The EMP Lodge Series: Books One to Three

by Grace Hamilton

He blocked images of Megan standing on that mound, exposed. How the bullets missed her was beyond his comprehension. He hadn't taken the time to analyze the situation.

  “I think I counted five men armed with those AR-15s,” Wyatt said.

  Jack nodded, “Yeah, I don't know for sure. It felt like there were twenty men shooting. Everywhere I looked or ran, there were bullets flying.”

  “How long do you think they were out there?” Wyatt asked, not really asking Jack, but merely speaking what had been on his mind all day.

  Jack leaned back and looked at the ceiling, “Probably all day waiting until we pulled the guards in and started the game. Our guard was completely down. We were completely exposed. Quite frankly, I probably would have taken advantage of the situation as well. We messed up.”

  His words were exactly what Wyatt had been thinking. They had been spied on and they didn't even know it. He had no idea if the men found them by chance or whether they had followed Evan's group back. Maybe they had followed them back on the quick supply run they had made.

  There was no point in wasting energy trying to solve that mystery. What was done was done.

  Wyatt stared at the wall, “They know where we are. They know where our supplies are. They are going to come back.”

  Jack nodded, “It's a guarantee they will be back. I didn't see McDaniels. This was probably just a small raid. He’s going to come back in force. I don't know if we’ll be quite so fortunate the next time around.”

  “We have to do something. Winter is fast approaching and the only food we have is what we brought back from Evan’s camp and that won’t last long with the number of mouths to feed. This is probably the absolute worst case scenario.”

  Jack agreed, “Talk with Bryan and Evan. See where their heads are. I am up for anything. It may be a day or two to let this thing heal, but I’ll be back on my feet in no time.”

  “Okay, well, get some rest. I’m sure Willow wants to spend some time with you. I need to go get everyone settled down. See in you in the morning.”

  Wyatt walked through the lodge, taking a few moments to chat with everyone. Evan was taking watch at the lodge. Brenda insisted on pulling a double shift and keeping watch in the bird’s nest Albert usually occupied so he could get some rest.

  Wyatt doubted anyone was going to get any real sleep tonight. Tension was high. Everyone was scared. He knew some of the new members were reconsidering their choice to join the lodge. They had better make their decision whether they were going to stay or go real quick.

  They couldn't afford to have anyone stick around if they weren't in it to survive and overcome.

  Megan had already retired to the bedroom. When he walked in, she was sitting at the foot of the bed, holding the softball she had made for the big game. Now instead of a source of happiness, it would be the cause of bad memories for years to come.

  He hated that something she had loved so much was forever tainted.

  “I don't know why I saved this skin. I think it’s cursed.”

  He knew she was referring to her friend falling in the well all those years ago and now what happened today.

  “Bad things happen. We knew something like this could happen. We were basically ready for it.”

  She shook her head, “We let our guard down. I encouraged this big game. It cost two people their lives. Jack was stabbed, others were shot. It was a disaster.”

  “Stop, Megan. I need you to dig deep and find that anger. Find that resolve to push through, even when things are really tough. I know you have it in you. You have proven your strength time and again.”

  She gave a weak smile, “Maybe I'm tired of having to prove it all the time. Can't we just catch a break?”

  He chuckled, “That would be too easy.”

  He sat down next to her pulling her in close. “We'll get through this.”

  “I think they attacked because the other group came here. They left us alone this whole time and now they attack?”

  Wyatt was afraid she would blame the others.

  “They would have found us eventually, regardless. The difference is we probably wouldn't have survived had Evan, Bryan and the rest of them not been here to help us fight back and defend the lodge.”

  She didn't look convinced.

  “Seriously, they would have easily overpowered us. We didn't stand a chance against them.”

  “I guess, but it is odd they showed up today after leaving us alone all summer.”

  Wyatt put a hand on her knee, “They showed up because they were searching harder. They’ve already raided everywhere close to them. They’re expanding their search to have enough to get through winter. Their desperation is obvious.”

  Megan bunched her fists up tightly, “I want to kill them all. It’s burning like a fire in my belly. I don't think I have ever been one to wish death or want to kill people, but right now, that is all I can think about. I want to wipe them off the face of the earth,” Megan said with vehemence.

  Wyatt completely understood how she was feeling. He was feeling pretty violent himself at the moment.

  “All of those traps we set. Why didn't those stop them?” Megan asked.

  He shrugged, “We hadn't completely closed in the perimeter. Maybe they went around or maybe some did get caught in the traps. I don't know. Tomorrow I’ll investigate.”

  “I think we need to attack right away. They are back there at their camp, eating our food and celebrating what they did. They won't expect us to show up at their door, prepared to kill them all. McDaniels needs to be our main target. We take him out and the rest will disappear.”

  Wyatt appreciated her fervor, but it was too soon. They weren't ready.

  “Megan, we don't even know where to go.”

  “I do,” she said hopping off the bed and finding the map she had carried with her to Evan's camp in the past. “You see this small clearing. I am confident this is where they would have set up their camp.”

  When he looked at her, questioning her assertion, he saw the anger burning behind her eyes.

