Edge of Fear: An EMP Post-Apocalyptic Survival Prepper Series (American Fallout Book 3)

by Alex Gunwick

  Kyle smirked. He couldn’t wait to see the look on his sister’s face when their dad got a hold of her. She was so dead.

  “Come on. Please don’t do this. I swear, I won’t tell anybody. I swear.” Tears began to well in Sierra’s eyes. She pleaded with Derek as he knotted the rope tightly around her wrists behind the chair.

  “I’m sorry. I am. But like I said, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Please, let me go. I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” She twisted her head around and desperately tried to make eye contact with him to punctuate her unseemly offer. She liked to think she had some pride, but she was desperate and not above self-degradation if it meant getting her freedom back.

  “Come on, you’re better than that.” He scolded her like she was some misbehaving child.

  “No, I mean it. I think you’re, like, hot. Untie me and I’ll do whatever you tell me to.”

  Derek finished the knot. The rough rope bit into her wrists. He came around and glanced down at her sympathetically.

  “Don’t do that. What would your father think?”

  “What Daddy doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She smirked up at him, but Derek only shook his head.

  “See, you got what we call loose lips. You know the saying, ‘Loose lips sink ships?’ Well, I aim to stay afloat for a while. So until I get a better read on you and your family, I’m afraid I’ll have to keep a close eye on you.”

  “But I thought we had a connection.” She blinked and gave him her best pleading, puppy dog eyes. “You know, I’ve liked you from the moment we first met when you saved me. I thought those bad men would kill me. But then you came along, and I thought I was the luckiest girl in the whole world to have such a handsome, strong man come to my rescue.” She batted her eyes up at him to look as innocent and pitiable as possible.

  “Ha. Nice try. Listen, I’m sorry again, but I can’t take any chances. I wish I didn’t have to tie you up like this, I do, but I have to check this place out first. If I could trust you not to run off and do something stupid, I would. But, well, you don’t exactly inspire a ton of confidence on that front.”

  “Oh, fuck you.” Her expression changed from pathetic pleading to venomous anger. “You think you’re so fucking smart, but you fell down that hill earlier, tumbled around like an idiot. Plus, I followed you all the way here without you realizing, so maybe you’re not as smart as you’d like to think.”

  He flushed. Maybe she had gotten to him. But then he smiled as he shook his head and chuckled.

  “Yeah, that wasn’t too graceful of me. To be honest, I wasn’t too worried about you being the one to follow me. I figured your dad or brother might, but I didn’t expect you to pay attention to anyone but yourself. Figured you’d sit there whining about your dead phone.”

  “Screw you. God, how did I not realize you were such an asshole.” She stamped her feet in anger and strained pointlessly against the rope. “I knew tons of guys like you at school. You think you’re so fucking cool and smart and better than everyone. But you’re nothing. I bet you don’t even get laid or have any friends. You probably have a tiny little dick.”

  “Ha. Okay. Whatever you say. You stay here while I check this place out.” He took a few steps past her before her anger melted away and she was overcome with desperation again.

  “Wait. Don’t leave me here like this. Please. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that stuff. I’m scared. Please, please, please. Please let me go. I can keep a secret. I promise I won’t tell anyone. Don’t leave me here. I don’t want to be here alone in this creepy place.” Tears streamed down her face and her breath came in ragged sobs as she pleaded with him.

  Derek sighed, exasperated. “Relax. I told you, nothing bad is going to happen to you. You’re way too immature to be trusted with information this important. You know, none of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t followed me here. You only have yourself to blame.”

  “Please.” She strained to look back at him but could barely make out his silhouette.

  “Enough! Sit here and be quiet until I get back. I’ll bring you some food and water later.”

  She screamed as loud as she could and stamped her feet on the ground in pure rage as he turned to leave. “Fuck you, you fucking asshole. My dad is totally going to fucking kill you when he finds out what you did to me. I hope he cuts off your tiny fucking penis and shoves it down your stupid throat.”

