by Angela White
Temperatures hovered in the low teens as full darkness settled over the slick, ashy gray town, and the supply trucks couldn’t be seen after only crossing the street. When they returned promptly, it wasn’t just Adrian who was relieved. The Eagles came in with quick steps, arms loaded with warmer clothes and boots, and with boxes of extras, like books and music, all of them eager for the warmth and comfort of camp. This town, like so many others they had come through, was full of the dead and empty of signs of life.
The guards changed shifts at dinnertime and their fresh eyes swept the blowing darkness around their people, as uneasy as the last men had been, but inside there was confidence. Kenn would get the credit for the good day, but it was Adrian who had listened, Adrian who had made the right choice, and once again, his people were safe because of it.
Kemmerer appeared to be empty, but it wasn’t. The noise of Adrian’s camp was a reminder of happier, lost times, and it rang through the small town, drawing the attention of the 30 or so people hiding there. They existed mostly in basements and schools now, connected by walkie-talkies. By 10 p.m., a small group of these survivors had gathered, agreed to beg for help. Their town was dead around them, and while they were hoping the Alley people were from the government, they knew it wasn’t likely, and were willing to settle for just normal survivors who could offer them a little hope for the future.
6
“Strike! Beat that kid!”
Adrian sat down to record his score as Charlie stepped up to the sparkling, confetti-covered lane, and the leader was glad he’d had Zack cut it down before dinner. He hadn’t wanted his sheep trying to eat while the party decorations had hung over them like a neon sign that said "Your world is dead, you’ll never get this back." All the other reminders had already been put in bags and tossed in the dumpster.
Adrian hid a wince as all the pins fell again, grinning instead. He had a terrible headache, longed to spend some time in his silent semi, but it pleased him to see everyone happy and he wouldn’t tell them to tone it down for a while. They needed this, and right now, he was trying not to get skunked by a 14-year-old with the arm of a pro. The boy was better than Kenn.
That thought made Adrian look around, and he was a bit surprised not to see the Marine. Kenn liked to be the life of the party, and when he wasn’t, he was working on things they needed. Was he back in the basement? Suddenly anxious, Adrian stood up, meaning to send someone for him. That ripple of unease grew as heavy footsteps echoed over the noise of the din before he could.
“Adrian! Headlights!”
Jeremy and Seth were running toward him, people moving out of the way, and everyone stopped to watch, to hear. Strikes and cups fell unnoticed as men went for their guns, his herd watching nervously to see if they should stampede.
His eyes found Neil and Kyle in the twitchy crowd. When he motioned, the men went quickly to the front doors, and both of their teams fell in behind them without being called. This was their job.
Adrian pulled the plug on the music and looked over his scared camp, the silence almost a relief. “If you’ve passed the gun class, form a line inside the door. Do not draw your weapon. Get behind the guards. Everyone else, stay behind them.”
Aware of Seth on his heels, Adrian pulled on his jacket as he went out and opened his holsters, taking the safety off both guns. Just in case. He was hoping for survivors, but the odds were high they had drawn a threat instead, and he would die defending his sheep if he had to.
7
Down in the basement of the alley, where most of the bulbs were burnt out, Kenn was checking cords and connections, glad to see nothing overheating. He heard the music stop and assumed Adrian had tired of the noise. He also noticed the lack of balls and pins falling, but didn’t understand what it meant.
“All by your lonesome?”
Kenn’s spin was fast, gun in hand, and Tonya held up a hand, eyes saying she liked it that he was dangerous. “Easy there, big boy. It’s just the one ya been watchin' when ya thought no one was lookin'.”
Responding to the sexy accent, Kenn reholstered his gun, eyes crawling up slender ankles to creamy thighs. “The party’s upstairs. And I’m no boy.”
Tonya slowly moved towards him, hoping Kenn would be at least half as good as their fearless leader. “I’ve noticed.”
The Marine frowned at her, ears straining to hear if they were really alone. “What do you want?”
