by Payne, T. L.
While she waited for Maria to come to relieve her, Beth realized that she was guarding a community in which she was a mere visitor. Beth asked herself if she was willing to put her life on the line to defend people she did not know? She was shocked by the realization that she had already answered that question. Beth had chosen to stay at the gate partly to protect the occupants of the compound. Had there been someone else to do it, she would have gladly relinquished that duty.
Beth stared into the scope hoping to see Roger returning. She needed to decide what to do when Maria returned. Did she ask Maria to find Roger or should she go herself? Maria was much better trained to protect the compound than Beth. And Maria had a vested interest in defending it. They were her people. Beth had a vested interest in Roger. Not only was he her friend, but she also needed him to get home to her kids. Beth pictured Roger laying in the dirt, his wound opened and bleeding. Her anxiety grew exponentially by the second.
When Beth thought she could take it no longer, she heard footsteps moving fast behind her position that stopped at the bottom of the ladder.
“Colorado,” a female voice called.
“Maria, is that you?”
“No, it’s Angel. Don’t shoot! Who’s in there and what is the countersign?”
Beth was taken aback. In her mind, she pictured a rifle pointed at her back. If she gave the wrong password, she would be gunned down without another word.
“It’s Beth, Angel. I don’t know the countersign. You brought me breakfast yesterday. We talked about watermelons,” Beth called out. Fear gripped her as she waited for the woman’s response.
“Oh, Beth, good. Maria sent me to tell you she got delayed. The colonel wants a report on the front line,” Angel said as she ascended the steps to the tower.
“Do you know what is going on? Are we under attack?” Beth asked.
“All I know is that gunfire was heard at two of the gates, and everyone was ordered to assist in the defense. Everyone except the kitchen staff.”
Beth raised an eyebrow.
“They are all expectant mothers.”
“Oh,” Beth said, understanding the distinction. “I thought they must really want to protect the cooks.”
“They do love their food but no. It was decided that since we have several pregnant women that they’d all be assigned kitchen duty. There is a concrete walk-in storeroom that we are to use as a safe room. Everyone is huddled in there now.”
“Where did everyone else go? Out to fight? When I got here the gate was open and unmanned.”
“Oh shit. That is not good,” Angel said as she turned and hurried back down the steps. “I have to get back and guard the safe room. I just came out to get the doc. A woman is in labor.”
“Is Rebecca with her now?”
“No. She has casualties from the battle to care for. She said to get you. But I didn’t know where you were, so I ran to tell the colonel. That is when I was sent to get Maria. Doc said Maria was in the guard tower. So here I am. I came looking for Maria and found you. But if no one is here to guard the gate, I guess we are on our own,” Angel yelled as she ran away.
As she watched Angel disappear in the same direction Maria had moments before, Beth was torn. As a nurse, she felt compelled to help deliver the baby. Childbirth could be deadly. It had been rare, due to modern medicine and more babies being born in hospitals, but out here there wouldn’t be a lot she could do if the woman or her baby had complications. If the woman needed a cesarean section, or if the infant required oxygen, they might well die.
A wave of anger rose in her that shocked her. She was furious at Roger for running off. She was embroiled in these peoples’ problems instead of making her way home.
Wasn’t this why she’d been angry with her late husband, Greg? He’d stopped to help strangers without thinking about the consequences for his family if things went bad for him. She tried to tell herself that her circumstances here were different—she didn’t have a choice. She couldn’t just walk away.
Beth stared down at the gate.
That wasn’t true. Beth could walk away. She could put one-eyed Jack in the truck and drive away. The gate still opened, and the road was clear of obstructions. Physically, she could leave. Roger had chosen to run off and leave her. Just like Greg could have driven by that family stranded in their car on the interstate. If he had, he might still be alive. The family may have lived. She’d never know, though, because Greg couldn’t leave them there in the middle of the busy road any more than she could leave that mother to deliver her baby without medical attention. That wasn’t who they were. It wasn’t who she was. Besides, her chances of making it home were slim to none without Roger.
