“What's the matter girlie, don't you like Bub?”
Bub pressed his hips into hers and lifting his chest off from her, began to run a hand over Emma. Emma tried to escape, by squeezing into the ground, when a foot lashed out and kicked Bub off her.
Cain bristled. “Put it away Bub. It is the Mother's will that you avoid sexual immorality. Learn to control your own body, in a way that is holy and honorable.”
“Just this one Cain, Mother don't have to know.” Bub whined.
Cain punched him hard and Bub spat out one of his few remaining teeth. “I'd know. Take her back to the others. I catch you at her again, I'm feeding your manhood to the fallen.”
Cain kept them traveling generally south and west, for the next several days. A couple of times, when they stopped and Cain's back was to Bub, Emma saw Bub's hand drift to his knife. Both times, he took his hand away, before Cain turned around. Cain scared the crap out of her, she had witnessed him shoot down, in cold blood, the people that had kept her alive the past year. Yet the treatment she would receive from Bub, would be worse than death to her. With no luck in finding anymore travelers, they eventually tuned north and then east. As they passed the Pigeon Forge area, one of the men remarked to Cain, “Maybe we could check out that Playland.”
Cain scoffed at the idea. “Grady, we are strictly a snatch and grab crew. Its probably empty anyhow, but if it isn't, we'd have to lay siege to it.”
They hit the interstate and now there was no stopping, at the exits, to look for others to take with them. Just after midday, they took the exit leading to the national forest, in northern Tennessee. The roads became rougher as they went, eventually becoming little more than a two track. They reached their campsite, near the lake and Cain had Emma and the kids get out.
Cain pushed soap and some towels into Emma's hands. “You and the kids strip down to your skivvies and get washed up. When you get done, head back up here and get into some clean clothes. You're meeting the Mother tomorrow, best to make a good impression. We'll give you as much privacy as we can, but mark my words, pull anything and it will go bad for you.”
The young man jumped to his feet, shaking off the hands that tried to restrain him. Holding up his fists, angrily ready to take on the small group in front of him. “Sons of bitches, what'd you do with them, where's Emma?”
Turk held up his hands. “Whoa up there son, take a breath. We ain't who you’re thinkin we are.”
Will's head was still spinning, he took a step back and focused on the small group in front of him. His eyes settled on Red. “You're … You're a woman.”
Red smiled kindly. “Last time I checked.”
Tom stepped forward. “We're trying to piece this together. To start with, why were you shooting at Red?”
“I'm … I'm sorry. I … I … I saw the red hair and thought it was that guy. I needed to protect them, at least try.” Will stammered.
Tom spoke quietly. “We understand part of it. We found Emma's diary, you're Will Bartlett, right?”
Will nodded, still confused. Tom continued. “Will, how is it you're still around?”
Will hung his head. “We been in the cabins most of the last month. We never saw nobody else. I went hunting that morning. I was bringing back a doe and I saw them guys loading up Emma, Prescott and Margo. They took off and I ran after them. I ran, until I thought my lungs would burst and then I ran some more. It was well after dark, when I couldn't go no further. I didn't see Mr. Morgan and the others in their cars, so I came back here. Then like I said, I saw the red hair and figured they was back.”
Turk was looking at Emma's diary. “Son, your gal left some clues here. It don't sound like she is any immediate trouble and she wrote down a town. It's a hike, but we know where they are taking her.”
Arianna came in. “Excuse me, but it's Lizzie. She got scared that Red was... well you know.”
Red turned to Arianna. “What happened to Lizzie, Arianna?”
“She’s run off. I'm sorry, I tried to stop her, but she just got so scared.” Arianna explained.
Red looked to the others in the room. “I gotta go find her.”
“I can follow a track, like nobody's business, let me help.” Turk expressed.
Tom handed Red a walkie. “Give a shout, if you need backup.”
“Stuff that noise. We've known this guy like five minutes, I'm coming to.” Tim stated, protectively.
Red glared at the two men, facing off. “Fine, let’s just get moving.”
Turk turned to Will. “I swear, I'm gonna help you get your gal. Just sit tight and I'll be back directly.”
“He's not going anywhere.” Tom said.
Turk rushed out the door to find Red and Tim, calling Lizzie's name. Turk started scanning the ground, until he saw a faint child sized boot print and called out. “This way.”
Turk moved off at a fast walk, forcing Red to break into a jog to catch up. “She looks to be on a dead run. She won't be able to keep that up to long.”
They had proceeded about a hundred yards and Turk made an abrupt change to the right. “There are some dead ones on her trail, she changed course to avoid them.”
Turk broke into a sprint, pulling the hand carved club attached to his pack. He burst through a brush line and abruptly stopped. Reaching out a hand, he snagged Red's arm to keep her from going over the embankment. A second later, Tim burst through and slammed into Turk's back, nearly sending he and Red over the edge. Turk let go of Red's arm and jumped off the embankment, jamming the handle of his club into the ground, to keep him from tumbling down. “Call for a rope.”
