by Dawn, M. K.
“Because it’s been so long?” Sloan asked.
Axel smirked. “Because of all the alcohol I drank. Ever see the movie The Hangover?”
“Right.” Sloan’s cheeks reddened. “Of course.”
He couldn’t help but laugh as he gave her a little nudge. “I’m just messing with you. The place has changed a lot. And I spent my entire time on The Strip. We could head there. See if we can collect supplies. We’re running low on just about everything.”
“We should find our way back to the highway and hope it clears up eventually,” Archer said. “That leads us straight into L.A.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” Sloan asked.
“Hard to tell. It’s been pretty quiet so far.” Archer snapped the reins and the horses picked up speed. “There’s three of us now. Should we take a vote and majority wins or do we need a unanimous vote?”
Not once had they taken a vote on any decision since leaving the farm. “We should probably decide together. Personally, either way works for me. At this point, I’m not sure if there is such a thing as a better way. Both are going to have their own set of challenges.”
“What do you think, Slash?”
She hesitated before answering. “Logically, I would say find a road that leads us to our destination. But to get to L.A., we’ll have to cross a desert, which means we need supplies. On the other hand, there was that ominous sign.”
Axel had already forgotten about the sign. “True, but we have no way of knowing what it means or how long it’s been there. Damn thing could have been two years old for all we know.”
“Sounds like you think we should head for The Strip?” Archer asked as they came across a barricade. “Not that it looks like we have much of a choice. Only one way to go from here.”
“That’s odd.” Sloan crossed then uncrossed her legs. “Why put up barricades?”
“Maybe they were trying to evacuate the city when all this started?” Archer suggested. “Which is easier to do if people aren’t cutting in and out of traffic from all different directions.”
“The military did the same thing in your hometown, Sloan.” Axel recalled those days well. Being feet away from an exploding hospital tended to leave a mark. “They were checking everyone trying to leave town for signs of infection. Could have been doing the same thing here.”
Archer pulled on the reins and brought the horses to a stop. “What do we want to do from here? We can always go back the way we came.”
“You’re worried.” Sloan's face went pale. “Why?”
“Gut feeling,” Archer said with a shrug. “We need to make a decision. Axel? What do you think?”
Fuck. He didn’t know. With limited options, he couldn’t see how switching routes could make that big of a difference. Unless there was something bad this way. But they wouldn’t know until they forged ahead. “Shit. This is a hard one but I vote for keeping on the way we're going.”
“You think it’s safe?” Sloan asked.
“No.” Blunt was the only way to go at this point. “But I can’t imagine any other way being much better. Plus, the amount of time it would take us to go back and find our way…and like Sloan said, we need supplies for when we cross the desert.”
Archer flicked the reins. “Onward we go then.”
“That’s it?” Sloan glanced between the two of them. “None of us believe it’s safe, but still, we continue on?”
“What choice do we have?” Archer lifted his chin to the left. “Another barricade.”
Axel’s stomach flipped. “Leading us on this same path. Towards The Strip.”
“That’s where we want to go.” Sloan rubbed her hands on her pants leg.
“But not if someone is leading us there.” Archer stopped the horses.
Panic filled Sloan’s voice. “We should turn around. If the barricades were being used to evacuate the city, wouldn’t they direct people to the highway? Not The Strip.”
Archer clicked his tongue. “I mean...you would think so.”
“So why send people to the busiest part of town?” Sloan sucked in a breath.
Axel had never seen her so worked up. “Maybe we’re just going the wrong way. This place is confusing as hell.”
“No. Archer, we have to turn around,” Sloan pleaded. “Before...what was that?”
Axel scanned the area. “What was what?”
“I heard a noise.” Sloan pulled her gun from the holster. “A growl.”
“Slash,” the warning tone in Archer’s voice made it sound like he thought she might be overreacting. “You need to take a couple of slow, deep breaths.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks. “This is wrong. We need to go—”
An infested jumped out from behind a building, cutting her off. The horses startled and bucked as the infested lunged forward. The wagon shuttered and teetered to the side, but by the grace of God, it landed back on all four wheels.
The kids screamed, and Sloan scrambled into the back to be with them.
“Son of a bitch!” Archer shouted, yanking on the reins in a poor attempt to calm the horses. “Will someone please shoot the bastard.”
“That won’t be necessary,” a deep male voice called out. “It’s under control, I assure you.”
Axel jerked his head trying to determine where the voice came from.
From the right, a man dressed in biker leather emerged, hands raised. “It’s chained. Do you mind? At one point in my life, I had a way with horses.”
“What the hell?” Archer aimed his gun at the man. “Who are you?”
The man reached out and ran a hand over the nearest horse’s head. “There now, all is well. It won’t hurt you.”
Axel glanced at Archer, then the infested, who was, in fact, chained up by the throat. “Why?”
“Security purposes.” The man continued to pet the horses. “We don’t much like visitors around here.”
“Oh really?” Archer hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “That's why you have all the barricades forcing people this way.”
The man ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. “Is that the way it appeared? Wasn’t our intention.”
