“Both it seems.”
“Right.”
Getting down to business, I pull out a blood pressure cuff and proceed to give him a short checkup. His numbers are a bit high, but not overly concerning yet. I’ll have to make my visits a bit more frequent to keep an eye on them, if Nance will allow it. Hell, I might come even if she protests.
Going over to the mini-fridge he managed to get working without Atlas’ knowledge, I grab a pitcher of water from inside and pour him half a glass. It’s contraband, but fuck ‘em if they can’t allow an old man his daily needs.
“Here, time to take your pills.” I hand him the water, along with some Aspirin and wait for him to down the tablets.
Wil sticks out his tongue and then lifts it, pretending to touch his nose. “All gone, Doc.”
Some of the patients have taken to calling me such, but I try not to encourage them — it would set a precedent I’m not able to meet. “Not a doctor, Old Man, just someone who knows a thing or two.”
“You’re as close to a doctor as this place has.” He presses, trying to convince me to come to his way of thinking. “Quit fighting it.” As his words trail off, his eyelids begin to droop and I know it’s getting close to nap time.
“Okay, Wil. Whatever you say.” I digress. “Jer’s waiting for me out in the commons, so I’m going to head on out. Is there anything you’d like for me to get you before I do?”
Thinking for minute, he nods, “You mind grabbin’ me a blanket from the bin? I think I might just take me a nap.”
Called it. “No problem.”
Doing as he asked, I pick up a blanket and drape it across his legs, making sure to tuck the edges in around his feet, exactly how he likes it.
“Just don’t sleep through the boys bringing dinner, okay?”
A mumbled, “Mhmm,” is all I get. He’s already fading into sleep.
Making sure to lock the door behind me, I step out to find Jeremy snuggled up on the end of a couch with a children’s chapter book. It’s not a horror story, but at least he found something to entertain himself.
“Hey, buddy, you ready to head back to the infirmary? They’re probably bringing by your food right about now.” I point to the book, “You can bring that if you want. I won’t tell.”
“Isn’t that stealing?” His ocean eyes go wide.
“Nope. Not if you bring it back. It’s borrowing, like at a library.”
He thinks about it for a second, but must agree with my logic, because he stashes the book under his arm before coming over to take my hand.
“Thank you for letting me come today.”
I love this kid so much!
“Any time you’re feeling up to it, I love the company.”
He gazes up at me with happiness shining from him, “Okay. Just not every day though, I really need to kick Ryder’s butt at racing. He keeps winning!” Ryder is one of the only other kids his age at The Compound. They’d hit if off early on, and when Nurse Nance allowed it, Ryder spent a lot of his free time hanging out at the infirmary with Jer.
Laughing lightly, I try hard to take him seriously. Little people have priorities too, you know! “Okay, bro. Whatever you say.”
CHAPTER 10
It’s later that evening when I find myself standing in indecision outside a door I’ve known the location of for a while, but haven’t allowed myself to venture to until now.
Earlier, I’d dropped Jeremy back by the infirmary. Sticking around long enough to make sure he checked his sugars, and received dinner, before heading out to scrounge up my own meal.
I’d hoped to see Luca in the caf. — I wanted to test if he’d brush me off like he had last time. But he wasn’t anywhere to be found as I gathered my tray and sat down alone to eat. A few people had waved a greeting, but they pretty much knew my routine by now — I liked to keep to myself in my down time.
I whittled away at the pile of mush on my plate without really tasting it. Not sure I’d want to, at this rate. Most of the food produced from the cafeteria kitchen was meant to maintain health, and nothing more.
Basically, it tasted like cardboard on a good day and warmed up shit on the bad.
After placing my tray in the cleaning receptacle, I found myself wandering campus aimlessly, lost in thought about everything that’d happened in the last few days.
It wasn’t until a few moments ago that I realized where my steps had led me…
Straight to Luca’s door.
