Page 75 of Sick(ness)

Jay met his eyes. “I think we can make them hurt if they try.”

The silence stretched. Addy could feel the weight of Sawyer’s thoughts, the soldier in him measuring odds, risks, and the chances of keeping her alive.

Finally, he exhaled, a low growl of frustration. “Fine. We make a stand.”

Jay nodded once. “Good. Then we prep now. I’ll start with the shutters and rig more traps on the ridge.”

Sawyer’s eyes drifted toward the rifle propped by the door. “We’re short on ammo,” he said. “If this turns into a fight, we’ll burn through what we’ve got fast.”

“Then we need more,” Jay replied.

Sawyer’s gaze hardened. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Which means someone’s gotta go back into town.”

Addy’s head snapped up. “Sawyer, no—”

He looked at her, voice steady but soft. “It’s the only way. We can’t hold out without bullets, and I’m not trusting our lives to luck.”

Jay frowned. “You’ll need to move quietly before sunrise. The sporting goods store had more locked cases in the back room; I saw the racks last time I was there.”

Sawyer nodded. “Then that’s where I’ll start.”

“I’ll go with you,” Jay offered, but Sawyer hesitated.

“You sure you trust leaving Addy here alone?” Sawyer asked.

Jay looked toward her, then back at him. “She’ll be fine for a few hours. I’ll rig a few more early-warning traps before we leave. If anything breathes too close, she’ll know it.”

Addy’s pulse thudded hard in her chest. “I don’t like this,” she whispered.

Sawyer stepped closer, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I know. But we can’t just wait to run out of options.”

Her eyes met his; fear, frustration, and a quiet understanding passed between them. “Then promise me you’ll come back,” she said.

He didn’t hesitate. “I’ll come back,” he said, his voice low and sure. “Always.”

Jay started toward the door, checking the horizon through the frosted glass. “We’ll leave before first light. Get what we can, fast. Then we fortify and wait.”

Sawyer nodded once. “A stand, then.”

Jay’s mouth curved into a faint, grim smile. “A stand.”

Sixteen

The Other Shoe

The air inside the cabin was cold enough to sting. Dawn hadn’t yet broken, but the faint blue-gray light filtering through the frosted windows said it wouldn’t be long. Addy stood by the table, clutching Sawyer’s extra scarf in her hands, trying to steady her breathing as he and Jay loaded up their packs.

Jay moved quietly and efficiently, double-checking straps and shifting the rifle on his shoulder. “We’ll move fast,” he said. “Hit the sporting goods store first, followed by the old gas station by the square. If we’re lucky, we’ll be back before the sun’s up.”

Addy’s stomach tightened at the word if. She’d learned that in this world, luck was fragile.

Sawyer was at the door, zipping up his jacket and tucking the pistol under his coat. “We’ll make it fast,” he said, glancing toward her. “No unnecessary risks.”

Sawyer ignored the comment, his focus entirely on Addy. “Keep that door locked tight. If something doesn’t sound right, even if you’re not sure, don’t make a sound and don’t move.” His voice dropped lower as he added, “And remember what I showed you about the gun.” Their eyes met in silent understanding, and Addy’s chin dipped in a small, resolute nod.

“I know,” she said softly. Her throat seemed tight.

Jay slung his pack over his shoulder and looked between them, a faint smile tugging at his face despite the tension. “I’ll give you two a minute. Meet me by the truck.” He stepped outside, the door closing with a soft thud behind him.