by Angela White
Missy, who had excellent hearing, marched back out to the men.
“Why don’t you like me?” she demanded with a hand on her tiny hip.
The males all flushed, going quiet. It wasn’t often they were scolded by a child.
“I didn’t do anything to you. Tara did. Stop blaming me. I’m only five!”
No one knew what to say.
“You do blame me. I knew it.”
Missy’s facade became angry instead of the oozing tears she could feel them expecting. “I’m almost sorry I saved you all, you know? This place sucks for me.”
She went to the tunnel where Leeann was gaping in shock. “Come on. His locker is right in front, by the boss. Let them tell. The Ghost understands love even if they don’t.”
The men didn’t speak again until the girls were gone. As the pair disappeared haughtily down the ladder, Shane glanced at the book. “Someone record it. Put it down as…girls being girls.”
That brought amusement back to erase the tension. The four guys continued their labors, but the girl’s accusation stayed in all their minds. Missy was right. The people who had hurt them were gone, but the Eagles were still unhappy. It was showing.
“We need Angie to take control,” Whitney offered a few minutes later.
“I think so, too,” Jake concurred.
“Would she approve of those two matches?”
“She already has, as far as I know,” Logan remarked, catching Shane’s hint. “You want to help them?”
Missy was obviously too young, but Leeann wanted Billy’s attention. That came from spending time together.
“Do we trust him to only cover her needs?” Shane questioned. “I don’t want to get her hurt.”
Jake snorted. “He’s the boy scout’s double now, remember? He’ll handle it like Marc did with Angie. The girl will probably still be a virgin when she’s twenty.”
“Good,” Shane approved. “If it’s time spent as friends, I have no objections. Anyone else?”
The rest of their shift went by as they discussed trading and rearranging future schedules to give the girl what she wanted. Billy’s preferences weren’t discussed. He’d cut his hair and begun attending the couples’ class right after Angela had killed Donner. They already knew what he wanted. They just needed to be sure that he didn’t get it too soon.
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” Whitney declared as they went to the garbage floor. “It might cause trouble.”
Logan swung a leg over the ladder as he held onto the three bags of trash that were manageable. “Might also be fun to watch, like Morgan is always saying.”
Shane chuckled. “I guess it was getting kinda boring down here.”
“Yep. Bet it changes soon.”
“Why do you say that?”
Logan pointed to where Cynthia was slipping into the showers that were usually used by the rookie Eagles. Kevin and Jeff had gone in there right before Shane and his crew had gone up to collect the trash.
Jake gestured the others to go on, feeling like he should hang around and discover if Daryl was about to be cheated on.
“It’s none of our business,” Shane insisted. “Let’s go.”
Jake reluctantly did as the ranking man ordered. They would all hear about it later. The guard in the shower area down here was Allan. That guy couldn’t keep his mouth shut about anything.
Cynthia handed the bottle to Allan. If she kept him in whiskey, he didn’t care what she did. He had a thing for her too, so that definitely helped. Usually the bottle was a bribe to be allowed in to interview rookies before their excitement could wear off. Tonight, she’d come for something more dangerous.
Showering in stalls that were in the front of the drafty room, Kevin and Jeff spotted her at the same time.
“What did you do, man?” Jeff whispered quickly, switching into fast rinse mode.
“Nothing. I mean, I don’t know of anything,” Kevin floundered. “Help me!”
Cynthia glowered at Jeff as she came to stand in front of Kevin’s stall.
Jeff shut the water off and stepped out to grab his towel. “You’re on your own, dude. See ya.”
“Hey!” Kevin cried.
Jeff decided to get dressed near the sentry booth and took his kit there. He would watch the show from a safe distance.
Kevin slapped the faucet, flipping off the water. “What?!”
Cynthia stepped closer. “I want you to leave.”
Kevin blanched at hearing her say it so cruelly, anger rising. “Yeah, I guess so. You don’t have to feel any guilt if I’m not here.”
