Sarah tromped up the stairs and hit the landing. She grabbed the handle to the door and pulled, but it didn’t budge. She tried again, only to get the same result.
Darkness filled her gaze through the thick-panned window. Sarah squinted while tugging on the handle in search of any movement inside.
Her fists pounded the rigid, painted surface of the door as she watched the intersection. The squealing of tires and the loud music made Sarah panic as the car materialized from the corner of the building. It continued over the sidewalk and onto the street in her direction.
A light from inside the building blasted Sarah in the face. Her hands sprung up in front of her as she took a step back. The door swung open and grazed her fingers. Inside the hall stood a tall, slender man wielding a pistol. He trained the barrel at Sarah as she diverted her gaze.
“Please, don’t shoot,” she pleaded.
The man craned his neck and glanced down to the street as the car rolled into view. He thumbed the switch to the flashlight he held, then waved his arm.
“Hurry up. Get inside,” his voice boomed with urgency.
Sarah slipped past the agitated man in a blink and ran into the building. He grabbed the edge of the door and slammed it as the car drove past the building.
He secured the lock to the door and stood off to the side of the entrance while staring out of the window. Not a single word was spoken as he held the pistol in the air.
The loud music dissipated and faded away, bringing a wave of relief to Sarah. She sighed, then deflated against the wall. “Thank you for letting me in.”
The man thumbed the switch to the flashlight which lit up the dark hall. “No problem. Looks like they’ve moved on. It’s not safe out there right now.”
Sarah took a deep breath, then exhaled. She kept a close eye on the stranger. Her hand stayed near the Glock. “That’s an understatement. I thought it was bad during the day, but without the lights, the night has proven to be much worse. I don’t feel safe out there with everything that is happening.”
The man looked at Sarah and nodded. “Yeah. There are some real dirtbags taking advantage of the power outage. I’ve seen some pretty bad things happen since all this started. That’s why I’m on edge and reluctant to let anyone in here. Hard to tell who’s a threat and who isn’t.”
“Do I look like a threat?” Sarah posed.
He glanced at the Glock she had in her hand. “That piece you’re holding kind of says that you are. But, given how you were banging on that door and all, I figured you were more worried about whoever was in that car than anything else.”
“I don’t know who they are. People have gone crazy out there. Doing horrible, dreadful things amidst the chaos, so I’m a bit on edge.”
The man tilted his head, then secured his piece within the waistband of his denim jeans. “I can understand that. You can hang out here until morning, if you like.”
Sarah looked past the slender man and through the window to the world beyond the building. She wasn’t keen on venturing back out there at the moment. Not with the surly types scouring the city streets for an easy target. She didn’t trust this man, but he seemed to be the lesser of two evils.
“Thanks. That’s much appreciated,” she said. “Just to let you know, though, I’m not giving up my Glock. And if you think or hint at trying to do something, I’ll have no problem shooting you.”
He held his hands in the air and bowed his head. “Duly noted and understood. The name is Rick Stone, by the way.”
“Sarah Cage.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
RUSSELL
Life had a funny way of kicking a man when he was down. Like a heavy boot crushing his throat, Russell felt the squeeze. That’s what it seemed like, anyway.
Within a day, things had turned from all right to a complete crap storm, one he couldn’t escape or stop from happening. No matter what he did or tried, life was out to get him. Russell had to remind himself that although things were bleak, he was still alive. He had that to be thankful for.
Cathy was silent. Losing her house and valuables pissed her off. She didn’t have to say as much for Russell to figure that out. She stomped through the woods like a woman on a mission. Her shoulders didn’t sag with sadness or defeat. No whimpers fled her lips that Russell could hear, which spoke volumes of how tough and resilient she was.
Russell couldn’t blame her. He was pissed as well. Not only did they take the house from Cathy, but they had put reaching her daughter and Sarah at risk. It was an act he couldn’t let slide.
