“Are they trying to get control of the place?” Matilda said.
“No.” Gracie shook her head. “It works for both of them if neither has control. They’re fighting because they’re worried if they don’t, the other side will perceive them as weak and try to take their city. It’s a war without end, and many people lose their lives because of it. Each city sends small groups of fighters out to humiliate and dominate the other in the hope it will scare them into never attempting a full-on war. Those in the army are cannon fodder for the cause. Getting caught by the enemy is the worst way to die.”
“So why do people fight in the war?” Matilda said. “Why don’t they just say no?”
“Like we said no to national service?” William said.
Olga stepped closer to Gracie and looked her up and down. “And you’re confident you can get us through to the other side?”
“We rarely lose people on our way through the ruins, and we pass through here often. This is where we come when we want to stock up on our supplies of meat. I’ve done this run plenty of times.”
“And even you got caught and ended up in Grandfather Jacks’ community,” Olga said.
“That was the nomads. When we were out hunting, a horde of diseased split our group, and I ran into the nomads. I was a fool to trust them.”
“Like we’re fools to trust you?” Her balled fists on her hips, Olga stepped so close to Gracie they were nearly touching one another.
Gracie shrugged. “That’s for you to decide. I can only tell you what my intention is. You need to choose if you trust that. I want to get home. If you come with me, you will be welcome in my community and can stay for as long as you like. Dad will be grateful for how you’ve helped me get away from Grandfather Jacks.”
Before Olga could speak again, William said, “And if we go with you, when’s the best time to do it?”
“We should go now,” Gracie said. “Matilda and Max are much better and ready for the journey. And we’re safer at night. It’s the best time to move through the city.”
“Like that explosion just proved!” Olga rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“I’ve been away from my family for too long now.” Gracie turned to face the city again. “Whatever you decide, I’m going back home. If you’re coming with me, I need you to listen to me and follow my guidance.”
William threw a hard glare at Olga, who closed her mouth and stepped back a pace.
“So make your mind up,” Gracie said. “Are you coming or not?”
Chapter 4
William stepped through the doorway last, leaving the ruined house behind as he joined the others. For the first time in the two weeks they’d been staying there, they exited towards the towers and blocks rather than with their backs to them. Sure, they’d only gotten a few feet closer, and they’d seen this and more from the first-floor window, but they’d stepped into a new world. Jezebel in one hand, he rested her shaft against his right shoulder to help him bear the weight of her heavy axe head. For what good she’d do in the tight and dark streets …
A tower block to their right remained mostly intact save for the windows. The wind howled through all the open spaces, playing it like a vast ocarina. This old city might have been a graveyard, but it showed William enough. If only he could have seen it in its day. It must have been magnificent.
As their leader, Gracie had the group’s attention. They’d agreed they’d follow her … when she finally decided to move off. She currently wrapped a large slab of the remaining deer meat in an old piece of fabric.
“You expect us to eat that?” Olga pointed at it with her sword.
“I expect nothing of you. You’re your own person. You’ve told me as much more times than I care to remember.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have opinions, Olga.”
“And I don’t mind sharing them!”
“That’s my point.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Maybe for someone arrogant enough to think their opinions are always correct.”
And who could blame Gracie for getting cross? William’s patience would have run out much sooner. Olga had gone at her for weeks now.
Before Olga replied, Gracie said, “This route isn’t easy, but it’s the best route through the city. Like I said up there”—she pointed back at the first-floor window of the house they’d just left—“I need you all to listen to me and do as I say. If you don’t—” she paused and levelled a stare on Olga “—then that’s your choice. I have my path through here. You either follow me or you don’t. I won’t change what I’m doing if people are too pig-headed to listen.”
Olga rolled her shoulders, pulled them back, and lifted her chest. She jutted her chin in Gracie’s direction, her lips tight as she sniffed.
“We will listen to you,” William said.
Everyone but Olga nodded their agreement.
William scrunched his nose when Gracie used some twine to tie the chunk of meat to her back, the slab of cooked deer the size of a rucksack. Would the others eat it with her? Although, easy to turn his nose up on a full stomach. He’d been hungry before. He might be grateful for it later.
A cracked two-lane road separated them from the rest of the city. Gracie looked one way and then the other as if checking for traffic. Her steps were damn near soundless when she crossed.
The first building they came to had a large hole where the window had once been. At least twenty feet wide and ten feet tall, Gracie led them in, William and the others jumping in after her, their weapons ready should they need them.
What had once been tables and chairs now existed as twisted and rusting
