John sat, his back pressed against the wall when he should have been asleep. Mark and Evelyn were standing watch, just as he and Mary had stood theirs. Mary had made a pallet for Maggie in with Bear and Lucky. The ammunition was laid out according to caliber, and both Mary and Evelyn had practiced reloading the magazines until either of them could do it blindfolded, which is what they would essentially be without the light of day. He wasn’t sure when the men would attack, but if they had anyone who understood military tactics, they would wait until the first light. Or maybe it would take that long to come from where ever they were holed up to get there or possibly, the man hadn’t made it back to their camp until after dark. Whichever was the case, John felt sure it would be soon.
Just as the sky began to lighten, John used Lucas’s tactics and closed his eyes. At first, he didn’t hear anything, not even the night sounds he had become used to, and he was ready to chastise himself for his foolishness when he heard them.
He saw the silhouette of Mark when he turned toward him, “I’m coming,” he said softly. He gently shook Mary awake and helped her to sit up. He gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head and crawled across the dirt. He passed Evelyn who was crawling to where she and Mary would reload either their weapons or the magazines depending on how close the fighting came. He thought about Sherry and Lucas on the lookout, and while he usually left the praying to Mark, he said a quick prayer and asked God to watch over his family.
John slid in beside Mark, jostling the man intentionally, “I’m counting on you to look after them if something goes wrong.”
“You got it, and it works both ways. Just one question. Do we wait for them to shoot first or what?”
“When the opportunity presents itself take advantage of it and use your best judgment. We aren’t waiting for them to introduce themselves. Just remember what these men are capable of and let that be your action trigger.”
They watched in silence as the men filed out of the trees, as of yet uncertain where the cave entrance was for sure. John swore he could see the evil hovering over the silent group.
Without another thought, John lined up on the first man in line when the man dropped as if John had already pulled the trigger, but his finger hadn’t moved. Then he heard the familiar report of his 308. He watched two more fall, before they realized what was happening, the shots were coming that close together. Three men were down, and John hadn’t pulled the trigger.
“That girl is really good,” he muttered and took his first shot.
THE END
Dear Reader, I hope you have enjoyed the reading of Beyond a New Horizon; Dark Times. When they left the ranch, no one could have imagined how their lives would change so drastically. They had been prepared to find a safe haven in the Saint Joes Valley and wait for the others to join them. They could not have foreseen what lay in store. Now they have laid it all on the line to defend themselves from men who thought nothing of killing without conscience and taking what they want without penalty. They have nothing left to lose but everything to gain. Self-indulgence seems to be their game plan, and they will attack to preserve their way of life with no thoughts for the future; after all, they didn’t have one before the lights went out and will do what they have to sustain their depravities.
Look for book five in the fast paced series, Beyond a New Horizon; The Last Sun, in early November.
If you have enjoyed following the Akins family, please take the time to write a review. Reviews are the only way for an author to know if their efforts are appreciated or enjoyed. It means a lot to me to go back and read them, good or bad as I learn something from every one of them, Christine
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter four
Chapter five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Beyond the New Horizon (Book 4): Dark Times Page 22