The Survivalist (Freedom Lost)

by Arthur T. Bradley

  Mother turned back to Tanner. “Do you know what Korn was doing when he found Issa?”

  Tanner thought of the dead bodies in front of the church.

  “Waging war, by the looks of it.”

  “You’re more right than you know. I sent him to destroy a community that was selling my children into slavery.”

  She waited to see Tanner’s reaction. There wasn’t much. He had seen his fair share of injustices in the world, and the idea that folks were selling one another into bondage didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

  Mother continued. “Women and children were chained up like animals and forced to serve their would-be masters.”

  Tanner glanced at Korn. “I’m confident he showed the slavers the error of their ways.”

  She smiled. “Of that you can be sure. But it points to a larger problem.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Those of us who were infected are no longer considered human. At best, we’re treated as outcasts. And at worst…” Her jaw tightened. “At worst, we’re treated as food. Tell me, Tanner Raines, what would you do if someone hunted your family to slaughter them like livestock?”

  “Simple,” he said. “I’d kill every last one of them.”

  She nodded with satisfaction. “Yes, I believe you would. Like slavery, cannibalism is not a sin that can be forgiven. That is why my armies will soon put an end to it.” She seemed to lose herself in thought, but when her eyes refocused, they were clear. “Do you believe in destiny?”

  Tanner looked at Samantha. They had come together under the unlikeliest of circumstances, and through nothing short of a string of miracles, they had survived long enough to become a family. Destiny, while making no sense whatsoever, seemed to describe their relationship perfectly.

  “She asked you a question,” whispered Samantha.

  “I know she asked me a question,” he grumbled. “I’m trying to decide how to answer it.”

  “Ah,” she said, nodding. “I thought maybe you’d tuned out. You do that sometimes.”

  He turned back to Mother. “I think there are times when things occur for a reason. If you want to call that destiny, fine.”

  Mother nodded thoughtfully. “I do as well, which leads me to believe that your arrival here is not mere coincidence. You came to us once when we were in need. And now you arrive again at a time when we struggle to make sense of the dark world around us. I think our fates are intertwined.”

  “I’m here for Issa. Nothing more.”

  “That may be why you came here, but it’s not to say that something else didn’t guide your steps.”

  Samantha leaned close to him. “Is she talking about Sister Margaret?”

  “Shh,” he said, waiting for Mother to continue.

  “You once led my army into battle. Perhaps that is to be your place again.”

  “Against who? The cannibals?”

  “No. General Korn will leave tomorrow to dispatch them.”

  Korn nodded proudly.

  “I’m speaking of our greatest enemy of all, the government that threatens to subjugate my people under the guise of law.”

  It took Tanner a moment to understand what she was proposing.

  “You’re going to attack the New Colony?” He shook his head. “That’s suicide.”

  “You think we’re too weak?”

  Tanner knew better than to take that bait.

  “I think you have too much love for your soldiers to engage in such a dangerous war.”

  “There is simply no other way. If we do not kill them, they will kill us.”

  “Even so, a direct attack on the colony would almost certainly fail.”

  “Many said those same words about this place when we cowered in the tunnels. You showed us that all things are possible. Perhaps you will do so again.”

  Tanner found himself caring more for the infected than he probably should have. Perhaps it was his relationship with Issa. Or perhaps it was some long-lasting side effect of Dr. Jarvis’s tainted blood.

  “There has to be another way.”

  “If there is, I don’t see it.”

  Tanner didn’t see it either, but an attack on the New Colony was not something he could support, let alone lead.

  “If I can find a way to save your people without you having to send them to war, will you release Issa to return home with us?”

  Mother thought for a moment before answering.

  “Yes. I would do that, on the condition that you tell no one else in the colony of her pregnancy.”

  “All right. Give me until morning to come up with a plan.”

  Mother studied him. “Why do you believe that you can resolve this so quickly when we have spent months considering every option?”

  “Maybe I think differently.”

  “That’s true,” seconded Samantha. “Very differently. Some might say it’s almost like he doesn’t think at all.”

  Tanner nudged her with his shoulder.

  “Very well,” said Mother. “But when we next meet, General Korn will already be marching on the butcher who feeds on my people. If you and I can come to an agreement, he will return home after that battle. If we cannot, his army will move on to destroy the New Colony, with or without your help.”

  Mother called for Musketeer and Tillman to be brought into the room. When they stood before her, she said, “Take them to be with Issa, and in the morning, return them to me. No one is to see or speak to them. Do you understand?”

  Both men nodded and motioned for Tanner and Samantha to leave the room. As he exited, Tanner overheard Mother issuing instructions to Korn.

  “General, give your troops the night to rest and enjoy the company of their wives, for tomorrow, they will march on the butcher of Smithfield.”

  Chapter 22

  With the tournament over, the crowd disbanded to settle debts and take care of daily activities. Many came to pat Mason on the back and offer words of congratulations. He endured it only because, short of shooting them, he really didn’t have a choice in the matter. When the field was finally clearing, Jessie appeared with Bowie at her side. Before Mason could even say hello, she rushed over and hugged him, laying her head against his chest.

