The Defiant: Grid Down

by John W. Vance

  Proctor watched Nicholas’ display of love and felt a tug of emotion his him. He cared for both of these people and seeing her like she was and Nicholas in pain hurt him too.

  “Thanks buddy,” Nicholas said giving Proctor a quick hug.

  In the hall Nicholas was stopped abruptly by Abigail, “How’s Mom?”

  “Hi sweetie.”

  “Is she going to live?”

  Nicholas pulled her close and said, “Of course she is. Don’t say that. Your mother will be fine. I need you to help Proctor do whatever he asks.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to go find another car but before I do that I need to gather your grandparents. They need to know what happened.”

  “Can you check on Rob?”

  “I don’t have time for this guy. Haven’t I told you this is not a good time?” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

  Abigail barked, “Dad, you promised!”

  He hurried down the stairs towards the living room. Watching him she grew angry, her fist clenched and she slammed the wall.

  Proctor stepped out of the master bedroom to see what banged on the wall. He saw Abigail standing there, her body rigid and shoulders slumped forward.

  “Abby, is everything okay?”

  She craned her head and snapped, “My dad’s just an asshole is all.” She stormed off to her bedroom and slammed the door.

  “Rifle?” Nicholas asked.

  “Check,” Bryn answered.

  “Shotgun?”

  “I got it,” Alex replied admiring the wooden stock of the Remington.

  “Everyone checked the pistols and you all have extra magazines?” Nicholas asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Bryn joked.

  “Take this shit seriously. You know how bad it is out there,” Nicholas said.

  “Oh, I know.”

  “How’s your arm?” Alex asked as he stowed the shotgun in the backseat of the Dodge.

  “Hurts a bit, but that’s what pain killers are for,” Bryn smiled.

  “You let me know if you need a shoulder massage or anything,” Alex joked.

  “Aren’t you married? And second, you’re like ancient.”

  “A guy gets a few gray hairs and everyone thinks he’s old as dirt.”

  “You are old as dirt, I know because I am,” Nicholas said, tossing in a backpack next to the shotgun.

  Bryn got into the car and hollered, “If you ladies are done chit-chatting, can we get going?”

  Nicholas stared at Bryn, he liked her a lot. She was tough and ready for whatever. The chase she gave Brent was inspiring but he was happy to know she hadn’t taken it to the point of destroying both vehicles.

  Nicholas and Alex climbed in and set off for another day of car hunting.

  No matter the smiles or jokes Nicholas told as they headed out the gates and into the unknown, he couldn’t get Becky out of his mind. If she were to die from her injuries, he’d be lost without her. So far he felt he was batting five hundred, he needed to improve his stats or they wouldn’t survive.

  San Diego, CA

  Nicholas pulled the Dodge into Sycamore Grove and parked it next to Bryn’s Kia. Frustrated he slammed the gear shift into park and rested into the vinyl seats.

  “Tomorrow, we have tomorrow,” Bryn said.

  Alex got out, shotgun in hand and looked around.

  A few people came out of the apartments and looked at them. Seeing an operational vehicle was becoming a rarity so when one pulled into the complex they had to see what was going on.

  “How many tomorrows do we have?” Nicholas lamented.

  “As many as it takes. You have this old ride, that’s something.”

  “Speaking of that, I need to go get my in laws today, I have to.”

  “We will. It won’t take us long here and we’ll be on our way. Hey, we did find a trailer, that’s something positive.”

  “It was like a no brainer when we pulled in there,” Nicholas said referring to the U-Haul rental lot they had visited earlier.

  Bryn looked outside and said, “We have a couple more hours, plenty of time.”

  Nicholas’ stress was mainly coming from concern for Becky. He couldn’t stand not knowing her condition. The luxury of mobile phones and easy communication was taken for granted. He thought about the times he’d turned off his phone because he found it a burden, now he wished he had one that worked.

