Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3

by Kellee L. Greene

  Kate drummed her fingers as she studied Maya. She wasn’t sure what or how much she should share with her.

  “Everyone I’ve been in contact with, and that’s nearly everyone, has been thrilled with how your handling things.”

  “Who haven’t you been in contact with?”

  “Let’s see,” Maya said tapping her chin. “That new guy, Tommy, Wayne, Ethan, hmm, I think that’s it.”

  “That is nearly everyone,” Kate said. Of course, she knew that anyone Maya had talked to could be lying to her. Everyone probably already knew that Maya was helping Kate out. “It’s just that Will heard some people talking,” Kate said holding up her hand when Maya’s mouth opened, “and they definitely weren’t happy, but he wasn’t sure exactly what they were planning to do about it.”

  Maya waved her hand dismissively. “He probably misheard.”

  “Well, just in case he hadn’t we’re going to have a town meeting tonight,” Kate said.

  “No. No, no, no. That doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. They’ll see that as something Simon would have done.” Maya shook her head. “That’s not you. You don’t want everyone in this town comparing you to Simon, do you?”

  Kate crossed her arms. “Of course not.”

  “Scratch the plan, and I’ll do more digging instead,” Maya said.

  Kate leaned back in her chair and looked toward the window. Maybe Maya was right. Maybe Kate was overreacting. Then again, if she wasn’t it could cost her life, or maybe the life of someone else she cared about.

  She couldn’t risk it. “We’re doing it. Tonight. Ethan’s going to run it, and I need you to take attendance.”

  “You’re sure about this?”

  “As sure as I can be.”

  Maya blinked hard. “And there is nothing I can do to change your mind?”

  “No. Sorry.”

  “All right, if you insist.” Maya picked up her clipboard and stood. “If it’ll help ease your mind, it’ll be worth it. Need anything else?”

  Kate shook her head. “Not right now, thanks.”

  As Maya was leaving Ethan arrived. He gave her a nod as she left the building. If Maya said anything to him, Kate hadn’t heard it.

  “She’s never liked me,” Ethan said jerking his thumb over his shoulder. He was smiling and apparently unaffected by the snub. “Did you talk to her about the plan?”

  “I did.”

  “And?”

  Kate stood and shifted her weight back and forth before she started to pace. “She thinks it’s a bad idea.”

  “You told her what Will heard?”

  “I did. She thinks maybe he misheard.”

  Ethan scratched the back of his neck. “Maybe he did. Or maybe he completely made it up.”

  “Why would he do that? He wouldn’t.” Kate paused at the window. “I believe him. He has nothing to gain by telling me, not to mention the fact that what he heard had zero details.”

  “Which is maybe another reason we should have just let it go,” Ethan said.

  Kate started pacing again. “Maybe. No harm in feeling things out. Besides, it’ll be good to touch base with everyone after what happened.”

  Ethan sat down in the chair at Kate’s desk and leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knees.

  “Have you given any thought to what you’ll talk about?”

  “I have.”

  “Mind sharing?”

  Ethan grinned. “About the increase in Unholy in the area and that I might start recruiting for another eradication team. We could use the help now that we aren’t going out there every day.”

  “Or any day.” Kate tapped her finger on her lip. “It’s a good idea.”

  There was a long silence before Ethan spoke. “It’s going to freak everyone out to hear that church bell ringing again.”

  “Maybe I’ll shout obscenities from the street. That usually worked too.”

  “The bell might be better,” Ethan smiled.

  Ethan stood at the front of the church, resting his elbow on the podium. Tommy stood next to Kate while the townspeople slowly started to enter through the main door.

  Maya walked around the room greeting and helping everyone find a seat. Each person that entered wore the same expression that was a mix of confusion and terror. Maya helped reassure everyone that it would be quick and painless and that Ethan had a simple request.

  “Where’s Wayne?” Kate asked, leaning back against the wall as she people watched. No matter how hard she tried, she would have no idea if everyone in the town was there or not. She hated it, but she was completely relying on Maya to cover attendance.

