Kate kept her head down, but she shot a quick glance in Ethan’s direction. He was reaching behind him to pick up one of the pens off of the desk and started clicking it… repeatedly.
“If you believe in the afterlife,” Kate muttered.
“Simon tells us we must believe.” Ethan’s voice was almost robotic. “My beautiful, Kate,” he said in a voice that far too eerily resembled Simon’s, “do you not trust me?”
Kate swallowed down a bite which suddenly felt as if it had been too large. She tried to gauge where Ethan stood on the belief scale, but she couldn’t get a read as he steepled his fingers and tapped them lightly against his chin.
“That’s quite the impersonation,” Kate said, taking another bite.
“First time I’ve done it,” Ethan said with a wide grin. “I totally nailed it. He’d probably kill me if he ever heard it.”
Kate took the box of granola bars and sat down on the floor. She rested her back against the shelving unit.
“Are you going to eat all of those?” Ethan asked. He stood up and tossed the pen back on the desk.
“Yeah, and I’m going to blame it on Rosalie.”
“Maybe we should take more then. I bet she and her friends were really hungry after all that deceiving.”
Kate nodded. “I imagine they were.”
Ethan lowered himself down next to Kate and reached inside the box between her legs. The quick movement made every muscle in Kate’s body tense up, but she relaxed as soon as he moved away.
“Really though, we should probably only take this one,” Ethan said nervously stretching out the collar of his skin hugging shirt.
“Are you really that afraid of Simon?” Kate asked wishing she would have kept her mouth shut.
“Psh-yeah! Aren’t you?”
Kate nodded. She was terrified of Simon but not because she was afraid he’d kill her, it was more that she was afraid she’d make him do something she didn’t want to. Simon wasn’t someone you could say no to, and she knew it. Everyone knew it.
“It’s a good thing you are good at what you do, or I’d be more afraid for you,” Ethan said looking at his fingers.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Um, well,” Ethan stammered, clearly unsure of how to say what he wanted to say.
Kate narrowed her eyes. “Spit it out.”
“He makes people, rather women, do things.”
The images Kate had seen the night before flashed in her mind. She was afraid of that possibility too. It was one of the main reasons Kate wanted to escape.
“Oh,” Kate said, pretending she didn’t know what he was like with women. She didn’t have to see the women in his bedroom to know if he wanted something he would take it.
“If he ever…,” Ethan trailed off, twisting his neck to look up at the hatch. The moaning and groaning seemed to have lessened. “Never mind.”
There was a part of Kate that wanted to ask what the rest of his sentence was going to be. Maybe Ethan wasn’t as loyal to Simon as she thought. Was it possible that he could have disliked Simon as much as she did?
It didn’t matter because she couldn’t ask him. What if she was wrong?
“Anyway,” Ethan said. “You keep his town safe, and because of that, I think you’re safe. He can’t afford to lose you in that role.”
“Good,” Kate said, and she could feel Ethan’s eyes on her.
Her conversation with Ethan wasn’t helping matters, now she only wanted to escape The Way more than she already had. Once they got out of the storage facility, she could easily get away from Ethan. It wouldn’t be hard at all to give him the slip. He might chase after her, but there was a good chance he’d let her go.
She risked a quick glance in his direction, but he’d rested his head back against the shelving unit. His arms were crossed, and his eyes were closed, but his neck muscles were far too tight for Ethan to be even close to falling asleep.
Kate opened another granola bar and chewed slowly, savoring the second bar much more than she had the first. Ethan’s eyes opened slightly.
“Why are you watching me rest?” Ethan asked.
“Trying to figure you out,” Kate answered.
“Ha. There isn’t anything to figure out,” Ethan said opening his eyes. “With me, you get what you see. You’re the one that’s a mystery.”
Kate shook her head as she looked away from him. It suddenly felt as though they were far too close to one another when they had the whole building to themselves.
“I wish there was more of a mystery, but the truth is, I’m boring,” she said wiping her fingers on the sides of her jeans.
“If you say so,” Ethan said, looking into her eyes. He held her gaze for so long it nearly felt too intimate.
Kate looked away and combed her fingers through her hair. She exhaled slowly and rested her elbows on her knees, turning slightly so Ethan couldn’t see her face.
“Maybe you should try to get some rest,” Ethan said sounding as though he was trying to cover a yawn.
“Seems more like you should,” Kate said.
“Don’t you trust me?” Ethan asked his eyebrows slanted downward.
“I told you before, I don’t trust anyone.”
Ethan groaned. “Fine. But for the record, I trust you. As far as I’m concerned, if there is anyone at all you can trust, it’s me.”
Kate pressed her lips together tightly to stop herself from saying anything she might regret. She’d already almost regretted everything she’d said to Ethan. She was pissed she hadn’t just kept her mouth shut.
Being trapped inside The Way had felt more isolating that it had felt when she’d been on the outside. Ethan made it far too easy for her to talk because he seemed so… normal. But what she was forgetting every time she opened her mouth was that Ethan was part of The Way long before she showed up. He’d been there almost since the beginning.
Kate couldn’t trust him even if she wanted to. She couldn’t trust anyone.
