by Cooper, DJ
Mark was sent up to the lookout to get Jeremy, who came down nearly as angry as Dickie. He’d seen the whole thing and had information eating at him. He knew who’d been trying to give away the intel and who shot the kids. He wanted to just blurt it out but wasn’t sure if he’d had help or even if his mom wanted others to know yet. He grabbed Dickie’s arm and halted his ass back to where the kids had been shot, shaking his head NO, he tipped his head towards the chicken pen. Reaching out for his mom he brought her with him.
Dickie and Dez stood expectantly waiting for Jeremy to tell them what he’d seen. “I saw who shot the kids.”
Dickies eyes raged, and his nostrils flared with anger. “Who?”
“Well not exactly who, but more like who they were with. It was the same tattoo we’d seen on the ones we liberated just a little different. Unmistakable though, it was the same.”
Dickie began to walk off when Jeremy reached out and stopped him. “There’s more.”
Dickie turned back and crossed his arms. Dez stood silent waiting for him to speak again. Jeremy looked from one to the other almost as if he didn’t want to share what he’d seen.
Dez reached out and touched his shoulder. “It’s ok, just tell us what you saw.”
Jeremy’s eyes welled up as he began to speak. “I was watching as the kids closed in on the figure, that’s when I saw the two come down from the top of the ridge. I called out and Dickie here went running.” Looking down he caught his breath. “The figure must have heard me because he turned around to look at the kids. They both recognized him because they waved at him just before the first shot hit Joseph.” Taking a moment to wipe his nose he continued, “I saw who it was when he fell to his knees. Right before they shot Georgia, he put his hand up to tell them to stop but they didn’t. They shot her anyway.”
Dickies eyes widened, “Who was it?”
Jeremy hung his head. “It was Keith, he watched them kill his own son. After they shot Georgia, I think he heard you coming and took off over the back ridge.”
Dickie turned and walked back to the barn without a word. Dez followed him reminding him he had another daughter. “Dickie, wait… What are you going to do? Don’t forget about Kayleigh.”
He turned and looked at her, fierce anger and hatred in his eyes. He shook as he stood looking at her. “I’m gonna kill em, that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“Please wait, let’s take care of Georgia and see what we can find out.”
He continued to stuff gear into his pack. Looking at her as he turned. “I expect you’ll handle it?”
Walking out of the barn to find Sam, Jeremy and John waiting for him. Preparing for a fight, he lowered his pack. He knew they meant well but no one was going to stop him. Jeremy put his hand out to shake. “We’re going up the ridge to see what we can find, offer some cover, and help you find a direction if we can my friend.” Dickie took his hand as Dez glared at all of them. As Dickie left the farm the realization that they may never see him again was overwhelming. Fighting back tears she turned and huffed off back into the barn without acknowledging them.
Walking back inside she found Rebecca digging through her oils and sobbing. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t find the lavender oil.” She slammed the lid on her oil chest. “Georgia loved the lavender, I wanted to put some on her when we prepare them for burial.” She slumped onto the chair and put her head in her hands. “Who would shoot children? What kind of world is this? It never crossed my mind that my own children might get shot until now.” Gasping for breath as she sobbed. Dez drew nearer and sat beside her. Rebecca picked her head up and Dez could see her tear streaked face and puffy eyes that looked hollow and empty but for the sorrow she felt. “Is this all we have to look forward to?”
Dez became stern with her, knowing now was not the time for coddling. “Rebecca… This is bullshit… You cannot fall apart right now. Why the hell is it that I can’t fall apart? Why is it all of you just give up and wait for me to fix it? Get with it girl, we are in this together. Your kids are safe and yes, this is a tragedy, but if his own father hadn’t been colluding with the enemy it would’ve never happened. Yes, this is the world we live in now and the only thing that can make it better is us.”
Rebecca sniffled and wiped her face, nodding to her she stood and grabbed another oil that was just as aromatic and started out of the barn. Stopping she looked back and quickly ran and hugged her. Dez smiled and hugged her back. “Let’s go do what has to be done.”
Dez sat silent in her bed that night. Tears streaming down into her ears as she lay wondering what the future would hold. Fearful for her own children as Jeremy was one of their best scouts. Fearful for Ariel who was the greatest joy in her life, and fearful for the community, the Clan Laurel as they’d dubbed it. Fearful for all of them because she knew what was coming.
Chapter 16
“War”
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
-George Washington
The explosion was devastating. In a moment’s time the water from the pond erupted spraying water and duck remains across the yard in front of the barn. Dez was sitting at the picnic table watching the children play when the horror of what was happening emerged. They were under attack, not from the ground but from the air. Or at least the attack was coming over the ridge. There were no planes in the air and as John hurried over to help gather the children into the woods behind them they watched as the very table she sat at shattered into splinters.
Holding Ariel close to her as she ran she glanced over her shoulder to John. “They have a spotter. Find them!”
John shuffled the kids into the small overhang where Dez sat in front guarding. Tawny hurriedly joined her in the protection of the young. Placing a hand on Dez’s shoulder she nodded and climbed to the top of the outcropping to watch the rear. The scene was one of dirt flying into the air and the inhabitants of the farm fleeing the debris.
