The Survivors Book III: Winter (12 page)

"
What's the matter, baby sis?" I asked, suddenly concerned.  There hadn't been much time to talk recently, so I had no idea how she was handling the emotional fallout from her painful miscarriage a little over a month before.

"
Huh?"  She glanced up suddenly, but relaxed when she recognised me.  "Oh, hey Sandy.  I cut my finger this morning, and it's annoying me.  It's not deep or anything, and it's not bleeding, but there's this little flap of skin.  It keeps catching on everything, and it's driving me crazy."

I blinked in surprise, then laughed.
 I just couldn't help it.  After everything she'd been through, what made her sound sad was a little flap of skin?

"
Gnaw it off," I suggested.   "That's what I do.  It looks gross, but at least it'll stop catching on stuff."

"
You reckon?"  She stared at her finger dubiously, then shrugged and lifted her finger to her mouth to do as I suggested.  While she was at it, I went over and sat down on the tailgate beside her.  It was rare for us to have a moment alone, so I decided it was as good a time as any to check on her well-being.

"
How are you doing, Skye?" I asked softly, watching her carefully to gauge her reaction.  "With the baby thing, I mean.  We've hardly had time to talk at all."

She paused in her nibbling and stared at me for a moment, then shrugged and glanced away.
 "I'm… coping.  It sucks, and it hurts – both physically, and in my heart – but there's no way for us to go back and change the past.  At least we learned a lesson from it – listeria poisoning is bad, and now we know how to avoid it.  So, when you and Michael have a baby, you won't have to go through that."

"
What makes you think that Michael and I are having a baby?" I asked, startled by the notion.  We'd talked about it in passing, sure, but mostly just as a joke.

"
I've seen the way you look at him, sis," she said with a tender smile.  "You love him.  You really, really love him.  The two of you should have a baby together, because all babies deserve a mother and father that love each other that much."

I stared at her for a moment, then turned away, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks.
 She wasn't wrong, but that was what made it so difficult to accept.  Michael was so ready to be a dad, but I was not ready to be a mother.

"
Maybe one day, but not today," I answered.  Suddenly, I desperately wanted to change the subject.  "So, anyway.  I've got the kids finding some firewood.  Can I trust you to take care of preparing dinner?"

"
Of course," she agreed, rising to her feet.  "I'll go see what I can rustle up."

"
Thanks, little sis."  I gave her a grateful smile.  She returned it, and scampered off about her business, leaving me to ponder hard questions on my own.

The night passed more or less uneventfully.  Every now and then, one of the watchers called out that they'd spotted something, and once I even thought I heard a growl, but when the sun finally rose there was no sign of danger.  If the mutants had followed us, they'd retreated by morning.

We were back on the move as swiftly as possible, following the same road eastwards that we'd used previously.
 Once we left the earthquake zone, the going was smooth and easy.  I napped in the passenger seat of the Hilux for most of the morning, leaving Michael to concentrate on driving.  We stopped briefly at the cornfield to bolster our supplies, then we were back on the road again.

Shortly before noon, I felt the Hilux roll to a stop.
 I dragged myself out of the warm, comfortable embrace of sleep, to find that we'd already reached the point at the base of the hills where the road started to climb up into cliffs and narrow ravines.

"
We can't follow the road up there," Michael said, looking at me for guidance.  "Remember, there was that break we had to climb around?"

"
I remember."  I nodded thoughtfully.  "We're just going to have to go around the base of the cliff.  It's not going to be fun, but at least the rain's cleared up for now."

A few minutes later, I stood with my group spread out around me, enjoying a moment of sunshine while I could.
 When the last of them fell into place, I cleared my throat and addressed them.

"
All right, guys, we're going off-road for a while," I said.  "Unfortunately, there's a bloody great hole in the road up ahead, so we're going to have to take the long way.  I need every strong hand that isn't behind the wheel of a car or the handles of a bike out in front, clearing away any obstructions.  This is pig country, so everyone stay on high alert.  Don't let your guard down.  Now, I need two people to ride ahead and scout for the best route.  Volunteers?"

The hands of everyone that knew how to ride the bikes – and several who didn't – shot up.
 I didn't even try to fight my grin.  It felt like the bigger our group got, the more people wanted to volunteer to help.  They probably just wanted to impress one another, but I didn't mind.  It pleased me to see people willing to participate.

"
Okay, Skye and Richard," I called, pointing to each of them in turn.  "I need you two to find the path of least resistance and guide us to it.  Be extra careful, and if you see, hear, or smell anything out of the ordinary, come back.  Got it?"

Skylar blinked in obvious surprise.
 "Really?  You want me to go?"

"
You put your hand up," I pointed out.  "Do you want to go or not?"

"
Well, yes, but I didn't actually expect you to pick me," she answered.  "You never pick me."

"
It's just logistics, sis," I answered, chuckling.  "You two are small, agile, and can move quickly, plus I know you can handle yourselves in a fight.  Sending you two means I have the stronger lads here to help with the heavy lifting.  No offense, Richard."

"
None taken," he answered, grinning broadly.  Richard was a slender, soft-spoken man, and while he was stronger than he looked, he didn't possess the brute strength of his kinsmen.  I smiled back at him, silently acknowledging his understanding.

Skye cocked her head to one side thoughtfully, then suddenly she grinned as well.
 "Okay, cool!  I like this logic.  C'mon, Richard.  You'll need to show me how to ride."

"
Take the quad bikes, they're easier on rough terrain," I called after her.

