Avenging Home (29 page)

“Fuck ‘em. Let ‘em burn,” Ted said.

It reminded me of the World War Two movies I’ve watched where Japanese or German soldiers would come out of a bunker on fire and some battle-weary soldier would say the same thing. His screams cut through me though, to my soul. No matter how much I hated someone, I couldn’t let this happen. I stepped forward and quickly shot the man. He fell to the ground and continued to cook. When I turned to leave, Thad made eye contact with me and gave me a nod. I knew he’d done some horrible things, but to me it was a different situation. If I’d come home and found these men killing my family, I would feel differently. But that wasn’t the case here.

We made our way back around to the front of the building. The smoke was growing thicker as the oak floor of the gym continued to burn and the fire spread throughout the building. Smoke now poured in thick choking clouds from every opening. No one was coming out now. Anyone still inside would forever remain there.

Out front, we found Sarge and Sheffield. They were organizing parties to police the camp for weapons, food and anything of use. Sheffield was telling his people what to do with what they collected when I stepped in front of him.

“We also need to take the boots off anyone we find wearing them. Collect any boots you find,” I said.

Sheffield looked at me like my head was screwed on backwards. “You want to take boots off dead men?”

I shrugged. “You got a big pile of boots someplace? We’re going to need them at some point.”

One of the Guardsmen stepped out of the group and lifted his right foot. Reaching down, he pulled the sole away from it, exposing his sock. “I need boots.”

Sheffield looked at him, then at me. “I see your point.”

“Clothes too. Anything that can be used, we need to take. Anything.”

“Alright people, you know what you’re doing. Get to it!” Sarge shouted.

The group broke up and started going through the camp. Sarge pointed to a small house sitting across the road from the gym. It was heavily damaged by a missile strike from one of the Apaches. “Anyone clear that place yet?”

Livingston looked at it. “No. There couldn’t be anyone alive in that. Look at it.”

Sarge jerked his head. “Come on, let’s go check it.”

We walked towards the house as light columns of smoke rose from several places amongst the wreckage. The back half of the house suffered most of the damage. It was surreal to open the front door that still stood, only to see all the way out to the field behind it. All we found was a pair of feet sticking out from under a jumble of roof trusses, drywall and furniture.

But there was one part of the house we couldn’t get to. The hallway going to it was destroyed. Sarge told Mike to go out and find a window into that part and to check it. Mike and Thad walked around the side of the house. We could hear them shuffling around inside and after a moment, Mike called out.

“Hey, come around here and check this out!”

Going around the house, I looked through a blasted-out window. Mike was kneeling beside a bed with a load of debris on it. A man was pinned in the bed. Sarge looked in and laughed. “Ha ha ha, I told you if I ever saw you again I’d kill your ass.” He then climbed through the window.

Charles Tabor was pinned in the bed and couldn’t move. He followed Sarge’s movements as he made his way into the cramped space. The weight sitting on him was obvious. So much that he couldn’t speak. His eyes darted between us, and from them I had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking.

Sarge sat down beside the bed and relaxed. He looked over at Tabor. “You should have just stayed the hell away when you had the chance. But no, you had to come back. Thought you were going to get us, didn’t you? How’d that work out for you?”

Tabor’s eyes were fierce. He tried a couple of times to say something but the weight pinning him to the bed prevented him from speaking. He was doing good to get enough breath to remain living. Mike pushed on a truss and Tabor emitted a slight sound.

With a smile, Mike said, “I say we leave him here to rot.”

Sarge looked into Tabor’s eyes. “Naw. I let this piece of shit get away from me once. I’m not going to make that same mistake again. This is where it ends for you sport. Your time here is over. I hope you rot in hell.” Sarge reached up and cupped his hand over Tabor’s mouth, pinching his nose with the thumb of the same hand.

Tabor jerked his head trying to breathe. Sarge reached up with his free hand and grabbed a handful of hair, holding his head steady. I watched as he struggled to breathe, but it was futile. In a little more than a minute, the struggle was over and Tabor was motionless. Sarge waited a little longer before pulling his hand away. He placed a finger on Tabor’s neck. Standing up, he said, “This fucker is gone. Finally.” Lastly, he spit on the man’s face before turning towards the window. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

I’d taken the life of many men today. Delivering the fatal shot that ended their existence on this Earth. But this was by far the most disturbing thing I’d seen. This was personal, Sarge used his own hand to smother the life from this man. Not that I blamed him. I hated the man as well. But I don’t think I could do what I just witnessed. At least not like it happened. Sure, in the middle of a fight, like with Billy. But that’s different. That’s in the moment. The old man did this out of pure spite, pure hate. But I don’t blame him one bit for it. I was glad he was on my side.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning out the camp. We took everything from clothes and bedding to food, ammo and weapons. We took it all. Every body I saw was barefooted. We didn’t take the clothes from their backs but we damn sure took the boots if they had them. It was something I’d started thinking about when lying in my position the night of attack. I had another couple pair but there was no way to get more. Little Bit was going to need shoes soon, not that this would help her but it would help others.

