by Chris Pike
“My wife and daughters need me. This was my first opportunity to get out of the rail yard. It was deadlocked so bad I had to manually override the systems. I was lucky to get this train operational.”
“Then you should stay with them. I’m sure the president can find someone else to take him to Washington.”
“Ella, I’m a man of my word.” He looked at me pointedly, troubled.
“Travis, how old are your daughters?”
“Ten and twelve.”
“If they survived, then they need you. They may pretend not to, but they do. Every kid needs a dad. You’re their father, their protector, so you need to do what all dads should do.”
“Ella,” Travis said, “you’re too wise for your years.”
I laughed. “I’ve been told I’m an old soul.”
“I’d say you’re a wise soul.”
* * *
We didn’t talk anymore after that, so I grabbed a few winks of shut-eye I desperately needed. When I woke, we were nearing the sleepy little town of Clifton, Texas, population 3,392 according to the latest census number on the green city sign at the city limits.
It was still dark when Travis slowed the train to a crawl. We approached the downtown area, comprised of only one street lined with tourist shops, a furniture consignment shop, two restaurants, and a bed and breakfast named the Screen Inn. A theater containing two screens sat vacant on the other side of the main highway from the downtown area. A drugstore and a vintage car showroom completed the interest on the main drag.
My plan was to rest at the inn until daybreak, scrounge around for food, then walk or find some means of transportation to the ranch. My ankle had returned to its normal size, so I was pretty sure I could make the walk if needed.
The town was originally named Cliff Town after the limestone cliffs common in the surrounding lands, including our ranch, located about ten miles west of the town. Over the years the city’s name was shortened to Clifton.
Our ranch had a notorious limestone cliff with a deep, elongated narrow cave, located high on a rocky hill, dotted with thick cedars and scrubby oaks. It was notorious for being a rattlesnake den where the venomous reptiles hibernated during winter. Tree roots grew into the ceiling of the cave. It was hidden from view by a thick cedar break so dense I’d have to crawl on my hands and knees to penetrate it. At the other side of the cedar break was the prize: the forbidden cave.
My parents were afraid May or I would get bitten by a snake and die if we went by ourselves, so they had forbidden us to go there. They didn’t have to worry about May.
It was me they had to worry about.
I never much liked playing by the rules, especially if something was forbidden. Perhaps it had to do with the biblical forbidden fruit. Regardless, I had been told I was a clever girl, so when rules needed to be broken, I made it my business not to get caught.
Though we had been forbidden to hike there by ourselves, I did once, under the guise of hunting for fossils, proof of the inland sea that covered Central Texas during the dinosaur age.
I found out the hard way how slippery limestone was as I hunted for fossils on that steep hill. Even during the middle of the day it was dark and lonely, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Birds were silent, and even my dad became quiet when we hiked there. He said he was being respectful of the spirits of the people who inhabited the land during the Paleo-American age before the Indians arrived, over ten thousand years ago.
Perhaps when I get to the ranch I’ll show Kyle around, and introduce him to the land so he can get his bearings. I’ll show him the best hunting grounds, and where the deer bed down during the day.
“Alright,” Travis said, interrupting my thoughts. “We’re here.” He brought the train to a complete stop.
“Ella,” Charlie said, tapping me on my shoulder to get my attention. “I would like to say good-bye to you and wish you the best of luck.”
“And good luck to you too.” I gave him a hug and patted him on the back. “What are your plans?”
Charlie nodded in Travis’s direction. “He’ll check on his family first. Make sure they are okay, then we will head on up to Washington.”
“Only the two of you?”
“We’ll be alright,” Charlie said.
“Have you asked Kyle and—”
“You need Kyle and Tommy for added firepower in case the need arises. Besides, I’ve got a kickass rifle right here, and plenty of ammunition.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Ella, is there anything I can do for you once I’m back in Washington? I’m not sure what I can do, but I’ll try.”
I thought for a moment. “There is one thing. I loved Cheetos as a kid, but I haven’t had any in ages because of my basketball training. If you find a case of Cheetos, I’d appreciate a delivery.”
