Taken anw-4

by John O'Brien

  “This is Jack, I’m heading in,” I radio whoever has the radio watch.

  “Copy that,” I hear Greg respond. I should have known he’d be up if a member was out. I’m guessing he’ll be up all night.

  The crickets and other night animals pick up their evening sounds. They are comforting as I know nothing in the predator category lies near. It’s a two-edged sword however because if I happen to get close to them, then they’ll go silent and notify anyone that something lurks nearby. I watch the spotlight trying to gauge a pattern but I don’t pick one up. With a deep sigh, I sink to my stomach and edge out of the trees.

  I slowly part the grass ahead of me and wiggle forward, coming to a rest after my movement. I can’t see the guards in the tower past the light so I have to assume their eyes are following the path of the light. Another parting of the grass and movement brings me a foot and a half closer to the fence. That will be the most interesting part, getting through the fence directly ahead of the tower. Timing will be critical.

  The only pattern of light I notice is that its beam stays mostly outside of the fence line. Once inside, I should have no worries about it. Then it will be primarily keeping quiet as I make my way past the tower. The beam swings in my direction. Here’s the real test. It will either pass over me or a shot will ring out that I will never hear. I try to wiggle even closer to the ground; trying to press my rear end through the hard surface. I fold the grass stalks over me without bending them too much. The light draws ever closer. I bury my head both to remain invisible and to not cause a white out of the NVG’s. I also don’t want the light to reflect back off the glass front.

  I notice my headache coming on again. Great, like I need that, I think with head pressed into the dirt. I watch to the side for the light to come and pass. As the light draws closer, the dirt and grass begin to lighten. My body tenses anticipating the light stopping and a searing pain to enter my body. It grows brighter and the dirt below my eyes suddenly becomes like day. I’m just the grass, I think. I’m afraid the black of my fatigues might be too black. I always preferred a charcoal gray at night as black is sometimes bright and easy to see in the light. The brightness seems to linger forever. Pass on, I think putting all of my focus into not moving. I only exhale in short breaths not wanting any steam to escape. It’s not cold enough for that but old habits die hard.

  The light fades, passing off to the other side. I raise my head catching sight of the light transiting to the right. I part the grass ahead and maneuver ahead. I keep a look out for any freshly turned earth or mounds of dirt. I wouldn’t think they would have mined the outside. They would have had to raid an armory for that and their weapons don’t indicate they had but one can never be too careful. Especially when it comes to explosives and the possibility of having one’s limbs being separated from the rest of the body. The light stops and swings back, this time focusing further in the trees. I freeze as it crosses above me, once more pressing down into the ground. This cat and mouse game continues for a period of time until I find myself next to the fence.

  Several shrieks pierce the night. Some close and others answer from far away. I don’t know if it’s me they’re howling about or if it’s just my anxiety of being out in the night with them. Either way, I’m ready to be on the other side of the fence. The grass truly is greener on the other side. The light pans out to the left focusing on the tree line. I take out the can of chemical spray and spray upward close to a fence post. Spray is a misnomer as it actually comes out in a stream. Reaching a height tall enough to sidle through, I start across the chain links; they separate immediately. The spotlight begins in my direction again and I bury myself in the grass that abuts the fence. Once it passes, I quietly push the “door” through the fence inwards lifting it slightly to minimize any noise. The light comes back and stops on the trees to my immediate rear. I crouch through and close the “door.”

  I’m hoping they haven’t spotted a trail I left but I don’t dare move to see what they are focusing on. I hear voices drift down from the tower twenty yards ahead of me. It’s too faint to hear any definitive words. I ready myself for any alarm. If it comes down to it, I’ll do what I can and slip back through the fence and lose myself in the woods. The game will be over though as they’ll know we’re here. Plan B will then be in effect. Plan B is anyone’s guess at this point.

  The voices stop and the light moves on. I relax a touch and sigh. I put the fence back as close to natural as I can and wrap small pieces of wire to the corner ends. This will enable me to undo them quickly while hopefully preserving the naturalness of the fence. Now the tricky part; skating by the tower without being seen or heard. The grass fields around are illuminated in green but I know that it is dark outside of my NVG’s. There’s a small copse of trees between the gym and the tennis courts sitting close to the fence. That’s my next stop.

  Slowly move and pause, move and pause. I angle away from the tower towards the relative safety of the trees. It’s not that the trees provide great cover as they are spread out a bit but I hate open areas. At least I can get behind a tree if needed. Out in the open, there’s nowhere to go if they decide to check on the interior for any reason. Slowly, the trees get closer, or, should I say I get closer to them. It’s not as if they are walking towards me. That would be nice however but then I would hope they were friendly. The last thing I need now is a group of walking trees that are hostile.

  After what seems like hours, I reach the first of the trees and sit on my heels behind a towering fir, putting it between me and the roving spotlights. From here, I am able to see further into the campus. The tennis courts to my left and the outer wall of the swimming pool, attached to the gym to my right, mark the boundaries of the school proper. The first of the single story classroom buildings is across a paved road ahead. I see the main office building at an angle across from the gym past the same road. A faint light glows through the windows of the office building. That’s a good thing as, with a light on, they won’t be able to see outside very well. I ponder my next move; to head into the classroom buildings or head into the gym.

