The Fight for Life

by S G Read

  Suddenly Jacob was no longer aware of the wall. He reached out to see if it was further back and grabbed a leg. Before the owner of the leg could react he grabbed him round the neck, snapped it like a twig and pulled him to the floor. He was not normally a violent man but these people needed stopping.

  Four hearts froze as they waited for something to happen but nothing did.

  They moved on, slowly, not risking speed. They found they were moving up a hill now and kept going. It was slow progress as they had to stop and go round each and every bush they came to, without disturbing it. Jacob found himself on a road and they started moving forward. Higher and higher they climbed up the hill until the ground levelled out. Jacob considered that they were now out of ear shot of the men waiting to ambush them and chose to whisper.

  ‘We need to find a car to drive and a car to use as a red herring.’

  Kevin turned on the little torch he had with him. There were houses there. They tried one garage door but it was locked. To force it would make to much noise. Jacob drew out his credit cards.

  ‘Why are you still carrying them?’ Kevin asked.

  ‘Force of habit.’ Jacob replied and used one to open the door. ‘At least my credit is still good here.’

  They walked inside and Kevin shone his torch at the car inside. ‘No keys, that figures.’

  ‘You go into the house and find them while we wait.’ Richard whispered.

  Kevin walked into the house and the others stayed put so as not to make any noise. When he came back he had another torch and the car keys.

  ‘What now?’ he asked.

  ‘Now we need a second car to roll down the hill. We need to make it so that it will not start and to put a hand grenade in it on a longish string. We’ll start it rolling down there, with the engine turning over like we are trying to start it and when they start firing at it we need to tie the string to something so it will pull it and blow the car up. That should keep them guessing for a while.’

  ‘Sounds good.’ Richard declared louder than the rest wanted him to say it. ‘All we need is another car, a long string strong enough to do the job and a miracle!’

  ‘We’ll need more than that, if you talk so loud!’ Kevin complained. ‘Let us search.’

  They found the string they wanted in the garage, and then moved to the next house for a car. The plan changed when they saw the car in the garage of the next house. They used a tyre lever to force the door and again to get into the house as the inside door was locked. Richard found the keys and they pushed the car out of the door. This car they decided to take, they would push the first one down the hill. The second car was a sports car whereas the first was a slow diesel job. They blacked out the rear lights on the sports car then pushed the first car to the top of the hill. When it was in position they stood a brick under the wheel nearest them. Now they had to fix the grenade in place, very carefully! Then they put it into gear. Jason leant under the bonnet for a few seconds with his torch.

  ‘That one won’t start now!’ He declared when he emerged.

  The idea was that three of them would sit in the sports car while one pulled the brick away and as soon as the shooting started they would start the car and drive off as quietly as possible. But when do plans go right? Kevin tried to pull the brick out but he couldn’t budge it. Richard joined him and tried to ease the car backwards without success, Jason tried as well. In the end they were all there pushing the car up the hill. Jason took out the brick and they were left holding the car’s weight! Kevin joined in when they started to be pushed backwards but they could not stop it. They all dived out of the way and the car lurched forwards only to stop again.

  ‘What gear did you put it in?’ Jacob asked.

  ‘I have no idea.’ Kevin answered. ‘I have never driven one of these before!’

  Jason sat in the car. ‘It’s in reverse. Stand clear!’

  The other men vacated the road in front of the car very quickly, while Jason took it out of reverse and held it on the foot break. He hyped himself up, released the break and threw himself out of the car but the car did not move.

  ‘Do you ever have one of those days?’ Kevin asked.

  They pushed the car from behind and it jumped forwards. Another push and it lurched again, this time it carried on lurching with the engine turning over.

  ‘Let’s get out of here!’ Jacob hissed.

  They piled into the sports car and waited with the window open for the firing to begin. By now the car was lurching louder and louder as though they were trying to bump start it. Suddenly down below a voice cried out, then another. Then the gunfire started. Jacob started the engine and drove off as quietly as possible. He only had the side lights on to see by and with the rear lights blacked out they hoped no one would notice them in the excitement. They turned away from the firing and drove a little faster, suddenly behind them there was a loud explosion. Jacob smiled as they drove over the crest of the hill and was going down the other side; they would neither see them nor hear them now.

  They drove on to the settlement, or where the settlement had been. They did expect another reception party at the settlement, but if the men there were in contact with the men at the tunnel they might think they were dead. They stopped some distance away from the settlement and walked forward on foot as the dawn broke. When there was enough light to see the surveyed the area. The six children had been rounded up and put into a cage as a lure for the returning men. They watched and listened. The men did indeed think they were dead, they were deciding what to do with the children. One man wanted to shoot them and get the hell out of it. One wanted to have some fun with them. The rest were for taking them back, as having them might force their parents to do as they were told!

  Jacob counted them. ‘Ten of them.’ He said quietly. ‘Two and a half each.’

  Kevin chuckled. ‘I don’t mind doing three of them!’

  ‘Just remember that I want my half still alive when I shoot him!’ Richard added.

