What Remains: Wasteland

by Kris Norris

  She pointed at the gap, moving back over to it. “I need another minute to close this thing.”

  “Not sure we’ve got that much time, but I’ll try.”

  She didn’t answer, her focus fixated on twisting the pieces around each other, sealing the break she’d made in the fence. Hunter’s gun sounded beside her, a steady steam of bullet cases raining down on the ground next to her. She kept working when one of the bastards rammed the fence, its pale, bloody fingers poking through the wire, the nails trying to scratch her skin.

  Hunter grabbed her by the back of her vest and yanked her away, killing the creature with a quick shot to the head. Blood arced through the air, leaving a splatter of droplets along the ground as its body jerked, its arms flailing out at its side before crumbling on the dirt, blank eyes staring at the darkening sky.

  Hunter’s hand slipped beneath her arm, and he pulled her to her feet, taking a stumbled step away as he shook his head in the direction of the fence. “That’ll have to do. There’s too many to hold them back.”

  Em glanced at the patch job, wondering how long it’d hold when another hand landed on her shoulder. She reacted without thinking, slamming her elbow back before pivoting and grabbing the guy’s arm. Her sudden shift threw him off balance, and she used the advantage to twist his wrist then toss him to the ground, more dust billowing up around them. The guy grunted and rolled, gaining his feet when something hit her hard on the back of the head. She fell forward, tripping onto one knee as her hands landed on the dirt, the dry taste of dust coating her throat.

  The landscape blurred into streaks of black and gray, and she found herself on her back, squinting at the guy hovering over her. Voices sounded around her, but it took all her concentration just to look at the man’s face.

  “Jesus, Kace. What the hell were you thinking?”

  “She took you out. I thought I was saving your ass.”

  “I’d be dead if that’s what she’d wanted, not to mention the fact Hunter could have bloody well shot you before I’d had a chance to stop him. You’re just lucky the guy’s reflexes are slowed from blood loss.”

  The man brushed a hand down her cheek. “You okay, Em?”

  She blinked again, finally focusing on him as the images stopped somersaulting. Deep brown eyes set in an oval face gazed down at her, his long, brown hair hiding one side of his brow. He had more than a week’s worth of growth on his chin, with a small scar marring his left cheek. He smiled, giving her a flash of white amidst the growing darkness.

  She exhaled a shaky breath, positive she was seeing a ghost. “Rhys?”

  “I suppose that depends on whether or not you’re happy to see me?”

  Memories bounced around her head, dimmed by the incessant thrumming of her pulse. She thought she whispered his name again, but then the images swirled, leaving her in a sea of black.

  Chapter Two

  “Shit! She’s going to be pissed when she wakes up.” Rhys Scott released a weary sigh, scooping Emersyn off the ground and cradling her against his chest.

  Her head lolled against his shoulder, her breath a soft whisper of air brushing across his neck. Thick lashes rested against porcelain skin, her full lips turned down into the beginning of a grimace. A touch of blush stained her cheeks as her chest rose and fell rhythmically against his.

  He paused to study the fine line of her face and how her hair looked silky soft, despite the fact it’d been over a year since the world had all but ended. But then, she’d always had a natural beauty that had never failed to take his breath away.

  Rhys pushed the thought aside. Now wasn’t the time to allow his heart to cloud his judgment. Emersyn was like any other soldier, and he knew she’d have his balls if he treated her differently. She groaned as he curled her closer, that luscious mouth curved down into a frown.

  Rhys swore, glaring at Kace. “Damn it, bro, how hard did you hit her?”

  Kace crossed his arms on his chest. “I didn’t realize she was a girl…not with the way she threw you across the ground. And I try to hit hard enough my opponent doesn’t get up for a while.”

  “Well, congrats. You’ve most likely given her a concussion.”

  “It’s not like—”

  “Brother?” Hunter pushed into the circle, somehow still standing despite the large circle of blood on his pants. “This jackass is your brother?”

  Rhys cringed at the wounded edge to Hunter’s voice. The man had a soft spot for Emersyn—shit, they all did—and Rhys knew the woman’s current state irked the hell out of the guy.

