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

by Kellee L. Greene

  “Who says?” Ethan leaned closer. “You don’t know anything about him. And everything you think you know could be lies.”

  Kate shook her head. “Why? Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe so he could come with us. Come to this town. Wouldn’t be the first lie he’s told.”

  “Yeah, this is such a great place to be. Honestly, I’m surprised he’s not breaking down the fence to get out of this place.”

  “Exactly. Why isn’t he?” Ethan raised his eyebrow. “It’s not like Simon is running this place anymore. No one is keeping him here.”

  Kate sighed. “His hunger is keeping him here. The safety of the fence is keeping him here. Just like it’s keeping me here.”

  Ethan drew in a deep breath that scrunched up his nose. It was painfully obvious that Ethan’s sadness over Wayne had turned into anger.

  “I don’t want to fight with you,” Kate said reaching out her hand, but quickly pulling it back.

  “I don’t want to fight with you either. It’s just that we can’t let this happen again. We have to stop him before he hurts someone else.”

  “We have to stop them,” Kate corrected.

  Ethan cocked his head to the side.

  “There is no way one person could have pulled that off by themselves, right? And whoever was responsible pulled it off without being noticed. No one even knew about the town meeting. How did they have time to plan that? Was it going to happen either way, and Wayne just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?” Kate’s eyebrows squeezed together.

  “They, or he, saw an opportunity.” Ethan shrugged. “And they, or he, took it. At least that’s my guess.”

  “Will was in there nearly the whole time, he couldn’t have set that up. No way.”

  Ethan raised his eyebrow. “Then maybe he’s not working alone.”

  Kate sighed. “He doesn’t know anyone here.”

  “Maybe that’s what he wants you to think,” Ethan said, taking a breath. He looked down at his boots and tightened his laces. “I’m going out there to clean up. And maybe if I run into your buddy Will, throw him out to The Unholy.”

  “Ethan!”

  “Prison?”

  The muscles in Kate’s neck tightened. She crossed her arms and shifted her weight. Kate didn’t want to be mad at him, not after what had just happened to Wayne, but he was acting like an ass.

  “I don’t get it,” Ethan said stopping in front of the door. He scratched his head. “I don’t know why you’re still defending him.”

  “I’m not defending him. He didn’t do this.” Kate exhaled slowly.

  “You don’t know that.”

  Kate narrowed her eyes and tried to keep her posture steady. Her voice was calm. “And you don’t know that he did.”

  Ethan reached out for the doorknob. “Stay in here. Keep the door locked.”

  “You’re not going out there alone,” Kate said making her way over to the door. They both froze when there was a quick knock at the door.

  “Get back,” Ethan said in a barely audible voice. He looked out of the peephole, and his shoulders relaxed. “It’s Maya.”

  “Aren’t you mad that she’s out there alone?” Kate muttered.

  If Ethan heard her, he apparently decided to ignore her question. He opened the door and stepped to the side to allow Maya entrance.

  “I have bad news to report,” Maya said hugging her clipboard to her chest.

  “I don’t know if we can take any more bad news,” Kate grimaced.

  “What is it?” Ethan asked widening his stance as he waited for Maya’s report.

  She looked back and forth between Ethan and Kate before her eyes settled on Ethan’s. She frowned and looked down at her shoes. “There’s been another... death.”

  “Jesus fucking Christ,” Ethan said slamming his palm into the wall. “I told everyone to stay inside.”

  “And as far as I know everyone did. Everyone except for Chuck.”

  “Chuck’s dead?” Kate asked.

  Maya nodded. Both Kate and Maya jerked when Ethan slammed the wall even harder than he had the first time.

  “What the hell was he doing out there?” Ethan roared.

  Maya brought her finger to her lip and chewed her nail. “I don’t know. He was over by the gate.”

  “Did he think he had to go to work?” Ethan said looking over his shoulder at Kate. She shook her head.

  “I’m really sorry about this,” Maya said patting her hair down. “I should go.”

