World in Tatters Ch. 15

After we get our hostages secured with the others, Charlie and I head over to the warehouse to assist our teammates. By the time we get there, though, Corina’s squad has most of the warehouse cleared out. Isabella and Mateo are out at the dock loading the supplies into a wagon. Alice is getting a horse hooked up to pull us out of here.

Charlie and I start loading the remaining supplies out of the warehouse to the dock.

“Hey,” I approach Charlie, trying to get her attention. I figure I might as well try to get some answers now. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Uh…sure. As long as we can keep working. What’s can I do for you?”

“Look. The reason I needed to find you…”

“Yeah, I’ve been wondering about that.”

“I should probably explain a little bit first. Load me up?” I pick up the nearest box, gesturing to the pile. Charlie begins picking up the boxes, stacking them in my arms. “You see, a few days ago, we found out that there’s a bounty out on me and my family. We found that out because a group of hunters attacked us a half-day’s hike from here. That’s why Alice and I are in Picayune. That’s why we went to Philip. I need to find out why. And who is paying for it. All we know for sure is that the bounty is from Atlanta. We have it from a reliable source that those hunters were in Picayune recently. Philip said he had a contact that might be able to give us the information. When he was dying, he kept insisting that this job was important.”

Picking up a small stack of her own, “Man, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can help you. I don’t know anything about bounty hunters. Or Atlanta for that matter. I don’t know why Philip would have said I did. I’m just a guard. Yeah, I’ve been working for the resistance, but my connections only go as far as my supervisor. That’s it.”

“I see.” That’s disappointing. This whole thing was a waste. She was the only lead we had, and with Philip dead, we’re gonna have to think of something else.

She must’ve noticed the pensive expression on my face. “Look, if I could help you, I would. I just don’t have what you’re looking for.”

“I understand. I can’t say I’m not disappointed by that, but it’s not your fault. It’s just been a rough week.”

“I can imagine. But at least you’re doing something good.”

“I guess. You were just my only lead.” We hand off our armloads to Mateo and Isabella. “I don’t know what my next move is.”

Corina comes up behind us, multiple rifles slung over her shoulders. With a smile, “How about you just get through tonight. One step at a time.”

That actually brings a smile to my face. “That’s prob’ly a good plan.”

“Well, that’s pretty much all of the useful stuff in there. Mateo, why don’t you do one last sweep. Be sure that we got all the guns and ammo. Those may be our salvation soon. As for the rest of you, let’s get everything in the wagon tied down. Charlie, can you please go get the gates open.”

“I’m on it.” We spend the next few minutes getting the wagon ready to leave. We’re actually running ahead of schedule so far.

Once Mateo gets back and confirms that we got everything, Isabella and Corina take up the reins. The rest of us take up positions around the wagon, prepared to defend our newfound supplies if we get accosted.

There’s no curfew in Picayune, which means that once we get out of the compound, as long as we keep a low profile, we should be fine. Until the next guard change, that is. As long as we secured the prisoners correctly, there should be no one to sound the alarm.

Alice takes up the forward position while Mateo and I take flanking positions. We exit the compound without further incident, making sure to re-secure the gate. We don’t want to arouse any suspicion before we are clear of area. As planned, Charlie comes with us. We figure that she’d be a dead giveaway if we get stopped at any of the city checkpoints, so we stick her in the back of the wagon with the supplies.

Shortly after we get out of the compound, I get this strange feeling, like we’re being watched. I look around, checking the shadows, but I don’t see anything there. The streets in this area are basically abandoned at this hour.

It’s really quiet here. The only sounds I hear are the creaking of wagon’s wheels against the dirt-covered asphalt and the rhythmic clacking of the horse’s hooves. The quiet keeps my mind on edge. I feel gooseflesh tingle down my spine and shoulders. Something isn’t right here, I should warn the others.

I jog a little bit to catch up with the front of the carriage. “Hey, Corina. Something’s off here. I think someone is watching us.”

“Are you sure? Have you seen anyone?”

“I’m not. It’s just intuition.”

“Alright. We’ll take the alternate route. Try to lose any tail we may have.”

“I don’t know if that’ll help. We’re moving too slow.”

At this point, Alice and Mateo notice our meeting and join the little powwow.

“What’s going on?” Mateo keeps his voice low, though there’s no one around to hear.

“Steven thinks we’re being followed. No confirmation yet, though.”

“Understood. You want us to drop back? Check it out?”

“Yeah, take the two of them with you.”

“Aye aye.”

The three of us stop to wait for the wagon to pass while they pick up the pace. Alice pulls a butterfly knife and flicks it open. Mateo gestures, sending Alice off to the left, and me to the right. We spread out checking the surrounding area for any signs of surveillance. Even though I don’t see anything, that tingling feeling doesn’t go away.

