by JEFF MOTES
Rising, I replace the magazine with the one from my left pocket and survey the scene. The first guy I shot is lying in the yard, a pool of blood soaking into the ground. Covering him with my pistol, I search for his weapon. It’s a shotgun, just outside his reach. Amy is still screaming hysterically. Lizzy walks up behind me, still holding her shotgun. She touches me. I want to scream too, but this isn’t over yet.
Chapter 3
Jimmy
Deceit
Day 6
It feels good driving a truck again. Will’s old Ford certainly doesn’t drive like the Chevy in my garage, but at least it’s running. I wonder why. Actually, I’m pretty surprised he agreed to let me take it. He seems like a nice kid, and maybe I can use that to my advantage. With a grin, I recall his expression after he came down from Amy’s room. After I went upstairs to wake Amy, I completely understand why, although I don’t understand why he came back down. Amy needs more time to come around to the idea of making Will her boyfriend. If she can, it may solve all our problems. I have to be careful and not alienate Lizzy. Not until Amy has had a chance to work her charm, then it won’t matter. Right now, Will is here for Lizzy, and if she gets upset and wants to leave, he will leave with her, and I won’t be able to stop him. I have got to avoid that.
“Jimmy, I’ve been thinking,” Lynn says. “Maybe you’re right about Amy and Will. He might be good for her. But I don’t want Lizzy to get hurt.”
Lynn is starting to come around. That’s good, and maybe she can help make things happen.
“I don’t want Lizzy to be hurt, either. She is a sweet girl. However, we need to think about Amy and what’s best for her and us.”
“I’m not sure Amy is going to want to do it,” Lynn says after a long silence. “Break Will and Lizzy up, that is. Lizzy is her best friend.”
“She’ll see. If we can keep Will and Lizzy here for a few days, she’ll come around. We have to be careful. We don’t want to make Lizzy want to leave yet.”
“How are you going to do that? You know she wants to see her grandmother. I have no doubt Mrs. Barnes is going to agree with Lizzy leaving with Will.”
I don’t respond. There are several cars stalled here, and there along the way and two on the bridge.
Lynn says, “I guess it got everybody’s car.”
“Not everybody’s. Look at us.”
She smiles. “You’re right, Jimmy. For the first time since the EMP happened, I think there is some hope.”
Not long after crossing the bridge, I pass a church on the right.
“Jimmy, did you notice all the armed men back there? Maybe we should stop and talk with them, see what they’re up to. Perhaps they can help us, and we won’t need all this drama with Amy and Will. They have come by to visit us a few times.”
“Not with this truck. That’s all we need is a group of armed thugs to take our truck away.”
“Will’s truck,” Lynn corrects me. “But maybe you’re right.”
A few more miles down the road, we pass the church where white people attend. I visited that church a few times right after moving out here. The pastor there kept preaching on the need for repentance. I’ve never done anything bad enough to have to repent, so I didn’t go back. Besides, one of the guys in the choir was the laziest person at the Mill. There seems to be a pretty good crowd outside. The EMP happened this past Thursday. Today is the sixth day since then. That makes it …Wednesday. They could be having their Wednesday service, but it’s way too early for that.
We come to a roadblock near Walmart, where an officer waves us down.
“Jimmy?” Lynn says with a frightened look.
The officer walks over. His nametag reads ‘James’. His pants are green, and his shirt is tan. The badge on his chest says, ‘Conservation Department’. His first question is pointed.
“Where is Will Carter?”
His words catch me by surprise, and I don’t respond right away. He asks again more firmly. “Where is Will Carter? This is his truck. Where is he?”
His hand is on the grip of his pistol. Quickly regaining myself, I stick my hand outside the window. “My name is Jimmy Wright. Will is out at my place with Lizzy Barnes and my daughter Amy.”
The officer ignores my outstretched hand and keeps himself away from the door. His tone is still sharp. “Why are you driving his truck?”
“Just going to drive over to Mrs. Barnes’ and see if she’d like to come stay with us. Will didn’t want to leave Lizzy alone, so he asked me to come instead.”
