Yellow Heat - A Post-Apocalyptic Novel (The Red Sky Series Book 6) Page 7

  “Thanks,” I said as I steadied myself.

  I’d barely gotten my bearings before Molly let out a howl. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her drop to the ground and tumble several times before a thick branch stopped her.

  “Nick!” she cried out.

  Nick almost fell twice as he made her way to her. He looked into her worried filled eyes before glancing at her belly.

  “Are you okay?” Nick asked.

  “I don’t know,” she sobbed.

  “The baby?” he asked.

  Molly stared at him as though he were from another planet. “The baby? The baby is fine. It’s my ankle.”

  Amber dropped down to her knees next to Molly. “Are you sure your baby is okay?”

  “Yes, I mean I think so,” Molly said. “If you know where I might be able to get an ultrasound to know for sure, just let me know where I should go.”

  Amber blinked twice and then offered her a weak smile. “I don’t know.”

  Nick lifted her leg slightly and Molly started howling. She leaned forward reaching her hands out toward her foot.

  “Don’t move it,” Molly begged.

  “I barely touched it,” Nick said looking more concerned.

  Molly winced as Nick raised her pants leg up. She whimpered noisily as he pulled her sock down revealing her puffy ankle.

  “Oh shit,” Nick said.

  “It’s bad, isn’t it?” Molly said biting her lip. She was working to build up the courage to look.

  Her ankle seemed to be growing in size and turning more purple with each passing minute. Peter stood over them. He looked down at her foot, and it was the first time I’d seen him look worried.

  Thirteen

  Molly buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably with each one of her sobs.

  “I can’t walk,” she said before sucking in a painful-looking breath. “Please don’t leave me here to die.”

  “No one is going to leave you to die,” Nick said.

  He looked over at me as if hoping I’d say something that could help calm her. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to say.

  “Yeah, we’re not going to leave you,” I repeated. Molly did not find comfort in my words. I wasn’t even sure if she had heard them.

  “Yeah, sweetie,” Amber said lightly petting Molly’s hair as if she were a baby kitten. “No one’s going to leave you. We want you to be okay. We want your baby to be okay.”

  Molly’s eyebrows squished together. “Why are you so worried about my baby? I told you he’s fine.”

  “He?” Amber said with a smile. “You don’t know it’s a he.”

  “Of course not,” Molly said wiping the tears off her cheeks. She tightened her fists. “Why do you care so much?”

  Amber’s chin trembled. “I just don’t want you to have to go through what I did when I lost my baby. It was the worst. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”

  “Oh,” Molly said her word fading away into the air.

  It had only been a moment that she’d forgotten about the pain. The pain must have surged through her again causing her to look away from Amber and gasp as she dug her fingertips into her thighs.

  “We’ll take turns carrying her,” Peter said looking around with his hands on his hips. “If we can get her to the cabin, she can heal up there.”

  “What if it’s broken?” Molly asked.

  “I don’t think it’s broken,” Peter said.

  Molly narrowed her eyes. It looked like she wanted to tear his head off.

  “Are you a doctor?” Molly asked.

  “No,” Peter said ignoring her tone. “But I’ve seen a sprained ankle before.”

  “Twisted?” Molly asked almost laughing the thought. “Look at it! It looks like an eggplant!”

  Peter nodded. “I see it,” he said trying to muffle his groan, “and it looks like every sprain I’ve ever seen.”

  “Have you seen a broken ankle?” Nick asked.

  “I have,” Peter answered. He looked down at Molly. “Did you hear any noises when you fell?”

  Molly shook her head. “Not that I recall.”

  “Look,” Peter said crouching down. “Her ankle and foot are in-line. It’s incredibly swollen but it doesn’t look misshapen. Do you have any numbness or tingling?”

  Molly looked down. “No. It hurts like hell though.”

  “May I?” Peter said holding out his fingers.

  “May you what?” Molly asked.

  He didn’t wait for her okay. “Does it hurt here?”

  Peter touched right where her ankle bone would have been if the swelling wouldn’t have hidden it.

