“Hap was a pretty good fisherman huh?” Red asked.
“He was the best.” Lizzie could feel the tears, burning her eyes. Without thinking, Red put an arm around Lizzie’s shoulder.
“I know.”
Lizzie looked up at Red, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I miss him.”
Red smiled warmly. “We all do, he was one of a kind.” She said, wiping away Lizzie’s tears.
“Hey you got one.” Pete exclaimed. Mitchell started to reel in his line, Pete guiding him all the way. “Wow look at that!” Mitchell proudly held up, the nearly three pound Rainbow Trout.
“Its huge.” Mitchell was beside himself, excited he caught a fish. Pete unhooked the trout and put it in the sack.
“We can do just as good.” Red winked at Lizzie.
“I know we can.” As the group continued to fish, Pete checked his watch. It was just about time to head back and they had caught, quite a few trout. Packing up to leave, Red caught the telltale rustling of brush.
“You hear that?” Everyone went quiet. Red took the rifle from her back, directing the group to get behind her. Standing silently, they waited. From the side bank of the creek, one of the dead came out of the shrubbery. He was dressed in a ranger’s uniform, although it was mainly in tatters at this point. He’d probably been roaming the area since the beginning, the noise coming from the group, leading him in their direction.
“Pete, watch my back.” Red said, slinging the rifle on her shoulder. Pete was already scanning the area, keeping the kids in between himself and Red. Approaching the ranger, Red unsheathed her knife.
“Got another over here.” Pete watched, as a lone woman shambled toward them. She was wearing, what was left of, a pair of khaki shorts and a red, plaid lumberjack shirt. Red took out the ranger, stabbing deftly into its eye. As the cold body fell to the ground, Red caught sight of another corpse, following in the ranger’s footsteps. Pete met the other dead one, half way, shoving his knife up and under its chin, before pulling it out and letting the woman, crumple to the ground.
“Lets go…” Pete led the way, Red bringing up the rear. “...keep your eyes open.” Red held Caleb’s hand, knowing if they had to run, he may not be able to keep up. Walking quickly, the group headed back to the ranger station, eventually leaving the dead behind.
Jeff, Tom and their sons, parked the Focus at the trailhead to the wilderness area. The boys were each carrying a shotgun, loaded with buckshot, but had small game loads and turkey loads pocketed, just in case. Tom had one of the Inferno, M16 military rifles over his shoulder, but was carrying the crossbow, Pete had recovered. Jeff was carrying a 30-30, they had gotten from Lucas.
They walked down the trail, with the two boys a few yards ahead of their fathers. Jeff took a look at the crossbow. “You sure you know how to use that?”
Tom shrugged. “I figure, now is a good time to get some practice, keep things quiet.”
They moved ahead in silence, a few more yards, before Tom spoke again. “You know, those guys got the jump on all of us. You and Tim, gotta quit blaming yourselves. I am so grateful for the children's quick thinking. I am thankful, they made it possible for Red and Tracey to turn the tables on them. If that didn’t happen, I knew we’d get an opening somehow.”
Jeff adjusted his glasses and gritted his teeth. “It was my wife, that got felt up, I’m supposed to take care of my wife.”
Tom took a moment to think. “You do and you will. It was disgusting what happened to Miri and Tracey, but those guys are the ones at fault. We got to hang together and face what is ahead. Take some time, talk to your wife and get this behind you.” Tom reassured his friend, even though he also carried some guilt. He was the leader and felt, he should of also protected his people.
Further conversation was interrupted, when a turkey’s gobble, thundered across the hills. Tom gave a short whistle, halting the boys. “Jimmy, what do you say, we try for that guy?”
Jimmy responded, by trading out his buckshot for turkey loads. Tom held up his walkie. “Jeff, we’ll split up here. You take Jackson ahead and see what luck you have, but stay in walkie range.”
