Chapter 9
Safety in Numbers
Olivia
It turns out that lying in a sleeping bag on a hard surface after a traumatic day isn’t conducive to a good night’s rest. Shocking, I know.
I’m not sure what time it is—it’s pitch black outside and I don’t have a watch—but sleep refuses to come.
Instead, I’m confronted by the ghostly feel of my attacker’s heavy body against mine, the stench of his breath against my cheek, and the terrifying bangs of gunshots.
Then the images change, becoming the lifeless eyes of my attackers lying on the tarmac, a pool of blood widening beneath them.
Those memories only make the panic squeezing my chest worse until I’m panting on the ground.
Even though it’s cold in the house, sweat beads on my forehead and the back of my neck, and spots dance in my vision.
Memories of the car accident twisted with images of zombies and dead men consume my mind until it’s a mangled, horrific mess.
“Having trouble sleeping?”
The sound of a soft masculine voice is enough to cut through some of the panic and I’m able to suck in a deep, shuddering breath. I look over to see Theo sitting on the ground, his back against one of the kitchen counters and his legs stretched out in front of him.
Soft moonlight streams through the kitchen window above him, casting him in an ethereal glow.
It makes him seem dark and mysterious, the contours of his handsome face shrouded in shadows.
His features are sharper and more refined than the others, more regal looking.
It makes me think that if we were in a fantasy novel, he’d be an elf or fae.
His tousled hair falls across his forehead, black curls brushing against his liquid grey eyes that almost gleam in the moonlight.
He’s the shortest out of the three guys and the leanest, built more like a swimmer.
But even in the low light, I can see the muscle definition in his forearms and biceps.
Black ink peeks out from beneath the dark grey T-shirt he wears, the tattoos stark against his pale skin as they stretch up his neck and down his biceps.
I’m not sure what it is, but I suspect he’s hiding more beneath his shirt.
A part of me wants to know what they are, to see them and trace them with my fingers. I slam that part down. That road only leads to pain. Especially since, out of all the guys, I’ve interacted with Theo the least. It’s not a conscious choice, he just doesn’t push me like the other two do.
“People always say to count sheep, but I’m not sure how you’re supposed to fall asleep standing in the middle of a muddy field while squinting in the dark, trying to spot them.”
His voice snaps me back to the present, and I frown at him in confusion.
“What?” I keep my voice low, not wanting to wake up Alex, who’s snoring softly across the room.
I think Rhys is upstairs, keeping watch for any zombies.
Not sure why he has to do that upstairs, but I’m not arguing, not when it takes him out of the room and away from me.
A smirk plays on Theo’s lips as his grey eyes flick to mine. “Counting sheep,” he says, as if that’s an explanation.
I just stare at him in confusion.
He sighs. “Sleeping doesn’t come easily to those who’ve experienced something traumatic in their life. Honestly, I wonder if anyone sleeps anymore with all the shit going on.” His eyes glaze over for a moment, as if he’s reliving something in his mind before shaking himself.
“I remember the first time I couldn’t sleep because of terrible memories.
It was my first violent call as a paramedic and when we got to the scene…
Fuck, there was so much blood and the guy—well, he was nothing more than a kid—had multiple stab wounds to his torso.
He was barely hanging on when we got there and no matter what we did, we just couldn’t save him.
He begged us to save him, that he didn’t want to die, but there was nothing we could do. ”
Theo swallows hard. “The nightmares I had after that were… something else.” He rakes a hand through his messy curls.
“Why are you telling me this?” The less I know about these men, the better, and yet I can’t help but be intrigued by his life before the world went to shit.
I’ve never met a paramedic but I know how horrific their work can be—my ex-fiancé was a doctor and some stories he told me of his time in Accident and Emergency were haunting.
So I’m not surprised that he has nightmares from his work.
“Because I want you to know that you’re not alone in your trauma, Ollie,” he says softly.
It’s almost jarring to hear him call me Ollie and not princess.
“We all suffer. I have my own ghosts, so do Alex and Rhys. What happened today alone would be enough to send anyone off the deep end, but I imagine there’s more that’s happened in your life than this. ”
How the hell is he able to read me so well? I tighten my jaw and roll onto my back to stare up at the ceiling, not wanting to expose more of myself to this man.
