by Maira Dawn
Dylan put a hand to her chin and tipped Skye's face to his. He ran a finger down her hair, pushing it out of her face. "It's okay, Skye. You don't have to tell me."
"I do. I want you to know."
"Okay, then."
Her throat tightened. "It went on that way for a while, but I guess, one day I decided I'd been punished enough. Because, for the first time, I blocked him when he tried to hit me. Unfortunately, that was also a day that he was particularly wasted. He got angry, irate. That day I was on the floor."
Dylan's jaw clenched.
"When he left, I packed up my stuff and moved out. I never looked back."
"So, with my background, you're worried."
"Honestly, yes, at first. Odds are, it would be a problem. But now I know you would fight anyone, including yourself, to keep me from harm." Skye shook her head, causing her hair to fall back over her face. "No, I learned back then how I could be. I was so overwhelmingly depressed, weighed down with guilt. I made horrible decisions. I haven't trusted myself since. You deserve someone ready for a relationship, and I wanted to make sure that I was."
Dylan pushed Skye's hair back and peered at her. "You are. You're the most stable person I know."
Skye gave a wobbly smile. "I don't know about that, but I'm a different person. All that horribleness changed my life. It made me better. That's when I decided I wanted to help people. I changed from a self-absorbed, fashion diva into a responsible, considerate adult. It took a lot of work. You would not have liked that other Skye, not one bit."
"I would've," Dylan insisted.
"No," Skye laughed, "that first day? I know you now, you would have jumped in your truck and happily left her on the side of the road, instead of giving her a home."
He gave her a blank look. "What do ya mean?"
"You gave us a home, Dylan."
He scoffed. "I didn't do nothin."
Skye beamed at him. He was so completely unaware of what he'd done. "Dylan, it was you who gave me something I didn’t thing I would ever have again. I was so scared, so unsure of everything. You gave us a home. You were to one who decided to help me with Jesse that day. You brought us here and took care of us, are still teaching us what we need to know. You gave us warmth and comfort in this cold, harsh world. You made us a family."
It shook Dylan. He just did what he thought he should do, what needed done. He hadn't realized what it really meant. That all along, he'd been making the very thing he'd been yearning for -- his own family.
Dylan looked down at Skye's smiling face with a new understanding of himself. His chest warmed as she said the words he had been waiting for.
"You have been my salvation, in so many ways. You made this family, Dylan, and you made us. You and me. However far you want to take us is up to you."
A slow grin lightened Dylan's face, but his voice became deep and raspy. "Let me show you how far I want to take us, darlin’.”
Dylan released Skye's hands and wrapped his arms around her. He drew her tight, holding her as if he was afraid to ever let go. Dylan's heart felt as if it would burst, but it was somehow a wonderful feeling.
Any remaining doubt faded as Skye's answering embrace reassured him that she meant every word she said.
Raising a hand to the back of her neck, Dylan pulled away, releasing her enough to peer deep into Skye's green eyes and gauge her reaction to his words. Love is what Dylan saw there, love and acceptance. Everything he had ever wanted. He slowly lowered his lips to hers, savoring every second of the journey.
And he thought, finally.
Twenty-Four
Tomorrow It Is
When Dylan and a slightly rosy Skye came back into the cabin, they got a thumbs up from Wade and a suspicious look from Jesse, but the awkwardness was short-lived. Wade was on the radio with Tom.
Skye rushed to the radio and pushed the button. "Tom, when are you two coming up here to stay?"
"I'm working on things, but there are people who need us here too. It's hard to know when we can get away."
"Bring them too, there are places for everyone. At least come for the winter. It will be safer." Skye listed all the reasons life on the mountain was better. She ended with, "And I miss you both!"
Tom laughed. Skye's list was quite lengthy, but she had some excellent points. "We miss you too. I'll talk to the others and see what they think about it."
Skye's shoulder slumped when they said their goodbyes. Tom hadn't committed to anything once again.
