She shook her head as they headed back to the lodge. “I doubt it. They ran out of here pretty quick the second we started shooting back.”
“We can't take that chance. I need to get out there and scout the area.”
“Wyatt!” Willow shouted. She stood in front of the back door holding a few bandages and gauze pads.
“What is it?” he asked, quickly making his way to her.
She pulled him away from the mudroom and was talking in a low voice. Megan watched and waited. Wyatt would tell her soon enough.
A variety of emotions crossed his face—shock, anger and ultimately devastation. Megan quickly stepped inside and scanned the room to take a head count. She didn't see Duke. Had they killed Duke? His bark from upstairs had her smiling with relief. Everyone else was accounted for.
Megan wasn't going to wait. She had enough surprises for one day.
“What happened? What is it?” she asked.
Willow looked at Wyatt, “He'll tell you. I need to help get Jack patched up.”
Wyatt grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the root cellar.
“They wiped us out!” he said angrily.
“What? When? How?” she asked not believing it was possible.
“They had to have done it before they opened fire on us.”
She followed him, stealing a look at the goat pen to make sure they were both in the pen and alive. When she saw the two kids dancing around as if nothing had happened, she breathed a sigh of relief. Megan turned to see Wyatt crawl into the root cellar. She could hear him cursing as she climbed down behind him.
The shelves were nearly empty. All the food they had been preserving was gone.
Megan stared at the shelves in shock. How could they possibly survive without food on the brink of winter?
“This stays between us for now. If we tell everyone what happened on top of what just happened up there, there will be panic.”
Megan felt sick. The attack was horrible, but this was devastating.
“What are we going to do, Wyatt?” she whispered. “What will we do?”
He didn't answer her. He just looked around the storage that had been ransacked. Broken jars littered the ground. The men were savages.
“Let's get out of here. We need to take care of our wounded. We will deal with this later.”
She didn't push it. He needed time to think and process. She understood. For now, they would take care of those that were injured and clean up what they could.
22
“It could have been much worse,” Jack murmured from where he sat propped up on his bed.
Under Brenda's careful supervision, Rosie had stitched the long gash in his thigh, but left a small area at the end open. Brenda had been teaching Rosie more of the technical side of medicine. It was unfortunate that this was the perfect time for her to get some hands-on training. The goal was for everyone to know a little bit of everything instead of a lot about one thing.
Rosie had placed the tube of a ballpoint pen in the hole so it could drain once the infection started to fester.
“Are you sure this will work?” Rosie questioned.
“I have done it a hundred times.”
It was a trick Brenda had picked up in the field. She had used what she had to clean the wound as best as she could, but she had made it very clear she would prefer something more powerful than soap and water.
They knew it was only a matter of time. Rosie had covered the wound with raw honey, but that wouldn't do much for the toxins that had gotten into his bloodstream. It was a watch and wait situation. Wyatt didn't want to think about the worst-case scenario. No point in borrowing trouble.
“Yeah, it definitely could have been,” Wyatt agreed.
Evan had left once they got Jack situated. The brothers needed some privacy.
“If they hadn't been here—Evan, Bryan, Garrett and the rest—we would have easily been overrun. I don't think McDaniels’ men would have left any survivors,” Jack stated matter-of-factly.
Wyatt winced. It was something they had long feared, but to have witnessed the destruction the men were capable of first hand was a huge eye opener.
He blocked images of Megan standing on that mound, exposed. How the bullets missed her was beyond his comprehension. He hadn't taken the time to analyze the situation.
“I think I counted five men armed with those AR-15s,” Wyatt said.
Jack nodded, “Yeah, I don't know for sure. It felt like there were twenty men shooting. Everywhere I looked or ran, there were bullets flying.”
“How long do you think they were out there?” Wyatt asked, not really asking Jack, but merely speaking what had been on his mind all day.
Jack leaned back and looked at the ceiling, “Probably all day waiting until we pulled the guards in and started the game. Our guard was completely down. We were completely exposed. Quite frankly, I probably would have taken advantage of the situation as well. We messed up.”
His words were exactly what Wyatt had been thinking. They had been spied on and they didn't even know it. He had no idea if the men found them by chance or whether they had followed Evan's group back. Maybe they had followed them back on the quick supply run they had made.
There was no point in wasting energy trying to solve that mystery. What was done was done.
Wyatt stared at the wall, “They know where we are. They know where our supplies are. They are going to come back.”
Jack nodded, “It's a guarantee they will be back. I didn't see McDaniels. This was probably just a small raid. He’s going to come back in force. I don't know if we’ll be quite so fortunate the next time around.”
“We have to do something. Winter is fast approaching and the only food we have is what we brought back from Evan’s camp and that won’t last long with the number of mouths to feed. This is probably the absolute worst case scenario.”
Jack agreed, “Talk with Bryan and Evan. See where their heads are. I am up for anything. It may be a day or two to let this thing heal, but I’ll be back on my feet in no time.”
