by David Achord
“And you believe they are planning some type of action against us?” Senator Duckworth asked before Melvin could continue. He’d been mostly quiet the whole time, but I sensed now he was finally seeing things for what they were.
Melvin nodded. “A couple of months ago, Lonnie had twelve men with him. He’s lost a few since then, but might’ve recruited replacements. I’m betting they’re planning on a snatch-and-grab raid or an ambush.”
“For what purpose?” Duckworth asked. “We’d give them food. We’ve given food to people before.”
“Food? Sure, but you wouldn’t have given them weapons, or your women,” Melvin bluntly replied. That shut everyone up.
“I’m curious, Melvin, how do you know all of this about the Blackjacks?” Senator Polacek asked.
“I’ve met them,” Melvin replied.
“You’re friends with them?” Senator Duckworth asked.
“They think so,” Melvin said.
I’d like to think the majority of the crowd was moving over to our side now. However, General Fosswell seemed a little frustrated. I wondered why. I stood.
“I’m sure you people have a lot to talk about. I’m going to get some rest. Check back with me in eight hours if you have any further questions.” I looked at Fred. “Captain Kitchens, that’s the man seated over there, he has my rifle. Get it back from him before you leave, okay?”
Fred gave a small nod as he stared at Seth.
Secretary Stark cleared his throat. “We’re not through, Mister Gunderson.”
Melvin interjected before I spouted off. “Sir, Zach needs some personal time to decompress. Let him get caught up on his sleep. I’ve spoken with Savannah, and I believe I can fill in some of the blanks and answer any questions you might have for him.”
“Why isn’t she here, Sergeant?” Fosswell pointedly asked.
“She’s extremely traumatized, sir. You don’t want her to come in here and have a nervous breakdown right in front of you, do you?”
The three people who seemed to be running things were the president, Stark, and Fosswell. I watched their expressions as they took it all in. I spotted Parvis. He’d been sitting in the back of the room with a couple of other secretaries. None of them had said a word the whole time.
Stark finally glanced at the president, who gave a singular nod. I walked out without waiting for a formal dismissal.
I started to open the door to our suite, but I hesitated a moment and made a decision. I turned, walked down to the end of the hall, and turned the corner. Coming to the correct room, I gave a soft knock on the door.
“It’s Zach,” I announced. The room was quiet and there wasn’t a response, but about the time I started walking off, the door opened a crack. Savannah was standing there, peering out. She looked awful.
“Hi. I won’t keep you long, but I have something I want to tell you,” I said.
“Okay.” Her voice was quiet with an undertone of anxiety.
“I knew someone a while back. This person was younger than me. A great kid, but innocent and vulnerable. One day, something terrible happened to this person. I killed the people who did this despicable thing, and I promised this person I’d never tell anyone what had happened to them. I have kept that secret to this day. The only person who suspects anything is my friend, Fred, but I didn’t tell him the details and he didn’t ask.”
“You figured out what happened to me,” she said as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. “That’s why you killed them.”
“I killed them because they were a threat to Mount Weather. As far as I’m concerned, that’s all anyone ever needs to know.”
“Did you hear Pig calling me Stinky?” she asked as she choked back a sob. “That was their pet name for me.”
“Are you sure? My hearing is dodgy at times. I never heard such a thing.”
Savannah didn’t respond.
“So, anyway, that’s what I wanted to tell you.” I dipped my head and started to walk away. Suddenly, the door swung open and Savannah rushed out. She grabbed me in a tight hug. After a moment, she let go.
“Thank you for everything, Zach.” She then hurried back into their room and shut the door quietly.
I heard the deadbolt being turned as I walked back down the hall. I turned the corner and bumped into Kelly. I could tell instantly by the look on her face she’d been there long enough to have heard everything.
“Maria’s covering for me,” she explained. “I thought I’d sneak back and check on you.”
“I’m fine. A few scratches from running around in the forest, but nothing serious.”
“You sound tired.”
“Dead tired,” I said. “No pun intended.”
“Maybe you should get to bed then.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
Kelly followed me back to the room and pulled the blankets back while I took my boots off and stripped.
“Please tell me everything is going to be alright,” she said.
I plopped into bed and yawned heavily. “I’m pretty sure everything’s going to be fine,” I said. “Some people are definitely under the opinion I acted in an irrational manner, but I think it’ll be okay.”
Kelly pulled the blankets over me and stroked my cheek. “I overheard you talking to Savannah.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
“We’re you talking about Tommy?” she asked. I didn’t answer, but it didn’t matter, Kelly could read me like the back of her hand. Probably better.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I made a promise,” I said.
“So, those men…”
“Deserved to die,” I said. “If you saw the look on Savannah’s face, you’d understand.”
“I do understand.”
She looked at me deeply. “Every time I think I know you, I learn something new. You’re a complex man, Zachariah Gunderson.”
I looked up at her and gave a small smile. She returned it as she worked her hand under the sheets.
“Maria isn’t expecting me back for a while; how tired did you say you were?”
