by L. T. Ryan
Would it be an early winter, or a particularly harsh one? How would they survive?
She’d never roughed it in her life. Constant heat was taken for granted, as was a roof over her head. There wasn’t enough room for everyone inside the structures that were close to being completed.
Would the rest be forced to sleep outside?
She pulled the heavy wooden door open and stepped into the room. The fire in the fireplace cast an orange glow across the room and provided ample warmth. Addison shrugged off her coat and draped it over her forearm. She walked toward the food table. Eggs and bacon were the meal of the morning, just like every other morning that week. She wondered if they had chickens and pigs somewhere, or was this what they had managed to pilfer from a grocery store? She had seen no livestock, but that didn’t mean they didn’t keep them elsewhere in an effort to keep predators away from the camp.
Addison grabbed a plate and scooped scrambled eggs onto it. She grabbed four pieces of bacon. She used a ladle to fill a mug with lukewarm coffee. She’d never been a big fan of the stuff, and never would have considered drinking it at this temperature. But this was not a time to be picky. The beverage provided the jolt she needed to get her day started.
There were few others in the room, which left plenty of tables unoccupied. She sat at one in the corner, away from the others. Her solitude would not last long, though. A woman close to her age sat down across from her without trepidation.
“Hi,” the woman said. “Name’s Jenny.”
Addison nodded and looked down at her plate, hoping that Jenny and her country twang would get up and leave.
“You got a name?” Jenny asked.
“Addison,” she said through a mouthful of eggs. A small piece fell and landed on her hand. She flicked her wrist and brushed it off the table.
“I never seen you before now. How’d you get involved?”
Addison set her fork down, swallowed the eggs and took a sip of coffee. Through it all, the woman across her did not move. She didn’t put food in her mouth or drink from her mug. She appeared to have no plans of leaving, so Addison decided to go along with the conversation.
“I was never involved, as you put it. I was on the road, trying to get out of town. Those two behemoths stopped me and forced me to come here at gun point.”
Jenny lowered her head a little, looking ashamed. “Which two did that?”
“Ralph and Phil. They didn’t do anything to me. I mean, apart from the kidnapping thing. It’s not like they touched me or even acted like they were going to. But still, they forced me against my will to come here.”
“Where were you going?”
Addison paused for a moment before responding. She took another drink from her mug and shifted her gaze around the room. No one appeared to be listening in on their conversation, but she still wasn’t sure how much information to divulge to the young woman.
“I was going to my grandparents,” she said. “They live in North Carolina, north of Charlotte.”
Jenny’s eyebrows rose into her forehead. “You were going to ride a bike to Charlotte in the middle of all this?”
Addison sat back and folded her arms across her chest. “How did you know I was on a bike?”
Jenny chewed on her bottom lip for a few seconds. She looked over her shoulder, presumably to see who was in the room. “I’m sorry about my father. He takes this seriously.” She leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and her hands in the air in front of her face. “As he should. I know this is important. The world is going down the shitter, Addison. The last reports I saw, well, let’s just say that most people are dead or dying. Those that are left, it’s gonna be a race to see who can grow the fastest. He who is strongest shall outlast all the others. That’s what Daddy says all the time.”
“Which one is your father?” Addison asked.
“Phil.”
Addison struggled to see the resemblance. She also realized she should say little else, if anything at all, to Jenny.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Jenny said. “You can trust me.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re father abducts me at gunpoint and you think I should just trust you?”
“I don’t like what they did to you, forcing you to come here. I believe in his heart, he thought he was helping you. Maybe he saw me when he looked at you. I know if I were out there alone, he’d want someone to reach out and take care of me.”
“Reaching out and helping is one thing. Jamming a rifle into my back and forcing me into a pickup truck is straight up creepy.”
Jenny looked down at the table. “I’m not disagreeing with you, Addison. I’m not. But look, you’re in this situation now. You need to figure out how to make the best of it, ‘cause this is life, Babe. My dad listens to me. Somewhat, at least. If we become friends, you and I, I can get you some benefits and privileges around here. Get you out of that tent and off digging duty. Wouldn’t you like that?”
“Why should I believe you?”
“You ever seen me around here before?” She paused, but Addison did not answer. “Ever seen me digging in that hole, or sleeping in a tent? Hell, ever seen me eating in here before now?”
Addison shook her head.
“I only came in here this morning because I saw that you had.”
Addison studied the woman for a moment. She looked believable, but something nagged at the back of her mind. “What’s in this for you?”
Jenny reached across the table, grabbed a hold of Addison’s hand and squeezed it. “Companionship. I’m alone here. The others don’t interact with me. They think I’m spoiled. They’re right, you know. But it’s not like anyone else is running around my cabin to keep me company.”
“So the moment I become your friend, they’ll all shun me, too?”
Jenny nodded and then looked away, perhaps feeling defeated. After all, it wasn’t the best proposition for someone who wanted to be a part of the community.
“Fine, I’ll do it. Tell him we’re best friends and get me out of that damn hole.”
