walker saga 07 - earth (20 page)

“I don’t know what her story is; she never opened up to any of us. She just appeared one night in the alley where I was camped out. Sword on her back and something dead in her eyes. I’ve seen more than one girl come to me like that. The only thing I do know is that her family is gone. She has a bit of a death wish herself, and she’s a great fighter. One of the best I’ve ever seen.”

Of course she was: she had Walker genetics.

“And her sword is sort of special. I swear I’ve seen it glow before.”

Eva had said the sword was extraordinary. If we discovered its origins, we might find out who her Walker father was. Something for another time. A time when we weren’t in a life-and-death battle.

“She’s a good person, Abbs.” Chrissie drew my attention again. “She never leaves a girl behind. You can trust her to have your back, but she doesn’t allow herself to be close to anyone. I never pushed because I’m the same way. We all have our demons. Our secrets. The reason many of the vigiladies stay with me is I offer them a way to fit in, but still keep their secrets. Plus we like to kick ganger ass.”

I grinned. “If Luce and I had of stayed on Earth, we’d have totally been in your vigiladies.”

A chuckle escaped her.

“But we would have required a mask.” Isn’t it some sort of unwritten rule: superheroes need masks?

Chrissie’s chuckles turned into laughter then, not big belly laughs or anything, but more happiness than I’d seen from her in a long time. I joined her, even though we were drawing more than a few strange looks. As the hilarity of the situation died off, my gaze returned to the boats. They looked closer. They had slowed as they approached the docks but were definitely still coming in.

“We need to leave now,” I said to Chrissie. “Take the girls and find somewhere to hole up with them until you can assess what the fallout from New York is going to be.”

She nodded a few times, her eyes locked on mine. “Yes, I’ll round them up. Can you see if there’s a vehicle or something to steal?”

I grinned. It felt like a wonky, sort of crazy smile, but I was excited. There weren’t many cars on the other worlds, and I’d wanted to try my hand at driving again. I’d learned how to hotwire and drive at a young age – it was part of the escape plan from the compound – but as the years went on and vehicles became scarcer, the opportunities to drive faded to almost nothing.

Today was my lucky day.

“On it!” I managed to keep it below a shriek. “Meet you in the parking lot, on the other side of that building.”

Chrissie winked, and then she faded off into the mass of people. I had no doubt she would start sending the girls over in small groups, so as not to draw any attention. I had to hurry, so I was ready for them.

Help Chrissie for me, babe!

Brace had started to follow me, but I wanted to make sure that nothing happened on the docks while I was gone.

Yes, sir.
He chuckled and I heard murmurs of
bossy little thing.

I was a little bossy at times.

My pace picked up from a walk to a jog and eventually I was sprinting along the docks again, but this time I didn’t enter the building. Instead I veered off to the left and followed the narrow cement path around to the parking lot.

I almost shrieked again as the black tarred area came into view. It was filled with vehicles of all varieties. I slowed my run so I could scan across.

Crap.

I might have a problem; most of these cars were makes and models more advanced than anything I’d ever seen. I needed something older, the style I’d learned to drive and steal. I didn’t have time to figure out anything with fancy computers or complicated wiring systems.

“Oh, my god, Abby!” Lucy rounded the corner, yelling her head off. Colton and Eva were with her. “So many cars. So many.”

Lucy trailed off as if the sight of so much shiny goodness had rendered her speechless.

“I don’t know any of these models,” I said. “And I need a vehicle big enough that we’ll all fit.”

Every freaking car here was some sort of sleek fancy model. More of the girls were starting to join us, Chrissie and Brace sending them across. Colton looked just as helpless as I was. He was a Walker. They didn’t exactly use or need cars.

I was just about to panic when a loud rumble blasted across the graveled lot and, as I shifted my head to the left, a grin kicked up the corner of my lips.
Hells to the yeah!
The gods of fate loved Abby today; about effing time they started to send us some luck.

Turning into the lot was an old Ford pickup truck, original and beautifully restored by the looks of the shiny black paint. It gave that deep chugging sound that only a true V8 could obtain. The owner pulled it up near the back, where the larger spaces were, to accommodate the massive size.

