Exodus (Aftershock Series Book 2)

by Michael R. Watson

  Damon bound Ryder’s hands and feet and placed him near the campfire. He couldn’t help the temptation to rub Ryder’s nose in his current situation.

  “The great leader of the Raiders. It would appear this is the end of a short reign.”

  Ryder was gagged as well, unable to respond to Damon’s comments.

  “You’ve probably realized by now that I don’t need your help to find the valley from here.” He watched Ryder’s eyes closely for a reaction, but received none. “That’s what I thought. You see, I’ve already been there.” Ryder didn’t seem surprised. “Ah, so you already knew it was me who left Taylor on the cemetery fence for everyone to see, a present of sorts. He’d served his purpose and couldn’t be trusted.” He paused as he collected his thoughts. “So, the only reason you’re here is as leverage in case we run into your Raiders again and to assure our success in taking over the valley with a minimum amount of damage to its resources. Unfortunately for you, once that happens, you won’t have a purpose anymore either, like Taylor. And then … I think you understand how this is going to end.”

  Ryder showed no sign of worry as he reclined back, closed his eyes, and rested his head against the ground. The apparent lack of concern infuriated Damon, kicking Ryder viciously in his side, resulting in a loud grunt and Ryder curling into the fetal position.

  ***

  Johnson rode as fast as his horse would go, staying on the trail to make the best time. He couldn’t get the image of the executions out of his head. With his mind on that image he topped a small hill, almost running into Darby and the others. He pulled back hard on the reins, barely avoiding a collision. He pulled up to Darby and started to talk, but was too out of breath to speak.

  Darby waited impatiently. “What’s wrong?”

  Johnson caught his breath. “Everyone’s dead! The Guard killed them all!”

  Darby cursed under his breath. “How many and how far away are they?”

  “Maybe a dozen. About two miles.”

  “Did you see Ryder or Levi?”

  “Ryder is with them. We didn’t see his brother.”

  “Go on home. You did your part,” said Darby.

  “Not on your life. I’m coming too. They were my friends.”

  ***

  Damon had made the mistake of stopping for the night. It had allowed Darby and a small number of Raiders to locate them, making camp only a half-mile from the Guard encampment. Hidden from sight and watching the Guard encampment with only a handful of his men, he was glad to see Ryder was with them, as Johnson had said, and though he was bound, he was alive. He winced in sympathetic pain when Damon delivered a brutal kick to Ryder’s mid-section. He wanted to rush to his friend’s aide, but he knew it could end with Ryder’s death. Now that he knew Ryder was with them, he could work on a plan to rescue him. Like Johnson, Darby hadn’t seen Levi either, having to assume he was still a prisoner of the governor.

  Darby sent the others back to their camp for the night and asked that Johnson go to update Ryder’s parents. Johnson wasn’t happy about it, he wanted to stay and help, but was willing to help wherever he was needed. Darby was like another son to Samuel and Emma. He knew that for them to not know anything could be the worst kind of waiting. He would have gone personally, but he couldn’t leave Ryder while he was in this situation. At the moment he needed to stay where he could keep an eye on his best friend. And now that he was alone, he didn’t have to worry about how his actions might affect the other men with him. He wouldn’t hesitate to take the shot if he saw Ryder’s life threatened, regardless of the consequences to himself.

  ***

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  It was early morning when Johnson arrived at the front door of Samuel and Emma Yoder’s house. The town was just beginning to wake up with an increase of activity on the main street and the sound of the blacksmith’s hammer striking his anvil.

  Samuel answered the knock on the door. He and Eli had returned just after dark the night before. He didn’t recognize the man standing in front of him.

  “Help you?” Samuel asked.

  “Samuel Yoder?”

  “Yes.”

  “My name is Johnson. I was sent with an update about your sons.”

  Emma, hearing the man’s comment, came quickly to her husband’s side, anxious for news. “Won’t you come in?” she asked.

  “No, thanks, ma’am, I better not. I’m filthy and sweaty and I need to be getting back. This won’t take long.”

