Home Invasion

by A. American

  Doc looked at Dalton and said, “You just gunned him down?”

  “You going to fucking shoot me too if I’m wounded?” Mike spat.

  Dalton looked him in the eye, then each man in turn and said, “If you’re really fucked up, yes I will. And I hope you will do the same for me. Our resources are limited. There’s only so much care we can offer. If that was me back there on the road, I’d pray one of you shot me. Put me out of that kind of pain quickly and not let me die a slow, lingering, miserable death.”

  Everyone was silent for a moment. Doc was the one to speak up. “He’s right. I didn’t see him; but if he was burned that bad, there isn’t much we could have done.” He looked at Dalton and added, “I just don’t know if I could do that,” and shook his head.

  “You think I liked it? You think I wanted to do it? But in this world there are no medivacs coming in. There is no higher level of care. It’s ditch medicine, and there are many, many things you just can’t treat with ditch medicine. It was the humane thing to do.”

  Sarge let out a long breath and said, “You’re one hard son of a bitch, Dalton. I’ll give you that.”

  “Who was it?” Livingston asked.

  Dalton shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “Yeah,” Livingston replied, “It’s easy to kill a man when you don’t know his name. But he was one of mine. I know his name. I know his wife and kids’ names too.”

  “And you can go tell them that he is dead.” Dalton replied, “Not that he was last seen burning alive on the fucking pavement as his comrades drove away. And if you want names, I can give you a fucking list.”

  Sarge reached out and put his arm around Dalton and turned him from the group. “You did the right thing, Dalton. Go with Doc to the clinic. You’ve got some iron that needs to be dug out.”

  Livingston looked at Sheffield and said, “We have to go talk to some people. Four of those men have families here.”

  Sheffield looked at Sarge’s back as he led Dalton away. “That’s why I don’t want any part of these fools’ missions.” He shook his head and added, “We just need to stay here and try to keep our people alive.”

  “But it’s you’re fucking job,” Mike said. Sheffield and Livingston both turned to see Mike sitting on an empty bucket. He rose to his feet and pointed at them. “Those uniforms you’re wearing stand for something. It’s your job to take care of people. You don’t get to pick your fights.” He pointed at Sheffield and added, “You took an oath. Honor it,” and he walked away.

  CHAPTER 11

  When I woke up, I saw Mel sitting beside me. She was looking directly at me, as if she expected me to open my eyes. She didn’t smile. In fact, her expression didn’t change at all. I looked around, unsure where I was. After a moment, I realized I was in the clinic. Reaching down, I felt my side. I felt a small bandage, but there was little in the way of pain.

  Mel took a deep breath and said, “They said it should heal. The doctor said it was a small hole.”

  “That’s good.” I replied. “I think.” And sat up. Now there was some pain, though it was minor.

  Mel shook her head. “Why don’t you just stay home? Why are you always going out and getting into some kind of shit?”

  I didn’t know what to say. “Someone has to. I’d rather be part of the solution than part of the problem.”

  She rubbed her face and said, “I just wish you’d stay home. Because one day you’re going to leave and never come back.”

  I reached out for her hand. Slowly, she reached out and took it. “People are dying every day. We’re doing better than most.”

  “There’s a lot of people that want to see you. It’s a big day.”

  “Who’s here? And why’s it a big day?” I asked as I swung my legs off the bed.

  “Everyone. Come outside, you’ll see.”

  Getting on my feet, I held her hand as I walked to the tent flap. “How long was I out?”

  “Three days.”

  “Three days!” I shouted.

  “They kept you sedated. I told them to. I told them that as soon as you woke up you’d leave, and that you needed some time to get better first.”

  The sun was intense and I held my hand up to shield my face. “Damn. Wish I had my shades,” I complained.

  Mel was carrying a small bag and she unslung it from her shoulder. Reaching in, she handed them to me. “Thought you’d want them. Some of your other stuff is in here too.”

  “Where’s all my gear?” I asked.

  “Sarge has it,” she replied and reached into the bag again. This time she took out a stainless bottle and handed it to me.

  I opened it and took a sip. It was tea. I smiled and wrapped my arm around her and said, “You’re an incredible woman.”

