by L C Hayden
Once outside, Everett caught up with him.
“Thanks for that,” Bronson said. “I hope I didn’t get you into trouble.”
Everett shrugged. “I can handle Swanson.”
That had been obvious from the exchange in Swanson’s office. “Did you get hold of Aubrey?”
Everett nodded. “She’s gathering whatever food she can even as we speak.”
“Good. I’ll also need water purifiers, emergency blankets, rope, and any kind of tools.”
“You’re in luck. Living here like we do, we always keep a supply of water purifiers.” He paused. “We keep those in the supply room. I’ll grab a handful.”
“Make it two handfuls.”
Everett’s eyebrows furrowed. “How long do you plan to be gone?”
“As long as it takes.”
Everett nodded. “I knew we could depend on you.” He pointed to a building behind them. “That’s the supply room. I’ll go gather the water purifiers. Where will you be so I can take them to you?”
“Direct me to Aubrey. I’ll help her load the supplies.”
“She’s probably still in the kitchen.”
“Then that’s where I’ll be, too.” He turned to the right, heading toward the building that housed the kitchen.
“Bronson.”
He stopped.
“Do me a favor and don’t do that again. If you want anything, I’m here to get it to you. I’ll do whatever I can, no matter what you ask of me. I’m eager to help, but Swanson is . . .” He shrugged. “. . .different. He’s the boss, and he wants us all to acknowledge that.”
Bronson nodded. “Sorry about that, buddy. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“It’s not to me, but to Swanson it obviously is. He’s very possessive of his things. Nobody handles them. Only him. Silly, dumb, I know. But that’s how he is. I may be an Elder, but he rules this roost.”
“I can see that,” Bronson said. “It won’t happen again.”
Everett’s shoulders lowered. “Thanks. I knew you’d understand.” He made a one hundred and eighty degree turn and headed toward the supply room.
* * *
Just as Bronson entered the kitchen pantry, Aubrey stuffed the last of the items into a backpack. Her eyes sparkled when she saw Bronson. “I packed as much as I could.” She handed him the backpack. “Is it too heavy?”
Bronson reached for it. “Not really. Thank you.”
Aubrey smiled, and her face lit up. “I was thinking I had packed way too much.”
“Which is exactly what I want to talk to you about,” a voice behind them said. “Why are you taking so much?”
Bronson pivoted to face Swanson. Bronson said, “I don’t know how long it’s goin’ to take me to find those two teens. Maybe days. When I do find them, they’ll probably be malnourished. I want to have enough supplies to build up their strength.”
Swanson placed his hands behind his back as he headed toward Bronson. “Then what do you plan to do?”
“Bring them back, of course.”
“And the book?”
“If Roger has it, I’ll hand it to you.”
Swanson nodded. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Nothin’ complicated about that.”
“Except for the fact that you’re lying through your teeth.”
Shiiit.
Aubrey gasped.
Bronson put on his poker face. “What is there to lie about?”
“You found them, didn’t you?”
Aubrey tilted her head like a dog at attention. She straightened up and rubbed her hands.
Bronson ignored Aubrey. Instead, he focused on Swanson. “If I did, why the supplies?”
For a long while, Swanson remained silent. His jaw stiffened. “Aubrey, get Bronson whatever he needs.”
She nodded and almost saluted him. She lowered her gaze.
“Bronson, before you leave, I have something I want to show you,” Swanson said. “I have no idea what Roger and Norma told you. But after you see this, I’m sure your plans will change.” His eyes pierced Aubrey’s. “I’ll be in my office. Come alone.”
Chapter 30
Bronson made a mental inventory of the supplies he had. Rope, nonperishable food, water and water purifiers, matches, two emergency blankets, and various types of tools. He was set to go, except that Swanson wanted to show him something—something so important that he might have to change his plans. Had Roger and Norma lied to him?
