Hunted_Falling Darkness_Book 3 Read online

  Kate exhaled and nodded slowly. “Get some rest. I want you to be alert. Just in case.”

  “You know I can handle myself when it comes to The Unholy.”

  Kate swallowed down the sour taste at the back of her throat. “It’s not The Unholy I’m worried about.”

  9

  Kate, Will, and Jasper took turns keeping watch during the night, but Kate hadn’t slept at all. Morning had come far too quickly, and before she knew it, there was a knock at the door.

  Ethan was leaning against the wall. His eyes shot up to catch Kate’s glance.

  “Guess that’s for me,” Ethan said stepping around Kate to answer the door. He pulled it wide enough that Kate could see both Mrs. Winston and Lincoln on the other side.

  Mrs. Winston looked at Kate as she placed her wrinkled hand on Ethan’s chest. She gently moved him to the side.

  “Morning dears, just need to finish up my evaluations,” Mrs. Winston didn’t smile as she entered the living room where most everyone was still laying on the floor resting. She clapped her hands. “Who was next?”

  “Let’s go,” Lincoln grunted. Kate watched as a group of six of his men gathered in front of the house. Kate followed Ethan out of the house, and Lincoln held up his hand. “Just him.”

  Kate narrowed her eyes at Lincoln, and he smirked. She grabbed Ethan’s hand and pressed the key against his palm.

  “Be back before you know it,” Ethan said cocking his head slightly to the side.

  Kate forced a smile. The moment he turned away, she let out a quick breath. Kate crossed her arms and watched the men walk down the road.

  She jumped when someone touched her shoulder. Kate whipped her head around, her hand hovering over her blade.

  “Whoa!” Will said taking a step back.

  “Sorry,” Kate said relaxing only slightly. “I’m a little jumpy.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Will said following Kate’s stare. “He’ll be okay.”

  Kate locked eyes with Will and tried to hold it together. When her lip started to quiver, she had to bite down on her cheek to make it stop.

  “I know,” Kate said, but her voice cracked.

  “Let’s go inside,” Will said. He rubbed his palms up and down the sides of his arms.

  Kate scanned the town, carefully studying the buildings as her eyes moved over each one. The town still seemed like a ghost town to Kate even though she knew people still lived in it. That was probably exactly how Lincoln wanted it to appear.

  “Okay,” Kate said lowering her head as she turned to go back inside. She turned to Will and the words that escaped her mouth surprised her. “Stay with me?”

  “Of course,” Will said as a smile grew on his face.

  He placed his hand on Kate’s back and guided her inside and into the kitchen. They sat on the floor next to each other.

  “How long will it take him to get back?” Will asked.

  Kate chewed her lip for a moment. “I’m not sure how far the storage facility is from here.”

  “Wager a guess?” Will asked.

  Kate shrugged. “If he’s not back before nightfall, I’ll be more worried than I am now.”

  Kate listened to the mumbling in the other room as the hours ticked by. She stayed in the kitchen as someone stopped by and brought everyone a little something to eat.

  Mrs. Winston was down to her last two evaluations which didn’t help ease Kate’s nerves. She’d traded the key, and she still wasn’t exactly sure for what. For all she knew, Mrs. Winston could easily say they’d only let one person stay. Kate wouldn’t be any closer to her freedom than she was at that moment.

  “Eat something,” Will said with an encouraging flick of the wrist.

  Kate shook her head. She laid back down on the floor curling her hands up underneath her head.

  Will sighed as he sat down next to her. He gently raised her head and placed it on the side of his leg. She was too worried and weak to refuse.

  Kate must have dozed off because when she opened her eyes again, she was staring at Mrs. Winston’s widened flats and striped socks. She moved away from Will as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.

  The room spun for a moment, and Kate pressed her fingertips to her temples. She drew in a deep breath and pulled herself to her feet.

  Mrs. Winston looked back and forth between Will and Kate. “Interesting. Anyway, I’m finished. I need to speak with Lincoln before anything is official.”

  “Okay,” Kate said.

