by Lopez, Rob
“I wasn’t thinking about the baby. I’m talking about taking the fight to them.”
“I can’t believe they’d do something like hold a baby to force a mother to scout for them,” said Lauren, the full horror dawning on her.
“I’ve seen worse,” said Rick. “And taking the fight to them,” he added, addressing Scott’s point, “means ceding our biggest advantage over them.”
“Guerrilla tactics means we can wear them down,” said Scott. “Otherwise we hand them the initiative.”
“I want them to think they do have the initiative. I want them to be confident they can take us.”
“You want this battle?” asked Lauren.
“After hearing the facts, yes.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to wear them down. I want to destroy them. It’d be too dangerous to let them pull back, only to come back later. We’ve only got one chance to beat them.”
Scott mulled it over, then nodded. “I see what you’ve got in mind now.”
Lauren looked at them both. “Well, I don’t. Can we at least evacuate the children to some safe place if you’re sure we’re going to have a battle here?”
“We can’t evacuate anyone,” said Rick, “for the same reason we can’t make a move before they strike. We’re surrounded, right now. I’m willing to bet we’ve been under observation for the past twenty-four hours, if not longer. You heard her describe how they operate. They’re watching everything we do. A partial evacuation risks giving them hostages that they can use against us. No. We need to stick together.”
“And what about Dee? She’s got information about us.”
“We let her go back to her baby.”
“And inform on us?”
“He’s got a point, actually,” said Scott thoughtfully. “We have to give them the impression that everything’s going according to plan.”
“They’re coming anyway,” said Rick, “so keeping her here won’t delay the outcome. And they can see most of our defenses. I want her to take one crucial piece of misinformation back to them, though.”
Rick walked back into the room. “Dee, how soon after you go back will they attack?”
Dee seemed surprised by the question. “Not straight away. They usually give a warning to the settlement, to give them a chance to leave without a fight. If they don’t leave, the attack goes in at dawn. Aren’t you going to help me save my baby?”
“There’s not enough of us to attack them,” said Rick. “We’ve only got five active shooters. The others are either too young, too old, or sick. I’m sorry. If we could help, we would. You’re better off returning to manage the best you can. You can do one thing, though.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell them about me and Scott. Specifically, who we are. We’re just normal guys, okay?”
Dee’s eyes welled with tears, her hopes crushed. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I should have listened to you when you came to the camp.”
“Can’t turn back the clock. Just take care of the baby. It’s what Walt would have wanted.”
*
From an upstairs window, Rick, Scott and Lauren discretely watched Dee go, leaving a disconsolate and lonely trail across the parking lot.
“We have nine active shooters,” said Scott, “which isn’t that far above what you told her. Nice try, though.”
“It could still work,” said Rick.
“I still don’t know what you guys have in mind,” said Lauren.
Rick turned to her. “Let me ask you one question. If you were going to attack this place, and you had a machine gun, where would you put it?”
Lauren looked out over the parking lot, the felled trees giving her a clear view. She already knew the tactical layout of the golf course at the back of the building, having stared at it for long enough. The safest places to site a machine gun to support an attack from there were too far away to be effective. On the western side of the clubhouse, however, less than two hundred yards away over the road, stood a six-story block, almost exactly opposite the main entrance to the clubhouse. Lauren pointed straight at it. “I’d set it up there,” she said.
“My thoughts exactly,” said Rick. “We’ll call that Block C.”
“And what of it?” said Lauren.
Rick gave her a mysterious look. “Can wreak a lot of havoc from that location,” he said opaquely.
38
In the still of the night, the atmosphere in the clubhouse was palpable. Tension seeped from its very walls. Outside Rick’s door, he could hear the passing footsteps of Harvey on his watch. Janice’s heavy coughing echoed.
“I don’t like this new plan,” said Lauren, clutching her husband in bed. “It’s too risky, Rick. Why don’t we just stick to the original one?”
Rick pulled away from her as he coughed over the edge of the mattress. It took a moment for him to clear his throat. “Because it won’t work,” he sighed, sinking back by her side.
“But listen to yourself. You’re not well enough for this.”
“They’re not going to wait for me to get better.”
“There has to be a better plan.”
“Sure. Tell me.”
Lauren fell silent, unable to come up with anything.
“If anything happens to me …” began Rick.
“No,” said Lauren.
Rick put a finger to her lips. “If anything happens to me,” he persisted, “you take the kids and keep them safe, even if it means getting out of here.”
“I can’t leave you, not knowing what happened.”
“You head to the rendezvous. If I can make it, I’ll find you there.”
Lauren’s tears fell against Rick’s finger. “I hate this,” she murmured.
“I know.” He cupped her head. “I love you, but you stay strong, okay?”
Lauren nodded. She wanted to reply, but the tears kept coming.
*
Scott buttoned his pants and fastened his body armor prior to taking his turn on watch.
“The waiting’s the worst,” said April, staring at the ceiling.
Scott knelt down beside her. Daniel was curled up by her side, fast asleep. “I know,” said Scott. “It don’t get no better.”
“But I’d rather wait forever than have the worst happen.”
