by Angela White
“Easy there,” Marc was unable to resist the comforting. “This is new for me and it’s new for you. We will adjust. At some point, the bond of family will show up. It’s the normal course of events. We have to be patient, but we also have to obey the rules. We never lie to each other. No matter what it is, no matter how hard it might be to talk about, we never lie.”
Cody blew out a relieved sigh. “I have no problem with that. I don’t like it when mom lies. It causes trouble.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Marc muttered.
The two males shared a smile, unintentionally sending a wave of positive energy across the mess that reminded everyone of Adrian. Angela didn’t have the same effect. Her waves of energy made citizens want to do things, want to accomplish things. Adrian’s energy had the peace and calm of home. Marc’s was a combination of both, depending upon the situation. Right now, he didn’t expect much from anyone except for them to continue their daily business as if he wasn’t watching and observing to memorize the routines. It was later, when he would be ready to make changes that things might get a little tense. Marc still didn’t anticipate trouble. These people were going through an apocalypse. Surely, they could do the right thing.
Marc remembered assuming the same thing about Angela before she’d made the choices that had stolen the joy from their lives. He had never believed she would fall as far as she had. He’d often suspected that she would’ve been an activist or someone who fought for the rights of others even when the odds were unwinnable. He had never believed she would order a death, let alone do it herself. It was amazing and awful, how a person could change depending upon what life shoved them through. Some people handle changes well. They seemed unbreakable, while others collapsed at the first sign of pressure, but not Angie. She thrived during the process. It was amazing and scary.
Marc noticed that little Cody didn’t have anything to eat or drink and hooked a thumb toward the food line. “Are you hungry?”
Cody shrugged, shy. He didn’t know these people. It was scary.
Marc melted. Word would get around quicker to give the kid a break if they were observed together. “Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”
Marc was right about the attention it drew as he took the boy’s hand and led him to the line. It sounded like all conversation ceased.
Stressing, Cody immediately put his thumb in his mouth and began sucking.
“That’s bad for your teeth.”
Cody bobbed, not removing the thumb. “Mama says da same fing.”
“You’re also too old to suck on your thumb,” Marc told the boy.
Cody nodded again, slowly putting his hand down. “She says that too.”
Marc sat 2 cups and plates onto the tray. “Then why do you keep doing it?”
Cody regarded him thoughtfully for a moment, trying to decide if he could trust this new stranger in his life. He leaned in and whispered, “Because I get scared.”
Marc felt it then, the bond and the thick fear that implied Cody needed to be protected from his mother. He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about that now.”
Cody stared up in fearful admiration. “You promise you won’t leave us?”
“I won’t leave you,” Marc stated pointedly. “Your mother will have to make her own deals. She’s done bad things to me.”
“She tried to hide it. I didn’t know until a few months ago. I’m sorry she did that to you.”
Marc’s forgiveness snapped into place for the boy, who didn’t deserve his anger. He knelt down to give the child a quick hug. “Not your fault. You’re safe now. You’re here with me and that’s all that matters.”
Angela stopped in the mess entrance to lean against the cold stone, unobserved except for her escort, her suicide watch. Observing Marc with the young boy was heartwarming.
It was also heartbreaking.
Angela slowly went toward the medical bay, and then detoured to the place where Adrian had found her earlier. She suspected it would become a favorite location.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Good and Bad
1
“So, what are we doing today, Boss?” David inquired as he and Adrian enjoyed a hot shower on the top floor among the Eagles. He was hoping to cut through some of the tension. The other men in the shower weren’t exactly happy about them being here, but no one had protested yet. The Eagles were busy casting harsh glares at two soldiers from Tonya’s captivity who were in stalls near the front guard booth. At that moment, it was easier to overlook Adrian’s pale, freshly scarred body for the healthy men who would be able to compete with them for rewards and women. David knew there was going to be trouble either way. The Safe Haven fighters didn’t like living with their enemies.
