“Good plan. Very genius, Jack,” Megan said giving him the kudos he was looking for.
Chase grabbed the pack off Jack's back and the two of them headed further upstream to start placing the boards.
“Wyatt, I get all the defenses and what not, but what if they get through? How are we going to know they are coming?”
“Chase wants to build more lookouts, but the problem is we just don't have enough people to man the lookouts and defend the lodge.”
“We need 2-way radios.” Megan stated.
Wyatt nodded, “We need a lot of things. We focused so much on stockpiling food and other supplies we ignored our defenses.”
He turned and hugged her close, “I just hope we haven't set ourselves up to be attacked. Chase is not happy right now. More with himself for ignoring the security aspect. Those silly traps we put up to keep Kyle out are no match for McDaniels.”
Megan kissed him, “We'll be okay. We have to be.”
Chapter Eight
Connor McDaniels stood on the porch looking over his little compound. His men were below, standing over a fire, warming their hands. He knew they were talking about him. He knew his leadership was on rocky ground.
They had come to this area expecting to find a lot of food and wealth. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out as planned. They had no food supply and with winter coming, things were not looking good. If they didn't hit a house that had a stockpile, his men would turn on him.
Connor watched as one of them tore into a piece of jerky. These were not the kind of men who would just leave him when they decided they didn't like the way he was leading. No. They would kill him.
He spun around when he heard a noise behind him, “Should we load up?”
It was his right hand man, Ben.
“Yes. What are they down there grumbling about?”
Ben looked away.
“Just tell me.”
“They're hungry. They want real food. All this dried stuff is about old. I'm a bit tired of it myself. Don't these people store any actual food around here?
Connor flinched. He had led the group up to this part of the country because he knew it was ripe with preppers and survivalists. He knew for a fact just how much food and gear was up here. What he didn't realize is eating freeze-dried food day in and day out was rough.
Instead of showing any kind of fear, he pushed back.
“You tell them sniveling brats, fresh food isn't going to be served on a platter. If they want meat, they have to actually hunt to get it. What'd you think we would find? A freezer full of casseroles and meat?”
He stepped closer to Ben, causing the other man to take a step back.
His size had been a huge advantage and he used it to intimidate those around him. His parents thought he was lazy and would never amount to anything. Look at him now. All those years hiding out in his cousin's basement had paid off.
“You tell them to get their crap together. We'll go out scouting. I know there are prepper groups all over this mountain.”
“Got it, but just so you know,” Ben pushed back just enough to prove he wasn't a total coward, “If we don't actually find anything, none of us plans on sticking around. This mountain ain't gonna be too friendly come this winter. We refuse to starve because our leader couldn't figure out where the good stuff was.”
Connor glared at him. “You do whatever you have to do. Get the men ready.”
He turned back to looking over the hillside. This house had been a great find, but if they didn't find food to stockpile in the house, it wouldn't matter.
There had to be more, he just didn't know how much broader their search would have to be. These preppers were wily. His cousin had made a killing catering to these people selling all kinds of prepping gear. Back then, they had joked about how crazy the people who called themselves preppers and survivalists were.
When the EMP hit and it became obvious it was a dog eat dog world, he went to where he knew the people were prepared. These northern parts of Washington, Idaho and Montana is where he shipped a lot of supplies. He had looked it up on a map to see what was so special about the area. All he could see were mountains.
That had to be the appeal. There were plenty of places to hide away from the millions of people living in the cities and suburbs. Preppers liked to be alone, which is what he was taking advantage of now. They had been raiding small homesteads and managing to get by.
Those small homesteads and cabins were no match for his men. All they had to do was threaten violence and things were handed over. In some cases, he had to make sure his point was made. Shooting someone was usually enough incentive to get them to turn over their food and water.
A man shouted out from below, “Let's go, McDaniels! I'm hungry!”
He had built a very violent army, which worked great for raiding, but there was no loyalty. These men were savages, which is why he had to prove he was the biggest savage of them all. Show no fear. Show no mercy. That had been what had kept him alive this long.
Connor went inside and jogged down the spiral staircase. The ground floor was dark. There were wooden shutters over all of the windows, blocking out all natural light. He grabbed his guns and stepped outside.
His men were waiting for him.
“Today, we find the women who killed our friends. We are heading back to that little shack.”
“Why? We have already been there and searched. There is nothing there,” someone grumbled.
Connor put on the meanest face he could pull together, “Because they will be back. Where else they gonna go? We go back and we wait. We'll get them and when we do, they will pay for what they did.”
There was a large cheer from the crowd, restoring Connor's confidence he had them for at least another day. Today had to be a day they found the women or food. If not, things were going to get ugly.
He had heard rumors of another small group around the area. They didn't trade with anybody and kept to themselves. That was the group to hit. If they didn't trade, it was because they had everything they needed. Connor was going to find them. His men would trust his leadership and they could ride out the winter without worrying about food.
