by Ison, S. A.
For now, though, if he could find a rabbit or two, or perhaps…
“Who the fuck are you, nigger?” A voice called from the forest. Perrin froze, and cursed himself for not having an arrow loaded. He turned slowly, his eyes searching for the voice. His heart had shot up into his throat. He nearly choked on it. Fuck. He should have come with someone else. Christ. He knew better, what a fool he was.
Perrin finally saw the man. The bastard had a shotgun pointed right at him. He’d have to talk his way out of this, or at least until he could get to his Sig, in his waist.
“I’m just hunting for a squirrel or rabbit.” He said calmly, keeping his face neutral.
“You’re on my land. What the fuck makes you think you can hunt on my goddamn land?” The man was skinny and sickly white and disheveled in appearance. To Perrin, he looked like a crack addict. He had scabs all over his face, and Perrin could smell the beer ten feet away. He cursed himself again. If he got out of this, he’d make sure no one went anywhere alone.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was on your land.”
“You know it’s the end of the world, don’t ya? We’s all fucked.” The man said conversationally, the shotgun still pointed right at Perrin’s chest. If that man pulled the trigger on that scattergun, Perrin wouldn’t have a chance. He’d be peppered and blown to bits at this close range. Christ, what the hell was he going to do, his brain had seized up and he was frozen.
“I was wondering what had happened. I saw a bunch of cars, just sitting in the road. Do you know what happened?” Perrin said conversationally, he hoped to divert the man with calm talk. If he could he could get his gun. He’d been holding the bow at waist level, and his hand was mere inches from the Sig. He just had to keep his cool and keep this guy calm. Keep him from blowing his goddamn foolish head off.
“Naw, I don’t. But that still don’t answer why you’re on my fucking land.”
“Like I said, I was just hunting. I’m sorry, I really didn’t know I was on your land.”
“You got any money?”
“No, I got robbed two days ago. They took my food and my money. That’s how come I’m hunting.” Perrin lied. He watched the man’s eyes. If the man was going to shoot him, he’d have to watch the eyes. From his peripheral vision, there was a tree to his left, it was a pretty good size and might catch much of the blast. If the man’s eyes sharpened and focused more, he’d know it was about to happened.
In minuscule movements, so agonizingly slow, Perrin brought his hand to his weapon, the crossbow covering his slight movement.
“Well, shit, ain’t that just tough fucking luck. Got any drugs? Smokes?” The man asked, looking him up and down, when the man reached down and scratched his crotch, Perrin brought the Sig Sauer out in a smooth move, aiming it at the man’s chest. As he did so, he side stepped behind the tree. He pulled the trigger as the shotgun went off.
=
Tomi and the group walked down the lonesome road. They’d not seen any homes for well over an hour. That suited Tomi, since there would be less chance of run-ins. Ahead, Liev and Dawn were walking, they were still on guard. Everyone had been spooked by the earlier shooting. It had been close. No one talked and he was glad to see, everyone kept looking around. They weren’t tense, but the group was alert. That was good. Perrin had gone out hunting. They’d made good time without Jack pulling them back.
Linda had built up her stamina as had Norman. This helped tremendously. Iris was also holding her own and the beating and near rape hadn’t diminished her stamina. He hoped that Perrin had good luck in hunting. It was a chancy thing at best. Tomi looked at the sky and then his watch. It was near five. They’d be stopping for the night soon.
An explosion to his left jolted him out of his thoughts, it was followed at the same time with another gunshot, and Perrin’s whereabouts. He dumped his backpack in a fluid motion and looked to Liev who did the same. Dawn, Linda, Norman and Iris gathered in a knot, their weapons drawn. Tomi and Liev took off into the woods, running as fast as the low branches and bushes would let them. Tomi tripped but Liev caught him, before he fell headlong into a tree. He dodged around undergrowth and downed trees. His heart was pounding hard in his ears and he felt almost deaf. His harsh breathing and heart beat filled his head.
Ahead, he saw a man laying on the ground, and he looked and was frantic when he didn’t see Perrin.
“Perrin, where the hell are you?” He hissed, not wishing to draw unwanted attention.
