by Kip Nelson
“Well, I guess that decides it,” Greg said. “We're not going to be giving Khan any tribute.”
“But what do we do? Do we run?” Penelope asked.
“I don't want to leave this home. Our lives have been here. It's bad enough they come in and trash the place. I can't imagine what they'd do with it if we left,” Ana said.
“We don't have to leave, Mom. We have nowhere to go anyway. If we run now, we'll be running forever. We have no idea how large Khan's sphere of influence is. Even if we leave, we might run into him again. And if we're going to defend ourselves, I'd rather do it in a place like this than on the open road. I've survived a couple of encounters with him. I don't think my luck will hold out for a third time, whether we run or stay here. But we can search for more weapons. In three days, we might be able to carry out our original plan and build some traps, make him think twice about coming back here. You heard him, he's already lost a lot of men because of us. We just have to make it cost him too much,” Tillman said.
“It's a question of numbers, though, Tillman. We can't hope to beat him with just us. Eventually, some of them will make it through. They can afford to take more losses than we can. If we had help, we might be able to make more of a defense against him, but in a war of attrition there's only going to be one winner. I have to have respect for him in some ways. He's gone about building his empire in a swift fashion, and he's taking advantage of the confusion,” Fernando said.
“That's a good point. I know it probably doesn't matter much at the moment, but just how did he get so powerful so quickly?” Penelope asked.
“I imagine he had a gang and managed to play on their fear so that they would call him king. Once he had them in his thrall he would be able to go around and scare other people, people who were alone and vulnerable. But now he's chosen the wrong family to mess with. Dad, I hear what you're saying, but I have a plan,” Tillman said.
All ears were on him. “You say that we're alone, but that's not necessarily true. There are neighbors. There are other people in the town, people who Khan has targeted. If we all came together and formed some sort of coalition, we'd stand a better chance of fighting back against him.”
Tillman's face became animated as he spoke, enjoying the thought of working together with others to overthrow Khan and teach him that domination did not come easily.
“We only have three days, Tillman. Do you honestly think you can gather enough forces in that time? And that's even if people are willing to fight,” Fernando said.
“People will be willing to fight. I know they will. I've seen a lot in this world, but I know that people want to stand up for their loved ones. They want to live in a better world. We can't let Khan win. Morelle is right. If we give him tribute this time, we're never going to be free of him. We have to stand tall and proud. We have to find some way to drive him away, and maybe getting allies is the way to do it. I met with some people in town. They might be willing to help. If we can get large enough numbers, we can convince Khan that it's just not worth it to take us on. But we need to get weapons as well. We need to show everyone that we're capable of defending ourselves. We need to be the example that shows them the way.”
As if to punctuate his point, Major barked, and this brought a smattering of laughter. Every person in that room knew the danger they were in, but none of them wanted to run from it. Tillman felt a great sense of pride fill his heart as he looked around at his family and friends, knowing they all were going to be alright. He almost welcomed Khan coming, for how could a man like him possibly stand a chance against a family who stood together? And he included Greg, Penelope, and Anthony in this. A family was more than blood, it was a group of people who chose to fight for a common cause.
“I suggest we all prepare ourselves for what's coming. We have no time to lose. Jessica and Anthony, you should gather up things for the tribute, just in case worse comes to worst. Other than that, we keep planning as we did before. And everyone, I know that we can do this,” Tillman said, annoyed that his leg still was giving him trouble.
They all nodded to him and he watched them leave the living room, smiling as Greg made a beeline for Morelle.
He was left alone, with Major. Shortly after they all left, Ana returned with a glass of water and a couple of tablets.
“Have some painkillers. I know it's annoying you that you can't walk,” Ana said.
“I can't take them, Mom. We should save them for when it's really important.”
“Nonsense! You're my son and you're in pain. Now is when it's important,” Ana said, and practically forced the pills into Tillman's mouth. Then she held the glass of water up to his lips and he swallowed them down.
“Don't let your pride get in the way of things you need,” Ana said.
“Thanks, Mom,” he said.
“Now then, Tillman, I want you to promise me something,” she said, smoothing out her dress. “I want you to promise me that if worse comes to worst, you'll get Morelle and Jessica out of here and get them to safety.”
“Mom--”
“No, I don't want to hear any protest from you. Those girls need a life together.”
“What about you and Dad?”
“Your father and I can look after ourselves.”
“I can't just leave you here if you need help.”
“Yes, you can, and you will. This is our home. We've lived our lives here, and our greatest pride is our family. I'd rather have you survive than this ranch. If it comes down to it, we can hold them off until you get them to safety. Your friends too, and that boy Anthony. Keep them all safe for us, Tillman. I'm going to be counting on you. It won't be easy. Morelle won't want to leave us behind, but if you have the opportunity to escape, you must take it. I will not see you all suffer at the hands of that monster.”
“Mom...” Tillman said falteringly.
“Do this for me, Tillman. You were always the strong one. You have made peace with your father, and that is wonderful, but you must take the lessons you have learned and see to it that everyone is safe.”
With that she rose and left Tillman with Major. Tillman was stunned. He wasn't sure how to take what his mother just had said. He knew she was right, but the thought of leaving his parents in Khan's grip was anathema to him. Was he strong enough for that? There was surely only so much that he could take, and at some point, he was going to break. Then he thought about what his father had done to Javier. Sometimes you needed to make the difficult decisions for the sake of family. His parents were willing to do that.
Tillman just hoped that it wouldn't come to that. He'd only just rebuilt a connection with his family. He didn't want to lose it again so suddenly.
Find out what happens in part three! Coming Soon!
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