Torn Apart (Book 2): Dead Texas Roads

by Hoaks, C. A.

  Della walked out of the cabin. “Steve’s sleeping, but it looks like his legs are infected. He needs antibiotics.”

  “One thing at a time, girlie,” Millie answered. “We make snares, then I’ll be seeing to the man’s need.”

  Millie directed Zack to cut the cable into six six-foot lengths. With her guidance, Zack created a one-way locking mechanism on an adjustable loop. He held up the first snare for Millie’s inspection.

  She reached out with her hand. “Just a brush against the wire will slide the loop tight” Sliding her hand into the loop, she pulled back brushing the wire, and it snapped around her thin wrists. “They’ll be caught fast.”

  She pulled the loop open and extracted her hand. She left Zack to make four more traps while she got to her feet and shuffled back into the cabin. She pressed her fingers to the side of Steve’s face, then looked at Della with a frown. “He’s got a fever. I’ll be looking for some willow when we go out with Zack. But unless we find a honey tree, that’s all I can do for him.”

  “Better than nothing, I guess,” Della answered.

  Millie walked back out to find Zack finishing the last of the trap making while she was gone. She guided him through making an anchor loop on a swivel on the opposite ends of each cable.

  “Now, they’re all done,” Millie announced. “We go to the woods.”

  “Can I go Granny?” Penny asked.

  Millie looked at Darlene, then nodded. “If your mama will watch from the porch, you can come as far as the garden. When we get there, you gotta go back to the cabin.”

  “Yes, mam.” Penny nodded.

  Millie filled plastic bottles with clear fresh water. She opened cabinet doors until she found a small jar with a lid and dropped it in a burlap sack she had fashioned into a shoulder bag.

  Steve stirred in the bunk. He reached for his prosthetics when he saw the gathering of supplies being readied to go into the woods.

  Millie raised her hand. “Not you. Someone has to protect the child and mother.” After a look around, she continued, “Della will take that pistol and a knife if you don’t mind.”

  Darlene stepped up to Millie and whispered, “He’s not doing well.”

  “Give him that cup of broth I set near the stove. Take the warm water and clean his sores and bandage them with that ointment Della has. If we find a willow, I’ll bring some back for his fever.”

  “No problem. I’ll do it as soon as Penny gets back,” Darlene answered.

  Millie led Penny, Della, and Zack to the edge of the clearing. There, she pointed Penny back to the cabin. When the child was back in the arms of her mother and waving from the porch, she led Della and Zack into the woods.

  Thanks to the townspeople in Utopia Della and Zack had changed from her filthy scrubs to jeans, a t-shirt, and jogging shoes. Neither looked like woodsmen, but Millie was determined to pass along what she knew. As they walked, she pointed to plants. She described the ones that were toxic and which ones they could eat. She passed a willow tree and pulled handfuls of the young tender branches and stuffed them into her burlap bag.

  Millie described how game trails could be used for trapping and how to spot them. She pointed at droppings and the differences between a raccoon and what a squirrel left behind. She spoke quietly but used each example to convey information.

  “Now dat, is from a deer” Millie explained as she pointed to droppings. Millie walked deeper into the woods studying the ground as she went. “I showed yah what to look for, but you have to go deeper into the woods to set the traps. I’m just about tuckered out.” She pointed to the ground. “This is a pretty busy game trail. Look for a choke point, a place where the trail narrows. That’s where you put the snare.” She spent the next ten minutes showing how to place the trap. “We have to decide what size animal you trying to catch. This may not be easy since different critters can use the same trail. The animal needs to stick his head through the loop. For now, let’s just say closer to the ground.”

  Both Della and Zack nodded with each bit of information.

  Finally, Della announced, “I think we got it.”

  Millie stood, with the aid of Zack’s help. “Use that hatchet to mark a trail, so you don’t get lost and can find your trap. Don’t go more than a few miles out. You got five more snares. Don’t put them too close. A struggling critter will warn off other animals.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Zack answered.

