Page 32 of Outbreak

CHAPTER 25

Ghost

Ialmost lost her last night.Again. I can’t describe the terror that shredded my insides when I couldn’t find her. Then I heard her screaming—for me.She was calling out to me, and that feeling is just as indescribable. When she jumped into my arms, I almost broke. All I’ve ever wanted was for her to want me—to need me. And when given the chance to run and escape, she chose to stay and look for me.

We’ve been on the road since we escaped that herd? I’m not sure what to call it. Whole families ripped apart in the blink of an eye. When we made it back to the road, others had already fled, the military nowhere in sight—or the minivan with the little girls. I can only hope they made it out, because the alternative makes me sick to my stomach. The gruesome scene of those woods will stay with me for a long, long fucking time.

The missing cars left an opening for us in the road, so we jumped in the truck, jumped the median, and backtracked to the exit I should have stayed on to start with.

We’ve made it into Alabama now, one state closer to where we’re heading. Rue is sleeping in the backseat. She hasn’t said much about what happened last night, retreating into her headto overanalyze everything. I’ll let her sit in her ‘numb’ place for a while longer. Then I’ll force her out to deal with it.

The rhythmic dinging on my dash lets me know we’re going to be fucked pretty soon.Low fuel.I’ve already used the five gallons I had in the back of the truck. We’re going to have to stop soon to sleep and try to find gas in the morning. I don’t want to risk being caught outside at night again.

As if a sign from above, my headlights hit a big green sign that readsJasper, Alabama, next right.I don’t know if it's good luck or bad; this might be the worst idea yet. Mav is unpredictable—a loose cannon in a minefield. I don’t want to bring Rue around him, but he might be the safer option for us right now. Let’s just hope domestic life has softened his rough edges a bit.

He owes me anyway. When he decided to get out of this life, I helped him bring his girl home. She was purchased by some real sick people, and Mav was hired to ‘dispose’ of her once they were done with her. He decided to keep her instead. I helped him get set up at this place, and I’m probably the only person from his old life that even knows where he is now. He went completely off the grid once we stole his girl—well, his wife now.

Twenty minutes later, we’re parked outside his house. There’s no lights on, at his place or anywhere else that I can see. The power grid must have failed, as that emergency message predicted.

Getting out, I carefully close my door and open the back one. Rue’s still sleeping, completely drained from the nightmare we experienced last night. Gently, I brush the hair from her face and savor the calming peace I see. Cradling her face in my hand, she nuzzles into it and sighs as her eyes slowly flutter open.

“H-hey,” her voice cracks with sleep as she stretches like a cat.

“Hey. So we’re stopped for the night. I know a guy in this area… He’s, uh, he owes me a favor. We can crash here tonight.”

“Okay?” She says doubtfully, sitting up and scooting to the doorway. I don’t know how much I should tell her without freaking her out more than she already is.

“Listen, Mav is different. If he is at home, I need you to be really good. Don’t stare at him. Don’t speak to him unless he speaks to you. And don’t speak to his wife without permission. And for the love of God, don’t be a smartass.”

“Okay, you’re going to have to give me a minute to wake the fuck up before you start barking new rules at me,” she says, shoving me back and letting herself slide out of my truck. She stretches and yawns, working all of her kinks out before she finally looks up at me. “So let me get this straight. I can’t speak unless spoken to; no eye contact, no talking to his wife. Anything else? Would you like me to polish his shoes and fold his laundry, too?”

“There she is,” I mumble, wiping my hands down my masked face. This is a terrible idea. “Rue! I’m serious. Maverick is not someone to fuck with, and I’d really prefer not to have to kill him and his little wife. I just want to clean up and get some sleep. Can you please behave? I’m sure Maverick won’t mind lending me his wife’s cage if you think that’s too difficult.”

“His wife’s what!?” she shrieks.

“Let’s go,” I sigh, ignoring her question and gaping mouth. She’ll figure it out once we get inside. I grab our duffle bags out of the back and lock the truck.

CHAPTER 26

Rue

“You sure you don’t want to put that muzzle on me you keep threatening me with?” I ask as I follow him up the sidewalk and onto the porch.

“Don’t tempt me,” he growls, and I roll my eyes at his back.

I’m not a morning person. And I know technically it isn’t morning, but after the shitshow last night, I’m mentally and physically drained. I was sleeping so well too. So, he’ll just have to get over my grumpiness.

I don’t know if I should take him seriously or not. What kind of person puts his wife in a cage? He can’t be that bad, right? He’s just trying to scare me into not causing a scene.

He lifts the metal door dingy and knocks three times. My heart speeds up a little. I don’t know these people. I don’t even like people in general. But there’s not much I wouldn’t do right now for a shower or at least a whore bath and a change of clothes. I’m sure we’re about to scare these people to death walking up here looking like we just murdered a bunch of people before dropping by for a visit.

The door swings open, revealing a tall, menacing-looking man. He has to be at least 6’2” by the way his head almostreaches the top of the doorway. He's got big, wide shoulders with icy blue eyes that narrow further into little slits as he eyes us up and down. His big hand that wraps around the edge of the door makes me hope for his wife's sake that his dick isn’t the same size. Knuckles are slightly cracked from wear and tear, is my best guess. His shirt is tight against his pecs and has various oil stains along the bottom. Ripped and oil-stained jeans adorn his massive tree trunk legs.

“Ghost?” He asks, sticking his head further out the door. “What the fuck happened to you?”

“A fucking lot. Long time no see, asshole. I’m cashing in that favor. Let us in before we wake the dead, and we all have problems on our asses, Mav,” Ghost says, not waiting for him to respond before he pushes past him, grabbing my hand and tugging me inside too. “Lock the door, man.”

“What are you doing here, Ghost?” Mav asks, irritation and anger in his tone as he locks the door and pulls Ghost to the side. I can’t make out their hushed whispers, and I’m not really sure I even care enough to try. Instead, I take the time to look around the house from where they left me standing in the foyer. There’s no lights on, so the power must be out. But there are candles lit all throughout the room, casting an orange glow over the spaces. From what I can make out in the candlelit shadows, the home is nearly immaculate. Nothing out of place or cluttered. His wife must kill herself trying to keep everything neat. Stepping further in, I notice a dining room table lit up with more candles and an array of food spread out. Just then the aroma hits me, making my stomach growl loudly. My mouth waters, but I don’t dare move closer without Ghost. The vibes I got from his ‘friend’ were not so friendly, which makes me wonder what the fuck Ghost did to earn a favor from the guy.

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