Prepper's Apocalypse | Book 1 | Prepper's Apocalypse

by Newman, AJ

  Tom stopped a mile away from the ranch and placed a bag over her head to make sure she didn’t see where they’d gone. Tom helped her out of the truck and picked her up. He carried her into the barn and followed Jack as he opened the doors. Tom walked into the living area and sat Kate on a bench. “I’m only going to say this once. Obey all instructions. Don’t cause any trouble, and you’ll be treated well. If you fight or try to escape, you’ll be stuck in a dark hole and fed bread and water. Do you agree?”

  Kate snorted. “I don’t have a choice. Do I?”

  “We all have choices, but we must face the consequences of our choices.” Tom pulled the bag off her head and untied the blindfold. She blinked and saw Jack and June. “What are you doing with these assholes? June?”

  Jack stooped to be at her eye level. “Kate, these are good people and our friends. You attacked them. What did you expect them to do? Just stand there and die? If you behave, you’ll be okay. If not, you’ll be locked up until we can drop you off somewhere.”

  Kate’s eyes wandered from person to person in the dimly lit room. “I’m hungry. Can I eat now?”

  Granny B looked at Tom, then the woman. “Tom, can I cut her bindings?”

  “No! I’ll release the zip ties. They won’t be making any more, and there’s no telling when we’ll have to capture a beautiful young lady again. Even if she’s meaner than a bobcat in a gunny sack.”

  Tom used his pocketknife to release the zip ties on her hands and stooped down to unfasten her feet. He looked up and saw the fire in Kate's hazel eyes. Then he saw flecks of gold in the hazel color and held his gaze a bit too long. He felt a tingling go up and down his spine, but a commotion behind him interrupted his train of thought.

  “Move, I don’t want to hurt you, but the bitch has to die.”

  Tom turned to face a large caliber handgun.

  “Whoa! I know you want to kill her, but it won’t bring your mom back. Greta, put the gun down!”

  Greta walked toward Tom. “Get out of the way. I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m shooting her now.”

  Tom reacted with cat-like reflexes but was a bit too slow. Greta pulled the trigger on the Colt .45 model 1911 just as his hand hit her fist full of gun. The flash and explosion were close to Tom’s head when the bullet grazed his shoulder and cheek. It then ricocheted around the inside of the room. Tom felt instant pain but wrestled the weapon away from Greta. He held her for a minute. “Greta, this young woman thought we were the gang. She made a mistake, and it will haunt her forever. Don’t let killing her ruin your life.”

  Rick took Greta away as Sam ran to Tom. “Let me help you to the table. You’ve been shot.”

  Tom felt the warm blood running down his neck and chest. He could still see the glare of the flash when he closed his eyes. Sam kept the pressure on the head wound while Granny B cut his shirt off to reveal an angry red furrow on top of his shoulder.

  “Tom, you’re darn lucky she just nicked your collarbone. You’ll have a scar on your shoulder and maybe on your cheek. What are you going to do about her?” Granny B continued to fuss over Tom while he thought.

  Tom thought about the gold flecks in her eyes and felt that tingling again but then remembered how she’d tried to kill him twice. “I guess a good spanking and getting sent to bed without supper should adjust her attitude a bit.”

  Granny B saw the grin on his face. “Tom, I’m serious. The girl is dangerous, and the ricochet from Greta’s failed assignation attempt almost took my head off.”

  Tom stayed silent until Granny B and Sam were done patching him up. He quietly left the bunker only to return about ten minutes later with two chains and several locks. He lifted Kate and her chair up together and placed it beside one of the ceiling support posts. He locked the chain around her ankle and the other end around the pole. “Lady, you’ll be chained until we know you can behave.”

  Greta was across the room with Rick. She was still crying when Tom locked a chain to her leg and the other end to a support post across the room from Kate. “Greta, this is for your own good. Stop trying to kill Kate, and we’ll turn you loose.”

  Rick wasn’t happy, but even he didn’t trust his niece to be around Kate. Jackie limped in from her bedroom and sat beside Tom on the other side of the room from the chained ladies. “Brother, I always knew that perverted men would pop out of the woodwork and make sex slaves out of us poor defenseless women. I never, in my dreams, thought you’d be one of the perverts.”

