“Well I’m glad you guys made it. C’mon I’ve got some stew on and we can warm up in there.” Andrew offered leading the way into the cabin.
All bustling inside, they filed the kids through the bath, ate and then Rae put James and Everlynn down for a sleep before the adults crowded around the fire that casted shadows over the wooden walls and floors. The cabin hadn’t changed much since she was a child, same photos of their hunting trip, same coat by the door, Dad’s armchair next to the fire, the rocking one on the opposite side that was hers, but John occupied at the moment. A beer skin rug protected them from the coldness of the floorboards and the thick curtains kept the heat of the fire inside. It was just as cosy and homey as she remembered. Leather couches and a red brick fireplace. Home…
She was interrupted from her thoughts when Nix nudged her, “You wanted to wait until we found your dad to tell us everything, Rae. Well, we found him, want to share what you know now?” Nix urged. Rae fidgeted nervously, it seemed so much more daunting with her dad there. She had just gotten him back; she didn’t want to bring up the past again, but she knew she had too.
“I suppose I should tell you what I know then you can tell us where to go from there, Dad.” She said looking at him, his face sobered from his bantering with John and he nodded, leaning forward. Rae clutched the coffee mug she held, her leg shaking as she wondered where to start. Nix placed his hand on her thigh, stilling her nerves. She gave him a sad smile, in thanks for trying to help but she was still nervous as hell. She didn’t want to lose him either.
“All those years ago when I said I left for university. I didn’t go. I lied.” She started hanging her head to look at her coffee, knowing Nix was going to have more questions. She took a deep breath, ready for it when her dad interrupted.
“I had a gambling debt to pay and they bargained with me, if I married off my daughter to their son, they’d clear the bill. I didn't know why they wanted her or that they would take her so far away from me but at the time I thought they were going to kill me, and my daughter getting married instead of that seemed logical. I was wrong, I know that now.” Andrew admitted. Rae continued for her dad as he clenched his jaw and looked away. She tried not to tremble, but her body shivered anyway, not because of the cold but because she was up to the part she didn’t want to go through. But she had to.
“I married the son, José. He was nice at the start and was determined to start a family as soon as possible, which at the time didn’t seem that strange for a newly married couple but then things changed. He got abusive. Every day I did something wrong, nothing was ever good enough, and then I fell pregnant.” She paused for the expected collective gasps. She swallowed hard, ignoring the shock on her dads and the hurt on Nix’s faces. “He never stopped the abuse, right up until the day I left him but something good came from it. I gave birth to the most beautiful son I could have asked for. His name was Jake and he became my life. I survived everything José did, for Jake. I made sure he saw nothing but smiles and was so smothered in love, he knew nothing of this ugly world. I never said anything because I was weak, I should have left him, but I didn’t know what repercussions that would have on dad or Jake. Even now, José is hunting me down. He followed us to the hotel, which is why I needed to leave so quickly, zombies aside. Anyway, it’s pretty much why I found it hard to be around James, they’re about the same age and it was destroying me. Every time he cried; I would remember Jake. I’m okay now, I’ve accepted that Jake isn’t with me, but things are complicated.” Rae sighed.
“Where is he?” Her dad whispered. Rae’s lip trembled.
“He didn’t make it and I’ll tell you about it. But you need to know the rest first.” Rae started “Dad, Mom is alive. She never died but I wish she had because it is her fault that you will never meet your grandson.” Rae revealed. Andrews fists clenched.
“Where is she? I’ll kill her myself.” He bit.
“She has been working with José in the Los Alamos lab in New Mexico creating this new human enhancement drug. It was meant to repair brain damage, and make humans use a higher percentage of their brain but the tests were wrong. The girl they thought the drug had worked on, has been coming to me in dreams, she is using her brain at a higher percentage that lets her use telepathy, but she is slowly disintegrating into the same creatures we see out there. The side effects didn’t happen to her as fast because her brain worked so slow at the start, it didn’t register as quickly but by the time it did, the drug was already live.” Rae paused to take a deep breath and she wasn’t sure whether everyone was stunned or just waiting for the next blow, either way, they waited silently for her to continue, “The day after the drug went live was the day José took Jake into work. I followed him and watched as him and my mother injected my son with the drug. Jake didn’t wake up.” Rae breathed, her voice shuddering at the end, her tears hot down her cheeks. She sniffled and walked over to the bags, grabbing out the briefcase with all the information in it. She held it out to her dad.
