Chaka took the doll into his hands and as soon as he touched it, the doll cried out, “mama.” He dropped it. “It speaks.”
Frank laughed then dove into the box.
In fact, all three of the Slagel men dug into that box as if it were Christmas time.
“Weapons, Dean Ami, ammunition,” Hal accounted for the items.
Frank immediately grabbed a weapon and loaded it, then he reached in the box. “My snack cake.” Frank pulled it out. “Look how good it looks.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Hal said. “It looks petrified. So please don’t eat it.”
“Fine.” Frank placed the newer weapon behind the waist of his pants.
“Hey, guys,” Robbie held up a bag. “Dean left a note. A long one.”
Hal held out his hand. “Let me see.” After getting the bag, he opened it. “Oh.”
“What’s it say?” Frank asked. “Read it.”
“It says. Mission is over,” read Hal. “Good news, Johnny is in Beginnings. Fort had his own time device, sent Johnny back and went off to another time long before the plague.”
Frank gave an impressed nod to Chaka. “You called that one.”
“And …” Hal continued. “He has a warning. Please watch Robbie. Apparently, he had returned in a glitch of time and disappeared again. He was bound to a post, badly beaten, and his arm nearly tore from his body.” Hal handed Robbie the note.
“Oh, wow.” Robbie said. “I wonder how that happens.”
“Bound, beaten and torn apart,” Chaka said. “That is the Segavas.”
“No need to wonder.” Hal took the note. “It won’t happen.”
“That’s right,” Frank said. “Robbie goes back. He goes back now. Hal, you have the pendant, give him yours. I have one in my pack…” Frank pointed. “And the other is hidden at the beach if we need to go there.”
“No.” Hal stood. “No. We all go back. We go back together.”
Chaka cleared his throat. “I know my beautiful pet may be having my offspring, but would it be too much to ask for a pendant? I would like to not go back just yet. I believe this is my time. Either things have changed or it is before the ravaging war. I would like to find my family. To see them. I lost them all. My parents, my brothers, all died. I would like to see them.”
Hal nodded. “Absolutely. And you don’t need to return. Jenny will understand. If this is where you need to be, then you stay. But we … “He pointed. “We leave. Our mission was to find Fort and Johnny, they aren’t here.”
“We talked about this, Hal,” Frank argued. “We did. We talked about brother bonding and sightseeing.”
“Before we knew something happens to Robbie,” Hal quipped.
“That’s why we send him back,” Frank said. ‘Don’t you want to see how the LEP live? How advanced they are?”
“No.” Hal shook his head. “I believe we have seen enough. Landscape is different, time has changed, humans have regressed, we don’t need to see the LEP.”
“I do,” Robbie said. “I really want to see them. I mean, Chaka says his Hubra are civilized. Let’s go find his family.”
“It’s highly irresponsible to take that risk,” Hal said. “It really is. We go back now, the adventure is over.”
“Come on, Hal,” Robbie pleaded. “Let’s do this. I’ll be careful, I promise. And you guys know there can be problems. Are you really gonna let something happen to me?”
Passionately, Hal looked at him. “I cannot take that chance, Little Brother. With you or Frank.”
“Frank?” Robbie asked. “Come on.”
“Hal, let’s just stay one more day. If we don’t find the LEP, we leave,” Frank said. “We’ll have his back.”
Hal huffed, then pointed at Robbie. “Fine. However, any inkling of trouble, any … you go back. If I have to drag you there myself, you are going home. Deal?”
Robbie grinned. “Deal.” He darted a kiss to Hal’s cheek.
Frank clapped his hands together once. “Okay, we’re good. Why don’t we just kick back here for the night.” He reached for his bag. “Then tomorrow we’ll …” He paused and his eyes lifted upward to the sound of galloping.
“I didn’t hear a tusk trumpet,” Hal said. “Did you?”
“Hal, you know horses. Any guess how many are up there?”
Hal listened. “Not many. Four, five. Maybe six tops.”
Chaka inhaled sharply. “The language.”
