Tightwad’s skill with the swords when he fought against the Mad had taken Ryder by surprise. Graham had definitely given him the right weapon. Ryder was looking forward to the using new spear he’d given her and was excited about serving some Justice with it. It was going to go right through Afana’s men’s motherfucking hearts. It was what they deserved after keeping her and the others captive, but then again, those fuckers probably didn’t have hearts. She’d stab them in that spot anyway, but instead of blood on the blade tip, she was expecting to see black slime. These men were going to go straight to Hell, and Ryder was going to send them there.
Graham drew the cart to a stop. “The trees are too thick here. We’ll have to carry our weapons from this point, and leave Black Beauty tied up with the cart.” Graham lifted the blanket up to reveal the weapons—and little Tommy.
Everyone was surprised when the mountain kid Ryder, Carter, and Fluffy had protected from the bear sat up from under the blanket and gave everyone a nervous smile. “Um, hi?”
“What are you doing here?” Carter sounded like a disapproving parent.
Tommy’s smile quickly faded. He knew he was in trouble. “I can help,” he pleaded.
Carter looked at the sky in the hope that a higher power would give him strength, or at least an idea what to do with the kid. “This isn’t a safe place for you,” Carter told him, shaking his head.
Tommy thought quickly. “I can help lay traps. You know I’m the best at that,” Tommy said in a hurry, and Carter nodded. “See?”
“Not so fast,” Carter said sternly, acting all grown up. It was a funny sight to see. “You can stay with Black Beauty and create traps around her and you,” Carter told him.
“But—” Tommy began.
Carter cut him off. “No buts.” He shook his finger at Tommy, who pressed his lips together as he tried to bite his tongue. “Hop on down so everyone can get their weapons.”
Tommy did as Carter instructed, and everyone leaned into the cart and collected their weapons. Ryder got extra knives and strapped them around her legs. She added more arrows to the quiver on her back. She could use the alcohol Massimo had given her to make them flame. She had a flint and steel in her pocket. Finally, she retrieved her new spear. It was very lightweight, which was perfect because she could handle it with ease.
Ryder was ready. She looked around at the rest, and they were ready too.
“We need to tread carefully through the forest. Tigers, bears, wolves, and other animals live in there. There will also be hunters, who will be hunting the animals and anything else that crosses them. Which includes us.” Ryder told the group.
“Oh, my!” Massimo chuckled at his own joke, but, as usual, none of the others got the reference.
“They can try to hunt us.” Graham spun his axes. “My two friends are looking forward to meeting them.” He grinned at them all.
Ryder didn’t want any of them getting injured, or worse, killed. “Don’t underestimate them. For their whole lives, all they have done is hunt, and some of them are very good at it.”
Carter turned to Tommy. “Don’t leave this cart. Are you listening?” Carter spoke sternly.
Tommy lowered his head. “I’m listening.” Tommy looked and sounded disappointed.
The Merry Men made their way toward the bunker. They were ready for anything. They would be the first to fire and shoot to kill, Ryder was sure. The Merry Men were going to take control of the bunker, free every innocent person, and make those who had trapped them there pay for it.
That was Ryder’s promise, and apparently everyone else’s.
The forest in front of Afana’s bunker was quiet, and Ryder didn’t like it—not one bit. It was too quiet, and too easy. There were no hunters or animals; the place was devoid of anything living. Ryder had never seen it like this. Something must be happening. There was no way that Afana could know they were coming since she’d killed the hunters who came after her. There was no one else. How could he possibly know?
Ryder raised her hand, and the group stopped. They’d reached the bunker, but there was no one guarding the entrance.
What the fuck?
A rustle came from the left, and everyone turned to it with their weapons ready. “Don’t shoot, it’s only me,” Tommy called as he came into view.
Ryder raised her eyebrow. “Tommy.”
Everyone muttered, and the kid looked sorry.
Carter was furious. “Get back to the cart,” he snapped in his most grown-up voice.
Tommy started to speak. “But—”
Carter cut him off before he could say any more. “I’ll shoot you in the butt if you don’t make a run for it!”
Tommy looked at Carter in fear, since Carter was a good shot. Tommy legged it back to the cart.
“That kid.” Carter shook his head.
“He reminds me of you,” Ryder replied.
“What, cute?” Carter grinned. This wasn’t the time for a back-and-forth game. They had a fight to win.
Ryder turned to the others. “Something is happening. There were no men or animals in the forest, and now there is no one guarding the bunker. And then there is the smell of rotten flesh. I don’t think Afana knows that we’re here. I think he’s fighting a battle in the bunker.” Ryder was concerned. Was Terrier in danger, or was he the one who had caused this? Had he already escaped? The questions whizzed through Ryder’s mind. Was she too late?
“Do you want to go ahead?” Massimo asked. “What if there are Mad down there?”
“If that’s the case, we can use it to our advantage. The generals will hopefully be distracted by the Mad, and we can attack them while they’re not paying attention,” Ryder explained.
Carter was anxious to get inside the bunker. “Hopefully. Let’s get inside and see.”
Ryder felt
