by Anne, Melody
Phoenix wasn’t expected to answer. She climbed from her cozy bed and quickly bundled up in her warmest clothes then trudged behind Sadie to the kitchen. They arrived before most of the other people and were quickly served breakfast. There wasn’t anything else to do since they’d packed the night before.
It didn’t take long for the rest of their group to join them. And for once, they had a pretty quiet breakfast, something Phoenix would prefer every morning. She couldn’t understand how anyone could be a morning person. Yuck.
They were itching to go so they took their plates to the counter and walked away from the dining hall as most of their camp wandered in, starting their normal daily duties.
“Are you ready for this?” Jayden asked as they made their way toward the car cavern.
“More than ready. I think I’m going to enjoy wrapping my arms around you for hours every day,” she said with a flirtatious smile. Jayden’s grin widened and she saw the hitch in his step. They both thought back to the other night. Phoenix’s stomach tightened with longing.
“It would be more pleasant if it were just you and me,” he growled, then leaned down and quickly kissed her. The short kiss sent a surge of awareness through her, and she found herself wishing the same thing. She knew Jayden wouldn’t try to push her into anything she didn’t want to do, or wasn’t ready for, but she loved how he made her feel. It was euphoric. She wanted to rush forward with their relationship, but luckily he reminded her of who she was because he didn’t want her to have any regrets. He was on his best behavior. She grinned to herself thinking of ways to torment him while on the back of the ATV. She could barely recognize the girl she was turning into — a woman with confidence and sassiness. She liked it.
She clung to his large hand as the group continued down the long hall. Soon, they were in the cavern and everyone piled on their ATVs. Only two soldiers were going with them, but they each rode alone and had enough weapons to start a small war. Phoenix shuddered, hoping they wouldn’t have to use any of them.
She shook off the thought and rebuked further negativity. She imagined she was like any other normal teenager, and they were nothing more than a group of friends going on an adventure. Thinking of what was really out there took away all pleasure, and as she climbed behind Jayden and wrapped her arms around him, she wanted only good thoughts to enter her mind.
“Gosh, Phoenix, do you have to hang all over him?” John grumbled as he climbed on his own ATV and glared at Jayden. She heard Jayden chuckle, which caused John to shoot daggers from his eyes. Phoenix rolled her eyes as Cassidy climbed behind John and wrapped her arms around him, making his face go all soft.
“Leave them be, John,” Cassidy said. She leaned forward and kissed him on the neck and Phoenix suppressed a laugh as she watched her tough brother sigh. Hypocrite, Phoenix thought.
Sadie was thrilled because John was so busy watching Phoenix, he paid her no mind. She got comfortable behind Brian and thought she could stay just like that the entire trip. She, too, decided to only think of the ride as one big adventure.
The ATVs were modified so they weren’t nearly as loud as most off-road vehicles, which was good, because as long as they weren’t going too fast they could all talk, at least where the roads allowed them to ride side by side. For extra caution, in case they got separated, they all wore earpieces as well.
Phoenix watched the scenery fly past her. It was a warm morning and as the sun crested over the mountain, she enjoyed the beautiful sunrise. They passed through different terrains, from densely wooded areas to wide open fields. She was delighted to spot a herd of deer wandering peacefully through the tall grass and wildflowers.
She knew the boys must’ve been itching to hunt, but they continued on and she watched as the deer’s white tails disappeared. There were several good picking spots beyond the perimeter Phoenix had never been allowed to go to, and she wanted to stop and pluck berries, but they were on a schedule and could only stop at designated times. Otherwise, they’d end up having to camp in an unsafe area.
They only had to camp one night in the wooded hills, and Phoenix was disappointed about that. She’d never camped in a tent before. Some of her favorite books had adventures of camping in the woods, with friends telling stories by the fire all night. She knew her life was kind of like one big camping trip, but it was different being out with her friends and actually sleeping in a tent.
