by N. C. Reed
“I don’t want to be like her. I don’t want to be a victim. I need to learn to protect myself, and help my family. I’m already learning all I can from mamma. How to cook, sew, can, about gardening. I mean, we can’t garden this time of year, but there are books galore, and I think mamma has most of them,” she laughed. “I’ll be ready come spring time.”
“But I can’t just sit back and depend on Daddy and Toby, and you and Billy for that matter, to protect me. I need to be able to do it myself. More than that, I’m tired of being dead weight. I want to do something. To help,” she emphasized. “I want to be able to defend my home, and my family. Daddy told us what happened yesterday. He said Toby ‘manned up’ when he had to, and did what he had to.”
“He did,” Rhonda nodded firmly. “He was calm, cool, and dependable.”
“He hasn’t said anything about it,” Shelly admitted. “I tried to talk to him about it, but just shrugged it away. Said he didn’t do much of anything except help load the trailer, and drive the Ford. Daddy says different, though. And daddy don’t stretch the truth for nobody.”
“Toby acted like a man, that’s for sure,” Rhonda agreed. “Don’t push him too much about, Shelly. I’m sure he’s working’ through the fact that he probably killed at least one man yesterday. Maybe more. It’s not an easy thing.”
“Did you?” Shelly asked. “I don’t. . .I shouldn’t have asked that,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Rhonda held up a hand. “It’s an honest question, especially considering what you want. And the answer is I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I didn’t stop to look. I shot at two men, and I’m certain I hit at least one. Did it kill him? No idea. Considerin’ they were shootin’ at me at the time, I won’t lose any sleep over it, though.”
“I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t either,” Shelly admitted, almost reluctantly. “Especially after what I seen in Franklin. That was. . .that was bad.”
“Yeah, it was,” Rhonda agreed. “Well, I guess if you want to learn to shoot, we need to figure out what kind of guns you need.”
“Daddy said I could have that little carbine that he has,” Shelly offered. “The one he had for Toby to use.”
“If you want too, sure,” Rhonda nodded. “But I’ve got what was left in daddy’s shop. Granted, it wasn’t much,” Rhonda fibbed a little. “But it’s what we let Toby choose from. And your dad,” she added. “I don’t mind letting you do the same thing. We’ll need to get you a good kit together. I have pretty much anything you’ll need. When do you want to start?”
“Can we do it tomorrow?” Shelly asked. “Or even start today, if you want. I’ll do it whenever you have time.”
“Well, let’s do this,” Rhonda offered, after pausing to think. “Let’s get you fixed up with what you need today. You can see what fits you best, and we’ll get you geared up. After that, we’ll spend the rest of today goin’ over what you pick out, and fittin’ your gear to you.”
“Then, tomorrow, we’ll head out to the gravel pit. We’ll start with something light, a .22. Once you’ve got the shooting part down pretty good, then we’ll get you set up on the rifle and pistol you pick out, and you can practice with them. I guess we all need to practice a little, anyway. Would it bother you if Toby and Billy go along? I’m sure Toby will want to practice some more, and we need to have someone else along, just in case.”
“In case. . . .?” Shelly asked.
“Well, we don’t think anyone else is around,” Rhonda told her. “But if they are, I’m sure they’d love to run up on two girls, all alone in the country side. See what I mean?”
“Oh,” Shelly said softly. “Yeah. No, it won’t bother me. Long as they don’t make fun.”
“Billy would never make fun of anyone,” Rhonda told her flatly, and Shelly had the good grace to blush at the rebuke, reminded of all the times she’d poked fun at him.
“And I don’t think Toby will either, after yesterday,” Rhonda continued. “He see’s things more seriously now.”
“Okay, then,” Shelly stood. “I guess we ought to get started.”
*****
“. . .but I had just sold off my little herd right before the virus,” George finished. “So yeah, I think I can look after the herd pretty good. Won’t be able to move’em alone, of course,” he added.
“Wouldn’t expect you too,” Jerry shook his head. “Just work’em and keep an eye on’em day-to-day like. We’ll be gettin’ a better fix for’em soon. Likely split’em up between there, my place, and Billy’s, I guess,” he looked at Billy.
