by Reed, N. C.
-
“Just use the solar oven,” Leanne said.
“What solar oven?” Angela asked.
“The one we bought,” the twins replied in unison. “We gave everyone an inventory list,” Deuce continued for the pair. “A list of every piece of equipment we have on hand.”
“Is that what that was,” Angela said thoughtfully.
“She didn't read it,” Leanne told her brother.
“No one read it,” her brother shrugged.
“Look, I hate to interrupt your pity party, but we have to bake like a gillion loaves of bread here,” Lainie chuckled. “And before you turn those lasers on me, I just offered to bet my life savings that you two had an answer for this. So there,” she stuck her tongue out playfully.
“A glimmer of respect,” Leanne told her brother.
“Had to come from an in-law, too,” he said mournfully.
“Can you two help or not?” Alicia was fighting not to laugh at their antics. A year ago, those same words would have been harsh. Six months ago, even. Now they were playful. Both twins enjoyed the 'new' Mom.
“We can help,” they nodded, again in unison. “We’ll be back in about twenty minutes,” Leanne said as Deuce went to get their cart. “You need a table out in the sun,” she pointed to the open area behind the outdoor kitchen. “This thing will bake two loaves of bread about every two hours or so in these conditions,” she looked at the partly cloudy sky. “And we have two of them.”
“Great!” Angela beamed. “Four loaves in two hours!”
“It's not much better time wise than what we get here,” Lainie agreed, “but we're adding four loaves at a time. In seven hours, we're looking at eleven loaves of bread.”
“I think we can make it,” Alicia laughed. “Go on kids and rescue us from this gluten emergency.”
-
“This is horrible,” Samantha said softly as she stopped by Gordy for a brief moment.
“I know,” he nodded.
“This could happen to us, couldn't it?” she asked him.
“No,” his reply was immediate. “Not as long as everyone understands the risk and works to prevent it. If we're all working together, we can make it. We will make it.” His voice was firm and unyielding.
“I have to get back to work,” she took the two new bags she had retrieved and started for the next house.
“Sam, it's going to be okay,” Gordy called after her.
“I know.”
-
Clay watched Gordy interact with Samantha for a moment before turning his attention back to his surroundings. He remembered vividly when Samantha Walters had sat down beside him at one of Gordy's games the year before. He liked Sam, always had since then in fact, but she was much better off with Gordy than she ever would have been with him.
They made a cute couple, with him a foot taller than she was, broad shouldered and almost hulking while Samantha was just about one good ham sandwich over 'petite'.
“We're done with those three,” Abby's report broke him from his thoughts and he turned to look at his niece.
“Good deal. Sam's in the empty house now gathering clothes. One more to go after that.”
“Yeah,” Abby sighed. “This is horrible,” she whispered, unknowingly echoing her best friend's words of only moments before.
“I know,” Clay's voice was soft. “This is why I get mad when people don't do what they're supposed to do, Abby. Because that's the leading cause of shit like this,” he waved his hand around him.
“I don't know how you can stand this so calmly,” Abby admitted.
“You're pretty calm yourself,” he told her. “You're doing a good job, Abby,” he surprised her. “A steady hand and a steadying influence on the others. Just what I had hoped you would be from the start.”
“I'm sorry I disappointed you,” she said sincerely. “I really am. If I had it. . .if I could do it over, I would, whatever it cost me.”
“No do-overs,” Clay shrugged. “All you can do is go forward. You've done that,” he nodded firmly.
“Thank you,” she almost whispered. “I need to get back to work. We're almost finished.”
And with that their bonding ended. Abby returned to moving furniture and looking for treasured items while Clay returned to standing guard. But both were glad for the brief exchange and the hope it gave them for the future.
CHAPTER EIGHT
-
“Clay is gonna shit a brick,” Nate shook his head as he and Jose prepared the 'Phantom' Cougar for a run to the Talbot house.
“I know,” Jose sighed. “Just when we got him back, too.”
