The men met inside the camera room that Charlie had set up. Jessie, Scott, and Jack were already there. Will introduced Gabe to everyone. Scott said, “First, Congrats Jessie!” Jessie smiled, “Thanks.” Major Scott continued, “We need to be ready for the Raiders.” Will said, “Gabe has some ideas on how we may be able to fight that issue.” Scott asked, “What are you thinking, Gabe?” He looked at Will, and then, glanced at the others, one by one. “Well, is there extra ammo here?” Scott, and Kyle exchanged a suspicious look. Kyle interrupted, “Right now, we have enough.” Will cut in, “Before we go any further, I have known Gabe for along time. He is a weapons engineer, by trade. He is only asking so that he can orchestrate a real plan.” They all felt more at ease. Charlie said, “Let's hear him out.” Kyle said, “Okay. We're former military. After everything that has happened, we are suspicious of everything. Tell us what is on your mind, Gabe.” Gabe continued, “Well, with extra ammunition, some metal containers, and some wiring, the fastest thing that, I can build are bullet bombs. This can be very effective in situations where mobs attack.”
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Kyle thought about this. “ Bullet bombs are good, but only if, they are used the right way.” Jessie asked, “But, do we have enough ammo for that?” Gabe continued, “That is only one avenue. I have to look at supplies. Then, I can figure out something. I can make devices that spew lessor amounts, or greater amounts. And, there are other things that we can do.” Scott asked, “What kind of supplies do you need?” Gabe thought for a moment, bike chains, with the gears attached. Any wiring that you can get me. Timers, digital watches, of course bullets, and black powder. Any chemicals that I could look at, may help. Any old motors. No matter, how big or small.” Scott was now, curious. “Are you saying, that, you can build weapons from a few old motors and some bullets?” Gabe said, “I cannot guarantee a sophisticated, lasered-weapon, made out of a chewing gum pack, but there are things that can be done to make some effective self-defense weapons. Especially, in this environment.” Jessie said, “It's worth a shot. I'll get Matt to help gather what we can.” After a few hours, the men brought Gabe a truck load of old bikes, wires, four boxes of bullets, and a couple of small motors. Will said, “Gabe, you can use the barn. I have a tool room in the back. There is a work bench, saw, and a slew of tools.” Gabe said, “Good. This looks good. I'll get right to work. Will, can you help me get all of this inside?” Will said, “Yes, I will.” The two men moved all of the supplies inside the barn. Gabe asked, “Can you tell me how much space you, and your group have, here?” Will said, “We have three places, combined. A lot of land. But, we need it, with all of the people that we have found. I would have to guess on close to two hundred acres. We didn' close of all of the land myself and Granny own. The ridge covers a lot of it.” Gabe asked, “ When they attack, is the same way that I saw they did last time?” Will said, “They have ambushed us on the road, too. It seam like they are getting bolder.” Gabe said, “I'll do my best, Will.” Will said, “I have a small amount of black powder. But we need to keep some for the firearms. I'll bring you some.” There was a large tree down across the roadway. Jimmy and Aidan had to stop the tank in the middle of the road. Rose said, “We'll have to turn around.” Aidan came up from the top of the tank, “ Turn around “ he yelled. He pointed his finger in the air and gestured in a circular motion. Rose backed the large truck up. She turned around, and drove ahead of the tank moving in the same direction. As soon as she saw an old abandoned gas station, she pulled over. They all stepped out of the vehicles. Jimmy asked Rose, “Is there another way that we can get back to the Orchard?” Aidan said, “We can't try to move that tree. The Raiders might come up on us, before we see them.” Rose said, “It's been awhile, since I have been here. We'll have to go over to Route 41. Then, back track to Route 52 and circle around. It's the best way, if the roads are clear. It will double our time, though.” Jimmy looked around. He stared at the entrance to the empty gas station. There was one zombie pushing his face up against the glass. He looked like he had been a young man, before his turning. Jimmy said, “I'm going to get some snacks and water.” he walked up to the double glass doors. He knocked on the glass with the butt of the military knife he'd picked up back at the storage facility. He waited, and watched for more dead. One more came. It was a zombie dressed in a paramedic uniform. He had bites all over his arms, and neck area. He was covered in blood. Jimmy looked around. “Where is his ambulance?” Rose was standing next to him. She stared at the two dead men, now clawing away at the glass doors. She said, “ I'll go in with you. Aidan is watching the kids.” Jimmy said, “You open the door, and let one out. I'll kill it. Then, we do it again. We go in, quiet like. Get some snacks and water. Then, we get right back to the vehicles.” She saluted him, like a soldier would. He gave her a solemn look. “Rose, don't break protocol. We could get ambushed by fifty of those things in a heart beat.” She studied him. He was not like Keith. Keith was more flexible. “ Okay, Jimmy.”
