by Warren Ray
“Something tells me they’ve got quite a story to tell,” said Nate.
Ten minutes later, Scar came outside and the three of them stood in apt silence as Scar filled them in on everything that had happened to them including the circumstances where they found Sadie.
Scar unfolded the map he found on the dead Jiji. “We only checked out two of them, but all the crossed out ones look to be destroyed.”
“So, this is their next move,” said Winters thoughtfully.
They all nodded to each other.
The moment made him think of the old man, they had met at a closed down gas station in Minnesota. He remembered him saying not to worry about the why, instead, concentrate on stopping it.
“What are ya gonna do with that kid?” asked Nate.
“We should get her up to Canada,” replied Winters.
“Don’t think she’d like that,” Scar quickly answered. “Meeks and I kind of promised her we’d find her mother.”
Winters was about to respond harshly to him, but then remembered his own daughter. He had been tough on her and didn’t want to make the same mistake with a frightened little girl.
“Then we’ll just have to find her.”
Scar’s face lit up. Sadie had already endeared herself to him and Meeks and didn’t want her to leave.
“First thing we need to do is put the word out as to where we are. We need everyone back here.”
“We going to go kick some ass, Captain?” asked Nate.
He put his hand on his shoulder. “As much as we can.”
Later that evening, Winters sat alone in the dorm’s common study room. It had a couple of couches, an easy chair, and several long tables. He was looking at the map with Arabic writing on the side, wondering what it said. When he heard a light tap at the entrance, he looked up and saw Sadie standing there.
“May I come in?”
He waved her in. “How polite,” thought Winters.
“I see you got yourself all cleaned up. You’re looking much better.”
“Glad to get that smoke off of me.”
“Did they find you a place to sleep?” Winters asked her.
“Yes, I’m in room 220.”
“Well, then we’re neighbors, cause I’m right next door. Did you get enough to eat?”
She nodded her head.
“What’s your mom’s name?”
“Elizabeth.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
“My daddy calls her Lizzy.”
“And what’s his name?”
“Sam Allen.”
“How long has he been gone?”
“He left in the fall.”
“I’m sure you miss him.”
She nodded solemnly. “Do you have kids?”
“Yes, I do. I have a daughter, her name is Cara.”
“I like that name. How old is she?”
“She’s nineteen.”
“Where is she?”
Winters decided to be honest with her.
“Well, I don’t exactly know.”
“How come?”
“She ran off with her boyfriend.”
“You miss her lots, don’t ya?”
“Yes, I do.”
“What about her mom?”
Winters paused for a moment. “She died a little while ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to be.”
There was an awkward silence.
She looked up from the floor and into Winters' eyes. “We both have something to be sad about.”
Winters met her gaze.
“We’ve both lost our families.”
Winters smiled at her.
Sadie got up, moving next to Winters on the couch and pulled out a string. “You want to play Cat’s Cradle?”
Winters gave her a smile. “Absolutely.”
Her face lit up.
They began to tug on the string. Winters was getting a kick out of it. He had played the game with Cara when she was younger. It had always been a fun bonding experience. Sadie was quite good making The Soldier’s Bed, Candles and The Manger.
Chapter 8
Alexandria Virginia
Green woke early and went for a morning run. He got back to the house to find his mother up and making breakfast. He decided to shower and get dressed before sitting down to eat.
He came down the stairs in full Class A uniform, which made his mother look twice. She met him in the kitchen and immediately went to work straightening his jacket and medals. She had done the same for her husband over the years and was as good as any in knowing what needed to be fixed.
“You look so much like your father,” she said smiling proudly.
“I wish he was here. I could use his advice.”
“He taught you everything you need to know. You just need to trust yourself. Come and sit down. You’ve got a big day ahead, and that requires a big breakfast.”
Thirty minutes later, he was out the door and headed to his meeting with Director Lawrence Reed.
Major Green walked into the plush Lafayette Office Building. Reed’s secretary greeted him and asked him to wait.
He sat down and mentally prepared himself. He had never met Reed and didn’t know what to expect. He figured he was crafty, which was the only way to survive and thrive in politics, especially in the District.
After a few minutes, the secretary led Green into Reed’s office. It was as lavish as the reception area. Oil paintings hung on the walls, a Remington statue of a cowboy on a horse sat on his desk. A large salt-water tank filled with exotic fish stood by the wall near his desk.
He noticed another man sitting on a couch in the far corner of the large office. The man was busy looking at some papers he held in his hands. He didn’t get up and made no attempt to acknowledge Green’s presence.
A short heavyset man came over to greet him. “Major Green, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, sir,” said Green, putting out his hand.
