EMP: Dangerous Decisions

by Mark Mathews

  “Why exactly are you guys heading to the Great Lakes region?” He hadn’t expected any sound out of any of them, and Sarah’s voice made him jump.

  He glared at her like it was her fault that he’d jumped. She didn’t offer him any apology and she didn’t let up on the glare that she was giving him. If he was going to be a lousy guard, then they might be able to escape at some point, but now wasn’t the time. She needed to know what this group was planning. If they escaped again, just to run in to them later, they might not be so lucky, and she didn’t want to take that chance. The man ignored her, and Sarah fought the urge to roll her eyes and grit her teeth angrily.

  “Come on. These two are asleep, he’s passed out over there from pain, and I’m bored. Don’t tell me this silence is helping the time go by until shift change.” He sighed heavily and looked at her through narrowed eyes.

  “What do you want?” His voice was harsh, and she could tell immediately that he’d been smoking for years for his voice to get that low and raspy. She wondered how he was doing now that cigarettes were hard to find.

  “I just want some conversation. It gets lonely out here, and you don’t always have someone to talk to in a group this small. I mean, your group is pretty big. So I think you guys always would have conversation, but hey, I’m blabbering on.” He ignored most of what she said, and they lapsed into silence again.

  After a little while, he looked at her. Sarah looked up through her eyelashes so she could read his face without him knowing she was watching him. He cleared his throat and went back to picking at his fingernails. Sarah sighed heavily, trying to draw out the fact that she was bored.

  “I don’t know why he wants to go to the Great Lakes. I guess our group is kind of the same as yours in that way. He doesn’t talk to us hardly at all, and it gets to be a long, quiet trip for most of it. He wants to go to the lakes, but he never told us why or what exactly he was planning on doing once we got there. I hate being in the dark when it comes to things like this. I mean, not all of us want to go to the lakes, and if we knew why he wanted to go so badly, we might just branch off and go our own way.”

  He suddenly stopped talking, as if he’d realized he’d said too much. He got close to Sarah’s face, and she couldn’t exactly back away since she was sitting down with her arms tied behind her back. All she could do was hold her breath when the stench of his unwashed body assaulted her nose. “You tell anyone that we want to leave, and I’ll slit your throat.”

  Sarah thought it was a good idea not to antagonize him right now, since he did have a rusty-looking pocket knife sticking out of his boot. Her eyes had been on it for most of the time they’d been there, and she had been trying to come up with a plan to get it out of his boot without him noticing. Unfortunately, nothing she’d come up with so far would come even remotely close to working.

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m not going to say anything to anyone. I just want to keep my girls and Wade safe. If you had a family, you would do anything and everything to make sure they were safe, right?”

  He stared at her for a few minutes, looking for some kind of answer in her eyes. Whatever he was looking for, he must have found it because he sighed heavily and turned his attention back to his nails. Sarah let out a sigh of relief. This guy wasn’t exactly mentally stable, in her opinion, and that meant she needed to start tiptoeing around him when it came to her attempts to extract information.

  The man had given her something to think about. If the leader had a reason for going to the Great Lakes that he wasn’t telling the rest of his gang, then something was up. Maybe what the women who had stolen their car had told them was true after all. Maybe gangs had taken over most of the resources, and now were had established a bartering system for everything, monopolizing the region’s resources. If this leader thought he could take over where some of the gangs were, or join another gang that was already in control, then that would be something he wouldn’t want people to know. His gang might not be willing to lay down and take the meager pickings that the people in control would offer them. Then it would be everyone out for themselves. If that were the case, then she and her own group could take advantage of the situation to escape and get as far away from these guys as possible. Maybe she could formulate a plan if she could get some more information out of others in the gang. But how would she be able to do that? Out of all the men who had been guarding them since they’d been captured, this one had been the only one to say a word to her other than to tell her to shut up.

  “Sarah?” The weak and scared voice broke into her reverie, and she snapped herself out of her planning, turning her attention to Emily.

  She’d scooted herself closer to Sarah so she had the physical comfort of human contact. Sarah wanted to hug the little girl, because the look of utter terror on her face broke her heart. These creeps had taken Emily before, and now that they all were back in their clutches, it had to be tearing Emily apart.

  “What is it, honey?” Sarah did her best to wrap Emily in her own body, trying to give her the comfort she’d need to calm down. Emily had tears in her eyes, but she gave Sarah a brave nod, then curled up with her head in her lap. What Sarah wouldn’t give right now to be able to put her hand on Emily’s back or run it through the little girl’s hair to comfort her.

  “You know, I’ve been trying to figure that out for myself, actually. I’ve been watching him. He’s been tracking people’s movements from towns and cities that we’ve passed, and it looks as though everyone is going to the lakes. I don’t know why, or what exactly is drawing everyone, but it looks like everyone is going there.”

