“That barbed wire won’t stop me,” Ethan said jerking his head.
“Shh,” Kate warned. There wasn’t anyone around, but the conversation was making her nervous.
Tommy lowered his gaze. “Sorry.”
“Sorry,” Ethan echoed turning. He squinted out at something in the distance. “Unholy out there.”
“Lots of them,” Tommy said shaking his head.
“No,” Ethan said smacking him on the side of the arm. “I mean there’s one out there right now.”
“If it comes up to the fence, I get dibs,” Tommy said smacking Ethan right back.
“Agreed. You need the practice,” Ethan said, and Wayne laughed.
Tommy ripped out a handful of grass and threw it toward Wayne. “Like you should talk, bro.”
“Any of you know what happened to Joel?” Kate asked softly instantly wishing she could take back her question. She could feel Ethan’s eyes on her.
“It didn’t look good last time we saw him,” Ethan said.
Tommy’s face scrunched up. “I thought I saw a guard walking him through town the other day, but I was far away. Could have been someone else.”
“Why do you ask?” Wayne questioned.
“No reason,” Kate said forcing a smile. “Was just wondering.”
Ethan stood up abruptly. “I’m going to get some lunch. Anyone want to join me?”
Tommy groaned as he pushed himself up. “I’m too old for this shit.”
“Me too,” Wayne said.
“Coming, Kate?” Tommy asked.
Kate shook her head. “Not hungry, but thanks.”
“You sure?” Ethan asked.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Kate hugged her legs tightly to her chest.
“We could bring you something back,” Wayne offered.
Kate’s head moved side to side. It was surprising, but she really wasn’t hungry.
Her mind was too busy to let her stomach get a say in the matter. She couldn’t get Joel out of her mind. Laura and her kids had a right to know what happened, only Kate didn’t know what that was.
Kate rested her head down on her arms as she slowly rocked her body back and forth. What if Tommy had been right and he had seen Joel? It wasn’t impossible. Simon could have easily been keeping him somewhere. Using Joel’s family as leverage to make Joel do whatever he wanted. Joel had been so desperate to get back to them that he’d do it. It was clear to Kate that Joel would have done anything to get his family back.
Maybe Kate needed to keep checking the buildings. There were so many buildings in the town that she had no idea what they were used for. The one she’d just discovered had not only housed one of The Unholy, but there had also been a prisoner inside. There could be more prisoners. More buildings. Maybe Joel was in one of them.
Simon’s town probably had more secrets than Kate could have ever dreamed possible. There were probably many secrets that she didn’t want to uncover. But when it came to Joel, she couldn’t stop wondering what had become of him.
When Kate heard the first groan, she thought the guys had returned, but after the second noise, a bit lower in pitch, she realized it wasn’t them. She looked up and saw the gang of Unholy heading toward the fence.
She got to her feet and took a step back. There were more dead eyes focused on her than she could count. They dragged their feet awkwardly as they moved closer to the fence.
Kate wasn’t sure if the fence would hold up against so many of them. She wished they would have finished the repairs and then sat around.
She reached for her gun, but quickly changed her mind. The gunshots would only send more of The Unholy her way.
Kate pulled out her blade and wished it was longer. She glanced over her shoulder, but the others weren’t coming. They were probably taking their good old time because they weren’t in a hurry to get back to pretending they were working.
She couldn’t leave to call for help. If they got through the fence, they’d tear through the town again, and Simon would surely have her head. The town would probably revolt, but it wasn’t worth losing innocent people to overthrow Simon.
As they drew nearer, Kate considered going out of the gate. She’d be able to lead them away, and as long as she kept moving, she’d be okay.
The first Unholy hooked its grayed fingers around the chain fence. Its mouth fell open as it moaned at Kate.
She took two quick steps with her blade held up and thrust it deep into The Unholy’s forehead. Black liquid gushed out, and the diseased creature almost instantly dropped to the ground.
