Story Clora's House of Gathered Up Children
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thank you Pac for more of your wondeful story, praying that you have a Blessed new year.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#72
Robert needed to speak with Mark, and when the Marine looked around, Dad was no where to be seen. Jainey was the only person at the table, and Robert frowned.
"Where did Mark go?"
"He in the infirmary, would you like to talk with him?" Jainey offered, as she stood up.
"Yes, I would." Robert blinked his eyes several times against the decompression he was feeling. Lethargy and exhaustion crowding the blackness into his vision.
"Sit, sit;" Jainey commanded, "I'll go get him." Picking up her generous sized bowl of chicken soup, Jainey walked to the infirmary and knocked softly on the door.
"Enter," Mark called out and was surprised to see Jainey.
"Hey, the other guy...Robert?" she questioned the newcomers name, "would like to talk to you. I'll stay here, I'm coming off guard duty and can sleep in the chair as well as any where else."
Mark nodded. "Thanks, this is Gary; middle brother to Robert and Lou."
"Oh, now I understand. Anything special I need to do if he wakes up?"
"Tricia didn't say, I suppose let her know he's awake," Mark said over his shoulder as he exited the room.
Jainey was nodding as the door was closing. She sat down in the chair and a soft groan escaped her lips. Sitting still for a couple of minutes, she let her head loll back and closed her eyes and rotated her shoulders. Then, she let her head rock forward as she picked up her bowl. The soft klink of her spoon against the bowl was the only sound in the room.
"Are you gonna be a pig and eat the whole damn bowlful?" the waspish voice from the gurney stopped her spoon. The man had his eyes closed, but was sniffing the air, scented with the smell of chicken soup.
"If you ate yesterday, that's three days sooner than I've eaten;" he snarked at her.
Jainey turned around and eyed the large hulk laying on the gurney. "I'll help you eat," she surrendered the balance of her meal. "The notes attached to the bed, say no more than two notches high, and keep your eyes closed."
"Wonderful, I've always wanted to be fed like a baby." the sarcasam was thick.
"I guess that's what's going to happen if you want to eat," Jainey was trying to be reasonable as she turned around. Putting the bowl on the small table, she walked over to the gurney and looked at the mechanism to lift the head slightly. She needed to lift the man's head to take the weight off the bar that settled between the notches.
Stepping close, she informed the man she would put an arm under his neck and lift him slightly, to re-adjust the angle of the support bar.
"What ever," was the less than gracious reply. "Can't you hurry up? I'm starving."
Jainey moved her arm under his head an lifted the bar and slid it back into place two notches higher. She was so close that Gary could smell a faint scent of something flower sweet. He had heard her say she had just come off guard duty, and he could also smell the fresh air ions still clinging to her clothes.
There was a rustle of clothes and then her voice said quietly. "open your mouth."
Obediently Gary opened up and then felt the quite warm spoon settle on his tongue. "close your mouth and I'll remove the spoon straight up, so we don't spill."
The first spoonful warmed his mouth, and made his stomach growl loudly. Jainey fed him silently, and Gary appreciated her lack of inane chatter. All too soon, he heard the scrape of the spoon on the bottom of the bowl.
"Get me more," he ordered and Jainey stood back to look at the ungrateful lout.
"I'll ask Doc Tricia if you can have more," her calmness was infuriating, but she didn't give him time to object.
"He can have a second bowl full," Tricia agreed, "as long as he doesn't over eat a lot of grease." She smiled at Jainey and Jainey caught on right away. A good hot dose of chicken fat would act the same as a physic to a hungry man.
Jainey pursed her lips as she went to the kitchen and dipped into the stock pot of ever ready soup. She honestly tried to avoid the majority of the grease floating on the top, but some did get in the bowl.
"It's about time you got back here," Gary snapped when she opened the door and let the soup smell precede her.
Robert needed to speak with Mark, and when the Marine looked around, Dad was no where to be seen. Jainey was the only person at the table, and Robert frowned.
"Where did Mark go?"
"He in the infirmary, would you like to talk with him?" Jainey offered, as she stood up.
"Yes, I would." Robert blinked his eyes several times against the decompression he was feeling. Lethargy and exhaustion crowding the blackness into his vision.
"Sit, sit;" Jainey commanded, "I'll go get him." Picking up her generous sized bowl of chicken soup, Jainey walked to the infirmary and knocked softly on the door.
"Enter," Mark called out and was surprised to see Jainey.
"Hey, the other guy...Robert?" she questioned the newcomers name, "would like to talk to you. I'll stay here, I'm coming off guard duty and can sleep in the chair as well as any where else."
Mark nodded. "Thanks, this is Gary; middle brother to Robert and Lou."
"Oh, now I understand. Anything special I need to do if he wakes up?"
"Tricia didn't say, I suppose let her know he's awake," Mark said over his shoulder as he exited the room.
