Read Online Freefall by Traci Hunter Abramson - Free Book Online

adulthood.
    Maybe that was why she had been so eager to get out on her own. She didn’t want to be part of the singles scene, and the few times she had attended the singles ward at home she had felt like everyone expected she was just there to find a husband. She glanced over at Brent and wondered if he had the same problem. Perhaps he just wasn’t interested in a relationship at this point in his life. His life was certainly exciting enough without adding any other elements to it.
    Still lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed Brent slow his pace. He reached out and touched her shoulder to get her attention as he approached the riverbank. He then signaled for her to be quiet as they moved slowly forward.
    She expected that he would find a spot to leave her so that he could scout out the village, but instead he motioned for her to follow behind him. The village was primitive, made of simple huts. Even though the sun was now visible, they couldn’t see any sign of life in the village except for some livestock near the river. A goat stood on the bank drinking water and a few chickens were pecking the ground outside the nearest hut. Three horses were grazing just beyond it.
    The dock that gave the village access to the river was void of boats, an oddity in itself. From where they stood, sheltered by a few trees, Amy could see a watchtower that was twice as tall as the huts surrounding it, but it too appeared empty.
    Brent studied the village for several minutes before finally turning to Amy. He signaled for her to be quiet and then drew his gun and motioned for her to follow him. He moved to the first hut, peered inside, and then led the way to the next one. Slowly, meticulously, he checked out each of the huts, over twenty of them, before moving to the watchtower in the center of the village.
    â€œStay here,” Brent whispered before starting up the ladder. He reached the top, staying low so that he couldn’t be seen by anyone in the distance. With his binoculars he scrutinized the countryside before descending the ladder to where Amy was waiting.
    â€œDid you see anything?”
    Brent nodded. “There are signs of a battle in the town a couple of miles upriver. The villagers must have deserted their homes and fled for safety.”
    â€œThey can’t have been gone long since they still have animals grazing here.”
    â€œThe boats are all gone, but those horses look domesticated.” Brent stared down at her a moment. “You can ride a horse, can’t you?”
    â€œYeah, I can ride.” Amy looked around the eerily quiet village. “Are we staying here for the day?”
    â€œActually, if you’re up for it, I’d rather start for the coast. If anyone comes along today, those horses will be long gone before we would be able to set out tonight.”
    â€œIsn’t that pretty risky?” Amy asked hesitantly.
    â€œI think it’s riskier to stay here.” Brent pushed open the door to the hut where he had seen some of the locals’ clothing left behind. “If it was safe, the villagers would have already returned.”
    Amy took the robe Brent handed her. “I don’t suppose you saw any bridles anywhere.”
    â€œThere’s some rope beneath the watchtower.” Brent moved to look beneath the two-story platform. Suddenly he jumped back and aimed his weapon at the dark space in the corner.
    Instinctively, Amy moved back. Fumbling, she retrieved the pistol from her bag just as Brent kicked another weapon out into the dirt in front of her. She didn’t know much about weapons but she recognized the gun in front of her. It was the same kind her captors had used.
    A moment later, Brent pulled a motionless man out from beneath the tower. He wasn’t dressed like a local but instead wore some kind of uniform.
    â€œIs he—?” Amy left her question dangling as Brent checked the man’s pockets.
    â€œYeah, he’s dead, but