“Yeah, good idea,” Billy nodded. “That way, if one group get’s infected, it maybe won’t spread to the others. The cattle will be important for us, time’s to come. I think it’ll be one of our better chances to trade or sell off things.”
“Probably,” Ralph nodded. “I mean, there’s plenty of other things, too, but food will be a big deal, especially by next year. All the canned stuff will be long gone. In fact, there’ll be some lean wintering’ for most people, ‘fore it’s done.”
“Figure you’re right,” Jerry nodded. “We can get a good crop in next year. Likely gather all we can eat, and then some. We can always trade off or sell what we can’t eat.”
“You know once folks realize you got a good food supply, some’ll be like to try and take it, right?” George asked.
“We do,” Jerry nodded. “That’s why we’re going’ to such great pains to keep our location hid. That won’t work forever, o’ course, but it gives us time to prepare.”
“We’ll eventually need more folks,” George said, albeit reluctantly. “There’s good land here. But eventually we’ll need more than just us to take care of it. And to protect it,” he added.
“Thought about that too,” Billy nodded. “One reason we were so pleased about Ralph knowing’ you all,” he grinned. “We’ll just have to take things as they come, right now. If we happen on some good folk, then we can always ask’em to join us, if they’re of a mind to.”
“I. . .I know a couple guys might can help,” George said, with a little hesitation. “They were. . .well, we served together. Good guys, and able. One’s married, and got two young’uns. Other one's still single, kinda young guy, but a good boy. I talked to them up in Franklin not long after the plague, so unless something else has hit'em, they’re still around.”
“Both from the Army, then,” Jerry mused.
“Yes, sir,” George nodded. “Like I said, good guys, and capable.”
“Think they’d want to?” Billy asked. “Join us, I mean. If they’ve got it good where they are, they might not,” he pointed out.
“Pete may not,” George admitted. “He’s the young one. Livin’ alone, like he does, he can take care of himself fine. Might not want the responsibility. Terry, though, he’s got two kids, boy and a girl. Him and his wife might well welcome a chance to be in a place like this. Security, neighbors, what have you.”
“Well, we can feel them out, comes time,” Jerry offered. “I’d say, for now, we got about all we can do, for the moment. But that means we need to take a look at some of the nearest houses, I reckon. Make sure they’re livable.”
Rhonda entered just then, and whispered in Billy’s ear. He looked up at here, and nodded.
“Be right back,” he said, getting to his feet and following Rhonda off to the side.
“So what about Billy?” George asked Jerry, when Billy was gone. “He seems like good people.”
“He’s fine people,” Jerry corrected. “Good boy, good raisin’. Man couldn’t have a better friend, or neighbor.”
“Every once in a while, he seems, I don’t know, unsure of himself, I guess,” Ralph put in. “Don’t see it often. And when the pressure’s on, he always seems to be confident enough.”
“Billy has some issues,” Jerry spoke slowly, weighing what he should say. “Had a learnin’ disability as a boy. He’s pretty much licked it, thanks to his folks, hard work, and h
is own plain stubborn refusal to give up. He’s smart as a whip in some things, but others, especially social situations, he sometimes trips up. He’s more practical than anything, I think. He can see the simplest solution to any problem, when most try to make it complicated.”
“He’s strong as bull, and I mean that near literal. Shoot the wings off a fly, too. He’s a kind and gentle soul, most times. When he’s riled, though, he’s a force o’ nature. And anything that even looks like it might threaten the little’un there,” he nodded to Rhonda, “probably won’t live too long.” He briefly explained what had happened at the road block.
“I like him,” Amy said firmly. “When we were in that truck yesterday, he was as cool as ice. We were all scared silly, but he just went and did what had to be done, cool as you please.”
“I agree,” Debbie said at once.
“Well, he was a bit nervous, himself,” Jerry chuckled. “Mostly about drivin’ that semi, though. I don’t reckon I ever seen, or heard tell, of Billy actually being afraid of man nor beast. Take that dog o’ his,” he nodded to Rommel, who was laying off to the side, watching the ‘new people’ warily.
