Dystopia: The Long Road

by DJ Cooper

  John found the walkie and contacted Arthur, he told them he would contact Ryan and get word to Matt and Dez about their arrival.

  John acknowledged him, saying, “10-4”

  Arthur came back saying, “Ryan will stop by tomorrow to chat with you, till then just relax. If you look out the front door you will see one of the militia vehicles sent to keep watch. Take a break y’all deserve it.”

  John thanked him and went back inside to find a quiet corner to gather his thoughts. Their trip had been a cake walk in comparison to what it could have been, and it was hard. They lost friends and family. He put his head in his hands and silently wept, he wept for Jules, for those the cannibals killed and even for Rita. If it was not for the network that they found he wondered if they’d have made it at all.

  Dickie walked up to him and sat next to him, not saying a word. He placed his hand on his shoulder and gave it a good squeeze. Putting his head back against the wall he sat on that floor, knees up and his hands in his lap.

  He stayed there next to John a while in silence before saying, “You know it ain't over yet, right?”

  John raised his head and looking right at him said, “What do you mean?”

  Dickie sighed before speaking and said, “You forgot our followers? We may have slowed them down, but they have someone inside Matt and Dez’s group. They also have this address, they will come.”

  John sat dumbfounded saying, “I was so elated, I never gave it another thought.”

  Dickie nudged him and said, “You ready for the kicker?”

  John said, “What is that?”

  Dickie replied, “Whoever their insider is has got to be family to someone here.”

  John looked around the room at his fellow group mates and said, “That just seems crazy.”

  Dickie said, “I’ve thought about this and there is more. Who is Morgan associated with?”

  John looked up aghast, saying, “Matt, why?”

  Dickie replied, “Think about it, and this. Remember when we tossed Morgan and Cindy out of the group how certain Matty was that Dez needed protecting, and that she was in danger?”

  John had a look like he had just had a revelation and said, “No, can’t be.”

  Dickie said, “Probably not, but the only one I want to say anything to is Dez. Remember, we have a traitor as well.”

  John agreed and they settled in for what they hoped would be a week of rest.

  December 11th

  Near midday a shout came from the front of the house, a man stood and identified himself as Ryan. Dickie and John exited the front door, closing it behind them. They approached Ryan to be able to talk without shouting what they had to share they did not want everyone to hear.

  They shared all they knew about the traitors and the gang that followed them with Ryan asking that he not share it with anyone but be on heightened alert. Knowing there was a traitor also in Matt and Dez’s group meant many secrets about their militia and community resources as well as other information might be compromised. Ryan agreed to keep it between them for now. He also added extra men to guard the house and sent another ten to Dez and Matt.

  The seven days passed without incident, Dickie or John spoke with Arthur daily for updates and Ryan stopped in every couple of days.

  On the seventh day Ryan knocked on the door, when Dickie opened it Ryan eagerly shook his hand saying, “You’re all clear. The bus will arrive for you after lunch.”

  Over his shoulder he waved at someone to come over, a small group of four vehicles pulled up and exiting them were people carrying dishes of all shapes and sizes.

  Ryan said, “Guess it is about time we celebrated your arrival. Sorry about all the cloak and dagger stuff, we just had to be sure.”

  Dickie chuckled and said, “It’s a pleasure to finally chat face to face.

  Ryan escorted him and John over to an older gentleman introducing him as Arthur.

  John reached out for his hand, saying, “I have a feeling we owe you everything kind sir.”

  Arthur took his hand and said, “It’s been a pleasure tracking your journey on my map.”

  John asked, “You knew?”

  Arthur said, “Of course, after Gerald’s group got you to Kentucky, I contacted my nephew, who is head of the Kentucky A.N.T.S. They could not transport you like Gerald’s network could, but they do supply caches and drops all the time, it is what they were organized to do before the shit hit the fan.”

  Dickie standing there said, “This was a massive undertaking getting us half way across the state. The level of organization for both groups was impressive.”

