Survive The Fall | Book 2 | Madness Rising

by Shupert, Derek

  Sarah couldn’t agree more. She had seen the lengths people would go to when the shit hits the fan. The dip in morality wasn’t a gradual slope, but more of a drop from a steep cliff. The good she had come across paled in comparison. “I’ve seen my fair share of that scum. That’s for sure. They’ve crawled from the sewers and taken advantage of what’s happening. Probably why it’s so dangerous out here right now.” She shifted her weight in the seat as she tugged on her seat belt. The Glock nestled in her waistband bit into her stomach which added to her discomfort.

  David cut his eyes to the firearm, then up to Sarah’s face as she pulled it free of her trousers. “Is that why you’re packing the Glock? I didn’t think you got your LTC?”

  Sarah glanced at the weapon, then set it in the seat next to her. “I got it sometime back. I could have sworn I told you. Anyway, it’s normally left at the house, but I took it with me yesterday when I was on my way to meet Mandy. I thought I saw Spencer outside my place the other night. It put me on edge.”

  David rolled his eyes as he hooked a left at the intersection. “That nut bag is still bothering you? I thought the restraining order you got was working?”

  Sarah shrugged. “I thought it was too, but it doesn’t seem like it is. Actually, it feels like he’s been following me. I’ve been catching glimpses of him here and there. I don’t know. It could be the texts he’s been sending me, which are disgusting at best, that have me on guard. I was going to come to the station after I hooked up with Mandy to speak with you about it.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” David asked. “Does Russell know what’s going on with that creep?”

  “Because I was planning to stop by and speak with you about it in person.” Sarah paused for a moment, then continued, “Russell knows some about what has been going on, but I haven’t told him everything. Just that I was handling it. Now that I think about it, I was kind of mean to him when we spoke. Haven’t heard from him since. Then again, I’m not sure how I would seeing that there’s no cell signal.”

  Static hissed from David’s radio as chatter bled through the white noise within the speaker. “You know he’s still in love with you, right?”

  Sarah tilted her head, feeling much the same way about him, but she was scared of falling back into the same old routine that drove them apart. “I do. At the end of the day, I just want him to try. To get help to kick the alcohol and for him to talk to someone about how he’s feeling.”

  “I’ve been busting his balls about it. When we spoke last, he seemed to be getting it. I think it’s helped that he’s been staying with Tim. I know Tim’s been harping on him as well.”

  Sarah offered David a warm smile as she nodded.

  “I’m just going to say that I think with all this craziness going on, and with that creep still bothering you, might be a good idea for you to have Russell come over to your place and stay. Just for protection and such.”

  “Even if I wanted to do that, he’s out of town as far as I know, and won’t be back until tomorrow sometime, if then. With all of the craziness going on, it’s hard to say if he will. I don’t know where he went or if he’s even ok,” Sarah said. “Just get me to Mandy’s, and I’ll be fine.”

  David cringed at the thought. “Are you sure that’s the best place to be? Isn’t she the one who knew that Spencer guy in the first place?”

  “Yeah, but she didn’t know he was going to turn out to be a psycho.” Sarah respected and thought the world of David. He was a great guy, and she knew he was only concerned for her well-being. “Mandy’s place will be fine. That’s where I want to be right now.”

  A deep baritone voice barked over the radio. “Unit 2579, what’s your status, over?”

  David retrieved the receiver without hesitation and responded, “Heading back now as we speak. Just passed Mulberry and Jones.”

  “How are you fixed for fuel?” the gruff voice asked. “We’ve got a few units stranded. Their cruisers ran out of gas.”

  “I’m sitting on less than a fourth of a tank.” The signal distorted, fragmenting the stressed voice on the other end. “Sir, you there? Say your last, over.”

  Static hissed from the receiver as David attached it on the main unit.

  “Doesn’t sound like those two-way radios are working too well,” Sarah said.

