“And just abandoned those that didn’t want to come with us?” Kate frowned. “Maybe you could do that, and maybe I should do that, but I can’t. There is more than enough blood on my hands. I don’t want anymore.”
A fire several blocks away blazed up even though the rain was still drizzling down. Lincoln’s men were burning the bodies.
Kate’s hands were balled up at her thighs. She shivered uncontrollably as darkness crept up around them.
Ethan stepped past Kate and stretched out his hand to Will. Will shook his head but took it.
“Sorry,” Ethan said. “Didn’t mean to—”
“It’s all right,” Will said brushing off the back of his pants. “Don’t worry about it.”
Ethan nodded. He turned and placed his hands on Kate’s shoulders.
“Let’s get you inside,” Ethan said.
Kate felt like her bones were made of ice, but she forced her feet to move forward. When they got inside the house, she didn’t feel any warmer. Her clothes were soaked and inside of the building wasn’t much warmer than it had been outside.
“I’ll see if I can find you a blanket,” Ethan said. He walked through the house opening every closet door he could find but came back empty-handed.
Everyone in the living room was quiet. Kate felt the tension in the room, and it felt as though it was all directed at her. There was a knock at the door, and Kate jumped back into Will.
“Jesus!” Kate said sucking in a sharp breath. She turned and stared at the door, her chest rising and falling as if she’d seen a ghost. “Bonnie,” Kate said with an exhale, “it’s for you.”
Kate stormed out of the room and into the kitchen. She paced as if it were a competitive sport. Will and Ethan stepped into the room both staring at her as she walked back and forth.
“I cannot wait to get out of this place,” she said wrapping her arms around her middle.
Ethan turned and looked over his shoulder. Kate could hear the door open and Bonnie greeting whoever was on the other side as if they’d been her lifelong friend.
“Which one of you is in charge?” a raspy woman’s voice asked.
“Kate,” Bonnie said haughtily. “She’s in the kitchen.”
“I’ll just be a moment,” the woman said. Kate stopped pacing when Will and Ethan stepped to the side allowing her access to the room. The woman clutched a string of beads as she looked Kate up and down. “Hmm,” she said, “you’re in charge?”
Kate shrugged. “I guess. You’re Mrs. Winston?”
The woman nodded, and the gray curly hair on the top of her head wobbled front to back with the movement. She clasped her hands in front of herself as she turned to look at Will and Ethan.
“Which one of you will be taking Lincoln to the supplies?” the woman asked.
Will and Ethan exchanged a glance before Ethan pulled his shoulders back. Mrs. Winston grinned.
“You, yes,” she reached forward, her copious bracelets clanking as she pulled his hand into hers. She held it for a moment before looking back at Kate over her shoulder and then back at Ethan. “Okay, that’s acceptable. He’ll meet with you first thing in the morning.”
“Okay,” Ethan said dragging out the word.
“Do any of you plan on staying with Lincoln?” Mrs. Winston asked but quickly held up her hand. “Ah,” she said sharply, “you’ll be leaving. That’s all I need from you. Is there somewhere I can meet privately with your people one on one?”
Kate shrugged. “Any room you want.”
The woman’s head bobbed up and down as she exited the room. It wasn’t long after they heard one of the doors on the first floor close.
“I think I’m going to go lock myself upstairs,” Kate said trying to ignore the shiver that wiggled up her spine.
“Do you want company?” Ethan asked.
Will looked down at his feet and cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”
He quickly shuffled out of the room leaving Kate and Ethan alone. Ethan wrapped his arms around Kate, and she welcomed his warmth.
“Yes,” Kate said.
Ethan took her hand and led her out into the living room. Kate ignored the various sets of eyes that shot up as they walked up the creaky stairs.
Chapter 8
Kate walked over to the window and looked up at the moon hanging low in the sky. The rain had stopped, and the cleared sky was a beautiful shade of dark blue.
