by Angela White
Angela swallowed the disgusted motherly anger. “It has to be his choice, his idea. Otherwise, everyone will assume you’re with him for the chance at power.”
“But you’d know differently, wouldn’t you?”
Angela didn’t like to admit that the start of a real bond was already glowing brightly in Tracy’s heart. “Yes, but if you break the rules, that won’t matter. Unlike Jennifer and Becky, my son hasn’t been abused that way. If you want him, you’ll wait for him. When it comes to Charlie, you only get one mistake.”
“And then you have me banished,” Tracy guessed quietly.
“No,” Angela corrected. “Charlie will. You’ve already figured out how determined he is, and he promised you things that only he can deliver, right?”
Tracy didn’t answer–didn’t need to.
“Once you hurt him, he’ll bring down a wall and never let you in again. Be sure, Tracy. Friendship might be better for both of you.”
Instead of continuing to deny it, Tracy chose to offer what so few would-be daughter-in-laws refused to give, the truth.
“I don’t want to feel anything for him. I don’t understand it. I have access to power in a lot of ways, but your son is the only one who doesn’t make me feel dirty.” Tracy made a face absently. “If I could be sure it’ll stay that way, I’d already have asked for your permission to date him come October.”
Angela liked the courage it took to admit that, but didn’t let Tracy off the hook. “Don’t use him as a test dummy, either. He’ll be willing, but I’ll shut it down. You make that choice long before it ever goes past friendship.”
“I will,” Tracy agreed. “After the way he’s stalking Kenn, I refuse to get on that side of him.”
Wise, Angela thought. Charlie would be more ruthless than Marc in time. She hated that, but this new world would demand it in exchange for survival.
“I can stay away until he’s legal...if you’d rather.”
Angela didn’t hesitate. She could only interfere so much and then she would have problems with Charlie. “He’ll make his own choices on who he wants to spend time with. You just be sure those moments don’t cross a line and I won’t stand in his way.”
“Thank...”
Charlie ducked into the tent, face angry, and both females braced for his reaction.
“Matt’s cornered near the supply trucks. It’s Timmy and Mike again.”
Angela left the tent at a fast clip, keying her mic. “Cynthia to the supply trucks.”
Charlie quickly caught up. “What can I do?”
Angela sighed. “Go lie to Tracy–tell her you didn’t overhear any of that so she’ll quit stressing about you having the upper hand. I need her mind in the plans our team is working on.”
Charlie grinned, running back the way they’d come.
Angela sighed in resignation. What would those family gatherings be like? She snorted at herself and waved Kevin over. They had to live until then to worry about it.
It’s under control, Marc sent. Matt ran off.
Angela didn’t change her direction. The plans she’d made for Zack’s future criminals would start now.
Before Angela got to the supply trucks, the fog bank reached the tents and enveloped her in feathery gray wisps.
Her protection stayed close.
Angela felt them on her heels, but the presence in front of her made her pause. She didn’t know them… “Who is that?”
“It’s Chris. We’ve got more trouble with the animals.”
Almost instantly, Angela felt the familiar vibe of the vet and followed him to the animal area, spotting the issues. Cages were empty, feathers and blood littered the grass, and the wolf was standing protectively in front of the remaining pens.
“Someone or something broke in and took the animals we’ve been using for food. Even the cows were turned out.”
Angela frowned. “Someone or something?”
The vet studied their perimeter, where the ant colony was beginning to pour from their hills. “We were raided.”
Angela took stock again, trying to view it the way Marc and Adrian would.
The cages weren’t turned over, implying a person. The wolf wasn’t glaring at their perimeter. He was observing the vet.
“What happened here?” Kyle asked, coming to her side.
Angela saw the vet flinch and revised her suspicions. The vet was too timid to be a part of this. “We don’t know. He thinks it was the ants. I think someone in camp is a serious vegetarian.”
“Where’d all the blood come from?” Shawn asked.
“Open cages don’t mean all the animals fled,” Angela pointed out. “We had a predator come in after they were opened.”
“Some PETA plan, there,” Marc scoffed, gesturing to the nearest Eagle. “Call in a crew and clean it up. We’ll secure new animals while we’re here.”
Angela glanced at Dog. Is there something I need to know about the vet?
The wolf stared at her in concern. His mind is closed to me.
Angela sighed. Same here. I’ll put him under watch after this is settled and we’re back to normal.
You mean when Adrian once again runs the herd?
Yes, Angela answered his doubt firmly, heading into the main camp. I don’t want this job. It’s too heavy for my shoulders.
Dog stared as she faded into the fog. But you’re their last line now. He’ll never fit that role alone again.
4
“Why are my boys in a QZ tent with their shit?”
Zack’s question was upset enough to bring guards closer.
“Because I want them to think they’re being sent out of Safe Heaven,” Angela answered matter-of-factly.
Zack did what few of them had expected. He admitted his shame. “I ain’t done right by them.”
Angela wasn’t able to have mercy. “We’ve let them off the hook too many times. Matt’s violent reactions have endangered the camp, and your boys are responsible for a good portion of his misery.”
