“Who wouldn’t? They’d die here if they didn’t.” Victoria answered.
"Captain, we have a situation here," Joseph spoke through the radio.
"What?" Captain Ellis responded.
"Piles of cars without drivers," Joseph replied still in disbelief.
"We haven't lost the unknown trucks, and now they’re approaching behind us. My instinct tells me something is wrong, be ready." Captain Ellis announced.
For a few seconds, no one was moving. All of a sudden, armed men went out of the unknown trucks and fired at the convoy. Joseph, his group, the Southcrest villagers and the army all went down.
"Shit!" Walter shouted.
"Joseph you have to move. We'll cover you." Captain Ellis ordered.
"No! We'll all go to the farm together!" Joseph insisted.
"We should have shot them earlier." One of the Army uttered, but Captain Ellis didn't answer.
"It's showtime!" One of the men from Southcrest shouted.
Men get off the vehicles together with their guns. Joseph, Walter, and Southcrest Villagers all went behind the truck to cover and shoot. The Army did the same. They were all exchanging gunshots when the unknown truck released their machine guns. Bullets passed through the vehicles, and a lot of Southcrest people and some army died. Blood spilled on the road.
"Bullshit! Enough of this game. Cover me. We'll give them what they want." Captain Ellis shouted to one of his men.
"Guys I need you to drive backward. I'll blow them, but we're too close." Captain Ellis shouted to his group while covering behind the truck.
"The white truck can't reverse trippingly!" Walter shouted back.
"Fit the kids in your car, Joseph. The rest, go to the Army truck. Go! We'll cover you." Captain Ellis commanded.
From twenty-two Southcrest Villagers, they're now down to ten, and eight Army. Captain Ellis and his troops covered Southcrest Villagers as they went inside the car. Then the rest followed in the Army Truck and stayed low.
"Joseph, on three. Let's reverse on sync. One, Two Three." Both vehicles reversed at full speed ten meters away from the unknown trucks while others were still firing.
"What are they doing?" One of the intruders shouted while firing machine guns.
"Just shoot!" Another one replied.
Captain Ellis took their RPG-7 behind the Army truck. The trucks were parallel from one another. One shot can blow those two trucks together, so Captain Ellis aimed for the first truck.
"Sorry folks, it's too brutal." One pull, then the two trucks exploded along with its people. It was a chain reaction, and the pile of cars also exploded. Spare parts and smoke filled the air as the convoy reversed more. After a few minutes of the explosion, there was fire on the road.
Joseph, Walter Denise, The nurse, Victoria, three kids and two teenagers fit inside Steve's car. Three men and two women joined the eight-man Army truck.
"Great job, Captain. So what now?" Joseph said on the radio as they watched the fire eat the autos.
"We wait to lighten the fire." Captain Ellis replied.
"Or we drive through them," Walter recommended.
"That's too risky. We have women and children." One of the Army replied.
“Then unload them first.” Walter pushed his idea.
They've waited for hours until the fire lightened up. They're grateful to the weather because of the heavy wind and rain it helped stop the fire. After eating their lunch on the road, Captain Ellis decided that they have to go. He's unsure if the Army truck can tow the fired vehicles, but he has to try. The Army and Southcrest Villagers removed the movable parts. Captain Ellis ignited the engine and warmed it up. Then he stepped on the gas at full speed. Everyone was watching like it was a scene on a movie, hoping that they'd also have a happy ending.
Fortunately, Captain Ellis towed the burned cars successfully and cleared a path. Everyone clapped their hands and celebrated soon as the Army truck reached the other end. They didn't wait for the Army truck to return, they ran towards it while shouting in joy. Joseph and his passengers followed immediately. Then they continued their journey to the farm.
However, there was a checkpoint before entering the town. Joseph, Walter and The Nurse were all nervous.
"Calm down. We got this." Joseph reminded them.
"Yea, play it cool," Walter answered as the nurse sighed deeply.
The checkpoint stopped their car, as well as the Army.
