The woman wasn’t entirely believing as her screaming became even more frantic, “Where’s my husband?! You killed him, didn’t you?! WHERE IS HE?!”
“Your husband is fine.” Rob got on the radio with Alton, “Coyote, let the guy talk, maybe he can calm her down.”
Alton signaled D’Cruz who let go of the man’s mouth, “I’m okay, honey. They haven’t hurt me. Stay calm.”
“Where are you?!”
“I’m in the alley, three guys are holding me. Stay where you are! Don’t come down! Whatever you do don’t come down!”
Robert was back on the radio again, “Shut him up!” and then right back to the wife with his sensible tone. “That would be a mistake, lady. All we want is your stuff. We don’t want to hurt either of you. But, if you don’t come down right now you’re going to make us hurt him. Please, come down. You have my word if you do no one will get hurt.”
The husband broke loose of D’Cruz’s grip, “Don’t believe them, honey! They’re liars, they’ll say anything! Stay where you are! You’re safe right there! They know you’d kill all of them before they could get to the top!”
The boss was on the radio again and now he could hardly contain the anger, “SHUT HIM UP! I’m coming over!” Robert could see the woman as she was hanging out the window, trying to peer around the corner. He stood up, and jumped right through the broken storefront. Rob hit the ground at a sprint, dashed across the street into the alley and made it to cover as a single shot rang out. The bullet was ten feet behind him. Then he got back on the radio again, “Jackal, from your position can you still see all the windows?”
McCain had watched it all from the opposite end, “Yes, we can see all of them.”
“Okay, just continue watching them for now.”
He turned to the husband; D’Cruz and Cornwell held him while Rob tried to talk some sense into the man, “I want to have a sane conversation. You think you can talk without screaming or name calling ... or cussing or spitting?”
The man gave a nod.
“D’Cruz, let him go. You know you’re going to get your wife killed, you know that, don’t you?”
“You’ll kill her anyway ... if you get a hold of her. No telling what you monsters would do to her. But you won’t get her. She’s a good shot, she’ll kill all of you before you get anywhere near her.”
“I told you I don’t want to hurt anyone ...”
“You’ll excuse me if I don’t believe you. I’ve seen your kind before, and I’ve seen what you do to people, especially women. So no, I don’t believe it when you say you won’t hurt us.”
Rob was frustrated, and it showed, “Okay, I can see it’s no good talking to you. D’Cruz.”
D’Cruz shut him up again.
He thought things over and after a moment Rob got back on his radio, “Jackal, do you still have some of those incendiary shotgun rounds?”
McCain was quick with a reply, “You mean those ‘Dragon’s breath’ rounds? Yeah, I’ve still got some.”
“From where you’re at, can you put some through one of the Main Street windows? You think you could set the curtains on fire?”
“Yes, I could do that, It’ll have to be the window furthest from you. I’ve got a much better shot at that one. Do you want me to kill the woman when she tries to put out the fire?”
“No! Don’t kill anyone. Just set the curtains on fire. Give me five seconds and do it.” Rob grabbed him by his collar and all of them moved the husband to the front edge of the alley, barely peeking around the corner. “Watch this.”
Just at the designated time, McCain stepped out around an old van with his favorite weapon, a well-worn Remington 870 with the barrel professionally cut down to twelve and a half inches. Without delay, he shouldered it and began; it threw a stream of fire thirty-five feet right through the window. After rapidly shooting four rounds, McCain dropped back down out of sight.
He made the husband watch the horror of it all and immediately dragged him back into the alley. Then Rob’s men held him against the wall and kept his mouth shut. Rob seized the man by the neck and got right in his face. “You’re going to get her killed. You’re going to get her shot ... or worse; you ever see somebody burn to death? It’s not pretty. It’s not quick, and it’s not painless. Now imagine watching the woman you love dying like that. This is your last chance to get out of this alive. I’m giving you this chance because I made a promise. If you’re smart you’ll take it. I know you’ve seen ‘my kind’ before so you don’t have any real reason to take my word for it, but you better. And this is it. I’m giving you my word that you or your wife will not be hurt if you give up now. You can either take my word for it, or we can go back around the corner and you can watch your wife die.”
