by Robert Boren
“What happened to the rest of the group?” Garrett asked. “Anybody left?”
“Clem, John, and Sarah,” Yvonne said. “That’s about it.”
“Where’s your wife?” Garrett asked.
Sam started to speak but broke into tears.
“She was killed in a battle,” Yvonne said softly. “Recently.”
“Oh no,” Garrett said. “I’m so sorry. She was a great lady.”
“Thanks,” Sam said, trying to compose himself.
“There any safe places to hide out around here?” Sid asked.
“Yeah, Dulzura and the surrounding area are pretty safe now. We patrol it constantly. The Islamists and the UN know not to show up.”
“Who’s patrolling it?”
“Men like you see down there,” Garrett said. “We’ve expanded our ranks. We’ve got seven hundred now, and we’re growing. People are fed up. They’re taking this region back. This park is the only place they attack around here anymore, and none of them survive.”
“If somebody gets away, you’re liable to have more enemy fighters here than you can handle,” Sam said.
“Uhhh, they can already see, remember?” Yvonne said. “The camera.”
“Yeah, we use that camera to show ourselves when we haven’t had any action for a while. They used to send people here automatically after each group disappeared. Love to know what they’re thinking. Maybe they think it’s ghosts or demons killing their folks.”
“They aren’t gonna like that pig blood situation in there,” Sam said. “But still, you guys could get caught with your pants down in this place.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Sid said. “You can take horses into these canyons and be hard to catch, and there’s entrances to them in almost every direction.”
“Yep, this place is perfect for what we’re doing,” Garrett said. “We’d be in trouble if they had choppers, but since this is so close to San Diego, they don’t dare. The US Navy and Marines control the sky around here”
“We’ve got a large motorhome and several vehicles. Fourteen people, plus another four not too far away,” Yvonne said. “Any suggestions for a safe haven in town?”
“Go to the old Williams place,” Garrett said. “There’s a big house plus a setup for more than one RV. There’s another coach there too.”
“Think that crotchety old man will give us the time of day?” Sid asked.
Garrett got a grim look on his face.
“Uh oh, what happened?” Sid asked.
“He was one of the first casualties after the UN and their heathen friends rolled into town. They tried to take his land over as a base. He fought them. Lost, of course. They wiped out his whole family and several friends.”
“Dammit,” Sid said. “Sorry for the disrespect.”
“Not a problem, he was a crotchety old man. None of us liked him much. You really only got eighteen people?”
“Yeah,” Sid said. “Had quite a few more just hours ago. We were fighting with the Barona Tribe. Most of them got killed in the last battle, along with some townspeople from Julian and Wynola. Long story. We’ll tell you about it over whiskey sometime.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Garrett said.
Sam’s phone buzzed. “Crap, they’re wondering what we’re doing,” he said, pulling the phone out of his pocket. “Ji-Ho. Sorry. We’re okay, but we can’t come here. I’ll get the ammo and we’ll be back soon. We have a place to go.”
Sam put his phone away.
“They pissed?” Sid asked.
“No, just worried,” Sam said. “We best be going. The Williams place is on Dutchman Canyon Road, right?”
“Yep, you can’t miss it,” Garrett said.
“Where’s the ammo?” Sid asked.
“Back end of the park,” Sam said.
“Perfect, that’s where we parked the Jeep,” Yvonne said.
Chapter 17 – Team Assessment
Seth watched as Angel stopped before the last bend. Highway 79 was a short walk away.
“We can’t get killed,” Kaitlyn said. “Not now. Not when we’re just starting.”
“Don’t think that way,” Seth said. “We’re gonna make it. We’re good. We’ll handle whatever they throw at us.”
They got out of the Jeep, reaching back inside to grab their weapons, and then walked up to Angel and Megan.
“Never saw them again, dude,” Angel said. “We had our eyes peeled.”
Megan shook her head yes in agreement. “You two look different.”
Kaitlyn smiled. “We’ll talk later. If there is a later.”
“C’mon,” Angel said, gripping his M-60. “Let’s go.” Megan picked her AK-47 up off the front seat of the Jeep and closed the door quietly. They walked down the dark road, stopping when the highway came into view.
“Don’t see anybody,” Megan whispered.
“Well keep looking,” Angel said. “You’ve got better eyes than I do.”
She nodded and they crept forward.
“Good, this is a long straight section,” Seth whispered. “There’s no place to hide.”
“Dude, I think we’re cool. I think we ought to take off before they come looking down here.”
“Yeah, Angel, you’re right, but we need to watch ourselves,” Seth said.
“I agree,” Kaitlyn said. “I’ll hang out in the back of the Jeep, so I can fire behind us.”
“Me too,” Megan said. “Glad these aren’t hard-top Jeeps.”
“Okay, let’s haul ass.” Angel said.
The two couples raced back to their vehicles and took off for the road, making a left and getting to full speed in a hurry.
Angel’s hands were sweaty around the wheel. He glanced at Megan, who was behind him in the back. “I don’t like you back there.”
