The EMP Lodge Series: Books One to Three

by Grace Hamilton

  “There you go. Slow it down.”

  He was rubbing her back. The weight of his body was pressed into her side. She leaned into it and let him support her.

  “Feeling better?” he asked.

  She nodded, “Yeah. That was kind of silly.”

  “No, it wasn't. Wyatt told me you want to move up the plan. You’re having doubts. It's normal. What we are about to do isn't going to be easy. It’s dangerous and I think it’s good you have a healthy amount of fear and trepidation about it.”

  She smiled, “I definitely have that.”

  “Good. I don't want to go into battle with someone who thinks they are invincible. That will get us all killed.”

  She looked at him, “Are you sure you should go? You aren't looking so hot, Jack.”

  He leaned back and laughed, “Thanks. I'm fine. Just a little fever. My body is fighting the infection. I'll be okay. No way am I letting you all go into battle without me.”

  Megan looked at him. He didn't look fine. There was sweat on his brow. He didn't have a small fever. He was burning up. She could feel the heat radiating off him. He looked pale, but if he insisted on going, she wasn't going to be able to stop him. Hopefully, they would be able to find some antibiotics for him along with the aspirin. It was a tall order, but she had to stay positive.

  They sat there in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

  Wyatt appeared in the doorway and Megan met his eyes.

  “We need to talk.”

  Jack stood and Megan could see his leg shaking. She met Wyatt's eyes and saw he also noticed his brother.

  Jack saw them both looking at his injured leg and waved his hand, indicating it was not a big deal.

  “It's fine. A little weak, but fine. I need to stay moving or it gets a little stiff. I'll leave you two alone.”

  “No. We all need to talk. Everyone is anxious about the attack. We need to come up with a plan for there and here.”

  His gruff voice and cold demeanor alarmed Megan. She wondered if Wyatt was on board with the attack or if something else was bothering him.

  Jack left the room, Megan waited for Wyatt to say something. He didn't.

  “Wyatt? What's wrong?” she asked when he only looked at her—not speaking.

  “We are headed into war, Megan. I would feel better if you stayed here. I don't think I can focus on the fighting if I have to worry about you. You don't seem to get how serious this is. This isn't a play war or something we can walk away from if it doesn't go our way.”

  She didn't get mad. Yes, she was a little offended to hear him imply she wasn't taking it seriously, but she had come to know him well enough. This was his way. He hated her being in danger and that fear usually came out as anger. She got it.

  “I will take it very seriously and I am ready to take these men down. You don't have to worry about me. I will have your back and I know you will have mine.”

  He hugged her tight.

  “Don't you dare get yourself killed out there. I don't think I could handle it.”

  “Same goes for you. We go in. We kick some butt, gather supplies, find the aspirin, and get on with our lives. Those guys will be nothing more than a bad memory.”

  “Let's go hash this out. Everyone is pretty freaked out. I think a lot of them thought this would all just go away. There are a few very unhappy campers out there,” he said. The dread in his voice was easy to hear.

  The next several hours were filled with lots of raised voices, a few tears and a lot of emotions as they all worked out the details of the raid.

  It wasn't going to be easy and they all knew the chance of failure was high.

  “We don't know how many people they have,” Garrett pointed out. “We could take ten guys and end up facing fifty.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. The guy still hadn't accepted the fact she would be there. She was also wondering where he thought they were gonna find ten guys to take. Willow and Rosie certainly weren't going.

  “There could be ten, there could be fifty but we have the element of surprise on our side,” Wyatt explained.

  “The dynamite isn't such a bad thing either,” Albert pointed out. “A big explosion could level the playing field real fast.”

  “What about the guns?” Tara asked. “You haven't had time to get all the guns fixed. We won't be fully armed back here.”

  Willow spoke up, “I think a few guns left here will be plenty. The chances of us winning in a firefight are slim. We would have to run. I don't want to waste time shooting at people when we could be getting the kids to safety.”