Chapter 29 – Zach Has a Dream
I was awakened by the bedroom door opening, followed by the pitter-patter of little feet as my son ran in and climbed up on the bed.
“Daddy, why are you in bed?” he asked. I rubbed my eyes and looked at my watch. I was confused until I realized it was four in the afternoon.
“I was taking a nap,” I said and gave him a hug. “How was your day?”
“It was fun. Bobby went poo-poo in his pants and it was stinky.”
“Oh, how nice,” I said, laughing. Kelly and Macie then came in the bedroom.
“Who’s Bobby?” I asked her.
“One of the kids. He’s the son of Becky Hardin, who is an aide to Senator Nelson. Rumor has it he’s the father.”
“I thought he was married?”
“He is, but, not to Becky,” she said with a scoff. “This place is a regular soap opera.”
“Yeah, I can believe that.” I absently rubbed the side of my head.
“Were you hurt earlier?” she asked.
“Nah, just a few scratches.”
“You keep rubbing your head.”
I forced my hand down. “Oh, the way I slept made it itch, I guess.”
What I didn’t say was I’d had an intense dream. One of those dreams.
“Let me shower and we’ll go eat dinner.”
“Okay.”
“I wonder what kind of reception I’ll get,” I questioned.
“About sixty-forty,” Kelly said. I looked at her questioningly. She smiled sweetly. “All the moms come in the school and they gossip. Like I said, this place is a soap opera.”
“Figures,” I mumbled and headed to the restroom. Kelly came in a couple of minutes later and put some fresh clothes out for me.
“Thanks, sweetheart, but I’ll have to change for guard duty later.”
“No, you won’t. You’ve been relieved of guar
d duty.”
“Oh? When did that happen?” I asked.
“While you were asleep. Lydia came by and told me. They don’t want you to expose yourself to danger.”
I would’ve argued, but frankly, I hated guard duty. It was boring.
When we walked in the cafeteria, there were some friendly smiles and a few cool stares as well. I didn’t care either way.
“May we join you guys?” I turned to the voice. It was Melvin and Savannah. Both of them were freshly bathed and their hair was still wet.
“Of course,” I said. “We’ve kind of taken over this table, but you two are always welcome.”
“Thanks, Zach,” Melvin said. The two of them sat as Josue and Sammy came in.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said. “I wanted to thank you for what you did in the meeting earlier.”
Melvin fixed me with a stare. “It’s the other way around, Zach. I can never thank you enough for what you did for, well, you know.”
“Did you really kill three men, Zach?” Sammy asked with big wide eyes.
Janet had come in and sat as Sammy asked the question. Both she and Kelly were giving me a look, wondering how I was going to explain the incident to a kid who was not yet eleven.
I took a deep breath, wondering exactly what I was going to say. Melvin spoke up.
“There’s an old saying, Sammy. People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Big Zach here was standing guard, protecting this place.” Melvin waved a hand around and began speaking little louder so others could hear. “Some of these people don’t understand, but those men meant to do harm. Zach realized it and stopped them.”
Sammy was still wide-eyed. “You took on three men all by yourself and killed them.”
“Yes, he did,” Melvin said.
I glanced away and saw Priss looking at me curiously. But, sitting right beside her was her idiot brother, Paul. He was mean-mugging me. I guess he thought if he looked mean enough, it meant he was the toughest kid on the block. I’d already proven him wrong. His crooked nose should have served as a reminder, but he apparently had a hard time accepting it. I ignored them and turned back to Sammy.
“Sammy, we’re going to have a man-to-man talk later on, and one of the things we’re going to talk about is killing, and that when you take someone’s life, you never brag about it. Okay?”
“Yes, sir,” he said and looked worriedly at Fred. Fred responded by giving him a small, somber nod.
“You’re a smart young man, Sam,” Fred said. “I could tell that from the first time I talked to you.”
“Zach taught me a lot,” Sammy said. He was interrupted by a girl walking up to him. She was carrying a computer tablet.
“Hi, Sam,” she said. She was a cute little girl about Sam’s age, hair as blonde as Macie’s with baby blue eyes. Sam seemed suddenly embarrassed and refused to acknowledge her.
“Hi,” I said. “I’m Zach. I don’t believe I’ve ever met you.”
“I’m Serena,” she said and perfunctorily held out her hand.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Serena,” I said as we shook.
She pointed to another table. “Those are my parents.” I looked over at a table full of people engrossed in a conversation and oblivious to Serena’s whereabouts. One of them was an attractive blonde who I assumed was the mom. She was maybe in her early thirties. I’d seen her before. She was an aide to Senator Polacek.
“Miss Kelly said I should help Sam with his homework.”
I looked over at Kelly who smiled and winked.
“I don’t need any help,” Sammy retorted.
“Well now, I think you should ask Mister Fred what he thinks,” I said.
Sammy looked at Fred questioningly. Fred leaned forward in his chair and motioned him to do the same. When Sammy leaned closer, Fred spoke in a low voice.
“Never, ever, turn down a pretty girl,” he said, leaned back, and gave Sammy another somber nod.
