BARREN: Book 2 - Escape from the Ruins (A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller)

by J. Thorn

  Hado stood up and had to put her hands on the desk to keep from falling. The realization had rocked her back onto her heels with the same violent intensity as the headbutt to her chin. It didn’t have to be done that way. All the killing. All the death. She wiped a tear from her eye and shook her head at Shiva.

  “We could have trained their girls without abducting them. We didn’t have to waste so many of our resources on raiding the ruins and murdering the survivors living there. I’ve killed so many for you. Children. Babies.”

  “No, Hado. You did that for Venganza. For us. You are the reason we are alive, and the rest of the world is not.”

  The killing fields. The raids. The bloodied stakes raised in a field of corpses. The memory of it all made her suddenly, physically, ill. Hado turned to the side and vomited. That ideology, that war, had been unnecessarily manufactured by Shiva and Hado had been her primary weapon—used to slaughter innocent children so that the head of the Council wouldn’t have blood on her hands.

  “I’m sorry. I had no choice. If I had only suggested raids and the murdering of the clans in the ruins, the Venganza would have fallen apart. I needed a single, unifying reason for what we did out there, one that nobody within our walls would question.”

  “I’ve murdered hundreds of infants.”

  “You’ve saved thousands of women.”

  She walked to the door and turned to see Shiva still seated behind the desk, but the older woman had a tear in her eye, as well.

  “You’ve avoided talking to me about the very thing I came here to discuss with you. I’m not that naïve. But know this—I will find out what you’re doing with Dia. With Los Muertos. And when I do, we may be beyond talking.”

  Shiva’s face tightened, and she stood up, knocking the chair back into the wall.

  “Then you go and figure it out, warrior. Turn your back on me. On this clan. Pursue your own wild theories about what is happening outside these walls. But remember that this world has devolved into two sides. Us, and everyone else. I need you, Hado. We need you. The water sources are getting harder to find, and it won’t be long before we will need to take more drastic measures. I can’t do that without you.”

  Hado sniffled and shook her head, turning to leave. She had no hard evidence, nothing to force Shiva’s hand to reveal what was happening between her, Los Muertos, and Dia. She would need to bide her time. For now.

  As she crossed the threshold, Shiva spoke once more.

  “But know this. My maternal guidance—and my patience—have a limit. You need to choose. If you don’t stand with me, you’re standing against me.”

  Chapter 11

  The sun crested the hills, spilling golden rays into the valley and across the surface of the swollen creek. The water level had risen again, and with it, the unmistakable reek of sulfur. The watchtower guards had kept torches burning throughout the night, but despite the warning of the previous day, there had not been an attack by Los Muertos. Even now, though, the old women kept the children in the cabins, and the warriors had slept with their spears.

  Hado wandered to the center of the settlement and received an update from a scout. Los Muertos had been spotted in the woods, but they’d been sitting around campfires instead of rushing Erehwon’s walls.

  “Have you seen Shiva this morning?” Hado asked the scout.

  “I have not. If I do, do you want me to let her know you’re looking for her?”

  Hado shook her head. “I’ll find her when I need to talk to her.” She put her hand on the scout’s shoulder. “Thank you for the information. Now, back to your post.”

  The young warrior bowed before Hado, then hurried off.

  At least I don’t have to worry about Los Muertos for now.

  Hado sighed. She’d not slept the previous night, the conversation with Shiva on her mind even as Los Muertos had been skulking through the forest, clearly planning something. She didn’t like withholding things from Sunji, but Hado didn’t want to complicate matters. The reality of her past had shaken her to her core—Shiva had ordered her to kill infants to keep sole control of the water whisperers. An unnecessary and brutal past, Hado’s own conscience had been shaken to the core. And now, Shiva would expect her to make a decision. She would not have to march in and declare “allegiance” to Venganza, but Shiva would be watching. Hado’s next action would show the head of the Council her intentions.

