The Survivors: Book One (40 page)

He didn’t confirm or deny, but was pleased she knew it. Cynthia had been a White House reporter before the War, a dangerously good one, and while she had only been here a few weeks, she already understood how things worked. Then, there was Tonya. She'd been with him since Nevada and still had no clue how to legally get what she wanted.

“Deal. And just maybe, I’ll have more important things for you later. If you’re interested?”

Cynthia agreed right away, surprised, suspicious, and he smiled at her, one of his genuinely beautiful moments that made her heart thump. There wasn’t a man in camp who could compare.

“Anything else?”

“Yes. I’d like to go the mall across the street. I’m out of supplies.”

“Alone?”

Cynthia hesitated again, not wanting to tell him she hadn’t really made any friends yet. She did have the eye of one of his guards, but she said nothing. Jeremy was on duty outside and would never leave his post.

“No one wants to walk in a blizzard just for notebooks and pens,” he guessed. Then surprised her again. “It’s nasty out there. I might be able to find you an escort.”

Adrian watched her quickly hide the relief in her eyes, and was glad to know the Ice Queen could feel fear too. They had found her sleeping in a school bus, and she hadn’t hesitated to speak her mind even then, alone, with only one bullet left in her gun.

“That would be great. I’ll be ready when they are.”

He looked at his watch, thinking she wore too much perfume. The room now reeked of flowers she’d probably never even seen. “The truck leaves in ten minutes. Kenn and the Eagles are heading over to collect our reserves. You’ll be expected to help and do what you’re told.”

“No problem. Thank you.”

“Anything else?”

“No. See you later.”

Cynthia left quickly, glad she’d heard good words about her future here, but disappointed she hadn’t gotten anything new. She still had no clue who he had been before and that question ate at her some nights. If it was the last thing she did, she would find out.

Adrian watched her go, thinking he would reward Neil for the unknowing distraction, but she wasn’t going to give up because of a warning or even a mysterious possible offer somewhere down the line. Cynthia was going to keep digging, keep watching, and he would have to be careful. Because that female was smart enough to figure out his puzzle if given enough pieces.

Hearing footsteps near the door again, Adrian looked up with a frown. One of the new men, Seth Daniels, appeared, green eyes much more excited than his even tone.

“We think something’s happening outside. It sounds wrong.”

Adrian immediately got up, reaching for his jacket.

Seth moved aside to let him through. “I guess you know I was an undercover cop, before. I’d make a good Eagle.”

Adrian met his eye as they went up the dim hall. “I’ll get back to you on that.”

Seth nodded, dropped back to allow him the lead. “I’ll be here.”

As they neared the front, glass doors of the alley, Adrian stopped, listening to the noises growing louder, closer.

Crunch...Snap!

 Recognizing the sound, his eyes widened, and he waved to Kenn and Kyle, “Get them all in the hall, bring the heaters! Perimeter men too!”

The next three minutes were total panic and chaos as a hundred sheep ran for the cover of the windowless hallway. Adrian watched with worried eyes, hoping the generators wouldn’t freeze, but there wasn't time to bring them inside.

Heavy tree limbs were snapping off, slamming into banks of ashy, black snow, and when the windows in the mall across the street began to shatter, the din of fear increased. Adrian moved the Eagles to the front and rear of the terrified crowd, keeping his herd together.

Not as severe as in other places, the wave of freeze didn’t take out all of the bowling alley’s glass. Layers of plastic and mats were sealed over drafty doorways, and the temperature inside continued to climb despite the below zero winds that forced the guards to watch from the few trucks that hadn’t frozen. Because of Kenn and Adrian, more than a hundred people were saved, and the camp relaxed quickly, went back to enjoying the light and heat when Adrian led them out.

5

The noise in the 34 lane alley was almost deafening, awful, and totally beautiful to those making it. Pins fell, balls thumped and rolled, voices talked, laughed, argued. Arcades dinged wildly, music blared from the speakers, and outside, snow fell in heavy sheets, blanketing everything. Other than the guards now watching from snow-covered trucks and the plastic hanging all over the inside of the alley, it was as if the crisis hadn’t happened. Adrian was pleased that they had handled it so well.

