Forsaking Home (The Survivalist Series) Read online

  Doc sat down beside me as Danny propped a foot up on the bench across from me. I looked at Danny, then at Doc, hoping beyond hope.

  “We looked at her clothes.” He paused for a moment. “We didn’t see anything, you know, that would show—” I raised a hand to stop him. I’d heard what I needed to and didn’t want that thought to enter my head again, ever.

  Doc left and Danny sat down. “As bad as it is, it could have been worse. Thankfully, she’s okay.”

  I nodded. “Thanks, Doc.”

  Danny folded his hands, laying them on the table in front of him. “Between you, me, and the other guys, nothing will ever happen to one of them again.”

  I’d been staring off at the tree line across the river. I looked him in the eye. “I hope not.”

  “You gonna be all right?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’m gonna go check on her,” I said and stood up.

  No one in the group stopped me, which was good. I appreciated the concern and the help, but I didn’t want to keep hearing their sympathy. Thad was standing at the fire, eyes locked on mine. Several large pieces of pork were sitting on the grill, the fat snapping and popping as it dripped into the flames. He gave a quick knowing nod, then went back to tending his meat. I smiled at him. The circumstances that had brought the two of us together were certainly interesting, and I was incredibly thankful to have him in my life as well. Besides Danny, there was no friend I trusted more in this world.

  I stopped by the fire for a moment and knelt down between the girls, asking if they were all right. They said they were and asked about their little sister again. I told them they needed to be especially nice to her and to look out for her. I also told them she probably wouldn’t want to be alone and they would have to tolerate her hanging around with them. She was surely about to become their ever-present shadow. They nodded silently, agreeing with me. When I got to the cabin, I found Mel lying with Ashley, who was asleep. Mel was running her fingers through her hair, watching her.

  “How is she?” I asked.

  “She’s fine now,” Mel said without looking up.

  Ashley’s eyes opened. “Daddy?” she said, reaching a small hand out.

  I grabbed her hand. “Right here, Little Bit, right here.” She wrapped her hand around my thumb and closed her eyes. Soon her breathing settled into a slow rhythm. I rubbed her hand and settled in beside Mel. Soon we were all asleep.

  When I woke up, it was dark. Little Bit was sitting up. “I’m hungry, Daddy.”

  Mel sat up and looked around. “How long did we sleep?”

  “I don’t know, but she’s hungry. Let’s go get her something to eat.”

  Little Bit walked between us, holding our hands. Everyone was out at the table with a couple of kerosene lanterns set out for light. They were talking and laughing.

  As we came into the light Mike called out, “Hey, glad to see you’re up, there, Sleeping Beauty. Enjoy your nap?”

  Little Bit smiled. “I did. I’m hungry.”

  Mike smiled back. “I bet you are, Ashley, but I was talking to your daddy.”

  She laughed. “He’s not Sleeping Beauty.”

  “You’re right, no beauty there,” Danny said.

  Room was made for us and we sat together on one end. “What’s for supper there, Grandpa?” I asked Thad.

  He laughed. “Grandpa?”

  “Yeah, remember the old show Hee Haw? What’s fer supper, Grandpa?”

  “Oh damn, you’re really dating yourself now, Morg,” Ted said with a chuckle.

  “What’s Hee Haws?” Little Bit asked.

  “Just an old show,” Mel said, then, looking at me, added, “a really bad one.” This got a laugh out of everyone.

  “Well, tonight we’re having some roast pig and fried rice,” Thad said as he prepared plates for the three of us. Lee Ann and Taylor carried them over.

  When I got my plate, I looked at the rice. “Fried rice, huh? Who pulled this off?” It actually looked like fried rice from the Before, with carrots and peas in it. It even had the egg.

  “I did!” Mike said, waving a hand. “Y’all didn’t know I could cook, did you? More than a pretty face here, boys and girls.”

  Ted was picking through the rice with a fork. “I’m still not sure you can.”

  “Pfft, hater,” Mike said with a dismissive wave.

