Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“You shouldn’t be,” agreed Connor. “He had it coming. He was trying to hurt your family, Cody, and you did what you had to do to protect them.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“It’s time for you to get some sleep.”

“Yeah….”

“Go to bed Cody, take the room next to your parents.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll guard you and your family all night. You get some sleep.”

“Mister Connor Mac?” He was standing in front of Connor and Amanda, rubbing his eyes.

“Yeah, Cody.”

“Can we stay with you guys?”

“Terry, can we talk?”

“Sure, Andy.” She sat alone, lost in thought, on one of the massive rocks encircling the fire pit. She was mesmerized by the dancing colors of the flames and had barely heard Andy’s approach. She took a sip from her mug of homemade strawberry wine and looked at him. “Are all the kids tucked in?”

“Yeah. Sandy finished with Shannon who’s insisting on reading with you tomorrow night. She was pretty peeved that you weren’t coming in.”

“Yeah, well, I got a few things running through my head right now. I’ll make it up to her later.”

He slid the crude wooden bench close enough to let her smell him. He was freshly showered and had used the homemade soap they had perfected—it smelled of mountain laurel. “You know, you’re out here thinking about what’s going on between us.”

“You think so?” She sat her mug on the rock and joined him on the bench, leaning her head against his shoulder. After a few seconds, she sighed heavily. Andy draped his arm across her shoulders and felt her easy acceptance. He took a mouthful of ale from his own mug and wiped the froth from his moustache.

They were relaxed—he was content to sit here with her without moving until the dawn’s light. It wasn’t to be—they separated slightly when they heard the back door open and close. Andy turned toward the sound and watched Kevin make his way toward them holding a large beer stein. Kevin smiled and sat on a large rock opposite the pair. He drank from his stein. “Ahh, that’s some good stuff that man makes. Ryan’s my favorite individual of all time.”

“Ry knows how to brew a good ale,” agreed Andy. Their banter was something of a ritual by the fire.

Kevin wasted little time getting started on the night’s more serious discussions. “So? You guys got something serious going on or is Liam just full of it?”

Connor had finished packing and had checked the status of his weapons. He stood on the back porch watching a pair of squirrels race up and down an oak twenty yards from the house. It was time to leave, but he was unsure of the status of the McIntyre family. He and Amanda had slept fitfully in the front room, waking each time Rhonda yelled in fear. By all accounts, Marty had fared no better when his guard duty was complete. Rhonda’s occasional screams jolted the night and, immediately, they heard Roger’s calming voice, consoling her. Connor wondered if Rhonda was built to win her fight against yesterday’s demons.

Cody, up an hour after Connor, covertly tracked his every move. He watched as Connor gathered his gear, fitting each item neatly in his backpack. While Connor was on the back porch, Cody watched him through the window. The boy’s position allowed him to occasionally turn his attention to Amanda’s naked thigh. She continued to sleep on the couch, but most of her left leg had escaped the confines of the pink blanket.

Cody tore his gaze from Amanda and joined Connor on the porch. “Um… Mister Connor Mac? Before you go, can you at least talk to my dad?”

“Nah, Cody, that’s not necessary. You guys are heading west and we’re heading east. I’m sure you guys will be safe. Maybe you can come visit us in the mountains near Pittsburgh when you can. I’ll write down a few directions for you.” Connor went inside and Cody followed him. He pulled a small notebook and a pencil from his jacket hanging on the back of kitchen chair and began to draw a crude map.

“I know my daddy’s gonna want to pay you back somehow.”

“Remember what I said. That’s not an option. It’s not necessary.”

“Yeah, I know you told me that, but can’t you at least wait until he’s up and says goodbye himself?”

Amanda’s long and languid stretch caused both to turn and stare at her. Cody tracked the leisurely movement of her bare legs as the blanket shifted higher and higher toward her hips. Connor moved toward Amanda, effectively blocking Cody’s view. He bent and kissed her hair and gently pressed a hand into her shoulder. “We got young company, Snuff,” he whispered.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her with a slow, eager moan that was quite inviting.

“Amanda?”

Still groggy, she became aware of the young boy when she glanced across the room. Cody intently studied the interaction. She smiled. “Hey, Cody.”

“Hi, Amanda.”

“How ya doing?”

“Good.”

“Alright, then.”

Connor slipped from her embrace. “There’s breakfast on the porch outside—compliments of yours truly.”

Near the front window, Marty abruptly sprung from his resting place, naked except for his skivvies. He was instantly alert. “Are we headin’ out, Mac?” he asked.

“Yeah. Grab some grub.”

“Right after chow?”

“Yeah, Surf Boy. We did our good deed yesterday. Grab what food you want and prepare to leave. I made some goose egg omelet with wild potatoes—I fried ’em up with some scallions. We found a lot of goose eggs yesterday.”

“No kidding?”

“You might find ’em tasty,” said Connor.

“It sounds great, Mac.”

“We’ll be leaving in thirty. Shove some food into that belly and grab your gear.”

“Copy that.”

“Ma’am, the area is secured,” said Major O’Malley.

“Have you established a suitable area for the command post?” The helicopter idled on the roof of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under heavy guard, waiting for word to power down.

“Yes, ma’am. Captain Daubney recommends the second floor—at least initially. There’s a large open area centered inside on that floor. It will work nicely as a forward command post. Fairly large offices surround the area, colonel, and can be used as sleeping quarters for tonight. We’re evaluating the top floor, the seventh floor, as probably our primary base of operation once we’ve properly ensured a defensible route to the bird. The seventh gives us optimum surveillance range and the rooms, so far, are less damaged for long term usage.”

“That sounds like it would work nicely. Take me to the second floor.” Nicole exited the ’copter behind the colonel and they followed the major into the building.

“Yes, ma’am.” He continued to talk as he led them, Colonel Starkes carrying her pack and Nicole carrying CJ. “Right now, we’ll have solid access to the helicopter in case we need a quick getaway. The escalators to this floor can be defended easily. There are only three sets and no other way to reach the second floor. Even in the unlikely event the building had power, I’ve told Captain Daubney to disable every elevator.”

“Excellent.” They had reached the area designated as the forward command post, the colonel nodding in appreciation.

“Ma’am, there’s a huge office right here that has a good couch—we thought you should take this as your sleeping quarters.”

“Very well, major. Once your men have deployed to assigned duties, I want you to find quarters large enough for you, Nicole, and CJ.”

He risked a glance at Nicole, and refocused his attention on the colonel. “Thank you, ma’am, but that’s not necessary.”