  Horses neighed at the nearby stable, and Hado looked up.

  Sunji stood next to a black horse, brushing its coat. Hado wanted to apologize for the previous day, to tell Sunji about the conversation with Shiva. But she couldn’t.

  Sunji narrowed her eyes, dropped the brush, and walked away. Hado watched until Sunji disappeared behind a building.

  I will have to tell her something.

  “Hado!”

  A Venganza warrior ran toward her. She stopped a few feet away, and Hado waited for her to speak.

  “A woman at the gate.”

  “Who?” She looked up and past the Venganza warrior. A guard had a familiar woman held up at the gate, and Hado’s nostrils flared at the sight of her.

  “Thank you.”

  She walked over to the guard, who was holding Lanette by the elbow.

  “She insisted she needed to talk to you,” the guard said. “We checked to make sure she was unarmed.”

  Without responding to the guard, Hado snatched up the old woman’s wrist and led her to the side of the stable. She looked around to make sure Shiva and Sunji weren’t nearby, then pulled Lanette into her cabin. She pushed the woman inside and slammed the door behind her.

  “I have a lot going on. What do you want?”

  “My first time inside of Erehwon in years, and this is how you greet an elder woman of the Venganza?”

  Hado sighed and leaned against the wall. “Seriously. Why are you here?”

  “I know what the Council discusses. I hear things.”

  “And?”

  “Secret alliances are forming. Decisions with consequences for everyone.”

  “Who?”

  When Lanette shook her head, Hado realized she’d have to play by the old woman’s rules. She changed tactics, knowing they’d eventually talk about Dia.

  “I’m guessing you already know the real reason behind the raids. You probably knew from the beginning.”

  “Because I’m old?”

  “Because you’re a conniving sneak.”

  Lanette laughed, her lungs crackling like broken glass.

  “I’m sorry. That wasn’t exactly what I meant.”

  “Oh, but I am!”

  Hado smiled.

  “The Council—with Shiva’s convincing—started the raids a long time ago. Those in power knew the real reason. But it didn’t matter, did it? The raids served Venganza and kept us alive while others in the ruins died.”

  “Los Muertos is gathering at our walls… Dia?”

  The laughter seeped from the room.

  “You must get her out of here.”

  “You’re a crazy, old fool. Are you suggesting I turn my back on Shiva? On the Council? On the Erehwon?”

  “No. I’m suggesting you save the girl and the rest of our clan from her.”

  Hado waited for Lanette’s explanation.

  “You already know that Shiva has been selling Dia’s time to Los Muertos. But how long before they decide to make the Council an offer, or simply steal her outright? Why should they pay Shiva for Dia when they can seize her?”

  “You must be drinking wild mushroom tea. Maybe she’s going to double-cross Los Muertos once they totally trust her. Have you considered that?”

  “It’s possible, of course,” Lanette said. “But there is another possibility. One you’ve felt but don’t want to think about.”

  “Climb inside of my head and enlighten me. Please.”

  “This world is dying. Our resources are dwindling, and we cannot support settlements like Erehwon without replenishing fresh water and food. M
aybe the plan is for Shiva and the Council to sacrifice the Venganza for their own survival? There are only ten women on the Council. Shiva could set them up for the rest of their natural lives if they use Dia as a bargaining chip with Los Muertos. A deal for Dia could include access to clean water and a truce—at the cost of this tribe.”

  Hado closed her eyes, her head spinning.

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “The settlement is doomed. Take Dia and run. Go far away from here and take the power from Shiva and the Council, and give the women of Venganza a chance. Los Muertos may overrun Erehwon anyway, but at least you’re giving us a chance. If Shiva hands the girl over to Los Muertos, all is lost.”

  “And how is it you know all of this?”

  “Dear child, do you not realize how long I’ve lived on the outskirts of Erehwon? How many secret alliances I have with those on the Council? Shiva and I have been at odds since before you were old enough to braid your own hair. I will bury that bitch if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Hado paused before asking another question. “Why are you telling me this?”