“I’m not asking you to bare your soul to me.
Hell, you don’t have to say anything to me.
But I can see that you’re adamant about leaving us in the morning and putting distance between us, and it doesn’t sit right with me.
The world is dangerous out there and while you’ve done an amazing job of keeping yourself safe all this time, at some point, your luck is going to run out. ”
I look at him sharply. “You think I’m relying on luck?”
“Aren’t we all? At least a little? I know Rhys, Alex and I do, but we also have the luxury of having each other as backup when shit hits the fan. Who do you have watching your back when your luck turns?”
We both know the answer to that. No one. I stay silent.
“We could be that back up for you, at least until we find a safer place for you.” He pauses, waiting for me to react, but I don’t move. He sighs. “All I’m asking is that you think about it.”
Silence falls and I half expect him to stand up and go back to where he was sleeping before, but he doesn’t. He sits there, staring off into space as if lost in his own thoughts.
I lie there and mull over his words. He has a point; I know he does.
I’m alone on this suicide mission and so far, I’ve been super lucky.
It’s only today that I was in real danger and even then, they saved me before things got bad.
What happens if I get caught again and there’s no one to save me?
And what happens to Tobias and Rachel if I end up captured like they did? Or worse, dead?
I chew on my lower lip as I glance at Theo. Can I trust these men to have my back? They saved me once, but will they do it again? Plus, even if I take up his offer, will they come with me to find Tobias? Or will they see it for the suicide mission it is and refuse?
I guess if they refuse to help me save my brother, then it won’t matter because I won’t go with them.
He’s my number one priority, and I promised Andy I’d do all I could to save his daughter.
There’s no way I’m backing out of that. But there’s only one way to know where these men stand when it comes to my mission…
“Let’s say I stick with you three,” I start, causing Theo to whip his head around to meet my eyes.
“I have something I need to do, people I need to find. It’s the entire reason I’m out here; to save them.
And while it’s dangerous as fuck, I don’t have any choice but to try.
Are you guys going to stop me from doing that? ”
He seems to consider my words for a moment, his eyes narrowing. “It depends on where you’re heading, I suppose. We’re also out here tracking people.”
“I was told that the gang who took the people I’m searching for are heading for Birmingham, so that’s where I’m going.”
Theo’s eyes bulge open as he hisses, “you’re going after the Scourge?”
I can’t help but snort. That name is just too damn ridiculous.
It makes me wonder what other gangs are out there with equally stupid names.
Is there a gang called the Devils? The Kings of Pain?
The Demons? The Sinners? Each name is getting more and more ridiculous, and I can’t help but huff a laugh.
“Ollie?” There’s concern in Theo’s voice.
Oh right, he asked me a question. “Uh, yeah, I’m going after them.”
“Alone?”
I nod and stare at the ceiling above me, not wanting to meet his eyes. Poor guy probably thinks I’m insane. Hell, I think am considering what I’m doing.
“Shit. You know that’s dangerous as fuck, right? That the Scourge are armed and deadly?”
I shoot him an unimpressed look. “No, really? And here I thought they were just a granny gang armed with knitting needles and handbags while riding mobility scooters,” I say, unable to stop the sarcastic remark.
He snorts as his lips twitch. “Honestly, that sounds terrifying. Grannies don’t give a fuck. I’ve seen one beat the shit out of a police officer with her handbag for arresting her son.” His silver eyes dance with mirth.
I can’t help the small smile playing on my lips. Unlike Rhys—who’d probably have raged at me for my sarcasm—Theo doesn’t get pissed off with my weird sense of humour or cutting remarks. If anything, he only adds fuel to the fire. I guess Alex was right when he called him the comedian.
“What do you think their demands would be?” he asks in a conspiratorial whisper as he leans toward me.
My smile grows. I’m not the only one with a twisted sense of humour. “They’d obviously clear us out of Werthers Originals.”
“And wool for their knitting projects.”
I shake my head. “Oh no, they wouldn’t waste knitting needles like that. They save the needles for stabbing their enemies and crochet instead.”
