“Not yet!” came the response.
“I’ll help Jeremy close and lock the gate and then we’ll join you.”
***
Mark and one of his scouts were coming back, riding toward Uncle Don who raised his hand for the procession to stop.
“The prison compound is only a couple miles ahead. Did you hear the gun shots?”
“Yeah, three in a row,” said Uncle Don. “Probably a warning.”
“That means they know we’re coming,” commented Mark.
“Not necessarily. It just means they spotted you.”
Mark nodded. “You’re right.”
“Think you can find that sentry?” asked Uncle Don. “We don’t want him to see the rest of us.”
“We’ll find him. It’ll be getting dark soon. So, he’ll probably have a fire.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Go and kill him.”
As Mark and the scout rode away, Uncle Don turned to the others. “We’ll make camp here and go in early tomorrow.”
***
Ryder and Jeremy watched from the guard tower. They were expecting the worst based on the visit by the strangers, Chris and Amy. As time passed, the sun began to set and the eastern sky began to darken, but there was no sign of any hostiles. It was making Ryder nervous.
His dad had followed him to the tower, standing behind him. “Is it okay if we go back to work now?”
“Dad, the sentry fired the warning shots for a reason. Someone is coming.”
Samuel stepped away to exit the tower. “I’m going back down and find Eli.” Ryder nodded.
“What do you think?” he asked Jeremy.
“We should have seen someone by now.”
Ryder was silent for a few moments while he considered what to do. “I’m going out there to check for myself.”
Jeremy smiled. “Care for some company?”
Together, they left the tower and joined the people waiting in the now crowded foyer.
Roy saw them coming down the stairs, pushing a path through the crowd toward them. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“No one has showed up yet, so Jeremy and I are going to check it out. We need for someone to close and lock the gate after we leave.”
“I can do that,” volunteered Roy.
He followed them out and locked the gate as he watched them walk away. If an attack came now, they’d be trapped outside.
Ryder and Jeremy headed for the corral. It was eerily quiet with everyone inside the compound walls. They saddled and mounted two of the horses.
“We should probably stay off the road,” suggested Ryder.
They headed southwest on a straight line toward the sentry’s location, leaving the road and entering the woods. The closer they got to the sentry’s location, the more cautious and quieter they tried to be. They didn’t want to startle him, since he was probably already on edge, increasing the possibility of getting shot. Ryder picked up a broken branch and struck a nearby tree three times, a signal that friends were near.
“We should lead our horses in,” said Jeremy. Ryder nodded agreement as they dismounted.
They slowly approached the base of the tree where a perch had been constructed high in its branches.
“Carl!” Jeremy called out with a loud whisper. “It’s Jeremy and Ryder!”
A head began to appear as Carl slowly rose to peer over the edge of his perch. A nervous smile appeared on his face as he recognized his visitors. Ryder waved him down.
“Jeremy, what are you doing here?” asked Carl.
“Didn’t you fire three warning shots?” asked Ryder.
“Yeah. Two riders came across the clearing headed for New Eden, but then turned and ducked back into the woods when I fired the shots.”
“Only two?” asked Ryder. Then he remembered, “I told you to warn us if any strangers appeared, didn’t I?”
“That’s right.” Carl looked puzzled. “Did I do something wrong?”
Ryder took a deep breath. “No, you did exactly the right thing. And you haven’t seen them since?”
“No.”
“You probably scared them off,” speculated Jeremy.
“Perhaps,” said Ryder, not entirely convinced.
Carl cocked his head to one side. “Shhh!”
“What?” whispered Ryder.
“I think I heard…something.”
All three became very still and listened. There was the sound of pounding hooves, and they were coming closer. They moved to where they could see across the clearing. Two riders were riding toward them, but staying near the edge of the trees.
“Those are the same two I saw earlier,” whispered Carl. “Looks like they’re trying again.”
“What should we do?” asked Jeremy.
“Stop them and see what they want,” answered Ryder.
They waited for them to come closer. It was dusk and shadows near the trees made it harder to see them. The three stepped out as they passed.
With their weapons raised, Ryder called out, “Stop and put your hands up or we’ll shoot!”
Mark and the other scout came to an abrupt stop, looking back over their shoulders. They had no chance of making a run for it or fighting their way out of this predicament. Slowly, both raised their hands.
“I think we found the sentry,” said Mark under his breath.
“Get down!” demanded Ryder.
Both dismounted. “We don’t want any trouble,” said Mark.
“Who are you and what do you want here?” asked Ryder.
Jeremy patted them both down, removing all of their weapons.
He started to lower his hands but Ryder shook his head and motioned with his pistol to keep them up. “I’m Mark and this is my friend, Jerry. We heard about the new community at the old prison site and we’ve come to help.”
Ryder didn’t like the looks of either one and was sure he was lying. “We don’t need any help, so I suggest you turn around and go back where you came from.”
The two stood motionless and silent for a few moments, perplexed.
