Chapter 26
Star
Fear wasn’t new nor would it fade. Not with time. Not with sweeping changes.
I wouldn’t allow fear to disappear and not because I enjoyed the ache furrowing deep inside or the bitter taste left in my mouth, but because being frightened was the best reminder of the worst things in life.
Greed.
Corruption.
Lack of humanity.
Lack of empathy.
While terror often accompanied a tragedy or anticipated action, it was also a tremendous push to do better. To fight. To never give in.
My thoughts were all over the place as I followed Wrath and Vicious, who were having difficulty keeping up with Jake. I sensed a true purpose in the puppy’s step, his barks now little more than harrumphs.
“Is that a clearing up ahead?” Vicious stopped moving, taking several deep breaths.
The sounds of water had turned into a raging roar, the scents of something sweet and fresh countering the stench of death and decay from before.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
The spray of gunfire filtered through the air, causing another sound to rocket over the water. The flapping of wings.
As soon as I stepped toward the clearing, Rage gripped my shoulder.
“That could be thunderbirds.”
“It’s not. Look up.” I pointed toward the sky, laughing when I noticed hundreds of birds flying over the trees.
We stood in awe for a few seconds, enjoying the sight even though they were as afraid as we’d been. They knew danger was all around them. Yet in watching them fly away, I was struck by their beauty and the realization of what their appearance meant.
Another volley of gunfire and Rage pulled me out of the lovely trance.
“Keep going.”
Jake sprinted forward until suddenly he stopped barking.
Wren gasped, immediately concerned. “Jakie!”
“It’s okay, Wren.” I squatted beside her, enjoying the feel of her arms around my neck.
Wrath and Vicious moved forward, Vicious throwing back his hand to keep us from advancing.
Seconds later, he returned. He was grinning. “A bridge. And you wouldn’t believe the other side. Night and fucking day, man.”
I stood, taking Wren’s hand into mine. “We’re almost home.”
Yet as I walked forward, finally noticing blue sky through the canopy of trees, another moment of apprehension hit me hard. Harder than with almost every other trial. Ahead was a bridge crossing the body of water we’d heard.
Raging rapids slammed against craggy rocks below, wind rolling across the bridge’s surface. There were few guardrails, those remaining twisted steel, several pieces dangling off the sides.
As I walked closer to the start of the massive span leading to the other side, my breath was caught.
Jake didn’t waste any time, bounding across the surface. Barking and yipping both in instructions to follow and a warning not to wait long.
Rage flanked my side, his presence an anchor. We stood for a few seconds, peering at the huge cracks in the asphalt. The bridge had once been a masterpiece of engineering. Now it was slowly crumbling away, pieces falling into the river below. And immediately swept away.
The water was hundreds of feet below, not survivable if someone jumped. Or fell.
My nerves were instantly on edge, every breath becoming caught in my throat. This was my personal kryptonite, much like claustrophobia was for Rage. Only he’d conquered his and I’d yet to face mine.
Another trial.
Another test.
Yet I couldn’t move an inch.
Pop! Pop!
A howl penetrated the trees from behind.
“Let’s go, Rage,” Wrath hissed between clenched teeth. “We don’t have much time.”
“We’ll be right there. Wren, go with Wrath. Go find Jake. Okay?” Rage’s voice held no anger, no frustration with me. Just a quiet calm.
“You gotta hurry, guys.” Vicious’ voice echoed in my ears.
“We’re coming,” I managed but had yet to move an inch.
Before Wren left, she moved toward me, placing her small hand in mine. “I can’t wait to show you our home. Come with me.”
Her words resonated, so sweet and gentle. The feel of her skin touching mine presented several tingles rushing down my arm. I had to do this.
“I’m coming, sweet girl. Wait for me.”
“Come on. Let’s race across this bridge.” Wrath grabbed her, causing Wren to giggle.
When they moved away, Rage took my hand. “We can do this. Together.”
Nodding, I allowed him to guide me to the bridge’s entrance. I’d seen this very sight in a book somewhere. Or maybe I’d envisioned it in my dreams. As we were approached, the sounds of shots being fired and the water crashing against the rocks was drowned out.
Not only by the rapid beating of my heart, but also the creaking sounds coming from every corner of the bridge.
While it was only two lanes, once on the surface, it seemed wider than I’d thought, but after only taking two steps, a huge chunk fell away, smashing into the rocks below.
A shriek left my throat and I flew into Rage’s arms, clinging to him as I panted.
“It’s okay.” He pulled my head against his chest, pressing his hand across a portion of my face. “Just breathe.”
