by Cooper, DJ
The watch remained for the twelve hours as planned. Dez went to each post explaining that they needed some time to get things ironed out. They were told they would have the whole next day off and asked to remain at post until they were relieved. They were to maintain radio silence and only courier messages were allowed. This was to be all part of training. Most were agreeable and happy to comply and only a few questioned or complained. Dez tried to make a mental note of the complaints.
After the noon watch change, following yet another twelve hours for those on watch and radio silence, all but channel eight that Dez carefully used for disinformation, a second man showed with a pack. They gathered the things from the box and left the pack behind climbing up and over the ridge. Not wanting to risk letting anything out over radio communication Jeremy who was now back on the post whistled to Charleigh and Toni who were below gathering wood. Using hand signals the best he could figure, he sent them for mom.
Dez came up the hill to the watch post where Jeremy flagged her to get down. Belly crawling into the post she looked at him hands out palm up silently asking, “What’s up?”
He pointed to his eyes and then to the outcropping, it had taken only thirty minutes for someone from the farm to go for the pack. Handing her the binoculars and whispering, “I can’t tell who it is with the hood up.”
Dez peered through them straining to see the figure. “It is definitely someone trying to remain hidden. They’re dodging from tree to tree. I can see them looking about as they go but still can’t tell who it is.” Returning them to Jeremy and nodding. “You see better than I do, can you make it out?”
“No but I’ll keep on it, they’ll turn the right way eventually.”
Gasping he reached out and poked Dez, pointing to the path on the side of the hill, someone was following. He looked away and to Dez. “It’s Joseph and Georgia.”
She grabbed the binoculars and looked for them, she could see that they were following the figure going to the outcropping. “Damn kids. They get to be teenagers and think they’re adults, we gotta stop em.”
Handing the binoculars back to Jeremy to continue watching she grabbed the radio and switched over to channel nine. They’d avoided using this channel to keep it open for emergency and the militia open comms. She knew Dickie monitored it for all incoming word from Ryan and the others. “Dickie, you listening? Over.”
Immediately Dickie’s voice came over the radio. “Roger that.”
“Meet me at position four ASAP! Over.”
“On my way, over.”
Looking to Jeremy. “Find out who that is!”
“Be careful mom.”
Smacking his arm she grinned at him. “Aren’t I always?”
“Yeah, ok… That’s what I’m afraid of.”
She made her way to meet with Dickie. She quickly told him what they’d seen and sent him up the trail after the kids. Looking at him she said solemnly. “It’s Georgia, she’s with Joseph. Please hurry there’s someone up there we’ve been watching.”
Dickie dropped his day pack and bolted up the trail. Jeremy was watching it all from his post. Horrified he watched as they drew closer, as the figures whom had left came back returning over the ridge a little behind them. Grabbing the radio still on channel nine he broke silence and called out loud enough to be heard below as well. “Oh my God! They’re closing in on them!”
Dickie was in a full run, branches slashing his face as he plowed through the underbrush in a direct path to them. He called out to his daughter and she stopped briefly, listening. The brush muffled his voice, keeping her from hearing what he was saying. Again, he called out, “Georgia, run!” They all heard it. Bang…A gunshot, then another. Jeremy watched, helpless to do anything as Joseph fell to the ground and then Georgia. Looking at the figure at the outcropping who’d turned at the sound he could see who it was.
His mouth fell open as the reality of the scene unfolded. Like slow motion he saw the children shot by the men on the ridge. Each falling to the path instantly. The men retreated back over the ridge just before Dickie burst through the brush. Scrambling over to them he immediately began to check their vitals. The figure at the outcropping had fallen to his knees. At first Jeremy thought he’d been shot as well, but once Dickie arrived at the children he ran for the far ridgeline.
Joseph lay curled in a fetal position on the path the shot hit him in his chest. He was not breathing and lay motionless. Georgia was shot in the stomach and also lay beside him. Unconscious but still breathing Dickie scooped her into his arms and began to run down the path. Only a few seconds behind him was John who grabbed up Joseph and followed.