“They miss their mom,” Zack tried to explain.
Angela cut him off. “If you can’t change their behavior, they can’t stay. It’s that simple.”
“I’ll get them in line,” Zack vowed. “Quickly.”
Angela studied him as if she didn’t have much faith. “Not yet. I get them first.”
Zack swallowed a protest. Angela wouldn’t hurt his sons. “Whatever it takes to clean this up. They need to be here.”
“I agree,” Angela said, waving a hand toward the flap. “Make them think they’re leaving–without you. We’ll start there.”
Zack didn’t want to grin, but couldn’t help it. That threat alone would keep them in line for a while. Controlling his sons had never been a priority, but Zack now realized what they did would also change his place here, not just his own actions.
“It’ll work. I’ll make it happen.”
Angela didn’t doubt it. Zack was part of their core team now. He wouldn’t give that up lightly.
5
“It’s windy,” Samantha muttered, not opening her eyes. “Someone close the flap.”
Neil forced himself into alertness first, looking at the doorway.
“It is closed,” he grumbled, yawning. He turned his head to check on Samantha and began kicking Jeremy, unable to speak.
“What?” Jeremy grudgingly rose up to find out why he was being abused
“Must be a hole,” Samantha complained. She stretched gingerly. It was too bright to even consider peeking.
“Sam!”
Neil slid back and Jeremy followed his lead, both keeping their hands up in defense.
Samantha stared in amazement at the tent, at the dozen objects whirling around in the air. Pencils, a notebook, her knife, all spun by in a blur of activity as Sam realized where it was coming from.
“I’m doing this,” she said in wonder.
Neil ducked the notebook and knocked the sheathed knife out of the air before it hit his face. “We noticed
.”
The pages fluttered, some ripping as the notebook picked up that blurry spin and began flying again.
The pencil smacked against Jeremy’s wrist as he blocked. “Can you shut it down?”
Neil grunted, “Close the flap!”
Samantha concentrated and the objects stopped spinning all at once. They thumped to the canvas.
Samantha giggled happily as the men relaxed from their defensive positions.
Neil studied her warily. “You’re better?”
Samantha did a fast evaluation of herself. “Other than the headache.”
She grimaced. “There’s still some burning, too. It must not be over yet.”
Both men scowled, exchanging glances as they stood up and began gathering the fallen objects.
Samantha raised her hand and a sharp blast of wind ripped the notebook from Neil’s hand. Papers floated over the floor as Samantha’s laughter rang out.
“This is great!”
Her men couldn’t resist her happiness, smiling.
Samantha began blasting things around and Neil ducked again, going for the flap. “I’ll stand a post.”
Jeremy dodged the knife and took a hairbrush to the hip. “Wait, I’ll help.”
Behind them, Samantha let herself go. The tent came alive with spinning, whirling objects that slammed against the canvas walls.
Neil gave a polite nod to the camp members who were being drawn, and took up a place near the flap.
“She’s having a rough afternoon,” Jeremy explained to the group of women going by.
Sam’s cackle echoed from the tent.
The women all raised a brow, mouths opening, and Neil scrambled for an excuse. “It’s PMS.”
Hilda motioned for the females to keep going. “That’s not how I remember it.”
The thumps continued, getting harder and louder, and it was impossible to not to feel content as they listened to her explore the new gift.
6
Samantha came from the tent a bit later. “I’m hitting the shower. You think there’s anyone there now?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Samantha ignored their simultaneous, concerned answers. “Good. I’ll be recharged by the time we make it through the line.”
“Recharged?” Neil asked, taking her right side.
“I ran out,” Samantha confessed, enjoying the sunlight even as it made the headache worse. “It appears to be refilling on its own.”
Neil instructed Jeremy to make a report.
Sam barely noticed when he left. She now had the power of wind. That would be a tremendous help when the government came.
“Samantha Moore?”
Time once again slowed as Samantha placed the voice and fate began laughing.
Shellie Mathews. Fellow Predictor. Also had a pass. Was out sick on D-day.
“Is that you, Sam?”
People stopped to observe the expected happy reunion as Sam clutched at Neil’s wrist in a vise-like grip. She’d thought she was safe! She was supposed to be safe now!
“What?” Neil demanded lowly. Her face and body language was complete panic.
“It is you. Sam!”
Shellie enveloped Samantha in a vigorous hug that ripped Neil from her grip.
“It’s so good to see you!”
Neil tried to get back to Samantha’s side before she bolted–he read it on her face–but the new woman hadn’t stopped the running diatribe of surprised recognition.
“I thought I saw you. You can’t imagine my shock. I mean, no one else made it from our office in Seattle…”
Sam started to turn away from the crowd, self-preservation screaming run, now!
“I came in late and saw you get on the chopper, and thought you’d never come up. How are you here with everyone else, when you had a pass?”
“….had a pass.”
Voices blurred into chaos that she had no idea how to control.
“Sam had a pass!”
“She was government.”
“She’ll bring them here. We know they survived.”
“She’s a spy!”
“Kill her!”
7
“Get in there!” Marc ordered, shoving people aside to reach them.
