by Nikki Landis
Midnight Surrender
A Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Romance
Freedom Fighters Series Book Two
Nikki Landis
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Alec
Chapter Two: Lizzie
Chapter Three: Lizzie
Chapter Four: Alec
Chapter Five: Lizzie
Chapter Six: Alec
Chapter Seven: Mal
Chapter Eight: Lizzie
Chapter Nine: Lizzie
Chapter Ten: Lizzie
Chapter Eleven: Lizzie
Chapter Twelve: Lizzie
Chapter Thirteen: Alec
Chapter Fourteen: Lizzie
Chapter Fifteen: Mal
Chapter Sixteen: Alec
Chapter Seventeen: Lizzie
Chapter Eighteen: Alec
Chapter Nineteen: Lizzie
Chapter Twenty: Alec
Chapter Twenty One: Mal
Chapter Twenty Two: Alec
Chapter Twenty Three: Lizzie
Chapter Twenty Four: Alec
Chapter Twenty Five: Lizzie
Chapter Twenty Six: Mal
Chapter Twenty Seven: Lizzie
Chapter Twenty Eight: Mal
Chapter Twenty Nine: Alec
Chapter Thirty: Lizzie
Chapter Thirty One: Alec
Chapter Thirty Two: Lizzie
Chapter Thirty Three: Mal
Chapter Thirty Four: Lizzie
Chapter Thirty Five: Alec
Chapter Thirty Six: Mal
Chapter Thirty Seven: Lizzie
Chapter Thirty Eight: Lizzie
Also by Nikki Landis
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About the Author
Chapter One: Alec
War. Never ending, constant, raging war. It ravaged the countryside, pillaging and conquering, reigning with supreme power over the elements and man alike. A shadow of doom. A specter of hate, unrelenting in pursuit, wreaking havoc and spilling blood along the soil like a crimson fertilizer.
War led with death close on its heels, the bodies of the fallen left to rot on the forsaken ground, only those lucky enough to secure sympathy were buried in the scorched and rotten earth and given peace. As elusive as peace was, in such a horrific time, only death allowed a break from the monotony. Only death offered any kind of reprieve. A final resting place apart from the horrors of life and the haunting cruelty of the militia.
Destruction ruled the day as chaos became the norm. Chaos bred from the cold and calculating minds of a few men who desired anarchy, who sought to rule the world with fear and intimidation, until only carnage remained. The same self-important men who ruled with an iron fist, pillaging and murdering in their pursuit of endless power.
Logic left the world to be replaced by the consistent and ever present militia. Neighborhoods, schools, churches, hospitals, all obliterated in the name of greed. Even those that remained stood empty.
No one dared to rebuild, not after the militia had taken root. Nothing survived unless it was swept in and chewed in its massive jaws, crunched and broken down, changed and bullied, until all that remained was a ghost of the original, a horrible gut wrenching twisted replica of the truth. A shadow. A ghoul of unrelenting hatred. A specter of rabid night.
The militia was the very hand of death itself.
And yet…
They still met opposition.
The militia beat back the refugees, gaining ground in their air raid assaults, led by General Haden. He ruthlessly hunted them down, finding hidden bases, issuing counter attacks, releasing more bombs on the helpless and defenseless citizens of the state, always searching and planning for the next wave of destruction.
The militia’s reach had extended across the entire fifty states. The agenda of indoctrination or annihilation pushed down the throats of the people. Yield or perish. Fight and die or join and become assimilated. Another face among the masses. Another body to fill their quota, engage the enemy, and pursue their evil agenda.
Rebellion had only been a matter of time. Once the bombers hit the main cities, unleashed by the unpopular president, a puppet of the militia’s demands, the rebellious few had turned in to the massive uprising of the refugee movement. Displaced and nearly murdered, those who survived those horrible days, known as K. D., Kill Day, joined together to fight the militia. It was the single largest, most massive undertaking and unification of freedom fighters in history.
The militia had been unprepared for the backlash. The refugees had formed groups all over the country, amassing and recruiting, saving people from the streets and starvation, giving them hope and promise, giving them an objective. Vengeance. It burned bright in every heart.
Revenge was a powerful ally. It fueled and emboldened the people. It drove past fear and uncertainty, past the hurt and anger, and past the horrendous unyielding painful loss. It surpassed everything, uniting the cause, bringing forth an outcry for justice, a voice that penetrated the doom. A trumpet call that the militia could not control or silence.
How did you fight an idea? How did you stop the vicious monster of revenge? How did you crush the need for retribution when you caused it in the first place? The militia was trying. And they were successful to a degree. The loss of life was substantial. Their desire to wipe out every refugee and insurgent until no one remained to challenge them was their answer.
War. Death. Blood.
Alec knew better than most. He lived it. Daily. A consequence of an ill-fated decision made in haste. But he had a plan. A devious and carefully planned course of action that would assassinate those in charge and eliminate the men responsible for the death of thousands of innocent lives, including his family and Lizzie’s.
Alec leaned back in his leather chair, stretching his arms and placing them behind his head. A small rumble issued through his belly, reminding him of the hour, turning his thoughts and focus back to his beautiful pregnant wife. Oh how he loved her. Adored her. Nearly worshipped her.