  Arthur replied, “It had its challenges, but you made it.”

  Dickie looked down, saying, “Well, most of us anyway.”

  Arthur looked saddened saying, “The diabetic, Yes, I heard about her. I am so sorry, how is the child?”

  Dickie said, “She is small, but a fighter, she is hanging in there.”

  Arthur said, “We do have a doctor in town, I will tell Ryan to have him make a visit to the farm to check him out.”

  Ryan came over carrying four beers, Budweiser's. Handing them out to each of them said, “I bet you could use one of these.”

  John took a long drink, saying, “Mmmmmm, never tasted better.”

  They all laughed and continued chatting while others made acquaintances with people from town. Soon the bus arrived and they boarded it waving goodbye to their new friends. Assured they would see one another again all were excited to get to the farm, as Arthur referred to it.

  Looking around the bus Dickie noticed Jenny was not on the bus with the children. He called out, “Hold up we are missing someone.”

  He got off the bus to search for her, he and John both searching the whole house, found nothing.

  In a panic Dickie Called out, “Georgia… Georgia where are you?”

  A faint cry could be heard from the woods behind the house, Ryan instructed his men to flank either side as he, John and Dickie made their way to the rear of the house. Moving out by the barn they heard it again. Dickie took off running full sprint in the direction of the cries. He could see about a hundred yards into the woods Jenny dragging Georgia who was holding Kayleigh. Rage could be seen in his face as he called out moving toward the girls. Jenny looked around, as if looking for help and let go of Georgia.

  Georgia began to run full speed toward her father, when Dickie noticed a smile emerge on Jenny’s face. Horrified, he knew Georgia was the target. He ran in her direction, calling out to her to take cover, but she could not hear him. A shot rang out and he watched his daughter’s steps falter and her slump into the forest floor. Cries from Kayleigh echoed across the hillside. By now all of the men from the bus were in the woods and Roger looked at Jenny horrified that he had not seen her ever leaving notes or anything that would give her away as the traitor.

  He stopped looking at her as she smugly looked over her shoulder at him, still brandishing the grin across her lips. Dickie reached Georgia and seeing the blood un-holstered his M9, aimed and fired before Ryan could get to him. Striking Jenny in the Chest, she dropped to the ground.

  Looking up the hill she reached out and cried, “Help me you fools.”

  No one came for her, she looked around with panic in her eyes as Dickie approached her, murder apparent in his eyes.

  Ryan grabbed Dickie by the arm, saying, “She’s alive, we need to get her to the infirmary right now.”

  Dickie raised his hand with the gun in it and backhanded her, knocking her out. Two of the men with Ryan dragged her into one of their vehicles to be taken to their jail. Amy hurried in and took Kayleigh from the arms of his sister while Dickie picked her up, carrying her lifeless form to Ryan’s truck. Ryan instructed the bus to meet them at the infirmary and hopped into his truck speeding off towards town.

  They arrived and carried Georgia inside, where the doctor and his nurse immediately began working on her. They asked Dickie her blood type, but he didn’t know. They said
she needed blood, she had lost a lot. Working feverishly to get her stabilized, they barely noticed Dickie slump to a heap on the floor. Ryan helped him off the floor and ushered him to the outer area.

  Seating him in a chair he said, “Doctor Burman is a good doctor, a surgeon before all this. She is in good hands.”

  Dickie shook his head saying, “Hasn’t my family suffered enough?”

  Ryan put his hand on his shoulder saying, “Do you want to get those bastards?”

  Dickie looked up at him, fire in his eyes and between gritted teeth said, “I’m gonna kill every last one of them and everyone they care about.”

  Ryan sat beside him and began to speak in a softer tone, "Listen, you can’t fall apart right now. Only you and John know what is going on, Dez is in danger and we don’t know who is leaking the information.”

  Dickie gasped, “These are my children, and they’re all I have left in the world. My Jules is gone and it is my job to keep them safe.”