  “Don’t get lost. Stay together and mark the trees like I showed you.” She sighed, with a puzzled look on her wrinkled face. “Go a ways south, then west and then back north. Use that compass on the knife, and you’ll end up back on the road,” Millie ordered.

  Della smiled. “We’ll be fine.”

  Millie sighed. “I wish I could go with you, but my legs won’t make it, and I need to get willow back to the cabin. Be quiet, and you won’t scare off the game.”

  Della and Zack watched the old woman hobbled back the way they had come. She placed her feet carefully on the path as she shuffled back toward the cabin. She had seemed so tireless since arriving at the cabin. Now it seemed less so.

  Watching her walk away Della realized Millie was desperate to share as much information as possible. She provided answers and was determined to do whatever she could to help extend their stay. Millie’s knowledge of foraging and trapping would enable them to stay for quite a while. If their trapping efforts were successful, they could give Steve time to heal.

  “Well, are we doing this?” Zack grinned. “Can you even believe we’re doing this?”

  Della smiled. “Not really. Lead out trailblazer.”

  Della reached into the bag slung over her shoulder to verify the handgun was still there while Zack clutched the hatchet in his hand. He marked the tree, as Millie had directed, then confirmed the direction with the compass.

  They walked deeper into the woods, following the game trail trying to avoid briars and brush, so when the trail turned, they turned. When the trail forked, they kept to the right fork. They set each of the five additional snare traps.

  “Well, how do you think we’re doing?” Zack asked.

  “I’m pretty sure we’re doing it right. Now if we can just follow the same trail to recover the game. That is if we catch something.” Della chuckled.

  In the end, they found themselves near the base of the narrow road leading up to the cabin when they came out of the woods. Both Della and Zack were sweaty and dirty from their trek through the woods when they got back to the cabin. It was nearly five in the afternoon when Della walked inside the cabin.

  Steve asked from the bunk, “Enjoy your walk?”

  “Long and hot,” Della answered as she wiped at the perspiration on the side of her face. She settled on a chair at the table.

  Steve raised himself on his elbow and asked, “See any signs of other people?”

  “There’s a good sized watering hole that is fed by a small stream. It looks clean. We saw fish.”

  Zack stomped up the steps and appeared at the cabin door. He went to the sink and began pumping the handle. A moment later, water began to flow clear and fresh. He stuck his head under the stream and wiped at the dirt and dust clinging to his face and neck. “It’s hot as hell out there. Not much of a breeze in the woods.”

  Millie pulled his hand from the pump handle and pumped it slow and steady. Zack scrubbed at his face with both hands, then pulled the shirt over his head and stuck it under the water. He wrung it out, and wiped at his face and neck, then draped it around his neck.

  When Zack stepped back from the sink, he carried two large mason jars of water. He handed one to Della and settled on a chair.

  Millie gave Della a damp towel.

  She nodded at the old woman. “Well, that was an adventure.”

  “Gal, did you two do a good job?” Millie asked seriously.

  Zack wiped his face and hands. “Yes, mam. We did just like you showed us. How long before we know?”

  “Trapping ain’t
knowing until you follow the trail and check your traps, first thing in the morning. You be hoping for night critters.”

  “We gotta get up early, and go back?” Zack asked.

  “If we’re planning on eating what we trap, we might want it fresh,” Millie answered.

  “This isn’t such a bad place to be.” Darlene walked into the cabin to join the small gathering with Penny at hand. “Maybe we should stay here until the government gets the infected under control.”

  “Maybe,” Steve fell back against the pillow and answered. “For a while.” He closed his eyes.

  Chapter 35

  No Replacement

  Harry stepped through the shattered front window of the camper sales offices. Glass crunched underfoot. He could hear excited whispers at the back of the building. He glanced at the teller’s window and saw the infected man was no longer trapped behind the glass.

  “Shit!” Harry whispered. “John?”

  “Back here. We got a problem. Come on back,” John answered.

