Paradise (Aftershock Series Book 1)

by Michael R. Watson

  “Shush,” she said. Satisfied he would be alright, she leaned over and gave him a kiss on his forehead.

  “Let’s get him to our cabin,” she said.

  One of the men stepped forward to help Ryder with his dad.

  I turned to find Sarah right behind me with the kids. We all shared a welcome home hug.

  “Is Samuel going to be alright?” she asked.

  “I think so. He’ll just have to take it easy for awhile.”

  “What happened out there? Did you stop them, Dad?” asked Christopher excitedly.

  “We sure did! The Guard came but Ryder called for assistance from other Raiders. You should have seen how many there were. Even Master Gant was there. And it turns out he’s a friend of Samuel.”

  “Then how did Samuel get shot?” asked Sarah.

  “We’re not sure who did it, but we think it was an accident.”

  “Are we safe here, Daddy?” asked Cindy.

  I smiled as I looked down at her concerned innocent face. “I think we’re going to be just fine. Let’s go home.”

  * * *

  Chapter 14

  Damon came to Taylor’s tent alone to assure a discreet face to face meeting without prying eyes or ears. It was to prevent a scene at headquarters, should things get out of hand. Taylor was both surprised and worried when he opened the tent flap to be greeted by Damon. The reason for the personal encounter couldn’t be good.

  “May I come in?” asked Damon.

  Taylor peeked outside, past Damon in both directions. It looked as though he had come alone and there didn’t appear to be any one watching. He found it curious Damon was without his usual escorts.

  “Of course. Hurry.”

  Damon was slightly amused. It seemed Taylor didn’t want to be seen talking to him any more than he wanted anyone to see him there. Damon insisted Taylor take a seat and then proceeded to tell him why he was there.

  “Go back to the valley? Just the two of us? Not on your life!” shouted Taylor. “I won’t do it! Do you know what they’ll do to me if we’re caught?”

  “It’s my understanding you are the only one who can lead me there.”

  Taylor stood up and began to nervously pace back and forth, kicking up a slight dust cloud off the dirt floor.

  “Isn’t that right?” prodded Damon.

  “Yeah. That’s right! But I already did my part. I tried to show the Guard the way there, but you already know how that turned out. I’m not going there again, especially not with just you.” Taylor’s attitude began to take on a change, less intimidated by Damon, with a touch of arrogance beginning to surface. After all, he was the only one who knew the way to the valley. They needed him and that made him valuable.

  Damon detected the change, and didn’t like it. His demeanor took an immediate turn to the dark side at Taylor’s lack of respect. Physically, Damon wasn’t an imposing figure, but Taylor knew what he was capable of. The look he saw in Damon’s eyes brought him back to reality, his brief moment of rebellion squelched.

  “We’d never be able to get through anyway,” reasoned Taylor. “Don’t you think they’ll be on their guard now for anyone coming that way?”

  “And that’ll be to our advantage. It’ll be much easier to find concealment and slip through their lines with just the two of us.”

  “How about if I draw you a map?” asked Taylor, trying anything to keep from going.

  The trip would be easier with an agreeable person than with one he had to coerce or physically force. With the governor’s blessing, he had been given the green light to do whatever was necessary to obtain Taylor’s cooperation. Just asking for himself wasn’t working. It was time to pull out his ace.

  “The governor would like you to go with me,” said Damon.

  Taylor didn’t need him to say anything else. He thought Damon could have led with that. He gave a sigh of surrender. Even though he had gone through the motions of refusing to go, he knew it was hopeless. He’d never had a choice. He liked living in Tent City, working indirectly for the governor. And he was far better off than many who lived there, being allowed to avoid all forms of physical labor in exchange for certain tasks.

  Regardless, he tried one more argument. “Now the Guard knows the general direction. They’d be able to find the valley on their own if they just kept going in the same direction.”

  Damon was losing his patience. “The governor insists you go,” he clarified.

