Cities of Rust

by Ariel Bonin

  "He's all yours," she declared before spotting their bloody leader. "Wow, Andrew. What happened?"

  "Got shot…just a flesh wound," he said with a weak smirk, the words slurring together.

  "You're crazy, you know that?" she replied as she put his arm over her shoulder.

  At that moment Darius and Ana walked out, bow in hand. Darius approached Marcus, his face a reflection of intent. He watched the man roll onto his side and groan in pain.

  "What's the plan? Do we need him for anything else?"

  Andrew moved his bottom lip in almost a small shrug. "Not that I can think of."

  "Good," Darius replied, and with that he pulled out his pistol and shot Marcus in the chest. On contact, the man stopped writhing, his body twitching as the last of his pathetic existence bled out onto the cold gravel.

  "You know he's going to come back, right?" Caren asked.

  Darius stared at the man who'd killed his baby sister and violated his girlfriend. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Yup."

  Chapter 9

  Lindsey sat on the school bus, an assault rifle resting across her lap. While the hot sun was starting to set, she was starting to get worried. She knew it would take some time for Andrew and the others just to get to and from Marcus’s camp, but she was having a hard time staying optimistic. Anytime that bastard was involved, good people got hurt.

  She was torn out of her depressing thoughts by the sound of giggling. She hopped down and walked to the left side of the building, peering around the corner. Zoey and a young boy were sitting against the school's exterior, talking. Zoey said something that Lindsey couldn't quite hear and the boy snorted. She was pretty sure it had to do with Jacob though, because Zoey was moving her hands wildly in, what looked like, a barfing motion, and then tapped her shoulder.

  Lindsey smiled to herself. It was so refreshing to hear kids laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she had really laughed, like a full-on roar of laughter. She knew it had to have been sometime during their trip to St. Louis. Back then she'd laughed a lot. The miscarriage had put a black cloud over their lives, but after five months, they'd begun to feel happy again. They had even tried for another baby that fateful weekend.

  Returning to her spot on the bus, Lindsey clenched her jaw and forced herself back to the present. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the rifle and willed away the tears.

  "You have to stop this!" she mumbled through gritted teeth. Thinking about the past was pointless. Yes, she had good memories to look back on, but to know that everyone and everything from them was dead did not fill her with warm nostalgia.

  An image of Jared's handsome face forced its way to the front of her mind and her heart ached. God, she missed him. If someone had told her a year ago that she would be thrown into the apocalypse without her husband and survive up to this point, she would have told them they were bat-shit crazy.

  It wasn't all her, though. As she had explained to Zoey, she would be dead now if it wasn't for Andrew. She hated to admit it, but he was her reason for living now. He gave her hope, and that meant everything in this grisly world. Even if their friendship didn't lead to something more, she would be forever grateful for her second chance at life with a new family.

  She could hear cars approaching. Heart pounding, she lifted her rifle and used the scope to see further down the road. Initially she saw nothing, but after two long seconds, was able to release the breath she had been holding. Their familiar sedan and truck raced into view and toward the school entrance. Lindsey rushed to open the gate, and upon hearing it move, Zoey came over to help. Lindsey knew the girl was excited to see her dad; she abandoned the gate after the vehicles pulled through, leaving Lindsey to close it. She was securing the padlock when she heard Zoey.

  "Woah, Dad! What happened?"

  Lindsey felt her stomach drop and turned to see what Zoey was referring to. Charlie had come around the truck and was helping Andrew out. His forehead was wrapped tightly with a piece of cloth. Below it, a significant amount of blood covered his face and neck. She fought the urge to go to him. He patted Zoey's back as his daughter wrapped her arms around his waist.

  "He's okay. Probably just a graze, but we should get him inside to get checked out," Charlie said, still supporting a great deal of Andrew's weight.

  Lindsey's eyebrows were drawn together with apprehension, but her face relaxed when Andrew met her gaze and smiled softly.

