Dystopia Box Set [Books 1-4]

by Cooper, DJ

  John crouched low and waved Dickie over to where he could see the door. He pointed to the guy still sitting on the steps saying, “This guy has been sitting here the entire time smoking or just making hand motions to the others over near the dumpster.”

  Dickie asked, “The leader?

  John replied, “Maybe, but I’m not sure. Something doesn’t look right about him. I’m thinking maybe just scout or decoy.”

  Dickie raised his eyebrows as if to express wonder and said, “How many?”

  John put up 6 fingers pointing to the guy on the steps. They both slid backwards into the shadow. The guy who was sitting was now climbing the steps towards the very door they were just observing from. He put his hands on the glass to cup his face so he could peer into the office. Pulling on the door, he shouted behind himself,

  “It’s locked, try the other one.”

  Dickie quietly pulled the slide back to check he had a round chambered, taking up a crouched position on the opposite side of the doorway from John. He had done the same, maintaining his position lying flat on the floor, his eyes straining in the darkness to see.

  Ray entered the room where the others were sitting, it was as if everything was happening in slow motion. He could only watch in horror as the pale light of the candle glistened off the knife, Martin lunged at Danny seemingly without provocation. Danny hadn’t expected it and wasn’t quick enough to avoid Martin’s attack. The knife met his flesh with ease sinking into his thigh, creating a long gash as Martin drew the knife back toward himself.

  Like a nightmare, out of nowhere Cindy fired a pistol at Mark missing him but hitting Jules in the back between her shoulder blade and spine, covering Ray in her blood as she fell limp to the floor in front of him. Danny cried out in pain, writhing with Martin, who was inching the knife toward his neck. Danny’s eyes filled with fear when it became clear Martin was a lot stronger and would eventually win this struggle for his life.

  No one noticed Amy grab the mop, swinging it with all her strength she hit Cindy in the face. Cindy stumbled backwards, dropping the gun reaching for her face. The metal clip holding on the mop head tore into Cindy’s face just below her right eye.

  Seeing his moment Ray fired at Martin, killing him instantly with a single head shot. Barely noticing the blood that splattered him, Danny scrambled out from under the lifeless body of his attacker.

  Amy was already at Jules’s side checking her while Laurie was in a trot headed for Danny. Rita ran to the truck and grabbed the first aid kit and was feverishly pulling gauze from its packaging for Amy. Leaving a number of packets there she made her way to Laurie and began opening gauze for Danny’s leg. His leg had a gash in it about 5 inches long and was very deep. Laurie began to cry, saying,

  “There is so much blood.”

  Rita took the gauze from her saying, “It’s not all Danny’s blood. We just need to get this a little closed up so we can get it covered.”

  Laurie looked at her with a spark of realization, saying, “I’m sorry, I am generally good with this sort of thing, but when it’s your son?”

  Rita nodded eyebrows raised, “I know I would lose it if anything happened to Matty. Let me take care of Danny, how about if you go help with Jules, ok?”

  Laurie nodded, and reaching out she brushed a wisp of hair from Danny’s face. Danny shrugged and said, “C’mon mom don’t get all weird. I’m ok.”

  Ray reacted instantly and was standing over Cindy, who by now was whimpering and cursing at them. Shouting profanities, bellowing in some form of guttural howl and at times screaming that they had killed Martin. Ray kicked her in the side scolding her to shut up. She continued her tirade until Ray hit her harder, knocking her out.

  Mark came over and started tying her up, looking at Ray he said, “Something is not right here Ray, we have been keeping an eye on these two. You need to go check the front with John and Dickie, I have a bad feeling about all this. I can handle this one, I’ll come check in when I’m done.”

  Don’t say anything to Dickie yet about Jules. I’m sure she will be ok, it is not that bad, the bullet passed right through missing anything important I think.”

  Ray agreed and was headed for the front office when they heard multiple gunshots. He dropped to the floor motioning everyone else to do the same and began to crawl toward John and Dickie’s position.

