Rage Within (16 page)

Silence.

Aries shook her head. She knew Mason went off on his own sometimes at night, but she had no idea where. She assumed it was personal and didn’t ask. He was always back before dawn; she often heard the creak of his door when he snuck back into his room.

“It’s going to be harder with him,” she finally said. “I hate to admit it, but I don’t even know where to start. Did he ever mention any places he liked to go?”

“You’d know over us,” Joy said. “He only talked to you. He pretty much ignored the rest of us.”

Aries looked over at Nathan and Eve, but they were both staring at her with blank expressions.

“He was cool when we used to pick up the food,” Nathan finally said. “Except when I saw him talking with Daniel about a week ago. We ran into him at the Safeway. They acted like they didn’t know each other very well, but afterward I saw them huddled over by the soup section. They seemed pretty heated up with each other. Kinda pissy.”

“Really?” Aries raised her eyebrow. Why hadn’t anyone mentioned this to her?

“Yeah, that’s pretty much it, though.”

“How can we know so little about him?” Aries finally said. “We’ve been living with him for a few months now. It’s so strange.”

Joy shrugged. “He told me he liked my stew one night,” she said. “That was the longest conversation I had with him.”

There was a pause while everyone tried to think about what to do next.

“We have no proof that he’s missing,” Colin said without looking up. Whatever game he was playing on the Game Boy
had the most annoying theme music. “How do you know they all just didn’t find a new crowd? It’s not like we really knew any of them. Even Clementine and Michael. Maybe they eloped or went back to Seattle. Either way, no great loss.”

“They wouldn’t leave us,” Aries said. “Even you know that.”

“Then they’ll come back,” Colin said. “Or they won’t. I’m not risking my life to go after them.”

“Yeah, you don’t like risking your life for anything,” Nathan snapped. “You won’t go get food. You won’t help the people who do bring you food. You’ve always got an excuse. Half the time you don’t bother going out to take watch, or you get bored and leave your post. These people have done so much for you and you refuse to return the favor. Remind me again, Colin. Why do we keep you around here?”

The words worked. Colin finally looked up from his game, a darkness crossing over his face. “What the hell do you know about anything?” he said.

“He’s right,” Joy said. “You never pitch in or help.”

Aries bit her lip. These were the words she’d wanted to say for so long, but being the leader, she felt she couldn’t say them without stepping on toes. Yes, Colin had been completely useless from the very beginning. He argued about every suggestion and refused to do anything that involved helping the group. But she’d even stuck up for him at certain points, mostly because she’d known him for a long time and because Sara had loved him. Sara, her best friend, who’d died when the earthquakes started.

Besides, she’d never kick anyone out. No matter how annoying they were. It wasn’t in her nature. She would protect everyone. If they threw Colin out for being such a pain, then what would stop them from wanting Jack out next because he was useless? Who after that? No, she couldn’t allow it. This
place, this group they’d all worked so hard to save, she couldn’t pick and choose. Everyone was welcome. Everyone would be treated well. Even if they weren’t equals.

It also didn’t help that Colin had straight-out threatened them all about a month ago, though only she knew it.

It had been the exact same argument. They’d been in discussion about who would go pick up the canned goods for the week. Not exactly a dangerous job considering the Baggers weren’t in the area. She and Mason had been watching, and as far as they could tell, the crazies were in the downtown core, building the fencing that would surround the Plaza of Nations. Back before the white vans showed up and started advertising sanctuary there. As usual, Colin refused to even consider the job, and he and Nathan got into a heated argument.

Colin had stormed off into his room and Aries gave him an hour to calm down before venturing up to try and talk some sense into him.

“We all have to pitch in,” she said. He’d been sitting on the bed, leafing through an outdated health magazine and giving no clues as to whether he was listening. “Everyone has to play his part; otherwise, it’s not fair to the others. Those are the rules.”

“That’s the thing,” Colin said. “You seem to think we’re all this one big, happy family. We’re not. I never agreed to your so-called rules and I don’t recall anyone asking my opinion. I’m not going to risk my life for people I don’t care about.”

“So why should they risk their lives for you?”

