“If they don’t, we’ll send them on alone. They’ll never survive without us.” I put my hands on my hips and glanced from one face to the other. “Do you want to do this without more fighters?”
“No.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “We need the help.”
“What if they try to molest us?” Gage’s voice rose. “They probably haven’t seen a woman in who knows how long.”
“Sleep with your knife in one hand.” I saw her point, but wasn’t going to back down. I didn’t know of any other way to get help. The Wheel was too slow. We didn’t have that kind of time. “Let’s move.”
“You heard her.” Fawke fell into step beside me. “I’ll do what I can to make sure your authority is recognized.”
“Thank you.” I’d taken a gutsy move, one I prayed would work.
“What makes you think the chip is merely a tracker?”
“Have you ever heard of one being detonated?”
“No.”
I grinned. “Ezra has been here for a long time. Don’t you think he’d have shared such a tale over a nighttime fire?”
He laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’ve quite the brain inside that pretty head.”
My face flushed at his compliment. “I’ve read a lot of books.”
“Thank the Supreme Being for that.” He stepped back to help pull the wagons.
Kira took his place. “I feel exposed.” She jerked her head to where the toppled building tapered.
“We’ll have to fight.” Why weren’t the Malignants climbing over to get to us? “Stay ready. We could be walking into a trap.” If those things weren’t coming over, they’d be coming through, making it easier for us to pick them off.
The wagons clattered over rocks and iron beams making our presence known. Still no creatures attacked. I peered over the building. Where were they?
“Something has drawn them away,” Kira said. “What would do that?” She glanced at the sky. “Doesn’t look like rain.”
I held up my fist to call a halt a few feet away from flames over a crack in the asphalt. “Fawke, we need to scout ahead.”
“I’ll go,” Jolt offered, releasing the handle of the wagon. It dropped with a thud. “Fawke is needed here more than I am. He’s a better fighter.”
“Which is why I go with Crynn.” Fawke grabbed his gun.
Having him with me was more preferable than the less experienced Jolt. Plus, I enjoyed his company out from under the hungry gaze of Gage. “Fawke goes. The rest of you rest. We camp here tonight and head through the opening tomorrow. If Sharon calls, tell her I’ll be back in an hour.”
“She isn’t going to like you taking command.” Fawke grinned. “But, I like the bossy Crynn.”
Unfortunately, he wasn’t in control of my fate. What’s the worst Soriah could do to me? Make me stay here for the rest of my life? A horrible fate, but one I could deal with if it kept my people safe. My family, as they’d become to me. This group was all I had.
We took off at a jog, slowing as we stepped through the opening we’d located earlier that day. I tensed, expecting an attack. Nothing. No shrieks, no sight of a single monster.
“Where are they?” I glanced at Fawke.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. This is eerie.”
We stepped onto what might have once been a busy city street. Cars lined the sides, smashed as pieces of skyscrapers fell. A few fires burned where the asphalt had cracked.
Craning my neck, I stared at a building that still towered above the others. A light flickered in one of the windows. I tapped Fawke on the shoulder and pointed. Malignants didn’t need light. We’d located another human.
“Do you think they’re following whoever that is?” I asked.
“All of them?” Fawke frowned. “Whoever it is would be dead by now if that horde knew about their existence.”
“Should we go in?”
“Yes, but stay behind me. If something happens, run back to the others.”
“Not without you.” I glared.
He exhaled sharply. “You know the special assignments?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, mine is to keep our leader safe at all costs. I failed once, I won’t fail again.” He stepped into the darkness of the building.
That explained a lot. I still wouldn’t let him, or anyone, jeopardize their life for me, though. Special assignment be damned. Praying the building wouldn’t fall, I followed.
The odor inside was almost unbearable, making me glad for the scarf around my face. It didn’t take the stench away, but did mask it some.
Fawke clicked on a flashlight, put a finger to his lips, and headed deeper into the building. A set of steel stairs led to the second floor. Something scraped above us. We froze.
When no more sound came, we continued upward. I gripped the rickety railing so tight my knuckles ached. Another scrape. Sweat poured down my brow. I preferred seeing the threat toward me rather than seeking it out.
The second floor held no walls. Fawke’s light barely broke the darkness of the cavernous space. Yet it was here we’d seen the light, heard the sound of a foot scraping against cement. Fawke clicked off his light.
After a few seconds, my eyesight adjusted to the dark. I glanced around the room, venturing further in.
Piles of weeds and dried grass dotted the floor. We’d found a lair.
Fawke squatted next to one, turning his light back on. “Crynn.” He pointed to grass matted with blood.
“Is that an umbilical cord?” I swallowed against the mountain in my throat.
“Yep. They’re breeding.”
“I didn’t think they could.”
“I’m finding out there’s a lot we didn’t know.” He whirled and shined his light in a corner.
A young man held up his hands. “Don’t shoot.”
“Who are you?” I took a step closer, only to be stopped by Fawke.
“Nobody.” The man whirled and dashed away, his steps echoing as he descended another staircase.
Fawke and I gave chase. We’d made our first contact with a human outside our group. I had no intention of letting him get away.
