by Harley Tate
Chapter Twenty-Three
COLT
Northern California Forest
5:00 a.m.
Why are all women batshit crazy? Colt pressed the barrel of the Sig tight to the one woman’s head while he watched the college-aged girl for any sudden moves. He should have shot them when he first saw them, but something about the whole scene didn’t sit right.
When he saw them exchange words over a damn torn-up teddy bear it broke something inside him and any thought of taking them out fled. He could handle two women without a good sense of situational awareness. At least he thought so.
But now as he stood there, gun on one and a scowl pointed at the other, he wasn’t sure. They didn’t strike him like the type to go all in on a pre-dawn raid. If they weren’t with the group Walter came to stop, who the hell were they?
He wished Walter would hurry it up and get to the camp. Thanks to the man’s trek to the campsite and back, he couldn’t keep up with Colt for long. As Walter fell back, Larkin did too. So far, Colt was the only one of their group to arrive.
Reinforcements would sure be nice. He motioned to the curly haired, crazy girl. “You shoot me with that thing and the bullet will just go straight through. I’ll be on you before you can scream.”
“Oh, yeah? How about we try it and find out?”
“Brianna, please. You’re not helping.”
The young one glared at the older one.
“Brianna, huh? What kind of a name is that?”
“How about you mind your own business?”
In some weird way, Colt was almost enjoying himself. “You always let her disobey you like that?”
“She’s not my daughter.”
“Then who the hell are you two? Some modern-day Thelma and Louise?”
“Who?” The one named Brianna scrunched up her face, but the one closer to Colt’s age suppressed a smile.
“No. She’s my daughter’s friend.”
“I see.” At least Colt wanted to, but the more they talked, the more they distracted him from what mattered: disposing of the threat.
He nodded at the rifle still in Brianna’s hands. “Last time I’m going to ask. Give me the gun.”
“No.”
Colt snorted. He should shoot them and be done with it. “Guess we’re at a stalemate, then.”
“Looks like it.”
Boots crunched on leaves and twigs behind Colt and he used the handgun lifted from the first woman to point in the direction of the noise.
“Whoa, don’t shoot one of the good guys.” Larkin held up his hands and came to a stop in the clearing.
“You grin any wider and those lips will crack.”
Larkin waved at the women. “Hi, ladies. Nice to meet you.”
Colt pointed at Brianna. “Cut it out and disarm her, will you?”
“Aw, you’re no fun.” Larkin stepped forward and the firecracker swung the rifle in his direction. “Hey, now. No sense in shooting me. All you’ll end up with is a dead friend and a massive headache.”
“Give him the gun, Brianna.”
“Listen.” Colt pressed the Sig hard enough into her head to send her back a step. “Or I’ll shoot her.”
After another tense moment, the younger girl finally gave up the rifle. Larkin plucked it from her hands with a flourish.
“Search her. She’s liable to have a stash all over.”
“Touch me and you’ll regret it.”
Larkin held out one hand. “Then hand them over or I won’t have a choice.”
Brianna reached behind her and plucked a handgun from her waistband before bending over and pulling another pip-squeak of a gun from her boot.
“Is that everything?”
She nodded and crossed her arms over her chest like a petulant child. “Now can we go? Our family is in trouble. We need to get back to them.”
Colt glanced at Larkin before taking a step back. He pointed the gun at the older woman. “Is that true?”
She nodded.
“Where are you from?”
“We’re not telling you that.”
“Who’s threatening you?”
Brianna snorted. “What, you want to be my knight in shining armor?”
Colt ground his teeth together. For once he’d appreciate it if he could have a conversation with a woman older than the age of sixteen that didn’t devolve into a critique of his manliness. This was why he was single. The apocalypse changed nothing.
He exhaled. “We could help you if you weren’t so obstinate.”
“We could be helping ourselves if you weren’t such jerks.”
The other woman spoke up. “You really aren’t part of the group that was here?”
Colt shook his head. “Not a chance.”
“Do you know where they went?”
He shook his head. Based on the way she stared at him with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, Colt wondered what they were really after out here all alone in the forest. He opened his mouth to ask when a voice cut him off.
“What on earth?” Walter walked into the clearing, his eyes wide in disbelief.
The older woman took a step forward, but Colt brought the Sig up to her eye level. “Don’t you dare.”
“Colt.” Walter’s tone made him turn.
“What?”
“Lower the gun.”
“We found them snooping around the campsite. They won’t tell us where they’re from or what they’re after.”
“They don’t have to. I already know.”
Colt frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re pointing a gun at my wife.”
Colt turned back to the woman while Larkin busted out with a laugh. “You’re Walter’s wife?”
She held out her hand. “Tracy Sloane.”
Colt lowered the gun and hesitated. Both hands held a weapon. He handed one to Larkin before giving Tracy’s hand a quick shake. “Colt Potter. My apologies.”
She nodded. “Understandable, given the circumstances.”
Colt stepped back while Walter and Tracy reconnected. Walter wrapped his arms around his wife and his whole countenance changed. Colt glanced at the girl. “You’re not their daughter?”
