Phoenix Arise: YA Sci-fi Thriller (From the Ashes Book 1) Page 14

  And I could still swear I’d heard and seen something in the desert, something that wasn’t human.

  Trey and Colin shuffled out of the night where a billion stars twinkled, and Tiff and I stood.

  Colin bobbed his chin my way. “You got a few minutes?”

  Tiff frowned.

  “It’s okay,” I said. But maybe not. The last thing I wanted to do was have a heavy conversation with Colin. I hadn’t forgotten how he’d behaved with Riley.

  Tiff shot him a dark look before sliding her arm around Trey’s waist.

  Colin waited until they’d moved away before speaking. “I want to talk to you about Riley.”

  I barely held in my growl. “Shoot.”

  “The way you’re treating him is downright cruel.”

  Hold on here a minute. I shook my head. “I don’t—”

  Colin lifted his hand in front of my face. “Just hear me out, would ‘ya?” He scratched the back of his neck. “He needs our sympathy right now. His brother died in the crash, which would just about kill a guy, but did he let it get him down?”

  He must have seen my shrug.

  “Absolutely not. Like the leader he is, he stepped up and volunteered to take charge. This is a diverse group.” His arm swept toward the others. “Young kids, a sick man who died, hell, even a military stiff who challenges him at every turn.”

  “You’re wrong.” It figured Colin would only see Riley’s side in this. “He—”

  “Enough. You don’t know my friend like I do. He’s doing the best he can, and he needs support, not your hostile attitude. Cut him some slack. Be nice, if you can.”

  “But…but, he stalked me. Followed me.” Scared me.

  “Yeah, whatever. Riley told me he likes you. Can’t blame a dude for making a play for a girl he likes.”

  “It’s not making a play. It’s assault. I said no and he won’t listen.”

  “He assaulted you?” He screwed up his face. “Did he touch you or just flirt?”

  “He made me uncomfortable, and that’s enough.”

  “Don’t go making accusations you can’t back up.”

  “I can.” Well, I could if my com worked here. Then I could show him the messages.

  He cocked his hand on his hip. “So prove it.”

  I couldn’t and he knew it. Rage charged through me, and I wanted to scream, but that wouldn’t help and it sure wouldn’t prove my case. Colin was going to believe what he wanted and even if he caught Riley in the act, he’d probably tell himself he’d been mistaken. “Riley doesn’t like me. He’s a manipulative asshole.”

  “He’s my friend.” Colin’s voice rose. “And this is exactly what I’m talking about. Here I am telling you he’s trying to do the best he can to be everything for us, and you’re calling him an asshole. And maybe I’m talking to my ass for all the attention you’re paying my words.” He spun on his heel but only took a few steps before he stopped and turned back. “Think about it, okay? Give the guy a chance.”

  “No.”

  With a growl, he strode back to the others while I tried to wrap my brain around what he’d just said.

  Night clouds skated across the sky. Our full green moon followed its blue brother higher overhead before plunging toward the horizon. A frigid wind blew across the desert, delivering a stinging cargo of sand that sliced through our durasuits and left us shivering.

  Covering each other against potential snake attacks, we collected a big pile of sticks, hoping it would be enough to burn through the night. We wrapped in survival blankets and huddled around the tiny fire we built underneath the shelter of the hull.

  Joe sat on one side of me, and Mandy sandwiched me on the other. Slumped against my shoulder, she’d fallen asleep within seconds. Her lips parted and soft little girl sighs slipped out.

  Malik and Piper hadn’t returned, and it was driving me out of my mind. I would have gone after them, but my brother needed me. Each time I left, he got sadder. We were in this together, and I had to put his needs first.

  But every time a twig snapped, I looked up, my gut sinking when they didn’t troop into the fire circle, filled with tales of Piper’s wild adventure.

  I itched to go looking for Malik, and I kept starting to rise with that intention. But without my glolight, I worried I’d get lost in the dark. Then Malik would have to locate both of us.

  “Jay was very sick earlier,” Nikolai said in his heavy accent. “I wonder. Did he die of…what is the word? Too much heat?”

