by Mark Goodwin
“I know,” JC chuckled, but it didn’t sound like a sincere laugh. “But, I don’t want to be too quick to dismiss him. He’s been out there on the road more than any of the rest of us, except you and Cami, of course. So, the rest of us have to rely on you, Catfish, and a five-minute radio show that says the same thing every night, to figure out what it really looks like out there. Going on what you told us, it sounds like things could get a lot worse.”
“It’s going to get worse.”
JC looked over at Nick. “Then, if there are unclaimed resources out there, they’ll probably be used against us. Is that a fair analysis?”
Nick sighed. “Riding around with Catfish stealing gas is a good way to catch a bullet. Do that a few times and you won’t be around long enough to find out.”
“I’m not really talking about gas. At least, not just gas.” JC continued to lay out a cohesive plan for salvaging fence, fuel, and the sheds.
Nick shook his head and looked at Danny. “What do you think about all of this?”
“I think we have to do what we can to keep the farm secured. Alisa has already been kidnapped. I know we’re taking more precautions now, but how prepared are we to hold off the zombie hordes you told us about? I don’t want to go through that again.”
“And if you get killed trying to scavenge fence or steal gas, that’s not going to help Alisa.” Nick stopped walking and let his rifle hang from the single-point sling.
Danny looked down for a moment as he thought about the predicament. He looked back up at Nick. “Do you have a better idea?”
Nick exhaled a long, deep breath. “No. I guess I don’t.”
“That means you’re on board then?” JC asked.
Nick continued walking toward the forest. “It means I don’t have a better idea.” After a few more steps, he said, “I’ll work with you guys. If we can come up with a plan that minimizes the risk, we’ll execute it, but I don’t want to be responsible for leading anyone into a death trap. And right now, with the level of training this group has, we’re doing good to keep this place safe, much less thinking about going outside the wire for a raiding mission.”
JC nodded. “I agree 100 percent. We need training. I’ve been pushing for that since before you got here. I get a lot of flak because there are so many other chores to do. People have to figure out what they are not going to do in order to provide time for training.”
Danny walked close behind JC and Nick. “The gardens are in, for the most part. We’d be able to dedicate more time to training.”
Nick paused again. “I guess I don’t understand why we’re scavenging the sheds rather than travel trailers. I mean, they’d already be on wheels. We would be exposed to an attack for a lot less time hooking up a trailer hitch than trying to load a shed on these wheels that may or may not be at the location.”
JC answered, “I’ve got the cash to pay for some sheds. They’re a couple thousand bucks. A travel trailer is big money.”
Nick snickered. “Who are you going to pay? Are you going to stick the money in the top drawer of the office? Some goon will just break in and steal it five minutes after we’re gone.”
“I’m just trying to do the right thing here, trying to be ethical.” JC replied.
Nick nodded. “I understand. But you have a good point about the resources we don’t take, being used against us. I don’t know. I should probably sleep on it; it’s been a long day. And don’t say anything to anyone else until the three of us are in agreement about how we should proceed.”
Danny added, “Until the four of us have agreed, don’t forget about Catfish.”
Nick pursed his lips. “Three of us. Catfish’s risk analysis skills leave something to be desired, as evidenced by the shiny new bullet hole in his windshield.”
JC laughed. “Yeah. Sounds like a plan.”
The three men gave a cursory inspection of the trip wires, then headed back to what was being called the compound.
“I’ll see you guys later.” JC waved as he headed toward his own trailer.
“You guys aren’t eating with us?” Danny asked.
JC shook his head. “First night in the trailer. We want to eat together as a family tonight. Don’t worry, we’ll be seeing plenty of each other.”
Nick waved. “Cami and I have night watch tonight. Did you get your night vision scope set up on the air rifle for raccoons?”
JC stopped and adjusted his ball cap. “Oh yeah. I almost forgot. I’ll bring it by after dinner. I’ve got that second Starlight scope also. I could set it up on my rifle I guess. I don’t mind having the Benjamin as a community weapon, but that rifle is my baby.”
“I’ve got a spare AR or two in the trailer. We can use one of those for the community night vision rifle if you don’t mind giving up the scope.”
“Sounds like a plan.” JC stepped into his trailer and gave another wave as he closed the door.
Danny cocked his head to one side. “A spare AR or two?”
“We knew hard times were coming. Come on, let’s go eat.” Nick put his hand on Danny’s shoulder as they walked back to the house.
CHAPTER 14
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
Psalm 18:34-39
Danny Walker had created a monster. Trying not to get caught by Nana or Dana, he hurriedly dropped another piece of egg to the floor as Puddin’ had progressed to biting his pant leg if her belly wasn’t filled from the breakfast table.
Alisa saw what was going on. She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes at him.
He shrugged as he looked at her, hoping for a look of sympathy. He received no gestures of compassion.
Nana walked into the dining room and set a plate of biscuits on the table. “Daniel, you take these on over to JC’s trailer. I thought Cami and Nick would be eatin’ with us, so I made too many.”
