Chapter 9
The tourniquet was slipping. She could feel her need to be close to Krieger growing—close to his comforting arms and his kind words. Eclipsing why she felt the need to keep him at bay in the first place.
Two days they had rested, regaining their strength to make it back up the incline to Everwood. They hadn’t had to deal with much other than the earthquakes and torrential rain. In last night’s storm, the pounding wind had reared its ugly head. She kept her eyes on the sky for the tornadoes—the same tornadoes that still gave her nightmares. Lucky... they had been lucky. But for how much longer?
Hell, if she was being honest, she had been fortunate in other ways besides the weather. Having Krieger by her side this past week was worth more than any bag of provisions. He hunted when he could, finding a few squirrels. He had kept watch twice as often as she had; he’d let her sleep right through. He made sure they had fresh water, always leaving their bowls out at night to refill their canteen. And he’d hung the tarp on the front of the lean-to. It had at least blocked out the rain and wind from the side they slept on.
In addition to all that, each night, he would help her re-braid her hair since her arm was still aching something fierce. Mother Earth, what she would give for a hot bath and her lavender-scented soap, luxuries being on the road did not afford.
Krieger would also check her wound and change the bandage on it. There had been no sign of infection, but it still hurt like hell. She did the same for his wounds. Looking out for one another had become their priority.
When they weren’t scouting for fire wood or hunting, they talked. His voice was tender when he brought up her mother. “What was she like, Angel?” he asked.
Her cheeks always flushed with heat when he called her Angel. She hadn’t mustered up the courage to ask him why he called her that. She only knew it made her feel tingly and warm—and she hadn’t felt like that in a very long time.
Her mother was the sole person who had ever made her feel special. “She was the best person I ever knew. She was strong and sweet. She’d give you the shirt off her back, run right into a dangerous situation if she thought she could help.” Eva laughed and added, “But she never took any shit. She used to say ‘Eva, ist niemals respektlos.’ Never take disrespect.”
Krieger’s eyes widened at her admission. “You speak German?”
She nodded. “Ja, sir, seit ich acht Jahre alt war.” She laughed at the dumbfounded look he was giving her. “Yes, sir, since I was eight. I told you, my mom was from Germany. She thought it was important I learn to speak her native tongue.”
He smiled. “She sounds pretty great. I wish I could have met her.”
Oh Krieger, so do I. If you only knew.
“You know, you’re a lot like her,” she said, as her cheeks heated under his gaze.
Tilting his head to the side, he asked, “In what way?”
“Your characters are much alike.” She couldn’t meet his eye as she answered.
Instead, she studied the storm raging outside. She could feel his eyes on her, but he remained silent as she watched lightning streak across the sky. Every day the storms had come, she realized she’d never seen it this relentless before. The weather pattern seemed worse to her. She would have to report this all to her father—
Krieger’s voice filled the air, breaking her train of thought. “What is Stone Haven like?” he asked as he stoked the fire.
“They live on the side of a large mountain. It’s rumored they built a village of cabins up against a rock formation. To the left of their settlement is a steep drop-off. As I understand it, the place is somewhat of a fortress. An expansive fence squares off their land.” She shook her head. “I’ve never seen it up close personally, but if what they say is true, they have made a grievous flaw. The land they have built this so-called fortress on is useless. It’s all dense rock, not much will grow there. The rocky cliff doesn’t make for good hunting grounds. They have blocked themselves in and need to find provisions elsewhere. Or steal it. Not to mention the landslides and avalanches we have heard they’ve had. They have suffered some losses over the years.”
Silence fell between them once more as he let her words sink in. “Isn’t there any way to stop this feud and come to some kind of agreement where each settlement can benefit?”
An ominous feeling took hold of her, twisting her insides.
Her voice lowered an octave as she said, “The bad blood that has raged on for years has caused a lot of mistrust. Something grand would have to be presented as a peace offering for that to work. To build trust. Get them to listen to reason about the land.”
She just so happened to know what that “grand something” was, but she didn’t mention it to him.
He sat back down next to her and began to play with her hair absentmindedly. “But don’t you think it would be worth it? Think of all the people that would be saved. Then they would have to listen to your father and see why it’s so important to preserve the land and resources. And your settle—” He cleared his throat. “Our settlement would be helping out a lot of other survivors.”
She let the feeling of his hand in her hair sweep through her. “Well, my father mentioned they had something in mind in particular they would take in return for trust...”
Excitement lit his eyes as he faced her. “Really? Your father would be smart to agree.”
She jerked away from him. “You don’t understand. What they ask comes with a high cost.”
His brows drew together. “What have they asked for?”
