“He was in one of the rooms, locked in a cage,” Finn replied.
“Did you stop to wonder why he was locked in a cage? What if he was injected? What if he’s dangerous, or has some kind of infectious disease?”
“Whoa, drama king,” I said, giggling. “He’s not dangerous or infectious.”
“How the hell do you know?” Keanu’s narrowed eyes, filled with concern, landed on mine.
“Because…I just know. This dog is not dangerous. He’s brilliant.”
Midas barked, and Keanu crossed his arms. “Yeah, brilliant. I can see that.”
“You’ll see,” I said, petting Midas on the head.
“So, I came looking for you guys because it’s getting to the hottest point of the day, and the mutants are taking to the shade. Probably don’t want to burn their pasty white skin. If we want to escape, this would be our best chance. It’s hot as hell, but if this thing can move like I think it can, we will be out of this place in no time.” He gave me a once over. “How are you feeling, Abi?”
“Much better,” I answered.
“Good, because even though your husband doesn’t want you to use your power, we might have to. Are you up for it?”
“Yes, if it means getting out of this place safely, I am.”
Keanu nodded and slapped his hand on Finn’s shoulder. “You are one lucky son-of-a-bitch, to have a beautiful, strong girl, who would give her life to save you.” He shook his head. “Man, I need to find me a woman.”
Finn’s dark brown eyes met mine. “I know I’m the luckiest bastard on the planet. My girlfriend can kick—or kill—anyone’s ass.”
“Wife,” I corrected, and he pulled me into his arms.
“Sorry,” he whispered.
Keanu cleared his throat. “We have a window of time, and displays of affection will not help us fit through it.” He turned and walked away.
We followed, gathering whatever we thought would be beneficial to the trip. The scientists didn’t have weapons, but I guess they didn’t need any, since their greatest weapons were their creations, and those were a hell of a lot scarier to me than a man with a gun.
ONCE WE GATHERED EVERYTHING WE could fit in our bags, mainly food, water bottles, a lighter, dog food, and a dog—we packed up the buggy and drove it near the double doors. The vehicle was built to hold four, which was beyond perfect.
Midas seemed to be in good spirits, his tail constantly wagging. He must have been happy to see us, after thinking he’d been left there alone.
I patted the back seat and told Midas to sit. He hopped up and did exactly as I said. “Midas, we’re going to be leaving. There are deadly creatures outside who want to kill us. You need to stay inside this vehicle until we are out of trouble.”
Midas barked once.
“Good boy,” I said, hugging his neck.
“Do you really believe that canine can understand you?” Keanu asked.
“I do,” I replied. “I think there is a lot more to this dog than we know about.”
Finn walked up and wrapped his arms around me.
“I don’t want you to use your mind to get us out of this mess. We’ll use our weapons.”
I smiled. “All right. Hellfire is in desperate need of some action anyway.”
“You still have that Glock 27?” Keanu asked.
“Right here,” I said, holding her up, before sliding her securely into her holster on my side. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your backs.”
“Somehow, when she says it I feel like I’m going to survive another day.” Keanu chuckled. He was busy rolling up the buggy’s cord, then secured it onto the back.
Finn gave me a wink. “Right now, she is our only hope.”
“All right,” Keanu exhaled. “The plan is to open the doors, run back to the vehicle, and speed off unharmed.”
“What happens if they block our exit?” I questioned.
A grin pulled on Keanu’s lips. “I’ll run ‘em over. Those good scientists created a sturdy A-shaped bumper, specially designed for plowing through debris—or bodies, in our case. The tires are extra wide and heavy duty, and the shocks are killer. We should be able to push away, knock down, and drive over bodies with ease. I think we should be able to maintain a speed between twenty to twenty-five miles per hour. It’s not the quickest, but it’s faster than the Arvies.”
I giggled. “You sound a little too excited for this.”
“I figure, if it’s my time to die…why not go out with a bang?”
