by Payne, T. L.
“If they’re well armed and have transportation, I don’t think it would hurt to at least fill them in on what we’re thinking. Let me grab my boots and I’ll go over there with you.”
“We want to speak with your uncles, Beau,” Savanah called from the Ashbys’ gate.
She waited, but no one answered.
“Hello?” Luca yelled.
To Savanah’s surprise, he hadn’t hesitated to join them after Savanah had filled everyone back home in on the situation with Jason, Pete, and Rod going missing. Mr. Bertrand agreed to stay behind to help defend the homestead and Savanah’s children. She was grateful to him for that.
“Where are they? They’d never leave this gate unguarded,” Savanah said.
“Something must have drawn them away. Maybe trouble on the other side of their property,” Blake said.
“Should we go in?” Savanah asked.
“Let me,” Luca replied. “I can run up to the house and see if anyone is home.”
Savanah’s gaze turned to Blake.
“I think you’re likely to get yourself shot.”
“Then what do we do now?” Savanah asked.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go into town without backup. Even if we discovered Jason and the others were in some type of trouble there, we’d be powerless to help without the Ashbys or someone more than the three of us.”
“So we do nothing?” Savanah couldn’t fathom going home and waiting.
“Not nothing. We go home and prepare the best we can,” Blake said, turning toward the road.
Savanah stared at his back as he walked away. The not knowing was killing her. She just couldn’t walk away and not try to find out what had happened to Jason and the others and what might be coming for them next.
“I’m going to go up to the house and see if I can tell if they had some sort of trouble or what. I’m not sure what I’ll find, but at least I’ll know that I tried,” Savanah said, stepping on the middle pipe of the gate and hiking her other leg over the top.
Luca grabbed her by the belt. “Savanah, wait. I should go. You got kids.”
Savanah glared at his hand and he removed it.
“Let’s both go then,” she said, nodding toward the house.
Blake facepalmed. “Shit, you guys. This is a dumbass move. You said they were a shoot-on-sight kind of group.”
Savanah landed solidly on the other side of the gate. “You can wait here for us.” She was fifty feet down the driveway when she heard Blake’s footfalls behind her.
“We should spread out. Maybe walk in the tree line so we’ll have cover if they start firing,” Blake said.
“Kathy!” Savanah yelled. “It’s me, Savanah Fontenot. Don’t shoot!”
Blake scrambled behind a row of bushes lining the narrow lane. “It might not be the Ashbys that shoot at us, Savanah.”
“What do you want, Savanah?” a female voice called out.
“Kathy?”
“No. This is Kathy’s sister, Mary. What do you folks want here?”
“We need to speak with Kathy and Pete’s brothers.”
“They ain’t here.”
“Can we come up? Something strange is going on, and I’d like to talk to you and find out what’s happened here.”
“Just you. I don’t know those other two fellows.”
Savanah sprinted up the drive. After rounding the last turn, the two-story vinyl-clad house came into view. Mary stood on the porch that ran the length of the front of the home. The rifle in her hand said she wasn’t taking any chances.
“What do you want to talk about?” Mary asked.
“Jason took off yesterday, saying he was going to speak with some of the neighbors about those folks at Sugar Hill. He never came home. We stopped at Rob’s and he’s missing as well. Beau told me earlier that Pete was gone. Do you know anything about that?”
“I don’t know anything about Rob. Jason stopped by here yesterday and Pete left with him. When he didn’t come back by nightfall, the guys went out looking. They didn’t come back either. Beau and Kathy lit out this morning.”
Savanah’s heart leaped into her throat. Her head began spinning. She’d known in her gut that something was wrong, but now her worst fears were being confirmed. There is no way that the Ashbys would go off and leave their place unguarded. Not unless something huge had occurred. Something more than just the Blanchards. Her stomach began to churn as her last meal tried to make its way back up. She drew in a breath and closed her eyes, willing her gut to calm.
“Are you here alone?” she finally asked in between breaths.
“I got all the kids.”
Shit!
There was little she could do to protect them and her own family. “You’re welcome to bring them and come stay with us until everyone gets back.”
“Nah, I best stay here and do what I can to hold down the fort,” Mary said. “I appreciate the offer though.”
Savanah stared at Mary for a moment, unsure what more to say. She turned and slowly walked away. Before she was out of sight, she called back over her shoulder. “If you need us, we are just down the road.”
As she walked back toward Blake and Luca, Savanah tried to make sense of what she’d learned. By the time she reached them, she’d determined she was no closer to knowing what had happened or how to respond than she was before.
Heading back toward Savanah’s, the trio walked in silence. Each had agreed that something major had occurred, but its implications for them were unknown. Their next course of action was hotly debated. It was risky, but one Savanah believed was necessary. Blake had wanted to go alone, but Savanah knew that wouldn’t work. He was a stranger in these parts. The Blanchards knew her. They were more likely to speak to her than Blake. Blake had objected to her proposal.
“If you go in alone, there is very little I can do to help you.”
“I know. That’s why I think you should stay here and protect our families. I don’t think Jason’s brother will hurt me. I really don’t. If he doesn’t know what has happened, he’ll want to hear me out.”