  Jack agreed with his wife, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze.

  “She's right. If we aren't successful, your main goal is to get to that bug-out cabin. Everyone has a pack ready to go. If you hear shooting, take your packs and get the hell out of here. No heroics.”

  Rosie was in the kitchen, preparing small lunches for the group traveling. She told them she needed to do her part and food was important. They had to have the energy to walk there, fight and get home.

  She was using a large majority of their remaining food stores, but told them not worry, when they got back, they would replenish the food pantry.

  Megan appreciated her optimism. She hoped it would all work out as planned.

  After the long planning session, everyone was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.

  They were leaving before dawn and the mood in the lodge was somber. All of them wondering if this would be their last night here. Would they ever all be together again?

  Megan held Wyatt tight.

  “We have to win tomorrow,” Megan vowed.

  “I don't know if there is any winning involved, but I am going to do everything in my power to ensure McDaniels dies and we all live,” Wyatt promised.

  Megan closed her eyes and tried to envision coming home after a successful raid. The vision just wouldn't come to her and she couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding. She silently prayed it was only her nerves and not some intuitive sixth sense.

  28

  The tension was palpable as the group prepared to head out into the morning chill. Megan was fighting back nerves and her stomach was in turmoil. Rosie had gotten up early and prepared a small breakfast for the group heading out, but Megan couldn't eat a bite.

  They had tried to keep quiet to avoid waking up the rest of the lodge, but everyone was now standing in the dining area, watching as Wyatt checked everyone's packs.

  Jack, Chase, Evan and Bryan had divided the dynamite between them.

  Willow watched with tears in her eyes. Jack smiled to reassure her, but she just cried harder.

  Brenda watched Jack with a careful eye. Megan wondered what was truly going on with his leg. She had a feeling Brenda knew. Jack probably knew, but he certainly wasn't saying. In fact, he’d been quiet the last couple days, which was very unlike the normally warm and talkative man she’d come to view as family.

  Megan hugged Caitlin, praying it wouldn't be the last time. She wanted to remember every little detail about her baby. This would be what carried her through what was sure to be an extremely difficult few days.

  “You take care of her,” she told Albert, squeezing him tight.

  “You know I will. You just get your butt back here in one piece.”

  The kids knew what was happening, but Megan hoped they didn't truly understand how serious it was. She didn't want them living in fear.

  Rosie, Willow and Albert would each have a gun. The rest were to be used by the group heading to McDaniels’ camp.

  “Everyone ready?” Wyatt asked. Megan, Chase, Bryan, Evan, Jack, Brenda, Greg and Garrett answered yes in unison.

  “Got the radio?” Albert inquired.

  Wyatt would be carrying the portable HAM, just in case he needed to radio back to the lodge. If things went bad, Wyatt wanted to give Albert as much warning as possible.

  Megan headed out the door. She turned back to take one last look at Caitlin who was standing n
ext to Rosie. Her little girl smiled and waved. Megan waved back and followed the rest of the group blinking several times to push back the tears that threatened to fall.

  She wasn't going to cry. This was not goodbye; it was see you later. She had to hold on to the idea she would be back and everyone would live happily ever after.

  Here goes nothing, she thought to herself.

  The group made good time, each of them taking turns supporting Jack. He kept trying to refuse the supportive shoulder, but they all knew he needed it. They didn't make a big deal out of it and it was almost like a dance as the next person simply stepped up and slipped their arm around his waist and continued walking without mentioning what was going on.

  Megan looked back and saw Brenda and Jack talking as they walked. Their voices were too low for her to hear.

  Brenda noticed her watching and quickly stopped talking. Megan had a feeling the good doctor was lecturing Jack about the journey.

  They didn't bother stopping to eat. No one wanted to waste even a minute, adrenaline was pumping and they silently pressed forward. As they got closer to where they suspected the camp to be, everyone went on high alert.

