I smacked my palm against the window again. My teeth clenched together, causing my ears to ring. The muscles in my neck tightened painfully.
“Josh!” I shouted again.
It was no use. He couldn’t hear me.
“What’s going on?” Lucy asked. The three girls had entered the living room at some point.
“I got it,” Shawn said opening the front door. He’d found the gun.
The lion didn’t hear the commotion inside the house or if it had, it didn’t care. It was low to the ground, moving softly but quickly toward Josh.
POW!
The sound of the gun echoed through the air. Shawn lowered the gun and aimed it toward the lion. It didn’t matter though, the lion had bolted in fear at the familiar sound.
“Get back here,” Shawn shouted as he waved Josh over.
Josh ran back toward the house, having realized what had happened. His eyes darted back and forth between the front door and the lion running away.
He smacked Shawn on the back and closed the door behind them. Josh crouched forward and took several breaths.
“Whew,” Josh said looking up with a nervous grin.
“That was pretty foolish,” Shawn said setting the gun down in its usual spot.
“I forgot about those things,” Josh said with a shrug.
Lucy threw her arms around her dad. “You could have been killed by that thing.”
“Honest mistake,” he said comforting her with gentle pats on the back.
“I’ll tell mom,” Lucy said pulling back. “She’s going to be upset.”
“She’s always upset,” Josh muttered.
I shook my head and poked Josh in the chest with my fingertip. Anger raised my voice louder than I had intended. “We don’t forget, okay?”
I turned back toward the window because my blood was bubbling up and it was about to boil over. The lion was still out there, pacing on the road, staring at the house.
It had stopped running. Not like when our neighbor Jake had scared them off.
The lion wasn’t as scared. Or maybe it simply knew if it didn’t get food soon, it was going to die.
“Why don’t we just kill those things?” Josh asked.
“Kill what things?” Gage asked as he came into the living room.
“The lions,” Josh said. “Would feed us for days.”
Winter gagged. “You can’t eat cats.”
“Why not?” Josh asked with a wink.
Winter’s cheeks turned rosy. “Well, I’m not going to eat a cat.”
“We don’t need to eat them. It’s not like we lack food,” I said.
“A steak would be nice,” Josh said with a shrug.
“I’m going to puke,” Winter said. “Lion steak isn’t a thing.”
I watched the lion as it disappeared behind some soggy bushes. “We’re not going to kill them. At least not yet.”
“It would keep us all safer,” Josh said.
I looked to Gage, who shrugged. “Well, it’s gone now.”
“Could hunt them,” Josh said.
“I’d rather we just all stay safe,” I said.
Josh shrugged. “Whatever you say.”
“None of us have experience hunting lions or even hunting for that matter,” I said as if I needed to explain myself.
“What’s there to know?” Josh asked. He held up his hands. “Never mind, we can worry about it if they come back.”
I gave him a nod, which he returned. I watched as he turned and whispered something to Winter before making his way to the kitchen.
Winter clasped her hands together and stared at the floor for a long moment. It seemed as though her lips had curled at the corners ever so slightly.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said placing her hand on Ella’s shoulder.
“Yeah, of course,” Ella said before Winter pivoted on her heel and headed down the hallway.
“I need to get back to work too,” Gage said brushing his hands together.
I cocked my head to the side. “What are you working on?”
“Counting and organizing,” Gage replied. “We’re probably not going to gather more supplies today.”
“That’s a good idea,” I said.
Everyone dispersed, leaving Shawn and I standing there. I quickly remembered how inappropriately I was dressed and headed upstairs to my room.
I could hear the stairs creaking behind me. Shawn was following me.
It surprised me that I wasn’t entirely annoyed but I couldn’t let him back into my room. I needed to change and get to work.
At my door, I stopped and turned toward him with my arms crossed. He smiled at me, bringing his thumb to his lower lip.
“Can we finish our, um,”—he cleared his throat—“conversation?”
I looked into his eyes. The warmth I felt from them was like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a freezing winter night. When I heard Kieran’s door open down the hall, the blanket suddenly became itchy.
“Maybe later, okay?” I asked softly. “I need to get changed and get downstairs.”
Lucy eyed us as she walked past us toward the stairs. She looked as though she’d been crying but then again, she kind of always looked that way.
“Are you sure?” Shawn asked with a raised brow. “I feel like we have unfinished business.” He leaned closer and kept his voice low. “Was it just me or did something happen back there?”
I swallowed hard. It stung my heart to see him look hurt and confused.
“Yeah, sorry,” I said lightly touching his forearm. I pulled back when I felt the pleasant shock from just barely touching him. “It did. I think. I don’t know. It’s just that I need to be down there helping out. Please understand.”
“Sure.” Shawn flicked me a smile but it was forced and empty. “Later.”
“Later,” I said stepping into my room and closing the door. I was tempted to lock it but I knew he’d hear it and I didn’t want to twist the knife… if that’s what I’d be doing.
I changed quickly and skipped steps as I made my way back downstairs. I moved quickly through the living room, barely giving a look to Ella and Noah on the sofa looking through a travel book.
