Emilia threw together a good dinner from the pantry. It’s amazing what can be done with a little this and that. She was quite pleased. The talk around the table was of the plans for the next few days.
“Guys, I have to get back up to Zed’s tomorrow morning. He figured to be back tomorrow night or the morning after. You should pack up supplies and such and come up there. We will have all the info and will be able to plan what we can do about these bastards.” There was a gleam in Jesse’s eye as he talked about doing in the park’s invaders.
“Well, I have some stuff we should get ready if we are really going to do some sort of ‘combat’ operation. I have to put together a better medical kit in case things go horribly wrong.” Doug paused a moment, upset with himself for stating it that way. “I also have some more uniform parts around here somewhere. We can make you more official looking.” He said, gesturing to Heidi. “I also have some more ammo for my pistol and rifle. That is one place we are short on; firepower.”
Heidi snorted, thinking to herself “Firepower? These guys really don’t have a clue about firepower.” Doug looked over at her, a puzzled look on his face. Heidi looked around the table and realized all eyes were looking at her.
“Sorry, didn’t know that was out loud” Heidi looked at the table kina sheepishly. Emilia stared at her mother. She wasn’t sure what was wrong, but she suspected it had to do with the empty glass she brought in from the porch.
Doug continued, ignoring the interruption.
“It will take most of the morning to dug up stuff and get it packed into the trailer of the ATV. We could head over the next morning. Driving around at night, the sound carries more and I don’t want to attract any more attention over that way.”
“Well, I have a few more guns up at Zed’s. We can look at what Zed has also. I don’t know how many there are, but we need to figure if it’s a sledgehammer or a mosquito type of thing we can do. If there is too many to take out in one swift blow, we may have to do a lot of hit and run to cut down their numbers. What do you think, Heidi?”
“Me? I think the whole thing is suicidal, but I don’t have a better plan. Hell I don’t have A plan!” she seemed almost as startled by her outburst as the others at the table were. She quickly stood up. “I’m sorry, I’ll be back.” Without another word, Heidi strode to the door and went outside.
Jesse stood and started to go after her. Emilia stopped him.
“Jesse, don’t. She’s like a cooped up bird. She has to work something out. She’s probably doing pushups, or running, or bench pressing a truck or something.”
Jesse sat back down, regretting giving her the scotch. Doug and Jesse started plotting more routes to approach the upper cabin and the main camp. Emilia stood and stared at the door for a long time while the others talked. She wasn’t sure what she could do to help any of this other than organizing stuff, which they already did for most of the day.
Hours later, Heidi came back in the cabin. Emilia was sitting at the table, a deck of cards spread out on its surface.
“Mom, you OK?”
“OK, no. Better, yes. I guess I need to apologize to the guys tomorrow morning. I really shouldn’t drink.” Heidi pulled out a chair and sat with Emilia. “What else did I miss other than ‘look at the whacko’?”
“Jesse is leaving in the morning, we are getting stuff together tomorrow and going to Zeds to get whatever info he was able to gather. Then the planning will begin. That’s it so far.”
“Red nine on black ten. Sounds like what I think I remember.” Heidi looked at the table for a few moments, then back at Emilia. “I don’t know how all of this is going to shake out. I want you to know. You are my most important thing. I don’t care what I have to do to make that happen.”
Emilia could hear the commitment in those words.
“I know mom. We will get through this.”
“I know. I just had to tell you.” Heidi seemed to come to some sort of decision. “Tomorrow, we teach you how to shoot as well. I should have done it years ago.”
“Go to bed, Mom.” Emilia watched her mother head back to their shared bedroom. She saw her pause as she walked past the couch with Jesse sleeping on it, then continue. Emilia sat, playing cards as she thought of the long list Doug made for tomorrow’s packing and sorting. She knew from the talk after her mother left, Doug would be back in charge of what was going on. She was also sure that was probably best for all involved.