Steam, damp and warm, floated through the stone space as two dozen stalls ran at the same time, creating a sauna effect that would normally have been soothing to the two men. David wasn’t enjoying it.
“They’ll adjust,” Adrian informed him, scrubbing his dirty hair into a thick lather. “She’ll handle it.”
David frowned, keeping his voice low. “Is she capable of handling anything right now?”
Adrian refused to answer that.
Davis sighed. “So, today?”
“Today, we walk,” Adrian stated. “Marc wants a complete evaluation of the cave and all security. We’ll be on rounds of these tunnels all day.”
David was both relieved and nervous over the plan. It meant Adrian was being put to work and that was good, but it also meant his boss would be around all of the people who hated him and wanted him gone. David didn’t believe that was a good idea, but he also knew it was a waste of time to tell Adrian to try to be low-key about it. The former leader had been chomping at the bit to get in here. He wasn’t going to waste the time hiding.
“No, I’m not,” Adrian concurred, wiping rinse water from his face. “I’m also going to follow my orders to the letter. I expect you to do the same.”
“Just as long as they keep their hands to themselves,” David warned. He wasn’t going to let anyone abuse Adrian.
“I appreciate that loyalty,” Adrian replied. “But I’ve earned a lot of this. Don’t get involved or they’ll blame you.”
David wasn’t worried about blame. He cared for Adrian’s health. The former ruler had had a heart attack, been shot and beaten, and then forced to live on the outskirts of the camp he’d built like a wild animal. He’d been punished enough.
Warmed by the allegiance, Adrian toweled off quickly, eager to be busy. “Five minutes. Meet me in the mess.”
Adrian wrapped his towel around his waist and went to the locker that he’d been assigned. He calmly pulled the banana peel from the grate and opened it. He didn’t react to the written message on the interior: “Die, traitor!”
David glowered at the snickering Eagles in the corner stalls, but they ignored him. They knew he was powerless here.
Whistling happily, Adrian tugged up his jeans, flashing his bare ass toward the corner.
The Eagles there scowled as they got the message. Kiss my ass.
David laughed out loud, temper soothed. He hadn’t been with Adrian long enough to accept that the man was truly a hardass, that he could take what was dished out to him. This loyalty made the need to protect Adrian overwhelming whenever there was a threat.
Adrian strolled from the shower with his towel around bare shoulders, carrying his kit, leaving the wash area before tempers could flare. He was a catalyst. I’m not going to let one of you young shitheads aggravate the boss and force him to banish me again. I see your tricks coming and in a minute, I’ll raise you a blast of light that’ll remind you who gave you this new life. It certainly wasn’t Marcus Brady.
Gathering his joy, Adrian pulled on his shirt against the chill. It pleased him that only his damp skin made that necessary. Heat was flowing nicely, keeping the top three levels of the cave at an even, comfortable temperature.
Adrian
moved through the corridor as if the citizens weren’t staring and pointing, grumbling. That would change once he was contributing again. After that, he would be ignored. Adrian had no delusions about what his future now held with these people. Many of them would never forgive him and even those who did would never trust him again.
“Momma warned me there’d be days like this,” he sang. She really had and he’d still agreed. The price was worth the goal.
“Anything for you,” he whispered, letting his light glow for the first time in the cave.
The bubble around the mountain lit up vividly. It sank down into the stone to surround the survivors with care and kindness that was shadowed by a fierce rage that promised to shelter them in any time of need. Their shepherd had returned.
2
“I hate it now, when he does that,” Jeff grumbled. He thrust his kit into the floorboard and slammed the door. “Hurry up, will ya?”
Standing by the passenger seat, Kevin was still caught in the glow. Adrian’s magic was light and warmth, pleasure and compassion. It was amazing.
“Are you staying?” Jeff growled. “Caught the fever again?”
Kevin only needed to reflect on what all that would entail, how hard he would have to labor to earn his way back up through the ranks. “No. I’m set.”
