisa gaped after his retreating back, confusion oozing from every pore in her body. “What just happened? Why is he so angry?”
“If I had to guess, I’d say he’s in love with you,” Cat said.
“What?” Lisa asked.
“He’s jealous, dear. It’s as clear as daylight,” Matilda said.
“Jealous?” Lisa repeated. “I never knew.”
Cat sighed. “Look, guys. I don’t have a lot of time. Jay will want me back any moment now. How are you? I’ve been worried sick.”
“So have we, darling. Are you okay?” Matilda said, drawing her daughter in for a fierce hug.
“Yes, what has that man done to you?” Lisa asked.
“So far, nothing except veiled threats against you two if I don’t co-operate.”
“Meaning?” Lisa said.
“He wants me to marry him,” Cat said.
“That’s preposterous!” Matilda cried.
“Sh, Mom. I know it is, but for now, he’s still trying to win me over. He wants me to agree of my own accord, not because I’m forced to, so he’s treating me with kid gloves,” Cat explained.
“What an idiot,” Lisa said. “But have you seen Nadia? How is she? I’ve been stuck in here for so long, I don’t know what’s going on outside.”
Tears filled Cat’s eyes, and she shook her head. “Nadia’s dead.”
The earth turned on its axis for Lisa, and she stumbled. “What? That can’t be true.”
“It is. Jay killed her. He told me so himself.”
“And he still thinks you’ll marry him of your own accord? He’s crazy,” Matilda said.
“I don’t have a choice, Mom. If I don’t, he’ll make our lives a living hell. If he thinks he has my affection and loyalty, I might be able to persuade him to ease up on everyone, especially you.”
“You can’t, sweetheart. We’re not your responsibility. Nobody is,” Matilda said.
“I agree,” Lisa said. “It’s your life, Cat. You can’t give yourself to him to save us.”
“I have to. What if he kills you? I’d never forgive myself. He even threatened Sam and Ralph. I can’t risk it,” Cat replied. “Unless…”
“Unless?” Lisa asked.
“We can find a way out of here,” Cat said.
“How do we do that? Even if we could escape, he’d take his rage out on whoever stays behind. Sam, Ralph, we could never escape with all of them,” Lisa said.
“I know. Besides, I’ve seen the guard patrols, and the walls; escape is impossible,” Cat said. “We’re too closely watched.”
“How then?”
“Jay wants me to fight in the Ring to prove I’m a worthy bride to the rest of the Ravagers, or they’ll never accept me. He says he’ll train me to make sure I’m ready. I’m going to ask him to send me out with the raiders. While we’re on a raid, I’ll slip away, pretend to get swarmed if possible so he thinks I’m dead. I’ll go home to St. Francis for help. I’m sure Max will agree.”
“Maybe, but swarmed?” Lisa protested. “That’s too risky. You could get infected or killed.”
“Besides, Jay would never believe you’re dead unless he sees your corpse, and if he doesn’t, he’ll take it out on the rest of us,” a new voice interjected.
They all turned to see Neil, his voice still raw, and his face beet red and swollen. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I wanted to thank Lisa for saving me. But while I’m here, if you’re planning something, I want in.”
“Me too,” another gruff voice said. It was Trevor. “Sorry about my outburst earlier. I didn’t mean it.”
Lisa looked around them. “Crap, can everyone hear what we’re talking about?”
“Not everyone. Now, listen up and gather around, I’ve got an idea,” Neil said. “Cat, instead of asking Jay to send you out, tell him Lisa wants to become a Ravager. Have him send her out for training. She escapes, runs back to this fort of yours…”
“It’s not a fort, it’s a town, St. Francis Bay,” Lisa said, ignoring the look Cat shot her at revealing their home’s location. She was sure Neil could be trusted.
“All right, town. So, Lisa escapes, goes there, and gets help.” Neil looked at Lisa. “Are you a hundred percent certain they can and will help us?”
“Yes, I am,” Lisa replied.