Finn stepped in front of Keanu. “I think it’s better if you stay in the buggy and have it ready, while I open the door. That way, I can jump in as you drive forward.”
I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.
I didn’t want to tell Finn, but my head had started hurting the moment we stepped out of the bunker. Being underground, protected by steel walls, had offered significant relief. But the Arvies knew exactly where I was, and probably also knew that this was the place where the scientists created the virus that mutated them.
I could sense their ruthless, determined rage. Their hatred resonated inside of my head, and if I didn’t get out of here quickly, we wouldn’t make it far.
Their telepathy had traveled far and wide, sharing news of their new enemy—a single girl, who’d ushered sudden deaths to their mutant allies. They were here for me. Here to take their revenge on the one who murdered hundreds of their kind by using nothing but her mind.
They were assembling outside, not only for revenge, but also curiosity. These smart and calculating creatures had found a way of communicating long distances.
Finn walked over to the doors, but there were two hand cranks, one on each side. There was no way he could do it himself. And with Keanu driving, there was only one option.
“What are you doing?” Keanu asked as I jumped out.
“He’s going to need help opening the doors. Besides, if those things start rushing in, I’ll have to be ready.”
“Abi, get back in the buggy.” Finn looked adorable trying to put his foot down.
I shook my head. “We’re a team. There’s no way you can crank both doors and simultaneously open them. Those creatures will charge inside this place before you get the second door open.” He paused, weighing my words. When he didn’t disagree, I knew he’d looked through the glass hole.
“How many are there?” I asked, already knowing the answer. I didn’t have to look, I could feel and hear them.
“Too many,” he answered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Anxiety and doubt were building inside of me. We were radically outnumbered, and death seemed imminent. And it didn’t help to see Finn stressed. Hell, any average person would be, under these circumstances. There were several hundred mutants waiting for us to exit, and these two steel doors were our ticket out.
Finn’s eyes met mine and narrowed with seriousness. “As soon as we get these doors open, you haul your ass back into that vehicle. I’m serious, Abi. Don’t play the hero.”
“I won’t,” I promised, trying to stand firm with wobbly legs.
Every ticking second weakened me. The battle raging in my mind was causing my courage to waiver.
Midas yelped but he didn’t move.
“It’s all right, boy. Just stay in your seat,” I spoke.
His paw lifted and dropped several times as he whimpered. I had a feeling he knew exactly what was going on.
“Ready?” Finn asked, placing his hands on his crank.
“Ready.”
“On three,” he said, and I gave a nod. “One. Two. Three.”
I took a deep breath and cranked, my mind preparing for whatever was going to rush through that door. I heard the buggy’s engine rev, as we unlocked the doors.
“Open,” Finn hollered.
I pulled with all my might, and as soon as the doors opened, I was blinded by a bright light. Screams and growls almost incapacitated me, but I fought through it and ran back to the vehicle.
Keanu
hooted and punched the pedal. We held on for dear life as he plowed through the first dozen bodies. As soon as we passed the threshold, from safety to hell, they started coming. They were like ants, pouring from the shadows, sprinting toward us—pale bodies, teeth bared, hatred embedded in their faces.
They were like an endless wave, surrounding us, and it caused me to lose focus. The force of the vehicle hitting the bodies, pushed it from side to side, nearly throwing us out of the buggy. I grabbed hold of Midas and pulled Hellfire from her holster. Finn and Keanu both had semi-automatics and were firing into the crowd of mutants, focusing on the ones blocking our path. There were dozens, charging from the sides, so I aimed Hellfire and shot at the closest targets.
My eyes blurred, and I missed my first shot.
Shit! I had to pull myself together.
Midas started barking excessively. To my surprise, his barking helped to block out some of the pain in my head, making it less explosive. I aimed and fired the next shot, and the bullet lodged inside an oncoming Arvy’s eye. It dropped to the ground.
I smiled as Midas kept barking. Whatever he was doing was working.
Shot after shot dropped the monsters coming, but there was no end to them.
“I’m out,” Finn said, trying to reload.
