He looked around at the high walls, the heavy rain creating a mist that rose up from the courtyard. The damp coldness seeped into his bones, but he needed more answers. He pulled his handgun from the back of his pants and proceeded to the first weapons locker. As soon as he swung open the whiny iron door, deafening silence greeted him. He pulled on the light in the center of the room, the lone bulb swinging back and forth, creating a mix of shadows along the walls.
He strolled along in front of the rows of guns on the rack, doing a rough count.
“Boss?”
Draven looked up, but didn’t raise his weapon. “What are you doing here, Luke? It’s late to be up.”
“My night on patrol,” he said.
He hadn’t even checked to see who was on watch. As much as he’d been focused on his own internal security issues, he had to remember the biggest threat was on the outside of the walls. They always had to be on guard.
But did he trust Luke? He’d been with him since the early days, but the other man also had nothing to lose. With his wife and child already dead, maybe he was involved with the plan against him. Maybe he was jealous of Draven’s newfound happiness.
Or Draven was being overly suspicious of everyone.
“Anything interesting tonight?”
“That new girl was snooping around, but she does most nights. Have you decided if they’ll be staying on with us permanently?”
Draven mulled the words in his head. His protective instincts briefly flared. “Ashley isn’t going anywhere. Luanna’s fate is left to be seen.” He continued to walk along the wall of weapons. “Tell me, Luke, have you seen any unusual activity around the castle recently? Anything out of the ordinary?”
“No, nothing. Is there something going on I should know about?”
Draven chose his next words carefully because as much as he hoped Luke wasn’t involved, he could be. He didn’t want to raise any red flags. “Just a question.” Draven winked.
“Well, so far no major damage from the storm,” said Luke.
He nodded thoughtfully, then pulled the string on the lightbulb overhead, blanketing them in darkness. If Luke wanted to take him out, this would be the perfect chance for him to make a move. Draven was ready for anything. Craved it.
“You mentioned wanting to cultivate the east fields. It would be a good time with the ground so soft,” said Luke. “I can get a group together in the morning.”
Draven kept walking until outside of the weapons locker. He closed the heavy door behind him and locked up. “It’s dangerous,” he said. Tending to any of the fields outside of their protective walls was always a risk. Groups of rogue travelers often passed through and wouldn’t think twice about killing any person in their path.
“It’s always dangerous.”
Was gathering together an excuse to exact their plan against him? His paranoia was growing wild. Why the sudden need to cultivate the fields? Why Luke?
“I know you’re capable. If you think it’s a good idea, you have my confidence,” said Draven.
“It will yield a lot more food for the growing community. We should also consider expanding the walls.”
“Of course. Have that arranged.”
Just as he was about to return upstairs, there was a knock on the front gates. He rushed over with Luke, both with weapons drawn. After flicking on the floodlight, he saw two women and a teen boy standing outside, soaking wet.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“We’re looking for shelter from the storm. Just for the night. We’re heading west, looking for family,” said the woman. As she adjusted her hood to see better, he noticed the marking on her wrist.
Another fertile.
He nodded to Luke, giving him permission to set them up for the night. They’d be under careful watch until they left in the morning. No one was to be trusted.
He walked back toward the staircase, feeling more unsettled than when he first woke up. He nearly tripped on something outside his bedroom door, the metallic sound breaking the silence. Draven squat down and picked up the heavy item in both hands. A crowbar. He palmed the cool metal, his mind wandering.
Draven rushed inside and went straight to the bed, pawing at the mounds in the comforter, finding them all empty.
“Ashley!” he shouted. “Ashley!”