Take Over Chapter 10

Take Over chapter 10

TJ lay on his stomach, overlooking the mine entrance.  From his vantage point the town was directly behind him, the mine in front and the road leading away from the mine was to his right.  He checked his watch; he had about twenty minutes before the plan went into full affect.

He had told Steve to give him forty minutes to get into position. He knew it would not take the entire time to get to where he needed to be but he wanted time to think.  He was confident in his plan, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss anything.  He turned onto his back, gazed into the night sky and he meditated. 

He thought about God and about his family and their current situation.  He had never had to question his faith before.  As far back as he could remember he believed in God.  He was baptized as a young child after he told his dad he wanted to be a Christian. 

He had always lived a “good life” with loving parents, great friends, and a roof over his head and clothes on his back.  Never had he suffered anything and certainly not anything like this.  Why God?  His heart cried.

  “God… I still believe. Let your will be done,” he slowly prayed.

Another thought came to him, the thought of Job and how he had had faith and lost everything.  Could I lose everything and still keep my faith? The thought horrified him.  Up until now he had no doubt that he would be reunited with his friends and family, but now he had to face the reality that, that might not be the case.  He just might never see his family again, that is until they crossed to the other side.

Looking up into the sky with tears freely flowing down his face he remembered his dad and thought, what would dad tell me right now? “Son, God is ALWAYS faithful” and that was it.  That memory helped him to make his decision.  He would believe in God no matter what and if he lost his family then he would still believe and keep on fighting.

He rose to his knees and began to pray.

*****

Kyle’s heart was pounding. He stared hard into the dark until his eyes ached. He lifted the rifle and out of the bush came a tangled furry mess of a dog. “Spencer!” Kyle exclaimed, dropping the rifle, he went to his knee and hugged his dog.

“Where have you been?” Kyle said, a little choked up, as Spencer bathed his face and hands and pretty much everything his tongue could reach with slobber.

Just then there was a large explosion and a fire ball seemed to light up the night sky.

*****

Steve was about a block away when the explosion came.  It nearly knocked him off his bike.  He chanced a look back and was amazed.  TJ had been right; he wanted to clear out as soon as he threw the cocktail. 

TJ had told him to go in and loose the gas line from the water heater.  Then when he threw the Molotov cocktail, to throw it from as far back as he could in the window and then take off.  Steve thought even TJ didn’t expect this result.  The house was completely engulfed in flames and the houses next to it began to smolder.

The sound of the blast had startled Bren.  She nearly fell out of the chair.  She ran to the window and looked into the shadowy streets.  She could see a bright orange glow from the neighborhood where Steve was working.   She turned, went back to the control for the air raid siren and pushed the button.  The slow winding howl began to fill the air. 

She made her way out of the front door and looked to her left and could see a second blaze lighting up the night sky.  She ran across the street, picked up a Molotov cocktail, lit it and hurled it through the broken storefront window of the hardware store. 

Earlier that day they had poured out the paint thinner and stacked propane bottles, then broke the window so she would have an easy shot with the cocktail, she turned back to the fire station grabbed her bike and headed toward the jeep.

She was almost a block away when an explosion from behind her filled the air with glass. She turned back and saw flames licking up the side of the store front.  She had one more to blow and then she and Steve would pull the power line, or whatever it was, and leave town. A tear slid down her face and she brushed it away angrily. I will be brave.

******

TJ was on his knees praying when he heard the sirens.  He turned to look in the direction of the town and could see the orange glow of the fires.  He picked up his binoculars and looked over the ridge to the entrance of the mine.  There was definitely some activity.  One of the guards at the door was no longer there and the other three seemed to be conversing.

“Come on,” he muttered, “this has to work. You guys have to go check this out.”

BOOM! there was another explosion.  I hope Steve and Bren got out of the way, he thought, a little nervous for their safety. As he watched the entrance to the mine a tall man, who appeared to be in charge, began pointing at the men and directing them.  Then the lights dimmed and went out.  There was a moment and what appeared to be emergency lights came on.

