The MacDill main entrance opens, and TJ enters MacDill Air Force Base.
“There is the helicopter. Everyone looks okay,” says Alice.
TJ parks his jeep next to Rich’s sedan.
“Your dad is always here,” says Janet as she looks at Rich’s blue sedan.
TJ, Janet, and Alice exit TJ’s jeep.
Odin jumps out of the open jeep door that Alice just exited from.
TJ, Janet, and Alice look at the chaos that surrounds the helicopter that just crash landed next to several military transport trucks and Humvees.
TJ sees Rich talking with a MacDill soldier.
TJ starts walking and shouts, “Pop is over there!”
Janet, Odin, and Alice follow TJ.
TJ sees that Rich is fine and that gives TJ some relief.
“You okay pop?” asks TJ to Rich.
Rich turns and sees TJ, Janet, Odin, and Alice.
“I’m okay, but I think we lost some people with this helicopter fiasco,” answers Rich.
“Was it Ramano’s chopper?” asks Janet to Rich.
Rich walks closer to TJ and answers Janet, “No. He’s still out there.”
Janet and TJ feel a big sense of relief knowing that it wasn’t Ramano’s helicopter that was shot at.
Alice looks at the helicopter and sees people getting some medical care, people talking, and several stretchers being loaded with bodies.
“Why was the helicopter hovering over the zoo?” asks TJ.
“How do you know that?” asks Rich.
“We saw it on our way here,” answers TJ.
Janet and TJ look around and notice that there are fewer military vehicles, soldiers, and personnel on base than the last time they were at MacDill.
“Can we talk with you?” asks TJ to Rich.
“Now is not a good time as you can see,” answers Rich.
“It’s important though. We can wait for you to finish here,” replies TJ to Rich.
Rich looks around and doesn’t know what to say. Rich feels that his duty is to help out with the helicopter crash, but also to help his son.
“I have to make sure everyone is okay here… And then I can come talk with you,” says Rich to TJ.
“We’ll be in the cafeteria. Take your time,” replies TJ.
TJ takes Janet, Alice, and Odin into the MacDill cafeteria.
TJ, Odin, Alice, and Janet get something to eat and sit down at an open table inside the cafeteria.
“I can’t believe they left us here! That ain’t right!” shouts a soldier to another soldier as they sit in the cafeteria a couple tables away from TJ, Janet, Odin, and Alice.
TJ, Janet, and Alice look at the soldier that just shouted at the other soldier.
“I know Franco, but we have to listen to the Colonel,” replies the other soldier to the soldier that was shouting before.
TJ notices Alice staring at the two soldiers and lightly slaps Alice’s hand.
Alice glares at TJ and TJ whispers to Alice, “Don’t stare. You don’t need your eyes to hear them talking.”
Alice nods her head at TJ and then looks down at her food.
“We should have gone with them back to the casino. We missed out on going there the first time,” says Franco in a loud voice.
TJ looks at the two soldiers and sees that they are wearing similar uniforms to the other soldiers that have been with Colonel Meyers and Lieutenant General Swartz.
“Yeah or at least to the stadium,” replies the soldier that is sitting next to Franco.
Two different soldiers come into the cafeteria and shout to Franco and the other soldier, “Come on fuckers! We have a job for ya!”
Franco quickly stands up from the table and asks the two soldiers, “What’s the job?”
The soldier, that is standing near the cafeteria entrance, sees TJ, Janet, and Alice and answers Franco, “Be quiet. It’s classified.”
The four soldiers exit the cafeteria.
Alice looks at TJ and asks, “They went back to the casino?”
“Sounds like it,” answers TJ.
“Why? Why would they go back there?” asks Alice.
TJ looks at Janet.
Janet answers Alice, “We don’t know, but I’m sure they have their reasons.”
Rich enters the cafeteria and sees Alice, TJ, Odin, and Janet sitting at the cafeteria table.
Rich comes over to TJ’s table and sits down.