I’ve never been before, but being the person I am, I made a point to suss out his housing assignment pretty early on. I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge…. And putting that thirst into a tiny, I mean wee bit, of stalking wasn’t entirely off the charts for a typical extracurricular in my book.
Why I’m lurking outside his room like a freaking fan-girl right this moment though is a full-on mystery. Is my inner masochist attempting to come out and play?
Thought I did away with you years ago, biotch.
Feeling ridiculous, and slightly embarrassed, I turn to go, but just as I’m stepping away, the door swings open - typical - from the inside. Luca stops in his tracks, staring out at me as I stand in the hallway looking every bit the idiot I feel like.
Say something!!
“Uh… Hi.” Internally cringing at the oh so intelligent salutation, I do my best to cool the blush that’s lighting up my face.
“New Girl….” He’s surprised - unsure. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you today.” Flicking a glance back over his shoulder and into the room, he pulls the door closed behind him. “Did you need something?”
His demeanor has my suspicious side coming ‘round to play. Is there someone in his room he doesn’t want me to see?
None of my business.
“Oh, umm, no— actually, yeah. I did.” Squaring my shoulders, I decide ‘fuck it’ and just go for it. I’m already here, looking the fool, why not shoot for gold? “After earlier I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.” I start, confidence building as each word escapes my clenched lips. “Clearly there’s something between us, and I know I’m not the only one who feels it. But I need to know why you won’t address me when we’re in public.” Losing some of my bravado, I look down at the scuffed edges of my boots. “You act like I don’t exist.”
There’s nothing but the sound of the old air conditioning banging about for a few seconds, and then he places his hand on my elbow, leading me off down the hall. Ignoring the tingles of electricity that shoot through me at his touch, I allow myself to be pulled along.
“It’s complicated, New Girl. It’s better for you if I do.”
Well, that’s just stupid and cryptic all wrapped up into one shit colored cake.
I don’t allow my thoughts to bleed onto my face. “How do you mean?”
We’ve reached the end of the hallway, and he gently pushes me through the stairwell door. Making sure it closes behind us, he pauses on the landing, taking a minute before he turns to face me.
“Look, Saedie, there are things I’m not permitted to tell you. If I do, I’ll be putting us both at risk. Just please believe me when I say, I’m not snubbing you because I don’t want you around. I’m doing it for your own safety.”
Not sure I believe him, I just stare for a moment, trying to read between the lines of what he’s saying for a hidden message.
“If you’re in some kind of trouble….”
“No, it’s not like that.” He seems frustrated. “Can you please just give me the benefit of the doubt? If there comes a time I can safely fill you in, you have my word that I will tell you everything.”
Dude, we may have had a fucking hot make out session in my room this morning, but I’ve only known you a few weeks.
In hindsight, he has helped me quite a lot since we first met. I don’t think I’ve witnessed him doing anything that would make me think he’s blowing smoke up my ass.
On a whim, I decide the only thing I can do is exactly what he’s asking — doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it. �
�Alright, Luca. You can keep your secrets for now. But if you’re going to be dick, at least don’t do it when literally everyone is around to see.”
Letting out a throaty chuckle that has my lady bits perking up, he tucks a strand of unruly hair behind my ear. “Thank you, New Girl, I really ——”
Before he can finish, a hulking mass of a man steps out of the shadows of the staircase leading up to the next level. I whip to face him, startled. How long he’s been standing there, I can’t say. I sure hadn’t heard his steps approaching until he made his presence known.
Luca slips in front of my body as though to shield me, and if I weren’t so shocked Hulk managed to sneak up on us, I might find the time to be indignant about it.
“Saedie?” The giant’s gravelly tone greets. If I thought Luca was all muscle, he pales in comparison to mountain man over here. He’s built like a fucking brick wall — not an ounce of fat on him. He’s tall enough that the dim lighting still hides his features, but I can feel his gaze baring down on me as I stay behind Luca.
