"This isn't your fault," Margaret's voice came from behind him. She stepped up and held a cloth out to him. Marcus took it and wiped his mouth and damp face.
"Yes, it is. I made the wrong decision again. She's always telling me to wait and work together. I thought it was the right choice, to lead off the horde so she could save the living."
"There was no way to know the living were kidnappers. It sounds like the whole thing was staged. They probably led the horde right to you and then made it seem like they were in danger."
Marcus hadn't thought of it that way before, but it made sense when Margaret said it. How else would they have so easily trapped Marcus and Alex in their plan?
"Thank you, Margaret. I doubt Max and Rafe share your feelings. But I appreciate it," Marcus said.
"They'll come around. Right now everything is colored by fear and anger for what could be happening to Alex," Margaret said, her voice breaking at the end. She cleared her throat and blinked her eyes quickly.
"She means a lot to all of us," he said softly, laying his hand on the woman's shoulder.
"Yes, she does. She brought me here. Gave me a place in the family. I couldn't be more thankful for that."
"We'll get her back. I know it. If anyone can survive being kidnapped, it would be Alex. She's too strong to allow trash to break her," Marcus said with more conviction than he felt inside. It was what he needed to believe, because without that, he wouldn't know how to fight.
After his stomach finally returned to normal, Marcus went back to the truck he had brought into the compound. It had been left at the bottom of the hill where Rafe and Max had found him arriving without Alex. They didn't give him the chance to park the truck near the house before all of them stormed up the hill to have the family meeting. He carefully brought the truck up near the storage units that were next to the barn. Here in the quiet, with no one around, he unloaded the boxes of meals and blankets they had scavenged from the FEMA site. He left one box in the truck, thinking it would be good to have on their mission to rescue Alex.
Marcus sat on the tailgate and made a mental list of what needed to be done. The sun was crossing halfway in the sky, starting toward late afternoon. There was still so much to do. Make sure there were enough supplies for Margaret to feed everyone while they were gone. Ensure Easton had weapons loaded and within reach in case of intruders. He wondered what they would tell the children about all the adults leaving. Jack, Max's daughter, was old enough to realize something had to be wrong. Marcus decided he would leave it to Max to tell the kids what she wanted. He didn't want to frighten them unnecessarily. Even when the situation felt dire.
He went back to the bunkhouse where he, Cliff, and Issac slept. It was really a building meant to be an oversized shed. But Mitch Duncan had insulated it, added additional windows, and a bathroom. Then he lined both walls with bunks. With the men claiming beds, they still had six beds available. Standing in the middle of the large room, Marcus wondered, not for the first time, what Mitch thought would happen to the world that a building with this many beds was needed. He guessed it was what Alex talked about from time to time. Opening the door to those in need and allowing the compound to grow. After what happened the day before, Marcus didn't want to trust anyone.
As that thought crossed his mind, he was also reminded of the kindness of Claudia Vega. They didn't have to open their door to him. Her son and brother would have liked to shoot him, rather than feed him. However, the woman stepped in and provided shelter to him for the night. Now, the men were going to help the Duncans get Alex back and hopefully find their missing family member as well. There was kindness in that family, and it lit a small flame in Marcus. He knew how Alex felt, about not turning her back on everyone. Once he got her back, he would first shake her senseless and then they would discuss a better way of determining who was friend or foe.
Marcus was loading his 9mm when the door to the bunkhouse opened. Max entered and Marcus was on alert immediately. He took his 9mm and the loaded shotgun, trying to hide them behind him on the bunk. He didn't want Max having access to anything that could harm him. She noticed the movement, and a smirk came to her face.
"Ya know, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need a weapon to do it," she said.
"So noted," Marcus replied.
"I figured I'd find you hiding out in here."
"I'm not hiding. I was loading my weapons. I have food loaded in the truck I brought back as well, ready to go..." Marcus said, defending himself. Max cut him off.
"Ok, wrong choice of words. I didn't mean hiding. Look, Griffin told me I had to come out here. Told me I should apologize."
"And you're just making him think you did what he wanted?" Marcus asked.
"I guess. I am sorry I slapped you. I shouldn't have done that. But I'm angry, so angry, that you let my sister get kidnapped," Max said. Her voice was less full of venom, more of sadness.
"If it helps, I'm angry too. And scared. But we'll get her back."
"What makes you so sure?" Max asked.
"Because, she's Alex. She can survive anything," Marcus said.
"I hope you're right," Max said, then she looked at her boots, discomfort clear on her face.
"What is it, Max?"
"I'm sorry for calling you out about your feelings. That was really messed up of me."
Marcus had to admit he was surprised by her sudden apology. He figured that she enjoyed putting him on the spot in that way.
"Thanks. I figured everyone knew anyway," he said.
"Well, it wasn't right to put you on blast. I'm sure it's not easy being in your shoes."
"What shoes are those?" He asked, genuinely curious about where she was going with this.
"Wanting to be with someone that doesn't want to be with you," Max said.
"Well, cut right to the heart there, Max."
"Sorry. I'm just saying, it must be hard to be around her all the time."
