by Christa Lynn
“To the training facility, I want to see what you’ve got.”
“Training facility? You do realize you’re looking at a woman that’s been training all of her life, even before this God forsaken war started. I grew up on a farm, remember?”
“I do; that’s why I want to see what you’ve got. Let’s go,” I say as I turn toward the back door and descend the stairs into the backyard. I hear the door close behind me and smile without looking back at her; she’s obeying my commands already, and that’s a good thing. I have to tread lightly, or she’ll bolt, and I have no doubts that she’ll leave if given the chance. I can imagine she wants to go home, wherever that is. The compound reminds her of home, and apparently we aren’t too far away. Maybe soon we’ll go that direction, see if anything remains and maybe give Jo some piece of mind.
I kick the door open to the firing range first, deciding I need to see how she handles a gun. She swiped that Heretic’s AK, but does she know how to use it? I hear the door creak open, and as I look back, Jo hesitantly steps in and looks around. “What is this place?” she asks.
“Firing range,” I grunt, snagging a regular semi-automatic Beretta off the expansive gun rack against the side wall.
“Holy shit,” I hear her whisper as she scans the rack, her brown eyes full of surprise.
“What, sweetheart? Think we were sitting ducks out here?” I laugh as I prepare the gun and hand it to her. “Locked and loaded. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
She glares at me with a what the fuck is this look and starts to chuckle. “This the best you got?” She hands it back to me. “Give me something else, this is for shooting ducks, as you just said.”
I nudge her toward the lane that has the target on it. “Just humor me. I want to start you off small and then—”
“And then what, Mr. Demanding?” she exclaims, the aura of flames shooting from her eyes. “You think this piece of shit is going to stop someone? I may be a female, but—”
“Hold it right there, sweetheart.” I step forward.
“And don’t call me sweetheart, I’m not your sweetheart. Now, give me a Goddamned gun and let me fucking shoot it,” she snarks.
“Look, you’re a beginner—” I start to say before her eyes cringe and she turns to the gun rack, staring each one down like she wants to eat it. Hungry. I like that, and I bite my tongue and let her pick her poison. She takes the Uzi, and her delicate fingers stroke the steel casing, and I have to speak up. “Whoa, sweet— Jo, let’s start you off a little lighter, eh?”
She turns to me, cocking the barrel and then stops, looking at me like she’s getting impatient.
“Okay, so that’s how it’s going to be?” She nods in affirmation. “Follow me.”
I turn to exit the side door into the wooded area where we take target practice with the stronger weapons. I slip a beat up set of cans on her head and give her some scratched up goggles and motion where she needs to stand. She’s obviously got something to prove, so I’ll let her have her fun. But if she fucks up one time, she gets the Beretta back.
I stand back, put my own headset on and goggles, and watch her examine the piece, wrapping her fingers around the handle and getting a basic feel for the weapon. She scans the targets and steps back, hoisting it and resting the butt of the gun against her shoulder before expelling a round of bullets, blowing away the metal target that’s a good two hundred feet away.
She lowers the gun and raises the goggles onto her head and smiles. “So, what else you got?” she asks as she sets the gun down on the rusted barrel a few feet away. I stand there, dumbfounded, as she hit every target she aimed for.
“Fuck, you really are a badass, aren’t you?”
She grunts, but continues to scan the land that surrounds us. “I hear water,” she says.
“Yeah, it’s the Canadian River; our water supply.”
“Can I see?”
“It’s a good hike through the woods, can your ankle handle it?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah. I totally forgot about that. It’s fine, show me.”
I grab the Uzi and step inside, placing it back on the rack and when I go back out, she’s gone. “Jo?” I call out.
“Over here,” she responds from the side of the house, and I follow her sweet voice. She’s sitting in an old wooden chair, her head back and her face toward the sun, her warm, tanned skin glowing. She looks peaceful and relaxed, but it’s a farce, I know. Deep inside her, I know she’s a tangled mess of nerves. She just got out of Brampton and now some crazy guy brings her here and makes her shoot a gun. I know I’d be a little on edge, but she hides it well.