Lizzie was a dream come true. An angel in the middle of an ebony and evil night that sought to suck all of the joy out of his existence. She was magical. A glowing innocence and passionate love that surrounded him, grounded him, gave him purpose and strength, and a determination to face anything.
She was like life giving blood when you have a fatal accident, hydrating water in the drying and parched desert, food on the brink of starvation, oxygen when your lungs try to collapse. She breathed life into him. Sustained him. Made him whole.
A tremor ran through him. She was the most exquisite woman he had ever seen. Her beauty made him sink to his knees in submission. Even now, after a year since he found her again, just the thought of her was enough to make him weak with desire, torn between holding and loving her, but above all, a fierce protectiveness rose within his chest. He would protect her, until his dying breath.
She carried his firstborn son. Tears pricked the back of his eyelids and he blinked rapidly to dispel them before they hit his cheeks. Thinking of Lizzie and his baby boy had that effect on him. His emotions ran to the surface and nearly engulfed him. He inhaled a shaky breath.
How many nights had he lay awake, long after she fell asleep, only to watch and observe, to keep vigil over the most precious things in his life? Countless hours he dedicated himself to medical books on childbirth and parenting and pregnancy books. All for her. All to relieve the anxiety and uncertainty she tried to hide from him. He understood her nervousness and apprehension. She did not know what to expect.
Alec was well prepared. He could deliver his son on his o
wn if needed to. He read up on every procedure, anything that could go wrong, every aspect of bringing his newborn son safely into this world. His objective was twofold, to secure the safety and health of both mother and child, and to ensure that no complications interfered with the birth.
Less than nine weeks left to go…
Lizzie counted on him, she relied on him, and she professed her need for him constantly. He knew she was afraid. Alec could hardly blame her for a small amount of fear. He was anxious himself. Seeing her in pain was going to prove his undoing. He could suffer but not his darling Lizzie. Not his beloved. Alec took another deep breath, releasing it slowly. No point in worrying about it now.
A movement out of the corner of his eye made him glance at the large picture window in his office. He thought he heard a scuffle. Odd. This part of the base was always peaceful and quiet. He stood and approached it, his hand falling on the windowsill. Heat from the afternoon penetrated the glass and fell in waves on his skin. He closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed the warmth and then opened them again.
Lizzie would be ready to meet him soon. He pictured her face, her soft curves, her fluid grace, and he smiled.
Lizzie…
His thoughts were cut short by the shrill ringing of his phone. He answered on the third ring.
“Captain Sheridan,” he answered.
Nothing.
Light static as if the wind was blowing in the background. He almost hung up but then he heard Lizzie’s voice.
“Stay away from me,” he heard her say.
Confusion made him frown. “Lizzie?”
“Now that’s not a way to greet an old friend is it?”
Alec buckled over as if someone had hit him in the gut. Oh God, no. Not now.
“I’ll scream,” Lizzie warned.
A deep sinister laugh echoed over the line. “Go ahead. You think that will matter?”
“Alec will kill you if you hurt me,” she warned again.
“I have no doubt his anger will lead him straight to us. Let’s go, and no funny business.”
“Darren, let go of me. Now!” He heard her screech.
“I said move, or you will be sorry,” the menacing tone struck fear in Alec’s heart.
“Lizzie!” He yelled, unable to stop the loud boom of his voice.
“What’s that? What have you done?”
He heard a scuffle and Lizzie cry out, as if in pain. Alec saw red. His hand shook, barely able to hold onto the receiver.
“Lizzie!”
“Alec!” He heard her scream his name, the echo was so loud it sounded as if it was outside his window.
Wait. Was she close?
“Hey lover boy,” Darren spoke through the phone, “come find your little prize. I’ll be waiting. But I would hurry…she’s in a delicate condition.”
Alec swore into the phone, issuing all manner of threat onto his person, but only heard the sound of something breaking and silence.
Horrible, still, aching, frightening silence.
Oh God.
Alec leaped from the room and ran down the hall, past the secretary who stood with her mouth gaping open, and out into the bright afternoon. He ran along the streets, calling her name, looking in every corner and crevice, but she was gone.
Long gone.
Alec collapsed onto his knees and nearly cried out.
No. The single word reverberated in his head. No, not his Lizzie. His ears were ringing, his chest tight, his mind frantic, grasping at the reality that she had been taken.
“Lizzie.” Her name tumbled from his lips in agony.
He stood, his fingers clenched into fists, the nails biting into the flesh, drops of blood sinking in silent drips upon the ground.
“I’m coming,” he whispered, hoping the air could carry the assurance into Lizzie’s heart, “and this time Darren will die.”
Alec turned toward home, his steps increasing in speed until he was running. A plan was forming in his head, taking shape with every movement of his body, until he was certain of the actions he would take to recover her.
Nothing would stand in his way.
Nothing and no one.
He smiled, a cruel light entering his grey eyes, casting a silvery gleam in the depths.
God help those who stood in his way.
Alec was done.