This was the one I needed. Oh, yeah, I totally needed it. Double bonus: I knew how to get her moving.

A male human jumped out. He wore an official-looking uniform. Not police, but maybe some sort of special services. Black head to toe, with white letters across his chest and back, spelling out SWAT. I had no idea what division he was from, but something told me stealing his car was a bad idea. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice.

“Get the girls across to that garden,” I said to Colton. He followed my hand as I pointed toward a grassy knoll that was visible on the far side of the parking lot. “I’ll bring that car around.”

The Ford was loud and easily recognizable. I would not have any time to hang out in the parking lot, or the owner would most certainly hear his big, rumbly engine.

Colton gave me a nod, and Lucy hugged me. I took off toward the car, taking the long way around so I wouldn’t run into the owner. Thankfully he wasn’t looking toward our group. His focus was on the docks as he spoke into a tiny hand-held device. Some sort of cell phone, by the looks.

I’d never seen anything like it, small and sleek, fitting securely into the palm of his hand. I did briefly wonder why he’d arrived on his own and not in an official police vehicle, but maybe they did things differently from what I’d seen on television. Or maybe he’d been off duty and rushed over. Either way, it was lucky for us, because his car was our only hope.

I kept my head low, walk-running, but not full-on sprinting – that would definitely draw attention. More humans were pouring into the area, on bikes, foot and in vehicles.

When I reached the large Ford, I sidled along the driver’s side, hoping like hell the door was unlocked. Reaching for the energy inside – my energy well was disgustingly suppressed on Earth – I scraped up enough power to sense for an alarm.

There didn’t seem to be anything electronic protecting the car, so I didn’t hesitate to grab the handle, holding my breath as I pulled. There was a click, but the door didn’t pop open.
Shit!
It was locked and I didn’t have any sort of tool on me to be able to jimmy it open. I was just wringing my hands and scanning the garden beds in front of the car park for something when a shadow fell over me.

I spun around to find Colton there. “I got the girls into the park. Brace thought you might need a hand.”

My mate, always keeping an eye on me. I nodded at Colton, who smirked, his perfect teeth shining in the sunlight, icy-blue eyes shimmering.

“The car’s locked,” I said. “I know how to get it open, but I need a piece of metal or wire to fit down the window and into the door.”

That shiny grin widened. “Nah, all you need is me.”

He reached out and placed a tanned hand onto the car, just above the locking mechanism. I felt the slightest rush of energy, and then all four locks clicked up. Well, hot damn, he’d just unlocked the car with his power.

“We still have little tricks up our sleeves. If you knew how and weren’t so drained you’d have been able to do the same,” Colton said as he yanked open the door.

I didn’t feel that drained now, but Earth made everything extra shit in regards to power. So who knew? I had to stretch right up to reach the bar and pull myself into the Ford; this truck was jacked up high. Before I could, though, Colton placed a hand under my elbow and with no visible effort gave me a boost. I landed in the seat. Showoff, I could have done that.

By the time he’d journeyed around and climbed into the passenger side, I’d managed to drop the casing off the ignition and find the wires I needed. The noise was almost deafening as the beast sprang to life. Its owner clearly loved her. She started without pause and, despite the huge ass engine, was smoothly purring away.

I reached across and slammed my door. Colton did the same to his. I took a moment to recall how to drive: adjust the mirrors and seat, shift into reverse, slowly ease out of the massive park.

That part went smoothly and thankfully no cars were vying for my spot, so I could take my time. Colton said nothing as I continued to slowly adjust myself to driving again. I was now equipped with unparalleled Walker reflexes, which was helpful, but still, I was pretty rusty.

At the lights I fumbled to find indicators, and after a few incidents with the windshield wipers, finally figured out the basic controls. Colton leaned forward and switched on the air, for which I was very grateful. It was hot here, and my nerves had me on edge; my shirt was sticking in sweaty rows to my back.

You on the way, babe?
I reached out to Brace as I eased the beast into a shaded area on the other side of the large garden area. We were partially hidden away, so unless the owner came looking for his monster, we should be safe for now.

