Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure (26 page)

He
hurried to the bunk room with Cruz right behind.

For
a moment he didn’t notice her. Lit by a single candle on an ancient dresser by
the door, half the tiny room was cast in dark shadows. A bunk bed stood against
the outer wall with blankets hanging down. Beyond that, in the corner was
DeLynn, bound tight to a chair with a cloth sack over her head.

Zach
ran to her side, removed the sack and the gag that was under. “Did they hurt
you?”

She
shook her head.

“I
did my part,” Cruz said. “No one touched her, but now it’s time to do your part
and tell me where the rest of the stuff is or…things change—for both of you.”

Zach
kissed her on the forehead and then on the lips.

Cruz
made a disgusted noise. “I’ve heard about you country people marrying your
cousins, but….”

Remembering
that MS-13 believed that she was his sister, he laughed. “We’re very close.”

Cruz
spat on the floor. Then cast Zach a doubtful look. “Whatever.
Where’s the bullets
?”

The
phone in the next room rang.

The
thug cursed, turned and left.

Zach
untied DeLynn’s hands.

She
worked to free her legs.

From
the next room Cruz called out. “My friends say there’s a bow in the back seat.”

Zach
reached down the front of his pants.

DeLynn’s
face was a mixture of surprise and confusion.

He
retrieved the gun and raced to the edge of the door.

“You
live close to the spot where someone shot me with an arrow.”

Zach
heard the floorboards creak as Cruz marched toward the bunkroom.

“Are
you a good shot with the thing?”

“Yes,
I’m very good with a bow.”

Seeing
a shadow in the doorway, he threw his jacket as a decoy.

Shots
rang out.

Zach
stepped into the doorway and fired a single shot at Cruz. “Bunkroom,” he
shouted and flung himself against the log wall. When he didn’t hear a scream or
a thud he knew he didn’t hit Cruz, but hoped the phone was still on and that
Caden heard him.

Cruz
fired wildly splintering the doorframe inches from Zach.

DeLynn
screamed, fell on her side, screamed again and continued to untie herself.

Zach
was only six feet from her. He wanted to help, but needed to stay by the door.

Three
shots, from different sides of the cabin, rang out.

Sniper fire.

A
gun battle erupted outside.

Zach
needed to be sure the soldiers knew their location.

Cruz
cursed. “I’m going to skin you alive, boy.” The yellow light of the kerosene
lamp vanished, leaving the main room in darkness.

Zach
blew out the candle on the dresser. Only moonlight illuminated the struggle.

A
bullet ripped through the doorframe mere inches from his hand. From one dark
room Zach peeked into another.

Yelling
in Spanish, a man burst in through the front door.

Right
behind another screamed, fell through the door and then regained his footing.
Blood stained his side.

They
both knelt and fired into the night.
 

Zach
fired at each.

The
second man slumped to the floor.

The
other gang member dashed for cover.

As
he did Zach fired again and wondered how many rounds were left in the pistol.

Zach
struggled to remember each shot, but he didn’t know if the clip had been full
when Tyler gave it to him. He wasn’t sure how many rounds it held.
Six, maybe seven.
To be sure he’d have to remove the clip and count, but he didn’t want to disarm
himself with a crazy killer in the next room.

Pale
moonlight flowed through a small window at the end of the bunkroom and brought
Zach a ray of hope. When DeLynn freed
herself
from the
ropes, Zach pointed to the window and whispered, “Open it.” Then he gestured
she should jump out.

She
nodded and pushed to open it.
 

Seeing
that she couldn’t budge it, Zach kept an eye on the door as he stepped back
toward her. Together they pushed and it moved.

“You
can get it now. I need to stay by the door. Oh, there’s a cliff just a few feet
beyond the window so jump straight down and run south—”

“A
cliff? South? Which way is that?”

“With
your back to the building it would be on your right.”

She
nodded. “You’re coming too?” It was a question and a plea.

“I
will, but first I’ll cover you and then follow. Don’t wait for me; go as soon
as you can.”

Zach
hurried back to the door as the gunfire continued. He dropped to the floor and
crept past the edge of the dresser trying to see what had happened. The front
door stood half open. The man Zach had shot lay crumpled near the window. A
trail of blood marked his crawl to where he died. He wondered why the other
gang members hadn’t helped him.

