A Very Quite Monday/NaNo Story
Today has been a good day. Had time to do filing that I really hate doing. But it's all finished. Answered all my work related e-mails and broke down all the overtime my office ran two weeks ago. My manager is really slow. And once again the people I have hired have made me wonder if I shouldn't give intelligence test before I hire them.
Enough about work. I've tried three times in the last week to write fan fiction and just can't get my mind to wrap around anything. I'm hoping that by transcribing the Facts of Life story and the missing chapter of my B5 story that I will be able to jump start my muses.
Okay enough of my rambling, on to the story. Only three chapters or parts if you like after this one. Then its on to missing scenes and expanding other scenes before my personal deadline of May 5.
Title: Through The Flames
Pairing: Original Story
Rating: R, for language, violence, sexual situations, and death.
Author: Lori Dragus
A/N: This story was wrote for the 2008 NaNo. This is pretty much how it went into the word count machine. I have made only minor spelling and grammar corrections. There are continuity problems.
A/N2: After finishing the story I decided I didn't like the names of some of my main characters so the names will change in the final draft.
Summary: It's been four years since the plague killed off every living male human and ninety two percent of the female population. In the midwest state of Oklahoma two different groups are trying to survive. The Amazons, who have taken over Oklahoma City and restored some semblance of civilization. And the Freeholders, that live in small family units outside of the large city. These two worlds are about to collide.
Chapter Five
Paige felt like she had been walking for ever. Callie seemed to know where she was going. And there really wasn’t anything on the road. The sun hadn’t quit set yet, but it was getting close and Paige hoped she was near where she needed to be.
Callie started barking and took off running across the field. Yelling at Callie to stop, Paige came up short when she saw the dog jump up and lick the face of another girl.
The girl pushed Callie down gently and looked at Paige.
“You must be Paige,” the girl said. “I’m Janie and my aunt Sydney sent me to make sure you were okay.”
“Yeah I’m Paige,” Paige said walking up to the girl. “So how much further?”
“Not far about half an hour,” Janie said petting Callie on the head. “This way.”
Paige fell into step with Janie. As they walked Paige decided that Janie was about the same age as she was.
“So is this place nice?”
“Yeah it is,” Janie said turning to smile at the other girl. “By the way I was asked to give you a message.”
“From.”
“Sara. She said to tell you that you move too slow.”
Janie watched as the girl she had been sent to get started to sputter then stopped.
“Not Sara. Haylie maybe but not Sara,” Paige said looking at the other girl.
“Your right. Sara’s message was just be safe and careful.”
“Now that’s Sara,” Paige said smiling.
“Sara your girlfriend,” Janie asked smiling at her new traveling partner.
Paige started to answer Janie with a no, then paused for a moment.
“Not really sure, she could be,” Paige said confusion in her voice.
“Don’t worry you two will figure it out. Mia’s my girl,” Janie said as they continued walking.
“I thought you all were Sydney’s niece’s,” Paige asked with another confused look.
“I am but not by blood. My Aunt Twilla was an old girlfriend of Sydney’s and when the world went to shit my aunt went looking for Sydney and found her.”
“So is your aunt there too,” Paige asked.
“No she died a little while after we all got to the ranch. Sydney has been good to us,” Janie said as the small group crested a hill and Paige caught sight of the house for the first time.
“Shit it’s huge,” Paige said as she picked up the pace a little.
“Yeah it is.”
Both girls fell silent as they finished the last leg of the journey.
Sydney was standing on the front porch with a mug of coffee and all the dogs lying around her feet. She had left Isabella in the kitchen with the girls. Including Paige and Janie both who had gotten back about an hour ago. She had managed not to look into the den to see how Beth was doing with Alissa. Sydney didn’t want to have to think about how Alissa was doing. And the consequences of her dying were just too great. Sydney knew Mel would do everything in her power to make sure that people believed that Sydney had something to do with Alissa‘s death.
Sipping the coffee and gazing at the buffalo as they moved across the yard Sydney’s mind turned to her other problem, Isabella. She didn’t know what she was going to do about that either. The situation was way complicated.
The front door opened and Lyndsey walked out to stand beside her sister.
“Beth says she should be okay in a day or two,” Lyndsey said taking the cup from Sydney and draining it. “Ugh, how can you drink it that way?”
Taking the cup back from her sister Sydney smiled, “Years of practice. Is Beth going to join us?”
The door opened again to Beth with a small plate of food and three more mugs.
“Yes I am,” Beth said sitting the tray down on the wide railing. “I thought we could all use some food.”
Sydney and Lyndsey both reached for a mug and one of the sandwiches.
“Thanks,” Sydney said taking a bite of the sandwich.
“So you going to tell us what’s going on?” Beth asked taking a bite from her own sandwich.
Sydney gazed back out at the large animals as they moved slowly back and forth across the grounds.
“First I’m not sure what all is going on but I am sure we’re not going to like it. Mel was with the Gold’s when they were attacked. And I think Mel has been chasing us since we left the city.”
“What did Mel want with you,” Lyndsey asked.
“Not me Isabella. She got hung up on Isabella and got it in her head that she would be going to one of the compounds. Thing is Isabella’s a nun,” Sydney said as she took another bite from her sandwich.
“The way she looked at you didn’t look very nun like to me,” Beth said as she moved closer to Lyndsey.
“She wasn’t having a crisis of faith until she meet me. Right now that’s not what’s important. Mel had the Gold’s chasing after Isabella and her girls. And from what I saw the crazies in Norman don’t seem to like the Gold’s too well which doesn‘t make much sense.”
“There can’t be that many left in Norman,” Lyndsey said.
“That’s what I thought till I saw about a hundred of them attack an Amazon Unit and win,” Sydney said then paused to gather her thoughts. “I would bet anything Mel has something to do with that also. But I’m going to have to try to get word to Pilar that Alissa is alive.”
“You think that’s a good idea,” Beth asked.
“I have to before she thinks I had something to do with the deaths of her two youngest daughters.”
“Do you really think she would believe you could have anything to do with them dying?” Lyndsey said with a look disgust on her face. “There’s no way.”
“The world has changed. I’ve changed, she’s changed,” Sydney said.
“You both haven’t changed that much,” Beth said.
“That’s your oppion. Look the thing is I sent Paige with a message to Mickey to try and find out what is going on in Norman. Hopefully we’ll know before Pilar comes to hang me,” Sydney said.
“Pilar wouldn’t do that,” Beth said again.
“She may not have a choice; the girls are loved by the Nation. And the Nation may demand blood,” Sydney said.
“So what do you plan on doing,” Lyndsey asked.
“First thing tomorrow I’m sending Janie out to the other Freeholders letting them know that the Nation may be expanding and that we need to all meet. By the time we meet I hope to have heard from Mickey.”
“And if not?” Beth asked.
“We get ready for a war.”
All three women turned to look out into the dark as silence fell on the ranch.
Mel was amazed at how fast her soldiers rushed back toward the city. It was as if they were eager to get back to their safe haven. Or to get ready for the fight that was coming. They had only been attacked a few times as they made their way back. And as luck would have it on the way back they had found the arrow felled body of the courier.
The outrage on the face of the Queens Captain had made Mel smile and congratulate herself on thinking to make it look like the Techno Geeks had done it. It was making what had happened look more like the fringe elements where trying to start a war. And that was just what Mel wanted and needed at this time.
“General,” Captain Isbill said as she stood a little ways off from the General. “The horses are here to take you to the Capital.”
Mel smiled as she turned to look at her Captain of the Guard.
“Let’s go, we can’t keep the Queen waiting.”
Stacy nodded and led the way to where the horse’s had been picketed.
The shadow moved swiftly along the walls of the building. The movement so slight that most would never have seen it. The entrance to the old water works hung askew. Moving into the building the shadow made its way into the dark.
Laura Beagle looked at the ragged woman before her and cringed. The crazies of Norman always gave her the willies and this one seemed worse than all the others. Especially since she knew she had something to do with this ones appearance.
“Are you sure about this Peggy,” Laura asked the misshapen old woman.
“Yes. The shadows whisper that the Geeks killed an unarmed courier and that you were helping the crazies when they killed the Queens daughters.”
Shit, shit Laura thought as the old woman finished.
