by Kyle Pratt
“Yeah.” She smiled. “It’s short for Danielle.”
Madison stared at her. “The gang. They’re looking for you.”
The smile disappeared into an angry frown.
“And that’s not your bike.” Conner pointed. “Did you kill the man riding it?”
“What?” Neal looked from Conner to Dani.
“Let’s explore my personal history later.” With a grunt, Dani struggled to push her motorcycle off the road toward the woods. “We really need to get away from here.”
Two motorcycles roared around the corner. One rider pointed toward the group and together they took cover in the trees just off the road.
“Dani, you can’t get away,” a man called.
“Go to the farm,” Neal shouted at Conner and then darted into the bushes.
* * *
Only as Neal rushed behind bushes and bramble did he realize Claire had followed him. He gritted his teeth in frustration but remained otherwise silent for fear of revealing their position.
Dani lagged behind, pushing the Harley. As the others disappeared into the dark woods, Dani dropped the bike and darted after them.
Within seconds, a third bike and two pickups loaded with men arrived. The glare of headlights both hid and revealed. Neal struggled to count as armed men passed back and forth through light and into darkness, but felt certain more than ten had arrived and would soon be searching for Dani and anyone with her.
Two men walked in Neal’s direction. He tensed, ready to shoot, but they collected Dani’s bike and lugged it back to the trucks.
Neal allowed himself to breathe. He could have shot them, but what had they done to deserve it? Conner thought Dani had stolen the bike and perhaps killed the owner. Were these men just collecting what they owned? Probably not, but what did he know for sure? Perhaps these were thugs and she had fled from them. He needed answers.
Claire pointed to the nearby tree line. “Let’s go,” she mouthed.
Neal grunted agreement. Together they retreated into the forest and looked for the others. Neal led the way through the woods and then back to where the road wound up the hill. A ditch ran along one side, but the other shoulder made a gravel path with quick access to the forest if needed. Neal figured Conner might have the same idea or would at least follow the road.
Soon Neal heard twigs snap and hushed voices.
“The only thing I believe is that your name is Dani,” Conner growled. “Why are they looking for you and how do we stop them?”
“Keep your voice down and keep moving,” Dani whispered and turned away.
Conner grabbed her arm.
She spun around and pressed a pistol to his face. “Don’t touch me.”
Neal stepped into the grove with his shotgun pointed at Dani. “Put the gun down and start explaining.”
“We need to hurry,” Dani insisted but lowered her gun hand. “They won’t stop looking for us.”
Neal motioned for everyone to keep moving. “They seem to be after you. What would happen if they caught you?”
“Don’t give me up to them.” Dani shook her head. “That’s not the solution.”
“Why not?” Conner asked with an angry growl.
Dani opened the satchel and pulled out a large, neatly folded sheet of paper. “This is a map of Riverbank and the surrounding area. The Wolf Pack—”
“What?” Neal asked.
Dani shook her head. “They’re the biggest gang south of Olympia, and besides killing and looting, they’ve been scouting the area.”
Neal stared at the page but couldn’t read it in the darkness. “Why would they be interested in Riverbank?”
“This town is the only one between Olympia and Longview that still has a working police force. The Wolf Pack doesn’t like police and Roark, the alpha boss, wants to control the town.”
“No, I don’t believe you,” Conner said flatly. “Why would you come here if the gang planned to attack?”
“I don’t know this hick area!” Her face contorted in disgust. “When I travel this way I speed through on the freeway, but the pack blocked that route, so I tried the back roads. I’ve been turned around for most of the day.” Dani cursed. “And I didn’t know your place was right next to Riverbank. Just my lousy luck. Can we keep moving?”
“Yeah.” Neal pointed. “We’re near my farm. It’s right—”
“I hear them.” A man shouted in the darkness. “This way!”
“Get down.” Neal pointed to a low spot nearby. “Stay quiet.”
Twigs snapped and leaves crackled all around them.
Dani looked left and right into the darkness but remained standing.
“Hello, Dani. I’m glad we found you.”
She dropped the satchel and took several steps toward the voice. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” she pleaded.
Neal froze. Why hadn’t Dani fled or hid? He didn’t want to leave her to an uncertain fate.
A flashlight clicked on, revealing a man with a goatee holding a pistol. “What kind of father would I be if I let you run off?”
“Father?” Neal looked at Dani and then at the man.
“My daughter has authority issues.” The man grinned. “But what’s a dad to do?” The grinned faded. “Take my daughter home.”
Two men emerged from the darkness. She shouted curses and fought, but they dragged her away.
Roark pointed the pistol at Neal. “I don’t like people messing with my family.”
Another gang member stepped into the light. “Someone’s coming. I heard movement and voices.” He fired two shots into the darkness.
* * *
Evans Family Farm, Tuesday, September 13th
As sunlight turned to darkness, Drake lay on the couch, thinking of his parents. Even after all these years, he longed to see his mother again. Now his father had vanished and he ached to see him. Tears welled in his eyes and anger hardened his heart. Why had they left him?
He knew it was stupid, and wrong, to blame his mother for dying. But the pain of her going still lingered. Perhaps it always would.