“I don’t have anything to feel guilty about!” she snapped.
“You and I were dating before the Donner plan,” Kevin stated angrily. “When it was over, you were with someone else and I was left holding a hard-on that I never got to use.”
Allan and Jeff stared, dumbfounded. Kevin never spoke to anyone that way.
“Been holding it for a long time, have you?” the reporter sneered.
Kevin knew what she was doing, but his own unhappiness wouldn’t allow him to cave. This time, he was going to win an argument.
“I’ll leave on one condition,” he promised. “You agree, meet that condition, and I’m gone the same day.”
“What do you want?” she asked warily.
Kevin leaned on the stall to leer at her from hair to boots. “You.”
Cynthia turned red, hand coming up to cover her stomach.
“Adrian’s kid doesn’t scare me, lady. Let him loose,” Kevin advised. “As soon he does something, you’ll be killed and so will the father.”
“He doesn’t understand that,” Cynthia confided, switching tactics. “We’re not safe here.”
Kevin didn’t doubt that was true, but she only held power over him in one way now. “Two hours of your life. It’s not that much to pay.”
“How can you do this to me?” Cynthia begged, shocked. She’d never believed him the type of man to do this.
Kevin came from the shower, hard for anyone to witness and not caring. His desires weren’t a secret. “See, that’s the problem with you, shark bitch. You believe we’re all as ruthless as you.” Kevin reached around her for a towel, making her flinch. “I’m already leaving in two days. I don’t need your bribe or your body. Go away.”
It was a powerful moment for Kevin and the witnesses. For Cynthia, it was proof that she’d made the wrong choice.
“I’m sorry.”
Kevin nodded, wrapping the towel around his waist. “So am I. I could have had a loyal mate by now if not for you.”
Kevin left her standing there, crying.
Jeff followed, not sparing the reporter a glance. He was firmly in Kevin’s corner.
Humiliated, Cynthia stormed out with her heart on fire. She’d had it all and in the same night, she’d also lost it. Fate was a cruel bitch. Just when she’d believed her past was conquered, it had returned to hit her hard enough to take her breath away. People from the past weren’t supposed to come back to haunt you. They were supposed to stay gone.
5
Marc was shaken from sleep by a light tapping. He opened his lids to find Billy in the cubby where he’d crashed. “What?”
Billy leaned down, whispering.
When he rose, Marc had already shut his eyes. “Good. Tell the camp they dug themselves free. We’re on radio silence. They won’t know otherwise.”
“Some folks have their own radios,” Billy pointed out, trying not to get upset. “This won’t go over well.”
“They won’t know.”
“They will,” Billy insisted, “And you’ll be blamed.”
“Son, I already am, either way.”
“This isn’t right.”
“Fine,” Marc gave, yawning. “You tell them Angie gave the vet orders to kill off as many of our problems as he can before he gets caught. They may give him a medal.”
Billy scowled as he realized Marc was right. “So why not tell them the truth?”
“Because they’re trapped in here with the vet that has orders to kill anyone who proves to be a problem,” Marc explained wearily. “It’s a catch-22. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
“So we’re not?”
“No, we’re not.” Marc pulled the blanket up. “Tell the traitor to handle the cleanup. He’ll love it.”
Billy was happy again as he shut the door. The image of Adrian disposing of all those bodies was great. It was exactly the type of labor that a banished dog should be given.
6
Thanks to the excitement, Safe Haven was up early. It was barely dawn, but the mess was crowded when Marc made his way through the line to get a cup of coffee. He’d gotten three hours and considered that good after everything that had happened. He was already looking forward to bedtime.
“Good morning, boss.”
“Need anything, boss?”
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
Marc tried to ignore the pride that responded, but it was impossible not to feel it. The power that this position gave a person was incredible. “Not right now, thanks.”