Jainey was nodding as the door was closing. She sat down in the chair and a soft groan escaped her lips. Sitting still for a couple of minutes, she let her head loll back and closed her eyes and rotated her shoulders. Then, she let her head rock forward as she picked up her bowl. The soft klink of her spoon against the bowl was the only sound in the room.
"Are you gonna be a pig and eat the whole damn bowlful?" the waspish voice from the gurney stopped her spoon. The man had his eyes closed, but was sniffing the air, scented with the smell of chicken soup.
"If you ate yesterday, that's three days sooner than I've eaten;" he snarked at her.
Jainey turned around and eyed the large hulk laying on the gurney. "I'll help you eat," she surrendered the balance of her meal. "The notes attached to the bed, say no more than two notches high, and keep your eyes closed."
"Wonderful, I've always wanted to be fed like a baby." the sarcasam was thick.
"I guess that's what's going to happen if you want to eat," Jainey was trying to be reasonable as she turned around. Putting the bowl on the small table, she walked over to the gurney and looked at the mechanism to lift the head slightly. She needed to lift the man's head to take the weight off the bar that settled between the notches.
Stepping close, she informed the man she would put an arm under his neck and lift him slightly, to re-adjust the angle of the support bar.
"What ever," was the less than gracious reply. "Can't you hurry up? I'm starving."
Jainey moved her arm under his head an lifted the bar and slid it back into place two notches higher. She was so close that Gary could smell a faint scent of something flower sweet. He had heard her say she had just come off guard duty, and he could also smell the fresh air ions still clinging to her clothes.
There was a rustle of clothes and then her voice said quietly. "open your mouth."
Obediently Gary opened up and then felt the quite warm spoon settle on his tongue. "close your mouth and I'll remove the spoon straight up, so we don't spill."
The first spoonful warmed his mouth, and made his stomach growl loudly. Jainey fed him silently, and Gary appreciated her lack of inane chatter. All too soon, he heard the scrape of the spoon on the bottom of the bowl.
"Get me more," he ordered and Jainey stood back to look at the ungrateful lout.
"I'll ask Doc Tricia if you can have more," her calmness was infuriating, but she didn't give him time to object.
"He can have a second bowl full," Tricia agreed, "as long as he doesn't over eat a lot of grease." She smiled at Jainey and Jainey caught on right away. A good hot dose of chicken fat would act the same as a physic to a hungry man.
Jainey pursed her lips as she went to the kitchen and dipped into the stock pot of ever ready soup. She honestly tried to avoid the majority of the grease floating on the top, but some did get in the bowl.
"It's about time you got back here," Gary snapped when she opened the door and let the soup smell precede her.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thank you Pac.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Happy New Year.
It is, time for a new year, vastly improved and smiling. I am ready for sunshine and fair winds. If they are not to be in my future, then with God's help, I will get through.
My wishes for smooth sailing and sandy shores for every one of you. Special prayers for all and double the prayers for those hurting.
Service to our Lord; includes service to others in his name. Glory to our Heavenly Father. May you have joy abounding. Pac.
It is, time for a new year, vastly improved and smiling. I am ready for sunshine and fair winds. If they are not to be in my future, then with God's help, I will get through.
My wishes for smooth sailing and sandy shores for every one of you. Special prayers for all and double the prayers for those hurting.
Service to our Lord; includes service to others in his name. Glory to our Heavenly Father. May you have joy abounding. Pac.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac , Gary best start behaving id he expects to be fed. 
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#73
Jainey ignored the snarkyness of the hungry man, as she got close and started feeding him, she whispered low and threatening in his ear.
"It's a not very smart man that irritates the person feeding him, or the person that brings the personal relief containers," she chided gently. "You might receive a dose of social justice. You don't know me, and I don't know you; but I can make your life hell, if that's what you want."
Gary did the smartest thing he had done in years. He didn't say a word.
"Would you like a cracker?" Jainey was calm, watching the man nod yes.
Gary heard her break a cracker. The sound suddenly loud in the silent room. "They may not be what you expect from a cracker," her low voice continued. "Clora and Lemmie have been experimenting with homemade. But they are good." she added and touched his lip with the half.
Like a baby bird, his mouth opened and the cracker settled on his tongue.
Gary, with his eyes bandaged, relied on his other senses to fill in. He could hear her well, smell her, and finally manned up and said a subdued "thank you."
"Your welcome. Ready for another spoonful?" Her calm voice asked, and he nodded carefully.
When the second bowl was empty, Gary relaxed against the pillow underneath his head. "Damn, but my head hurts," he muttered and listened to her snort of amusement.
"I was assured that you are real hard headed," Jainey said with a laugh in her voice. "It's probably a good thing. I hate to leave your company, but I need to get something to eat before I go back on duty."
"Listen," Gary stopped her exit. "Lose the flower scent you have, any one sneaking in would smell you and be able to pinpoint your location. Your identified as a woman and a weak point to breech."
Jainey stopped at the door. "Thank you," she said quietly, and closed the door behind her.
Gary relaxed even more with food in his belly and tried to sleep.