Halfway down the embankment, Lizzie clung to a root. Below, a handful of zeds that had chased her, reached up trying to pull her to them. Alternatively using his knife and the handle of his club, Turk made his way to the young girl. When he was close, she released one hand from the root and pulled her knife from her boot. “Stay back, I'm not afraid to use this.”
Turk held still. “I'm just here to help, don't mean you no harm.”
“Liar, you killed Red.” Lizzie screamed.
Turk smiled at the tough little girl. “Red, let Lizzie know your ok.”
Red laid flat at the top of the embankment, so her head would be visible to Lizzie. “Lizzie, he's here to help, I'm fine.”
“See, she's alright, let's get you out of here.” Turk urged.
Lizzie paused, still brandishing her knife. “I don't know.”
Turk smiled. “Tell you what. You've heard of the big rock candy mountain, haven't you? Well I was just there and found me a good bit of rock candy, if you put your knife away and let me help you out of here, I'll give you a piece of my stash.”
Lizzie considered the offer, a moment. “You do know, I'm not supposed to take candy from strangers.”
Turk smiled. “It's not a gift, strictly a trade.”
Lizzie slipped the knife back into her boot and raised her hand out to Turk. He grasped her hand and pulled the girl to him, struggling to keep his footing on the loose soil. As soon as he had Lizzie safe, she questioned. “So, where's that rock candy?”
Turk had the girl, wrap her arms around his neck and her legs at his waist. Once he could free a hand, he pulled a piece of maple syrup candy, wrapped in wax paper, from his pocket. “You drive a hard bargain, Niblet. We'll just hold on here, until they get us a rope.”
A few minutes later, Tracey and Pete showed up with a rope, tossing one end down to Turk. With Lizzie clinging to his chest and one hand keeping a firm grip on the club staked to the ground, Turk reached out slowly, with his free hand. Working as quick as he could, with his one hand, Turk tied the rope about his waist and with the help of Red and the others, pulled he and Lizzie up the embankment. As he crested the top, Lizzie gave Red a thumbs up, the big piece of maple syrup candy, chipmunked into a cheek and a little bit of syrupy drool, starting to run down her chin.
Turk set Lizzie down on the ground and Red immediately hugged the young girl. “Don't you ever,
scare me like that again.”
Lizzie struggled to speak, around the candy. “Don't you ever, scare me like that again neither.”
As they neared the cabins, Turk lightly touched Red's shoulder. “I left my car near to where I found the boy, I'm going to get it. I'll meet y'all back at the cabin, in a couple of ticks.”
Tom seeing them approach, greeted Lizzie. “I'm glad to see you're okay, kiddo.” Then addressing the group as a whole. “Where's Turk?”
“He took off.” Tim said tersely.
Red gave Tim an odd look. “Turk has a car nearby, he is going to get it and meet back up here.”
Tom nodded. “So what's your impression of him?”
“I like him. He reminds me of Happy, only better lookin.” Lizzie blurted out.
“He did okay, following Lizzie's tracks.” Tim allowed.
Red scoffed. “He found tracks, neither Tim or I could see. He knew immediately where Lizzie broke away, with zeds on her trail. He didn't hesitate, to jump off an embankment, to rescue Lizzie. So yeah, I like him to.”
They waited in a strained silence, Tim unable to articulate his issue with Turk. It wasn't long, when an antique willys station wagon, pulled up near their cabin. Tim glared at the big vehicle, painted in a camo pattern of dull greens, browns and black. “Lord, look at that monstrosity.”
Turk climbed down from the big vehicle, Jimmy and Jackson going up to him wide eyed. “Mister, can we look at your car? We've never seen anything like it before.”
Turk laughed. “I reckon not, help yourselves. This old girl is about seventy years old, they don't make em like her anymore.”
Turk addressed Tom. “I'm a hunting guide, by trade. That willys been my home for quite a spell. I spent the last off season, goin through every nut and bolt on her. I'm gonna need to make some room, if I'm going to be helpin young Will here, get his gal and them other younguns. I'd hate to see this stuff go to waste, if you could make use of it.”
Tim spoke first. “We're pretty well set, I doubt you got anything we could use.”
Turk nodded. “That's alright partner, I ain't lookin to make you all beholden to me. It's mostly my food stores, I can always build those back up again later on. It'd be a shame to leave it to go to waste, but if y'alls sittin flush, I ain't gonna push it on ya.”
Pete stepped forward. “We got a lot of mouths to feed, wouldn't hurt to take a look.”
Turk smiled. “There ya go.”
Turk led Pete to the back, Red and Lizzie following along, driven by curiosity. Turk opened the back of the willys. “This is my bedroom Ma'am, don't be a judgin me too harsh on my housekeepin.”
To one side of the willys, was a pad and sleeping bag, the rest was a collection of cupboards and storage bins. Turk opened up one cupboard and pulled a gallon jug, filled with a thick brown syrup and handed it to Pete. “Maple syrup, my Mama always used it to stretch our plates in the spring. I made it fresh, just a short while back.”
Pete brightened. “This will be a treat.”
Turk handed Red a plastic tub and pointed down at Lizzie. “That ones got a sweet tooth, mind you, dole these out sparingly.”
