Deadlocked 8

By A.R. Wise

The finale of the second series of Deadlocked.
The High Rollers are ready to take revenge against the forces aligned against them. A hard and long winter has forced them into hiding, but has also given them a respite from something else... something far worse than anything they’ve battled so far.
The Noah Initiative has begun, and the land will soon be devastated by a new virus. The people lined up against the High Rollers are fighting among themselves as well, and everyone is at risk. This isn’t just a fight for survival anymore, it’s a fight to save the entire human race.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.R. Wise
• Release date: Apr 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310177293

A.R. Wise

I am a podcaster, movie and music lover, owner of the Talkingship website, and long time secret writer. I decided to sit down and force myself to finally put together a story and get it into people's hands. That happened with the release of my first novella, Deadlocked, on November 9th, 2011. For updates on my writing, news about upcoming projects, and to see a ludicrous amount of other fantastic things, head over to http://talkingship.com/wp/

Book preview

PART ONE – Setting Out

PRELUDE

Which one is it that’s flying in today? asked Nathan, one of the guards that Jerald had sent to the transfer facility to capture a member of The Electorate that was flying in for her final transfer procedure. She was unaware that the facility had been taken over by Jerald’s team.

Winchell, said Jim. They were waiting outside, near the basketball court that was used as a landing pad for helicopters. I think her first name’s Audrey.

The sky was overcast, and night seeped in lazily, like sludge rising through already murky water. Winter announced its arrival with delicate flakes of snow that drifted through the cool air and vanished upon touching down, like dying fairies that had no place in the real world. The incessant bugs that characterized the countryside in warmer months had vanished, and ‘V’ shaped flocks of geese were constantly passing above, headed south as the season changed. The ground was littered with dead leaves, some of which skittered across the court, adding to the soundtrack of waning fall.

They listened for the telltale roar of an approaching helicopter, but the sky offered no sound other than the honks of migrating geese that had yet to find a pond or field to lounge in for the night.

Nathan pulled at the tight collar of his ill-fitting, blue uniform that he’d been given to help complete the ruse. It was important that Audrey Winchell and the helicopter’s pilot not sense anything was amiss when they arrived. Jerald Scott had already managed to capture several members of The Electorate, and he wanted as many as he could get before the uprising was revealed. It was essential that The Noah Initiative was delayed, and if enough members of The Electorate were in custody, then there would be no choice but to comply with Jerald’s commands. This was how they’d planned on saving the lives of everyone stationed in the Rocky Mountain region, where The Electorate had planned to launch their final assault.

Nathan was about to comment on how uncomfortable his uniform was when the early-winter solitude was interrupted by an animal’s pained howl from a distance too close for comfort. It carried on longer than it should, rising and falling, as if the creature was being tormented and had cried out in hope of rescue. The call died away slowly and gave Nathan the sense that the creature would have continued screeching all night had its lungs allowed it.

What in the hell was that? asked Jim.

Nathan stared wide-eyed out into the woods, fearing what might lurk there. He raised his rifle and clicked on the modular light. No clue, he said as he scanned the forest that cloistered the cabin. Sounded like a dog, maybe.

Or a wolf, said Jim as he used his rifle to search the woods as well.

Nathan continued to search, and he saw movement in the brush. He kept his light’s beam steady and peered into the distance, studying the spot where he thought he’d seen something. He was about to give up and look somewhere else when a small animal darted out of the light, kicking up leaves as it went, and revealing itself where Nathan had been nearly convinced nothing was hiding.

What was that? asked Jim, his terror evident.

A fox or something, said Nathan, his heart pounding as he searched for the creature. Whatever it was had escaped. It wasn’t what made that howl.

I hate nature, said Jim and Nathan chuckled in agreement.

Never know what’s hiding in there.

At least the zombies moan, said Jim. You know it when they’re coming after you. Animals are different. You don’t know they’re hunting you until they’re already pouncing.

They heard the screech of the animal again, this time from closer than before. It was weaker, but no less disturbing.

That’s close, man, said Jim.

