“I'll take the old gun,” Jayden said, picking up the shotgun that had seen better days. It wasn't the most useful weapon in a fight, but it would be an effective deterrent.
“I'll walk in front. We need to do the single file thing like Wyatt showed us on the way down. We don't talk. We use hand signals. It's going to be a long walk up that mountain,” he looked around the room, taking in his charges. “Ryland, you keep Duke with you, like before.”
The kids looked a little scared, but more resigned to another grueling adventure through the forest. He wanted to laugh. Two years ago, kids Amy and Frankie's age would have balked at the idea of such a strenuous journey. They'd beg for their tablets and video games. These kids had been conditioned. They didn't argue or put up a fuss. Life had changed them.
Aiden felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, but everything his parents had taught him seemed to prepare him for this moment. He was ready.
“Let's go,” he said, leading the way out of the cabin, spear in hand. The smoke seemed to be dissipating a bit, making way for a steady stream of moonlight. It was like a beacon. His parents had been God-fearing people and raised him to be the same. The beam of light buoyed his spirits and gave him the energy to make the treacherous climb back up the mountain.
He looked back occasionally; making sure everyone was doing okay. The kids were exhausted. The sun was rising flooding the area in pinks and oranges.
“We're about there,” he whispered.
There were a few muttered comments of joy and relief. It had been the longest night of his life. As they approached the cabin, the wind went out of his sails. He had nothing more to give. His body was weak.
A clap on the shoulder snapped him to attention. It was Jayden.
“We made it. Good job, Aiden. Dad would be very proud,” he said, looking at him with sincere appreciation.
All he could do was nod his head. The door swung open, Wyatt was staring them down.
“Thank God,” he muttered, moving out of the way and allowing them in.
Aiden wanted to enjoy the reunion but his body was depleted. He slid down the wall in a dark corner and watched the hugs and tears of joy and relief mingled with grief cover the faces of the people he’d come to care a great deal about.
Jayden sat down next to him. “Sleep. I got this.”
Aiden nodded and without hesitating a second, he closed his eyes and succumbed to the exhaustion, knowing his brother had his back.
21
Megan couldn't believe her eyes when she heard the commotion. She’d expected to see the twins with Ryland, Frankie and Willow with the baby, but Tara and Amy? That had been a welcome surprise. She kept looking at the door, waiting and hoping Rosie and Caitlin would come trailing in, but they never showed. It’d been like a knife to the heart.
Wyatt was standing next to her, his arm around her shoulders, providing physical and mental support.
“Where have you been?” Wyatt asked.
Tara shook her head. “It's more like where haven't we been. We heard the commotion from the stream. When we finally managed to get dressed and back to the lodge, we saw the soldiers and took off. I didn't know where to go. We wandered into town, but that proved to be far more dangerous than up here.”
“Did you see Rosie or Caitlin?” Megan blurted.
Tara shook her head no, putting a hand on Megan's. “No, I'm sorry. Willow filled me in. I can't imagine what you're going through.”
Megan nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I'm glad to see you two are okay. You must be exhausted.”
She could see they’d both lost weight in the time they’d been on their own. Tara had deep, dark circles under her eyes and looked very pale.
“I'm very sorry about, Evan,” she told her, meaning every word.
Tara nodded, but didn't say anything. Megan guessed she too was still in shock over hearing about his death. There had been too much death. They were all numb and still grappling with the loss of life, their home and their security.
Brenda stood and surprised everyone when she gave Tara a quick hug. It lasted less than a second, but the show of affection left them speechless.
“I'm glad you and Amy are okay and back with us,” she said, before turning and walking out the door.
They all stared, dumbfounded by what they’d witnessed.
Albert chuckled from his makeshift bed on the ground. “She's not as unfeeling as you may think.”
Megan nodded, apparently not. Brenda was thawing and warming up to their family unit. It was remarkable to see. Hopefully, once they got all this Neil nonsense behind them, Brenda could really settle in and see what it was like to love and be loved.
“How's your leg?” Wyatt asked.
Albert shrugged. “It'll heal. I won't be quite as nimble as I once was according to Brenda, but she doesn't think there’s any real damage.”
Megan looked at the twins in the corner. Aiden's head was back against the wall, his mouth slightly open as he slept. His brother was pressed into his side, essentially holding him up. It was endearing and warmed her heart. Something caught her eye. She stepped closer and looked down at the floor beneath Aiden's legs that were stretched out in front of him.
It was blood.
“Get Brenda,” she ordered, dropping to her knees next to the boys.
“What's wrong?” Jayden asked.
“Your brother's been hurt,” she said, staying calm. There wasn't a lot of blood, but now that she was looking at the black jeans the boy was wearing, she could see they were soaked in blood.
“What? Is he okay?” Jayden asked, jerking forward, startling his brother.
Brenda rushed over and gently pushed Megan out of the way. Aiden was awake and staring at them, clearly a little disorientated.
“What are you doing?” he asked, pulling his leg back when Brenda reached out to touch it.
“You're bleeding. I need to see where,” she explained, gently pulling the leg back towards her.