“Everything okay pop?” asks TJ to Rich.
“Not really. We lost a couple people from the helicopter incident, and we have a couple people fighting to stay alive,” answers Rich.
“We saw three helicopters. Where were they going?” asks TJ to Rich.
Rich looks around the cafeteria and sees that it’s empty.
Rich quietly answers TJ, “Three different locations. One was going to downtown Tampa, the other the old football stadium, and the other was going to the casino.”
“Why the casino?” asks Alice.
Rich looks at Alice and isn’t sure how to tell her why they were going to the casino.
“They went out for the next phase of their program that was ordered by the government,” answers Rich.
“So the government is still around?” asks Janet.
“Yeah, it’s still running, but I’m not sure where they are or any specifics. I’m pretty sure Swartz and Meyers know though,” answers Rich.
Alice starts to feel uneasy and nervous after hearing the news about the soldiers going back to the casino.
TJ notices that Alice is nervously tapping her left index finger on the table.
“Any word about the casino residents?” asks TJ to Rich.
Rich quickly answers, “Nothing.”
TJ gives Rich a look and nods his head at Alice.
Rich sees the look from TJ and sees Alice nervously tapping her finger on the table.
“Well, nothing new today, but yesterday we heard some rumblings about there being some possible survivors from the casino,” says Rich.
“I know what you are doing dad. I’m not five anymore,” says Alice.
“I’m sorry A, but I really did overhear some soldiers talking about seeing some casino residents and taking fire from them,” replies Rich.
Alice looks at Rich and asks, “Seriously?”
“Yes. I really did hear that. There were several vehicles full of people, and they were shooting at some of the soldiers who were out on patrol in a couple different places,” answers Rich.
“How do you know they were from the casino?” asks Alice.
“Well, they were described as Native Americans who had weapons and who were driving a couple trucks,” answers Rich.
“I’m sure they called them Native Americans,” says TJ with a sarcastic tone.
“But what’s up son?” asks Rich.
TJ answers, “Well, we were worried about Al and the casino residents.”
“I was, you don’t give a shit about them,” says Alice to TJ.
“I know you don’t think I care but I do… And I don’t want you going out and doing something dumb,” replies TJ to Alice.
Alice smiles and jokingly says to TJ, “I think that’s your way of telling me that you love me.”
“But Rich, why was there a helicopter just hovering over the zoo?” asks Janet to Rich.
“I think I know why… But they weren’t supposed to do that. They were supposed to patrol around downtown Tampa,” answers Rich.
“Why did they though? What do they want with the zoo community?” asks TJ.
“I don’t know why specifically, but I think they wanted to provoke things. They might have wanted to see about a group that is supposedly starting to control things around Tampa Bay,” answers Rich.
“What group?” asks Janet.
“The Ghosts. They call themselves the Ghosts,” answers Rich.
“Did you say Ghosts?” I ask TJ as I sit on the sofa inside Bobby G’s living room.
“Yeah, do you know the
m?” asks TJ to me.
“That’s classified information,” says Phil.
“Well, they seem like a pretty bad group and they have been able to take down some soldiers and vehicles with relative ease,” says TJ to Phil.
“What do you mean by bad group? Like bad as in they do terrible things, or bad like they are badass?” asks Shaun.
“I don’t know really as I haven’t met them, but they are probably the group that shot at us when we went to the zoo,” answers TJ.
Shaun and Phil look at me.
I look at Shaun and Phil and say, “I trust them. I’m not sure what they are up to, but they did help us, and they saved you guys.”
“What happened?” asks TJ to me.
“It’s classified,” jokes Phil.
“But why didn’t you make it back here with us for the trip to The Grove, and why couldn’t we get a hold of you?” I ask TJ.
“The radio went dead, and we couldn’t get it charged for some reason,” answers TJ.
“I took the radio apart and it was damaged, but we got it working again,” says Janet.
