by Hayden James
After dinner, Liam joined Harv out on the porch where he was enjoying the night. “It sure is peaceful out here,” said Harv as Liam sat down next to him.
“Yes, it is,” confirmed Liam.
“Too bad you won’t be here much longer to enjoy it,” replied Harv.
Liam was already on edge with joining Harv without the buffer of Prue. However, Liam had a job to do. He needed to convince Harv to take Carol and Prue to Dwight’s with him.
“What do you mean by that?” Liam challenged Harv.
“I think it’s best that you move along. The sooner, the better.”
“And what if I don’t?”
“Let’s just say, you would wish that you left and let’s leave it at that.”
Oddly, Liam was impressed by his attempt at intimidation. Liam was not the slightest threatened by Harv, instead he was glad to see some fighting spark in him. Perhaps he was not a total lost cause.
Chapter Ten
Rachel Conner
Residence of Dwight Conner
Tucker Hollow, Tennessee
6:53 AM
“I’m worried about Liam,” Rachel said to William as they sat in bed. “I thought he would be back by now.”
“I understand,” relented William. “He told me it might be a challenge to talk Prue’s parents into coming over here,” he explained. “It seems it might be quite a challenge,” affirmed Rachel. “He had said that Prue had intimated that they might be hard to convince to leave their home. I’m sure he’ll talk them into it. I mean, who would pass this up?” Rachel was grateful that she had Dwight as a member in her family and had a place to go when disaster struck. A place where she could keep her girls safe from harm’s way and she could enjoy the comforts she had grown accustomed to in her life. There were dust ups here and there between William and Dwight, but in the end, if it meant that she could have her daughters under one roof and safe, she would put up with the bickering and an occasional argument between the two men. She could not wait until Liam was back with Prue and then she would know everyone was safe.
“What are we doing today?” Rachel asked as she got dressed and ready to start the morning.
“I’ve organized a meeting with a few of the neighbors through the HAM radio,” said William.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, Tom and Dana Anderson, and another neighbor named Bud Elrich that I haven’t met yet, and few other neighbors are going to come over this afternoon.”
“So how many of you guys are meeting?”
“Around ten or so. Most who I spoke to on the HAM seem to think we are all overreacting about Mayor Elisa. They don’t see her as a threat.”
“You know, if I did not see Dwight and the Mayor get into it the yesterday, and then she threatened him, I might believe that we were overreacting.”
“Thanks Rachel. I wonder sometimes. This whole thing goes against everything I believe in,” William said as he sighed, crawling form out of the covers.
“Well, I know you’re not a socialist,” said Rachel. “So, why do you disagree with what Dwight believes?”
“I care about people, and I’d hate to see them suffer,” started William. “Dwight has always seemed cold hearted to me, and when I left for the Army, I was grateful for that experience to serve and to protect others.”
“Dwight believes all of those things. He has given us and our kids a place to live, he’s protecting us, and he is willing to take in Prue and her family,” countered Rachel.
“Right, but we are his family.”
“We are, but he doesn’t have to. And Prue is not his family, and he invited her and her parents whom he doesn’t know to live here.”
“I realize that,” relented William.
“Dwight is happy to help if someone is in need. He does not like the mandate that the Mayor has put on us where we have to surrender our resources and give them control over our homestead. Based on that alone is enough to make me want to fight for Dwight. How dare the Mayor of Tucker Hollow with the help of Townsend do this?”
William gave another audible sigh. “You’re absolutely right, Rachel. I’ve never liked how close-minded, alarmist, or elitist my dad has been over the years, and I tried very hard not to be him. It is hard for me to accept that there are parts about my dad I do not like, despise in fact, but I have to admit to myself that deep down, he is an honest, hardworking, and compassionate man who fights for what he believes in.”
“He is. He’s rough around the edges, and I know you have had animosity toward him for choosing his prepper lifestyle over you and your mom, but because of that sacrifice, our family is safe and under one roof,” explained Rachel.
“I know, I know. I’m sure we’ll continue to have our blow ups now and then but know that I’m on Dwight’s side. I’ve forgiven him for my upbringing, and I know what that he did what he thought was best, and that’s all that mattered.”
Rachel leaned over to where William sat on the bed and said, “I know, hon.” She put on a brown cardigan over her clothes and asked, “Want me to join you for your meeting?”
“Sure!” William answered. “It’s in ten minutes in our kitchen. Meet you down there.” William shot up from the foot of the bed and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Rachel took a few more moments to get ready before heading downstairs.
“Are you sure we are not overreacting,” insisted Bud, a crotchety old man who lived thirteen miles from Dwight. He wore a ten-gallon hat, his gut spilling over his pants, the buttons of his shirt barely fastened as his stomach busted between them. Despite him being inside, he wore sunglasses and had a gray mustache and beard.
“I can assure you, we are not overreacting,” argued William who stood near a counter in the kitchen. “I heard Mayor Elisa threaten Dwight with my own ears. Rachel witnessed it too.”
“I did.” Rachel sat at the table and nodded when she answered, confirming what William had said.
