Free The Collective by Kenan Hillard

“We
appreciate the offer, but I need to get back to my shop, Keera needs to get
back home...”
    “But I insist.” The tournament host cut him off and
motioned to the guards. “Help them with their bags.”
    “No...” Keera pulled her backpack to her chest as the guard
reached for it.
    “Hey, no need for that.” Abel said with a steady voice,
hoping to avoid a tussle that would injure his friends.  “Isnor and Keera will
stay.”
    “The heck we will.” Isnor said infuriated at the request.
    Abel grasped Isnor’s shoulder. “Isnor. Warden’s right. Who
knows what could happen from here to Bourdain. I’ll find Tommie Gun and be back
in a few days. ‘Till then food and drink are on Warden.  He’ll treat you as his
honored guests.” He eyeballed Warden. “Right?’
    “You have my word.” Warden smiled and extended his hands as
a courtesy.
    “If I find out different...” Abel warned.
    Warden was tired of the banter. “I’ll do my part, you just
bring back those plans.”
    Abel stepped from the vehicle to help Keera out. She hugged
him as he assured her everything would be fine. He shared a hearty handshake
with Isnor. “Look after her and yourself.”
    “You’re the one that needs looking after.” Isnor said
forcing a smile. “Be careful out there.”
    “I will.” Abel replied strongly. He turned back to Keera
and she grabbed his hand and placed one of her rings in his palm. 
    “For luck.”
    “Thanks.” Abel stared at the silver ring; it shone through
the scratches and dents it had collected over the years. Another symbol, he
thought. He hopped into the jeep before his emotions got the best of him.
Driving through the gate he glimpsed back to see Isnor and Keera being escorted
back inside the warehouse. He had to find Tommie Gun now. Warden would
undoubtedly treat them fairly. They would have the run of the complex. But if
he failed to return or find Tommie, his friends’ lives could be at stake. There
was no windshield on the vehicle to halt the rushing wind. Abel pushed the
goggles down over his eyes and accelerated towards the woods.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 7
    GRAZEN WOODS
     
     
    The jeep careened to a halt at the edge of the woods, Abel
had reached his destination.  He shut the engine off, pushed his goggles up and
sat in the vehicle staring at the lushness of the trees. Tommie Gun was the
needle and this was the proverbial haystack. Warden’s instructions were to head
to the middle of the forest. As Keera mentioned, few people returned from these
woods. Supposedly, natives lived here but few ventured out. The young and old
adventurers would enter these woods and never return. At least that was the
story he heard time and time again. Were the natives the culprits or was there
something worse deep within the brownish-green confines? Or was it fables used
to keep children obedient? How many times were children threatened to be
carried off into these very woods? Ironically his journey forced him to
discover the true nature of what dwelled within the stoic evergreens. Abel was
losing daylight. He needed to get his search started before the sun dipped.
Grabbing the guardrail he jumped out of the truck onto the soft ground, the
leaves crackled beneath his feet. He adjusted his vest, securing his blades at
the same time. Each pistol was taken out, wiped off, magazine checked and
pulled back to ensure a bullet was in the chamber before being slid back in the
holster. The compass was sitting on the top of the bottles of water in his
pack. He placed it in his pocket and walked to the back of the jeep where the
M-16 lay. Hoisting up the gun, he could feel the full weight as he placed the
rubber recoil pad on his shoulder and aimed in the direction of the woods. With
two hands underneath the weapon, he tested the balance. It was a solid rifle,
but would slow him down in the small jungle. He needed to be quick and agile if
he hoped to find his target and come out alive. Abel scouted from