  They moved forward. Not being expected had its advantages! They were able to get very close before they were forced to open fire! When they did fire it was with deadly effect and soon all the clan members were laying dead or dying.

  ‘This one is still alive Richard.’ Kevin called over. ‘Must be your half.’

  Richard walked over, smiled at the man and shot him in the head. ‘Definitely my half.’ He exclaimed.

  ‘Where are the keys?’ Jacob asked the oldest boy in the cage.

  ‘In his pocket.’ The boy answered.

  Jacob found the keys and undid the lock. He helped the children out. ‘We’ll need a bigger car.’ He called to the others.

  ‘We’ll have a look round.’ Kevin called back.

  ‘Are you all okay?’ Jacob asked.

  The children nodded, although some were crying.

  ‘Good! We need to get out of here fairly soon.’

  They found a car and squeezed into it. The drive was not towards the tunnel but towards the coast this time. The plan was to steal a boat and go across to the other side of the river somewhere near a village so they could steal another car and drive back to the Kent settlement.

  Laura woke in the morning to find John running through the code again with all the people who were to know it. She joined them but sat there listening. John had it word perfect by now and she had no need to say anything. They had breakfast before trying out the new code.

  One of the new code talkers called up the Kent settlement and talked to Ralphy at the other end. To anyone listening it sounded like gibberish but Ralphy understood what he was saying, although the others there, who knew the code, had to write it down and decode it. Ralphy replied to them immediately, as if it was his second language. With Laura and John there they would know all the news about everything except the East Anglian settlement. He told them what had occurred there and what they were doing about it. With all the news passed on and the knowledge that Laura and John would soon be on their way home Ralp
hy turned the radio off.

  ‘So they made it there alright!’ Donna exclaimed. ‘Good for them. At least we can have a private conversation without people eavesdropping!’

  ‘I wonder how the others are getting on in East Anglia.’ Hetty said idly as she cleaned the saucepans.

  ‘Why don’t you put them in the dishwasher?’ Donna asked.

  ‘Oh I forget about that thing. Does it do any good?’

  ‘It cleans with water so hot it would take the skin off your hand, so you tell me if that is a good thing!’ Donna retorted.

  ‘But it takes so long!’

  ‘But they are germ free when they come out!’ Donna declared. ‘As a nurse I do respect that!’

  ‘I’ll put the next ones in there.’ Hetty replied.

  ‘You will put all those you have washed in there!’ Donna insisted. ‘I give them a wash before I put them in there, it will only clean so well.’

  ‘You do?’ Hetty asked.

  ‘If they are clean when they go in they are going to be ready to put away when they come out!’ Donna pointed out.

  Hetty put the saucepans into the dishwasher, popped a tablet into its little box, closed the lid, slammed the door and turned it on.

  ‘It is good to know that I don’t have to check them when I get them out.’ She declared and started wiping the tops down.

  ‘She has arrived safely you know.’

  ‘I know Donna but her going was my idea and I won’t be able to settle until she is back here again.’

  Jacob stopped short of the docks and they looked the place over with their binoculars. They did not expect anyone this side and hoped not to meet anyone the other side. It looked clear down there and Kevin crept forward for a closer look. When he stood on the deck of the chosen boat they all moved forward. They cast off and pushed it away from the jetty, letting it drift away from the jetty before starting the engine. When they were in clear water Jason started the engine. It took several tries but finally chugged into life and they steered out into the middle of the estuary.

  ‘Where are we going?’ He asked.

  ‘I originally thought of somewhere near Iwade but I am thinking now that Sheerness would be a better idea.’ Jacob answered.

  ‘We would have to cross the bridge.’ Jason replied. ‘Why don’t we go down between Sheppey and the mainland? That way we could land on the mainland further down and not have to cross the bridge.’

  ‘You’re the sailor Jason. You do what you think is best, I can’t ask for better then, can I?’

  ‘I think it would be better than chancing the bridge.’ Jason replied.

  He steered round the headland and aimed for the gap between the mainland and the Isle of Sheppey, going under the old bridge. From then on they were looking for a place to dock, preferably with a house or houses nearby. They saw a group of houses and a jetty which was far enough out for them to moor to. The mooring was interesting with the front of the boat swinging away from the jetty because Kevin had not jumped over when they reached it. Jason jumped from the back of the boat and Kevin threw the rope so that Jason could pull the front of the boat back to the jetty.

  ‘You land lubber!’ Jason cried in mock displeasure as he pulled the boat straight.

  ‘Born and bred.’ Kevin retorted and stepped off when they boat was against the jetty. ‘Don’t forget to tie it up.’

  ‘Should we tie it up?’ Jacob asked.

  ‘Not really as they might find it and know where we landed but by then we will be long gone.’ Jason answered. ‘And it does go against the grain to let a perfectly good boat float off just to keep where we actually landed a secret. I intend to come back and get this boat to fish with!’

  ‘Okay keep the kids on board and cast off if there is trouble, Kevin and I will go and find some wheels.’

