“You bet it’s none of your business.” Brad flung his hands up, and Axel reached over and placed his hand on the back of Brad’s neck.
“Calm down Brad. You haven’t been here for two minutes, and already you’re making a spectacle of yourself.” Axel spoke in a low tone so not to embarrass the man, which would only make things worse.
Brad tensed under Axel’s hold, but Axel didn’t let go until he felt the muscles in Brad’s neck relax. “Is there a restroom nearby?”
Tom pointed watching Brad storm off. One of Tom’s men stepped in and followed. “He’ll have to be tested,” Tom said to Axel.
“Do what you need to,” Axel replied turning in the direction Brad had gone. “Might be good for him to spend some time in a cell. He turned back to Tom and Lisa. “Jack out there now? Never mind the stupid question. Okay so we have two found girls, lost one, a nasty storm still on the horizon, and two teams out there in the jungle. Looks like I came at a good time.”
“Never a dull moment here Axel! Never a dull moment.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Riley woke to the smell of coffee and bacon, and for a split second, she thought she might be back on the ranch in Arizona. She’d taken up residence in the small apartment in the barn, but spent most of her nights in Jack’s bed that he called their bed. She felt something or someone bump into her bed, and she rolled her eyelids upward only to stare into Conman’s light mocha face.
“Good to see you awake sunshine.” He teased. “I brought you some breakfast. A thank you for stitching me up.”
“Conman. You look mighty chipper this morning.” Riley rubbed her eyes. “You must’ve had a pretty nurse.”
He chuckled knowing she could toss the teasing right back.
“Awe yes my friend.” He smiled. “But now you must eat.”
Riley sat up in bed taking the tray out of Conman’s hands. “Looks good. What did you do to it?”
“Relay! Doc says you did a damn good job.”
“I missed my calling.” She said and then dug into the food.
“How’s the leg?”
“Sore. I have enough antibiotics in me to ward off the plague. I got a shot with a needle big enough for a horse. More stitches! There goes the modeling career.”
Conman chuckled again. “You’re the only person I know that’s been mauled by a tiger.”
“Yeah, I have a funny feeling I know that tiger. Damn thing nearly ate me.” She scraped her toast into the over easy egg.
Conman whistled. “When did that happen?”
“Before I met you.” She said. “Why was a tiger in the Arden mall?
“Can’t answer that. Shopping maybe.” Conman said crossing his arms. “Hey did you make it out of the mall with anything?”
Riley reached inside her shirt and withdrew the locket. He grinned.
“When you’re finished we can head over to where Chandler and Cobra are. They’re tracking Jack.” Conman said. “You got lucky. I made it out with two bras and a purse.” Conman replied. “I put some clean clothes over there.” He said pointing. “There you’re favorite color. All black. Size 8.5 shoe right?”
“Thanks, Conman,” She said. “Breakfast isn’t bad either.”
Riley finished eating, dressed and then limped beside Conman towards the communications room. Eager to get somewhere she could watch and listen to the team’s progress, she accidentally bumped into a passerby moving in the opposite direction of the corridor.
“Excuse me,” Riley said. Riley recognized her right away as the woman who lived in her old house and the mother of the boys she’d just spend over twelve hours with. They stood there in the hallway of the compound staring at one another.
“Ellie,” She said.
The smell of flowers on a spring morning brushed off her skin and into the cement trapped air. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail making her look even younger than Riley remembered.
“Is everything okay? Is……” Ellie stopped her midsentence.
“No, it’s not that. My boys rescued a young woman the other night. The storm got too bad, so I brought her here.”
“Her name isn’t Summer is it?” Riley asked.
“No, Jaden,” Ellie replied. “But Summer was here.”
“Was? A girl after my own heart.” Riley said.
Riley introduced Conman. Ellie was a class act and took Conman’s hand with a firm grip. “Pleasure to meet you.” She said. “All of you.”
“Adam and Trenton helped us outlast night. They’re out with Jack trying to find the missing members of our team.”
“I worry about those boys. However, they’re not boys anymore. I’d rather have them fighting than resisting.” Ellie paused. “I’m afraid a tree fell on the house.”
Riley didn’t say anything for a moment, and then a smile grew on her lips. Riley laid her hand on Ellie’s arm. “Oh, Ellie. That’s the best news I’ve heard in a longtime.” Riley gave her arm a squeeze and let out a slight chuckle. “We were just on our way to the communications room. You're welcome to join us.”
“I will after I check on Jaden.”
Riley nodded and then chuckled again. “We’ll find you a new home. A better one. Maybe give Arizona a try.”
“We need to get a move on Relay.” Conman urged her.
Riley waved at Ellie as they went their separate ways.
The communications room danced with blinking screens. The voices of fighters outside the compound spilled inward. Chandler and Cobra waved her and Conman over to sit in the two empty spaces near them.
“What took you so long?” Cobra asked not looking back.
“Breakfast,” Riley said.
