by A E Faulkner
“We should all really stick together until we know it’s safe,” Aidan adds. Meeting their eyes in turn, I implore them to understand. “Guys, thanks for worrying, but really, I need this. I just need a little time to myself to clear my head. I’ll be back before you even notice I’m gone.” With that, I turn toward the door. As I’m closing it behind me Jasmine’s voice rings out, “If she’s going out, I’m going… ”
I leave them to their next argument. Jasmine’s fierce streak has only worsened now that the guys are worried about her. Apparently, that chip on her shoulder wasn’t damaged by the bullet she took.
As I stretch my weak muscles, my mind plunges into a numbing state where my only focus is on each foot as it strikes the ground. After a proper warm-up, my mind shifts to autopilot and my feet take over. With each stride, exhilaration blossoms through my body.
The humid air plasters strands of hair to my forehead. Wisps cling to my cheeks. When sporadic fat drops begin to fall from the sky, I welcome the miniscule relief they bring. It’s perfect. The perfect setting to let my stifled emotions bubble to the surface.
How different would life be if we hadn’t left for vacation that day? Would all four of us still be alive? Would we be home together right now? My mind flashes through just a few of the life experiences snatched away from me in mere seconds. I’ll never shop with my mom for a prom dress. My parents won’t see me graduate. My dad can’t walk me down the aisle.
With one big rush, I allow the surfacing anger, pain, and frustration to burst like a dam. Camouflaged by the rain, the tears flow freely. As my feet pound the path, each footfall boosts the last, slightly numbing the pain.
Shifting focus to the surrounding brush, I imagine the army of trees swallowing me whole. If I could just dissolve into the breeze, would I? Would anyone notice? Stifling the spiral I’ve fallen into, I clear my mind of all thoughts.
After about a mile and a half, I turn around. I want to get back before too long, and my body is no longer accustomed to distance running. When I’m about a half mile from our camp, I slow to a cooldown pace. The rain has stopped, but between sweating and running through the brief shower, I’m soaked.
Within a few minutes, I stop entirely to stretch my overworked muscles. A few months ago, this run would have been just a warm-up. Maybe there will be time again for sports and hobbies when Riley and I get back home.
As I’m bent over at my waist, reaching for my toes, a deep voice startles me. “Hey there, beautiful.” I jolt upright and turn toward the voice. As I suspected, it’s no one I recognize.
Chapter 61
A twenty-something guy with long dark hair stands a few feet behind me. The smile on his face looks anything but genuine. Brownish stains adorn his otherwise white T-shirt, and his gray cargo shorts look weighed down. Beady eyes flitting up and down my body, his presence is unsettling. And the fact that he was able to sneak up on me so easily is disturbing.
“Um, hi,” I say dumbly. I take a few slow steps backwards, away from him.
“What are you doing all the way out here?” he asks.
“I was just getting some exercise, but I’m done now, so I’m gonna get going,” I say, hoping the nervousness in my voice isn’t as audible as I think it is. I’d love to sound strong and confident right about now, but my vocal cords are just as scared as the rest of me. I start to turn away from him to continue on the path back to camp, but he calls out to me. “Hey, I’m Dylan. What’s your name?”
The last thing I want to do is give this guy my name. “I’m…in a hurry,” I sputter.
“You all alone out here? You need some help?” his sugary-sweet tone carries no sincerity.
“I’m good, thanks,” I say, preparing to run as fast as my tired legs will take me. They’re my only weapon out here. Turning on my heel, I raise a knee and plunge forward in a mad dash away from Dylan. Just two sprints into my escape, another man jumps out in front of me. I skid to a stop in my tracks.
This guy looks a little more clean-cut. His wavy brown hair must have seen a comb within the past few days and his shirt bears no stains. Although the navy V-neck T-shirt might just be good at hiding whatever it might have come in contact with. His tan shorts reveal muscular legs.
“No need to run off, pretty lady,” he says. “I’m Hunter and it looks like you already met Dylan.” He raises his hands in a why not questioning gesture. “We could all help each other in this new world.” His toothy grin gives me a sinking feeling, like a rabbit caught in a trap. I’m sure that’s what I look like to them.