Max had taken point a few paces ahead of Cathy. His nose trained to the crunchy leaves that carpeted the forest floor. He’d rummage through the small mounds, in search of whatever scent or noise tickled his curiosity.
The grumble of thunder rumbled in the distance.
Cathy looked at the canopy of trees above them. “Sounds like we have a storm rolling in.”
Russell glanced at the black sky. It was difficult to see through the umbrella of vegetation that hung over them. He craned his neck, but couldn’t pierce the dark veil of branches and leaves. “How far away do you think it is?”
“Not too far. We should be to Thomas’s cabin before it really gets going, though.”
Max paused. He lowered his head and stared at the steep ridge before him.
Cathy flanked him. She craned her neck and shined the light down the slope.
“Problem?” Russell inquired.
She shook her head while sweeping the area from side to side. “No. Just trying to find a safe way down, is all.”
Russell peered at the trees and rocks that were nestled within the verdure along the slope. He couldn’t find a way down that didn’t elevate their risk for injury. It was hard to gauge the terrain with the darkness that covered the area like a blanket. Only the vague outline of the rocks and trees caught his eye, which wasn’t too helpful. His ankle was doing better, but it was still sore, and could pose an issue if he tweaked it the wrong way.
Cathy patted Max’s right side twice.
He turned in the direction of her gesture and continued on. Slow and steady, Max traversed the slope. He made short work of the steep incline.
When he reached the bottom, Max glanced to the ridge and barked. He sat on his haunches and waited for his handler to arrive.
Cathy shined the light to the path that snaked to the base of the ground where Max was, then peered at Russell. “Take it slow and mimic what I do. It’s not that bad if you’re careful and watch your footing. Just don’t rush it. If you slip and fall, you’re going to take me down with you.”
“Did you want me to wait till you reach the bottom?”
Cathy shook her head. “I’d rather not. How are you going to be able to see where you’re stepping if you did? I don’t have another flashlight. I had this one stowed in my bug out pack.”
Russell patted his back pocket where his phone was. “I can use the flashlight from my phone if I need to.”
Cathy snickered. “I guarantee that flashlight on your phone isn’t near as bright as my Maglite. Besides, you slip and lose your grip on it, well, you might as well kiss it good bye. It’ll be harder than hell to locate it in that thicket, or it’ll break on any of those boulders down there. It’s your call, though.”
She was right. Her Maglite’s beam was intense, and lit up the ground without much effort. Russell doubted his phone could do better. Plus, he didn’t want to take the chance of breaking or losing it. It was worthless at the moment, but cell service could be returned at any time, and he wanted to be ready to dial Sarah.
Russell pointed at the slope. “I’ll just follow you down. Shouldn’t be a problem.”
Cathy trained the light at the ground. The large, circular beam washed over the rocks and grass that coated the stair-like steps within the earth.
Much like Max, Cathy navigated the face of the hill without fault. She paused about halfway down, then turned back to Russell who was a bit more apprehensive.
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“You coming?” she called out. “The longer we take, the more likely we are to get rained on. It gets cold out here, and being wet won’t make it any better.”
“Yeah.” Russell sucked in a gulp of air, then released it through pursed lips. The last thing he wanted was to be cold and wet. It was already chilly. The brisk wind nipped at his flesh and tried to penetrate his clothes.
Max barked, then groaned. He was getting impatient. Russell couldn’t see him, but he could hear the anxious dog moving about.
Russell eased down the uneven slope, one precarious step after another. Cathy got back on the move, and they worked their way down to the base.
Cathy shined the light on Max. He was on his feet, ready to move. She rubbed the crown of his head as he stretched to meet her hand. His tongue hung from the side of his snout, and he groaned at her touch.
“All right. Come on. Let’s go see Thomas.”
Bark.
Max trotted away. Cathy and Russell flanked his wagging tail as he led them through a clearing.
Clapping thunder shook the ground. Strident white lines of lightning slithered across the puffy clouds like veins. The whistling of wind blowing through the branches accompanied the incoming storm.