  The man’s voice startled her, because once Emily reached for her, Sarah was off in her own little world, being the mom that she wanted to be. The man’s voice brought her back to reality. It reminded her exactly where they were and what was going on. If that was true, then it sounded as though there was either a makeshift civilization at the lakes, or it really was how the women had told them. Unfortunately, there was no way to tell which one it was unless they physically showed up there and went to investigate. That didn’t seem very likely to happen, since the leader had threatened to kill them.

  “So, if you guys don’t trust him, why do you follow him and make him your leader?” It was something that she’d been wondering for a while now.

  “He’s saved the life of every single man in this gang, and we all feel like we have to stick with him until we pay back our debt. We all feel like we owe him something.” That was one of the stupidest things that she’d ever heard, and she had to remind herself to bite her tongue so she wouldn’t ruin what was about to happen. Any information that she gleaned would help them in the long run.

  “How did he save your life?” It was Emily who spoke up now, and even though Sarah didn’t want to frighten the child with horrible stories, she wanted to know the answer, too. The man sighed heavily and closed his eyes.

  “Well, I was on my own, starving, and trying to survive in the wild. I never had had any Boy Scout training or anything. So I barely was surviving. I was holed up in a tent that already was falling apart, and I had no food, no blankets, nothing really but that tent. It was cold, and I was barely alive. I thought going out into the woods would be safe, but I was wrong. Apparently, everyone else had thought the same thing. There was one man who had completely lost his mind. He prowled the woods, finding the people who were on their own, killing them, and eating them to survive.” Emily shuddered, and Sarah tried to snuggle as close to her as she could to offer comfort.

  “One night, he found me. I was weak, and when he started to fight me, I couldn’t ward off the blows. He had me on the ground, with a rock in his hands, ready to smash my head in, when our leader ran out and tackled him. The man hit a tree, headfirst, and the rock fell down and crushed his own skull. Our leader saved my life, then brought me to the gang. I was always warm and always fed after that. I’ve been looking for a way to return the favor so I can get out of here, but it has
n’t happened yet.”

  They lapsed into silence, and Sarah’s mind was consumed with why the leader wanted to take them to the lakes. She still was hoping that by the time they got to the lakes, they would be out of the EMP-affected area, and they would find not only food, water and shelter, but a normal life again. The man stiffened, then jumped to his feet. Sarah followed his line of sight and saw that the gang leader was heading their way. He dismissed his lackey, then crouched down in front of Sarah, holding her gaze.

  “Why are you going to Canada?” Sarah decided to bite her tongue and fire back questions instead of answers.

  “Why are you heading to the Great Lakes?” He looked down at his hands and sighed, like he was trying to get his thoughts together.

  “I’m not sure. Something is pulling me to the lakes, but I don’t know what it is. I’m willing to take you with me, as long as you don’t try any funny business. I don’t want any more of my men to die needlessly.” Sarah couldn’t help thinking that he didn’t want anyone else to die because he would need them all to establish a territory once they got there. She wasn’t sure she believed that he had no idea why he was going to the lakes. Then again, when Emily had said that they should go, she’d felt the need to go, without having a real reason behind it. Maybe it was the same way with him.

  “If you can untie us and promise not to hurt us, I think we can promise not to take out any more of your men.” The words felt like they were being pulled out of her against her will.

  She really didn’t want to promise something like that in case she had to go back on it later. Oh well, there was nothing that could be done for it now. The words were out, and she still was waiting for him to tell her if the proposition was a good one. The way he looked at her, then at Wade, made her realize that he didn’t trust them at all. The untying might have to wait quite a while. She was ready to negotiate with him on that if he were to say anything, so that at least the girls would be able to go about unfettered.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  SARAH DIDN’T KNOW if she should volunteer any information to the man, but it seemed as though there was some innate fate that was drawing everyone toward the lakes. That same inner voice that had been telling her to go there was telling him, too. So, could he really be all that bad? They were getting the same messages from the world, so that had to mean they were reading and thinking things the same way, right? She sighed. She would have put her head in her hands to hide her face while she was thinking and letting her brain cycle through the possibilities, but her hands still were tied behind her back.

  “Why should I believe you?” It wasn’t that she needed convincing per se, she just wanted to know what his answer was going to be. When Wade had asked her why after she’d told him that she just had a feeling, she couldn’t give him an answer. Maybe this guy could. She watched him, looking for any sign of deception. He was staring at the floor in front of him, and didn’t even bother looking up.

  “I have no argument to present because I don’t have the answers myself. All I can do is say that I have a feeling that it’s going to be safe there, and that I can keep the people with me alive. I don’t expect you to understand, because I still don’t really understand it myself, but that is the truth. You can believe it or not, but there it is.” He seemed like a down-to-Earth guy now, all of a sudden, and not the evil villain that she felt he’d been since the first time she’d lost Emily.

