Paradise (Aftershock Series Book 1)

by Michael R. Watson

  Mid morning of the second day he stopped along the edge of the trail so everyone could stretch their legs. For breakfast they nibbled at what they had brought. There was nothing that needed to be cooked, a fire being a bad idea anyway. A twig snapped and Gant spun around to see what had caused it. He held up his hand for everyone to remain quiet. He didn’t see anything and only silence followed. After several seconds he told his family to get back in the buggy. The place was making him feel uneasy.

  They all loaded into the buggy and as Gant flicked the reins four horses rushed out from the brush, surrounding them.

  “We don’t have anything of value,” declared Gant.

  “We’ll see about that,” said the front rider facing them. “Get down!”

  “We can take them,” whispered Adam, leaning forward behind his dad.

  “No. Just do what they say,” said his dad firmly. He was the first to stand up and step to the ground, offering his hand to Donna to help her down. The boys slowly followed suit.

  One of the riders dismounted while the others kept their guns trained on the family. When he got close, he quickly realized how big and imposing a figure Gant was.

  “Put your hands up so he can frisk you,” ordered the leader, still on horseback.

  The family followed Daniel’s lead and did as they were told. The man on the ground moved in and patted each of them down, finding only bottles of water and bread rolls. Checking Gant, he became excited when he found a 9 mm pistol in his waistband, grabbing it and backing away quickly. He handed the gun up to the leader who looked it over and then shook his finger back and forth while making a “tsk, tsk” sound with his mouth. He slipped the gun into his own waistband.

  “Check to see if there’s anything of value in the buggy,” instructed the leader.

  It didn’t take long for the man to see Gant had told the truth. The man shook his head to the leader.

  “You have less than we do. You didn’t come out here very well prepared.” Confused, he asked, “Why are you out here?”

  Gant didn’t see any reason to hide anything from them, openly answering, “We’re looking for someone.”

  “And who might that be?”

  “Samuel Yoder.”

  The riders exchanged looks. “What do you want with this Samuel Yoder?” asked the leader.

  “He’s a friend.”

  The leader smiled. “Oh, really?” Then he paused a moment, considering whether it might be true. “You better come with us.”

  Until then, Gant had tried to be cooperative for the sake of his family. “Unless you’re taking us to Samuel, we’re not going anywhere.” Gant knew better. He had no means of negotiating or fighting back. He was curious how they would respond, and he found out.

  “You don’t have a choice.” The leader pointed his gun at Gant, which didn’t faze him in the least. But then the man swung it until it pointed directly at Donna. “Understand?”

  Now, he had to assume how far they would go, or it could have been a bluff, but he wasn’t about to gamble with Donna’s life.

  “Everyone, get back into the buggy,” instructed Gant, helpless, with a growing anger and frustration. Alone, he had other options, but now he had only one responsibility and that was to keep his family safe, even if only for this moment. There was no way to know whether the riders knew Samuel or not, but their reaction to his name suggested they did. And if so, were they taking them to him?

  The leader and one of the other riders had a brief conversation in hushed voices, then the rider rode off in a gallop. The leader waved for Gant to follow while the other remaining riders followed.

  “Dad,” whispered Adam as he leaned forward, “what do we do?”

  “Nothing for now.”

  “Daniel, I don’t like this,” said Donna, her face showing her obvious concern.

  He looked at her, trying to smile, “It’s going to be alright.” He wished he believed it himself.

  Gant questioned his decision to bring his family out here into this hostile environment. He knew from experience it could be dangerous. But, in his heart, he knew it was worth the risk. It had all happened so quickly. There hadn’t been enough time to properly plan and get ready. It was his fault they were in this predicament. He shook his head to remove the negative thoughts, refusing to second guess himself or think about it one more second. They were here and he had to deal with their current situation.

  One chance occurred to him. His sons were only fifteen, but they were big for their age and they’d been trained in self-defense by him. Even though he didn’t like the idea of placing his sons in harm’s way, the three of them might just be able to overtake their captors, given the right opportunity.

  “Boys,” whispered their dad, “I may need your help. Can you do it?”

  “No!” whispered Donna forcefully.

  “There may not be another way,” replied Gant.

  “It’s okay, Mom. We can help,” assured Aaron.

  “Be ready to step in when I make my move,” said Gant. “It won’t work if either of you hesitate. So, just watch me.” He looked back. “Okay?” They both nodded.

  They rode in silence the rest of the day. Their escort was extra cautious, preventing an opportunity of escape. Donna was inwardly grateful.

  The leader led them off the main trail onto a less traveled one. Donna looked at her husband with a worried face. He had run out of reassurances. They passed two armed men along the edge of the trail, weapons at the ready. A few minutes later they entered a clearing containing an encampment. There was a group of men congregated around a campfire. They turned to look, but didn’t seem surprised or concerned. A few tents surrounded the campfire, appearing to be a long-term arrangement.

  They came to a stop with the leader dismounting and motioning for them to get down.