Big Robert looked in on Gary about an hour later. "You asleep?" his voice tried to be soft, and failed.
"No, my head hurts too much to sleep. I'm thankful I pulverized that rotten excuse of a man when he connected with my head." Gary left no doubt as to how he felt.
"You know you killed him," Robert replied.
"Yeah, I'd do it again if necessary." Gary affirmed. "You, Mandy and the baby would have been next."
"I wanted to say thank you for saving us, and I'm sorry you got so banged up. I wasn't sure you'd still be alive by the time we got here. It's that famous hard head of yours, that did the trick."
"How do things look here? Food and security wise? It sounds like they have women on guard duty, and frankly I'm surprised that Mark is allowing that." Gary asked Robert for a debriefing.
"If I were you, I'd lose the attitude;" Robert suggested strongly. "What they are doing, is working and your comments won't be appreciated. Especially by the ladies doing guard duty."
"Yeah, I met up with one of the sweethearts," Gary growled.
He couldn't see that Robert was smiling, and it was probably a good thing.
Mark had called for a training session for Honey, Lou and Sherrie, Mara, and at the last minute snagged Jainey as she walked to her room with a bottle of water.
"Milo knows I wanted you to be in on the training," he told Jainey and she nodded. Milo had been designated as the man in charge of the guard duty personal, and everyone reported to him.
Mark had all the untrained people giving them a course in sighting, dry firing, and cleaning the weapons they had available. It was only a matter of time, before they would be attacked by outsiders looking for easy pickings.
Robert had brought a lot of information with him, including the fact that the Marine base had been nearly demolished in the terrorist attack. Mark's mind was still reeling with the information that close to three thousand trained fighting men had been wiped out. And LeJune was only one of all the bases demolished.
For the first time, Mark had a fear that the clan wouldn't survive a concentrated attack on their defenses. He tried to get a grip on the situtation fermenting in his mind, and time and time again, it came up bad.
Jainey ignored the snarkyness of the hungry man, as she got close and started feeding him, she whispered low and threatening in his ear.
"It's a not very smart man that irritates the person feeding him, or the person that brings the personal relief containers," she chided gently. "You might receive a dose of social justice. You don't know me, and I don't know you; but I can make your life hell, if that's what you want."
Gary did the smartest thing he had done in years. He didn't say a word.
"Would you like a cracker?" Jainey was calm, watching the man nod yes.
Gary heard her break a cracker. The sound suddenly loud in the silent room. "They may not be what you expect from a cracker," her low voice continued. "Clora and Lemmie have been experimenting with homemade. But they are good." she added and touched his lip with the half.
Like a baby bird, his mouth opened and the cracker settled on his tongue.
Gary, with his eyes bandaged, relied on his other senses to fill in. He could hear her well, smell her, and finally manned up and said a subdued "thank you."
"Your welcome. Ready for another spoonful?" Her calm voice asked, and he nodded carefully.
When the second bowl was empty, Gary relaxed against the pillow underneath his head. "Damn, but my head hurts," he muttered and listened to her snort of amusement.
"I was assured that you are real hard headed," Jainey said with a laugh in her voice. "It's probably a good thing. I hate to leave your company, but I need to get something to eat before I go back on duty."
"Listen," Gary stopped her exit. "Lose the flower scent you have, any one sneaking in would smell you and be able to pinpoint your location. Your identified as a woman and a weak point to breech."
Jainey stopped at the door. "Thank you," she said quietly, and closed the door behind her.
Gary relaxed even more with food in his belly and tried to sleep.
Big Robert looked in on Gary about an hour later. "You asleep?" his voice tried to be soft, and failed.
"No, my head hurts too much to sleep. I'm thankful I pulverized that rotten excuse of a man when he connected with my head." Gary left no doubt as to how he felt.
"You know you killed him," Robert replied.
"Yeah, I'd do it again if necessary." Gary affirmed. "You, Mandy and the baby would have been next."
"I wanted to say thank you for saving us, and I'm sorry you got so banged up. I wasn't sure you'd still be alive by the time we got here. It's that famous hard head of yours, that did the trick."
"How do things look here? Food and security wise? It sounds like they have women on guard duty, and frankly I'm surprised that Mark is allowing that." Gary asked Robert for a debriefing.
"If I were you, I'd lose the attitude;" Robert suggested strongly. "What they are doing, is working and your comments won't be appreciated. Especially by the ladies doing guard duty."
"Yeah, I met up with one of the sweethearts," Gary growled.
He couldn't see that Robert was smiling, and it was probably a good thing.
Mark had called for a training session for Honey, Lou and Sherrie, Mara, and at the last minute snagged Jainey as she walked to her room with a bottle of water.
"Milo knows I wanted you to be in on the training," he told Jainey and she nodded. Milo had been designated as the man in charge of the guard duty personal, and everyone reported to him.
Mark had all the untrained people giving them a course in sighting, dry firing, and cleaning the weapons they had available. It was only a matter of time, before they would be attacked by outsiders looking for easy pickings.