  Harry followed the sound of John’s voice into the dark recesses of the dealership building. When he got to the break room, he saw John standing over two men. One was the infected man from the teller’s booth. The other was a stranger still moaning and writhing in pain from a nasty bite on his leg. Squatting next to the dying man were two children. The man and both kids were malnourished and covered in grime. The taller of the two soon-to-be orphans looked to be a boy around thirteen, while the younger was preteen but too dirty to tell if it was a girl or boy.

  “What the fuck is going on, here?” Harry demanded.

  “This guy and his two kids came in looking for food. When they didn’t find anything, they tried to get the stuff in the booth. I got here in time to kill the infected guy, but not before he took a chunk outta the guy there,” John answered.

  “Fuck!” Harry cursed.

  The man on the floor pushed himself up to his knees and waved his children behind him. He looked at both John and Harry with panic mirrored on his face. “Please, don’t hurt my kids.”

  “We have no intentions of hurting your kids. What are you folks doing in here?” Harry asked.

  “Looking for food. What do you think asshole?” The boy answered with a snarl.

  The man grabbed his son’s shoulder. “Hush son. Ain’t these people’s fault I got bit. It was mine.” He looked to Harry. “I’m Ben Green; this is my kids, Cody and Trace.”

  “I’m Harry Walters, and this ugly old coot is John Tilman. I wish I could say it was nice meeting you, but like this. Well….”

  “I know what’s gonna happen,” Ben answered. “Please. You gotta take my kids and get them outta here. We’ve been running from a gang that found us a couple days ago. If they come here, they’ll kill all of us.”

  “Then we move out,” Harry responded.

  “Take my kids,” Ben pleaded. “Please. Just leave me and take my kids. You’ve gotta hurry.”

  “We’ll go, but we’re taking all of you. Come on John.” Harry stepped to Ben’s side and pulled a rag from his pocket. He wrapped it around the ragged wound then grabbed under Ben’s arm. John followed suit. “Let’s move out.”

  Ben tried to pull away, but Harry and John only pulled him forward.

  “I’m gonna turn,” Ben protested.

  Harry whispered to him, “Might be, but I won’t have your kids fighting us to stay with you. We need to move out and be quiet about it.”

  Ben relented and allowed himself to be carried through the hall toward the side door. They stepped out into the dawning light to the sound of motors in the distance.

  Harry turned around and called back when the kids hesitated, “Let’s go, you two. We have to get outta here.”

  Ben called back, “Listen to what they say.”

  Both Cody and Trace jogged after them. The sound of the vehicles approaching grew louder.

  “It’s the gang! They’re coming!” Ben warned. “Leave me. Run!”

  Harry waved his free arm overhead, and suddenly the camper at the back of the lot roared to life. “Keep moving!”

  Liz cranked the engine and slammed the camper in gear at the sight of Harry’s wave. He and John were carrying a man while two children were following close behind. She pulled out of the parking space, turning toward the fence, slammed on the brakes, then slipped the gear shift into reverse. She stepped on the gas, and the camper began rolling backward toward Harry and John. She accelerated until the camper began weaving, then she slowed enough to guide the vehicle the last twenty feet.

  The two men pulled Ben to the side of the drive and called the kids to them. Liz stopped in front of the group, slammed the shift into drive. John jerked open the door. He let Harry step inside then pushed Ben and the kids in behind him.

  John leaned inside and ordered. “Hit the gas and go through the fence. Take the ditch at an angle. Head west down the road and half a mile and wait ten minutes. If I don’t make it by then, leave without me.”

  Liz opened her mouth to protest, but John scowled and she responded, “Got it. Don’t be late, old man!”

  John ran to a blue camper, climbed inside. He cranked the engine and revved the engine, waiting.

  Liz stepped on the gas and aimed the camper between the posts where the fence sagged. Harry dropped Ben at the table and pointed the kids toward the opposite side. He threw a towel at Ben. “Stop the bleeding, sit tight until we get outta this mess,” he growled.

