by N. C. Reed
Sometimes they were successful in their quest, sometimes not. Some people refused to listen, others practically leaped at the chance. One or two actually had the nerve to fire a shot at the imposing vehicles, though Clay and the others didn't return said fire. Of those who chose to listen not everyone was agreeable to Leon's proposal. Some families were large enough that they had their own plans similar to Leon's, but agreed that trades for goods and services would be most welcome.
All in all, it was quite the experience for Clay as he watched the Old Man work. He'd never realized just what a negotiator his grandfather really was. Time after time Leon was able to persuade someone that his idea was a good one, and the best thing for all concerned. A few people wore looks of amusement as they listened to Leon expound on what a great arrangement this would be, after which they would ask Leon what was in it for him. No one who knew him expected Old Man Sanders to be doing anything out of the goodness of his heart, (neither of which they suspected he had).
That brought Leon's solemn declaration that he wasn't looking for anything other than safety in numbers and the ability to feed and protect his family. Most people found that to be honorable enough, though again not everyone wanted a part of it.
Leon had to settle for far less than he wanted though more than he'd allowed himself to hope for. He hadn't really suffered any illusions as to how many would take his offer. People just weren't going to give up their homes and independence as easily as that, even with the amenities that Leon could offer. Clay could actually understand that, having initially wanted nothing more than to imitate a turtle that had pulled inside his shell.
In the end, it was a pretty good mix. Darrell Goodrum, a farrier who was a pretty fair amateur blacksmith as well, his wife Carlene and their four children. Franklin George, a master carpenter and woodworker, with his wife Malitha, and their three children. Gary Meecham, a bachelor in his early forties who ran a small gun shop, was an expert gunsmith and built weapons for a hobby in his spare time. Dixie Jerrolds, a single mother with a young son, she was a school teacher at the high school, teaching math and science. Harley Jessup, with his wife Nadine and their four children. Leon described Jessup as a 'Master Moonshiner', noting he would be of great help creating the large amount of corn mash liquor needed to help fuel vehicles (and the people who drove them, he didn't add).
Every single one of them brought an important and much needed skill to the Sanders' small settlement plan. It didn't cover everything, but it was a fine start.
One of the biggest finds came as they were on their way home on what would be the last day of Leon's recruiting. They were south of Peabody, about half-way back to Jordan, when they passed a group of teen boys. Clay veered wide into the other lane to avoid them but the Cougar jarred to a halt behind. The five boys immediately took off running through the field behind them.
“Wait, wait!” They heard Gordy's voice over the Cougar PA system even as Clay slammed to a halt and began to back up. “Stop you morons!” The teens showed no sign of slowing, and in fact appeared to catch another gear going across the field.
“Dammit, stop running you jackasses!” Gordy called again. “Corey, I know you hear me! Heath! Hold up a damn minute, guys!”
Recognizing the voice, the teens gradually stopped running and turned to look back at the vehicles.
Gordy put the rig in park and stepped outside, leaving his helmet in the seat. As he cleared the front where he could be seen, he waved. The five teens stared for a second but then all began running back to the road, yelling at Gordy like he was a long-lost brother.
“Gordy?” Doc asked, having exited behind him to cover him. “Something you wanna share?”
-
Corey Raynard, Kade Ramsey, Titus Terry, Heath Kelly and Zachary Willis had all been seniors on the Calhoun County football team beside Gordy Sanders. More than that, they were his friends. Among his best friends in fact. As they reached the road, each dirty and disheveled teen hugged Gordy tightly, clearly overjoyed to see him.
“Uncle Clay, this is Corey, Kade, Titus, Heath and Zach,” Gordy introduced as the hungry teens gobbled down the MREs that Doc had given them, their first real meal in a several days. “My friends.”
“How did you guys come to be out here?” Clay asked. “Not that it isn't nice to meet friends of Gordy's,” he added with a smile.
“Ain't got nowhere else to go, Mister Sanders,” Titus Terry shrugged.