  Little Bit seemed surprisingly normal during dinner. Danny was sitting across from her, making faces at her and chewing up mouthfuls of food and sticking out his tongue to reveal them, which had her rolling. Jamie was talking to her and Mel, as was Bobbie. It was as if it never happened, which was good. I just hoped it stayed that way.

  “Ian, Jamie, Perez, you guys get enough to eat?” Ted asked.

  Perez sat back and patted his stomach. “I haven’t had anything that good in a long time.”

  Jamie looked at Thad. “It was wonderful, really good,” she said, looking around the table. “Thank you all for sharing with us.”

  “I’ve never had enough, but I’m good. Thanks, guys,” Ian said with a smile.

  Mike raised his hand. “I’m good too, in case anyone’s wondering.”

  Ted leaned back and folded his arms over his chest, looking sideways at Mike. “We’re not.”

  “You guys about to head out?” Danny asked.

  “Yeah, back to the real world,” Ted answered.

  “Interesting choice of words,” Jamie remarked.

  “Thad, since you made dinner, I’ll take care of cleaning up,” Jeff said.

  “I’ll help you,” Bobbie offered.

  The two began collecting the plates and bowls as Ted and company started getting their things together.

  Before they left, I thanked everyone for their help with Ashley, though it went without saying.

  “Don’t sweat it, man, there was no way we wouldn’t have,” Mike said.

  “Morgan, thanks for the hospitality,” Ian said. He looked as though he wanted to say more, but instead he stuck out his hand.

  We all shook hands, telling each other that if anything was needed to call. The guys said they would stop by on the way back. We watched as they got in the buggy and drove away. Once even the sound of it was gone we finally started back toward the fire.

  “You going back tonight, Doc?” Thad asked.

  “Nah, it’s dark. I’ll wait till morning. That damn latrine ain’t going anywhere.”

  “Piss tubes?” I said in the dark.

  Doc laughed. “Yeah, that’s what I’m doing, you’d think they didn’t know shit about sanitation over there.”

  “Well, Doc, if you need any help—” I was saying, until he cut me off.

  “Don’t worry about it, but thanks.”

  “I was going to say, Don’t call me!” I said with a laugh.

  Doc laughed. “Thanks, Morg, nice to know who your friends are.”

  “Yeah, movin’, roofin’, and plumbin’ will sort your friends out quick,” Thad said.

  We all laughed. It was a good way to end a rough day.

  As we walked back to the cabin I put my arm around Lee Ann’s shoulder. She hadn’t said anything all evening.

  “You know what happened wasn’t your fault, right?”

  She stared at the ground and shrugged her shoulders.

  “It’s not your fault. There’s only one person to blame, and he’s been taken care of,” Mel said.

  Without looking up, Lee Ann spoke. “If I hadn’t left her alone it wouldn’t have happened.”

  I was surprised when Little Bit spoke up. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, Lee Ann.”

  I gave her a little smile, then rubbed Lee Ann’s head. “See, she doesn’t blame you.” But even with that, Lee Ann kept her eyes glued to the ground.

  Chapter 8

  Mike was at the whe
el, driving the buggy through the forest, while Ted was navigating for him using the updated map for guidance. After a short security check, they crossed Highway 19. They decided that they would start on the south side of the camp to find an observation spot.

  They looked for a place to set up in a small bayhead, which was thick with cabbage palms, small oaks, gum trees and other brush. Mike drove in from the south, keeping their entrance and escape on the opposite side of the swamp from the camp. Once in, the small group set about camouflaging their location. Great effort was taken to cover their tracks and hide where they had driven off the road. An inspection of the road revealed that there hadn’t been any traffic in some time, foot or wheeled.

  “I wish we could get this damn wagon closer,” Ted said.

  “Me too. I’d like for a quick exfil should we need it,” Ian said.

  “I’m not worried about that. I want to use the cameras on the battle wagon. They’ll keep us from having to get too close,” Ted replied.

