by Lee Wise
“What happened out there?” Cathy asked.
“The firebug is working on destroying different places. We got the fire out easily.”
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” The lady said.
“Okay…” Robert said. John walked in the room “I’m not sure what we’re going to do with her.” Robert said to John.
“I’m just passing through.” The lady said. “There’s a lot more death and challenges ahead. Accept the Lord while you still can.”
“Lady, I’ve been going to church longer than you’d ever know. Don’t judge me.” John said.
The lady smiled. “But have you accepted that this is all God’s plan? It’s time to join him, you know.”
She started to leave. Then turned around and looked at me. “Babies born at a time like this are cursed.” She left. We all stood there shocked. John hugged me.
“I’m okay.” I said. “She’s not going to make it too far. If the maniacs don’t get her, she’ll piss someone off.”
John laughed. “Well, at least she doesn’t seem dangerous.”
A few hours later we heard a vehicle outside. We looked out the window and it was one of our cars. Gary and Jacob were getting out. They came into the house.
“Where’s Angela?” Jill asked.
“The doctor was putting casts on Jeff’s legs right when someone came in. They needed the doctor, but the doctor told the guy that Jeff came first. The guy shot Jeff and said that he took care of the patient, so now it was his turn. He showed the doctor a stab wound that had happened when he went to steal something. Then, Angela shot the guy.” Gary began.
“The doctor said he could use a bodyguard like her and she agreed to stay. She said that she didn’t want to come back here for little bit. That she could still feel Sammie’s ghost around.” Jacob said.
We weren’t really that shocked. Angela had been acting different ever since Sammie was killed. Her tough exterior seemed to be shattered.
“So,“ Ben began. “How’s Augusta?”
“To tell you the truth, it almost seemed like a ghost town.” Jacob said.
“Really?” Jill asked.
“I think almost everyone left. We didn’t see that many people there.” Gary said.
“That’s strange.” Mike said.
I agreed. “Where did everyone go?”
“I’m not sure. It was a little strange.” Gary said. “But we went to do what we needed to do and got the hell out of there!”
“Makes sense to me.” John said.
“I felt like we were being watched though. You know the feeling? It was like there were people in the houses but they were hidden. There was a creepy vibe. I definitely don’t want to go back there anytime soon!” Jacob said.
Gary nodded his head in agreement. “I agree. I’m also starving!”
“Supper is almost ready.” Mrs. Ford said.
A short while after, we ate supper and Gary and Jacob told us what had happened the past few days. They had seen a lot of fires, been shot at a couple times and had seen a few maniacs chasing their vehicle.
“I’m not in any hurry to get back out there!” Jacob repeated himself. We agreed that it sounded horrible.
The guards switched off and John, Robert and Ben went on duty. I was getting into my pajamas when we heard gunfire at the end of the driveway. We shared a room with Cathy’s family at the moment. “Jenny, can you watch the girls?” She nodded. I left the room quickly with Cathy. Everyone else was coming out of their rooms.
Jill sent Nick and Mary into the room with Jenny. Piper, Caleb, Allison and Dylan also went inside. Mrs. Ford stood in front of the door with a gun. “I have them covered. Can you find out what’s going on and tell me?” She asked me. There had been no radio contact yet.
Naomi and Bill came out of the room. “What’s going on?” Naomi asked.
“There was gunfire down the road.” I responded.
“Oh no!” Naomi said. Bill ran back in his room to get his gun and Naomi went in with the children. Everyone else had already went downstairs. Bill and I quietly walked downstairs armed.
It was chaotic downstairs. People were getting on shoes and grabbing flashlights.
“Hold on!” Gary said loudly. “I need all men down the driveway. Women protect the house. Go!”
The men ran out the door. Bill was coughing. “I’m not sure I’d be much help!”
“We can use your help here.” Rose said.