“But why weren’t you here with us?” asks Phil to TJ.
“We planned on leaving the base and going home… But then my dad needed our help on base with Commander Pine and shit got crazy. I called Phil over the radio as soon as I could,” answers TJ.
As TJ responds to our questions, I can sense that TJ seems a little defensive and uncomfortable.
“We believe you TJ, but I hope you didn’t go after the Ghosts as they seem like a very capable and dangerous group,” I say to TJ and Janet.
“We didn’t, we heard some people at MacDill talking about them, but we didn’t see them or anything,” replies Janet.
“Did you find out anything else about where the other two helicopters went?” asks Shaun to TJ.
“We only heard about them going back to the casino and to the football stadium,” answers TJ.
“What’s at the stadium?” asks Jon.
“It’s classified,” jokes TJ.
I laugh at TJ’s joke and say, “Well I’m glad that you are safe, and everything is okay.”
“And I’m sorry to hear about your father, he was a good man,” says TJ to me.
“Thank you, TJ. It’s definitely hard to lose a member of your family, let alone your father. I was young when my mother died and was raised by my father,” I reply to TJ.
“Family is important that’s for sure,” says TJ.
I look at Shaun, Matt, Phil, and Jon and say, “It sure is.”
“So what’s the plan going forward?” asks Janet.
“I don’t really know. I plan on organizing the stuff we just got and then maybe going to World of Trade,” I answer Janet.
“What about Jacob?” asks TJ.
“I’m going to let the universe worry about him for a while. We have more than enough to worry about around here,” I answer TJ.
TJ and Janet say goodbye to all of us and we walk TJ and Janet out to TJ’s jeep.
“If you need our help. Just let us know,” says TJ.
Phil sarcastically replies to TJ, “We will. You just keep your radio on next time.”
TJ gives Phil a half smile and replies, “We will smart ass.”
TJ drives his jeep away from us and towards the exit of Citrus Oaks.
“Do you buy his story?” asks Phil to me.
I see TJ’s jeep exit through our main entrance and answer Phil, “I’m not sure, but why would he lie?”
“People usually lie to hide something, or to get out of trouble,” answers Phil.
“I don’t know what to make of it, but we’ll have to see what happens,” I say to Phil, Shaun, Matt, and Jon as we stand in Shaun’s driveway.
“If Bakari and his Ghosts took down a helicopter, that’s pretty badass,” says Shaun.
“Sounds like they have some serious firepower,” says Jon.
“Sounds like they are looking out for the Pride,” I reply to Jon.
CHAPTER 9
GOOD LUCK
It’s the next morning and I’m out for a run. I haven’t been out for a run in a while, but I’m glad that I could get out this morning and get back into running.
The air is a little cooler this morning, so I had to put on some running pants and a light jacket.
I make a turn and run by Phil’s house, and I approach our cemetery.
I stop running at Bobby G’s grave, turn off my mp3 player, and remove the ear buds from my ears.
I clear off some leaves from Keith and Bobby G’s graves.
I look at the old oak tree that sits a couple feet behind Bobby G, Keith, and Tony’s graves and then look back down at the three graves.
I look down at Tony’s grave and think to myself, “I have my father, my father in law, and the uncle of the asshole that killed my father in the same graveyard.”
Part of me wants to dig up Tony’s decaying body and dump it outside of our community, but the other part of me didn’t have a problem with Tony. He actually helped us around here when we were trying to make this place safe.
I hear someone walking behind me, and I turn around.
I see the person walking towards me and it’s Nicole.
Nicole is holding baby Mason in her arms as she walks over to me.
“What are you doing up so early?” I ask Nicole.
“This little stinker woke me up. I think he has some gas and it woke him up this morning,” answers Nicole.
“Are you sure it’s gas?” I ask Nicole.
The sound of a fart is heard from Mason.
“That wasn’t me,” jokes Nicole with a smile on her face.
I smile and laugh at Nicole’s joke and the sound of Mason’s fart.
