At Night's End

by Benham, Tara

  We didn’t stop to stay in the kitchen, but went in long enough to grab some apples before heading to the training room. We chatted about the techniques we felt we needed to work on most. She suggested we work on situations where others were involved like at the pharmacy, and I suggested we work on our escape maneuvers. We were still chatting when we entered the training room to see Micah speaking with someone who’s back was to us. When we got closer, we noticed it was Adam from the group that came yesterday morning.

  “Good morning girls!” Micah greeted us.

  “Good morning. I hope you don’t mind that I’m joining you this morning. While Micah was giving me the medication yesterday he informed me that you all would be training today. I taught self-defense classes on the side before all this started, and thought maybe I could offer some suggestions. I unfortunately can’t fight in my condition, but Annabelle is on her way to assist.” Adam sounded like some life had come back to him with the talks of the training.

  “We can use all the help we can get. So thank you, and Annabelle.” I truly did appreciate their help. They had been living and surviving in the world that we were caught off from these last months. They would have insight into how things were that we did not have.

  “Don’t thank us yet. We may not have any help for you at all.” Annabelle said from the entrance of the training room. Ever and I gave a quick laugh and a nod at the acknowledgement that they knew we had been getting training since we were young.

  “First, let’s see what you can do, before we make changes or suggestions.” Adam suggested.

  Ever and I paired up against and began sparring. Micah would occasionally step in and make postural changes, but for the most part he let us be. We worked on offensive and defensive moves, as well as evasive moves. Adam and Annabelle lets us go at first without interrupting, watching and whispering to each other. We trained for about 2 hours straight before taking a break and asking them for suggestions.

  “You both have excellent form. Excellent form only gets you so far, out there you have to be clever, think about your surroundings. You will not be fighting in a controlled environment. Micah told me that during your last outing you met some of the people we call claimers. They’re tame compared to what you could be faced with, so be aware. We what to play a game of what if’s with fighting if you will.”

  “What ifs?” Ever and I looked at each other and grinned, this is where she excelled, however we had never used in with fighting scenarios. We explained that we were used to what if scenarios as a training tool, just generally they were verbal situations.

  “Well, how we will do it will be Micah and Annabelle will attack at random and I will call out things that maybe happening that you will need to react to. You may use anything in the room that you deem necessary. No holds bar, this will be brutal. We will stop just short of real injury but do not pull back anything. You need to be able to react quickly even when in pain. Do you understand?” Adam was solemn and serious. Micah and Annabelle watched us waiting for our responses.

  I glanced quickly at Ever, and she nodded. This is what we both had been speaking about on our way down to the room, so we couldn’t really say no. We looked back at them, and agreed.

  “Good. Let’s get started.”

  We immediately became aware and decided to start back to back in order to have eyes in all areas. Annabelle walked with purpose to the other side of the training room. She picked up a rope that was laying in the back area that was normally attached to the ceiling. While I had been watching her, Micah had snuck up and started a lowered run towards Ever. She nudged me with her shoulder and then counted to three. At three I stepped to my right and she to her left so we were still back to back, but Micah flew past us. He stood up looking a little in shock, but then gave a menacing grin.

  “Clever.”

  I couldn’t help but giggle he was looking straight at me, so he could see Ever’s shoulders bouncing from giggles. I quickly recovered when his grin disappeared. I had taken my eyes off Annabelle when we had moved out of Micah’s way, and doing a quick span realized she was coming up on our side. Just as I was about to suggest a move when Adam yelled out his first what if.

  “What if it was dark, and raining?”

  Crap, there went my first plan. Think, McCaid, think. It would best to separate and try to do one on one. I whispered my plan to Ever and even though I couldn’t see her, I knew she nodded in agreement. I stepped to the left, Micah followed. I was going to lead him into the inner circle area while Ever lead Annabelle into it as well. Having the outside position would be to our benefits. They had both just moved into position, when Micah struck. He came at me quickly, and got me down to the grown. He had my left arm behind me, my face down, and his right arm against my neck. I took a quick census of my body and my surrounding. If we were outside in the rain I would have mud. I explained quickly to Adam my plan.

