I ignore it and simply dip my head in acknowledgement of his introduction. I walk around to the other side, and as I open the door to climb in, I can see the confused looks on the mechanic’s faces.
James hops in and starts flipping switches.
“Have you ever flown before?” he shouts above the motor.
“A few times. Enough that you don’t have to worry about me.” I smile at the thought of my secrets known only to a few.
I buckle up and place the backpack on the floor with my leg through the strap so if I have to bail out, it can go with me. The duffle I have on my lap covers the gun pointed at James.
He makes small talk as he goes through his preflight rituals.
I mostly make non-committal noises, waiting until we’re in the air to see what his game plan is.
A few thumbs-up later, all the mechanics back up and we’re lifted off the ground.
The navigation system is right there in plain sight, and the direction that we’re heading starts out toward the west. When we reach flight altitude, he starts to shift slightly southwest as I watch him slyly adjust the controls little by little.
I wait for my moment, about twenty minutes into the flight, when we’re past any cities or urban areas, in case this goes fubar and we crash.
“So, James, where exactly are you taking me? I know we’re not going to Salt Lake if we’re flying in this direction.”
James’ face looks a little pale as he realizes I might not be just a pretty suit sitting next to him.
“I was given different instructions just thirty minutes before you arrived.” He flicks the auto pilot on and reaches into his jacket. “They said to show you this if there were any questions.”
He holds out his phone with a picture of my kids and Linc, out in a pasture.
“If you cause any problems, then your kids will be in trouble,” James warns, placing the phone back in his pocket.
“Well, thank you for the advice, James. I think our flight together is going to be over for now, though.” I drop the duffle bag to the floor.
He sees the gun a minute before I shoot him in the forehead. His open eyes stare at me as I lean over and flick the latch holding the door closed.
I hit the button on his seat belts and give his dead weight a gentle nudge to help it on its way out into the fields below.
The helicopter tips slightly as I try to pull the door shut against the wind. Finally, it complies, and the only trace left of my companion is the blood splatter on the window.
Thankfully, this helicopter is equipped for a pilot and co-pilot so flying it from my clean seat is easily accomplished.
“Tango, do you read? This is Top Dog Dad.” I wait, trying to reach my own group, hoping that they haven’t been taken over as well.
“Top Dog Dad, we read you loud and clear. Did all go as planned?” The voice comes out loud and clear.
“Mission extra weight is gone. Am I clear to land shortly?”
“Yes, sir. We have an escort waiting for you to arrive.”
“Roger that. Top Dog Dad out.”
Flying a chopper comes back, just like riding a bike. My brain and reflexes might be a little rusty, but it’s good to know that things still work the way they’re supposed to.
I land without any problems, but my location is much different from what I’d told my wife.
The scene outside Camp David is bustling, and nothing short of amazing as the military continues to protect the President’s home away from home.
“Has he arrived?” I ask, referring to the President.
“No, sir. He should be here in a few hours. They were waiting on the initial panic to die down before withdrawing to safety.”
“Did Martin arrive?” I question the underlings running to keep up as I walk to the jeep waiting to take me to the underground facilities.
“Yes, he’s waiting there to put the protection protocol into place.”
“Perfect. Thank you. Is the family mission still on track?” I ask, hoping that Linc is still on the farm with my kids.
“Roger that, sir. We have you and the family mission well covered. The moms have just been spotted leaving town with a truck full of ammo. We’ll close ranks once they arrive and make sure that nothing gets through.”
“Let’s get things ready to present ideas to the President when he arrives.”
I can handle anything that’s thrown at me, as long as my family is taken care of.
Linc has no idea who he’s been protecting the whole time he’s lived on Jessica’s farm. He only knew that he had to get the place prepped and ready should the need ever arise.
My poor wife’s anger at the web of lies I’ve crafted for their safety will know no bounds once she finds out what I really do for a living. It’s a good thing that I don’t have plans to tell her anytime in the near future.
Emma
The Mountain that we return to wasn’t the same as when we’d left this morning.
A gate is standing over the dirt road leading to Nana and Pop’s. There are three people guarding it that I can see, but I guarantee that someone is up in the trees watching as well.
Static crackles over the radio on the seat. “Dawson? Cole? Is that you?”
I’m not sure who is on the other end of the radio, but if they know who Dawson and Cole are, then we’re among friendlies.
“Yeah, Jed, can you open up? We have lots of supplies,” Cole replies and slows as activity starts to move the gate.
“I’m going to drop Emma off and head up the mountain to take stuff to be stored,” Cole informs the person waving at him to proceed, now that the road is clear again.
“What about my parents?” I lower my head so that I can see in the rearview mirror.
“There’s a cabin about halfway up the mountain that was built for two people. Haley and Dawson will make sure they’re comfortable, and you can run Pierce up there in the morning,” Cole explains without checking with anyone to see what they want to do.
I realize that there’s a plan in motion that I have no control over. I can only pray that the Jackson clan will be as good to my parents as they are to theirs.
Cole must notice my train of thought when I don’t respond. “Hey, don’t you worry. You’re our family now, and we’ll take care of your parents as well.”