  Without looking up, she said, “I don’t pray very often. Not because I don’t believe. I just always figured He had better things to do than listen to a nobody cowgirl from Virginia. But today… today I prayed.” She leaned back and looked into his eyes. “And here you are, alive and well. I guess He had time for me after all.”

  Mason smiled. “I guess He did.”

  Bowie bumped against his leg, and Mason leaned over to give the dog a quick pat.

  “Good to see you too, boy.” He looked back up at Jessie. “Where’s Gunsmoke?”

  She gestured toward the RV. “I have a feeling he’s going to be one of those sleepy cats.”

  “Is there any other kind?”

  Their attention was drawn to Ramsey and another man who were carrying The Reverend’s body from the field.

  “I didn’t watch the gunfight,” she said. “I couldn’t.”

  Mason nodded. “It’s all right.”

  She reached out and hooked an arm through his.

  “Folks are talking about you like you’re some kind of hero.”

  Mason didn’t feel like a hero. He had set out to change peoples’ minds about the tournament. In the end, he feared that he might only have given them a stronger taste for blood. Rather than allow that to ruin the moment, he reminded himself that wars were won one battle at a time. Every victory was to be celebrated.

  Leroy wandered over, a smile on his lips. Even though his gunfighters were finished, the camp’s tournament had turned into a story for the ages.

  “I always knew you were wily,” he said, patting Mason on the shoulder, “but working on The Reverend the way you did. That, my friend, was pure genius.”

  Mason offered a token nod. “I’m assuming you’ll honor our deal.”

  “My w
ord is my bond. I’ll have security escort the prisoners out within the hour. Not sure where they’re gonna go, but that’s for them to worry about.”

  Mason turned and gestured toward Ramsey.

  “What he did wasn’t right.”

  “If, in fact, he did anything at all.”

  Leroy was right. There was no real proof that Ramsey had been working with Wilde. It could have just as easily been one of his men. Hell, it could have been Leroy for that matter. It was an injustice he would have to let go.

  Mason extended his hand. “In case I don’t see you again.”

  Leroy shook it. “Take care of my Supergrade.”

  “Count on it.” He turned to Jessie. “What do you say we go find your father?”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  With Jessie and Bowie at his side, Mason returned to the RV. He went around to the trailer and began picking through the junkers’ belongings. Most of it he decided to leave behind, but he did move the food, ammunition, some bandages, and a box of batteries to the RV. When he had finished, he unhooked the trailer, confident that someone would discover it before the day was through.

  He was about to load up when Jessie nudged him and said, “Look. They’re coming this way.”

  Mason turned to see Ramsey and two men armed with riot guns approaching.

  Bowie moved forward to stand protectively in front of them, his tail tucked and hair standing on end.

  Ramsey and his men came to within about ten feet before stopping.

  “Better pull in that mangy dog, or I’m liable to shoot it,” he threatened.

  “It’d be the last thing you ever did,” said Mason. “What is it you want?”

  Ramsey let his eyes settle on Jessie.

  “Oh, there’s a whole lot of things I want. But right now, I’m here to tell you it’s time to go. Your welcome permit is hereby revoked.”

  Mason didn’t bother to question his authority. This wasn’t coming from Leroy. Even so, it wasn’t worth a fight.

  “We were just about to leave.”

  “I didn’t say that your little filly had to go.” He turned to Jessie and ran his fingers over the melted side of his face. “I realize this can be a little off-putting at first, but believe me, once the lights are turned down, you’ll never know the difference.” He let his tongue snake out to lick the edge of the scar. “You might even come to like it.”

  Ramsey was obviously trying to initiate a fight that had been a long time coming.

  Mason squared himself, letting his hand settle on the butt of his Supergrade.

  “I’m game if you are.”

  Jessie reached forward and gently touched his arm.

  “It’s okay. Let’s just go.”

  As they started to back away, one of Ramsey’s thugs kicked at Bowie, perhaps thinking he could scare the dog off. What he got in return was a mouthful of teeth latched onto his foot. The man shook his leg from side to side, shrieking as blood dripped down the side of his boot.

  “Bowie!” Mason shouted, reaching down to pull him off.

  The dog released his bite, but as he did, Ramsey drew his pistol. Before he could bring it up, a gunshot rang out, and a dime-sized hole appeared at the base of his throat. He stumbled back, twisting as he fell to land face down in the dirt.

  Mason looked over to find Jessie standing with her Vaquero drawn, one hand holding the weapon, the other lying ready on the hammer. A thin trail of smoke rose from the end of the barrel.

  He turned and faced the two guards. One was balancing on one foot, and the other had eyes the size of silver dollars. Both were a hair away from making a mistake that would cost them their lives, either by his hand or Jessie’s.

  “This is the moment when you choose whether you have a long life or a short one. Choose wisely,” he said, ready to draw the Supergrade.

  Both men clutched their shotguns, looking at Ramsey’s body and then back to one another. Bowie stood in front of them, growling with bloodstained teeth. This was not a fight they were going to win, and they seemed to know it. The only part they seemed uncertain about was how to get out of it alive.