“That dog was livin’ wild, in town. Had been for a week or two. Billy made friends with him, and that dog hardly leaves his side, now. If Billy had been afraid, I figure Rommel would have tried to tear him to pieces.”
“Probably,” Ralph was studying Rommel. “That’s some dog. He must weigh a good one thirty. Maybe closer to one fifty.”
“That little one, the gyp,” he pointed at Dottie, “that’s Rhonda’s dog. Ain’t near as old, still just a pup, really, but comin’ along nicely, I think. They’re pretty lucky. Wouldn’t mind havin’ a dog o’ my own, nowadays. Always seemed more trouble’n they was worth, before,” he admitted.
“Well, one of my female Anatolian’s will be coming in season, soon,” Ralph offered. “I already decided to let her bear a litter. Figure we’ll need the dog’s to help with the cattle. Annie’s are great stock dogs. And good against almost any kind of predator.”
“I’d sure like one, happens you have a good litter,” Jerry admitted.
“You’ll have one,” Ralph promised. “I think dogs, especially good ones, are going to be very useful from now on. Way more than just pets, too,” he added. Billy came back about then.
“We was talkin’ ‘bout seein’ houses,” he told the others. “Why don’t you take’em to see some o’ the ones around here tomorrow, Jerry? I got somethin’ I gotta do tomorrow,” he added.
“Orders from headquarters?” Jerry grinned.
“Somethin’ like that,” Billy agreed, grinning himself.
“I don’t see why we can’t,” Jerry shrugged. “Horseback okay with you folks?” he asked. Everyone agreed that it was.
“Well, sounds like a deal, then.”
“I think we’d better be going,” George got to his feet. “We got a load o’ work to do, still.”
“Got some catchin’ up to do myself,” Billy nodded, and so did Jerry.
“I’ll be around about eight or so, tomorrow, then,” Jerry told them. Good-byes were said all around, and soon Billy and Jerry were alone, watching the others walk back over the hill to their new home.
“So, what you got to do tomorrow?” Jerry asked, teasing. He didn’t expect an answer, since he was playing. He really didn’t expect the answer he got.
“Teaching your daughter to shoot, looks like.”
“What?” Jerry was stunned.
“Well, not me,” Billy admitted. “She asked Rhonda to teach her. Said he wanted to learn how to defend herself. I think seein’ that girl in Franklin, the one we found? I think that opened her eyes. Rhonda agreed to do it, and I figure me and Toby will trail along. Toby can use a little practice, I’m sure, and I’ll just sorta watch over everything.”
“Well. . .” Jerry looked thunderstruck. “I guess miracles do still happen.”
“Might go easy on ‘er,’ Billy cautioned. “I think Shelly’s had what some folks call a ‘moment o’ clarity’. Her eyes is open, now, and she ain’t really likin’ what she see’s. She want’s to be able to take care o’ herself, and help you and Toby protect the farm.”
“Her and Rhonda want a greenhouse, too,” he added with a grimace. “We’ll have to see can we come up with somethin’. Seems your girl has been readin’ up on gardenin’. She was resigned to wait til spring, but o’ course Rhonda had to go and mention a greenhouse,” he groused a little. “Now they’re all up in a hullabaloo about gettin’ one, and startin’ in on growin’ right now.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m sorry to hear that,” Jerry had to admit. “And even though it’s a bit o’ work, I don’t mind it, seein’ as how Shelly is startin’ to come around.”
“Figured you’d feel that way,” Billy nodded. “Told’em we’d see about it, maybe later on this week, or next for sure. Ain’t really got no idea where to look, though, to be honest.”
“Well, I don’t know about finding’ an actual greenhouse,” Jerry admitted. “But I do have an idea how we can make one outta scratch, so to speak.”
“I’m listenin’.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next day was clear, but a bit cool. There was no wind, for which Billy was thankful.
Shelly had chosen a light weight AR model like Rhonda’s. She had also chosen herself a nice S&W 6906, a small, but capable handgun with a good mag capacity. She liked the feel of it, she had said.
