It was entirely possible that their actions were being watched. They tried to carry out their movements as discreetly as possible. The in barricades were completed. Joel showed them the trail through the woods behind him. It led out to a rural road. They started to use this exit to leave the township. They kept brush and felled trees across the road so that it would not be easily visible. Unity was preparing for a battle that they knew would come, they just didn't know when.
***
In the auto shop at Casa Dos, the big bad ass machine was coming to life. They didn't know if the vehicle would be the last one that they ever built but this was the one they wanted to construct. This was the project they had been waiting to start. The building of the vehicle had become of interest to everyone in Unity. It was common for some of the residents to drop by the shop and hang out. Many of the women, as well as the men were curious. The new machine was going to be fast and strong. They wanted to be able to make fast get-a-ways or hard defenses.
Jack had said, “The engine that I am the most experienced with is the small block Chevy.” Most of the mechanics agreed this was a good engine to work with. They had gone on the hunt, to the salvage yard. Jack, Tate, a couple of the other men walked among the vast auto graveyard. They stopped and considered several different cars and trucks. It seemed that the deeper they picked through the rusting skeletons, the older the autos were. Then, they spotted it. A late 1960's Chevrolet Suburban huddled down on four flat and rotted tires. It was close to the back fence of the salvage yard. Weeds were growing up and around the heavy body. It had been an ugly milky green color, now, even more milky and sun baked. The body was not too bad, except for rusted out places here and there. The green leather interior was cracked and split. There was no engine. In all it's faded glory, this was it, their new mean machine.
They found some tires for the Suburban, so it could be towed. They had brought the War Wagon. It was as much of a tank as the Chevy. They entered through the back fence of the yard. It wasn't easy, but the green hulk was jerked out and towed to the auto shop. Vines and weeds twisted and wrapped around the heavy back bumper, trailed behind. The salvage yard, also provided the small block engine that the mechanics desired. Many visits to scrounge for parts were made over the next six weeks or so.
The Suburban was four wheel drive. With the big off road tires they installed, it would crawl over many obstacles and rough roads. It was lifted for some extra ground clearance. They installed a heavy duty pipe style bumper on the front. On the back, they made a wider platform type bumper. Someone could stand on it and hold on to the handle they mounted on top. All the glass was removed, they bolted a tight weave metal mesh in place of windows. It allowed for some visibility with limited armor protection. Where the back window had been, they installed two hinged metal doors that could be lifted up on pistons. Above the second seats was their version of a sunroof. Another metal door that could be opened up and fired from behind. Metal plates were bolted all around.
They put many hours of work into this new addition to the Unity fleet. They had the small block purring. Even with it's bulk, the machine could accelerate from zero to 60 mph, in about twelve seconds. With a mountain of wheels available to them, the machine sported bright mag wheels. Dozens of spray cans of primer and dark green covered the cream puff milky green. The Suburban was now a dark green mean machine.
It was the middle of May, when the machine was complete in all it's splendor. Tate and some of the mechanics took the Suburban on a tour to the all of the groups compounds. As the green machine rolled in with it's deep non-muffled voice, the curious gathered around. Everyone got to look inside and out. Some got rides. The mechanics popped out of surprise doors. The old Chevy showed off it's bad ass new identity. The citizens of Unity were impressed and entertained.
***
The barricades were growing to fortify the border. The bullets were being stockpiled. The new vehicles were adding to the mobility and force of the militia. While all of these things were taking place, beans began to grow in the community garden. Two long rows of vines, heavy with pinto beans snaked around the plowed rows. All of the folks who had a little knowledge of gardening and those that were willing to, had worked to get crops in the ground. They used the old tractor and they used their backs. Trish and Eric, and even their little girls worked often in the garden. They once had a very small garden. They had wanted the girls to understand how food was actually grown. Folks from all of the groups, including Joel's wife, put in long hours in the field. It had been Joel's wife who explained how to grow the pintos. When the pods were heavy and plump with beans, you with held water for about two weeks. This let the pods turn yellow and brown, to dry out. You could pick the beans and put them in a pillowcase and mostly shake the dried beans loose. Several of the children would sit on a blanket and separate out pinto beans from the hulls. The beans could be placed in bags or jars, kept in a cool place and would be good for a long time. Little BJ loved to scoop up a handful of fresh pintos and let them sift through his small fingers. There were other crops for all to share in.
Some of the citizens had traveled to the surviving family in the country. They had bartered with them and brought home some hens and a rooster, to inhabit the new chicken house. Mindy and Michelle loved to collect the eggs. They were afraid of the chickens at first, but soon learned to sho-oo them away and pick up the fresh eggs. There were some goats on the five acre plot. They had also rounded up about four head of cattle. One of those was a small bull. It had been quite a challenge to acquire. One of the men from the lake group had been a good horseman. Once he located a horse, he was the chief wrangler that captured the bull.