  The sound of Derek’s footsteps paused momentarily, then he continued deeper into the bunker.

  Sierra screamed again and strained as hard as she could against the rope, but it was too tight and strong. It made no sense to struggle. She slumped her head forward and let the tears flow freely.

  She wondered briefly if the bunker might have somewhere to charge her phone and regretted not being nicer so she could ask Derek if he could maybe look for her. Being trapped in here wouldn’t be that bad if she could scroll through her phone.

  But the sound of Derek’s footsteps faded away and left her completely alone in the silent, dimly lit bunker.

  6

  Two days earlier …

  The next morning, Liz paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.

  “She was out there alone all night. We have to go look for her.” Liz was consumed with worry for her daughter. Sierra wasn’t exactly the rugged type, and to survive in these mountains for very long was tough for anyone. She could have frozen to death last night. Or she could have been captured by the cult. Or killed by a mountain lion.

  The early morning sun shone in through the cabin windows and illuminated the steam rising from the cups of coffee in her and her husband’s hands. It did nothing to warm her frozen heart.

  “I know.” Luke gave her a comforting look. “She’ll be okay. We’ll find her.”

  “How can you know that? It was cold last night, and those damn cult people are out there. What if they got her?” Liz fought back tears. She didn’t want to cry in front of her son. These days, it seemed like she could barely hold it together.

  Her husband put a reassuring hand on top of hers. “Nobody’s got her. I don’t know where she got off to, but I’m sure she’s fine. Maybe she went over to the Wrights’ cabin or something.”

  “Why the hell would she do that?”

  “I don’t know.” Luke raised his eyebrows. “Maybe she needed some space from us? You know how teenagers can be.”

  Liz scowled. “Yeah, especially Sierra. You know, I hate to say this, but I have to point out that I haven’t seen Derek around since last night, either.”

  Luke scowled as color rushed to his cheeks. “You don’t think?”

  Now Liz raised her eyebrows. “He’s handsome, and there isn’t exactly an overabundance of things to do out here. Besides, we were about that age when we started, you know.”

  Luke turned away, visibly uncomfortable, and held up his hand to silence her. “Please stop.” He glanced toward Kyle to make sure the boy hadn’t heard that and then back to Liz, his voice a hushed whisper. “You think? But he’s so much older. He’s been in the service. He’s so mature, and Sierra’s so, uh—”

  “Not?” Liz cut in with a mischievous smile.

  “Yeah.” They exchanged contemplative smiles but quickly regained their somber composure as their worry returned.

  “I don’t know. It’s possible, but we don’t know for sure if she’s with him. Either way, we should still go look for her. I’m really worried. Even if she is out there with Derek, those religious nuts are in the woods, too. It makes me nervous.” Liz shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of her dread.

  “I agree. You stay here with Kyle, and I’ll go look for her.”

  Luke gave her a look of pure determination, but Liz shook her head.

  “No, there’s too much ground to cover. You go check along the trail to the river and around the property. Kyle and I will head toward the Wrights’. We’ll look for her along the way,” she said.

  Luke regarded her doubtfull
y.

  “Listen, our daughter’s been gone all night, and I’ve been cooped up in this cabin way too long. I’m not going to do any good stuck here worrying myself to death. I’ll take the .22, and Kyle can bring his hatchet along,” she said.

  Luke seemed unsure, but she continued before he could object.

  “We can handle it. We fended for ourselves the whole time you were gone.” She put her hand on his and confidently looked him square in the eyes. “We’ve learned to survive. We’ll be fine.”

  “All right. But we both take walkies. Promise me, if there’s any sign of trouble, you guys run and find somewhere to hide and radio me for help. Okay?” he asked as he opened the front door.

  “I promise we’ll be safe. I’ll radio if anything happens.”

  “Good. Stay safe.” He closed the door behind him.

  As she turned away, her mind drifted back to the memory of the cult leader’s lifeless body lying on the ground. She’d killed before, and she’d do it again.

  The gun barrel shook in her hands.

  If someone had her daughter, God help them, because she was ready to shoot them on sight.