Jill and Cathy went outside to guard the back door. Rose, Bill and I covered the front door. We could hear gunfire and shouting. It lasted for another 10 minutes. Soon, there was a car speeding up the driveway. We got ready with our guns. I really wasn’t excited about having to shoot someone, but would do anything to protect myself and my kids.
“Rose, hurry!” Robert shouted while opening the car door. I couldn’t make out much of the figures since it was pretty dark and the moon was in the clouds. Someone was limping towards me. It was John. “Oh no!” I cried.
“It was just a graze. Gavin’s hurt worse.” John replied. Ethan and Robert were carrying Gavin in.
“He was shot in the stomach.” Robert said.
Another car came up the driveway. Mike jumped out and ran over. “I can help Rose.” He said. “Robert, can you go back down to help?” Robert nodded, looked at the blood on his hands, wiped them on his pants and drove back down.
We followed Mike and Rose back inside. They got started on patching up Gavin. There was a lot of blood and I thought that there was no way that he would make it.
Bill said, “What happened out there?”
John motioned us into the kitchen. “We were ambushed." He said. His hands were shaking and he looked like he was in shock. "They waited until dark and started shooting. Luckily, we had set up those mines.”
“Mines?” I asked.
“We set up mines a few days back.” John said.
“I didn’t know that.” I responded.
“You had other things on your mind babe.” He replied.
“Who ambushed you?” Bill asked.
“I’m not sure who they were. It was dark.” He said.
“How many were there?” Bill asked and then had a coughing fit.
“Well, there had to have been at least 20!” John replied.
“What? Oh my God!” I said.
“Exactly.” John agreed. “I never would have…” The front door swung open. John swiveled and grabbed for his gun, but the wound on his leg made him go down in pain. “Ahh!” He yelled.
“You’re lucky it’s just me!” Angela shook her head and laughed coming inside.
“Angela!” I yelled happily.
“You know that there is no one covering the front door?” She asked.
John looked at Bill and I. I made an “oops” face. “And that is why Aleisha is not put with a group to guard.” John said.
“Come on! You were shot. I had to make sure you’re okay!” I responded.
Bill started coughing and then said, “What she said!”
Angela laughed. “No worries. I think all the chaos is done. We were heading here and then we heard the commotion and waited until it was over I was completely out of bullets, otherwise I would’ve helped.”
“We? Who is with you?” I asked as I looked at John’s leg. It was more than just a graze in my opinion.
“Well, Jeff was shot when someone came in with a stab wound. I managed to shoot the guy but Jeff was killed right away. It got too dangerous out there so I talked Jeremy… Dr. Michaels, into coming to stay with us. He’s checking out everyone right now at the end of the driveway. Making sure they're all okay. I came up to grab some ammunition. John, you need to get that checked out.” Angela insisted.
I agreed. But John shook his head. “Gavin is in worse shape than me.”
The door opened. In walked a handsome man with scrubs on and two bags in his hands. �
��I heard there’s a patient in here?” He asked.
“In here!” Rose shouted from the other room. He hustled off in that direction.
We suddenly heard Molly barking outside and Mr. Doggleton who had curled up at John’s feet joined Molly in the barking.
“And there’s my queue!” Angela grabbed the gun from my hand and ran outside. Bill went to follow her but he had a coughing fit.
“Stay with John!” I told Bill and grabbed his gun following Angela outside.
Molly came running over to us. “What is it girl?” Angela said.
Cathy came running from the back of the house. “What’s going on?” She asked.
“Get to the back. We're all set. We have the front covered.” Angela demanded.
“Angela?” Cathy said, glanced at me and ran back to the back of the house knowing that the front was in good hands now!
I was still watching Cathy go when I heard Angela say to Molly. “Oh no girl!”
“What is it?” I asked thinking all the worst thoughts.
“Porcupine.” Angela said.
“Porcupine?” I asked surprised. I had been expecting a gunshot wound.
“Yup. Quills all over her.” She said. I walked over and said. “Oh Molly!”
