The Last Struggle - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Ravaged Land: Divided Book 3) Read online

  Of course, the man hadn’t even looked at the house, why would he bother to bring his people back to a place that he’d only seen the inside of a dirty, old storage shed?

  As long as no one brought up the subject, I sure wasn’t going to. It was obvious enough we were staying temporarily because it was night and no one had suggested leaving. Not even me.

  “Ugh,” Charlie moaned wrapping her arms around her stomach. “I think maybe I ate too much.”

  “Are you OK?” Abby asked as she stood up and stretched her arms over her head.

  Charlie nodded, but her color looked a bit grayish compared to how it had looked earlier. “Yeah, I think I just need to lie down.”

  “Me too.” Abby yawned. “I’ll take that room again unless that’s a problem?”

  “Go ahead,” Logan said, without looking up.

  “Thanks,” Abby said making her way across the living room. “Good night then.”

  Everyone mumbled their good nights as she disappeared from the room.

  “I’m going to stay out here tonight,” Ryder said gesturing with his chin toward the sofa. “I’ll keep watch.”

  “Before you do,” Charlie said bent slightly at the waist. “Would you mind helping me upstairs?”

  “Oh,” Ryder said shaking his head, “I’m sorry you can take the sofa.”

  Charlie forced a thin-lipped smile. “I’d really rather a bed.”

  “You’re sure?”

  She nodded, wincing as she swallowed. “I’m sure. I might need a—”

  Charlie dashed from the room. I could tell by the sounds of her footsteps that she had run into the bathroom. The night was so quiet there wasn’t anything she could do to mask the sounds of her vomiting.

  “I’ll get some water,” Shawn said disappearing into the kitchen. We’d had some stored in an old bottle, but it might not be enough to clean the mess.

  Ryder walked out of the room and knocked lightly on the door. “You OK?”

  “Yeah,” she said, her voice weak and raspy. “Please, just help me upstairs.”

  Charlie wasn’t OK, she was ill. And if it was from the fish, we were all going to be in trouble because we’d all had our fill.

  After a few moments, the bathroom door opened. Ryder walked out of the hallway with Charlie curled in his arms as he carried her toward the stairs.

  “Can I get anything for her?” I asked as they walked by.

  Shawn made his way into the bathroom, sounds of water splashing filled the air. I was surprised by his iron stomach.

  “I could get her a glass of water,” I suggested.

  “No,” she moaned. “Nothing.”

  Logan followed Ryder up the stairs, both of them unable to hide their worry. Hell, after everything I’d been through with Charlie, even I was worried.

  I jumped when I felt someone touch my shoulder. A sharp breath escaped from between my lips when I saw Shawn standing there.

  “She’ll be OK. She probably just needs to rest,” he said gesturing toward the door. “I’m going to get more water to boil.”

  “What if it’s the fish?” I said keeping my voice low.

  Shawn shrugged. “I think we’d all be reacting the same way.”

  “Maybe we will.”

  “Maybe, but I feel fine.”

  I chewed on the side of my cheek. There wasn’t even the slight hint of a grumble in my stomach. I’d felt better than I had in a long time.

  Shawn looked out the window before opening the door. “Be right back.”

  “I don’t think you should go alone,” I said.

  “I’ll be fine.” Shawn left closing the door behind him and ending the discussion before I could insist I go with him.

  I looked up the stairs trying to listen, but all I could hear was the occasional groan from Charlie, and the soft whispers shared between Logan and Ryder. The only thing I could determine from their whispers was what I’d already known… they were worried.

  I walked over to the window and stared at the shadows watching for Shawn’s return. It didn’t take long before he was walking briskly through the rain and up the porch.

  He came back inside the house and met my eyes before he locked the door. Even though the lock wasn’t in great condition, hopefully, it would delay anyone trying to get inside, at least for long enough that we could ready ourselves to fight, or escape.

