From Within (5 page)

“Mr. Braden? Are you okay?” Thomas Allen questioned.

“I...I’m sorry,” Marcus stammered. “I’m exhausted already for the day and my mind is elsewhere and you surprised me. I didn’t even see you there when I walked up to my desk.”

“I know,” Thomas said with a chuckle. “Your face was buried in those papers.” Thomas paused for a moment and looked down at the papers on Marcus’s desk before beginning again. “Well, like I said I’m Thomas Allen. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of me or my work. I’m President of the American Rights Foundation. We call it the ARF.”

Marcus cut him off, “Oh yes. I knew I recognized you. I’ve read some of your books and I read your online editorial from time to time.”

“Good to hear,” Thomas answered. “Before I get too much into what I want to talk to you about I would like to know what you think of my work. I think I already know the answer based on what I’ve seen you say on your segment. Are you generally in agreement with my writing?”

“Yes, of course. That’s a good assessment of my work,” Marcus said.

“Excellent. Is there a more private place to talk? I had hoped when I found your desk it would be inside of an office.” Thomas glanced around at the open room. No desk in the area had any privacy.

“It’s just the way all news offices seemed to be designed. There’s a conference room out the back entrance,” Marcus motioned to a door, “just down the hall.”

*****

“Listen, Marcus, I hate to be so direct, especially since we just met, but I’m just going to put all the cards on the table for you. My organization has been anticipating what’s happening right now for years now. I think you have too on some level, based on what you talk about on your program.” Marcus nodded and Thomas continued, “We have had plans in place and now it is time to implement them. Given the current scenarios that are playing out, we think you can be a key element to fighting this.”

“How so?” Marcus’s eyes narrowed with some confusion.

“I don’t want to go into too much detail here. I’d like you to come to my ranch in upstate in the next few days and you can meet some more people from The American Rights Foundation and we can go over some ideas. I know you are going to be quite busy here as our country begins to deconstruct.” Thomas placed a card on the large conference table next to Marcus. “When you think you have some time to get away for about half a day give me a call.”

Marcus slipped the card into his pocket.

“This seems a little vague,” Marcus said.

“I know. But you now work for who I consider an enemy of my country. All news outlets are now controlled by the CMA. I’m not saying that I don’t trust you. I just don’t trust where we are to give you details here.”

“A ranch, huh? Are you a rancher or the President of a big organization?” Marcus asked with a raised eyebrow and a half grin.

“Both,” Thomas answered with a big smile. “I do most of my work with the Foundation from my home. I do my writing from home. It gives me plenty of time to oversee my ranch as well. Of course, I have many hands doing a lot of the day-to-day but I still am out fixing fences and feeding animals quite often. It’s a part of my roots. My father left the ranch to me after he passed.  Can you believe that he was the only black ranch owner in the entire county for his whole life?” Thomas didn’t give Marcus any time to answer the question. “I think I might still be the only black ranch owner in the county. I’ve never kept track of that statistic like my father did. Anyways, most of the leadership for the Foundation is here in New York City and they like to join me on the ranch for meetings and such.”

“Sounds nice,” Marcus said. “You really aren’t going to give me any more information?” He attempted to get anything more out of him.

Thomas shook his head and pointed to Marcus’s pocket. “Don’t wait too long. Give me a call in the next few days. With the violence that is happening, you might need to wait that long so it’s safe enough to get out of the city. I think the CMA will forcefully settle the mobs down for the time being. People are either revolting or panicking quicker than I thought they would.”

“How are you getting back to your ranch?” Marcus asked.

“I came in by air. I’ll just need to make sure my route back to the building the helicopter is parked on is ok. There is no way of knowing what is going to happen to private aviation and airspace in the coming days, but if need be, I can send the helicopter for you when you come to my ranch. Given your prominent face and now your connection with the company that is taking over the country, I think you’ll have some options to get to my ranch on your own. When you call, though, just let me know what you think from your end about road travel and we’ll compare to our end and if it’s looking bad then you’ll come by helicopter. Don’t hesitate to ask for it. People are going to be getting desperate and desperate people have the potential to do horrible things. Marcus, you need to keep all of this to yourself. Don’t tell any co-workers, supervisors, and not even any friends. We can’t be sure of what kind of people these are. I’m pretty sure we don’t have the rights and freedoms we did yesterday. We all need to be careful.”

