Page 11 of Whispers and Warriors
Chris knew that starting off safe and with their heads screwed on right would give them all a better chance.
“Medic,” he called out instead of using Alex’s name. “Let’s go get some things from the truck.” He trusted William and Liam would be fine on their own, and the hair on his arms didn’t stand on edge. Chris had no reason to believe there was any danger.
“You got it, boss.”
Chris approached the vehicle,his steps purposeful and measured. Alex walked beside him, oddly silent. Alex was never silent, and one of the reason’s Chris took him to the truck. If there was something to say, Alex would’ve said it.
“Stand in the front, just keep watch. I know we feel safe, but I’m not risking it.”
Alex merely nodded and turned to face the way they’d come as Chris moved to the back with the key he’d gotten while they walked.
He opened the door, the metal creaking quietly as it swung in to reveal Bash and Emma side-by-side. Now wasn’t the time to make a joke about Bash not taking advantage of alone time, but he would later.
“We’ve got a plan,” Chris said, his voice steady and assured. “It’s a risk, but there’s a real ferry that will take us to the next step in our journey. I don’t know if it’s the next step, or the last step, but they appear trustworthy. The man, he’s offered us a place to stay until the ferry departs. It’s not much, but it’s safe, and it’ll give us a chance to rest and regroup.”
Emma’s eyes widened, a flicker of relief passing over her features. “Really? That’s... that’s incredible.”
“Yes, and the longer we’re here the less time we’re getting information about what comes next,” Chris replied, extending a hand to help her from the vehicle. “We don’t have much time, and we need to make the most of it, gather as much information about what comes next as this man may know.”
As Emma stepped out of the truck into the now fading light, Chris couldn’t help but the surge of protectiveness that rocked through him—the fierce desire to shield her from the horrors of this broken world. She had already endured so much, had already lost more than any one person should have to bear.
“Let’s go,” he said, his voice ringing out clear and strong. “It’s about a ten-minute walk. Alex, Bash, lock up the truck and cover our six.”
“You got it,” Bash jumped out the back of the truck. “Shame, I kinda wanted an excuse to shoot somebody.”
Chris chuckled in spite of himself. “Next time. I think you’ll be interested to see this group of people.”
“Come on then, Ranger.” Emma called out, which was followed by the sound of scratching and a thump as Ranger jumped out of the truck and rushed to her side with his leash in his mouth.
“Well, one of us is ready for the next step.” Emma said with a laugh as she took the leash in one hand and Chris’s hand in the other.
FIVE
Emma froze,her breath catching in her throat as she caught sight of children playing just before a fire and the rest of her group. Their laughter rang out like tinkling bells, a sound so pure and joyful that it brought tears to Emma’s eyes. In this broken, chaotic world, the presence of innocence was a rare and precious thing. She had seen plenty while on base the last month, but this was an entirely different experience. This was seeing children thriving in a world that had all but forgotten them.
The two young girls seemed blissfully unaware of the dangers that lurked beyond the boundaries of their sanctuary. Their faces glowed with carefree smiles as they engaged in a game of tag, darting around the makeshift playground. Emma’s heart swelled with a fierce protectiveness, an overwhelming desire to preserve their happiness and shield them from the horrors she had witnessed. The same thing she would do for her own child, if she were ever to conceive.
For a moment, Emma allowed herself to imagine a different life—one where she could stay here indefinitely, basking in the warmth and love that radiated from these innocent souls. Sheknew it was a fleeting dream, but it was as important as the one she had of the safe haven.
With a heavy sigh, Emma tore her gaze away from the children and fell into step beside Chris and Ranger as they made their way closer to their temporary home. Chris’s jaw was set in a hard line, his eyes fixed straight ahead as if he too was grappling with the weight of their decision. The silence between them was loaded with unspoken fears and doubts. Many of them hers, but if she knew Chris, he had his fair share.
Were they making the right choice by leaving this safe haven behind? What dangers awaited them beyond these walls? Could they really trust the information that had led them here in the first place?
Ranger pressed his wet nose against Emma’s leg, as if sensing her inner turmoil. Absentmindedly, she reached down to scratch behind his ears, drawing comfort from his presence.
“Do you think we’re doing the right thing? Not leaving, but staying here for as long as we have to wait?” Emma asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Couldn’t it be too dangerous for this family?”
Chris glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “We have to trust our instincts. Staying here...it’s the only option for right now, but there’s more information to gather about this ferry.”
Emma nodded slowly, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat. She knew he was right, but it didn’t make leaving any easier. Every step away was like another bang of a hammer against her heart. Every safe haven she’d come to know betrayed her—first her neighbors, then the base—it was hard to trust this one wouldn’t as well.
“You must be their precious cargo.” A curvy woman with long blonde hair and a baby cradled to her chest smiled. “We don’t do names for everyone’s safety, but it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Interacting with other women had become normal on the base, but for some reason, Emma’s tongue seemed too big for her mouth, and all she could get out was a small grunt. She hadn’t seen a woman or child outside the base in about a year—unless one counted those Marcus held prisoner.
“Why don’t you go inside? I know there’s more logistics for the men to chat about. You came from base so it’s not like I can offer you anything you haven’t recently had, but what’s ours is yours for while you’re here.”
Emma’s throat constricted as she fought to hold back the surge of emotion rising within her. She swallowed hard, trying to prevent it from escaping in a wave of tears. The lump in her throat felt like a boulder, heavy and unrelenting. But she refused to let it show, gathering all her strength to keep the flood gates closed.
