Beth listened as Tabitha, when she was finished she looked back to Colt then over to Ceara and Charlie and finally returning back to Alden. “I agree with Tabitha and Colt. These individuals are definitely a huge threat to us and our camp. The facts speak for themselves. They have very few supplies and a small amount of food.” Beth cocked her head, “That tells me that they are desperate.”
Beth then paused and looked over to Charlie where she took a second to admire her handy work on his wounds then she looked over to Ceara’s throat. “If these people were actually at all caring or wanting to help instead of harm us, I would say that would be an entirely different situation but ….”
Just then Beth remembered how her dad and her use to watch Rambo when she was younger, her dad loved those movies. “After all it was them that drew first blood and they are now like rabid dogs. We got to put them down or they will try and take us out and I don’t see anyone benefiting from that at all.”
Ceara looked around trying to read their body language. They were all tense, that was obvious but Tabitha was blood thirsty. Ceara made a mental note to stay far from her if this did get too crazy, “So do we just wait?” She kicked the girl, “I don’t like this… thing… having the chance to get away and warn them. I say, at the very least, we knock her out.”
Alden smiled at Ceara, “Your suggestion, you do it? If you can’t then we deal with it my way.” Ceara looked funny at him, “What’s your way?”
Alden grabbed Stephanie by the wrist jerking her to her feet, “We may need her before this is over, she gets tied to a tree and gagged till this is over, we deal with her once this is done.” Ceara shrugged, “I don’t really see why we would need her. They don’t care about her and could care less if we kill her.”
Colt spoke up before Alden could, “If she serviced the men of the group; one or more may have feelings for her, and that we could use. That would only be used if any of us get in a spot that we would have to use that. Strictly speaking, I’m hoping we don’t have to come close enough to any of them to get in that kind of a bind.”
Alden dragged Stephanie to a tree and pushed her face first into the spun her around. “Charlie, reach into the bag on the horse, you will find a roll of parachute cord wrapped tight bring it here.”
Charlie found the cord and handed it to Alden, he unwrapped it quickly. Charlie was surprised at how much was actually there. Alden had the woman wrapped up quickly with cord around her waist then her throat. He tied it off to a branch above her head and walked around so she could see him, “You struggle, and you’ll choke yourself. You fall asleep you’ll choke yourself. You try to convince one of my guys to let you go, I’ll choke you myself.”
The girl had tears in her eyes as he turned and walked away. Charlie was beside him, “You really think she could talk me or Colt into letting her go?”
Alden looked at, “No, but I ain’t taking any chances.”
Back by the horses he looked at them. “I want you all to grab some ground and try to catch a nap. Tonto, Max and I will keep watch. Don’t kid yourself about the drugs and shit, they won’t be as alert as us…. but if they’re all hopped up on speed and coke. That means they’ll be strong as hell and even crazier. This is not going to be a cakewalk trust me. Everyone will need to be responsible for one other person.”
Alden looked to each one, “I know I said we have to be careful sticking with the ones we are closest too but this is different. In this if the one we care the most about, like Charlie with Ceara...” He looked to both of them, “If either is in trouble come hell or high water the other will help.” Each one looked to the one they cared most about and knew Alden spoke the truth, they you die for each other.
As if reading their minds Alden spoke again, “Beth with Colt, Tabitha with me and Ceara and Charlie…” He looked once more to Charlie and Ceara, “If we lose, you two need to get the hell out of here. Don’t give me any of this hero, ‘they’re our friends’ shit. If this doesn’t work you high tail it back to the cabins, get what you can. You set everything else on fire and drive away.”
Not even pausing for either Ceara or Charlie to speak Alden looked at Tabitha, “Go get some sleep with the rest.”
He turned and reached down petting Max, “C’mon boy let’s see what you’ve learned.”
Ceara walked to Charlie and he led her to a spot far away from Stephanie, he thought that Ceara didn’t trust him with the girl. He sat in the grass and pulled her down beside him, waiting for her to either speak or just go to sleep.