“Okay go see Becky and tell her I said to feed you and to let you find your way out,” Laura said turning and already trying to figure out how she was going to get what was left of her people out of this. She should never have trusted the General. “Yolanda I need you in here now.”
Rachel watched the frantic activity of the Geeks. She had yet to figure out what they were up to. But whatever it was had started about an hour ago and was still going on. When the white flag went up Rachel almost fell off the horse she was sitting on.
“Sonja go meet them now,” Rachel called out as the doors to the building opened and a small party exited. “Bring them straight to my tent. And don’t let anything happen to them.”
The scout nodded and took off running grabbing two of her fellow scouts on the way.
Rachel turned her horse and headed back to her tent. Maybe this would end up alright.
The sun had long set and Lyndsey had shown Isabella and the girls to the rooms they could use. The girls had fallen to sleep exhausted from the day they just had.
Isabella hadn’t been able to sleep though. Her mind kept going back to the kiss she had shared with Sydney. The feel of Sydney’s arms around her. The rightness of those arms. Isabella had tried praying, but her mind wouldn’t stay focused. Getting up from the bed Isabella made her way down the stairs toward the kitchen. A small light was left burning for those who needed it in the middle of the night. Walking into the kitchen she paused when she glimpsed the shadow at the other side of the large room. Taking a deep breath she walked over to Sydney.
“Have you checked on Alissa,” Isabella asked as she came to a stop beside the quite woman.
“Yes,” Sydney said as she reached out and pulled Isabella toward her.
Isabella started to pull away when she first felt the tug from Sydney but gave in and let the other woman pull her in.
“I am sorry about what is going on,” Isabella said.
“It’s not your fault.”
“It is. I didn’t mean to lead the General on. I never meant to involve any one else in this. And I never meant for your daughter to get hurt,” Isabella said laying her head on Sydney’s shoulder.
“My daughter?” Sydney asked as she moved her head to look at Isabella.
“I’m not stupid Sydney, just a nun. You act toward Alissa like a parent would. Your sister and friend were adamant that the Queen wouldn’t be able to think you had something to do with this.”
Sydney kissed the top of Isabella’s head.
“You see a lot for a nun.”
“Have to you’d be surprised what kids try to get away with now a days.”
“I knew Pilar before all this started. I was there when the girls were born. Changed their diapers. Walked the floor when they were sick. Then the world went crazy. Pilar went from being a Senator to being a Queen. Our ideals went in two different directions. And the one person that had kept us together died in the plague.”
Isabella wrapped her arms around the woman that in such a short time had turned her life upside down more than the plague had or even the General.
“So what do we do now?” Isabella asked.
“Tomorrow I’m sending Janie to gather the other Freeholders. I thought I would send Paige with her.”
“Paige is a child…” Isabella started.
“No Paige is an adult. She’s a year older than Janie. And right now she needs to learn how to survive.”
Isabella nodded in to Sydney’s neck.
“I know your right, I just worry.”
“All parents worry. Comes with the job. Second we need to get ready for what I’m afraid is coming. Mel won’t let this opportunity escape her. And the woman I sent Paige to I hope will have something for me by the time the other Freeholders get to the meeting place.”
“Their not coming here,” Isabella asked.
“No to dangerous. We have a place we can all meet away from where we live.”
“And us. This?”
Sydney stood holding the slightly smaller woman. Her mind running in circles.
“Take it slow I guess,” Sydney said.
“And if I don’t want to take it slow?”
“You’re a nun and I used to be a soldier. Not even in the best of times would this be easy,” Sydney reached down and lifted Isabella’s chin so that the other woman was looking at her. “I like you, and the Bright Lady knows I can fall in love at the drop of a pin. But you are different. And I want that difference.”
The butterflies in Isabella’s stomach were trying to break free but that didn’t stop her from stretching up and kissing Sydney.
“So do I,” Isabella said against Sydney’s lips before kissing the woman harder.
Sydney wanted nothing more than to carry Isabella up to her room and stay there till this whole thing was over and that almost happened when Isabella managed to slip her tongue into Sydney’s mouth. The kiss lasted forever and only a split second.
“We should both get some sleep,” Sydney said as she pulled back from Isabella. “Tomorrow is just the beginning.”
“Okay,” Isabella said. “Could you stay with me?”
Sydney nodded and lead the both of them from the kitchen.
Rachel stared at the group of woman across from her. They didn’t seem like much but she knew that once they were the best in their fields. Scientist and Engineer’s. Now they were standing in an open field with a white flag trying to save the list bit of their dignity.
“Who’s the leader here,” Rachel asked as the last of the Geeks stood up from where they had been sitting on the ground.
“I am,” said a tall rail thin dark haired woman with brown eyes. Some might have thought her pretty. Rachel thought she would be nothing but trouble. “I’m Dr. Laura Beagle.”
“I’m Commander Rachel Steiner,” Rachel said as she looked over the five women in the small group. “Your surrender is not negotionable. You will all come out and return to the Capital for judgment.”
“I don’t think so Commander,” Laura said as she moved to sit down on one of the chairs they had brought out. “I believe I have some information you will find very interesting.”
“Really,” Rachel said glaring down at the woman before her.
“Yes and I don’t think anyone will be heading back to the Capital,” Laura said pulling her satchel forward. “What’s in here will change your mind and hopefully every one else‘s.”
Laughing Rachel sat down in an unoccupied chair.
“All right Doctor show me what you got.”
Three hours later Rachel had sent her scouts off to find the information she needed. And if what was in those papers was true. The shit was about to hit the fan and Rachel didn‘t know if she wanted to be the one to help it happen. And it took another two hours for anyone to notice that one of her junior officers and Linda were missing.
Sherri walked into the room and dismissed everyone with out even once looking at Pilar.
“You had no right to do that,” Pilar yelled as the last of her staff left. “You had better have a good reason.”
“One of the officers that we sent to bring Mel back came riding in a few minutes ago,” Sherri said walking over to stand right next to Pilar. “Mel and the Gold unit were in some kind of skirmish.”
“A skirmish,” Pilar asked a look of horror sliding over her face.
“They were attacked, and it doesn’t look good,” Sherri said pulling Pilar into her arms. “There weren’t many survivors.”
“Jennifer, Alissa,” Pilar gasped out.
“She wouldn’t say,” Sherri said. “Mel is on her way to make her report.”
“No they are okay,” Pilar said leaning into Sherri. “They have to be. They are all I have left of Carlos and…”
“I know,” Sherri said. “I just wanted to prepare you.”
Pilar let a few tears slide down her face. Not her girls. Not Jennifer. Not her babies.
Mel entered the city as if nothing was wrong in the world. She knew that Captain Wayland wanted her to go faster. But Mel had refused to go any faster than she wanted. Constantly making the Captain slow down and wait for her. Finally the Captain had enough and sent one of her junior officers on ahead. Mel had every belief that when she got to Pilar the woman would be ready to kill anyone she thought had anything to do with her daughters deaths, including the traitor Sydney Drake.
“General we really shouldn’t take our time,” Captain Wayland said as she waited once more for the General to reach her. “The Queen is undoubtly waiting for us.”
“I know Captain,” Mel said riding up beside the woman. “But riding into the middle of the Capital at break neck speed will not help. It might even make things worse.”
“How.”
“By panicking those in the city,” Mel said moving away from the now fuming Captain.
Mickey watched the women around the fire. There were more of them than there had been the last time she had come to see Rene. And it was taking her longer to find Rene among all these women. Most of the women present seemed crazier then ever. And the scars on their bodies made Mickey feel normal. Finally seeing another woman that she knew Mickey made her way over slowly staying in the shadows.
“Psst, Psst,” Mickey sent to get the other woman’s attention. “Cora.”
The woman that Mickey had been trying to get the attention of finally looked her way.
“Mickey,” Cora croaked out. “Wha cha doing here?”
“I need to talk to Rene,” Mickey said barely above a whisper. “Can you let her know?”
“Sure,” Cora croaked again. “Give me a bit to get to her.”
“Okay I’ll be waiting back here,” Mickey said as the other woman shuffled off.