Maybe an Undying got its hands on a dog or something.

The creature wailed, pitiful as it fought to survive.

We need to go check it out, said Nathan.

No we don’t, said Jim with assuredness inspired by dread.

Yes we do. We can’t have that thing screaming like that when Winchell gets here.

Jim hated the idea of investigating, but knew that Nathan was right. Fine, he said and pointed his gun in the direction of the woods beside the basketball court. You first.

Nathan felt the sting of a snowflake as it struck his cheek, and he wiped away the wetness. The way the flake had startled him revealed his tension. He walked cautiously across the court and to the line of woods beyond. A hill sloped down at a gradual decline from where the cabin was perched, and he stopped to inspect the area before moving on. Jim followed behind, quiet and cautious as he scanned the area for any sign of movement.

The crunch of leaves beneath their feet was obnoxiously loud, and Nathan motioned for Jim to stop so they could listen for the creature that was dying out here. He heard something breathing fast and shallow like the final gasps of a victim before death finally claimed it.

They moved further down and came to a clearing that appeared to be a pathway that had been carved through the woods wide enough for a vehicle. Nathan pointed down at what appeared to be indentations caused by tire treads and looked back at Jim with a questioning glance. Jim shrugged, apparently also unaware that there was a road down this way. Neither of them knew where it led.

Nathan followed the path deeper into the woods. As it turned a corner, the gap in the trees revealed where it led. There was a cave here that looked manmade, and the creature that had alerted them was laying at its maw, as if the mountain itself was making a meal of it. The dog was still alive, and its glassy eyes stared out at them. Its mouth was agape, and bright blood leaked from it, forming a pool that the animal was too weak to crawl away from. The dog’s eyes shone green as Nathan’s flashlight found them, but then other, smaller eyes glimmered from atop the prey. Dark forms were writhing in the dog’s mangy fur, tearing at the creature’s skin, and ripping flesh from bone. The vision made little sense to Nathan, and he gazed in wonderment as the small creatures atop the dog paused their feast to stare out at the intruder.

Are those bats? asked Jim, recognizing the creatures that were feasting on the dog. What in the…

The bats screeched before Jim finished his curse. The creatures took flight, and then a deafening roar followed their ascent as a wave of black shot forth from the mouth of the cave. The colony of bats swarmed over Nathan, a storm cloud of fangs and claws that spun around him, like razors swirling in a tornado, tearing at his skin and clinging to him with needle sharp talons. Nathan batted at them, and shot into the air, but no matter what he did the creatures never relented. Their bloodlust was insatiable, and even as he crushed one or two that had fallen to the ground, ten more took their place, blotting out the world around him as he ran screaming in terror and pain.

Nathan felt talons scrape across his eyes, and his cries of agony were equaled only by those the dog had made that first drew him to this cave. He succumbed, although he would rise again. Once the creatures were sated by his hot blood, he would come to understand their hunger as he searched the world for sustenance.

The Tempest Strain was loose, and although the onset of winter would slow the spread of the disease, it was only a matter of time before the world was overcome with this new apocalypse.

1 – Scouts

Annie Conrad

I was alone, just like I wanted, outside of the rehab center where the High Rollers had been hiding for the past couple months. The majority of the survivors chose to stay within the facility, away from the brutal winter that had buried the area in several feet of snow, but I prefer solitude, and the rehab center was too crowded for me.

The High Rollers were in the process of splitting up, with some choosing to merge with the survivors of Vineyard to go and seek out a place that would be suitable for a new settlement, but the destruction of The Department had forced our group to stay together for the time being. We were wary to venture out in large groups because of the ever watchful eye of the military. As much as we wanted revenge against the man responsible for the deaths of so many of our friends, including my sister, the lives of the survivors of Vineyard were also in our hands. We needed to ensure their safety before setting out on our final crusade.