Ashley walked into the room with a book and sat reading it.
He wiped his eyes and pretended to yawn.
Before his mother had died, his father rarely left Riverbank, but the last few years, conferences had become more important, more frequent. Drake felt his father’s need to get away from the house—away from him. Conner had needed to get away too.
As Ashley read, Drake gazed at her long, blonde hair that draped over her shoulders and along her pink blouse. With each breath, her breasts rose and fell, gently stirring her curls.
She had been the sole bright spot in these recent terrible days. In her moment of need, she had thought of him … ran to him. Unlike his father and brother, Ashley had stayed with him and helped him.
Deep down, he knew he would always protect her … always want her.
He stood and stared at her glistening skin sparkling in the lamplight. His heart pounded in his ears.
She glanced up from her book and turned off the lamp. “It’s getting dark. You should probably shut off the generator.”
“Oh, yeah. I will.” But he didn’t move. “Would you ever leave here … leave me?”
“If my parents return, I guess I’d have to go.” Her gaze drifted down to the book. “But I want to stay here until then.”
Drake trotted away with his thoughts still fixed on Ashley.
As he rolled the generator back into the garage, he heard the rumble of vehicles somewhere in the east. When he returned to the living room, Ashley had her face close to a side window.
She turned as he entered. “I thought I heard cars.”
“I think you did.” Drake found his night vision monocular, still on the tripod, and slung an AR-15 rifle over his shoulder. Then he grabbed an ammo can and stepped onto the porch.
Ashley followed with her shotgun and Gruff at her side.
Using the monocular, Drake scanned the area. �
�I don’t see anything.”
“Let’s stay out here.” Ashley settled onto the porch bench. “It’s cooler.”
Drake sat close and held her hand.
Gruff circled a couple of times and lay on the porch nearby.
“It’s a nice night.” Drake didn’t really know what to say.
“Quiet. Peaceful.” Ashley leaned against him. “Perfect.”
What should he do next? Drake’s mind raced for an awkward eternity. Should he put his arm around her? He wanted to kiss her, but should he just do it or say something meaningful about her first?
He decided to just do it and leaned close.
Gruff stood, looked toward the forest, and growled low.
Drake glanced at Gruff as he continued to growl, and then he heard it also, angry voices in the trees.
“Take Gruff in and lock the door.” Drake grabbed the tripod, and with the rifle bobbing on his shoulder, darted to a small knoll near the house. Lying there, he would have good cover and remain nearly invisible. He set the tripod up beside a large alder and peered into the forest.
Two armed groups moved through the trees toward the farmhouse as if they knew exactly where they were going. Were they all bad guys?
Movement behind him caused Drake to turn.
Ashley plopped to her knees beside him.
“What are you doing out here?” Drake whispered.
“Gruff is in the house and the door is locked.” She held the shotgun out for him to see. “And I’m trying to help.”
A flashlight snapped on in the forest.
More angry voices shouted from the area where light shone in the darkness. Most were men, but there was definitely an angry woman shouting curses in the forest.
Two shots tore through the quiet.
Ashley fell to the ground with a scream.
Another shot boomed.
“Are you okay?” Drake could barely see her in the dark.
“Yeah, I think.” She gulped air. “A bullet passed through my hair.” Ashley brushed hands along her face and head. “I don’t feel any pain or blood.” She sighed.
Rage flared in Drake. He peered through the monocular and then fired the rifle.
Men fell, screamed, and ran as Drake poured rounds into the forest.
Click.
Drake slapped another magazine into the rifle and sprayed thirty more rounds on the shooters in the forest.
Click.
“Stop! Please stop!”
Drake hesitated. The voice from the darkness sounded familiar. He inserted another magazine and then peeked into the monocular.
A single arm waved from a nearby gully.
“You shot at my girlfriend.” Drake’s heart pounded with anger and adrenaline. “Leave or I’ll kill all of you.”
“No, we didn’t shoot at you.”
“Liar!” Drake took a deep breath. “Get out of here, now!”
“This is my home. Please stop shooting. My dad’s been shot—”
“Conner?” Still holding his rifle, Drake stood as the word sank into him. “Dad? I shot Dad?” Drake ran into the darkness. He nearly tripped over one body and in the shadows of moonlight could see several more scattered on the forest floor. He looked right and left but didn’t see his father.
Someone stood and ran to a body.
“Conner, is that you?” Drake asked.
“Yes,” he said and cradled the head of a man lying face up on the ground.
Drake ran to his side. Even in the dim light, he recognized the faces of both his brother and father. A dark stain ran from the right side of his dad’s chest.
“Noooo! I killed him! Killed my dad!”
Conner grabbed his brother by both arms and shook. “No. I saw what happened. You didn’t do this.”
Drake stared into his brother’s eyes, wanting to believe him.
Ashley put her arm around Drake.
“A guy named Roark, the gang leader, shot Dad.” Conner hugged him. “It happened just before you opened fire. I think you saved the rest of us.”
A pregnant woman with a dog ran to them and clutched his father’s hand. “He’s alive. We need to get him inside. Where’s your house?”
“This way.” Ashley stood. “Follow me.”