Robert had brought a lot of information with him, including the fact that the Marine base had been nearly demolished in the terrorist attack. Mark's mind was still reeling with the information that close to three thousand trained fighting men had been wiped out. And LeJune was only one of all the bases demolished.
For the first time, Mark had a fear that the clan wouldn't survive a concentrated attack on their defenses. He tried to get a grip on the situtation fermenting in his mind, and time and time again, it came up bad.
Dosadi
Brown Coat
thank you Mrs. PAC
A defense can only at best achieve stalemate. Over time attackers only have to win once.
things like plague sign/s or bio terror signs, or other stuff to make a location seem undesirable are good things, but in the end, if you can't cut the head off the snake, then you have to make your defense stronger than anything that can be brought against it.
Not sure how to do that, but it is what it is.
I"m sure that the best line of defense they have is God Himself. (Clora's prayers sure don't hurt, lol)
Thanks again
Dosadi
A defense can only at best achieve stalemate. Over time attackers only have to win once.
things like plague sign/s or bio terror signs, or other stuff to make a location seem undesirable are good things, but in the end, if you can't cut the head off the snake, then you have to make your defense stronger than anything that can be brought against it.
Not sure how to do that, but it is what it is.
I"m sure that the best line of defense they have is God Himself. (Clora's prayers sure don't hurt, lol)
Thanks again
Dosadi
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#74
The rifles brought by Mara from her place were mostly 30-30's and 30-06's. Not much against modern battle weapons, so that made accurate placement of the shots, critical. Mark didn't want to waste ammo with target practice, nor did he wish to reveal weapons by the firing sound. He gave them the best training in sight and accuracy that he could and then they went out to fire one cartridge a piece.
Mara and Sherrie had never fired a weapon before, Lou had some practice as did Jainey. Mark wanted to acquaint them with the weight of the rifle and the sound so close to their ears. He corrected posture and hold, over and over. Requiring them to pick a target, call it out, lift the gun, settle the sights and dry fire as he stood behind them.
After he had them shoot their one bullet, he gave them the requirements for living at the retreat.
"You will have your rifle with you at all times, slung on your shoulder with the safety on. You will carry two boxes of ammo with you. The three together are heavy, and you will have them, with a bandana, a pocket knife, matches, and a flashlight. I don't care if your doing the dishes, taking a pee or sleeping, that rifle will be with you at all times. This is a strict rule, to disobey is to be shown the gate. Do I make myself clear?"
Every one nodded. "Now fill the magazines with cartridges and chamber a round. Put the safety on and stand at the ready. Keep your fingers off the trigger and align it above the finger guard. Any time you pickup your weapon, your finger belongs up off the trigger. You won't accidently shoot yourself, a child or the soldier beside you. Anyone accidently firing a round will be automatically expelled. Are there any questions?"
No, there were none.
Then Mark took them on a extensive tour of the grounds and the houses. He showed them how to pair up and required them to choose a partner. "I'm sorry Jainey, I am going to pair you with Gary as soon as he is able to be out and around. Mara, you will be with Cody. I am trying to give you experienced partners and you will need to listen to them with out comment and hesitation."
"It's not if we have an attack, but when. Make your shots count if you want to live to see another day." The Mark that was drilling his new recruits was not nice and genial. He was all business as he pointed out where they could hide for protection, how to keep their head down, and to count the shots so they would know when the magazine was empty.
"You're going to feel real stupid the first time you pull the trigger on seven more empty shots. It will happen. Shrug it off, slam in the next magazine and get back to business." Are their any questions?"
Jainey had one. "What happens when both magazines are empty?"
"You keep your head down and reload the mags. If you run out of cartridges, reload for your partner, with your head down." Mark stressed unsmiling. "I'm going to have Lou show you how to run in a zig-zag pattern to the patio. Any time you are moving from one point to another, never go in a straight line."
On and on the lessons went. Filling the new people with the importance of safety and determination to live.
Two hours later, Mark walked his new recruits in the house for a rest. Aching arms checked the safety's and the heavy rifles were slung on the shoulders. Tired people sat down to rest.
Milo stuck his head in the door. "Lou and Sherrie, Mara and Cody, I need you for guard duty. Jainey, get some rest. I will need you to pull a double tonight so Robert can sleep. He'll take over one shift tomorrow night."
There was no please and thank you, no rearranging the times to suit your preference. You were expected to comply for the safety of them all.
Honey looked in on Jainey several hours later, and the woman was sound asleep with her rifle on the bed beside her and her hand on the stock.
When Honey told Milo later, he nodded. "Dad has a way of encouraging the behavior he wants. Do you want to take Jainey's first shift and let her rest. We've worked her real hard and she's been a good sport about it?"
"Yes, if the man that makes up the duty roster will give me a kiss," Honey bargained with a smile. "I need to be reinforced."
"You got it sweetie," and Honey got her kiss as she went to get her jacket.