My injuries still hadn’t healed entirely, although I did my best to ignore them. I don’t remember much of what happened after the helicopters showed up. However, the members of the High Rollers were more than happy to fill in the details. My exploits on that tower became something of a legend, and every time I heard it recounted it seemed to get a little more outlandish than the last. The Rollers were acting as if I had single-handedly fought off the horde and the helicopters. The adulation made me uncomfortable, but my mother convinced me to let them continue telling the story of that day, because they needed to feel like it had been a victory. It helped them forget just how defeated we’d become.

The rehab center that we’d been hiding in since fleeing south was located near a Red world town called Castle Rock, which was between Denver and Colorado Springs. It felt like we were trapped there. The Greys had overrun the dead city streets of Denver, and the springs had been decimated by an air raid. Some of Billy’s scavengers still reported increased military presence in that area, as if Jerald and his men were desperate to ensure that they’d wiped out Jules’ group of fighters, The Department. And now that winter had swept in, it felt like we were a den of hibernating bears, just waiting for the break of spring.

Something unexpected had happened shortly after the onset of winter that ignited a swell of rumors and speculation through the camp. During the first month that we hid at the rehab center, we would see planes occasionally, which was one of the reasons we tried to stay hunkered down. Then an explosion had drawn us outside, and we saw a plume of black smoke in the blue sky, with pieces of a destroyed jet falling in the distance. That was just the first of several similar events, and suddenly the sightings of planes became fewer and fewer until they disappeared completely.

Many of the Rollers insisted that this was proof the military was fighting against itself. They wanted to set out immediately to take advantage of the internal struggle they guessed was occurring, but my mother insisted on waiting until after winter faded before taking action. While the flatlands of Colorado are usually not overwhelmed with bitterly cold winters, this year had proven much different. While the sun seemed to shine more days than not, the snow lingered, rarely melting away on sunny days like it normally would any other year. She was worried about the Rollers setting out and then getting caught in one of the season’s bitter storms.

I stared up at the towering pines that hugged the entrance of the facility, their branches glistening with fresh snow that refracted sunlight, causing the needles to twinkle. It was oppressively cold, and the air stung my lungs. Still though, I felt more comfortable out there than inside with the swell of humanity that was packed into the lower level of the old, crumbling rehab center.

Birds dotted the blue between the pines, darting across the scape and then back again, as if playing a game as the shape of their flock mutated. Their chatter filled the air as they finally settled on a direction. The majority of them headed north, while a smaller group fled in a different direction, disappearing behind the tree line.

What are you doing out here? asked Ben. I hadn’t realized he was outside, and I was startled by his voice.

I placed my hand over my thundering heart and said, You scared the crap out of me.

Ben was standing off to the left of the building’s entrance, his faithful pug cradled in his arms. He smiled my way as he scratched at the pup’s chin. Stubs and I took a walk.

Looks like you’re the one doing the walking, I said as I regarded the lazy, portly dog in his arms.

Ben smirked down Stubs and said, Yeah, I think he’d sleep all day if I let him. He set the dog down, but Stubs began to shiver before looking back up at his owner and barking. Ben laughed and said, I don’t think he likes the cold. It hurts his paws. He scooped the pup back up again.

I expected Ben to go back inside, because Stubs clearly wanted out of the cold, but he stayed where he was and sighed with contentment as he relaxed against the wall. I moved to stand beside him and said, I take it you prefer it out here, away from everyone else. Ben and I had become close over the past few months. He was a loner, just like me, which made us a good fit.

Yep, he said as he stared up at the sky. He seemed serene, but then he became concerned that admitting to preferring solitude might be offensive. Not that I don’t like everyone in there. Heck, I owe you guys my life. I’ve just spent the majority of my life on my own. I’ve never been comfortable in big groups.

No need to explain, I said. I’m the same way.

How’s your shoulder? asked Ben, aware of the injury that was still giving me trouble. The two of us had spent a good amount of time together in rehabilitation. Jill was our nurse, and she’d tirelessly worked to get us both back into fighting shape. Ben had an easier time than me, and despite still being fitted with one of Billy’s old back braces, he seemed to be nearly healed from the injuries he’d sustained in Vineyard months earlier. My injuries, which came from tumbling off the roof and colliding with a wrought iron fence, had been severe. I still wasn’t able to rotate my right arm all the way around. Jill insisted it would only be a matter of time before I was back to normal. She said I had the luxury of youth, and that in a few months the injuries would be a distant memory. I wanted to believe her, but every time I tried to lift my right arm I was reminded that she might be wrong.