“No, this is Brianna. Her parents own the property we’re heading to.”
Colt was thankful the sun had only graced the forest with the dimmest of light. No one needed to see his burning cheeks.
“You really made an ass of yourself, man.” Larkin held out his hand to the girl. “Major James Larkin. Pleasure to meet you.”
Brianna stared at it with a raised eyebrow, but didn’t say a word. Larkin pretended not to care.
“Where’s your family? Are they safe?” Walter spoke up and all eyes turned toward him.
“They’re back at the cabin.” Brianna’s brow pinched. “The people here—they were planning to attack.”
“We know.” Walter filled Brianna and Tracy in on the events of the past few hours and how they left an injured Dani alone in the woods. “We didn’t know what else to do.”
To hear Walter explain it brought all the pain and indecision back for Colt. He hated that she was out there alone. Tracy reached out and touched his shoulder. He jumped.
“You really put her safety on the line for us?”
Colt nodded. “Seemed like the best course of action for everyone.”
“Thank you.” The sincerity in Tracy Sloane’s voice came through loud and clear. She turned to Brianna. “Take them to the cabins. As fast as you can, Brianna.”
“What are you going to do?”
Tracy smiled at her husband. “I’m going to find Dani. I’ll keep her safe until you can get to us.”
Walter’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? What if these people are wandering the forest?”
“I’ll take the risk. She shouldn’t be alone.”
Colt couldn’t believe a woman he just met and threatened with a gun to the head would help him. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
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She nodded. “If you’re a friend of my husband, then you’re a friend of mine. Besides, you can do more to help the Cliftons than I can. We didn’t even hear you approach.”
“Navy SEALs are good for something.” Walter grinned. “Thank you, my dear.”
Tracy listened as Colt and Walter explained where Dani was located and how best to get there. Then she set off into the forest at a steady lope. With the sun finally beginning to rise, the forest wasn’t as treacherous. They could make up for lost time.
Colt turned to Brianna. “Lead the way. It’s time we rescue your family.”
Brianna turned without another word and took off at a brisk jog. Colt sucked in a breath and prepared for a quick journey. Legs almost half his age would be tough to keep up with, but he’d do it. And he’d stop whoever was out to do Walter’s group harm.
No one else would be pulling a gun on Walter’s group today if Colt could help it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
MADISON
Clifton Compound
5:30 a.m.
“Didn’t you promise to stay inside?”
Madison shot Peyton some side-eye before turning her attention back to the tree line. “The front porch counts.”
“Right. And we’re just out here for some early morning target practice.”
Shifting her position behind the woodpile, Madison brought the binoculars back up to her eyes. They had been taking turns scanning the entrance to the Clifton family property for the past half hour with no success. Had all the talk of attacking the place been fantasy? Did Tracy and Brianna engage the camp before Eileen could mount an ambush?
“You think they’re waiting for full daylight?”
“Beats me. Maybe they’re all tweaking too hard to find the place.”
Madison frowned. After watching Eileen in action, she couldn’t believe they had a change of heart. Either something held them up or their plan involved plenty of sunshine.
She thought through the options. Seven adults, eight including the man her mother left in the woods. While she had been their captive, Madison spotted a rifle and a handgun, but not much more. What could they do with a couple of guns and eight people?
“You think this is just the beginning?”
Peyton’s question caught her off guard and she lowered the binoculars. “Of the attack?”
“No. Of the future. Will more people leave the cities and try to find their way out here?” Peyton shifted in his chair. “If so, we’ll have to construct a perimeter. A fence or some sort of barricade. Post sentries. It’ll be a challenge.”
Madison brought the binoculars back up and stared at the Clifton land without really seeing anything. Before the grid failed, people were already pitted against each other. Fights on social media. Arguments over the haves and have-nots. Basic, fundamental differences of opinion on everything from politics to religion to free speech.
Was this merely an extension of the underlying strife? Madison didn’t think so. This new world stripped the conflict down to the barest essentials. Food, water, shelter.
It was easier to steal than to create. It was easier to loot than to build.
She glanced at Peyton. “I wish I could disagree, but you might be right.”
Peyton nodded. “All the big cities have to be chaos by now. I can’t imagine what it’s like in Beverly Hills.”
Madison’s heart ached for Peyton. The only family he ever knew disowned him right before the EMP. “Do you ever think about your dad?”
“Yeah.” Peyton stared out at the trees. “He’s probably dead. How long can a record exec make it without anyone to fetch his coffee, right?”
“There have to be some little towns where people are okay. Places where everyone knows everyone and they can band together to make a community.” Madison straightened as the thought gave her hope. “Maybe there’s even pockets in the big cities, too. Remember the community garden in Davis? I bet people are expanding it and using the catchment system for water.”
“I hope you’re right.” Peyton lapsed into silence and Madison followed.
In the dark moments, she could fall into the trap of believing America was doomed, but she refused to stay there for long. Hope would keep them going. Hope would bring communities together.
