Impact (12 page)

Kirk, their leader, walked in and circled me like a wolf stalking his prey. His short, brown hair was neatly cut; most people in our post-apocalyptic world had given up on hairstyling long ago, but that guy looked like he had abducted his own personal barber. He was older; I guessed him to be about fifty. He was in shape and looked like he worked out every day, maybe out of sheer boredom.

“Welcome to Oxford,” he said.

“Nice little town.”

“It’s my pride and joy.”

“Where are the girls I came here with?” I asked.

His light brown eyes narrowed. “They’re fine...for now. They sure are pretty little things. Jackie tells me you are her boyfriend. How did you manage to trick her into that?”

I stood, ready to rip his face apart, but two of his goons came in and forcibly made me sit back down.
Do these idiots really think duct tape is gonna hold me
? I thought in a rage
. They’ll have to wrap me up in enough rolls to mummify me!
I raised my taped hands above and behind my head. Then, with as much force as I could muster, I brought them down, past my hips, while pulling my arms apart. The tape ripped right off.

One of Kirk’s men attacked, and we traded blows furiously. He finally stumbled backward, but a tattoo-covered man grabbed me by the throat and held a gun to me. “Sit down!” he ordered.

Just as I began to perform another self-defense move to knock him down next to his friend, Kirk got right in my face. “Do as he says, or I will go fetch Jackie and Asia,” he said. “They might not enjoy a knife to their throats!”

“I can kill all of you before you even get out that door,” I said.

“And then my men outside will kill you, then Jackie, then Asia.”

I glared at him, realizing he had me. Defeated, I sat down in the chair. I couldn’t believe I’d been so threatening, because I certainly wasn’t a murderer. I’d learned from Nick and Lucas and the things I’d seen that survivors often had to kill to stay alive. I didn’t want to believe it, but it was true. In that crazy world, I had to fight for every day. The bandits had my girlfriend and a very dear friend of mine, but as livid and angry as I was about that, I couldn’t do anything to free them—at least not yet.

“I take it I now have your undivided attention,” Kirk said.

“You do,” I said in a huff.

He patted my shoulder. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.”

“I want to see Jackie and Asia,” I demanded again. “I need to see for myself that they are all right.”

“Then cooperate with me. Hear me out, and let me take control of your destiny. If you do that, if you’ll be a good little boyfriend, maybe I’ll grant you your wish.”

“Just tell me why I’m here,” I said. “And, for the record, do you guys always go around bashing young woman’s heads in with bats?”

He smiled. “You’re full of questions, aren’t you?”

“Wouldn’t you be? You kidnapped us, and we have no idea why.” I shot him a hard look. “Are you with Z’s gang? Are we waiting for one of the infinite brothers to arrive?”

“Z? Are you talking about that lunatic who lives on the outskirts of Fairport?”

His sidekick butted in. “Wait. Didn’t he move into Fairport? Ain’t that what’s causing the gang turf war.”

“Yeah, that’s him,” I said, “but he’s not living in Fairport—or anywhere. We kicked him out of our city, but he’s dead now. Thus, his brothers aren’t so happy with me. So you aren’t in with Z’s guys?”

“I have no affiliation with him...and I couldn’t care less about turf or gang wars.”

I blew out a long breath. I was frustrated not knowing the truth. I knew he could be lying to me, trying to throw me off their scent. As sad as it was, I’d learned not to trust anyone except the people closest to me, and that especially included the jerks who’d kidnapped us. 

Kirk met my gaze. “You’re full of surprises. That was a nice trick you pulled with the tape. How’d you manage to do that?”

“I’m not into amateur bondage,” I said.

“How was it done?”

“Anyone can break out of duct tape using that method. Saw some FBI agent do it on T.V.”

He cocked his head and smirked. “I like you, Dean. You’ve got spunk and a fighting spirit. I admire that in a man—or even in a boy.”

“Is that why you kidnapped us? To start a fan club? I’ll give you an autograph if you freaking let us go.”

He circled around me slowly. “Of course you’re wondering why you’re here.”

“Uh, yeah. Mind telling me?”

He came up from behind me and whispered in my ear. “Why don’t you take a guess?”

