Defending Home

by Jeffrey Miller

  Nate knew the Father was right. He saw it firsthand. The man who tried to take Audrey at the rear of the cabin was the same man he stabbed. If they did take him back, she would see a constant reminder of the past weeks. Yet, he didn’t deserve to die because of the protection he gave her. The Father’s words seemed to get through to Nate.

  “He has a point, Nate. I don’t want Audrey to have to see him all the time. He is feeling conflicted about what he did and what he came here to do in our nation,” Kyle said.

  “You have my word, you will never see me again…as God is my witness,” Mikhail stated.

  Nate thought about everything that was said. It was true that maybe people would not want to see the Father around. Maybe the constant sight of him would lead to bad feelings. However, it wasn’t up to him to basically banish a man; let alone leave a man of God to the wilderness without protection. He was in the military, but he wasn’t a true soldier. He carried no weapon aside from a knife.

  “No, your punishment should be to face the very people you are accused of hurting. Listen…I know you personally didn’t hurt Audrey, and I don’t think she holds you responsible for the actions of a few of your men. I got that impression from her already. I think you might find she is more grateful and has more sympathy than you might imagine. Perhaps someday when society is back to the way it was, you can deal with the other aspects of getting back home to your people. For now…Kyle, I think we need to take him back,” Nate recommended.

  Kyle nodded in agreement.

  “First, I think we might need to bury these men. Also, we need to go out to their camp and secure any weapons and ammo that might be there,” Nate said.

  “Well, we don’t have a shovel, so I guess the men can stay where they are; but you may say some words over each of them if you wish, Father…I mean Mikhail,” Nate said realizing if he had an issue with Mikhail calling him son, then maybe he shouldn’t refer to him as Father.

  “Thank you for letting me do that,” he replied. After about thirty minutes, the Father made his way to each of the soldier, still with his hands tied. Nate gathered up each of the rifles and packed away as many of the grenades as possible. The amount of ammo was staggering. They would have outlasted him. He needed a pack mule to get everything back. Then Nate remembered the ATV Mikhail used.

  “How well does that ATV work at the ranger station? What about fuel?” Nate asked.

  Mikhail realized what Nate wanted the ATV for and spoke. “It would work, but its power isn’t so good on steep hills,” he replied.

  “Well, let’s go take a look at what is at the camp and we can decide from there,” Kyle suggested.

  Nate stacked up all the rifles into one circle at the trail edge so they wouldn’t have to carry them for now. If everything worked, they would be using a four-wheeler to get back with the extra gear. They started back to the area where the Russians had camped. After a short while, they walked across the open snowy field. No one was in sight; it seemed that everyone had left earlier in pursuit. When they crossed the field, the smell was overbearing. There were several of what appeared to be crap holes in the ground where the men had tried to make primitive latrines. The cold weather froze most of it.

  The tents were torn down, and all the nasty clothing and uniforms were placed in a large pile and set on fire. Nate went through the cabin, not finding much of anything but a small single bed with several candles around a small table. On the floor he saw a small pallet which he assumed was where Audrey had slept. The front door was secured well with added on wood crossbeams. Nate wasn’t sure if this was to keep animals out or the men.

  Kyle was looking over the ATV while keeping an eye on the Father who sat on a log near the bonfire that burned away most of the evidence of his party. There was a small shed built into the side of the cabin that they hadn’t seen before. It wasn’t very large; more like a tool shed. Kyle smacked away at the small lock that was on it. He found it strange that the men hadn’t removed it themselves, but there it was. With one good hit, the lock falls down to the ground. Inside, Kyle could see to the other side a small gash in the wood. They must have seen what was inside and decided it wasn’t worth opening.

  A small trailer was inside that could be attached to the ATV. It was loaded with a few pieces of firewood, and yard tools of various types. That was all. Kyle pulled the trailer by hand until it rolled clear of the shed. One tire was nearly flat, but it might make it…even with all the weapons.

  Nate came out to see Kyle bent over the trailer removing the wood and tools.

  “Hey, that will work. Where was that?” Nate asked, walking up to it.