Ceara laid back and folded one arm behind her head, “I don’t care what he says, we aren’t leaving them behind. I don’t care if just one is alive, I ain’t going nowhere.”
Charlie laid down beside her, “I figured you would say that, but Ceara I am not letting anything happen to you, if that means we fall back and wait for a better chance we do it.”
Ceara looked over confused, “What does that mean?”
Charlie pulled her close hugging her, “It means we do what Alden says, and just how we interpret it is up to us, which is why I didn’t ask any questions.” Ceara snuggled into his chest and smiled, “Oh ok I gotcha… that was pretty smart.”
Beth walked over and found her a nice big oak and sat down right underneath it. She made sure that she noticed everything going on around her. She paid particular attention to the smells and noises from way off in the distance.
Tabitha was a little tired and knew that she better do as Alden suggested and grab at least a cat nap because shit was going to get real and she damn well knew it. She noticed that Beth had found her a nice place and she decided to do the same thing. Tabitha found another oak that was close by to the prisoner and she thought it would be best to just camp out right there in case that Stephanie got a little rambunctious. As soon as she got comfortable Tabitha, closed her eyes and before anyone knew it she was out.
Beth didn’t feel like sleeping at all for she wanted to make sure that Charlie didn’t fall asleep. His eye was still pretty dilated and the last thing that she wanted was to have Charlie passed out when all hell broke loose. Seeing Ceara and Charlie together was so sweet and somewhere in the back of Beth’s mind she too had hoped that one day she too would find someone that special. But the question wasn’t would that day ever come? The answer was how the hell would she know?!! Smiling at the sight of Ceara curling up in a ball next to Charlie actually gave Beth a little glimmer of hope.
Then there was Alden, he knew exactly what was going on and he was in pure survival mode. Hopefully that mode would get them out of this situation and back to camp.
Then Beth looked over at Colt and felt so sorry for him. He had been through so much but then again, they all had.
Colt walked around for a few minutes looking around as if lost, he wasn’t sure just what was expected of him. Alden looked over at him, “Boy, you are making me nervous, find a spot and sit your ass down.”
Colt went by Beth and laid down by her feet, he laid on his side with his head propped on his hand. He watched where her eyes went, he glanced over to Charlie and Ceara then back to Beth, “She won’t let him go to sleep, but we need to get some or we may be in a world of hurt tonight.” Rolling over on his back he let his eyes close wondering if he would really be able to sleep.
Alden watched as one by one they dropped off. He took his time with Max teaching him slowly how to think like he did. The simple snap of a finger as Alden first pointed to a stick, Max just looked at him. Tonto started for the stick and Alden let him get it and bring it back. Max watched with interest and Alden rubbed Tonto’s fur, “Good boy Good Boy.”
Alden walked over and set the stick down again. Coming back he rubbed Max’s neck, “Your turn boy. You can do this.” He knelt down between the two the dogs. Snapping his finger once he stared at the stick. Tonto stood and Alden grabbed his collar. Max stood and looked at Tonto then at Alden, he sat back down and Alden sighed he was about ready to let go of Tonto’s collar when Max was suddenly g
ot back up and trotted to get the stick. As he brought back Alden rubbed him down, “Good boy Good Boy,” Max rubbed his head against Alden’s shoulder.
Charlie was sitting nearby and had watched the whole scene, speaking quietly, “really Alden that’s all it takes.” Alden smiled, “Yeah kid just a little piece of wood and some patience, and time… a lot of time. Now you get some rest.”
Alden worked with the dogs till the sun started to set. He quit and walked back where he and Tabitha had first watched Stephanie and her friends. Looking off in the distance he could see smoke from a fire. He looked back at his small army then back towards the smoke as Tonto and Max walked up standing on either side of him. He reached down and petted both dogs, “You guys watch out for our kids. I’m counting on you.”
Alden sat for hours watching and listening to the party that was going on. He couldn’t make out what they were saying only hear the voices and an occasional whoop or holler. As time passed the noise settled down. He looked at his watch and touched a button that lit up the dial, three a.m. getting up he walked back to the others. Charlie was nestled up against the tree with Ceara’s arms wrapped around his waist. He saw Alden who was circling his finger in the air to signal for him to get up.