Once they were off, I turned my attention back to the rest of the group.
 My group, I realised with a sudden flash of pride.  My friends.  My family.  My… minions?  The thought almost made me laugh out loud.  Instead, I distracted myself with more logistics.

"
Okay," I clapped my hands and started handing out roles.  "Zain, I want you to lead in the Hilux.  You know these trucks better than anyone, so make sure you sing out if we try to take them somewhere they can't handle.  Doc, you're in the second truck with the youngest kids.  Ana, are you good to drive?"

"
Yes, I should be able to," she answered, nodding.

"
Good."  I smiled at her, trying to be reassuring.  She wasn't quite back to her usual bubbly self yet, but she was definitely on the mend.  "Please take the third truck.  Elly, bring up the rear.  Matt, Priyanka, I want you on watch duty.  Do you know what that means?"

"
Means we watch," Priya answered immediately, playfully pulling her eyelids back with her fingertips.  "We watch for pigs, for bad mens, all bad things.  Yes?"

"
Perfect."  I nodded and grinned at her.  "If you see anything bad, or even something you're not sure about, you shout as loud as you can.  Okay?"

"
Okies!" Priya agreed immediately, nodding.  "We watch good.  No bads get past us!"

"
Very good," I acknowledged, pleased by both her enthusiasm and her quick uptake.  I looked at Matt, and gave him a smile as well.  "Do you understand what you need to do, too?"

"
Yes ma'am," the youth answered quietly.  "Watch duty.  Anything out of the ordinary, we'll shout."

"
Good man," I answered.  "Don't hesitate, even if you're not sure.  Take Alfie with you.  I don't want you two taking any risks, got it?"

Both of the teenagers nodded their understanding.
 I looked at the rest of the faces in the crowd, and gave them a grin.

"
All right, guys," I announced.  "Everyone else is with me.  Let's get to it!"

***

A few hours later, a cool wind told me that the rain was about to return, and this time it came as a relief.  Most of the brush was thin enough for the trucks to just drive through, there were still occasional mounds of deadfall and loose rocks blocking the path.  It was hard, heavy labour, and I ended up drenched with sweat in no time at all.

I felt a raindrop land on my shoulder and glanced up at the sky.
 Dark clouds were rolling in, but they weren't truly threatening.  It wasn't a storm, just rain.  A few droplets fell on my face, and made me smile.

"
What are you grinning at?" Skylar asked.

I jumped at the unexpected sound of her voice, and spun around.
 "Damn, don't scare me like that.  No one told me you were back."

"
We just got here," Skye replied.  "So, what are you grinning about?"

"
Oh, just the rain," I admitted with a shrug.  "I like the rain.  It's peaceful.  Soothing.  Washes away all our sins, and leaves the world clean and sparkling."

"
It's also wet and cold," Skye pointed out.  "Anyway, I need to show you something so we can figure out what to do."

"
Okay," I agreed.  "Is it far?  Should I get a bike?"

"
Nah, not far.  We can take mine.  Richard's back there, talking to Ropata."  Skye turned and led the way off into the bush.  I grabbed my shotgun and hurried after her.  We climbed onto the back of her quad bike, and then we were off.

It only took a few minutes to reach our destination.
 Skye eased our bike to a stop and pointed ahead of us, but the gesture was unnecessary.  I spotted the problem immediately: a shallow stream cut across our path, winding between earthen banks at least a foot high.

"
Well, that is a problem," I said, easing myself off the back of the bike so I could take a better look.  Skye joined me a few seconds later.  "If I remember rightly, we crossed a little to the north on our way home from Arapuni, in the deeper forest.  The trucks can't go that way."

"
Yeah.  We already checked, and this is the only way that isn't blocked by trees," Skye replied, shaking her head.  "Unless we want to backtrack for ages, we have to find a way across.  Can we build a bridge, do you think?"

"
Nah, I don't think we need to," I answered thoughtfully.  "We'll just flatten the banks.  It'll take a bit of digging, but it shouldn't be too bad."  I pulled my walkie-talkie off my belt, and spoke into it.  "Michael?"

There was a momentary delay, then his deep voice came on, husky and out of breath.
 "Yes?"

"
Can you please send Richard back this way with shovels?" I asked.  "He should be somewhere near you."

"
I see him," Michael said.  "No problem, I'll pass on the orders.  Stay safe."

"
Always."  I hung up, and put my radio back on my belt.  When I glanced back at Skylar, I caught her trying very hard not to laugh.  I raised a brow, and gave her a look.  "What are you giggling at, little sis?"

"
Oh, just you and Michael," she answered dryly.  "You're so formal when you know people are watching, but as soon as you think no one's looking, the lovebirds come out."

"
Gah, this again?"  I threw my hands up in mock irritation.  "You're such a gossip fiend."

"
Totally am," Skye agreed cheerfully.  "What can I say?  You're an easy target."

"
Don't make me kick your butt, you cheeky miss," I told her, but she must have seen on my face that I was only joking.  She just laughed.

"
As if!"  She planted her hands on her hips, and rolled her eyes dramatically.  "I'm your baby sister.  You couldn't hurt me if you tried."

"
True."  I paused for a second, studying her thoughtfully.  "Speaking of which, how are you dealing with Ryan being back?"

"
I dunno," she admitted with a shrug.  "We've… talked, but it's not like it used to be.  I'm not sure it'll ever be like it used to be.  He's changed so much that I'm not sure he's still the same person I was engaged to."

"
Did he tell you where he went while he was away?" I asked, genuinely curious to hear the answer.  To my surprise, Skye hesitated.

"
He…"  She glanced down at the ground, and her expression changed to something I'd never seen before.  "He tried to kill himself, Sandy."