My role in our group had always been as a sniper and a scout, and the loss of mobility in my right shoulder meant that laying prone with a rifle was something I couldn’t achieve without incredible pain. Each day that passed without any sign that my shoulder was healing left me more and more concerned. I lifted my right arm so that it was perpendicular to my shoulder, but couldn’t move it any higher without a sting of pain. Not much better, I said before relaxing again.

I wouldn’t worry, said Ben. Give it time.

I don’t think we’ve got much time left, I said as I gazed back up at the flock of birds that had returned to the trees outside of the rehab center. The Vineyard folks have already picked out a few potential spots for a new settlement. As soon as winter breaks, they’re going to want to get going on that. Once that’s taken care of, we’ll be headed back out to find Jerald.

Setting up a new settlement will take a while, said Ben. You’ve still got time to heal.

The Rollers aren’t going to wait around for the settlement to be finished. The ones that want war want it now. They’re sick of waiting.

What are they planning?

They’ve all got different opinions. The bitter cold was beginning to bite, and I crossed my arms to stave the chill. My cheeks were burning as the blustering wind whipped through the pines, carrying a dusting of snow off the hills and into my face. I squinted to protect my eyes and waited for the gust to end before continuing. Still, despite the harsh weather, I preferred being outside with Ben than inside with everyone else. Billy wants to drop bombs down the vents, but not everyone’s on board with that.

Why not? asked Ben. He wasn’t privy to the meetings that my mother was having with the higher ranked Rollers. After the events at the church, my mother had done away with the former hierarchy of our group, and only Zack and Billy were officially lieutenants anymore, but she still consulted those of us that had formerly enjoyed a higher status.

They’re worried that all dropping bombs down there will do is let Jerald know that we’re still alive. If we’re going to go after them, then we have to do it all at once, without any warning. Otherwise they’ll just lock themselves in down there and wait it out.

We don’t even know if they’re still down there, said Ben. For all we know, they might’ve packed up and took off.

We’ll send scouts out before we make a move, I said as I pressed the tip of my boot against the hard, icy top of the snow near me. The slightest pressure caused the crust to crack in a satisfying manner, inexplicably soothing my desire to wreck things.

Who will they send? asked Ben.

I shrugged. No clue. All of the people that used to go on the scouting missions are either dead or hurt. One of the teams used to be Arthur and Dustin, but Dustin’s dead and Arthur’s leg is still in a cast. Then there was Stitch and Kim, but they’re both dead. And the other team was Hero and me, and well… I hesitated, unwilling to admit what we all had come to accept: Hero was dead.

The last we’d heard of him, he and Kim were taking the victims of the Vineyard attack out to one of the burn sites. After that, Kim had shown up at the town where Jerald was trying to corral the Rollers, and every Grey within a hundred yards of her couldn’t help but run in her direction – the reason for which was still hotly debated amongst the Rollers. No one was certain what to make of the event, but after a couple months passed without any sign of Hero, most of us assumed he was dead.

Gotcha, said Ben, understanding my hesitation to discuss Hero’s death. So you’re the only scout left standing?

Yes, I said with reflection. I hadn’t thought much about it before, but Ben was right. Being a scout for the Rollers wasn’t as simple as just heading out to keep an eye on things. Survival played a key role, and it was a skill that took time to learn. Living in an undead world is a tricky prospect. There were other members of the Rollers that could certainly be competent scouts, but none that had been competent enough to serve in the role frequently before we were attacked.

What about Billy’s scavengers? asked Ben of the Rollers that Billy had chosen to be in charge of going out and collecting food and supplies to bring back.

