Dead To Rights_HZA, Vol. 4

by Marty Brockschmidt

  “Nicely done, but no time for dress up there sister.” Turk realized how close of a call this was and wondered how long he could keep the pair from advancing their relationship.

  “Emma get changed and finish up here. Will I need your help with these panels.” As Turk spun to leave the room Will quickly adjusted himself and with a quick squeeze to Emma's hand followed Turk out.

  The house was an amazing find it appeared to have belonged to an older couple and likely had a daughter or granddaughter living with them. Whatever caused the man to be left alone in the house was a mystery, but tragic enough to drive him to suicide. The family appeared to be avid hunters by the mounts hung throughout the house and the number of firearms they found. The solar system was obviously still functional since the lights were working.

  They worked throughout the day and with a couple of hours of daylight remaining, they had loaded the useful personal items and a little more than half the panels. A return trip would be needed to finish, but it was time to return to camp. On the way back Turk complained of a headache and stopped at a pharmacy on the way back ordering Will to stay put with Emma and promised to be back in a minute.

  Having radioed ahead they were greeted by the group at the gates as they pulled up. As soon as Turk exited the vehicle Margo ran up and jumped into his arms.

  “What did you bring me?”

  “Hold on we got a little something for everyone.” Turk set Margo down and turned towards the adults. “We selected some items for all the kids if your OK with it.”

  Turk pulled out a pair of machetes, for James and Jackson, a swiss army knife for Caleb, Mitch and Arianna got a matching pair of hunting knives with deer antler handles, for Lizzie a survival knife.

  Margo was impatiently shuffling from one foot to the other, but her eyes became as big as saucers when Turk handed her the porcelain doll. “It's your job to guard her little miss.”

  “Oh I will, I will.”

  Prescott was looking a little down maybe he was too old to get a present. “Prescott my boy you and I are going to have to work on this together to finish it.”

  Prescott's smile turned to puzzlement as Turk pulled out the hardwood cane. “I know your confused, but we'll make this into something special, you'll see.”

  Turk pulled back the tarp so they all could see what was inside. “There is a fair amount of clothes here, sorry nothin for the kids. They had a full pantry, you'll need to make sure it is still good. Tim here is a couple boxes of 30.06 rounds and some double aught buck.”

  “How much stuff is there to get yet?” Sam asked seeing they were far from a functional system.

  “The system was functionin, but we need to get the batteries, inverters and rest of the panels. The real bonus is there is a DC fridge and freezer.”

  Once again it was like Christmas and they all pitched in to unload. As the last of the items were being put up and the clothes divided up, Turk went to Red. “Care to walk with me?”

  “Your going to spoil us if every you time you show up you have presents.”

  “It was fun seeing the kids with their stuff, hopefully everyone was okay with my choices.”

  “I think you pretty well pegged the kids.”

  Red slipped her hand into his as they walked. “So what do you have on your mind?”

  “Its Will and Emma. I walked in on them just before.. well just in time. I've known Will less than a month and Emma half that and I am more than a little uncomfortable having the talk with them.”

  Red burst out laughing delighting Turk with the sound of her laughter and the smile on her face. “This was so not the conversation I thought we were going to have.”

  “Well we can get there.” Turk replied giving her hand a squeeze. “I was just hoping you could help me out with Emma.”

  “I have no experience there either, but I'll talk to Sue and Miri, get come advice.”

  “I appreciate that. Now what did you have an your mind?”

  Abigail Cross was a pretty young woman. For the past year her husband Henry and four year old daughter Zoe had kept on the move. Occasionally they found a group to be with, but either members of the group became frustrated feeding Zoe who contributed little or they feared she would cry out attracting zeds. Other times some man would make a grab for Abigail and even one time Zoe.

  Recently they came close to the Smoky Mountain Playland and were certain it was occupied. Henry spying from a distance was sure the group had kids and even a dog. The couple was reluctant to go to the group, to ask to join. Instead, Henry would build a campfire every night hoping the group would send out an emissary to investigate them.

  That decision came back to bite them in the morning when two men showed up.

  “Hello in the camp. Mind if we approach?”

  Henry drew his revolver. “Come in hands up.”

  “Whoa there son no need for anybody to get shot here. I'm Wilbur and this here is Remington.”

  “Good for you.” Henry replied. “What can I do you for?”

  “That coffee smells good can you spare a cup?”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Three plates for breakfast. Whose in the tent”

  Henry gestured with his pistol. “I'm a big eater. Take your coffee and move on.”

  “We can't take your cups, drink up Remington and give the man back his cup.”

  “Just set the cups back down. Hey hold it up there I said just set the cups down.”

  Wilbur and Remington moved in close to Henry holding out there empty coffee cups and when close enough Wilbur's free hand shout out. Grabbed Henry's wrist and forced the gun to the side. Remington pulled his knife and plunged it into Henry's chest. As Henry slumped down Wilbur relieved him of his pistol and put a round in Henry's brain pan.

  “Come out of that tent before I start filling it full of holes.” Wilbur ordered.