Jeremy and Rich were already sprinting to the top of the ridge. Once they reached the peak they stood peering into the clearing on the road below. A man stood with a radio barking out orders, but they could see no one. The short range of mortars meant they had to be fairly close. Scouting along the ridgeline they saw the next round as it launched. Directly across from them; two men sat crouched behind a downed tree, one with a radio the other dropping mortars into the tube, firing down onto the farm. Rich motioned to Jeremy to look for a spotter on their side with his fingers. Pointing to his own eyes and then across the ridge behind them and down towards the farm before taking off across the top of the ridge towards the mortars.
Stopping at about a hundred yards from them he peered around a tree that he used for cover and took aim. Firing too quickly to properly sight, he hit the tree above the mortar handler. Both men began scanning the area for him. His breathing was too ragged from running to sight properly. Standing with his back against the tree he concentrated on his breathing, calming himself. He heard another round leave the tube that unmistakable hollow boom as it launches to its intended target. Watching in horror as it struck the box truck, sending splinters of shrapnel into the air.
Bringing the gun to bear, he took aim. Holding his breath, he fired once dropping the man firing the mortars. Quickly lining up his sights on the radio man and ending the barrage raining down on the farm. He signaled for Jeremy who came over the walkie. “Found a spotter on the far side. He won’t be spotting anything anymore. Over.”
“I’ve got about fifteen mortars and a mortar launcher I could use a little help carrying down the hill. Over.”
“On my way. Over.”
The two gathered the mortars, along with the radio, another set of binoculars and a number of other items from the men and hauled it all down to the farm.
Jeremy had radioed all clear before going to help Rich. They were emerging from the cover of the woods to assess the damages. The barn took a hit in the corner where they’d set up sl
eeping tents and the box truck was a total loss. Dez had watched the picnic table shatter into splinters and the child play area was decimated. They’d lost some ducks and another goat, but the chicken coop was spared.
The men weren’t targeting buildings but the people which was curious to Dez. Walking over to Sam she questioned this. “If they wanted to destroy us, why not hit the buildings? There are the two new cabins nearly finished that were not hit at all. And look the largest target of all was barely damaged, except for some pieces of the box truck embedded into the siding and the back corner over there.”
Walking around without a word Sam surveyed the farm. Turning back to her he exclaimed. “These were not the thugs sent from them camps. They want the farm. Look over here.” He pointed to the garden they’d been tilling up and preparing for spring crops. “It’s untouched, same with the chicken coop and outhouse. We need to prepare. NOW! More will be coming.”
Reaching for the radio Dez handed it to him. “Rich, Jeremy you still on the ridge? Over.”
Rich came back. “Affirmative. Over.”
“Check the back side, something’s not right. Over.”
Jeremy came over the radio. “I agree something is off. None of these guys have the tattoo. This is something else. We do have a couple of their radios. Over.”
“Quick check then get here pronto. Over.”
“Roger that.”
Peering back over the ridge to the clearing a single pickup stood with the same guy barking orders into a radio. Nothing was coming across the ones they had though. “Each group must have its own frequency.” Rich said as he peered through the binoculars.
The radio came to life. “Mortars, Report.”
They just looked at it, again the voice came over. “Mortars, Report.” Trailing off they heard him say, “Ok, next phase. Mortars are gone.”
Rich looked at Jeremy, blinking as his eyes shifted from side to side. “That voice… I’ve heard it before. I can’t place it, but I know I’ve heard it. We need to get back down and talk to the others. Something is clearly not right here.” Putting his fist to his head and shaking it he continued. “Dammit, who the hell…” He stopped short, eyes wide. “Let’s go!”
The two made their way back down the hill with the bounty. Rich was practically running. Jeremy panted, “Slow down, or we’re gonna roll down the hill.”
“I need to get to Dez and Rita. I think I know who this is.”
“Who?”
“C’mon, let’s just get there.”
Dez and Tawny brought the kids to where their play area sat and accounted for them all. Tawny walked over to Dez head shaking and raised eyebrows. “Thank God they weren’t having school today.”
“I know I was thinking the same. Do we know if everyone else is ok?”
“Not yet, but I’ll go find out.”
Dez nodded to her and sat on a rock with Ariel and Matty while the other kids wandered around picking up pieces of the box truck and discussing it back and forth. Parents came to check on their children but left them with Dez to go take care of the needs of the injured and the farm.
She sat stoic taking in the scene. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel, but more that it felt unreal. Speaking to no one she got up and walked to where the picnic table once sat. “We’re in over our heads.” Squatting with her head in her hands she cried.
Matty remained on the rock holding onto Ariel who cried although she didn’t know why. She cried because Mimi cried, and it made her sad.
Ryan arrived taking in the scene, he looked at Matty and tousled his hair nodding to him. He walked over and tapped Dez on the shoulder. She raised her head and looked at him with tears streaking the dirt on her face. Squatting beside her he touched her cheek wiping the tears away. She sat blankly looking at him as he gently wiped her face. “What’s this?”