Weapons and ammo were loaded onto one truck and food on another. Everything else was loaded onto a third. We ended up with twenty-seven women and kids. They too were loaded onto a truck and taken back to town. I didn’t know what was going to happen to them, where they’d go, but that wasn’t my problem. Thankfully, it was Sheffield’s.

Around three in the afternoon our group gathered back up. Doc was checking Danny’s shoulder and the girls were in a knot chattering away and laughing. It was striking to see them giggling, considering what they’d just done. But I guess it was good they were dealing with it as they were. It was yet another example of how things have changed. Not ten feet from where they were standing and laughing, was a dead man. He’d been nearly cut in half and lay on his back, face skyward and mouth frozen in an eternal scream he would never utter. But they paid him no notice. Maybe that was a way of dealing with it. I’m sure there would be some issues to come up later. I hoped they would be alright. And even more, I hoped they would be a little disturbed. Not to be disturbed as a result of this sort of thing, would be far more concerning to me.

An MRAP pulled up and the driver leaned on the horn. We all looked up at it. The driver’s door opened and there was Mike grinning like a waterheaded fool. “Look what I got!”

Sarge looked the truck over. “This thing looks nearly new.”

Mike jumped out. “Yeah, I picked the best looking one of the bunch.”

Sarge smiled and looked back at me. “Looks like we got us a new ride, Sheriff.”

“How the hell are we going to feed that thing? What’s it get, four gallons a mile?” I asked.

Sarge laughed. “It ain’t that bad.”

“But it’s close,” Ted added.

Sarge looked around the camp. Things were obviously wrapping up. The Guard’s trucks were all lined up on the main road in the camp and their people were loitering around them waiting on the next order. The truck with the civilians was gone, having already been sent back to town. Sarge walked over to Sheffield and the two talked for a minute. They shook hands and Sarge returned.

“Alright, folks. Let’s make like an asshole and get the shit outta here! Mount up!”

The girls were already gathered around the truck looking at it. They started to cackle and quickly moved to the back of the truck. Perez suddenly appeared carrying a sack over his shoulder. He casually opened the rear door and swept his arm with a flourish and a slight bow. “Ladies.”

Shaking my head, I asked, “Where the hell have you been?”

“Out helping police up the camp,” he said with a grin as he tossed the sack into the truck.

Ted laughed. “You mean looting. You old bastard.”

Perez shook a cigarette from a pack in his hand and shrugged. “One man’s looting is another man’s policing.”

“It’s gonna be crowded, but everyone get in. We’ll drive this back to the other vehicles. Let’s go!” Sarge barked.

After everyone else was in the truck, I stepped up; and just before ducking in, I took another look around the camp. It was a far cry from what it must have looked like in its prime when the Elk’s were bringing kids in by the thousands. The laughing and incredible memories that were created here were a distant memory from the destruction I now saw. Smoke rose from many places around the property as several fires still burned, and bodies were everywhere. Looking up at a lone, tall long leaf pine, I spotted a buzzard. He would certainly eat well tonight and in the days to come.

Sitting in the back of the truck as it rolled out of the camp, Perez looked at me. Touching his face under his nose with a finger, he said, “You’ve got a little something right here.”

I gave him the finger and he laughed. Perez smiled, leaned back and closed his eyes. Mike drove us back to where we started this morning. The truck was loud and slow. It rumbled along the road bouncing us around. I looked at Danny. “How are you feeling?”

He glanced at the shoulder. “I’m alright. Doc thinks it’s just a fragment.”

I leaned back against the side of the truck. “Thank God that’s over.”

Danny grunted. “Yeah. No shit.”

I looked over at Lee Ann. She was sitting with Jess and the two were laughing. It was strange to see their carefree state. But then everything went so well, for us at least. Considering what we’d just accomplished, it went well for the Guard as well. They lost a total of nine men, with an even dozen wounded. But nine people lost their lives today, nine of ours. I don’t know if anyone did a formal body count on the DHS personnel. Lee Ann saw me looking at her and smiled. She waved a silly wave as if were this just a family trip and someone had pulled out a camera. I smiled, winked and waved back.