“It’s not going to be that simple,” Jenny said. “But we can start by—”
The door burst open. The light that filled the room was quickly blocked out by Phil’s wide frame.
“Jenny,” he said. “Get away from her.”
The young woman’s eyes watered over. She sat motionless, defying her father’s orders.
Phil lumbered over to the table. He glanced down at Addison and said, “Don’t let my stepdaughter poison your thoughts. She’s worthless, that’s why no one will associate with her. I only keep her around because of a promise I made to her mother while she lay on her deathbed. At some point, Jenny here will need to take care of herself, and I figure that’s when nature will take its course.”
Addison broke the stare between Phil and her and shifted her gaze to Jenny, who now had tears streaming down her cheeks. The woman refused to make eye contact and had released her grip on Addison’s hand.
“Get up and get back to the cabin,” Phil said. “And don’t let me see you around this girl again.” He hovered over the table while Jenny pushed back in her chair and stood up. She looked at him for a moment, then turned and left the room. “As for you,” he said to Addison. “Finish your breakfast and get to work. You’ll be wanting that building to be done a month from now.”
Addison glanced down at her plate and began scooping forkfuls of eggs into her mouth. The desire to leave the camp had never been greater, not even on her first night there. She gulped down the remaining coffee and then put on her jacket. She brought her plate to the table in the corner where everyone stacked their dirty dishes. Leftover eggs and bacon littered the floor. Addison dropped her plate, but that was it. She tucked the fork in her waistband and the mug inside her zipped up jacket.
As she turned, she noted that not a single person in the room looked in her direction. Her shunning had already begun.
For what? Jenny sitting at her table?
She passed through the room and pushed the door open. The air hit her face, cooling her flushed cheeks. The bright sunlight hampered her vision. She had no idea who, if anyone, stood in front of her. And she didn’t care. Addison turned left and continued along the front of the building. Her eyes adjusted. She took a quick glance to her right and behind her. No one followed, and it didn’t appear that anyone watched her. At the corner of the building, she turned left again. Here, she had the woods to her immediate right. She pressed against the structure and took three deep breaths. With one last look to her left and her right, she lunged forward and dove to the ground. The grass felt damp and smelled sweet. It had been a long time since she had laid down in the grass. And that was under much different circumstances.
She crawled toward the woods, now just a few feet away. She didn’t stop once she passed the first few trees. Sticks and undergrowth tugged at her clothing and scratched her arms, legs and stomach. The pain did not hinder her movements. After a few minutes, she rose to her hands and knees and crawled on all fours. When she finally came to a halt, she glanced back. She could no longer see the building where she had eaten breakfast.
As best she could, Addison traveled in a straight line. From this point, she could continue in the direction she had crawled, or turn left. Going any other way would bring her too close to the camp.
A twig snapped behind her. She scooted toward the closest tree. It wasn’t the biggest, but if she turned sideways, it hid her from view.
Another twig snapped, this time closer. She reached for the fork in her waistband, but it wasn’t there. She patted her legs and lifted her pants. She’d lost her weapon while crawling along the forest floor. As she straightened up, she felt the heavy ceramic mug inside her jacket pressing against her side. She slowly unzipped her jacket and reached for the cup.
Whatever was out there was no longer moving. That, or she’d not heard its last steps. Addison leaned to her right, using the tree for support, and took in the area. There was nothing there. She convinced herself that she’d heard a squirrel or raccoon. It didn’t matter what it was, though. She had to get moving. Staying in one spot was asking to be found. That was the thing to do when lost, not when trying to escape.
She faced the direction she’d been heading and turned left. West, she presumed. Not the ideal direction, as it would ultimately take her into the mountains. She didn’t plan on pursuing the path for long. Once far enough from the camp, she’d circle around in an attempt to find the road. Any road, for that matter.
Addison began walking, cautiously at first, and taking in the sights and sounds. Nothing seemed out of place. The forest floor was littered with dead leaves and twigs and branches. A few of the trees had already begun to turn. Their leaves were varying shades of red and gold. No one would drive through the mountains to enjoy them this year. The world would never be the same.
She picked up her pace. Someone would have noticed she wasn’t where she was supposed to be by this point. They would soon begin looking for her. She had to distance herself.
A shotgun blast cut through the air. Addison looked back at the barren forest. She heard ATV engines revving up. She knew if they headed her way, there was no way to outrun the vehicles. They were made for the terrain, and their drivers were likely familiar with the area. This also meant that any structures available for hiding would also be known to them.
She began to run, but in her haste tripped over a large branch. The fall knocked the wind from her lungs. Blood trickled from her nose across her cheek. She picked herself up off the ground and looked around. She couldn’t run fast and stay safe at the same time. The obstacles on the ground made it impossible. She couldn’t hide behind a rock or on the ground. They’d know where to look. She had to go up.
It had been years since she climbed a tree, but she figured it was like riding a bike. She scouted the area until she one with low branches she could reach.