I’m sure some of them probably think they could handle a scouting mission, but they’re wrong. Traveling out in a five mile radius around the camp is a heck of lot different than going out on a scout. You probably know that better than anyone. Surviving out there’s not as easy as people assume.

We should go, said Ben.

I thought he meant that we should go back inside. You two go, I said with a glance down at Stubs. I’m going to stay out here for a little longer.

No, I meant that you and I should go scout the airport. I spent the better part of my life surviving on my own, sneaking around, and I probably know more about the military facilities than anyone in the Rollers. You and I would make a pretty good team.

I thought you worked alone, I said, chiding him for how he always used to insist on being alone during our time under Jill’s watchful eye.

I do, for the most part, but you’re not bad company. He leaned closer so that he could nudge me with his shoulder.

Mom would never go for it, I said, wary of how my mother would respond. She’d been fiercely protective of me ever since Kim’s death, and I knew that she wouldn’t allow me to set off on a scouting trip.

Tell her she’s got nothing to worry about. I won’t let anything happen to you.

I snickered and then said, Yeah right. I’ve got a feeling if we went scouting it’d be me saving your ass the whole time, not the other way around.

Oh really? he asked, amused.

Really.

We’ll see about that. He adjusted his grip on Stubs, and the dog hung limply in his arms as if ready to fall asleep. I’m serious, you should tell Laura that the two of us will head back out to the airport. I don’t think there’s anyone else here that would be better suited for the job.

Are you feeling up for it? I thought you were still pretty banged up.

He shook his head and said, I’m fine. I heal fast.

All right, I said, but rolled my eyes and sighed before adding, But I already know what her answer’s going to be.

* * *

Absolutely not, said Laura, expecting that to be enough to end the conversation.

Hold on, I said as I took her arm to keep her from walking away. Don’t dismiss me like that.

You’re in no shape to go traipsing around, said my mother as she avoided eye contact with me. We were inside of the rehab center, in one of the conference rooms that had once been used for group counseling. The ring of comfortable seats in the center of the room was where the leaders of our group would meet to discuss the bevy of issues that arose in a camp of people such as this. One might expect that the majority of my mother’s time would be spent with planning the attack against Jerald’s military, or managing food, water, and supplies for such a large group, but in truth, most of her time was spent settling minor disagreements between people staying with us. Leading the Rollers had been easy compared to trying to handle people that had become accustomed to life in Vineyard. The survivors had their own opinions on how a colony should be run, and were quick to voice their concerns with how Laura managed them. The former strife within the Rollers, caused by Billy’s desire to continue fighting the military and Laura’s hope for peace, had been tame compared to the vitriolic battles that erupted between the supposedly civil refugees of Vineyard.

The stress of leading such a large group, and trying to keep everyone happy, had a visible effect on my mother. She looked tired and pale, thinner than she’d ever been, and was easily agitated.

I’m fine, I said in defiance.

No, we’re not having this debate. Not now.

Don’t turn your back on me, I shouted, like a child throwing a tantrum, and she stopped before leaving the room. Don’t treat me like this.

Like what? Like you’re my daughter? she asked as if she might be amused if she weren’t so angry. Because I’ll tell you what, Annie, you are my daughter. You’re my only daughter. You’re the only person I have left in this world and I’m not going to lose you by sending you off on a scouting mission. No way.

Stop being dramatic. You’ve got Zack and David. I motioned over to Zack who was standing near the door. And besides, nothing’s going to happen to me. I went out on a hundred scouting trips before and…

And what? And you happened to survive? You happened to be one of the only scouts to still be alive? That’s supposed to be why I should let you go? No. I’m sorry, Annie, but the answer is no.

If I wasn’t your daughter, then you’d let me go. If I were anyone else in this camp, then you’d have no problem sending me off as a scout.

But you’re not anyone else in this camp. You’re my daughter. Annie, please don’t fight me on this. I just don’t have the strength for this right now.

Zack took my mother’s hand and said, Ladies, calm down. No need to fight.

I don’t have time for this right now, said Laura. Sorry, but I just… She shook her head and still refused to look at me. I have to go. She pulled away from Zack’s grip and left me alone with him.