  Across from me, Tiff leaned against Trey’s side, half asleep. Like most guys plunked in front of a fire, Trey poked it with a stick. An updraft carried yellow and orange sparks toward the hull.

  “Heatstroke,” I said when no one else spoke up.

  “Yes. Heatstroke.” Nikolai smiled his thanks.

  “I think the snake bite killed him.” Colin, who’d taken the first watch, stood beyond the edge of the firelight. With some reluctance, I’d let him use my crossbow.

  “Couldn’t be a disease.” I stroked my upper arm. “We have our immunity boosters.”

  “Yeah, and what’s up with that?” Colin snickered. “If they miscalculated and didn’t include the right juice, I should maybe get in touch with Earth and ask for a refund.”

  “You’re sick,” Felicia said, her eyes bright in her dark face. “You know that, right? Jay’s dead. Leave him in peace.”

  Colin huffed and turned his back to us.

  “You believe the government planned for poison?” Riley sat in the sand across from me. Kalani leaned against him, her hand resting on his thigh. “The implants will work fine. Just not against poisonous snakes.”

  My fingertip encountered my device. There had been something about them doing more than that. What had someone told me once? A rumor that they’d…I shook my head, unable to recall what I’d heard. Shivering, I pulled my brother closer. “Jay told me he was going to die.”

  “It was self-fulfillment, then.” Awe and excitement lifted Nikolai’s voice. “I read a book once that said if you believed in something enough, you could make it happen. Perhaps he brought about his own death.”

  “Come on,” Riley grumbled. “We all joke about dying,” his eyes meeting mine, he stroked Kalani’s hair, “but we’re not dead. Last I knew, anyway.”

  Nikolai grunted. “The ancient Greeks said you could make things come about by your will alone. The mind. It is a powerful thing.” He glanced around as if he sought confirmation.

  Felicia’s hands trembled as she tucked her blanket into her chin. “It doesn’t work that way, does it?” Doe-eyed, she turned Nikolai’s way.

  Riley tossed a stick onto the fire. “Of course not. The snake poisoned him or drained all his blood. None of this stupid, superstitious crap.”

  “Funny,” I said. “Someone told me he’d get better in no time.”

  Colin cleared his throat, but I ignored him.

  Joe jerked upright, and our covers puddled in the sand. His eyes scanned the desert beyond the ship, and a frown crumpled his brow. I wanted to smooth it and tell him to chill, that everything would be fine but how could I know that for sure? Cold air fell down the back of my durasuit, drawing out my quakes. I squinted but saw nothing moving in the dark. When Joe picked up a twig and tossed it onto the fire, I pulled the blankets back over us.

  “What will we do if the colonists do not come soon?” Nikolai asked. “We cannot wait forever.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Riley said. “You guys need to relax. They’ll be here by morning.”

  I couldn’t wait to see Dad and get away from Riley. Dad would help. He’d believe me, wouldn’t he?

  Joe leaned forward again. The blanket dropped away, and cold air gnawed on my bones. When he leaned against my side, a shiver raced through his body. His breathing quickened. His hand slipped into mine, and his grip tightened hard enough it hurt.

  “What’s going on?” I whispered.

  He pointed at the dunes. “There’s something out th
ere.”

  Beads of sweat burst through my upper lip, and everyone’s heads whipped toward the desert.

  “Where?” I stumbled to my feet. With the fire between me and the dark, my night vision was shot. “Stay with Mandy.” I waved my hand in the girl’s direction then raced over to stand beside Colin. “See anything? Joe said something’s moving out there.”

  He didn’t look up, just smacked the crossbow on the tip of his tred. “The kid’s imagining things.”

  His attitude roused my hackles. “Like I imagined the wolves last night or that snake this morning?”

  “No, Lesha.” His chest expanded, and he released the air in a pained sigh. “We’ve got the fire.”

  Really?

  “Animals don’t like it,” he said. “And that snake sure wasn’t speedy this morning. I imagine I’ll see them well before they see me. I’ll shoot them or hell, stomp them with my foot. Don’t worry about it.” He sauntered toward the fire.

  Joe slipped his hand into mine and squeezed.

  “What did you see?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.” He stood on tiptoe and pointed. “Something moved out there.”