He stepped into Swanson’s office. He had expected to see Yee and Everett there as well, but Swanson was alone. He sat behind his desk. As soon as Bronson entered, Swanson locked his gaze on Bronson. “There’s a key in the doorknob. You know what to do.”
Really? Wasn’t that against some kind of policy? Weren’t all the doors in the compound supposed to remain open at all times? Bronson headed for the door and locked it.
“Sit.”
Bronson remained standing.
Swanson shrugged. “As you please.” Swanson stood, walked around his desk and stood, facing Bronson, eye to eye. “I want to know why you didn’t bring the kids in like you were supposed to.”
“Kind of hard to bring someone you haven’t found.”
“Cut the bullshit.” Swanson’s voice boomed, filling the small room with noise. He cleared his throat and continued at a softer yet firmer tone. “At least tell me, did you find the book?”
“Why all of the concern with the book? Seems to me, you’d be more worried about two human lives.”
Swanson smirked. “So you did find all three?” He backed off and sat at the edge of his desk. “I really didn’t want it to come to this.”
“Explain.”
Swanson folded his hands and rested them on his chest. “Let’s just say I bought a little insurance. Here it is: I’m going to give you some facts. You don’t have to acknowledge them. I know they are facts. Ellen, your partner’s ex, left for a three month world cruise. She told you all not to worry about her. She’d be fine.”
Bronson’s chest tightened. He shifted his weight and maintained his poker face. “What does that have to do with two missin’ teenagers?”
“And the book. Don’t forget the book.”
Bronson stared at him.
“I see you’re not impressed. So let me finish. She told you and Mike and Carol—her dearest friend, your wife—the love of your life—that she wouldn’t be contacting anyone.”
Bronson wet his lips. How the hell did he know that? Bronson didn’t like where this was going. He remained silent.
Swanson straighten up, making himself look bigger. “What she didn’t tell you is that she can’t contact any of you. Do you know why?”
He knew, all right. But he’d be damned if he’d give Swanson the satisfaction.
Swanson smiled, a curvature of the lips that told Bronson he had the upper hand and he knew it. “I have a secret. Something only two others know, and the best part is that you can’t talk to either one of these men. They’re not here. No, siree, they’re not. They’re with Ellen.”
Bronson held his breath.
Swanson laughed aloud, a sadistic sound emanating from his mouth. “I can see you’re boiling on the inside. I love it. Absolutely love it.” He stood up and walked around his desk and sat down. “Go ahead, ask me.”
“Do you have Ellen?”
“Technically, no. My two other Elders are holding her in a secure and faraway place.”
“You could just be blowin’ air. How do I know you really have her?”
“I thought you might ask me that. So I had Nate Middleton and Sheridan Wright—those are my other Elders, my true Elders. The ones who know what’s going on and support me—not the stupid ones who are here who claim to be my helpers.” He raised his arms as though in surrender. “Nate and Sheridan provided me with the proof you need.” He opened his top drawer and retrieved a laptop. He flipped it open and turned it around so Bronson could see its screen.
First thing Bronson saw was a
video of Ellen, holding a recent copy of a newspaper so that the viewer could see the date. Her hands shook and she looked pale and forlorn.
Shiiit.
Chapter 31
Swanson shoved the computer’s screen closed. “I’m not a mathematician, Mr. Bronson, but you do the math. You get Ellen, and I get the book and Norma, and Roger. It’s that simple. Do we have a deal?”
“What guarantee do I have that you will return Ellen, provided you even have her.”
Swanson shook his head. “After seeing that, you still have doubts that we have her? What do we need to do? Cut off her finger and send it to you?”
Bronson glared at him. “No need to do that. I know you have her.”
Swanson leaned back on his chair. “Good. We did notice that she tried to slip in a little hint as to who has her. She mentioned the EL lapel pin. We let it go because that reinforces the fact that we indeed have her. Unfortunately for Ellen, all she accomplished to do was let us know that she’s a smart, conniving woman. That means we’ll have to watch her closer than we had first planned to do.”
