The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  The boy put a hand out, like he couldn’t believe she was there.

  “My mother had hair like yours. Black...long.”

  Angela didn’t hesitate to pull him carefully into her arms and let him cry on her chest.

  “I’ve been so alone!” he wailed.

  She rubbed his tangled hair comfortingly, keeping a tight grip on the tree with her legs as the wind hit them again.

  “I’m here now, Hans. I’m here now.”

  His thin arms tightened around her neck at the nickname his mother had used. When Angela began to whisper, he nodded against her neck.

  “Okay. Eyes closed?”

  She slowly shifted him into position. “Yes, and hold tight, but remember that I have to breathe. Don’t squeeze my neck.”

  He was shaking, terrified, and she quickly used the rope from her belt to tie them together. It wouldn’t hold for long, but it would buy a few seconds for action.

  “Okay. Onto my back, like when you were a baby.”

  She held still as he slowly wrapped himself around her. His legs were thin, hard knots against her hips and she wished she had another rope to tie them around the middle as well as the wrists.

  “Angela.”

  She found Seth in the tree next to them, a long coil of rope over his shoulder.

  She held up a hand, being careful not to overbalance, and a second later, the rope fell roughly over her fingers.

  She snatched at it, got the end.

  Angela slid the rope around them and carefully tied it, stomach in knots as she secured him. Now, she had to get him down.

  Adrian observed with the rest of them. Sending up the rope was all he could do beyond the inflatable catchers that the men were hurrying to set up under the tree. His heart thumped as she began the slow climb down.

  Her feet came first, each perch sought and tested carefully before she put their weight on it. The crowd’s muttering rose as the wind howled through the trees, shaking them. Leaves and drops of sticky liquid fell over the people.

  Snap!

  Angela jerked them back up as the branch gave, bending enough to tilt her feet down. Breathing roughly, she slowly eased them to the other side of the trunk, using the alternate route she’d chosen on the way up. It was almost straight down, but nearly branchless and she scaled the thick trunk like a cat, using the sides of her boots and her fingers in the bark cracks to crawl down.

  As she neared the last 15 feet, the bark became too slippery to get a grip and she reluctantly switched back to the front, where the branches were wider spaced but thicker.

  She eased her foot down and the branch cracked off, causing her to jerk them up against the trunk again while she recovered her balance. The rest of the branches were too thin or weak to hold them, and Angela gritted her teeth in concentration. Her arms and legs were aching with the effort it took to hold them in place against the wind. The witch was ready to handle it, but with so many witnesses, she had to be careful. Her people were just starting to accept magic. Too much of a show would have the opposite effect that she needed.

  “I’m gonna drop him to you. Five seconds!” she called to the people below them.

  When the boy tightened his grip, she sent a calming mutter over them both. “They’ll catch you, Hans. I promise.”

  Before he could respond, she drew her blade and quickly cut through both ropes that bound them.

  She heard the sound of the buoyant catchers and people murmuring in comfort... then a thick crack above her head.

  The falling branch hit her arm like a dead weight and she was knocked from the tree in a heavy thud of pain, falling through toward the ground.

  “I’m sorry for my sins,” was all she had time to think.

  Adrian grunted at the impact, staggering as she slammed into his outstretched arms and dropped to the ground. Her head rolled against his arm, blood drops sprayed across her face from hitting the other branches on her way down.

  Adrian felt his gift reach out to her, lending strength.

  “Mom!”

  Charlie was trying to shoulder his way through the crowd now around them.

  Adrian waited without breathing for her lids to open.

  Angela struggled to wake, the blow a hard one, and she winced at the brightness. Where’s the layer of grit that keeps this from happening? was her first thought and then she became aware of Adrian holding her, his face full of intense concern. What she could see over his shoulder made her heart thump with joy.

  “The boat...south, then southeast.”

  A second later, she opened her eyes to find herself in Adrian’s arms and surrounded by camp members. “What happened?”

  Adrian let her sit up as she stiffened and slowly faded into the mob as Charlie made his way through them.

  “You okay?”

  She started to nod and had to close her lids as dizziness took her balance. “Yeah. Slight concussion, I think.”

  She slowly pushed herself to her feet, using Charlie’s arm to steady herself, but even as he suggested she go to Doctor Brooke, she was turning toward the boy she’d brought down.

  He was standing by himself, observing them with a scared, hopeful expression.

  She opened her arms to him. “Welcome to Safe Haven, Hanali.”

  The child didn’t hesitate.

  Charlie’s firm hand on her shoulder kept her from falling when he dove into her embrace.

  Angela slowly led him to the medical tent that was now being set up, swaying. Everyone was missing John and Anne, but they were grateful that another doctor had come. Their last group of new arrivals before leaving the spring had been a medical man and small group of nursing students who’d survived together by hiding inside an armored truck. They had picked up more than forty people in Little Rock, though all but Conner had joined after the fact. When Adrian’s magic had blasted through that ravaged city, not just magic users had answered his call.

  “Let Dr. Brooke look at you and I’ll be in next.”

  She turned away before the boy could beg her to come along. Charlie was there to steady her when she swayed.

