Dead Texas (Book 4): The Journey West

by Slaton, Derek

  The skinhead raised an eyebrow at the corpses littering the ground. “I’m pretty sure she had it under control.”

  “Frankly, I’m glad to know my guardian angel here doesn’t take any chances with my safety,” Sparks replied, giving Rufus a coy smile.

  He nodded. “And I never will.”

  She patted his shoulder again on her way to the truck. “So what do you think, boys? Wanna see the spoils from this battle?”

  “Here’s hoping it’s more than baby clothes and DVDs,” Jeff replied as he and Rufus threw open the doors.

  “Fun fact,” the older man said with a lazy grin. “If you deep fry canned meat, then smother it in ketchup, it tastes just like steak.”

  Sparks snorted as she peered around him, eyeing up the pallets and pallets of canned goods in the truck.

  “Well, provided you’ve downed half a bottle of whiskey before dinner,” he added.

  The redhead shook her head and turned to Carter. “What do you think, Deputy?” she asked. “Have we earned our keep?”

  “More than you know,” he replied, mouth agape at their fortune. “I’ll call in the tow truck while we head back to the shelter.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  The group passed a scowling Officer Sams as they entered the shelter, guns in hand. Sparks led the way this time, Carter trailing in last. Sheriff Hutch had his back turned, chatting with some people in the corner.

  “Hey, Sparks, glad you’re back,” Hutch turned and greeted them. “I have some people I’d like you to meet.” He stepped aside to reveal three men in militia fatigues.

  Elijah smirked at Sparks and crossed his arms as the group froze.

  “It’s a godsend that they showed up,” Hutch continued. “We need all the trained men we can get.”

  “Sheriff Hutch,” the redhead said firmly. “Please, step back.”

  “Is…” He realized the tension between the two groups and stepped towards Carter, off to the side. “Is there a problem here?”

  “Oh, no problem here, Sheriff,” Elijah drawled, spreading his arms. “It’s just that the lady here goes wild for a man in uniform, and couldn’t stand it when I deflected her adva-”

  His tirade was cut short by a shotgun slug blowing his face off. The civilians dove for cover as his body collapsed, face a bloody goulash of bone and brain matter. Hutch put up his hands and stepped forward as the redhead’s group raised their weapons.

  “Somebody want to tell me what the hell that was all about?” he asked.

  “These men murdered our friends,” Sparks replied, not taking her eyes off of the remaining militia members. “Slaughtered innocent men, women and children simply because they were in the way.”

  One of the militia members clenched his jaw, remembering the fiery redhead before him. “Please, ma’am, I-”

  She cut him off by chambering another shell. “The next word out of your mouth will be your last.”

  “Okay, Sparks, I tell you what,” Hutch cut in. “If you put down the weapon, I’ll escort these men from the building and send them on their way.”

  She glared at them.

  “It’s your play girl,” Rufus said quietly. “Whatever you wanna do I’ll back it.”

  There was a pregnant pause, and then Sparks lowered her shotgun. “Sheriff Hutch, get these assholes out of here before I change my mind.”

  Hutch motioned to the cluster of officers rubbernecking in the doorway. “Come on boys, probably best if you go with Officer Sams here.”

  “Sir, where should I escort them to?” Sams stepped forward.

  “Take him to my brother in Sonora-”

  “Wait a goddamn minute,” Rufus snapped. “They need to find someplace else.”

  “Let me finish.” Hutch held up a hand. “Officer Sams, take him to my brother in Sonora, and tell him these men need to be put on Special Duty.”

  “Yes Sir,” the officer replied. “Come on, fellas.” He led them away and the Sheriff turned back to the group.

  “If they are there when we arrive, I’m going to shoot them on sight,” Sparks informed him, fists clenched.

  “Calm down and let me explain,” Hutch said, voice frustratingly calm. “They’re going to be put on Special Duty, which means they will be sent out into the wasteland to gather supplies. The only time they will be in town is to drop off goods and get their next assignment. It’s a hard life, and based on the last week it has a very short life expectancy.”

