The Troop

by Gayne C Young

  Everyone listened intently as Carl ran through what happened. His voice was normal and he seemed calm.

  “Bob did OK on the flat parts but the up-and-down bothered him. It got dark long before we hit the highway. We just turned on the blacktop when Bob fell. He didn't trip or anything. He just kind of fell forward. I rushed over to help him but he said he was OK. He sat up and took off his backpack and then just started throwing up real hard. He wouldn't drink any water. He just said to let him be and that it would pass but he kept throwing up and then he said he was dizzy…then he just…he just fell over onto his side.”

  “You OK?” Carl Dad asked.

  “I'm good.”

  “OK. Continue then,” my dad instructed.

  “Matt started panicking. I rolled Bob over onto his back and saw that his eyes were open but just…just not there. You know?”

  Johnny nodded and whispered, “I know."

  “I tilted Bob's head back,” Carl continued. “And listened for breathing and then listened to his chest, but I mean there was nothing. I tried CPR like we learned…”

  “Good,” Johnny said. “Good.”

  “But that just freaked out Matt and he started crying really hard and I kept trying CPR but I mean…he was gone. Bob was gone.”

  “You did good.” Dad assured him. “You did everything right.”

  “I agree, Carl,” Johnny agreed. “You did everything right. Sounds like Bob had a massive heart attack. Maybe brought on by exertion or the heat..."

  “That's kind of what I guessed. Mean the heart attack part,” Carl admitted. “I told Matt I was sorry and then...”

  Carl started to tear up.

  “Hey,” Dad said strongly. “You did OK. You did everything you could've done.”

  Carl sniffed and wiped his eyes and said, “That's when I didn't know what to do. Once he was dead I mean. I just let Matt sit there with him. You know, give him some space..."

  “Again Carl, you did everything you should have,” Dad assured him. “I know Matt appreciated all you did. You trying as hard as you did..."

  “We all appreciate it,” Johnny said. “All of us.”

  We all said that we did and said, “Thank you” and “Sorry Carl.” Carl took a second to cry. He pulled himself together and said, “I told Matt we had to come back. That that was the deal. But he wouldn't leave. He just yelled and said that he wasn't leaving his dad and I said OK and hiked back.”

  “I'm glad you did Carl,” Dad said. “I'm glad you're back and we're all glad you're safe.”

  “What about Matt?” Carl asked. “What do we do now?”

  18

  “We've got to get Matt,” Dad announced. “And tend to Bob.”

  “Agreed,” Johnny said. He looked at his radio then added, “We need to do it quick. It's almost three. Sun’ll be up just after six and then comes the heat.”

  Dad thought for a moment then said, “As much as I hate to split us up, Carl needs to stay here.”

  “I'm good,” Carl promised.

  “I'm sure you are, but you need some rest,” Dad explained.

  “Your body's been through some major stress, Carl. You may not think you're tired but it's going to hit you real hard, real soon,” Johnny explained.

  “But I...”

  “You need to stay here,” Johnny insisted.

  “I'll stay with him,” Jack offered. “I mean I'm not going to like watch him sleep or nothing, but I'll stay.”

  Johnny looked at Jack then to Dad then back to Jack. “OK. Drink lots of water Carl. Lots of it and then get some sleep.”

  “And you don't have to watch him sleep,” Dad instructed. “But make sure to watch him.”

  “Don't watch him but watch him,” Jack smiled. “Gotcha.”

  “You know what he means,” Johnny chided.

  “Duh,” Jack said.

  Johnny shot Jack a look and Jack came back with, “I mean, yes sir.”

  “Guys,” Dad began again. “I need all of you to load your packs. Plenty of water, a few snack bars…”

  “Plan as though we could be out there for the whole day,” Johnny continued.

  “Hurry but be thorough,” Dad tagged on.