  Like Shiva had earlier, this old crone hid her motivations with a cryptic reply. “All will be revealed in due time.”

  Hado walked through the settlement, carrying only her spear. The Venganza continued to be vigilant, although some now questioned the intel on Los Muertos. Why would they gather at the walls but not attack? It was a question that Hado wanted answered, as well.

  She stopped at a cabin in the northeast corner that had been constructed on the foundation of an older building—one that had been there in the old world. One of the elders on the Council had called it a “park ranger station,” though the term made no sense to Hado. The only thing that mattered was that the cabin sat atop a basement which the Venganza had used to hide people from Erehwon, and to protect the Venganza from certain types of people.

  Two guards stepped aside as Hado approached the cabin. One of them opened the door to let her in. She walked through the main room, petting Decker briefly on the head where he’d been sleeping. She continued into a makeshift privy near the back of the structure. There, she lifted the trap door in the floor. Then Hado turned around and climbed down the ladder.

  The basement was lit with several candles. The clan had stored some rickety chairs and dried vegetables down here, although the foodstuff had disappeared months ago.

  “Hado,” Dia said. She’d run over to the warrior and hugged her. “Where have you been?”

  On the far side of the basement, Kareena stood up. Her spear leaned against a wall nearby.

  “What are you doing down here?” Kareena asked.

  “I’ve come to take Dia for a little while.”

  “Where are we going?” Dia asked.

  “Nowhere,” Kareena said. She grabbed her spear and stepped forward.

  “I have something I need to show her,” Hado said.

  Dia looked back and forth between the two women. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” Kareena said. “And you’re not going anywhere.”

  “You take orders from me,” Hado said. “Not the other way around. If I want to take Dia from here, then you cannot—”

  “I take orders from the Council,” Kareena said, cutting Hado off, “and Shiva gave me strict instructions to make sure Dia stays here until she says otherwise. She said that no one is to come down and get her except for her, herself. ‘Not even Hado,’ she said.”

  Hado stepped backward, still holding onto Dia. “I am taking her.”

  “Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Dia said.

  Kareena raised her spear. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Put your spear down.”

  Kareena shook her head. “I will not explain to Shiva why I failed one, simple command. Get out of here. Now.”

  “I don’t want to do this, Kareena. Please don’t force my hand.”

  “Sorry. You’re only taking Dia out of here if you kill me first.”

  Hado looked at Dia.

  “Don’t, Hado,” Dia said. “You’ll have to answer to Shiva.”

  “So be it.”

  Hado’s hand flashed, and before Kareena could react, Hado threw her spear. It soared through the air, the tip of the weapon lodging into the woman’s chest. She dropped to one knee.

  Dia stepped back, her eyes wide and her hands shaking.

  Kareena looked at Hado once more before her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She collapsed, landing on her back, the spear still stuck in her chest.

  A low groan came from the girl’s throat and she shook her head as the words came in a mad rush. “You shouldn’t have done that. Shiva will be furious.”

  Hado pulled the spear from Kareena’s body and turned to face Dia. “I need to know the truth.”

  “About what?”

  “You know what I’m speaking of, Dia. One woman is dead, and many others will die unless you come clean and tell me what you’ve been doing for Shiva.”

  “What I was told to do. Like you.”

  Hado could see tears welling in the girl’s eyes. “This place. This tribe. It is not what it seems.”

  “I don’t know what that even means. Have you forgotten that Venganza used to chase me through the ruins? Your women used to chase me?”

  “I know, Dia.”

  “Do you? Shiva is the head of the Council. I do what she says, and maybe you should, too.”

  Hado grabbed the girl by the neck and Dia squirmed. “You’re just a kid. You don’t know things.”

  Dia stomped down on Hado’s foot and took two steps backward.

  “Shiva is going to hand you over to Los Muertos. You will become their property. When that happens, they will cut off all fresh water sources to Erehwon and the Venganza will die.”

