Dead To Rights_HZA, Vol. 4

by Marty Brockschmidt

  “Your move.” William watched, as his grandson studied the board. At ten years old, the boy was quite the chess player.

  Prescott moved his queen, to take out the rook. “Check.” He smiled, still studying the board.

  “That was sneaky.” William joked.

  “No, just strategic.”

  William sat back, looking at his grandson. “That’s a big word, for a little boy.” Prescott shrugged. “Well then, tell me what you know about about strategy, son.”

  Prescot thought for a minute, after all, it wasn’t an easy explanation. “Strategy, is being two steps ahead of your enemy.” William moved his King, one space over. “Checkmate...like that grandpa.” William threw his hands up, as Prescott took his King, with the bishop.

  “Good win there Prescott.” William congratulated, the boy. “You’re right, about strategy and what it means, but it also means being smart enough to know, what to do with those two steps.” William explained. “Keep in mind son, there is always something new to learn, don’t ever think you know it all, because that can be the biggest downfall.” Prescott listened, intently. “Understand?”

  “Yes grandpa, I understand.” Prescott replied.

  “Alright then, how about another game?” Prescott nodded, excitedly setting up the board, for another go.

  After moving to Oak Ridge, Prescott did not get to see his grandfather very often, then he passed away, before Prescott’s fourteenth birthday. Since his dad was not in his life, his mother took on that empty space. Anne Kennedy, though working two jobs, always managed to find the time for her son.

  “So, church camp this Summer?” Anne asked her son, as she dried the dinner dishes.

  “I can use it toward my service hours, for JROTC.” Anne finished her chore, sitting down next to her boy.

  “You know it's not just for that, right?” Prescott made a face, causing Anne to playfully hit him in the arm. “You can be a mentor to those young kids, like grandpa was to you.” Anne continued. “I know you haven’t had it easy, but it hasn’t stopped you from being a great person, you could teach those kids a lot.”

  “I’m just looking for the credits, but I guess I can be a mentor to.” Prescott replied, Anne just shaking her head. “I know ma, don’t worry.” Prescott reassured his mom.

  “Don't be a wise guy, just do your best.” Anne implored, although she knew Prescott would do just that, he always did.

  “I said okay, can we change the subject?”

  “Of course we can, is your room clean?” Prescott sighed, as he went up to clean his room.

  It had seemed like ages, since that conversation with his mother. So much had changed, so fast and Prescott didn’t have time to even think. He had found hope again, in large part due Turk and Tim. Being honest with himself, he had also formed, his first real crush.

  Prescott walked the park with Tracey, it was his first real watch duty and he followed Tracey’s lead.

  “Always double check the fences, can never be to careful.” Tracy pointed out.

  Prescott nodded, giving his full attention to her. He felt his heart beating in his ears, it always beat so fast, when he was around this woman. She was so beautiful to him and yet so mysterious.

  “How much longer, before we’re relieved?” Prescott asked. His legs were aching, after a long, hard day of work, but he would never let it show. Prescott was in good shape, tall, muscular and very good looking, with blonde curly hair and blue eyes. He was almost sixteen, but could pass for eighteen.

  “In about an hour, why you tired?” Tracey asked.

  “Nah, just wonderin.” Tracey showed Prescott the ropes, pointing out everything he needed to know, while on watch. Of course Prescott, felt like his whole body was on fire, anytime Tracey spoke, but he hid it well. “So, will I be with you, when I do night watch?” Prescott asked, nonchalantly.

  “Probably a few times a week anyway, but it switches off, you’ll be fine though.” Tracey tried to be encouraging.

  Prescott searched for a way to keep the conversation going. “Thanks, for showing me what to do. I’d hate to be on watch, with Tim and mess up.”

  Tracey flashed him a smile. “Tim is always way harder on himself, then anyone else. Just keep your ears open.”

  Emboldened, Prescott continued. “Mitch told me how you and Red, saved the day.”

  Tracey shrugged, “We did what we could. If it hadn’t been for Mitch, Arianna and Lizzie, things may have turned out way different.”

  Prescott pressed. “Still, you were able to do something. When Cain had Margo, Emma and me, I was always looking for some way out, something I could do.”

  “Sounds like you never gave up. That is something.”

  It was Prescott’s turn to shrug. “Emma, she was sure Will was coming.”

  “She was right.”

  “I guess. Do you think you could ever be that sure, about anyone?”

  “I’m not interested in anything like what Will and Emma have, I just can’t see that for me.”

  Prescott looked down. “Yeah, me either.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure. We got some young ladies here, that aren’t that much younger than you. Never say never, my friend.”

  A few minutes later, Tim and Red walked up, ready to take over. Tracey filled them in, before heading to bed. “Well, see ya in the morning.” Tracey said, before heading to her room.

  “Yeah, see ya in the morning.” Prescott just stood there, long after Tracey left.