Just waiting on Chrissie to bring the last two girls, and then we’ll grab the others from the park and meet you at the car.
There was a pause, and his inner voice lowered for the last part.
I have to say, I definitely like it when you act all Earth-girl, Red. Very sexy.
He growled low.

Heat flared through me again, and just like that Brace negated the air-conditioning, and I was again hotter than hell. Damn Walkers. Such sweet talkers.

I hadn’t turned the car off, or even shifted her out of drive. I knew I’d have to move fast when everyone piled in. Luckily the back seat was massive; it wouldn’t be comfortable, but we’d all fit.

To amuse myself while we waited I leaned forward and examined the strange panel and dials in the center of the console. I turned the larger of the round buttons, and all of a sudden music flooded through the stereo system and around the entire car. Colton laughed then, his eyes lighting up like it was some sort of magic trick.

Walkers were blessed with many gifts, but some things were beyond their understanding. The magic of human technology was one of those things. I wanted to laugh with him, but I was actually stunned into silence.

The song poured from the speakers and seeped into me. It was slow and melodic; the owner must have had his radio set on a country music channel. As the female singer spoke of lost love and starlit nights, a flood of emotions slammed into me with the force of a tidal wave.

I had always loved music. The beat, the melody, the way it threaded across my soul and weaved stories with my emotions. I hadn’t heard Earth music for years.

There had been none during the worst of New York’s downfall. And despite the small tastes I’d had of music in the other worlds, this reminded me of home. Of being a young girl and hiding under the covers with Lucy and our radio, listening to whatever black market bands had still managed to transmit on the air.

I wanted to cry, like throw myself down and sob like a fat-faced baby. But there was no time for a breakdown. Memories continued cutting through me with a painful intensity, and I was about to lose my shit completely when a hand reached across and grasped mine. Colton didn’t say anything. He must have sensed that I was teetering on the edge of a breakdown.

I squeezed his large palm, biting my lip to stem the rise of tears. I appreciated his comfort, and the fact he didn’t force me to tell him what was wrong. He understood pain, and he understood comfort. And that was all he needed to know.

I was hit with so many feels as I sat there in the truck. Colton and Lucy were as much my family as Brace was. I loved them and had to ensure they all survived this. Of course, I didn’t want anyone to die, but there were some deaths that would completely destroy me. Brace, Colton and Lucy were at the top of my list. A list which was getting longer every day.

Sniffling and blinking rapidly, I’d never been so grateful to see the shimmery green of a pixie in my peripheral vision. Lucy was in the lead of the raggedy group, the females following slowly, all of them wearing the strain of fear and exhaustion on their features. Still, they continued to move forward. Continued to fight for survival. One thing humans had in spades was fight. They never gave up.

“You okay now, Red?” Colton didn’t use Brace’s nickname for me that often.

I met the light blue of his eyes, and nodded a couple of times. I wasn’t exactly okay, but I wasn’t lying either. My tears were under control, and the memories shut away for another time. His eyes scanned my features, and he must have seen the same thing. With one final squeeze, he released my hand. I blew a kiss toward him.

“Thank you for being my family. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother.” Yeah, I knew I had a blood brother, but truth was Samuel and I just weren’t close.

Sometimes family is not the people born of same blood, but the ones chosen through bloody warfare. This battle had forged bonds – unbreakable connections which were as strong as any quirk of being born to the same parents.

The strong muscles in Colton’s neck moved then as he visibly swallowed. Emotions shone from his eyes.

Eventually he said, “Until you and Lucy arrived, I was lost. My family were mostly dead, Brace had disappeared on some asinine mission for his idiot father, and I was simply wiling away the years. I contemplated the deep sleep, you know … maybe even rebirth.”

He trailed off and I tried not to let my surprise show. Some of the older Walkers who had grown weary with life could choose to go into a sleep-like stasis. They weren’t dead, but neither were they alive. Walkers can also choose to be born again. Technically they’re the same essence, but their previous life memories are wiped clean. So they’re not really the same.