Hostile Read online

  “Yes, sir,” Jones said. He handed his binoculars to Stevens so he could work the radio.

  A minute later, Stevens yelled, “Hey, I see something.” His finger pointed to the sky. “There!”

  Sergeant Hawkins aimed his binoculars in the same direction. “It’s a goddam chopper!” he hollered. “It looks like we have a rescue, boys. Hooah!”

  “Hooah!” they all cheered.

  Their excitement was not shared by all. I was trying to find a way to escape. I was still their prisoner, ordered to be delivered.

  “We need some kind of a signal,” Sergeant Hawkins ordered.

  “What about our flashlights? The sun is almost setting, they should be able to see them,” Stevens noted.

  “Good thinking,” Sergeant Hawkins said.

  Sergeant Hawkins, Keanu, and Stevens stood in a line and waved their flashlights overhead, while Jones made contact with the bunker, telling them of our predicament. They sent confirmation, and we continued to watch the chopper head straight for us.

  “That’s a small chopper,” Stevens said, looking through the binoculars. “Shit. It’s a tour helicopter. Why would they send that? It won’t fit all of us.”

  “They’ve had a few breakdowns, and fuel’s been a factor,” Sergeant Hawkins said. “This one must be good on gas.”

  As the chopper neared, my insides twisted. I was screwed. The only alternative I had to going back to the bunker was to use Venge. I didn’t want to unleash her, knowing how unreliable she was; especially because I’d grown fond of these soldiers. But I wasn’t going back to the bunker, and would use her if I had to.

  I had no weapons. Sergeant Hawkins had seized them from my possession.

  The chopper was coming quick, and would arrive before the Arvies did. As it neared, we had to cover our faces from the dust and sand it kicked up. When it landed, there were two gunmen and the pilot, in a chopper that seated six.

  “We’re here for the Readers,” one of the gunners announced.

  “These Readers are under our supervision,” Sergeant Hawkins replied. “We were told we’d all be evacuated.”

  “I’m sorry, Sergeant. Our orders are strict. To remove the Readers and head back to the bunker. A rescue chopper will be sent for you tomorrow.”

  “There are Arvies coming, and we need rescue,” Keanu hollered. “We also have an injured soldier.”

  Sergeant Hawkins stepped toward the chopper. “There are hundreds of mutants less than two clicks from here.”

  “I know. We saw them on entry.”

  “This is effed up, Sarge,” Keanu said, squeezing his gun tightly in his hand.

  “Hand over the Readers, Sergeant,” the man ordered, lifting his gun at them. He was an older man, with a face that looked like a bulldog. “We were given full authority to exercise whatever means necessary to bring them back.”

  Sergeant Hawkins’ eyes narrowed, and I watched his chest rise and fall. “I suggest you point that weapon away from me and my men,” he threatened.

  “Hand them over now, and no one will get hurt,” the man yelled.

  “What’s going on? You’re all on the same side. This is crazy,” Chase screamed.

  The second gunman pointed his weapon at Chase. “Get in, now,” he ordered.

  Chase glanced over to the sergeant, who nodded. Then he, Dr. Simon, and Danielle climbed aboard.

  I turned to Sergeant Hawkins and practically pleaded. “You’ll die without me. You can’t go into that hole; the Arvies won’t let you come out. There are too many.”

  His dark eyes fell on mine. “We can fight. It’s what we’ve been trained for, to combat the Arvies.”

  “Yes, but not three of you against hundreds, with limited ammo. Jones can’t even use his weapon,” I argued. “And the next town is miles away. Those mutants are tireless.” I begged with my eyes. “You need me.”

  The Sarge looked at the gunman. “You have room for three. Take the two Readers and the girl. She’s top priority. Her blood might possibly hold a cure for the Arvy virus.”

  “They’re all coming with us.” The man pointed his fat finger at me, but left his eyes locked on Sergeant Hawkins.

  “Not her.” The sergeant stood firm. “She stays, and I will take full responsibility. She will be handed over when we are rescued.”

  “The Arvies are coming,” I warned.

