Forsaken World (Book 3): Rite of Passage

by Watson, Thomas A.

  Then, more semis passed. Four were tankers and two were flat beds. On one flatbed was a row of generator construction lights and the other, carried two ultra-light airplanes with the wings folded back. Next were two semi tow trucks and two large regular tow trucks.

  Next in line was another flatbed semi that was loaded with ATVs, and more large pickup trucks. Seeing more MRAPs after them, Johnathan felt dizzy but then saw a large two-ton pickup pulling a caged box trailer that was packed with people, and another one just like it was following. “How fucking many vehicles do they have?” Johnathan heard Bill moan as a line of class A tandem axle RVs drove past with half a dozen large buses following them. The windows on the buses were open with people hanging out cheering and they could hear music blaring out.

  Seeing more two-ton work trucks, Johnathan zoomed in and cringed to see a man abusing a child in the bed as two others laughed. Moving his vision back, he almost sighed with relief to not see any more vehicles. Letting his binoculars go, Johnathan shook his head as the binoculars hit the ground. Rolling off his stomach, Johnathan looked to his right down the line at Bill, prone beside Mary.

  “That was a professional army,” Johnathan gasped.

  “An army of dark-hearted bitches,” Bill snarled, getting to his knees.

  “Just because they had military vehicles don’t make them a professional army,” Mary stated.

  Bill turned to her taking a deep breath to control his voice. “Mary, you see how many they were? For that many to be moving means they know what they are doing, hence professional. Some of those in that convoy weren’t there by choice, so that means they understand how to attack humans and move in a world filled with stinkers, again, professional.”

  Understanding now, Mary nodded turning south where the vehicles headed. “Oh,” Mary gasped.

  Pushing up to his knees, Johnathan turned to his left and saw Sandy writing in a small notepad. “You counted?” he asked, amazed at her foresight.

  “Yeah, I didn’t see anyone else doing it,” Sandy answered, not stopping her writing.

  “I quit after fifty because I couldn’t keep track of what they were,” Mary said, getting up to her knees.

  Waving his right hand to the south, “I’m willing to bet that’s who was at Lake City,” Johnathan said with wide eyes.

  Getting to her knees and looking at her notepad, “I counted thirty-four semis. Four had gas trailers, four had flat trailers, and the rest had those box trailers. There were six of those military hummers, nine of those big tan military trucks you see on TV,” she said as Johnathan interrupted.

  “6x6 MRAPs,” Johnathan offered and Sandy nodded.

  “Two tow trucks they use for semis and two smaller ones, but I don’t think they use them on cars,” she said, looking up.

  Bill chuckled, “Damn, you are good, and right. Those were tow trucks mounted on a two-ton chassis. They can be used on cars, but mainly bigger trucks like delivery trucks.”

  Looking back at her notepad, “I wouldn’t let a truck that big near my car,” Sandy mumbled. “Forty-seven pickup trucks, twenty-three SUVs, ten RVs, six big buses and two dune buggy things,” Sandy finished and looked up.

  “Um, did anyone notice those two big pickup trucks were pulling trailers with a cage and were packed with people?” Mary asked, looking at each person and they nodded. “Hoping I was wrong,” she mumbled, looking off.

  Putting his cap on, Bill looked over at Johnathan. “How many hostiles do you think was in that group?” Bill asked.

  “No way to know for sure, but I would bet close to a thousand. Those two trailers held close to two hundred prisoners alone. Every vehicle I looked at was packed and that was a hundred and thirty-five vehicles,” Johnathan answered counting up what Sandy reported. “With only five per vehicle, that would be over six hundred.”

  Sandy closed her notepad and put it in her back pocket. “We aren’t going near any paved road after we cross the one below us,” she announced.

  They moved back over to the campsite and Bill noticed the tactical sling Johnathan had made. “You have the parts so I can make one?” he gasped.

  “Yeah, but Sandy and I were making them for you and Mary,” Johnathan grinned.

  “I’ll show Mary how to braid, so you two can get the horses ready,” Sandy said and pulled Mary away.

  When the horses were saddled, Bill and Johnathan walked over and stopped, seeing a percolating coffee pot on the kerosene stove. “Ahh,” they both moaned in pleasure.

  “Johnathan, I need you to bend the keyrings,” Sandy said, walking over with Mary.