"Where are you going?" One of the Officers asked.
"My wife. We have a farm here."
"Who?" The officer interrogated him.
"Carmichael's" Joseph replied calmly. The officer checked his list and confirmed if the surname lives on the place.
"Hey, I’m Captain Ellis of the army. We're with them. As per Colonel Eaton's advice." Captain Ellis talked to the officer.
"Just a protocol, Captain. You can go now." The officer answered as he looked the Captain in the eye sharply.
"Let's go, Cap," Joseph said calmly trying to break the ice.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The convoy continued their way the farm. It's almost four in the afternoon, and they've been traveling for eight hours. The reroutes, mass of cars and battle with another group of rebels, Joseph couldn't help, but be excited to be with his family again. His passengers, on the other hand, were staring out the window as people walk the street. The Nurse was sitting on the front, with Denise between him and Joseph. Three kids and one teenage boy from Southcrest sat on the second passenger row as Walter, Victoria and another Southcrest teenager settled on the last row. They had to rearrange seats after the battle for defensive purposes.
Soon as they reached the town, the market is still operating, but with fewer people and fewer goods but higher price. It was a relief for them to see other people not firing guns or killing one another. However, people were looking at their convoy as they pass them. It's as if that they are not welcome on the place, or they are protective of their community. Fortunately, they are with the Army, until Walter saw that their truck was slowing down and suddenly it stopped.
"What happened? The Army truck stopped," Walter said in confusion.
Everyone looked behind, except for Joseph who stared at the rear mirror and stopped.
"Captain, what happened back there?" Joseph asked calmly.
"We ran out of gas. Seemed like towing the burned vehicles consumed a lot of fuel." Captain replied.
"I think Steve’s got a rope. He always has one just in case something like this happen whenever we go out-of-town." Joseph suggested. He immediately checked the compartments of the car and got what he's looking.
"Great! Let's tie it." Joseph, Walter, Captain Ellis and some Army men tied the rope from the Army truck bumper to Steve's car. Then they continued their path.
Maxine and her family were still having their usual life. She has mentioned to her family that Joseph is finally coming to the farm. Everyone got excited especially her sons. However, Maxine was also worried about their trip especially now that Senator Forbes just had his tragic death. The Marauders and other inspired groups aren't afraid of killing anyone. If they could brutally kill a Senator and broadcast it on national television, what more to helpless people?
The military presence in cities has somehow helped in controlling the situation. They were able to capture some Marauder supporters ruling the areas, but there are billions of them. For as long as Big Ira is out there, they will is war. Have they forgotten about the suburbs community? There are checkpoints, but it's not enough. There were dead bodies found in most of the suburban towns. Most of them were victims of rape, kidnapping, and holdups.
Maxine was slicing vegetables in preparation for their dinner, but her mind is full of thoughts. She was looking on the knife, but her focus was on Joseph's journey and the rebels.
"Ouch!" Maxine shouted in pain as she cut the skin of her finger.
"What's happening with you, Max? You seem occupied." Rashida ran towards her as she pressed Maxin
e's finger and put around a band-aid.
"I couldn't help, but think about Joseph and his group. They should've been here by now. " Maxine replied in a wary.
"Haven't you heard from him?" Rashida asked.
"No, and he's not answering his phone," Maxine answered.
"He'll be fine, Max. Keep your faith." Rashida smiled and rubbed Maxine's back.
Grandpa Carmichael, Tony, and four farm men were watering some of their plants. Bobby, his brother, and his cousins were playing with the farm animals. They started to get along ever since Tony, and his father had their conversation, seemed like Tony got a grip on his children's attitude. All of a sudden there were gunshots from their front yard. Tony immediately fetch the kids, and they all ran inside the house.
There were twenty Marauder members, and they've been spying the farm for a few days. They found out that the place has a lot of supplies that they can use while they are hiding. The first group consisted of ten men, penetrated the yard as they ran towards the house.
