“Amy!” He shouted and they both jumped.
Amy closed her eyes trying to make him go away. “How could I’ve been so stupid?”
Passing Riley, she handed the beer to Steven. He took it, but then grabbed her casted wrist and twisted. Her cry was agonizing. There was the sound of footsteps running across the floor upstairs and two girls scrambled downward, stopping at the bottom. They cowered in the corner of the staircase, hugging their legs.
“Mama.” Megan cried out.
“Mama,” Steven mocked. His tone was nothing short of evil. “Mama.”
He pulled Amy down to him and spoke in a whisper. The cigarette smoke making her choke. “Next time I ask for a beer, it better be a little quicker than that, you understand?” He asked through clenched teeth.
Amy shook her head. Riley felt her hatred of him.
“I don’t think you do,” he said, moving the end of his cigarette toward her face.
“No”, Riley cried out, but Amy wasn’t even trying to fight back. She knew if she did, the repercussions would be far worse than a slight burn to her face.
Riley screamed as Steven laid the burning end of the cigarette into the flesh of Amy’s face. Riley lunged forward, but fell right through them onto the floor.
“You scream and it’ll get worse.” He said. “Child protective services Amy. How about I give Utah another lesson in adulthood or maybe give Megan her first.” He said. This time his tone was promising.
“You son of a bitch.” Riley said looking from Steven to Utah and at the same time smelling the burning of flesh and cigarette.
“Now hide that.” He said pushing her away from him.
She stumbled, falling toward the girls and landed at Utah’s feet. The girl stared at Steven long and hard, hatred smoldering through her adolescent innocence. Utah helped her mother to her feet.
There was an intense hatred burning deep inside of both Amy and Riley. Fingers wrapped around Riley’s palm and when she looked down, Utah was standing next to her.
“It’s okay,” she said tightening her hold. “Watch.”
Mumbling something about how lame women were and how he needed to teach them a thing or two, Steven got up out of his chair. Amy stepped aside as he opened the refrigerator. For a moment, he just stood there looking.
“Where the fuck are the groceries Amy?” Steven screamed flailing his arms around like a wild man. “Jesus, can’t you do anything right? I’m hungry.”
“I…...” She started. She’d already begun to cower because she knew it was coming. I knew it was coming.
“I don’t give a flying fuck!” He yelled.
Moving with swift strides across the room, he grabbed her hard and pushed her against the wall. The impact of her body caught the thin drywall with a thud. Megan put her hands out when mother fell in her direction.
Reaching out Utah instinctively caught Megan pulling her away.
“Don’t open this door unless I tell you. Understand?” Utah said, gesturing Megan into the hall closet.
Megan shook her head. Her body shook as she clung to one of her mother’s coats. Riley wanted to run to her and take her away. She didn’t want her to see and live with this fear, but then Utah turned.
“We don’t like you. Get out of here.” Utah screamed. Her hand quivered as she pointed to the door, but Steven wasn’t going anywhere.
“Or else?” He turned toward her and laughed.
Bringing his free hand up and around Amy’s throat, he clamped his fingers down and she fought to breathe. Steven was going to kill her. Amy’s eyes bulged. Utah moved toward her, but Amy shook her head “no” Defying her mother, she lunged at Steven throwing all of her weight into his side. Letting out a grunt, he began to laugh uncontrollably as Utah pounded her fists into her stepfather’s side. Lifting a leg and with one swift kick, he shoved Utah across the room.
When Steven let go of Amy, she fell to the stained carpet. Robbed of oxygen, she lay on the floor. Taking her fingers, she massaged her neck coughing and wheezing. What came next, she could’ve never predicted. Steven, like a snake, slithered across the living room to a small table where he snatched one of the haggard chairs. Ripping off a wooden leg, he began to swing.
“It’s time for a good schooling you little bitch.” He grinned.
“Utah!” Amy tried to scream out, but it was no more than a choked cry.
