Page 49 of Whispers and Warriors
“My God,” he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I had no idea there were so many...”
Bash’s jaw tightened, his eyes actually glistening with unshed tears. “They’re just like us, Chris. Survivors, fighters, willing to do whatever it takes to protect the ones they love.”
Chris nodded, his resolve hardening into an unbreakable core. These were the people they were fighting for, the ones who had endured the unimaginable and still dared to dream of a brighter future.
And as he looked out over the sea of faces, each one a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human race, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would stop atnothing to lead them to safety, to the haven that promised a new beginning.
A deep, southern drawl cut through Chris’s reflections. “Y’all meetin’ anyone in particular?”
Chris turned to face the man, taking in his sun-weathered face and kind eyes. Before he could respond, Ranger bounded forward, his tail wagging furiously as he sniffed at the stranger’s outstretched hand.
Liam chuckled, ruffling the dog’s ears affectionately. “We’re looking for our friends. Male and female. Guy’s about my height, brown hair, hazel eyes, absolutely wearing a cocky grin.”
The man’s face split into a warm smile. “Ah, yes.” He pointed down the narrow corridor. “You’ll find them eight doors down, on the left. Name’s Eli, find me for any settlin’ in needs you may have.”
The knot in Chris’s chest loosened knowing Emma was already settling in and safe, relief flooding through him like a cool balm.
He clasped the man’s shoulder, his grip firm and grateful. “Thank you. Truly. You have no idea how much this means to us.”
The man tipped his head, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Oh, I reckon I do. We’re all in this together now, son. Gotta look out for each other in times like these. Better carry the pup.”
With a nod, Chris lifted Ranger and wasn’t surprised to see the stairs were steep, almost as steep as they would have been when they were a military grade ladder.
As they made their way down the corridor, Ranger trotting happily at their heels, Chris let out the breath he’d been holding since they went overboard the other night. They had come so far, fought so hard, and now, with the end in sight, he knew that nothing could stop them from reaching their goal.
Bash’s hand settled on his shoulder, a silent reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared. “We’ve got this, Chris. We’ve come too far to fail now.”
Chris nodded, his jaw set with determination. “Damn right we have.”
NINETEEN
William strode behind the others,trying not to create a doomsday scenario for himself. His mind raced, a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts swirling that he couldn’t shake. The ship would take them to freedom and safety, but then there’d be no need for him. At least at the government safe haven, he still fit in somewhere.
What purpose did he serve now? His keen eyes and knack for puzzles, once invaluable assets, seemed trivial in the face of landing in a secret society. Not to mention on a ship, confined to these walls, what good could he be? Sure, he was good with computers, but not a fixit like Alex.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he lifted his hand, letting his gaze drift to the star tattoo on his inner wrist—a symbol of unity, of belonging. But now, amidst the chaos of their new reality, William felt adrift, untethered from the sense of purpose that had once anchored him.
Memories of his past surged through his mind like a torrent, conjuring vivid images of his unit moving in perfect harmony, each member a crucial cog in the machine. He vividly remembered the camaraderie—the laughter echoing through thebarracks, the encouraging slaps on the back during grueling drills, and the solemn nods of understanding during tense missions. The shared sense of purpose had woven them together as brothers in arms. Not once did he feel excluded or unneeded. His efforts were always appreciated and depended upon. He wasn’t the strongest, nor was he the fastest. He wasn’t even the sharpest tactician, yet he belonged, and they had counted on him.
But here, William couldn’t help but struggle to find his place. The toxin-ravaged world had taken so much from him—his family, his way of life—and now loosing that horrible world somehow threatened to strip him of his very identity. He yearned for a role that would give him meaning, a way to prove his worth beyond the confines of scavenging and codes.
As the memories faded, William’s thoughts turned to the island they would soon call home. Perhaps there, amidst the untamed wilderness and unknown dangers, he would find his purpose anew. Maybe the challenges that lay ahead would provide an opportunity for him to rediscover the strength and resourcefulness that had once defined him.
He vaguely heard Chris speaking to another man, but his thoughts seemed to drown out everything around him. It seemed for the last week or so he’d fallen into a depression he wasn’t certain how to get out of.
Except when he was with Emma.
When he was with her, he didn’t feel unimportant. He wasn’t useless. He was just hers.
“Thanks,” Chris’s finally word did cut through William’s self doubt, and he nearly stumbled trying to keep up as they climbed down the steps that were more like a ladder despite this ship being an old military one—or maybe because of it.
Everything was different here, even to the safe haven. There were kids absolutely everywhere, many of them shouting andplaying despite the small corridor they climbed down too. At the haven they were there, playing, but not quite so many despite the safe haven’s mission.
Is this real life? This is crazy.
A smile tugged at his lips as he continued, taking in the faces of so many children and women who were not is disguise and didn’t draw back when they got close.
He bumped into Liam, not realizing Chris and the others had stopped as he’d taken in so much joy around him. Joy that contradicted how worried he was about his place in all of this.
