"Jill's Awakening" by brake pedal aka bill ayers
introduction of sorts... :shr:
This is a project that I have been working on for over a year now. I have had a long battle with it. It started out to be destined for here at member stories or another free that hosts a more explicit type of content, as I didn’t really know about the rules at TB2K about that type of material. I originally started typing this just to get a reading of how good I could write. Up until I started this I had written the stories out in a spiral notebook and threw them away when I finished.
But there are two friends that wanted to be written into this one and then, when they heard about publish on demand, pressed me to go that route. Admittedly, I also liked the idea of a book with my name on it. I really didn’t want to pay 4 or 5 hundred for that. As I was finishing up the revision phase, I found lulu.com that publishes absolutely free. That cinched it, I spent an entire weekend arranging covers and uploading files.
This was just one of many weekends that I spent working on this, typing away from a hand written script. I beg to note that I can’t type and have only 9.8 fingers. So it was slow, to say the least.
OK, after I got it all uploaded I ordered my proof, and then checked it when it arrived. Then I posted it on several forums as a book that I had read instead of written, including here. I hated to do it that way, and I apologize for that. But I did it because I did not want anyone buying it just because a member wrote it. Further I felt that the feedback might be biased if the reader knew that a board member wrote it. I hope that ya’all can forgive the indiscretion and understand my reason for doing so.
This book was only on the market for four days. I felt it best to pull it from sales in light of the problem at work. There’s a thread in the corkboard concerning this. Suffice it to say this book and part of its sequel almost cost me my job. :shkr:
I recently did put it back up for sale as the other problem was taken care of informally. But long story short, I am through trying to sell it. It’s cost me enough already. I have a lot of time and a lot of deep worry, in the end. I wish I had placed it here to begin with. It would have been much easier and truthfully, it would have lessened the seriousness of my difficulty at work, greatly. Seems that ‘for profit’ and just piddling makes a difference.
I have learned my lesson. So from now on if I write something of this nature it will go here. Although, there may not be very much time for me to write more of the story, because during the panic, while I was thinking I’d be without a job, I enrolled at a local college. So now not only do I have a job, but also I am carrying 10 semester hours of course work. :eek: I guess I’ll finish up that criminal justice degree or possibly change to something else.
But anyway, that’s the troubles I’ve had with this. As for the story, be FOREWARNED. :shkr: There is some adult content and nudity. :rolleyes: (Streak I’ve had to fight with) I was concerned about this and pm’d Dennis to ask if it would be OK on a level of what you would find in an ordinary bookstore novel. So without quoting the PM I take it that’s its OK on that level. My friend that helped me proof read it, considers the adult content as less than a “Longarm Western”. I have never read one of those so I can’t comment. :shr: But I think it more akin to some of Ahern’s work or some of the courser of Johnstones Ashes series. I would rather tell you now than to offend you after you’ve read quite a bit into it.
I hope you enjoy it. :pccf: As for the sequel, I got 18,000 words into it before the bomb fell. If I can find the time, or that one supervisor leaves, I’ll finish it up and post it here. Until then could I interest you in some nice Algebra equations? :sht:
Chapter 12 Con't The grand finale
The semi began gearing down as the car slowed for the gate. Jill hid in the sleeper compartment and Conrad fought to calm his nerves. His AR-15 stood between the seat and the drivers’ door, the barrel resting against the back of the cab. He wore a Glock 9mm on his hip with several magazines for both were tucked behind his belt.
Dwike casually stopped the car at the gate, his finger activating the power window. Two guards ambled over, seemingly light on their feet. Smiling, their eyes were mere slits. The first guard spoke loudly, “Hey Dwikey! Waaaasup?”
Dwike grinned back. “Hey brother! We did good today. We got a whole load of cracker bitches and a few good dudes too.”
The same guard replied, “Well dats aw’right. Whats with this bitch? Looks like she been through some kinda shit.” referring to Maria and her badly bruised body.
Dwike glanced over and grinned, said. “Well I had to break her in. I brought her up with me, she got some kinda ass on her. She’s mine look at them titties, ain’t they something! Just right not too big not too small.”
The guard began to reach his hand in to heft one of Maria’s breasts. Dwike almost lost it, pushing the man’s hand away abruptly. His voice cracked almost showing his nervousness. “She’s mine, don’t be touching my bitch!”
The guard, startled, pulled his arm back. “Right Dwikey. Sorry man.” The guard then stepped back and waved at the other guard to open the gate.
When the gate had swung fully open, Dwike hit the button to put the window up and slowly drove the car through. Maria said. “You did good Dwike.” Maria sighed and said softly, “And thanks for not letting him feel me up.”
