The Survivors

Day 3

6am

1

Adrian walked through the quiet camp at a fast pace, heartburn keeping him from feeling the chill in the wind. Leaves blew from twisted trees, but he didn’t notice.

Adrian stepped under the mess canopy and strode to the table where his best men were eating but not talking. The mood was tense over Marc’s victory last night and the silent but hard declarations of loyalty to the newcomer by so many in the chain of command. It was one of the things about to change. This would bring them together. Danger always worked that way.

“We need more water. The tankers are shut for testing.” Adrian had undivided attention as he sat in his place. “The dogs are acting funny, foggy. Someone may have tampered with them and our supplies. Hopefully, they only stole food or water, but we’re not taking chances.”

His full table was covered in opening notebooks and one stack of half-finished trays piling up in the center. They all wondered how much of what they’d just consumed might be contaminated.

“Morning and lunch are drawn the night before, so we’re okay for the moment, but dinner will have to come from the reserves. John’s testing those now.”

Everyone held in questions as Adrian lit a smoke, knowing he wasn’t done. The quiet watchfulness of his men drew attention from the half a dozen sleepy-eyed camp members around them. They began to spread the word. There might be trouble.

“Kenn found an untouched water tower last week. I had hoped to leave it for an emergency, but we need it now. It’s back toward our last known location of the slavers, but this has to happen. Use our highest security procedures. No one below level three goes.”

Kenn assumed the slavers would still be furious over their rescue of the Cheyenne survivors. “They’ll be waiting for us, maybe.”

Adrian knew. It’s why he had heartburn. “We’ll send our best men. You will stay. I need you here. We’ll push travel back too, instead of leaving tomorrow. One of us will change the schedules as we go.” Adrian spotted Rick getting into the mess line and stood. “Kenn has point. I’ll be around.”

Kenn kept his relief to himself as the other black clad men left the table without a word to him. Kenn was delighted that Marc’s new friends were leaving camp. Maybe I can get some time alone with Angela and talk some sense into her.

Kenn picked out a flash of long black hair coming through the fog. Or whatever it takes to get through to her.

2

Angela’s third day in Safe Haven dawned damp and foggy. The sun was a distant shadow clouded by the thinning layer of sky grit. She got into the coffee line, trying to view this as a new beginning despite her rough mood. She wondered if Samantha might be too as she spotted the thin blonde in the line, looking normal in her slacks and soft brown sweater.

Angela scanned the other people, hoping for any brief contact with Marc.

Heavy boots crunched next to her.

The people around her retreated a space to be out of the line of fire.

Angela sighed, mood falling. Lovely.

“I was looking for you.”

The whine grated on her nerves. Angela was glad to hear soft paws come up behind her. Like Marc, Dog always made her feel safer.

Kenn’s visage tightened when he noticed the wolf.

Again, Angela had only gotten a little sleep without Marc at her side. Her tone was sharp. “I wanted coffee.”

“I would have brought it to you.”

“Since when?” Angela lifted a challenging brow. If he wants to start shit, I’ll help him. The mood she’d woken in was ugly.

Kenn flushed. “I’ve changed. Can’t you just give me another chance?”

The conversations happening around them died suddenly. Everyone wanted to hear her response.

Angela’s thoughts stayed on her nightmares. “Not unless you can make me forget everything that’s happened. As long as my ghosts keep screaming, there won’t ever be forgiveness.”

Kenn spotted Adrian coming through the other side of the mess, frowning. Kenn choked back a threat and shoved a folder at her. “That’s your schedule. Follow it!”

Kenn stomped off.

People got out of his way, not wanting to draw his attention.

Angela sent a quick message to Charlie, warning him to also stay out of the angry Marine’s path, but he didn’t answer. She sighed unhappily, ignoring the frowning people around her. They thought she was just being a hardass, trying to get something she wanted…and she was. My freedom.

Angela pulled out the top two sheets and read the first note, this one handwritten by Kenn.

I am sorry for the past. I know it’s hard to believe, but I do care for you. Please don’t tear apart the only family I’ve ever had. Here’s my truce: I release you from our deal. You’re free to go to him. But please don’t. I still want you.