Mickey moved back into the shadows and watched the women in the underground chamber. It had been almost six months since she had last came here and there hadn’t been half as many people then. The ages of the women were hard to tell. But one thing was the same they all had some kind of deformity. And not all of them looked natural or accidental. Mickey could tell that a heated discussion was taking place between two different groups. The women’s voice’s rising and lowering. If Mickey had been closer she may have been able to tell what was being said.
When Rene walked in to the shadows Mickey stopped watching the other women.
“Looks like a population explosion in there,” Mickey said as Rene stepped forward and gave her a hug.
“That’s an understatement,” Rene said taking Mickey’s hand. “Let’s go to my rooms, there’s a little more privacy.”
Mickey allowed the other woman to pull her along the dark corridor. The last time she had been here the halls had been lit. The dark was new.
“Someone forget to pay the light bill,” Mickey asked as the continued to move slowly down the hall. The soft laughter of the woman leading her, made Mickey think of a time long past.
“The new women prefer the dark, and to me it doesn’t matter. Not like I could tell anyway,” Rene said squeezing Mickey’s hand.
Soon both women reached the end of the hall and Rene pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the door to her room. The brightness of the room caught Mickey by surprise after the darkness of the halls. Watching as Rene closed and locked the door Mickey began to think that there was more to what ever Sydney had sent her after.
“Want something to drink,” Rene asked walking over to a small refrigerator.
“Water’s fine,” Mickey answered. “What’s going on Rene?”
“Straight to the point as always,” Rene said coming back over to Mickey and handing her a glass of cold water. “You never did learn tact.”
“Too old for tact and life is short,” Mickey said taking the glass and sitting it on the table. “So you gonna tell me or make me wait for it.”
“Let me just enjoy your beautiful company for a few more minutes,” Rene said moving over to the recliner in the room and sitting down. “But first you have to tell me who sent you.”
“What makes you think someone sent me?”
“Oh I don’t know maybe cause you said you’d be back when hell froze over,” Rene said chuckling a little.
“You sure hell hasn’t froze over,” Mickey replied.
“It just might have,” Rene said. “About two years ago women started showing up with new diseases and weird deformities. At first it wasn’t many, but over time the numbers increased. Four months ago soldiers marched in here and dropped off a shit load of women. And they’ve been doing it at least once a week since.”
“Where are they all coming from?”
“Most don’t remember who they used to be, a few do though. Mostly Freeholders or Fringers. They all say the same thing. They were taken from their homes brought to a secret place. Experimented on then dropped here.”
“What soldiers?” Mickey asked.
“They say the Gold Unit. I don’t believe that though. General Steiner is my thought,” Rene said.
“Why do you think that?”
“Was at a drop once hidinf in the shadows, heard some of the officers talking. The ones talking had come with the General once for some negotiations.”
“Shit, did these new women attack the Gold’s today?”
Rene’s face went white at the question, and Mickey’s stomach dropped. The shit was about to hit the fan.
“How did you know?”
“Sydney sent me a messenger earlier,” Mickey said taking a drink of the water and wishing that she still drank. “Do these women listen to you?”
“Not as much as I wished they did. You saw some when you got here. There are two groups. One that believes beyond a doubt that the Gold’s are behind this and the other that believes me.”
“Can you make both groups listen,” Mickey asked trying to figure out how they were all going to get out of this.
“Why?”
“The Commander of the Gold’s is or was the Queen’s daughter, and her youngest daughter was also a member,” Mickey said.
“Oh Goddess,” Rene said getting up and going to her dresser. Opening the bottom drawer she pulled out a bottle and poured a drink. “I’d offer.”
“Don’t think I didn’t think about it,” Mickey said as she watched Rene pour the drink.
“The Queen will kill us all,” Rene said turning back to Mickey. “How do we get out of this?”
“I don’t know but I do know that I need the leaders of both these groups and you. From there it will be up to Sydney,” Mickey said getting up and pacing around the room. “And first we have to make these women realize that the Queen will come for us all.”
“Yes,” Rene said reaching her hand out to grab Mickey as she passed by. “Then lets start, I doubt Sydney gave you long to gather information.”
“Long enough I hope,” Mickey said.
Rene squeezed Mickey’s arm and led the woman back out in to the hall and to the main meeting room where they could still here the arguments going on.
Pilar stood at the balcony window waiting for Melinda to show up. She had been in a kind of daze since Melinda had arrived earlier and delivered her news that both of Pilar’s younger daughters were dead and that somehow Sydney was involved. Pilar didn’t want to believe that Sydney could have done this. But the flimsy proof that Melinda had brought back had been enough to inflame those that had been present. And Pilar had had no choice but to declare the Freeholders and the Citizens of Norman enemies of the Nation. And as soon as the funeral arrangements where complete the Nation would turn toward its enemies.
The knock on the door sounded a few seconds before it opened to admit the General of the Gryphon Unit.
“You wished to see me your Highness,” Mel said in her best ass kissing voice.
“Yes, the Captain of my Guard said you had the jacket worn by my daughter Alissa,” Pilar said as she continued to stare out the window. “I wondered if you also had the jacket worn by Jennifer.”
Mel schooled her face and voice before answering.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t think to remove her jacket also,” Mel said her voice even.
“That’s unfortunate,” Pilar said. “I would have liked to have had both.”
Mel stood in the room staring at the Queen; she still wasn’t sure why she had been summoned here.
“Will General Desmond be joining us,” Mel asked trying to figure out what was wanted from her.
“No I sent her to tell Andrea what has happened and to make the arrangements for the funeral.”
“Can I ask why I am here,” Mel said.
“I want to know if you actually saw Sydney.”
Mel smiled and then quickly stilled her face. Good. Pilar was faltering. And if she fell far enough the citizens would turn against her. Or at least the soldiers would.
“Yes I’m afraid I did,” Mel answered.
“Did she know who Alissa and Jennifer were,” Pilar asked.
“She called them both by name, before leading the attack,” Mel said smiling to herself. “She seemed to focus on them.”
Mel watched as Pilar’s back stiffened and she turned around.
“You never liked Sydney,” Pilar stated. “I don’t ever remember a time that the two of you agreed on any thing.”
“We both had very different views,” Mel said.
“Yes different views. And do you still believe in the Nation,” Pilar asked.
“I have always believed in the Nation, and one day I see us as a leader in this new world.”
“Perhaps,” Pilar said turning back to the window. “Thank you for bringing back something of my daughters.”
“It was nothing,” Mel said.
“That’s all General you may go,” Pilar said dismissing Mel.
Mel slapped her chest in a salute and turned and left the room.
When the door shut Pilar let the tears fall that she had been holding back. Goddess Sydney couldn’t have had anything to do with this. They were her daughters also. She had raised them until the plague. Pilar would never believe that Sydney had been apart of this. But the people would. Melinda would see to that.
The shadow moved along the wall. Her back misshapen from the burden that she was carrying. It had taken her longer than she had thought to get back to the safe areas of Norman. Others had tried to take her burden and she had fought them. Most had given up after a few minutes a small few were dead.
Laying the blanket wrapped mystery on the ground she checked the area for intruders. Most had learned to leave her alone. Some still thought it fun to surprise her. The crazies of Norman stayed away from her. Not comfortable with the fact they thought she was a cannibal. She wasn’t but she didn’t disagree with them. She was a collector and she collected the pretty things. Not her fault that most of them were dead or almost dead when she collected them.
Picking her prize back up she made her way down the stairs to the basement.
The lighting was low, and the room clean. So clean you could have eaten off the floor. Low moaning could be heard coming from the far side of the room.
Laying her prize gently on the floor the shadow moved to the back of the room.
“Sorry,” the shadow said. “Took longer to get this one.”
The girl lying on the bed didn’t move. The moaning continued though.
Moving quickly around the room the shadow set up a new IV and reset the pump for the pain meds. Hanging a bag of nutrients next to the meds the shadow went back to the main room.
The blanket on the floor hadn’t moved. The shadow bent down and slowly unrolled her new prize.
As the blanket fell open the dark hair and olive skin of the girl inside could be seen. But what had first drawn the shadow to the young girl was not evident. The shadow worked carefully to remove the blanket. The wounds on the young girl had stopped bleeding but they could start again with too much movement. And the shadow wanted this prize. She had worked hard to get this one from the others.
