Borders: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Aftershock Series Book 3)

by Michael R. Watson

  “Afraid so. He’s my dad,” said Ryder.

  Everyone was startled by a huge commotion of shouting and gunshots immediately west of the campsite. There was a thundering sound of pounding hooves.

  “Get to the horses!” yelled Morgan. He pulled his pistol and angrily turned on Samuel. “That was pretty stupid!”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” replied Samuel calmly. “I had nothing to do with that.”

  Morgan grabbed Samuel and used him as a shield as he turned three hundred sixty degrees, expecting someone to charge them from the darkness. The disturbance had to be a diversion. He waited a few moments, but no one came. Samuel offered no resistance. Morgan shoved Samuel over to Carla. “Tie his hands.”

  “This isn’t necessary,” pleaded Samuel. “I just wanted to ask you to release these men.”

  “Who are you and why would you care?”

  “My name is Samuel and one of these men is my son,” he said with a nod in Ryder’s direction.

  Morgan looked at his hostages. Ryder raised his hands, tied together. .

  “Ryder?” asked Morgan. He looked closer. There did seem to be a family resemblance. “And your plan was to waltz in here and ask for his release?”

  “Yes, and for the others too.”

  “How did you know we’d be here?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Just a coincidence, I suppose?”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences,” replied Samuel with a smile. “Unexpected, I’d say.”

  Morgan still had reason to be concerned. Someone had caused the diversion. “Who ran off our horses?”

  “I told you, I don’t know anything about that.”

  “Dad, you shouldn’t be here,” shouted Ryder. “They’ll release us, eventually.”

  “Is that true?” asked Samuel, turning to Morgan.

  “As soon as we feel safe. And so far, I’m not feeling very safe.” He paused. “I’m confused. Tell me again how you knew I had Ryder?”

  “I didn’t know. We just happened to meet you here on our way to Sector 4.”

  “We?” He and Carla scanned the darkness. “So, you’re not alone and you did cause the commotion.”

  “No. We didn’t.”

  The ‘we’ bothered Ryder too. “Dad, you didn’t bring mom with you, did you?” asked Ryder.

  “You know better than that.”

  ***

  Jeremy and his three remaining companions looked on in surprise as an old man in a buggy stopped near Morgan’s campfire. Sam and Peter had been gone only a few minutes. Jeremy wondered if they had seen the old man. And if they had, would they go ahead with the plan?

  They didn’t have to wait long to find out. There was a huge commotion of shouting and gunshots off to the west. Evidently, Sam and Peter had found where the horses had been staked out and had successfully run them off. Morgan’s people were all up and alert now, most chasing after the horses.

  Jeremy took a moment, trying to decide whether they should go ahead and rush the camp while it was in turmoil? Or change their plans? From what they could see, only Morgan, the old man, and a woman remained with Grayson and the others. It did appear to be the perfect time. They didn’t know how long they had before Morgan’s men returned with the horses. It was either now or never.

  “Let’s go!” yelled Jeremy, as he jumped up and rushed toward Morgan’s camp. He didn’t need to check to see if the others were following, hearing the sound of footsteps and heavy breathing behind him. Their weapons were held in front, ready if needed.

  Morgan and Carla heard them coming, turning to face the four men racing toward them. Morgan grabbed Samuel back from Carla and placed his pistol to Samuel’s head. “Stop or I’ll shoot him!” He leaned toward Samuel. “You lied to me,” he spat out into Samuel’s ear.

  When Jeremy and the others approached the campfire, Samuel let Morgan know, “They’re not with me. I’ve never seen them before.”

  Jeremy and the other three surrounded Morgan and Carla. “Drop your weapons!” demanded Jeremy.

  “No, you drop yours or I’ll shoot him.” Morgan was convinced they knew each other.

  “Go ahead, I don’t even know the old guy,” exclaimed Jeremy.

  Now, Morgan was more confused than ever.

  “You really don’t know them?” asked Morgan.

  Samuel shook his head.

  “One of you, go untie our friends,” said Jeremy.

  One of them began to walk toward them.

