Fury Rising (3 page)

The creamer slipped through Colin’s fingers and he stumbled to pick it back up. Opening it, he tipped it into the black liquid. Leon was playing with him and Colin wasn’t going to call the man’s bluff. He took a big gulp, grimacing as the coffee burned his tongue.

“It’s good, no?” Leon asked. “I must admit, I like my java. Back before all this happened, I was a bit of an elitist. I used to order my beans online from all around the world. I even tried that specialty stuff made out of cat feces. I had expensive tastes.”

“Yeah, it’s good,” Colin said, but in all honesty, he couldn’t have told the difference between McDonalds or a fancy imported blend. It all tasted like burnt crap to him until he put in enough sugar.

“Now let’s go back to what you want for this bit of information,” Leon said, dismissing the girl with a wave of his hand. She gave Colin a frightened look before turning and rushing off. She obviously couldn’t get away fast enough. “You want to be a part of my world? You think you have what it takes to be one of us?”

“Yeah,” Colin said, going back to his tough guy character. “I’m cool. I can do lots of good stuff. People know who I am. I could work both sides. Gather information for you.”

“That would be very useful to me,” Leon said. “Finding spies are difficult.”

“And in return, you can give me some of the good life,” Colin said. “A nice apartment. Real food.” He raised his cup of coffee. “More of this.”

“That’s an awful lot for a tiny bit of information,” Leon said. “If I am to get this right, you’ll give up Aries? Spy on a few others? And in return you want my protection? You want to live in the buildings my people have cleaned out and made hospitable? Perhaps you want a woman? I saw the way you looked at Karen.” He took another sip of coffee. “Oh come now, don’t be modest. You’re a man, no different than the rest of us. We all have needs and desires.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Colin said. Best not to look too eager. “She’s pretty. Not quite my type though. But I guess I can’t be overly picky during the apocalypse.”

“True,” Leon said, flashing his perfect row of white teeth.

“So what do you think?” Colin asked. “Do we have a deal or not?”

“I suppose that depends on whether or not I believe you and your information.”

“She’s in West Vancouver. At Lighthouse Park. She’s taken about fifty or so refuges under her wing. You’re welcome to all of them.”

Leon put down his coffee cup on the table before looking straight into Colin’s eyes. They were cold, as if there was nothing there. For the first time, Colin began to understand that Leon was quite different than his first impression. The man wasn’t harmless at all. Even if he did dress like a salesman, there was something beneath the surface that Leon managed to hide quite well. And it was starting to come out. The constant annoying smile with the perfect white teeth, they didn’t mean anything once Colin noticed the darkness of his eyes. The black veins. That mark that showed his true self. From the other side of the couch, Colin hadn’t noticed. He’d almost forgotten.

Big mistake.

“That’s it,” Leon finally said, his voice calm and steady. “That’s what you had for me? I think you’re asking for too much to be honest.”

“Hey, I’m taking a chance,” Colin said. “It’s a big risk. I’d be doing all the work.”

“A risk?” Leon raised his eyebrow. “Because your people would tear you apart if they found out you were playing for the other team?”

“Well, yeah, maybe.”

“I doubt it,” Leon said. “Your kind are parasites. They cower in the darkness and scuttle away at the sight of everything. They are nothing to be afraid of. The worst they might do is banish you. Smack you on the bottom and send you on your way. Cast you out. Me on the other hand, I
am
something to fear.”

Leon’s smile disappeared.

Colin paused, his fingers wrapped around his mug.

“I’m afraid your betrayal to your people has been nothing but a waste,” Leon said. “I have no intentions of doing business with you. See, I know who you are. Don’t look so surprised. It’s in my best interest to find out everything I can. I know you’re nothing but a coward, a boy who will do anything to keep your own skin. Your own group can’t stand to be in the same room with you. They consider you a problem. And you are, my dear boy, you are. Aries is right to mistrust you. If you would betray your people so easily, you will betray me. I have no use for your kind.”

“That’s a load of bull,” Colin said. “I can be loyal to the right people. Give me a chance. You won’t regret it. I’m giving you Aries.”

“You can’t offer me what I already have.”