*****

Marcus sat back at his desk considering what Thomas had said before leaving.
We think you can be a key element to fighting this...I’m pretty sure we don’t have the rights and freedoms we did yesterday
. Marcus had predicted the government would take control of so many things but he wondered why a government corporation took over everything.
Was Thomas suggesting a total remaking of the United States? A completely new government? What did he and his foundation think was going to happen? What plans did they have for him
? Marcus was frustrated that he had to wait to ask all of these questions and to get the answers.

Will sped down the road towards town and slowed down to the speed limit as he reached the edge of town. The sun was fully above the horizon now. He tried calling his mother without any success as he left the house. He was pleasantly surprised to see things appeared to be normal here. Passing the grocery store, he noticed a couple of people jogging into the store. He wasn’t surprised at that. News of bad weather approaching made people rush to the store so news of chaos nationwide would most certainly do the same. He made a mental note that once he got to the others and once they decided what they were all going to do, that he wanted to make a stop at the grocery store for some extra food, as long as he had someone else with him to watch after the Jeep full of weapons. He didn’t want someone seeing them in his Jeep and decide that they needed them.

Will turned onto the street where his uncle’s house was. He figured it was still early enough that his mother wouldn’t have walked to work yet. They were close together so he could always drive there next. He pulled into the driveway. His mother opened the front door as he was getting out of the Jeep.

“Well, I’m guessing you’ve seen the news?” His mother asked as he walked up to her.

“Yeah, on the radio. I wasn’t sure if it was real at first so I checked every news channel and it was all showing the same stuff. What do you think we should do? I was thinking we all would get back to our place where there are fewer people around. There are riots and looting all over the country and I think it is bound to happen here too if it is so widespread like they are saying on the news. Our place seems like a good place to hold up. It’s not on a main road.”

His mother was smiling. “I think you are right. What do you mean by ‘we all’?”

“Oh..uh...well, I was meaning Lea and her parents too. That is if you are fine with it? You know I’ve stored up a bunch of survival food for an emergency.”

Her smile widened and she put a hand up to stop him. “Yes, I am fine with it. I was thinking all the same things. Are you going over to their house?”

“I was going to right after I talked to you. There doesn’t seem to be any cell service so I can’t call them. Have you tried your phone? He asked.

“I don’t have any service either,” She answered.

“It’s weird. I don’t understand why there wouldn’t be any service at all.”

“I don’t either. You should go over there now. They are probably all still home. I’m going to gather some of the things I have here. I need to go by the store to let Mr. Jacobs know I probably won’t be in until we figure out what is going on around the country.”

“Things look quiet around here. Nothing like what I was seeing on the news.” Will said. “I brought some guns just in case. Do you want one to have with you?” Will asked.

“No. I actually am already carrying your uncle’s pistol.” She opened her coat part way to reveal the holstered pistol. “I’ve had it by my bedside since I’ve been staying here alone some nights. I’ll carry it with me as I run to the store and then head home.

“Good,” Will said and then hugged his mother. “I’ll go now to see if I can get Lea and her family to come out to our place.”

“Be careful. Don’t get involved in any rioting,” Beth said to her son.

“Mom!” Will shook his head and chuckled. “I’m not out looking for a fight. I’m trying to make sure we all get someplace safe to hunker down.”

“I know. I know. I’m just being a mother. Your mother.”

*****

Will pulled up to Lea’s house and parked on the street. The driveway still had vehicles in it. Will hoped that meant everyone would still be home. Before Will even reached the driveway as he walked towards the house Lea came bursting out of the door running full speed to Will.

“Whoa!” Will yelled out unintentionally as Lea crashed into him with a big hug.

Lea looked up at Will and spoke quickly, without any pause. “Sorry. It’s just with all the news and I haven’t been able to get a hold of you all morning. I was worried.”

She gave him another tight squeeze and then stepped back quickly, looking at his side.

“Why do you have that on your waist?” She asked with a quizzical look on her face.

“It’s my pistol. I don’t want to take any chances. People are acting crazy on the news and that could happen here too.” He answered in an almost rehearsed manner. “I have more guns in the Jeep. I just covered them with some blankets and locked it so I think they should be fine. Are your parents here too? I have something I want to talk to you all about.”

“Yeah, they’re here. They slept in, but they are up now. I just told them a little bit ago what has been happening and they are watching the news right now,” Lea said.

