The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Dad.” Robbie’s voice broke through. Right on time. “Have you reached your decision? Is this all going to stop?”

  Joe hesitated as he picked up the microphone. “Robbie, there is something I want to say first.”

  “Give me your answer!”

  “I will say this first! The death has to stop. We held a meeting last night and a decision was made. I am doing this for my people. I am not doing this for you. Tomorrow morning at eight a.m. be at the front gate. We will let you in.”

  Dean jumped to his feet. “No! Joe! No!”

  Robbie shoved him back down, pointed his finger and smiled. “Dad, it’s a wise decision on your part.”

  “Not so fast, Robbie. If I am going to let you and your men in here it will go a certain way. Understand?”

  “No, I don’t. It’s my rules . . .”

  “And my community. If you don’t follow my rules, deals off.”

  “Then Dean will be dead.”

  “It’s a chance we have to take. We have to ensure we aren’t letting you in to ambush us.”

  Robbie thought about it, staring at Dean who slumped over in disbelief. “How do we know you aren’t going to ambush us?”

  “What I’m about to say will guarantee it. At eight in the morning you will meet us at the back gate. Myself and only two other men will meet you there. This is our home, Robbie, and you will not bring in any guns. Second, we will walk you to the edge of town right where the clinic sits. There you will release the children. After that, your men will remain right there and you and I will go off to talk. We have to sit and talk to figure out a way to live and work together, side by side. Alone, just us. That should give you a sense of security. While we talk, Dean will stand with your men. You may hold him at knife point. That is our word that nothing will happen to you or your men while in our community. After you and I have hashed out what we need to talk about, we will return to your men, and go on from there. Deal?”

  Robbie had a plan of his own, Joe’s did very little to interrupt it. “Deal. We will be there tomorrow at eight. We come in peace, Dad. This war, this situation was not something we wanted. I hope we can live together.”

  “Tomorrow.” Joe shut off the radio and placed his face in his hands and prayed. “Dear God, be with us all tomorrow. I beg of you.”

  Dean’s head looked to the floor, his mouth open, he could barely speak. What did Joe just do? Why did it all go down like this? There were only five of them, though four were children, they should not have folded. They should have at least tried to beat Robbie. They didn’t even do that.

  Robbie called out the door to his men who waited for the answer. He gathered all of them inside, and they crowded in the small library. “Men . . . they open the gates for us tomorrow.” Robbie raised his hands to stop the loud cheers that began in the room. “All of our weapons, knives, and what guns we do have, must be concealed very well. When we hit center town, I will go off to talk to my father. When you see me return you know he his dead and we will commence our attack. We out number them. We will take them. But remember, do not kill Dean.” Robbie patted him on the shoulder. “I want him to watch his people die. He deserves that honor.” Robbie shot his hand straight in the air in a victory style. “To tomorrow!”

  His men began to shout and cheer. They screamed about, working themselves up. Dean let their voices fade to the back of his mind. He didn’t want to hear them. It was over. And unless Beginnings had something spectacular planned, they had just signed their own death warrant.

  ***

  As the night fell upon the community of Beginnings, so many emotions and feelings encircled them. All of them knew, in less than twelve hours, things would be different. Each person handled the waiting in their own way, no one in Beginnings was certain that they would sleep on the eve of the unknown.

  Joe went home early that night. Living under the same roof with George was the biggest help to him. George was the one person he could talk to about everything. Only the Council, Frank, and John Matoose really knew what to expect the next morning. The others in the community were merely told that Robbie and his men were being let in. That the safety of the children hostages would be ensured, and after that, there was no guarantees that trouble, or even death, would not commence. That was all they were told. It had to be the way, just on the outside chance that Robbie still had someone else in the camp.

  Not being totally open and honest with everyone was a hard decision to make for Joe. The hardest part was keeping some of the originals in the dark. They deserved to know. Yet because of the chance of fear, panic or the slightest foul-up, they could not.

