“Does your brother guard the door to level two at World of Trade?” I ask Duncan.
“Yes sir, he does,” answers Duncan.
I look at Bobby G, Shaun, and Matt, smile, and say, “Small world boys.”
“We know your brother. He has been trying to get us into level two for a couple weeks now,” says Shaun to Duncan.
“Just tell him that you saved me and that he better let you in, or his big brother will kick his butt,” replies Duncan.
“You got it,” I reply to Duncan.
“I guess you guys haven’t been inside level two yet?” asks Hank.
“No sir, but we definitely want to,” answers Bobby G.
“I know some people at World of Trade. People that can give you level two access,” says Hank.
“That would be great,” I say to Hank.
Hank hands me a business card and says, “Show them my card. You and three others should be able to get inside level two with this card.”
“I wonder if there is a level three,” jokes Shaun.
“Actually, there is, but that’s for the super important people,” answers Hank.
“Damn, I was only joking,” says Shaun.
Shaun, Bobby G, Matt, and I say goodbye to Hank, Duncan, and the rest of Hank’s crew.
Bobby G, Matt, Shaun, and I get into our electric truck.
Shaun starts up the electric truck and drives away from the gas station.
“Well that was interesting,” says Bobby G.
“That it was,” replies Shaun.
“How did you know it was going to work out like that at the gas station?” asks Matt to me.
“I didn’t, but something just felt right about helping Hank and Duncan,” I answer Matt.
“Sixth sense?” jokes Shaun.
I look out the passenger side window of the electric truck as Shaun drives down the road towards World of Trade.
I look down at Hank’s card that is in my right hand.
“Hank Willsper,” I say as I read Hank’s name on his card.
Shaun arrives at World of Trade and parks the electric truck.
Three World of Trade guards check our belongings and our weapons.
“You aren’t allowed ammunition in here,” says one of the World of Trade guards as he sees that some of our guns are still loaded.
Cage sees the World of Trade guards talking with us and walks over to us.
“Everything okay here guys?” asks Cage to the three World of Trade guards that are talking with us.
“These idiots have ammunition,” answers one of the World of Trade guards to Cage.
“I’ll take it. They are coming to see me and my brother. They won’t cause any problems. I vouch for them,” replies Cage.
“Okay, Cage, but it’s on you if they cause any trouble,” replies one of the World of Trade guards.
“I trust them. They’ll be fine Deion,” responds Cage.
The three World of Trade guards hand Cage our ammunition and then leave us.
“Thank you, Cage,” says Shaun.
“You know better Shaun. You are lucky I was here,” replies Cage.
“Yeah, we are lucky. Thank you. I see you are feeling better,” I say to Cage.
“I feel much better, but not a hundred percent yet,” replies Cage.
Shaun, Matt, Bobby G, and I get our belongings from the electric truck.
Shaun and I go with Cage to see Dutch at their booth.
Matt and Bobby G go walk around World of Trade.
“Is Dutch done with my guns?” I ask Cage.
“Yeah, he finished them yesterday,” answers Cage.
Cage, Shaun, and I arrive at Dutch’s booth.
“What’s up guys?” asks Dutch to Shaun and me.
“These idiots were bringing ammo in here,” says Cage as he shows Dutch the bag of ammo that the World of Trade guards took from us.
Dutch smiles and replies to Cage, “Just add it to our collection.”
“We forgot to take them out, but I’m glad we had it as we hit some trouble on the way over here,” I say to Dutch and Cage.
“What happened?” asks Dutch.
“Some trouble at a gas station, but we made some new friends,” answers Shaun.
I show Dutch and Cage Hank’s card and ask, “Do you know this guy?”
Dutch looks at Hank’s name and answers, “We don’t know him, but we know of him. He’s a big deal around here. He controls a lot of big oil in Florida, Georgia, and most of the South.”
“Well… We just saved him, and he said that he can help us get into level two,” I reply to Dutch.
