Simon spread the paper out on the picnic table and pointed to Hammer. “I want you to oversee the civilians moving their campers and RVs into a circle like this.”
“What about the water and sewer connections?”
Simon looked at the man and couldn’t remember his name. “We’ll keep everybody as close to the connections as possible. If need be, we’ll couple hoses.” The man nodded then looked back at the layout.
“We need to make sure there aren’t any hiking trails between the road and here.” He tapped the drawing. “If there are, we need to set up alarms.”
“Alarms?” Hammer asked.
“Trip wires. We either tie empty cans, bottles or something that will make a noise to the line.”
A third man gave him a confused look. “Do you really think Trent would fall for something like that? I mean he used to hunt these woods pretty regularly.”
Simon sighed and set his pistol down on the edge of the map to hold it down. “It’s that or we put sentries at the bottom of the mountain.”
Hammer held a hand up. “We have some hand held radios. That might not be such a bad idea.”
Simon nodded. “Okay then. We’ll put sentries at the bottom. I don’t suppose anybody has a dirt bike or four wheeler we could use?”
Hammer gave him a confused look. “For what?”
“So the sentries can haul ass back up here and help us hold this position if they do return.”
One man nodded. “We had two dirt bikes. One won’t start anymore. The smaller one’s okay, though. You’re more than welcome to it.”
Simon nodded to Hammer. “I know your leg is fucked, but do you feel up to checking out the other bike? Maybe you can get it running.”
Hammer nodded. “I’ll grab one of the hippie do-nothings to help me. They can be an extra set of hands if nothing else.”
“Okay.” Simon stood back and nodded to the men. “Let’s get these campers situated. We need to limit movement to within the circle unless absolutely necessary.”
“These campers won’t hold back a bullet,” a man stated somberly.
Simon nodded. “They won’t be coming for you.” He stood upright and squared his shoulders. “They’ll be coming for me.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I’m the leader. Chop the head off the snake…” He raised a brow at the men. “Trust me. If any of you were hurt, it would only be bonus points to them.”
Vee stepped into the crowd. “Before you start planning for war, I need to check your wound.”
Simon gave her a hard look. “I’m kind of surprised you didn’t go down the mountain with Trent.”
She stepped back and gave him a somber look. “I liked him. Liked. Only as a friend.” She shook her head and gave him a disgusted look. “He never actually tried anything with me.”
“You seemed awfully chummy before,” Lana replied flatly.
Vee nodded. “That was before he tried to rape my friends.” The look on her face was total disgust. “Trust me, if I never see Trent again, it will be too soon.”
20
Buck rubbed at the knot on his head. “It still hurts.”
Skeeter wrapped the ice cubes into a plastic baggie and handed it to him. “You should tell Miss Vicky. She said that it could be serious.”
He shook his head slightly as he pressed the ice to the lump. “She said maybe a mild concussion.” He sighed and leaned forward, resting the plastic bag on the back of his head. “The headaches come and go but this one made me sick to my stomach.”
“I’m gonna get her.” Skeeter stood and Buck grabbed her hand. “She has more important things to worry about right now.” He lifted the plastic bag and held his hand out. “I’ll take the pills now. I have to get back to the addition and help tie in the waterlines.”
“You need to rest.” Skeeter stood and tossed him the plastic bottle of aspirin. “And there’s ibuprofen in the bathroom, if you need it.”
“Where are you going?”
She paused at the door. “I’m letting Roger know that you won’t be back over there today.” She glared at him like a mother hen. “You can stay here tonight and rest. If you feel better tomorrow I’ll let you go back and play with your friends.”
He set the aspirin on the counter and came to his feet. “We’re not playing, Les.” He swooned slightly and steadied himself. “We need to get the water done so—”
“Lay back down before I knock you down.” She held her fist in his face. “Don’t make me start beating you before we’re even married.”
Buck groaned and sat back down on the bed. “Tell Roger I’m sorry.”
“I’ll tell him you wanted to go and I wouldn’t let you.” She pushed his shoulder until he was lying back. “I’ll be back soon.”
Buck watched her shut the door and he squeezed his eyes shut. He could still see Simon squatted by the living room window, the large rifle propped on the sill. He could smell the stale air of the house. He heard the gunshot again and winced, his teeth hurting. He saw the fear in the female Zulu’s eyes.
He opened his eyes and looked for the trash can. He really felt nauseous and didn’t want to leave a mess for Leslie to deal with.
He grabbed the small trash can and slid to the floor, his head resting between his bent knees. He propped the can between his legs and spit, his mouth watering. “Shit,” he groaned. He spit again, his body preparing itself for a total expulsion. “I hate throwing…up.” He swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut. “I really don’t want to do this.”
He leaned forward, his body stiffening, and hurled into the small can. He fought the urge to breathe as the second round hit and he leaned further forward, holding the can closer to his face.
The stench of stomach acid hit him and he didn’t even try to fight the third wave as his body convulsed, expelling everything he had eaten since second