  Taking the keyrings, Johnathan went to work as the others packed up the rest of the camp. When he was done, Johnathan ate while Bill put the tactical slings on his and Mary’s ARs. With camp packed up and everyone full, they sat drinking a cup of coffee and Sandy put the coffee pot back on the stove.

  “Sweetheart, we are leaving soon,” Johnathan told her, taking a sip of coffee and savoring it.

  Reaching in her backpack, Sandy pulled out a thermos. “I know, but we can have coffee when we stop,” she smiled.

  “That and the coffee pot were at the campsite?” Bill asked

  Mary nodded, “Yes, and we packed it up before one of you tossed it away.”

  Bill looked over at Johnathan, “We never would’ve done such a thing,” Bill proclaimed.

  “You got that right,” Johnathan chuckled.

  Chapter Seventeen

  May 28

  Hearing the nagging beep of the alarm clock, Jennifer sat up in the bed and reached out, blindly slapping at the sound until her hand hit the snooze button. Struggling to open her eyes, Jennifer looked over and saw Ian’s bed empty and already made up. “Figures,” she muttered in a sleepy voice.

  This was the third night after they had moved upstairs and Jennifer and Lilly got to see firsthand, just how little the boys slept. They would sit up reading as everyone went to sleep and when the alarm went off, their beds were made and they were downstairs.

  Throwing her feet out of the bed, Jennifer looked beside her and saw Lilly sitting up, rubbing her eyes. Glancing behind Lilly at Lance’s bed, “They’re up,” Jennifer croaked, then cleared her throat as Lilly looked behind her and saw Lance’s bed made.

  “How in the hell can they move that fast, that long?” Lilly moaned, standing up. The sleeping arrangements had caused some arguing. In the end, the bunkbeds were Lance, Lilly, Jennifer, and Ian on the bottom bunks of their own beds with the ladybugs sleeping on the top bunk of Lance’s bed. Six small dressers were brought in and moved upstairs, so everyone had their own now.

  Getting up, Lilly stretched as she walked around her bunk bed over to Lance’s. Reaching over the top bunk, she shook Carrie and Allie. “Ladybugs, time to get up,” Lilly said softly.

  Sitting up with her right eye open and her left eye barely cracked open, Carrie looked around in a daze. “I’m up,” Carrie groaned.

  When Allie sat up, Lilly moved to her dresser and saw Jennifer pulling on her workout clothes. “Thank God the combat drills are only once a week now and we get to sleep till 0530,” Lilly said, trying to smile.

  “Yeah, workouts on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday,” Jennifer said, grabbing her tennis shoes. “Combat drills on Wednesday and cardio only on Saturday.”

  Grabbing her workout clothes, Lilly moved to her bed and dropped, sitting down on her mattress. “Is it Thursday or Friday?” Lilly asked, taking off her sleep shirt and pulling on her workout shirt.

  “I don’t know,” Jennifer said, thinking. “Thursday. We did combat drills yesterday.”

  Making up her bed, Jennifer looked over as Lilly put her shoes on and saw the ladybugs climbing down from their bunkbed. Carrie and Allie stumbled over to their dressers and took the clothes Lilly had laid out on top for them last night. Moving like automatons, Carrie and Allie walked over to stop in front of Lilly and hold their clothes up.

  Not able to help it, Lilly smiled at them as she stood u
p, taking their clothes and setting them on her bed. Pulling Allie’s snowman nightgown off, Lilly started dressing her. “If they loved Ian like they did Lance, I wonder if I would put up with them like Lilly does,” Jennifer mumbled, making up her bed. Neither of the ladybugs treated Lilly mean around Lance anymore after that night of watching movies.

  Moving over to the ladybugs’ bed, Jennifer made it up as Lilly dressed Carrie. “Can’t believe Lance found them snowman nightgowns,” Jennifer chuckled softly as Lilly finished with Carrie.

  Carrie and Allie moved to the other side of Lilly’s bed and helped her make it up as Jennifer headed downstairs. Reaching the bottom, she wasn’t surprised to find Lance and Ian at their desks in the area used for a classroom, between the kitchen and living area. “They can’t get more than five hours of sleep a night,” Jennifer mumbled, walking over and seeing both boys were punching away on scientific calculators and making notes on large pads.