  Ryan said, “Exactly, so let’s get these bastards and make a safe home for them.”

  Dickie looked at him like he was asking him to donate his leg and asked, “What do you want me to do?”

  Ryan said, “When the bus gets here, get on it. Go and watch over Dez. I am going to go get Sara, she is the kindest woman on earth I swear to sit with the kids while they are being treated. Kayleigh needs some time as well, he is weak.”

  Dickie said, “You want me to leave my kids?”

  Ryan nodded, saying, “Yes, yes I do. I’m asking you to trust me and I know that is difficult, but they really are in the safest place they could be and we need you.”’

  The bus arrived and the driver talked to Ryan a moment, Ryan returned to Dickie and said, “Change of plans, we are taking the jeep and two trucks. Let’s load them up. Oh, and Dickie..”

  Dickie said, “Yeah?”

  Ryan looked at him squinting his eyes and said, “If anyone asks, Jenny is dead. We don’t want it to get out that we could get info from her, I am not sure she was acting alone.”

  Dickie agreed and they all climbed into the vehicles. The trip was short to the farm and upon arrival they found that their friends had prepared a feast for their arrival. Everyone exited the vehicles and sought out their loved ones. John and Dickie gave each other knowing looks as they each exited.

  The evening was going well, Danny was showing off his scar from the near death infection while Melinda and Laurie regaled Toni with stories of the journey. Kimmie and Renee never left the food table while Matty couldn’t be pried from his father’s leg. Mark, Amy and John sat chatting with Matt about Matty’s struggles over losing his mom.

  Roger and Ray were engaged in serious conversations about defense with Sam and Tawny when Dickie noticed Matty go with Dez into the barn.

  Jeremy caught sight of Dickie standing alone watching the going on’s and asked him, “Whatcha thinkin theah guy?”

  This caught Dickie off guard, but he always loved the way Jeremy would talk like that. Laying on the strongest accent he could muster he said, “Just can't Adam n’ Eve all the bollock's we've gone through.”

  Jeremy taking a more serious tone said, “Yeah brother, I heard about Jules and the kids, how are you holding up?”

  Dickie looked dead into Jeremy’s eyes and said, “My kids are in the hospital, I don’t even know if they are still alive. I am here for your momma.”

  Jeremy looked shocked and said, “What do you mean my momma?”

  Dickie said, “Listen mate, I know you are an ok guy, so I can talk to you. Let’s take a walk.”

  They walked over to where the outhouses were, trying to look like Jeremy was showing him around.

  Dickie began, “Pay attention, your momma is in danger. We don’t know all the details, but someone needs to stick to her at all times. There is a traitor amongst you, we caught ours and now we need to flush out yours.”

  Jeremy looked shocked, asking, “Woah, what is going on?”

  Dickie said, “Morgan a friend of Matt’s is with a gang that has been tailing us. She has information from this group and Dez is her target. They wanna take over the farm and kill her.”

  Jeremy flushed with anger as his voice raised, “What?”

  Dickie touched his arm hushing him, saying, “Tell no one but never let your mom be without someone by her side and most of all don’t tell Matt.”

  Jeremy looked shocked, saying, “Don’t tell Matt? Why?”

  Dickie said, “Rita told Amy that Matt was having an affair with her.”

  Jeremy looked disgusted, saying, “Are you serious? Matt was cheating on my mom with that scum bag? Dude, seriously, that chick is nasty.”

  Seeing Dez come out of the barn they started walking back, Dickie made some disgusting comments as they returned to the party making Jeremy laugh.

  The sun began to set and feeling relieved that everyone would soon go inside, Dickie walked with John to the food table. Dez and Amy headed for the outhouses when a shot rang out, echoing across the hills. A scream coming from the outhouse direction drew all attention there. Dez lay half in and half out of the outhouse, blood rushing from her side.

