Page 46 of Undone
Amber
“Are you sure it’s safe to go off base?” I asked Rylen as we left the barracks.
“No. That’s why we’re headed to strap up. Our orders are to scout for any stores that haven’t been raided, and to look for stray humans in need of help.”
We both knew humans could be as dangerous as the enemy, but if there were any out there who would actually be willing to join us, that would be awesome. We were met in the supply room by Tex, Devon, Shavontae, New York Josh, and Matt. The seven of us were outfitted with weapons and vests, and given keys to one of the larger vehicles. We each had a set of earplugs, too, even though Top and the Colonel were fairly certain the only Baelese in Alaska had been on this base.
“Is Officer Sean joining us?” I asked.
Tex shook his head. “He’s working with the tactical team.”
I wondered what they’d found out by taking over the communications from the Baelese headquarters, and what we were planning on doing. I guess we’d find out tomorrow. The thought of going up against the Baelese again turned my stomach. That guy had been able to control my mind so easily. Granted, I would never make the mistake of going near them again without my earplugs, but it was still going to be scary.
Tex started for the driver’s side, and I snatched the keys from between his fingers. He turned on me with eyebrows drawn.
“No driving with that bum shoulder, Tex.” I tossed the keys to Ry, whose eyes were lit with amusement.
“Damn, why you so hard on me, Doc?” Tex whined. “Does she bust your balls like that too, man?” he asked Rylen.
“I plead the fifth.” Smart man.
Rylen climbed behind the wheel, and Tex made his way around to the passenger seat. Shavontae and I took the smaller seats in the far back while Devon, Josh, and Matt sat in the middle.
“How you doin’?” she asked me.
“Good, I had coffee.”
“Aw, Lord. Watch out,” she laughed. “My first day at the Exchange I went straight to the candy aisle and found myself every bar of dark chocolate in sight.”
“You gonna share that, right baby?” Devon asked.
“Boy, you better think again.” Everyone laughed at this, even Devon.
When we passed through the gates and out onto the main road, the mood in the vehicle got heavier. Each of us scanned the surroundings. My eyes couldn’t help but wander to the snow-capped mountain ranges. And trees. So many tall trees, like dark green bristles shooting skyward. I’d always liked gazing at the mountainscape in Nevada, but these were so much more majestic.
We stopped at two gas stations, both of which were out of gasoline and had been raided of all goods. Shavontae and I were on lookout at the vehicle each time. The third place we stopped was a little farther out, a small food mart near a smattering of older, rundown homes. Devon stayed with us as the other guys went to check it out. I stared around, eyes peeled, as the creepy sensation of being watched settled over me.
Shavontae let out a small gasp and hiked her gun to her shoulder, making Devon brandish his gun too. My heart jumped violently in my rib cage as I stared where they were staring toward one of the houses. I clutched my handgun and flicked the safety off.
“What’d you see?” Devon asked.
“That cellar door went up, then closed again. I thought I saw a face.” Her voice was no-nonsense.
From the front of the store, Rylen saw us and jogged over, gun out. “What’s going on?”
“We might have company,” Devon told him. “Cellar of that house.”
Rylen stared out as a crash sounded, making us all jump.
Our heads spun toward the minimart where Texas Harry had just smashed a window and they made their way inside, oblivious. My eyes darted back to that cellar door at ground level. The four of us stared until it cracked open again. Air stuck in my chest and I stared like a statue as the cellar door raised about a foot, and sure enough, someone was looking out at us. A face in shadow.
“Fuck, get down!” Rylen grabbed my arm. The four of us fell on our stomachs, elbows propped up to hold our guns.
I stared at the shadowed face as the cellar door went up a few inches more and our entire group sucked in a breath at the sight of the small form.
“Shit,” Shavontae breathed. “It’s a kid.”
My heart lurched.
