by Annie Walls
He’s still smiling. “When you realize I’m not going to let you go to Nashville alone, you can ride with me.”
“You’re done being mad at me?”
The smile drops in an instant, and he steps closer, pushing me into the tree. He brings my arms up over my head, lacing his fingers with mine before skimming my jaw with his nose. I meet his gaze when he peers at me. “No. And I won’t be until you realize that I’m really not going anywhere and until I’m sure you aren’t either.” Brushing his lips against mine, he shoves off and leaves me against the tree.
I make it to his truck and help him fill it with gas.
*
If possible, my grouchy mood evaporates more with every mile we travel out of the way. Soon we’re in Idaho and the sun is setting. I watch sulkily, sitting on the back of the truck as everyone pitches tents and starts a fire. In the middle of nowhere.
“Hi, Kan,” Julie says.
I give her a small smile. “Hey, you okay?”
She beams. “Never better. I wanted to let you know something.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, I heard Nastas and Sander talking a few days ago and tomorrow is April first.” She searches my face.
“Planning a joke on someone?”
She shakes her head. “No, but Rudy turns twenty-nine,” she smiles. “I don’t know if you knew or not. I’m sure he doesn’t really care, but I know you do.”
I smile at her. “I do, thanks.” She walks away. I jump down from the truck in search of Gwen.
When I find her, I ask, “You have any sugar?”
“Not much.”
“What can I trade you for it?”
“What do you want it for?”
I shrug, “A cake?”
“Show me how you’ll make it over a fire, and you can have whatever you need for it.”
I smile, “Deal.”
Turns out she has cocoa, too. It would have been better with a cast iron skillet, but with the pan I used it turns out okay. After conversing with Reece and Glinda, I carry the small lumpy chocolate cake drizzled with a sugar glaze toward the truck. There are several young women from the compound standing around, gawking. When what they are looking at comes into view, I roll my eyes.
“You trying to give those girls heart palpitations?” I joke. “Your birthday is tomorrow, you know?” I show him the cake. His feet thump to the ground from his pull-up bar.
“Is tomorrow the first?” he asks, grabbing the bar from the top of the open doors and throwing it in the truck.
“So says Julie.” I grin before observing his audience.
He slips off his sweatshirt and wipes his forehead with it, watching the disappearing crowd. His face scrunches. “They don’t see anything else, Kan.”
“You calling them superficial?”
“Just calling it like it is.”
“I don’t blame them. I like watching you, too.” Although, I’m not as open about it.
He grins wide, showing dimples through his beard. “That’s good to know. But it’s different.”
I place the cake on the truck. “Different how?”
He shrugs. “You see more than skin deep or we’d have already bumped hips, don’t you think?” His face is open and ready to hear my reply. I don’t have anything to say because he’s right. There have been plenty of opportunities.
It takes me a minute, but I come to my senses. “What makes you think that?”
“The first morning we woke up together, you didn’t respond to my advances.”
Shaking my head and giving him a grin, I say, “You didn’t try very hard.”
“Glad I didn’t.” He climbs in the truck, grabbing his guitar.
I follow behind him. “Ouch,” I say and laugh in an awkward way.
“That’s not what I mean—”
“Rudy doll! Happy birthday,” Glinda says, climbing into the truck with Reece in tow. Rudy studies me with a smile.
“Yeah, what she said. Time to celebrate,” Reece pipes in. We all laugh and eat cake.
*
The rest of the trip south is uneventful. It consists of Rudy watching me like a hawk, ready to swoop down on his prey. I even tell him I won’t go anywhere given it’s his birthday and all. He doesn’t seem to believe me, so I’m taking extra measures to make it up to him.
The weather gets warmer, and everyone is glad to ditch the coats and sweatshirts for T-shirts and tanks. The farther southwest we travel, however, the looting is terrible. I can only guess it’s because survivors flock to warmer weather. With more people to feed, we ration food more than we already do. No one minds, anyway, since we are all used to small portions.
We arrive in Arizona only to be put on hold. The delay is for taking count of everyone we have and finding places to put them. They are organized and efficient, placing us in a secure campground. Luckily, another counselor is available to help the transition of survivors. At first, the survivors were unsure, but the closer we came to this town, the more open they were to the change.
A man named Martin, who is part of the council here, shows up to tell us about the new town of Sierra Vista, which is completely different than Sierra Vista itself. Martin is a laid back guy with buzzed hair, long cargo shorts and a tank.
The town is actually just that. A town. They utilize everything within it. Neighborhoods, offices, grocery stores, gas stations. Everything. Right now, they rely on solar power, but it’s dodgy, so they’ve been working to strengthen it for some time. Even more so since the population grows in this town more every month.
A problem arises when we have to give up our firearms. Martin remains patient. “This is for the safety of everyone, but especially the children. You’re allowed to keep your weapons, but firearms need to be checked into the armory at the gate of our town and only used off grounds.”
Reece is especially unnerved about it, and after much debate with the help of Nastas and the fact none of us has kids, we’re able to keep one firearm each after a rundown of firearm 101. Silly, but if it makes the council feel better, then why not?
