Feast of the Locusts Read online

  Kate smiled nervously.

  Gavin came to stand by Kate. “Welcome to the neighborhood. We’ll be seeing you around. I’m sure you don’t want to keep your grandmother waiting.”

  James seemed to have forgotten all about Mrs. Dean. “Oh, yeah. We better get on up to the house.” He got back in the Jeep and signaled for Skeeter to do likewise. “If y’all want some advice on how to tighten things up around here, I’d be happy to help.”

  “It’s not up to us. You’d have to speak to Jack or Don about that.” Kate took a few steps back off the road.

  “Okay, Jack or Don, I’ll do that.” James Dean flicked his cigarette out the window and onto the road as he drove away.

  Gavin crossed the asphalt and stomped out the glowing butt. “Aren’t we lucky to have the legendary James Dean here to help us through?”

  “He’s a little obnoxious, but so is Pritchard. Sometimes you have to look past the slightly-tarnished exterior to see the good stuff on the inside.”

  “What good stuff do you expect you’ll find on the inside of James Dean?”

  “Well, we have to get to know him first.” She glanced up at overwatch. “For one thing, he has Special Forces training.”

  “Uh huh, and a bloodlust that’s never been satisfied. Don and Jack know what they’re doing. Unlike Jimmy Dean, Don spent most of his life actually battling the bad guys in the streets.”

  “I’m not suggesting that we replace Don, I’m just saying let’s keep an open mind to what he might have to offer. You’ll have to admit, besides the trip lines they set up in the woods, we’re no safer than we were the night Scott was killed.”

  “Yeah, but if Jimmy turns out to be a loose cannon, he’s just as likely to get us killed as he is to make the community safer. We’ve had people like that on our team in Titanfall. They think they know everything and they’re unpredictable.”

  “That one guy who you didn’t like ended up being on the winning team in last year’s Gears of War playoffs.”

  Gavin shook his head. “Jimmy Dean could be the world champ at Gears of War, I still wouldn’t like him.”

  “Well, I’m not going to shut him down until I’ve heard what he has to say.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.

  Nahum 3:14

  On the following Sunday, Kate closed her Bible and bowed her head. She held Gavin’s hand during the closing prayer. Afterward, Pritchard looked up from the podium. “I’ve tried to keep the preachin’ short. I see everybody out there a shiverin’. But, it ain’t gonna get no warmer for a while. Pete Davis has volunteered to let us use his garage to meet. It’s that big old metal thing that Edith Ramsey tried to have torn down.” Pritchard paused to grin as if he were savoring another thorn which could not be plucked from Edith’s side.

  “Anyhow, it’s a four-car garage plus a shop area. Pete’s got him a wood stove out there which ought to break the chill a mite. After we wrap up, I’d appreciate any of you men folk who can lend a hand by helpin’ carry a stool or two down to Pete’s.

  “As some of you may know, we’ve got a couple new residents with us here on the mountain. I’d like y’all to welcome Jimmy Dean and Skeeter, what’s your last name?”

  The lanky fellow stood. “Just Skeeter’ll be alright.” He sat back down.

  “Very well, just Skeeter. Jimmy is Rita Dean’s grandson. He served in the Army and has a couple ideas he thinks might help us out. He’s asked if he could talk to you awhile before we dismiss. I didn’t see no harm in it. So, Jimmy, come on up here.”

  James Dean looked slightly put off, as if the introduction hadn’t gone as well as he’d hoped. “My name is James Dean and I served twenty years with the United States Army as a Ranger. The skills I acquired during my time in the service have equipped me to be able to assess a situation like yours and find vulnerabilities.

  “I’ve spent the last week walking around the community and looking at maps of the area. I have a few recommendations that I think will help to make your neighborhood safer.”

  Don stood up. “Mr. Dean, we already have a security council, and we’d be more than happy to hear your ideas. I know you’re new, but typically these types of recommendations will go to us so we can hash them out and make considerations for the residents involved. Then, we present them to the community to be accepted or rejected. It just works better that way. Folks on the council have an understanding of the number of people, ages, and any special needs that might be at each home. I’m sure you understand.”

  “I understand alright,” Dean smirked. “I understand that this is the same security council that was in place when Scott McDowell was murdered in his home. Is that correct?”

  “Jimmy, I respect your position, but we have a system in place, and we can’t accommodate a lone ranger who wants to upend the entire program.”

  “First of all, it’s James. My grandmother calls me Jimmy, and that’s okay, but I’m not seven years old, so I’d appreciate it if you called me James. Secondly, the community has a system in place because it was the only game in town. I think it’s their right to decide if it’s time for a change.

  Thirdly, I’ve done my homework. I know how many people live in each house, what their ages are, and Grandma has advised me about any special needs they might have. I’ll remind you, my grandma has lived here longer than most anyone else. She’s seen people come and seen them go. I probably know things about people in this community that you never knew, Don.”

  “Jack, can you give me a hand? We need to escort Mr. Dean back to his grandmother’s house.” Don headed for the podium and Jack followed. Gavin stood to join in.

  “Skeeter, get on up here,” James called to his sidekick.