  The first gunman growled and pointed his weapon at me, his narrowed eyes landed on mine. Big mistake.

  I focused my energy on him and the second gunman who also glanced at me. My anger woke Venge. I could feel her inside, waiting to be unleashed.

  “Abi,” Sergeant Hawkins called.

  But it was too late. With a flick of my hand, the two gunmen were in the air, flying a hundred yards away, their guns still suspended in midair. Dr. Simon and Chased grabbed their weapons and took a seat.

  The pilot turned his attention to me, and as soon as he did, his eyes went blank.

  “Start the chopper and take off when Sergeant Hawkins orders you to. He’s in charge now,” I said, knowing it was the safest place for them.

  The pilot turned and started the chopper. The blades picked up speed, kicking up dust.

  I turned to Sergeant Hawkins. “Get your men on the chopper.”

  He turned to me with a quizzical look and then turned to the others. “Everyone on board,” he ordered. Keanu and Stevens helped Jones onto a seat.

  Sergeant Hawkins held out his hand to me.

  “I’m not going with you,” I said.

  “We can’t go back without you.”

  “You have Danielle in your possession. She holds a possible cure, which makes her as vital as me. They’ll have to let you back.”

  His brow furrowed, and I was preparing to use my gift on him when he spoke.

  “We will be back, and there will be others coming for you who will not be lenient. Our entire mission was to find you. They won’t stop coming until you are in their possession.”

  “And I’ll keep one step ahead of you,” I replied.

  Screams and growls pierced my ears. The horde of Arvies were coming fast, their bodies now visible, sprinting toward us.

  The sergeant pulled a handful of things from his pack and handed it to me. Tears filled my eyes. “I wish you the best of luck, Abi.”

  “Thank you,” I said, grasping Hellfire with her extra clips.

  “Godspeed.”

  “Same to you,” I returned.

  “Sarge, what are you doing?” Stevens screamed.

  Sergeant Hawkins jumped onto the chopper and ordered the pilot to lift off.

  “We’re going to cover her.” He winked at me.

  Stevens shook his head, grabbing his weapon. “Bye, Abi,” he yelled, waving.

  I smiled and waved back.

  “Take care, Abi,” Keanu said, saluting me. “Hopefully we won’t see you again.” A grin rose on his lips.

  I smiled back. “Hopefully.”

  Chase, Dr. Simon, and Danielle waved as they lifted off the ground.

  A gun fired behind me.

  I felt a sting on my left, upper arm. When I looked down, I saw blood pouring from a gunshot wound.

  The bulldog looking man had a handgun and was firing at us. Sergeant Hawkins aimed his gun and shot him in the chest. The second gunman dropped his weapon and ran.

  “Abi, you need attention. Come with us,” Keanu yelled down to me. I shook my head and stepped backward.

  “Go!” I ordered the pilot. The chopper rose higher into the air.

  “Abi!” Chase screamed. Dr. Simon’s eyes were wide, and he was grasping his chest. His hands covered with blood.

  “Dr. Simon!” I screamed.

  Keanu took out his medical kit and pushed his way over to him.

  “He’s been shot!” Chase cried.

  “No,” I cried. “Don’t die, Dr. Simon. I need you.”

  “I’ll try my best.” Dr. Simon answered, his eyes finding mine. “You have everything you need to
survive, Abi. But don’t forget about your heart. Your mind may overpower it, but don’t let it become callous. You’re a good person. Never lose sight of who you are.”

  “I won’t.” I sobbed. “Find me when you’re better.”

  “He’s unconscious, Abi,” Chase replied. “You need to come with us. You’ve been shot.”

  “Don’t worry about me. Promise you’ll take care of Danielle. She’s going to need a friend she can trust.”

  “I will,” he replied. “Be safe. Please.”

  “I’ll try.” My arm was throbbing, but I noticed the exit wound through the front. The bullet went in and out. It wasn’t fatal, thank God. It would just slow me down.

  I quickly took the belt from around my waist and cinched it to my arm, right above the wound, making a tourniquet.