As Steven swung the wooden leg at Utah, Amy fought to climb to her feet. She reached out with both hands attempting to stabilize her body, but nothing was working. Urine had slipped down her legs and she was clawing at her neck as if trying to open up her throat to allow more air through. Utah’s hands tightened on Riley's fingers. Riley felt her warmth. She felt Riley’s fear. Peeking through the closet door watching was Megan.
Utah pointed. In an instant, she and Utah were at a grocery store, but earlier that same day. Several shoppers brushed past Riley hurrying to checkout. In front of them, a man wearing a brown jacket, smelled rotten. He slipped his hand inside his jacket a produced a gun.
“Give me the money!” he yelled.
Confused the checker just stared at him, but when the man pulled the trigger there was a surge of panic. Without forethought, Amy pulled Utah and Megan behind an end cap. From behind what had been the line a man lunged at the robber taking him to the ground. In the middle of the gunfire, Amy grabbed both of the girls and flew from the store leaving behind the groceries. Riley stared at the cart but Utah had already taken Riley back to the apartment. Suddenly Riley understood why Utah was showing her their story. Now Riley was back in the apartment.
Amy staggered across the room as Steven swung the wooden leg at Utah. Missing her by inches, Utah screamed. Riley waited for someone to break through the door and come to their rescue. No one came. No one cared. No more worry about having her children taken from her. Recharged, Amy rushed Steven, but he held his ground and his laughter consumed her screams.
“You lazy son of a bitch.” She choked out. Her adrenaline was pumping through her veins bringing life back to her almost unconscious brain.
Megan slipped unnoticed out of the closet and ran to the kitchen. Riley saw her go to her tiptoes and grab the gun on the counter. The gun looked far too big in her hands and Riley’s heart leapt at the sight. Her small fingers grasped to hold on to it.
When Steven shoved Amy across the room, her foot caught on the edge of the couch. There was no way to regain her step and as she fell, her head cracked the edge of the already broken glass table. The sound of the impact was bone and breaking glass. In an awkward attempt to climb to her feet, blood spilled from under her hair and dripped down the side of her face. She staggered disoriented.
Swallowing the distance between him and Amy, Steven charged. His rage permeated the air, but Amy never saw the blow that ended her life. Utah and Megan did. They saw the last sparkle of life leave their mother’s eyes and watched in horror as her soul left them forever. Filled with rage, Steven slammed the wooden leg into their mother’s head.
The rest unfolded even more quickly as Utah grabbed the gun from Megan. Void of uncertainty, no second-guessing. Just aim and the slight pull of the trigger. Utah shot Steven. Not once but three times. The velocity of the bullets pulled Utah backward and the gun exploded again and then fell to the floor. When Utah scrambled to her feet, Steven was laying on his back. A crimson red liquid consumed the once grungy tan t-shirt and the worn out carpet beneath him.
Running past him to her mother Utah knelt down. Amy’s eyes were fixed open, but lifeless. Though she had passed, her feet jerked and then went still. A fatal silence took over the room.
The twelve-year-old girl took her sister and held her tight. Then Utah began to fade just as Riley saw Steven move…
Something woke me. She stared into the darkness covered in sweat waiting for the devil to make his appearance again.
FIFTY-TWO
“I’m heading over to the hall.” Jack said.
“We’ll be there
shortly.” Ben answered. Looking over at Shay, he said in an excited tone, “She’s a writer you know?”
“No I didn’t know Pops.”
“I’d like to take a look at the building the newspaper was in.” Shay said to Jack. “Something to keep me busy.”
Ben handed her the key and smiled. “A newspaper would make a lot of folk here happy.”
“Be careful.” Jack said, glancing at his father. “Ringo is unaccounted for.”
Ryan grabbed Jack by the sleeve guiding him towards the old town museum. Once inside the two brothers joined the crowd gathering inside the main room. The sitting area, furnished with several sofas and oversized chairs, faced a large open-faced fireplace. People gathered, chatting amongst themselves about the latest events. The buzz heightened when Jack and Ryan walked in. Several of the higher ups, the mayor in his position less than a year, the police chief who’d survived the shift, and several officers greeted the brothers. The town’s people showed their respect to both of them and their team. They needed leaders, people who wanted to succeed and strong enough to fight. It didn’t matter where they came from or who they’d been before. They were all soldiers now.