  Kyle pointed to the end of the cabin where the tree overhung the end. The shadow had made the door to the small shed hard to see from a distance.

  “That tire might give us an issue, but it’s our only good option,” Kyle replied.

  Suddenly, Nate heard a noise. It was the sound of two ATVs coming. He looked up, and from the valley entrance where they came they could see Henry and Ray driving out to them at full speed on the two ATVs they had brought. Within seconds, they cleared the field with guns drawn but not aimed.

  Henry jumped off and ran up to Nate, hugging him. Ray climbed off his ATV and extended his hand to his son. Then the two hugged as well.

  “Damn son, you sure made a mess of things back there. We just followed your tracks,” Henry said. He looked over Nate’s shoulders to see an unfamiliar face sitting near the bonfire.

  “Nate, is that a prisoner?” Henry asked with a raised eyebrow.

  Nate looked over at Mikhail. “Yes, he is also the one who kept Audrey alive. His name is Mikhail; he is a Chaplain. He gave himself up at the firefight; he didn’t have a weapon on or near him,” Nate replied within earshot of Ray and Kyle.

  “So, you spared his life. What now?” Ray asked, but not in the typical tone he usually exhibited. He seemed more concerned this time.

  “We gave it much thought. He must come back and face his peers, and someday face our government for being part of an invasion force. But we all know what happens to the average soldier in that instance; he will be traded in for one of our own and sent back to his land. If he had taken arms against us today he wouldn’t be alive. If he had harmed Audrey he wouldn’t be sitting here either. He chose to do no harm after being told he had to come here,” Nate replied.

  “Well, perhaps he deserves a chance,” Henry said.

  Nate looked at his father. Who kidnapped Henry, and who is this man? Nate laughed to himself. The old Henry would have strung the Father up on the nearest tree already.

  “Let’s get all this loaded and get back home, dad, “Kyle said.

  Nate and Henry walked over to Mikhail who seemed lost in meditation.

  “Mikhail, this is my father.”

  Mikhail stood and spoke. “I would shake your hand, but they are still tied,” he replied.

  Henry was impressed with the man’s English. “That will stay like that for some time. So, where did you learn English?” Henry asked.

  “New York. I lived in New York as a child. My parents were both working with the United Nations and I was in different schools there.”

  Nate hadn’t thought to ask Mikhail that question himself.

  “Did you ever think you would be forced to invade this nation you once lived in?” Henry asked Mikhail as he watched Kyle load up the last of the weapons and a few ammo cases into the ATV. The ranger station had several number ten cans of beans that were new and unopened sitting in a dark corner.

  “No sir; I did not. Your son has shown great restraint. You should be proud of him,” Mikhail said.

  Henry laughed. “I am always proud of my son.”

  “You are lucky, Padre; you get to see another day. If I had been here, that may not have occurred. I come from a different line of thinking from the ‘60s. I’m sure you know what I used to think about the Russians?” Henry said as he walked away.

  It was then that Mikhail realized just how c
lose he had come to meeting his Holy Father.

  The ride back to Dillon’s cabin was not an easy one going down the mountains, but eventually they drew closer. Nate shared an ATV with his father. Kyle drove the Father back, while Ray used the other with the trailer that belonged to the Russians. Dillon was sitting outside when he could hear the ATVs coming back down the long trail. As they drew closer, everyone inside the cabin came out; including a much better-looking Audrey. She had gotten some much-needed sleep and had drank a lot of water. The color was even coming back to her skin.

  When they pulled up, Nate watched as Audrey saw the face of Mikhail on the ATV with Kyle. Her response would set the tone for everything going forward. At first, Nate thought she was stunned; but then realized she hadn’t seen him yet because his face was buried. He had fallen asleep. Kyle nudged him awake. When his head popped up, she could see him for the first time.

  “Oh my God…you’re alive?” she said, covering her face with tears. Then she removed her hands to reveal a smile.

  “He kept me alive, dad…when the others wanted nothing but pleasure,” she said.