“Here.” Came a gasp and he saw the man, laying against a tree, his face pale as death. Tomi nearly stumbled, seeing the fear in his friend’s face. Liev was beside him, his AR15 at the ready as Tomi went down on a knee.
“Christ, what the hell happened?” Tomi breathed, seeing the blood on Perrin’s face. His eyes tried to look everywhere at once. Looking for injury, he saw the blood, most of it on Perrin’s arm and face. He turned when they heard crashing, coming from ahead of them in the woods. He stood, bringing his AR15 around and bringing it up, he saw that Liev was behind a tree, his weapon aimed ahead.
They waited silently, a few moments later, three men came bursting through the undergrowth, weapons aimed and looking for their comrade, he supposed. Neither he, nor Liev gave any of the men a chance. Their AR15s barked and within seconds, the three men were down and dead. Liev’s face was a mask of stone, his lips flat, his eyes hard. Once more, Tomi was hit with the realization, that Liev’s ancestors had to have been Vikings.
“Help me, we need to get the fuck out of this place, in case there are more of them out there.” Tomi hissed, lifting Perrin, who groaned from the pain.
“Put him on my back, and cover me.” Liev said, squatting, to take Perrin’s full weight on his back. He grunted a little then stood, shifting his hips and keeping his weapon in front of him. Perrin put his uninjured arm across Liev’s neck and chest. Liev grabbed Perrin’s thigh with his free hand, supporting the weight and began walking back the way they’d come. Tomi followed, silent, listening for pursuit. He’d seen the swastika tattoos on the men’s necks and arms. He’d have not walked away from the encounter had he not fired. It was a bad situation all the way around.
He could only hope there wasn’t more. They could easily be found, Liev was crashing though the woods, like a bull in a china shop. It took a bit of time, longer, he thought, then it had taken to run in. They found the group, their weapons aimed at the ready. Tomi smiled, they’d have killed anyone that had come through those woods. Dawn and Linda cried out softly and ran toward them.
“Let’s keep moving Tomi, until I can’t carry him anymore. I want to get the hell out of this place. If there are any more of those bastards, I don’t want them to find us.” Liev panted. Norman ran to get Perrin’s pack that Liev had dropped. The thin man put the heavy backpack on and nearly toppled over. He righted himself, a determined look on his face. He nodded at Tomi, who smiled and put his own pack on and then picked up Liev’s pack, that was a heavy monster. He took off his own backpack and put Liev’s backpack on, he’d be able to carry the heavier weight better on his back.
He then picked up his own backpack, lighter. He shook his head and laughed silently. He’d no idea Liev’s backpack had been that heavy. Jesus, the man was strong as hell. The group began to walk quickly, everyone still holding their weapons at the ready. Tomi noted that their index fingers were outside the trigger guard and was glad to see it. They walked as fast as Liev could lead them.
As it was, forty-five minutes later, Liev’s breaths were coming in harsh gasps. Tomi could see a pond through the trees and gave the halt signal.
“Let me go in and make sure it’s safe, then we’ll camp here for the night.” He said quietly and disappeared into the trees. He looked around and listened. He could hear nothing but the susurrus of the wind in the trees. He heard the chattering of the birds as well as the insects. He stood a moment, and closed his eyes. He turned in a tight circle, listening for anything that might mean others. Nothing. He walk
ed back out and waved them in. He immediately set to gathering branches and kindling for a fire. They needed to tend to Perrin and fast.
He’d hated that they had to run, and wait to check him. He didn’t know what kind of damage the man had sustained. He smiled when he heard Perrin cursing as Dawn began to take the shirt off of him. Linda squatted with Iris to dig through and pull out the medical kits. Liev also helped gather firewood and began to build their fire. As he did that, Tomi went to squat down beside Perrin.
“How is it? How bad?” He asked, hoping that Perrin’s irascibility was a good indicator.
“Looks like birdshot. Though he’s pretty damned lucky. He got a few in his neck. It could have hit the carotid artery, but, missed. Thank God.” Dawn breathed. She was wiping at the wounds with a sterile wipe.
“You’ll have to get those pieces of shot out.” Tomi said, unnecessarily.
“I know. Thankfully, this kit has long nose tweezers.” Dawn said, her mouth flat.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Tomi said.
