Avalon: Beyond the Retreat (The Avalon Series Book 2)

by L. Michael Rusin

  Doctor Dan was at the top of the hill watching the raging battle with binoculars. A bullet hit his binoculars, knocking them to the ground as a projectile tore into his chest and pierced his heart. He went down in a crumpled pile, dead before he hit the ground.

  The firing was beginning to diminish… however, not before another casualty was added to the carnage. Sam Wolchak… a veteran of many battles, a former Green Beret and a man well-loved by all of the people at Avalon, suffered gunshot wounds to his shoulder and leg. The bone in his leg shattered and he could see it sticking out of his pants leg. He went down in excruciating pain.

  Sam watched the life blood flow out of his wounds and he knew in that moment he would die. He knew enough about fatal wounds to know the pain would soon stop. He thought about Dayna, his true love. He saw her face; she was saying something to him but he couldn’t hear her words. She was so beautiful, so alive… and then her face began to fade and everything went black. Sam Wolchak was dead.

  Slasher found a white rag and tied it to the barrel of his rifle. He raised it above his head and waved it back and forth. A bullet hit the barrel and nearly sliced it in half. He continued waving the flag. The firing continued and Mike stood up and faced the men behind him and began waving his arms over his head. The firing stopped and Mike watched Slasher walk toward him with his white flag held high. There were four men with him.

  The slight breeze had stopped and thick smoke hovered over everything. Mike watched the slavers come forward, struggling up the steep hill. He whispered to his men. “Whatever I say… go along with it.” As the red bandana approached with his four sidekicks, he saw that fifty to a hundred rifles were aimed at them. One of those was Eric Bell’s.

  When he was six feet away from Mike, he stopped. He was obviously out of breath from the climb. He held a hand up to plead for moment to catch his breath before speaking. “The name’s Slasher. My real name is Alvin Cobb. I killed Bone Breaker because it was time for his reign of terror to end. I am a man of peace. I believe we can all live in harmony and help each other build a new world together. We all need the same things… food, security and the ability to trade our goods for yours… without having to reach for a gun.”

  He extended his hand as a gesture to emphasize his words. Mike accepted this and the two men shook. “Take your people and leave this place. Do you know the town of Fitch?”

  “I do.”

  “Then come to Fitch in two weeks and we can talk. Come unarmed or you’ll be shot as you approach the town. Is that understood?”

  Slasher nodded and walked back down the hill. There were about fifty men and another eighty or so women waiting for him at the bottom. Slasher said something to the group. As he spoke to them, he turned and looked back at the Soldiers above them at the top of the hill. The slavers lifted Bone Breaker’s body onto the back of a pickup truck, and they all left the area.

  Dayna walked toward Mike with a faraway look in her eyes. In the midst of the fog of war, Mike was unaware that his friend and right hand man had been killed. As she reached him, her chin fell to her chest and the sobs flowed from her lips. She was saying something, but Mike couldn’t understand her. He reached out and brought her to his chest. He simply held her close as she cried. She was shaking and sobbing. Mike didn’t know what to do, so he simply held her as he saw Linda Sienna walking toward them. He waited to hear what she had to say.

  “It’s Sam. He’s dead.”

  Linda reached over and held on to Dayna.

  “Daniel Croft is dead too.”

  Mike took his eyes away from Linda and looked up to the sky. He tried to suppress the tears, but they ran down both sides of his face. He finally composed himself and walked up toward the top of the hill. He motioned for everyone to gather around.

  As he waited for the group to gather, he gave Randy new directions. “Put enough riflemen on guard to make sure there isn’t a sneak attack from down below. You and your men did a great job today. Thank you from all of us.”

  The Soldiers walked to their posts to guard the rest of them from an attack.

  Mike turned to the rest of the people who had gathered around him. He looked at them for a while before speaking. He looked each of them in the eyes. He wanted them to take his words personally and with all the sincerity he felt. Some sat on the yellow grass and some stood. Everyone waited quietly.

  “Today, I believe we have reached a turning point in the existence we all share with one another. Today we brought an end to the slaver gang’s terror. It ended because each and every one of you had the courage and personal resolve to stand fast.”

  A roar went up from the large group. It took several minutes for the noise to calm down.

  Mike began again. “We’ve lost some wonderful and gallant people here today including two of my best friends. They may or may not have known you by name, but they were your friends, too. I’ve never known any finer people in my life. They gave up their lives for you and for me, as would any of us who believes that we can rebuild America to her former glory - a country built on the principles of honor, honesty and integrity. These great men will be missed, but they will never be forgotten.”

  He paused, searching for words and realizing there was no rush to make his point. “Freedom isn’t cheap. It’s a constant series of sacrifices. It’s unfortunate that the world we once knew turned into a place where the evil preyed on the weak. We, as a nation, allowed our moral values to be undermined and they were replaced with depraved ideas, promoted by degenerate people.”

  “Today we didn’t totally end evil, but we showed those who would perpetrate evil that we will no longer tolerate their malice. The cost was high, but those who made the ultimate sacrifice died to make the new world we’re building a better place for all of us. They were my friends and they were as much a family to me as my own parents.”