  The Arvies were coming, and by the sound of them, it was with a vengeance. They wanted me just as much as the government did. They knew I was a threat, and they were sending their teams in waves to tire me out. Maybe it was their plan. Maybe they were testing to see how strong we were. I just hoped I had enough strength to survive this wave.

  The chopper left and headed in the direction of the Arvies less than a mile away. As they neared, they fired their weapons. I watched dozens of Arvy bodies drop to the ground, but the mass kept coming, undeterred by the aerial attack.

  The second gunman was gone, and I knew if the Arvies didn’t get him, the desert would. He had no food or water. Poor bastard.

  I tried to focus on the oncoming horde, but the throbbing in my arm was distracting and making me waver.

  “Venge,” I yelled out loud. “You have to be strong. We have to survive! Do you hear me?”

  The gunfire from the chopper stopped, and the vehicle headed farther and farther away. They’d done their best to aid me.

  I was alone, but I didn’t want it any other way. I was free for the time being.

  Venge was strong and ready to unleash her power. I could feel her boiling inside. This time, I would keep my eyes open. I wanted to witness her power firsthand.

  The hundreds of advancing Arvies were screaming their death chant. Kill! Kill! Kill! Their hearts were petrified, hardened beyond repair; dark as coal, solid as steel, and void of all emotion and logic. For now, all they wanted was death—to deliver it, and they could only be cured by it.

  Fortunate for them, I was their death dealer.

  Taking hold of my trusted friend, I gripped Hellfire tightly in my hand. She was my only companion. The feeling of the solid metal in my fingers gave me the strength and fearlessness I needed. She’d saved my life, even before Venge came to be. And if Venge ever failed me, I knew Hellfire would have my back. As long as I had enough ammo and stayed coherent, that is.

  My strength was waning, and it was frightening. I’d lost quite a bit of blood, but kept my focus on the advancing mutants—at least the few sprinting ahead. I stood still and let my thoughts rewind, replaying the scene at the government bunker. I relived the betrayal and panic I felt as they unveiled Finn in the cage with the Arvies.

  Rage blazed inside, quickly taking over. My vision blurred, my hands and face heated.

  I fixed my eyes on the first five Arvies, twenty yards ahead of the rest. As their milky eyes came into focus, Venge was set free. One by one, the mutants wailed and howled in pain, grasping their heads. Blood poured from their orifices before they dropped to the ground. Lifeless.

  The others drove forward, teeth bared, screaming for revenge.

  My vision turned red. I blinked, but it didn’t leave. Venge had taken over.

  She was strong. Stronger than my body, and even if I tried to stop her, I wouldn’t have been able to. Her power scared me, but I needed her right now. I opened my arms and gave her complete control.

  Venge released hell without remorse. One by one, the bodies fell, without me even making eye contact. I was on autopilot, my body being controlled by the power within. Their screams were muffled by the buzz in my head. My body was numb. I could feel my life force draining with each kill, not one of them getting any closer than twenty yards.

  When it was over, and the last one had succumbed to Venge’s wrath, she released me. I dropped to my knees, my entire body trembling uncontrollably. Pain radiated everywhere. I was fading in and out of consciousness.

  Dropping to the ground, my eyes looked out over the sea of death and destruction.

  I couldn’t move. My body was paralyzed. Every cell felt drained of power.

  I’d let the beast have control, and it nearly killed me.

  Injured and immobile, I realized I was also a victim. Venge had stripped me, leaving me helpless and exposed. Blood seeped from my eyes, nose, and ears. The pain from the gunshot was throbbing, but I didn’t have enough strength to move, let alone tend to it.

  Minutes felt like hours as the sun also abandoned me, stripping me from its blanket of warmth.

  I fought as long as I could, but realized I was fighting a losing battle. No one was coming for me, and if they did, they’d be recovering a dead body.

  When I finally gave in and shut my eyes, I heard a loud buzzing sound. It was like nothing I’d ever heard before.

  I somehow managed to roll from my side to my back, my eyes focused on the sky. It was empty, aside from a few fading orange-tinged clouds. The stench from the Arvy massacre intermittently wafted in my direction, adding to my misery.

