by C. A. Hoaks
Will waved. “I’ll bring our doctor and a couple folks to clear your people.” After a brief consultation with Randy, Will turned and climbed back into his truck. Two more vehicles fired up leaving only four guards at the drawbridge.
When Will got to the lodge, Liz and Cassie waited at the door.
“Well?” Liz asked as she replaced the binoculars on the small table near the window. “Who are they? Do they have kids? Soldiers?”
“I talked to an Indian by the name of Ben Nascha. At least some of them are from Eagle Pass. Kids, I have no idea. Soldiers, don’t think so but only saw Ben close enough to tell.”
“Why did you leave the bridge up? When are they coming inside?”
“They’ll be staying outside until I know who they are. You and Cassie get some medical supplies together. Put enough of that cured venison for about forty people. Add some flour and canned good. Whatever you think they can use for a decent meal or two.” Will spoke to Randy. “Fill half a dozen five-gallon plastic water bottles. Seal ‘em up, so they stay clean.”
“I’m going with Cassie,” Liz announced.
Will started to protest but thought better of it. “Fine. Randy, when you go, take an extra man with you and pick up two of the guards for backup when you go into the camp.”
Thirty minutes later, Randy loaded up his pickup with the designated supplies, Cassie, Liz, and Harry.
“Well, Lizzy, you’re looking a lot better lately,” Harry commented.
“It’s a miracle what a few nights of sleep without listening to you and John snoring will do for a person.” Liz quipped. “How are the kids doing?”
“Doing good. Trace and Cody have settled in at the cabin pretty well. We got everything we need since we got that last bunch of clothes.” He laughed. “Little Mexican girl gave her a couple hair clip. She doesn’t look like an orphan anymore. Cody is still quiet. I don’t think he’s ever going to be the life of the party.”
“Losing their parents has to be hard on both of them. I’ll stop by tomorrow. Maybe Trace would like to work with me in the garden for a change.”
“Sounds good.” Harry
When they got to the bridge, one of the guards turned the five-foot wheel and lowered the cattle guard.
Randy rolled down the window and motioned two of the men into the truck bed. “Raise the bridge after we’re over it. Unless I ask about your daughter feeling better, don’t lower the bridge.” The man nodded.
“What was that all about?” Cassie asked.
“Insurance,” He answered.
Chapter 33
The Trail
The light faded as the party of five sat watching the sun settle behind distant hills in a display of gold, oranges, and shades a crimson. Finally, Steve spoke. “We should get to the outskirts of Van Horn in two days.” The Dakota Fire still smoldered below ground.
“How big of a place is it?”
Steve shrugged. “Maybe two thousand people so I’m hoping to find some supplies. We could use clothes, food, and footwear.”
Darlene brushed Penny’s damp hair from her face. “It’s hot now, but winter this far north can be brutal. We’re going to need clothes for all of us.”
“I don’t want to show up at Randy’s with nothing to offer,” Steve commented.
Della turned to Steve. “What do you mean? Do you think they would turn us away?”
“No. Not at all,” Steve answered.
“Then why do you seem worried?” Della asked.
“I just want to have more to offer than a gimp and three women,” He laughed.
“You’re baiting me,” Della smiled.
Steve nodded. “We have five horses, but I don’t plan on handing them over to anyone if I don’t have to. They’re our trading future down the road.”
“What do you mean?” Darlene asked.
Steve took a deep breath. “We’re joining a community. As such, we either live off their charity, or we become a critical component in the future. We have five horses two males, and three mares and two of those are pregnant. That gives us leverage.”
Zack cocked his head to the side. “You’re thinking long term?”
“Yes. But this only works if the camp doesn't have many horses. That’s why, if we get a chance, we need to gather supplies or items that are light, easy to transport and will be in high demand. Drugs or seeds are at the top of the list. A good alternative would be ammo. But ammo is heavy, and that would limit the amount we could carry.”
“What about fishing gear?” Zack asked. “Line, hooks, that kinda thing.”