Charlie laughed. “I’m sure I can arrange something along those lines. Does your ranch have an address?”
“I’m not sure of the exact address, but it’s easy to find.” I pointed at the highway. “Go five miles west from the traffic light. Hang a right at the farm to market road right past the rest stop. Go exactly five more miles, and you’ll see the entrance to the ranch.”
“What’s its name?”
“American Strong. Strong is our family name, and American because that’s what we are.”
“I like it. American Strong,” Charlie said, repeating the name. “It’s a great name and easy to remember.”
When it came time for Charlie to thank Kyle and Tommy, I stepped back to give him some room. Goodbyes are private and I didn’t want to intrude on intimate conversations. I was close to tears myself, so I put my hand to my eyes, wiping them, pretending I had a speck of dust in them. I needed to live up to my last name. Showing emotions right now wouldn’t do me any good, and I’d bet my last dollar, Kyle was experiencing conflicting emotions at leaving the president.
Charlie thanked Kyle and Tommy for their help, and released them from the oath they had taken, and when he said his goodbyes to May, he took extra time to comfort her, telling her he had a daughter her age, and if he could ever arrange it, he’d like them to meet. When he said his daughter was a cheerleader too, May’s eyes sparkled. Apparently, cheerleaders had the same type of camaraderie as other athletes. I guess May and I were more alike than I wanted to admit.
I hopped down to the ground, heaved my backpack up on my shoulder, then stepped away from the train, as did Kyle, Tommy, and May. I nodded to Travis, who was in the engine room at the controls. Charlie was on the catwalk.
“Good luck to you!” I yelled as the train chugged forward.
“And to you too!” Charlie yelled over the churning and squeaking of the train.
Then they were gone, the early morning darkness swallowing them, the train’s lights fading away until it was like it had never been here. I hoped they’d make it, and I hoped Travis would find his family alive. If not…I don’t even want to think about it.
In the darkness, my gaze went to the twinkling stars in the heavens. The quarter moon glowed low in the sky, beckoning me to keep my eyes on it. Closing my eyes, I prayed silently to keep Travis and Charlie safe on their travels. When I opened my eyes, I could have sworn the moon winked at me as if to tell me my prayers had been answered.
May had recovered enough from her snake bite and was able to walk on her own, although I carried her backpack.
“Ella, let me carry that,” Kyle said. “You’ve got enough to carry.”
“I won’t fight you on it.” I handed May’s backpack to Kyle.
Tommy had walked on ahead, reminding me of when he left me high and dry in the school parking lot. This time I didn’t plan on running after him or asking him to stop. Besides, it was plain rude for a man to walk in front of a woman, unless it was a safety issue, and I doubt Tommy was looking out for anyone’s safety other than his own.
“Let’s find out if the Screen Door Inn is empty,” I said. “If so, I want to
rest there until daybreak.”
“Aren’t you afraid of the boogie man?” Tommy asked. “Oh, that’s right, you are!” He laughed.
“There’s a difference between being scared and being cautious. I’m being cautious. If you want to go ahead of us, then go. I won’t stop you. You heard the way to the ranch. Be my guest, go ahead of us.”
Puckering his lips, Tommy blew out, “Oooh. Bossy now, are you?”
I ignored his taunting. Whatever game he was playing, I wasn’t going to participate by acknowledging him.
In the middle of town, the four of us silently crossed the highway which divided the town in half. Streetlights were dark, and it was impossible to see through the glass plate windows of stores, and the only movement was a cat scurrying around a corner building. I had expected corpses to litter the area, and I found it odd there were none.
A strange odor wafted on a silent breeze, and I spied a smoldering heap of charred indistinguishable forms and tree stumps with tree limbs sticking out. On a second glance those were no tree limbs. Those were arms and legs. It appeared someone had made an effort to clear the town of the bloated corpses, which meant there were possible survivors. Their location was the big question.
