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

the fallen Rogue. "Is he dead?"
    I give a somber nod. The arrow protruding from his chest hit its mark with unerring accuracy. "Did you see anyone?"
    She shakes her head. "It came out of nowhere."
    I swivel slowly, searching the shadows for any sign of an archer. My mind races to piece it together. Could Lou have had something to do with this? Did she follow us to the Rogues' camp, despite what she said about not wanting to get involved? I didn't see a bow in her camper van, but she had venison drying, so she hunts with something more substantial than snares and traps.
    "We need to hide the body," I say, repressing a shudder.
    Jody points to a dense patch of ferns behind us. I grab one leg, and she reaches for an arm, and together we haul the lifeless Rogue beneath the leaves and throw enough broken boughs over him until even the wild turkey feathers on the end of the arrow shaft are covered up. I scatter several handfuls of leaves and pine needles over the drag marks. "It won't be long before the Rogues realize he's missing. We'll have to strike soon."
    "There are only two guards stationed by the horses," Jody says. "Between us we can handle them, but we won't make it out alive if we strike before the rest of the camp's asleep."
    I nod. "Let's head back to the others and work out a plan."
    We give the Rogues' camp a wide berth on our return trip to ensure we don't encounter any more patrols. I keep a watchful eye out for Lou, but she doesn't show herself. If it was her who shot the patrol, she still has no intention of being drawn into our horse thieving exploits.
    When we get back to the riders I fill them in on what happened and sum up our predicament.
    Ida is dubious about our chances of untethering the horses and making our escape while the Rogues are still awake. The rest of the riders indicate they'll go along with whatever decision we arrive at.
    "If only we could find this Lou woman and ask her to help," Ida says. "She could take out the guards for us with her bow and the Rogues wouldn't hear a thing."
    I rub my brow. "It may not have been Lou. There could be any number of mountain folk living alone out here for all we know."
    "So we look for whoever it was who nailed the Rogue and enlist their help," Jody says. "If we wait any longer to strike we run the risk of the Rogues discovering that a guard's gone missing."
    I raise my brows. "It won't be easy to find Lou if she doesn't want to be found."
    "Let me save you the trouble."
    I let out a yelp as someone lands on the ground behind me.
    I spin around and stare at Lou. "You scared me half to death. You're like a ghost on steroids."
    She smiles and leans her bow against a tree trunk. "I get plenty of practice stalking wildlife. You learn to become one with your surroundings."
    I grin back at her, shaking my head in disbelief. "I knew it was you. Thanks for helping us out."
    She shrugs. "You had him. But it would have been a shame to wake the rest of those thugs when I had my bow handy." She reaches into her pack and pulls out my water canteen. "This yours?"
    I grimace. "Thanks, totally spaced on it." I take it and stash it in my pack. "So now that you're in the neighborhood, do you want to help us get those horses back?"
    Lou folds her arms in front of her. "I don't do property disputes. I only shot the Rogue to save your lives."
    "Stealing a cowgirl's horse is as good as leaving her for dead," Jody says, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "It was a hanging offense in times past."
    Lou strokes her chin with her thumb and forefinger, letting her gaze travel over the riders' faces. "My corner of the woods is starting to feel more crowded than I'm comfortable with. If getting those horses back moves you on, I could be persuaded to lend an arrow to the cause."
    Jody's face breaks into a smile. "I promise you won't see us for dust afterward."
    Lou reaches for her bow. "I'll look for a good tree to shoot from. As soon as the guards are down, make your move. I'll cover you in the