Carved In Stone, page 53
Seeing nothing moving, he slowly slid the lock back and opened the door.
“Wait! My dogs will–”
The wolf rushed through the opening, making a deep furrow in the snow. Sally’s two dogs followed behind him, yapping happily at being released. Icy wind slapped them all.
“Shit!” Kevin hurried after them, with Sally right behind. Jeff drew his gun, silently cursing himself, the dogs, and the woman.
The wolf didn’t care about the unfolding drama or the snow. He took off jumping wildly through the drifts and then leapt, clearing the fence to land lightly in the side yard. He sank to the bottom of the snow and immediately leapt again to reach the packed layers frozen to the sidewalk between the homes. Making big jumps, Dog hurried to where the howl had come from. Let the humans fend for themselves for a while. I have things to do.
Jeff and Kevin helped Sally retrieve the two snow-covered dogs. Neither man spoke, but the mood was ugly. As they all came inside, sloshing wet and shivering from not having coats on, the smell of feces smothered them. They hadn’t noticed it while inside with it. Fresh air had allowed the men to smell the difference.
Jeff gagged, hearing Kevin do the same. Through the watering eyes and a twisting stomach, Jeff felt his patience snap.
“Yeah, that’s it for me,” he told Kevin between gags. “I’m out of here. You comin’?”
Also fighting not to vomit, Kevin cheerfully said, “I’ll have us packed in an hour!”
Sally stood still, processing the information. She was about to be alone. That’s what I want, right? For it to be me and the animals?
Sally glanced toward the covered front window, seeing signs of the bear they’d fought. She wouldn’t have been able to handle that on her own.
“Wait.”
Jeff already knew, but he wasn’t changing his mind. The gagging had stopped, but only because he was breathing through his mouth. “You can come if you leave the dogs. That’s why we’re going, remember?”
Sally scowled. “I can’t do that.”
“Don’t expect you to,” Jeff drawled. “I expect you to protect them even as you’re being eaten. Have fun.”
Kevin winced, but didn’t argue since Jeff was most certainly right. The woman had been here for days and they still didn’t know anything about her, other than the fact that she put her dogs first in every way. They even ate before she did, and she finished their scraps. She clearly had mental issues. It had been official for Kevin when she’d gone to the garage with her dogs to urinate, instead of using the bathroom setup that he and Jeff had constructed. If she wanted to live like an animal, that was her choice and since this was her house, it was fair that they were the ones to leave.
The men gathered their gear and equipment quickly. They’d made sure nothing was too permanent unless it would be left behind. They went about the chore happily, talking about where they might go next and how they would get through the snow. Kevin still thought their truck could make it, at least to a dealership where they could get something better. Jeff didn’t give his thoughts. He wasn’t as optimistic about them making it out of the house to reach the truck that they’d been forced to store a few homes down. The garage here had been too small.
Jeff took a moment to scan the yard, uneasy at the delay in the action. He’d been certain the fight would come as soon as the weather cleared. Maybe they’d been quiet enough to go unnoticed by the predators that had plenty of fresh game, but it was unlikely. Between Sally’s dogs yipping, the wolf’s lonely whining, and the smells, Jeff was positive every animal in a two-mile radius knew there were people nearby.
“Don’t forget your vest,” Jeff reminded, starting on the cooking setup he’d enjoyed building. Connecting a tank to the old gas stove had allowed him to prepare some great meals here. All he’d had to do was replace the jets.
“Good idea.” Kevin dug his vest from the kit that he hadn’t touched since leaving, except to bring it inside wherever they sheltered.
Jeff tossed a box of ammunition onto the broken coffee table by Sally. She hadn’t moved since they’d decided to go. “I’d leave more, but we can’t spare it.”
Sally was surprised to be a bit leery at the thought of being alone again. She didn’t like the men, especially not Jeff, but she’d gotten used to them in only a few days. It was odd for her, considering that she suspected all people of being corrupt. She hadn’t bonded with another human being in years.