“We were all out fishing together when whatever happened, happened,” Corey nodded. “When the truck wouldn't start and we couldn't get a call out we started walking, figured we'd get a ride and come back for the truck later. We saw the lights in the sky and wondered what they were.”
“'Cept for ol' Kade,” Zach laughed around a mouthful of brownie. “He said it was aliens.”
“I did not!” Kade objected, spraying peanut butter and cracker all over his friends. “I said it might be aliens. I didn't say it definitely was!”
“Anyway, we ended up camping alongside the highway out past Miller Levee Road for the night since there wasn't any cars to get a ride with,” Titus continued. “Next morning, we started on back again and made about fifteen miles or so. We walked up to a house once, hoping to use their phone, but a man met us on the porch with a shotgun and threatened to shoot us, so we didn't try that again.”
“I'd say not,” Clay nodded.
“Took us three days to walk to Peabody,” Heath took over. “But when we got there we found a roadblock across Highway 50 headed into town and the guys standing there weren't cops, and we didn't know them, so we waited at the edge of town to see what happened.”
“Nothing happened and we were getting hungry so we tried walking up there to get some help and they shot at us,” Zach said. “Didn't say hello, kiss my ass, pardon me ma'am,” this to Lainie, “or nothing, just started shooting.”
“We dove into the woods and tried to make our way around,” Corey took up the narrative. “They stopped following after a few feet into the trees. I guess they wasn't country boys to speak of,” he laughed bitterly.
“We ended up finding an apple orchard on what we think was the back of Old Mister Wells' farm and gorged on apples,” Titus said ruefully. “There weren't many left, being so close to winter, but there were a few here and there. More than enough for us. We cut the bad spots off and had at 'em. Must have been something wrong with 'em though, cause we spent the next day with the runs, pardon my language ma'am,” this again to Lainie, who managed not to roll her eyes.
“After three or four days without food, that would happen no matter what you ate, if you ate too much,” Doc assured them.
“Anyway, once we wasn't in such bad shape we tried again to get into town, but hit another one o' them roadblocks. We did manage to get water from a water hose but it only ran for a minute. I'm ashamed to tell you that we stole water from a refrigerator in someone's carport after that.” Kade admitted. “We ain't normally thieves you understand,” this once more to Lainie, as if it were more important that she believe it than the others.
“It's okay, guys,” she smiled slightly. “Anyone would have done the same thing in your situation.”
“Thank you, ma'am,” Titus bowed his head slightly to her. “Anyway, we stayed hid out for another day or so but then we heard shooting. Like, a lot of shooting. Seemed like it was everywhere.”
“And then we smelled smoke,” Corey nodded. “Wasn't much at first but it just got worse and worse until we could see fire above the trees even. As it grew dark we could see fine, the fire was so big.”
“We tried using the fire for cover to see if we could get home, but. . .well,” Heath took a deep breath.
“Our whole neighborhood is gone,” Zach finished for him. “Everything. Ain't a house, a car, a shed, nothing still standing. And not a sign of any of our families, either.”
“With all that shooting going on and nowhere to stay, we decided to head out,” Corey nodded. “We headed out this way, bu
t wound up run off the road by a truck full of idiots shooting at us. We stayed in the woods for a few days, drinking spring water and foraging for berries and stuff, but there ain't much left this time of year.”
“We spent the last few days looking in abandoned houses for clothes or food,” Heath finished their tale. “What we were doing today until we saw you. Started to wave you down and ask for help, but decided not to since you just swerved around and kept going. Then the back rig slammed on the brakes and we just all sort of took off together.”
“Don't blame you for that,” Clay nodded again. “Can't be too careful.”
“We appreciate the food,” Titus said for all of them. “Best I've eat in a while,” he laughed, though there was little humor in it.
“What are you boys gonna do now?” Clay asked.
“Keep doing what we've been doing I guess,” Corey shrugged. “There ain't much else we can do. Lost all our gear in the fire so we can't even hunt. Fishing gear is still in the back of my truck unless someone stole it, but that's a five day walk from here with no water and no food. And my truck probably ain't gonna move again from what we've seen.”