Jeff and Kevin were at the top of the camp, near the new gate that Greg, Daryl, and their crew had almost finished. Their Rover was loaded and they were dressed to travel. Goodbyes, the few they’d given, had been delivered last night.
Jeff slid into the icy seat, eager to drive the snow-covered street through the avalanche aftermath. A very narrow ledge hadn’t been hard to clear once they’d gotten approval to shove abandoned and damaged cars over the edge. They’d finished that an hour ago and decided to blow this Popsicle Stand before things melted. They would be the last people to use this route for a long time. As soon as they were gone, Greg and his crew were going to blow this street so that travel here could only be on foot, discouraging the Mexicans from advancing further. Everyone was assuming that the road was already closed anyway because no new refugees had come yet. Marc wanted to make that a reality.
Jeff scanned the surroundings. It looked like half of the mountain had come down on their doorstep. The drifts of snow were higher than the Range Rover that he had chosen from among the available vehicles. The gate had obviously been destroyed while being mobbed by refugees. It bothered Jeff to know the bodies would remain buried. He wanted them piked on the new gate, as Marc had done before. Those invaders had taken a place of freedom and liberty and changed it into an Orwellian, camera-infested zone where every moment had to be under scrutiny to protect leadership from assassins. It was sad to have their dreams shattered this way.
Kevin got in and shut the door, shuddering at the wind. “Heat up, okay?”
Jeff obligingly increased the warmth coming from the vents. “Getting off this mountain might be fun or it might be deadly. You sure?”
Kevin forced the excitement. “You know it!”
Jeff shifted into drive and inched through the open gate.
Neither of them waved at the crew, though the crew did pause to wave at them. The crew understood the urge to roam, but most of them were still hoping that Jeff and Kevin would change their minds.
Not gonna happen, Jeff thought, bracing for the first deep drift. Without leaders who can work together, you’re all gonna die in there. I won’t be a part of that in any way.
Jeff eased on the gas.
3
“He’s gone?”
Daryl nodded, going from cold to concern. He dropped his gear near the washroom, wincing at how wet his socks were. He needed to get warmed up and into dry clothes. He’d come in to do that and run into Cynthia near the ladder.
Daryl didn’t care for her wild appearance. Her jeans and blue button down shirt didn’t appear to have been washed or changed recently and a lace of her boots was undone, but it was her dazed, lost expression that had made him pause.
“Noise coming,” the radio cracked. Daryl flipped it off, assuming Marc had given permission for the one-time break from radio silence.
“I can’t believe he didn’t say goodbye,” Cynthia repeated, stunned. Kevin was gone.
“Why does that surprise you?”
The reporter heard Daryl’s jealousy, but it didn’t penetrate. Kevin had abandoned her. I told him that I’m in danger and he left me here.
You deserve this for what you did to Matt, her mind accused. Killer.
The ground rattled above them as if to reinforce her belief, showering her with dust that fell from the levels above.
Cynthia stumbled toward the washroom, not responding to Daryl’s questions. The wash spaces were on every floor and mostly identical. There was a row of deep sinks, a guard booth, and shower stalls. In these small crevices, there wasn’t much room for anything more. Cynthia chose the smallest one, slamming the door shut.
Daryl let her go, too busy to spend real time on it. Marc had restarted a tentative training schedule and Daryl, along with the other senior men, had classes to teach.
Daryl detoured toward the couples’ area, realizing he’d forgotten his notebook. There hadn’t been a reason to carry training notes if they weren’t in training, so he’d gotten out of the habit.
As Daryl entered the living chamber, he saw a tense sentry watching three men in the rear of the impression from his booth. No chatter came from camp members around them who were in various stages of living.
Nathan, the sentry on duty, spotted Daryl in relief. He wasn’t certain how to handle these personal drama situations. Pamela usually did it when they had this shift together, but she was in the far bed with female trouble. He hadn’t asked what kind.