Conner and Drake lifted their father. Another woman about Conner’s age helped and together they carried him home.
Gruff growled at the other dog, wagged his tail at Conner, Drake, and Ashley, and whined as they carried Neal to his bedroom.
“Can we get more light?” The pregnant woman glanced around the room. “I’ll need medical supplies, bandages, antiseptic. Is there a doctor or hospital nearby?” She tore back the shirt, revealing a bloody entry wound on the right side.
“Drake, get the generator running and then go to Pastor Wayne.” Ashley gestured in the direction of his house. “He should know how to find a doctor.”
He nodded and ran from the room.
Ashley turned away but then stopped. “I’ll get medical supplies from the survival closet, but we need at least one guard in case those guys come back.”
“I will.” Conner grabbed his rifle.
“I’ll help you.”
“Thanks, Madison.” Leaving Claire to perform first aid, everyone else hurried from the room.
Day Eleven
Evans Family Farm, Wednesday, September 14th
Drake awoke from a nightmare of gunfire, blood, and death to the faint light of dawn flowing through the living room window. He rubbed his eyes. The house seemed so quiet and peaceful. Had the horrible events of the past night been real?
As the last vestiges of sleep faded from his mind, Drake knew his brother had returned, and his father … how was his father doing?
A knock on the front door caused him to jump from the couch.
A bleary-eyed Ashley hurried in from the hallway with Gruff and Ginger following.
Conner appeared at the dining room entrance, holding a half-eaten apple.
Drake peered through the peephole. “It’s Pastor Wayne.” He opened the door and let him in.
“How’s your father doing?” he asked, stepping in.
“Ah ….” Guilt poured over Drake. He had fallen asleep and had no idea.
“Hanging on,” Conner said as he walked across the room. “The doctor left with Deputy Campbell a few hours ago.”
“They didn’t move him to the hospital?” Pastor Wayne asked.
“All their fancy instruments were burned out by the sun storm.” Conner frowned. “The doctor removed the bullet, cleaned and bandaged the wound. He’ll be back later today, but … he’s done about all he can.”
“You make it sound like he’s going to die.” Drake shook his head and growled. “He’s not.”
Conner frowned but said nothing.
Madison hurried across the front lawn to the door. “I found the satchel.”
“Let’s sit in the dining room.” Conner led the way.
The pastor sat next to Drake as Madison unfolded the map on the table.
Drake pointed. “Here’s the lookout spot and the end of the fence just past our farm. Someone is definitely providing the gang with information about the defenses on the hill.”
“Maybe, or it could be good recon. They’re also interested in what the sheriff is doing in Riverbank.” The pastor pointed to a spot on the map. “This is the police barricade on the freeway bridge.”
Plodding steps from the hallway grabbed Drake’s attention.
With red eyes and slumping shoulders, Claire entered the room. “Neal is stable. I gave him something to help him sleep. If he wakes, I think one or both of you guys should be with him.”
“Can I get you something?” Madison asked.
“Tea, if you have any.” She walked into the living room and collapsed on the couch.
“We do,” Ashley said. “I’ll get it. I know where things are.” She hurried to the kitchen.
Conner stared at his brother for a moment and then returned his
gaze to the map.
* * *
Several hours later, Drake entered his father’s bedroom. Conner sat leaning back against the wall in a chair. His father lay on the bed, motionless and pale.
“How is he?” Drake asked.
“Still asleep, but I think the sedative is wearing off. He seems to be waking.” Conner stood and stretched. “Call me if he does.”
Drake nodded and stood there staring at his father. He had imagined his dad returning many times but not like this. He moved the chair and sat holding his father’s hand. “We’re okay, Dad. You just rest and get better.”
Thinking that it might be good for his father to hear his voice, Drake told him everything that happened since the night of the solar storms. He started with a confession. “I wanted Conner to go hunting so I could have a party and when he left, I did. We really made a mess. I spent that first day after the storm cleaning the house.” But along with the bad, there were things he wanted his father to know. “Ashley came the next day, really scared. I’ve been protecting her. I think you and Mom would be proud of me. But Dad, I’ve been really scared. I’ve shot and … I killed some people. I came close … real close, to shooting you.”
His father moaned and his eyes fluttered open. “You didn’t shoot me.”
Drake gasped. “Everything’s going to be okay, Dad.” He ran to the door and threw it open. “Conner, Dad’s awake.”
Conner hurried in and leaned over the bed.
Tears rolled down Drake’s cheeks.
Neal gazed at his boys and smiled. “Beth would be … is, so proud of both of you. I’m home. You’re both here.” He smiled. “I’m proud of you both.”
Gradually his eyes closed, as if his father had gone to sleep.
Several minutes later, Drake leaned close. Tears ran down his cheeks. His father had died.
Day Twelve
Evans Family Farm, Thursday, September 15th
Before the sun had warmed the air the next morning, Pastor Wayne and several other men arrived at the Evan’s farm. Conner spoke with them in the backyard and they began to dig.
Confused, Drake wandered out the back door. His father had died yesterday evening and his body still lay in the house. This was no time to be digging holes.
He froze midway across the yard. Conner and the others weren’t digging a simple hole. This was his father’s grave.
