Surviving Day by Day (Book 3): Still They Come

by Allensworth, Audra

  Niz grabbed his arm, “Please don’t go.... I was just surprised that you have cared for me that long. Stray Eagle, please look at me!”

  Stray Eagle turned back to her, as she continued, “I don’t know if I love you, I know I have knots in my stomach every time you ride out, and it never relaxes until I know you are back safe. Even then, I still worry about the next time. I had no idea that you even knew I existed outside of being the Chief’s daughter.”

  She looked down to the ground, “Is that why you think you love me, you know we will need a good chief when Running Buffalo passes?”

  Stray Eagle reached out to lift her face to look at him, “I said this has to be totally honest, yes I have thought about that, but that was secondary. I have had dreams of starting a family with you. I know that can’t happen now. I want to be with you whether you are the Chief’s daughter or just a regular member of the tribe.”

  Stray Eagle dropped his hand, “Now it is my turn to ask; are you only wanting me due to the limited choices you have?”

  Niz chuckled, “Stray Eagle, I have watched you long before all this started. Every time you visited the Chief I made up reasons to stay around the house, just to watch you. Dad convinced me it was merely a schoolgirl crush, but I don’t think so anymore. I am no school girl and I know my heart.”

  Stray Eagle smiled, “I always thought that I just timed it right to be there when you were.”

  Niz got a cocky smile, “Your timing had nothing to do with it.” Niz’s smile turned to a frown as she continued, “Maria told me we would look funny together and our children would be weak because I am so little. She said I couldn’t have your babies and live.”

  Stray Eagle again put both hands on her face, placing a gentle kiss on her lips, “Maria was a ditzy girl. You are strong and very capable of anything. Our children would not be weak; if they were small like you, we would teach them to use it to their advantage, just like their mother does. If they were like me, you would survive and help me teach them to be strong warriors.”

  Niz got a far off look, “Do you ever think we will be able to have families again?”

  Stray Eagle took her hand leading her back to the house, “In time...”

  Stray Eagle and Niz sat on the floor and watched the small fire in the fireplace. They talked quietly, so as not to disturb Alden. As ten o’clock approached, Stray Eagle got up and looked at Niz, whispering to her, “okay which one is Charlie’s room, cause I damn sure don’t want to walk in on one of the girls.”

  Niz smiled as Stray Eagle helped her up. She walked down the hall and pointed at a door, that is Alden’s room. This one back here is Charlie and Ceara’s. I’ll wake them up, you go get some sleep.” The two kissed and finally released. Stray Eagle let out a loud sigh as he turned to go into the room, “Good night Niz, sleep well.” She smiled at him, “you too.” As the door closed, she walked a few steps and opened the door to Charlie and Ceara’s room. A small oil lamp was burning low on a table. She stood and looked at the sofa bed with the two young ones cuddled up. Niz reached down and shook Charlie’s toes, “Hey you two.” She spoke quietly; it’s your turn… up and at ‘em.”

  Charlie’s eyes popped wide open as Ceara tried to snuggle closer. Looking up at Niz, who was at the end of the bed smiling, he turned to Ceara, “C’mon sweetie, it’s our turn on watch.”

  He looked back to Niz and with a circle motion of his finger he smiled, “You wouldn’t mind turning around would you?”

  Niz smiled, “I guess so, it’s not like I haven’t seen a man before.”

  Charlie chuckled, “Oh it’s not that, I just don’t want you to see me in my SpongeBob sleep pants.”

  Niz started to chuckle loudly as Ceara sat up; “Shhh, you two, you’ll wake the others. What the hell is going on?”

  The rest of the night seemed to just go through the motions, with nothing to worry about. The next morning, everyone was enjoying a simple breakfast, since the chickens had finally begun to lay eggs. They were all enjoying scrambled eggs and fresh milk. Ceara looked to Alden, “I got a question, have you finished your first cup of coffee yet?”

  Alden laughed, “Cupcake, I’ve already made a second pot. That is what you are drinking now.”