In
the midst of danger Zach allowed himself only a moment to feel the gravity of
taking a life. Then he shoved it to the back of his mind to be dealt with
later.

“The
window is still stuck.” DeLynn said in a loud whisper.

“Push.
You can do it.” Then he looked for Cruz and the other thug, but didn’t see
them. He had one, maybe two bullets left, so he either wanted a way out or a
definite target. He inched farther into the doorway.

The
steps outside creaked.

Red
dots danced along the wall looking for targets.

The
front door burst open.

A
soldier fired multiple bursts.

Others
fired in the windows spraying shards of glass.

Shots
boomed from the other side of the wall.

The
soldier stumbled toward the bunkroom and fell next to him.

Even
in the dim light, Zach recognized John Tyler.

Grabbing
his friend’s uniform he pulled him into the bunkroom as the gunfight continued.
Struggling to contain his growing panic, he felt for a pulse. There was none.
Zach stared into Tyler’s lifeless eyes as tears welled in his own.
  

Turning
his pistol toward the main room he wiped his eyes. There would be a time for
sorrow, but this was not it.

Zach
pressed his hand on one of old timbers.
Where
is Cruz?
Probably on the
other side
of this wall, but I can’t shoot him and he can’t shoot me through these logs.

If
the gunfire stopped he would dart to the front door and announce who he was,
but the pace increased after Tyler was hit. He couldn’t see anyone shooting
from the cabin.
Did Cruz and the other
guy run into the woods?
He wasn’t sure.

He
had an idea. “DeLynn wait.” Grabbing the sling, he pulled the M4 from Tyler.
Now that he was better armed, perhaps it was best to remain in the bunkroom. He
turned to the window.

It
was open and DeLynn was gone.

He
leaned out the window. The moonlight was ample to see the narrow path ten feet
below. He hadn’t remembered it being such a distance down. He squinted to see
as much as he could of the gray and black world outside.
Did she jump? Did she fall down the slope?

“Come
on!”

Startled
he nearly fell. It was DeLynn near the corner of the building.

He
was trying to decide if he should somehow get her back in or join her outside
when gunfire near the front of the cabin convinced him to jump.

He
tossed the Ruger to her and then the M4. He tried to jump from the window, but
it was more of a fall. Hitting the ground with a thud, he moaned, rolled to his
feet and ran to DeLynn.

Her
lips quivered as if to say something, her eyes pleaded, but no words came
forth.

He
held her tight. “We’re almost safe.” He took the M4 from her. “Keep the
pistol.”

She
shook her head. “How does it work?”

“Point
and pull the trigger. That’ll do for now, but it only has one or two bullets
left. He gestured toward the forest that nearly touched the south wall of the
cabin. “Go that way. Stay low. I’m right behind you.”

Together
they ran into the woods.

It
was darker in the forest, but Zach was only inches from her. He was about to
say that he should lead when, with a thud, he bumped into her. “Why did you
stop?” he whispered.

Then
he saw Cruz with a pistol an inch from her head.

Zach
snapped the M4 to his shoulder and aimed at Cruz.

They
were so close their gun barrels nearly touched.

Clouds
parted and moonlight flowed through the canopy of trees. Zach recognized the
small clearing. The outhouse stood a few yards to the
right,
the cliff loomed just beyond the trees and brush to his left. If help were to
come, they would come from the direction of the outhouse. Zach stepped left,
putting the cliff behind him.

Cruz
countered by stepping right. The outhouse was now behind him. “Don’t do nothing
stupid boy. I will kill her. I only need one of you to get me out of here.”

Just
a few yards away Zach heard the soldiers burst into the cabin and call out his
name and DeLynn’s. If they had stayed the ordeal would be over. Inwardly he
sighed.

 
“How are you going to get out of here?” Zach
asked. “Walk?”

“I’ll
do the thinking. There’s more than one way out of here.” He stepped closer and
pressed the gun to DeLynn’s head.

God give me wisdom
enough to save her.

“Put
down the rifle, boy.”

 
“No.”

DeLynn
moaned.

Cruz
scowled. “All of my brothers are dead because of you. Do you think I won’t kill
you?”

“I
think you’ll kill both of us. That’s why I’m not going to give up the rifle.”

“Before
I kill you, tell me, is my sister Carina alive?”

“The
girl at the ranger station? Yeah, I’m…we’re not like you. We didn’t kill her.”

