“Rocco’s missing.”

Nikki sits up in bed. “Are you sure?”

Harper nods. “Jeff came back a bit ago. Said they went to search an old grocery store. He couldn’t find Rocco when he was finished and he’s not answering the radio.”

We get out of bed and make our way to the kitchen, where Jeff and Noah stand.

Jeff says to me, “This isn’t like him, Dave. Something happened.”

I know this, too. Rocco might be a lot of things, but reckless isn’t one of them.

I ask, “Did you sweep the area?”

“Twice. A group of biters started following me. It was too many to handle on my own, so I came back, hoping he was here.”

Fuck. This isn’t good.

Jeff goes on, “Nothing was out of place in the store. You could tell it hadn’t been touched in a while. I thought he might have gone to another building in the same shopping strip, but didn’t find any signs of him.” He shakes his head. “It’s like he fucking vanished.”

Noah asks, “Were there any vehicles? Maybe he was able to get one started.”

“And leave me? No. That’s not what happened.” Jeff runs his fingers through his hair. “What if the other group caught up to us?”

There’s no way that’s possible.

Except, it’s the only thing that makes sense.

I grab the radio on the table. “Rocco, do you copy?”

There’s static on the radio, but no answer. I meet Nikki’s gaze, which is as worried as I feel.

“Dave, we need to go after him.”

“No can do. We have a plan and we need to stick to it.”

It’s a dick move, but I’m running scared now. We’re so close to the hospital. I need to find out if Eli is there. Especially when we don’t know how close Air’s group is to catching up to us, if they haven’t already.

She touches my arm. “He’s family. We can’t leave him out there.”

Noah nods. “She’s right.”

I know she’s right, but it’s too dangerous.

Harper stands. “He volunteered to save our asses. If something happened to him then we need to know.”

“I hear what you’re all saying, but you’re forgetting one thing.” I pause. “The group that’s following us.”

Harper replies, “Even more reason to get our asses out there. Now.”

Jeff puts his coat on. “I can’t believe we’re debating this, Dave.”

“Don’t act like I’m not worried about Rocco. We have to be smart about this. What if they have him? Then what? We already know there are more of them than us.”

Noah says, “What if four of us go out, splitting up into two groups while one person stays behind. We can take the last two radios and search the area. Make sure he’s not right on our doorstep before we freak out.”

I pat him on the back. “Good thinking.”

Nikki asks, “Who’s going to stay behind?”

Everyone stares at her, as if it had been obvious that she wouldn’t be going.

Her arms cross her chest. “Fuck you all. We’re doing this the fair way.”

I say, “Nikki, we’re all trained soldiers. This is what we do.”

“That might be true, but I’m certified in first aide and, more importantly, I love him. So, don’t sit there and look at me like it’s already assumed who is going to look for him!”

Noah asks, “Rock, paper, scissors?”

“No. We’ll draw branches.” She grabs five twigs and turns her back to us as she breaks them.

I don’t like this one bit, but I know better than to fight her.

She turns and says, “Whoever draws the short stick is staying behind. No if, ands, or buts. Got it?”

We nod. Jeff draws first and smiles, holding up his branch. Noah is next. Then Harper. Fuck me.

Nikki says, “It’s down to you, Dave.”

I look at the two branches in her fist, trying to gauge which one is the short one. They both look the fucking same. Glaring, I pick one. And draw the short stick.

Nikki kisses me and says, “We’ll hurry.”

Harper winks at me before following Nikki. I don’t like this one fucking bit. But what choice do I have?

I feel bad for leaving Dave behind, but not bad enough to volunteer to stay. Not when Rocco is out there, alone, possibly hurt. Harper takes my hand into his big one, warming my cool skin.

He says, “Smells like winter. Bet we get snow tonight.”

“It’s kind of early for that, isn’t it?”

He shrugs. “Mother Nature doesn’t give a damn about us.”

We’re silent as we make our way through the brush. It’s crazy how different Oklahoma is than the other places we’ve been.

