The Deepest Red (50 page)

I compel my eyes to glimpse past the blurry spots of my vision. A strange dog stands a few yards away, the soldier's dog. The animal is a lot taller than I remember Chevy being, with broader shoulders and a shorter snout. It’s coat is a smooth black with scares coursed through it. Sharp teeth appear bared for all to shrink away from. Stupidly, I’m struck in awe by the contrast of its pearly white teeth and shiny pink gums.
How does a wild dog have such great dental hygiene?

My eyes slowly close until Chevy’s bark intensifies. I want to shush him, to keep him from making so much racket but instead I let him bark and growl as much as he likes. The frenzy commotion is muffled by the imaginary water I’m immersed in. I enjoy the coolness of my skin and wonder why Chevy doesn’t calm down and invite his new friend to play.

The idea of swimming in a cool lake during the summer crowds my thoughts. As clear as any dream the image of Connor, worry free and happy, takes form in my thoughts. He’s smiling, a genuine smile, one which is brilliant and beautiful. I marvel at the pretty features of his face and return a shy smile of my own. He splashes me with water as I squeal like a child being tickled. Tessa runs past, giggling as she dives into the lake. I laugh at her gall, then chase after her into the cool water.

I’m suddenly jerked awake by a heavy paw digging into my ribs. The snapping of jaws accompanied by another two paws striking my stomach, causes me to roll onto my chest. The movement makes my head swarm with a sensation of whirling.

The smell of dirt feels my nose as sharp nails dig into my back. I think of bugs laying in wait for me just below the grassy surface and cringe.
Why would Chevy fight with his new friend?
A swoosh sound breaks through my haze followed by a sharp scream that soars throughout the air. An infected’s moan rumbles low, laced with the sickly sounds of gurgling. I struggle against the heavy need to drift off into the sleep as my body demands. With as much effort as I am capable of rallying, I dig my fingers into the soft ground and pull my heavy body away from the sound of death.

I continue to hear the snapping of jaws but I’m uncertain if it’s Chevy or the infected. I can hardly hold my head up as I grasp for anything to propel my heavy body further. I drag my legs almost numbly. With a sob, my arms refuse to work any longer. My brain screams for me to fight or escape from the danger I know is circling around. However, as much as my mind longs for action my body is not willing. As the drug continues it’s assault on my brain, I don’t remember why I fought so long to stay awake. The only thought to drift across my sedated state is one of dislike for the aroma of disrupted earth and the sensation of tiny bugs who crawl on my skin.

“We’ve got to go!” a familiar voice calls out.

I groan loudly when I’m pulled away from the ground.

“Just leave me alone,” I mumble. My eyes remain closed as I’m hoisted into the air. “Weeeeeeeee,” I sing drunkenly.

A concern voice drifts through the air, “What did they do to her?”

Soft fabric caresses the side of my face and I’m taken back to a few months ago when the crazy idea of touching the fabric of Connor’s shirt made me blush.

“They put something in her water but she didn’t drink all of it,” Jay replies. With a intake of air he continues, “more are coming. We got to go.”

A cool breeze tickles my exposed skin and I have a sudden urge to pull my riding shirt down. The constant tapping of firm material against my cheek begins to annoy me.

“When we stop, I know of a few plants which might help her.”

Is my Dad here?
I focus on my annoyance until my eyes finally open.

“There are no plants in these woods for that,” I mumble louder.

As I look down, I can see the ground racing past. Realizing that the jolting is due to the fact I’m being carried over a man’s shoulder, I begin to smack my ride’s back half heartedly.

“Put me down,” I say, but my words go unnoticed.

“Millie, stay calm,” my dad’s voice whispers softly.

I fight against the drug coursing within my veins.

“Put me down!”

I struggle to free myself from the hold entrapping me.

“Keep it down, you idiot or do you want everyone to know which way we are escaping?”

With my body drained of energy, I can no longer resist the pull of sleep. The last thing I remember before I drift off into oblivion is the fluffy tail of Chevy, wagging in the air.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Millie?” a deep voice soothes from beyond the darkness of my closed eyelids.

The tension in my body relaxes.

“Millie, wake up.”

The touch of a coarse hand flutters my heart beat. His thumb gently strokes my cheek bone, igniting heat below the skin.