  “I meant what I said,” Sparks told him as she stepped right up to his face. “If I see them again, they’re going to meet the same fate as their leader here.”

  “Fair enough,” he replied. “When you get to Sonora, please feel free to relay that info to my brother. Deputy Carter will back you up.”

  Sparks nodded. “Thank you, Sheriff.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to make some final preparations for this group to get on the road,” he said. “If you’d like you can leave your trucks here and ride with them on the bus.”

  “Yeah, that ain’t happening, cowboy,” Rufus said.

  “Fair enough,” the Sheriff replied. “Y’all should get packed up then, so you can follow the bus out to Sonora.”

  “We’ll be ready,” Jeff assured him.

  Hutch put a hand on Carter’s shoulder as he walked away. “Deputy, a word?”

  Rufus turned to Sparks as their group huddled up. “Goddamn girl, you are cold-blooded.”

  “Nah, if I was cold-blooded, those other three would have walked out of here,” she replied.

  “Speaking of them,” Jeff piped up, “what do you think about the Sheriff and his Special Duty bullshit?”

  “I think you summed it up pretty well there,” Rufus agreed. “Sparks, what do you think?”

  “That we should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” she said. “The reality is, we don’t have much in the way of supplies, and there’s not a whole lot past Sonora until you get close to El Paso.”

  “So it’s either we play nice in Sonora or we starve?” Ricky threw his hands up.

  Rufus scowled. “Seems to be about the long and short of it.”

  “We aren’t going in without a plan, though,” Sparks cut in. “Ricky, how’s your truck doing?”

  “Still going strong,” he said. “She’s a tough old girl.”

  “Good, because we’re all piling into it,” the redhead replied.

  Mary put a hand on her hip. “Strength in numbers, huh?”

  “Yep,” Sparks confirmed, “and we need to be prepared for anything.”

  “So make sure your weapons are topped off and your trigger fingers itchy,” Rufus instructed.

  She nodded. “Alright, let’s get loaded up.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Sparks and Rufus leaned on the roof of Ricky’s truck from the bed, the other three getting situated inside as the tour bus loaded up.

  “Sparks, Rufus, you guys about ready to hit the road?” Sheriff Hutch asked as he strolled up with Carter in tow.

  The redhead nodded. “We’re ready whenever you are.”

  “I was wondering,” he said as he shifted his weight on his left hip. “Could you give my Deputy here a ride?”

  The two companions glanced at each other and Rufus sighed. “Eh, what the hell, climb on up,” he said.

  “Carter,” the Sheriff patted his comrade on the back as he hoisted himself into the truck bed. “Be sure to introduce Sparks and her friends to my brother.”

  “Yes…” the Deputy stammered. “Yes sir.”

  “Alright.” Hutch nodded. “I’m gonna give some parting words to the tour group, then get you on your way.”

  “Hey, Sheriff,” Sparks called.

  He turned and looked up at her, tipping his hat. “Yes?”

  “Where’s the big rig we helped you rescue?” she asked. “Thought it was going to be headed this way too?”

  “It’s gonna be an hour or so behind you,” he told her. “We just got it back to the truck stop
and wanted the mechanic to give it a once over. Last thing we want is for it to break down on us.”

  “Well you know,” she said, “Ricky is a hell of a mechanic, he can take a look at it if you like.”

  “Oh don’t worry, we have everything under control.” Hutch smiled and put his hands up. “Y’all have done enough. Get to Sonora, kick back, and settle in to your new home.”

  Sparks nodded and returned his smile. “Thanks Sheriff, I appreciate it.”

  “Y’all have safe travels,” Hutch replied and waved as Carter settled in against the tailgate. “Thanks for your help up here.”

  Rufus nodded. “Our pleasure.”

  The Sheriff climbed into the tour bus and climbed in, grabbing the microphone to address his refugees. “Folks, if I can have your attention please,” he began. “I know that this has been a very trying week for everyone. We’ve all faced unimaginable terror, losing our family and friends, as well as our homes. But fate has led you to my doorstep, and now that you’re here I’m going to take care of you all.”