“You sure?” Jeff asked, reading her reluctance. “Not all men are bad. Not all animals are good.”
She hated the reminder that he could get into her head and it made the choice. “Yes. Please go.”
“You got it, toots,” Jeff sent, annoyed. “There’s meat in the backyard. Too much for us to carry. Don’t let it go to waste.”
Sally didn’t respond, moving aside as Jeff came by with his arms full. He struggled to open the door and she sighed, advancing to assist him.
Jeff didn’t breathe enough to thank the woman. Her arm was up, holding the door while surrounding him with yet more noxious fumes. Jeff quickly stomped through the drifts, not caring if he was attacked by an animal. Anything was worth getting fresh, crisp air into his lungs.
Kevin came out right behind him, inhaling deeply. “Yummy!”
Jeff snickered as he swept the few animals in sight. The wolves weren’t paying any attention to them, but a small bear cub glowered from across the street. Jeff hoped momma wasn’t around as they hurried through the drifts to the garage sheltering their wheels.
Kevin held things while Jeff fought to unlock the icy door and went inside to lift the main bay. It took a couple of minutes that Kevin spent with his back to the building, studying his surroundings as he’d been taught to do. Eagle training was more than handy now. It was a lifesaver.
Jeff helped Kevin into the wide garage with the load and began packing the rear of truck. He did it quickly, but tried to be as quiet as he could. He was still worrying over the bear cub when Kevin whispered, “Bloody hell!”
Jeff climbed down and unslung his rifle. Kevin wasn’t running yet, so the threat might still be far enough away to pick off before a handgun was needed. He liked to be hopeful that way.
In the distance, the sky was a brilliant red, but it wasn’t from the sun. That dim ball of light was almost topping them, magnifying the glare effect of the snow. The eerie view to the east was from something else and with the shape of the clouds, it was hard to come to any other conclusion on the source.
“Nuclear?” Kevin asked, stunned. How was that possible? They had destroyed the government. Angela had promised they were done with that enemy for years.
“Looks like it,” Jeff agreed, going over to heft another bag into the truck. “Let’s get rolling.”
“West?” Kevin asked hesitantly. Jeff didn’t give out many details on their destinations.
“North,” Jeff answered. “We’ll bag our cooler on the way.”
The memories of shooting from the passenger seat during Jeff’s insane driving spread a grin over Kevin’s lightly bearded face. That was a real challenge. He was already a better shooter than what he had been upon leaving Safe Haven. “Deal.”
They hurried back to the house, still watching out for the various animals around them. They didn’t spot Dog anywhere, or the wolves that had attracted him with the howl.
Jeff doubted the wolf would return. All the animals seemed to be heading north and Dog would be no different. They probably wouldn’t run into him again at all. He had his freedom.
2
I missed you!
Dog was nose-to-nose with the female, breathing in her thick scent. Her bloody muzzle was the sweetest perfume and he licked the wound gently. The last hare she’d grabbed had scratched her.
The female allowed his comfort, trembling with joy. She’d thought he was dead. After being split up, Brute had killed the other members of their pack. When these men males had discovered them, they’d been too big for him to do the same.
Around them, the female’s new pack, plus Brute, observed angrily as another male was added to the competition. These newer wolves were larger due to hunting the herds that were also traveling north. The Wind had forbidden it, but this new pack didn’t care about orders. They were going north to kill man, and on the way, they were hunting everything else for strength and practice.
Dog nuzzled her neck, hoping for a sign of her interest. He wasn’t going to fight for her again if he wasn’t going to get the prize in the end anyway. Do you still want me?
My mate! Natalia exclaimed, snarling at the others.
Satisfied, Dog snapped at her to get back.
Natalia whined in warning as Brute charged through the melting snow.
Dog reacted too late to avoid the jaws clamping down on his neck. His thick fur saved him as he ducked, not allowing Brute’s fangs to drive through.
Dog lunged at his rival, snarling wildly, “Mine!”
“Die!” Brute demanded, advancing.
