by Diane Butler
Suddenly he swung the scope back for a closer look at the holster and gasped. It had a red “R” painted on the side. He remembered when Roxanne had found paint at the Park and after carving an “R” into her holster she had painted it red. It had become faded while they lived outside for all those months after leaving the Park and the leather had started to peel around the letter but it was definitely Roxanne’s. The gun she used changed several times according to what was available but even if she was without a weapon she always wore that holster.
He knew that the crew was waiting for word from him but he couldn’t get up at that moment. Seeing a clue relating to Roxanne after all these months had taken his breath away. Three men so far and no telling how many were inside or if Roxanne was still with them. He had to know more before reporting to Brandon and making a plan. He didn’t see Mutt around and could not see the cabins which were hidden behind the trees. A fourth man came out of what had once been a vegetable garden and was the reason for their trip back to the plantation.
It was that man who Lucky recognized. “Rodriquez, damn you,” he whispered under his breath. Lucky’s hands started to shake and he had to put the scope down. He realized that the sun had grown hot on his back and that he could feel sweat trickling down his neck. He started to slide back down the levee when he heard a whistle from the guard and thought that he had been discovered. But when he looked back he saw that the guard was pointing toward the road where a group of twenty zombies were ambling, still going in the same direction towards the Gulf. After studying the Z’s at the paper mill it appeared that when the zombies came from the east and reached the Mississippi that they turned south but those on the west side of the River never continued west at all but also went south.
The four men scrambled inside but the undead had smelled the cooking and turned from the road to the plantation house. By the looks of the white fence it had been overrun before and was shattered in a few places. Lucky took advantage of the distraction to slide down the hill and back to Jenny where he gave his group a report on what he had seen.
“Where have they been all this time?” Morgan asked. “Roxanne disappeared six months ago.”
“Maybe they were forced to backtrack by herds” Brandon said.
“No,” Lucky shook his head. “I think they came back for me. I knew this guy Rodriguez when he was a member of a vicious gang and I was in DEA before going into Secret Service. He swore that one day he would come for me. They all say that when you incarcerate them, but this one I took seriously. I have seen what he does to people who he felt had crossed him, what he had done to their families. And he had a long arm of influence in many places.”
“I think it was an accident that he spotted us at the plantation last winter and recognized me. I think he probably watched the place for a long time once he knew he had stumbled across me again. He would have seen Roxanne and me going into the same cabin at night. He took Roxanne deliberately but it’s not his style to leave questions behind. He would have wanted me to know that he had Roxanne or he would have delivered her dead body back to me. I want him alive. I want answers.”
They all climbed the levee with Rick and watched as the undead circled the home looking for a way in. None of the Z’s attempted to climb over the furniture still blocking the staircases to the second floor. Some of them pushed at the furniture but none of the zombies lifted a piece out of place or attempted to move it except to push against it. They became more agitated and some started to move off toward the back of the house where smoke was coming from the grill.
“I only saw four men including Rodriguez but that’s not like him to have such a small following. He always had ten inside with him regardless of where he stayed and another ten outside to guard the place,” Lucky said.
“He’s probably lost people too, Lucky” Brandon looked at him. “He may not be such a threat now. Where is he out of? What state?” They watched as a few of the zombies reached the grill and knocked it over. The coals rolled across the grass and one of the zombies picked up the hot metal grill that once held food. He started to lick the grill but it burned through his hands and dropped to the ground again. Another zombie picked it up and attempted to do the same thing but their skin and bones were now so dry that their limbs caught on fire like kindling. A few walked across the hot coals and their pants caught on fire but they continued to move on, immune to the fire traveling up their clothes.
“Mexico,” Lucky answered. “But he had estates in California and Florida. I don’t know where he was when the ZA overtook the country. Perhaps he does have a bigger gang but they are out on a supply run.”
“Do you think they stole Pete’s cabin cruiser?” Morgan asked. “They could be out on that,” he turned to look behind them toward the river. “If that’s the case then we need to move Jenny out of sight.”
“I don’t think he has a bigger group,” Caleb said. “Not if he’s the one who took Roxanne. Smokey said that you needed a pirogue when you went into the swamp looking for Roxanne. A big one would hold four to five people depending on your supplies. If he is coming in from the Bayou that pirogue would be docked at the site where they took Roxanne. We should check that out first and see how many pirogues are there, if any. We can access the town of Mamou from the river and get Jenny hidden. Then take the skiff into the swamp and follow the shoreline down to the plantation.” Morgan was surprised at the knowledge that the kid had gained by listening to Smoky and traveling with Brandon.
“No one’s coming out of the house, “Lucky said. “And the /z’s are starting to turn to the barns. I’d like to know how many are in that house, but” he turned to Caleb “knowing if he has a pirogue at the landing would be helpful and even if there isn’t one we can come across the field and watch the house from there. And Jenny would be safe.”
