Lost Shadows

by Warren Ray

  No one said anything but all were thinking the same thing. That was a Reese move, and they still had no word on her or Nate and Elliott.

  It was a mile and a half to 127. Nordell had slowed down a little to allow them to catch up, and Meeks was slowly closing in on the convoy. It was a gamble, but his guys kept the Jijis back with a constant barrage of gunfire.

  It took another minute before they caught up to them or so they thought. A van was up ahead not an SUV. There was a third vehicle in the tail.

  “You got them blue lights on?” asked Scar.

  “Yep.”

  “Pull up beside them like you want to pass ‘em. Amber get your window down.”

  The air blew all around them as Scar and Amber lowered the windows. Meeks got in the other lane and had no problem powering up beside them.

  The van’s driver didn’t react as he would have had he known who was in the squad car. The Jiji put his hand out and waved for Meeks to pass.

  Scar nodded to Amber, and they both stuck their weapons out the window and started firing. Bullets ripped into the thin metal of the glassless van as brass shell casings bounced on the pavement. Both emptied their magazines in seconds forcing the van down into the culvert. The front end of the van then lifted up off its wheels before crashing into a tree and landing on its side.

  “There they are,” shouted Meeks as he overcompensated for the loss of hearing from the gunfire.

  The two SUV’s were just ahead.

  Meeks resumed his speed. They needed to hurry because they were coming to US 12 where all the cops stood guard.

  Scar keyed his radio again. “Gunny, we’re coming in behind them.”

  “About damn time.”

  “We had a third one to take out first.”

  “Great. We’re getting too close to 12. I’m gonna take a right on Harper.”

  “Roger that,” said Scar familiar with the road. “Badger, Badger, you there?”

  “We hear you. I see you’re bringing the party down our way?”

  “What’s the status of Waldron Road.”

  “Refugees have been trickling through. Cops haven’t been too interested in getting blown up, so they’ve been keeping their distance.”

  “Can you get up on Jackson Road and get over to Harper Road. Bring the big gun with you.”

  “I can do that.”

  Harper Road was a paved road but turned into a narrow dirt road that ran through the farm fields. There was nothing but barren fields and some wooded areas here and there.

  Scar let go of the radio and threw in a fresh magazine.

  Meeks continued to gain on the two SUV’s and was about to get over into the other lane but noticed muzzle flashes just before a round smashed through the back window and exited straight through the windshield.

  “What the hell?” yelled Scar.

  “Get down,” snapped Meeks. “There’s one on our tail. Damned bastard snuck up on me.”

  More rounds hit the bumper as Meeks swept the car from one lane to the next.

  Amber twisted around in the backseat and pointed her M4 at the back glass. She yanked the trigger and swept the gun back and forth to knock out the glass. Hundreds of tiny pieces of glass flew away from the spider-webbed window. She used the butt of her rifle to finish tearing out a section of the glass.

  She aimed at the front passenger as he leaned out the window of the Ford Expedition. He was just far enough out to become a big target, but she didn’t have a good angle.

  “Get over to the right,” she yelled at Meeks.

  He looked in the mirror and saw her dilemma. He pulled back into his lane.

  She squeezed the trigger spraying the Expedition. One of the rounds found its mark as the Jiji dropped his AK-47. It now hung on its sling bouncing against the door. The SUV slowed down, and the dead Jiji was pulled back inside. It then picked up speed again but kept its distance as the Jijis continued shooting at them.

  Meeks cursed in frustration as they began to take fire from the SUV in front of them as well. They were trapped between them.

  “Screw this,” yelled Meeks as he jammed on the brakes. The wheels screamed for a purchase and then bit into the grass on the shoulder as Meeks swung onto the empty ground to the right. The rear end, once again, slid from side to side on the dirt before straightening out.

  Up ahead, Nordell’s convoy took a right onto Harper Road while behind Meeks, the big Expedition jerked into the field.

  “You two get ready,” ordered Meeks. “I’ll bring ‘em ‘round your side but brace yourselves, we’re going into a full spin.”

  Meeks had done this many times in the past as a youth. He and his buddies used to get out into the fields after the harvest and tear them up. They call it drifting these days but back then, they didn’t have a name for it other than just pure fun, especially after a few beers.

  He waited for just the right moment and then floored the gas pedal before turning the wheel. The rear end of big cruiser immediately started sliding in the dirt. Meeks had no problem keeping the slide under control.

  Amber threw her foot against the other door to brace herself. She had to fight the G-force but managed to hold on while continuing to fire her M4.

  Scar used the seatbelt to stay in place and it was easier for him because of his big frame.

  Both kept their weapons on full auto and sprayed the side of the Expedition as they whipped around it. The passengers on that side didn’t stand a chance as rounds slammed through the windows.

  Meeks kept pushing the cruiser and started to pull alongside the SUV. The surprise move caught the Jijis off guard, and they weren’t able to return fire. Scar and Amber peppered the vehicle killing the driver.

  The SUV came to a stop.

  Scar and Amber jumped out and ran to the SUV with their weapons at the ready. It was a bloody mess inside. All four passengers were honeycombed with gaping holes.