  “I was right about Evan's camp. I am right about this one!”

  She had a point.

  “Okay, but we need to get in some basic training. You are talking about going to war, and we don’t have an army. Leaving the lodge vulnerable isn't an option. We need trained fighters here and there.”

  She nodded her head. He could tell she thought she was ready. One could never really truly prepare for war. Granted they had seen some pretty rough stuff today, but that was nothing compared to what she was talking about.

  “We'll need to get everyone else on board. I have a feeling some of them aren't going to be okay with us heading headfirst into a battle,” he told her gently.

  “Fine, then they can live in fear. They can live their lives constantly worried if today is the day they are slaughtered in their own homes.”

  Wyatt stood up and stripped off his shirt and jeans. He was beat. He wanted to close his eyes and forget the day ever happened.

  “Megan, we'll talk with everyone tomorrow. There is no point staying up all night, fuming and stressing out. Let's go to bed. I need to sleep.”

  She watched him crawl under the covers. At first, he thought she would argue with him.

  “Fine. I guess. But I am not going to let anyone talk me out of this. I will not sit here and wait to be killed. I will not put my daughter in that position.”

  She quickly stripped down to a t-shirt and crawled into bed next to him. Wyatt pulled her in close, cherishing the quiet moment between them. After the day they’d had, he wanted to savor these moments. He wasn't convinced they would have many more.

  23

  Megan woke early and judging from the tension in Wyatt’s

  body, he was already awake.

  “Ready for this?” she asked.

  He didn't answer her. She waited.

  “I'll talk with the guys. You talk with Rosie and Tara. Jack will need to talk with Willow. I think there is go
ing to be some resistance to our plan.”

  “Should we just have one big group meeting?” she asked, hoping to cut out a lot of the talking and get right to the doing.

  “No. That will create chaos. Everyone will want to talk and it will be counterproductive to what we need to get done.”

  She sighed. He was right—again.

  “You do realize we can't go racing over there today, right?”

  Megan considered punching him in the ribs.

  “Yes, I know that, but I don't want to wait too long. The longer we wait, the more prepared they will be or they may even attack again.”

  “I agree.”

  He sat up and they both quickly dressed in silence. Megan noticed dried blood on her arm. It wasn't hers. After yesterday's events, she needed a bath. She’d been too tired to think about it last night, but today was different. She needed to wash away the blood and the bad memories it brought back.

  They quietly walked into the kitchen. It didn't appear as if anyone else was up yet. Megan took a moment to look around the lodge. There were people everywhere. Sleeping bags and blankets were spread across the floor near the woodstove. With Jack laid up, it would be up to the rest of the group to finish the longhouse he had started.

  Evan and Bryan came in the back door. Their cheeks were pink. She could tell they had been out walking around. The cold air clung to them.

  “Hey,” Wyatt said in greeting. “All good?”

  Bryan nodded, “Yep. We just did a quick sweep of the perimeter. It was clear.”

  “You guys want some hot tea?”

  Both men nodded eagerly. Megan figured they were probably pretty cold; the chill of winter had certainly arrived. They had insisted on sleeping in that stupid tent and she knew the temperatures were dropping to the freezing point at night.

  “What do you guys want to talk about?” Evan asked.

  Megan was only a little surprised he knew they had something to discuss.

  Wyatt grinned, “You know us too well.”

  “After yesterday, I know you guys are itching to make something happen.” He looked at Bryan, “We're up for it. We are ready to rid the earth of these scum.”

  “Good!” Megan said a little too eagerly. “I'll grab the map. Wyatt, no tea for me. I am about tea’d out,” she said rushing to the bedroom.

  Megan dashed back into the room and headed for the table to spread the map out. She used a red pen to mark the area she believed McDaniels and his raiders were holed up.

  “You sure?” Evan asked, scratching the side of his head.

  She was getting tired of people asking her that.

  “Well, I don't have a guarantee, but it makes sense. When they pulled out the map that day, I noticed Xs on your camp and Brenda's. I am assuming those are camps they’ve hit. There was a red circle area—no X. To me, that says base and the Xs say target. You said it before; they have to be in that general vicinity.”

  “Okay, I get it. I'm game. What do you think? A day's hike?”

  Wyatt nodded, “Yes, but with these short days, it’s going to be a lot of hiking in the dark. That alone could be tricky.”

  “But it will help conceal us. The dark is actually a good thing, for us anyway,” Megan pointed out.

  “She has a point,” Bryan added. “I like the idea of hitting their camp at night, scoping things out and then attacking at first light when they will all be half asleep.”

  Megan had to hide her excitement. They were going to do this. The plan was being formulated and she couldn't wait to see those men die. They had caused so much grief and pain; it would leave the world a better place if they were eradicated.

  As the rest of the lodge woke up, each person was informed of the plan. Some people were hesitant, but in general, everyone was excited at the idea of living a peaceful existence without constantly worrying about being murdered in cold blood for no reason.

  Albert and Greg had asked for a few minutes of Wyatt's time. Megan was invited to join the conversation as well.

  Albert looked uneasy.

  “What's up?” Wyatt asked.

