by Davis, James
“Maybe he’ll have some good news.” Jeff replied.
“Actually, I do have good news.” A familiar voice sounded from the shadows on the other side of the fence.
“Bear?” Clay said, taking a few steps forward.
“That’d be me.” he replied, as he leaned out from behind a tree.
“How long have you been there?” Clay asked just as Hank stepped over next to him.
“Oh, long enough to see a good beatdown.” he said, motioning toward the tractor with his head. Clay glanced back at the tractor and shrugged.
“Bastard shouldn’t have kicked my leg while I was taking a damn nap.”
“Did you get everything?” Hank asked. Bear put up a flattened-out hand and turned it from side to side.
“Yeah mostly. I made friends with some of your old people from before. They’re holed up in a town not too far from here.” Bear said.
“Mostly?” Hank said, confusion etched on his face. Bear stepped in closer and pressed his forehead to the fence. He went on to explain the entire past couple of days for them and told them what all he was able to get.
“You don’t think the ammo you already got is enough? I mean you did say it was a few thousand rounds. We can probably make that work if we don’t have anyone just spraying rounds down field for the hell of it.” Clay added. Bear shook his head.
“I would feel a lot better about it if you let me gather up some more ammo before we do this.” Clay looked at Hank and then back to Bear.
“How much longer will it take you to get enough ammo for you to feel comfortable about it?” Hank asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“I can be ready to go by Monday evening at the latest. Johnny said he knew a couple other people we could get the rest of the ammo from.” Bear replied.
“Alright, so Monday. What time Monday and how many people did you get?”
“Well, counting Johnny’s people and everyone here makes it close to 70 maybe 80. You have been recruiting here too, right?” Bear asked.
“Sure have. Matter of fact every man here is itching to grab a gun and kick some blue hat ass. Hell, even the older boys are wanting to get in on the action but their daddies told them it wasn’t going to happen.” Dub said, cutting Clay off before he could speak.
“That’s good. Now, how are we going to execute this mission? Me and my crew are going to cut the fence and come in back here, or did you have something else in mind?” Bear asked.
“Actually, we’ve been talking about this quite a bit. We think it would be best to pull up with a truckload of guys at the front gate. The guards will think it’s just the worker transport when we back in, but as soon as the truck is in, the guys will hop out and start shooting. The rest of us inside here will wait until everyone in the truck is already on the ground before we run up and grab our guns from the back of the truck.” Dub explained.
Bear seemed to think about this for a moment before he said anything.
“Actually, that seems a bit too sloppy. If we do it that way it will turn into an extra-large shit show. We need to split it up more than that so we can hit multiple targets at the same time instead of everyone being in the same area. That’s just begging for a machine gunner to open up and kill every one of us, quick, fast, and in a hurry.” Bear replied.
“Okay, well what can you come up with then?” Clay asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“Come back out here tomorrow night and check the can. I’ll get with Johnny and we’ll draw up a detailed plan of attack and leave it so you can have your people in the right spots when it comes time to kick some ass.” Clay glanced to Hank and then Dub, who were both nodding with approval.
“Alright, but make sure this plan is top notch. We only have one shot at this so it has to count.”
“It will be. Don’t worry about a thing. Now bring that dead bastard over to the fence and I’ll take care of it for you.” Bear said as he pulled out a pair of fence pliers and started snipping along the bottom, just wide enough to slide the body under. “Jeff, Randy, go keep watch at the corners while we get this done.” Dub said with a wave of his hands toward both men. Ten minutes later, Bear was packing the dead man’s body into the forest while Clay and Hank worked to camouflage the damage done to the fence.
Everyone else had already snuck back to the tents by the time Clay and Hank finished the repairs to the fence. They had to wait for the roving night guards to pass by before they could haul ass back up to the tents.
“Try not to kill any more of those pricks before Monday night please.” Hank said as they kept watching for the guard to pass.
“Very funny. It really was an accident.” Clay said in a hard tone, not wanting to discuss it anymore.
“I know it was, but you have been on edge a lot here lately. You need to calm yourself down in those types of situations.” Hank added. Clay could feel the anger starting to build up inside his chest. He had to take deep breaths over and over to keep from slapping the hell out of his brother. He knew Hank was right though. His temper had been off the charts since Ashley was killed but nothing was going to change that until he got to see his daughter and until he got to put a bullet in Sharp’s head.
Neither of them spoke another word while they waited another few minutes for the guard to pass. Once they were back in the tent, they both went straight to bed. The day had been long and they were worn out. By the time their heads touched the pillows they were both fast asleep.
Chapter Fifteen
Bear dragged the lifeless body of the guard into the forest and let out a soft whistle. Johnny poked his head out from behind a tree and then eased his way down to Bear.
“Help me with this guy would ya?” Bear asked as he allowed the legs drop to the ground with a thud. Johnny nodded and grabbed a leg. Together they pulled the corpse deeper into the woods.
“The animals will take care of it before the smell alerts anyone. I bet it’ll be dragged off by the time we come back tomorrow.” Bear stated plainly.
