The Survivors

Utah

February 1st

1

Charlie saw the vehicles first and knew they were who Kenny was searching for.

It was three o’clock, but the blanket of sky crap, as Charlie called it, made it feel like dusk. Five long days of traveling in the gritty wind had given them both red, squinted eyes and rough, scratchy patches on their exposed skin. The dirt bike had been left in northern Arizona. Empty of fuel, with no refills in sight, the Honda was just another rusting pile of metal on a broken road.

After that, things had gone bad. It had rained nearly every day since the war, but Kenn refused to try sterilizing it. He already knew it would make them sick. As a result, they had run out of clean water this morning and towns around here were nonexistent. This was the Southern Badlands in the Black Rock Desert.

We’re in trouble. Kenn knew there had to be at least a gas station around here somewhere, but the sand was blowing thickly; he couldn’t see much beyond the occasional dead car or body. He had chosen not to leave the main road because of that. Utah was a huge place. A rescue party would not be sent if they got lost.

Kenn hadn’t seen a home or business of any kind since dawn yesterday. There were vehicles–batteries dead, windows shattered, inches of dust in the seats–but there were no structures. Overall, 257 was a desolate stretch.

Kenn looked east, toward home, but his mind stayed on NORAD. There had been smoke from that direction almost continuously. He’d come further west to check the Dugway Proving Ground.

Kenn forced his sore feet to keep moving and his scratchy eyes to keep searching. Raised in a wealthy family where he had been the party favorite, being on his own was new to Kenn. Even in the Corps, there had been his fellow Marines to seek admiration from. This isolation was not welcome. It didn’t help that Charlie wasn’t talking to him unless he had to. Their direction wasn’t due east and the teenager didn’t want to hear about slavers or detours. He just wanted his mom.

Charlie stayed a couple feet behind the wide shouldered Marine, sheltered from some of the stinging sand as he peered through Kenn’s powerful binoculars. He wasn’t searching for anything. He was just bored, sleepy, and tired of walking. There was nothing exciting except the big ants that Kenny wouldn’t waste their ammunition on.

He swung around to look behind them.

A glint of silver flashed.

His jaw dropped. A spiteful wave of wind sent harsh, stinging grit into his open mouth. He began to cough, doubled over.

Kenn put a hand on his arm.

Charlie thrust the binoculars at him. “People!” He coughed again, pointing. “It’s...lights…right? A lot of them.”

Kenn studied the long convoy filling the horizon. Were they survivors or slavers? Guess we’ll find out. The large convoy of semis, cars, and trucks was now coming toward them.

Headlights flashed from the lead rig. Then from each vehicle as they were spotted.

Kenn felt his heart warm a little at the familiar American greeting, but it didn’t ease the acid in his gut. “Stay by me, boy. Do what I do.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kenn tried to estimate their number. Not that it mattered. They couldn’t fight so many. He drew his gun anyway as the vehicles got closer, letting the weapon hang.

Thick sand blew harder as all the vehicles except the front rig stopped. The red, white, and blue tractor trailer inched forward.

Kenn got ready to fight.

The front semi stopped next to them, driver window lowering.

Kenn stepped in front of Charlie, lifting his gun to his hip. The barrel was pointed at the dusty ground, but his finger stayed on the trigger; it was a clear warning.

The driver’s big hand was on the wheel. When the left hand finished lowering the window, it joined the right. “Do you intend to use that weapon, soldier?”

Years of training made both males square their shoulders at the cold bark. The correct response fell from Kenn’s mouth, despite the insulting title. “A Marine never draws without intent. That would be a mistake.”

“And what’s wrong with that, Grunt?”

The hard tone allowed no hesitation.

“Because the United States Marine Corps does not make mistakes!” Kenn and Charlie answered together.

Kenn snapped his mouth shut, studying the driver. Short, golden blond hair over black, mirrored sunglasses. A white T-shirt, and yes, a single dog tag. He’d been found by one of his own.

Charlie’s frown was hidden by Kenn’s big back. The driver’s like me. I can feel it. I hope he can’t.

“So, where ya headed?”

This tone was friendly, but Kenn understood the first, sharp edge of command he had greeted them with was his real voice. “Northeast.”

“Hunting for family?”

Kenn shrugged, not glancing away as the wind pushed more sand toward them. “Something like that.”

“He your son?”

Always working on how he appeared to others, Kenn used a protective tone. “He might as well be. I’m Kenn. He’s Charlie. We’re from Fort Defiance.”

The driver took off glasses to look at Kenn through beautiful pale, blue eyes. “I’m Adrian.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Those are my people. They’re from everywhere. We have room as long as you follow the rules.”

The tone was casual, but that startling gaze was hard, assessing.

Kenn holstered his gun. “For a while, but we leave together when I say. He’s my people.”

Adrian frowned. “We’re Americans, Marine. No one is here against their will.”

Kenn tried not to flush at the scorn in the response.

Adrian picked up his mike. “Neil.”

“On the way, Boss.”

Adrian waved at Kenn. “We’ll make camp in about an hour. Neil will get you settled.”

“Thanks. We could use some R&R.”

Adrian smiled. “Don’t thank me yet. After a full week of working, you may want to be alone again.”

Kenn was encouraged. Work meant organization, authority, planning–all the things he was hoping for in a group.

A small gray minivan pulled next to the semi, door already open.

Kenn snapped a quick salute to Adrian. Not waiting for it to be returned, he waved Charlie in, then climbed aboard, sliding the door shut.