  To remain a citizen of Sector 4, he had to do what he was told. No questions. Governor Davis had the last word. Taylor sat, placing his head in his hands. “I’m not going to get out of this, am I?” He looked up.

  Damon shook his head. “Be ready to leave at first light tomorrow. Meet me at the compounds main gate. A horse and supplies will be waiting.” He stepped through the tent flap, then stuck his head back inside. “Don’t make me come looking for you. It’ll make me and the governor very unhappy.”

  * * *

  As instructed, Taylor was at the gate when Damon arrived. At first, Taylor didn’t recognize him. Usually, Damon was impeccably dressed for his position, with never a hair out of place. But today, he was dressed simply, appearing as one of the field workers, with dirty and torn clothes, and an unshaven shadow. It occurred to Taylor that Damon, wisely, was attempting to be inconspicuous during their journey. It would be far less likely for him to be recognized by any Raider scouts, allowing them to move freely across the countryside essentially undetected. The only thing to possibly raise questions was the fact they would be on horseback. It meant they were either Raiders or thieves, either way to be left alone.

  A member of the Guard brought out two horses by the reins, each with a bedroll, a bag of supplies, and two canteens each. Without saying a word, Damon mounted his horse and nodded to Taylor he was ready to go, tapping his horse in the flanks with his heels and trotting away. Taylor quickly grabbed the reins from the guard and mounted, galloping to catch up, but remained behind Damon.

  Damon was confident he knew the general direction for the first part of the journey. Taylor’s input wouldn’t be needed until later. He wasn’t looking forward to the time when he’d have to rely on Taylor or have to look at his backside.

  As mid-day approached, Damon brought his horse to a halt, Taylor stopping beside him.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Taylor.

  “Someone’s coming. See the dust cloud?”

  Taylor hadn’t been paying attention, but after Damon had pointed it out, it was obvious.

  “Should we hide?” asked Taylor. “It could be Raiders patrolling the area.”

  “Or it could be the Guard returning.” He paused to think about it. “Let’s duck behind what’s left of the old farm house over there and watch.”

  They moved off the trail toward the collapsed blackened skeleton of a farm house to use as cover. Dismounted, they patted the neck of their horses to keep them calm and quiet. Hidden from sight, they waited. The sound of pounding hooves came closer. Taylor extended his neck to get a better look.

  “Stay back!” hissed Damon.

  Taylor wasn’t a child and didn’t like being treated like one. However, he wasn’t in a position to argue. Mumbling obscenities under his breath, he dropped back out of sight.

  “What was that?” asked Damon, more as a warning than actually expecting a response.

  * * *

  “Master Gant!” shouted his second in command. He had spotted two riders quickly leaving the trail.

  Gant continued as if nothing had happened. “I saw them,” he said with a sigh. “Keep moving.”

  “But we should check them out. They could be Raider scouts.”

  Gant would just as soon let them be. Two riders weren’t worth the trouble. Recently, he had become far less interested in pursuing such matters. Soon he would be turning forty, and his time too would be up. Neither the governor nor the counselor had brought the subject up. So, he didn’t know if there was the chance of an exception in his case
or not. Though not confirmed, the common belief was that the governor himself was well past the age of termination.

  He assumed his second, Travis, would be replacing him as leader of the Guard. A brief trace of a grin came to his face as he thought ‘Master Travis.’ It didn’t have quite the same ring to it as Master Gant and Travis wasn’t exactly an imposing figure. He wondered how the men would follow him. But Travis did have the character only the governor and counselor could appreciate, a loyal brown-noser to the end. Gant had seen a dark side emerge more than once. If Travis was allowed to lead the assault, the people in the valley would be forced into slavery or killed without a second thought.

  Travis was right about this though. As long as he was still in charge, it was his duty to check them out. He realized he’d been less motivated recently than when he had first fallen into the position. In the beginning, he had been less resistant to do whatever was required of him. He had his family to take care of. It was security, providing both food and shelter inside the walls. Now, he couldn’t afford to give the governor reason to replace him, especially if there was the slightest chance of becoming an exception.