Before either of them can say another word, my brain checks out and my body takes over. I bolt. I push right past Hunter and run as hard as I can. Without turning back, I hear them both laugh before the sound of feet hitting the ground carries to my ears. Dammit. I knew they’d follow.
I sprint straight back to camp. There’s nowhere else to go and I can’t be alone in unfamiliar surroundings when I run out of steam. Although the laughing has ceased, their labored breaths seem to be closing in on me.
Just as I’m rounding the last turn before the clearing, a blur crosses my path. A body slams into me—hard—and we crash to the ground, a tangle of limbs. An audible “oomph” accompanies the air that the collision knocks out of my lungs. A pair of deep brown eyes meet mine. Jasmine. She narrows her eyes and says, “What the hell are you doing?” My temporary relief at seeing a familiar face—even hers—evaporates when I hear a laugh.
“You’ve got a friend?” Hunter says between gulps of oxygen. Snickering, Dylan adds, “Looks like we got ourselves a double date.”
Jasmine’s eyes widen, and she jabs a thumb in the air toward the guys. “Who the hell are they?”
I answer her without taking my eyes off the sneering, leering men. “Trouble.”
We both rise on shaky legs, clutching our aching elbows and wrists. We’ll be sporting a few bruises from that collision, but I’m not as scared now. Even though we’re not exactly friends, we’ve instantly become allies.
“Nice to see another pretty lady around here. We were just trying to get to know your friend here a little better and she high-tailed it away from us. Kind of rude if you ask me,” Dylan says.
Hunter is happy to play along. “Yeah, we just thought we could all help each other. Looks like you got hurt out here,” he says, gesturing to her shoulder. “I bet I could make that feel better.” His meaning is clear. They can do whatever they want, and no one is watching. No one is enforcing laws. They see no value in civility.
Jasmine eyes me and then turns to the guys. She levels them with a gaze that was previously reserved for me. “Thanks, but we’ve got somewhere to be. We have plenty of friends, and I’m sure they’re getting worried about us.”
As she turns to go, Hunter takes a step closer and grabs her uninjured arm. “Oh really? Or maybe you’re just bluffing. Maybe it’s just you two lonely ladies out here, trying to survive on your own.”
Dylan chuckles.
“Jaaaaasmine,” a male voice calls out.
My shoulders drop with relief. I recognize that voice.
Jasmine responds, keeping her eyes on the strangers. “I’m back here.”
Hunter releases Jasmine’s arm and takes a step back. Both guys shift uncomfortably. They’ve suddenly lost their sense of humor now that it’s not just two helpless women.
I’ve never been so glad to see Jeff. He smiles at Jasmine. “Hey, there you are.” When his eyes land on me, he says, “Good, you’re back. We were all wondering how long you were gonna be.” His smile fades when he sees Dylan and Hunter standing awkwardly a few feet away.
“Hey, I’m Jeff. Who are you?” he says as he takes a cautious step toward the guys and extends a hand to shake.
Like a true slimeball, Hunter takes another step backward, avoiding Jeff’s greeting. “We were just leaving. We came across your friend here running in the woods.” He throws a brief nod my way. “We thought she was alone, but since you’re all obviously together, we
’ll just be on our way.” He shoots a side eye at his friend and they start to turn away.
Jeff places a hand on my arm. “Everything okay?”
I just want those creepy guys to leave. We can talk about what happened after they are long gone.
As all three of us watch the strangers slink away, I answer Jeff. “Better now.”
Chapter 62
The three of us hike back to camp, Jeff firing off questions faster than we can answer them. I explain how the first guy appeared out of nowhere and instantly gave me the heebie jeebies, his creep-factor surpassed only by his vile friend. I silently promise myself no more running alone until Riley and I are back home.
Jasmine explains how she ended up in my flight path. When I left, she decided that she wanted some time alone too. At the ambulance company, she felt like a prisoner in a medical ward. When she announced that she was going outside to take a look around, Aidan and Jeff weren’t too happy, but they knew arguing would be pointless. A few minutes after she left, the guys were already worried, so Aidan stayed with Chris and Wes while Jeff rushed out to catch up to her.