When the fighting had started the shadow had kept to the shadows. Watching and waiting for the right moment. She had almost lost it when she noticed the others going through the soldiers and hacking at the bodies. Hurrying from the shadows she had lain across the young girl and dared anyone to touch her. Most of the crazies had turned away not wanting to see what the cannibal did. What none saw was that the young woman was still alive. The shadow had grabbed the young girl and thrown her over her shoulders and ran back to the shadows at the side of the road. Pulling the blanket from her pack the shadow had begun wrapping the young girl up. She almost gave up when the young girl opened her eyes.
The blues eyes of the young girl she had pulled from the pile of bodies once again held her mesmerized. It had been the eyes that had first caught her attention back in Norman and had sent the shadow chasing or more aptly following. The young women moaned and tried to speak.
“No don’t talk, there are still ears around,” the shadow said as she finished wrapping the young women up. “I’ll stop soon and look at your wounds.”
The shadow covered the head of her prize and lifted the woman to her shoulders and started back for Norman.
And now the shadow had the young woman in her home and she was relieved. The young woman was still alive and if the shadow had her way she would stay that way.
Grabbing a wash basin and filling it with water the shadow began to clean and dress the wounds. The young woman was lucky; none of the cuts were deep. The only thing that had the shadow worried was the head injury the woman had. Removing the jacket with gold piping the shadow finished with the job she had started.
She had just finished dressing the young woman in fresh clothes when her prize opened her eyes.
“Where am I,” the young woman asked.
“My home,” the shadow said. “Not much but it is clean and dry.”
“Who are you,” the young woman asked.
“Just a shadow.”
“Shadow,” the young woman said trying to clear her head. “It fits. Are the others here?”
The shadow looked around before answering.
“No, you are the only one,” Shadow said.
The young girl nodded.
“Can I have something to drink?”
Shadow jumped up off the floor and went to the back of the room and came back with a glass of water.
“Sorry, I should have asked if you needed something to drink,” Shadow said handing the glass to the young woman.
Taking the glass the young woman smiled, “By the way my name’s Jen.”
Shadow smiled back. Jen was a nice name she thought.
Paige made her way down the hall. She watched as Sydney followed Isabella to the room at the far end of the hall. Stepping out of the shadows Paige turned the handle on the door to the room Sara was in, and slipped in.
As Paige’s eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room she heard the bed squeak.
“Is everything alright Paige,” Sara asked sitting up in the bed. “Haylie okay.”
Smiling Paige made her way to the bed.
“Everyone’s okay,” Paige said as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I just didn’t get a chance to talk with you alone before we all went to bed.”
Sara reached out and took Paige’s hand.
“Well you can talk to me now.”
Paige squeezed the hand holding hers.
“I just wanted to let you know that,” Paige began and couldn’t finish.
“Let me know what,” Sara asked in a whisper.
“Just that I was here and not going any where,” Paige finally said.
Sara squeezed the hand she was holding harder.
“Do you want to stay with me tonight,” Sara asked.
Paige blushed and was glad that the room was dark .
“I don’t think that would be such a good idea,” Paige said.
“Why,” Sara asked.
“Not sure we would get any sleep,” Paige replied feeling her face redden again.
Now it was Sara’s turn to blush and thank the darkness.
“Oh,” Sara said past the lump in her throat. “You can be good right.”
“Yes,” Paige said leaning toward Sara on the bed. “Not sure I want to be though.”
Sara held still as she felt the breath from Paige drift across her face.
“Maybe I don’t want you to be good either,” Sara said leaning even closer to Paige.
Paige’s heart started to thump very loudly and she couldn’t figure out how Sara couldn’t hear it.
Closing the distance Paige lightly kissed Sara then pulled back.
“I want to do this right,” Paige said. “Not rush into something we know nothing about.”
“Okay,” Sara said still reeling from the light touch of Paige’s lips on hers. “We go slow.”
“Yes, but not at a crawl,” Paige said leaning forward once more to kiss Sara.
As the kiss seemed to go on forever Sara smiled.
Pilar was still staring out her window when Sherri returned. As Sherrie’s strong arms surrounded her she gave in to the feeling of being safe.
“You know that Sydney had nothing to do with the girls deaths,” Pilar stated. “Melinda was lying.”
“I know,” Sherrie said turning Pilar to face her. “We have no way to prove it though. And right know the people believe her. And they want a war.”
Pilar sighed and pulled out of Sherrie’s arms.
“Andrea, how did she take the news,” Pilar asked moving to the other side of the room.
“Much like you, denial that they were dead. Then a refusal to believe that Sydney had anything to do with it.”
“Sherrie, Sydney couldn’t have. They’re her daughters also. She may have grown to hate me, but never the girls. Not ever,” Pilar said with a conviction that she had been lacking lately in other matters.
“I know,” Sherrie said walking over to Pilar. “That’s why I sent Captain Wayland to find Sydney on her own and discover the truth.”
Pilar smiled and placed her arms around Sherrie.
“I do love you,” Pilar said. “I don’t tell you enough, but I do.”
Kissing the top of Pilar’s head Sherrie nodded. “I know.”
The two women stood there for an eternity before making their way to bed and hopefully a dreamless night.
Rachel was still trying to wade through the massive amounts of files that Laura Beagle had given her. The information contained in the files was enormous. Her mother the General was a sadist. The things the General had ordered done to the women in the medical camps was an atrocity. Rachel didn’t look up when a shadow fell across her desk.
“Can I help you doctor,” Rachel said as she continued reading.
“I just thought that you would like to know the new rumor that is spreading through the Nations,” Laura asked the woman.
“And what rumor would that be,” Rachel asked not once looking up from her reading.
“The one your mother brought back to the Queen about the deaths of both her daughters and the entire Gold Unit.”
Rachel stopped breathing, no it couldn’t be true. She would know if Alissa were dead, wouldn’t she.
“You’re lying,” Rachel said putting the papers down and standing up. “Alissa is not dead.”
“Oh I believe you, Commander,” Laura said. “I just received an invitation to attend a meeting with the Freeholders to discuss the recent actions of General Steiner and the rumor from the other side is that the Dragon has Alissa.”
Rachel couldn’t think. Her mother was a traitor. Alissa might be dead. The Dragon had something to do with it. Alissa wasn’t dead. But what about Jennifer.
“When is this meeting,” Rachel asked.
“In one week,” Laura said. “Also you have a courier waiting for you outside.”
Rachel looked at the dark haired woman in front of her and sighed.
“Send them in on your way out,” Rachel said sitting back down.
Laura smiled and walked out of the tent.
Mickey was still trying to get Rene to pack faster when there was a knock on Rene’s door. Without even looking at Rene, Mickey walked to the door and opened it.
“What?” Mickey said through the half opened door.
The woman on the other side squeaked and handed the paper to Mickey and then ran back down the hall.
Mickey just shook her head and closed the door. She walked back over to the bed and sat down.
“Are you almost done,” Mickey asked Rene as she fondled the paper in her hands.
“Yes,” Rene said still putting clothes in to another bag. “The last time you dragged me out of Norman it was two months before I got back.”
Mickey grunted and continued to flip the paper over and over in her hands.
“So are you going to read what it says,” Rene asked zipping up the bag she had been filling.
“It’s addressed to you,” Mickey said.
“Not like I can read it myself,” Rene said moving over to the bed and sitting down. “So read it for me please.”
Mickey turned the envelope over and tore open the flap. Pulling the small yellow sheet of paper out of the envelope she scanned the contents quickly.
“You going to read what it says out loud,” Rene asked.
“Sorry,” Mickey said.
“My dearest Rene,” Mickey began reading. “I will be joining you on your little trip to see the Dragon. I believe the information I have you will need. I ask only that you not tell anyone who I am. Oh and I will have a few guest with me. I think we will need them. So see you soon. Love Laura.”
“She still has a since of humor I see,” Rene said getting up from the bed and going back to her packing. “She must be bringing Amazons.”
“What,” Mickey yelped out.
“You heard me; she calls her people her girls. And she has always called the Amazons the guest. Come help me with this,” Rene said trying to reach for something on the top shelf of the closest. “We may need it.”
“What is it,” Mickey asked as she pulled the box down.
“You’ll see if we ever need to use it,” Rene said as she put the box into another bag. “Don’t worry I’m almost finished.”