Harper pulls out the radio. “Rocco, do you copy?”

There’s no reply from him.

“Guys, we’re picking you up loud and clear,” Noah says.

He and Jeff went in the opposite direction than us.

“Any tracks where you’re at?” Harper asks.

“Nothing fresh. What about you?”

Harper glances down. “Nothing here. We’re moving east.”

He slips the radio into his pocket, taking my hand again. I love that this gentle giant feels comfortable touching me now.

I squeeze his hand. “We’re going to find him.”

“Hope so. I’ve had a bad feeling since we got to Oklahoma.”

We search the back side of the shopping mall. There’s a wooded area behind it. My skin prickles, as if I’m being watched.

“Harper, I think someone is out there.”

His hand moves to his gun. “Just thinking the same thing. Get behind me.”

I do as he says. His entire body is tense as he looks around. Finally, he lifts the radio.

“What’s your location?”

“Rounding our way back. Status?”

“The trees have eyes.”

“Copy that. We hear birds.”

Harper nods to himself and puts the radio in his pocket.

“What in the heck was that about?” I whisper.

“Letting them know our thoughts. Noah is going to gain some altitude to see if he sees anything.”

Nothing happens for a moment. When Jeff comes around the building, joining us I become worried.

“Where’s Noah?”

Jeff nods his head toward the building. Noah is on the top, looking through binoculars into the woods. He climbs down a moment later.

“How many did you see?” Harper asks.

“Saw a dune buggy driving away. There’s something out there, though. Couldn’t make it out.”

“Was it a biter?” I ask.

Noah replies, “I’m not sure. Only one way to find out.”

I don’t like this. Not one fucking bit. But he’s right. There’s only one way for us to know what’s out there.

Harper says, “We go in twos. Nikki and I will take the east. You two go to the west. We’ll meet by the object. If it goes south, fire twice and then save yourself. We’ll meet up at the house.”

My heart is pounding. The guys don’t seem as worried, but they’re used to shit like this. I pull my gun out and ready it, following Harper. Our feet crunch on the leaves as we walk.

Harper says in a low tone, “They’ve been through here. See the tire marks?”

Glancing down, I see the tracks in the mud. There’s also footprints. And blood.

“Harper.”

He says, “I know. I see.”

I begin to shake as fearful images build in my mind. What if those people had got him? What if-

Harper touches my arm. “Don’t think like that, Nikki. We don’t know what’s happened. There’s no sense in jumping to conclusions.”

It’s hard not to. Nodding, I follow him through the brush and trees. Ahead, I see something on the ground. I take off running as Harper calls out to me.

“Nikki! Stop! It could be a trap!”

As I get closer I begin to panic. There’s so much blood everywhere. And then I see him. Rushing forward, I drop to Rocco’s side. He’s so still. I worry that I’m too late. Reaching out, I touch his face.

He moans as his eyes flutter open. “Get out of here while you can!”

“Oh thank god. I thought-” I can’t even finish my sentence.

Harper reaches us. “Can you walk?”

“Negative. They shot me in the leg. Can’t get the bleeding to stop, either.”

I notice how pale he is. How his lips have a blue tint.

“How long have you been out here?”

He replies, “Too long. They’re out here, toying with me. We need to get out of here. Now.”

Harper pulls the radio from his pocket. “Guys, we need to exit. Pronto.”

Noah comes back. “We have you in our sights. All clear behind you.”

Harper says to me, “Get on the other side of Rocco.”

He tugs Rocco to his feet. Rocco sways and I think he’s going to pass out for a moment. I go to the other side and put Rocco’s arm around my shoulder. He leans heavily on me.

Harper says, “I know you’ve given all you can, man, but I need you to push through. When we get to the others, we can carry you. But this part is on you.”

Rocco simply moans. We go as fast as we can, which gets harder with each step that we take. Rocco faints twice, making us tug him between us. We’re both panting by the time we get out of the woods. Jeff and Noah rush toward us, grabbing Rocco’s legs. We move down the street, being as alert as we can.

