Matthew Mark - Dark Days Rough Roads

Roger spoke calmly and almost condescending. “Exactly my point guys. We are pinned down and you guys have the whole town to run away to. Not to mention, you have that same town to use to your advantage.”

“I just don’t know about this,” said Rob.

Roger leaned back in his chair. “Hell guys, what do you want me to say here? You want me to tell you that this is all going to be hugs and bunnies? We invite them out for smores and hot cocoa? It isn’t going to work that way. Rob, you have to know after watching them gun down Jim that they are going to do whatever they want.”

“That propaganda they are spitting out is a ruse to buy them some time. They are buying themselves time so that they can counterattack. That means me and my group, and you guys too. Don’t think for a minute that they are going to let you all walk away like it was a bad family reunion and they’ll see you next year hoping things changed. They can’t have you guys out there rebelling against them. You want 10 of them knocking on your door?”

“Roger is right Rob, we need to get this handled now before winter sets in or we ain’t gonna make it.” Finally, Roger thought, someone is getting it. “We have about 5 to 6 weeks before it’s too cold to really move around, and plus we have to think about food and water.”

Roger told him, “That’s my point exactly, and they know that too. They’ll let you wait and they’ll let you waste away while you’re waiting.”

Roger stood up and stretched. They had been there for almost four hours. But they covered a lot of information and it was time to go. He had to get back and make sure things were getting done at the house. They all shook hands and wished each other luck. Roger and his group went back to the house and Rob and Brad started making their rounds and getting their plans in order.

When they got back to the house, they saw that everyone was working. He noticed that someone was in the crow’s nest. Looked like it was Kayla. Next to him, she was the best shot out of the group. Ahhhh, best to get that done quickly too, he thought. He would be setting up a small range and conducting some rapid courses on marksmanship, fields of fire and such.

Kevin walked over. “Uncle Roger, the wicked witch of the south came out by the road. She leaned up against her fence and sat there and watched us while she drank coffee. She had to have been out here for a good three hours total. What we would do, though, is block areas with the ranger and smaller utility trailer.” No sooner had he finished telling him that when Roger thought he noticed her standing in the window.

“She knows we’re on to her.”

The grass was long and hid the foot spikes quite well. They had placed them strategically around each of the firing positions. They used them in areas around the wood line as well, anywhere there was a path. The group knew if they ran to the woods not to use the paths. They also knew once they got out of the firing positions, there was a specific route to take. These were meant for close proximity deterrents though.

The concertina wire was unrolled. They placed it around the entryways and windows of all the buildings. The firing positions had been cleared out and prepped as well. Ammo loads were placed in each one. Each position had a person assigned to it and a chart for firing and, more importantly, a final protective fire. If everyone fired at their designated final protective line, in theory the area could not be breached.

It was possible that they could actually get everyone inside and fight from inside if it came down to that. It was not optimal to do that at first and was only considered a last resort. That was why the concertina was placed around the window areas and entryways. Keep people in the line of sight and within firing reach.

Kayla came down from the crow’s nest. “How did it go Dad?”

“As well as it could have gone. I just hope they come through on their end if it comes down to that.”

“You mean ‘when’ Dad, when.”

“Ya, ‘when.’ Kayla, we need to get four ‘five’ gallon buckets of water in the crow’s nest. We can dump them on the roof in case of fire. I also want small buckets of water spread out in the house as well as the fire extinguishers.”

Everyone turned toward the road. Kayla raised her rifle up. Kevin came running with his as well. Randy already had his shotgun ready. Haliday dropped to one knee, raised his rifle up and watched through the scope. The dust pile was growing closer. “Take cover, everyone take cover.” Haliday watched as everyone scrambled. He peered through the scope and then stood up. “Open the gates, open the front gate.”

Diana and Dawn ran over and opened up the gate. This beat up old green Datsun pickup truck turned into the drive. “Go get grandma and grandpa quick.” Kayla ran inside to get them. Roger walked over to the truck. Bev and Rich came out and headed toward the old truck. David came over as well. Bev hugged Alan and the family. They had made it here.

“Damn brother, I never thought I’d see you guys again,” said Alan.

Roger answered, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too. How is everything?” Alan asked.

“Well, ugly ass truck or not, we need the extra trigger men. We have a world of hurt coming down on us any time. That’s what we’re getting ready for. Come on, get inside and rest, let’s catch up, I’ll explain it all,” Roger told him. “Randy, have everyone empty this truck out and get the gear inside. Put the truck in the pole barn.”

Roger asked Alan, “Where did you find that green turd?”

Alan told him the story. “Nancy traded her wedding ring for it. We went over to the auction yard. The owner was there with his son selling all kinds of parts from old cars. This was sitting there along with a few other older cars. I asked him how much he wanted for it. I offered him my Breitling watch, but he said no, He said he’d take Nancy’s ring in trade. She took it off and said ‘If it starts, it’s yours.’ Little starting fluid and it started right up.”

“We went back to the house and grabbed what we could. I opened the safe and grabbed what was in there and then dug out my shotgun and .308. They didn’t find that.”

“Who didn’t find it?” Roger asked.

Alan continued, “The house was broken into and trashed. They even took the Harleys. They didn’t find the safe or guns though, only thing we had hidden the right way. I traded for some gas cans and gas and we drove straight here.”

“How bad is it down there Alan?”

“The place is out of control. People have realized the power isn’t coming on any time soon and the government isn’t coming to help any time soon either. There’s gangs trying to form, but people aren’t putting up with that and shooting them cold as they go around trying to loot and stuff. On the other hand I heard some areas are gang controlled, like the existing city of Detroit gangs.”

Roger had to take the shot at the city; “Oh the city council is in session?” Alan laughed.

“You’re here. You’re safe,. That’s what counts. We have a gang of our own we are dealing with. They call themselves a militia, but that’s not the case. They intend to run the area.” Haliday asked Sarah to get some coffee and snacks ready. She and Karen took care of this. Roger filled them in on what has been happening. “We have eyes on their compound, we have about an hour after we’re told they are moving out before they get here.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Tonight I’m holding a weapons handling crash course. Tomorrow it’s range time and we finish prepping the house and property. The kids will stay in the house ready to dump water on fires or run for ammo. If it gets too bad, they’ll be able to hit the basement with Mom, Dad, Karen and Elizabeth. Everyone else will have to fight. You’ll be in the crow’s nest with your rifle. You hunt a lot, so you’ll be hunting from up there.”