  “We’ll just have to do it the old-fashioned way,” Ian said.

  “Yeah, all right. Now, let’s talk assignments,” Ted said, taking the lead. “Jamie, you and Perez are going to stay here as our security.”

  “Why, ’cause I’m a woman?” Jamie asked as she crossed her arms.

  “No, it’s because Ian said you’re a really good shooter.” Jamie’s expression changed slightly. Ted continued, “And I don’t need shooters right now, I need people trained as observers. Have you been to sniper school?”

  Jamie snorted. “No, but I can still handle the job.”

  “Not saying you can’t, but this is just the way it’s gonna be,” Ted said, making it clear the issue was closed. He looked at Perez, waiting for him to protest too.

  Perez raised his hands. “I’m good. I’m in no hurry to die.”

  “Good, me neither,” Ted replied with a smile.

  Once the security team was chosen, they went through radio procedures. The observation team would call in three times a day. Just in case there was trouble and the group was discovered, they covered the planned exfil route and rendezvous points, of which there were several.

  “If we get found,” Ted said as he dug into his pack, “throw these into the woods.” He handed Jamie two white phosphorus hand grenades.

  Ted went on to show them the possible locations for the incendiaries to be used, giving each location a letter code. These incendiaries would set fire to the forest, creating a diversion for the guys inside the fence to escape. It was a drastic measure that everyone hoped wouldn’t be necessary.

  “You know if we set these off, it will start one hell of a wildfire,” Perez said. He was right—the area was dry, and there hadn’t been rain in weeks.

  Ted nodded. “I know, but when it comes to it, I’d rather burn the woods down than die.” He looked back at Mike and Ian. “You guys ready?”

  Both men nodded, and they headed out, leaving Perez and Jamie to get settled into their new home. Ian took point, carrying a SAW. Ted had Sarge’s M1A, and Mike was carrying the 203. While contact wasn’t the point of the mission, they wanted enough firepower to break it if it happened. They moved very slowly through the bush, taking a step and listening, then taking another. It took them hours to reach the road that ran around the perimeter of the camp.

  They crawled up a small hill that had cabbage palms on it. From there, they could see the road.

  “How the hell are we going to cross that without leaving any tracks?” Mike asked.

  “I don’t know,” Ted replied, “but we got to figure it out. From the looks of all those tire tracks, the Feds must patrol this regularly.” He pulled out a set of binoculars to take a better look, then pointed east. “Let’s move that way.”

  The guys nodded and Ian took the point again, first moving back into the woods for cover and then turning parallel to the road. The ground was a steady, slow slope down, and they continued to follow the contour. After a few hours of this movement, Ian held up a fist and slowly dropped to his knee. Ted slipped up beside him. Ian pointed out in front of him. There was a small branch of flowing water crossing their path. Ted patted him on the shoulder and moved past him.

  The water was flowing across the road from the direction of the camp. Ted surveyed the situation. There was a culvert running under the road, but a lack of maintenance had allowed sand to fill it, so now the small flow of water was washing over the road itself. Satisfied that the flowing water would help cover their tracks, he decided this was the best place for them to cross. Ted moved back to the other two men.

  “Here’s where we’ll set up and watch the road. We need to figure out their patrol routine before we cross.”

  Mike and Ian nodded, then began to look for hides to observe the road from. The men positioned themselves close enough to be able to speak in whispers. Once they were settled in, Ian said he would take the first watch. Mike told Ted to get some rest and he would pull security. Ted didn’t argue—he could use a nap, he said. He looked at his watch. It was three twenty-five.

  Even if asleep, men conditioned to combat can wake up nearly instantly. A low whistle caused Ted’s eyes to snap open what seemed like minutes later. Instead of jumping at the sound, Ted took in the scene for a moment, then looked at Mike. He was pointing at the road. Ted looked up to see a Hummer slowly rolling by. There were two men in the front and two in the back along with a gunner in the turret. The truck was black with the DHS logo on the door. Ted shook his head, looking at the gunner. What in the hell does a law enforcement agency need an M240 Bravo for?