  “Now hold on, Don!” Andy Reese stood up. “I’d like to hear what the man has to say.”

  Others in the audience chimed in, supporting Reese’s sentiments.

  Gene Tifton walked up to the podium and stood behind James Dean. “This ain’t no autocracy, Don. We’re going to let the man speak his mind. Andy, you come on up here and stand beside us.”

  Corey Cobb had stood up and was looking at Don as if awaiting instructions on how to proceed. Don’s jaw was tight. He motioned with his hand for Corey to sit back down. “Okay, let’s hear what you’ve got to say.”

  Don and the others returned to their seats. Gavin sat back down next to Kate.

  Skeeter remained next to James Dean, like an undernourished bodyguard. Dean’s face didn’t show the least sign of being rattled, almost as if he enjoyed shaking things up. “Your checkpoint is good, but I’d recommend pushing your overwatch shelter further up on the hill.”

  Don spoke up. “If you push overwatch farther from the gate, you increase the odds of a friendly fire incident. These are civilians, not sharpshooters.”

  “Don, I thought we agreed that it was my turn to talk?”

  Don replied, “You can speak, but if you propose tactics that will endanger my friends and neighbors, I’m going to speak my mind. That’s not negotiable.”

  “Fair enough.” Dean continued, “Training is another big problem. It’s been six weeks since the first wave of locusts. That used to be how long the Air Force spent on basic training. With the proper leadership, these civilians would be well on their way to being soldiers. But, I can’t fault anyone here for that. The training you need for writing traffic tickets doesn’t translate well into a societal collapse scenario.”

  Don’s face was blood red. “I’ll also point out that we don’t have an infinite supply of ammunition to train as soldiers. And if you’ll look around, a lot of the people present are well past their prime fighting age.”

  “True,” Dean conceded. “But I see a good smattering of healthy young folks who look like they’d make hardcore warriors if given the opportunity and the right guidance.”

  Kate looked to see Sam nodding in agreement. David Rus
so also seemed intrigued by what the man with the wavy mullet had to say.

  Dean picked up on the approval and fueled the fire. “I’m sure some of these young people would like to learn the skills to be able to bring the perpetrators of these violent acts to justice.”

  Jack spoke up. “Are you selling justice, James, or vengeance?”

  “Why justice, of course, Mr. Russo. I’m not trying to make enemies. I want the same thing you and Don want. I’d like my grandmother and everyone else in Apple Blossom Acres to be safe.”

  Warren Wilcox sat next to his wife, Martha. He said, “Don’s done the best he knew, Mr. Dean. I think most of us here would like to see the two of you working together rather than being at each other’s throats. What other suggestions do you have for us?”

  James put on a sugary smile. “I’d like nothing better, sir. But that’s up to Don. As for my other recommendations, we need to blaze a perimeter trail that runs just inside the connecting property lines of the community. It will be used by an around-the-clock roving patrol who watches for activity coming in from the adjacent farms and communities. We’ll keep the trip wires inside the perimeter trail, upgrade the alarms, and affix booby traps to the trees outside of the perimeter trail.”

  “What kind of booby traps?” Gavin crossed his arms tightly.

  “I’m glad you asked. Skeeter, bring my bag up front.”

  Skeeter returned to their seat where Mrs. Dean held up the strap to an old pleather gym bag. Skeeter brought it to James.

  Dean unzipped the duffle and retrieved a contraption made from a rat trap and a six-inch length of black pipe affixed to the underside. “This device functions essentially like a zip gun.” He fed a shotgun shell into a hole drilled out of the front of the trap. The round rested inside the pipe. “A trip wire would be positioned on the same side as the business end of the device.” Dean set the trap and held a length of fishing wire. “Don, this is an inert shell. I’ve removed the shot, so don’t have a coronary on me.” Dean jerked the line. POW! The shell exploded, startling everyone in the congregation. Dean laughed at the reaction. “Now that I’ve got your attention, imagine having a live round pointed at a potential intruder. It’s basically like one of those robot vacuum cleaners that cleans the house while you sleep. All you gotta do is empty the thing once in a while.

  “If you’d had measures like this in place the night Scott McDowell was murdered, the invaders might have been dead before they ever arrived at his home to terrorize his family and kill Scott.”

  Gavin leaned over to Kate. “This guy is laying it on thick. He reminds me of a snake oil salesman.”

  Kate replied, “I don’t like the delivery one bit. Neither do I appreciate the degrading manner in which he spoke to Don and Jack. But…”

  Gavin cut her off. “But there’s a way to do things. And this isn’t the way.”

  Jack stood up. “Anyone who’s ever set a mouse trap knows how volatile those things are. The person setting it is at great risk of being killed or seriously injured. At a time when medical resources are nearly non-existent, I don’t think it’s prudent to use live rounds.”

  “We have a doctor and a nurse in the community.” James looked in the direction of the Cobb family. “Non-existent might even be considered insulting to them.”

  Corey shook his head. “I’m a research doctor. I have very little experience practicing medicine.”

  “We have very few supplies,” Annie said. “Nearly non-existent is an accurate characterization.”