“Can you get her in the house? I’m going to check on the guys.” She said.
“Sure.” I said.
“And then come back outside. Maybe Mrs. Ford can join you, because Bill is in bad shape.” She said to me.
I agreed. I let Molly in the house and gave Rose the heads up about her.
Rose said, “Oh no! She’s after John who is after Gavin.”
“How’s Gavin doing?” I asked.
“A lot better now that Dr. Michaels has arrived.” She responded and went back to helping him.
I went upstairs and found Mrs. Ford still at the door. “I need you to help me outside. Bill’s cold is giving him a rough time.”
The bedroom door opened. “Go ahead Mrs. Ford, I can guard this door.” Allison urged.
“Are you sure you’re all set?” Mrs. Ford asked her.
“Definitely. Mom and Piper are hogging my baby anyways!” Allison exclaimed.
“Well, it’s only my second grandchild, what do you expect?” Naomi asked.
“And I love babies!” Piper said.
“See?” She laughed. “If you need me, I will be guarding this room. “ She closed the door and said, “We’re all set. Be careful out there.” Molly came running upstairs. “Oh no!” Allison said.
“Yes. She’s third in line to see the doctor!” I said.
“Is my dad in the line?” She asked.
“Not yet.” I said.
“He’s too stubborn. He needs to be checked. I don’t want him to get bronchitis or pneumonia.” She responded.
“We’ll make sure he sees someone.” I said. “Come on Molly.” She went back downstairs with us.
Rose came out to meet us. “Patient number two is AWOL.” She said to us.
“What?” I went to look for John in the kitchen. “Where the heck did he go?”
“How’s Gavin?” Mrs. Ford asked.
“Luckily there was no major damage. We did all we could for now. He’s resting.”
Dr. Michaels walked out of the living room. “Do we have any more patients.?” He asked.
“We’re trying to find John and then Molly is next.” Rose said pointing to Molly.
“Oh no. Looks like someone has been up to trouble.” He laughed. “I’ll start on Molly while you find John. Come on silly old girl.” Molly followed him.
I opened the front door. “10 minutes!” John said to me.
“What?” I asked. “You need to go get your leg fixed.”
“I do, but if I wouldn’t have been out here, no one would have been guarding the front door for 10 minutes.” He lectured.
“I wasn’t gone that long.” I countered.
John laughed. “No worries. I needed the air.”
“And now you need to have your leg looked at.” Rose said.
“Are you two okay out here?” John asked Mrs. Ford and I.
“We are all set. Now go get that leg checked.” I demanded.
“Yes ma’am!” John responded and went into the house.
Mrs. Ford and I pulled some wicker chairs up to the front of the house and started “guarding the front.” We talked about the “old” days and what we missed most. Angela came walking up to us. “How’s it going up here ladies?” She asked.
“Pretty quiet out here. Little more rowdy inside. Rose and Dr. Michaels are busy with the three patients.” I said.
“Soon to be four.” Mrs. Ford said.
“Who is the fourth?” Angela asked.
“Bill has a bad cold.” She responded.
“Oh yeah. He should have that checked out. It was pretty bad.” Angela said.
“How’s it going down there?” I asked.
“Pretty quiet.” Angela said.
“Hopefully it will stay that way.” I said.
“I hope so.” Angela agreed.
The front door opened. Bill was holding Mr. Doggleton’s leash and he was pulling Bill like crazy. “I’m not sure if he really has to use the bathroom or if he just wants to go tease the porcupine.” He said and then had a coughing fit.
“Leave the dog to us.” Angela replied “You need to have Rose check out that cough.”
“Oh, it’s just a cough!” Bill responded.
“I had to see the doctor. Now, it’s your turn.” John said hobbling out.
“That’s right.” Rose said following him. Molly came racing out the door. “Molly! No!”
“For an old dog, she sure can move!” Bill said and started coughing again.
“I’ll find Molly.” Angela said handing me Mr. Doggleton’s leash. Then she went chasing after Molly.
