No Time For Mourning: Book Four in The Borrowed World Series

by Franklin Horton

  When he reached his home, Jim found his backyard crowded with representatives from nearly every family in the valley. Certainly all of the folks he’d interacted with since he’d gotten home had someone here. They sat on all manner of lawn chair, stump, camp stool, and overturned bucket. There were greetings as he came into the backyard, but he declined all questions until he had Gary’s grandchildren in the house. Jim’s daughter Ariel and Gary’s daughter Karen took all of the kids to Ariel’s room to play. Everyone else was outside except for Pete, who continued to man his post on the hill.

  Jim stood so that he could be heard by everyone. “I won’t waste a lot of time because we have stuff we need to do. It will be dark soon and we need to get some things in place. Some of you probably know that I blew up the road between here and town.”

  There was some murmuring and Jim knew that not all of it was supportive of his decision, which was why he’d kept it low key.

  “I did it because I was concerned about strangers coming through here,” Jim said. “I’ve been out there in the world and seen how ugly things are. Gary and Randi have too. Most of you have not been outside this community.”

  “My mother would string you up if she knew you did that,” one of the Wimmer men said. “She’s pissed. She wants to know how her sisters are going to get here for Thanksgiving.”

  “If they’re alive, they’re not coming for Thanksgiving,” Jim said. “I’d put money on it.”

  “I’ll let you tell her that,” the man said.

  Jim sighed. “I planned on blowing the road at the other end of the valley. I had trouble getting supplies together though.”

  There was louder murmuring this time.

  “You realize that leaves us with no road out of the valley in an emergency?” It was Mrs. Bird. Jim couldn’t remember her first name.

  “I preferred to look at it as leaving no way in for those with bad intentions,” Jim said. “We could always get out if we needed to. There are farm roads and logging roads, and most of those aren’t on maps. Either way, it doesn’t matter. It’s too late now.”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Thomas Weatherman said. “What’s that mean?”

  “We were too lax in our security,” Jim said. “We were comfortable and complacent. We haven’t had the ends of the valley under surveillance. Armed men moved in at the edge of Rockdell Farms. They basically control that end of the valley now. They have a large camp with supplies and military vehicles. There are more coming, and they don’t intend to leave.”

  “Well, if you hadn’t blown the damn road up, we’d have a way out of here,” one of the Wimmers said.

  “And go where?” Jim asked. “Your life is here. Your family is here and has been for two centuries. All the stuff you need to survive is here. Are you going to be pushed out?”

  The man stared at the ground and shook his head in frustration.

  “How do you know all of this?” Weatherman asked.

  “There was a shooting at their camp earlier and we had the opportunity to speak to some of the men from the camp,” Jim replied. “They were injured. They told us everything.”

  “You the cause of that shooting at their camp?” Weatherman asked.

  “No,” Jim said. “We don’t know who shot whom, only that there was a gunfight and some bodies. I didn’t see the scene. The injured men succumbed to gunshot wounds.”

  It was not a complete lie. Jim wasn’t sure that his group could handle the entire truth. He wasn’t going to mention who inflicted the gunshot wounds. Some of them thought he was too quick to pull the trigger already. They didn’t understand. They hadn’t had his grandfather to explain to them some of the basic laws of human nature and violence. While his mother hadn’t wanted Jim to hear them either, those bits of wisdom had saved his life several times over the last months. You didn’t leave an enemy alive to fight a second time. If you fought him, you finished it.

  With no questions, Jim continued.

  “My guess, as I understand human nature, is when it gets cold these folks will start to look at our homes and wonder why they shouldn’t simply take them. They’ll be tired of living in campers. They’ll come to think of this valley as their valley and they’ll decide we have to go. In my opinion, the only way to deter that is to not let them get a firm foothold. We try to run them out. If they don’t run, we kill them.”

  The group was silent while this settled in.

  “Look, I don’t know you well, but I don’t want to be forced out of my home.” It was Mack Bird. Jim had hung out with him a couple of times over the years, shooting at the Birds’ backyard range. “Without fuel, most of us aren’t going to be able to get very far and we won’t be able to take our stuff. If we try to run, we won’t make it through the winter.”

  “Ain’t there someone we can call?” asked another Wimmer. “Ain’t there still cops in town?”

  “You’re welcome to try,” Jim said. “Your phone isn’t working and I doubt you’ll find anyone interested in coming out to help us. People are on their own. We’re on our own. This is our battle to win or lose.”

  “Bullets fly both ways,” Buddy said. “There’s a chance we’ll lose people if we turn this into a war. I’m with Jim. I think we defend what’s ours, I want you all to understand the risk. If you choose to participate and someone gets hurt, don’t come back blaming Jim for it. If you go into this, go in with your eyes open.”

  “Thanks, Buddy,” Jim said.

  “What do we need to do?” Mack asked. “Where do we start?”

  “I think we need folks from every family on watch tonight. This isn’t a watch against an imaginary enemy. There are real people here and they could come for any of us tonight,” Jim said. “We need a manned and heavily armed outpost near Henry’s farm where Gary here is staying, and the Weathermans’ home. It has a long sight line and it’s the first spot they’d hit if they come along the road. It needs to be a secure, dug-in emplacement.”