  The buzzing sound in my head only got louder. It was annoying, but my body and mind were done. They were shutting down. I felt peaceful in the wide open, under the vast sky. I’d come to terms, knowing this would be the place I would die.

  I was all right with that. Dr. Simon, Chase, and Danielle would soon be safe behind bunker walls. My family was safe, and hopefully, the scientists could find a cure from Danielle’s blood.

  My only regret was Finn. I wouldn’t get to say goodbye. I would miss him most of all.

  A hot tear trickled down the side of my face. I closed my eyes and gave in.

  I must have reached heaven because I heard an angel’s voice calling my name.

  “Abi,” it called. But the voice was muffled, as if it was underwater.

  “Holy shit, Abi. What in the hell happened to you?”

  My last coherent thought was…Do angels swear?

  I HAD TROUBLE OPENING MY eyes. They were crusted shut and ached terribly.

  My entire body was wracked with agonizing pain. Even the damn gunshot to my arm was still throbbing. My head felt as if a blade was being pierced in and pulled out, repeatedly.

  I worked on opening my eyes and finally peeled one open. The area around me was dark, except for orange firelight flickering against the wall to the side of me. I still couldn’t move, and when I tried, a moan escaped my lips.

  There was movement from the corner of my eye, so I looked over to see what it was.

  I stopped breathing.

  My eyes had landed on the most beautiful angel. He was luminous, his face glowing with the light of the small fire. His beautiful eyes opened wide.

  “You’re awake,” Finn breathed.

  I tried to speak, but no words escaped my mouth.

  He knelt at my side and placed his hand over mine. I could feel him. He was real.

  He gently lifted my head and put a canteen of water to my lips. I sipped slowly; the water felt like a magic potion as it coated my parched throat.

  I raised my arm and brushed my fingertips across his face. My eyes ached as tears pooled and spilled down my cheeks.

  How did you find me? I wanted to speak the words out loud, but my voice was too weak.

  “I’m kind of pissed off at you,” he said.

  I’m sorry. My brow furrowed, knowing exactly why.

  He exhaled loudly, running his fingers through his dark hair. “Dammit, Abi. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving? Can you imagine what it was like for me to wake up and find you missing? And the fear you put us all through. Put me through?” He turned away from me. “Yo
u promised you’d tell me if you ever left. We’re supposed to be a team.”

  I closed my watery eyes, my heart aching even more than my body.

  “I was lucky I found you when I did. You were barely alive.” He glanced back at me and I saw the agony in his eyes. I’d hurt him deeply.

  “How?” I pushed the word out with a breath, hoping he’d know what I meant.

  He sighed. Getting up, he sat behind me and gently lifted my head into his lap, brushing the hair away from my forehead. “Because we’re meant to be together, and no matter where you go, I will follow.” He took in a deep breath and blew it out. His furrowed brow relaxed as he slowly shook his head. “I know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself, but I made a promise to protect you and share your burdens. Stop trying to think you have to protect or save me. I want to be part of your life, as I’ve been for the past thirteen years. Don’t shut me out now, Abi.”

  I nodded, tears streaming down my face. He was right. I didn’t want to be away from him. He was my best friend, and we were a team.

  “You came after me,” I breathed.

  “Of course, I did,” he said, his fingers gently running down the side of my cheek. “Billy gave me a dirt bike he’d modified with a sidecar, in case I found you. Dr. Banks also gave me a medical kit. Good thing he did. Seeing you laying on the ground proved you’re still human, and in need of saving too.”

  I smiled at his words. At least he thought I was still human. But what would he think if he witnessed my new gift? Would he change his mind? Would he be afraid of me?

  “You’re safe now. Get some rest.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “You have quite a bit of healing to do. I cleaned and bandaged your wound.”

  “Where are we?” I breathed.

  “In a small town up north. Billy and his men scavenged the place and said it was clear of Arvies. There is a bigger town further east, but they haven’t been there yet. I wanted the sure deal, to make sure we were protected for a few days.

  “We can’t stay long. They’ll send choppers with special teams. I ran into a unit, but they let me go. They had your tattoo.”