  There was a round of applause and some hoots, and he extended his hand to wave them calm.

  “Thank you, but that’s really not necessary,” he said. “I’m just doing what anyone in my position would do. Now, my brother has Sonora safe and secure, and has a new house set aside for you. Granted, some of you may have to have some roommates for a while, but everybody here is friendly, right?”

  There was a louder round of applause this time, with yells to the affirmative.

  “That’s the spirit, y’all!” he cried. “Alright, kick back and enjoy your leisurely drive to your new home. Driver, just follow that nice officer in front of you and he’ll get you to where you need to go!” Hutch handed the mic back to the driver, and exited the tour bus as the passengers whistled and clapped in excitement.

  “Off we go,” Sparks muttered as everyone started their engines.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Sparks and Rufus leaned against each other as the convoy sped down the interstate, backs against the cab of the truck. They watched Carter, who watched the cruiser following them.

  “I can’t tell if he’s signaling them or if he is just wondering what he did so wrong to have to ride with us,” the redhead said into her companion’s ear.

  “All I know is, if anything ain’t right in town, that motherfucker dies first,” Rufus declared.

  “You caught his stuttering too?” Sparks asked. “When the Sheriff gave him his orders.”

  “Like I said,” he replied, “I would have given anything for him to be in one of my card games.”

  The truck slowed as they approached their exit, and two armed officers moved their cruisers out of the way on the ramp. They returned to defensive positions once the convoy passed through and turned right towards the northern part of town.

  “Any idea where we’re headed?” Rufus asked loudly. “Looks like a lot of the houses are the other way.”

  “Don’t worry,” Carter turned to him, but avoided eye contact. “We’re headed to the airport to get everybody processed.”

  Rufus pursed his lips. “Uh-huh.”

  Sparks nudged him to discreetly look at a side street filled with cars sustaining major damage. She got to her knees and stuck her head into the back window of the cab as Rufus leaned forward to distract the Deputy.

  “So, looks like y’all have a hell of a traffic jam over there,” he said, motioning to the side street.

  “Well, you know,” Carter laughed nervously, “maybe they were having a block party?”

  Rufus raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”

  Sparks resumed her sitting position and the older man turned to her. “How they doin’ up there?” he asked.

  “Oh you know.” She smiled. “Just anxious to get settled into their new home.”

  A moment later, the engine revved loudly and the truck slowed to a crawl. Carter clenched his fists as he saw the bus pulling away towards the airport hangars.

  “Come on guys, we gotta catch up to the others,” he said, a hint of panic in his voice.

  “Relax there Sparky.” Rufus waved at him. “It’s a small town, we’ll catch up easily.”

  Carter wrung his hands. “Yeah, but-”

  “Shh, it’s fine.” Rufus put his finger to his mouth.

  “Sorry y’all,” Ricky called back through the window. “She does this from time to time, just gimme a minute!”

  His revving was suddenly drowned out by the sound of gunfire, and Sparks and Rufus jerked their heads around to see the tour bus being torn to shreds by bullets. They whipped around just in time for Carter to stand up and draw his weapon, but the redhead was quicker and she kicked him square in the chest.

  He hit the asphalt hard on his neck, and Rufus opened fire on the windshield of the cruiser behind them, blood splattering the insides of the windows.

  “Ricky, get us the fuck out of here!” Sparks screamed, and the vehicle lurched forward violently. Rufus grabbed her around the waist and threw them down on the truck bed, softening her fall with his body.

  “You okay, girl?” he asked into her ear.

  She nodded. “Yeah, you?”

  “You know me,” he replied with a chuckle. “I like it rough.”

  Bullets ricocheted off of the side of the truck as Ricky made a hard turn onto a side street. A tire blew and he swerved violently from side to side but he managed to make it a few blocks before he couldn’t make it any further.

  “Everybody out, we gotta move!” Sparks yelled, her and Rufus leaping over the side of the back. The others piled out of the cab and Jeff busted through the gate of a privacy fence, huddling around the back of a house in tense silence.