  It was the decision Joe had made with the Council. It is something he had to live with for the rest of his life.

  Henry paced, as Henry always did. From his house, to the street, around the corner, then back in. A repetitious pattern he did often when things were heavy on his mind. Denny was heavy on his mind, seeing that young boy the day before brought so much pain to him. Denny, Dean’s beating, the hostage situation, Frank being shot. Henry could face the next day, but he had a hard time facing the night.

  He stopped himself from going into his home to repeat another pacing cycle. He looked to the house next door, Andrea’s house. The lights were on. He wondered that if in their grief they could make time for him. Knowing Andrea and Miguel as well as he did, he knew they would. The ‘originals’ needed each other, they were a family. And families stuck together.

  “El?” Frank’s whispering voice carried through the empty chapel. He spotted her, at the first pew, kneeling before the crucifix. The row of candles illuminated her face. “El?” He kept whispering as he walked softly to the front. He genuflected, blessed himself, then scooted in the pew next her, sharing the same kneeler as Ellen. “I looked all over for you.”

  Ellen, with folded hands, turned her head to him. “I told you I wanted to be alone. That was only twenty minutes ago.”

  “I know, but I figured we can be alone together. So I did that Frank thing and searched you out. Man, was I surprised to find you here.”

  “I know.” Ellen lifted from kneeling and sat next to Frank. “I guess I figured I don’t really bother God all that much. Maybe because of that, he’ll really listen to me this time. Because, Frank . . . I’m scared. I’m scared of tomorrow. What if we have to ‘shoot to kill’ what if us women have to escape. And what if something happens to you and I never see you again.”

  “Please don’t think that way. I will see you again. If it’s the last thing I do.” He pulled her closer. “Believe that.”

  “I could believe that if you promise me something.”

  “Anything.”

  “I want you to promise me, that if things get bad, I mean really bad out there, and there is nothing left you can do, I want you to put Johnny, me, and my kids first. If things get out of control, to the point of no return, promise me you won’t die trying to be the hero in a losing battle.”

  Frank gently kissed the top of her head. “I’ll make that promise.” Frank felt her body relax in relief. “Because I know tomorrow will not be a losing battle. But El, if it is, and God forbid there’s nothing I can do, I will find you. If it takes following you out of Beginnings I will. But if I have to die to protect you, know that I would do that, too. Your life means more to me than my own.”

  Reverend Bob had returned to the chapel that night for one last prayer before turning in. He sat quietly in the back, in the dark last pew of the night’s busiest place. There he remained unnoticed and in the silence of his mediation he heard Frank and Ellen talk. He listened to their words and drew a sort of strength. He realized that he was wrong about Frank and Ellen. They may have been wrong about the way they went about being together, but they, in a sense were blessed. He prayed that the Good Lord would bless Beginnings. That God would stand with the righteous in the struggle that they were about to undertake in the next morning’s light.

  Dean lay on his bed in his dark room. He stare
d up at the ceiling that held a streak of the moons reflection through his window. He had spent the entire evening with the children. It was the first time in weeks he had been allowed to do so. Katie cried, she cried hard for her brother and wanted to know where he was. All Dean could tell her is that they let Denny go. Denny was home.

  Home. Dean was finally going home, but not the way he expected to. Beginnings was failing him. They had the power and technology to wipe out Robbie, but they chose not to. There had to be another plan. There had to be. Joe was so stubborn, he wouldn’t let this happen. And Frank, he could not see Frank just sitting back waiting for it to happen. There had to be something else going on, and Dean held on to that hope.

  But what if there wasn’t any? What then? Dean wandered his mind of things that could be done. He would take his family and escape. He’d have to. There was that place Paul had come from. Dean could go there. His knowledge would surely be a welcome addition to any community.

