by Kip Nelson
“Again, nobody must know about what I told you,” Fernando warned.
“You have my word, Father. I won't tell anyone.”
They walked out of the study and made their way to the kitchen. Both of them were pleased to find everyone in there. Nobody wanted to shirk their duty or hide from what was happening. Everyone was ready to pitch in.
“You two took a while. How about we start to talk about what we're going to do about Khan?” Greg asked.
Ana was busy making drinks for everyone. Thankfully, the water still was running, although Tillman wondered how much time was left before it sputtered, and nothing came out of the tap. He reminded his mom to boil it, in case it was contaminated. Ana glared at him and reminded him that she knew what she was doing. Penelope stifled a giggle.
Tillman and Fernando stood at the head of the table and leaned over the others, who all were nervous.
“What's the plan?” Jessica asked.
Tillman and Fernando glanced at each other, then began speaking in turns.
“We need to treat this ranch like a fortress,” Tillman said. He'd played enough video games to know how to mount a defense against an enemy. “We'll barricade the windows, fashion weapons out of whatever we can, and prepare our best defense.”
“How many will be coming for us?” Ana asked.
“I don't know,” Tillman admitted.
“But it doesn't matter how many. This is my home, and I will keep you all safe. I'm not going to have some maniac come around here and tell me that I owe him a tithe or anything else. I wish we had more time to dig trenches and make some traps, but I fear they will be here soon. We must make sure we have enough weapons to defend ourselves. We should keep some people upstairs, and some downstairs. We must have someone watching outside all the time so we can be alerted to their presence. Tillman, is there anything else you can tell us about Khan? If we know the man’s psychology, we may be able to prepare ourselves for his arrival.”
“There's not much more other than what I've told you. He likes the sound of his own voice, and he likes to get his hands dirty. I think he prefers showing people that he's strong rather than taking the easy way out, like shooting people. He'll try degrading us and getting us to submit to him, to bow to him. What he wants most of all is the respect of people who shunned him in the old world. I think he'll try to subdue us quickly, then get us to accept his rule. If we don't, then he'll start killing us,” Tillman said.
Fernando seemed to ponder these words for a moment.
“If accepting him as this king means he won't kill us, doesn't that make the most sense as a plan?” Greg suggested.
Tillman was about to chastise him for taking the coward's way out and tell Greg that they couldn't afford to let Khan win like that; that they had to fight to their last breath to resist his dominion. But his father spoke, and to Tillman's surprise, he agreed with Greg.
“You're exactly right, Greg. If it comes to a point where it's clear that we can't win, and the only way out for us is to surrender or die, we should surrender.”
There were uneasy looks around the table. Tillman turned to face his father, trying to keep a hold on his rage.
“Are you sure about that? We can't let people like Khan just take everything they want,” Tillman said, forcing himself to speak calmly and not erupt with indignant anger.
“I am sure, Tillman. When we're faced with an overwhelming force the most important thing is to survive so we can fight another day. By surrender I do not mean that we simply should accept his rule, but that we should work to fight against him at a later date. We can't fight if we're dead.”
Understanding crept across the faces of those present, even Tillman. Fernando nodded, then continued to speak.
“But let's hope it won't come to that. We'll work under the assumption that we'll drive Khan off. As much as he thinks of himself as strong I don't think he wants to fight a losing battle. If we manage to hold him off, he'll get bored and go find someone else to harass. Then we can focus on everything else we need to worry about.”
“Frankly, I don't think much more needs to be said,” Fernando said. “You all know what you have to do. Let's work on making this a safe place.”
Chapter Eighteen
With that said, everyone rose from the table and started moving around the house. Tillman noticed the sense of authority his father assumed and felt that with the two of them working together there was nothing that could stand in their way. The only person left at the table was Morelle, who seemed lost in a world of her own, as she had so often since having her world shattered by Javier.
Tillman wondered how she would feel if she knew that Javier was dead, and their father had been the one to end his life, that he had taken that drastic step to protect his child. Would she be grateful, or was it a case of being too late to make any difference? It was a dark secret for Fernando to hold, and the fact that he had shared it with Tillman showed a huge amount of trust.
He was about to go over and talk with her when Ana walked up to Morelle and whispered in her ear. Morelle seemed shaken by whatever her mother had said. Then rose from the table, and Ana led Morelle away. Tillman's heart went out to her. She was basically an invalid, and she would need those around her to take care of her. He dreaded to think what would happen if Khan got his hands on her.
Anthony and Jessica went off by themselves, no doubt to steal a few moments alone. Tillman would have to have a word with them as well. He wanted to prepare everyone for what might happen if Khan got his wish, and they were unable to defend themselves against him. But first, he had to talk with Greg and Penelope.
He followed their path out, and found Penelope standing by herself. Her face grew animated when she saw Tillman approach, as though she had been waiting for him. Greg wasn't with her. She pulled Tillman aside.
“I feel like we haven't had much time to catch up since you've been back,” Penelope said. She chewed on her lower lip and seemed a little agitated.
“What's wrong? I hope my family wasn't too much trouble for you. I know they can be a bit of a handful,” he said, smiling wryly.
