Judgement: The Undergrounders Series Book Three (A Young Adult Post-apocalyptic Science Fiction Thriller) Read Free Page A

whatever it takes to bring them back.
    "Hold up, I'm coming with you," Jakob says.
    "No! The wounded need you here." I shoot him a pleading look. "And I need someone to keep an eye on Big Ed. Let Jerome and Sven know what's happened. We'll be back as soon as we find the horses."
    Outside, a light rain is falling, but the gathering clouds are knitting into something more menacing. It's hazardous to head out in the fading light with a storm coming in, but this can't wait until morning. On our way to the main gate I pump Jody for more details.
    "We left the horses tied up outside the courthouse while we were wheeling wagonloads of food to the clinic to feed the wounded," she explains. "When we got back, they were gone."
    "Who opened the gate for the Rogues?" I ask.
    She gives a frustrated shake of her head. "There was no one on duty. Jerome has been preoccupied sorting out housing for everyone. Things are lax now that the Sweepers aren't a threat."
    I grit my teeth. One more reason to put the Council to work right away. Someone needs to oversee security, and water and food distribution, and all the other things it will take to keep us from descending into chaos.
    An Undergrounder walks by carrying a bucket of water, and I shout over to him to get some guards to the gates. He stares at me, a befuddled look on his face. "Is something wrong?"
    "The Rogues have taken the horses," I say. "Our open door policy just ended."
    He drops the bucket and takes off running.
    When Jody and I reach the main gate, the other riders join us, their faces drawn, but resolute. I eye the additional weapons strapped to their backs, and their laden packs, no doubt well-stocked with ammo. They have no intention of returning without their horses, which means there's more blood to be spilled.
    "Let's go," I say, leading the way. I wish Sven was coming with us, but he's at the far end of the city helping Jerome with the deviations, and we don't have time to waste looking for either one of them.
    We exit through the container gate and begin making our way through the rubble-strewn city outskirts. I shiver as the damp takes hold of my weary bones. I only hope we can keep up a brisk enough pace to stay warm once night falls.
    "I don't understand why the Rogues took the horses when they can't even ride," Ida says.
    "I think The Ghost was sending me a message," I say. "He took the horses so we couldn't leave without him. He's trying to force us into helping him track down Rummy."
    Jody scowls. "From now on we let those tattooed freaks have at each other. I don't offer protection to horse thieves."
    "I'm okay with that," I say, lengthening my stride to match her pace. "They just blew their chance of sanctuary in the city."
    We follow the horses' trail into the forest and over a thick bed of leaves and fallen twigs. The Rogues don't have much of a head start, and it won't be long before we catch up with them. We need to work out a plan to recover the horses. I furrow my brow as I trudge forward, the straps from my laden pack digging into my shoulders. Our best bet is to wait until the Rogues are asleep–that way we'll only have the guards to deal with.
    A twig snaps somewhere to my right. I still my breath and listen. The steady pattering of raindrops on leaves fills my ears. Another snap, this time, louder. I jerk my head around and hold my hand up to halt the riders.
    "Did you hear that?" I whisper to Jody.
    She nods, frowning. "Do you think some of the Rogues circled back around?"
    I slide my gun off my shoulder. "It's possible. They must have known we'd come after them. Let's spread out and hide so we're not easy pickings."
    Jody signals back to Ida and the other riders. We part ways and disappear into the thick, damp foliage. I scuttle beneath some low-hanging limbs, and wade deeper into the undergrowth as quietly as I can, searching for a spot to hole up in and monitor the trail from. If it's a lone patrol, I can take him out from the cover of the deep