by J. B. Craig
“Sorry, Pete,” Bannon said with a bitter smile. “The community leadership says that we only take care of our own.” He stabbed the fallen attacker between the ribs, straight into their heart. Afterwards, Bannon wiped off his knife and walked into the woods, solemnly ending the lives of those foolish enough to try to take what belonged to his community.
Reid didn’t bother dispatching the wounded, leaving it to Bannon. He was casually leaning against a tree, like he’d barely broken a sweat. When Pete went to see if he was okay, Reid waved him off. “I’m fine,” he said. “Bannon’s the one who’ll hurt the worst after this. He’s too kind.”
“And you aren’t?” Pete asked.
Reid shrugged. “I do what has to be done when someone threatens me and mine,” he said. “I’m just worried that his bleeding heart will get him killed one day.” Though his words were harsh, his defeated expression as he walked back into the woods suggested that he felt more deeply than he let on.
Pete sat facing the killing field, watching Bannon finish off the wounded attackers. Until now, he hadn’t been sure if he shared Maria’s family’s belief that regular civilians would turn to violence - but here it was in front of his eyes. This shit was getting real.
When Bannon finished off the last one, he wiped off his blade, returning it to the sheath at his back. He then grabbed the nearest tree and, hand over hand, climbed straight up, going nearly twenty feet up before a branch was available to sit on. There he perched, watching the woods - and presumably his little brother.
Uncle Timmy came over and lifted Pete back to his feet by the strap of his kit. “On your feet, kid,” he said, not unkindly. “We need to give both boys their space for a while, for different reasons.”
“Ban scaled that tree pretty fast,” Pete said, in an effort to lift the heavy atmosphere. “I was impressed.”
“He was a competitive climber,” Timmy said. “Made a lot of friends, kept him in shape. Looked good on his college applications.” He huffed a humorless laugh, waving a hand to encompass all of the carnage. “Not that he’s worrying about any of that now. By dawn, he’ll have rounded up some helpers to bury them all.”
“He’s brave,” Pete said. “You can tell that he’s taken a lot on his shoulders.”
“He’s empathetic. Always has been,” Timmy corrected. “Hunger is equal opportunity; he knows that. He hates the violence, but after it’s happened, he can’t stand to watch them suffer. Reid tries to be strong for both of them, but he bottles up his anger until it explodes. We may win as a community but both of my boys still lose. They’re too young to be this hardened.”
Pete nodded sympathetically, and Timmy sighed. “Come on back to the station,” he said, clapping Pete on the back. “Let’s make sure nobody got dinged. Then go get some sleep. The boys will let us know if there are any more threats out there today - and God help them if there are.” He dropped his head sadly and walked back to the fire station.
Pete took a long, slow walk back to the rancher and curled up on the couch, shivering until he fell asleep.
Some time around dawn, Pete woke to the creeping feeling that he was being watched, all of the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. His eyes flew open, and Pete was suddenly looking into the eyes of Bannon, watching him from a chair at the dining room table, munching on the last of some snack. “Brought you both breakfast,” he said. “Let’s wake the Captain. I have a surprise for her.”
14. A Present from Bannon
Maria woke to Bannon opening the squeaky bedroom door and standing over the foot of her bed. “Hey, wake up, Cuz,” he said. “Got a present for you. But first - breakfast!” He handed her a plate of breakfast and walked out without another word.
After she ate, Maria brushed her teeth with a dry toothbrush from her pack and rinsed with some lukewarm coffee. After a morning stretch, she walked out into the family room. Pete and Bannon were talking quietly about a fight from the night before.
“Wait, what fight?” Maria asked. “Are you guys okay?” She was shocked to have slept through it.
“Nothing, cuz. Same old stupid people with an urge to die.” His eyes misted over for a moment, but he quickly perked up. “But hey, I got you a present. Finish up and let’s go for a walk.”
After cleaning up their breakfast plates, Maria, Pete and Bannon went for a walk back down to the beach where they’d arrived and sunk yesterday. A single-masted sailboat was tied to one of the docks. “Cuz, I know it’s just a sloop with one mast, but she’s a beauty. She’s got a full-length keel and some decent room below-decks. She flies like the wind; I boosted her early this morning. There’s lots of empty houses and docks.” Bannon pointed to the name painted on the back of the boat. “Look, her name is Miss Behavin’. That’s how we knew it was the one for you!”
“I love it,” Maria said. She looked at Pete with a smile. “I promise we’ll try not to ram this one into the community docks!”
“A good strategy,” Bannon said, and they all laughed, continuing to needle each other as they all climbed aboard to inspect the new boat.
“Ah - it’s our bikes!” Maria shouted, grinning as she pointed to their bikes strapped to the foredeck.
“That’s the second part of your present,” Bannon said proudly. “I fished them out, oiled the chains and wiped down the rest. They look good to go. “
“Dude!” Pete sputtered. “What are you, triplets? How’d you do all that before dawn?”