  Roger, who was on watch at the rear of the warehouse came running to the group, panting, he said, “There are two guys at the back door trying to force it open. I jammed a pry bar in it to help secure it, but I don’t know if it will hold.”

  Amy heard him, looking up, she said to Renee, “Can you get the kids into the vehicles and have Kimmie and Jenny help you get things packed into the vehicles for what I think may have to be a quick exit?”

  Barking out instructions Amy had everyone doing something. She and Rita were tending to Jules and Danny, while Mark and Kevin were attempting to question Cindy. Renee had the rest of them breaking down the camp getting ready to move out.

  They had no idea that there were at least six more at the front door, but Mark was sure Martin and Cindy were connected to them.

  They could hear gunfire from the front offices and a lot of it. Roger and Mark returned to watch the back entrance while Kevin was to continue to question Cindy.

  Kevin was a quiet man who could not get any information out of her. His wife Morgan came over to help him, she was a brash and loud woman, Amy didn’t like her, but Morgan was quite chummy with Renee and Kimmie, which made Amy not very fond of them either.

  Something felt wrong to Amy about Morgan but she was pretty sure it was just because she was so loud and uncouth that she grated on her nerves. Renee and Kimmie were much the same and likely why they were close with her. What Rita had said before they left was a constant source of wonder whenever she observed her. Amy found herself constantly wondering even what could have made John and Matt such unlikely friends.

  Shaking her head, she considered herself and John, many would think they were an unlikely match. She was already sick of this nomadic adventure and feared it would last forever.

  Getting Jules to her feet, she helped her into the vehicle and instructed her not to move around too much, telling her, “You need stitches, but I can’t do them now, we need to keep you still so you don’t start bleeding again.”

  Jules said, “Thank you Amy, is there nothing I can do to help?”

  Amy chided her, “Yes, stay put unless you want me to tie you down. I need to help Rita with Danny and get us all together.”

  Jules reluctantly agreed and slumped into the seat with a sigh.

  Approaching Rita, Amy asked, “How’s it look?”

  Rita shook her head saying, “It needs stitches, but for now I have it closed up with some medical tape and the bleeding has almost completely stopped.”

  Amy asked her, “Can we get him moved into the truck?”

  Rita said, “I think that is a good idea.” Then looked at Danny saying, “I know you think we’re just girls but no pressure on that leg.”

  Looking at Amy, she said, “Let’s get him up.”

  Her and Amy each grabbed an arm, Amy put her foot in front of the foot on his good leg and said, “On three, and don’t use the other leg.”

  Danny did as he was instructed and hopped over to the truck and was settled into the passenger seat.

  He said, “Rita, can you give me my gun?”

  Rita went over and picked it up, wiping the blood off it as she handed it to him.

  He said, “At least I can be on watch.”

  Rita nodded and returned to Amy’s side waiting for instruction for what to do next. She was scared and wished for the gunshots to stop. Amy saw the fear in her eyes and said,

  “I know, I’m scared too. Last week my biggest fear was that the colorist at the salon would make my hair too brassy.”

  Rita laughed with tears in her eyes as Amy continued, “We have to try and keep it together, I mean look around
you. The only other woman amongst us with any kind of backbone just got shot.”

  She handed Rita a Glock 9 mm and asked, “Can you shoot this?”

  Rita shook her head and Amy said, “Well, we ain’t got time to teach you right now. So this is the crash course.”

  She handed her two extra Mags and showed her how to eject the old one and saying, “Other than that just point and pull the trigger.”

  Rita said, “I don’t think I can do it.”

  Amy looked at her sternly and said, “If someone were trying to hurt Matty you would surely find the courage in an instant, don’t you worry about that.”

  Glancing over to the offices she noticed Kevin gathering the sleeping bags and wondered who was watching Cindy. Snapping her head in the direction Cindy was tied up, she saw Morgan hovering over her.