The town of Prescott had restored power only a few months after the Shift began. Over three quarters of Prescott’s population was dead. They welcomed strangers in, but the rules were black and white and if you broke them and you were gone.
Jack scanned the room. Dan and Blake were standing beside Matt who was temporarily in a wheel chair. He searched for Kid and his dog. If he was there, Jack wasn’t seeing him. There were many faces, young boys turning into men and elders wanting to join the fight. Several women were already in training. One was a former Los Angeles detective who arrived after the shift and a dispatcher from Lake Havasu.
“Okay Ladies and gentlemen, we have a lot to discuss so let’s get started.” Mayor Tom Edwards called out.
“As you probably already know six women and a small boy were rescued from some heavies in the outskirts of Seligman. Folks, let us not forget there are a lot of abandoned homes, buildings, and towns still out there. Don’t become complacent to them. They’re perfect places for bad people to dwell. Two of the men who attacked Jack’s team at Doc Pam’s place in Ash Fork are still on the loose. They’ve taken a woman hostage.” There was a lengthy pause and then a low mummer of voices. The mayor continued, “Pam Kenny and her technician Destiny were killed.”
The mayor paused and then cleared his throat. “Can we please take a moment of silence in their behalf?” The room grew silent.
“They’ll be missed.” The Mayor said softly. He reached up and rubbed his chin. He was a tall man in good physical shape with salt and peppered hair and light brown eyes that sparkled behind thin-rimmed glasses. “I’m going to turn the floor over to Jack now. He can give you more details.”
Jack made his way up front. Speaking to crowds wasn’t his thing, but this was his town so it came easy. “I appreciate you all coming down here on a Saturday. I see you weathered the storm okay.” He paused, waiting for any replies. None came so he continued. “The team and I ran into a group of men while taking shelter at Doc Kenny’s place. She had already passed when we arrived. Unfortunately, these heavies, as the mayor put it, took a woman hostage. So, I am looking to retrieve the woman,” he said. A slight chuckle went through the crowd.
“Aren’t we all...” came a voice from the group, but then it got quiet again.
“Right?” Jack said rubbing his chin. He’d forgotten to shave and the three-day shadow itched.
“Who is she?” Someone asked.
“Her name is Riley. Other than that I don’t know much about her other than her five year old daughter was shot.” Jack saw Terra and Blake standing hand in hand. “She’s in critical condition. We got a handful of bad guys, but the worst of them got away.”
“What do you need Jack? You need a few hands to help?” A voice sounded from the crowd.
“Yes. I also need you all to be diligent, aware, and protective. Until we get this man, you women, in particular need to be careful. Last week, men looking for guns attacked our ranch. Several of the attackers got away. This area is heating up. We’re vigilant, but I know after things go smoothly for so long we tend to become complacent. We’ve worked hard, but we’re seeing a rise in activity.” Jack paused. “For those of you who have youngsters, all the animals at the hospital were turned loose so be alert?”
“Tigers included?” asked someone in the crowd.
“Tigers included.” Jack said.
There was an instant buzz amongst the people.
Pam, with her team, had operated the hospital and grounds in Ash Fork, her ranch in Prescott Valley and the conservatory further out of town. The preservation of animals was just as important to some as the replenishment of people. She’d met some adversity before the Shift and very little after. People didn’t want exotics running amongst town folk.
“Listen, if you have to shoot, shoot. If you use a tranquilizer gun, we’ll get the animal relocated to Pam’s conservation center. If the tiger doesn’t show up before I get back than I’ll personally trap him myself.”
A hush went through the room.
“Who’s this ringleader you spoke about? Is he infected?” Jack waited until it got quiet again.