“For the record, I think it’s a crazy idea,” Luca said as he climbed Savanah’s gate.
“I know. I hate to ask, but please watch over my children. Keep them in the house until I get back, okay?”
“I’ll try. Kylie can be a handful,” Luca said.
Kylie was obstinate and defiant at times—most of the time!—but Mrs. B could handle her. She had a way with strong-willed children, it seemed. “Ask Mrs. B to have her help organize the can goods. That will keep her busy.”
Furrows lined the skin of Blake’s forehead. “Are you sure, Savanah? We can talk about this some more and come up with something else.”
“I’m sure. You said you saw them bring in several loads of stuff last night. Meaning they were out somewhere,” she said, sweeping hair back from her eyes. She stared off in the direction of the gated community, her fear of them muted compared to the unknown danger lurking out there wherever Jason and others had gone. “They may know exactly what is going on. I’m going to get them to tell me.”
Blake tilted his head back and exhaled. “Okay, then I’m going with you.”
Savanah threw her hands in the air. “They aren’t going to let you in.”
Blake’s head tilted slightly. “You’ll have to convince them.”
Twenty-Two
Will
Day Eight
Will smelled bacon frying. At first, he thought he was dreaming, and then he heard voices in the kitchen. He rolled over to check on Cayden, who’d been sleeping beside him in one of the spare bedrooms. He was missing. Will sat up and bent to find his shoes. When he reached the door, he heard Cayden’s voice. He was laughing. The sound made him tear up. He opened the door and stepped into the hall. The smell wafting in from the kitchen was heavenly and made his stomach growl.
“There you are, sleepyhead,” Glory called down the hall. “Breakfast will be ready in about fifteen minute
s.”
“It smells wonderful,” Will said. He was going to ask how she could cook with the electricity out but then recalled seeing the propane tanks outside.
“That’s enough time for me to show you something out in my shop,” Alan said.
Will ran a hand across the top of his hair and smoothed his wrinkled T-shirt before following Alan out to his shop. Monte and Walker were already there. In front of them were a long table and several disassembled weapons.
“Gotta keep those rifles clean, or they’ll jam on you at the most inconvenient times,” Alan said. “I can’t spare much ammo, but I'll load you a few extra magazines. I have an extra tactical belt I could loan you too. I bought it for Glory, but she didn’t like black, so we had to get her a girly one.”
“I appreciate that, Alan,” Will said.
“I also have this night vision scope. I’m surprised as hell that it still works. I’d thrown it into one of the half-empty ammo cans and forgot about it. It’s not the best one on the market, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Alan. It’s very generous of you.”
“You folks picked Glory and me up on that road and then engaged in a gun battle because of your good deed. It’s the least I can do. I just wish I could do more, but it looks like this is going to be a long-term problem, and I won’t be able to get a resupply of this stuff any time soon.”
“I understand,” Will said. “Have you considered leaving?”
“And go where? No, we’ll just make our stand here,” Alan said. “My boys will make it back soon, and we’ll do a better job fortifying this place.”
“You guys going to stay out there all day playing with guns or what?” Glory called.
“We better get in there, or she’ll feed our breakfast to the hogs.” Alan laughed.
After breakfast, all Will wanted to do was go back to bed. It was the first time his stomach had been full and satisfied in a week. He wasn’t sure he was at all ready to face what came next out on the road. He prayed that life at Savanah’s resembled the one here with Alan and Glory—without the gun battle they’d had yesterday, of course.
Walker climbed behind the wheel while Monte got into the passenger seat. Monte had suggested that Walker drive and it made sense. He knew the roads. If a route change needed to be made on the fly, it would save time not having to relay directions. In his lap, Monte held a pair of binoculars Alan had given him. In theory, he’d be able to spot trouble from a distance, giving them time to avoid it. Will hoped he was right. Cayden sat between Will and Isabella in the back seat. Glory had packed them a few MREs and filled a five-gallon jug of water for their trip.
Alan extended his hand through Will’s open window. “It was nice meeting you, Will. I hope that someday you’ll come back this way—when all this is over.”
“We’ll do that. I appreciate the supplies. It will make a huge difference,” Will said.
Alan pointed at Cayden. “Make sure you keep this crew in line there, young man.”
Cayden smiled. “I’ll try.”
“Keep that safety on,” Alan said, pointing to the pistol holstered at Cayden’s side.
Alan had spent two hours instructing him on gun safety and practicing shooting various targets. Will knew Cayden was responsible and a very good shot—at the range. But he was still only a thirteen-year-old kid. Handling a weapon was a huge responsibility, and knowing when to pull it was difficult, even for an adult. But in the end, he’d recognized that he might not always be there to protect him in the present danger they faced. He couldn't bear the thought of him defenseless against the type of enemies they’d seen so far.
“I’ll keep it on safe, Mr. Alan,” Cayden said.
“Isabella, I know I’m not exactly your size, but I packed you a few items of clothing. Sometimes just putting on a clean shirt can make you feel like a new woman if you know what I mean,” Glory said. She placed the tote in the bed of the pickup and then patted Isabella’s arm. “You’re tougher than you know. You’ll do fine.”