  The gunner in the turret sat behind a heavy machine gun. In the Before, there was much talk about the amount of equipment the DHS was buying, things like MRAP vehicles (or Mine-Resistant Armored Patrol Vehicles), billions of rounds of ammo, MREs, everything an army preparing for war would need. It was now rather obvious what it was all for.

  They watched as the truck rolled out of sight. As soon as it was gone, Mike whistled again. He pointed at the road with an arching motion. “Let’s cross now!” he said in a loud whisper.

  Ted looked at the road hesitantly, then back at Mike and Ian. They both nodded. The three men jumped to their feet and cautiously but quickly made their way across the road, walking in the small flow of water. Mike crossed first, taking up a position to provide security for the other two. Once across the road, Ted looked back at the track, watching as the water cascading over the road washed away the mud stirred by their crossing. It wasn’t long before it was back to a clear flow again and the tracks left by their boots were nearly imperceptible.

  The fence was their next obstacle. Cutting it was out of the question, so Mike climbed to the top and straddled it. All the packs were handed up to him, and he tossed them over one at a time, then climbed down inside. Ted quickly followed, with Ian right behind him. The last real obstacle behind them, they took a short break.

  Over sips of water, Mike asked, “Which way you want to go?”

  Ted looked around, trying to determine the best way to cut through the brush. They couldn’t see the camp from where they were. It was still at least a mile off.

  “Let’s make our way north, till we can get it in our sights. Then we’ll figure out a place to watch from.”

  “Sounds good to me. Let’s get going. We aren’t getting anywhere sitting here,” Ian said.

  The three men quietly strapped on their packs and headed toward the camp.

  • • •

  Jamie sat under a piece of camo net concealing her hide. She wasn’t happy about it either.

  “Jamie, you stay here” . . . what a bunch of BS. They think since I’m a woman I can’t pull my own weight, assholes. She looked over at Perez who was stretched out with his hat pulled down over his eyes. Look at him, just lying there. Typical. They’ll see, I can do my part.

  To occupy her time, Jamie sorted through her pack.
She knew everything that was there and exactly where it was—it was just something to do. She laid out her poncho and arranged the belts of ammo for the SAW. At the sound of an engine drifting through the trees, Jamie’s head snapped around, trying to pinpoint its location. She quickly settled in behind the SAW, scanning the area to her north. It sounded like a slow-moving Hummer. I wonder if they found the guys’ tracks, she thought.

  The engine continued on. She tracked it as it passed, never seeing it through the thick brush. Perez sat up. “What’s going on?”

  “There’s a Hummer out there.”

  Perez scrambled around, grabbing his weapon. “Why the hell didn’t you say something?” He barked in a harsh whisper.

  Jamie glanced over. “I had it under control.”

  Perez crawled up beside her. “Next time you better wake me up. This isn’t some game! This shit is for real!”

  “What, you’re like them, don’t think I can handle myself?” Jamie asked without looking over.

  Perez grabbed her shoulder, Jamie twisted her head to look at his hand, then at him. “Jamie, this isn’t about whether you can do this or not. You’re here, aren’t you? Out of all the people at the camp, they brought you, and you’re sitting here thinking they don’t trust you?”

  “Yeah, whole lot of good I’m doing, babysitting this damn go-kart.”

  “You are fucking hardheaded, aren’t you? What we are doing is every bit as important as what they are doing. This isn’t some kind of competition. Trust me, you’ll get your chance to kill.” Perez gave her a hard look. “I hope it’s everything you expect it to be,” he added.

  Jamie didn’t say anything as she adjusted the SAW on her shoulder and peered down the barrel.

  • • •

  It was nearly dark when the camp came into view. Using the terrain to their advantage, they came upon it while in a draw between two small hills. Ted was on point. Raising a fist, he slowly lowered to one knee. Ian and Mike did the same. Whether stalking game or men, they knew it was always best to be slow.