"No, we were hoping to reconnect. Audrey's been working on a communications solution but it's been tough because she doesn't have all the parts she needs and –"
Audrey made a dismissive gesture. "These guys have the parts. Give me tomorrow and I'll have us up and running."
I absorbed that little nugget then pushed it aside, focusing on Ellie.
"We have brothers who travel all over the country. They're called nomads. When this shit went down, when cities started going dark, we activated the nomads to become messengers for our network." I turned to her fully, reaching out both my hands to capture hers. "They've been by a few times. We get one about once a month, though that's slowed in the last two."
"No fuel," Pope muttered.
"These nomads, they bring news passed through the various networks." I squeezed her hands. "Baby, Perth fell. Most of Western Australia is gone. Government did an eradication exercise to try and slow the spread. Ended in a civil war. Three months ago, a nomad passed through. Reported that anyone still left was making their way east but there are militia, cults, groups like The Purge, and a shit ton of preppers ready to cannibalize or kill to protect their own asses. Not to mention the desert in between." I squeezed her hands again, searching her face. "I'm sorry."
The table was silent, but I ignored them and focused on Ellie. She swallowed, her face pale, eyes glassy as she looked at me. "What about the other cities? That's Perth. But what about the other states?"
"Similar stories," Pope replied. "Army goes in, refugees come out."
Ellie looked at me, "These nomads, are their stories consistent?"
"Yeah," I answered truthfully, hating it would hurt her. "And if their stories hadn't matched up, the shellshocked trauma that they'd been unable to shake from their faces would have clued us in."
Ellie nodded, sucking in a deep breath.
"Scenario one-eight-four," Audrey said from across the table, her fork scrapping at the bottom of her tray.
"Excuse me?" Pope asked, raising an eyebrow in her direction.
"What Runner is describing is scenario one-eight-four. My software was correct." She licked her fork then glanced around the table, blinking when she realized everyone's attention was on her.
"What?" She asked defensively. "I designed the program to give us scenarios. You don't think I'd have got it to look at potential genocide? History always repeats."
"Jesus, Audrey," Beth pushed to her feet, shoving back from the table. "I gotta go."
Audrey watched her leave, a frown on her face. She turned back to the table, asking, "did I say something wrong?"
Ellie sighed, slipping her hands free and returning to her meal. "Honey, remember how we talked about emotional intelligence and empathy? Beth's hurting. This was unexpected news."
"Not to me," Audrey returned. "If she'd just read the full report of all possible scenarios then she'd—"
"Audrey," Ellie sighed, shaking her head. "Just because you predicted something doesn't make it easier to deal with. We all have friends and family out there. No matter that we've all assumed they're dead, it doesn't make it easier to hear."
Audrey considered my words, then shook her head, picking up a kid's juice box. She stabbed a straw in the top and sucked with gusto. When finished she pulled back, smacking her lips together with a sigh. "People are irrational creatures."
Ellie sighed, leaning into me. "I know."
"Ah, here's me new additions," Gus boomed through the room, his arms wide in welcome as he made his way to us. "Mama wants to meet ye."
I tensed, shooting a glance at Pope. He met my gaze, one eyebrow raised in question, a frown marring his brow.
"Mama?" Ellie asked quietly.
"Prez's woman."
"Oh, I didn't realize Kate's mother lived here."
"She doesn't. She's dead." I answered, not liking that Kate hadn't filled them in on her background.
Gus made it to our side, bending down to haul Ellie to her feet and wrap her in a boisterous embrace. She glanced over his shoulder at me with wide, startled eyes. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted, but I forced myself to relax, waiting for the inevitable direction to come.
"Come, me love bird. Mama's waiting." Gus turned Ellie and him towards the back exit of the mess hall, calling over his shoulder, "Runner, be a good boyo and sort out the army girl. She's doing me fucking head in."
"On it," I replied, gritting my teeth as I watched him walk away with my woman. Pope rose beside me, coming to stand close.