With a hand signal from Mateo, Alice and I head into opposite alleys. Once out of sight of the others, I draw my sidearm. I check to make sure a round is chambered and bring my weapon up to eye level. There’s still nothing. No indication of anyone else in the area but us.

I assume that one of the reasons Philip planned this route was due to its seclusion. The moon is the only source of light, but it’s enough to see down the alleyways. I don’t see anyone. I don’t hear anything except a faint whinnying from the direction of the wagon fading into the night. Maybe I’m just crazy, but that feeling still nags at the back of my mind.

A single gunshot rings out in the darkness.

I rush back to the entrance of the alley, staying in the shadows. Across the road, I see Alice holding a similar position. I don’t see Mateo.

“Come on out, Boy!” It’s a deep voice, heavy accent. From my vantage, I can’t see who it is. “I’m not here for your resistance friends, Steven. Just you. We can make this easy. My boss wants you alive. Doesn’t mean I won’t kill the others.”

Me? Bounty hunters. The realizations makes me queasy. Shit.

I know it’s a risk, but I take a peek around the corner. I count five shadowy figures in the road illuminated by faint moonlight. The one in the middle stands over a dark lump on the ground. Mateo, I suspect.

I pull back into the shadows before they can see me. My breathing quickens. My heart is pounding in my chest. I glance across to Alice who just shakes her head at me. “Don’t you dare go out there,” the implied warning.

“Boy, I know you’re here.” That same voice. I glance out again just in time to see one of the bigger guys lift Mateo halfway up from the ground before dropping him again, a small pool of blood glimmering in the low light. “Your friend is still alive. If you come on out, I might let him stay that way.”

I can feel the heat from Alice’s glare from here.

They’re after me. This is my fault. My own anger rises, blood beginning to boil. I try to calm my breathing, so as not to draw attention to myself. My hand tightens around my pistol’s grip. I bring the top of the gun up to my forehead, the cool metal against my skin focusing me. When I look to Alice, I think she can see the rage building.

I need to calm down. If Mateo is even alive like the cowboy says, there’s not a whole lot I can do about it. If I go out there, I am likely going to get shot at. Maybe captured. But if he is alive, I can’t just let him die. I’m resolved.

I pull my pack off and dig out one of the guard’s guns. If I can cause sufficient diversion, Alice and I should be able to get to Mateo. I turn to Alice, making a gesture toward where Mateo lies in the dirt. He’s not going to survive very long. If we don’t do this soon...

Alice pulls one of her throwing knives, reluctantly ready to assist when I give a signal. I check my weapons, making sure I have a round chambered in each. I make eye contact with Alice, nodding confirmation.

Bursting from the shadow, I pop off a couple of rounds, sending the mercenaries scattering. The five of them take cover in the nearby alleyways, drawing their own weapons to return fire. I provide cover fire while Alice runs out toward Mateo. She’s strong, but she’s not going to be able drag him by herself.

I keep moving, firing only when one of the cowboy’s men pops out of their hole. A couple of them get shots off, but only hit walls. From what glimpses I can get, it looks like they’re carrying old-fashioned, long-barreled revolvers, which means only six shots per weapon before they have to reload. Each of mine have fifteen round clips.

Alice gets to Mateo just before me. I help him up to his feet, leaning him on Alice for support. At least he’s still conscious. Dazed, but alive. He seems able to support most of his own weight, so I’m still free to trade fire. I continue to provide cover, moving with the others back into the cover of the alley. I stay at the entrance to the alley, keeping the bad guys at bay until Alice gets Mateo far enough away.

“Bad move, Boy!” was the last thing I heard before taking off after the others.

We move as fast as we can, sharing Mateo’s weight between us. He’s fading quickly. By the time we’re satisfied that we’ve lost our entourage, Alice and I are basically carrying him across our shoulders.

“We have to get him help now.”

“I know somewhere we can take him. It’s not far.” Alice’s words echo in the night as we rush through the city. The farther we get from our battleground, the more people we start encountering. We try to stick to the shadows avoiding direct contact, but it’s not always possible. Once we’re far enough away, we stop for just a moment to tie a tourniquet above the wound in Mateo’s leg. It helps to stem the tide of blood, but we still have to get him help. Soon.

It’s not long before we come to a neighborhood with rows of identical houses. Luckily, no one is out in this district at this hour. Alice leads us to the fifth house from the end, taking us to the back door, out of sight from the road.

Alice starts frantically banging on the door. Knock knock knock. No response. Knock knock kn…Without warning the door flies open revealing a dark-skinned man brandishing a brass candlestick over his head.

“Who the hell…Miss Alice? What are you doing ‘ere?”

“George, I’m sorry. We need help. I didn’t know where else to go.” She steps aside revealing to him Mateo’s limp form hanging on my shoulder.

“Oh…Of… of course, get ‘im in here. I’ll go wake Rowena. We’re gonna need her for ‘dis.”