“Are you all right?” I ask quietly from over her shoulder. She looks up and turns her head toward me.
“Yes, just been a while since I’ve felt the sun on my face.”
“I’m sure it has been. Come on, let’s hike to the river. You’ll need to quickly learn your way around here and where hiding places are and escape routes. You never know when the Heretics will make an appearance. In fact, I’m surprised they haven’t already. It’s not like this place is that hidden back here. But at the same time, maybe they’re just waiting for the perfect time to pounce,” I say, her previously relaxed demeanor not so relaxed anymore. “Don’t panic, this compound is well armed as you saw, and security is surrounding the perimeter of the land. We’ll know if anyone shows up before they penetrate the borders,” I try and reassure her, but she stands and places her hands on her hips, her body in a fighting stance.
I hold out my hand for her to take so I can lead her through the underbrush and up to the river bank, but she brushes it away and steps in behind me, her boots crunching under the leaves and straw. She’s stubborn, I’ll give her that. That stubbornness is going to get her in trouble if she’s not careful. I think she’s more vulnerable than she makes out to be. What she went through and then being tossed onto the streets would take anyone down, so I have to keep an eye on her. She puts on a good front, but if her experience was anything like Emma’s, a breakdown is eminent.
I glance back to see her face, intent and focused on the ground in front of her. “Eyes up, Jo. Always be aware of your surroundings; some of these Heretics are stealth and you’ll never hear them coming up behind you.” Her eyes cut up to me, her lip tugging up into an almost smile.
“You don’t know me, Kane. I grew up on a farm, so …”
“Jo, this isn’t a fucking farm. This is a war, a cruel and dangerous world. And you’re female, so you need to get this through your thick skull,” I say as I step back to her, her brown eyes looking up at me. “When you were taken to Brampton, this world was a different place. Women were protected and cared for, the way it should be. But now, women are the prey. And since you killed one of their main guys, you’re also a target. If you think you’re free like you were thirteen years ago, then you’re as good as dead. Don’t let the calm peace of this compound fool you. You will end up dead, and it’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“I didn’t ask you to protect me,” she whispers.
“You didn’t have to. It’s my job, it’s in my blood. You’re precious and more vulnerable than you care to admit. I have no doubt you can protect yourself, but you’re one woman. There are thousands, if not millions, of Heretics scouring this land, looking for their next victim. That next victim will not be you, that I can promise you. Now, let’s go check out the riverbed and let me show you the lay of the land, because you need to know. And I need you to trust me, can you do that?”
She cuts her eyes down in what almost looks like embarrassment, or maybe she’s blushing, “I’ll try,” she mouths, but I don’t hear the words. She nods her head and brushes what might have been a tear away, but I ignore it and take her hand. This time she takes it and I tug her through the woods to the river bank. She’s so beautiful and naive, and I’d love to tie her to my bed and teach her what trust is all about, but she’s not ready for that. Not yet, she needs time to warm up to me and realize t
hat not all men are pigs. That’s going to be a challenge, but I’m Kane Hardison, and I love a challenge.
We walk in silence toward the riverbed, the only sound belonging to the rushing water up ahead. I see Dale off in the woods, his gun aimed, and I nod that it’s okay. Dale stands back and disappears back into the woods. Jo didn’t even notice him, and that’s not good. “Did you see that?” I ask, stopping abruptly.
“What?” she cries, pressing her body up against mine as her fingers squeeze my own.
I pause, debating how to continue. “Look, I know this is nature at its finest, and something you haven’t experienced in a long time, but one of my men saw us and had his gun aimed right at your head, and you didn’t notice. You must be aware of everything around you,” I say, my voice a little louder than normal. I can tell it’s spooked her a little and I lower it, but I keep it stern.