We talk until we reach our tiny stone castle. At least that’s what it feels like—a physical barrier between us and the world. Maybe things are no more predictable than they ever were, but having to face everything without my family around sucks.
Relief courses through my veins, slowing the adrenaline that kept my body in motion when those guys were chasing me. An involuntary shudder racks my body when I think about what could have happened if Jasmine and Jeff hadn’t shown up. Even if I got away, I would have led those guys right to everyone.
As soon as we push through the door, Chris rushes over and wraps an arm around Jasmine. His smile reaches from ear to ear. Jeff pats his shoulder. When his eyes land on me, Chris throws me a small nod.
Hearing our grand entrance, Aidan appears. The apprehension on his face transforms into a smile when he sees all three of us are back.
He and Jeff greet each other with a high five fist grab. “Hey, glad to see you guys.”
“Yeah, glad to be back,” I say.
Sensing the unspoken words that hang between us, Aidan asks Chris to bring Wes some water and stay with him until he drinks. Rolling his eyes, Chris trudges off to the tiny kitchen and takes his time filling a glass. The four of us sit on the grey-green wraparound couch until Chris moseys down the hallway and disappears into the room we’ve designated for Wes.
As I settle into the cushions, my damp clothes cling to my skin, sending a chill over my body. At least the rain gave me a brief shower until I can get a real one.
Jeff makes a show of leaning back into the cushions and linking his fingers behind his head, elbows pointed out. “So, Quinn, tell us all about the two guys you tried to pick up today.”
Aidan’s eyes flash wide as he turns to face me. I grab a throw pillow and launch it at Jeff.
He and Jasmine burst into laughter.
My annoyance dissolves, and a relief-giggle escapes me. Being here, surrounded by what feels like some semblance of safety, I can laugh. I can forget what might have happened. For just a moment.
“What did I miss? What happened?” Aidan’s had enough of being left out of the joke. We shake off our laughter and fill him in on the details. He listens intently, releasing a big sigh when we finish. “Do you think they followed you?” He glances toward the windows.
“Uh, I don’t think so.” I hadn’t really considered that.
Glancing at me, Jasmine speaks up, “They took off. I think Jeff’s raw masculinity scared them.”
Jeff leans forward and steers the conversation serious. “They were pretty eager to break ties with us once they saw they were outnumbered. Are you thinking we should set up a watch tonight to make sure they don’t try to take us by surprise?”
Aidan props his elbows on his knees and drops his head into his palms. “I don’t know,” he mumbles.
Jasmine rushes to his side and rubs his back. I focus on keeping my face neutral, even though my eyes are itching to hurl daggers her way.
In a hushed tone, she asks, “What’s going on, Aidan?”
With so many things wrong right now, we anxiously wait for him to define exactly what’s weighing on him at the moment.
“Guys,” Aidan says. “Wes is in really bad shape. He’s in a lot of pain and the ibuprofen isn’t doing much. I don’t think we have what he needs to get better.” He presses a fist to his mouth and closes his eyes.
Jeff and Jasmine exchange a worried glance before Jeff speaks. He asks Aidan a series of questions. “Is he still shaky? Feverish? Headaches?”
Every answer is a yes.
Before anyone can say anything else, Chris runs out to the living room. “Um, guys, Wes wants you.”
Chapter 63
We rise in unison, moving like a herd down the hallway. When Jeff reaches the doorway first, he turns toward us, holding a finger up to his mouth in a silent “Shhhh.” We quietly shuffle into the room to find Wes asleep. When we all turn to Chris he just raises his shoulders and throws up his hands, whispering, “He was just awake and asked for you!”
With nothing else to do, we settle into the room. The guys carry some kitchen table chairs into the tiny bedroom and we each claim one. Within five minutes, Chris is kneeling on his chair, pushing the boundaries of balance. Jeff motions to him and leads the kid out to the hallway.
A few minutes later, Jeff returns alone. “I gave the kid a job,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. “He was bored, so I told him to guard the house. He’s making rounds, checking the doors and windows. Maybe that’ll tire him out.” As if on cue, echoes of small footsteps pounding the floor drift toward us.