Angela didn’t believe it. Even if he had put love or need instead of care and want, she wouldn’t. After everything he had put her through, a note wasn’t enough to settle things between them. He was a fool if he thought it was. She crumbled the note and tossed it into a cold fire can that would be lit later.

As she walked with her mug to the food line, Angela skimmed the schedule for what she was supposed to do today… She was with the doctor. Finally! Something I can do without being so careful and bored! Angela glanced up as the three-dozen people around her went quiet. Angela stared with everyone else as tension thickened.

Samantha left her place in the front of the food line. She headed toward Rick, who was in the shorter coffee row. Samantha took a small envelope from her pocket. She didn’t meet Rick’s eye as she held out the Dear John letter. She made sure her voice carried to where Adrian was standing. “I’m sorry. It’s over.”

She walked away without another word.

Rick flushed at all the stares and whispers. He shoved the letter into his shirt pocket until he got his food and found an empty table. He was aware of Adrian studying him as he read her letter.

Rick,

I’ve decided not to tell them you took advantage of me, or about the deal I believe you made with Cesar because I hope I’m wrong. This is a good place. You can make a new life here. We both can. I won’t ruin your chance unless you make me. Please leave me alone. You’re a part of the past I need to forget.

Rick put the letter in his pocket, careful to appear sad but not angry for his audience.

When they saw he wasn’t going to blow up, the whispers switched back to the other hot story–Kenn and his cheating wife. It wasn’t as bad as Rick had feared anyway. He would do as Samantha asked, for a while. Then he would make her pay for breaking their deal as soon as she thought she was safe back among her own kind.

Danger! Pay attention! The voices whispered of grave peril. Angela stepped to the tailgate. She noticed a plump cook wearing a brown hat and dirty overalls. Is the feeling coming from her or the jilted man sitting alone at the rear table?

Angela gave the cook a smile, pushing gently. “Two plates, please. One is for the doctor.”

The woman frowned as if she didn’t understand.

Angela’s brow creased too as she picked up a sense of furious betrayal. “Two plates. My schedule says to get them from you.”

“Schedule?”

Angela held out the paper.

The cook’s expression lit up in triumph as she reached for it.

Angela immediately shoved it back into her pocket, scowling. “What evil are you hiding?”

Her hostile tone drew a lot of attention from those in line behind her.

Angela ignored the bystanders and the guards who were subtly moving closer. “How long have you been here?”

Maria hurried to get the plates, now wishing she had given the dark-haired slut what she asked for. Cesar would kill her for blowing her cover over something as petty as jealousy of the newcomer’s beauty.

The cook’s foreign mind was hard to read. Angela forced the witch down, aware of Adrian coming toward them. I wonder if Charlie picked up anything from the pudgy cook.

“Is there a problem, ladies?” Adrian stopped behind her, blocking some of the camp’s view. He didn’t want to interrupt, but these people weren’t ready to know what she could do. It would have to be careful and slow, but he needed this little edge. He would help her sharpen it.

Angela kept staring, searching. “No, not yet.”

Adrian took the covered plates the anxious cook held out. He stayed at Angela’s side as they left the too-quiet mess.

Angela gave the cook one last glare before she turned to him. “Beware of her or you’ll lose your highest team.” Angela couldn’t give him more details. All I can see are the bodies.

Adrian held his emotions in check, seeing how her eyes slowly lost their glassiness. We’ll accomplish so much! First, I have to get her to trust me the rest of the way. “Does it hurt to see into people?” He knew the answer, but it was an easy opening line that he’d used to calm people like her in his old job.

Angela was glad he wasn’t upset, and she was amused by the question. It wasn’t what she’d expected. “No. It’s like that gray area between sleep and awake, where you feel like stretching forever and a loud noise can make you cry.”

Adrian chuckled, handing her the plates. “You can use it when you want? Control it?”

Angela nodded, feeling strange and wonderful to be talking about it openly.

Adrian wanted to say more, but there were people walking all around them. “Will you come and talk with me about this tomorrow?”

Meaning he would want to talk about her gifts this time. Despite wanting to earn a place where she could use her abilities, Angela hesitated. In the wrong hands…

Adrian sent a tiny wave of alpha pull her way. “Give me a chance to show you I can be trusted with that too.”