  Everyone but Jack and Carl rushed back to their tents. Liam and I made it back to ours and I quickly put on socks and boots and got my pack loaded. It was hard loading stuff by moonlight only but I was pretty sure I got everything I needed. I really wanted to put in my contacts but with no flashlight to speak of, I just threw them and some saline solution into my pack. I could always put them in once the sun came up. Once loaded, Liam and I made our way over to the dinning fly and filled our Camelbacks to the brim with water. Dad called over to us, “Fill up what you got but grab three or four bottles of water from the trailer as well.”

  “Three or four bottles!” Liam exclaimed.

  “Yes, Liam!” Dad hollered back.

  Andrew and Luke made their way to the dinning fly and they filled their Camelbacks and when they were done we all went to the trailer together and loaded up with bottles of water and protein bars. Johnny gave everyone another two bottles of water and when Liam said he had more than enough Johnny replied, “Think about Matt.”

  What Dad and Johnny did next really brought home the purpose and possible danger of our trip ahead. They each took a collapsible shovel and a rifle from the trailer. Johnny took a .22 and Dad, his AR. I knew that the shovels were for Bob but not what the rifles were for. I was going to ask when Johnny said he and Dad were going to check our gear before we headed out.

  Overall, I guess we packed OK because the only changes we had to make were that Luke had to go get his hat from his tent and Liam had to carry another bottle of water. Johnny and Dad checked on Carl and Jack in their tent and when they came back Johnny checked the time on his radio. It was 3:35.

  “Let's go,” he said.

  19

  The road was a mixture of sand, gravel, and caliche and somewhat glowed under the moonlight. The moon was so bright that it even cast shadows from the trees, tall scrub brush, and huge rocks along the side of the road. We had just left the campsite when Dad warned, “Watch for snakes and be extra careful of the ruts and potholes in the road.”

  “The last thing we need is for someone to get a twisted ankle or snake bit,” Johnny added.

  Liam and I took the lead and Luke and Andrew followed. Dad and Johnny took the rear and the going was slow and talk free until we had hiked out of the canyon. We hiked onward for another half hour or so before the road started sloping downward. I looked ahead to the creek below to notice three dark blobs meandering around the trees on the right side of the road. I stopped and put my arm up in front of Liam forcing him to come to a halt as well.

  “What?” Liam asked.

  I was about to answer when Dad called ahead asking why I stopped.

  “There’s something moving down near the creek,” I quietly answered.

  Dad and Johnny came up beside me and they stared at the figures ambling along the road.

  “Listen,” Dad whispered. We did and I could soon here the low grunts of what was I was sure were pigs.

  “Boar?” I whispered.

  “I don't think so,” Dad whispered back. “They look kind’a small. Maybe a few javelina.”

  The grunts continued for a second or two before suddenly turning into high-pitched squeals. The figures circled into the road and then disappeared into the thick and out of sight. Johnny picked up a few rocks and threw them into the brush near where they the javelina had been and screamed, “Get! Get on! Get!”

  “Guess they smelled us,” I offered.

  “Maybe. Or heard us,” Dad replied. “Let's give them a few minutes to scatter before continuing on.”

  “Good idea,” Johnny said. “Everybody drink some water. We’ve got a long hike and you need to stay hydrated.”

  I sucked on my Camelback straw and after a few gulps of water asked Dad about him and Johnny bringing rifles.

  �
�Is that why you're brought the guns? Just in case we ran into javelina or something?”

  Dad finished drinking from his Camelback and said, “No. Although if we see game on the way back to camp, we’ll for sure use them.”

  “Then what? I asked.

  “Just in case,” Dad answered.

  “In case what?” I pushed.

  “We're going out onto the highway. I doubt we’ll run into anybody, but you never know. And things are different now. People might be scared or angry or desperate for food. It's just a precaution.”

  “You ready?” Johnny asked.

  Dad took another drink, “Yeah. Let's go.”

  He and Johnny led us down the hill and across the shallow creek that crossed the road. Once we crossed, Dad told me and Liam to take the lead again. Liam and I did and we got the troop back on a good pace in no time. I was thinking about what Dad said about bringing the rifles and what Johnny said earlier in the evening about what his friend Bill had said when Liam asked me something.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I said, is that the gate up ahead?” Liam replied.

