EMP Antediluvian Courage : Book 3 Read online

  “All right,” Jutta said, putting the book aside. “Go wash your hands and change into something clean. But old; it might get messy. I’ll go change as well.”

  ֍

  Boney and Wilber had waited all night, and dawn was approaching quickly. Both felt deflated. They’d lain in wait for Ralph Finch and his brother Aiden, having gotten word that the men lived in this house, but they’d spent all night waiting. They’d arrived at midnight and cased the house out. They had even gone so far as to enter. No one had been there.

  “They’s probably out drinkin’ or somethan’. We kin wait,” Boney had said. They’d settled themselves across the road, in an old roadside shed. Wilber had fallen asleep as Boney kept watch. Then Boney woke his friend up and took his turn to nap. Now they could both hear the morning birds, and light was pinkening the sky.

  “I wonder where they is?” Wilber said, standing and stretching. He groaned heavily, joints popping.

  “Ain’t no tellin’. You gonna go see that grandson of yours?” Boney asked, taking a drink of water. They’d both brought food and water with them, unsure of how long they’d be.

  “I will later tonight. I’ll want ta git proper sleep afore I go.”

  “It’s a dang good thing that boy made it ta the good doctor. I ’spect God was a’watchen,” Boney smiled kindly.

  “You wanna just leave and try again?” Wilber asked, disappointment clear in his voice.

  Boney was about to say yes, when they heard a man’s laughter. Both men froze. Boney stood, looking out between the slotted cracks of the dilapidated building.

  Down the road, two men staggered toward them. It was the Finch brothers. Looked like they were still drunk, Ralph carrying what looked like a bottle, a few ounces of the amber booze sloshing around in the bottom. Aiden had said something that had made Ralph laugh, and then crudely grab his crotch. Both nearly fell to the road in laughter.

  Boney smiled. This would be like shooting fish in a barrel. They waited as both men drew closer.

  He and Wilber could now make out their disturbing conversation.

  “That gal kept sayin’ no, but I kept shuttin’ her up,” Ralph laughed hard, and then grabbed his crotch again.

  “I seen it, brother. Them sisters was ripe for the taking, I’ll swear,” Aiden laughed coarsely.

  “That bitch of a mother should’a just kept her mouth shut. I’d not have to have stoved her head in otherwise.”

  “Yeah, that did kinda ruin the mood,” Aiden agreed, grabbing the bottle of liquor from his brother and taking a long swig.

  Boney had heard enough. He nudged Wilber, then looked at him. Both men lifted their guns. It would be loud as hell in that small structure.

  “You wanna just step out and shoot ’em?” Boney said. There were no other houses around, and their truck was well hidden down the road. It would beat having their eardrums blown.

  “Sure. I want these little bastards to see it comin’,” Wilber said.

  Boney grinned at his friend and patted him on the back. They went out of the structure from the back, and stepped out in the road, weapons raised. The men were about fifteen feet away and hadn’t noticed them yet.

  Boney cleared his throat.

  The two men stopped, looked up, and the smiles on their faces evaporated.

  “Who the hell are you?” Ralph said belligerently.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but you can call me Death.” Boney laughed, and saw the realization dawn on Ralph’s face that he was indeed death.

  Aiden dropped the bottle and looked as though he were trying to dig his weapon out from his waistband. Ralph was doing the same. Boney and Wilber shot nearly simultaneously, the sound echoing off the hills around them. The birds stopped their singing, and as the echo faded and the smoke cleared, and the dust settled, the brothers lay dead in the road.

  Boney walked over, Wilber beside him, his head on a swivel, looking around. There was neither movement nor sound from anywhere. Boney kicked at Ralph’s foot. He then leaned over and pulled out the gun; a Glock. Too nice a weapon for this peckerhead, he thought.

  “I’ll make sure one of them folks from the coal mine get this weapon.” He lifted the weapon and grinned at Wilber.

  “That’s a nice one. This one had a .38 snub,” Wilber said.

  “Let’s go home, friend, and get some sleep. These two assholes won’t be botherin’ any more sisters or mothers.” Boney laughed, and both men walked down the deserted road, the birds beginning their morning songs once more.

