Page 8 of Whispers and Warriors (After #2)
EIGHT
His knuckles were past white and bordered on translucent as Chris gripped the steering wheel. The vehicle rumbled beneath him as he navigated down the mountain, the precious cargo in the back commanding his every thought.
Emma.
His team.
Their survival hinged on his actions—his resolve to protect them at all costs.
He wasn’t shocked the government found them. It was what they did. But not having a second path off the mountain set him on edge nearly as much as when Marcus stole Emma.
Chris clenched his teeth so damn hard a headache chased just behind his ears.
A deep shuddering breath wracked through him as he tried to steady the pounding of his heart. The principles he once lived and operated this unit under—order, discipline, chain of command—seemed like foreign concepts now, overshadowed by the all-consuming urgency to flee and keep Emma safe at any and all costs.
As he drove he calculated every inch of ground and route the tires covered, staring so intensely at the road one might think he thought the trees were going to get up and move in his way. There was no room for error.
They had to keep moving, had to find sanctuary somewhere beyond the reach of those who sought to control and subjugate. There was no going back to the way things were—only forward.
His gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, showing him the back through the pass-through window. Emma was nestled against Alex in the back. Bash sat with his hand on the back door handle as if he wanted to be ready to flee at any moment. Chris couldn’t see William, but he knew the youngest member of his unit was back there.
A fierce protectiveness surged through him, steeling his determination that he would get them down safely long before General Bardini got close. He would keep her safe this time, even if it meant sacrificing everything. Failure was not an option.
Chris did his best to keep his thoughts away from the kind man who’d saved them for at least the second time. First with his transmission and a place to stay, and then the option for a different kind of escape. That man and his family took these risks, but it was Chris’s team that took advantage of those risks and now the stranger might pay.
With his family.
The tires hugged the dirt with each hairpin swerve Chris made in effort to avoid a tree. He’d never take the truck for granted again after this idiotic path. Assuming it made it off the mountain.
As the truck rounded another bend, the trees started to thin out, revealing glimpses of the valley and abandoned roads below.
“We’re almost to the bottom. You can all breathe back there.”
While Chris didn’t hear a collective sigh of relief, but he sure as hell felt one himself.
When the road leveled out, and a small measure of relief temporarily grounded him as the worst of the descent was behind them. The truck ate up the miles, putting more distance between them and General Bardini, but still not enough. Each passing minute brought them closer to a temporary reprieve, to a chance to catch their breath and regroup.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the base of the mountain. Chris pulled off onto a dirt road, following it until they were concealed beneath a canopy of towering evergreens. Putting the vehicle in park, Chris killed the engine. The sudden silence a stark contrast to the roar that he’d grown so used to hearing.
Turning in his seat, his gaze swept over his team—his family. They were battered and weary, but they were alive. They had made it down the mountain, but that was still less than half the way to safety. They would have to keep moving, keep fighting, until they found a place where they could be truly safe.
“I just need ten minutes to chill my nerves. That fucking mountain felt like it was going to be our end.”
Chris didn’t need to explain himself, but he still did. He was the leader, but he respected them and if someone else wanted to drive now, he wouldn’t stand in their way.
“Take what you need.” Liam grabbed the map book from the console and started flipping through it.
Allowing himself a momentary reprieve, Chris leaned his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. The adrenaline that had been coursing through his veins began to ebb, replaced by a bone-deep weariness. The soft rustle of pages beside him told him Liam studied the map, no doubt charting their next move.
Liam’s voice broke through his thoughts. “I think I’ve found a route that will keep us off the main roads and away from any potential trouble. It’s a bit longer, but it should be safer.”
Chris nodded, trusting Liam’s judgment implicitly. The man had a knack for navigation and strategy, a skill that had saved their hides more times than he could count.
A wet nose nudged Chris’s hand, startling him into opening his eyes. He glanced down to find Ranger resting his head on his thigh, the dog’s soulful eyes gazing up at him with a mix of trust and concern.
For a moment, Chris stared back, surprised by the unexpected gesture of comfort. In the midst of the chaos and danger, it was easy to forget the simple, steadfast presence of a dog. Especially because the pup usually only followed Liam and Emma and was literally in Liam’s lap.
Well, had been.
Chris reached down, scratching behind Ranger’s ears as a wry smile tugged at his lips.
“How the hell did we let it get this bad, buddy?” Chris murmured, his voice low and rough with emotion.
Ranger let out a soft whine, as if sensing the weight of the question.
