by Newman, AJ
Cristy said, “Hurry, those bastards are getting closer to him.”
Walt replied, “Damn, we’re late getting back to the rendezvous. Tom and the others will be worried. If you are sure they are going to attack, shoot the asshats, and we’ll shag ass out of here before their friends can find us. Come on Ann. We have some killing to do.”
Walt caught Ann as they pulled away from the others. “Do we have to kill them? I’m tired of killing.”
Ann did a double take. “Well, I guess we cut their Achilles tendon on both legs and turn them loose. Wait, or maybe cut their hands off. Nope, wouldn’t that just piss them off more and cause them to get meaner?”
Walt laughed and then shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, I didn’t think that one through. Killing bad guys is the only way to make sure they don’t ever harm anyone again. Let’s do it.”
The two men who followed Gerry had no clue that they were being followed themselves. The first time the man in the rear knew something was wrong was when he felt a hand cover his mouth and the razor-sharp blade severed his jugular vein. Ann held him up until he was lifeless and then dropped his body to the ground.
Walt passed Ann as the man struggled in Ann’s grip. Walt pulled his tomahawk from his belt and closed the gap between him and his target. The Indian’s heart wasn’t in the dirty deed, but it had to be done, so he took two fast steps and swung the ax. The tomahawk buried two inches deep into the back of the man’s skull. Walt tried to yank the tomahawk from the thug’s head without success. The man turned around and stared at Walt with a blank expression on his face and his arms by his side. He dropped his rifle, which clattered on the pavement startling Gerry.
Gerry dropped to his knee as he spun around with his AR pointed at Walt. Walt held his empty hands in the air as the dead man fell to the ground with Walt’s ax still buried in his head. Gerry was scared and a bit shocked to see the man stand there for a few seconds with the tomahawk in his head and Walt behind him. “Hey, aren’t you that Indian who was with Mr. Horn?”
“I was with Tom Horn when your father kicked us out of Clarkdale. Tell your father I just saved your life.”
Gerry took a minute to answer. “You’ll have to wait until the afterlife to tell him yourself. A woman assassin killed my mom and dad over a week ago. She said that she was a friend of Meg and Mattie’s. I’m going to kill her.”
Walt asked, “What’s her name?”
“Missy Perkins.”
“Oh shit.”
Walt didn’t know Missy that well, but she didn’t appear to be a cold-blooded killer. “Could Missy be responsible? Did you see her kill your parents?”
“My mom told me Missy killed my dad and stabbed her as she took her last breath.”
“Gerry, Missy, joined our group about a couple of weeks or so ago, and the group won’t let you just walk in shoot Missy and walk out. Tom will want a trial to get the facts on the table.” Walt implored.
Gerry’s face dropped. “Why would Tom believe me? My dad has been trying to kill him for years.”
“Because Tom Horn is a good man who will always do what’s right. He will conduct a fair trial. Do you know why she killed your parents?”
Gerry thought for a few seconds. “She was looking for who killed her dad. My dad and the others told her that the mayor of Stony Creek and Slim had a falling out and the Mayor had him killed.”
“Oh crap, we have to get back to camp. Meg was the mayor of Stony Creek, and Missy is living in the same camp. Let’s haul ass.”
Cristy and Gerry were thrilled to see each other again as she drove the wagon back to the rendezvous place. No one was there, so Walt decided that something had happened to make Tom head back to camp.
Walt and Gerry explained the urgency of the situation to the others, and they all hauled ass back to the compound as fast as possible without drawing too much attention or being followed. They arrived about an hour after Tom and Roy had dragged Missy’s body away and buried it in an unmarked grave. It was dark when Mattie challenged them at the end of the canyon. Walt noticed that Luke and Mattie exchanged hugs. “Mattie, we’ve had some excitement and need to see Tom and Roy right now. Hey, where is Missy.”
“Missy is resting under some dirt. Mom killed her a couple hours ago. Tom and Mom will fill you in, and yes it is a long story.”