"Hurry! Run." Tony ordered the kids, but Bobby stumbled on the rock and fell to the ground. Grandpa was about to pick Bobby, but Tony lifted him immediately. All of them gathered in the kitchen.
"Go hide to your rooms! Tony and all farm caretakers follow me." Grandpa Carmichael ordered, and they all went to the barn just ten feet from the kitchen. All of them ran, and Grandpa Carmichael opened a wooden chest that contained two single shot pistons, three AK-47 rifles, and two shotguns. Grandpa Carmichael grabbed the two single shot pistols and handed the AK-47 rifle to Tony while the other farm men get their guns.
"Do you remember how to use them?" Grandpa Carmichael asked Tony.
"Yes, dad. I might rust a little, though." Tony answered.
"Great. let's protect what’s ours." Grandpa Carmichael ordered. Tony and one farm man positioned at the grass near the animals while Grandpa and the rest circled the house. Tony and the other farm caretakers around the house fired gunshots. It was difficult for them to aim moving targets, but they took down six Marauders, while the other four Marauders went inside the house.
"I think I should thank dad for pushing me to the Army. Cover the area. I'll help dad inside." Tony instructed another farm taker.
Grandma Carmichael, Maxine, Rashida, and their kids hid inside Rashida's room. Bobby insisted that he should help his Grandpa, but Maxine was stopping him. Maxine pulled him, but Bobby bit her hand.
"Sorry, mom." Bobby apologized and ran towards their room at the end of the hallway.
"Bobby!" Maxine shouted and tried to catch her son, but he ran so fast, and intruders already went inside the house.
"Maxine!" Rashida pulled Maxine with all her strength.
"My son!" Maxine shouted.
"Shhh! Calm down. Stay quiet." Rashida tried to silence her as one of the intruders went upstairs and checked the rooms.
"I know your hiding." The intruder laughed. He opened one door, but there was no one. Then he kicked the second door and smirked.
"Gotcha! Shut up, or I'll blow your heads." The children were crying, as the intruder grabbed Maxine and pointed the gun at her head. He ordered each of them to tape each other's mouth and leash their hands and foot. Everyone followed the intruder because they were afraid that Maxine might get hurt.
When Grandpa Carmichael entered the kitchen, then there was another intruder taking their supplies. He immediately pulled the trigger as he aimed for the intruder's head. He went to the living area when an intruder punched him behind the wall, and he dropped his gun. The intruder hit him in the face, then another on the abdomen.
"You're too old to fight. You should die." The intruder kicked Grandpa Carmichael then he fell to the floor and pointed the gun at the old man’s chest.
"No! You're dead." Tony suddenly appeared behind the intruder and pointed his gun at his head.
"Shoot him, or I'll blow her head!" Another intruder shouted from the stairs, as he held Maxine as his hostage.
Tony saw the second group of Marauders was already gearing. He knew he has to make a decision, or else they'll all die.
Bobby knew that her mother had a gun when a man hijacked them. He panicked when he heard screams of his cousins and his mom. Luckily, Bobby recovered the gun, and carefully moved out of the room and saw that her mom was a hostage. Tony saw him walking the dark aisle, and he had no choice but to beacon Bobby. Using the .380 ACP Automatic Colt Pistol that his father gave to his mom, he pointed the gun at the intruder's head. Tony looked Bobby in the eye, nodded, and they both pulled the trigger. Maxine closed her eyes as she heard gunshots, and for the second time, she thought she's dead.
"Mom?" Bobby whispered. Maxine looked behind her as the intruder fell to the stairs. She ran towards his son, grabbed the gun and hugged him.
"Please leave it to Mom. Okay? Help others in Rashida's room." Maxine said to Bobby. She wanted to scold him but now is not the time.
"There are more of them. Are you alright, dad?" Tony shouted as he helped Grandpa Carmichael stand up.
"Yes, thank you." Grandpa Carmichael looked outside the yard, as he saw the Marauders on their way inside the house.