  “This is Jack, I’m in,” I whisper pressing the push-to-talk button.

  “Wow! Really? I had the area glassed the entire time and didn’t see you,” Greg calls back after a pause.

  “I used magic,” I whisper back.

  “Everything looks normal from here,” he says.

  “Okay. I think I’ll check out the gym first,” I say.

  “Roger.”

  My head is pounding as I leave my little sanctuary and sidle over to the pool wall. It’s lost in the shadows of the night but shows up clearly in my vision. A large green dumpster lies halfway along the wall and I crouch where the corner meets the wall. Looking around, I see the spotlights panning the perimeter a distance away. Nothing else moves. I take that back. A small shape flitters in the air across my vision. I see another shape move swiftly through the night, banking and disappearing as quickly as it appeared. Bats are out, I think. Here I sit in midst of an armed compound, keyed up on adrenaline, and there they are flying about as if this night is not any different than the others. Everything is a matter of perspective I guess, I think refocusing.

  I hear a shuffling of feet. I’m surprised I can hear them over the pounding in my head and I notice the scratch on my neck burns a little more than usual. I shrink further against the corner making sure not to put too much pressure against the dumpster. The last thing I want is to press too hard and cause it to move. Not like I’m the man of steel but the thought forms anyway. I hear the shuffling draw closer but don’t see anything appear at the corner. Odd, I think. I should see something as the sound seems to be coming from just around the corner. I fold quickly to the opposite side of the dumpster and become just another dark space in the corner.

  A minute passes. I take out my signal mirror, move forward, and hold it toward the bottom of the large green dumpster. A light forms at the corner of the building, swaying back and forth sligh
tly; common to a flashlight being held by someone walking. Great. We sure missed any roving patrols. I’m not sure this area was visible from our position but we should have spotted lights moving about. Perhaps it’s not a regular patrol. Maybe the tower did report something odd when the light stopped behind me and someone is checking it out.

  The light pans across the trees I was in a few moments ago and then sweeps in my direction. I pull the mirror back in order not to cast a reflection and move back to the corner. Stowing the mirror, I grip my M-4; keeping it closer in order not to create a larger profile but ready to use. The light casts its beam on the dumpster; illuminating the ground directly in front of me, creating a shadow of the dumpster that envelops me. I slowly reach down and quietly loosen the knife wrapped around my ankle. This is the part of my winging it, the aspect Lynn so fondly referred to, that I’m not a big fan of; the waiting for a situation to develop.

  The light begins to swing. Whoever is holding it is on the move again. It’s not aimed directly at the dumpster anymore but the round spot is on the ground directly in front of me. It does move forward with each slight sway of the light. I’m not overly worried about whoever is holding the light, unless there is more than one, but more of what will happen afterward if I have to take them out. Will they make a lot of noise, which I can minimize to an extent if I don’t have to fire, or will the flashlight beam bounce and catch the attention of the tower guards? Crazier things have happened. This is one time I wish I had three arms and hands. But I’m stuck with the two I came with. One will be guiding the knife and the other to prevent a scream the “guiding” will most likely produce. I would use my suppressed sidearm but I want to completely minimize sound and the flash, although limited, may catch someone’s attention.

  The light continues to advance along with the faint swish of feet moving through the grass. A foot steps into my view by the outside corner of my little hideaway. This is quickly followed by another foot swinging in step and the guard comes fully into view. I keep my head lowered yet keep the guard in view through the top of my goggles. Any facial registration of surprise or head movement in my direction on his part will cause an eruption of movement on mine.

  He is carrying a pistol in one hand but in a relaxed manner. He also has a bolt-action rifle slung over his shoulder. This is indicative that he isn’t expecting anything but this doesn’t make me relax any. My heart is pounding with the increase in adrenaline which isn’t doing my head any good. I don’t notice as most of my focus is directed to the ten feet in front of me. He stops.

  Sliding his handgun into the holster, he reaches into an upper pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. Cradling the flashlight in the crook of his arm, he pulls one out and jams it between his lips. A flare of light from a lighter follows. I’m thankful for the light he has chosen to shine in his own eyes killing any night vision he may have acquired. The cigarette flares in the view from my goggles, he gathers his semi-auto pistol, and moves on leaving a trail of cigarette smoke scent behind.

  Idiot, I think. You really have no grasp or concept of night runners. If a horde truly gathers and there is no telling if or when that could happen, as they are wily, this place will be overrun in moments. The thought penetrates that I should just take care of him here and now as that kind of stupidity or carelessness shouldn’t be allowed to propagate any further. I am relieved that he moves on though. He rounds the corner and disappears from sight. I still hear the swishing of his feet moving through the grass for a short time and then all is still again. I slide my knife back firmly into the sheath.