“Okay, well, get some rest. I’m sure Willow wants to spend some time with you. I need to go get everyone settled down. See in you in the morning.”
Wyatt walked through the lodge, taking a few moments to chat with everyone. Evan was taking watch at the lodge. Brenda insisted on pulling a double shift and keeping watch in the bird’s nest Albert usually occupied so he could get some rest.
Wyatt doubted anyone was going to get any real sleep tonight. Tension was high. Everyone was scared. He knew some of the new members were reconsidering their choice to join the lodge. They had better make their decision whether they were going to stay or go real quick.
They couldn't afford to have anyone stick around if they weren't in it to survive and overcome.
Megan had already retired to the bedroom. When he walked in, she was sitting at the foot of the bed, holding the softball she had made for the big game. Now instead of a source of happiness, it would be the cause of bad memories for years to come.
He hated that something she had loved so much was forever tainted.
“I don't know why I saved this skin. I think it’s cursed.”
He knew she was referring to her friend falling in the well all those years ago and now what happened today.
“Bad things happen. We knew something like this could happen. We were basically ready for it.”
She shook her head, “We let our guard down. I encouraged this big game. It cost two people their lives. Jack was stabbed, others were shot. It was a disaster.”
“Stop, Megan. I need you to dig deep and find that anger. Find that resolve to push through, even when things are really tough. I know you have it in you. You have proven your strength time and again.”
She gave a weak smile, “Maybe I'm tired of having to prove it all the time. Can't we just catch a break?”
He chuckled, “That would be too easy.”
He sat down next to her pulling her in
close. “We'll get through this.”
“I think they attacked because the other group came here. They left us alone this whole time and now they attack?”
Wyatt was afraid she would blame the others.
“They would have found us eventually, regardless. The difference is we probably wouldn't have survived had Evan, Bryan and the rest of them not been here to help us fight back and defend the lodge.”
She didn't look convinced.
“Seriously, they would have easily overpowered us. We didn't stand a chance against them.”
“I guess, but it is odd they showed up today after leaving us alone all summer.”
Wyatt put a hand on her knee, “They showed up because they were searching harder. They’ve already raided everywhere close to them. They’re expanding their search to have enough to get through winter. Their desperation is obvious.”
Megan bunched her fists up tightly, “I want to kill them all. It’s burning like a fire in my belly. I don't think I have ever been one to wish death or want to kill people, but right now, that is all I can think about. I want to wipe them off the face of the earth,” Megan said with vehemence.
Wyatt completely understood how she was feeling. He was feeling pretty violent himself at the moment.
“All of those traps we set. Why didn't those stop them?” Megan asked.
He shrugged, “We hadn't completely closed in the perimeter. Maybe they went around or maybe some did get caught in the traps. I don't know. Tomorrow I’ll investigate.”
“I think we need to attack right away. They are back there at their camp, eating our food and celebrating what they did. They won't expect us to show up at their door, prepared to kill them all. McDaniels needs to be our main target. We take him out and the rest will disappear.”
Wyatt appreciated her fervor, but it was too soon. They weren't ready.
“Megan, we don't even know where to go.”
“I do,” she said hopping off the bed and finding the map she had carried with her to Evan's camp in the past. “You see this small clearing. I am confident this is where they would have set up their camp.”
When he looked at her, questioning her assertion, he saw the anger burning behind her eyes.
“I was right about Evan's camp. I am right about this one!”
She had a point.
“Okay, but we need to get in some basic training. You are talking about going to war, and we don’t have an army. Leaving the lodge vulnerable isn't an option. We need trained fighters here and there.”
She nodded her head. He could tell she thought she was ready. One could never really truly prepare for war. Granted they had seen some pretty rough stuff today, but that was nothing compared to what she was talking about.
“We'll need to get everyone else on board. I have a feeling some of them aren't going to be okay with us heading headfirst into a battle,” he told her gently.
“Fine, then they can live in fear. They can live their lives constantly worried if today is the day they are slaughtered in their own homes.”
Wyatt stood up and stripped off his shirt and jeans. He was beat. He wanted to close his eyes and forget the day ever happened.
“Megan, we'll talk with everyone tomorrow. There is no point staying up all night, fuming and stressing out. Let's go to bed. I need to sleep.”
She watched him crawl under the covers. At first, he thought she would argue with him.
“Fine. I guess. But I am not going to let anyone talk me out of this. I will not sit here and wait to be killed. I will not put my daughter in that position.”
She quickly stripped down to a t-shirt and crawled into bed next to him. Wyatt pulled her in close, cherishing the quiet moment between them. After the day they’d had, he wanted to savor these moments. He wasn't convinced they would have many more.
23
Megan woke early and judging from the tension in Wyatt’s
body, he was already awake.
“Ready for this?” she asked.
He didn't answer her. She waited.
