“Thank you for being so generous.”
“I never did catch your name,” he remarked, helping me onto the horse, securing my feet in the stirrups and showing me how to control her.
“Olivia,” I introduced myself. “I can’t ever thank you enough,” I breathed realizing then who he reminded me of. “You look just like someone I used to know,” I remarked. “Landon.”
He laughed patting Auburn’s side. “Can’t say I know him. Hope it’s good memories,” he answered. “I’ll show you out of Torv but the stretch north is solely yours.” The way he said it worried me.
“Afraid of traveling north?” I asked wondering what was wrong with it. The Gravelands didn’t get their name for another hundred years at least.
“Rebels up that way haven’t been vaccinated yet. They insist the drug causes some sort of mutation. I don’t know, it’s a bunch of hogwash if you ask me.” He confessed, “But just be careful, Olivia. I’d hate to see anything happen to you or Auburn.”
“I promise I’ll take real good care of her for you.” I patted Auburn’s side. “Can you show me the way out of here?” I asked. I’d never been this far west in Torv. I’m not sure it even existed in present day but it didn’t matter. I needed to go home. I glanced down thankful the bracelet was still secure on my wrist.
“Just follow it north.” He pointed towards the fence used to keep the cattle and horses grazing within their land.
“Thank you again,” I called back, riding Auburn fast and hard north, keeping the canteen secured around my chest and the pack of vegetables secured shut to the saddle.
I traveled for hours as the sun began to set on the horizon. I slowed Auburn down and jumped off. I sat with her, offering the horse water and food. She took all I offered then stretched her legs and hung her head. I could tell she was hot and tired, so I walked her a bit to cool her down. I patted her head as we slowed to a stop on flat ground that looked good enough to rest on. I found a few branches and started a small fire beside us. All I could hope was it wouldn’t attract any rebels or wild animals. Auburn feeling comfortable and safe, laid down to rest. Her eyes shut and I patted her happy for the companionship as I headed off on foot to find water and food for me.
I didn’t have to walk far and kept my ears open for any sound at all. The slight trickle of water from the east alerted me to a chance of food and I sprinted towards it. My feet pounded the ground and leaves crunched beneath my feet. The ground was damp as I walked closer and saw the smallest stream peeking out from the ground hidden between two rocks. “Food,” I breathed hoping there were fish. Though Joshua had been the one who learned how to catch them, I’d been around enough that I’d learned my fair share. I spent the next several hours forming a net from branches and vines managing to catch two small fish. Proudly, I carried them back to the campfire. Auburn hadn’t budged the slightest since I’d left.
Relieved the fire hadn’t died out completely I stoked it, added some wood and then cooked my meal over the open flame. I was starving and two small fish barely seemed enough food but it would do. I curled up against Auburn, feeling the rise and fall of her chest as I shut my eyes and let sleep take over.
CHAPTER 26
I woke abruptly as Auburn jumped up. I stood, seeing us surrounded by a half-dozen men, knives raised, watching us hungrily.
“I say we cut her and then eat the horse!” one man shouted. His clothes were torn, his face smeared in filth. He was thin, his bones protruded from his neck as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks. His eyes bulged and he inched closer.
“No way,” another man taller and fatter shouted laughing hysterically. “She’s all mine! I laid eyes on her first,” he boasted proudly, stepping closer towards the circle.
I eyed the fire wondering if the coals were hot enough to burn the six men. I doubted I’d be able to stop them on my own and protect Auburn. I patted Auburn gently, glancing down, glad the bracelet hadn’t been stolen. “You will leave me and the horse alone,” I demanded eyes tight and lips curled. “I’ll warn you once.”
A third man smiled deviously. I noticed he was missing a front tooth and the rest were yellow and decaying as he stepped closer. “Warn us of what? We have weapons. You can’t tell me you have any chance against six men.” His voice sent a shudder through my body.
“I could easily give you the plague,” I spit out. “Are you sure you’re willing to take that chance?” I glanced from one man to the other, turning around to see two more behind me. I jumped onto Auburn’s back, kicking her side, “Go!” I shouted. She jumped past the men, but it didn’t stop them as they followed us on foot. “Faster!” I rode her swift and hard. Glancing back every so often, they disappeared behind us. I glanced down at the bracelet on my arm once again. We were far from Torv but still in Cabal. I couldn’t risk using it, not yet.
I wouldn’t let Auburn stop. We rode hard from dark until well past dusk. I could feel her slowing but she hadn’t stopped. Not yet. I eyed west of us, seeing nothing but plains that went on for miles. For the faintest moment I wished I had any idea how much further we had to travel. There was no map, only my memory of the journey when I’d been trying to find Joshua. The moon crept into the sky and we stopped for the night, repeating our ritual. I gave Auburn the last of the water, chiding myself for not getting more yesterday when I’d had the chance. We found a tree and together we slept beneath it. I hoped we wouldn’t have any unexpected visitors again.
Morning came far too quickly and I roused Auburn from sleep, climbing atop her as she galloped north. I felt as if we’d barely made headway. I covered more ground on the horse than on foot, but not as much space as I had in the vehicle Joshua and I had stolen from Haven. At this rate it would be weeks if not months until I found my way home. I couldn’t contact Joshua. I’d have to wait until we reached Haven where it was safe and hopefully he’d be able to hear me. It was a long shot but he’d be looking for me, wouldn’t he? I patted Auburn’s back, riding her through the night, moving farther north. After several days food for Auburn had run scarce but we’d had plenty of water.
On the fifth day from Torv, Auburn and I trotted through a small farm. The white paint on the shutters had turned a dull gray and was peeling. I led Auburn towards the front yard, slipping off her back. “Stay here,” I commanded though I doubt she understood a word I uttered. I maneuvered to the front of the home and peered through the dirty windows. I walked up the porch steps, gave one swift knock to make sure it was uninhabited before trying the door. It was unlocked. “Hello?” I called into the home before I stepped inside. I pushed away cobwebs and the dust made me cough. I covered my mouth with my arm, moving further into the house, searching for the kitchen. I’m not sure what I expected to find in an old abandoned home. The food in the fridge was disgusting: The electricity had been off for a while.
I searched the cabinets and pantry, finding a few canned goods and grabbed the can opener. Rummaging through the rest of the house, I grabbed a duffel bag and packed food inside. Carrying it out my eyes searched the front. “Auburn?” The horse wasn’t where I’d left her.
“Auburn?” I called out again, tossing the bag over my shoulder as I glanced from left to right hearing a sound. “Auburn?” I hoped she was okay and no one else was after us. Though it had been days and we’d barely stopped there were others out there, sicker and probably crazier. I grabbed a can from the bag, prepared to use it as a weapon as I rounded the corner of the house, finding Auburn eating from the trees. Hundreds of fruit trees lined the house for acres. It was an orchard.