Dwight, who had been feeding his livestock entered the kitchen from the back door. “What’s going on here?” Dwight asked.
“Hey dad. These are the neighbors who agreed to meet with us and form an alliance,” answered Rachel.
“Right,” started William. “These are the neighbors in our alliance. We have all agreed to defend each other and to come to each other’s aid if necessary.”
Bud spoke up and asked Dwight, “But Dwight, are we taking this whole thing a little too far? Do we really need an alliance and to be ready at will to assist a fellow neighbor? I want to impart that you have my allegiance, but are we getting a little carried away with this? I haven’t heard boo from Elisa in days. Not since she wanted to look at my property. I told her no, and she went away like a dog with its tail between its legs.”
Dwight stood there, appearing to be tired from his morning chores, and sweat dripping down his neck. “Now, you look here, Bud,” started Dwight. “You and I have been neighbors for how long?”
“Fifty years.”
“Right. Fifty years I have called you neighbor. I have been to your kids’ weddings; you have been to mine. I’d do just about anything for you.”
“That’s right,” confirmed Bud. “You don’t think Elisa was all bark and no bite. I’m certain she was just flexing her muscle, seeing if we’d flinch. We didn’t, so I’m sure she’s given up on that front.”
“On the contrary,” said Dwight. “When she looked me square in the eye, her beady, black eyes were laser focused right in mine, I thought she would pull my soul right from my body. That lady is a pure evil. And she has that goon doing her bidding. I call him Sheriff Pinko. Now, I’d rather spend the next ten years preparing for an attack than realize I was ten minutes too late. Bud, you can do whatever you want, and now I will have your back in a heartbeat, but this is one thing I know for sure; we must remain vigilant and to trust no one outside of our alliance,” warned Dwight. “Now, excuse me. I must wash up.” Dwight walked through the kitchen and to his room to change. He would rinse off by using moist towels.
Dana interjected after Dwight left, “You have the word from the Andersons we believe Mayor Elisa is a threat, and we will act accordingly.”
“That’s right,” confirmed Tom.
A few of the other neighbors remained silent but nodded in agreement that they now thought the Mayor was a viable threat to their property and stockpile. The meeting adjourned, and the neighbors left, making their way to their homes. Most of them rode bicycles. Bud rode his horse.
After the neighbors left, William joined Rachel at the kitchen table. “That seems like it went well,” said William.
“Yeah, it did. Considering.”
“Considering what?”
“That we are not sure that the Mayor and Sheriff are our enemy.”
“Oh they are,” answered William.
“Right. I believe that. Getting other people to understand what we saw and heard, that’s another story. Not to mention, to question the social structure that has formed since this pulse thing hit,” explained Rachel.
“I see. Yeah, the meeting was good, considering.” William looked around and asked, “Have you seen Maddy and Addy? I know Natasha is upstairs playing with her dolls.”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” started Rachel.
“Oh? What’s been going on?” William asked.
“The girls spoke with me last night. Seems that Vince decided that he wanted to work in the community garden.”
“But we have a garden here that Vince could work in.”
“Right, well it seems that Gary thinks it’s a good idea to build bridges with the community and gain the trust of the community,” explained Rachel.
“I see,” muttered William. He hesitated and then said, “Well it’s not the worst idea I have ever heard. Do we have to give up any of our food or seeds for this?”
“As long as Vince volunteers, he can continue. I think he’s not taking any of the crops, it’s like a side project for him. Addy explained that he wanted to teach the community how to be more self-sufficient.”
“I don’t see the issue here, Rach.”
“Addison and Madison want to help in the garden too.”
“Because Vince is there?”
“Eh—they put it a little differently. They said because it would be harder for the townspeople to attack us and steal from us, you know if tensions rise, if our family is more well known in the community,” explained Rachel.
“That is a good point.”
“You’re taking their side.”
“No, their plan seems to make sense.”
“Seems like it is not settle all, and the only two I’m happy with right now are Natasha and Regis.”
“Rach, relax. Liam will be fine; the twins will be fine.” William put his hand on Rachel’s and stared into her eyes giving her reassurance. “Let’s go into town and see the girls, you know to keep tabs on them and the town.” Rachel nodded, and the pair got tow dirt bikes from Dwight’s garage and headed into town.
“Look, there they are,” said William as he pointed to the community garden between the park and Main Street. There, the sight of Maddy picking vegetables next to Addy caught Rachel’s eye. The two blondes looked like they enjoyed being out of the house and amongst others who weren’t their family members. Gary worked along the girls, while Vince seemed to be managing the garden, writing on papers by the entrance.
“Huh!” Rachel huffed. “Seems like Gary has a valid idea about building bridges,” she said while Addy helped a woman pick peppers. “I hope this is a way we can get information about what is going on in the town.”
“This really looks like a good thing,” confirmed William. Just then, the sight of the Mayor caught Rachel’s eye walking on Main Street.
Rachel nudged William with her elbow to direct his attention toward Main Street. “Look over there,” she said, trying not to point.
William turned his head slowly and then looked back at the garden. “I saw the Mayor heading to her office with the Sheriff,” replied William.
“You saw the Sheriff too? I only saw the Mayor.”