“Come on in Bill.” Rose said.
“You’re as bad as my wife with all that worrying.” Bill joked and followed Rose inside.” John pulled up a chair.
“Shouldn’t you be inside resting that leg?” I asked.
“You’re as bad as my wife with all that worrying!” John laughed.
“Funny man.” I said.
“John, come take a look at this.” Angela shouted over from the spot where she and Molly were.
“Be careful!” I lectured.
“Yes dear.” John laughed and hobbled to Angela’s location. They were looking at something, but I couldn’t figure out what from my location. A little ways away there was fireworks. Mr. Doggleton stopped watering all the plants and he begged to go inside. Molly also came running over.
“Not so brave now, huh?” Mrs. Ford said then let in the dogs.
“Who is doing fireworks right now?” Mrs. Ford said.
“I’m not sure.” I said.
“What’s today anyways?” Mrs. Ford asked.
“Um,” I had to think for a minute. “I believe it’s the Fourth of July!” I said.
“Hence the fireworks.” She said.
“It’s nice that it’s that date, but they’re just going to attract the attention of the maniacs doing that.” She said. I agreed. More fireworks lit up the sky.
John walked over. “Happy Independence Day.” He said sarcastically.
“What’s going on over there?” I asked John.
“There’s a pile of dead animals.” He replied.
I walked over to the pile of animals. They all looked like they hadn’t been there for too long. “They all seem freshly killed.” I said to Angela.
“Yup.” She said “What a waste of meat.”
“I wonder who killed them.” I mumbled.
She sighed. “Probably maniacs. They weren’t shot. See?” She said holding up a rabbit that had his neck snapped.
“Great!” I said. “So, there is a maniac who’s just leaving us dead animals? Is it a threat or a present?”
“I’m not sure. These things are already starting to stink. We need to get rid of them i
n the morning.”
I agreed. “Never a dull moment.”
“Definitely not.” We walked back to the house.
“I just got word from the end of the driveway.” John began. “We’ll be on high alert tonight. So it’s all hands on deck. Everyone will continue on their duties tonight.”
“So we are all going to stay up all night?” I questioned.
“Just until the sun comes out and no one can sneak up on us. Then we’ll have a meeting and figure out what’s next.” John said.
“So, where am I needed?” Angela asked.
“Let’s see, at the end of the driveway they have Ryan, Luke, Robert, Ben, Gary, Jacob… Ethan’s inside with his brother. Bill isn’t doing well.”
“I’m here…” Mike said interrupting. He closed the door behind him as he came outside. “They don’t need me inside anymore.”
“Great. Cathy and Jill are guarding the back. Let’s see what they need for help down below.” He radioed to Ben and Ben said they were all set.
“Well, maybe we can have a few people get some rest so that we can change out when morning comes.” Mike said.
John agreed. “Angela, why don’t you, Mike and Cathy get some sleep, at least for a couple hours. Jill and I can guard the back. Aleisha and Mrs. Ford, can you continue to cover the front?”
Everyone agreed and went to their areas. Mrs. Ford and I sat back down in our chairs. “I wish that we could just feel safe.” I said. “What type of future is this for my kids?”
“It won’t be like this forever.” She said. “We’ll figure out something at some point.”
I sighed. “I guess I just keep thinking of the past so much. It’s hard to think that nothing will ever be like it was.” She agreed.
CHAPTER 10
An hour went by with no drama. Mrs. Ford and I talked about different things. She told me things about other teachers that I had never known before. Rose came outside. “Fresh air!” She said.
“How’s everything going inside?” I asked.
“Well, Gavin is resting. He’s doing well. Dr. Michaels is extraordinary. Ethan is resting near his brother. Bill definitely has bronchitis. Hopefully, we caught it early enough. He’s very stubborn. He’s resting now also. And as for Molly, the needles are out and she’s resting. Dr. Michaels also went to get some rest.” Rose informed us.