~4~
Blake had taken three of the four men who had military experience. The fourth was old enough to have fought in the Korean War. The other two men who joined them were David and another guy he remembered from training at his home. Counting himself and Jake, there were seven of them. More than enough to take on the four starving men Jake had said were at his house.
Blake had watched Jake closely for any signs of dishonesty or scheming. What he found was a man determined to get his family back. The idea burned in Blake’s gut. He would do anything to save his own family.
Jake held the carcass of a rabbit taken from the feast’s stores. He had been told to bring back food. Bringing more than a dead rodent would cause suspicions to rise. He needed to have the surprise on the men holding Jake’s family hostage. The best way would to have Jake return with something they demanded.
Blake had gone through the scenario several times in his mind and made the difficult decision. He knew how to weigh the cost of taking a life.
At the edge of the neighborhood, he gathered the men together and looked each one in the eyes. “We don’t leave survivors.”
Men like this couldn’t be left loose to kill others, or worse. According to Jake, there were several other families still trying to live in their homes. If they rescued Jake’s family and left the men alive, they would just move on to the next home. There were no cops, no judges, no jury, and no jail. There was only survival.
The men all nodded. He didn’t worry about the ones with experience. They had killed before. They knew the stakes. David and the other guy, though, swallowed as if they didn’t like the taste of the command. They needed motivation.
“You heard what Jake said the men would do if he didn’t arrive in time?” He glanced at the sun, only inches away from the peaks, and then looked at David and Neil. “Think of your own children.”
Their eyes hardened, and they nodded.
“We don’t have time for surveillance. I will scout the house upon approach, but as of now the plan is to surround the house. Jake and I at the front. You two,” he nodded to the two younger military men, “at the back. The rest of you take a window. Shoot to kill at first shot.”
After everyone nodded, they dispersed to surround Jake’s house. Blake followed a discreet distance behind Jake in case they had someone watching. Jake had stuffed the pistol Arland had given him into the back of his pants. His hands gripped the rabbit tightly.
Yelling from the house hastened Jake’s footsteps. He barged through the door, leaving it open, giving Blake a view of the chaos behind it.
“About time boy, we just heated up the coals.” A dirty, emaciated man with stringy hair yanked the rabbit from Jake’s hands.
“We almost gave up on you,” another just as unruly man said, pretending like he was going to take the young child from Jake’s wife’s arms. The older boy clung to her legs and sobbed.
“Don’t touch them,” Jake said, reaching back for his gun.
Blake ran, closing in on the house as Jake aimed the pistol right at the man’s head. Jake didn’t hesitate, he pulled the trigger. His wife screamed and the man dropped.
The one holding the rabbit dropped the animal as he reached for his own gun, but Blake dropped him before the rabbit hit the ground. Two more single shots at the back of the house signaled the end. Could it have been that easy?
Blake stepped into the house, checking right and left and moving carefully down the hall. Each room was empty. He swung open the back door only to be greeted by two guns cocked and aimed at his head. He pushed a breath out as he recognized his men...yes, his men.
“Stand down,” Blake said, eyeing the two dirty scoundrels lying in the dirt. “All clear.”
He holstered his gun and walked back into the house.
Jake was on his knees, holding his family and weeping. Blake didn’t avert his eyes. Instead, he pushed that image into him, grounding it in deep until it became a part of him. He wanted to always remember what he fought for. It was this, people willing to put their lives on the line for their families. Family...the one thing that even an apocalypse couldn’t destroy.
~*~
Kris paced in front of the fire. Tucker sat in the dirt with Ethan, playing with the cars he had brought. Every once in a while, Tucker would look up, scan the tree line where his father had disappeared, and then focus back on the toy in his hand.
Laurie walked up to her with a steaming metal mug of tea. “To help calm your nerves.”
Kris took the cup gratefully. Mercy had fallen asleep an hour ago and would soon wake up, but she couldn’t stop her nervous pacing. She had all the confidence in the world when Blake had left, but now as full darkness took over the camp, a tingle of worry began to nag at her. What if he didn’t return?
“It’s hard being married to a man who constantly puts his life on the line.” Laurie sipped on her own tea, watching her with compassionate eyes.
“You speak as if you know.” Kris stopped her pacing to watch the woman she felt like she could now call a friend.
“My husband was a firefighter.” Her gaze lifted to the heavens were stars began to peek out, showing them they weren’t alone.
“And one day he didn’t return?” Kris asked, dread filing her.
Laurie nodded. “I was pregnant with Ethan.”
Kris put a hand over her mouth, and her eyes brimmed. “I’m so sorry.” Empathy rushed through Kris in waves like a tsunami. She brought Laurie into a hug, because words didn’t seem enough.
“They’re back!” Tucker shouted, and then took off into the dark.
Relief filled Kris in a guilty rush. She pulled back, seeing the firelight dance in Laurie’s eyes.
“Go, you need to welcome your husband back.” Laurie smiled and walked the other direction.
Kris sucked in a breath as she walked to where she could see the shadows of all seven men and a woman. As she neared, she saw the woman and Jake each carrying a child. Blake had done it. He brought them all back.
