“Want to fill me in then, Agent Craig?” Even with his stunts and jokes, I’m more comfortable with Craig than Bishop, probably because he seems so willing to accept me into their fold — but also his harmless flirting as well. He’s fun in a slightly insane way. Who doesn’t like that?
Ha.
Craig claps Bishop on the back, telling him Agent Solomon would like a word ‘up top’, then takes the older man’s seat when he walks away and out of sight, heading up the enclosed staircase.
Cade’s arm tightens around me and he smiles at his friend’s joyfulness, despite the pain I know he’s feeling. I think that may be part of why Agent Craig is the way he is — he’s holding his team together with light, dragging them out from the muck of despair.
“First things first, no more of this ‘Agent’ crap. I’m Johnathan, John to you.” A finger presses into his chest, before drifting up to the quiet man a story above us, “He’s Charlie. And the old man is Lance.” He says the last bit with a raised voice, making sure Agent Bishop can hear.
“I’m not old, boy.” Lance barks as he stomps across the upper walk. I can hear the levity in his tone though, and would guess he’s only playing at being serious at the moment. Hmmm. Maybe once I get to know him better he’ll be a pretty cool guy.
“He’s old.” John whispers, making me giggle. Cade chuckles beside me. “As for your little bro and sis, we thought maybe we could split up the team. You, me, and Kenji, go for the kids while the guys take the lab.”
Ha! I see right through you, boys!
“Kenji and I don’t need a babysitter, and you’re not pulling me out of this fight.” My words are said around a clenched smile, but there’s steel behind them. I won’t be made to sit out while other’s do the dirty work — I’m not that type of gal.
“Told you she wouldn’t go for it, man.” Cade pesters. “Better tell her Plan B.”
John is grinning at me like the cat who ate the canary as he takes in my clear determination. “Good. You’ve got a backbone. I like that in a girl.” Go find Kenji then — she’s got more than enough. “Plan B is that you, me and Cade hit Nyler’s house an hour before we go in at the lab.” This is the real plan then; they never expected I’d choose option A. Someone just wanted to mess with me. “We grab the kids, stash them at the outbuilding with Kenji - she’ll be there anyway, in contact via the network, cracking codes and shit - and then hit the lab with those two bozos right at midnight.”
We’d decided on midnight being the time to go a few days before their arrival. We know Nyler and several other Atlas members will be there then, but it’s a risk we’re willing to take if Luca can’t get the event moved. Our best chance of escaping with the prisoners is to lock Atlas up in the very cages they designed for others.
It seems only fitting — give them a taste of their own medicine and all that.
As much as I want revenge for the pain Atlas has caused, I’m not an outright killer. I’m not going to walk up to Nyler and shoot him in the face for how he’s treated me, or anyone else here. I’m just not.
I’m no one’s executioner. But I will be the judge.
If they happen to waste away in the cages because no one knows where they are, then that’s a sentence I don’t think fate will mind carrying out.
“Sounds like we have work to do.” I tell them, taking the first sip of my now cold coffee as I listen to them detail the plan in full — timetables, gear we’ve accumulated, ‘oh shit’ backup plans and all. As far as I can see, we have everything covered, and re-covered, the best we can.
A lot of it is contingent on Luca’s continued help, and that worries me after our blowout, but I have to remain optimistic or we’ll fail for sure. There’s nothing like going into a situation believing the worst to bring down morale and cause mistakes to happen.
We can’t afford to make mistakes.
One thing is missing from the plan - where we’re going after - and I’m not sure if it’s because it isn’t relevant to the here and now, and they want to remain hopeful, or if no one has thought that far ahead yet — knowing the daunting task that’s to come.
The guys had split off a few minutes ago to sort and clean their weapons - again - which is something they tell me is paramount in any fight. Going over to stand at the edge of their group, I scrutinize their diligent movements. Each man has his own particular way of doing things, it’s clear, but they’re all efficient, cleaning every last piece. I’m beginning to think it’s cathartic for them.