“We’re posting a description on the back board.” Jack paused, “He’s dangerous. He’s a hunter. Armed. He knows explosives. He won’t hesitate to kill you. He may not be infected but he’s just as dangerous. Terra, do you have anything to add?”
Hesitating, Terra started to step forward.
“Terra.” Jack said.
Terra lifted a hand and a slight cheer went out over the crowd. She waited. “I just want to emphasize the word evil. He’s not infected, he’s far too calculating to be. Also wherever Ringo goes, so does his cousin Dave. They do not treat humans as people, but rather as animals. They feed on violence. It’s a game to them and the more you play the better he gets at it.”
“Scary. You think he’s here in Prescott?” Someone asked from within the room.
“His tracks led this way.” Jack intervened. He was ready to go. “He may have kept going, but I doubt it. I’m thinking he’s held up somewhere close until the roads thaw out. He may have replenished his team so be aware.”
“Count me in,” Dan said, stepping next to Ryan. Matt looked at Jack and shrugged.
“You can help from here Matt.” Jack said.
Two more men stepped in next to Dan and Jack. John and Jeremy Black were ex-marines. John was a little older than Jack was, but his skills were equal. John and his son had taken their five-acre place and turned it into a training compound. All-inclusive was a shooting range, dirt track, oversized gym, and a large industrial sized building for boxing and Martial arts. Both men stood six feet and at least two hundred plus pounds of compact muscle.
Jeremy was a bona fide Marine. Skilled, the kid was a sharpshooter, a black belt, third degree, and Jujitsu to name a few. All Marine Corps, he was a spitting image of his father.
Jack smiled when his friend since kindergarten stepped in from behind the crowd. Scott stepped in beside John and Jeremy making a stark contrast between the three. Scott, being a teacher, wasn’t like the other team members. He was a few inches shorter than Jack was and reflected more business than battle, but that didn’t mean Scott Landers couldn’t hold his own when he needed too. Life had always been a competition between him and Jack. As they’d grown into their adult years nothing had changed.
“Good thing you stepped up.” Jack said. “I thought I was going to have come down there and kick your ass.” Jack turned back to the crowd and spoke above the roar of voices bussing in the room.
“Bring it on brother.” Scott said, tossing his friend a slight punch. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Keep your radios on and with you at all times folks.” Jack reiterated as he moved towards his team. “And tell your neighbors.”
“Jes
us Jack, I leave for a week and everyone on the team is wounded or missing.” Scott said, attempting to catch up to him. “John told me about the incident at the ranch. Heard Ryan got all, but one.”
Jack stopped midstride and Scott listened as Jack gave him the short version of all that had happened.
“If he’s some macho hunter think about Red Rock? He could have gone there.”
“The conservatory?” Jack said.
“It sounds like a place this guy might go.”
“Good idea. I need to touch base with the caretaker anyway.” Jack said thinking of Pam.
“What’s the girl’s condition?” Scott and his wife Kate had two children and they were pregnant with the third. He was the reflection of the perfect family man with the exception of being friends with Jack Colton.
“Nick’s been with her.” Jack knew his friend could read him like a book, but he tried his best to hide any anxiety.
“You can’t save everyone Jack.” Scott said.
“I can try.”
Jack saw the dog before he saw Kid. Stepping up beside Jack he held out his hand. Jack took it shaking hands with the stranger that had helped them for the first time.
“I never got to thank you,” Jack said.
“No need.” Kid replied.
“Kid,” Jack said introducing him to Scott.
“Nickname?” Scott asked.
“High School. It just kind of stuck.” Kid said smiling.
“Nice to meet you Kid. Let’s go find some bad guys.” Scott said. Jack nodded ready to be on his way. His team fell in behind them. Ben met them at the door. He tossed the truck keys over to Jack.
“Get out of here before Shay sees you and wants to go along.” He said. “We’ll find a ride home.”
“Be careful Pops.” Jack urged.
“I will.” He said in a soft tone. “You do the same.”
FIFTY-THREE
Not Alone: The Beginning (The Fighter Series Book 1) Page 23
