Hidden Flames (5 page)

Prue removed her cap and stuffed it into the saddlebag. These men were taking the word of a friend as if it were the Holy Grail. What if Berke was wrong? It was as if they hadn’t even considered that. She flipped the saddlebag’s top down a little harder than necessary, clipping the two fasteners before she focused on her helmet.

“Prue?”

Her hands stilled as she realized that Owen had disconnected the call and was watching her intently. She sighed in resignation and rested her helmet on her hip. She wasn’t one to mince words and she wasn’t about to change.

“Owen, have you thought that maybe Berke is wrong? Look around us,” Prue instructed, waving her free arm around. “Everyone is going on with their lives as if nothing is happening. To them it isn’t. We’re packing up for a trip across the country, you’re closing your shop that you’ve worked your ass off to make a success, and I’m willing to face a sister who doesn’t even know I exist based on a friend’s assumption from a third party that we don’t even know. Do you realize how asinine and gullible all that sounds?”

“It’s called trust, Prue.” Owen stepped forward and closed the distance between them. He even raised a hand and surprised her when he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Prue swallowed and tried to focus on his words when it was his warm fingers that held her attention. His small caress had singed her skin. “And you wouldn’t be putting yourself out there with your sister if you didn’t trust me, now would you?”

Prue remained silent, figuring that was her best course of action. She’d walked into the rationalization. Did she trust him? Enough so that she was willing to drive across the country with him, but she sure as hell didn’t trust Berke—a man she didn’t know. She’d give Owen the benefit of the doubt just because she’d witnessed his regret and sorrow at leaving behind everything he’d worked so hard for. She needed a vacation anyway, which reminded her that she needed to stop by the bank before they left town and clean out her account.

“Saddle up, Marine,” Prue finally said, shifting to the side so that she had room to put on her helmet. She fastened the strap and then swung her leg over her seat, still feeling the heat on her cheek from where his fingers grazed her skin. She needed to set the record straight and keep some distance between them, or she’d find herself actually believing that he was as good as he pretended to be. “We’re running out of time according to you and I still have to replace our filters. And just so you know, I brought my own individual sleeping bag.”

O
wen looked out
the living room window of his home to see Prue installing the filters on their motorcycles, which were currently sitting on his brand new pristine cement driveway he’d put in a month ago. It’s funny how things that had seemed so important before held absolutely no significance a day later. She was using tools from his garage and had been rather quiet since they’d arrived. He’d crashed and burned back at her apartment building, trying to keep his surprise at a minimum. He paid her well, so there was no reason for her to be living where she did. The crime rate in that area was high and he was honestly astonished that her place hadn’t been burglarized while they were standing in it. On the other hand, he wouldn’t know if it had been because she was too damned stubborn for her own good.

The one thing that
had
caught Owen’s attention was the college diploma inside a frame that had been tossed onto a bookshelf as if it meant nothing. He’d stood it up the way it should be displayed and saw that she’d received an engineering degree at the University of Central Florida. She’d had nothing like that on her résumé when he’d hired her and he couldn’t understand why she wasn’t prouder of her academic accomplishments. That was definitely a conversation for later, especially since all their foreseeable days and nights would be spent together.

Owen’s cell phone rang, making him realize that he’d been taking his time in gathering the items he needed. He shouldn’t be standing at a window and staring at Prue when time was of the essence. He pulled the device from his pocket and saw that it was Van calling again.

“Hey, buddy,” Owen answered, turning away from the attractive view and walking into his bedroom. He’d purchased the HD premium-touring luggage system specifically made for HD motorcycles a while back. It came in handy when he rode to Washington for his annual vacations and the two black custom Harley bags would fit everything he needed. It was still positioned in the corner of his room because he’d literally just gotten back from Washington even though he hadn’t ridden this time. The flight had been quick, efficient, and the luggage worked regardless of the mode of travel. “Have you left yet? I should be able to leave within thirty minutes, minus the gas station stop.”

“Turn on your television.”

Van wasn’t a man of many words and he always got straight to the point. Now was no exception and Owen didn’t hesitate to walk back into the living room and turn on the tube. The President of the United States was about to make an announcement and from the words scrolling underneath his image as he walked to the podium…it wasn’t to tell the American people that everything would be okay.

“My fellow Americans, as I’m sure you are aware there was an earthquake at Yellowstone National Park yesterday. Unfortunately, the caldera has been showing signs of eruption over the course of the last forty-eight hours, so it is with deep regret that I am confirming what you have seen across your televisions the past two days. Scientists at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory have been monitoring ground movements and earthquake activity at Yellowstone for years. The rapid pressure and temperature are unlike anything they’ve seen before and they alerted the proper officials immediately, but we needed time to make provisions for the people that will be affected should the unthinkable happen. Numerous swarms of seismic activity coupled with other indications the seismologists have been studying have suggested a rate at which this supervolcano has awakened is unprecedented. I wish we were able to tell you if the eruption will occur today, tomorrow, or a week from now. We honestly do not know.”

“Give me a second,” Owen murmured, not having taken the phone away from his ear. He quickly walked to the door and swung it open with every intention of calling Prue inside. She was literally standing there with her fist in the air to knock. He grabbed it and pulled her in front of the television, leaving his front door wide open. “You’ve got to see this.”