“Thanks, Glory. And thanks for the clothes.”
“Cayden, I sure thank you for helping me out with the animals. It can get to be quite a chore when you get behind from being gone like we were. You’re a good kid,” Glory said.
“I enjoyed it.”
“Safe travels,” Alan said as Walker put the truck into gear.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Walker replied.
Monte waved as they pulled down the drive.
Apprehension crawled up Will’s spine as the truck’s wheels hit the blacktop. He’d been naïve, thinking things would be better once they got away from Houston. Something in his gut told him that the worst wasn’t over.
Walker turned the truck north just before coming into the city of Silsbee. The street was narrow and lined with houses that sat close to the road. It would be easy for someone to rush out and block their path without much notice. Will did not like the situation. He sat erect, eyes scanning the homes ahead, his hand on the rifle resting between his knees. His shoulders were tense and muscles ready to react to any threat that might arise. He let out an audible sigh of relief when the residential area gave way to a tall pine forest and then pasture lands. He wasn’t looking forward to white-knuckling it the whole trip to Savanah’s.
“How long have you had your place on the Neches River?” Monte asked.
“A decade or so. I don’t get up there much anymore.”
“And you think you’re going to hunt and fish to survive?”
“Something like that,” Walker said.
“Right,” Monte scoffed. “There’ll be a lot of folks that think like that. Those woods will be crawling with city folks trying to take down big game to feed their families. They’re more likely to get themselves lost and die out there.”
“It’s that or go home to Beaumont. Which would you choose?”
“Sure as shit wouldn’t be Beaumont or any city for that matter,” Monte said.
“What’s your plan?” Will asked.
“My folks have been living off the land for three generations. We know how to survive. The bayou will provide.”
Will envied him in some ways. He seemed to have all the skills that it would take to make it long term without modern conveniences while Will was still wandering in the dark. He’d have a much better outlook once they reached Savanah’s and could assess their chances of feeding themselves and what the security situation was there. He hated all the unknowns they still faced. It was hard for his mind not to imagine all sorts of dire scenarios.
“Walker, you should come on down to Lake Charles with me,” Monte said. “We could use someone with your skills. I imagine lots of folks will think they can just run down to the bayou and take what they want. I doubt they’ll survive a day out there. My family’s camp is so far out that even I get lost sometimes.”
A left turn took them through another residential area and across a set of railroad tracks. Eventually, it came back out on a highway heading east. As they reached the north side of Silsbee, Walker sped up, passing quickly by a washateria and a small strip mall before exiting the commercial area for a more rural setting. Walker relaxed in his seat and slowed a bit. They’d made it through Silsbee without incident and were back out on the freeway driving toward Evadale.
Walker was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, “Are you serious about that offer?”
“As a heart attack,” Monte said.
“I’ll have to consider it a bit.”
“You better hurry up. Your turn is coming up soon, right?”
Walker was about to speak when Will spotted something on the road ahead. He leaned forward and pointed. “Slow down, Walker.”
“What is it?” Isabella asked, poking her head between Walker and Monte.
“Looks like a body,” Walker said.
A tight knot formed in Will’s stomach. His head rotated back and forth, looking for signs of anyone else around. He saw no one.
“Maybe they're hurt,” she replied.
The odd way they were positioned told Will they were likely dead. But how? Why had they been left on the road, and by whom?
“I don’t like it, Walker,” Monte said. “I think we should haul ass around it and get the hell out of here, pronto.”
Will agreed. If the person were still alive, there wouldn’t be anything they could do to help them. It smelled an awful lot like an ambush.
“You aren’t going to stop and see about them, are you?” Isabella asked.
What a turnabout she’d made. Was this the same woman that had chastised him when they were downtown and had left the dying man in the street? Maybe she was finally beginning to realize they couldn’t save everyone even if they tried. They had to look out for themselves. It had become the survival of the fittest.
Walker gripped the steering wheel tighter and sped up. As he did, Will pushed Cayden’s head forward. “Stay down.” He pulled his rifle into his lap and readied himself to fire at the first sign of trouble. Will thought about the Humvees they’d ridden through town on their way to the joint reserve base. How he’d love to be traveling in one of those. He’d feel much more comfortable up in the turret where he could see and respond to threats more readily.
Before reaching the figure on the pavement, Walker swerved onto the soft shoulder of the roadway. Will closed his eyes for a second, praying the tires didn’t slip off into the mud and get stuck. Will looked back as Walker steered them back onto the highway.
It was mere seconds before their suspicions were confirmed. Three men and a woman ran into the street, waving their fists in the air. The shorter of the men aimed and fired his pistol, but the truck was too far away for his shot to reach its target. They’d dodged a bullet, literally.
“That was close,” Isabella said.
Will wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Too close.”
In minutes, they reached the Neches River, which wandered over four hundred miles through the East Texas Piney Woods and emptied into the Gulf of Mexico. Walker didn’t have it all wrong. A body could disappear into the thick woods and feed off the abundance of the land—if they knew what they were doing. How many Houston residents would flee the city to try? Hundreds? Thousands? Not many would survive, but it would beat the hell out of staying in the war-torn city and starving to death.