TJ looked again at the stern man whose face was clearly flushed with anger.  Then about twenty men came out of the mine entrance.  To TJ’s great pleasure all but two of the men got into the vehicles and sped off toward town.   There was one man left by the road entrance to the mine.

******

Kim’s cries were silent now, her mouth still moving in prayer but only groans came out and then, there was a change.  She stopped praying for a moment and was then filled with such peace and a since of God’s love she went from her kneeling to lying on her face.  

She was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s presence and joy filled her soul.  She began to laugh at first and then more tears began to stream down her face.  She tried to move but could not. 

Then the sound of many voices seemed to fill the room and Kim began to sing.

Take Over Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Kyle crouched in the brush fifty feet from the road that lead into town.  He was delighted to finally be doing something.  Having an opportunity to get back at these people, whoever they were, brought a little satisfaction. 

He looked at his watch; half past midnight.

Steve had dropped him off farther west of his current location, a place just before the walls of the mesa opened back up.  After Steve left, Kyle went to work.

He took a five gallon bucket of nails, screws and tacks and poured them from side to side several feet up the road.  Any vehicle that went this way would immediately get a flat tire and effectively block some of the road.  Any vehicle which tried to pass would meet with the Kyle’s planned demise.

Then Kyle took a second bucket and went to the top of the mesa and waited in the brush. 

Steve and Bren would do their part, the people from the mine would come to the town and investigate what was happening.  They would roll over the road hazard down the street and they would have to stop.   Kyle was waiting until they passed his spot, then he would come out of the bushes and strewn a second bucket of nails, screws and tacks across the east end of the road. The hope was to put whoever came on foot or at least slow them down as much as possible.  The goal was to give TJ as much time as possible to search out the mine.

Kyle wondered what he would have done had TJ and Steve not been with him during this time.  He thanked God that he didn’t have to face this thing alone.  The three had always been there for each other.  Steve was the compassionate, rational one, the heart of their little three musketeer group.  He made sure things never got out of hand, well… not too out of hand anyway. Kyle smiled at that.

Then there was TJ. He was the goof ball, he always had a plan, a scheme, a story, a sock in the arm or a head lock to give.  It was his schemes that Steve tried to make sure didn’t get out of hand.  Like the time when TJ wanted to walk on water.  They rowed out on the lake in a canoe. TJ tied milk jugs to his feet and got out of the boat.  TJ still swears he stood on the water as long as the apostle Peter must have.

Where do I fit in? Kyle wondered for a moment. Kyle was the one who glued them together. He made sure TJ had his fun and Steve had his say.  It was like having two older brothers. Steve and TJ would disagree and they would look to Kyle. He would say what he thought and then one of two things would happen; TJ or Steve would change his mind and agree or they would both turn and gang up on Kyle.  They were his best friends in the world. 

CRACK! A loud noise behind him started his heart to racing.  He looked in the direction it came from but it was too dark to see what it was.  Something was heading his way quickly, something large.  He picked up his rifle.

*****

Bren stood in the fire station near the air raid siren switch.  Her palms were sweating. She hopped a little on one foot. She was a little nervous, much like the feeling she would get before a soccer game.  She wasn’t scared, just excited… and anxious.  In spite of all that was going on she had to admit this was kind of fun. She was always one for a bit of mischief. 

They had found a few houses that were empty.  They broke in and prepared them so that they could actually set them on fire. That was fun in itself. The boys wanted to set fire to Mr. McGruder’s home, but Bren pleaded with them not to.  She had a soft spot for the lonely old man.  She knew he had been very mean to the boys, sometimes not without merit though. 

She could remember when the boys had wanted to help mow his lawn.  Steve and TJ walked their lawnmower down to his house and just began cleaning up the yard without asking.  Mr. McGruder came out with his shotgun and ran them off. 

“Knowing those two I’d probably do the same,” she laughed to herself.

When Bren told her mother about it, her mother told her that Mr. McGruder had once been a prominent man in the town; everyone looked to him and respected him.  He was known to give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, but then he lost his son in the war and shortly after that his wife died of a broken heart.  Mr. McGruder stopped talking to people and became more and more bitter.

