Ruins of Fate by Jamie A. Waters

Author:Jamie A. Waters [Waters, Jamie A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-949524-03-1
Publisher: Jamie Waters

Chapter Eight

Despair and sickness had a distinctive smell, and it permeated the air of the family camp. The pungent stench wafted out from some of the buildings in the old converted town. Buildings had been retrofitted to provide some measure of temporary shelter, but it was clear this was a place that afforded little.

Chance frowned at her. “Skye, maybe we can—”

She gave him a curt shake of her head. “It’s fine. Get gone, Chance. I can’t have you here.”

He hesitated, and she shot him a warning look. It was going to be difficult enough to find a place here, but if they thought she had friends in the scavenging camps, people would be drawn to her for all the wrong reasons. Although, there weren’t many right ones.

Chance gave her a nod and walked toward the cargo vehicle. She ignored him and motioned for Veridian and Kayla to keep close. On the way to the family camp, she’d given them warnings to make themselves as unobtrusive as possible. Skye hefted the heavy bag over her shoulder and headed deeper into the family camp. Her other hand rested on the knife at her side as her gaze swept over the people they passed.

She’d learned in her early years to pay close attention to the surroundings but try to remain part of the background. Unfortunately, any time there were new arrivals in a camp, all attention shifted to them. They were already being sized up, and Skye knew they were noting their better-quality clothing and healthier pallor. It was a clear sign they weren’t simply transplants from another family camp.

A woman with a hardened expression leaned against one of the buildings and crossed her arms as they approached. She was most likely a handful of years older than Skye, but her cheeks were sunken and her eyes tired, giving her the appearance of being much older.

Skye paused and arched her brow. “You have room?”

The woman spat into the dirt. “Just the three of you, or is your man coming back?”

“Drop off only.” Skye tightened her hand around the hilt of the knife. “He’s not my man.”

“Ain’t that the way of it,” the woman muttered, glancing down at Veridian and Kayla. “Your kids appear pretty healthy. We don’t have much, but you’re welcome to a place.”

Skye glanced around and noted several others were paying close attention to the conversation. A few had moved closer, most likely also sizing her up or listening in. She didn’t know this woman’s position here, but the fact they were close to the entrance indicated hers was more advantageous than others. “We don’t have much either, but we can share what we’ve got. How many are here?”

The woman assessed her shrewdly. “Best you come inside. You keep walking farther into camp and you’re gonna attract more attention than you want. Unless you have kin here, no one will lift a hand when some of our boys try to steal you blind.”

Without saying a word, the woman turned and ducked inside.

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