Dwike sensed the softness in her words, her gratitude. Silently he wished the situation were different. He cleared his throat and said, “It’s all right Maria. You are some kind of woman really, I respect you.”
Maria smiled at Dwike with sincerity for the first time. “Thanks Dwike. Now take us to where you normally drop off the captives. And Dwike, if you make it out of this alive, think about doing right for a change. Get some real respect for yourself.”
Dwike only nodded as he guided the car between the buildings, the semi trailing a little behind the car. Finally Dwike looked at Maria and said softly, “Be ready.”
Seconds after he said it, Maria felt the car ease to a stop. She kept her head down, but stole glances out the windows at her surroundings. They were in an alley between two huge metal buildings. The alley itself maybe twenty feet wide with pallets strewn about and dumpsters spaced long the walls. Men were coming out of doors on both sides of the alley. Soon more than a dozen men, both black and white filled the alleyway, ambling up to the vehicles. Some of the men were obviously high, some staggered as if drunk. A few carried rifles, but they all wore handguns at their hips. Maria’s heart began to pound in her chest, she had not expected so many men.
Maria slowly turned around in the seat, keeping the Mac-10 low under the dashboard. Her left hand went to the door handle. Two of the men noticed her movement and stopped suddenly. Dwike glanced at her quickly and hissed, “Go!”
Maria flung the door open as she screamed loudly. When her feet hit the pavement she sprang up and brought the Mac-10 across the doorframe. She squeezed a quick burst, raking the group of men before they could react. Four men went down with the first burst. Maria thought, “Damn it’s full auto! I wonder where they got it.” Turning she grabbed up the knife just as Dwike floored the accelerator on the car. The sound of tires squalling filled the alleyway as the men began to grope for their pistols and run out of the way of the car.
At the sound of the first shots Jill bailed out of the small sleeper compartment door on the drivers side of the semi. The AK in her left hand firing rapid shots before her feet hit the ground. Once on the ground she let a few more shots go until Conrad swung the drivers side door open, bailing out with his AR-15. Conrad firing as fast as he could, his finger working the trigger with skill, to cover Jill. With Conrad now covering the front, Jill turned to run to the rear of the truck to release the others.
Maria realized Dwike was leaving and the cover from the car door would soon be gone. She flung herself to the pavement to get low, scraping her shins, her breasts flattened against the harsh surface. Once on the ground she saw Dwike knock down two men and run over the bodies of the others as he fled. “That’s Brotherhood.” She thought to herself and then she fired a short burst and got to her feet, running back to the passenger fender of the truck for cover. Firing another quick burst she moved back and yanked open the passenger side door of the semi. Reaching inside she grabbed the bag of spare magazines she had stashed there. Pulling the bag open she grabbed a fresh magazine for the Mac-10. Buttoned out the spent one and slammed the fresh one up the well. She slung the bag across her shoulder and returned to the fender of the semi to level the sub-gun across it as more men came from the doors of the buildings.
Conrad stitched the door on his side of the alleyway with his AR-15. Large pockmarks, streaking upward, blossomed in the steel of the door. Maria did the same on her side also. The men at the doors scrambled back inside slamming the door closed against the fierce fire.
Jill had nearly made it to the rear of the semi when men began to appear around the corners of the buildings at the end of the alley. She leveled the AK and triggered several shots into the first ones that had rounded the corner and then dove under the trailer, crawling up behind the trailer tires. Leaning out she fired another burst, the bullets pinging into the metal at the corner of the building. The bolt locking back on the AK after three shots, empty. The burst sent the men running for the cover of the corner of the building.
As Jill changed magazines she tried to remember which trailer door could be opened singly. By the time she had let the bolt slam closed on a fresh round she was sure it was the door on the right side. She drew a deep breath and rolled on her sides out from behind the trailer tires. Coming to her knees she fired three rounds at the corner and then got to her feet. Firing three more quick shots she ran around the trailers end. The AK extended out firing randomly, she grasped the door handle as she went by. Quickly shoving the handle upward and flinging the handle back against the other door, freeing those inside.
Without stopping Jill ran around the end of the trailer. The AK firing out as she dove behind the trailer tires on the other side. Under the trailer she put her back against the tires as she closed her eyes and caught a few quick breaths before changing the AK’s empty magazine. Fishing around in her carry bag she found a full magazine and jammed it into the belly of the weapon. Hearing the trailer door being kicked open she rolled across under the trailer to a firing position behind the driver’s side wheels.
