by Rachel Aukes
And we definitely qualified as needy.
“See if you can’t find a P-38,” Clutch said as he rifled through cupboards in the kitchen.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I called out in reply, stacking another box of canned food near the front door with the dozen other boxes. “You know, for a small town, these guys were really generous.”
I headed back to the kitchen. “Everything’s boxed up and ready to go.”
“Aha, a P-38.” Clutch held up a small metal can opener not much bigger than a razor blade. He pocketed it.
My brow furrowed. “It’s a can opener?”
“It’s a P-38.”
With a sigh, I rolled my eyes. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
We headed to the stack of boxes. “You carry, I watch,” I said.
Clutch lifted two boxes and grunted. “Did you have to pack them so full?”
I patted his shoulder. “Just doing my part to help you stay in shape.” With the shotgun in one hand, I propped open the door with a brick. After a quick sweep of the area between us and the truck, I motioned Clutch forward. “Clear.”
He carried the boxes outside, and I stayed close, constantly scanning a full three-sixty around us. Afternoon shadows of tall trees danced like taunting spirits across the tombstones in the quaint cemetery on the other side of the church.
I opened the back of the truck, Clutch slid the boxes onto the bed, and we headed back for more boxes. We were getting efficient at looting, but we both knew that there’d be nothing left to loot in another year. We’d deal with that problem a year from now.
On the third load, I came to a hard stop.
“Aw, hell.” In one smooth move, Clutch set down the boxes and swung his shotgun around.
Parked next to our truck was a Humvee.
Don’t let it be Dogs. Don’t let it be Dogs. I treaded cautiously toward it, careful to keep the truck between us and them.
As I neared the vehicle, I let out a breath as Griz stepped out from the driver’s seat and waved while still speaking into the handheld radio. Tack emerged from the other side of the Humvee. He casually gripped a rifle, looking none too bothered that we had two shotguns aimed at them.
When Griz put down the radio, I lowered my weapon. “What brings you boys all the way out here?”
“Standard recon,” Griz replied. “Damn, I never expected to run across the pair of you. That teaches me for betting against Tack.”
I lifted a brow.
Griz busted out a wide grin. “The odds were twenty to one that you two were zeds. Tack was the only one to bet on both of you.”
Tack gave a nod.
“Thanks.” I lifted a brow. “I think.”
“So everyone thinks we’re dead?” Clutch asked by my side.
“Everyone at Fox, anyway,” Griz replied. “With the exception of Tack, me, and now Captain Masden.”
Ah, so that was whom he’d been talking to on the radio.
Griz, joined by Tack, headed our way. Griz whistled at the church. “Gutsy move to clear out a church. We’ve learned to keep our distance from churches. They’re right up there with grocery stores and police stations as being zed hubs.”
“Beggars can’t be choosy,” I said.
Griz nodded to the boxes. “Here, we can help.”
“We’re good,” Clutch said, grabbing the boxes.
Griz held out his hands. “We’re not trying to take what you’ve rightfully stolen.”
“Recon, you say? You guys still out looking for survivors?” I asked.
“Some, but our focus has shifted more to tracking down Doyle. His guys are still a pain in the ass.”
My muscles tightened as I watched Clutch for any sign of emotion. I knew he’d never forgive himself for killing that woman. Not that Doyle would be any less forgiving if he found out Clutch was still alive.
“Lendt hasn’t taken care of him yet?” Clutch asked.
Griz frowned and shook his head. “We busted into Doyle’s camp and caught several of his men and freed some of his ‘indentured servants’.”
I cocked my head. “Indentured servants?”
“That’s what Doyle told them,” Griz said. “Doyle convinced them that Camp Fox wasn’t safe. So, for food and shelter, they had to sign contracts to service the militia for seven years. Lendt figured his attack on Camp Fox was as much to convince people that with him was the only safe place.”
My jaw dropped. “Holy. Shit.”
“But he’s surprisingly wily for his age,” Griz added. “His guys have gone guerrilla on our patrols, but there have been no more attacks on the Camp, so we know we’ve got him on the run.”
