“So we can head back for now,” the driver continued. “Get some shut eye...tell Bill and Bob what we found. Then tonight...we strike. They won’t give us any grief. I’m pretty sure they’re unarmed...and they’re too darn stupid to know how to defend themselves. It’ll be easy. Like taking candy from a kid.”
Jake winced in disgust at the analogy. These guys were seriously bad news. But they weren’t as smart as they thought. Jake was discovering exactly what they had planned
“It'll be easy. We'll head in with Bill and Bob. They can't possibly defend against the four of us...we'll kill the guys, have some fun with the women, and then either keep them alive or kill them too...yeah, the place will be ours…”
The man in the back of the car said something in a worried tone that made the driver roar with laughter.
“Are you serious? Don’t be dumb. What is anyone going to do? Cops?" He cackled, wheezing a little through old smoker’s lungs. "There's no cops, buddy…that’s the beauty of all this. We’re finally free...ain’t nobody going to stop us now. Come on. Let’s head back and get a plan together.
The car engine revved up and the pickup truck drove away. Jake waited in hiding for a moment, scared of being caught by the thugs. Then he turned on his heel and ran as fast as he could back to the cabin. His feet pounded so hard on the ground that they began to hurt. His lungs were gasping for air, but not because of the running. No, it was the fear. The cold as stone fear that he wasn’t sure he’d ever shift again.
This new world was almost too much to bear. But Jake had a purpose. He had people to protect. He had to try and survive just a little longer. He had to get them all to the light at the end of the dark tunnel.
And that meant becoming like the men in the pickup truck. Cold. Callous. Conniving.
A survivor.
Fifteen
Aby
Aby could hear the sound of her own breathing as they all waited for Jake to return. Megan had reported the moment that Jake went running after the pick-up truck in a solemn tone, and Aby knew better than to try and follow him. She didn’t fancy getting herself killed. Besides, if Jake didn’t come back, that would make Aby the most competent among them. And therefore their best chance of survival.
But the thought of never seeing Jake again made her heart squeeze. She’d never really had to think of that possibility before. It wasn’t exactly something that kept her up at night when he worked in an office and she was just a waitress. They weren’t causing trouble for anyone.
But things were different now. There were only two things to be; alive or dead. It was going to come down to who was toughest. Aby hadn’t seen the guys in the truck, but Megan had come away from the window looking terrified. That in itself implied that her husband didn’t stand a chance.
But all she could do was wait. Megan was chewing her nails, jumping at any little sound. Deron was still in the corner of the room, hugging his knees like a child. Only Aby seemed prepared for any kind of attack. She had a kitchen knife clutched in her sweating hands, ready for action if it came her way. She prayed that she wouldn’t need it. She prayed that her husband would be the only person coming toward the house.
When he came barreling through the door in a blur, Aby held up her knife and was ready to stab him before she realized who he was. She let out a long sigh, deflating like a balloon as she allowed herself to relax a little. Jake brushed a kiss on her cheek as he was still catching his breath. He closed the door behind him and locked it. Deron and Megan moved toward him, their eyes curious about where he’d been and what had happened. Jake ignored them and moved over to the sofa, slumping onto it with a sigh.
“Where were you?” Aby said through gritted teeth. She realized she was angry with him. Why did he have to act the hero like that? He shouldn’t have followed the truck, she knew that much. It was like he was begging to get killed. But when Jake raised his eyes to meet her’s, she only saw fear in his eyes. There was no sign of a man who was trying to act brave.
“I followed the truck...I wanted to know where they were going. They stopped on the road and I heard them talking.” He pressed his lips together, glancing between Deron and Megan. It was clear to Aby that he didn’t want to tell them what he’d heard. He’d only frighten them, after all. But Aby needed to know what it was that they were dealing with so they could prepare.
“What did they say?”
Jake sighed, scratching at his neck. “They...they wanted the cabin. I said no. So...so they’re coming back. With backup. And...they intend to...well, I’m sure you can guess.”
Aby had dealt with enough brutish men in her life to know exactly what was implied. She took a deep breath. “Okay, so what next? We’ve got some weapons...we could defend our base.”
Jake shook his head. “No, that won’t work. There’s at least four of them as far as I can tell…”
“So equal numbers,” Megan said a little defensively. Aby felt sorry for her. She was much less a coward than Deron was, especially after everything she’d endured, but she suspected she’d be almost useless in a fight. Jake’s eyes scanned her over and Aby knew he was thinking the same thing.
“I don’t think the four of us can match up to the four of them,” Jake said honestly with a quick glance in Deron’s direction. “Besides, we have no clue what weapons they have in their arsenal. One gun and a kitchen knife against four men with proper weapons seems like a bad idea.”
“Well...we’ve got to stand our ground, right?” Deron said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “This is my place...I don’t want to leave it.”
“Wouldn’t it be safer just to go if we can’t defend it?” Megan asked meekly. “I know this seemed like a good idea...but we’re surrounded by thugs. If these guys don’t get us, maybe someone else will. It’s a good spot...but maybe we can’t defend it. Maybe we should go somewhere more...incognito.”