An Arvy sprinted toward him, its foul mouth wide open, claws ready to sink into his flesh. I redirected my shot and fired into its temple. It fell a few yards ahead of us, and the buggy jerked as we drove over it.
I never anticipated this many Arvies. There were at least a thousand.
“I’m out!” Keanu dropped his gun, both hands gripping the steering wheel. “Abi,” he shouted. “I don’t think we’re going to make it.”
That meant, I was either going to step up…or we die. I could feel the world around me close in. I needed Venge, and she knew it. She was our last option.
They wanted to kill us, to kill Finn, and I wouldn’t allow it.
I let the rage inside of me blaze to life. My hands and face immediately heated, and my vision blurred. I let it grow until I felt her. Venge pushed my weak, human side behind her, letting me know she was in control.
I blinked, and when my eyes opened, I was looking at the world through Venge’s eyes. Everything was tinted in blood-red. I could feel the power pulsing out of me, directed toward our enemy. The first Arvy to lay eyes on me, dropped, screaming and writhing in pain, blood gushing from its eyes, nose, and ears.
The enraged screams of the others didn’t slow Venge. One by one, they dropped like flies. All it took was a glance. They were dead before they knew it.
Venge’s power grew stronger, as my human side weakened. The world around me muted, my body numb. My life force drained out of me at a rapid pace, but I had to hold on until I knew we were safe.
In seconds, hundreds of Arvies lay dead, the others sprinting over fallen bodies trying to get to us. For a moment, I was Moses, and Venge was my staff. Struck against the daunting sea, she split the waves of Arvies down the center, making a safe passage for us to cross.
The power was ever-growing. They were now dropping without eye contact, blood gushing from every visible orifice. Even those running behind us, had blood pouring from their eyes and noses. As if Venge knew my body wouldn’t be able to withstand much longer, I felt an enormous amount of energy gather inside. With a wave of power, my hands burst forward, and every mutant around us dropped to the ground, unmoving.
“Holy shit!” Keanu cursed.
That last blast of energy caused my body to tremble, convulsing to the point I couldn’t control myself. I could no longer hold on.
Images of Finn and my family flashed before my eyes.
I could hear Midas barking and Finn yelling, but I couldn’t understand what he was saying. He was turned around in the front seat, eyes wide. A line of sweat dripped down his forehead in slow motion. I wanted to reach out to him, to call his name, but I couldn’t.
Keanu ran over a mound of bodies, knocking the buggy off balance. Too weak to hold on, I fell out, crashing to the ground, face to face with an Arvy. Its sunken eyes were wide, glaring at me. Its putrid stench made my stomach turn. Thick liquid streamed from the lifeless body, soaking the ground with its blood. I tried to move, but was paralyzed.
A sharp pain pierced my head. It took me a while to figure out what was happening. Then I saw a stray Arvy standing over me. It grabbed my hair, and was ripping out chunks as it dragged me backward, over mounds of dead bodies.
A growl was followed by a flash of gold as Midas jumped over me.
The pressure on my head disappeared, and I could hear him fighting with the Arvy.
“No!” I tried to scream, but nothing came out.
Midas, don’t die for me.
“Abi!” Finn’s voice screamed.
My vision dimmed, and everything went black.
THE MERCILESS THROBBING THROUGHOUT MY body woke me from what I thought was my end. I must not have been dead because there was a pulsing pain resonating throughout my body with every beat of my heart. Opening my eyes would take effort, and any movement, of any part of my body, would be painful. So, I remained still, with my eyes closed.
I could feel the wind hitting my face, blowing my hair around. I was propped up at an angle with a cushioned seat beneath me. I caught the scent of one familiar smell, among the dry, desert air. A distinct, manly smell. One that let me know Finn was nearby.
With a bit of effort, I peeled my lids open. They ached like hell, and it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the night sky.