"It's not. I came to terms with things pretty early on. It's not like I can just turn my feelings off. Alex is an amazing woman. She has become my best friend in the apocalypse. And I'll do anything I have to, to get her back safely," he said.
Max nodded her head and left without another word. Marcus sat on his bunk awhile longer, just looking at the closed door. The youngest Duncan always burned hot at first, but she came down from it on her own schedule. He admired how strong she was and couldn't blame her for any of her actions. However, being on the right ground with Max made him feel more confident in their mission. He continued with his loading of the magazines for his 9mm. He checked and double-checked everything was close by to strap on first thing in the morning. Once he was satisfied, he went in the search of dinner.
He was greeted with delicious smells as soon as he entered the main house. Margaret and Candace were together in the kitchen, stirring and chopping. He found Billie, Henry, and Jack sitting in the family room with a cartoon movie playing. Marcus was pretty sure he had seen this one at least five times, but he sat down next to Henry, anyway. It didn't take long for the little boy to grab his arm and hug it to him. It was the way he cuddled while watching movies and Marcus wouldn't pry his arm out even if zombies were trying to eat his face. The warmth and trust he felt through Henry's cuddles made him feel more human than anything could in the world they were living in now.
Marcus wondered if Henry would cuddle him the same if he knew his mother was taken, because of something Marcus had done. He tried not to think about losing the trust of the children, who had become dear to his heart. They played and laughed. They had serious conversations about the way life was now. Billie on occasion had gotten a hold of his hair, brushing, combing, and trying to attach bows to the short hair. Usually she became bored because he didn't have enough hair to do all the styles she wanted. More than once they had fallen asleep together on the couch, after long days of chores.
Dinner was more somber than they were used to. The children chattered happily at their own table, oblivious
to the discomfort at the adult table. Marcus had been starving before the food was served, but now it tasted like sawdust on his tongue. He knew that had nothing to do with Margaret's cooking. He stared down at the bowl of fresh tomato soup, homemade bread, and pork chop sitting in front of him. During his inner monologue he told himself he needed the fuel. And wasting food during the apocalypse was something Alex would seriously lecture.
"Eat," Cliff said. The man sat to his left, and he softly elbowed Marcus to get his attention.
"I know this is hard. But you have to eat," Cliff continued quietly.
"Right. Because we need to be ready first thing in the morning," Max added, overhearing their quiet conversation.
"I'm ready," Marcus said.
"Tell us more about this family you met and have partnered us with," Rafe said.
Marcus took a deep breath. He started by telling them he saw a little boy running between houses. He then talked about Vera and how she welcomed him with her mother Claudia. With a grimace he talked about the healing wound on Vera's face. Margaret shook her head sadly when Marcus went into more details about how she received the injury and how she escaped from her kidnappers, but without her sister. He finished by describing the men of the family and their determination to get Sylvia home.
"Why do they think she's alive?" Rafe asked when Marcus finished.
"I'm not sure. They seem to believe that the Noble Lord keeps the women alive as long as they are of use to him. Some are kept to do the cleaning of the compound. Some are there to work in other ways..." he trailed off as his stomach felt sick again. He couldn't picture Alex being used and violated.
"I guess they need to know for sure either way," Max said.
"The unknown is the hardest," Marcus agreed.
They talked longer about logistics and plans. While they sat, Marcus made sure to take bites of his food, filling his body with the fuel he needed. When they broke from the table, Marcus went to the kitchen to help with the dishes. He and Cliff worked in silence as they washed and dried all the items used to make and serve dinner. The chore was methodical, keeping his mind away from the turmoil and chaos that was trying to force its way to the forefront. In a way, it also reminded him he was part of a group, a family, that sat to eat dinner together and cleaned dishes. He knew not many were so lucky.
Once the dishes were put away, Henry convinced Marcus to read to him before bed. Sitting in Alex's room, where Billie and Henry shared their mother's bed, Marcus felt a lump form in his throat. He choked his way through a chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, with Henry and Billie cuddled up on either side. Marcus felt like he was in a haze as he tucked them in, kissing them on their heads. He felt like a fake and a failure for losing their mother. His own stupidity had allowed her to be with men they didn't know from Adam. And now he was tucking in children that should be tucked in by their mother. They trusted Marcus and the story the adults had told them so much that they never asked again where Alex was.
He all but stumbled into the bunkhouse, startling Cliff who was loading his weapon on his bunk. Marcus didn't want to talk. He didn't want to tell anyone else that he was ok, or that he was sorry. His emotions couldn't handle going over and over how he had messed up. Without a word he stripped and climbed into his bed. Cliff had his own demons, Marcus knew. The man could easily tell that Marcus was in no place to talk and to his credit, he never spoke. Marcus listened as the quiet man finished loading his gun and extra magazines. He then went about packing a bag, moving quietly to the small dressers they had at the end of the bunk beds. None of them had a lot, but they had started to gather necessary wardrobe items that they didn't come to the compound with.