The rifles brought by Mara from her place were mostly 30-30's and 30-06's. Not much against modern battle weapons, so that made accurate placement of the shots, critical. Mark didn't want to waste ammo with target practice, nor did he wish to reveal weapons by the firing sound. He gave them the best training in sight and accuracy that he could and then they went out to fire one cartridge a piece.
Mara and Sherrie had never fired a weapon before, Lou had some practice as did Jainey. Mark wanted to acquaint them with the weight of the rifle and the sound so close to their ears. He corrected posture and hold, over and over. Requiring them to pick a target, call it out, lift the gun, settle the sights and dry fire as he stood behind them.
After he had them shoot their one bullet, he gave them the requirements for living at the retreat.
"You will have your rifle with you at all times, slung on your shoulder with the safety on. You will carry two boxes of ammo with you. The three together are heavy, and you will have them, with a bandana, a pocket knife, matches, and a flashlight. I don't care if your doing the dishes, taking a pee or sleeping, that rifle will be with you at all times. This is a strict rule, to disobey is to be shown the gate. Do I make myself clear?"
Every one nodded. "Now fill the magazines with cartridges and chamber a round. Put the safety on and stand at the ready. Keep your fingers off the trigger and align it above the finger guard. Any time you pickup your weapon, your finger belongs up off the trigger. You won't accidently shoot yourself, a child or the soldier beside you. Anyone accidently firing a round will be automatically expelled. Are there any questions?"
No, there were none.
Then Mark took them on a extensive tour of the grounds and the houses. He showed them how to pair up and required them to choose a partner. "I'm sorry Jainey, I am going to pair you with Gary as soon as he is able to be out and around. Mara, you will be with Cody. I am trying to give you experienced partners and you will need to listen to them with out comment and hesitation."
"It's not if we have an attack, but when. Make your shots count if you want to live to see another day." The Mark that was drilling his new recruits was not nice and genial. He was all business as he pointed out where they could hide for protection, how to keep their head down, and to count the shots so they would know when the magazine was empty.
"You're going to feel real stupid the first time you pull the trigger on seven more empty shots. It will happen. Shrug it off, slam in the next magazine and get back to business." Are their any questions?"
Jainey had one. "What happens when both magazines are empty?"
"You keep your head down and reload the mags. If you run out of cartridges, reload for your partner, with your head down." Mark stressed unsmiling. "I'm going to have Lou show you how to run in a zig-zag pattern to the patio. Any time you are moving from one point to another, never go in a straight line."
On and on the lessons went. Filling the new people with the importance of safety and determination to live.
Two hours later, Mark walked his new recruits in the house for a rest. Aching arms checked the safety's and the heavy rifles were slung on the shoulders. Tired people sat down to rest.
Milo stuck his head in the door. "Lou and Sherrie, Mara and Cody, I need you for guard duty. Jainey, get some rest. I will need you to pull a double tonight so Robert can sleep. He'll take over one shift tomorrow night."
There was no please and thank you, no rearranging the times to suit your preference. You were expected to comply for the safety of them all.
Honey looked in on Jainey several hours later, and the woman was sound asleep with her rifle on the bed beside her and her hand on the stock.
When Honey told Milo later, he nodded. "Dad has a way of encouraging the behavior he wants. Do you want to take Jainey's first shift and let her rest. We've worked her real hard and she's been a good sport about it?"
"Yes, if the man that makes up the duty roster will give me a kiss," Honey bargained with a smile. "I need to be reinforced."
"You got it sweetie," and Honey got her kiss as she went to get her jacket.
Dosadi
Brown Coat
Thanks Mrs. PAC
Thing is with looters is that they seek the path of least resistance, The clan has to not be that easy path, ever. If they get it in their head that the grass is greener (easier) over yonder they will go that way.
Now the trick is how to let them come to that conclusion.
Dosadi
Thing is with looters is that they seek the path of least resistance, The clan has to not be that easy path, ever. If they get it in their head that the grass is greener (easier) over yonder they will go that way.
Now the trick is how to let them come to that conclusion.
Dosadi
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
Thank you Pac.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks for more of your great story Pac.
Wayne
Wayne
Last edited:
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#75
Gary was a whining, pathetic excuse for a recovering soldier. He went through helpers like butter in a hot pan. Finally Clora requested that Mark speak with him and re-arrange the three brain cells the man was operating on.
After Mark had finished field stripping and re-aligning those three brain cells, Gary asked where the person was that fed him the first day he had been at the retreat.
"She knew how to feed me and not slop soup all over, she told me what to do and was very polite." he told Mark and as Gary still had his eyes bandaged he couldn't see Mark's 'A-Ha' moment.
"That was Jainey," Mark was tugging on the side of his moustache to keep from laughing at the very blatant excuse to find out who the woman had been.
Mark said seriously. "She's been on night guard duty so Toby could help Rennie with the children. She sleeps during the day. That is absolutely no excuse for you to give the other ladies a hard time as they care for you.
I am ordering you to loose the attitude and be grateful for help."