“Boom,” I say as I step back and watch her eyes open and fear covers her features. Her body starts shaking as a strong arm comes around her neck, pulling her back against Dale’s body, his gun up against her temple. Her breaths get heavy, but her eyebrows raise as she looks at me. Before I know it, she’s grabbed Dale’s gun and twisted his arm behind his back, and now the gun is on him.
“Fuck!” Dale growls. “Where did you find this girl?”
“Easy, Jo, he’s one of us,” I say, holding my hands up in mock surrender. She holds the gun steady against his head, but I see her eyes glaze over as her finger presses against the trigger. “Jo, give me the gun.” I try and remain calm, but her eyes are fierce and determined. Her mind has taken her somewhere else, and it’s up to us to bring her back.
A crack sounds as a heavy boot comes up behind her, and I see Abe appear out of nowhere and he places the barrel of his gun against her head, “I suggest you drop the gun, little one.”
His voice stirs her and eyes focus on me, finally. “It’s okay, Jo, they’re not going to hurt you. But you need to drop the gun, he’s one of us. And Abe doesn’t play, so let Dale go and put the gun down,” I say, stepping toward her as I realize she’s come back to Earth.
She releases Dale and steps back slowly as Abe takes Dale’s gun away from her and she drops to her knees, burying her face in her hands. I nod at Dale and Abe and they head back into the woods as quietly as they came. I get down on my knees in front of Jo and take her hands and she looks up at me, her face wet with tears and sweat, her body vibrating as she cries.
“Shh, it’s okay, Jo. I’m sorry, but I needed to convince you that this is not a safe haven. It’s a working compound, and anything can happen at any time. I need you on your toes and prepared at any time. But I have to say this: You overtaking Dale was amazing. I like your spunk and your scrappiness, but you’ve got to keep that in check out in this world. I’m happy that you’re strong and can take care of yourself, but please, keep your eyes peeled. We’re out in the rural areas and men are trained to be quiet, anyone can overtake you in a second.”
“Yeah, you made sure you taught me a lesson, huh, Kane?” she says, standing up and brushing the dirt of her ass. “I got it, okay? Now, show me the fucking river.”
“Good girl, let’s go.”
Jo
“That fucker,” I mumble under my breath. I knew what I was doing and he … Damn it, no I didn’t. I’m fooling myself if I think I’m ready for this. He’d better arm me or I’m sunk. Now that I think about it, I wonder what he did with that AK and knife I took off that guy I slashed.
“Where are my weapons?” I ask, my voice still shaking.
“What weapons?” he responds, like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about.
“The AK and knife I swiped off that guy I killed in the drug store.”
“Back at the compound, one of the guys is cleaning the AK and sharpening the knife. The blade was pretty dull, and if you want it effective, it needed sharpening.”
I nod, briefly satisfied with his response. “You’ll get them back once he’s done. And you will have them on your body at all times, got it?”
I salute him mockingly, “Got it, sir.”
He turns and glares at me. “Sir?”
“Yeah, you’re the boss, right?” I snark.
He shakes his head and smirks as we continue up the slight incline, the sound of rushing water getting louder and louder. We crest the hill and see the river, rushing heavily downstream. Strange looking machinery along the banks causes me to stare. “Water purification system; provides water for the compound.”
“It looks …”
“Primitive? Because it is. Over the years we’ve confiscated bits and pieces from older units, and one of our older guys was an engineer, so he was able to piece it together. It’s dirty, but it works. You can thank him for that hot bath you had earlier,” he says, his eyes sparkling in the sunset. It’s now I realize that his eyes are a dark shade of green and so mysterious. I’m sure those eyes hold a lot of secrets and memories, memories of this dark world. I can only imagine what those eyes have seen.
