Rabbit Farm

By Trista Frank

Hours from being free, a group of ex-criminals are called to a desolate farm house for one last mission.

Cracks appear when they can't find the threat they were sent to eliminate, and don't know what they are dealing with.

Frustrated, they intensify their search, as one by one they are eaten alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TE Publishing
• Release date: Dec 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301630615

Book preview

chapter 1

THE DARKNESS INSIDE the room was broken with a faint streak of light that escaped through a crack in the metal wall, casting a soft glow over the sleeping bodies. One of them groaned and shifted away from it, shielding his eyes as he pulled the frayed woolen blanket over his face.

Rye Northcott stirred from her troubled sleep, opening an eye to see where the light was coming from. Part of the wall in the corner of the vehicle had peeled away again, exposing them to the sunlight outside.

She watched the rest of the crew as they started to wake from their slumber, and wondered if today was the last day she’d be here with them. They’d been travelling together for two days now, and she was anxious to get home.

Finn Bradbury, the leader of the crew, sat up, rubbing his eyes. Rye watched as his head barely missed hitting the top bunk as he swung his feet onto the floor.

Morning, he said to no one in particular, and walked over to the sliding panel in the back of the DV, opening it up so the large metal room was flooded with light. Rye heard another sleepy crew member mumble something incoherent under his breath.

She looked around the room, which was divided into two sections. The living quarters were at the back, and had eight bunk beds attached to the walls, stacked two deep. Even though there were eight beds, only seven of them were occupied on this journey back home. It also held a small refrigerator, a storage cupboard, and medicine cabinet which was always locked – not that she cared, she hadn’t been sick for years.

The front of the DV was separated by a thin cotton curtain to hide the large touchscreen computer from view. Only Finn was allowed to use it, although Rye had snuck a look on more than one occasion. She never could get used to these driverless vehicles, or DV’s for short as most people called them, especially one as old as this. The idea that a computer did the driving didn’t install much confidence, even if it was supposed to eliminate accidents.

Her stomach rumbled. She had missed most of last night’s dinner, preferring to explore the area where they had stopped, and had only made it back in time before they were scheduled to leave. She wondered if there was any chance that the crew had left something in the fridge. Probably not likely. She wrapped herself in a blanket and walked over to open the door to see if she could find anything edible.

Her hand hadn’t even reached the handle when Tanner grabbed her by the wrist. Wait for breakfast. You know the rules. Rye glared at him, rubbing her arm where his rough skin had rubbed against her. The lines in Tanner Anderson’s face made him look older than he probably was, although how old he really was she couldn’t guess. Forty, perhaps? All she knew was that she was the youngest of them all, and that wasn’t always a good thing.

We’ll be stopping in about ten minutes to eat, said Finn, as he pulled back the screen to the computer room, entering a command on the screen. Pancakes with fresh strawberries, and hot coffee today, he said. Rye sighed, if only that were true.

She looked across at the only other female on this trip, Katrine Weaver, and watched as she wiped over her handgun with the bottom of her t–shirt. It was the same .22 caliber issue they all had. Well, all of them, except Rye.

The other three members were still in bed, although one of them, Manuel Torres, was awake, and reading the book his face was always buried in. It must have been a good book, as she’d seen him read it at least three times, and they had only been travelling for two days.

She walked over to the back of the DV and looked outside. It would be another hot day today, the red dirt already shimmering under the sunlight. As was usual for most of this trip, she saw nothing except dirt and shrubs. Wherever they were, they weren’t close to civilization yet.

As the engine whistled down and fell silent, Tanner lifted the heavy latch, and threw open the back doors. He pushed the makeshift stairs down with his foot, and they hit the ground with a loud clang, throwing up a billow of red dust. He was the first out, and disappeared around the side of the van.

Rye shielded her eyes from the bright light as she stepped outside, pausing to breathe in the clean, fresh air. It felt good to be out in the open again after the stuffiness of inside, and she stretched out, exposing her slim stomach as her top rode up her body.