  “Mom?”

  She held up a hand, concentrating, and found a pair of intense blue eyes observing her from across the hoods. No words or thoughts were spoken, but everyone felt their bond, their connection.

  Charlie stiffened at her side. The feelings in that look were impossible to miss. There was something between her and Adrian, and it was strong. He went to his assigned vehicle, glaring.

  “He’s hurting. We don’t like that.”

  Angela didn’t glare at Lee, keeping her focus on the pain instead.

  “Can you help him?”

  “He wants what I’m not free to give,” Angela denied through the waves of nausea.

  “But you care,” Lee protested, blurting more than he’d intended. “We all know it. You want him.”

  Angela’s cheeks and neck flushed a deep crimson, and Lee flinched as her head snapped up to reveal eyes of the same color.

  “Would you betray Candy?”

  “To keep this from falling apart? Yes,” Lee agreed reluctantly.

  Angela sighed, pulling the anger in. “So would I, but not now, not like this. Give him time, Lee. He’ll adjust.”

  Lee wasn’t so sure about that, but it was heartening to have her refuse the request. He hadn’t wanted to make it. He liked Marc. They just needed Adrian more.

  2

  “He’s on that damn laptop again,” Samantha complained as Neil joined then. “Can’t you order him to give it a break or something?”

  Neil heard the serious tone and stored it. Why was Samantha worried about that?

  “Maybe. You’ll have to give him something else to do.”

  Samantha snickered. “I could ask him to take my shift tonight over the teenagers. That’s always a blast.”

  “We’ve got Kevin training people on the radio. One of them will take it over full time.” Neil stated quickly, not wanting Sam to get in trouble f
or joking during a mini-meeting.

  Angela didn’t protest and Neil wanted to make sure she understood what that meant. “He’s yours now.”

  Angela flipped her ash into the can they were passing. “He always was. Next?”

  Neil frowned. “Adrian usually rewards them when they come around.”

  “I’m not Adrian,” she denied coolly. “You have to do more than that to impress me.”

  Neil swept the mess, wondering if the burnt towns and graves they’d been passing all week were the reason the eating area was staying so empty now. He didn’t want to admit that it was because of how many camp members they were losing. Angela and Adrian were heartsick over it, but they weren’t stopping anyone or sending men to talk to them into coming back.

  “A man needs to keep his hands busy,” Kenn joked as he spotted Tonya coming from the medical area.

  “What’s she doing?”

  Angela picked out the redhead and went back to her notes, glad of the painkiller she’d been given. Her shoulder was throbbing. “Dropping off more supplies to the new doctor. He said the results were surprisingly hopeful and he wants to try another batch.”

  It was interesting to have each team’s assigned medic attending the doctor’s classes, but it was also a way to be sure the new man was living up to John’s standards of care. Their medics were less than rookies, but their training had to start somewhere and waiting until later wasn’t an option.

  Kenn replayed his morning of breaking down the camp. Tonya had told him Dr. Brooke was going to come by the pharmacy tent to pick it up once they got settled at the new site.

  Angela sighed, weary even though it was only lunch time. They’d been on the road for days now. “She’s doing work for me, Kenn. Let it go.”

  That made Kenn reconsider the not-so-great possibilities. If Angela did have Tonya on something, the redhead would have told him. For both females to cover it up, it had to be serious.

  “Are things all set with the site?”

  “It’s all wired,” Kyle reported. Each campsite they left behind now was deadly.

  “Any word yet?” Samantha asked. She was the only one who thought it could be anytime now.

  “No,” Angela answered.

  She left the table.

  They were assuming Marc was busy causing damages and delays, but the deadline of the soldiers coming was fast approaching. Kenn and Kyle were saying they’d have word in the next week. Angela had said ten days. Adrian claimed three weeks. His estimate wasn’t taken seriously. That was nearly double the time they’d thought to have to prepare and none of them were willing to count on it. In their allotted days, they were making steady progress though, and Angela walked through the camp, using those signs to bolster her flagging spirits.

  “I miss you, Brady,” she whispered, rubbing her shoulder.

  3

  Jennifer swept the fully packed truck that Kyle had prepared for her departure. She was driving it during this move, but still wasn’t sure if she could take it out into the wilderness. Safe Haven had become her home.

  “Can I carry something for you?”

  Jennifer slowly put the baby into Kyle’s arms, sure that’s what he really wanted. They might not be saying much to each other, but Kyle and her child were already bonded.

  “The cord fell off this morning.”

  Kyle grinned, but it didn’t light his face with happiness the way she’d come to expect.

  “You save it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  It was like this with them now–closed off and remote. Kyle longed for their bond back, but wasn’t sure what to do. He’d betrayed her. He had no right to expect forgiveness or another chance. He wouldn’t ask for either.

  Jennifer caught the thought and snapped her mouth closed on the words that wanted to fly out. She’d briefly considered Conner’s point after he left and it had been in her mind since, but she hadn’t pulled it out for an in depth examination. She was scared to find out if Kyle had hurt her too badly. She’d told him she wouldn’t be able to let that go. And I was right…wasn’t I?