  Abigail unzipped the tent and she and Zoe got out.

  Wilbur whistled in appreciation. “Lady we're takin you and your little girl to some friends of ours up north. Remington pick up the kid and get it in gear deaduns are going to be all over this spot in no time.”

  After a short jog they reached the men's van and piled in. They didn't travel far before pulling over so each of the men could have a turn at Abigail. When they pulled over for the night Wilbur briefly explained what was happening. “In the morning we'll take you to the outpost and trade you and your little girl for supplies. Course in the meantime they won't mind us enjoyin the fringe benefits of our labors.”

  It was a long sleepless night for Abigail. What little peace the two men gave her, she spent trying to soothe Zoe. When the sun came up they hit the road again and shortly drove up to the outer fence of the compound. Tethered to the fence were a number of the dead, which strained at their lines when the van pulled up.

  “Tell Silas we got a couple of additions to the fold.” Wilbur told the guard.

  “Drive on up, you know where he is.”

  Silas Rigby did not enjoy being made to run this outpost. In the early days, the True Believers didn't have the men and resources to roam the countryside, looking for people. Using a network of mercenary types the True Believers setup the outpost to have people, especially children brought to them. For a few days every two months, Silas would come to the outpost and trade a pittance of supplies, for the people these mercenaries trafficked in. Silas never understood the desire for children, until Preacher Josiah explained Mother Rachel’s objective, by quoting Hitler. “He alone who owns the youth, gains the future.”

  Wilbur pulled their van up to the small cabin in the forefront of the compound and guiding Abigail and Zoe ahead of them they knocked on the cabin door. When the reply to enter was given they crowded to one side of the doorway having learned from prior experience that Silas kept a couple of the fallen chained near the doorway. Zoe let out a piercing scream at the sight of the dead and Remington almost cuffed her, but was stopped by Wilbur.

  “Settle your daughter wom
an.” Wilbur directed, as he presented the pair in front of Silas.

  Silas was a big man, easily over 300 lbs, his skin was pink from a lifetime of avoiding the sun. Being just over sixty he was prideful that he still had a full head of hair, even if it was white. As he gazed at the woman and child in front of him he leaned back in his chair and ran his hands through his hair as he calculated a price.

  “That one seems a bit roughed up. It causes problems, when you rough them up, before they arrive.” Silas stated bargaining, like a used car salesman.

  “She put up one heck of a scuffle, she was quite the handful, tain't that so Remington?”

  “Be that as it may, she is going to require extra care.” Stated Silas, as he waddled over and began placing cartridges, cans of food, coffee and tobacco into a box.

  Silas handed the box to Wilbur. “You tryin to cheat us Silas, this is barely half of what we normally get?”

  Silas held out an empty gas can. “You drive a hard bargain sir. Tell my man at the gate to fill your tank and this can as well.”

  Pleased with the offer of gasoline, Wilbur and Remington exited, again staying clear of the outstretched arms of the fallen. As they cleared the doorway, Silas hit the release and gave slack to the cable, holding back the fallen. They followed the men out and tore into them. Once the screams of the two men stopped, Silas reversed the winch drawing in the fallen, then walked over and fired a round into the skull of each man.

  “I’ve wanted to do that to those two, for a long time.” Silas remarked.

  Abigail was seated on the floor, clutching Zoe close, afraid this man was going to turn those things on them next. Wilbur and Remington, had tore away her clothes and had only given her the tattered remnants of her shirt, to cover her nakedness. Silas rummaged through a bin and came up with some clothes for Abigail.

  Silas handed the clothes to Abigail. “There is a washroom, through that door. You can clean up and change, I’ll look at those cuts and bruises, when you come out.”

  Abigail took the clothes, the man had a kindly appearance, but appearances could be deceiving. “Thank you sir, what is going to happen to us?”

  Silas shook his head sadly and looked at the young girl, grasping her mother’s hand. “Nothing good and it pains me, there is little I can do to change that.”

  That night, Red did not catch a glimpse of the campfire that had been burning, the past several days. “What do you think it means?”

  Turk shrugged. “I think it means, I'm not sleeping much tonight.”

  “You think, they could be sneaking up on us?”

  “Actually, I doubt it. Doesn't make sense to me, that they would make themselves so obvious and then not move in, come evenin…. yet it doesn't hurt, to be a bit more on guard.”

  “I guess we should go tell the others.” Turk tightened his arm around Red and she nestled her head into his shoulder. “Just a couple of minutes to enjoy the moment, though.”

  Back at their common room in the admin building, Red let the group present know, about the lack of the distant campfire. Tom sucked in his breath at the news and looked to Tim, for suggestions.

  “Let’s not be quick to panic here, this could all mean nothing. We'll be a little more alert, on watch.”

  “I'm in agreement with Tim.” Turk added. “I'll take first watch with Prescott, it will be a good experience for him.”