Marc was hit with the same question repeatedly as he joined the line to get his coffee, occasionally stopping to chat with someone to receive an update. While he mingled with the crowd, he listened to the citizens. The things he heard were better than what he had expected.
“We should be fine. This mountain is old. Been here longer than humans have.”
“Yep.”
“The Mexicans don’t know who they’re messing with,” another member added, shoveling eggs into his mouth. There were still a few chickens laying and producing enough to keep offering them for breakfast as long as there were a wide variety of items for inhabitants to pick through. Not everyone wanted eggs, not everyone wanted oatmeal. It worked out well as a buffet style. So far, Safe Haven was satisfied with the meal choices despite being on rations.
Marc joined a small group of Eagles at the furthest table, wanting to blend into the crowd. It was easier to observe when he wasn’t the center of attention. Taking over leadership of Safe Haven wasn’t something to play around with. He needed to get organized. After that, it would be a simple matter to put his personal choices in place. He was picking people who were trustworthy and loyal, worthy of the positions that he would gift to them.
Sitting not far away, Jennifer nursed her hot chocolate and pondered Marc’s thoughts. Didn’t he realize that was the same mentality that Adrian had shared with Angela to bring them all to this chaos? Why do all of Safe Haven’s leaders have to learn things the hard way? Jennifer wondered. It wasn’t like they set out to be corrupt, but they became that way every time. Jennifer wondered if it was because they spent too much time fighting who they were and what needed to be done.
Jennifer contemplated Kyle and his words to her when he’d come to bed last night.
I want to wait, Jenny. Our wedding night will be beautiful.
She’d been tired and relieved. Now, she was full of love and respect for him. She really did have the best one here.
Jennifer scanned the eating masses, much as Marc was doing. For some reason she believed it was important for her to keep track of what was going through his mind. She wasn’t stalking him, though she certainly didn’t trust Marc yet. It was an instinct that said she could be useful if she monitored the things that he wasn’t able to say.
Marc wasn’t certain why Jennifer was keeping track of him. He assumed that she was doing her duties as the new enforcer in Safe Haven. He didn’t mind. He didn’t have things to hide, unlike their former leaders. He had morals and ethics. He would run Safe Haven by those values.
Taking advantage of an opportunity, Marc motioned to the couple who had entered the mess.
Charlie guided Tracy toward the table where his dad wanted him, not caring why he was being asked to distract Jennifer. It worked out well with his plans. Tracy needed to get into regular camp life. She wasn’t spending enough time with other dwellers and he knew that wasn’t good for her. He planned to encourage her to spend time away from him now, to see if she was healing, if she was ready for duty.
Not even close, kid, Marc thought.
“I wanted to ask if–”
“No.”
Jennifer flushed as she realized she’d overstepped.
“Why not?” Charlie demanded when Marc didn’t refute the choice.
Jennifer looked up as the couple sat down, noticing the relief on Tracy’s profile. “Because she’s suicidal, like Angela. How can you miss that?”
Tracy winced.
Marc tensed.
“Not anymore,” Charlie argued. “She’s good.”
“She’ll blow her brains out if you give her a gun,” Jennifer warned.
That’s enough, Marc ordered silently, handsome facade not revealing his displeasure. Angela’s mental condition was now common knowledge.
“I thought they knew,” Jennifer snarked, then dropped her chin. She would have to find a way to monitor citizens, but not let them know about it.
With Jennifer subdued, Marc returned to his observations of the camp. They had new inhabitants who needed to adjust, on top of those who were already members and having trouble being underground. Then there were the nosey ones who wanted to know exactly what had happened with the train people. Those folks were eager to read the latest edition of Cynthia’s newspaper for details that the guards wouldn’t give them. They, like Marc, still assumed she would detail their handling of that threat. While the paper was due out in a few days, Cynthia wasn’t in the mess as she had been daily until now. She was avoiding Kevin.