Missy had placed the machine gun on its pod just inside the door before they arrived. Now she lay prone behind it. Andrea crouched on Missy’s left, near the trailer wall. Her AK butted against her shoulder. The rest of the group lined up to Missy’s right and left ready to jump free of the trailer and find a firing position outside. When Missy heard the door break free, she waited, giving Jill time to clear the door, then shouted, “Now!”
Sherry, the first in line, kicked the door open and then crouched inside the door out of the way. Missy let the trigger back on the machine gun to give a long yammering burst down the alleyway. When Missy let the trigger up to stop the burst she yelled, “Go!” On cue Andrea and Sherry jumped to the pavement and rolled away from the truck on each side. Getting to their feet, they ran to the cover of dumpsters along each wall. When Sherry and Andrea were in position, Missy fired another burst and again yelled, “Go!”
The next two in line jumped to the pavement while Sherry and Andrea advanced down the alleyway to the next Dumpster or stack of pallets that they could use for cover. Firing short bursts from their AK’s as they ran. Those jumping from the truck behind them rolled to the positions that Sherry and Andrea had just vacated. Missy began firing again. The process continuing until everyone was out of the trailer. Sherry and Andrea advancing and firing to cover those that were advancing behind them.
Jill seeing that those in the trailer were free and advancing down the alley ran to the cab of the truck where Maria was crouched firing at men hiding behind dumpsters. Jill began to figure a plan to dislodge the men from their positions behind the dumpsters.
At the rear of the trailer, after everyone had jumped from the trailer, Missy released the machine gun from its pod. Hoisting it up, she threw the belts of ammo across her shoulder and jumped down to the pavement. Once on the ground she ran to the cab to come up behind Conrad.
Jill made her plan and ran back behind the tractor to roll across under the trailer, coming up on Conrad’s side. She yelled to Conrad over the din of gunfire. “Get in the cab and let it creep forward. Missy, Maria and me will get under the trailer behind the rear tractor tires, use those for cover.”
Conrad realized what the plan was and nodded his head, backing away to climb into the cab. Jill fired a burst down the alleyway to cover him, fanning fire across the Dumpster. To Missy, Jill yelled, “Get under the trailer!” Missy ran back as Jill fired another burst and then followed her.
Jill dove under the trailer, rolling back across, coming up to shout to Maria, “Maria! Get back here!”
Maria fired a quick burst and then ran back as the semi began to creep forward. She ducked under rather than roll to preserve some skin. “I wished I had listened to chu about dem clothes!” she said as she came to Jill.
Jill quickly explained the plan as they duck walked behind the wheels. Maria changing magazines while she had the opportunity. Bullets were pinging off the truck rims and thumping off the side of the tires, as the semi rolled slowly forward.
Jill leaned out from the rolling wheels to trigger three shots from her AK into the corner of the nearest Dumpster on the passenger side. The rounds whined off the side but held the man in position. When the man peeked out from behind the Dumpster, Jill held her fire. The man took the opportunity to break from cover to run back to the next Dumpster. Jill then stitched that Dumpster with three more rounds.
The others seeing the truck rolling forward and Jill and Maria firing from the rolling cover broke cover to run down the alleyway to the corner of the buildings. Jill, Missy and Maria all fired into the knot of running men, hosing them down. Only one of the men made the corner. The truck continued to slowly roll toward the corner, encountering the bodies of the first men that were killed. The truck wheels powered over the bodies. Sounds of bones breaking came to the ladies under the trailer. The bodies jerked as the steering tires rolled over them. Jill watched as the rear tractor wheels rolled over the head of one of the downed men. She cringed as she heard the skull ‘pop’, with the sound of a coconut being crushed, and saw blood and clear fluids splashed onto the side of a dumpster. When the truck rolled past the doors to the buildings, Maria stayed behind to cover both of the doors.
Sherry and Andrea finally made it up to the corners at the other end of the alleyway. The next team to arrive was Trent and a member of Conrad’s group. Sherry and Andrea told them to stay and guard the corners and then they ran to the next team back, instructing them to go up to assist Trent at the corners. The rest of the team, they took back down the alleyway with them. Dividing the group, Sherry and her team went to one door, Andrea and another team to the door on the opposite side. Maria stood in the center of the alleyway to cover the teams. Sherry stood with her back to the wall next to the door. The team on the other side stepped clear of the door. She turned the knob and pulled the door open a few inches. Releasing the knob she let it close. “No Shots.” she thought. Grabbing the knob again she yanked it open and swung her AK around the door jam, still no one fired at her. The warehouse was dimly lit with skylights. The interior of the building held hundreds of naked captives contained in a makeshift fence around the center of the floor. A terrible odor of sweat and slop pots hung in the air inside the building. The people sat leaned against the fence or each other, some lying down on the hard floor.
