by Jeff Beeman
Instantly this all stopped when we both heard the riders. Mr. Oliver noticed the change quickly and seemed to hear the sound carried by the wind. Quickly he turned off his little light and called out, “Kevin we have incoming!” before he took my hand and lead me from the living room as the front window blazed to life with lights. Once past the light barrier separating the kitchen from the living room, we immedicably went to Mr. Nguyen’s room. Without knocking first, he opened the door and said, “Sergeant we have company”.
“About time” came out of the darkness followed by the Sergeant.
So the Sergeant went towards the living room with Mr. Oliver following, with me in tow.
When we had arrived, Mr. Kevins had taken position kneeling behind the refrigerator and had its door swung wide open over it to add more coverage against movement being seen from the street.
“There are about 30 motorcycles and one black sedan” Mr. Kevins advised.
“Well they definitely have us...” started the Sergeant when suddenly the howling wind was overcome with the sounds of gun fire which made us all jump close to the reinforced refrigerator.
And then there was only the sound of the wind storm outside. Before anyone could say anything, there was a knocking at the damaged front door.
“Are they kidding?” asked Mr. Oliver out loud.
Again gun fire ripped through the sounds of the storm and then only wind.
“No I don’t think they are.” Responded Mr. Kevins.
“Well since they are being polite” added the Sergeant who got out from behind the barrier and answered the door.
I could hear a male voice say, “If your sniper fires, we will quit shooting over the house! Got it!”
“We’ll keep this civil as long as you do” coldly responded the Sergeant.
“El Jefe zurdo wants to speak with the one in charge!”
“You can tell him I’m in charge and if he wants to talk, he can come in with one of your fellows if he feels like he needs back up.”
There was the sound of hesitation then I heard the door shut. “Get ready gentlemen and little sister, Jefe zurdo is going to visit.”
Chapter Nineteen
The Bad of the Storm
Thanks to the light coming through the front window, we can see our breath begin to make clouds and also El Jefe zurdo in some detail.
He is Mr. Kevin’s height but is younger and has a full head of rich black hair. What really stands out to me is that he is so clean and so is his clothes, which also fits him and matches. His suit looks like it is light grey and was the type that has a vest. His tie is striped with maybe variations of light blue to sea blue. It looks good with the suit but also make me realize that people still wear those silly things. He has a tie clasp that looked like a small Concho shell. Though I can’t see his shoes, I’m pretty sure they are polished. He has two other pieces of jewelry. Both of them are pinky rings. The left one looks like it is gold colored and the right shines dully like it is silver. Finally he has an overcoat that is slightly darker than his suit hanging from his shoulders. I may not know how to tell what type of a leader of men he might be but if he was in an anime, he would defiantly be a multi-season main villain.
Also, he came alone.
Once El Jefe zurdo had entered the house, he said something in Spanish, then seemed to watch the reactions of the other adults. He didn’t have to wait long.
“You might not want to start a conversation in a tense situation with the word death or as you put it merte” advised Sergeant Kasprzak in a neutral tone.
Jefe zurdo’s face took on a slightly embarrassed look, “Please señora, I beg you forgiveness for my clumsiness” he said with a rich voice that only had a slight accent as he humbly tilted his head. “I only meant to see if you preferred to speak in English or Spanish so we could prevent any more death.”
“English will do” responded the Sergeant.
“Very well” he pleasantly responded. “Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am known as El Jefe zurdo, leader of Hijos Verdaderos de Texas.” And with that he did a slight bow.
“I am Sergeant Kasprzak of the Texas state guard 4th brigade and leader of this mission”.
“I was not aware there was any military left other than deserters since the day the Fort Worth joint reserve base was abandoned like the rest.”
Coolly replying, “We are under the direction of the local military command that is working with the government in Arlington, Texas”.
“So there are other survivors. Gracias a Dios” El Jefe zurdo piously remarked. “What mission are you on, Sergeant?”
“It’s classified”
“Ah well, nice to know some things have not changed since the fall of civilization” humorously piped El Jefe zurdo. “In that case shall we get to as they say the brass tacks? Your underlings have killed six of my associates, damaged or destroyed various assets and have taken one of my men as hostage”.
“Since Jefe, you were not at the attack, let me inform you that your men brandished their weapons first and acted with aggressive actions towards my party.” Smartly responded Sergeant Kasprzak.
“I don’t know what type of environment you are used to in Arlington but here, it is best to show strength so the other party understands they can’t take advantage using force”.
“And we showed your “associates” we weren’t going to be taken advantage of”
This caused El Jefe zurdo to smile. It looked like a very friendly smile with his still white teeth. I shivered not only because it was getting colder but how out of place he was to the world we lived in now. There was also the feeling that something else was faintly calling from the back part of my brain where dark scary things live, you know the things smaller kids think they can hide from under the blankets until they are old enough to realize those things are under the blanket with them. Right now I was so afraid and taken off guard by El Jefe zurdo that I was able to ignore it.
“I can imagine my associates may have seemed aggressive but due to the current state of the world, we have learned it is easier to apologize later than be taken off guard initially. I am sure you can understand that with the loss of “assets”, my organization’s underlings will want some type of compensation.”