  “If we revere them for their sacrifices, let’s aspire to be as they were… unselfish men, forgiving men, brave men, who believed that we can all live in peace and harmony. But never forget what happened here. Never let your guard down against those who would seek to torture others for their own gain.”

  Mike turned and walked away from the quiet crowd.

  Chapter 20

  Forgiveness

  FEELINGS WERE MIXED among the Avalon and Fitch groups about forgiving those slavers who had participated in rape, slavery, kidnapping, robbery, cannibalism and murder. The conversations became quite heated. There appeared to be two main views.

  One group thought the men should be forgiven. “Nobody’s perfect. We, as a society, must live and let live. Let’s put these terrible things behind us. People make mistakes and react differently during times of terrible stress such as the war and the plague. Sometimes they do terrible things they wouldn’t do normally. Enough of the violence. If we forgive now and wipe the slate clean, whatever happens from this point forward will result in punishment that fits the crime.”

  The other group wanted blood. “You can forgive them and let bygones be bygones, if that’s what you want to do. But if I catch any of them from this point forward, I’ll kill them like the rabid dogs they are. There will be no forgiveness from me. My forgiveness will come from the barrel of a gun.”

  Neither side was able to convince the other side to conform to their views. The arguments were beginning to split the groups and people began to leave Fitch and Avalon. It was all creating a dilemma for Admiral Mike Reynolds. The bickering, coupled with the grief of having lost two of his best friends, was taking its toll and had him in a morass of indecision.

  The time finally came to bury Doctor Daniel Crowley, physician, husband and the late Governor of California. He and Sam Wolchak would be laid to rest out in the old cemetery behind the Avalon main structure and near where Eli Cameron, the original founder of Avalon, was buried. It was appropriate that they be here with others who had built and loved this place.

  The procession leading to the old cemetery was long. Two horse drawn travois with
the bodies of Doctor Dan and Sam Wolchak led the procession. A third followed, carrying the body of Lieutenant Chris Bell. One horse was led by Caroline, another by Mike, and the third by Sergeant Eric Bell. Directly behind them came Dayna and Crystal.

  All of the sleds were decorated with ribbons and flowers. Each body was wrapped in white sheets that covered the men’s faces. On top of the bodies were more flowers.

  The rest of the people walked slowly behind, stretching out for more than three hundred feet. Three graves waited at the cemetery for the bodies. The people gathered at the grave of Doctor Dan first. His body was lifted off the travois and lowered into the grave. Mike gave a brief eulogy.

  “We commit the body of our friend, our doctor and a man of many accomplishments. We will all miss his smiling face, knowing that he genuinely cared about each of us. I never heard him say a disparaging remark about anyone. He was a man who truly loved us as a father would his children, and as a faithful and loyal friend. We will never know his caring touch again. But Dan has left us a legacy. Dayna carries his baby. May God take you into his heart Daniel Crowley! And may we all rejoice someday when we meet again. Goodbye for now, my friend.”

  Dayna collapsed and fainted. There were plenty of people near enough to catch her and care for her. Crystal and Caroline were there, as well. She was now the principal doctor of the group and the surrounding area. Her training had been at the direction of the deceased doctor and she was good at her chosen occupation. In the days to come, she would be tested by the loss of her mentor.

  Once respects were paid to Doctor Dan, they moved to Sam Wolchak’s final resting place. Sam’s body was removed from the travois and lowered in the same manner. Crystal stood at the graveside and rubbed her stomach as first one person, and then another, delivered their words to the man whom everyone loved and admired. Many of the children were crying. Sam loved children and was always playing some game or another with them. His favorite was the “pull my finger” game, and it always delighted the children. As one woman told the story, most of them laughed, remembering Sam’s antics.

  Once again, Mike had a few words to say about his friend Sam. “I’ve known some courageous warriors in my time and Sam was, by far, one of the greatest. He was such a jokester, it was easy to forget he was the kind of fighting man he was. There was no man I’d rather go into battle with. His courage under fire was without par. His quick mind and his ability to make the right decisions at the right time are legendary to those of us who fought with him.”

  “To say I’ll miss him just isn’t enough to describe how I feel. Suffice it to say, he was one hell of a man. I’ll miss my friend, and I’ll miss his sense of humor. There will probably never be another one like him, but I’m hoping the baby his wife carries will be just like their dad. I look forward to watching them grow up so I can see for myself. And through him or her, maybe… just maybe, I’ll have chance to repay my friend for his unwavering friendship. I sincerely hope your journey takes you to blue skies and a peaceful after life. Rest in peace, my friend.”

  The final ceremony was for Lieutenant Christopher Bell, United States Navy. The first speaker was Admiral Mike Reynolds. He waited until everyone had shifted and was gathered around the grave before he spoke.

  “I did not know this man well, but it makes no difference. He was a Sailor and a warrior who died in defense of our freedom. We are grateful that he came to our aid. Our souls are indebted to you for your courage. It’s my hope that God will shine his blessings on you. We thank you for your service to our nation and I hope you hear our words of thanks for your sacrifice on our behalf. We will never forget you and what you did for us. Fair winds and following seas.”