Mickey smiled and went back to the bed to sit and maybe catch a few more minutes of sleep.
Enjoy
Lori
Enough about work. I've tried three times in the last week to write fan fiction and just can't get my mind to wrap around anything. I'm hoping that by transcribing the Facts of Life story and the missing chapter of my B5 story that I will be able to jump start my muses.
Okay enough of my rambling, on to the story. Only three chapters or parts if you like after this one. Then its on to missing scenes and expanding other scenes before my personal deadline of May 5.
Title: Through The Flames
Pairing: Original Story
Rating: R, for language, violence, sexual situations, and death.
Author: Lori Dragus
A/N: This story was wrote for the 2008 NaNo. This is pretty much how it went into the word count machine. I have made only minor spelling and grammar corrections. There are continuity problems.
A/N2: After finishing the story I decided I didn't like the names of some of my main characters so the names will change in the final draft.
Summary: It's been four years since the plague killed off every living male human and ninety two percent of the female population. In the midwest state of Oklahoma two different groups are trying to survive. The Amazons, who have taken over Oklahoma City and restored some semblance of civilization. And the Freeholders, that live in small family units outside of the large city. These two worlds are about to collide.
Chapter Five
Paige felt like she had been walking for ever. Callie seemed to know where she was going. And there really wasn’t anything on the road. The sun hadn’t quit set yet, but it was getting close and Paige hoped she was near where she needed to be.
Callie started barking and took off running across the field. Yelling at Callie to stop, Paige came up short when she saw the dog jump up and lick the face of another girl.
The girl pushed Callie down gently and looked at Paige.
“You must be Paige,” the girl said. “I’m Janie and my aunt Sydney sent me to make sure you were okay.”
“Yeah I’m Paige,” Paige said walking up to the girl. “So how much further?”
“Not far about half an hour,” Janie said petting Callie on the head. “This way.”
Paige fell into step with Janie. As they walked Paige decided that Janie was about the same age as she was.
“So is this place nice?”
“Yeah it is,” Janie said turning to smile at the other girl. “By the way I was asked to give you a message.”
“From.”
“Sara. She said to tell you that you move too slow.”
Janie watched as the girl she had been sent to get started to sputter then stopped.
“Not Sara. Haylie maybe but not Sara,” Paige said looking at the other girl.
“Your right. Sara’s message was just be safe and careful.”
“Now that’s Sara,” Paige said smiling.
“Sara your girlfriend,” Janie asked smiling at her new traveling partner.
Paige started to answer Janie with a no, then paused for a moment.
“Not really sure, she could be,” Paige said confusion in her voice.
“Don’t worry you two will figure it out. Mia’s my girl,” Janie said as they continued walking.
“I thought you all were Sydney’s niece’s,” Paige asked with another confused look.
“I am but not by blood. My Aunt Twilla was an old girlfriend of Sydney’s and when the world went to shit my aunt went looking for Sydney and found her.”
“So is your aunt there too,” Paige asked.
“No she died a little while after we all got to the ranch. Sydney has been good to us,” Janie said as the small group crested a hill and Paige caught sight of the house for the first time.
“Shit it’s huge,” Paige said as she picked up the pace a little.
“Yeah it is.”
Both girls fell silent as they finished the last leg of the journey.
Sydney was standing on the front porch with a mug of coffee and all the dogs lying around her feet. She had left Isabella in the kitchen with the girls. Including Paige and Janie both who had gotten back about an hour ago. She had managed not to look into the den to see how Beth was doing with Alissa. Sydney didn’t want to have to think about how Alissa was doing. And the consequences of her dying were just too great. Sydney knew Mel would do everything in her power to make sure that people believed that Sydney had something to do with Alissa‘s death.
Sipping the coffee and gazing at the buffalo as they moved across the yard Sydney’s mind turned to her other problem, Isabella. She didn’t know what she was going to do about that either. The situation was way complicated.
The front door opened and Lyndsey walked out to stand beside her sister.
“Beth says she should be okay in a day or two,” Lyndsey said taking the cup from Sydney and draining it. “Ugh, how can you drink it that way?”
Taking the cup back from her sister Sydney smiled, “Years of practice. Is Beth going to join us?”
The door opened again to Beth with a small plate of food and three more mugs.
“Yes I am,” Beth said sitting the tray down on the wide railing. “I thought we could all use some food.”
Sydney and Lyndsey both reached for a mug and one of the sandwiches.
“Thanks,” Sydney said taking a bite of the sandwich.
“So you going to tell us what’s going on?” Beth asked taking a bite from her own sandwich.
Sydney gazed back out at the large animals as they moved slowly back and forth across the grounds.
“First I’m not sure what all is going on but I am sure we’re not going to like it. Mel was with the Gold’s when they were attacked. And I think Mel has been chasing us since we left the city.”
“What did Mel want with you,” Lyndsey asked.
“Not me Isabella. She got hung up on Isabella and got it in her head that she would be going to one of the compounds. Thing is Isabella’s a nun,” Sydney said as she took another bite from her sandwich.
“The way she looked at you didn’t look very nun like to me,” Beth said as she moved closer to Lyndsey.
“She wasn’t having a crisis of faith until she meet me. Right now that’s not what’s important. Mel had the Gold’s chasing after Isabella and her girls. And from what I saw the crazies in Norman don’t seem to like the Gold’s too well which doesn‘t make much sense.”
“There can’t be that many left in Norman,” Lyndsey said.
“That’s what I thought till I saw about a hundred of them attack an Amazon Unit and win,” Sydney said then paused to gather her thoughts. “I would bet anything Mel has something to do with that also. But I’m going to have to try to get word to Pilar that Alissa is alive.”
“You think that’s a good idea,” Beth asked.
“I have to before she thinks I had something to do with the deaths of her two youngest daughters.”
“Do you really think she would believe you could have anything to do with them dying?” Lyndsey said with a look disgust on her face. “There’s no way.”
“The world has changed. I’ve changed, she’s changed,” Sydney said.
“You both haven’t changed that much,” Beth said.
“That’s your oppion. Look the thing is I sent Paige with a message to Mickey to try and find out what is going on in Norman. Hopefully we’ll know before Pilar comes to hang me,” Sydney said.
“Pilar wouldn’t do that,” Beth said again.
“She may not have a choice; the girls are loved by the Nation. And the Nation may demand blood,” Sydney said.
“So what do you plan on doing,” Lyndsey asked.
“First thing tomorrow I’m sending Janie out to the other Freeholders letting them know that the Nation may be expanding and that we need to all meet. By the time we meet I hope to have heard from Mickey.”
“And if not?” Beth asked.
“We get ready for a war.”
All three women turned to look out into the dark as silence fell on the ranch.
Mel was amazed at how fast her soldiers rushed back toward the city. It was as if they were eager to get back to their safe haven. Or to get ready for the fight that was coming. They had only been attacked a few times as they made their way back. And as luck would have it on the way back they had found the arrow felled body of the courier.
The outrage on the face of the Queens Captain had made Mel smile and congratulate herself on thinking to make it look like the Techno Geeks had done it. It was making what had happened look more like the fringe elements where trying to start a war. And that was just what Mel wanted and needed at this time.
“General,” Captain Isbill said as she stood a little ways off from the General. “The horses are here to take you to the Capital.”
Mel smiled as she turned to look at her Captain of the Guard.
“Let’s go, we can’t keep the Queen waiting.”
Stacy nodded and led the way to where the horse’s had been picketed.
The shadow moved swiftly along the walls of the building. The movement so slight that most would never have seen it. The entrance to the old water works hung askew. Moving into the building the shadow made its way into the dark.
Laura Beagle looked at the ragged woman before her and cringed. The crazies of Norman always gave her the willies and this one seemed worse than all the others. Especially since she knew she had something to do with this ones appearance.
“Are you sure about this Peggy,” Laura asked the misshapen old woman.
“Yes. The shadows whisper that the Geeks killed an unarmed courier and that you were helping the crazies when they killed the Queens daughters.”
Shit, shit Laura thought as the old woman finished.
“Okay go see Becky and tell her I said to feed you and to let you find your way out,” Laura said turning and already trying to figure out how she was going to get what was left of her people out of this. She should never have trusted the General. “Yolanda I need you in here now.”