Shiiiit.
Silence followed.
Bronson maintained his glaze glued to Swanson’s face.
Swanson frowned. “I’m normally a patient man, but you’re treading on thin ice. Who are you going to save? The woman you feel so close to that you consider her to be your sister, or two strangers who mean absolutely nothing to you?”
“If I hand you Norma and Roger, what will become of them?”
“As we speak, my men are building a jail. They will be put in separate cells for a minimum of a year. They won’t be allowed any contact with anybody, except for the guard who will bring them their food. After they serve their sentence, they will be released. No harm will come to them.”
Liar. He wants them dead. “Isn’t one year in solitary for two teens a bit harsh?”
Swanson’s eyes narrowed as he studied Bronson. After a pause, he shrugged. “What do you care? You would have saved Ellen’s life.”
“What guarantee do I have that you will release Ellen unharmed?”
Swanson formed a fist and pounded it on his desk. “Enough. I need to know your decision. Now!”
Bronson stared at him and took a deep breath.
Chapter 32
The lone wolf howled.
It was immediately answered by the pack.
Norma’s eyes opened as wide as saucers. Roger gave her a reassuring smile, hopefully showing her the confidence he didn’t feel. “Bronson will be back soon. We’ll be fine.”
Norma’s gaze scanned the far away trees. “The wolves.”
“We’re keeping them at bay with this fire filled with smoke, just like Bronson taught us.” In spite of his words, he scanned the area, hoping the wolves wouldn’t advance.
Norma worried her lip. “What if Bronson doesn’t come back?”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
“You’re right. I know he wouldn’t desert us.” Norma took in a deep breath. “It’s just that I have a real bad feeling that something went wrong. He might not have a choice.”
The crunching of leaves revealed that the wolf had stepped away from its protective covering, its eyes piercing theirs.
Norma gasped. “It’s the white wolf.”
“A soul wolf,” Roger whispered.
“What does that mean?”
“They’re supposed to possess special, almost supernatural powers. They have great leadership skills, and they’re known for always catching their prey.”
Norma scooted closer to Roger. “Thanks for telling me that.”
Roger’s eyebrows shot up. “Sorry. Sometimes I don’t know what I’m saying. I don’t know that. Maybe I made it up.”
The animal took several steps forward. The snarl on his face told them he was determined to succeed.
* * *
“Hungry, are you?” Sheridan Wright cut his steak, smelled it, and slowly put it in his mouth. “Hmm. Utterly delicious. So mouth watering, and speaking of watering, you must be very thirsty too.”
Ellen hadn’t eaten or drunk anything for over twenty-four hours—not because she had refused to eat or drink, but because they hadn’t offered her anything. Her stomach growled as she watched Sheridan slowly enjoy his meal in front of her. It had been the same with lunch and breakfast. And dinner last night. One of them, either Nate or Sheridan, would always sit in front of her and torment her as he took great pleasure in eating his food.
Ellen tried not to stare, not to drool, but she was so hungry. So very thirsty.
Sheridan reached for the cold glass of water that was on his food tray. “I’ve been watching you, Ellen. You try very hard not to stare at us as we eat this most delicious food and gulp down our thirst-quenching drinks. But I can see you’re really hungry and thirsty. In fact, I would say you’re at the point of dehydration.” His lips curved upward in a sharkish grin. “See this glass of cool, wonderfully delicious water?” He jiggled the drink, making the ice produce a clinking sound. “I brought this for you.”
Ellen’s eyes widened in anticipation. She ran her tongue over her dry lips.
“You want it?” Sheridan asked.
Ellen looked down.
“Of course you do.” Sheridan once again jiggled the glass. “But before I give it to you, let me tell you why we’ve taken your food and drink away. You were a very naughty girl. You told Bronson about the lapel pin we wear. You’re hoping that would lead him to us. But he already knows who we are. All you did was reinforce the idea that we have you. So we let it go, but you need to be punished for what you tried to do. I hope you learned your lesson.” Sheridan shook the glass, causing a few more drops of water to jump out. “Here’s your drink.” He spit into it. “Enjoy.” He set it down on the floor and walked away.