I took several breaths as instructed, but standing where we were wasn’t safe. A single sharp cry from the forest and I jerked my head up.
“That sounds like Blade. We need to go to him.” I broke free, determined to get to the sweet Savage, but was jerked backward.
“We need to cross this bridge. Now.”
“I can’t. I’m too scared. You go.”
With his head cocked, his long hair in his face, which was covered with a thick beard, he grinned and it was as if the sun was beaming down on us.
There was even mischief in his eyes. “Not without you, princess. You’re the star of the show.
Remember? I will have failed my mission if I don’t bring you to safety. You don’t want me to fail. Now do you?”
Boom!
Another chunk of concrete fell, opening up a hole only a few yards away. I looked over my shoulder, noticing something emerging from the woods.
“Take my hand, princess. You’ve got this. I’ve got you. Just trust me. I won’t let you fall.”
In those few seconds of facing the very fear I’d thought would never leave, I realized what I’d thought earlier was bullshit.
It was time to erase the fear altogether. I took his hand, whimpering only once. That was the only one allowed. A vibration was felt in my feet. More of the surface was about to give way.
His brows knitted together and he didn’t need to tell me to run.
He never let go of my hand, staying close even though I couldn’t run nearly as fast as him.
“Don’t look anywhere but in front of you.” I heard his command and it provided some sense of protection. But immediately, I began to feel lightheaded, almost as if I was going to faint. But I kept running, occasionally looking over my shoulder.
“They’re coming. Shit.”
Rage slowed us briefly to scan the perimeter. “Not that much further.”
After shielding my eyes, I could almost see the other end. There were so many trees.
Boom. Another chunk fell off.
Suddenly, it seemed as if there were more and more cracks appearing. I was so frightened I couldn’t feel my legs, but I trusted in Rage as he guided us around every crevice, even tackling me to the ground when a piece of the railing crashed down close to where we were.
My shriek filtered above the water, but I could still hear the faint grunts and yells of the Dwellers.
“Run. Run. Run!”
Rage’s voice kept me going even when it felt as if my legs would give out on me. Suddenly, there was a cheering section, Vicious and Wrath beckoning us. Jake was there, no longer barking, but his tail was swishing back and forth.
And little Wren seemed different, as if older and wiser. She had her arms wrapped around Wrath’s neck, but her face was serene.
As if she knew we’d make it.
The vibrations continued. So did the sounds of gunfire and as we reached the end, I dared pull away and take a few seconds to see what was going on.
Once again, I shielded my eyes, blinking several times to try to focus. “What are they doing?” I could see Ghost and Wizard placing something on the bridge then rushing back toward the other side.
A massive arm wrapped around me, dragging me back until I was forced off the bridge entirely.
Once on the ground, he refused to let me go until we were safely on a knoll several yards above the bridge. That allowed me to watch in horror in seeing just how many Dwellers there were. Hundreds of them. My God. What was going on?
“What is going on? We can’t get rid of them.”
Rage nuzzled into my ear, the warmth of his body not nearly enough to keep a chill from coursing down my spine. “They’re doing what’s necessary to keep us safe. They’re heroes, Star. They will always be remembered for their bravery.”
“What are you saying?”
“Shit. They’re turning back,” Wrath hissed.
“What are you talking about?” I scanned the other side, realizing what the Savages had been trying to do. Lead the Dwellers across the bridge. Wait. What?
Movement caught my attention, Jake springing into action. As he rushed toward the bridge, my reaction was involuntary. Nothing was going to happen to the puppy. Wren wouldn’t be able to handle it.
My reactions weren’t quick enough, Rage preventing me from going after him.
“No! No. You will not allow that dog to die! Let me go.”
Woof. Woof. Woof.
Jake rushed across the bridge, jumping over the same cracks I’d done only moment before. It didn’t take long for his constant loud barking to draw the attention of the Dwellers, a few heading toward the bridge.
“Let me go.” As soon as I pulled free, I threw my arms over my head, waving them while screaming. “Come get me! I’m right here, you pricks!”
Wrath and Vicious realized what I was doing, mimicking me.
Soon, there were hundreds on the bridge, all moving toward us.
Jake remained where he was, barking every few seconds.
“You have to save him,” I demanded. “You can’t let him die.”
“Almost,” Rage told me.
I punched him. “No. Now!”
“Trust me, princess. Almost.”
My anger flew off the chain and I spun around, fighting tears and fury. “Rage. If you let him die, I will never forgive you.”