by Payne, T. L.
“It’s all right. They’re all gone. You got the last one,” Will said.
She scanned the room for Walker.
“He’s outside with Monte.”
“Where’s Tanner?” Isabella asked.
“He didn’t make it,” Cayden said, his voice cracking.
Her head pivoted. “Are you hurt?” she asked, pushing back from the table to look at him.
“I’m fine.” He didn’t look fine. His eyes were moist and he was gnawing on his thumbnail.
“When I ran into the kitchen, and the two of you were gone, my heart stopped.”
“He ran outside to help Tanner and nearly got himself killed,” Will said, anger lacing his voice.
“Cayden!” Isabella stood and took his hands in hers. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.” She grabbed him into a hug and squeezed him tight, suddenly feeling inadequate. How on earth were they going to keep Cayden safe in this crazy, violent world? She’d only known the kid a week, but she couldn’t imagine her life without him.
“I’m sorry I scared you. I just had to help Tanner. He was down and trying to crawl to safety. That’s what my dad would have done.”
“You’re a kid,” Will snapped. “You could have got us both killed. You have to do what you’re told. It’s my job to keep you safe. I can’t do that if you’re going to be impulsive and run into danger like that.”
Cayden stiffened and stepped away from Isabella. He turned his back on them, crossed his arms, walked across the room, and stared out the side door.
“Cayden, your dad and I just don’t want anything to happen to you. Your dad couldn’t bear it. I…” Isabella swallowed hard. “I couldn’t take it. Can you just try to be more careful—for us?”
He said nothing.
Isabella knew it sucked to be at that in-between stage of life when you are not quite a kid and not yet an adult. The impulsive nature of a teen could be dangerous in this new era. Isabella looked at Will. It was hard enough to be a parent before the world fell apart.
Glory walked up with two shot glasses and held them out to Isabella and Will. “You just need to do some training with the boy. He’ll learn when and where to take the fight to the enemy. Won’t do no good to try to shield him from it. If this doesn’t get fixed real quick, the world is going to be full of takers, and he’ll need to be able to defend himself.”
Isabella studied Will’s face, looking for a reaction. He was so protective of his son. It was hard to imagine him letting go of that attitude. But Glory was right about him needing to know how to defend himself. All they’d seen since the EMP was violence. What would happen to Cayden if Will wasn’t there to protect him?
Will dropped his head. “You’re right. As soon as we get to my sister’s, we’ll do some training. He already knows how to handle weapons. I’ve taken him to the range with me, and we’ve hunted together since he was little. We’ve never trained on shooting people though. It’s something we’ll have to discuss for sure.”
“No offense, but you might want to start now ‘cause he might need it before you get to your sister’s.”
Isabella had hoped that with all the extra people with gun experience, Cayden was safe, but realized none of them were. Tanner could handle himself, and he’d still gotten killed out there. “I could use a refresher course myself,” Isabella said. “I don’t know how I was able to be accurate with that shot. I was shaking so much the sight was bouncing all over the place. I could have just as easily hit Walker.”
“I’m grateful you didn’t,” Walker said from the front door. “Thanks, by the way. The sun was in my eyes as I ran. I didn’t see him raise his pistol.”
“That’s why you take them out on sight. You can’t take chances like that anymore,” Alan said behind him.
Walker turned on him. “You can’t just murder people either.”
“Is it murder?” Alan stopped in the middle of the living room, rested his rifle across his forearms, and glared at Walker. “Did you have any doubt what those ole boys’ intentions were? I sure the hell didn’t. They’ve wanted to gun me down for twenty years. The only thing that stopped them before was the law but there doesn’t seem to be any law enforcement around to stop them now.”
“We can’t turn into a lawless society along with them. We can’t let it become a ‘kill-or-be-killed’ world. Someone has to stand up for the rule of law.”
“Well, ranger, that’s your job. Not mine,” Alan said as he turned and walked into the kitchen. Glory poured a shot glass full of single malt whiskey and handed it to him. Isabella stared at the glass in her hand. She wasn’t much of a drinker. When she did, it usually had an umbrella sticking out of it. But her nerves could use something. A shot of the amber liquor might just be enough to give her the courage to get back out there to face the evil, lawless world.
Twenty
Will
Day Seven
“You sure you should rush off now? What’s the hurry? You could stay the night and head out fresh tomorrow,” Alan said.
They’d all just returned from burying Tanner near the back of Alan and Glory’s property. Everyone was solemn and quiet, especially Cayden. Will was concerned about what all this was doing to his son and vowed that when they arrived at Savanah’s, he’d find a way to shield him from all the ugliness the world had become.
Will was worn out. He’d never felt so drained in his life. All he wanted was for this nightmare to be over. He knew it wouldn’t be for a very long time, but the next best thing would be to arrive at Savanah’s. The thought of curling up and sleeping in the house his grandparents built was comforting. But Alan was right. They were too exhausted to go on. If they encountered any more trouble, they would be in no shape to defend themselves. He hated to admit it, but it was just too risky to head out now. “If the others don’t mind, I guess it would be okay to get a little rest and leave first thing in the morning.”
