The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  The female stopped, her bloody muzzle swinging toward the house. She spotted the people in the window and her snout drew up in an ugly snarl that they felt. She wanted them dead.

  Before another reaction could come, Jeff closed the blinds and the curtains. He motioned to Kevin. “Get the tape. We’ll seal this up now.”

  Kevin retrieved the thick role of duct tape, and he and Sally held the boards and plastic in place as Jeff secured the window. In the center, was a small hole in the boards that Jeff planned to shoot through. He would rip the plastic open when he needed to get to it, but right now, it wasn’t a good idea to draw attention.

  “We’re gonna pretend this is a zombie apocalypse,” Jeff ordered, making Kevin snicker. “No noises, and that means you have to keep those quiet.”

  He pointed at Sally’s two little dogs.

  “They’re small, they get excited easily,” she defended. “I won’t use muzzles!”

  “If they bark, we’ll be attacked,” Kevin explained, wishing the woman wasn’t so hostile. “Do they at least obey you?”

  Dog snorted, expressing his opinion.

  “I rescued them,” she answered sullenly.

  “So?” Jeff asked.

  “So, they didn’t need to be beaten into submission!” she snapped.

  “I don’t beat animals,” Jeff replied. He knelt down and snapped his fingers. “Come.”

  The two little dogs immediately rushed over with excited bounces and wiggles.

  Jeff regarded Dog as he pet them. Do they understand us?

  Very little, the wolf answered. They have no control. May I suggest a muffled cage?

  When it starts, can you get them into the bathroom? Jeff asked.

  Maybe, Dog answered, watching Sally finger the butt of her gun in her holster. I think it would be best if she went in with them.

  Jeff peered at Sally, taking Dog’s suggestion seriously. He didn’t like the vibes he’d been getting, or the lightly crazy thoughts she seemed to keep flowing continuously. If she were lying about being able to shoot, he would indeed lock her up. If she could be helpful during a battle, he preferred to leave her loose.

  Dog whined again, and his big head swung toward the rear of the house.

  The next instant, the storm hit their block. The afternoon light faded and snow enveloped the house. The temperature plunged as wind slammed into the buildings, while snow rained down in thick, deadly sprinkles.

  “Get more layers of clothes on,” Jeff ordered, breath streaming out in front of him to prove the temperature had dropped instantly. “Load it up and bring the rest of the winter gear in here. It’s about to get very cold.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cold Shoulder

  1

  “We’ve got snow,” Marc said, ducking into the warm canvas. He quickly secured the flap, wondering how healthy it was for Angela to be sleeping in a tent during this kind of weather while she was pregnant.

  “Women have been doing it for a long time,” Angela reminded him, stretching out on the bedroll. She’d just woken. Marc had felt her sight go over the camp and linger on him. She still had over an hour before her shift began.

  “Has Samantha sent a weather warning?” Angela asked, slowly sitting up.

  “Not yet,” Marc answered, handing her a lit smoke and a bottle of water. “She’s still in the medical bay.”

  “I’ll handle that soon,” Angela promised.

  “We got about an inch. It came in after midnight, stayed light. I opened the trucks and outfitted the night shift.”

  “Good,” she praised, yawning. “Have Greg cover it for everyone else. People will want to play in it and they’ll need good coats. Pass out the Gore-Tex bibs and parkas for those working.”

  “No sweat. Billy’s group brought trucks of winter stuff,” Marc observed. “Almost all of our crews are home now. Did you already know we’d get snow early?”

  “Of course,” she replied, yawing again. “I look as far ahead as I can. So will you.”

  Implying he would run Safe Haven at some point. Marc frowned. He’d thought of that over the last couple of months and it had even been mentioned, but he hadn’t honestly thought she meant it.

  “You’ll have to be in charge when I get further along,” she informed him, slowly standing up as her stomach insisted she was hungry. “And for at least the month after, but I’ll be there to help. It should be fun.”

  Unlikely, Marc thought. He said, “Okay.”

