by Hunt, Jack
She could hear the guy at the front telling them they would camp for the night, and then the second guy saying it was his turn with the woman. The very thought of what they were doing made her want to be ill. She crouched behind a tree and snuck a peek as the men reached a clearing and shrugged off their backpacks. Ginger boy told the wiry one to start pitching the tent while he got a fire started, and the fat guy unattached the rope and tied it off to a tree, making sure to wrap it around the woman a few times to ensure she couldn’t escape. Once done, he joined the other two about ten feet away.
Beth looked back to where she’d come from. Although she’d told Landon she’d return soon, she’d only said that to get him to agree. The truth was she worked better alone.
It was late afternoon and the sun was beginning to wane so she didn’t have the luxury of complete darkness for cover, but one glance at the way the men were swigging alcohol from a bottle and she knew it was only a matter of time before they would be inebriated, their reactions would be slower and she could get in undetected.
The wiry guy started cursing as he tried to put the tent up. “Come on, man, give us a hand. I can’t do this by myself.”
Amateurs, she thought.
“Tripp, give him a hand,” the ginger guy said as he dumped some wood and began placing stones around it to create a firepit. “I swear you idiots will be the death of me.”
“No, I will,” Beth said under her breath.
The idea of shooting them with her rifle or an arrow was on her mind but one mistake and all hell would break loose. This needed to be controlled. Beth removed her rifle and bow and placed them beneath some thick underbrush, she then took a piece of charcoal from her backpack and marked the tree it was below with an X.
Beth reached down and scooped up some mud and covered her face, and hands. She pulled up the hood on her camo jacket and reached for her bowie knife. Blending in with her environment as best as she could, she moved in on the camp ready to kill.
14
It was a matter of pure survival. Sam had spent his entire career as a proactive police officer. It was what was grilled into him from the moment he stepped into the academy. Don’t just respond to calls, get out there, keep your eyes open and take the bull by the horns. That’s what real police work is about. He could still hear one of his instructors bellowing it in his ear as they tore them down and then built them back up again. That was why he had no intention of just wasting his time fishing out on the bay and watching life pass him by. That kind of inaction led to laziness, and becoming a victim of circumstances, and he was no victim. It would have been really easy to crack open a cold one, and spend the next few months bobbing up and down in his 50-foot catamaran listening to Carl cracking jokes but that would have soon worn thin.
However, Carl didn’t take the news too well.
“You want me to do what?”
“Surveillance. Monitor what they are doing.”
“But I thought we were going to kick back, drop a line and bask in the sunshine.”
“Carl. When have you ever known me to do that?”
“But you bought a boat.”
“And I signed up to be a police officer.”
He shook his head. “That makes no sense. Besides, Teresa just gave you your walking papers. They don’t want us helping anymore. They’ve got Mick.”
“Exactly. That’s the problem. Teresa has no idea who she is getting into bed with.”
“What, you think she’s screwing him?”
Sam slapped his own forehead. “No, Carl. Not literally. Figuratively. She thinks she’s doing the community a favor but she’s doing them a disservice. Allowing Harris to come in and dictate how the community lives isn’t just wrong, it’s unconstitutional. Threatening to take our firearms so we can’t put up a fight. You can’t tell me that is not wrong! I swear to God, if the lights were back up he would have never said that. But because this country has gone to shit, he’s pushing his boundaries, seeing how far he can go to get what he wants, to make his life easier.”
“But he said it was for the camps.”
“And maybe it is. But there is a way of doing it. Just telling every town that they have to give up 50 percent of their catch is bullshit! And I refuse to have a little weasel like him come in and push the good people of this town around. But that’s not all. Putting authority in the hands of a child like Mick, is foolish; likewise, giving Mick free rein to do whatever the hell he likes is a surefire recipe for disaster. No, we need to be careful here. You give them an inch, they will take a mile and we’ll find ourselves at the mercy of a corrupt government.”
Carl laughed. “Ah, corrupt, is it? There was a time you would have died for them.”
“Hey, when I signed up I didn’t sign up to die — period. I sure as hell didn’t sign up to take a bullet for the government. You and I chose to do this for the people. It’s always been about the people. Teresa can take the badge, the police-issued handgun but that’s where I draw the line.”
They were offshore, on the east side of Castine. Sam was holding binoculars up to his eyes and watching the comings and goings of Mick’s guys. “Great, and it looks like his crew has got larger. Again, another reason why you don’t just give power to a man who hasn’t proven himself responsible.”
He lowered the binoculars. “Look, will you do it or not?”
Carl groaned. “I can think of better things to do. Besides, what are you doing in the meantime?”
“Waiting for Max to show up.”
“Sara’s kid?”
“Yeah, seems he has established a connection with a local militia.”
“Hold on a second. Are we talking about the same person? Max? That skinny little emo kid with an attitude from the inn?”
Sam brought him up to speed on what Max had told him.
Carl sat back and stared at him. “And so you think because they’ve already fought back, they might be of some use.”