Angela frowned as people stopped and stared openly at them. Word travels fast here.

Adrian refused to scowl. Is she immune to my alpha draw? If so, she would be the first person he’d ever met who was.

Angela let her schedule influence the choice. He had listed her as a doctor. This way, she would be using both of her talents. “I’ll talk. I won’t promise anything more.”

“Great, my tent after lunch mess.”

His excited eyes gave away his casual tone. Angela gestured. “Won’t it bother you to let me have free run of your camp?”

“No. Your heart is purer than mine.” He smiled at her, unable to hide his interest. “And just so you know, there’s no one here like you. You’re unique, special.”

Adrian delivered another brilliant smile. “Come on. Let me introduce you to the slave driver we call an MD.”

3

Bang-bang-bang-bang!

Samantha stopped. She was on her way to the gun class, but the sight of Eagles loading a truck in the parking area had drawn her attention. They weren’t using the slow, calm movements she was already coming to expect in Safe Haven. Their quick actions and worried glances said trouble was coming in some form.

Sam’s mind went straight to the slavers; she wandered toward the parking area. Unable to hear the guards, she tried to appear busy studying the dreary sky instead of the leaving crew.

Neil didn’t turn around to find out who was burning holes into his back. It could be anyone. None of the camp liked it when the shepherds were away, but this was a priority. They had to have water.

Neil motioned to his team he was ready to go, striding through the loading men.

Samantha’s gaze followed. She’d seen Neil around. She knew who he was and what position he held here. He’s about to leave. Why does that bother me?

Samantha didn’t like the immediate answer.

I’m safer when he’s here.

Neil turned around and caught her staring.

It was the last person he’d expected. The new woman had avoided contact with all the Eagles as far as Neil knew. He stared back, drawn… Her hair blew in the wind, giving him that flash of corn silk again.

Sam didn’t realize Neil had turned; she was too shocked by her discovery. What was it about the males here that made a woman want to be protected?

She snorted, turning toward the gun class she was late for. The war had changed everything.

Neil was now the one staring. What had she been thinking? It had been about him, he was sure of that. Curiosity awakened, Neil’s gaze followed her until she disappeared behind the bleachers of the gun class. When I get home, maybe I’ll dig into that.

Kevin glanced up as the other students turned to frown at the late arrival. Teaching the class today, he motioned toward the front. “We waited.”

Kevin had noticed her pause to watch the loading crew, but he didn’t call attention to it. Samantha was settling in, trying to figure out her place. That she had one, the rookie didn’t doubt. She and Angela wore the same expression of determination that his sister had gotten whenever she wanted something.

Kevin sighed. Safe Haven is great. My sister would have liked it here. “On your mark, shooter.”

Mind still on the man she could hear rolling away, Samantha drew and fired without her usual flash of Cheyenne Mountain. I hope he isn’t gone long.

4

Something’s happening.

Driving in from the south, the wind had begun to pick up; storm clouds rolled behind the grit. It cooled sweaty necks, but ripped papers from careless fingers. By midmorning it was coming at them in gusting blasts that made everyone glad the dustier places were behind them.

The parking area was deserted, with only three guards on the cars since it wasn’t a travel day. Adrian nodded to each of them as he headed for the supply trucks. Despite approving of the stacks of packed and labeled boxes around the semi, Adrian found himself frowning. It was a struggle to smooth his expression as he climbed into the rear of the rig. The sounds of his flock were normal, but not everyone was here. Something was happening. Was it wrong to send the water crew? Are my men in danger?

Adrian tried to push it away. They had to have water, and he couldn’t have put Kenn in charge to go himself. Kenn’s one small chance at leadership had vanished with the appearance of Angela and her busted lip.

“We’re almost done with this one. Did you know you had a crate of grenades in here?”

Adrian shrugged distractedly as Marc rose from a stack of boxes on the mostly empty floor. “I wondered what the key went to. Kenn and Kyle do most of the pickups; they take anything they think we might need later. Hard telling what you may find in the other trucks.”

