Paradise (Aftershock Series Book 1)

by Michael R. Watson

  Cindy was wide-eyed and full of excitement. “I wish I could see it, Daddy,” she said.

  “That’s why I’m here, to take you back with me.”

  There was a moment of silence while they looked at me in disbelief and then at each other.

  “But how?” asked Sarah.

  “There’s a wagon south of town waiting for us.”

  “But John, will they let us go?”

  “They won’t know you’re gone until it’s too late.”

  There was another moment of silence, not only from Sarah, but also from Cindy and Christopher. I didn’t understand their hesitation.

  “Kids,” I asked, “you’d like to get away from all this, wouldn’t you?”

  “Well, sure, Dad,” answered Christopher.

  “Cindy?”

  “What will happen to Mr. Grey?”

  I was beginning to get frustrated. Why did Mr. Grey have anything to do with this at all? “I’m sure Mr. Grey will be just fine.” I didn’t really care whether he was or not. All I cared about was getting my family out of here so we could be together. “I thought you’d all be happy to get away.”

  “It sounds wonderful, John. But it could be dangerous for the children,” said Sarah, with concern.

  “You’re right. It could be dangerous, but wouldn’t it be worth the risk? We can be together again. And we can watch them and our grandchildren grow up. I can’t believe I have to convince you to do this.”

  “I’m sorry, John. It’s just so much. First, we find out you’re still alive and now you want to take us away. And I’m worried if we’re caught, we’ll never see our children again.”

  “I’m thinking about them too. It’s one of the reasons why I want to get all of you out of here, away from this cesspool. This is no way to live.”

  She sat thinking in silence. From my perspective, there wasn’t anything to think about. I couldn’t stay here and I wasn’t going to leave without them.

  “Okay, John. When do we leave?” asked Sarah.

  Those were the words I had wanted to hear. I was just a little surprised and disappointed it had taken so long for her to decide.

  “What about me?” came Taylor’s voice from outside the entrance where he’d been listening to every word.

  I went to the entrance and pulled back the flap, where Grey was looking back at me, obviously agitated.

  “How much did you hear?” I asked.

  “Everything.”

  “That’s going to be a problem,” I said as I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside, throwing him to the ground.

  Grey crawled straight to Sarah. “You can’t go. It’ll ruin our arrangement.”

  “I’m not so crazy about your ‘arrangement’ anyway,” I replied.

  “They’ll want to know why I didn’t stop you and where you’ve gone,” continued Taylor.

  “We have to go,” she answered. “I’m sorry it’s going to cause you problems, but it can’t be helped. Maybe they’ll find you another family.”

  “It’s more likely they’ll remove my head from my shoulders.”

  “I’m afraid Grey’s eavesdropping has created another problem,” I said. “Now that Mr. Grey knows about the valley, we can’t leave him here. The valley must remain a secret, and leaving him here is too much of a risk.”

  “I won’t say anything. Just that you left in the middle of the night, I didn’t see anything, and I don’t know where you went.”

  “I can’t take the chance. You’re coming with us,” I said.

  “And what if I don’t want to go?”

  “You don’t have a choice,” I said. “But why wouldn’t you want to go? One day, they’re going to haul you off too, just like they did me. Is that what you want? Then, there is the more imminent matter. After we leave, the Guard is going to pay you a visit, just like you said, and they’re going to want answers. I expect it will be a very unpleasant visit.”

  Grey didn’t answer, turning his back on us, mumbling to himself.

  “Do you have family here?” I asked.

  “No,” he answered. “I have no one.”

  “Is there some other reason why you want to stay?”

  “As long as I do as I’m told, I’m safe and taken care of here.”

  The only reason for me to attempt to convince him to go along was to make it easier and safer for the rest of us. A willing travel companion wouldn’t attract nearly as much attention as an unwilling one. He was going, regardless. I couldn’t take the risk of leaving him behind to report what he’d heard as soon as we’d left. If Governor Davis ever found out about Paradise existing in the middle of the wasteland, I knew it wouldn’t take long for him to send troops to swoop down and exploit its resources and its people. Freedom there would cease to exist.

  It was time to be blunt. “You know you’re not really safe here, don’t you? They’re not going to find you another family as Sarah suggested. If you think that, you’re dreaming. Ask her if she really believes it.”

  Taylor looked at her as her eyes shifted away, not wanting to make eye contact. I could tell she knew I was right. I hated to put her on the spot, but this situation needed to be resolved, and quickly.

  “I think once it’s discovered my family is gone, you’re the first person the Guard is going to come looking for,” I continued.

  “The governor has spies everywhere. It’ll be too dangerous trying to get them out,” argued Grey.

  “More dangerous than staying here? I don’t think so. I can’t make you any promises, but I believe you’ll find the valley much better than anything you have here. And if we retrace my steps, we should be able to get away without a problem.”