  He held her coat and then her arm as she slid shoes on. “Size seven snow boots?”

  “Yes,” she answered, smiling a bit at his accuracy. “Thanks.”

  Marc escorted her to the restroom and waited, scanning the snowy landscape. Most of the camp was sleeping soundly belowground, with security being rotated every half hour to help them adjust to the cold. Tomorrow, he would make it an hour. After that, he would add an hour a night until they were able to handle a full shift in this weather without frostbite. The gear he’d passed out would help. The Eagles would patrol in the extreme winter gear kits from the bases that Adrian had been scouring along their trek.

  Marc saw the usual early morning crews–mess, medical, and security–groggily coming from tents and the cave to discover the snow. Many of them went to layer on more clothes, but some people immediately began to play with snowballs and slides. Marc let them go, despite the noise. Laughter was fine to be woken by in most cases. They were on normal schedules now that the cave was habitable. The rest of the work would happen while they were inside. Marc discerned more shadows coming through the snowy topside from the cave and wondered how many members were already awake. This was the first large test of their bathroom setup and mess down there, as well as the power, water, and security.

  Marc keyed his mike. “Update in ten minutes. I’ll come to you.”

  Marc felt the wave of nervous activity following his call. It meant he would be inspecting areas to be confident security was handling things correctly. He’d been down in the cave once tonight to check in with each Eagle on duty, and he’d found a tranquil herd that was grateful to be in a warmer environment. For the evenings, he’d put Kyle in charge of cave security and kept Zack topside. Both men were good and Marc had spent the evening planning defenses between handling the new arrivals.

  “Many of those?” Angela asked, joining him.

  “Two groups. One went into Zone A for you to sort through. The other had slaves. I said no.”

  “And sent the message?” Angela asked.

  “Yes,” Marc confirmed tonelessly. “I expect a response shortly.”

  “Good,” Angela said. “We can’t let them go, no matter what the camp thinks.”

  “I agree. We do it now, so we don’t have to do it later.”

  Angela knew he considered it to be like the sniper work he’d done before the war, but Marc had chosen the targets and sent out their killer himself this time. Was that bothering him? Angela didn’t want him to be ruined the way that she was.

  “You’re not ruined,” Marc stated quickly. “Unless you do it again.”

  Before she could respond, Marc said, “I don’t feel guilty over the call. They had slaves on actual chains. America doesn’t need that in any form.”

  Angela winced. Hilda and Peggy were currently alone in the medical supply truck discussing that very possibility.

  “Angie?”

  She looked at him regretfully. “I’m sorry. I am, but it may go that way and I’m not going to interfere if it does. Women deserve the same chance that men have squandered.”

  “Do you blame men for the war?” he asked suddenly, still not sure how he felt about that.

  “For all wars,” Angela’s witch intoned. “Battles over women were fought by the men who wanted them. Women would choose to have multiple partners, were they given the choice that men flaunt. Men are driven to claim, to own, and it has destroyed society time after time, throughout history. Man cannot change.”

  “I don’t bel
ieve that!” Angela snapped, angry that the witch would interrupt her answer. “All men are not evil. Go away!”

  Marc was more concerned than he let on as he asked, “Rough night?”

  “She’s bitter over being fooled by Adrian.”

  “Aren’t we all?” Marc muttered, thinking of his own short-lived fondness for the leader. It did make him feel a little better that the witch had missed it completely. Angie’s demon had fallen hard.

  “More new arrivals,” radios crackled with Kenn’s tired voice.

  Marc keyed his to show that he had heard, and then kissed Angie’s cold cheek. “Call if you need me.”

  Her shadows (it was still dark) stayed close as Angela went to the mess truck that was now so deserted it appeared to be just another relic of the war. Angela was a little sad when she compared it to her memories of first joining Safe Haven. The well-lit mess, with great smells and strong company, had been one of the best areas.

  Angela entered the truck, latching the door, and found Li Sing and Doug playing Hob Jong.