Colin paused. “You don’t have her. I saw her this morning, right before I left.” That wasn’t quite the truth. He’d snuck past her tent and seen the shadow of her sleeping body. For a brief moment, he’d pictured the expression on her face if she knew of what he was about to do. But he hadn’t actually seen her, had he? That sleeping form could have been anyone. No, he’d know if Aries was gone. The whole camp would be in tears. They were a bunch of sappy suckers.

“She’s as good as mine.” Leon leaned forward. I know where Aries is, stupid boy. I’ve known all this time.”

Colin’s hands were trembling. He clamped them tightly together, hoping Leon wouldn’t notice. “I don’t believe you.”

Leon put his empty cup down. “I already had the information you just gave me.”

“Then why haven’t you raided the place?”

“You want to join our side and already you’re questioning my actions?” Leon picked up a napkin and wiped his fingers. His voice was oddly calm, as if he was discussing the weather. “I have my reasons. They don’t concern you. And I don’t think I have much use for you.” He nodded towards his apes that moved around until they were on each side of Colin. One of them put a big hand on Colin’s shoulder, squeezing hard enough to send sharp pain down his entire arm.

“You are a terrible negotiator,” Leon said. “You have no idea how it works. You were so eager to give her up, you didn’t think about what it might cost you. If it had been me, I would have kept it to myself as long as possible. I would have waited until I’d proven that I’m worth keeping around. But to go and spill the beans instantly, you rendered yourself useless.”

All those ideas of living in the lap of luxury faded in an instant. Colin knew he’d have to do some quick thinking if he was going to get out of there. Screw the tough guy routine, he needed to change his character quickly.

“I can give you others,” he said, hating that his voice suddenly went up several octaves. “I know a doctor. And a girl who was studying to be a nurse. Hell, I know a plumber. I can get you these people.”

The room grew silent as Leon looked him straight in the eyes. The Bagger behind him clenched down harder on his shoulder. Colin slouched down, trying to escape the hand, but he couldn’t.

“Oh come now,” Leon said. “We both know you’re lying.”

“I’m not.” Colin was nearly crying now. He couldn’t think, not with all that pain shooting down his arm. If only the guy would let go of him long enough to think of a way out of the situation. “Call off your goon.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Leon said. He stood up, brushing off his pants and straightening his tie. “It’s been a pleasure, Colin, but that’s all it is. I wish you luck on your next journey.” He turned and headed towards the door, pausing before he touched the handle. “Take him outside. I don’t want blood on my couch.”

As the Baggers hauled him out of his seat, Colin screamed for the first time. It wouldn’t be his last.

Game over.

Mason

“Your friend is here.”

Mason looked up. Karen sat down next to him, pushing aside the bowl of porridge he’d been eating. Mason glanced past her, checking the front gates. He hadn’t heard anyone being brought in. Such things were often broadcast loudly, the Baggers liked to make a scene when they captured fresh meat. It was meant to cause more anxiety. Less hope. It worked.

“Which friend?”

“One of the guys.”

“Be more specific.”

“I think his name is Colin?”

The instant relief he felt was quickly replaced with panic. Every day he watched the gates, worrying that when they opened, he’d see them bringing in Aries, Michael or Clementine. Maybe even Daniel. The people he considered his friends. His family. He was always relieved when another day went by and they didn’t show up.

Mason had no idea where they were living these days. He knew Aries had abandoned their last safe house, a big sprawling mansion in the middle of Shaughnessy, one of the richest parts of Vancouver. Where they were hiding now was anyone’s guess. But Mason also knew that Colin wouldn’t have voluntarily left on his own. No, the guy was too much of a coward. He refused to do pretty much anything if it held a hint of danger. So if the Baggers had caught Colin, where were the others?

“Where is he?” Mason asked.

“That’s the thing,” Karen said. She reached over and grabbed some of Mason’s bread, tearing off a piece and stuffing it in her mouth. “He’s in the office, talking with Leon. Hanging out, like they’re best buds.”

“What?”