Walt was relieved that Meg wasn’t in danger. “Thank God. Gerry told us that Missy had killed his parents and was gunning for you and your mom.”
“I’ll let Mom fill you in, but I have to say that the bitch had us all fooled.”
Gerry ran over to Walt and Mattie. “Did I hear correctly that Missy is dead?”
“Yes, Mom blew the top of her head off after Missy kidnapped Roy, Lisa, and Mom and left Mom for dead. She had us all fooled,” Mattie said.
Gerry suffered a huge letdown as the news sank into his weary mind. “I came here to kill the bitch. She killed my parents for no reason at all. Missy came to Clarkdale looking for her father and then for the people who killed her father. Most people think your mom had him killed. That’s why she came here and caused so much grief.”
Cristy held Gerry tight as they walked the horses on into the camp. Cristy saw her Dad and dropped the reins to the horses. She walked Gerry toward him. “Dad, do you remember Gerry?”
Tom lowered his hand to the butt of his pistol. “Yes, I do. What are you doing here and get your arms off my daughter.”
Cristy stepped between the two men. “Dad, Gerry came here to find and kill Missy for killing his mom and dad. He doesn’t know why she killed them, but he knows that Missy came here because several people in Clarkdale told her that Meg and Mattie had her father killed. Gerry is my friend, and he isn’t a threat to us.”
A grimace spread over Tom’s face. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. It’s no secret that your dad and I were enemies, but no one should have their parents killed by a lunatic. Gerry, you are welcome to stay until you head back to your people.”
Tears came to Gerry’s eyes. “I have no people. My Dad’s most trusted man, Jose, ran me out of town and took over the area. I guess that’s good news for you because Jose isn’t looking for you and bears you no harm as long as you don’t cause him any trouble.”
Tom saw how Cristy clung to Gerry and said, “You are welcome to stay as long as you want but don’t hold it against us if we are a bit wary of strangers. Missy fooled us all.”
Cristy walked along with Gerry. “Gerry, we have some homemade beer. Let’s get drunk and piss on Missy’s grave.”
Tom thought that perhaps Cristy was more like him than her saintly mother was.
☆
Chapter 15
Tom insisted on personally giving Gerry the much-needed training in weapons and tactics. Walt trained him in hand to hand fighting due to Tom’s wounds. Gerry made no secret that he thought to kill another human was not something he relished but understood the need. He had led a sheltered life, and his heart wasn’t in the training until Cristy had a frank conversation with him.
Cristy asked her dad how Gerry was doing. Tom wasn’t happy with Gerry. “I know Gerry is a good man, but he doesn’t take the training seriously. It’s almost like a kid taking Geometry thinking that he’ll never use it in real life.
“Gerry, I know you care for me, and we are becoming closer every day. I don’t know where this is going, but I need someone who can help protect the group and defend my children from harm. What would you do if some thugs tried to kidnap me?”
“I’d kill every one of them.”
Cristy laughed, “With your books? If you think you even want to have a chance with me in the future, get your ass in gear and become Dad’s best student.”
Gerry’s eyes grew in size, and he gulped. “If it means that much to you it does to me also.”
Cristy replied, “It would be better that you do it to help save your own life and want to help the community, but I guess we all have different motivators.”
She kisse
d him and sent him back to her dad to continue his training.
“Girl, I don’t know what you told Gerry, but he was assholes and elbows the rest of the day. Whatever it was, he needed to hear it,” Tom said.
Cristy asked, “Do you like Gerry?”
“Yes, he seems to be a decent man but definitely not good enough for my daughter.”
“Dad! The question is can you get him to where he can pass your son-in-law test?”
Tom frowned. “Girl, I don’t think any man can pass that test. Are you trying to tell me something?”
“Well, maybe I am. I plan to get him to ask me to marry him this summer, and I don’t want you to shoot him or run him off.”
“He made a good start today, and if he keeps up the hard work we’ll see if he’s husband material,” her dad replied.
