by Angela White
Kyle closed the doors before the need to follow and drag her back could overwhelm him. “Next stop in fifteen minutes. If you have number two, get ready.”
Kyle was glad Samantha was the closest stop to their camp. He inspected the pale females, at the reality settling over their faces, and got them rolling. Angela said to stay on schedule, not to be late or early at any of the stops. The windows and avenues of detour she’d given him would cover almost everything that could go wrong, so long as he remembered to do his part.
“What are we supposed to do with her?” Tracy asked, tiring of the useless questioning between satisfying slaps.
Heather saw a moment of distraction and spat the snot and blood from her mouth. She wiped her face with her sleeves, clearing until she was dry. She didn’t act like any of the bruises hurt, and it bothered the guard on her.
Tracy snagged Heather by her hair and slammed her face against the seat in front of her.
Heather screamed as her nose broke, blood splattering, and Tracy let the other women pull her away.
“Felt that, didn’t you?”
Heather flung a bloody hand toward Tracy splattering bloody drops.
“Drop dead, bith!” Only it sounded pinched and garbled, and the van of women snickered.
Heather pulled her scarf off and used it to stem the flow. “Mean whore, hipping from fa back!”
Tracy crossed her arms over her chest to keep from lunging again. “That’s what you’re doing, spy.”
Heather groaned, and then snapped her nose into place, making everyone in the van wince, including Kyle. He knew exactly what it felt like to do that.
“Dust kill me!” Heather ordered. “Don’t dwag it out.”
“We want information and then you can go free.”
Heather held the scarf tighter as the blood continued to drip. “Swew you!”
Kyle shook his head at Tracy when she would have finished the job, as he’d been teaching them. “Not for us to decide. She goes to Marc.”
The thought of facing Marc’s anger sent a wave of silence through the van. None of those pictures was pretty.
Heather stayed quiet about that coming moment and about her shoulder or her broken nose. Complaining that she was still bleeding wasn’t smart, but she worried over it a little. She didn’t heal well. She had a weak system, her mom had told her that, and without the government’s medicine, she would die. Therefore, she had chosen to come out and betray her fellow man to keep on living. Now that she might be killed, it was still her health and those shiny pills that she cared for. Living without her drugs was not an option.
“Next in line, get set,” Kyle called. It would be a long run.
2
“Are we ready?” Neil asked the team of men behind him. “Cause we’ve got company.”
The Eagles were already set and all of them stilled except for being sure they were indeed in position. This would be a quick hit and run, but it was also tricky on the timing.
They watched the three jeeps roll right up to the cave entrance and rush inside as if they weren’t worried over anything or anyone who might be in the area. Neil vowed to change that.
Neil held up a hand as Jeremy’s finger settled over the button.
The last jeep of soldiers were expected to remain outside, but Neil wanted as many of them as he could get and he waited until they took up sentry positions outside the entrance to the vast network of caves. It had been a military supply depot at one point.
Neil and his team had gone through it a week ago, cleaned out what they could use, and wired the entire tunnel system. There wouldn’t be any fleeing and escaping through a different tunnel.
Neil nodded and Jeremy pushed the button. An instant later, the cave began to blow up and the Eagles stayed under the cover of the opposite cliffs, protected from the debris, but not the dust as the side of the cliff disintegrated into millions of bits of dirt and stone. The first blow had been struck.
Not far from the Eagles, a large group of soldiers snuck through the woods and rocks, headed for Safe Haven. They heard the explosions, but didn’t detour from their mission. Armed with the usual arsenal and hopes for a pass out of this hell, there were exactly forty of them.
3
We’ve got a report of shots fired at the base.”
“In-fighting again?” Zack asked hopefully.
“No. A plane came today and dropped someone off. A few minutes later there was rifle fire and then a crew digging a large grave,” Kevin answered.
“New leader must have come and put his house in order. Guess we’re back to the stress.”
“I didn’t know we’d stopped,” Kevin joked.
Angela wouldn’t like the news, but both men were confident she had this covered. The base sending someone to lead those planeloads of troops had to happen.
“I’ll tell her,” Kevin offered. “Go grab a nap. You look like you need it.
Zack vanished gratefully into the weeds that lined the fences. They’d been here for a week now and it was starting to feel like a home or even a basic settlement. Zack hated it. That feeling wasn’t supposed to come until they were bunkered in together, right?
Kevin watched Zack duck into the tent and continued on his way to where the boss was supervising trucks being loaded with their special defenses. Only a few people had been allowed a glimpse of Angela’s plans so far and Kevin was just as curious as everyone else was. If he hurried, he might get a peek at the boxes while delivering the message from the sentries still posted near the destroyed base. He refused to sped anymore time worrying over his personal issues right now. There was always time later.
4
“Do it.”
Kenn followed Marc’s order and opened fire on the small group of soldiers below them. It still felt wrong to shoot at men in uniform and he had to force himself to obey the one shot, one kill rule. They didn’t have unlimited bullets and this was now open war. There would be no more herding.
