Shattered

Chapter Two: Home

      "This was your base?" "Stay in the vehicle. Andrews, Greene, you're with me." We walked through the base and looked at the bodies around. I opened the medical tent and grabbed the last of the supplies. Andrews met me back at the jeep with the last of our ammunition. "Someone made it out of here. Took almost everything." "Aye. Let's grab a few cots and get moving. If we find somewhere to camp we'll need them." "He's going to freak out."

      "I know. I'll deal with him." "Serge!" I turned around to see the men step out. "We're leaving for the coast. We believe our family will be there." "Good luck, then." I transferred almost everything to our jeep and saluted them as they left. "You're letting them go?" "They'll die either way. We can protect him on our own." We about to head around the city when a car went speeding by us. We all gave each other look and shrugged. I pulled the other way and decided to head into the city. A truck turned the corner and almost hit the barrier. "What do you think that was about?" "Who knows.."

       "Greene stay here and watch him. We're going on a run. That ammo won't last long." I shut the door and started walking into the city. "You know when I used to visit my family down here my father told me about Mass Pawn. Biggest gun selection you've ever seen." "Let's hit it." We walked through the streets being cautious of going around corners. I spotted it just down the street and we did everything but hop to it. I smiled when I saw the lock on the door. I easily broke it off and walked in. "I think we should Greene the pink one." "Grab everything you can." I tossed him a bag and went to the back. I found a carrying container big enough to fit the high powered guns. I pulled it out and started grabbing them off the shelves. Andrews grabbed the handguns and filled bags full of ammo.

       "It's like Christmas." "I don't think Christmas has ever been this good." I called Greene on the walkie and let him know we needed a pick up. I opened the closet and started laughing. "What did you find?" "Archery baby." He looked at me weird but I ignored it. When Greene pulled up we filled the jeep up and left with our own armory. 

       We were almost out of the city when I saw someone stumbling down the road. "Alive or dead?" "Alive. They're coming after him. I jumped out and ran down the empty street. I pulled him up and carried him back to the jeep. Andrews met me near it and helped me get him in. "You people are crazy." "We don't leave anyone behind, Mr. President." Andrews moved to the front giving me the back to work on the man. I wrapped his stub up with bandages and put up an IV. "You're just letting him in? You don't know him." "I don't know either but I saved your cowardly ass." "You realize who I am?" "Yeah, a dick."

       We came up to a dirt road and started driving down it. When I saw the gate I told them to stop and I got out. "Let me see if anyone is here, if there is let me talk to him. Keep this place covered." I hopped the gate and started running down. I came up to a farm house and slowly walked up the steps. I knocked on the door and made sure I had my ID in my pocket. I put my gun on my back so he didn't think I was here to kill them. A girl opened the door and smiled. "Hi Miss. I'm Staff Sergeant Grace Ellis of the United States Marines. Is there an adult I may speak with?" "One moment." She shut the door and I heard her walk away. The door opened again and an older man stepped out onto the porch. "Afternoon sir. I'm Staff Sergeant Grace Ellis." "Im Hershel. Now what can I do for you?" 

       "I came to ask of your assistance. I have four people waiting at your gate. One is injured and needs to rest. The other two are my fellow Marines needing to rest." "And the last one? You said there were four." "President Jon Winters sir." He stopped for a moment thinking. I was nervous with the answer. It looked as though this place was secure enough to keep us safe for the night. "Bring them in but I must ask you keep your guns put away. Knowing your position I will allow to carry your side arm." "Thank you sir." I used the walkie and called them in. He allowed us to stay under the trees away from the house.

       "Serge ask him what his last name is." "Its Greene, ma'am." I stopped and stared at him. "Do you have a son?" "Yes but he was overseas when this all happened. Why do you ask?" "One moment." I stepped off the porch and let them know that it was Greene. I heard a cheer and then saw the jeep pull up. "Sir you might want to get your family for this." He called them out and Josh stepped out. I clapped him on the back and smiled. "Welcome home, Josh Greene." He laughed and went up to meet his family.

      "Who knew this could still happen?" "I sure as hell didn't. Come on let's get moving over there. "Wait! Sergeant Ellis I couldn't possibly put you out after you brought him home. There's not a lot of room but you're welcome to stay in the house." I talked it out with him and finally agreed. Andrews and I carried the man in on a stretcher and went to the back bedroom. I laid him on the bed and replaced his bandages.

      "Are you sure this is a good idea staying here?" "Yes I do. Now give me your guns. Keep your knife with you." I put his stuff in the box and kept my sidearm on me. I handed the President a knife and decided to go first name basis with him. He decided on calling me Ellis but I left it at that. Andrews and I set up three cots in the bedroom and kept watch on the room waiting to the man to wake up.