by Bobby Akart
By sheer coincidence, Jake, Emily, and their teenage son Chase happened to be at their two hundred acre cattle ranch located on the west bank of the Tennessee River in Hardin County. Shiloh Ranch, which was maintained by Stubby Crump and his wife, Bessie, was ideally suited for bugging out. Over the past couple of years, Stubby and Jake had added dairy cows, extensive gardening, and alternative-energy sources with an eye towards off-grid living. Their steps toward sustainability and self-reliance paid off when the power grid collapsed at Zero Hour.
The Rymans quickly assimilated into the extended family at Shiloh Ranch and a normal routine was established. One of the aspects of life in a post-collapse world was foraging. The inner debate between looting and foraging will always be a part of the prepper conundrum. The same applied to the activities of Chase and Alex who had become a team. They would explore areas within the Shiloh / Pittsburg Landing area to find empty homes and requisite supplies.
Their rules were simple—only get what we need and be careful. Rule one was followed but rule number two, be careful, was difficult for teenage Chase to abide by. Whether it was because he was trying to impress the pretty girl, or because he was raised largely unrestrained, Chase pushed the envelope constantly. In a world where danger lurks in the form of your fellow man, unnecessary risks could get you killed.
Although Colton assumed that Junior Durham was angry over the Ryman’s escape from Savannah, he didn’t expect it to become an obsession. For Junior, he’d become determined to find the Rymans and punish them for embarrassing him. Determination turned to obsession, which then became all that matters.
When Chase and Alex let down their guard and placed themselves in a compromising position, Junior’s men pounced and kidnapped Alex. She was taken to Savannah where Junior tormented her. The women of Savannah had not fared well since the blackout. Junior and his friends were sadistic. Alex faced a certain fate.
But a rescue effort contrived by ex-Army Ranger Stubby, together with the assistance of the Ryman’s rescuers—the Tiger Resistance led by Coach Joe Carey and his sons Beau, Jimbo, and Clay, was mounted to save Alex. The plan was working flawlessly when the wild card inserted itself into the game.
Chase, perhaps wanting to make up for the mistake that put Alex in harm’s way, or in an effort to be the big hero, once again threw caution to the wind. In the chaos and darkness which surrounded Cherry Mansion during the rescue effort, he undertook an ill-advised shot in Alex’s direction.
He missed his target, the two men who were dragging Alex towards Junior’s home, but ruptured a propane tank instead. His second shot punctured two nearby gas cans. His final shot ignited the fuel mix creating an explosion that sent fire into the darkness and which engulfed Junior’s bungalow on the Cherry Mansion property.
The scene was surreal as the devastation froze all the participants in the battle, except one. One who was watched through the eyes of Ma Durham and her new companion—the spirit of a Civil War hero.
From Shiloh Ranch …
Burgundy. It was Hardin County Tigers burgundy. Number 1. Gunfire continued to fill the night air from all directions. The young man was undeterred. He’d reached his destination. Briefly, he crouched down and lifted up a lifeless body.
Number 1 began running towards the neighborhood to Ma’s left. He was fired upon but escaped unscathed with the blonde hair of the young woman flowing over his shoulder.
Ma stared into the fire, mesmerized. The roof of Junior’s home collapsed to the ground, causing a rush of sparks and flames to gush out in all directions. Despite the intense heat created by the burning home and the surrounding vegetation, a chill came over her body. Ma unconsciously balled up her fists, unaware that a figure had joined her in the window. It wasn’t Junior.
It was an aberration — a ghost who had been in a similar position one hundred fifty years before. The hissing sounds coming from the flames provided a voice for Union Major General William Wallace, who whispered in Ma’s ear.
Fight fire with fire. Fight fire with fire.
Ma gritted her teeth and set her jaw. She mumbled the words but only loud enough for General Wallace to hear.
“When you poke the hornets’ nest, ya better make dang sure you kill ’em all. If you don’t, you’re gonna suffer their wrath.”