“What about it?” Hal asked.
“It’s not the Segavas,” he replied. “It’s the Hubra, my tribe. Listen.”
Frank held his ear piece tighter to try to pick up a voice.
“The Elder Primal said they came this way. Search.”
“Fuck!” Frank bit his lip. “The old man turned us in.”
“They must have hit their camp,” Chaka said, “he bartered.”
“Frank?” Robbie whispered. “The hatch. It’s open.”
“Shit.” Frank moved toward the stairs when he saw Rufus run that way. “Rufus, stay back.”
Rufus ran up the stairs and Frank rushed to follow him. The moment the boy’s head emerged from the hatch, he was lifted high and fast.
Frank charged after.
“No.” Chaka stopped him. “Let me. I will say I followed him down here. Stay.”
Chaka raced up the stairs. He called out as he did, “I am a friend. I am from…” Chaka didn’t get to finish. No sooner did his upper body clear the edge of the hatch, a club of sorts swooped down, nailing him so hard in the head, the moment and strength of the hit lifted him up from the stairwaell.
“Fuck,” Frank grunted. “So much for that.”
He listened to the voices.
“I thought he was a Segavas.”
“Clearly he is not. No one wears clothing like this. Get him medical attention.”
“Check the area, the star men are here.”
“Star men?” Hal questioned.
Frank backed up as far as he could from the steps.
“Frank,” Hal whispered. “What are you doing?”
“Going up there and getting Rufus.”
“Are you nuts, they’ll get you.”
“No, they won’t. I run too fast.”
“Lest you forget big brother, you may run fifty five miles an hour, but so do they!” Hal said.
“Oh, that’s right. But … I’m good, they won’t get me. Or at least they won’t get me coming out of the hatch. Stay here.” He pulled out his revolver with LEP ammo and charged forward at full speed up the stairs.
“Son of a bitch,” Hal saw Robbie run for the box. “What are you doing?”
Robbie loaded a weapon. “We can’t let him out there by himself. By staying here, we’re sitting ducks and cornered.”
“Toss me a weapon.”
Frank was fast. He was so fast, that they missed him as he came from the hatch. He knew with the trees and the rough terrain from the remaining ruins of Bowman that the horse couldn’t move quickly, so Frank did, assessing the situation as he ran.
Hal was in the ballpark. He spotted six horses. Two of which were abandoned while their riders carried Chaka toward a horse drawn cart.
Another Hubra was at the cart, he could see Rufus, laying in the cart, not moving.
His plan was to lead the other two Hubra on horseback away from the hatch, even if it meant running by Rufus and leading them away. He had to keep his brothers safe. He’d find a way to help the boy after he knew Hal and Robbie weren’t in danger.
They pursued him fervently, wielding nets and lassoing them in the air ready to toss it at him. He had a lead, not much, and one of the horses neared him. He felt the brush of the net against his back, what Frank didn’t expect was the jolt of electricity that accompanied it.
Frank had been shocked many times and was able to handle the voltage. This one was different. It paralyzed him for a second, causing his knees to buckle. He knew he was a split second from feeling that net again. Just as he caught himself
from falling to the ground, he spun around, extended his weapon and fired right as the Hubra raised the netting. The LEP ammo landed in his chest, sailing the Hubra from the horse.
The animal lifted on its hind legs and turned to run the other way.
That was when Frank saw Hal.
He and Robbie had emerged from the hatch. Even more so now, Frank had to keep moving to lead the remaining Hubra away.
Hal eyed the stray horse and smile. “I got this. I’ll get him. We can follow Frank on horseback. Stay here.” He moved in the path of the frightened animal, holding up his hands, hoping to stop him or grab the reins.
The horse slowed down and danced in circles around Hal.
“Easy, easy.” Hal reached for him. He took hold of the leather strap. “That’s it.” Hal quickly mounted the horse. “Robbie let’s …” Hal paused.
Everything paused when the sound of a tusk trumpet rang out.
