Page 2 of Whispers and Warriors (After #2)
TWO
The driver’s door was heavier than Alex remembered, and not just metaphorically. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d opened a regular door, always being in the back with the massive heavy latch door. This one seemed abnormally heavy, too.
He was out of place up front, but here he was.
Everything they were about to do made perfect sense, on paper and in reality. But getting ready to leave the end game they’d cheated themselves into with Emma’s rescue left his stomach heavy.
He tried to keep his gaze ahead as he climbed in. Looking back could lead to regret or the desire to ignore what they’d heard.
A single transmission had brought them to Emma and the haven. It seemed ironic that another transmission—albeit more than one—is what drove them away from safety.
Sitting, he noticed the way the seat dipped in under his weight, but still remained soft, a far cry nicer than the firm floor of the back. He’d have to remember to harass Liam when they weren’t in danger about getting these accommodations on other trips.
Gripping the steering wheel with a ferocity that belied his composed exterior, Alex blew out a breath to calm himself before he drove them into a damn wall. His heart hammered in his chest, an erratic drumbeat pushing him to move faster. He turned the key, and the engine roared to life with a feral growl promising their escape. He stole a fleeting glance at Liam, whose steady blue gaze offered silent reassurance even as he pulled his maps from the dashboard.
The chaotic thrum of fear in Alex’s veins settled just enough for him to shift the gear into drive, the truck lurching forward like a predator released from its cage.
Even as safety loomed closer, Alex could hardly focus. The interior of the vehicle was suffocating, the barrier between the front and back a tangible divide that separated the two groups, and something Chris never tolerated when he drove. Must have been the mechanic . With a swift motion, Alex reached over and slid the pass-through window open, allowing the voices of those he cared for to filter through, blending with the hum of the engine.
“Chris, please,” Emma’s voice, laced with confusion and the gentle cadence of trust, pierced the quiet. “What’s happening?”
The sound of her fear clawed at Alex’s insides, her innocence a stark contrast to the tainted world around them. It wasn’t supposed to be this way, not again. Emma was meant to be safe, protected. But the truth was a bitter pill—one Alex knew all too well.
They could’ve let Emma stay and live blindly within the illusion of safety, but that would’ve been a death sentence of another kind. What he had learned about the fate of those who couldn’t breed—those deemed unworthy—was a nightmare he refused to subject her to. Not mention letting her live blindly implied he and the others could bear to leave her behind knowing they would never see her again.
None of them were that righteous. Not when it came to Emma.
A pang of sorrow threaded through Alex’s resolve. She was their light in the dark, the very essence of hope when all seemed lost. They were her guardians, yet at this moment, he felt more like her captor.
“Emma,” Chris began, his voice a soothing balm, yet carrying the weight of command that made even the most seasoned soldier pause. “We’re doing what we must to protect you, to give us all a chance at something real.”
Poor Emma had no idea that her haven was built on lies, a fragile sanctuary ready to crumble at the slightest touch. And they, her chosen circle, her lovers, would be the ones to shatter it. But it was a sacrifice born of love, a testament to the lengths they would go to keep her safe—even if it meant tearing down her world to save her.
The headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating a path he never thought he’d ever take again. There was no way the world would recover enough for road trips. This was supposed to have been home. At the haven, these trucks were mostly kept for emergency use and made the garage little more than a graveyard of metal husks that stood as silent testaments to the chaos that had consumed the world beyond these walls.
Sweat beaded on his brow, a physical manifestation of the tension that coiled in his muscles, ready to snap at the slightest provocation.
Liam’s steady presence beside him was a lifeline, an anchor in the tempest of Alex’s thoughts. The rustle of maps and the soft glow of the dashboard lights cast an eerie calm over the cab, a stark contrast to the turmoil that raged within him. Alex’s eyes darted from side to side, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement, any hint of a threat lurking in the depths of the garage.
Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity as they inched forward, the truck’s engine a low growl that reverberated through the metal frame. The weight of their decision pressed down on Alex’s shoulders, a burden he willingly bore for the sake of those he held dear. Emma’s muffled sobs from the back seat were a constant reminder of the price they paid for the truth, a haunting melody that threaded through the tense silence.
As they approached the final turn, the garage opening loomed ahead, a gaping maw that promised both freedom and uncertainty. Alex’s breath hitched, his foot hovering over the accelerator as he prepared to make the final push. Liam set his hand on his shoulder for a brief second, a way of letting him know that Alex wasn’t alone up front.
With a deep breath, Alex pressed down on the pedal, the truck surging forward with renewed purpose. The truck emerged into the open air, leaving the suffocating confines of the garage behind. It wasn’t much brighter out here, the sun barely awake for the day left an orange glow that once upon a time would have been a beautiful sight.
The base stretched out before them, a sprawling expanse of concrete and steel, a once-thriving hub of activity now eerily still. The early morning light cast long shadows across the tarmac, a ghostly landscape that whispered of the horrors that had befallen the world. Alex’s eyes scanned the perimeter, searching for any signs of life, any indication that they had been discovered.
But the base remained silent, a reminder that they fled while most still slept thanks to the night shift rotation. The truck rolled forward, its tires crunching over the gravel as they made their way toward the main gate.
The base’s main gate loomed ahead, a towering structure of reinforced steel and concrete that stood as a formidable barrier between the illusion of safety within and the harsh reality beyond. Alex’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white as he guided the truck toward the checkpoint.
The guard stepped out and Alex grit his teeth as the man tapped on Liam’s window. Every fiber of his being was stretched thin as he lowered the window.
“It’s a bit early to leave on a run.”
Alex grabbed his ID card from his pocket, passing it in front of Liam’s face, praying the guard wouldn’t look closely at his name in came people questioned him later.
“Emergency call. I’m great with a needle, dumb as fuck with map.” Alex jerked his finger at Liam. “Can’t got anywhere without someone who isn’t.”
The guard passed back the ID after verifying Alex’s job title—something all IDs had added once hell on earth required specialized access and no more CAC readers.
“Get back safe.” The guard stepped back into his little shack and Alex rolled up the window.
“That was far too fucking close already,” Alex grumbled.
“You handled it perfectly.” Chris chimed in, reminding Alex they almost got caught back there.
Alex pushed the pedal and the truck rolled closer, the gate slowly rising as they did, its mechanisms groaning under the strain of disuse. The sound echoed through the stillness, a grating symphony that set Alex’s teeth on edge. He exchanged a tense glance with Liam, whose jaw was set in a grim line, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble.
The truck rolled through the gate its passage marked by the soft crunch of gravel beneath its tires. Alex’s heart pounded in his chest, a frantic rhythm that threatened to drown out the hum of the engine. Each second stretched into an eternity as they crossed the threshold, the weight of their decision bearing down upon them like a physical force.
And then they were through. The gate began to lower behind them, the clang of metal-on-metal reverberating through the air like a death knell. Alex released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d held, his shoulders sagging with a mix of relief and trepidation. They were out, but their journey had only just begun.
The road stretched out before them, a ribbon of cracked asphalt that wound its way through the desolate landscape. The sun still cast golden glow across the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink that seemed almost too vibrant, too alive for the world beyond the false safe haven’s walls. Alex squinted against the glare, his eyes retraining to focus with the destruction that could hide dangers.
Alex focused on the desolate streets ahead, the empty expanse mirroring the void within. This was their reality now—a relentless pursuit of survival, a never-ending quest to find solace in a world scorched by betrayal and loss. Yet as long as Emma was with them, as long as her love remained a beacon in the darkness, they would press on, driven by the unyielding force of their bond.
“Wherever we’re going,” Emma’s words cut through the silence, “I’m with you. All of you. But it would be nice to know. And yes, that is a hint.”
