Considerable Destruction Series (Book 1): Evasion (

by Hernandez, Erica

  “Thanks Eliana. This is Jimmer and June. They were out when you came by last time.” Nate explains. They troop in, shutting the door.

  “I’m Eliana. Welcome. It’s nice to meet you guys.” I walk to the table. “Have a seat. Would you all like some tea? Gracie, could you start the tea pot?”

  “We’d love some!” June responds, sitting at the table.

  “We wanted to talk to you about that farm. We’d love to go work in exchange for food,” Nate explains. “Do you think that’s still an option?”

  “Definitely. A group of ours are going out there. We need our other members to return since one of our members was recently kidnapped by the Crown Killer. She escaped, but he threatened to come try to kill us. We’re getting prepared to defend ourselves,” I explain, feeling strangely disconnected from the danger of it all.

  “Wow! Do you think that’s the same guy who killed my sister?” He asks with a look of horror on his face.

  “It’s likely,” I acknowledge.

  “I’ll stop back at the house and send our marksmen here. We want that guy dead.” Nate shakes his head like he’s trying to erase a memory.

  “Wow, thanks! That’s exactly what we need.” I exclaim.

  Nate shakes my hand. “Thanks. We’ll head up the hill and they’ll see you in a few.”

  “Thanks.” I look him straight in the eye.

  “Be safe!” They chorus, heading out.

  “Do you think they’ll really send more help?” Gracie asks.

  “I hope so.” I head back to the kitchen. “We could sure use it.”

  The back door opens. “Oh man, that smells good!” Justin’s voice wafts in.

  “Ooooh, man. I wanna eat!” Simon exclaims.

  “Looks like it’s just about done.” I turn to see plates lined up with sandwiches on them. “Oh! Good!”

  “Yeah, people are ready for lunch.” Bree waves in the general direction of the back door.

  “Come grab a plate!” I call. Simon and Justin choose plates, while I serve bowls of soup. Soon there’s a line. We’re down twelve people, with just eighteen left, so everyone can eat at the same time.

  “While I was cooking, I wondered if it makes sense to defend this place? Isn’t is possible that if we just left for a while, he’d quit looking for us?” I ask.

  “You’re thinking we should just walk away from all we’ve built here?” Sam asks.

  “It’s not easy, but we could rebuild at Polyrock. If we leave before he gets here, we could potentially take everything with us. Then, none of us gets killed or injured. If we fight him, we could lose people…”

  “We voted on this before and everyone who is still here wanted to stay,” Rob reminds me.

  “I know. I just don’t think we really considered how dangerous this could be. We think he’ll come with only eight people, but we could be wrong. If we leave for a significant period of time, maybe we could come back, fighting him when he least expects it.” I am emphatic, concerned that we didn’t consider all the angles.

  “You have a point. We didn’t really talk about the worst-case scenario,” Justin acknowledges.

  “I hate to leave our home,” Jose almost moans. “But it’s just a house.”

  “Well, even if we decide to leave, we have to be prepared to fight, in case he comes before we leave,” Rob points out.

  “That’s a really good point.” It’s an eye-opening realization for me. “We could really do both, prepare to leave and be ready to fight.”

  “I have to agree that that’s the best solution.” Sam pushes back her chair. “I’m thinking we hide our Bug-Out-Bags somewhere near Nadir’s house so we’ll have access to them, even if we have to leave fast.” The group agrees, splitting up after lunch to continue preparing to leave, while preparing to fight. Groups divide into guard shifts, target practice, and moving preparation. The group working on moving preparations begins moving Bug-Out-Bags to Nadir’s house.

  “We can hide them under his back porch!” I suggest.

  “I’d like to see how well disguised they are.” Stephen follows with Nate, Sam, and Maddie. Each of us carries two Bug-Out-Bags.

  “Let’s keep our eyes and ears out for anything that looks or sounds unusual.” Sam says, her voice and movements a testament to stealth.

  “Let’s walk in different areas so we aren’t creating a path.” I lead us behind a tree, crossing over in an unused area. As we arrive at the back of Nadir’s house, I point to the south end of the house which juts out, creating a space below the porch, completely blocked both east and south.