Scott gave her a half smile. “I guess we’re different in that way.”
“You want to get it over with,” stated April.
“Yeah. That ain’t the same as looking forward to it. But if it’s going to happen, let it. We want a family to get started. Let’s kick butt and get it over with.”
He leaned down to put his ear to April’s belly.
“You won’t be able to hear anything yet,” giggled April.
“I don’t know. Could be a bit of gas in there, by the sounds of it.”
April playfully punched him.
“Hey, I heard a pop. The baby don’t like that.”
April pulled his head up to hers, her face becoming serious. “You come back to me, you hear?”
“Just going on watch, is all.”
“You know what I mean.” April bit her lip. “I don’t want this baby without you.”
“Ain’t nothing going to stop me seeing this baby come into the world.”
April pinched his cheek. “You make sure it doesn’t, soldier.”
Scott kissed her and stood up. “I ain’t normally one for taking orders, but …” Scott gave her a salute. “Your wish is my command.”
*
Chuck held Janice’s hand. It was burning with fever. Bella the dog lay at his feet, equally as subdued as he was.
“The apples are ripening,” murmured Janice. “Don’t leave it too long before you pick ’em.”
“The apples are all in,” said Chuck.
“Don’t let Bella eat ’em off the ground. You know it makes her sick.”
Bella lifted her head at the mention of her name.
“It’s winter, honey. All th
at’s been taken care of.”
Sally put her hand on Chuck’s shoulder. “She’s delirious,” she said. “She still thinks she’s at home.”
Soaking a cloth in a bowl of cold water, the nurse wrung it out and applied it to Janice’s brow. Janice doubled up suddenly in another coughing fit, then dropped back down, gasping for breath.
“You should get some sleep,” said Sally. “I’ll stay with her for the next few hours.”
“I don’t want to sleep,” said Chuck, his voice choked with emotion. “I want to be here when she …” He left the rest of the words unsaid.
“That’s not always possible,” said Sally gently.
Bella began to whine, nudging her master.
Chuck lowered his head. “We had a good life. Pray for her, please.”
“I will.”
“And wake me if …”
“I’ll do it. Don’t worry.”
Chuck released the hand. Immediately, Janice called out, “Charles.”
“I’m here, honey.”
Janice turned her head. “Charlie, my love.”
Chuck took her hand again. “I love you too, honey.”
“I’m cold.”
Janice lay without a blanket.
“We gotta get your temperature down, honey.”
Janice’s eyes widened with fear. “Don’t leave me cold, Charlie. I don’t want to catch my death.”
*
The raiders crept through the garden, drawn to the chugging of the generator exhaust. Searching through the bushes, they located the air intake pipe. Other raiders broke into the house, seeking out the entrance to the underground bunker.
Gasoline was poured down the intake pipe, and a lit match was dropped in. The roar of an air fed fire emanated from the pipe. In a few minutes, the generator faltered as the oxygen in the bunker fell. The bunker door in the house flew open, the occupants spilling out, coughing and gasping, chased by smoke. The waiting guns barked and cut them down as they emerged.
*
The rattling of cans woke Rick from a light sleep. Grabbing his rifle, he raced to the OP. Scott was waiting, but instead of looking east over the greens, he was looking north over the rooftop, into the darkness.
“What?” said Rick, shivering in his underwear.
“Gunfire,” said Scott.
They both listened. All they heard was the susurrus murmur of the breeze.
“It’s the Hatfields,” said Scott.
“Do you think they held them off?”
“I don’t know. It was over pretty quick.”
They listened a while longer.
“It’s started, then,” said Rick.
39
They stayed on full alert for the rest of the night, but nothing else happened. In the morning, as the sun rose in a clear blue sky and burned off the mists, Rick ordered everyone to get some sleep, rotating a skeleton watch.
At midday, Dee showed up at the main door. Rick opened a window from one side, keeping out of sight of possible snipers.
“They say if you leave, you’ll be fine. They only want the food,” said Dee. She didn’t look as if she’d slept much, either.
“We’re not leaving,” said Rick. “Tell me what happened last night. Did they hit a house just north of here?”
“Yeah. Some house that wouldn’t let me in. A bunch of guys went out last night and returned with boxes and stuff. From what I heard, they killed everyone.”
“Celebrated, did they?”
“Nobody celebrates anything in that group. Most of our supplies are gone. Everybody just wants to eat. Listening to them is like listening to someone who just got back from work.”
“When will they attack us?”
“It’ll be tonight. Probably just before dawn. Axel thinks there’ll be a moon tonight, so he doesn’t want to attack until it’s set.”
“Any idea of how they plan to attack us?”
Dee shook her head. “Only that they’re going to use everyone.”
“Boss going to lead the attack?”
“Boss never leads an attack. He just sends the others out. Axel will be the one in charge. They know all your defenses, Rick. Heard them talking about weak spots.”
“Figured as much.”
“There’s too many of them. It’s better if you just run. They don’t fight those that run away.”
“We’re staying put. Take care of yourself, Dee.”