She sighed and picked up the shopping list she'd started earlier. It was getting longer and longer. She dropped into a seat at the kitchen table where the other sat.
Skye's brows knitted. When would Tom come up here? Colton seemed so much more dangerous than the mountain. She doodled along the edge of the paper as she worried. She squared her shoulders, worrying would do no good. Paper. They needed more paper. After writing it on the list, she looked over the plain white tablet. Skye added a hyphen and pretty. Pretty paper.
Skye glanced at Dylan and Wade as they discussed the route to the superstore the next day. What category would pretty paper fall in?
They divided the list into three categories. Most Important, Somewhat Important, and It Would Be Nice to Have. Wade and Dylan had been content with the first two. It was Skye and Jesse who wanted the third when they saw how sparse the men's anticipated needs were. And the fact that many of Skye and Jesse's requests were met with frowns.
Since the men were adamant about what went onto the first two categories, the third became a happy free-for-all for Skye and Jesse. As long as they ignored the scoffs and eye rolls directed their way. Jesse immediately named the toys and candies he dreamed about, while Skye added beauty regimen products she missed and desperately needed.
Wade and Dylan, so used to frugal living, felt even razors a complete luxury. When Skye added them to the Somewhat Important category, they objected.
"There ain't no way razors are that important. Move 'em to the Nice to Have," Wade insisted.
Skye disagreed. "They belong in Somewhat Important. I'm not saying to risk our lives for them. But if we can look for them, I say we get them."
“No, they ain't worth the trouble. I want to get in and out. A little hair never hurt anyone," Dylan said.
"Okay." Skye shook her head and pointed the two men. "Well, just remember that when I'm as bristly as the two of you." She erased razors from the list, moving it to the third column.
Dylan rubbed a hand over his somewhat hairy arm. He exchanged a look with Wade, who shrugged.
Dylan glanced at Skye with a smirk. "Keep it where it is."
Skye giggled. "Thought so."
Jesse leaned over Sky's shoulder. "Just remember my car kits."
Things on the Most Important list boiled down to gas, medicines, toilet paper, personal items, soaps, a few food staples, and first aid supplies. Along the way, they would check cars for gas. If they were fortunate, they would go past a filling station that still had fuel.
Tom had suggested they check out a superstore close to Fenton. Last he knew, there had been plenty of supplies left there. Tom warned, though, no one from his group had been there in the past month. It was possible another community came and cleared the store out.
Wade and Dylan didn't like going that far with Skye and Jesse coming along, but the superstore seemed the most likely place, and they needed everyone's help.
"I'm thinkin we should take all three vehicles and really load up," Wade said, "If we get more than we can use, we can always pass some items on to the others up here."
"We can get another car, and I can drive!" Jesse eagerly volunteered, his eyes lighting up at the thought of practicing his driving skills.
Skye rejected his plan. "You can drive some but not alone."
Jesse's whole body sagged. "Aw, you are no fun!"
"Actually, that you drive at all makes us very fun." Skye gently pinched Jesse's cheek as he rolled his eyes.
"I would rather you t
wo stayed here or at Tom's," Dylan said, "but Wade's right. The more we get in one trip, the better."
"So when do we go?" Skye asked.
"According to the Farmer's Almanac, the weather is clear tomorrow," Wade said.
Dylan nodded. "Well then, if the morning breaks fine, tomorrow it is."
The sun rose the next morning lending a molten-yellow glow to the tree-covered mountain. Skye peeked out the bathroom window as she slipped on her jeans and t-shirt. With a nervous smile, she grabbed a hoodie and tied up her hair. It was exciting to see what the rest of the world was like. But Skye tried to temper the feeling. It could also be dangerous, and she would have to keep a sharp eye out.