“I wouldn’t be foolish enough to count on that assumption,” Clutch said, pushing the box onto the truck bed and heading back for more.
“We’re not,” Griz said, keeping up. “But we’ll get him one of these days. You can bet on it.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’ve made the smartest bets yet,” I said with a smirk before stepping back to the reception hall. Tack and Griz followed.
Tack picked up a box, and Griz lifted the top. “Who would’ve guessed that cheap toilet paper would become a luxury item?”
“How’s Camp Fox holding up? The civilians are all safe?” I asked, thinking of one in particular.
Griz sighed. “We’re getting by, but Doyle’s attack put a hurt on our supplies. Before long, we’ll be out doing what you’re doing.”
Tack dropped the box into the back of the truck and faced me. “That friend of yours, Jasen Flannigan, he’s all right. Fitting right in at the Camp.”
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. When I reopened my eyes, I smiled. “Thank you.”
Griz and Clutch set down the last of the boxes.
“We’d better head back,” Clutch said.
I checked the sun sitting just above the roof of a two-story house across the street. Zeds tended to disappear at night, especially on cloudy nights. I suspected it was some sort of instinctual need for self-preservation. They couldn’t see any better than us, so they could walk right into a river or off a ledge in the dark. Not that they were bright enough to avoid doing that in the daylight.
Except last night was a full moon. Tonight wouldn’t be much better, without a cloud in the sky. It would be a good night to be back at the park and locked in before the sun set.
“I saw what they did to your farm. That’s a damn shame,” Griz said. “Where you staying now?”
Clutch narrowed his eyes. “Why do you want to know?”
“I’m guessing it’s out this way,” Griz said, looking around. “We’re tight on resources, but whenever we have a squad out this way, I can have them stop by to check in to see how things are going.”
“Things are going fine,” Clutch retorted.
“I read you loud and clear. But, the attack really cut into our numbers and decimated our ammo supply. We’ve started training civilians, but we could use all the help we can get.”
“Help?” I asked with a hand on my hip. “Tell me something, do they still have the prison cell waiting for me?”
Griz’s lips thinned and shook his head. “Lendt’s wiped the slate clear on anyone charged with assaulting the militia. After the stunt Doyle pulled, Lendt realized that he had to revisit his approach to military law. Hell, you just might get a medal now.”
I didn’t share his confidence. “Clutch is right. We need to get going.”
“Hold up.” Griz jogged back to the Humvee and pulled out something. “This radio pack is fully charged, and it’s got an adapter for a cig lighter. I already dialed in our frequency. Call if you need anything. Leave it on so we can reach you. If we see any herds or any of Doyle’s guys sniffing around this area, we’ll let you know.”
Clutch nodded and took it.
“Thanks, Griz,” I said and followed Clutch to the truck.
“Do you think they’ll try to reach us?” I asked, closing the door.
Chapter XXI
“Why can’t anyone just leave us the fuck alone?” Clutch growled as we drove back to the church two days later.
I reached out and intertwined my fingers with his. “That’s because we’re irresistible.”
Neither of us laughed. I wasn’t any more comfortable with the idea of tying ourselves to Camp Fox than Clutch. When Tyler had called in on the radio this morning and said he needed to meet with us, a rock had formed in my stomach and had been expanding ever since.
As we rolled up to the church, we found two Humvees waiting for us.
When Clutch turned off the ignition, the back door on the first Humvee flung open, a nearly full-grown coyote jumped down and a teenager with a wide grin stepped out.
My eyes widened. “Jase!”
He waved wildly and met me midway with a bear hug. Clutch came up from behind me and patted him on the shoulder. “Damn, it’s good to see you, kid.”
Jase took a step back. “Man, when Griz told me you guys were okay…well, it’s just good to see you. Really, really good.”
The golden coyote sat behind Jase, and I grinned. “I see Mutt’s turned out all right.”