*
After she had gone, Rick made a tour of the defenses. Everyone was at the station they would occupy in case of an attack. Lauren and Josh occupied the east-facing OP. Jake and his girlfriend Vivian took the west-facing OP. April and Harvey patrolled the central corridor and foyer downstairs. Everyone was in pairs so that one could sleep while the other maintained watch.
Entering the boardroom, Rick was accosted by Packy’s parents.
“Martha and I would like to return home,” said Packy’s father. “We’re not comfortable here, and I believe it’s the height of foolishness to remain if we know we are going to be attacked.”
“No one’s going anywhere,” said Rick. “There are gunmen out there who don’t give a damn about your comfort, and I can’t spare anybody to escort you.”
Packy’s father wasn’t used to being told no. “This used to be a respectable club. No one gave you the right to turn it into a … fortress. Or a prison. I demand you let us go this instant.”
“Go where you want. I’m not responsible for you. But if the raiders catch you and threaten to kill you if we don’t surrender, I’m going to let them kill you.”
Martha turned to Packy, who was lingering by the door. “You can’t let this man speak to your father like that.”
Packy winced. “Mom, he’s telling it like it is. Fellas like him ain’t delicate, and right now, well, maybe we need that. Anyway, isn’t this a great place? Doesn’t it grow on you?”
“It certainly does not,” said his father acerbically.
Rick left them to their domestic dispute, and, after checking on Lizzy and Daniel, sought out Scott.
“You about ready?” he asked him.
Scott sat with April on a sandbag wall in the corridor, checking his magazines. The extra ammunition that Packy had brought meant that he and Rick both carried four magazines each, plus their pistols.
“Just waiting for sundown,” said Scott pragmatically.
Outside, the shadows were lengthening as the sun dipped below the rooftops.
“Make sure your knife’s sharp,” said Rick.
He ascended to the east OP. Josh and Lauren were huddled in their coats, surrounded by bottles of gasoline.
“Everything okay, here?” he asked.
“We’re ready,” said Lauren, resolute.
Rick looked across at the darkening eastern sky. Stars were already beginning to twinkle. It seemed that Axel had guessed the weather well. It was going to be a clear night. Fortunately, it was exactly the kind of night Rick needed.
Josh was stroking his hand along the barrel of the .22 rifle.
“Nervous?” Rick asked him.
For once, Josh was free of bravado. “More than that,” he said quietly.
“That’s okay. It’s normal. Just one thing, though. Those rimfire bullets don’t do a lot of damage. When you shoot someone, do it more than once. And remember what I said about not hesitating. It’s natural that you might freeze. Push past that.”
Josh nodded, trying to take it in. His face was pale from more than just the cold.
As Rick turned to leave, Lauren said, “You take care of yourself.”
Rick pondered those last words. “You know I will.”
Kissing his wife and his son, he descended one ladder and ascended another to the west OP. Jake and Vivian were holding each other and sharing an intimate moment when Rick interrupted them. They too had a stock of Molotov cocktails nearby.
“Don’t forget,” he said, addressing Jake. “Wait for the signal.”
*
When night fell, Rick and Scott were waiting by the side entrance, their faces smothered in carbon. April was saying goodbye to Scott when Packy approached with two containers of gas. He took one look at Scott’s blackened face, then at April’s.
“Don’t even think about it,” warned April.
“My lips are sealed,” said Packy. “Though I have to say you’re taking this cultural integration thing a bit far.”
Scott kissed April and Rick opened the door, listening for any sound outside. Satisfied, he turned and said, “Remember to lock this door after us and keep it guarded at all times.”
With a last check of their gear, Rick, Scott and Packy crept outside.
Climbing the wall, they passed the gas cans over and made their way to Block A.
“You know what to do,” said Rick to Packy. He and Scott then disappeared into the night.
“Sure, man,” murmured Packy to himself. Taking the cans, he entered the block. The first thing he did was open all the apartment windows on the first floor. Then he began to splash gasoline on the carpets, curtains and furniture. For good measure, he left a trail of gas up the stairs and along the second-floor corridors, kicking all the doors open. He found himself at the end of the corridor and realized he’d blocked himself in with gas. He didn’t want to get it on his shoes. Opening a window, he stepped out onto a balcony. In the dark, it didn’t look a long way down, so he jumped.
It was farther than he realized. He landed badly and sprained his ankle. Clutching his leg and rolling around, he cursed profusely, then realized he was meant to be quiet.
Whispering profanities, he tried to get up and stumbled when his ankle wouldn’t take his weight. Staggering to the wall of the block, he leaned against it.
“Just a simple thing, Packy,” he said. “Just a simple thing and you had to screw it up.”
Taking a cigarette from his pocket, he popped it in his mouth. He sniffed at his hands to see if he’d spilled gasoline on them. They reeked of gas, so he wiped them on his pants before lighting up his cigarette.
*
Rick and Scott crossed the road and circled around Block C until they could see the entrance. Settling themselves down in a garden opposite, they made themselves comfortable in preparation for a long wait. Rick pressed his mouth hard into his sleeve to stifle his coughing. Scott gave him a look to let him know that, if he did that when raiders were in earshot, they were both doomed.