Ryder, Jeremy, and Carl raised their weapons.
“Ryder told you to go,” emphasized Jeremy.
Mark gave a quick glance to Jerry. He was the one Uncle Don wanted. “There’s no need for that, we’re going. After this reception, we wouldn’t stay anyway. What’s wrong with you people?”
Jerry followed Mark’s lead as both swung back into the saddle. An awkward silence followed as the two groups stared at each other. Neither Mark nor Ryder had anything further to say. Mark pulled hard on the reins, turning his horse around. “Let’s go, Jerry,” he said as they galloped away.
“I don’t trust them,” said Jeremy, as they watched the two ride away.
“Me either,” agreed Ryder. “I guess we can go back and tell everyone that it wasn’t the attack we were expecting, another false alarm.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for them, just in case they decide to try it a third time,” said Carl.
“I doubt if they’ll be back,” said Jeremy. “Ryder was pretty clear.”
Carl walked with them to their horses. They mounted up as he climbed back up to his perch.
“Carl, I’ll send someone out to relieve you,” Ryder called out. Carl gave a thumbs up.
***
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Well?” asked Uncle Don after Mark returned. “Did you take care of the sentry?”
Mark avoided making eye contact. “No, we ran into a little trouble. Three of them were waiting for us.” Then he forced a smile and looked directly at Uncle Don. “One of them was Ryder.”
“He was a sentry?”
“I don’t think so. I think he came out to check on the sentry after hearing the shots fired. We were outnumbered.”
“What happened?”
“Actually, they got the drop on us and forced us to leave.”
“Nothing’s changed,” said Uncle Don calmly and without hesitation. “We’re still going in tomorr
ow.”
“What if we run into them again?” asked Mark.
“Then take care of them, like I already told you to do. There’s too much at stake here. Do it in the morning. Take someone else with you if you need help. Fire two shots when it’s done and clear to come.”
***
Ryder and Jeremy rode back to New Eden. Roy had been watching from the door and came out to meet them at the gate.
“What did you find?” he asked.
“Another false alarm, just a couple of guys on horseback. We’ll go and put our horses in the corral and be back. Can you let everyone know everything is alright?”
“You should tell them,” said Jeremy. “I’ll put your horse away.” He took the reins from Ryder’s hand.
“Thanks.” Ryder and Roy walked side by side up the sidewalk to the main entrance where several of the people were waiting outside. “My dad’s going to love this,” said Ryder. “He told me it was a false alarm, and he was right.”
“I don’t think your dad’s the type to gloat,” said Roy.
“Oh, he won’t rub it in, but he’ll definitely let me know he knows.”
Ryder entered the crowded foyer and climbed halfway up the open staircase. Everyone was looking at him anxiously. Roy stood beside him.
“Sorry, folks. There’s nothing to worry about, just a couple of strangers who we told to move on. Please go back to whatever you were doing. And you all did a great job of getting inside quickly.”
As the crowd filtered out the door, Ryder saw his dad standing among the others, looking up and smiling at him. That was probably the only commentary he would receive, and it was enough. He still thought they’d done the right thing by having everyone get inside. Not knowing who was out there, they couldn’t risk not playing it safe.
A thought occurred to him, perhaps they should consider constructing their Main Street inside the walls. He dismissed the idea almost immediately. If New Eden was going to succeed, they couldn’t hide behind the prison walls every time strangers approached. What they needed was a better warning system.
Levi moved through the crowd, against the flow, until he reached his brother’s side on the stairs. “What can I do to help now?”
“Do you know where to find Carl?”
“I do. In a tree stand to the southwest.”
“Right. Can you ride out at first light and relieve him?”
“I can go right now, if you like. It might not be a bad idea for me to be with him this evening. There could still be a threat out there somewhere.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks.”
“No problem. I’ll get us both something to eat and then head out.”
“Be careful.”
***
Uncle Don woke to find many of his people already up, everyone apparently eager to attack the prison compound. He walked casually through the campsite to the central campfire. He could smell coffee brewing.
Mark stood as Uncle Don approached. “Coffee?”
“That would be great. Everyone is up early.”
“A lot of us were up most of the night. Too anxious to sleep.” Mark poured out his cup and poured some fresh before handing it to Uncle Don. “Enjoy it. It’s the last of our supply.”
“After today, we’ll have a fresh supply.” He wasn’t smiling. He was dead serious.
“Let me know when you want to leave and I’ll tell the others.”
“I’ll let them know. I’d like to leave in an hour. That means you need to leave now. That’ll give you plenty of time to take care of any sentries. Right?”
Mark nodded. “It’ll be taken care of, and then we’ll wait for you at the edge of town.”
“Remember. Two shots is the signal.”
***
Levi joined Carl at the sentry location. Carl was young like Levi, inexperienced, and glad to have the company, especially since the earlier encounter and an anticipated attack. Neither had any trouble staying awake with their adrenaline running high, eyes glued to the tree line across the clearing. The entire night was spent comparing their experiences while growing up, Levi’s at Paradise and Carl’s at his home before the earthquakes and then with his parents at Tent City under Davis’ rule. Levi had a very good idea of how rough it had been based on his experience as a prisoner there.
