The Girl Who Kissed the Sun (Death Fields 4)

“I have an opportunity for you and, well, a favor for me. I know you’re farmers—not fighters—and you seem to have a loving, strong family. I may have a way for you to continue living in peace.”

Sabrina sits next to her husband, Matt, a tall man with thoughtful eyes. She grips his hand and says, “We owe you enough to at least listen.”

“It may be easier if I just showed you.” I suggest they get their belongings. It’s a long ride and if they decide to stay, there’s no reason to come back.

There’s a variety of reactions when they meet me outside by the gate. The only one I care about is Dorothy’s. I know she’s the key to winning over this family. Her eyes soften when she sees the kids and she gives me a knowing smile.

“This is Devin, Kori, and Garrett.” I squeeze the little one on the head. He looks up with me with those soulful eyes that threaten the tough exterior I’ve spent years building. “Guys, this is the Armstrong family.”

The kids swarm together, excited to see new faces, and I take Dorothy to the side.

“They need a family,?

? I tell her. “And you need a home. If we work together I can make that happen.”

The woman appraises me, then glances back at her husband, who raises his eyebrow in question. I’m sure she’ll need to discuss it with the others but I have a strong feeling what this woman wants, she gets.

“You’re a very convincing man, Mr. Faraday,” she says.

“It’s just Wyatt, and asking isn’t usually how I get things accomplished.”

She laughs. “No, I suppose not.” She looks again at the kids and says, “Is there a Mrs. Wyatt out there somewhere? Is that what this is about?”

The woman in front of me is smart. She’s tough. That’s why I picked her. With the rest of her family, she can survive in the little beach house I’ve stocked with all the supplies they’ll need for the next year. I’ve spent the last three months collecting necessities, clothing, medicine, and food. I’ve amassed ammo and weapons. There’s space for them to expand, and the island is far enough off the beaten path that Chloe will never find them.

I shake my head. “There’s no Mrs. or anything else. But I did make a promise I’m trying to keep.”

She rests her hands on her hips and says. “You get ready to take us to this house. I’ll have the others on board by the time we get there.”

“Thank you.” She wraps her arms around me and pulls me into a hug. “This is way better than having your gun aimed at my head.”

“Make me another promise,” she says.

“What’s that?”

“When you’re ready to stop fighting, come find us. We’ll save you a bed. I have a feeling those kids are used to you being around.”

She has no idea where I’m going and just how impossible her request is, but I nod, willing to have an opportunity tucked away even if I never get to use it. “I’ll do my best.”

She cocks her head and says, “I have a feeling you always do.”

Chapter 11

The following morning, with the Armstrongs miles away, settling into their new home, I walk through the dark halls of the base. It’s not daylight yet and the air has a chill when I step outside. I suspect that if Davis is waiting for me by the gate, Parker will be by his side. Something is brewing between those two. I see it in their sidelong glances and quiet conversations. I caught them once, red-faced and breathing heavily in an alcove near the gymnasium. I guess I’m just happy they found one another to make this shitty hell on earth a little bit better.

Jude is a wild card. He’s hankering for a fight and he may be willing to go down with Erwin and the Army. He’s young and full of anger. Plus, Erwin still has an arsenal full of toys that we won’t have access to on our journey north. Oh, and that Goddamned motorcycle. He’s not going to want to leave that piece of junk behind, even though I can already tell him it won’t fit into my plan.

I have no assumptions that Paul will do anything but go with us. He and Alexandra are tight and I’ve noticed he’s seemed lonely with her gone, but as I walk up to the gate and see the others dressed with their packs loaded and weapons strapped to every available part of their body, I notice that he’s empty handed.

I nod to the others, more relieved to see them than I expected, and turn to Paul. “What’s going on?”

“Obviously,” he holds up his empty hands, “I’ve decided to stay.”

“What?” Parker exclaims. “No!”

He smiles at her. “I’m going to miss you. Actually, I think I’ll miss all of you. But I have some things to deal with here. I want to stay and help Erwin fight.”

“It’s suicide, man” Jude says, giving us a peek into his own reasons for coming. “Don’t be crazy.”