“Probably not,” Clay nodded. “Well, you boys all seem fit, anyway,” he added.
“We are,” Titus nodded. “We ain't big stars like old Gordy but we all play ball.”
“How would you guys like to come stay with us?” Clay asked them finally, having been building up to it.
“It's a good deal,” Gordy urged.
“Can we get some clothes like Gordy's?” Zach asked. “Maybe a new rifle?”
“Oh, I think we can manage something like that,” Clay smiled. “You boys weren't interested in the military by any chance, were you?”
“I was,” Corey nodded and Titus and Heath both raised a hand.
“I looked but then I got offered a scholarship to MTSU, so I decided to do that instead,” Zach shrugged.
“I got nothing against it, but I broke my leg when I was eleven and I heard no one would take me if that was the case, so I didn't bother,” Kade shrugged.
“Well, it depends on how bad it was broken and how it was fixed,” Tandi Maseo spoke up. “If it was a fracture and not a break, and it healed naturally and well, there's nothing to keep you out of the Army anyway.”
“Why do you ask?” Heath wanted to know.
“Because we can train you to be soldiers if you want to be part of our security,” Clay was blunt. “Gordy is already helping and you can train right alongside him. It's hard, dirty work and it's dangerous. And when we aren't doing that you'll have to work at something else around the farm. For the next little bit, we 'll be building some log cabins for people that are going to be moving into our area. Think you can handle that?”
“Me and Titus took carpentry classes in school for all four years,” Corey nodded. “These other three are good for heavy lifting that don't require heavy thought,” he snickered. Clearly, they were all feeling better after eating the carb laced MREs.
“Ain't you funny,” Zach sneered at his friend. “Just don't ask him to use power tools,” he told Clay and Corey's face reddened at the barb.
“That was one time!” he all but yelled. “And I was a freshman!”
“I take it there's a story there, too,” Clay laughed. “It's up to you boys if you want to come along or not. And if you want to try and join us or just be labor in general. What we do is dangerous at times, there's no doubt. You've already been shot at twice. This way you could shoot back. Maybe even get a chance to hunt down the guys who shot at you if we haven't already killed them.”
“Killed them?” Kade asked. “You don't arrest them?”
“We're not law men, kid,” Clay shrugged. “Not our job. We also don't hunt trouble. The ones we've killed attacked us first. If you don't think you can, I understand. It's not for everyone. But you have to know by now that things have changed in a big way. We have to protect ourselves because no one else will.”
“We eat good,” Gordy taunted with a grin. “You can probably have your own cabin, once they're done,” he looked at Clay who nodded in agreement. “And you better wake up if you think you can make it for long and not be willing to defend yourself,” he looked directly at Kade. “Take it from me.”
“You done killed somebody Gordy?” Titus asked, studying his friend closely.
“More than one,” Gordy nodded seriously. “I didn't have a choice. One was going to shoot either me or a bunch of defenseless women, the others attacked my grandfather and were trying to carry off my sister. I'd have probably give 'em my sister, but I kinda like my grandpa,” he added and the other boys laughed.
“I'm game,” Titus raised a hand. “And I imagine if I got a chance to get the guys who shot at me or burned my neighborhood down, I could kill 'em all right.”
“Me too,” Corey agreed. “I 'll do it.”
“Me three!” Heath and Zach said at the same time. “I said it first,” Heath insisted.
“Did not,” Zach shot back. “I did.”
“If you're all going then so will I,” Kade cut into their argument. “I 'll try. I've never thought about killing a man, so I 'll have to see if I can do it.”
“We all have to do that at first, kid,” Tandi Maseo assured him. “No shame in it.”
“None at all,” Clay promised. “Well, Gordy, load your friends up and let’s get on the road. I can see the Old Man fuming from here,” he chuckled.
“Right,” Gordy turned serious. “Come on fellas,” he waved to them. “Plenty of room. Let’s go home.”
