The Changing Earth Series (Book 5): Dark Days in Denver

by Hathaway, Sara F.

  She coiled her arm back to swing at the new threat, her eyes slowly gaining focus.

  “It’s me, baby! Stop!” Vince pleaded.

  “Vince?” Erika blurted out, forgetting the aliases in the alcohol-adrenaline slurry.

  Her body relaxed, and the man gently put her down. The woman’s friends had gathered around to help her.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Bennet declared from behind Erika.

  “Bennet?” Erika asked, turning around.

  The fresh air outside took Erika’s breath away and her legs felt weak.

  “Take her home, Vince,” Bennet told him sternly. “And Hensley, don’t let her out of your sight again.”

  “I won’t,” he assured Bennet, helping Vince shoulder her weight as they left town.

  Chapter 10

  Making his way home, Dexter walked hand in hand with Megan. Besides Johnny, she was his best friend. They talked candidly together, and he described life within the walls of the homesteads.

  “The houses are located in small clusters with land that stretches for miles around them,” Dexter explained.

  “Maybe one day we could settle down someplace like that,” Megan commented.

  “Maybe . . .” Dexter agreed.

  “You don’t sound too sure about that,” Megan remarked.

  “How long do you think it will take the feds to regroup? We have scouts out. You know they will, too,” he thought out loud.

  “One day at a time, Dex. That’s all we can be thankful for,” Megan commented.

  He wrapped his arm around her, squeezing the young woman towards him.

  “You got that right. Tomorrow is never guaranteed,” Dexter agreed.

  “Speaking of, do you have tower duty again tomorrow?” she wondered.

  “No, I’ve been invited back to the homesteads for outer perimeter patrol. That means fried chicken for lunch,” he elated, rubbing his belly.

  “Lucky,” Megan told him.

  “What’s on your agenda?” Dexter asked.

  “I have the day off, but I’ll probably go help your Grandma at the school,” she explained, but her mind wondered somewhere else. “Dexter?”

  “What?” he asked.

  “Will you be going out on the next scouting mission, or will you stay to guard the homesteads?” she asked.

  “I’ll probably be going out. My skills are wasted on guard duty, but damn, the food is good,” he thought out loud.

  They parted ways in front of the tents. Dexter thought about giving her a kiss, but he was concerned about messing up their friendship with relationship complications. He entered the tent. His family lay slumbering peacefully. He smiled at his mom, passed out in a drunken stupor. She was bruised and snored loudly, something she did not usually do at all. He sank into his sleeping bag and fell asleep to the rhythm of her breathing.

  

  Dexter was up at first light. Trucker’s wet tongue slid forcefully along his face.

  “It’s not time to get up yet, Trucker,” he sleepily scolded the animal, but the dog persisted.

  “Okay, okay, I’m up,” Dexter told him.

  Trucker backed up and sat down as Dexter put on his uniform and laced up his boots. The rays of the rising sun were just illuminating the world outside the tent as Dexter stepped out in to the cool morning air.

  “You ready, bro?” Johnny asked. He was already outside waiting.

  “All set,” Dexter declared.

  It was long hike to the outer border of the homesteaders’ property line. As they passed by the homes, Dexter noticed the morning activity was just beginning inside. In the nearby pasture the mama goats were hard at work as well. Two more babies were born during the night. Dexter lingered for a moment, watching their antics.

  “They’re cute, aren’t they?” a woman asked from inside the goat shelter.

  “Yes ma’am, they sure are,” Dexter commented.

  She started to approach the fence line, but hesitated when she saw Trucker there, standing vigilantly at Dexter’s side.

  “Don’t worry, ma’am, he’s friendly,” Dexter assured her.

  “Are you sure about that?” she questioned him with a hint of an Australian accent.

  “Honestly, he’s not friendly, but he is well trained. You’re safe,” he assured her.

  “Now, that I’ll believe,” she told him, closing the distance between the two of them.

  “The babies won’t have much time with mama,” she explained.

  “Why not?” Dexter wondered.