Rhonda had also showed her a small revolver, a S&W model 60. A stainless five shot, the little gun was about a fine a hideout gun ever made, Billy figured. He had one in his safe that had belonged to his mother.
Billy had added a shotgun to the mix, wanting Toby to be familiar with the 870. He had several, thanks to his and Rhonda’s ‘foraging’, and he wanted to give Toby one, if he didn’t already have one. Sometimes, Billy figured, a good twelve gauge was just plain nice to have around. There was also a 10/22, along with a Ruger Mk II pistol, both for Shelly to practice her form on, before trying the heavier stuff.
“We all ready?” he asked, as Rhonda came bouncing out of the house. She had packed a lunch for the both of them. Shelly was bringing one for her and Toby as well.
“Reckon,” Billy nodded. “Sure you got everything?”
“Yep,” Rhonda smiled. “You know, I think this is great. Shelly really seemed to be waking up. She might be changing for the better.”
“You say so,” Billy murmured. He wasn’t convinced.
“You know, you gave Toby a chance,” Rhonda reminded him.
“He earned it,” Billy corrected. “Didn’t give him nothin’. Reckon she can earn her’s too.” Shaking her head in amusement, Rhonda finished packing.
By the time the two of them had mounted up, Shelly and Toby were riding up, having come through the woods. Jerry was with them, and waved from a distance as he started up the hill to the Franklin place.
“All ready to go?” Rhonda asked Shelly as the two rode up.
“Yeah,” Shelly nodded, casting a glance at the stone faced Billy. “Little scared, I guess, but I’m ready.”
“Well, let’s go, then,” Rhonda smiled. With Rommel and Dottie leading, the four made their way down the trail to the gravel pit. Billy sat looking at the pit, frowning.
“Wait,” he ordered, dismounting.
“What is it?” Rhonda asked, frowning.
“Just wait,” Billy told her, looking at the range. Rhonda waited for a minute, then asked again;
“What’s wrong?”
“Somethin’ ain’t right,” Billy said softly. “I just. . .I can’t put my finger on it, but. . .it just ain’t.” He continued looking, and suddenly his he realized what it was.
“The target’s up,” he said softly, un-slinging his rifle.
“What?” Rhonda asked. Toby hadn’t said anything. Instead he dismounted, handing his reigns to his sister, and turned to watch their backs. He unlimbered his own rifle as he did so.
/> “The target,” Billy nodded, still looking around. “We left them all down. One’s back up, now.”
“Huh,” Rhonda grunted, seeing it now that Billy had pointed it out.
How the hell does he do that? she wondered, not for the first time.
Billy was walking slowly toward the shooting area, looking at the ground. She saw him squat down, and pick up something shiny. He held the shell casing to his nose, then examined it. He rose, walking back to her.
“We policed all our brass, right?” he asked, handing her the round.
“Yeah, so I could reload it,” Rhonda nodded, taking the case.
“Did we count it?”
“I did, yeah,” Rhonda was studying the casing. “This ain’t ours, anyway. It’s the wrong brand.”
“It’s not recent,” Billy told her. “And there aren’t many. Looks like someone fired off about twenty rounds, and quit. Just makin’ sure the gun would work, or sightin’ it in, most like.”
“Who could it be?” Rhonda asked, looking around.
“Anybody,” Billy shrugged. “Rommel,” he spoke to the big dog. “Search,” he ordered when Rommel looked at him, waving toward the trees around the pit. Rommel set off at once.
“He does anything you tell him, like that?” Shelly asked.
“Anything I trained him to do,” Billy nodded, eyes never leaving the dog.
Rommel made a complete round of the pit, then returned to Billy’s side. Billy leaned down and ruffed his head.
“He didn’t find nothin’,” Billy told them. “I say we go on about our business.”
“How do you know?” Shelly asked. It wasn’t a challenge, just curiosity.
“He would have stayed where ever he found something,” Billy told her. “Let’s unload, and get started,” he told Rhonda. “One of us can keep watch. Fact, that’s why you brought me along, as I recall,” he added, grinning.
“So it was,” Rhonda smiled. “Have to get something out of ya, all the food you eat,” she teased.