Rob got back on the radio again, “Jackal, what’s going on?”
McCain answered, “She put out the fire. I had a perfect shot but now she’s stepped back from the window.”
Rob turned to the husband again, “What’s it going to be? D’Cruz, let him go.”
Mister Whitman was beaten at last, “Okay, I guess I don’t have a choice.”
“No, you really don’t.”
The husband talked his wife down and the two to them were searched and tied to street signs, sitting on the sidewalk with their hands locked behind them. Rob made sure they were shaded from the sun.
After that was done, they yelled for Peavey and the boys to bring the cart up. Robert, along with McCain, D’Cruz, and Martinelli, stayed down on the ground while the rest shimmied up the rickety ladder. After a few moments, an assortment of loud hoots and cheers could be heard when the men first saw all the treasures that surrounded them.
As Peavey and the boys were coming around the corner, the husband got the first good look at his betrayer. James was startled, but happy, when he saw both of them were still alive.
Mr. Whitman had some things to say, “I knew it! You miserable little bastard! I knew you were the reason for this! We fed you! We took care of you ... and you betrayed us! I hope you rot in hell for this! You hear me?! ROT IN HELL!”
James stood there silently taking the abuse, until finally Robert had to intervene, “Okay, that’s enough!”
“Enough?! Not nearly enough! Rot in hell! You hear me, you betraying son of a bitch?! ROT ... IN ... HELL!”
Rob gave Whitman the back of his hand, “Not another word! So, he did tell us about you. What kind of loyalty were you expecting for a can of soup? For the record, he didn’t volunteer a thing, we had to trick it out of him. You might also want to note he’s the one I promised that you wouldn’t be hurt. If it wasn’t for him, I’m reasonably sure the two of you would be dead now.”
Two stood guard while all the rest labored at emptying the apartment. It took the rest of the day for the work to be done. They searched it all, going over the Whitman’s home like locusts, and when they left nothing of value was to be found. The men and boys loaded up the cart, and their bags, with all they would hold. Food was the most valuable commodity, but they still had room for so much more.
They took their guns, a Mossberg 590 shotgun with an evil-looking bayonet attached. Then there was a blued six-inch Colt Python revolver Robert kept for himself, a scoped Winchester Model 70 in .30-06, and a Ruger .380. There were a few hundred rounds of ammunition for each, except for the Ruger, which had less than half a box.
There were other prizes to be found as well, first aid supplies, and toiletries like soap and toothpaste, those the men hadn’t seen in a while. A few odd gems were discovered too: a nice pair of binoculars, water purification tablets, and several pairs of quality boots. They even found five bottles of Scotch whisky and two bottles of vodka, and it was the first time Rudd had smiled in quite a while.
At last done, late in the day and laden down, they were ready with just enough time to leave before the sun went down.
Robert looked at this couple, and then up to their apartment that held the tangled mess of what was left of their lives. �
��If you’re smart you won’t try to follow us.” He then focused on the wife, speaking to her with his sensible voice. “You seem like the more rational of the two of you. I’m telling you now, don’t come after us. Talk your husband out of it. That’s what he’ll want to do, but I’m sure you can persuade him not to. I promised not to kill you and I didn’t, but if he comes after us, all bets are off. If you don’t want to be a widow, you’ll talk him out of it.”
He took out his long trusted KA-BAR from the sheath on his belt and cut the zip ties that held her there. “Yes, we stole your possessions but you still have your life. This is the last time I will say it, if you’re smart you won’t follow us, you’ll just get on with your lives.”
