by Dawn, M. K.
“How?” Molly asked, her once-innocent eyes not full of skepticism.
“Good question.” One Axel didn’t have an answer for. “How would you clean them off.”
Blake snorted. “Nice try, Dad.”
Damn, these kids were growing up too fast. “What? I just wanted to get some other opinions.”
Archer laughed. “I don’t think they’re buying it. I would suggest taking them outside, hanging them on the clothesline and beating them clean, but it’s pretty damn dark.”
“Dark!” Molly tensed. “What about the horses?”
Axel hadn’t even thought of that.
“Don’t worry, kiddo.” Archer patted her head. “They’re in the barn enjoying some old hay.”
A house and a barn? They got lucky. “How did you find this place?”
Archer narrowed his eyes. “You really don’t remember?”
He didn’t remember much after Britney… “Remember what?”
“We hit up several places before settling on this one.” Archer shook his head. “Damn, you really were in shock.”
“You had doubts?”
“No…I just meant, it’s crazy how bad off you were.” Archer clapped him on the back and crossed the room to the door. “Glad you’re doing better. I’m going to check on Sloan.”
Axel hadn’t even thought to ask how she was dealing with all this. “How is she?”
He lowered his eyes. “She’s having a hard time but struggling to express her feelings. You know how she is.”
Molly looked up at Axel after Archer left. “Is Auntie Sloan going to be okay?”
Axel didn’t know how to answer that. Would any of them ever be okay after what happened? He wasn’t sure. For him, there would always be a piece of him missing...broken. Probably for the kids as well. And Sloan. Sure, they’d keep going, because giving up would mean Brit died for nothing.
But okay?
Hell, was that even a thing anymore?
Chapter sixteen
Sloan
Sloan laid in bed and stared out the window, not seeing anything but the memories of the day before. Over and over again, she went through the last conversation she’d ever have with Britney. So many unspoken words shared between them. Time lost as they went their separate ways as adults. All the things she would never get back, never be able to rectify.
Guilt also plagued Sloan’s mind. As a doctor, she took an oath, vowing to save all those she could. A simple UTI was something Sloan should have been able to cure. And it killed her that she was unable to do so in time.
Tears stained Sloan’s pillow to the point that she had to flip it over in order to find a dry space. As the sun rose in the sky, she conceded that she would not be getting any sleep and headed downstairs.
Axel sat at the kitchen table, half empty bottle of whiskey to his left.
He lifted his head as she took a seat across from him. “Hey.”
“Good morning. Having trouble sleeping?” It was all she could think to ask.
“Yeah.” He leaned back in his chair and arched his back. “I tried but my mind wouldn’t shut the hell up. I just keep going over everything that happened and trying to figure out if we could have stopped it somehow, you know?”
“I do, all too well.” Tears stung Sloan’s eyes, but she refused to allow them to fall. “What about the children? How are they doing?”
“As good as can be expected, I guess. Molly’s emotional and Blake’s angry. They don’t understand why all of this is happening to them. I feel bad, having their childhood stripped away like this. But what can we do?”
Her chest ached hearing how much pain her niece and nephew were in. “We need to find somewhere stable to settle down. I just don't know if such a place actually exists.”
“Or how we’d go about finding it if it did.” Axel stood and opened the pantry. “Is there anything good here? I’m starving.”
“Good is a relative term.” Sloan tapped her fingers on the table. “I think we should leave as soon as possible, if you and the children are up to it?”
Her declaration stopped him from rummaging in the pantry. “You do? Why? Archer said something last night about us sticking around for a couple of days.”
“You probably don’t remember, but this place is nowhere near secure. The fences are broken and the house is adorned with many, many windows. It’s not safe, and with only three adults left, I’m not sure we’d be able to defend this place properly if under attack.”
Axel returned to the table with a can of peaches. “It expired two years ago, do you think it's edible?”
“If properly sealed, more than likely, it’s fine.” She pointed to a column of drawers near the stove. “I saw a can opener in one of those yesterday.”
“Thanks.” Can opener in hand, Axel popped open the lid and took a big whiff. “They look and smell all right. Kids would love these, but I better eat a couple just in case they’re bad.”
Sloan was not one to push the issue she’d just brought up, but Axel had not yet given his opinion on their timeframe for leaving. “What do you think about departing today?”
He chewed on his peach and shrugged. “I don’t know. On one hand, I’m anxious to find a place where we can settle down. On the other, I’m exhausted and pissed off and think if I have to get into that wagon, I might lose my shit.”
“I understand.” Sloan eyed the can, her stomach rumbling.
Axel followed her gaze with a smile. “Would you like some?”
“What about the children?”
He slid the half-eaten can in front of here. “There are several more in the pantry.”
“Oh.” She lifted the fork from the can and shoved a peach slice in her mouth. Before the world fell, she would have never eaten fruit in heavy syrup, but now...it was the most delicious thing she’d eaten in as long as she could remember. “Thank you for the bite.”