  She grinned at the men. “Good morning so far?”

  “Not until I get my knife back,” Doug grumbled, laying down a faded card.

  Angela helped herself to one of the plates marked for leadership, enjoying the biscuits and gravy while watching them play. The plate was quickly emptied.

  “Have more.” Li gestured without glancing away from the cards. “We had flour come in. I made extra.”

  Angela happily took a second plate and a mug of coffee, starting to feel awake. Her stomach was settled now and she finished the meal in peace, staying until the hand was over. She finally left when Doug’s grumbles became shouts and Li’s cute laughter echoed. The two men were becoming fast friends. Angela was glad Doug had initiated it. “Wish he’d do that with Peggy,” she muttered.

  Angela pulled her coat tighter, buttoning the top one as she went to the gate to determine which refugees would be allowed in today. They would have to rotate the zones. All medical people would pull doubles. And it still won’t be enough. Angela sighed, shutting down her grumpy morning side. They would do the best they could. Fate would cover the rest.

  She joined Marc at the gate and they stared together in surprise at the sight of two Amish buggies struggling through the snow toward them.

  The buggies were overloaded with people in long plain coats and plain hats. They waved frantically at the guards when the gate spotlight flashed on from Marc’s motion sensors being activated.

  The small buggies slipped and slid on the icy hill. Lanterns guided the straining horses and Angela studied families deeply. It only took a moment to discern that they were simply desperate. She signaled for the guards to put them in the empty Zone B that Brittani’s people would occupy later.

  “Wake everyone up.”

  The call would get the rest of their medical people going early, hopefully resulting in the Amish group being cleared for the inside zone by the time Brittani’s group got here. If not, Shane would explain why they had to wait for an hour or two. Angela didn’t think it would be an issue. Marc already liked Brittani and Angela was looking forward to actually meeting her.

  “Come along?” Marc inquired, holding an arm out.

  “You know it,” she gushed, sending a lusty leer his way.

  Marc snickered.

  Angela slid under his arm as they went to the widened cave entrance that had been temporarily covered with multiple layers of thick plastic. Crates sat outside, holding down the ends while a tarp protected the piles of gear in the center. Before they could go inside, fast steps crunched in the snow, drawing attention from those already coming and going.

  Samantha stopped in front of Angela and leaned in to whisper. Around them, cold people went still and quiet–instantly worried.

  “We’re ready,” Angela told her calmly. “Have Kenn announce it as soon as you’re certain of the time.”

  “Four days,” Sam blurted. “I’m positive of it.”

  Angela patted Samantha’s arm soothingly. “We’re ready. Go to sleep now.”

  Samantha scowled at her and stormed to the medical bay, not sure why she was angry at Angela. She did need to rest, but each time she let the darkness pull her under, David’s screams were waiting. The guilt over his injury was devastating.

  “Is she okay?” Marc asked, waving curious people along, including Tara. The new man–Jayson–coughed and followed her.

  Angela sighed. “She will be, in time.”

  “Hormones making things worse?” Marc guessed.

  “Oh, yeah,” Angela confirmed, entering the cave that still had a slight odor of bleach. “She’s coming out of it, though.”

  Marc held the plastic covers aside layer by layer, hoping that was true. They needed all the warning systems they could get, but Samantha was also a strong fighter and a good hunter. All of her skills would be missed if she flipped out. Not to mention what it would do to the Eagles, through Neil and Jeremy and her team.

  Nearby, the parking area was already alive with activity. Marc didn’t scan it, positive that Angela had. He didn’t need to see Kendle mooning over him.

  Kendle now has more important things on her mind, Angela thought happily. She snuggled closer to Marc as he got started on rounds.

  2

  Bundled against the cold wind, Kendle skimmed the list again.

  Two vehicles will be delivered.

  Collect:

  2 weeks rations.

  1500 rounds mixed ammunition.

  A winter gear crate.