  “Don’t look so nervous, dear! He’s always listened to me. What I say kind of goes.” Mrs. Winston winked. She stepped forward and grabbed Kate’s hands. “My son is a good man. He’s doing what he believes is right.”

  “Then why turn people away?” Kate asked.

  Mrs. Winston dropped Kate’s hand and took a sharp step back. She looked down at her fingers as if she were checking for something. Kate narrowed her eyes at the woman.

  “You’re so cold,” Mrs. Winston said rubbing her hands together.

  “I haven’t warmed up since yesterday,” Kate said fighting off a shiver as the memory of The Unholy surrounding her popped into her mind.

  Mrs. Winston pressed her lips together tightly as she took another step away from Kate. She let out a slow breath and pressed her palms to her thighs.

  “Sometimes we need to turn people away to keep those that are here safe,” Mrs. Winston said. “In any case, when Lincoln returns we’ll go over the results.”

  “Okay,” Kate said, and the older woman nodded.

  “Don’t look so worried,” Mrs. Winston said. “Everything is going to be fine.”

  Kate pressed her lips together tightly trying to form a smile, but she wasn’t sure if it had been successful. Mrs. Winston gave her and Will each a nod before leaving the building.

  Everyone was silent. The mumbling of questions had subsided, and now all they could do was wait.

  “Was it just me or did she seem to not like me?” Will asked.

  Kate had noticed the strange way she’d looked at Will, but she couldn’t even guess why. “I didn’t notice,” Kate lied. “If there was anything, maybe it was because we broke into the office?”

  “Yeah maybe,” Will said scratching the back of his neck. “But it was weird, right?”

  Maybe the woman had picked up on something with her psychic abilities. Something she wasn’t about to share with either of them.

  Before Kate could answer Jasper popped into the doorway breathing heavily. “I think we have a problem.”

  “What?” Kate asked worried it might have something to do with Ethan.

  “That woman is trying to fight off one of The Unholy,” Jasper said.

  “Shit,” Kate said dashing toward the front door. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  Will caught her arm. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  “I have to,” Kate said already breathing heavily. “That’s Lincoln’s mom.”

  Kate ran down the road. She could see Mrs. Winston swinging a blade smaller than her pinky finger at The Unholy in front of her. The creature was at least six foot seven, and its long arms reached out further than Kate thought possible.

  She pulled the woman back out of the way just as The Unholy swung toward her. It caught a small piece of Mrs. Winston’s shirt and ripped the fabric.

  “Stay back,” Kate said as she ducked another massive swing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another heading toward them. “Scratch that. Go on, get out of here. Run.”

  “I can’t leave you out here,” the woman said her voice shaking.

  “I’ll be fine,” Kate said looking into Mrs. Winston's eyes.

  She nodded. “Yes. Yes, you will. Thank you, dear. I owe you one.”

  And with that Mrs. Winston bolted back toward the house they’d found Lincoln and his group hiding inside when they first arrived. Kate took a step to the side, but The Unholy was fast. It mirrored her steps as if they were performing a synchronized d
ance routine.

  “Okay, you big goon,” Kate said trying to take a stab at The Unholy. Her blade missed by several inches. His size was throwing off her usual attacks. She wasn’t even sure she’d be able to get the blade where she needed to take The Unholy out.

  She took a step back, but her motion stopped. Kate bit back her scream when she turned and looked at the second Unholy with its jaw wide open.

  “Ah!” Kate said as she swung the blade around the front of her body twisting at the middle. The squishing sound of her knife entering The Unholy made her stomach twist. She yanked the blade out and pushed The Unholy to the ground. It flopped down like a lifeless doll splaying out its limbs in every direction.

  Kate turned forward just as the tall one swung at her again. It grabbed onto her arm and tried to pull her closer. Her feet tangled with The Unholy on the ground and she fell forward into the over-sized creature.

  Kate jammed her blade into its side several times, but it didn’t even slow the beast. The black, infected blood leaked out creating a stench that made Kate even more lightheaded than she already was.