“Good. The rest of us stay here and wait it out. When Lisa escapes, Jay will be mad, but he’ll still have his precious Cat and her mom as insurance. It shouldn’t be too hard to pacify him.”
Cat nodded. “It could work.”
“I’m in if that’s what you’re asking,” Lisa said.
“It’s dangerous,” Trevor protested. “What if something happens to you?”
“I can handle myself, I promise,” Lisa said.
“I can vouch for her,” Cat agreed. “She’s a badass fighter.”
“Then it’s settled. You all know what to do, and it goes without saying that we keep our mouths shut about this,” Neil said, looking around until everyone agreed. “Cat, you’d better say your goodbyes. Jay looks impatient.”
With those final words, Neil wandered away, moving from group to group in a casual fashion. Trevor followed his example while Cat hugged her mother and Lisa once more. “Be careful you two. Look after yourselves. Lisa, I’ll see if I can convince him.”
“All right,” Lisa said. “I’ll miss you.”
“Love you, guys,” Cat said, pulling away with reluctance before making her way to Jay’s side. He took her hand in his and led her away from the party without further ado, leaving both Lisa and Matilda behind in tears.
Lisa put a comforting arm around Matilda who quietly sobbed on her shoulder while staring after her friend. Farewell, Cat. Keep safe.
Chapter 10 - Nadia
Run, little rabbit. Run. The taunting voice followed her through the long grass. She panicked and darted in the opposite direction only to stop when the same words mocked her from the front. Her heart banged a rapid beat in her chest, and her lungs ached for more air. Run, little rabbit. Run. I’m coming for you.
Trapped inside the same nightmare again, Nadia whimpered in her sleep, unable to tear loose from its terrifying grip. Her hands curled into fists, and salty tears streaked down her cheeks until Dexter decided to wake her up with a warm tongue in the face.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she sputtered a laugh. “Dexter, no!”
He ignored her protests, jumping up onto the bed instead and shoving his cold nose underneath the blanket.
Nadia shrieked. “Shit, that thing’s like ice. What did you do? Stash it in a freezer?”
He licked her again.
She ruffled her fingers through his fur, relishing the soft silky feel of it. He was dirty, of course. Clumps of mud stuck to his paws, stomach, and chin, leaving a trail of dirt all over the sheets, but Nadia didn’t let it bother her. They were moving that day, anyway. As weak as she was, she couldn’t afford to stay any longer. Her friends needed help, and she still had a long way to go to reach St. Francis. “Besides, if a bunch of zombies finds and traps us here we’re done for, and I could still develop an infection in this horrible cut in my stomach.”
Dexter nuzzled against her side, his body wriggling like a worm on a hook until he found a comfortable spot to lie in. Nadia allowed herself to relax for a bit while she contemplated the coming day, one hand idly stroking the dog’s head.
“We’ve got a busy day ahead, Dexter. I’ll have to see what I can scrounge up here in
the cabin and outfit myself for the road.” Dexter didn’t move, though his eyes rested on her face as she spoke. “As I’m sure you already know, zombies are a problem, plus I’m pretty sure I’m lost too. Which is awesome, by the way.”
Dexter huffed a breath through his nostrils, and Nadia imagined he agreed. His presence was enough to lift her spirits, allowing her to joke about her circumstances, but her smile faltered when she considered the implications. She was lost, she was hurt, and she was alone. A recipe for disaster.
Nadia closed her eyes as she considered the possibility that this was one sticky situation she might not make it out of for real. Living in the zombie apocalypse was hard. It made one used to death and the prospect of dying, but being human, there was always hope. Hope that she realized was wasted on her, hovering over the edge of a cliff as she did. I could die today, or tomorrow, or the day after.
As if he sensed her despair, Dexter whined and licked her face. She opened her eyes and stared at his open face with its chocolate brown eyes and button nose, and a feeling of determination replaced the growing panic within her breast. “Yeah, I know. You’re scared, and I’m all you’ve got, so I have to be strong for you, little guy. For Lisa and Cat too.”
