“Renee, as a sergeant, Mark is a target. That means you’re a target that can be used against him. Take it or I’ll strip ya and put it on ya,” Nathan said firmly.
Stomping her foot and looking at Mark, she said, “You’re going to let him talk to me like that?”
“I’ll help him,” Mark told her, crossing his arms.
She stomped over and took the vest. “Thank you,” she replied furiously as she put the vest on.
Nathan looked at the truck Neil was driving, “What’s in there is mine too,” he said, walking to the door.
“That stuff is the department’s,” Mark said as Nathan walked past him.
“Not my fault Neil lost it somewhere,” Nathan said, pulling out the shotgun and Mark nodded in agreement. Reaching in, Nathan moved the front seat forward, grabbed a rifle bag from behind it and pulled it out. Not seeing anything else, he let the seat fall back and looked in the truck’s cab to see several clip boards and two plastic ammo cans on the floor. He grabbed them and headed back inside. He knew from talking to everyone that there were only two people who didn’t have long guns.
He walked over to Abigail, holding out the shotgun. “Here you go, a big gun,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling and taking the shotgun. “We watched the prepper shows all the time and have three shotguns just like this one. Brad even bought an AR-15. Granted, he had to get the stupid limited-capacity magazines,” she said, racking the slide and ejecting the eight shells. Then she picked them up and reloaded the shotgun.
Nathan handed Brad the rifle bag. “This should replace yours then,” he said, and Brad reached in and pulled out an AR-15.
Running his hands over it, he leaned over and hugged Nathan. Then he kissed Nathan on each cheek. “I don’t care if you hit me. Now we can really fight back if we need to, and you don’t even ask for anything,” he said. “Thank you.”
In shock, Nathan just looked straight ahead. “You’re the only man pretty enough I would allow to kiss me,” he said, making everyone laugh and shaking him out of his shock. “Jessie, pull this truck around and let’s get it loaded with stuff. One of the brothers can drive it back tomorrow after they become deputies. With it we should be able to get a lot of shit,” Nathan said as Jessie moved to the door.
After he pulled the truck around, the group had it loaded to capacity in thirty minutes. Nathan gave the pump he’d rigged up to Mark to pump gas; Mark was very happy with it. Then they moved to the diner.
“Jessie, do you know where Mitch lives?” Nathan asked.
“Yeah, about ten miles from me,” he said.
“Without them knowing it, I want you and the brothers to go over once a day to see if they’re still there. If you see no one there two days in a row, get the stuff they have,” he said.
“They might just have gone somewhere,” Jessie said.
“They are going to be driving around selling booze. You told me when they drove up here that was everyone in his family,” Nathan said.
“It was,” Jessie replied.
“They are going to die driving around selling booze. Those are just the people that will kill them for nothing. They only had one weapon: a pistol. If you get booze from them, don’t trade it to people, trade it to a place or the same will happen to you,” Nathan told Jessie but was looking around at everyone to make sure they understood.
“He’s right. We’ve had a lot of murders at bars,” Mark said.
“Guys, with Mark here the trucks can take off. Fred, Billy, and Andy, I don’t think anyone will mess with you seeing how you’re bigger than your rides,” Nathan said.
“Trying to get rid of us?” Renee demanded.
“No, you have a lot of stuff to unpack. Then you and Mark have to go to your house and get your stuff. I really want you guys done before dawn,” Nathan told her.
“Hey, we can ride over with them and help them move,” Billy said, and everyone agreed.
“Sounds like a plan to me. I’ll be here tonight in case you have to run back or need a safe haven. Please be careful and remember what I’ve said and read what I gave you,” Nathan told them.
“Read?” Mark asked.
“Yeah, they need a laptop. I let them download a ton of information on how to survive,” Nathan said.
“That’s simple, I have two in the Jeep,” Mark told him and everyone just looked at him. “What? The sheriff told us to be on the lookout for laptops that work. I’ve found six so far, I’ve just haven’t turned in these two,” he said, smiling. “Guess I can forget about them if you let me read this stuff too,” he added.
“You’re part of our group, aren’t you?” Brad asked.
