Page 56 of Purgatory
“Aly... ALY!!!” Hawk makes his way through each of the rooms, almost breaking down the doors as he enters each of them, seeing the same as I just saw a few moments ago. When he walks to the window in Aly’s room, he looks out. As if he sees something alarming, he races past me and guns it to Jax’s room to look out his window. I come up beside him to see what caught his eye and there it is.
The rope that is usually packed in each of our bug out bags is hanging out of his second story room, all the way down to the ground. I must have missed its anchor point on the bed since it was covered by the curtains.
“FUCK!” Hawk grits out. He rakes his hands through his hair, pulling at the root while pacing away. “She has no idea. No idea how to get to his place let alone what might catch up with her on her way there.”
He’s right. We only told her the bare minimum of where Jax’s bug out place was to keep her from doing exactly this. We should have known better than to tell her anything.
“Wait,” I say. Hawk stop pacing and turns towards me expectantly. “We can tell Jax. He still has his radio. He can keep a look out for her. He knows this town better than anyone.”
He nods at my suggestion and pulls his out from his belt loop bringing it to his lips. “Jax, it’s Hawk, come in, over.” He releases the button and we wait. A minute goes by with no response so he tries again. Still nothing. I take the two-way from his hands and bring it to my face. I never use these things. Hawk’s always been our comm guy. If I speak, he’ll know we’re serious.
“Jax, it’s Cole, talk to me, man, over.” I release the button and a few seconds later, static comes in over the line, Jax’s voice filtering through.
“Cole, what’s going on?”
“Shit’s hit the fan, bro. Aly took off to try and find you. She’s headed your way, maybe an hour or two lead. It seems she brought her pack and her bat but I think that’s it. We’re going to go after her but need you to look out for her on your end.”
Jax’s sighs come through loud and clear. “Shit… Ok. Fuck. Stubborn ass fucking woman. I’ll head out now.”
I breathe out heavily, a bit of stress releasing from my tense shoulders and back but it won’t nearly be enough until we get her in our arms again. I bring up the other part I'm worried about.
“Is that gang still camped between here and you?”
I wait for his response. We last saw the gang a few weeks ago on a scouting mission but I just knew they were still there somewhere and definitely weren’t the type of people I would want Aly to get caught up with. I just hope Aly is able avoid them at all costs.
Jax grunts like he’s lifting his pack on. “Yea, they’re still there. Even worse, it seems like they’ve added onto their group. Keep your comms on. I’ll check in with you guys in two hours. Out.”
Chapter 37
Jax
What did I say? What did I Goddamn say when they showed up with her? Nothing but fucking trouble. That’s what I fucking said. Now she’s taken off, probably with no protection whatsoever besides that silly bat, and I gotta find her ass. Stubborn, hard-headed, beautifully overwhelming woman.
When Cole told me what happened I almost dropped my radio. Why would she put herself in danger to come find me? Especially when I told them all not to. She has food, shelter, tons of shit to do and keep her occupied, including my two best friends, and what does she decide to do? A fucking suicide mission for the resident asshole. Fuck me all the way to China, I don’t think I'll ever understand this girl.
I check my mag and reload it back into my Colt 1911, before securing it in the holster on my leg. Consistency in the past meant it was second nature to grab the bugout bag and my weapons before leaving the house. Without them, I probably wouldn’t stand a chance on my own, let alone trying to find Aly and keep her safe as well. And being the good little boy scout I am, I made sure my hideaway was stocked as well.
Making my way north, I backtrack the way I came with Sadie by my side. Luckily, there’s really only one main road that leads down here. I’m hoping my assumptions are right, that she’d stick to it in order to make it down here as fast as she could. Unfortunately, it’s also extremely exposed which could’ve pushed her to finding another less conspicuousroute. Part of me hopes she took the faster path so that her whereabouts can be found quicker, whereas the other part of me wishes she kept to the shadows for the simple fact that it’s statistically safer. There’s more, especially around here, that can send you to the grave besides the dead if you’re exposed.
Cole and Hawk saw them a few weeks ago during a supply trip. Then I saw them on my way down here. At least a dozen guys, all seemingly between mid-twenties and late-forties, and all reeking of bad news. You know the type. Belligerent assholes that think they own everything they come across. When we scout the village, we get in and get out with minimal disruption. We take what we need and we leave. That’s it. These guys destroy as they go. Like fucking locusts. I managed to sneak past them on my way down here because they turned what once was a decent little farm house into a raging bonfire for no good reason at all. I don't think anyone still lived there but still. Belligerent assholes. I can only hope their little bout of pyromania doesn’t draw the hordes this way.
I’m just about to cross over a bridge when the rumble of a truck hits my ears. Quickly, I jump down into the embankment while Sadie takes cover at its lowest point, just before they come into view. The sun set a while ago but I still make an effort to press myself even further into the damp grass, blending my body with the elements. The loud roar of the engine overtakes my senses as I crane my neck to see who it is. I’m pretty sure I know, but I’ll be the first to admit, I've been wrong before.
Not this time, it seems. Assholes, three o’clock. They head south, past my position, and turn left down Magnolia Road. Well, that makes things easier. We’ve always known they had a residence somewhere down here but between them running around in their trucks to the varied mayhem, we could never pin down their exact location. Magnolia Road is adead end. With one camp situated at the end of it facing the lake.
Found you, fuckers.
I wait until their tail lights are well out of view before we climb back up onto the road to continue my search. It's difficult though. Streetlamps haven’t worked in months and you can’t exactly use a megawatt flash light drawing everyone’s attention to yourself. No, I’m stuck using the light of the moon and a tiny ass flashlight that was probably meant for a child. Better than nothing, though. I take the time to check in with the guys.
“Hawk. Cole. Come in. Over.” I release the button and wait for their reply.
“Hey man. Please tell me you found her.” Hawk’s voice rings through the radio. Out of breath and frantic.
“Nothing yet. I'm guessing y’all didn’t have any luck either?”
“Shit... Fuck, man. Where the fuck is she?” I can practically see Hawk pacing as he talks. I get his frustration. I’m right there with him.
I’ve seen how he and Cole have come to care for Aly. Hell, if I'm being honest with myself, I’ve come to care for her as well. I’ve fought it tooth and nail but she’s taken over. The house, our minds... our hearts.