She sucked in a breath and her nose twitched. “Do you smell that?”
Peyton rose up, his nose sticking in the air. “Is that smoke?”
Madison’s eyes widened in alarm. “You don’t think they would burn the place down, do you?” She brought the binoculars back up and scanned the trees. From their vantage point, they couldn’t see the orchard or the fields. Those all sat behind them to the north. Barry and Anne were in charge of that side of the property.
“Should we check it out?”
“Barry told us to stay here.” Madison kept the binoculars up as she searched for any movement. “We’re the last line of defense for the buildings.”
“I’m doing a search.” Peyton eased out of his chair and readied a rifle. “If I see anything, I’ll whistle.”
Madison nodded. “Be careful.”
She watched as Peyton eased off the cabin’s porch and slinked around the side. He disappeared from view and Madison pressed her lips together. They would survive this attack. The Cliftons would not lose their home.
Madison ticked off the seconds in her head. One minute, then two, then three. No whistle from Peyton. She inhaled. Was the smell stronger? She sniffed again, but couldn’t be sure.
Adjusting the zoom on the binoculars, Madison focused her attention on the bits of forest coming into view with the rising of the sun. Most of the hidden nooks beneath the trees still languished in the shadows, but here and there the darkness gave way to gray.
She squinted and leaned forward. Was that a flutter? A glint of metal in the light?
All of a sudden, her breath caught. There! A person. She was sure of it. Pink jacket. Blonde hair. One of the younger women; it had to be.
Madison shoved her thumb and forefinger in her mouth and blew. A piercing whistle cut the stillness.
A bird twittered and took to the sky and Madison waited. No responding whistle. No Peyton.
Where was he? She whistled again, using all her breath, hoping, praying for a response.
Nothing.
She twisted the focus on the binoculars and searched the forest. The woman at the tree line was gone.
Madison didn’t know what to do. She had promised her mother to stay put, but Peyton was in trouble. The smell of smoke only grew stronger by the minute. If she stayed there, safe on the cabin’s front porch, she was as good as useless.
I’m sorry, Mom. Madison eased off her chair and crept over to the edge of the wood pile in a crouch. The side of the cabin provided no cover. Twenty feet separated Madison from the wash house. Twenty feet of open grass with nothing for protection except her speed and wits. She would have to make a run for it.
With a deep breath, she launched off the porch, running as fast as her legs could carry her. Every step seemed to stretch on for a mile, every second an hour. It was as if she’d fallen into the rabbit hole and ended up in the hallway that went on forever.
A booming crack burst from the north and a bullet threw dirt and grass onto Madison’s shoe. She jerked her head up in alarm and pushed harder. Diving for the cover of the wash house, Madison tore the door open as another bullet lodged in the wood siding. She ducked inside and the door slammed shut behind her.
Eileen’s camp was out there and they were hunting. Maybe that’s why they waited. They wanted to pick us off one by one in the daylight.
Madison’s heart struggled to keep time with her runaway thoughts. Where were Peyton, Anne, and Barry? Had they been captured? Ambushed?
Wouldn’t I have heard something?
Madison checked her rifle. Full magazine. Enough rounds to take out all the hostiles if it came to that. For a moment, she wished her father were there. Fighting side by side gave Madison courage
and hope.
But it didn’t matter. She would do this on her own.
“She’s in there!” A muffled shout reached Madison inside the wash house. She crouched beneath the frosted window, unable to see enough to defend herself. Why did I run in here? It was the worst possible location to hide.
“Burn her out!”
Madison rose up in a panic. They wouldn’t set fire to the cabins. Not if they wanted to take them over. She spun around in a circle. The only way out or in was the front door or the window on the side.
A shot echoed from the rear of the property and Madison leapt into action. No time to think or prepare. She had to get out of there and help her family. With a well-placed kick to the door, Madison launched it wide open before turning to the window.
The door swung on its hinges and slammed into the outside wall of the cabin before swinging all the way back around and banging into the casing. While it rocked back and forth, Madison shoved open the window.
Please let me escape without a bullet wound. Please.
Hoisting herself up, Madison eased out the window and fell to the ground. Her knees buckled and she hit hard. Air rocketed from her lungs and she struggled to breathe.
More shouts. More gunfire.
She covered her head and crouched against the side of the building, but the shots didn’t pierce her skin or end her life. She peeled her arm away. No one was there. Madison took the chance and ran.
The forest loomed ahead of her, but motion caught her eye to the left. She turned to see Barry crouched down at the corner of the bunk house, rifle on his shoulder as he took aim. He fired into the tree line as more shouts erupted.
Where was Peyton? Madison ran for the trees, rifle up and ready in her hands. I can do this. I can make it. Her lungs burned and her head throbbed. It took all her strength to propel herself forward, but Madison refused to stop. She refused to back down.
“There she is! Get her!”
She swung in an arc, rifle up as a woman from the forest camp came into view. Madison didn’t hesitate. She pulled the trigger, but the woman didn’t stop. She kept right on running at her with nothing but a knife in her hand and her mouth wide open in a scream.