  The Unholy seemed to curl its lips into a smile as it moved its mouth toward her cheek. Kate’s arm flailed at her side, making random jabs as she tried to connect with The Unholy’s head.

  “God dammit,” she muttered as she twisted to the side trying to break free. It was inches away from her when she gathered up her strength, grunted and pushed the thing off of her.

  Kate slipped out of The Unholy’s grip but tripped over the arm of the one on the ground. She landed on her bottom with so much force it knocked her onto her back and her knife out of her hand. Her head snapped roughly against the crumbled road.

  When her eyes opened, she was staring into the black circles of the huge Unholy beast. Kate’s eyes widened as she tried to scramble backward. Her feet quickly kicked at the ground trying to move her body backward, but she didn’t move.

  “Oh, God!” Kate said as she moved her body from side to side. She wanted to scream, but all that came out was a terrified little squeak.

  The Unholy stared at her as it moved its head down. Kate wiggled her arm free and socked the creature in the side of the face. The Unholy’s cheek sunk in leaving an imprint the size of Kate’s fist.

  It centered and groaned as it started to dive down toward Kate’s neck. Kate opened her mouth to scream, but The Unholy’s head stopped moving.

  “Oh, God!” Kate cried out as the creature was yanked backward by the hair. When she backed away, she saw Will standing there holding her knife. He didn’t hesitate to plunge it deep inside The Unholy’s head.

  Will pushed the creature over onto his side. He turned to Kate and helped her onto her feet, guiding her down the street. “Whoa. That was nuts. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Kate said.

  “That thing was a monster!” Will said looking back over his shoulder. “Did you see that thing? It was huge.”

  Kate shot him a look. “Of course I saw it.”

  “Right, yeah. I know. Sorry,” Will said shaking his head. “I’ve seen a lot of those things, but never one like that.”

  “Must have been a pro basketball player,” Kate said as they stepped up to the house. She saw the curtain swaying and sighed. “Was everyone watching?”

  “No. Not everyone,” Will said forcing a smile.

  Kate’s brow wrinkled. “Just most everyone?”

  “Does it matter?” Will asked reaching out to open the door.

  Kate wrapped her arms around her middle. “I guess not.”

  Before she stepped inside, she looked down the road, hoping to spot Ethan returning. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought, but there wasn’t anyone there.

  Will put his hand on her shoulder and guided her toward the house. “Let’s go inside.”

  10

  It was just before dark when everyone in the living room began complaining about how hungry they were. Kate and Will were waiting in the kitchen avoiding the mob that would break out if they went into the other room. Jasper watched out the window with Nikki at his side.

  Kate hugged her knees and stared at the wall. Her palms were sweating even though the temperature in the building was dropping at a steady pace.

  “Kate,” Nikki said standing in the doorway.

  Will bumped Kate with his elbow and she looked up at Nikki. There was a darkness in her eyes and Kate couldn’t help but feel like she was looking right through her.

  “Sorry,” Kate said. “Did you need something?”

  “No,” Nikki said shaking her head. “It’s just that… Ethan’s back. They’re all back.”

  Kate’s breath felt as though it was stuck in her throat. For a moment, she was worried that Nikki was lying, but it only took a second for her to realize it was the truth.

  The front door opened and Kate pushed past Nikki. She stepped in front of the door and was face to face with Ethan.

  “Hey, Kate,” Ethan said wearing a half-grin. She threw herself into his arms, unable to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.

  Ethan wrapped his arm around her as he started to close the door. A foot stuck out stopping the door before it could close.

  Kate looked up at Lincoln’s face. She couldn’t read his expression.

  “I’ll be back after I talk with Mrs. Winston,” Lincoln said looking around the room. “Good luck.”

  He closed the door, and the click seemed to echo through the silent room. Ethan jerked his head toward the kitchen and Kate nodded.

  The second they were alone, Ethan wrapped his arms around Kate’s waist and pressed his lips to hers. She gripped his shirt tightly and tried to pull him closer even though he was already as close as he could get.