  "Did you get Ana?" Zoey asked, and then looked around at the others.

  Caren pointed to the backseat of the sedan. "Marcus roughed her up pretty good. Robert will have to check her out as well—if she'll let him."

  "Speaking of Marcus… Any luck?" Lindsey asked, her voice tentative.

  Andrew nodded once. "He's dead."

  Lindsey glanced at the backseat again and saw that Darius hadn't moved. Somehow she knew he had been the one to do it. Why else would he have gone?

  "All right, Rambo, let's get you inside," Charlie said to Andrew.

  Lindsey smirked and watched everyone cross the schoolyard. Once they were safely within the brick walls, she breathed a sigh of relief and made her way back to the gate.

  _____

  One week later, Andrew felt significantly better. He would be left with a scar on the side of his head, but was fortunate that his hair would cover most of it. Ana's injuries were healing, but he knew the emotional wounds would take longer. She was even more quiet than usual—if that was possible. Everything was slowly returning to normal, or whatever could be considered normal during the end of the world. Now that Marcus was dead, they could all take the time they needed to mourn and heal.

  Officially off bed rest, Andrew decided to help Nadie in the garden. He'd been anxious to get back to work, but Robert didn't think he should go it alone just yet. Under the hot sun, a small group of people were weeding and harvesting. When it came time for a quick break, he leaned against the school's shaded wall and watched as Caren said something to Lindsey. Lindsey grinned and he felt his chest tighten. Her silky hair was pulled back into a messy bun, with a few loose strands sticking to her damp forehead. She stood to dump her weed bucket in their compost pile. Afterward, she attempted to push one of the stray hairs out of her face and ended up smudging dirt onto her cheek. He actually thought it was kind of cute.

  "What are you doing, Andrew?" Nadie asked suddenly.

  He pushed away from the wall and tried to look nonchalant. "I'm takin' a break—"

  She smiled. "That's not what I meant."

  "I don't..." Andrew mumbled, shaking his head.

  "Lindsey."

  Andrew feigned ignorance and she sighed.

  "I know you like her. I'm assuming you know by now that she likes you, too. It's okay, Andrew..."

  "Is it?" he questioned, doubtful.

  Nadie leaned against the wall next to him and removed her gloves. "I understand that it hasn't been very long since Kelly died. You're still grieving and that's perfectly acceptable. I can't say exactly how much time has passed since it happened, but in this new world, it's been practically a lifetime. You have to remember, Lindsey lost her spouse, too. We've all lost people…"

  "That's true, but she's had more time—"

  Nadie scoffed. "Does it really matter? Do you think you'd feel any better about losing your wife if we were talking about this a year from now?"

  Andrew tipped his head and raised his eyebrows in acceptance of what she was saying.

  "In the old world, we were expected to wait a long time before moving on after losing a spouse. We don't have that much time anymore. If there is something you want to say or do, don't hesitate, because you may not get another chance."

  Andrew absorbed what she was saying, then shook his head. "I can't. I made a promise to myself, that my kids are my priority and nothing, no one will change that. I can't have any distractions. If something happened and I had to choose... I can't be responsible."

  "I'm not asking you to choose, Andrew. If there was a sit
uation where you had to save her or your kids, she would expect you to pick them." Nadie let her words sink in. "Ultimately, what you do is your choice. I just see an opportunity for happiness and I don't want you to wait until it's too late."

  Andrew didn't reply. He was processing everything she had just said to him. A part of him still didn't feel right about having feelings for another woman so soon, but Nadie had made a good point. Whether it was tomorrow, or a year from now, that part of him wasn't going to change. He also had to remember that Lindsey was a widow and probably felt the same way about starting a new relationship. If he kept waiting for the perfect time, it would never arrive.

  After tending to the crops, Andrew made his way to the pantry. It was a collection of all the toiletries they had scavenged over the past few months, and were okay for anyone to take.