The story broke Bren’s heart.  She decided she would commit to praying for Mr. McGruder and take him some cookies.  She went to his house and knocked.  He answered the door with a loud “WHAT?” that had startled Bren. She had jumped almost four feet in the air. She left the cookies on his porch and ran home.

She always brought him cookies on holidays now. There were a few times that he would look out his window and watch her leave, but he never said anything.  Sadly she had not been as faithful in praying for him as she had been in taking him goodies. God forgive me, she thought. What she would not do to be able to bake some cookies and bring them to him now. 

The room she was in was neat and well-kept and sparsely decorated. A chair a desk, a radio and a table with magazines on it; just what you might expect for a volunteer fire department.  She sat in the chair and checked her watch.  Not much longer now.

She thought about the stories she used to write as a kid.  Boy, she wished they were true now. Battery operated capes, Steve had been a super hero, and Kyle had had a super-powered yoyo. TJ and Bren had been heroes and always Callie and Anna (Bren and TJ’s little sisters) the super villains.  The thought those two brought her back to the harsh reality of the moment.

She might not see them ever again.  She took a deep breath to forestall the tears that threatened to flow again.  She was tired of crying.  She checked her watch again and then she began to pray.

*****

Steve checked his watch too.  He would give TJ fifteen more minutes and then…then he and Bren would do their best at starting chaos.  He hoped the power generator was enough to get the air raid siren going.  He and TJ drove out to the power station after dropping Kyle off.  They wanted to see what the men that Bren seen had do to this. 

When they arrived they found that the lines had been cut and one line had been spliced into the power grid.  It looked like the line ran across the power polls toward the direction of the mine.  They assumed the “bad guys” where somehow using the power of the town.  

Steve decided he and TJ would fix that.  They had tied a rope to the line and then to the back of the jeep.  Once the fires were started and the siren blaring Steve would pull the power line down.  They hoped to cause some more confusion for their enemies.

He got out of the jeep and onto his bike.  He would ride to the first house where they would start the fire.  Once that fire was started he would head to the next house and Bren would start the siren. Then she would start the fires in the buildings in town.  Once all the fires were going, with the video rolling, they would meet back here and pull down the power line. 

“Perfect plan,” TJ had said.  Steve hoped so.

Steve stopped in front of the house and readied the Molotov cocktails.  He checked the street in both directions he took the lighter from his back pocket and paused.  He set the lighter down on the ground and knelt on the lawn.  He started to pray.

Take Over Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Miracles and explosions

The girls were unable to keep track of time. The room was kept dark most of the time. Then the “hosts” would turn the lights on low, bring food, come back remove the food and turn the lights off again.  Stefani had kept count.  She was guessing but she thought that if last two meals were breakfast and lunch then the next one they receive would make it be around diner time. 

The meals were not great, but they were not horrible either.  It consisted of bread and lunch meat.  She assumed it was bologna on dry white bread. They were each given bottled water every meal. Boy, would mom be mad if she knew how they were feeding us, Stefani thought. That brought a smile mixed with sadness to her face.

“Kim?” she whispered.

“Yeah?” 

“I miss mom,” She said.

“I know. We all miss our folks,” Kim said. Her reply was soft, distant, like her mind was elsewhere.

“How long do you think they will keep us like this?”  Stefani said aloud.

“I hope not much longer,” came from Ali. “I don’t think I can take much more of this darkness.”

“At least we have each other,” Stefani said.  Just then the lights came on.  Stefani thought it was too soon for the next meal.  They had just taken the last one out moments ago.

The girls immediately put their chins to their chest not wanting to risk another beating.

“Stefani and Ali, please stand.”

Both girls stood, their hearts felt as if they would beat out of their chest.  It was the voice of the woman whom the man called Ms. Weld. 

“Follow me,” she said.

Stefani and Ali glanced at each other and then Kim.  The looked up just enough to get the direction Ms. Weld was indicating making sure they avoided looking directly at her.  They made their way to the door. 

The hallway, if that is what it was, was stark white and the light hurt their eyes. 