  My breath kicked up. It could be Malik and Piper. I waited for a thousand heartbeats, but no one walked out of the dunes. “It’s dark.” I took in Joe’s troubled face. “Maybe your eyes are playing tricks on you.”

  His head shake was more of a spasm.

  “Could be just about anything,” Felicia said from Joe’s other side.

  I chewed the inside of my cheek while straining to make out shapes in the dark. What if whatever—whoever—I thought I’d seen in the desert was out there?

  A crack echoed in the distance. Nightmares from my wolf rout crowded out my sanity.

  “We’re under attack.” Kalani’s shout nearly lifted me off the ground. She snatched a branch from the fire and swung it through the air.

  Riley pulled Malik’s gun and crouched beside her.

  Rushing to the woodpile, I grabbed a stick and returned to Joe.

  “Wait. It could be the colonists.” Felicia leaped in front of us, waving her arms in the air. “Hey. Hey. We’re here.”

  Hope kicked out my fear. Maybe the colonists had arrived. Please let Dad be with them.

  We stilled and listened, but only quiet crept toward us on ghostly feet. Dunes rolled in the distance, dark, silent mounds that could hide just about anything. If not the colonists or Malik, then who was out there?

  Or what?

  My blood pressure rocketed through the roof.

  Trey lit the end of a branch in the fire and took my crossbow from Colin. “Everyone stay put. It’s probably nothing, but I’ll check it out.”

  We huddled with our backs to the flames, silent. Who’d want to make a peep and draw the attention of some alien creature?

  Cracks ricocheted around us like feral cats mauling prey in the dark. Earlier, when we’d sat around the campfire chatting, our conversation had been my sole focus. Now, the night lived with unearthly sounds. Gloom took hold beyond our fire circle and gobbled up the light. Every movement became the boogeyman sneaking up on us, ready to pounce.

  Trey’s light flashed as he scouted in ever-widening circles. “Shit,” he cried out.

  Riley swung his weapon up, his hands fumbling on the handle. “Where the hell are the colonists? They should be here now.”

  “You okay, baby?” Tiff stood on her tiptoes, shouting toward Trey.

  “It’s nothing,” he said. “I scraped my leg. Friggin’ bushes are covered with thorns.” He emerged from the dark limping.

  Tiff hurried in his direction and pumped his arm. “How bad is it?”

  I retrieved the medical kit and dragged him close to the fire. “Have a seat. I’ll take a look.”

  He dropped to the ground and pulled up his pants leg, exposing a long gash on his calf. Blood trickled down the open wound. It plopped on the sand and sank in.

  Tiff hovered beside him, mussing what was left of his hair, so I put her to work wrapping the bandage.

  “You okay?” I looked into his dark eyes as she taped the loose end down. He didn’t appear in much pain.

  He shrugged, and Tiff rested her chin on his shoulder.

  “We’re the walking wounded, baby,” she said.

  He kissed her cheek. “Don’t you know it?”

  “See anything out there?” I asked.

  He stood and tested weight on his leg. “Just sand, rocks, and a billion thorn bushes. A few birds flew up when I came near, but that was about it.” He glanced at Joe. “Maybe that’s what you saw?”

  Joe scratched his forehead. “I don’t think so. It was too big for a bird. And it wasn’t one of those meerkats, either. They’re asleep.” He turned his eyes toward the dunes, and a chill grabbed hold of my spine. “It was something else.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  We split guard duty, leaving Joe and Mandy out of the mix. They were too young to provide decent protection, and we worried they’d fall asleep. My turn came at three in the morning, and my heart dropped when I saw Malik hadn’t returned with Piper.

  I spent my shift flashing my light around, hoping I’d see the snakes, wolves, and whatever else Eris had to offer creeping up on me before it attacked. Patrolling just beyond the fire’s light kept my nerves on full screech. I jumped at every snap and was eternally grateful when I could wake Nikolai to take over. I told him to wake Riley at sunrise.

  I had no idea how I was able to sleep, but I must have dropped off because guttural shouts, followed by a scream, dragged me from sleep a while later. Shoving my hair off my face, I scrambled out from under the blanket. My lungs slammed against my ribcage, and I hugged my waist, shivering in the cold dawn.