More were coming. She had to get them away from the fence.
Kate took a step toward the gate, but something grabbed her arm. She tried to yank herself forward to free herself, but her body barely moved.
“Kate!” Ethan said. His voice cut through the moans and groans of The Unholy.
She looked at him, blinking several times, but she didn’t relax. “I’m going to lead them away. When I return, you can let me back in.”
“The hell you are,” Ethan said, his eyebrows pressed together. He jerked his hand to the side gesturing at Tommy and Wayne. “We’ll get them through the fence.”
“What if it doesn’t hold?” Kate asked, making another attempt to break free of Ethan’s grip.
“It’ll hold. If it doesn’t we kill them just as we do out there,” Ethan said popping one of The Unholy in the head as it stepped up to the fence.
Kate swallowed hard. “We’ve never faced anything like this.”
“First time for everything,” Ethan said releasing his grip.
Wayne and Tommy both jabbed their blades through the fence simultaneously. They looked at one another and grinned.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s much easier with the fence to hold them back,” Ethan said without looking at them. “Don’t get cocky.”
“Don’t hate,” Tommy said taking out another. His blade entered the creature in such a way that it’s blackness splattered all over the one at its side.
“Eww,” Wayne said stepping back.
Tommy raised a brow. “Let me get that for you.”
Kate stepped up to the fence and started hacking at them as they approached. After the first four or so she lost count.
The crowd of Unholy shifted towards the sides when they could no longer get over the pile of bodies on the ground. Kate could smell the rotten stench of the black liquid that oozed out of The Unholy. It was a smell that always made her stomach churn. Suddenly she was extremely glad she’d skipped lunch.
“Oh, dear Jesus!” a voice behind them shouted. Kate instantly recognized the voice. She glanced over her shoulder briefly and saw Simon holding his palms up toward the sky. His lips were moving quickly as he mumbled something she couldn’t make out.
“We’ll be with you,” Ethan said as his blade squished into the eyeball of one of the creatures, “in a moment.”
“You really are doing his work. He thanks you. I thank you,” Simon shouted before he went on with his ramblings.
If The Unholy were supposed to react to his words, they didn’t. They didn’t fall to the ground, writhing and screeching out in pain as they reached up toward the heavens. Instead, they kept reaching for them, trying to spread their disease.
“One more,” Ethan said as he quickly eradicated it.
The group took several steps back away from the pile of Unholy and the black liquid that coated the ground. Kate covered her nose with the back of her hand.
Ethan wiped his blade off in the grass and tucked it back into his sheath. He brushed his hands off and turned to Simon. “There we go. All done. What can we do for you?”
Simon’s head moved side to side slowly. It was clear he was beyond impressed at what they’d done.
“Amazing!” Simon said as he started clapping. The noise sounded too loud in the stillness that surrounded them. “What would I do without you. The entire town would be…,” Simon said dragging his finger across his neck, “goners.”
; “It’s nothing,” Ethan said, crossing his arms across his broad chest as he widened his stance. “Just doing our job.”
“I must find a way to thank you,” Simon said.
Kate’s teeth pressed down hard together. Simon sent them out every day to eradicate, what they were capable of should have been no surprise.
“Maybe I’ll throw you a party,” Simon said winking at Kate. After amusing himself, he flapped his hand in her direction. “She turned white as a ghost did you see that? Oh, my dear, beautiful Kate, I wouldn’t do that to you. No parties for you.”
Ethan shot a quick glance in Kate’s direction, but she ignored it.
“Was there something you wanted from us?” Ethan asked, his spine stiff.
“I was just coming to have a look how things were going. Never thought I’d get to see you all in action,” Simon said nudging the guard to his right. He jerked his chin back toward the town. “I’ll send others to come help with clean up. More bodies to burn in the pit.”
Simon bowed his head slightly as he turned away from the group whistling a slow tune that chilled Kate’s bones. She couldn’t wait until she never had to see his face again.