Book Five, HORNET’S NEST
Hornet’s Nest opens where Shiloh Ranch left off — the chaotic scene resulting from the explosion of the propane tank. Chase decides to take an ill-advised shot at Alex’s captors and misses, puncturing, and then igniting, a five-hundred-pound propane tank.
The resulting explosion engulfed Junior’s bungalow in flames and knocked Alex free from Junior’s men, but left her unconscious with a likely concussion.
Beau and the Bennett brothers race to the rescue. Beau scoops Alex up in his arms and hustles her to safety. When he realizes the seriousness of her injuries, he admits her to the hospital (after running over one of Junior’s men).
As Junior’s army of rogue deputies descend upon the hospital to lick their own wounds, Beau, with the aid of Colton, Jake, Chase, and Coach Carey, escape deep into South Hardin County where they take Alex to recuperate.
This is where Mrs. Rhoda Croft is introduced and her dairy farm for wayward girls, so to speak. Following the solar storm, Junior began to round up the young woman of Savannah for nefarious purposes. Many escaped to Miss Rhoda’s place and other surrounding farms. The girls, all of whom know Beau from high school, immediately become intrigued with Alex’s heroics and she develops a loyal following.
Meanwhile, back at Shiloh Ranch, Stubby realizes that a war is coming. The Durham’s will be furious and they have to prepare for the inevitable battle. Stubby rallies the ranchers on the west side of the Tennessee River while Coach Carey readies his Tiger Tails in Savannah.
Alex, who has recovered, mostly, suggests that the displaced young women of Savannah are ready to join the fight. She believes Chase is the right man for the job of training them to help in the task. Her call turns out to be correct as Chase steps up — and out — of the large shadow of his father to create the Feisty Fifteen, Alex’s platoon of loyal young women ready to take their town back.
The plan is developed and implemented. The first phase is to set up sniper positions for Charlie Koch, an expert marksman, on the north side of the bridge leading into Savannah, and for Alex, who creates a hide atop an ancient Indian burial mound.
As Junior and his men begin to cross into West Hardin County, Charlie and Alex unleash a barrage of high-powered rounds on the men. Many were killed and some of the vehicles were disabled, but Junior pressed on because he had the numbers.
Phase two of the resistance kicks in at this point. Alex travels with Colton to Croft Dairies to meet up with Chase and the Feisty Fifteen. While they are traveling to Savannah to join Coach Carey’s Tiger Tails, Stubby and his men take up positions along the ridge on both sides of Shiloh Church. Just like General Beauregard did at the Battle of Shiloh, Stubby hoped to stop Junior’s advance towards Shiloh Ranch and defeat Junior and his army of rogue deputies.
The battle begins on both sides of the river. The Tiger Tails pair off with the Feisty Fifteen to conduct insurgent-style actions on Junior’s skeleton crew left behind to defend the town. Alex, Beau, and Colton take out the guards and secure the Hardin County Detention Center.
They turn their attention to the blockade at the west bridge leading over the Tennessee River. During the gunfight, one of Junior’s men escapes down an embankment and runs toward Cherry Mansion. Beau and Alex, despite her recent injuries, hunt the man down. They both focus their eye on the prize — Ma Durham who is inside the mansion.
The second Battle of Shiloh is fierce. Stubby’s men have driven the remaining deputies into a hasty retreat. While they are chasing them down in The Woods, Stubby isolates Junior who attempts to flee through the Hornet’s Nest back to Savannah.
The hunter stalks his prey through the thick underbrush and the ghosts of the many
who died in that very spot during the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Stubby, using his excellent tracking skills, captures Junior and resists the urge to kill him. The townspeople of Savannah deserve to face this tyrant, thought Stubby.
Meanwhile, Alex, using her knowledge of the inside of Cherry Mansion from her prior captivity, sneaks up the stairs towards Ma’s bedroom with Beau in tow. They immediately surprise Ma and Bill Cherry in her bedroom watching over the gunfight between Junior’s men and Coach Carey with Colton’s assistance.
