Kelly glanced between Emma and Brad standing there, grinning behind her.
“Clayton, is there any way that you...” She trailed off when he gave her a nasty look.
“I’m not going to apologize or shovel shit. I’m tired of being taken advantage of, and nobody appreciates all the nights I’ve spent taking my turn for guard duty. All of you take the word of some military dudes who let women take charge instead of putting them where they belong. Kelly, get the kids. We’re leaving.” He grabbed her arm and started pulling her past the gate to the house.
“Clayton, we’ll die out there. The kids won’t survive against those things,” Kelly tearfully protested.
“I can take care of my own family. I don’t need all these others to do my job. I should’ve stayed in the city where there aren’t so many leaders.” Clayton tightened his grip when she stopped walking, and continued to drag her to where their kids were playing.
“No. We won’t go out there.” Kelly yanked her arm free and crossed them in a rare moment of defiance.
“You’re my wife and I say go, so that’s what we’re gonna do.” His six-foot frame towered over her, causing her to cringe.
Everyone was staying back and letting them work it out, unless he tried to actually hurt her. It was up to her to make this decision.
“I’m a Jackson first, and if you’re dead, then it doesn’t matter what you think because I won’t be your wife anymore. If you go out there, you’ll be dead in a week. You can’t make it alone. The kids won’t stand a chance, and I’m not going to make the choice of killing my kids or letting you commit suicide by zombie.” Kelly’s voice shook, but she straightened her back, gaining confidence.
“You’ll do what I say,” he threatened.
“No, that’s where you’re wrong. She’s told you what’s going to happen, and I suggest that you grab a pack, some bullets, and scram before Dawson gets back. If he finds out that you shot at Andi, even just a warning shot, he’ll do what all of us really want to do,” Brad warned, taking a stand next to Kelly.
“Really. And what is it that all of you really want to do to me? Huh?” Clayton moved toward Brad’s face.
“Well, I for one would love to see that smile taken off your face. Everyone here has put up with your crap for years because we love Kelly, but we’re done. Just because she made a bad choice, doesn’t mean that she has to keep making it.” I moved to her other side, and the others crowded behind us in a large show of strength.
Seeing the people that were ready to fight him if he pushed the issue, he threatened, “I’ll get back at you for this. No one likes to be humiliated, and you’ll be the second one on my list after I take care of my wife.” He picked up the pack that had been brought out during the exchange.
“Good riddance,” Emma muttered as he made his way out of the gate.
“You know we’re going to have to be very careful. He knows how to sneak back in and hurt Kelly,” I added, sliding an arm around her. “It’s not her fault that her husband is horrible.”
“I’ll put everyone on alert, and we’ll add a few extras that Dawson and I have been working on for things just like this,” Brad reassured me.
“Sarah Beth, River, don’t be mad at me. I suggested to Dad that we take the rescued ladies to some of the farms in the area. Depending on what Dad finds over there will determine what we need, and if there’s still room for those up in Bethel,” I reasoned.
“That makes sense, and if these ladies have been with Vinnie’s gang for a while, they’re going to need someplace to recuperate. Taking care of animals is a good way to do that,” Sarah Beth agreed.
“We need to get going if we’re going to get these ladies settled in before dark. We’ve been at this all day.” I rubbed a hand wearily through my hair.
“I’m going back up to tell Angie where we’re going to be, so that if Billy wakes up, she can tell him that we’ll be back in the morning.” Sarah Beth went up the paved road toward the medical cabin.
“Carson will need to be informed as well. He really wants us to take him back to his family. It’ll have to be tomorrow, because I’m going to need some sleep after all that’s happened today and last night.” River started looking for the kids.
“Since you both have things to do, I’m going to say hi to Nana. If I don’t, she might not let me back here to spend the night,” I remarked, voicing the one thing that Clayton had correct, that I really didn’t live there anymore.
The scariest thing about everything was that Vinnie’s camp was only about ten miles away from the safety of our families. By the time we’d arrived, Dad and Kyle were explaining what had happened to Vinnie. A few of the other men were unhappy about it, but when Kyle explained that Vinnie had shot the others before his death, no one seemed really upset.
“Ladies, are we glad to see you. They have the women and children held in a couple of cages over there. Any time the men try to come over there, none of the women will leave because they’re certain it’s a trap. Can you talk to them so they’ll believe you?” Doug pleaded with us.
“Of course. That’s just horrible.” Sarah Beth began walking in their direction. “Hey, now.” She opened the locked door and pointed to me and River. “We’re here to help you. Would you like to get away from here and go someplace safe? What’s your name?”
“I’m Dianne. Kyle said we’re free, but the last time one of our men said that, it was just a game for us to leave so they could chase us. They wanted to hunt us and see if we could outlast them and the zombies. You’re for real, though? No extra punishments or night long visits?” Dianne gripped the fence with her fingers.
“It’s not a game or a joke. Most of those men are dead. The question is, do all the guys need to die for all of you to feel safe again?” River wanted to reassure them, but knew that forced or not, the guys weren’t completely innocent.
