Caldera | Book 12 | Kingdom Come Page 16

  “Actually,” Vicky interrupted, causing him to startle. “We have plenty of DVDs.” She reached for the small remote and clicked on the TV. She pressed the button, and It’s a Wonderful Life began to play. “I know it’s technically a Christmas movie, but it’s one of my favorites.”

  Derek felt a smile forming as Jimmy Stewart came to life on the flatscreen. “You won’t hear me complain,” he chuckled as he leaned back and allowed himself to get lost in the story.

  Vicky handed him the remote. “I’ve can make some popcorn.” She saw his eyes light up and she gave him a crooked smile. “We might as well enjoy it while we can.”

  Derek nodded enthusiastically then paused. “Wait. What do you mean?”

  Lana licked the blood from her fingers then stared down at the man’s body parts scattered across the bedroom floor. “Oh, how wasteful.” She scooped up some of the entrails and dumped them unceremoniously onto a comforter.

  She picked up the calf she had been chewing on and ripped another piece of flesh from the muscle. She chewed slowly, savoring the flavor of the bloody meat as she absently continued to scrape up the scraps from the carpet. “I bet I lose my cleaning deposit,” she muttered as she tossed the last of the organs onto the pile.

  She set the heart and liver aside, but the rest she was ready to toss. She didn’t care for the lungs or kidneys. The intestines were far too chewy, and there was a musty flavor to the reproductive organs that she just didn’t care for; she never had.

  She pulled the corners of the comforter together and tied them into a makeshift knot before dragging them to the side of the room, close to the door. A quick glance to the window told her that the sun would soon be up, and she didn’t dare risk trying to dispose of the remains this close to daylight.

  She slid to the floor and licked the coagulating blood from her arms. “At least you were worth the effort.” She chuckled as she recalled how vigorously he had tugged her clothing off.

  She had allowed him to get his jollies before she bit his throat out. “Came and went in nearly the same breath.” She reached out and patted his thick thigh. “You might coulda made an alpha.”

  She stared at her handiwork soaking into the carpet and nodded to herself. She had days’ worth of meat, if she could find a way to keep it from going bad. Without a fridge it would begin to rot quickly. She considered trying to jerk some of it, but there were simply too many people about to hang it outside in the sun.

  She sighed as she came to her feet and admitted that she really didn’t want to soak the meat in cold water like she did the old woman’s. It simply pulled too much of the flavorful blood from the tissues.

  She turned and felt the drying blood tugging at her skin. She knew that she’d have to scrub the stuff off before it dried completely, but she really didn’t want to. She tore another bite of flesh from the calf then sighed, turned, and entered the bathroom.

  Drawing a tub of cold water, she set the calf on the back of the toilet and reached for a towel. “What a hunk,” she chuckled. “I’ll bet you’re going to be missed, and soon.”

  Jedidiah had drawn a crude map of the place where the unclean were massed. He had a rough idea of the guard placements, and he knew how many sentries there were.

  He had made little Xs along the perimeter of the map, and shook his head as he tried to consider the best avenue of attack.

  “The bus may be the best idea after all.” He lowered his head to the desk and squeezed his eyes shut. “Cause a diversion. Create panic. Draw their eyes to the front.” He lifted his eyes again and stared at the diagram. “They simply have too many people.”

  All the more reason to destroy them now.

  He cringed as the voice echoed in his feeble mind. “I don’t see a way to win.”

  Who said you would win?

  Jedidiah slowly lifted his head and had to remember to breathe. “What do you mean?” He licked his dry lips and sat slowly in the chair. “Of course we would win. We have to. It is the Lord’s bidding.”

  The abominations must die.

  “Of course. That is why we are—”

  ALL the abominations must die.

  Jedidiah felt his mouth moving, but no words escaped him. He had to force himself to calm down and he slowly turned his eyes upward. “Surely you don’t mean—”

  The cleansing is incomplete. All of His creation must be wiped from the Earth in order for purity to return.