  Ceara shook her head, “I should have known... anyway, I was thinking last night, when we were on watch that it seems that any attack was in the middle of the night or really early morning. Lately, there isn’t anything happening at night. Do you think it is because it’s getting colder?”

  Colt scooped out some more eggs, “I don’t think cold would affect them. Think about it, nothing else affects them, why should cold?”

  Ceara shrugged, “I don’t know, it was just a thought. If you think about it, Running Buffalo said that major herds were headed this way but they aren’t here yet. They should have been here, if they were moving day and night.”

  Stray Eagle made himself a plate, leaned against the counter; he took a large bite and took the time to enjoy it, then looked to Ceara. “The cold could slow them down, that would explain it taking them longer than we thought.”

  Charlie set his glass down, “Maybe we should go out and see just how far out they are now?”

  Ceara looked across to him, “What good would that do?”

  Charlie got a strange look, “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t it help? We would know where they are and what direction they are going now. For all we know, they could have switched directions and we don’t have anything to worry about... for now.”

  Ceara picked up both their plates, rinsing them off in the sink, “Yeah, you’re right. It’s probably a good idea to know.”

  Niz set her plate in with the others, “On a plus side, Alden and I should be ready to go, if they wait too much longer.”

  Alden refilled his coffee, “Charlie, get a couple horses saddled, you and I will go have a look.”

  Stray Eagle listened to everyone, “I’ll help you, Charlie. I’m going too.”

  Within the hour, Alden walked up as Charlie and Stray Eagle finished with the horses. “You know Stray Eagle; I think you have a point with the cool nights.”

  Charlie looked up, “How so?”

  Alden took the reins and mounted his horse, “I’m not sure but I’m think the dead are like reptiles; their bodies don’t produce enough heat to keep them warm, so they go dormant during the cool nights and become more active when the suns up.” Alden turned his horse and headed out of the corral.

  Charlie looked at Stray Eagle, “Was that what you were thinking?”

  Stray Eagle shook his head and smiled, “Nope, just a thought the cold would slow them up a little.”

  As the two followed Alden out of the corral, Charlie shook his head, “I swear if I didn't know he was an old soldier, I’d swear he was a rocket scientist.”

  Ceara looked to the others, “I have to get busy with chores. What do you guys have planned?”

  Beth smiled, “Same thing, different day.”

  Ceara laughed, “Yeah, guess we know how the pioneers felt, huh? I can remember my mom making comments about wanting to go back to those times. To tell you the truth, I don’t think she had a clue what she would have been in for.”

  Tabitha and Niz headed outside as Colt poured the last of his coffee in the sink. Giving Beth a quick peck, he said, “I’m going to go check the fences, make sure nothing is caught up in them and they are all still intact.”

  Ceara perked up, “Beth, could laundry wait for tomorrow? I want to ride with Colt!”

  Beth gave her a motherly look, “It can, but there will be that much more to do tomorrow. You better check with the girls to make sure they are ok with clothes and then check Charlie and Alden’s closet, to make sure they have enough.”

  Ceara ran down the hall and did just as Beth asked; within five minutes she was back, “All good, let’s go Colt!”

  As they walked out, Beth called after them, “NO FIGHTING! If I have to sort you two out again, it won’t be pretty!”
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  Ceara laughed, “I won’t, if he behaves!”

  Colt looked over his shoulder, “Think we can trust each other to be alone for an hour or two?”

  As they reached the barn she noticed that Charlie had taken Spirit, so she started saddling Dilligas. “Hmmm, I don’t think you and I have ever been together more than forty-five minutes without fighting. Why do you think that is?”

  Colt got his horse saddled, “It’s because we are too much alike, or we were separated at birth and we are really brother and sister.”

  They rode in silence for a few minutes, before Ceara spoke. “Do you really think we are alike? I thought you hated me?”

  Colt slowed up so he was right beside her, “Ceara, I see me in you, that is what drives me crazy. I know the things I need to work on, but then you do something that I know I would have done too... Well that just make me see how much more we all still need to learn. I get mad but trust me; I never want anything to happen to you or anyone.”

  Ceara did her Alden look, “I do believe that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me. So where is this fence you guys are so proud of?”