“We urge the American public to prepare to be on their own for approximately thirty days, if not longer—this includes canned goods, bottled water, first aid kits, and any survival items you deem necessary. For those closer to the affected area we ask that you immediately vacate to the East Coast or as far as you can travel before visibility is impossible. Unfortunately, a large-scale evacuation within the time parameters allowed will be impossible. Emergency assistance will not be available until the ash cloud has settled and we are left to evaluate the damage. Know this—we will not abandon you. We will send help.”

“Van, get out now. New York City will practically implode with panicked people.”

Owen ran a hand through his hair, unable to imagine the heavy weight of desperation that had just settled over the American people. He’d listened to Berke, he’d believed his friend, and he’d actually made a plan to head up north, but this…to hear the President of the United States tell his citizens that they were on the verge of an apocalypse was beyond belief and it made him sick to his stomach.

“I’ll see you soon,” Van replied in a grim tone that summed up the situation they were in. “I have some things to take care of.”

The line went dead and Owen swung his gaze to where Prue had taken a seat on the oak coffee table that he’d had custom made along with the rest of the living room furniture. It was a rustic design and it conveyed his taste perfectly. He truly loved nature and enjoyed his time up at the lodge with his friends who’d become his chosen family back in the day. With what had just been announced on television, it made Owen wonder if Prue’s sister would even be in northern California by the time they reached that part of the country.

“How can the government just leave us stranded like that?” Prue asked, her eyes glued to the television. Her olive complexion appeared to have lost a little bit of coloring and he knelt beside her, putting a hand on her knee in comfort. He needed the physical contact and moral support as well, but he was taught by the military to compartmentalize and think of their immediate needs first. He would do what had to be done to survive and protect those in peril. “Owen, maybe we should stay here. He’s saying the East Coast is where we should be while telling those that aren’t to head here immediately.”

Owen had heard that as well, but if Ernie Yates was instructing them to go back to Lost Summit and said it was their best chance of survival…then that’s what they were going to do. Prue didn’t know Ernie and the guys like he did, but she would if they could make it there before Yellowstone erupted.

“…so what we are dealing with is apocalyptic in nature and unlike anything we have ever had to deal with in our lifetime. Under the provisions of the Federal Emergency Management Act, I hereby declare martial law. Anyone caught looting or acting contrary to the common good order and discipline of the community will be summarily arrested and imprisoned until such time as a trial can be arranged. However, your right to a speedy trial is suspended due to the nature of this catastrophe. Governors in the affected states are empowered to immediately use all federal and state assets, including the National Guard, to secure whatever shelter they need to maintain their local government. I leave you with this…love thy neighbor. Do not panic, do not prey on one another, and do not give up hope. We will come for you. We are American citizens. Our nation remains united. Godspeed and God bless.”

“We need to stick with our plan.” Owen waited for Prue to look at him, needing her to see that there was no other alternative. A volcanic winter would inevitably lead into an ice age, which in turn would be an environmental paradigm shift of monumental proportions. Ernie had a bunker that could allow them to sustain a relatively small group of people up to ten years underground if need be and he had the supplies and survival knowledge to go along with it. “There are provisions where we’re heading that can get us through the worst of this. I heard what you said about trust earlier, but I really need you to try and give me that consideration now. I
promise
you that I will do everything in my power to get us and your sister to Lost Summit safely.”

Prue finally tore her gaze away from the screen, her brown eyes filled with concern, although he wasn’t so certain it was about herself. It was hard to believe he’d known her for over a year and she was still a virtual stranger. Prue had a sister who didn’t even know that she existed. She had a bachelor’s degree and hadn’t mentioned it. What else didn’t he know about her?

“What if Rosa has a family?” Prue threw out as if she were testing his abilities. Owen didn’t know how old her sister was and the likelihood of Rosa having a family was nil if she were anything like Prue. Still, he didn’t take her question as an insult, but more of a challenge. It was more than apparent she hadn’t been around military personnel or she would know that he would do whatever it took to not only get Prue and her sister to safety, but anyone else willing to pull their own weight and add their strengths to a group. He also wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate any threats to their band of travelers, but now wasn’t the time to add to her fears. She only knew him as her easy-going boss and not the predator he’d been once upon a time in the service. “What if—”

“It’s pointless to throw out
what ifs
when we don’t know the real circumstances.” Owen lifted a hand and tucked a flyaway strand that had snuck out of her cap. Prue didn’t pull away, but she did tense. He swore to himself that there would come a day when she not only accepted his touch, but actually initiated it. He’d been taught patience as well. “We will deal with whatever is thrown our way. Were you able to get the filters installed? We—”

Vibrations began to shimmer underneath Owen’s boots, cutting off his words. The intensity wasn’t severe, but his gut told him that this was it. This was the big one and their trip west wasn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows. They both heard what sounded like a sonic boom from one of the rockets at Kennedy Space Center when it entered the atmosphere, but it became apparent that wasn’t what had made the noise. The live feed on the television that had switched to Yellowstone National Park became nothing but static. The apocalypse had started in spite of them.

“Fuck,” Prue whispered, reminding Owen of their many days at the shop. They had many more ahead of them, if he were to have anything to do with it. Her eyes were wide as she glanced toward the TV as well. He could just imagine the damage caused in Wyoming and the surrounding states if they had been able to feel the effects in their current location. The local television station was trying very hard to get a visual of what was taking place at Yellowstone, but they didn’t have time to waste. “All of those people…gone.”