A few minutes later, Addison began her ascent. Ten feet off the ground, she spotted an ATV. She shifted to her left and hugged the tree. The ATV’s engine went silent. She remained motionless, attached to the tree as if part of the bark.
“What’re you doing up there?”
She recognized Ralph’s voice.
“You can climb down on your own, or I can shoot you. Don’t make a difference to me. From this point on you’re just gonna be a drain to us.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She risked her one chance and had blown it. She began to descend the tree, stepping carefully on each branch. As her torso brushed against the bark, she felt the mug inside her jacket. She reached the final branch, steadied herself against the tree, and then jumped down.
Ralph gestured with his head for her to come closer. He held up a handheld GPS. “Don’t think about doing anything. They know exactly where I’m at. Now, I want you to get on the back of this ATV. You jump, I’ll shoot you. Try to strangle me, I’ll shoot you. Do anything but sit there like a good girl, and I’ll shoot you. Got it?”
Addison nodded, eager to sit down. He motioned for her to do so. After she was settled, he stepped over the seat and came to rest on top of it. She leaned back, reached inside her jacket and pulled out the mug. It felt solid in her hand. She let her right hand drop to her side. Her body shifted in the same direction, then jerked left. She brought her right arm up, high in the air. The momentum continued downward, slamming the mug into the back of Ralph’s head. The mug shattered and Ralph’s scalp split open. Blood flew everywhere. Ralph slumped forward as a river of crimson poured down his back. She didn’t know if he was unconscious or dead.
And she didn’t care.
She climbed off the ATV, and then pulled Ralph off of it. He began to cough as she dragged him across the forest floor. Blood trickled from his mouth and nose. He must have smashed his face when he fell forward. She left him propped up against a tree so that he wouldn’t gag on his own fluids.
Addison raced back to the ATV and searched for the GPS unit Ralph had shown her. She found it tucked into a bag strapped around the handlebar. The GPS reminded her of one she’d used at her grandparents. Her grandfather told her he could track her with it. It always made her feel safe. Not so much today, though. She powered off the unit and threw it on the ground near Ralph’s feet.
Addison turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life. The gas gauge indicated the tank was full. Not enough gas to get her to Charlotte, but maybe to the border. She had a general idea of where she was. All she had to do was head south. Eventually she’d find a road. With the ATV, she could get off quickly if the situation warranted. Fuel was a concern, but she would cross that bridge when the time came.
She cast one last glance at the bloodied man resting against the tree. His eyes were open. He extended his middle finger in her direction.
She returned the gesture, and then she took off into the woods.
Twenty
Turk gasped for air. His arms, chest and core burned. Sweat rolled down his brow and stung his eyes. His hands were numb from holding their grip for so long. He pulled his body up, aiming to clear his chin over the top of the bar he hung from.
“One…more,” he said, his teeth clenched.
He completed the rep and dropped to the floor, landing in a crouching position. Sweat flew off his body, splattering the thick rubber mat that lined the workout room. The mat gave off a strong odor even though it had only been installed four years ago.
He shifted his gaze from the mirror in front of him to the monitor with the security feed. Four separate images were shown on the screen, each showing a section of the perimeter of the compound. It looked quiet, empty outside.
It’s time, he thought.
Turk returned his gaze to the mirror. Marcus stood in the doorway behind him. Turk nodded, and then rose and turned to face his brother. Ther
e had been no further major incidents with Marcus, but it was obvious to Turk that no one, including himself, felt comfortable around the guy. Marcus was, as he had always been, bad news. Turk could tell that the guy would grow to be a major nuisance in the compound if they were in there for an extended period of time.
Marcus used different types of intimidation with the others. Sometimes it was a look or a stare, other times it was more apparent, like a shoulder bump or a deliberate elbow. He saved the hardest of those for Turk while in the gym or on the rec floor. The others inside the compound would have thrown the man out if it weren’t for Turk’s relationship with him.
“Wanted to see me, bro?” Marcus asked.
“It’s time,” Turk replied.
Marcus furrowed his brow and held out his hands. “Time for what?”
Turk walked past his brother, bumping his shoulder into the man. “Time to lock up.”
“What about—”
Turk turned around and raised his hand to silence his younger brother. He knew the reason Marcus was concerned was because the man’s ex-wife and son were supposed to arrive a few days prior. They hadn’t shown up. “It’s time to lock up. Everyone that’s here is here. We can’t worry about those that aren’t. Chances are that anyone creeping around out there doesn’t have our best interests at heart.”
“C’mon, Turk. Just give them another day.”
Turk turned away from his brother and began walking. A few seconds later he heard his brother’s footsteps fall in line behind him. The sound echoed off the surrounding concrete. They weaved their way through the structure until they reached the front entrance. This was the only point of ingress and egress that Turk made known to those inside. He couldn’t trust anyone else with the knowledge of the secret tunnel that led two hundred yards to the north, with an exit camouflaged near the woods.
They stopped in front of the steel security door. Turk closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached out to the side with his right arm and grabbed Marcus’s shoulder. Turk squeezed, and said, “You ready?”
