Page 40 of Worth the Ruin
I finally make it to the closet Wilson mentioned and find a pretty good stash—paper towels, tissues, soap, toilet paper, a couple of cases of bottled water—when I hear someone else come inside the main door, the little bell still ringing happily to announce new visitors.
“There’s a few things back here!” I call. “I need a box or maybe they have bags at the register—” I turn to find Jett leering at me from just outside the closet. Every muscle in my body goes rigid. It was too much to hope that a Bloody tore him to shreds during the fight. I’d even have settled for a good old fashioned bullet to the chest. But, alas, I’m not that lucky.
“Need some help?” he asks with a disgusting grin.
“I think I’ve got mouth breathing down, thanks,” I say dryly.
His grin only widens as he swaggers towards me, rubbing his chin and shaking his head.
“I can’t wait to put you in your place, little girl.” He leans in close but I don’t back away, only glare. The only thing I hatemore than being told to behave is being calledlittle girl. “Can’t. Fucking. Wait.”
“Mel?” Timmons calls from the front of the store.
“Back here,” Jett calls back, holding my gaze before taking a few steps backwards, smirking. Timmons comes around the corner and smiles, not seeming to notice anything amiss.
“Wilson said you might need this,” he says, holding up a big cardboard box.
“Yeah, uh, thanks. Got a few things in here,” I say, taking the box but keeping my eyes on Jett until he’s out of my line of sight. He’s barely keeping himself from acting. He’s like an addict jonesing for that next hit. He can only hold back for so long. Whatever he’s planning, he’s going to do it soon.
And when he does, I’ll be fucking ready.
Three days later,we’re stopping for the night before making it back to FOS tomorrow, maybe the next day depending on Bloody traffic and weather. It looks like a storm is rolling in, but I’m hoping it holds off until we’re at least on the road tomorrow. I’m not in the mood to camp out in the fucking rain tonight.
This site is a large open clearing near the river. A small cabin used to be perched in the center, but it toppled what looks to be a long time ago. Now it’s just a heap of time-worn wood that’s probably a fantastic hiding spot for all kinds of critters I want nothing to do with. I make a mental note to set up my camping spot as far across the clearing from it as I can get.
The river runs on the southern edge, so it’s a great spot for refilling our water containers, and through a small thicket of trees, there’s a small offshoot that forms a small pool—perfect for bathing. And dear God do I want a rinse.
“How’s the arm?” I ask Wynn as I help him spread out his bedroll.
“It’s fine,” he assures me. “Really,” he adds when I give him a hard look. “Sore, but could have been much worse. I’ll be back to my old self in a few weeks, and I’ve still got my shooting hand, so at least I’m not useless.”
“Ehh, that’s debatable.” His mouth pops open in mock indignation and I snort.
“Mel!” Traeger calls over the rush of the river. “You’re up.” He hikes his thumb back towards the trees he just exited, telling me that it’s my turn at the pool. He’s been more tense than usual for the past couple of days, but we haven’t had any time to talk. Every time I try, he’s called away or needs to handle something. Part of me thinks he’s avoiding me, but the other part thinks that one is just paranoid.
“Oh thank God,” Wynn says, wrinkling his nose. “You smell terrible.”
I punch him in his good arm and he laughs lightly. My gaze shifts to Traeger again, because when the fuck doesn’t it lately? Johnson leans in to say something quietly in his ear. He tenses but nods.
“Landry! Wilson! Tucker! You’re with me. We’ve got an issue at Checkpoint Romeo Eight to handle. Jett and Mendoza—you’re in charge here for the night. Meet us there tomorrow.” Traeger meets my gaze again and gives me an almost imperceptible nod, so small, I’m not entirely sure I actually saw it at all, but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s trying to tell me something. I want to ask him what’s going on, but he seems to force himself to turn away without so much as a wave goodbye. I frown and shift my gaze to Wynn. He looks as confused as I feel, but hikes his uninjured shoulder.
“Well, guess I’ll see you tomorrow, cher.” He cuts a look at Jett and then adds, “Stick by Timmons for the night while I’mgone.” I roll my eyes but agree when he gives me a dry look. He walks to the waiting Hummer and the five of them pile inside. I give the vehicle a wave in goodbye as it pulls away, and grab my pack. I work through different possibilities in my head as I walk through the trees towards the pool. Something is going on, I just know it. That look from Traeger, the nod…I know he was telling me something.
And then it clicks.
There’s another smaller clearing once I break through the tree line. The river rushes by on the right, but straight ahead, a bit of the land juts out and creates a calmer pool. I drop my pack and fish out my soap, heading over to the pool for a quick wash down without getting undressed. I would love to dive in and take a proper bath, but I’m not about to be caught naked right about now—I have a good feeling that I’m going to have company very soon.When the cat’s away, the mouse will play, right?As if on cue, I hear their heavy footfalls in the trees behind me. I guess they aren’t worried about sneaking up on me. I take a deep breath and that familiar calm settles over me.
Here we go.
I straighten at the edge of the pool and turn to find Jett and his two fuckhead shadows making their way into the clearing.
“Well, well, well. Look what we have here, boys,” Jett says, sounding extraordinarily proud of himself. I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes. Proud of himself for finding me…in the place where the whole camp knew I was going to?Great job, idiot.I really will be doing the world a favor by taking this oxygen thief out of rotation.
“Who goes first?” Bartlett sneers, his yellowed teeth making me curl lip in disgust.
“Well, by my count, there are three of us,” Jett says, smirking, “and she’s got three holes to fill.”
The other two laugh like morons and move towards me while Jett gets sidetracked with my bag.