  “C’mon,” said Scar.

  They jumped back into the cruiser and Meeks was about to hit the gas when he pointed toward the other end of the field. Four cop cars were turning onto Harper Road.

  Scar grabbed the radio. “Gunny, you’ve got four cruiser coming in on your six.”

  “Well, it’s officially a party then,” replied Nordell. “Listen up, I know this area well. We’re stopping to take cover in a wooded area. It’s about a five-hundred yard stretch of woods to Jackson Road…Badger, are you there?” asked Nordell.

  “I’m here,” said Taylor over the radio.

  “I need you to go past Harper Road. As soon as you pass by the wooded area, get into that field and keep going until the woods ends. Then hang a right, they’ll be a small line of trees that’ll keep you hidden, and that’s where I want you to open fire.”

  “Hell ya, that sounds like a plan,” laughed Taylor.

  “Scar, can you come in behind them?”

  “You got it, Gunny.”

  Nordell stopped his truck on the narrow dirt road. There were so many trees on either side of him that they kept direct sunlight from getting into the area, leaving it in constant shade. He had chosen the area on purpose because he knew the advantages of being covered on both sides and putting his enemy at a disadvantage. They would think they were protected, but they wouldn’t know just how thin their cover was. A friend of his had owned the property on either side of the road and he used to come down here for target practice.

  He grabbed the SAW from the back and ordered his guys to dismount. He had them line up in the woods. The enemy was approaching so Nordell directed a salvo at them in case they didn’t see him. They immediately stopped.

  He then designated a man to go out through those trees to flag Badger in. He didn’t want him to get lost.

  His pursuers began to open fire, so he stood behind a tree like the rest of his guys were. He’d let the Jijis get it out of their system for a few minutes while Badger flanked them.

  His radio then came alive. It was Badger. “Keep your heads down boys.”r />
  Nordell let out a snicker and yelled out to his guys to get ready.

  A moment later, the SAW opened fire and began the deforestation of the thin trees as branches snapped and dropped to the ground. Badger swung the big gun back and forth. Beside him were four others who started shooting their M4’s.

  Screams pierced the air as rounds ripped into the enemy from a non-stop fusillade.

  Nordell swung around from the safety of his tree. He started marching toward the Jijis’ position while firing the other SAW. The rounds penetrated the front end of the first SUV and took out two Jijis who were using it as cover from Badger’s gunfire.

  The engines of two squad cars came to life as the cops were desperately trying to flee the battle.

  Meeks saw the backup lights down the tree-covered road. “Got a couple of pansies coming our way,” said Meeks.

  “Pull in there,” ordered Scar.

  Meeks tore into the driveway of a farmhouse.

  They got out of the car and hustled up the road each taking cover behind a tree.

  Their hearts began to pound as they waited for their prey. Meeks wiped the sweat from his forehead and pushed his blonde hair back. The cars would pass him first and then Amber before going by Scar. Like the other day while in Port Huron, he would have to fight the urge to open fire on the first car.

  He peeked around the corner of the tree and saw it coming. There were two cops inside, looking discombobulated and scared. Badger must have really put a hurting on them for them since they were taking off like this.

  The second car was now coming by him. He nodded at Amber, and all three came around at the same time with guns blazing. They were only a few feet from the cars, and it didn’t take but a couple of three-round bursts to take them out. Blood splattered the interior as the bullets passed through their bodies, killing them instantly. It was messy but effective.

  Chapter 70

  Once they finished killing the two fleeing cops, Meeks drove up to Nordell’s position. Scar got out of the cruiser keeping his weapon at the ready as he walked toward the perforated and smoking vehicles.

  Bloodied bodies lay everywhere, but still, he wanted to be careful. It didn’t take too long to see he was overly cautious. The devastating effect of the two big guns on these vehicles cannot be described other than to say it was complete. Everyone was dead including the vehicles. It was total destruction.

  Scar looked up ahead and saw Nordell coming his way holding his SAW and then he heard Taylor stomping through the woods.

  “Dumb bastards didn’t stand a chance,” said Taylor as he broke through the tree line with his guys.

  “Hell no. Thanks for coming in,” said Nordell.

  “Oh, hey, thanks for the invite,” smiled Taylor.

  “How many have come through your exit so far?” asked Nordell.

  Taylor scratched his head. “Hard to say, but probably three hundred maybe a bit more.”

  Nordell grimaced. It wasn’t enough, but he wasn’t sure how many were already dead or had taken off in different directions. He wanted to keep the exit open as long as they could, but his wishes were dashed when Bassett’s voice came over the radio.

  Scar answered the call.

  “Our position is collapsing. Hadley hauled ass up to us. The cops have broken through the barricade by using an armored bank truck. They are headed to our position, and there’s going to be too many for us to handle.”

  Everyone scrambled back to their vehicles.

  Scar was conflicted because he wanted to fight the cops, but at this point, he needed to make sure he could still get his men out of there. If the cops had the forethought to have an armored truck on hand, then they might now be flanking them. If that happened, they’d all be done.

  They reached US 12 and took a left to where Bassett had moved to in order to monitor their precious exit.

  Scar got out and greeted him.