“My poor Millie,” Connor whispers as I beg my eyes to open.

I silently curse them when they don’t comply.

“She’ll be fine.” The sound of footsteps move closer where I lay. “They wouldn’t give her anything that would seriously harm her,” Jay’s voice says as if trying to convince himself. “I told you that woman was her aunt.”

“I can’t believe Katlin is back,” my father’s voice whispers dazed.

“Well believe it,” Jay replies. 

Even with my eyes closed, I recognize the tension in the air. Connor grows dark and menacing beside me.

“Not like any aunt I’ve ever known. I warned you and your brother to protect her. You didn’t,” Connor seeths. 

Jay’s frustrated growl reverberates throughout the room, “We protected her the best way we could. She’s like a sister to me. Do you really think your smug threats are why we looked after her? You are nothing to me or to her!”

I struggle harder to open my eyes, to reach out, anything to stop the fight which is brewing. The air thickens. I’m aware of the empty space where Connor’s presence had recently occupied. The loud slam of a body hitting the room’s wall echos throughout the void.

“I am not nothing. You need me and besides I’m the one who loves her, you little prick.”

Jay’s strangled voice rasps, “Little prick?” The sound of a choked laugh follows. “What do you know of love? The only “love” you feel for her is between your legs. You don’t really know her so how can you love her?”

“Boys, calm down and shut your mouths, you’re talking about my daughter. If you get angry right now you won’t serve anyone’s purpose but Katlin’s.”

An ache threatens my heart at my dad’s stern comments. He isn’t safe behind the fence as I’d hoped. I no longer have the comfort of knowing both the men I care about are tucked safely behind the steel perimeter of the prison.

There is a silence as I attempt to work my lips to speak.

“Da-.”

The effort is challenging so I stutter almost soundlessly.

“I can differentiate between lust and love,” Connor says coldly.

My eyes blink open at his proclamation, withstanding the sudden dull ache behind them. Blur figures slither into focus as my head turns, seeking Connor’s voice. I attempt to process the scene with some difficulty as my eyes adjust to the dimness. Long beams of golden sunlight shine through a boarded window giving just enough light to make out large details. The room is empty except a few pieces of furniture piled up in the corner. The ancient carpet I’m lying on emits a musty smell and I inwardly gag, remembering the cab of the abandoned tractor trailer truck. In the far shadows, Connor stands tensed, his arm flexing as he holds Jay by the throat. I know he has loosen his grip because Jay isn’t choking for air any longer. However, they stare hard at one another.

“Maybe you should thank him and his brother for keeping her alive instead of taking out your anger on them,” Dad remarks in a calm demeanor.

Jay continues to stare at Connor, none of them realizing I’m awake.

“I love her too, only differently,” Jay admits and peers away from Connor, breaking their stare. “You have no idea what I had to go through to find her above the library.”

Connor lets his arm drop to his side.

“I think I’ve an idea,” he says.

Jay shakes his head, “No, you don’t.”

They stand quietly, all anger evaporated between them.

“Dad,” I whisper, ignoring the crack in my voice and the rawness of my throat.

Suddenly, Dad and Connor are both beside me, Connor holding my hand. His touch on my skin sends a tingle of awareness throughout. 

“Millie. How do you feel?” Dad asks, concern shaking his voice.

I venture to sit up and wish I hadn’t after a breath.

“I’m okay, just a little bit unstable,” I say.

Jay, still standing, leans over Connor’s kneeling position and smirks.

“I already knew you were unstable,” he quips.

I give a weak laugh and try again to sit up.

“Right now you’re safe. You can lay down,” Dad says, confirming my hopes and resting his sweaty hand upon my forehead.

“What are you doing here? You aren’t trained for the red zone. You should be somewhere you can be protected,” I state still confused.

He chuckles.

“You don’t have much faith in your old man, do you?”

“That isn’t what I meant,” I say faintly. With a smile, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I know sweetie,” he replies as my regret seeps deeper into my chest.

“Dad I’m so sorry for the way I acted.”

Connor’s grip on my hand tightens.

“Me too. Sometimes I forget you aren’t a child anymore.”

I stifle a sob.

