Liz swallowed audibly, but still couldn’t speak. She took a step back and the man reached out lightning quick and snatched her wrist. His eyes were hungry and he licked his lips again.
“Now, now,” he said, grinning sickly. “Where’re you goin’, girl?”
Liz yanked at her arm but was unable to break free. She was panting, close to hyperventilating. Her vision ran with streamers of darkness. She felt her knees buckle and heard boots on the ground. Her body was lifted then everything went dark.
Raven
She’d seen the truck pull up and broke into a run. Henry followed at her side. Raven watched the stranger take Liz but was too far away to help. Her body was tired from fighting zombies and she knew Henry must be too. Her knees ached and she pushed them to move faster.
The truck flipped a bitch and roared back the way it came, sending exhaust and dust into the air. Rocky reached the spot where Liz had been. He sniffed the ground and whined, staring after the rapidly disappearing vehicle.
“Motherfucker!” Raven screamed, falling to her knees and hanging her head. Her leather coat belled out, covering part of the road. She held the axe loosely in her hand. There was something shiny in the road and Raven reached for it. “Shit,” she spat, picking up Liz’s knife. Despair washed over her, but she pushed it back. Raven stowed the knife in her pocket.
Henry placed his hand on her shoulder. “How did this happen?” he murmured.
Raven sighed. “We weren’t fast enough,” she said. Her hair hung over her face like a silken curtain. She pictured Liz’s visage and anger filled her, giving her new strength. Raven stood. “Where is Monique?” she spoke, voice intense. “She was supposed to be watching Liz.” Glowering, Raven strode toward the store.
“Now, Raven,” Henry began, touching her lightly on the shoulder. “It wasn’t …”
She rounded on him before he could finish. “Wasn’t her fault?” she shrieked. “I fucking told her to watch Liz and now she’s been kidnapped. How is it not her fault?” Raven was fuming. She shook off Henry’s hand and stomped toward the Mom and Pop.
Monique saw her coming and disappeared from the window, seeking refuge within.
“We’ll get her back,” Henry said cautiously. He walked alongside Raven. “Come on, Rocky,” he said, whistling.
Rocky howled but did not move. He stood where Liz had been.
Raven turned around. “Come here, boy,” she coaxed, patting her thigh. The knife shifted in her pocket, feeling heavier than it should.
Rocky peered down the road in the direction the deuce and a half had gone then looked at Raven.
“Let’s go, dude,” she said, barely keeping herself from yelling. Her anger washed through her hot and scalding. Monique would pay for her inattention and then they would go after Liz. There weren’t many roads going down the mountains, just a few small towns between here and the valley. They would get her back, of that she was certain.
Henry jogged ahead and entered the Mom and Pop through the front door, which Liz had left unlocked in her haste. He walked inside and Raven saw Monique peek out around the shelves. Her face was ashen and she looked terrified.
“I want you scared, bitch,” Raven spoke hotly.
Rocky padded to her side, bumping into her lightly. She reached down and touched his head, gripping the axe in her other hand. Raven walked inside and stopped, glaring at Monique.
“What the fuck did I tell you?” she spoke in a controlled voice. Her body trembled with rage.
Henry stood next to Monique, glancing between the woman and Raven. His face showed a mixture of emotions.
“Raven,” he said, holding his hands out.
“Don’t Raven me,” she responded, imitating her brother’s tone. She glared at him fiercely. “She was supposed to watch out for Liz.” Raven moved her threatening stare to Monique.
Monique cowered against Henry. Her blond hair fell into her face and she brushed it aside.
“We were just here talking,” Monique stammered. “Then she ran outside. I saw you two and thought everything was fine, then that truck pulled up.”
“I know all that!” Raven yelled, losing a little control. “Where the fuck were you when he snatched her?” Her eyes were cold blue fire.
Monique frowned, bottom lip trembling. “How was I supposed to fight him off,” she exclaimed, finding anger of her own. “I’m just a woman!”
Raven’s eyes narrowed and rage ate away her senses. “Just a woman,” she spoke.
Her voice had quieted, which Henry knew was more dangerous than yelling. He took a step away from Monique, clearly deciding not to protect her. Raven thought that was a good choice. She took a step forward. Monique let out a high-pitched squeak and backed up.
“I saw what way he went,” Monique offered, raising her hands in a supplicating gesture. “And,” she added when Raven took another step forward. “And the side of their truck said Valley Army Base.”
Raven’s anger flared. “That base is gone,” she said. “I saw it on the news before the media coverage was cut off. It was overrun.”
“Okay, that’s not good,” Henry responded. His voice was neutral, expression cautious. His eyes brightened. “What about the president and his meeting points?” he asked, turning to his sister. “We could go with our original plan.”
Monique sighed and Henry looked her way, pulled by the sound. She raised her hand and gently touched the knot on Henry’s forehead. It was already turning an ugly purple color.
Raven wondered for the first time if Henry had slept with this woman. It would explain his sudden loyalty to a virtual stranger.
“What about helping me?” Monique asked, turning to Henry and pouting.
There was a whining quality to her voice that