"Yes Sir," Gary had said quietly, subdued and busy thinking. Mark left, leaving the concussed man to ponder his sins.
Robert had let it slip that there was only one unattached woman in the compound and that was Jainey. The way he talked it was a foregone conclusion that they would pair up, and Gary wasn't so sure that was his intention.
When Robert left, Gary shivered a little as he remembered her low instructions. She had pulled no punches.
Gary would either behave or she would make his life hell. Humph! he thought. Not very likely.
Jainey was very much aware of the gossip and the link between her and Gary, and she wasn't interested. She had easily formed the instant opinion that Gary was a jerk and a bully; and she wasn't seeing him lose that designation any time soon. She stayed away, and volunteering for night duty was the perfect excuse.
Jainey was protecting herself and the whole situtation was working well, and then Cody was moved to night duty so Robert could have time with his family.
Two weeks into the change and Cody had Mara with him every night, teaching her the basics of guard duty and military language and terms.
They were the retreats version of the beautiful people. Cody, tall, blonde and handsome with muscles and a devil may care personality. Mara, tall and willowy with killer beauty and red hair that flamed in the sunlight, flirted and teased Cody until he practically foamed at the mouth. They complimented one another, and as the days went by, they were solidifying into a couple.
Mara told Cody he needed to take his medicine, and he did without question. Lemmie positively adored the tall redhead for keeping Cody on the straight and narrow. The medicine was stockpiled by Doc. Tricia, and doled out to Cody as needed. It was a win-win for everyone and was working smoothly until Gary got his bandages off.
Walking into the kitchen from the confines of the dreary hospital room, Gary got a eye full of Mara as she took her plate to the wreck pan. He supposed it was Jainey, no one said any different and he suddenly felt interest where there had been none before.
Jainey, coming from her room for the meal, watched as Gary's eyes never left the beautiful Mara and felt the usual sadness. She was accustomed to being invisible, and this was no different than the usual.
Clora paused and watched the scene and noted the flash of sadness on Jainey's face and said nothing. Clora actually had no intuition as what would happen; it was the first time in a long while that she had drawn a blank.
It was Jainey, from her post with the half pit bull as company, that sensed the shadowy figures gathering in the woods beyond the main retreat house. As silently as possible, she ran for the house and rang the bell just inside the door.
The clan hit the floor running. Jainey remained by the door as instructed, and briefed Mark, Toby, Milo and Robert.
"At least six, in the woods between here and Tricia's house. There could be more between the woods and Toby's place. I heard movement, but didn't see forms. I don't know where Cody and Mara are."
Mark said "thank you." and used the scope on his rifle to scout the area. He found the intruders, but no sign of the missing couple.
Actually, Jainey had a pretty good idea of where they were, but she wasn't going to rat on them. If they were found, it would be between them and Mark.
She stood inside the door, waiting for orders, when a large hand clamped over her mouth and Gary's voice ghosted in her ear. "You know where they are, why didn't you tell." his harshness in the total dark was a fright in itself.
Jainey shook her head no and stood still. Gary had her immobilized, one hand over her mouth and the other around her waist holding her tightly. Jainey closed her eyes and scrunched her face against the fright, feelings and terror gripping her. Still breathing hard, she fought for control.
She heard a nearly silent "damn you" and there was a kiss on the back of her neck and then she was free, and nearly fell to the floor.
Outside, a gun barked three times and there was a long, drawn out scream.
Gary was a whining, pathetic excuse for a recovering soldier. He went through helpers like butter in a hot pan. Finally Clora requested that Mark speak with him and re-arrange the three brain cells the man was operating on.
After Mark had finished field stripping and re-aligning those three brain cells, Gary asked where the person was that fed him the first day he had been at the retreat.
"She knew how to feed me and not slop soup all over, she told me what to do and was very polite." he told Mark and as Gary still had his eyes bandaged he couldn't see Mark's 'A-Ha' moment.
"That was Jainey," Mark was tugging on the side of his moustache to keep from laughing at the very blatant excuse to find out who the woman had been.
Mark said seriously. "She's been on night guard duty so Toby could help Rennie with the children. She sleeps during the day. That is absolutely no excuse for you to give the other ladies a hard time as they care for you.
I am ordering you to loose the attitude and be grateful for help."
"Yes Sir," Gary had said quietly, subdued and busy thinking. Mark left, leaving the concussed man to ponder his sins.
Robert had let it slip that there was only one unattached woman in the compound and that was Jainey. The way he talked it was a foregone conclusion that they would pair up, and Gary wasn't so sure that was his intention.
When Robert left, Gary shivered a little as he remembered her low instructions. She had pulled no punches.
Gary would either behave or she would make his life hell. Humph! he thought. Not very likely.
Jainey was very much aware of the gossip and the link between her and Gary, and she wasn't interested. She had easily formed the instant opinion that Gary was a jerk and a bully; and she wasn't seeing him lose that designation any time soon. She stayed away, and volunteering for night duty was the perfect excuse.
