“Temporarily,” Kate said.
“Okay, well, you know, I can help you. There isn’t anything about this town that I don’t know.” Maya leaned in closer. “And I know everything about everyone.”
Kate cocked her head to the side. “Did you know Robby and Percy were related to Simon?”
Maya lowered her gaze. “I did. Suppose they weren’t too happy with you? Are they—”
“They aren’t here anymore. No idea if they’re dead or alive, and I don’t care,” Kate said, but she did care a little. She would have preferred if asshole brother and asshole father were dead after the stunt they pulled. But Maya didn’t need to know her feelings on the matter, and neither did Will.
“Do I have to stay in here?” Maya said looking at the walls in disgust. She let out a small laugh. “I’ll be honest I’m kind of going a little crazy in here.”
“Nah, you’re free to go. You can stay in town, or you can leave, if you want,” Kate said.
Maya shifted her weight. “Leave? Why would I want to leave?” She shook her head. “Is there anything I can do to help out around here?”
“I’m sure I can find something for you to do,” Kate said.
“Great! So, I can like just walk out of here?” Maya asked bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Yeah.”
Maya hugged herself. “Okay. Will you let me know what I can help out with soon? I want to keep myself busy.”
“Yeah, stop by tomorrow,” Kate said, and Maya hugged her again.
“Thank you, Kate.”
“No problem,” Kate said, and Maya flashed them a small wave as she charged out of the room.
Kate walked out of the room, and Will followed close behind. There were more prisoners, and Kate couldn’t help but wonder how many more surprises.
Chapter 12
After they finished, Kate and Will headed back to the office. Kate let out a heavy sigh as they stepped into the building.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you something,” Kate said.
“Oh?” Will flashed her a smile that warmed her insides. “What can I do you for.”
“I just wanted to ask more about your life out there. Were you always alone?”
Will scrunched up his nose and narrowed his eyes. “I was. Really, there isn’t much to tell. I like that you’re interested in my life though.”
Kate smiled as she clasped her hands. “The whole time, you were just out there by yourself?”
“Yeah,” Will said. “It was just me, and all those, what do you call them? Unholy.”
“What were you doing when we were in your home?”
“I was out looking for supplies.” Will lowered his gaze. “One of the reasons I wanted to come here. Things were getting bad for me out there and those things, The Unholy, it seemed like there were more and more of them every day. It was getting harder to find supplies within walking distance.”
Kate couldn’t stop thinking about what Laura had told her. What she couldn’t figure out was why Will was lying about having been alone. Maybe he had his reasons, but she didn’t like that he was being dishonest. If Ethan found out Kate asked Will, and he was lying about it, he’d throw him out of the town in a heartbeat.
There was always the possibility that Laura had just been mistaken. Then again, how many people were out there? Not that many.
It wasn’t long before Ethan, Tommy, and Wayne were back. They all discussed their findings which had pretty much turned out the way Kate had thought it would. Several people wrongfully locked up and then released.
Kate got them all up to speed on her interesting discovery. None of them were even a little shocked to hear that Simon had locked Maya up.
Ethan informed Kate that they’d released three men, all of which left and seemed thrilled to leave this place behind. They’d also kept a few locked up, including Simon’s guard, Philip.
After they finished talking, everyone turned to leave. Will stopped and looked at Kate, but Ethan stepped into the space between them.
“Are you coming?” Will asked, his eyes were focused on the back of Ethan’s head.
“Yeah,” Kate said taking a step to the side.
Ethan stepped over again and blocked her way. “Actually, could I talk to you for a second?”
It felt like all of the oxygen was leaving the room. Kate sucked in a heavy breath and nodded.
“I’ll catch up with you later,” she said with a small wave in Will’s direction. He pressed his lips together into a tight smile before he turned and closed the door behind him. Kate crossed her arms as she leaned back against the wall.
“We need to talk,” Ethan said.
“I already know what you’re going to say,” Kate said holding up her hand. “You might as well save your breath. I know it was a mistake.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “That’s not at all what I was going to say. I was going to apologize for being an asshole. You think the kiss was a mistake?”
Kate swallowed down the sour taste at the back of her throat. She could see in Ethan’s eyes that he disagreed.
“There is just so much going on and—”
“Okay,” Ethan said shaking his head. “I get it.”
He took a quick step forward, pinning Kate to the wall. Kate’s heart raced as he looked down into her eyes.
“For the record, I don’t think it was a mistake. Don’t for a second think that I do.” Ethan hesitated a moment before he stormed out of the office, leaving her in a silence that made a cold shiver run through her body.
Now Kate was the one that felt like an asshole, and she totally understood why he’d thrown his fist into the wall after he’d left. Because she felt like doing the exact same thing.
Kate pulled back her shoulders and drew in a slow breath. She didn’t like how their conversation ended, but perhaps it was for the best.
It was clear that her and Ethan, no matter how she felt, were better off as friends. At least that was what she was going to tell herself.
Kate walked over to the cafeteria to grab some food. She was looking forward to locking herself in her hotel room and shutting out the town for the rest of the day.
