by Robert Boren
“Probably when we stop to get the motorhomes. Want to ride in mine with me?”
“If I’m not needed to drive something else,” she said. “I hope I can.”
“I didn’t want to get up this morning,” Trevor said. “I just wanted to lay there with you all day.”
“You mean you wanted to lay next to me naked all day,” she quipped.
“Okay, so you found me out.”
“Thanks for being so patient with me,” Kaylee said. “About going further.”
“It’ll happen when we’re both ready.”
“I know, but still,” she said.
Trevor chuckled. “You think I’m going someplace?”
“Not sure what you mean.”
He glanced at her, then looked quickly back at the road. “You’re just teasing me.”
“Teasing you?” she asked.
“You know I’m in love with you,” Trevor said. “I’m not going anywhere unless you force me away. You gonna force me away?”
“Oh, God no,” she said. “I’m in love with you too.”
“You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure, silly,” she said. “It’ll happen pretty soon. I promise.”
“Don’t promise. Like I said, when we’re both in that place we’ll know and then it’ll be natural. Trust me.”
“It’ll be nice to have someplace to stay,” she said.
“My motorhome?” Trevor asked. “It’s not much.”
“I think it’s nice,” she said softly.
“I heard Megan go into Angel’s tent last night.”
Kaylee chuckled. “I saw Megan and Kaitlyn taking down their tents last night after Seth and Angel went to bed. Knew what was coming.”
“Wonder if either of them will last?”
“Who knows?” Kaylee asked. “I know we’ll last.”
“How?”
“Duh,” she said. “We’ve known each other for years. We know what we’re getting.”
“Do you miss Matt?”
Kaylee was quiet for a moment.
“Uh oh,” Trevor said nervously.
“No, don’t get the wrong idea,” she said. “I was just thinking back on that. It seems a lot different when you’re out of it.”
“Meaning what?”
“I was worried about being able to hold onto him. Always had the feeling that he was interested in other women. I never felt secure.”
Trevor was silent, looking ahead.
“You know something about that, don’t you?” she asked.
“I don’t think we should talk about it,” Trevor said. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“So I was right,” she said softly.
“I won’t ever do that to you,” Trevor said.
“Oh, honey, I know you won’t,” she said. “I love you in a way I never got close to feeling with Matt. I feel it coming from you too.”
“Really?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, really,” she said, looking at him. “Geez.”
“What?”
“I wish we could pull over right now,” she said. “I’m so bad.”
Trevor glanced at her embarrassed face, then looked back at the road.
“We must be getting close. The group is slowing down ahead.”
“Thank God,” Kaylee said. “Hope we’re not driving too much further after this.”
“Me too. Look, we’re here.”
“I’m surprised we didn’t recognize the area,” Kaylee said.
“We’re coming from a different direction, and this terrain all looks alike,” Trevor said. “Wonder how we’ll handle this? I can tow the Jeep behind the motorhome, but not the off-roader.”
“My uncle has probably been working that out already.”
“Hope so,” Trevor said. “There’s a lot of tribe people who are riding in the back of pickup trucks. I’ll bet they’ll be glad to get into vehicles like these instead. Maybe we won’t be towing anything behind the motor homes.”
They followed the slow-moving line around the big curved road, skirting by the small hill, and then the two motorhomes came into view.
“Good, they look fine,” Kaylee said.
“We’d better check them out for booby traps,” Trevor said. “Remember what happened to One Eye.”
“You think the enemy knew where these were?”
“Hope not, but it’s possible.”
They drove close to Trevor’s Motor Home and parked, getting out to meet Ji-Ho, who was unlocking his rig.
“You sure nobody booby-trapped your coach?” Trevor asked.
“I sure,” Ji-Ho said. “Sensors. They alert with smallest movement. No buzz. We fine.” He opened the door of his coach and climbed inside. They heard the big diesel start up, black smoke flowing out of the rear exhaust pipe for a moment.
“See, it’s fine,” Kaylee said.
“Guess I should go fire mine up.”
“I’ll check with uncle about the towing situation.”
“I left the keys in his Jeep,” Trevor said.
Kaylee nodded and climbed into Ji-Ho’s rig.
Trevor gave his motor home a quick once over, then unlocked the door and went inside. It was already heating up in the morning sun. He fired up the engine and the generator, then turned on the air conditioner.
“Hey, dude,” Angel said, walking to the coach door with Megan. Seth and Kaitlyn followed.
“Hey,” Trevor said, coming outside. “Nice trip?”
“I liked it,” Megan said, pulling Angel closer.
Kaylee rushed over. “My uncle said to let tribal members drive our Jeep. He’s doing the same. I think he just called Tyler over. He’s the new leader.”
“Really?” Seth said. “He’s a good choice, from what I’ve seen so far.”
“He is,” Kaitlyn said. “They say where we’re going yet?”
“Julian,” Kaylee said. “We’re gonna go help them. The two cops that came from there said the enemy is about to attack.”
“We’re going into another battle already?” Megan asked.
“Yep,” Kaylee said. “Sorry.”
Tyler walked over with some of his people. “Is this one of the Jeeps that needs a driver?”