  “Kyle, I know you heard all that,” she called.

  “I’ll get my stuff.”

  A few minutes later, they walked along the road that would take them to the Wrights’ place. Liz glanced around.

  “Where do you think she went?” Kyle asked.

  “I don’t know. That’s why we’re out here.” She scanned the woods on either side of the road, alert for any potential threats.

  “So, she ran off somewhere without telling anyone?”

  “Seems like it.” She carried the rifle in both hands with the barrel pointed safely up and away from her and Kyle.

  “That seems like a stupid thing to do.” Kyle’s voice had a tinge of frustration in it.

  She felt the same way but tried not to show it. She didn’t want him to be worried until there was a good reason to worry. Maybe Luke was right and she was at the Wrights’, pouting about her phone again.

  “Dad says you should always tell somebody exactly where you’re going when you go into the wilderness and when they should expect you back,” Kyle said.

  “That’s exactly right. Never wander off without telling us first.”

  “I won’t … Sierra’s probably okay, right?” Concern replaced the frustration in his voice.

  “I’m sure she’s fine. Your sister may do some really stupid stuff, but overall, she’s got a good head on her shoulders. She can take care of herself.” Liz wasn’t totally convinced of what she was telling him, but she didn’t want him to worry.

  Maybe this whole mess was a blessing. Maybe her daughter would transform back into the sweet, intelligent girl she’d been before she’d become obsessed with teenage culture. She wasn’t a teen anymore, but she still acted like one. She needed to grow up. This was her opportunity. Hopefully, she wouldn’t waste it.

  Something rustled in the brush off to her left. Liz swung the barrel of the rifle toward the noise. Kyle froze behind her, his hatchet ready in his hand.

  “What is it?” Kyle whispered.

  She held up a finger to silence him, then scanned the bushes intently for movement, her rifle at the ready.

  A squirrel darted from the bushes to a nearby tree and scampered up the trunk. She let out a sigh before lifting her rifle to a safe position. She exchanged a look of relief with her son.

  “You’re getting jumpy, Mom.”

  “I suppose.” She smiled and turned toward him.

  “Mom!” Kyle’s eyes went wide.

  Before she could spin to see what startled him, a figure rushed her, slamming into her hard enough to knock her to the ground. The rifle flew out of her hands and skidded across the road.

  Her vision went spotty for a second. When it returned, she saw the guy who’d knocked her down, squaring off with Kyle. The man was one of the cult members.

  Kyle swung his hatchet at the man wildly, but the man stepped aside and caught Kyle’s wrist. Kyle cried out in pain as the man wrenched the hatchet free. He tossed it to the ground. Kyle swung at the man’s head with his free hand, but the man only laughed.

  Liz watched in horror and willed herself to regain control of her movements. The much larger man struck Kyle with a backhanded blow that sent him tumbling to the ground. She scrambled backward in search of her rifle as the guy turned his attention to her.

  She crawled desperately toward her weapon, but the man was too quick. As she reached for the gun, he kicked her in the ribs. Excruciating pain shot through her midsection where his heavy boot impacted her. She sucked in a painful breath, hoping he hadn’t broken any of her ribs.

  When she could catch her breath, she rose to her hands and knees. Adrenaline kicked in to dull the throbbing pain in her chest. Her fierce maternal instincts kicked in. She would protect her child at all costs. She silently vowed to kill the man, even if she died in the process.

  She was nearly on her feet when the cult member rushed out of the bushes. He struck her hard across the face. Pain bloomed across her jaw as she fell backward. When she smacked the ground, air rushed out of her lungs. For a split second, she wasn’t sure if she’d even be able to take another breath. Then she sucked one in, nearly choking on the sudden rush of air.

  The man loomed over her. She kicked at him. He easily brushed aside her frantic attacks and knelt over her to wrap his meaty hands around her throat. He squeezed, cutting off her air supply.

  “You will pay for what you did to our leader, woman. Ours is a vengeful God, and He has commanded me to exact justice on His behalf.” His fingers dug into her throat as he tightened his grip. “Did you think you would escape His judgment?”