Wade and Dylan got in their trucks. Skye climbed into her Jeep, Jesse beside her in the passenger's seat. She peered over at Dylan in his black pickup and sent him a warm smile. He winked back. Skye's arms felt empty. I should've hugged him before we left. He probably wouldn't think to do it. It's something I need to remember to do, especially on a day like this.
The drive down the curved roads was beautiful each turn offered a new view of the forest and mountains. Dappled light raced across the Jeep's windshield. Skye squinted at the green valley below. This might be the last time down the hill until spring, so she soaked it all in. "Pretty, huh?"
"Yeah." Jesse lowered the window, letting the crisp wind tousel their hair. A hawk swooped in front of them letting out a sharp call as if he scolded them for trespassing.
Skye glanced at Jesse as he tipped his head back onto the seat and inhaled the earthy aroma. The boy loved the forest. It was something he often talked about even when he was still with his dad. There was something it did for him, something deep inside. He couldn't name it, but it made him feel good even when things were bad.
The forest thinned as they neared Colton. Skye and Jesse eagerly scanned the town. It seemed quiet, like any other sleepy little village.
Until the spate of gunfire shattered the silence.
Twenty-Five
If You Stay
Dylan tensed at the sound of gunfire. When Skye slowed her Jeep, he raced up and around her, tires squealing. Dylan rolled down his window. “Get back up the mountain! Get back up that mountain now!"
Skye lowered her window, her finger white and numb as she mashed the button. "Dylan, they might need our help!"
"Wade and I will go. You go on up there now!"
"No! Dylan, I can help! We can help. I'm not leaving you down here!"
"Skye darlin, don't fight me on this. You need to get that boy up the mountain."
Several emotions crossed her face, but he won the battle the minute he mentioned Jesse. She would always keep the boy safe.
"Dylan." Skye weighted his name with her passionate plea for him to be careful, to come back to her. "I love you."
Dylan's gaze locked on hers. He swallowed a few times so he could say something, anything over the lump in his throat.
A soft smile covered her pink lips, and her eyes softened. "I know." She made a U-turn and headed back the way they came.
A warmth spread over Dylan's chest as he watched Skye drive to safety. Then he chuckled. Jesse's mouth had dropped open, and his eyes gone wide at Skye's words. This was all as new to the boy as it was to him.
Another spate of gunfire grabbed Dylan's attention. He turned right on the first street he came to and searched the yards. Wade followed him in the red truck. Once Dylan found what he was looking for, he spun into a driveway. He jumped out of his vehicle and ran to a tall tree. A white treehouse sat in it, a long rope ladder hanging from its mini hand-railed porch.
Wade was right on his heels. "Smart! Good thinkin, bro."
At the top, they scanned the neighborhood. "Looks like we're on the right side of this fight anyhow."
Dylan pointed out the far side of the small town where some men herded the Sick. Other men, he assumed Infected, shot towards townsfolk. The closer side of the battle was only a couple of streets from where Dylan and Wade stood in the treehouse. The people of Colton were fighting back.
"Looks like these Infected found out how to use the Sick to their advantage too," Wade said.
"Looks like." Dylan's heart sank. The numbers of the Infected were far more than the inhabitants of Colton. The odds weren't good.
"You see Tom?" Dylan scanned the fighters. "I got him. Well, let's go down and see if we can help out at this party."
"Now you’re talkin." Wade clapped his hands and rubbed them together.
Relief covered Tom's face when he spied them walking toward him, but his words didn't agree. "You should just turn around and head back up that mountain."
"Skye would kill us if we did that," Dylan said.
Tom tipped his head to the enemy. "They’re gonna kill you if you stay."
Dylan squared his shoulders. "So be it,"
"Enough of this talk," Wade said with a gleeful tone. "Let's crack some skulls!"
"Well, you two up our odds considerably. Having you here is like having another mini army."
"Are you done stroking our pride?" Wade pointed to the battle. "Whatcha got cooking?"