Chris, Daryl, and Jeremy were the only Eagles on guard outside, all Level Two, and very uneasy as they kept the rest of those on duty alert. The noise was loud even through the muffling effect of the snow storm, and the lights glared out in the darkness. If anyone was still around here, they were hearing and seeing it too.

Temperatures hovered in the low teens as full darkness settled over the slick, ashy gray town, and the supply trucks couldn’t be seen after only crossing the street. When they returned promptly, it wasn’t just Adrian who was relieved. The Eagles came in with quick steps, arms loaded with warmer clothes and boots, and with boxes of extras, like books and music, all of them eager for the warmth and comfort of camp. This town, like so many others they had come through, was full of the dead and empty of signs of life.

The guards changed shifts at dinnertime and their fresh eyes swept the blowing darkness around their people, as uneasy as the last men had been, but inside there was confidence. Kenn would get the credit for the good day, but it was Adrian who had listened, Adrian who had made the right choice, and once again, his people were safe because of it.

Kemmerer appeared to be empty, but it wasn’t. The noise of Adrian’s camp was a reminder of happier, lost times, and it rang through the small town, drawing the attention of the 30 or so people hiding there. They existed mostly in basements and schools now, connected by walkie-talkies. By 10 p.m., a small group of these survivors had gathered, agreed to beg for help. Their town was dead around them, and while they were hoping the Alley people were from the government, they knew it wasn’t likely, and were willing to settle for just normal survivors who could offer them a little hope for the future.

6

“Strike! Beat that kid!”

Adrian sat down to record his score as Charlie stepped up to the sparkling, confetti-covered lane, and the leader was glad he’d had Zack cut it down before dinner. He hadn’t wanted his sheep trying to eat while the party decorations had hung over them like a neon sign that said
"Your world is dead, you’ll never get this back."
All the other reminders had already been put in bags and tossed in the dumpster.

   Adrian hid a wince as all the pins fell again, grinning instead. He had a terrible headache, longed to spend some time in his silent semi, but it pleased him to see everyone happy and he wouldn’t tell them to tone it down for a while. They needed this, and right now, he was trying not to get skunked by a 14-year-old with the arm of a pro. The boy was better than Kenn.

That thought made Adrian look around, and he was a bit surprised not to see the Marine. Kenn liked to be the life of the party, and when he wasn’t, he was working on things they needed. Was he back in the basement? Suddenly anxious, Adrian stood up, meaning to send someone for him. That ripple of unease grew as heavy footsteps echoed over the noise of the din before he could.

“Adrian! Headlights!”

Jeremy and Seth were running toward him, people moving out of the way, and everyone stopped to watch, to hear. Strikes and cups fell unnoticed as men went for their guns, his herd watching nervously to see if they should stampede.

His eyes found Neil and Kyle in the twitchy crowd. When he motioned, the men went quickly to the front doors, and both of their teams fell in behind them without being called. This was their job.

Adrian pulled the plug on the music and looked over his scared camp, the silence almost a relief. “If you’ve passed the gun class, form a line inside the door. Do
not
draw your weapon. Get behind the guards. Everyone else, stay behind them.”

Aware of Seth on his heels, Adrian pulled on his jacket as he went out and opened his holsters, taking the safety off both guns. Just in case. He was hoping for survivors, but the odds were high they had drawn a threat instead, and he would die defending his sheep if he had to.

7

Down in the basement of the alley, where most of the bulbs were burnt out, Kenn was checking cords and connections, glad to see nothing overheating. He heard the music stop and assumed Adrian had tired of the noise. He also noticed the lack of balls and pins falling, but didn’t understand what it meant.

“All by your lonesome?”

Kenn’s spin was fast, gun in hand, and Tonya held up a hand, eyes saying she liked it that he was dangerous. “Easy there, big boy. It’s just the one ya been watchin' when ya thought no one was lookin'.”

Responding to the sexy accent, Kenn reholstered his gun, eyes crawling up slender ankles to creamy thighs. “The party’s upstairs. And I’m no boy.”

Tonya slowly moved towards him, hoping Kenn would be at least half as good as their fearless leader. “I’ve noticed.”