That man, with Jeff, was currently occupying the rear table with Zack and a few others. Mostly Eagles, the group was spreading their mirth across the room, telling the camp members that there was nothing to be afraid of, that Marc, Angela and Adrian had it covered.
Marc hoped that were true. If Angela’s plan for the Mexicans failed, if there was a problem inside the mountain where they needed to get out quickly, all the plans could come crashing down and everyone could be lost. It was a relief to know that the plans were solid. It was also a terrible weight to carry.
Near the table with the Eagles were Doug and Allan. Across from them were the boys who had run away, looking like they had been thoroughly scolded. They were relieved to be back in the warm embrace of Safe Haven. Their hours alone in the corridor had been a reminder that any world was a hard, cold place for kids without a protector. The other children had already eaten and were in the living quarters, also being scolded by the den mothers. Hilda was supervising it, as Peggy wasn’t in any condition to. Becky choosing to leave Safe Haven without saying goodbye was a hard blow for her to accept. Marc didn’t expect to hear anything else about women being in control. Peggy would spend the next weeks and months evaluating her choices as a mother and coming up short.
At the table next to Marc, Theo and Debra were sharing a meal; both recovered enough to be released from the medical bay. They had injuries people stared at, but everyone was happy to have a new hero in their midst. If not for having a cast, Debra had already earned a slot to try out for the Eagles. There was still talk about whether or not she was eligible. No one wanted to bother a boss with such an unimportant question during a situation like this, but Marc was positive that somebody would gather the nerve eventually. Eagles always wanted to know what their place was, who their own kind was.
Marc tensed as Julia and Cody came through the passage, followed by two guards who were unhappy to have the duty. Marc hoped she knew better than to join him at this table. Not only was she not a member of Safe Haven, even if she had been, her rank would be so low that it would’ve been an insult to the other Eagles who knew better than to approach the table before they achieved a level of rank that was respectful. Until then, all requests went through their team leaders or den mothers. The military system that Adrian had insisted on kept order. It succeeded as long as people followed the rules.
“Do you know what they expect me to do here?!”
“Work?” Marc asked snidely. “Be honest?”
His open bitterness lent more truth to the boy’s story that his mom had stolen him from his dad.
Julia ignored his anger. “They want me to put him in classes. They want me to teach Cody how to use his gifts. Are they crazy?”
Marc didn’t waste any sympathy on her. “The boy will be taught to control himself or he won’t be allowed to stay here. The only way that can happen is if he attends the classes with the other kids that are like him. You are not allowed to interfere.”
Julia wanted to protest, but a group of Eagles approached the table, forcing her over.
Cody, not liking being ignored, squirmed out of his mother’s hand and returned to Marc. He stood there silently, waiting to be acknowledged.
Marc waved at the empty bench. “You can stay.”
Julia was forced to leave her son, sentry trailing the older brunette to the temporary cot that she had been assigned. When she wasn’t carrying out duties or chores, Julia was supposed to stay in the living space where Hilda and the other den mothers could keep track of her.
Cody sat quietly while Marc talked to the Eagles about security shifts for the rest of the week. Safe Haven already had a great security routine. There were a few things he was going to adjust and that was mostly how leadership handled things. A moral society had to have a moral leader. Without that, everyone was screwed.
Marc wondered what the child was thinking, but he didn’t dig into Cody’s mind again as he had done in the tunnel on the way up here. He would respect the boy’s privacy, like anyone else’s, but he would have to develop a way to deal with the strange kid. Cody was obviously different and Marc wasn’t sure that he knew how to handle him. He didn’t have the instant love for a missing child and he was now experiencing guilt over that, but it was like sitting next to someone else’s kid. He would be polite and he would care for the boy, but he didn’t feel like it was his son, not the way he did about Charlie.
“Mom told me you would react that way. She said it’s because we don’t know each other.” Cody peered at his father through the same shaggy locks. “Do you want to get to know me? I can leave you alone.”