His voice was low as he promised, "just a little longer, brother."
I knew it. Didn't change the fact that I wished that coming moment was now.
Fuck.
Chapter Eleven
Ellie
Gus escorted me to his apartments. Or, should I say, palatial residence. He'd turned one of the spare outbuildings into his private suite. He pointed out the fixtures, bragged about the comforts, then led me upstairs to what I assumed was a beauty salon. A gaggle of women sat inside, three of them in chairs in various states of transformation, while three others chatted with them, snipping or colouring hair.
There were two other women in the room. The first, a young woman, in perhaps her early twenties, sitting behind a desk, writing. The second woman relaxed on a fainting lounge, a cocktail in one hand, a cigarette in the other. She had to be Gus' age, perhaps in her late fifties or older, but she looked amazing – her face wrinkleless, body tight. It was only the skin on the back of her hands that gave her away
All chatter ceased as Gus and I stepped through the doors.
"Got a live one for ye, Mama." Gus said, stepping across the room to plant a kiss on the woman's lips.
"Thank you, Sugar." She reached up, caressing his face. "Wendy, you wanna escort Gus out."
One of the women, perhaps in her early thirties, immediate stopped snipping, and went with Gus. I saw him slip a hand onto the small of her back as he led her out. A shiver of apprehension slid down my spine.
Mama lay back in her chair, considering me. "Come closer, honey. My eyes aren't what they used to be."
The women watched me as I stepped further into the room. The only one not looking at me was the young woman at the desk. The hair on the back of my neck prickled, setting me on edge.
"Ain't you a pretty little thing." Mama cooed. She patted the end of the lounge, gesturing for me to come sit.
I went, noting the exits and taking a mental recap of the building's layout.
"You're the fuel girl?" Mama asked reaching for a new cigarette.
I nodded.
She lit up, taking a long drag, considering me through the smoke. "You got a name, hun?"
"Ellison," I replied, trying to act casual. "But people call me Ellie."
"Ellie, pretty name for a pretty girl." She took another drag, considering me. "Word is Runner's claimed you, that right?"
I flushed but nodded.
"Hm," she tapped the cigarette on a tray, a hunk of ash falling from the end. "That boy's trouble if you ask me."
"Big trouble," one of the women agreed.
"You'd be better off choosing a nicer boy. One that falls in line." She glanced at the girl behind her. "Get the list."
The girl immediately stood, walking to a shelf, and pulling a book free. She opened it flicking to a page, then brought it over to Mama, laying it in her lap.
"Let's see," Mama muttered, her finger rolling down the list. I couldn't help but notice her fake nails – blood red and newly applied.
I looked down at my own hands, noting the dirt under my chipped nails, the callouses on my hands.
The after didn't give a fuck about the
"You got Ice," she said tapping a finger against a name on the page.
"Ice is Kate's," the girl protested from desk, still scribbling in her notebook.
"Shut up, girl. Ain't no one want to hear from you." Mama barked. She sniffed, shooting me a look. "Besides, Kate ain't claimed him. What ain't claimed is free game far’s
I'm concerned."
I blinked suddenly realizing we were discussing men and who to pair me with.
"Oh, oh!" I breathed, looking around the room. "Um, thank you. I mean, that's awfully nice of you to suggest a new partner but honestly, I'm good. Runner and I have an understanding and –"
Mama raised her hand, halting my protest. Her eyes narrowed on me. "Honey, we're your sisters now." She gestured at the room at large. "It's our responsibility to see you properly settled. Let us guide you. You ain't been here long, but it'd be real easy to have someone like Runner take advantage of you."
"He isn't, I promise. We have an understanding," I repeated. My pulse hammered in my ears, my palms sweaty, my body ready to flee at the least provocation.
I gotta get outta here.
Mama considered me for a long moment. The women around us remained silent, their movements stiff as they worked.
Eventually she shrugged, "your choice, hun."
