by RH Fox
“How far is it to the bridge from here?” Craig asked.
“About three miles, maybe a little less,” Dreia answered.
“So, we’ve probably got about an hour to kill.”
“Cool. Wake me up when it’s time to go,” Gimpy told them, before he jumped back into the hummer to lay his head against the seat.
“I’m going to go talk to Evans some more. I want to have some options in place when we figure out what we’re up against,” Dean said, and he walked off.
Craig and Dreia moved away from the open window where Gimpy was already starting to snore. He hopped the small ditch on the opposite side of the road and settled against a downed tree trunk. Dreia dropped down beside him and leaned her head back to gaze at the sky. It was an especially gorgeous shade of blue at the moment, with puffy clouds floating lazily across the entire expanse.
Craig leaned his head back to see what had her mesmerized.
“I always thought Armageddon would be noisier,” he commented.
“This isn’t Armageddon. Humans brought this on ourselves, with our over-dependence on technology and constant pursuit of the easy life.”
“I just can’t believe it’s happening. Our military’s spent decades preparing for all kinds of scenarios like weapons of mass destruction and biological warfare. Who could’ve imagined that the end of the world as we know it would be caused by the lights simply going out?”
“The true epitome of irony.”
Craig turned to Dreia and studied her face before hesitantly asking, “What happened to you?”
Dreia closed her eyes. She knew he was asking about the physical bruises, not the emotional ones. But it was the emotional wounds that were going to leave the biggest scars. Everything that had transpired since the power died bombarded her: Tag’s death, the sound of the baby carrier sinking and the young mother’s inconsolable grief. Wayne’s games and brutality. Melissa’s assault.
It was so very tempting to keep them all hidden deep inside her soul and hope her conscious eventually healed. Instead, Dreia chose to erode their grasp on her by exposing them to the daylight.
She opened her eyes and told Craig everything.
19
Craig sat stunned. “You’ve had an eventful three days.”
“I have. And now, I just want to walk in my front door and hug my kids.”
“I hope all the students from your school were picked up.”
“Really, the only one I worry about is Tommy. If his parents didn’t show up, it might be impossible to find them with no address to go on. I know Rena won’t abandon him, though.”
Craig took her off guard by laughing unexpectedly. “Man, I would’ve loved to see the look on that man’s face when your friend on the highway brandished her umbrella alongside your gun.”
In hindsight, Dreia admitted it was probably quite an amusing sight. “I imagine he was a bit taken off guard. She definitely wasn’t channeling her inner Mary Poppins with it.”
“Wouldn’t it be something if she actually shows up at your house?”
“Only time will tell. I’m certain that won’t happen unless all her children make it home, though.”
Craig was quiet for several seconds. “Why do you think that girl was helping the men at the bridge, after seeing what they were doing with women.”
“I’m sure she was doing what she thought she had to in order to survive. Maybe it wasn’t all lies and her parents really did abandon her. I know she contributed to this,” Dreia motioned to her face and neck, “but, I honestly can’t be too upset with her. Especially knowing what she probably endured at their hands herself. Really, she’s just a child still.”
Dreia wouldn’t embarrass him by saying it out loud, but Craig couldn’t be that much older than Carrie. If she didn’t have the utmost confidence in his Marine Corps training, she’d worry about him trying to make it all the way back to Tennessee in the coming weeks. The thought of Gimpy traveling all the way to California made her maternal instincts cringe.
Before Craig could ask any more questions, they heard several people whistle and saw the scouts approaching. He stood up and held his hand out to pull Dreia up. She groaned when it stretched her sore ribs but waved off his worry. They headed over to find out what the scouts had discovered, collecting Gimpy on the way. Evans was already debriefing them next to the lead hummer.
“If there’s only seven men in the camp, this’ll be a cakewalk.”
“Hold on, sir, there’s more. They have the bridge rigged with dynamite.”