Outside, we chased him across the street and into another building. The back wall of the building had long ago been blasted away. Our prey darted through and across a small courtyard before scaling a fence.
We lost him in the next building. No sight or sound of him.
I kicked a rock, sending it clattering away from me. A shout rang out from a few yards away. I shot Fawke a look when another voice rang out, then several and the sounds of a battle, sword against sword.
We’d located a group. Perhaps the very group of survivors we’d been sent to find.
Unfortunately, the horde of Malignants had found them as well.
13
“This isn’t our fight.” Fawke’s face tightened. “Two more fighters won’t make a difference.”
“You want to leave them to die?” I stared at two small groups of men fighting for their lives against way too many Malignants.
“They aren’t your responsibility.” He faced me. “The people waiting for us are.”
My gut wrenched. He was right. As much as I hated to leave them, my obligation lay elsewhere. At least we now knew we weren’t alone in this vast concrete jungle. I turned away, blinking back tears. “Let’s go back. We know why those things aren’t bothering us. That’s what we came for.”
“Crynn.”
I turned around at the sternness in his voice. Two men, chased by three Malignants, sprinted our way. These two we could help. I whipped my gun from my shoulder and took aim.
Fawke did the same.
One of the men dropped to one knee and plunged his sword into the beast’s belly.
I waved them on as other creatures took notice. With the distraction, other humans broke away from their group and headed into a dark building. Shrieks rang out as the monsters realized they’d lost their prey.
“Take down as
many as you can,” I ordered, mowing down the approaching beasts with my gun as Fawke followed suit. “You other two be ready in case any get past us.”
They slumped against the fallen building, leaving the fighting to me and Fawke. After ridding the world of ten more Malignants, the creatures realized they fought a losing battle and darted away.
“You two come with us.” I aimed my weapon on them, eyeing the packs the two wore. “We’ve a small group waiting for us.”
“Who are you?” Fawke stepped forward, glaring down at them.
Of course, we should ask that question first. Again, I wondered about the wisdom behind my appointment as leader.
“Who are you?” A belligerent look crossed one of their faces.
“The ones who saved you,” I said. “Hand over your packs and answer the question.”
“Don’t do it,” Lars.” The other one shook his head.
“We have one name.” Fawke kicked the foot of the one who hadn’t answered.
“Dayton.” He tossed his pack, slamming me in the chest, then bolted to his feet.
“Stupid move since we have the guns.” Fawke aimed at his chest. “Play nice or you’ll regret not falling with your comrades.”
“They weren’t part of our group.” Dayton crossed his arms. “We ran into them and a fight started. They wanted our packs, too. Then, those things showed up, and we had to fight together.”
I opened the pack he’d thrown, my eyes widening at the sight of fabric, an ornate gold goblet, a sparkling necklace, and other luxuries I’d only read about. Nothing to help a person survive in the city wasteland. “What is this?”
“We work for Soriah,” Lars said. “Oh, shut up, Dayton. We’re blown. Might as well come clean. Besides, I’m sick and tired of risking my life for those rich people on the hill.”
“You scavenge for Soriah?” Fawke’s brow furrowed.
“Where else do you think they get their fancy items? When the city fell, things were left behind. It’s up to us to find them and take them back.”
“How?” I zipped up the pack.
“We leave them on top of a designated building. They get picked up.” Dayton shrugged. “It isn’t our place to ask questions.”
“How many of you are there?”
“Well, there was five. I guess there’s just the two of us now. The Wheel decides. Mind telling us who you are?”
“Stalkers,” I answered. “The wheel landed on black. We’re here to rid the city of those things.” To make the job for scavengers easier was my guess.
“Did you see the box on the wheel with the goblet? That’s what determines our job. A chopper drops us off on the other side of the city. We’ve come a long way since then. Those things kept driving us farther and farther from the pickup site.”
“Who were those you were fighting?”
“No idea. We didn’t have time to ask questions.”
I glanced at Fawke. How many different groups were out here? Our job just got harder. We had more than Malignants to deal with. “Let’s go. It’s getting dark.” Maybe I could use the items these two found to bargain with Sharon for more people.
“There’s food in this pack,” Fawke said. “At least we won’t have to share what little we have.” He tossed the pack back. “This is Crynn Dayholt, our leader. I’m Fawke.”
“She doesn’t look old enough to lead an elementary class.” Lars shook his head, getting to his feet.
“Looks can be deceiving.” I prodded him forward with the barrel of my weapon.
As we made the long trek back to the others, I thought on how I’d handle Sharon when she called again. I couldn’t keep it secret that we had these two, not if I wanted to bargain with the luxury items. She’d most likely tell me these two were now a part of us. They weren’t enough. We needed more fighters. What I didn’t know was whether I’d tell her about the other group. I didn’t want to give her too much information until I had answers to some of my questions. The main one being…what the heck were we really doing out there?
The others glanced up from where they rested around the fire as we approached. Ezra got to his feet. “Sharon didn’t mention dropping anyone off when she called.”
“I missed her?” I tossed one of the packs on the wagon.
“She’ll call back.”