Even though the yellowed moon looked warm and inviting, the night was cold. Kate stopped shivering when Ethan stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I was pretty scared today,” Ethan said pressing his cheek against the side of Kate’s head.
Kate turned slightly, but she didn’t face him. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You can’t do something like that ever again,” Ethan said, his voice low. “I can’t lose you.”
“Okay,” Kate whispered. She didn’t need him to tell her how foolish it had been to break into Jet’s office, she already knew.
Kate didn’t regret it although she wished they would have been smarter about getting the key. Surely there must have been a better way, but now that they had it, Kate felt as though she were one step closer to getting away from everything that was holding her down. She had to trade supplies that could last years, but it was so that she could have her freedom back which to Kate, was priceless.
“Those things,” Kate said bit her cheek as she hesitated, “the one that was Jet, screamed.”
“Screamed?” Ethan asked.
“More like a high-pitched howl. It was terrible. I’ve never heard anything like it before. And then those things came in droves.” Kate’s eyes focused on the moon. “It was like he was calling for backup.”
Ethan’s voice was just above a whisper. “Is that why there were so many?”
“I think so, but if they can do that… well, to say the least, I’m worried about you going out there alone.”
“I won’t be alone.”
Kate huffed. “Lincoln won’t be any help to you if you’re in trouble. You’ll practically be alone.”
“Nothing will stop me from coming back to you,” Ethan said.
“I think I should go with you tomorrow,” Kate said scratching her shoulder. Her still damp clothing itched against her skin. If given the opportunity, she might have traded the key for a fresh set of clothing.
“It’s safer here,” Ethan said.
Kate turned and faced him. She looked into his deep brown eyes and for a moment lost her thought.
“He probably wouldn’t let you come along anyway,” Ethan said brushing a stray strand of hair away from Kate’s eye. He inched his lips closer to hers. “I’ll be back before you know it. It’s not like I’m going somewhere without telling you.”
Kate’s brow wrinkled with her scowl, and Ethan chuckled.
“Too soon?” he asked with a grin.
Kate couldn’t help but smile back. “Much too soon.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Every inch of Kate’s body instantly warmed.
Ethan pulled back sharply as if some invisible force was trying to stop him. He stroked Kate’s cheek with his thumb as he stared at her lips.
Kate’s body tensed, and her heart raced. The intensity of Ethan’s gaze was overwhelming.
He slid his hands around her neck and kissed her hard. His lips rolled over hers with a passion so strong it made Kate feel intoxicated.
Ethan leaned into Kate holding her against the wall. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders as his hand glided down the side of her neck and over her collarbone. The damp fabric tugged tightly when he cupped her breast.
Kate’s head tipped back against the wall as Ethan kissed down her neck. She welcomed the relaxing sensations that heated her icy veins.
“I need you,” Ethan whispered into her ear. “I was so scared.”
“Me too,” Kate said wearing a gentle grin.
“Which one?” Ethan grinne
d back.
Kate looked at him through half-closed eyes. “Both.”
Ethan groaned as his hand slid inside Kate’s shirt. He held her tightly as he lifted her, pressing his back against the wall.
Kate wrapped her legs around Ethan and let out a soft moan as he pressed his readiness against her jeans. He started to lift her shirt up when there was a knock at the door.
“Are you kidding me?” Ethan growled as he held as still as a statue. It looked as though he was hoping whoever was on the other side would go away.
The second knock was louder, a bit more persistent. Kate exhaled, and Ethan lowered her back down to the ground. She rested her palm against his chest and smiled up at him.
“Kate?” Will said through the door. “She wants to see you.”
Kate’s mood changed instantly. She looked at the door and then up at Ethan with wide eyes.
“What does she want with me?” Kate asked as she straightened her shirt.
Ethan shrugged. “What me to come with you?”
“No. That’s okay,” Kate said opening the door. “I’m not worried about her.”
“Sorry,” Will said barely looking at Kate. “I didn’t want to bother you, but she insisted someone fetch you.”