Winter and Josh were in the kitchen, standing much too close. I hesitated and peeked around the corner before proceeding.
Something was… off.
Josh placed his hand on Winter’s back. Slowly, he slid it downward.
What the hell?
His hand curved around her backside and I cleared my throat. I counted to five before I turned the corner.
“Hey,” I said.
Suddenly there were two feet between them. Josh shifted his weight and flashed me a quick smile.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Winter said blinking rapidly. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
I crossed my arms and stared at her. She looked away, splashing water on something in the sink.
“Not sure,” I said cocking my head as I stared at Josh’s back. He must have felt the weight of my stare.
Josh chuckled awkwardly. “Just making some coffee. The lion encounter zapped my energy.” He turned sharply. “You want some? I can make more.”
“No,” I said keeping my eyes on him. “I’m good.”
“Suit yourself,” Josh said. “Are you off to help Gage?”
“I was but then I saw something concerning,” I said.
Josh turned and crossed his arms, leaning back against the counter. “Oh, hmm. I doubt there is anything you really need to be concerned about inside the house.”
“Josh,” I sighed. “I’m not comfortable with this.”
“With what?” He chuckled but the darkness in his eyes showed he knew he was caught.
“I don’t want this happening,” I said shooting a look at Winter. Her eyes were still down as if she were afraid of me. “No drama inside this house, got it?”
Josh took a step forward. “This isn’t your house.”
�
��If you don’t want to be here anymore, I can show you the door,” I said taking my own bold step forward.
“Dammit, Josh!” Kieran howled from less than a foot behind me. “I’ve had it. She’s half your age.”
“It’s not what you think,” Josh said looking at me.
It was like he was trying to persuade me as if he wanted me on his side. That wasn’t going to happen.
Kieran moved so fast it looked as though she’d hovered across the floor. The crack from her hand hitting his cheek echoed in the large kitchen.
Kieran’s shoulders moved up and down rapidly. “I’m taking Lucy and we’re leaving.”
22
Joss
Robby had left ten minutes before there was a knock at the door. I hated watching him leave. Being alone in the room wasn’t something I could handle.
My heart was racing.
I could hear a clock ticking even though there wasn’t one in the room.
I couldn’t stop thinking about all the terrible things that could happen to him. To any of us.
I opened the door to a guy who wasn’t much older than I was and not much taller either. His shoulders were broad and a smile that didn’t make me feel any better.
“Joss?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Figured. Penny never gets the room numbers wrong,” he said holding out his hand. “I’m Bill Wakeman.”
The name sounded familiar. Where had I heard it? It was a rather common name… that was probably all it was.
“Hi,” I said taking his cool hand into mine. My hand felt like it was as delicate as a butterfly wing as he gripped my hand and shook.
“Let’s get some breakfast and I’ll tell you all about our boring job,” Bill said.
“Boring?” I asked.
Bill’s brow wrinkled. “Ninety percent of the time it’s exceedingly boring.”
“And the other ten percent?”
“If you’re lucky, you’ll get to find out,” Bill said with a wink. “Let’s go.”
I followed him out the door but glanced back. It felt weird not locking it with our things still inside.
“Oh, none of these doors work anymore,” Bill said having noticed that I’d looked over my shoulder. “They only lock if someone inside locks them. Don’t worry, no one steals anything.”
“Ever?” I asked.
“Nope,” Bill replied. “Not ever.”
My fingers twisted together. “Why is that?”
“Because everyone has everything they need.”
Bill made it seem like the answer was simple. He smiled as he ran his fingers through his nearly shoulder-length hair.
I followed him out of the hotel. His umbrella popped open with a whoosh. He put it over our heads and led me down the street. I did my best to commit everything I saw to memory. If something happened, I would need to make sure I could find my way back to the hotel.
Bill took me inside a building that had once been a restaurant according to the sign at the top. Inside it had been redesigned to look more like a cafeteria inside a school.
Bill showed me what everyone does to get their food. Grab a tray… wait in line… get food. Coupons were passed out daily after work was completed.
We set our trays down at a small table in the middle of the room. Bill didn’t sit.
“If you’ll excuse me for just one minute,” Bill said.
I nodded and sat down. My eyes darted around the room, hopeful I’d spot Robby, Caleb, or Jenna.
They weren’t there. It was just me in a room with a bunch of strangers all talking. The hum of their voices was almost overwhelming until I caught a glimpse of Bill. My eyes stayed on my tray but I focused in on his voice.
“He was such a tool,” one guy said.
“Ugh,” a female groaned. “This one time, Liam hit on me. It was so gross.”
“I, for one, am glad he’s dead,” another girl said.
Bill chuckled. “Well, at least he won’t be screwing things up anymore with our supplies.”
That’s where I’d heard the name. Bill had been Liam’s scouting partner.
“Things are going to be like so much better now,” the first girl said.
“I’ll catch up with you guys later,” Bill said. “Need to train Liam’s replacement.”
The other guy cleared his throat and the girls giggled. Bill pulled out the chair next to me and my body shook.
“Did I startle you?” Bill asked with a laugh.
“Yeah,” I said copying his laugh.