“Damn, that changes things. We have orders to preserve resources at all costs, so we’ll have to take a stealthier approach. Larson and Gonzalez, stay here and guard the hummers. The rest of us will approach on foot. If they won’t surrender, or it looks like the bridge is at risk, we’ll pick them off from across the canal in the woods. Then, we can dismantle the explosives.”
“There’s also a teenage girl who may appear to be working with them. I’m not sure she’s truly there by choice,” Dreia told them.
“If she doesn’t engage with a weapon or try to blow the bridge, avoid targeting her, or any females for that matter,” Evans ordered his men.
“Yes, Sir,” the men all chorused.
“I assume it’s a waste of breath to ask you to wait here,” Evans addressed Dreia.
“Absolutely. I’m going.”
“I figured as much. Alright, get your rifles and ammunition, leave everything else and let’s move.”
The men grabbed their weapons and everyone set out. Dreia walked with the Marines at the rear of the group. No one spoke, concentrating on the task ahead. About half way to the bridge a middle-aged couple appeared around a bend, coming from the opposite direction, and froze at the sight of armed men in uniform. When they started moving again, they shrunk to the far side of the road and jogged until they were out of sight. Dreia wondered if their reaction was because they’d done something they felt guilty about. She didn’t dwell on it long, though, and fixed her thoughts on what was about to happen.
Evans halted the group at almost the same place Dreia had ducked into the woods at the sound of gunshots Friday night. He instructed the Marines to find positions where they could target the men on the bridge, while he and the soldiers continued further down to the strip mall. He also made it clear that they’d be following protocol and ordering them to lay down their weapons first. No one was under any illusion the criminals would surrender without a fight, though.
“Stay behind Sergeant Holtzer’s men until they take the bridge,” he finally ordered Dreia.
She nodded, having no intention of approaching the bridge until Wayne and his men were secured. As long as she saw Wayne taken care of with her own eyes, she didn’t care how it got done.
Evans and his soldiers faded into the woods on the right side of the road, to pass the turnoff to the bridge without being spotted. Dreia followed the Marines into the woods on the left and they made their way toward the canal. Once they had it within sight, they carefully worked their way south toward the crossing, moving quickly to be in place when the soldiers made contact with the strip mall.
When the bridge came into view, they crept stealthily from tree to tree. Dean stopped and motioned for Craig to hold his position with Dreia. Then, he and Gimpy continued forward, choosing cover about twenty yards closer to the target.
Dreia stood slightly behind Craig and waited, her muscles becoming more tense with every passing second. She could make out two figures on the far end of the bridge, but couldn’t tell if one of them was Wayne or not. Her stomach felt like it was tying itself in knots.
A split second after a rustling alerted her they weren’t alone, an arm wrapped around her waist and a hand covered her mouth. Dreia lunged forward, frantically trying to break the hold, positive Wayne had discovered them. Craig heard her muffled cries and turned with his rifle up, but her fight immediately ceased at the whisper in her ear.
“Dreia! Stop! It’s me!”
She threw her hands up to stop Craig, then turned and catapulted herself into Matt’s arms, trying to keep her sobs of relief silent. Her husband wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet, squeezing tightly. Craig smiled and turned back to wait for the signal to take the bridge.
“Where have you been?” she breathed into his ear, not even caring about the pain his embrace was causing her ribs.
“It’s a long and unbelievable story. I’ll tell you all about it after I help your friends take care of the bridge.”
She kept her face buried in his neck. “How long have you been here?”
“Not long. I found your note at the school and followed the signs here where I saw the men guarding the bridge. Shortly after that, two soldiers showed up to scout things out. So, I waited to see what was going to happen next before I blazed my own trail down this side of the canal. How did you get hooked up with these guys?”
“Also a long story. I’m here now for some payback.”
Dreia pushed against his chest and he set her on her feet. She took a step back and looked up at him. The woods were full of shadows in the late afternoon light, but she knew he was seeing the bruises when his hands tightened on her arms.