He bent down and picked up the furry canine, and she licked his cheek. “Yeah, she’s a regular zed hunter now. She comes with me scouting.”
Clutch frowned. “You go on scouting missions?”
“Yeah.” Jase nodded back at Tyler, Griz, and Tack, who were now walking our way. “They asked for folks to join up after the attack. Eddy and I are on Captain Masden’s squad.” He stepped to the side, making room for Tyler, while Griz and Tack stood back with their rifles ready, scanning the area.
Tyler smiled at me. “It’s good to see you again.” He held out his hand, and I shook it, having a hard time returning his smile.
Tyler didn’t even try to shake Clutch’s hand. Tyler never liked Clutch, and Clutch still held a grudge against Tyler for abandoning me in zed and Dog country. I wasn’t angry. Not anymore. Tyler had simply been trying to do the right thing in a world where all the old rules had changed.
I still wanted to punch him.
“What do you want, Captain?” Clutch said.
Tyler gave a thin smile. “Always to the point, Sarge. I respect that. Griz said he filled you in on our current situation with Doyle and his minutemen.”
“He said you guys were at war,” Clutch said.
Tyler chortled. “It’s been more like a hunt than a war. Though, Jase might have found a game changer.”
“How’s that?” I asked.
“Your boy here came across one of Doyle’s outposts.”
“When are you going in?” Clutch asked.
“Tonight.”
Clutch narrowed his eyes. “But you’re not here for a briefing.”
“You’re right, Sarge. To be honest, we’re tight on resources. Before the outbreak, we didn’t have many troops with real field experience. And Doyle’s attack on the Camp put a hell of a hurtin’ on us. You’ve served two tours, Sarge. I need you out there with my men tonight. It’s not a request.”
I watched Clutch turn and pace the sidewalk. When he returned, he ran a hand through his short hair. “What’s the SITREP?”
“From what Jase and Southpaw reported, this isn’t Doyle’s primary camp, but we believe he’s running out of multiple small camps instead of one larger camp now. Nevertheless, the camp Jase and Southpaw found would be a critical hit from a payback perspective. The payload is three fuel tankers, which we believe constitute all of Doyle’s mobile fuel reserves. We could really use that fuel at Camp Fox, so we can’t go in with guns blazing and risk blowing the trucks sky-high.”
He motioned to Jase who handed Clutch his iPhone. After Clutch scrolled through the pictures, he handed the phone to me. Three fuel tankers sat side by side at a rest stop. Calling it an outpost was an exaggeration. There were no fences, hardly any people, and only the single building. If the trucks were lined up, I would’ve driven by without looking twice.
“As for tangos,” Tyler continued. “We’re looking at no more than five guys on duty at any time, but they’re likely patched into Doyle through handheld radios we provided the militia awhile back. I think Doyle figured this place is far enough north that we wouldn’t find it.”
“Which rest stop is this?” Clutch asked.
“It’s about twenty miles north of Chow Town, just south of the ethanol plant.”
“I know the place,” Clutch said.
“I’m leading the mission, and I’m taking my entire squad with me. That makes ten of us. With you, it’d be eleven.”
Silence boomed, and I noticed Clutch watching Jase. “If I do this, both the kid and Cash are on my team.”
Tyler nodded. “I was planning on that.” He turned to me. “Since you’re not ex-mil, I couldn’t make you come along, but your assistance is appreciated.”
I gave a tight nod.
Tyler faced Clutch and continued. “Griz has Alpha team. You’ll take Bravo team. That brings our total to twelve troops for the mission. It should be an easy in-and-out.”
Clutch shot me a strained glance before turning back to Tyler. “Hoorah.”
Tyler smiled. “We head out at zero-three. I’ll make sure you both have clearance into Camp Fox. We meet inside the front gate. Got it?”
“Cash and I need weapons and gear,” Clutch added.
“Roger that,” Tyler said. “Those are two things we still have in good supply. Ammunition is another story.”
“How low are you?” Clutch asked.
“If we’re careful, we might have just enough to take Doyle down. But we’re going to have to get creative with the zeds.”