Rachel watched the frantic activity of the Geeks. She had yet to figure out what they were up to. But whatever it was had started about an hour ago and was still going on. When the white flag went up Rachel almost fell off the horse she was sitting on.
“Sonja go meet them now,” Rachel called out as the doors to the building opened and a small party exited. “Bring them straight to my tent. And don’t let anything happen to them.”
The scout nodded and took off running grabbing two of her fellow scouts on the way.
Rachel turned her horse and headed back to her tent. Maybe this would end up alright.
The sun had long set and Lyndsey had shown Isabella and the girls to the rooms they could use. The girls had fallen to sleep exhausted from the day they just had.
Isabella hadn’t been able to sleep though. Her mind kept going back to the kiss she had shared with Sydney. The feel of Sydney’s arms around her. The rightness of those arms. Isabella had tried praying, but her mind wouldn’t stay focused. Getting up from the bed Isabella made her way down the stairs toward the kitchen. A small light was left burning for those who needed it in the middle of the night. Walking into the kitchen she paused when she glimpsed the shadow at the other side of the large room. Taking a deep breath she walked over to Sydney.
“Have you checked on Alissa,” Isabella asked as she came to a stop beside the quite woman.
“Yes,” Sydney said as she reached out and pulled Isabella toward her.
Isabella started to pull away when she first felt the tug from Sydney but gave in and let the other woman pull her in.
“I am sorry about what is going on,” Isabella said.
“It’s not your fault.”
“It is. I didn’t mean to lead the General on. I never meant to involve any one else in this. And I never meant for your daughter to get hurt,” Isabella said laying her head on Sydney’s shoulder.
“My daughter?” Sydney asked as she moved her head to look at Isabella.
“I’m not stupid Sydney, just a nun. You act toward Alissa like a parent would. Your sister and friend were adamant that the Queen wouldn’t be able to think you had something to do with this.”
Sydney kissed the top of Isabella’s head.
“You see a lot for a nun.”
“Have to you’d be surprised what kids try to get away with now a days.”
“I knew Pilar before all this started. I was there when the girls were born. Changed their diapers. Walked the floor when they were sick. Then the world went crazy. Pilar went from being a Senator to being a Queen. Our ideals went in two different directions. And the one person that had kept us together died in the plague.”
Isabella wrapped her arms around the woman that in such a short time had turned her life upside down more than the plague had or even the General.
“So what do we do now?” Isabella asked.
“Tomorrow I’m sending Janie to gather the other Freeholders. I thought I would send Paige with her.”
“Paige is a child…” Isabella started.
“No Paige is an adult. She’s a year older than Janie. And right now she needs to learn how to survive.”
Isabella nodded in to Sydney’s neck.
“I know your right, I just worry.”
“All parents worry. Comes with the job. Second we need to get ready for what I’m afraid is coming. Mel won’t let this opportunity escape her. And the woman I sent Paige to I hope will have something for me by the time the other Freeholders get to the meeting place.”
“Their not coming here,” Isabella asked.
“No to dangerous. We have a place we can all meet away from where we live.”
“And us. This?”
Sydney stood holding the slightly smaller woman. Her mind running in circles.
“Take it slow I guess,” Sydney said.
“And if I don’t want to take it slow?”
“You’re a nun and I used to be a soldier. Not even in the best of times would this be easy,” Sydney reached down and lifted Isabella’s chin so that the other woman was looking at her. “I like you, and the Bright Lady knows I can fall in love at the drop of a pin. But you are different. And I want that difference.”
The butterflies in Isabella’s stomach were trying to break free but that didn’t stop her from stretching up and kissing Sydney.
“So do I,” Isabella said against Sydney’s lips before kissing the woman harder.
Sydney wanted nothing more than to carry Isabella up to her room and stay there till this whole thing was over and that almost happened when Isabella managed to slip her tongue into Sydney’s mouth. The kiss lasted forever and only a split second.
“We should both get some sleep,” Sydney said as she pulled back from Isabella. “Tomorrow is just the beginning.”
“Okay,” Isabella said. “Could you stay with me?”
Sydney nodded and lead the both of them from the kitchen.
Rachel stared at the group of woman across from her. They didn’t seem like much but she knew that once they were the best in their fields. Scientist and Engineer’s. Now they were standing in an open field with a white flag trying to save the list bit of their dignity.
“Who’s the leader here,” Rachel asked as the last of the Geeks stood up from where they had been sitting on the ground.
“I am,” said a tall rail thin dark haired woman with brown eyes. Some might have thought her pretty. Rachel thought she would be nothing but trouble. “I’m Dr. Laura Beagle.”
“I’m Commander Rachel Steiner,” Rachel said as she looked over the five women in the small group. “Your surrender is not negotionable. You will all come out and return to the Capital for judgment.”
“I don’t think so Commander,” Laura said as she moved to sit down on one of the chairs they had brought out. “I believe I have some information you will find very interesting.”
“Really,” Rachel said glaring down at the woman before her.
“Yes and I don’t think anyone will be heading back to the Capital,” Laura said pulling her satchel forward. “What’s in here will change your mind and hopefully every one else‘s.”
Laughing Rachel sat down in an unoccupied chair.
“All right Doctor show me what you got.”
Three hours later Rachel had sent her scouts off to find the information she needed. And if what was in those papers was true. The shit was about to hit the fan and Rachel didn‘t know if she wanted to be the one to help it happen. And it took another two hours for anyone to notice that one of her junior officers and Linda were missing.
Sherri walked into the room and dismissed everyone with out even once looking at Pilar.
“You had no right to do that,” Pilar yelled as the last of her staff left. “You had better have a good reason.”
“One of the officers that we sent to bring Mel back came riding in a few minutes ago,” Sherri said walking over to stand right next to Pilar. “Mel and the Gold unit were in some kind of skirmish.”
“A skirmish,” Pilar asked a look of horror sliding over her face.
“They were attacked, and it doesn’t look good,” Sherri said pulling Pilar into her arms. “There weren’t many survivors.”
“Jennifer, Alissa,” Pilar gasped out.
“She wouldn’t say,” Sherri said. “Mel is on her way to make her report.”
“No they are okay,” Pilar said leaning into Sherri. “They have to be. They are all I have left of Carlos and…”
“I know,” Sherri said. “I just wanted to prepare you.”
Pilar let a few tears slide down her face. Not her girls. Not Jennifer. Not her babies.
Mel entered the city as if nothing was wrong in the world. She knew that Captain Wayland wanted her to go faster. But Mel had refused to go any faster than she wanted. Constantly making the Captain slow down and wait for her. Finally the Captain had enough and sent one of her junior officers on ahead. Mel had every belief that when she got to Pilar the woman would be ready to kill anyone she thought had anything to do with her daughters deaths, including the traitor Sydney Drake.
“General we really shouldn’t take our time,” Captain Wayland said as she waited once more for the General to reach her. “The Queen is undoubtly waiting for us.”
“I know Captain,” Mel said riding up beside the woman. “But riding into the middle of the Capital at break neck speed will not help. It might even make things worse.”
“How.”
“By panicking those in the city,” Mel said moving away from the now fuming Captain.
Mickey watched the women around the fire. There were more of them than there had been the last time she had come to see Rene. And it was taking her longer to find Rene among all these women. Most of the women present seemed crazier then ever. And the scars on their bodies made Mickey feel normal. Finally seeing another woman that she knew Mickey made her way over slowly staying in the shadows.
“Psst, Psst,” Mickey sent to get the other woman’s attention. “Cora.”
The woman that Mickey had been trying to get the attention of finally looked her way.
“Mickey,” Cora croaked out. “Wha cha doing here?”
“I need to talk to Rene,” Mickey said barely above a whisper. “Can you let her know?”
“Sure,” Cora croaked again. “Give me a bit to get to her.”
“Okay I’ll be waiting back here,” Mickey said as the other woman shuffled off.
Mickey moved back into the shadows and watched the women in the underground chamber. It had been almost six months since she had last came here and there hadn’t been half as many people then. The ages of the women were hard to tell. But one thing was the same they all had some kind of deformity. And not all of them looked natural or accidental. Mickey could tell that a heated discussion was taking place between two different groups. The women’s voice’s rising and lowering. If Mickey had been closer she may have been able to tell what was being said.