“It’s a big risk,” Aby said. “We’ve got food and shelter here. It might be a long time before we can find somewhere as good as this. Plus, going out on the road is going to get scarier. I imagine people will start doing all sorts to get their hands on a car...or to rid themselves of strangers.”
“She’s right,” Jake said. “Food is going to be hard to come by now...it’s going to be hard enough rationing what we have here. We don’t know when supplies might start coming in again now that the transport links are down...and everyone is going to be fighting for whatever’s left. Wherever we go, there’s going to be struggles. This is just life now.”
“So what are we meant to do?” Megan said, starting to edge towards hysteria. “If we can’t defend this place but we have to stay, then what do we do? Just stay here and wait to die.”
Megan’s words were beginning to sink in for Deron, and fear was crossing his face. Aby gave Jake a look, telling him to hurry up with his proposal. The last thing they needed was for their two loose cannons to panic.
“Look...the way I see it, these people might have things we need too,” Jake continued hastily. “They’re getting greedy by wanting the cabin...that means they probably have food, weapons and the like...especially if they’re from around here. We just need to figure out a way to get to them before they get to us.”
Megan and Deron began to chatter over one another, outlining their concerns and fears. Jake sighed, shaking his head in dismay. As Deron and Megan continued on, Aby watched her husband head over to the window and look out. The sky was already darkening. Aby knew they were running out of time, but though she wouldn’t express it out loud, she was as frightened as Megan and Deron. She felt they’d exhausted every option laid out before them. How were they supposed to survive this? The whole thing seemed impossible to solve.
Jake turned and caught her eye, nodding toward the door. Aby knew he wanted to talk alone. The pair of them headed to the door as the other continued to squabble and slipped out into the yard.
Aby shut the door behind them, glad for a moment of quiet. Jake took hold of her shoulders and s
ighed.
“Aby...I’ve got a plan. I don’t think you’re going to like it...but it might be our only option.”
Aby folded her arms. “Well, we’re running out of time. I guess I’ve got to hear you out.”
Jake chewed his lip. “The one thing we have on our side is the element of surprise. They have no idea we know what their plans are...I have to go to them. Take them out when they’re not expecting it.”
“That’s your plan? You’re going to give them some weedy jump scare and hope they don’t shoot you before you shoot them?”
Jake shook his head. “No...because I won’t be taking the gun.”
Aby blinked in shock. “What?”
“I’m leaving it here with you...that way if I don’t come back, you’ve got some way to defend the cabin. Or to...end it all.”
Aby felt her heart nosedive to her stomach. She couldn’t believe what he was suggesting. His plan seemed like it could only end up in spilt blood. Her mind was grappling for new ideas on what to do. A trade offer with the thugs, perhaps? An uneasy truce to prevent anyone from having to die?
But she knew that she was dealing with a new kind of person. Those men were a dangerous sort. They weren’t just some creepy guys you might meet in a bar and be grossed out by anymore. No, they’d mutated in a matter of days. They’d become someone to fear...someone who might kill you. Or someone who might cause you to pull the trigger on yourself rather than be caught by them…
“Jake...please reconsider,” Aby said weakly. “You’re all we’ve got...stay with us. We can try-”
“You know that I can’t,” Jake said. “If I don’t go...you’re going to die. And I can’t let that happen. At least if I go, then you’ll have a fighting chance.”
“But without you...we won’t last a day, Jake. Come on, see sense. You’re holding the group together.”
“But if I don’t go...then we’re all screwed anyway. At least this way, there’s a chance I’ll come home with good news. I could come home with more food, more weapons...the lot. It’s a good plan...if it works.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
Jake paused. “Let’s not think about that. It’s okay, Aby. I want to do this for you. For the group…this is how it has to be.”
Aby felt tears stinging her eyes. She hated her human instinct to cry. She wanted to be strong for Jake. He was the one risking his life. But the thought that she might never see him again made her sick to her stomach. They’d been through thick and thin together, but she’d never seen something like this coming. How was she supposed to willingly allow him to walk away, not knowing whether he’d be back again?
Jake pressed the gun into her hand, shocking her back into reality. It was cold and hard in her hand. She had no idea why she should be trusted with it. She’d never used a gun properly. Her Dad had once let her fire his when she was still practically a kid, and she’d been to a shooting range once for fun. But it was different holding a killing thing in her hand, knowing that she might have to use it for its designed purpose.
“Just take the safety off...aim...shoot,” Jake told her solemnly. She began to shake and the gun trembled with her. His hand found her wrist and steadied it. She shook her head, allowing tears to stream down her cheeks. Who was supposed to steady her when she was gone?
“You’re strong,” Jake told her in a quiet voice. “I know you’ll be okay no matter what…if there’s any sign of trouble...shoot first and think after. I’ll leave the car here...if you have to, just run. I know I said that it’s dangerous out there...but if it’s a choice between leaving or dying...you know which option you have to take. Buy yourself as much time as possible. If I can, I’ll find you.”
“What are you going to use?” she sniffed, turning the gun over in her hands. Jake leaned in and took the knife from her pocket. It seemed like a measly thing to use against four thugs. Aby looked into Jake’s eyes and decided it was probably the last time she would ever get to do so.