  David eyed the gas gauge while flitting his gaze up the street. He drove around the parked cars that sat in their way as he mumbled under his breath. “Here’s the plan. I’ll drop you off at Mandy’s, although, I’m still not keen about, if you humor me and at least let me check things out to make sure it’s safe. If I decide it’s not, then the both of you come back to the station with me, all right?”

  Sarah was strong willed, but she was also not blind to the dangers that lurked around every corner. Thus far, she had managed to take care of herself, but she was glad to get help. She might be stubborn, but she wasn’t stupid.

  “Just because it’s you, I’ll go along with it.” She smirked at David who sneered in return.

  “I’m glad you are. The next time I see Russell, I’ll have to tell him that you broke down and agreed with me.”

  “You just had to ruin it, didn’t you?” Sarah asked with a warm smile.

  David chuckled as they turned down Ricketts Street. Mandy’s apartment building wasn’t much farther which made Sarah relieved. Being so cut off from her family and close friends didn’t set well with her. She needed to know that they were safe and out of harm’s way.

  Sarah noticed a manila file folder wedged in the seat between David and the center console. Jess was scribbled on the tab. “You carry her file around with you?”

  David glanced down at the folder, then said, “Yeah. I look it over on my breaks or when I’m following up on a lead.”

  “Mind if I have a look?” Sarah asked, pointing at the worn folder.

  David rubbed his chin, then looked at Sarah. “A quick look, then you give it right back, all right?”

  “I got it.” Sarah took the file and opened it up.

  A photo of a man’s arm was clipped to the back. She studied the tattoo, bringing it closer. It looked similar to the one on the man Rick had taken down. Instead of the loops being a dark black, they were tinted with a light green.

  Sarah committed the green tinted tattoo to memory and closed the file. She stuffed the folder back between the seat.

  David leaned forward in his seat, staring out of the windshield. They rolled past a cruiser parked in the middle of the street. The driver’s side door was open, but nobody was present. The vehicle looked to be dead, powerless with no flashing lights or other markers to say otherwise. It didn’t appear to have been ransacked, yet. Though, it could just be a matter of time.

  “That Glock of yours is good to go, right?” David asked with a serious tone.

  Sarah watched the cruiser as they continued on down the street, then said, “It’s out. I’ve had to use it.”

  “What kind is it again?”

  “A Glock 43. Don’t you remember? You recommended it to me.”

  “Damn it,” David said. “My police issued sidearm is a Glock 22. My magazines won’t work with yours.”

  “Could you just give me a magazine like that if it did?” Sarah asked as she grabbed her piece from the seat.

  “Yes, but I’d probably get in trouble. Not probably. I would.”

  “I had an extra magazine in my purse, but not sure what happened to it.” Sarah placed her purse in her lap and opened the top. She sifted through the contents stuffed inside until she found the extra ammo at the bottom of the bag. “Never mind. I’ve got one right here. Guess I need to clean out my purse sometime.”

  “Good. If you do stay at Mandy’s, that’ll make me feel a bit better,” David said.

  “Are you not going to ask me why I had to use it?” Sarah really didn’t want to dive into everything that had happened right then, but seeing that David was a cop and all, she figured he’d at least inquire about it.


  “Not the time or place, but we will.”

  Sarah ejected the spent magazine and slapped in the fresh one with ease.

  “Looks like you’ve grown comfortable with it,” David said. “I remember how you were when we first went over the basics. You were a bit hesitant and timid even.”

  Sarah cycled a round, then set the Glock back on the seat. “A lot has changed over the past year. I’m not the same woman I was.”

  “I don’t think any of us are who we once were,” he added.

  David pulled close to the curb of Mandy’s building, then killed the engine. He removed the keys from the ignition and shoved them into his pocket.

  The radio hissed, but no voices sifted through the white noise that loomed from the speaker of the unit.

  “All right. Remember our deal?” David asked as he skimmed over the area around the brick building they were parked in front of.

