Zack was careful not to step on any twigs or dry leaves, an almost impossible task that he surprised himself in pulling off. They were just cresting a small rise when Wolf stopped with a low growl. Zack squatted down to present less of a target of himself and worked his way forward. Getting down and bell crawling to the top of the rise, he found what had the dog so upset.
Six grown men had a girl that looked to be all of thirteen pinned to the ground, naked. One of the bigger of the men was in the process of raping her. Wolf growled lowly again.
“Shit.” Zack hissed. Even though he had the element of surprise, he wasn’t sure he could take them all at once. Wolf sat patiently, awaiting instructions. The scene sickened Zack, he wanted to act, but he knew better than to rush. That would get him killed and he’d be no help to the girl.
The rest of the men, if you could call them that, were drinking beer, sitting on a beat up white Ford truck that someone had hand painted “Rednecks 4 Jesus” on the door. That they were dinking increased his chances, at least he hoped.
He centered the sights on the rapist, took a deep breath, held it, let half out and held it while his index finger stroked the trigger, sending a 62-grain full metal jacket into the man’s head at 3,025 feet per second. The man jerked for a moment before falling face first onto the young girl.
He quickly re-aimed and caught a redneck who’d just dropped his beer and looked around startled. Zack didn’t even bother looking to see where the round hit, he’d aimed center mass. He was about to pull the trigger on a third one when a brown flash hit the guy in the throat and dragged him down. Switching to the fourth target just as the man reached for his rifle, another AR. Zack’s round caught him in the bridge of the nose before the man could bring it to bear, but the dead man’s finger locked down on the trigger, revealing it to be fully automatic as his rounds stitched the ground. Zack sighted in on the last man who was trying to aim in on Wolf, but in his drunkenness, he stumbled, giving Zack the time to send two quick rounds into the man’s chest. Making sure that all the men were down, he rose and made his way down to the scene. A quick check on the last four showed them to be dead. He had to force Wolf off the fifth one, who was dying, but not yet dead as he struggled to breathe through a throat missing a large chunk. Zack walked over to the rapist, of whom he had no doubt was dead, pulled him off to check the girl. He checked her for a pulse, but found none. He was about to do CPR when he noticed that rounds from the fourth guy had evidently stitched across her chest. Shit, he thought. All for nothing. He sat next to the girl and cried. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened to him and his mind flashed back to a nameless village in Afghanistan where he’d fired on a terrorist, who then managed to lock down the trigger of his AK into a schoolhouse where thirty little boys had gone to learn that day. Four were never going to be doctors, scientists or even farmers. He’d cried on that day too. Being tough didn’t mean you had to be heartless, and senseless deaths affected him that way.
Wolf came over, bloody muzzle and all and whined quietly. Zack sniffled and stroked the dog’s neck.
“Sorry boy, but at least we tried.” He said, pausing to collect himself before shrugging off his pack and digging out a bottle of water, “Let’s get you cleaned up, then we’ll bury the girl real fast. These assholes can feed the coyotes, for all I care.”
Zack radioed Katie and told her what happened. She sounded sad as she told him that she loved him and to hurry home. Using the e-tool he always had strapped to his pack, he dug a shallow grave and gently laid the girl into it. Looking around he found a wool blanket that the rapists, that was how he thought of them now, had evidently been using for a picnic blanket, or worse, and used it to cover the girl’s body. He buried the girl and told her that he was sorry, but that he’d tried. He was sure the guilt was going to stick around for a while.
Heading back to the farm, he kicked himself for feeling guilty; he’d done everything possible to save her and no amount of wishing would fix that. When he thought about what he could’ve done differently, he came up with nothing. The girl’s fate had been sealed the instant those assholes had gotten their hands on her.
He didn’t let the way he was feeling interfere with his personal security as he made his way home, sticking to the game path rather than create a new one. He kept a close eye on Wolf for any sign that he sensed anything out of the normal, but Wolf seemed relaxed. As he approached the front gate, he radioed Katie that it was him and that she could come topside. He quickly secured the gate behind him and entered the house, dropping his gear in the entranceway, scooping up Katie in a desperate hug while saying nothing. This was not going to be a good day for him, but he was determined not to let it get any worse.
He sat at the table, where Katie handed him a glass of Chattanooga Whiskey, a local distillery that Pops introduced him to. He looked at the glass of dark amber, swirled it around and looked at his wife.
“This won’t help. I feel like shit.” He sighed heavily, “I just wish there was some way to save that poor girl.” He said, taking a sip and grimacing as it slid down his throat.
“Sounds like you did all that you could. Besides, do you even know if she was infected or not? Assholes like that prey on weakness.” Katie said, pouring one for herself. Seeing her husband hurt made her hurt every bit as much.
“I did. Wolf did too. But it wasn’t enough. I’m guessing that since she wasn’t acting weird, she wasn’t infected.” Zack said flatly, downing what was left in the glass. He thought seriously about pouring another, but thought better of it. This was not the time to be getting drunk, as much as he wanted to.
“You did your best, sometimes things don’t always work out, but at least those guys won’t be able to do it to anyone else. Think about what would’ve happened if they’d found the farm.” Katie rubbed his neck and he sighed.