  Tom bumped his shoulder against hers and yelped in pain. “Crap, that hurt, which reminds me why these two should be in jail cells if we had them. Ask Granny B to come up with some kind of padding, so the chains don’t chaff their ankles.”

  Jackie watched her brother stare at the violent woman. “Brother, she’s not your type, and wipe that silly grin off your face. You like the soft and cuddly homebodies. This one is more like a female version of Mad Max.”

  Tom sneered, “Little sister, just because you want to jump Rick’s bones doesn’t mean I have the hots for every lady who walks past or tries to kill me.”

  “Asshole, you’re living in denial, and I don’t mean Egypt.”

  “If you have to know, I’m fascinated by the fact this pretty girl could be a vicious killer. I guess an apocalypse brings out the worst in people.”

  Jackie hugged her brother and kissed him on his good cheek. “We almost died today. Hell, you almost died three times, counting the shootout. How many wounds have you received this week? That kitty scratched you, the tiger in chains tried to kill you, and now Greta shot you.”

  “I know. This apocalypse crap isn’t for pussies. I’m glad Grampa and Granny B raised us both to be tough and self-sufficient. Now tell me when you and Rick are getting married. I won’t have my little sis living in sin.”

  Tom looked at the woman and thought, This bitch is a sneaky one. She’ll do anything to escape.

  Tom then asked Sam to join him. “Sam, I don’t trust this woman. I want you to fetch one of the shotguns and help me move her to her new bedroom. I don’t want anyone alone with her.”

  Sam looked at the black-clad lady, who was slightly smaller than she was. “She doesn’t look so dangerous.”

  Tom sneered. “She didn’t try to shoot and stab you. The bitch is strong and sneaky. Keep the shotgun trained on her while I move her.”

  “Why the shotgun?”

  “The walls of our bunker are steel. Most pistol bullets will ricochet off the walls. You saw what happened when Greta tried to kill Kate. The lead birdshot will bounce off the walls but will have lost most of its punch.”

  The captive sat on a kitchen chair in a corner. Tom zip tied her hands and then unlocked the chain around the post. “It’s bedtime for you.”

  “But daddy, I don’t want to go to bed,” Kate moaned.

  Tom lifted the chain. “Walk ahead of me and don’t make any sudden moves, or Sam will pepper your ass with buckshot.”

  Kate gazed at Sam. “She doesn’t look like the killer type.”

  Sam moved a bit closer. “At this range, even the birdshot would make a big hole in you. Ya’ want to test me? Go ahead.”

  “Follow me to your room. Stay at the end of the chain, and you’ll live a lot longer.”

  “Aren’t you going to take the chain off?”

  Tom chuckled. “You and your uncle killed Rick’s sister and wounded my sister. I don’t trust you. We plan to keep you until your injury heals and then drop you off far from here. Until then, you stay chained. Any more questions?”

  “Do I get to use one of the bathrooms, or do I just poop on the floor?”

  The woman was testing Tom’s patience. “There will be a bucket in your cell for liquids. Let us know when you need to use the toilet, and someone will take you.”

  “I gotta go now!”

  Tom exhaled. “Okay, these are the bathroom rules. The door will remain open, and someone will be watching you at all times.”

  “I guess you’ll be
the pervert who watches me.”

  Sam heard what she said. “No, I’ll watch.”

  Tom was tired of fencing with the snarky bitch. “No, Sam or one of the women will watch you, while one of the men backs our lady guard from a distance.”

  “You must think I’m a very dangerous person.”

  Tom smiled. “No. I think you’re a confused young lady who’s been through some rough times and doesn’t know her friends from her enemies.”

  *

  Chapter 25

  Southern Oregon –The bunker at the Clark ranch.

  Tom walked into the kitchen after his tour on guard duty. The clock said 5:12, and only Granny B and Sam were up and working in the kitchen. Tom hugged his grandmother. “Good morning, ladies. Is it okay if I pour myself a cup of coffee?”

  Granny B pointed to the pot. “It won’t pour itself. See anything interesting last night?”