  Jedidiah felt his body go slack as the realization struck him. Win or lose, he was never going to survive the purging. He and his army had to be cleansed as well.

  He felt his limbs begin to shake as his nerves took over and he lowered his face to the desk again. Slowly he regained control and nodded. “I understand.”

  Do what must be done.

  Jedidiah nodded again and sat upright, his shoulders squaring and his jaw set. “His will be done.”

  20

  Hatcher startled as Roger shook him awake. “We got a problem.”

  He sat up and tried to focus on his watch. “What time is it?”

  “Half past the ass crack of dawn.” Roger sat on the chair across from him. “Why are you sleeping on the couch?”

  Hatcher rubbed at his face and tried to get the blood flowing to his brain. “It’s closer to the door.” He looked around the room, blinking rapidly. “In case we were attacked in the night.”

  “One of the sentries didn’t show for his watch last night.” Roger sat back and waited for the words to register.

  Hatcher nodded slowly and took a deep breath. “Did you chew his ass?”

  “Can’t find him. His wife said that he geared up and left early, but he never made it to the wall.”

  Hatcher stared at him blankly. “You mean…”

  “I think somebody killed him. Inside the walls.”

  Hatcher came to his feet and glanced towards the kitchen. “So either a hungry scout snuck through, or—”

  “Or the same person that ate that woman got him.” Roger stood and followed him into the next room. “Either way, it appears that even armed guards aren’t enough.”

  Hatcher pushed the button on the coffeemaker and fell into the dining room chair to wait. “I can see either scenario playing out.” He yawned and covered his mouth. “I can see an infected scrambling over the wall and hiding in the shadows. Catches the guy unawares and makes a quick snack of him.” He looked to Roger and his face turned sour. “Or Simon’s ex doing the same thing.”

  Roger crossed his arms and stared at the floor. “Once I got word, I sent three men out to look for remains.” He shook his head slowly. “They found nothing. No signs of struggle, no blood…nothing.”

  Hatcher came to his feet and pulled the coffee pot out and slipped his mug under the dribbling nectar. “Anybody search outside the walls?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to wait until daylight and clear it with you.”

  Hatcher gave him a strained look. “You don’t need to clear shit with me.” He swapped the pot with the mug and took a quick sip. “You’ve run this place before. You’re more than capable of making decisions.”

  Roger nodded slowly then met his gaze. “You were gone then. You’re back. You’re in charge.”

  Hatcher snorted. “Says who? Certainly not me.” He took a longer pull from the steaming coffee then set the mug down. “I actually…” He trailed off, avoiding Roger’s look. “I think I’ve made a decision.”

  “About?”

  He took a deep breath and waited a moment to screw up his courage. “After we’ve dealt with…whatever the hell it is we’re waiting to deal with, I think I’m going to hit the road again.”

  Roger’s brows rose and he turned to face him. “Say again?”

  Hatcher took another drink of coffee and nodded slowly. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” he smirked. “Actually, since I left Yellowstone.”

  “Why leave? To look for your friend again? You said it yourself, Texas is a big damned place to look for a
single person.”

  Hatcher nodded. “Not just that.” He gave Roger a solemn look and the tone of his voice changed to something more somber. “I’m positive that there are other survivors out there. The numbers that have straggled in here since the cure tell us that.”

  “So?”

  “So, I want to go out and make contact. Let them know that we’re rebuilding. If they’re doing the same, maybe we can open up lines for trading.” He gave Roger a hopeful look. “And if I happen to run into Shelly along the way…”

  Roger groaned. “How am I supposed to tell people that you’re leaving again?”

  Hatcher shrugged. “Just tell them.”

  “That you held us together, helped us build this place, helped defend it then left?” He shook his head. “They’ll want to know why.”

  “So tell them.” He emptied his cup then poured another while Roger stammered.