The woman had them turn to the right as the left the room.  Without looking up the two followed. Ms. Weld passed several doors to their right and left.  In the condition their eyes were in, they could not make out any distinguishing marks or features of their location. 

The woman stopped, they followed suit.  She opened a door and stepped aside, “Go in please.”  

Both girls entered a room.  It was better lit than the last room they were in, but not as large.  “You two are now in charge of this room.  You are to take care of these,” with that she shut the door and they could hear the snick of the lock.

Stefani and Ali looked up.  They were surrounded by about twenty cribs and playpens. Each had a child in it ranging from what they guessed as a few weeks old to maybe two years old. Some were asleep others looked strangely calm as if they had been drugged

The two girls looked at each other.   

*******

This could not be happening, Kim thought.  Oh God why, why are you allowing this to happen?  She was beginning to be overwhelmed with grief.  She lost her dad; she did not know if her mom was alive, her sisters were gone, as well as her little brother and now, when she had finally had the comfort of a friend with her, Stefani was gone.

God, I can’t take anymore. I know you hear me. I know you are there. DO SOMETHING. At that moment she felt an overwhelming sense to pray.  She got down on her knees and began to pray to herself at first and the urge to pray just became stronger.  Soon she was crying aloud to God.

Tears streamed down her face and her chest heaved.  She would pause in silence and then began again.  Soon others around her began to weep and pray also until the room was filled with the cries and wailing of the girls.

*****

“TJ… this… this is crazy,” Steve said. “We can’t just break into buildings and set fire to people’s property.”

“Do you have a better idea?” TJ said. 

Bren watched as the two young men argued back and forth.  She knew she should say something but she didn’t know what.  TJ’s idea was the most outrageous thing she ever heard of.  He wanted them to set houses and buildings on fire, turn on the police and fire department sirens and basically make as much of a ruckus as possible.

“Look,” TJ said. “We know we can’t go to the authorities with what we have so far. If we can get those people who have our families to come here we can go inside while they are gone and film what we need and maybe even set or families free, and if that doesn’t work you and Bren will film the burning of the town and take it back to the authorities in the city.  They will have to believe that and at least come check it out.”

Steve could not argue that the idea had some merit.  It was just the thought of destroying someone else’s property was unthinkable. What if they are wrong and our families are safe somewhere? What if they came back to find the town on fire? Then what. Jail. That’s what. “TJ this is ridiculous.”

“Steve, I think he is right,” Bren said tentatively. “Listen, I am willing to do whatever it takes to get my family back and if that means destroying some things that can be rebuilt then so be it.”

“You can’t be serious. You are agreeing with him!” Steve looked to Kyle for help.

“Don’t look at me. I thought we should just go in, guns blazing,” Kyle said with a smile. “This sound much more reasonable and fun.”

Steve threw up his arms, “Am I the only sane person here?”

“Steve,” TJ said. “I know how you feel, but we really don’t have much of a choice.”

That was it, Steve decided.  He didn’t like the fact that he was being forced into such a position.  He knew TJ was right, that it was the only way and yet he didn’t want it to be…the only way.   He wanted options things to consider.  He didn’t want to feel so helpless.

“TJ, what do you have in mind?” Steve finally asked.

Chapter 7 The Mine

The jeep jostled and bumped across the empty field.  TJ wasn’t sure but he thought this was near the Tucker farm; one of the families that attended their church. He was hot and tired, last night he had been unable to sleep.

The four had camped in his backyard, in the fort.  They had all agreed that seemed to be the least likely place to get caught.  The plywood structure was large enough for them but there was no luxury of a mattress or carpet. There was no comfort at all for that matter.  Not that he could have slept under the circumstances anyway.

TJ had made sure they were packed for today’s trip out to the mine.  He had taken a couple of his dad’s pistols, the shotgun and his rifle.  He had Kyle grab his family’s firearms as well.  They packed enough food for two days and siphoned some gas from cars around the neighborhood.  Flashlights, lighters and some other essentials rounded out their backpacks. 