  Tommy stood on the balls of his feet looking over the crowd. “He should be here soon. He was putting everything away after we’d finished our class.”

  Kate nodded. “How about Laura?”

  “She won’t be coming.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me. I probably should have warned Maya.” Kate caught Will’s eyes as he entered the church. He smiled and made his way over to her.

  Will nodded at Tommy. “May I stand by you?”

  “Sure,” Kate said moving a touch closer to Tommy to give him room to stand at her other side. She didn’t have to look up to know Ethan’s eyes were on her. And on Will.

  It took several minutes for everyone to come inside and find a place to sit. When the pews filled, everyone else had to stand where there was room.

  “Good evening. For those that don’t know me, I’m Ethan,” Ethan said raising his voice above the whispering crowd. Kate was sure everyone in the crowd was quite aware of who he was. “I’m sure you’re all wondering what you’re doing here. It’s just a quick catch up and a request. I’ll make it quick, and then you can all be on your way.”

  Everyone seemed to relax the more Ethan talked. He stood in front the crowd with a relaxed posture and a calm voice. Ethan seemed like a totally different person than the one Kate had gone with to eradicate The Unholy.

  Kate looked out at the crowd. They had smiles on their faces, and some nodded along. He explained eradication to them and why it was essential to keeping the town safe.

  When he asked for volunteers, a few hands went up. He explained there would be extensive training and a few more hands raised up, but they dropped down when a horrified scream cut through the air.

  Ethan stopped talking and looked at Kate. It was so quiet in the room Kate could hear her rapid heart beating hard against her chest.

  Maya shook her head as the crowd looked to her for answers. Kate nudged Tommy, and they both started walking toward the exit, with Will following close behind.

  Ethan moved quickly down the aisle calmly waving his hands downward. “Stay in your seats. Please, remain calm.”

  Another heart-wrenching scream pierced the air, and Kate picked up her pace. When she got to the doors, she grabbed her gun.

  Something was wrong.

  Chapter 18

  The second Kate stepped out of the church the acrid odor of smoke filled her nostrils. She held the back of her hand up to her nose to block out the scent. Kate gasped when she saw the flames.

  They ran over to the raging fire, stopping at the outer ridge of the flames. Kate blinked several times trying to clear the smoke from her vision.

  “Help!” a voice… a familiar voice shouted from inside the flames.

  There was a circle of tall flames dancing into the air, but Kate could see there was something inside the circle. A wooden cross laid flat on the ground, with flames creeping up the wooden boards.

  Ethan tried to find a way through the flames, but it was so hot he jumped back shaking his hands.

  “I can’t see!” the voice called out.

  “Come with me to get water,” Tommy said pulling Will with him.

  Kate moved around on the balls of her feet, shifting in various directions trying to get a look inside the fire.

  “Oh, Jesus Christ!” the man called, as the flame attached to his shoe, and quickly moved up to the hem of
his jeans. “Please help me!”

  Kate could hear in his tone that he’d given up. Tommy came to an abrupt halt just before the fire. He was carrying two gallon-sized jugs of water as was Will.

  “Jesus Christ,” Ethan said pressing his hand to his forehead. “It’s Wayne. Oh my God, it’s Wayne.”

  “Oh, God!” Wayne shouted, his voice raspy.

  Ethan didn’t wait for the water. He tried to charge through the flames but was forced to pull back when his shirt caught fire. He lowered himself to the ground biting his lip as he worked to throw dirt on the fabric.

  In seconds Tommy was pouring water over his arm. Kate could hear the scuffles of the townspeople making their way closer to the scene.

  “Not on me!” Ethan shouted. “Help him!”

  “It’s too late,” Tommy said shaking his head. He sucked in a sharp breath before falling to the ground.

  Kate looked away from Ethan’s arm to see the center of the circle. The cross was entirely consumed by fire. The small amount of water they had wouldn’t be enough.

  “Whoever did this used fuel,” Will said from Kate’s side.

  Her eyes darted over to him. “What makes you say that?”