Isabella nodded. “I agree. I’m beat. I would love to just sit and watch the sun go down and pretend the world hasn’t gone to shit.”
Will turned to Monte.
“I’m good either way,” Monte said, his voice low and face expressionless.
Will hadn’t known Tanner, but he seemed to have been a good man, and Monte would surely miss him.
“Walker?”
“I agree. We should rest up tonight. It is very kind of you two to offer your home to us for the night,” Walker said, tipping his hat.
He hadn’t said much since his discussion with Alan about the morality of Alan’s shoot-on-sight stance with the men that had attacked his ranch. Will was sure that it went against all the ranger’s training, but they were alive because of it. Will’s issue was that he couldn’t be sure that he could make snap decisions about who posed an imminent threat and who were just fellow survivors like themselves.
While Cayden followed Glory out to the barn to help tend to some of their animals, Will joined Isabella on the swing under a shade tree near Glory’s rose garden. Neither said a word as they watched the sun slip over the horizon. Will’s eyelids grew heavy with the rhythmic rocking as the sound of crickets relaxed him. It reminded him of nights spent sleeping under the stars in his grandfather’s backyard as a kid. He laid his head back, and as he started to drift off, images of all the violence of the last few days invaded his brain, and he jumped. Isabella flinched and then gently slid her hand into his.
“That’s what happens when I close my eyes too,” she whispered. She paused. “Tell me it will get better.”
He wished he could. He’d give anything to be able to assure her that everything would be all right, but he didn’t believe it. This was just the beginning. There were so many scenarios that played out in his mind, the scariest among them, the military’s failure to prevent the Chinese invasion. If that happened, nowhere would be safe.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make it better. We have to try to think positive and not dwell on all that we’ve been through so far.�
� He stroked his finger over the top of her hand. “We can use it to learn to be stronger and more prepared for what comes next.”
“I’ll try,” she whispered.
“Dad?”
Will jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong?” He moved toward his son’s voice, and then a flashlight flicked on. Cayden was standing near the barn with a galvanized bucket in his hand.
“Nothing. I just couldn’t see you. I wanted to know if you and Isabella would like some hot chocolate. Glory let me milk her cow. She said they have plenty for cocoa.”
“I’d love some, son.”
“Me too,” Isabella said.
It was the little things now that made a world of difference. In the midst of all the horror, he could enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and hear his son describe how he milked a cow to get it. He’d cherish these little moments and do his best to focus on them and not the cold, lifeless look in the eyes of the dead that now haunted him day and night.
Twenty-One
Savanah
Day Eight
Pete’s son, Beau, called out to them even before they reached the gate crossing their driveway. “Good morning. What are you folks doing out so early?”
“We’re looking for Jason,” Mr. B replied.
“Ain’t seen him.”
“Is your daddy around?” Savanah asked.
“Nope.”
“Where is he?”
“Don’t know.”
He knew. He just wasn’t allowed to say, or he wasn’t telling them. But why? “We need to talk to him. Can you tell him we came by?”
“Sure thing.” He shifted closer to the gate, and Savanah could sort of make out a human form under his leafy camouflage. “You think I could stop in sometime and visit with Kendra? It’s boring as heck hanging out here all day.”
Savanah wasn’t ready for boy problems. Kendra was fourteen and it would be completely natural for her to be interested in spending time with Beau, but with all that was going on…
“Mrs. B has her pretty busy, but I imagine if you don’t mind pitching in cleaning stalls and such,” Mr. B chimed in.
At first, it pissed Savanah off. It wasn’t his place to consent to her daughter having male company, but Beau’s silence told her she had nothing to worry about. Cleaning stalls hadn’t been on the kid’s agenda.
“Well, we have to get going,” Savanah said, stepping back onto the blacktop road. Instinctually, she looked both ways before moving to the middle of the street. “Where to now?”
“We should check with Rod and then stop by the Masters and Herberts. Jason might have tried to get through to them one more time.”
Rod’s wife flung open the door and greeted them with red-ringed, puffy eyes. Her hair was a mess. Her hand flew up to her throat. “Is it Rob? Is he dead?”
Savanah blinked several times. “We just came here looking for him. Obviously, he isn’t home. Did he go out yesterday and not come back?” Savanah was seeing a pattern, but not one that made any sense. Jason, Pete, and now Rob were missing. According to Blake, they didn’t go to Sugar Hill. Where did they go then?
“No. He didn’t come home. He said he wouldn’t be long.”
“Did Jason stop by here yesterday? Did they leave together?”
“No. Pete came by. He said he needed help with something. Rob grabbed his rifle and gear and took off on the quad.”
“Erin, was there anyone else with Pete?” Mr. B asked.
“He didn’t come up to the door, but I saw someone out by the road. He was in one of those side-by-sides. I didn’t recognize him.”
Savanah turned to Mr. B. “Could that have been Blake?”
“Blake from over on Teartop Road?” Erin asked. “It wasn’t him. I went to school with his wife. I know what he looks like. This guy didn’t look like a cop. He looked city.”
“City?” Savanah asked.