  Turk enjoyed Prescott's efforts to mimic him and was especially pleased, at how quietly he was learning to walk. As a hunting guide, it always frustrated Turk how loudly, most people moved. In this world, not drawing attention to yourself, could save your life. When they were relieved by Tom and Will, Turk walked Prescott back to bed, then went and bedded himself down, near the exit. Later, when Red and Tim finished there time on watch, Red came back to sit with Turk. Thinking him asleep, Red tried hard not to disturb, but as she approached, Turk spread out the blanket he was seated on.

  “I thought you were asleep.”

  “I was, I've just spent so much time alone that I've learned to sleep, with one eye open.”

  Red settled down next to Turk and as he put his arm around her, she used his chest as a pillow. When her breathing slowed, Turk bent forward and kissed the top of her head. Red snuggled a little closer and a smile, spread across her face.

  As the sun began to rise, Red and Turk made their way back to the admin building and we're greeted by Tim. “You two sleep well?”

  “Fine, thanks for asking.” Turk replied.

  “You know Turk, you really didn't have to bunk out near the gate.”

  “I know, but I sleep best under the stars and if anything did happen, I wanted to be at the ready.”

  “Having the cameras up and running, would help us keep a lookout and it’s something the children, could truly help with.” Red pointed out.

  “I know Sam, would like to finish getting the rest of the solar panels and electronics here, but I don't want us short handed, if someone does come knocking.” Tim remarked

  “Turk, who is needed to get the rest of the system?” Red asked.

  “Sam and I, would be the best for takin stuff apart. I need somebody strong enough to catch the panels, comin off the roof, Will can do that. One more to keep watch, Prescott is a pretty good shot, but I'd prefer to have you Tim.”

  “Tim, we can manage things here for a day, we’ll keep in touch by radio. We can spare the gas to run the cameras off the generator, while your gone.” Red suggested.

  Tim thought a moment. “We'll have to run it by Tom and the others and I think putting it off a day, won't hurt.”

  Tom took a bit of convincing, the thought of separating the group, especially having both Tim and Turk gone, just didn't set right. Sue eventually made up his mind, as she normally did, “Thomas Higgins, don't tell me your concerned about having an army of women and children. You know that Miri and I can hold our own and you've never had any qualms, about Red and Tracey.”

  The next morning, as they got ready to leave, Turk handed Prescott a lever action carbine. “This hear 30-30 belonged to my Pa, he give it to me and now I'm a givin it to you. Its only good out to about a hundred yards, but it shoots flat out to there and packs a wallop. Only load it when and if Red tells you to and unload as soon as she says.”

  Prescott was filled with emotion for this man, who was becoming more of a father to him, than his own dad ever was. “I will, I promise. Thank You.”

  Prescott stuck out his hand to seal the deal, but Turk ignored that and pulled the boy in for a quick hug and pat on the back.

  Turk handed Red a box of shells for the carbine and then gave her a hug, as well. “We'll be back, six hours tops, give us a holler, if'n you need us.”

  As they were pulling out, Tim could hold his curiosity no longer, “So why did you want me along, as lookout?”

  “Keepin watch is one thing, I figure we are more likely to run into a scrape, than they are and I needed a man for that job, not a boy. I've been pushin Prescott along as hard as I could, but he's still got a ways to go.”

  Prescott James Kennedy was born in Cambridge MA, a suburb of Boston. His parents rocky marriage ended in divorce, when he was ten. His mom, Anne Kennedy, moved them to her hometown, Oak Ridge, TN, looking for a new life, for the two of them. To be honest, Prescott could care less if he ever saw his father again, but his Granddad, he missed him every day.

  To honor his Grandfather, Prescott joined the JROTC. To gain service hours, he signed up as a counselor in training, for the church camp. When the dead attacked their campsite, only he, Margo and the two youth counselors, Will and Emma, got to the safety of the adult cabin.

  The four adult chaperones, kept them on the move, keeping them alive. Eventually, they managed to get back to Oak Ridge, but found only the dead. Sadly, Prescott had to accept his mother was gone. His growing friendship with Will, Emma and Margo, helping him to move on.

  After moving to Oak Ridge, Prescott’s mom, began working two jobs to support them. Even th
ough his Dad was suppose to kick in child support, those checks came in to sporadically to rely on. Prescott left to his own devices, would ride his bike everywhere, still managing to find his way to the VFW, at the end of each day. The veterans he got to know there, reminded him of his Grandad and were always glad to bend the ear of the impressionable young man, with their stories.

  Prescott had always wanted a soldiers life, to be like his grandfather. His grandfather, William Kennedy, had served in Vietnam and Prescott was awed, by the memorabilia he’d collected. But more than that, he was inspired by the the stories he told. After his death, Prescott inherited his sharp shooter medal and his diary, of his days in Vietnam.

  The diary was one of the things Prescott still had. He packed it, when he went to church camp and still carried it with him. Now a days, no one had much personal stuff to speak of, but the diary kept him close to those, he had lost. Prescott immediately took a shine to Turk and tried to emulate him, every chance he got. He also wanted to be like Tim and protect his friends, this place and their freedom, as a soldier would.