“Didn’t sleep much,” Bannon admitted. “Couldn’t sit around after a night like last night. Dad told me to head out after we finished the burials. I had plenty of time for this.” He smiled, glad that the gift was appreciated. All of the age of the night before lifted from his shoulders as Maria hugged and thanked him, and suddenly he was an 18-year-old kid again.
Maria and Pete quickly toured the sloop. It was laid out a lot like Ronnie’s boat, but about eight feet longer and nearly a foot wider. It seemed well-built, and something that they could travel in when the time was right.
Shortly after, Bannon took his leave to get some sleep. After he left, Maria asked Pete to fill her in on the battle and the bodies that had needed burying. She didn’t like the haunted look in Ban’s eyes. When he filled her in on the details of the deaths, and both Ban and Reid’s roles, she was horrified that the situation had deteriorated so quickly that her cousins were treating it as just another day at home.
15. First Shift
As Maria and Pete were checking out the new boat, they heard loud explosions which rolled up the Magothy River from a few miles away. They could see plumes of smoke rising from the sky and cable supports flying through the air as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge began to collapse. They could only stare in open-mouthed horror as the bridge crashed into the water.
The sound followed several seconds later. It sounded like a thunderstorm in the distance. When it was over, Maria buried her face in her hands. Pete wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she shook with silent tears. “The bridge,” she said, “all those people,” and Pete pulled her closer, nodding into her hair.
After a minute, Maria sniffled, stepping back and wiping her eyes. “I guess they got tired of defending two spans,” she said.
“Tried yesterday and got it right today,” Pete agreed. “I hope too many didn’t fall into the bay.”
“I just can’t believe this is happening,” Maria said. “A few weeks ago, I was worried about my finals and how I’d pay for my summer semester. Today, my baby cousins killed a bunch of people and are sleeping through the collapse of the Bay Bridge.”
“When it comes time to continue on to your dad’s, I just hope we’re able to navigate through all of that debris,” Pete said, pointing off at the dust and smoke. “It certainly won’t make it easier to get down the river.”
“We’ll deal with that when the time comes,” Maria said. “For now, we better get to the fire station or we’ll be late for the day shift.”
They walked back to the house, where
Reid was still awake. He was sharpening his knife, and looked up when they came in. For a moment, his face lit up like the teenager he should be. “Reid,” Maria said quietly. “The bridge collapsed.”
Reid quickly got up and wrapped Maria up into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you made it,” he said, his voice muffled in her shoulder. “Worrying about my mom is bad enough but thinking of you in the middle of that madness was another level of loss.” With a sigh, he stood and smiled at her, and then he walked across the room to hug Pete. “Thanks for getting her here, man.”
“It was mutual,” Pete said, grinning at Maria. “You covered my ass too, Cap’n!”
“Well, y’all made it safely here. I can sleep a little easier this afternoon. And, speaking of sleeping easier -” Reid unhooked the paddle-holster on his Glock and held it out to her. “Please, Maria, at least put this on your other hip. You shouldn’t be on guard duty with a .22, even if it is a Magnum.”
“Won’t you need it?” Maria said. “I couldn’t take it and leave you without a weapon.”
Reid shook his head. “It’s not much of a loss for me. I haven’t fired a shot since the first attack. I’ve got my favorite weapon right here,” he said, patting the blade knight in the sheath at his back. “The woman who lives next door gave it to me after we lost her husband on the third day of defense. She said to ‘get some’, and I have.”
“Thanks, Reid,” Maria said. “But you’ll be taking this back at the end of my shift, you hear? I’m considering it a loaner only.”
“Alright, alright,” Reid said, grinning. “Anyway, this baby’s a .45 ACP; works the same as your parents’ Glocks but with a lot more kick. You got fourteen rounds, and another thirteen in this spare magazine. You won’t have to shoot anyone coming at you in the woods or at the gate twice with this.”
“Reid, I’ve seen the woods. I think she’ll be safer at the gate,” Pete added.
“They may not even have her at the front, but I’ll feel better knowing my cuz is carrying this,” Reid said. “Now, Maria, this is locked and loaded. Trigger-finger safety only. It’s safely fastened in the holster, though, and won’t accidentally fire there. Just be careful when you draw it, because it’s ready to go bang-bang.” He looked at Pete’s weapon. “You look good-to-go with the Scorpion, Pete, but be careful out there.”
“You got it,” Pete said.
“Anything else?” Maria asked. “We should probably get going.”
“When you get up there, Jonah is the guy you want to listen to. He’s the day shift lead scout, and I already talked to him on the way home,” Reid said. “He’ll be looking out for you. He and I play football and hunt together. He taught me how to move quietly in the woods, and I taught him knife skills. He’ll show you the ropes, and make sure you’re good to go.”
“Thanks, Reid,” Maria said, giving him a hug. “You gotta get some sleep now, okay? Promise me.”
“I promise,” Reid said, with a hearty eye roll. “I’m ‘hot-cotting’ with you, so be sure to keep your boots off my bed and I’ll do the same. Sheets are a bitch to clean now.’
“You got it,” Maria said. She gave him a hug. “Good night, cuz.”