Better keep that covered, unless you want Hackett to blow a gasket again, said Katrine, pushing past her to open the side of the vehicle and get out the foldaway table and set of deck chairs.

I do not have gaskets, said Hackett. Not anymore, anyway, he said as he winked at Rye. They pretty much took it all after the trial.

Rye’s eyes fluttered down at Hackett Anderson’s groin momentarily, as she pulled down her top holding it close to her skin hoping none of them saw the small scars that criss–crossed her stomach. She’d never seen exactly what they did to former rapists. She had heard all the gory details about how they cut it off and replaced it with something mechanical, something that was supposed to suppress certain urges, but she’d never actually seen it. Oh boy, she wanted to, though.

Kemble Lee, the last member to depart the vehicle, stumbled down the stairs, hugging his arms around his thin body. Where do you think we are? he asked. Rye shrugged. She looked around at the surroundings, but apart from the few trees and scrub behind her, there was nothing to be seen. Only dirt and dust--lots of red dust.

We are in the middle of fuck–all, said Manuel, his speech slurring as he sat at the table. He placed his book beside him, leaving his hand on it, in case Tanner tried to take it off him, again.

Finn handed out the plates of food as everybody sat down. Eat up, he ordered. We won’t be stopping until late this afternoon.

Rye looked down at her plate of mush. She swirled her fork around in it, wrinkling her nose before placing some in her mouth. It wasn’t nearly as bad as yesterday morning. Or, perhaps she wasn’t as hungry, then? She shrugged and continued to empty her plate.

Kemble finished his meal first, and started clearing away the rest of the empty plates. Come on, Tanner, he said, pushing him in the back of the head. Hurry up and finish. I want to get home.

Tanner stood up quickly, face to face with Kemble. Don’t push me.

Kemble laughed nervously, his eyes dancing over Tanner’s large muscled chest. Chill out man, I’m just anxious to get going. Nothing meant by it.

Tanner huffed and sat back down. His eyes narrowed as he slowly and deliberately took small bites from his plate, watching as Kemble continued to clear the table. Brain dead asshole, he said under his breath.

Katrine moved to sit next to Rye, her thick legs straining to fit into the chair. Can’t wait to be rid of this lot, and back at home at last. I hope the last leg of the trip goes fast. I’m not sure I want to spend any more time with these guys.

Do you have anyone special waiting for you? asked Rye.

Nah. Not really one for long–term relationships... but I’ve always wanted to get a dog. Yeah, a real mutt. None of these fancy things with girly yaps, though. A good rough and tumble dog, you know?

Sure. Sounds nice.

What are you going to do with the money?

Nothing extravagant, I don’t think. I’ve always wanted to buy a little house by the sea. But I’m not sure I want to move from where I am now. Perhaps I’ll just save it for a while.

House by the sea, eh? Fancy.

I guess.

Katrine chewed on the side of her cheek watching Rye closely. Yeah, well I’m going to get a big truck, one with an actual steering wheel. With a big motor too with loads of power. Yeah.

Rye looked back over to their DV and the flat front that fit only an engine and solar panels. At least there are a lot less accidents these days. That’s got to be something.

Nah. There’s nothing like doing a one–eighty in a big dirt patch and watching the dust fly up behind you. Now that’s fun.

Rye smiled at Katrine, trying to stifle the laugh that was bursting to come out. I’m getting a little cool. I’m just going to grab something to put on.

Yeah, cover up, good idea. You don’t want these fella’s getting ideas, said Katrine.

chapter 2

RYE WALKED BACK inside the empty van, and over to her belongings that were packed neatly away under her bed in a small case. She opened it carefully, and pulled out a lightweight cardigan to go over her t–shirt and shorts. She shifted a top to one side, and her reflection stared back at her from the cool, clean blades of her two favorite knives. She picked one of them up carefully, examining the blade to make sure it was still sharp. After the many times she had to use them this past year, she’d hate for them to get dull. She was careful to make sure that didn’t happen, meticulously cleaning them after each use, and drying them well. She carefully touched the edge of the blade with her thumb, and a small sliver of blood appeared on her skin, dripping down her hand.

