He was building something here, something greater than himself. He was building a new world, a small world perhaps, but he was building a vision. He would hand pick the people to populate his new world.
FOUR
Paadi’s eyes narrowed, she didn’t like what she saw. Her eyes scanned around the tree line, but she couldn’t make out anyone hiding among the trees and bushes. She pulled her Sig Sauer P226, it was her service weapon. Looking over, she was gratified to see that Emma had also pulled her weapon. She heard a low rumbling growl from the back, the dog had picked up on their concern.
“Slow to about ten meters, keep your weapon hidden. Let’s see what he wants.” Paadi said calmly.
“I don’t see anyone else near the truck. You think it could be an ambush?”
“Might be, I didn’t see anyone in the tree line, but that doesn’t mean much if they are well hidden. I’d say ram the bastard, except the airbags would stun us. That wouldn’t do.” Paadi grouched and tugged at her long black braid.
The truck slowed and both women rolled down their windows. Paadi leaned out of her window, keeping her weapon down and out of sight from view. It was at the ready however, and she’d not hesitate to use it.
“Hey, what’s this all about?” she called.
“This is a toll booth. You got to pay, give over some of your provisions.” A man, roughly in his mid-thirties, missing several important teeth and filthy, stood before a beat down and rusted truck, leisurely cradling an AR15. Paadi smiled, the man didn’t see the women as a threat, good.
“That’s just crazy. There aren’t any more people in the world for Christ’s sakes. I’m sure if you hit up any number of stores, you’ll find all you need. Why bother us?” Her tone was amiable, her features relaxed.
“You must be from Boston. You sound like it, though you sure don’t look like it. Figure you’d have one of them red dots in the middle of your head. Just let me see what you got and maybe I’ll let you pass. Sides, ain’t see anyone for a long time now.”
Paadi’s brow raised. This guy was an idiot. Stopping someone with a weapon was asking to get his ass blown to hell and back.
“Look mister, I’m sorry you’re lonely, but we gotta move. It’s dangerous and as women, we can’t stay around to chit chat. Let us pass. We got nothing you’d be interested in.”
“Well, you ain’t getting passed me unless you let me search your vehicle.” He announced obstinately.
“What in the hell do we do now? We’re only an hour away from my home.” Emma asked, her voice tight.
“Drive up closer, I’m going to wing him, if he doesn’t move. If he raises his weapon, I’ll kill him.”
“Paadi, is that necessary?” Emma asked nervously.
“I hate to do it, but I don’t see us as having a choice. He’s an idiot, and he’s either drunk or high. We can’t stop the truck and get out, that would leave us vulnerable, especially if he has friends. They shoot out our tires, we’re not going anywhere and I don’t fancy getting raped today.” Paadi said in a hard tone.
“Well shit. Okay, I’ll leave the shooting to you and I’ll see about getting us around that truck.”
“Keep us slow and steady on approach. If I see anyone from the tree line, I’ll take him out and then the others if I can, you just get us away from this.”
Emma pulled the truck forward. Paadi drew herself up in the seat, pulling her legs under her, leveraging her body in a better firing position. She kept the weapon out of sight. As the truck was within ten feet, she raised her weapon. The man’s eyes went wide.
“Alright mister, I’m a Boston police officer and I’m a damn wicked shot. Put your weapon on the ground and step back. You raise it and I’ll put one between your eyes before you can get that weapon sighted.”
The man began to raise the AR15, backing up. Paadi could see the fear but also the desperation and anger in his face. She didn’t want to kill this man.
“Drop the fucking weapon. Now!” She ordered; her gun trained on him. He continued to bring the AR15 up and she double tapped, two rounds going into the man’s chest. The weapon fell to the ground as the man crumpled in a heap. Paadi’s eyes looked around quickly, expecting others to come from the trees. Three heartbeats later, there was no sound. Nothing.
“You stupid bastard.” She hissed, enraged that the man had forced her hand. If he’d have just left it alone, if he’d have just let them pass. But he’d not done that and he’d paid with his life.
“Cover me, I’m going to retrieve his weapon and move that truck. You see anyone, start shooting.”
Looking at Emma, her face the color of day-old paste, nodded, her mouth hanging open in shock. Reaching over, Paadi shook her, bring her back into focus.
“Emma, I mean it, keep a look out.”
“Sorry, okay.” Emma said, snapping back to attention and looked at Paadi, then nodded again.
Exiting the truck, Paadi hurried over to the dead man. He had a look of surprise on his face. She shook her head. Fool. She picked up his weapon and put the safety on. Going to the truck, she looked inside. The keys were in the ignition. She also saw odds and ends and several loaded magazines as well as several boxes of shells. Climbing into the truck, she moved it to the side of