  The statement made Dia’s eyes flutter, and her mouth hung open. “How do you know this?” she asked Hado after a moment had passed.

  “Lanette. According to her, the Council has been discussing it. We have to leave Erehwon. Right now.”

  “But I can’t. And I need to gather food for Decker, and then—”

  “No, Dia. If we don’t leave this instant, we will both die.”

  Chapter 12

  She was still a girl. It was a fact Hado had to remind herself as Dia grew taller and her body matured. She had the physical appearance of a woman but the mind of a child. When Dia had continue to protest Hado’s decision to leave with her, she’d told the girl that this was simply how it would be. Hado had become like a mother to Dia, and like most teenage girls, Dia was not happy with having decisions made for her but accepted them nonetheless.

  “Just act normal.”

  Dia nodded and followed Hado out of the cabin. They had shut the trap door, leaving Kareena’s body in the basement covered with a tattered, thin cloth. Hado hated leaving an honorable Venganza warrior like that. The woman had only been doing what Shiva commanded, like everyone else in Erehwon. But that was life in this world. Harsh, brutal, and often short.

  They walked past the guards. One of them opened their mouth, but Hado shot her a quick, silencing glance as she put an arm around Dia.

  “How are we going to get out of here?” Dia asked, speaking low enough so that only Hado could hear.

  “I have an idea, but it might not work.”

  Hado escorted Dia through the settlement, one hand on her spear. She’d killed one of their own. Even though she felt like she’d been forced to do so, it still didn’t change the fact that she’d murdered a fellow Venganza. Hado had crossed a line, and it would not take long before someone discovered Kareena’s body.

  “There,” said Hado, using her eyes to point at Erehwon’s stable. The structure held as many as twenty horses. Shiva had kept it staffed and the horses cared for, realizing that they gave the Venganza an advantage in war. Hado knew exactly which two horses she wanted, both of which she’d personally helped to keep healthy and fit—even at the expense of the settlement
’s rations. Ree had been Hado’s steed for the past four years. Hado had raised her from a foal. Piva had been found in the ruins a year ago, and quickly taken to Ree when they’d brought the horse back to the stable.

  Hado looked both ways and opened the doors to the stable.

  Inside, a young girl about Dia’s age tended to the horses. She looked up at Hado, then bowed before her.

  “I need these two horses.”

  The girl stood up and raised her eyebrows. “The Council said nobody is to ride them.”

  “I need you to leave the stable, get something to eat, and then come back. Can you do that?”

  The girl looked at Dia and then back to Hado. “The horses are my responsibility.”

  “These are my horses. Now, go before I get angry.”

  The girl placed the brush in Hado’s hand and glared at Dia on her way out. “I’m going to the Council to ask them about this. And then I’m coming back.”

  She left, not waiting for Hado or Dia to respond.

  “It won’t matter. We’ll be gone by the time she returns,” Hado said to Dia.

  Hado led Dia to the black gelding in the next stall over. Piva had been fitted with a saddle and was soon ready to ride. She helped Dia up onto the horse, and then she went to Ree. Hado smiled as she approached the gray mare. She rubbed the horse’s head.

  “Hey, girl.”

  Hado led Ree out of her stall and mounted her.

  “We can’t leave yet,” Dia said. “I need my things. And we have to get Decker.”

  “There’s no time. We have to leave, now.”

  “But, Decker. We can’t—”

  “No,” Hado said as she turned Ree so that she could face Dia. “The girl will be back, and Kareena’s body will be found, and we can’t be here when those things happen.” She put her hand on Dia’s shoulder. “Decker is better off staying in Erehwon.”

  “No, he isn’t. You’re killing him by leaving him behind!”

  “I’ll be killing you if I don’t.”

  Dia stared into the distance and didn’t respond. Hado removed her hand from the girl’s shoulder and took hold of Ree’s reins.