  “We would like to get all of the kids up to speed on shooting. There are four of them. That is four more guns pointed at the bad guys.”

  Megan's knee-jerk response was a resounding no.

  “Hell no,” she clarified her initial answer.

  “Megan, think about it. These kids are not living in typical times. I would never, ever think about training a child to shoot another human, but this is different. Their very lives may depend on it,” Albert explained.

  It made her sick to her stomach to think of her little girl shooting and killing a person. It would strip away that innocence that all children should get to hold on to for as long as possible.

  Wyatt looked thoughtful.

  “I think you're right,” he said. “Caitlin and Ryland already know how to shoot. I'm not sure about Amy and Frankie, but it would be smart to make sure they can each use a weapon.”

  Megan looked at him in shock.

  He turned to her, “Megan, you have to think about what may happen if you or I or all of the adults are injured or killed. Do you want to leave the kids vulnerable? Obviously, we wouldn't be sending them out to the front lines, but if there is an attack here again, they need to be able to defend themselves.”

  “I know what you’re saying, but I know how bad it messed me up after I killed Kyle. I can't imagine any one of those kids having to go through those emotions.”

  Greg shook his head, “Times are different. They’ve already seen more than a typical adult would have a year ago. I think it will give them confidence. We don't want them feeling anxious or scared. If they know how to use a gun and where to shoot to stop someone from hurting them, I think it would go a long way toward making them feel better.”

  She slammed a fist on the table, “I hate this, but fine. Yes, please teach my daughter how to be a little soldier.”

  “Megan, you know it isn't like that. You have to be on board with this or she is never going to do it,” Wyatt reasoned.

  “Fine. I will talk to her and let her know I need her to do this.”

  Greg stood, “Great, we'll get started on it today. We don't have time to put it off.”

  Wyatt looked pensive, “I think we should also teach everyone here, especially the women and kids some self-defense. I showed Megan some moves a while back and they came in handy.”

  Megan nodded. Oh yes they had. She had managed to disable Kyle Grice and save her life and the life of her daughter. She absolutely wanted Caitlin to know how to escape anyone who tried to take her or got close enough to harm her.

  “I'll go talk to Jack. See how he's doing while you guys get your training classes organized,” Megan said leaving the table.

  “See if the kids are up and moving yet. We'll be out at the ball field cleaning things up and then set up some targets for them,” Albert said.

  “I will. Thank you guys for doing this. I can't say I am thrilled with the idea, but I do understand how important it is,” Megan said making eye contact with Albert and Greg.

  They both smiled and nodded before heading out the door.

  Megan tapped on the door to Willow and Jack's room.

  Willow swung it open. Her eyes were puffy and Megan could tell she had been crying.

  “Hi, come in. I'm going to get breakfast started,” she said before rushing past Megan.

  Megan walked to the bed where Jack was laying. His face looked red. He had a fever. It was evident he was in some pain.

  She put her hand on his forehead, “I'll let your mom know.”

  “Don't bother. Willow woke her up hours ago. My mom gave me one of her magic teas. It was to be expected. My body has to fight the infection. It’s not a big deal, Megan. I can fight this; Willow is just super sensitive after everything that has happened.”

  Megan didn't blame her. She wasn't exactly chipper when Wyatt had been laid up. His injury was bad, but Jack's was already show
ing signs of an infection.

  “What's up? When are we attacking?”

  She laughed, “How'd you know?”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “Because I know you and your blood lust and I know you would have convinced Wyatt to exact some serious revenge.”

  “Well, you know we have to do something.”

  He nodded, “Yep, and don't you dare think I am going to sit in this bed while you guys go off on a crusade. I’ll be right there, taking out as many as I can.”

  Her gaze fell to Jack’s thigh, “We'll just have to see about that.”

  Megan quickly told him about their plan to attack within the next few days. She explained the self-defense training everyone was going to go through and the shooting lessons the kids would be getting.

  “Ryland will do great. He is a good shot. So will Caitlin, of course. I hope Amy isn't too young.”

  “I don't think her age matters at this point. We aren't going to have them packing, but if it gets desperate, it will be good to know they can pick up a gun and fight back.”

  Megan couldn't believe she was defending the very idea she had just argued against.

  “Get some rest, Jack. I want you there by my side when we kill that vile man.”

  “I will. Thanks for coming by.”

  Megan headed out to find Wyatt. She wasn't entirely sure what she was supposed to be doing today. There was a nervous energy racing through her veins in anticipation of going to battle. This was probably not a big deal for Wyatt or Chase, but for her, this was huge.

  Wyatt was talking with Tara and Willow. Both women were nodding their heads, looking nervous and excited at the same time.

  “There you are,” he said when he spotted her walking towards them.

  “What's up?”

  He winked at her, “I need you to be my victim for our little self-defense class here.”

  She laughed, “The chance to knock you on your butt, you bet! I wouldn't miss it!”

  Megan and Wyatt worked together; setting up three different sessions to ensure everyone had a chance to learn the moves. When it was time for the kids to go through their lesson, Megan worked with Caitlin. She wanted her daughter to feel comfortable with hurting another person if her life depended on it.