She knew she wouldn’t like it so much if she were forced to live in a tent permanently, but for that night it would be part of the adventure. The soldiers would be with them, adding another safety measure.
After riding on the bumpy quad for several hours, the adventure was less appealing. Phoenix and Sadie were both getting stiff and begged for a break when they approached a picturesque stream. It would be great to wash some of the dirt off their faces and out of their hair. The men grumbled but they caved in and stopped.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Sadie said as she rained kisses all over Brian’s dirty face.
“If I would’ve known I’d get that reaction, we would’ve stopped an hour ago,” he said with a laugh.
“If I would’ve known all it would take was a few kisses to get you guys to stop for a break, I would’ve started kissing you sooner,” Phoenix chimed in with a giggle, which was cut off when Jayden kissed her long enough for John to grumble some more.
Sadie and Phoenix jumped from the quads and rushed to the water, both of them dropping to their knees and sticking their hands in the frigid stream. It was icy cold and completely refreshing. They guzzled down handfuls before washing their face and arms. Once they got brave enough, they helped each other dip down and rinse their hair out.
By the time they were done, both of them were shivering, but it was well worth it. The rest of the group joined them and copied what they were doing. Soon they all had renewed energy and were ready for a meal before they started on the trail again.
The soldiers had already scaled the trees, done a perimeter search, and assured the group they were safe. No one saw Cassidy wink at Jayden. They wouldn’t have stopped had the area not been secure. They weren’t taking any chances with the ones they loved.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” Cassidy said, before turning from the group.
“Don’t go far,” John told her, and Cassidy rolled her eyes before turning to jog behind some trees.
Jayden and John both knew she was really scouting ahead, much farther than the soldiers could see. She wouldn’t be gone long enough to arouse suspicion, and Jayden would know if they needed to change course. She came back and only Jayden saw her nod that all was clear. He relaxed.
They ate lunch, and too soon it was time to start on the way once again. Phoenix and Sadie both grumbled. They were being good sports but it was nice to stretch their legs.
“I need to use the woods for a moment,” Phoenix said. Jayden looked like he was going to say no, until she raised her eyebrows at him. He nodded his okay, and now it was Phoenix’s turn to roll her eyes.
“I’m going with you,” Sadie told her. The girls slowly started walking toward the trees.
“Don’t go far,” John called. They didn’t turn around, just waived their hands at the overprotective boys.
“I love them all to pieces but you’d think we were five,” Sadie grumbled. They walked far enough away that they could have privacy then separated behind some trees. Phoenix walked a bit farther, then heard shuffling in the bushes. She looked toward the area nervously. She didn’t hear anything else, so she quickly did her business and got up to find Sadie.
“Where are you?” Phoenix called.
“Over here,” Sadie answered. She’d gone farther than Phoenix expected. Phoenix headed toward her when she heard the bushes rustle again. She turned and spotted a bear cub about twenty yards away. She smiled, relieved, as the little cub tumbled into the water playfully.
As if the cub finally caught on that someone was watchi
ng him, he looked up. He glanced in her direction for a moment before he turned back to what he was doing. It looked like he was unsuccessfully trying to catch a fish. She let out a quiet giggle and turned to find Sadie. She opened her mouth to call out again then froze in terror.
Phoenix couldn’t move — she didn’t know if she should try to run, scream, or climb a tree. She heard Sadie in the distance, heading in her direction, and that snapped her out of the trance. She couldn’t let anything happen to Sadie.
“Sadie, run to the others, now!” Phoenix shouted. She didn’t have time to be frozen in fear anymore. She took off running through the woods as fast as she could. She heard the thrashing of bushes behind her and wanted to fall apart, but knew she couldn’t. John would never forgive her if she didn’t fight for her life.
“Phoenix!” she heard Sadie cry out, but she was relieved to hear Sadie was still a distance away. She could tell by her voice that she’d listened and was running toward the boys.