Tonya sauntered closer. “I never got to congratulate you on making XO.” She wiggled a finger, other hand slowly sliding her short skirt up, and Kenn didn’t hesitate, his need overflowing.
Tonya melted against him, lips finding that sensitive spot on his neck, and he lit up, arching against her. Nose full of pot, whiskey, and woman, he locked their mouths together. He’d gone without for a long time.
Head spinning, Kenn grunted as his jeans fell to his ankles and groaned as Tonya’s soft hand closed over his hard flesh like a glove. His eyes closed as her lips slid from his neck, and his big hands tangled in her thick curls, pushing her to her knees. If anyone had come down the hall, it would have been too late to hide, but luck was with them and they remained alone while Adrian met the new people.
8
“Where?” Adrian stepped into the storm, Doug and Neil flanking him, but didn’t really need them to point out what could only be the headlights of a big truck moving carefully through the heavy snow. Adrian’s gut immediately said sheep and he turned to Doug, storing the fact that Kenn was still nowhere to be seen. “Tell the doctor he has patients and put up tents in the lea of the building. Get some heaters in them too. Also have...Maria, start a fresh batch of meals.”
The big Gulf War Vet was still scribbling the information down and as he and Neil moved away, they were dividing up the list. Adrian watched the semi get closer to the only part of the alley’s entrance that was still visible through the eight inches of gray slush. Their noise had drawn more of his own and he wanted them, but maybe, just maybe, there was another of his circle in that truck, too.
“Get everyone back inside. This is now a quarantine zone!” Adrian barked to the Eagle on his flank.
Kyle waved his men over, and Adrian watched the semi turn into the lot, weaving past deeper looking drifts that were concrete blocks. The inside light of the red rig was on and he counted four white, middle-aged males crammed inside, their hands in plain view.
“Lesson three, Eagles. Move.”
Nothing happened for a second and then Kyle, drawing his Glock, stepped forward. “Weapons out. Don’t shoot unless I do.”
The other eight men immediately dropped back to form a neat, wide V-shape in front of Adrian, aiming their guns at the truck’s huge tires.
The driver reacted fearfully, gears squealed in protest as the semi shuddered to a stop about 40 feet away, sliding a little in the thick slush.
Adrian nodded, pleased. “Very good.” He said nothing else, only waited.
Kyle stepped forward. “Secure and disarm. Move out.”
They went in a hurry, like the professionals from before the War, and the faded truck was surrounded before Adrian finished grinding out his smoke.
9
“Damn, that was good. Wanna do it again.”
Kenn grinned, nodding against her sweaty neck as his body twitched inside hers. He slowly moved out of her slick depths and let her slide down the wall, mouth running before enough blood had made it back to his brain to allow thinking. “Later. We got lucky no one came down.”
Tonya hadn’t expected to be claimed right away, but his obvious reluctance hurt her, drew claws seeking a taste of his blood. “They’re busy in the parking lot, talking to the new people.”
Her green eyes were lit up with satisfaction and spite. “He’ll wonder where you were, but he’ll understand leadership comes with...perks.”
Tonya’s tone was gloating, and Kenn kept himself from hitting her by only a hair. Tonya seemed to sense it and ducked under his arm, moving away.
&n
bsp; “If I lost ground, I’ll claim you to make you pay. Don’t ever come between us again! You’ll be sorry.”
Tonya acted unafraid, though inside she knew he wasn’t bluffing, and the greedy redhead gave him a seductive smile as she fixed her clothes, tossed him his shirt. “I won’t. You gonna...cum to me tonight?” she asked, eyeing his chest as he pulled the shirt on over mussed hair.
Kenn jerked her up against his hard body, grinding his mouth against hers. Her arms curled around his neck and Kenn tasted her again before shoving her away.
“Yeah. Here, late. I’ll bring a blanket.”
