The Deepest Red (24 page)

She gives in easily and settles down beside me. Chevy explores the nearly empty room until finding Clover and I on the floor. He hops between us, growling playfully.

After a few minutes everyone joins us on the old floor. We all rest in the large room with a small oil lamp between us. I lean back against the sheetrocked wall and listen to the conversation. Lonnie and Bryan talk as if they have known each other for years. The rhythm of their voices provide some comfort in the dimly lit room.

I learn that Bryan has been on his own since he was twenty-six years old. He’s now forty-two and traveled here from a city called Newnan. I decide then that all the names of the cities outside of the prison are weird. I also learn Bryan had a wife, who was killed by an illness a few years ago. They never had any children. Since his wife passed away so many years ago I wonder why he chose to be away from other people for so long. I don’t dare ask though- not wanting to attract any attention to myself.

Clover sits beside me, joining in on the conversation after a while. She retells to Bryan what Connor had spoke of about the infected.

“I haven't seen any of them but I’ve noticed the animals in the woods have gotten scarce. I haven’t trapped near as many as before,” Bryan says as he turns a knob on the old oil lamp.

The flame through the glass gets a little brighter. I hear his voice echo in a sorrowful tone.

“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.”

Bryan’s quote sends a chill up my spine; frightening me. I’m made aware of the shadows on the wall.

“Isaiah Chapter 26 verses 19-20,” Jay remarks.

“Very Good,” Bryan responds. 

I give Jay a confused look and glance down; fingering the fabric of my shirt. I’m now numb to the coldness of the room while my body works desperately to gather heat. The sensation is odd. I listen to the slight mumbling of the guys still talking but don’t pay anymore attention. Bryan’s words replay themselves in my mind as Clover begins to pet Chevy. The puppy lays curled along our legs- settling happily between us. I can tell Clover has distanced herself from us- her brain clicking off for the night. I don’t blame her. I feel almost willing to go to sleep myself if it wasn’t for the nightmares.

I let my hand glide through the puppy’s soft fur. The repetition becoming soothing to me. My heavy eyelids fly open when Connor slides down the wall to sit flush up against me.

“If you’re going to fall asleep, go to bed. Don’t stay out here,” he comments in a flat tone.

Connor bumps my shoulder with his and winks. A slight smile appears on my tired face.

“The bed would be too cold for me. There’s much more body heat in here,” I say trying to pry my eyes from his.

“You heard what the man said earlier. This is a church, I can’t sleep with you so stop asking,” Connor retorts.

I hit him hard with my shoulder, laughing slightly. When I glance up Lonnie is watching us. His face is expressionless but a hint of warning is in his eyes. I peer down to my hands in my lap remembering the warmth of Connor’s grip.

A shiver runs down my back when I feel the heat of his breath on my skin. I realize that his voice reminds me of the low rumble you hear right before a bad storm.

“When you and Clover turn in for the night. I want you to prop up what ever you can against the door- a piece of furniture or the bed if you have to.”

I close my eyes and enjoy his sultry voice- imagining the storm clouds. I can almost taste the rain. I nod my head.

“I plan to sleep right outside the door so if you hear the wood bumping a little it’s just me,” he continues, placing his fingers on my chin so he can turn my face toward his. “Do you understand?”

I’m surprised to see the intensity in his face.

”You’re insane. I told you, Clover will be fine with me,” I say annoyed with the direction the conversation is going.

He leans slightly closer to me.

“You know it isn’t only Clover I worry about,” Connor replies.

His eyes glance down to my mouth. A quick surge of  heat engulfs my body.

“Do you understand?” he says again more quietly- his face so close to mine.

“Yeah?”

I bite my bottom lip nervously.

If I allow myself, I could lean into him and close the distance between us. I could begin to forget about the events from earlier- what happened the last time I forgot myself with him. The sharp pain and anger I felt after he left me standing breathless resurfaces and I quickly turn away. Breaking eye contact with him doesn’t make his presence disappear. I still perceive his body sitting flushed with mine. I ignore it and lightly stroke Chevy’s back. I listen to Clover snore as her hand remains resting across the puppy’s chest.

I stand slowly, trying not to stir the puppy.

“Can you carry her to the bed?” I ask not bothering to look at Connor.

I nod my head toward the bedroom when Lonnie’s eyes find mine.

“Going to bed,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t wake Clover.

“That’s a good idea,” Lonnie says when he stands stretching his lower back. “What do you think Jay?” he asks.