Her head began to ache as the truth drummed inside her temples, beating at her resolve. Could she really do this thing they asked of her and give up her personal future to a man she didn’t know? Worse, her enemy’s son?
Krieger thought it was a great idea, yet he didn’t know the price she would pay. Would what happened to her even make a difference to him?
She wasn’t ready to find out. “H-he didn’t say. Just that it was profound.”
He seemed to consider her words and thankfully dropped it.
Eva didn’t want a war. Oh Mother Earth, how she wished her mom was still here to talk to, to give her advice. She always knew the right things to say. Her mother was honest to a fault. One of the smartest people she had known. She would know the right choice...
Her mother was the only person that ever truly had known her. The real her. Yet Krieger seemed to read her like a book. And if she was being truthful, he was quickly becoming one of her favorite people.
When was the last time she let someone in? She had been fighting for so long that Eva had all but forgotten what a real human connection felt like.
How could she get close to those who had walled themselves off in the name of survival—herself included?
Let no one in.
It was safer that way. Safer, yet not as peaceful.
Yes, that is what Krieger had given her. Moments of true peace. Knowing her more than he probably knew himself. He was innocent. Ignorant of the past, no dark memories marred his conscience. He was the epitome of all that once had been good in the human race. Krieger was a rare version of what humanity had been, maybe could be again.. .
What a gift the fates had given her... or a curse. Would she just let him in, only to have him ripped out of her life by some act of duty she had to fulfill?
Even now, as she watched him stand and protected their tiny shelter as yet another violent storm descended on them, all she felt was happiness.
If she had to be out on the road, she was glad he was by her side. He had proved to be invaluable to her in more ways than one. He had saved her life more than once and he was one hell of a provider.
Eva still had time before her decision was due regarding the peace treaty. She wouldn’t figure it all out tonight.
Right now, her eyelids were heavy and as Krieger sat down beside her once more, he eased his arm around her shoulders. She felt her muscles relax and rested her head in the crook of his arm. Tomorrow, she would tell herself it was to conserve heat during the storm, but in this moment, she would enjoy the closeness of his woodsy scent and strong embrace.
She was screaming. “Mommy!”
Eva’s father grabbed her hand and hauled her up from the floor as he ran. Her favorite stuffed cat, Tom, fell from her hands.
The roar outside was getting louder.
“Laura, hurry.” Her father opened the closet as Eva jerked against his hold. Tom was still on the floor, and she needed him. “It’s okay, honey, everything’s going to be all right.”
Her father didn’t understand—she couldn’t leave her mom and Tom behind.
“No!” Eva tugged harder on her father’s grasp. She had to get to them.
“No, Eva. There’s no time.”
Her mother bounded down the stairs. Something was in her hand. She looked to Eva, and as if reading her mind, she picked Tom up off the floor and joined them at the closet.
“Cutting it close,” her father said as he closed the door behind them.
The noise outside was almost deafening now. The weather was on top of them, shattering the windows, demolishing the roof, shaking the walls.. .
After they sank down onto the floor of the tiny space, her mom placed her arm around Eva’s shoulders and handed her Tom. Eva buried her head in him and began to cry.
“Evangeline, hang in there. We’re gonna make it.” Her mother rubbed her arm with a comforting touch. “Look what I got.” Eva looked up. It was dark, but she could make out what her mother held. A picture in a frame, one she’d seen a million times. A photo of them. “We can rebuild. All these things are replaceable. Except the people in this picture. We are lucky to be together.”
Eva threw herself into her mother’s arms as a crash sounded right outside the door. Something big had just been forced through the house.
“Mommy!” Eva screamed.
Her father wrapped his arms around them both.
“We’re okay. We’re okay.” Did her mother’s voice hold a slight tremble?
She gripped her parents and Tom tighter as her mom’s voice filled the air, singing the song “You Are My Sunshine.”
The monster storm became deafening, and she couldn’t hear the song. Then the ceiling ripped off the closet. A dark sky swirled above them, and cold wind whipped her face. She screamed...
“Evangeline, wake up, you’re having a nightmare.”
Her eyes peeled opened as she sat up with a jerk, sweat trickling down her neck as she took in her surroundings. She was safe—well, safe as could be in a lean-to. The wind whipped outside, but dawn was upon them.
Her heaving breaths slowed, and she said, “I’m okay.”
Krieger rubbed her back. “Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Well, if you do, I’m a good listener.”
She shrugged off his touch. “You should have woken me sooner, you’ve hardly slept.”
He threw up his hands in defense. “I thought you needed the rest.”
“What I need is to go home and make sure my crew does too.” Her voice was laced with venom.
She hated being this girl. Hated these damn memories that plagued her. Hated that she wanted him—needed him...