  There was more, but Kendle was still on the first few items. The tired parking lot sentry–Logan–had directed her to the assigned vehicles and she was very happy with the identical, gray Tahoes. Now, she needed to find out how much room the crate would take. She already had a list of her own to gather along the way, including sailing manuals. She had no idea how to captain a ship and she doubted any of these people did either. Paddling a canoe down a river wasn’t the same as taking a ship across an ocean.

  Assuming she should go to the supply trucks to gather the rations, Kendle trotted there briskly, trying to keep warm. The covering of snow was already sinking into her boots as the icy wind chilled her exposed skin. This environment was the exact opposite of Pitcairn.

  “Hi!”

  Tommy was already at the trucks, along with a small group of people who all waved, smiled, or echoed his greeting.

  Kendle stopped, not expecting the friendliness. Even the camp members had learned to avoid her. “Uh, hi.”

  He came forward with his hand out. “I’m Tommy. The boss said you’re my XO.”

  Kendle shook hands in surprise. She hadn’t expected Angela to give her authority of any kind.

  “I was told to keep you busy,” Tommy stated. “Do you mind?”

  “No, I like that.”

  “Good,” Tommy praised cheerfully. He intended to follow Angela’s orders to the letter. If there was a person worth saving inside all those scars, he would find it. “I have a list for you.”

  Kendle took the sheet and got on it before her bad side could come forward. She didn’t make eye contact with the rest of the people gathered by the trucks. It looked like there were a dozen coming, counting her and Tommy. It gave Kendle hope. Twelve was ten more than she had guessed would show up for a trip like this.

  Kendle spotted Kenn and Tonya switching shifts on radio duty, kissing and joking cheerfully. It was sickeningly sweet. Kendle kept track of the Marine and noticed the anger of the gate guards when Kenn pointed to the latch. He exited without insults, but the disapproval was clear.

  Adrian won’t have anyone left soon, Kendle thought. That should make Marc happy, but I wonder how Angela will counteract it.

  Tommy watched her march away, wondering if Angela was reading it right. Kendle was supposed to be a killer if it was needed, but she wasn’t very threatening. Her scars made her seem vulnerable, instead of like a monster.

  Hope we don’t need to test her, he
thought, turning to the others. “Okay. Let’s get rolling on those lists!”

  Next to the parking area, other crews were also preparing for their trips out. One large team was going down to strip the mall Samantha had tried to explore. Another crew was going north for more rock salt. A third team was set to finish collecting the gasoline from the refinery.

  “This is Safe Haven refugee camp,” the radios crackled with Tonya’s calm voice. “Good morning! We have a weather alert for everyone in the eastern half of the United States. There is a massive snowstorm coming. Take precautions now. Moving southeast, the storm will hit Georgia in four days. I repeat. This is a winter weather alert. A massive…”

  Kendle tuned it out, instead watching the days’ first fuel load come through the gate near the cave entrance. Kendle shuddered. She had carried updates to the guards there, but she hadn’t gone inside and she wouldn’t. Ethan had convinced her that hell was indeed belowground.

  According to the mess board, the workers would be filling equipment and devices today, meaning bathrooms would have full water, as would the mess and animal areas. Generators would also be stocked, stoves and all the hanging lamps could be used, and the fire team would act like cats in a room full of rocking chairs as they waited for something to spark or overheat. Kendle approved of having a fire team and she liked Ray, the team leader. She suspected that Teddy, another member of the fire crew, had left the bouquet of wildflowers in her tent yesterday. She remembered him being on duty at that time. The way these people patrolled this place, there was no way anyone had been able to sneak by security. She’d thought about asking if he had, but hadn’t followed through. She didn’t care about gifts, flowers, romance. If she couldn’t have Luke or Marc, Adrian’s roughly knowing hands would fill the void until she could go home.

  Crash!

  Bang! Bang!

  Kendle spun toward the main entrance as the Eagles there opened fire. The sound of a vehicle coming echoed and then the ground shuddered as something big crashed into the gate.