At the five acre community property they built some long tables. The tables were shaded with a shed roof. The produce, the eggs, whatever was harvested, was brought to the tables. All of the groups shared in the bounty. It soon became a bartering spot. Everything that you might not need, from clothing to guns, was brought to exchange for something you did need. This was commonly on Saturday morning. On a rare occasion, even old Herm came rolling in. His wagon loaded, the citizens were always curious about what he had to trade. If you had a small bag of home-made cookies, you could acquire just about anything that Herm had in his wagon. Those were his favorites.
On this particular Saturday morning in early June, Lynn and Lee were getting ready to go to the five acre market. Their bedroom, like all of the couples, was dark from the boarded window. A battery light sat on the small table between two chairs. They had found an old recliner, in Jack and Beth's storage and also, a wooden rocking chair. The recliner worked for Lee. He could elevate his leg, when the injury was bothering him the most. Cushions softened the rocker, which Lynn had actually been rocked in herself, as a baby. An old found polaroid camera had snapped a hazy black and white shot of Lynn and Lee. They stood together, under a tree in the compound's back yard. Lee with his rifle on his shoulder and Lynn with her pistol on her hip. This Bonnie and Clyde version of the pair was in a small frame on the table. A pale blue blanket, black and white covered pillows decorated the bed.
Lynn reached in the small closet and got a wide brimmed straw hat. The sun would be hot today. She looked around the softly lit bedroom. On the walls were four of her large, brightly colored abstract creations. They were all framed in black. She was still amazed that they were there. Lee had taken the War Wagon and three of the young men, they had risked going back to her house. Lee did not go into detail about how the house was totally trashed. She did not want to know. He had gone into her bedroom and asked Dane to look under the bed. Dane had peeked under the bed and looked up at him, saying, “You mean these?” as he pulled the blanket and sheet covered pieces from underneath. The ones that had been hanging on the wall were slashed and spattered for no purpose. The ones that Lee hid under the bed had not been noticed. Some pictures were home again, in the small space of Lynn and her new husband.
The new couple would get a much deserved morning away from the
compound. Lynn put the hat on and grabbed a bag of cookies that Beth had made. Just in case, Herm was at the market. Lynn always found something fascinating in his wagon. Mindy and Michelle piled into the War Wagon along with several of the others.
They pulled up to the five acre property. The members of Jack's family burst from the wagon, scattering around the field. Chickens and goats roamed freely in the grass. They were roosts, in the far front corner. Farther back in the field, the cattle grazed. There was a fence that confined them to an area of the property. The stock pond spread between the cattle area and the community garden. There was a colorful array of produce and items for trade dotting the long tables. The younger men and women scanned the people ambling around, looking for friends to visit with. Lynn didn't see the hermit. She heard the rumble of a motorcycle. Mac was pulling up and she knew Lee would want to talk with the loner. They seemed to get along well.
The first order of business was always the dividing of the weeks harvest. The produce and eggs and any other yields of the five acre property were placed on one of the long tables. Each group would take their share. The shares were alloted, according to numbers in your group. And supposedly, your group had contributed workers and hours based on your numbers. Of course, there was always that person who wanted to cheat a little. Wanted to take more than their rightful share and not work their rightful hours. Even though, it was a basic honor system, there was some monitoring. Greed was handled with a firm hand. Some of the men, had discussed the probability that there would be a Unity jail, in the future. Their small communal township had been fortunate, so far. No major trouble makers or criminals in their midst. Human nature being what it is, that would not hold true forever. They were all busy keeping peace and surviving in their own groups, no one was ready to take a job of policing yet.
Lynn had brought some large baskets. Mindy and Michelle's helped, they loaded the baskets. Taking their family's share of the pintos, tomatoes and eggs. She looked around and saw Lee talking with the loner. They walked to the motorcycle and untied two cardboard boxes and took them to the wagon. She saw them stand beside the car for a while longer. They were having a serious looking conversation, she had learned to recognize a set to Lee's jaw that meant concern. The two men shook hands. Lee walked towards her, he smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek. They took the baskets to the car.
“What's in the boxes?” said Lynn.
Lee said, “Oh, Mac found some boxes of band-aids and other medicines in the back of the grocery. He sent them for the hospital.”
“You two looked pretty serious.” said Lynn.
“I'll tell you about it later. We better find the twins. I don't see Herm. No telling what they will trade those cookies for.” He pulled her hand through his arm and they walked back to the milling crowd.
Even on an enjoyable day like this Saturday there were always guards around. When the crops or stock were being cared for, there were guards. Always, there had to be a vigilance. It wasn't just the human threat that existed around the small town. It was things such as the dogs. Jason's close call was a reminder.
***
Before they returned to the compound, the War Wagon delivered the boxes of supplies to the hospital. They pulled into the church group compound and over next to a building with a red cross on the door. The developing of the hospital had been one of the very important additions to Unity.
Entering the front door, a long room stretched out. There was only one true hospital bed and several twin size roll away beds. These lined the wall, with curtains that could be pulled in between. On each of the beds, clean sheets were folded, ready to put on the beds. Lynn, Lee and Shawna walked down the aisle in front of the beds. Lynn said, loudly, “Anybody here?” Kat answered her from somewhere in the end of the building.