Renee ran over and jumped up several feet in the air. Mark caught her in his arms. “Most definitely,” he said, kissing her resoundingly.
Everyone made a round to make sure they had everything including the stuff Nathan had bought them. Not finding anything, they all hugged Nathan goodbye and headed to the vehicles.
Nathan walked back to the diner and grabbed his M-4. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around and saw Abigail running toward him. She stopped in front of Nathan and pushed some pictures in his hand. Then, reaching up, she pulled Nathan’s head down and kissed him passionately. After she let him go, Nathan was still leaned over, kissing the air with his eyes closed.
“Thank you more than you will ever know. I liked bringing your flip flops and see, Brad thought it was cool,” she said, breaking the spell.
“My pleasure,” Nathan replied with a goofy grin.
“Don’t forget your flip flops. Those pictures are just for you and the originals are on your computer,” Abigail said, grinning.
“I’ll never look at flip flops the same again,” Nathan promised. “Ever,” he added, making her laugh. He looked down at the pictures and gasped, “Good goobidee goo!” Nathan shouted, shoving the pictures in his pocket. Abigail laughed, clapping her hands as Nathan grabbed her and hugged her then let her go.
“Check your purse tonight,” Nathan told her, leading her outside.
Brad was in the driver’s seat of Neil’s truck with the kids beside him. Nathan walked over and leaned in and hugged the kids. Then he picked up Abigail and put her in the truck and closed the door and went to the driver’s side. He opened the door and hugged Brad. Brad returned the hug.
“You can come with us, you know,” Brad said.
“I know, but I have to go. I would invite you but it’s going to be bad,” Nathan said, looking at Ashlee and Raymond.
“I’ve thought about it but these two are my life,” Brad said, noticing Nathan was looking at the kids.
“Keep your promise to me about them,” Nathan said, closing the door.
“We love you!” Brad, Abigail, Ashlee, and Raymond yelled. “Bye Ares, we love you too,” Ashlee and Raymond yelled. Ares barked as Mark pulled out and the two trucks followed. Then a moped and two riding lawn mowers pulling trailers drove past him, the brothers waving.
The group drove off with everyone crying, except Neil. Even the lone man still standing in front of the store had tears rolling down his cheeks as he watched them disappear from sight. It felt like they had been together for a year instead of mere days.
Ares threw his head up and let out a long mournful howl and Nathan wanted to join him.
Chapter 10
It was almost six when Nathan headed back into the store. The first thing he did was walk around and lock all the doors. Then he went to the office and pulled his stuff out to the casino area. They had left him a cot even though Nathan had told them to take it. Dropping his stuff beside it, he went back to the office and grabbed the last of his stuff. Throwing it on the cot, Nathan walked the store and was glad to see so much gone now, even though there was still a lot of shit there.
With what was in the freezer and on the shelves, he could eat for two months easy. Walking over to the camping aisle, Nathan just browsed and saw another hand pump water filter. It wasn’t as good a
s his, but water would be a determining factor so he grabbed it. Ares could carry it. Grabbing a bag of dog food that Ares loved, Nathan carried it over to the casino and poured him a bowl then got him a bowl of water.
Ares looked up at him then at the bowls. Then he looked back up at Nathan like, Are you kidding? “Hey, Lenore isn’t here to cook for you, buddy,” Nathan told him. Ares pushed against him with his nose. “Forget it, I’m cooking for me,” Nathan said, grabbing Ares’ backpack. Grabbing packs of dog food, he divided it up in zip lock bags. He put two big bags on each side, figuring it was close to ten pounds per side.
Picking up his rifle, Nathan looked over at Ares. “Let’s go have a walk around. I’m going through our stuff one more time, and then we’re going to bed. We start for home at first light,” he told Ares as he headed out the door.
Ares wasn’t sure what he said but he knew what going to the door meant and took off running. Nathan propped the door open as Ares ran around the parking lot. Nathan wasn’t worried about getting locked out; there was still a key to the store under the floor mat in his ride. In truth, he just wanted to let some fresh air in. It was hot and humid as only March can be in the South.