  She clawed at the man’s hands, but his grip was too strong. She kicked and punched desperately, beating on the man’s chest as hard as she could, but his fingers only closed tighter around her throat. Her vision narrowed. Darkness crept in from every side. He was choking the life out of her, and she couldn’t do a damn thing to stop him.

  “Shh. Do not struggle, woman. This is a new world brought forth from our God.” Spit fell from his mouth onto her face as he spoke. His eyes were wild, deranged. “There is no place here for disobedient women like you.”

  Her vision faded into nothingness. Her mind went blank. She was dimly aware of a dull thud and a yelp of pain. Then suddenly the man’s grip loosened. She coughed violently and rubbed at her throat as air rushed to fill her lungs. She scooted backward before looking up. Kyle stood behind the man. His face was whiter than snow.

  The cultist stumbled backward. Shock and confusion contorting his face. He reached over his head to grab at something behind him. He spun around, clawing at his back. The blade of Kyle’s hatchet was lodged in his shoulder. He stared at Kyle with a mixture of astonishment and rage. He lunged toward Kyle, who easily sidestepped the man. The cultist fell to one knee before crumbling to the ground. Blood gushed from the wound.

  Kyle took a few steps back and stared down at him in horror. Liz regained enough strength to move. She staggered to her feet and scrambled for her rifle. She walked toward the cultist, leveling the barrel at the man’s chest.

  “Look away.” She didn’t turn to see if Kyle had listened to her. She kept her eyes fixed on the prone man.

  The cultist opened his mouth to speak, but his voice was drowned out by the loud crack of the rifle as Liz pulled the trigger. The man’s mouth hung open. Blood trickled out of a small hole in the center of his forehead.

  Liz chambered another round and stood over the man. She pressed the barrel gun to his temple and pulled. A second crack echoed through the woods. When the sound of the gunshot faded, the woods were silent and still.

  7

  Two days earlier …

  Luke squinted as sunlight reflected off the fresh snow, momentarily blinding him. When his vision returned, he spotted a doe drinking from the partially frozen river. A gunshot sounded from somewhere in the woods
. The doe bolted over the river and disappeared into the forest.

  Luke swore. She would have been good meat.

  He’d heard gunshots from time to time. It wasn’t unusual, but it made him hesitate. Liz and Kyle were heading toward the Wrights’. It was impossible to tell which direction the sound had come from, but if he backtracked to check on his wife and son, he’d be wasting precious time that he could have used to search for his daughter. Liz and Kyle were on the main road. They carried weapons. They were probably fine. The gunshot could have been from another hunter for all he knew.

  After another moment of hesitation, he continued down the stream, searching for tracks, human or animal. He couldn’t let his guilty conscience eat at him. It didn’t feel right to let them go off on their own with vengeful cult members nearby, but he had to worry about Sierra too. She was out there somewhere, alone. Liz and Kyle were together. They were most likely fine. Sierra wasn’t. He respected his wife and trusted her judgment. She had, after all, kept herself and their children safe while he was trying to get back to them. He’d been on a business trip when the bombs had dropped. He’d barely gotten out of there alive. Liz could take of herself.

  Still, it had stung to hear her say it out loud earlier. He should’ve been there to protect them. That was his duty as a father and a husband. But he’d been too obsessed with his job, and he’d been putting his family second. He wouldn’t do it again. Not anymore. His family had to come first. He had to find Sierra. What good was he if he couldn’t protect the ones he loved?

  He growled and shook his head. He tried to clear his mind and focus on the task at hand. He couldn’t change the past, but he could put one hundred percent of his focus into finding Sierra today.

  As he stalked through the woods, he searched for fresh tracks in the snow. He found a couple of faint footsteps that appeared to be Sierra’s size, but the snow had mostly covered them up and made it difficult to tell. A second, larger set of footsteps followed the same path. Luke walked along the trail until the tracks disappeared at the edge of the river.