  She leaned into me and replied, “Then you better stick around a while.” I looked at her and smiled and she added, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

  The street was full of people and we fell into the crowd as it moved towards the park. “What’s going on?” I asked.

  A man passing me answered the question excitedly, “You ain’t heard? There’s going to be a hanging today!”

  “A what?” I asked, looking at Mel.

  She looked straight ahead as she spoke. “I guess after your excitement the other day there were some people you didn’t kill.” She gave me a snide look. “They rounded them up and tried them. They were found guilty and they’re going to hang.”

  I took it in and thought about what she said. I remember the people there, but as I recall, they weren’t doing anything. But then, there was all that shooting. “How many?” I asked.

  Mel pointed and said, “There’s your judge. You can ask him yourself.”

  She was pointing at Mitch. He was standing in the park with several of the folks from the ranch. As we drew closer, I saw the scaffold that was already erected. Three ropes hung from it, waiting patiently for their customers. Sarge was standing beside him, his arms folded over his chest. He was going on about something. He paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder. A smile spread over his face and he turned to face me.

  He came up and slapped my shoulder. “I knew you’d get better.” He grabbed my hand and shook it. “Glad to see you back on your feet.”

  Shaking his hand, I said, “Didn’t realize I was out so long.”

  The old man pointed at Mel. “She insisted. Said it was the only way to keep you in the bed.”

  I smiled nervously, “She was probably right.”

  “I was right,” Mel quipped.

  I pointed at the scaffold and asked, “What’s all this about?”

  “I’ll let the judge tell you about it.”

  “Good to see you back on your feet,” Mitch said as we shook hands. “There were three people rounded up. Four others were shot and killed at the scene.”

  “Did you have a trial?” I asked.

  Mitch nodded. “Indeed we did. So many people attended it, we had to move it to the amphitheater.”

  “There were spectators at the trial?”

  “It was the biggest thing going on,” Sarge said. “There’s nothing else to do. So, hell yes, there were spectators aplenty.”

  “It was a circus,” Mel retorted.

  I looked at her, then back to Mitch and asked. “And how did that work out?”

  Mitch looked embarrassed. “I admit; it did get out of hand.”

  Sarge laughed. “You think?”

  Mitch smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I know. But we won’t let it happen again. I mean, this was the first one.”

  I pointed at the nooses. “Then is this legit? Are we about to hang people as a result of a damn circus?”

  Mitch shook his head. “No, no. It was proper.”

  Sarge nodded in support. “It was proper, Morgan. They all admitted to what was going on. In their own way.”

  “And what was going on?”

  Mitch took a deep breath. “Well it seems Hyatt had his aim set on taking over the t
own. He really wanted to create his own little fiefdom. But you kept messing that up.”

  “I know he was a damn pain in the ass, but……”

  “The people stated in the trial that he hated you. Since the first time the two of you met. They said he fixated on killing you. Said he wanted your star.”

  “Yeah,” I replied. “He had it for a minute.”

  “We got it back,” Sarge assured me.

  “Where’s my stuff?” I asked.

  He pointed at the Hummer sitting in the parking lot of the park and said, “It’s in there.”

  “You want me to go get it?” Shane asked.

  I nodded and caught Mel’s eye. She didn’t look particularly happy about that. “Anyway,” Mitch said. “He was plotting different ways to kill you. They said they were always elaborate plans.”

  Sean laughed and added, “Yeah, like something Wiley Coyote would dream up.”

  “I just don’t get why though. Alright. So he hated me. But what did I do to him, really?” I asked.

  “Hang on,” Mitch said. “He was telling people that you and the guys at the armory were hoarding all the food in town. That you guys lived in luxury, to use his words, while everyone else starved to death.”

  “We planted a fucking farm for these people!” I shouted, drawing looks from several people in the crowd.

  “Calm down,” Sarge said. “Everyone knows that. It was just his delusions. It don’t matter now. It’s over and settled.”

  “It’s almost over,” Shane said. “After this. It’ll be over.”

  I looked up at the ropes hanging from the scaffold. The knots had thirteen turns on them. “Who tied those?” I asked.