“Oh, you have got to be shitting me.” He pulled the reigns, turning the horse to go and get Robbie when he saw the Segs coming from the forest. “Robbie!”
There wasn’t that much of a distance between them, maybe fifty feet and Robbie ran toward Hal.
A few steps into his run, a thick arrow, almost spear size sailed down and into and through Robbie’s thigh. It took him by surprise and he stumbled forward. Before he could hit the ground, a Seg on horseback, tossed a net over Robbie, capturing him.
The Seg never missed a beat or slowed down, with Robbie entangled in that net, he rose onward, dragging Robbie with him.
With a snap of the bridle, Hal pursued the Seg that had his brother.
The chase of Frank seemed to instantly freeze with the sound of the tusk trumpet, everything happened so fast. He saw Robbie take that arrow and get captured and even though Hal was riding close behind, Frank changed his direction and raced after Robbie as well.
In the wooded area, Frank was nearly as fast as the horse.
“Don’t let him out of your sight, Hal!” Frank yelled.
Hal briefly looked over his shoulder when he heard Frank holler. Robbie was far ahead. A bloody path formed and Robbie struggled to get free of the net. He snapped the reins hard to pick up speed, then reached into his front pocket.
“I got this, Frank!” Hal yelled. “I got him! Get safe, Get home!”
When he was within a few feet, Hal turned on the horse and leapt landing at Robbie’s feet. He slammed hard into the ground, taking his breath away, but Hal gripped as best as he could to Robbie and the netting with one arm. His legs dragged against the rough ground and he could feel that grip quickly letting go. “We’re out of here, Robbie. I got you.” He clutched as best as he could to Robbie’s leg and with the pendant in his other hand, he looked once more back to Frank.
Gone.
They were gone.
Frank breathed out in relief. Their sudden disappearance scared the Segs and shrieking they scrambled in a different direction.
He found it funny and even laughed. He was so focused on his brothers, that for a brief moment, Frank lost focus on his own well being.
He felt the shock hit him again, his body jolted.
Fuck! He screamed in his mind, spun around ready to fire his weapon.
Frank was strong enough to take a shot of electricity and recover, however, whatever they used to clobber him from behind took him by surprise.
They struck him hard in the back of the head.
His ears rang and everything went blurry before it went black and he was out.
Frank went down.
TWENTY-THREE – BEGINNINGS
Joe griped about a lot of things that Danny Hoi brought back. The internet, coffee shops, movie theaters, cell phones, and social media. The apocalypse didn’t need that. One thing he didn’t mind was the return of the newspaper. The Hoi Times was something Joe looked forward to, even though it was only a couple times a week.
He sat in his favorite chair, a fresh cup of coffee next to him, reading the Hoi Times. He glanced up when he heard Andrea humming.
She was fixing her earring as she strolled through the living room and then stopped. “Joe,” she said in shock.
“Andrea.”
“You’re here.”
“I am. I live here.”
“But I mean, here in the living room right now,” she said.
“I was on the porch, but then Dean stole my coffee. I came in to get more and decided to read my paper. There’s a fresh pot. See how nice I am.”
“You are so sweet.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You did this all for our anniversary.”
Joe looked up.
“You remembered.”
“No Andrea, I didn’t. Anniversary of what?”
“The anniversary of our first date.”
“Oh, Christ Andrea, who the hell keeps track of that stuff.” Joe returned to his paper.
“But you’re here. At seven in the morning.”
“I am here.”
“You’re not working.”
“No, I’m trying to read the paper and ignore the growling in my stomach.”
“Are you sick?”
“Yes,” Joe flipped a page. “Sick of Beginnings.”
“Oh, Joe.”
“Nope, no, oh Joe, me. I had a rough day yesterday and will not deal with the craziness of it again. I need a break. I’m taking the day off.”
“Well, you deserve it.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like me to make you eggs.”
“Actually yes, thank you that would be great.”
“Wonderful. I’ll make breakfast and we can have a meal together. Don’t go anywhere.”