  “If I were outside, I would pick up a handful of mud. When he went to flip me over, as surely he would because he would want to knock me out if possible, or kill me, I would then throw the mud into his face, when he leaned up to wipe his eyes, I would knee him in the crotch, knock him off me, and hit him again in the back of the head. I really don’t want to kill anyone if I can avoid it.”

  “Very good McCaid. Take a break, while we wait for Ever to work out her scenario.”

  Micah hopped off me, reached down handing me a hand to help me up. He was grinning, and once I was standing, he patted me on the back like a proud big brother. I gave him a quick shove, but smiled back at him. Ever had one end of the rope around her wrist, and Annabelle had the other end around her wrist. They were circling not doing anything, so I took matters into my own hand.

  “Ever, what if she had a gun in the other hand?” Adam glanced over and nodded at my addition to the situation.

  “Is it pointed at me or at someone else?”

  “At you Ever.” Micah answered this time.

  She released her end of the rope, throwing it up in the air. She used the time provided by Annabelle glancing up at the rope to rush her. She knocked her down on the mat, faked knocked the gun from her hand, and was on top of her waist, fist raised.

  “Adam, I really don’t wish to actually hit her, will this suffice as a finish to this scenario?”

  “Sure. Take a break too. Actually the watch says its lunch time, should we head to the kitchen?”

  “No need, I brought us all lunch for a picnic here in the training room.” Annabelle said as she was standing up with Ever’s help. She dusted off her legs and back side, then congratulated Ever for her skills.

  “I hope sandwiches, carrots and water will work.”

  “Sounds great.” Micah could anything at any time. He was the first to reach the basket, and brought it over to the center of the mats. He was setting out the plates, napkins, and bottles of water before we made it over to him.

  “Hungry much?” Ever teased.

  “Always.” He winked back at her, before going back to getting the food set out.

  It was an enjoyable lunch, with companionable company. Adam and Annabelle continued to tell us how it was outside of our walls. They talked about the claimers, and those that were worse, that scourged the homes of the dead and dying, as well as raping and killing at will. They explained that the soldiers that were supposed to be enforcing Martial Law, were left to their own devices causing things to go into chaos. They also explained that the remaining soldiers protected the water plants, air filtration plants, hospitals and other government buildings, but they weren’t as abundant as they had been. Annabelle told us that there were only two soldiers at the water plant, and both were known to show up drunk, but that we may still have problems getting to the plant. Just as we were finishing Micah remembered he had to go switch places with Johnnie. Johnnie would then come here to watch our next shift of training. We would be moving to the firing range. Adam excused himself, but Annabelle asked if she could stay and train some with us. We told her
she’d be more than welcome. We were cleaning up from the picnic when Johnnie walked in. He looked tired, but denied needing a break before getting started. I knew having to put up with Dad, knowing Dad caused Atlas’ sickness was trying on him. I just didn’t trust anyone else besides him and Micah.

  “Let’s get started. We’re going to be working on moving and hidden targets today. We will be wearing the VR equipment as well, because you all need to be able to fire accurately while being fired at. Any questions on how the systems work before we get started?” Because Ever and I had explained the VR systems to Annabelle already, none of us had questions.