Tom and Jimmy headed into the woods, in the direction of the gobble. In short order, they came to a clearing, just as the turkey gobbled again. Picking a large tree, Tom quickly cut some leafy branches from the brush and poked them in the ground, forming a semi-circular blind, in front of the tree. Father and son, took a seat at the base of the tree. Jimmy found a forked stick and pushed it in the ground, to support the barrel of his gun. Tom found another stick, to hang a mirror from, allowing him to watch for zeds, coming from behind.
Tom pulled one of Hap’s slate calls from a pocket and did his best to imitate an amorous hen, earning an excited gobble, from the turkey. “Get ready, I think we fooled him.”
Jimmy watched intently ahead, as Tom worked the striker on the slate, again getting a response from the turkey. Tom looked down at the call, searching for words. “You know this call, is kinda like what that gal tried to do to you. Promising a hot date and giving trouble.”
Jimmy sighed. “I feel like I betrayed everyone, that woman made me sick.”
“You didn’t betray anyone, you stood strong and I know it was scary for you.” Jimmy went to reply, but Tom put his hand up. “Son, there’s no shame in being scared and there’s no shame in being attracted to the opposite sex.” Jimmy turned beat red. “From what I saw, you reacted exactly the way you should have and I am damn proud of you.”
“You think?” Jimmy asked.
“I know and don’t ever be ashamed son, you’re a good man.” Jimmy looked at his dad, a bit surprised by his words. “Yes, you are a man and even though I wish you had more time to be a boy, I trust, you will be a fine young man.”
Jimmy smiled. “Thanks dad.”
The moment was interrupted, when the tom turkey entered the clearing, in full strut. Jimmy brought the shotgun to his shoulder. Tom slowly worked the call, leaning towards Jimmy to give instruction. Let him get a little closer, target his head, touch it off when you’re ready. The turkey came a few steps closer, raised its head and let loose another gobble, trying to get the hen to show herself. Jimmy took careful aim, squeezed the trigger and the turkey flopped out its last.
“Jackson, hold up, over there.” Jeff took his sons shotgun and handed Jackson the 30-30 instead. A small group of hogs, was moving across the trail, ahead of them. Jackson gave his father a questioning look, making sure his dad, meant for him to take the shot. Jeff smiled and nodded, pointing out the boar at the rear of the herd.
Jackson took aim, a couple of deep breaths and fired. The bullet struck the boar, the wounded animal wobbled off, dropping a few yards away.
Tom and Jimmy, his turkey slung over his shoulder, caught up with Jeff and Jackson, just as they were finishing, the field dressing of the boar. “Good job Jack.” Jimmy said, as the boys gave each other, a congratulatory fist bump.
Jeff and Tom tied the boar, to a long thick branch, carrying it back to the Focus.
“Wadda ya think?”
“I think, they’re camped somewhere close by and they’re probably not alone.” The man said, as he followed the Focus, through his binoculars. “It’s been a long time, since we seen a live woman.”
“We can follow the tire tracks, see where they lead.” The two brothers, came down from the rock formation, watching the car move out of sight. “I bet they’re camped up a ways, at the ranger station…more’n likely.”
“This could be our lucky day brother.” The men started off after the Focus, keeping pace with the daylight. They’d have to be careful, not to be seen, before it got dark.
Tracey spotted Red, Pete and the kids, walking quickly toward the station. She jogged up to them, hoping everything was alright. “What happened?” She asked nervously.
“We had a run in, with a few zeds.” Red replied.
“Everyone okay?” Red nodded, looking back quickly. Sue, Miri and Sam saw the group and
rushed over to them. Caleb ran to his dad, the big man lifting him up and hugging him close. Sue and Miri ushered the girls back inside, leaving Pete, Red and Tracey alone.
“There were three that we saw, killed two of em.” Pete declared, as he lifted the sack, full of Rainbow Trout. “We managed to catch a few, before the party crashers showed up.”