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She tapped on one side of the double doors to hold the attention of one of the dead, while she opened the door. The first zombie slipped outside. She pushed the door closed, as Jimmy grabbed the dead man, and stabbed him in his temple. Then, she opened the door again. The second zombie came clawing out. Jimmy kicked him down onto the ground. As he started to get back up, Jimmy grabbed him and stabbed him through the eye. Both lay on the ground. Jimmy walked inside, while Rose followed. He tapped on the counter with the knife. They waited. No more zombies came into view. He said, “Okay. Grab water, stuff for the kids. And, let's get going.” She shook her head. He took one isle, she took the other. They grabbed water for everyone, and stuffed two bags full of snacks. Rose saw a shelf full of baby formula. She said, “Jimmy, we need to grab all of that. Mary is going to need it. And, we can always use more canned food.” He said, “Okay. Let's put it in some bags.” They rapidly stuffed the cans of baby formula into bags. They picked up twenty-three cans of liquid and dry formula.
They hurried out to the vehicles with their finds. Aidan said, “Jimmy, you should drive Rose and the kids. I should drive the tank. I think that, we should only use the radios to communicate from inside the vehicles, for the rest of the ride home. We don't know what we'll find on this route. They looked around, wondering what, or who was out there. Jimmy focused on that dead paramedic with no ambulance. Jimmy said, “Okay. We test the radios out before we leave. We switch to the next channel number up. This way, if there is anyone who got a hold of a military radio out there listening, they won't be able to figure us out.” They loaded the bags in the vehicles. Aidan grabbed some water, and a can of cashews. And climbed into the tank. Once inside, he turned on the radio. He turned the channel up, one number. He held the radio speaker to his mouth, and said, “Okay, Buddy-Boy. You there?” He listened for a moment. Then, a bleep of static, and Jimmy's voice, “I am here, and I am ready! Let's roll!” Aidan laughed. “Alright, then. I go first. If you see something that, I don't, let me know. We don't want to drive into any trouble. Even, with a tank.” Jimmy said, “You got it, Brother.” They started out on their new route.
Back at the Orchard, things were quiet. Gabe worked inside the tool barn all morning. Will and Scott did rounds on all of the walls. Stella came on the radio, “ We have some movement outside. Can't tell if it's a person or the dead.” Will said, “ Stay out of sight and keep your eyes peeled open. I'll be right there.” Scott called out to Jessie, “ Jessie. Are you at the wall?” He said, “ Yes. Matt is with me. We don't see anything on our end.” Charlie came back on, “Uh. You guys are going to want to see this. At Will's place.” Then, Stella came on.“ Dad. We have company.” Will and Scott, exchanged a long look. They immediately, headed back to the horses. They rode as fast as they could to Will's place. When they arrived, they went straight up the steps to the op of the container wall. Stella pointed out into the field. She handed the field glasses to her father. Will took the binoculars, and looked through them for
a few seconds. He had to do a double take, when he realized what he was looking at. At the end of the field, just outside the trees, were two large trucks, and a school bus. Both trucks were parked, so that, the group could see them from the side. There was a sheet hanging outside one of the trucks. It had lettering spray painted on the front. It read; WE HAVE SUPPLIES FOR FAIR TRADE. Will said, “This has to be a trap.” He handed the field glasses to Scott. Scott took them, and looked through them. Scott spoke into the radio, “Charlie. Can you zoom in on them?”
Charlie responded, “Yes. It looks like they are just waiting there. I don't see anyone hiding anywhere.”
Renee pulled up in a car. She got out, and ran up the steps. “Who are they?” Scott said, “That is what we are trying to figure out.”