He wasn’t sure just what to expect and he wanted to be as prepared as he could.  That was something his dad had taught him.  Dad where are you? He thought, if only he were here.  TJ believed that if his dad were with him he and his dad would storm this place and take back their family. 

Kyle reached between TJ and Steve and turned on the radio.  There was only static. He sat back with a heavy sigh.

“There’s never any radio out here,” Steve said.  He turned the radio down so they could not hear the static.  He could never get any radio reception when he was this far from the city, not even in town, but he left it on figuring a little hope was better than nothing.

“Steve, I think you can pull into the brush over there,” TJ pointed.

To their left was a grove of pine trees along with scrub oak.  Steve turned and headed in the direction TJ had pointed.  He pulled into the trees and brush as far as he could, not worrying about possible scratches to the red paint of the jeep.  He turned the vehicle off and they sat there for a moment listing to the chirp of birds, a gentle breeze in the trees and the pops and clicks of the cooling engine.

“We can hike it from here,” TJ said.  “It is about two miles.  I don’t want to take any chances on being seen or heard as we get closer.  It should take us less than an hour if we move.”

The four disembarked, put on their packs and headed east.  There was more brush than TJ anticipated and it slowed them some.  By the time they had reached a hill that separated them from the mine entrance the sun was high overhead. 

“We can stop here.  Over the ridge should be the mine entrance,” TJ pulled out his topographic map and studied it. “We are… here,” he pointed. “Bren, you and I will go to the ridge and take a look first.  I want you to point out what you saw.”

“I am afraid it wasn’t much; just some vehicles.”

“Where were you?” TJ asked

Bren looked around, trying to get her bearings.

“I think I was over that direction,” she pointed just south of their position.

“Kyle, you and Steve keep an eye on our backs.  We don’t want anyone sneaking up on us.”

“Right.”

“TJ, here’s the camera,” Steve said handing it over to him.

TJ nodded his thanks, and then looked at Bren; “Ready?”

“Lead the way.”

The hill was gradual to a point.  Then they reached a spot that had been washed out at some time by heavy rain.  They had to do a little climbing with their hands in spots.  TJ had them stop about halfway up and he took a look around.  He didn’t know if he should be concerned about guards or lookouts, but he wasn’t going to take any chances.

They reached the ridge and stopped again.  TJ wished there were more bushes or trees for cover but there was none. He took off his sunglasses and hat and did an army crawl the rest of the way to the top and peaked over.  To his relief there was no one nearby.  He looked down into the valley below, then turned back to Bren and waved for her to join him.  She crawled up beside him, keeping her head low.

They both peered over.   Below them was what looked like a large court yard with a road to the south and the entrance to the mine to the north.   Directly across from them were several vehicles.  There were five busses, two hummers and four utility trucks; the kinds that service men use when fixing power lines… except on the backs of these were large satellite looking dishes.  There were two men stationed at the road that lead in and out of the valley and two men at the entrance of the mine. 

TJ slid back down a little and turned on his back.  Bren joined him.

“This is no good.  We can’t tell how many of them there are and we don’t see anyone from our town,” TJ said.

“What now?” Bren asked.

TJ turned toward her, “We have to get inside.”

“In there? How are we going to do that?  They have at least four guards…with guns I might add.  We don’t know how many men they have inside and…”

“I know, I know,” TJ said cutting her off. “There has to be a way.”

He rolled over and closed his eyes, “What if we created a distraction?”

“What do you mean?”

“Draw them out in the open.”

“How are we going to do that?”

TJ’s mind was working overtime now, “We have to do something big. I mean really big.  Something that would cause them to bring away from the mine all the men they have.”

“Like what?” Bren did not like the sound of this.  The thought of heading into the city and begging and pleading for someone with authority to come was sounding better.

“I think I have an idea, but we have to get back to town,” TJ looked at Bren again. “I’m going to need your help to convince the guys.”

“Convince them of what?  I don’t even know what you are talking about.”

“I’ll explain it all. You just need to know that it is the only way we can get help here.”