Jainey was protecting herself and the whole situtation was working well, and then Cody was moved to night duty so Robert could have time with his family.
Two weeks into the change and Cody had Mara with him every night, teaching her the basics of guard duty and military language and terms.
They were the retreats version of the beautiful people. Cody, tall, blonde and handsome with muscles and a devil may care personality. Mara, tall and willowy with killer beauty and red hair that flamed in the sunlight, flirted and teased Cody until he practically foamed at the mouth. They complimented one another, and as the days went by, they were solidifying into a couple.
Mara told Cody he needed to take his medicine, and he did without question. Lemmie positively adored the tall redhead for keeping Cody on the straight and narrow. The medicine was stockpiled by Doc. Tricia, and doled out to Cody as needed. It was a win-win for everyone and was working smoothly until Gary got his bandages off.
Walking into the kitchen from the confines of the dreary hospital room, Gary got a eye full of Mara as she took her plate to the wreck pan. He supposed it was Jainey, no one said any different and he suddenly felt interest where there had been none before.
Jainey, coming from her room for the meal, watched as Gary's eyes never left the beautiful Mara and felt the usual sadness. She was accustomed to being invisible, and this was no different than the usual.
Clora paused and watched the scene and noted the flash of sadness on Jainey's face and said nothing. Clora actually had no intuition as what would happen; it was the first time in a long while that she had drawn a blank.
It was Jainey, from her post with the half pit bull as company, that sensed the shadowy figures gathering in the woods beyond the main retreat house. As silently as possible, she ran for the house and rang the bell just inside the door.
The clan hit the floor running. Jainey remained by the door as instructed, and briefed Mark, Toby, Milo and Robert.
"At least six, in the woods between here and Tricia's house. There could be more between the woods and Toby's place. I heard movement, but didn't see forms. I don't know where Cody and Mara are."
Mark said "thank you." and used the scope on his rifle to scout the area. He found the intruders, but no sign of the missing couple.
Actually, Jainey had a pretty good idea of where they were, but she wasn't going to rat on them. If they were found, it would be between them and Mark.
She stood inside the door, waiting for orders, when a large hand clamped over her mouth and Gary's voice ghosted in her ear. "You know where they are, why didn't you tell." his harshness in the total dark was a fright in itself.
Jainey shook her head no and stood still. Gary had her immobilized, one hand over her mouth and the other around her waist holding her tightly. Jainey closed her eyes and scrunched her face against the fright, feelings and terror gripping her. Still breathing hard, she fought for control.
She heard a nearly silent "damn you" and there was a kiss on the back of her neck and then she was free, and nearly fell to the floor.
Outside, a gun barked three times and there was a long, drawn out scream.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lovely not, Cody and Mara are putting the family in danger with stolen time, I hate to be them when Mark gets a hold of them. Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#76
At the sound, Jainey slipped her weapon from the shoulder and pointed it upwards. Her entire focus was straining to see in the complete darkness. The open front door hid half of her form, and then she felt him behind her once again.
Gary hissed with impatience at her stupidity. Putting his hands on her waist and hauling her back into the protection of the wood and stone wall, he snarled.
"Stupid woman, they probably have night vision out there. Keep your self concealed. If Mark wants you, he'll let you know."
As Gary was speaking, there was a disturbance in the air and the sound of a bullet impacting the wooden door jamb where Jainey had been standing.
"See," he said with anger and shook her by the upper arms, as if to shake sense into her. "Get smart or die." Then he was gone.
Jainey swallowed hard. She could be dead right now due to her inexperience. That it had been Gary to save her was particularly troublesome, but an idea was forming in the back of her mind. Jainey decided that she would ask him to train her. That it had to be Gary was gag worthy, but the unwritten retreat rule was, that you not spend time with one of the already married couples.
The small raiding party was repulsed and the bodies piled far away from the retreat fence. Carefully stripped of any item of value and weapons, the remains were hauled to the dumping place by the horse and cart.
Jainey stayed up and went to sit with Gary when her shift was over. The man was hunched over his breakfast, eating and paid no attention to her.
"Thank you for this morning." Her low voice barely carried to his ears. "Would you train me? I don't want to be killed and I don't want to be a liability to the group."
Gary didn't look at her as he shook his head no, and didn't miss a spoonful of oatmeal going into his mouth.
"Please," she added quietly.
He just shook his head no, once again, ignoring her in favor of his very compelling and interesting bowl of mush.
Jainey got up and walked away, headed for her room.
Gary could feel eyes on him and he glanced up to see Mandy watching him as she fixed a small amount of oatmeal for Junior.
"Jerk," she said without smiling, and turned away and left.
Jainey went down the hall and knocked on Mark's office door.
"Enter," he called out and wondered who had a problem now.
Jainey opened the door and stood in the doorway.
"Yes," Mark was in the middle of writing a report of the incident and was impatient at being interrupted.
"Do you have any basic training manuals I could read. I'm so inexperienced, I don't know how to react in a situtation like we had this morning." Jainey asked and met his eyes straight on.