Colin tossed the magazine on the floor and rolled over on his side. “They want to toss me out? I’m sure even you know that’s a bad idea.”

“Is it?” she asked.

“Yeah, it is. Who knows who I might go join then? I don’t have the alliances you have. I might be willing to give up certain information if the price is right.”

“You’d give us up?”

“In a heartbeat. Now get out.”

She’d left the room, and when she came back downstairs, she told everyone that they should just let Colin be for now. She avoided the curious looks and refused to say anything more. If Mason found out he’d threatened them, he’d probably grab Colin and physically remove him. She couldn’t take that chance. She knew Colin better than anyone else. The threat was real. Since then she’d been putting in double effort to try and keep everyone peaceful.

It grew harder each day.

Now it looked like Nathan was ready for war.

“I’ve really had it with you,” Nathan growled. “Maybe it’s time for you to leave.”

“There’s no need for that,” Aries said.

“Yes, there is.”

Colin slowly turned off the Game Boy. He got up off his chair and walked over to Nathan. For several extended seconds, the two stared each other down.

“It must suck being last,” Colin said. “Even with me here, you’re still last on her list.”

“What are you talking about?” Nathan said.

“I see the way you suck up to her, but she’d never take your word over Mason’s, either. With Jack a cripple and Mason gone, you must have been hoping if you kissed ass enough, she’d actually turn to you.”

The room had grown deathly quiet. Aries had taken the few steps toward them, but neither paid her any attention. Eve and Joy sat frozen on the couch with wide-eyed expressions.

“You don’t want to be saying those words,” Nathan said.

“Funny enough, I already did.”

“It’s not true.”

Colin snickered. “Sure it is.” He turned to Aries. “What do you think? Now that your boys are gone, are you going to actually listen to this wimp?”

Nathan threw the first punch. It hit Colin directly on the cheek, sending him backward and onto the couch. Eve scrambled out of the way.

Colin was up in a flash. He crashed into Nathan and both boys flew across the floor and into the flat-screen television. Metal crunched against the wall and the glass cracked as everything fell over with a loud bang.

The three girls stared in disbelief while the two wrestled on the ground. Finally Aries managed to unthaw and reached down, trying to separate them while avoiding any stray blows.

“Enough!” she screamed.

But the boys weren’t letting go. Finally, with Eve’s and Joy’s help, she managed to pull them apart.

“This is not helping anything,” Aries snapped. “Grow up. Both of you.”

Nathan didn’t say anything as he moved back a few feet. His cheek was beginning to swell. He allowed Eve to gently drag him farther back toward the couch, but he wouldn’t sit.

Colin didn’t look much better. He’d taken a good hit to his eye and the skin was bright red. “I guess the truth hurts,” he said with a cold smile.

Nathan jerked forward, but Eve and Joy pushed him back.

“Stop it,” Eve said. “He’s not worth it.”

“Fine,” Nathan said. “You’re right. He should just leave. We’d all be better off.”

There was a noise behind them, coming from the hallway.
Aries spun around, half expecting to see a group of Baggers grinning at them, drawn by the sounds of their ridiculous drama.

“Wow,” Clementine said. “We’re gone for only a day and all hell breaks loose.”

*   *   *

Colin was up in his room and Eve had coerced Nathan into going with her to find some groceries for the evening meal. The house was silent. Aries and Clementine were in their bedroom while Joy and Raj stayed downstairs to try and figure out where the new guests were going to sleep.

“They’re cool,” Clementine said. “I mean, I can’t really say it about all of them. But Raj really helped us out. One of the girls is Larisa and she’s fine. I’m not actually sure about the others. Don’t even know their names yet. That other guy, I think his name is Claude, well, he’s a bit of a jerk and I don’t trust him, but he’s not a Bagger or anything. I think he was good friends with Ryder so he blames us for the attack.”

“Does that make him dangerous?” Aries asked, thinking of Colin and his threats.

“No, I don’t think so,” Clementine said. She pulled one of the pillows into her lap and squeezed it. “He came willingly enough. I think he’s just as lost as the rest. They put all that effort into keeping everyone safe. And the Baggers took them down in seconds. I don’t think he was really aware of how quickly they can kill.”