“I think they might listen. And right now we need a few more people willing to do that. We are outnumbered and besides our own personal weapons, we really don’t have a leg to stand on if Mick and his crew are ordered to gather up those who are considered combative.”
“Combative, as in a thorn in his side.”
“You got it.”
Carl threw up a hand. “But we haven’t done anything.”
“Not us but give it a day or two and someone down at the dock is gonna snap. Then what? If one of Mick’s guys is a little trigger happy, we now have a situation that could spiral out of hand really quick. I just want to cover our asses.”
Carl nodded. “Right. I see where you’re going with this.”
“So you on board?”
“When have I not been?” Carl smiled as Sam fired up the engine on the boat and took it back to the mainland. Saltwater sprayed up and a gentle breeze blew across his skin as he brought the boat around to the south side near Dyce Head where he was meant to pick up Max that evening. The sun dipped down, sinking into the water and spreading out a warm orange glow as the final light of the day faded. Carl hopped off the boat. Max still hadn’t arrived. “Listen, when this is all over, you owe me a beer.”
“You got it.”
“And Sam. Be careful.”
As Carl jogged away, Sam turned his attention to Nautilus Island across the bay. He wasn’t sure if going over there and conversing with militia was a good idea, as he’d heard the news about radical militia groups attacking mosques. Did he really want to get tangled up in that?
“Hey Sam.”
Sam turned to see Max making his way down the wooden steps that snaked over the shore boulders. He wasn’t alone. There was some funky-looking kid with a military jacket on.
“Who’s that with you?”
The kid removed his baseball cap and revealed a disheveled head of ginger hair. “Eddie Raymond, at your service,” he said before putting his cap back on and blowing weed in his face. “And you would be?”
“Depu
ty Daniels.”
“Oh shit,” he said taking out the weed from his mouth.
Sam chuckled. “Don’t worry, kid.” He took the joint from his hand and toked on it before handing it back. He blew out the smoke and nodded. “That’s some good shit.”
Eddie slapped Max on the back. “I think I like this guy.”
As soon as they were in, Sam brought the boat out and they made their way across the water. Eddie gave him a rundown of how he’d met Max and how Ray, the head of the Maine Militia, was considering having them join his group.
“Join the group. You two?”
“Yeah, why not? My pops was in the military,” Eddie said. “Nothing to it. They give you a gun, you run around shouting in people’s faces and acting all hard and shit. Anyone can do it.”
Sam snorted. “Yeah, I think there’s a little more to it than that.” He looked at Max. “Where did you find this kid?”
“Hey, you’ll see,” Eddie said. “These guys know the deal.”
They all went quiet as the boat bounced over small waves and made it closer to the dock. Before they had got within twenty yards, three guys in camo fatigues came down the dock, guns raised at the ready. Eddie stood up and yelled, “It’s okay, boys. Just us.” He turned to Sam. “They are a little eager. Don’t mind them. I got this.”
Sam found the kid amusing. He acted like he was already one of them.
It was clear he wasn’t the moment the boat knocked against the dock and Eddie hopped off with the rope to tie it off. One of the militia grabbed him by the arm and forced him up the dock. “Hey. Hey. What the hell are you doing?”
Sam looked at Max and he didn’t seem fazed by it as if he expected them to act this way. “Just be cool,” he said as they climbed on the dock.
All the way up onto the island Eddie just wouldn’t shut up. “You need to let me go right now, soldier. That’s a direct order.” They shoved him forward so he continued. “I’m telling you I won’t forget this. When you are operating under me, I will remember you.”
Sam shook his head in disbelief. They headed up a path toward the large home, passing by a cottage that was in use by several soldiers. The ones escorting them acknowledged them with a nod but pressed on. Sam knew of the island, even had a couple of friends who’d rented it for a weekend retreat, but he’d never had a reason to head over there. There were a lot of private islands like that in Maine. His work kept him so busy that by the time he got home he would either veg out on the couch or head out on his boat in the summer.
They were led through a set of doors into a gorgeous living area with hardwood floors, and modern furniture. It looked like a photo straight out of a home décor magazine. Everything was in the right place. The décor was expensive and yet it had that unlived-in look to it.
Two soldiers on the far side of the room, hunched over a table with a map, were talking when they entered.
“Ray.”
One of them cast a glance over his shoulder. He had an average build, shaved head, dark goatee and tattoos on his forearms. “Max and….” He raised a finger.
“Eddie. Eddie Raymond.” Eddie looked pissed that he hadn’t remembered him.
“That’s right.” He then looked at Sam. “And you are?”
Max jumped in before he could speak. “He’s a friend of the family, Ray.”
“Sam Daniels,” Sam said extending a hand. The guy just looked at it then studied him. “Max said you’re Maine Militia. That right?”
“We might be. Who’s asking?”
“He’s a deputy,” Eddie blurted out.
That got his attention. Ray’s gaze bounced. “Max. What are you doing bringing a cop here?”
“He’s cool, Ray. He’s just…”
Sam thought it best to nip it in the bud and get straight to the reason he was there. “I think we share a mutual concern for what FEMA is doing in coastal towns throughout Maine. I figure I could help you, and…”
“We could help you?” Ray replied.