“We saved these two from Malignants,” I said. “Lars and Dayton. Scavengers for Soriah. There was another group, but they ran off when we distracted those things.” I sat on a cement block, grateful to be off my feet.
“The ones we’re looking for?” Ezra glanced in the direction we’d come.
“No idea who they are.” I shot him a warning look. We didn’t need to reveal too much to the newcomers. Not until we knew whether we could trust them.
He took the hint. “Want me to tie them up?”
“After we eat.” I doubted they’d run at the promise of a meal. “Check the other pack. It’s got supplies.”
“Those are ours.” Dayton glared.
“We share everything. Since you’re here, this belongs to all of us.” I lay my weapon across my knees.
Lara handed me a bowl of the same gruel we’d ate for breakfast. “I know it isn’t much.”
“It’s fine. There isn’t much variety out here.” The food was filling and gave us strength. That’s all that mattered. “Fawke and I will take first watch. We’ve had a long day and can use several hours of uninterrupted sleep. These two can be tied under the wagon. It looks like rain. Everyone else sleep in your rubber suits.” I dug into my bowl, more ravenous than I’d thought.
As I spooned the last bite into my mouth, Sharon’s face filled the radio monitor. I got up and stood in front of it. “I hope you have good news for me.”
“It appears you have two more.”
“Right. The trackers.” I smiled without humor. “Nothing gets past you.”
“We want what they found.”
“And I want more fighters. Care to make an exchange?”
“You may keep the two you found.”
“They aren’t enough.” I crossed my arms. “We need extra provisions, suits, weapons, and living humans. The rest of their group were overrun with Malignants. The deeper we go into the city, the more of those things we encounter. Unless you want us all to suffer the same fate as the other scavengers, you’ll send help.”
“Our conversations have grown very redundant, Miss Dayholt. President Cane is not pleased at your lack of servility.”
“That’s unfortunate.” I kept my smile in place. “Perhaps we could trade places.”
Her features hardened. “Your insolence is unbecoming to your position. Five minor criminals will arrive tomorrow. Get the luxury items to the top of the nearest tall building. The items for fighters.” The screen went black.
Dayton clapped. “Bravo. You might be young, but you’re either the bravest or stupidest person I’ve ever met.”
“A little bit of both,” Ezra said. “Welcome to the crazy farm.” He pulled some plastic rope from our supplies and tied the newcomers together under the wagon. “Sleep tight. How long you here for?”
“Twenty years, but every item of value we find takes off a year. I have fifteen left. Lars is down to eighteen.”
“I’m a lifer, so don’t try to escape. Killing you won’t extend my sentence.” Ezra marched back to his spot next to the fire.
Dayton cursed and wiggled against his bindings until Lars yelled for him to stop.
I chuckled and climbed to the top of the debris pile to start my hour’s watch. A few minutes later, Fawke joined me.
“Now, we’re twelve.”
“Maybe.” I peered through the dark for any signs of life, beast or human. “Do you think we can trust them?”
“They heard Sharon’s orders. They have no choice but to be a part of our group.”
“You still think we can be killed by our chip.”
“I’m not willing to find out. Not this close to the end of my term.”
/> I’d miss him when he left. If I lived another two years.
“Five more isn’t enough.” I sighed.
“Don’t press your luck. Seventeen is a lot more than I thought we’d ever get. Pray some more young unfortunates land on black on their eighteenth birthday.”
What a horrible thing to wish, yet I did. Very much. I hated this place, the system, Sharon, President Cane…the list seemed endless. Dwelling on what I disliked would do me, or the others, no good. I had to make the best of things. “I’d rather pray that we receive enough supplies for the group.”
“That’s a good prayer, too.” He bumped me with his shoulder. “Chin up. I’ve survived this long, you will, too.”
“Before now, the group stayed in their safe little courtyard, dispelling Malignants as they came close.”
“Awaiting orders. Your arrival changed it all.”
I narrowed my eyes through the gloom. “No, that plume of smoke in the distance changed it all. My arrival happened at the right time, unfortunately.”
“Things have definitely gotten more exciting.”
I laughed despite my bad mood. “You are a strange person, Fawke Newton.”
“Trying to see the bright side of things.”
How could anything be bright in a world of different shades of gray? I shook my head and focused my attention back on the expanse in front of us. Far off, I thought I saw a light flicker. Wishful thinking or exhaustion?
If we could find the group that had run into the buildings, maybe we could convince them to join us. Either that or fight. I didn’t want to pull my weapon against another human. There weren’t enough of us anymore.
“Any idea how to make Lars and Dayton cooperate?”
“I know you don’t believe the chip can kill, but I’m sure they do. Threaten them with that.”
He was right. I did believe the chip to be nothing more than a tracker. I didn’t want to test it, though, and I came very close each time I butted heads with Sharon. If I could be exterminated that way, I must have value since I still breathed.
The far-off light flickered again, this time farther away. Whoever patrolled the night headed away from us and therefore posed no threat. Another scavenger or someone else?
The Wheel: A Young Adult Dystopian Novel (Nightfall Book 1) Page 8