She was just about to climb down the steps and leave the post unmanned when Maria ran up.
“Beth, it’s me, Maria. Don’t shoot.”
Beth laughed.
“Does everyone here think I am trigger happy or something?”
“You can never be too cautious. Sorry, I took so long to relieve you. The colonel wanted a report.”
“What is going on? Roger and I were in the dining facility and someone came in and ordered everyone to their posts. We came out here to see what was going on, and no one was here guarding the gate. Where is everyone?” Beth asked as she lowered her rifle.
“I was on patrol, so I wasn’t here, but the colonel said that we came under heavy fire on two sides of the compound at once. Everyone was ordered out to repel the attack. The cartel sent two groups in, but the colonel says they’ve pushed them back, and the security forces in Kingman have joined in pushing them back even further.”
“Did you tell the colonel that we found the gate open?”
“I did. The colonel’s security team is making a sweep of the compound to make sure no one got inside the walls. The guard is at the infirmary now. He is in critical condition and Doc wouldn’t let us question him.”
“Oh, I forgot. There is a pregnant woman in labor at the dining hall. I have to go.”
“In labor, did they say who?” Maria asked as Beth descended the steps.
“No, Angel didn’t say.”
“I have a sister that is due any day. It has to be her,” Maria said.
“I’ll send word back to you if I can,” Beth called out as she ran toward the dining hall.
Chapter 3
Langston Cabin
Evening Shade, Missouri
Event + 12 days
Riding a horse back from Ron’s farm balancing the box of baby chicks on the horn of the saddle was more difficult and far more bouncy than Maddie had thought it would be. Ron was managing his carrier containing the kid goats much better than she was.
“We should get the chainsaw and clear the trail again,” Ron said as he pushed tree branches away from his face with one hand, balancing the carrier of goats with the other.
Looking over her shoulder, Maddie tried to remember the way the path had looked the last time she had visited Ron’s house. As a kid, Maddie used to run off to Ron’s farm to play with his farm animals. Ron had let her help milk the goats and hold the baby bunnies and chicks. He had taught her how to ride a horse and how to know when it was the best time to harvest corn. Ron often told her stories about the local lore. Her parents even let her go with him to the local farmer’s market, where she witnessed his generosity. Whatever he did not sell, they’d stop and give away to needy families. Maddie knew that Ron’s knowledge of farming and his contacts with others in the community who had various skills would be valuable to their long-term survival.
“We could start cutting firewood from this area first. We should cut as much as we can while the chainsaw gas is still good. Dad stocked a lot of fuel stabilizer, but I think we should save that for the ATVs—and I’m sure Zach will want some for his motorcycle,” Maddie said.
“I thought I heard that bike running yesterday,” Ron said as he guided his horse around a briar patch.
“Yesterday was Zach’s birthday.” Maddie choked u
p a bit as she spoke.
She recalled her first birthday after her dad had died. He’d hidden her present too. Maddie had tried to tell him that birthdays weren’t supposed to be like Easter egg hunts, but he enjoyed the surprise it brought to them. Sometimes having to scavenger-hunt to get your presents was annoying.
Maddie missed her mom and dad, but she could not let herself think about them because it would bring her down too much. She imagined her mom was going crazy worrying about her and Zach. She hoped that her mom had received the message that they’d both made it to Ryan’s safely. At least that would alleviate some of her fears.
“I’m sure that Zach was thrilled to get the bike. I know how bad he wanted one,” Ron said.
“Yeah. He got that zombie-killer crossbow he wanted too.”
Maddie’s horse shifted as he walked over loose rocks around the sinkhole. The rocky terrain of south-central Missouri is home to many such depressions. Their property even had a cave on it. Her father had discovered the cave after trying to track down a deer he’d shot once. Her dad wanted to keep it secret as a fallback position in the event the cabin was attacked. Not even Ron knew of its existence—at least not that she knew of.