As best as she could, Ellen bolted toward the glass. It rested two inches beyond her grasp.
Chapter 33
“You have less than a minute to make your decision.” Swanson looked at his watch. “I’m counting down, beginning right now. Fifty-nine, fifty-eight . . .”
Bronson opened his mouth. Nothing came out. He cleared his throat.
“Forty-five, forty-four . . .”
Bronson shuffled his feet and looked out the window, out past the woods.
“Thirty-three, thirty-two . . .”
Bronson waited until Swanson counted down to the low teens. “Ellen.” He raised his head. “I choose Ellen.”
“A very wise decision.” Swanson folded his hands and placed them on top of his desk. “Let me guarantee you that as we speak, Ellen is suffering. She will continue to suffer until I have a visual on those two kids and the book. So you better hurry. I don’t know how much more she can endure.”
“If you or any of your goons hurt her—”
“You’ll what? Your threats are meaningless to me. You do your job, you keep your word, Ellen will be released unharmed.” Swanson stood up and placed his hands on his hips. “Tell me what you need to do before you go out there and return my property to me.”
“There’s a pack of wolves out there.” Bronson pointed to the other side of the fence. “If you really want me to bring Roger and Norma back alive, I’ll need my gun.”
Swanson smirked. “Why would I want to give you a gun? So you can shoot me?”
“While I’d be very tempted to that, I wouldn’t. Not as long as you have Ellen. I would never jeopardize her.”
“Glad to hear that.”
Bronson turned to leave.
“One more thing, Mr. Bronson.”
Bronson stopped and slowly turned.
“A person familiar with the terrain—one who knows where he’s going—might reach civilization in five days, four if he’s lucky. I’m giving you twenty-four hours to return with Roger, Norma, and especially the book. Twenty-four hours and that’s it. If you’re not back by then, I won’t guarantee Ellen’s safety.”
Bronson clenched and unclenched his hands. “I told you
there’s a pack of wolves out there. They might slow us down.”
“That’s not my problem or my concern. Do whatever is necessary to bring me that book. Sacrifice Roger or Norma if necessary. Just be sure to bring back the bodies as proof.”
Chapter 34
In his hurry to reach Roger and Norma, Bronson stumbled on a protruding root and stumbled. Slow down. Slow down. You’re not goin’ to be any good to anybody if you break your leg.
He took a deep breath. He had almost half an hour before he reached Roger and Norma, provided they had decided to wait for him. If he moved a little faster, he might reach them in fifteen to twenty minutes. Yeah, then what? Take it one step at a time.
He pushed forward.
In spite of a cool breeze, droplets of sweat beaded on Bronson’s forehead. He set the backpack down, and that’s when he noticed it. The birds had stopped chirping. Even the howling of the wind had ceased. Bronson strained to listen, but the deafening silence shouted at him.
Something had changed.
Every animal in the forest had scattered and run from danger.
Bronson thought of the wolves. Had they—
He paused.
No, not wolves. Something more dangerous, a predator all animals fear.
Mankind.
Someone from the compound had followed him.
Using the excuse of picking up the backpack, Bronson slowly pivoted. His eyes scanned the area.
No one.
Yet Bronson knew someone was out there, watching him.
He had to lead him away from Roger and Norma. As he picked up the backpack, his leg folded under him. “Shiiit.” He glared at the protruding root that had caused him to stumble. “Stupid root,” he said aloud. “Look what you’ve done. I can barely walk. Shiiit.” He reached for the tree to steady him. He took deep breaths.
Bronson spotted a three foot branch that had fallen not far from where he stood. Huffing and puffing, he stretched and reached the branch. He tested it for strength. Since it held his weight, he used it as one would a crutch.