Page 16 of Hysteria Rises (Dark Falls Hollow #1)

ELEVEN

CROSS

Sweat trickles down my back as I hammer a few more nails home, securing another piece of the framework for what will eventually be the new wing.

It feels like it’s going to be forever before it’s done.

I know Kiefer will need to have it just so, too, because he tends to be very particular about anything that he considers his craft.

I’ve always found it interesting how these men—those that first founded our commune here at Dark Falls Hollow—came from different walks of life and somehow managed to create an entire society from nothing.

They each had something different they brought to the table.

Much like my father once had a flourishing medical practice, Kiefer had owned a big construction company prior to coming here and renovating this mountainside compound. We trade off who takes on which duties.

I’ve been helping out with the reconstruction of the new wing for a couple days now.

I don’t mind the work of it so much. I’d rather do this than deal with the livestock, hunt wild game, chop wood, or work in the garden.

I am my father’s son, though, and my preference is to work with him when he allows it.

Tiny bits of sawdust float on the musty air. Turning toward the only source of light that enters the partially constructed room, I allow my mind to wander back to the whirlwind of craziness that’s transpired since the Hunting. The entire compound has been in an uproar.

Finneas’s absence means someone is going to have to step up and begin making decisions.

As the head of the Collective, he controls everything about our lives, and since his disappearance, the remaining leaders seem unsure how to proceed with a few things—but most especially with the Disturbance.

It’s fairly clear they’ve been arguing among themselves about who should be the one to make any judgment calls surrounding her.

Even when Finneas is present, there’s always been a power struggle and an undercurrent of dissent.

In my opinion, they need to fucking get over their inflated egos and deal with the problem at hand.

Would I ever say that to their faces? No.

But if they’re smart, they’ll seek out a way to make that girl more docile.

Bring her to heel. Right now, she’s a risk.

Ever since she arrived, I haven’t stopped thinking about how different she is. Maybe it’s simply that I’ve never experienced firsthand what it takes to bring a new woman into the compound. Participating in her exam has opened my eyes.

Footsteps sound in the distance, followed by the clearing of a throat, and it snaps me out of my reverie. “Kiefer?” Henry’s voice booms throughout the cavernous area. “Do you have Cross and Malakai with you today? I think we’re gonna need them outside. I’m rounding up as many as we can spare.”

There’s a loud thud, quickly followed by an affirmative grunt from Kiefer that makes my ears prick with awareness. He growls, “Yeah. Cross should be over that way, and I sent Malakai to get something from the supply shed. Should be back in a minute.”

Blowing out a breath, I swipe my brow against the sleeve of my shirt and duck around the corner, searching in the dim light. Henry’s broad form ambles into view. “I’m here.” I flag him down before squatting to pick up a piece of lumber from the neat pile on the floor.

“You almost done?” His lips press into a tight line. “I could use some help.”

“Sure. I can finish this up tomorrow if you need me right now.” I rake my hair back from my face. “Something wrong?”

“Nah, but I’m going to pull a few of you from your dailies to help with the cleanup effort from the storm.

Gave you all your break after the Hunting, but now it’s time to deal with it.

” He releases a heavy sigh, placing his hands on his hips.

“I’ve walked the entire area inside the compound, and it’s a fucking mess. Debris everywhere.”

I nod. “Okay. Just tell me where you need me, and I’m on it.” Tossing the piece of wood I’d been working with back onto the stack, I dust my hands on the thighs of my pants.

Just then, Malakai pokes his head around the corner, brow furrowed. “Kiefer came and got me. What’s going on?”

Henry rubs a meaty hand over his stubbled jawline. “I need you boys to give me a hand outside this morning.”

Malakai’s brow raises, but he shrugs. “Yeah, okay. I could use a change of scenery and some fresh air.”

That was a jab at me. This son of a bitch and I have been more at odds than usual lately. He hadn’t liked it when I told him to cut the shit with calling Arrow a freak show. Too bad for him, it’s not something I’ll stand for. Hayze won’t either if it continues, and he knows it.

Malakai falls in far too easily with Gannon’s and Dragan’s immature antics for my liking.

We were too busy getting the girl out of Nolan’s quarters and down to the cellar the last time he opened that mouth of his to needle Arrow.

I won’t hesitate to put him in his place if he does it again, and it won’t be pretty.

I’m protective of Arrow for reasons all my own.

Honestly, if Malakai does go after him again, I hope Arrow puts his fist in his face.

And then I’d beg my father to let me be the one to check for a broken nose so I could make sure it remains misaligned.

With that thought grinding around in my head, I give Henry a nod as I swiftly unbuckle the tool belt from around my hips and drop it to the floor. “Let’s get to it.”

Henry wastes no time, turning on his heel and leading the way, leaving us to follow. As we step outside, he tosses a quick glance around, shaking his head. Havoc reigns supreme, and it’s terribly windy. “I’d say we aren’t quite clear of the bad weather.”

I tilt my head back to stare upward as ominous clouds chase each other across the dark sky. “I see what you mean. Wicked fucking storm systems this time of year.”

Mal glances at me, mumbling, “We’d better get on this before we get hit with round two.”