  Nate got off the vehicle and watched as Kyle helped the still hand tied Father off the rear of the ATV.

  Dillon walked over to him. “I have mixed emotions about you. If you try anything, it will not be a good day for you,” Dillon said under his breath.

  “I wasn’t a threat then, why would I be one now, son?” Mikhail said softly.

  Dillon thought about what the Father said. He was right, but it was going to be hard for everyone to just act like he wasn’t a part of the problem. Only time and actions on his part would make everyone believe that he was not a threat.

  “Listen…as much as we would love to stick around, my father and I have to get back. If we leave soon, we can make it back by sundown,” Nate said.

  Becky approached Nate and Henry. “You two are always welcome here for as long as we are here. Someday we hope to make it back to North Dakota,” she commented.

  Henry looked at Nate, then back to Becky. “Becky, that’s where my other two kids and grandkids are right now, or at least we believe them to be,” Henry said.

  “Where are they?” Becky asked.

  Henry thought for a moment, trying to recall the name of the area.

  “Wasn’t it Steele?” Nate asked Henry.

  Henry smiled. “Yes, that’s it,” Henry replied.

  “We live in Linton; not too far from there,” she replied. “It’s a small world,” she added.

  It was going to be up to Dillon and Kyle now to deal with the Father. Nate even asked if they wanted him to take the Father back with them and see about taking him into Sheridan to any law enforcement that might still be active, but he knew they would decline. In many ways, Dillon felt a debt to the Father for keeping his daughter alive. The Dillon camp felt a great connection now to Nate and Henry, and they owed them so much. With all the ammo and the leadership Kyle exhibited, they would be able to better defend themselves now.

  Kyle walked over to Nate with a small crate of the Russian ammo. It would go well with the AK-47s they now had. Nate in return, handed Kyle the Russian sniper rifle he used. Nate saw the case of ammo on the back of the older ATV they had brought from the ranger station. It would last him a long time.

  “It’s been a pleasure, Nate; don’t be a stranger,” Kyle said, extending his hand. Kyle then turned to Henry handing him back his rifle.

  “Thank you, Sir; it worked superbly.” They shook hands also.

  Nate walked over to Dillon and Ray who were unloading the gear. Nate shook their hands.

  “Nate, thank you for what you did. After what we did to you, we don’t deserve the kindness you have shown us,” Dillon said.

  Nate knew he was still having issues with how they met.

  “Listen Dillon, these are different times. We all have done things that we will question. You were acting on many things and emotions that day. I can’t fault you for that. I would have done the same,” Nate explained.

  “You and your family are welcome to come by anytime; especially your boy, Ben. Tell him I am sorry again,” Dillon said.

  “Dillon, it was Ben’s idea and insistence that we find your daughter. That’s just how he is,” Nate said as he walked away.

  The trip back seemed to take hours. Both Nate and Henry were very exhausted. Finally, they arrived at the edge of the property. They had told everyone they would beep the horns at the same time to indicate when they were back so not to alarm anyone too much. They laid on the horns, then took off for the homes. Suddenly, they could see Samson and Ben leading the way running, toward them. Soon after his mom, followed by Sammie and her family, came from around the corner. It was nearly sundown. Nate was very happy to see them all. He had not imagined earlier that he would make it out alive from the situation he gotten into. He already decided not to reveal anything to anyone…even his father. Having come so close to the end made Nate realize just how lucky he had been many times since the collapse. He shouldn’t have been alive; but by some good fortune, the good Lord saw fit to protect him. He needed to take time now and relax with those who loved him.

  Chapter 9

  A Good Time

  The next day Nate slept. He didn’t wake up until he smelled coffee. It was late for him; nearly 9:00 a.m. It was so quiet in the home. He didn’t hear a sound; just smelled fresh coffee. He slowly picked himself up out of bed. He was sore, and wasn’t sure why. Then he recalled crawling across the very cold and rough ground. However, he was lucky that he wasn’t one of the bodies that were still lying there frozen to the earth. He would handle the soreness just fine.