“Just wished I’d had someone there. Next time, we go in twos. It’s too dangerous to hunt by ourselves.” Perrin said, hissing when Dawn dug the tweezers into a hole.”
“Yeah, sorry. It hadn’t occurred to me.” Tomi said, his mouth down. He felt bad, and a little responsible.
“Don’t. I see it in your face. It wasn’t your fault, or mine. Just bad damned luck. Now we know though. How about be useful and go fishing. I’ve been wanting that for a few days now.”
“Just cause you’re hurt, don’t mean we got to do your bidding.” Liev grinned.
“You sound like Jack now.” Perrin snorted. Liev grinned and smacked Tomi on the back.
“Norman, you and Linda keep watch while we’re fishing. I think we should have someone on watch at all times, not just when we’re sleeping.” Tomi said, picking up the packet with the fishing gear inside.
“Will do, Tomi. Don’t worry.” Norman smiled, more confident. Tomi smiled at the young man and he and Liev went toward the pond. He looked back over his shoulder, Perrin was wincing, but otherwise, seemed okay. Thank Christ. Tomi let out a long breath.
“You okay brother?” Liev asked softly.
“Only after having the living shit scared out of me, I guess I’ll do. Jesus H. Christ. That was fucking close.”
“But he’s okay, and we’re okay.” Liev said, smiling softly.
“Yes, we are brother, yes, we are.”
=
“Well, lookie, lookie, what we got here boys, a nice tub of lard. Just walked the fuck right into our place.” The man with the shotgun said, a big toothy grin, spread across his bearded face.
“I…I..I knocked.” Jack stammered, feeling the blood drain from his head, down to his feet.
“Oh, well, that makes a difference, don’t it?” Another man laughed. Jack couldn’t see him, he didn’t dare turn his face away from the shotgun. His heart was slamming painfully in his chest and he could feel it shudder throughout his body.
“Bring the fucker in.” Another man called out, laughing a very ugly laugh.
Jack felt himself pulled in and nearly fell, the heavy backpack throwing him off balance. He stumbled, but didn’t fall. He looked around, there were five men, including the man with the shotgun. They were sitting on a couch and beer cans and liquor bottles were strewn about. They looked rough, all of them. He looked around the living room and it had been destroyed. The tv had been kicked over and the components scattered about the room, broken.
Jack felt the backpack being yanked off his body and then he was shoved to the ground.
“What’s your name and what have you brought us young man?” One man asked, he was wearing a blue bandana tied around his head. He had a large handlebar mustache and a toothpick stuck out of his mouth. When he spoke, it wiggled up and down. Jack couldn’t speak, both from fear and from lack of water. He tried to swallow, but it stuck and he choked. He tried to get spit in his mouth. He was panting heavily. Tremors worked their way up and down his body.
“Well, look what we have. Food. The dried shit. You some kinda camper? You know, one of them nature boys?” Toothpick laughed. Jack tried to answer but couldn’t. His brain was seizing up. He was unable to think, for the fear.
“Well, shit, fat boy, you ain’t got a lot here. Shit, this ain’t gonna feed us.” A man laughed, he was sitting in a lounger, with his feet extended out. He had cowboy boots on, but they looked new and shiny. He had a black vest with a screaming eagle embossed on it.
“Hells bells, we gotta get some fun outta him.” Toothpick said, grinning. The man had tobacco in between his teeth.
“Take your clothes off boy. Let’s see that pretty fat ass of yours.” The man with the shotgun laughed. Jack froze, paralyzed. His heart was now beating a thousand miles a second. He saw dark spots begin to dance around him. He felt someone tugging at his clothing, undoing his belt. He felt cooler air hit his legs and gut. Then he felt someone yanking at his underwear.
“I.. I..I..kn..know where.. where, y..yyou can get mm…mm..more food and women too.” He blurted, his eyes wide and rolling around like a panicked bovine, heading to slaughter.
The man with the shotgun stopped. The other men stopped laughing and sat up, watching him.
“Please, let me go and I’ll tell you where they’re heading.” He pleaded, looking from one face to another.
“Sure, where?” Toothpick asked.
“Not…not till you promise.” Jack insisted.