Jill left Missy and Conrad to guard the corners and ran back to Maria and the open door. “Go help Missy and Conrad!” she shouted to Maria as she walked toward the open door. Maria responded quickly running down the alleyway. With saddened eyes, Sherry nodded for Jill to enter. She stepped inside the door, the odors assailing her nose. Jill looked the scene over and knew this was the reason she had left the safety of the farm. She could not sit idly by, safe at the farm, while people were suffering like this. True, she knew most of these still would not fight to protect themselves, even after this. But she knew that among the hundreds here, there would be scores that would pick up a gun to join the fight.
Jill turned around to tell Conrad’s wife, Lisa and another woman from Conrad’s group to stay at the door. Jill, Sherry and three others walked inside.
Once inside, Jill and a man from Conrad’s group approached the fence. Sherry and the others spread out around the inside of the building to search for any hidden gang members. As they moved about the building, sporadic gunfire could be heard outside.
As Jill approached the fence someone from inside the fence mumbled, “Oh great, here we go again, another bunch with guns that think they are kings because they have guns.”
Jill let the comment slide by and announced to the captives, “We are the first Tennessee Volunteer militia, we are here to rescue you!” At that, many of the people stood and began milling about anxiously.
Jill shouted again, “Lets get organized. Those of you that want to fight, that will pick up a gun and kill anyone that tries to do this to you again. I want all those people front and center here at the gate! The rest of you remain where you are, we’ll come to get you when it’s safe!”
Jill watched as people began to move about. From the crowd she heard someone say, “I ain’t touching no gun!” Jill remained silent as she watched the gathering at the gate. After nearly a minute there were about fifty men and women standing at the gate. She instructed them by saying, “I do not have guns or clothes to give you. There are guns on the ground in the alleyway from the dead men, get those and check the bodies for ammunition. Then I want you to divide up into teams, one gun per team. I want the teams to go hunt down the people that did this to you. As you kill them, arm yourselves and at least take their shoes. Then when you’ve killed them all, meet back here at the semi in the alley if you want to join us.”
The volunteers all nodded to signify their understanding. Some shouted joyously, “All right!” Jill swung the gate open and the people ran for the door. After the volunteers had all left Jill closed the gate on the non-combatants and announced, “The rest of you I will release before we leave.” turning to walk away she heard more asinine jeers. Secretly she wished she could just leave those people locked in the fence. Walking toward the door Jill shouted for Sherry and the others to follow her.
Outside in the alleyway, those that had been released were busy grabbing up any gun they could find and striping the dead men of their shoes and any clothing worth the trouble. Tallying their numbers at 46 they broke up into 11 groups of five or six. The groups then split up. Half of the groups went one way down the alley the rest the other way. Jill watched them split again at the end of the alleyway. She guessed the gang members defending the corners had seen the captives come out and fled, knowing the fight was over.
After the groups disappeared around the corner, Jill stepped across the alleyway to the other door. Andrea and her team stood on either side of the pock marked door. Jill stood to the side and nodded her head. Andrea seeing the signal, reached for the door knob. Pressing her back to the wall she turned the knob and pulled the door open slightly and then let it close. Nothing happened, no shots came from the other side of the doorway. She then gripped the knob again and quickly yanked it open. The door flung wide and there came a deafening roar, followed by Lisa slamming backward into the metal wall behind her.
Lisa’s body seemed pinned to the wall for an instant and then slid down the wall to the pavement. The wall behind her smeared with blood. The pattern of buckshot from a shotgun, dimpled into the wall where she had stood.
Jill’s heart sank as Lisa died on the ground, but she knew there was nothing she could do about it. No more shots were fired, only the one. As a few people ran over to check Lisa, Jill turned back to the door. Stepping closer to Andrea she knelt at Andrea’s feet and said, “Open it slowly. I’ll get low and look inside.”
Drawing the 44, Jill lay on her side on the pavement. Nodding up to Andrea when she was in position. Andrea turned the knob again, slowly pulling the door open, expecting another shotgun blast at any second. Once the door was open far enough, Jill whispered to Andrea, “Hold it there.”
Jill peered through the crack to see a small chair standing six feet inside the door, a shotgun was duct taped across the top of the chairs back. A piece of heavy twine ran from the trigger to the sling ring on its buttstock and then to the doorknob. There was enough slack left in the twine that the shotgun would not fire until the door had been pulled halfway open.