  Shawn was working to boil the water when Logan came down the stairs. He looked over at us as he ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Ryder’s going to wait up with her,” he said stepping up behind me. “I’ll keep watch.”

  “Are you sure?” I said shaking my head. “I don’t mind at all.”

  Logan let out a breath as he looked down at his feet. “I’m not feeling even a little sleepy. Go on, I’ll wake you if I get tired.”

  “OK.” I stepped away from the window, wrapping my arms around my middle as I turned back toward him. “Is she going to be all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure she will,” Logan said pasting on a smile. “Charlie’s tough.”

  “She is,” I said smiling back at him.

  As I walked down the hall, I could hear Logan talking to Shawn. He was telling him to leave the water that he’d finish. It wasn’t long before I heard Shawn’s footsteps coming down the hall.

  I looked out the window, and when I turned around, he was standing in the doorway.

  “I have nowhere to go,” he said, his expression blank.

  “Um, yeah,” I said, closing the curtain. There was a shakiness to my voice I couldn’t hide. “It’s fine. It’s a big bed.”

  “Are you sure? Because if it’s weird, I’ll just go sleep in the basement or something.”

  I shook my head. “No, sleeping in the basement would be weird.”

  “I think Logan wanted to be alone,” Shawn said taking a cautious step into the room.

  I nodded as I twisted my fingers together. My eyes were focused on the bed.

  “Which side do you prefer?” Shawn asked. “Or I could sleep in that chair.”

  There was a rickety old wooden chair near the closet. It looked like it would fall apart if someone looked at it for too long.

  “Don’t be silly,” I said sitting down on the bed. “I’ve been sleeping on this side.”

  Shawn sucked in a breath and walked over to the bed. I could feel it sink down a bit when he sat down on the other side.

  We both laid back at the exact same time. I kept my eyes glued to the ceiling.

  “Well, good night then,” Shawn said.

  “Good night.”

  I closed my eyes, and the second I did, I felt his fingertips lightly brush against the back of my hand. He slowly inched his fingers over until his hand was over mine.

  My heart beat faster, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to sleep having him so close to me. I didn’t dare to look over to see if his eyes were closed, but I could hear his gentle breaths as the rain tapped at the window.

  It wasn’t like anything could happen between us with the door open and the others only a few feet away. Not to mention I was sure that even though Ryder seemed to be accepting of what had developed between Shawn and me, he still wouldn’t want to witness anything in the way Charlie had.

  “Emery?” Shawn whispered, and my heart felt as though it skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if I should respond or pretend to be asleep. Having him stay in the bedroom had been a bad idea.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I kiss you?”

  I swallowed hard, and my cheeks warmed. Even though I hadn’t tried that hard not to, I was unable to stop myself from turning to look at him. His glowing eyes caught mine in the darkness and my entire being melted.

  My tongue dragged across my lower lip as I swallowed down my nerves. “Yes.”

  He glanced out the doorway before propping himself up slightly. His lips inches from mine.

  Shawn stroked my cheek with the side of his thumb before he hungrily dove down and pressed hi
s lips to mine. A small moan escaped from between my lips as all the tension left my body and floated away through the ceiling.

  The need that filled my body was intense. Not even the random creaks of the floorboards above were able to bring me to my senses.

  “Shawn,” I said, but I’d been unable to even come close to completing my sentence.

  His mouth devoured every inch of my exposed skin. He kissed up and down my neck and across my collarbone. When he pulled the thin, frayed blanket over us, it felt as though the bed was swallowing us whole. Shawn and I were in our own world where all that mattered was the two of us.

  A small gasp escaped from between my lips as Shawn roughly pulled up my shirt and kissed the tops of my breasts. My fingertips dug into his shoulders as he made his way back up to my lips.

  “Emery,” he whispered my name, before kissing me harder. My body filled with a fiery passion that I couldn’t deny. I wanted Shawn. No. It was more than that. I needed Shawn.

  I tugged at the hem of his shirt, and he yanked it off. He smiled when I reached down to undo my pants.