She gestured at a woman who dropped her tools, returning a moment later with a glass. She handed it to Mama who stood, moving around the back of the lounge to a pitcher on the table near the young woman. Mama refilling her own glass then mine before returning to the lounge. She held the now full Glass out to me. "Here's a toast, to new beginnings."
I took it, hands trembling slightly. She clicked out glasses together then lifted, hers to her mouth, taking a sip, watching me the entire time.
The young woman sitting behind Mama caught my eye, making the subtlest shake of her head.
Fuck.
"To new beginnings," I echoed, lifting the glass to my lips. I pretended to drink, conscious of the numerous eyes on me.
Get out of this, Ellie!
I coughed, my body pitching forward, spilling most of my drink on the floor. I pretended to sputter and choke on the eye wateringly strong alcohol, not a single drop having touched my tongue
"God," I barked, "what was that?"
"The best we can do with homebrew," Mama cackled, slapping me on the back. "Shoulda told us you couldn't handle your liquor, sweetie."
The young woman with the sad eyes watched me wearily.
I waited a few more moments before finally standing. "Look, it's been lovely to meet you, but I gotta get back to my friends. If I'm to get this fuel up and running, I need to get started today."
Mama her head tilted to one side. "Mm, you do that." She twisted, barking over her shoulder, "girl! Escort dear Ellie here home." She turned back to me, offering me a smile. "Make sure she gets there safe, got me?"
The girl nodded, pushing up from her seat. "Follow me please," she whispered, her head bowed, hair falling over her face. Her notebook clutched to her chest.
I rose, offering Mama a smile. "Thank you for the drink, and for the offer of… well, for the offer."
"You come back soon, darlin'." Mama offered graciously. "We'll fix you up real nice. And your friends too, of course."
I nodded, offering her a toothy grin – the best I could do when all I wanted was to get the fuck out. "Thank you."
"Bye, sugar, see you soon."
I followed the girl out, waiting until we were out of earshot to ask the question burning on my lips.
"Are we—" I started but she shook her head once, violently, effectively cutting me off.
I shut up, following her through the hall and down the stairs. Just as I'd suspected, Wendy was riding Gus in the living room.
"Leaving?" Gus asked, his hands on Wendy's waist as she continued to ride his cock, complete with over-the-top porn-star noises.
I kept my eyes lowered, unsure of how to answer.
"She's not feeling well," the girl replied for me. "I'm taking her home."
Gus smiled. "Good girl. Take her straight there, no dallying."
The girl nodded, and led me away. I tried to ignore the fact Wendy hadn't stopped the whole time we'd been in the room. If she'd noticed us, she hadn't reacted.
Outside the girl led me across the yard waiting until we were in the middle of the clearing to finally speak.
"Don't react, someone might be watching," she ordered in a whisper, her head down, her hair covering her face. "Just tap your hand against your thigh if you understand me."
I did as she directed.
"Please listen closely. They put a drug in your drink. Gus'll be coming to find you soon. He 'll take you, then you'll disappear. They'll say you ran off or got lost or decided to go home or whatever they consider a plausible excuse. If you don't want that to happen, then we need to get you to Runner. Now. Where is he?"
I dipped my head, whispering, "I didn't drink it."
"But they think you did. They already had this planned. The drug kicks in, in about twenty minutes. You need to either be locked in a safe room with Runner or Gus is gonna take you, one way or another. Now, where is he?"
"He was sent to deal with my friend."
"And where is she?" the girl asked, obviously exasperated with me.
"I don't know."
The girl hesitated, her steps slowing. "Fuck it, just… stay close."
She veered off course, leading me behind three buildings, pushing us into the long afternoon shadows. She gestured at me to be quiet and stay put, peering around one building then darting across to the other, gesturing for me to follow a moment later.
I did, my heart in my throat.
She led me to a second barracks, pulling me insider, down a hall and to a door at the rear. She knocked twice, kicking it once with her shoe.
It opened, a man leaning half-naked in the doorway, pants slung low on his hips, fly undone.