Karen ignored him and continued on. “Guy’s a total leach. He couldn’t stop staring at my chest. Undressing me with his eyes. I could have knocked the entire coffee cup in his lap and he wouldn’t have noticed.”

Mason grabbed her hand as she reached over to take the last of his bread. Karen paused and gave Mason a pouty look.

“What were they talking about?”

“I dunno. It’s not like they let me pull up a chair and listen. I got called in to serve them coffee and I didn’t stick around. I like staying alive.”

Mason pushed his plate in Karen’s direction. He no longer wanted to finish it. Standing, he walked away from Karen who called out thanks, already stuffing the last of the bread in her mouth. She was more interested in finishing his food than finding out where he was going. Mason didn’t blame her. No one got enough to eat anymore. Especially in this place.

He’d been stuck at the Plaza of Nations since before Christmas and it was by his own choice. He’d had the chance to run before, back when Aries tried to break Daniel and him out. But Mason stuck behind, for more than one reason.

The last time he’d seen Aries was about a month ago. He remembered the conversation vividly. Not a day went by when he didn’t think about the words they’d exchanged.

“I can still get you out,” she’d whispered. Two in the morning. He’d gone around to the back, behind the stage in the Plaza of Nations. Although the whole place was fenced in, there was a bit of space there where they could talk undetected. The Baggers may have kept them under lock and key, but they didn’t often patrol. They didn’t need to. Being stuck inside the Plaza was a better fate than getting shot trying to escape it. Very few people attempted to leave. Where would they go? Being outside the fence wasn’t any better than being inside these days.

“No,” Mason had said. She looked well. Healthier. Springtime had been good. The rain had stopped falling every day and the days grew longer and warmer. Aries didn’t tell Mason where she was hiding, they both knew better than that. Instead, they had a safe house set up, a small building in the downtown core. She’d check it once a week in case Mason ever changed his mind and decided to split. But so far it hadn’t happened.

“Why?” Another familiar question. “We can get the kids out too. Casey. The adults. We’re better organized now, Mason. There’s a lot more of us. We could do it without the casualties of last time.”

Last time. They’d come in, guns blazing, tearing up the place. But people died. Good people. It wasn’t worth the deaths to save the few that managed to get out. The retaliation afterwards had been beyond terrible. The Baggers lined them all up and killed half the group, forcing the survivors to burn the bodies.

No, there would be no more rescue missions. Mason would make sure of that.

“We can’t take the risk,” Mason said. “You know that. Too many died last time. It’s not just about me.”

“I know that. But come on, you’re not even wearing that stupid monitor anymore.”

In the beginning of his capture, Mason had been forced to wear an anklet bracelet, the kind used to monitor criminals. But after proving to Leon he had no intention of leaving, the head Bagger finally removed it. It was simple. Leon knew that Mason wouldn’t try to escape, not when so many lives depended on him. Someone had to help out at the camp, and as it turned out, Mason had the skills necessary to keep everyone together.

“I won’t do it, Aries, so stop asking.” It killed him. Couldn’t she see that more than anything else he wanted her? The very idea of waking up in the morning with her by his side was one of the things that kept him going. Every day he dreamed of a world with Aries in which they didn’t have to be afraid. It would be a simple life—a cabin in the woods where they could be self-sufficient, or a town where everyone could relax and move on with their lives. A Bagger free zone.

“Michael thinks that with the proper diversion, we could get everyone out.”

“It can’t happen, not without loss,” Mason said. “I’m not letting others die because you feel guilty. These people are just as important than me.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

“I know you want to do the right thing. And that’s leaving me here. I’m good here. I help. I keep these people together.”

“How? Being tortured? How’d you get that black eye? Leon and his torture squad came after you again, didn’t they?”

Mason didn’t bother to answer. The black eye was nothing. The bruises hidden beneath his hoodie were a thousand times worse. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to show her that.

“We have a good deal going on now, Mason. We could use you back at camp. I need you. We’re family now.”

“What about Daniel?”

A dark look flashed across her face. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in a long time. Not since…”

“You found out he was a Bagger?”

“Yeah, pretty much. I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”

“He is.” Of this, Mason had no doubt. Daniel was a survivor, more than all of them combined.