Page 22 of Whispers and Warriors
William nodded, squeezing Emma’s hand one last time before rising to his feet. Suddenly, there was an undeniable to stretch his legs, to escape the confines of the truck and clear his mind.
“I’ll go with him,” Alex said, falling into step beside William.
William shot him a grateful smile, appreciating the company. Alex had a way of lightening even the darkest of moods, his irreverent humor a welcome respite from the constant strain of survival.
Surprisingly, Ranger bounded around the side of the truck, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. “I suppose you need a potty, too?” William scratched the pup’s head with a smile. “Come on then. We won’t go too far.”
As they walked, William couldn’t help but marvel at the eeriness of their surroundings. At the way the sun cast long shadows across the cracked earth. It was a world stripped bare, a testament to the fragility of life and the enduring power of nature.
“You know, I used to dream of coming somewhere in the middle of nowhere when this all started,” Alex mused, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. “Wide open spaces, no rules, no responsibilities... Just freedom.”
William glanced at him, surprised by the rare moment of introspection. “And now?”
Alex shrugged, his gaze distant. “Now, I’d give anything for a hot shower and a cold beer and want rules more than anything else I’ve ever wanted in life. Funny how priorities change, isn’t it?”
William nodded, understanding all too well the urge to bury his head in the sand and why he didn’t.
Granted, Alex’s was more noble. William’s was out of fear.
“I think I need some quiet,” was all he said to Alex. For some reason, the last few days weighed heavier on him than the last few years.
William’s boots crunched against the dry, cracked earth as he ventured away from the truck, his eyes scanning the desolate surroundings with a mixture of wariness and desperation. Ranger padded alongside him, the dog’s presence a small comfort.
The gas station seemed to have been long abandoned, the rusted remains of gas pumps standing like skeletal sentinels against the harsh sunlight. He wasn’t even certain the military would’ve kept delivering gas here. William moved cautiously, his hand resting on the butt of his gun as he searched for anything that might be of use to their dwindling supplies. But as he poked through the debris, it became increasingly clear that there was nothing of value to be found.
The emptiness of the surroundings seemed to mirror the growing sense of desperation gnawing at William’s gut. They needed more food, water, and ammunition. Yes, Liam and Alex had stockpiled, but it wouldn’t last forever.
With a heavy sigh, William paused, his shoulders sagging as he allowed himself a moment to simply breathe. The constant tension that had become his constant companion seemed to ease, if only for a moment, as he closed his eyes and let his mind drift.
Memories of the past few months flashed through his mind, a montage of images and sensations that seemed both distant and all too real. He thought of the day the toxin had first been released, the chaos and panic that had engulfed the world in a matter of hours. He remembered the loss of his family, the grief that had threatened to consume him before he had found purpose in the military.
And then there was Emma. William’s heart clenched at the thought of her, at the way she had come into his life like a beacon of light in the darkness. She had given him a reason to keep fighting, to believe that there was still something worth saving in this broken world.
“You good if I go take a leak?” Alex’s voice cut through William’s reverie, bringing him back to the present.
William shook his head, his expression grim. “Go for it. I’ve got you. Not sure I need to go, just wanted to get out. Ranger, stay.” He hadn’t noticed if the dog went yet, but he didn’t want Ranger wandering off.
Alex nodded and moved off just a bit. William kept his gaze just past Alex, not really watching for anything, but not trusting anything.
“All good,” Alex called before turning back around. “You sure you don’t wanna go?”
“Yeah, I want to just check for supplies. If Chris’s card scans at the pump, we should be able to get some food and water from inside.”
“Will, Chris didn’t say to do that.”
They only ever used part of his name when shit was serious.
“No, he didn’t, but I’m the one who rations our stuff. We’re together and one card is no worse than two. Except it confirms we’re together.”
Alex looked like he was going to say something, but snapped his mouth shut, gesturing for William to lead the way.
Ranger suddenly stiffened and stopped walking beside him, a low growl rumbling in his throat. William’s hand instinctively went to his gun, his senses on high alert as he scanned the area for any sign of danger. The dog’s hackles were raised, his teeth bared.
“What is it, boy?” he murmured, scanning the area for any sign of danger.
But before he could react, Alex was already moving, his long strides carrying him swiftly toward the source of Ranger’s agitation. William cursed under his breath and followed, his heart pounding in his chest as he rounded the corner of the building.
The sight that greeted them was one of pure horror.