  I looked ahead and replied, “Yeah. Looks like it.”

  We walked to the gate and tried spinning the combination lock in the dark but ended up having to use Johnny's lighter to see the numbers. We opened the gate and all crossed the cattle guard and closed the gate and put the lock back in place.

  “Why’d we do that?” I asked.

  “Do what?” Dad asked.

  “Close the gate. There's no one out here.”

  “There's cows that we don't want to get out. We might need them.”

  “Oh. Good thinking.”

  “Is everybody OK?” Johnny asked. “Anyone need a break?”

  Everyone said they were good and Liam and I continued forward and the rest followed

  “Do you think Matt's going to be OK?” Liam asked.

  “No,” I answered. “His dad just died.”

  “No. Not like that,” Liam corrected. “Like do you think he’s still alive?”

  “Why wouldn't he be?”

  “I don't know.”

  “Then why do you ask that?”

  “I don't know. Just thinking out loud I guess.”

  We kept hiking onward along the road and occasionally we’d see a rabbit - or the dark outline of a rabbit - dart across the road or hear a distant coyote yowl but for the most part the hike was pretty uneventful. I think we were all just super tired or maybe in shock from Carl's news or maybe both. We hiked another hill and I tried not to breathe hard or at least not let Liam hear me breathing hard. I guess he was doing the same because when we got to the top we both gasped in exaggeration then laughed at each other. Dad hit the top and caught his breath then sucked on his Camelback and told everyone to make sure they were drinking their water.

  We hiked down the road and I stopped when I saw the next creek down below us. I picked up a few rocks and chunked them into the scrub brush along the creek. I yelled, “Get! Get out of there! Get on!” and threw a few more rocks.

  Liam laughed and said, “Scared of javelina?”

  “No. But I don't want to run into one in the dark either.”

  Johnny came up next to me and offered, “Good thinking kid but you're yelling absolutely blows!”

  Johnny cupped his hands and let out a monstrous growl of, “Get! Get on! Get on there little javelinas!”

  We all chuckled at Johnny being such a goof and I thought how embarrassed Jack would be if he was here watching his dad. I then wondered how Jack was doing back at camp. And wondered about Carl. I couldn't imagine how hard it was for Carl to have to give CPR to someone that needed it.

  I tried not to think about it.

  We continued on and I noticed just how dark it was starting to get. I thought about it some and figured that it must be that the moon was going down and that the sun was about to rise. That would make it almost six o'clock. We were making good time. When the fence and the highway came into view Dad said that he and Johnny would take the lead after we crossed through. Johnny used his lighter again for the lock and after he closed the gate behind us we turned left on the highway and headed towards Balmorhea. We didn’t go more than 50 yards before we found Matt sitting next to his dad on the side of the road.

  It was the first time I've ever seen a dead body in real life.

  20

  Dad and Johnny approached Matt slowly and with calm soothing voices.

  “Hey Matt,” Dad began. “How ya’ holding up?”

  Matt didn't respond.

  He didn’t look up.

  He didn’t do anything.

  Dad and Johnny dropped their packs and Dad handed Matt a fresh bottle of water. Matt took the bottle and placed it on the ground next to him.

  “When's the last time you had anything to drink Matt?” Johnny asked.

  Matt sat motionless.

  Even with it still being as dark as it was, it was apparent that Matt had been crying a long time. His face was puffy and covered in what looked like streaks of mud from the dust mixing with his tears. Johnny unrolled his sleeping bag from his pack and said, “I'm going to cover your Dad. OK?”

  Matt sat there staring at the highway before him or maybe something we couldn't see. Johnny covered Bob and Dad knelt before Matt and put his hand on his shoulder.

  “I'm sorry, Matt,” Dad said. “We're all sorry. We're going to take care of your Dad the best we can and then head back to camp OK? Carl is there. He's OK and so is Jack.”

  Johnny grabbed his and Dad's pack and walked out to where Liam, Luke, Andrew, and I were still standing in the highway.

  “Should we say anything?” I asked.