  “I sent Burns to recon it, and he’s coming back now,” said Bassett pointing down the road.

  “When did they come through the barricade?” asked Scar.

  “Just before I called you.”

  Nordell parked his pickup and joined them as Burns came speeding in and screeched to a halt.

  “There’s two of them,” said Burns.

  “Armored trucks?” asked Scar.

  Burns nodded. “They’re side-by-side with a bunch of pickups and cruisers right behind them.”

  “How many cops?” asked Nordell.

  “Probably all of them. I couldn’t really count ‘em. There’s a bunch of them on foot in between the vehicles, and behind them. They’re moving at a steady clip.”

  Scar hoped Nordell was thinking the same thing he was. They were done here. Their responsibility had shifted from protecting the fleeing population to getting their men out of there. The town was lost, and anyone who was still there was on their own.

  While they could take on the cops, they would only be able to hold them off for a little while, but by doing so, they’d endanger their own exit. The cops would eventually flank them, and they’d be forced back into town where the rest of the Jijis would pick them off one by one.

  He looked at Nordell who was staring through his binoculars while waiting for the cops to come around the bend in the road.

  “Gunny,” said Scar.

  Nordell turned to him with a dejected look on his face. Scar knew then that they were on the same page. Fight another day.

  Scar turned to Bassett. “Corporal, let’s pack it up.”

  Bassett nodded and grabbed the radio to call Hadley, who was now at the other barricade, and tell him to get his men out of there.

  Meeks and Amber stood with Scar as he waited for their last vehicle to turn south onto Waldron Road, which would take them to the Ohio border.

  He looked down the road and saw the armored truck coming around the bend. He had an urge to use his last grenade but thought better of it. Better to escape without the cops knowing where they were than to engage them in a quick act of revenge.

  He fell into the seat and leaned his head back. They had lost a lot of good people today, but the frustrating part was not knowing who was hiding, dead or taken prisoner.

  His forces were now either scattered or lost, and his dwindling supplies were non-existent, since they had left them back in Jackson. He had to take solace that they helped a large number of towns people escape and stayed alive while doing so.

  Chapter 71

  Iron River Wisconsin

  A fly landed on Winters’s face waking him from a deep sleep. He shooed it away and looked down to see Laney’s arm across his chest. He was confused for a few seconds because he’d fallen asleep next to Collette. He looked at his watch and was surprised to see it was three o’clock. He’d been sleeping for nearly six hours and hadn’t awakened once.

  He slid her arm off him, got up and grabbed a bottle of water before heading outside to look for Collette. Clouds had moved in and turned the sunny morning into a dreary afternoon. He looked over to where he had kept watch but didn’t see her. He then looked down the field and saw her standing on the road. She didn’t appear distressed, therefore it didn’t concern him. She was probably just bored, so he headed down there to meet her.

  She waved her hand as he approached. “Hey, Cole.”

  “Well, hey there yourself, Cole…ette,” said Winters.

  “Ah, I love that our names are, like, the same,” she replied as she gave him a hug.

  “You know, I’ve never met a Collette before.”

  “And I’ve never met a Cole.”

  “So, anything happened out here?”

  “Nope. Those Caddies never came back, and I’ve not seen anyone else either.”

  “How long have you been out here?”

  “A couple of hours. Laney woke me up, and we hung out for, like, a little bit.”

  “If you want to get some more sleep, you can,” said Winters.

  “Nope. I’m good. I, like, slept really
good and no spider bites.”

  “Well, that’s good.”

  “I’ve been, like, walking around with the binoculars, and looking at stuff.”

  “Guard duty can get pretty boring.”

  “Tell me about it,” said Collette as she moved back into the field. “But these binoculars are really cool though. I saw a bunch of birds and a fox. I think it was a fox. It was kinda small and reddish with a bushy tail.”

  “Sounds like a fox to me.”

  “It was really cool,” she said with obvious joy reflected in her face.

  Winters had gotten a kick out of her ever since her acting stunt the other night. She poured her heart out yelling for help so he could save Laney and Findley, both of whom had been taken hostage. She did this after being held hostage herself when her ‘john’ used her as a shield. The poor thing was so terrified when Winters had put a bullet into his head that she couldn’t even move. Now, she stood her ground and was a creative thinker.

  “C’mon let’s get something to eat,” suggested Winters.

  Collette nodded and began to head back when a chill ran down Winters’s spine. He saw in his peripheral vision a car speeding towards them. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around Collette and dropped to the ground. The vehicle zipped by without slowing down, so Winters lifted his head and saw that it was a pickup truck with some gang-bangers in the back.

  Winters pushed off her and rolled over to watch the truck. He then turned to the other direction to see if another one was coming and saw nothing but an empty road. Collette crawled on her stomach beside him with the binoculars pointed at the truck.

  “Looks like the same guys.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking.”

  Collette lowered the glasses. “Guess they’re pretty pissed off at us, huh?”

  “Probably so. That and they want these trucks.”

  “How did they know? Didn’t we kill them all?”

  “One or two probably escaped out the back.”

  “Well, that sucks.”

  “Yes, it does. But thankfully, we pulled over.”