“Come with me, Sam,” Serena said. It wasn’t a request, it was more like an order that Sammy did not dare disobey. I fought hard not to laugh as Sammy got up and dutifully followed her to a table at the far end of the cafeteria.
“He’s hooked and he doesn’t even know it,” Fred said. Melvin busted out laughing as Kelly and Maria giggled.
In spite of recent events, we had a pleasant dinner. A couple of people even came by and voiced their appreciation for what I had done, but only a couple. I guess most wanted to see which way the wind was blowing before they came out and either sided with me or against me. I scratched my scar again and turned my attention to Melvin.
“Say, Melvin, Fred, and I have been admiring your truck.”
“Oh, yeah? I’ve modified it a little bit here and there. It looks rough, but actually it runs like a top.”
“We’d like to look it over, maybe get some ideas, if you don’t mind,” I said.
“Sure, whenever you want.”
“How about now?” I suggested. “No time like the present.”
Melvin shrugged. “Yeah, sure. Okay.” He looked at Savannah. “We’ll be back in a little bit.”
“We’ll keep you company,” Kelly said with a smile. Savannah looked a little anxious. Melvin gave her a wink.
“Save some dessert for me.”
“I have a little bit of an ulterior motive,” I said to Melvin as we walked.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you as well,” Melvin said. “If you don’t mind, let me go first.”
“Alright,” I said.
“Okay, so it goes like this. The Blackjacks are the ones who murdered Savannah’s family and friends, but you two already know that.”
“Uh, huh.”
“She told me what you said, so I guess you’ve figured out the rest.”
I glanced at him as I walked. “I meant every word.”
“Yeah, I know she appreciates what you’ve done for her. I do too. It could’ve got you into a pickle though.”
“How’s that?” I asked.
“If you had told them everything, everyone would’ve understood why you killed those bastards. By not telling, it made you look like a cold-blooded murderer,” he said.
“You got it straightened out.”
Melvin scoffed. “I hope so, but some of those people get into a certain mindset and even something as simple as logic can’t change them.”
“If it was so, it might be, and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.”
Melvin looked at me funny. “I’ve heard that before, where’s it from?”
I chuckled. “Through the Looking Glass. I figure a man who quotes Orwell can appreciate Lewis Carroll.”
“Ah,” Melvin said in understanding, and then stopped. “Who the hell is that?” he said.
We were at the gate, maybe fifty feet from his truck. There was someone standing close to Peggy. They had their back to us.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d guess they were having a conversation,” I said.
“Yeah,” Melvin muttered.
He started walking again, faster now, and I could feel the tenseness emanating off of him. Fred and I glanced at each other as we followed him. As we exited the gate, I glanced in and saw two people who appeared to be playing cards. They barely acknowledged us as we walked by.
“Who is that down there with Peggy?” I asked, pointing. They paused with their cards and looked down the road toward Peggy. The look of confusion on their face was obvious.
“Who is that, Melvin?” one of them asked. So much for keeping vigilant, I thought. Melvin ignored them and kept walking.
The person, it appeared to be a man, was wearing heavily soiled and torn combat utilities. He seemed to either not be aware of our approach or was simply ignoring us as he continued to stare at Peggy.
I guess we got to within twenty feet when the three of us realized the man was a zombie. Melvin pulled a camp knife out of
a sheath on his belt, walked up to it, and tapped him on the shoulder. When it turned, Melvin looked momentarily startled before stabbing him through the eye and twisted the handle, ensuring the blade destroyed enough brain matter to end its life.
“Shit,” Melvin muttered as the person fell to the ground.
“What?” I asked. “Do you know him or something?”
“Yeah. He used to be one of us.” Melvin stepped over the now lifeless zombie and raised the visor on Peggy’s helmet. She hissed at him.
“Yeah, that’s my girl,” he said sarcastically before putting the visor back down.
One of the guards came running up. When he stopped and looked down at the zombie, his jaw dropped open.
“Holy shit,” He drawled. “Is that who I think it is?”
“Yep,” Melvin replied and pointed at the zombie with a bloody knife. “That used to be Lieutenant William Morris of the glorious United States Marine Corps,” he explained.
“Oh, man. He was a good dude,” the guard said.
“Yes, he was, Slim. Yes, he was,” Melvin replied and explained to us. “Morris and a few others went missing last year during a long-range patrol up into Pittsburgh.”
“I always thought they found some horny women somewhere and decided not to come back home,” Slim remarked and then sighed. “I’ll go call it in.”
I waited until Slim had walked out of earshot before speaking. “This is kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Melvin gave me a puzzled look.
“Now this is going to sound a little bit crazy, but I have these dreams and sometimes they come true.”
Melvin nodded somberly and looked at Fred, tacitly asking if I was being serious. Fred didn’t react.
“Yep,” he said. “That does indeed sound crazy; I guess that’s why we seem to get along.”
He nudged the late Lieutenant Morris and spotted a bulge in one of his cargo pockets. He squatted down and opened it. It held a topographic map.
“Damn, I can use this,” Melvin said to himself, and then looked up at me. Standing, he unfolded the map and showed it to us. “Topo map of the area.”