  Rhys turned to face him, hoping to soothe the rage he saw flashing in Hunter’s eyes. He motioned to the man’s leg. “First, please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”

  Hunter glared at him. “I wasn’t bitten if that’s what you’re referring to. It’s a knife wound.”

  Rhys nodded. “Crappy for you but good news for us.” He looked at Kace then back again. “I realize these aren’t the best circumstances for introductions but…Hunter, my brother Kace. Kace, this is Hunter Brown, skilled marksman and a man you’d best avoid for a bit until his anger wanes.” He glanced at Hunter’s leg again. “Or he passes out.”

  Hunter merely scowled when Kace held out his hand. “We worked together for years—lived through more fucked up missions than I care to count. Shit, we considered you family, yet you never once mentioned having a brother. Why is that?” He turned toward Kace. “And how the hell did you miss the fact she’s a girl? Any idiot with half a brain could tell even if she’d been dressed in a damn parka.”

  Kace glared at Hunter. “It was dark. All I saw were two silhouettes. And what the hell is a girl doing as part of a recon squad? Rhys said there were few women left at the compound. I’d have thought the powers that be would keep them out of harm’s way.”

  Hunter snorted. “Damn, I really hope you say that again when Em’s awake, ‘cause, buddy, she’s going to kick your ass from here to the Canadian border, and that’s definitely a show I won’t miss.”

  Rhys stepped between the men, hoping to defuse the situation before Hunter ignored the fact he was a breath away from falling on his face. Even halfway into the grave, Rhys knew the man would fight like a damn badger.

  He looked at Hunter, shuffling Em in his arms. “Easy, Hunter. Kace didn’t mean to imply Emersyn wasn’t a skilled warrior or worthy of her rank. My brother just thinks differently than us…all mathematics and chain sequences. If something isn’t logical, it doesn’t really make sense to him. And like it or not, he has a point.”

  Hunter scowled, brushing some strands of hair out of Em’s face. “Yeah? Well that ‘point’ just saved my ass.”

  Rhys nodded, knowing there wasn’t anything left to say. Emersyn had earned her spot on the team more than once.

  He sighed. “And her efforts will be wasted if we don’t get you inside and stop the bleeding. Can you make it alone?”

  “Why? You offering to carry me, too?”

  “Glad to see you’re still an ass. Fine, hobble. Just don’t blame me when you end up with a matching concussion because you’re so damn stubborn.”

  Hunter grunted, falling in behind Rhys as he headed for the bunker. In the near darkness, it was hard to tell where the grass ended and the concrete began. Nothing more than a lighter shade of gray beckoned in the rising moonlight, reflecting a sliver of light off the large metal door. More zombies growled at the fence, shaking the wire in an effort to get inside. Rhys took one last glance at where Em and Hunter had slipped through before opening the door, cursing the scrape of metal over cement that seemed to inflame the creatures until he swore they’d push the damn barbed wire over. Though Em had done a fair job of fixing the hole, it wouldn’t hold indefinitely. They’d have to barricade the first section off and pray they’d catch a break and be able to use one of the alternate exits if they had any hopes of eventually leaving the bunkers.

  Hunter stopped beside him, staring at the set of stairs descending into shadows. “Ho
w far down does it go?”

  “Not too far. These things were obviously built for the Cold War—some kind of nuclear fallout shelters. They’re older than shit. I don’t think they’ve ever seen any human occupation. The only good thing is that they’re linked, so we have access to four of them. Makes the cramped spaces a bit more bearable, though we’ll have to block off this first one in case those bastards get through that patch job Em made, even though it’s doubtful they could get past this door. Call me crazy, but I prefer to err on the side of paranoia.”

  “We didn’t have many options, and there were too many of them at that gate out front to risk a confrontation.”

  “They started gathering there shortly after we made our way topside to see if the center had actually sent anyone—just like we’ve done for the past five days. Never seen them react that way before. Usually they hang around for a bit then wander off again. Makes me wonder if they’re getting smarter.”

  “They’re brain dead. How the hell can they get smarter?”