This quickly prompted a loud bark of a laugh from the Sergeant. She was slightly taller than El Jefe zurdo and used that when she folded her arms and put her weight on one hip.
“Buster, you have to be kidding”
“Look at it from my perspective, that of a businessman. The weapons are not really an issue, as this is Texas and everyone has a couple of guns not only in their homes, but their cars, boats, etc. Like the guns, the vehicles, in this case motorcycles, are easy enough to obtain, though the gasoline in them is far more valuable. The real issue is the loss of personnel. Isn’t it a far cry from where we were just a few years ago when we worried about the world’s growing human population. Now we worry there won’t be enough of us. Each of my organization’s losses cost us life experience, expertise, besides our mutual defensive capability. This has placed me as head of the organization in a difficult position, which you as a military leader should understand. If I don’t show that I am able to protect the associates who report to me, then morale will begin to falter and I will lose the Espirit des troupes.”
“Speaking of troops, El Jefe, is ours still alive?”
“A fair enough question” acknowledged El Jefe zurdo, “I will have your man brought to the light so you can see he is still among the living”.
“Just a moment! Don’t take us as fools thinking showing someone back light that resembles him will do the trick”.
El Jefe looked mildly surprised at the Sergeant’s statement before he said, “My dear Sergeant, I have not taken you as a fool since you didn’t ask the ridiculous question am I armed or not. Who would enter a building in a possible situation as we have and not be armed? Also your acceptance that I can be well dressed and spoken shows you were not foolish enough to have the
preconceived image of some gringo pretending to be a…what would be the proper words…oh yes, greasy wetback dressed like one of those B movie Mexican villains from those Spaghetti cowboy movies. I will stay here with you as one of your men goes out to check on your person. I will even give you my gun as a sign of good faith.” And with that he smiled with those white teeth. The Sergeant just looked him in the face for a moment before saying, “Corporal, follow Jefe outside to confirm the state of health of Mr. Anderson. You can keep your gun but any hostile actions and our sniper will make sure you and as many of your “associates” make it to your gangster purgatory before they have time to get a shot off.”
He looked away from her for a moment, seemed to think it over before saying, “An acceptable arrangement. Ready when you are Corporal”.
Mr. Oliver gently squeezed my hand before letting go and walking out with El Jefe zurdo. It might have been my imagination but it seemed that the moment Mr. Oliver walked away from me, El Jefe seemed to notice I was there but it was only for a second then his attention was on Mr. Oliver.
As soon as they opened the door, frigid wind blasted into the living room, dropping the temperature even more. We all turned our backs to the fresh cold and huddled together for the warmth.
“I’m worried about Officer Salazar being on the roof” I said.
“She’s wearing a couple layers of winter clothing but with this wind, she’s probably freezing up there. Luckily the wind is blowing towards her barrier” advised Mr. Kevins as he focused on watching the shadows dance in front of the window from around the corner of the refrigerator door.
Suddenly there was foul words and then Mr. Bates yells with a cracked voice and shivering teeth from the 2nd floor balcony, “Who turned off the heat!”
“Get back in bed, Bates, you’re still running a fever!” Orders the Sergeant.
After a few more naughty words, he yells back, “Give me a pistol and knife so I can go out like James Bowie!” This makes the Sergeant smile. It was a nice smile but somehow sad also. “How about you make yourself useful and check on John” she requested. After a moment, Mr. Bates came back and reported, “He may be sleeping or just unconscious but he is still breathing. Though it is shallow”
Sergeant Kasprzak looked up at Mr. Bates face and seemed to make up her mind. “Go to my room, get a weapon but not a rifle. I need you to make sure Frank is all right, so stay with him.”
Grinning from ear to ear, he remarked, “It is about (dirty word) time”. He slowly worked his way down the stairs and towards the back of the house. I can tell it is taking all of his focus not to fall down, but I can also see that he needs something to do.
Sergeant Kasprzak turned towards me and kneels down before whispering in my ear, “Little sister, I need you to keep quiet about what you heard in Frank’s room, will you do that for me?”
Her face was still but her eyes are searching my face as she waits for my answer which is “Yes ma’am”
She smiles her sad smile again and gently places her gloved hand against my cheek. “Your parents raised you well and I am proud to have you with us. Now if things go south, I want you to take your dog and bunny and run without looking back. We know where your base is. You just wait for us there for only four days. If we don’t make it there, I want you to make your way to the big Arlington stadium and give them this” And with that, she takes from around her neck a chain with what looks like tags. “Make sure you let them know it is from me and repeat this to any member of the military from there, Babylon fell but for the trees. Can you remember this?”
I mumbled it under my breath a few times then make up a song like my parents taught me to do which helps me remember something and keep it in the right order. Once I feel I have it, I nodded yes.
She puts the necklace around my neck and then kisses my forehead. “I have complete confidence you can make the trip to the Fortress”. With that said she stands up but before she does, I have a second to look deeply into her eyes. There is so much sadness there that it almost makes me cry. I hold Bouncy Bouncy tight against my chest.
