Shane had his hands shoved in his pockets as he watched Jas and Vincent play at the edge of the river with the two newest kids in town, Sophie and Daniel. They each held a long stick with string tied to the end, and squirming worms at the end of the strings, in an attempt to catch fish. He leaned against the tree just yards away from them as they giggled and splashed at one another.
With the war over, there was no more running, no more fighting, and worst of all, there was nothing left to distract him from his grief. It took every ounce of energy to remain composed for Jas. Even the small crowd that had been gathered in front of the medical cabin did not catch his attention. Not until Marnie and Lewis stood at his side, their eyes on the children playing by the river.
“Shane,” Marnie started, her voice low. “John’s gone.” She hesitated. “He died early this morning.”
Shane said nothing for a moment as he continued to stare ahead. “How?” he finally asked.
“A heart attack,” Lewis said.
“I heard you’re the new man in charge.” Malone’s voice was strong behind them, interrupting their conversation. The three adults turned as Malone approached them, his eyes on Lewis. “I’m sorry to hear about John.”
Lewis’s face hardened. “What do you want?” he said, no longer interested in pleasantries.
“I need the guidance of some of your guys here,” Malone said, his gaze falling onto Shane.
“With what?” Marnie hissed defensively. “The war is over. Leave us alone.”
Malone shook his head. “Unfortunately, there’s still a few loose ends that need to be tied up.”
“Loose ends?” Lewis repeated skeptically.
“I’ve met with Krobus,” Malone said. “The brute that lives here in the valley. He has suggested to me that there is still an army of Shadow People in the sewers. An army that intends to avenge their fallen leader. They have reopened the seal you have made in the sewers that will lead them into the valley. Without Rasmodius here, you have no defense for their power. Their power doesn’t compare to Nox’s, but it could be enough to destroy this valley and all of you in it. They will need to be stopped and their passage way sealed once more. But I don’t know the sewers like you do. I need someone to guide my men there.”
“No,” Shane said fiercely. “I’m done.”
“The war isn’t done just because you are,” Malone hissed.
“Ask someone else.”
“I know who I want on my team,” Malone said. “I won’t deal with dragging anyone’s ass around. I want to get in, do our job, and get out. And you’re the one who’s going to do that.”
Shane hesitated, his eyes still on the children by the river. “I’ll bring you to the sewers,” he said. “But that’s it. You’re on your own from there.”
“Fine,” Malone said simply, turning his back to them. “We leave tonight.”
Marnie turned to Shane as Malone left them alone. “You don’t have to do this,” she said.
Shane’s brows knit together. “It’s fine,” he grunted. “Anything to get him out of here.”
*****
Shane was waiting by the vehicles as dusk fell. He had been there for over an hour, but mostly to be out of town and alone. He looked up as Malone appeared from the tunnel with Sam, Alex, Marlon, and Gil behind him.
“This is your team?” Shane asked with a raised brow.
“Since you won’t be joining us,” Malone hissed, “I needed a couple more guys with me to bring us through the sewers that could hold their own.”
“Must be that K to D ratio,” Shane muttered to Alex, who rolled his eyes.
“Let’s just finish this,” Sam muttered. “I don’t want to be doing this anymore than you do.”
“My men are waiting outside of the mountain range,” Malone said. “Bring us to the sewers and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Malone, Gil, and Marlon climbed into the Hummer while Shane, Sam, and Alex climbed into Malone’s Jeep. Shane lead the way as they drove out of the valley, just as the sun disappeared behind the mountain range, dipping past the horizon.
