by T. R. Graves
"JAYDEN ST. ROMAINE! I won't have fighting in my house or in front of my daughter. Apologize to Soldier Manniless and retire to your quarters. I'll meet you there later," Dad had seethed.
Hating to see Jayden in trouble for doing nothing more than coming to my rescue, I'd stepped forward. Jayden shook his head, silently pleading for me to stay quiet.
Before I could say the first word, he'd bowed elegantly toward Isaiah and said, "Please forgive me, brother. I should not have lost my temper like that."
Just like he was today while pacing around Gran, Tawney, and me, he looked calm, cool, and composed. The exact opposite of what he'd been when he'd snatched Isaiah off me, punched him in the face, and threw him to the kitchen floor.
That was the very reason I didn't trust his facade. There could be a burning inferno inside Jayden and no one would ever know. Much like he managed his body and its ability to tolerate physical challenges, he had learned to control his emotions in such a way that no one—not even those closest to him—would ever really know what he was thinking or how he felt.
Since I was familiar with Jayden and Isaiah's history, I was confident that a meeting right now between the two of them, especially if it was one where Isaiah had been ordered to take us into custody, would end in death for either Jayden or Isaiah. While I was sure that Jayden was the strongest and fastest Surrogate on the planet, I wasn't willing to risk his life on my rose-colored assumption.
I was snapped from my thoughts when Tawney wrapped her arms around her stomach.
"Are you okay?" I whispered.
Nodding, she put her water bottle to her mouth and tilted it. When she did, her hands shook so bad that I was sure all of the water would spill out and onto her shirt. Quickly and without taking a good drink, she put the bottle back between her legs and let it rest there. Rather than let anyone see her shaking with exhaustion, she was opting to stay dehydrated. I couldn't imagine why. Jayden had never given her a hard time in her life.
Hell, he'd probably even throw her over his shoulder and carry her if she'd agree to it… which she'd never do.
I was confident he would just leave me behind if I couldn't keep up. Where he'd always had the patience of a saint with Tawney, he'd demeaned and berated me at any point he felt I was showing any sign of weakness. There'd been more than one occasion when I'd wanted to knock his beautiful head off his perfect shoulders.
I might not agree with President Barone's plans for a nation of perfect people, but I couldn't deny the fact that he'd done everything right when it came to Jayden St. Romaine.
There were several noticeable differences about Jayden. One thing that hadn't changed was his uniform. He'd always worn the same black soldier fatigues, an all-purpose jacket and pants with so many pockets I'd wondered on many occasions if he'd actually needed a backpack.
Ignoring the fact that Jayden was apparently going against Barone—Only because Dad ordered it, I quickly reminded myself—Jayden was military to the core and usually kept his hair shaved into a close crew cut. Today, his hair was longer on the top than I'd ever seen it. If I'd been asked my opinion, I'd confess that I liked the length. The military cut coupled with his inflexibility made him too harsh. The new longer bangs coming nearly down into his Surrogate jade-green eyes made him heart-stopping.
Surrogates' telltale sign was their unnaturally green but amazingly beautiful eyes. Eye color and height were the only visible traits both Jayden and Isaiah shared. Where Jayden was dark-haired and dark-skinned, Isaiah was blond-haired and bronze-skinned. Both were stunning, but my preferences were bundled up into a nice, neat package with Jayden St. Romaine.
Dammit! Why do I keep thinking about Jayden like he's my boyfriend… like I want him as a boyfriend?
I wasn't sure I'd fixated this much on him when I'd actually had a crush on him. I assumed my every thought was of Jayden for two reasons. First, we were finally back together, and second, it was a coping mechanism meant to keep me from focusing too hard on my parents and what they were going through.
With those theories bouncing through my mind, the scientist in me perked up and began taking mental notes for future experiments.
I wonder how much stress a normally functional person could undergo before they crack? I'll need to maintain a daily journal describing my emotions every single day so that some objective party in the future can analyze the person I was on day one (today) with the person I become after all of this is over, I thought rationally.
