“Get rid of them,” Logan said.
“Why? Let’s just go. There’s nobody here,” Angie said.
“We need to know where they went. I used to be a Game Ranger. I can track them if you keep those things off me.”
“Track them on this?” She pointed at the burnt ground, derision twisting her lips into a sneer.
Logan frowned and turned away, scouring the ground for clues. “Just keep them off me.”
Angie pouted, and Max stared at her, perplexed. Always short-tempered and demanding, she’d grown even more touchy of late. Filing her behavior away as a problem for another day, he turned to the group. “Right, you heard him. Let’s clear the area.”
Killing the zombies was easy enough. The fire had done most of the work for them. It was a stomach-churning job, though. Max gagged as he hacked at one, its skull reduced to a grinning specter. The smell of cooked flesh clung to his nostrils and coated the inside of his mouth.
By the time the last one fell, Logan had picked up the trail. “Over here.”
They followed a dried-out riverbed and walked across the cracked mud. It led away from the crash site in a north-easterly direction. The ground grew damp with occasional puddles of murky water. This became a trickle of water, and after slogging through ankle-deep mud, they were forced to leave the riverbed. Logan never said a word, forging ahead as he followed the trail.
Max kept a wary eye out for infected, ready for anything. It was hot and humid. Sweat trickled down his spine causing his shirt to chafe. A mosquito stung his neck, singing around his ears.
“We’re getting closer. The trail is fresh,” Logan said.
“God, I hope so. This is awful,” Angie whined. Her face was flushed, and she looked anything but happy.
Max wished she’d shut up. Of them all, Hannah was the worst off, being older and not very fit, but she never complained.
They pushed on in silence until a cold feminine voice froze them in their tracks. “Stop. Do not come any closer.”
Nobody moved. The only sound was the buzzing of insects. Max cleared his throat. “We’re not looking for trouble.”
“It wouldn’t matter if you were,” the smooth voice replied.
“Look, can I come closer? So we can talk?” Max raised his hands, holding them up in the air.
“I would not.”
The voice held a tone that brooked no argument, a clear threat implicit in the timbre. Max had the feeling the owner of it wouldn’t hesitate to kill him on the spot.
An uncomfortable silence fell, broken when Morgan bristled. “Hey, lady. You lot asked us for help. If you don’t want it anymore, then say so, and we’ll fuck off.” She turned to Max. “Come on, bro. I’ve got better things to do than play games all day in this kind of heat.”
Logan wore a look of mild amusement at Morgan’s outburst while the rest were shocked, unsure of what to do.
Max shook his head, “Morgan, please. Calm down.”
“I like her,” the voice said, interrupting his pleas. “Captain.”
A faint crackle of leaves sounded, and a rough-looking man appeared. His hair was graying at the temples, and he hadn’t shaved in days. His clothes were torn and dirty, an odd assortment of army issue and khakis. Though exhaustion lined his face, there was nothing wrong with his steely eyes or the way he held a gun.
“You must excuse Kirstin. She’s not the friendliest of my crew.”
Max nodded, at a loss for words as a stunning woman stepped into view, carrying a rifle like it was an extension of her body. He swallowed, his mouth gone dry and unable to say a single thing.
Morgan flashed him an amused look and stepped forward, saving him from embarrassment. “You must be Captain Breytenbach?”
“Correct. And you are?”
“I’m Morgan. This is my brother, Max. You spoke on the radio.”
Breytenbach’s eyes never wavered. “That’s right. So what happens now?”
“That depends on you.” Morgan was not giving an inch, her face remote, eyes cold.
“We need a safe place to stay. At least, for a while.”
“Can we trust you not to murder us in our beds?” she asked.
“You can,” Breytenbach answered. “But how do we know we can trust you?”
“You said you needed help. We’re here, aren’t we? You’ve got children with you? A baby?”
Breytenbach nodded and gestured behind him. Max took that as acceptance and moved forward into a small clearing, followed by the rest of the group. Kirstin watched him, her face as smooth as marble. She sure is something.