His smile widens, and it transforms his face from sharp and refined to something softer, almost boyish. “Of course, can’t be getting blood on the ugly jumper they’re making.”
“Maybe they make a new granny square for their blanket for every kill they get.”
He snorts out a surprised laugh. “Jesus, what are they, serial killers?”
I shrug. “I mean, why not? They’re already a homicidal granny gang. I don’t think being serial killers is that much of a stretch.”
“You two are bloody nutcases,” Alex mutters sleepily from his spot on the couch in the living room area.
Surprised laughter bursts out from me and I clamp a hand over my mouth to stifle it while looking at Theo with wide eyes.
Theo has a wide smile on his face, his liquid silver eyes dancing with amusement. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough. If we weren’t in the middle of the apocalypse, I’d be dragging your asses to the nearest mental hospital.”
“I’m not insane. They already tested me,” Theo says with a snort toward his friend.
I stay quiet. I’m pretty sure I’m not a hundred per cent sane.
Even before the world went to shit, I wasn’t doing too well.
I had panic attacks coming out of nowhere, nightmares haunting my sleep and constant fear whenever I was in a vehicle.
And that was after extensive therapy. Honestly, this is the most sane I’ve been in a long time, if only because I’m not a blubbering, screaming mess in my sleeping bag right now.
And all it took was the world to end and for the dead to walk. Oh, and three mysterious men to shove their way into my life. Apparently, scorching hot men in the apocalypse are like buses; you don’t see any for ages and then suddenly three turn up at once.
“Alright, princess. It seems you have the same goals that we do,” Theo says, jerking me from my thoughts.
I snap my gaze to his, shocked. Apparently we’re done fucking around and it’s time to get down to business. “You’re hunting them down, too?”
He nods. “We’re from a settlement off the coast of south Wales that got raided by them almost a week ago. They took three women and injured several members of our group.”
Holy shit. What are the chances? Not only are these guys hunting the same gang I am, but they’re from the same settlement Andy told me about? If the lottery was still running, I’d buy a ticket.
“Is it wise to bring her with us?” Alex asks. He’s sitting up now and has decided to join the conversation.
I shoot him a glare. “I’m going with you or without you. It’s your choice whether or not you want me travelling with you.” I’m already committed to this suicide mission and nothing is going to stop me from completing it.
His jaw drops. “You can’t be serious! Those guys are armed to the teeth and dangerous, not to mention they heavily outnumber you. Who the hell are you trying to save that you’ll risk your life like that?”
“Alex,” Theo says, his voice sharp. “It’s her choice.”
“But—”
“My brother, Tobias,” I say, cutting him off before he can protest again as I stubbornly hold his gaze. “He’s the only family I have left, and I intend to do whatever I can to save him.”
“Stay with us and we’ll help you free your brother,” a third voice says, causing all of us to swing our attention to the stairs.
Rhys is standing there, shrouded in darkness, holding his rifle against his chest. Apparently, everyone’s joining this fucking discussion. Although I’m surprised that he’s allowing me to come with them. I thought he’d be like Alex and be horrified that I’d risk my life to save someone. I guess not.
“You’re serious?” Alex says, shock thick in his voice.
“Deadly. She’s already said she’s going after them with or without us and I’d rather be there to save her ass the next time it gets into trouble.”
I scrunch my nose. “You make it really difficult to want to accept your offer.”
“It wasn’t an offer, princess.” There’s dark amusement in Rhys’s voice as he speaks.
“Whatever.” Cocky twat.
Theo snorts. “I was expecting more fight than that, princess.”
I flip him off, which only makes him chuckle.
“It’s decided then. We’ll leave at first light. I suggest you try to get some sleep, princess. We’re not stopping just because you’re tired.” With his orders given, Rhys turns on his heels and marches back up the stairs.
“Prick,” I mutter under my breath.
Theo hears and laughs. “He is, but be thankful he’s on our side.” He winks at me before pushing himself to his feet and striding over to Alex.
It’s only as I snuggle back into my sleeping bag that I realise my panic has disappeared. Somehow, Theo distracted me long enough that, as I close my eyes, I feel myself drifting off into an easy, mostly dreamless sleep.