With newfound courage, Nadia tossed back the covers on the bed and got up. “Right, let’s see what we can find. We’ve got a long day ahead of us, boy.”
Dexter’s tail wagged, and she set about ransacking the cabin, looking for anything she could use to get to St. Francis. Beneath the bed, covered in dust bunnies, she found a backpack with a sleeping bag tied to the bottom, and a canteen in a side pocket.
“Woohoo! Now, this is what I’m talking about.” After dusting the items off, she topped up the canteen with water and proceeded to fill the pack. From the kitchen, she took a few basics. A cup, bowl, spoon, fork, knife, and a small pot. An extra bowl for Dexter also went into the mix along with the box of matches.
She loaded all the available food and added an extra bottle of water, as well as what remained of the first aid kit. Her wound was healing. The cut was slowly scabbing over, and so far, no infection had set in. Though still weak, she could walk. Fighting zombies was a different matter, but she hoped to avoid the buggers if she could.
Her clothes were clean and dry, so she dressed with care, making sure to reinforce the plaster over her injury with a thick bandage. Her shirt was a goner, of course. Instead, she wore the man’s shirt she’d found in the footlocker, tying the excess material into a knot at her waist like they used to in the eighties.
Going back to the locker at the foot of the bed, Nadia rummaged some more. Way at the bottom, she struck gold in the shape of a .38 Rossi Special. The gun was small and lightweight, perfect for her to handle, and it was fully loaded. “No extra bullets, but it’s better than nothing.”
She didn’t bother with any of the old clothes. None of it fit. She only took an old shirt to use as a rag along the way. The small table in the corner boasted a single drawer, and inside, she found a short book of poetry and a pocket knife. She took both, sending up a silent prayer of thanks to the previous owner. “Whoever you were, wherever you are, thank you.”
Before leaving, she gave Dexter water to drink and opened up a can of beans for him. He wolfed the food down, while she sipped on a cup of extra strong coffee and munched a biscuit. A couple of painkillers rounded off her breakfast, and she was ready to go. “You done, boy? Ready to go?”
Dexter’s ears perked, and his tail wagged when she moved toward the door. She guessed the poor thing must need a pee rather badly after being cooped up inside the cabin all night. She checked that the coast was clear before opening the door, both hands gripping the ax.
Dexter dashed through the opening and down the stairs of the porch before squatting with a look of intense relief on his face. With a laugh, Nadia followed, her eyes searching the clearing for signs of danger. It looked clear, and she took the chance to relieve herself in a patch of grass as well.
When she’d finished, she nodded at Dexter. “Ready, boy?”
He barked.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Trusting that the dog would follow, Nadia set out once more, following the river and picking out the easiest route possible.
She had no idea where she was, nor did she know where she was going, but she had to trust that civilization was around there somewhere. “Just give me a sign. A trail, a road, something, please.”
Nadia set a steady pace at first, trying to cover as much ground as possible, but she soon tired and had to stop. Dexter ran around her in circles while she caught her breath, his nose to the ground and his tail wagging. She took it as a good sign, hoping he’d be able to sniff out any zombies before she could.
After a short break, she continued, and the hours passed by slowly as morning gave way to early afternoon. She stopped again around noon to eat and drink something. Dexter too. Then she continued, pushing beyond her exhaustion. She had to get somewhere safe before nightfall. It would not do to camp out in the open.
It was around mid-afternoon when she spotted the trail. It was faint and overgrown, but clearly a track made by humans. Nadia blew out a relieved breath. “Thank, God. Let’s hope it takes us out of these woods.
Following the track was easier than slogging over the uneven terrain of the woods, and she managed to set a good pace for a while. Even so, her worry grew the closer the sun got to the horizon. Being stuck outside at night was her worst nightmare.
Finally, when worry began to turn to despair, she pushed through a couple of overgrown branches and found herself standing next to a tarred road. “Dexter, look here. It’s a road. A real road!”
