Chapter 2: The Compound
WHAT CHARLIE saw when he arrived at Holly and Jared’s place, two days earlier, left him with nightmares. So much blood. Mass hysteria. The news that Holly was once again gone, taken by force, presumably by the AMAN. Who else could have pulled off such a mission? And with a helicopter? It had to be the AMAN. He didn’t have time to focus on the why. He could simply act. When the call came through on Jared’s radio that shots had been fired, he dropped everything and just ran, but he was too late.
Holly’s men told him that the entire event happened in seconds, that she fought them as they dragged her away, but there was too much firepower for anyone to get close enough to help. Bubba had opened fired on them and got a few hits in, before they shot him. Every time Charlie closed his eyes, he could see Sam crying and beating his chest, covered in Bubba’s blood, willing him to come back. It nearly destroyed Charlie seeing her like that, something so raw and so primal from the girl he knew was feisty, stubborn, and full of life.
There was nothing they could do for Bubba. Shot clean through the chest, he died quickly and didn’t suffer. It was the best news they could hold on to about the whole incident.
Jared hadn’t been so lucky. He was shot multiple times, though nothing vital was hit. The rock that smashed the back of his skull should have killed him. The sheer amount of blood he lost should have killed him. Watching him struggle to breathe and fight for life had made Charlie reconsider his thoughts on mercy killings. Ash worked hard to stabilize him, but even two days later, he wasn’t stable. He continued to fight for his life, no matter how many times Charlie begged him to just let go.
Charlie sat in the small clinic room, watching his brother-in-law continue to thrash and struggle. Doc was using as many pain meds as he could to keep him comfortable but it wasn’t enough.
“I know it’s hard to watch. I’m sorry.” Doc said. “I wish we had the supplies to keep him comatose and comfortable, Charlie, but we don’t.”
“What do you need?” Charlie asked. “The boys have been asking me about a hospital run. I would imagine any hospitals have long since been picked over, but they need something to do, some way to help. I’m considering letting them go. If you give me a list of what they should look for, they’re ready and willing to give it a try.”
“It’s a long shot, and you know it, Charlie.”
“I know, but I don’t know what else to do!”
Doc nodded in understanding. “Okay, okay. I’ll write up a list of things we’re low on, and honestly, anything at all they can bring back will be beneficial. I’m trying a few new herbs on Jared that some of the locals recommended for pain. I’m not sure they’re helping, but I’m almost entirely out of morphine and need to use it sparingly. I don’t have anything left to induce a coma for him. I’m sorry to say, he’s going to just have to fight through this on his own. We’ve got the bleeding under control. His wounds should start to heal, but I’m very worried about potential brain injuries, if he survives at all. .But there’s just nothing I can do about that.”
“We’ll cross that bridge if it comes to it. Like you said, it’s all up to him now.”
Charlie left the clinic a short time later. He headed for the only restaurant in town, hoping Sam was working. She was pitching in to help Callie out and mostly to just keep busy. Holly’s kidnapping weighed heavily on them all.
“Hey handsome, what can I get ya?” She asked in a southern drawl that had started to provide him comfort over the last few days, after he motioned her over.
“Water. A sandwich. Whatever.”
Sam gave him the look. He knew ‘the look,’ the one that told him she wasn’t happy with him or how he was doing things. It was just lunch. How was he managing to screw that up?
“When was the last time you ate?” she asked.
“Breakfast this morning. Sam, I promise, I’m eating.”
“Well, ya look terrible.”
He just looked at her. Her bluntness never ceased to amaze him.
“I’m serious. Ya need a shower. Ya have to take care of yourself, Charlie. People look to ya, whether you like it or not. So, fix this.”
“I’m not here for a lecture. I just need food. A sandwich, Sam, I just need a damn sandwich!”
She glared at him. He knew it wasn’t fair to vent his frustrations on her, but she took it every time, mostly just lashing back at him and putting him in his place. He cringed when she pursed her lips and turned to stomp back to the kitchen without a single word.
She returned a few minutes later, slamming a glass of water down hard enough to cause it to slosh all over the table. It was quickly followed by a plate with a plain ham sandwich. He shrunk into his seat but bit his tongue from commenting further.
When he finished, she returned to take away his plate. He grabbed her arm. “What time do you get off work today?”
She froze. “Why?” He just stared at her until she spoke again. “I’m not actually working today. I just stopped in for lunch myself.”
He grinned. “Then why are you waiting on me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, mainly because ya called me over, remember?”