  “Stop!” demanded Morgan. Carla stepped in front of the man, blocking his way, her pistol pointed at him. She would kill him if she had to.

  ***

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Sarah, Donna, Cindy, and the boys had moved in close enough to Morgan’s camp to see everything that was about to happen. The camp appeared calm and quiet. The anticipation was almost too much. Even though Samuel had asked them to stay back, there was no way they could when so much was at stake.

  Cindy squeezed in between Donna and her mom. “Mom, I can see daddy and Mr. Gant now.”

  “I see them too, honey. They all look to be okay. I hope Samuel knows what he’s doing.”

  Samuel stopped his buggy near the people’s fire and stepped down. They could hear the sound of Samuel talking with who appeared to be the group’s leader, but couldn’t make out their words.

  There was a loud disturbance of yelling and gunshots off to the west followed by the leader yelling and his men running off in that direction.

  “Look!” said Aaron, pointing. “There are men with guns running toward the camp from the other side of the trail.” He jumped up, ready to run in to help, afraid his dad was now in twice as much danger.

  Donna grabbed his arm and held on. “Get down! They’ll see you!”

  Unlike a lot of teenagers their age, neither he nor his brother ever argued with their mother. Momentarily distracted, they all looked back at the camp to see the leader pull his gun and put it to Samuel’s head. The other men were surrounding those near the campfire.

  “We have to do something!” insisted Adam.

  “But, what can we do?” asked Sarah.

  Before they had a chance to stop him, Levi was up and running toward his father. He had his pistol out, raised to eye level, and ready to fire.

  “Stop him!” Donna shouted to either of her sons.

  “It’s too late,” said Sarah.

  “He’s got a gun,” Cindy exclaimed. “He’s going to get himself killed.”

  Adam and Aaron looked at each other and nodded. They too jumped up and chased after Levi, not to stop him but to help him and their father. As the three approached the camp, they could see there was a standoff. They slowed to a walk, Levi continuing to move toward his dad, his gun pointed at Morgan, while the brothers veered off toward the wagon where their dad was tied up.

  Morgan was surprised by the appearance of the boys from out of nowhere. “I see you brought reinforcements. Kind of young aren’t they?”

  Jeremy and the others were just as surprised as Morgan. “They’re not with us.” Jeremy looked closer. As the boys entered the light of the campfire, they appeared familiar to him. It had been a while, but the longer and harder he looked, the more their features became clear. He knew all three of the boys. One was Ryder’s younger brother and the two other boys were Daniel’s sons. Why were they out here with this old man?

  Morgan could see the recognition on Jeremy’s face. “You do know them, don’t you?”

  Jeremy didn’t answer, but now he knew they weren’t with Morgan and weren’t a threat to them. They all turned their weapons on Morgan and Carla. “I want you to release these men,” said Jeremy. “You said you’d release them when you were a safe distance away from the compound. This is far enough.”

  “At the moment, I don’t consider this ‘safe.’ I’m surrounded by men…and boys, with weapons pointed at me. I think we have a difference of opinion on what ‘safe’ means.”

 
“Dad, are you alright?” asked Levi, still pointing his gun at Morgan, looking like he could pull the trigger at any moment.

  “I’m fine, son,” answered Samuel. “He won’t shoot. Stop where you are and put your gun away.”

  “Another son?” asked Morgan rhetorically. “And why won’t I shoot, Samuel?”

  “Because you’re not a murderer,” replied Samuel calmly.

  “And what makes you so sure of that?” asked Morgan, pressing the barrel into Samuel’s temple. “You don’t know me.”

  “Better than you may think.” Samuel paused. “You haven’t killed or injured anyone yet, have you?” He looked to Ryder and the others for confirmation. Ryder and John shook their heads.

  “Maybe I haven’t had adequate reason until now,” said Morgan.

  From their vantage point, Levi and the brothers could see two men crawling up behind the wagon. Sam and Peter had returned from driving the horses away. Partially concealed, they were cutting through the hostage’s bindings.