To each their own, eh?
I much prefer to practice actual fighting than mess around with the components for the tools to fight, but that’s just me. I should ask Cade to pilfer a punching bag from the gym — or maybe we can construct an improvised one. Hmm.
Cade and John had smiled at me when I walked up, but no one says anything as they continue to do their ‘thing’. Clearing my throat, I address them as a whole. “There’s something I haven’t heard anyone bring up, and I think it’s important we discuss it.”
“What’s that, pretty?” John again. I fight rolling my eyes.
“Where are we going after we break out the prisoners?” I ask them all, trying to read their reactions to the inquiry. “Obviously we aren’t staying here. We don’t know all the players in Atlas and that would just be dumb. But where will we go out there?” I ask, pointing up at the dome shedding darkened afternoon light into the room.
Those storm clouds need to go away — they’re bringing on an early winter without any sunshine to be found. They haven’t let loose any onyx rain, and they’ve been shadowing the sky for weeks, so I’m beginning to think it’s just a side effect of whatever happened to the world.
Lance shifts into a more comfortable position on the floor, not responding. Charlie makes eye contact, but I only get a shrug before he’s looking off to his side at Cade. John is waiting for Cade to speak too.
Ugh. Fine.
“Cade?”
He quietly sets aside the firing pin he was just wiping down, along with a cloth and oil, then rests his clasped hands in his lap before looking up at me. “We’re not really sure, Sunshine.” Great. The word echoes in my thoughts, but I kind of guessed that already. “Our first choice would have been to go back to the safe house the team was utilizing before coming here, but…”
“We had to torch the place.” John interjects cheerfully. Like that’s a fucking good thing.
“What, why?” I’m not trying to be demanding, but the words come out that way.
John raises both arms in the air, palms up. “When in doubt, palms out.”
For once, I don’t resist the urge, I roll my eyes at his antics and turn back to Cade, repeating the question of ‘why’. He wasn’t even there, so it’s a tad silly of them to rely on him to answer, but whatever.
“It’s standard practice — even at the end of the world. We don’t know all the entities left out there, foreign or domestic. Our policy is to destroy any evidence of our whereabouts. Including but not limited to burning down safe-houses.”
That’s so fucking stupid I don’t even know how to respond. Why in the hell would they continue to do something so reckless when there are so few places to safely live left?
“That’s just… Why would you — ugh!” My exasperation is clear to them all and I don’t give a shit. Taking a breath, I close my eyes and count to ten. When I open them again, it’s to see an amused grin sitting on John’s face like he thinks my frustration is fucking cute or something. No girl likes being ‘cute’ past the age of thirteen. “You said that was the first choice - which honestly doesn’t sound like it was a choice at all, much like Plan A - what’s the next idea?” Their non-option of a first option is becoming a pattern I’d prefer they put a stop to.
Instead of Cade being the one to respond this time, Charlie surprises me. “We scouted a few places on the way here.” He says quietly, not looking up from his weapon. “They’re not ideal, but they’re big enough to hold the Subject group and our e
ntire team as well.” He flicks a glance of approval up at Cade - shocker - before continuing. “We’re hopeful the other compound Mr. Duncan spoke of will take us in, if it’s still there.”
How had I forgotten about that? Luca would expect us to go for his step-father anyway, since he’s in danger of Nyler’s retribution. It’s a decent option — one I hope is available to us. Another compound with rules and regs we have to follow in order to remain isn’t exactly how I want to spend my life, but maybe if it’s fortified like this one, it’ll keep us alive and well. That’s really all that matters.
“Expect to move around a lot, initially.” Lance interjects. His voice is always so scratchy it’s a wonder to me that he’s even able to speak at times. “Atlas may be good at hiding the truth, but the Zerks have figured out The Compound’s location and have been steadily herding closer for weeks. Then there’s the rains….”
“The rains?” I stare into his dark eyes, searching for signs he’s not saying what I think he’s about to. I get nothing. How I expected to be able to read him is a silly of me - all these service men have phenomenal poker faces when they want to.