Jill holstered her 44 and drew her knife. Andrea gave her a puzzled look, not saying anything. Jill whispered, “Booby trap.” Jill opened the door further, watching the tension in the twine. She couldn’t tell if the shotgun were a semi-automatic or if it needed to be reloaded manually, the duct tape covering much of the forearm of the weapon. When there was enough room, she reached in with the knife and drew the blade across the twine cutting it cleanly. “It’s safe!” she whispered to Andrea as she got to her feet.
Picking up her AK Jill stepped through the door. Surveying the inside of the building, she found it was much the same set up as in the other warehouse. But it seemed there were somewhat fewer people here. Jill repeated the same announcements and procedure as she had used before, even enduring the same snide comments as before. This time there was what she estimated at thirty people to step forward to fight. Jill sent them to the alleyway, telling them to stay near the semi and closed the gate on the non- combatant captives. Telling those inside the fence that she’d be back for them when it was safe and then she jogged back out into the alleyway.
Outside she told the others to stay near the rear of the semi and then ran down the alley to where she’d left Conrad and Maria. She came up behind Conrad and asked, “How’s it going?” Jill knew she had to tell him about his wife, and knew she was stalling. The coldness in her stomach seeming unbearable.
Conrad replied, “Great! Those that we turned loose really cleaned them out.”
Jill, torn inside, wondered how to tell him. Finally she put her hand on his shoulder and simply said, “Conrad, Lisa got hit. She’s dead.”
The man’s shoulders slumped. His head fell. Jill could feel the great heaving sobs under his rolling shoulders as he silently wailed. Jill patted his shoulder and said, “Go, I’ll stand guard here.” at that Conrad stood and turned to Jill, she saw his sad eyes and his tear streaked face. He softly said, “Thanks Jill” and ran back down the alley to where his wife lay.
Kneeling by his wife he scooped her body up into his arms. Holding her tight to his chest he began to sob. The others in the alley moved away or turned their backs to give the man his dignity. One of the older captives, just released, walked over to kneel beside him. Putting his arm around Conrad’s back he said, “Lord be with you son.” Then man comforted Conrad for a few moments and together they began a prayer.
After another ten minutes, Jill noticed the sounds of gunfire in the area had dwindled to near nothing. Looking over to Maria, she said, “I think it’s over let’s get loaded up, the others will be back soon.”
Maria nodded, getting up and following Jill back down the alley to the truck. Jill had Maria stand watch at the front of the truck while she went to the knot of people at the rear. Jill announced it was time to get on board the trailer. As they loaded into the trailer, Jill called to Trent and the others at the end of the alley to get aboard. Jill guarded the rear while everyone climbed up into the trailer. The teams of captives began to return and get aboard also.
Conrad carried Lisa to the trailer in his arms, the man, still there comforting him, helped him place her body gently on the floor of the trailer. Then he helped Conrad climb up inside where he kneeled near her holding her bloodied hand.
Finally when everyone was on board, Jill closed the door and latched it. Calling to Maria, Jill commanded, “Get into the passenger seat, I’ll be there in a minute.”
Seeing that Maria understood, Jill went into each warehouse and swung the gates open for the captives, telling them, “’Your free this time. If you do not pick up a gun and fight, you’ll be back in this spot again very soon. I or someone like me may not be there to set you free next time.”
With that accomplished Jill ran out ahead of the captives, back to the cab of the truck. At the truck she climbed into the drivers seat, slammed the door and gave several short blasts on the air horn in case anyone was still out there. Revving the engine she pushed in the brake knobs. Pushing the stick into gear, she smiled over to Maria and let the clutch out slowly. The truck began to surge forward.
For a moment Jill allowed the high of victorious combat to wash over her. She looked over to Maria as she let the semi slowly roll down the alley. Maria, in addition to the bruises, now had rough, bleeding abrasions on her knees, hips, elbows, shoulders and even a couple on her breasts. Jill grinned at her and said, “You look like hell girl!”
Maria grinned back broadly and said, “Yeah, but I fought like hell. Didn’t I!”
Jill agreed. “Yeah! That you did! Then she asked, “Where did you learn to fight like that?”
Maria smiled and replied, “I had an uncle down in Mexico that was an outlaw he hung out in the bars all of his life. He was a tough old man. He wanted me to grow up to be a strong woman. So he spent a lot of time teaching me how to fight and use de knife.” She paused for a moment then she said softly “I also knew a man in Odessa that was on the police department. He taught me how to shoot guns.” She paused again and then added sadly, “He was killed by a street gang.”