In the planning stages of my experiment, I knew I'd need to describe my feelings, my thoughts, my behaviors, and my physical condition. I didn't yet have my research journal, but I was too excited about the experiment to let that stop me.
Feelings. My feelings.
I was understandably anxious.
Thoughts.
My thoughts were all over the place. One minute, I was in the here and now. The next, I was remembering all of the steps that led us to the here and now.
Behaviors.
I was committed to doing whatever I had to do whenever I had to do it in order to follow Dad's orders and hopefully see our family back together soon.
Physical.
I was doing a good job of keeping up with Jayden during our hike until we hit the six-hour mark without food, water, or rest. Then I began to slowly but surely shut down.
Finished with today's journal entry (still needing to write it down), I nodded my head in satisfaction. I was glad to have found something I could focus some time and attention on besides this run for our lives.
Interrupting my thoughts, Jayden squatted near me. "You should be doing a lot less musing and smiling to yourself and a lot more resting because we're not stopping again until dark."
I slanted my eyes his way.
"Are you suggesting I can't think?"
Jayden's look was pointed. "Oh, I'm not saying that… if your thoughts stay focused on all the survival training you've endured and you come up with ingenious ways for us to stay cool during the day, warm at night, dry during the rain, hydrated, nourished—"
I put my hand up. "I got it. The good news is that even the most controlling person in the world—i.e. you—can't control someone's thoughts."
I wrinkled my nose and almost stuck my tongue out at Jayden but thought better of it at the last minute because Tawney was watching us intently.
I promised Dad I'd help Jayden. Turning into a petulant child is not what he'd want me to do.
I could have sworn I saw Jayden's lip twitch in amusement before he turned away from me and went back to Surrogate Soldier guard duty. I wanted to forget my earlier promise to my father, pick up my empty water bottle, and lunge it at his beautiful head.
Thirty minutes to the second after we'd begun our break, Jayden said, "We need to get back on the move. Put your empty water bottle in your backpack. When we come to the next brook, we'll refill them."
I noticed that now that they were empty, he didn't have a problem with us carrying the bottles in our packs. I wondered if he'd take them back from us once they were full again.
Probably. He has to take the brunt of everyone's load or he's not happy.
I didn't have to ask about the safety of drinking water from the brooks. I knew from our survival outings that in our backpacks there were enough iodine packs and possibly even nutrients to keep us alive in these woods for weeks even if we never killed the first animal or came across the first water source. The problem was taste was not a consideration when it came to our nutrients. It was whatever packed the most protein in the smallest package. It would be like eating cardboard, but we'd do it if we had to.
When I stood, the muscles in my legs sang some serious protest. As much as I hated to admit it, Jayden had been right. I should have been doing physical training while I was in the lab with Mom. Even with everything I'd been doing, it just wasn't enough.
At least, not enough to keep up with Mr. Superhuman.
Refusing to make that confession to Jayden, I sucked in a d
eep, determined breath, walked over to Gran, and put my hand out so I could help him up. Gran may have been in his late seventies, but he was in great shape. Because he'd exercised every day of his life and kept himself up, he'd been able to take every single step that day without the first complaint. Still, he looked tired.
"Gran, do you need me to carry your backpack for you? I will."
Gran, a man of few words, spoke when he had something important to say. During our good-byes, the only words he'd uttered were those to my mother, and they were, I love you, my dear. I love you to the moon and back and until my last breath. It was quite nearly my undoing.
"I may be an old man, but I can still carry my load," he said grumpily.
Grumpy was something I could deal with because I knew exactly how to brighten his mood. I leaned up and kissed him on his soft cheek, noticing it was more sunken than normal.
Just as I'd suspected, he softened, smiled back at me, and chuckled tiredly.
"Tawney, what about you? Can I carry your backpack for you? Mine feels like it barely weighs anything," I lied, shaking it as if that were all the proof she needed to see it was light.