  Harry flopped into the passenger seat next to Liz and belted in. He pointed toward the back of the property. “Ease up on the gas right before you hit the fence. It’ll knock the support from the top of the post. Angle to the left crossing the easement, and hopefully, there won’t be water in the ditch, and we get stuck. When you get up on the road, haul ass.”

  Liz hit the fence with the front bumper and the zip ties split. The front windshield frame hit the pipe at the top, and it was thrown to the side, while a crack raced across the glass. The front end of the camper dipped, then bounced up the incline to the asphalt. The back tilted and bucked, then bounced onto the roadway. Liz pushed her foot down on the accelerator as soon as it bounced from the ditch and glanced back at the parking lot just in time to see a small blue camper stop near the office then accelerate toward the fence.

  John opened both side windows and pulled the seat belt tight. He jammed his foot into the accelerator. The engine revved, and the machine roared as the camper raced toward the open fence. He waited until the very last moment, then spun the steering wheel hard to the left just as he got twenty feet from the open barrier.

  The blue camper skidded and tilted while John held the wheel. The top heavy vehicle hung at a forty-five-degree angle for a heartbeat, then faltered and tumbled to its side. The vehicle slid the last ten feet into the gaping hole in the fence.

  John’s ribs screamed with the trauma of the rollover. He struggled to fight the blackness that threatened to envelop him. Finally, the darkness faded, and he realized he was still held in place by the seatbelt. He groaned at the pain then turned off the engine and released the belt. He slid off the seat and fell to the window below. John struggled to his feet, pocketed the key and reached for the steering wheel. Grunting in pain, he twisted his body to reach toward the open window overhead.

  “That wasn’t such a good idea,” John mumbled to himself as he stepped on the console between the front seats and pulled himself up toward the window. When he got his hands on the window sill, he pulled himself up and through the opening. He looked back to the gate at the opposite end of the lot and saw the first vehicle, a massive truck with a cobbled-together grill across the front, slamming through the unchained gate.

  John climbed down the underside of the camper and fell into the dry ditch with a gasp of pain. He clutched at his ribs and crawled to the road where he got to his feet and hurried away from the camper.

  John heard the first gunshot and turned to see two men standing at the side of the fence with guns pointed in
his direction. They fired two more shots. Both bullets danced off the asphalt at his feet. He cursed and pushed himself into an awkward lope away from the overturned camper blocking the opening in the fence.

  He rounded the bend leaving the sound of cursing and screams of frustration behind.

  Chapter 36

  Witness the End

  At dusk, the trio of boats neared the air force base as rain pelted the plastic shrouds covering the survivors. The strengthening current pushed the boats downstream while mucky water splashed over the occupants from time to time. Brian slowed the trolling motor and waited for the other two boats to catch up. Leon and Juan each pulled up alongside, and the occupants reached out to hold the boats together. The roar of the rushing water muffled the sound of metal slapping against metal.

  Leon yelled, “It’s getting rough out here.”

  “The base is coming up,” Brian yelled back. “Stay close.”

  “Wish we had a bigger boat. The runoff is filling the bayou, and it’s getting rough out here,” Juan shouted. “A lot of debris is washing downstream.”

  Brian yelled back, “There’s an overpass ahead! Watch for infected from above and stay quiet.” The boats banged and rocked against each other, and Brian continued, “It’s going to be dark soon. Follow, but not too close!”

  Juan and Leon released the Jon boat between them, and Brian made a slight adjustment to guide the craft to the center of the fast running water. He glanced over his shoulder to verify the others followed, then focused on obstacles ahead. Willow trees hung over the banks into the raging flood. Ahead, an overpass loomed like a dark shadow against the assaulting rain and fading light.

  Brian ignored the huddled figure in the front of the boat. Dale had clutched the tarp over his head and around his shoulders and had not moved after Brian’s last berating. He sat motionless as the boat slipped through the rushing water.