Thinking about his truck, Nathan looked to the north, towards the Interstate, and saw it just sitting there. “I would already be home,” Nathan said out loud, looking at it. Hearing gunfire from the north, he stepped back toward the building. It sounded like it was over a mile away, but it was a lot of gunfire, and as he listened he narrowed it down as coming more from the northeast.
Then it suddenly stopped and all that could be heard was the buzzing of insects. Nathan was guessing it had been about twenty to thirty rounds from at least two different caliber guns. How many of each caliber there was no way to know, unless he went to see, and that wasn’t happening. “Hurry up and do your business, Ares. Let’s get back inside,” he said and looked down. Ares was standing rock steady, looking behind him.
Nathan spun around, crouching down and bringing up his rifle. “What?” he asked Ares. Ares let out a low “oof” with his eyes locked on the tree line on the south side of the store parking lot. “If you go after a rabbit, I’m cutting your blanket up,” Nathan threatened scanning the trees and brush sixty yards away.
“I don’t see shit, what is it?” he asked, and Ares remained rigid, looking at the tree line straight ahead. “I’m not kidding about the rabbit,” Nathan said, flipping his selector to burst. “Ares lead, slow,” he commanded Ares.
When Ares was five feet away, Nathan crouched over, following him with his rifle held low. Looking and studying the tree line, Nathan though he saw something move in the bushes. “Ares, if you lead me into an ambush I’m kicking your ass,” Nathan whispered. Ares ignored him and crossed the parking lot. When they were twenty yards away, Nathan spotted a bush move beside a tree.
“I know you’re there. Come out slowly. I’m a cop so don’t try anything,” Nathan said, aiming his rifle at the spot. “I’m not kidding, I don’t want to send the dog in.” The bush moved and a kid stepped out. At least Nathan thought it was a kid. Its hair was going everywhere with mud, twigs and leaves in it.
“Is that it, Ares?” Nathan asked and Ares started panting, letting his tongue hang out. “You could’ve told me it was a kid.” Nathan lowered his rifle but kept it ready. He walked closer and saw the kid back up, getting ready to bolt.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m a cop, see,” Nathan said pointing at his badge and the kid stopped. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. “If I tried, Ares would bite me,” he added and the kid relaxed. Easing closer, he thought the kid was a girl when he was ten feet away but still wasn’t sure. The arms and legs were covered in scratches and from the neck down was just mud.
The kid was skinny. Not from lack of food, just skinny. Nathan figured the kid was about five foot and just over eighty pounds, if you threw in the mud. Looking at the kid, Nathan still couldn’t make out if it was a boy or girl. All he knew was the kid was nowhere near puberty. Where there wasn’t dirt on the face there were scratches, and the lower lip was busted with the left eye swollen. Even the clothes didn’t help. At onetime the shirt ‘might’ have been blue but now it was more tie-dyed. Nathan knew the shorts were blue jeans but that still didn’t help.
“My name is Nathan and this is Ares,” he said. “What’s your name?”
The kid just stared at him; not really at him, more through him.
“Hey, if I can’t tell Ares your name he can’t be your friend,” Nathan told the kid.
The kid looked up at Nathan’s eyes and mouthed something he couldn’t hear.
“Little one, I didn’t hear you,” Nathan said, moving close enough to touch the kid.
In a dry, whispering voice, the kid said, “Amanda.”
“Ares, this is Amanda and a friend,” Nathan said, looking at Ares. Ares walked over and started licking her hand then nuzzled his head into her belly till she petted him. Then Nathan saw her smile weakly.
“Amanda, you look thirsty and hungry. You want something to eat and drink?” he asked, and she nodded her head.
“Okay, I’ll fix you some food and something to drink. Are your parents around here?” he asked. Amanda shook her head and looked down. “Okay, let’s go eat,” Nathan said, turning around and heading back to the store. Looking down at his side, he didn’t see Amanda or Ares. He stopped and looked back to see her still standing in the same spot with Ares beside her.
He walked back to her and reached down and gently grabbed her hand. “Come with me so we can eat,” he said, stepping toward the store. When her arm was straight out she took a step and let him lead her. He opened the door and led her inside, making sure the door closed and locked.