“Where’s mine?” He asked. “Glad you’re okay Relay.”
“Thanks, Cobra. What’s Jack’s location?”
“He’s back in high school,” Cobra said. “Hey did you hear? Summer appeared at the back door early this morning.”
“That was good news.”
“You heard?” Cobra said still not looking over.
Riley grinned. She would’ve done the same. “Jack’s in school?”
“That’s where he was the last time we heard from him. The storm has doubled in strength messing with all of our radios.” Chandler said.
“I’ve never seen such violent storms in California, Have you?” She asked.
“No. Crazy ass moon caused more than just an epidemic of madness; it even pissed Mother Nature off.” Chandler opened a Snickers' bar. “Want one?”
“No, full.”
“I’m hoping they bag a few squatters while they're at the school,” Chandler said. “That’s the hot zone over there. Druggies and markers squat there.”
“Could be a long day.” Conman said.
“I want to run over to medical and check on the girl who came in last night.”
Riley glanced over at Conman who shrugged his shoulders. Chandler glanced back and tossed her a handheld radio. “I’ll call you if I hear anything.”
With the radio, Riley headed to medical. She found Ellie sitting near a teenage girl who wore a few battle wounds. With fawn-like eyes, the girl watched Riley enter the room. The bruises on her face were already turning dark shades of black and purple.
“Jaden, this is Riley,” Ellie said.
“Hello,” Jaden said extending a bandaged hand out to Riley.
“Hey, Jaden.” She said taking her hand gently.
“We’re getting ready to go down to the cafeteria,” Ellie said. “You want to come along? Have you heard anything yet?”
“No. Jack will find them.”
“Did you tell her about the tree?” Jaden asked.
“Yes,” Ellie said helping Jaden sit up.
“I’m sorry for Ellie but not for me. I separated myself from Mark and his house. A house should never feel like a prison. Mark was all about himself. He likes to put on a good show.” Riley said, but when she looked to Ellie, she saw the woman’s expression change.
“Wha
t?” Riley asked.
“I forgot until you said his name. After you had left that day, Trenton told me a few days later that Adam spoke to Mark. I was going to get word to you, but Trenton did the laundry, and the card you gave me was in my pocket.”
Riley’s breath caught in her chest, and her jaw dropped about a quarter of an inch. “When? Maybe it wasn’t him?” She asked.
“Adam didn’t want to talk about it,” Ellie said.
“How did he happen on Adam?” Riley had questions because in an instant her life had taken a turn yet again or had it? “Did he just walk up to the house and walk in?”
“He didn’t tell me.” Ellie trembled slightly. “You’ll have to ask him yourself because he won’t talk to me. I’m sorry.”
Riley had a bad feeling. “Thanks’ Ellie. I got to go.”
Riley turned around to go, but Ellie’s voice stopped her. “Adam didn’t like him.”
Riley felt the anger rise inside her. No one knew him better than her. She preferred believing he was dead. It simplified her life. Her inner voice spoke in her head, whispering a truth she already knew. “He will kill you.” She almost died leaving him, and here she was back in the same city. Mark was just dumb enough and smart enough to live through the Shift. She never wanted to return to Sacramento. Suddenly her head hurt.
“Are you okay?” Someone asked her as she stopped to lean against the wall in the corridor.
Riley nodded feeling an icy chill wash over her. She knew Mark, and she knew it was going to get ugly in a world where there was no control.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The Hummer was necessary. The rough roads made any other car a hazard to drive. Water continued to gush down streets pooling in many places where gutters jammed with trash. The team wound through the city, serpent-like, down empty streets and intersections. Occasionally they’d see the shadow of a person hidden behind broken windows or peeking through shut blinds. Fear kept most people brave enough to live in the belly of the city at bay. The storm created more hostility between town and survivors than darkness itself. With plenty of buildings spread across the city, people nestled themselves safely away from the havoc of the storms.
The school, where Blake, Eric, and Samantha had been searching, wasn’t far from the mall located in a rural district made up of homes and apartments. Here the city seemed even darker, damper. The high school was a large one, several stories high with several gyms and buildings that sat alongside the main entry. On the football field, the goalpost held various decoration. Jack pulled the Hummer towards a bay door and parked the rig just inside.
“Big school,” Ryan said handing a mic to Trenton and then to Adam.
“It’s the largest in the city,” Trenton said softly setting the mic in his ear.
“We’ll be on channel three,” Ryan told the boys. “We’ll be able to hear everything you say.”
“Thanks for warning us,” Adam said.
“No problem. I know what it’s like to a have a brother.” Ryan joked.
Jack glanced over at Ryan and gave him a look. Trenton smiled.
“Desert One to base do you copy?”
“We copy Desert One. What’s your 10-14?” Chandler’s voice came across their earpieces loud and clear.
“Just arrived,” Jack said ignoring the code. “Copy.”
“Be aware Angel made an appearance and has already skipped the coop.”
“Copy, over,” Jack said.
