by Angela White
Seth liked the sparks of attraction, but he returned to his post before either of them could get too distracted. He’d lost his team, except for Tommy, and Jeff had left Safe Haven with Kevin. Distractions were usually welcome. He hated thinking about his missing men.
Becky also returned to her musings, wondering if Kendle realized how much the Eagles were starting to dislike her for keeping company with Adrian.
“She knows,” Cynthia answered the thought on her way passed the gate. “She doesn’t care.”
Becky realized her mind was open and forced herself not to bring down the wall. She didn’t need people studying her more than they already were.
Cynthia kept going, busy handling things for the boss. She knew Becky’s thoughts weren’t all together, but she understood why. Time would remove the sting from the wounds she’d suffered and Seth’s love would heal her heart. They had to be patient.
Cynthia continued on to the path that led to the cave entrance. Large tents and bathrooms with Eagle stations covered the site and Cynthia took note of the progress. Angela would ask.
Cynthia spotted Jeremy coming from the large gathering tent halfway down the path and detoured that way. “Got your next run.”
Jeremy took the paper and skimmed it. “Sure, we can do that. When?”
“Tonight, after mess,” Cynthia answered, writing it in her book. “She said to call for the vet if you find anything alive at the fish farm next door. Have him run tests and if it’s bad, destroy it to keep other people from eating it and getting sick.”
“Sounds good,” Jeremy agreed, happy to be sent out on another gathering run. Anything was preferable to going inside that cave.
Neil came from the stone entrance and spotted them. Jeremy motioned him over. They hadn’t been working together, but they would be now. Both men glanced at Cynthia, trying to judge if this was a good time to talk to her, but she was clearly busy.
“Boss has new orders. You guys have a run.”
Neil read it. “Cool. You’ve already got the fine print?”
“Yep,” Jeremy confirmed.
Cynthia left as Jeremy filled Neil in. She was hoping to be finished and in the mess or her tent before the copies of her newspaper came out. She would stand by every word, but she didn’t expect it to go over well. The truth hardly ever did.
“Do you have a minute?”
Cynthia stopped to let Daryl catch up with her. They hadn’t seen much of each other during the last week.
Daryl took a risk and gave her a hug.
Surprised, Cynthia hugged him back.
Their small spat was easily forgotten as they held on and Cynthia sighed. “Nice.”
Daryl placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I missed you.”
Cynthia didn’t want to tell him she’d been too busy to miss him and said, “Me too.”
Daryl took it the good way and he stepped away reluctantly. “Free for a meal?”
“Not until evening mess,” she answered. “Still have a list right now.”
Daryl understood she needed to go and waved her off. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
Mood improved, Cynthia continued her rounds.
Daryl was also soothed a bit. She’d ignored him for days and he’d expected that to go badly. He also expected their talk during mess to be ugly, but it had to happen. If she was in love with Adrian, like many of the women here had been until recently, then he would have to bow out. If her heart was free and clear, Daryl wanted a commitment.
4
“You can ask for more,” Angela stated warmly into the radio. “We’d be happy to send anything you need. You’ve helped our men. We owe you.”
“No shit?”
Angela grinned. “No shit.”
Around her, there were shared expressions of relief. Angela could have demanded their men be returned or simply gone in and grabbed them. Rewarding their rescuers was a much better solution, and doing it over the open waves would encourage others to defend Safe Haven people instead of attacking them.
“You can bring whatever you want, but we voted and we don’t want more than we need,” the voice replied firmly. “Your men are safe with us.”
“Thank you,” Angela answered. “Please give my radioman the location in code and we’ll send a team out immediately. They will not hurt you.”
“We trust Safe Haven. You took out the government.”
“Yes, we did,” Angela confirmed. “And we’ll help you in any way we can. Expect a van.”
Angela gestured for Kenn to finish the call and headed toward the main activity tents. They’d placed their brig in the center so that members and guards could be responsible for them. Marc was there now, dealing with Darian.
Angela wasn’t anxious to join them and she detoured into an activity tent, where groups of Eagles were enjoying a break.
The men spotted her coming and stopped their games and conversations, sensing she wasn’t there to goof off.
Angela went to Joseph, pleased to discern he was being treated like any other rookie. Getting minorities into Safe Haven programs was a key to future peace. Everyone, of all races, had to feel the same pride, have the same goal of survival. No one could be set above the others and Angela didn’t have a full solution for that yet. Because of their gifts, descendants would always be viewed as slightly superior. In a few generations, when everyone had descendant blood, she hoped those perceptions would fade.
“But I’m not counting on it,” she muttered.
“On me saying yes to whatever you want?” Joseph snapped. He’d gotten tense the instant she’d locked onto him.
“I’m sorry,” Angela replied distractedly. “I’m still in my own mind. That had nothing to do with you.”
Known for telling the harsh truth, Joseph didn’t doubt her. If it had been aimed at him, she would have told him why.
“I did come here to ask you for something,” Angela said. “If you agree, you’ll be going with Marc.”