“The men on the bridge did this?” he asked through clenched teeth, ready to kill them all.
She nodded, “Specifically the one in charge, Wayne.”
Matt reached his hand up and gently traced the bruises across the front of her throat. His face turned to stone and he pulled her into a gentler hug as they heard a shout echo from south of the bridge. The first shots rang out almost immediately afterwards.
Dean and Gimpy took their shots simultaneously. Dreia turned in time to see both figures on the bridge fall out of sight. Dean ordered Gimpy to stay back and provide cover fire if necessary, then he and Craig moved swiftly toward the road.
“Stay here,” Matt ordered, following them.
Dreia wasn’t about to miss this and fell in behind the men. Matt gave her an exasperated look but didn’t say anything else. She was surprised to realize he was carrying an M4, identical to the ones the other Marines carried.
Where in the world did he get that? It definitely hadn’t been in the get-home bag she’d packed for his truck. Dreia didn’t have time to ponder it for long, because Craig began yelling at someone on the bridge.
20
“Stay down! Don’t move!”
The Marines moved forward together, rifles up. Dreia stayed about five steps behind them, anxiously hoping Wayne was one of the men on the ground. Shots continued to ring out to their right as the soldiers continued to fire sporadically on the strip mall. Return fire could still be heard as well.
When the Marines halted, Craig reached down for the rifle of the a guy lying face down on the bridge with his hands up. Dreia came from behind Matt and saw that one of the men was dead, or close to it from the amount of blood pooled under him.
Neither man was Wayne.
Craig checked the other man for additional weapons, then pulled him to his feet. Dreia found herself eye to eye with Z. He didn’t say a word as he clutched the wound in his side.
“Is he the one who did this to you?” Matt asked.
“No, but I’m fairly certain he’s Wayne’s right hand man.”
Matt pulled his arm back and punched Z in the face before anyone had time to react. Dreia didn’t even flinch, having half expected it. Z almost went to his knees, but Craig yanked him back up. Dean stepped in front of Matt, stopping him from throwing another punch.
“How many men do you have here?” Dean turned and interrogated Z, confident Gimpy had them covered if someone came toward the bridge.
Z remained silent. The shots being fired on the strip mall had ceased.
“Where’s Wayne?” Dreia demanded, leaning out from around where Matt had planted himself between them.
Z smirked at the question, which enraged Matt. He pushed past Dean and punched Z in the side where he’d been shot. The wounded man did crumple to the ground this time, groaning.
Matt leaned down close, “Answer her.”
“I don’t know,” he grunted in pain.
“But he’s still here?” she clarified.
Z looked at Matt, then nodded. Dreia felt relief wash through her body, certain Wayne would never be a threat to her family after today.
Movement caught their attention and they all turned to find four of the soldiers jogging toward them across the bridge. Sergeant Evans led the way and raised his eyes at Matt’s appearance.
“My husband,” Dreia reassured him.
“We think we took out all the men in the camp, except one. He’s holed up inside an office.”
“The realty office?” Dreia asked, continuing when he nodded, “That’s where they’re keeping women. What did he look like?”
“A big guy in a leather vest.”
“They all have leather vests! Lots of tattoos?”
Evans nodded. “Full sleeves.”
“That’s Wayne!”
“He’s mine,” Matt growled menacingly.
Evan ignored him, “Stiles and Crenshaw, go around to the back of the building so he doesn’t slip out. Hubbard, get that dynamite off the bridge. I left White in the woods to cover the mall. Where’s you other man?” Evans addressed Dean.
“Covering us from the other side.”
“The bridge is under our control now, have him head back to get the hummers, double time. We can reposition them here and use them to approach the front of the strip mall.”
“I’ll tell him,” Craig offered, taking off toward where they’d left Gimpy.