  “You said you had news,” prodded Samuel.

  “We ran into a company of the Guard coming this way and Ryder was with them. He seems to be all right. Levi, however, wasn’t with them, so we’re assuming he’s still a prisoner of the governor.” Emma squeezed Samuel’s arm. “We thought you should know. We’ll get word to you when we learn anything new.” With that he stepped off the porch and mounted his horse. “Don’t worry,” he added, “we’ll stop them from coming here.”

  “Thank you for letting us know,” said Samuel. “You said there were others with you. Are they alright?”

  “The six men with me were all killed.”

  Emma closed her eyes, bowed her head, and slowly shook her head.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” offered Samuel. “You might tell Darby there is some good news, Gant and John are on their way to help.”

  “I’ll let him know,” Johnson said as he tipped his hat. He then mounted and rode away at a gallop, anxious to rejoin the others.

  Emma was silent for a moment, still grasping Samuel’s arm. “I’m worried about Levi.”

  “I know, but I’m confident Daniel and John will help him.”

  ***

  In the late morning, John, Daniel, and his sons entered Paradise, leaving their yet unnamed valley before sunrise. They had been hesitant to leave too early, unfamiliar with the landscape, having only been on that trek once before when Samuel had showed them the way.

  Emma greeted them warmly with a huge smile at the door, repeatedly expressing her heartfelt gratitude for their willingness to help her boys. Samuel invited them to come in and sit around the table. With only four chairs, Adam and Aaron volunteered to stand, saying they were tired of sitting in the buggy anyway. Emma poured and handed out glasses of water, knowing they must be parched from the ride. She apologized for not having any tea or coffee to offer, but both had become rare commodities.

  “I prefer water anyway,” claimed Daniel, taking a big drink. “And this is good well water.” The others followed suit, agreeing.

  “A rider came with news earlier this morning,” began Samuel. “The Raiders are gathering to head off the Guard who were spotted heading this way, and Ryder is with them. There wasn’t any sign of my younger son, Levi, being with them.”

  “Then we have to assume he’s still being held in the prison,” commented Daniel. “So, we’ll continue as planned.”

  “Then you do have a plan for getting him out?” asked Samuel.

  “We’re still working on one,” said Daniel.

  Samuel nodded an understanding. “I told the rider to let everyone know you were coming. Perhaps it will prevent you from being accidentally shot.” He cracked a smile.

  “Thanks. We appreciate that,” replied John.

  “What will you do if you run into the Guard on the trail?” asked Emma, concerned for their safety.

  “There’s not much we can do, except hide until they’ve passed on by,” answered Daniel. “We’d be no match for their numbers.”

  “You may run into the Raiders out on the trail,” surmised Samuel. “Ask for Darby if you do, he’s probably in charge during Ryder’s absence.”

  John outstretched his hand to Samuel. “Thank you for the info. We better get a move on.”

  “No, thank you.”

  Daniel also shook hands with Samuel as he stood. Emma insisted on giving each of them a hug as they headed for the door. Adam and Aaron set their glasses on the table, thanking Mrs. Yoder for the water. Outside, they fo
und Eli next to the horse, holding the bridle as they loaded into the buggy.

  “You have a fresh horse now,” said Eli.

  “Thanks.”

  “Now, you boys be careful,” Eli said. “No sense taking any unnecessary risks.”

  Daniel and John assured him they would. But, they were sure that was exactly what they would be doing.

  “Please bring Levi home,” pleaded Emma as they exchanged waves. He was still her baby.

  Samuel attempted to comfort his wife. “We have some good men trying to save our boys. They’re in great hands.”

  She looked up into his eyes. “I know,” she said as she looked skyward.

  He knew she was talking about God’s hands. “You’re right, of course,” admitted Samuel.

  “I’m going to go door to door and ask for prayers, both for our sons and for the men attempting to help them,” announced Emma, as she grabbed a scarf, covering her head and tying it under her chin. Slightly cool outside, she also grabbed a shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders.