“This has everything else you need to know in it. You’ll need your VCR.” She said indicating towards the box tv on the stand that they had used to watch video tapes on. He grabbed it and nodded. She couldn’t watch it again and was about to leave when Nix slammed his coffee mug down on the table and stood. His face was harsh as he spun to her dad.
“You sold your daughter to a monster to clear a gambling debt? Are you kidding me?” He yelled at her dad. Rae shrunk back from the confrontation. “Every day I was at your place, cooking you food, asking how Rae was doing and you lied to my damn face every time. How could you do that? To her and to me?” Nix growled. He stormed from the room. Her dad got up to follow him, his face contorted in pain, but Rae stopped him, placing a hand on his chest.
“I’ll go.” She said. He hesitated then nodded and hugged her tightly.
“I’m sorry for everything, Rae. I really am.” He apologized by her ear. Rae swallowed back tears and nodded against his shoulder.
“I know Dad. I’ve had years to come to terms with everything, but Nix only just got it dumped on him, just give him time, he’ll come around okay?” She promised. Andrew nodded and kissed the top of her head before pulling away.
“Yeah, I know, Kiddo. I’ll see you in the morning okay. Go get some rest, John and I will take first watch. I love you.” Andy said. Rae smiled and nodded.
“Love you too, Dad.” She said then went to go find Nix.
She found him in the bathroom, turning the shower on, a scowl still scrunching up his features. Raelynn shut the door behind her, then leaned against it.
“You okay?” She asked since he hadn’t even acknowledged her presence yet. He finally did and shook his head.
“No.” He bit and despite her waiting to answer so he could elaborate, he didn’t. She moved forward and grabbed his arm to make him look at her.
“Nix, I’m sorry we never told you. I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but you knew I had secrets this whole time.” She tried. Her heart was beating fast and hard against her ribcage at the thought of him rejecting her after everything she had just told him. He had promised he would be there afterwards, but she knew it was a lot to take in and didn’t hold him to it, she just hoped like hell he could forgive her. He yanked his shirt over his body, then dumped his towel from the cabinet onto the chair by the bath then spun to her.
“You think I’m mad because you had secrets, or because of anything you just told me?” He questioned, stepping closer, so they could see each other through the steam that clouded around them, from the hot water of the shower.
“Why else would you be mad?”
“Because you thought that you couldn’t tell me. Either of you. Because I don’t get why you had to lie in the first place. I would have understood, maybe even been able to help. I don’t know, I just would have been able to be there for you. I would have moved to bloody New Mexico, lived right next door and been there for you anytime you needed me. I’m angry, Rae because I can�
�t stand the thought of you going through what you went through, alone.” He explained, his lip trembling before he stepped closer, grabbed the sides of her face and pressed his lips against hers in a rushed movement that took her breath away. Her eyes fluttered closed as she kissed back, moving her mouth with his in a fiery dance that set her body aflame. Rae wrapped her arms around his neck, as he grabbed her waist and lifted her onto the vanity, moving between her legs and running his hands up her. Rae pressed her body against him, fisting her hands full of his hair, sighing against his mouth. His lean body was stronger than she remembered, the usually hidden abs open for her fingers to run along. Nix reluctantly pulled back, his breath harsh mixing with hers as he rested his forehead on hers.
“You’re married.” He whispered, clenching his eyes shut. She wasn’t sure whether she could talk yet, her lips still swollen from his kisses, so she nodded.
“I still want you.” He breathed, still not moving from between her legs. Rae sat forward and grabbed the zipper on her jumper. She looked him in the eyes and undid it.