Jay glances back to us and watches Connor remove Clover’s knife before picking her up. I remember back in the tree house how fast she materialized with it and I’m glad again that I didn’t wake her.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Jay says.

Lonnie’s twin disappears a moment later into the other bedroom. I give a small wave to Bryan as I follow Connor into our room. He gently lays her on the sheets and brushes her blond hair away from her dirty face.

Walking toward me he says, “Remember what I told you earlier.”

I gaze past him to Clover sleeping on the bed. She appears so peaceful and young laying there.

“I put her knife on the nightstand,” he remarks as he stops in front of me.

He waits for me to say something but I don’t. A sneer appears on Connor’s lips.

“You’re welcome,” he states, walking past.

The light shut of the door behind him leaves me feeling alone in more ways than one.

“I don’t remember saying thank you,” I mumble when he’s gone.

The air is warm and comfortable as I peer around the dim room, looking for anything to barricade the door. There is not much I could use. The space is small, holding only the bed, nightstand and one small dresser. A wooden cross hangs over the bed’s headboard where Clover rest peacefully. On the nightstand sits an oil lamp, Clover’s knife and a thick book. I walk over and pick up the aged book. The cover is worn and faded but I can still read the title on the front- The Bible. When I crack open the book, I marvel at how thin the pages are. They’re so light and delicate. On the inside of the front cover I read a handwritten message.

“To my sweet son. May God share the truth of His story to you so you may know your own.”

A light knock on the door startles me so that I almost drop the book. I place it back on the nightstand and proceed to open the door. Cracking it slightly, I see Connor’s fierce glare zeroing in on my face.

“I don’t hear anything being moved across the doorway,” he states unrelentingly.

“I know, give me a minute, stalker!” I whisper angrily and slam the door.

I wince when I hear Clover stirring but give a sigh of relief when she doesn’t wake up. I move the small dresser in front of the doorway, blocking the way in or out of our small room. I make faces at the barricade wishing Connor could feel my irritation through the wood. I know he’s there just like he told me he would be. He’ll probably be there all night sleeping on the rough bug covered carpet, I realize. The knowledge is comforting and allows me to breathe a little better.

After blowing out the oil lamp, I lay awake on the hard mattress for a while snuggled up beside Clover. At first resting so close beside someone in a foreign bed feels strange but with her the notion disappears quickly. When I received new living quarters at the prison, Tessa would once in awhile crawl into my bed. We would whisper about the scouts or she would listen as I told her stories I’d read from one of the books on my floor. She always found it hard to sleep and when she did I often woke her from nightmares. Dad would never allow her to stay with me while I was still living within the constraints of the library. I always felt bad for her to be left alone in such an isolated area. She always had to sleep in the infirmary because no family would take her. In hindsight, I think she enjoyed the excitement of sneaking out to spend the night with me.  The only thing that ever blocked her from my room was a thin sheet draped over the doorway and as long as she didn’t sneak in every day, no one noticed. Tessa spent many nights keeping me company with her mocking comments and childish laughter. I’m surprised at how much I miss her. 

Before I moved out of my dad’s quarters, I had begged him to allow Tessa to stay with us but he wouldn’t. I was told even now, considered an adult, that I was too young to take her. As soon as I get back that would change. I will demand that she live with me. How could they tell me no after what I’ve had to go through these last few days.

In the dark with my mind racing, I long to see Tessa and Dad more than anything.
Tomorrow
. I will be back home. I’ll make things right with Dad and I’ll move Tessa in with me. The heaviness on my heart lifts slightly and a small smile forms on my lips. Suddenly, I don’t feel as alone anymore.

Chapter Fourteen

I wake with a start from the night’s recent nightmare. My heart is racing and sweat covers my skin in a fine sheen. I sit up attempting to calm my breathing.

“Are you okay Millie?” Clover ask as she lightly touches my shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just bad dreams.”

Clover gives a slight smile as if to say I’m sorry.

“I didn’t want to wake you before but now I wish I had.”

She leans away still watching me closely. With my heart still beating fast I notice her hair is restyled in a beautiful fish tail braid.

”I wish my hair would do that,” I say before I can stop myself.

“I’ve another hair band if you want to try?” Clover suggest, bouncing on the bed toward me.

I nod my head as her fingers work through my hair with such ease.

“I used to do this with my sister every morning. Your hair is a lot thicker than hers,” Clover says in a soft voice.

She continues to work through the tangled mess.

“There. It’s perfect,” she says after a while.