“Yeah, that’s something else that has me worried. We need more people here fast. This place is a great big fucking target just waiting to be found with just the three of us to defend it.” Zack said, pouring himself another anyway.
“The three of us?” Katie asked.
“Me, you, and Wolf.” Zack explained, “This guy is unbelievable. I’ve seen him take down bad guys throat first with not one thought of his own safety. Scares me, actually. It could get him hurt and I believe he’ll fit in as family in no time at all.” Zack said, stroking the big dog’s neck.
Katie smiled. She agreed completely, Wolf was a good fit.
“It’s a good thing dad likes big dogs. He’d have a hard time getting rid of this one.” She smiled.
It was three in the afternoon when the alarm sounded, indicating someone near the driveway. Katie punched up the camera and got the shock of her life. Two almost identical women, riding bicycles down the road. She could tell the overdone make-up even in the TV image. One apparently had a plastic sack tied to her handlebars, but what was in it was anyone’s guess.
Never having seen the odd couple before, she kept a close eye on them until they were out of cameral range. She jotted a note on the legal pad beside her so that she’d be sure to tell Zack about it. She also noted that they were heading into town, but the direction they’d come from was a dead-end street. Never having bothered going all the way to the cul-de-sac, she didn’t know what lie that way, but one couldn’t be too careful as Zack had already found out. She’d have to keep an eye on it.
She’d tried the radio again and got a response from Diane, dad’s next-door neighbor, who relayed that her father was going to check on Farmer Brown’s horses and that she’d have him call as soon as he returned. Katie signed off in relief. At least her dad was still alive and okay. He was the mastermind, the glue that held everything together and she didn’t know what any of them would do if they’d lost him. Now if she could only get in touch with her mother, she’d feel one-hundred percent better.
Katie was just going to go wake Zack up for the next watch when the proximity alarm went off on the driveway a
gain, and once again she flipped to that particular camera. She once again was greeted by a picture of the two women from earlier headed back they’d came from. She noticed that the sack was still there, but now was more filled out. Whatever they’d found, they were headed back where they came from. She hated to, but she knew Zack would want to go check them out, if they were at least on the same street. The problem was that it was a mile from the farm to the cul-de-sac, with several houses and small farms along the way, so they could be anywhere.
That they weren’t armed, or didn’t appear to be, didn’t escape her. Still, she didn’t want to do anything that might alert them to the farm’s presence. The longer they could keep that secret, the better. The more she thought about it, the more she came to realize that the dead-end was closer to the interstate, so having someone watching from that end of the road might not be a bad idea.
She told Zack about the women, but he was in no hurry to go trying to find them after what happened with the Rednecks 4 Jesus fiasco.
“Why don’t we just wait for them to come back through again. If they do, I’ll go down the road and wait on them to come back before I approach them.” Zack offered.
“I’m perfectly capable of doing the same thing, if you’ll watch Kenna.” Katie argued.
“Crappy idea. I’m better trained to deal with them if they become a threat.” Zack countered.
“So am I. Remember the guys when we were on our way here? Besides, I’m a woman, they’ll trust me before they trust you.” She said and Zack took the hint and backed down.
“Fine. You’re probably right about trusting a woman, but take Wolf with you anyway.” He suggested and surprisingly she agreed.
About three hours later, the alarm sounded again and she punched the camera up, not surprised to see the same two women, walking their bikes this time. She went and retrieved her rifle.
“I’ll be back in a few.” She said and headed toward the door, Wolf right beside her without having to be told.
By the time she’d made it to the clearing the women were nowhere to be seen, so Katie worked her way around the neighbor’s house and down the road, hiding behind a hedge. Yes, she’d told Zack that she was going to approach them and yes, she said it would be away from the farm. But she didn’t tell him that she was going to follow them and see what they were up to first. He’d be pissed, but he’d get over it.
A few minutes later she could hear a rock skip across the pavement after a foot had kicked it. She motioned Wolf to get down, surprised when he actually did it. It didn’t take long before the women neared her. She found it odd that they were dressed almost identically with white t-shirts and Daisy Dukes that were much too tight on figures that were way too full and if they were wearing bras, you couldn’t tell it. Hangers is how her dad once described it. Draggers would have been more accurate. As they got even closer, she noticed an over-abundance in facial make-up. Much like Tammy Faye, but they just kept right at it for a while after reaching that phase. They were talking a little too loud for the situation.
“If I find those dumb sumbitches, I’ll put a foot in their asses.” One said.
“You know as well as I do they’re out drunk somewhere with Leroy, Ely, and them. Probably found some slut to play with for a while. They’ll be back.” The other said.
“Yeah, well good. That means we ain’t got to service them.” The first tossed out.
“Might be long gone if those sick folks got them.” The second tossed out.
“We couldn’t get that lucky.” The first replied as they drew even with her on the other side of the hedge.
“Yeah, but we need that damned truck.” The second said as they continued on. Katie got a sinking feeling in her gut. She waited on them to round the bend before her and Wolf made their way back to the farm as quickly as she could. Zack was playing with Kenna on the floor when she walked in.