  Jacob and Kevin walked up the wooded pathway to the house at the end of it. There was no car around, either in the garage or out. They went further a field until they found a camper van.

  ‘That will do.’ Kevin declared and walked into the house to find the keys. He backed back out with a shotgun in his face.

  Jacob was nowhere to be seen. I know there are two of you, so show yourself where ever you are!’ The man with the shotgun ordered.

  ‘Right here.’ Jacob answered and pushed his pistol barrel firmly against the man’s head.

  ‘You clan are all the same, sneaky but morons.’ The man declared. ‘You can shoot me but he dies.’

  ‘It’s easy calling us clan members when you are acting just like the clan.’ Jacob retorted.

  ‘I ain’t no clan member. What gives you the right to accuse me of that?’

  ‘The same right you used to accuse us!’ Jacob answered but lowered his pistol. ‘If you aren’t a clan member then we have no beef with you.’

  The man was clearly surprised and looked round at Jacob.

  ‘I am Jacob Fleming and I am sorry we were going to take your camper but we need some wheels to get the children we just save from the clan back to the settlement in Kent where we are staying at the moment.’

  The man lowered his shotgun. ‘They call me Jericho.’ He said and held out his hand.

  Kevin was more than happy to shake his hand now that the shotgun was out of his face. ‘Kevin Duke. Shall I call the others up Jacob?’

  ‘Do you know where I can find some wheels round here Jericho?’ Jacob asked.

  ‘There they are but I am the only driver, so I have to go where you go!’

  ‘It’s a deal!’ Jacob declared and shook his hand. ‘Yes call them up, but you will have to give the children a hand.’

  Jericho drove the camper to the top of the wooden gantry and parked. Soon heads bobbed and the children appeared followed by Kevin, Jason and Richard.

  ‘This is Jason and that one is Richard.’ Jacob said introducing the other two. ‘I’ll introduce the children as we go.’

  Jericho drove away and they were soon on a bigger road driving at a respectable speed.

  ‘Why were you there all alone Jericho?’ Kevin asked.

  ‘I did have a family but when I came home one day from the sea they were gone. I was waiting for them to come back. I met a girl who had been hiding when the clan took them and she told me all about it. I was waiting for the clan to come back so that I could find out where my family is but I got drunk one day. While I was drunk they came and took the girl as well while I slept! So I am glad to help where I can!’

  ‘We can go one better Jericho. We are going after the clan when our numbers are strong enough!’ Kevin declared. ‘They took our wives and we want them back!’

  ‘Count me in on that then. I’m glad I didn’t shoot you now.’

  ‘So am I.’ Kevin replied. ‘So am I.’

  The camper was big enough to hold them all in reasonable comfort and the children soon fell asleep, as it was late. The lights lit up the road they travelled on, with many eyes peering ahead, looking for trouble, but none came. They travelled through a deserted Maidstone and cut across country to pick up the A21, the four from East Anglia thought it was better to follow this route in the dark so they would be able to find the road leading to the settlement. They passed the roundabout where the shootout had been and knew where they were. Now they directed Jericho until they came to the large closed wooden gates.

  ‘They’re new.’ Jacob remarked. ‘I’ll find a route.’

  He climbed out and stretched his body before he used a torch to see how they could get round the gates. He saw the fence on the right hand side of the gate which ran along the road away from them and he assumed it ran right up to the side wall of the settlement. On the other side there was no fence and he saw tracks where the workmen had driven through. He waved to Jericho for him to drive where he walked. They passed the gates and drove on to the main gates. Jacob readied himself to get out again but the main gates opened as they reached them.

  ‘Some one is on the ball.’ He muttered and settled down again.

  Th
e gates closed behind them as they drove up to the house. As they reached the house floodlights came on and people appeared.

  ‘I did not give the signal.’ Jacob declared as he climbed out of the camper.

  ‘You had no need, you were seen and recognised.’ Ray replied. ‘We did not recognise the man driving but he couldn’t hold a gun on you and drive, besides there are a few guns trained on you just in case!’

  They carried the sleeping children inside, they were all still asleep bar the oldest. He walked, looking about as he went inside.

  ‘This is Jericho, it was his camper and there were no other wheels around so he drove us over here.’ Jacob explained, pointing to Jericho as he did. ‘He is happy to fight the clan!’

  Ray walked over to Jericho. ‘Welcome friend. Anyone who will fight against the clan is our friend.’ He held his hand out and they shook hands. ‘You obviously know that lot so I will introduce you to the others!’

  John and Laura were driven to the harbour and they boarded the waiting boat. They were taken across the estuary to another port, where more of the Welsh settelment were waiting to meet them.

  ‘We took the liberty of borrowing a car for you.’ One of the men who met them declared.

  ‘It will get us from A to B.’ John answered.

  They said farewell and John drove away. They were told where to go and followed the route on the map they were given. They drove onto the M5 and followed it until they saw a sign for the A303. There they turned and headed for the M3. The idea was to pick up the A272 and follow it to the end. From there they could find their way back to the Kent settlement.