  “Me and Skeeter will handle setting and reloading the booby traps. I’m sure Jack and Don would have no objection to us putting ourselves in harm’s way.”

  Don stood again. “We also run the risk of a group member or a pet accidentally setting off one of the shells.”

  “This is the easy part,” Dean said smugly. “Don’t go outside of the perimeter trail and you won’t get hurt. As far as pets, I’ll say this as delicately as possible. If you love your kitty or your puppy, keep them inside. Once the deer and squirrel population become diminished, those booby traps will become the least of their worries.”

  Don had not sat down. “Folks, you know how much I care about you. And you know I’m open to suggestions, but I’ll not be a part of reckless plans. So make your decision and let me know.” Don took his wife’s hand. “Come on, Mary. Let’s go home.”

  “You have a good day, Don.” Dean waved. “Skeeter and I will take your stools down to Pete’s garage. I’m sure it won’t be the last time I pick up your slack.”

  Jack signaled for Rainey and Kelly to bring their stools and follow him.

  The rest of the congregation mumbled amongst one another. The whispers grew louder and soon everyone was involved in a spirited debate over what to do about the newcomer’s hardline tactics.

  Kate, Gavin, Sam, and Vicky each picked up the stumps on which they’d been sitting. Gavin led the procession down the hill toward Pete Davis’ garage.

  “These are pretty light. I expected them to be heavier.” Vicky hoisted her stool up with little effort. “I wonder what kind of wood it is.”

  “Poplar,” Kate said.

  “Wow, Aunt Kate! You know about wood?” Sam followed close behind her.

  “Your grandfather taught me about it when I was young. I’d go with him to collect firewood for the cabin from time to time.”

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to burn poplar, too much creosote or something.” Gavin turned to look at her.

  “Dad never used it as his primary source. It burns fast and hot. It makes a good wood to get the fire going initially. The harder wood like locust and hickory take a long time to ignite. He’d use poplar to help start the harder stuff. He’d also keep a few sticks of it handy in case the fire died down. Throw a piece of poplar on a bed of hot coals and it will light up lickety-split.

  “Dad said all wood produces creosote, the important thing is to use well-seasoned timber and to keep your chimney cleaned out.”

  “What do you think about James Dean?” Sam asked.

  “I think he’s rude, but I think he may have some ideas we could use.” Kate anticipated a quick response from Gavin.

  It came almost instantly. “Good ideas or not, he’s a jerk. I hope people know better than to fall for his load of garbage.”

  Sam retaliated. “Why is it garbage? Everything he said is true. I’m sorry if Mr. Crisp and Mr. Russo were offended but James is right. David’s dad might still be here if they’d have been more proactive.”

  “That’s not fair,” Gavin said. “Don and Jack are doing the best they can.”

  “And it’s not good enough. Maybe they should step aside and let someone else try.” Sam fell back in the line behind Vicky, distancing himself from Gavin.

  Kate sighed, hoping the quarrel would not divide the community. If Apple Blossom Acres lost its sense of unity, it would be ceding a central pillar which made it a refuge against the harsh new world.

  CHAPTER 13

  And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

  Genesis 1:18-22

  Sunday evening, Kate followed Gavin out the door and onto the porch. “What are we doing out here? It’s freezing!”

  “It’s not freezing. Look at the beautiful sunset behind the mountains.”

  Kate gazed at the orange stripes of cloud which streaked diagonally upward across the blue background.
“It is gorgeous. I use to stare out at this as a kid. I wanted to live up here all the time and never go back to Atlanta.”

  “Now you have your wish.” He put his arm around her.

  She pressed her body closer to his, feeling his warmth. “Once the sun is gone, the temperature will drop fast. We need to get back inside soon.”

  “We will, but it’s quiet out here. And it’s private.”

  “Yeah.” She looked at him curiously. “Why? You don’t think I’m going to make out with you in the blistering cold, do you?”

  “No,” he laughed. “We were talking about something at the checkpoint on Monday.”

  “Yeah, about you moving into Pritchard’s. Did you talk to him?”

  “We were talking about that or…”

  “Or what, Gavin?” All week, she’d avoided the subject like the plague. She assumed he’d done the same. He’d obviously reconsidered his nearly-fatal rushed decision after being saved by a satirical version of the legendary icon, James Dean. The ball was in Gavin’s court when Dean’s appearance disrupted the conversation, so she’d not seen it as her duty to put it back in play. If Gavin was content for it to be left alone, she had little choice in the matter. But the thoughts and anxiety over being so enraptured by love and the subsequent slow-motion letdown had been eating at her for the past six days, irritating her like a canker sore on the tip of her tongue. Yet she’d held it—until now. “This is exactly why I didn’t respond to your flirting at DefCon. I don’t like being toyed with, like some kind of trophy. It’s not nice to wind someone up, feed them a line of manure about love at first sight, and then toss them aside like a fast food wrapper. What’s with you, Gavin? I mean I realize that we don’t see eye-to-eye on James, but did you really expect that we’d always agree on everything? Was your deep care and devotion really so shallow? Or am I right? This was actually all just some conquest for you, ever since you painted a target on me at DefCon.”