“Then why risk it?” Nate asked.
“Because Clay's father made a point that getting another farmer, a real farmer, could help reduce Clay's work load,” Jose replied. “That's worth his ire, assuming it works.”
“Okay, I admit that's a good reason,” Nate nodded. “So, who's going?”
“I'd prefer not to use anyone who had to go to the Webb place,” Jose told him. “They're gonna need a minute if things there are like Tandi and Jody left them.”
“So, you and me then?” Nate asked.
“Us, Titus and Kade, Brick and the Old Man,” Jose rattled off. “Ideally, at least two more people if we can manage it.”
“We can take Martina and Kaitlin,” Nate surprised him. “Let them see that it's not just a buncha survivalist types, and let the Talbot lady see that she wouldn't be the only woman.”
“Every now and then you surprise me,” Jose told his friend. “That's a damn good idea.”
“I have been known to have several good ideas in the same year,” Nate informed him loftily. “Occasionally in the same month even.”
“All those years on the short bus are really paying off for you, huh?”
“Hey!”
-
“We're all but done,” Ellen told Clay. “I hope I never have to see anything like this ever again,” she said softly.
“I hope you don't either, Ellen, but I can't promise it,” Clay told her just as quietly. “People are going to get meaner as time goes by. There's only so far back in time a modern society can go before it leads to. . .well, terrible things.”
“Don't misunderstand me,” Ellen told him. “I’ll always help, no matter what. I just. . .I just hope that I never have to help in these conditions again.”
“Me too,” Clay agreed. “Did we find the things they wanted?” he changed the subject slightly.
“Most of them, actually,” Ellen nodded as Tandi walked up. “You find the bible they wanted?” she asked him.
“I did,” he held up a small bundle. “Beverly will have her hands full after this,” he told Clay. “Some of this bunch are going to be useless for a day or so.”
“Tomorrow is the luau,” Clay reminded him. “Maybe that will help. I'm sorry they had to do it,” he admitted. “It wasn't my idea.”
“They know that,” Tandi nodded. “I made sure of it.”
“Thanks brother,” Clay smiled. “I really appreciate that.”
“Time the rest took some of the heat,” Tandi shrugged. “I'm going to sweep the houses. Let’s start getting a head count. I'd like to get the hell outta here.”
“Amen,” Ellen said softly and started for the truck. Clay watched as Tandi gathered everyone together, instructing them to remove their gloves and masks and leave them behind rather than bring them along. The small trailer was fairly full, though not over loaded. The two teens along with Abby and Ellen had managed to load the beds and mattresses, some of which would have belonged to those deceased members of the Webb family. Spare mattresses would probably make his mother happy, though there wouldn't be more than two or three.
The tools the Webb boys would use to tan with were located as well. Clay had found their dogs out behind the house, all shot dead. He shook his head at the sheer, wanton waste inflicted on the world around them by some people.
None of the weapons they had left b
ehind were located, which didn't surprise Clay. Even the dumbest jackass would not leave a working rifle or pistol laying behind. Another waste, but there was nothing for it. The entire episode with Joshua Webb had been a waste, with his family paying the ultimate price in some cases.
“We're good to go,” Tandi reported. “Everyone is loaded and we're secure.”
“Chip,” Clay said over the radio.
“Go,” Gordy answered at once, already behind the wheel.
“You lead,” Clay ordered. “We’ll bring up the rear. We’ll hang back a minute and make sure things are clear and then catch up.”
“Roger that.”
“What are you doing?” Tandi asked.
“Just something that needs to be done,” Clay said simply. “I’ll take care of it. Go ahead. We’ll be right behind you.”
Tandi nodded slowly and headed for the Beast, already running as Ellen waited for him. Two minutes later they were rolling, leaving Clay with Zach and Abby.
“What are we doing?” Abby asked.
“I need you two to promise you won't ever say anything about this,” Clay said by way of answer. He was looking in the rear of the Hummer.