Both were relieved when the sky began to lighten, making it easier to see the surrounding landscape from their perch, putting them more at ease with less chance of being surprised.
Levi became alert. “Did you see that?”
“Where?”
“Watch the edge of the trees over there,” said Levi, pointing. “I thought I saw something moving.”
Both concentrated all their attention on the area. Levi sighed. “Must have been nothing.”
But neither looked away, continuing to scan the tree line. “No, look!” Carl cried out. “I do see something!”
“It’s two riders.”
“It’s the same ones that your brother ran off.”
“Fire the warning shots!” shouted Levi.
“Again?”
“Yes, again!”
Carl raised the muzzle of his rifle into the air and fired three shots.
The riders stopped and looked directly at their location, and then began to gallop in a straight line toward them.
“Now what do we do?” asked Carl.
Neither had ever shot anyone before and neither knew if they could.
A shot rang out from below them followed immediately by another. Both riders fell from their horses.
Levi and Carl were caught completely off-guard, their mouths gaping open. The riders’ horses ran off, the fallen laying motionless.
Levi carefully peeked over the side of the perch to below. Ryder stood next to the tree smiling up at him.
“What are you doing here?” asked Levi.
“Saving you it looks like.” He paused. “It wasn’t fair for me to have you and Carl out here. Neither of you had the experience to deal with men like that.”
Levi lost his temper. His brother was treating him like a child. “I could have handled them.”
Ryder was surprised at his reaction, but didn’t say any more.
“I’m glad he came,” said Carl. “I don’t think I could have done what he did.”
Levi took a deep breath, realizing he probably couldn’t have either. He looked back down at Ryder. “I’m sorry. Thanks for coming.”
Ryder’s smile reappeared. “It’s okay. It’s my fault.” There was a moment of silence. “Carl!” he shouted.
Carl, sensing a bit of tension between the brothers, tentatively looked over the edge.
“Sorry, Carl. I shouldn’t have left you out here alone in the first place. Why don’t you go on back to New Eden. Have Jeremy send one of the old Guard out. I’ll wait here with Levi and watch to see if any other riders appear.”
***
Everyone at New Eden stopped what they were doing when they heard the three shots. They exchanged looks, waiting to see what the others were going to do. Should they go inside the compound as Ryder had instructed or should they ignore the shots as just another false alarm.
Samuel smiled and continued to direct the men helping him, but one at a time they became uneasy and headed to the compound. He had already made up his mind that it was another false alarm and wasn’t concerned. In a matter of minutes he and Eli were alone.
A short time later two more shots were heard. Now, those around the community who had hesitated earlier were moving toward the gate, confused and partly annoyed. The alarms were becoming monotonous.
Jeremy was standing at the gate, encouraging the people to enter when Carl rode in.
“Jeremy. Ryder wants you to send one of the old Guard out to the sentry post southwest of here. He’s waiting there with Levi.”
“I was wondering where Ryder ran off to.”
“We heard two additional shots. Have any idea what that was all about?”
“The two in
truders from earlier came back, apparently hostile. Ryder had to shoot both of them.”
“Let me have your horse,” said Jeremy as he grabbed the bridle and waited for Carl to dismount. He quickly swung into the saddle and turned to go.
“He’s not expecting to see you,” said Carl.
“Probably not, but I have a feeling he may need me.” As Ryder’s right-hand man, they had also become good friends.
Carl sensed his concern, but wasn’t sure why. “Should I send more men?”
“Not now. If more are needed, we’ll fire two additional shots. Okay?”
Carl nodded. Roy walked up, curious. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going out to meet with Ryder and Levi at the southwest sentry post,” answered Jeremy. “Can you make sure everyone goes inside?”
“Is someone coming?” asked Roy, now concerned.
“We should assume there is.”
***
CHAPTER EIGHT
Uncle Don paced impatiently at the edge of their temporary camp. The sun was barely above the tree tops. His scouts had been gone long enough to do the job, but there’d been no signal. His people could tell he was on edge, staying quiet but ready to go on his command. He was a good leader as long as things were going his way, but his people knew to keep a low profile when they weren’t, prone to strike out without notice at whoever was nearest. Suddenly, there was the distinct sound of two shots in the distance. A pleased smile appeared on Uncle Don’s face and under his breath he stated, “Finally.”
“Let’s go!” he yelled as he mounted his horse, leading the way to Sector 4.
Even though he didn’t notice, there were sighs of relief all along the procession, glad to finally be on the move. Smiles and cheers spread through the group as they anticipated their attack and its rewards. The sound grew until Uncle Don motioned for silence. There was no need to announce their coming.
As they drew nearer to the compound, they came to a clearing just on the other side of a tree row. Uncle Don had them stop so he could study the landscape ahead.
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