“Yeah. The Sheriff had just caught up to her. He followed her into Town Hall where their offices and holding cells for the jail are,” said William.
“I wonder if they have a standing, daily meeting,” said Rachel. “Wonder what they could be having a meeting about?”
“I’m sure no one knows what is really going on here,” affirmed William. “Hope the girls can find out. When they get back home, I’ll let them know what we saw and to pay careful attention to the early afternoon when the Sheriff seems to meet with the Mayor.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Day Nineteen
Chapter Eleven
Liam Conner
The Dint Residence
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2:15 AM
“What in the world?” Liam shouted as a noise shook him out of a deep and sound slumber in the middle of the night. The rattling of a large engine sounded as though it would barrel through the house. Liam hadn’t heard an engine sound since he crashed the motorcycle in Hendersonville and wondered why a loud engine was making a noise in the middle of the night.
As Liam makes his way to the front door, only in a tee shirt and boxer shorts, he sees from the front window a mid-1970s Model Mack coming down the street. The large semi drove slowly down the street, pulling a thirty-five-foot white trailer, the chrome grill of the gigantic beast of a vehicle glistening in the moonlight. The large exhaust stacks billowing fumes that were discernible in the darkness. The bright headlights, lighting up the entire street that it almost appeared to be daylight, despite it being in the thick of darkness. The blue Mack truck was a menacing sight to see.
People from the other streets gathered around the old, vintage semi as it was a novelty to see moving vehicle, let alone a large one. As the truck made its way down the street, the surrounding neighbors came out of their homes, startled from the roaring engine.
Then the semi stopped right in front of the Dint’s house, and the trailer doors in the back busted open. At least fifty people poured out of the trailer, guns drawn. Liam’s heart thumped wildly as fear and terror filled his body. He stood there, watching form the window in his undershirt and boxers, scared out of his mind.
Harv came up from behind him. “What is going on?” Harv asked.
“I’m getting my gun!” Liam shouted, heading for the garage. Liam darted for the garage, retrieving the two guns. Liam also went to the guest room, putting on his pants and shirt, he returned to the front window where Harv stood.
“Here you go,” said Liam as he handed one of the guns over to Harv.
“Thanks.”
Shocked that Harv didn’t object, Liam replies, “It’s loaded. I have another magazine here,” explained Liam, handing Harv a full magazine.
Harv replied, “Thanks. I used to shoot with my dad. We’d go to the range time to time, but ever since Carol was shot as a bystander in a bank robbery and left in a wheelchair, and before that my brother, I swore I’d never touch a firearm again. Guess that has changed.” Harv clearly struggled with the pistol for a moment, before he looked resolved and comfortable with it in his hand. “Let’s go!”
As Harv and Liam exit the house, they are met with the neighbors sitting, lined up on the curb like sheep waiting for the slaughter, sequestered by the gunmen who came from the semi’s trailer. Several of the neighbors cried as they sat on the curb. One little girl wailed, frightened by the scene. A young boy screamed for his mother. Liam’s heart broke at this sight, but he knew he had to keep it together. He had to keep his breathing and anxiety under control. William had taught Liam how to maintain combat efficiency from his military training. The last thing Liam wanted was to be shell shocked.
Hiding in the shadows, the gunmen did not notice Harv and Liam exit the house. Liam wanted to shoot the gunmen, but they were outnumbered, so they had to wait for a more opportune time.
Then, on
e of the gunmen pulled one of them men from the curb into the street, right infant of the bright lights of the semi. “Isn’t that Jim Barnes,” whispered Liam to Harv as they hid behind bushes in their neighbor’s front yard.
“Yeah, it is,” whispered Harv. “I hope they don’t kill him. He’s a good man.”
Jim Barnes, the neighbor who helped Harv organize the food collection stood in the middle of the street, a gunman dressed in all black with a blue bandana tied around his face, concealing his appearance. Jim Barnes cried as the assailant held a gun to his head, right in the bright lights of the semi so the entire neighborhood could see.
Crying, Jim Barnes shouted, “I don’t want to die!”
“Then tell us where the food stash is!” the gunman shouted at Jim Barnes. Shaking and crying, Jim Barnes pointed to the house that was four houses down from the Dint’s. The gunman threw Jim Barnes to the floor where he kneeled on his hands and knees, sobbing into the cold concrete of the street.
“Come on, men! Move now!” the gunman shouted, waving for others to follow him. It did not take long for the assailants to pillage the house that kept the food storage, loading the trailer of the Mack truck.
In the bushes, Harv whispered, “All the food we collected, gone!”
“If this is all it cost, that would be good. These men are dangerous and won’t stop. If the food is the only thing they take, consider us lucky. We’ll find a way to get food.”
The neighbors who sat on the curb continued to cry as gunmen stood, making sure none of the neighbors left. “That’s all the food,” one of the masked gunmen said to the leader of the group.
“We got food, now we need women!” shouted the gunman leader. “The younger, the better!”
A masked gunman pulled a teenage girl from the curb, she screamed, trying to get away. Her father yelled at the man, shouting, “Don’t take her!”
