Luanna shrugged. “We were waiting until you got to town so you couldn’t send us home.”
“I wanted you safe, Ashley.”
She set the shotgun down and reached for him. He helped her down, swinging her around in his arms. “I’m glad I didn’t listen, or you could have been killed.”
“I’m sure I would have found a way out of this mess. I always do,” said Draven.
“You sure are smug, aren’t you?” said Luanna. “A simple thank you would have sufficed.”
“Thank you. I still don’t approve of Ashley being at risk,” he said.
“Well, we’re here now,” said Ashley, looking up at him with those gorgeous blue eyes. “Let’s get the mission done and get home.”
“What about them?” asked Luke.
The part of him holding onto his humanity demanded he show mercy. But it was a small part. The rest of him knew these bastards wouldn’t stop until they found their compound, and they’d try to kill them on their return trip.
“Why don’t you and Luanna handle this? We’ll keep heading around this damn road block. I’m sure you’ll be able to catch up on foot.” Draven kissed Ashley and helped her up into the front of the wagon. He climbed up beside her, this time with a weapon near his foot.
He didn’t want Ashley to think he was a monster, but he also knew Luanna was almost as ruthless as he was. She’d never allow the men to go free with their lives.
These were difficult times, and survival of the fittest had become a way of life. Those men were going to kill them for no reason except they were breathing. Nothing could be more ruthless than that.
****
Ashley scanned the area as they rolled along. The town was desolate, like a ghost town from old television shows. There was even tumbleweed crossing their path. As she’d recently learned, it wasn’t a sign of safety. Man had become their biggest threat. It was ridiculous when food, shelter, and survival should be number one on everyone’s mind. People turned evil way too easily. It was disheartening.
“It’s too quiet,” said Luanna. She stood behind them with a rifle in hand.
“It’s deserted. Just be on alert. We’ll get what we need and get the hell out,” said Luke.
Draven squeezed Ashley’s knee, offering her a bit of comfort. She wasn’t used to this. Life in the kingdom had spoiled her, giving her a sense of false security. If only it was real.
“Do you think there will still be food here?” Ashley asked.
Draven nodded, giving her a little smile. She was so lucky to have found him. Ever since the virus, her life had been turned upside down. He alone managed to give her balance.
“Over there,” said Luanna.
They stopped the wagon, and everyone got out. “Stay close to me,” said Draven. They all had weapons, sweeping the area as they moved in on the store. If they could find the stockpile of food, Draven would have no reason to leave the kingdom. They could be safe and focus on living life and loving each other.
She placed her hand over her lower stomach as they walked, wondering if she was growing a child at this moment. More than ever, it was essential they find what they were looking for.
Luke kicked open the back door in the store, Draven moved in and did a sweep.
“All clear.”
When they entered, the defeated look on his face told her everything. The room was ransacked, empty boxes and spilled bags of food strewn across the floor.
“Oh God,” Luanna whispered.
She held onto Draven, holding back tears. Ashley needed to be strong and not make Draven feel worse. “We can start the planting, prepare new fields,” she said.
“We need food now, baby, not next season.”
They left the room, dragging their feet.
“Let’s split up. There could be a few things left to scavenge,” said Luanna. “I’ll go with Luke and head east.”
“We’ll go west. Meet back at the wagon in twenty minutes. Fire a shot if there’s trouble,” Draven said.
They held hands as they walked up the sidewalk. It was surreal, everything frozen in time. Most of the people died from the virus. Of the remaining women, most were left infertile. Her thoughts scattered in so many directions. She wondered what became of the people who lived here. A tricycle lay in the dirt by the sidewalk, an eerie reminder of what used to be.
“If it wasn’t for the virus, I never would have met you,” she said. “I must be a monster for not wishing I could turn back time and ensure it was never unleashed.”
“You’re not a monster.”
“Can I tell you something?”
He stopped, leaning against the wall of a hardware store. Draven holstered his gun and held her waist. “What is it?”
She swallowed hard, determined not to cry. “This all feels like a nightmare I want to wake up from. The death, the shortages, the hate. It’s killing me from the inside out. Those books I read at home aren’t just entertainment, they’re my only escape.”