Cristy hugged her dad. “I know I can count on you to be open minded.”
Tom thought for a few seconds before replying. “I’ll take him on a scavenging trip and put him through a thorough test.”
“Dad!”
***
Tom asked everyone to meet around the fire pit after supper that night to discuss a scavenging trip back into town. Tom wanted to link back up with Alice and her group to set up a mutual trade and barter program. He also wanted to pick Alice’s brain about the Sedona Social Society.
Tom asked them to listen. “I want to head down to Sedona sometime in the next few days. We need some furniture for our cabins, medicine, and some summer clothing. I also want to meet with Alice and her team while we’re down there. I think we should go in force due to that gang.”
Lisa said, “The Sedona Social Society is just a nice way of saying, murderous gang.”
Roy paced around the group. “I’m afraid that we will have to deal with that crew sooner than later. Thugs like them won’t be satisfied knowing there might be free people that could challenge them. I honestly don’t know if it’s time to fish or cut bait. I always thought I’d live here in my little valley the rest of my life.”
Meg nodded as she listened. “We need to gain as much knowledge about them as possible and then figure out how to kill them or run them away from here.”
Tom then asked everyone to make a list of any supplies they needed and told them who he needed on the trip. “I want to have the strongest team possible down in Sedona but not leave our home undefended. I’d like Roy, Ann, Sally, Meg, Luke, Walt, and me to go on the scavenging mission. The rest of you will stay here, and your only mission is to watch for the enemy while we are gone. I want Roy to make a few dynamite bombs for the home team to use if needed. That gives you a big advantage on any attacking force that could come up the canyon.”
Walt agreed and made a suggestion. “I’d like to bring about ten sticks of dynamite down the mountain with us. Us having a bit of artillery to use in a pinch could save our butts.”
***
They spent the next day finishing their lists of supplies needed, cleaning their weapons, and greasing the axels on the wagons in preparation for the big trip. The horses and mules were groomed and everyone going down the mountain went to bed early since they planned to depart at 2:00 am. They would stay two full days and leave the next night. Tom wanted the extra time so he could leave a note at the agreed upon drop site for Alice. Alice’s crew only checked the drop every two days early in the morning.
Tom spooned up against Meg and nibbled on her ear. “Babe, are you awake?”
“No, go to sleep.”
***
Tom and Meg were waiting at the kitchen with a pot of coffee and venison roasting on the spit. Tom poured a cup of coffee for each person that joined them, while Meg sliced a chunk of roasted deer meat for them. She added a handful of crackers and some applesauce to each plate to go with the venison.
It was 1:23 am as Tom saw Mattie and Luke join them. “You sleeping in this morning girl? Here’s a cup of Joe and a cracker. Everyone eat their fill. I’m going to hitch up the teams and bring the wagons around. Roy, please join me when you finish eating.”
Roy finished his last bite and washed it down with a slug of the strong coffee. “I’m ready boss.”
Roy’s second wagon was a colossal freight wagon that was over 150 years old. The side still had the remains of a painted sign for the freight line that had owned it when it was new. Roy had replaced several boards and found three replacement wheels years ago. Roy rebuilt the wagon as something to do during the winter years ago. Roy hitched the two mules to the freight wagon while Tom hitched two horses to the other cart. They parked the wagons in front of the cabins so everyone could load their gear.
Tom and Meg gave Cristy and Mattie hugs as the others said their goodbyes and they were off down the canyon trail.
This trip was different than the others because Tom planned to take both wagons to the Kellogg’s warehouse and load them to the top with food. He would take both wagons back up the trail, unload them, and go back down to find the furniture and other supplies they needed. He hoped that since the warehouse was on the east side of Sedona that the gang hadn’t found it yet. He also prayed they weren’t spotted by the gang.
The trip down was uneventful, and they were soon close to the warehouse and in luck because Tom saw one of Alice’s people standing guard outside the warehouse. The guard sent them on into the warehouse where they were greeted by Alice.