“Doing what?” Joseph asked, brow lifting. Other than the highest levels, no one worked with Marc anymore. He was the XO. Everyone labored for him.
“Did you hear the call that came in?”
Joseph nodded. All of them had. “Eagles keep their radios on.”
“I’d like you to go with Marc to collect our men. You’ll help provide security where needed.”
“And the real reason I’m being sent?” he asked snidely.
“I want you to get the people thinking about Safe Haven. They’ll be much happier here.”
Joseph wasn’t sure what to say at first. His race was being used. Should I be offended?
“No,” Angela answered his thought. “I didn’t ask you to do a dirty deed in a dark alley. I’m asking you to help save more of our people.”
Joseph liked the answer and he was able to agree. “Okay. Marc’ll tell me what he wants from me?”
“Yes, I will,” Marc stated from the tent flap. It hadn’t been hard to figure out what Angela would do for this situation. “Be ready after mess.”
“You know it,” Joseph gave the popular answer.
Angela scanned the tent. “As you were.”
The men chuckled and Angela favored Joseph with an approving nod that she knew he felt. The bald professor had already adjusted a lot since coming to Safe Haven. He was a good man and Angela wanted everyone to know that. His notions were about to be challenged. If he handled it correctly, his respect here would increase and they would have a new group of refugees. If he couldn’t handle the truth, Adrian’s dream of blending blacks in through Joseph might be lost. It was going to be up to Marc to know when to step in and when to move aside.
“I’ll handle it,” Marc stated, following her from the tent. “You’re positive he’s the one?”
“No.”
Marc understood why minorities needed to be a larger part of their population and agreed wholeheartedly with Safe Haven attempting it. In a hundred years, the race wars would sweep the country and this
time, there wouldn’t even be laws of society to guide people through it. If they could encourage everyone to get along now, there was a chance that future wouldn’t happen. Safe Haven held a lot of power to influence the future and Marc approved of Angela using her power on this.
Before he could completely distract her, Angela lifted a brow. “What do you think about Darian?”
Marc chuckled. “And I thought I got away with it.”
Angela smirked and waited for the report on his interrogation.
“Show or tell?” Marc asked suggestively.
“Just tell, please.”
“He is Marcella’s twin brother. He wants to know why she was killed. He’s gonna keep snooping until he gets the truth or a bullet.”
Amusement gone now, Angela asked, “Your recommendation?”
“Show him,” Marc answered immediately. “He’s not like the others from Devine’s group. I was a little surprised to discover that.”
“Did you have to get rough?” she asked reluctantly. She had to know what to expect for the next time she saw Darian.
“No,” Marc said thoughtfully. “He opened right up. Gave me a nice image of their town.”
“Pine Bank?” she verified.
“Yes. They have more power than we do.”
“Quality over quantity,” she replied. “You know that.”
Reminded of his ulterior motive, Marc leered. “Yeah, baby.”
Angela blushed prettily and Marc kissed her.
Kendle came through the tents in time to witness it and she froze, pain filling her heart. She’d slept with Adrian and it had been amazing, but she would still trade him for Marc in an instant.
Angela caught the thought and glowered at Kendle with crimson orbs.
Marc felt the waves of coldness and sighed. “She’s not going to change. I was wrong to bring her here.”
Angela’s sense of duty warred with her jealousy, and she shook her head, tone scathing. “Give the princess a little more time. If she doesn’t snap out of it, I’ll handle her.”
Angela’s voice carried and Kendle blanched, realizing she’d created a scene. She spun in the opposite direction, struggling not to cry. I hate it here! I want Luke.
Angela’s anger faded at Kendle’s misery. “She’s lost. You’re like the man she killed and she’s having a hard time separating her grief from the attraction.”
“What should I do about it?” Marc asked. It was very uncomfortable. He’d never been one to enjoy being fawned over by multiple females, but this was even worse because Angie’s patience was running out.
“You’ve already tried to pass her around the Eagles,” Angela stated evenly. “And screwing Adrian didn’t fix her. Maybe you should give it a try.”
Marc gaped and Angela burst out laughing.
Realizing she was joking, Marc gave an exaggerated sigh of relief. “I’d do a lot for my country, honey, but that’s askin’ a bit much.”
Angela lifted a brow. “Sex is a bit much?”
“Trying to stay hard while wondering when you’re going to stab me,” Marc remarked.
Angela dissolved into laughter and Marc enjoyed it. She didn’t smile nearly enough.
Angela caught the next thought and smiled again, this time seductively. “I’ve got half an hour if you do.”
“We could take over a shower.” Marc leaned in, voice dropping into a sensual snare. “I haven’t had my mouth on you in weeks.”
Angela blushed down to the roots of her hair, and quickly nodded. “Yeah, um. That would be fine. Lovely.”
Marc snickered and steered them toward their tent for changes of clothes. He was supposed to go to bed now, but the hot, dreamy feel of her under his arm was enough to send fresh adrenalin through his system. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
5
Early evening came over the mountains with all the grace of a hippo, splattering shadows and resentments along the stone as the survivors gathered for their meal.
