“That would mean they aren’t hostile,” Gage added.
“None of which we will know until talking to Sharon tomorrow and then finding the other humans.” Ezra stretched out. “Wake me when it’s time to eat.”
I glanced around the large room we called home. Exposed steel beams showed through holes in the walls. A legless table sat propped against a far wall. That would be perfect for a bottom to our wagon.
With our trackers, Soriah would always know where to send the helicopters to drop our supplies. “Wait a minute.” I frowned. “Why haven’t they sent one of the helicopters to find these people?”
The others stared at me as if I’d spoken a different language. Ezra opened one eye. “Good question.”
What if we were called to dispose of the others? I didn’t think I could kill a human. Life was sacred, and the world’s population was struggling to increase. Soriah was bursting at the seams, at least in the poor district where I’d grown up. If wanting more bodies to clear out the city was the intentions of the president, then why not change The Wheel by adding more black squares?
No, something far more sinister was behind us finding other survivors. I wrinkled my forehead in thought. “I think the others want nothing to do with Soriah. I think Soriah wants them disposed of to prevent war. Someone is a threat to the president.”
Fawke’s head whipped to face me. “That’s pretty far-fetched.”
“Not if you remember your history it isn’t. The pride of man has always been his downfall.” I smiled, glad I’d paid attention during my years of education. “Resources are precious and few in today’s world. What if it’s all as simple as Soriah not wanting to share what little is left?”
“That would mean they would want us to dispose of the others.” Gage shook her head, stirring the pot. “I couldn’t.”
Neither could I.
“Disobeying a direct order will get you killed,” Kira pointed out. “You won’t have a choice.”
“We always have a choice.” Gage spooned the slop into bowls, handing us each one. “Besides, it’s all speculation at this point. Why don’t we wait and see what this Sharon says?”
The far-off scream of a Malignant from deep within the building set me on edge. Would I rebel against Soriah given the chance? Would I toss a life of living in fear of Malignants for a more peaceful one in the mountains even if it meant I became a traitor? What if the mountain dwellers lived among demons of their own? Too many questions. No answers.
Fawke watched me, his face clouded with concern as if he could read my thoughts. I took my bowl of food and moved away from the others wanting to be alone with my doubts and questions.
Alone, I ate the tasteless meal that would provide the needed nutrients and energy to accomplish the job I’d been sent to do.
As soon as I woke the next morning, I turned on the radio and waited for Sharon to appear. No one other than Fawke was awake yet, and he sat quietly beside me.
“Miss Dayholt.” Sharon’s grinning face appeared. “You are an early bird.”
“What did President Cane say?”
“He wants the others located. No contact as of yet.” Her smiled never faded. “Just the location.”
“We’ll need a tent that can be erected quickly,” I said. “Venturing away from the city will be dangerous.”
“I’m sure you can handle things, Miss Dayholt. You seem quite bright.”
I stared at her for a moment, then blurted, “Why not send a helicopter to find them?”
Surprise flickered in her eyes. “I told President Cane our young Stalker leader had a good mind.” She shrugged. “We sent one helicopter once and it was shot down. We cannot risk that happening again. They are irreplaceable.”
“But we’re expendable.”
She exhaled slowly and nodded.
“What about sending us more fighters?” I tilted my head.
“Not unless they are chosen by The Wheel. You know how things are done here.”
I pressed my lips together. “Will we get the tent?”
“You will with Sunday’s drop.” Her gaze hardened. “Don’t try bucking the system, Miss Dayholt. It won’t go well for you.”
I stiffened at her threat, then nodded and turned off the radio. I glanced over to see Ezra watching. “What did you do to become a lifer?”
“Asked too many questions.” He grinned and rolled over. He lied, but I chose to take the warning, at least for now.
“It does seem as if the others don’t want anything to do with Soriah,” Fawke whispered. “We could very well be going on a suicide mission.”
“Yes, but with us dead, there’s no one left in this city, which reinforces my idea that the Malignants are not the real reason we’re here.” I bit my bottom lip. “It doesn’t add up.” I met his gaze. Could I trust him? I felt as if I could trust all of my group, other than Ezra.
“If our primary purpose was looking for others,” Fawke said, nodding, “then why have we remained in this one spot for years? I’ve lived in this room the entire time I’ve been here.”
“How far out have you ventured?”
“We get a little more ground covered as we clear the area of Malignants, but others trickle back in. The groups we’d meet have fewer now than when I arrived.”
I glanced outside. “What draws more in?”
He laughed. “The smell of fresh human meat.”
“Which means there will be more and more of the creatures as we get closer to the other survivors.” An icy fist gripped my heart.
We would be lambs walking into a blood bath.
8
I gripped my sword, wishing I’d grabbed one of