  In the bathroom, he looked at his body without his shirt. He had red marks and bruises. He also had old scars; one that barely missed an artery in his arm when he was on his way to Fritch. He wondered if the coyotes had taken care of that bad guy’s body. He rubbed his sore muscles and reached for the small gallon of cold water that sat near the sink. He poured half on his head and used a small dab of shampoo to wash his hair. He used the other half to rinse his head off. It was cold; but it felt so good at the same time. He then heard a sound in the bedroom.

  “I will be out in a moment, Ben.”

  Nate turned and reached for the towel with his eyes still with water in them. He covered his face, wiping away the water. As he opened his eyes, to his surprise he saw Sammie standing in front of him gazing at his body. Fortunately, Nate always wore shorts.

  “Sammie?”

  “Expecting someone else?” she replied, moving closer to him. Nate listened, but didn’t hear anyone. She moved closer, raising her hands up to feel his chest.

  “Sammie, not here,” he said, holding her hands. He wanted to draw her in to him. He wanted to take her and kiss her. But where was everyone?

  “Everyone except you is outside at the picnic tables. We are smoking some elk. I was asked to come wake you,” she said slowly moving up to him; closer now, with her breath on his lips. Nate couldn’t wait any longer. He moved in on her, kissing her. They didn’t part for nearly three minutes. When they did, Sammie was short of breath and seemed in a daze. So was Nate.

  If this was living life, then he had missed a lot.

  “Tell them I will be out soon and save me a spot next to you at the table,” Nate said, ushering her out the bedroom door before anyone became suspicious. Nate felt like a teenager all over again. Here he was pushing forty, and he was worried about getting caught kissing a girl in his bedroom. The thought made him laugh out loud as he finished getting dressed. Then he wondered, why are they smoking an elk during the winter? He looked outside, and all the snow had nearly melted. A warm front must have taken hold on the area. He opened the bathroom window and could feel it was much warmer outside. Right then, Nate really missed having a cold beer occasionally. He was aching to relax. His body needed the down time.

  Outside, Nate found everyone sitting around talking. The smoker was doing its job. Nearby was a small charcoal
grill that was going with what looked like hotdogs on it. There were no buns, no ketchup, and no chips, but that didn’t matter. The hotdogs smelled great.

  Gene saw Nate first. “Nate, come over here. We have some good news to tell you,” Gene said.

  Nate walked toward him.

  Sammie got up to join Nate by her father’s side.

  “Nate, so glad you are back. Yesterday, I got great news across the radio.” Gene begun to tell Nate about the news. Sammie had not mentioned it yet. She wanted her father to be the one to tell him since he was the one to discover it.

  “News?” Nate asked.

  Gene smiled big. “Yes, it appears most of the Midwest and the western states will have power in six weeks to six months,” he stated. Nate couldn’t believe his ears. He really expected things to remain the same for years.

  “Most of the larger cities that burned themselves down will not, nor the east coast for years to come,” Gene added.

  Nate stepped away. He was elated; but in shock. It was a start at least.

  “So, who said all of this?” Nate asked.

  Sammie moved closer, holding his hand. He put his arm around her.

  Gene smiled at the sight. “It came through on the Ham radio on the emergency broadcasting systems. It also now being reported live daily on regular radios across the nation. They have power up at stations and even reports of some cell towers up and running.

  Cell towers. Could it all be true? He hadn’t even thought about a cell phone since the day he contacted his mom on his way home, only to lose her voice in the bad reception.

  “This is unbelievable. I mean it’s great!” Nate said.

  Gene walked over to a bag on the table. He removed from it, a CCrane radio; one of the best money could buy. He turned it on and right away Nate heard the voice of a government official stating everything Gene had just mentioned. Then the radio station started playing top forty music from a year earlier.

  It was all music to Nate’s ears.

  The day was perfect; perfect weather, and perfect sounds emanating from the radio. Nate had his own family with the thoughts of adding more, but he had two families now in reality; Gene and his family had already become his long ago. Just the day before…everything was crazy compared to him being back at his new home now. Nate took a moment to thank God for delivering him all the times from danger, only to be now in this tranquil place.