  Bryn got out and slammed the car door. She holstered her pistol and tucked her t-shirt into her jeans. The few people who were on their balconies looking she recognized but there was something new about them, a look that told her they were becoming desperate.

  “Let’s just drive the old Dodge right up to my place, I don’t think we need to worry about the landscaping anymore,” Bryn said.

  “Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Alex replied.

  Nicholas didn’t comment. He started the car back up and pulled it up onto the sidewalk and followed slowly behind Bryn as she casually guided him between two buildings. When she cleared the corner her body tensed. She expected to run into the three amigos but surprisingly it was quiet.

  A familiar puff of smoke floated from the second-floor landing. “I was wondering what happened to you!” Colin said, sitting in his chair hidden behind the railing.

  “Colin!”

  He stood and looked down on her with a smile, “Yes ma’am.”

  “I’m so happy you’re okay.”

  “Of course I am. Who are your friends?”

  “A couple guys who saved me and Sofie.”

  “Saved, hmm, did you get into some trouble out there?” he asked moving to the top of the stairs.

  “Yeah, just a bit, I'm, um, running with these guys now. This is Nicholas and this is Alex,” she said pointing at each one.

  Nicholas parked the car and got out just in time for her to introduce him. He looked at Colin and waved.

  Alex nodded, but his attention was on the buildings and odd people he saw milling around.

  “You have good timing,” Colin said.

  She ran up the stairs and said, “We came to grab my stuff.”

  “Where are your compatriots?” he asked.

  She was standing in front of him now. A painful look told him something bad had occurred.

  “Who?” he asked.

  “Matt, he’s…”

  Colin knew what she was attempting to say but couldn’t. “I’m sorry.”

  “Hey can we hurry up?” Nicholas said, jogging up the stairs.

  Bryn snapped out of her emotional state and headed for her apartment door.

  “Colin, nice to meet you,” Nicholas said, putting his hand out.

  “Hi, Nicholas, right?”

  “Yeah, um, we are short on time and I don’t like to be running around at night.”

  “Understand,” Colin nodded stuffing his cigar between his teeth.

  Bryn had gained access and quickly turned around with an arm ful.

  “Here let me help you,” Nicholas said concerned about her arm.

  “Oh, she’s tough,” Colin joked.

  “It’s not that, she was shot.”

  Bryn rushed down the stairs and put the items in the trunk.

  “Where?”

  “Arm,” Nicholas answered as he shuffled past carrying three cases of bottled water.

  “Girl, are you doing all right?” Colin asked as he began to help.

  “I’m good and thanks for helping.”

  All three loaded everything she and the others had collected. It filled the trunk with only a few items having to go into the back seat.

  She stood looking into her darkened apartment. Sadness gripped her as she realized this would be the last time she’d see it. So much had happened in such a short period of time.

  The sweet smell from Colin’s cigar hit her nostrils. She turned and came right out with it. “Colin, we want you to come with us. It’s dangerous out there and we could use someone like you.”

  “M
e?”

  “Yeah, I talked it over with Nic. He’s cool, you’ll like him.”

  Colin shrugged his massive shoulders and cocked his head, “Oh, I don’t know. I’m kind of a lone wolf.”

  “Lone wolves don’t last long, no matter how strong they are,” Nicholas interjected, his shadow casting long into the apartment.

  Colin turned and looked at him. “You don’t know me and I don’t know you.”

  “Bryn’s told me enough. We need good people and I hear you were in the Navy.”

  “She’s a good girl but let’s be honest, you don’t know me either,” Colin said to Bryn.

  She stepped towards him and said in a gentle voice, “I have a good sense about people and while I foolishly lived my life before in a blur of devices and parties I have come to see people for who they are. Nic and his family and friends are good people and so are you. No one does what you did, I was in need and you helped without asking. Good people do that.”

  “You don’t know my past,” he replied a look of shame on his face.

  “I don’t know what you’re referring to but if you did something stupid in your past that’s your past,” Bryn said

  “I don’t know, your invite is nice but I don’t know.”