His eyes are boring into me, and my nerves are about to break. He seems to relax a little and removes his hand from his pistol.
“All right. No firearms allowed. If you have one, leave it here, and you can pick it up on your way back out. There is a dusk till dawn curfew. If you’re still in town after dark and moving around, you will be shot. Do you understand?”
Involuntarily, I cover the bulge of the revolver in my front pocket with a cloth. “Yes, I do. But why?”
“We’ve had a lot of rioting, looting, and home invasions going on,” he says with a frown. “Most occur after dark. Don’t be moving around after dark.”
“We shouldn’t be here long.”
He waves us through.
Lynn is visibly upset, and I’m still shaken from the encounter. She looks around at the new scenes before her. The barbed wire around the Walmart parking lot and the presence of National Guard troops and equipment catch her unprepared.
“This is like a military camp,” she says. “Like an occupation.”
“I told you things were tough in town.”
I swirl my tongue around in my mouth, probing the hole where my front tooth once was. The memory sends a shiver down my spine. At least the pain is nowhere as intense as it was.
“Are you really going to ask Mrs. Barnes to come out to our place?”
“Of course not. We aren’t even going to see her.”
She looks surprised. “Then why did we come here?”
“Several reasons. I want to see what town looks like and maybe go by the Mill. Second, and most importantly, for the cover to the story I’m going to be telling Will and Lizzy when we get home. Amy needs a few days to come around. This might buy her some time.”
Lynn looks at me, puzzled. “What story?”
“You’ll see. Just go along with it. It’s important.”
“I don’t like lying, Jimmy. It isn’t right.”
“Right? What do you mean ‘isn’t right’? Is it right for us to be destitute and starving? There isn’t any right and wrong anymore. We have got to survive, and we are going to do whatever it takes to do so. To hell with right and wrong!”
She stares at me with wide eyes. “I’ve never seen you like this, Jimmy.”
“Well, I’m not the same Jimmy anymore. All our money is in the bank. It’s closed and won’t be opening anytime soon. Our food supply is nearly gone. Richard’s food stores were stolen by those low-life Hiltons. We don’t have a garden, I don’t know how to hunt, we have no means of transportation, and we have no friends anywhere close by. We don’t have the luxury to consider what’s right and what’s wrong. We must do whatever it takes to survive. Right now, that boy and the food he has is our best chance. If deceit is what we need, deceit is what we will use. If deceit doesn’t work, we’ll have to use violence. Which do you prefer?”
Her eyes water, and tears start to flow. “What’s happened to us, Jimmy?”
Looking at her and the emotional conflict she has inside, I have pity for her. I simply reply, “Desperation.”
I turn left at the gas station onto Industrial Road.
“Why are we going to the mill? I thought you said it was closed.”
“I want to see if anything is left there we can use.”
As I drive down the road, I see that damn kid standing in his yard with my bike! They’re going to pay right now. I swerve off the road, heading straight for the kid and the bike.
Lynn screams.
“Jimmy, look out for that kid! You’re going to hit him!”
I don’t care if I do, but the bike is my target. The kid jumps out of the way just in time before the truck smashes into the bike. The truck bounces when the front and rear tires roll over the bike. Oh, that felt so good!
“Jimmy!” Lynn screams. “Have you gone mad!”
“That was my bike, and the bastard back there stole it. They won’t be stealing it from anybody else.”
“You almost ran over that boy!”
“He got out of the way, but he’s part of the whole scheme. I only wish his dad had been there.”
Back on the road, the ride is smooth again. The adrenaline rush is still working inside. Maybe the rest of the day will go so well. We’re flying down the road toward the mill even faster than I normally drove before the EMP. The police patrolled this road often. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten two speeding tickets rushing to work. Well, there aren’t any cops around now. The sound of the motor purring is different than any other vehicle I’ve driven. It sounds good. Cresting the overpass across the railroad track, I speed on. It’s only another mile to the Mill. I slam on the brakes, locking the wheels, and the truck skids forward. In the intersection of The Depot Road and Industrial Road is a large crowd of people blocking us from the Mill. Maybe a hundred or more. Someone is on top of a stalled car with a bullhorn. These aren’t police officers. Multiple eyes turn in our direction, then an all-out run. They’re coming for the truck!