“Most of our husbands didn’t do any of the raping, just the sadistic ones. Stay here.” Dianne motioned to the others. “I’ll point out the ones that weren’t as bad as the others and make sure it’s really okay.”
She came out of the cage and walked between us. “I really want to take off running and find where they put my children.”
Doug had lined all the men up, and was getting some information from each of them.
“Do you see any of the rest that aren’t good?” Sarah Beth stood close, but gave her enough room to breathe.
“Out of the ten that are there, two of them are evil. The one in the middle and second from the end. The others went out today, and I don’t see any of them here.”
“Other than Kyle, the others that went out are all dead,” River informed her. “I know that doesn’t take away from what they did to you, but at least you can have a little peace that they won’t do it to you again.”
“Do you know where the other group of children are?” Dianne asked, puzzled when she didn’t see any other cages.
“We haven’t found anyone else here, and Kyle only mentioned the three cages over there,” I acknowledged sadly.
“Ask King over there. He was the last one to see them. I don’t have much hope he kept them alive, but I’d rather know the truth than to always be wondering.” Dianne sniffled and turned back to the cages.
“I’ll let my dad know and pull the trucks up here so you ladies can reunite with your children. We’re taking you somewhere for the night, and not telling the men where you’re at until tomorrow.” I wanted to put her and the others at ease.
Dad saw me coming and walked away from Doug and the others. “Did we find out anything?”
“King and his buddy there are the only ones who know where Kyle and Dianne’s kids are. They could still be alive. We’ll have them loaded up shortly and be out of here, but we don’t want to leave anyone behind,” I informed him, unhappy with the facts I had.
“Okay. Take them out of here, and if we find the kids, I’ll bring Kyle with them to where Dianne’s staying.” He frowned at the thought
of kids being harmed.
“I’ve got it. Thanks, Dad.” I couldn’t resist the urge to hug him.
“What was that for?” He tilted his head, confused at my sudden display of affection.
“For not being an asshole and keeping me safe. I love you.” While I didn’t plan on dying anytime soon, I didn’t want to leave it unsaid because I had taken a lot for granted before.
“You too, kiddo. I’m proud of you. Now, scoot so we can deal with these scumbags.” He playfully mussed up my hair before going back to join Doug in his interrogation of Vinnie’s gang.
We didn’t have a vehicle that would transport passengers comfortably, but the women were so thankful to be free and have their children with them, that they weren’t complaining at the conditions.
Dianne watched the other moms, a sad smile on her face.
“Are you okay?” I regretted the question as soon as it left my mouth. “Of course you’re not okay.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad that there’s hope we’ll live to see tomorrow. If my kids are alive, then I’ll be even better. The others have their kids and that’s bittersweet, but I’ll make it.” She pulled her hair out of her face as we picked up speed, falling silent.
With no problems, we made it back to the group of farms that we’d stumbled upon only a few hours earlier. Where had the day gone?
Sarah Beth and River had chosen the biggest place that could hold the most people.
“I know it’s not a hotel, and it doesn’t have running water, but at least it’s clean and zombie free,” River announced to the group as she parked.
“There’s a tank with rainwater. If you want that we can bring it in, but I don’t know if we can get it warmed up. I’m going out to see if I can get the pump on, if it’s the same kind we have up the mountain.” Sarah Beth, gun in hand, headed to the pasture where the well was located.
“Honestly, using the hose might be the best thing since most of us haven’t had a bath in months. They weren’t worried about hygiene, since food was the priority,” Dianne offered, looking at the bedraggled group standing outside.
“What about clothes? They can’t wear these rags after they get clean,” River reminded me.
“Covered. When we left, I told Stacy to work with Nana and get some extras together. They’re going to bring some things over, along with some warm food so that we don’t have to worry about doing anything tonight.” I was pleased that my family had been prepared enough that they could help others, even if the world was ending.
“Water’s on!” Sarah Beth hollered from the well.
“Great. Boys and young men, if you can wash your hands with soap, then follow me please. We’re going to go pick some fruit from the trees out there while these ladies get clean, and then we’ll swap out. Buckets are in the barn for collecting fruit.” River rounded them up and got them busy.
I went in the house and returned with a few unopened bottles of shampoo that had been in the cabinets, and all the towels. It wasn’t the perfect setup, but it would work for now.
The ladies finally started chattering in small snatches, as the months of horror were washed away and they started to feel safe.
Hours later, after everyone was fed, clean, and huddled on the floors with blankets for the first time in a while, I sat on the porch with a shotgun perched in my lap.
The guys had never shown up, but that meant it wasn’t safe for them to come to the house.
After being in the city for the past month, the country air seemed so different and quiet. We hadn’t been able to restore power to everything yet, but the hum of motors could be heard more often than previously.
The zombies might have invaded our world, but the crickets still chirped in the stillness. A wolf’s howl filled the air as Dianne joined me on the porch.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to the way it was before. I became so numb, trying not to feel when they took us out of the cages. It’s going to take forever to become somewhat normal again. Although, feeling clean is much better, and one step closer to that goal.” She rubbed her arms nervously.