Beth and Colt had ended up holding each other to stay warm in the cool night. Tabitha was lying between Max and Tonto. Tonto jumped up as soon as he heard Alden’s steps which woke Tabitha and Max. Max jumped and growled at first till he realized who was there. Tabitha looked up at Alden, “Damn and I was warm”, she said as she started to get up. Alden reached his hand down to help her, “Take it slow we got time, the others still stirring.”
Charlie brushed Ceara’s hair lightly, “psst, honey c’mon it’s time to rise and shine, as the sisters used to say.” He kissed her forehead as she snuggled in closer and moaned, “No.” Charlie chuckled, “I know but c’mon we got things to do and Alden’s waiting.”
He shook her a little harder as she yawned and looked up at him. “I was hoping they’d all go away but they didn’t, did they?” Charlie shook his head, standing up he stretched and looked at Stephanie still tied to the tree. Her jeans were wet where she had pissed herself.
Charlie reached down and pulled Ceara up, “What the hell is that smell?” she asked. Charlie simply pointed to Stephanie, “Alden’s a real prick didn’t even give her a piss break.” Ceara looked over at the woman, Max walk up to her for his good morning petting, as knelt and petted him she looked to Charlie, “Fuck her, they tried to kill my dog.” The two walked over to where Alden was standing by the horses.
Colt slowly lifted his eyes and saw that Beth was curled up next to him and his arm was around her waist. He slowly pulled away wondering how he got up next to her, last he remembered he was laying at her feet. If they had been back at the cabins safe and sound, he would have smiled, she did the sleepy whine when he moved. He shook her shoulder and she was awake, “Is it time?” Colt nodded, “Yeah, everyone is getting ready.”
Beth began rubbing the sleep from her eyes and when she heard that everyone was getting up and moving she rose to her feet and stretched her legs. After brushing herself off she then walked over and checked on Charlie. “Let me just take a quick look at you.” She saw that the eye still was dilated but had changed a little in appearance which was a very good sign. Smiling as Beth gently checked the bandages on his head, “You’re not out of the woods yet….pardon the pun”, as she chuckled slightly, “but I say let’s go get this matter taken care of so we can get you back home where you belong.”
Charlie looked over at Ceara and the look of anger that she had with Stephanie was no longer there. The look that replaced it was that of sweetness and hope. Beth realized right there what she had said. The word ‘home’ was something that the group had needed to hear and just for a brief moment there was a peace among the six survivors.
The noise of Tabitha cocking her gun and making sure it was loaded made everyone look at her and she looked up at them all with a serious look on her face, “Then I say let’s fucking do this thing and get our boy home where we all fucking belong!”
Beth looked at Tabitha then to Colt whom had been with her since the beginning and finally ended back by looking directly into the eyes of Alden. “What say you, boss?”
The look in Alden’s eyes was stone black and the mission was set. They all knew from the look that this may be the last thing they ever attempt; that this was a do or die situation.
Colt led the horses over but Alden shook his head, “We ain’t quite ready for them yet.” Colt tied them back up and everyone went to join around Alden. He had knelt in the dirt and cleared and decent size area and pulled the black bag close to him. Alden silently drew “V’s” in the dirt along with what Colt thought was cars, there were a couple of straight lines that Colt had no idea what they were for and X’s Colt thought were the fires. Alden took a break and sat back looking at the drawing, then leaned forward adding three rectangles and a mid-size square then added a few trees.
Once he was done everyone looked at the picture, Colt finally asked, “Ok, what are the V’s and lines?” Alden sat directly across from him, “Well, from your view I guess they would be V’s but from mine they’re tents, and the lines are clotheslines. I don’t need any of you strangling yourselves.” Colt nodded and looked back at the dirt, “They got a bigger spread than I was hoping for. How are we going to do this?”
Alden looked at the group then at the horses. He stood and paced back and forth for a few minutes as everyone watched. Charlie knew he was thinking and thinking hard. Suddenly a small grin came on his face and he knelt down and raised an eyebrow when he spoke. “We’re going to do this the old fashioned way.