I was ready to start the long hike to the ranch, but traveling at night wasn’t a good idea. My ankle was still tender, and I wasn’t about to take a chance of reinjuring it.
When we came to the inn, I was about to open the front door when Kyle stopped me.
“Ella, you and May stay back. I’ll clear the hotel. When I tell you it’s safe to come in, then you can.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said.
“No, you’re not trained like I am.”
“Maybe not, but I can still shoot.”
“Okay, tell you what.” Kyle ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. “You and Tommy stand guard at the door. Deal?”
“Deal,” I said.
“What about me?” May asked.
Kyle thought before answering. “Check the four cars parked in front here,” he said, motioning to the SUVs and one sedan. If any are open, search for anything useful. If you find something you can carry, then take it.”
“Like what?”
“Weapons, food, a map.”
“I can do that,” May said.
“Once you’re done,” I said, “May and I will find a room to share. If you’re tired, you’re welcome to stay with us.”
“You two go on and rest. After I’m sure the place is okay, I’ll check the kitchen for anything useful.”
“Good idea. I can help you.”
“It’s not necessary. I’m fine, but if you find any men’s clothes that aren’t blood stained, I’ll be much obliged.”
Kyle tentatively opened the door. It squeaked, and in the quiet of the night, it sounded particularly loud. He froze. I crouched and whipped my head left and right, looking for movement, for I was sure the sound was so loud it could have wakened anyone.
A few tense seconds ticked by. “All good,” I whispered. “Nobody’s out there.”
Kyle closed the door, leaving Tommy and I to stand guard. May went from car to car, checking if the doors were open. If it was locked, she gave me the thumbs down, indicating she couldn’t open it. All she needed was a brick or a crowbar to break the window, yet we had not reached the point where it was okay to destroy property.
When she reached the fourth car, she popped her head up and gave me the thumbs up sign. I mouthed good job.
I returned to keeping my eyes on the far parking lot, searching for any movement.
A high pitched scream made the hair on my arms stand up. Then a low growl and snapping of jaws together jolted me into action.
May!
Chapter 22
I sprang up from my crouched position and bolted to where she was. My .357 was in my hands, and I was ready to shoot. I dodged a tree growing in a circular patch of dirt in the sidewalk, then looped around a car.
When I approached May, she was wide-eyed and had her back against a car opposite the one Kyle told her to search. She pointed at it.
Cautiously, I stepped toward the car with the back windows rolled down half way. My gun was raised, my heart thumping.
I stepped closer, but in the low light, it was difficult to discern much of anything. “Shhh!” I whispered to May.
I removed my backpack, unzipped a compartment, and removed a flashlight. I flicked it on and shined it in the car to find a large dog huddled in the backseat, trembling and panting. It was brown and black with golden tufts of hair above its amber eyes. Its hair was bristly, and appeared to have a smattering of German shepherd, along with other indistinguishable breeds. A leash was still attached to its collar, and the tags jingled when the dog moved. Then it occurred to me the dog had been in the car for over a week. I found it incredible it had survived a week without food or water.
“We can’t leave it there,” I said.
“What should we do?” May asked. “Let it go?”
“I’ll give it water first.”
I retrieved the silicone expandable bowl from my backpack, which in hindsight I was glad I packed at the last moment. I shook it open and poured bottled water in it. I approached the car and spoke in soothing tones to the dog. It cocked its head, listening to me. Reaching in, I unlocked the car then cautiously opened the door. The smell from the dog having relieved itself in the car was overpowering. I grimaced and breathed through my mouth. The dog eyed me warily, and without making eye contact, I continued to talk, telling him everything would be okay, and that he was safe. Without making any fast movements, I set the bowl of water on the seat then closed the door, but not all the way. The dog greedily lapped the water until it was all gone.
After the dog had his fill of water, it wasn’t as nervous as before. I cracked open the door and, taking a chance, I extended my hand so the dog could sniff it. I inched my hand closer until my fingers were near its muzzle. I kept my hand in the dog’s line of sight so I wouldn’t spook him. Hesitantly, the dog ran its black nose over my fingers then surprisingly, he licked my hand.