  But all of the thoughts that suddenly raced through his mind were hinging. They hinged on what happened after they walked through the gates of Beginnings. Dean dreaded that moment. He dreaded the thought that Beginnings was folding. He prayed with his whole heart and soul that it was not the case. If the knife that would be held to his throat began to slice, then Dean would die knowing that his people, his community, did not go down without a fight.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  July 21

  “El . . It’s time now.” Frank walked slowly into his bedroom. Ellen sat on the bed hands folded across her lap. “El?”

  “I know, I know. Just give me another minute.” Her face was pale, and she looked more worried than he had ever saw her.

  “Everyone is waiting. Johnny took the twins already. Come on.” Frank held out his hand to her.

  Ellen reached up and placed her hand in his palm, he gripped her fingers. “I think I’m ready.”

  “You don’t have a choice.” He walked with her from the room.

  Ellen stopped in the doorway and looked back. “Wait!” She ran back to the bed and grabbed a green knapsack. “I can’t forget this.”

  “What is it?”

  “If by some chance we have to run, there are some things in here I don’t want to leave behind.” She patted the sack and threw it over her shoulder. “I’m ready.” She took hold of his hand. “Let’s go.”

  In silence, hand in hand, they walked to the containment center. No guard stood out front, the streets were empty. Greg was not in his usual post inside the front office. Containment was eerie. The only other male, aside from Frank, was Johnny. He stood at the skills room door waiting for his father and Ellen.

  “Dad,” he called to them. “Everyone’s inside.”

  “Thanks, Johnny.” Frank moved Ellen into the safety of the room. Just inside the door laid a small crate, inside of it weapons. Frank bent down to it and pulled out the first revolver. He walked to Andrea and handed it to her. “Here. You know how to use this, right?”

  Andrea took it. “I don’t think I’ll have to.”

  “Good. Let’s hope for that.”

  “Francis?” She called to him. “You do good.”

  “I will do my best.” Frank reached up and touched her cheek. “Watch my family.”

  Andrea nodded to him, tried to smile, then backed away.

  Frank reached into the crate again, the second gun went to Ellen. He cupped it in her hands. “El, be careful it’s loaded.”

  “I will.”

  “And lock your elbows, damn it.” He leaned into her, his lips touching softly to hers. He didn’t want to say goodbye, but he knew he would have to. There was one more thing to take care of first. “Johnny?”

  “Yeah, Dad, are we ready? Let’s go.”

  “John . . .” Frank reached into the crate and grabbed a rifle. “Johnny, you aren’t coming with me.”

  “What? No Dad, I am. It’s not right.”

  “I need you to stay here. I need you behind.”

  “No, you need me out there. Next to you I am the best shot here. I’ve trained Dad, I’ve trained with all of the men.”

  Frank didn’t want to argue, he nodded in agreement with everything Johnny had said. But there still was an argument to be had. “Johnny, I know you’ve trained with the men. But you are not a man. You’re still a kid. And you’re my kid. I love you. I need to know that you will be safe, and the only way I can do that is to leave you behind.”

  “Dad No. I’m treated like a man here. I have to do this.”

  “I can’t let you.” Frank reached out for his son. “I have to be your father now, and as your father, I say no. Do this for me, please. I can’t go out and do what I have to do if I’m worried about you, and if you’re out there next to me, I’ll worry. Please.”

  Johnny snatched the rifle from his father. “Fine, I’ll stay. But under protest.”

  “It’s duly noted.” Frank embraced his son and kissed him on the cheek. “I have to go.” He turned once more to say his last goodbye to Ellen. He took her in his arms and held her with all of his heart and he kissed her goodbye as if it were their last kiss. As he pulled from her, his hands ran down the sides of her face, feeling her. “El I have to go.”

  Ellen sadly nodded, leaving her hands on his cheek. “Please, please be careful.”

  “Always . . . I love you.” Frank looked one more time at Ellen, before his hand slipped from hers. He stared deep into her eyes, his face strong with emotions, his jaws clenching as he took his one last look. Without saying goodbye he left the room, pulling the skills room door behind him.