The Marine frowned at her, ears straining to hear if they were really alone. “What do you want?”

Tonya sauntered closer. “I never got to congratulate you on making XO.” She wiggled a finger, other hand slowly sliding her short skirt up, and Kenn didn’t hesitate, his need overflowing.

Tonya melted against him, lips finding that sensitive spot on his neck, and he lit up, arching against her. Nose full of pot, whiskey, and woman, he locked their mouths together. He’d gone without for a long time.

Head spinning, Kenn grunted as his jeans fell to his ankles and groaned as Tonya’s soft hand closed over his hard flesh like a glove. His eyes closed as her lips slid from his neck, and his big hands tangled in her thick curls, pushing her to her knees. If anyone had come down the hall, it would have been too late to hide, but luck was with them and they remained alone while Adrian met the new people.

8

“Where?” Adrian stepped into the storm, Doug and Neil flanking him, but didn’t really need them to point out what could only be the headlights of a big truck moving carefully through the heavy snow. Adrian’s gut immediately said sheep and he turned to Doug, storing the fact that Kenn was still nowhere to be seen. “Tell the doctor he has patients and put up tents in the lea of the building. Get some heaters in them too. Also have...Maria, start a fresh batch of meals.”

The big Gulf War Vet was still scribbling the information down and as he and Neil moved away, they were dividing up the list. Adrian watched the semi get closer to the only part of the alley’s entrance that was still visible through the eight inches of gray slush. Their noise had drawn more of his own and he wanted them, but maybe, just maybe, there was another of his circle in that truck, too.

 “Get everyone back inside. This is now a quarantine zone!” Adrian barked to the Eagle on his flank.

Kyle waved his men over, and Adrian watched the semi turn into the lot, weaving past deeper looking drifts that were concrete blocks. The inside light of the red rig was on and he counted four white, middle-aged males crammed inside, their hands in plain view.

 “Lesson three, Eagles. Move.”

Nothing happened for a second and then Kyle, drawing his Glock, stepped forward. “Weapons out. Don’t shoot unless I do.”

The other eight men immediately dropped back to form a neat, wide V-shape in front of Adrian, aiming their guns at the truck’s huge tires.

The driver reacted fearfully, gears squealed in protest as the semi shuddered to a stop about 40 feet away, sliding a little in the thick slush.

Adrian nodded, pleased. “Very good.” He said nothing else, only waited.

Kyle stepped forward. “Secure and disarm. Move out.”

They went in a hurry, like the professionals from before the War, and the faded truck was surrounded before Adrian finished grinding out his smoke.

9

“Damn, that was good. Wanna do it again.”

Kenn grinned, nodding against her sweaty neck as his body twitched inside hers. He slowly moved out of her slick depths and let her slide down the wall, mouth running before enough blood had made it back to his brain to allow thinking. “Later. We got lucky no one came down.”

Tonya hadn’t expected to be claimed right away, but his obvious reluctance hurt her, drew claws seeking a taste of his blood. “They’re busy in the parking lot, talking to the new people.”

Her green eyes were lit up with satisfaction and spite. “He’ll wonder where you were, but he’ll understand leadership comes with...perks.”

Tonya’s tone was gloating, and Kenn kept himself from hitting her by only a hair. Tonya seemed to sense it and ducked under his arm, moving away.

“If I lost ground, I’ll claim you to make you pay. Don’t ever come between us again! You’ll be sorry.”

Tonya acted unafraid, though inside she knew he wasn’t bluffing, and the greedy redhead gave him a seductive smile as she fixed her clothes, tossed him his shirt. “I won’t. You gonna...cum to me tonight?” she asked, eyeing his chest as he pulled the shirt on over mussed hair.

Kenn jerked her up against his hard body, grinding his mouth against hers. Her arms curled around his neck and Kenn tasted her again before shoving her away.

“Yeah. Here, late. I’ll bring a blanket.”

10

“Hi! I’m Chris. This is Tim, Carter, and Paul. We live here.” The man paused, eyes full of horror. “Or at least we did. Now we hide here.” The thin face was lined with worry, and Kyle waved toward Adrian.