Read Online From The Ashes (Life After War) by Angela White - Free Book Online

recovered from their shock. They hadn't expected to see any kids here. Adrian would be delighted–and as revolted as they were right now, seeing the bruises, shrunken faces, and the other signs of abuse.
    Kyle held out a hand, assisting the fearful kids. They pulled away from his light touch the second their small feet reached the ground and he hoped they wouldn't go fleeing into the night.
    “ Get the supplies out, Neil” Kyle ordered. “Get them fed and talking, or we'll lose them.”
    Neil and the others did as he instructed, savage men now shoved back inside their facades, but the children knew and shied away. Monsters were easier to spot in this new world–even those who didn't recognize themselves.
     
    5
    “ Here they come.”
    Jennifer didn't respond to Lilly's half excited, half fearful comment. She belonged to Cesar, too–all of the slaves locked in this semi to keep them unspoiled were his–and they listened as the truck next to them was opened.
    “ They're all dead. Come on out.”
    Jennifer and Lilly exchanged glances, but not determined, 'we'll make it together' stares. These were eternal vows of hatred.
    “ Don't do it this time.” Lilly's words came out in a low rush of terror-inspired courage. “Don't make deals with them. If you promise, we won't tell them about you.”
    Jennifer felt the support of the other women in their truck–they were all against her–and the terror of the children crammed in behind her. They were afraid that she would agree.
    Jennifer clenched her fists. “Let the new owners hurt the kids, so that you don't have to serve. Is that what you're asking me to do?”
    Lilly leaned forward, eyeing Jennifer's big stomach threateningly. “No. I'm telling you.”
    Jennifer punched Lilly in the jaw, making sure it split her lip. Those stung for days.
    Lilly hit the side of the truck, rattling their hanging belongings.
    “ You don't tell me,” Jennifer warned coldly, standing up. “I tell you!”
    Lilly picked herself up off the filthy floor, wiping blood from her mouth as the other women scrambled away from them.
    Jennifer's stomach was grotesquely big in the light of their flickering candle. Lilly stared at it, keeping her distance this time. “I mean it, bruja. No more deals for us or your baby won't live.”
    The teenager stared back at Lilly without blinking, hating her. It never should have come to this. After a raid on a big city, the women in camp had sometimes numbered enough to overtake the Mexicans.
    “ Are you challenging me... coward?”
    A cold chill invaded the semi–an ill wind that all of the watching women were scared of. They'd felt it before, and none of them were willing to step forward while crammed into this semi. Jennifer's aim was too good.
    Lilly reluctantly backed down, but only as much as she had to. “No. Only your right to make us trade our bodies for someone else's kids. We don't owe them anything.”
    Fist raised, Jennifer lunged forward, ignoring the twinges from her gut. “Those kids are worth your life!”
    Lilly cringed back and Jennifer followed, sure this would be going very differently if they were outside. The other women might be just as scared, but together, they were all angry.
    “ If you don't take their place, you will be disobeying a direct order. I won't tolerate that!”
    Jennifer pulled the fire back in, hearing the male voices coming closer. “And you'll be the first one I fry in the fight,” she stated ruthlessly. “I loathe you.”
    Lilly clamped down on an equally hateful retort as the door was shoved up, but her glare didn't fade.
    “ Come on out. They're all dead,” the man at the door called.
    The women moved for the door after Lilly, and Jennifer gathered the children that didn't shy from her gentle touch. They knew they had nothing to fear from her.
    “ Come on out. They can't hurt you anymore,” the man helping them down soothed.
    Jennifer took her time getting to the door, trying to decide what to do. She