“Nick said not to expect them when they have night watch. I think they eat while they are on lookout, so when their shift is over, they just want to go to bed,” Danny replied.
Nana set a jar of homemade blackberry jelly next to the biscuits. “All the same, I like to have extra, in case they’re hungry. You get on over there. And take this jelly with you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Danny stood, picked up the plate and the jar, and headed for the door.
Rusty greeted him as he walked outside.
“Hey, boy.” Danny paused, set the jelly jar on the outside window seal of the porch, and gave Rusty a pat. He took one of the biscuits from the plate and fed it to Rusty. “I’m sure JC won’t miss one biscuit.”
Danny picked up the jelly and proceeded toward the trailer, with Rusty trailing close behind. He knocked on the door.
Catfish answered the door. “Miss Jennie’s biscuits! I declare. That’s a fine thing to have waitin’ fer ya of a mornin’. Get on in here.”
Danny handed the plate to Catfish, who took a biscuit then passed the plate around to JC and his family. “Nana sent over some blackberry jelly also.”
Catfish didn’t finish chewing his biscuit, nor did he cover his mouth when he asked Danny, “What do you think Nick’ll say about us runnin’ into town for a few things.”
It had been specifically discussed that the conversation would stay close-knit for the time being. Danny glanced at Jack and Melissa, who were giving each other curious looks.
JC grabbed a biscuit and opened the door. “Come on. Let’s go outside.”
Danny walked out, followed closely by Catfish.
“Be right back,”
JC said to Jack, Melissa, and Annie as he closed the door of the trailer behind him.
JC looked at Catfish. “We’re trying to stay low-key with all of this. We need to get a consensus before we can go around announcing what we have in mind. Politics.”
“Never was one much for politickin’.” Catfish took a second biscuit out of the pocket of his filthy overalls.
A shiver went up Danny’s spine as he considered eating anything that had been in Catfish’s pocket. “I think he’ll come around to the idea. Just out of curiosity, do you know of any places nearby that sell travel trailers?”
Catfish motioned toward the road. Bits of biscuit fell out of his mouth and got caught in his beard as he spoke. “Right before you get to town on 24. Lakeview RV. They’ve got some purdy trailers. Wouldn’t mind havin’ one of them myself.”
JC scowled at Danny. He’d obviously misspoke by mentioning trailers to Catfish. “I know the place. It’s about five miles from here. A lot of fifth wheels. We don’t have the setup to move those.”
Catfish chuckled. “If they sell fifth wheels, you know they’ll have the hitches for ‘em. Besides that, they have plenty smaller trailers. But puttin’ a fifth-wheel hitch on my truck would be a mite easier n’ tryin’ to get a shed up on wheels.”
“The thing is, I’ve got the money to pay for sheds,” JC protested.
“If there’s anybody around to pay. I reckon if anybody is around at the RV lot, they’d be willing to make you a deal, seein’ how business is so poorly these days. Might be that they’d be willing to trade a RV for one of them tubs of canned goods you got up in the hay loft. Hungry folk can’t eat no trailer.”
JC grunted as a sign of his frustration with the situation. “At any rate, we’re going to have to start training, whether we go on a scavenging mission or not. Danny, why don’t you go get Steven, Alisa, and Dana. Tell them to hurry up with their chores and meet up at the back of the barn. I’ll get Jack and Melissa. Catfish, you go get Rocky and ask Pauline if she can watch Annie while we drill.”
“Are you planning to take the girls on the scavenging mission?” Danny asked.
“No, but if all the men go, they’ll be here alone. They need to be able to operate as a cohesive unit to defend the farm. And if we ever get attacked here, we’ll need every person in the compound to know how to fight, cover their lanes, and take directions in battle. Knowing what to do and how to do it will make everybody feel better also. Think about taking a test; you’re much less nervous if you studied up and know the material. And there’s a pretty good chance that we’ll get a pop quiz before all of this is said and done.”
Danny nodded. “That makes sense. Should I wake Nick and Cami?”
“They need their sleep. Nick already knows this stuff, and Cami is probably further along than most.” JC turned his attention to Catfish. “I know fuel is getting tight, but you should run over to the Reeses’ place and see if Korey can come train with us. Bring the kid too. He’s old enough to shoot; he’s old enough to train. You won’t be able to bring all of their things on Sunday in one load anyway. Go ahead and make a run with whatever they have packed up.”
“I’ll do it.” Catfish headed off to get Rocky before driving out to the Reeses’ farm.
Danny patted his leg for Rusty to follow him back to the house. “We’ll get the chores knocked out and meet you at the barn in an hour.”
JC walked back up the stairs to return to his trailer. “Sounds good. Make sure everyone brings their weapons and any gear they may have.”
“Sure thing.” Danny waved.
He was back at the house in minutes. He walked upstairs to his room where Alisa was putting on her hiking shoes. “JC wants us to do some security training today after the chores are done.”
“Okay. Any reason for the rush?”
“No, not really.” Danny retrieved the tactical vest from the closet that JC had given him.