  Sparks knelt down, staring off into space looking near catatonic. Mary broke away from the guys standing guard to sit beside her.

  “Sparks?” she asked gently. “Are you okay?”

  No response.

  “I think we’re clear,” Jeff said quietly, after a few minutes. “At least for the moment.”

  “Yeah, we got nothing from this side either,” Ricky added from the other side of the house.

  Rufus knelt down in front of the redhead. “How’s she doin’?” he asked.

  “Still not speaking,” Mary replied, worrying at her lower lip.

  “Sparks, you hangin’ in there, girl?” The older man searched her face for any kind of recognition. “We’re in a bit of a situation and we could use you right about now.” He reached out and squeezed her bicep, cocking his head. “Hon? What can I do?”

  She tilted her head at this, steely gaze meeting his. “We’re gonna kill them all.” Her voice was low and deadly.

  “There’s my girl,” Rufus declared, and took a step back as she got to her feet.

  “This has gone on long enough.” Her voice rose in volume as she paced back and forth in front of her teammates. “The strong preying on the weak. Innocent people just trying to survive another day, only to be cut down by gun toting hillbillies hiding like cowards because they can’t find their balls with a goddamn electron microscope.

  “Well, no more. This ends right fucking now. I am going to cleanse this town like a goddamn biblical plague. I don’t know if my life expectancy can be measured in hours, days, or months, all I know is that I’m going to spend the rest of my time protecting innocent lives and murdering every last goddamn motherfucker that even contemplates doing harm to them.” She stopped pacing, took a deep breath, and looked to Rufus. “I could use a hand.”

  The older man raised his arm like a schoolboy. “Can I loot the dead?”

  “If you see something you like, then by all means, it’s yours,” the redhead replied with a shrug.

  He grinned. “Alright, I’m in.”

  “Sparks,” Jeff said reluctantly, “I know you’re upset over Principal Dan and the group, but we have no idea how many men we’re up against.”

  Mary nodded. “Shouldn’t we just cut our losses and get out while we can?”

  �
��I’m not asking y’all to come with me,” Sparks declared. “I know you see this as a suicide mission, but I don’t. I became a police officer because I wanted to help people, and now after all this time I finally have that chance. In all honesty, this is the first time I’ve really felt like myself since this whole thing began. At the very least, I’m going to make some of them pay for what they’ve done.”

  “Alright,” Ricky agreed, “we’re with you in spirit and all, but Mary and I ain’t exactly equipped for all out war, ya know? But if there’s something we can do to help, we’ll do it.”

  Rufus grinned. “Any of y’all know how to drive one of them big rigs?”

  “My daddy drove a route for years and showed me a thing or two.” Mary nodded. “As long as you aren’t having me parallel park, I should be okay.”

  “What are you thinking, Rufus?” Sparks asked.

  “Well, while the two of us purge this town of douchebags, these three can hijack that truck full of food that’s on its way,” he replied, squaring his shoulders.

  “Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t do us much good to get further west if we don’t have basic supplies,” Jeff agreed. “I think we can handle that.”

  “How in the hell are we gonna hijack that big-ass thing?” Ricky exclaimed.

  “We take out the two cops at the exit ramp,” Mary replied, mischief in her eyes. “They had it blocked off when we came in. We pose as them, stop the truck on the interstate, and we’re good to go.”

  Her husband threw his hands up. “And what happens if they have an escort?”

  “Wouldn’t be the first shootout we’ve been in today.” Jeff shrugged.

  “When you get the truck, I want you to drive a hundred miles west, then stop at the next exit,” Sparks instructed. “If Rufus and I survive the day, we’ll be there by dawn. If we don’t, then I hope you guys find some peace and quiet.”

  “Come on now, don’t talk like that,” the skinhead said, putting his hands up. “You’ve walked away from a lot worse this week. Y’all got this.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she replied with a chuckle. “Go on, y’all need to book it to the exit ramp if you’re gonna catch that truck.”