Dexter wagged his tail, as excited as she was it seemed. She decided to take a short break again, aware that she might have to push on through the night. At least following the open road would be a little bit safer than camping out in the woods, especially if the moon was full and she kept quiet.
Nadia emptied her canteen, giving both herself and Dexter a solid helping. A few biscuits stilled the gnawing hunger in her stomach, and even the dog appeared to enjoy them. She finished off with a couple of painkillers to keep her going and pushed to her feet. On a whim, she turned left and started walking.
With her ears perked and her eyes wide open, Nadia followed the road, walking down the middle and staying away from the wooded sides. Dexter trotted beside her, and in total silence, they walked until the last of day faded, and dusk fell.
Despite the short break earlier, she was already growing tired again, and Nadia cursed under her breath when she realized just how weak she was. “It doesn’t matter. I have to keep going. There’s no stopping here.”
Despite these words, carrying on became more difficult with every step she took. Her limbs grew heavy, and her breathing labored. Her mouth dried up and more than once she stumbled, her eyelids drooping. Still, she kept moving, too scared to stop. If she did, she’d collapse, and that meant death.
With dogged determination, she put one foot in front of the other. She filled her thoughts with images of Lisa and Cat. They counted on her. They needed her to keep going, to bring back help. “I’ve got to save them. I’ve got to.”
Her knees buckled, and Nadia fell to the ground with a grunt of pain as the impact jolted her torso. Her wound burned as she bit her lip and forced herself back to her feet. One step, two steps, three steps, four…five…six… It became a matter of will, counting each stride as a minor victory.
The moon rose ever higher in the sky, its glowing orb painting the landscape with a silver brush. She was glad for it meant she could see, but as time passed, she focused more and more on her feet, willing them to keep moving.
Dexter whined, a note of fear in his voice that snapped her back to the present. Nadia raised her head and looked around, a hint of terror sharpening her senses. Up ahead she spotted a bulky object, its outline identifying it as a car. Despite the hope the sight of the vehicle raised, she waited, scanning the perimeter.
Then she saw it. A moving figure. Its lurching shamble and rasping moans meant it was a zombie, and Nadia gulped as she gripped her ax with both hands. On the ground next to it was another body, this one immobile and silent.
For a moment, she considered turning back. The thought of tackling a zom in her current state filled her with trepidation. Yet, where would she go? Was the other direction any better? No, she needed that car, or she would die.
“Dexter, stay here, boy. I’ll take care of this,” she said in commanding tones, hoping he’d listen. He whined but stayed put when she moved forward. The zom saw her within seconds and charged, closing the distance with shocking speed. “Oh, shit, it’s a fresh one.”
Adrenalin spurted through her veins as horror filled her breast. A fast one. The worst kind. Nadia raised the ax to shoulder height and swung at the infected’s head. She caught it a glancing blow, shaving off a piece of scalp and bone. Blood sprayed in an arch, splattering across her jacket.
The zombie stumbled but kept coming, and she stepped to the side and tried again. The sweeping cut caught it in the neck, lodging in the meaty flesh above the shoulder. It was not deterred, however. Even as she wrenched the ax free, it reached out and grabbed her with clawed fingers.
Nadia screamed as the digits dug into her tender flesh with bruising force. The infected man leaned in for her exposed throat, aiming for the jugular. She pushed against his chest, but her strength was waning, and she felt her arms tremble with weakness. Her eyes focused on the zom’s mouth, its snapping teeth exposed by the bright moonlight.
A sudden growl filled her ears, and the infected jerked backward as if pulled by an invisible force. Its hold on her shoulders broke, and Nadia wrenched away in time to see Dexter tugging at the thing’s trouser with all his might. His quivering body was puffed up with rage, and vicious snarls sawed through his throat.
The zombie swiped at the dog, eager for its flesh, and Nadia screamed, “No! Not Dexter. Look at me, you piece of shit.”
Dangerous Nights (Book 3): Edge of Night Page 6