Like an angel, Finn’s handsome face appeared above me, lit by the moonlight. His brow was deeply furrowed, his eyes bloodshot and droopy like he hadn’t slept in days. He took hold of my hand, but I couldn’t squeeze back. I couldn’t move my fingers, hand, arms, or my legs. Hell, I couldn’t move anything.
Fear surged through my body, my immediate panic caused tears to flood my eyes.
“Are you in pain?” Finn’s voice was distraught.
“I can’t move,” I spoke, my voice exiting in a whisper.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you, baby. Say it again.” He leaned down and put his ear near my mouth.
“I can’t move,” I cried. “I’m paralyzed.”
He pulled back, distraught. “Just breathe,” he said, wiping the tears trailing down the sides of my face. “It’s probably a side effect and will take time to wear off.” He shook his head, as torment laced his voice. “I thought you were going to die. I’m sorry, Abi. I should have stopped you.” His eyes closed and the muscles in his jaw flexed, which let me know he was stressed. “Shit, I wish Dr. Banks were here.”
The sadness in his eyes made me ache much more than my own pain.
“Hey,” I breathed. “There is nothing more you could have done. Once the monster inside takes over, nothing can stop her. Not me. Not you. But what truly matters is that you were there to save me. Again.”
He sighed. “I promised you wouldn’t have to use the power again, and I broke that promise.”
“No, you didn’t. This is something bigger than all of us. We would have died if I didn’t do anything, and I’m beginning to realize that this power was given to me, just for that purpose. To save us.”
“What if I’m not able to save you the next time?” Concern and torment swam in his chocolate eyes.
I took in a deep breath. “Fate has already set a date for when we are to die. We just have to live until then.” It was the only rational thing I could think of to say. We had to learn to live and not only survive.
Death was inevitable, and the thought of us being separated was what bothered him most. I knew the feeling all too well. His fear of me dying was the same apprehension I’d had all along, and it started the day we left our hive.
“How long was I out?” I asked him, trying to shift the conversation. Being paralyzed was already too much to bear. Seeing him nearly break was taking me over the edge.
“Ten hours or so,” he answe
red.
I wasn’t surprised. The energy that Venge sucked from me was stronger than ever before. I seriously thought I was going to die. Knowing my body was shutting down, and not being in control of it, was one of the scariest things I’d ever encountered. Even scarier than being in a room of Arvies with no power.
I felt wet on my forehead and heard Midas’s soft whimpers as his tongue licked me. “Midas?” I looked to Finn. “I thought he jumped out.”
“He did. He ripped the head right off the Arvy, and a few more, and caught up to us. That dog is freaking strong and fast. He’s—
“He’s a misfit, like me,” I said. “Right boy?”
He barked once, then whimpered. His large body plopped on my side, his warm fur felt like a blanket.
“You and I were destined to find each other. Thanks for saving my life, Midas.” He barked again, once, but softer this time. Then, his tongue licked my hand.
“How are you feeling?” Keanu’s deep voice asked from the driver’s seat.
I moaned, unable to speak loud enough for him to hear me.
Finn spoke up for me. “She can’t move her limbs, and feels like she should be dead.”
“We thought you were. It took a while to revive you, and your husband here almost had a mental breakdown.” He turned back and stared down at me. “It’s a good thing I was here.”
“I’m glad you stayed with us,” Finn said, then turned his attention back to me. His calloused hand ran across my forehead. “You need to rest. Let me get you something for the pain. Something to help you sleep.”
I didn’t refuse. I needed something to knock me out so my body could heal. Being awake and not being able to move was not only torturous but claustrophobic. And thinking about it made my stress levels skyrocket, quickening my breath and raising my heart rate. I had to get back to sleep and make it all go away. “Where are we?” I asked.
Keanu turned around to answer, as Finn accessed the bags in the back. “I’d say two hundred miles from that last bunker. This buggy is a literal lifesaver and major game changer. We only had to stop twice during the day to recharge. Those solar panels are completely genius.”
“Well, it was built by geniuses,” I said, attempting to laugh, but didn’t because it hurt too much.