“They didn’t accept Haley, so what if the rest of the clan decides that my mom is too crazy for them?”
The road that seemed to take seconds to leave this morning is stretching out into miles while I wait for Cole’s answer.
“There’s a lot more to the story, but they’ll still take care of Haley no matter what. Your parents are sweet and don’t have a history with us, so they’ll welcome them with open arms.” Cole slows as the house comes into view.
“Thanks for keeping my mind off of Pierce this evening.” I grin. “But I’ve got a baby who is much cuter than you are, so later.”
I don’t even let the truck settle into park before I jump down with my backpack slung over my shoulder and take off, running for the house.
When the door slams shut behind me, I realize that I might have been a little over enthusiastic about seeing my baby.
All the adults sitting around the kitchen table simply smile and point toward the room I’d shared with Pierce the night before.
Slowing down so that I don’t wake any children that might be asleep, I walk quietly down the hall.
Nana meets me at the door. “He’s been fussing for about an hour now. I think he knew you were almost home. Feed him, then come on out while I rustle up some supper for the four of you.” She pats my back and hands me a warm bottle as she passes me, heading for the kitchen.
Pierce lets out a squeak when he smells me enter the room. Actually, I think with all the work I’d done today, it’s a wonder that the entire mountain can’t smell me.
I pick up the little swaddled bundle and sink into the rocking chair that sits between the two beds.
“Yes, litt
le man. Did you miss me?” I nuzzle his head. He smells like fresh baby.
“Oh, you were too busy hanging out with Nana? I don’t blame you. It was much safer here than picking up Grandma and Grandpa.” I hold up the bottle as his little lips eat greedily.
“You act like they starved you. Oh, they only fed you constantly and held you all day.” I feel all the tension slowly leave my body as I adjust to not having to be on alert constantly.
“So they spoiled you, huh?” I finally quit talking and just enjoy the fact that my baby is safe with me in this moment.
Once he’s finished eating, I burp him and listen to him make little baby snores when I hear the front door slam, signaling the return of my road mates.
I take Pierce and place him gently in the crib, pulling the door partially closed behind me. Baby monitors haven’t really made it to Jackson Mountain yet.
“Ah, here’s the hero of the day,” Dawson exclaims loudly around a mouthful of sandwich.
“Should have seen her, Pop. She almost shot her first deer. Then, when the zombie things came out after it, it was three clean shots.” Dawson acts like he was the person who’d taught me to shoot a gun.
“We wouldn’t have seen them in the dark if she hadn’t been on lookout. She stepped up, and I think with a little more training, she’ll be a formidable opponent against these things,” Cole interjects, not willing to be left out.
“Honestly, you guys were changing the tire and I just shot at the moving things. It wasn’t that big of a deal.” I try to take the attention off of me, but I’m congratulated on all sides.
“Well, I have to admit that you’re a mite older than most around here when they had their first kill, but sounds like you did yourself proud.” Pop comes over and gives me a big bear hug.
My family isn’t really the hugging type, and it’s still hard to get used to being bombarded with hugs at any moment.
“Now, Pop, let the poor girl eat something while these guys tell us how things are looking out there.” Nana shoos him back to his seat at the head of the table.
The sandwich fixings are sitting on the counter so I make one and go to sit in the empty chair next to Haley.
Her eyes widen at the obvious association I’m making with her. I just smile as she mouths the words “thank you.”
Haley’s not the only one that’s noticed, but no one mentions anything as they wait for Cole to start the story.
I concentrate on eating my food, knowing that once Cole gets started, we’re all in for a play-by-play of the day’s action, or at least until he runs out of food and has to get a second helping.
Feeling eyes on me, I look up and meet Kathryn’s stare as she tries to figure out what kind of game I’m playing. I might have been intimidated if she’d tried that this morning, but I’ve been thrown into the Jackson clan, and I’m not going to be bullied.
There are always two sides to the story, and I’m sure that the ‘good’ women of the mountain will try to set me straight at some point.
Dawson sees the looks his sister-in-law is giving me and interrupts Cole’s story.
“You should have seen the stash Emma’s mom had in her garage. Boxes of everything that we might possibly need in the next few months.” Dawson’s excitement reminds me of the best discovery in the entire lot.
“I think my mom was worried about the world’s population if the apocalypse hit because she had an entire case of condoms.” I laugh at the thought.
There are only a few smiles, but I’m talking to people who wouldn’t have used a condom in the first place, so I have to make them see the ridiculousness of the situation.
“I’m pretty sure my mom didn’t need to be protected from unsafe sex. So I guess she didn’t want a whole new crop of children springing up all over her neighborhood because she had labeled the box ‘church donations.’”
“She was going to give the condoms to the church?” Andi asks incredulously.
“Yep. I asked her why the church needed them and she said it was for the new outreach ministry. Now, it’s been a while since I’ve been to church, but I’m not sure about this new type of outreach they’re doing and how close to the Bible they plan to abide by.” I snicker at the picture of a pastor handing out condoms to the homeless outside the church building.