  Mason answered that by saying, “Put your shotguns on the ground, and go tell Leroy what happened. Keep in mind that if you lie to him, you’ll answer to me.”

  They carefully set their shotguns on the ground and hurried away, one man helping the other as he hobbled across the parking lot.

  It wasn’t until they were clear of Grey’s Point that Mason finally began to relax. The past twenty-four hours had been filled with all manner of conflict. But with Jessie sitting beside him and Bowie snoring in the backseat, the world seemed as right as it had been in a long time.

  Jessie stared out the window, humming softly to herself. She hadn’t said a word since the shooting. Mason had found that people reacted very differently to killing someone. Some became overwhelmed with guilt or shame. Others felt sick. Still others felt exhilarated, as if they had just climbed a mountain. He couldn’t tell which of those, if any, Jessie was feeling.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, turning to face him. “And that’s what worries me. I just killed a man, and I’m not shaking or anything.”

  “You didn’t have a choice.”

  “I know,” she said, glancing back at Bowie. “But shouldn’t I feel something? Sadness? Anger? Something?”

  “There’s no right way about these things.”

  “He was a bad man. I guess I know that deep down. Maybe it’s helping me to cope with it.”

  Mason nodded. “Maybe.”

  “Do me a favor, will you?”

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t tell Daddy about my shooting that man.”

  “All right. But I’m sure he’d understand.”

  “I know, but he’d also go out of his way to try and make me feel better. I don’t want that.” She shrugged. “I don’t need it.”

  Mason turned to her. “You’re a strong woman, Jessie. Like your mother, I suspect.”

  Her face lit up with what was perhaps the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

  “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me.” Her eyes became distant as she envisioned her mother’s face. “She was more than just my mother. She made me into who I am. Maybe there was someone in your life like that too?”

  Mason thought of his father. Despite all his flaws, Tanner was probably more responsible than anyone for the man Mason had become. His lessons were never in words, but rather through actions, some to be admired, and some to be denounced. Throughout it all, though, he had managed to instill a deep-rooted sense of justice. That guiding principle had led Mason to fight for his country and serve as a marshal, doling out retribution to men who believed they were above judgment.

  “Yeah,” he said softly. “Maybe there was.”

  Both of them saw the Pilot House Inn approaching on the right. Jack’s truck was parked out front, and he stood beside the road, one hand shielding his eyes from the sun.

  Jessie leaned over and kissed Mason’s cheek, her hand sliding down to rest on his leg.

  “Could I ask for one other teensy little favor?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Could we keep last night to ourselves? Daddy might not understand that.”

  “Oh Lord,” he said, cracking a smile. “What have I gotten myself into?”

  Chapter 23

  Tanner and Samantha were escorted to one of several large white hangars on the eastern edge of the compound. Windows along both sides of the building were open to allow for airflow, and bed linens had been hung in front of the windows to provide a modicum of privacy for its inhabitants.

  Musketeer pushed open the door and motioned for them to enter.

  Samantha leaned her head inside. “Pee-ew, it stinks in there.”

  “Go,” he said, nudging her inside.

  Tanner quickly stepped in behind her, hoping to avoid an unnecessary pipe to the back. As soo
n as they were inside, the door slammed shut. They could hear Musketeer and Tillman discussing who would guard the front door and who the back. It was going to be a long night for both.

  Tanner and Samantha turned to study the military-style dormitory. Dozens of bunks and tall metal lockers spanned the length of the building. While it looked like it could house forty or fifty people, only Issa stood inside, nervously pacing in front of one of the windows.

  As soon as they entered, she raced over and jumped into Tanner’s arms.

  “Thank heavens!” she breathed.

  Tanner held Issa for nearly a minute before setting her down. Ever since her disappearance, a small part of him had feared that their time as a family had forever been cut short. Holding her in his arms brought not only a profound sense of relief but also a feeling that life could once again return to normal.

  “Where are we?” Samantha asked, swinging open one of the lockers. Inside were military uniforms, toiletries, and boots, no doubt left behind by fleeing soldiers.

  Issa couldn’t hide her anger. “We’re in a prison, that’s where.”

  “But why?”

  “Because Mother wants to keep this baby a secret,” she said, rubbing her stomach.

  “But what about Korn and the others? They already saw you.”

  “The only ones who saw me were loyal soldiers, not to mention men. They would have every reason to keep my pregnancy a secret.”

  “Ah, because they don’t want their wives finding out?” she said, catching on.

  “Exactly.”

  Samantha looked over at Tanner. “I sure hope you figure something out.”

  Issa turned to him. “What’s she talking about?”

  Before Tanner could explain, Samantha said, “Tanner has until morning to come up with a plan. Otherwise, we’ll probably have to live here forever.”

  “A plan for what?”

  “To save everyone so they don’t have to go to war with the New Colony.”

  “What! They’re going to war?”

  “They are if we don’t come up with something better,” said Tanner. “Apparently, Mother’s had enough of her people being treated as second-class citizens.”