  Morgan had her back to them, but she could see Cindy’s face, there was something about the mannerisms in their conversation and the look in her eye that made Amy feel like she needed to look closer at the situation.

  Going over to them she thought she heard Cindy say, “Company.”

  Morgan stood abruptly and shouted at Cindy, “You better start talking.” Half-heartedly kicking her in the leg.

  Cindy cried out, “You didn’t have to kill him.” As she glared at Amy with hatred in her eyes.

  Amy instructed Morgan to go help Kevin and she would watch Cindy.

  Morgan glared at her saying, “We are all adults, and we don’t need you to babysit us or tell us what to do.”

  Amy defiantly looked at her and said, “No one said you did. I need to sit for a few minutes and thought I would take over watching her till the guys came back.”

  The gunfire was slowing down, but still steady so Amy said, “Never mind, I’ll go see what else might need doing.”

  Morgan yelled out to Kevin, “Hurry up with that before Miss Bossy Pants here starts ordering you around too.”

  Rita watched the exchange and saw Amy look back in her direction. She nodded at Amy and gave her a thumbs up. Rita knew Morgan all too well and hated her. Morgan had been part of the reason she and Matt divorced. Although there was no proof of anything going on between them, Morgan was always right in the middle of every issue they ever had.

  Amy crawled into the office and to her horror saw that John had blood running into his eye.

  She turned and screamed back through the doorway, “Rita, I need the first aid kit now.”

  Rita grabbed it and sprinted for the office, she saw why Amy was so shaken and quickly started wiping the blood from his face.

  John shooed her away and continued to fire into the darkness when Rita said, “You can’t even see what you’re shooting at with blood in your eyes.”

  Amy took up a position beside him and began to fire blindly at the unseen foe just to make John let Rita look at his head. The bullet had grazed his head, leaving a two inch gash from his forehead back. Rita quickly planted a gauze pad on it and wrapped it with a bandage.

  Dickie shouted to the girls, "Get everyone ready to move out." they both nodded and made their way for the door.

  Amy was crying by now saying, “I can’t do this. I tried to be strong, but I can’t handle it.”

  Rita shook her and said, “Look around you. Remember what you told me? You were right, we have to step up. Let's do this.”

  Amy sniffled and nodded and began grabbing the things that were strewn around the office saying, “I don’t think it matters where we put everything let’s just get it all stowed.”

  Entering the warehouse, she shouted, “Everyone into your vehicles. Kids in the back seat on the floor.”

  Ray came running from the offices asking where Roger and Mark were, Amy pointed by the bay door. He ran over to them, told them the plan and ran back, hopping into the driver’s seat of the jeep.

  Everyone else was getting into the vehicles, Ray beeped the horn when he saw all were loaded. Out of the offices came Dickie and John, hopping into the vehicles they headed for the bay door. Mark and Roger flung open the door and began firing through it.

  As the vehicles passed by Mark and Roger jumped into the back of the pickup and continued to fire at the attackers until they were out of range.

  Chapter 13

  “Treachery”

  “It’s hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it”

  -Nicole Richie

  Speeding south they drove a few hours until it felt safe to make camp. They found themselves along the bank of a river, certain they were not on the course originally intended they pulled into a place amongst some pine trees close to the riverbank to make camp.

  Remaining in the vehicles seemed the best idea for the night so each vehicle had one person stand watch at a time while the others slept.

  Once the sun rose they would be able to see to assess their situation, injuries and location. John was worried and couldn’t sleep. For the hours they travelled they saw no lights, he wondered if the lights were out everywhere. He wished he could talk to Matt or anyone who could tell him what may lay in store for them on this journey.

  The sun rose in a few hours and the weary travellers began to emerge from their vehicles. Looking at the vehicles they could see the many bullet holes and realized just how lucky they were.

  Rita collected sticks for a fire and asked Matty if he would help her saying, “Let’s be helpful and build the fire.”