  “I did.” Sarge barked.

  Looking at him, I said, “Figures you would know how to tie a hangman’s knot.”

  “Shit,” Sarge snorted. “Every man should know how to tie a noose. Never know when you might have to hang someone.”

  “I guess it’s time,” Mitch said.

  Sean nodded and he and Shane walked off. They went to the parking lot where an MRAP was parked. Two Guardsmen were standing at the rear doors and opened them as they walked up. Three pathetic looking people, two men and a woman, stepped down. Their hands bound in front of them. The crowd went silent and spread out to make a path for them. Shane, Sean and the two guards walked them to the platform.

  The park, which moments ago was full of noise, remained silent. The kids that moments ago were running around playing like kids did long ago, were now hiding behind trees or looking out from behind their parents.

  “Why are there kids here?” I asked.

  “I asked the same thing,” Mel said.

  “Executions have always been a bit of a spectator sport, Morgan,” Sarge said. “We’re just going back to the way things used to be.”

  “Still doesn’t make it right,” Mel replied.

  Sarge patted her back. “No, it doesn’t, Mel. That’s why Little Bit isn’t here. You’re a good mother.”

  We watched as those who were about to have their necks snapped walked up the makeshift stairs. Mitch was in the lead, a bullhorn in his hand. It was a bizarre scene.

  “Who built that?” I asked.

  “Oh, there were plenty of volunteers for the work,” Sarge said. “Especially when they found out they’d be paid in meat.”

  “You paid them with the beef?” I asked.

  “Don’t worry, there’s still plenty.”

  Shane and Sean placed each prisoner under a noose. One of the guards stood beside each as they were put in place. Once they were standing under their ropes, Mitch turned to face the crowd. He held the bullhorn to his lips and clicked it on. He read from a paper in his hand.

  “These people have been found guilty of murder, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and battery on a law enforcement officer. Tabitha Adams, Gordon Hollingsworth and Brad Adams have been tried and convicted of the afore-mentioned crimes. They have been sentenced to hang by the neck until they are dead. The sentence is to be carried out now.” Looking at the condemned, he asked, “Do you have any final words?” None of them said a word.

  Mitch turned and nodded to Sean. He pulled a blue pillowcase over Tabitha’s head. She began to cry as the noose was draped around her neck and cinched tight. He repeated the process, placing a pillowcase over the men’s heads before tightening the noose. Once all three had a rope around their necks, the men left the scaffold. I saw Mitch look at someone in front of the structure. I followed his gaze to see Dalton standing there. He held a two-by-four out in front of him horizontally. Three ropes ran through it and then up to the structure.

  When Mitch nodded, Dalton stepped back on his right leg and jerked the board with all his might. Gordon and Brad fell through. Their necks cracked audibly. But Tabitha didn’t. She let out a wail and the crowd gasped. Dalton straightened out the board and jerked again. This time, the floor fell out from beneath her. She dropped like the first two. At the end of the rope, her neck snapped as well.

  The bodies hung there, swaying back and forth. Completely lifeless. A line began to form as people walked by to get an up-close look. As I stood there with Mel’s hand in mine, watching the morbid scene, two large hands gripped my shoulders. I looked back to see Thad. He smiled broadly and said, “Good to see you again, Morgan.”

  I smiled, patted his hand, and said, “You too, old friend.”

  As the bodies swayed and the crowd slowly filed past the gruesome display, there was a sudden brightening of the sky to the southwest. Everyone noticed it and the all stopped in their tracks. The light grew in intensity until the horizon was nearly white. As the light faded, people began to whisper. A murmur spread across the park.

  I felt Mel move in a little closer. I gripped her hand tight. She asked, “What was that?” Her voice nervous. Almost fearful.

  “If I had to guess,” I replied. “I’d say MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, is no longer there.”

  “I’d say you’re right,” Sarge added quietly.

  “You think it was a nuke?” Mel asked.

  I stared at the horizon. “No doubt about it.”

  “Who?” She whispered.

  I shrugged. “Does it matter?”

  Table of Contents

  Prelude

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11