Need a bandage? Finn stood behind her, staring, waiting for an answer.

Rye carefully placed the knife back in the case and folded her clothes back over the top before closing it. No it’s nothing.

Good. We are running low on medical supplies. You should wait outside with the others until we are ready to leave.

Of course. I just wanted to grab this. She held her cardigan out in her hands, showing it to him.

He glanced down at it. You won’t need that today. It’s going to be a scorcher.

Okay. I just was checking ...

I asked you to leave. Do I have to ask again?

Rye shook her head and stepped back outside. She pressed her thumb onto the bleeding one to make it stop. Why’d they make him leader anyway? If it were up to her, she would have chosen Hackett. Even with his past regressions, he was able to motivate people the best – they always did what he asked. It wasn’t as if he was a danger anymore either, not after the cut. He knew far more about technology than Finn did.

Technology. Rye sighed. Why didn’t they let them have their music players, anyway? Playing songs in your head just wasn’t the same as listening to the real thing. It wasn’t as if she could contact the outside world with one – it was a music player, for Christ’s sake. The blanket rule on all electronic devices being forbidden was just stupid.

She looked around for a good place to pee, and stepped into the brush, away from the rest of the group.

***

Hackett watched Rye from where he sat. He watched her smooth, sleek body walk into the scrub and wondered if he could follow her without the others noticing. He almost couldn’t stand being in the same place as her. He imagined what it would be like to have her tongue running over him. Over his... damn. Who was he kidding? He could barely remember what that was like. Fucking government, and their stupid rules. It wasn’t as if he’d hurt anyone, well, not unless they’d asked him to.

He hadn’t seen her when they were at Imperiem, hadn’t seen any of the crew from this trip there, but that wasn’t such a surprise. The company didn’t like bunching up a group that already knew each other. And they especially wouldn’t have put someone like Rye on his station. If there were any women around him at all, and that wasn’t often, they were usually like that other female, what was her name? Oh yeah, Katrine, or Kat, as she called herself. Yeah, didn’t notice those sort of women at the station, and didn’t want to notice them now. Not when a pretty young thing like Rye was on board. Two days confined in one tiny space with that. It was nearly bliss.

His mouth started to water as he imagined the pleasure of tying that sweet little morsel up, and pleasuring her until she screamed and begged for mercy. Yeah. He could keep her like a little pet. She’d like that. All the others did. Sure, they all said how terrified they were when the judge asked. But that was what the lawyers told them to say so he’d get convicted. They were paid off. It’s amazing what people did for money... like choosing to work for Imperiem instead of doing jail time.

He stood up and walked slowly toward the trees to see if he could see where she had headed. She couldn’t have gotten far, it had only been, what, less than a minute? Looking in all directions, he couldn’t see her or any trace of where she might have gone.

Manuel came up behind him. You need a leak, too? he said. He staggered slightly and walked off to the left, unzipped his fly, and started to urinate on a nearby tree. Hackett looked longingly at his fleshy cock as a small sting inside his pants pinched against his skin.

***

Tanner leaned back on the chair, watching Kemble pack the chairs away in the storage area under the vehicle. The plates had already been washed and placed carefully in the basket. Kemble had even covered them with a layer of felt so they wouldn’t get damaged in transit. Idiot. He thinks trying to keep some semblance of control is going to help him out here. He has no idea.

When everything except the chair that Tanner was sitting on was packed away, Kemble looked nervously back at him. Go ahead, thought Tanner. Come over and ask me to move. I dare you.

But instead of approaching him, he walked to the side of the vehicle and lit a cigarette. Pussy.

The sun beat down on the ground, causing a shimmery