“Angel, it doesn’t have to be this way.” His words were tender, soft. “You can talk to me.”
A fire coursed through her veins. “Talk to you and tell you what exactly?” She was on her feet, pacing the small space. “That I can’t shake the memories of the past, of my mom, the earth falling apart, or killing...”
She couldn’t finish that sentence. Being on the road again, with comforting arms, had just made the night terrors worse. The past had slammed to the forefront of her mind, and there wasn’t anything she could do to stop it.
“Talking about it, Krieger, won’t change what already is. I—” Her voice broke, and tears pooled in her eyes. “I’ve done things that I can’t change, so I wouldn’t...” Can’t lose anyone else.
She dropped to her knees and started packing their belongings. They had rested long enough, they needed to start their way back to Everwood today.
Her breaths were coming fast as she began to roll up the pelt. She could hear his footsteps as he closed the distance between them and knelt behind her. She tried to ignore his presence but then his strong hand rested on her shoulder. Warmth and comfort washed over her. She slowed her movements, then stopped them altogether before leaning back against his chest.
He engulfed her in his large frame, and she let him. He made her feel like nothing would ever hurt her again. That the past couldn’t harm her here, in his embrace.
She felt his breath upon her ear. “I got you.”
Turning in his hold, she met his gaze. “Why did this happen? I should be in college. Going home on the weekend to eat my mother’s home cooking. Not killing and living without my mom. Oh, Krieger.” She gripped his arm, wanting him to stay with her, like this, just a few minutes longer.
He gently smoothed her hair and asked, “What would you have gone to college for?”
She snorted, a grin playing on her lips. “Nursing. Like my mom.”
His smile melted any anger she had left in her. “Sounds fitting.”
“I’m such a mess, some leader I am,” she said, looking down at the ground.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I think you’re amazing.”
Eva sighed as his eyes searched hers. “You do?”
He slid his hand to the middle of her back and pulled her to his hard chest, his face only inches from hers. “And beautiful.”
She swallowed hard. “Y-you think I’m beautiful?”
He caressed her cheek with the back of his other hand. “I do.”
As he leaned in closer, her eyes studied his lips. His most perfect lips. To taste those lips...
“What the hell is going on here? Get away from her!” A deep voice thundered in the tiny lean-to.
Krieger was torn out of her arms as she fell back on her ass. The hell?
The crew stood in the makeshift doorway. Derek was inside, circling Krieger.
“I knew you would be trouble. Get up.” His voice boomed over the wind outside, his menacing tone raising the hair on her arms.
Krieger stood and gave Derek a hard look.
Derek was twitchy as he moved in front of Eva. Effects of being on the road—everything was a threat.
Looking at Krieger, Derek spat, “Who do you think you are? Touching her like that?” Krieger’s gaze shifted for the briefest of seconds to Eva’s as she got back to her feet. “Don’t look at her, look at me. I’m the one talking to you.”
Krieger’s features had turned to stone. “I don’t answer to you.”
Derek took a step toward him, but Eva half stumbled in front of him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Enough. I appreciate your concern, but it’s misplaced.”
Derek looked to her, his brows drawn together and his forehead creased. His eyes bored into her, emanating anger. “He shouldn’t be touching you—”
“I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I don’t need you telling me who is allowed to—”
He tried to push past her to get to Krieger. “I told you to stay away from her.”
Krieger stepped forward, meeting him toe to toe. “Why don’t you take a walk and calm down?”
Eva looked to the rest of the crew. “Luke?”
Luke entered the lean-to and stood next to Derek, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, man, let it go. At least for now.”
Looking back and forth between Eva and Krieger, Derek said, “Yeah, for now.”
Luke walked next to him as they strode into the woods.
Acting as if nothing had happened, Sarah entered, set a large duffle bag down, and sank to the ground. “We made good time to the Skyline Sanctuary outpost. Dropped the letter and turned back the same day.” She leaned closer to Eva and whispered, “So, you two?”
Brushinghair off his forehead, John began to laugh as he set his pack on the ground. “Leave the gossip for later, Sarah. Besides, you’re leaving out the best part.”
After unzipping the duffle, Sarah removed a handgun with a silencer attached to it, a scope, and boxes of bullets. “Found them under a bed in a house we bunkered in for the night.”
John, impatient, moved to the bag. “No, the other things.” He rummaged through the contents, then removed two items from the bag. “Salt and instant coffee.”
Eva Couldn’t take her eyes off the item as she lifted the jar from his hands. “Coffee.” She dragged out the word, as if it was the first time she’d ever said it. Sure, they had a variety of teas back at Everwood, but coffee was a rarity. “Let’s make some.”
Sarah was already removing utensils and a small pot from her pack. “Already on it.”