“No, or not really? That’s two answers to one question.”
“No.”
“Hmm. You’re not telling me something.”
Danny avoided the questioning and placed magazines for the AK-47 in the pocket on the vest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but make sure you wear a belt so you can put the pistol holster on it.”
“Don’t lie to me, Danny. Tell me it’s a secret. Tell me you don’t want to talk about it, or don’t say anything at all, but don’t lie. I don’t want us to do that.”
Danny felt a pang of guilt in his stomach. He sighed. “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. You’re right, there’s something, but I’m not at liberty to discuss it.”
“Are we getting attacked?” Alisa’s voice was frantic.
“No, no, nothing like that.”
“Then what? I won’t say anything.”
Danny huffed. “You just made me admit I wasn’t being honest, and you said it was okay to tell you I can’t talk about it. But when I tell you that, you give me the third degree. That’s not fair.”
“Danny! You said there’s something. Now my imagination is making up all kinds of horrible things. I didn’t say scare me to death. Don’t you trust me not to say anything?”
Danny was backed in a corner. He sat down on the bed next to her. “Nothing is definite. We’re just thinking of going out to look for some resources.”
“What kind of resources?”
“Like I said, nothing is definite. We may decide not to even go.”
“But if you do, what will you be looking for?”
“Fence, gas, stuff to make the compound more secure in the event of an attack.”
Alisa strung her belt through the hoops of the pistol holster. “If you go, I want to go also.”
“Out of the question.”
“Why?”
“Because, it just is.” Danny led the way to the door.
She grabbed his arm and turned him around. “Danny, I need to do something like that. Since I was kidnapped, I feel like a victim. I need to be involved in something that makes me feel like I can take care of myself. You have to understand how I feel.”
Danny shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what I say anyway. JC would never allow it.”
“You already asked JC?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know what he’ll say?”
“Alisa, you can’t go. If all the men leave, you’ll have to stay here to be part of the security team. It’s not like you’d be doing nothing. Someone has to stand guard over the compound.”
“Cami, Dana, and Melissa can stand guard. They all know how to shoot. Well, Dana is getting better anyways. She can hit a milk jug with a shotgun. That’s good enough to watch over the farm while we’re gone.”
“I think you’re not getting it. You just can’t go.”
Alisa crossed her arms and sat back down on the bed. “Because you say so. It has nothing to do with JC. Don’t blame it on him. Why don’t you want me to go, Danny?”
“I’d be worried about you.”
“I’m no china doll. I can take care of myself. Plus, I’d be worried about you if you go, and I’d have to sit and wait to see if you ever come back or not. You can’t do that to me, Danny.”
Danny took a deep breath. “If you’re there and we get in trouble, I’ll be focused on taking care of you and I won’t do what I have to do for the good of the team. And you don’t have to worry about me not coming back. If any situation looks the least bit sketchy, we’ll roll out. No fighting, no discussion; we’ll leave right away. JC and Nick both know what they’re doing. They’ll keep us safe.”
Alisa stood up and stuck the Glock in the holster. “Then why can’t I go?”
Danny sighed. “We’re arguing about something that may never happen. Let’s get the chores knocked out so we’re not late. If there is even going to be a scavenging mission, we’ll fight about it when we know for sure. Agreed?”
Alisa followed Danny down the stairs. “It’s a discussion, not a fight. I’m not arguing,
I’m just speaking my mind. I’m allowed to have an opinion, right?”
Danny’s patience was wearing thin. “If you and Dana want to take care of the chickens and rabbits, Steven and I will check on the cattle and water the seedlings.”
“Fine!”
Danny found Steven. “Hey man, want to help me check the cows and water the containers?”
“I was going to help Dana.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t want to be too available. Chicks don’t like that. Makes you look clingy.”
Steven peered into Danny’s eyes. “Is this the same person who was telling me to make my move earlier this week? Now I’m being clingy?”
Danny avoided eye contact. “I’m just saying, don’t overdo it.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Steven asked.
“Bro, we haven’t hung out in a while. Can’t I hang out with my best friend? And, we have security training after the animals are taken care of. I don’t want you guys to get lost in each other’s eyes and lose track of time.”
Dana walked in the room. “Hey, cutie, Alisa wants me to feed chickens with her. Girl time, you know. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Steven gave her a kiss. “Have fun.” He turned to Danny. “Looks like I’m all yours.”
“Great. Bring your shotgun ammo sling that you made. You’ll get a chance to try it out during training.”
“So you guys are obviously having a spat. Do you want to talk about it?”
Danny shook his head. “No. It’s just close quarters. We need a few minutes apart. We eat together, sleep together, work together; we’re around each other twenty-four hours a day. Everyone needs a little fresh air once in a while. And when you don’t get it, little things bug you. You’ll understand in a few weeks.”
“I don’t know. I’m still making up for lost time.” Steven picked up one of the starter containers as they walked on to the back porch. “Let’s get these seeds watered.”
“Yeah. Let’s get it done.” Danny grabbed a bucket as he led the way toward the hand pump.