The males were grateful to be in any shelter, but this one was warm, comfortable, and functioning. Kenn sank down with a groan of relief as he swept the three armed men observing him. One was the size of a tank. The other two wore weapons and tools of military men, though they clearly weren’t.

Neil noticed the reaction, mind already racing as he waited for the semi to move so the minivan would be third in line again. “It’s not like that. If he believed you were a threat, he would have split you two up. You’d be riding with him.”

Kenn was introduced to Doug, Kyle, and Neil. He gave them first names, no details. Their leader knew he was military. Everyone else would figure it out.

All three Eagles instinctively knew important work waited for Kenn–serious deeds that would benefit them all. They also sensed something wasn’t quite right about the new man.

“The boss probably already has a job in mind for you.” In the front passenger seat, Kyle swiveled his chair to stare at the 9mm on Kenn’s hip, certain they would never drink from the same bottle. The new guy was hinky.

Kenn frowned at the tanned, stocky sentry. “Like what? We just met.”

All three men hesitated, shrugging.

Kenn sensed respect kept their mouths shut. Those were the boss man’s questions; these were his highest men.

“Could be anything.” Neil steered around the same lump in the road the other vehicles were avoiding. “Mechanic, babysitter–it’s hard to tell. He sees things, discovers talents.” Neil paused, examining Kenn in the mirror in a way that was polite but not friendly. “He might even think you should be one of us.”

Kenn took the offered cigarette, but handed the bottle of water to the boy relaxing next to him, aware of the red vested giant studying the teenager. Maybe wondering what stories Charlie might tell if he was alone? Kenn would make sure that didn’t happen for a while. “Sounds like a club.” He tested the water.

Doug glared. “It is. We’re his chain of command. We support him–completely.”

Kenn wasn’t intimidated. “I’d like to be able to do that too. I owe him our lives. Sell me.”

Adrian shifted into gear and got his convoy rolling. They were going to Delta for survivors who had called on the CB this morning. Then he planned to spend a few days in Oak Creek National Forest. The dust was horrible to drive through. The sand got into everything as it gusted against their battered vehicles. He wanted to wait until it settled before heading out again.

His mind went to his newest additions as he drove, mind replaying the meeting. Their uniforms hadn’t mattered. He had known the pair for what they were the second he saw their shadowy outlines. He didn’t believe it was a coincidence that they were Marines. Kenn would be one of his circle. Instead of being elated to have found his first promised helper, Adrian had a sinking feeling that Kenn might also be a weak link. That was dangerous because the first of his circle would be the one he depended on the most. The bond of bringing these refugees through the wilderness needed to be strong enough to hold them all together. It was the foundation. A crack or weak brick could cause the whole thing to fall.

Adrian sighed, head starting to ache from peering through the grit. It didn’t matter right now. The man was needed; he didn’t have the luxury of cherry-picking his help. Kenn had put the boy behind him, instead of in front. That said enough about his character… Doesn’t it?

2

Kenn was impressed from the minute they stopped to make camp. It grew as he watched them set it all up.

Tents were erected, campers and trucks were guided into place, yellow caution tape was wound around the entire perimeter. Kids ran for bathrooms, animals were let out, supplies were unpacked, and through it all, Neil was there–talking, directing, solving, supervising.

Kenn knew it was a perk of leadership to have that job, to command authority during setups. Kenn was only a little surprised to already want it. He’d definitely found his own kind in Adrian.

It only took a couple more minutes of watching for Kenn to understand Adrian didn’t have an Executive Officer. His right side was empty, and they were all vying for the place.

Kenn’s sharp eyes found Adrian directing the camp members in the parking area. His gaze narrowed, feet already moving. Is someone sneaking through the cars?

Kenn was at Adrian’s side seconds later, drawing frowns from those around them. Instead of saying anything, he chose to start earning points.

The shadow slipped a hand between the cars...

Kenn locked it in a tight grip, 9mm pointed at the infiltrator.

“Easy.” Adrian was pleased. “He’s one of ours.”

Realizing it was a test or challenge, Kenn leered as he let go. “Boo-ya!”

Adrian swept the surprised men, most of whom hadn’t noted the rookie at all because of the blowing sand. “Training lesson number eight–sometimes, no matter what you plan for, fate throws in a wild card. When that happens, you do the best you can to survive.” Adrian gave Jeremy a motion. “Fail. Help them set the targets and we’ll see if our new guy knows how to use the weapon on his hip.”

Kenn took the hint, holstering as Jeremy threw him a sharp glare and stomped off. “Maybe I could help during a drill or something.”

Adrian’s tone was full of warning. “That and more, but you’ll have to work for it. Nothing’s free in this new world, and certainly not in Safe Haven.”

Kenn’s chin lifted. “I’ve always earned my way before. I expect to now.”

“Good. Let’s get to work.”

Kenn grinned as he fell in on Adrian’s right, aware of the camp observing him, whispering, wondering who he was. Finally! The attention he craved.

Charlie hid his frown and stayed close to Kenn. It felt good here, but it wasn’t home. He had a keen sense that the Marine would want to stay. These were Kenny’s people; the teenager could tell. It made him miss his mom even more.

She said she was coming soon, but Charlie couldn’t help his doubts. He’d heard her calls to someone named Markus. He was sure Kenny had too, though he’d pretended to be asleep. Charlie was afraid. He and Kenn were Marines, and they’d been in trouble more than once and been lucky to escape. His mom needed help. Kenn was a true badass. The man who challenged him needed to be as well.

Charlie subtly scanned Adrian, hoping to see that same hard edge. I wonder...?