Trail of Lightning

Chapter 23

“They say what kind?” I ask.

Rissa shrugs. “The guy was pretty hysterical. Said something about zombies, but that’s a little far-fetched even for Dinétah.”

Something tickles along the back of my neck, a worry that’s only half-formed but building. “Why did he think they were zombies? Did he say?”

“Said they were trying to eat their brains.”

Clive barks out a laugh, but I can’t tell if he thinks the idea of zombies is funny or if he’s scared.

“They’re not zombies,” I tell the twins as the thought becomes fully formed, “but I think I know what they are. Ran into one in Lukachukai a few days back. Saw what they did to Crownpoint.”

Rissa stops her weapons check to give me a good once-over. “That’s right. You’re the Monsterslayer.”

I open my mouth to protest, tell her that’s Neizghání, not me, but I don’t get a chance because her brother is barreling on.

“So how do we handle this? Go in blazing? We’ve got the firepower.” He pats his rifle reassuringly.

“There’s people living there,” Kai protests. “Families and kids. You can’t just go in shooting.” He turns to me. “What do you think, Maggie?”

The Goodacres turn to me too. And I realize they want me to lead them into battle. But I’m no leader. I’ve always followed Neizghání, or gone in solo. I’m not sure I can give them what they want from me.

“You’re the monster expert,” Kai says quietly, his voice reassuring. “We trust you.”

I stare another minute. Take in his placid eyes. The two pairs of identical hazel eyes, not quite as trusting, but ready to listen. Willing to believe that what I say is going to keep them alive. I’m worried that it won’t. That I won’t. Just like I failed to keep Tah safe in Tse Bonito or Kai from taking a beating. I worry that Rock Springs will become another dot on my personal failures map and, if so, how big and how full that map can get. But there’s no use for it now. Someone has to do something, and it looks like it’s going to be me.

I just hope like hell I get this right.

“Okay, listen up,” I start, and they sort of huddle in. “If this is the creature I think it is, it’s hard to kill. Shooting them won’t do it. You’re going to have to remove the head.”

“Or burn them?” Clive asks, and flexes his watch-lighter contraption, which I now realize must be a flamethrower of some kind.

“Rock Springs is a tent city,” Kai says.

“Okay, so we keep the fire to a minimum. It gets out of control and we’ll do more damage than good. The creatures aren’t particularly bright, but they’re strong, and surprisingly fast. They may have crude weapons, but they don’t have the dexterity to work a trigger. Oh, and they bite.”

Clive shudders. So that laugh earlier was fear. Good to know.

“But,” I say, “their teeth aren’t sharp. They’re dull, and won’t get through your protective gear, assuming you’re wearing it.” I look over at Kai in his borrowed T-shirt.

“I’ll find him something sturdier,” Clive offers. “Assuming he’s coming with.” It’s been less than eight hours since Kai took a serious trouncing, and frankly, I’m not sure he’s up for another fight.

I’m not the only one thinking it, because Rissa pipes in, “No offense, but you sure you’re in shape to help out? You came in here with your face smashed in and a boot-shaped dent in your kidneys. Now you want to go take on the monsters?” Her words are cynical, but she’s looking at Kai’s unmarred face the same as the rest of us.

“I’m sure.” He hesitates, eyes cutting to me briefly. “I can help.”

“Then you’re in.” My tone is final. I won’t second-guess him in front of the Goodacres. He doesn’t deserve that.

Rissa looks to Clive, which I don’t like much, but Clive just shrugs. “Sure. Why not. Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.” He pounds Kai across the back hard enough to make the smaller man wince. “Our own Navajo Energizer Rabbit.”

Rissa chuckles. “All right. So, Rabbit, how are you with guns?”

“I don’t need a gun.”

She scoffs. “You say that now, but I’m not going anywhere with you if you can’t watch my back.”

“Leave him alone,” I say. “He won’t do it. He’s got his own way of being backup.”

Rissa starts to protest, but her brother cuts her off. Looks pointedly at Kai’s face. Something passes between them, and Rissa lets it go.

“How far is it?” I ask Clive.

He squints into the distance like he can see Rock Springs from here. “About twenty minutes due east from here if we take the bikes and ride like hell.”

“The bikes?”

He points to an open bay in the garage, two doors down from where my own truck is tucked away. Two black electric motorbikes with thick stubby wheels and massive suspension systems sit parked in the opening. They look fast and sturdy, but that’s about as far as my motorbike knowledge stretches.

“You ever drive one?” Clive asks.

“Can’t say I have.”

“Okay. You ride with me, and Rabbit can ride with Rissa.” He checks the sky, where we’re minutes away from full dark. “Let’s go, kids. The monsters aren’t going to kill themselves.”