“You’re right about that. All of those house pets turned feral will have him gone in a day or two. Only thing that’ll be left is maybe a few bones. Probably not even that though.” Johnny replied.
“Those feral dogs are worse than a pack of wolves. Wolves will typically run away when they hear or smell a human, but the feral dogs are used to living with people so they just run right up to you and start taking chunks out of your ass.” Bear explained. A shiver ran up Johnny’s spine as the thought of being eaten alive by someone's family dog flashed through his mind.
“So, what’s the plan? When are we going to attack those pussys in blue?” Johnny asked, in an attempt to steer the conversation in a new direction.
“First, we have to put together a plan of attack and bring it back to them tomorrow. I told them Monday we should have enough ammo rounded up.” Bear replied. Johnny bobbed his head after dropping the corpse behind a cluster of bushes.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s get the hell out of here.” A half hour had passed by the time they were coming to a stop in the parking lot of the Eagles Club where Gene met them outside.
“Gene, tell everyone to meet here in the morning. We have a lot to go over so make sure they know not to be late.” Johnny said as he got out of the truck and walked toward the building’s entrance.
“Will do boss. I’ll take care of it.” Gene replied. Bear followed Johnny inside and together they headed straight for the bar. Johnny stepped behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of expensive scotch and two short glasses. He set it all on the counter and poured them each three fingers. Bear snatched up his cup and slammed the drink. He gasped as the amber liquid raced down his gullet and splashed into his empty stomach.
“Wooo!” Johnny said, slamming his fist down on the counter several times. They looked at one another and started to chuckle. Johnny grabbed the bottle and motioned for Bear to follow him. Johnny set the bottle and his glass down on a nearby table before going to his offi
ce to grab a notebook and a pen. When he returned, Bear was pouring out two more drinks.
“Alright, let’s get this planned out. First of all, we need a couple guys with long guns to take out the tower guards. From there we have a few pairs of guys run up and cut the fence for our main forces.” Johnny explained, as he drew a large square on the paper that represented the farm. Bear nodded in agreement as he watched Johnny lay out the plan.
“After the fence is down and all of our guys are inside, we need a way to get all of Hank and Clay’s people armed. Got any ideas on how to handle that?” Johnny asked, as he sat back in his chair and sipped his scotch. Bear mulled this over in his head for a bit before he spoke.
“Can we take the guns out there beforehand and just set them up around the fence where they can get to them before we go in?” Bear asked. Johnny rocked his head from side to side.
“Maybe, but that’s still kind of risky. If the guards happen to find them before we’re ready they’re going to know something is up.” Johnny replied. He ran his fingers through his hair and sat forward. He drew the front and back of the farm and all the tower positions.
“Alright, we know that behind the barn is a blind spot. I say we take out the section of fence there and leave the guns just inside the tree line. Right before our guys take out the tower guards, Hank can start sending a couple people back there at a time to get armed. I’ll stand guard, just in case one of the blue hats starts getting nosy and decides to check it out.” Johnny explained. Bear sat there listening intently after grabbing the notebook and writing exactly what Johnny was saying down.
“Maybe we should wait until it's been dark for a while before we do this. It gets dark before six o’clock now, and most of the off-duty guards will still be up I bet.” Bear said.
“You’re right. Let’s get the guns set up out there first. No one will notice us in the trees if we don’t make too much noise while we unload.” Johnny replied. Bear nodded and made another note on the paper.
“I think ten p.m. is a good time to get everyone armed. By the time eleven o’clock rolls around we should all be ready to attack.” he said as he spun the paper around to show Johnny.
“Perfect. We can drop that off later after we go over it in the morning with everyone here.” Johnny stated. Bear ripped the sheet of paper from the notebook and handed it to Johnny.
“You hold on to it or I’ll lose the damn thing.” Bear said as he stood up from the table.
“You going to bed?” Johnny asked as he poured himself another drink.
“Yeah man, I'm tired and we have a ton of stuff to get done tomorrow.” Bear said, pushing his chair back under the table.
“Alright, I’ll see you in the morning.” Bear gave him a thumbs up as he left the room. He was exhausted and the thought of a bed was almost enough to make him start drooling all over himself. He plopped down on the bed, kicked off his boots and was snoring as soon as his head hit the pillow.
The next morning, Bear woke to the smell of coffee. He heard someone clear their throat and he quickly turned to the door. The young blonde woman stood there smiling.
“I left you some coffee on the nightstand, and breakfast is just about ready if you’d like something to eat.” she said, leaning forward to grab the doorknob.
“Wait a second.” Bear said quickly sitting up on the edge of his bed. The woman stopped closing the door and watched as he stood up and walked over to her.
“What’s your name? This is the second time you’ve woken me up and I still haven’t gotten your name.” Bear said as he put his arm up on the doorframe.
“To be fair, you haven’t told me your name either.” she replied sassily. Bear chuckled.
“Everyone calls me Bear.” he said causing the woman to giggle.
“Bear huh? What’s your real name?” she asked.
“No one ever asks me for my real name. Not since the lights went out anyway.” he replied, not wanting to say his real name. His real name was embarrassing and he hated it when people called him by it.