Morgan shook his head, “You got lost in the Bayou and that was with Smokey leading you. How do you expect to find the plantation landing on your own?”
“We’re not going into the deepest part of the Bayou. We went south from the landing because Smokey said the northern waterway became marsh with more solid ground, shacks and plantations. He felt sure it was natives of the area who took Roxanne so we went south deeper into the Bayou, but now I wonder if we shouldn’t have gone north to check those shacks since Rodriguez is not familiar with the Bayou.”
Again Morgan shook his head. “It’s too risky. Besides, we may be talking two different groups here. This Rodriquez could have come up from New Orleans the same as we did. He could have his own boat which is out on a supply run. Roxanne could have left that holster behind at the cabin and never had it on her that day. Even if you should find the landing in the swamp and there’s no pirogue that doesn’t tell you how many people are in his group.”
“But if there is a pirogue that tells me he has only four to five people and it also confirms to me that Rodriquez took Roxanne,” Lucky answered. “I think Caleb has a good idea. Let’s get back to Jenny before we are discovered on this levee.”
“Don’t you think that we should go for more people,” Morgan asked as they boarded Jenny. “Smokey, Pete and Mitch are all good fighters. The two of you should not go alone into the unknown and Smokey could help with navigation through the swamp.”
“There isn’t time,” Lucky said as he cast off. “That would take three days round trip and Rodriquez could be gone by then. We don’t know how long they have been camping here and that last herd could change their mind about staying.”
“Dad,” Caleb begged. “This is Roxanne. We’ve got to find out what happened to her and I want to go with them. Roxanne taught me not to be afraid of myself. The miserable accuracy I had with the crossbow was my own lack of confidence but I got us fed when we were on the move and that was because of Roxanne. And you’ve seen how good I am with the high-powered bow that we found in Baton Rouge. I know you still think that I’m a young kid but I’ve grown up quickly and I’ve learned how to survive.”
They
took Jenny as far as they dared down the creek past the town of Mamou. When Brandon became concerned about the depth of the water they docked at a run-down Bait & Tackle Store. “If we are not back by morning,” Lucky told Morgan, “then take Jenny back to the levee. We may be hurt and need your help or we ran out of time to make it back and decided to sit it out. Don’t worry about Caleb. We will use him at a distance, put him in a tree or hidden in the sugar field but we won’t take him across the road to the plantation unless we have cleaned it up. He could be very useful with the crossbow and can cover our backs.”
“It’s impossible for me not to worry about Caleb,” Morgan said. “I trust you and Brandon but a father can’t help but to worry about his son. I still think it is foolish attempting to find the landing on your own.”
“The town of Mamou is at the base of the waterway to the bayou,” Lucky said. “I’m going to keep the solid ground to my left since that would be where the other plantations are based. Smokey said things thinned out the further north so we should be reaching the marsh and thicker swamp to the south just as we find the landing. We won’t be in it for very long, maybe an hour on the creek and another hour in the marsh. But I don’t know how much time it will take to watch the place, take out Rodriquez’s men, and question Rodriquez.”
“If you are not here by morning I’m going to blow Jenny’s whistle after I cast off,” Morgan said. He put his hand out, “Take this flair and if you are within hearing distance shoot it off. Otherwise I will leave for the levee as you planned. I may explore a little bit in the town today while you are gone to help take my mind off things. I’ll be careful and not take any chances.” He hugged Caleb, “You listen to them now and don’t try to be a hero. You’ve got nothing to prove to yourself, them or me. You hear?”
“I’ll be careful dad,” Caleb nodded his head. “The most important thing is to stay quiet and unnoticeable. I’ll stay well hidden.”
Morgan watched as they got in the skiff and paddled off toward the marsh. He watched until he lost sight of them and then surveyed his surroundings. He had learned how to pilot Jenny but was glad that Brandon had the foresight to turn the riverboat around so he would have a straight passageway up the creek again. There were a few houses plus the Bait Shop on this side of the bank and he hadn’t seen any movement in the vicinity. He took his staff and pickaxe and decided to check out the Bait Shop first. They had been in this town before but had not ventured this far off the river and toward the bayou.
***
Lucky had underestimated the timetable to reach the landing. By always taking the left stream they had come to a dead-end and had to backtrack. It was now mid-day and he doubted that they would get back to Jenny by nightfall but they were ecstatic to see just one pirogue at the landing. “Yes!” he whispered and did a fist pump. “One pirogue, which means he only has a few people and didn’t come from the River.”
“But why come back here, and after so long?” Brandon asked.