“I bet it’s a bit different in town than it was out there, huh?” Bill asked. “You’ll adjust quickly. Most everyone does.”
I took a small scoop of the scrambled eggs. They tasted different, like they were made from powder but they were warm.
“I should have warned you,” Bill said.
“About?”
“About the food,” Bill said reaching into his pocket. He tossed me a little white packet of salt. “That should help.”
I tore the packet open and sprinkled half on the eggs. After another taste, I added the rest.
“So, you guys were with Liam, huh?” Bill asked shoveling in his own bite of food.
“Yeah,” I said trying to stop my leg from bouncing under the table. I was afraid it was vibrating the entire room.
“Hey, Bill,” a tall guy said as he stepped up behind Bill. He gripped his shoulders and squeezed. “Want to introduce me to your friend here?”
Bill caught my eye and rolled them. “Joss, this is Ashton. Ashton, Joss.”
Ashton stretched out his hand. “Good to meet you.”
“Likewise,” I said biting down on my cheek. I’d never in my life uttered the word likewise.
“You guys were with lame Liam, huh?” Ashton asked.
I blinked hard twice. “Yes, he found us.”
“Shocking. Lame Liam hadn’t found people, his maps were shit, and he followed the women around like he was a lost puppy.”
“He seemed nice,” I said.
“Well, you didn’t know him,” Ashton said slapping Bill on the back. “I’ll let you two get to it.” He locked eyes with me and raised a brow. “I hope we bump into one another again real soon.”
Bill pushed Ashton away from the table. “Get out of here. Leave her alone.” After Ashton was gone, he shook his head. “I’m sorry about that. Ashton thinks he’s hot shit.”
“I see,” I said setting my fork on my plate. The clinking sound rang out like a bell. “Finished. Should we get to work?”
“Yes,” Bill said. “Yes, we should.”
He led me further away from the hotel to a brick two-story building at the edge of town. It was easy to tell even without the track and playground that the building had once been a school.
“This is where we store everything,” Bill said pulling a key out of his front pocket. He opened a padlock and gestured for me to enter. “There are only ten of us with a key… Rex, the kitchen staff, and as you can see, me.”
“You’re the only one that works here?” I asked.
“Well, no,” Bill said smiling as we walked down the hallway. Each room we passed was stuffed with boxes and bags. “You work here too.”
I rubbed the perspiration off the back of my neck. “Just us?”
“Nah.” Bill smiled. “We’re just the first ones here.”
“So, what do I do?” I asked, my voice echoing in the empty hallway.
“Each room has a notebook and boxes of items. It all needs to be documented and counted,” Bill said. “Essentially, that’s what we do.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That can’t be all you do considering you and Liam were also looking for survivors.”
“At times, we go out and look for more supplies, survivors, and map what is out there so that we can find it again,” Bill said. “You won’t have to do that any time soon.”
He gestured toward the fourth door on the right. I crossed my arms as I stepped inside the cold room.
Half
of the boxes had been unpacked. There were two desks, each with a notebook and pen on top.
“I’ll open the boxes,” Bill said. “And you’ll write down exactly what I tell you. Sounds easy, right?”
“Sure,” I replied.
“I thought so but Liam didn’t agree,” Bill said shaking his head. “He’d write down the wrong things and the wrong numbers. Too easily distracted.”
I shrugged. “Not sure who can blame him with everything that’s going on.”
“Anyway,” Bill said clearly not thrilled that he hadn’t persuaded me into disliking Liam. “Sit. Let’s get started.”
He didn’t spend more than five minutes telling me how to write things down. I quickly realized that Liam wasn’t the problem, Bill had no idea how to teach his very precise and seemingly unnecessary ways of documenting the supplies.
“Seriously?” he asked throwing down a bag of chips when I asked a question. “I told you a million times to include the brand name and package weight.”
“Right, sorry,” I said.
“It’s not like there is really that much to remember,” Bill said as he jabbed the paper with his finger. “Plus, each column is labeled.”
I swallowed my frustration. “I’m new at this. It’s not like I ever thought I’d be rescued and then off to a new job the next day.”
“Dammit. I apologize,” Bill said. “You’re right. I’m being too hard on you and that’s not cool. It’s just that I’m used to working with incompetent fools. I’ll try to do better.”
We worked quietly for the next fifteen minutes. Suddenly, he popped up.
“Quiz time,” Bill said.
My throat dried. “Didn’t know there would be a test.”
“I just want to make sure you’re getting this before we get too far into it.” Bill dragged his finger down the page. “This is wrong. And this.”
He corrected my mistakes, pressing the tip harder and harder into the paper with each one. Bill threw the pen across the room.
“We’re done today,” Bill said. “Go back to your hotel.”
I stood and the chair scraped the tile floor as it moved back. My feet slapped the floor as I stormed out of the building.
There were eyes on me from the other rooms. People had come in when we’d been working.
A younger girl came to the door, watching me as I walked by. Her blue eyes were soft. I avoided making eye contact but I could tell she wanted to ask if I was all right. Even if I would have stopped, though, she wouldn’t have asked.
The Reset Series | Book 4 | Swamp Page 11