Leading her to a table, Nathan sat her down in a chair and was fixing to find some water but she wouldn’t let go of his hand. “Amanda, I have to get you some water and food. Ares will be here with you; don’t worry,” Nathan told her and removed her hand from his.
He walked over to the cooler and grabbed several bottles of water and came back to see her petting Ares. Smiling, Nathan sat down and opened a bottle, putting it in front of her. He sat staring at her, waiting on her to drink. After five minutes he gave up and scooted his chair over beside her. Grabbing the bottle, Nathan put it to her lips and slowly poured it in her mouth. The water ran out of the side of her mouth until she started to drink. Slowly at first; then she started taking gulps. With half the bottle down, Nathan took it away from her mouth, watching her lick her lips.
“How old are you, Amanda?” he asked and she just looked straight ahead. “Sweetie, you have to tell me how old you are so I know what to fix you. You have to be over ten for hot dogs and under fifteen for onion rings,” he told her.
“Thirteen,” she whispered.
“You want a hamburger or a hot dog?” Nathan asked and she just nodded her head. “Okay, French fries or onion rings?” he asked and again she just nodded her head.
“Okay,” Nathan said. “Are you hurt?” he asked and she nodded her head. “Where at?” he asked and she just stared ahead, but tears started spilling down her cheeks. “Everywhere?” he asked and she nodded. “Amanda, look at me please,” he said, and she slowly turned her head till she was looking at him. “I’m a cop but I’m also a nurse. I need to clean you off to see where you are hurt, okay?” She just gazed at him. “I’m taking that for an okay,” he told her, standing up, and she quickly grabbed his arm and held on.
He looked at her and saw the fear in her face. “Amanda, no one is going to hurt you while I’m around. If they can get through me, they sure can’t get through Ares. You’re safe with us but I’ll make Ares stay beside you till I get back, okay?” he told her and she let go and nodded as she lowered her hands and started petting Ares.
He came back from the kitchen carrying a big bowl of water and towels and rags over his shoulder. Picking up her bottle, Nathan made her drink some more then put it down, noting she’d never stopped petting Ares
. Wetting a rag, he started on her face. He didn’t really get it clean, just knocked the chucks of mud off but the water turned filthy. Grabbing the bowl, Nathan went and dumped it, refilled it, and sat back down.
Gently grabbing an arm, he wiped it down from the shoulder to her hand. Her arm was covered in scratches but her hand was covered in cuts and a few small punctures. None deep enough for stitches, but he stopped counting at a dozen and they were filled with dirt. “Sweetie, did you get your shots for school?” Nathan asked and she nodded her head. “Well at least you had your tetanus shot,” he said and looked at her legs.
“Sweetie you need to bathe. You have too many cuts and scratches for me to clean you up with a bowel of water,” he told her. She didn’t acknowledge him, just stared off into space. Opening another bottle of water, he held it as she drank half of it. Putting it down, he picked up her hand and pulled her up gently and led her to the back. Grabbing a lantern, Nathan lit it and led her into the shower room. Getting some towels and rags, he moved to a shower and turned on the water. “A girl used this one today so it has shampoo and stuff in there. Ares is going to stay in here with you while you shower and I’ll fix some food, okay?” he said and she nodded.
He walked out and went to the kitchen. Taking out some hamburger patties, hot dogs, and a steak, he grabbed a pot, filled it with water and put it on the stove. Getting out the bread and some other stuff, he laid it out, then started getting his cooking supplies and set them up. He turned on the grease vat and turned it to auto, then headed back to check on Amanda. He knocked on the door.
“Amanda, are you done?” Nathan called out. Not hearing her, Nathan stepped in to find her in the same spot he’d left her at.
He walked over to her and kneeled down. “Amanda, you have to get clean so I can treat your cuts. Then we can eat,” he told her and she nodded her head. “You want to get clean and eat so I can make your cuts better?” he asked and she nodded her head. “You want to jump off a building?” he asked and she shook her head no slowly.
Dark Titan Journey Book 1 Page 15