Green noticed a weak grip. It was more like a handshake you’d expect from a child. He wondered if that was a way to throw people off his real character. He kept his composure as Reed offered him a seat. He was curious why Reed didn’t introduce him to the other man.
“I understand you’re a family friend of the Cricks. I’m assuming you visited with them?” he asked.
“Yes, I am and yes I visited them yesterday.”
“I hope all went well for you.”
“It did sir, thank you.”
Reed sat at his desk. “Major Green I hope we can be of assistance to each other. I’m sure you want to find these men who call themselves the Shadow Patriots, these murdering rebels and bring them to justice.”
“I would, sir. I can think of nothing more satisfying than that.”
“Well good, good.”
The two sat in awkward silence for a few moments.
“I’ve read all your reports on the matter, your capture by the rebels and subsequent engagement with them. I’ve no doubt that you’ve left nothing out, Major.”
Reed stared at Green before continuing.
Green wondered if he was testing him. Reed wasn’t going to question him like he thought he would. Rather, he would gauge his responses to seemingly innocent questions and statements. He had to put in his mind that he was angry at Winters and wanted revenge. He didn’t want to sound defensive to any innocent remarks made by Reed.
“Thank you, sir. I spent considerable time on the final report, to make sure I didn’t leave anything out.”
“Excellent, Major. It’s been quite a journey for you and your men.” He paused for a few moments. “You’d probably like to know the name of this man?”
“Yes sir, I would.”
Reed took his time.
Green shifted in his seat.
“We have the name of the rebel leader.”
Green stiffened his body.
“His name is Cole Winters.�
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Green was shocked that Reed knew Winters’ name. He wondered how they were able to discover this and what they were going to do now. He knew it was only a matter of time before they would be able to ascertain where he came from and what he looked like.
“Cole Winters, huh,” said Green trying to sound surprised.
“That’s our man.”
“How did you get this information?”
“We sent a man to St. Paul to snoop around. He ran into a former member and after some drinks gave him up.”
“And are you sure of this?” asked Green.
“Nothing is certain until we have a visual confirmation, but it has pointed us in a right direction. We think we know where he’s from and where he worked. It’s just a matter of time before we come up with some pictures.” He paused for a moment, studying Green’s demeanor. “This where you can help us, Major.”
Green leaned forward in his chair.
“We want you to confirm his identity, Major.”
So, this is where all of this was leading. This is what they wanted from him. They wanted him to betray his friend.
“Won’t be a problem, sir.”
“Good, good. It’s why we’re having you reassigned here.”
This took Green by surprise. He had always wanted an assignment in D.C., but after what had happened, and knowing the kind of people he’d be dealing with, he no longer felt the same way. He wanted to be back with his men.
“What about my men, sir?”
“They’ll all be sent out to the war.”
“I would rather be with them, sir.”
“I understand that, but you’re too valuable to us.”
“What will my responsibilities entail?”
“I’ll need you to help coordinate the capture of this Winters fellow.”
Green knew there was no way he was going to change Reed’s mind. He did some quick thinking and decided he wanted at least one of his men with him. Someone he could trust and would understand his situation.
“If I could have one request.”
“Yes, of course, Major.”
“I’d like one of my men here with me.”
“I’m sure we could arrange that,” said Reed as he stood, signaling the meeting was over.
Green stood up and Reed escorted him to the door. He glanced over at the strange man in the corner as he walked out of the office. Reed told him his secretary would handle all the particulars. The door closed and he stood alone in the reception area.
Chapter 9
South Bend Indiana
Winters got up before sunrise and went outside for an early morning walk, as was his new habit since arriving at the Catholic campus. He appreciated the fact that no one felt the need to join him and enjoyed the solitude the empty grounds offered. He couldn’t get enough of staring at the majestic buildings and wondering what it must have been like to attend such an amazing institution. He imagined the thousands of students walking the halls, cramming for exams, making friends, and partying, all while getting an education and preparing for life. It was sad to see the university no longer fulfilling its mission.
It was a strange and unexpected twist of fate for the school, and for him, this past year. A year ago, he was still employed at the plant in the small town where he had worked and lived for the last twenty-five years. Then everything he had taken for granted and counted on changed in mere months. The economy tanked, bombs exploded, the government fell and war broke out. Everybody’s life changed overnight. Misery was all around as people panicked not knowing what to do or whom to turn to for help. Many of his friends and neighbors, including his own daughter, pulled up roots and moved to where ever they thought it would be safer for them. He and his wife Ellie decided to stay and tough out a harsh Midwestern winter. They held out hope that Cara would come back and they needed to be home when she did. That hope faded over the many months.
Thankfully, they had adequate food storage to survive the winter but some of their neighbors did not. They helped several, but there wasn’t enough for everyone and many died of starvation or from a lack of needed medication.
