by Ryan King
Chapter 7 – The Captives
David’s look of surprise was soon replaced by a grim set of his jaw. He adjusted the sling of his shotgun while ensuring there was a buckshot round in the chamber.
“Are you sure?” asked Joshua, almost pleading, and Nathan knew in that moment he was thinking of Daisy, their dead pet, and not the rabid packs of wild beasts that were a constant concern.
“I’m sure,” answered David. “There was talking, then the dog barked and the voices stopped and then the dog too. Must still be tame, but means they’re part of that group we just dealt with.”
Everyone was silent and looked at Nathan.
“We could try to keep going. Maybe get past them,” said Bethany struggling to keep her tone neutral.
Nathan shook his head. “They already know we’re here, probably have known since this afternoon’s. They likely expect us to continue on the road and then they'll ambush us. We’ve got to surprise them ourselves. Hit their camp in the night.”
David was already facing north, “The voices were coming from that direction and I can see a light trail in the woods.” He indicated a path that would have probably been plain in the day, but was now difficult to see in the faint glow from the rising moon.
Nathan considered their situation. Nothing today has gone as planned, and we're fortunate none of us has been hurt…well, not hurt seriously, he thought, while shrugging his sore shoulder. He would rather try to get around this group, but the mountain highway was narrow and they would be channelized into a perfect kill zone in some curve down the road.
“Okay, here’s the deal,” Nathan began as he bent down to the ground near the fire and grabbed a small stick. Everyone gathered around him and also squatted. “Let’s say their camp is up here.” Nathan made a circle in the dirt. “And we’re here.” Another circle under the first. “And this is the highway.” A thin line below both circles. “We’re going to approach in file until we’re within good earshot. If we’re lucky we can take them piecemeal. We’ll hit their camp first, while the others are out on the road waiting to ambush us, and then we get them on their way back after hearing the fighting. We have to be careful approaching, because they might be smarter than most, and set an ambush for us on the trail, or be coming for us now.”
“What happens when we get close?” asked Joshua.
“David will lead, and also go up alone and scout it out for us. Once he comes back, we’ll figure out what to do, but more than likely it will be the standard plan.” Nathan again began drawing in the dirt. “David, Joshua, and I will make a line with me in the middle. Bethany, you go back about twenty yards to our rear and cover our backs. Wait for my signal. Also, don’t be too quick to rush in when it’s over. Remember that others might be coming back to help. Any questions?”
No one said anything, but he could sense Bethany’s distress. “What is it?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t be so ready to kill everyone that we come across. Maybe these will walk away if we give them half a chance.”
“Honey, I know, and I wish there were another way, but these are the same group of crazies that were set to kill me today.”
Bethany just looked at him. He hated that look. It made him feel like he was letting her down.
Nathan shook his head. “I’m sorry, but we don't have a choice."
Bethany obviously understood. “I know, but let’s leave open the possibility of letting them go...they may not be all bad.”
Nathan wanted to tell her it wasn’t about good or bad; it was about circumstances that made simple survival uncertain. He wanted to tell her it was about worrying every day if he would watch his family starve, or get radiation sickness, or get tortured to death by some insane bandit. He wanted to tell her that things were different now, that she needed to let go of how she thought before; but he couldn’t do it. She certainly had the same fears and concerns. The look on her face nearly broke his heart anyway, and besides there just wasn’t time for talk.
He simply looked up at the sky for a moment and then stood up. “They'll get an opportunity to be reasonable. That's all I can promise. If there's blood, it will be on their heads.”