“No, it's not that. They've all been really nice, especially your mom. She was telling us all about your childhood,” she said, a wicked gleam dancing in her eyes. The less Tillman knew of that, the better. For a moment the agitation left her face, but it quickly returned.
“Penelope, what's going on?” Tillman asked, urging her to speak to him. When she didn't seem forthcoming, despite her pulling him aside, he decided to tell her what he was going to tell her and Greg anyway.
“I know that you might be a little unnerved about what's happening. I want you to know that I'm not going to make you stay if you don't want to, and I'll say the same thing to Greg. This is my home and my family. I brought you here because I thought it would be safe, not to lead you into more danger.”
Penelope smiled. “I actually was going to tell you that we're going to stay and help defend this place. We both owe you a lot, and I don't want to be the kind of person who skips out on her friends. But I just...after what happened before...I don't want to be put in that situation again. I don't think I can handle it. There's a lot I can take, you know, but I don't want to be at the mercy of someone like that.”
“I know. I don't want that to happen to you or anyone else here,” Tillman said.
“Look, if it does really get that bad, we'll do like my father said and we'll retreat. I don't know where, but we'll find another safe place. There has to be one place in this world where we can spend a few days without being hassled. I care about you all and I'll do anything before I let you get harmed. I made that promise to my niece, and I'm making the same promise to you,” he said.
Penelope hugged him and wiped a few stray tears from her eyes.
“God, I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm not usually the emotional type,” she said.
“It's just the way of things now. We're all stressed, at the ends of our rope, and we're scare
d. But we don't have to be. Everything we do in this world is a choice, and even though it's hard, we can turn our backs on our fears.”
“You are like him,” Penelope said with a smile, “your father I mean. When you get all tense and determined like that, the two of you are alike. How are you doing being back home, by the way? It must be strange after all this time. I'm guessing your parents were shocked to see you as well.”
“They were, especially since I haven't seen them for years. It was pretty tough with my dad.”
“I noticed the tension between you two when you came back.”
“Yeah...sorry about that. I hope you didn't feel too uncomfortable.”
“No, it was okay. We tried to talk you up to them while you were gone. Your mother seems nice. Morelle, well, I think she just was worried about Jessica.”
“Morelle has a lot going on in her head. She's the one I'm most worried about, really. Everyone else can take care of themselves to some degree, but if she's left alone in the world I'm not sure how she's going to survive.”
“Then we'll make sure that doesn't happen. I'll look out for her, if it comes to that.”
“Thanks, Penelope.”
“So, did you and your dad get things sorted out?”
“I think so. I guess it was time to put the past behind us. It feels good to say. It even feels good to be home, which isn't something I thought I would be saying. Anyway, I'd better go talk to the others, make sure they're all okay.”
Penelope nodded and then continued with her task. Tillman next went to Greg.
“Tillman!” he said with a wide grin.
He was hauling the cushions off the couch and chairs and piling them up against the windows. Tillman hoped that Khan wasn't going to use any guns this time, but he couldn't be sure. He didn't need glass shattering inside their house. Greg was red-faced and a little out of breath, but he seemed in good spirits.
“You seem to be in too much of a good mood, considering we're preparing for an assault,” Tillman said.
“After what we faced last night I think we can face anything,” Greg said confidently. “Besides, this is better than wandering across the city aimlessly. At least here we know we have something to stand for. We can prepare, we can plan, it's like living everything we used to play. I just wish there was a pause button sometimes because time moves far too quickly for my liking.”
He scratched his head and then mopped away some sweat from his brow with his shirt. He reached over and picked up a glass of water that Ana had left for him and took a few gulps. He offered it to Tillman, but Tillman declined. Greg clearly needed it more than he did at the present moment.
Tillman noted how excited Greg was. For him, this was a way to act out everything that he had been playing at for years. Tillman had been on weekends where this kind of thing had been put into practice, but for Greg it was a new experience. Tillman didn't want to dim his friend's outlook, but he wasn't sure if Greg was taking it seriously enough.
“Well, I'm glad you're doing a good job,” he said, and then repeated what he had told Penelope.
“Oh yeah, don't you worry about that, I'm not running. It's like your father said, we have to make a stand. Well, unless it's clear that we can't win at all. Tillman, is there any plan for retreat? I mean, do you want us to leave in pairs or anything? I know we shouldn't split up, but it might help our chances for survival if we go off in different directions and rendezvous somewhere else, especially if they give chase.”
“I think that's a good idea, Greg, but I don't think we have to do anything formally. If worse comes to worst, then we'll be operating on instinct. Get away with whoever is closest to you.”
“Okay,” Greg said, then chewed on his bottom lip. It seemed as though something was on his mind. Tillman waited patiently for him to speak. “It's just that, well, I don't know really how to go about asking this question. It's not the sort of thing I usually do, you understand, but I thought I'd just sort of ask--”
“Greg, spit it out,” Tillman said, folding his arms impatiently. Greg looked a little taken aback by Tillman's tone and was slightly abashed. He exhaled deeply, as though it was a great burden to ask Tillman the question that was burning inside his heart.