This train of thought was interrupted when his eyes fell on a giant with coal black skin and a smooth head. His muscles bulged beneath his thin shirt, reminding Max of the Hulk and looking every bit as friendly. A wiry man with a wide smile grinned at them, leaning against a tree next to another guy with rusty hair and a full beard. They all looked dangerous.
“Max.” Morgan nudged him and pointed to a little knot of shivering humanity, huddled on the ground.
A little girl clutching a stuffed rabbit stared at them from a tear-streaked face while a boy who couldn’t have been more than eight, cried as he held his arm. Next to them crouched a young man, holding a mewling baby, and a scuffed leather bag. He looked out of it, eyes glazed and blood soaking a makeshift bandage on his head.
Max shook off his stupor. “I see a few of you need medical attention. Our nurse here will see to your injuries while I discuss things with my friends.”
“Thank you,” Breytenbach replied.
Max hustled the rest of the group off to one side. “So? Do we take them back to camp with us or not?”
“Yes,” Morgan said. “We can’t leave the kids out here. They wouldn’t last the night.”
“I agree. These people look like fighters. We could use them,” Logan said.
“You’re both crazy. We should leave them here. They’re dangerous,” Angie hissed.
“Ben? What do you think?” Max asked.
Ben took a while to answer, brow furrowed as he thought it over. “I believe we should take them for the children’s sake but keep a close eye on them.”
“It’s decided.”
Twenty minutes later, with the worst of the group’s injuries taken care of, they were taken back to the trucks. A wary silence enveloped the two groups as they studied each other on the ride back. Nobody seemed ready to make the first overtures of friendship.
Darkness was falling by the time they reached the gates. As they drove through, Max wondered for the hundredth time if they were making a mistake. It was too late to turn back, however. He’d be watching them, though.
An armed Joseph waited to greet them at the parking lot. “They’re waiting inside the common room.”
“Who’s they?” Max asked.
“Everybody.”
Perplexed, Max set off, followed by the rest. Warm lights streamed from the windows of the main building, and the sound of laughter drifted from inside. Max grew more confused by the second. A wreath adorned the doors, bringing him up short. Christmas?
He stepped inside and blinked with surprise. Candles were scattered throughout the room, giving it a welcoming glow. Streamers decorated the walls, and people milled about with drinks and snacks. In the corner stood a Christmas tree with real wrapped presents underneath.
“Max! You’re back,” Julianne said, walking over with her arms spread. She looked elegant in black slacks, sandals, and a red silk shirt with her hair piled up. She embraced him, and he inhaled her familiar perfume of spice and orchids.
Max was stunned, mouth working as he searched for words. “Mom? What’s going on?”
She flashed him a secretive smile. “I just thought I’d welcome our new guests.”
Breytenbach and his group filed into the room wearing uniform expressions of astonishment. Julianne smiled and extended her hand. “I’m so glad you’re here. We don’t often see other survivors and rarely children. I’m Julianne by
the way.”
Breytenbach shook her hand with a bemused look. “Er, pleased to meet you too. Captain Breytenbach.”
“Let me take you to your rooms. We prepared them especially for your arrival.”
Her charm washed over the group, rendering them defenseless. Max smirked. He’d seen his mother work a room before. None of them stood a chance.
“What about the children?” Breytenbach asked.
“They can stay with Meghan and Anne tonight if that’s okay? You needn’t worry. They’ll be well looked after,” Julianne replied.
“I’ll take care of their injuries first,” Hannah assured them. “And the young man too. Perhaps I can bring them to the infirmary?”
Breytenbach nodded, blinking at a rapid pace. “All right, but I’d like to check on them later. Keep an eye on them.”
“Of course.”Julianne smiled. “Please, let me take you to your quarters now. You can have a shower if you like. We saved some hot water for you.” Her chatter faded away as she led them outside.