They all watched as she pushed the pant leg up. A nasty gash on his lower leg was revealed.
“Aiden,” Jayden said in horror. “Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?”
Aiden stared at his bloody leg. “I didn't know I was.”
Brenda nodded. “Shock and adrenaline. I've seen it a hundred times. It needs to be closed.”
She looked to Willow. “Tell me you brought that ridiculous first aid kit.”
Willow laughed. “Yes, I did. I know it isn't much, but at least it’s something.”
The kit had been thoroughly looted, but it still contained some basic things like bandages and alcohol pads, neither of which Brenda was thrilled about.
Willow grabbed it and handed it to Brenda who was mumbling under her breath about needing her suture kit.
“I'll have to butterfly it closed, but it isn't going to hold if you use the leg. You need to stay down and let it heal,” she lectured.
Aiden nodded his head, wincing when she gently started to wash the dried, caked blood away. The dried blood had formed a scab, now that it was gone, the wound was bleeding again.
“I'd say you got winged by a bullet,” Brenda said, inspecting the wound.
“Really?” Aiden asked, as surprised as the rest of them. “I got shot?”
Wyatt laughed. “It happens, buddy. I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious. Maybe we should check you out and make sure you don't have any other injuries the shock is hiding.”
Brenda agreed and despite Aiden's protests, quickly checked the boy over.
Megan stepped outside to get some fresh air and to process the latest revelation. Now, another one of their limited able-bodied adults was down. They were dropping like flies. She couldn't fight back the anger. She was mad at the situation and mad at herself for becoming so dependent on a group.
When it was only her and Caitlin, she’d been far more self-sufficient. She’d been lulled into the safety of a group setting, relying on them for protection as well as c
omfort. They shared the workload, which had been nice, but had it made her soft?
Each time one of their people was injured, the group as a whole suffered. It felt like she was weakened by their injuries. If she were alone, she wouldn't have to worry about an entire group. It was easier to move with a couple people versus ten. She didn't have to take on the responsibility of keeping so many others safe, fed and sheltered.
“Don't,” Wyatt said, coming to stand beside her. “You aren't responsible for his injury. It's a setback. We'll figure something out together.”
She sighed. “I don't know, Wyatt. Don't you ever think it was easier when there was only a few of us?”
He shrugged. “I wouldn't say easier. Less mouths to feed, but also less support. Don't you dare think about running off by yourself, Megan. I’m not in the mood for those games.”
She had to laugh. It released the anger, grief and frustration that had her wound up tight.
“I'm not leaving. I was only thinking of how much it sucks each time one of our people goes down. It’s more work for us, the ones that are still physically able. What happens when there are only a couple people left standing? We’re all so dependent on one another whoever is left is going to die because they don't know how to make it on their own.”
“Don't think like that. I know it sucks, it really does, but we have to keep our heads up. You go down that road and it isn't pretty. Let's give it a day, see how things go. I know it's a lot to ask of you, but I need you to stand strong with me. Beside me. I can't give up on any of these people and I’m asking you to stay with me,” he said, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to look at him.
She looked him in the eyes. “I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.”
22
“Get inside,” Wyatt hissed, pushing her forward, towards the cabin door.
“What is that?” she asked, hearing a whirring sound in the distance.
“I would guess it's drones. They’re getting smart and using the drones to search the area instead of doing it the old-fashioned way.”
She wanted to shoot them down, but knew it would only give away their location.
“Stay in and stay away from the window,” Wyatt ordered, shutting the door behind him.
Megan instantly missed the fresh air from outside. The small cabin and closed door didn’t mix well with a room full of unwashed bodies. She could smell blood and sweat. It wasn't a good combination and made her feel nauseated. They couldn't stay in this cabin for long.
“What is that?” Jayden whispered, doing his best not to wake up his sleeping brother. Aiden had fallen back asleep shortly after Brenda's ministrations.
Megan still couldn't believe the kid had trekked all over the mountainside, bleeding like a stuck pig without complaining. He was tough. She was second-guessing her earlier concerns. Aiden was strong, and that was an asset she wanted in her corner.
“Drones,” Wyatt answered. “They're looking for us, I imagine.”
Everyone looked at each other. All of them realizing the same thing. They couldn't stay in the cabin. It wouldn't be long before the drones identified the cabin and a team was sent out. They had to move.
Megan pointedly looked at Albert and then Aiden. Brenda had ordered both of them to stay down. How could they possibly move the group to safety if two members couldn't walk? She looked at the few adults capable of carrying the heavy burdens and it wasn't enough.
“Stretchers?” Willow asked.
Wyatt nodded. “We're going to have to, but where? Where do we retreat to?”
Again, they all were silent, staring at the walls and each other.
“I have an idea,” Brenda said.
They all looked at her in anticipation. Anything was better than what they had, despite how unsure she seemed by the idea she’d yet to reveal.
“There's an old, hollowed out tree. I found it when we were trying to find material for the dike,” she started, but stopped when everyone looked at her as if she were crazy.
“A tree?” Ryland asked.
Megan saw the second Brenda started to withdraw and quickly jumped in. “Is it big enough to crawl in? Or does it create a nice hiding place behind it?”