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  Gant looked around at his family, surprised by the question. They hadn’t eaten since their light breakfast. He nodded.

  “There’s usually something hot over at the fire. Help yourself,” he offered as he walked off, entering one of the tents.

  Gant was confused as was his family. At their first encounter, they had been forced at gunpoint to go with them and now they were apparently being given their freedom, in the camp anyway. As they approached the fire, the men stepped away to give them easy access.

  Filling tin plates they found near the fire, Adam whispered, “What do you think, Dad? Should we make a run for it?”

  “No!” said Gant and Donna in unison. Gant continued, “This isn’t the time or place. We don’t know how many men are here. So, just eat. We don’t know when we’ll get another chance.”

  While eating a bit of what resembled some sort of vegetarian soup, the rider who had ridden ahead entered the camp. Gant watched as he traded words with the camp leader who then came over to them.

  “Someone is coming to see you. He should be here sometime tomorrow morning to ask you about Samuel. So, if you’d like to share any information with us, now would be the time.”

  Gant remained silent.

  “Well, then, you’ll have free reign, as long as you stay out of trouble. Okay?”

  “Sure,” replied Gant. “Is Samuel coming?”

  “I very much doubt it,” said the leader as he turned and walked away.

  During the evening, the men in camp left them alone as long as they didn’t wander too far away from the buggy and campfire. Gant tested their security once by moving past the light of the campfire with the men springing into action, herding him back where he belonged.

  The day had started with Daniel and Donna in high alert mode and had stayed that way after their midday encounter. The stress, along with riding in the buggy all day had made everyone in the family bone tired and it was evident when Gant looked into their faces. A tent wasn’t offered, so they laid on the ground while Donna slept on one of the buggy seats. Gant sat on the ground with his back against one of the buggy’s wheels. He had no int
ention of sleeping. Two of their captors, undoubtedly told to keep an eye on them, appeared prepared to stay awake too. During the middle of the night, two others swapped out with them and re-kindled the fire. Otherwise, the night was quiet and peaceful, without incident. Gant still didn’t get it. The attitude had changed completely since their first encounter. Initially, they had been kidnapped and now they didn’t appear to be in any immediate danger. It just didn’t make any sense, but he refused to let his guard down with a false sense of security.

  Just before sunrise, Gant heard the sound of pounding hooves approaching the camp. There was more than one horse. He jumped quickly to his feet. One of the men on guard let out a distinct whistle, which caused a frenzy of activity in the camp. Seconds later the camp leader came out of his tent. He went over and stood next to Gant who towered over the man.

  “It’s who we were waiting for. This should be interesting. We’re about to find out if you’re a friend of Samuel’s after all. I hope you were telling the truth.”

  With the flurry of new activity, Adam, Aaron, and Donna were now wide awake. The boys took up a protective stance next to their mom.

  The riders were getting closer. When they entered the light of the camp’s fire, Gant was surprised when he recognized one of the riders. The rider seemed to be just as surprised to see him and smiled.

  “Master Gant, it’s so good to see you,” said Ryder, with a bit of sarcasm. He had been under Gant’s command until he had defected. He had never understood why the other guards had liked him. Perhaps he hadn’t stayed long enough to find out. But, something about how easily he had carried out the governor’s sometime inhumane and insane orders hadn’t set well with him. At hearing Gant’s name, the eyes of the surrounding men widened and their weapons were drawn, pointed at Gant. They had never seen him before but they knew him by reputation. Many of their friends had suffered at his hands. Fearing the worst, Gant backed toward his wife and sons, placing himself in front of them as a shield.

  “There’s no need for those. Put your weapons down,” instructed Ryder to the men, as he and Darby dismounted.

  Reluctantly, one by one, they obeyed.

  “You know this man?” asked the camp leader.

  “Of course. We’re old comrades.” Darby chuckled at the sarcasm.

  “What should we do with them then? They say they’re looking for your father.”

  Ryder walked over to Gant, standing toe to toe, having to look up, like everyone else. “I’m not surprised the governor would stoop this low, to use your entire family to locate the valley. He must be even more desperate than I thought.”

  “You’re wrong, Ryder. We’ve left Sector 4 and that life behind for good. I want a new life for my family.”

  “And you want your new life to begin in the valley?”

  “That’s right. You were there when your father asked me to come.”

  “I remember clearly and I remember you said no. So, you must see how suspicious this looks.”

  “I’m going to be forty soon and you know what happens then.”

  “Oh, now I see. It’s not that you’ve seen the error of your ways, it’s that you’re looking out for your own skin, now that your time is running out.”

  “I’ll admit my age and pre-determined destiny did get me to thinking, but ultimately I want a better life for my family. I’ve done things I’m not proud of, but they were a means of keeping my family fed and safe behind the prison walls. Samuel’s invitation gave me a glimpse of hope. This way I’ll be able to see my grandchildren grow up.”

  “Almost convincing and well rehearsed. I don’t like it, but I suppose there is only one thing to do, take you to my father.”