I didn't mention the other backpack that included my personal belongings because everything in it was considered nice-to-haves. If it were necessary, I'd begrudgingly lighten my load and leave all traces of it deep in this forest.
"I got this, Carlie. Besides, you already have two packs. What's in the one you packed?" she asked, staring at it curiously.
I smiled. "I knew Mom would only pack the basic necessities so I had a backpack hidden away that had all of the things I considered essentials."
Tawney eyes widened enviously. "I wish I'd have thought to do that. What all did you take?"
"My reader, a journal, my computer, and some pictures," I replied quietly so Jayden wouldn't be irritated at me for talking too much.
"After we get where we're going, I might borrow the reader, if you don't mind. I left mine back at the farm."
I hugged her shoulder. "You can borrow it anytime. I loaded it for both of us," I shared.
Interrupting us, Jayden, who was suddenly right next to us, said, "Are you two ready to get moving or do we need to stand here gabbing a little longer?"
Tawney's cheeks flushed, and for the hundredth time since I'd promised to be his loyal soldier, I wanted to jump on his back like a wild banshee and squeeze his neck until he lost consciousness. He knew how easily embarrassed Tawney was. He also knew that she worshiped the ground he walked upon. It was one thing for him to chastise me. It was another for him to give Tawney a hard time.
Before I could tell him what I thought of him, he was walking in the direction we'd been traveling all day, and Tawney and Gran were obediently following behind him. Not wanting to be outdone in the loyal soldier compartment, I got over myself and followed behind all of them just like I'd been doing all day long.
Man, can he be an ass?
Chapter 8
A Silent Killer
Carlie
I trailed behind our group just like I had all day. I wasn't following them because I couldn't keep up. Actually, after our break and the full bottle of water, I was refreshed in a way I wouldn't have thought possible before we stopped.
The real reason I was following behind was so I could cover our tracks. Every time I saw the tiniest clue left by Tawney or Gran (because Jayden would never leave anything that would give him away), I'd take a few seconds to cover it with leaves or a branch or something that would make it impossible for Isaiah and his team to track us.
Jayden's pace continued, brisk and steady until late afternoon. When he finally slowed, we were at the bottom of one of the gentle rolling hills and tucked beneath a tight grouping of pine trees. Near the area, there were a few fallen trees that could be used to lean against while sitting by the fire.
If Jayden allows us to have a fire.
I wanted nothing more than to curl up under one of those trees and sleep until tomorrow. Rest wasn't an option. Not for me. Not yet. Gran, on the other hand, had gone as far as he could go. As a matter of priority, I got him settled next to one of the logs and gave him a kiss on his soft, wispy grey hair.
"Tawney, keep an eye on him. I'm going hunting with Jayden."
"'Kay," she murmured.
Her voice was so quiet and small that it immediately caught my attention. I turned her way and studied her in much the way Jayden had when we took our earlier break. Like me, she'd been training with Dad for months. Theoretically, she should be nearly as in shape as me, meaning she shouldn't be so pale and she shouldn't look like she was about to pass out.
After seeing how exhausted she was, I was glad I'd asked her to watch Gran. There was no way she'd be able to do anything more. Not today.
Before I could go in search of Jayden, Tawney dropped to the ground next to Gran and leaned back her head, using the hard log as a pillow. Deciding now wasn't the time to think too long or too hard on why Tawney was so weak and tired, I headed in the direction Jayden had gone. Seconds later, I found him throwing a bow over one shoulder and a quiver filled with arrows over the other.
"I'm going with you," I informed him while dropping my backpack to the ground and rummaging around in it for weapons of my own. I was glad to see I'd been armed with a bow, arrow, and gutting knife. I pulled out the knife and its sheath and buckled it around one of the loops on my jeans. Then I slung the quiver over my shoulder and wrapped it around until it was situated on my back in such a way that I could reach back and grab an arrow very easily.