  “Can’t you smell it?” Will asked.

  “Where would anyone get fuel?”

  Will shrugged. “The vehicles? Do you have any in storage?”

  Ethan’s hands were balled up into tight fists. Like Kate, he probably couldn’t get a handle on his emotions. Sadness. Suspicion. Fear.

  Could this have been the plot Will had overheard in the alley? But why Wayne?

  Ethan stood up. His body shook with rage. Kate watched as he pushed the sadness out of his eyes.

  “Get inside your homes. Lock your doors. Do not let anyone inside,” Ethan shouted. “Anyone who comes out will be thoroughly questioned and locked up. Do not come out until I say differently. Is that clear?”

  Some of the townspeople ran off, and others stared at the flames with horrified expressions. The townspeople looked as though they were frozen in place.

  “Get out of here!” Ethan shouted, and he threw his arms in the air.

  Everyone scattered. Except for Maya, and Will who stayed behind, both looking as if they wanted to do something to help. Once the road was empty, Ethan dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands.

  Kate hadn’t even realized it until Will placed his hand on her shoulder, but tears were streaming down her cheeks. She could feel the drops hitting her shirt.

  “Can I do anything for you?” Will asked softly.

  Kate shook her head, and Will stepped away. He tried to put the flames out with the water, but it didn’t make much of a difference. Kicking dirt helped a bit, but mostly they were just going to have to wait for the fuel to burn off.

  Ethan stood up, and Kate ran to him, wrapping her arms around his stiff body. He was broken.

  Kate could hear the scratching of shoes as someone approached. She looked around Ethan and saw Laura standing there hugging herself.

  “What happened?” she asked when she saw Kate.

  Laura's eyes darted over to Tommy and then at Ethan. Darkness filled her eyes as if she could feel what they were feeling, and it was something she was familiar with.

  "Wayne," Kate said feeling the words getting caught in her throat.

  Laura's eyes lit up with the reflection of the writhing flames when she turned toward the fire. "He's...."

  Kate nodded.

  "I'm so sorry," Laura said. She swallowed hard as she walked by Kate and Ethan. She looked down at Tommy on the ground before lowering herself down next to him. She didn't say anything, she just sat there with him.

  Maya shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She opened her mouth but quickly snapped it shut.

  "Do you know who could have done this? Who wasn't in the church," Ethan said, his voice gritty.

  Maya shook her head. "Wayne was the only one I'd noticed missing. And Laura."

  Laura's spine stiffened, but she didn't turn around. Kate and the others knew it wasn't a possibility. Sure, Laura probably wanted revenge for what had happened to Joel, but she wouldn't have taken it out on the people that helped her.

  "There had to be someone else," Ethan grunted.

  "There were a lot of people in the church. Maybe someone came and left. I'm not sure," Maya said chewing her fingernail. "I'm sorry, I blew it. I was doing the best I could."

  Ethan stepped closer to the fire. "Well, it wasn't good enough."

  "I'm so sorry," Maya said as if it were one word.

  "Get out of here," Ethan said. "All of you. Get inside. None of us are safe."

  Ethan grabbed Tommy by the arm and yanked him up to his feet. He stared into his sad eyes.

  "You're not safe here. Go!" Ethan said practically pushing him away. "Don't come out. Whatever you do. We're all targets. Whoever did this is out there, probably watching us right now."

  Laura put her arm around Tommy's shoulder and guided him back toward the hotel. Ethan turned and stared at Maya. He didn't say anything to her, and it looked as though she wanted to say something, but she didn't. She turned on her heel and quickly walked away from the area.

  "You," Ethan said turning to Will. "I don't know how you pulled this off."

  "What? Are you serious?" Will said, his jaw tensed. "I was in there the whole time. You saw me!"

  Ethan let out a laugh that made Kate's bones ache. "I'm not buying it. Shit didn't start happening around here until you showed up."

  "I didn't do anything," Will said between his teeth. "I'm sorry that this fucked up shit happened, but I didn't do it. And once your head clears, you'll get it, and I'll forgive you because, well, we all know what it's like to lose people in this shitty world."