Take Over Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Kim clung to Stefani. She had lost her father, her mother, her friends and she wasn’t about to lose another. She began to cry, “Stefani, they killed my dad.”

“What?” Stefani felt her chest tighten.

“They shot him in our house just before they took us.”

“Who did?”

“Whoever the people are that put us in this prison. They shot my dad and sprayed something into the air. I passed out and woke up here.”

Stefani wished they had light. She was scared, very scared but she wanted to comfort her friend and it seemed that, while they were still holding each other, the darkness was keeping them apart. If I could only wake up from this nightmare, she thought. She began to pray. God, please help us, was all she could manage.

Just then there was a scraping sound of metal on metal and then a dim light came from the ceiling.

Stefani squinted, her eyes watering. The new light was not very bright but after being in such complete darkness for so long it might have well been the sun. She attempted to look around the room and could not see clearly enough to determine the size of the room or how many people there were. The scraping returned behind her and she turned to see where the sound was coming

from.

                                            

There was a door about ten feet from her.  It began to open.  Ali came to her side and spoke

in her ear, “Do not look at them.  Keep your eyes to the ground and don’t speak unless they speak to you.”

That’s ridiculous, Stefani thought.  She was about to say so when she felt Kim elbow her in the ribs and nod vigorously at her as if to say, “Listen to what Ali says.”

Stefani just could not, no… would not comply.  She wanted some answers.  Her best friend’s dad dead, her parents were God knows where and she was stuck in some dark room, hungry and afraid.  Her stomach was in knots. The anger welling up in her seemed to lift her head. 

She saw two men at the inside of the door staring straight ahead in some military stance.  Then through the door came a cart pushed by a blonde girl.   The girl was about Stefani’s age.  Her was hair pulled back.  She felt a tug on her sleeve.  Ali leaned into her.  “Stefani, please,” she begged in a whisper.

Through the door came a tall slender woman in a military outfit, high leather boots, and a very, very stern look on her face.  She wasn’t ugly, but not beautiful either.  Her eyes met Stefani’s and Stefani quickly diverted hers; courage she had had was gone.

She felt rather than saw the woman approach her.  The woman grabbed Ali by the arm, “Didn’t I make myself clear?  You were to instruct every one of the rules.” 

Ali did not reply but let out a small whimper. 

“I see I will have to teach you obedience.”

With that she turned Ali’s back to her and began to strike her.

Stefani could hear a whistling, like the sound of a small branch being swung rapidly through the air, then sound of something striking flesh. She winced and then began to cry.  The sound was then mingled with sobs and horrible moaning sounds from Ali.

The beating seemed to go on and on. Ali fell to her knees. This gave Stefani a clear view of her back, welted and bleeding. Her shirt was torn through.  It was too much. Who were these people?

A shriek.

Stefani fell over Ali, shielding the girl with her own body. She felt one strike and then another.  “PLEASE!” she yelled.

She waited for another strike… it never came. “

“That is enough,” She heard a man’s voice say.  Stefani kept her eyes averted.  She would not make the same horrible mistake again. “Miss Welds. I thought I explained to you that these young ladies were not to be harmed. They are our guests.”

There was no response from Ms. Welds. Stefani for the third time felt a hand this one heavy but gentle rest upon her shoulder. “My dear.  Would you forgive my colleague? While she is a very competent soldier she can get out of hand when it comes to discipline.”

“What is your name?”

“Stefani,” she managed to sob out.

“Stefani. Such a pretty name. Well, Stefani, I can see you are a brave and unselfish young lady. You see, we have rules here and we expect them to be followed. If you obey then it will go well with you and your friends. If you do not… let’s just say Miss Welds will have to insure that does not happen. Do you understand?”

Stefani could hear the smile in his voice and it gave her a chill, “Yes.”

“Very good. Miss Welds, please inform them of the rules and then give them food and water.”

Stefani heard his heavy steps leave the room. She still did not dare look up. She felt Ali shaking with sobs below her. She lifted herself off so she would not pressure down on the poor girl’s back. Their blood mingled. Kim slowly knelt beside them both and gingerly put her arms around them.