I run my hand over the trapped hair admiring the pattern. The braid is simple but elegant. I reach for my beret.

“Thanks, Clover,” I say with a smile. She smiles back.

We spend a little time gathering our things. I shuffle through my bag looking for a clean shirt to wear. When ready, I fasten my weapons to my waist as Clover secures her blade to her back. We attempt not to make a sound as we remove the dresser from the doorway.

When I open the door, I have to stifle a laugh. Laying on the floor with a pillow is Connor. He looks younger and almost boyish in sleep. It doesn’t help matters much that Chevy is laying on top of him covering the length of his chest- his little head hanging off of Connor’s shoulder.

“Awwww. How cute,” Clover says peaking around me.

Clover’s voice wakes Chevy instantly. He jerks up to attention, standing on Connor’s chest.

“Ow! What the hell?” Connor grabs the puppy and tosses him away.

Chevy’s nails scrape against the carpet, preparing to bounce back with vengeance- his tail wagging frantically. Before the excited puppy reaches us, Connor tucks him into his side, trapping him.

“Settle down fur ball,” he demands, struggling to control the ball of energy.

The puppy whines a little as he gives in to Connor’s hold. I laugh out loud.

“We didn’t mean to interrupt your quality time,” I comment, taking in Chevy’s happy face.

Connor grins and releases the puppy as he stands up.

“Good boy.”

With the new freedom, the fluffy puppy circles us, only to become cradled in Clover’s willing arms.

“That dog is rotten,” Connor remarks, eyeing Chevy’s lopsided tongue.

“Jealous he’s on to someone else so soon after sleeping with you?” I ask innocently.

Connor smirks at me but remains silent.

“Me and Chevy are going to go wake up Jay,” Clover announces as she brushes past Connor and I. “This is going to be fun.” I hear her say aloud as she steps into the boy’s room.

“Do you think it’s safe for her to do that?” I ask Connor, concerned.

“Yeah, I snuck in during the night and removed their weapons while they slept,” he replies. I give him a pointed look. “What? I didn’t want them getting one up on me.”

I sigh.

“Connor, I think if they had wanted to do anything they would have already.”

He tilts his head.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Don’t worry I’ll give the weapons back.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“They shouldn’t have been removed in the first place,” I say, annoyed.

“Isn’t my fault they don’t watch their weapons. You always keep your weapons on your person, if they’re missing, you notice,” Connor says as if it’s a no brainer.

My eyes travel down his body and land on his weapons still in place.

“I took mine off,” I muse, my eyes traveling back to meet his.

Connor steps closer to me.

“You knew I was outside your door all night,” He gives another irritating smirk, “protecting you.” 

He leans in further. His fingers lightly pick up the braid laying against my chest.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought you were doing when I opened the door and saw you sleeping with Chevy.”

The comment doesn’t faze him. His fingers continue to travel down my soft braid. I step away causing the braid to drop from his grasp. The action forces his eyes to snap back up to my face.

“Clover braided your-” His question is cut short when Jay’s yell echos off the lobby walls.

“Shhhhhhit!”

The curse is almost drowned out by Clover’s booming laugh. I didn’t know she could laugh so hard.

“What the hell is your problem little girl? There are infected everywhere. You could have gotten hurt. I could’ve hurt you!”

Jay’s voice is stern but I can hear Lonnie laughing through the thin walls. I don’t think Clover is in any real danger.

“Damn it! Where is my bow?” Jay bellows.

Chevy trots out of the guy’s room and sits outside the door licking himself.

“That’s what you get!” She tries to contain her laughter. “That’s what you get for pointing an arrow at my puppy.”

Jay storms out of the room mumbling more curses.

“This is a church Jay. Stop cursing,” Bryan states calmly from the bedroom.

Noticing Connor and I across the room Jay blurts out, “Where are my weapons?”

Connor straightening his shoulders responses “That depends. What are you planning to do with them?”

He gives a threatening glare to Jay. Shaking his head, Jay steps toward us.

“Nothing. I’m not going to hurt her. What do you think I am?”

Lonnie exits the bedroom with a smiling Clover behind him. He glances back to her and laughs. He had always been a little bit of a prankster so seeing his expression only makes me want to laugh. I smile instead.

“Okay, Okay, jokes over.” Lonnie says and puts his hand on Jay’s shoulder. “Where are our weapons? We need to get on the road soon.”

He smiles at his brothers stern expression.
Would it kill Jay to have a sense of humor?

