Through the Storm(48)

For an instant, Conner faced his assailant, a man only a few years older than himself. Before the man could rack the shotgun, Conner kicked his knee and grabbed the firearm.

As the man fell, Conner yanked the weapon free. Stepping back, he shifted his aim to the woman. Her eyes were wide, but she held Conner’s rifle in her hands. “Drop the weapon and put your hands up.”

She hesitated.

Conner didn’t want to hurt anyone, but he didn’t want her to shoot him either. He pointed the barrel at her head.

“No!” Sitting on the ground, the man thrust out his palms, pleading. “Don’t hurt her, please!”

She dropped the rifle onto the dusty ground.

Conner heard movement behind him and glanced over his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Madison stepped forward and retrieved the weapon from the ground.

He nodded.

Hearing more movement, Conner looked down the row of corn. Jason and Tim ran toward them.

“Sue … Raymond … I’m so glad they found you,” Jason shouted.

Conner stared at Raymond as the horror of what could have happened tore through him, “I could have killed you.”

Raymond stood, wobbled, and rubbed his knee. “Who are you two?”

“Friends,” Madison said flatly.

Conner handed the shotgun back to Raymond as Jason hugged Sue.

Tim followed close behind.

As they all neared the farmhouse, Sue pointed at the pickup. “Is that your truck, Dad?”

“Sure is.” Jason nodded. “One of my old farm trucks. I had to replace the starter and battery, but now it runs well.”

“We didn’t recognize it.” Raymond shook his head. “When we saw it coming up the road, I grabbed the shotgun and we hurried out the back.”

“Why?” Tim asked. “You were armed.”

“We didn’t want to be trapped in the house by some gang,” Sue said as they climbed the steps. “Groups have been raiding homes in the area for food and drugs.”

Standing on the back porch, Raymond turned to Conner. “I’m sorry I pointed my gun at you.” His face flushed.

“You didn’t know.” Conner didn’t feel he had anything to apologize for, but in the spirit of the moment, he decided to return the gesture. “I’m sorry if I hurt your knee and for pointing a gun at you and Sue.”

Next, it seemed that everyone was apologizing for both real and perceived wrongs. Laughter ensued as they entered the house.

When the amusement faded, Sue asked, “Why are you here, Dad?”

“To bring you home. It isn’t safe this close to Seattle. Better for both of you to be on our place, with family. There’s plenty of room.”

“I couldn’t leave our horses.”

“The truck has a hitch. Hook up your trailer, pack up your things, and let’s get going.”

Raymond nodded agreement.

Sue looked doubtful.

Feeling a tug on his sleeve, Conner turned to Madison.

With her head, she motioned for him to follow and together they went into the living room. “I figured this is a family matter they need to discuss.”

“Sure.” Conner sat beside her on a couch and, for the next few minutes, they planned their route.

Raymond stepped into the room. “Sue has started packing. We’ll be headed back over the mountains soon.” He opened a closet and pulled out a box. “Before we go though, I have some camping food and some gear in here that you can have.”

“Thanks.” Conner took the box.

The sun peaked in the sky and began its downward trek while Jason attached the horse trailer, Sue filled boxes and suitcases and Conner and Madison packed food into their packs and filled canteens at the water pump.

Sue unlocked the toolshed and swung open the door with a loud creak. “I thought you two might need these.”

Madison smiled.

Conner looked over his shoulder at Sue holding two expensive-looking red bicycles.

“Yes.” Conner nodded.

“We haven’t used them in years. Not since we bought the horses.” Sue pushed them forward to Conner. “We don’t have room for them.”

“Thank you.” Madison smiled. “It would have been a long walk.”

Jason loaded the horses and then squeezed into the back of the pickup with his wife, various suitcases, and a couple of dozen boxes.

Conner and Madison waved goodbye and then turned south on their new bikes toward home.





Day Seven

Clark County, Washington, Saturday, September 10th

The darkness faded and Neal returned to consciousness with a pounding headache. His eyes fluttered open to a view of Ginger’s belly. He tried to understand both why his head hurt and why Ginger stood across his face, growling.

Something had hit the back of his head.

He pushed the dog aside and sat up. His head throbbed and the world swayed, but he managed to remain upright.

Ginger growled toward a dark corner.

As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, a woman in a loose jacket, holding a shotgun, gradually became visible.

Neal glanced about for his weapon.

“Yeah, this is your shotgun,” the woman said. “You dropped it and I grabbed it before that dog of yours came at me.”