  “Wonder what they are designing now?” Jennifer sighed and stopped beside Ian. Looking at the pad, she saw an intricate drawing of gears with equations and ratios beside each gear. “Hey, Ian,” she said, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

  Holding up his hand, Ian continued copying the numbers from the calculator onto the pad. When he was done he put down his pencil and wrapped an arm around Jennifer, hugging her at the waist. “Sleep good?” Ian asked, looking up at her and trying not to grin at her hair going everywhere.

  “Yes,” Jennifer said, letting him go. “Let me brush my teeth, so I can get some smooches before workout.”

  As Jennifer headed to the bathroom, Carrie and Allie ran down the stairs straight to the bathroom. Shoving Jennifer out of the way, they each grabbed a brush and rubber bands and ran back out. Brushing her hair, Jennifer glanced out the door to see Lilly and Lance sitting down on the sectional as the ladybugs ran to them, holding out the brushes. “Yep, Lilly really cares for Lance,” Jennifer said, turning back to the mirror.

  After brushing her teeth, Jennifer walked out to see Lance brushing Carrie’s hair and Lilly doing Allie’s. Every day, the ladybugs swapped who did their hair. “You do know, I can do your hair,” Jennifer said, heading toward Ian as he stood up from his desk.

  “No,” both girls said, but stayed still as pigtails were put on each side of their heads.

  Kissing Ian, Jennifer hugged him tight and then turned around as Lance and Lilly finished. Allie and Carrie turned around and hugged them tight, then stepped back. Lilly grabbed the brushes and headed to the bathroom, brushing her own hair as the ladybugs followed to brush their teeth.

  Watching Lance head back to his desk, Jennifer pulled Ian over to stop beside Lance as he sat down. “Damn it, Lance! Why haven’t you kissed Lilly?” Jennifer barked quietly.

  Reaching for his pencil, Lance stopped and looked up at Jennifer. “She’s a woman,” Lance snapped.

  “Lance, she curls up next to you every night that we watch movies,” Jennifer hissed, glancing at the bathroom to make sure Lilly was still inside. That was the one reprieve that Jennifer was thankful for. The only reason for movie time was the ladybugs, otherwise they would continue to study or work.

  Crossing his arms, Lance stared at Jennifer. “She has a mouth. If she wants me to kiss her, she can start,” he said in a stern voice.

  “Lance, you’re pissing me off,” Jennifer huffed. “Girls want the boy to make that first move. And yes, Ian did.”

  Snorting, Lance grinned as he turned away. “Yeah, it was you or the frog,” he chuckled.

  Letting Ian go, Jennifer leaned over Lance’s desk. “You want me to find a damn frog for you?” she snapped.

  “Brah, you’re pissing her off and she’s getting better with her wrestling,” Ian said and Lance looked up at Ian with a scowl.

  “Whose side are you on?” Lance huffed.

  “Yours,” Ian grinned. “Do you like Lilly curling up next to you?”

  Lance’s face turned red and he turned away, getting up. “Yes,” he cried out, heading for the backdoor. “Dino, George, Judy, let’s go.”

  They watched him walk out and Ian spun Jennifer to him. “I swear, if Lilly punches him when he kisses her, you and I are going outside,” Ian told her with a stern voice and expression.

  “Ian,” Jennifer gasped, then grinned. “Tell you what, if she does, I’ll wash the dogs every week for a month.”

  Letting Jennifer go, Ian stepped back as shock spread across his face. That was the one thing everyone hated because Dino didn’t like to have his weekly bath. “Deal,” Ian nodded. “I’ll continue to help.”

  Hearing the ladybugs run out of the bathroom, they turned to see Lilly follow them to the back door. Ian let Jennifer go when they were outside and jogged ahead to the gym as Jennifer moved over, walking beside Lilly.

  “Why didn’t you kiss Lance last night?” Jennifer grinned, catching Lilly’s hand and holding it.

  Giving a groan, “Jennifer, he sees me as an old woman,” Lilly cried out louder than she’d meant to. Thankfully, the only ones that heard were the ladybugs who stopped at the door to the gym and turned to watch them as they walked over.

  Stopping, Jennifer pulled Lilly’s hand, stopping her and turning Lilly to face her. “No, you intimidate him,” Jennifer corrected, then winked.

  “Bulllllssshhiitt,” Lilly drew out. “Lance could’ve had any girl or woman he wanted. My word, he’s got a body that men would die for and a brain that anyone would envy,” Lilly gasped, throwing up her other hand. “I’m just a skinny old woman. I bet Lance had teachers and women in your neighborhood chasing him.”