Beau raises his weapon and fires at Ma, but she grabs Cherry and pulls him in front of her as a human shield. Cherry is killed by Beau and Alex immediately pounces on Ma. With every fiber of her being, Alex wants to kill Ma and the evil within her. But like Stubby, she chooses to keep her alive to face the people she’s tormented for these many months.
By the next morning, the word had spread of the destruction of the Durham’s tyrannical hold over Savannah. The residents cheered as they learned Ma and Junior would face justice. Immediately, plans were discussed to make Savannah great again.
Elections were scheduled, a barter economy was established, and finally, the Durham’s had to face the town. A debate raged among the town leaders and the citizens. Some wanted to hang the Durhams from the highest tree. No trial, no judge. Just do it. Others thought a formal process should be followed. Some believed the Durhams should be turned over to the Federal government at the FEMA facilities in Jackson.
In the end, the passionate plea for forgiveness provided by Pastor Bryant spared the Durhams lives and they were delivered to FEMA by Coach Carey, Beau, Colton, and Alex.
A huge weight had been lifted off the town’s shoulders as the evil was purged from Savannah. A big Thanksgiving celebration was planned and Coach Carey even suggested a scrimmage between the Hardin County High School football players.
The day was beautiful and the comradery between all was apparent. Savannah was on the right track to creating an oasis in a post-apocalyptic world. The football game was underway to the delight of all. The guys hammed it up for the crowd while Alex and Beau emerged as the it couple of Savannah.
Then, Alex heard it first — the steady rumble of large vehicles approaching town. As the roar grew louder, Stubby heard it as well, and then the others. One-by-one, the people of Savannah migrated back to Main Street in front of the gazebo at Court Square. As the citizens filled Main Street, a voice boomed though a loudspeaker:
“Attention, attention. You are conducting an unlawful assembly in violation of the President’s Declaration of Martial Law. You are to cease and desist immediately. Place any weapons on the ground and stand still with your hands up! You are all under arrest by orders of Major Roland Durham, commander of the Federal Emergency Management Association headquartered in Jackson.”
My friends and dear readers, it appears Hell is empty and the Devils are all here.
The saga concludes in — DEVIL’S HOMECOMING
Enjoy!
Epigraph
The next time satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
~ Matthew 25:41
*****
We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Give us the tools and we will finish the job.
~ Winston Churchill
*****
The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.
~ Albert Camus, French philosopher
*****
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
~ Albert Einstein
*****
I am the storm.
Prologue
When a deer stares into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, its eyes fully dilate to capture as much light as possible. There is a brief period of time when the deer stares into the beams, seemingly paralyzed—mesmerized by the threat hurtling towards it. In reality, the deer cannot see at all during this brief moment and freezes until its eyes can adjust. As the vehicle closes the gap between it and the helpless deer, what happens next is in the hands of the driver.
Like an animal frozen in fear, humans have a similar deer in the headlights reaction to certain stimuli. Our mental state can cause a form of temporary paralysis from anxiety, fear, panic, surprise or confusion. Like the deer that freezes instead of running safely out of the vehicle’s path, humans become stuck in time. While they perceive the threat, the fear response of standing still is a natural defensive reaction. Our bodies become rigid, our heart rates decline, and muscles become stiff.
In theory, our bodies are freezing as a defensive mechanism to make us less noticed by a potential predator. That’s the theory, anyway.
If the driver slows to avoid a collision, the deer’s eyesight will adjust and it will quickly bound off the road into the relative safety of the woods. But how does a human react when sensory perception processes the threat, clearing the way for a reflexive reaction?
Much has been written about a human’s fight-or-flight response to a perceived event, attack, or threat to its survival. In animals, the reaction varies from escape, to fight when cornered, and in some cases, like the Myotonic, Tennessee Fainting Goat, they faint to play dead. In humans, the consensus is that men tend to fight while women tend to flee. It’s just human nature.