20
After they finished burning the bodies, it was night. The edges of the sky were as black as coal, but the flames from the pit illuminated the entire town.
Ethan stepped close to Kate and leaned toward her. “Spare bed is open. You want it?”
Kate nodded, and Ethan instantly smiled. She pressed her lips together tightly and tried to ignore her rumbling stomach.
“Dinner?” Ethan asked.
“Can’t. There’s something I need to do first. I’ll stop by later, okay?” Kate said waving as she took several steps backward.
“Anything I can help with?” Ethan asked.
Kate shook her head. “No, but thanks.”
She kept her head down as she walked down the road. A quick pit stop at the cafeteria before she did something she probably should have done by now.
Kate grabbed several packaged snacks and cradled them in her arms. She looked at the hotel, her eyes moving up toward the fourth floor. The candle in her room wasn’t glowing, but there was enough light from the burn pit that Laura wouldn’t have needed to light it.
Kate jogged across the road, her eyes darting around at the people outside. No one noticed her, and if they did, they were simply ignoring her.
She ascended the stairs running through what she should say to Laura in her head. First, she’d offer the food, and if Laura let her in, she could mention Joel. But what exactly could she say about him? Kate probably should have had a better plan in place.
She listened at the door for a moment, but it was absolutely quiet inside the room. Maybe Laura had taken the kids out, or maybe they’d escaped.
Kate raised her hand to knock on the door but dropped several of the snacks. She bent over to pick them up, and the door squeaked open.
“Back for your room?” Laura whispered.
“I… uh… no, I brought you food,” Kate said, standing and holding out the packages of food.
“Thank you, thank you,” she said taking three packages from Kate.
Kate shoved the rest of the snacks toward her. “All of them are for you. I haven’t seen you come out, you all must be starving.”
“Yes, thank you, this is so very kind of you, and the room too. I don’t know what to say,” Laura said touching her lip lightly with her fingertips. She lowered her voice. “Is the man in charge mad at me?”
Kate shook her head.
“For hiding? It’s just that I don’t feel comfortable here.” Laura grabbed her bony elbow.
“I don’t know if he is or not,” Kate said.
“I just want to take my kids home,” Laura said begging Kate with her eyes.
Kate’s lips pressed together tightly. She couldn’t find any words that might offer Laura any amount of comfort or hope.
“I've been watching out the window all day and night for Joel, but I don’t see anyone that looks like him. I’m worried I’ll never see him again. If only I knew where he was.” Laura’s lip quivered. “I don’t know how I’ll be able to take care of two kids on my own in this world. Maybe I should just suck it up and make the best of this place.”
Kate chewed on her cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? For what?” Laura smiled. “You’ve been so kind and helpful.”
“Sorry for your situation,” Kate said.
Laura nodded. “I appreciate that. I’m not sure a soul here understands. Are there even any other children in this town?”
“Some… not many,” Kate offered. It wasn’t Simon’s fault, it was the disease’s fault. When it spread like a wildfire through every city, children and the elderly were easy targets.
“It doesn’t matter.” Laura waved her hand dismissively. “I’m feeling jittery. I apologize, but I need to close the door.”
“Oh, okay. No problem,” Kate said taking a step back.
“Thanks again for the food,” Laura said, closing the door. Kate waited for the sounds of Laura locking the door before she stepped away.
She walked down the hall toward Ethan’s room. He probably was still out at the pit or grabbing dinner.
Kate’s hand hovered over her knife as she crept into the room. When she was sure it was empty, she walked back over to the door and closed it. She stood by the window and watched the people down below as she waited for Ethan.
It wasn’t long before she saw Ethan walking across the street toward the hotel. His eyes were wide as he looked around, probably trying to spot Kate.
Kate made her way over to the door and listened, waiting for Ethan’s heavy footsteps to make their way down the hallway toward his room. It hadn’t even been a minute when she heard him stomping down the hall. Kate peeked out of the peephole, and as he lifted his fist to knock, she opened the door.