  Gant held up his hand for the column to stop. He gave Travis a nod, sending two men, one to each side, to surround the debris and flush out the riders.

  * * *

  After hearing the hooves come to a stop, Damon risked a quick look. It was the Guard, led by Gant, and two of the men were coming their way, weapons drawn.

  “They spotted us,” said Damon, “and are coming this way. We need to show ourselves before they open fire.”

  Fear spread over Taylor’s face as he pulled his gun.

  “Put that away,” demanded Damon. “Do you want to be shot?”

  “They may shoot us as Raiders anyway,” argued Taylor.

  Damon stepped out, one hand in the air, the other leading his horse. Taylor hesitated, cursed, and followed. Damon’s stealth skills hadn’t been as good as he’d thought. They would have to do better as they proceeded south. One of the Guard dismounted as the other trained his rifle on the two. The reins were grabbed from their hands, roughly guiding them back to Gant.

  Master Gant remained in the saddle as the two were brought to him. They were told to stop ten feet from Gant, forced to drop to their knees by a rifle butt to their lower backs. Damon, angry and wincing in pain, slowly raised his head to look into Gant’s eyes. Gant had to do a double-take. He quickly dismounted and rushed to help him to his feet.

  “Counselor Damon?” asked Gant, not knowing whether to trust his eyes.

  Damon smiled through his pain, still unable to stand erect.

  “I’m sorry, Counselor. I didn’t recognize you dressed like that. What are you doing out here?” He lifted the chin of the other man, still on his knees. “Taylor?”

  “We’re doing a little recon of our own. I’m impressed you spotted us. You’re to be commended for your alertness,” said Damon.

  The two guards, who had been so rough with them, now realizing who they had manhandled, lowered their rifles and stepped back, fearing the consequences.

  “Thank you, Counselor. You really shouldn’t be out here alone, especially with him,” said Gant, with a glance to Taylor. “I imagine he’s already told you about the opposition we met.”

  “Yes, he did. That’s why we’re here, to penetrate their line of defense, and to confirm the existence of the alleged valley.”

  Taylor didn’t know whether to be offended because they didn’t fully believe him or feel justified because the governor had believed him enough to check it out. A smirk appeared on Taylor’s face specifically for Gant’s benefit, emphasizing the point that he had been asked to personally show the counselor the way. To Damon, as a jab at Gant, “They could have broken through the Raider lines if Gant had tried.” Then he turned to Gant, “I told you you’d pay.”

  “Shut up, Taylor!” ordered Damon, the smirk disappearing from Taylor’s face.

  “The fact is, Counselor, we were outnumbered and after “someone” shot one of the leaders from the other side under a flag of truce, I decided it was not the time for a full-on confrontation.”

  “There’s no need to explain, Master Gant. Both the governor and I trust your judgment.”

  Taylor’s mouth dropped open with surprise.

  “Why do you think the Raiders are so intent on keeping us out of the valley?” asked Damon. “Why would they care?”

  “Alleged valley,” corrected Gant.

  “Right. Alleged valley.”

  “I’m sure I don’t know, sir,” Gant replied. He paused. “If you would allow me, Counselor, I strongly urge you to reconsider continuing on your quest. The Raiders will be on high alert now. It would be a miracle if you got through. At least let me send someone reliable with you.”

  Gant glanced at Taylor.

  “What do you mean by “alleged” valley? I’ve been there,” Taylor blurted out defensively at Gant. “It’s more than you can say.”

  Damon stepped up to Gant. “I just follow orders like you,” he said calmly. “The governor wants to know for sure.”

  “I can understand why he’d have doubts,” said Gant.

  “The two of us should be able to get in and out without any trouble,” continued Damon.