“I'll talk with the guys. You talk with Rosie and Tara. Jack will need to talk with Willow. I think there is going to be some resistance to our plan.”
“Should we just have one big group meeting?” she asked, hoping to cut out a lot of the talking and get right to the doing.
“No. That will create chaos. Everyone will want to talk and it will be counterproductive to what we need to get done.”
She sighed. He was right—again.
“You do realize we can't go racing over there today, right?”
Megan considered punching him in the ribs.
“Yes, I know that, but I don't want to wait too long. The longer we wait, the more prepared they will be or they may even attack again.”
“I agree.”
He sat up and they both quickly dressed in silence. Megan noticed dried blood on her arm. It wasn't hers. After yesterday's events, she needed a bath. She’d been too tired to think about it last night, but today was different. She needed to wash away the blood and the bad memories it brought back.
They quietly walked into the kitchen. It didn't appear as if anyone else was up yet. Megan took a moment to look around the lodge. There were people everywhere. Sleeping bags and blankets were spread across the floor near the woodstove. With Jack laid up, it would be up to the rest of the group to finish the longhouse he had started.
Evan and Bryan came in the back door. Their cheeks were pink. She could tell they had been out walking around. The cold air clung to them.
“Hey,” Wyatt said in greeting. “All good?”
Bryan nodded, “Yep. We just did a quick sweep of the perimeter. It was clear.”
“You guys want some hot tea?”
Both men nodded eagerly. Megan figured they were probably pretty cold; the chill of winter had certainly arrived. They had insisted on sleeping in that stupid tent and she knew the temperatures were dropping to the freezing point at night.
“What do you guys want to talk about?” Evan asked.
Megan was only a little surprised he knew they had something to discuss.
Wyatt grinned, “You know us too well.”
“After yesterday, I know you guys are itching to make something happen.” He looked at Bryan, “We're up for it. We are ready to rid the earth of these scum.”
“Good!” Megan said a little too eagerly. “I'll grab the map. Wyatt, no tea for me. I am about tea’d out,” she said rushing to the bedroom.
Megan dashed back into the room and headed for the table to spread the map out. She used a red pen to mark the area she believed McDaniels and his raiders were holed up.
“You sure?” Evan asked, scratching the side of his head.
She was getting tired of people asking her that.
“Well, I don't have a guarantee, but it makes sense. When they pulled out the map that day, I noticed Xs on your camp and Brenda's. I am assuming those are camps they’ve hit. There was a red circle area—no X. To me, that says base and the Xs say target. You said it before; they have to be in that general vicinity.”
“Okay, I get it. I'm game. What do you think? A day's hike?”
Wyatt nodded, “Yes, but with these short days, it’s going to be a lot of hiking in the dark. That alone could be tricky.”
“But it will help conceal us. The dark is actually a good thing, for us anyway,” Megan pointed out.
“She has a point,” Bryan added. “I like the idea of hitting their camp at night, scoping things out and then attacking at first light when they will all be half asleep.”
Megan had to hide her excitement. They were going to do this. The plan was being formulated and she couldn't wait to see those men die. They had caused so much grief and pain; it would leave the world a better place if they were eradicated.
As the rest of the lodge woke up, each person was informed of the plan. Some people were hesitant, but in general, everyone was excited at the idea of living a peaceful e
xistence without constantly worrying about being murdered in cold blood for no reason.
Albert and Greg had asked for a few minutes of Wyatt's time. Megan was invited to join the conversation as well.
Albert looked uneasy.
“What's up?” Wyatt asked.
“We would like to get all of the kids up to speed on shooting. There are four of them. That is four more guns pointed at the bad guys.”
Megan's knee-jerk response was a resounding no.
“Hell no,” she clarified her initial answer.
“Megan, think about it. These kids are not living in typical times. I would never, ever think about training a child to shoot another human, but this is different. Their very lives may depend on it,” Albert explained.
It made her sick to her stomach to think of her little girl shooting and killing a person. It would strip away that innocence that all children should get to hold on to for as long as possible.
Wyatt looked thoughtful.
“I think you're right,” he said. “Caitlin and Ryland already know how to shoot. I'm not sure about Amy and Frankie, but it would be smart to make sure they can each use a weapon.”
Megan looked at him in shock.
He turned to her, “Megan, you have to think about what may happen if you or I or all of the adults are injured or killed. Do you want to leave the kids vulnerable? Obviously, we wouldn't be sending them out to the front lines, but if there is an attack here again, they need to be able to defend themselves.”
“I know what you’re saying, but I know how bad it messed me up after I killed Kyle. I can't imagine any one of those kids having to go through those emotions.”
Greg shook his head, “Times are different. They’ve already seen more than a typical adult would have a year ago. I think it will give them confidence. We don't want them feeling anxious or scared. If they know how to use a gun and where to shoot to stop someone from hurting them, I think it would go a long way toward making them feel better.”
EMP Lodge Series Box Set | Books 1-6 Page 52