  Stepping back and letting Lilly’s hand go, Jennifer’s mouth fell open. “Whoa,” she said, snapping her mouth closed. “I said the same thing about Ian at his birthday party this year. Except, I said I was just a young scrawny girl with no boobs.” Dropping her eyes to Lilly’s chest, “You definitely don’t have to worry about any of that,” Jennifer admitted.

  “Jennifer,” Lilly sighed, rolling her eyes. “Ian has loved you since he saw you, any fool could’ve seen that.”

  Crossing her arms, “Why don’t you kiss him?” Jennifer asked.

  Giving a long sigh, Lilly turned away. “I don’t want him to think bad of me, in case he changes his mind when he gets older,” Lilly mumbled, heading for the gym. When Lilly got close, Allie and Carrie opened the doors for her.

  Breaking into a jog, “Boys are such a pain in the ass,” Jennifer growled, ducking in through the doors before they closed. The ladybugs didn’t hold them open for Jennifer.

  After the workout, everyone headed inside for showers and breakfast. When they were done, the ladybugs headed to the bunker to watch the monitors and the others headed outside to work on the greenhouse.

  Pulling on her gloves, Jennifer looked at the tall poles they had cemented in the ground two days ago. The poles were just three laminated 3x6s that were twenty-eight feet tall and four feet of that was cemented in the ground. Standing straight and tall like soldiers, the poles were in three rows fifteen feet apart.

  Grabbing her tool belt, Jennifer put it on as Lilly moved up beside her. “Has Lance said anything about me?” Lilly whispered.

  Watching Ian drive the four-wheeler over with a trailer loaded with lumber, Jennifer turned to Lilly. “Not to me, but I’ve seen him watching you like a hawk,” Jennifer answered and then grinned. “Now to Ian,” she said with her grin growing and Lilly leaned closer. “To Ian, Lance says you’re so fine, it should be illegal.”

  Lilly gave a squeal, jumping back and clapping her hands. Ian stopped the four-wheeler as Lance jumped off, looking at Jennifer and Lilly giggling. “Why do girls have to be so difficult?” Lance asked, waving his arm toward Lilly and Jennifer.

  Shrugging his shoulders as he tightened his gloves, “Shit if I know,” Ian chuckled. “Wish we would’ve bought the man code secrets to women.”

  “That book was sixty dollars,” Lance cried out.

  “It came with a DVD,” Ian said with a s
erious face. “I bet it gave lots of secret information.”

  Watching the two walk over, “You know, if I could talk to Lilly like I can Jennifer, this might be easier,” Lance admitted.

  “You and I talk to Lilly all the time,” Ian said.

  Lance turned to Ian with a scowl. “I remember a time when you made me talk to Jennifer just to find out stuff. Why don’t you do that for me with Lilly?” Lance grumbled.

  “I do,” Ian answered and smiled as the girls walked up.

  After working hard for two hours, the four gathered in a circle and pounded a fist in one palm playing rock, paper, scissors to see who went inside to change out with one of the ladybugs. “Shit!” Lilly yelled, holding paper and the others held scissors.

  Kicking the ground, Lilly took off her tool belt and headed inside. Ian and Lance grinned at each other because that meant Jennifer had to go relieve the other ladybug in two hours. They only worked on the greenhouse for four hours, then moved to the shop to work on other projects.

  Walking into the bunker Lilly stopped, seeing Allie and Carrie standing up and waiting on her. “Sit,” Allie said, but it sounded very much like a command as she pointed to one of the chairs. Feeling a little worried, Lilly sat down slowly as Allie and Carrie moved up only stopping when they touched Lilly’s knees.

  “Lance really likes you,” Allie said with a serious face and Lilly gasped as her face broke into a smile. Allie held her hand up pointing at the ceiling and Lilly stopped the smile.

  “If you hurt Lance’s heart,” Carrie said, narrowing her eyes. “You remember that movie we watched two nights ago, when a man beat another man’s toes with a hammer?”

  With her eyes growing wide, Lilly nodded. Dropping her hand to her side, Allie stared hard at Lilly. “You hurt his heart, we will do that to you,” Allie vowed without hesitation and a stern expression on her little face.

  Clearing her throat and choosing her words carefully. “Ladybugs, I would never hurt Lance,” Lilly said softly, having no doubt that the ladybugs would carry out their threat regardless of their size or hers. “Lance isn’t interested in me. To him, I’m an old lady.”