Steve laughed. “Anything that will help a community survive would be good. We’ll just have to keep our eyes open.”
Della picked up her bedroll from the leg near where she had been sitting. “I’m going to turn in, folks. I’m exhausted.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Steve agreed.
Darlene chuckled. “Penny has been out for the last ten minutes. Della, will you spread out that extra blanket for her?”
“Sure.” Della laid the blanket out for Penny near Darlene’s bedroll under the tarp.
After a few minutes, both women had settled down under the tarp. Zack and Steve still sat by the dim glow of the fire.
Zack swatted at a dark spec on his arm. “Damned bugs.”
“Yeah. Nothing compared to the mosquitos around South Houston.” Steve laughed. “Half a dozen of those suckers are big enough to suck you dry in twenty minutes.”
“Never been there,” Zack answered. “Fact is, I was never outta San Antonio before now much less the state.” His voice trailed off.
“You doing alright?” Steve asked.
“I guess. I don’t know. I keep thinking I’ll never see my mom again,” His voice was soft with emotion.
“There’s a good chance none of us will know what happened to our families. My dad still lives in Galveston. I don’t imagine it was spared since Houston was overrun.”
“The world is pretty screwed,” Zack whispered.
“It’s bad, I won’t deny that, but those bodies are decaying. Eventually, there won’t be the herds of infected. The world will have to learn to deal with the dead and dying in a new way, but I think we can survive. Maybe, even thrive.”
“How can that be? More people are infected every day. We see new turns every time we stop.”
“Like I said, people will hunker down and survive while the bodies of the infected decay. Once they’re gone, communities will learn to trade and co-operate.”
“Or not,” Zack added.
“Good people will step up and work together. It’ll be different than it was before, but life will go on.” Steve yawned. “Come on big guy, get some rest. We stay close to the girls. I’ll wake you around two.” He poured another cup of coffee and replaced the pot on the fire.
*****
At first light, Zack retied his shoes and yawned as he got to his feet. He walked past Steve as he added several sticks to the Dakota pit. “I’m gonna check the snares I put out. Maybe we can have something besides oatmeal.” He checked the skinning knife at his belt as he walked away.
“I’ll put on the water for oatmeal,” Steve called after him.
Zack raised his hand with his middle finger extended.
Steve chuckled as he picked up his prosthetics. When both were in place, he made his way to the stream where h found a large rock at the edge and settled on top. Steve retrieved a bar of soap then pulled off his t-shirt and used it as a makeshift washcloth. When Steve was satisfied he was as clean as he could get, he splashed the shirt around a few more times before fumbling to his feet with the wrung out shirt in hand.
He made his way back to the camp where he took a long stick and draped his shirt over the end and propped it over the fire to dry. Just as he finished adjusting the angle of his shirt, he heard a branch snap nearby and stepped back against the thick trunk of the Pin Oak tree. He took a calming breath then eased around to look toward the sound with his handgun drawn.
A heartbeat later he stepped out just in time to intercept Zack. “Well?”
Zack held up two squirrels that had been skinned and gutted. “Breakfast of champions.” He whispered softly. “You think Della can make some fresh biscuits?”
“I wouldn’t plan on it.” Steve laughed. “I’ll break the backs and lay them out on the grate. While I do that, can you get the girls up then get the horses watered. We’ll let them graze a bit more before we saddle up and head out. Penny can come help me.”
Zack sighed dejectedly, “I was hoping for three.”
“You did just fine. We’ll make due,” Steve answered as he pulled his shirt off the stick and pulled it over his head. It smelled of smoke and was still damp but at this point, felt cleaner than it had been.
After a quick breakfast, the tarp was taken down, the horses were saddled, and the duffle bags loaded. When everyone was mounted, and Penny sat in front of her mother, she kicked her heels then called out. “Gitty up.”
Steve obliged by touching his stirrups to the horse. The day grew hotter and hotter as they shadowed the highway. His t-shirt dried earlier but by late morning clung to his back while dark rings of sweat circled his armpits. As they rode the rough terrain, the trees grew fewer and farther between. As he rode, Steve hoped the place he was leading the other to was not this arid and unforgiving. For the first time, he began to question his plan. The horses plodded along without complaint but the riders not so much. Hours became long and grueling.