He hadn’t considered she wasn’t there to work. He wanted to ask if she’d have dinner with him, but this changed things and he didn’t know what to say or do.
“Uh, well then, I’m going to head over and talk to the Squad. Doc gave me a list of things that he could use on the hospital run. Want to join me when I tell them?”
Her entire face lit up. “Ya mean it? You really giving us the green light?”
“Wait? Us?”
“That’s my Squad, too. I ain’t about to let them boys run off half-cocked on their own. Callie’s tied up here and truth be told, she ain’t so good out there. Ash is needed for tending to Jared, and Kyla, well that girl’s finally got a bit of stability in her life. I ain’t about to let her lose that. She stays. So, in Holly’s absence”—she winced, not meaning to cause him any pain at the mention of his sister’s name—“that leaves me to keep them boys in line.”
He reached for her hand before realizing what he was doing. “No, Sam. I’m not letting you go out there. The boys can handle this one.” He felt her hand rip from his, and he knew the moment the words left his mouth what a mistake they’d been. Sam, for the most part, was nice enough and level headed, and he appreciated that about her, but he had seen her protective nature surface and been on the receiving end of her temper—and a broom—before. Moving quickly, he steered her outside before she caused a scene in the restaurant that would have rumors flying.
Guiding her by the arm, he kept walking once they exited the building. Every time she started to speak in protest he shushed her. By the time they reached his office in town, where he knew they could speak in private, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were wild in frustration. He knew he should have felt bad about the way he was handling things, but all he could think about was how damn cute she looked, so flustered.
“Char...” she started, then stopped and took in a deep, hopefully calming, breath before continuing. “Charlie Jenkins, you ever try and manhandle me again like that again, and I swear to God I’ll...”
He silenced her with a kiss. He hadn’t meant to, but he didn’t seem to be able to stop himself. She sighed against him and started to kiss him back, then stiffened and stepped back, breaking the kiss. Then she smacked him hard across the cheek.
“Don’t think for one second that’s gonna stop me from going out with the Squad! I’m going, Charlie, and nothing you say or do can stop me.” She turned on her heels and marched out of his office, leaving him dazed, confused, and grinning as he rubbed his burning cheek. He assumed it was pointless to try and ask her to dinner now.
Later that evening, Charlie made his way to Jared’s. The place just wasn’t the same. The people that lived there, once full of life, now looked hollow and grief stricken. It made it even harder for him to be there, as memories of his sister flooded him. They all knew there was no rescuing her this time. They had no idea where the helicopter went, or how far away they had taken her. He silently prayed that if it was the AMAN, and Charlie was certain it was, that Griffon would find her and keep her safe. He didn’t fully trust the man after all that happened, but he certainly trusted him more than any other AMAN in existence.
“Charlie? What brings you out this way? Has there been a change with Jared?” Scott answered the door and asked, equally nervous and optimistic for the answer.
“No, I’m afraid not. Doc and Ash are still monitoring him ‘round the clock and trying to keep him as stable as possible.”
“Heard he may lose the leg?”
“Yeah, sounding like it, but hey, if that’s the worst that comes of it, he’ll be a lucky man.”
Scott nodded in agreement. “So what’s up?”
“Sam make it home?”
“Yeah. She’s been quieter than usual today. Something happen with you two?” He waggled his eyebrows up and down. Charlie rolled his eyes but didn’t deny anything.
“Just need to talk to you all, and I know she’ll want to be here for it.”
“Sure, let me grab the boys. Come on in and take a seat.”
Within minutes, he had what little remained of Holly’s Squad assembled around the living room. Sam, Jacob, Milo, Joey, Kyla, and of course Scott all sat staring at Charlie.
“Hey man, it’s good to see you. How are you holding up?” Milo asked as he shook Charlie’s hand.
“Trying to just not think about it, if I’m honest.”
A knock at the door surprised them. They were greeted by Chris and Amos. Chris Weaver was Milo’s brother, one of Holly’s best friends. He was married to her other best friend, Cassie. And Amos was her ex’s brother-in-law. Despite Holly’s break-up with Griffon, his family had remained close with Holly and the Compounders.
“What are you guys doing here?” Charlie questioned.
“Heard a rumor you were having a Squad meeting,” Chris said.
“And you ain’t Squad,” Sam was quick to point out.
Chris smiled sheepishly. “No, but Doc said something about a possible supply run. If that’s what this is about, Amos and I want in.”
Charlie nodded and asked them to join the group.
“Supply run? What’s this all about, Charlie?” Jacob Marsh asked.
