Chapter 10
Nick and Kate approached the metal fencing surrounding the base.
Guards were posted at intervals around the perimeter.
The structures were intact, with materials such as wood and sheets of metal to aid in bolstering the walls.
Even from this distance, they could hear voices within; people were busy with daily activities.
Phoenix stayed back, retreating to the building he had first perched in.
Nick wanted someone outside the walls in case things went awry.
He considered sending Phoenix in alone, allowing the boy to navigate the refuge and verify its safety.
Guilt took hold thereafter. Nick volunteered to go in while Kate and Phoenix remained outside the walls. Kate would hear none of it.
And so, Nick and Kate stood outside the vast military installation, ready to face the largest group of people they had encountered since they met.
Nick assumed most of these people would be military men.
To others, this might instill a sense of security.
Nick, however, knew just how far a man in a uniform could go when he thought he was doing the right thing.
“Stop.” A guard clad in fatigues aimed his rifle at Nick and Kate. They paused and raised their hands in unison. “State your business.”
“We’re just survivors looking for a safe place. We’ve been out here for a while trying to make it,” Nick answered, discreetly sidestepping so that he was between Kate and the barrel of the man’s gun.
“Jones!” the guard called to a nearby man wearing the same uniform. “Let Marcus know we’ve got visitors.”
Jones nodded, then retreated further into the base. The guard kept his gun trained on the pair, yet displayed the relaxed manner of a man just doing his job.
Moments later, Jones returned with a man no older than Nick wearing desert camouflage. He ordered the men to unlock the gates. They pushed the doors open, and Marcus ushered Nick and Kate inside.
It was the first time since his last tour that Nick had seen the beige and tan digital pattern.
Adler sprang to mind, making his heart ache with the distant loss.
Nick tried to prioritize the symbolism and importance the uniform was meant to encompass.
The Marine Corps desert camouflage brought pride and confidence to those who wore it.
It was power. It was brazenness. Nick tried to focus on the concepts.
Adler’s blood stains seeped through with every attempt.
“I’m Marcus. Welcome to Fort Vanguard.” Marcus’s smile was pleasant, and he was clearly proud of the establishment Nick and Kate had entered.
“Thank you. This place looks incredible. I’m Nick. This is Kate.” Nick extended his hand, and Marcus gripped it for a hearty handshake. Then, he acknowledged Kate with a polite smile.
“Nice to meet you both. Are you all looking to stay?” Marcus asked.
“It’s definitely something we’re considering.” Nick looked to Kate, who turned up one corner of her lips in agreement.
“Great! Let’s get you started with the intake process.” Marcus gestured for Nick and Kate to follow him, then started toward the nearest building.
Inside, the building bustled with people both in uniforms and civilian clothes. A woman with lush, brunette hair wearing neatly pressed pants and a gentle smile approached them.
“Yara, will you gather some folks to help us? We have some new friends,” Marcus instructed. Yara nodded and walked off toward a group of people engaged in conversation. Marcus led the pair to his office, where he sat across from them behind a desk.
After sitting down to a long discussion of their past, Nick and Kate were moved to a large, concrete room.
“This is the most awkward stage, but a necessary one,” Marcus began. “Part of the intake process is to ensure that our newcomers are not sick or injured. We require a strip search.”
Kate’s stomach tightened at the thought of getting naked before strangers.
“We’ll take you each to separate areas with members of your own gender. You’ll remove your clothing to be inspected visually. No groping, we promise,” Marcus chuckled and was met with stern stares from both Nick and Kate.
“If you think you’re about to separate us and take all her clothes off in front of a bunch of strangers, you’re mistaken.” Nick’s tone was definitive and sharp. Marcus’s merriment faded, and he looked taken aback.
“It’s part of protocol. No one gets in without going through the proper steps,” Marcus said.
“That’s fine. We’ll do it in the same room,” Nick insisted.
“Okay.” Marcus sounded as though he was unsure of the problem but was willing to concede to Nick’s plan.
The female guards positioned Kate against the wall while the male guards guided Nick to the one opposite her. The staff involved in the search faced the wall toward whom they were inspecting. The men would not be able to see Kate, and the female guards would not be viewing Nick.