“I’m yours Nix. I always have been.” She admitted coyly, taking off her jumper then raising her arms above her head. He smirked and grabbed the hem of her shirt, lifting it from her body and chucking it on the floor. As soon as she was relieved of her shirt he moved back in, his lips taking hers with a new passion that she matched, holding him as close as she could, her legs locked around his narrow waist. The touch of his skin on hers had her stomach tensing, her lower body throbbing and she needed more of him. She reached for the button of his jeans undoing them with quick, impatient movements that he mirrored as he shook them off his body. He reached for the waistband of her leggings, pulling them from her legs as she lifted herself off the vanity so he could get them off her. Their bodies moved back together like magnets, snapping back to hold as much of each other as possible. The rest of their clothes became as forgotten as the outside world, as Nix moved them into the shower and pushed Rae against the wall. The hot water had her sighing, but it was the way he paid attention to her that had her biting into his shoulder. He knew what she needed as if she was whispering it in his ear. He was tender and caring, taking the time to make her feel the love he had for her. Her mind swam and her fingers scratched down his back, her body a storm of need and desire that she had never had before, a hurricane that she had no idea could exist inside of her. Nix kissed down her neck, his body fitting with hers like a puzzle piece and she lost herself with him, forgetting everything but being with him in the most intimate way she could give herself to someone.
The shower eventually went cold and they dragged themselves out, still unable to tear away from each other. Rae grabbed a towel, reaching back to the cabinet, feeling with her fingers so she didn’t have to turn away from Nix’s kisses. He grabbed his from the chair and once covered enough, Rae followed him across the hall, into the bedroom where they fell onto the bed entwined, refusing to let go until they succumbed to exhaustion tangled in the sheets and each other.
She was hoping she would get a much-needed, deep sleep but she knew that wasn’t going to happen when her mind started falling into a familiar black pit. She wasn’t worried this time though; she knew what it meant. Maria was back.
‘There’s something you need to see. It’s happening right now. My dad is really mad at your mom’
Maria whispered as Rae’s vision changed and she was seeing things from Maria’s perspective. It was her mother and Julian arguing in Katherine’s office at the lab.
“What the fuck is all this Kathrine? Zombies?! Exalt was never meant to start the fucking apocalypse! It fucking failed and it has my name all over it! All I wanted, was for my daughter to have a normal life and now neither of us can leave this godforsaken place! This was not what I signed up for and not what I paid for Katherine. Clean this up or you’re dead.” Julian screamed at her. Katherine stood with her head held high, refusing to cower under his harsh words. Maria however was trembling, something Rae could feel through their connection.
“I didn't mean for this to happen Julian. The drug was meant to be ready. Your daughter was our proof of that. How were we supposed to know your daughter’s reactions would be different because of her condition, which I might add, has improved hasn’t it? Her brain is still functioning at an extremely high percentage, is it not?” Katherine announced, pursing her lips. Julian surged forward at her words and wrapped his hand around her neck.
“Don't you dare bring my girl into this, yes you fixed her mentally but behind that mask, her skin is falling off, Katherine! The cream and the injections don't work anymore. I’d rather have her brain go back to normal than have her go through that. Either figure out how to get her back, or I will inject you with that damn drug.” Julian growled, grabbing one of the syringes on the desk and placing it at Katherine’s neck. Maria’s body moved forward to stop him, the motion making Rae dizzy since she wasn’t in control of it.
“Pa,” Maria started, and Julian turned to her, “Pa, it’s Rae.” She said, making Rae gasp. Why was Maria telling him she was there? Rae’s heart rate sped up. Had Maria tricked her after all? Another person she couldn’t trust? She tried to pull out of the nightmare, but Maria had a strong hold on her mind and forced her to stay.
‘Wait. He needs to know. You need to hear why they have been looking for you, why your husband has been looking for you’ Maria said to Rae, who froze. She watched warily on as Julian came forward to stare at Maria. But he wasn’t looking at Maria, he was looking through Maria so he could talk to Rae.
