“You’re right. We can see anyone before they see us.” Broni pulled her sword from the backpack, and began walking, keeping an eye out for other people.
They walked for several miles that day, stopping three times for short rests. Broni wanted to make as much progress as she could before dark.
The wolf walked by her side, and several times, Broni found her hand patting his head for comfort when she felt her spirits sagging. The nights were the worst; damp and cold. Without the wolf, Broni knew she would have suffered hypothermia.
On the third day, Broni was on the brink of exhaustion.
“We need to find a place where I can rest a couple of days.” Broni had found herself talking to the wolf more and more.
It was almost dark, so she began walking toward a cluster of trees, but the wolf took her hand in his mouth, tugging her onward.
“I’m tired.” Broni’s voice sounded faint to her own ears. She cleared her throat to clear the weak emotions that were assailing her.
The wolf was persistent, however. So, she allowed him to lead her along until he stopped suddenly, taking Broni by surprise as she looked down the hillside, seeing a familiar sight.
The Dark Highwaymen’s clubhouse.
Chapter 20
Broni watched the clubhouse before approaching. She knew Adam and some of the other bikers had survived, but little else. This part of the future was unknown to her; the city didn’t look the same, many of the large buildings and streets were empty or burned into shells of the majestic structures they once had been.
The few people that were out seemed to travel in groups, savaging the empty buildings for what items they could find. Broni saw several bikers come and go from the clubhouse, yet she didn’t recognize them. There had been so many of them that came and went, she wasn’t sure if they had been there or not during her stay.
She was debating what to do next when the wolf pushed his muzzle against her, urging her forward toward the clubhouse.
“I take it you think I should go inside?” Broni looked down at the wolf.
She took several steps down the hill before she realized her companion wasn’t following, so she walked back up the hill.
“Thank you.” Broni dropped to her knees, burying her face in his dark fur and hugging him tightly. Gradually, she gathered herself, getting to her feet, and with a last look, she turned. She made her way carefully down the hill with her stomach in her throat.
Going to the locked gate, she used her sword to bang on it. The door to the clubhouse slowly opened and she released her breath in relief. This man, she recognized.
Skid came forward, unlocking the gate to let her inside.
“We wondered what happened to you.” The curious young biker looked her over.
“Is Adam…?” Broni asked before entering.
“He’s still in charge. Barely. Tank’s back; are you sure you want to go back inside?”
Broni nodded her head reluctantly. There wasn’t much of a choice—the woods for another night or Tank.
Skid led her inside where the clubroom was a mess; the broken furniture was piled in a corner against the wall, what table and chairs were left were filled with bikers. There were some she recognized and many she didn’t. Adam was standing at the bar, talking to Jace and Mason.
“Well, fuck me. Lookwho came back.” Tank’s loud voice had the members staring at her in the doorway.
As Tank got to his feet with an evil grin on his face, she had no doubt he had been one of the few Drearien that had survived the God’s influence, returning to normal. Broni clarified her thought; she didn’t think Tank had ever been normal.
“Give me that fucking sword.” He started to reach out to take it from her.
Broni gave him a cold glare. “The only way you’re getting my sword is if I shove it up your ass,” she threatened.
Tank’s face filled with fury as his hand went to the revolver tucked in his pants.
“That’s enough, Tank,” Adam ordered. Broni thought for a moment Tank would ignore Adam until he stepped sideways, letting her pass.
Adam’s eyes surveyed her as she walked to his side. “What are you doing back?” His expression stated he clearly wasn’t happy to see her again. She couldn’t blame him, either; Tank became an even worse asshole around her.