Will and Lea walked inside the house and found Lea’s parents parked in front of the t.v. Will had gotten to know Lea’s parents quite a bit over the last few months. Alejandro had retired fairly early in life. About fifteen years earlier, he worked in maintenance for the county and had gotten injured. A fellow co-worker had backed a truck into the maintenance shop and ran into Alejandro as he worked on a different truck. He received a moderate insurance payout. He was unable to work for the better part of a year while he recovered. During his now abundant free time he decided to invest the insurance money. He gave most of it to a money management firm, knowing they would need to be conservative in order to have money during his recovery. He took a small chunk to try his chances in the stock market. He studied and studied and studied every investment he chose to make, no matter how big or small. The studying paid off as his account value continued to rise and rise.

He returned to work ten months later and was beginning to contemplate retirement. He had never imagined a scenario in his life where he’d be retiring so young. He continued investing, being successful across his diversified self-managed portfolio. He didn’t even spend a full year back at work before departing. Now newly retired, he adjusted his thinking and decided to stop being risky. They shifted all their money into the safest modes of investment they could think of. In addition, they stayed living the same way they always had. They had many discussions about upgrading their living situation and decided if they were going to stay retired that they should stay in the same house.

“Mr. and Mrs. Navarro?” Will asked to get their attention.

Without taking his eyes off of the t.v., Alejandro said, “Will, I’ve told you many times to call me by my white American name, Al.”

Will laughed, “Sorry...Al.”

“Alejo! How can you joke at a time like this? Hi, Will. It’s good to see you. I’m glad you came over today.” Juana said. “Lea was so worried. I think she was having a panic attack.”

“I can believe that,” Will said as he smiled and winked at Lea.

Lea smacked Will’s arm.

“Ow! What was that for?” Will asked jokingly.

Will enjoyed the light humor in the room. It lightened the mood. He loved Alejandro’s sense of humor. However, in light of the events unfolding around them, Will still wanted to steer the conversation more serious.

“So...Al...what do you think about all the violence happening?”

“It’s scary and crazy. It seems quiet here still. Small town where most people know most people, so it makes sense.” He finally turned from the t.v. and looked at Will, “I do think it will happen here too eventually. If not by people that live here then it’ll be those people.” He pointed to the t.v. “They are panicking is what’s happening. They are looting because they are scared and they don’t feel prepared for whatever is going to happen now that we are under martial law.”

“I heard that mentioned this morning but didn’t know if it had happened for sure,” Will said. “I think you are right that the rioting and looting will be here in our town too. That’s why I came here. I think you three should come stay with us at our house. I just talked to my mom about it and she had the same idea as me.”

Alejandro looked to Juana. Having been married for years they could communicate without speaking quite well.

“We’ll need to talk about this first, Will,” Alejandro said and Juana nodded her head as he said it.

“I understand,” Will answered and Alejandro and Juana stepped out of the living room.

Lea turned down the volume of the t.v. and turned to Will, “Do you really think it will get that bad here?”

“I do. To be honest, I’m surprised that it isn’t like that now. Some of the places they are showing on the news are small towns and it looks no different than the riots and looting they are showing in L.A. What do you think of my idea? Our place is isolated and all of us together could keep good watch over things.”

“I like it. Of course, I am a little biased.” Lea winked at Will as she answered, “I’m not sure how my parents are going to feel. I could see them going either way on this. They definitely won’t like leaving our house empty for so long.”

Will smiled and answered, “I’m glad you like the idea. Maybe you could help influence your parents if they are leaning towards staying here. Yes, I am biased as well wanting you there but I really do want your whole family to be safe. I really think it’s going to get rough. If people begin to flee the big cities then I think they’ll head for the hills.” Will held up his fingers to make quotation marks. “Our little town is the hills to some people and to others it’ll be on the way to the hills. Desperate people fleeing their homes might see the chaos as a reason to loot and riot. Just the fear of the change that has happened already is probably part of the reason people are rioting and looting in the bigger cities. Our property is off the main road. I don’t think people will easily happen upon it.”

Lea stared pensively towards the floor. Will noticed she appeared sad now and attempted to comfort her. After a few minutes of asking more questions and thinking through some of Will’s answers, she began to come to terms with the situation for the time being. Her parents called her back to their room where they had been discussing the idea of holding up at Will and his mother’s home to get her opinion. Will turned the volume up on the t.v. so he could hear if there was anything new being reported.