Mark nodded and went to the bottom shelf of books behind his chair. He drew out two and placed them on his desk. Then he motioned her to come forward and pick them up.
"Jainey did you know Cody and Mara weren't at their post?"
Jainey gave no thought to lying, she needed to be secure at the retreat. "Not exactly, I did have some suspicions however."
Mark nodded. He felt she was telling the truth. "They are under a thirty day isolation to the furthest cabin for their indiscretions. Out of respect to Lemmie, I have not expelled them, but in case of an attack, a banishment to the most isolated cabin could be fatal. We do not condone such behavior personally, aside from the danger they placed the entire family in. Thank you, for sounding the alarm."
Mark looked at her steadily, "because you had suspicions and did not bring them to Milo or myself, you are hereby relieved of guard duty for three days and restricted to quarters. Do you have any questions?'
Jainey picked up the books and said a subdued " no Sir,thank you" and walked out closing the office door.
Mark hated to discipline her, but he had been so angry to discover Cody and Mara had left their post, he tightened restrictions on everyone.
In a discussion with the irresponsible duo, Mark had given them the choice of being married and banished to the far cabin, or expulsion from the group's protection.
He, Milo and Toby had decided that they needed to be harsh on the first set of wrongdoing, as to set an example.
Jainey accepted her punishment without question, walked into her room, flopped on the bed with her rifle and slept for twenty four hours.
At the sound, Jainey slipped her weapon from the shoulder and pointed it upwards. Her entire focus was straining to see in the complete darkness. The open front door hid half of her form, and then she felt him behind her once again.
Gary hissed with impatience at her stupidity. Putting his hands on her waist and hauling her back into the protection of the wood and stone wall, he snarled.
"Stupid woman, they probably have night vision out there. Keep your self concealed. If Mark wants you, he'll let you know."
As Gary was speaking, there was a disturbance in the air and the sound of a bullet impacting the wooden door jamb where Jainey had been standing.
"See," he said with anger and shook her by the upper arms, as if to shake sense into her. "Get smart or die." Then he was gone.
Jainey swallowed hard. She could be dead right now due to her inexperience. That it had been Gary to save her was particularly troublesome, but an idea was forming in the back of her mind. Jainey decided that she would ask him to train her. That it had to be Gary was gag worthy, but the unwritten retreat rule was, that you not spend time with one of the already married couples.
The small raiding party was repulsed and the bodies piled far away from the retreat fence. Carefully stripped of any item of value and weapons, the remains were hauled to the dumping place by the horse and cart.
Jainey stayed up and went to sit with Gary when her shift was over. The man was hunched over his breakfast, eating and paid no attention to her.
"Thank you for this morning." Her low voice barely carried to his ears. "Would you train me? I don't want to be killed and I don't want to be a liability to the group."
Gary didn't look at her as he shook his head no, and didn't miss a spoonful of oatmeal going into his mouth.
"Please," she added quietly.
He just shook his head no, once again, ignoring her in favor of his very compelling and interesting bowl of mush.
Jainey got up and walked away, headed for her room.
Gary could feel eyes on him and he glanced up to see Mandy watching him as she fixed a small amount of oatmeal for Junior.
"Jerk," she said without smiling, and turned away and left.
Jainey went down the hall and knocked on Mark's office door.
"Enter," he called out and wondered who had a problem now.
Jainey opened the door and stood in the doorway.
"Yes," Mark was in the middle of writing a report of the incident and was impatient at being interrupted.
"Do you have any basic training manuals I could read. I'm so inexperienced, I don't know how to react in a situtation like we had this morning." Jainey asked and met his eyes straight on.
Mark nodded and went to the bottom shelf of books behind his chair. He drew out two and placed them on his desk. Then he motioned her to come forward and pick them up.
"Jainey did you know Cody and Mara weren't at their post?"
Jainey gave no thought to lying, she needed to be secure at the retreat. "Not exactly, I did have some suspicions however."
Mark nodded. He felt she was telling the truth. "They are under a thirty day isolation to the furthest cabin for their indiscretions. Out of respect to Lemmie, I have not expelled them, but in case of an attack, a banishment to the most isolated cabin could be fatal. We do not condone such behavior personally, aside from the danger they placed the entire family in. Thank you, for sounding the alarm."
Mark looked at her steadily, "because you had suspicions and did not bring them to Milo or myself, you are hereby relieved of guard duty for three days and restricted to quarters. Do you have any questions?'
Jainey picked up the books and said a subdued " no Sir,thank you" and walked out closing the office door.
Mark hated to discipline her, but he had been so angry to discover Cody and Mara had left their post, he tightened restrictions on everyone.
In a discussion with the irresponsible duo, Mark had given them the choice of being married and banished to the far cabin, or expulsion from the group's protection.
He, Milo and Toby had decided that they needed to be harsh on the first set of wrongdoing, as to set an example.
Jainey accepted her punishment without question, walked into her room, flopped on the bed with her rifle and slept for twenty four hours.