“Over there—” Kane points downstream “—is an area of heavy brush, but it’s an escape route. Lance rigged it so you tug on a cord of thorns and it opens up to a makeshift boat dock. There are several small boats there, and it’s ‘home base’ if we get attacked. Only members of the compound know it’s there. We meet there and then head downstream. The boats are stocked with ammo and weapons, as well as some foods that Emma canned, but it won’t get you far. The boats are old and have been patched up, so weight is an issue. Regardless, it’s a quick way out. Downstream about four miles is a shack, beat up and weathered, but it’s your final destination once you get out of here. It’s fully stocked as well, and Abe is in charge of keeping an eye on that place—his men are constantly standing guard. We use that shack for storage as well, so in the event of a seize on the Dog Pound, you have somewhere to go.
“You keep saying ‘you’.” I eye him.
“The women, and any younger people that we might pick up along the way. Abe, Dale, and myself, as well as the others will stay behind and fight the battle, defend the compound. But anyone else leaves,” he says as his eyes cut toward me.
“Not me,” I growl. “You’ve seen what I have in me, I’ll stay and fight,” I say as he turns to me, his strong hands pulling my hips toward him.
“You will do whatever I say at the moment and without argument.”
“You know what, Kane? I don’t know who in the hell you think you are but …”
“Hold that thought.” His mouth comes crashing down onto mine, his lips soft but firm. I struggle to push him back as my mind starts whirling and images from Brampton flash back.
“Stop!” I yell through our pressed lips and my hands reach his chest as I push back. He cups my face in his hands and pulls back.
“I’m sorry,” he says as he steps back. “But it was the only way to shut you up.” He laughs.
I smack his chest and catch my breath, trying to eliminate those old memories. “You’re a bastard!” I scream. “What in the fuck were you thinking?”
“Mouth, sweetheart.”
“Mouth? You don’t own me, Kane. I’ve been through hell and back and then you try to seduce me?”
“I was not trying to seduce you. If I wanted to do that, I’d succeed. While you’d be screaming then, you’d be screaming my name.”
“You’re an asshole,” I say as I stomp off. “You men are all the same, I’m outta here,” I toss back over my shoulder as I head down the embankment back toward the compound. This guy needs to get a grip. I may be female, but that does not give him the right to—
“Stop,” he demands as he grabs my hand, halting me in my tracks.
“What, Kane?” I turn, angry as hell.
“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
“But I’m fresh meat, right? Did you do this to Emma?”
“No, of course not. She’s too fragile.”
“Oh, but you thought about it, I see.”
�
��No, damn it. Quit putting words in my mouth,” Kane says as I turn to leave once again, but he steps in front of me. “Jo, listen, this world is not what you think it is. What happened to you in Brampton was wrong. This world needs love and compassion to get back on its feet, not rape and murder. I know it’s going to take some time, but I plan to show you that men and women can get along, personally and passionately, without fear and without violence. I plan to earn your trust, that’s my first order of business. But until then, no running. You’re safer here than you are out there,” he says as his hands wave toward the forest. “Let’s go, the sun is starting to set, and we don’t want to be out here in the dark.”
Nice change of subject, but a needed change. He takes my hand and we head down the hill back to the compound and back inside. He’s got a lot of nerve. The only men I’ve ever known besides my dad and brother were dicks. Mean and violent, and I want no part of that. I’d like to think Kane is different, but this is all too new to me and I’m not trusting anyone, only myself. I’m the only one I can rely on right now, at least, until I find my family.
We enter the living area, and it’s dark, but enough light to see Emma sitting on the sofa by herself, staring out the window. Her eyes are dead, no life in them. They pan to us and stop before she blinks out of her trance and stands up. “I’m sorry, I was just …”
“Relax, Emma. Sit down, it’s okay. You’re allowed to rest, girl. This isn’t a concentration camp,” Kane tells her as he sits down across from her, then pats the seat next to him. I choose to sit in the chair next to Emma and place my hand on her knee.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
“I will be, one day. Right?”
“Of course, and I’ll help you.”
“How did you do it?” she asks me.
“Do what?”
“Come out of there so strong?”
“I’m not sure, Emma. Everyone is different, and we all experienced different things. Vic was an asshole, but I had a different guy each time, and they weren’t so bad. I guess I just got lucky.”