  Colt waved out to the left, “It starts over there, and we circled around the back. We got all the way around to the house. We still have more to do, so while we are out here, you can help me.”

  They followed the fence for several minutes before they saw the fence jerking, Colt held out his hand to make Ceara stop. “It could be just an animal but we need to be sure before we ride up. Let’s leave the horses here, and go on foot. I don’t want them getting spooked.”

  Both pulled out their knives and made their way closer, within a few minutes they saw the cause. Twisted in the barbwire was a young coyote, struggling to get free. Directly behind it were three wanderers that were struggling to reach it. Ceara looked to Colt, “What do we do?”

  Colt took a deep breath, “Put all four out of their misery. The hard part will be getting them out of the fence without destroying it. Charlie will be happy to know how well his idea worked.” He pointed to the coyote. “You take him first, I feel sorrier for him.”

  Ceara nodded, “Yeah, me too.” She inched closer to the wounded animal; he continually snapped at her, “Calm down girl, I am trying to help.” Without taking her eyes off the coyote, “Colt, just how am I going to get close enough to put it down?”

  Colt shrugged, “Hey, you wanted to come with me.” He gave a small smile, “I don’t really know, but did you bring any water?” Ceara nodded, “Yeah, couple of bottles from the barn, why?”

  Colt nodded, “Okay, good... We don’t know how long it’s been here but in this heat, he has to be thirsty. Cut the top off of one of the bottles and get it as close as you can. If he gets busy with it, move in and take it down.”

  Ceara ran back to the horses, “Don’t mess with the wanderers till I get back, Alden said never go at it alone!”

  Colt waved her on, “Hurry up!”

  Ceara got back as fast as she could. She cut the top of the bottle spilling most of the water. She looked back to Colt, “Okay, you ready?” Colt nodded, “Make it quick, I want to take these out while they are still going for it.”

  Colt jerked back as a wanderer grabbed his shirt, “Well, so much for that idea.”

  Ceara used her foot to push the bottle close, the coyote smelled the water and stilled. It looked to Ceara then to the water. It did this several times and finally went for the water. As soon as it lowered its head, Ceara jumped, stabbing it in the back of the head. It yelped and went limp. Part of Ceara wanted to smile that she was able to do it, but another part felt so bad for the poor animal. How long had it been there that it’s reflexes were so slow and weak.

  She pulled out the knife and turned to Colt. He had killed two of the wanderers but the third had its arms free so that Colt couldn’t get close enough without being bit.

  Ceara joined him, “Well, your other plan worked, you got one for this one?”

  Colt wiped his knife off with sand, “Not sure you will like it.”

  “Try me.”

  “Ok, just remember you asked. One of us needs to become bait so the other can get in close enough.”

  Ceara looked from the wanderer to Colt, “I think I got more experience with being up close and personal, so I guess I will be the bait.”

  Colt shook his head, “No, not this time. You are having way too many flashbacks and your boyfriend has a mean right hook.” He smiled over at her, “Just don’t wait, I don’t like the idea of being up close and personal.”

  Before Ceara could say anything, Colt moved in close enough for the wanderer to grab him then jerked back. He moved just a bit and moved back in; soon the wanderer was totally focused on reaching him. Ceara plunged the knife in the base of its skull. “Wow, that plan worked great!”

  Colt got a smirky grin, “I have my moments.”

  Ceara laughed, “No, you don’t have your moments, you’ve been learning from Alden! You did great!” Before Colt realized it, Ceara threw her arms around his neck, “Beth is going to be so proud of you!”

  Colt laughed uncomfortably, “Thanks...”

  Ceara stepped back and blushed, “Sorry didn’t mean to make you feel all weird.”

  Colt moved around, not wanting to make things worse, or cause an argument, “You didn’t, you just surprised me is all, anyway, let’s figure out how to get them out of there. They will draw more with the smell.”

  For the next couple of hours, they worked to free them and drag them to a pile. Colt went to his horse to get the lighter fluid. When he rejoined Ceara, he waved the bottle, “We’re going to make our own version of Up in Smoke.”