“Come to us at Los Alamos, Raelynn. You’re the only hope I have at bringing my girl back and stopping her from becoming one of those things out there. Your blood’s immune because of the injections Katherine took when she was pregnant, using it on the infected will counteract the effects. Bring me the cure that lies in your blood and I will annul your marriage to José. My nephew.” Julian vowed and with that promise, her mind was made up for her.
‘I’ll be there soon, Maria. Wait for me there, I’ll save both our lives’ Rae promised before Maria released her from the connection and Raelynn was thrown back through the black pit, into the deep sleep she had been hoping for.
When Rae woke the next morning, her body was stiff and sore, but she was ecstatically happy. She sat up slowly, rubbing her face with her hands. The bed next to her was empty and she was about to go find Nix when he came in carrying a coffee and breakfast. Sexiest sight ever. She smiled at him, wrapping the sheet around her chest and propping herself so she could take her breakfast.
“Breakfast in bed? How are you so perfect?” She teased. He chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.
“I try.” He smirked running a hand through his shoulder length hair. “So, I apologized to your dad. We talked it out this morning, we’re good. Except he did try to shoot me when he found our clothes on the bathroom floor, but John came through on his word and didn’t let him. Now we have an understanding.” He smiled. Rae chuckled before sipping her coffee. She sighed at the hot drink sliding down her throat then looked Nix in the eye, her mind still taken by her vision.
“I have an understanding too. I had another one of those visions I was telling you about.” Rae revealed, putting her coffee aside and biting into a piece of toast. Nix’s eyebrows shot up.
“And?” He prompted.
“And I need you to go watch the video in my file while I eat my breakfast, then I’ll tell you what I found out.” She ordered. Nix looked like he wanted to argue but instead nodded and left her to eat. She finished her breakfast then got up, showered and dressed before going through to the living area, where the fire was glowing, and the kids were playing. Kenji, Jen, John, Nix and her dad were all sitting down around the room, talking quietly. She walked in and everyone went silent, looking up to her expectantly. Everlynn ran up to her and hugged her. Raelynn hugged her back then bent down to her.
“Morning sweetie. Listen I have some grown up stuff to talk about, do you reckon you’d want
to go and get my old colouring pencils and book from the draw in the room you slept in, while we figure out what we’re doing next?” Rae said. Everlynn’s eyes widened and she nodded eagerly, running off to find the items. Rae stood with a sigh then walked over to the group and filled them in on what had happened with Maria.
“So, it turns out, there is a cure. My blood.” Rae said before launching into her explanation. By the time she had finished recounting what had happened, everyone’s jaws and eyes were wide. Her dad was the first one to shake his head back to reality. He ran a hand through his shaggy dark brown hair.
“I have a plan and Rae; I don’t think you’re going to like it.” Andrew said standing up.
“What’s the plan?” Rae questioned warily.
“I can’t really tell you without showing you something first.” He admitted with a blush on his cheeks. Her dad didn’t blush. What was going on?
“Show me what?” Rae demanded, her stomach turning and not in a good way. She followed her dad’s lead outside and down the porch steps. The others followed, Jen picking up James on the way out. Rae could barely hold back her tongue, she didn’t like surprises and her dad must have one hell of a surprise up his sleeve if he wasn’t even willing to tell her about it. He led them over to the treeline, then indicated to the bushes. Rae couldn’t have been more stunned if damn Santa had walked through those bushes because who it was had her reaching for her gun, clicking off the safety and her finger on the trigger within seconds.
“Everyone, this is Louis.” Andrew revealed. Rae aimed the barrel at his head.
Chapter Thirteen
Andrew moved to stand between Louis and Rae, which had her clenching her jaw.
“Dad. Move.” She bit. Andrew put his hand out in front of him to stop her as the others moved back.
“Rae, he’s here to help. Let me explain.” He pleaded. Rae didn’t want an explanation, she wanted Louis dead. She shook her head.
Survival Instincts (Book 1): Sacrifice Page 15