  He made sure no one was around before he found the shelf containing various boxes of contraception. It was mainly considered Robert and Caren's stash, but everyone was encouraged to take them, if needed. They all knew enough about Andrew's past to recognize that they didn't want a baby of their own in the near future.

  He quickly took two condoms out of an already open box and shoved them into his pocket. He felt like such a creep. He could only hope that he had read Lindsey right. Obviously, if she said no, he wouldn't force her into it. He just didn't know if he could handle the rejection right now.

  _____

  A minor storm moved in after everyone had gone to bed. Andrew lay on his cot and watched as the room momentarily lit up, as if filled with an explosion of daylight. It was eventually followed by a low, lingering rumble. He waited until it was completely quiet and listened for any movement from Zoey. The only thing he could hear was his daughter's slow, rhythmic breathing. Since Zoey was sleeping and Nadie was taking care of Jacob, he knew it was time.

  Andrew's heart thumped painfully in his chest as he walked into the hallway. He took a deep breath and, after hesitating for a moment, knocked softly on Lindsey's open door. He watched as she stirred under the thin blanket and sat up, bringing the blanket with her.

  "Andrew? Did something happen?" she whispered, her voice holding an edge of nervousness.

  He shook his head and walked toward her cot. After kneeling in front of her, he gently took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. He heard her release the tiniest gasp, and watched her chest rise and fall from quickened breaths.

  He reached for her then. Their mouths collided as his fingers brushed through her hair and found it to be up in a ponytail. With haste, he tugged the elastic from her hair and gathered the flowing strands into his hands. Lindsey wrapped her arms around his waist and clutched the material at his back, pulling him onto the cot. He helped her remove his shirt and paused to look into her eyes as she rested her palms on his chest. He knew she could feel his thundering heartbeat, and she smiled. As he moved to kiss her again, she stopped him.

  Dammit, here comes the rejection, Andrew thought to himself.

  She slid out from underneath him and tiptoed to the front of her room. Careful not to wake anyone, she closed the door and pulled the privacy sheet across its narrow window, pinning the fabric in place. She turned back to face him. He felt his mouth go dry as she pulled her thin tank top over her head. While biting her lip, she followed with her black cotton shorts. Left in just her underwear, she approached Andrew. This time she knelt in front of him. She pulled off his socks and boots, pushing his hands away when he reached for his belt. Lindsey looked up at him as she undid the buckle. He was entranced by her dark, sparkling eyes and felt a surge of heat in the bottom of his stomach. He shifted his weight as she tugged off his pants.

  Finally, she allowed him to pull her into his arms. When their bare skin touched, he felt like he'd come home. Everywhere he touched on her lithe body was heavenly soft. As they kissed, he carried her with him, rolling on top to settle his hips between her parted thighs. His spine tingled when she lightly raked her fingernails across his back. He continued to cradle her head with one hand while his other moved down her smooth stomach, slipping under the waistband just below. His fingers stroked her gently. He didn't think he could be anymore turned on when he found her wet and ready for him. She gasped into his mouth as he explored her liquid heat. God, he wanted to bury himself in her.

  With much reluctance, Andrew let go of her and reached for his discarded pants. He ripped out one of the condoms, pulled down his boxer briefs, and quickly slid it on. Lindsey removed her underwear and tossed it to the side. Andrew replaced himself between her legs and they gazed at each other before he continued. Lindsey touched his lips and gave him a nervous smile.

  "Are you sure you want to do this?" Andrew asked. She appeared to be hesitating.

  She nodded. "It's just been a while."

  "I promise I'll be gentle," he whispered, and kissed her fingertips.

  As he slid into her, she inhaled sharply. It took all of his self-control not to lose it right then and there. She wasn’t lying when she said that it'd been a while for her; she was impossibly tight and hot around him. He groaned into her neck and gave her a moment to adjust to him. After a moment, she started moving her hips to take him deeper. He met her thrusts and his arms trembled as he fought to keep an unhurried rhythm. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled her scent. She was so intoxicating; it was causing his control to slip.