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Kyle, now showed up. “He looked through his field glasses. “What do you guys want to do with these ones? This could be a trap.” As they watched, a small car moved up to their wall. It came to a stop, and an older man stepped outside of it. He stood there, while looking up at the group. He spoke, as though, he was a car salesman trying to seal a deal. “Hello. I am Emilio Fontana. I, and my group, would like to offer you a chance to trade for some of our goods.” Now, Gabe came up onto the wall top. He watched the conversation unfold. Scott asked, “What group are you with?” Emilio answered, “That group, Sir.” He turned, and pointed towards the vehicles behind him. We have tools, and supplies of various kinds for you look at. All we ask, is that you trade us something of fair value?” He waited for an answer. Kyle said into the radio, “Charlie can you keep an eye on the treeline? Just in case this is a trap. They may have another group waiting to attack from another area.” Charlie came on, “I am watching. So far, nothing.” Will said, “How many are with you?” Emilio answered, “ In all? We have fourteen. Six of those being children. We are only looking for people who need goods, and would like to trade, we do no harm to people that we meet along the way.” Stella, scanned the school bus with the field glasses. She could only see three children, because some of the windows were covered.” Renee said, “I don't think that, he is with the Raiders.” Gabe said, “He is not with the Raiders. I saw those trucks, a while back. They up came from Indianapolis. Some of his group, traded with another guy that was with us before we made it here.” Will, and the others, turned to look at Gabe. Stella asked, “Are you sure about this, Gabe?” She turned to her father. “Dad. Maybe, we should invite them in? The Raiders could come up any time. They will attack them, if they catch them.” Scott said, “I don't know if that is such a good idea, Stella. They could have their own agenda.” Stella said, “Scott! Look inside that bus! There are kids inside there. It is not safe out there.” She turned to her father, “Dad!” Will said to Emilio, “Bring your vehicles closer, so we can get a look at them. Please?” Kyle said, “Will. We should be a little more careful, here.” Will said, “Cover me, I'm going outside to talk to these guys.” Scott said, “I'm going with you. We should figure out if they are a danger to us, or not.” Kyle sighed, “Alright.” Will and Scott, headed out through the gates, on another part of the property. Kyle said to Emilio, “Some of ours are coming out. Hope, you guys are not going to try anything.” Emilio looked up at Kyle, “Of course, we will not.” After a few minutes, Scott and Will rode up to the vehicles on horse-back. They dismounted from their horses, and approached Emilio. Will said, “First, we need to ask a few questions.” Emilio said, “Of course. I understand.” Two men approached the group. Emilio said, “This is my son, Raul. And, my son-n-law, Tony. Both men nodded. Will and Scott, nodded back. Scott said, “Emilio, I am Scott, and this is Will.” He pointed to Will, then continued speaking. “We have had some trouble with some people that we call, The Raiders. Do you know them? Do you understand why we are being a little cautious?” Emilio listened to Scott speak. He had seen his share of what can happen to people, since living in a zombie apocalypse. He said, “Yes, Scott. I do understand, why you would want to be careful, in this time that we live in. I assure you that, we mean no harm to anyone. We only pick up supplies from abandoned areas. We don't steal from, or harm anyone for what we obtain.” Will studied the vehicles that they had. The trucks were armored. But, the school bus was not. He watched as the children came out of the bus, and began to play and chase each other around the field. He said, “Sir. It's not really safe for the kids to be out here. The dead can come out of nowhere, with no warning.” A woman came out of the bus. She looked like she was in her thirties. She gathered up the children, and led them to the side of one of the vehicles. There, she stuck her hand in a bag that she had been carrying, and started to hand out snacks to the children.
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Emilio said, “Oh, I know that. They know to stay close. They need to stretch their legs sometimes.” Two teenagers stepped out of the bus. A boy and girl. They could not have been any older than fourteen or fifteen years old. Emilio said, “My family.” He held his hands out, gesturing for the men to look in their direction. Scott asked, “Where are the rest of your group? We would like to meet them.” Emilio said to his son, “Raul, please go get your Tia and cousins?” Raul said, “ Yes.” He walked away, and went into the bus. After a few moments, an older woman, a female, and two males came from the bus. One of the males looked like he was just waking up. The female was only a teenager. And, the other two males looked to be in their early twenties. When they approached, Emilio introduced them all. “Elma, this is Scott and Will.” He pointed between the two groups. “Scott, Will, this is my sister, Elma, my three nephews, Dominic, Derek, Desi. And, my niece, Dina.” They all said, “Hello,” in intervals. The man continued, “Over there, is my daughter, Theresa. And, my four grandchildren. His daughter half-smiled at them. Will, and Scott, both said, “Hello.” Will turned to Emilio, “Emilio. Do you travel all over with the whole family? And, the children?” The man said, “Yes, I do. It has proven to be too dangerous, to stay in one place for too long. We keep moving. When we think that we come across people that are safe to encounter, we try to make trade with them.” Scott, and Will exchanged a guilty look with each other. Will replied, “There are some very dangerous people out here, Emilio. They are ambushing people. Killin em. We just took in two young boys from their group. They forced them to fight for them.” Emilio shook his head up and down. “I see.” The expression on the mans' face, became one of worry. He glanced over at his grandchildren. Scott spoke up. “Emilio. Excuse us, for a moment, please?” Emilio said, “ Of course.” The two men walked a few feet away from Emilio. Scott said, “I don't know, Will. I don't really think that they are dangerous. They have kids. They are a family trying to survive out in this.” Will said, “I know. It ain't right to let them stay out there. Not with the Raiders loose. Not with all of those things out there. Not right...Not at all.” Scott turned, and looked up at Renee on top of the wall. He spoke into the radio, “Renee, they aren't dangerous. They are a family with children. We should invite them in, and watch them for awhile.” Chloe nudged her mother in the arm. Renee said, “Okay. We watch them and try to get to know them a little.” The two men turned to Emilio. He was standing ten feet away from them. They approached him. Will asked him, “Are you with any other group?” Emilio said, “No. I assure you. It's just us.” Scott asked, “How many weapons do you have?” Emilio said, “We have a few guns, and some ammunition.” Scott asked, “Would you like a place for your family that, at least for now, is safe?” Emilio looked confused. He looked over at his family. Then, he slowly asked, “Are you.... inviting us inside your walls?” Will said, “We are inviting you inside, if you agree to some things.” Emilio asked, “What are those things?” Will continued, “We are asking that, everyone get along, help with watches, and supply runs.” Emilio looked stunned. Then, he stuttered, “ Ye..yes. Of course, we will agree to that.” They noticed, the confusion the man seemed to have, when they invited him into their group. Will suggested, “Why don't you talk it over with your family?” They waited for Emilio to s
peak with his family. They watched the man confer with his family. After a few minutes, Emilio and some of his family approached them. Emilio spoke, first. “We accept your invitation, and we thank you.” One of the men spoke, “We have to keep the few guns that we have. We will not be trouble to you. And, we can leave to hunt, and collect supplies, right?” Scott agreed, “Sure. We understand. But, if we see signs that you are a threat, you'll have to give up your weapons.” Two of the men glanced at their Elder, Emilio.