  “This is pretty good. Let’s disguise them more.” Sam points as we unload our packs, disguising them with branches. “Excellent, let’s head back for more.” We transport all the bags over to Nadir’s house, keeping them disguised, returning for dinner duty.

  “Look you can’t even tell there’s a cellar down there!” I exclaim returning from the garage with meat for dinner.

  “I was admiring that,” Sam chuckles.

  “I hate to leave our animals,” I say, thinking about fitting them in the truck.

  “Let’s move them now,” Sam says, “We can care for them in the truck if necessary.”

  “It’s cold, but we still have gas for the grill, right?” Stephen asks.

  “Yeah, for the grill or the stove.”

  “Why don’t I cook tonight while you guys load the animals?” Stephen offers.

  “Deal!” Sam shoos him out the door with a plate of lamb chops with shawarma seasoning.

  “I hope the guys from up the hill come…” My chest aches and my stomach is upset. “I’m feeling really stressed out about this guy. He might not find us, but if he does, he’ll fight dirty.”

  “We’re prepared, Eliana. We’ve got three teams keeping watch. They’ve all got walkie talkies to alert us if they scout anything. We’ve got two dogs on hyper alert and we need to go move animals.” Sam tries to calm my nerves.

  “What if they don’t see him?” My mind is churning with worries. “Aren’t you worried?”

  “Well, sure, a little. But we’re doing all we can do, so there’s no sense worrying about what we can’t control.” Sam is so logical.

  “You’re right, of course.” I realize I’m extremely conflicted, not wanting to leave and not wanting to fight. Sam and Eliana get help from the group to move goats, chickens, and rabbits into the truck with feed. They tether the goats, moving Jessie’s animals in their cages and create a temporary cage for Eliana’s chickens.

  “There’s no way life is going to be easy in an apocalypse,” Sam reminds me.

  “Damn it all to hell!” I say as we return wearily to the house.

  “Hey, all. Looks like the chops are done!” Stephen sets two large plates on the butcher block. “I’ll go get the rest.” Soon we’re all at the table, or nearby, except those on watch crew. People are pretty quiet while we eat.

  Sheba starts barking with Mike joining in. I jump up along with a bunch of others. We’re all hypervigilant with concerns about the Crown Killer showing up.

  “God, forbid!” I hiss, heading to the window by the front door to peek out.

  “Does everyone have their guns?” Stephen asks. There are murmurs of assent.

  “That’s Jay with some other guys! I think they’ve come to help!” I’m so excited by this development. I didn’t think they’d come.

  “Far out!” Stephen laughs.

  I open the door, commanding Sheba to her bed, and Mike to his. “Jay and gang, welcome!”

  They come inside. “You guys are a sight for sore eyes! Sit down. Make yourselves at home. Have you eaten?”

  “We ate,” Jay says. “But we’re short on food, so if you have some to spare, we won’t turn it down. By the way, this is Dan, Andy, and Hameed.”

  We shake hands. “Nice to meet you, guys. Where are you from, originally, Hameed?” I ask, always interested in culture.

  “Yemen. Never thought I would have stayed here. Wonder
if it’s just as bad there?” His accent is strong, yet easy to understand. I realize then that they look a little thinner, perhaps. More of our group leave the table to make room.

  “Go ahead guys. Sit down. We’ll bring food,” I urge them.

  Maddie gets up, heading for the kitchen. “We’re only short on plates. Give us a minute to wash some.”

  “Looks like nearly one chop each,” I observe. “I’ll serve these guys some food. We want their stomachs full so they can focus on the battle ahead!”

  “Damn right!” She passes me a plate which I fill with meat, potatoes, and salad.

  “Would you like milk or grape juice?”

  “Wow! This is fantastic! Milk. Thanks.” Jay accepts the plate as Maddie brings milk. I fill three more plates.

  “So, do you guys have any idea when they’re coming?” Jay asks, when his mouth is empty.

  “We don’t know,” I explain. “He told us he’d come. We figured it would take him a couple days to heal up ‘cause we shot him in the shoulder.”

  “He should be in some severe pain for several more days, don’t you think?” Nate asks.