Dean dragged Z over to the side of the bridge out of Matt’s reach and leaned him against the weathered wood. Matt made sure the man remained fully aware that there was a rifle pointed directly at him. They heard a few shots from the woods across from the mall.
“Must have poked his head out,” Evans commented. “He dropped his rifle before he ducked into that office.”
“I hope your man missed,” Matt said. “Though, that asshole will wish he’d caught a bullet by the time I’m done with him.”
Dreia laid her hand on Matt’s arm, “Sweetheart, let them take care of it. I’m okay.”
“No, you sure as hell are not,” Matt’s wore a mask of fury as his eyes swept her bruised neck again, getting a much better look now that they were out of the shadows. “I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.”
“Negative. We’ve got orders to bring one back for questioning,” Evans said.
“You’ve got one,” Matt jerked his head toward Z.
“Look, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but I’m running this. We don’t know how critical that one’s wounds might be without a medic. We’ll take them both back in case this one doesn’t make it.”
Z chuckled, causing Matt to pivot and advance rapidly to jam the barrel of his rifle into the man’s chest.
“You have something to add?” he growled. “Because I’ve seen what an M4 can do at fifty yards and can only imagine what it would do at point blank range. Give me a reason to find out.”
Both sergeants swung their weapons up, pointed at Matt. Dreia hurried over and pulled on his arm.
“Step away from him. Now!” Evans ordered.
“What did I miss?” Craig asked, jogging back across the bridge.
“Matt, don’t. They’re serious. Think about what you’re doing. Please. This guy isn’t worth it.”
Matt abruptly pulled his rifle back, clicked the safety on and shoved it at Dreia. “Take it. I can’t promise I won’t shoot if he opens his mouth.”
Matt stalked over to the other side of the bridge and stared out at the canal, knuckles white on the railing. Dreia could see his shoulders rising and falling as he took several deep breaths.
“Here, ma’am, I’ll take it,” Dean offered.
“She can handle it just fine,” Matt tossed back over his shoulder. “Probably outshoot both of you. She ma
tches me at the range shot for shot, and I never qualified less than expert.”
The men looked at Dreia with new respect.
“A sharpshooter, eh?” Craig elbowed her gently. “Too bad we don’t have time to test that claim.”
“Lucky for you!” Dreia bumped the young Marine’s shoulder affectionately. “Babe, come meet our new friend. He’s the reason I’m here, instead of sitting in a refugee camp right now.”
Matt took another several seconds before turning back to the others. He walked over and held his hand out to Craig, “Matt Bennett.”
“Corporal Hall, sir. Nice to meet you. I’m glad you and Aunt Dreia finally connected. Should I call you Major or just Uncle Matt?”
Dreia and Craig shared a smile at the confusion on her husband’s face.
“I actually met Craig on the highway Friday, when I was first headed toward home. They were clearing cars and I held up a sign with your name on it. I added your rank hoping to get their attention. Anyway, this morning when I ended up lumped in with a group of refugees I used the poor corporal as a diversion. He played along famously and rescued me.”
“In that case, you can call me whatever you want. I owe you.” Matt held his hand out again and shook Craig’s with authentic gratitude.
Dreia held her hand out toward the other men, “Sergeant Evans is in command, and this is Sergeant Holtzer.”
Matt went over and shook hands with Evans, “Sorry about the lapse of control. I’ve had a rough couple of days and seeing my wife like this made me snap. Seeing any woman like this, and having the man responsible getting off scot free, is hard to swallow.”
“He’s not getting off scot free. Trust me, I understand and agree with you completely. After he’s questioned, he won’t be released just so he can go set up shop somewhere else. Did I hear him call you Major?”
“Not anymore. Resigned my commission after fourteen years in the Marine Corps.”
Evans whistled, “Fourteen years and you didn’t go the distance, sir?”
“Just Matt, no need for the sir. A lot of things can be accomplished in fourteen years, but hard decisions have to be made when you can’t reconcile what you’re being asked to do with your conscience any longer.”