Dog was tired of this threat. He slid low through the slush from their warm bodies and came up under the big wolf. He snapped to part the fur, and then dove in for the kill.
Brute tried to yelp and draw back, but Dog locked his jaws and started squeezing. Using his full strength, Dog bit through and felt blood burst over his teeth. Bones crunched next, and he tightened the grip, slinging his head to ensure the death.
Around them, the other wolves let out howls that chilled the humans nearby.
Dog waited to be certain there was no life left before letting go. Brute dropped to the snow, blood melting through the drift as soon he landed.
Dog regarded the rest of the eager wolves. “Go away!”
He lunged forward, bloody teeth snapping, and half of the pack fled, tails tucked.
Dog faced the other three with low growls and a bushed tail. “Leave us!”
The female joined him for the fight this time. She came in low, growling in warning that Dog was her chosen mate now. As the fight began, a loud whistle sounded, but the five wolves didn’t pause in their battle.
3
Jeff and Kevin stared with a hand up to block the glare, wolves fighting and cubs edging closer forgotten.
“That’s a train!”
Sally came to the window, gaping in surprise. She hadn’t viewed a train in almost a year.
“It’s heading south...”
Jeff understood Kevin’s concern. He tried to count the cars on the train and then realized it didn’t matter. One car or fifty, they had no way to know how many people were in each car. “Get out of sight.”
He and Kevin swiftly took cover, motioning Sally to get away from the window. When Jeff thought he was in a good position, he took out his binoculars and zoomed in on the train. As he did, it ended, only to be followed by a second.
He wasn’t able to spot any of the people on the long trains, but he did get a clear sense of menace that sent his mind straight to Safe Haven. It appeared their former camp had drawn more than just the government and the Mexicans.
Five minutes later, the fourth train finally finished passing them. Jeff hadn’t moved, mind spinning. They needed to go home, but through this snow, they had no hope of beating the rails.
“What should we do?” Kevin asked, aware of the woman listening from the cracked door.
“We can be the other slice of bread,” Jeff murmured. The snow melting into his clothes wasn’t noticed as he plotted the future.
“What?”
“We’ll squeeze them in–follow and block.”
“The two of us?” Kevin inquired incredulously.
“Maybe.” Jeff continued to work on the plans. “We just need the right equipment. Let’s finish packing and roll. We can’t let them get too far ahead.”
“Can we run on the railroad tracks?” Kevin wondered.
“I plan to try,” Jeff confirmed. “Come on. It’s time to slide out of this frozen cemetery.”
“Oh, man!” Kevin groaned, snickering.
As they pulled away, Sally came out into the yard to witness it. They hadn’t tried to convince her again and she hadn’t changed her mind. As the truck tried to turn at the end of the snow-covered block and skidded into the sidewalk, she hoped they didn’t make it in time. She didn’t wish for Jeff or Kevin to get hurt, only for them to be too late to prevent whatever fate was heading for Safe Haven on those trains. The people there were just as bad as the government and they had to be eliminated before the entire world was covered in atrocities.
Sally returned to the pungent home and locked herself in, allowing the relief to come. She was alone, alive, and free. It was perfect.
4
Dog and the female took shelter for the night in the house next door. Dog’s leg was hurting after the fights that had broken off the cast. His mate was hurting too. Her injuries were minor, but blood was still leaking from her muzzle.
Finally alone with her, Dog was too tired to encourage her or even to communicate. He dropped down in the corner of the cold room, between her and the door they had nudged closed.
The female–Natalia–circled the spot next to him and then huddled against his haunches, shivering a bit from the stinging in her snout.
Dog whined lowly, lids shutting.
When he opened them again, full night had fallen and Natalia had wiggled under his big body for warmth. His jaw was resting on her shoulder and Dog took the next logical step. He mounted her.
5
Sally and her dogs had gone up to the attic. The number of animals in the yard was incredible. She was suddenly very sorry she’d sent the men away, but she didn’t belong in a camp of people–of any kind. She was too broken to be rehabilitated.