Cliff climbed into his bunk across from Marcus without a word. As if to give Marcus his privacy, he turned toward the wall, not making eye contact before trying to fall asleep. Marcus laid there in the dark for a long time. His body and mind were beyond exhausted. The night before at the Vega house, he couldn't find sleep. Not with the horrible ideas of what was happening to Alex in his mind. He admitted there was also fear there. Fear of what was happening to her, but also fear of what her siblings would do to him when he came home. With that part out of the way, exhaustion pounded at his mind and his eyelids closed slowly.
The opening of the bunkhouse door was his alarm clock just before dawn. A small lantern shined light until the switch was thrown and the few lights in the room came on. Rafe stood at the door and whistled quietly. Marcus sat up immediately and began to throw his legs over the edge of his bed. Rafe didn't say anything as he turned and left the building. The plan was to get out of the gates before the sun rose. They would get to the Vega home just as dawn broke. Mateo and Albert would be ready to join their party then. From there, luck willing, they would drive straight to the brothel ran by the Noble Lord. In his gut, Marcus was sure nothing would go as smoothly as they wanted. However, a plan to try was better than going off half-cocked.
"Did you sleep?" Cliff asked.
"I guess so," Marcus replied.
He couldn't remember falling asleep and was sure he didn't dream. But suddenly it was pre-dawn, and they were getting ready to go. He guessed his body took over and did what it needed to.
"Good. Can't be tired today," Cliff said.
"Lack of sleep couldn't stop me today," Marcus said with determination.
Cliff just nodded and laced up his boots. With guns and bags, the two exited the bunkhouse and went straight to the truck Marcus was driving. He loaded up the remaining supplies and double-checked again what they had. He was carrying the majority of the food, though everyone carried enough for three days on their own. The Duncans knew how to make a meal ready to eat, or MRE, last more than one day when they needed to. Marcus also made sure the large first aid kit that he had put together was where he had stored it. Charlie had given him some of her clinic supplies to add to the kit, in case anyone was severely hurt. Having Charlie with them would be a benefit if a shootout occurred and emergency triage was needed.
While Marcus and Cliff drove the new truck, Rafe, Charlie, Max, and Griffin drove in Rafe's pickup. Storm, who accompanied Rafe everywhere, sat on the backseat between Max and Griffin. Marcus led the way to the gate. The first step of the plan was for Marcus to lead the way to stop one, the Vega home. He pulled into the trees and as practiced he waited for Rafe to pull through and close the gate. All eyes were in the surrounding trees, making sure none of the dead snuck into the compound. Or worse, living intruders. Once the compound was secured, the procession began to move again. Marcus knew the road in the dark and only had his fog lights on to barely illuminate the main road. The trucks turned onto the main highway easily, not another vehicle in sight. They both switched on headlights at the same time as they picked up speed toward town.
The road hadn't changed much in two months. The same accidents were to either side of the highway. Many the Duncan clan had moved to clear the way to and from the compound. Marcus didn't notice much as they arrived into town. The sun was just turning the sky pink in the East as they pulled up in front of the Vega house. The Bronco Marcus had left was sitting in their driveway now. Marcus turned off the engine and Rafe followed suit. Sitting in the truck, Marcus and Cliff exchanged glances. Marcus knew their plan wouldn't be easy. The smell of decaying flesh permeated the cab of the truck, as infected began to descend, drawn by their vehicles.
"Nothing is ever simple," Marcus said.
Chapter Eleven
"Gone? In what capacity?" 'The Suit' asked.
"All of the Duncans, except the children from what I can tell, have left the compound," Callahan replied.
'The Suit' had been surprised by the call from Callahan. Typically, the Major didn't call, as he rarely had good news to report. 'The Suit' almost snorted thinking about how Callahan didn't want to have his throat ripped out on every phone call. Now, his information had 'The Suit's' mind racing. Where could they be going?
"This isn't normal behavior, sir," Callahan cont
inued.
"What makes it abnormal?"
"The few other times my men have been on recon missions, they have only seen two or three leaving the compound at once. Something must be going on. Also, unless the men didn't have a clear view, it sounds like one Duncan was missing. The oldest sister," Callahan explained.
"So, go in and get the kids," 'The Suit' said.
"I don't think we want to waste our resources there, sir."
"Explain."
"It's doubtful anyone left at the compound has the information we're looking for. If we go in and get their children, the Duncans will be a more volatile group to deal with. I think it would be better to find out where they went."
"And do you have any ideas?" 'The Suit' asked.
"No leads yet, sir. But my men are still in the area. They should be able to determine where the caravan of vehicles went," Callahan replied.
"Are there any indications that they could be moving from their Montana compound?"
"Unlikely. Frankly, the place is a fortress. They won't find the same security or food resources in other places," Callahan said.
"Keep me posted," 'The Suit' said, hanging up without allowing Callahan to continue.
Turning to his bank of monitors, 'The Suit' began to cycle through the satellite feeds he still had. Movement that caught his eye was the infected wandering the streets. He found one large horde that seemed to wander the area around the Wal-Mart. He watched them for a moment, trying to determine a direction. But after they circled in on themselves, 'The Suit' realized nothing had their attention. After a few more minutes of scrolling through video, he was sure he didn't see anyone actually living out in the open.
Sundown Series (Book 4): Torment Page 13