An hour after dark they arrived, weary under the heavy burden of all their plunder. They started a fire and a well-deserved feast, picking only the best from their new stores. They all sat together, eating, laughing, joking, and having a grand time. Even the sentries were in on the fun. For once in a long while they were all full, finally satisfied. Nicky even said he was feeling a little sick from eating so much, the first time he could remember that ever happening in his young life. The men passed around a bottle taking well-mannered sips, except for Rudd who swallowed great gulps. They all babbled on about their never dying friendship and this most successful mission.
At long last Rob stood up with the bottle, moved over, and sat down by James, who looked a little uncomfortable amidst these rowdy men. “Want to try some?”
“No, that’s all right.”
“It’s okay, James, we’re not going to make you. You can be yourself with us.” With one hand he gave the bottle to Peavey and put the other around the boy’s shoulder, and scooted up closer to him. “So this is what we do, James.”
James just sat there, stiff as a board, “Yes ...”
“This is what we do. We steal from people. That’s what we do. Do you think you could do that? Do you think you could do what we did today? Most importantly, do you want to be one of us?”
The boy sincerely answered, “I’m ... I’m still not sure.”
Rob got closer to the boy. “I understand your hesitation; it’s not an easy decision. I don’t want to put pressure on you, I really don’t, but the time has come to make up your mind. I really like you, James, I do, but I can’t let you hang around freeloading off of us anymore. It’s not fair to these guys, or to you. So we need a decision right now.”
James looked at his almost new friends staring back at him from the flickering light. Nicky and some others were urging him with their quiet pleas to “come on.” Finally after a very long minute considering it all, he said, “Yes ... okay,” and with that most of the group gave out a hurrah.
Robert was now wearing that large honest smile as he stood up again and addressed his newest friend. “James, stand up.”
The boy stood up too and the entire group surrounded him there by the fire.
“James, repeat after me. I ... state your name.”
“I, James Leightman ...”
“Do swear my loyalty to the group ...”
“Do swear my loyalty to the group ...”
“And promise I will defend my friends, with my very life if need be ...”
“And promise I will defend my friends, with my very life if need be ...”
“And I will only harm others to protect the group from harm ...”
The boy paused for only a moment and went on. “And I will only harm others to protect the group from harm ...”
“And promise I will put the needs of the group before my own needs, always, this I swear.”
“And promise I will put the needs of the group before my own needs, always, this I swear.”
As he finished, Rob pulled out his knife and handed it to the boy. “Now, cut the palm of your hand and drip the blood into the fire.”
James took it, hesitated briefly, and without another thought committed himself fully. He split open his hand and made a fist, squeezing his blood into the fire. As his blood sizzled on the rocks below, the entire group gave out a resounding cheer that must have been heard for miles.
The young man looked around at all these dissimilar faces, his new family all, and for the first time in his seventeen years felt like he belonged.
Chapter Two
They were all up again as the sun rose; despite last night’s celebration, there was still work to be done. Rudd made breakfast and for twice in a row they had their fill.
As others were tending their own duties, James was helping him clean the breakfast dishes, when suddenly an expensive pair of boots dropped right in his lap.
He looked up to see Robert towering above him, “James, put those on, you’re coming with me.”
Rudd had other plans, “Boss, I thought he would work with me today, see how we set up camp. There’s some stuff I need to show him.”
But there was no doubt Rob was in charge, “No. James, get up. Grab your boots and come with me.”
Rob took off in a brisk pace towards the cart.
James grabbed up the boots and followed behind. “Can I use these boots today?”
“You can have them.”
“Have them? Really?” From the boy’s face you might have thought it was Christmas.
Rob stopped and let him catch up. “Yes, you can have them. I know this is all new to you, but remember you’re part of the group now. You’re one of us. So when one of us is in need of something, like, for instance, some new boots, he’s first in line when we get some. As long as you’re with us you’ll always be taken care of.”
The boy lifted a foot and lined up the sole of his brand new boots against the ratty old tennis shoes, bracing himself with his arm against his new best friend.
“Will they fit? Those were the smallest ones we got yesterday. I think they’re for a woman, but they still look a little too large for you.”
