Creeping Tyranny

by Robert Boren

  “Shut up,” she said. “Let’s get ready to go.”

  “Where are your roommates?” Seth asked as he stood to get dressed.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “They didn’t leave a message or anything, but most of the food is gone. Makes me mad. I bought some of it.”

  “They flew the coop because of the problems,” Seth said. “Maybe we should too.”

  “And where would we go?”

  “I don’t know,” Seth said. “My grandparent’s cabin, maybe.”

  “Up in the mountains?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Why not?”

  “I suppose your friends would come too,” she said.

  “Yeah, including Kaylee,” Seth said.

  “Well, that’s something, I guess. When are the rest of them going to get girlfriends?”

  “Angel has been going out with some chick, but he never brings her around,” Seth said.

  “Maybe that’s why he’s been losing weight.”

  “Yeah, maybe. Might just be baby fat falling off too.”

  “I doubt it,” she said. “He’s too old for that now.”

  “He’s a late-bloomer,” Seth said.

  “What about Trevor?” She shot him an eye-rolling glance. “Just kidding.”

  “Why do you hate him so much?” Seth asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “His condescending attitude. He thinks he’s smarter than everybody else.”

  “Yeah, he does have that a little,” Seth said.

  “A little?”

  “Okay, a lot,” Seth said.

  “Where’s this party tonight?”

  “Some guy who Matt knows has a house up above Rocketship Park.”

  “Well, at least the view will be nice,” she said. “Let’s get this over with.” She finished dressing and went to the front door, turning to Seth, who was behind her a few feet.

  “Come on,” she said. “Let’s get moving.” She opened the apartment door and walked out, not waiting for him.

  Seth started to get angry, but then focused on her beautiful form walking to the sidewalk, her shapely hips swaying. She was worth it most of the time. Almost.

  Chapter 7 – Frank and Jane Call

  Robbie moved his stuff up into the master bedroom.

  “What time are the others getting here?” Morgan asked.

  “Any time now,” he said. “You moving your stuff into that back bedroom?”

  “I dumped it in there,” she said. “Don’t know if I want to sleep downstairs, though.”

  “You don’t have to decide yet,” Robbie said. There was a knock on the door. He rushed out and looked over the balcony. Gil and Justin were downstairs, Justin holding the dog’s leash.

  “Be right down, guys,” he said, rushing for the stairs. He opened the door and Killer growled at him.

  “Friend,” Justin said. “Crouch and hold your hand out to him.”

  Robbie looked at his massive head, then glanced at Justin. “You sure?”

  “Yeah,” he said.

  Robbie crouched and stretched his hand out slowly, Killer stretching out, his hot breath hitting him. Then he licked Robbie’s hand and his tail started wagging. Robbie petted his head and Killer got closer, resting his head on Robbie’s knee.

  “He’s in love already,” Justin said, laughing. “This dog is such an attention whore once he knows you.”

  “Whose CRV?” Gil asked, walking in with his Winchester.

  “Morgan,” Robbie said. “My neighbor, remember?”

  “Oh, that cute blonde?” Justin asked.

  “Yeah,” Robbie said. “She was left all alone there, so I said she could come here.”

  “Well, it’ll improve the scenery quite a bit, dude,” Gil said. “She’s hot.”

  “It’s crazy out there,” Justin said. “We saw a lot of military around. They were pointing guns at looters, getting them lined up against buildings, and really knocking them around.”

  “National Guard?” Robbie asked.

  “I’m pretty sure,” Gil said. “Hope they’re an improvement. I sensed a lot of fear out there.”

  “I heard gunshots,” Justin said. “On the way back from my brother’s house. Automatic fire. Don’t think it was gang-bangers. I think it was military. I don’t like this one bit.”

  “Call your girlfriend down here,” Gil said, “so we can introduce the dog to her.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” Robbie said.

  “Not yet, anyway,” Justin said, smiling. Robbie rolled his eyes.

  “Be nice,” he said.

  “Always,” Justin said, smile on his face.

  “Morgan,” Robbie called out.

  “Coming,” she said, heading down the stairs. Killer growled.