A swift breeze moves the tree limbs of the old oak tree that is in our cemetery.
“It’s getting a little chilly around here now,” I say to Nicole.
“Hopefully it will start to cool down now as it’s early November,” replies Nicole.
“You know what date it is?” I ask Nicole.
“I think so, I have today’s date as November 2nd, 2025,” answers Nicole.
I smile and reply to Nicole, “I knew the year, but didn’t know the day. Are you sure?”
“I’m not one hundred percent, but I think it’s November second and my babies are 165 days old today. But who’s counting?” answers Nicole.
“Well, it’s better than what I have. I’ll definitely put that in my journal,” I reply to Nicole.
“You started a journal?” asks Nicole.
“Yeah, I’m documenting what we have been through so far. Starting with the craziness at the cabin in Tennessee, and everything else I can remember since then,” I answer Nicole.
“That’s a good idea. I should do that,” says Nicole.
“You should. Especially for Mason and Mia. They might want to know what happened one day,” I reply to Nicole.
“Yeah, I think I’ll start a journal of my own. I might have to omit some things, but I’ll start one for Mia and Mason,” says Nicole.
Nicole looks at Bobby G’s grave.
I see Nicole look at Bobby G’s grave.
Nicole looks at me and asks, “Ryan, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” I answer.
“What happened with Derrick? What really happened?” asks Nicole.
I take a second and think about how to answer Nicole. Should I lie or tell her the truth?
“I know he came here, and you guys took him away... Phil doesn’t like when I bring Derrick up, so I haven’t been able to get a clear answer out of him,” says Nicole.
“The Conquerors killed him. We took him away to talk and then the Conquerors killed him as we were talking with Derrick,” I answer Nicole.
“Really?” asks Nicole.
Without hesitation, I answer Nicole, “Yes, those asshole Conquerors shot and killed Derrick.”
I see a look of relief on Nicole’s face.
In a wei
rd way I’m glad that we didn’t kill Derrick and the truth is that the Conquerors did actually kill him.
“That actually makes me feel better about what happened to him. I’m glad you guys weren’t responsible for his death,” says Nicole.
Mason starts to cry.
“I’d better get him inside,” says Nicole to me.
“Definitely. I hope he feels better. Nice talking with you Nicole,” I reply to Nicole.
Nicole says goodbye to me, and she walks back to her house with Mason.
I look down at Bobby G’s grave and say, “I hope you are doing okay dad, and I hope you knew that I loved you… I know we had our problems, our fights, and our disagreements, but I hope you know that I loved you. You were a great father, and I just hope that you knew that I appreciated your guidance, support, and help.”
A small bird flies into the oak tree that is behind Bobby G, Keith, and Tony’s graves.
I see the bird and the bird is looking right at me.
I smile as I see the small bird in the oak tree, and I feel that it is the same bird that was here previously when I was at Bobby G’s grave.
The small bird chirps as I look at it.
I joke, “You would come back as a noisy ass bird.”
I look down at Bobby G’s grave and say, “I can still definitely use your guidance and help along this journey. You may be physically gone, but I hope you are spiritually still with me.”
I start to tear up, but I fight back the tears.
“I’ll see ya tomorrow dad,” I say as I look at Bobby G’s grave and then run away from our cemetery and towards my house.
I quietly open my front door and make my way into my man cave.
I open my notebook and write, “Today, talked with Nicole. She told me that she thinks it’s November 2nd, and that Mason and Mia are 165 days old today.”
I walk over to my calendar, that is on the side of a bookcase that I have in my man cave, and calculate the day that Mason and Mia were born.
“May 21st, 2025. Mason and Mia were born in Orlando,” I say out loud and write that down in my notebook.
“That’s right, because we were in Tennessee in May and that fits. I guess I did see those zombies in the woods on Friday, May 16th,” I say as I write in my notebook.
Fight 4 Us (Book 10): Ghosts Page 9