They couldn't hide forever.
Chapter Nine
That night at dinner, there was very little conversation. They were all exhausted after their busy day. Caitlin and Ryland even volunteered to go to bed with very little encouragement from their parents. They had been kept busy with the goats and collecting stuff to put on the nets.
Chase had been very impressed with the nets and promised to get them started on attaching the foliage in the morning.
“I can go back to my cabin and grab more traps,” Brenda said, out of the blue.
They had all retired upstairs and were just enjoying the peace and quiet.
“That's too dangerous,” Chase said.
“I will be fine. We need more. The 10 we have are not enough. I had more in the barn, assuming they didn't take them.”
No one had to ask. She was referring to McDaniels and his men.
“What if they are there waiting?” Willow asked her.
“I think after all this time, they have moved on.”
Megan almost choked when Wyatt spoke.
“Megan and I will look. We need to do more hunting. The meadow is close enough to the cabin, we'll swing by.”
Megan felt her face turn red and her eyes go big.
“What?”
“We have to get more food. I checked the root cellar earlier. We can't risk going out in the winter. We may not even be able to walk if there is a lot of snow on the ground. We don't know how the snowshoes will hold up.”
Megan knew he had a point. All of them were counting on hunting through the winter, but now they had another problem to consider besides the weather.
Going out hunting with McDaniels and his men actively looking for them was far too dangerous. They were all convinced they had some time before McDaniels found the lodge or even ca
me this far to start looking.
“He's right,” Megan answered. “Just tell me where they are in the barn. You can stay here and help them put up the defenses. If Wyatt and I are already going to be out, it makes sense. We don't want to leave this place more vulnerable than it already is.”
What Megan didn't say was that the more people traipsing about the mountain, meant fewer people at the lodge to protect her daughter. Brenda was an excellent shot and she had already proven she would give her own life to protect Caitlin.
Brenda quickly explained where to find the traps in the back corner in an old box.
Wyatt stood, “We better get to bed. We'll be gone before the rest of you get up, so we'll see you by mid-afternoon.”
Megan knew he was telling the group if they weren't home by then to come looking. He had already told them they would be around the meadow. That would give them a place to start their search.
With the threat of McDaniels, they had to be much more cautious. They couldn't go out scavenging or hunting without telling the others where they were headed. They had been complacent a long time, but now it was time to get smart.
Their lives depended on it.
Chase stood, “If I'm not up before you leave, can you wake me. I want to get some lists made so everyone knows what to do. I will be out on the property most of the day and won't be coming in.”
Wyatt nodded, “Sure thing.”
“Good night, everyone,” Megan said, heading down the stairs.
She was thrilled to go hunting in the morning. Especially since that meant she and Wyatt got some time alone. He hadn't been able to do much the past few weeks and being alone in their room was not the same as being alone in the forest.
“I see that little skip,” he said walking close behind her, putting his head into her neck. “You can't wait to get me alone, huh?”
She laughed, “You caught me. What more can a girl ask for, hunting with a big gun and spending time alone with her man.”
“Actually, I was thinking we test out those bows and arrows we got.”
Megan groaned. They had been target practicing, but it wasn't the same as aiming and shooting a gun.
“How about you take a bow and I will take my gun.”
He laughed, “Megan, you are going to run out of bullets eventually. You are our great white hunter and we need you to master this archery thing. You don't want us all to become vegetarians do you?”
“Fine, we'll take the bow, but I'm taking my gun as well. We can't risk not bringing anything back. We'll try it your way and if it doesn't work, I'm shooting.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
***
Megan was so amped for hunting, she hardly slept.
“Get up, sleepyhead, let's go hunting,” she said, rousing the sleeping man next to her.
He didn't open his eyes, “You are way too giddy this early in the morning. I think there is something wrong with you.”
She laughed, “I'm giddy because I am imagining the big buck I am going to bring home. Well, I'm going to shoot it and you are going to dress it and drag it back.”
“I feel like you are using me for my body.”
“I am. Now get up.”
Wyatt was moving far too slow for her taste. She had been pacing, checking the bags and rechecking to make sure they had everything. She was taking her hunting rifle. Wyatt would have the bow, along with his own rifle.
When he finally came out of the room, she saw he had his chest holster on as well. His .45 was tucked neatly inside. They were not taking any chances.
She walked over and gave him a kiss. “Let's go.”
“Did you get Chase up?”
“Yep. Let's go.”
“Slave driver.”
“You'll be thanking me when you sit down to eat a nice, juicy steak. If we don't hurry, the deer will already be down for their afternoon nap.”
He rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah, I get it.”
They each put on their headlamps, but didn't turn them on. They could navigate the area immediately outside the lodge in the dark. They had to conserve as much battery power as possible.
They made really good time to the meadow. Megan kept asking if his foot was okay, which he always responded yes and asked her about her own.