Now, here he was standing in the tall dew covered grass of a neglected quad admiring a once great school. Now just a cluster of buildings where he and his men had taken up residence. They came here because of its close proximity to the neighboring states they had not yet investigated. He wanted to make sure the rest of the Patriot Centers were closed down. However, after learning about the burned towns in Michigan, he sensed fate had dealt him another ugly hand. There was more to do and he accepted the fact he was right where he was supposed to be. He had a new foreign enemy to fight. The symbolism of this Catholic school, versus his new Islamic enemy, was not lost on him.
He thought about the coming days. He didn’t know what they were up against or where to engage them. He wasn’t sure if he could rally up enough men or how many they would need. The only thing he knew for sure was death would follow him wherever he went. After watching his friends die beside him, he assumed death was a certainty.
His thoughts turned to how killing had almost become second nature for him. He had taken many lives and it had changed him into a hardened man. He was a man no longer afraid. It was a new side that he started to embrace. However, he wanted to be careful and not allow his Mr. Hyde personality to take over completely. Meeting Sadie last night, had actually mitigated that fear. She opened a window releasing memories of his softer side. He had not been around children in a long time and had forgotten the joy they brought. Sadie reminded him so much of his own daughter when she was that age—innocent and full of hope. It was unfortunate to meet under such circumstances, but she seemed to be handling the situation very well. That was the magic of being an age, where you thought everything would always work out.
He wondered if the Spirit prompted Sadie’s mom to have her daughter run away. She must have sensed an impending danger. It was definitely not a normal reaction to tell your child to run away. Normally, you’d want your children close to you, so you could protect them.
Winters tried to wrap his mind around it. Surely, the National Police were forcing people to move south into the camps for their own safety. He only hoped that they would be able to find her. However, in the back of his mind, he knew he was fooling himself. Perhaps Sadie had already rubbed off on him by thinking there was still a chance of hope for a bright future.
Chapter 10
Winters came back inside to the cafeteria where he found Scar and Elliott eating breakfast. He grabbed a chair and sat down with them.
“So what’s the game plan, Captain?” asked Elliott.
“Figure out what we’re up against.”
“Where’s the map?” asked Scar.
Winters pulled it out. “Notice the circles are in three different colors.”
“They probably got three different groups running around.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” said Winters.
“Might explain why all the circles aren’t crossed out. They might not be communicating with each other. At least not frequently anyway,” said Scar.
Winters nodded in agreement.
“These red circles are around smaller towns than the blue ones.”
Winters looked up at Scar. “What do ya think it means?”
“Smaller forces, I’d say.”
“If that’s the case, then we should try and find the red group first.”
“That would be my recommendation.”
“It looks like they started at the top of the state and have been moving south, so they shouldn’t be too far from where we are.”
“Eau Claire might be a place to start,” said Scar pointing on the map.
“It’s as good of a place as any,” said Winters.
Elliott looked over to Scar. “How many guys ya think they got?”
“Altogether, I’d say at a minimum, several hundred and if they got flamethrowers like Sadie said she saw, then they’re well-funded too.”
“Okay, let’s go and scope it out,” said Winters as he stood up.
Winters went outside and waited for the rest of his inner circle. They would take two SUV’s, with him, Elliott, Scar and Meeks in one and Nate, Burns and Murphy in the other.
As he waited, he heard someone calling out to him. “Captain.”
Winters turned to see Sadie skipping his way.
“Good morning, Sadie. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did.”
“You know, instead of calling me Captain, why don’t you call me Cole.”
“Doesn’t everyone call you Captain?”
“They do, but you don’t need to. I’d like it better if you called me by my first name.”
“Okay Cole,” she replied with a smile.
“Listen, we’re going to go and see if we can find those bad guys that took your mom, okay.”
“Can I come?”
“No, I don’t think that’d be a good idea. You stay here and see if they can put you to work somewhere. We’ll be back later tonight.”
“What if something happens to you?” she asked in a somber tone.
“Nothing’s going to happen to us. We’re just going to go and take a look, okay?”
They both watched as Meeks and Scar walked outside carrying rifles.
“Just going to go look, huh?” she stated.
“Always need to be prepared, hon.”
“Check you out,” said Meeks. You look a whole lot better cleaned up and fed.”
“I do?”
“You looked like a drowned rat yesterday and now you look more like a little princess.”
Sadie put her hands on her hips and gave Meeks a half smile.
“No? Don’t like the princess look? How about a ballerina?”
She gave Meeks a love pat on his arm.
“Well, maybe a sporty girl.”
Ten minutes later, everybody was loaded up in the SUV’s and had said their goodbyes to Sadie. Meeks, sitting in the back, turned his head to see Sadie still watching them and then run inside.