Well, that went about how I expected, I said with a frustrated shake of my head. What the hell’s wrong with her lately?

Zack looked forlornly at the door and then attempted to smile as he regarded me. He and my mother had developed a close bond after Kim’s death, although I hesitated to call it a romance. They certainly cared for one another, but for some reason my mother was hesitant to enter into a full-fledged relationship with him.

You’ve got to give her a break, said Zack as if in apology for how she’d reacted. She’s going through a lot of stuff right now.

If being captain is so hard for her, then maybe she needs to step down.

Zack smirked and raised his eyebrows as he said, I’ve been trying to tell her that for months, but you know how she can be.

I smugly nodded and then groaned in frustration before continuing, She drives me crazy, Zack. I don’t know how you put up with her. She’s been impossible ever since… There was no reason to continue. We both knew what I was talking about.

I know what you mean, but you’ve got to trust me on this one. She’s just doing what she thinks is best.

I’m the best person for this job, and you know it. I’m the last scout we’ve got left here. If we’re all dead-set on attacking Jerald, then we’re going to need someone to head out there and scout the facility. If she sends someone out that’s never done it before, they’re liable to get caught.

I know, said Zack, although he sounded weary of the debate.

Then help me convince her that she should let me do this.

Why with Ben? asked Zack.

His question surprised me. Because he’d be a good partner.

Not because the two of you are… he hesitated. You know.

I realized what he was implying and was taken aback. No, I said sharply. Is that what she thinks?

He shrugged. Seems like you and Ben got pretty close. You two are always headed outside together.

That’s not… I was flustered. That’s because we both like being alone, not because… Christ. Is that the reason she freaked out like that, because she thinks I’m trying to sneak off with Ben?

No, she just wants to keep you close. You can’t blame her for that.

Yes I can, I said as I thumped down in one of the seats. I’m not a kid anymore. She needs to stop treating me like one.

You’ll always be her baby, said Zack. That’s never going to stop. She needs you here, with her.

Maybe so, but that’s not what’s best for the group. If she’s really so interested in making sure the people here are safe, and that we’re being smart in how we attack Jerald, then she’d let me go scout the airport.

Give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s got a lot on her mind.

I’ve been giving her the benefit of the doubt my whole life.

Zack was exhausted, I could see it in the way he hung his head. His shoulders slunk, and it looked like he might collapse if not for the support of the wall behind him. He’d been defending my mother’s decisions ever since she’d taken over as captain of the Rollers, but I think his steadfast devotion was wearing thin.

I stood from my chair, resolute. I’m going, Zack, whether she wants me to or not.

My defiance caused his posture to strengthen and he shook his head. Don’t be ridiculous.

It’s the right thing to do for the group. If she sends out some other scouts, and they get hurt or die, then people are going to turn on her. This was my job as a Roller. It’s what I was trained for, and she needs to understand that.

She’s still your captain, Annie. Like it or not, you have to follow her orders.

We’re the only ones that know she told me not to go. If I go out there and tell everyone my plan, and that mom’s okay with it, then she’ll have to go along with it.

Zack looked at me with weary indignation. Are you really going to do that to her? You’re going to hurt her like that, after everything she’s been through?

I relented. He’d called my bluff. No, I said and then fell heavily back into my chair. Although I should.

Let me talk to her, said Zack. I’ll see what I can do.

I was surprised. I hadn’t expected him to side with me, but I didn’t question it. There was no one in the Rollers that had a better chance of changing Laura’s mind than Zack.

Thanks, I said as he turned to leave.

Don’t thank me yet, he said with a glimmer of amusement. You know how she can be.

2 – Uncertainty

Laura Conrad

I’d left Annie and Zack alone in the conference room and retreated to the playroom where I knew David would be. One of the Roller’s oldest nursemaids, Rachel, was keeping an eye on the children as they played with the variety of toys our scavengers had pilfered from a nearby town. She saw me come in and stood to greet me. Hi Laura. Looking for David?

I glanced around as I answered, Yes.