  Tom turned to Sam as he answered Granny B. “I saw three coyotes, a pack of wild dogs, a bunch of bats, and some horny cats howling in the night.”

  Granny B smacked his hand with a big spoon. “That’s no way to talk around, ladies.”

  Tom rubbed his hand. “You almost broke my pinkie finger. I’m sorry and will try to watch my mouth.”

  Granny B turned around, and Tom stuck his tongue out behind Granny B’s back. Sam giggled, and Granny B said, “I can see you in the toaster. Should I wash your mouth out with soap?”

  “Bye, I’ve got work to do. You need to develop a sense of humor.”

  “Son, I think it would be funny to have you spitting bubbles in front of your friends.”

  Tom walked out of the kitchen but returned when he heard a knocking on Kate’s door. “Sam, please get your shotgun. We need to let the bitch out of her cage.”

  A muffled voice came from behind the door. “I can hear you!”

  Tom growled. “I know. Now, sit on your bed with your hands extended. If you try to kick or bite, I’ll spank you in front of everyone.”

  “You’d enjoy that too much. Pervert!”

  Tom opened the door, and Kate sat on the edge of the bed, still dressed in the clothes she’d been wearing the day they captured her. Tom walked over and held out the zip ties as he avoided looking into the golden flecks. “You know the drill.”

  “I’m going to have to pee as soon as we can get to the restroom. You might want to save the zip ties.”

  “Let me worry about the zip ties. Extend your arms.”

  Tom secured her hands and then unlocked her chain around the post. “Okay, move to the restroom.”

  She strolled to the restroom and held her hands out. Tom removed the zip ties with a tiny flat blade screwdriver. “Sam, keep the shotgun trained on her but beyond her reach. Watch her the whole time. I’ll stand over here where she has privacy. Let her pee and wash her face. We’ll figure out a bath later.”

  Sam cringed when Kate dropped her pants. Tom saw Sam’s head turn. “Sam, watch her! I don’t want anyone hurt, and I certainly don’t want you to have to shoot her.”

  Kate stuck her tongue out at Sam. “This is creepy.”

  Tom snickered. “Glad I don’t have to do it.”

  Kate finished and washed her hands and face. “I’m done, Potty Maid.”

  Sam’s head cocked. “Look, we can be friendly, or I can coldcock you with this effing shotgun and chain your hands and feet to the post.”

  Kate rubbed her ankle. “I’ll try the friendly offer if you point that shotgun somewhere else.”

  Sam gave a fake smile and then pointed the shotgun at Kate’s gut. “Okay, friend, go to your favorite chair.”

  Granny B had been watching. “Bring her to this end of the kitchen and chain her to this post with a short-chain. I’m putting her to work peeling spuds.”

  “Granny B, do you think it’s wise to give her a knife?” Tom asked as he rubbed the shoulder that she’d almost stabbed, and then he took her to Granny B.

  “We’ll keep her on a short leash and count the knives when she’d done. If she tries anything, I’ll feed her to the hogs. We’re short on hog feed.”

  Kate stopped in her tracks. “Darn, I thought the men were tough. This old broad makes you look like a wimp.”

  Tom chuckled. “Granny B taught me how to dress a dear, knife fight, and when to kill and when not to kill. The jury is out on you. Oh, I wouldn’t call her an old broad. She’ll wash your mouth out with lye soap.”

  Greta walked into the room and glared at Kate. “What’s she doing loose? She tried to kill me.”

  Tom looked up at Greta, who sneered back at him. “She gave her word that she won’t kill you.”

  “And you trust her?”

  “Trust, but verify.”

  Tom locked Kate down close to the pole and six feet from the kitchen sink. He moved a chair in front of her, and Granny B gave her a bowl filled with potatoes and an empty bowl. “Peel, and don’t tell me you don’t know how.”

  Kate used her foot to shove the chair away. “I’m a prisoner. I won’t work.”

  Granny B walked over to her. “Darlin’, that’s okay. If it hurts your feelings, you don’t have to work.”