  Donna squeezed her husband’s arm. He looked down to see her smiling, and he smiled back. Gant knew everything was going to be all right once they reached Samuel. “We’re going to be okay,” he told her.

  “I just hope you’re not playing us for fools. It would be bad for all of you,” warned Ryder. After a brief pause, “We have a ways to go, so get something to eat over by the fire. And since they’ll probably come looking for you, we’ll leave as soon as our horses have had a chance to rest.”

  * * *

  Chapter 19

  That evening a member of the Guard search party returned to the compound, going directly to the governor’s office. Damon noticed as a guard rushed by his living quarters. He hurried out, following closely behind. The guard knocked on the frame of the governor’s door as the counselor caught up with him.

  The governor looked up to see a guard at his door. “Yes?” answered Davis, not understanding why a mere guard would be disturbing his evening.

  “Sorry to bother you, sir. I have news about Master Gant.”

  Damon, now standing beside the soldier, escorted him inside.

  “Did you find him?” asked Damon. He couldn’t have cared less about the rest of the family.

  The governor’s expression changed from one of annoyance to one of being anxious now realizing why the man was there.

  The guard looked back and forth between Damon and the governor, not sure who he should report to.

  “We didn’t find Master Gant… or his family, but we did find where it appears they met up with a few riders. Based on the tracks, the buggy continued south escorted by the riders. That’s when I was sent back here to report. The rest of the search party continued to follow them.”

  “It sounds to me like our worst fears have come true, Gant has been kidnapped,” speculated Davis. “What do you think, Counselor?”

  “A kidnapping is a definite possibility,” answered Damon, “it is rather dangerous out there, especially for a family. But suppose, for argument’s sake, there is another possibility. What if it was an arranged meeting? Perhaps the riders were allies or even friends.”

  “That’s Ridiculous!” declared Davis. “Why would he do such a thing? You can’t possibly be suggesting Master Gant planned to leave. He has been loyal and dedicated to me since the beginning. He would never do something like that.”

  “Of course not, sir. I was just speaking hypothetically. I should never have mentioned it.”

  The guard was noticeably uncomfortable being in the governor’s office, especially when it came to listening to accusations against Master Gant. Things he knew couldn’t be true.

  “Do you have any questions for this man before he’s dismissed?” asked Damon.

  The governor flicked his hand toward the door, indicating he was through with him and he could leave.

  “You’re excused,” said Damon.

  The guard hesitated and then asked Damon, “Please, may I rejoin the search party, sir?”

  Gant had been good to his men, treating them with respect and fairness even when they were given the most undesirable tasks, and they didn’t want anything to happen to him.

  “There’s no need. You’ve done your part,” said Damon.

  “I’d like to, sir, with your permission.”

  “No. The search party has left us short-handed as it is, you need to stay and help here,” said Damon.

  The guard’s shoulders slumped. “Yes, sir.” He did an about-face, and sped away down the hallway.

  * * *

  Ryder and Darby led the way, riding side by side, while two others brought up the rear. They merged back with the main trail heading south. Gant recognized the familiar landscape. This was near where the Guard and Raiders had faced off.

  “How much further to the valley?” asked Gant, wondering how close they had been when they had been there before.

  Ryder turned in his saddle to answer, “Making a map?” he asked sarcastically, still not trusting Gant. Perhaps he should have blind-folded the whole lot from the beginning. It was too late now.

  “Just curious,” stated Gant. He felt better about their situation, knowing they were on their way to see Samuel and that Ryder knew they were friends. His family was more at ease too, sensing his relaxed attitude, making small talk about his
expectations in the valley. Gant was sure they were out of danger. Once they saw Samuel, he knew everything would be all right.

  “We’ll arrive there this evening,” said Ryder, not turning around, “so, about another twelve hours at this rate.”

  Sighs of unhappiness came from the back seat of the buggy. The boys were cramped in the tiny space and twelve hours sounded like an eternity, but Gant and Donna had the opposite reaction. Broad smiles appeared on both their faces. They were within reach of their new life.

  “We’re almost there,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “Instead of thinking about how uncomfortable you are, think about how good it’s going to be once we get there.” He glance back. Their eyes were closed.

  Gant looked into his wife’s eyes and smiled. This was the happiest he’d seen her in a very long time.

  Ryder and the others heard a gunshot from behind them. Ryder halted the procession and rode back to the trailing riders, listening for another one.

  * * *

  Where the buggy had detoured off the main trail, the search party had split up, one group continuing to follow the buggy and the other one staying on the main trail. If one or the other saw the buggy or the captors, they agreed to fire a single shot and the other would come in a hurry.

  They had played a hunch and it had panned out, the buggy had come back out to the main trail. Riding through the previous night, they had caught up. Seeing them in the distance, one shot was fired.

  “Should we wait for the others?” asked one of the men.

  The group’s leader was looking through binoculars. “No. Master Gant and his family are in danger and I can only see four kidnappers. We outnumber them two-to-one. And they can’t outrun us with a buggy in tow. We can take them.”

  “I just don’t want the kidnappers to do anything drastic.”