Before she was able to take anything, Maya stepped in front of her wearing a big excited smile and holding a clipboard.
“Hi Kate,” she said hugging the clipboard to her chest. “I know you wanted me to talk to you tomorrow, but I’m far too bored, and anxious to wait.”
“Well, I… it’s just that I… haven’t really—”
“No problem, I’ll just do all the things I did for Simon, but I’ll do them for you,” Maya said pointing her finger at Kate.
Kate scratched the back of her neck with a finger. “What exactly did you do for Simon?”
“Well, basically everything and anything he wanted.” Maya lowered her voice, “And I do mean anything.”
“Um, okay, but I—”
“I’ll take inventory in the kitchen, check on the guards, make sure the prisoners are fed, check the fence daily, tons more I won’t bore you with right now, but maybe most importantly, I speak to the residents.” She tapped the clipboard with her fingertip. “I’ll report everything to you each morning and then again at the end of the day. I’ll work so you don’t have to.”
It actually sounded good to Kate, but she was still unsure since she didn’t really know much about Maya. Not to mention Maya had worked for Simon and she couldn’t help but feel uneasy about that. Then again, it wasn’t Maya’s fault that Simon was a nightmare. She’d been through it just as much as everyone else had.
She deserved a shot, and maybe it would help make the transition easier when Kate left. Maybe Maya would want to take over. There wasn’t anyone here that knew the town better than she did.
“Well, okay, but things are a little different now,” Kate said.
Maya nodded. “I’m up to speed.”
“You are?”
“Yes, I am.” Maya grinned. “I’ve been talking to folks, and
they’re all really happy with how you’re running things.”
Kate looked around the room, not a single soul was paying them any attention whatsoever. “Well, I guess, I don’t mind.”
“That’s great. When should we have our first meeting? Are you free tonight?”
“Tomorrow,” Kate answered instantly. She still hadn’t caught up on her sleep from her time out after the whole Percy thing.
“Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Maya waved with her pinky before exiting the cafeteria.
Kate's shoulders felt heavy as she grabbed a few snack bars out of the wicker basket at the end of the food line. A woman at a nearby table looked up and then back down at her food without saying anything to her.
As she was leaving the cafeteria, she caught a glimpse of Laura out of the corner of her eye. She was at the back of the kitchen stirring something in a large pot.
“Hey,” Kate said stepping up beside her, unable to resist looking inside the pot. It looked like some kind of broth-based soup with various chunks floating around.
“Hi Kate,” Laura said with a smile. “Don’t see you down here often enough. You must not like my cooking.”
Kate chuckled. “I just don’t feel like I ever have time to sit down and eat. I’ve only heard good things about the food.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like some?” Laura said lifting up a ladle full of the soup. “It’s got canned meat and vegetables, but I think the seasonings help give it some flavor.”
“I’m sorry but I’ll have to take a rain-check. I was just passing through when my stomach growled. I would like to talk to you about something though, you got a minute?”
“Yeah, okay. What’s up?” Laura set the ladle down on the counter and followed Kate away from the other workers. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked into Kate’s eyes with concern. “Everything okay?”
“Remember the new guy, Will?”
Laura narrowed her eyes and nodded.
“Are you sure that’s the guy you saw at your home?”
Laura’s eyes widened as she placed her hand on her hip. “I couldn’t be more sure, why do you ask?”
“I talked to him,” Kate said leaning closer. “He didn’t mention anything about being with another man or boy out there. In fact, he said he was alone.”
“Well, then he’s lying.”
“Do you think he’d remember you?” Kate asked.
She shook her head. “He never saw me. The kids and I were out of sight when he came poking around.”
Kate sighed.
“I’m sorry,” Laura said lightly placing her hand on Kate’s shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help? Want me to interrogate him?”
“Maybe,” Kate said, but after a moment she shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.”
“For what it’s worth, things out there get bad sometimes. He might have a good reason for lying.”
Kate pressed her lips together and nodded. “Well, I should probably get back out there.”
“Of course, let me know if I can help with anything. Oh, and Kate?”
“Yeah?”
“I wanted to thank you for sending Tommy here to escort me back up to the hotel every night.” A small smile appeared briefly on Laura’s lips. “It really helps. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel totally safe here after what happened.”
Kate smiled and nodded even though she had no idea what Laura was talking about. If whatever Tommy was doing was helping her, and Laura was happy with it, that’s all that mattered.
Kate knew Tommy, and he was a good guy. Next time she saw him, she’d try to remember to ask him about it.
Laura flashed her a quick smile before returning to her bubbling pot of soup. Kate turned to head up the stairs, and as she rounded the corner, she found herself face to face with a panicked Maya.
“Kate,” she said grabbing her arm and pulling her up the stairs. “They’re coming.”
Chapter 13
Kate followed Maya out to the east gate. There was a young woman standing on the other side clawing at the fence.
“Please, let me in,” she begged between her gasps and cries. The young woman pointed behind her and shrieked. “There isn’t much time!”
Kate turned around and caught Ethan’s eyes for a moment as he approached.
“What should we do, Kate?” Chuck asked with his arms folded in front of him. His stance was wide as he nodded at Ethan.