  "You'll forgive me?" Ethan took a step toward Will. He didn't back away. Will held his ground. "I don't need or want your forgiveness. What I want is for you to leave our town."

  "Ethan," Kate said.

  Will shook his head. "No, it's fine. That's not news to me. I've known how he's felt since day one. And it hasn't stopped me yet."

  "You should go," Kate said, swallowing down the sour taste at the back of her throat. "Lock your door—"

  "My door doesn't have a fucking lock," Will said, looking down at the ground before jerking his eyes back up to meet Ethan's.

  "It's not like he's going to do anything to himself," Ethan said with a chuckle.

  Will blew out a puff of air as he turned away. He started to walk away, but he stopped and pointed at Ethan. Whatever he wanted to say, he kept it inside. Will punched the air and took off toward the hotel.

  Ethan took Kate's hand and looked around the area carefully. It was like he expected to find the culprit hiding there laughing. But there wasn't anything there except for the crackling of the dying fire.

  "You're locking yourself up too. Maybe you were right," Ethan said running his hand through his hair wildly.

  Kate didn't know what to say. She was upset about Wayne, and she knew Ethan was too. It wasn't like they could all stay locked inside forever. They'd have to figure out a plan.

  She wanted to tell him she didn’t think Will could have done it. In fact, she wanted to tell him she didn’t think anyone could have done it alone. But for now, she’d let it go. She’d let Ethan grieve.

  Inside Kate’s room, there was a faint orange glow on the walls. She could smell the smoke inside the room, but maybe the scent was stuck inside her nose.

  Ethan stood by the door with his arms crossed like a bouncer. His eyes were glassy.

  “You can stay here tonight,” Kate said trying to close the curtains tightly to block out the signs of what had happened.

  “I’ll have to go take care of that,” Ethan’s eyes moved to the window.

  “What? No. You’re not going out there alone. If they’d do that to Wayne they wouldn’t hesitate to do it to you too,” Kate said, her eyebrows squeezed tightly together. “We’ll take care of it in the mornin
g. Together.”

  For a moment it looked like Ethan was going to turn and run out of the door, but he didn’t. He drew in a deep breath and walked with slow, heavy steps into the room. Ethan sat down on the bed and stared at the wall.

  Kate sat down next to him and took his hand in hers. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was about what had happened. That they’d figure it out and get their revenge. But she couldn’t say anything.

  She’d know Wayne a long time, and it hurt deep inside her heart. Kate couldn’t even imagine the pain Ethan must be feeling.

  It wasn’t like when they’d lost others to The Unholy. This was different. This was murder.

  Chapter 19

  When Kate woke up, Ethan was standing at the window. His eyelids looked heavy.

  “Did you get any sleep?” Kate asked as she sat up leaning back against the squeaky headboard.

  “Not much,” Ethan said.

  Kate watched as Ethan’s eyes moved in a straight line. He was watching something. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, but before she could push herself to her feet, Ethan let out a heavy sigh.

  “That fucker.” Ethan’s hand clenched. “Told him to stay inside and what does he do?”

  “Who?” Kate asked.

  “Your buddy. Will.”

  Kate shook her head and stood. She looked down at the street just as he walked out of view. “What was he doing?”

  “Cafeteria. And God knows what else.”

  “What makes you think there was anything else?”

  Ethan shrugged. “He came from that way. He was doing something.”

  It wasn’t that Kate trusted Will because she didn’t, but she couldn’t look past one thing… the fact that he had no motive. No matter how she tried to spin it, there was no logical reason why Will would do anything to anyone inside the town. Sure, there was always the possibility that he was just crazy, but she didn’t think that was the case.

  “We should throw him out of here,” Ethan said pulling on his boots. “Then things can go back to normal.”

  “Do you really think he could pull that all off by himself? Really?” Kate bounced her leg rapidly. “He doesn’t know anyone here. I get it you hate him, but he’s not an evil mastermind.”