“I was just wondering, what's the deal with your sister? Like, was she seeing anyone? I mean, I normally wouldn't ask because it's a bit of a no-no but given the situation we're in there's not much chance for romance. And there's just something about her. I don't know what it is, but I'm drawn to her. I'm not sure it's ever happened to me like this before.”
Tillman arched an eyebrow and bristled, for he was instantly defensive of Morelle.
“I don't think she's in the right place for a relationship. Besides, what happened to that girl you left in the city who you professed to love?”
“Well, you made me come to my senses on that. We only had known each other for a little while, not long enough to go through this tragedy together. I don't think she would have made for a lasting relationship anyway. But Morelle...I don't know, Tillman, there's just some kind of sweet innocence about her. Like the world has suffered through so much destruction and misery, but she's unaffected by it, like she's Eden amid a wasteland.”
Greg's eyes lit up as he spoke. Tillman never had heard him speak about anyone like this, and frankly he hadn't expected anyone to speak about Morelle in such a way either. He loved his sister, but after all the turmoil she had been through she wasn't exactly what he would call an ideal partner for a romantic relationship. His first instinct was to tell Greg to forget about it and focus on staying alive, but then he wondered what right he had to make that decision? Morelle and Greg both were adults, and although Greg had his quirks, he wasn't a bad guy. If Tillman told Greg not to try, he wouldn't be any better than his father with Jessica and Anthony.
“You know what, Greg?” Tillman said, putting a hand on Greg's shoulder, “if you really want to try, then be my guest. But you should know that Morelle has been through a lot, and she might not be the most...receptive. But as long as you promise to be a gentleman, be kind and compassionate with her, then you have my blessing. We all can use as much happiness as we can get. But, he said, drawing Greg closer into him, lowering his voice, “If you hurt her or cause her any distress, you will have to answer to me and my father.”
Greg nodded, seeming to have got the message. Tillman stepped back and smiled, having left Greg with much to think about.
Perhaps, Tillman thought, in the ashes of this world there could be glimmer of hope, a second chance for those who had found it difficult in the old world. He smiled as he walked upstairs and thought of Greg and Morelle being together. Stranger things had happened...
When he walked upstairs he cleared his throat and knocked on the door before he entered the room where Jessica and Anthony had gone, just in case they were seeking solace with one another. When he entered, though, it was clear they had just been talking. They looked worried.
“How's it going in here?” Tillman asked.
Both of them shrugged.
“We were looking for things to use as weapons, but there's not much around,” Jessica said.
“We'll find enough. Now listen, I want you two to be especially careful. If things go south, then look for me or Dad and go with us. I don't know if we'll all be able to stick together, but we'll try as much as we're able.”
“Uncle Tillman, come on, I want to fight,” Jessica said.
“I appreciate your spirit, but sometimes fighting isn't always the best option. Just try sticking together, and we'll make it through this,” he said.
“I think I'd prefer to stick with you rather than Pappy,” Jessica said, as she and Anthony glanced at him.
Tillman smiled too. “I know that he's not the easiest, but I had a word with him and I think he understands it a bit more now. You know that he's a little paranoid after what happened between your mom and your father,” Tillman said. Suddenly, the image of his father killing Javier flashed in his
mind. Jessica never would know the truth.
“I know, but he doesn't have to be so rude about it. Anthony hasn't done anything wrong,” Jessica said, pouting.
“I know. He was the same in my day when I was with Angela. It's best just to keep quiet and be respectful. Then he can't have anything to complain about.”
“I'm sure he'll find something,” Jessica said wryly. Tillman chuckled to himself.
He was about to say something else when there was a loud scream from downstairs. It sounded like Morelle. Tillman looked at the others in panic and then sprinted down the stairs. He ran to the entrance of the kitchen and the color drained from his face. Two men were standing there. One held a knife to Morelle's neck. The other had a gun trained on Greg, who evidently had not delayed in trying to defend Morelle. Morelle looked terrified. Anger coiled within Tillman.
His eyes locked with his sister, then everything was a blur. In an instant he whipped his hand around his back, drew his gun, and fired.
Chapter Nineteen
Khan's men weren't supposed to have come this early. Tillman and his group were supposed to have enough time to defend themselves. That wasn't the case.
When he'd seen his sister being held hostage Tillman had seen red. The words of his father flashed through his mind, that sometimes laws and morality didn't match, and that when a loved one was in danger it was acceptable to go to any lengths to defend them. The bullet flew from Tillman's gun and found its target in the middle of the man's forehead. His neck snapped back. Blood splattered over Morelle, leaving red blotches all over her face and clothes. Another scream pierced the air. The knife dropped to the floor.
Tillman swung his arm around, trying to get the other man before he could shoot. Then the air flashed orange and Tillman felt a burning sensation in his leg. He crumpled, using his arm to steady himself. He looked up. The other man had moved his target from Greg to Tillman. A few more men poured through the doorway behind them. Greg launched himself forward to tackle the man before he could shoot Tillman again. Tillman grunted as he tried getting himself to his feet. He looked down and felt his leg and the sticky hot blood.