  “We’ll take them to the nursing house and bottle feed them. That way they’ll be human-friendly, and the mamas can be milked for us to make milk and cheese,” she explained. “Would you like to come and see?”

  “Maybe some other time, miss.” He hesitated, realizing he hadn’t gotten her name.

  “Simpson, Audre Simpson,” she responded.

  “Mrs. Simpson,” Dexter finished, noticing her wedding ring. “We’re headed out to the border for patrol.”

  “Sounds like more fun than milking goats all morning,” she commented.

  “I guess it’s all in the perspective,” Dex replied. “Take care, ma’am.”

  “Take care, mister. . . ,” she responded, realizing she hadn’t gotten his name either.

  “Pvt Kase and this is Cpl Johnson,” Dexter informed her. “You have a nice day, ma’am.”

  Johnny and Dexter continued down the trail towards their assigned post.

  “I think Kyle is making the moves on Star,” Johnny commented.

  “I think you’re right,” Dexter admitted. “I’d like to say I don’t like that dude, but I’d be lying. Plus, he sure did give Sean what he had coming last night. Did you see his eye when he got up on stage? Now, that guy is a joke and I’ve always thought so.”

  “He’s lucky your father didn’t rip his balls off,” Johnny laughed. He’d heard the story about Vince ripping off a man’s balls for thinking of raping his wife.

  Dexter chuckled at the reference.

  “I wonder what he was doing there at all. I thought he left her to go play for the landowners and enjoy all the cushy perks,” Johnny commented.

  “I thought so too, bro,” Dexter agreed. “He was probably macking on one of those hot chicks that threw themselves at him and the landowner that married him dropped him like a rock.”

  “Probably. Who could blame him, though? I heard that chick he married fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch all the way down,” Johnny said, laughing hard.

  They met the men they were replacing and took their place patrolling the trail. Dexter watched the forest animals carrying on with their daily routines but occasionally he would turn the scope around and watch the homesteaders as well. There were children helping their mother hang clothes on a line. The littlest girl had a step stool to boost her high enough to help. Their mother sang softly as the children tore back and forth, gathering additional items from the basket.

  “I always wanted kids,” Dexter admitted to Johnny.

  “Not me. My dad was always too busy for me anyway,” Johnny replied.

  “Megan mentioned settling down someplace like this,” Dexter told him.

  “What’s up with you two anyway?” Johnny prodded.

  “She’s easy to talk to,” Dexter told him.

  “You two getting together?” Johnny wondered.

  “I don’t know. I really don’t want to mess up our friendship. Relationships can make things awkward,” Dexter worried.

  “That’s true. What if it didn’t work out and she’s your adopted aunt for the rest of your life? Weird, bro,” Johnny added.

  “She’s not blood, Johnny. You know that,” Dexter told him.

  “Neither is Star,” Johnny added.

  “Yeah, but Star is my sister. I can hardly remember life without her. I just met Megan a year ago and she isn’t even officially adopted, and now none of that really matters anyhow,” Dexter defended.

  “Tru
e,” Johnny agreed. “She’s a cool girl too. You’re right, she is easy to talk to,” Johnny admitted.

  “What do you know about it?” Dex asked.

  “Don’t get all jealous. I do share a tent with the woman,” Johnny reminded him, chuckling at his defensive posture.

  Dexter pulled his eye away from the scope and scowled at Johnny.

  “Don’t get in a ruffle, bro. I wouldn’t go there. I know you like her,” Johnny affirmed.

  Dexter returned his eye to the scope. The morning passed into afternoon and Audre appeared with a man and a basket.

  “Hello,” she announced as she approached. “This is my husband, Rylin.”

  Johnny and Dexter shook hands with the man and introduced themselves.

  “How you guys getting along today,” he asked in a Midwestern accent. His hair was short and gray and his nose dominated his face.

  “Just fine, sir. All quiet here,” Dexter confirmed.

  “Andrea sent this out for you boys,” Audre announced, handing Dexter the basket. “She sure does appreciate what you did yesterday.”

  “I imagine any mother would,” Dexter responded.