I’m not sure how I feel about the whole setup, yet. Only time will tell. Many people come in and out of the campground, and it’s hard to keep everyone straight, but the town obviously knows how to handle the situation. Meeting a bunch of new people within the span of a few days is kind of like having vertigo and makes my head spin. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many people in one place. One could easily forget the world went to shit, but I know better.
We camp for two days while people trickle out, being analyzed and placed in housing. Their own house unless they are a single person, but it’s different than the compounds because people aren’t pushed to procreate here. The team volunteers to be last, to get families and survivors situated.
The equipment we pilfered from the compound is in the hands of the council here. Something else I’m not sure about, but it lifts some weight off my shoulders to let them handle it. If Mago wants it, he should be here to get it. Thinking of Mago only makes me worry more.
I split a granola bar in half and hand the other half to Rudy. We sit around a small fire. Rudy asks, “How does it feel to be right?”
“Right about what?”
“The souls.” This comes out of nowhere, but I remember talking with him about it a long time ago. I don’t feel great about my theory being true. Mago doesn’t like it either. He goes against his beliefs, but he doesn’t do it just because he can. He does it for a very selfless reason. Surely the Loa’s will know and give him credit for that at least. I wonder how that works?
“I don’t know. It’s not a good feeling. I’m sure Mago feels even worse. Now that I think about it, he only spoke it out loud in so many words, but Mya practices black magic, too. I suppose that’s why he’s so daunted. He wants it to end, and so do I.” I feel that heavy weight, again.
The fire reflects across Rudy’s features making him glow. “We’ll find him and set things straight.”
I jump up. “What?”
“We got through the encryption.” Sam looks at Kyle.
“Then why are you guys so freaked?”
“The encryption isn’t studies on the virus,” Sam says, drawing out his words.
Rudy scoffs, “That doesn’t do us any damn good.”
Kyle swallows. “From the way the rest of the council talked to Nastas, we gather it’s studies on a vaccine that lead nowhere.”
I exchange a glance with Rudy. “So there is a vaccine?” I ask.
Sam shakes his head and gets a little pale. “I don’t know. We don’t know, but they’re giving something to those pregnant women.”
Mago told me the vaccine was crap. Did he know and refuse to tell me the truth? Or did he not know and assumed it is crap? No, I don’t think he’d lie. The U.S. Coalition also said it was crap, and sent Dalton to his post, along with the rest of my team.
Or does Dalton know something? He said the Coalition was doing something, but things take time and patience. And anyway, they are giving something to people. Julie’s gotten something herself.
I shake my finger at them. “This is fucked up.”
When Mac was talking about his superiors, he said they knew about the people in Arizona. What the hell are they doing? What was it Mac wanted to tell me before he was killed, and was he killed because of what he knew? It’s like I’m collecting puzzle pieces, but I can’t put them together.
I stare at Rudy. He waits patiently as I sink to the ground. “I can’t figure it out.” I whisper. When I look at them, I say, “I think it’s time to pay a visit to Birmingham.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
My plan is not coming together smoothly. The next few days are hectic. They place Rudy and I in a small stucco house of our own. We’ve have a few days to settle, and the house has a lot of work that needs completed. Then, we’ll be given assignments based on our skills and/or experience. I have a feeling I’d be given one of those jobs cleaning the city hall toilets.
Reece and Glinda are across the street with Bryce and Ashley next door to them. Bryce doesn’t like me much, but I don’t blame him. If I was a man that got over powered by a woman while getting a blowjob from another woman, and didn’t get to finish, well, I wouldn’t like it either. Not to mention being hog-tied, pistol whipped, and forced to piss on myself. They are alive and free. That’s what matters. Ashley thinks so, too, and assures me Bryce will come around.
Rudy and I spend the first morning cleaning and rearranging furniture, trying not to think about the people that occupied this house before or whatever fate had given them. We also wash our blankets, towels, and clothes and hang them on a line in the back so we’ll have clean stuff after showers later. Eventually, Rudy goes off to help with some other minor repairs with Reece.
When the house is livable, I start making a list of repairs.
I swat at a hanging cabinet door in the small kitchen while making the list. It squeaks back and forth on one hinge. The hinges need to be screwed back, no problem. Stucco needs patching outside, possible. Rotting doorframes are throughout the whole house and need replacing. Possible for me to do myself, but is it worth it? Tiles are loose in the kitchen, and the bathroom floors I can do myself. I want to take up the cactus plants that were once someone’s idea of a fancy landscaping project. The last thing I need is to get drunk and fall off the front porch into the wicked spines. No matter how pretty the flowers on them are.
Screw it. I’m not really going to live here. When we’re gone, they can assign the house to someone else. I put my list on the counter as the front door opens and closes. I can tell who it is by the footsteps.
“Hey, Darlin’.” Rudy’s hand works up and down the doorframe. “Need help?”
I shake my head. “We probably shouldn’t worry about it right now.”
“That’s what I was thinking, too.” He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe, which cracks under the pressure. He stands up quickly and scowls at it.
“I want to see what these people will decide to do about going to other compounds for survivors and information, but either way, we have our plans. I’m anxious to see what’s going on in Nashville.”