  “Yes!” Molly said.

  “How about here,” Peter glided his fingers away from the bone touching the flesh away from the bone.

  “Oh God,” Molly said digging her fingers into the dirt. “Stop. Please stop.”

  Peter stood and crossed his arms. “Like I said, I think it’s a sprain. We can know for sure in a few days if there is any improvement or not.”

  “And what if you’re wrong? What if it’s broken?” Molly said with a sniff.

  “I’m not sure but there are doctors in Winnipeg. They’ll be able to help you, I’m sure,” Peter said.

  “If you can get me to Winnipeg,” Molly said.

  Peter ignored her. “For now, let’s worry about getting you to the cabin.”

  Nick held Molly’s gaze. It was like they were communicating telepathically. She gave him a small nod and he worked to help her to her feet.

  Amber quickly stood and wrapped her arm around Molly’s other side.

  “Okay, okay,” Molly said holding on to them tightly her foot slightly bent behind her.

  “Can you put any weight on it?” Peter asked.

  “Maybe but I don’t want to,” Molly said.

  Peter released an exasperated exhale. “Try.”

  “Why?” Molly whined.

  “It’ll help us know if it’s a sprain or if it’s broken,” Peter said.

  “And what good will knowing that do?” Molly asked.

  Peter cleared his throat. “I’ll know how serious it is and how quickly we’ll need to figure out how to get you to Winnipeg.”

  Molly looked at Nick. He offered her a shrug and Molly frowned.

  “Okay, fine,” Molly said holding Nick tighter. She swallowed as her eyes filled with desperation. She stared at Nick. “Stay close.”

  “Wouldn’t leave your side for anything in the world,” Nick said.

  “We’ll be right here,” Amber added.

  Molly slowly turned her head and blinked at the woman. Amber’s eyes glowed as she gave Molly an encouraging smile.

  I was tempted to take Amber’s place and save her from the death stare Molly was giving her but I didn’t want her laser beam eyes focused on me either.

  Molly touched her foot down to the ground. Just the tip of her shoe scraped the earth and she winced, swallowing down the pain.

  “I can, I can,” she said shaking her head vigorously. “But I don’t want to.”

  “Okay,” Peter said nodding. “That’s a good sign. Keep the weight off it as best as you can.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem,” Molly said grinding her teeth together as Amber and Nick helped her take another step.

  Hours passed and it felt like we hadn’t gotten anywhere. I was surprised when Peter announced that it wouldn’t be much longer to the cabin.

  Kellan and I took turns with Nick and Amber helping Molly. Maybe it hadn’t slowed us down as much as I had originally thought.

  “See those trees up there?” Peter asked as he pointed ahead. He turned and smiled at Molly. “That’s where we’re headed. That’s the finish line. You’re almost there.”

  Peter’s cheering sounded like a pet parent at puppy training. The only thing missing was him bending at the knees and slapping his thighs.

  We navigated through the trees and grasses. My legs were sore from the rough t
errain and from helping carry Molly’s weight. She was terribly thin for the most part but after everything, so was I. My muscles had been pushed to their limits and I was desperate for a break.

  “Are you sure this is the right way?” I asked. I was starting to wonder if there really was a cabin hidden inside the trees.

  Peter studied our surroundings. “Almost there.”

  My feet slowed. I was tempted to tell Nick and Molly we needed to turn around, find our own way but then I saw it.

  The cabin was a small shack that looked like it was made using the same light brown wood that surrounded us. It blended well with the trees and I was almost certain that had been the intention.

  We followed Peter to the padlocked front door. He stood there for a moment before glancing over at Amber. She bounced inside her shoes and stepped over to the windowsill. She crouched down and dug inside of a flowerpot filled with dirt and a droopy dead plant.

  Amber’s eyebrows popped up as she handed the key to Peter. He swiftly removed the lock and turned the knob but the door didn’t budge.

  “Locked?” Nick asked.

  Peter shook his head and rammed his shoulder into the door. It popped open. “Just sticks.”