  “They’ll think that we’re holding something back from them. They’ll…they’ll…”

  “Just tell them the truth.” He turned and gave him a stern stare. “You and Candy can run this place just fine without me. Hell, you’ve been doing it. Even since I came back, I’m not really ‘back’. My head is still out there, wondering where she might be.”

  Roger gave him that “aha” look. “So it is to look for her.”

  Hatcher lowered his eyes. “And to look for other survivors.”

  Roger sighed heavily and stepped closer. He placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and waited for Hatcher to look up. “It’s okay, man. Nobody blames you for…this.”

  Hatcher snorted. “Thanks. I didn’t need your permission ya know.”

  “I know.” Roger leaned against the counter and watched him for a moment. “How long are you going to wait?”

  Hatcher shrugged again. “As soon as it feels like we’re in the clear. I refuse to abandon our people with a potential threat looming.”

  Roger laughed out loud and had to turn away. “Weren’t you the one that said that there’s always a threat looming?”

  Hatcher groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

  Roger picked up the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. “Here’s to happy trails, bud.” He held his mug up and waited for Hatcher to do the same. “May it be safe and boring and may you return with all of your limbs intact.”

  “That’s a twisted toast, Rog.”

  “’Tis the times.”

  “Up and at ‘em, people.” Davis banged on the doors of the motel. “We’re burning daylight.”

  “Just ten more minutes, mom,” David O’Dell groaned as he pulled the covers over his head.

  “Let’s go!” Davis barked.

  Carol opened her door and blinked at him in the gloom of the hallway. She made sure that the sheet was pulled up far enough to cover herself. “Do we really need to move out so soon?”

  Davis lowered his eyes and his voice. “We have a lot of ground to cover on our way to Mexico. If you still want to drive the streets looking for survivors, then, yeah.” He looked up at her and his face was unreadable. “Please inform Dr. Broussard that time is of the essence.”

  Carol nodded then felt her face flush. Obviously Davis had heard them through the thin walls of the hotel during the night. She quickly shut the door and turned to Andre. “He knows.”

  “Of course, he knows.” He smiled at her knowingly. “You are not the most reserved when in the throes of passion.”

  “Oh, shut up!” She kicked a shoe toward him and regretted it immediately. She limped to the bed and sat gently on the edge. “What’s weird is, I think he’s mad at me.”

  “For not allowing him any sleep, I’m certain.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not entirely sure that’s why.” She swallowed hard and stared at the closed door.

  “Why do you think this?”

  She lowered her eyes and shrugged slightly. “I’m probably wrong, but…I think maybe he’s a little sweet on me.”

  Andre paused in his dressing and gave her a confused look. “You think he is attracted to you?”

  She shrugged again. “I dunno. Maybe.”

  He sat down beside her and tried to read her face. “Why do you think this?”

  She inhaled deeply and blew it out slowly, giving herself a moment to try to put her feeling into words. “I can’t say, exactly.” She turned and looked into Andre’s eyes. “It’s a more of a feeling, really. When you and I were…on the outs, he stepped up immediately and seemed to care.”

  “That is his job, oui? He is charged with our protection.”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s more than that.” She stood and let the sheet drop as she pulled her clothing on. “I mean, it’s not like he said anything. It was just a feeling I got.”

  “When did you first notice this feeling?”

  She thought for a moment, her leg stuck in her pants. “Last night.” She turned and faced him. “He grabbed the key for my room and made sure that his room was next door.” She finished tugging her pants on and buttoned them. “I thought that it was just to make sure that you and I weren’t side by side…so we couldn’t fight any more.”

  “But now you think he wanted to keep you close?”

  She shrugged again. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m reading too much into things.”

  “Perhaps.” He reached for his other boot and pulled it on, lacing it quickly. “Perhaps not.”

  “You aren’t going to confront him.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “No…” He pulled his shirt on firmly and began to button it. “But I do plan to keep my eye on him.”