Sally’s dogs slept in the bed with her, uncaring of the personal or environmental drama. They didn’t hear the wind or the woman. Both of the dogs were half blind and half deaf. Sally had taken them in when no one else would, saving them from being euthanized. They were completely loyal to her and the Wind’s orders weren’t being received.
The rest of the animals heard the demands for the woman’s death loud and clear. They gathered around the house, sniffing for an entry.
Dog also felt the order, but he and his mate were locked in the ages old position of love and neither of them responded.
Furious, the Wind called for the attack, including the two rebellious wolves as their targets. Disobeying commanded a terrible price.
6
“I feel bad for leaving her behind.”
Jeff sighed in warm truck. So did he, but he refused to live that way. If he wanted to worry over his safety at night, he could have stayed in Safe Haven.
“Can we...”
Jeff grunted, turning the wheel to spin them wildly through the drifts as he rotated the truck on the wide street. He’d known as they left that he hadn’t seen the last of her yet.
Kevin was relieved. “Thanks, man. We’ll drop her somewhere, but it’s wrong to leave her, you know?”
Jeff didn’t agree, but he was tired of women dying, so the choice wasn’t a hard one.
They had only been gone for an hour, but the sun had already sunk. Nights came quicker now, as if the very earth didn’t want people to receive more light than it absolutely had to give.
“Did you get through on the radio?” Jeff asked, speeding up a bit.
“No. The storm must be over them right now.”
“Angela saw it all coming, I’m sure,” Jeff replied bitterly.
“Yeah,” Kevin agreed, still reaching down for the mike. “Kevin to base. Come in, Safe Haven.”
There wasn’t even static.
“How long do you think it will take–”
“A couple of days, at most,” Jeff interrupted, tiring of the tension. “Tell me why you left. Was it because of Cynthia and Adrian?”
Kevin was surprised at the fast topic change, but answered, “Partly. The rest was feeling of it all ending. Nothing was the same.”
“Yeah.”
“What about you? Crista’s death or Adrian?”
“Both,” Jeff admitted honestly, wincing at the words that Kevin hadn’t hesitated to speak. He had all the tact of a bull. “Also because of my failures. I saw no reason to fix them if I was going to be unhappy there anyway.”
“And now?”
Jeff wiped at the windshield, disliking the old Ford. It had been the only thing left at the lot. “I’ll defend them. I still believe in the dreams. But I won’t stay. Once this is over, I’m out.”
“Same here,” Kevin promised.
Jeff doubted that would be true, but didn’t say so. After a month away, Jeff was betting Kevin would realize how civilized it was compared to the way they’d been living. For Jeff, their trek was perfect. For Kevin, it had been an adventure, but if Cynthia gave him the slightest sign, Kevin would stay. The warmth of a willing woman was hard to resist after not having one for a while.
Jeff winced at his own thoughtless phrasing and forced his mind back to issues that were more important. “How can we get her to leave those damn dogs behind?”
7
“Help!”
Dog tried to ignore the woman’s screams, but she’d done a lot for him. He would likely be dead right now if not for Sally and her love of animals.
Wounds and stiff body protesting, Dog reluctantly stood up to regard his mate. “I have to go.”
“Why?” Natalia asked, yawning. She was perfectly content to remain in their nest.
“I have to help her.”
“The human?” Natalia asked, shocked.
Dog knew she wouldn’t like it, but he refused to lie. “I have a bond with humans. I won’t ever hunt them.”
“You traitor!” Natalia growled, rising.
Dog limped toward the door, hurting. “No, that’s you. The Wind commands and you follow like the woman’s pets.”
The female remembered a time when she hadn’t hated people, but the voices in her mind were insistent that the humans had to be eliminated to restore the natural balance.
“We are of the natural world. People do not belong!”
“Maybe animals don’t,” Dog replied, thinking of how he’d become a wolf. Natalia may have also been born that way, but he’d seen no signs so far that she remembered her previous life if she’d had one.