  Her lips touched his ear and she murmured, "It's okay, Andy. You won't hurt me."

  He used that as his cue and took her the way he wanted to, driving deep. She bit back her moan and he could tell she was trying to stay quiet.

  "You're coming with me. Let go, Linds," he whispered harshly.

  She opened her mouth to voice her release and his mouth crashed down onto hers, absorbing her loud cries. He buffeted her until she stopped writhing and then took his fill. He came hard, gasping inaudibly into the crook of her neck.

  After a minute, Andrew lifted his head and applied a tender kiss to her lips. He stroked her cheek and was surprised to find it wet.

  "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" he asked, alarmed.

  She shook her head and smiled at him with adoring eyes. "It was perfect."

  He breathed out a sigh and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. She rested her head on his chest and, for the first time in months, he fell asleep with a smile on his face.

  _____

  Andrew woke with a start as the rolling sound of thunder faded from his ears. He guessed that the storm must have taken a turn toward the school. A delicate hand played with the fine dusting of hair on his chest. He turned his head to see Lindsey's hooded eyes gazing back at him. Smiling, he leaned over and kissed her soft lips as his fingers lazily stroked her bare side. She sighed into his mouth with a low, satisfied moan.

  Another rumble of thunder broke them apart. Lindsey smirked and gestured to his pants, which were still lying partially inside out on the floor.

  "You came prepared. How many did you bring?" she asked in reference to the condoms tucked away in his pocket.

  "Two," he whispered against her mouth.

  "Well, then, what are we waiting for?" she replied as she pushed him onto his back and straddled him.

  Andrew didn't think the second time could possibly be better than the first, but she proved him wrong. For once in his life, he didn't want to be right.

  _____

  They lay together, completely sated from their lovemaking. After a few minutes of silence, aside from the thunder and their breathing, Lindsey rolled over and pressed her lips to Andrew's forehead. She didn't care that he was sweaty and tasted like salt. In fact, it actually turned her on.

  Control yourself, she thought with suppressed smile. They didn't have any more condoms, so she needed to make an effort to put her clothes back on—not the other way around.

  She heard Andrew sigh and he moved to sit up, starting to pull on his pants, socks, and boots. Ignoring the rational voice in her head, she admired the toned muscles covering his b
ack and reached out to touch the smooth skin. He sat up straighter and looked over at her as she rested her hands on his shoulders. He touched his cheek to her hand, then kissed it. Finally, with much reluctance, she let go so he could finish getting dressed, and decided she should probably do the same.

  There was a brilliant flash, immediately followed by a deafening crack outside.

  "That hit something," Lindsey said.

  "Sure sounded like it. I hope Caren and Robert are all right. They're on watch tonight," Andrew replied as he finished buttoning his shirt.

  A moment later they heard the shrill creek of the hallway door. Andrew pulled back the privacy sheet, opened her door, and stepped out to come face to face with Caren.

  "Oh, uh, hey, Andrew. I was just coming to get you..." she started to say as Lindsey moved to stand next to him. Clearly confused, the younger woman's face registered shock, but she quickly covered it up, hiding a smirk.

  "Is something wrong?" he asked.

  Caren's clothes were soaked from the rain, and her boots made a loud squelching noise when she shifted her feet. "We may have a situation."

  Lindsey felt the little hairs on the back of her neck stand up at Caren's ominous statement. "Is there anything I can do?"

  Caren nodded. "Get as many able-bodied people that you can and meet us at the fence on the east side."

  Lindsey accepted her task and watched Andrew follow Caren down the empty corridor.

  So much for an afterglow.

  _____

  "The storm seems to be riling them up!" Caren yelled over the driving rain. "That last bolt hit somewhere on the property. More and more are showin' up."

  She brought him to a line of fencing and he frowned. The whole structure bowed from the weight of at least four dozen turners. They weren't spread out either—the majority of them congregated in one spot.