“Fine asshole. I promise. Where?” Toothpick said, standing over him.
“They’re heading down US23 south. They’re going to a place that has lots of food. I don’t know where exactly, but I know they’re going there. There are three women. Two are young.” Jack said in a hurry, looking to each man.
“They got men with them?” The man with the shotgun asked and put the muzzle next to Jack’s ear.
“Yeah, yeah, four men. A big guy, blond, a skinny redhead pussy and two black assholes.” Jack spat.
“Should be easy to find.” Toothpick grinned, he then looked down at Jack and his grin grew. Jack looked at the man and started to reach for his pants when Toothpick unzipped his pants.
“You..you.. you…promised!” Jack screamed, as he felt someone behind him.
“Hell, that boy always was a liar.” Someone laughed from behind.
SIX
Perrin shifted uncomfortably, Dawn was doing a great job of pulling the small pellets out of his skin. Some, she had to dig deep. Linda and Norman were assisting her, wiping at the blood, keeping her area clear, so she could see to work. He hissed, at a particularly deep probing.
“Sorry Perrin, really.” Dawn said, her eyes never leaving the wound.
“Don’t worry. I know it has to be done. I just feel like three kinds of an idiot. I wasn’t even paying attention, you know? In my own little world.”
“This apocalypse shit is something to get used to. Unfortunately, there is a sharp learning curve.” This caused Perrin to laugh, and she paused, looking at him and smiled. She has a pretty smile, he thought.
“Yeah, I’d say we’ve entered the Darwinian age of survival. If you aren’t clever, fast or intelligent, you’re screwed.” He grinned.
“Oh shit, I better watch out for Liev.” She said sniggering. And all began to laugh.
“I heard that.” Liev called out from the bank of the pond.
“Yes dear, I’m sure you did.” She sniggered again, a big grin stretching across her face.
Perrin tried to look over to Tomi and Liev, who were fishing. So far, they’d caught six medium sized fish. They’d have to catch a few more to feed them all. Iris was walking around, keeping watch. They were no longer going to sit it out during the day, but someone was to be constantly on watch. Norman would relieve her soon. There was a small fire going, water boiling and Dawn also used this to help cleanse his wounds.
“I’ve not been finding material in the wounds. Thankfully. I’m hoping
that they’ll heal up clean. I’m putting antibacterial ointment on each of the tiny wounds. That should be enough.” Dawn said, going back to her work.
“Thanks guys, everyone, thanks so much.” Perrin said, gritting his teeth.
“Think nothing of it. You’re a light bastard, you know that?” Liev sniggered and winked at Perrin, causing him to grin.
“I think we’ll stay here a couple days. Keep a low profile, but maybe take the time to recharge and let your wounds heal up a bit. I could use a break from all that walking.” Tomi suggested and received grunts of approval from all.
“Do you think there were anymore of those Nazi assholes?” Norman asked. Norman was a quiet man, and had kept a low profile at the correctional facility. He’d kept to himself, but was polite to the guards and fearful of the inmates. Most of the inmates ignored him, most choosing to keep to themselves. Minimum security wasn’t a bad place for most prisoners.
“We may have killed them all. I’m hoping that they’d all come running at the shots fired. I also don’t think they’ll be straying too far from home either, not wanting to venture out and look for those with better firepower.” Tomi said as he pulled in a good size trout.
“Besides, I think we covered almost five miles on our run out of there. Unless they can read asphalt, they won’t know which way we headed.” Liev put in.
“It will be nice to just sit and do nothing but rest.” Linda sighed, smiling, her hand resting on Perrin’s uninjured shoulder.
“Yeah, it will be.” Dawn grinned.
=
Iris moved through the trees as quietly as she could. She smiled when she heard their talking. It was a good bunch of people that had rescued her and she was once again struck by the sheer luck of it all. Not so much for Belinda, she thought sadly. She was sure Belinda’s grandmother had been on the other side to greet her and take her to heaven. Iris had to think of it that way, to move passed the heavy grief. Now she had to survive and push all else to the back. She just wasn’t strong enough to handle both. She was so overwhelmed with the thought of an uncertain and violent future, that the loss of her friend took the backseat. Her pain and struggles were over. Iris’s were ahead of her.