Lizzie's eyes widened, at the size of the box. “Rock candy?”
“Tis, but you gotta share Niblet and always ask Miss Red first.” Turk answered.
“You are to generous, you will be coming back won't you?” Red asked.
Turk lost himself for a minute looking at Red, before answering. “Tain't nothin here that can't be replaced in time Ma'am, it would surely please me to join up with y'all, if'n there was an invite in the offerin. I get the impression, that I may be a complication for some of y'all.”
Turk continued pulling out food stores, a couple of rear quarters from a whitetail buck, recently harvested. A bin full of wild herbs and roots. Another gallon of maple syrup and finally another tote full of venison jerky. Turk broke up a piece of the jerky and handed it out. “Treated that with some of the maple syrup to, what do you think?”
Pete grinned, as he slowly chewed the dried meat. “We've eaten a ton of jerky the past months, after this, I don't know if I can go back.”
“Thank you sir, one of my families own recipes. My Granddaddy was right proud of that one.” Turk revealed.
Red caught Tom's attention and waved him over. “Tom, I think you should ask Turk to throw in with us.”
Tom took a breath, considering his answer. “Mister, you've more than proven you’re of value to our little band. It's just Tim has got some obvious reservations, I have no idea why.”
Turk looked at Red, as he answered Tom. “I reckon I got a notion, or two, as to what's stuck in the boys craw.”
Tom looked over at Red, causing her to place a hand, on the arm of each man. “Me? I'm sorry, but I'm new here as well and frankly my concern is for the group, I can't even think about anything beyond that.”
Tom nodded. “Turk, I wish you and Will the best.”
Turk smiled, though his shoulders slumped, fearing what he was going to hear next. “Its alright partner. Ma'am, Niblet it's been a pleasure, makin your acquaintance.”
Red glared at Tom. “So that's it, we don't get a vote?”
Tom shook his head. “You didn't let me finish. Turk, we are hoping to move on to the amusement park in Pigeon Forge. Once your business with Will is done, look for us there. If something happens to that plan, we'll try to leave a sign.”
Tom led Pete and Lizzie away, allowing Turk alone with Red. “Thanks for vouchin for me, I do aim to look you up shortly.”
Red's eyes misted and she fought back the emotion welling up. “You had better.”
Turk cupped her cheek and wiped away the sole tear, with his thumb. “I am a man of my word.”
It had been a restless night for Red, trying to sort out her feelings for Turk. He seemed so confident and willing to jump to the aid of complete strangers. She immediately felt he was completely forthright, with no hidden agenda. His quick and easy rapport with Lizzie and the other children, was another plus in his column. Still allowing herself to feel closeness with anyone, was a scary proposition.
The team heading over to the amusement park, in the morning, was another point of ambivalence for her. It could mean security and sustainability, a home for them. She had been so close to that before and literally lost everything.
“There it is.” Jimmy saw the huge water tower first, then the roller coaster came into view.
The size of the park was daunting. They made their way down the long drive, into the parking lot. The parking lot alone, could fit thousands of cars. Tom drove thru the lot, until he reached the entrance. The gate, giving access to ticketing and the ten turnstiles, was secured shut. It was also designed solely for foot traffic, not allowing them to get their vehicles inside. There were a few zeds milling about, but they could easily dispatch them, when the time came.
“Let’s try the cabin access road, see if we could get our vehicles inside from there.” Tom drove out of the parking lot and back to the fork off the drive, leading to the rental cabins.
This gate was also secured shut, but just on the inside of the gate, was parking for the rental cabin guests. Tom had a notepad, writing down everything of importance.
“Jim, you think you can scale this fence to the top?” Tom asked.
Jimmy nodded and made his way up, viewing the park through binoculars. “Wow, this place is mega.” He called down to his dad. “There’s restaurants, theaters, tons of rides. Oh Mom, I think I see the greenhouse, Pete mentioned! “It’s a ways in there.” He exclaimed.
Climbing back down, he stopped half way, when he thought he saw something run by the brushy strip, separating this drive from the main parking lot.. He waited a minute, then figured it was just the shadows and continued down.
“Imagine having our own bed to sleep in?” Sue asked Tom.
Jimmy took the notebook from his father and made a rough drawing, of what he could see of the park. “I didn’t see no zeds in there.”
Tom and Sam walked along the fence, Sam testing the strength of the gate and the fencing, Tom busy writing in the notepad, stopping, when Jimmy called him back.
“Dad, there is something over there.” Tom looked at Jimmy, questioningly. “It's not a zed, maybe an animal?”
Tom shrugged. “Maybe a deer?”
Jimmy shook his head. “Smaller than a deer.”
“Probably just shadows Jim.” Tom continued on with Sam, but Jimmy was convinced he saw something. Walking toward the lot, he saw it again. This time he knew, he wasn’t imagining things.
“Mom, come here.” Sue stood next to her son, both seeing clearly a dog's snout, sticking out from the bushes. “It’s a dog.” Jimmy started to walk over to it, but Sue grabbed his arm.
Red Rises (Book 2): Dead To Rights (HZA, Vol. 4) Page 5