“Yeah. Polo shirt and khaki shorts.”
“Sounds like someone from Sugar Hill,” Savanah said, more to herself than anyone. It didn’t make sense. Who was this man, and why had Pete and Rod gone off with him?
“They could be from town—maybe from the mayor’s office. That planning and zoning guy was always dressed pretty preppy,” Mr. Bertrand said.
“You think?” That made more sense. He could live nearby or know Rob or Pete somehow.
“But you didn’t see Jason at all yesterday?” Savanah asked Erin.
“Jason? No. Not yesterday. Only Pete. I want to go out and look for Rob, but I got nobody to look out for the little ones.”
“We’ll keep an eye out for him. If we see him, I’ll let him know you’re concerned,” Mr. B said.
“Thanks, Mr. B. I’m just really worried. My Anna is sick and Rob wouldn’t stay gone this long if he could help it.”
“What’s wrong with Anna?” Savanah asked.
“She got stung yesterday. Her arm is swollen up something awful. She just cries and cries.”
Savanah turned her head back toward her farm. She had several herbal remedies that might help, but it would take time to go get them and she needed to find Jason. Her eyes journeyed an overgrown side yard full of native plants. Seeing the ones she was searching for, Savanah walked over and picked a handful of plantain and yarrow leaves.
“What are you doing?” Erin asked.
Savanah handed her the yarrow. “Crush these leaves.” She held out the plantain leaves. “Chew on these and then combine it with the crushed yarrow and apply it to her arm. It should help reduce the swelling.”
Erin looked at her sideways but took the plants and thanked her.
“We have to get going. If you see Jason, will you tell him that we were looking for him?”
Erin nodded. “You do the same with Rob.”
“Will do,” Mr. B replied.
Once they were back on the road, Savanah stopped and faced Mr. Bertrand. “Something strange is going on. Either that stranger is from Sugar Hill or Vincent. Either way, I have a feeling it isn’t good. Jason has to be with them, but where?”
“We could hitch up the horses and ride into town and have a look-see.”
“I don’t think Jason would go all the way into town without stopping to tell us,” Savanah said.
“Well, there is only one way to find out.”
“I think we should go back and alert Blake and then Luca and Jane. We need to be ready if something bad is headed our way. That is the only reason that I can imagine that Jason would have gone off like this.”
“Let’s hope that isn’t the case. We’re not all that well prepared to defend the farm.”
“Tell me about it.”
Blake looked like he’d been sleeping. His mother-in-law had been reluctant to wake him. Maybe it was something in Savanah’s tone that changed her mind. She’d tried not to sound panicked, but from the woman’s abrupt turnaround, she hadn’t been convincing enough. He entered the room, rubbing his eyes. After being out all night spying on Sugar Hill, he was likely dead tired, but Savanah wasn’t sorry. He needed to know what they’d learned. She was hoping that he would come to a different conclusion and ease her anxiety.
“So, you didn’t find Jason?” he said, taking a seat on the sofa.
Savanah and Mr. B were still standing just inside the door. They hadn’t been invited to take a seat. It was strange and unneighborly of Mrs. Herbert, but Savanah pushed it from her mind.
Savanah started filling him in. “Rob and Pete are missing as well. Erin, Rob’s wife, said Pete arrived at their door and there was a guy she didn’t recognize waiting in a side-by-side at the road.”
“You think that means trouble for us?” Blake asked.
“I don’t think Jason, Rob, and Pete would go off and leave their families alone at a time like this unless it did have something to do with a direct threat to us.”
Blake stood and motioned for them to follow him. They crossed the living room and entered the kitchen at the back of the house. It was large with an eat-in dining area. He po
inted. “Take a seat. I need to get something in my gut while we talk this through.”
While Blake ate soup from a can, they discussed all the alternative theories they could come up with, but in the end, Blake agreed that something was likely amiss. “The quantity of goods I saw moving through the gates at Sugar Hill leads me to believe they came from a store or warehouse of some kind. It was way too much for one house or even several. Besides, by now, they’ve cleared out most of the farms around here. I doubt there’s much left.”
“It could have come from the grocery store in town. The chief and his officers were guarding it when I left there the day all this started but if the Blanchards have control over the town, they have all the food in the stores.”
“Why would they move it all the way out here? They don’t give two hoots about the residents of Sugar Hill and I doubt any of it will be fed to them,” Mr. B said.
“Maybe there’s trouble in town,” Blake said.
Savanah ran her hand down the length of her braid. It was so frustrating not knowing what was going on. How could they prepare if they had no idea when or how trouble was coming? Her anger at Jason for leaving was boiling to the surface.
“What about Pete’s kin?” Mr. B said.
Savanah raised her eyebrows. “What about them?”
“They got tons of guns, ATVs, and know-how. Why don’t we ask them to go check out the town and see if that’s where everyone went?”
“We could ask, but why haven’t they already if they were concerned?” Savanah asked.
Mr. B shrugged one shoulder. “His kid didn’t seem all that concerned. Staying gone may not be new for Pete. Maybe they don’t know that Rob and Jason are missing as well.”