I moved my hand to the collar, and held his tag up. Squinting to read the small print, I said, “Your name’s Ruger.” I gave him a quizzical look. “Ruger, huh?” The dog cocked his head. I turned over the tag to read the other side. “You’re vaccinated too, that’s good,” I said, as if the dog understood me. The address of the vet clinic where the dog had been vaccinated was in a city, miles away. I pondered why his owners were here.
“What’s his name?” May asked.
“Ruger.” My expression turned sad. “I think his owners were on vacation here.”
“Oh.”
“I’m betting they were either in that pile of burning bodies or they were guests at the inn since their car is parked here.”
“Why would they leave their dog in the car?”
I shrugged. “Who knows? They might have been checking in and getting their room ready when this all went down. At least they cracked the windows open for the dog.”
Kyle strolled up to us. “Whatd’ya find, Ella?”
“A dog.”
“Is it alive?”
“Yeah, and Ruger is hungry and thirsty.”
Kyle scratched the side of his face. “Ruger you say?”
“Uh huh.”
“I have an idea.” Kyle opened the driver’s door, popped the trunk, and skirted around me to peer inside it. “Exactly what I thought. Dog food and guns. If only his name was M-4.” Kyle cracked a wry grin.
May laughed. “Gun humor.”
“I’m beginning to like Ruger’s owners.” Kyle nodded approvingly.
“Why?” I asked.
“You won’t believe what’s in here,” he said excitedly, his voice rising. “There’s a Ruger GP100, and a Ruger Redhawk in 10 mm. These just came out. It’s the same caliber as my 1911.” Kyle lowered the trunk lid. “Do you think Ruger’s owners would mind if I borrow these?”
“We saved their do
g. I think they’d be okay with you borrowing their guns,” I said making quote signs with my fingers when I said the word ‘borrow’. “You’ll return them, right?”
“Of course I will.” Kyle scowled playfully at me. “Now all I need is a cold beer, a pickup truck, and my life will be complete.”
“You forgot something.”
“What?” he asked.
“A girl in tight jeans,” I said, waggling my eyebrows.
He moved closer to me. “Are you the girl in tight jeans?”
“I might be.”
“Do you want to be?” Kyle asked, moving closer to me.
I was afraid to answer.
Kyle moved close to me and whispered, “Maybe I’ll take you out on a country night sometime. The two of us, under the moon and the stars.”
I grinned at our playful banter.
Kyle pocketed the guns and the ammo. “May, would you mind holding the dog food?”
“Not at all.”
Kyle rummaged around in the truck for anything else that might be useful. I tried coaxing Ruger out of the backseat by gently tugging on his leash, but he wouldn’t budge. I stepped back and cooed his name in the sweetest voice I could muster. “Ruger, come on boy. Come on out.” He only stared at me. I tugged some more, unwilling to yank him out, deciding that wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
“Ella, try this,” May said, handing me a handful of dog food.
“Great idea.” May poured a few pieces of kibble in my hand, and when I offered the food to Ruger, he gobbled it down. She handed me more, and instead of reaching in to Ruger, I kept my hand away from him. He inched closer to take the food. I repeated the offering of food until he was at the edge of the seat. Finally, I coaxed him out.
“The inn is clear,” Kyle said. “I put an X on one of the rooms because there are two corpses in there.”
“Man and woman?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Kyle replied. “Why?”
“You’ll see.”
I gently coaxed Ruger away from the car and to the inn. Potted plants were positioned on each side of the blue front door, trimmed in a muted green. The reflection of an American flag in the window and the first rays of the morning sun caught my attention, and when I saw my reflection, I was horrified. My hair was a mess, my face red, and dark circles were under my eyes. I swear a streak of gray at my temple had appeared overnight. I supposed after what all I had witnessed, it was to be expected. In a matter of days I had become older than my eighteen years. I shrugged it off, trying to be positive because I had survived while others hadn’t.