Nana considers it for a moment. “I guess we can hand those out to the kids with their hot dogs.”
Everyone turns to stare at Nana. “What? We don’t really need packages of condiments. I mean, we have cases of ketchup and mustard so if we let the kids use them up, it will make the bottle last longer.”
I can’t hold the laughter in any longer. I laugh so hard, tears begin running down my cheeks.
Everyone else in the room is laughing as well.
“Nana, it’s what a guy uses to keep from getting a girl pregnant,” Andi explains patiently, while the rest of us are trying to control the giggles that are still erupting around the table.
“Oh.” Nana blushes. “Well, in that case, I don’t think we should give them to the children. Now, let’s continue with this meeting.”
It’s the morning after our adventure, and I’m not sure what the plan is for today since no one was able to get back on track after Nana’s misunderstanding the word condoms.
I go out to the kitchen with Pierce strapped across my body in the sling.
Some of the ladies are cooking breakfast, and I look to see what needs to be done and start in.
The only way to feel like part of the family is to quit acting like a guest, and this seems the moment to show everyone I belong.
I just finish setting the table when Nana notices me.
“Emma, dear, after breakfast, I’m going to go with you and see if your parents are settling in. Then you have to go up the mountain to see Granny Earlene. I had Kathryn wait for you so that you could meet her yourself.”
“Wonderful. I think it will be good for my mom to see Pierce again. It might help with her recovery. She’s been having flashbacks to when she lost a baby years before she had me.” I turn to get one last fork and realize that the whole group of women are listening intently to everything.
“Kelly, ring the dinner bell,” Nana instructs.
“Um…don’t do that,” I say, louder than I’d intended to.
“Why, dear?” Nana looks at me curiously.
“Loud noises seem to attract the zombie things, so if you set off the bell, they could hear it and come here. Do you have a walkie here in the house that we could use to call the guys with?”
“Kelly, see if Pop left one on the charger, please.” Nana points toward the living room.
“Here you go, Nana.” Kelly respectfully hands her the radio.
“No, let Emma call them in to breakfast since she knows how to use that thing.” Nana turns to place the radio in my hand.
“Um, okay. Who’s on duty out there?” I start to press the button to talk, then realize that I need a specific person to help spread the word.
“Clayton’s out there running point this morning,” Kelly replies.
“Clayton, do you copy?”
“This is Clayton. Who’s this?” he asks, suspicious of the female voice on his radio.
“It’s Emma, up at the house. I’m supposed to let you know that breakfast is ready.” I hope that’s official enough.
“Just ring the bell.” Clayton sounds miffed.
“It calls the zombies. They like the sound of noise and are drawn to it,” I respond.
“She’s right, Clayton. Just pass the word and we can discuss some new protocols after breakfast.” Cole’s voice rings out with authority.
Clayton might think he’s in charge, but once Cole speaks, everyone seems to nod in agreement.
“Breakfast, everyone. Over and out.” Clayton’s disgust flows through the radio.
I turn back to Nana and Kelly. “Did I make him mad?”
“No,” Kelly says. “He thinks that because he married me and he’s a man, so that
gives him the authority to help lead the clan. He’s mad because you knew something that he didn’t.” She shrugs. “He’ll get over it.”
The door opens and people start flowing in and fill the large kitchen quickly.
Cole makes sure to sit next to me at breakfast. When everyone is busy talking and eating, he leans over toward me and whispers.
“Watch your back with Clayton. If he thinks it was just a mistake then you’re good, but if he thinks you know more than he does, he’ll go out of his way to put you in your place.”
I frown and glance around the room. “Thanks for the warning.”
I decide right then that I will start wearing my holsters with my knives all the time. If someone doesn’t like it, oh well. I don’t plan to let any danger from the outside or the inner circle hurt me or my baby.
My backpack is on and filled with extras for Pierce, and hidden in the front pocket is my gun and an extra clip, just in case. Since I’m with ‘family,’ I decide that I’ll only put the outside knives in the holsters. If the zombies get past the perimeter guard, then I’ll need more than a knife, but for a walk up the mountain it should be more than sufficient.
Nana and Kathryn are waiting out by the golf cart that will carry us up the mountain.
Pierce is changed and fed, content in the sling as he cuddles into my chest, leaving my arms free in case I need them.
Kathryn sits on the back so that I won’t have to hold on as much with Pierce. Nana’s the driver, and even eighties, she’s not afraid to drive fast.
I can see a few little cabins in a clearing about a half mile up the dirt road. There’s a small one that could be on one of those tiny house show. There’s a larger barracks type building that has lots of bunks, and a larger cabin that holds several individual rooms, plus a kitchen to feed those that are sleeping in the bunkhouse.
Nana pulls up in front of the tiny house and stops.
My dad opens the door as we pull up. He eyes baby Pierce warily as I walk up.
“She’s had a bad morning so I’m not sure how she’s going to react, but come in, and let’s find out.” He holds the door open. “I’m Neil. Wait, didn’t we meet at their wedding?”
Against Zombies Box Set, Vol. 1 | Books 1-4 Page 13