  I wonder if he is doing circuits of the gym, the entire campus, or if it is a one-shot deal. I radio Greg and advise him of the guard. Edging to the corner where the guard went, I am just in time to see him swing one of the gym entrance doors open and disappear inside. The soft tink of the door closing reaches my ears moments later. I notice a light over the top of the door casting a large spot of light around the entrance. Well, that way is out, I think slinking back to the dumpster.

  Gathering my thoughts, I crouch to the opposite corner of the gym wall and peek around the corner. There is another light by the opposite entrance to the gym but the door to the pool, lying closer to my position, is concealed in shadows. That’s my way in.

  I quickly move against the wall to the door and listen. The gray metal door doesn’t disclose anything that may lie inside. I crack the door thankful it’s unlocked. There’s no sound and I see the soft shimmering of water reflecting off the concrete brick walls. I open the door and slip inside coming to a crouch just inside. The lights of the large pool are on. Ribbons and streams of light from the pool bounce off the ceiling and walls reminiscent of an aurora borealis light show.

  A small office jutting out onto the concrete flooring is dark as are the entrances to the locker rooms and showers on the far end to the left. Okay, let’s do this, I think observing no movement within. The lights from the pool are my only company. I walk quickly in a crouch across the hard floor, making sure to keep my footfalls silent, and come to rest against the wall leading to the first locker room. The problem with these concrete enclosures is the complete lack of anything to absorb sound. And sound bounces off water to a greater extent. Have you ever been out on a boat in the middle of a lake where you can hear voices from a campground far away? It’s the same with locker rooms; nothing to absorb sound. This is either a benefit or liability depending on the situation.

  Nothing but a slow drip of water comes from within. I slide into the dark room. I feel anxious about being in a dark interior but that is only from prior experiences with night runners. I’m pretty sure there aren’t any night runners about so I shake off the increase in anxiety. I don’t know what’s worse; marauders with guns or night runners. At least I know about the marauders, along with a little more knowledge about their capabilities, and human nature to an extent so I think I’ll take them over the night runners. Yeah, I’ll take that any day.

  The usual showers along one wall with stalls, sinks, and benches fill the interior. A wheeled basket with towels is shoved up against one wall. The smell of soap and the humid nature of the room let me know it’s been used recently. This must be where they take the “captives” after their meals and let them clean up. A pile of dirty clothes sits in one of the corners. I slink through the room to the other entrance door.

  I know there is a long hallway past the door leading to the entrance doors of the gym. There are also doors at the far ends that lead into the gym entrance foyers. I crack the door and put my signal mirror out into the hall. I would use the fiberscope but the doors are too tight fitting. The hall appears dark with exit lights shining at either end. A small amount of light streams in from small windows inset into the gym entrance doors and hits the wall in an elongated rectangle. Most importantly, no one is in the hall. There aren’t any places of cover though. From here on out, if I encounter anyone armed, they go down.

  My thumb caresses the selector switch making sure I’m on semi. If I do meet up with anyone in the hall, hopefully the sound will be contained within. I can switch to auto if needed but the sound of one round is much different than that of auto fire and can be dismissed by anyone hearing. With a deep sigh, I snake into the hall. Next time, I’m going to be the one sitting on a hill watching others do this.

  I creep down the hall with periodic looks behind. Nearing the light from the door’s window casting a dim outline of the window against the opposite wall, I ready myself for it to swing open. That seems to be the way my luck runs. I sneak a peek through the window. The mirror might cast a reflection inside so I use my Mark 1 eyeball. The gym is dimly lit by a few overhead lights hanging from the ceiling far above. A row of folded bleachers sits just inside with cots spread in lines across the wooden floor. Lumps on the cots indicate they are occupied. An upper gym overlooks the main gym on the far side and two guards stand by metal railings. I look at the lumps on the cots searching for a telltale head. Those I can see appear to be males
.

  There, on the second cot down in the first line of cots closest to me, is the familiar short hair of Robert. My heart soars at the sight of him. The thought of darting in, grabbing him and vanishing in the darkness of the compound enters my mind. Or, I could take the guards out and do the same. This thought however subsides as there is Bri, Michelle, and Gonzalez to get out as well. Any action taken now will result in our presence becoming known and make it more than doubly difficult to get any of them out.

  I head to the doors a short distance away at the end of the hall. The metal doors, with larger panes of glass set into their upper frames, look over the entrance foyer. Two guards sit in plastic chairs by the front entrance. I’m conscious of the one roving guard from earlier and check the hall behind. Empty. I head back to the door to the gym. Waiting for the guards overlooking the main gym to both have their attention focused elsewhere, I slip inside and ease the door shut as I fold into shadows of the bleachers where they meet the wall.

  I turn off and raise my goggles. The inside is in fact very dimly lit but I’m able to see clearly regardless. I kneel and wait for another opportunity. I may not be able to take Robert out on this trip but I at least want him to know I’m here. The guards become involved in a conversation and I slide out to the first cot, coming to rest on my stomach adjacent to it. The cot shields me from the guards above should they look in this direction.

  “Mister, what are you doing?” A voice whispers just above me.

  I look up and see the face of a young lad peering down at me. “Shhhh… Lie back on your cot and go back to sleep,” I whisper. The face sinks back to the cot.