“Let her in,” Kate said.
“Are you sure?” Chuck asked gesturing at her arm. Blood soaked through the fabric, and there were cuts on her hands. “She might have been bitten.”
The woman’s panicked eyes bulged out of her head. “I wasn’t! Please! I don’t want to die like this.”
“Let her in,” Kate repeated. Her eyes moved to the area behind the girl. The massive pack of Unholy heading toward the fence was frightening.
Chuck glanced at Ethan before he pulled out the keys and opened the locks on the gate. The young woman charged through the gate with her eyes at The Unholy behind her. She slammed hard into Ethan and screamed as she turned forward, throwing her arms at him.
“Stop it,” Ethan growled as he grabbed her shoulders and moved her away from him. His eyes studied the wounds on her hands.
Her skin was red, and the blood was fresh. If the young woman was contaminated, she hadn’t yet turned.
“We should get her to the doctor,” Maya advised, without taking her eyes off the approaching mob of Unholy.
Tommy and Wayne came to an abrupt stop as they approached the fence. Tommy turned back and looked at Ethan.
“We just heard,” he said pulling out his weapon. His shoulders dropped as he looked at the massive wave of Unholy headed their way. “Shit.”
“Wayne, take Maya and the girl to the doctor for an exam,” Kate said pulling out her blade. “Everyone else… get ready.”
Maya nodded, and her expression softened as she tried to ease the panicked woman away from the area. She was telling the young woman that everything would be okay, but it didn’t seem to help soothe her.
“I have an idea,” Ethan said, backing away from the fence. He took three steps away before he turned and ran back toward the town center.
“Ethan!” Kate said.
“What the hell, man?” Tommy said throwing his hands up into the air. He turned to Kate and shook his head. “What are we going to do?”
Kate swallowed without taking her eyes off of The Unholy. Without Ethan, it was just Kate, Tommy, Chuck and the other guard Kate didn’t really know against a pack of at least fifty starving Unholy.
“God dammit,” Kate said as sweat beaded up at her temples. “Maybe the fence will hold.”
“And if it doesn’t?” the scrawny guard next to Chuck asked. He looked as though he was about to take off and hide, which was kind of what Kate felt like doing.
“Fight through the fence?” Tommy asked.
Kate stiffened her jaw and bent her knees getting ready for the fight. “We don’t have a choice. Going out there would be suicide.”
“Standing here is suicide,” the scrawny guy said in a shaky voice. It didn’t surprise Kate in the least when he took a sharp step back before turning and running away.
“Lucas! You fucking chicken shit!” Chuck shouted.
As The Unholy drew nearer, the breeze seemed to stop. The air was hot and thick. A sour tang prickled Kate’s tongue.
“Here we go,” Tommy said shifting his weight front and then back, ready to lurch forward at the first Unholy to come within range.
Kate fought the urge to look over her shoulder at whoever was running toward them from the town. Her eyes jerked upward when something flew over the fence and into the crowd of Unholy.
“Get down!” Ethan shouted as he pulled Kate down to the ground. He rolled over on top of her as a deafening blast shook the deadness in the air to life.
The earth rattled underneath her, and for a second,
she was afraid she was deaf. Her ears were ringing as she turned her head. Bits and pieces of the earth and The Unholy rained down on top of them.
“What did you do?” Kate asked, her voice sounding soft although she was sure she was shouting.
“Grenade,” Ethan shouted back. He stood up and smiled at the remaining Unholy’s gray hands that grabbing the fence. “It worked!”
Kate got to her feet. The crowd had been halved, but there were still plenty of Unholy trying to push their way through the fence.
She watched as the fence rattled and shook with each Unholy that pressed itself against the chain-link fence. It caved inward slightly from their weight and Kate adjusted her grip on her blade. She stepped forward, ramming her blade into the forehead of the first Unholy she set her eyes on.
Its black poison spilled out of its skull and down its deteriorated body. Kate scrunched her nose at the stench that filled the air as she plunged her blade into another.
They stabbed through the fence missing just as many of The Unholy as they managed to take out.
“There are too many,” Ethan said taking a step back.
It wasn’t just that there were too many, they seemed to be learning to keep their heads away from the fence.
“We have to go out there,” Ethan said.
“No,” Kate said jabbing her blade between the loops of metal.
“If we don’t do something, and fast, they’re going to knock down the fence,” Ethan said between breaths.
Kate’s hand jerked forward, but she missed The Unholy on the other side. When she pulled her hand back, it didn’t move, her blade was stuck.
Grayish fingertips reached through the fence and wrapped around her wrist. She felt its cold skin digging into her flesh. Another Unholy moved its jaw up and down trying to get through the fence, just for a taste.
Ethan kicked the fence so hard The Unholy let go of Kate’s arm, and her knife dropped to the ground. Kate snatched it up and stepped back.
Her eyes frantically moved over her arm, expecting to see spidery black veins sprouting out from where she’d been touched. In the back of her mind, she knew she hadn’t been bitten. She knew she was fine, but she couldn’t shake the fear of changing into one of The Unholy from her mind.
Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3 Page 25