“Yep,” Kaylee said. “Keys are in it. The other one is over there.”
“I want to grab my guns,” Trevor said, going to the back.
“Yeah, do that,” Tyler said.
“Congrats, man,” Seth said.
“Yeah, Congrats,” Angel said.
Tyler smiled. “Thanks. I’m scared to death.”
“You’ll be fine,” Trevor said, guns in his hands. “It’s all yours. Enjoy.”
“Think there’s guns in Ji-Ho’s Jeep?” Tyler asked.
“Yes, but don’t worry,” Ji-Ho said as he walked over. “I leave for now. Got plenty of firepower on rig.”
“Yeah, I heard about that thing,” Tyler said. “Wow.”
“Maybe I should take lead,” Ji-Ho said.
“Or be in the back,” Seth said.
“Either,” Ji-Ho said, looking at Tyler. “You choose.”
“Front,” Tyler said. “If you don’t mind.”
Ji-Ho nodded.
Hank and Jason walked over with Clem.
“I can’t thank you guys enough for helping our town,” Hank said. “Really.”
“You help us, we help you,” Ji-Ho said. “Maybe lay low there for while.”
“If we can win the battle, it’s a perfect place,” Jason said.
“When are we leaving?” Seth asked.
“As soon as you guys are ready,” Tyler said. “You know the others are going to meet us there, right?”
“I talk to Sam,” Ji-Ho said.
“Me too,” Clem said, grim look on his face. “Poor Sam. Poor Connie.”
Ji-Ho nodded silently, fighting back tears.
“This has been costly, that’s for sure,” Tyler said. “Let’s get out of here.”
Everybody went to their vehicles.
; “You want me to drive?” Kaylee asked Trevor, after he shut the entry door.
“I can drive for a while,” Trevor said.
“Okay.” She got into the passenger seat.
“Let’s blow this joint,” Trevor said, taking off the parking brake. They rolled away, behind Ji-Ho’s massive rig, the rest of the group following in a long line.
Chapter 6 – Magic Mountain
“I’m surprised nobody’s followed us,” Justin said, behind the wheel of a new Volvo. “We’re almost to I-5 already.”
Katie looked at him, then back at the road ahead. “I’m surprised they’re moving us out of SoCal. If things are really settled there, why’d we get hit?”
“I didn’t get the impression that the battle is over,” Justin said. “Just that there’s enough patriots there to finish the job.”
Katie chuckled. “What happened to the cynical cat I used to know?”
Justin glanced at her. “Still inside me, but it’s time to get behind a cause. Having my girlfriend abducted and raped over and over had an impact.”
“Oh,” Katie said softly.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, I’m glad you did,” Katie said. “My mind is trying to push that experience back. I need to remember all of it. Every second of it. I need to keep the fires burning.”
They rode silently for a while, racing up the final hill of the 405, merging into I-5. They approached the big set of bridges in the Newhall pass.
“These always make me a little nervous,” Katie said.
“They’re tall,” Justin said.
“Not only that,” Katie said, gripping the seat as they went over the tall, thin concrete ribbon.
“The earthquakes,” Justin said, hands sweating around the wheel. “They fell down in the Sylmar quake and the Northridge quake.”
“Yep,” Katie said. “Remember that cop who drove over the southbound one and flew off the end?”
“Yes, I remember,” Justin said. “Sad.”
They both felt relieved as they hit the solid ground again.
“Wonder what kind of motorhomes we’re getting?” Katie asked.
“Knowing these guys, they might be total battlewagons. Remember Stripes?” He chuckled.
“I hope they’re comfortable, with nice beds and a little privacy,” Katie said.
“Me too,” he said, looking over at her. “Let’s not rush that, though. I know what you’ve been through.”
“Don’t get the idea that I’ll push you away because of that,” Katie said. “What happened to me and what we do together are totally different.”
“I know, but still,” Justin said.
“But still what?”
“I’ll be patient,” Justin said. “I’ll support you and love you. Whatever happens between us is okay. That’s all I’m saying.”
She was silent for a moment.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m angry.”
“At me?”
“No,” Katie said. “At these thugs. We were taught that the UN was a benevolent organization. In school.”
“Yeah, I know,” Justin said. “This isn’t the first time they’ve had their way with the population they pretend to be helping. It’s just the first time they’ve pulled this garbage in a first-world country.”
“Why are they doing this?”
“They want us to submit and forget our country,” Justin said. “They want to kill nationalism and patriotism. They think ruling by fear works.” He chuckled.
“That’s funny?”
“Well, the way they are going about it is pretty stupid,” Justin said. “They’ve totally misjudged the American character. They forget why we exist.”
“You’re talking about the settlement of the new world? Escape from the European tyrants?”
“Yep,” Justin said. “We all learned about that in school, but it wasn’t real to me until this happened. It was something I’d argue against when I didn’t get it. Now I get it.”
“I hope our society gets back to normal pretty soon,” Katie said.
Justin’s phone buzzed. “Text message. Here, take a look. My code is 3372.” He handed the phone to her.
“Instructions,” she said. “Take I-5 to the 126. Then get on Commerce Center Drive and enter the industrial park there. We’ll be guided to the correct spot from the gate.”