  “Are you sure?” Shawn asked, his breath dancing across my cheek.

  “Yes,” I said, and that was all he needed to hear.

  Shawn’s hand glided up my stomach and over my breast. I didn’t know if I believed in heaven, but if there was one, it had to feel like this.

  Before I knew it, Shawn was on top of me, gazing into my eyes. I bit my lip when I looked up at him, and it seemed to ignite something deep inside.

  My lips parted when he entered me, and it felt like I didn’t know what to do with my hands. I gripped the sheets tightly as our bodies moved together.

  Shawn lightly brushed a stray hair out of my face, before lowering himself to kiss down the side of my neck.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered next to my ear.

  My heart jumped at his words. Everything around me seemed to be moving faster. Even the rain seemed to be tapping at the window more rapidly than before.

  My insides felt like they were on fire, threatening to explode at any moment. Shawn rocked his hips quicker, and our bodies seemed to tense at the exact same moment.

  An indescribable intense pleasure consumed me. Shawn was driving my body to a place it had never gone before, and it was absolutely delightful.

  Every inch of my body tingled as my muscles relaxed. I grabbed his shoulders as if I was afraid I might roll away from him.

  “Oh, God,” I said as Shawn slowed to a stop. He pressed his lips to mine for a long moment before rolling back onto his side.

  “I hope that wasn’t too loud,” Shawn said with a serious look on his face.

  I looked out into the hall, but it seemed the same as it had before. The random pacing noises from above us hadn’t changed.

  I wiggled back into my clothing and caught Shawn staring at me. His expression was unreadable.

  “I’ve fallen hard for you,” Shawn said, touching my chin with his fingertips. “Really hard.”

  “I feel the same,” I said, my words unable to express what my heart had actually felt for him.

  I cared immensely for everyone in our group. I’d be torn into pieces if anything happened to any of them, but especially Shawn. If anything, ever happened to him, I wouldn’t be able to go on.

  Shawn put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. “Get some sleep.”

  “I will, once I catch my breath,” I said, and Shawn grinned. “Although, I’m still worried about Charlie. She didn’t look good.”

  “No, she didn’t. I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Shawn said. “Good night. For real this time.”

  I chuckled as I placed my hand on his solid chest and closed my eyes. In the morning Charlie would probably be back to giggling with Abby and making annoying remarks. In a way, I almost looked forward to it because at least then she’d be feeling better and we could all stop worrying.

  Feisty Charlie was annoying, but sick Charlie made me nervous. Really nervous.

  8

  Shawn wasn’t in the bed when I woke up. I could hear someone moving around in the kitchen, but I didn’t hear any voices.

  When the ceiling creaked with the same sounds of someone pacing I’d heard last night, I knew Charlie was still upstairs. I pushed myself out of bed and looked out the window. The yard was flooded, but the rain had stopped for the time being.

  Worry and anxiety hung heavily in the air as I made my way down the hallway. Logan was standing at the window while Shawn was filling a bowl with rice in the kitchen.

  “Want some?” he asked.

  “Maybe later,” I said glancing back toward the room Abby had stayed in. She wasn’t in there. She must have been upstairs with Charlie.

  I took small steps as I made my way over to Logan. He looked as though he was lost in his thoughts. When his eyes met mine, he blinked several times as if bringing himself back to the present.

  “How is she?” I asked, my brows squeezing together.

  Logan shook his head. “Not good. She just puking up thick green liquid now. Her stomach is empty. Hopefully, she’ll turn the corner soon.”

  “Is Ryder up there with her?”

  “Yeah, Abby too.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Logan looked down at his feet. “Think all we can do is wait.”

  I placed my hand on his shoulder, and his head bobbed up and down slowly. The right words hadn’t found the way out of my mouth, but the gesture had been enough.

  I walked into the kitchen and noticed the bag of rice Shawn had brought up was almost empty. Good thing there was plenty more downstairs.