  Kids around me sat up, their eyes wide.

  Across the smoldering fire, Riley stood over Nikolai, waving a stick in the air. “What the fuck did you think you were doing?”

  Nikolai cowered on his side. “I am sorry.”

  The stick whistled through the air and struck the ground beside Nikolai close enough to fling dirt onto his leg.

  I flinched.

  Riley lifted the stick and brought it down on Nikolai’s leg. Nikolai’s scream ripped through the air. He tumbled sideways and curled into a ball, emitting ear-piercing wails. The stick lifted again.

  I raced around the fire, trying not to trip over people, packs, and blankets.

  “No. Please,” Nikolai cried. “Stop.” With one arm cupping his head, he rose and scrambled across the sand.

  Riley chased after him, whacking.

  Bile erupted from my stomach and filled my mouth. I pulled my knife and jumped Riley. We fell onto the sand, and my breath was knocked from me. While I gasped and lifted my knife toward Riley’s throat, he grabbed my wrist. His feral gaze met mine, and he growled.

  Coming out of nowhere, Malik rushed over and ripped Riley off me. Riley stumbled backward, swiping the back of his hand across his mouth. He lifted the stick and started for me again.

  Scrambling to my feet, I gaped at him while my pulse completed a marathon in my throat.

  Malik wrenched the stick from Riley’s grasp and lifted it overhead. He pivoted on his boots, stalking out from under the ship. With a shout, he flung the stick into the desert. Angry spots blazed on his face when he returned.

  Nikolai hobbled toward the back of the ship, whimpers trailing behind him.

  No Piper. Where was she? Had Malik found her?

  “You. You. You monster,” Felicia raged at Riley with fists clenched at her sides. “To think I voted for you.” She ran after Nikolai.

  “Yeah, well, like I care?” Riley shouted. Hatred flushed his face. “I’m in charge here.” He shoved Malik. “You can’t tell me what to do with people under my command.”

  “Command?” A snap of Malik’s hand sent Riley’s arm reeling. “This isn’t the fucking military. You had no right to do anything like that.”

  Riley huffed and raked his fingers through his hair
. “That asshole fell asleep. We’re only safe with a guard who stays awake. You want those snakes to bite and kill us all?”

  “He’s just a kid. He was tired.”

  “We’re all tired, but that’s no excuse.” Riley fumed and spittle flew from his mouth. “Discipline must be maintained at all times.”

  Malik’s back ramrodded. “I won’t stand by and let you beat anyone.”

  “Murderers don’t tell me what to do.” Darting forward, Riley pushed Malik.

  Malik stumbled backward but found his footing and lifted his fists to chin level. He glared up at Riley. “You want to take me on? You seem to like picking on people smaller than you.” His hands flapped at Riley. “Come on, asshole. Let’s do this.”

  While taller than Malik, Riley was softer. Like all of us, he must have worked out some on Earth. In comparison, whipcord muscle defined Malik, honed while fighting to stay alive in a foreign war.

  Riley floundered in a pit of his own making. Retreating backward, his arms splayed wide. He tried to dole out his stock politician’s smile, but it kept slipping. “I don’t have to take on anyone.” His nose reached for the sky, and that irritating tone slithered back into his voice. “I was elected leader.”

  “Then start acting like one,” Malik said. “Or I’ll call for a re-vote.”

  Riley patted his sidearm. Malik’s sidearm. “Stay out of my way and do your job.” Turning his back on Malik, he grabbed an MRB from his pocket and peeled back the wrapper. While he might think he fooled us, his shaking hands gave him away.

  Malik cursed and stalked into the desert.

  In the uproar that followed, no one asked about Piper.

  Why did I have to pee? I’d drank next to no water. Stupid bladder. After letting Joe know where I was going, I headed into the dunes. I strode through the heat of early morning for a few minutes, sliding down a sandy hill before surging up the other side. Sweat dribbled down my back and pooled at the back of my waist. While a stroll might be considered fun on a good day, I wasn’t feeling the love in this heat.

  I made sure I was far enough away from the others before unzipping my durasuit and holding the nylatec out of the way.