VOLITION (Perception Trilogy, book 2) by Lee Strauss, Elle Strauss Page B

creaking of the shed door
until there was silence.
    We let out a collective breath.
    “That was close,” Noah said.
    “Do you think they’ll come back?” I asked.
    “Yup.” Taylor pointed to the monitor. A government site was up
with Grant’s page opened. Grant’s request for immediate back-up to the address
of the commune was in the notes.
    “You’re a hacker?” Noah was incredulous.
    I had to admit I was also surprised. And impressed.
    “I’m a man of many talents,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, I
don’t know if you have time to get away before the back-up arrives. Says here
they were dispatched ten minutes ago.”
    “Why? I thought they searched the place,” I said. “As far as
they know I’m not here.”
    “Something must’ve tipped them off.”
    Or someone. And my money was on Rebecca.
    “What are we going to do?” I asked.
    The ammunition cupboard had a key code, which Taylor apparently
knew. His fingers flew over the pad and it clicked open. He tossed a gun to
Noah. “Do you know how to use one of these?”
    Noah examined it carefully. “I think I can manage.”
    Taylor ran up the steps to the hatch. “I have to get Finn.”
    Noah stared at me with a pained expression. He probably regretted
coming back for me in Sol City, and I wouldn’t blame him. I didn’t know if he
still loved me as he’d once claimed. But I could be certain of one thing:
Taylor Blake for sure didn’t love me and if Noah and I got out of this alive, I
would devote myself to him. I owed him my life.
    “Noah,” I said softly. I took his hand. He glanced at our
entwined fingers and pulled me close, resting his chin on my head.
    “We’re going to get through this,” he said. “We’re going to
survive.”
    We pulled apart when the hatch opened up. My eyes bugged out as
each member of the commune came down the steps with food, water and blankets in
hand.
    Dorothy grabbed her chest. “Finn! What is this?”
    All the commune people looked stunned, their eyes wide and
glossy with fear as they took in the lights and gadgetry of the computer and
printer set up. The girls grouped together like a frightened flock of birds.
    “I’ll explain later,” Finn said. “Right now, this is the only
place I know that you will be safe.”
    Dorothy’s face was ashen. “You’re not going to fight them?”
    “Damn right,” Ike said. “Pardon my language, Dorothy, but the
spawn of Satan are about to descend on our doorstep and we have a God-given
right to fight them off.”
    “But we’re pacifists,” she squealed. “We can’t take up arms. We
must put our faith in God to protect us.”
    Noah raised his rifle. “No disrespect, Sister Ranger, but I’m
putting my faith in God and thanking him that he provided this.”
    “I’m not making anyone fight who doesn’t want to,” Finn said.
His eyes were wild, and he jumped with nerves like he’d been waiting his whole
life for something like this to happen. His eyes darted from man to man. “Who’s
in?”
    Besides Finn, Ike and Noah raised their hands. Then Taylor.
    “Son,” Mr. Galloway said, shaking his head. Obviously, he
didn’t know about Taylor’s secret life as a techy.
    “I’m sorry, pa,” is all he said.
    Simon’s hand went up and Hannah burst into tears. “I’ll be all
right,” he said to her. “God will keep me safe.”
    Philip’s hand went up with a quiver. Finn’s gaze landed on him.
“Philip, I need someone to look after the women, in case...”
    Philip seemed relieved as his hand came down. “I’ll do it.”
    “Okay,” Finn said. “Grab your ammunition and we’ll set up
strategically in the house and across the yard. Philip, stay here with the
women until one of us returns with the all clear. Otherwise, stay until
morning.”
    He opened the hatch and the guys headed out. Noah squeezed my
hand.
    “I’m coming too,” I said, taking a fire arm from the cupboard.
My small pistol was tucked in the back of my pants, but I was glad to have