Charlie, I’m coming to learn he’s the data guy, cringes as he says exactly what I don’t want him to. “ODR. It never ceased. The storms have been ever-present all across the continent. Why they’ve strayed, and stayed, away from this area is an unknown we can’t figure out.”
“But they’re happening.” John says, matter-of-fact. “Those fuckers up there?” Mimicking my gesture from earlier, he points through the glass dome, to the charcoal clouds swirling above. “They’re exactly what you don’t want them to be.”
Gods help us.
Leaving The Compound isn’t looking so great anymore…. What other option do we have though?
None.
◆◆◆
The team spends the rest of their first full day here munching on snacks and going over and over the plan.
I can’t take the repetitiveness a second longer. I’ve been sedentary too long. I need to move. Do something productive, other than talk.
Kenji hasn’t been by today, and I know it’s because we need to keep a low profile, so I won’t go to her. But I do need to go somewhere to release all this pent-up energy. What to do?
Cade saves me from having to make a decision by coming up and grabbing me by the hand, tugging me along behind him and out the door. I almost protest - should we really leave the guys alone? - but only just manage to hold back the words. They’re grown men — part of a tactical team that’s years in the making. They can take care of themselves for a bit.
“Where are we going?” I ask, squeezing his massive hand as much as I’m able. It’s kind of hard when his palm entirely engulfs my smaller digits.
He squeezes back, staring straight ahead. “Across campus. You’ll see.”
Letting myself be led, I allow him to see my trust. I’ll go wherever this man wants, as long as it’s with him.
He stops abruptly, swinging around to face me as he uses his free hand to pull me in close. His head dips and his lips crash into mine, nearly making me whimper. He keeps me tight against him, kissing me senseless for a few minutes before pulling away and walking again. “Sorry, I’ve been wanting to do that all day, but didn’t want to embarrass you in front of the guys.”
A haughty laugh escapes. “I wouldn’t be too embarrassed. I’d be entirely caught up in you.” He likes that, I can tell. “Gonna tell me where we’re going yet?” I tease, just to have something to say. It’s silly, but I don’t feel like we’ve talked much lately.
“Patience, brat.”
Brat? I’m not a brat!
“Hey!” I whack his shoulder, hurting my hand more than anything. “Better watch yourself, mister. I know how to stab a jerk.” He’d taught me.
His shoulders shake as he laughs, and the ripples roll down his arm to vibrate my hand where we’re linked. I love making him smile. I wish I could muster up the courage to tell this amazing man that I love him.
Soon.
He’s led me around the dorms, past the cafeteria and way into the outskirts of The Compound by this point. The lights this far away have been disconnected to conserve energy, so with the dark clouds trolling overhead and the sun having set a while ago, it’s damn cold and pitch fucking black as far as the eye can see. Cade isn’t hindered by it though, and continues to pull me along behind him.
If I didn’t trust this man so much, I might think he was about to commit a murder. Mine, I mean.
When we reach a more residential area of the campus things start to fall into place. The streets here are lined with craggy sidewalks, old benches and vacant driveways, but I know where we’re going now, and I up my pace, lengthening my strides so we can move faster. Every step is a beat closer to them.
As we round a street corner, two houses come into view, lit up against the night sky. Several windows in each structure leak light out onto the grass. “Which one are they in?”
He doesn’t need to ask for specifics, he knows I only care about two people here. “The one on the left, with the Humvee in the drive.” We crouch behind some bushes directly across the road. They’re overgrown and thorny, but they’re cover enough to keep us hidden.
The house Cade indicated is three stories tall. It’s bigger and nicer than most of the homes on the block, including the one next door — Nance’s place, I assume. The bottom floor has a large bay window with the curtains pulled back, giving us a clear view of the living room beyond. It’s vacant at the moment, but I can see movement at the back of the room, through an archway. Looks like a guard, or maybe one of Nyler’s buddies is hanging out in what’s likely the kitchen. I don’t care to inspect the person further, and my eyes keep searching, jumping up to the second story where only one room has lights on. Its windows are covered, and I can’t make anything out beyond them, so I pass that one up too.