Tom raked his fingers through his hair. "We're barely treading water here. We need to keep them from getting any further into town. They've already murdered two families on their way in before we could stop them. There were kids, and they just mowed them down like they were nothin."
Wade bowed his head and shook it. "Those Infected -- they don't care. Everything, everyone is nothin to them. My bet is they are just hellbent on destruction. Destroy this town and everyone in it."
"They’re dyin anyway. Dyin in battle is a quicker, easier way for them to go," Dylan added.
"Regardless," Tom said, "We've only got one plan. Stop them by any means necessary." He waved over a few of his men and began to outline his plan as the others continued to fight. "The sound of their bullets are driving the Sick our way. We need to take them down."
A couple of the men mumbled, uncomfortable with what needed to be done. Tom reassured them. "You are all deputized. Shoot them wherever you want as long as they stop moving. We have to stop them. Our family’s lives are at stake! Do what you need to do to survive. Defend your wives and children. Those Sick and Infected are out to murder you and your loved ones.”
The Colton fighters began to make headway in pushing the central column of the enemy back. The enemy fell, some unconscious or dead, some rolling in pain.
More than once, Dylan winced as his shot found a mark. His stomach twisted tighter with each hit. Even if they were the aggressors, it was difficult knowing he caused their pain or worse. Did trained soldiers feel this way, or was it drilled out of them?
The Infected had no problems shooting to kill, and Colton men went down. There was no choice. The enemy had no mercy for them, they could offer none in return.
Flames erupted at two of the houses on the far side of town. The Infected threw a torch into the third. Beside Dylan, Tom cursed under his breath. Would there be a town left by the time this battle was done?
A bullet zipped past Dylan. Close enough the air stirred as it passed. There was a wail of agony as the shot found a mark. Turning, Dylan saw a young father, rolling on the ground in pain. Someone ripped off the bottom of their shirt and pushed it to the bleeding wound. Dylan pressed his lips together a few times. It would be of little use, the man had little time left.
Dylan turned at Tom's bellow. While they were fighting the central column of Infected, a second band made their way around to Colton's side. The Infected moved toward the men's ranks, taking down those Tom stationed there.
They also cut off Tom's way back home, back to Tricia.
Tom gasped as he looked back at his house where he'd left his wife. "I thought she'd be safe there."
Dylan scanned the streets and yards. There had to be a way a few of them could get through the battle line to Tricia. But if there was, he didn't see it.
What Dylan did see was a sky-blue Jeep screech around the c
orner. It knocked Sick and Infected out of the way, as it raced to Tricia's house.
Dylan's heart stopped when Skye blared the horn and every one of their enemies turn to the sound.
Twenty-Six
A Chance
Skye had headed back up the mountain, against her own inclinations, and against the desperate pleas of Jesse.
"Enough, Jesse! Dylan's right, we need to keep you safe!"
"But Mom! What if we lose them?"
A knot formed in Skye's stomach. "What if I go back down there, and I lose all of you?"
"At some point, Mom, that's a chance you're gonna have to take."
"Not today." Even as Skye spoke, the car was slowing.
"Mom, the way things are goin, we're gonna have to take a stand or everything, and everyone is gonna be gone."
The knot twisted. "We can't be part of a battle. Neither of us know anything about that. We’d be more of a hazard than a help." Skye ran a hand down her face. "We'll find a place to watch, then maybe we'll see another way to help."
Skye and Jesse went further up the road until they found a little pull-off. From there, they could see the town and the battle below. Skye suddenly wished they couldn't see it. She spotted Dylan, saw the war raging around him, and felt sick. Skye covered her mouth to hold in the gasps and small sobs, especially when someone behind Dylan went down, writhing in agony. "Jesse, I can't watch this!"
"Mom, look!" Jesse pointed to two young children, their small forms bent, their blond heads huddled toward one another. They clutched hands as they ran down an evacuated outer street. The children zig-zagged from one side of the road to the other, looking for help.