“If I could take it back-” His hand comes to a rest on my shoulder.

“You wouldn’t do a damn thing differently. Your mother was the same way. It was one thing I loved and hated most about her,” he states knowingly.

I nod, studying my father’s face. Finding him outside the walls of the library seems almost surreal- his presence all wrong for this cold, hateful place.

“I haven't lived a day when I didn’t regret abandoning my search for your mother. Even though Tom continued on, I should have went with him. I couldn’t make the same mistake twice,” Dad says with years of remorse bleeding through his weathered eyes.

              “You did the right thing. I was just a baby and I needed you back then.”

He bows his head in sorrow. In all honesty, I needed him now too.

“I repeat those words of how you needed me to myself every day. I’m still not convinced.”

              “Millie you should rest while you can,” Connor interrupts.

“Why did you bring him out here? He isn’t safe,” I accuse and earn an unguarded grimace.

              “In case you haven’t realized, no one is safe,” Jay replies, “Prison, red zone, it makes no difference at the moment.”

Connor’s other hand grips the side of my face.

“I can’t tell another man he can’t protect his family. Specially, if he wants to protect the same person I do.” I release my silent tears.

“I’m glad you came,” I say, leaning into his touch.

“Me. too.”

Refusing to lay back down, I ask, “Where are we?”

With a firm but yielding touch, Connor helps position me against the dirty wall of the room.

“Far enough away that the army won’t find us. We used a shallow creek to cover up our trail,” Connor confides.

I smile as I gaze into his steely gray eyes, so full of warmth. I picture him leaning down, kissing me but he doesn’t.

“Good idea,” I say with a blush.

These last few days, I had forgotten how beautiful he was as if my mind had faded his image to make him more normal. A gentle smile plays on his lips as he memorizes every one of my freckles.

“I think you lost your hat,” Connor teases as my father watches our exchange.

I turn up the corner of my mouth in a mocking smile.

“You missed me, didn’t you?” I ask.

“Just your hat.”

I laugh, feeling better with each passing moment.

As if reading my mind, Connor leans forward and brushes his lips lightly to mine. It’s the briefest of kisses but the effect on me is still the same as if he’d tried to consume my mouth with all his passion.

“Son, you need to remember her father is in the room,” my dad warns.

Connor pulls away a little embarrassed.

“Sorry sir,” he replies, then casts a shy smile my way.

With his smooth grace he retrieves a container of water from his supply bag and hands it to me.

“And I did by the way, miss you, that is.”

His curt responses make me smile as I drink the lukewarm water. However the feeling of contentment doesn’t last long, my smile disappears.

“Where’s Tessa and Clover?” I ask, suddenly concerned. 

“Safe, back at the prison,” Connor states.

“and Lonnie?”

I look toward Jay who I’d temporarily forgotten was in the room.

“Lonnie is fine. He’s outside right now, guarding this building,“ Jay replies. I breath a sigh of relief.

“Is Chevy with him?” I continue.

“Yes, Chevy will let us know if any infected are close,” Connor smirks with a prideful expression and proclaims, “The puppy’s training paid off yesterday. Chevy locked on to your scent and allowed us to find you quickly.”

Connor gives the water container in my hand a pointed look. I take a drink.

“I think I owe Chevy some scraps of food when we make it back,” I say and pass the water container to my dad.

“I would say so,” Dad remarks before taking a sip of water.

“How far away are we from home? I ask with an urgency to move swiftly.

Jay answers, “Only a few miles. Can you travel?” He pauses for a moment. “After the creek we followed one of the better paved roads to this old barn. We have some time if you need the rest.”

Connor interrupts taking my wrist in his hand.

“The route would be hard for anyone to track but they have the advantage of knowing where we’re heading.”

He checks for my pulse, for the pounding of my heart. The faint trace of his finger down the underside of my wrist feels like a loving caress- the touch leaving a path of heat smoldering underneath my skin.

“No footprints,” I say, attempting not to shiver from his closeness.

Connor gives me an approving nod.

“Breath normally,” he says and squeezes my wrist.

I didn’t realize my breath had quickened.

“What are you doing. It’s obvious I’m alive,” I comment, wanting to conceal my deepening blush.

His eyebrows rise.