  Megan's stomach had been in knots. She could see the physical changes in the way everyone was walking and constantly scanning the area.

  “Anything?” Evan whispered to the group.

  “Nothing. Stay on your toes. We need to spread out. Walking in a single group is going to draw attention. Especially, if they have someone watching,” Chase said. “Do what you can to stay single file; it’s harder to see you like that, especially with all the trees.”

  They fanned out into groups of three, with Wyatt, Jack and Megan sticking together.

  Megan's mouth was dry and the butterflies in her stomach worsened. Taking long, slow breaths, she was doing everything she could to keep from vomiting and they weren’t even there yet.

  Jack had been trying to keep her calm, but now he appeared completely focused on walking.

  She had grown more worried about him the farther they went. He was walking with a pronounced limp and had lost almost all color in his face. His mouth was set in a firm line and she knew he was in a great amount of pain.

  Wyatt stopped when they reached a dirt road, his brow furrowed.

  “I know this area.”

  “Really?” Megan asked, looking around. There weren't any road signs or other obvious markers.

  He nodded, “Yes, there is a big stone house up the road. Actually, it's just a small driveway off this road.”

  Jack looked around, “Yeah, didn't an old couple live up here? They were real secluded. I remember the house. Dad was in awe of it.”

  “What about the house?” Megan asked.

  “It resembles a castle. A fancy castle, I guess you could say. It's huge. Way bigger than just two people needed, but the dude was mega-rich.”

  Wyatt snapped his fingers, “He was some dot.com guy. They moved up here from California. He sold his company for billions. He was always talking about a major financial collapse driving the country into ruin. If I remember right, he had a huge basement filled with food and water.”

  Jack nodded excitedly, “Yep. That is what spurred dad into stockpiling. Our stores are nothing compared to what that guy had. He went all out.”

  “It makes perfect sense McDaniels’ would hole up here. It’s secluded and plenty big enough for his gang and there was a lot of food.”

  Megan got excited.

  “Maybe there is still a lot left? Once we kick these guys to the curb, we could gather the remaining supplies.”

  Wyatt agreed, but wasn't hopeful.

  “They are raiding and taking food and other supplies. That suggests they already ran through whatever was in the house.”

  Megan felt deflated. For one moment, she imagined filling the root cellar.

  “If we use dynamite, the supplies are going to be lost; if there are any left, anyway,” Jack reminded her.

  “We need to meet up with the others. I'm almost positive that’s where they are. The house is about a half mile off this road. I say we scope things out and attack at dawn,” Wyatt said, giving the signal to the others.

  They had worked out different bird calls to communicate. They knew they would have to divide and conquer, but still needed to be able to talk with one another.

  When everyone regrouped, Wyatt gave them the rundown. He explained his thoughts, but couldn't make any guarantee he knew where McDaniels was hiding out until they investigated. There was still a chance they were in the wrong place altogether.

  They decided to head back down the road to make camp. They didn't want anyone from the other group stumbling upon them if they happened to be in the area.

  They skipped building a fire. It was cold, but they didn't want to risk the smoke drawing unwanted attention. The last thing they needed was to be found and attacked when they were the intended aggressor. At this point, they still had the element of surprise on their side. To risk that now could well ensure their death sentence. They built two shelters from green tarps.

  “Let me get some pine needles down,” Megan said when Jack made a move to crawl into one of the shelters.

  She quickly gathered a pile of needles and leaves and spread them on the ground in each shelter. She unfolded one of the Mylar blankets and placed it over the needles. The blankets would tear, but it was better than sleeping directly on the needles. The blanket would also help provide more warmth once everyone got inside.

  Everyone crowded into the two shelters. The body heat would have to be enough to keep them warm through the night.

  Chase, Jack, Wyatt and Megan crammed into one, while, Evan, Garrett, Greg, Brenda and Bryan squeezed into the other.