“I know, but it’s a better idea at the moment,” Megan said. “You pick up the vibe between Seth and Kaitlyn?”
“What vibe?”
“I don’t know. Something’s different.”
“Different how?” Angel asked.
“I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
“He’s in love with her, you know,” Angel said. “I’ve known this guy for most of my life. I know how he is around girls.”
“Girls?”
Angel chuckled. “Women. Remember that we were friends when we first started to think girls weren’t yucky.”
Megan giggled. “You mean sixth grade or so?”
“Hell, I’ve been friends with him since the second grade,” Angel said.
“Kaitlyn said she was going to spend the rest of her life with him,” Megan said.
Angel was silent for a moment.
“What, does that scare you? Or do you not believe it?”
Angel was still silent.
“Talk to me,” she said.
“Do you feel that way?” he asked.
“Hey, I’m not trying to lead you down that path.”
“I asked you a question,” Angel said. “We’ve been beating around the bush about this since we took off from the battle.”
“I know,” she said.
“Maybe we should hold off this conversation until we can see each other.”
“No,” she said. “It’s easier for me this way.”
“You sound scared.”
“I am scared,” she said. “How could I not be? This is a big deal for me. For all women.”
“And girls,” Angel said.
“Shut up.”
He snickered. “I’ve already let my feelings slip, you know. I don’t know what you’re afraid of.”
“When did you let anything slip?”
“When we were talking to Seth and Kaitlyn, after we passed the burning RV Park. Remember?”
She was silent for a moment. “Yes, I remember. That was an emotional moment. We were both looking for something to hold onto.”
“We’re still in that situation, but that’s not what it was,” Angel said. “We’re still beating around t
he bush.”
She sighed. “All right, all right. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“Making this difficult. Not trusting you.”
“You don’t trust me?” Angel asked.
“I think you meant what you said at the time,” Megan said. “What if you change your mind?”
“Why are we only talking about me?”
She was silent for a moment again.
“Do you really care for me or not?” Angel asked. “Seems to me like you do.”
“I’m in love with you,” Megan said. “You can tell, can’t you?”
“I can tell,” he said.
“It scares you,” she said, pausing for a moment. “See, that’s what I’m worried about.”
“You don’t think I take this seriously?”
He could hear her breathing change in the back.
“Are you crying?” Angel asked. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m getting ahead of you,” she said. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold you to anything.”
“Stop it.”
“No, really,” she said. “We can be boyfriend and girlfriend. When it’s over, it’s over.”
Angel laughed. “It’s not going to be over. Trust me.”
“I thought you were being serious.”
“I wish I could look at your face. It’s hard to read you from here.”
“Oh well,” she said. “Go ahead anyway.”
“Okay,” he said. “I wasn’t kidding when I said you were my whole life. It’s not some passing thing. I’ve been in several relationships, two of which I thought were going to lead to marriage. None of them were like this.”
“Maybe it’s the times. The things we’re going through.”
“Nope,” he said. “When I’m with you, I feel this comfortable warmth. I love talking to you. Even when you’re being like this.”
“Oh, please.”
“And when I’m not with you, all I can think about is being with you.”
“That’s the same in any early relationship,” she said softly.
“You’re not hearing me. I’ve been in serious relationships before. This is different.”
“But what makes you so sure?” she asked.
“I can’t explain that to you,” he said. “I can’t see a future for me without you there. It’s like we’re already together, and will be forever. There’s no question in my mind.”
Megan started crying again.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m happy, dummy,” she said. “I can’t see a future without you either. That’s what makes this so hard.”
Angel was silent for a moment. “You think we’re both going to lose interest.”
“No, I don’t right now, but that’s just my heart speaking. My head is giving off warning signals.”
“Like what?”
“Like there is something there, but it feels stronger than it really is, because of what’s happened. Because of the battles, and the loss, and the fear.”
“Oh,” Angel said. “I can’t fix that for you.”
“I know.”
“Look, here’s my suggestion. As of now, you’re my girlfriend. Is that okay with you?”
“What does that mean, exactly?” Megan asked.
“You’ve been somebody’s girlfriend before, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “This is going to be different than those.”
“Different how?”
“I’ve never lived with a man before,” she said. “Not even with the closest ones.”
Angel chuckled. “We been on the run most of the time we’ve known each other. It’s not like we’ve had the opportunity to settle down and be domestic. That might be the situation for quite a while.”
“I know, but still.”
“You aren’t a virgin, are you?” Angel asked. “Sorry, that’s none of my business.”
“Yes, it is your business, and no, I’m not,” she said. “It’s been really difficult holding back with you on that.”
“Then why have you?”
“Circumstances,” she said. “When I can get you alone somewhere other than a tent next to other people, you’re in trouble.”
Angel chuckled. “Finally some trouble I’m looking forward to.”
“Shut up,” she said. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”
“You haven’t told me if you’ll be my girlfriend or not.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“You have to say it,” he said softly.
“Then yes, I’ll be your girlfriend,” she said.