“About what?” Abby asked, but then Clay brought out a can of diesel.
“Oh,” she said softly.
“You said they deserved better,” Clay told her. “Leon agrees. I need the two of you to promise that this stays here, between us. We don't mention this ever again. They can't come back here. Even if they could make it on their own, which this proves they can't, these houses are no longer fit to live in. And there are members of the Webb family in there who deserve a decent ending. This is all we can do,” he hefted the diesel and started for the nearest house.
“We're gonna leave the buzzard bait, right?” Zach asked, pointing to the thugs still in the yard where Jody and Tandi left them.
“Yep.”
“Cool,” the teen nodded in approval.
It was the work of ten minutes to set all five houses ablaze and make sure they were burning sufficiently to destroy the homes and the bodies inside. As they stood watching, Clay shocked the two teens by removing his helmet and bowing his head, his mouth working in what was obviously a prayer. They followed suit after a few seconds, remembering the Webbs who had died inside these homes. Suddenly, Clay's head snapped up and he dropped the helmet back on his head.
“Let’s get the hell outta here.”
The three of them loaded up and moved down the road. Behind them flames were already licking at the roof through broken windows, a fitting funeral pyre for those left behind.
It took them almost ten more minutes to catch up to the slower moving Cougar and Beast.
“Doc, we're behind. Chip, let’s pick up the pace some. Doc, whatever you guys think is safe.”
“Jam on it, brother. She can take it,” Tandi replied.
“Stand on it, then.”
Black smoke rolled as Ellen dropped a gear and hit the accelerator, the huge truck shooting forward after the Cougar which had already pulled ahead.
It was a quiet trip home for all concerned. No one wanted to talk about the things they had just seen. Some probably wouldn't talk about it for a while, and some might never. The reality of the world they were living in now had hit home hard today.
Maybe now people would start taking things more seriously.
-
Clay knew as soon as he saw the other Cougar and Hummer sitting on the pad sporting heavy weapons that someone had laid on another mission while he was gone.
“What are they doing?” Abby asked as the small convoy pulled into the farm.
“No fucking telling,” Clay almost spat. “See? This is what I'm talking about, right here. Everybody just going off doing whatever the hell they want and damn the consequences. This is what's going to get us all killed, is shit just like this.”
Abby said nothing, knowing she had been one of those the previous year. She had sworn to herself she would do whatever she could to make up for that, though how she could make up for the death of John Barnes she had no idea. All she could do was work hard and follow orders and hope it was enough.
“Maybe they're just washing them?” Zach asked as he dropped into the back seat.
“With Ma Deuce on both of 'em?” Clay snorted. “I doubt it.”
“Hey, Kade's out there, man,” Zach snarked. “Never underestimate his ability to fuck up a good plan or piece of equipment,” he laughed. Abby turned to look at him.
“How can you laugh after this morning?” she asked him. Not unkindly but just inquisitive.
“Laughing is better than crying or screaming,” Zach shrugged. “I've seen that and worse. Just look forward and keep going, or quit. I ain't a quitter so I got to keep moving.”
“Yeah,” Abby mused, turning back around. “Yeah, I like that.”
Clay stopped the Hummer and got down, walking straight over to Jose.
“What the hell is this?” he asked tiredly.
“Old Man laid on another run to check on a family across the way,” Jose replied calmly, having expected Clay's anger. “Same one the boys saved on their trial run. Guy's a farmer and Leon wants to see if they still want a place here. He said if we could get someone else that could operate farm machinery and what not that it would take a lot of strain off of you. And they wanted to come, so they probably will jump at the chance.”
Clay sighed deeply, shaking his head slightly as he started to walk away.
“That it?” Jose asked worriedly.
“What else is there?” Clay shrugged. “Why should he check with me? Who's going with you?”