  “It’s probably a good idea if no one is out walking around tonight,” Thomas said. “I’d hate to shoot someone by accident on their moonlight stroll.”

  “If anyone doesn’t want to be part of this we need to know now,” Mack said. “It’s important we know who has our back and who doesn’t. If anyone is not participating, they should identify themselves now.”

  Jim and Mack watched the group and not a single hand rose. Jim hoped that it was an accurate count and there weren’t folks out there too afraid to raise a hand.

  “We’ve only got a couple of hours before dark,” Jim said. “We need to get that outpost dug and stocked, and I’m going to need a few extra men to station at Gary’s house.”

  Chapter 52

  The Valley

  With everyone rushing off to perform their assignments, Ellen fell into the role of hosting the people sheltering at her house. Fortunately Ariel took naturally to that role, which gave Ellen time to ready weapons and ammunition in case they were needed. Nana was pitching in with the kids, while Pops was going around supervising. Ellen made coffee for a thermal carafe. She expected it was going to be that kind of night. They were not yet low enough on coffee that she felt like she couldn’t share it freely.

  Randi had asked about helping at Gary’s house but Jim had told her he’d prefer she stay and help protect his home. She hadn’t argued with him. She was still embarrassed over bringing those men to his home earlier. She wanted to be better at this. She knew that he had too much to do to spend his time arguing with her. Still, it burned her up that she felt like he’d dismissed her to stay back with the womenfolk like this was a Western. She tried to keep herself busy and not think about it. It wasn’t working. She didn’t have the kind of mind that could be switched off for convenience.

  She found Charlotte sitting in the floor, knees pulled up, watching her children play with Ariel.

  “How are you holding up?” Randi asked.

  “I guess I’m functioning,” Charlotte said.

  “That’s all anyb
ody expects,” Randi said. “No one is asking that you pretend like it didn’t happen.”

  Charlotte leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I still feel messed up inside. Like something is damaged. Your entire life you learn how to interpret what happens around you. Then something like this happens and all that gets screwed up. I don’t know how to respond to what’s going on around me. Things don’t make sense the way they should.”

  “In some ways a broken heart is like a broken leg,” Randi said. “It takes a long time to heal, and it may never be the same again. You learn to live with it. Everyone I know who has suffered a bad loss says that’s what happens eventually.”

  “How did you know I wouldn’t kill myself after you threatened me?” Charlotte asked. “That was kind of a bold move.”

  “I wasn’t really threatening you,” Randi said.

  “Sounded like a threat to me.”

  “I was challenging you,” Randi said. “I knew there was a fighter in there. I was trying to provoke that fighter. Trying to make your instinct kick in and take over since nothing else was working.”

  “Still seems like a risky play to me,” Charlotte said.

  “I’m not a believer in medications for every condition,” Randi said. “I think it leads to people placing the responsibility for their wellbeing on the meds and not back on themselves. That approach wouldn’t have worked with everyone. It worked with you because of who you were before this happened.”

  Charlotte was silent for a moment, watching her children. “Why are you here, Randi? Why aren’t you out there with them? You’re a fighter.”

  “That’s a good question,” Randi said. “I’d rather be out there.”

  “Just go then,” Charlotte said. “You don’t strike me as the kind who needs a man’s permission to do things.”

  “It’s not about permission,” Randi said. “I screwed up today by bringing those men here. I could have compromised everything. I’m not going to sneak out to be part of the action and make people worry about me. This is where I’m supposed to be tonight so I’ll stay here. I have to trust that there’s a reason. The reason could even be that it gave you and I time to have this talk.”

  Charlotte smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  Chapter 53

  The Valley

  Valentine traded his weapon for something that would function better in the dark. He had a Saiga 12 shotgun he’d had for several years and a chest rig with ten spare magazines for it. The magazines were bulky and the buckshot loads made them heavy. In the tool trailer he found a hacksaw and shortened the weapon into a short barreled shotgun. A few months back, a weapon like the SBS would have required filing paperwork with the BATFE and waiting half a year to get it back.

  “ATF wait time has been reduced to five minutes,” Valentine announced as the barrel dropped off and he shouldered the weapon. He couldn’t hold back a smile. The Saiga 12 was a devastating weapon.

  He was pissed that they didn’t have night vision. One of the deputies had secured several sets for patrolling Glenwall in the dark, and they were in use every night. The plan had been to bring them over in the big move, which hadn’t taken place yet. They did have some extremely bright tactical flashlights which could be weapon-mounted. There was some moonlight, so they would go dark and try to use the moonlight to navigate the terrain. Their primary plan was only reconnaissance tonight anyway. They wanted to peep in some windows and see what they were dealing with. They wanted to get a count of the enemy. If they had the opportunity to take someone out and improve their odds for future encounters, that would be an added bonus.

  Those called into action prepared packs with food rations, spare ammo, and binoculars. They strapped on their guns, knives, and first aid kits, then blackened their faces with soot from the fire. They drank energy drinks from the trailer of food and swallowed convenience store speed from their personal stashes. When they were physically, psychologically, and logistically prepared, Valentine briefed them on their assignments.