Lynn screams.
Putting the gear selector in reverse, I give the engine more gas and speed backwards, creating some space, then whip around and head for US43. I’m scared.
Lynn is crying. “Let’s go home, Jimmy. Please, let’s go home.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
Slowing for the turn onto US43, I see the kid and his dad in the yard looking at my crumpled bike. My smile quickly fades away when the barrel of the man’s shotgun rises and points at our moving truck. BAM! The sounds of the metallic impact of the pellets on the truck are loud, and the passenger rear tire goes POP! But I can’t stop here. Turning north on US43, I speed up, searching for a good place to pull over. Finally, I pull over at the Methodist Church parking lot.
Lynn is still crying. “Jimmy, you’ve gone insane, and you’re going to get us killed!”
I get out of the truck, hoping Will has a spare tire and trying to figure out how I’m going to explain this to him.
Chapter 4
Lizzy
I Don’t Want to Die
Day 6
The loud sounds of the gunfire still ring in my ears. I’m scared. Really scared. Will is kneeling inside the doorway firing. Amy is screaming. Everything is happening so fast, yet I remain silent. What is there to say? The firing has stopped, and Will rises. Amy is now on the floor curled up, continuing to scream. Will’s pistol is still in his hand, and it’s aimed outside, yet he doesn’t fire. I’m trembling badly when I touch his shoulder. He feels steady and strong. How? I’m shaking like a leaf. He glances back at me with determined eyes, then I look around him into the yard. An involuntary shudder runs through my body when I see a man lying on the ground. I want to scream and cry like Amy, but I can’t. I just can’t do it.
Will steps onto the porch, his pistol still raised and aimed at the man on the ground. I follow, stopping just outside the door. He continues down the steps and cautiously approaches the man with his pistol still aimed. Avoiding the blood on the ground, he kneels and places two fingers on the man’s neck. After a few seconds, he stands and holsters his pistol.
“Lizzy, you should go back inside.”
I stare at him, still unable to utter a sound, yet I don’t go inside. Instead, I take an unsure step forward, then another, until I find myself beside him. I want to throw up. But I can’t. I can’t do that to Will. I touch him again. This time, he’s trembling.
“Will, are you hurt?”
He turns and looks at me. Those determined eyes are now filling with water. “I’m okay, Lizzy. You should really go inside.”
I’m not going inside. No, I’m staying right here with him. I search his eyes and see pain. “I think Mr. Wright has a tarp inside the garage.”
“Okay, I’ll get it.”
He walks away but stops at the end of the porch, goes to a knee, and starts retching.
Quickly, I’m by his side, placing an arm around his shoulder, offering what comfort I can. “It’s going to be okay, Will.”
His body shudders again. Laying the shotgun on the ground, I rise quickly and run inside the house for a wet cloth. When I return, Will is standing. I give him the cloth, and he wipes his face.
“Thank you, Lizzy.”
We both walk to the garage, searching for the tarp. The familiar blue cover is on a shelf in the back corner. Mr. Wright has it neatly rolled and tied with two strings. Back at the body, Will kneels near the man’s head and cuts the string with his knife.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. You should really go inside and check on Amy.”
I move toward the end of the unrolled tarp. “I’m not leaving you, Will.”
Together, we spread the tarp across the dead man’s body. Another shiver runs through me.
“Lizzy, you really need to check on Amy. I’m okay.”
I stare at him as if seeing him for the first time. Maybe I’m in shock; I don’t know. What do I say to this boy? No, he’s not a boy anymore, he’s a man.
Dear God, please be with Will!
Finally, I say, “Okay.”