  “I know what you’re talking about. I’ve had that same feeling about the lakes myself. We aren’t going to Canada. That was a lie to keep you from finding out the truth. We’re going there, too, and I don’t know why we are, but there’s a feeling that’s pulling us there.” Now the truth was out, and she didn’t know yet if it had been a mistake, or if it was something that would help them get out of this alive. Identifying with the captors was a simple thing that would be taught in any entry-level police academy course, but then again, they taught it because it worked. She only could hope that it would help now, too. The man got to his feet, and started to walk away.

  “Get some sleep if you can. In the morning, we’ll be moving out.” The words floated over his shoulder before he disappeared into the darkness, and the man who had been guarding them came back, a curious expression on his face. He almost wanted to ask what they’d been talking about, but he thought better of it and just took up his post. Sarah now was lost to the symphony of the night sounds surrounding them. What was going on? When their guard had told her the story of how the leader had saved his life, he’d almost sounded a little resentful that he still was considering himself in the leader’s debt. Was there dissention in the ranks? Sarah wanted to stop and think about it, but her eyelids were growing so heavy that all she could do was slip into sleep.

  When morning came, she awoke to the sound of heavy tires cracking branches and crushing leaves. A car was coming toward them, but it wasn’t like anything she’d seen in a while. It was a sort of panel van, or at least that’s what it looked like. When the door was opened, however, she saw it had seats in it rather than a bare floor, and she relaxed a little more. It looked as though they were going to be having a new type of prisoner transport. A couple of men came over to help get them up and into the van, and Sarah was glad they took the time to let them each go into the woods to relieve themselves before they were herded into the back like a bunch of cattle. Sarah wasn’t thrilled with the way they were being treated, but there was nothing she could do. Unfortunately, right now they were at the mercy of the gang. Once they all were in the van, the gang left them be to do other preparatory chores.

  “So, what exactly is going on at the lakes, I wonder?” It was Wade now who was trying to figure out things.

  “I don’t know. If he said he has the same feeling that I do, then I don’t know if he knows what exactly is steering him there. I couldn’t give you an answer myself, but I know that it’s imperative that we make it there. Maybe this is the voice of nature talking to us, trying to save our species by letting us know where to go? I know it sounds crazy, but when you think about the animals that migrate after natural disasters, it’s kind of the same thing, right?” Sarah was looking at this in a scientific manner, trying to come up with solid reasons as to why this was happening. She didn’t like speculating, and she preferred to have facts backed up by reasoning. April and Emily just sat in their seats, quietly listening to the adults without adding anything to the conversation.

  “It could be, but I’m not one to believe in something like that. When those kinds of messages get sent, it usually means it’s the end of the world, and I don’t want to believe that that is coming right now.” Sarah could understand that, and she didn’t really want to believe it either, but what else could it be?

  “Emily?” Wade turned to her, and the little girl looked up at him with fear in her eyes.

  “Is there anything at all you can tell us about the Great Lakes?” The little girl closed her eyes and seemed to be searching deep down into her soul for an answer, trying to use the gift that she had. She looked up at him, shaking her head sadly.

  “Sorry, I’m not getting a read on anything other than what I’ve already told you. I just can’t get anything else on it.” Her voice was dejected, almost as though she felt that this was all her fault rather than a gift she’d been given. No one noticed that the gang leader had been right outside the van door the whole time. It had been closed about three-quarters of the way, and now he ripped the door open.

  “I think I underestimated this little girl. Maybe we should get to know each other a little better.” He grabbed Emily by the upper arm and hauled her out of the van.

  She screamed for all she was worth, and only Sarah’s echoing scream was louder. She threw herself after Emily, but only succeeded in falling flat on her face. She couldn’t get herself up without the use of her arms. So she rolled over to try watching what was happening as two men came back to the van to throw her back into it. She still could hear Emily crying, even though one of the
men slammed the door shut.

  “Please! Leave me alone!” Poor Emily was doing her best to get out of his grip and run, but it wasn’t working. His hand had vise-like grip, and she finally stopped struggling. He took her to a private area at the edge of the clearing and gently set her down on a stump. He made sure it was down low enough that she couldn’t get up without pushing herself, and since her arms were tied, that wasn’t happening.

  “Okay, little girl. What exactly were you guys talking about in that van? Why did he want you to check to see if the lakes were a good choice?” Emily straightened her shoulders as much as she could, and lifted her chin. She decided she finally was going to have a backbone, and she wasn’t going to tell this man anything.

  He sighed. “I don’t want to hurt you, but if I need to slap you around a little to get an answer out of you, then I will.” He raised a hand threateningly, and Emily flinched despite herself.

  The crooked smile on his face made her think that the man they’d seen last night was only a part he’d played. Kind and down-to-Earth definitely was not the way he was acting right now. Emily bit her lip. He wound up his hand and slapped her. It rocked her head back and something in her neck popped from the force. She bit down hard enough to stop any sound from coming out of her, but a tear trickled down her cheek. It did nothing to change the look on his face. He growled low in his throat, and Emily shivered. His hand raised again, and this time, Emily broke.