“Are you going to tell me your name or not?” she asked for the second time. Bear sighed before finally responding.
“I hate my real name. I don’t ever tell anyone my real name.” he said, sincerely hoping Bear would be enough for her, but it wasn’t.
“If you want my real name then you have to tell me yours.” she said matter-of-factly.
“Just call me Bear like everyone else does.” he replied, the smile creeping back onto his face. She quickly shut him down.
“Come find me when you’re ready to tell me your real name.” she said over her shoulder as she walked away. She had a huge smile on her face, but she wasn’t going to let Bear see it. At least not until he told her his real name.
Bear sighed as he watched her hips sway as she walked away.
She’d run away laughing if I told her my real name, he thought. Shaking his head in defeat he closed the door and walked back over to the bed. He sat down and took a sip of his coffee as the day’s mission weighed heavily on his mind. Thoughts of the blonde woman now taking a backseat to the more important issues. He drained the mug of coffee and got to his feet.
“Time to go to work.” he said as he headed for the door to start what would become a very long and painful day.
“About time you got your lazy ass out of that bed! Bailey got your coffee to you I see” Johnny said, when he spotted Bear coming down the hall.
"Bailey huh?" Bear responded with a grin.
Johnny nodded. "Nice girl." he said. She lost her husband when all this started. Spent a long time alone, came here just after we did.
"Interesting." Bear said quietly, "Give me a minute." he added, noticing Bailey enter through a door in the back.
Johnny nodded, as Bear jogged over toward her. He slowed as he reached her and leaned against a table, using his elbow to prop himself up. He looked at her silently for a long moment smiling.
"Bear." she said, nodding her head towards him and returning his stare.
"Bailey." he replied, returning her nod. His smile grew and he was clearly feeling a little too proud of himself.
"Damn Johnny!" she huffed glancing at Johnny who was still sipping his own coffee on the other side of the room. A smile crept onto her face. "Well, now you have to tell me your name, you know mine."
Bear thought about this for a few seconds before replying "You're right, fine I'll tell you my name. Come closer, I don't want anyone to overhear. If word got out…" he said, deliberately trailing off toward the end of his sentence. Bailey leaned in close. Bear motioned with his finger for her to lean in even closer. She moved close as Bear leaned in to talk directly into her ear.
"It's Bear." he whispered, immediately leaning back, still grinning.
"That isn't fair!" she exclaimed, straightening up and stomping her foot.
"We don't live in a fair world these days." Bear said with a wink.
"I'm gonna find out. Just you wait and see." she said wagging her finger at him before turning and walking toward the door.
"Good luck!" Bear called after her. He watched the woman exit the building before straightening himself up and chuckling as he walked back to Johnny's chair.
"Strike!" Johnny teased as Bear sat down in the chair next to him.
"I guess I'm losing my charm." he replied with a wry grin.
"Happens to the best of us. Anyhow, we got a lot to do today. You ready for all this?" Johnny asked, standing up with a grunt and walking toward the door
"Let's do it." He nodded, standing up from his chair and following Johnny.
They made their way across the parking lot to a small white house and climbed the three steps before breaching the door.
Inside, in a small living room, Gene sat in a large leather recliner. Several other men sat on a matching leather sofa, and the rest of the men stood along the walls or sat on the floor.
"How we doin, boys?" Johnny said, addressing the room as they entered. Chatter erupted as e
very man greeted Johnny simultaneously.
"We got a busy day today, and tomorrow is going to be even busier. Gene is gonna get you boys fitted for your new weapons, while myself and Bear here, run some errands. We can't afford to waste ammo, but that's alright, everyone here handles a rifle just fine. Any questions?" he said, looking around the room.
"What happens next? I'm glad you asked." he started as no one spoke up. "Next, we wait until tomorrow. They take their men to the oil refinery just east of here. We block the road, surround them. They've got six guards with the workers so they shouldn't put up a fight. We should be able to do this clean, no blood spilled. Sound easy enough? The floor is yours, Gene." he said, turning and leaving the room, leaving the men chattering amongst themselves.
"Let’s get goin, we'll have to go on foot quite a ways. We should get there by dawn. I had Gene pack up some rifles and ammo for ‘em in a few duffles, should be able to camouflage that pretty easily."
Bear nodded, picking up two of the bags and slinging them over his shoulder. Johnny grabbed the third bag. Back outside of the club, they tossed the bags into the bed of an old pickup. In just a few minutes they were speeding toward the farm.
Two hours driving and about ten miles hiking through the woods, the two men approached the back fence just as the sun began to disappear over the horizon. Bear and Johnny neatly placed their bags near the base of the tree. Bear went to work, moving sticks and leaves in place to hide the bags while Johnny walked over to the fence, knelt down, pulled some snips from his pocket and began neatly clipping a small man-sized hole in the fence.
"That should do it." Johnny said, snipping the last link and grabbing the piece of fence.
"We can't just leave a big hole here, how do we cover that up?" Bear asked.
"Well, you know what they say.'" Johnny replied, reaching into his pocket "if you can't duck it." He finished, producing a roll of duct tape and tossing it to Bear
Bear caught the roll of tape, looking at Johnny.