  Samuel took his wide-brimmed straw hat from its hanger on the wall. “Mind if I go with you? Perhaps we could invite them to come to a prayer meeting at the church this evening.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea,” said Emma, beaming at him.

  The Amish normally held church services in their homes, but with the growing population, it had become easier to build a central meeting place.

  ***

  Darby accidentally dozed off, jolting awake and seeing the eastern sky begin to lighten. He hadn’t wanted to miss out on anything that took place in the camp. He swore at himself for his lack of attention. From what he had seen, Ryder had been left alone for the rest of the night after receiving the brutal kick from Damon, and hadn’t moved since. Now, the camp was coming to life. He watched as two guards forced Ryder to his feet, untied his hands and feet, and prodded him into the brush, most likely to allow him to take care of some morning business. Less than a minute later, he was brought back into view and led back to the previous spot and forced back onto the ground where his hands and feet were re-tied. Several of the guards laughed as they walked by. Damon seemed to enjoy Ryder’s situation too.

  One guard brought him a plate of food and tossed it onto the ground, by chance landing right side up. Ryder looked at it, but didn’t recognize the slop.

  “How am I supposed to eat with my hands tied?” Ryder asked.

  “With your mouth,” the guard replied, followed by more laughter.

  Ryder was starving. His stomach had been growling since the night before. Even with his hands tied in front, it was difficult to maneuver onto his knees. He leaned over toward whatever it was. A foul odor hit his nose. “What is this?”

  “That’s your breakfast,” replied Damon. “Eat it or don’t eat it, I don’t care. But it’s all you’re going to get. So, if you’re hungry, eat up.”

  Ryder didn’t have to think very long, deciding he was better off not eating it. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it down anyway. Just by smell alone, something rank had been mixed with it. He hated to think what that was. He wasn’t worried about it being something that would kill him, since they still needed him. But they might get a kick out of seeing him sick as a dog. He slid his fingers under the lip of the plate and flipped it over into the dirt.

  Damon just grinned. “Okay, Master Peck, get your men ready to move out.”

  ***

  Darby, seeing them begin to break camp, ran to his horse and rode the half-mile back to the Raider’s camp to warn them. When he reached them, they were already mounted, having seen him coming, anxiously waiting for instructions, and ready to fight. More help had arrived throughout the night. Not only did they want to rescue Ryder, there was a great deal of hostility built up toward the Guard and the governor for forcing them into a situation where they were looked down on and treated as outcasts and scavengers, and for refusing to share their supplies.

  “They’re coming,” he announced. “We can’t let them get past us and we don’t want anything to happen to Ryder,” he reminded, “so, be careful. Spread out and form a wall.”

  The men dispersed and established a wall across the trail two to three men deep, the men on each side of the trail forming a gauntlet. The men sat poised in their saddles, waiting with weapons ready. Darby placed himself at the middle of the trail. Their numbers had grown to more than one hundred men.

  Soon they could hear the rumble of hooves and see a faint cloud of dust approaching.

  ***

  Approximately one hundred yards from the Raiders, Damon brought the Guard to a stop.

  “So, Ryder, you do have more friends. I was beginning to wonder. I was hoping to reach the valley without any further interference, but that would have been too easy.

  “It’s not too late to turn back,” mentioned Ryder. “You can’t win anyway.”

  Damon smiled. “Let’s see how far they’re willing to go.” He pulled out a piece of rope and tied their horses together.

  Ryder was confused, not having any idea of what Damon had planned.

  “Wherever I go, you go,” said Damon with a devilish smile. He reached out to the closest Guard, taking his assault shotgun. He rested it across his lap, pointed directly at Ryder. “I’d suggest you not make any sudden movements. And keep your mouth shut.” He then nudged the horse forward, the Guard following.

  Darby and the Raiders held their position, waiting for an opportunity to act. A smile remained on Damon’s face as they approached, arrogant as always.

  Within earshot, “That’s far enough!” yelled Darby. “Let Ryder go and we’ll let you safely return to your governor.”

  Damon raised his arm and they all came to a stop.

  “Let us pass and your men will be spared,” Damon countered boldly.

