Afterglow: An Apocalypse Romance (23 page)

Glass shattered, the front window breaking apart, then the counter in front of him, just as pain ripped through the side of his body.

Creed gasped in agony as he threw himself to the floor, right on top of the shards of glass, and grabbed his gun from the holster. Warmth trickled down his side, and he knew he’d been shot, the throbbing and burning beginning almost immediately. But there was no time to examine his wound.

Gritting his teeth, he got up on his knees, staying below the line of the counter. A figure moved outside, a man, guessing from the size and shape, staying low and approaching the front door of the shop.

Creed’s heart pumped hard and fast as he steadied his hands, finger ready to squeeze the trigger. The man was right outside the front window, giving Creed a perfect shot. He tensed his thighs as he rose slightly and aimed.

Before he had a chance to shoot, a gun blast exploded and he ducked again.

“Fucker,” he whispered. He’d have to be faster. This time, he didn’t hesitate as he peered over the edge of the counter, gun ready, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The man had taken cover behind the corner of the shop, but as soon as he came into view, Creed aimed and squeezed, once, then a second time, then a third time, and watched in satisfaction as the man hit the ground.

For a few seconds Creed watched to make sure the guy didn’t get up again. When he thought it was safe, he stood, grunting at the pain in his side. He’d dropped the ring during the fight, but he saw it among the broken glass on the floor and picked it up, clutching it in his left fist while he held the gun, pointed in front of him, with his right hand.

That’s my jacket
, he realized as he approached the man. The guy was wearing his old leather jacket, the same one that the thugs who’d kidnapped Nina had taken. So this was one of
those
assholes, who’d taken the blood-soaked jacked off his cohort, who’d probably followed them. Tracked them. Was determined to avenge the deaths of his filthy fucking friends.

He’d hit the guy three times in the chest, and as soon as he was sure there was no life left in the asshole, Creed sank down on the ground, leaning against the brick wall of the small shop. His side was burning, and he pushed aside his leather jacket to see his shirt soaked in blood.

His head pounded, the world around him growing hazy, and he thought if he just sat there for a few minutes he’d get enough rest to head back to the farm. All he needed was a break. The hard brick was scratchy behind his head as he closed his eyes. Just for a minute.

–Nina–

Nina woke from the deepest sleep she’d had since the world went bad. Someone was knocking gently on the door.
Immediately she remembered Creed leaving, promising to be back before breakfast. What time was it?

“Who is it?” she called out, pulling the sheet around her as she headed to the door.

“Charlie!”

“Oh honey, is everything OK?” She opened the door to see Charlie and her mom standing here, Charlie’s eyes wet with tears and her mom looking apologetic.

“I’m sorry,” said her mom. “Charlie woke up and wouldn’t settle down without you guys.”

The sun was rising, already big and bright, promising an unseasonably warm fall day.

“Come on, Charlie,” said Nina. “Get in bed and warm up. I’ll be right there.”

Charlie dove under the covers giggling, and Nina’s mom looked at the bed. “Where’s Creed?”

“He said there was something he needed to do,” replied Nina, trying to keep her voice casual. But something didn’t feel right.

“Did he say where he was going? I thought I heard his truck leaving earlier this morning.”

“He didn’t say,” she lied. “He promised he’d be back before breakfast, though.”

“When’s breakfast?” shouted Charlie from the bed.

“Half an hour, honey,” said Nina’s mom, then took one of Nina’s hands in hers. “You look worried,” she said, looking into Nina’s eyes.

“I’m not. Not really.” She shrugged. He’d said he’d return, but why should she suddenly trust him now, when she hadn’t been able to throughout their whole journey together? He’d never even told her he loved her, not even when she’d said it to him.

“Get some rest, you and Charlie, before breakfast. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“OK.” But Nina knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep now.

* * *

Nina stomach was in knots as she sat down at the table in Grandma Lottie’s house for breakfast.
He should be back by now
.

“I’m hungry!” exclaimed Charlie, bouncing into the kitchen and finding a seat next to Nina’s mom.

“Where’s Creed?” asked Logan, looking at her and Charlie.

“He went for a ride,” said Nina casually.

“I heard him leave this morning, but where was he going?” Logan looked angry.

Nina shrugged. “Just a ride. I don’t know. He said he had something to take care of.”

“So he just left you here alone? Without even telling you where he was going? This isn’t the kind of world where we just pick up and go for scenic drives to clear our heads anymore. Jesus. If someone follows him back here, he could put us all in danger.”