“If you’re not with Z’s gang, only one thing comes to mind. I’d have to guess that people would only go through this much work to capture humans for one reason.”

He walked in front of me and crossed his arms. “And what’s that?”

“To eat them. It’s survival of the fittest now.”

“Eat you?” He laughed. “Boy, are the dark rumors spreading. That’s truly terrifying. I’m afraid you’ve seen one too many horror films. We aren’t going to eat you.”

“I wish it was only a movie. I’ve been captured for food before,” I said. “Hollywood’s got nothing to do with it. It’s what this crazy world has come to.”

“There are no cannibals around here,” Kirk assured me. 

“They’re out there.”

“Why don’t you tell me your story?” he asked. “How did you escape from a cannibal?”

I briefly filled him in.

He seemed truly shocked. “Hmm. That’s a bit...concerning. I’ve traded meat before with some of the other cities.”

“Don’t eat it if you aren’t sure where it comes from. When the world was normal, that was our rule in the school cafeteria. It sort of pertains to now.”

“A mad world,” he said, shaking his head sadly. “Did you ever hear that song?”

“Tears for Fears, right?”

“Right.” He sighed. “I’m going to make you an offer,” he said, his gaze narrowing. “If you take me up on it, nothing like that will ever happen to you again.”

“So...it’s an offer I can’t refuse, huh?” I asked sarcastically. I really didn’t want to make any sort of deal with him, unless it was to guarantee our freedom. 

He chuckled. “I suppose you could look at it that way.”

I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face so bad that I could taste it. I knew I could take him out, but he had at least a dozen men outside that room. Worse, I knew if I laid a hand on him, they would make Jackie and Asia pay for it.

“You’ve been struggling out in the zombified world,” he said. “We are safe in this compound, a big group of people in a nice, secure fortress. I can offer you and your friends protection, food, safety, and peace of mind.”

“And you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart?” I asked.

“While I’d like to say so, nothing is free in this world. There is a price to pay.”

“Of course,” I snapped, dreading his elaboration.

“You need me,” he tried to assure me.

I didn’t need anybody and surely not him; the man was clearly delusional. “I was doing quite fine before you met me.”

“Living on the streets, fighting zombies, and getting into gang wars?” he asked. “You were barely surviving. I’m here to give you a better life. I’m giving you a shot at...paradise.”

I didn’t dare tell him that the city I lived in was zombie free. The last thing we needed was another Z harassing the locals. They almost had their city back, and no one had the right to burst in there and try to steal their sanctuary. I had to let him believe things were bad there, worse than his precious compound. My only choice was to play along and see where that took me. “Yes, it’s hard out there,” I agreed.

“I can end all your struggles and allow you to live here,” he said. “I can make your life easy and carefree, as long as you’re willing to work hard.”

“So you kidnapped me to...give me room and board?” I retorted. “Doesn’t sound like any rental agreement I’ve ever read.”

He stared at me hard. “Do
not
get cocky with me, son. I will drop you so fast your head will spin.” He let out a long breath. “I’m giving you a chance at a wonderful life, and I expect a little respect. Many would jump at a chance like this. I don’t just let anyone into Oxford.”

“I respect that, sir. I do. But I was fine with the life I had before I was abducted.”

Kirk crossed his arms, clearly unhappy that I wasn’t jumping on his offer. “I know you are trying to think of an escape plan, but it’s pointless. The only way out of this city without my permission is in a body bag,” he said. “The choice is yours.”

My brow rose. “So my choice is to join you or die?”

“I could just kill you and leave you in a zombie state, but I’m a nice guy. It’d be the least I could do to end it for you once and for all. Then I’d haul your corpse out of my city, along with the other garbage. As I said, the choice is yours.”

“Not much of a choice, if you ask me,” I said.

“So you’ll join us?”

“Do I get a house, a white picket fence, and a golden retriever?” I asked snidely.

“Sorry, but no. You won’t be a citizen but an entertainer.”

Deluded freak,
I thought, resisting my urge to shake my head at him. “I’m afraid I can’t sing or dance, so it’s best we end this right now.”

“You can dance rather well in combat, my young friend. I need a good fighter.”

I blinked in shock. “A fighter?”