“You better be,” he snickers and peers down at my wrist.

He sits motionless as he concentrates on my heart beat. Connor’s mouth moves silently counting the beats that I can suddenly hear pulsing in my ears. I take this opportunity to study his features, hoping I’ll be able to calm myself. His hair has gotten a little longer since I first met him- his shoulders a little broader. Living at the prison looked good on him.

“Your blood pressure is fine,” he remarks, thickly- feeling my eyes on him.

I wait for his signature sarcastic smile but instead he gazes at me intently.
Does he realize his affect on me?
 

“We should be able to travel, just try not to push yourself too hard.” I nod.

Connor’s fingers graze down to my hand- his thumb stroking my knuckles. I suddenly have trouble endeavoring to swallow as the emotions in his eyes draw me in. I don’t remember such kindness and gentleness reflecting back at me before. Jay clears his throat.

“I’m gonna join Lonnie.” And with that Jay disappears through the door, leaving me with both my father and Connor.

“I’m going to give you a minute but don’t be long,” my dad says as he stands. “Don’t forget what we talked about, Connor.”

“What did you talk about?” I ask when my father leaves to join the others.

“Turns out my father wasn’t the only father who could be scary,” Connor replies. 

I pull my hand away from Connor’s and reflexively reach up to fix my beret. Finding it missing, I sigh.

“You’re going to share that conversation with me later.”

Connor’s now empty hand slides through the waves of my crimson hair.

“Don’t worry about your hat. I’ll find you another one.” He combs his fingers through my hair again then gathers a portion to fall over my shoulder.

“The style is hard to find,” I say with an almost pout then shudder as his other hand gathers the rest of my hair to fall over my other shoulder. His voice becomes husky as he settles beside me.

“We’ll make it work.”

The way he says the words gives me an impression we are no longer talking about my beret.

“Did Mrs. Emerson send you after us?” I ask, endeavoring not to be entranced by the way he continues to stare at me. He shakes his head with slow intent.

“Nope.”

I wait, wanting him to say something more. When he doesn’t, I shift uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

“I can’t believe you left Tessa and Clover behind.”

A familiar mocking smile appears on his face.

“You needed me more,” he says with his velvet voice.  I roll my eyes, wishing not to be affected so much by him. Turning away, I realize my mind is completely clear of whatever they had drugged me with.

“I think the drugs are out of my system now,” I say. A glimmer of sorrow appears on Connor’s features.

“I’m sorry, Millie,” he says, full of remorse. “I should have been with you.”

I let the words hover in the air between us. There is nothing he could have done to protect me from the last few days. I struggle to find anything else besides him to focus on. I don’t want him to discover the moisture threatening to gather in my eyes. We remain quiet for a moment, me taking comfort in him sitting so close.

“Did they tell you what happened, any details?”

I stare at the wall in front of me as the reel in my mind begins to play again.

“Yeah?” he whispers gently.

There is a sadness in his voice but he doesn’t elaborate further on any specifics only tries to comfort me the best he knows how.

“They won’t attack the prison right now.” Connor pauses, “so your father is safe for the time being.”

“How can you be sure?” I ask, turning to gape at him. “Katlin told me they’re the ones who have been killing the infected around the prison. That’s why we never saw any of them.” Saying her name sends a chill down to my bones. “She knows I won’t leave the prison again, not wanting to risk being captured.”

Connor releases a breath, “Well, I’m glad we agree on not leaving the prison. I was afraid you would fight me on the subject.”

“I’m not stupid and since when do you care rather or not we argue,” I say in a light tone and smile crookedly at him.

His eyes focus on my mouth and for a moment I think he is going to kiss me again, but he doesn’t.

“The people at the prison are about to get well acquainted with the infected. The fences should hold for awhile as long as we kill them as soon as they arrive but eventually the cult will attack.”

“Why not attack before now?”

I lean my head up against the wall letting my hand rest on the floor.
Who puts carpet in a barn?

“She knew you would be a scout. Why risk so many men and resources when you would be out where she could grab you easily enough?” Connor states. “Plus, who knows you could’ve been just as crazy as her and left the gates wide open for her to walk through and take what she wants.” He looks down at my fingers laying in the musty carpet. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called her crazy.”