“Whatever.” Archer lowered his gun. “We’ll just turn around then.”
“Or you could proceed.” His words made it seem like they had a choice, but his tone said otherwise. “Do you mind if I hitch a ride?”
Axel swallowed hard. The entire situation felt like a setup. “What’s your name.”
“Ink.” He grinned and lifted the sleeve of his left arm, showing them his numerous tattoos. “Impressed?”
Axel had more but there was no point in getting into a pissing contest. “Very.”
“So, what about that ride?” Ink moved closer.
“I don’t think we’re heading your way.” Archer gathered the reins. “But thanks for the offer.”
Ink took another step, now within arm’s reach of the wagon. “Are you sure about that?”
Again, his tone made it clear that he wasn’t asking. Axel thought about his kids in the back and how much trauma they’d already experienced. “What should we expect?”
Ink grinned. “A paradise of fun and excitement unlike you’ve ever experienced before. Come with me and you won’t be disappointed.”
“Do we have a choice?” Archer must have been tired of beating around the bush.
Ink ran his fingers along the edge of the wagon. “Do I really need to answer that?”
“Fuck,” Archer muttered under his breath. “Listen, man, I have to be honest with you.”
“Do you now? That’ll be a nice change from our usual visitors.”
“In the back…”
Axel’s eyes grew wide, and he leaned in closer to his friend. “What the hell are you doing?”
His shoulders slumped. “The only thing I can think of to get out of this mess.” Archer returned his attention to Ink. “We have two kids with us and their aunt. We’re not going anywhere without a promise that they’ll
be safe.”
“You misunderstood me, friend.” Ink held Archer’s stare. “This is what we’re offering you. Protection from the outside world. Women and children included.”
“What’s the catch?” Axel knew there would be one but wanted clarification on what that would be.
Ink strummed his fingers along the wood. The man had serious issues with keeping still. “That depends on what skills you possess.”
Another vague answer—no surprise there. “And will we be allowed to leave whenever we want?’
“Why would anyone want to leave paradise?”
Archer tensed. “Not exactly the answer we’re looking for.”
Ink waved a dismissive hand. “If you’re not happy, no one will make you stay. My God, you two are the suspicious types, aren’t you? I would have never guessed. Our home will do you some good.”
Axel didn’t like the sound of that.
“Years of dealing with unsavory people,” Archer said, nostrils flaring. “Don’t expect us to stay long. We have people waiting for us in California.”
Axel kept a straight face even though he was surprised by this brilliant turn of events.
“Is that so?” Ink released a high-pitched whistle and a group of twenty men and women, all dressed in leather, stepped out from the shadows. “Well, now. Best we get on our way. Wouldn’t want to keep your people waiting.”
***
The journey to The Strip was as slow as it was uncomfortable. The broken Welcome to Las Vegas sign gave off a menacing vibe.
Sloan and the kids stayed in the back, and Ink made no attempt to contact them.
The armed guards hung close. They flanked the wagon on either side with a couple up front and behind them, guns hung on their shoulders without a worry in the world.
Many of them held loud, boisterous conversations. It was like there wasn’t any sort of danger lurking around every corner.
Maybe there wasn’t? Or maybe they were just stupid? The latter seemed more logical but these days, Axel wasn’t taking any chances.
“Almost home.” Ink pointed ahead. “Can’t you feel the excitement in the air? I always loved Vegas. It was why I came back here when the world fell.”
The best course of action would be to keep his mouth shut, so that’s exactly what Axel did. He refused to give into whatever game this man was playing.
But Archer, he tended to speak his mind at the worst times. “Can’t say I do. Feels more like we’re entering a prison.”
Ink glared before busting out laughing. “You’re a funny one...hey, you boys haven’t told me your names.”
Which Axel realized as well. Ink hadn’t asked and neither he or Archer had provided. Like it mattered. It’s not like they could get on the internet and do a quick search on them. But there was something empowering about not giving away too many details about themselves.
“One thing you should know about this place,” Ink continued, “is we don't go by our real names. Well, I guess a few do, but most make up something for themselves. Something badass, you know?”
Axel raised an eyebrow. “Like Ink?”
He meant it sarcastically, but Ink didn’t take it that way.
A belly laugh ripped from his lips as he slapped Axel on the back. “Son of a bitch, y’all are both a hoot. You’re going to fit in well. Now give me a name.”
“I'm Axel.”
“Badass nickname!”
Axel silently groaned. “Not a nickname. It's the one I was given. My dad was a biker.”
“No shit?” Ink pressed his lips together. “Well, you came to the right place. What about you, man?”
Archer hesitated but eventually gave in.
“Archer, huh?” That’s interesting. That your first name or did you just pull it out of your ass?”
“Last name, but it's what everyone has called me since I joined the military back when I was eighteen.” Archer pulled on the reins as they approached a large make-shift gate.
“What about them?” Ink tipped his head back. “They got names?”
Axel’s body went rigid. “Let’s just leave them out of this for now. They’re probably scared enough as it is.”
“Your call, man.” Ink jumped down. “No skin off my back, but fair warning, The Boss is going to ask.”