Jill sensed the sadness in her voice and asked, “You must have been very close?”
Maria smiled, but her eyes still held the sadness. “He treated me like I was a real person Jill. We were engaged.” She admitted.
They rode along in silence for a minute, the big diesel engine and the sound of the tires was all that could be heard. Finally Jill spoke to say, “I’m proud of you, you are a good fighter and when we get back I’m going to get you some BDU’s from my things.”
Maria started to object, Jill cut her off, “Girl you are one great fighter. You’d do better with clothes on. I understand about your pride and being pissed off about what they done. But we killed them for what they did, get over it. Today you earned your keep. You earned the BDU’s. I want you to wear them and I want you on my team, you are good!”
Maria sighed and said, “OK, Jill. You’re right and thank you.”
Jill swung the truck to go out the gates which had been curiously run through, busted outward. Jill was puzzled as to how that had happened until Maria began snickering. “Dwike must have been scared shitless!”
Jill realized also that it had been Dwike and began laughing too. Secretly she wondered what Maria had done or said to the man to make him that scared.
It didn’t take long to get back to Jill’s house. She parked the rig on the street just down from her house. After opening the trailer doors and letting everyone jump down to form a group, Jill announced for the captives to stick with their teams and find a house to occupy for the night on this end of the street. She told them that tomorrow they would decide on clothing, if they could not find any in the houses. Then she added, “After we get settled in we’ll divide up what food we have and eat dinner. Then in the morning we’ll try to have food flown in.” When she’d finished everyone nodded and began moving away in their groups.
Jill turned back to the truck where Conrad sat with his wife. The man that had been hovering close by consoling Conrad came to her. “I’m Reverend James Lawson ma’am. I’ll help him bury his wife and tend to things here.”
Jill replied sadly, “Thank you Reverend. If you need any help with the grave, you ask someone that’s not busy. If they refuse you let me know who they were.”
The reverend nodded solemnly and walked back to Conrad.
Maria had waited for Jill by the cab of the truck to walk with her up to the house. The rest of Jill’s team had already went on to the house and began cleaning up the house. As Maria and Jill approached the driveway they saw several naked bodies sprawled on the ground around the vehicles. Jill counted seven, all dead from bullet wounds. One, she recognized as the person from the truck that she suspected of making the snide comments, while she had walked among them in the trailer. It was obvious they had tried to take the vehicles and either Ronnie or Lora or maybe both had fired on them to stop them. Maria shook her head and said softly, “Some people never learn.”
Jill went to her truck, found her gear bag and began to rifle through it. Finally she found what she was looking for, turning she handed Maria a stack of folded BDU’s with two pair of socks and two pairs of panties resting on top. “Gracias!” Maria said smiling at the gift.
She took them to the grass, sat down and began unlacing the shoes Jill had given her earlier. Jill turned back to the truck, unlashing and pulling out a five-gallon plastic jug of water. With her other hand she snagged a bar of soap from her gear bag. Carrying them over to where Maria sat, she handed the soap to Maria. “Better get cleaned up before you put those on.” Jill suggested.
Maria smiled again and continued to unlace the shoes. Jill though puzzled that she had continued to unlace her shoes walked back to her pick-up. She started the motor, letting it idle to power the military radio while she called the farm. When Doug replied to her call she briefed him on what had taken place the last two days.
While she talked, she watched Maria stand and uncap the jug of water and then hoist it above her head. As the water poured through her long black hair, Maria closed her eyes and smiled under the water. Her teeth appearing bright white as the water cascaded over her dark skinned body, the sun sparkling off the flowing water. Jill shook her head in disbelief that she would bath there on the lawn.
Jill continued to talk with Doug, giving him a list of supplies she needed Allan to bring by helicopter the next morning. Food and ammunition topped the list. Maria sat the jug down and picked up the bar of soap. She lathered it into her hair and then began rubbing it over her trim body. Her breasts jiggled as she rubbed, vigorously scrubbing the grim from her body. Then rolling under her hands as she scrubbed them with the soap. As she moved down her body to the pubic hair to lather the thick tuft, Jill looked around the area. Some of the male captives had stopped what they were doing to watch Maria. All of the observers were smiling broadly.
Turning back to the radio Jill told Doug she would send the captives back to the farm in the semi tomorrow afternoon. Doug radioed that he would try to have them places to sleep and have the veterans get ready for some new recruits. Then he asked how many there were. Jill estimated seventy-five. Doug seemed overwhelmed as he said that would put our full strength at around a hundred once we get them trained.