  “What about his, um, body? Still by the fence?” Ethan asked.

  Maya shook her head. “It’s been taken care of… a few of the guys helped me. Everyone is back inside now.”

  “They shouldn’t have left. No one grasps the danger of this situation.” Ethan clenched his hand into a tight fist.

  “I really should go. I just wanted to tell you about Chuck,” Maya said lighting touching her fingertips to her neck.

  “Need me to escort you back to your room?” Ethan asked.

  Maya pressed her palms against her stomach and shook her head. “I’ll be fine. It’s not far, and I plan to run.”

  Ethan walked her to the door. Kate watched as he leaned closer and mumbled something before letting her out.

  “What did you say to her?” Kate asked.

  “I sternly reminded her to go inside her room and lock her door. Then I told her not to let anyone inside,” Ethan said taking Kate’s hand. “Same thing you should do.”

  “And you. No one is safe,” Kate said wincing as she swallowed. “Do you think Chuck would go out alone after what happened?”

  Ethan cocked his head to the side. “What are you saying?”

  “I just don’t think he would have. What if someone he trusted lured him out there?”

  “Someone like Will?” Ethan asked.

  “No, he wouldn’t trust Will.”

  Ethan ran both hands through his hair. “We have to tell people.”

  “How can we do that when leaving puts them at risk?”

  “Not knowing what’s going on puts them at risk. Until we find out who’s behind all this, people need to stay safe.”

  Kate set her hand on her hip. “What are you suggesting?”

  “Another town meeting, I guess. No one leaves where they’re staying.”

  “I just don’t see how that helps when many are living inside rooms that don’t lock.”

  Ethan sat down heavily in the chair near the window. “Do you have a better idea?”

  Kate shook her head. She gasped when there was another knock at her door.

  Ethan stood abruptly as Kate made her way over to the door. She peeked out and looked at Ethan over her shoulder.

  “It’s Tommy.” She quickly opened the door and let him inside.

  Tommy entered the room rubbing his arms as if he were freezing. “I just heard about Chuck.”

  “You did?” Kate asked with an arched eyebrow.

  “Maya stopped by.” Tommy’s eyes were as red as tomatoes and after he blinked the corners filled with wetness. “We have to do something, Ethan.”

  Ethan’s head bobbed up and down. “We were just talking about having another town meeting. Telling everyone how important it is to stay inside.”

  “We can’t drag them out to tell them that… can we?” Tommy asked.

  “If we don’t, they may not get the severity of the situation,” Ethan said. “Let’s talk it over while we go clean up.”

  Tommy nodded.

  “You guys are just as bad as Chuck. Neither of you are safe out there!” Kate said feeling her blood pump faster.

  “We’re armed,” Ethan said patting his hip.

  “You’re foolish,” Kate said, stepping up behind them as they made their way to the door.

  Ethan turned and held up his palm. “You’re staying here.”

  “No way,” Kate said. “If you guys can go, then I can go.”

  “You can watch us from the w
indow. We’ll be quick,” Ethan said.

  “It’ll be faster if I help,” Kate said hitting the wall with the side of her white-knuckled fist. “I’m armed too.”

  Ethan’s lips formed a tight line. “And what if you are the target?”

  “So, what if I am? They’re getting people out of the way which means you’re both in as much danger as I am,” Kate said.

  “Maybe you should stay with Laura and the kids,” Tommy said. “She’s pretty upset. She didn’t even want me making my way over here.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Ethan said.

  Kate scowled. “I want to help.”

  “That would be a really big help.” Tommy didn’t meet Kate’s gaze.

  Kate groaned. “If you guys aren’t back in twenty minutes, I’m going out there, and I don’t care if I’m alone.”

  “Deal,” Ethan said turning to Tommy. “We better hurry.”

  The men dropped Kate off with Laura and headed down the stairs. Kate listened to the sounds of their vanishing footsteps before she walked over to the window.