  Kace laughed behind them. “If only you two had an inkling of what these things are truly capable of, you’d be far more concerned than you are.”

  Rhys glared at his brother again. Now wasn’t the time to go into his theories, not with Hunter’s leg bleeding out and Em unconscious in his arms. He spared his brother a glance. “Not now, Kace. There’ll be time to enlighten our guests later.” He gave the man a wry smile. “That’s if they don’t kill you first.”

  Kace sneered at him but kept a healthy distance back as they made their way down the stairs. Rhys held Em closer, careful not to knock her head against the rails. She groaned once but didn’t wake, and he found himself secretly thankful that he had more time with her body snugged against his. Her gentle weight felt comforting in his arms. Hell, it felt right.

  Hunter limped behind him, surprisingly keeping up. “So you never answered my question. Why didn’t you tell us you had a brother?”

  Rhys glanced at him over his shoulder. “You know Em’s going to have the same questions. Can’t we just wait until she wakes up? Then I’ll tell you both all I can.”

  “Is that before or after she hangs you by your balls for walking out on us without so much as a note?”

  Rhys sighed, grinding to a halt as he turned to face Hunter. “Most likely after. Now why don’t we get that leg of yours stitched up.”

  Hunter cocked his head to the side. “As I recall, you sucked at being a medic. That was more Em’s thing.” He gave Rhys a smug grin. “No offense.”

  “None taken. And I won’t be the one stitching you up.”

  Hunter frowned, glancing at Em cradled in Rhys’ arms. “Then who…” He looked at Kace before shaking his head. “You can’t be serious.”

  Rhys shrugged. “The man did a couple of years of med school before shifting into some hardcore research.”

  Hunter huffed in apparent irritation.

  “Would you rather keep bleeding?” Rhys grunted. “I didn’t think so.”

  Hunter glared at him then cursed, shaking his thumb at Kace. “Shit. He’s the reason we’re here…the guy behind this possible vaccine.”

  “What can I say? Karma’s a real bitch sometimes.”

  Rhys led the other men through the first bunker, locking the barred cell door behind them before continuing into a tunnel. He ignored the musty scent as they headed for the next room, disturbingly identical to the first, save for a small scattering of furniture. The walls were a mixture of concrete and metal, with long lights hanging from the ceiling. A yellow glow reflected off the surfaces giving the rooms a dim but welcomed light.

  Rhys glanced at Hunter. “As you can see, we’ve got some power but not a ton. There are a number of solar panels positioned above the third bunker that run a generator. That gives enough energy for the lights and the equipment Kace uses in the fourth bunker. We’ve got a small supply of propane left that’s been used for heating the canned and powdered food.” He nodded toward the third unit. “There are a couple of composting toilets behind a divider at the far end of the sleeping area in the next room, along with a gravity shower that uses rain water. We’ve been careful not to use too much with the limited rainfall, but now that autumn’s here, the supply should be better. That first bunker was our ammo dump. We’ll have to move what’s left into here once you’re all fixed up. But we’ll keep the gate barred, just to be safe. This room serves as the kitchen and gathering area.”

  Hunter surveyed the room, raising his brow. “So if we keep that first bunker barred off, how the hell do we get out of here when it’s time to leave?”

  Rhys smiled. “That’s what I love about you, Hunter. Always thinking.” He pointed at a large porthole in the ceiling. “Those valves house escape hatches. There’s one in every bunker, but the safest route is through this chute. It’s closest to the forest, and will be our way out of here if those damn bastards ever dissipate enough we can make a run for it.” He continued through the next bunker. “Which reminds me. Where the hell is Billy? I’d have thought the command center would have insisted you go as a three-man team, or have things changed since I left?”

  “No, it’s still three to a team, and a minimum of four to any family unit.”

  Rhys frowned as he eased Emersyn onto a cot in the med lab, trailing his hand along her jaw before turning to face Hunter. “So what’s up with Billy, then? God, don’t tell me the jackass settled into another family grouping. Shit. I bet that didn’t go over well with Em.” He smiled at the woman lying on the cot. “Call me crazy, but I always thought she had a thing for him.”