Tom, Jeff and their sons pulled up with their haul. The animals taken, were a testament to Hap’s legacy. Hap had touched everyone in the group, with his jovial nature and positive outlook. In his time, he had taught them all significant lessons, on living off the land. How to track and take game, how to fish, how to keep hidden and how to move silently.
The group all pitched in. The fish were cleaned and filleted, the breast meat was cut from the turkey, the boar was skinned and quartered. Sam employed the help of the young men and made a couple of meat smokers, from repurposed filing cabinets.
Holes were drilled into the drawer bottoms, to allow the smoke to rise. Clay pots taken from the porch, were placed in the bottom drawer and filled with hardwood chunks. The fish fillets were placed in the upper drawers, furthest from the heat. The dry meat, from the wild turkey breasts, was smoked with the pork ribs, to absorb the rendered pork fat.
Pete butchered out the tenderloins from the boar, to prepare for their supper. Lizzie and Arianna, helped Pete start a fire in the fire pit, in front of the station, then setup cooking equipment, over the fire. In an odd way, taking Sheila’s place next to Pete and helping to prepare a meal for the group, helped the girls feel closer to Sheila.
Red joined Tracey on patrol. Tim remained out of sight, positioned in a tree stand, overlooking the ranger station and the approach. Since they had seen the dead earlier in the day and the possibility of an Inferno retaliation, the trio remained on high alert.
Red walked over to the tree, Tim was positioned in. “Hey, you hungry? I could spell you up there.”
Tim waved her off, as he watched the group eating supper. “I’ll have something later.”
Red nodded. “Nobody is letting their guard down, I’ll keep walking the perimeter. Tracey will join me, after she eats.”
“Okay, it’s starting to get dark. They all are bunched up on the porch, cept them two gals marching around, I’ll make it quick Teddy.” The young man said to his brother.
“Chad, you sure this is how we play it?” Teddy asked, nervously.
“If you hadn’t of wasted the last of our shells on those cold ones, we wouldn’t have to. Now we need an excuse to get in close. Follow my lead and don’t let them know we’re bluffin.” Chad answered, quickly slicing his brothers thigh, leaving a shallow wound.
Teddy put an arm over Chad’s shoulders and the pair, rapidly, approached the station.
“Can you tell us another story about Miss Sheila?” Arianna asked. Pete had been reminiscing about his wife and her sense of humor. Even though his heart was broken, he wanted to keep Sheila in the forefront, never to be forgotten.
Tom’s earbud chirped, as Tim hailed an alarm. “You got company coming.”
“Hey, you at the camp, we need help.” Chad called out, helping his brother hobble forward, each, with their free hand raised.
“What’s your business, young man?” Tom challenged.
“We is camping over yonder and Teddy here, was sharpening his knife. He let it slip and gashed his leg, lucky we saw your fire. Do you think, you can help us out? He’s my baby brother, all the family I got left.” Chad answered.
Sue jumped up. “Oh my goodness. Get him up here in the light, so I can take a look.”
Chad helped Teddy up to the porch and got him seated. Sue pulled the lantern up closer. “It doesn’t look to deep. Jimmy go get the med kit.”
Chad moved back, away from his brother and faced the group. “Whatever y’all is eaten, smells damn good. Ya got any to spare? We been livin off fish and rabbit all winter, a change of pace sho would be welcome.”
“I guess we can spare a little.” Pete said, standing up and making up a plate, before handing it to Chad.
Chad rapidly ate, shoveling the food into his mouth, with his fingers. When finished, he flicked the plate to the ground. “Damn that was good. How’s Teddy coming along there, Ginger?”
Sue responded, her irritation obvious. “You may call me Mrs. Higgins. Your brother will be fine, just keep the cut clean and bandaged, for a few days.”
Chad pulled out a sawed off, double barrel shotgun from his back, at the same time, Teddy stood up, grabbed Sue’s arm and bent it behind her back. Tom pressed the call button on his walkie, so Tim could hear. “You honestly think, you’re getting away with this?”