As soon as his strong arms wrapped around her, Kris’s body shuddered with the pent up emotions. Tucker had already been in Blake’s arms, and Mercy cooed in her sleep. She had her family. She let that gratitude fill her until she overflowed with it. The strength and urgency of the embrace showed her that Blake as well had some extra emotions.
When the world slowly filtered back in, she heard Jake and his wife tearfully thanking everyone. Kris disengaged herself from the tangle of arms to see the community welcoming them with open arms, offering them places to sleep, food to eat, and warm blankets. She glanced up at Blake to see if he noticed the generosity of the group. Had the events today helped him to see the benefit of living within a community?
She wouldn’t push the subject. That wasn’t how Blake worked. He had to take things at his own pace and come to the conclusion on his own. Otherwise it wouldn’t work.
Arland stood on a large stump near the fire and called everyone’s attention.
“Our community has pulled together to save a family that we now will call our own. Join us in welcoming them. Before we begin the feast, let’s hear a prayer of thanksgiving from Pastor Rob.”
A man in his fifties took Arland’s place on the stump. He looked around at the people gathered. “We are truly blessed today! Not only have we added to our family, welcomed friends with open arms, and have each other to rely upon, but thanks to our entire community down to our children, we have a feast that is beyond any I have ever participated in.”
The crowd cheered in agreement.
“Now, let’s take a moment of silence to express our gratitude for all we have.” Pastor Rob ducked his head.
Most everyone else did as well. Kris watched Blake reverently close his eyes, his lips moving in a quiet prayer. Tucker took her hand, his eyes wide as the whole community embraced this moment of thanksgiving.
A moment later, Pastor Rob lifted his head and said, “Amen.”
Several others repeated the word, an
d Arland exchanged places with him.
“Let’s enjoy our feast!” Arland’s words rang out and the people around them cheered.
Women passed out plates as everyone formed a line starting at the fire. Kris said thank you as she was handed a beat-up camp plate. Tucker and Blake received wooden plates. As they neared the fire where all the food was laid out on a series of flat rocks, the scent of the now uncovered pots blasted them in delicious aromas that made Kris’s mouth water.
She scooped up fresh green salad onto her and Tucker’s plates, adding what looked like roasted root vegetables, and then some meat, whether it was venison or rabbit or something else, she didn’t know. She had seen the woman in front of her drizzling a sauce over her meat, and after one whiff of the tangy aroma, Kris did as well.
“Look at all this food, Mom. Where did they get it all?” Tucker asked as they found a seat on an empty bench.
“From the land, Sweetie,” Kris said as she sat, situating Mercy to a position where she could eat easier.
“May I sit with you?” Laurie asked, standing in front of them with her own steaming plate.
“It would be our honor,” Blake said as he scooted down, inviting Tucker and Kris to follow so there was enough room for Laurie at the end.
“Tucker was just commenting on all the different types of food you have,” Kris said.
“Yes, this year has been bountiful.”
“Did you really get all of this wild?” Tucker asked as he shoved another bite of meat into his mouth. “And what is this stuff on the meat. It’s so yummy,” he said around his full mouth.
“Tucker, don’t talk with food in your mouth.” Blake eyed him.
“Yes, all of this food comes from the land around us. You saw some of the plants when you were out with Hannah, right?”
“I did. I memorized them so I can tell you, Mom.”
“I’m sure you did,” said Kris with a laugh.
“The sauce is made from holly leaf and madrone berries. Wait until you have the gooseberry jam with the acorn bread for dessert. That is a special treat!”
“You guys are resourceful,” Blake said.
Kris knew Blake didn’t give compliments freely. She saw the way he scanned the crowd, the careful way he ate, and she knew his mind was processing. She gave him the space to do so and continued a conversation with Laurie on the different ways to prepare foraged greens.
There would be a lot of changes coming, whether they wanted them or not. Eventually their prepped food would run out and their tools would break. They had to learn to adapt and use the natural materials the environment provided. Arland’s camp was a great resource to learn how that could be accomplished. The question was, could they do it on their own? She didn’t want to, but it would take something huge to sway her husband into that way of thinking.
~*~
Blake watched how the people of Arland’s camp worked together. Each person had a job and seemed to complete it without grudging behavior. The food was delicious, and he had to wonder what daily rations would be like. Certainly they couldn’t eat like this every night.
The people he had seen before at his house now looked healthier, less lean, and more alert. They must have had a difficult winter. With that thought, he had a difficult time swallowing his food. This group of people survived a winter with absolutely no preparation, no stored food, no bunker, no more than tents and what they could put together in a rush and carry on their backs. He and his family had been warm and had plenty of food and even hot showers.
“Do you not like the acorn cakes?” Arland asked as he approached him. “They aren’t the cake we’re used to, but you can acquire a taste for them.”
“No, they’re good.” Blake watched him, thinking of the lanky self-conscious man he had spoken to only a year ago.
Arland’s shoulders were now set back, his hands were rough and work-hardened, his eyes held determination and confidence. This man had accomplished something huge. He had saved the lives of a dozen or more families, not just one.