Cathy paid the weather no mind. She kept trudging through the clearing to the tree line ahead of them.
Russell was glad she knew where she was going. He was lost within the tress and thickets.
A guiding light in the distance caught Russell’s eye as rain trickled from the heavens and splashed against him. A shiver slid down his body as the flannel shirt he wore soaked in the moisture.
Cathy pulled the hood of her coat up over her head, then wrapped her arms over her chest as she scaled the side of the hill. Max stopped and gave his body a good shake, freeing the fur of the rain.
“See. We almost made it before it really got going,” Cathy said as she glanced to Russell.
Beads of rain raced down the sides of Russell’s face. Another shiver overtook him as his teeth chattered. “This guy isn’t going to mind us just stopping by in the middle of the night unannounced, is he?”
Cathy ducked and moved in a wide arch around a tree that had limbs reaching toward the ground. Her boots sloshed through the carpet of soggy leaves as she made her way back toward Russell. “He shouldn’t. It’s been a while since I’ve been over to visit with him, though. Thomas lives alone and doesn’t get out much. Can’t remember the last time he went to town either. He doesn’t care for most folks.”
Sounds like he’s going to be super excited to see us, then, Russell thought.
The rain picked up. Another spate of lightning crackled in the sky overhead, illuminating the swollen clouds. Heavy thunder rumbled through the mountains.
Max galloped up the hill toward the front of the house. The lights in the windows evaporated, casting the large dwelling in darkness.
Cathy paused. She whistled for Max who stopped, then peered back toward them. His ears stood on end and twitched as he trotted back to her side.
“What is it?” Russell inquired.
The beam from the Maglite brushed over the front of the house. Cathy swept the porch from one side to the other as if she had reservations about going any farther. “It’s probably nothing. Just got a funny feeling is all.”
Rain saturated Russell’s hair and the flannel shirt he had on. The slight shiver he was battling had turned to convulsions of cold. “Can we at least get under the porch and out of the rain until we hash this out?”
Max gave his matted fur another shake as Cathy looked at the house.
“Yeah. Come on. I’m probably still rattled from what happened earlier.” Cathy pulled at the strap of her rifle that hung from her shoulder as they continued on toward the house. She didn’t remove it, but the simple tug at the weapon made Russell take notice.
“You’re not expecting trouble, are you?”
“I wasn’t expecting the sort of trouble we got back at my place, but here we are.” Her tone was laced with indignation. “Like I said, I imagine everything’s fine. Just being cautious is all.”
Max growled and lowered his ears. The damp fur along the ridge of his spine stood on end. Something had gotten his attention.
Cathy stopped at his side and took a knee. “What is it?”
A rustling noise from the west side of the house triggered a bark, then another growl. Max took off at a gallop and tore around the side of the house, vanishing from sight.
“Damn it,” Cathy groused. “It’s probably just a coon or something.”
She ran after him through the sheets of rain. Russell booked it to the entrance of the house, splashing through the soggy grass as he leapt up onto the porch.
His hand ran over his face and wiped away the wetness that covered his skin. The flannel shirt clung to his shuddering frame. His jeans were soaked through. The only part of his body that wasn’t wet were his feet. The boots did a good job of keeping the rain at bay.
Russell ran his hand through his hair as he looked down either side of the porch. There was no sign of Cathy or Max, just the endless abyss of night and the skeletal limbs that reached out like boney demons.
The rain pelting the sheet metal covering overhead was loud and obtrusive, and made it difficult to hear.
Another wave of thunder exploded. Russell flinched, then turned to the angry sky.
A sense of dread washed over Russell as if the reaper was whispering in his ear. He shook off the uneasy sensation as best he could, and faced the window next to the front door.
The interior of the house was pitch black. Russell squinted and peered through the glass. Lightning thrashed the dreary sky without pause. The brief flashes offered a snapshot of the interior before it went dark.
