“Crynn.”
I turned around at the sternness in his voice. Two men, chased by three Malignants, sprinted our way. These two we could help. I whipped my gun from my shoulder and took aim.
Fawke did the same.
One of the men dropped to one knee and plunged his sword into the beast’s belly.
I waved them on as other creatures took notice. With the distraction, other humans broke away from their group and headed into a dark building. Shrieks rang out as the monsters realized they’d lost their prey.
“Take down as many as you can,” I ordered, mowing down the approaching beasts with my gun as Fawke followed suit. “You other two be ready in case any get past us.”
They slumped against the fallen building, leaving the fighting to me and Fawke. After ridding the world of ten more Malignants, the creatures realized they fought a losing battle and darted away.
“You two come with us.” I aimed my weapon on them, eyeing the packs the two wore. “We’ve a small group waiting for us.”
“Who are you?” Fawke stepped forward, glaring down at them.
Of course, we should ask that question first. Again, I wondered about the wisdom behind my appointment as leader.
“Who are you?” A belligerent look crossed one of their faces.
“The ones who saved you,” I said. “Hand over your packs and answer the question.”
“Don’t do it,” Lars.” The other one shook his head.
“We have one name.” Fawke kicked the foot of the one who hadn’t answered.
“Dayton.” He tossed his pack, slamming me in the chest, then bolted to his feet.
“Stupid move since we have the guns.” Fawke aimed at his chest. “Play nice or you’ll regret not falling with your comrades.”
“They weren’t part of our group.” Dayton crossed his arms. “We ran into them and a fight started. They wanted our packs, too. Then, those things showed up, and we had to fight together.”
I opened the pack he’d thrown, my eyes widening at the sight of fabric, an ornate gold goblet, a sparkling necklace, and other luxuries I’d only read about. Nothing to help a person survive in the city wasteland. “What is this?”
“We work for Soriah,” Lars said. “Oh, shut up, Dayton. We’re blown. Might as well come clean. Besides, I’m sick and tired of risking my life for those rich people on the hill.”
“You scavenge for Soriah?” Fawke’s brow furrowed.
“Where else do you think they get their fancy items? When the city fell, things were left behind. It’s up to us to find them and take them back.”
“How?” I zipped up the pack.
“We leave them on top of a designated building. They get picked up.” Dayton shrugged. “It isn’t our place to ask questions.”
“How many of you are there?”
“Well, there was five. I guess there’s just the two of us now. The Wheel decides. Mind telling us who you are?”
“Stalkers,” I answered. “The wheel landed on black. We’re here to rid the city of those things.” To make the job for scavengers easier was my guess.
“Did you see the box on the wheel with the goblet? That’s what determines our job. A chopper drops us off on the other side of the city. We’ve come a long way since then. Those things kept driving us farther and farther from the pickup site.”
“Who were those you were fighting?”
“No idea. We didn’t have time to ask questions.”
I glanced at Fawke. How many different groups were out here? Our job just got harder. We had more than Malignants to deal with. “Let’s go. It’s getting dark.” Maybe I could use the items these two found to bargain with Sharon for more people.
“There’s food in this pack,” Fawke said. “At least we won’t have to share what little we have.” He tossed the pack back. “This is Crynn Dayholt, our leader. I’m Fawke.”
“She doesn’t look old enough to lead an elementary class.” Lars shook his head, getting to his feet.
“Looks can be deceiving.” I prodded him forward with the barrel of my weapon.
As we made the long trek back to the others, I thought on how I’d handle Sharon when she called again. I couldn’t keep it secret that we had these two, not if I wanted to bargain with the luxury items. She’d most likely tell me these two were now a part of us. They weren’t enough. We needed more fighters. What I didn’t know was whether I’d tell her about the other group. I didn’t want to give her too much information until I had answers to some of my questions. The main one being…what the heck were we really doing out there?
The others glanced up from where they rested around the fire as we approached. Ezra got to his feet. “Sharon didn’t mention dropping anyone off when she called.”
“I missed her?” I tossed one of the packs on the wagon.
“She’ll call back.”
“We saved these two from Malignants,” I said. “Lars and Dayton. Scavengers for Soriah. There was another group, but they ran off when we distracted those things.” I sat on a cement block, grateful to be off my feet.
“The ones we’re looking for?” Ezra glanced in the direction we’d come.
“No idea who they are.” I shot him a warning look. We didn’t need to reveal too much to the newcomers. Not until we knew whether we could trust them.
He took the hint. “Want me to tie them up?”
“After we eat.” I doubted they’d run at the promise of a meal. “Check the other pack. It’s got supplies.”
“Those are ours.” Dayton glared.
“We share everything. Since you’re here, this belongs to all of us.” I lay my weapon across my knees.
Lara handed me a bowl of the same gruel we’d ate for