Rather than sling the bow over my other shoulder, I held it ready, hoping and praying we didn't have to go far before we found something we could kill, cook, and eat. I wasn't sure how much longer I'd be able to put one foot in front of the other. I feared my energy was nearing its expiration.
Jayden looked amused when he said, "You're tired. You wait with them. I'll be back before you know it."
I shook my head. "No. I'm coming with you. Together we can get this over with quicker."
Jayden was the only one of us who didn't look like he was about to collapse with fatigue. He offered me a lopsided grin and said, "You think so."
Offended by his mirth, I squared my shoulders, raised my chin, and said, "Yes, I do."
I was competitive and suddenly determined to kill our supper or die trying. Without another word, he headed toward the deepest part of the forest, tucking back and around trees every chance he got. He was so quiet I wondered if he had special powers that prevented limbs from cracking under his feet. Every single time I made the tiniest noise, I cringed because I knew he wanted to berate me.
Because I wasn't nearly as talented as Jayden at being quiet, it was taking me a lot longer to make my way through the woods. He'd gotten at least fifty yards away from me in just a matter of minutes. When I heard a grunt next to me, I stilled. So did Jayden.
I moved slowly and methodically as I pulled the arrow from the quiver and nocked it. Then I reared back, aimed the arrow at the wild boar that was rutting around the forest floor in search of food, and let it go.
Thwap!
The pig's squeal was loud but only lasted a few seconds. My aim had been true. The arrow had pierced his heart deep enough and violently enough to kill him instantly.
The hog was small, but there was still a loud thud when his solid body collapsed to the ground. I didn't wait for Jayden. I'd killed the animal and had every intention of dressing it. I may not know as much as Jayden, but I knew that had to be done without delay.
If I were being honest, I'd almost rather go hungry tonight than dress this hog, but it was dead and we all needed the protein its meat offered. Straddling the animal, I pulled the knife from its sheath and studied the boar's belly, considering the best plan for getting this job done quickly. Then I lifted the knife above my head, steeling myself for what had to be done.
Seconds before my hand came down and the knife stabbed through the boar's teat-covered underside, Jayden grabbed
my wrist and said, "You killed it. I'll dress it. If you'll go back to the campsite and make sure we have a fire, I'll be there in about a half hour."
My stare bounced between Jayden and the dead animal. I was tired, and it was bone deep. That exhaustion kept Jayden's words from sinking in. When they finally did, I slumped in relief. Jayden was right; I could let him prepare the meat for us.
Relaxing, I nodded my head and said, "There'll be a fire when you get back."
Before he had time to change his mind, I stumbled to my feet and began eyeing the forest floor for fallen limbs big enough for the fire. Spotting a few that were the perfect size for me to carry, I went to work on my next chore.
With my bow over my shoulder and my arms full of wood, I headed back to the campsite. I ignored the gory noises coming from Jayden's direction. I'd hunted with Jayden enough times to know exactly what he was doing behind me, and I was even more grateful that he didn't make me dress that damn hog myself.
Back at the campsite, I saw that Tawney was asleep. Everything about her resting on her laurels while I hunted and built fires wasn't sitting very well with me. If I were thinking straight, I'd know it was the fatigue speaking and not the real me. The resentment building in me wasn't a sentiment I normally experienced when it came to my orphaned cousin. I'd seen Tawney earlier. She couldn't have done anything else even if I'd demanded it.
Ever intuitive, Gran saw the glint of irritation in my eyes and said, "Leave her be. I'll help you build the fire."
He tried to stand, but his leg wobbled. Suddenly, I was as irritated with him as I was with her.
Motioning with my hands for him to keep sitting, I said, "Stay. I have to get more wood for the fire. If Jayden comes before me, tell him I'll be right back."
A few feet from our campsite, I found a honey hole of branches perfectly sized for carrying and fire building. Thankful for small miracles, I loaded my arms, carried them back to the site, and began building a fire fit for a hog.