  “I would think a week or more,” Jonathan agrees. “But we need to be ready. He could go off half-cocked and come earlier.”

  “That’s a good point. A sick fuck could make rash decisions,” Dan agrees.

  “So, will you guys sleep here if nothing goes down soon?” Jonathan asks.

  “Do you guys have space?” Jay asks. “And enough food for morning?”

  “I think so. Don’t you, Mom?” Jonathan looks at me as I nod. “Four of us are out at the farm and eight just left. It might mean sleeping on a mat on the floor if you don’t mind. We definitely have enough food for the morning.”

  “That decides it for me,” Andy laughs.

  “That was a great meal. I am happy to eat well again tomorrow!” Hameed chuckles along with the other guys.

  “I haven’t felt this comfortable in days. We’ve been going hungry to make sure the kids eat,” Jay admits.

  “When this crisis is over, you guys come with us to the farm, work your tails off, and take home a bunch of meat and milk,” I promise. “We have a spare mat and bed upstairs and a bedroom next door. Why don’t you two follow me upstairs.”

  Thirty-Eight

  Eliana

  The Attack

  The walkie talkie crackles to life as I’m getting in bed. “Eliana, a two-truck caravan sited. Eight men, possibly more. Be ready!” It’s Rob’s voice from the roof of the north house.

  “Shit! Get your guns!!” I’m yelling, jamming my boots on. “They’re here!” Feet race, things rustle as everyone bolts for their weapons and places. I hear Sam in the other room.

  “Let’s go!”

  “Two north, two south,” Rob says, “Dan, Andy, NOW!”

  “I’ll take the south. Hameed, Jay, with me!” And they’re gone. I watch Jose go, feeling my chest tighten.

  “Girls, guns ready!” They’ve trained hard. I know they can do it. I send the younger girls and Jedaiah out back, where it’s safer. I hear the first gun shots, darting to the front room.

  Suddenly, the front window explodes. I’m showered in glass, knocked to the floor. A small cannister, pouring smoke lands on the floor nearby. A stabbing pain erupts in my left arm. I look down to see a dagger of glass, which has opened a cut on my arm. The house fills with smoke. My throat is raw. Blood runs down my arm. My eyes burn and I force my way up. My breathing becomes labored, pain escalating as I stagger for the back door. Sheba pushes me along. I jerk it open, bursting into the fresh air. My legs buckle as I reach the patio, falling to my knees. I claw at my chest, coughing, gasping for breath. Sheba nudges me away from the house. I see a dim outline of Gracie in the chicken coup, near Ciarran’s hutch. Struggling for breath, unable to talk, I try to get up the path to my daughter. I gesture wildly, pointing towards Nadir’s.

  Gracie runs towards me, holding Ciarran, her bunny, under her chin. I attempt to talk, only croaking, “Go… Nadir’s!”

  I stagger through the yard towards Nadir’s as the girls race ahead of me. Sheba noses me intermittently in my injured hand or thigh, letting me know she’s there. I pass into Nadir’s neighbor’s yard, no fence to block our path. I stumble again, steadying myself with Sheba’s ruff, coughing, lightheaded from the smoke.

  The staccato of gun shots erupts behind me. I’m trying to count them but my head is fuzzy and I don’t know who is shooting anyway.

  Gracie tosses me my Bug-Out-Bag. “Mom, you’re bleeding!” She hisses. She pulls a crumpled bandana out of her pocket, tying it around my arm to stem the blood flow. “Jonathan can do better.”

  The girls seize the packs, heading for the truck, shouts and gunshots behind us. We check cautiously for crazies around the side of the house, unable to see much in the pitch dark with no street lights. Sheba streaks by us to the truck. We make it under Nadir’s grape vines, devoid of leaves, walking stealthily toward our truck.

  “I don’t hear anything,” Gracie states quietly. Bree reaches the truck first, fumbling for the key under the fender. She finds the key, unlocking the back door. The girls help me into the trailer, plopping Jedaiah beside me. Sheba leaps in, nuzzling me and licking my face. Then she sniffs around the chicken cages.