"Little Mouse," he greeted taking us in. "And a stranger. Who have you brought me today?"
"This is Runner's girl. Moved her in last night. She's just been at Mama's."
The man went alert, looking at me then down the hall, snapping, "inside."
The girl pushed me, whispering, "go. And if they ask, you don't remember anything."
"Find Runner," the guy ordered her. "If anyone asks, I found you and brought her here." He shoved me further into the room. "Go Mouse, now."
She nodded, taking off as he kicked the door shut, locking it, and reaching for a pistol that sat on a shelf beside the door.
Fuck.
"What's your name?" He asked, checking the barrel.
"Ellie," I said, surprised that my voice sounded normal.
"Right, Ellie, here's the deal. If Runner doesn't get here in the next few minutes shit is gonna go down. Bad shit. If anyone saw you come here then you're in danger and I'm gonna have to do some shit that will get real ugly real fast. You feel me?"
I nodded.
"Good," he gestured to his apartment. "Go in the bathroom. Lock the door. There's a gun under the sink, you know how to use a gun?"
I nodded again.
"Good. Don't come out until either Runner, Pope or me says. You hear from anyone else; you shoot the bastard. Got me?"
I nodded a third time, my hands trembling.
He tucked the pistol into the back of his jeans, placing his hands on my shoulders and giving me a little shake. "Babe, you pull it together. You can break down later, okay?"
I swallowed, sucked in a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. "Okay." I answered. "What's your name?"
"Texas," he replied letting me go and pulling the pistol back out. "In the bathroom, go."
I went, locking the door, finding the gun, and climbing into his dirty bathtub. I trained the pistol at the door, my ears pricked as I listened for movement.
Seconds turned into minutes as I waited, alert. All my focus on the door. But while my body was primed and ready, my mind raced. Scenarios on an endless loop but I kept circling back to one question.
What have I gotten myself into?
Chapter Twelve
Runner
Ava stood at the shooting range, hands on hips, glaring at me.
I glared right back; arms crossed over my chest.
"I got money on the girl," Beast muttered behi
nd me.
"I don't know, Runner does that thing with his—"
"Runner!"
I spun, hand immediately going to the weapon at my hip.
"Mouse," Pope muttered. The hair on the back of my neck lifted, ice racing through my veins. I moved, meeting her half-way.
"Where is she?" I asked, looking over Mouse's shoulder.
"I took her to Texas."
I bolted, heading for Texas apartment, knowing my brothers would be at my back.
If she's been harmed, Prez is dead.
"Go home, Mouse. Now!" I heard Beast order her away but I ignored them, all my attention focused on getting to Ellie.
At the barracks, I flattened against the side of the building, glancing around. Pope and Beast followed, giving me a nod.
I pulled my gun free, holding it by my side, forcing looseness into my limbs. I took one deep breath then walked around the front of the building. The place was clear, just a woman off to one side following her kid as he ran across the yard, laughing.
"Chief's woman," Pope muttered from behind me. "If she sees us, Kimi won't talk."
Not a threat.
I entered the barracks, pausing to listen.
"Go, brother," Beast ordered, taking guard at the door.
I headed for Texas apartment, fisting it twice, calling, "it's me."
"Thank fuck," Texas growled, pulling the door open, a pistol in his hand. He jerked his head inviting me in. "She's in the bathroom."
I headed straight there, shoving my gun back in its holster, calling, "Baby Girl?"
I heard movement on the other side of the door, a lock shifting and a second later the door opened a fraction of an inch, a sliver of pale face peering out at me.
"You wanna come out, sweetheart?"
The barrel of a gun poked out, pointing straight at my chest. I heard Texas draw in a quick breath, but I ignored him, proud of my girl for protecting herself.
"Tell me, right now Runner, what the fuck is going on."
"Baby, come on out here and—"
"No!" the gun waivered for a second then steadied. "Right now."
I heard someone enter the room behind us, but I couldn't pay attention to them, all my focus on Ellie.
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