“They’ll fit good enough, and they’re so much better than these I’ve been wearing.”
“I’m glad you like them. You certainly needed them. We’ll be doing a lot of walking today, and in the coming weeks. I couldn’t have you lagging behind because of sore feet.”
“We’re going to be doing a lot of walking?”
“Yes, we are. I am going to be training you personally, James. I want to make sure you’re taught right. So for the next few weeks, everywhere I go you’ll be going too. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s going to be a lot of hard work, but when we’re done you’ll be able to do anything the guys can do. Well ... at least you’ll be able to take a more active part in our missions.”
Rob started rummaging through the cart, “We’ve only got two extra uniforms ... and it looks like they’re way too big for you. I’m sorry, but for now you just have to keep wearing what you’ve got. At least until we find something that halfway fits you, or you grow into what we already have.” He stopped again with that robust laugh the boy was growing to love.
“That’s okay, these are fine.”
“No, they’re not fine, but they will have to do. Actually ...” he spun the boy around with his hand, “they’re not too bad. Mostly subdued colors ... except this stripe of red that goes across the back of your jacket. Turn around again.” He examined the jacket closer and took out his knife. “I thought so. The red part is another piece of cloth sewn over the top, shouldn’t be too hard to take it off.” Rob took his knife and sliced the stitches that held it there. Once it was started with the knife, he got his fingers underneath.
James heard a loud rip and tugging at his back.
He turned around and Robert handed him the red stripe from his coat.
Rob went to the cart again, and with a few seconds searching, retrieved a web belt with two pouches attached. “Here, this is all you’re going to need for now. Go over and fill the canteen up, then go see Rudd.”
“Thanks!” The boy wouldn’t look up, instead playing with his newest gift, trying to get it to hang off his hip just right.
�
��I need you to listen to me, this is important, James. Are you listening?”
He finally looked up, “Yes, sir ...”
“Every day someone cooks the meals; they’re also in charge of the food and ammunition. Every day it’s a different person. Today it’s Rudd. But whoever is in charge that day they have the final say. You don’t ever take anything without their permission. Understand?”
“Yes, sir ...”
“So go get your water and then go see Rudd. Have him fill that other pouch with some canned goods, enough for lunch today, anyway.”
James did as he was told, filled his canteen to the top and went to see Rudd. Rudd did seem stingy at first but eventually gave him one can of Vienna sausages, one can of baked beans, and a metal spoon of his very own. Rudd said that was, “more than enough.”
Rob waited for him at the edge of the trees. After a while he grew impatient and produced a loud whistle. “Let’s go!”
The boy came running back and noticed behind him both Cornwell and Peavey were fast approaching and they were bringing their rifles.
“Are they going too?”
“Yeah, we’re all going.” Rob cautiously approached the edge of the tree line and stopped. “Okay, James, this is your first lesson. I need you to pay close attention. Peavey, Cornwell ... I need you guys to just be quiet today and let him learn on his own. James, you see this?” He pointed out a nearly invisible strand of fishing line, just off the ground and spanning several feet between two large trees.
“Yes, I see it.”
“What is it?”
“You said it was a ‘trip wire.’”
“That’s right. What do you think will happen if you trip it?”
“Nothing good, I’m thinking.”
All three men stopped for a laugh.
Rob started the lesson again with a smile on his face, “That’s right, nothing good,” then got serious once more. “We have trip wires set up all around this camp. They’re here to warn us that we’re being attacked.”
“Attacked?”
“That’s right, we aren’t the only ones looking for food. We have several different kinds. Some, like this one for instance, just make a noise. There’s a device hidden in that brush over there that will fire a blank round when it’s tripped. Most of our trips are to warn us, they make light or noise. Some are very simple, just some tin cans that make a racket when you trigger them. There are others like this one that are more complicated, like shoot off a blank or flare. Then there are some that are really dangerous. See that one way down there where the trail begins?”
Joshua (Book 2): Traveler Page 3