“Level two is pretty awesome. I have only been in there twice, but it was great both times,” says Cage.
“What’s in there?” asks Shaun.
“It’s better if I don’t spoil it for ya,” answers Cage.
I place my box of trade goods for Dutch on the table of Dutch and Cage’s booth.
Dutch looks at the merchandise that I brought him.
I see a custom-made back harness hanging up in the back of Dutch and Cage’s booth. The back harness looks like it was designed to hold a sword scabbard on one side and a rifle or shotgun on the other side of the harness.
“How much for the black harness you got there?” I ask Dutch.
Dutch looks at the black harness and answers, “I’ll throw that in for ya.”
I thank Dutch.
Dutch takes my box of goods, hands it to Cage, and says, “Don’t eat all the peanut butter bars in there.”
Cage takes the box and replies, “I promise nothing.”
Dutch grabs the black harness and hands it to me.
I notice a dragon design on the back of the harness.
I ask Dutch, while I look at the harness, “Can I fit a shotgun or assault rifle along with my katana in this?”
“Yeah, you can adjust the harness to fit a variety of weapons. Your sword can go on the right side and your gun can go on the left or vice versa,” answers Dutch as he puts a black duffel bag onto the table.
“For me?” I ask Dutch.
“Yes sir, check it out. I’ll go over what we did to each gun,” answers Dutch.
Dutch educates me about my guns and what he did to each of them.
Shaun talks with Cage.
Matt and Bobby G walk over to Shaun and me.
I pick up my shotgun and say, “Damn, this thing is badass. It’s like a video game gun now.”
Dutch laughs and replies, “If you like that… Wait until you see your assault rifle.”
CHAPTER 11
I GET IT
“Now what do we do?” asks Shaun to me as we exit from the white electric truck that Shaun just parked in his driveway.
“With what?” I ask Shaun.
“Going forward with The Grove, World of Trade, everything,” answers Shaun.
“Well, we have to try again at World of Trade. DeMarcus wasn’t there today, and the other guards were giving us a hard time about Hank’s card. As for The Grove… We will talk with Hector, and then we’ll go from there,” I reply to Shaun.
Bobby G and Matt get their belongings from the back of the electric truck.
“When do you want us to go out looking for the bullet stuff?” asks Matt.
I look at Matt and ask, “You want to go out for that?”
Matt replies, “I don’t want to go alone, but I think it would be good to check out a couple places.”
“Alright then. If you are up for it, then I won’t stop you,” I reply to Matt.
I am pretty shocked to hear that Matt wants to go out and make a run around Tampa Bay.
“I’ll see you guys later,” says Bobby G as he walks across the street with his bag and box of trade goods he got from World of Trade.
“See you later dad,” I say to Bobby G.
Phil walks over to Shaun, Matt, and me as we stand in Shaun’s garage.
“What’s up Phil?” asks Shaun.
“I got a message from
Deb,” answers Phil.
“What did she say?” I ask Phil.
“She said that it’s calmed down a little at The Grove, but still no word about Kat,” answers Phil.
“Is Kat dead?” I ask Phil.
“She doesn’t know, but she did say that she overheard something about a big group of people and supplies just arrived,” answers Phil.
“Any word from Hector?” asks Shaun.
“Nothing yet, but I can try to get a hold of him,” answers Phil.
“How are we doing with ammo? How’s the armory?” asks Shaun to Phil.
“We got tons of guns, but we are low on bullets,” answers Phil.
“What can we do about the bullet situation?” asks Shaun.
“I don’t know,” answers Phil.
“I do, that’s why I want to check the industrial complex spots that Dutch and Cage told us about. I’m sure we can find things for the neighborhood like construction stuff and wires for our settlement here as well as the bullet materials,” says Matt.
“There ya go. I knew you still had a set of balls on you,” jokes Shaun to Matt.
“It’s getting late today, we can go tomorrow and check out the industrial complex,” replies Phil.