  Amy could be seen struggling with someone and took off up the hill after a woman. Jeremy followed chasing the women into the woods. Ray rushed in with his shirt applying pressure to try and stop the stream of thick red fluid. Dickie stepped in and scooped her up placing her in Ryan’s jeep and sending Ray along for protection.

  Matty hopped into the jeep crying, saying, “I was supposed to protect her.”

  Dickie scooped Ariel from Charleigh and said, “Take them with you.”

  Charleigh objected, but another shot rang out sending them for cover, this one from further in the distance.

  Dickie turned to her saying, “My kids are also where they are going, and it’s the safest place for them. I know you can shoot Charleigh we need all the guns we can get.”

  Ryan’s men were already positioned on the ridge above the attackers and began to create a crossfire as the occupants of the farm fired from below.

  John crawled to Dickie and pointed to Matt. They noticed he wasn’t even paying attention to the battle, but watching a figure dart across the other ridge with two others following.

  Dickie gasped, “That is Amy and Jeremy chasing the shooter.”

  John was horrified as he looked, he saw Matt taking aim, and he was not aiming for the shooter but for Amy and Jeremy. John and Dickie both sprinted reaching Matt just as he pulled the trigger. Amy faltered and fell to the ground at the same time John tackled Matt.

  What was left of the gang slipped away, including the shooter. They counted five dead from the gang, one of which was Cindy. This confirmed it was the same ones that were following them.

  Jeremy came down the hillside with Amy hanging on to his arm limping. The bullet passing clean through her right calf.

  John and Dickie still had Matt held down as Amy approached saying, “What? Are you blind or something?”

  She kicked dirt at him as she headed for the barn to get bandaged. John went to the barn with her to check on the wound. While Dickie stared Matt down.

  Matt looked at him and said, “I didn’t know it was her, I was just trying to get one.”

  Dickie knew something was wrong but couldn’t prove it… Yet. He shoved Matt at Jeremy and went to check on the others and get a vehicle to take them to the infirmary. Jeremy looked at him shaking his head. Everyone knew Matt was an exceptional shot and it was clear to everyone as well who was who on that hillside. John was sure he was giving the shooter the chance to get away.

  Most wounds were superficial, Amy was the only one with a gunshot wound. Sarah made some coffee while they waited for the ok to go check on Dez.

  A crackle came over the CB, “Militia leader to farm, do you read?”

  Jeremy grabbed the mike responding. “We read you, how’s my mom?”

  Ryan came over the air saying, “Status unknown on that. I have a person requesting
admittance to the farm here.”

  Jeremy replied, “Who is it?”

  Ryan said, “She says her name is Rita and she has information about the gang and has proof of who had Dez shot.”

  Everyone gasped, and John shook his head no. Jeremy replied, “Negative we will come to you.”

  John and Amy sent Dickie, with Charleigh and Jeremy to town to meet with Rita.

  John looked to Mark saying, “We have dark days ahead I fear.”

  Note from the Author

  Many of the inventions or ways that the persons in this book choose to improvise are derived from various sources and things learned over the years.

  In an effort to share some of these things with my readers following I have compiled a few resources to assist in the application of these techniques.

  While I do not personally endorse untrained persons in attempting some things they are not trained to do. I always encourage others to learn so you and your families can be prepared in the event of any unforeseen “dystopian” moments.

  Preparedness, is an age old means by which people for generations made it through tough times. Many prepare for eventualities such as described in this book. Being prepared is a mindset. It is sometimes as simple as keeping a months’ worth of cash in the bank for something like time off work.

  Those in hurricane prone areas might keep water stored or wood on hand to board windows. Persons in Tornado prone areas might have a storm shelter. But the greatest preparedness tool you can have is Knowledge.

  Many of us have had, “One of those days.” You wake up late to find the pipes are frozen and you can’t take a shower. You fluff yourself up enough to not look like you’re a wrinkled mass that just rolled out of bed. To find that the car won’t start and when it does and you finally get there. Someone dumps a cup of coffee all over you. The day continues this way until you finally fall into bed completely spent.