  Preacher Josiah obtained an audience with Mother Rachel and entered her office finding her, at her desk, working in her journal. Delilah was seated near Rachel’s desk, positioned so that Rachel could look up and gaze upon her assistant. “Preacher, you have news?”

  “I do. We found Cain's vehicles. Cain and his team are all dead, their supplies taken and the vehicles burned.”

  Rachel clicked her tongue. “Preacher, I cannot have a group out there, that can take down a man like Cain, then disappear in the wind.”

  “We'll find them.” Preacher Josiah, assured her.

  Rachel considered the Preacher. “Josiah, I know our relationship is tenuous at best, but if you do not want Delilah and my zealots to pay Silas another visit, you will carry out my edicts.”

  Josiah nodded solemnly. “Of course, Mother.”

  Rachel waved off, his deference to her. “I have one hundred and five children in the program now. My supply of vitamins ,that helps in their conditioning, is not limitless. Soon the progenitors, will start the creation of the next generation. These new births, will only know the reality that is True Belief and the vitamins, will no longer be needed. It is time we cull, the non-believers. Give those that will inherit the earth, the time they will need. Of the one hundred seventy three men and women in our community, leave only those in the sisterhood as my guard, form the rest into an army. Find those that perpetrated this assault on my missionary and wipe them, from the face of the earth.”

  Josiah backed out of the office, bowing. “By your decree, Mother.”

  Josiah had been seeing Rachel slowly, not only take on the guise of the Mother, but actually see herself as the voice of God. Her madness was one thing, what truly concerned him was the level of conditioning, she was able to invoke in these children. It wasn't that they could ignore high degrees of physical pain, but would act on command, without emotion.

  As a trial, Rachel gave one girl a kitten to take care of. For several weeks the girl fed the kitten, watched over the kitten and played with the kitten. One day, while the girl was holding the kitten in her lap and gently stroking it, Rachel came in.

  “You like the kitten, don't you Chloe?”

  “Oh yes Mother, very much.”

  “Well it is time to be done with it, snap its neck and dispose of it.”

  Without a second thought, young Chloe broke the kittens neck, dumped its limp body in the trash and went off to her lessons, as if nothing happened.

  Miri was stationed in the security offic
e, when Tim's call came over the radio. “Hey Mir, we're all loaded up, but ran into a little snag.”

  Miri took a second to breathe, before responding. “You're all okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Nothing like that. We got a swarm of the dead, blocking our way. They don't move uphill and we're not driving through them. We're spending the night at the house, hoping they clear out by morning.” Tim answered.

  “You want me to send the cavalry, if they don't?” Miri asked.

  Tim’s reply, came back quickly. “We're good, Turk's got a plan B.”

  Miri took a minute to consider, what Turk might have up his sleeve. “Okay, give a shout if that changes.”

  “Will do. Miri, Sam's worried about Caleb, make sure he knows his dad is good.” Tim's concern for the boy, was obvious in his voice.

  The four men. settled into the mountainside home. Turk pulled out his flask and poured a little, into four glasses. Handing one to each of the others, Will included. Will took the glass, cautiously. “You know, I'm not old enough to drink.”

  “I reckon none of those rules stand anymore. You're behavin like a man and you're old enough to make your own decisions. Drink or don't drink, it's up to. You own that decision and take responsibility for it.” Turk answered, hoping Will would catch the deeper point.

  Sam took his glass and held it, slowly swirling the moonshine, considering Turk. “Turk, you sure about this idea of yours to lead them dead off?”

  Turk chuckled. “Hell man, I got reason to get back to that park. I got no intention of sacrificin myself. I led game to clients lots of times. This won't be a whole lot different. I figure thems at the bottom of this hill, is going to find somethin else to catch their attention and they'll be moved off, anyhow.”

  Tim shot down his drink. “I'll take first watch.”

  Turk pulled the willys up to the gate, the shield Sam had constructed to cover the gate, was raised. Turk pulled in, giving Prescott a thumbs up as he and Tracey closed the gate and lowered the shield. Turk drove up as close to the security office as possible. The group gathered around to help unload the trailer and Sam directed which supplies went where. The last to come off was the DC freezer and fridge.

  “Pete would you look at these? I won't know how to act not eating dried meat all the time.” Miri expressed.

  “I was thinking these would be little more than coolers. If we could fill that freezer, we'll have enough to last all winter.” Pete replied.

  “Prescott, after breakfast I want you and Margo to scrub out the fridge and freezer. Don't feel bad, I did the worst of it back at the house. Will, I'll be lookin for you and Emma to help Sam and I, setup the electronics. With any kind of luck, we can have it just about set by tomorrow.” Turk directed.

  Red laid a hand on Turk's arm. “No rest for the wicked aye”

  Turk smiled at Red. “Why don't you and Lizzie join us to? In fact, Tim if you’re open to it, hold your meetin at the security office and we can kill two birds with one stone.”