Breytenbach threw a questioning look at Max over his shoulder, who responded with a shrug, mouthing the words, “Beats me.”
Morgan nudged him in the ribs, chuckling. “That’s Mom for you.”
“Yup. She’s back,” Max agreed.
“Think she’ll run for office next year?”
“She might. Maybe Mayor.”
Morgan snickered then fixed him with a teasing look. “And don’t think I didn’t see the way you looked at the Ice Queen earlier. Got a crush?”
Max felt a blush creep up his neck and scoffed, “Please.”
Morgan snorted and saluted him with a beer. “Whatever you say, bro.”
“Hey, where’d you get the beer?” Max asked. “And what’s that smell?”
“Outside, in a cooler box. Better grab one quick before they’re all gone.” She clapped him on the back. “Don’t you recognize the smell? Has it been that long?”
Max sniffed the air again, eyes wide. “You’re joking. Beer and a braai?”
“It’s Christmas, brother. We deserve it.” She winked and flashed him a smile before disappearing into the crowd.
“Who’d have thought we’d live to see another Christmas, let alone celebrate one,” Max marveled.
Maybe a party wasn’t such a bad idea. It was the holidays, after all. Giving in to the spirit of things, he wandered off in search of a pint.
Chapter 25 - Julianne
Crickets sang in the background as Julianne walked across the grass with Captain Breytenbach and his team. Faint laughter and light from the party followed them through the night, but the newcomers were nervous and twitchy.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “I mean, considering.”
The Captain nodded, then caught her elbow when she stepped into a hole, kitten heels sinking into the soft ground.
Flustered, she got her shoes unstuck, cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” He looked at her for a moment before waving a hand around. “How safe are we here?”
“You mean inside the camp?”
“Yes.”
“Well, there’s a wall surrounding the living area, and it’s guarded twenty-four-seven.” Removing her elbow from his grasp, she walked on. “Around the farm itself is another fence, and we’re working on digging a trench around that.”
“I see. Population figures of the towns around here?”
“We’re out in the middle of nowhere here. The closest town is about twenty-five kilometers away, and that’s a small one—about five-thousand. We’ve already swept the neighboring farms and houses. It’s pretty clean.”
He nodded. Julianne burned to ask a thousand questions, but one look at his face told her now was not the time.
“You’re armed?” she asked instead.
“With what we could salvage from the wreckage,” he replied.
“That’s good. We believe in being prepared here.” Walls loomed in the darkness, and she waved a hand at the two cottages. “We’ve arranged these two for you. I hope that’s enough for now?”
“It’s fine,” Breytenbach replied. “We’ll share.”
The oddball named Mike opened his mouth, but the Captain cut him off. “No Mike. Kirstin will not share with you.”
Mike rolled his eyes while Kirstin smiled in that scary manner of hers. That set Ronnie and Lenka off, guffawing with genuine mirth.
Julianne watched the team interact, noting the ease of long familiarity. It made them seem a little less threatening. “Well, I’ll leave you to sort yourselves out. When you’re ready, please join us for the party. There’ll be good food and company, I promise.”
“Where can we wash?” Breytenbach asked.
“The ablution blocks are over there. Not all the cottages have bathrooms, sorry.”
“That’s all right. You’ve done more than enough.”
“Do you need anything else?” Julianne asked. “If you’re injured, I can take you to the infirmary.”
“We’re fine,” he replied. “Your nurse did a good job earlier.”
Julianne left the group to themselves and checked on the rest. The kids were in good hands for the night. The schoolroom had been converted into a den with colorful sleeping bags and toys. A TV and DVD player had been hooked up with kids movies playing on the screen. Meanwhile, Buzz and Princess wrestled on the floor.
Elise arrived with the two newcomers, Jenny and Mark, in tow. Both wore pajamas and had been bathed. Though shy, they were no longer frightened and sat with Meghan and Anne. Mark’s broken arm had been set and put in a sling, and the girls were in awe of his war wound.