  “It’s okay, boy,” Justin said.

  “Hi there,” Morgan said, flashing an embarrassed smile. “His name is really Killer?”

  “Yeah,” Justin said. “Squat down and hold your hand out.”

  Morgan did that. The dog took to her quicker than he did to Robbie, licking her hand as he wagged his tail vigorously.

  “He likes women more than men,” Justin said. “He’ll probably stick to you like glue. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “I think he’s great,” Morgan said as she petted his massive head. “He looks so strong.”

  “Morgan, this is Gil and Justin,” Robbie said. “Guys, this is Morgan.”

  “I’ve seen you back at the apartment, but we never met,” Gil said, reaching out to shake hands. “Glad to meet you. Welcome.”

  Justin came inside and took Killer off his leash, then reached out and shook hands with Morgan. “Good to meet you.”

  “Thanks, good to meet you guys too,” she said.

  “Hear anything from Steve?” Robbie asked.

  “Yeah, he’ll be along,” Gil said. “His uncle offered him a couple of guns. He’s swinging by there to pick them up.”

  “Good,” Robbie said. “Wish we had more ammo for your gun, Gil.”

  “Me too, believe me,” Gil said.

  “Morgan brought a handgun,” Robbie said.

  “What kind?” Gil asked.

  “It’s just a .38 special revolver,” she said, “and one box of ammo, but I’m a decent shot.”

  “Let’s go upstairs,” Robbie said.

  They went up and sat on the couches in the living room. Morgan was the center of attention. Killer got on the couch next to her and tried to sit on her lap.

  “Sorry, boy, you’re too heavy for that,” she said, pushing him off. He curled up next to her and set his head in her lap. “That’s better.” She stroked his head, his eyes turning back towards her face.

  “He’s in love,” Justin said.

  “Don’t blame him,” Gil said.

  She shot him an embarrassed smile.

  “Yeah, the view is definitely better in here,” Justin said. “Nice to have a woman around.”

  “Don’t bug her, guys,” Robbie said.

  She got up. “Maybe I’ll get some food going. I’m a good cook.”

  “Sure, go for it,” Robbie said.

  “There’s a lot of meat in the freezer downstairs,” she said. “I’ll go check it out.”

  Robbie nodded, and then his phone rang. He looked at the number and put it to his ear.

  “Mom?” he asked. “Thank God.”

  “Yes, honey, it’s me. We’re all right.”

  “Where are you guys?”

  “We can’t tell you on the phone. I’ll explain it to you later. We are north east of where you are. We’re in a safe place.”

  “All right, I understand, mom,” Robbie said.

  “We need to warn you about something…”

  There was a pause, and whispering.

  “Robbie, you’re at our house?” she asked.

  “Yes, Mom. I’m sorry,” Robbie said. “We had to leave the apartment.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m not upset that you’re there,” she said. “I’m relieved. Y
ou don’t know how worried I’ve been about you.”

  There was more hushed murmuring in the background.

  “Robbie, your father wants to talk to you,” she said. “Don’t worry, he’s glad you're there too.”

  “All right, mom.”

  “Hi, son,” his father said. “Are you safe?”

  “Hi, dad. Yeah, I think we're safer here. Some of my friends are with me. Hope that’s okay.”

  “I can see them on the video,” his dad said. “That’s fine. Do you trust all of them?”

  “Yes, of course, dad. You’ve met a couple of them.”

  “How many do you have there?”

  “Three,” Robbie said.

  “What’s been going on around there?”

  “Bad stuff. A gang attacked my apartment complex yesterday. I got out with Steve and Gil. We didn’t know where else to go, so we came over here.”

  “Anybody get hurt?”

  “No. Gil had his hunting rifle. The gang tried to stop us from driving off, but when he pointed the gun at them, they got out of the way.”

  “Good.”

  “There were some problems here, too. Some thugs attacked the front unit yesterday. Rick and Diane got away, but the gang ransacked the place. Then they tried to get into the middle unit. Nobody was home, but they couldn’t get the door open. We had our cars in the driveway blocking your unit. The way we parked, you can barely get past in the front. They tried to come around the back. I think one of them broke his shoulder trying to break in the back garage door. Nice job with that 4 X 4, by the way.”