Dez had already radioed for Ryan and had the truck ready to take the kids to town. Both Dickie and John leapt into the back of the truck with the children in their arms where Rebecca waited to try and help on the way.
She began CPR on Joseph who was unresponsive. He was already gone before they’d even made it to him. There wasn’t much blood, she guessed he’d been hit in the heart. Shaking her head at John she turned to look at Georgia. She’d awoken and was crying as Rebecca pulled her hands from her stomach. Deep dark red blood oozed from the wound. Rebecca knew this was signs of possible liver or arterial bleeding. Wrapping the blood pressure cuff around her arm it was difficult to get a reading with the truck bouncing them around, but she could tell it was low. She said nothing but Dickie and John both could see in her eyes she was worried.
Georgia reached for Dickie’s hand and held it weakly, blinking through the tears she said, “I’m sorry Daddy.”
Dickie could not hold in the tears as he held his daughter. Comforting her he whispered in her ear. She smiled slightly and closed her eyes. Looking up at Rebecca questioning in his eyes. With tears streaming down her face, she reached out to take her pulse. She looked back to Dickie and shook her head.
He banged on the window to the truck. Once it slowed he jumped out before it even stopped and angrily began walking back to the farm. Sam hopped from the driver’s seat and struck out after him while Dez climbed in the back to see about the kids. Rebecca sat sobbing while John gingerly covered them up. Dez was angry as well and called out after Dickie and Sam. “Get in the damn truck, it’s time to go hunting! I’ll not have these animals killing children.” Climbing into the driver’s seat she turned the truck around and caught up to them. Dickie refused to get into the truck, his blood boiling and tears running down his cheeks.
Dez hung out the window talking to him with a softer voice, cracking from her own tears. “Let’s get Georgia home and go find out who did this.” Finally, he relented and climbed into the front seat.
The truck was silent but for some sniffling and Dickie grumbling under his breath. As they passed the check point into the farm the watch could see the two covered bodies and knew they’d not made it. Pulling up to the barn Janice and Rita came over to help with the children while Charleigh and Laurie corralled the kids in the play area away from the truck.
Mark was sent up to the lookout to get Jeremy, who came down nearly as angry as Dickie. He’d seen the whole thing and had information eating at him. He knew who’d been trying to give away the intel and who shot the kids. He wanted to just blurt it out but wasn’t sure if he’d had help or even if his mom wanted others to know yet. He grabbed Dickie’s arm and halted his ass back to where the kids had been shot, shaking his head NO, he tipped his head towards the chicken pen. Reaching out for his mom he brought her with him.
Dickie and Dez stood expectantly waiting for Jeremy to tell them what he’d seen. “I saw who shot the kids.”
Dickies eyes raged, and his nostrils flared with anger. “Who?”
“Well not exactly who, but more like who they were with. It was the same tattoo we’d seen on the ones we liberated just a little different. Unmistakable though, it was the same.”
Dickie began to walk off when Jeremy reached out and stopped him. “There’s more.”
Dickie turned back and crossed his arms. Dez stood silent wai
ting for him to speak again. Jeremy looked from one to the other almost as if he didn’t want to share what he’d seen.
Dez reached out and touched his shoulder. “It’s ok, just tell us what you saw.”
Jeremy’s eyes welled up as he began to speak. “I was watching as the kids closed in on the figure, that’s when I saw the two come down from the top of the ridge. I called out and Dickie here went running.” Looking down he caught his breath. “The figure must have heard me because he turned around to look at the kids. They both recognized him because they waved at him just before the first shot hit Joseph.” Taking a moment to wipe his nose he continued, “I saw who it was when he fell to his knees. Right before they shot Georgia, he put his hand up to tell them to stop but they didn’t. They shot her anyway.”
Dickies eyes widened, “Who was it?”