“Your feast is impressive, Arland.” Blake cleared his throat, reaching for his canteen.
“They have done an amazing job harvesting under Laurie’s directions. We didn’t have the time to do this last fall before the snows came.” Arland sighed as he sat down next to him. “This winter will be better.”
“Do you have enough to last all of you through?” Blake asked, aware that Kris now watched him in earnest.
“With some supplementation from meat and some winter foraging, yes.”
“Even with the new additions?” Blake nodded toward Jake and his family scarfing down their food.
“It will be a bit tighter, but not much. We could squeeze in a few more?” Arland raised an eyebrow, the effect a bit comical in the dancing flames.
Blake laughed. “I haven’t changed my mind, but I’m seeing the benefits you have created with such a smooth-running community.”
“I’ll take that,” Arland said with a nod.
“Can I go play with the kids? It looks like they are playing some sort of game.” Tucker stood expectantly in front of Kris.
Blake glanced at a group of kids sitting in a circle near the fire. There were some sticks of wood and rocks that they flicked around. A few erupted in cheers while taking the acorns from the others.
“They are playing a game that the natives in our area used to play. One of our community used to volunteer at the museum. She taught us the game.” Arland stood and offered his hand to Tucker. “If you don’t mind, I would take him over with the other kids to explain the rules.”
“Of course. Thank you, Arland.” Kris smiled. “Enjoy yourself, Sweetie.”
“I will!” Tucker skipped over to Arland and took his hand.
Blake watched the delight on his son’s face. Was he being selfish for keeping them isolated?
Mercy squealed happily, bringing his attention to his daughter. She bounced on Laurie’s lap, chewing on a finger, and being a delight as always. He wanted to swoop the girl up in his arms, and the disappointment in knowing that it would be rude to steal her away from someone else tugged at his heart.
Instead, he stood and decided to go for a little walk. Surely there had to be something amiss going on, something besides the poor border patrol.
Once Blake made his way past the first row of dwellings, he stood still and closed his eyes. Without the light from the fire, he needed his eyes to adjust. When he opened them, the starlit sky came into view. Something about the pockets of stars pulled at him. It always had, ever since he was a boy.
Living here, there were so many trees that he could rarely see the sky in its entirety, but the pockets gave glimpses at the heavens, glimpses like he saw in his children.
The moon peeked out from behind the mountains beyond the trees. Soon it would be overhead and the entire camp would be bathed in moonlight. Now, though, he could walk around without being seen. He convinced himself he wasn’t spying, but yet he needed intel to make a decision and know if he should allow himself to sleep tonight.
Each dwelling glowed dimly, and he wondered about the safety of keeping hot coals in a structure made out of wood when no one was around. Yet, those coals would keep them from having to restart a fire every time they needed it, not to mention keep the dwelling warmer.
As he reached the edge of camp, a soft murmur of harsh voices made him freeze. He evened his breath and strained to make out the words.
“You could have led them straight here, Jake,” a voice he didn’t recognize accused.
“But I didn’t man, just let it go. My family was in jeopardy.” Exhaustion lined Jake’s voice.
“It could have put ours in jeopardy.”
“Give me a break, okay. I’m trying to make things right.”
“By giving us more mouths to feed?” the man asked in disgust.
“I’ll do my part. I heard those city guys talking about bunkers. If we could find...”
Blake’s blood went cold. H
e should have known.
“We don’t raid houses here. That’s not what we do.” He could hear the firmness in the man’s tone.
“But—”
“No, buts. Now come on, Arland wants to talk with you and your wife. We need to know what we’re up against.”
Blake’s nerves were on edge. If one of them wanted to raid bunkers, what would it take for all of them to decide it was a good idea?
Blake followed the two men to a dwelling more toward the center of the camp. When they entered, the hide swayed, allowing a brief glimpse inside. Arland, Jake’s wife, and a few other people sat within the dwelling. Blake balanced on his feet, walking silently toward the side of the dwelling where he crouched down. He swallowed the disgust at eavesdropping. There was no helping it, he needed to know where people stood when they didn’t think he was around.
“Thank you for coming, Jake,” Arland greeted. “Sara was just telling me about the men that held her captive.”
“Yeah, did she tell you they were there searching for bunkers?” Jake asked
“She did. She also said they claimed to have come ahead of the main party in order to get first dibs on the bunkers in this area.” Arland kept his voice calm, but to Blake’s trained ear, he could hear the tightness within it.
Someone sighed heavily and another let out a soft sob.
“Do we have to do this now, Arland? Sara has been through the wringer.” Jake sounded as exhausted as Sara was emotional.
“I do apologize, but it’s best to find out all the information when it’s fresh, and then she can move past it and embrace the safe environment of our community,” Arland said, and Blake couldn’t help but think the scientist should have been a diplomat.
Jake snorted. “No one’s going to be safe once the city arrives here.”
“Why do you say that?” Arland asked.
“The group those guys kept spouting about is large and organized. I’ve told you the bits and pieces I've heard in the past, but this new information goes way beyond what we thought.”
Grant Us Mercy (Book 4): Grant Us Mercy Page 4