The farm caretakers were still firing, but only one of them left. Grandpa Carmichael, Tony, and Maxine waylaid the sofa on the front door and positioned themselves behind it. Rashida, Bobby, and Ross guarded the back door.
The head of the second Marauder group looked inside the farm, the moment they heard gunshots that killed the last two members of the first group. He was trying to call one of his members through their radio, but there was no one answering.
"Let's go in." He instructed the second group, then all of them went inside the farm.
Joseph’s group and the Army were approaching the farm when he saw two trucks parked outside.
"Captain Ellis, isn't those trucks look familiar?" Joseph spoke on the radio as Walter checked.
"The unknown trucks." Both Captain Ellis said on the radio, and Walter from behind.
"Maxine. My family," Joseph uttered to himself.
Joseph immediately stopped the car, went out with his gun and ran towards the farm.
"Joseph!" Walter shouted.
"Kiddos, Stay. Here." Walter emphasized to the kids, kissed his wife and followed Joseph as well as the nurse. The Army shortly followed, and they were all running. They saw the Marauders heading towards the house, and there were gunshots from inside the house. From the yard, Joseph aimed his gun.
"Men! Position, and fire!" Captain Ellis commanded his troops.
Everyone fired and in one blink of the eye the Marauders died. Joseph ran inside the house, but he saw one of the Marauders was still alive talking to his walkie-talkie.
"Men down. Need back up. Over." The intruder said. Joseph stepped on the walkie-talkie and crashed it.
"Yea, you're down. Not my family, bitch." Joseph said and pulled a trigger on the intruder's head.
Carmichael family looked at the window to check who helped them. They were all looking at the front yard, where Army troops were standing, and some people from Southcrest Village. Maxine noticed some of them, and she was looking for Joseph. She didn’t see that Joseph was standing on the door.
"Max," Maxine looked at Joseph, smiled and hugged her husband.
"Dad!" Joseph two sons were running after Maxine.
They all hugged one another while Grandma Carmichael, Rashida and some of the Army felt the moment and shared the same tears.
The Carmichael Farmhouse got slightly destroyed. There were bullets and dead bodies everywhere, but they are thankful that none of them shred blood. Joseph had to cut their small family reunion to call his friends and the Army inside the farm.
"Dad, Mom, and Tony. I have people with me. Most of them lost their families and friends. They are from our neighborhood at Southcrest. I hope they can stay here, too." Joseph explained to Maxine's family.
"Of course, Joseph. Everyone is welcome here for as long as they meant no harm." Tony responded. Grandpa looked at To
ny and smiled.
"By the way, where did you get your Army?" Grandpa Carmichael asked.
"Colonel Eaton sent an Army troop to protect us. He summoned them back for service." Joseph responded as Grandpa Carmichael raised his eyebrow.
"Martial Law. Do they know your profession?" Tony replied.
"No. We're still keeping it as a secret," Joseph stated.
"Why don't you call your friends, and let's all prepare for dinner. It was a tiring day." Grandma Carmichael said, and everyone inside the house laughed.
Joseph fetched his group outside together with his family. No one wanted to get Joseph out of their site.
"Come on. Let's all go inside." Joseph announced as they all gathered their supplies in the vehicles.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
After the shooting incident, the Army helped in getting rid of the dead bodies. They wanted to burn the Marauders bodies, but Joseph insisted that they should bury them. While the Army was busy burying on a nearby empty lot, Captain Ellis went back to the farm to drink a glass of water. As he entered the living room, he saw Joseph and Walter attending to the wounded farm caretakers in the living area. The Captain got curious by the manner how Joseph and Walter put in first aid professionally.
"Are you doctors?" Captain Ellis boldly asked as he was approaching them from behind, then Joseph and Walter looked at one another.
"Why? What do you do? Report us back on duty?" Walter faced Captain Ellis.
"Captain, I know you understand. We've been through hell, and we need to look after our families." Joseph tried to convince Captain Ellis who's now holding his radio.
"So are we," Captain Ellis responded as he pulled his radio, and Walter pulled a gun on Captain's head.
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