I find Amy still lying on the floor. Her screams have turned to sobs. Looking outside the window, I watch Will. How? How is he going? The man’s gun is in Will’s hands. It’s like one of the double-barrel shotguns Mr. Hickman had. Will opens it and removes the shells, then kneeling, he uncovers the man and starts searching his pockets. I can’t watch anymore.
I help Amy to the couch and sit with my arms wrapped around her while she sobs. Why am I not crying too? I want to. I want to run and hide. I want to scream and ask God, Why! But I just can’t. I have to stay strong for Amy and for Will.
Amy’s sobs have dwindled to sniffles. “Lizzy, I don’t want to die! I want to live.”
My strength fails, and the tears flow as I cry with my friend.
After mine and Amy’s tears subside, I stand and look for Will. He hasn’t come inside. Peering out the doorway, I see him sitting on the porch steps, his head in his hands. Poor Will!
Dear God, please give him strength. Please give us all strength.
Suddenly, he looks up toward the highway. He jumps up and runs inside.
“Lizzy, more men are coming down the drive! Quickly, take your shotgun and watch the garage door. Get behind something. Amy, go to the kitchen behind the island and be quiet.”
He moves to the corner of the living room and retrieves his carbine, taking a position prone next to the doorway. He looks over at me.
“Lizzy, do it now!”
I steal a glance outside the window. Five men in camouflage clothing are approaching. I grab my shotgun and take Amy by the arm. We head for the kitchen and take up our positions. A man’s deep voice is calling from outside.
Chapter 5
Will
Pastor Ezell
Day 6
I sit on the porch steps, my head in my hands. I knew it would get bad. I knew things would get violent and people would die. I knew I would likely have to kill to keep from being killed. But I didn’t expect to have these encounters alone. Alone! I should have left for Repose at daybreak! Now a man is lying on the ground, dead. Dead by my hands.
I seek for solace from the only source I can.
Dear God, what have I done? Have I done right?
Yesterday, I helped bring new life into this world. Today, I’ve taken it away. The men were here to hurt Lizzy and Amy. I did what had to be done. My father taught me to do what was right and let the consequences take care of themselves. What are the consequences? Am I going to be ar
rested for murder? Am I going to be put in prison? Is this going to haunt me for the rest of my life? The scenes and the violence keep flashing before my eyes. I’m not a violent person!
Dad, I need you!
Amy’s screams from inside have ceased. Only low sobs reach my ears. What is Lizzy going to think of me now?
Dear God, help me! Give me courage and wisdom!
I should go check on Lizzy and Amy, but I’m shaking so bad. Then I hear the sound of a four-wheeler. They’re coming back! I shouldn’t have been sitting here! I should have gotten my carbine! My mistakes are going to get us killed!
A four-wheeler pulls into the drive and stops right at the tree line. Men are jumping out of the attached trailer. They’re all in camouflage, and their faces are blackened. They’re spreading out, taking positions of cover. I jump up and run inside. Lizzy is near the door, staring at me.
“Lizzy, more men are coming down the drive! Quickly, take your shotgun and watch the garage door. Get behind something. Amy, go to the kitchen behind the island and be quiet.”
I retrieve my carbine and glance at Lizzy as she takes Amy by the arm. A sadness comes over me.
I’m sorry, Lizzy.
There’s no way I can defend this house from an assault of five heavily armed men. It looked like each were carrying an AK47 or an SKS rifle. Things were moving so fast I couldn’t tell for sure. Either way, if they know what they’re doing, we aren’t going to make it.
Dear God, courage, Lord, grant me courage!
I take up a position near the doorway, hoping the exterior brick wall will provide some protection from the assault to come. How am I going to cover the rear or any of the other windows in the house? We should have run out the back while we had a chance. Mistakes! A man’s voice calls out.
“Hello in the house.”
I remain silent, searching for the source of the voice. I saw five men earlier, one driving the four-wheeler and four piling out of the trailer. They were all taking positions in front of the house, but I don’t know if any have worked their way around toward the sides or back. This is not good. Not good at all. I hear Amy’s low cries and Lizzy trying to quiet her. My resolve stiffens. Those men are going to pay a high price to take this house.