Part 16 (2/2)

”Are you trying to placate me, so you get to the making out part faster?”

”Is it working?”

”No. We need a plan. I'm tired of winging it. I want to make a good decision for a change. One we both agree on.”

After a long pause, Dane spoke. ”I think we should wait here a few days, as long as it stays safe, and see if your family returns. I believe they were the ones here before since the bookshelves hiding this apartment were all in place when I arrived. Then, if no one comes, we gather as much as we can from here and head to the bunker. It's a safer location. This time we'll travel on foot through the woods, so we can go undetected.”

Sara weighed the options. Walking for days through the woods sounded torturous to her sore feet. They could also go to the colony like Travis had offered. At least it was closer, and after experiencing a taste of what the colony could offer them, it might be nice to live with a community of people instead of by themselves in the isolated bunker.

”After I got away,” she began. Dane's jaw bulged when he clenched his teeth together, like he did every time he had to listen to something he didn't want to hear. ”Some nice people found me. They took me to this little camp they'd set up called the colony. They had shelter and some food and supplies. They gave me new clothes and shoes. They were nothing at all like the other people we've met. Travis, the doctor, he invited me back anytime to live there.”

Dane's eyes narrowed. ”He did, huh? Awfully nice for a complete stranger. Did Travis' wife think you should join the colony, too?”

”I don't think he's married, but what does his marital status have to do with anything?”

”A lot.” Dane stood and paced, more agitated than she'd ever seen him. ”Did he offer you a puppy if you bring them all the supplies you have? Did you tell them where you were going? Did you even mention me when he offered you a place at his table?”

She heard the real words, but his tone implied ”in his bed.” Sara's heart raced, her cheeks heated with anger and frustration. ”What? They were nice people. I thought it might be a good option for us. Together. Of course, I mentioned you. I made it clear I had a boyfriend. Maybe past tense had been the right term to use, if you're going to act like a jealous idiot.”

”Just how nice was this Travis guy?”

”Nice enough not to hit me, if that's what you're getting at!” All the stress and anger, all the pain and frustration of the last few weeks flew out of her. She'd never been so angry with him. ”I can't believe you would even go there for one fleeting second after everything we've been through together.”

Dane turned on her. ”What do you expect me to think? You've done nothing but insist on how important it is to stay away from people for the last month. Every discussion with you has been about laying low, hiding out in the bunker, keeping secrets. All of a sudden, some doctor asks you to join his little colony and you're jumping at the chance?”

”Maybe I was wrong about everything!” Sara couldn't stop from yelling any more than she could stop her eyes from tearing up.

”Maybe I was, too! Maybe I was wrong to follow you onto not one, but two wild goose chases to find your family.”

Sara's mouth dropped open for a second before she clamped it shut. She balled her hands into fists at her sides, trying to channel her anger into them. ”I never said you had to come with me.”

”You didn't leave me any choice. I had to come to protect your a.s.s, so I could make sure you lived long enough to find your family, if they're even still around to be found. If I'd had any choice, I would have stayed in the cabin and defended my home instead of following you around like a guard dog and pack mule.”

Sara opened her fists and slammed her palms into Dane's chest, shoving him away from her as hard as she could. He stumbled a few steps, shock registering on his face before he found his footing and stormed up to her again.

”A lot of good you did me. They were going to rape me! Three of them. I had to kill one and run. And where were you, huh? So don't tell me I can't save myself, because I can. I don't need you.”

Sara sucked in a breath when a tear beaded in the corner of Dane's eye. He blinked a few times, and it vanished, making her wonder if she'd actually seen it or if it had been wishful thinking that he'd feel so deeply about what she'd been through.

Her chest heaved, her lungs burned, as she tried to catch her breath. But the pain and anger coursing through her made it impossible. She wanted to run away. Away from Dane and the men in the woods. Away from the pain and disappointment of not finding her family again. Away from the virus stealing everything from her.

Instead, she crumpled to the floor in front of the fireplace and wrapped her arms around her knees, rocking.

The door to the apartment flew open, slamming into the wall. Sara startled and shrieked, clambering to her feet. Dane faced their intruder, his body positioned in front of Sara. The gesture made her feel a tiny bit less p.i.s.sed off at him.

”Get out of here. Stay away!” Dane challenged.

”Who the h.e.l.l are you?” the intruder asked.

”Josh?” Sara stepped out from behind Dane. She didn't believe her own ears, but her eyes couldn't deceive her. By the door stood a man who looked as if he'd slept in a bush somewhere, twigs in his hair, grime smeared on his face and clothing, a frantic glint in his eyes.

”Sara?” He rushed to her and hugged her so tight she thought her ribs might break. ”I don't even believe it's you.”

Sara tried to blink away tears. ”I could say the same, big brother.”

”How did you get here? Where were you?” Josh stepped away enough to look at her before hugging her again.

”I went to the bunker, but you guys never came.”

”We tried. The roads were parking lots, and then a curfew was implemented. We couldn't make it any farther.”

”We?” Hope filled her voice. It was amazing enough to see Josh again, but the possibility of seeing the rest of her family overwhelmed her too much to think about. ”Sue? Mom and Dad?”

”We made it. All of us did. You were the only one missing.” Josh squeezed her shoulder before letting her go, his gaze s.h.i.+fting to Dane. His hand went to the gun at his hip.

”Josh, this is Dane. Dane, this is my brother Josh.” Sara could tell neither man wanted to trust the other. ”Dane took me in right after the virus. .h.i.t. He taught me to fight and use weapons.”

”And you brought him with you?” Josh stared at her with a mix of shock and anger. ”You weren't supposed to tell anyone about this place. No matter what.”

”Well, I did. Get over it. He's with me, so you'll have to get used to him.” Her gaze s.h.i.+fted to Dane. Sure, they'd just torn a strip off each other, but he still loved her, didn't he?

Dane walked to stand beside her and placed his hand on her lower back, answering her silent question. ”Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.” He held out his hand.

Josh eyed him for a moment but didn't shake it. ”Well, I've heard nothing about you, so you'll forgive me when I'm rude and tell you to get the h.e.l.l out.”

”I'll leave when Sara asks me to and not a second before.” Dane's hand tightened on her waist, silently giving away his annoyance.

”It doesn't matter anyway.” Josh looked around the living room. ”This place won't be ours much longer.” He wandered into the kitchen and started stuffing food rations into a backpack.

”What're you talking about?” Sara followed him. Her nerves had been shot for so long, she didn't think she could handle any more stress or bad news.

”Pack up. Grab your s.h.i.+t. We have to go.” Josh motioned for the two of them to hurry up.

”Dane, there should be a bag in the closet around the corner.” She opened her pack from the colony and shoved some food into it, then into Dane's when he reappeared at her side with a bag in his hands. ”Why are we packing up? What's going on?”

”The people in town are p.i.s.sed. They figured out we were up here with supplies the whole time. Like it's our fault they didn't prepare. Anyways, we tried to throw them off the scent by spending a few days away, but then I got word they'd seen light inside again and are planning to attack. Tonight. We'll be lucky if we get out of here before they raid the place.”

”What else do we need to grab?” Dane asked, leaving the empty cabinet hanging open.

Josh eyed him suspiciously.

”He's with me, and he's another able body who can carry supplies. This way.”

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