  Getting into the vests and glasses was somewhat of a struggled as we were both now bruised from the training earlier. The firing range was set up for actual guns as well as the VR equipment. The difference was with the VR training, we stood inside a pod that allowed us to navigate through the environment without actually having to move. We would be strapped into the pods to keep us from losing our balance. The goggles and guns would allow us to see and shoot whatever was presented in the scenario, as well as seeing each other. Johnnie was always more strict and straight forward with our training, so we knew what to expect. Immediately we were in a forest environment, at night with fog. I looked around and spotted Ever to my left and Annabelle to my right. They indicated that they would flank me as I lead. I could see where the tree line met with what looked to be a meadow to my right. I pointed that we would make our way over to the tree line to get a view point of the open area. We were approximately a hundred yards, so we started walking at a slow, steady pace. Making sure to check all sides in intervals. We were close to 50 yards in, when we heard a gunshot. When I turned to see that they were ok, and to tell them to get behind the closest tree, I noticed that Annabelle had been shot in the arm. She gave a thumbs up to let me know she still felt well enough to continue, and ducked behind the nearest tree. Another shot sounded, and without the noise of us walking, I could tell that it was coming from the left of us possibly from a high area, or from a tree. Both eyes were on me, so I pointed that I would move to a tree, then they were to move up a tree one at a time as well. They each nodded.

  We made it another twenty yards before another shot was fired. In front of me was a large hollow tree trunk that would allow the three of us to fit and discuss our next plan. I made my way over, and then waved Ever then Annabelle into the tree with me. When were close enough to speak I asked them for suggestions. Many years ago, my dad made sure to instill in me that good leaders listened as well as spoke. Annabelle suggested we separate and go in three opposite directions within eye sight to allow us to observe our surroundings, and look for the shooter. Ever agreed. Annabelle was to go out first and head to our left. Ever to the right, and be to the direct center. We gave five second leads between each of us. I had made it to my next post, when another shot rang out. I looked to my left to see that Annabelle had been hit, and was out of the game. This only furthered my belief that the shooter was higher up and to the left of us. I scooted more to the right side of my tree, and noticed Ever do the same. She was standing there watching me waiting for a plan, when I remembered Micah rushing us the second time. We have to work against our training. They know we were trained to be cautious, if we break out from our normal actions, it should give us time to reach them before they can fire. I pointed to her eyes with my two fingers then to me to make sure she knew to watch and follow. The action made me giggle internally, because it was a move I had always wanted to do. Even knowing it was just virtual reality but heart started to palpitate in anticipation. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, counted to three and took off towards the direction of the shooter. I must have surprised them because it took a while for them to react. A bullet grazed my arm, but I continued moving forward. I could hear Ever making her way behind me. The next bullet hit the tree beside me. We were closer, so I decided to duck behind another tree. Ever stopped behind the tree just opposite of me.

  “Are you insane?”

  “Maybe, but it worked.” I grinned.

  “You’re shot. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I think so. I think the shooter is somewhere close behind us in a tree. I’ll peek around to see if I can spot him.” She nodded, and I leaned around to my right look high up behind me. I spotted movement about fifty feet away up in a maple tree. I leaned back and pointed the tree out to Ever. As she leaned around to have a look, he fired and hit her in the leg. She was down. He shot again and hit her chest. The shock of her getting shot and killed even in a game, was almost too much. I stared for longer than I should have, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I couldn’t move or breathe. My brain was yelling it was a game, but my heart was aching beyond anything I had felt. I heard Johnnie from somewhere in reality reminding me it was just VT, and even Ever’s voice told me to continue, but I stood frozen for too long. The shooter was behind me. I heard the click of the hammer, and loud boom of the shot, then darkness.

  “Dangit McCaid. You cannot freeze like that in real life.” Johnnie was yelling as I was disconnecting from the equipment. “That is the second time you have frozen when around the guns. You are trained to react. Why do you not react? It’s Ever isn’t? Both situations involved Ever. If you cannot get passed the fact she might get hurt or killed, sorry Ever, than you too may get hurt or killed. This whole thing will have been pointless.”

  “He has a point Caid. You have to learn to work through this, or he isn’t going to let one of us go, and I’m betting it’ll be me that has to stay. If I have to stay, and you make it back I will hurt you myself.” Ever could definitely hurt me, but I didn’t know how I could change the way my mind and body reacted. Annabelle was standing there, waiting to restart the activity, while I calmed down. I was trying to go through the what if scenario again and come up with some kind of game plan to get past the thought of Ever getting hurt or killed, but I just couldn’t seem to muster a way to make it better.