  Kyle let the love for the baby fill his heart in place of its mother. How would he ever let either of them go?

  Jennifer tensed and Kyle gently handed her the baby. “I gave you my word.”

  “That means nothing,” Jennifer retorted lowly. “I don’t trust you.”

  Kyle’s heart broke again and he turned away from her before he could fall to his knees and beg. She was right to suspect him. She should have all along. He was unfit for love, for compassion or mercy. He didn’t offer those things to his enemies and he didn’t deserve them either.

  Jennifer didn’t want to feel his pain, but that was impossible. The waves of loneliness were the worst. She hated it when he isolated himself. He’d been doing that his whole life, closing off the emotions, and Jennifer suddenly couldn’t stand it anymore. She had to get through his hard shell and find out what was underneath.

  “I’m leaving as soon as Marc gets back.”

  Kyle froze, shoulders becoming two stiff rocks that could have any reaction. When he turned around, Jennifer gasped at the agony on his face.

  I won’t hold you.

  The silent words were full of pain. Jennifer began securing the infant into the car seat before she could ask him to come along.

  Kyle slowly forced his feet away from her, feeling like he had nothing to live for.

  “She needs something from you.”

  Kyle looked over to discover that Conner had been listening. “What?”

  Conner shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’d ask her about it before Marc gets back.”

  Their radios crackled with Angela’s hard voice, “Throw the scraps to the ants and load up. It’s time to roll.”

  4

  “I’d like you to go with the next water team.”

  Samantha waved Angela inside the tent, a bit surprised. They’d only been camped for an hour. After Grenada Lake, the Holly Springs forest was like a cool balm on a sunburn. The Eagles liked the thin, tall trees and the camp was enjoying the trails and activities. They were spread out a bit wider than the Eagles would have liked, but the number of people with their own small fire in front of their tent had grown. That required room.

  “Leave?”

  “Neil’s full team will be your protection. I’m sending another level for protection on the water crew.”

  “And what do you need me to do that I’ve got an entire team of killers at my disposal?”

  Angela’s eyes blazed for a second, revealing her worry. “Look, listen. Find out what’s coming next.”

  Samantha’s heart thumped. She’d thought the tension was from everything they had going on, but apparently, she’d been wrong. “You felt something.”

  “Yes. It was dark, deep. Try to get a read on it for us.”

  “I’ll get my kit together now.”

  “Neil will come grab you when they’re set to roll out. Should be around dawn.”

  “Is there anything else you’d like me to do before we go?”

  Angela considered. “Yes, there is. Go play with the kids. They’ve never seen dust whirls like you’ve been making.”

  Samantha understood what Angela was trying to do, but the weight of the duty was scary. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. When the kids accept us, so does everyone else.”

  Samantha began gathering her gear and Angela went to the next area. A leader’s job was hectic on the best days and she hadn’t had many of those yet. What if one of the supply teams ran into trouble? What if she got them killed?

  Angela sighed. There was little she could do to stop it now. They had to have the fuel and water, but they also needed Samantha’s attention on whatever was headed their way. Personal safety had to come behind camp survival. All of them had been told that when they’d signed on. It hadn’t changed just because leadership had.

  5

  “Is it normal? The way your hair is cha
nging color?”

  Angela was too tired to lie. “Yes. Overuse is rough on us.”

  Kyle glanced over to where Jennifer was leaving last minute instructions for the baby before her lesson with Angela’s team.

  “Will it happen to her?”

  “Yes, and sooner rather than later, I’d guess. She’s full of fire, but it’s being fueled by her pain. If she doesn’t use another source, she could literally eat herself alive.”

  Kyle turned to stare at Angela’s cleverly hidden streaks of gray. “Am I enough?”

  Angela understood he meant that in several ways and chose to answer the easiest. “Your emotions are too bottled up to allow a reserve. If she pulls from multiple…”

  Angela sighed at the instant, impotent anger that hit her. “Marc feels the same. I try…tried to do it when he wasn’t around.”

  They both thought of her moment with Adrian on the road a while back, but neither mentioned it.

  “And in the other way?”

  She hated to hurt him, but he had to know how to help. Jennifer wasn’t grieving or releasing anything and that was dangerous.

  “Only someone of the same kind can truly handle us the way you mean.”

  “Soul mates and that BS.”

  “I don’t have any evidence of that,” Angela hedged curtly. “All people need someone who matches them, but the descendants match with everyone.”

  “Purposely.”

  “Yes. We were made to help, but also to repopulate, to replace some of the talents that were lost. Some will have multiple mates, many will have one. It depends on the bond.”

  “And fate?”

  “Yes” Angela’s eyes went to the medical tent against her will. “Through our lives, we’ll be attracted to dozens of people. It’s up to us and the strength of the draw, if it goes any further.”

  “And if a group of you and a group of us are together, you’d pick your mates from your own kind, right? To be fulfilled?”

  Angela sighed, forced to face the truth. “Yes, and no. We populate, as well as draw and build. Part of our duty is to spread our DNA, to mix with human and create the next generation. Without them, the world won’t recover. Adrian brought us together, but to spread his light over an entire planet will take children–ours.”