“We’ll go as far as you want us to,” Angel said. “We don’t have to live together, for instance, until you’re ready.”
She giggled. “Oh no you don’t. I’m not letting you out of my sight any more than I absolutely have to. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind,” he said. “I like how that sounds. There’s our turnoff. Skyline Truck Trail.” He turned on his blinker and made the right turn.
“How much further?” she asked.
“Five minutes,” Angel said. “Gonna seem like longer.”
“Oh, you have something planned for me, do you?” she asked.
“We’ll see,” he said.
***
Jules led Tex, Sparky, and Ted to the house. The lights over the big veranda were on. “It nice out. Let’s sit on porch.”
“Who owns this place?” Sparky asked.
“Associate of Ivan’s,” Jules said. “He not here. Just as well.”
“Somebody we don’t know, eh?” Ted asked as they sat down on the chairs.
“Government official,” Jules said. “Better you don’t know.”
Tex cracked up. “Nothing is ever what it seems in this crazy world.”
“You say mouthful,” Jules said.
“So, what’s on your mind?” Ted asked.
“First, we should make baseline, no?” Jules asked.
“What do you mean, partner?” Tex asked.
“Assess team,” Jules said. “Who we trust, who we watch, who we count on.”
“Oh,” Sparky said. “Yeah, that’s actually a good idea, and we do need to reassess as we get to know people better. No rough stuff, though, unless somebody is a traitor. That’s an absolute for me. I’ll leave the group if we do otherwise.”
“I agree,” Ted said.
“Me too,” Tex said.
“No worry, I not do rough stuff,” Jules said. “Let’s start with men.”
“Okay,” Sparky said.
“Certain ones we can already trust, no?”
“Well, Jules, I think we can trust each other,” Tex said.
“Yes, but not talk about us,” Jules said. “I trust Robbie, Jordan, Cody, and Bryan already.”
“Not that I’m in disagreement, partner, but what’s your criteria for that?” Tex asked.
“All in more than one battle,” Jules said. “They perform well. I see. Any question?”
“I think that’s sound,” Sparky said. “Who’s left?”
“For the men, only Justin and Gil,” Ted said. “I know both of them better than the rest of you, because they were friends of Robbie. They used to show up at my restaurant fairly often.”
“We watch,” Jules said. “No offense.”
“Can’t argue with that, partner,” Tex said. “If we’re moving on to the women, I’d like to suggest that Morgan is okay.”
“I agree,” Sparky said.
Jules nodded. “I agree, but we discuss other details about women. Impact on men, and relationship with each other. Lay cards on table. We must, no?”
“Not sure what you’re getting at,” Tex said.
“I get it,” Ted said. “It’s not just their loyalty and fighting ability. It’s also their effect on their men, and the dynamics between them as women. Females relate to each other differently than men do.”
“That sounds kinda sexist, partner,” Tex sa
id.
“Don’t give me sexist,” Jules said, laughing. “This life death issue.”
“Okay, then let’s talk about ourselves in this regard first,” Sparky said. “These are all beautiful women, and we’re basically paired off.”
“Not sure I’d go that far,” Ted said. “And we’ve got an extra woman now, since Alexis is staying with us.”
“We talk, one by one. I start. I want Shelly. She resists, but I not give up. I think she likes. I see fire in her eyes. She be good in battle. I classify as okay pending more experience.”
Sparky laughed. “She’s a little hard to read. I think she’ll be okay.”
“Dana?” Jules asked. “She throw herself at you, my friend.”
Sparky’s face turned red. “I know. I like her, but she’s trying a little too hard. I think she’ll be good in a battle, but I’m a little worried about her if we don’t work out.”
“Thanks for honest answer,” Jules said. “We put in watch category for now.”
“Agreed,” Sparky said.
“Tex, what up with Karen?” Jules asked. “She wanted Gil, no?”
“That’s over,” Tex said. “We’ll have to watch her. I’m trying to win her over. Got the hots for her pretty good. Not sure that’s the same as love. She might get a little too shook up in a battle. Time will tell.”
“Another watch, then,” Jules said. “Agreed?”
The others nodded.
“Alexis want Tex too,” Jules said. “I see. Problems between her and Karen?”
“Alexis might be very valuable,” Tex said. “I’m not interested in her romantically. She might be a good operative. Seen women like her before. Good person to plant for spying. She’ll use her beauty to advantage if needed.”
“You sure about that?” Ted asked. “She’s been through hell.”
“All of them have,” Tex said. “Make no mistake about that. She’s strong. She also has a grudge against the enemy.”
“Grudge?” Sparky asked.
“Her whole family died in that Ventura Harbor nuke attack, partner,” Tex said. “We can use that.”
“That sounded horrible,” Ted said.
“Hey, this management talk,” Jules said. “People are friends but also resources. That what we talk about. Leave emotions at door, or at least be honest about them in discussion.”
“Okay, sorry,” Ted said. “No offense.”
“No offense,” Jules said. “I want Shelly. If I don’t get, I still be friend, still value her.”