Jeff says, “Saw a couple of them driving off. I think they might be circling around.”

Harper replies, “Rocco said they’d been fucking with him out there.”

Jeff looks so guilt stricken as he says, “This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let him go outside alone.”

I wish there was a way to make him feel better, but I know that nothing I say will help.

Noah curses. “Fuck me! They’ve been here. Look.”

The side of the building has a simple message spray painted on it.

Our reach is far and this game is about to end.

Harper says, “We’re sitting ducks. We need to get back to the house.”

Panic riots within me. “What if they got Dave while we were out here?”

No one replies. Instead, we run as fast as we can down the street. The house is in sight and nothing is amiss.

Jeff yells out, “Dave?”

The front door opens and Dave is there, unharmed. When he sees us carrying Rocco he moves into action, taking my spot carrying Rocco. We enter the house and put Rocco on the couch. I go to the dining room and rip a table clothing, making a tourniquet.

Rocco is still as I tie the material around his leg. It soaks with blood, so I pull it tighter.

“What happened out there?” Dave asks.

Harper replies, “They’re out there. Said this is our final warning.”

Jeff adds, “They have us beat on this one, Dave.”

Dave curses. “We need a plan. Were you able to find a vehicle?”

Jeff shakes his head.

“Fuck. We can’t carry him. It leaves us open for attack.”

Noah says, “I have an idea. There’s a wagon in the garage. We might be able to pull him.”

Dave stares at Noah before nodding. “It will have to work.” He checks Rocco. “He’s still out. Might be for the best because this is going to hurt.”

I ask, “What route are we going to take?”

Dave says, “They’ve followed us this far. There’s no point is trying to lose them. I say we take the same route and get to the hospital as fast as we can.”

We gather our supplies. Noah and Jeff go outside first. When they’re sure we’re safe, they wave us out. Dave and Harper pull the wagon as we make our way back to the main road. One good thing about being in the open is that we can see what’s coming.

We go as fast as we can, taking turns pulling the wagon. Rocco stirs a few times, quickly passing out. When we stop under a tree to take a break, I check the tourniquet. Rocco’s leg is still bleeding and that worries me.

Noah says, “It’s ironic that the one person trained in field medicine is the one who was shot.”

I’d thought the same thing. Rocco would know what to do to stop the bleeding. My skills feel inadequate in this situation.

Dave says, “We need to go. Is he doing okay?”

I reply, “He’s out. And his wound is still bleeding.”

Dave doesn’t reply. Instead, he takes the handle and jogs, the others following his pace. I’m fairly fit, but I’m having a hard time keeping up with them.

Harper falls in step next to me.

He says, “This reminds me of being back in basic training. All the cadence drills we had to do.”

“That explains how you’re able to do this so well.”

“Just make a rhythm in your mind and step to it. It helps.”

He begins to hum and I notice his steps match the tune. I follow suit and am surprised when it actually works. He gives me a grin, picking up his pace.

But, a person can only do so much and I soon begin to tire. My feet ache and I certain there are blisters forming on my skin.

“Dave. I need a break.”

He nods, but I can tell he’s not happy. We stop again and I sit, rubbing my calves. Noah does the same, giving me a wry smile.

Dave says, “We’re close guys. Maybe three miles out. When we get to ninetieth street, we’ll go west. Hospital will be a half a mile from there, on the south side of the road.”

Jeff replies, “Let’s go then. Sun will be setting before too long.”

And the air is starting to get cold, again. I look at Rocco, who’s skin is even paler. This is it. Our last shot at getting somewhere safe. I don’t even want to think about the other alternatives.

I say, “Let’s do this. For Rocco.”

Dave nods. “For Rocco.”

“For Rocco.” Harper agrees.

Jeff says, “For Rocco.”

Noah grabs the handle to the wagon. “For Rocco.”

Rule 14: Do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.