“He held up somewhere during the winter and is on the move again, is my guess” Lucky said. They tied their skiff next to the pirogue while Lucky gave them instructions. “Brandon, there may be only four or five of them, but they are ruthless and well trained. They use machetes and knives for weapons. They are especially good in hand-to-hand combat and I doubt that you would win in a fight. Caleb, you have the best advantage because you are proficient with the crossbow which is both silent and you don’t need to get close.” He looked at Brandon. “Even if we sneak up behind them they are good at getting the advantage on an attacker from behind. We need to separate them and to do it quietly so as not to alert the others. Caleb,” he touched the boy’s arm, “I’m going to leave some judgment up to you. We will have you in the background but if you see someone who is alone and their body won’t be spotted then don’t wait on a signal from me. Take him down. Take the shot. Otherwise, you watch me at all times and wait for my signal before you move up.” They nodded agreement and began to move through the marsh toward the plantation house.
Lucky used the rifle scope as he did when on the levee. He had only three bullets left and the gun had become more valuable as binoculars. The Z’s had left the place and the guard had taken up residence on the portico again. They watched for twenty minutes but never saw movement by any other gang members.
“Do you think that they are taking a siesta?” Brandon asked.
Lucky looked at the sun, “You could be right. This is perfect timing and I noticed that the guard seldom looks this way. He’s watching the road for more zombies because he doesn’t expect danger from the swamp. Stay in the trees and let’s move to our right toward the cabins. We’ll cross the road where we won’t be seen and make sure no one is in the cabins who can come up behind us as we approach the house.”
They crouched down and made their way along the sugar cane field, then went down one of the rows to the road. Lucky stopped while he watched the cabins but all three of them were listening for the moans of zombies who could have strayed behind the herd. It was strangely quiet except for the sound of birds and a few ducks in the pond. Lucky turned to Caleb, “You stay here and do not cross the road until I signal. Brandon and I will check the cabins and then call you over.” Caleb nodded and loaded his crossbow.
Lucky had been concerned about their boots making noise as they crossed the porch of each cabin but having walked through the swamp their boots were caked in mud which softened the sound. Lucky was glad not to find the body of a dead dog in Mutt’s cabin. After installing the doggie door Brandon had opened a back window so Mutt would have an escape in case Z’s broke through the cabin door. Whether Mutt had run from the new visitors or was in hiding he didn’t know but it was comforting to see that the cabin was empty.
After checking the cabins they signaled for Caleb to cross the road. Still hidden from view by anyone in the house all three advanced to the brick wall of the pool. “You stay here Caleb,” Lucky said. “Brandon and I will go around the other side to get a view of the barn. If that’s clear we’ll call you up.” They were about to proceed when Lucky suddenly put out his arm. “Wait,” he whispered. After a pause he said, “Back up. I think a zombie is coming along the pool. Give me room. I can hear his moan.”
Brandon and Caleb backed up along the wall leaving Lucky who waited at the corner with his knife drawn. Perhaps it was the smell of the marsh on their clothes but the zombie never looked to his right as he came out from behind the wall and walked past Lucky. Lucky grabbed the zombie around his neck and pulled him out of sight behind the wall, driving his knife into its ear. He stood and they all waited in silence, listening for more moans.
“I think it’s clear. Come on Brandon.” After they left, Caleb looked down at the zombie and crushed its head with his boot for reassurance. He heard a soft whistle and turned the corner to run to Brandon and Lucky at the other end of the pool.
“Here’s where you come in Caleb,” Lucky said. “If we go to the barn to check it out we can be seen from the house. If we go directly to the house anyone coming out of the barn will see us and give out a warning. I would rather we go directly to the house and you stay here watching the barn. If anyone should come out of there I want you to take them down. Can you do that?”
Caleb calculated the distance and said, “Piece of cake.”
“Caleb,” Lucky said gently, “this is not a zombie that you would be killing. This is a person. Do you think that you can do it? Don’t feel ashamed if you don’t think you can. I need your honesty now and you need to be honest with yourself.”
Caleb calmly looked at Lucky. “They took Roxanne, maybe even killed her. I won’t hesitate and I don’t need to think twice about it. Like I said, ‘piece of cake’.”
“Lucky, I really think that someone is in the barn,” Brandon said. “I can see a shadow moving in the darkness. I can’t tell what it is, if it’s a zombie, person or some piece of equipment but I can tell that darkness is moving within darkness.”
They all
turned to watch the barn but after five more minutes Lucky said that they needed to move forward with their plan. “Take the staircase up to the second floor. I’ll take the rooms on the right, you on the left and we’ll search them one by one, taking out anyone we meet. We’ll leave the guard for last since he will signal if a herd is coming. Caleb, if you hear that guard whistle go back into Mutt’s cabin and wait for the herd to pass. I don’t want you to attempt to cross the road and attract their attention. After the herd passes don’t wait on us. Go back to the skiff and get back to your dad before you lose any more time. He can come back in the morning as planned and scope the place out from the levee. Either one of us will be on the portico, or the guard will. If it’s the guard then go back to the paper mill and forget about us.”
“How will I know when to advance to the house?” Caleb asked. “How long do I watch the barn and how long do I wait for a signal from you?”