The
slightest hint of relief crossed the thug’s face.

“But
you’ve killed at least one friend of mine tonight.”

Coldness
filled Cruz’s eyes. “Good.”

Tree
branches snapped.

Zach
glanced toward the outhouse.

Cruz
grabbed the barrel of Zach’s rifle and yanked it up and to the side.

Trying
to keep hold, Zach fired a long burst into the treetops. Then it stopped and he
knew he was out of ammo.

A
smile grew across Cruz’s face. “I may not get to skin you alive, but I will
kill you.”

The
crunch of feet in frozen snow told Zach soldiers were near. He was tempted to
shout their location. He knew if he did, Cruz would make it his last act.

Near
the outhouse a soldier stepped into the clearing.

It
was Caden.

The
gang leader’s arms and eyes darted wildly. He fired.

Caden
stumbled backward.

Cruz
jerked the gun back to Zach and smiled.

Zach
stepped back.

A
shot thundered in his ears.

He
clutched his chest.
Where am I hit?

Then
he saw the growing dark stain on Cruz’s shirt.

He
snatched the gun from the thug’s hand as he collapsed.

“Are
you okay?” Zach shouted to Caden. “Medic!”

“I’m
okay,” Caden said, “he missed.”

Fletcher
and others came into the clearing from all sides.

The
medic checked Cruz and then shook his head.

Zach
smiled as Caden approached. “Thanks. You saved my life.”

“I
didn’t get off a shot,” Caden said.

Zach
looked at the other soldiers.

They
shook their heads.

“Then
who shot him?” Zach asked.

“I…I
did.” DeLynn whispered.

DeLynn
stared at the lifeless eyes of Cruz. Conversations buzzed around her, but they
seemed distant and irrelevant. The Ruger Zach gave her now hung loosely by her
side.
 

Someone
stepped close. “I’ll take the pistol back.”

Zach’s
voice cracked her isolation. “Is it over?” she asked.

Zach
glanced at Caden.

He
nodded.

“Yeah
we’re fine now. Come on let’s get out of here.” He unwrapped her fingers from
the weapon and, gently taking her hand, led her to the clearing.

*
              
*
              
*

Still
in uniform, Caden stepped from the sheriff’s office into the light of morning.
It was Sunday and the clear blue sky promised that this day would live up to
its name. He tried to figure out how many hours he had been awake, but such
effort required more mental focus than he currently possessed. He gave up.

Despite
his fatigue, he smiled as he walked across the parking lot toward his car. Cruz
was dead. Most of his gang had preceded him or were in jail. DeLynn was home.
Zach was free.

There
would be a time to honor those who died last night, and earlier this week, but
right now he needed to get home before he fell asleep. This morning he was
grateful for the lack of traffic the monetary collapse had brought.

He
glanced at his watch.
The family will be
at the church by now. Probably praying for everyone’s safety.

Even
though he wanted nothing more than sleep, he headed toward the church, and his
family. He wanted to let them know he was safe and the mission was successful.
He also had a duty to let Sue know about Peter and the letter.

With
the window down and the radio loud, he stayed awake for the short drive. As he
walked into the church, he wondered if Sue had come.
Since she has a baby, and someone will need to keep watch over the
farm, she might have chosen to stay home.
He sighed.
And this probably isn’t the best place to tell her she’s a widow and
then hand her a letter with the last words of her husband.
I should have
gone home.

Standing
in the lobby he heard the pastor.

“The
Bible tells us that God blesses those who persevere under trial. To them He has
promised the crown of life.”

Not
wanting to interrupt the sermon and wondering what he would do if Sue were
inside,
he sat on a nearby bench.

From
the sanctuary came the pastor’s voice. “God did not bring us these trying
times. Wicked men, listening to the author of evil, brought this upon us.”

Caden’s
head slumped forward.
I’ll rest my eyes
for a moment.

Soft
fingers entwined with Caden’s. His eyes blinked open and gazed upon Maria’s
smile. “Let’s go home.”

“Is
Sue here?”

“No,
she’s at home with little Peter.”

As
Maria and Caden crossed the lobby, they were joined by his father and mother.
“Where’s Lisa?”

“David
is out of danger, so she came home last night to get some proper rest. She’s
looking after the farm and Adam.”

As
they stepped in the cool air outside, Caden said, “Zach and DeLynn are safe.”