“Yeah?” Nina stared down her brother, despite the fact that her heart was pounding unpleasantly.

Logan raised his eyebrows in disbelief and muttered “Asshole” under his breath.

“Language,” said Nina’s mom, gesturing her head at Charlie, who was busy stuffing scrambled eggs into his mouth.

“I said
asshole
before,” said Charlie in such a matter-of-fact tone that Nina smiled, despite the worry creeping into her head.

“Look,” said Nina, “he knows how to handle himself, Logan. Getting here wasn’t exactly easy. So just drop it, OK?” But she didn’t feel as indignant as she forced her words to sound.

“Is he going to be OK?” Charlie looked up from his eggs, his huge brown eyes filled with sudden worry.

“Of course he is, honey,” said Nina quickly. “You know Creed. He’s big, right? And tough? He’s going to be fine. Anyway, are you ready to help Grandma Lottie today?”

“P.J. and I could use some help today in the field,” said Nina’s grandma, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the discussion about Creed.

“What can I do?” asked Nina. The last thing she wanted to do was sit around and think.

“Nothing, Neens,” said her grandma. “You need to rest. You just got here, and you’re far too thin right now. I’ll put you to work in a few days, but for now...”

“Grandma,” Nina cut her off. “I need to work.”

Grandma Lottie stared at her for a few minutes as if assessing how serious she was. Then she nodded. “Fine. Why don’t you hunt with Logan.”

“Perfect.” Hunting took focus and concentration, and that’s exactly what she needed to do today.

“Hey, I’ll meet you by the big barn in half an hour,” said Logan.

“I don’t have a watch,” said Nina with a wink.

“Jesus. Haven’t you learned to tell time by using a stick and a sunbeam? Catch up, jerkface,” said Logan with a grin.

“Dork.”

“Butthead.”

Charlie burst out laughing. “You said
butthead
!”

“I did. It’s not a nice word. Logan and I were just teasing each other like we did when we were kids.”

“It’s not an appropriate word or action,” responded Charlie.

“Exactly,” said Nina, but it was hard not to giggle when she saw Logan cracking up behind the hand that covered his mouth.

“You two,” said Nina’s mother, looking from Nina to Logan, but she was smiling broadly as she wiped away a tear.

* * *

Logan showed her some traps he’d set, two of the five with fresh rabbit to bring back to the farm. The woods they were in were part of the farm land, the fence cutting through a section of forest, which gave them a small area for hunting within the confines of the compound. There was a gate in the fence there, wide enough only for a person to go through, secured with thick chains and a heavy-duty lock like the front gate. Logan explained that they liked to stay within the fence as much as possible, but also needed the ability to go outside it to hunt bigger game like deer.

“So, I’ll need to teach you how to shoot,” said Logan.

“Excuse me? I’m fairly certain I’m a way better shot than you are, Logan.”

“We use crossbows for hunting,” he said smugly.

Oh. She’d tried archery here and there before, but never seriously.

“We have a shit ton of ammunition, but we don’t want to waste it when we can use arrows instead.”

“Language,” said Nina, imitating their mother, and they both laughed.

“Come on,” said Logan, leading her to the shed where they kept the hunting gear.

But Nina couldn’t focus. Her mind was only on Creed and why he was taking so long. Throughout breakfast and her time outside with Logan, she’d kept listening for the sound of Creed’s truck, but there had been no rumble to indicate he was back.

“Logan, I can’t do this,” she finally said.

“Oh Nina, just because I’m better than you at something doesn’t mean you have to give up,” teased Logan.

“No. Not that. I’m really worried about Creed.”

Logan sighed and looked at her, his big brown eyes filled with concern. “I can’t believe he didn’t tell you where he was going.”

“Actually, he did,” she admitted, biting her lip. “I think he wanted it to be a surprise, so I didn’t say anything, but he went to get the generators. From the convenience store.”

“He should be back by now, Nina. The store’s only like a half mile down the road.”

“I know.”

“But those things probably weigh a fucking ton. Maybe he’s still trying to get them on the truck.” Logan chuckled.

“I’m worried,” she repeated.

Logan sighed, then frowned at Nina. “Look, Neens. I know I’m your little brother. And who am I to give you advice? But… forget it.”

“No, say it, Logan.”

“OK. I don’t mean to be a dick, but are you sure he’s coming back?”

“He said he was. He was going to get the generators.”

“What if that was just an excuse to leave? How well do you know this guy?”

“Well enough! He saved my life, Logan. From that disgusting gang I told you about. I just don’t think he’d abandon me. And Charlie.”