  “I’ll get more rice,” I said softly before pushing the table out of the way and pulling open the door in the floor.

  “Thanks,” Shawn said carrying a pot into the other room and setting it down next to the fire.

  I made my way down into the cool basement, drawing in a deep breath as if the air below had somehow been easier to breathe. It was more likely the distance from the tension in the other room was what had made breathing easier.

  As I bent down to pick up a bag of rice, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that caught a glint of light. Sitting on the shelf to my left was a rusted can opener.

  I squinted at it, not sure I’d noticed it there before. The metal felt cool in my hand when I picked it up.

  I shrugged as if the can opener was asking why I was staring at it as I set it back down on the shelf. When I bent over to pick up the bag of rice, I saw two cans out of place at the back of one of the shelves.

  My stomach twisted as I took a step toward the hidden cans. Somehow, I already knew what I was about to find.

  With the back of my hand, I shoved the full, unopened cans out of the way and grabbed one of the out of place cans. The lid had been cut off, and every tiny morsel of canned sweet corn had been devoured.

  I dropped the can, and it clanked against the concrete floor. I took a quick step away from it. Had that been like that when we arrived? No. It would have been moldy or smelly. The almost completely cleaned out can hadn’t been sitting on the shelf for long.

  “Everything all right down there?” Shawn asked. When I didn’t respond, he hastily came down the stairs, his eyes as wide as mine although he didn’t yet know what I’d discovered. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

  I shook my head and pointed at the empty can on the floor. Shawn narrowed his eyes at the can and then looked at me as if I’d been the one to open the can.

  “What’s going on?” his voice thick with confusion. “You didn’t—”

  “Of course not!” I swallowed hard. “But I think I know who did.”

  “Shit,” Shawn said taking a step back as the pieces fell into place.

  My finger shook as I pointed to the spot on the shelf where the second can sat. “There are two that are empty.”

  “Maybe they were like that before we got here,” Shawn said. I was shaking my head before he was halfway
finished with his sentence.

  “I wondered that too, but there isn’t any mold, and the smell isn’t bad,” I said chewing on my fingernail. “My God, what am I going to tell Ryder?”

  Shawn’s fingers trembled as he ran them through his hair. “We’ll just tell him what you found.”

  “She had to have known better… why did she do it?” I said sucking in a sharp breath to stop the tear that was threatening to roll down my cheek.

  “I don’t know,” Shawn said gesturing toward the stairs. “Let’s get this over with. I have an idea.”

  “And idea?”

  Shawn placed his foot on the first step. “Maybe. But no one is going to like it.”

  We were all in Charlie’s room standing in silence. Ryder was still letting everything we’d told him sink in.

  Charlie looked as though she was at death’s door, but thankfully she hadn’t yet knocked. Her complexion was gray, and the skin on her face appeared thin. She laid absolutely still except for the slight rise in her chest when she’d draw in a weak breath.

  Logan plopped down in a chair and slouched forward, resting his forehead on his fist. Abby started to pace.

  “Charlie,” Ryder said, and her finger twitched. “Did you eat the canned food?”

  She didn’t respond. She didn’t move. Not because she didn't want to but because she couldn't.

  “God dammit, why, Charlie?” Ryder asked as he slammed his fist into the wall. He turned sharply, locking his eyes with Logan, and then shifting them briefly toward Abby. “Did either of you know about this?”

  They looked at one another, and it was all Ryder needed to confirm that they’d both known about the canned food.

  “And you didn’t tell me?” Ryder shouted.

  Logan looked down at his feet. “I thought it was food poisoning. I figured it would pass.”

  “Does it look like it’s passing?” Ryder said between his teeth.

  “I’m sorry,” Logan said standing up quickly. He weaved to the side but quickly steadied himself. “I fucked up, OK?”

  It was at that moment I noticed green-tinged pallor of Logan’s complexion. Charlie hadn’t been alone in the basement. She’d had company.