Marc lit a smoke. “I had it put in the new weapons only rig, along with the ammo we found.”

Adrian forced himself to pay attention. This mattered. He had to make sure Angela stayed and that meant finding Marc something to do while he prepared Angie and these people for what came next. “You’ve gotten a lot done.”

Marc shrugged. “I spent some time last night figuring out the quickest way.”

After being awakened by Kenn’s angry voice at the crack of dawn (what a different, unwelcome start to a day!), Marc had found four rookies waiting for him at the trucks. They’d made it clear he was in charge. Marc could have supervised, but he’d done as much as any of them.

Adrian pushed his gift out gently, wondering if Marc might also be immune to it. “Before or after Kenn took the shirt off your back?”

“After.” Marc smiled ruefully. “Now I understand why Angie turned into a card shark.”

It had been rough at moments, like when Kenn had first joined the poker game, but it hadn’t been as bad as he’d expected. Adrian had done an excellent job of controlling the situation.

Adrian used his boot to squish a spider with too many legs into the floor.

He ground it in a way that made Marc frown in recognition. Angela had the same reaction to mutations.

Adrian changed topics. “I understand why you have the wolf protecting her, but it’s not necessary. She’s safe here.”

Marc didn’t tell Adrian that Dog was guarding her on his own. He felt better knowing she had that extra protection.

“So, a day each?” Adrian kept trying to reach the stubborn man.

“A little less if I spend my free time on it, which I probably will.” Marc pointed. “I’m going to hang and then fill the baskets and shelves with what your people use most.”

“Our people… Great idea.”

Marc liked how that felt. He refused to let it show. “As for the stored items, you could–”

“We could,” Adrian corrected him patiently. “They’re your people now, too.”

“We…could limit access or have people sign out what they take and when. After certain hours, lock it up and set alarms that only a few people know how to remove.” Marc didn’t want to argue, but his glare said to ease up.

Adrian stopped pushing. “What kind of alarms?”

“Basic stuff. Like the discs you already use, but these will give the person a shock they won’t be able to hide because it will knock them out. I also thought a hidden video recorder wouldn’t be hard to hook up with the equipment you have here.”

“Absolutely. It’s lunch time. Let’s go eat and we’ll narrow down where to put it all.”

Marc swallowed the protest and followed Adrian from the truck. So much for avoiding awkward situations.

5

“John said you needed this ASAP.” Angela held out the envelope, eyes on her feet.

Two of the men glanced up from their potted meat sandwiches.

Marc wasn’t one of them. Is she okay? Does she miss me anywhere near as much as I miss her?

“Thanks.” Adrian gestured. “ Grab a tray and join us.”

“Sure.” Angela got into the short food line, positive Marc wouldn’t be at the table when she returned. The eyes on her weren’t as hostile anymore, but there was no friendship in those glances either. She stiffened her shoulders. I have my son, and Marc when I’m ready for him. To hell with the rest of you!

Adrian stiffened, catching Angela’s thought. He would have to do something about her bad mood. What would settle her down? He doubted she was the sewing class type. After months on the road, learning from Marc... She probably needs a workout.

“Are we good?” Marc dared Kenn to say his plan wouldn’t succeed.

Adrian understood Marc’s need for escape as the damp wind blew a sweet hint of vanilla around the table. “You got what you need?”

“Yeah.” Kenn hated the source but he loved the plan. With Marc’s setup, thievery would become a thing of the past in Safe Haven. Kenn changed the subject. “Are those the results from the dogs?”

“Yes. They tested positive for sedatives, but none of the water is missing or contaminated.” Adrian’s voice rumbled in displeasure. “Danny’s excuse is tight. We all saw him out cold by the fire.”

Marc stood up and adjusted his coat around his Colts. He would only stay at the table if Angie gave him a sign that he should.

There was silence.

He sighed unhappily. “I’ll catch you guys later.” He was gone quickly.

Adrian glanced at Kenn with hard eyes but he didn’t say anything as Angela took Marc’s seat, something that drew mutters from those in the crowded lunch mess. She’d sat by the boss every day she had been here. Why?

“They’ll be back for travel time?”