  Ceara laughed, “As long as we don’t have to stick around for the smell!”

  Chapter 15 – My Fault

  Alden held up his hand as he pulled his horse to a stop. Charlie and Stray Eagle pulled up next to him. They sat on a mesa, overlooking a wide valley below. Below them were several herds of wanderers that at first glance appeared to be aimlessly walking around.

  Stray Eagle noticed it first, and pointed to two small groups, “Look at those over there, and watch them for a minute.”

  Charlie turned in his saddle a little, “Watch what? They’re all just bumping into each other.”

  Alden reached down to pull his binoculars off the saddle horn, and then started to watch what Stray Eagle had pointed at. After a few minutes, he handed them to Stray Eagle, “You’re right. They bump into each other, and it almost looks like they smell each other, then they group together to become a larger herd.”

  Stray Eagle nodded as he handed the glasses to Charlie. “Yeah and at this rate within a day or so, this will be one big ass herd.”

  Charlie gazed below, and blew a slight whistle, “Damn Alden, how the hell do we deal with this?”

  Charlie handed the glasses back to Alden, who put them away. He looked out to the horizon then turned to the east and the west. “Stray Eagle; are there any box canyons we can maybe draw them to?

  Stray Eagle shook his head, “Maybe about two hours ride southwest, but that is going to be a drive, if you want to try and move them like cattle.”

  Charlie looked at both of them, “You ain’t seriously thinking of a wanderer drive, are you? That’s just plain fucking nuts.”

  Alden grinned at him, “Yeah it is, isn’t it? But it may be the only way to get them away from us and Stray Eagles tribe. We don’t have the resources to take them head on.” Alden looked to Stray Eagle, “You take Charlie and go tell Running Buffalo what we have learned...”

  Alden stopped suddenly and began searching the valley below.

  Charlie looked at Stray Eagle who was also searching the valley.

  Stray Eagle pointed to a small cloud of dust off in the distance. Alden quickly got off his horse, Stray Eagle and Charlie followed. Stray Eagle took the horse back a little away from the edge as Alden laid down and began scanning once more with the binoculars. It took a couple of minutes before the reas
on for the cloud appeared.

  Charlie’s eyes got wide, “Holy shit boss.... are those fucking tanks?”

  Alden nodded as Stray Eagle joined them, “Damn, once again, the question comes up, friend or foe?”

  Alden, Stray Eagle, and Charlie were watching the group of tanks off in the distance as they moved towards a small herd of wanderers. Charlie looked to Alden, “They’re going to fire on them, aren’t they?”

  Alden nodded as he looked through the binoculars, “Yeah, but with the way the terrain raises and falls, they can’t see the main herd down below us.”

  Stray Eagle caught on quickly to what Alden had said; “So when they shoot those, they won’t know these are here.”

  Charlie stood with the others and watched as the tanks maneuvered into position, “They’re not lowering, or aiming their big guns. Maybe they’re just going to use machine guns on them.”

  Alden watched intently through the binoculars, “Nope. They’re going to run them over.”

  No sooner did he say the words then the tanks rolled forward in a V formation, rolling over anything that got in their way. No shots were fired. The three of them watched as the tanks flattened the wanderers in front of them. Some tried to climb aboard, but they soon slipped. The lucky ones rolled away, the others were crushed beneath the tracks.

  Stray Eagle turned to Alden, “I guess we’re back to square one, huh?”

  “Looks like it.” Alden said as he mounted his horse. “Okay you two ride over to Running Buffalo, and tell him what we’ve found. I’m heading back to the ranch to tell the others.”

  Charlie and Stray Eagle got on their horses. Charlie turned to Alden; “You be careful. I don’t like what I’m seeing out here, might be a lot more of those little groups. I hate to think of you running into a herd without someone watching your back.”

  Tonto came out from behind some rocks and stood next to Alden. Alden smiled at Charlie, “Son, I ain’t ever alone.” He turned and rode off back towards the ranch.

  Charlie looked at Stray Eagle; “When the hell did Tonto show up?”