“Good to see you again. It’s been damned exciting down here since you left. That damned gang is moving into this area,” Alice told them.
Meg gave Alice a hug. “What are you going to do? Hey, we never asked but how many of you are there in your group?”
“There are only six of us left counting a 12-year-old boy. The gang ambushed us the other day, and we killed six of them, but they kill five of ours. We honestly don’t know what to do other than getting the hell out of here,” Alice moaned.
Meg looked at Tom and Roy with big puppy dog eyes. Roy turned to Alice. “We have room at our place but will need you to bring guns, food, and horses. We have a good hideout up in the mountains.”
A smile came over Alice’s face. “I’ll check with the others, but I know they will love the idea.”
Roy added one condition. “Alice there is one thing that isn’t negotiable. Tom is the leader of the group. Period. He has led us through the worst days so far, and we all trust him.”
Alice nodded. “Our groups are similar in survival skills, and we don’t have anyone who wants to lead much less become a dictator of the apocalypse. We just need a safe home where we can contribute and lead a reasonably good and safe life. If we can use your wagons, we will bring as much food as possible before the gang attacks the warehouse.”
Tom replied, “Good deal. Instead of hauling more furniture back, we will concentrate on food for the next several trips. Do you have any wagons? I don’t think we have ever seen any here.”
“Yes, we have four the same size and type as your small one. I think we should load the heavy stuff on your freight wagon and lighter foodstuffs mixed with can goods in the three small wagons. Do you only travel after dark?” Alice asked Tom.
“I like that idea. Yes, we only move freight at night because we hope to slip in and out of the area with a few people as possible noticing us.”
“If you are okay with it, I plan to use two of the wagons to move our possessions down here tonight and take them up in the second load. If those assholes don’t interrupt us we can make at least two more runs tomorrow night,” Alice said.
Tom shook her hand. “Sounds good to me.”
Wrinkles formed on Alice’s brow. “We have heard through the grapevine that the gang has added you to their hit list along with another couple of free groups and us. They plan to make us join and pay tribute to them.”
Tom confidently said, “They can try.”
The sun was down, and the moon was behind clouds as the four wagons pulled away from the warehouse on their way back up the mountains. Tom, Walt, and Alice watched them leave, and t
hen Tom looked over at Walt. “We’ll fall in about 500 yards behind our wagons to see if anyone follows us up the mountain. Alice, go tell your folks about our offer, and we’ll meet you back here about 1:00am. That gives you plenty of time to have the next load ready. That is assuming your crew wants to join us.”
Alice laughed. “I already know their answer. Three of them are with us now, and we have the majority. See you at 1:00, and we’ll have everything we plan to bring from our homes in our other wagons.”
“Luke, I need a big favor.”
“Glad to help any way possible,” Luke replied to Tom’s request.
“I’m afraid someone can hear our horse’s hooves hitting this hardstand and rocks. Can you run ahead of us and stay about 200 feet back of the wagons? You’re a young lad and should be able to keep up for a while. Signal us by waving this little flashlight if you see anyone trying to follow the wagons.”
Luke quickly answered. “Not a problem. I’m on my way.”
Tom saw Luke take off to catch up to the wagons. “Look, Walt, he’s smart enough to stay out of the middle of the road. Mattie might have a keeper.”
“I’ll feel better when we get past that last row of houses up ahead. I know they have been deserted, but they make a great lookout post to watch this old gravel road,” Walt said.
It only took a few minutes for Walt’s fear to materialize. “Tom, look up at the middle house. See the light? Shit, it just went dark as the wagons passed.”
“I saw it,” was all Tom said.
Tom kicked his horse and picked up the pace. Walt said, “Let’s don’t get too close.”
Tom replied, “I’m worried that the stalkers fell in behind Luke. I can’t get Luke killed. It would piss Mattie off a bunch.”
Walt laughed. “It might also ruin Luke’s day.”