Compass Call: Survival & Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 3) (22 page)

Everyone agreed, so John continued, “We’re dependent on each other, not on the strangers we meet. But from here on out, Jenna will be our moral compass. It will be her responsibility to question our lack of charity whenever and wherever we are. Will you do that for us, Jenna?”

“Thanks, John. I love you,” said Jenna, as she blinked back a tear. She stood and embraced John.

After a minute of awkward silence, Pete said, “Do you guys need a little privacy? We can step out.”

“Shut up, Pete! Can’t you see we’re trying to set an example,” quipped John, as his face remained buried on the side of Jenna’s neck.

“Oh! Why didn’t you say so,” said Pete, and with that he stood and embraced Bonnie. “Let’s go Paul . . . you heard the boss.”

Paul immediately stood and embraced Marissa. The three couples stood around the table, each locked in their own embrace. John was the first to break his embrace and said, “Wow, I didn’t mean to turn this into a couple’s therapy session.” Everyone laughed and got back on the subject of their pending departure. The main question for John was, when were they leaving? He balked a moment and said, “In about 48 hours.” Surprisingly, no one complained or thought that was too little time to prepare.

As the discussion began to wind down, John cleared his throat and said, “Before we break up the meeting I wanted to discuss the watch. I think, because of the increased threat of the biker gang, we should move to a two-person shift. I say this because I don’t want one person going out alone, be it day or night. Besides, an extra set of eyes will
help keep the other guard awake and alert. I was thinking about a buddy-system. Any recommendations?” asked John.

“I agree. I’ll take Corbin, then you two can have a father and son team,” said Pete.

“OK. Paul? Are you good with two-man teams, and having Marcus as your watch buddy?” asked John.

“Yes, of course. With the kids it will be hard for Marissa to pull watch. Are you suggesting we begin pulling three, four-hour shifts?” asked Paul.

“Yes. But it probably won’t come to that because we usually don’t go to bed until well after sunset. The boys can watch until our shifts begin, and then we can divide up the remaining time three ways,” said John, as he watched Pete’s expression. “We can also rotate the shifts. But I suggest we . . .”

“I don’t mind pulling a shift,” said Bonnie.

“Me neither,” said Jenna.

“OK, then how about this, Pete, Paul and I will be the respective watch leads. If any of the leads wants to switch or rotate their buddies during their shift, within their respective circles, then that’s fine as long as there are at least two people on each watch. For example, on my watch I can have Adam as my buddy for half the shift, and Jenna for the other half. But I think the shift lead should always be on watch. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good to me,” said Pete.

“Me too,” said Paul.

“Ladies?” asked John. They each nodded or said “fine,” but they were much more interested in John’s food storage inventory list. They were too busy discussing what to include in the baby-mom’s care package to worry about the shift details.

John took that as a cue to discuss their part in the charity mission, namely the delivery of the care package to the woman. Since Paul knew where she lived, he would be the guide. Pete quickly volunteered to go with him, and said that two people was more than enough to
get the job done. John asked if they wanted to take one of the boys with them, but Pete insisted that they weren’t ready, and added that he wanted to train and assess them before allowing them to go on armed missions. John agreed and excused himself to talk with the boys.

Marcus sat in the alcove, intently looking outside as if John was inspecting his performance. He liked Marcus’ mind, and knew he would make a great Soldier one day. He looked forward to seeing him grow and improve. “How’s everything look, Marcus?”

“Hey Mr. Anderson. Everything looks quiet. I haven’t seen anyone since we came in.”

“Excellent. Keep up the good work. Have you seen the other boys?”

“They’re in the media bedroom,” replied Marcus.

“Thanks,” said John, as he headed upstairs.

John found Adam, Corbin and the other kids, including Abby, playing Minecraft in the media room. The little ones were intently watching the bigger kids shot at each other with bows and arrows. It was a strange game, but oddly captivating. John interrupted the party by saying, “Adam, Corbin, I have a mission for you. We need to move some boxes in from the shop.”