  Carla’s gaze switched back and forth, pointing her weapon first at Jeremy and then at Levi. She hoped their people would return soon. They were outnumbered on all sides. She caught movement under the wagon. She fired a shot into the air to get the attention of those under the wagon, scaring everyone, even Morgan. Luckily, no one returned fire. “Morgan!” she shouted. “The hostages are getting away!”

  Morgan jerked his head toward the wagon, looking for himself. This situation was getting out of hand. If he did shoot Samuel, he’d lose his leverage, and then he’d be shot. All he could do was bluff and hope it worked.

  “Wouldn’t it be in everyone’s best interest to just let all of us go our own way?” asked Samuel.

  Morgan turned to face Jeremy. “I’m willing to let everyone except Ryder’s father go if you’ll drop your weapons and back away.”

  “Morgan!” called Carla. She pointed with a nod. The first two of their people were returning with some of the horses. They stopped when they saw what was happening, tied the horses to the first wagon, and drew their weapons. Slowly, they approached the gathering. They saw two groups, men to the north and boys to the south, surrounding Morgan and Carla.

  “Stop!” Morgan yelled to his people, not wanting things to escalate. He was glad to see the numbers were beginning to shift in their favor as a few more of his men appeared.

  Sam and Peter came out from beneath the wagon with their weapons ready, joining John, Ryder, Daniel, Grayson, and Blake who were no longer bound. However, they all remained where they were, not wanting to give Morgan or any of his men an excuse to shoot. Tension filled the air. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see who would make the first move or the first concession to end the standoff.

  “Well?” asked Morgan.

  Jeremy glanced at the men with him. One of them spoke up, “Isn’t that why we’re here? To make sure Morgan lets the governor and the others go?” The others nodded agreement.

  “Okay,” answered Jeremy, “but we’re not going to drop our weapons. We’re not stupid either. What about him?” referring to Samuel.

  “He’s staying with us a while longer.”

  Morgan still had the gun against Samuel’s temple and kept it there as Daniel walked directly toward him. Blake stepped in front of Grayson as a shield. Levi took a step forward too, looking for an opportunity to shoot the man who had a gun to his dad’s head. His pistol was still raised, pointed at Morgan. Samuel saw him take the step and motioned for him to stop.

  “I’m speaking for all of us,” said Daniel, stopping and looking down at Morgan. “Take the wagons and go home. So far, no one’s been injured and we’d like to keep it that way. But we still expect you to let Samuel go and never come back. Agreed?”

  “Sounds good to me,” volunteered Samuel.

  “What about your son over there?” Morgan asked Samuel. “I’m not so sure it’s okay with him.”

  “I can’t let them take you, Dad,” declared Levi.

  “You have to,” said Samuel. “Now, put that gun away. What are you doing with a gun anyway?”

  Levi didn’t answer and his dad didn’t really expect him to, sure that his brother had given it to him. Levi lowered his pistol, but kept it firmly in his hand.

  Jeremy waved his hand for his men to lower theirs.

  Morgan and his people were the only ones left with their guns raised, pointed at the intruders. He motioned for them to lower theirs as well. Now, with a quick glance around, it appeared all his people were back. Reluctantly, his people did as they were told, even though they now had the number advantage. All guns except one were lowered, but tension remained high. One shot would set off a bloodbath.

  Morgan wasn’t about to lose control of the situation, keeping his gun to Samuel’s head. Samuel seemed to be the only one that wasn’t concerned, remaining calm. He was gladly willing to remain a hostage if it meant the release of all the others.

  “Governor, you and your friends go and join the others,” Morgan said, waving them over to Jeremy’s group.” They did it without argument or hesitation. They could sense this was all about to come to an end. Morgan turned his head to look at the boys. “You go over there too.” Now he had everyone together where it would be easier to keep an eye on them.

  John and Christopher and Daniel and his boys exchanged hugs. Levi stood beside Ryder. They were brothers, but weren’t the hugging type.

  “Carla, have the guys hitch the horses back up to the wagons. We’re not waiting until morning. We’re leaving now.” He slowly edged Samuel toward the wagons.

  Levi moved with them, his gun coming up. “You’re not taking my dad,” he declared.