“Keep running, Sadie!” Phoenix yelled. She could hear the brush breaking and could practically feel the hot breath on the back of her neck. Her leg muscles were screaming from her sprint. Her lungs were on fire, and she could barely gasp oxygen into them.
She saw the field ahead. Only about twenty yards to go. She would’ve laughed, thinking the distance had seemed so close when she’d turned and seen the large bear about the same distance from her. But those twenty yards may as well have been a mile. She was running out of time. If she could break through the last of the trees, into the clearing, the boys would see her. They’d be able to save her.
With an effort she didn’t think she had left in her, she put every bit of strength she had into picking up speed. The gap closed in what seemed like slow motion and then she felt the sun on her face as she broke through the trees.
She saw the boys turn and their eyes widen in horror as she ran through the trees. John grabbed his gun and pointed it over her head, his finger pressed against the trigger. His eyes darted around her.
“Where’s Sadie?” he shouted. Jayden was moving toward her, she was so close . . .
Phoenix couldn’t speak to let John know Sadie would be coming out at her left. Sadie must’ve broken through the clearing, though, alerting John to where she was, because his finger pressed on the trigger and the gun exploded just as Jayden reached her side and grabbed her in his arms.
He ran toward Sadie, with Phoenix grasped against his chest. He swung Sadie up against his back and she flung her arms around his neck. Without losing his breath, he ran back to the group.
They stopped and turned toward the woods. The bear was at the edge. The shot John had fired over her head startled the bear and she turned and retreated into the woods.
“What happened?” Brian asked, quickly grabbing Sadie from Jayden’s back. Everyone was staring at them, but neither Phoenix nor Sadie had caught their breaths enough to speak. They were both trying to get oxygen back in their burning lungs.
Someone handed them each a canteen and they greedily gulped the water between gasps for air. Sadie was the first to recover her voice.
“I don’t know what happened. I was heading back toward Phoenix when she yelled out to run. I didn’t take time to argue. I did what she told me to do. I heard her heading toward the clearing, so I knew it was safest to run parallel to her and I’d find out what was wrong once we were free from the woods,” Sadie said. She was wrapped in Brian’s arms, her body shaking, mostly from the fear of not knowing what was after them.
“I’m okay now, Jayden. You’re squeezing me too tight,” Phoenix gasped. His arms were locked around her, his hands rubbing up and down her back.
“Sorry,” he said and loosened his grip, but he refused to let her go.
“I was going to find Sadie and spotted a bear cub in the creek. I turned and saw his mom not too far from me. I was between a mother and her cub and I knew she’d rip me apart, trying to keep her baby safe,” Phoenix explained with wide eyes.
Everyone nodded. They all knew the danger of coming between a mother bear and her cub. The animal would see the person as a threat.
When Jayden had first seen Phoenix break through the bushes, a look of panic and fear on her face, he’d thought soldiers had somehow gotten through. He didn’t see how it was possible without him knowing. He’d been focusing so hard on men being in the woods, he hadn’t thought of the danger of animals. He shouldn’t have allowed her to go so close to harm. He was furious with himself.
“It’s not your fault,” Phoenix whispered, pulling her head back so she could look in his eyes. He smiled at her, unsuccessfully trying to hide his inner turmoil. She knew him well, and knew he was berating himself.
“How did you reach them so quickly? You were at both girls before I could shake off the shock and move,” Brian asked. His eyes were rounded in shock, and he was shaking his head in confusion. Jayden hadn’t considered moving at human speed. His only thought had been to protect both Phoenix and Sadie.
“I don’t know, it must’ve been adrenaline,” Jayden said. “You know, people being able to lift cars and all of that,” he finished, hoping Brian would buy into it.
“Yeah, that stuff’s freaky,” John piped in, having Jayden’s back.
“I don’t know . . .” Brian said, but he let the subject drop. He was just relieved both girls were safe.