“Time to let your body heal and soak up the peace away from all those evil guys. Our family will help with that, and we’re working with a church to stamp out this zombie population. Things are closer to returning to normal than you think.” I sat up, because there was movement at the tree line, and there weren’t any accompanying growls, so it was something alive.
I brought the gun up so that I could use the scope my dad had given me for night vision.
Someone was struggling with two ZITs, but was taking them out. I was trying to adjust for a closer look at the person’s face when I felt a sting hit my shoulder.
“Andi, what is it?” Dianne cried out next to me as I crumpled to the ground. “Crap! Someone shot you.”
Without hesitation, she picked up the shotgun from my unresisting hands and aimed at the intruder.
Two shots rang out, bringing, River, Stacy, and Sarah Beth from inside where they were sleeping.
“Someone shot Andi, but he’s down right now. Be careful, there were zombies out there that he killed before shooting her,” Dianne warned, as River took off running to the tree line.
Sarah Beth dropped to her knees beside me. “Andi, can you hear me?”
All I could do in response was groan. If I opened my mouth, a scream would have come out instead of words.
Dianne produced a flashlight from somewhere, and Sarah Beth’s gasp told me that the wound was bad.
“Dianne, go to the kitchen and put a pot of water onto the fire. We’re going to need clean water to clean things up so you don’t get infected. Then bring me any rags or towels that look clean,” she ordered.
“I’ll get the towels,” River volunteered, out of breath from running back to us. “Andi, it was Clayton. He’s dead.”
Sarah Beth might not have had medical training, but she knew what do with a gunshot wound. There weren’t many doctors up in Bethel, and self-care was the only thing standing between those in life-threatening situations.
“We’re going to get you patched up and run you over to Angie. She’ll have supplies to keep you alive. It looks like it went straight through.” She took the towels from River and applied pressure.
“Agh!” I cried through gritted teeth, trying not to make too much noise.
“It doesn’t look like it hit an artery, but you’re still bleeding excessively.” She removed the first set of towels and put another in place, wrapping a curtain around the padding to keep it in place.
“Who’s going to take her over there? We really need someone to watch her and be on the lookout in case Clayton wasn’t the only out there. I don’t want to leave everyone alone here and unprotected.” River stood back, out of Sarah Beth’s way.
“I’ll go with Sarah Beth. I can drive in case Andi needs me. I know a couple of the ladies who would be glad to help,” Dianne chimed in from the doorway.
“You won’t need the water now since we don’t have to clean anything to dig it out, but we don’t want to wait too long,” Stacy advised, hovering over me with the others.
“Just take me to Angie. If anyone can help me, it’ll be Sarah Beth and Angie. Please, it hurts like a…” I closed my eyes, hearing their voices, but not really caring anymore.
River
I was certain that we were going to lose Andi. Cole was going to be so mad that he hadn’t had a chance to kill the asshole himself. There was no way to let him know that Andi was hurt yet.
Dawson drove up the driveway with the other nine men from Vinnie’s group, and I hated to be the one to tell him what was going on.
“I see that you made it. Gentlemen, we ask that you go out back to the partitioned area and use the hose. There’s a table with clothes we saved for you.” I pointed around to the back, and the men went without a word.
“Something’s wrong. What happened?” Dawson demanded, picking up on my nervousness.
“Fo
llow me.” Bat in hand, I went out to where I’d made sure that Clayton wasn’t going to get up again.
“We had an incident last night. Someone was out here and killed a couple of ZITs. He then shot at us before Dianne returned fire and killed him. I made sure that he and the others weren’t going to get up.”
“Why are you showing me?” Dawson registered who was lying on the ground as he asked the needless question. “I don’t understand what was he doing out here. We only had you girls on lookout duty.”
“Yep, there was a problem on Jackson Mountain yesterday when Andi came to get us. He shot at her and started threatening us. Kelly stood up to him and he was kicked off the mountain. We think he followed Stacy when she brought us dinner.” I laid a hand on his arm. “That’s not all, though.”
“Andi…where’s Andi?” He began to panic when he realized that his daughter, not me, should have been the one giving him the report.
“He shot her. She was alive when Sarah Beth took her over to Angie. The bullet went through, and we don’t think it hit anything major.”
Dawson started pacing back and forth, landing a well-placed kick every time he got near Clayton’s body.
“Always knew he’s be trouble when Kelly first brought him around us.”
“Dawson, what happened?” Doug asked as he approached. “Oh, crap. Is everyone all right?” He looked back and forth between us.
“They took Andi to the house.”
“That’s what they told me. So what are we waiting for?” Doug started back toward the house, but stopped when Dawson didn’t follow him.
“We can’t go over there yet. These guys need some help getting setup, and my pacing will just get in the way,” Dawson growled.
“She’s your kid, though. I think everyone will understand,” I consoled.
“Nope. We need to work, and that’s where my efforts are best used. The guys should be clean by now, and it’ll be easier to sort them out.” Dawson stopped pacing and took off at a near run to the house.
Against Zombies Box Set, Vol. 1 | Books 1-4 Page 49