  “Colin, do you care to tell me why you don’t think you’re worthy?” Nicholas asked.

  “It’s not that, well maybe it is. I just don’t trust people,” Colin answered.

  Almost at the same time both Bryn and Nicholas said, “I don’t either.” They laughed and Nicholas kept talking. “Colin, whatever it is, Bryn sees a good man and we need more good people in our group. I intend on surviving this and I can only do that with others.”

  Colin turned his gaze from Nicholas to Bryn and before he could respond a shot cracked loudly from outside.

  Nicholas turned around and looked over the railing, his pistol now drawn.

  Alex stood a blank stare on his face.

  “Alex!” Nicholas hollered.

  The shotgun fell from Alex’s grip and hit the ground. He followed and dropped to his knees and fell over.

  From Nicholas’ perspective he couldn’t tell if he was dead or not, but it didn’t look promising because he didn’t move.

  Colin ran out of the apartment, a pistol in his grip. He took cover behind the railing and peered over.

  Bryn used the doorway to give her cover and also tried to get a view of who had taken the shot.

  Nicholas’ instincts overcame any fears he might have felt. He sprinted down the stairs towards Alex’s still body.

  He had mentioned before how there were only three types of people in the world, those who ran towards danger, those who ran from it and those who froze. Years before in Kuwait when he saw first hand how men killed each other, he didn’t hesitate then, he ran towards the danger and his bravery resulted in him getting wounded. He didn’t give his actions any thought then and didn’t give them any thought now. His friend was down and he needed to help.

  More gun-fire cracked. A bullet ricocheted off an air conditioning unit next to the bottom of the stairs where he had just been.

  This close call told him that whoever was shooting had him in their crosshairs.

  Like a baseball player hoping to be safe at home plate, he slid hard into Alex who didn’t respond.

  “Alex!” Nicholas cried.

  With no response and a blood soaked shirt with the bullet hole centered on his back, Nicholas knew the shot was probably fatal.

  Nicholas ducked when two shots hit the Dodge just to his right.

  “Where are they?” Nicholas cried out.

  The additional gun-fire was all Colin needed; he homed in and found the source, a small downstairs window in an adjacent building.

  “Bryn the building ahead, lower right window, fire on it!” Colin ordered.

  Bryn didn’t argue. She stepped out, took aim and began to squeeze off rounds.

  Colin began engaging the window and called out to Nicholas, “Building ahead of you, lower right window!”

  Nicholas picked up the shotgun and yelled, “Cover me!” He ran towards the apartment building. The cover fire from Colin and Bryn did exactly what he needed it to do. Whoever had engaged him was no longer firing and by his guess had taken cover. He cleared the forty feet and slammed his back against the wall. Nicholas signaled for them to stop firing.

  The complex fell silent.

  Inside the first-floor apartment Nicholas could hear several unintelligible voices. He could tell they sounded distressed but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

  Nicholas pressed himself against the stucco wall and his eyes were on the window six feet away.

  The voices grew louder and he made out there were three people, all male.

  He had made it this far, but he didn’t have a plan, and just what he was going to do was next was vexing him until he saw the barrel of a rifle nudge out the window. Not waiting to formulate he was going to at least take one person out. He pivoted out and swung the shotgun around until the window and the man just inside came into full view. He pulled the trigger of the 12 gauge. A powerful blast of double ought buck exited the barrel and slammed into the man. He pumped the action of the shotgun and again pulled the trigger, no visible target was in his sight just a hope that there was.

  Loud footfalls from behind startled him, he swung his shotgun towards the sound but stopped when he saw it was Colin and Bryn.

  Colin's movements were agile and swift for a man of his size. He ran up to the front door of the apartment and kicked it. The door exploded open.

  Yells came from inside then several gunshots.

  Bryn entered the darkness of the apartment right behind Colin. When her eyes adjusted to the limited light she saw a gruesome sight. On the living room floor was Craig, he had taken a bullet to his head. Crawling away in agonizing pain was Alberto.