Marc released the lever as the soldiers came up the hill, and he and Kenn ran down their escape path as trees exploded. Shrapnel whizzed through the woods and the screams blared into the sky.
The thin rope holding the rack of dead trees back snapped under the pressure and the entire lot went rolling down the hillside, crushing the soldiers. Those who survived were severely injured, with broken bones and open wounds that would need stitching.
The medic who would have performed that duty died in the blast when a large chunk of debris slid into his eye and pierced his brain.
Marc and Kenn circled back a short time later and cleaned the bodies of anything they could use. A lot of the gear had been damaged, but the uniforms were mostly intact once the logs were rolled off and the owners removed. They were in and out in just a few minutes and back at the cabin by the time the sun started to sink.
5
“You okay to keep going?”
“Getting a little tired,” Becky admitted. “Maybe a break?”
Charlie steered them into the small cave he’d been scanning while considering when to stop for the night. The late afternoon shadows were deepening. “Come on.”
Becky followed Charlie into the cave without much fear. Charlie had gifts to use if they got into trouble.
“You have a couple now, too,” Charlie commented. “Don’t you?”
Becky nodded slowly. “I haven’t told anyone.”
Charlie unslung his kit and knelt down to dig through it. “Mom knows. She asked me to give you this.”
Becky took the envelope reluctantly, scared of what was inside.
The cave wasn’t high, but it was wide, with two entrances-one at the top of the rise and the second on ground level. The floor of the cave was rough, but level and the teenagers chose a place along the wall for their bedrolls.
Charlie quickly hung the pre-taped black curtain and then hit the light around his neck. “Can you see?”
Becky didn’t answer. What she was reading had sucked her brain into a z
one she rarely ever accessed.
Charlie slipped in to discover what had her so upset, but there was a brick wall as soon as the door opened and behind it every time he clawed through was a thicker wall. He finally gave up when he heard her snicker.
“You’re good.”
Becky was pleased. “Yeah, being on your mom’s team adds something to the lessons.”
No longer feeling like he had to be careful not to offend her, Charlie renewed his mental attack on her wall.
Becky grinned at first, sure she could keep putting up walls faster than he could break through, but as they stared at each other, she could feel him gathering a blast that would plunge through more than one at a time.
Becky quickly began throwing up walls in panic, but they weren’t as strong and they crumbled weakly under his constant onslaught.
“Okay,” she breathed. “Can’t keep that up.”
Charlie, lost in the pleasure of mental connection, pushed deeper, harder.
“Stop now!” Becky shouted, pain lancing through her head.
Charlie almost couldn’t. The feel of invading her mind was better than the kisses he’d stolen from Tracy.
“Please,” Becky begged, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please don’t look.”
The door opened and Charlie shouted in horror at images. He shoved himself back, biting his lip to keep the sounds inside.
Becky cringed along the wall, shoved into those awful moments she’d suffered with Rick.
Charlie stayed still as she cried, wishing he’d been able to stop before that last door opened. He’d only wanted to practice, to be ready. “I’m sorry.”
Becky didn’t answer. She was in hell.
Charlie slipped back in with much less eagerness this time and gently drew her away from the past.
“Come on,” he coaxed the naked, bloody girl.
Becky watched her spirit lift from her body and take Charlie’s hand.
A minute later, she became aware of sobbing uncontrollably in his arms. She let it come after that, soaking them both as he rocked her.
Lost, Charlie kept his mouth shut and his mind on good things. He never wanted to see something like that again. If he did, bullets would fly. Or worse.
Becky thought about the message again and burst into fresh tears.
You don’t have to do any of this.
“But, I do,” Becky whispered as the tears finally started to ease. “It’s the only thing I haven’t tried to get him out of my head.”
Charlie had begun calling for his mom mentally as soon as Becky had started crying. He had no experience with this, and when Angela didn’t answer, he thought maybe she’d done this to him on purpose. He could almost hear her laughing and saying he had a woman of his own who would have moments when she cried and he would have to know how to handle it.
Charlie hugged Becky tighter. He could do this part. It was when they got mad that he wanted to run. Or duck. Or hide.
He was never sure what the proper reaction was.
6
Samantha was into the darkest part of the woods by dusk.
She’d been traveling since Kyle dropped her off, and had made it nearly five miles away from where everyone in the van thought she would be. That had been on her card and Sam agreed with it completely. If Heather were to escape and run to their enemy, the traitor would give bad information on locations, which meant dates and times wouldn’t be right either. Angela was smart and Samantha respected her more now than she ever had. Rather than oppress her people into searches and threats, with punishments to back them up, Angela had chosen to limit knowledge. It would allow them to track down their traitors one by one, though the need for secrecy wasn’t sitting well with some people. The Eagles were watching those folks closer than the rest. They didn’t understand what was at stake, how serious this fight was, and they probably couldn’t be counted on to do what was right for Safe Haven. Sam wasn’t sure what would happen to the rule breakers and rebels among them once the war ended.