  Peter stepped inside but only Amber followed him. Nick and I exchanged a glance. Peter reappeared and abruptly stepped between Nick and I. The swift movement caused me to jump back into Kellan.

  “Sorry,” I said softly briefly glancing at Kellan.

  “Well?” Peter asked. “Aren’t you coming in?”

  Fourteen

  The cabin had appeared small but I hadn’t realized exactly how small it was until we were inside. There was a main room with a sofa, a few chairs and a small cot in the corner. The blanket sitting on top was crumpled up—evidence that someone had been here.

  There was a quaint kitchen that had supplies packed tightly filling the counters. I imagined the cupboards were just as stuffed.

  “You can put your stuff anywhere,” Peter said holding out his hands.

  All we had was the nearly empty backpack. Nick tossed it on the floor next to the sofa before helping Molly to one of the chairs.

  “Make yourselves at home,” Peter said pointing at the kitchen. He turned and pointed to a door. “There’s the bathroom.”

  Peter drew in a breath before clapping his hands in front of him. He slowly rubbed them together as if he were about to announce the chef’s special menu for the night.

  “Rest up, heal, and if you’re hungry, we’ve got plenty of food,” Peter said. “Oh, and we have water. Would anyone like some?”

  “Sure,” Molly said, and Amber hopped into action.

  “Take this,” Nick said handing Molly the bottle from our pack.

  Molly took a small sip and Amber stopped. She clasped her hands in front of her body looking somewhat disappointed.

  “Is there anything I can get you?” Amber asked.

  “I just want to rest,” Molly said leaning her head back.

  “Well let’s get her to the cot,” Amber said.

  For a second it looked like Molly was going to argue but then she nodded. Amber took a step in their direction but stopped when Nick turned.

  “I got her,” Nick said and Amber frowned. “Thanks though.”

  “Sure anything. Anytime,” Amber said. “I know what it’s like. I’m happy to help.”

  Molly narrowed her eyes. “What it’s like? A sprained ankle?”

  “No, I have no idea what that’s like. I’ve never had a sprain. I did have this really bad bruise this one time,” Amber said letting her words fade away. She shook her head and smiled. “I meant being pregnant. I know what that’s like.”

  “Okay, well, I’d just like to rest,” Molly said pulling her shoulders back. “Maybe you remember how exhausting being pregnant is.”

  Amber ignored Molly’s sharpness. “I do. I remember quite well considering it wasn’t all that long ago.” Amber drew in a breath. “Anyway, go on, get some rest. I only wish we could offer you your own private room.”

  “It’s fine. Hopefully, I’ll be better tomorrow,” Molly said.

  “Tomorrow?” Peter said biting back a laugh. “You’re not going to be better tomorrow. There are no more planned stops between here and Winnipeg. It’s roughly fifteen miles and we usually don’t stop.”

  Nick and Molly exchanged a look. The acid in my stomach churned like waves during a storm.

  “How long do you think it’ll take?” I asked feeling both Nick and Molly’s eyes on me.

  “I can’t say for sure, I’m not a doctor,” Peter said.

  “Tell us, what’s your best guess?” I asked.

  Peter pressed his lips together and sucked in a long breath. “Oh, this is just a guess, but a week? Maybe two?”

  “A week?” Nick asked unable to hide his shock.

  “We don’t have a week,” I said, wishing I would have kept the words to myself.

  “If your friend is in Winnipeg, he’ll be there when you arrive. He’s not going to leave. He wouldn’t even want to,” Peter said. “There’s no rush.”

  I turned and saw Molly staring at me. She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

  “I’m so sorry, Gwen,” she said.

  “Your friend will be there waiting for you,” Peter said.

  Maybe Peter was right but Bronx would only be there waiting if he made it there in the first place.

  “Maybe I should go on ahead,” I said automatically.

  It seemed like the right thing to do but I could tell by the pinched expression Nick was wearing that I shouldn’t have said it out loud. Nick blinked several times before scratching the back of his neck. It looked like he was about to start laughing.