“Steve we have to stop. Everyone is exhausted.” Della called out.
“I know. I’m looking for a place with a little shade.” He rose up in the saddle shading his eyes, “There. I see a cluster of trees. It’s a stream bed I think.” Steve urged his horse back to its plodding pace, and the other’s followed anticipating being out of the saddle. When they got to the green belt, they realized the stream bed was dry at the moment. Steve sat staring at dust and rocks disappointedly for a full minute before he pulled himself to the ground.
“Come on folks. We can take a short break then we follow the stream bed a ways to see if there is water farther upstream,” Steve advised. “We cut a few miles off the ride anyway by going cross country. If we don’t find anything out here, we’re that much closer to Van Horn, we can check out a few places on the outskirts of town.”
“Won’t the town be dangerous?” Darlene asked as she passed Penny into Zack’s arms.
“That’s why you three will be staying on the outskirts while Zack and I check it out. If it’s overrun, we’ll follow the stream bed and hopefully have a better chance of water and not as rough terrain.”
Penny pulled at Darlene’s hand. “Go Teetee!”
“Give me a minute to check out behind that bush.” Zack pulled his machete and walked around a clump of scrub trees. When he reappeared, he called out. “All clear.”
Laughing, Darlene led Penny to the foliage and disappeared behind the mesquite. Five minutes later they reappeared. The other three laughed at their look of relief. After tying the horses to scrub trees surrounded by grass, they each took their own turn behind bushes. When everyone had reappeared, they pulled supplies from the pack and stood around eating stale biscuits and jerky.
Darlene gave Penny a plastic bottle of water. “That’s my last one.”
“I know. We’re running low on water and supplies,” Steve answered. He glanced toward a distant stand of lush green trees. “We’re only a couple miles from Van Horn. We’ll cross under the highway and head north. Hopefully, we find a place for you three to hunker down then Zack and I can check out the town.”
They were within a hundred yards of the open concrete bridge when Steve raised his hand and pulled the reins of his bridle to the right. “Back. Hide.” The rest of his small group copied his actions.
“What is it?” Della called out as she turned her mount to plod behind a stand of brush.
“I hear trucks,” Steve called out and reined his horse to retraced his path back to the group. When he returned, he called out softly. “Everyone get the horses back out of sight. Quiet as you can.”
Zack jumped to the ground and reached out. “I got this.” He led Darlene and Della’s mounts behind a stand of brush and scrub trees. Della and Darlene remained in the saddle waiting. Zack peaked out of the branches as Steve leaned against his mount’s neck and watched vehicles racing down the highway toward Van Horn.
Chapter 34
Liberty for All
Brian turned to Henry. “You’d better be telling the truth. If this goes bad because of you, you will die.” He picked up the binoculars and studied the camp below. An eight-foot-high hurricane fence anchored in concrete surrounded the sprawling encampment. Two armed guards watched from inside the padlocked gate. He moved the glasses to examine the inside of the compound. A guard sat in the shade of a covered porch monitoring the women working around the camp. Two older women worked at the side of an open fire, one in a stained white apron stirred in a large iron pot while the other shifted two Dutch ovens closer to the heat. While they cooked, the women watched two more guards with guns stroll through camp barking orders at three gray-haired women sitting at the side of a second fire with a massive kettle of steaming water. Each straddled a bucket and scrubbed clothing across ribbed metal boards. Brian scanned to an ample open space at the back of the enclosure where half a dozen matrons tended a sprawling garden. The women weeded at the flourishing patch of garden. One of the women leaned back on her heels, and one of the guards carrying AR-15s yelled at her. Brian lowered the binoculars and turned to Henry. “I only see old women, where are rest of the camp? You told me there were young women and kids.”