-
“Happy Old Man?” Clay asked as he took Leon home. They had dropped Joshua at the Troy place where he was staying and Gordy was getting his friends seen to.
“For now,” Leon nodded absently. “This was more 'n I had hoped to get, honestly,” he admitted. “These were all people we needed, too. Even those friends of Gordy's fill a need that was pretty glaring. I've worried more than once there weren't enough of you, Clayton. Too much fighting and not enough fighters.”
“I didn't plan to do all this fighting,” Clay nodded. “We were supposed to pull in our arms and legs and ride this out while the rest of the world went by. I meant for us to be self-sufficient enough that we didn't have to deal with everyone else. I didn't plan on my own family ripping that plan apart as soon as the shit hit the fan.”
“You should have,” Leon chuckled. “Don't never underestimate the ignorance of those close to you, boy. Like wanting to keep taking our food to the church. They need to get out and forage and work, not just have food brought to 'em while they sit there. Ain't nothing wrong with benevolence, but you can't take 'em to raise.”
“It's too late now,” Clay sighed as he got to Leon's house. Brick got out and went around to assist Leon. “What's done is done,” he added philosophically.
“That it is,” Leon nodded. “Well, you've done good, boy. You've done good. Now I'm tired so I'm going to get some rest. We 'll see how things develop here and go from there. Thanks for the ride.”
“You're welcome, Pa.”
Clay and Lainie watched as Brick helped a tired Leon to the steps, Janice Hardy meeting them and assisting him too. Seeing Leon head inside, Clay pulled down the drive on the way out.
“Well, this has certainly been an adventure,” Lainie told him. “I'm really glad I was here when all this started. Hearing about other people makes me appreciate that more and more. Thank you, my Cowboy,” she kissed his cheek.
“I'm glad you were here too,” Clay replied. “Which reminds me, we need to take you and the rest back to the range. Skills have to be honed to keep them sharp. We were able to handle Peyton's little posse without any problem but that doesn't mean the next time will be so good.”
“When?” Lainie asked simply.
“I think we 'll wait until Mister Webb's family is settled and get his sons set up,” Clay mused. “And his daughter, I guess, if she's old enough. Then we can run you guys through again. Everyone
needs at least a handgun for protection. And those who can't shoot a rifle that well can always use a shotgun.”
“When do you go after Mister Webb's family?”
“Tomorrow. Right now, we need to go somewhere else.”
-
Greg Holloway was sitting up flexing his arm when Clay walked inside, Lainie at his side.
“Well now,” Greg grinned. “I do hope this is just you coming to introduce the new nurse.”
“You wish,” Clay snorted. “This is my significant other, Lainie Harper. Lainie, this deadbeat civil servant is Greg Holloway. A moocher from way back.”
“Nice to meet you,” Greg smiled. “How in the world did you end up with this loser?” he jabbed a thumb at Clay.
“Oh, I just sort of found him out wandering by himself and he looked lonely,” Lainie smiled as she took the offered hand. Greg burst out laughing at that.
“Perfect!” he told her, a broad smile on his face. “You 'll do, Miss Harper. You will do.” He laughed a few more seconds but then turned serious.
“I hear that shootout the other day was with Peyton,” he told Clay. “From what I heard. . .” he shook his head slowly. “Man, I did not see that coming,” he admitted. “Last thing I suspected.”
“You and everybody else,” Clay shrugged. “It's entirely possible that you're the last lawman in this entire county,” Clay warned his friend. “I don't know for sure, and I don't know how to find out to be honest. Or care either if it comes down to it, unless you aim to keep trying to be a lawman.”
“Don't think so,” Greg shook his head again. “I don't think one man will make any difference for one thing. For another, while I'm feeling a lot better than I was, I know I 'll be out of it for a while. And to be honest, I don't think things are going to get any better. If anything, I'd expect them to get worse. I'd rather just stay here and help you. I think we're all pretty much on our own, now.”