  Ryder grabbed his arm to hold him back. Levi jerked his arm free, taking another step forward.

  “Levi, listen to me. It’s going to be alright,” said his father, still unconcerned about his own safety. His calm attitude throughout everything had obviously affected the others, possibly the main reason why things hadn’t gotten out of control.

  Sarah, Donna, and Cindy had been watching from the brush. Sensing the standoff was essentially over and that John and Daniel would soon be out of danger, they stepped out into the open together.

  “Sarah?” John said to himself. “And Cindy? And Donna?”

  “I see them,” observed Daniel. “I figured the boys had come with Samuel, but I never would have guessed our wives had come too.”

  “I told you we were gone too long,” John told Daniel.

  “It’s like a family reunion. The only person missing is my mom,” said Ryder.

  “Stay back!” John shouted to them.

  “You brought boys and women with you?” Morgan asked Samuel. “Are you crazy? What did you hope to accomplish?”

  “First of all, like I said already, we didn’t expect to meet you on the trail,” Samuel tried to explain. “We were headed to the prison compound at Sector 4 so they could see their fathers and husbands.”

  Signaled by one of the men, Carla edged over to Morgan. “The horses are hitched up to the wagons. All the others are saddled and we’re ready to ride.” It appeared Carla had taken over Jake’s duties as second in command. He stood quiet and clearly dejected near the first wagon.

  Morgan kept the pistol to Samuel’s head, the only leverage left to him, allowing them to leave safely. The eastern sky was beginning to lighten, making it easier to see everything and everyone in the immediate area. Morgan’s men still held their lowered weapons, ready if needed, just as Jeremy and his group did. Samuel’s release was the only concession Morgan refused. He wasn’t sure the leverage was even all that good. Who other than the man’s sons cared whether he lived or died?

  “Go ahead and move out with the wagons!” ordered Morgan. “And, Carla, bring me two horses.”

  Everyone within earshot knew what that meant, he hadn’t been persuaded, and he was still taking Samuel with him. Jeremy’s men looked at him, not sure what to do, if anything. They had accomplished what they’d come to do,
to make sure Chief Governor Grayson and the others with him were released. They didn’t even know the old man.

  “No!” yelled Levi, raising his gun once again and moving toward Morgan and his father. Ryder took a step to reach for his brother. Morgan fired a shot into the air, stopping Levi and Ryder in their tracks.

  “Stop! Listen to me! I’ll be alright,” insisted Samuel. “Now, do as I say and put down that gun!” It was the first time since he’d arrived in the camp that he’d raised his voice. Samuel wasn’t afraid for himself but was afraid Levi was going to do something to get himself injured or even killed. Levi recognized his dad’s agitated tone, hearing it only on rare occasions, catching him by surprise. He lowered his pistol.

  Carla led three horses to where Morgan stood, including one for herself.

  “Hold your gun on him,” instructed Morgan, motioning to Levi as he swung into the saddle.

  Samuel broke free from Carla’s grip and mounted one of the horses without argument. His sudden burst of energy and strength surprised both Carla and Morgan. Morgan’s mouth gaped open at his surprising cooperation. Jeremy and the others were edging closer. Morgan once again pointed his pistol at Samuel and made sure everyone saw it.

  “Let’s go!” said Morgan, lightly tapping his horse with his heels. It broke into a trot, pulling Samuel’s horse along with him. Carla followed closely behind, turning in her saddle to keep an eye on everyone behind them, her gun in her hand.

  Ryder ran over to Jeremy. “Where are your horses?”

  “We’re on foot. We were hoping they’d release you before we got this far.”

  Ryder cursed under his breath. His dad would not have approved. Of course, since leaving the valley, he’d had to do a lot of things his dad wouldn’t approve of. He looked down the dirt road Morgan had taken. They were already out of sight. He turned to Jeremy. “I need a gun.”

  Jeremy quickly handed over his pistol and Ryder took off in a dead run down the road after them. Levi joined him step for step.

  “What should we do?” John asked Daniel.

  “Let them go,” suggested Daniel. “I think first we need to do some explaining to our families.”