Sighing, Daryl joined the possible COPs scene in progress. He hated to get involved. He was fine with Dale and he liked Ray. Dennis was a stranger.
Daryl scanned the room and the new man as a tense silence fell over the trio at his arrival. Dennis’s bright clothes fit in perfectly with the colorful curtains and blankets that members had chosen for their forts, their privacy. Even the sheets and pillowcases were shaded, making the space appear a bit like a carnival to Daryl.
“Ray, Dale. “He regard at the new man, hating the stinging in his toes as they warmed against damp socks. “Dennis, is it?”
Dennis flashed a huge grin. “Cool. You’ve heard of me.”
Daryl frowned. “None of it was good. Why don’t you run along?”
Dennis’s mirth vanished under a hurt profile. “What? Dale and I were hugging. We’ve been through some rough shit since the war.”
Daryl pointed toward the exit. “Don’t you have a job?”
Dennis grinned again as he left. “I traded my shift for my dessert. People love Li’s pies.”
Daryl glanced at Ray, who had his hands shoved into the pockets of his Eagle jacket. Daryl saw embarrassment and dislike, but none of the wild rage that usually accompanied a mistaken moment. Ray had clearly witnessed something that made him think Dale was cheating on him and he’d confronted his partner, as anyone else would have done.
Daryl knelt down in front of Dale, who was sporting a split lip. Dale, unlike Dennis, had chosen to stick with browns and greens for his ensemble, but the colors weren’t flattering. They should switch, Daryl thought. Dale’s skin is too pale for brown.
Around the men, the camp and Eagles went about their rituals and schedules, but all of them were listening. Daryl was sure the story would spread before the conversation was even finished.
“Who hit you?”
“One of the shower babies didn’t like me being in there,” Dale stated, voice shaking. “Dennis helped me, brought me here.” He gazed up at Ray with fear and anger warring. “Why are you so mean to me?”
Trapped, Ray spun away from the cots and stomped to the exit. He wasn’t capable of rational thought right now, let alone rational discourse.
Daryl forced himself to get involved even t
hough he didn’t want to. “Dale? Are you cheating on Ray?”
The pale man flinched. “I’m not. I won’t.”
“But you want to…”
Dale didn’t answer.
Daryl patted Dale’s delicate wrist. “I remember when you first came to Safe Haven. Do you?”
Dale nodded, not looking up or speaking. He was waiting for more abuse.
“Do you recall what Adrian told you that night after we rescued your group? Not Ray or the others, but you?”
Dale sniffed. “He said to be brave and I can be happy.”
“Do you know what he meant yet?”
Dale shook his head, tears coming. “I’ve tried to, but I’m not like you guys!”
Daryl patted him again. “He meant moments like these, Dale. If you’re not happy with Ray, tell him. Be brave and make the choices that are right for you.”
“But he’ll be so hurt!” Dale whispered in horror. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
Dale’s tears overflowed and Daryl hugged him awkwardly, telling himself he would have done this for anyone in the camp.
“I’m so sorry!”
Daryl glanced over Dale’s shoulder to find Ray standing in the tunnel entrance. When Ray raised a sad brow, Daryl didn’t reply. It was up to Dale to do the right thing.
Daryl set Dale back. “You have every right to be happy. Just be sure what will accomplish that, you know? We need all of our members, including you, to try their best. Do the right thing and the rest will work itself out, okay?”
Dale sniffed again. “I’ll try.”
“Good.” Daryl rose, grunting as both knees popped. “Oh, Dale?”
“Yes?”
“Stay away from Dennis until you make up your mind. If Ray kills him over you, I’m the one who’ll get to hang my friend. Please don’t let it come to that.”
Daryl left him with that warning, hoping he’d handled things correctly. They really didn’t need any more shootouts in the camp. The herd was twitchy enough already over having a Mexican army camped on their doorstep. They didn’t need another reason to stampede.