  Darby was caught off guard momentarily with the absurdity of the comment. He looked behind, from side to side. Many of the Raiders were smiling at Damon’s arrogance. “You must be crazy. We outnumber you almost ten to one.”

  Damon stood in the stirrups and looked over the wall of Raiders. “It appears that may be true, but I have something you don’t have, Ryder. And as long as we have him, you’re not going to do anything. Or…” Damon briefly raised and showed the shotgun.

  “This doesn’t have to get ugly. Just let him go,” said Darby.

  Damon pretended to think about it in a mockingly exaggerated manner. “I’m going to have to pass, I think I’d rather blow Ryder’s head clean off.

  “That won’t do you or him any good,” commented Darby.

  “Don’t let them through,” Ryder said calmly. “They killed Cole and the others.”

  The guard next to Ryder hit him in the gut with the butt of his rifle, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to double over. The sudden movement caused both Ryder’s and Damon’s horses to lurch, applying pressure on Damon’s trigger finger. “Whoa!” he yelled, fighting with the reins to bring them back under control. His face turned a bright red with rage. “Someone, shoot him!” he yelled, pointing at the guard.

  The guard couldn’t apologize fast enough. A shot rang out and he slumped forward, lifeless, smoke rolling out of the barrel of Peck’s gun.

  “Make way!” yelled Damon as he waved his men through the blockade.

  The Guard began to advance and Darby didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t risk his friend’s life.

  Damon’s smile returned as the first of the Guards forced their way between the Raiders’ horses. They wouldn’t shoot as long as he had Ryder’s life in his hands.

  Darby made a circling motion with his hand in the air. The Raiders moved in from all directions, tightening the circle around their enemy. Damon’s smile quickly faded away. And Darby recognized a change on the Guard’s faces, fear was in their eyes.

  “What are you doing?” Damon called out. “I’ll kill him!” he warned.

  “If he goes, you’ll be next, and every man with you,” countered Darby.
r />   Ryder couldn’t have been more pleased. “So, what are you going to do?”

  Damon’s arrogance had disappeared and for once he seemed to be at a loss for words. Concern was obvious on his face. How could they risk Ryder’s life like this? They were at a stalemate.

  “Hand over Ryder and your guns and we’ll still let you leave,” offered Darby. “We don’t want a blood bath here. It’s a fair offer, but I won’t make it again.”

  “Shoot them all!” shouted Damon in an act of desperation, pulling back on the reins, attempting to back his horse away from the front line.

  The Guard, all of them, knew the futility of the order. Not one shot was fired. On their own, they began to hand their guns to the surrounding Raiders.

  “You traitorous cowards!” screamed Damon.

  Now it was Darby’s turn. He forced his way through the front line of the Guard to reach Damon. “Now, very carefully, take your finger off the trigger.”

  Damon’s smile once again returned. He still had a bargaining chip as long as he held Ryder’s life in his hands. “Why would I do that? It’s the only thing keeping you from shooting me. I’ll concede that you’ve won this battle, so I’ll make you a deal. You let me go, with Ryder of course, and I’ll let him go down the trail, after I feel I’m safe.”

  “Just like that?” asked Darby.

  “Just like that.”

  “And what about your men?”

  “Do what you want with the cowards.”

  The members of the Guard exchanged looks of confusion that quickly turned to anger. There had been nothing they could have done, short of committing suicide. Surely, he didn’t really blame them for their capture. He was the idiot that had gotten them into this mess.

  “Let him pass,” said Darby. “Ryder, don’t worry, we’ll get you back.”

  “I know. I’m not worried,” he said calmly with a wink.

  The Raiders made room for him to turn around, the shotgun always pointed at Ryder’s side. They watched as Damon made his way slowly back along the crowded trail. Once past the Guard, he maintained the same slow amble back the way they had come, to the north, never looking back. The Guard also turned to watch, not sure what was next in store for them. They were at the mercy of the Raiders. Since Darby hadn’t believed him, he picked two of his men to follow Damon to see if he let Ryder go as he promised.