  “Turn it around.” I don’t know when Baxlie came in, but his voice startled all of us. “Use her dying or pain as anger to fuel you. Turn it around on them. Use that game plan.” He was staring at me, his eyes penetrating into mine. I felt like he could hear my thoughts. “Breathe, and try it again. I’m going to wear a pair of goggles, and talk to through the scenario. Johnnie, start it right back to right before Ever getting shot, Ever let yourself get hit ok?”

  “You got it.”

  Putting the goggles back on and getting back into the pods, we start back up in the scenario right before Ever gets shot. Again, she steps out to look up at the shooter, and gets first shot in the leg. As I’m watching, I hear Baxlie whisper to use the red of the blood to induce anger. My heart squeezes but not as much as last time. I watch as she gets killed, and again hear him whisper to take her final screams and use to for revenge. He says “breathe”, “count to three” and something else, but I didn’t hear it. I was mad, how dare this person think he could kill my best friend and get away. I turn, bring up my gun, and aim through the scope and fire, killing him with one shot.

  “Great McCaid!” Baxlie and Johnnie both shouted. Then Johnnie suggested we do it again and again until it was second nature, and I didn’t need the verbal cues from Baxlie. It was close to ten at night when we finish. We made our way back to the main house to fix something to eat since we missed supper with the training. I was exhausted both mentally and physically. I think Ever was pretty spent too having to die over and over. Even if it was a virtual reality it was taxing to see yourself getting killed. We both decided we were both just going to go to bed. We had more planning to get through tomorrow and we knew we would needed the extra sleep. We crawled into bed groaning, but relieved to be resting.

  “McCaid, I’m sorry you had to watch me die so many times.”

  “I’m sorry you had to die so many times.”

  “I tried to pretend it was you each time, and use the techniques that Baxlie was teaching you and I think I could use them, if you were the one hurt or kil
led. I totally forgot to tell you what he said to me yesterday. He told me that he didn’t think he’d ever get over you and that he’s been in love with you since y’all were little, but he knows Henry makes you happy and that’s all he can wish for, but he did say if you and Henry ended it, he’d try again. I think he was showing you tonight that he truly cares for you no matter what.”

  “Baxlie’s sweet and handsome, and surprisingly very helpful, but he’s just Baxlie to me. Maybe if Henry wasn’t here, but he is and he’s all I can see.”

  “Mhhmm” Ever made acknowledgement that she heard me, but I knew she’d be asleep soon, and I would too.

  CHAPTER 29

  My dreams consisted of Ever dying in all sorts of manners last night, but I did manage to get sleep. After my shower, I put pajama bottoms and a tank on. I was too tired and too sore to worry about clothing. When I got to the living room, I noticed that Ever had had the same idea as me. I plopped down onto the couch beside her and she handed me a cup of coffee. Everyone else was chilling in the living room too awaiting the meeting to start.

  Johnnie and West came in completing the group. Micah was sitting with Dad I assumed because he wasn’t in the group. Johnnie began the meeting explaining that the plan to distribute the inhibitor was still on task, and that in two days we would separate and head out to the water plant. He then asked Baxlie to give an update on the progress on mixing up an appropriate amount of inhibitor to be able to cover the infection population of the whole nation.

  “The solution on the paperwork that McCaid and Darcy found was remarkable. We were able to come up with a formula we could calculate enough mixture to be able to allow each citizen to have enough of a dose to inhibit and deactivate the virus. We know that not every citizen is affected, and for those without the virus, the inhibitor will simply act as a booster to the steroids that the government is passing out.”

  “That’s great news!” Darcy spoke up. “Hopefully we’ll have a smooth trip from start to finish then.”