What the fuck? I don’t know this dude. How does he know me?
“Yep, that’s me!” I chirp, trying to lessen the intensity of the moment. “What can I do you for?”
Luca’s body tenses even more, not prepared for my joking attitude.
“I’m a friend. I’m not here to do you harm.” The man states, and fuck it all to hell, something about the way he says it, and how he hasn’t made the effort to come closer, clearly giving us our space…. I find I kind of want to believe him. Looks like I’m giving a lot of people the benefit of the doubt today. Look at me being all generous and shit.
Tapping Luca on the shoulder to let him know my intentions, I step out to the side.
“Okay, friend. How do you know my name?”
I can see his head turn toward Luca, and I know instinctively he’s staring him down. “Can we talk? Alone?”
“Uhhh.” I look to Luca to gauge his reaction. He’s stayed silent so far, letting me do the talking, and I appreciate that, but I want a glimpse into his thoughts right now. Open up, Pretty Boy.
As though reading my mind, he loosens his stance a bit, shrugging nonchalantly. “Whatever you think, New Girl.”
I think that nickname is annoying, but knowing you came up with one for me makes me hot. Kinda. We’ll bench it for later.
I glance back and forth between them, attempting to make a decision.
Going with my gut, I meet Luca’s ocean gaze, “Give us a few?”
Frustration flashes across his face so fast, I almost wonder if it was there at all.
“Sure.” He all but snaps. “I was heading out to my shift when you stopped by anyway.” Giving the tall man one last warning look, he jogs off down the stairs.
I look up at the unknown man asking for privacy with me in time to see him relax a bit once the sounds of Luca’s footsteps fade. The bottom-level door clangs home, and he loosens up even more.
“Not a fan of Luca, huh?” I perceive.
I can almost feel his surprise from here. “No.”
Man of many words, eh?
“So…. Mind if we take this somewhere a little less murder-y? It’s dark in here, and if you’d like to chat, I’d prefer to know who I’m talking to — be able to properly see your face at least.”
He grunts - fucking grunts - and makes a sweeping gesture with his hand for me to lead the way.
Obviously, he doesn’t want anyone to overhear us, so instead of going somewhere more public like I’m itching to, I take the stairs upward, heading for the roof. There’s an access point three floors up, but not many people go there; it’s getting to be too cold now anyway.
When we step out into the crisp autumn evening, I immediately turn to take him in.
He’s a fucking God, is the first thought that races through my mind, the second is that he’s even bigger in the light. Probably a foot and a half taller than me, he’s broad shouldered and has a thick torso that glides all the way down to his hips, giving way to tree-trunk legs I’d be lucky to fit both hands around. Likely still wouldn’t be able to touch at the finger-tips though.
Damn, boiii.
I don’t want to compare him to Luca, but I can’t help it. Where Luca is light, blues and shining blond shimmering off of him, this man is all dark intensity. The most luminous part about him are his sage green eyes that are simply taking me in as I stare my fill.
Auburn hair, slightly messy but not over-long, drops down over his forehead, making him look younger than what I would have first gaged, based on his gravelly voice. Around twenty-eight maybe. A dusky five o’clock shadow hugs his chin, traveling along the edges of his square jawline.
Cupid’s bow lips purse as he says nothing, allowing my perusal of his body to continue without comment.
Luca is h.o.t., but this man is breathtakingly gorgeous.
I instantly feel guilty for the thought and fling my gaze wide, over to the view of what was once a sprawling city.
“What did you want to talk about….” I prompt, having to clear my throat to get the words out.
“Cade. My name is Cade Calder.” He tries to get me to make eye contact again by stepping closer to my side, but I’m still flushed and keep my eyes trained straight ahead. “I knew your dad.”
I whip around at that, judging his expression for signs he’s lying. Seeing none, I ask one word, “How?”
Out of all the things he could have told me, leading with ‘I knew your dad’ definitely wasn’t on my list of imaginings.