Henry bobs his head in agreement, then gestures toward the barn.

“Grab Dragan and Gannon, would you? I think they’re milking the cows and goats.

I’m gonna take another look around. Have them start gathering all the downed branches and take them to the woodpile.

Once you’ve done that, if the two of you could scan the outer perimeter just to double check that all is well, that’d be helpful.

And if you see Hayze or Arrow, let them know they’re needed as soon as they can manage. ”

“Yeah, sure”—I grimace—“but I think they took Evren and Rafe with them to go hunting up on the plateau.”

Malakai nods before wetting his lips. “One of us could always go out to see if we can locate them.”

“No.” Henry’s tone is sharp, leaving zero room for argument. “I’ll find them on my own if it becomes necessary. Just do what I asked of you.”

Malakai’s eyes narrow, and his expression sours. He doesn’t even take well to Kiefer telling him what to do, so it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that he’d have this response to Henry issuing a command.

I shoot Mal a look that I intend for him to read as Watch your step, but if he can’t pick up on the underlying meaning, that’s not my problem.

Henry’s abrupt reaction has me concerned, though, and I puzzle over it the entire way to the perimeter after we’ve relayed instructions to the other two.

I get the overwhelming sense that Henry is aware of trouble brewing and is keeping it to himself.

But that’s not for us to worry about. We strike out, leaving the compound on nimble feet, dodging mud and whatever else the storm deposited in our path.

I gesture to Malakai with a pointed finger that I’m going one way, but he stops me with a raised hand.

“What the fuck do you think is going on? Is it the girl?”

“No idea. But … kinda hard for them to follow the procedures Finneas originally set forth for the commune where new women are concerned when he’s who knows where.”

Sharp, calculating eyes train on me. Most of the time, I don’t have a clue what’s going on in his head, and he’s made it clear he shuns this way of life, even if he doesn’t flaunt it in front of the Collective. He works his head to the side. “That’s gotta be it.”

I exhale hard, gripping the back of my neck with both hands as I look around. “Fucked if I know. Could be wrong.” But I’m not.

“They don’t want to admit that Finneas has fucked right off and left the commune for good.”

My gaze narrows on him. “Why would you say something like that?”

“It’s my take on it. Believe what you want.

But what I do know is that everything going on has everyone fucking wigging out, and it’s not just the Collective, either.

” His bare chest expands with a deep drag of air as he impatiently digs into his pocket.

He pulls out an elastic before scooping his shoulder-length blond hair into a topknot.

“How so?” A deep line forms down the center of my forehead as I cast my gaze in his direction, meeting the turbulence in his dark eyes.

He has the balls to snort, his lip curling. “Hayze has been grinding his teeth in his sleep again. Arrow’s sneaking off in the middle of the night to do fuck knows what. And you”—he throws his head back, smirking— “you’ve been talking in your sleep.”

I stare at him, mulling over what he’s said.

I refuse to admit that there’s no hint of a lie anywhere on his face, and I’d ask what he heard me say, but I don’t actually want to fucking know.

A wave of nausea rolls through me, but I shrug it off, striding more quickly so I don’t have to meet his eyes.

He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

He simply doesn’t. Asshole wouldn’t be so cocky and sure of himself if he grew up here.

At the tree line, we look left and right, surveying a few downed trees on the edge of the forest. I jerk my thumb toward one, grunting, “Lots of good firewood.”

Malakai nods, and we delve deeper into the woods.

It’s nearly midday, but it’s dark with only a smattering of light breaking through the canopy above.

The storm rolling in isn’t helping matters.

Silently, we walk single file, keeping a steady pace through the undergrowth and muck.

All the while, we brush past branches that reach out to claim a hold on us with scratching fingers.

Before we break through the dense forestry, Malakai stops me with a hand to my shoulder. “Hold on.”

I exhale hard. “What?”

His thumb drags slowly over his lower lip, almost as if he’s unaware he’s doing it, and I find myself watching his actions a bit too carefully.

My exhale is ragged. I’m not supposed to feel anything when I look at him, I simply can’t help myself.

And I’ve felt his eyes on me before. It wasn’t my imagination.

But I can’t go there. To examine any of this further would be inviting trouble … trouble that I don’t fucking need. But—

I force another breath from my lungs and study him again, before finally tearing my gaze away. Unaware of my inner turmoil, he gestures up ahead of us with a nod. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

As we venture closer, I cock my head to the side, listening. My jaw clenches because the raging river is making itself known, and that turbulent rush of water over rock is louder than I’ve ever heard it, setting warning bells to clanging in my mind.

A feeling of unease washes over me. “Yeah, I don’t either. The river must be really fucking high. Let’s have a look.”

Clearing the woods first, Malakai stops, a strangled sound tearing from his lips. “Fuck. Fuck no!” he roars, chin tipped to the sky as the rain unleashes on us again.

I rub a few fingers along my jaw, eyeing him bent at the waist, hands propped on his knees while he stares straight ahead. Numb, I let the torrent from above hammer down on me while my gaze remains fixed on the river and where the structure that enabled us to traverse it once was.

We’re in deep shit.