7
Every time Kate blinked, her eyes stayed closed longer and longer. It felt like they’d been down in the storage facility for hours, but Kate was worried that was just her claustrophobia creeping up on her, whispering in her ear about how desperately she needed to get out.
She stood up and aligned herself directly under the hatch. There were a few moans, but the voices were softer. Perhaps The Unholy had groaned for so long they had worn out their voices.
A lot of them could still be up there wandering the area, but maybe they could leave. All she needed was a quick peek to see if it was daytime. She could pop open the hatch and take a quick peek to assess the situation.
Kate stepped onto the ladder and paused when Ethan cleared his throat.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.
“Checking the situation.”
Ethan rubbed his palms hard against his face and popped up to his feet. “Anxious to get out of here?”
“Aren’t you?”
“I guess so,” Ethan said stretching his arms over his head. His shirt raised up and exposed his hard stomach muscles, which Kate pretended not to notice. “Although, it’s actually quite peaceful down here. Best sleep I’ve had in months.”
Kate took another step up the ladder but came to an abrupt halt when Ethan wrapped his hand around her ankle. Anger bubbled up inside of her, but she forced herself to remain calm as she shot him a fiery look.
Ethan quickly released his grip. “Let me check.”
“I’m the best, remember?” Kate said moving her feet up the ladder.
“Suit yourself,” Ethan said crossing his arms.
The second Kate reached the top and started to slide the lock open, Ethan dropped his arms to his sides and moved closer to the ladder. Kate swallowed hard and slowly opened the door a crack.
She could see their feet moving around aimlessly. It seemed as though The Unholy had forgotten all about them.
Kate was about to open the door wid
er to take a better look when a blackened foot stepped into the grass inches from the opening. She could hear the diseased creature as it released a long, throaty moan.
“Close it,” Ethan said softly as his hand gestured violently toward the lock.
Kate pulled it closed and as quietly as she could, she slid the lock back into the place. She didn’t want to remind them of the fact that they were down there.
“What did you see?” Ethan asked.
“Fifteen, maybe twenty, but they’re all scattered about. Only five or so close to the door,” Kate said, scratching the back of her neck. “Simon’s definitely wondering where we are by now.”
“Sounds doable,” Ethan said gesturing with his thumb at the shelves behind him. “Should we have breakfast first?”
Kate chewed her lip. Her stomach was trying to answer his question for her.
“We can blame it on Rosalie,” Ethan said raising his eyebrows.
Kate hesitated and climbed back down the ladder. She studied Ethan for a moment before nodding. The fact that he was willing to pin their small food theft on Rosalie was interesting to Kate. If Ethan was as loyal to Simon as she thought, he wouldn’t be so eager to take the food. Then again, maybe the second Kate was out of sight, Ethan would tell him the truth. And maybe Kate was worrying over nothing, the odds of Simon ever finding out were slim unless of course, Ethan told him.
While they feasted on breakfast bars, Kate tried to discretely study Ethan. If Ethan was on her side about all of the Simon stuff, maybe that meant there would be others like her. Others that felt trapped inside Simon’s fence. Others who didn’t want to blame the infectious outbreak on God making people pay for their sins and sparing only those who believed.
Kate wasn’t sure it mattered if she was alone in her thoughts or not, because ultimately, she still wanted to leave. It would be far easier for her to escape if she just had herself to worry about.
“All right,” Ethan said brushing his hands on his pants as he stood. “Ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Kate said.
“Let’s do this.” Ethan grinned as he pulled out his blade and made his way over to the ladder.
Kate’s feet didn’t move. What if this was the only chance she’d get to escape? It would be so easy. She would be gone before Ethan even realized it.
“Coming?” Ethan asked narrowing his eyes at her. It looked as though he could tell something was on her mind. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said forcing a smile that was far too wide.
Ethan eyed her even more suspiciously. “Okay, what’s going on? Is this some kind of trap? Am I going to go up there and Simon will be waiting? Decapitate me or something?”
“No!” Kate said her jaw tensing slightly. “Paranoid much?”
“Paranoid lots.”
“I’ll go first,” Kate offered, but Ethan stepped in front of her to block the way.
“I've been working with you for quite a while now, and I can tell when your gears are spinning. Something’s up.”
Kate shook her head, and when she couldn’t think of what to say, she decided to lie. “I was worrying about the food we took. That’s all.”
“If it’s any kind of problem, I’ll take the blame. I mean, of course, if he doesn’t buy the Rosalie story. I’ll think of something.”
“Okay.” Kate pressed her lips together. It must have satisfied Ethan enough because he turned to go back to the ladder.
She felt bad about abandoning Ethan, but Kate was going to do it. She was going to make a run for it.
Ethan was a good guy for the most part, but it wasn’t like she could ever trust him. The only problem was leaving him out to fend for himself. He was capable. He’d make it back. Probably.
Kate was going to help Ethan clear out the area, and then where there were three or so left, she’d slip away. Except that she couldn’t.
“Here we go,” Ethan said soundlessly sliding the lock open.