Kenn nodded, ignoring Angela and the big wolf that settled onto its haunches at her side. “Barring trouble, the water crew will be in around 8am, day after tomorrow.”

Adrian sipped on the fresh mug of coffee she’d brought for him. He noticed Angela hadn’t wasted her time bringing one for Marc. She’d known he would be gone.

“We’ll get back on the road as soon as they get in.” Adrian scanned the people around them. “You’ll do driving schedules?”

“Yeah. Seth went with them, so I told Doug to take charge of the new Eagles.”

Adrian studied the murky sky beyond their perimeter, worrying. “They’ll want him back when Kyle starts in on them. He’s every drill instructor I’ve ever known.”

They laughed and continued to discuss business.

Angela kept quiet as the drizzle began to fall, lonely and still feeling like an outsider despite sitting at the in table.

6

“You shouldn’t get so close. Odd things come out of high water now.”

Samantha jumped. Her defensive stance relaxed when she saw who it was. “Thanks.”

She scooted back a little as the wind blew her curls around. Bugs crawled near her feet as she went back to staring at the leafy trees. It was pleasant here but not seeing the bodies wasn’t enough. Even the smell of decaying animals was a reminder, a flash of hell, a tortured slap; she sucked in a breath, pushing her crimes away. What else could I have done?

“You okay?” Marc began filling two milk jugs of sludgy water for scrubbing the trucks. Marc wondered if Samantha might be feeling the same loneliness he was… Only, she doesn’t have a friend high in the food chain, does she?

Samantha stood, brushing dirt from her tan slacks. “I’m bored and a little uncomfortable around so many people all at once.”

Marc met the eyes of a small group of men moving by; a hard glare kept them going. He turned to Samantha. “Most of us spent some time alone, but I’m guessing you spent all of it that way. It’s hard to adjust.”

“Yes.” Sam sighed. “Will you tell him I need a job or something? I have way too much free time.”

Marc took a minute to write it in his Eagle notebook; this was his first entry. “Just give it some time, Sam. The feelings will ease.”

“Will they?”

Marc sighed. He stored his book in his coat and picked up the jugs. “I hope so. Otherwise, it might be what pushes me out of here.”

Sam watched him go, distracted for an instant from her own problems. Marc seemed as unhappy as she was to be back in the arms of society, but he didn’t have the weight of her burdens. She resumed her seat on the bank. He was worried over his love, his heart. I care for all these people. That doesn’t make me better than him, just more of a threat.

Samantha’s time alone had forced her to take hard looks at herself and her role in the war. She hadn’t pushed the button, but she hadn’t lifted a hand to stop those who had. Instead of using her gifts for a heartless government, she could have been saving the lives of her fellow countrymen. That need to atone, the one she now suspected Adrian of carrying, was heavy. She’d ended things with Rick, and made a couple friends among the women for her outspoken views. But that had also limited her companionship. She could be with the other females at the gun class or the mess right now, but even though Safe Haven held her kind…

Sam stopped herself. Two days wasn’t enough time, she knew that. It was just hard. Who among these recovering survivors would understand the choices she’d been forced to make?

Samantha swept the camp, spotting happy, relaxed faces. Not them.

She turned to scan the area behind her and found three guards standing together nearby. Each of them made eye contact with her, then moved back into the trees, vanishing.

Before she could form a question, a fourth Eagle stepped forward. He’d been so well hidden that she hadn’t noticed him.

Jeremy didn’t avoid the searching glance, her almost desperate need to connect. As an Eagle, he’d observed it enough times to know it for what it was, but he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen it so clearly. She’s haunted. Maybe I can help her with that.

Samantha felt his gaze digging in, searching her as she had him, but it wasn’t invasive. It was sympathetic, caring even.

The emotions were so foreign that Sam snapped her eyes back to the trees, heart thumping. That one understands too much.

It was a relief to glance over a few minutes later and not see him, though she thought she could still feel his stare. Who is he?

Unaware of how she’d been manipulated, Samantha stayed there, exploring the feel of his gaze on her. Thoughts of fleeing to her tent had been replaced by a human trait the Eagles were being taught to use. Curiosity had been distracting people for centuries. That hadn’t changed.