  Robbie’s dad snickered. “Good, glad it held.”

  “There’s one bad thing. Rick and Diane were killed, on their way to the 405. The police came over this morning and told us about it. They were followed by one of the people who attacked them at the condo.”

  “No, really? God, sorry to hear that.”

  “I feel bad about it,” Robbie said, “not that we could do anything.”

  “Watch yourselves, in case they come back, son.”

  “I know. We’ll hang out here for a while, if that’s all right with you. My job is shut down for now.”

  “How many guns do you guys have?”

  “Gil has his 30-30 lever gun, but he’s only got about fifteen rounds of ammo.”

  “All right. Get a piece of paper and a pencil.”

  “Just a sec,” Robbie said. He put down the phone, and left for a moment, then came back into the living room. “OK, got it.”

  “Here’s the combo to the gun safe. It’s in the closet in the master, behind some clothes. Combo is left 35 right 12 left 8.”

  “Got it. What’s in there?”

  “Another 30-30 and about two hundred rounds of ammo, plus two Weatherby bolt action hunting rifles with scopes and about twenty rounds of ammo for each, a couple of hand guns, and a double barrel shot gun with about fifty shells. Not sure how much pistol ammo there is in there…I took a lot of it when we left.”

  “Thanks, dad. We’ll hang out and protect your place,” Robbie said.

  “I’m not worried about the condo. Protect yourself, son.”

  “Where are you guys? When are you coming home?”

  “We’re in another state to the east. We got out of California just before they got it locked down. I don’t know when we’re coming home. It may be a while.”

  “I wish I was out of here too. I’ve been hearing bad stories about the National Guard.”

  “Seen any tanks around town?”

  “I’ve seen them on the freeway, but they were all going south.”

  “All right, Robbie, you take care of yourself. I love you. I’ll give you back to mom.”

  “Love you too, dad,” Robbie said. He waited for his mom to get back on the line.

  “Robbie, there’s quite a bit of food in the deep freeze,” she said. “Use it.”

  “OK, mom. We’ll do that. We brought quite a bit of food with us too. We’re OK for a week or so just on that.”

  “All right, honey. Be careful. Avoid the soldiers if you can.”

  “I’ll try, mom. I love you.”

  “Love you too Robbie,” she said. “We’ll be in touch.”

  “Bye.” Robbie ended the call, wiping tears from his eyes.

  “That your mom?” Justin asked.

  “And my dad,” Robbie said.

  “What’s on the piece of paper?” Justin asked.

  Robbie smiled. “Combination to my dad’s gun safe.”

  “What’s in there?” Gil asked.

  “Lots,” Robbie said. “C’mon, let’s go open her up.” He got off the couch.

  “I hear a car,” Gil said. “Probably Steve.”

  Robbie rushed downstairs, opened the door and looked out. “Yeah, it’s Steve,” he said. The others rushed down. Morgan joined them from the garage, a flat of chicken breasts in her hands.

  “Hey, dudes,” Steve said, getting out with a duffel bag. He tossed it in front of the garage door and then went back to the car, taking out two rifle cases and a metal ammo box.

  “Military surplus box,” Gil said. “Those are nice.”

  “My uncle had a lot of ammo,” he said as he carried weapons inside. He went back out to get his duffel bag. Robbie closed the door after he came back in.

  “Morgan, Steve. Steve, Morgan.”

  “Wow, she’s cute,” Steve said.

  “Watch this guy,” Gil said. “He thinks he’s a player.”

  Robbie cracked up. Morgan got a shy smile on her face and shook hands. “Nice to meet you, Steve.”

  “He already knows Killer?” Robbie asked.

  “Yeah, met earlier today,” Justin said.

  “What guns did he give you?” Gil asked.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Two bolt-action guns. I don’t know anything about them. He says there’s a couple hundred rounds of ammo in this box.”

  “Good,” Gil said. “Let’s take them upstairs and have a look.”

  They all went up and gathered in the living room. Morgan went into the kitchen to defrost the chicken.