  Colin had hit him once in the stomach and his third shot had only grazed his shoulder.

  Bryn walked over to him and stepped on his leg.

  Alberto cried out in pain and rolled onto his back. He looked into Bryn’s face and with terror on his face pleaded, “Please don’t kill me.”

  Nicholas rushed into the room and surveyed the carnage.

  “You killed my friend,” Bryn barked.

  Alberto held up his arms, his hands trembling. “Please no. It wasn’t me.”

  “What you going to do?” Colin asked.

  “He can’t live,” Bryn stated flatly.

  “No, please, it wasn’t me,” Alberto begged.

  “Nic, thoughts?” Colin asked.

  “Bryn’s right, he can’t live, he has to pay for Alex.”

  Colin nodded and said, “I’ll do it. I shot him already, let me finish him.”

  Alberto’s frantic eyes darted around the room. He was hoping to find mercy in one of the three.

  “Please, no, don’t do this, you don’t have to do this.”

  Bryn raised her pistol until the front sight lined up with his face.

  Using his hands as a shield, Alberto cried, “Please.”

  “Bryn no need for you to get your hands dirty like this,” Colin said.

  She looked over at him and replied, “I don’t have a problem with this. He’s evil, you know that. He’s a savage and will only find another person to torment or hurt. This is justice.” She turned her attention back to Alberto and pulled the trigger.

  The confrontation had been a surprise but not unexpected. This was becoming the new norm for them. The EMP had not only removed all critical infrastructures, it had decimated society. Its true effect was still unfolding, but the veneer that had held everything together had been ripped off. With the inability of law enforcement or military to respond, a power vacuum was created and lawlessness took hold. Laws worked when people obeyed them; many did so because the fear of consequence was a restraint. That was gone, and with it civility.

  Nicholas knew this and so did Bryn. They would have to be judge and jury u
ntil some sort of order was restored. But what nagged at them both was they feared order wouldn’t return soon, so in its absence and for their own safety, they’d have to take out the trash, so to speak. One thing he wasn’t expecting to see, especially from Bryn, was her ability to compartmentalize and do what he described as the heavy lifting. To look at her you’d think she was a small, cute woman. Maybe he had prejudices built in him that made it hard to look at a woman as someone who would take deliberate even vicious action. He couldn’t see Becky being this way nor could he imagine Abigail. However, the story she shared earlier and her life experiences made her unforgiving of men, specifically those who hurt people. He didn’t want to dwell on it too much, but he couldn’t help but look at her differently than the other women in his life. Bryn was unique, that was for sure.

  The conflict at Sycamore Grove was enough for Colin to make up his mind. He agreed to come with them and his acceptance proved to be critical to accumulating the assets they needed to make the trip.

  Stored in his garage was the one item they desperately needed, a vehicle. But this wasn’t just any vehicle, it was a 1968 Chevy Suburban. It had been his mother's and after her death he had brought it back from Louisiana.

  Nicholas couldn’t believe their luck. In fact, after the events of the day, he thought it wasn’t luck but divine intervention. It validated what he was doing. His old beliefs that his success was built upon his own abilities ended; he realized that he couldn’t succeed in this new world without cooperation and a solid team of people. He had lost Alex but had gained Colin, more equipment and an operational vehicle.

  They took another hour to load all of Colin’s belongings in the SUV and wrapped Alex’s body to transport back home. In as many days they’d be having another funeral. Not only was fighting the new norm, but the tragic results of it were also a new norm that he’d have to get used to. After loading Alex’s body into the SUV, he paused and reflected on his family. He was doing everything he could to take care of his family’s physical safety and health, but was he doing enough for them emotionally? At first he dismissed this thought, then he saw Abigail’s face and the anger she held towards him because he wouldn’t take the time to check on Rob. These thoughts of family soon transitioned to his in-laws. How were they getting along? He had taken his car and was now late in returning it. He had to go get them today, but before he could do that, he needed to fulfill a promise to Abigail.