Getting back to the vehicles, Thad and Ted volunteered to drive the buggies back home. I got in the suburban and pulled out behind them. It was actually nice to be alone. No one to think about or put on false fronts for. I wasn’t feeling well. I knew what we’d done needed doing, but I was feeling sick. I’d seen so many people die, some in horrible ways. Some begging and pleading for their lives. And unlike the movies, it was a messy thing.

The Apaches tore bodies to pieces and small arms caused horrific wounds. I was so over it all now. I just wanted it to go away. Spiraling down this well of despair, I started trying to think of ways to forget about it all. Something that would take all our minds off what just happened. Because, aside from Sarge and the guys who may be accustomed to this sort of thing, the rest of us were not. Every one of us would have to deal with the events of today in one fashion or another. But as this played out in my mind, I came up with an idea. Something that I thought would surely take everyone’s mind off all this and maybe, if even for a little while, put a smile on everyone’s face.

Pulling up to the house, Mel and Little Bit were out on the porch before I shut the truck down. Mike stopped the MRAP out on the road in front of the house where Danny and Lee Ann got out. When I got out, I saw the surprise on Mel’s face. She was obviously shocked and scared. Little Bit looked at me, then up at Mel. She started to tear up when she looked at Mel, sensing her fear. I smiled, trying to alleviate her fears. She ran off the porch towards me and I scooped her up.

Holding her in my arms, she looked at me. “What happened to your face?” She asked in a timid, scared voice.

Touching my nose, I replied, “Oh, just part of the job, baby. I’m okay though.”

She ran her finger across my cheek under my eye. “You’ve got black eyes.”

Mel was there and looking me over. I smiled at her. “I’m okay.” Looking over my shoulder at Lee Ann walking up the drive, I added, “She’s okay too. We’re both okay.”

Mel wrapped her arms around me. “You were gone so long. I was so worried.”

“Mommy was afraid. She kept checking the time,” Little Bit added.

I grunted. “It was a long day.”

Lee Ann walked up and Mel released me and grabbed her, wrapping her up in her arms. Lee Ann hugged her mother, and the two remained that way for some time. Lee Ann broke the moment by saying, “I’m fine, Mom. No one got hurt.”

From the porch, I heard another voice. “You’re back!”

We all looked up to see Taylor standing on the porch. She was gently making her way down the stairs. I walked over and hugged her as well. “I was so worried about you,” she said.

“It’s all over now, kiddo,” I replied.

“Is it really over now? Are they all gone?” Mel asked.

I looked back at her and thought about her words. Gone, such a permanent choice. But I guess it was the correct one. Smiling, I replied, “Yes baby. They’re gone. All Gone.”

“Mom, I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?” Lee Ann asked.

Little Bit jumped up and down. “Yes! Come in. We’ve got stew and bread for you! Miss Kay and Mom made it!”

We went inside and the girls all took a seat around the table. Mel asked Taylor to get the pot and put it on the table. She took me by the hand and led me to the bedroom. Closing the door, she looked at me. “We need to get you cleaned up.”

I took my gear off, dropping it all on the floor. Mel took out clean clothes and put them on the counter in the bathroom. As I sat on the bed untying my boots, I heard the shower come on. Taking off my clothes, I went into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. Mel stayed with me, washing my back and hair. It was nice. Leaning against the side of the shower as she scrubbed my back then ran her fingers through my hair. Thad’s lye soap was a little harsh on the hair, but it was better than nothing.

After I was dressed and slid my feet into some moccasin slippers, Mel asked me, “Is it really over?”

I thought about the question. I smiled, thinking back to a political scandal many years ago. Depends on your definition of
it.
“This is over. This part is definitely over.” I took her hand and led her to the bed where we sat down. Taking her other hand, I said, “But it’ll never be over. And honestly, I don’t want it to. When it’s over, I, you, we’ll be gone. So I want it to last a long, long time. But for now, this is over.”

She laid her head on my shoulder. “I just want some quiet time. I just want you and the girls and quiet.”

Kissing the top of her head, I said, “Me too, babe. Me too.” Standing up, I pulled her up. “Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starving!”

She smiled and led me out to the dining room where the girls’ voices could be heard talking and laughing. When we came through the door, they all smiled. I sat down in the middle of them as Taylor spooned out stew into bowls and passed them around. I was grateful no questions were asked about the day’s events. Instead, we talked about anything else.