He breaks our stare off as his gaze drops to the roof below our feet.
“He was my boss before all of this.” Hands gesture out to encompass the world around us, and the chaos it’s fallen into.
It clicks. “You were Secret Service?”
“I was - well, am - yes.”
Taken aback, I respond with an incredulous tone, “What do you mean you are a part of the Secret Service? The United States government no longer exists.” I indicate the havoc around us as well, “No one has heard from them since the first few weeks after ODR. Do you mean to tell me they’re still out there somewhere, allowing their people to rot in this hellhole?!”
I’m angry, I realize, though I’m not entirely sure as to why.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Minus the part about them putting everyone out to dry.”
I’m floored. No. Fucking. Way.
I need to sit. So that’s exactly what I do. Plopping down right where I’m standing, I fold my legs up underneath me, mind racing.
The Compound has insisted, to anyone that will listen, that no semblance of the former U.S. government remains. That we’re the last living outpost of humanity on the entire continent.
Now, I’m not a dumb blond. I know that can’t be altogether accurate, because there are others like my family and I still roaming around out there. But I truly did believe them when they said democracy had crumbled like a sand castle in the California surf in the face of such a large global death knell.
What the hell else are they lying about? … Maybe they didn’t know?
No, I won’t defend them. Not after I’ve seen some of what they’re capable of.
“Tell me everything,” I demand.
Lowering his large frame to the ground across from me, he doesn’t say anything at first. The quiet stretches for so long, I almost think we’ve entered into an impromptu staring contest, but then he speaks.
His first words are low, like he’s not sure he should be saying them out loud. “Your dad never stopped being our Director. He simply took a step back to give the illusion of disorder.” The wind catches on the roof door, causing it to bang loudly, and his eyes snap over to it. After a long moment, one in which I guess he’s satisfied no one is coming out, he continues. “This is classified information I was told to only pass on to you if something should happen to your father. After he missed his check in a month ago….” Sadness and deep regret form in his gaze. “I knew something had happe
ned.
I had to wait though, couldn’t just show up out of the blue to a place no one is supposed to find on their own. The Compound….” He struggles for the right words. “Let’s just say it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, and your dad knew that. It’s why he was here.”
Wait… “Are you trying to imply Donnel finding us out in that gas station wasn’t a coincidence? That Dad somehow knew his crew would come by that day, and placed us conveniently in their path?” Incredulity laces my tone. “That’s too bizarre to be true. No — I don’t believe it.”
If what this man is suggesting is true, that would mean Dad set this whole thing up. He knew Commander Nyler would take us in; a full, healthy family. He would have made sure of it before throwing us out like bait to be caught by the biggest fish nearby.
But… why?
Agent Calder sits there patiently, waiting for me to process my thoughts. He doesn’t try and speak again, but instead keeps a steady vigil on the area around us. In the thirty-minutes or so we’ve been out here, the sun has dropped below the horizon — the temp riding right along with it. There’s a bite in the air that, now I’ve noticed it, has me shivering in my insufficient attire.
He clearly notices, but again, doesn’t say a word. I like the strong and silent type, but come on….
“How long has the government known about The Compound?” I don’t say ‘Atlas’, and there’s reason for that. I don’t want to provide information if they don’t already have it. I want confirmation what he said is true, and if they don’t know about Atlas, then I can stay in denial for a bit about Dad’s involvement in getting us here.
“The Compound sprung up three weeks after the outbreak. We’d had our eye on Nyler for a while, for reasons I can’t disclose, so it was quickly apparent to us he was up to something. It took maybe a week to find out where he’d squirreled away to.”
“So, you’ve known about it basically since the beginning…. Why, if what you say is true, did you guys wait so long to send someone to infiltrate? And why my dad? If he is - rather, was - still the director, wouldn’t that be a dumb move? Sending the person in charge into the lion’s den?”
Atlas (Apocalyptic Cries Book 1) Page 8