  “If it’s only fifteen miles, I can make that in a day if I push it and I’ll be alone so I can walk fast,” I said nodding as I thought it through.

  “No way in hell,” Nick roared like an angry lion. “Remember what happened last time we separated? We’re not doing it again, that’s for damn sure.”

  He was right but at the same time, I felt like he was overreacting. This was different from when Nick went out looking for a stranger. I was going out there to look for Bronx. He would know where I was.

  “Kellan could take her,” Peter said with a shrug as his eyes locked with Kellan’s.

  “Yeah, I could do that,” Kellan said.

  Nick laughed. “There isn’t anyone that I would approve to take her.”

  “I don’t need anyone to take me,” I said.

  “Gwen,” Molly said softly. She looked like a kitten that had lost her mom. “Please, just give it a day or two. I’ll get better. I—I just know it.”

  My breath inflated my chest like a balloon and it felt like I was about to pop. I released a loud breath. “One day. I’ll give it one day.”

  Peter chuckled. He knew just as well as I did that she wasn’t going to be better in a day. Her ankle was puffed up like a microwaved marshmallow. Without ice or some kind of treatment, it wasn’t going to be better tomorrow but I was buying myself some time. Time for myself to get used to the idea of being out there looking for Bronx on my own.

  I could do it. At least I was fairly confident that I could. But what if I arrived in Winnipeg and he wasn’t there, what would I do then? Come back?

  Time. That was what I had needed and in twenty-four hours, hopefully, I’d have it figured out because it wasn’t a lot of time that I’d bought.

  Molly had gotten the cot and Amber the sofa. The rest of us had gotten a blanket on the floor. There was still a rough over our heads so I couldn’t complain.

  The cabin had a window near the kitchen and another at the front of the house next to the front door which was now padlocked from the inside. Peter had spent forty-five minutes convincing Nick that we didn’t need someone to keep watch.

  He told Nick that not only did no one know about the place but that we’d hear them when they tried to bust down the door. Nick tried to explain to Peter
that we’d need to be prepared. Peter just laughed and told him that if they were at the door, it was already too late. There wouldn’t be much they could do against anyone that was heavily armed.

  Peter had his gun and Nick and Kellan had their knives but that wouldn’t be enough. If someone came, we were basically trapped.

  When I opened my eyes, it was morning. It was the first time I had slept through the night without being woken at least once in… forever. Somehow, I felt more tired than if I wouldn’t have gotten enough sleep. It was almost like I had gotten used to less sleep.

  Nick was crouched down in front of Molly at the cot. She was sitting there taking in deep breaths to get ready to test out her ankle.

  Peter and Amber were in the kitchen whispering as they worked to prepare something. I didn’t move. I kept my eyelids half-closed hoping they’d all think I was still asleep.

  Amber walked around Peter in the kitchen batting her eyelashes at him. His hand quickly slipped around her waist and he patted her ass before she turned away from him. Peter’s eyes glanced up making sure no one had seen the exchange.

  Peter could have been with his family hiding in the middle of nowhere, but instead, he was here with Amber. Flirting. Smiling. I could tell by the look in her eyes that this wasn’t the first time. She had feelings for Peter. Deep feelings.

  I wondered if she knew about Marnie and the kids. Maybe Peter had kept that part of his life a secret. Then again maybe she knew and didn’t care because they weren’t together.

  Did it matter? It wasn’t like Peter was going to be someone else. He wasn’t going to go and help take care of his children. He was too busy trying to help survivors make it to Winnipeg.

  I couldn’t help it but at that moment I didn’t think very highly of Peter. Then again, maybe I never had.

  “I can’t do it,” Molly groaned. Her fingertips were white as she dug them into Nick’s shoulders. Her voice softened into custard. “It’s worse. Don’t tell her it’s worse.”

  Nick’s head started to turn and I closed my eyes the rest of the way. The cot creaked as Nick helped Molly back down.

  I gave it a few more minutes before I shifted my weight and groaned as I stretched. My throat felt dry and my stomach was rumbling.