Phil looks at me and sarcastically asks, “Unless our leader doesn’t agree with that?”
I glare at Phil and reply, “I’m okay with it, just don’t be a hero and do some crazy shit out there.”
“Okay then, we will plan to head out tomorrow and check out the industrial complex. Sounds like we are going to need a shit load of bullets for the attack on The Grove,” says Phil.
“Tomorrow, we will get this going. Let me know what Hector says whenever you talk with him,” I say.
“I will. I’ll talk with you later,” replies Phil.
I grab my bag of guns and my other bag from the back of the electric truck and walk towards my house.
I say goodbye to Shaun, Matt, and Phil.
I enter my house and am greeted by Milo.
Milo rubs against my right leg as I shut my front door.
I say hello to Milo and enter my garage.
I place my bag of guns on a table inside my garage.
I take out my assault rifle, my shotgun, and my handgun.
The level of modification on the guns is amazing. Dutch and Cage did a great job on them. I now have guns with more power, more precision, and more bullet capacity.
A loud lightning strike is heard.
Milo runs into our master bedroom and hides under the recliner chair next to my bed.
Rain drops are heard coming down on my roof as I stand in my garage and examine my newly modified guns.
I stare at my guns and wonder how I got to this point. I have never been much of a gun guy before the zombies took over.
I look down at my newly improved shotgun and remember getting the shotguns from Ray for our guys trip in Tennessee.
I remember Ray joking to me, “With those guns, I think you guys will be set if the world falls apart.”
The front door of my house opens and closes.
“Man, it’s really coming down out there,” says Fran to Lauren as they both run into our house.
I enter my house through the laundry room door and see Lauren and Fran in the kitchen.
“You two are soaked,” I say to Fran and Lauren.
“Yeah, it just started pouring when we were at the graveyard,” replies Lauren.
“How is the graveyard looking?” I ask.
“It’s coming together. I wish we could get a better headstone for Keith’s grave though,” answers Fran.
“We will Fran. I will keep an eye out for something we can put at Keith’s grave. Maybe a thicker piece of wood or even a piece of stone,” I reply to Fran.
“That would be great. Something we can engrave,” replies Fran.
“You better go dry off Lauren, I don’t want you getting sick,” says Fran to Lauren.
“You too, mom,” replies Lauren.
Fran walks into her bathroom.
Lauren looks at me and asks, “How did the trip to World of Trade go?”
“Go dry off sweetie. I’ll talk with you in the bedroom,” I answer Lauren.
Lauren and I walk into our master bedroom.
As we walk into the master bedroom, Lauren and I see Milo’s white fur sticking out from underneath the recliner chair.
“Oh belly, you still scared of the rain?” asks Lauren to Milo.
I smile as I see Milo hiding underneath the recliner chair.
Lauren walks into our master bathroom.
“So how did the trip go?” asks Lauren.
“It went well, but a little crazy. I got my guns from Dutch and I’m all set now,” I answer Lauren.
“What do you mean? A little crazy?” asks Lauren.
“We helped a group out that was working on getting the gas from a gas station. They were being attacked by this biker gang and we helped them,” I answer Lauren.
“Biker gang? They still have those things?” asks Lauren as she walks out of our master bathroom with a new change of clothes on.
“Yeah, I guess so. They were from Miami,” I answer with a smirk on my face.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Someone is frantically knocking on my front door.
DING DONG! DING DONG!
The same person is ringing my doorbell now.
I rush to my front door and open it.
“We need your help Ry. Jaws Junior is in rough shape,” says Shaun as he stands outside my front door.
“What? How do you know?” I ask Shaun.
Shaun answers, “Darlene and Jaws Junior showed up here. I heard a woman yelling to the guards at the main gate to let them in and that they knew you.”
“Where are they now?” I ask Shaun.
“Brody took them to the medical house,” answers Shaun.
I exit my house and get into the electric truck that Shaun has parked in my driveway.
Shaun drives me over to the medical house.