Arthur took him. I think they went to the kitchen.

I nodded and smiled before turning to leave, but then I heard a young girl say, Hi, Miss Captain.

I looked back into the room and saw a child of Vineyard, a girl no older than seven, staring up at me with big brown eyes and disheveled hair. She was in a yellow dress that hadn’t been washed in days, and she was in dire need of a bath, as were most of us. Despite how hard we all worked to keep our temporary abode clean, it was an insurmountable task with so many people milling about.

Hi sweetie, I said with a grin. She looked so much like Kim that the beat of my heart weakened. It was as if my body ached for me as I tried to push away the encroaching sorrow.

Every day was a battle, and I was losing every single one. Kim’s death wasn’t something I could just push past, and every morning began with a promise of heartache. As I opened my eyes, and left the dreams behind, I knew my nightmares had just begun. Perhaps some people are able to overcome the sorrow that the loss of a child causes, but I’m not one of those people.

I kept myself composed and stalwart in the interest of serving the Rollers and the survivors of Vineyard, but I was just a shell of the person I’d been. This was all an act. I was broken, through and through.

I can draw you, said the child as she stared up at me with those glassy, wide eyes – her lips curled in the beginning of a smile.

You can? I asked, placating her affection.

She nodded and then beckoned me over.

Rachel nodded and said, Daisy’s your biggest fan, Laura.

Oh is she? I asked as I followed the child over to the corner of the room where the art supplies were kept. She retrieved a stack of pages, each of them bearing a similar figure: A woman with long hair and dark eyes. Some of them were fantastical, depicting the woman in a fantasy setting, often with a crown on her head. Am I a princess in this one? I asked as I examined one of the pictures.

No, said the child with a giggle. You’re the queen.

Annie’s the princess, said Rachel as she walked by my side and retrieved a different stack of pictures that Daisy had drawn. See.

The second stack featured my daughter, her red, curly hair a defining feature on her stick figure representation. Each picture depicted Annie standing tall above the scene, often atop a church’s steeple, her gun held aloft as a storm raged behind her, like some goddess of war beckoning forth nature’s power to smite her enemies.

These are so good, I said and handed them back to Daisy.

Thank you, she said with a beaming grin.

I set my hand on her head and felt my fingers slide through her brown locks, igniting a memory of Kim at that age. The sensation of my fingers pushing through this girl’s tangled hair transported me to better days, but the journey was a painful one. I turned and left, unable to say anything more. My breath came in gasps as I fought tears, and I did my best to avoid being seen in such a state. These moments of agonizing reflection came far too often, and could be set off by the most mundane things. Whether it was a coffee cup or a box of cereal, an old book or simply the touch of a little girl’s brown hair, it was staggering how many things brought the pain of loss surging back into my heart.

Bye, said the girl, but I couldn’t respond.

I ducked into the hall, closed the door, and then gasped as I braced myself against the wall. Tears filled my eyes as the familiar ache of weeping began to burn in my throat.

Laura, said Zack as he walked towards me.

I cursed and turned away as I wiped my eyes. I hate this place. I murmured as I tried to compose myself. It’s impossible to find a private spot. There’s always someone walking down the hall or coming into the room. I just need to be by myself for a minute.

Come here, he said as he approached with his thick arms held wide in an offer of embrace. I cringed, weary of pity, but accepted his hug. What’s wrong?

Nothing.

Obviously, he said as he held my head to his chest. He kissed the top of my head. Come with me. He led me further down the hall, shielding me from the prying eyes of the others that happened to be wandering the hall at the same time. The glut of humanity within these walls was stifling.

Zack led me to one of the men’s restrooms and ushered me inside.

Reviews for Deadlocked 8

[RICHELLE · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. I can't believe it's really over :(
One of the best series I've ever read---Mark, Hero, Billy, Reagan, Jill, David, Laura, Annie, Kim, Celeste---soooo many more characters I could name, but they really the story everything. 10/10 recommend!

[Carolyn Bloom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

EXCELLENT....One of the best series I have ever read!!!