Jack reached over and patted Adam on the chest and then reached into the Hummer and withdrew two caviler vests.
“I don’t need one of these,” Adam said.
“If you’re on my team you wear one,” Jack said.
“He just doesn’t want to have to carry your ass out in a body bag.” Ryan teased.
“Not on my watch,” Jack said.
Trenton had already stripped off his wet jacket and was pulling his vest on. Immediately, he saw the letters on the back that read FBI. “Cool!” He said.
“We move together,” Jack commanded.
“Drug lice,” Adam said. “Lots of them,”
“Okay.” Jack nodded. “Let’s go.”
Jack stepped out to the front. The dimness and the hues of everything around them held a contrast of gray. Using a low beamed flashlight, Jack held his weapon close to his body. The rest of his arsenal remained well hidden under his clothing. Trenton moved behind him, his footfalls unheard. Occasionally, Jack had to look back to make sure the kid was still there. Adam followed with Ryan bringing up the rear.
They entered a hallway lined with rows of graffiti lockers. Locker doors dangled from their hinges. Some ripped from there place and heaved down the hall. Some hung by threads broken and defaced. Artwork, not done during school hours, decorated the walls claiming territory dated for those no longer interested in its meaning. Here, the most popular word, fuck, spray painted many times in a multitude of colors. A wall of shame hung for all to see of past presidents, principals and other famous people who they felt had failed society. Time hugged each paper producing an old musty paper smell.
The stranger erupted from the darkness sliding to a stop in the center hallway. Covered in an old brown leather jacket, Prison Blue jeans no longer blue and combat boots that looked like they’d seen one battle too many, the man shook his fists at them.
“Get out of my house!” He yelled. He dropped his hands and stood bewildered swaying from side to side. “Get out of my house.” He shouted raising a finger.
Something told Jack he wasn’t pointing at them. The man’s face turned red, and his voice shook.
“Schools out mister,” Jack said. “You got a hall pass?”
“This is my house.” The man’s voice roared down the halls with enough decibels to wake the dead.
“Time for you to catch the bus,” Jack said. Ryan readied his gun.
“I blew up the bus years ago.” The man reached into his pocket and withdrew a grenade. Before Jack could speak, the man pulled the pin and tossed it in a locker, slamming the door shut. In a heartbeat, the man was gone.
“Grenade,” Jack yelled diving through a tattered door. Ryan moved in the same direction only a step behind him. The hinges shredded away from the jam leaving a gaping opening for both of them to dodge through.
Jack and Ryan crashed through the door, their bodies breaking the small blacked out window. Jack slammed into several desks then jumped to his feet and dove behind the teacher’s desk already riddled with bullet holes. Ryan landed behind him nearly a split second too late. The explosion ripped through the building sending various materials through the air like rockets.
Jack and Ryan pressed to the desk until the blast faded and a cloud of drywall and paper rained down around them. A fine mist of made material hung in the. Jack bolted for the door. A school hater from kindergarten, Jack pressed his weapon out in front of him searching for more to come. There was no one in the hallway. Shredded paper burned lending some light for Jack to see. The windows boarded up with swollen wet wood, blocked out any light. The smell of smoke and fire filled his lungs. Ryan stepped in behind him as Adam and Trenton stepped out into the hallway.
“Everyone okay?” He asked.
They nodded. “Where’d he go?” Ryan asked.
“He’s gone. Keep your eyes open.” Jack said. “Assholes going to the principal’s office.”
Jack gestured them forward passing the two large entry doors and down another set of walls lined with lockers. Jack and Trenton took the left side, Ryan, and Adam too to the right opening doors and clearing classrooms as they moved.
“Any ideas?” Jack asked.
“There are three gyms, a large indoor pool a cluster of buildings for welding and engine work. The school is three stories high. The cafeteria is below us.” Trenton said.
A loud hollow voice filled the smoky air. The words bounced off the walls disappearing into empty spaces. Another much higher pitched voice joined in. Suddenly the sounds coming from inside the bu
ilding were jungle like. The chorus of horror held a chilling and unhuman tone.
“Shoot to kill.” The words slid from his mouth as he engaged his finger to the trigger of his gun. Without forethought, he withdrew the second weapon.
A human form emerged into the hallway. The woman’s hair was tangled around her face dirty pieces flowed behind her. Ripped and stained clothing hung loosely on her thinning body. She ran towards them. Reaching outward one hand gripped a cleaver and the other a torch. Screams escaped her throat bizarre and unnatural. The smell of urine and feces hung heavy in the air long before she got close to them. Jack curled up his nose, lifted his weapon, and fired. There was nothing physically or mentally left of the human. The brain was mush, the skin was sliding, and her organs lost the fight to toxins. Open sores wept making her almost zombie like. Breathing, heart-beating zombies infected with chemicals designed for a supreme high. Still, souls so infected, no cure could fix what ate inside them.
In the Shadow of the Tiger (The Fighter Series Book 2) Page 24