  “No offense, Counselor, but today could have ended very differently if it had been someone else who spotted you.”

  “I appreciate your concern,” said Damon, “but this is something I have to do. If we could have our horses returned, we’ll be on our way.”

  Gant motioned to the two apprehensive guards to return Damon and Taylor’s horses to them.

  One of the men handed Damon his reins. He began to plead, “I’m sorry, Counselor. I didn’t know it was you.”

  Damon smiled. “You were just doing your job.” Damon pulled his pistol and shot him dead center of his forehead and then without another word carefully lifted himself into his saddle, his lower back still tender. The other guard stood paralyzed, his eyes wide with terror, knowing he was next. Damon gave him a sideways glance, then holstered his weapon.

  Gant wasn’t surprised at Damon’s action, having seen him perform similar acts before. He ordered the man to be tied across his horse’s saddle.

  With a nod to Gant, Damon nudged his horse into a trot down the trail, followed closely by Taylor.

  * * *

  Governor Davis was excited at the prospect of adding a new resource like the valley to his little empire. He was almost to the point of being giddy, having to fight back the urge to scream for joy. He still didn’t know whether he believed Taylor Grey’s story, but if it was true and could take it for his own, he would have a huge advantage over his fellow governors. It would indeed give him bragging rights with the increase of manpower and resources. He was finding it increasingly difficult to contain himself from telling the other governors. He was on the verge of exploding. He smiled as he thought of the praise he would receive from the Chief Governor. Then it occurred to him, there was one major problem with sharing the news after the valley had been acquired. Once Chief Governor Charles Grayson knew about it, he was afraid he would claim the territory as his own. Perhaps, it would be best to keep the valley a secret resource for now. But if the Chief Governor was to find out about it second hand, then there could be hell to pay. The more Davis thought about it, the more he began to realize the valley could become a curse instead of a resource, if it wasn’t handled properly.

  * * *

  A few days after their return, Samuel was back to sitting on his front porch in his favorite rocking chair, his right arm in a sling. He rocked slowly, taking in the beautiful sunny and warm day, enjoying the light breeze. Ryder and Darby walked up from the stable where they had spent the night. They had been offered cots in the room above Town Hall, but they had declined, feeling it was too confining. Darby had arrived at Paradise just the night before, after a couple of uneventful days of watching for returning guards.

  “Dad, how are yo
u feeling today?” asked Ryder.

  “I’ll be fine. Your mom won’t let me do anything, so here I sit.”

  She heard them through the open front door, stuck her head out and smiled, “Good morning, boys. Would you two like some breakfast?”

  “That’d be great, Mrs. Yoder,” replied Darby as he wasted no time in hopping up on the porch and entering the house. With their current arrangement in Haven, a good home-cooked meal was a real treat and not to be passed up. Ryder was right behind his friend, but Samuel caught his arm as he went by, pulling him close.

  “You know, Son, you don’t have to hang around. I’m going to be fine and I think the trouble is over for now.”

  “I know, but I think we’ll stick around just a little longer, just to make sure. I don’t know if I can get Darby away from Mom’s cooking anyway.”

  * * *

  Chapter 15

  “It’s good to be home,” I said, smiling and taking in a deep breath of the sweet air in the valley.

  “I like the sound of that,” said Sarah. “Home. I never dreamed there could still be a place like this.”

  “We were very fortunate. It’s like someone was watching over us. And I don’t mean Samuel, even though it’s true we wouldn’t be here without him.”

  As happy as I was at this moment, I knew our troubles weren’t over yet. The Guard had supposedly returned to Sector 4 for the moment, but Taylor was still out there and the governor wasn’t likely to give up so easily. It was a certainty he would send the Guard back at some point to try again, this time with even more men. If he was willing to share the resources, there was the chance he could seek help from one or more of the other Sectors.

  For the time being, all was peaceful and calm, routines returned to some degree of normality. I would enjoy it as long as it lasted.

  * * *