10
“Hi! I’m Chris. This is Tim, Carter, and Paul. We live here.” The man paused, eyes full of horror. “Or at least we did. Now we hide here.” The thin face was lined with worry, and Kyle waved toward Adrian.
“Hand over that shotgun and you can talk to the Boss.”
Chris did, with little hesitation and motioned for the others to do the same. “Give ‘em up, boys.”
The other three were less trusting, and without their guns, they all looked scared and desperate. Heavy beards and thin bodies said they were, and Adrian greeted them with friendly, compassionate tones, handshakes hiding his disappointment. Only sheep in this batch, no shepherds.
“I’m Adrian. Welcome to Safe Haven. You come in peace?”
All the thinly-jacketed men nodded, but Chris was clearly in charge and they let him speak. “You bet your ass. Peace and hope.”
Adrian grinned, aware of Seth’s disappointed face as he waited by the front doors with the others who weren’t Eagles. Whoever the undercover cop was looking for, he already sensed they weren’t with these people.
“Then you’re welcome here. What do you need?”
Relief fell over the man’s face, and he let out a sigh, “Help, son. We need help.”
“We need food! They’re starving!” Paul blurted.
The other three men turned to stare disapprovingly at Paul’s red face, before turning back to Adrian.
“I’ll beg if I have to. We’re dying,” pleaded Chris, shame in his tired brown eyes.
Adrian shook his head, words full of conviction, “Not another one of you if I can help it. We offer you sanctuary so long as you follow the rules. Be sure, though. We consider ourselves a Red Cross convoy and we gather survivors while we search for safety. Travel four days out of seven, sometimes more.”
All of them nodded again, eyes relaxing a little at his words, and while Adrian was glad to see they weren’t a problem, he knew he wouldn’t be finding any of his own in this group. They were clearly in need and he would help them, but damn it, where was his help?
Neil leaned close, whispered, and the four townspeople moved back nervously as Adrian turned to them with scowling eyes. “Who’s in the truck?”
Their faces fell at the accusing tone, and Chris hurried to explain. “Our families. We couldn't leave them while we came to talk to you. It’s not safe here.”
“Or anywhere else. You should have mentioned them already.”
Adrian gave Neil a look that said to watch them, and moved to the rear of the long vehicle before the man could defend himself. All four of the locals followed at a distance, very aware of guards who had yet to reholster their weapons.
“Eagles. What is part B of lesson three?”
There was silence, and then Kyle’s dismayed voice. “Never assume cargo area is empty. Approach and handle as if it is full of the enemy.” They hadn’t secured the entire threat.
“No harm this time, and while you’ve done okay, this won’t be considered a success. Open these doors.”
Knowing they’d all just lost Level Three status, Kyle smothered his own disappointment to unlock the heavy door and shoved it upward. He took a quick look, nodding calmly, and then moved back to allow Adrian inside.
The reek of unwashed bodies hit them hard, but the slicked-back hair and messy braids told Adrian they’d at least attempted to make themselves presentable. He looked hard at their worried and hopeful eyes, seeing hunger, but not starvation; need, but not the desperation the four men had alluded to. Why the lie? Protection from the gangs? He could provide a little of that.
“Eagles, these are our newest camp members. We’re going to feed them, give them medical care, and protect them. In return, they’re going to follow our rules and help each other survive.”
The women and children - there were only two, but Adrian was glad to have them anyway - were huddled on blankets on the truck’s dirty floor, the elderly sitting in chairs with pillows and blankets. The oldest among them, her long, white hair almost silver, raised a thin, arthritic arm. “Will ya help an old woman up, young man?”
Adrian and Kyle moved at the same time, gentle with her, Seth on the footrails to assist. “Yes Ma’am, and so will any of us. Eagles, assembly line and someone find out how long before the food’s ready. Welcome to Safe Haven. May it become your home.”
When the truck was empty, Adrian went to Chris, who was still waiting by the tailgate.
“You lose your men and boys to the Draft?”
The man nodded, dropping his eyes to the left. “Half our females too.”