Maria
squeezed his hand. “Good. Give me the keys.”

He
awoke when Maria came to a stop in the driveway. His father and mother pulled
alongside in the family pickup.

The
front door opened and Sue walked onto the porch holding her son. When she saw
Caden a hint of expectant hope crossed her face.

Maria
moved between Caden and Sue. “He’s really tired. Perhaps he can talk when he
wakes.”

Caden
continued toward the house, climbed the four steps to the front porch, and
embraced Sue. He wanted nothing more than a few hours of sleep, but he knew he
couldn’t until he spoke to her. “Come on inside. We need to talk.”

She
sat on the living room couch and cradled her child close.

Caden
sat across from her. “I found Peter.”

Worry
faded from her eyes, replaced by sadness. “Where?”

“He
died from radiation sickness in the bedroom of your home.”

She
shuddered. “I should have stayed…should have been there…I could have helped
him.”

“No.
I don’t think that is what he wanted. He knew he was dying when he got there—”

Her
eyes widened. “How could you know that?”

Caden
pulled the bag with the notes from his pocket.

Sue
passed her baby to Maria and began to read.

Tears
welled in Sue’s eyes, and then ran down her cheeks. Sobs followed. She ran from
the room clutching the notes.

Despite
what it looked like, Caden hoped that the notes would someday give comfort. He
thought of all the bodies they had brought back from Operation Lexington. There
were letters he needed to write and wives, mothers, sons and daughters, who
would need comfort. However, for now, all necessary duties were completed. He
went upstairs to his room for much needed rest.
 

*
              
*
        
      
*

Monday
was a day to honor those who had fallen.

Near
an ancient Douglas fir tree on the far side of the Westmore farm, Caden and his
father dug a grave. Nearby were the stone markers for his grandparents, an
uncle and two aunts.

The
morning sun was still below the trees, the air cool, but sweat dripped from the
bow of both men.
 

Caden
paused from shoveling and took a pocket knife. With it he punctured each of
three blisters that had formed on his hands. As he put away the knife, he heard
footsteps. Turning he saw Hoover approach with a shovel.

“Do
you need help?” the sheriff asked.

“Your
presence is welcome,” Caden’s dad said, “but you don’t have to dig.”

Hoover
looked into the shallow hole. “Peter was an officer of the law and a friend. I
want to help.”

Minutes
later Fletcher and four others from the armory arrived with Peter’s body.

“Friends
and neighbors are gathering at your house,” Fletcher said. “We thought it best
to come directly here.”

“I
didn’t know others would come,” Caden said.

Hoover
threw a shovel full of dirt from the hole. “This is a small town. Word gets
around.”

Taking
turns, the eight men soon completed the digging.

Trevor
went to the house for family and friends as the men lowered the body into the
grave.

Caden
looked into the earth where his brother lay. He wanted to shout and shake his
fist at God. Why did so many good people, like his brother, have to die in the
fight against evil? Why couldn’t criminals and thugs be the only ones doing the
fighting and dying? But he knew the answer. If evil men were fought by those
who were equally wicked the only result would be more evil. For good to prevail
the good must fight and some would die. The fault didn’t lie with God, but with
the author of evil.

As
dozens of solemn figures walked across the field, Caden looked up from the cold
earth into the sunny sky.
Did you choose
me to lead the fight here?
He knew the answer.

*
              
*
              
*

Zach
looked down a long line of battlefield crosses.
So many
. Several others had arranged those crosses, but he had
requested to prepare this one.

Civilians
gathered along the edge of the parade ground. He saw Vicki, DeLynn, Mr.
Hollister, and Maria, but he acknowledged none of them as he moved to the far
end of the field.

He
retrieved an M-4 and bayonet from the bag. Locking the blade in place he
carefully pressed the weapon into the soft earth so that it stood perfectly
vertical. He placed the helmet on the stock and the boots to either side.

It
seemed proper that he prepare the cross for John Tyler, but despite feeling it
was right, tears welled in his eyes.

Fletcher
stood at attention not far from him as soldiers marched onto the field. Guests
were sitting. The service would begin soon, but he had one final duty to
perform before then. Stepping back three paces he snapped to attention. “Thank
you for being there. Your courage saved DeLynn and me. Goodbye friend.”

Slowly
he saluted his fallen comrade.