“Maybe he thinks that since you’re with family, he’s not abandoning you.” Logan fiddled with the leather quiver hanging on the wall.

But Nina shook her head. She was suddenly overcome with the belief that Creed hadn’t left her after all. He wouldn’t. Ever.

It was weird, she thought, because during their whole journey, she’d tried to convince herself not to trust him. Not completely, at least. Only she did. Somewhere along the way, she’d not only begun to love him, but she’d begun to trust him too. She’d sworn she wouldn’t. But she did.

“Logan, we have to go look for him. I think he’s in trouble. I think something might have happened to him.”

For a long moment, Logan stared into her eyes, assessing, and then nodded. “All right. Let’s get Dad and go look for your boyfriend.”

* * *

Grandma Lottie handed each of them loaded BOBs as they were getting into her black Ford F-150. “Be careful out there,” she said.

“You trained us well, Grandma,” said Nina, hugging her grandmother tight. “And I know you always told me not to trust people…”

Her grandmother cut her off. “Until you
know
them, Nina. That’s what I always said. And you know Creed. Now go get him.”

The tire tracks in the gravel outside the gate indicated which way he’d gone, and they took off in the truck, eyes alert, looking for any signs of him as they drove.

“Check it out,” said Logan, pointing at a pickup truck pulled off to the side of the road.

“Oh my god,” whispered Nina, fear rising in her throat. “I recognize that truck. It’s the one that gang that kidnapped me drove!” But hadn’t she and Creed killed all of the men? Had one gotten away and come after them, seeking revenge?

Her father drove the truck a little farther down the road to where the trees opened into a clearing that housed the convenience and jewelry stores, and that’s when Nina saw the beat-up truck Creed had hot-wired just after they’d found Charlie.

“Stop!” she whispered loudly. “That’s our truck!”

But her father was already stopping.

“Nina,” said Logan, his voice strained as he put a hand on her arm.

She was about to ask what it was he wanted to say, when she saw it. Two bodies lying in front of the jewelry store. One she recognized instantly: the new leather jacket, the dark hair, the stubbled face. His size alone gave it away. It was Creed. On the ground. In a puddle of blood.

A strangled sound escaped her throat, and it was only a second later that she realized the desperate noise had come from her. Without thinking about anything, she opened the door of the truck.

“Nina, wait!” her father ordered, but nothing was going to stop her. “Cover her,” her dad conceded to Logan, but all of that was in the back of her mind. The only thing spurring her on was the need to get to Creed, to see if he was OK.

“Oh my god. Creed.” Nina crouched down over him, afraid, for a second, to touch him. Afraid that she’d find his skin cold and lifeless. But he was warm, and when she ran a hand over his rough cheek, he murmured, his eyes flickering open.

“Hey, sweetheart. What took you so long?” he rasped.

“Creed! What happened? Are you OK?”

“Got shot.”

“Oh my god,” she repeated, touching his hair, his jaw, his neck, seeking confirmation in his solid form that he was still here. Still alive.

“But you should see the other guy.” His smile was weak, but Nina couldn’t help laughing through her tears at the fact that even now, injured as badly as he appeared to be, he was still Creed. Sarcastic and funny and gruff.

The sound of her father and Logan’s feet crunching through the gravel and broken glass startled her, and she turned around to them. “Come on,” she urged. “Let’s get him in the truck.”

“You got any water?” Creed asked. “I’m thirsty.”

“Yeah, my grandma gave us each a fully stocked bag. Logan, can you run to the truck and get one?”

“No.” Creed’s voice was low but firm. “Nina, you go.”

“What? You can’t tell me what to do…”

“Stubborn as always. Please. Nina.” His eyes were filled with pain, for sure, but something else too, something that brooked no argument.

“Whatever,” she muttered, confused by his strange and specific request that she get the stupid water. She scrambled up and sprinted to the truck, where she grabbed one of the bags, checked to make sure it had a bottle inside, and jogged back to Creed, Logan, and her father.

“So, we’ll, uh, be over here,” said Logan as she arrived. Both he and her father had shocked expressions on their faces, but there wasn’t time to ask them what was going on.

“OK. Weirdos,” said Nina, frowning at them.

She crouched down next to Creed again. “Can you lift your head at all? Here, let me help you.” She set the water bottle down on the ground and gently put one hand under his upper back to help him sit.

“Hold up,” he grunted. “I don’t think I can sit up yet.”

“But you need water. And let’s get you back to the farm, OK?” She turned back to her father and Logan to get their help.