“Doc’s running low on nearly everything. Jared’s not even fully stabilized yet, and he doesn’t have what he needs to truly help him. I don’t know how many of you have been to see him yet, but it’s really hard to watch.”
Kyla spoke softly. “He thrashes around, moaning out in pain. His left leg is barely hanging on by the tendons and the bone was shattered through. I fainted just looking at it, when I was trying to help out and Ash had to change his coverings. He’s lost a lot of muscle in his right arm from the bullet that grazed him there. They can’t keep him comfortable ‘cause Doc’s rationing what little bit of pain meds he’s got left. It’s awful to be in there and see him like that. He looks so pale, and when he does settle, it’s hard not to freak out and think he done died.” She started crying and sought comfort in Joey’s arms.
“There’s really no way to sugarcoat it,” said Charlie. “Without additional supplies, Doc says he won’t last another week.”
“The old clinic and pharmacy here were raided years ago, Charlie. I can’t imagine that isn’t the case everywhere else, too,” Scott said, as reality set in.
Charlie nodded. “I know. But I did some asking around and compared some info and maps we have up at the bunker. I was able to identify eight possible hospitals within a fifty mile radius. Two to the west, two the north, three to the east, and one southeast. One’s an old rehabilitation center we might have some luck with. There should be numerous pharmacies, stores, and even nursing homes. I’m thinking east would be your best bet, heading towards Fishersville. It’s not a big city and may be occupied already, but Staunton and Waynesboro are both in the area and likely too big for a single occupation.”
“What’s a nursing home?” Kyla asked.
“It was a place that cared for old people. They could have supplies people hadn’t thought to look for. Chances are the dead bodies up in those places alone would ward off most.” Jacob shrugged at their confused expressions. “Well, let’s face it, when the shit hit the fan, who would have wanted the extra baggage of people like that? Bet they were left to die alone in their beds.”
“What?” Kyla cried out in horror.
“Jacob!” Sam scolded.
“What? You know it’s true.”
“He does have a point, sick as it is,” Scott admitted. “Doc give you a list of things to look for?”
“Yup,” Charlie said. “But first, let me say this; no one has to go on this run. This is fully optional. I heard y’all were looking for ways to help and...”
“We’re in.” Scott accepted for the group.
“Us too,” Amos spoke up.
“Why?” Sam questioned. “Ain’t no secret, you the ones that sent Jared out on a freakin’ suicide mission last time and ain’t wanted to go with him, so why now?”
Amos’s face reddened, and Chris spoke up.
“He was asked, not sent. And I have just as much stake in this as anyone. Cassie is pregnant with twins. She’s gonna need these supplies as much as anyone. I stood by last time, knowing Holly was leaving and didn’t say or do anything. I need to do something now.”
Charlie nodded. He had made his peace with what had happened the year before, when his sister decided to run off with Jared Hastings on a suicide mission to find Griffon Maynor. It turned out that he didn’t want to be found and had gone willingly to join the Armed Militia of the Allied Nations and be with his oldest sister. It wasn’t easy for Charlie to get past it and accept Jared into the family, but he had, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for him now.
“Okay, so Chris and Amos are in.” Charlie made the decision. “I’m not asking any of you to go, but if you want to join us, you’re all welcome.”
“Whoa there, chief,” Sam started. “No way are you coming with us.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, Sam’s right,” Scott spoke up. “You are too important here. The rest of us are expendable, but what would this place do without you? We can’t chance that.”
“Agreed, so hands up, who’s going?” Jacob asked, completely ignoring Charlie’s attempt to protest.
All hands raised, though Kyla’s was hesitant.
“We’re only gonna be gone a week, tops,” Sam said. “I think Kyla should stay and hold down the fort.”
“Agreed,” Jacob added. “Milo, with everything going on here, I think Charlie will need you here, too.”
Milo frowned. He had been quieter than usual throughout the meeting, but nodded in acceptance.
“Okay, that leaves Chris, Amos, Scott, Joey, Sam, and me. We should be good with that.”
Kyla looked a little freaked out that Joey was going without her. It was obvious that, as much as she really didn’t want to go, she didn’t want to be left behind or separated from him either. He calmly and quietly reassured her it was going to be okay and for the best.
“I don’t...” Charlie started, but stopped when Sam glared at him.
“Don’t you even start, Charlie Jenkins!”
He sighed and threw his hands up in defeat. “Fine!”
With the decision made, he was overruled and there was nothing he could do about it but pray for their safety and speedy return.
* * * * *