  ֍

  Mary grunted and lay back in the bed, her face red and pale by turns. Milly took a small towel and patted her face. Mary turned and smiled at the girl. The pains were now nearly unbearable. She panted, trying to catch her breath. It had been three hours and still the baby hadn’t come. The pain was now just about nonstop. She had but a few moments reprieve between when the contractions started again, her uterus contracting, like a fist, clenched and hard.

  Jutta had checked her and said it could be anytime now.

  “Pant in slow, short breaths, Mary. Try to concentrate on that and try to relax the rest of your body. You’re so close now,” Jutta said encouragingly, a smile on her face.

  Mary could hear activity outside and down below in the house. She heard laughter. It sounded like a normal day in a normal life. Somehow, that made her feel better. She panted just as Jutta had told her.

  “I feel like I need to push,” she said suddenly.

  “Good. Then push, Mary. Milly, get behind Mary and support her,” Jutta ordered calmly.

  Milly got behind Mary and placed her warm hands on Mary’s shoulders. Mary sat up and shifted forward, her knees drawn up, hands holding on to them. She grunted and pushed.

  “Push, push, push,” Jutta repeated like a mantra. Mary pushed for as long as she could. Jutta checked her and grinned up at Mary.

  “He’s crowning,” she said, and got the small bottle of mineral oil and put some on her fingers. Reaching down, she applied it to Mary.

  Mary was panting again, the color fading from her face. She tried to smile, but the pain was so great. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. It was as though her guts were being ripped from her. The wave of pain began once more. She leaned back and felt Milly’s steadying hands behind her. Mary grabbed her knees and pushed once more.

  “Stop! His head is out. Let me turn him.” There was silence as Jutta worked. “The cord is clear. Okay, you can push now,” Jutta commanded like a drill sergeant.

  Mary watched as Jutta guided the baby out, moving the small shoulders and letting the baby glide from her. The pain was now gone, replaced by her son there, so tiny. He was nearly a purplish blue, and fear skittered through her.

  She was paralyzed as she watched Jutta take the thread and tie it around the umbilical cord, her hands were sure and fast. Then she saw the small scissors and watched as Jutta cut the cord above the tied string.

  She tried to talk, but her mouth was dry. So instead, she watched the woman take her son in her large capable hands. Jutta wrapped the baby in a towel and began to pat his back, his small head facing down. Liquid come from the baby’s mouth and Jutta continued to pat and rub him. Then he jerked, and a tiny wail came out. Mary could breathe again.

  The tiny, froglike legs kicked, the toes spread, and small arms waved angrily. The baby sucked in a breath and let out an even louder shriek, his small face purple and red now, his tiny fists shaking with indignant rage. Both women laughed and looked at each other. Milly got up and retrieved the receiving blanket. Jutta wrapped the baby up snug, then handed him over to Mary.

  “Here is your son, Mary. He’s tiny, but he’s a fighter,” Jutta said, tears sliding down her face, a huge smile on her face.

  “Oh, Jutta, he’s beautiful, and my God, so tiny. Hello Howard David Deets! How are you, my son?” Mary cooed.

  She held Howard up and looked into his dark, blueish eyes. His hair was jet black and his body was still co
vered with vernix and tiny hairs. His small eyes blinked in confusion, and Mary laughed. His small mouth looked like a tiny rosebud. She kissed him and sniffed him. He was hers, and he was here.

  She felt Jutta working below her, then watched as the woman left the room. Milly sat down beside her and looked at the baby.

  “He’s so small, Miss Mary, but he sure is beautiful,” she said wistfully.

  “He is. I can’t believe how perfect he is!” Mary said, her eyes transfixed on the tiny form in her arms.

  Jutta came back in, a huge smile on her face. She bustled around the room, straightening it up. “Milly, go make Mary some lunch. Something light, and get her some milk too.”

  “Yes mam,” Milly said. She grinned at Mary and kissed her cheek. Then she kissed the top of the baby’s head gently and disappeared from the room.

  “I’d say he weighs about five pounds. That isn’t too bad, Mary. He’s a preemie, but he’s a good size. I think if you’d taken him to term, he’d have been a nine-pounder,” Jutta laughed.

  “Oh my, that would hurt like hell, I don’t even want to imagine what a nine-pounder feels like,” Mary laughed.