“Dad, we’re almost done,” replied Adam.

“Did you start the generator after dinner?”

“Yeah, dad. Is that OK?” asked Adam, without taking his eyes of the TV screen.

“It’s OK today, but not tomorrow. We need to save the fuel,” said John.

“OK, dad.”

“Adam! Let’s go. You too, Corbin. Abby, can you stay with the kids until we’re back?”

“OK, daddy,” replied Abby, as she reached for Adam’s controller. Adam jerked it away from her and tossed it on the couch across the room. “Adam, go pick that up and hand it to your sister . . . nicely!”

“Yes, sir,” replied Adam, sheepishly. He did as ordered and handed the controller to Abby while making a stink-face at her.

While they were walking downstairs, John felt the need to impart a little fatherly counsel on his son. He said, “If I see you treat your sister like that again I’ll . . .” but John was at a loss for what punishments to inflict on Adam for disrespect. All the old punishments were already ineffective, or soon to be gone altogether. He already said he was going to end their remaining Xbox sessions to conserve fuel. The phones were down, and there was no internet service. John had little to threaten Adam with, but then he said, “I’ll give her your AR.”

“Please, dad!” said Adam, as he sarcastically released a puff of air from his mouth. “She doesn’t even know how to use it, and she thinks it’s too heavy anyway.”

“You’re right. Maybe I’ll just kick your butt. You know, take you out back behind the wood pile,” said John.

“That would be cool. I’ve been cooped up in this house since this morning. I’d take a beating by you if it meant I could go outside again,” replied Adam, seriously.

Corbin snickered, and John turned and looked at him through narrow eyes. He quickly diverted his attention elsewhere. “Look, I know you guys feel trapped, but that’s about to change. We’re . . .”

“We’re what?” asked Adam, clearly excited for news.

“Let’s just say things will change very soon. I’ll tell you more a little later. But for now, I need your help moving food in from the shelter . . . so can you help me without contempt or complaint?”

“No problem, dad. I’d do anything to get outside for a few minutes,” replied Adam. “It’s so boring sitting in the house all day.

“Well,” said John, “that will change soon enough. Tomorrow morning Pete is going to start you guys on a training program.”

“Please tell me it’s not all PT, because I’m already fit. And you already trained me, remember?”

They stood in the entryway below the alcove, and John spoke loud enough for Marcus to hear. “I trained you as an individual, not as a team. Pete will train you, Corbin, and Marcus to work together as a
team. And trust me, Pete knows you’re trained. He’ll probably end up use you as an assistant trainer, if you can manage to act the part.”

“Cool,” said Corbin and Marcus simultaneously.

“Yeah, cool . . . back to basic training,” replied Adam. John put a hand on his son’s shoulder and smiled. “It’s not funny, dad. I don’t want more basic training,” said Adam, irritated at his dad for finding humor in his potential suffering.

“It’s not basic, it’s tactics. But he does want to teach you how to shoot, fight with a knife and with your hands,” said John.

“Cool,” said the stereo boys again.

“Yeah . . . cool,” said Adam.

“Alright then, let’s go get the boxes in the house. Marcus, you keep watch and I’ll rotate you out in a few minutes. Oh, and one more thing boys, we’ve changed the watch around a little,” said John, and he explained the change as he walked to the shop.

It took them twenty minutes to carry the boxes in the house, but before he released the boys he had them take the remaining fuel cans out of the fuel pit and put them in the shop. John didn’t like the idea of leaving the fuel cans in the shop, but he was more concerned about leaving them outside.

He wanted to close the slit in the pool cover, and was about to send the boys back in the house when he had an idea. John grabbed a bag of empty aluminum soda cans and handed them to Corbin.

“What do you want me to do with these Mr. Anderson?” asked Corbin.

“We’re going to make noise-makers . . . early warning devices, right dad?” said Adam.

“Right. So if anyone tries to climb over the fence we’ll hear the cans rattle.”

“You want me to put rocks in them too, right dad?” asked Adam.