  “Can you find the first aid kit? There’s got to be something that will help my mom!” Gracie sounds hysterical.

  “Doesn’t she always rub everyone with that salve of hers?” Bree asks. “Let’s try it on her throat until Katie or Jonathan arrive. Here.” Bree opens the box and rummages around. “I think this is it. It says Comfrey,” she says, shining her flashlight on it. My rasping cough continues.

  “Yeah.” Gracie opens it, rubbing it on my throat. “Can you get her water bottle out of her pack?” she asks, continuing to gently rub my throat with salve. Bree passes her my water bottle and I put it to my lips, drinking the cool water like an elixir.

  “Is there any honey in that first aid kit?” Gracie asks.

  “I don’t see any,” Bree laments.

  “Could you look around the food. I bet there’s some packed in here,” Gracie begs. “We’ve got to soothe her throat.”

  “Can’t you do Reiki like she does?” Gini asks. I start to heave from the intense coughing, feeling like I might vomit.

  “I could try it. I’ve watched her enough times.” Gracie begins making the motions and saying the chant. “Choku rei, choku rei, choku rei.” She continues silently. “Darn. I can’t remember it all.”

  Time seems to stop, or spread out endlessly. The pain seems unbearable, my lungs tight. If I could just take a deep breath.

  “Maybe you should rub more salve on her,” Gini suggests.

  “Aunt Elli…” Jedaiah cries, scrambling close to my side.

  “Here’s some honey!” Bree exclaims, bringing it to us. Gracie rubs more salve on my throat, opening the jar and sticking her finger in it.

  “Open up, Mom.” She puts her finger in my mouth and I gratefully suck the honey from it as I continue coughing, but less severely. I’m able to swallow the honey which soothes my throat. I drink more, finding the relief instantaneous. I guzzle swallow after swallow, the cool water alleviating my cough.

  “Wow, she’s drinking a lot. Is that helping?” Bree ask.

  I nod slightly, then lean heavily against a box as everything goes fuzzy.

  Thirty-Nine

  Simon

  Evasion

  “Look at those motherfuckers! Isn’t that them?” Simon gets his gun out, having it ready. Andy flops, belly down, propping his gun on the peak of the roof. Dan crouches nearby.

  “It is. Eliana, a two-truck caravan is coming. Get ready!” Dad warns the other house.

  A shiny, black pickup pulls onto Todd street. Simon braces his gun on the peak of the roof, watching until it gets closer. He aims for the driver, his rifle shot echoes in the night.

  “Good shot!” His dad hollers as the truck swerves, crashing into
a mailbox, the driver slumps forward, slamming on the horn. Two more shots ring out. The second black truck pulls up the street as it’s tire pops. The second truck crashes into the first one, the driver covered with blood. Simon begins to shoot wildly at the grill of the truck, not wanting these assholes to get anywhere near his sister or mom. This is brutal shit. This asshole targets young girls, doing things that make me sick. The windshield splinters. The driver opens the door, falling onto the pavement spitting blood.

  “There are more in the back of the truck. Keep shooting.” Simon shouts.

  “How many are there?” Andy asks.

  “I can’t tell!” Dan yells.

  Simon quickly aims for the dark forms, jumping out of the back of the truck. Simon sees them, hiding behind the truck but they’ve got to come out eventually.

  Aim and fire, pop, pop. More shots. Another one down. Two are sneaking up to the gate. Simon reloads, barking at the others, “take those guys out,” gesturing towards two men on the driveway. Simon and Dan discharge their weapons simultaneously. One man drops silently to the ground while his companion crumples slowly.

  A cheer erupts as his dad high fives them all.

  “Wait!” Simon points.

  Everyone’s gaze follows his finger as a long shadow moves into the light. The tall, wiry frame strides out of the wreckage, with a dark, flat brimmed hat, the stampede strings slapping against his gaunt cheeks as he moves rapidly up to the gate across the driveway. He climbs the fence, ignoring the barbed wire. He pulls his right arm back, holding a cannister in his hand.

  Rob says, “Take him out, guys!”

  All three shoot as the tall man jerks with the impact, throwing the cannister toward the front window, falling out of site as the window implodes. They cheer with elation.