  “What are the sleeping arrangements now?” Justin whispered.

  “I offered the back bedroom to Morgan, but I don’t know if she wants to be downstairs or not.”

  “Where are you sleeping?” Gil asked.

  “I moved into the master,” he said. “but we can share that bathroom and shower.”

  “There’s a shower downstairs, too,” Gil said. “I’ll probably stay in the front bedroom, if that’s okay. There’s an air mattress in the closet, and enough room to set it up.”

  “Yeah, the back bedroom will sleep more than one, too, if Morgan wants company,” Steve said.

  “Geez,” Robbie said, shaking his head as Morgan poked her head into the room. “Sorry, Morgan.”

  She giggled. “Don’t worry about it. I can take care of myself. Trust me.”

  “Let’s look at these guns,” Gil said. He carried them to the dining room table and laid the cases out, then opened the first one and pulled out the gun.

  “This isn’t a rifle, it’s a shotgun,” Gil said. “Bolt-action sixteen gauge. Don’t see these very often.”

  “Is that good?” Steve asked.

  “I had a sixteen gauge at home,” Morgan said. “They kick a little less than a twelve gauge, but they hit almost as hard. Never saw a bolt-action model though. What kind is it?”

  Gil looked at the stamp. “Sears.”

  Robbie laughed. “Does it say Ted Williams on it?”

  Justin and Gil laughed. Steve and Morgan just stared at him.

  “Who’s Ted Williams?” Steve asked.

  “Spokesperson for Sears sporting goods in the 50s and 60s. Famous baseball player.”

  “Oh,” Steve said. “I hate baseball.”

  “What’s the other one?” Morgan asked.

  Gill opened the other case and took it out. “Whoa!”

  “What is it?”

  “Remington .270. This
is a nice gun.”

  “What’s a .270?” Steve asked.

  “It’s a necked-down 30-06,” Gil said. “Too bad we don’t have a scope for this. It’s deadly even out at 300 yards.”

  “Wow, really?” Steve asked. “What does necked-down mean?”

  “The brass casing is the same size as a 30-06,” Gil said. “But the neck that holds the bullet is smaller. The bullet is .22 caliber instead of .30 caliber.”

  “Why is that good?” Justin asked.

  “It makes the bullet fly faster for a longer distance,” Gil said. “This is a great sniper rifle. Remington is a great brand, too.”

  “Wow,” Steve said. “It worth much?”

  Gil looked at it. “It’s pretty much standard, so not a huge amount of money. It’s worth a lot more than the shotgun.”

  “What’s he got in the ammo box?” Robbie asked.

  “Let’s see,” Gil said. He pulled open the latch and flipped back the top.

  “Two boxes of shotgun shells and a whole lot of .270 ammo,” he said. “This is great. What about that gun safe?”

  “Gun safe?” Morgan asked.

  “Yeah,” Robbie said. “Finally got to talk to my folks. My dad gave me the combo for the safe. It’s in the master. Let’s go.”

  “Your parents are okay?” Morgan asked as they walked through the bedroom door.

  “Yeah,” Robbie said. “They’re east. Got out of California just in time. Wouldn’t tell me exactly where they were over the phone.”

  “Wonder why?” Steve asked.

  “That doesn’t sound good,” Gil said.

  Robbie walked to the closet, slid open the door, and moved the hanging clothes out of the way, revealing the safe.

  “Damn, that’s a big gun safe,” Morgan said.

  Robbie crouched in front of it and spun the dial to the numbers, then pulled on the door handle. It opened.

  “Hey, somebody turn on the overhead lights, okay?” Robbie asked. “The switch is next to the dresser there.”

  “Got it, dude,” Steve said. He switched them on, the overhead can lights shining down from the ceiling.

  “It’s the mother lode,” Gil said, looking over Robbie’s shoulder next to Morgan.

  Robbie pulled the guns out and put them on the bed. Two bolt action rifles, a double-barrel shotgun, a Winchester 30-30 lever gun, and three hand guns.

  “Wow, wonder why your parents didn’t take these?” Morgan asked.