“Night. I love you and I’m so glad you’re here. Pete,” he said, and shook his hand. “When you get back, you take the top bunk in Bannon’s room, alright? That way I won’t have to kill you for touching my cousin.”
Pete, having seen Reid at work in the woods, quickly held up his hands in surrender. “You got the wrong idea, man. We’re not together.”
“I know, Pete, I’m just fucking with you. Or am I?” Reid stroked the handle of the knife behind his back and gave him a grin. “Nah, man, I’m bone-tired and I’m gettin’ a little punchy. I’ll see you both before the end of your shift. Have a good day and don’t get shot, okay?”
Maria gently slapped Reid’s temple. “You idiot, don’t mess with Pete like that – he has a sensitive constitution,” Maria teased. “Sleep well, cuz.” She kissed him on the forehead and pushed him towards his room.
As they walked to the gate, Pete said, “Maria, your little cousins are scary. You’re going to have to keep your hands to yourself while we’re here. I know I’m hard to resist, but I insist that you try your best.”
Maria rolled her eyes, patting his shoulder. “I’ll try my best, Casanova.” On their walk to the front lines, they bumped shoulders a few times, and smiled at each other.
When they got to the station, a veritable giant was waiting for them on the steps. He was about 6’3”, and had to be over three hundred pounds. “You must be Maria and Pete!” he boomed, grinning. “Jonah. Reid told me to expect you guys.”
After a round of handshakes, Pete was directed to go see the Chief in the fire house. He was going to be training some of their makeshift corps in basic and more advanced first aid techniques. “Now, Maria. Reid tells me that if anything happens to you, it’s my big ass, and I’m sort of attached to it. For a little bastard, he’s pretty scary, and I love him like a brother.”
“He seems pretty attached to you too,” Maria said. “He told me you guys play football together.”
“We played sports together for years. I block for him at school, AND he’s already saved my life twice this month. So yeah, we’re brothers.” Jonah agreed. “I’m going to teach you how to be quiet in the woods, and how to scout. You never ever, no matter what, stand between me and that direction, hooah?”
Maria replied with her father’s standard Army reply when given orders. “Hooah.”
Jonah grinned. “Another Army brat, huh? We’re going to get along just fine. I see you have Reid’s Glock?” At Maria’s nod, he said, “Good. 14 rounds. Don’t pull it until I tell you. You step in my footprints whenever possible, and we’re going to go on a little walk-about, hooah?”
“I’m good with all of that,” Maria said. “I was told I’d be the caboose.”
Jonah laughed at her comment. “Yeah, Reid knows that there’s no place out here safer than behind me. I can catch a lotta bullets before you get hit, as long as you stay behind me. Claro?”
“Sí, claro.” Between high school and college, Maria had taken four years of Spanish. Jonah’s smile got even wider. “Maria! ¿Hablas español?”
“Un poquito,” Maria said, holding up two fingers close together as she grinned. “Entiendo más de lo que hablo.”
“Tu acento es realmente terrible,” Jonah agreed. Maria laughed and agreed, and as she followed in his footsteps, they had a pleasant, if hushed, dialogue in Spanish as they disappeared into the woods.
After walking for a little while, the two noticed that the woods were eerily silent. Jonah slowly came to a sudden stop. “Shh. Might be danger close,” he murmured.
Maria popped the snap on her holster, hand on her revolver. As she went to pull it, Jonah turned, giving her a shake of his head. “No guns here. Stand behind this tree and watch over there. Don’t shoot me.” He smiled, and took a long, circuitous route towards the area he told her to watch.
Watching Jonah move through the woods was impressive. For his size, he moved absolutely silently. He didn’t dodge trees, he glided between them, never changing his ambling pace. He was a breeze blowing through the trees - nothing to garner any suspicion. Nothing to see here, folks. If she hadn’t been watching him from the beginning, she would never have seen him.
Jonah slowly wandered over to a large tree, about a hundred yards from where they’d been standing. He walked up to the tree, raised his arms, and then pounded them down on something behind the tree. When he strolled back to Maria, he could see him carrying a skinny unconscious man, slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“This gringo was keeping watch on us,” Jonah informed her. “Hell of a scouting job, huh? Time to give him to Dad for interrogation. Now, you stay in front of me this time. If we’ve got more coming, they’re behind us - and try to watch where you step.”
The two made their way back to the firehouse, and Jonah handed the
still-limp scout over to the Chief. “I’m pretty sure I didn’t kill this one, Dad.” he said. Maria couldn’t get a read on whether he was joking or not.
“You did good, hijo. He’s breathing,” the Chief said. “How is our new apprentice scout doing?”
“She’s quiet, Padre, and she listens well. She’ll do fine. I’ll take her back out and see what else she knows. We’re going to go a little further out and see what we see.”
“Hijo, you know that if she gets hurt, Reid won’t be happy with you,” the Chief said. “I’m starting to like her, too. So no risks.”
“I’m not a-fuh-fuh-fraid of that little runt,” Jonah joked. “Okay, I sort of am. But we won’t do anything stupid.”