“They’re more than welcome here,” Aries said. “We’ve got the space.”

Clementine nodded.

“What about Heath?” Aries asked. “Anything?”

“No.” Clementine hugged the pillow tighter. “But UBC’s a big place. There’s still plenty of other places he could be
hiding. I’m not giving up that easily. Besides, I have to go back. What if Michael doesn’t show?”

“He’ll be here,” Aries said. “He’s a champion fighter.”

Clementine nodded.

Aries gave her a hug. “I’m really glad you’re back. I was worried. I think now we should have the radios with us at all times.”

“Yeah, good idea.”

“And that leaves Mason.”

“Why? What happened to Mason?”

Aries shrugged. “He’s gone. Last night.”

“He wouldn’t just leave,” Clementine said. “Something must have happened—like with us.”

Aries blinked several times to avoid the tears. It was good to know that someone else was so sure of Mason.

“We’ll find him,” Clementine said. “You and me will go out tonight, okay? We’ll go see Daniel. Don’t give me that shocked look. I know you meet him at night.”

Aries choked back a laugh. “How do you know that? I’ve been so careful.”

Clementine smiled. “Because you check your hair in the mirror before you sneak out,” she said. “Just because you think we’re all sleeping doesn’t mean we actually are. I can’t imagine you’d be concerned about your looks if you’re just taking a walk through the park. Totally understandable. Daniel’s hot.”

“I’m so glad you’re back.”

*   *   *

It was raining when they headed out later that evening. Michael still wasn’t back and Aries could see the doubt and fear in her friend’s eyes. But Clementine wanted to come. She said it gave her something to do besides sit at home and
go crazy with every passing second. At the last moment, Raj insisted on coming along too.

“It’ll be good to have a strong chem trainspotter such as myself,” he said. “Who else can you toss in their direction that might slow ’em down?”

Aries liked Raj instantly. He was lighthearted and enjoyed cracking jokes; it was a nice distraction in the severely stressed household. In less than a few hours, he’d already managed to make Jack smile properly twice, and that was something she’d been trying to achieve for weeks.

They’d decided to put the newcomers in the basement family room. It made sense because they all knew each other and Aries didn’t want to put them in Mason’s empty room. That seemed like too much of an intrusion. And too final. Mason wasn’t dead, just missing.

Hopefully Daniel would have heard something. He seemed to have a real ear for picking up rumors and secrets in the empty city streets.

They pulled their hoodies up over their heads and snuck out into the night. The rain wasn’t heavy, but it was still cold enough to chill her to the bone. By the time they reached the beach, they were all soaked through. Maybe it was time to start investing in rain gear. Maybe they could hit up one of the survival stores and get some proper stuff.

“So this is where you’ve been going?” Clementine whispered with a giggle. “I wish Michael was this romantic. I could use some beachside snuggling.”

“It’s not like that,” Aries said. She was glad it was dark out, because she could feel the warmth rising in her cheeks. “We just come here to talk. Nothing else.”

Nothing at all. Not since the time on the beach when he’d kissed her. Back when they carved their names in the
log. No hand-holding. No exchanging loving words.

And no more kissing.

In a way it was better. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but it wasn’t really the time and place to start a whirlwind romance. And Daniel wasn’t exactly cold toward her, but he always seemed to be holding back in some way.

“There’s always Mason,” Clementine said mischievously.

Aries shot her a glance. “I’m not looking to hook up with anyone, so stop pushing, okay?”

“Just saying,” Clementine said, but thankfully she dropped it.

They waited by the bench, standing because it was too wet to sit. Eventually Raj went over to the shore and started tossing pebbles. The waves were wild and thrashing and everything he tossed sank without so much as a splash.

“He should have been here by now,” Aries said as she double-checked her watch. It was getting closer to midnight and still there was no sign of Daniel.

“Is this normal?” Raj asked. “Does he always show up?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Aries admitted. “It’s not like we plan to meet every night. It just sorta happens. But this feels weird. There’s something wrong here.”

“Maybe he’s with Mason,” Clementine said.

“Doubtful,” she said. “They hate each other. Nathan said they almost got into a fight at the Safeway the other day.”