  Frank ran up the hallway to the little front office, pulling the heavy door closed. He then reached under the desk and ripped from it, the buzzer that opened the door. Frank reached into his front pocket and pulled out a key. It was the only key that could open the huge steel door that separated the office from the containment center. Ellen, Johnny, Andrea and the others were safe. They had their escape hatch and a place to go. If by any chance Robbie and his men would want to get in the containment center, they would have to break down the door between the hall in the office or they would have to unlock it with the only key. Frank had that key. And the only way Robbie was going to get it, was to take it from Frank’s dead body.

  He saw them standing at his front gate and not an inch of fear twitched inside of Joe’s body. His heart did not beat faster, his blood pressure did not rise. He was calm, almost too calm.

  George stood on one side of him, another man named Herb on the other. Joe’s hand reached for the gate that the perimeters were shut down on. His son Robbie stood first in line. “Are all of your belongings twenty feet away?”

  Robbie smiled. “They are. You’ve looked us over too, you know we are unarmed. Let us in.”

  “I want to speak to Dean, bring him forth.”

  Dean heard his summons and stepped forward, keeping eye contact with Joe. Looking for a sign.

  “Dean.” Joe looked upon Dean’s now healing face. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

  “I could be better.” Dean reached out his hands for the small children. He brought them to his side. “Things could be better.”

  “They will be now.” Joe turned the lock on the gate and opened it. One by one, in a long line, ninety-three men entered the tunnel that led to Beginnings.

  Dean, with the children close to his side, led the band of men, who were followed by Joe, though the tunnel. They walked down the hill and the half mile hike to the edge of the center of town. They kept a steady pace. No words were spoken.

  Dean wondered the entire walk why nothing had happened yet. Why no one from Beginnings had made a move. He got his answer when they stood by the clinic. Not a soul could be seen. He had not seen the town so empty since the very first day he arrived there. The only man in his view was Ralph, an older gentleman standing by the clinic doors.

  Joe’s voice was cold as he spoke to Robbie, hatred lingered in his tone. “Before you and I take off. I want to wat
ch the children walk into the clinic with Ralph.”

  Robbie agreed.

  Joe bent down to the children, checking each one out. “You’ll be with your parents soon. Right now run really fast to the clinic. Ralph is waiting for you.”

  The children did as they were told. They knew of no danger, they only knew that they were home.

  Joe stood straight and stood nose to nose with Robbie. “Let’s go.” He waited until Robbie walked ahead of him.

  Robbie hesitated until he secured the fact that a knife was placed directly to Dean’s neck. Then and only then did he step before his father.

  “Where are we going?” Robbie asked as he walked at a casual pace.

  “The inventory building at the other end of the block. I figure we could start there.”

  “Whatever you say.” Robbie felt that place was as good as any. Nearly two blocks away from his men. And two blocks from the two Beginnings men. No one would hear his father’s screams. “So Dad where is everyone?”

  “Not that I wanted to get into idle conversation with you, but no one wanted to see you arrive.” Joe saw the building straight ahead. It was a sign of relief to him. It was his sign.

  Dean watched as Robbie and Joe disappeared around the corner. It was over. What were the chances of Joe returning? Robbie had that hunting knife hidden, and Joe’s throat was Robbie’s target.

  As all hope began to seem lost, Dean’s eyes noticed something strange. George and Herb slowly backed up. They were already at twenty feet, then at thirty . . . forty. Dean closed his eyes. The calm quiet eerie feeling that hung in the town of Beginnings was then broken.

  A single shot, one shot, rang out loud and clear. It broke the silence grasping everyone’s attention. The bullet that had been fired sailed forth taking Dean by surprise. The bullet was intended for Dean. It hit the spot just above his knee, shattering the bone in his thin leg, breaking his balance and sending him crashing to the pavement.