Clutch nodded and headed back to the truck. I shot Jase a quick smile before following.
We drove away, and neither Clutch nor I spoke until after we passed by the farms we’d looted a few days earlier. “I guess it’s official. We’re with Camp Fox,” I said.
Clutch took in a deep breath. “Yeah, guess so.”
My eyes widened. “Wait. Turn around.”
He hit the brakes and did a one-eighty. He frowned. “What’d you see?”
I hurriedly pointed to a house with a couple rustic tin buildings. “Turn in here.”
He pulled into the drive. “Is that—?”
“Yeah.”
He stopped the truck next to the old tree, with dozens of red apples dangling from it. I shot him a wide grin before we both rushed out to the tree. The apples were high, and I had to jump to reach one. When I bit into it, tart juices splattered, and I groaned. “Mm, so good.”
Clutch didn’t reply. He was too busy chewing on his own apple.
It had been so long since we had fresh fruit. These tart apples were meant for pies, but they tasted like heaven. Clutch finished his before I finished mine and grabbed another apple. I tossed my core, and he held the apple out to me. I grinned, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him into a long, sugary kiss. Bliss.
I pulled away to find Clutch wearing one his rare smiles.
My smile fell at the same time the blood in my veins froze. “Watch out!”
He twisted around just as the zed tackled him.
I reached for my shotgun and realized I’d left it in the truck.
I pulled out my knife and ran at the zed snapping its teeth at Clutch, who was holding it back. I grabbed its legs and yanked it to the side, got to my knees and shoved the knife through its cheekbone. Clutch was next to me, stabbing it through its eye. Jumping to my feet I turned around to find at least a half dozen more heading our way, all looking less than friendly and more than hungry.
“We’ve got trouble,” I murmured.
“Truck” was all Clutch said, and we both sprinted back to the still-running vehicle.
As Clutch tore out of there, I watched the zeds through the back window. They stood under the apple tree, watchi
ng us, as though daring us to come back.
I turned back around and sighed. For more apples, I just might.
Chapter XXII
“You’ll stay at my side and do everything I say,” Clutch said on our way to Camp Fox. “This situation could go FUBAR in a flash. I don’t like you this close to the action, but I’d rather have you with me than alone at the park.”
I yawned, then saluted. “Yes, Sergeant Bad Ass, sir.”
He muttered something under his breath. I grinned and went back to scanning the dark landscape.
It took us two hours driving without headlights and around the ever-growing numbers of zeds to get to Camp Fox. By then, my nerves had amped up a million levels. I’d fought against zeds plenty. This was my first time playing the aggressor against other people, and I felt sorely unprepared.
At the Camp’s front gate, we found a friendly reception and load of gear and weapons waiting for us. Clutch helped me gear up before fastening on his own armor. As I checked out my new sniper rifle, Tyler drove up with a Humvee full of troops with faces painted black.
They stepped outside and we all formed a circle around Tyler.
He looked over everyone, and then threw me a plastic container. I unscrewed the lid to find what I guessed was dark face paint. Clutch dipped two fingers in and started wiping it across his face, and I did the same.
“Sarge, you’ve got Tack, Southpaw, Cash, Eddy, and Jase,” Tyler said. “Everyone else is with Griz and me. Here’s the plan.”
****
Two hours later, Bravo team lay flat on the grassy hill behind the rest stop, waiting for Tyler’s signal. To my right, Mutt, an honorary member of Bravo, was sprawled out next to Jase, seemingly unconcerned that shit was about to hit the proverbial fan. Eddy was on Jase’s other side, one of his legs shaking. To my left, with Clutch between us, was Southpaw, the other sniper in Bravo. Tack was silent and unmoving next to Southpaw, and I couldn’t tell if he was even awake.
Clutch looked like he was analyzing the situation, and I turned my attention back to my target. There were two guards on the backside of the rest stop, one on each corner. Southpaw and I each had our assigned target in our sights for the past ten minutes. Just waiting for the signal.