  “I missed you,” Ethan said.

  Kate couldn’t say the words, but she had missed him too. So much so that she was afraid if she admitted it, she’d break down into a mess on the kitchen floor.

  She let out a breath and released her grip. Ethan’s shirt had deep wrinkles where she’d been holding.

  “How did things go out there?” Kate asked softly.

  “He was pleased,” Ethan said.

  Kate nodded as she looked Ethan up and down noticing a cut on his neck. She reached out toward it, and Ethan jerked back slightly.

  “What’s that?” she asked crossing her arms.

  “It’s nothing,” Ethan said turning to the side as if trying to hide it.

  “Ethan, it looks bad,” Kate said.

  He waved his hand dismissively. “It’s just a scratch from a tree branch. It’ll heal.”

  “I’m sure Lincoln has a bandage or some antibiotic cream or something,” Kate said.

  “Kate,” Ethan said sternly. “It’s fine. How about you?”

  Kate shook her head. “How about me? What is that supposed to mean?”

  “That bruise on your elbow wasn’t there when I left,” Ethan said gesturing toward her arm.

  Kate’s brow wrinkled as she twisted her arm to look. There was a big, purplish bruise to the side of her elbow.

  “There was a situation,” Kate said.

  “What kind of situation?” Ethan crossed his arms.

  “Lincoln’s mom was in trouble,” Kate said.

  Ethan narrowed his eyes and scrunched up his nose. “Lincoln’s mom? Who’s Lincoln’s mom?”

  Before Kate could answer, the front door opened. She could hear that several people were entering the house.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention,” Lincoln called out.

  Kate and Ethan exited the kitchen and stood in the living room with their backs against the wall. Lincoln and Mrs. Winston stood near the front window with everyone looking at them. Will came down the stairs and stood next to Kate.

  “What were you doing?” Kate asked, her voice soft.

  “Just having some alone time,” Will said, and Kate scrunched up her nose. “Nothing weird. Just taking a break from all of this.”

  Lincoln cleared his th
roat, and Kate turned toward the front of the room. “Thanks,” he said raising an eyebrow in Kate’s direction. “I’ve had some time to talk with Mrs. Winston about her evaluations.”

  “Go on then,” Bonnie urged, and instead of looking annoyed, Lincoln grinned.

  “I plan to uphold my end of the bargain. I’ll let Mrs. Winston take over from here,” Lincoln said gesturing at the floor.

  “Thanks, Lincoln,” Mrs. Winston said lightly touching his shoulder before taking a step forward. She held out her hands for a moment and then clasped them in front of her stomach. “You’re all lovely people, but as you were informed during your evaluation, we can’t keep everyone.”

  She pressed her lips together and looked at everyone in the group one by one. Mrs. Winston hesitated on Kate for a moment longer, nodding before moving on to Ethan.

  “Without further delay, would Ned, Sullivan, Claire, and Emily, please step forward,” Mrs. Winston said rubbing her fingers together.

  Ned grinned and released a breath as he pushed himself to his feet. He looked as though he’d just won the lottery. The others on the floor started whispering, the disappointment in their tone was quite evident.

  “Those standing will not be able to stay,” Mrs. Winston said taking a sharp step back next to Lincoln. “And the dog, he can stay too.”

  Kate’s mouth dropped open. Ned reached out to the wall, his knees looked like they were about to give out on him.

  “Lincoln, please,” Kate said taking a step forward. “You have to reconsider.”

  “The decision is final,” Lincoln said.

  “I can’t go out there,” Ned said clutching his chest. “Look at me. I’m… I’m too old for all this. I won’t be any trouble.”

  Lincoln held up his hand. “Thanks for your time. I want those who aren’t permitted to stay gone before morning.”

  Kate pushed herself off of the wall and grabbed Lincoln by the arm. “Can I see you for a moment?”

  “It won’t do any good,” he said moving his lips to her ears. “We made a deal.”

  She squeezed his arm, and he groaned. He turned and followed her into the kitchen.