The tears began again as she looked at him. No words only the tears rolling down her cheeks. He reached down and lifted her to her feet, steadying her in his arms. He spoke softly. “It’s alright, no one was seriously hurt.” Motioning to Matty to follow and bring Ariel he walked her to the barn.
Most of the damage was to the outside of the barn, inside there was little indication as to the hit. Other than some light coming through and some dust it was structurally sound. Jeremy and Connor were already gathering the wood to fix it. While Janice was cleaning up what little debris that was inside.
Ryan sat Dez on the sofa as he headed to the kitchen to get her something to drink. Janice came over and waved him off. He already knew better than to get into her kitchen. A few moments later she returned with two glasses bearing an amber liquid. He looked at her as though asking and she simply nodded. He took them and offered one to Dez who just looked away. Shrugging at Janice he was at loss for what to do, he just wasn’t good at this girl stuff.
Janice walked over and took the glass from him shoving it at Dez. She looked up at her as she stood over her as a mother would to a child whom had just been caught misbehaving. Janice nodded her head at her. “Drink up girl, you’re gonna need it!”
Dez took a big gulp and choked a little sputtering. “What the hell Janice? I thought it was mead, where did you get amaretto?”
Grinning at her she said, “I made it. Well… Tawny and I made it.”
Swallowing the rest, she handed the glass back and nodded for another. Wiping her mouth, she made a half smile. “I should’ve known.”
Ryan sat quietly sipping his own glass waiting for the ladies to finish talking. When Janice walked back for more he asked, “feeling better?”
Dez looked down, “I feel so defeated, I’ve felt this way for a few days now. Everyone looks to me to know the answers and I don’t have them. Sometimes I have no idea what to do.”
Ryan nodded, “I know, I feel like that too sometimes. I didn’t ask to lead the militia but somehow I was thrust into the spot and all I can do is hope I don’t screw it up.”
She looked down tears welling up in her eyes. Swiping at her face she tried to stifle them. “How can I protect them from that?”
“You don’t need to protect them, just lead them.” Reaching out and touching her hand, he held it. He loved her. This he knew but would never tell her. She had too much now to deal with, he just wanted to be by her side.
Janice arrived with the second glass and handed it to her. She quickly pulled her hand from under his and took the glass. Janice glanced at Ryan and winked as she turned and left to return to clean up the debris.
They sat and talked about their next move while sipping their drinks. Standing by the table, they’d gotten a map out and began to assess the area. Ryan pulled out the radio calling for Jeremy and Sam to come and locate the areas where they were firing from. The map was all of eastern Kentucky. Placing red X’s on the known areas of camps, with circles for other opposition like the gangs and rogue militia, using orange for resources held by these. Known allies were blue while the big farms were labeled green. Still an ally but also a resource, other resources were green, and towns held by the constitutional militias were purple.
Quickly they began to piece together the sector. The farm sat directly in the middle of a rich coal vein and was a large working farm and was therefore classified a resource which would be given priority protection. As Sam and Jeremy began to add marks to the map others filtered in from around the farm.
Some had a few cuts and bruises, but amazingly no one was seriously hurt. John walked in with Amy who went to sit next to Dez asking her. “Are you ok?”
Dez nodded that she was. “You?”
Amy reached over and hugged her. “Everyone is fine.”
“Thank God!”
Each person was asked if they had any information to add to the map and Aaron recalled amazing amounts of information about the area. He’d been stuck doing the patrols for nearly two months and had seen much of the area’s resources, strengths and weaknesses.
When they were finished Ryan asked Dez to come to town the next day
with Aaron, so they could work on the area information with some of the others in the area. She agreed and began to head outside.
“Oh, and can I keep this map?”
She laughed and opened the drawer of the sofa table where a handful more of the same map sat.
“Where did you get all these.”
She looked at him furrowing her brow, “Have you never been to a rest area?” He raised his eyebrows in shock. “I have maps for most of the surrounding states as well. Need any?”
He smiled at her shaking his head side to side and half laughing. “Yes, that would be great.”
She went to the trunk behind the sofa and opened it where there were dozens of maps for each state. Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina. Looking up from the piles he grinned. “Is there any you don’t have?”
“Yea, California…Didn’t figure we’d need it that far.” Shuffling though the pile as she spoke. "There’s one in here for Alaska though.”
“You collected these from rest areas?”
“Yep.” She grinned at him. “I’m all about the freebies.”
“I had no idea.”
“Not all of them have them. Seemed like I often found them at the welcome center ones.”
“We need to pass this information to the other militias. I’m sure some people know but I’d bet most don’t.”
“With GPS people quit using maps. They just sat there collecting dust. I always wondered… What if GPS doesn’t work and made sure the kids collected them too.”
“You are full of surprises, I’ll give you that.”
Dez just smiled and continued out the door. Grabbing another glass of the amber liquid on the way. Outside it was sunny and she felt renewed. The events over the past few weeks had become overwhelming in that so much of what she’d thought about things turned out to be wrong. She knew Matt wanted money but had no idea about Morgan or the depths he would go to. Having been shot she was still not fully recovered. She’d had no clue about the camps or that George would go so far as to attack them. She sat on the rock across from the barn thinking about the world around her.