  Granny B fired up the woodstove and started cooking pancakes in one cast-iron skillet and frying bacon in another. Kate looked at the food and sniffed the air. Tom could see her watching the others as they filed into the kitchen for breakfast. Granny B placed a massive platter of pancakes on the table and then fetched the maple syrup. Tom saw Kate’s eyes follow his grandmother back to the stove and take the last bacon from the skillet. Granny B placed the bacon on the table as Sam poured everyone coffee.

  Tom sat beside Sam and Lucy, where he could keep an eye on their captive. He finally understood his grandma’s plan when she poured a glass of water and took it and a piece of bread to Kate. Granny B set the water and bread on the chair, pushed it to Kate, and then left to join the others at the table.

  “Hey, I’m hungry, too! That bacon sure smells good.”

  Granny B looked over her shoulder. “Prisoners who don’t work, get bread and water. All of the people at the table worked.”

  Kate ate the bread and then hooked her foot around the other chair leg and drew it to her. She began peeling potatoes. Tom waved at his grandmother, and Granny B cocked an eye over her shoulder and then went back to eating. Tom was surprised and coughed aloud. Granny B waited until Kate had peeled several potatoes and took her a plate with pancakes and bacon. Kate began devouring the food before Granny B had even brought her a cup of coffee.

  Granny B stood in front of Kate until Kate looked up. “You work, you eat. You work, you live.”

  Granny B started to walk off when Kate whispered. “I’m sorry. We honestly thought you were the ones who killed our friends and burned the Clark ranch house.”

  “Talk is cheap. Show us you mean it by your deeds and actions. We don’t want to keep you chained, but neither do we want you blabbing where we live all over Oregon.”

  Kate’s face wrinkled, and she squinted. “Why not drop me off somewhere away from here and let me free. Keep me blindfolded during the transfer.”

  Tom had walked up behind Kate. “We don’t want to place a wounded woman out to fend for herself. Don’t you have any friends or relatives around here?”

  Tears formed in Kate’s eyes. “No. My folks were killed during the first two weeks, along with everyone else I know. You know what happened to my uncle.”

  Tom frowned. “I’m sorry about that, but we had to defend ourselves. Give a lot of thought to where you’ll want to go. It’s rough out there and especially rough for a young good looking woman.”

  “I will. I understand now that you were only defending yourself. I’m sorry about lashing out at you. How is the brother of the girl we killed doing?”

  Tom looked down at his shoes and fidgeted with his hands. “Probably about the same as you are after having your folks killed. He’s trying to be brave but in denial. Rick is strong. He’ll never forget his sister
, but he’ll move on.”

  Kate forced a smile. “I get that. I’m so sorry.”

  Tom smiled and nodded. “Let’s put that behind us. In a couple of weeks, you’ll be able to use your arm, and we’ll find a safe place to take you. We will be scouting the area over the next couple of weeks to find a safe place and to scavenge some supplies.”

  Kate smiled and asked, “What did you do before the lights went out?”

  Tom had to lie to keep her from figuring out where they lived. “I was a farmer and raised fruit trees, hogs, and chickens. What did you do?”

  “I’m a nurse practitioner and worked at the Medford hospital in emergency care.”

  Tom stooped to look her in the eyes. “Then why didn’t you help treat our wounds and even give direction on treating your wound?”

  Kate answered. “Your people did a great job with what they have to work with. We need a wound stapler, quick clotting gauze, and intravenous antibiotics to improve your chances of surviving a wound. Granny B gave me some antibiotic tablets, which should work but the intravenous works much faster.”

  Granny B broke into the conversation. “Could you help me tend to their injuries and make a list of what we need to add to our medical supplies? I was a nurse over thirty years ago, but a lot has changed since then.”

  Kate began peeling the potatoes again. “Give me a pencil and paper, and I’ll make a list of what you need to handle the more serious illnesses and wounds. You probably have the simple stuff covered already.”

  Tom smiled. “Thanks for helping.”

  Those golden flecks caught his eye again. He cursed himself for having the weird feeling when he saw her.

  ***

  Tom sat across from Jackie, Sam, and Rick. “Rick, can you take on setting up tripwires and other defensive measures? I’ll replace any fried electronics and get our monitors, motion detectors, and microphones working again.”

  Rick gave a thumbs up. “I only need to know if you want deadly traps or just enough to scare the crap out of any intruders.”