  “Yeah, I do.” Sarah stuffed the Glock in the front of her trousers as David slung open his door. He stepped out of the cruiser and onto the sidewalk. Sarah followed suit and stood on the street.

  His hand rested on the Glock that was secured on his hip as she skirted the front of the police car. She stood at his side as he walked toward the main entrance of the building.

  David moved fast, but kept his eyes peeled for any threats. Sarah flanked him and stayed close behind as her head turned from side to side.

  Ricketts Street was rather docile compared to other areas she had been in. The air still smelled of smoke, and the dull-gray haze refused to leave the sky, but that was about it.

  Sarah couldn’t spot much movement in the area which eased her troubled mind some. Perhaps looters and any other criminals had bypassed the area, or they hadn’t arrived, but she tried not to think like that.

  David ripped open the door and paused. He skimmed over the interior for a second, then moved inside.

  Sarah funneled in behind him as they made their way through the long entryway. They passed the elevators and made for the staircase.

  The glass doors at the entrance, and the two stacked windows above, allowed copious amounts of light to flood into the structure. It wasn’t much, but enough to reduce the darkness within the building.

  David took point and trotted up the staircase. His hand remained fixed on the grip of his holstered pistol as they neared the first floor. “Where is her apartment again? I haven’t been here since she moved in.”

  “It’s the second floor. Apartment ten B which will be to your right and at the end of the hallway,” Sarah answered.

  David nodded and continued up the staircase without breaking his stride. He hit the landing and swept the corridor. His hand slid over the banister while scoping out the vacant halls of the silent building.

  A door cracked open across the hall. David turned toward the creaking hinges as he pulled his sidearm from his holster. A little boy’s head poked out from the narrow crack as David lowered the weapon. An angry female voice boomed from inside as heavy footfalls charged the door.

  “What are you doing, Blake?” she asked. “I told you not to mess with the door.”

  “But, Mom, there’s a policeman out here,” the young boy answered.

  The boy was pulled away from the open door as she stepped in front of him. “Is there an issue with the building, Officer? Do you know how much longer the power is going to be out? Are we in danger?”

  David held up his hand, silencing the tired looking woman. Her hair was a tangled mess, and she had dark circles under both eyes. “Ma’am, everything is fine. Just please stay inside.”

  She shot Sarah a peculiar gaze when she noticed the Glock tucked in her waistband, retreated back into her apartment, and shut the door.

  They made their way down the hall to Mandy’s apartment, which was the last room on the right. David had the Glock down at his side as they neared the dwelling.

  Sarah grew anxious to see her friend. So much had happened that she needed some time to talk things out and to wind down.

  She hadn’t seen Rick yet which made her worry.

  David stopped in front of Mandy’s apartment and squared up with the door. He gave a single knock on the cream-colored door. They waited a few seconds in silence.

  “Mandy, it’s Sarah and David,” Sarah said, aloud as she moved past David.

  David tested the doorknob which was unlocked. He looked to Sarah, and said, “That’s weird it’s unlocked, isn’t it?”

  Sarah shrugged. “She may have forgotten to lock it or something. I don’t know.” She pushed open the door and peered inside.

  The apartment was dark with the curtains drawn across the room. Light bled through the fabric and brightened up the room some.

  David took point and moved inside as Sarah peered back down the hallway. Something didn’t seem right, but she dismissed the feeling as nothing more than her nerves being rattled from everything happening.

  The floor creaked under David’s weight as he moved past the edge of the door. A sharp gasp fled his lips as he went limp and crumbled to the wooden floor. He hit face first. The Glock popped free of his hand as Sarah rushed inside to his aid.

  “David, what happ-”

  The door slammed shut behind Sarah as she dropped to her knees next to David’s unconscious body. She gasped, then peered over her shoulder to the dark kitchen to the left of the entrance.

  A figure loomed in the shadows. It was a man.