Connor motions to a door near me.

“In the closet over there.”

Jay turns on a dime and marches to the closed doors, throwing them open he drops down to the floor. I hear a clutter of sounds and then he’s out of the room- weapons attached and bow in hand. I hear him talking to himself as he passes by- something about hating dogs.

Lonnie places each of his blades back to their normal resting place. He stops as he passes by Connor- leaning in to speak low. I become very still wanting to understand his words.

“Next time you take my weapons, I’ll retrieve them from your dead hands.”

All the humor in Lonnie’s voice has vanished at the remark. Connor’s eyes give off a dangerous glint.

“Next time I take your weapons, you won’t be alive to know I did.”

Lonnie to stiffens.

“Never take your weapons off in the red zone,” I recite loudly to them. “I got it. Lesson learned.”

I walk to the tension filled space.

“Lonnie, Connor is going to train me when we get back to the prison. He’s really good- took out the horde we came across all by himself, remember?”

Lonnie stares at Connor. I take note that they’re about the same height, a little different in weight and built but overall a match between them would be a fair fight. I reach out and give Lonnie a little shove.

“Next time I bug you to spar me, you better watch out, cause you’re going down.”

I smile, trying to break up the bad vibes swimming between them. He finally looks at me and gives a tentative smile.

“I can’t wait.” Lonnie remarks and then turns to leave. “Five minutes,” he calls as he passes through the doorway.

“Yeah, that was fun,” I say breathing a sigh of relief.

Four minutes later I’m walking out of the Church, saying goodbye to Bryan.

“Thanks for putting up with us,” I say to him.

“You’re welcomed to come back anytime.”

I’ve decided I like Bryan. After Lonnie and Jay had stormed out of the lobby, Bryan leaned against his bedroom door frame and whistled low.

“Anyone who threatens a man who took out a horde, needs Jesus,” he stated.

“You got any parting words of wisdom as I go?” I ask walking backwards down the church’s old brick walkway.

Bryan smiles back and says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua Chapter one verse nine.”

I give a small wave.

“See you around.”

Bryan’s worded response is captured by the wind.

As I catch up to Connor and Clover, Connor leans over to her and says, “The Bible is strong with that one.”

She chuckles.

“Maybe you should have cooked some bug potpie and made him a little green.”

He snickers back at her.

“Protein, you can not handle, I see.”

They both bust with laughter.

It’s strange to see Connor laughing- actually laughing with no cockiness, no arrogance. I stare at him a little dazed by the musical sound. The moment is cut short when he pulls out his two knives and begins searching the trees. I follow his cue and unsheath my weapons. Their weight is reassuring in my hands but no infected appear.

Connor shifts his attention from Clover to me and says, “Since you’ve begun taking lessons. Here is another. Lesson two: When threatened by Lonnie or another, keep your weapons available.”

I sigh.

“Lonnie wasn’t serious, besides you hid his weapons. What if infected had gotten in? They would be dead.”

Connor purses his lips.

“Not the point,” he bites out.

“Uh, huh,” I remark, rolling my eyes.

We continue hiking toward the vicinity of the prison, taking shortcuts through the woods when available. If anything threatening is near it stays hidden as Lonnie glares toward Connor’s nonchalant persona. The wind’s breeze cuts into my body making me thankful for grabbing the jacket yesterday. I start thinking about scavenging some gloves when we break through the tree line and view the fourteen foot metal fence surrounding the prison.

Barbed wire circles the top of the fences, protecting those inside. People speckle the opened yard, tilling the dirt, cleaning strips of clothing and talking among the rolling grass.

“Wow,” Clover breaths in amazement, then shakes her head.

In her fascination she finally appears her age. I’m relieved at the knowledge that not only will I be resting safely, but Clover as well.

“You can sleep a full week here and not be bothered,” I say.

Clover’s eyes light up as she falls in step beside me.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.” She smiles up to me. “Our family lived away from any large group. I was never allowed anywhere near the town. I only had one friend besides my sister. Question,” she continues. “If y'all didn’t know about the infected, why stay inside the fence?”

I try to observe the prison from her perspective.

“Most of our community are descendants from the people who were originally locked up in this prison for their crimes. When the Country was attacked the majority of inmates fled to find their families, a few stayed making the prison their home as free men. I don’t know all the details but eventually some of the survivors from the nearby town, Zebulon, moved in.” I pause. “Life had been hard so moving into the prison seemed like the best option for survival.”

I look toward Clover. Her eyes are wide.