“Take the rest. And don’t forget to drink the juice, that’s the best part. I’m going to check on—” He froze. “Did you hear that?”
Sloan hadn’t heard anything above the sound of the metal fork scraping the bottom of the tin can. “No. What is it?”
“Something outside.” Axel rushed to the door to Sloan’s back. “Son of a bitch. A fucking infested is trying to break into the barn. The horses are in there, right?”
“Yes, should I go wake—” A gunshot cut her off.
“Thing must have woken up Archer.” Axel tugged on the door until it popped open. “I don’t see any more. Probably just a loner. But like you said, it means this place isn’t safe.”
Sloan hated when she was right under these circumstances. “Unfortunately. I’ll begin to pack the things we can take with us if you want to get the kids up and fed.”
“Yep.” As Axel left the kitchen, Archer came in.
“Did y’all see the infested outside the barn?”
“We did and were just about to come get you when you shot it.”
Archer bent over and kissed Sloan’s forehead. “Yeah, damn thing was making all sorts of noise. How’d you sleep?”
She had no intention of worrying him. “Fine. You?”
“Slash,” he cocked his head, “you do know that I’m a light sleeper, right? That I could hear you crying and felt you tossing and turning.”
“Then why did you ask?” she snapped. “Sorry. Tired. But if you heard me, why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I know that you need space to process things and you would come to me when you’re ready.”
Which was true. “Thank you. And you’re right, I did need time.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to talk about it?” He grinned, likely anticipating her response.
“No, but thank you for asking.” If she started to speak of the events that happened over the past few days, she would be paralyzed with grief. “We should begin preparing to depart. I would say be out of here within the hour?”
“Um...sure, if everyone is up to it.�
��
“After the brush with the infested, we have no choice. We were lucky it caught the scent of the horses first or it would have been the house it was trying to break into. And considering the condition of this place, it would have succeeded with little effort.”
If Archer thought differently on the matter, he didn’t say. “I’ll get the horses and wagon ready, if you want to start collecting the things we want from the house.”
“Yes, I was just about to do so.”
“Okay, then.”
“Okay,” Sloan repeated.
Archer left out the backdoor without another word, leaving Sloan to wonder if she’s said something to upset him.
For a moment, she considered going after him but thought better of it. This was not the time. They could talk while on the road. Right now, they needed to get out of here before more infested made themselves known.
***
“My stomach hurts.” Blake hunched over and dry heaved several times. “Can we stop?”
Axel rubbed a hand along his back. “We’re crossing the Nevada-Arizona line. There should be a town close by and we can stop there.”
They had only been on the road a few hours, but Sloan could see how desperately the boy needed a break. “I’m sure there’s a nearby pharmacy that we could stop at. Maybe they’ll have some children’s medicine to ease your stomach ache. I’ll let Archer know.”
Axel offered her a weak smile. “Thanks, Sloan.”
“You’re welcome.” Sloan stood and teetered. She had yet to get used to the motion of a horse-drawn wagon. Finding her footing, she managed to climb up front with Archer.
“Hey, Slash, what’s up?” Archer offered her the reins. “You come to take over for a while?”
“I can if you need a break.” She reached out to grab them but Archer moved them out of her reach.
“Nah. I’m good. I was actually kidding.” He raised his eyebrows. “Guess the joke was lost in translation.”
She wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about but decided not to go into further detail. “The reason I came up here—”
Archer cut her off. “Because you missed me?”
Sloan studied his face for a moment. “You’re in a fine mood.” Unlike the rest of them who were still grieving.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure I would go that far but I’m trying to keep up appearances. Kind of a fake it ‘til you make it sort of thing. Either laugh or cry. You know.”
She really didn’t but had no interest listening to him explain it. “Of course. At any rate, we would like to stop at the next pharmacy we pass. I would guess the next town we come across would have one.”
“Sure. What’s the problem?”
Sloan lowered her voice. “Blake’s not feeling well. Stomach ache.”
“Oh. Is he all right? Could it have been the canned peaches or something else he ate?”
“Doubtful. No one else has symptoms. I can’t be sure but believe stress might be the culprit.”
Archer sighed. “Yeah, I can see that. Poor kid. Hope we can find something to help.”
The only real cure would be time, but Sloan hoped they could find something to alleviate the symptoms temporarily. “Me, too. Have you seen any signs that might indicate we’re nearing a town?”
“There was one not too far back when we crossed the border. Should be coming up on it anytime now. Want to hangout up here and keep an eye out for a pharmacy?”
“I had planned on it.”
Archer placed a hand on her upper thigh and squeezed. “How are you feeling?”
“About the same as before.” Sloan had lost count on how many times he’d asked her that very question. “Here we are.”
“What?” He turned back to the road. “Oh, the town. Great. Doesn’t look too big. Shouldn’t be long before we come across a pharmacy.”