  “Adam, you’re going to be on guard duty here,” Valentine said. “Keep an eye out for anyone who might try to approach the camp.”

  “Got it,” said Adam, the youngest and least experienced of the team.

  “Grayson and Parker, I want you guys on that house closest to us. Do a sneak and peek. Try to get a number on occupants. Note any weapons you see.”

  “Got it,” Parker answered. “It would be easier with night vision.”

  “Everything would,” Valentine said.

  “Where are you heading, boss?” Grayson asked.

  Valentine liked the sound of that word. He liked that they were using it with him instead of Baxter. “I’m going to go deeper. There’s several houses beyond that first one. I’m going to try to do the same with them. Sneak and peek. Get a count on folks. Everyone understand their assignments?”

  All said that they did.

  “Good,” he said. “Be careful. Don’t be stupid and don’t fucking shoot each other.”

  Chapter 54

  The Valley

  They didn’t have time for the dug-in emplacement that Jim wanted so they improvised. They found an ancient oak that had fallen during a high wind. They banked earth against the base of it and it gave them a fairly bulletproof position as long as their heads were lowered. Jim was going to trade out with Gary. He and Will would man Gary’s house along with Buddy.

  Gary with his .338 Lapua would be more effective at the oak tree outpost. Initially Jim had planned on manning that position with Gary, until Mack Bird had talked him out of it. Jim asked him why he wanted to man that station.

  “I hunt coyotes,” Mack said. “I have an AR-10 with an ATN thermal scope.”

  Jim couldn’t hold back a grin. “You guys will make an excellent team.”

  While Gary didn’t have a thermal scope, he did have an inexpensive Gen 1 Armasight night vision device that could operate as a monocular or be added onto a regular scope to give it night vision capabilities. Some people were disappointed in the low optical quality of such a setup. Still, any advantage in the dark was an advantage over total blackness.

  Gary had several boxes of infrared light sticks in his gear. As it got dark, they used a laser rangefinder to place the sticks as markers at various distances within their sight line. They marked one hundred yards, two hundred yards, and five hundred yards. With his night vision, Gary would be able to see those light sticks in the dark although their illumination would not be visible to the naked eye. Using the rangefinder at night with its bright red laser would tip off a target that they were being ranged. The light sticks were a passive method that would allow Gary and Mack to more accurately estimate distances if they had to engage long-range targets.

  Will had suggested they each tape one to their bicep with electrical tape so that they could identify “friendlies” if they had to leave the house and move around outside. Jim nixed that idea in case the trespassers had night vision. He didn’t want a glowing target on his arm.

  They had to use the radio for this operation even though Jim had been a little paranoid about too much radio traffic. He was concerned the men may have scanners that would pick up their conversations. In the end, they found it necessary to use the radios as a timesaver while trying to remain aware that their conversations might be monitored. They would simply have to be careful about what they said.

  The sun fell and the day reached that point where the blackness of night snuck up on them. People throughout the valley were hustling to get the last drops of caffeine into their bodies and to get into position for a long night. Ellen and Brenda used blankets, quilts, and sleeping bags to arrange a massive slumber party at their house. Pops strapped on a headlamp and appointed himself to read bedtime stories.

  Lloyd would be on watch there all night. He would spend the night in Pete’s outpost while the boy hopefully got some well-deserved rest. Jim only had one night vision device and he had it with him, so Lloyd would be watching for anything tha
t might be visible with the naked eye. It wasn’t ideal.

  Thomas Weatherman and his wife were going to stay awake and patrol their own property with their dogs. Jim insisted that everyone try to maintain an awareness of where other people would be that night and to make sure any shots were aimed for clear targets with solid backstops.

  Jim had at one point thought he would position himself on the roof of Gary’s house for a better vantage point, but he could not escape the concern that folks with access to surplus Humvees might also have access to night vision devices. He decided to sit in the house, which would make things look more normal to someone conducting recon and would provide him with some concealment.

  Gary and Mack had settled into their hide. They each had a thermal mug of coffee and several packs of Jim’s Sports Beans, caffeinated jelly beans. They were both gun lovers and had plenty to talk about as they scanned the darkness.

  A coyote sang out and more joined it. It would be a long night.

  Chapter 55

  The Valley

  The three men from the Rockdell camp worked their way down the paved road into the valley, each mentally preparing himself for the night.

  Valentine had no fear, only anticipation. He loved shit like this. It made him wish he’d been able to become a real cop and not a security guard at a community college.

  Parker was wary. As a deputy, he’d gone into danger many times in his career. This was different. He didn’t have the legal and moral authority that accompanied him on those previous experiences. This was new territory for him.

  Grayson didn’t say a lot for fear his voice would tremble. He was consumed with fear. He was in a strange place participating in unfamiliar activities in total darkness. He kept stumbling over stuff. He’d turned on a flashlight earlier only to be cursed at that he would ruin everyone’s night vision and make himself into a target. He’d lived in town his entire life and was not accustomed to the sounds of the night. He only wanted to make it out of here alive. If he did, he would consider returning to the safety of Glenwall despite what Baxter said.