“You have the heart, drive, and motivation I’m looking for. You’re coordinated and have strength, speed, and endurance. I saw your skills back in the alley. You can fight, and that was what saved your life. My men wanted to put a bullet in your head, but that would have been such a waste of rare talent. Your technique needs a bit of shining up, but I will provide you with dedicated coaches and trainers. They will push you to be your best and sharpen your skills in daily training. With my help, you will become a champion.”

“I just want to be...a survivor,” I muttered.

He met my gaze straight on. “And you will be, on my terms.”

I glanced at the well-guarded door and thought of Jackie and Asia. It was then that I knew he just might be right.

“W
hat skills are you trained in?” Kirk asked.

“None in particular. I do a little boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and some other mixed martial arts. I’m a jack-of-all-trades.” Nick and the others had taught me all sorts of things, a little of everything, but I certainly wasn’t Muhammad Ali or Bruce Lee, and I wasn’t sure who he’d expect me to fight. Mostly, I wanted to try my skills on him and get the heck out of there, but I didn’t have that option yet.

“Well, son, that can be a curse more than anything. If you don’t have one glaring strength, it may all be over for you. We’ll work on it, but it will take a lot of dedication on your part. You will undergo intense training and practice sparring. We will employ old-school methods, with heavy punching bags and jump ropes.”

“So, this champion thing... I have to remain undefeated?”

“I’d love that, but we both know it’s unrealistic. Just try your hardest and give us a good fight. As I said, it is more about the entertainment factor.”

“Like pro wrestling. Gee, do I get free steroids and a script too?” I joked.

He refused to laugh and just shook his head. “No, but as long as you fight and keep us entertained, I’ll provide you with food, shelter, protection, and a wonderful life. You’ll never want to leave.”

“It does sound like a fair deal,” I said. Of course, I would have said anything to stay on his good side.

“You can go to bed at night with peace of mind, knowing you’re safe.”

I nodded, as if intrigued by the idea. “Clearly, you want me pretty bad. Is that why you took my girlfriend and friend? As collateral?” I asked.

“You’re a good fighter,” he said. “I know you’ll give us a great show, but so will they.”

“What!?” I asked, horrified.

“We have lost four female fighters. Asia is tough, a real fighter, just like you. She has a mouth that we will have to teach her to contain a bit, but I have high hopes for her in the women’s division.”

Suddenly, it all made horrific sense to me. The man in the alley had suggested leaving Asia after she was bashed with the bat, but a redhead had disagreed. “She’ll work,” she had said. They were looking for fighters, and we fit the bill.

Kirk’s gaze narrowed. “I see you’re in deep thought.”

“Leave the girls out of this!” I said, the words tumbling angrily out of my mouth.

He crossed his arms. “They, like you, were chosen for this specific purpose. They will fight.”

“They’re not gladiators.”

“I beg to differ, my boy. I have seen them in action.”

“You didn’t make them fight in the alley, so how would you know? Asia was knocked unconscious.”

“Prior to that, she put up one heck of a fight. Jackie had a gun up against her temple, so there was little she could do, but I can see a fighting spirit in her. Besides, I’m not as choosy with women. They are more for...aesthetics. They keep the guys happy, keep the morale up, and attract lots of attention. They’re beautiful. Yes, they are underdogs, second billing, because the men are the real fighters, the stars of the show, but that’s fine. It’s a matter of tempering the beasts with a little beauty, I suppose. We like to offer our audience a little something for everyone.”

My blood boiled, and it took everything I had not to knock him out. “This is another Kingsville,” I said, horrified. “You’re forcing people to fight.”

“I’ve heard about that place, but this is not at all the same. Frankly, I’m insulted by that remark. They just threw people into an arena with no experience and made them fight zombies. How can you compare us to savages? You won’t fight zombies here. This is a fight club. You’ll fight in a boxing ring or a cage, like proper humans.”

“Proper humans, huh?” As I processed his words, I let out a long breath. I’d been abducted to be forced into a modern-day coliseum. They didn’t know they had chosen wrong, because Lucas or Nick would have been much better choices when it came to fighting, but I didn’t say a word about that. I could only hope they were safe and sound, comforting Val through the pain I knew she was facing in the wake of Max’s death and the three of us being abducted.