“Here, Aunt Lynn.”
They moved to the sound of Kat's voice, carrying the boxes. They passed a small examining room. There was a tall table there. The nurse from the church group was standing in front of someone, sitting on the table. As they passed by, a young voice said, “Hey Shawna, is that you?” Shawna backed up a step and peered into the room.
“Hey, how are you doing?”
“I am feeling okay,” said the girl sitting on the table. Her feet swung way above the floor, her swollen tummy like a bowling ball. The teen girl who had been kidnapped several months before had not completely escaped her trouble. Very soon, Unity would have a brand new resident. She and Shawna had become very good friends.
The nurse turned and said, “She is doing just great. Any day now...”
“Good, you take care girl. Gotta go,” said Shawna, “I'll see you in a day or two.” The girl smiled back at her.
In the room at the back of the building, Kat had a large pot of water boiling on one of two propane burners. Matt was helping her and they were sterilizing some scissors and small medical tools. There were some cabinets in the room for supplies. Jack had taken the propane refrigerator out of the tiny camper and moved it to the hospital. That gave them a place to keep some medications cool. It sat on the other side of a stainless steel table. The clinics in the area had provided some useful things. Lee sat the boxes down. The band-aids and other bandages, various antibiotic creams and sprays, other anti-bacterial meds, even several bottles of aspirin would add to the hospital supplies.
Lynn said to Kat, “The place looks great. I am very proud of the work all of you have done. The town really needed this. How are you liking the work?”
Kat said, “I am enjoying the work and the learning. I am a little nervous, though. The nurse said that I could assist her when it is time for the baby. I have never seen a baby born.”
“You will do just fine, don't worry.” said Lynn.
Matt was opening the boxes and putting away their new supplies. Kat showed them around a little more. They said they would see her back at the home compound and headed home with their shares of the fresh food. Lynn wondered, what was the serious conversation between her husband and the loner all about?
Chapter Eight
THE BAD SEED
The veranda of the grocery market was shaded but wavy streams still rose from the concrete, the East Texas sticky temperatures were at their peak. Lee had brought Jack along and they sat at one of the tables with Mac. Lee came and visited with the loner, fairly often. He had already filled Jack in on the conversation that he had with the loner. Lynn was right, the conversation at the Saturday five acre meet had been a serious one. Lee took out a thermos with cool clean water in it. He poured each of them some, in small paper cups.
Mac wiped away the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his shirt. “I am going to need to be gone for a while.” he said.
Jack drank about half of his cup down. He wanted to...he thought he could trust this man. Still, the guy knew an awful lot about Unity. He knew everything.
Mac continued, “Those bad seed have been at their location, too long. They are going to have to start looking for fresh plunder. It's a good bet, they have had some spies trying to check us out. The last time that I got close enough to pick up any of their chatter, I heard a short back and forth. Two guys were standing in front of the theater.
One of the guys said, “I seen a bunch of men dragging cars around like they was building some sort of blockade. It was over there, where that four lane heads out of town to the south. I poked around the area some.”
“So what?” said the other guy.
“Well, I didn't go far. Sh-t, it's too damn hot to be walking around. Anyways, I think there are a lot of folks out there. I saw a car or two that was running. They sure ain't skinny and hungry lookin'. I bet they got some good stuff in there.”
The second guy said, “We better tell the big guy. It's getting sparse around here. And you know, when food and stuff gets low, he gets pissed.” The man had on a dirty sleeveless undershirt. A scar ran all the way from his shoulder to below his elbow. He ran his hand down at the long red trail. “I ain't found much of anything
lately.”
“That's all I heard,” said Mac. “I need to try and get inside that gang. We need to find out what their plans are, how many there really are and what they have to attack us with.”
Jack said, “Who-a-a, wait a minute. That's some dangerous crap you are talking about Mac. I am not sure that you should do that.”
Lee looked at the loner but didn't speak.
“Look,” said Mac. “They know I have been around. I am just that loner, they really have had no reason to mess with me. I think I could get in, if I claimed to be bringing them info about this group. Maybe I could get some good intel. I could get out before they move and get back here.”
Jack didn't like it, he didn't like it one little bit. They did need this advance info. If the gang was coming they needed any edge they could get. The three of them drank down the last of the water.
Lee said, “Don't be a hero Mac. Get in and get out.”
“Look for me in about four days. If I am not back in a week, you get ready for what is coming,” said Mac.
***
Mac squelched the zinging of the cycle, a little less than a block from the theater. He pushed the bike the last half block. With a rifle, another pistol and some ammunition, tied on, it was darn heavy. He eased it into the back door of a Day Spa building. That building was in site of the theater. He put his pack on his back. He tied a white piece of cloth on a stick and started walking towards the movie house, his hands up. Up on the sidewalk, near the theater entrance, the van and a pick-up sat. Two men leaned up against the building, smoking. As soon as they spotted him, they immediately aimed rifles at him.
No Normal Day II (Unity) Page 9