“Me, Nate, Kade, Titus and of course Brick and the Old Man. Nate suggested Martina and Kaitlin to make the Talbot woman feel more at ease, and they agreed to go, so there we are. We also managed to convince Big Jake to drive so Ellen doesn't have to go.”
“Be careful then,” was all Clay said.
-
“Figured Clay would be down here,” Leon said as Brick helped him off the cart.
“He wasn't overly pleased to get back from the Webb run and see another project set up to go,” Jose explained. “I don't know where he went. He did say that the trip went okay, though,” he added.
“Did you tell him this would help him out, maybe?” Leon demanded.
“Word for word,” Jose nodded. “This is the kind of thing that drove him off the first time, though. I think since it was you that laid this on he won't quit, but. . .he does have a point,” Jose conceded. “Stuff like this should ideally be cleared by him.”
“I’ll bear that in mind,” Leon's sarcasm was evident. “Meanwhile, we need to get this circus moving. Who's driving that truck?” he pointed to where the Beast was being attached to a larger trailer, the smaller one set to one side.
“Big Jake agreed to drive so Ellen didn't have to go out again,” Jose told him. “Aside from her, Jake is absolutely the best person to drive a rig like that. Tandi is going again because he's the medic, but after this he's gonna need a little time. The Webb farm was a mess. Beverly is already talking to some of the people that made the trip.”
“Okay,” Leon nodded. “Then let’s get this going. Daylight is wasting.”
-
“You okay?”
Zach turned to see Vicki looking at him with concern. She had come in while he was in the shower he supposed. He went back to toweling his hair dry. The first thing he had done one they were back was take a nice shower to wash the stench away. Disinfectant on his gear had actually come first, since he wanted that done before his shower. Now he was getting ready for ground watch.
“Sure,” he told her as he hung the towel up to dry. “Why wouldn't I be?” He pulled fresh BDU pants on as he spoke, sitting down on his bed to pull on his socks and boots.
“I hear the Webb farm was pretty rough,” she mentioned, moving to where she could sit beside him.
“That's an understatement if ever I heard one,” Zach snorted. “I'm
sure some of the people doing the work are traumatized.”
“And you're not?” she raised an eyebrow at him and he stopped what he was doing to look at her.
“Nah. I'm fine,” he promised.
“Don't try to macho your way through this, Zach,” she warned him.
“I don't do macho,” he replied calmly. “It just doesn't bother me, that's all.”
“How can it not bother you?” she demanded. He sighed as he stopped lacing his boot.
“Vic, it just doesn't, okay? Nothing like that ever does. It never has. No idea why, it just doesn't. That's not macho or anything else you want to label it, either. I don't really try to impress people, remember?”
“For someone who doesn't work to impress people you make a pretty hefty impression,” she allowed a hint of a smirk to cross her face.
“It's just my natural charm,” he grinned as he finished tying his boots and stood.
“What are you doing this afternoon?” she asked.
“I have a four-hour ground watch thanks to the second trip the Old Man laid on today,” he informed her. “After that, I don't know. I'm sure someone will find something for me to do. What about you?”
“I pulled ground watch this morning,” she told him. “I've got response this afternoon, with Holloway.”
“Ah, riding instead of walking,” he sighed. “I do miss it so,” he chuckled. He slipped into his harness, still smelling slightly of antiseptic. Soon he was ready to go.
“See you later?” she asked.
“Sure,” he nodded at once, smiling. “I'm going to head over the road and make a turn behind the Sanders' houses. Makes more sense than walking down to the Troy place and then back.”
“I have to get down to Building Two,” she nodded. “Be careful,” she pecked his cheek.
“I'm the soul of caution,” Zach chuckled. “Later.”
Vicki stood for a minute watching Zach head away on patrol.
“How did I get here?” she asked herself softly, shaking her head as she started for her own post.
-
It was less than thirty minutes to the turn off for the Talbot place. Jose was driving the Hummer with Martina next to him and Kade Ramsey in the tub with the machine gun. Behind them sat Brick and Leon.