  I wasn’t leaving Taylor with much of a choice. Then something occurred to me. If he hadn’t been listening to our family conversation, he wouldn’t have known anything about us leaving. And after we were gone, he would without a doubt have been taken into custody and punished. How severely, I had no idea. But now, aware of the circumstances, he was being given a simple choice. Stay and most likely die or go and live. The choice couldn’t have been any clearer.

  “When do we leave?” asked Taylor.

  “I think the best time would be in the morning when the streets are crowded with everyone going to work. We’ll be able to move with the flow. I’m afraid if we tried to leave tonight, with fewer people on the streets, we’d be too visible and the chances of being stopped would be too high. Agreed?”

  Sarah nodded. Taylor nodded agreement as well when I looked directly at him. “Good,” I said. “Tonight, we need to pack the bare essentials to take along. We don’t want to look like we’re carrying any more than we normally would be for work. Don’t worry about food or water. We have plenty.”

  “We?” asked Sarah.

  “Yes. One of the men from the valley came with me. He’s waiting with a horse and wagon south of town.”

  “What will he think when he sees me?” asked Taylor. “I assume he’s only expecting you and your family.”

  “I guess you’ll have to be Uncle Taylor,” I replied in a semi-joking way.

  I had no way of knowing what Levi’s reaction would be or Samuel’s when we reached Paradise. That wasn’t my immediate concern. First, we would have to make it to the wagon.

  “Cindy, why don’t you help your mother pack. Christopher, if you could gather our guns, especially the pistols. The rifles will probably have to stay behind.”

  “But Dad, those were Grandpa’s,” objected Christopher.

  “I know, but I don’t think we can conceal them well enough to try. We’ll have to wait and see.”

  I turned my attention to Taylor. “What’s your usual routine in the evening after my family goes to bed?”

  “I keep watch outside the entrance all night and then in the morning, when they go to work, I go back to my tent to sleep.” I could see Sarah’s point. It probably had been a good thing to have him around. At night, when they were asleep, would have been a very vulner
able time. And for that reason alone, I was glad he had been around.

  “Then, I suppose you should go back outside to avoid any suspicions, especially if it’s where people are used to seeing you. I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to go back to your tent before we leave.”

  “Just so you know, this is only the second time I’ve ever been in here,” he informed me.

  I guess he could read between the lines. I had been curious about the arrangement.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “I need to collect a few items from my tent in the morning. I can meet you somewhere,” said Taylor.

  “Sorry, can’t let you do that,” I said. “Too risky.”

  “Still don’t trust me?” he asked. “Even after I’ve been watching over your family? You know nothing about me.”

  I didn’t reply.

  “I guess I’ll be outside then,” Taylor said, getting up. “See all of you in the morning.”

  It made me uncomfortable to have him out of my sight. He could run off and report us to the Guard before I would even know he was gone. Periodically, through the rest of the night, I looked outside to make sure he was there. Each time I was surprised to find him still sitting by the fire. My family was busy during the night, not being able to decide on what to take. Or deciding, then changing their minds, then changing them again. I didn’t have that problem. I had left everything behind two months ago. They were only things. Right now, my family was all I cared anything about.

  * * *

  I lay down in a corner of the tent out of everyone’s way so I could relax and rest. It could be a while before I had another chance.

  “Dad,” said Christopher as he shook me. “I think we’re about ready to go.”

  I hadn’t intended to, but I had fallen asleep. As I sat up, Sarah brought me a cup of weak hot tea. It reminded me that coffee was a premium commodity here, another one of those items reserved for the privileged. Somehow, Samuel had been able to obtain an abundant supply, which he made available to everyone and I had taken full advantage of it. Chances were, thanks to his son, Ryder, it had come from the governor’s own stockpile.

  “This is the last of the tea, so I decided we might as well use it,” said Sarah.

  “Thanks. It’s just what I needed.”

  “Come see what we picked out.”

  I followed her to where they had laid out only a few items on blankets. I didn’t see anything of much importance. Most were keepsakes. I was surprised. Earlier they seemed to be having a difficult time deciding. “Looks good,” I said.

  “We’re wearing two and three layers of clothing too,” said Cindy proudly.

  “Good thinking.”

  “Dad,” said Christopher. “Here are all the guns and ammo.”

  We had more than I had remembered. I reached down and grabbed a Colt .45 caliber 1911 and a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, which I handed to Christopher.

  “Is this all the ammo we have?” I asked. Lying on the blanket were only twelve rounds for the .45 and six for the .38

  “It’s all I could find,” answered Christopher, apologetically.

  I smiled. “They’ll just have to do, won’t they. Go ahead and load your gun and hide it,” I instructed.

  “And the rifles and shotguns?” he asked.

  “Sorry, Son. They’re just too large to conceal. It looks like there’s no ammo for them anyway. They’d just be dead weight.”

  “I understand. At least we have Grandpa’s pistols,” said Christopher.

  “That’s right. Now, get your backpack. We’ll be leaving very soon.”

  “We’ve already eaten,” said Cindy, “but there’s some oatmeal still out over the fire if you’re hungry.”

  “Thanks honey, but I think I’d just like to get out of here. Has Mr. Grey eaten yet?”