Sam nodded. “Something like that.”
“Well. I would love to help but I’m a little busy right now. Seems the military has rolled back into Belfast and hit the shoreline farther down. I’m waiting on an update. Once I—”
“Ray,” another guy behind him said trying to get his attention as voices came over a two-way radio.
Ray put up a finger. “Look, I would love to chat but… Max, next time speak to me before you bring anyone to the island.”
“Not exactly your island, though, is it?” Sam said knowing full well that he was treading in uncharted waters. Ray glared at him before taking the radio and bringing it to his lips.
“Ray, this is Donnelly, you there, over?”
“Copy, Donnelly. Go ahead. Over.”
“It’s a damn massacre. We barely escaped with our lives. Edgar has been hit. I’m bringing him back. Get a medic on the ready.”
“Shit!” Ray said he slammed his fist against the table. At that point one of the soldiers led them out of the house. Max took a moment to chat with the soldier before he went back inside.
“I told you this was a bad idea,” Eddie said shaking his head and pulling a half-smoked joint out of his top pocket and lighting it. He blew out a cloud and wandered towards the pool area.
“We’ll wait,” Sam said. He watched through the windows as Ray bellowed orders to his men. Some of them rushed out. One of them was carrying a medical bag as they hurried down to the dock. It wasn’t long before Ray appeared. He glanced at Sam and looked as if he wanted to say something but opted to hurry towards the dock.
Meanwhile, Eddie had taken off his boots and was dangling his feet in the pool. “I swear to God, Max, this is screwing up my chance of getting in.”
“They won’t let guys like you in,” Sam said, observing all the comings and goings.
“Why not? The military do. Besides I turn eighteen soon.”
“Doesn’t mean shit to them,” Sam added looking over at him. “These guys are ex-military. If they let you into their group, you’ll just be a coffee boy. Nothing more than running errands.”
“Screw you, man. You don’t know that.”
Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “No. I don’t know anything. You just keep on dreaming.”
“I’m going for a walk. I’m not listening to this bullshit.”
Eddie got up and slipped his feet back into his boots, tossed Sam the bird and trudged into the surrounding woods. Max stayed. “You shouldn’t wind him up like that.”
“It’s true. That goes for you too. Stay clear of them. They might be doing something good right now but I doubt your mother or your father would want you out here.”
“Ah, so you tell me that now. Now that I got you over and introduced you.”
“You’re only seventeen, Max.”
“Then I’m only eighteen. When the fuck do adults let us make decisions on our own?”
Sam chuckled and looked off towards the house.
It was a good half an hour before they saw movement down at the dock.
“You think things are gonna get worse in Castine?” Max asked.
“I don’t think they will get better, if that’s what you’re asking. Mick—”
Before he could finish, several soldiers hurried up carrying a guy on a stretcher. When Ray reappeared he muttered something to his guys and then walked over. “Look. I know you mean well and maybe under other conditions I would have time to listen but as it stands I’m too busy. Max. Don’t come back.”
“Why?”
“Because you disobeyed a direct order. You want to be a part of our group, first thing is to listen and follow orders.”
“But I…”
“I’ve gotta go,” Ray said turning and patting one of his men on the shoulder to take them back down to the dock.
“Where’s your other friend?” the soldier asked.
“Somewhere on the island.”
The soldier had two men go off and find Eddie while they were escorte
d back to the dock. Sam placed a hand on Max’s shoulder but he shrugged it off.
15
A light rain fell; the steady trickle of water dripping off leaves soaked the ground as Beth made her approach. The men seemed unfazed by the change in weather, even relishing it as a howling wind tore through the trees. Gray skies overshadowed the camp making the woods feel even more gloomy. The fat one had removed his shirt and tipped his head back to catch rain droplets on his tongue, while the wiry fella tied a rubber band around his arm and slapped his forearm to get a vein to pop out. “Come on, cuz, hit me up!” he said. Ginger boy was heating up a spoon over the fire.
“Don’t be so impatient.”
“I want to get fucked up and then me and long legs over there are gonna have a little fun.”
“Not until I’ve test-driven her,” fat boy said raising a bottle of bourbon above his head and letting it trickle into his gaping mouth. It made Beth want to be sick. Although she wanted to kill all three, her main concern was getting that woman to safety. At least if she was free of her restraints, she could increase the odds of her surviving.
The weather was unforgiving.
Light rain soon turned heavy. The only upside was it was masking her approach.
Beth made her way around to the tree where the woman was tied and came up from behind it. If the undergrowth wasn’t as tall and thick, she was certain one of them would have spotted her. She knew how to move quietly but she wasn’t a damn ninja. There was only so much Mother Nature could hide. As she drew closer, not even the woman noticed. Crouching, Beth snuck a peek around the tree and in a low voice said, “Stay very quiet. I’m here to help.” She saw the woman cast a nervous glance over her shoulder but that was the extent of movement. The rest of her body was bound by the rope which had been wound tightly around her and the tree multiple times.