  After breakfast they all met at the security office. Jimmy and Jackson were tasked with keeping watch via the monitors, still powered by one of the generators. The other six kids worked on cleaning the appliances. Turk and Sam, worked on getting the solar array in place, but kept an ear on the conversation.

  Tim brought out a map of the park. “We had some time last night to talk about things. The shields that Sam got up over the gates, makes those two entrances a lot more secure and the back bracing along the fence holds out the zeds. Still that fence isn't going to hold out anyone serious to get in here. Sam and Turk, pitched the idea of taking apart the cabins and using the log walls to line the fence.”

  Tom sucked in his breath,“Sounds like a lot of work, but this place would be a fortress afterward.”

  Prescott stopped cleaning and walked over to the group of adults. “Excuse me sir, I've got a few ideas too.”

  Tim looked at the young man. “I thought you might. Will told me, the defenses we found at the Gatlinburg cabins, were all you.”

  Prescott looked down a little embarrassed. “I've always read anything I could on the revolutionary war and civil war. The others too, but those are closest to our situation.”

  Turk had stopped his work, wiring in the solar panels. “I know you’re about fit to bust, wantin to say your piece. Floor is yours boy.”

  Prescott nodded. “I always think about layers of defense, whether its zeds or people, the more we can slow them down, the more time we have. We should block off the road, leading to the main parking lot. Then the road leading up to the side gate, we should make sure that any traffic, has to weave back and forth. It would be slower for us in and out, but that's a small price if we can keep someone, from ramming our gate..”

  Tim pursed his lips and nodded. “Makes sense.”

  Emboldened Prescott continued. “I'm not done yet. We need a back door. Push comes to shove we have to be able to get out of here. I know you wanted to control the size of this place with the barricade off the water tower square.” Pointing at a spot on the map. “If we move this barricade to the opposite end of that square. We'd be close to where the power lines run by here. There has got to be some form of service road for crews to work on those power lines.”

  Turk cleared his throat, “If Red is willin to watch my back I could try my luck on the huntin that way and we could get a fair idea if it will work as an emergency exit.”

  Chapter 5 - Opening

  Early the next morning Turk got up and grabbed his gear for the hunt. His backpack, which also carried his club, his longbow and quiver of arrows. He belted his holster at his waist which carried a couple of knives, his trusty 1911 and a couple of spare magazines. Stepping out he found Red and Pete waiting.

  “I'll follow you up to the gate if you need to get in quick give a holler and I'll be there.” Pete informed the pair.

  “Thanks Pete.” Red acknowledged.

  Turk looked over to Red, she was feeling a little uncomfortable dressed in the camo clothes that were brought back in the previous run. Growing up, the crowd she ran with, thought of camouflage as a redneck fashion choice, but times were different now.

  “Here's a little somethin to complete your outfit.” Turk said handing her pair of camo gloves and a camo hat with head net attached.

  Red dutifully put them on. “Well I'm stylin now.”

  “Can you handle a shotgun? I'd feel better having the extra muscle with us, just in case.” Turk asked.

  “I can handle one.” Red said simply, reminded of Andy.

  Pete raised the shield covering the main gate into the park, allowing Turk and Red to slip out. They quickly rounded the corner and headed uphill in the direction of the power lines. “So why did you ask me to come hunting with you?” Red asked.

  Turk grinned. “You mean a feller needs a reason to take his best girl out for a stroll.”

  “Oh I'm your best girl, you got another one I don't know about?”

  Turk was not experienced in the teasing banter and thought it best to change the topic. “There is not a lot of options for us to be alone together. I see how you handle yourself if I get focused on a deer or hog, I know I can trust you to focus on everything else.”

  The couple made their way along the edge of the two track moving slowly from tree to tree until Turk saw what he was looking for. “This new growth along this two track is like a grocery store for deer. We'll setup on this ridge near the deer trail and see what comes along.”

  Red wasn't exactly sure how he recognized this as a deer trail, but accepted he knew what he was talking about. Turk selected a tree for them to sit against and trimmed some leafy branches to place in front as a blind.

  “There is enough of a breeze that we can get away with some quiet talkin”

  The couple sat a little bit apart so they each could look over their shoulder in case anything came up behind them. They were close enough though that Turk could reach out and catch hold of Red’s hand.

  The
y sat in silence for a bit than Red broke the quiet, “It’s so peaceful out here I can almost forget that danger could be lurking behind the next tree.”

  “Got to take take your moments when you get em darlin.”

  Turk signaled Red to silence. “We got somethin comin. Don't sound like zeds.”

  Again Red wasn't sure what he had detected, but a couple of minutes later a pair of doe made their way slowly feeding along the two track. Turk pulled a second arrow from his quiver and handed it to Red to hold for him. When the deer had their heads down feeding Turk raised up to a kneeling position drew the bow and released the arrow at the larger of the two. Extending his hand for the second arrow he gave a soft whistle to hold up the second deer and quickly drew and fired. Neither deer traveled far, but Turk had them hold still just in case the commotion drew the attention of anything else.