Michelle had volunteered to babysit for the night. Already she was passing around cold drinks and chips, inviting the kids to a sing-along.
Satisfied, Julianne paid a visit to the infirmary. It was no bigger than a broom closet. Already there was talk of building a separate clinic. Jonathan occupied the only bed. According to the Captain, he was a qualified doctor, but to Julianne, he looked like a terrified young man. At the moment, he huddled beneath the covers, curled in upon himself. “How is he?”
“Dehydrated, starved, and exhausted. I’d guess he’s been running on guts alone for weeks, and the recent events served as the last straw,” Hannah replied. “To top it off, he’s got a concussion too.”
“Poor boy. Is he going to be all right?”
“He’ll be okay. He just needs time. Plenty of sleep, good food, a little kindness, and he’ll be right as rain again.”
“And the little one? How’s she?”
“Oh, she’s fine. Such a strong little thing and in good health.” Hannah smiled at the sleeping baby in her arms.
“I’m surprised. A baby in a helicopter crash?”
“I know. Miracles never cease.” Hannah cooed at Sam then fixed a stern look on Julianne. “Stop fussing and get back to your party. We’ll be fine.”
Julianne laughed. “Okay, I’ll send you a plate of goodies.”
Back in the cafeteria, she grabbed a cold cider and took an appreciative sip. It burned and bubbled down her throat. She sighed with pure enjoyment.
“A party, Mom? Really?” Max asked, joining her.
Folding her arms, she frowned, “It’s Christmas, and I found this box filled with decorations in the storeroom, so I thought, why not? We all need to relax and have a little fun.”
Max raised an eyebrow and gave her a small smile. “If you say so. Who am I to complain?”
“Do you think it’s too much?”
“I don’t know. Everyone could use a boost, and this is a great way but…”
“But?” she prodded.
“We don’t know if we can trust them.”
“The Captain and his team?”
“Exactly.”
“Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt at least.”
“Don’t have much of a choice, do we?”
He slipped back into the crowd, leaving her with mixed feelings.
She watched as the people mingled, laughing and drinking. They looked relaxed. For once, they didn’t have to be on their guard.
A deep voice from behind startled her out of her reverie. “Good evening, ma’am.”
She whirled around and found herself facing the Captain. He was handsome in a rugged way. His hair gleamed from the shower, and his breath smelled minty. There was something in his eyes, though, something that pulled at her heartstrings. A hint of vulnerability.
“Captain Breytenbach,” she said, plucking at her flimsy blouse. “How can I help you?”
“I wanted to thank you for all this.”
“No need to thank me. It’s much for our benefit as yours. Something to keep morale up.”
Smiling, he said, “Oh, I understand all about morale. And what you did here tonight was genius.”
Blushing, she felt awkward and self-conscious, exposed beneath the intense regard of his eyes. He offered her his arm with a smile, and she relaxed a little.
“Since you are our hostess tonight, would you care to tell me more about yourselves? You are well organized here.”
“Organized?”
“You have running water, electricity, and more than enough food. Even medicine.”
“Oh, that. We’ve been lucky, I guess,” Julianne replied.
“I’m willing to wager my piece it had nothing to do with luck.”
She grabbed another cider and took to the floor, introducing him to everyone. She noticed Max standing off to the side with Kirstin. The two were deep in conversation, and Julianne watched with interest. She was as yet unsure of the Nordic sniper.
“Where’s the tall gentleman?” she asked. “The big one?”
“Patrolling. He joined your man Joseph up on the walls.”
“That’s sweet of him.”
“He’s not one for partying.” Breytenbach shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t think he trusts your defenses and wants to check it out for himself.”
She laughed. “That’s fine. I’d do the same in a strange place.”
An hour later, they were clapping hands along with the rest as Mike did a drunken Irish jig, feet a blur. He keeled over after a few minutes, and Ronnie helped him up, the two staggering off to find more beer.
Children of the Apocalypse: Mega Boxed Set Page 24