Tabitha looked at him, “what the hell does that mean?”
“In the old days, the Indians would send braves straight into an enemy camp on horseback to show their courage. Two or three would ride straight through and kill as many braves as they could.”
Colt winked at Beth, “The original drive-bys.”
“Exactly” as Alden went on, “Tonto, and I will take out any guards on this end of the camp.” He pointed with a stick to a side of the drawing that had more tents than cars. “This will be their weak point and they’ll know it, or they should. Colt will bring up the horses and he and I will ride through the camp.” Alden looked at Colt, “You don’t need to try and shoot, just ride and ride hard anyone gets in your way run them over. Trust me they’ll move. I’m going to drop a couple of surprises to start with and then shoot my way out, I’ll be right behind you Colt, so don’t stop and don’t look back just ride, son.”
Tabitha spoke up, “What the fuck are we supposed to do while you two do this John Wayne thing… Applaud?”
Alden reached over and touched her face lightly then smacked her on the top of the head. “NO, you and Beth will be right here and here.” Again pointing to spots on the map that were to the left and right of where Alden and Colt would be riding. “When we are clear of the camp we’ll peel off, You know what that means right Colt?”
Colt nodded and looked to Beth, “That means I turn left or right, right?” Beth nodded.
Alden frowned, “You will go to the right and Beth will be over there, I’ll peel left and hook up with Tabby. As soon as we clear the center of camp you two girls open up with the M-16’s in full auto mode. Use short three round bursts and count each number will equal 3 shot so when you get to eight get ready to drop the clip and reload.”
Alden stood up and reached his hand out to help each one of them up. They stood in a circle looking at him and at the map. “I’m not going to lie to you; this is going to be bloody and very intense. Things may seem to happen at an extremely fast pace or it may seem like slow motion. One or more of us may not make it. It’s six against thirty six the odds are in their favor, but we have the edge we’re sober and we’re fighting as a unit.”
He turned to Charlie and Ceara. “You two have the most important job. You will set up here
at the edge with the M-60 machine gun. Don’t open up till they start coming at you.” Ceara looked at him, “AT US, WHY AT US?” Alden placed a hand on her shoulder, “Honey that,” Pointing at the drawing, “Is going to be the only way out. They’ll all want out. These are punks, wannabe bikers and tough guys. When the shit hits the fan, they’re going to be every man for himself and this will be their only choice. When you see them bunch up open fire again short bursts. Ceara you count, but with your weapon, for every burst it will equal ten rounds. Each belt has five hundred rounds. You should only need one belt but be ready to reload if you have too. Keep your second can open and next to you.”
Alden turned to Charlie, “Charlie, remember if you reload you have to pull that bolt back once and then continue to fire.” He looked into each one of their eyes, “So any questions?”
Colt looked to the mapped again, he pointed to the rectangle, “What was that?” Alden looked to the map, “I couldn’t get close enough but I saw movement in there, so they may have some kind of livestock.” Colt nodded, “That may be an area we should avoid shooting on, wouldn’t hurt us to have a cow or two. Hell Alden, if we’re lucky they could be dairy cows and you would have fresh milk.”
Alden smiled, “I wouldn’t turn that down.”
Colt looked to his gun as if it were an alien being; he had never thought he would ever hold a weapon like this. He swung the gun over his shoulder and looked to Beth, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Beth looked around to everyone, “Well of course, what is it?”
Colt shuffled his feet, “I kind of meant in private.”
Beth looked surprised, “Oh, I’m sorry, yes of course.”
They walked off with Colt in the lead; he stopped a little bit away from everyone. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously, “Look, I just wanted to make sure you were ok with all this.” He leaned his shoulder on a tree, “Well, that isn’t really what I wanted…Look, I know we haven’t known each other for long but I do care about you and it would kill me if anything happened to you. I lost Jessica, Please don’t think I want you to replace her, no one could.”
Surviving Day By Day (Book 1): So it Begins Page 45