Chris sighed, his hand still absently petting the dog as his mind wandered. They had been so confident, so sure of their ability to protect Emma and rebuild some semblance of a normal life. But the world had a way of shattering even the best laid plans, leaving them scrambling for survival in the face of relentless threats.
His gaze drifted back to the rearview mirror, adjusting it until he could see Emma clearly. She was still tucked securely against Alex, her face pale but determined in the dim light.
“Emma,” he called softly, waiting until her eyes met his in the mirror. “I’m going to keep you safe. Better than last time. I promise.”
His words carried the weight of an unbreakable vow, a solemn pledge to shield her from the dangers that seemed to lurk around every corner. Last time they had been on the run, he had failed her—failed all of them.
But not this time.
This time, he would do whatever it took to ensure their survival, no matter the cost.
Emma held his gaze for a long moment, her expression a mix of trust and trepidation as she chewed her lower lip. She nodded slowly, acknowledging the promise, the unspoken understanding that passed between them.
Chris turned his attention back to the road ahead, his jaw set with grim determination. I will lead them through this darkness even if we have to make a light of our own to get through this.
Their trip this time might just be more dangerous than the last with all the dangers of the broken world paired with the force of the U.S. government. Last time their employment afforded them certain safeties and supplies that no longer existed. They were fugitives now, hunted by an enemy that would stop at nothing to see them captured or dead. Every decision, every move, could be the difference between life and death. He had to assume he could only use a government fuel stop once before his card was tracked and they’d be in danger from the nearest base.
His unit was counting on him, looking to him for guidance and protection. And he would not let them down. There would be no Marcus this trip. There would be no danger at supply runs or idiotic stops at abandoned malls for training.
They needed to find shelter, a small break where they could regroup and plan their next move.
With furrowed brows and a sense of urgency, he mentally reviewed their meager supplies, their rusted weapons, and their limited assets. It wasn’t much, but it would have to be enough to face the looming threats that awaited them. Despite the odds stacked against them, they were determined to fight until the very end. With determination in his eyes, he knew that they would give it their all with what little they had at their disposal.
Chris stopped petting Ranger and slid the pass-through window shut with a soft click, the barrier providing a modicum of privacy for the conversation he needed to have with Liam. The window wasn’t soundproof by any means, but it muffled the sounds from the back just enough to allow for a semblance of discretion.
He turned to face Liam, his voice low for an added attempt at privacy. “Liam, I need you to promise me something. No matter what happens, no matter what obstacles we face, you have to make sure Emma and Ranger get on that ferry. Their safety is our top priority.”
Liam’s blue eyes widened slightly behind his glasses. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he met Chris’s gaze.
Chris words clenched Liam’s heart, sending a mixture of dread and determination washing over him. He wanted to protest, to insist that they would all make it to safety together, but the gravity in Chris’s eyes told him that this was not a request—it was a command.
His gaze drifted to the closed pass-through window, his thoughts lingering on Emma and Ranger. They’d both been a constant source of comfort amidst the hell. They represented hope in his world after he’d long since forgotten the meaning of the word. It wasn’t shocked Chris gave him that command, it was after all, why they were doing any of what they did now.
Liam drew in a deep breath, the weight of the responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders. He knew Chris was entrusting him with the most precious cargo imaginable—the very future of their family.
“Chris,” Liam began, his voice low and earnest, “I understand what you’re asking of me. And I give you my word, I will do everything in my power to ensure Emma and Ranger’s safety. I’ll get them on that ferry, no matter what it takes.” He paused, his jaw clenching as he gathered the courage to voice the next part. “But I won’t be going with them if things are that dire. Alex, William, and Bash can go. I’ll be with you.”
Chris’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise and confusion passing over his features. “Liam, that’s not up for?—”
Liam held up a hand, cutting him off. “No, Chris. I won’t abandon you or the rest of the unit. We started this together, and we’ll see it through to the end. I’ll make sure Emma and Ranger are safe, but my place is here, fighting by your side.”
No matter how much I’ll forever miss her.
His mind was made up, no matter the implications of his choice—the sacrifices that would inevitably come with it. But deep down, Liam knew that he could never leave his brothers behind, not even for the promise of safety.
Chris stared at him for a long moment, a myriad of emotions playing out across his face—gratitude, fear, and a profound understanding of the bond they shared.
He knew without a shadow of a doubt, Chris was absolutely determined to face danger alone if it came to it.