  Cindy and her mother exchanged sheepish looks.

  “I don’t think so,” answered Sarah. “He was already gone when we got up.”

  I cursed to myself as I jumped up and ran over to the entrance to see for myself. He was gone. Now, it was time to panic. If he had gone to the authorities, they could show up at any minute. Grey had probably figured out there was another option open to him, other than the ones I had given him. And that was to turn all of us in for a reward.

  “We’ve got to go right now!” I said.

  “Aren’t we going to wait for Mr. Grey, Daddy?” asked Cindy. It saddened me slightly, appearing that even she had become attached to him.

  “We can’t. If we stay here one more second, he’ll probably bring the Guard here to arrest every one of us,” I explained.

  “John, I can’t believe he’d do that,” said Sarah.

  “Are you willing to gamble on it?” I asked.

  She thought briefly. “Kids, we have got to go,” as she picked up a bundle and headed for the entrance.

  Chapter 8

  Just as expected, the dirt streets were filled with people on their way to work, some to the prison and some to the fields. We were given a few glances from our neighbors as we stood together outside the tent. If they realized who I was, most didn’t show any recognition. One of our neighbors and a friend hesitated long enough to catch my eye and smiled, then went on his way.

  “C’mon,” I said as I stepped out into the flow of people, leading the way south. I kept my head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone. The governor had informants everywhere, those willing to provide information in return for rewards or favors. Desperate people did things they normally wouldn’t have done before, for the sake of survival.

  The further we distanced ourselves from our tent, there would be fewer who would recognize us. We were just going to work like everyone else. I had to force myself to slow down to a normal pace. No one rushed to get to work.

  As we reached the south edge of town, the number of people began to thin out, most having already arrived at their work destinations. We no longer had the masses to shield our movement. Walking past the last row of tents, we were alone with no one else in sight. I showed them where I had come through the crude barrier of abandoned and useless vehicles and led them through to the other side. It looked as though we had pulled it off.

  “Hey, you there!” came a shout.

  Two of the governor’s Guard stepped out, directly in front of us, from behind the dilapidated shell of a house. There was no use in running. Both men carried rifles, aimed at us and ready to be used. Maybe I could have made a run for it if I had been by myself, but not with Sarah and our children with me. And using my gun was out of the question. I’d have to try and talk our way out of this.

  “Come here!” one of them shouted, motioning us over to him while the other one circled around behind, his rifle trained on us.

  “Why aren’t you at work?” he asked.

  “We’ve been sent to one of the outlying farms to help out. We’re on our way there now.”

  “Let me see your papers,” he said, holding his hand out.

  Sarah, Cindy, and Christopher produced theirs. I pretended to look for mine.

  “I can’t seem to find mine. It’s probably back at the tent.”

  “And your work orders?” he asked, looking at us suspiciously.

  “I’m afraid it must be with my papers.”

  “You’ll have to come with us. Someday, you people will have to learn responsibility.”

  I was instantly filled with dread. My plan was dead before it had had a chance. My mind raced to find an excuse that would change their minds. We followed one guard while the other one followed us. According to the direction they were taking us, we were either going to the governor’s compound or to the Guard’s satellite office outside the Tent City gate.

  Suddenly, there was a grunt from behind. I turned around in time to see the trailing guard drop to the ground, Taylor standing over him holding one of my dad’s rifles. I looked back to the front guard who quickly threw his hands into the air.

  “Taylor?!” We exclaimed in unison. It surprised an
d bothered me when Cindy ran over and gave him a hug.

  “Where did you come from?” I asked.

  “I’ve been following you ever since you left the tent. I got there just as you were leaving. You should have waited.”

  “I thought ...”

  “Yeah, I can imagine. You thought I had gone to report you, didn’t you?”

  “You’re right. I did. But it seems things have worked out.”

  “I’m glad you caught up to us,” said Sarah.

  He seemed to have made quite an impression on my family, which I didn’t understand or like at all.

  “Don’t you think we should be going before their friends show up?” asked Taylor, moving toward the standing guard.

  “What about him?” I asked.

  When the guard turned toward me, Taylor cracked him over the head with the rifle butt, knocking him unconscious.

  “Problem solved,” said Taylor.

  I led the way to what was left of the old barn where Levi said he would be waiting. In back, just as he had promised was the horse and wagon, but no Levi. He may not have expected us to show up this early since he had given us until sundown. We waited almost an hour before we saw him hurriedly coming toward us carrying a large bag.

  Looking none too happy, he asked “Who’s he?”

  “A friend,” I replied.

  “Uncle Taylor,” said Cindy.

  “That’s right. Uncle Taylor,” echoed Christopher.

  I smiled at them for wanting to stick up for him. But for the life of me, I couldn’t see the attraction.

  “I was only expecting your wife and children,” said Levi.

  “He’s okay. We wouldn’t be here without his help,” I pointed out. I attempted to change the subject. “We should probably leave right away. There will be some mighty unhappy guards waking up any time now.” I had to ask, “Did you get the supplies you needed?”