“That crossbow will come in handy in case of zombie attacks and all. It’ll save on bullets too,” Ron said.
“Yeah. Now someone needs to learn how to make the arrows for it because I think he’s gonna need a lot more than dad bought him.”
Ron rode up beside her.
“I know a guy.”
Maddie steered her horse across the stream and up the hill on the other side. The chicks vocalized their displeasure with being jostled about in their box.
“Really? That’s good. I think we are going to need a lot of craftsmen to survive from now on,” Maddie said.
“This guy is multi-talented. In addition to arrows, he makes knives and buckskin bags. Lots of things, really. And he also is a ham operator.”
Maddie sat up straighter in the saddle and turned to look at Ron.
“Ham operator? Do you know if his radio still works?”
“The sheriff said he was still working on it. He was changing out parts and trying to pull something together. Were you wanting to try to get a message out to your mom?”
Maddie’s shoulders slumped.
“Yes. I’m just so worried about her. I want her to know that we are here and safe. I know that she is worried too.”
“I’ll go over tomorrow and see how he is coming along with the repairs. I’ll put in an order for some new arrows for that crossbow too. I think that is a valuable addition to the meat gathering mission. We can save bullets for the two-legged vermin.”
“Thanks, Ron. I hope he can get the radio working.”
As they came into the clearing behind the barn, Harmony’s dog, Buster, broke his tether and ran toward them, teeth bared and growling like the beast she’d first met.
“Cujo. I mean Buster. It’s me. Get back to the house,” Maddie yelled at the dog.
Buster stopped at the sound of his name, but his hackles remained up. Maddie doubted that the city dog had ever seen horses before. She feared how he would act toward the chickens and goats. Harmony was going to have to do a better job of restraining him.
“Buster, get back here,” Harmony called.
She’d found Beth’s apron and had a dish towel draped over her shoulder. For a moment, Maddie had to do a double take. Harmony sure looked like a chef. The sun struck her honey-blond hair as she ran toward them. Harmony was astonishingly beautiful—the kind of pretty that would never require makeup.
“What’s in the boxes?” Harmony asked as she grabbed hold of Buster’s collar.
“Baby chicks and goats.”
“Really. Can I hold them?” Harmony squealed.
“Sure. Just let us get them settled into the barn,” Ron said.
“I love kids,” Harmony said with a big smile.
He pulled the reins and heeled his horse in the side causing him to make a wide arch around Harmony and Buster.
Maddie nudged her horse forward, also giving Buster a wide berth.
“You’ll need to make sure Buster doesn’t get into the barn. We cannot afford to lose even one of these animals.”
“I will,” Harmony called after them. “I’ll go lock him in my room for now. Then I’ll come to help you get the pens set up.”
They didn’t have a proper chicken coop or goat pen, but the animals were still little and didn’t need much area yet. Maddie found a roll of poultry wire, and Ron constructed what he called a brooder box out of scrap lumber and the chicken wire. Soon the twelve little chicks were scratching and pecking away in their new home. When Harmony returned, Maddie was watching the chicks, while Ron cleaned out one of the horse stalls and stapled wire to the boards for a goat pen.
“How long before the chickens start laying?” Maddie asked.
Ron stopped and scratched his head.
“Next summer, probably. When they are around nine months, I think.”
Harmony nuzzled a chick against her cheek.
“That long? Gosh.”
“How long before what?” Lugnut asked, stepping into the barn.
He laid a large box down just inside the barn door and leaned over Ron’s brooder box.
“We won’t be gathering eggs from these guys until next summer,” Maddie said.
Ron stapled the last of the poultry wire. Satisfied with his handiwork, he placed the carton containing the two tiny does and one buck into the pen and opened the lid. The tiny kid goats jumped out and ran around their new home. Ron motioned to the carton Lugnut brought in.