  “I guess you’re right,” Audre replied, chuckling a little at his candid response.

  “Do you have any children?” Dexter asked.

  Audre looked to the ground and scowled.

  Rylin answered quickly, “No, we were waiting until the time was right and then…” He hesitated. “Well, we weren’t landowners.”

  “Neither was I,” Dexter replied honestly.

  “It’s such a beautiful day, isn’t it? And your chicken is getting cold,” Audre broke in, quickly changing the subject.

  “Yes, ma’am, it is,” Johnny said, aiding her attempt.

  Dexter looked down at the basket in his hand and unwrapped the cloth. The savory smell of fried chicken wafted through the air. There were fresh biscuits on the side.

  “Thanks, it smells wonderful,” Dex told her.

  “Take care of yourselves,” Rylin replied as they left.

  Chapter 11

  In the morning, Erika’s head was throbbing. Her lip and cheek were swollen with pain as she rolled over to snuggle with Vince. He was already gone. She rolled back and saw that the tent was empty. Slowly, she got up and poured a glass of water. She guzzled down the glass and poured another. Just as she was sitting down, Victoria entered the tent.

  “Heard you had quite a night last night,” she commented with a smile.

  “You heard that?” Erika asked.

  “Oh yeah, the whole camp heard about it,” she laughed.

  “Great,” Erika responded. “Where is everyone?”

  “Already off to their posts. Daniel’s outside waiting for you, and Vince left with Bennet about an hour ago,” she told Erika.

  “Oh no,” Erika said, remembering last night’s events.

  “They said they would be back in a couple hours,” Victoria told her.

  The ladies jumped as the tent flap flew back and MGySgt Nickleton appeared in the doorway.

  Victoria saluted him stiffly as Erika drooped her head down. “SSgt Gleeson, why are you not at your post outside?” he snapped.

  “SSgt Kase just awoke. I was checking on her, sir,” she replied, keeping their friendship a secret.

  “I need a guard on this door, not a nurse. Do you understand me?” he commanded.

  “Yes, sir,” she replied, exiting the tent

  “Erika, you certainly stirred up one hell of a hornet’s nest last night,” MGySgt Nickleton declared.

  “I know, sir, but that woman had it coming,” Erika started to say.

  “Sit down and shut up,” he insisted firmly.

  “Yes, sir,” Erika answered humbly.

  “It’s hard enough to keep you hidden without you finding trouble!” he explained. “LtGen Merkley has demoted your honorary title to Private. He is not happy about this.”

  “But sir, that lady. . .” Erika protested.

  “Erika, that lady is the wife of the mayor who keeps all of us hidden in this town,” he told her.

  Erika put her head down again.

  “Your actions could have jeopardized everything,” Nickleton explained.

  “I didn’t know,” she said.

  “I know, and Merkley knows, but beyond the injuries you caused, people started talking. Your anonymity has been put at risk. Merkley wants to talk to you, now!” he instructed. “Get your uniform on.”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied as Nickleton left the tent.

  She dressed and walked out of the tent humbly. Daniel joined her side. He dragged his feet as they followed behind Nickleton.

  “What’s up, Danny?” Erika wondered why he was looking so downtrodden.

  “Bennet’s getting replaced by SSgt Justin Merkley,” he told her.

  “LtGen Merkley’s son? That can’t be all bad,” Erika commented.

  “He’s a total turd, Mom,” Daniel explained.

  “You’ll be fine. Just do your best and follow his orders,” Erika told him.

  “But why, Mom?” Daniel asked.

  “Because, Danny, we have to maintain order to win this battle.” Then she lowered her voice so Nickleton wouldn’t overhear. “We have to wait for Greg and Penni. Bennet’s with these guys. He trusts them to do what is right and I think we should too.”

  “I guess you’re right. I love you, Mom,” the boy told her as they approached the gate.

  Vince was waiting for them. “Hey, slugger,” he teased greeting her.

  She smiled and hugged him.

  “You two can catch up when Merkley is done with you,” Nickleton declared.