  “It sure as hell don’t feel good. Three of mine were nine pounds, the others seven or eight,” Jutta said, shaking her head.

  Mary looked at her and shook her head. Then she looked down at Howard and grinned.

  “In a little while,” Jutta went on, “I’m going to come back and knead your stomach. It’ll hurt, but it will help your uterus shrink down to size. Did you want to try to nurse him? See if he’ll latch?”

  “Yes, I’d like that,” Mary said, and let Jutta help pull her gown down enough for her breast to come out. Jutta showed her how to knead and push the colostrum out, the important first milk. Mary placed the baby to her breast and enticed the baby to take the nipple. Howard latched on with alacrity. Mary laughed, and watched in awe as her son took his first drink.

  ֍

  Wilber drove slowly toward Harry’s old farmhouse. It was dusk, and all was quiet on the road. He and Boney had gone their separate ways that morning, and he’d gone to bed for a good long rest. He’d not been so active for years, and he felt young once more. It was a good feeling. He hoped, however, that this conflict would end soon, before Alan was killed.

  To see his grandson so fragile nearly broke his old heart. No child should have to see what his grandson had seen, or be shot at by a couple of booger-eaters. He was glad Harry had taken care of it, and he was glad Alan would have Harry and his family once he passed on. He had no plans for now but knew Alan wouldn’t be alone after he was gone. That was good.

  His headlights led the way to the large farmhouse on the hill. Ahead, he saw eyes of deer, standing just inside the tree line. Once Alan was better, they’d go hunting. It was about time. The rut would start in a few short weeks. He pulled up the road a bit past the barricade, which had grown in nicely over the past few months. He clicked on his old flashlight and walked to the barricade.

  A flashlight worked its way down the hill. Someone was coming to meet him. Harry, he figured. He smiled up at the younger man as he drew near, and patted him on his shoulders.

  “How is it, Harry? How’s my grandson?”

  “He’s doing really good. Has been eating solid food and enjoying all the attention the women are giving him,” Harry laughed.

  “Yeah, he always did like being petted,” Wilber laughed.

  “Willene said you’re staying for dinner and you’re staying for the night. She already has your room made up for you. We’d like it if you stayed with us while Alan is here. It also gives us a chance to plan out our strategies for Friday.”

  Wilber nodded, and grinned.

  They reached the porch, which was dark, but he could make out the shapes of the people sitting there.

  “Hi, Wilber, how are you this evening?” Clay asked.

  “I’m good, son. Boney sends his best.”

  “All right then.” Clay smiled.

  “I’ll fetch you some dinner, Wilber. Have a seat,” Willene ordered.

  “Where’s Earl?” Wilber asked, looking around.

  “He’s on watch. He’s making a round on the property, but should be back in a bit,” Marilyn chimed in. They all turned their heads as Willene came to the door. Monroe opened it for her and grinned up at her. It sure felt like a home here, and Wilber was glad Alan was here. He was in capable hands.

  Marilyn got up and set a TV tray in front of Wilber. Then Willene set a plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and sliced tomatoes, and a glass of sun tea down on it.

  Wilber picked the glass up to take a drink and was gratified to note that it was cold.

  “This sure does look good, thank ya, gals.” He grinned and began to dig in. Then stopped, realizing he’d not even gone in to see his grandson.

  “Oh shoot, I guess I should check on my grandson first,” he said in embarrassment.

  “It’s okay. He’s asleep right now. Go ahead and eat, Wilber. He’ll bide,” Katie said. She was sitting with Clay.

  He nodded, then dug into the food. Marilyn sat back down beside Harry, and pulled Monroe into her lap. They all sat quietly as Wilber ate, enjoying the cool evening. They could hear the dogs in the woods with Earl, and a chuckle ran through the group as they heard Earl talking to the dogs.

  “Boney and me bagged us a couple of idgits this mornin’. Was afraid we might not git any, but we did. Got the two Finch brothers, Ralph an’ Aiden,” Wilber said.

  “Them’s some bad’ens,” Boggy said from the side of the porch.

  “Yes they is, or should I say, was,” Wilber agreed.

  “I’ve arrested both those boys on domestic disturbances several times. Unfortunately the women involved didn’t press charges,” Clay said.