“I do. Now call in the redhead and the other gal, so we can talk terms.” Chad ordered.
Tom heard Tim, come over his earbud. “Red and Tracey, turn your radioes off. Take your cues from Tom. I got this guy dialed in on the night scope, we just need to get him to put down that scatter gun.”
Tom called out. “Red, Tracey, come say hello.”
“There you go old man, no need to make this bloody. One touch of these triggers and I’m taking out half of you, starting with these sweet little kiddies, here.” Chad threatened.
Tom scrutinized Chad’s shotgun, noting the hammers were not cocked. Red and Tracey moved in, from separate sides of the building. Jeff was seated, next to Teddy and Sue. Red moved in and stood next to Sue, her back to Jeff. Jeff reached up and pulled the hatchet from Red’s belt and hid it, under his thigh.
“Alright, now everybody drop them gun belts. Nice and slow, don’t nobody try to be a hero, one little squeeze and it’s all over for these kids.” Chad ordered.
Tom took off his gun belt and set it on the ground, next to him, the rest following his lead. Pete stood up. “Quit threatening these children, you son of a bitch, they’ve been through enough.”
Tom spoke calmly. “It’s okay Pete, sit back down. We’ll take care of this young man and his brother, we won’t let our children be harmed.”
Chad chuckled. “Now there you go. You see grandad, you’re going to do what we ask and keep the kiddies safe. Old man, you’re going to give us one of those vehicles, you got parked in the garage and load us up, with as much of your goodies as we can carry.”
Tom leveled his gaze at Chad. “Is that all?”
Chad snorted a laugh. “Well, just so you don’t have a mind, to come git your stuff back, Red and Tracey will be coming along, kinda like an insurance policy, you might say.”
Tom tilted his head back and roared with laughter. Chad struck him, with the barrels of the scatter gun. “What’s so damn funny, old man?”
Tom rubbed his cheek. “Red, how long will these two, be able to handle you and Tacey?”
Red scoffed. “Two minutes.”
Tracey snorted. “Thirty seconds.”
Chad shook the scatter gun, in Tom’s face. “Don’t push me old man, one little squeeze and it’s all over.”
Tom leaned back, touching the call button of his walkie. “Not with an unloaded gun, it’s not.”
Tim fired, sending a bullet through Chad’s chest. Jeff jumped up and struck Teddy with the hatchet, cleaving his skull. Tom got up and walked over to Chad, who was coughing up blood, from his punctured lungs. “Not fair old man.”
Tom pulled Chad’s knife, from his belt. “You played it that way.” Tom finished Chad off, running the knife, up, under his jaw.
Red clicked on her walkie. “Good shootin Tim. Come on in now and take a break, I’ll spell you up in the perch.”
Sam clasped Pete on the shoulder. “Give me a hand takin out the trash?” Jimmy and Jackson jumped up, each taking one of Teddy’s arms. “We’ll help.”
Red traded spots with Tim again just before dawn, to find that Lizzie was asleep, next to her bedroll. Quietly as she could, Red slipped off her weapons, jacket and boots, before slipping into her sleeping bag. “All okay?” Lizzie whispered.
Red rolled onto her stomach, laying face to face with Liz
zie. “All is quiet, you doing okay?”
“I’m afraid if I close my eyes, I’ll have another nightmare.” Another, being the word, that caught Red’s attention.
“So, you have a lot of nightmares?” Red asked
“More, since Happy died.” Red’s heart just broke, even though she promised herself to never get close enough to anyone, for that to happen again. After Andy, Red didn’t even think she had a heart, left to break.
“I know Hap loved you Lizzie, I know the kinda hurt you carry.” Lizzie remained quiet, but stared intently at Red, waiting for her to continue. “I lost my brother a while back and I miss him every minute, of every day.” This was the first time, since Andy died, that Red had spoken of him. She still couldn’t bring herself to talk about Angel, she’d need more time for that.
Dead To Rights_HZA, Vol. 4 Page 2