  “Andre, no.” She lowered her voice and approached him, planting her hands on his chest. “Just let it be. I’m probably imagining the whole thing.”

  He looked down at her and smiled. “You know, I cannot tell you ‘no’ when you are topless and they are nearly touching me.” His face didn’t hide the lust in his eyes.

  “You’re incorrigible.” She slapped at him playfully then turned to finish dressing.

  “I am many things, chérie,” he patted her bottom as he walked by, “but I am not stupid. He is a trained warrior. I am not. The last thing I want to do is to anger the very man that I count on to keep me safe.”

  She smirked at him as she reached for the pistol. She clipped the holster to her waistband then held the gun aloft. “He’s not the only one you can count on.” She slipped the weapon into the holster then reached for her boots.

  Andre gave her a soft smile. “Touché.”

  “I’m hungry.”

  Derek turned and gave Simon a look of surprise. “I didn’t know you were awake.”

  “I wasn’t until I heard gunfire. What are you watching?”

  Derek flustered for a moment. “Sorry. I should have turned it down.” He reached for the remote and Simon held a hand up to stop him.

  “What is it?”

  “Some old Western.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “They have a big collection of DVDs here. I just grabbed one I didn’t recognize.”

  Simon leaned to the side and tried to peer around him. “Is Vee around?”

  “I’ll get her.”

  “No.” Simon reached for him but missed his sleeve. “She’s fine.”

  Derek paused and turned back to him. “She was really wiped. I told her to get some sleep.”

  Simon nodded. “Leave her be then.” He tried to sit up and regretted it. “Can I get something to eat? I’m starving.”

  Derek thought for a moment then nodded. “I’ll see if I can find you some soup or something.”

  “Or a steak.” Simon grinned at him. “Or tacos.”

  “One steak and taco soup, coming right up.” Derek went into the kitchen and rummaged through the cabinets. He found a can of chicken noodle and set it aside. His patient wasn’t five. He continued to search then stepped back. “It looks like chicken noodle or tuna.”

  “Tuna soup?” Simon teased from the other room.

  Derek appeared in the
doorway again and Simon paled. He was caught trying to pull himself to the edge of the bed. “You shouldn’t be moving like that.”

  “I have to.” Simon huffed as he fought to catch his breath. “I feel stronger today.”

  “You know better,” Derek cautioned as he slipped an arm under Simon’s. “If Veronica sees this, she’ll kill us both.”

  Simon gritted his teeth and screwed up his reserves. “Then don’t let her see us.” He pushed off the edge of the bed and slowly came to his feet. He stood straight and took his weight off of Derek’s arm. “See? Damn near good as new.” He turned and faced Derek. “Now, about that tuna soup?”

  Lana hunkered near the top of the stairs and stared down towards the front door. In her twisted mind, she expected a group of villagers armed with torches and pitchforks to come bursting in at any moment. She hadn’t bothered to find clean clothing since her bath, and stood there, bloodied, slowly chewing the sentry’s arm nearly to the bone.

  She controlled her breathing to allow her to hear anything that might approach her abode and kept the arm firmly in her grip. The exposed humerus had a nice ball joint that could crack a skull if properly wielded.

  She ate slowly, her mind playing out different scenarios as she continued to strip the limb. Seeing a flying naked woman launching herself at you would cause anybody to pause. They probably wouldn’t see the human nunchucks she used to crack their noggins open as they’d be too busy trying to process why she was nude.

  There was always a method to her madness, though, sometimes that method was so convoluted that even she couldn’t keep track of her train of thought. She sucked the meat from the connective tissue and flexed the arm in her grip. As long as the ligaments remained moist, they wouldn’t stiffen too much. The arm should be quite useful as a weapon.

  She heard people calling a name and slowly came to her feet. She crept carefully to the main bedroom and peered through the dirty window. Groups of people were combing the area outside the wall and some were yelling for “Jerry.”