“I’ll be alright,” he lied. And then, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips and walked away, leaving her trembling with the gun in her hands.
Sixteen
Jake
Jake walked as fast as he could along the road where he’d seen the pickup truck. He knew that as the sky darkened he needed to be faster. He had no idea what time the men planned to strike so he needed to be ahead of his game.
He stuck to the trees, pushing away his fear of seeing other humans along the road. He’d never been an antisocial man by any means. Some people thought he was strange sometimes, and he didn’t fit in with every crowd, but he liked to be around people. He enjoyed social situations with the right people.
And yet now, the thought of coming across people was terrifying. He had no idea what people’s intentions would be anymore. It depressed him that it seemed like everyone was being pushed to their limits, becoming the worst versions of themselves like the men in the pickup truck.
Maybe Jake counted as one of the bad guys now. After all, he was the one lurking in the shadows. He was on his way to commit murder. And not just an easy, impersonal killing. It wasn’t like he was going to shoot them in the head and be done with it.
No, it would be much worse. He’d have to feel the plunge of his knife through flesh. He’d have to feel his victim bucking beneath him, choking on thick, hot blood as he drove the weapon through his neck. Jake winced and pushed the thought away as he walked. If he thought too much about what was about to happen, he’d back out, and he couldn’t afford to do that. Not if he wanted his wife to live.
It was hard not to be scared, though. He knew there were definitely four of them that he was looking for, but it was entirely possible there might be more people at their camp. Even with four people, he was massively outnumbered. He had no idea how many weapons they had either. If they had guns, he was screwed.
Jake knew he was strong in his own right. He’d always kept himself as fit as he could and his home training would serve him well in hand to hand combat. He also knew that even that wouldn’t save him against four attackers at once.
And then a chilling thought struck him. A shiver ran all the way down his spine and he felt himself go cold. If he failed, then maybe things would be even worse for the three people he left behind. Maybe if Jake angered them enough, they’d torture Aby and Megan and Deron. He might’ve spared them that if he’d just stayed home...a clean, quick kill would’ve been a kindness....maybe he was about to lose that for them.
Jake shook his head to himself, trying to shake off his own demonizing thoughts. He needed to keep a clear head.
He decided instead to focus on the strengths he could bring to the table. Before now, he’d always thought he had a strong mind. Maybe he still did if he could keep his worrying thoughts at bay. Maybe he did if he was still willing to sacrifice himself for his friends. He could use that. He suspected he was more intelligent than the thugs he’d met in the pickup truck. Maybe that was his advantage.
He’d have to use all of his stealth and cunning. If he was able to trick them somehow, he’d be able to win the fight, he was sure of it. Once upon a time, he might’ve thought it was a cowardly approach. He strongly believed in fighting fairly.
But his enemies weren’t playing fair. That’s why he was here in the first place. They’d driven him to this. He had to find a way to protect his wife somehow, even if it meant being devious and conniving. It became clear to him that people were willing to do crazy things for the people they loved. He gripped the knife tighter. He had to do this. He had to.
When he first saw the light in the distance, he thought he might be imagining it. But then the closer he got to it, the more came into view. It was a campfire right beside the pickup truck from earlier. There was another truck there too which made Jake question once again how many people he’d be facing.
But as he got even closer again, he saw that there were only two men sitting by the fire. The one’s he’d met earlier. Jake wondered where the other men, Bob a
nd Bill, had gotten to. In truth, it didn’t really matter. It was better for him if there were only two people. It made his job a lot easier. Then, if the others returned, they’d be easier to take down too.
The sky wasn’t quite dark yet so Jake waited patiently in the trees a few hundred yards away. He listened to the men talking and laughing raucously. He couldn’t be certain, but he thought they might be drunk. Another advantage for him, if they were.
He crept a little closer to hear more of what they were saying. Their voices were loud in the still night. It seemed they felt they were untouchable, but Jake hoped he’d prove them wrong soon enough. As he crouched in the dark, he wrinkled his face in disgust at their conversation.
“The look on his face was priceless,” the pickup driver guffawed. “You remember, right? He thought he was hard as nails messing with us. Well, we sure proved him wrong. The second I punched him he just looked so darn shocked.”
His companion laughed. “That was a good night. Not as good as the time that guy started on you in the parking lot…”
“Oh man, that was hilarious. That man was so drunk he was just stumbling around like a mad thing, throwing punches left, right and center. What a dummy.”
“He took ages to go down. Every time one of us punched him he just fell straight into our fists again.”
The two men laughed raucously. Jake couldn’t understand what was funny about the conversation. He’d been in a few scrapes as a kid, but never out of choice and never because he found them entertaining. These men were talking about beating up other people as though it was some kind of sport.
“Man, I’ll miss bar fights. We used to run into all sorts of idiots.”
The driver clapped a hand on his friend’s back. “Things are only going to get better…people like us are going to get our time to shine. It ain’t going to be the fancy folk who get through this unscathed. They don’t know how to take care of themselves. They’ll be dead in days.”
The End of the World Series (Book 1): Survive The Collapse Page 9