And in her declaration, amidst the chaos of flight and the uncertainty of their future, Alex found a sliver of peace. Emma’s love was their salvation, and for her, they would brave the unknown together.
“Let’s get a little farther away. Let me feel like I’m not jumping out of my skin watching for other units.” Chris’s tone left no room for Emma to push.
The engine’s growl reverberated through the silence, shattering the facade of tranquility that merely served to hide those who survived outside the safety of the base. Alex’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles white with the strain of maintaining control—not only of the vehicle, but over the storm of emotions raging within him. The desolate avenues stretched out like the barren veins of a world that had long since stopped pulsing with life.
“Okay, this is going to be hard for all of us to hear, even those of us who had a front row seat,” Chris’s voice cut through the tension, authoritative and unwavering despite the gravity of his situation. “The haven—it’s a lie. A mirage in the desert of this dead earth, conjured by those who controlled the country long before the bombs fell.”
Alex’s breath hitched, anger boiling in his veins as fiercely as when the damning transmission had first crackled through the static earlier in the night. He glanced in the rearview mirror at everyone in the back, their reflections painted in shades of betrayal and disillusionment.
“I’m damn certain the transmission I overheard was meant for me, even if I don’t understand how someone knew I’d be there to hear it. The base haven was for women and high paying men. Breeding stock. Barely better than what Marcus did behind their backs. Which means sooner or later, the five of us would’ve been put down or kicked out, and Emma traded for little more than sex or children with dozens of men.”
“William?” Emma’s voice was a soft plea for confirmation, a needle looking for a thread of hope against the dark tapestry of revelations. Alex noticed she went to Will and Liam when she needed assurance more than the rest of them, but William had been on duty with Chris.
“Chris is right,” William responded, his tone steady, reflecting a maturity that belied his youth. “I accessed one of their secure servers—I saw the proof with my own eyes. The data matched what we overhead as well. It’s why we didn’t wake you in the middle of the night the minute we heard it.”
As Alex navigated the truck through the ghostly landscape, he couldn’t escape the emptiness that mirrored the hollow promises they’d been fed. The streets devoid of life were a testament to the truth they now carried with them—a truth that weighed heavily on their souls.
“Damn them,” Alex muttered under his breath, bitterness coating his tongue like ash. He could feel Emma’s gaze on him—steadfast and trusting—and it was that unbreakable bond, that sacred love among them, that made everything they were doing okay.
They were fugitives in a dystopian nightmare, but together, they formed a constellation of hope—a beacon that would guide them through the darkest of nights. With every mile they put between themselves and the shattered illusion of sanctuary, they forged a new path paved with the promise of love and sacrifice.
“Guys,” Liam’s voice cut through the tension, his tone steady yet tinged with an undeniable gravitas. “There was more to the transmission. Like Chris said, whoever mysteriously called in wanted someone with a woman on their team to hear. I’m fairly certain there’s a mole in the safe haven, but that’s not our concern any more. There’s a haven…a global haven, just off the coast of Africa.”
Alex’s hands tightened on the wheel, the leather groaning beneath his grasp. He turned slightly, letting his eyes meet Liam’s, and in that shared glance, there was an unspoken oath—a pact sealed by desperation and the will to survive.
“Is it safe?” The question came from the back, Emma’s voice a mingling of fear and hope. “Can we trust it?” “How do we get to Africa?”
Alex wasn’t certain how Liam had this information since he’d been in the hallway, but he trusted Liam with his life. If there was a way to get to Africa, Liam would know it, and Chris would ensure they survived.
“Safer than here,” Liam replied, his gaze sweeping over the group. His blue eyes were luminous, a beacon of resolve amidst the chaos. “We’ve got nothing left for us here.”
Alex watched in the mirror as faces creased with worry, the contours of their expressions etched with the scars of too many battles. Each voice rose and fell, a tapestry woven with threads of concern.
“Fuel?”
“Supplies?” They were practical questions, grounding them even as their world crumbled.