Aware of the tension around her that was cutting though the rattle of paper, Angela chose to read the rest of the short edition first. The newspaper was Cynthia’s first and only four pages.
Angela skipped the headline article and moved onto the information at the bottom of page 2.
Settlement and Contest Updates
63% ready to transfer into the cave.
75% of materials gathered.
57% of building, installing infrastructure complete.
Top gathering teams: Shane–37% Billy–38%.
Top building team: Theo.
It only took a moment to scan the numbers and Angela continued on to page 3, where she had provided a number of Do and Don’t items for the reporter. Distracted, Angela skimmed the advice to boil the water two minutes longer, test expired goods with smelling, feeding animals before people, and the stand-by of never leaving without a radio and gun. It was standard information that the newer people would require.
Angela dropped to the bottom of page 3, to the short list of obituaries and her heart clenched. I should have been able to save them.
Around Angela’s table, mutters and scowls were being directed her way. Lost in her guilt over the deaths, she didn’t react.
Angela forced herself to go to the final page, where Safe Haven’s rules and code of conduct were printed. Below them were brief instructions on how to handle crime and Angela sighed. Nothing left to put off the interview she had given.
Angela flipped the paper to the first page and tried to read it like a member, so she could determine their reactions. So far, there were odd glares and mutters. She’d waited until the paper was released to send Marc out of camp, just in case. After so many of the people not voting for her, she couldn’t take the chance on assuming she was safe.
“Safe Haven Settlement: Too good to be true?
by Reporter Cynthia Quest
I recently sat down with the Boss and asked her some of the hard questions that I’ve heard people whispering since we arrived in these stunning mountains. The following is a copy of the conversation, but I warn you now–it is not comforting.
Cynthia: I’ll start with the questions I’ve heard most. Are we finally safe? Can we stay here?
Angela: For a while, but nothing lasts forever.
Cynthia: Does that mean you’ve foreseen something else coming?
Angela: That’s hard to answer. I see many things, but the choices people make can change them by the minute. Nothing is carved in stone.
Cynthia: So there is something coming, but it’s not certain that we’ll be hit by it?
Angela: Good guess. Yes, that’s close enough.
Cynthia: Why haven’t you told everyone?
Angela: Why should I panic everyone when I’m not sure it will disturb us?
Cynthia: Okay. How long before you are sure?
Angela: The next couple weeks will tell.
Cynthia: Weeks? That’s all we’ll get here?
Angela: If things go badly, yes.
Cynthia: What can we do to stop it from happening?
Angela: Nothing that I’ve found yet. It’s not a Safe Haven problem. It’s another apocalypse side effect.
Cynthia: Can I interview you again in two weeks?
Angela: Of course, but when I know, I’ll make plans to ensure our safety and then put them into motion. You’ll know.
Cynthia: Where do you think we can try to settle down and build those lives, if not here?
Angela: South, so far. I’m still searching, but if I had to pick right now, I’d take us to a small island in the south and keep us there until this country has revived itself.
Cynthia: People won’t like hearing that. They want to stay here.
Angela: I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.
Cynthia: Will it be enough?
Angela turned the page to finish the article, feeling the chill in the air that had little to do with the weather. The camp had been hoping for better news.
Angela: Ask me again
in two weeks.
Cynthia: I will. Another whisper I hear a lot is about how secretive you are. It reminds people of Adrian.
Angela: I’ve been stabbed, shot, abducted, drugged, and many other awful things. How can I run this camp and keep people alive if I’m always fighting off would-be assassins? And how can I stop that if everyone knows my plans and schedule? Secrets are necessary right now. We still have powerful enemies.
Cynthia: That’s the final topic I’d like to discuss. Will Jack Devine’s people come here to avenge him?
Angela: Probably, but they can’t beat the power here.
Cynthia: You’re certain?
Angela: Yes.
Cynthia: And if they come?
Angela: The Eagles have it covered. We won’t allow our people to be harmed, but I have no plans to send teams out to attack this other group. We’ll have to learn to get along.
Cynthia: The men who came here don’t want to get along. I think they should be eliminated.
Angela: Personally, so do I, but Safe Haven stands for the good, the light. We have rules and laws here, and we’ll abide by them. Unless we’re attacked, we will not engage the strangers. They have as much right to live as we do.
Cynthia: Have you foreseen them coming? Is that the trouble?
Angela: That is not the possible problem, but considering the luck we’ve had with nature, the apocalypse, and strangers, it wouldn’t surprise me for all of it to come at the same time. If that future happens. As I said, the choices people make determine what comes. As long as everyone does their job, and remembers to abide by our code of conduct, we might be able to stay here for a lot longer.
Cynthia: Well, we’ll all be hoping for the best.
Angela: So will I, and I’m doing all that I can to give our people time here. In a few days, the cave will be ready for our official moving in. We’re so much stronger now. I take hope from that.
Cynthia: Okay. Thank you for the interview. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Angela: Yes. Please remind people that discussing the abilities and skills of the people here will make them a target, both in and outside of our gates.