  Matty happily skipped alongside Rita gathering small sticks and playing chase in the woods with her. John watched this looking at them when Amy walked up to him.

  She looked at him asking, “Whatcha looking at?”

  John said, “Do Matty and Rita look to you like she is mean to him?”

  Amy said, “No, as a matter of fact she looks quite good with him. Why?”

  John said, “I don’t know, Matt is always telling me how mean she is to him and how she only got custody because he couldn’t afford a lawyer.”

  Amy shrugged and said, “Well I just thought she was some psycho we got stuck with because of Matty but she was the only one to step up and help out back at the warehouse.”

  “See.” John said, “That’s what I mean.”

  “Well, who knows really, it is always he said, she said in these things. For now all I see is a mom taking care of her kid and participating in the needs of this, this… whatever we call this trek we are on.” Amy replied.

  John nodded and Amy asked, “Morgan is my question what is up with that piece of work?”

  John said, “I don’t really know her, I know Matt does and Kimmie and Renee but other than that? I honestly tried not to, she is just about as low rent as they come.”

  “You can say that again.” Amy scoffed.

  Right then Melinda came walking up asking Amy to look at Danny’s leg.

  She said, “It’s starting to bleed through the bandages.”

  Amy said she would be right there and asked her to go get Laurie and also to get the med kit out of the truck.

  Amy kissed John and said, “I’m glad you’re ok, I don’t think I could do all this without you.”

  John hugged her close and said, “I am always amazed at not only your beauty but also the way you handle things. We both know that camping and such is not your forte’ yet you come through in every instance without skipping a beat.”

  Amy laughed, saying, “Only cause I’ve been hanging around a caveman like you.” Winking at him she headed to tend the wounded.

  Cindy was causing a scene yelling how her face hurt and how they could leave Martin just lying there a crumpled heap on the floor of the warehouse.

  Amy walked past giving her an uncomfortable look and wondering why Morgan brought her with them. She thought she best not say anything and leave it up to the guys to question her. It seemed like Morgan had found a new playmate of sorts and this was profoundly disturbing to Amy.

  Kevin came walking up and said to Amy, “The stream is clear and fast flowing. Looks lik
e some good water, would you like me to get some boiling for you to clean these wounds with?”

  Amy hadn’t heard Kevin say two words since she met him, it shocked her that he offered to help. She agreed and went to cleaning up and preparing for stitches with Laurie.

  Laurie had an interest in herbal medicines and was always trying to learn new things. But all of this was way out of her league she said. Amy told her not to worry that she could do the stitching, but that she needed her help just to assist her with it.

  While each were doing their own set of things, the not so insignificant task of interrogating Cindy was John’s priority on this day. One thing he was sure of was that he would not allow her to continue with them and needed as much information about who they were dealing with back there.

  Grabbing her by the arm, he said, “You, come with me.”

  Morgan began to protest, but John gave her a look and she knew he would not be reasoned with on this. He dragged her to the water’s edge and told her she would drown today if she didn’t start talking.

  She cried out for Morgan to help her saying, “You said no one had balls enough to really hurt me.”

  John sneered right in her face, “She lied!”

  Cindy immediately began to talk, he didn’t even have to do anything, just the fear of torture was enough.

  She said, “Martin and I were supposed to go in and find out what supplies you had and sneak out in the middle of the night and let the others know.”

  John pressed her, “How did they know we were there?”

  Cindy crying now said, “They watched you from the water tower. Simon has binoculars and told us to get inside and see if you had many weapons. They could see the military jeep and the clothes on those two.”

  John asked, “Who’s Simon and why was he watching us?”

  Cindy was begging to not be left there by now and told him he had to take her with them or Simon would kill her. John told her if what she told him was acceptable he would think about it.

  Cindy explained, “Right after the banks didn’t open Simon opened up shop, he had a bunch of biker guys that would enforce for him. He had lots of supplies and everyone had to give up what they had for protection from what they thought were the bikers.”