His voice was a hushed but fervent whisper as he leaned closer to Chris.
“Chris, you can’t ask me to abandon you all. We’ve been through too much together. I won’t leave you to face this alone.” Liam’s blue eyes blazed with a fierce loyalty behind his glasses, his jaw set with determination.
But Chris’s steely gaze never wavered. “Liam, this isn’t a debate. If it comes down to it, you will go with Emma and Ranger. That’s an order.” His voice was low but held an unmistakable note of authority, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders.
Liam opened his mouth to argue further, but the resolve in Chris’s eyes stopped him short. He knew that look—it was the same unwavering determination that had gotten them through countless missions, the same iron will that had held their unit together through the darkest of times.
With a heavy sigh, he sat back, his shoulders slumping in resignation. “I don’t like this, Chris. Not one bit. But...I understand.” The words left a tang on his tongue, a reluctant acknowledgment of the chain of command that had guided their lives for so long.
Chris reached out, clasping Liam’s shoulder in a firm grip. “I know it’s not easy, but this is how it has to be. Emma and Ranger’s safety is our top priority. I’m counting on you to make sure they get out, no matter what happens to the rest of us.”
Liam swallowed hard, the weight of the responsibility settling like a lead weight in his gut. He knew Chris was right—Emma was the future, and she would never leave without Ranger if she also lost one of them. If it came down to it, he would move heaven and earth to ensure their survival.
But the thought of leaving his brothers behind, of not being there to fight alongside them in their darkest hour...it was almost more than he wanted to think about.
His thoughts turned to his brothers, to the unbreakable bonds forged in the fires of adversity. Alex, with his quick wit and unwavering loyalty. Bash, stoic and dependable, a rock in the midst of chaos. And William, the youngest of their group still had so much life left to live.
Chris tugged open the pass through, signaling the end of their conversation whether Liam liked it or not.
“Okay all, pause is over. We drive until your bladders burst or the gas starts to run out.”
Liam’s gazed out the window, the weight of Chris’s words hanging heavy in the air between them. The responsibility of ensuring Emma and Ranger’s safety felt like a physical burden, pressing down on his shoulders and constricting his chest. He drew in a shaky breath, trying to steady the rapid pounding of his heart.
Outside, the landscape had transformed, the trees giving way to a pot-hole covered roads covered in debris and god-only-knew what else. The truck bounced and jostled as Chris navigated the narrow, winding roads, the headlights cutting through the inky darkness like twin beacons of hope.
Liam’s mind drifted to the ferry, their last chance at escape from the relentless pursuit of General Bardini and the government forces. It seemed like a distant dream, a glimmer of salvation on the horizon that grew fainter with each passing mile.
He glanced down at the book spread across his lap, the worn pages crinkling beneath his fingers as he traced the intricate web of roads and trails. His brow furrowed in concentration as he mentally calculated the distance, the hours stretching out before them like an endless expanse.
“We’re about nine hours from the ferry still,” Liam said, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “But the only way to beat the General is to go farther off the roads. Into the dirt or dust or whatever we find. It’s more dangerous on the vehicle, but far less likely to be caught.”
“Fuck,” Chris snarled, but didn’t lash out against the wheel, meaning he wasn’t angry, just a little pissed. “Everyone, buckle up with the safety restraints. We’re going off road, into places we’re not supposed to be.” Chris’s voice was a low growl, the command laced with an undercurrent of urgency.
A ripple of tension passed through the vehicle, but everyone moved to do it, the soft clicks of safety restraints echoing in the confined space. Liam secured his own harness, his fingers fumbling slightly with the unfamiliar straps.
With a roar of the engine, the truck lurched forward, veering off the crumbling asphalt and onto the uneven terrain beyond. Dust billowed in their wake, obscuring the road behind them in a hazy cloud.
Liam braced himself against the jolts and bumps, his teeth rattling with each dip and rise of the truck. The headlights bounced erratically, illuminating the jagged landscape in fleeting bursts—a twisted maze of gullies and ravines, dotted with the skeletal remains of long-dead trees.
As they plunged deeper into the wilderness, the shadows seemed to close in around them, pressing against the windows like a living thing. Liam’s breath caught in his throat, his mind conjuring images of the horrors that could be lurking just out of sight—mutated creatures born of the apocalypse, or worse, the merciless soldiers of General Bardini’s army.
He forced himself to focus on the map, his eyes straining to make out the faint lines and contours in the dim light.