“They’re locked up in the red building at the end, the one with the window panels at the top of the walls. We gotta get ‘em outta there. It’s bound to be hotter than hell in that shed. My youngest girl has asthma. She’ll die in there.” Henry started to get to his feet, but Brian caught him by the arm.
“We take the time to do this right. Tell me about the guards.” Brian asked. “I want to know about the men in camp?”
Henry answered. “The men I know that would help us are locked up in the so-called jail in the root cellar under the big house. The idiots moved all the food stored into a two days ago so they could use it as a holding cell until Grant or Wilson returned. I don’t see Dixon, the man left in charge. He’s probably in the office in the same building. At the front gate, Carl is the one in the red t-shirt. He’s okay, he just goes along. Jim, the man with him, is an asshole. He’ll be trouble. He’ll do what Dixon told him no matter what.”
“That means we have Jim to worry about if we try to take the front gate. Where is the second entrance?”
“Around on the north side,” Henry answered.
Brian grabbed Henry’s arm, “Let’s move and see who’s on guard duty back there.”
The three men slipped down the face of the hill and moved closer to the fence hiding amid the brush and cedar. They saw a lone guard limp from the back gate toward one of the buildings. He reappeared a few minutes later but seemed more interested in activities inside the compound than any danger outside.
“What about him?” Brian asked.
“Perkins can’t do much to help, but he won’t get in the way. He’s got bad knees and is barely make it across the camp,” Henry answered venomously.
Brian watched the enclosure while they made their way to the back gate of the compound where a single man sat on a bench in the shade. He was well past middle age judging by his lined face and thickened middle. While Brian and Billy studied the access into the compound, Henry used the overhanging brush to sneak away and close to the fence.
He called out softly. “Bernie! Bernie!” Bernie looked up and finally saw Henry in the brush clinging to the fencing. Henry pointed at the gate. “Open up, Let me in.”
Bernie shuffled to the fence all the while fishing keys from his pocket. He flung open the gate just as Brian and Billy joined Henry.
&nbs
p; “Woe! Who are these fellas, Henry?” Bernie startled.
“Friends,” Henry answered. “Close the gate now.”
“Shit, man. I didn’t figure you’d be coming back when Wilson took you with him.” Bernie spread his arms and pulled Henry into a bear hug. “Who you got there? Looks like soldiers. Has the military finally come to straighten this shit out?”
“Bernie, shut up a minute. Where’s my wife and kids? Are they still in the shed?”
“Yes. Since Beatrice tried talking Dixon into letting the kids out. He was pissed over being confronted in front of everyone.”
“Is there anyone guarding them?” Brian asked.
“Hell no. Too damned hot. Bailey has been sitting outside in the shade with Tiny and another guy.” Bernie answered. “Some of the men tried to talk sense into Dixon when he locked up your wife, and the bastard rounded up the rest of the men and locked them up, too.”
“Why aren’t you locked up?”
“I was in the outhouse when it happened. I heard the shouting, took a peak and saw what was going down, so I just stayed there. Figured I’d keep my nose out of it and maybe be able to let ‘em out after dark tonight.” Bernie scrunched up his face. “Dixon is dumber than shit, but he’s got Gus and me standing guard without guns,” Bernie answered. He raised his arms to expose his weaponless belt.
“Who’s left packin’ guns then?” Brian asked. Bernie answered then Brian interrupted. “Okay, we need to take out six to eight men with guns, and the armory is in the main house. Can you two give us a layout of where the guards are stationed?”
Bernie and Henry made a rough drawing of the camp with guard locations in the dirt then Brian used it to outline a plan. “Billy and I will take out Dixon or whoever is in the main building and get the armory open. You two watch until Billy’s signals then it’ll be your job to get the men out of the cellar and armed. I’ll head to where the kids are being held. Billy and some of the men can secure the front gate and any remaining guards.” He turned to Billy. “If any of the guards don’t give up quietly, do what you have to. The rest should head for the shed and back me up. Hopefully, I will have taken out the guard and finish freeing the camp. I don’t want shots fired unless absolutely necessary. No point in drawing attention to the place. Be sure the men are free and armed before you come out of the house.”