  It was then Megan realized the group wasn't completely meshed. They still had this natural division between old and new. It wasn't on purpose, but she was still learning to trust the new people. She trusted Chase, Jack and Wyatt with her life. She wasn't quite prepared to rely on the others just yet.

  “Did you hear that?” Megan asked in the darkness, as a gunshot echoed.

  “Yes,” Wyatt replied. “It was just one. Who knows, it could have been McDaniels shooting another one of his men.”

  That didn't exactly make her feel better, but she accepted the explanation. One less man they had to kill.

  Several times throughout the night, they heard gunshots. Megan knew they couldn't be hunting. Either the men were shooting each other or shooting for fun. Neither option was very comforting.

  She lay awake most of the night. When she heard the birds start singing, her initial reaction was to stay right where she was. Comfy and safe. She knew it wasn't an option, but for a moment, she allowed herself to appreciate the feeling.

  “Wyatt,” she whispered, trying not to wake everyone in the shelter.

  “I'm awake,” he said.

  “It's almost dawn.”

  He yawned. “I know.”

  He didn't move. Megan began to wonder if he had changed his mind.

  She was about to say something when he squeezed her hand, “I need you to know I love you. If things go bad and I tell you to run, you better do it. Do not try to save me or anyone else. You get out of there as fast as you can.”

  Her breath hitched in her throat at the thought of him dying.

  “I will,” she said, even though she knew she wouldn't. She would not leave him to die. Never.

  “Megan,” he growled, he clearly didn't buy it.

  “I will do what I can to save myself,” she said again, still refusing to say the word promise.

  “You know she won't, Wyatt. Don't waste your breath,” Jack said softly.

  Megan was instantly on alert. He sounded weak, as if speaking required more energy than he had.

  She found her flashlight and shone it on Jack.

  She gasped when she saw him.

  “Jack!”

  “I'm fine. I just need a minute.”

  “Take your pants off.
Let me see your leg,” she demanded.

  He guffawed, “Brother, do you hear your woman demanding I take off my pants?”

  Wyatt didn't laugh, “Do what she says. I want to see as well.”

  Jack grimaced.

  “I'll be okay. It's just a little infected.”

  “Do it, Jack,” Wyatt growled.

  Jack shimmied under the sleeping bag for a few minutes. Megan could see the pain on his face every time he moved.

  “There.”

  Megan shone the light on his thigh. The sight of the injury made her nauseated. A bright red area all the way around the cut was a bad sign. It was swollen. A horrible yellowish ooze was leaking from the area Rosie had left open. Megan covered her mouth and nose when the putrid smell reached her.

  Coughing, she took a shallow breath. “Jack, why didn't you say something? This isn't good. I'll get Brenda. She needs to see this.”

  Wyatt stared at the leg without saying a word.

  “She knows,” Jack managed to get out. He laid his head back on the pillow, taking deep breaths.

  “And what did she say?” Wyatt asked.

  “Not much to say. It’s infected and not healing like it should.”

  Wyatt clearly didn't believe him.

  “I need some fresh air,” Jack said suddenly. He flipped the blanket back over and quickly pulled up his pants.

  He didn't take the time to button them before he stumbled out of the shelter. Megan knew the situation was dire when she heard him vomiting.

  She thought back to last night and throughout the day. Jack hadn't eaten a thing.

  “It's bad, isn't it?” she looked at Wyatt.

  His mouth was set in a grim line.

  He nodded his head.

  Chase sat up. He had been on the other side of Jack.

  “He knew this trip would be tough, but he’s stubborn. Your mom tried to tell him he needed to rest and let his body heal, but he wouldn't listen. Brenda told him it was badly infected. She used the word ‘septic’.”

  “Why didn't she tell me?” Wyatt half-yelled.

  “Jack made her promise not to. They didn't want to worry you.”

  “You knew?” he looked at Chase with anger and hurt in his eyes.