Adrian frowned. What else was he lying about?
“Thank you for taking us in. I’ll make sure they behave.”
“No, you won’t. That’s my job now.”
Chris gave in quickly, meeting his eyes with relief, “And thank you for that too. I thought I wanted to be in charge, but I’m not enough, and I give it up with a grateful heart.”
Chris on his heels, Adrian moved toward the fullest tent, glad the doctor wasn’t being overwhelmed, and when Kenn appeared at his side, Adrian said nothing about his tardiness.
“We now have 28 new camp members. This is Chris. This is Kenn, my second in command. There’s little he can’t handle, so if you need something, he’s the one to talk to. We’ll need names, ages and occupations, and they’ll need the medications John prescribes, lists of rules, clothing, and sleeping gear for tonight. Chris will go with you to get them settled. They’ll also need porto-cans and some kids to run errands for them - your boy too, if you’re all right with it.”
Adrian paused to let him catch up and took in the messy hair, the corner of his shirt untucked. If Kenn found a woman here, all the better. “We’ll work out tent arrangements first. Double the watch again and tell everyone inside to go back to what they were doing. Lights out at 1 a.m.”
11
The tired leader was back in the office hours later, writing in his journal, and looked up at yet another creak of footsteps outside the open door - where over a hundred of his sheep were resting, finally calm enough to sleep.
“You busy?”
“Nope. What’s up?”
Charlie hesitated, took a step inside, but only after looking up and down the dim hall first. “I heard something while I was shoveling…about the new people.”
The question was there and Adrian nodded. “Tell me.”
“It wasn’t the Draft. They left to find help.”
Adrian’s sharp mind added up the clues. “They tried to stop them? Made them run?”
Charlie's voice was low. “Some of them escaped, and died. They chained them.”
Angry, Adrian asked before he knew he was going to. “Should they be allowed to stay?” Once it was out, he didn’t pull it back, waiting for this curious child’s decision.
Charlie shrugged, aware that it had become his choice, but not why or how. “They’re sorry. They hope some of them might come back, left them notes about us.”
Adrian considered. Sometimes guilt would make changes where little else could, and sometimes your instinct was all you had. The boy thought they should be allowed to stay, would feel guilty if his words got them thrown out. “It’s not always wrong now, death. Your mom might tell you that, I think.”
Adrian was taking a big guess and knew he was right by the silence. If it were anything else, he would have denied wanting his mo
ther.
Charlie hesitated, lonely and wanting to trust, but his fear of Kenn was as big as his mother's and it made him turn away without saying any of the things he wanted to, without offering a ...special, kind of help.
Kenn was busy getting the new people settled and his mood was good despite missing his rendezvous with Tonya. He had plenty of help without having to ask and the Marine was confident his place here was sealed. Right-hand man belonged to him now, had all along according to Adrian, but the camp’s approval could make or break you, and now he had it.
Adrian’s other men, those who had been here longer (and still wanted what was no longer available) tried not to be bitter or hateful, accepting that Adrian saw something in the Marine that they did not, something they themselves were lacking. Their desire for Adrian’s approval and recognition would make them uneasy and awkward with Kenn at times, but only Neil had spoken against it and not openly. Adrian had made his choice, and now Kenn could openly give what the job demanded - everything.
Chapter Five
February 25th, 2013
Pitcairn Island
1
Kendle’s exile in the wilderness lasted for 60 days and 60 nights, and then, as suddenly as her nightmare had begun, it was over. The small, weathered speedboat washed up on a sandy shore while she slept, and it was the painful twisting and cramping of her stomach that woke her.
The adventurist crawled clumsily to the side of the boat with her eyes still closed and retched until her belly was empty and her throat burned. She didn’t notice the lack of motion that was causing her misery and dipped her hand to splash her face, crying a little at the abrupt beginning to her day. Instead of debris-filled waves, there was only the warm wetness of her vomit and the hard grit beneath it.