“Looks like just the two of them are coming back” reported Mr. Kevins. “Shouldn’t we send Buckie up with Amanda?”
“Too late for that, he has noticed her and that might make him question where she is. We need to keep your family concealed as long as we can”
Mr. Kevins doesn’t look happy about this and also embarrassed. I didn’t mind, I wanted to know what was going to happen. Well let me be honest, I would have gone nutty without something to focus on thanks to the growing little voice in the dark part of my brain.
Another blast of cold air announces the return of Mr. Oliver and El Jefe zurdo. Once the room quiets down, Mr. Oliver reports, “Dean is alive but badly roughed up. Not sure if he has any broken bones but he is freezing out there”. He shoots an angry glance at the other man, who seems to be oblivious to it.
“We have shown you proof your man is alive, not as healthy as when he left here but I am sure my associate is not as healthy as when he left with the others earlier today.”
“Corporal, go retrieve their associate”
Without comment, Mr. Oliver leaves again. The silence, like the air, is chilly. In a moment, the rider is brought in by Mr. Oliver.
El Jefe zurdo steps forward to the rider and speaks to him in Spanish. A conversation begins with the rider being very animated with his hands while the other is like stone and looking of in a different direction. At one point the rider seems to reference to me. For the first time since the conversation started, El Jefe looks away from whatever he had been looking at and focuses on me again. I can tell he is studying me, especially my eyes. Just before the rider can speak something that might be understood by English speakers, El Jefe suddenly holds up his hand up to his face like he is going to slap himself but which silences the rider immediately.
“I understand there is a Spanish speaking female police officer with your group. Might she be your sniper?”
“That is not what is important, our trading our people is” retorted Sergeant Kasprzak.
“Oh there is nothing holding the trade up, Ricardo go tell them to turn Mr. Anderson over to you.” The rider, Ricardo, turns his blacked face so he can hatefully look at all of us before doing as he is told.
“Now that that small matter is coming to a peaceful end, there is the larger matter at hand”.
Our adults all shifted in unison before the Sergeant asks, “And what might the larger matter be?”
“Come now Sergeant, the scales are still not balanced and it will be leaving my organization poorer than it started this morning.” Casually responded El Jefe.
“We don’t have anything you might want. Like you said weapons can be easily obtained compared to trying to get them from us. You have one of our vehicles in your possession and no one wants to join your band of merry mariachi rejects.”
His facial expression or his voice’s tone never changes but his eyes became colder, “As I have explained before, we can’t have the scales so tipped to one side. Though you and I are more cultured, sadly not all of my associates have evolved socially beyond an eye for an eye philosophy. There must be some type of payment for our spilt blood.”
“Think this over, El Jefe, you will be the first to die if things continue” cautioned Mr. Kevins.
“I know but you will all be joining me” he acknowledged, then adding as he looks at me, “No one will be spared”.
Another blast of frigid air heralds the return of Ricardo and the equally bruised Mr. Anderson. Mr. Kevins immediately goes over to so he can move Mr. Anderson to the light and then begins examining him.
“You said gasoline and the life of your men were some of the most important things to your organization at this time.” Questioned Sergeant Kasprzak.
With a look of mild interest, he replies, “Si’”
“Will a thousand liters of fuel grade gasoline and an impromptu medical van bring the scales back to alignment?”
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br /> His eyes almost glow with excitement but his demeanor still remains passively interested. “If you have such things, then yes the scales would be back in proper position.”
“Then El Jefe please follow me. Corporal, bring down our sniper.” With this being said, Sergeant Kasprzak starts heading toward the kitchen dividing curtain and waits for El Jefe to follow.
For a second, he seems to think about it, then motions the rider to follow him.
B.B. and I both stay with Mr. Kevins and Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson looks terrible. His face is swollen puffy, black and blue. Blood has dried in his beard. He seems barely able to sit up. When he finally speaks his jaw doesn’t seem to work right and I think he is missing some teeth.
“Never...told them about (grunt)...your girl or grandchild (takes a deep painful breath) but I cou...couldn’t (gasp in discomfort) keep silent about the rest” He looks like he wants to say more but Mr. Kevins puts a hand on his back and gently says, “Dean, you kept the most important thing from them and for that I am eternally thankful to you!” I think Mr. Anderson begins to quietly cry by the way his shoulders move.
After a bit, Mr. Oliver and a shivering Officer Salazar enter the living room. I start to go upstairs to get more stuff to help give her more warmth but B.B. blocks me. All I am able to do in the end is rub her back to help, I was told, move blood to her core so she can warm up faster.
The sliding glass door opens then shuts, followed by the Sergeant and men returning. Officer Salazar glares at El Jefe and the rider but only the rider meets her glare and gives back a hateful gaze of his own.
“The only problem with your offer is that you have trained military who can easily take back what you offer. What would keep you from killing us later?”
The Sergeant lowers her head and looks to be think things over. Everyone waits silently except for Mr. Anderson’s labored breathing.
“I will be your hostage”
Every one of us starts to protest but she barks the order for us all to be quiet.
“It will be until his associates can move to a different area, if he will agree to it”