“And?” he asked.
“I think we may have trouble.” She answered as she went to check the camera again.
Jessie
Ocoee, TN
Spencer heard it first; hooves. That meant horses. Whether or not they were mounted was something they’d find out soon.
“Shit, everyone get down behind that log.” Dillon said and they scrambled to get out of the way. Dillon hid behind a tree until he could make out that there were indeed riders, but he couldn’t make out any more than that. Since they were headed in the same direction, he figured it wasn’t a good thing. He waited until the horses were almost on them before he stepped out from behind the tree and thumbed the hammer back on the pistol.
“Hold it right there!” He said, trying to be threatening. In truth, his heart was beating a hundred miles an hour. The lead rider reined the horse to a stop.
“Dillon, is that you?!” the voice asked.
“Mom? Oh, shit! I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was you!” He apologized.
“If you don’t lower that gun, I’ll climb off of here and put a boot in your ass!” Julie said angrily.
“Yes, ma’am. I am sorry. I didn’t think it was you.” He said, dropping his head to look at the ground.
“Well it is.” She spat as Jess and two other people came out from behind a fallen log.
“Damn, babe. Pulled a gun on your mother-in-law? You’re lucky she didn’t just shoot you.” Jess laughed.
“I still might.” Julie said, obviously still mad, “Who have you got there?”
“This is Crystal, she was our neighbor, remember? And this is Spencer. He was left alone after his sitter got sick. His parents never came after him.” Jess answered and Julie nodded.
“Good thing you were there, then. Dad won’t care. This is Vicki; we ran into her on the way. I’ll explain when we get to the house.” Julie answered.
“Who’s the ass?” Dillon asked.
“You are, but the mule’s name is Gus, at least he answers to that. Spencer, would you like to ride up here with me?” Julie asked and the boy nodded and approached. Dillon led the way so that he could set the pace, which was a little faster with Spencer riding.
When they got to the bottom of the hill behind the house, Julie climbed down from the horse, lifting Spencer down after her.
“Have you heard from your dad?” Julie asked Jess, who just shook her head and Julie sighed. That wasn’t good. “Okay, y’all wait here while I go check this out.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to do that, mom? I mean, what if he’s turned or something? If I have to put him down, I’d rather you not see that.” Dillon told her and she nodded.
“Yeah, you’re right. Just radio us if everything’s okay.” Julie told him. Dillon shucked his pack, grabbed his rifle and slowly made his way up the hill. He was about to go all the way up until he remembered the alarm system. Instead he keyed the radio.
“Pops, you there?” he asked, half expecting no response.
“Now where the hell else would I be? Is Jess with you?”
“Yeah. Mom too. We’re coming up.” Dillon said.
“Hang on a sec.” Brad said and then a few seconds later “Okay, come on up.”
“Mom, did y’all get that?” Dillon asked.
“On our way.” She answered and led the horse up the hill.
The reunion was great for everyone. Brad welcomed Crystal, Vicki, Spencer, and Gus into the fold. Brad took the time to explain about Dave and warned them not to go into the guest bedroom.
“I definitely won’t.” Julie said, “First thing this girl’s getting is a bath and a change of clothes, then we’ll go over the plan.” She said, making her way up to the master bedroom. Brad offered up the main bath and Donna took him up right away.
“That won’t drain the water heater?” Crystal asked.
“Nope, there are two gas water heaters here. They heat a lot faster than electric ones and I’ve already switched the water to the well.” Brad said, starting a pot of coffee, “So, tell me what it’s like out there?”
“It’s insane.”
Dillon said, “Everyone that didn’t die went batshit crazy. We saw these two guys at the Ford dealer using a woman to ram the glass in a car, then a whole herd of them came by and tore those two apart and then just walked away. When we got to the jail, the inmates were pushing other inmates’ heads through the bars of a broken window until the head popped like a zit. I’m not ashamed to admit it, I puked. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“No doubt.” Brad said, “Good job rescuing Crystal and Spencer there. We’re going to need everyone we can find.”
“That’s why I’m here. I was going to try and tough it out, but Brad said he’s not much of a farmer.” Diane said, fixing Spencer a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich and handing it to him with a glass of milk.
“So, what’s the plan? Are we heading out to the farm?” Jessie asked.
“That was the original plan. Plans change. I don’t want Donna going home alone. Bad things could happen.” Brad said and relayed what Zack had happened on. “Farmer Brown has six horses that I’ve been looking after. We might have to ride double, but…”
“Oh shit. The horses.” Vicki said suddenly and stood.
“They’re fine.” Brad said.
“No, the horses in the backyard.” Vicki said, “We rescued them from a farm near mine. I need to take care of them.”
“Damn, I’ll help. From now on we follow the old cavalry rule; Horse first, then weapons, then yourself.” Brad said and Walked into through the backyard with Vicki in tow. He went into the shed and took a spool of thick wire that he’d found and saved. First, he made a temporary corral, then helped Vicki with the saddles, tack and feed. Brad walked up to Gus and rubbed his neck.
“Thanks for getting you guys here, big guy.” He said.
Three Days From Home Page 19