When Rene walked in to the shadows Mickey stopped watching the other women.
“Looks like a population explosion in there,” Mickey said as Rene stepped forward and gave her a hug.
“That’s an understatement,” Rene said taking Mickey’s hand. “Let’s go to my rooms, there’s a little more privacy.”
Mickey allowed the other woman to pull her along the dark corridor. The last time she had been here the halls had been lit. The dark was new.
“Someone forget to pay the light bill,” Mickey asked as the continued to move slowly down the hall. The soft laughter of the woman leading her, made Mickey think of a time long past.
“The new women prefer the dark, and to me it doesn’t matter. Not like I could tell anyway,” Rene said squeezing Mickey’s hand.
Soon both women reached the end of the hall and Rene pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the door to her room. The brightness of the room caught Mickey by surprise after the darkness of the halls. Watching as Rene closed and locked the door Mickey began to think that there was more to what ever Sydney had sent her after.
“Want something to drink,” Rene asked walking over to a small refrigerator.
“Water’s fine,” Mickey answered. “What’s going on Rene?”
“Straight to the point as always,” Rene said coming back over to Mickey and handing her a glass of cold water. “You never did learn tact.”
“Too old for tact and life is short,” Mickey said taking the glass and sitting it on the table. “So you gonna tell me or make me wait for it.”
“Let me just enjoy your beautiful company for a few more minutes,” Rene said moving over to the recliner in the room and sitting down. “But first you have to tell me who sent you.”
“What makes you think someone sent me?”
“Oh I don’t know maybe cause you said you’d be back when hell froze over,” Rene said chuckling a little.
“You sure hell hasn’t froze over,” Mickey replied.
“It just might have,” Rene said. “About two years ago women started showing up with new diseases and weird deformities. At first it wasn’t many, but over time the numbers increased. Four months ago soldiers marched in here and dropped off a shit load of women. And they’ve been doing it at least once a week since.”
“Where are they all coming from?”
“Most don’t remember who they used to be, a few do though. Mostly Freeholders or Fringers. They all say the same thing. They were taken from their homes brought to a secret place. Experimented on then dropped here.”
“What soldiers?” Mickey asked.
“They say the Gold Unit. I don’t believe that though. General Steiner is my thought,” Rene said.
“Why do you think that?”
“Was at a drop once hidinf in the shadows, heard some of the officers talking. The ones talking had come with the General once for some negotiations.”
“Shit, did these new women attack the Gold’s today?”
Rene’s face went white at the question, and Mickey’s stomach dropped. The shit was about to hit the fan.
“How did you know?”
“Sydney sent me a messenger earlier,” Mickey said taking a drink of the water and wishing that she still drank. “Do these women listen to you?”
“Not as much as I wished they did. You saw some when you got here. There are two groups. One that believes beyond a doubt that the Gold’s are behind this and the other that believes me.”
“Can you make both groups listen,” Mickey asked trying to figure out how they were all going to get out of this.
“Why?”
“The Commander of the Gold’s is or was the Queen’s daughter, and her youngest daughter was also a member,” Mickey said.
“Oh Goddess,” Rene said getting up and going to her dresser. Opening the bottom drawer she pulled out a bottle and poured a drink. “I’d offer.”
“Don’t think I didn’t think about it,” Mickey said as she watched Rene pour the drink.
“The Queen will kill us all,” Rene said turning back to Mickey. “How do we get out of this?”
“I don’t know but I do know that I need the leaders of both these groups and you. From there it will be up to Sydney,” Mickey said getting up and pacing around the room. “And first we have to make these women realize that the Queen will come for us all.”
“Yes,” Rene said reaching her hand out to grab Mickey as she passed by. “Then lets start, I doubt Sydney gave you long to gather information.”
“Long enough I hope,” Mickey said.
Rene squeezed Mickey’s arm and led the woman back out in to the hall and to the main meeting room where they could still here the arguments going on.
Pilar stood at the balcony window waiting for Melinda to show up. She had been in a kind of daze since Melinda had arrived earlier and delivered her news that both of Pilar’s younger daughters were dead and that somehow Sydney was involved. Pilar didn’t want to believe that Sydney could have done this. But the flimsy proof that Melinda had brought back had been enough to inflame those that had been present. And Pilar had had no choice but to declare the Freeholders and the Citizens of Norman enemies of the Nation. And as soon as the funeral arrangements where complete the Nation would turn toward its enemies.
The knock on the door sounded a few seconds before it opened to admit the General of the Gryphon Unit.
“You wished to see me your Highness,” Mel said in her best ass kissing voice.
“Yes, the Captain of my Guard said you had the jacket worn by my daughter Alissa,” Pilar said as she continued to stare out the window. “I wondered if you also had the jacket worn by Jennifer.”
Mel schooled her face and voice before answering.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t think to remove her jacket also,” Mel said her voice even.
“That’s unfortunate,” Pilar said. “I would have liked to have had both.”
Mel stood in the room staring at the Queen; she still wasn’t sure why she had been summoned here.
“Will General Desmond be joining us,” Mel asked trying to figure out what was wanted from her.
“No I sent her to tell Andrea what has happened and to make the arrangements for the funeral.”
“Can I ask why I am here,” Mel said.
“I want to know if you actually saw Sydney.”
Mel smiled and then quickly stilled her face. Good. Pilar was faltering. And if she fell far enough the citizens would turn against her. Or at least the soldiers would.
“Yes I’m afraid I did,” Mel answered.
“Did she know who Alissa and Jennifer were,” Pilar asked.
“She called them both by name, before leading the attack,” Mel said smiling to herself. “She seemed to focus on them.”
Mel watched as Pilar’s back stiffened and she turned around.
“You never liked Sydney,” Pilar stated. “I don’t ever remember a time that the two of you agreed on any thing.”
“We both had very different views,” Mel said.
“Yes different views. And do you still believe in the Nation,” Pilar asked.
“I have always believed in the Nation, and one day I see us as a leader in this new world.”
“Perhaps,” Pilar said turning back to the window. “Thank you for bringing back something of my daughters.”
“It was nothing,” Mel said.
“That’s all General you may go,” Pilar said dismissing Mel.
Mel slapped her chest in a salute and turned and left the room.
When the door shut Pilar let the tears fall that she had been holding back. Goddess Sydney couldn’t have had anything to do with this. They were her daughters also. She had raised them until the plague. Pilar would never believe that Sydney had been apart of this. But the people would. Melinda would see to that.
The shadow moved along the wall. Her back misshapen from the burden that she was carrying. It had taken her longer than she had thought to get back to the safe areas of Norman. Others had tried to take her burden and she had fought them. Most had given up after a few minutes a small few were dead.
Laying the blanket wrapped mystery on the ground she checked the area for intruders. Most had learned to leave her alone. Some still thought it fun to surprise her. The crazies of Norman stayed away from her. Not comfortable with the fact they thought she was a cannibal. She wasn’t but she didn’t disagree with them. She was a collector and she collected the pretty things. Not her fault that most of them were dead or almost dead when she collected them.
Picking her prize back up she made her way down the stairs to the basement.
The lighting was low, and the room clean. So clean you could have eaten off the floor. Low moaning could be heard coming from the far side of the room.
Laying her prize gently on the floor the shadow moved to the back of the room.
“Sorry,” the shadow said. “Took longer to get this one.”
The girl lying on the bed didn’t move. The moaning continued though.
Moving quickly around the room the shadow set up a new IV and reset the pump for the pain meds. Hanging a bag of nutrients next to the meds the shadow went back to the main room.
The blanket on the floor hadn’t moved. The shadow bent down and slowly unrolled her new prize.
As the blanket fell open the dark hair and olive skin of the girl inside could be seen. But what had first drawn the shadow to the young girl was not evident. The shadow worked carefully to remove the blanket. The wounds on the young girl had stopped bleeding but they could start again with too much movement. And the shadow wanted this prize. She had worked hard to get this one from the others.