“There.” Sloan pointed at an upcoming partially damaged pharmacy sign.
“Never heard of it.” Archer slowed the horses. “A local place, maybe?”
“Perhaps.”
Archer cocked his head. “Do you think they’ll have what we need?”
“I can’t possibly predict that.” Sloan gestured to the right. “That road should take us straight to it.”
“Got it.” He pulled on the reins and steered the horses in the direction of the pharmacy.
They took it slow, watching for any signs of infested and humans alike. Once in front of the pharmacy, Archer halted the horses and jumped down.
“I’ll check the door.”
Axel popped his head out of the wagon. “That didn’t take long.”
“We were close to a town. How’s Blake?”
“Still nauseous but resting.” Axel glanced over his shoulder. “Molly is, too. Do you want to stay out here with them or should I?”
“You should. Besides being the better protector, I know what to look for.”
“You mean the over-the-counter pink chewables that say they're for kids' upset stomach?”
Sloan furrowed her brow. “I was going to look behind the counter but I’ll search for those as well.”
Axel shook his head with a smile. “Thanks.”
“Door’s locked,” Archer called out, “but I think I can manage to get it open.”
“There’s not a broken window or something?” Axel asked, seemingly as confused as Sloan.
“I was about to ask the same thing.” They’d gone through many towns over the years and never had this issue before.
Axel scanned the area. “Strange place. Not all torn up like most places we’ve been.”
She had noticed that as well.
“Door’s open. Who’s coming in with me?”
“I am.” Sloan eased off the wagon and did a quick check of her gun. It had been a long time since they’d come across any bullets, and they were running low.
“Ready?” Archer held open the door.
Sloan stepped inside, gun raised. Her eyes swept over the well-lit building—thanks to the numerous skylights. “Clear.”
Archer appeared by her side, head in a constant state of movement. “It’s quiet in here.”
“That’s a good thing,” she reminded him.
He moved deeper into the store. “Not much on the shelves.”
“Not at all.” Sloan spotted the children’s section. “Axel mentioned an over-the-counter medication that might ease Blake’s stomach troubles.”
“Lead the way.”
Unlike the other sections of the store, the children’s section housed a variety of medications. “Here we are, stomach medication. Do you think they require anything else?”
“You’re the doctor, Slash.”
“Surgeon,” Sloan corrected. “And one who rarely dealt with children.”
“Children are just miniature adults,” Archer said with a smirk. “What would you recommend for the grownups in the group?”
Her line of sight drifted to behind the counter. “I would like to see what kind of medications they have back there.”
Archer pressed his lips together. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? There could be valuable prescriptions that might be useful to us in the future.”
“Is that what you’re really looking for?”
Sloan tensed. “What do you mean?”
“I think you know, Slash.”
Her heart raced, still she struggled to admit what Archer already knew. “And what’s that?”
“It’s not going to change anything or bring her back, only make things worse.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I realize that but still…”
“Don’t do it. We don’t even know if she would have made it this far. She was already so far gone.”
Sloan swallowed hard and cleared her throat. Even though his words rang true, something inside urged her to move forward.
“Shit,” Archer muttered under his breath but followed close behind.
Past the counter, Sloan took
a moment to familiarize herself with how this pharmacy organized their medications. Then she slowly made her way to the antibiotics that could have saved her sister’s life.
“Well?” Archer asked from across the room as he kept look-out.
She removed the bottle of pills from the shelf and sank to the ground.
Heavy footsteps grew closer and stopped when a strong arm pulled her close. “I’m so sorry, Slash.”
“It’s...fine.” What else could she say? “We should get going.”
“Or take a few more minutes.” Archer continued to hold her. “Maybe until you stop crying.”
Sloan wiped her cheeks of the tears she hadn’t even realized were there. “We shouldn’t speak of this with Axel or the children. It would break their hearts.”
“Agreed.” Archer helped her off the floor. “Are you good to go?”
She dusted the dirt from her pants. “As if I have a choice in the matter.”
“We always have a choice, Slash.” Archer pulled her into a tight hug. “No matter what’s happening around us, we always have a choice.”
Chapter seventeen
Axel
“Welcome to Sin City,” Axel said as they approached Vegas city limits. “Wonder what we’re going to find here?”
With the children resting in the back, both Axel and Sloan had taken a seat next to Archer up front so they could talk about they’re upcoming plans.
“If we’re lucky, not a damn thing. Too bad we couldn’t stay on the highway. All the stranded cars, there’s no way the wagon can get through.” Archer slowed the horses as they passed a spray-painted sign. He read it out loud. “Find another way. What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing good.” Axel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Anyone know where to go?”
Archer shrugged. “Hell if I know. Never been here before.”
“Neither have I.”
No surprise on Sloan but Axel figured Archer would have made it here at least once. “It’s been at least fifteen years for me. I don’t remember much.”