“Sorry,” Ethan said pushing into the room and closed the door. He quickly locked it and stepped around her. “I was held up.”
“Everything okay?” Kate asked cocking her head to the side.
“Yeah. Simon paid a visit to the pit,” Ethan said glancing up at Kate. “He asked where you were.”
Kate crossed her arms. “Then what?”
“Nothing. I told him that I wasn’t sure, he cracked a joke, and that was all, but damn I was worried.”
“Worried?”
“Yeah.” Ethan swallowed.
“Why?”
Ethan shrugged. “He just seems kind of interested in you and your whereabouts.”
“He’s interested in everyone’s whereabouts,” Kate said, which was true, but Simon had always had a curiosity about her. She had noticed it pretty much since the moment she met Simon. Kate kicked at a piece of dust on the floor. “What was the joke he cracked?”
“I doubt you’d like it,” Ethan said. “Not that I did. It was just Simon being annoying.”
Kate shifted her weight. She had an overwhelming feeling that the joke was something about her.
“Well?” Kate asked.
Ethan sighed. “It wasn’t so much of a joke as it was Simon asking me where my wife was. But he found it pretty amusing.”
“Are you kidding me?” Kate exclaimed. She shook her head and lowered her voice.
“I know. Ridiculous,” Ethan said. “But it made me worried not only because he seems interested in you, but because he’s paying enough attention to see that we’ve been spending time together. And that makes me nervous.”
“Simon knows everything that goes on in this town,” Kate said. “We only need to worry if he seems suspicious about it. We shouldn’t be seen together anymore.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “What about work?”
“Yeah, of course, but not outside of work. No more eating together, walking together, or, sleeping together. I mean”—Kate cleared her throat—“in the same room.”
“I know what you meant,” Ethan said turning his back to Kate
.
“Just promise me one thing,” Kate said rubbing her elbow.
“What’s that?”
Kate swallowed. “That you don’t leave without me.”
Ethan turned sharply. “Didn’t I say the same thing to you?”
“You did.”
“I’d never,” Ethan said staring into Kate’s eyes. “Never.”
“Okay,” Kate said feeling a warmth rising up through her body. She shivered slightly and took a step toward the door. “Guess I should find my own room then.”
Ethan held up his hand and shook his head. “Tomorrow?”
Kate glanced toward the window. Since it was dark, it would be difficult to find a suitable room.
“Okay, tomorrow.”
Ethan smiled and held her gaze for a moment. There was a look in his eyes she couldn’t quite place. He lowered his head and sat down on his bed.
Kate sat down on the edge of the other bed, her bed, and watched Ethan as he pulled his legs up. The spring mattress squeaked underneath his weight, and he groaned as he shifted his weight around to get comfortable.
“There something I should tell you,” Kate said while he was still moving around.
Ethan’s eyes widened. “What is it?”
“When you found me the other day,” Kate said in a quiet voice. She moved down the side of the bed, facing Ethan. “I saw something I don’t think I was supposed to see.”
Ethan sat up abruptly and leaned forward. His face was inches from Kate’s.
“What did you find?” His voice was so low it sounded as rough as sandpaper.
Kate looked around as if she was afraid the shadows were listening. “There was a building,” she said, her fingers started to shake. Ethan reached over and placed his hand on top of hers. “One of The Unholy—” Kate snapped her mouth closed.
“It’s okay, Kate.” Ethan stroked the back of her hand lightly with his thumb.
Kate leaned closer, setting her lips close to his ear. Ethan looked at her neck waiting for her to speak.
“It was chained to the wall. The room was empty. It looked right at me.”
“Why would they—”
“In another room,” Kate said and sucked in a shaky breath. “There was a man, at first I thought it was Joel, but it wasn’t. He was shackled. A prisoner I think.”
Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3 Page 13