When the fighting had started the shadow had kept to the shadows. Watching and waiting for the right moment. She had almost lost it when she noticed the others going through the soldiers and hacking at the bodies. Hurrying from the shadows she had lain across the young girl and dared anyone to touch her. Most of the crazies had turned away not wanting to see what the cannibal did. What none saw was that the young woman was still alive. The shadow had grabbed the young girl and thrown her over her shoulders and ran back to the shadows at the side of the road. Pulling the blanket from her pack the shadow had begun wrapping the young girl up. She almost gave up when the young girl opened her eyes.
The blues eyes of the young girl she had pulled from the pile of bodies once again held her mesmerized. It had been the eyes that had first caught her attention back in Norman and had sent the shadow chasing or more aptly following. The young women moaned and tried to speak.
“No don’t talk, there are still ears around,” the shadow said as she finished wrapping the young women up. “I’ll stop soon and look at your wounds.”
The shadow covered the head of her prize and lifted the woman to her shoulders and started back for Norman.
And now the shadow had the young woman in her home and she was relieved. The young woman was still alive and if the shadow had her way she would stay that way.
Grabbing a wash basin and filling it with water the shadow began to clean and dress the wounds. The young woman was lucky; none of the cuts were deep. The only thing that had the shadow worried was the head injury the woman had. Removing the jacket with gold piping the shadow finished with the job she had started.
She had just finished dressing the young woman in fresh clothes when her prize opened her eyes.
“Where am I,” the young woman asked.
“My home,” the shadow said. “Not much but it is clean and dry.”
“Who are you,” the young woman asked.
“Just a shadow.”
“Shadow,” the young woman said trying to clear her head. “It fits. Are the others here?”
The shadow looked around before answering.
“No, you are the only one,” Shadow said.
The young girl nodded.
“Can I have something to drink?”
Shadow jumped up off the floor and went to the back of the room and came back with a glass of water.
“Sorry, I should have asked if you needed something to drink,” Shadow said handing the glass to the young woman.
Taking the glass the young woman smiled, “By the way my name’s Jen.”
Shadow smiled back. Jen was a nice name she thought.
Paige made her way down the hall. She watched as Sydney followed Isabella to the room at the far end of the hall. Stepping out of the shadows Paige turned the handle on the door to the room Sara was in, and slipped in.
As Paige’s eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room she heard the bed squeak.
“Is everything alright Paige,” Sara asked sitting up in the bed. “Haylie okay.”
Smiling Paige made her way to the bed.
“Everyone’s okay,” Paige said as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I just didn’t get a chance to talk with you alone before we all went to bed.”
Sara reached out and took Paige’s hand.
“Well you can talk to me now.”
Paige squeezed the hand holding hers.
“I just wanted to let you know that,” Paige began and couldn’t finish.
“Let me know what,” Sara asked in a whisper.
“Just that I was here and not going any where,” Paige finally said.
Sara squeezed the hand she was holding harder.
“Do you want to stay with me tonight,” Sara asked.
Paige blushed and was glad that the room was dark .
“I don’t think that would be such a good idea,” Paige said.
“Why,” Sara asked.
“Not sure we would get any sleep,” Paige replied feeling her face redden again.
Now it was Sara’s turn to blush and thank the darkness.
“Oh,” Sara said past the lump in her throat. “You can be good right.”
“Yes,” Paige said leaning toward Sara on the bed. “Not sure I want to be though.”
Sara held still as she felt the breath from Paige drift across her face.
“Maybe I don’t want you to be good either,” Sara said leaning even closer to Paige.
Paige’s heart started to thump very loudly and she couldn’t figure out how Sara couldn’t hear it.
Closing the distance Paige lightly kissed Sara then pulled back.
“I want to do this right,” Paige said. “Not rush into something we know nothing about.”
“Okay,” Sara said still reeling from the light touch of Paige’s lips on hers. “We go slow.”
“Yes, but not at a crawl,” Paige said leaning forward once more to kiss Sara.
As the kiss seemed to go on forever Sara smiled.
Pilar was still staring out her window when Sherri returned. As Sherrie’s strong arms surrounded her she gave in to the feeling of being safe.
“You know that Sydney had nothing to do with the girls deaths,” Pilar stated. “Melinda was lying.”
“I know,” Sherrie said turning Pilar to face her. “We have no way to prove it though. And right know the people believe her. And they want a war.”
Pilar sighed and pulled out of Sherrie’s arms.
“Andrea, how did she take the news,” Pilar asked moving to the other side of the room.
“Much like you, denial that they were dead. Then a refusal to believe that Sydney had anything to do with it.”
“Sherrie, Sydney couldn’t have. They’re her daughters also. She may have grown to hate me, but never the girls. Not ever,” Pilar said with a conviction that she had been lacking lately in other matters.
“I know,” Sherrie said walking over to Pilar. “That’s why I sent Captain Wayland to find Sydney on her own and discover the truth.”
Pilar smiled and placed her arms around Sherrie.
“I do love you,” Pilar said. “I don’t tell you enough, but I do.”
Kissing the top of Pilar’s head Sherrie nodded. “I know.”
The two women stood there for an eternity before making their way to bed and hopefully a dreamless night.
Rachel was still trying to wade through the massive amounts of files that Laura Beagle had given her. The information contained in the files was enormous. Her mother the General was a sadist. The things the General had ordered done to the women in the medical camps was an atrocity. Rachel didn’t look up when a shadow fell across her desk.
“Can I help you doctor,” Rachel said as she continued reading.
“I just thought that you would like to know the new rumor that is spreading through the Nations,” Laura asked the woman.
“And what rumor would that be,” Rachel asked not once looking up from her reading.
“The one your mother brought back to the Queen about the deaths of both her daughters and the entire Gold Unit.”
Rachel stopped breathing, no it couldn’t be true. She would know if Alissa were dead, wouldn’t she.
“You’re lying,” Rachel said putting the papers down and standing up. “Alissa is not dead.”
“Oh I believe you, Commander,” Laura said. “I just received an invitation to attend a meeting with the Freeholders to discuss the recent actions of General Steiner and the rumor from the other side is that the Dragon has Alissa.”
Rachel couldn’t think. Her mother was a traitor. Alissa might be dead. The Dragon had something to do with it. Alissa wasn’t dead. But what about Jennifer.
“When is this meeting,” Rachel asked.
“In one week,” Laura said. “Also you have a courier waiting for you outside.”
Rachel looked at the dark haired woman in front of her and sighed.
“Send them in on your way out,” Rachel said sitting back down.
Laura smiled and walked out of the tent.
Mickey was still trying to get Rene to pack faster when there was a knock on Rene’s door. Without even looking at Rene, Mickey walked to the door and opened it.
“What?” Mickey said through the half opened door.
The woman on the other side squeaked and handed the paper to Mickey and then ran back down the hall.
Mickey just shook her head and closed the door. She walked back over to the bed and sat down.
“Are you almost done,” Mickey asked Rene as she fondled the paper in her hands.
“Yes,” Rene said still putting clothes in to another bag. “The last time you dragged me out of Norman it was two months before I got back.”
Mickey grunted and continued to flip the paper over and over in her hands.
“So are you going to read what it says,” Rene asked zipping up the bag she had been filling.
“It’s addressed to you,” Mickey said.
“Not like I can read it myself,” Rene said moving over to the bed and sitting down. “So read it for me please.”
Mickey turned the envelope over and tore open the flap. Pulling the small yellow sheet of paper out of the envelope she scanned the contents quickly.
“You going to read what it says out loud,” Rene asked.
“Sorry,” Mickey said.
“My dearest Rene,” Mickey began reading. “I will be joining you on your little trip to see the Dragon. I believe the information I have you will need. I ask only that you not tell anyone who I am. Oh and I will have a few guest with me. I think we will need them. So see you soon. Love Laura.”
“She still has a since of humor I see,” Rene said getting up from the bed and going back to her packing. “She must be bringing Amazons.”
“What,” Mickey yelped out.
“You heard me; she calls her people her girls. And she has always called the Amazons the guest. Come help me with this,” Rene said trying to reach for something on the top shelf of the closest. “We may need it.”
“What is it,” Mickey asked as she pulled the box down.
“You’ll see if we ever need to use it,” Rene said as she put the box into another bag. “Don’t worry I’m almost finished.”
Mickey smiled and went back to the bed to sit and maybe catch a few more minutes of sleep.
Enjoy
Lori