Chapter Two: Lizzie
Bombing. War. Casualties. Injuries. It increased all around us, the war claiming more fatalities, more victims, and more innocent lives with every passing day. Refugees came pouring in to the militia hospital and I was overwhelmed and overworked, trying to help as much as possible. I spent extra time on the weekend, whenever I could break away. Alec indulged me, knowing it was futile to refuse me. I would have gone anyway.
One morning I was on the fifth floor again, helping triage new patients. Most of them had minor injuries, and many were hungry and dirty needing a place to get well and fed. The hospital provided that, never turning anyone away. The chaplain pleaded with the militia to allow sanctuary and the military had agreed reluctantly. The peace held but it was tentative.
After helping with the patients in triage, I was asked to check on patients in their rooms, offering fresh water, hot coffee, and other items as necessary to keep people comfortable. Warm blankets were needed in the hallways and waiting rooms. The cold outside seemed to seep in through the walls. I entered the C-wing of the hospital and started knocking on doors. It had been a busy morning. In the third room, I entered and stopped dead in my tracks.
Big Dog was laying in the bed. His arm was in a sling, bandaged up close to his side, and his head had bandages that were soaking through with blood, wrapped in layers that half hid his face. My mouth opened in surprise, not believing who I saw. He recognized me right away, his eyes darting to my belly and then back to my face.
“Lizzie! I thought you were kidnapped! How are you here? You’re pregnant? What’s going on Hun?” His words tumbled out in a rush and he winced, unable to hide the pain.
He was just as surprised as I was. Darren’s stories were all that he knew. I explained, in a hurry, anxious who might walk in through the door.
“Hi Big Dog. I’m not kidnapped…obviously. I got married and I’m having a baby. He is an officer…Alec. Remember?”
He nodded, slowly figuring it out. “Yes, the supplies. Are you ok?”
I walked to the bed slowly. “Yes, I am very happy. How are you? How is everyone?”
I looked around nervously. I needed to get out of here. Fast. This wasn’t good.
“We all survived the bombing but the last attack separated us. Darren found us a new place. It’s good for now, more primitive than we are used to but that can’t be helped. I got injured on a supply run and came here for a quick recovery. Darren will be happy to hear you are alive and well.” He told me, clearly not knowing the truth about how I left.
I almost panicked. My promise to Alec to leave if I saw anyone popped back into my head. I had to get out of this room, especially before something happened. I didn’t want Darren to know anything about me or where I was. It could put all of us in danger. I knew Darren would do something. He might try to kill Alec. Or worse, try to kill me.
I shook my head and backed slowly out of the room. It was already too late. Big Dog knew I was here. He would tell Darren when he saw him. What could I do to prevent it? The next time I saw Mal I would ask him to talk to Big Dog. Maybe I could stop Darren from finding me. I would leave Mal a note. For now, I had to go as quickly as possible.
I managed to exit the hospital and make it outside, my side aching with the fast speed I was walking. Relief washed through me as I realized I had made it without bumping into anyone else. I quickly crossed the street and started walking toward Alec’s office. He would want to know what happened right away. I could see his office window from the sidewalk.
In my hurry I neglected to pay attention to my surroundings. If I had, I might have been able to prevent or at least delay, my im
minent capture. Of course, hindsight is twenty/twenty, and I was careless. My mind was on escape. Nothing else.
Leaves rustled in the bushes straight ahead. The noise should have clued me. In the amount of time it took for me to become surprised, a lone figure jumped in my path. Nearly colliding with me and grabbing my arm, he dragged me toward the side of the brick façade. One hand reached high enough to stroke my cheek.
I had run into the very person I dreaded seeing and had avoided for all these long months. The one who terrified me and haunted my dreams. The man who almost killed us both over the summer. The man that would never let me go. In an instant my whole body started shaking, fear making my eyes wide and I gasped.
“Hi Lizzie, long time no see.”
Darren.
Fear filled my stomach, icy and cold, the curling tendrils of ice lodged deep inside my core. I would not escape him this time. In his eyes I saw the hard and precarious edge he teetered on. It would not take much to push him over, and if that happened I doubt whether I could survive his wrath.
I backed against the brick wall, my hand clutching the cell phone inside my sweater pocket.
“Hi Darren,” I replied, my voice shaking a little. I hated that I let that little bit of vulnerability show through. He did not miss my reaction.
“Hmmm,” he answered.
His eyes darted to my stomach and my left hand, clearly seeing the diamond ring. They narrowed.
“I think you and I are overdue for a long chat.”
His voice was low and harsh, reverberating through my skull, slamming against my consciousness.
No. Oh God, no.
My eyes widened in horror. “I can’t go with you Darren. I’m needed here. I help refugees and people in need in this hospital. That’s how I help now.”
Darren walked over to me quickly, grabbing my upper arm.
“For all I know, you’re the one that informed the militia where our base was…or your husband. You’re coming with me.” His voice brooked no refusal.
“I would never do that. Neither would Alec. You’re wrong Darren. Please let me go,” I begged him, trying to be convincing.
I struggled to get out of his grasp but without luck. He held onto me, not letting go, his fingers tightening their hold.