Jeremy hung his head. “It was Keith, he watched them kill his own son. After they shot Georgia, I think he heard you coming and took off over the back ridge.”
Dickie turned and walked back to the barn without a word. Dez followed him reminding him he had another daughter. “Dickie, wait… What are you going to do? Don’t forget about Kayleigh.”
He turned and looked at her, fierce anger and hatred in his eyes. He shook as he stood looking at her. “I’m gonna kill em, that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“Please wait, let’s take care of Georgia and see what we can find out.”
He continued to stuff gear into his pack. Looking at her as he turned. “I expect you’ll handle it?”
Walking out of the barn to find Sam, Jeremy and John waiting for him. Preparing for a fight, he lowered his pack. He knew they meant well but no one was going to stop him. Jeremy put his hand out to shake. “We’re going up the ridge to see what we can find, offer some cover, and help you find a direction if we can my friend.” Dickie took his hand as Dez glared at all of them. As Dickie left the farm the realization that they may never see him again was overwhelming. Fighting back tears she turned and huffed off back into the barn without acknowledging them.
Walking back inside she found Rebecca digging through her oils and sobbing. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t find the lavender oil.” She slammed the lid on her oil chest. “Georgia loved the lavender, I wanted to put some on her when we prepare them for burial.” She slumped onto the chair and put her head in her hands. “Who would shoot children? What kind of world is this? It never crossed my mind that my own children might get shot until now.” Gasping for breath as she sobbed. Dez drew nearer and sat beside her. Rebecca picked her head up and Dez could see her tear streaked face and puffy eyes that looked hollow and empty but for the sorrow she felt. “Is this all we have to look forward to?”
Dez became stern with her, knowing now was not the time for coddling. “Rebecca… This is bullshit… You cannot fall apart right now. Why the hell is it that I can’t fall apart? Why is it all of you just give up and wait for me to fix it? Get with it girl, we are in this together. Your kids are safe and yes, this is a tragedy, but if his own father hadn’t been colluding with the enemy it would’ve never happened. Yes, this is the world we live in now and the only thing that can make it better is us.”
Rebecca sniffled and wiped her face, nodding to her she stood and grabbed another oil that was just as aromatic and started out of the barn. Stopping she looked back and quickly ran and hugged her. Dez smiled and hugged her back. “Let’s go do what has to be done.”
Dez sat silent in her bed that night. Tears streaming down into her ears as she lay wondering what the future would hold. Fearful for her own children as Jeremy was one of their best scouts. Fearful for Ariel who was the greatest joy in her life, and fearful for the community, the Clan Laurel as they’d dubbed it. Fearful for all of them because she knew what was coming.
Chapter 16
“War”
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
-George Washington
The explosion was devastating. In a moment’s time the water from the pond erupted spraying water and duck remains across the yard in front of the barn. Dez was sitting at the picnic table watching the children play when the horror of what was happening emerged. They were under attack, not from the ground but from the air. Or at least the attack was coming over the ridge. There were no planes in the air and as John hurried over to help gather the children into the woods behind them they watched as the very table she sat at shattered into splinters.
Holding Ariel close to her as she ran she glanced over her shoulder to John. “They have a spotter. Find them!”
John shuffled the kids into the small overhang where Dez sat in front guarding. Tawny hurriedly joined her in the protection of the young. Placing a hand on Dez’s shoulder she nodded and climbed to the top of the outcropping to watch the rear. The scene was one of dirt flying into the air and the inhabitants of the farm fleeing the debris.
Jeremy and Rich were already sprinting to the top of the ridge. Once they reached the peak they stood peering into the clearing on the road below. A man stood with a radio barking out orders, but they could see no one. The short range of mortars meant they had to be fairly close. Scouting along the ridgeline they saw the next round as it launched. Directly across from them; two men sat crouched behind a downed tree, one with a radio the other dropping mortars into the tube, firing down onto the farm. Rich motioned to Jeremy to look for a spotter on their side with his fingers. Pointing to his own eyes and then across the ridge behind them and down towards the farm before taking off across the top of the ridge towards the mortars.