“We need to leave if we’re going to make it to our camping area,” Cassidy said. Everyone started moving at once, loading the ATVs and quickly heading out. They wanted to get as far from the bears as possible. The peaceful serenity of nature had shattered.
They’d lived among the animals long enough to know better than to get complacent. But sometimes you were on guard so long that you forgot. Phoenix certainly had. However today had been a reminder to never let her guard down.
Her hope was that someday they wouldn’t have to be on such a short leash, they wouldn’t have to always be afraid. Of course, now that she knew more, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be in that place again — not even when the war ended.
All she could do was clutch Jayden as they drove off, be grateful she was safe for now, and know her friends and loved ones were also protected. If she thought of all the evil, she couldn’t breathe. If she reminded herself of the good, she had hope for a better tomorrow.
Chapter Nine
Phoenix’s stomach clenched as they approached the home of the other survivors. She didn’t know what kind of reaction they were going to receive from the refugees, and she became increasingly anxious as they stepped closer to the entrance of their cave.
They’d left the ATVs with the soldiers about a mile down the road, not wanting to startle the group with a crowd of people on vehicles. It was nerve-racking, waiting to see if someone was going to jump out at them. Phoenix hoped they didn’t shoot first and ask questions later.
“They have poor security in place. It’s a wonder they haven’t been captured already,” Brian said as he looked around. The entrance wasn’t concealed well and they were able to sneak up on it easily.
“I don’t understand it myself. It makes me appreciate the security we have. It’s a good thing Phoenix and Sadie have flirted so well with our guards or they never would’ve been able to sneak in and out of our own cave,” John said with a pointed look at both girls. Both Phoenix and Sadie blushed and turned away. They hadn’t known he was aware of their extra escapades. Guess the guards weren’t keeping their secret like they’d thought.
“I’m going to talk to Ryan. He promised not to rat us out,” Sadie grumbled.
“He’s just doing his job, Sadie. Don’t be hard on him. If he didn’t report you, it could mean danger for both you and the cave. Just be grateful he was telling me and not my dad, or you girls would’ve been grounded from getting anywhere near the entrance to the cave,” John told her.
The girls had thought they were so sneaky, bribing their head guard and sneaking about, when John had known t
he entire time. It deflated their pride a fraction. The moment managed to break their mounting tension, which was a good thing.
“It’s now or never, guys. Let’s go inside,” John said. The tenseness in his voice didn’t help anyone’s nerves.
“Sadie, Phoenix, Cassidy, you walk behind,” Jayden said. He and John took the lead, with Brian behind them, and the girls last. Cassidy grumbled but the boys ignored her. Phoenix and Sadie were happy to be in the rear of the group, though they did worry about the guys.
“It’ll be fine. They’re survivors like us. I don’t know why I’m so nervous all of a sudden,” Sadie whispered. Phoenix could barely hear her over the loud drumming of her heart.
“I know. We’re so used to our place that anything different is scary. They know we’re coming, but I’m afraid they won’t realize it’s us and start shooting the second we turn a corner,” Phoenix answered, equally quiet.
John and Jayden carried homemade torches, which wouldn’t last long, and Phoenix hoped they found the group soon or they’d be plunged into darkness. There weren’t any solar lights in the cave and Phoenix had a strong urge to turn around and bolt. She didn’t want to be there anymore.
“I hear some noise. I think we’re getting close,” John said. His voice sounded more relaxed.
“Hello? We’re from the camp you were told about. We don’t have any weapons on us. We’re just here to talk to you,” Jayden called out, his voice thundering off the walls. Sadie’s nails dug into Phoenix’s arm and both girls nearly jumped high enough to hit their heads on the low ceiling of the tunnel. Cassidy was as calm as ever, which helped ease the girls’ tension.
“We’re fine,” Cassidy tried reassuring them. They came around a bend into a large cavern, not as big as their main meeting area, but a decent size. They had a fire going, and the room was a bit smoky. The cave didn’t seem as well ventilated as their own.