  Eric spoke next. He was ashen faced, and he trembled as he spoke. “My big brother is gone. I always looked up to him and admired him because he was my hero. I wanted to be like him in every way. He was one of the best baseball players I ever saw play the game. Once, when he caught a grounder coming at him, he fell as he captured the ball in his glove… then he leaped to his feet to throw it to first and got the guy out. It was an amazing play.”

  “But that’s my brother. I was so proud of him then and I’m still proud of him today. He’s gone now, and God only knows how much I will miss him. The pain I feel will never go away. My parents are gone and now my brother is too. I’m the only one left to carry on the legacy of my family. I promise to honor their memory for as long as I live, and I will never forget my brother and the love we shared.” He bowed his head and tears fell from his eyes onto his chest.

  The entourage drifted back toward the main lodge. The walk was slow and sullen. People reminisced about Dan and Sam and Chris. There was a bit of laughing as they shared fond memories of them, as well. Mike addressed the group when they reached the terrace.

  “Food will now be served. Please eat your fill. I know that some of us will go to the bar when we’ve finished eating.”

  One-by-one, people made their way to the bar. The Sheriff, Bob Waters, and his wife Marcie came in. Mike and Caroline were already there. Just about everyone who was anyone at Avalon came to reminisce and honor the dead.

  Most of those crowding into the bar were quiet. It was if they all waited for someone else to say something. Penny Rolls came in with Harlan Herrera, and they walked toward the small stage where the piano sat.

  This was where young lovers had hung out all those years ago when Avalon was a retreat for the wealthy. Someone played tunes on the old piano that made young hearts soar. The melodies promised love and romance and sent many hearts fluttering. Today, it was a gathering of people who cared about three men who made a difference in so many lives.

  Penny walked up onto the stage and addressed the crowd. “All of us here are sad today. We should also be grateful to these great men who sacrificed their lives for us.” She paused to organize her thoughts. She wanted her words to honor those men she loved as brothers. They were three great men who did not deserve to die.

  “We can never understand any justice in such tragedy. But rather than sink into despair, we should be proud that these men sacrificed their lives for us. We are so fortunate that we lived among such great people. Our country was needlessly bombed and attacked by evil people. Then, when the war was over, we realized that our great country had fallen into slavery once again at the hands of our own countrymen. That has ended. We have paid an enormous price for that accomplishment. Once again, as Americans, we have ended a terrible injustice. I hope that it has truly ended and people will no longer have to fear strangers.”

  Penny folded her arms against her chest and stared out into the crowd. People were still trickling in. She paused long enough to collect her thoughts before she spoke again. “As a people and as a nation, we want peace, and a life where we don’t have to worry about whether those we love will be taken into slavery or killed. We merely want to raise our children and live from the sweat of our labor. We simply hope that God will be good to us if we live an honest life.”

  “We’re willing to help those less fortunate than ourselves, but we will never go back to those times when parasites who could have worked didn’t. Those who lived off the sweat of others. People who contribute nothing deserve very little from those of us who do work. We will help those who are infirm or elderly, but we won’t help slackers. We fought a great battle the other day and we lost three good men. We cannot and will not let them have died in vain.”

  Penny paused again and took a drink of water. Harlan came closer to her and put his arm around her waist. She continued once again. “We will continue to build here at Avalon, and elsewhere, the idea that freedom is cherished. It’s a place where a good night’s sleep comes from a good day’s work, and a place where we can all live together in peace and camaraderie. If you are new to Avalon, we say welcome. If you’re an old hand here, remember those we lost and let us strive to not lose anyone else to this senselessness. Part of me has been ripped away by the deaths of these three men. We will all die eventually,
but let it be by old age and not by violent confrontation.”

  She looked up and raised both arms up into the air. Tears streamed down her face. “Heavenly Father… thank you for sparing so many of us. Please give your blessings to us and cast your healing hands on our hearts. We humbly ask for your blessings and ask that you receive our departed brothers into your heavenly grace. Amen.”

  Everyone in the bar shouted, “Amen!”

  Penny stepped down from the platform and walked toward the bar with Harlan. Mike walked toward the piano platform, turned and stared at the crowd for a long moment. He finally spoke in a quiet, even voice. He wanted to explain why he did not pursue a path of vengeance toward the slavers.

  “You’re all like family to me. I love every one of you as much as I loved my two friends. We put this place together those many years ago with you in mind. We didn’t know you then, but we had a vision of what this place could be. Not everyone shared our dreams, but we didn’t let that stop us. We shrugged off the subtle criticisms we occasionally heard. We went about our business of building this place, and invited people to join us who could see the vision we had, what it could mean in terms of preventing our annihilation if something was to happen.”

  “Most of us know that the scoffers down there are probably all dead today. They paid no attention to world events and did not prepare for the worst. We found this place and fixed it as a ‘just-in-case’ scenario. Did we do the right thing? I think so. We’re here because we had the foresight to get ready for such an event. The decisions we made were right for us.”

  “Unfortunately we have lost three of our members. No one can understand or feel the depth of my pain. I won’t let that burden any of you, it is mine to carry and I’ll do it in my own way.”