Stopping at about a hundred yards from them he peered around a tree that he used for cover and took aim. Firing too quickly to properly sight, he hit the tree above the mortar handler. Both men began scanning the area for him. His breathing was too ragged from running to sight properly. Standing with his back against the tree he concentrated on his breathing, calming himself. He heard another round leave the tube that unmistakable hollow boom as it launches to its intended target. Watching in horror as it struck the box truck, sending splinters of shrapnel into the air.
Bringing the gun to bear, he took aim. Holding his breath, he fired once dropping the man firing the mortars. Quickly lining up his sights on the radio man and ending the barrage raining down on the farm. He signaled for Jeremy who came over the walkie. “Found a spotter on the far side. He won’t be spotting anything anymore. Over.”
“I’ve got about fifteen mortars and a mortar launcher I could use a little help carrying down the hill. Over.”
“On my way. Over.”
The two gathered the mortars, along with the radio, another set of binoculars and a number of other items from the men and hauled it all down to the farm.
Jeremy had radioed all clear before going to help Rich. They were emerging from the cover of the woods to assess the damages. The barn took a hit in the corner where they’d set up sleeping tents and the box truck was a total loss. Dez had watched the picnic table shatter into splinters and the child play area was decimated. They’d lost some ducks and another goat, but the chicken coop was spared.
The men weren’t targeting buildings but the people which was curious to Dez. Walking over to Sam she questioned this. “If they wanted to destroy us, why not hit the buildings? There are the two new cabins nearly finished that were not hit at all. And look the largest target of all was barely damaged, except for some pieces of the box truck embedded into the siding and the back corner over there.”
Walking around without a word Sam surveyed the farm. Turning back to her he exclaimed. “These were not the thugs sent from them camps. They want the farm. Look over here.” He pointed to the garden they’d been tilling up and preparing for spring crops. “It’s untouched, same with the chicken coop and outhouse. We need to prepare. NOW! More will be coming.”
Reaching for the radio Dez handed it to him. “Rich, Jeremy you still on the ridge? Over.”
Ri
ch came back. “Affirmative. Over.”
“Check the back side, something’s not right. Over.”
Jeremy came over the radio. “I agree something is off. None of these guys have the tattoo. This is something else. We do have a couple of their radios. Over.”
“Quick check then get here pronto. Over.”
“Roger that.”
Peering back over the ridge to the clearing a single pickup stood with the same guy barking orders into a radio. Nothing was coming across the ones they had though. “Each group must have its own frequency.” Rich said as he peered through the binoculars.
The radio came to life. “Mortars, Report.”
They just looked at it, again the voice came over. “Mortars, Report.” Trailing off they heard him say, “Ok, next phase. Mortars are gone.”
Rich looked at Jeremy, blinking as his eyes shifted from side to side. “That voice… I’ve heard it before. I can’t place it, but I know I’ve heard it. We need to get back down and talk to the others. Something is clearly not right here.” Putting his fist to his head and shaking it he continued. “Dammit, who the hell…” He stopped short, eyes wide. “Let’s go!”
The two made their way back down the hill with the bounty. Rich was practically running. Jeremy panted, “Slow down, or we’re gonna roll down the hill.”
“I need to get to Dez and Rita. I think I know who this is.”
“Who?”
“C’mon, let’s just get there.”
Dez and Tawny brought the kids to where their play area sat and accounted for them all. Tawny walked over to Dez head shaking and raised eyebrows. “Thank God they weren’t having school today.”
“I know I was thinking the same. Do we know if everyone else is ok?”
“Not yet, but I’ll go find out.”
Dez nodded to her and sat on a rock with Ariel and Matty while the other kids wandered around picking up pieces of the box truck and discussing it back and forth. Parents came to check on their children but left them with Dez to go take care of the needs of the injured and the farm.