It was then that Eva had noticed Krieger had left the lean-to. She took a step outside and noticed him leaning against a large tree. Luke and Derek were nowhere to be seen.
Slowly, she approached him. “I’m sorry about Derek. I don’t know why he reacted that way.”
He spun to face her, then relaxed against the big oak. “He has a thing for you.”
Eva felt the heat rush to her cheeks as a nervous giggle left her lips. “Derek just... well, he’s familiar. I’ve known him a long time, we have a history with each other. With all the crew. I guess he was just being protective, like I told you before. Like a brother.”
Krieger practically rolled his eyes. “Please, did you see Luke or John losing it when they saw you in my arms?”
She averted her eyes, unable to meet his intense gaze. “I . . . well . . . they—”
“He has a thing for you.” He eased off the trunk and started back to the shelter, then stopped for a moment next to her. He brushed the side of his hand against hers and leaned toward her, whispering, “I don’t trust him, Eva. There’s something not right with him. I feel it. Be careful around him.”
She took a deep breath as he moved past her and disappeared into the shelter.
The drumming in her temples returned as Luke and Derek emerged from the brush. Derek’s eyes held a dark, menacing glare. Was Derek dangerous?
As she considered this, the smell of coffee filled the air around her.
“Ahh man, Coffee!” Luke ducked into the lean-to as Derek approached her.
She held up her hand. “I don’t want to talk about what happened in there. Ever. Let’s just forget about it.” It took a moment, but then he nodded. “Anything to report?”
Always a little paranoid, he scanned the area. “We were successful in dropping the letter off to the settlement outpost. We hit a few weather disturbances but were able to hunker down in a home and wait it out. I do believe the weather patterns have gotten worse.” She nodded in agreement as he continued. “We also came across a camp of Others, but I navigated us around them unseen.”
He paused as his dark eyes met hers. A foreboding, unwelcomed feeling washed over her as his gaze seemed different from before. Was Krieger right? Did Derek harbor romantic feelings for her? Impossible. She had squashed that with him years ago.
He shifted his weight, closing the space between them as an awkward silence stretched out before he asked, “How are you?”
She took a step back. “Me? I’m fine.”
He cleared his throat. “We saw the river and the water that over took the tunnel you had been camped in. Had to find a way around it. I didn’t think you would be strong enough to make the trek back to Everwood so soon. I remembered this place and had to check. I feared—”
“No, no. We were able to get away. I mean, it was sketchy at first, but we made it here. I was going to start back home today.”
Derek crossed his arms over his chest. “I hadn’t expected to see you like that—with him.” A vein pulsed in Derek’s neck, and he dropped his arms to fist his hands at his sides.
Looking at the ground, Eva took another step back. “Like I said, I’m fine, and I would like to head back to Everwood as soon as possible. Let’s finish breakfast here and move out.”
He stared at her intensely, as if he had more to say to her, but instead, he slowly nodded and turned, his ebony hair reflecting the morning light as he moved to the lean-to.
“One more thing, Derek. No fighting.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her, his lips pressed into a thin line, and more unspoken words passed between them.
Her back straightened at his look. “I mean it, Derek. That’s an order.”
As he joined the crew in the shelter, Eva let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She’d been weak, let her defenses down, and if she wasn’t careful, she could have a mutiny on her hands. Lock it up.
She had to get her head back in the game—the game of survival, of life or death. Because that was exactly what was at stake here. Her life and those around her depended on her keeping a clear mind. To see the bigger picture. What was important for the group, not just herself. Or Krieger. The people of Everwood came first.
Mother Earth, did she wish she could have concealed that moment with him. Wished they hadn’t seen her in his arms, her grasping onto him, about to... She shook her head of the thoughts as unease rolled through her gut.
What was it about Krieger that made her senses leave her and gave her verbal diarrhea? Mother Earth, she’d told him anything he asked. Almost anything. It had to stop, or it could get them all killed.
She needed the crew to take her seriously, and they wouldn’t if she kept demonstrating weakness. She had to be strong. Be the leader her father had taught her to be.
As the roasted beans hit her nose once more, she started toward the crew. A new resolve settled deep within her to get them all home safely. No more talking about the past, no more breakdowns. No more comforting embraces... Why did tears fill her eyes at the thought?
“Eva, come have some coffee, it’s warm and tasty,” Luke yelled from inside.
She suppressed the urge to cry and took one last look at the surrounding area. Could never be too careful. Not on the road, not postapocalypse.
She turned back to the lean-to, a cold breeze rushing around her. Winter was not far off. The long nights and short days were upon them, and there was much to be done before then. Much to be prepared, if they were to survive the endless, bitter months ahead... and for what she had to do next.