Jill asked how things were going at the farm as Maria again hoisted the jug to rinse herself off. Jill set the microphone down to retrieve a towel for Maria from her gear bag. Doug spoke about the farmers and veterans putting in a late crop to help feed the militia, and their wives sewing new clothes as quickly as possible and also helping Alice cook for everyone. Jill sat listening and watching Maria toweling off. Rubbing the towel over her head energetically, allowing her breasts to jiggle seductively at the men. Jill had a feeling Maria was enjoying toying with the men. Next she moped the water from skin of her taunt tummy. Jill looked around to see the men still standing, watching as Maria began to dress.
Jill picked up the microphone again to say that it would be good to see Allan again and that maybe she could get the chance to come to the farm herself in a few days. Doug said, “I’ll be looking forward to it Jill, I miss you sweetheart.”
Jill replied, “I will to Doug, I miss you too.” then she signed off by telling him she’d talk to him tomorrow.
Maria had finished dressing, she looked sharp in her crisp BDU’s. The camo color’s set off her dark skin, black hair and brown eyes. She smiled at Jill and said, “That felt terrorifico.” then she smiled slyly and added, “It was more fun with an audience” nodding as she said it, at the men that were now going back to what they were doing.
Jill chuckled and remarked, “You do like to tease them, don’t you.”
Maria still beaming simply said “Si!”
Jill was next to bathe and put on fresh BDU’s. But a quiet sponge bath in the privacy of her old bathroom was more Jill’s style.
After bathing and eating, Maria, Jill and her team gathered in the backyard of the house next door to Jill’s, where they lined up around a hastily dug grave. Lisa, wrapped in blankets lay in the grass beside the hole in the ground. Reverend Lawson stood at his place at the head of the grave in his scavenged clothes, a large confiscated revolver hung from his belt. He held a scavenged bible, open in his hands as he read a few selected verses from the book of Luke chapter 22. The final verse he quoted stood out as the reason he had selected the text. “…Verse 36 carries advice that is a message to us in this day, ‘then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his script: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.’ ”
Jill stood by Conrad who still wept terribly. She held her arm around his back, pulling him to her to console him. Maria stood at his other side with Andrea. Trent and Missy held hands at the other side of Andrea, their heads bowed. At the foot of the grave and completing the circle were Paul and Sherry and Ronnie and Lora, each couple holding hands. The couples were solemn, heads bowed. Jill imagined the couples around the grave were harboring the same thought that this could happen to them one day.
When the Reverend finished his message, Jill stepped to the head of the grave to speak. “As commander of this unit, I feel obligated to say a few words. Lisa wasn’t with us for very long, but she was a fighter, a soldier in this fight to bring our great country back to its greatness. Lisa was the first of our unit to give her life for that cause. Even though we all know it could happen to any of us at anytime, we pray there won’t be any more deaths. We will always remember Lisa. She will also be remembered in the history of our country as a hero that gave up life so that others may enjoy freedom and safety.”
Conrad sobbed loudly as Jill finished speaking. She moved back to stand beside Conrad. She and reverend Lawson stood close to him while Paul and Trent silently stepped forward and began to gently lay Lisa into her grave. And then Jill and Reverend Lawson led Conrad away. Ronnie, Paul and Trent stayed behind to cover the grave. Maria, Missy, Sherry and Lora walked along behind them.
Jill walked with Conrad and the Reverend to the back porch at Jill’s house. Reverend Lawson assured her he would stay and take care of Conrad and Jill left them there to go inside to find the other ladies.
Maria, Missy, Sherry and Lora were in the den on the second floor talking. Jill joined them there. They began in sadness, slowly discussing the day’s events. Soon life again began to flow into them. A bottle of whiskey was produced from a pack and soon they were chatting away getting to know Maria. Everyone enjoyed listening to her talk about crossing the border as a teen and the experiences she endured after the fall of society. Then Jill related the story of how she and Missy had escaped downtown. Maria chuckled loudly at the telling of the barge and of loosing their clothes. “I can just see de look on your faces standing on the bank all naked and wet!” she cackled, slapping the side of her thigh through the crisp BDU’s.
After an hour, Reverend James motioned to Jill from the top of the steps. The shadow of death fell on the room reminding them of the loss. Jill stepped over, he asked to speak with her in private. She followed the Reverend downstairs onto the back porch. He motioned toward Conrad who was now sitting on the back porch of the other house. “He won’t talk to me anymore Jill. He just sits there. Sometimes he has bouts of wailing, sobbing. Other times he sits silent, not crying, only staring coldly out over the grave. Jill, I’m worried about him, I don’t think he’s dealing with it well at all.”
