Read Online What Remains_Reckoning by Kris Norris - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kris Norris
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come looking.”
Hamilton gave her another squeeze. “Don’t worry. We can handle Beau. Let’s just get somewhere safe for a bit. We can work it out there.”
Gunner seemed to accept the reasoning and turned hard onto the narrow path after the rock. The truck shuddered as the tires fought to get traction then lurched forward, bumping along the trail as it wound its way up the side of the mountain. Nothing but trees graced the dirt track, the long, sweeping branches nearly touching the vehicle as they followed the road, finally stopping when a small cabin appeared in the twin beams of light.
Gunner slowed, finally stopping at an odd-looking gate. “Is this the place?”
She gave him her first real smile. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but…” She motioned to the gate. “It’s not quite as impressive as Beau’s complex, but it keeps the animals in and those bastards out. At least, it kept the old breed out. Who knows about this new one. Though the wire seems to be a bit harder for them to scale. It’s quite sharp.”
Wolfe nodded at the gate. “Does it just slide open?”
“Like I said. It’s not that sophisticated.”
Gunner grinned. “It’s a far sight better than that damn barn. Wolfe…”
The man did a quick scan of the area then jumped out, easily opening the gate. He marshaled them inside, closing it behind them before jogging toward the cabin, rifle at the ready. Morgan watched him disappear inside, not sure how she felt about him risking his safety for her—or them—even if the others seemed more than okay with it.
The man appeared a minute later, giving what she assumed was the ‘all clear’ signal. Hamilton shuffled her off his lap, climbing out of the truck before offering her his hand. She stared at it for several heartbeats before accepting. She managed about two steps before her legs gave out, and she fell against him, a whimper of pain hissing free.
Hamilton scooped her up, holding her against his chest as his lips brushed along her forehead. “Easy, baby. We’ll get you inside where you can rest. Promise. And I’m sure you’ll feel much better once you get your strength back.”
She wanted to assure him she was more than fine now, but as the edges of her vision started to fade, she knew she wouldn’t get it out before she succumbed to her body’s demands. She closed her eyes, enjoying the play of his muscles as he climbed the three short steps to the porch and entered the cabin, shutting out the rest of the world.
Chapter Five
Gunner reclined in one of the wooden chairs placed around the small table, hands loosely laced together as he watched Morgan toss restlessly on the couch. Hamilton had carried the girl in two hours ago, and she’d been out of it since. After the jolts she’d received from the baton, Gunner had expected her to sleep like the dead. But from the moment Ham had placed her on the sofa, she’d mumbled incoherent phrases, her limbs jerking roughly against the cushions, looking as if she were fighting invisible intruders in her dreams. Then she’d started screaming before staggering to her feet and trying to stumble out of the cabin, only to have Hamilton settle her back down. Even then, she’d fought him, lashing out before falling into his arms, barely lucid. He’d given Gunner a look that had damn near taken him to his knees. Pain. Remorse. It was a look he hadn’t seen on his friend’s face since they’d discovered their families were gone. That the damn apocalypse had claimed everyone they’d ever cared about.
Ham had finally gotten her to return to the couch, draping part of her upper body across his thighs as he gently stroked her hair, soothing the violent twitching of her muscles. She’d drifted off again, but the dreams had returned, and he’d spent the last thirty minutes trying just to keep her from waking up screaming again.
The door to the cabin opened as Wolfe entered, glancing at Morgan before scraping out
Hamilton gave her another squeeze. “Don’t worry. We can handle Beau. Let’s just get somewhere safe for a bit. We can work it out there.”
Gunner seemed to accept the reasoning and turned hard onto the narrow path after the rock. The truck shuddered as the tires fought to get traction then lurched forward, bumping along the trail as it wound its way up the side of the mountain. Nothing but trees graced the dirt track, the long, sweeping branches nearly touching the vehicle as they followed the road, finally stopping when a small cabin appeared in the twin beams of light.
Gunner slowed, finally stopping at an odd-looking gate. “Is this the place?”
She gave him her first real smile. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but…” She motioned to the gate. “It’s not quite as impressive as Beau’s complex, but it keeps the animals in and those bastards out. At least, it kept the old breed out. Who knows about this new one. Though the wire seems to be a bit harder for them to scale. It’s quite sharp.”
Wolfe nodded at the gate. “Does it just slide open?”
“Like I said. It’s not that sophisticated.”
Gunner grinned. “It’s a far sight better than that damn barn. Wolfe…”
The man did a quick scan of the area then jumped out, easily opening the gate. He marshaled them inside, closing it behind them before jogging toward the cabin, rifle at the ready. Morgan watched him disappear inside, not sure how she felt about him risking his safety for her—or them—even if the others seemed more than okay with it.
The man appeared a minute later, giving what she assumed was the ‘all clear’ signal. Hamilton shuffled her off his lap, climbing out of the truck before offering her his hand. She stared at it for several heartbeats before accepting. She managed about two steps before her legs gave out, and she fell against him, a whimper of pain hissing free.
Hamilton scooped her up, holding her against his chest as his lips brushed along her forehead. “Easy, baby. We’ll get you inside where you can rest. Promise. And I’m sure you’ll feel much better once you get your strength back.”
She wanted to assure him she was more than fine now, but as the edges of her vision started to fade, she knew she wouldn’t get it out before she succumbed to her body’s demands. She closed her eyes, enjoying the play of his muscles as he climbed the three short steps to the porch and entered the cabin, shutting out the rest of the world.
Chapter Five
Gunner reclined in one of the wooden chairs placed around the small table, hands loosely laced together as he watched Morgan toss restlessly on the couch. Hamilton had carried the girl in two hours ago, and she’d been out of it since. After the jolts she’d received from the baton, Gunner had expected her to sleep like the dead. But from the moment Ham had placed her on the sofa, she’d mumbled incoherent phrases, her limbs jerking roughly against the cushions, looking as if she were fighting invisible intruders in her dreams. Then she’d started screaming before staggering to her feet and trying to stumble out of the cabin, only to have Hamilton settle her back down. Even then, she’d fought him, lashing out before falling into his arms, barely lucid. He’d given Gunner a look that had damn near taken him to his knees. Pain. Remorse. It was a look he hadn’t seen on his friend’s face since they’d discovered their families were gone. That the damn apocalypse had claimed everyone they’d ever cared about.
Ham had finally gotten her to return to the couch, draping part of her upper body across his thighs as he gently stroked her hair, soothing the violent twitching of her muscles. She’d drifted off again, but the dreams had returned, and he’d spent the last thirty minutes trying just to keep her from waking up screaming again.
The door to the cabin opened as Wolfe entered, glancing at Morgan before scraping out
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