They found somewhere to perch, while they waited. Wyatt gathered pine needles for them to sit on. Their was a slight layer of frost when they first set out, but it was already melting away, leaving the ground nice and wet.
Megan enjoyed the comfortable silence between the two of them. She loved the fact they didn't have to talk to enjoy each others company. They could just be.
“There,” he whispered, pointing to the edge of the meadow. “I see one coming in.”
Megan peered through the scope on her rifle.
“It's a 4 point!” she whispered with excitement.
Wyatt was loading an arrow into the bow.
Megan silently groaned. If he missed, the buck would be spooked and take off.
He looked at her, “I'm going to try. We have to try this way. You can take the shot if I miss. You are good enough to hit a moving target.”
She nodded, lining up the shot. The buck had come through the trees and was casually walking towards them. Stopping on occasion to take a bite of the wet grass.
Megan was coaching Wyatt. If he took the shot too soon, he would definitely miss. She needed the buck far enough into the clearing that she would have the chance to take a shot before he made it to the trees.
“Now,” she said, barely audible.
Wyatt exhaled and released the bow string. The arrow whizzed through the air. The buck heard the sound and bolted. The arrow fell to the ground, missing its target.
Megan stayed calm, finding the running buck with her scope, waited for the right moment and pulled the trigger. The buck dropped.
“Damn! That was an excellent shot!”
She stood, dusting off her backside, “I know. Let's go get our dinner.”
It took them about an hour to field dress the buck and then load it into one of the game bags. Without a way to get the large animal back to the lodge without dragging it, she wanted to keep the meat as clean as possible.
Brenda's cabin was on the way. They stopped and Megan quickly ran to the barn while Wyatt stood lookout. She found the traps. There were too may to fit into her pack. She ended up hanging them from the outside caribiner hooks. They made a racket when she walked, but they weren't too worried about making noise at this point.
Their goal was to get back to the lodge as quickly as possible.
Megan ended up helping Wyatt drag the large buck in order to cover more ground faster. They were in a hurry. Being outside the safety of the lodge made them nervous.
When they got close, Albert shouted to Chase they were back.
Chase came out to meet them and took over the dragging duties.
Megan looked at Wyatt. Sweat had broke out across his brow and he was favoring his good leg.
“You good? Maybe take it easy the rest of the day?”
“I'm fine. It is just a little weak. If I don't work it, it only gets weaker.”
She nodded, not wanting to push the issue. Rosie would say otherwise.
“This is great, Megan,” Chase said with a huge smile on his face.
“How do you know I didn't get it?” Wyatt asked.
Chase laughed.
“Well, the next one I guarantee will be one I got.”
“Sure, buddy. Keep telling yourself that.”
Megan didn't want to insult Wyatt, but he was just not the best hunter. It was a timing thing. He was too used to hitting human targets that didn't have the instincts like a wild animal.
“He did try that bow, though. You gotta give him credit for that,” Megan added.
“I think we all better get used to that bow. Once we get all this other stuff taken care of, we will need to do a lot more practice,” Chase said. “It seems like we are always behind the eigh
t ball. No matter what we do or accomplish, there is always so much more to do.”
All three agreed. No one said it, but they were all thinking the same thing; if there were more people in the group, they could divide and conquer. They would get more done and not have to always worry about being unprepared or vulnerable.
Megan hated the thought, but Jack was actually right. If they had Evan's people here, the defenses would already be done. Willow and Rosie would have help to get the camouflage done and there would be time to hunt and gather.
As it was, they were all working from sunup to sundown and beyond. They were all exhausted and all of them could use a little downtime.
The ten minutes they got hear and there to play catch with the kids was nice, but she wanted more. She wanted to spend more time with Caitlin just having fun. More people would mean less work and more time with Caitlin and Wyatt. It was something she had to think about.
Chapter Ten
Wyatt was not about to admit to how bad his foot was killing him. He was very happy the deer hang was only enough to support one animal at a time. That gave him about 3 days to rest the foot before they went hunting again.
In the meantime, he was going to stay close to the lodge and rest when no one was looking.
His plan was completely tossed out the window. Chase was waiting for him when he walked out of his bedroom. He had thought everyone had already gotten started for the day.
“You good?”
Wyatt pulled his shoulders back, threw his chest out, “Of course. Why? What's up?”
Chase looked him up and down, focusing on the foot that Wyatt was favoring.
“I'm fine. What do we need to do?”
“I want to work on reinforcing the house. If they get through the traps out there, we need to be ready in here. If they breach the doors, I think you and I both know our chances of getting out of it alive are slim to none.”
Chase would never talk like that in front of the women or kids, but he knew Wyatt knew exactly what he was talking about.
Wyatt nodded in agreement. He was all business now. The foot could rest tonight. There was no way he was going to let anything happen to his family. It just wasn't an option.
EMP Lodge Series (Book 3): Dark Defiance Page 5
