Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 20

We head towards the vacant house where Imani and Viktor set up their computers in a peaceful silence. Alex is carrying Annerly's things while I clutch the small child to my chest. I wrapped a few blankets around her to keep the night air from giving her a chill and keep her close to me for added warmth.

She fell asleep in less than a minute after we left Sage's house. Sage gave her a bottle and then she snuggled into me straight after finishing it.

I look down at her face as we walk and can't help but smile largely. She is so perfect and she is my niece. My family. We are the last remnants of the Childs family.

I catch Alex staring at me and smile awkwardly.

What?

He laughs a little before responding in my mind.

That child in your arms suits you. She looks a lot like you, people might think she is yours.

Well, she's mine I guess. I'm all she has now.

My mind trails to Logan and although I want to stuff my emotions of his death into a bottle and toss it away I know I cant. Alex is right. If I push away my bad emotions I will be pushing away the good ones too. And now that I have Annerly to think of I have to give her my all, not just some of me.

But as for right now, I need to focus on this child and getting her to safety. Nothing else matters but her right now.

The house comes into view just as a change in the night air brings a stench with it. Gunpowder and fear combine together and I know the source before I see it. Soldiers and they are coming this way.

I meet Alex's eyes and we both think the same thing at once. They know where we are and they are coming fast.

We quicken the pace and burst through the door to find Viktor still focusing on his computer screen while Imani peers out a window in the next room. She must know that they are coming as well.

As soon as she sees us she is by my side in a moment.

"They are about one minute away. Viktor is sending for reinforcements but the soldiers will get here before our backup does."

Imani looks a worried as she glances from me to Annerly. Her concern doubles when she sees the sleeping angel.

"1 minute," I repeat and look over to Alex. He catches my train of thought and nods approvingly.

"Ok, Viktor pack up your stuff and get the hell out of here. Make sure the reinforcements coming are ready for a fight to the death. Imani, I need you to take the baby and get as far from here as you can and stay hidden until this all blows over. When the fighting stops, I will come find you both."

She stares at me not fully understanding my words.

"You should take her. She is your family."

"We don't have time to argue right now. They are looking for Alex and I so if I want this to end here I have to be amongst the fighting. And I trust you. I know you won't let any harm come to her while I'm gone."

Imani nods and reaches out for Annerly. I give the sleeping child a tender kiss on the forehead and deliver her into Imani's arms.

The strong feelings of loss begin to swell in my mind at the thought of losing Annerly so soon after I got her but I push it away. I bundle it up with the unwanted emotions of losing my brother and lock them away deep in my heart.

I breathe deeply knowing that once Annerly is out of sight I will most likely return to the heartless version of myself that I need to be to get through tonight.