Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

monstrous Baggers still managed to find them and hunt them down to almost extinction. How was it this incredibly large group managed to hide right out in the open and have luxuries like coffee and pizza? Not to mention a generator that most likely gave them an abundance of hot water. Looking around, Michael couldn’t see a dirty face among the lot of them. And their clothing was fresh and probably smelled like detergent.
    “Hey.” The red-haired guy finally noticed Michael studying him. “Want some coffee, man?”
    “Sure,” Clementine said, elbowing Michael in the ribs before he could refuse. It was amazing how well she knew him.
    The red-haired guy went over to the espresso machine and expertly prepared two cups for them. Afterward, he dropped the coffee off at the table and immediately left. That appeared to be the limit to his hospitality. The same went for the rest. Although they gave the occasional nod or smile, the group stayed as far away from Michael and Clementine as possible.
    Michael took a sip of his hot drink, trying not to make a face. It was very strong and he couldn’t even rememberthe last time he’d actually had real coffee. The red-haired guy hadn’t offered them either sugar or powdered milk, and he didn’t want to get up from the table to get it himself. With all those eyes watching them, he didn’t think it would be a good idea to make any sudden moves. Katarina had her Taser. Who knew what the others might be concealing?
    Clementine gave him a sharp nudge in the side. “Do you think we should ask them about Heath?” she whispered.
    Michael shook his head. “Let’s wait a bit. Once we clear everything with that Ryder guy, maybe then they’ll be friendlier. Right now I think they’d rather toss us in front of one of those white vans.”
    “Yeah,” she said. “Good point.”
    They waited.
    Other people came in. They wandered over to tables, where they sat with the others. Many of them whispered to each other, trying to pretend they weren’t looking at or paying attention to the new strangers. But no one came over.
    Clementine sipped her coffee politely. Michael could feel her foot tapping nervously on the floor beside him.
    The silence grew louder. The stares and whispers became more blatant. Finally after an unbearable ten minutes, Raj walked into the room. He looked around until he spotted them, waved, and then headed over to their table. He moved nonchalantly through the others, stopping to slap palms with the red-haired guy and speak a few words to a group of girls who were eating pizza.
    Raj pulled out a chair and sat down across from them.
    There was a nice red mark on his face from where someone had hit him.
    “Are you okay?” Clementine said. “What did he do to you?”
    “Ah, it’s nothing, babes,” Raj said. “Just a bit of a misunderstanding. But it’s all cleared up now. You’re both welcome to spend the night. It’s probably too late for the two of you to be heading back. The scouts said the main roads are heavy with those crazies. They didn’t like our little library escapade.”
    Clementine looked at her watch and her eyes widened. “You’re right. I didn’t realize it was so late.” She turned to Michael. “Should we try and make it? We said we’d be back an hour ago.”
    “What am I, a broken record?” Raj shook his head. “I just said it’s not safe. Can’t let you leave, babes. Not on a clean conscience.”
    “You don’t understand,” Michael said. “We’ve got others waiting for us. If we don’t show up on time, they’ll worry.”
    “They’ll understand,” Raj said. “Anyone who’s made it this far is bound to understand. You missed the bus. Couldn’t find a taxi. It’s not like you can call Mummy to come pick you up. Stay with us. You can return in the morning. Besides, you don’t want to miss the show.”
    “Show?”
    “The rally.” Raj leaned forward until his chin was almost touching the table. “Our plans for disorderly