  “Well, now they’s no longer a goin’ concern.” Wilber laughed, and everyone joined in.

  “I can’t say I agree with all the killing and violence, but I tended to those women, so I really can’t be sorry that those brutes are gone,” Katie said.

  “Don’t you cry no tears for these idgits, Doc. They done had choices in this life. They juss chose wrong. And now they’d paid fir it,” Wilber said, his voice sober.

  “Have you any ideas for Friday, after we free the prisoners from the coal mine?” Harry asked.

  “I think we separate into three teams. Darkness will be our friend. Me an’ you an’ Boggy will go ta the Bluemont Bed an’ Breakfast. Boggy takes the TNT iffin we need it, but hopin’ we don’t,” Wilber said, nodding his head to Boggy.

  “I figure Clay’ll want ta take care of Yates, but if you want to take someone as back up, I ’spect Ralph and Abram will enjoy goin’ with you,” Wilber cackled.

  “Sure. I don’t think I’ll need back up, but I don’t know if Yates will have men with him or helping to guard him. I’ll also take Earl. Once I take care of him, we can join you, Harry, and Boggy,” Clay said softy.

  “Good. Boney an’ Sherman will hunt down stragglers. Reece Archer and Murphy Tweet is the last of the Klavern, and anyone who is hangin’ with them, they’s gonna die too,” Wilber said.

  “Will you spare anyone who surrenders?” Katie asked. Everyone waited for Wilber to answer, and the creaks of the swing and glider filled the void.

  “No, we give no quarter. They done killed children, they put children in that coal mine. No, they all die. They was gonna kill you, Katie, as they kilt your momma. We kill them all, otherwise they’ll try to raise up again later. I don’t want my grandson living in a world where he’s gotta watch his back ’cause we didn’t finish the job,” Wilber explained, his voice hard and determined.

  “I agree. They deserve no more than a bullet to the brain,” Clay said.

  “I agree too,” Boggy said softly, and Wilber could hear the rage.

  “Yeah,” Harry said. “We can’t afford to let any of them live. For our children’s sakes.” He patted Monroe’s head; the boy was asleep in his mother’s arms.<
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  “Depending on who kin help from the coal mine, we’ll be split between us. I don’t want Gerhard mixed in with this. His family needs him, as does his community,” Wilber said.

  Everyone grunted agreement, and he smiled. He’d thought they would. He sat back, finished with his dinner. It had been a fine spread, and he’d enjoyed it immensely.

  “I’m gonna go see my grandson, then I’m headin’ ta bed. It’s been a long day fir sure. Thank ya ladies for a fine meal. I appreciate it,” Wilber said, getting up stiffly.

  Willene joined him, picking up his tray and leading the way into the house.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Mary held her son, his small soft head cradled in her hand. Her lips glided over the soft fuzz that had sprung up from Howard’s tiny head. She inhaled the magical, antediluvian fragrance of him. She wondered if the enticing scent bound her to him, bonded her irrevocably to this child? For certain, she was linked to him, body and soul. The soft feel of his body, his boneless weight filling her arms and her heart. He’d fed well, and she lifted his miniature hand with her finger. It amazed her how tiny the nails were.

  Leaning her head down, she kissed the small hand and fingers. She was hopelessly in love. From below, she heard activity and laughter. She smiled. At some point, she would have to leave this home, and she would be bereft. It had been not only a sanctuary but a place of love and friendship. She thought of her friendship with David. She wasn’t a fool; she’d seen the love in his eyes. He was a good man, and she cared deeply for him.

  She loved her husband, and knew Howard wouldn’t be angry at her for caring about David. She looked out the window. It was getting dark. In a couple days, the people, her friends, would try to take their town back. She’d heard all the talking below, and Jutta had told her of the plan. Soon.

  She heard Jutta coming up the stairs, and she saw Milly behind her, carrying an oil lamp. Jutta came in with a tray of food, and Milly put the lamp on the nightstand. She then took the tray from her mother and Jutta reached for the baby, a gentle smile caressing her face.

  “Let me have that little boy. Uh I miss having a little little. They always smell so darn good and so very sweet,” she said, lifting the small bundle gently. She brought the baby up to her face, and sniffed and kissed the small head tenderly, smiling and cooing.