“It’s okay,” Kate said looking at Ethan over her shoulder. “Did she seriously say that?”
Will narrowed his eyes. “Say what?”
“Fetch.”
“She did.” Will smirked.
Ethan shook his head but smiled. He stomped across the room and followed Will and Kate downstairs.
They stepped into the living room. Half of the group was sitting on the floor of one side of the room, and the other half was on the other side. They were all quiet and looked nervous.
“Send her in here,” Mrs. Winston shouted.
Kate walked down the hall and stopped in the doorway. She raised her hand to knock on the wall, but Mrs. Winston held up her hand to stop her.
“This will only take a minute dear, come on in, please.”
Kate hugged herself as she stepped into the empty room. There were no chairs, pictures, nothing. The only thing in the room was Mrs. Winston sitting on the floor with her back against the wall and her legs spread out in front of her.
“What can I do for you?” Kate asked feeling awkward as she looked down at the woman.
“I need you and the tall and handsome hunk of a man to cool things while I’m here. It’s messing with the energy inside the house,” Mrs. Winston said. Her bracelets clanked loudly as she clasped her hands in her lap.
“Cool things down?”
Mrs. Winston raised a brow. It looked as though she didn’t want to go into more detail, but that she would if Kate insisted.
“How do you know…,” Kate said, her words fading into nothing as she looked up at the ceiling but they hadn’t been directly above the room Mrs. Winston was in.
“That’s what I do,” Mrs. Winston said gesturing at the door. “That’s all.”
Kate turned but stopped in the doorway. “What do you mean that’s what you do?”
The woman waved her hand dismissing Kate from the room. She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. “Next!”
Kate stared at the woman as she backed out of the room. She bumped into a young woman who had her head down.
“Sorry, Kate,” she said slumping her shoulders even more as she softly walked into the room.
“Close the door, Kate,” Mrs. Winston said as she opened her eyes. Kate watched Mrs. Winston take the young woman’s hands into hers as she closed the door.
After the door clicked closed, Kate stared at the door and listened. She could only hear mumbles and couldn’t make out a single word.
“Goodbye Kate,” Mrs. Winston called loudly enough for Kate to hear. Her body shook, and she dashed away from the room.
Kate walked past both Ethan and Will without looking at them and into the kitchen. She began pacing in the same spot she had before.
Ethan came into the room with his arms crossed. He looked over his shoulder and then back at Kate.
“What was that all about?” Ethan asked softly.
“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
Ethan cocked his head to the side. “Try me.”
“She said that you and I need to cool it,” Kate whispered.
“Cool it?” Ethan asked.
Kate scratched the side of her head. “It’s like she knew what was going on up there… it was apparently messing with the energy in the house.”
“Energy?” Ethan asked saying the word as if it were the first time he’d said it.
“Guess so,” Kate said shaking her head. “A psychic or something I don’t know.”
Ethan chuckled. “A psychic, huh? Lincoln lets a psychic decide who stays and who goes?”
“I don’t know what she is, but she seemed to know what we were doing up there,” Kate said her voice softened with each word. She turned and frowned. “You should get some rest.”
Ethan glanced over his shoulder and let out a long sigh. “I suppose I should.”
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” Kate said.
“I don’t. We can just leave with the key.”
“Then we have to take them all with us.” Kate shook her head. “Even if they wanted to be with me, I’m not sure I could do it. They don’t like me, and I don’t trust them. There was a time they all followed Simon religiously.”
Ethan’s footsteps tapped against the floor as he walked over to Kate. Each little thud was like an additional heartbeat.
“I understand,” Ethan said wrapping his arms around Kate. “That’s why I’m doing this.”
Kate exhaled and nodded slowly. “Get some rest. I want you to be alert. Just in case.”
“You know I can handle myself when it comes to The Unholy.”
Kate swallowed down the sour taste at the back of her throat. “It’s not The Unholy I’m worried about.”