“I do. Thanks Adam. That’s your mission while I’m working on the pool cover. You have thirty minutes to get it done, so you better hustle,” said John.

“Flashlights?” asked Adam.

“You know where they are,” replied John.

“Follow me, guys,” said Adam. “I know where to get the rocks, too. Let’s go.” After grabbing two flashlights from the shop bench, the boys took off, eager to accomplish their mission.

Pete and Paul jumped out of the way as they jogged out through the shop door. “Wow, what’d you do to motivate them like that?” asked Pete.

“I’m having them hang early warning devices on the fence . . . soda cans filled with pebbles. Can you take this spool of wire, and the wire cutters to them?” John asked Pete. “I’m thinking they’ll need them.”

“Sure. Do you want me to give them some space too?” asked Pete.

“If you don’t mind. I told them that you’re starting a training program for them tomorrow morning,” said John, “so be prepared for their questions.”

“Excellent. I’ll keep an eye on them. How much time did you give them?” asked Pete, as he looked at his watch.

“Thirty minutes, but if you’re with them they can take longer. I’m gonna lock the shop up when I leave, so come in through the back door when you’re done.

“Got it,” said Pete, and after quickly checking his weapon under the shop light he stepped out to find the boys.

“Do you mind if I join them?” asked Paul.

“No, not at all,” said John.

“No, I mean the training . . . Pete’s training program,” asked Paul.

“Oh. Sure, I don’t see why not. I’m sure Pete would be fine with it, but he may treat you differently than the boys. I wanted to spend some time with you, but if you want to train with Pete and the boys, well, you’re welcome to,” said John.

“You wanted to train me?” asked Paul, both surprised and delighted.

“It was my plan, but if you want to train with Pete that’s fine too. He knows his stuff. The only thing I’m better than Pete with a pistol.I’d say we’re about equal on the M4s, but he has me beat on long range
shooting. We’re about the same on knife and unarmed, but I’ve seen you swing that blade, so I figured we’d start with shooting first. Oh, and I’m better than Pete with land-nav,” finished John.

“M4? Land-nav?”

“Sorry, M4 is the military nomenclature of the AR15,” said John. “The M4s are capable of firing at full automatic, which means it keeps firing as long as you press the trigger. Mine is semi-automatic, which means you have to pull the trigger each time you want it to fire. But M4 and AR15 are used interchangeably by most people, they’re common references to the military style clone. I call mine an AR, which is short for automatic rifle, but there’s nothing automatic about it except loading. Here, take mine. Feel its weight,” said John, as he unslung his AR and handed it to Paul.

Paul bounced it in his hands and said, “It’s lighter than I thought it would be.”

“Here, let me show you how to fire it. And then I’ll break it down and show you how it works.” John spent the next thirty minutes showing Paul the basics of his AR. He would have spent more time with him, but Pete and the boys returned to the shop. They were excited, and talking loudly about their placement of the early-warning devices, and their next day’s combat training.

“Need more time?” asked Pete.

“Nope. We’re just wrapping up. Can you take the boys in? We’ll be right behind you,” asked John.

“Let’s go, gentlemen! Drop the equipment and let’s get inside! I want to show you how to fire from the OP without exposing yourself to enemy!” yelled Pete.

“Yes, Sir!” replied all three boys in unison, which surprised John.

“Don’t call me sir, I work for a living. That’s Sergeant Major to you!”

“Yes, Sergeant Major,” yelled the boys in full reply as they filed out of the shop.

“I think I’ll have you train me then,” said Paul.

John smiled and said, “He wouldn’t treat you like that, that was just a show for us. He’ll be their second dad in no time, you’ll see.” Paul nodded, but didn’t reply. John was hoping Paul would comment on his relationship with Marcus, but he didn’t, so John let the subject drop. “Can you grab that roll of duct tape off the bench?”

Paul approached the bench and froze. John wondered what was bothering Paul and then remembered that Paul had been bound by that same kind of tape, and then severely beaten by home invaders. “I’m sorry, Paul.”