However, in large groups, humans tend to follow the leader—especially when faced with an imminent threat to their survival.
From Hornet’s Nest …
As the citizens filled Main Street, a voice boomed through a loudspeaker:
“Attention, attention. You are conducting an unlawful assembly in violation of the President’s Declaration of Martial Law. You are to cease and desist immediately. Place any weapons on the ground and stand still with your hands up! You are all under arrest by orders of Major Roland Durham, commander of the Federal Emergency Management Association headquartered in Jackson.”
Chapter 1
Afternoon
Thanksgiving Day, November 22
Court Square
Savannah, Tennessee
“RUN!”
The gaping open mouths of the residents of Savannah couldn’t speak, but one managed to find the word that brought them out of their collective semiconscious state. That simple word triggered a complex series of reactions.
“RUN!” repeated another.
Like popcorn kernels boiling in hot oil on a stove, eventually the kernels succumb to the heat and explode. In the blink of an eye, the psyche of the citizens of Savannah detonated, sending them scurrying in all directions.
Women and children were knocked down and trampled. Men momentarily stood in defiant disbelief at the disruptors of their Thanksgiving Day celebration. A few, however, kept a clear mind throughout and quickly analyzed their options.
“Colton,” said Stubby, grabbing the arm of his new, trusted friend, “quickly, go to the horses. Take Bessie and Madison and return to Shiloh Ranch. Prepare to leave immediately. Begin taking as many things to the Wolven place at Childer’s Hill as you can.”
“What about you?” asked Colton.
“And Alex?” added Madison.
Stubby searched through the chaotic crowd, seeking out Jake and his family. His short stature prevented him from seeing over most of the people running in all directions. Then his eyes were drawn to the vehicles that slowly rolled onto Main Street.
The scene was reminiscent of his days in Cambodia when U.S. troops would descend upon a small village, frightening the children, to the dismay of its residents. Over time, the villagers became used to the intrusion, but their fear subsided when they learned the battle would take place elsewhere.
Now, in Savannah, Tennessee, it appeared FEMA had brought the battle to Smalltown, U.S.A. A convoy comprised of black MRAPs bearing the logo of Homeland Security coupled with several tan-colored Humvees spread out on both sides of Main Street. Camo-laden soldiers filled in the gaps with their automatic weapons poi
nted in all directions. Thus far, no shots had been fired.
“I need her and we’ve got to go!” he replied, shaking the parallels to Cambodia. He turned to Alex. “Do you still have the keys?”
“In my pocket,” she replied without hesitation. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Yeah, but we gotta go while they’re distracted.”
Stubby kissed his wife and Alex hugged her parents.
“I’ll be fine,” she whispered to them and then immediately began to run around the gazebo toward the Detention Center. Then she added over her shoulder, “Take Snowflake home too.”
Stubby checked for the Allens one more time and took off after Alex. The two had a brief window of opportunity and they had to hurry.
*****
Colton grabbed Madison firmly by the hand as she attempted to protest Alex’s decision. Both parents maintained concern for their daughter, who was still recovering from a concussion, but they had grown to accept Alex’s new role in the community. She was a freedom fighter in a way, respected by everyone for the challenges she’d faced and overcome. Mostly, she was revered as the hero who took down Ma Durham.
“Maddie, she’ll be fine,” said Colton as he tugged her toward the bridge. “Bessie, are you okay?”
“Oh yeah, let’s get out of here,” Stubby’s wife replied as she led the way through the throng of panicked people.
“This is Major Roland Durham, commanding officer of FEMA in Jackson. Pursuant to the President’s Declaration of Martial Law, I command you to halt, drop any weapons, and put your hands over your head!”
Colton glanced over his shoulder as the three began to run toward the horses. Either the masses didn’t hear Rollie’s commands or their intense desire to flee overrode any consideration of compliance. This was fine with Colton because every moment the standoff continued, he and the women would be closer to safety.