Stefani put her hands to her face and rocked. Kim heard her whisper over and over, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

Take Over Chapter 5 "A Plan"

A Plan

Kyle was furious that someone had invaded his town and taken everything that was important to him.  He began to make his way to the door, fist and jaw clenched.  At first he had been scared because he had not known where everyone was or what had happened.   He had no enemy then. No one and nothing to lash out at, but now…now he knew that there were men behind this and they were hiding in some hole in the ground.  Well, he would fix that. He would go and get his family back if it was the last thing he did.

“Where are you going?” Steve asked.

“To get my family,” Kyle said. 

Steve rushed to get between Kyle and the door. Kyle was not just a little bigger than Steve; he was a lot bigger.  Steve knew that when Kyle was mad you did not want to get in his way.  He also knew that it was foolish to go off halfcocked against armed men, possibly trained soldiers, all by yourself.  He was about to put his hand on Kyle’s chest when he saw the look in his eyes. He thought better of it and leaned back against the door. 

“Move, Steve, or I’m going to move you,” Kyle said between his teeth.  Kyle was trying hard not to lash out at his friend but he was not going to let anyone stop him now.

“I can’t, Kyle.  They are soldiers with guns.”

“I have guns.”

“We don’t know how many there are.”

Why doesn’t Steve understand? Kyle thought. I don’t care how many of them there are.  I am getting my family back.  He was full of anger now and was about to put his hands on Steve and move him, just like he would soon put his hands on the ones who took his family and friends. Bren grabbed his hand.   He wrenched away, “Stay out of the way, Bren”

“No, Kyle. Listen, I have lost my family and a lot of my friends. I don’t want to lose you too.”

This caused Kyle to pause. “Aaah!!” he screamed with rage.  He had felt so helpless, so powerless when he discovered that his family was missing.  Now it seemed his own friends were against him.  They would not let him help his family. 

Steve and Bren were shocked by the display and a little afraid of their friend.  They knew he was strong and very capable of hurting them both.  Bren moved to Steve’s side and put her back to the door also.  While she was scared of what Kyle could do to her, she was more scared of what might happen to him.

Kyle felt a hand on his shoulder he turned, fist raised.  TJ stood there looking him eye to eye.  The two were about the same size.  TJ was just a little broader in the shoulders and had muscles hardened from hard work.  TJ looked him in the eye, “Steve, Kyle is right.”

Bren and Steve looked at each other, eyes wide.

“What?”

“Kyle, I agree we have to get our families back, but Steve is right in that we also have to have a plan… and I think I just might have one,” TJ said. 

Kyle stared back at TJ.  The realization that he was going to try and harm his best friends began to dawn on him.  Slowly he unclenched his fist and sank to the floor.  He placed his head in his hands and breathed out a heavy sigh. 

Bren walked over, sat beside him and put an arm around him. 

“We have to get back to the city and get some help,” Steve said urgently.

TJ shook his head, “Steve that won’t work.”

“What do you mean it won’t work?  We have the jeep. We can head straight to the city and tell the police what happened,” Steve said exasperated.  Steve had always been the undeclared leader of the three boys as he was the oldest and tended to be the most level-headed. In this situation there was definitely a need for a level head.  He thought TJ had brought back some sense to the conversation but now he was beginning to sound like Kyle.

“OK. Look, four teenagers show up at the police station ranting about how their entire town has been drugged and kidnapped.  After the cops stop laughing we would be lucky if they didn’t put us in jail. No, that won’t work,” TJ said.

Steve had to admit that TJ had a point.  He was not ready to give up so easily though, “TJ, we can’t go against an army.  I know you and Kyle know how to shoot but what about Bren and me? What are we going to do? Do you expect us to…”

TJ cut him off, “Hey, I’m not saying we go in there and shoot up the place; that would be suicide.  I think we need to take our camera and go film what’s happening.  You know, get some shots of the town and then we can go get help.”

The tension in the room seemed to let up at this.  Steve began to nod his head. It was a good idea.  They could go film what was going on, and then they could take it to the authorities.