Sadly, that was another problem Angela had to deal with. Even reliable men and women were fleeing, afraid for their futures. It made it hard to assign jobs and chores in a normal camp, let alone dole out secret battle plans. Sam had no idea how Angela was keeping track of it, or keeping it flowing, but she was. The first round of envelopes and instructions had been delivered and were being obeyed, providing some people with opportunities to do more than they’d ever thought they would. When she signed up for the Eagles and made it, Sam had wanted to go on runs like this with the men and understood it wasn’t likely to happen. However, here she was walking through the dark Georgia mountains, on her way to kill someone. She’d never felt so alive, so needed, and there was little that would pull her from this chore.
Samantha chose her spot carefully, exhausted after walking all day. She quickly unpacked her sleeping bag and a meal, settling into both in a kind of tired, relaxing haze. She’d spent the time thinking about her life so far and the choices she’d made. If she died in this final battle, she wanted to be ready to face whatever would come next. Sam was sure many of their people were spending their waiting time doing the same soul searching that she was.
Samantha made sure the sleeping bag would be hidden under the pine needles and leaves, then curled up in it and went to sleep, uncaring about the bugs or snakes that might crawl across her hiding place. Once again, she had larger worries to be concerned with and she drifted off thinking of the spider bite, and how she’d had the strength to do what needed to be done.
This time, she wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
7
Adrian and Junit observed the cabin and the landscape around them, each with their own worried thoughts.
Junit was concerned over his actions during the upcoming battles, praying he had what it took to make his camp proud.
Adrian was trying to contact Angela, to beg her to bring him back so that they could be together while Marc wasn’t around.
Neither man heard the soft rumble of a van until it was at their front door.
So much for being an Alpha, Adrian thought, scolding himself.
“I thought the same thing,” Marc commented, now standing at the door below him. “It’s our first protective.”
“Our what?” Junit asked. He hadn’t woken Sebastian and Natoli, and wouldn’t unless Marc told him to.
“We’re running escort details too,” Adrian explained, hating it that he was forced to do so. He was used to being the one who held silent.
Marc knew that, and it made his steps almost carefree as he went to meet the van.
8
“I have number three.”
Kyle opened the van doors, nodding to Marc and Adrian. This was one stop he didn’t mind making.
Tonya stepped down with a last glare at Heather as Marc handed Kyle a sheet of paper.
“She said to tell you that Jennifer is fine. Conner wouldn’t let her make the fire and she’s pissed at him. That’s why you can’t reach her.”
Kyle grinned and closed the doors. “Number four, your stop is in twenty minutes. Please get ready.”
The van chugged away in casual calmness.
Tonya looked around for Kenn. “Where is he?”
No one answered and Tonya went into the cabin. “Told him to keep his mouth shut.”
Marc grinned, lingering with Adrian and Junit. “We should probably give those two a few minutes.”
“You didn’t tell Kenn she’s going in?”
Marc shook his head, almost laughing. “No, Angie thought it was better this way. I agreed for the entertainment.”
Adrian wanted to snicker, but the anger wouldn’t let him. Those were his moments to set up and deliver. He climbed back up to the roof in silence.
Marc smoked a cigarette and waited for the show to start.
Kenn opened his eyes to find Tonya sitting at the table, spinning a lighter on the dusty surface. He groaned as he sat up, carefully feeling his jaw.
“What are you doing here?”
Tonya didn’t answer right away. She needed him to be fully alert for this.
Kenn stood up, hand braced on the wall. He felt like hell.
Tonya pushed a travel mug of stale coffee his way. “We’ll talk in a minute.”
Tonya ignored the dusty, male shelter, more concerned with Kenn’s reaction than garbage on the wooden floors or clothes hung to dry on a sagging Christmas tree.
Kenn took the coffee and the chair, but kept his attention on her and not the pain. Something was wrong. It was the only time Tonya was quiet.
Kenn rubbed at his face. “Spit it out.”
Tonya heard the tone and knew he was awake enough. “I’m headed in, as a spy.”
“Like hell you are!”
“Shut up!”
“You shut up! Tell him to send in his own bitch!”
Outside, Marc’s grin grew wider. Kenn wasn’t so big on sacrifice when it was someone he loved.
“He doesn’t.”
Marc rolled his eyes. “Yes, Adrian, he does. And you not being able to recognize that, is another symptom of your disease.”
“I’m not sick,” Adrian defended.
“You are,” Marc insisted, raising his voice a bit to be heard over the yelling inside. “Your greed and jealousy have sunk into your soul and caused a cancer. Until you get rid of it, you’re a dead man walking and I can’t stand the smell.”
Marc stepped inside and silence reigned again until Tonya came back out.
“I have to go now.”
Marc nodded, not telling her to be careful. He had no doubt that she would. He was also sure Angela hadn’t sent the redhead out here completely alone.