Chapter 9
Kate, Will, and Jasper took turns keeping watch during the night, but Kate hadn’t slept at all. Morning had come far too quickly, and before she knew it, there was a knock at the door.
Ethan was leaning against the wall. His eyes shot up to catch Kate’s glance.
“Guess that’s for me,” Ethan said stepping around Kate to answer the door. He pulled it wide enough that Kate could see both Mrs. Winston and Lincoln on the other side.
Mrs. Winston looked at Kate as she placed her wrinkled hand on Ethan’s chest. She gently moved him to the side.
“Morning dears, just need to finish up my evaluations,” Mrs. Winston didn’t smile as she entered the living room where most everyone was still laying on the floor resting. She clapped her hands. “Who was next?”
“Let’s go,” Lincoln grunted. Kate watched as a group of six of his men gathered in front of the house. Kate followed Ethan out of the house, and Lincoln held up his hand. “Just him.”
Kate narrowed her eyes at Lincoln, and he smirked. She grabbed Ethan’s hand and pressed the key against his palm.
“Be back before you know it,” Ethan said cocking his head slightly to the side.
Kate forced a smile. The moment he turned away, she let out a quick breath. Kate crossed her arms and watched the men walk down the road.
She jumped when someone touched her shoulder. Kate whipped her head around, her hand hovering over her blade.
“Whoa!” Will said taking a step back.
“Sorry,” Kate said relaxing only slightly. “I’m a little jumpy.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Will said following Kate’s stare. “He’ll be okay.”
Kate locked eyes with Will and tried to hold it together. When her lip started to quiver, she had to bite down on her cheek to make it stop.
“I know,” Kate said, but her voice cracked.
“Let’s go inside,” Will said. He rubbed his palms up and down the sides of his arms.
Kate scanned the town,
carefully studying the buildings as her eyes moved over each one. The town still seemed like a ghost town to Kate even though she knew people still lived in it. That was probably exactly how Lincoln wanted it to appear.
“Okay,” Kate said lowering her head as she turned to go back inside. She turned to Will and the words that escaped her mouth surprised her. “Stay with me?”
“Of course,” Will said as a smile grew on his face.
He placed his hand on Kate’s back and guided her inside and into the kitchen. They sat on the floor next to each other.
“How long will it take him to get back?” Will asked.
Kate chewed her lip for a moment. “I’m not sure how far the storage facility is from here.”
“Wager a guess?” Will asked.
Kate shrugged. “If he’s not back before nightfall, I’ll be more worried than I am now.”
Kate listened to the mumbling in the other room as the hours ticked by. She stayed in the kitchen as someone stopped by and brought everyone a little something to eat.
Mrs. Winston was down to her last two evaluations which didn’t help ease Kate’s nerves. She’d traded the key, and she still wasn’t exactly sure for what. For all she knew, Mrs. Winston could easily say they’d only let one person stay. Kate wouldn’t be any closer to her freedom than she was at that moment.
“Eat something,” Will said with an encouraging flick of the wrist.
Kate shook her head. She laid back down on the floor curling her hands up underneath her head.
Will sighed as he sat down next to her. He gently raised her head and placed it on the side of his leg. She was too worried and weak to refuse.
Kate must have dozed off because when she opened her eyes again, she was staring at Mrs. Winston’s widened flats and striped socks. She moved away from Will as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.
The room spun for a moment, and Kate pressed her fingertips to her temples. She drew in a deep breath and pulled herself to her feet.
Mrs. Winston looked back and forth between Will and Kate. “Interesting. Anyway, I’m finished. I need to speak with Lincoln before anything is official.”
“Okay,” Kate said.
“Don’t look so nervous, dear! He’s always listened to me. What I say kind of goes.” Mrs. Winston winked. She stepped forward and grabbed Kate’s hands. “My son is a good man. He’s doing what he believes is right.”
Falling Darkness Series - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - Books 1-3 Page 38