“Boss?” Axel’s stomach tightened.
“Yeah.” Ink pounded on the metal gate. “He likes to meet everyone new. His way of welcoming people to the neighborhood, so to speak.”
Archer shook his head but said nothing.
Axel wanted to press the issue, but what was the point? They were here, and there seemed to be no turning back.
The gate crept open, and several men stepped out. Each held a leash with an infested— a mutilated infested missing both their hands and teeth—tied to the end of it.
“What the fuck?” Archer muttered.
A tall Black man emerged between the gate guards with a bright smile and open arms. “Ink! We were worried. Your group has been gone a while.”
“Yeah, well,” Ink gestured at the wagon, “the new recruits were a bit skeptical. You know, after a little run-in with our guard dogs.”
The man chuckled as he approached their wagon. “Welcome to Vegas. I’m Mammoth. It’s excellent to meet you good folks. Sorry about the guardians. They’re meant to keep out the riff-raff. How long you folks been on the road?”
Axel glanced at Archer, unsure how much they should disclose.
“They’re a secretive people.” Ink nudged the guy next to him with a laugh. “Got a couple more secrets in the back, too.”
“That so?” Mammoth scratched the gruff on his chin. “What sorta secret? Something good, I hope.”
“Nah.” Ink waved a dismissive hand. “A woman and a couple of kids.”
Axel held his tongue. The offhanded way Ink referred to his family pissed him off and scared the hell out of him.
“Now, now.” Mammoth passed Ink with a pat on the back. “Everyone has a place here. Why don’t you lead these fine people inside and find them a couple of open rooms? I’ll let The Boss know he’ll have some dinner guests for the night.”
“Dinner?” Archer choked on the word. “We couldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t want to impose,” Axel added.
Mammoth smiled up at them. “What gracious guests. But let me put your fears to rest. This dinner is in no way an imposition, more of a welcome to our community.”
Axel hated the idea of his children around these people more than necessary. Mammoth might say all the right things, but no way in hell did Axel trust him. Any of them, for that matter.
Before Axel had a chance to argue, Mammoth clapped his hands. “Now that the dinner situation is settled, Kiki and Poison will take you to your rooms.”
Archer leaned forward. “I thought you said Ink needed to find us rooms?”
Mammoth smirked and shook a finger at him. “You’re quick on your feet. I like that.” He pivoted on his heels and headed back inside.
The others followed—Ink included—except for two women Axel could only assume were Kiki and Poison.
“Hand me the reins,” the lanky woman flipped her straight black hair over her shoulder.
Archer hesitated.
The woman scowled. “You heard Mammoth. We’re to take you to your room. Are you planning on leaving the horses here?”
“Relax, Kiki,” the busty woman, Poison by the process of elimination, said. “You know how it is when you first get here. All scary and shit. Listen here, boys, I’ve been here for six months and it's a damn good place to settle down at. A hell of a lot better than out here in the open.”
Kiki tapped her foot and examined her freshly polished nails, obviously bored by the conversation.
“Come on, Kiki,” Poison snapped her fingers, “tell them how good we have it here.”
“Yeah, yeah, the place is awesome.” Kiki hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “Can we get going? I got places to be, shit to do. Don’t want to pis
s off The Boss.”
“Real reassuring.” Archer tossed her the reins. “What are you going to do with our horses?”
“Your horses?” Kiki cackled.
Axel already hated the woman.
“Kiki,” Poison warned. “Hey, don’t worry about the horses. We’ll take them to the stables with the other animals. They’ll be fine.”
More questions rattled around in Axel’s brain, but that would have to wait. He held his breath as they passed the disfigured infested. As deadly as those creatures were, he couldn’t imagine being up close to them day in and day out. And if mutilating them meant they were no longer deadly, why the hell keep them in the first place?
“Which hotel are we taking them to?” Kiki asked.
“The one all our new arrivals stay at.” Poison shook her head. “Everyone starts at the same place. Then once you’re here for a while, you’ll be able to choose where you want to live permanently.”
“How many people live here?” Axel saw no one as Kiki led them down the street.
“Not as many as you might think considering the size,” Poison answered.
Kiki snapped her head and glared. “Shut the fuck up, Poison. We don’t know anything about these people.”
Poison tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Stop being such a bitch. I’m just making polite conversation. It’s not like I know how many people they think we have.”
Their bickering grated on Axel’s already shot nerves; still, he kept his mouth shut. God knows what kind of crazy they were dealing with.
They walked for a while; tension building in Axel with every step.
“Here we are!” Poison gestured to a large and surprisingly well-kept hotel. “Home sweet home. For now.”
Kiki brought the horses to a stop and rubbed each of their manes. At least she wasn’t hostile toward poor, defenseless animals.
“How many flights of stairs do we have to climb?” Archer asked. “We have quite a bit of stuff.”
“Don’t have to worry about that.” Poison swallowed hard. “All your things, except for a few necessities, will need to be donated to the community store.”
Axel fumed. “Excuse me? No one said anything about that. These are our things we risked our lives to get. You have no right to take them.”