He nods. “I agree, but until then, we have plenty to keep us busy.” He grabs the frame again, his forearms and biceps tense as he rips the frame off the wall. This is his area of expertise. He beams at me, all white teeth and dimples.
“Now there’s no doorframe.”
“I’ll fix it. There’s a woodshop here.”
*
By the mid-afternoon, the sun is bright and hot, and we are outside patching stucco. Not really big on my long list of to-dos, but it’s better than sitting around with our thumbs up our asses. The color is different from the original, but I don’t care and the cracks in the house are bad. “It’s so freaking hot and dry, my body won’t even sweat to cool me off,” I comment and peer at Rudy.
His hair is pulled back with his blue bandana and he’s shirtless. He’s been doing most of the work but doesn’t seem to mind. I don’t think he notices me sneaking in peeks.
I swallow and continue smoothing stucco. “I think we have an audience,” he whispers. For a moment, I think he catches me ogling him until his eyes cut behind us. We have about ten children, all different ages, watching us, curiosity etched on their faces.
I smile at Rudy. If I have learned anything about the kids at the community it’s they are nosey, and all have something to say. They love it when adults pay them any attention and treat them like they are more than just kids.
“Whew! I’m dying of thirst,” I say, more loudly than necessary.
“There’s some powdered Gatorade in the truck,” Rudy says, just as loud.
I smile at our young onlookers. The tallest girl speaks up, “I can help!”
Help, she does. We get a big tub of Gatorade together, and I find out her name is Hanna. She is twelve, and all the kids just got out of school for the day. She’s tall for her age and has not yet gotten her lady curves. Nastas is her father. Her little brother, Xavier, is still a toddler of two years old.
We bring out the tub with plenty of cups. Rudy is laughing with the rest of them and handing out stale, hard candy.
Nastas walks up. “You kids should be getting home. I’m sure Rudy and Kan have plenty to do,” he chides. Hanna rolls her eyes at him and struts off with the rest of them. He smiles at us. “You feed them and they won’t ever leave.”
I shrug. “I don’t mind.” I glance at Rudy and Nastas. “We’re going to get the families in Nashville.”
He nods. “I’m here to speak for our council. We all have agreed we should continue making our way to the compounds.” He turns serious. “But we shouldn’t consult with the Coalition.”
Rudy’s eyes narrow in skepticism. “Why not?”
“There are soldiers here. They are biding their time for something unknown. They wouldn’t tell you anything and it would put us on their radar.” He sighs. “We do not want that.”
Mac told us as much, although they are supposed to be undercover, or so he thought.
Nastas catches on that I might not be up for this and puts out a hand. “Kan, there really is nothing to think about. For the time, we should focus on the people that need us.” He changes the subject. “We are getting up a volunteer list for the upcoming missions. If you can wait, you’ll have people to go with you to Nashville.”
“Okay, I’ll give up the idea about Birmingham for now, only because I need to find Mago and go to the community. I’ll let you know when I plan to leave.”
He stares at me for a long time then finally he nods and turns to walk away. “I need to know I can trust your word,” he throws over his shoulder.
After he’s out of earshot, I stare into Rudy’s hazel eyes. “We should leave within the next few days.”
He takes my hand in his big one, “Yo
u think we should go alone?”
“I don’t know. What do you think?”
“I think we need to be careful with who we trust.”
I completely agree.
*
I stand under the hot water as it beats and runs down my body in rivulets. The water heater was recently fixed, before we moved in. Rudy was right. He showered earlier and came out boasting about how awesome it feels. Now he’s talking to Reece about going to Nashville. We figure it’s best to keep it with the team.
Stepping out, I feel relaxed for the first time in awhile. I dry off with a fresh towel and nearly collapse in the giddiness of being squeaky clean. I pick up my stack of clothes, placing my gun on the sink, but when the door opens, I grab and point it.
Wide eyes stare at me. “You going to shoot me, Darlin’?”
I put the gun down on the sink. “I might if you startle me like that again.” His gaze roaming my body makes me uncomfortable and I try to cover up with the folded clothing. This really isn’t as awkward as I feel, I hope. “You’ve seen me naked before.” I toe at some loose tiles, remembering how I felt that night.
“I wasn’t seeing your nakedness then. All I was seeing was your pain and humiliation. I watched as you placed yourself inside your shell. It broke my fucking heart and what I want to do is pull you out and make it go away.”
My chest warms and tightens, and I could say it’s because of the hot water, but it’s from his words. “Then prove it.”
His neck blazes and my heart thumps before he reaches me. He grabs the clothing from my hands, tossing them aside and lifting me onto the sink. A loud splash follows, but I ignore it for Rudy’s mouth against my neck. I feel his grin before he speaks. “Your gun is in the toilet.”
“I don’t care.” I lift his shirt. He obliges, grabbing the back and sweeping it over his head. His lips return to their assault on my neck, putting my senses into overdrive as his hands explore my body. Running my fingers through the soft hair on his chest, his heart pounds. It picks up as he kisses below my collarbone. Heat shoots through my body, and my stomach clenches sharply with overdue anticipation. I trace downward, jerking him closer when I reach the waist of his jeans.