At some point, I relax into the chair enough to fall asleep. My cruel mind flashes images of the day we drove to the beach. Raindrops pound the windshield and my window. My dad’s gripping the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turn white. My mom glances back at me, her eyes clouded with worry. A flash of red turns my attention to the windshield.
My body jolts forward, tearing me from the nightmare. Eyes flying open, I search my surroundings. Jasmine, Jeff, and Aidan watch me as if I’m a science experiment that just exploded.
“You okay?” Aidan asks. Smoothing my hair out of my face, I answer, “I’m good. Just had a dream. It was a little…intense.” I’m grateful when a muffled moan shifts the attention from me. We all turn toward the bed.
Wes’ head lolls back and forth as he emerges from a fitful sleep. Aidan rushes to his side. “Wes, man, are we glad to see you awake! You kinda scared us there for a little while.” I can tell he’s trying to sound casual, but his words are clipped, his timbre off. He scans the group, his eyes urging us to join him in acknowledging Wes’ improved state, even if it is imaginary.
Jeff jumps to his feet, his chair clattering to the floor. As he takes a clumsy step forward, he loses his balance and crashes into Aidan’s empty chair. His knees meet the floor with a crack.
“Jesus, Jeff. Are you okay?” Aidan’s concern shifts from one friend to the other in a heartbeat.
Jasmine rushes over to Jeff, helping him up.
I avert my eyes, trying to avoid the awkwardness cutting through the already-charged space.
Jeff jumps to his feet and splays his hands out at his sides. “I’m fine. Just a little fall. I was eager to see my man Wes.”
Wes finally speaks, his voice a raspy murmur. “Jeff, you dumbass. You just can’t stand when all the attention isn’t on you.” And just like that, the tension dissipates. Leave it to Jeff to provide comic relief, without even trying, when we need it most.
The guys ease Wes up into a sitting position and offer him water. He gratefully drinks. Speaking quietly, he says, “This is getting worse, guys. Even with aspirin, my head doesn’t stop pounding. And my muscles…I feel like I can barely lift my arms. This must be what Jeff’s puny biceps are like.” He pauses, flashing a pitiful smile. “I don’t know if I can even get out of this
bed.”
With his words, the walls seem to close in around me. Anxiety skyrockets through my veins. I shoot up out of my seat awkwardly. “Guys, I’m gonna go check on Chris.” Focusing on my feet, I exit the room as swiftly as possible.
I wander into the kitchen to find Chris perched in front of a window, intently scanning the backyard. He doesn’t even hear me approach. Not a very effective lookout. Maybe he really does need my help.
“Chris,” I say softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. My attempt to avoid startling him fails as his body jerks upright.
“Whoa, Quinn, I’m on outside guard duty. I can’t keep watch in here too,” he says.
“Sorry, buddy,” I say, rubbing his arm in a way that reminds me of something Riley would do. “So, have you seen anything out there?”
“Nah. Nothing at all,” he utters, his tone dejected.
“Well, maybe you just have too many windows to cover,” I state, trying to boost his confidence. “I’m here as your second-in-command now. Why don’t you assign me to a lookout spot and we can both watch?”
His posture straightens and he instinctively raises his chin. “Okay,” he says enthusiastically. “You stay here in the kitchen. I’ll check the front door and bedroom windows. Yell if you see anything!”
“You got it!” I attempt to sound excited, but I’m pretty sure it sounds flat. Either way, he doesn’t seem to mind. He trots off toward the hallway while I turn toward the windows.
It takes only two strides to reach the windows of the galley kitchen. As small as this space is, it feels safe. Someone in our group is always just a room away and sturdy walls separate us from the outside world. Right now, that’s enough.
Beyond the strong stone walls, thick clouds choke the ashen sky. Wind batters the backyard’s flowering bushes and overgrown grass. Leaves, yanked from the smattering of lush trees by the wind’s powerful grasp, toss and turn in the breeze. Turning away from the window, my eyes catch another door that I assume is a pantry.