  Alice and Micky mostly ignored Kate’s presence. Laura handed them both a school book before she started to pace.

  “I don’t like him out there,” Laura said. Alice’s eyes shifted upward for a split-second.

  “I don’t like either of them out there,” Kate said. She was able to see them out the window. They’d take turns cleaning and watching the area. If someone would approach, they wouldn’t miss it. In fact, if a mob approached, they’d be able to get away in time, but Kate hated being several floors away. It made her feel helpless.

  Laura crossed her arms. “I’m really sorry about your friend. He was a very kind man.”

  “Thanks. He was.” Kate sniffed sharply. “He didn’t deserve that.”

  Kate glanced at the kids. She wasn’t sure if they knew, what had happened. They seemed so at peace compared to what Kate was feeling. Her insides churned with the vigor of a chaotic sea storm.

  Laura must have followed Kate’s eyes. “They know. They saw through the window.”

  “Did they see anything before it happened?” Kate said turning away from the window. She quickly swallowed and turned back to make sure Ethan and Tommy were still there.

  “We only saw once the fire was going,” Micky answered.

  “She pulled us away from the window as soon as she saw what was happening. Then everyone came out of the church,” Alice said looking as though she were reliving the moment.

  Kate drew in a long breath. She thought back to that moment. The moment she heard someone scream. She’d thought everyone had been in the church, but someone must have been outside.

  “Did you hear the screaming?” Kate asked.

  “Yeah,” Laura said that’s when both of them ran to the window.

  “Did you see who was screaming?”

  Micky and Alice both shook their heads. Laura rubbed her fingers together nervously.

  “Too bad we hadn’t been watching,” Laura said.

  “It’s okay. It’s probably better that you weren’t.” Kate’s eyes followed Ethan as they worked to clean up what remained. Sadly, there wasn’t much there but ash. “How come you didn’t come to the town meeting?”

  Laura shrugged. “It makes me nervous going out there alone. Especially at night. I’m not sure I’m ever going to get used to this place. I just don’t think it’ll ever be home.”

  “I guess we’re going to have another town meeting tonight....” Kate’s words faded away when she saw someone else moving down below.

  Will. What was he doing?

  Chapter 20

  Ethan and Tommy stood side by side as Will approached. He waved at them, and his mouth started moving. It appeared as though the men were exchanging words calmly, at least at first it had. It didn’t take long before the conversation clearly became heated.

  “Oh shit,” Kate said pressing her hand on the window. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about them, they’ve heard worse since all this started,” Laura said, the bed squeaking as she stood. “What’s going on?”

  “Will’s down there,” Kate said.

  Ethan stepped forward setting himself inches from Will. And just like the night before, Will didn’t back away. He wasn’t even a little intimidated by Ethan.

  Tommy stepped behind Will and pulled his hands behind his back. Ethan looked like he was going to hit him but managed to keep his hands at his sides.

  “What are they doing?” Laura said stepping up beside Kate.

  “I have no idea,” Kate said pounding her palm to the window. If they heard her, they ignored her noises and started dragging Will away. “Oh, shit.”

  Kate backed away from the window, pulling out her gun. She moved quickly across the floor and checked out the peephole before she opened the door. Kate’s eyes moved up and down the hallway before she stepped outside.

  “Kate, I don’t think you should--”

  “Lock the door,” Kate said and ran down the stairs.

  There was a voice at the back of her mind that was telling her she was crazy. It shouted at her to go back inside, but Kate ignored it.

  When she got outside, Ethan turned sharply. The anger on his face grew.

  “Get back inside, Kate,” he ordered.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Kate asked. “Let him go!”

  Ethan shook his head. “No fucking way. He was wandering around the other day, and again just now. He can’t follow simple rules.”

  “What are you going to do to him?” Kate asked her mouth desert dry.

  “Locking him up. Those were the rules, anyone caught roaming around would be questioned,” Ethan said.

  “And you questioned him?”

  Ethan nodded. “I did, and I found his answer unsatisfactory.”