As he undressed, Nick kept his eyes to the floor while the guards scanned his body for bite marks or scratches.
The women gazed at Kate expectantly, and Kate peeled her shirt over her head. She tossed it to the ground and then unclasped her bra. With trembling hands, she removed it, exposing her breasts to the cold air of the building. Kate’s hands shook with the departure of each item.
She dipped her thumbs into the waistband of her pants and slid them off one leg at a time.
When she removed her underwear, one of the females gasped aloud.
She had caught sight of the jagged divots in Kate’s skin where she suffered torture and abuse.
Discolored ribbons snaked up her thighs, ending in Kate’s mutilated genitalia.
Instinctively, Kate moved her hands to cover herself as tears hung heavy at the corners of her eyes.
The woman’s sharp intake of breath was deafening; surely the whole room heard it. Without thinking, Kate’s eyes darted to Nick, fearful that the sound drew his attention to her. He never faltered; his eyes were still focused on the floor.
And now, Kate was looking at Nick. She did not intend to stare, but she could not wrench her eyes away from the sight of him.
Tattoos snaked across every inch of his body except the most sensitive parts—his groin and his waist surrounding it.
The muscles in his broad shoulders bulged as he held his arms tight, covering his lap with his hands.
A lock of brown hair fell across his forehead as he cast his eyes to the floor.
Nick’s quadriceps were like concrete blocks holding up his tall body.
Kate’s breath quickened, and she realized she was biting her lower lip.
An ache ran rampant through her body, and she forced her eyes away.
When Kate’s gaze returned to the women surveying her, she remembered the shock and disgust aimed at her appearance.
Compared to Nick’s smooth skin, sculpted muscles, and impeccable body, Kate felt inadequate.
The blemishes and disfigurements between Kate’s legs heated as inferiority conquered her. The female guards had moved on to view other areas of her body. Kate assumed they were purposely avoiding the tainted sections so as not to convey how uncomfortable the sight made them.
With the inspection completed and the pair deemed satisfactory, they adorned their clothing once more. Nick went to Kate and took her hand.
When her expression appeared rattled, Nick opened his mouth to speak before Marcus invaded the moment.
“Everything checks out. I can show you some of the quarters we have available if you’d like.”
Nick’s eyes lingered on Kate a moment longer before turning to him and accepting the offer.
The three walked across a large, open courtyard.
Tables and chairs took up space in the middle, where people were sitting and eating meals.
On the outer edges, booths were set up offering clothing or fresh-cooked food.
Kate could feel eyes piercing her as she accompanied Nick and Marcus across the sunny area.
Kate’s attention snagged on one of the tables furthest from them.
Just as her gaze landed on the man sitting in a chair before a plate of food, he turned his face away from her, but not before presenting her with a devilish smirk.
The man’s features were familiar, and his identity traipsed along the outskirts of her mind.
An arm wrapping around Kate’s shoulder pulled her away from the strain of remembrance. She looked up to see Nick with a concerned smile.
“You okay?” he asked.
Kate slid an arm around his waist and leaned into his comfort. “I’m okay.”
Marcus led the pair to a room within a well-kept barracks. The room was modestly furnished, with twin-sized beds pushed against either side of the walls. Each cot was fixed up with sheets and pillowcases. The bathroom contained simple toiletries.
“It isn’t much, but it’s what we can offer for now. If you all need anything else, just head out to the square. We have looting parties that bring things back and give away what they don’t need,” Marcus said.
“Thanks, man. We really appreciate it,” Nick replied. Marcus gave a quick nod and left.
“It’s better than a tent,” Kate commented.
“Or a hospital bed.” Nick grinned.
“Only one thing can make this even better,” Kate said.
Nick scrunched his eyebrows in question.
“The beds.” Kate pointed from one bed to the other. “Can you move them together?”
Nick grinned. “Absolutely.” He pulled the bed on the right side away from the window and moved it across the floor until it butted up against the other, giving the appearance of a full-size bed.
“Perfect,” Kate said with a smile.