Kate couldn’t leave because she had Simon’s key to the food and supplies. Unless she could find a way to slip it into Ethan’s pocket, she couldn’t be the reason that all the people back at the camp suffered.
Ethan peeked out and opened the door. Kate followed closely behind. By the time her feet were on the ground, Ethan had already fought off two of the unsuspecting Unholy.
She scanned the area and instantly noticed the crowd had thinned. It wasn’t going to be the battle she’d anticipated, in fact, they could just walk away and probably go unnoticed.
Ethan tapped his index finger to his lip and pointed in the direction he wanted to go. Kate nodded and followed him through the tall grasses back on the path that would take them to Simon’s town.
“Well that was far easier than I expected it would be,” Ethan said as he looked around the empty area. “I wonder where they all go.”
“I don’t know, but I wish I did,” Kate said, and Ethan turned to look at her. “So, I don’t go there.”
Ethan smiled.
The walk back to Simon’s town seemed to go quicker, but Kate figured it was because of just how desperately she didn’t want to go back. If it weren’t for the key, she would have run, at least that’s what she believed.
“Why are you so twitchy,” Ethan asked, his nose scrunched up as he shot her a quick glance.
“What do you mean?” Kate asked, even though she knew exactly what he meant. She was just surprised Ethan had noticed.
“You’re making me nervous.” Ethan glanced in every direction. “You look like your about to crawl out of your skin.”
Kate shook her head. “I do not.”
“You really do. I mean, you’re like this every time we head back after eradicating The Unholy, but this seems excessive even for you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do.”
Kate’s nerve endings started to smolder. If she didn’t run, she was afraid she was going to start on fire.
“Look,” Ethan said, placing his hands on his shoulders, “I get it I really do. If I thought for a second I’d have it better out there, I’d... it’s just that you need to relax.”
“What would you do,” Kate whispered, afraid someone might hear that her curiosity was piqued.
Ethan pulled her closer, his lips inches from her ear. Kate could feel his warm breath move past her cheek.
“I’d take you, and the guys… we’d… fuck. It doesn’t matter,” he said letting go of her shoulders. “It’s just a fantasy.”
Kate’s lips parted. She wanted to tell him that she liked his fantasy, but she couldn’t find the words. Fear froze her. Ethan was saying all the right things, but that didn’t mean he believed them, no matter how much honesty and truthfulness seemed to fill his eyes.
“Keep that all to yourself, would you?” Ethan said as they started walking forward.
“I will.”
Ethan looked at her and must have been satisfied with what he saw. He nodded and continued forward, his footsteps seeming just a bit heavier.
“Do the guys know about your fantasy?” Kate asked instantly wishing she would have been able to keep her mouth closed. As long as she kept her opinions to herself, she’d be okay. At least she hoped.
“No, and neither do you,” Ethan growled. “I shouldn’t have fucking said anything. It’s just that I thought you’d understand I guess.”
Kate understood more than she was willing to confess.
“Let’s not mention it again though okay?” Ethan said rubbing his elbow. “Now, I’m getting all twitchy.”
“I wasn’t twitchy.”
“Please. The only time you’re not twitchy is when your stabbing one of The Unholy in the skull.”
Kate scowled, but the truth was, Ethan was right. The only thing was she thought she’d been hiding it better. As long as she kept it from Simon that was what mattered.
Her face softened, and just as she was about to open her mouth to tell Etha
n that she liked her fantasy, the fence came into view. She snapped her mouth closed and forced her shoulders to relax. Maybe that would help her look less like she was about to crawl out of her skin.
8
Ethan and Kate stood outside Simon’s office waiting to be allowed inside. The guards outside Simon’s door stared off into the distance as if they weren’t even there.
Kate wondered if they were being forced to wait because Simon was trying to decide how to handle their late return, or if he was telling his women to get dressed.
Ethan groaned as he leaned back against the building several feet from the guard. When Kate looked his way, he jerked his head to the side indicating for her to join him.
Kate stood a foot away from Ethan without leaning against the building and crossed her arms. She shifted her weight back and forth several times before she decided on a leg preference.
“Stop,” Ethan mouthed, and Kate frowned.
She pulled out the key and clenched it tightly in her fist. The grooves dug into her palms so hard it made her wince. If it hadn’t been for the key, she would be far away from The Way and far away from Simon.
The front door opened sending an icy shiver through Kate’s veins. Simon wore a smile, but his eyes were empty, as he gestured for them to enter. Ethan pushed himself away from the building and stepped inside Simon’s office.
Kate walked past Simon and his smile extended. He clasped his hands together in front of his chest.
“Good to see you, Kate.”
“You too,” she lied.
“Wait.” Simon held out his palm.
Kate stared at it for a moment before shifting her eyes upward to meet his.
“Key?”
The stiffness in her upper arms relaxed, and she pressed the key into his palm trying not to touch her skin against his.
“Thank you.” Simon bowed his head to the side.
Once they were inside Simon closed the door and held out his palms toward the couch. “Please have a seat, tell me about your adventure.”
Kate and Ethan both sat down on opposite ends of the couch at the exact same time. Ethan stretched out his legs and placed his loose fists on his thighs.
Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3 Page 5