Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“You do know people are aware of this place?” Malachi asked. “They know it exists.”
“Like I’ve said to you, some don’t make the trek. We’ve got guards and security measures in place. You think we haven’t faced combat before? That we haven’t had groups of men and women hoping to take what we’ve built? To hurt us? We have. We won. We’re bound together by our sense of humanity. We will never bow down to a tyrant. Our way of life will be preserved. Children will run through the streets happy and content. Men and women can live in harmony without a demand of payment. This is the world we want, Malachi. A world you should embrace.”
Malachi grunted.
“I know you fear what is beyond those walls. You fear one day this peace will be gone. You’re not the only one to fear that. If you wish to help be a protector, then by all means, you can sign up.”
“Malachi,” Sasha said. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
He smiled. “How could protecting you girls be stupid? Look at Lucy with her dog. She’s happy. The kids here are happy.” He turned back to Trevor.
“All you have to do is train and be prepared for battle. You must be willing to kill.”
“Then sign me up,” Sasha said.
Malachi looked at his woman.
“What? You think because you’re a man and you’ve killed people, you’re the only one qualified to protect it? You’re my family. Lucy is my sister. Millie, she’s my family too and so is Tree Man. I will protect them… you, and you can’t tell me because I’m a woman I can’t do it.”
“We would accept anyone who is willing to train,” Trevor said.
“Then count us both in,” Sasha said. “I can protect all of us.”
“Tonight, we’ll be feasting outside and celebrating your arrival. It’s a big event for all of us. It means there are more people out there needing to be saved and it gives us hope.” Trevor offered them another smile and left. “Then tomorrow we’ll talk about jobs for everyone.”
“Can I go and play?” Lucy asked.
“Yes,” Sasha said. “Don’t run though and stay close.”
“I will.”
Lucy went straight to the young girls playing.
Her doll had been lost but Malachi had already made a note to go and find her a new one.
Entering the house, Millie left them alone to go and find her room.
“I don’t want you training,” Malachi said as he walked into the kitchen.
He opened the fridge and was surprised to see some food already there. He turned and looked at the small dining room table off to the side, a crisp looking white note on the top of it. He picked it up and opened it. There was a list and he realized it was the daily rations they were allowed. Each person in the house had been issued one.
“I know what you don’t want but we’ve already proven so many times that we’re better working together than we ever are working apart. Do you think I’m going to be able to hold back while I know you’re fighting? While I know you’re at risk of being hurt? I know what they face out there and I think we’re underestimating them.”
He ran a hand down his chin. “You know for a short time I was starting to give up on this place?”
She chuckled. “Seriously? I thought I was the pessimist of our group.”
“Not at all. Every single day when we had to keep on walking, I was growing so fucking tired of it all. Each day felt like a million times worse.”
“You never showed it,” she said. She moved up to him and put her hands on his chest. “You didn’t have to do this for us, you know that?”
“I did.” He looked toward the window and saw Lucy playing. One of the girls was sharing her doll with her, and together they were both brushing her hair. “Look at her. This is why I didn’t stop. Whenever I was close to saying I’m done, we can’t find this place, it’s a myth, I’d look at you and Lucy and know I couldn’t fail either of you.”
“Malachi, it’s not possible to fail us. We’re here now but even if we never made it here, I know I would still love you. I’d gladly make a little family with you wherever we are. It’s one of the reasons I want to fight alongside you. With me by your side, I know I’ll keep an eye on your back. I’ve got you, just as you have me and that’s all I have faith in. These people, they don’t know us, not yet. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.”
He gripped the back of her neck, pulling her close. “I love you, Sasha. More than anything in the world.”