“Cool, that’s not much further. We’re already at Magic Mountain. See it?”
She looked up from the phone and took in the massive amusement park on the left side of I-5. “I was there not too long ago. With Steve and a few other people.” Tears came to her eyes. “Steve. I hope he’s still alive.”
“Me too,” Justin said. “I’m glad they left, though. It was their best chance. Too bad Robbie and Morgan didn’t go with them.”
“If they would’ve, I’d still be in the rape farm,” Katie said.
“Shoot, that’s probably true,” Justin said. “There’s the ramp.” He took it, rolling onto the much smaller Highway 126.
“This road reminds me of a record my mom used to play all the time when I was little. America. Ventura Highway.”
“I remember that song,” Justin said. “My dad had that one too.”
“There’s Commerce Center Drive already,” Katie said.
“Oh, yeah,” Justin said, moving quickly into the right lane and getting off. They followed the road as it curved, and passed several industrial buildings. “Hope those aren’t it.”
“The message said Industrial Park,” Katie said. “That’s it, see? Where those entrance gates are. Take a left on Witherspoon.
“Oh, I see,” Justin said, slowing to make the turn. “Yeah, this is an industrial park all right. Big one.”
“There’s Sparky, standing next to his car,” Katie said.
“Yep,” Justin said, pulling to the side. He rolled down the passenger side window. “Which building?”
“It’s the huge building at the end,” Sparky said. “Turn right just before it, on Ave Penn. There’s a gate to the left. You can’t miss it.”
“Great, thanks,” Justin said. “How many people are here?”
“You guys are the third car,” he said. “Just park in the back. The place is still locked up. Jules has the keys.”
“Got it,” Justin said. He drove forward.
“There’s a lot of stuff in here,” Katie said. “Lot of people around too. I’ll bet we wait until nighttime to split.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Justin said.
“You see Dana?”
“Didn’t notice,” Justin said.
“She was in the passenger seat, watching Sparky.”
“Oh,” Justin said. “Think she likes him?”
“No doubt about that.”
Justin chuckled. “This is crazy. Everybody is pairing up. Falling in love. What is it with that?”
“It is crazy, isn’t it? Got you to move off the dime. I’ve been working on you for a while.”
“You were?”
She chuckled. “You guys are so clueless sometimes. Steve told you, didn’t he?”
Justin’s face turned red. “Yeah, but I liked you before that.”
“Then why didn’t you go for it? And don’t tell me it was because of Steve.”
Justin smiled at her. “I’m bashful around girls. Plus, you’re so beautiful. I always thought you were a little out of my league.”
“Oh, please,” she said. “I know other girls who were interested in you. Most of them are better looking than I am. There’s your turn. Watch the road.”
He nodded and turned right. The gate was about a block down. Justin turned in and parked next to another Volvo. He shut off the engine and looked at Katie.
“Who?”
“No way,” she said. “You’re mine now. I’m not going to advertise for any of those hussies.”
Justin laughed. “Hussies?”
She giggled. “I know, I’m bad.�
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“Here comes Robbie and Gil,” Justin said, watching as they pulled next to them. “Think Gil is gonna move in on Karen?”
“From what I saw, she’s moving in on him .”
“Think so?” Justin asked.
Katie sighed. “Clueless.” She shook her head, smiling at him, then opened her door.
Justin smirked and got out too. “Wonder if we should leave the keys in this?”
“Think we might be towing them?” Katie asked.
“Maybe,” Justin said. “Not everything is towable.”
“Hey, Justin,” Robbie said. “We made it.”
“Hi, guys,” Morgan said.
“Hi,” Katie said.
“That’s a huge building, dude,” Gil said as he got out. He rushed around and opened Karen’s door for her. Justin and Katie shot each other a glance.
“Hope we didn’t lose anybody on the road,” Robbie said.
“I doubt if we did,” Justin said. “We would’ve heard about it already.”
“You’re probably right,” Morgan said. The three couples gathered by the back of Robbie’s car, watching the driveway. “Wonder how many cars we had? I was focused on getting out of there.”
“Yeah, that was wild,” Robbie said. “I don’t know how many in total. Four of us drove cars off the roof.”
“So, a total of five cars left the roof,” Justin said, twinkle in his eye.
Robbie laughed. Gil snickered.
“I couldn’t believe he did that,” Morgan said. “Driving a car off the roof like that.”
“It was even crazier from where I was,” Robbie said. “That sucker rolled out of the car right before it hit the wall. A split second later and he would’ve gone over the side in it.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty crazy,” Morgan said. “Figured that out the first night.”
“First night?” Karen asked.
“At my job,” Morgan said. She told Karen about the incident at the card club.
“That’s a great story,” Gil said.
“All true,” she said. “I wonder if that’s why they took me to the police station?”
“They took you in because you’re beautiful,” Karen said.
“Yeah, that’s pretty obvious,” Justin said. “Same with Katie. Same with all of you.”
“I wonder how many other places there are like that?” Morgan asked. “I wonder how many others are going through it right this second?”
“A lot, I’m afraid,” Robbie said. “Good reason to be in this fight.”