Jill thought for several moments, she’d had basic psychology courses in college, but those were of little help. Finally she decided that at this point there really wasn’t much she or the group could do. She asked, “I don’t know what to do for him, do you have any suggestions?”
The Reverend only shook his head and replied, “No, before the collapse I would have notified the crisis center and took him there. I think all we can do is pray.”
“I’m sure that will help reverend.” Jill said respectfully then sighed and added. “Maybe he will work it out, Maybe this is just his way of dealing with it.”
The Reverend agreed, “I was at the same conclusion myself, Jill. But I wanted to let you know as unit commander.”
“Ok, thank you Reverend, you’ve been a blessing to us today. Really.”
The Reverend nodded and turned to go back inside. Jill took one more look at Conrad who was now wailing miserably. She wished there were something, anything that she could do. Finally she knew there was nothing else to do but to turn and go back up to the den with the others.
In the den, Jill found that Trent, Ronnie and Paul had joined the ladies and were all now passing two bottles of whiskey around as they talked. Spirits began to lift and as the night wore on everyone began to get a little silly. Missy’ speech began to slur, but not as bad as Lora’s. Maria soon began to speak more in Spanish than in English, lapsing into bouts of Spanish without realizing she had. She laughed along with everyone else at her speech. Jill was having such a good time that she allowed herself to drink much more than she had planned. The death of Lisa and the agony of Conrad weighed heavy on her mind. The drinking didn’t even seem to blot it out.
Finally she called an end to the evening, sending everyone off to bed, noticing how much her own speech slurred as she did. Missy, Trent, Ronnie and Lora left for Doug’s house. Paul and Sherry took Missy’s old room, Maria slept on the couch in the den. And since the Reverend had been too busy with Conrad to find a place to sleep Jill suggested he sleep on the living room couch. Before going to bed Jill picked up the radio to check in with the captives in the other houses that were posted as watch posts. They all answered and said all was well.
Jill satisfied that the new recruits were doing what they should, went to bed in her old room. She had bleached the mattress earlier and even flipped it over. She took off all her clothing like she had always done before the collapse. It felt good to be in her own bed again, even if she had to sleep in a sleeping bag.
Sliding into the bag she relished the slickness of the material against her body instead of the lumpiness of clothing. She was sound asleep in minutes. The alcohol in her system and being comfortable in her own bed allowed her to slip into a deep sleep.
Jill dreamt of Doug and being with him, the times before the collapse, of being in her office the secretary bringing her coffee while she done her paperwork, and then of Bob and the lunches they had shared in the cafe.
Suddenly Jill felt a hand fall across her mouth, gripping her jaw so tightly it was nearly impossible to breathe. Then the cold slick metal at her throat registered in her mind. Jill awoke with a start, but dared not move for fear the blade at her throat would be slashed into her neck. Her eyes fluttered open, as she fought to awaken. Her mind was too hazy from the alcohol and the sleep to think clearly. There was a dim light in the room, a flashlight. As her eyes adjusted she looked up into the wild detached eyes, and frightening smirking smile on the face of Conrad.
She realized even in the alcoholic haze of her mind that poor Conrad had lost his. “It must have been too much for him.” she realized sadly. “Was he going to kill her? Had he already killed the others in the house?” she wondered.
Then Conrad finally spoke. In a raspy strained voice, he said, “Now I have you sweetheart.” and then he leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead. Jill noticed the possessive emphasis he placed on the ’you’, as if she now belonged to him. “You rescued us,” he continued. “You led us to that place. You are the reason she is dead.” He paused as a tear ran down his cheek, swiping it on his shoulder he continued. “It’s your fault she’s dead. So now to make up for it, you are going to be my wife.” He chuckled strangely and said, “I have wanted to **** you. Ever since I saw you climb up into that truck, naked. Now you’ll be mine forever.” Jill struggled to breathe under his hand. He admonished her; “You will be my wife and do as I say. When I let go of your mouth, don’t scream or I’ll kill you. Don’t make me have to do that, loosing two wives in one day wouldn’t be very good.”
Jill, thinking fast, realized that if she did scream, that not only would he kill her, but also if the others were alive and heard the scream they would come to help her and he would kill them also. She had to stop him herself if she got the chance.
Conrad released her mouth and she remained quiet, looking for any opportunity to take him. “Just one slip up and I’ll have him.” she told herself.
Conrad leaned back, smiled. “Get up!” he hissed. "Get ready, we’re leaving honey.”