“I don’t plan on it.” Joe watched her leave then lifted the paper, speaking on a low voice to himself. “I don’t plan on going anywhere today. I need a day without any insanity.”
Flash.
Buzz.
Joe looked up from his paper when the room lit up and landing center of his living room floor with a loud bang were his sons.
Hal was holding on to Robbie, he was trapped in some sort of thick, foul smelling net.
Joe stood up in shock.
“Joe, would scrambled eggs be …” Andrea entered the living room. “Oh, Hal, Robbie, glad you dropped by. How nice. I’ll make more eggs.” She turned and walked back out.
Joe rushed over. Hal was dirty. His face and arms covered with abrasions. They both worked to free Robbie. “Oh my God. Are you alright?”
Hal nodded. “Bruised and sore, but fine.”
Reaching down, Joe paused when he saw the arrow in Robbie’s leg. “Robbie, are you …”
“Fine.” Robbie grunted as he struggled from the net. “My ass hurts from being dragged.” He nodded at the arrow. “I may need help getting that out.”
“I’ll call Dean or Jason. We’ll get you to the clinic. But I need to know…” Joe looked at his sons. “Where’s Frank?”
TWENTY-FOUR – POLW
The pain of the head injury didn’t wake up Frank. He didn’t have any, he healed quickly and wouldn’t have been unconscious long had they not hit him with some sort of tranquilizer. He was knocked out for a minute, opened his eyes, found himself in the cart with Chaka and Rufus, and as soon as he started to fight, they shot something in his arm.
He was out again.
An odor, much like ammonia woke him up. For all joking Frank did about the Planet of the Apes and comparing the future with it, he wasn’t pleased to see he was actually living it. The only positive thing was he knew the mistakes made in the film. What did Chuck Heston do that he could do different or the same.
He sat up, finding himself in a cage with saw dust and hay on the ground for a bed. Thick metal bars blocked him in.
Frank had been tossed in the cage, like an animal. But he expected that. As he lifted his head, he felt the translator fall from his ear.
Yes, he thought. They didn’t find it. He secured it again and sat up.
Rufus was
near the bars, sitting in a crouched manner. He must have heard Frank, because he looked over his shoulder.
“You okay?” Frank asked.
Rufus looked panicked. He immediately placed his hands over his own mouth to tell Frank to be quiet.
“Oh, I don’t fucking care. But … staying silent could be useful. Thanks.” He winked.
Rufus held up a bowl of water to Frank.
Frank shook his head. He didn’t see any LEPS, his captors obviously weren’t around. Stepping forward he neared the bars of the cage and looked down. There were two square trench like bowls. One had water, the other had remnants of food.
“I’ll get us out of here,” Frank whispered.
Panicking again, Rufus covered his own mouth and shook his head.
“I know. I know. No one’s here.” Frank grabbed the bars, they were firm and he didn’t see where the locking mechanism was. “At least my brothers are safe and back home. Chaka will get us out. If not … I’m out of here. I’ll take you with me. Man, I’m like Charlton Heston and you are my Nova.” He looked around. It reminded him a lot of an animal rescue. Everything concrete, the lighting was bright. Most of the cages had someone in them. It was in the cage caddy corner form his that Frank saw Harry.
“You …” Frank pointed. “Are so fucking done when I get out of here. Done. I’m opening all these cages, but yours. Stuck. Yeah.” Frank pointed. “Fuck you for turning on a fellow man.”
Rufus kept grabbing his arm.
“What!” Frank blasted. “I know. No talking. I won’t … yet.”
He heard a buzz, followed by a shifting sound and voices. They were coming. That was the nearest he could figure. Frank wanted to watch, he needed to get out, plan his escape and the best way to do that was stay silent and learn the way the operated.
He only caught a glimpse of them when they walked in, they headed straight down another row of cages.
“Good morning all,” the female voice spoke upbeat and cheerful.
“You are always so nice to them,” the male said.
“They can’t help what they are. I need Costco today.”
The Third Ten Page 214