“Risky,” Bash murmured, yet there was steel beneath the trepidation.
“Better than being sitting ducks,” Alex countered, the words lashing out like a whip. He could almost taste the salt spray of a distant ocean, the promise of freedom it whispered.
“Could be a trap,” Bash chimed, voicing a fear that gnawed at them all, but he was the only one gruff enough to stay it.
“Or it could be our salvation,” Liam shot back, his glasses catching the sun’s light, framing the determination in his eyes.
The discussion swirled around Alex, a maelstrom of doubt and resolve. Each word was like a pulse against his skin, the urgency propelling them forward as inexorably as the revving engine. This was it—their leap into the abyss, guided only by the fragile hope that beyond the treacherous seas lay a haven untouched by the lies that had ensnared them.
“Then it’s decided,” Chris said, his voice a low rumble above the truck’s din. “We’re a unit. We might be equal in many things, but I’m still leading, and we all know this is dangerous as hell but no more so than staying in America. Final say is we’re taking this risk, but we’ll be ready to ditch out the second anything feels off.”
“This sounds crazy,” Emma hissed, her fear finally seeping through. “You want us to cross a fucking ocean?” She spat and Ranger gave a quick bark. “We barely made it across the country.”
“What happened last time won’t happen again,” William spoke as clear as day.
“No, because this time there will be an entire ocean attempting to kill us as well.”
“Emma,” Liam chimed in, and Alex relaxed. He hated that Liam was her north star, but it had to be one of them. “I wouldn’t do this if I thought we could stay. If I thought only the unit was in danger, I would’ve suggested leaving you there to thrive. But you’re in more danger than us. It’s barely living what would happen. Fail to get pregnant after three months and you become fucking stock. You figure there are five of us very greedily enjoying your body and no baby. Your time was limited, and they wouldn’t dare risk letting us live to protect you.”
The truck’s growl was a living thing that somehow manifested the rage growing in him with the reminder of what they just ran from. What you’re still running from. Alex’s grip on the leather-clad wheel was tight enough to whiten his knuckles, betraying the turmoil that churned within him. Beside him, Liam’s profile was etched with concern, a silent reflection of the weight pressing down on them. They were making choices that could very well lead to their end, but standing still was no longer an option.
Emma’s voice pierced the heavy air, soft yet resilient. “I love you all,” she said, her words weaving through the cramped space, “and I trust you. But if any one of you dies, I’m going to hate you forever.”
Alex’s heart clenched at her declaration, the simple honesty of it cutting through the cacophony of their shared fears. He’d seen her kill, watched the world stain her hands with an indelible mark, and yet she remained a beacon in their twilight existence—hope personified.
“Emma,” he murmured, barely audible over the engine’s roar. The rearview mirror captured a glimpse of her hazel eyes, clear and unwavering. Despite everything, she trusted them—a band of broken men racing toward a whisper of salvation.
A surge of protectiveness washed over Alex. She had been the one to heal parts of him he hadn’t known were wounded, with her gentle touch and unyielding spirit. She’d tended to William when violence had marred their fragile peace and stood steadfast beside each of them as they navigated a world where every breath was borrowed time.
Once this is over, she’ll still feel that way .
Alex promised himself, a silent vow cast into the turbulent winds of change that not one of them wanted. His eyes flicked to the star tattoo on the back of his hand, a symbol of their unity. It would guide them now, through the labyrinth of lies and betrayal that had once shackled their reality.
Liam caught his gaze, a silent conversation passing between them. No words were needed, they understood the stakes. The road stretched out like a ribbon of possibility, and Alex pressed the accelerator a fraction deeper, propelling them toward the unknown.
Their journey was a tapestry of love and sacrifice, woven through the ruins of a world that had forgotten what it meant to be human. As the city’s skeletal remains faded in the rearview giving way to a vast emptiness, so too did the last vestiges of Alex’s most recently shattered dreams.