  Hunter sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Billy didn’t settle down.”

  The unspoken answer settled like a rock in Rhys’ gut. He bowed his head, sparing Em another look. “When?”

  “About six months ago. He got infected on our last mission together. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize until it was too late.”

  Rhys raised his gaze to the man. “I’m sorry. Billy deserved better.” He nodded at him. “You have to put him down?”

  Hunter’s gaze swung to Em then back again. “It wasn’t me.”

  Rhys’ breath lodged tight in his chest as he gazed at Emersyn. “No. Not Em. For the love of god, please tell me she didn’t have to pull the trigger.”

  Hunter’s expression hardened. “There weren’t a lot of options, and she found him first. I begged her to leave but…you know what she’s like. Always having to prove she’s stronger and tougher than the rest of us. She hasn’t been the same since.”

  Rhys pounded his closed fist against the wall, stalking over to Hunter and backing the man up until his shoulders pressed into some shelving. “Damn it, Hunter. You should have found a way.”

  Hunter didn’t even blink. “Yeah, and you shouldn’t have deserted us when we needed you most. So don’t point the finger, Rhys, when you’re just as guilty. I did everything I could to hold our group together, but without you, it wasn’t enough. You were always the unspoken leader.” He breathed heavily in Rhys’ face. “And Em wasn’t the only one who loved Billy. I considered the man my brother…same as you. So if you’re planning to jump up on a soapbox, do us all a favor and don’t. No one knows the cost of that bullet more than me.”

  Rhys clenched his jaw, giving Hunter a nod and a firm pat on the shoulder before stepping back, motioning to a metal table in the center of the room. “Take off your pants and get your ass on that table. Kace can stitch that wound before you bleed out on us.”

  Hunter didn’t speak, just loosened his belt, laying it on a nearby chair before unzipping his pants. He grimaced as he shucked the fabric over his hips, exposing a deep laceration in his upper thigh. Kace whistled when he saw it, shaking his head as he gathered supplies, offering Hunter a hand when the man seemed to falter at the edge of the table. Hunter stared at Kace’s palm for what seemed like forever before finally accepting the help and lifting his butt onto the table.

  Kace scraped a chair closer, placing himself dir
ectly in front of Hunter’s leg. “Wow. That’s impressive. What the hell happened?”

  Hunter grunted when the other man dabbed the cut with alcohol. “Turned out our third guy didn’t know how to play nicely with others.”

  Kace snorted. “One of your teammates did this? Shit.”

  “He wasn’t a teammate, not in any real sense. He was new. And much less skilled than I’d originally thought. But hell, when someone volunteers to accompany you on a suicide mission, you don’t look too deep.”

  Kace simply nodded, cleaning the edges of the wound. “So where’s this guy now? You return the favor?”

  Hunter huffed. “I’m not a sadist. And I try not to kill the few humans we have left, so no, I didn’t stab the bastard back. Turns out he stole my keys while I was trying to bind my leg, and Em said she saw him take off in the Hummer.”

  Rhys groaned. “Damn. You don’t have a vehicle? That definitely makes things more complicated.”

  Hunter sneered at him. “Sorry to inconvenience you, buddy. Next time I’ll just let my leg gush so I can ensure those keys don’t walk off with the wrong teammate.”

  Rhys chuckled. “Point taken. Any chance another team will come looking for you two?”

  “Sure there’s a chance. It’s just extremely low. If we want to get back to the compound, we’ll have to walk.”

  “A two-day journey through zombie infested territory. Sounds like a good time.”

  Hunter smiled, motioning to Kace. “Maybe boy wonder here can manufacture us some other form of transportation using his ‘mathematical and chain sequencing’ skills.”

  Kace smirked at him. “That’s funny.” He grabbed a needle and shoved it into Hunter’s thigh, smiling at the man’s gasp of surprise. “Real funny.”

  Hunter sighed, raising his hands palm-side up. “Fine. I’m sorry, it’s just. Fuck. It’s been one hell of a day. I just hope that brain of yours lives up to expectations.”