  Sarah reached for her Glock as a clicking noise filled her ears. The man’s arm extended in her direction as he trained the barrel of his pistol at her head.

  “I wouldn’t do that, if I was you.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  RUSSELL

  There was no easy way up the side of the cliff to the top of the ridge. Russell had looked for another way around that would get him to where he needed to be without burning too much daylight, and without risking life and limb, but he’d come up short.

  Risking life and limb was a bit extreme, but that’s how it felt to someone who never did that sort of thing.

  Russell stared at the mountain of rocks stacked on top of each other and embedded into the side of the hill. It was the only way he could find up the side of the earthy wall. He shook his head.

  The dogs would have to stay, but Russell hadn’t planned on them coming anyway.

  Getting up the side of the cliff was more than doable. He’d just have to take his time and try not to rush. The last thing he needed was to get careless and slip. A broken bone or internal bleeding would make this his final resting place.

  Focus on the task at hand and why you’re doing this, Russell thought. Do whatever it takes.

  Both Max and Butch flanked Russell as he stepped in front of the boulders. The canines waited for orders as they stood rigid and still at the base.

  Max nudged Russell’s hand, and gave a slight groan to get Russell’s attention.

  “Yeah. I think it’s safe to assume that you two are going to have to stay down here,” Russell advised as he rubbed the crown of Max’s head. “I don’t see a way for either of you to come. The last thing I want or need is for my trackers to get hurt. Just stay put, and I’ll be back down with the deputy before you know it, ok?”

  Max barked as he licked Russell’s hand.

  Butch stared at him with an intense gaze before offering a single bark and sat on his haunches. He assumed Butch understood his command.

  All right, then.

  Russell secured the pistol in the waistband of his jeans. A couple of deep breaths, and he was on his way.

  Slow, but steady, Russell climbed up the face of the boulders that were partially embedded into the cliff. The thick tree roots and vines that dangled like snakes offered a helping hand at certain spots.

  Russell didn’t dare look to the ground, but kept his focus on where he was heading. The dogs were pacing about the base. He could hear them crunching through the leaves as they barked in his direction.

  His free hand gr
abbed at the vines close by and tugged, ensuring they’d hold his weight. There were few secure places to grab on the stacked rocks which made having the few vines that much more convenient.

  He wrapped the green vine around his hand and pulled himself up to the next boulder.

  Half way up. Not too much further.

  He was making decent time for someone who never did that sort of thing.

  Russell took a deep breath and paused. His hands and fingers were hurting. The muscles in his arms and legs were on fire. Doing such strenuous physical work hadn’t been a part of his life for the past year. Not since he had stopped working out and focused on drinking as his new hobby.

  He was out of shape, and his sluggish body made sure he knew that fact. Eye on the prize. All Russell had to do was keep the endgame in sight.

  The toe of his boots wedged into a small gap within the mountain of rock as his free hand reached for an opening above his head. The tips of his fingers wrapped over the thin lip within the stone.

  Russell pulled with his arm and pushed with his legs. The burning in his muscles grew more intense the longer he took. He gnashed his teeth and fought through the discomfort biting at his extremities.

  The scant inch of rock under Russell’s fingers gave, causing him to lose his balance. Fragments of the white stone crumbled away and sent debris down onto his face as he fell backward. His other hand held tight on the vine as it snapped taut, keeping him from plummeting to the ground below.

  Dust filled Russell’s eyes and distorted his vision. The tiny bits of debris wedged into the corners hurt and caused his eyes to water. Hard, panicked breaths spewed from his lips as the cold, boney fingers of death tapped his shoulder. His heart punched his chest non-stop. A large lump of fear clogged his throat.

  Russell shook his head and ran his fingers over his eyes. He blinked, trying to rid the particles from each socket.

  The vine was holding tough, but he didn’t want to test its strength for too long. Russell tugged on the vine and pulled himself toward the boulders. He felt around the odd shaped rock and found another hold as the vine snapped.