“She’s government!”
“Get her!”
Neil fired into the air, taking blows to keep them from Sam, but he was ignored. They knew he wouldn’t shoot unarmed camp members.
Marc’s Colt crashed and the mob paused. A few even fled, sure of the retribution that was coming, and Marc instantly understood why Angela had let Kenn push him into killing the snake women.
The Eagles hurried in to form a tight circle around Neil and Samantha, who was cowering behind him. This was her nightmare come true.
Marc faced the mob, as angry as they were. “She escaped the draft, just like many of you!”
“She’s government!”
“So am I! So is Adrian, and Kenn! We all had passes to NOARD and chose to be here instead.”
That wasn’t true, but few of them would be able to disprove it.
“Tell them, Sam!” Neil hissed. “Let them in or they’ll kill us.”
Samantha met Angela’s stern gaze over the mob that had grown to include half the camp. In that one look, Sam read no surprise and no mercy.
“The chopper went down after they forced me on at gunpoint. It went down in Wyoming and I was…captured by two brothers. I killed them to get away.” Sam’s voice lowered. “I didn’t want to, but they had me chained…”
She stopped, tears falling thickly, and Neil hid her in his arms.
“I’m sorry,” Sam sobbed.
“For what?” Marc demanded, following Angela’s silent instructions.
“For surviving.”
“Don’t regret that,” Marc ordered. “You’ve saved this camp with your skills. We would have all died in Nebraska if not for you.”
“Because of Adrian,” Sam stated, sniffing. “He knew I wanted to help my country, not her killers.”
Marc glared at the mob that had calmed enough to almost be considered just an angry group now. “We’ve always trusted her and she’s always helped us. Adrian brought her in. He’s not wrong.”
“But she hid it!”
“Where is Adrian?”
“Why isn’t Adrian running this camp?”
“Yeah! Why hasn’t he taken back over?”
“Where is he?!”
Marc waved a hand. “Behind you, of course. Where he always is.”
The crowd parted to let Adrian’s wheelchair through. More of the anger was diffused by the way he eagerly greeted and shook hands with people, pushing out happiness the entire time. It wasn’t what they’d come to expect from their leader when they broke the rules.
Adrian peered over his shoulder, finding Angela. When she silently ordered it, he began to speak, “We have a problem, a serious one.”
“She aint hurt!” someone pointed out.
“Samantha is not the problem,” Adrian snorted.
He immediately grimaced at the pain.
“You okay?”
“What is it?”
Adrian slowly lifted his shirt to reveal the wound. “No, I’m not all right.”
They gasped and groaned at the sight of the ugly wound that appeared worse than it was due to not changing the bandage for a full day.
“I’m not fit for duty, of any kind, until this heals.” Adrian lowered his shirt, voice grave. “But that isn’t our problem, either.”
Adrian again looked over his shoulder, terrified of spooking the herd.
She’s ready, Marc sent. Do it now.
Adrian instinctively brought up the shield in his mind at the evidence of Marc’s growing power.
“The government did survive, at least one bunker that we know of.” His voice rose over the instant shock. “They’re coming for me.”
Chaos took over, people shouting and shoving. Angela quickly brought the shield up
. The bubble becoming visible made most of the mob start searching for the trouble.
Angela flanked Adrian, listening hard. “Everyone hit the ground!”
The Eagles, who knew better than to doubt her by now, fell to the grass, pulling those closest with them. Some of the camp followed, but most of them stared without comprehension.
“Get down, you idiots!” Angela snapped to those closest and the people slowly began lying on the ground.
Angela held up a hand. “Now wait.”
It was a long moment where all the magic users pushed calm over the prone camp.
Angela slowly lowered the shield. “It’s ours, stand down.”
Radios crackled an instant later. “The last team is back with bodies. Someone killed Tucker and Anderson.”
The crowd gasped, and immediately assumed the worst.
“It was Kyle!”
“Yeah, we saw them fighting.”
“No, it’s the soldiers!”
“They are coming!”
“We’ve got to hide!”
“I’m going to the mountains!”
“I’m staying!”
“So am I. Let them come!”
“We can’t fight the government!”
“Yes, we can!” Angela sent it loudly, in both oral and mental waves that stunned the crowd.
She stared at them, searching without moving. This was the worst time, when they might stampede and catch all of the descendants in the panic.
“I helped John. I helped my Brady. And I’ve helped you.” She began picking them out visually and mentally.
Peggy stood up. “She was sent to protect Safe Haven. I’ve told you that. So has Hilda.”
Anne added her voice. “With her help, we can fight.”
“Don’t forget us,” Theo spoke from the rear of the rear of the crowd that was slowly getting to their feet.
“We’ve been working on some things, under Samantha and Angela’s direction.” Theo waved at the other four to come forward. “This runs on solar power. It doesn’t fire rapidly, but it uses the heat it absorbs to emit a larger charge.”
Two of the weapons men hefted the big device onto a nearby can, while the other two cleared a line of fire.
Curious, the rest of the crowd got to its feet and everyone moved back a little, allowing Theo and his team to show them what they’d made.