Russell couldn’t spot any movement in the second or two of light, which was strange. The lights were on mere moments ago, but he could’ve gone to bed.
What if something had happened to the old man? He didn’t know Thomas’s age, or anything about him for that matter, but he was older and could’ve experienced a stroke or some other life-threatening affliction.
Worse yet, what if someone had broken into his house, and snuffed him? Maybe Marcus sent his goons over here to tune the old man up for whatever reason. Russell was a bit out of his depth in trying to figure out Marcus and his relationship with everyone else, but given what his thugs did to Cathy, and Russell, he knew enough to know Marcus was a piece of crap.
The faint hint of a bark battled the elements. Russell stepped away from the window and searched for Max. He craned his neck and lifted up on the tips of his toes. More barks sounded off, but Russell couldn’t spot Max or Cathy.
The uncertainty of the situation he was in compounded on Russell’s mind. He paced about the porch, trying to figure out what his next move should be.
The front door to the house was open. He hadn’t noticed that it was. A figure stalked the darkness that clung to the interior of the home. It didn’t look like a grown man. No. It was much shorter and closer to the ground.
Trepidation clawed at Russell’s nerves as he backed away from the entrance of the house. He stepped down from the porch into the furor. Something didn’t feel right.
The shadowy figure rushed out of the house—a blur of black. Instincts took hold. Russell’s hands came up as the growling creature leapt from the porch.
The two collided. The bulk of the growling and vicious animal knocked Russell hard to the ground. Sharp teeth glistened with every bolt of lightning that slithered along the clouds.
Russell grabbed the dog by the throat, fighting to keep the animal away. Bright, yellow eyes narrowed as the tepid breath from the animal’s snout blasted his face.
Max materialized from the ether beyond the west side of the house at a dead sprint. Barking and growling, he bore down on the animal that had Russell pinned to the ground.
The dog pressed forward, digging its paws into the grass and mud as it snapped at Russell’s face. M
ax jumped and tackled the beast.
Both animals rolled over the grass, each snapping and clawing at the other. Cathy hammered the soggy ground as she rushed to Russell’s aid.
A gunshot erupted from the porch. The sharp report of the thunderous canon snared everyone’s attention. Cathy wrenched Russell off the ground as both dogs continued their heated strife.
“Butch. Come,” an old, gruff voice barked over the rain.
The dog broke away from Max, and rushed to his handlers’ side. Max trotted over to Cathy and Russell who stared down the barrel of a shotgun.
“Thomas?” Cathy called out.
“Who the hell is asking?” the old man yelled back.
“It’s Cathy and Max.”
Thomas fumbled with the side of his leg, searching the pockets of his pants for his flashlight. The large, menacing dog stood obediently by Thomas’s side. He sat on his haunches and watched the trio with a vigilant gaze.
Russell had grown tired of animals attacking him. He’d had his fair share of the dangerous creatures.
The double-barrel shotgun remained fixed in their direction as the old man thumbed the light to the flashlight he wielded. The bright gleam blared from the lens and shined over their drenched faces.
Cathy pulled the hood of her coat back and shielded her face.
“Jesus Christ, Cathy.” Thomas’s rigid demeanor vanished in a blink as he lowered the gun. He trained the barrel at the ground. “What the hell are you and Max doing out here during this squall? I could’ve shot you.”
“It’s a long story. Can we come in, and I’ll fill you in?”
“Of course. Yeah.” Thomas waved his hand and turned to the side, motioning for them to enter his dwelling.
Butch remained by his side as Cathy and the others ran toward the porch. He growled at the sight of them, revealing his teeth at the unfamiliar guest.
Max responded in much the same manner as he flanked Cathy and trailed her inside the home.
Russell stared at the large beast, and made a wide arch around the golden-eyed protector. The dog didn’t budge from Thomas’s side. His head turned and followed Russell’s movement as he darted inside the house.
Powerless World: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (Survive the Fall Book 1) Page 12