At the very top of the house, which I imagine is an attic, there’s a tiny balcony hanging off the side of the home with a single sliding door for entry. It’s brightly lit from within and I find myself wishing we had a higher vantage point so I could see inside. That’s where they’ll have the kids. I know it. Somewhere out of the way, where The Incubator won’t have to deal with them, or hear them if they make a peep. I’m sure she’s hired - or coerced - a nanny for them by now, considering I’m not around to be their caregiver.
She’s certainly not one.
“We’ll enter from the back.” Cade whispers, pointing to a walkway that leads to a gate in the high privacy fence. “Once we’re inside, there’s a staircase directly to the left, in the kitchen, it goes all the way up to the attic where Jeremy and Ainsley sleep.” Knew it. “If we can, we’ll bring them back out the same way, but if not, we’ll have to figure out how to get them down from the balcony.”
There’s a white trellis, just barely glowing in the reflected light from inside, that climbs all the way up the front of the house and to the landing at the top. He spots it the same time I do. “We could use that, but we’ll have to be careful.” I look him up and down. “It definitely won’t hold your weight, but it might mine and the kids.”
He nods his agreement. There’s no way it would support him and he knows it. “It’s a last resort.”
I change the subject, shifting my feet in the underbrush when my left leg starts to tingle. “Where will John be?”
He hikes a thumb over his shoulder at the empty house behind us. “There. With a sniper rifle.”
My eyes go so wide I’m sure he can see the whites ghosting out at him in the darkness. “The fuck?”
“Nyler has men stationed at each entrance, front, rear and side. In case of a fight, we’ll need Craig to back us up.” He knows me well enough to guess at the wary expression on my face with his declaration. “Non-kill shots. He’ll aim to disable only,” he clarifies.
I haven’t asked, but I’m sure he and his men have shot people at some point — likely even killed them. I know they�
�ve slaughtered Zerks. It’s just an ugly thing to think about.
That’s our reality now. Better get accustomed to it. Fight or die.
We stay there for another ten minutes while I stare longingly at the attic, hoping to catch a glimpse of my little brother. He’s probably asleep already, the light just kept on for bed, but still.
Movement in the house beside Nyler’s pulls my attention away from my brother’s window. Nance’s place is even bigger than the head of Atlas’s domicile, but not quite as new. Some of the window shutters are crooked, hanging at an angle, and the front porch is a worn wood instead of concrete.
Makes me grateful Nyler likes grandeur — we don’t have to worry about creaky stairs.
Another flicker behind Nurse Nance’s sheer curtains gives me something to zero in on. A dark silhouette is standing there, outlined in the glow of a lamp. We’re far enough away that I can’t tell who it is, but the shape is distinctly female.
Have we been spotted?
“Cade.”
“I see her.” He presses a hand to my back, making me duck a bit lower behind our shield of mostly-dead greenery. “It’s dark, she can’t see us, but it’s probably time to go.”
Definitely. My knees creak and groan as I force them into movement, crouch-walking along the line of bushes to stay out of sight. My thighs burn, but I push through it, enjoying the feeling. Cade’s back has to be killing him though — he has to stay completely hunched over to stay out of sight, as big as he is.
When we reach the end of the street, we both straighten up, darting along the side of a fence so we can continue on normally.
“Thank you for showing me where they are.” I miss Jer so much.
Slinging an arm across my shoulders, we walk in step with each other, our feet falling in unison - don’t ask me how, with our height difference… it just works. “I figured you needed something to focus on. We haven’t had the chance to physically train lately with all the extra attention on us.”
No, we hadn’t. I’ll be happy when The Compound is far behind us and we can focus on building real lives in this new world. Daily, or at least every other day, workouts will definitely be a thing.
Atlas (Apocalyptic Cries Book 1) Page 28