  “You can’t do this,” Kate said grabbing Ethan’s arm.

  He jerked it away. “I can and I will.”

  “It’s okay, Kate,” Will said in a calm voice.

  “No, it’s not okay. This is insane.”

  Will stumbled as he was dragged down the road. “I’m innocent. I have nothing to hide. If this is what I have to do to prove I’m not a murderer, then so be it.”

  “You guys are going too far,” Kate said between clenched teeth.

  “I don’t think I am,” Ethan said. “We could be throwing him back out there with The Unholy, but I figured I’d go easy on him.”

  Will smiled and shook his head. He looked over and locked eyes with Kate. “I’ll be fine.”

  When they reached the building, they were going to lock him up inside of, Kate stepped in front of the door. Ethan’s eyes bulged, and it looked like he was going to explode.

  “I need to ask you something,” Kate said keeping her eyes glued to Will.

  “Anything,” he said with a half-shrug. “It's not like I have a lot of choices here.”

  “Why did you lie to us?” Kate asked. She could feel the heat from Ethan’s anger.

  Ethan narrowed his eyes as he looked back and forth between them.

  “Lie about what?” Will asked with a small frown.

  “You told us you were alone out there, but you weren’t, were you? You were with a boy and another man.” Kate tried to keep her muscles relaxed, but they kept tightening with her increasing heart rate.

  Will’s mouth dropped open, and Kate could instantly see in his eyes that what Laura had told her had been true.

  “Why did you lie to us?” Kate said letting out a breath that shook her shoulders.

  Will looked at Ethan and Tommy before squeezing his eyes shut. His shoulders tightened, and he lowered his head.

  “Because he was my son,” Will said sucking in a sharp breath. “Why would I want to talk about that? Relive that? I don’t really go around telling people about my past do you?” Will turned sharply toward Ethan. “Do you?”

  Kate didn’t know what to say. He was right. Kate didn’t talk about herself, in fact, the only pe
rson who knew a touch of her past was Ethan.

  But with Will it was different. He was coming into their town. They deserved to know about him, only she couldn’t tell him that. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose a son.

  “What about the man?” Kate managed to ask.

  Will sucked in a sharp breath and swallowed hard. “My brother.”

  Kate hugged herself. Will’s eyes were glassy when he looked up at them.

  “They went outside… one of those things had been hiding under the porch. My brother tried to save him, but they were both bitten.” A tear fell out of Will’s eye. “I got to say goodbye before I had to… before I had to….”

  Ethan grabbed Will’s arm tighter and pushed past Kate. He opened the door and dragged Will inside.

  Kate followed them. “This is wrong, Ethan.”

  Ethan pushed Will into the first empty room. Will tripped over his feet and fell to the ground.

  “Ethan!” Kate shouted.

  “We all have sad stories, Kate,” Ethan said, grabbing Kate’s arms before she could go to help Will up. “That doesn’t mean he’s not responsible for what’s happening in this town. Things are different. People do things. People do really terrible things.”

  Will didn’t even seem to care that they were even in the room with him. He didn’t get off of the ground from where he’d fallen. He stayed there, his body shaking as the sadness of his loss overtook him. The loss of his son was obviously something that he wouldn’t ever get over.

  Kate tried to pull away, but Ethan held her tighter. He practically dragged her out of the room, locking the door behind them.

  “Let go of me!” Kate hissed as she wiggled to work herself free.

  Ethan released his grip and Kate stormed off back toward the hotel. Both Ethan and Tommy were at her heels as she marched away from them. They followed her up to her room, but she slammed and locked the door before either of them could say anything.

  Kate could hear them talking through the door, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. Moments later two more doors closed. She stood there in silence, staring at the door.

  Kate had half a mind to go back out there and release Will. He didn’t deserve to be locked up. What she couldn’t understand was how Ethan wasn’t able to see his innocence. How could he hate Will so much that he could completely ignore that it wouldn’t make any sense for Will to be behind the murders?