Brenda looked at Ryland and then back to Megan. “It's hollow, about the size of a large drainage pipe you would see in a canal. Behind the tree, there’s a nice little cove of sorts. It was almost completely blocked by the height of the tree and all the growth grown around it.”
“It's worth checking out,” Wyatt said. “How far is it?”
She shrugged. “I can't say for sure, but I know it isn't too far from here. I could show you.”
Wyatt looked at Megan, who quickly nodded. “Let's go. You guys sit tight. We'll be back soon.” He paused at the door. “You know what to do if they come close.”
“We'll be fine. Hurry back,” Albert said, propping up on his elbows.
Wyatt and Brenda headed out, leaving Megan to keep watch. It was a lot of pressure. Between the young and the injured, they were seriously weakened and no match for Neil and his small army. It wouldn't take much to finish off her family. They had little resistance to offer.
A noise outside startled her. She grabbed the gun and prepared to shoot. She may not be able to save her family and friends, but she would take out as many bad guys as she could.
“It's me,” Wyatt called out in a soft voice, knowing she’d be ready to shoot anyone who walked through that door.
They came in and Brenda walked straight to Albert.
“What's up?” Megan asked.
“It'll work great and it's not that far. Brenda is going to take everyone up there. You and I will hang back and set a bomb of sorts to slow Neil's guys down,” Wyatt explained.
Megan was confused. “A bomb?”
“Come with me,” he said, heading back out the door and towards the back of the cabin.
“What bomb, Wyatt?” she asked with concern in her voice.
He pointed to one of the small boxes they’d carefully stashed in the back a few months back.
“Dynamite?”
He nodded. “Yes. This stuff was too unstable to use for our purposes and it isn't safe to move, but we can blow it up right here. It’ll be a nice diversion and hopefully thin the numbers.”
She stared at the old dynamite unenthused about having to handle the stuff. He was waiting for her to answer him.
“Okay, but can we make sure we get the rest of them far enough away in case this goes very bad?” she said, finally conceding to his dangerous plan.
He nodded. “Yeah, we need to hurry.”
They rushed back inside. Aiden was standing with Jayden's support. Megan eyeballed him and then Brenda.
Brenda shrugged. “He says he can walk and quite frankly, it's better if he does. I'll deal with the injuries when we get to the tree cave. A little blood is better than the alternative.”
Albert was also standing, leaning heavily on Frankie and Ryland. Megan looked at Tara, who was holding JJ and nodded. This was probably one of their worst plans yet, but they were at the end of this game and they weren't winning. This was a last resort.
“Go,” Wyatt ordered.
Brenda went out the door first, leading the way through the trees. Megan watched for a few moments wondering how they were going to get up the hill. Albert was in bad shape. Aiden was doing far better, but not great.
“We need to move,” Wyatt said, heading towards the back again.
He carried the box around to the side of the cabin and began pulling out the sticks, being careful not to jostle them too much.
“Do you think this is going to work?” Megan asked. It was evident the dynamite had been wet at some point. Not to mention it was old and hadn't been stored properly, causing it to weep. The nitroglycerin crystallized on the sides and bottom of the box made her very nervous.
He shrugged. “I honestly don't know, but what other choice do we have. We don't need it to be targeted. We only need it to explode and create
a diversion.”
Megan nodded, but wasn’t excited about attempting to detonate dynamite that may not explode.
“How are we going to ignite it?” she asked.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple blasting caps. “With these. If not, we'll have to start a fire. I’ve no idea if the dynamite will blow. I'm no expert.”
She could tell he was irritated, but after their last use of the dynamite, she wasn't sure it would work. A noise alerted her they weren't alone.
“Wyatt,” she hissed. “I think they're here.”
He put one of the caps on the end of the string and used his teeth to crimp it down. Her eyes bugged out at the sight, but she didn't get time to say anything about his very dangerous and risky move.
“Go,” he whispered, standing and making his way towards the back of the cabin.
She followed him, but didn't make it far. There was an explosion, but it wasn't from the dynamite. It was what sounded like a hundred guns being fired all at once.
“Wyatt!” she screamed, racing behind the cabin for cover.
He pulled her in and pushed her behind him. He was trying to rig a battery from the flashlight to detonate the dynamite.
“I'll shoot it,” she said, not wanting to waste time.
“We need to get up the hill,” he ordered.
She followed him up, thankful the shooting had stopped. Her ears were ringing. She knew the men had opened fire in the hopes of scaring them out of hiding or killing them with no effort. She was about to tell Wyatt to stop or she would be out of range when the men started shooting again. They looked down the hill and could see the men shooting at the cabin at point blank range.
“They're going to hit—”
Boom!
The dynamite exploded. It wasn't a massive explosion, but it was strong enough to take out the men within ten feet or so of the cabin. She took a moment to survey the scene before Wyatt was pulling her up the hill.
“We need to get out of here,” he ordered.
She looked back and nearly cried when she saw another twenty or so men rushing towards the cabin.
Dark Revival (EMP Lodge Series Book 6) Page 13