Rain is still coming down, but it’s only a light drizzle now.
Shaun and I arrive at the medical house and we rush inside.
I see Darlene crying as she looks at a barely conscious Jaws Junior who is lying on our medical table.
“He’s alive, but barely,” says Brody to me as I walk towards Jaws Junior.
I look at Darlene and ask, “What happened?”
“I don’t know, he was trying to clean up the machine shop, and I found him unconscious on the machine shop floor,” answers Darlene.
I look at Jaws Junior and he has a red mark on his head that is swollen.
“Did he hit his head?” I ask Darlene.
“Yeah, I think so. I was walking Indy when I heard a loud noise from inside the machine shop. I found him on his back and barely breathing,” answers Darlene.
I look down at Jaws Junior’s arm and see that it is blue and swollen.
“I need to remove the bullet from his arm and stop the bleeding,” I say as I look at Jaws Junior’s arm.
Darlene, with tears in her eyes, says, “Please Ryan. Please help him.”
I put on surgical gloves and tell Brody to remove Jaws Junior’s shirt.
Shaun looks on and doesn’t know what to do.
I position Jaws Junior’s arm on the medical table and look for some medical supplies.
“I need something to clean his skin, a surgical kit, and something to strap him down with,” I say to Brody.
Brody, who is freaking out, tries to find what I asked for.
Shaun walks over and hands me a surgical kit.
Brody finds a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and some cotton balls.
Shaun finds a long leather strap.
I clean Jaws Junior’s shoulder with the alcohol and cotton balls.
Shaun wraps the long surgical strap under the medical table and ties the strap around Jaws Junior’s chest.
“Why do you need the belt?” asks Darlene.
/> “I need him to stay still. If he moves, I could hit an artery and he’d be dead in minutes,” I answer Darlene.
A loud crash of lightning is heard.
“I need you guys to help keep him still. Since I can’t sedate him, I need you to keep his arm from moving,” I say to Shaun and Brody.
Shaun and Brody each brace a part of Jaws Junior’s upper body.
I look at Darlene and say, “You too. All hands on deck here. You can stabilize his head and neck.”
Darlene nods her head and puts both her hands around Jaws Junior’s head.
“Good, keep his head steady if you can,” I say to Darlene.
I open the surgical kit and take out the surgical knife.
I look at Brody, Shaun, and Darlene and say, “Here we go.”
I make a small incision in Jaws Junior’s shoulder and a line of blood runs down his arm.
I put down the surgical knife and pick up the surgical tongs.
Darlene looks at Jaws Junior and says, “Stay with us. You stay with us.”
I dig the surgical tongs into Jaws Junior’s shoulder, and I feel Jaws Junior tense up his shoulder muscles.
AHHH!
Jaws Junior screams in pain.
“Keep him still guys. I can feel the bullet, but I need him still to get it out,” I say to Shaun, Brody, and Darlene.
Darlene tries to calm Jaws Junior down as Brody and Shaun try to keep Jaws Junior from moving his upper body.
I feel Jaws Junior relax, and I dig the surgical tongs deeper into his shoulder.
I feel the bullet in his shoulder but it’s tough to grab with the surgical tongs.
I twist the surgical tongs and that causes Jaws Junior to scream in pain again.
AHHHH!
“I almost got it! I think I can get it this time, but you can’t move JJ!” I shout.
“Come on baby. We are almost done. Let Ryan get the bullet out,” says Darlene to Jaws Junior.
Jaws Junior calms down and relaxes his body.
I dig back into his shoulder with the surgical tongs.
I feel the tongs touch the bullet. I slowly open the tongs, and I grab the bullet with the surgical tongs.
I slowly and carefully remove the bullet from Jaws Junior’s shoulder.
“I got it,” I say to Darlene.
I drop the bullet into a plastic cup and put down the surgical tongs.
I put pressure on Jaws Junior’s shoulder with a towel.
Fight 4 Us (Book 9): Settlement Page 12