  “Not yet,” Johnny explained. “Let's give him some time to adjust to our being here.”

  Johnny pulled a collapsible shovel from Dad's pack and put his pack on and motioned for us to follow him. We did and he led us back towards the gate and through it. Although the sun had yet to rise it was getting lighter by the minute. Johnny led us a little further down the road then stopped and looked around. He dropped his pack and told us to do the same. He grabbed both shovels and told us to follow him. We followed Johnny through some tangled mesquite trees down a narrow game trail to where there was an open space of about 10 by 15 feet.

  “This will have to do,” Johnny said aloud then folded the two shovels into picks and handed me one. “All of you can take turns. This is mostly gravel and rocks so I doubt we can go very deep. Liam, you, Andrew, and Luke go get as many big sized rocks as you can.”

  “For what?” Liam asked, seriously unsure of what they’d be used for.

  “To cover Bob with.”

  “Oh,” Liam said in sudden shock of the situation at hand. “Ok.”

  Liam led Andrew and Luke back onto the trail to look for rocks while Johnny and I started digging. I don't know how long we worked at digging but by the time Liam took over for me I was ready for him to do so.

  “That's about as good as were going to get,” Johnny said looking down at the trench that was barely a foot and a half deep. “Let's go.”

  He led us back past our backpacks, through the gate, and back to Dad and Matt. Matt was talking to Dad when we approached and he nodded, “Thank you,” when we all offered our condolences. Dad stood and helped Matt to his feet and looked to Johnny.

  “We're ready,” Johnny said.

  Dad turned back to Matt and said, “Why don't you head on over with the boys. We’ll bring your Dad, ok?"

  Matt nodded and followed us to the shallow grave and Dad and Johnny placed Bob gently in the trench.

  “Matt,” Dad began. “Would you like to say something?”

  Matt answered by breaking into tears.

  Dad nodded then looked to each of us and we understood and took our hats off and lowered our heads.

  “Oh dear Lord,” Dad started. “We thank you for our time with Bob. He was a good man, loving husband, and devoted father. We pray that you welcome him and
look after those he left behind. Amen."

  We all said, “Amen,” and Johnny took the sleep bag off the body and Dad took a shovel of dirt and held it out towards Matt. Matt shook his head and walked away.

  “Liam, y'all help Matt get his stuff together,” Dad said. “Johnny and I will take care of this.”

  We left and made our way to where Bob had died. Matt picked up his backpack, but Liam took it from him, and I took Bob's pack. I had to lean way over to pull the shoulder straps tight and when I came back up I saw a faint glint on the road in the direction of Balmorhea. I stood on my tiptoes to get a better look but could still only make out part of what was gleaming in that early morning sun. Matt started walking toward the gate and Liam and I followed. We crossed over the cattle guard and to where Andrew and Luke were waiting. Dad and Johnny came from the scrub to the side of the road just as I dropped Bob’s pack.

  “Hey Dad,” I blurted out. “I think I saw a truck down the highway.”

  21

  “A truck?” Dad asked. “Are you sure?”

  “Pretty sure,” I replied. “I mean the road dips there. I just saw the top of it. I think it’s a truck. Or a car.”

  “We’ve got to check it out,” Johnny declared. “Especially if it's this close to our camp.”

  Dad stood thinking for a moment while Johnny dug a pair of binoculars from his pack.

  “What if there somebody there?” Dad asked Johnny. “Are you ready to split what food we have?”

  “No,” Johnny said. “Which is why...”

  “Why wouldn't we share food,” Luke asked.

  “We're just going to check it out,” Johnny quickly countered. “No one’s deciding what to do or not do yet.”

  Johnny and Dad picked up their rifles and lead us to the gate. We passed through then stopped on the other side.

  “Watch for my signal,” Johnny said before taking off toward the vehicle. He walked close to the heavy brush that grew along the fence line. I had no idea what time it was but the sun still wasn't fully visible. The road was cast in a sort of half-light that was growing brighter by the minute. Johnny quit hiking and lowered himself into a crabwalk and continued along the fence. He went up and over the rise and out of sight.