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Emilio assured them, “I promise, we only use our weapons to hunt for food, and for the dead. We are traders. We need things for our family. We just try to get fair trades, for our needs. I give you my word.” The man extended his hand to shake on it. Will shook his hand. He said, “Us living, should stick together. You can follow us to the gate.” Scott spoke to Renee on the two-way, “We're coming in, and we have guests.” Renee said, “We'll meet you at the gate. As they all started to rally the children and get into their vehicles, Charlie started to yell over the radio, “Everyone! Get inside! The Raiders are coming! Hurry!” Charlie watched the camera screen, as several vehicles came speeding across the field. Scott yelled, “Everyone, get in the vehicles! Follow us!” Will yelled, “Get those kids inside the bus! Hurry! Follow us!” The adults scrambled to get the children inside the bus. The children started crying. Will gestured to them, to follow himself, and Scott. Will rode his horse. The others followed. Renee started yelling over the radio, “Everyone get up here! They are coming! Will, and Scott, are on the outside of the wall! Hurry! We need to cover them! They have to get around the corner, back to the gate!” Jessie came on, “Which gate are they going to?” She said the east-side gate. They shot at the Raiders, as they sped by them in their vehicles. They hit a couple of them. The Captains' son, Omar, was leading the raid. Stella yelled, “Hurry Dad!” She threw her radio down, and started firing into the speeding caravan. A tire on one of the vehicles was blown out by a bullet, it swerved into a mound of grassy dirt, and flipped over. The horn was blaring. Zombies started coming out of the trees. They swarmed the flipped vehicle. Stella kept firing at the other vehicles. They shot some of the men inside the moving cars, but they kept going. Will, Scott, and Emilio's caravan, was now, around the corner. Renee yelled, “Get the gate open! They are almost there! The first three vehicles are with them. Two trucks and a school bus. Jessie! Are you there?” Jessie replied in an out of breath grunt, “Yeah. I'm here. I got it.” Now, others had come to the wall. Ruby asked, “Where are they?” Renee said, “They are at the gate, now.” We need to get over there.” Renee turned to look for Stella, but she was already gone. Chloe said, “I'll stay here, Mom. Go make sure they are okay.” Renee kissed her girl. “I love you Chloe.” She turned, and ran down the stairs. Ben said, “Chloe. You stay here, and keep your head down. I am going to help at the gate. The Raiders are there. I love you.” He kissed her on the lips,then ran towards the gate. When he made it, he could not believe his eyes. Will, and the others made it inside the gate. But, before they could get the gate closed, the Raiders rammed it. The truck that they were driving was caught between the gate, and the frame of the wall, right where the gate was supposed to lock. The Raiders had gotten inside. They were fighting the group members that were there. Some of the Raiders were still climbing over the top of the truck to get inside. There were three men fighting along side Scott, and Kyle. Ben was surprised that they were fighting against the Raiders. Will shot two men. Renee was being pummeled by a man. She was down on the ground. He stood over her holding a knife in his hand. He dropped down on top of her. He was grinning, like a psychopath. He was about to slit her throat when Ben yelled, “Get off her!” He ran, and jumped on top of the man. The two, rolled around the ground. The man hit Ben, Ben hit the man. As they wrestled, Will shot another man coming over the top of the truck that was stuck in the gateway. He turned to see Kyle. Kyle threw a man onto the ground. He stabbed him. The man lay there motionless. He gasped for air, while choking on his own blood. Two more men attacked Kyle. He fought them off like a wild man. He sliced one of them across the mid-section. Then, the other one took out his gun, and pointed it at Kyle. Jessie and another man were fighting. Stella shot a man off of the top of the wall.
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