“Is that the solar kit?”
“Yeah. You have time to help me install it?”
“I don’t know. What’s for dinner?” Ron asked, turning to Harmony.
“It’s kind of a surprise. But we're having peach cobbler for dessert.”
“Well then, Lugnut, my schedule just had an opening. We’d better get started.”
Ron was a foot shorter than Lugnut. He had embraced his farmer lifestyle and wore blue-jean overalls and a fishing hat almost daily. Maddie knew it was a fishing hat by the lures that dangled off of it. Ron was her dad’s age, but the whole farmer John get-up made him look much older.
“Ron, is it okay if I tell Lugnut what the sheriff said?” Maddie asked.
“Sure. It isn’t a secret.”
“What?” Lugnut asked.
Maddie placed the little yellow chick back into the brooder box, secured the lid, then turned toward the two men.
“The military is leaving. They are heading north.”
Lugnut turned to face Maddie.
Ron’s horse nibbled on Maddie’s hair as she leaned against the post outside his stall. They didn’t have hay to feed them. That was something they would need to trade for, she imagined.
Maddie filled Lugnut in on what the sheriff had told her about the military being ordered to the Canadian border.
“I think we should call a meeting. Rank and Ryan will want to hear this,” Lugnut said, walking toward the cabin.
Chapter 4
Joint Field Office
Marseille, Illinois
Event + 12 days
A commotion outside his tent startled Response Division Director, Gerald Aims. He looked to his deputy director, Samone Perez, for answers. She just shrugged her shoulders. Standing, Aims walked over to the doorway and looked outside. A convoy of National Guard vehicles had stopped nearby, and the soldiers gathered just outside Administrator Harding’s Tent.
“It’s Mayor Inmon,” Aims said, turning to face Perez.
“What? What is he doing here?” she asked, joining him in the doorway.
“I don’t know, but I think that is a sign of trouble in the city.”
“I’ll go find out,” Perez said, pushing past Aims.
Aims watched as she marched right up to the mayor and shook his hand. Aims shook his head. One thing Perez didn’t lack was self-con
fidence. When Perez disappeared inside Harding’s tent with the mayor and his entourage, Aim’s returned to his desk, took out a map, and began planning his next move.
Four days earlier, Aims had learned that General Walter Dempsey was instituting his own continuity plan. The same plan that President Rhynard had rejected when his disaster recovery plans had been written at the beginning of his term in office.
Aims had stumbled onto the fact that Dempsey and DHS Operations Director, Glenn Mitchell, were diverting diesel and other resources away from the shelters and communities that needed it. The supplies were being stockpiled in underground storage facilities across the state.
When what appeared to be a former employee at the facility led a failed attempt the take control of a warehouse, he was tracked to a farmhouse in Marseille. Even though Mitchell had confirmed that the leader had been killed in an early morning raid on the farm, he was still intent on tracking down the others from the group that reportedly fled to a residence near Peoria, Illinois.
Aims had yet to find out why this group was so important to Mitchell. He’d gotten Perez to tell him that they were in negotiations with FEMA and DHS officials in Missouri regarding the capture and return of the group. Apparently, there were new rules on extraditing suspects across state lines, because a Missouri official was refusing to allow Mitchell’s men to enter the state to look for the fugitives.
“You need to get over there. Harding is calling an emergency staff meeting,” Perez said, as she rushed through the door.
Aims opened the drawer and slid the map back inside, retrieved a notebook, and pulled a pen from for a holder on his desk. He followed behind Perez, trying to get her to tell him what she knew so far, but she was being closed mouthed about it.
“Just hurry up. They are waiting for you.”
Grim faces greeted Aims as he entered Harding’s office. Mayor Inmon was seated across the long conference table from Harding, flanked by his chief of staff and a female council member whose name Aims could not remember.
“Take a seat, Aims,” Harding said, pointing to the only empty chair at the end of the table.