  Vince’s eyed widened and Erika shrugged at him as she left to follow Nickleton inside. She waited in the lobby area as Nickleton went to inform Merkley that he’d brought Erika. He returned immediately and ushered her into Merkley’s office.

  “Erika Moore, do you think this is a game?” LtGen Merkley asked her as he turned back from his window.

  “No, sir,” she answered simply.

  “You expect me to expend resources to save your friends, and you can’t even go into town one night without seriously jeopardizing our activities here?” he asked.

  “Sir, I’m sorry, I. . .” she tried to explain.

  “I don’t need an explanation. I have a mayor’s wife that lost an eye due to a severed optic nerve, along with three broken ribs. I have townspeople curious about the petite participant that very much resembled the Lone Survivor of Sacramento. I have plenty of explaining to do without listening to your excuses!” Merkley barked at her.

  Erika’s head was still throbbing, and her lip was crusted over where the woman’s punch had landed.

  “Your honorary rank has been reduced to a private. It’s a good thing Bennet was there or else you might have killed her, from what I heard, and that would have been disastrous. My protection can only go so far. Do you understand?” he snapped viciously.

  “Yes, sir,” Erika responded.

  “How would you like your family to be thrown out of here? How long do you think you would last against the feds without the protection of the mercenary army? Do you realize how many people would be more than willing to turn you in?” Merkley ranted.

  Erika sat mortified in the chair. It was supposed to be a fun night out on the town, not a reality-altering event. Her head was pounding too hard to think of any answers to his questions.

  “Nothing to say?” he asked.

  “I can’t undo the past sir,” she replied.

  “No but we can control the future,” he insisted. “You’re to remain on the base. You go from your tent to the mess and here. Do you understand?” LtGen Merkley commanded.

  “Yes, sir,” was all she said.

  “Good, now get the hell out of my office. I’m still in the process of mopping up your mess,” he grumbled at her, picking up a phone off his desk.

  She quickly left the room and found Victoria waiting outside.

&n
bsp; “That sounded fun,” Victoria teased.

  “It’s not the worst I’ve had to face,” Erika replied.

  “I bet not,” Victoria agreed. “Bennet’s waiting for you in the gym.”

  “Now, that will be much worse,” Erika commented.

  They walked down the hall back to the lobby and turned to go into the gym.

  “Good morning, sweetie!” Bennet boomed especially loud as she came in.

  Erika grabbed her head, shrinking from the noise.

  “I guess I should thank you,” he jested.

  “For what?” Erika wondered quietly.

  “Merkley restored my rank and said I should be given honors for dealing with you all these years,” he chuckled.

  “I guess that makes up for that bruise on your face,” Erika jested.

  “Oh, now you got jokes?” he asked, touching his face.

  “You’re a private now, right? Looks like you’re back under my orders. Where’s my ‘sir’?”

  “Are you serious?” Erika asked.

  “I am. We’re back to square one. Vince agrees we need to keep training. That lady took you down,” Bennet attested.

  “I was drunk,” Erika replied.

  “No excuses, Erika. On guard 24/7,” Bennet said.

  “What happened to relax and spend some time with your family?” Erika wondered.

  “You purposely evaded Hensley, Erika. I know you,” Bennet retorted.

  “No, he just didn’t notice us leave. He was too busy with some young chicky to notice,” Erika defended.

  “But you noticed,” Bennet countered.

  Erika sighed heavily. “I can’t do this today, Bennet.”

  “Oh no, you can’t give up now. You’ve never given up before,” Bennet told her.

  “But I’m tired, Bennet,” Erika replied. “The people have given up on me. I can’t fit in anywhere. My friends are out there. My family is strong and can take care of themselves. I’m done. I can’t fight anymore.”

  “SSgt Gleeson, can you go guard the door. No one comes in,” Bennet insisted, sending her away.

  It was just Erika and Bennet standing outside the ring.

  “Come here,” he commanded.

  She complied slowly, walking towards him. Standing before him, she awaited his assault. He reached down and hugged her tightly. He held her as she cried. He knelt down on one knee and stayed in front of her as he let go.