Rebellion, page 10
part #3 of Bug Out! California Series
“Got it,” Angel said.
The engine started, and then the big slide on the driver’s side moved in, motor whirring. Seth unhooked the electrical and cable TV as Angel stuffed the dripping hose into the compartment. The coach lurched.
“What’s that?” Angel asked.
“Leveling jack’s going up,” he said. “Close the compartment. Then we’re done.”
They finished and rushed to the door of the coach. “Done,” Seth said.
“Good,” Trevor said. “Follow me in your 4Runner.”
Kaylee ran out. “I’m moving my uncle’s SUV. Where are we going?”
“Follow me,” Trevor shouted from the driver’s seat of his rig. He pulled through the front of the site, heading for the back of the park. Seth and Angel went to the 4Runner and took off after him, Kaylee taking up the rear. They parked about six hundred yards back, in a vacant space hidden from Ji-Ho’s spot.
“This will be good enough,” Trevor said, locking the door to the coach as he left, Winchester in his hand. Kaylee ran over, followed by Seth and Angel.
“Shoot, we need to grab our lever guns out of the back of your 4Runner,” Angel said.
“Yeah,” Seth said. They hurried back over and grabbed the rifles and a metal box full of ammo.
“Let’s go,” Kaylee said in a panic.
They ran the whole way back to Ji-Ho’s rig.
“Look, there’s plates covering the wheels,” Trevor said as they scurried in the door.
“Shut door,” Ji-Ho said. “They almost here. Got call.”
“Dammit,” Kaylee said.
“No worry,” Ji-Ho said. “We nail them.” He got into the driver’s seat and turned on the console, still above the dashboard from when he showed them earlier.
“What about dinner?” Kaylee asked.
“What, you want to eat now?” Seth asked.
“No, the microwave is running, silly,” she said.
“Leave it,” Ji-Ho said. “Get ready. They be here soon. You brought rifles?”
“Yes,” Seth said.
“Good. If we need I open gun slits. Probably not need.”
They watched out the windows silently for a few moments.
“What happened to Emma?” Kaylee asked.
“They no say,” Ji-Ho said. “Not good.”
“Oh, God,” she said. “I hope they didn’t kill her.”
“Wonder how they found them?” Trevor asked.
“Maybe they know about Gus,” Ji-Ho said. “They too badass for own good. Maybe not careful.”
“Look,” Angel whispered. “White van. Just pulled into the gate.”
“Another one behind it,” Seth said.
Ji-Ho flipped a switch, and they heard a whirring noise as the mini-gun rose into position. He chuckled. “Come to papa.”
“Better wait until we’re sure it’s them,” Trevor said.
Suddenly there was the sound of metallic impacts on the outside of the coach.
“They’re shooting at us!” Kaylee said, moving away from the wall.
Ji-Ho grinned. “It them. Hold ears!” He pulled the trigger, following the vehicles on the monitor, keeping the cross-hairs on the target as the two vehicles literally came apart, one of them exploding in flames.
“Holy shit,” Angel said. “None of them survived that.”
“Another vehicle coming,” Trevor said.
“I see,” Ji-Ho said. “Can’t get past wreckage blocking gate.”
“You going to fire?” Seth asked.
“Let them push van out of way. Less for us to do when leave.”
“Yeah, we’ve probably overstayed our welcome already,” Angel said.
Ji-Ho laughed. “That funny. Look, they push out of way. I let come in further.”
“Don’t play with these people, uncle,” Kaylee said, brow furrowed.
“That far enough.” He pulled the trigger, the tight stream of bullets plastering the side of the van with lead. It exploded before their eyes. “Wonder if that last?”
They watched silently for several minutes as the two vans on fire burned out.
“Anybody get out of the van that isn’t on fire?” Trevor asked.
“Not that I saw,” Seth said. “Might be somebody alive in there, but I doubt it.”
“I hope Emma wasn’t in any of these,” Kaylee said, eyes glassy with tears.
“They might follow us out of here,” Seth said.
“Yeah,” Trevor said. “What should we do?”
“We need to leave,” Ji-Ho said.
“I’ll go unhook,” Trevor said.
“You’re going out there?” Kaylee asked, eyes wide.
“Have to,” Trevor said. “Don’t worry, I’ll take my gun. I’m good with it.”
“Wait, I’m going with you,” Seth said, cocking his Winchester to chamber a round. “C’mon.”
“Okay,” Trevor said. They slipped out the door, closing it and running in a crouch to the back of the rig. Trevor undid the power while Seth undid the water and cable. Both of them heard a door slide.
“Van?” Seth asked, heart beating faster.
“Maybe,” Trevor said. “Wish there was a back way into the coach.”
“You and me both,” Seth said.
“Well, here goes nothing,” Trevor said, sneaking around to the front rear. He started towards the door when a shot rang out. He dived to the dirt and played dead as Seth opened fire with his Winchester, hitting the van several times. Someone yelled something in Arabic.
“Watch out!” cried Kaylee, her voice muffled from outside.
Two men were running towards the RV, getting too close for the big gun to hit. Seth fired, hitting one of them in the torso. Trevor rolled and opened fire, hitting the second man in the head. Then he got up and ran towards the van, aiming the gun. Seth followed him slowly, looking in all directions. Another shot rang out from up the driveway. Seth fired but missed, then leapt behind some cover next to the road side. Trevor was on the far side of the van now. Two Islamists rushed towards the van, and Trevor showed himself, hitting both of the running men before they got twenty yards. Seth got up and ran towards him.
“I think that’s all of them,” Trevor said, breath coming hard. “Look, in the van. That’s Matt’s Winchester.”
“Shit,” Seth said. “Let’s see what else is in here.” He climbed in and took out his phone, turning on the flashlight, looking around inside while Trevor stood watch. He came out, face grim.
“Crap, what did you find?” Trevor asked.
“Emma’s bra and panties,” he said. “Don’t tell Kaylee.”
“Shouldn’t she know?” Trevor asked.
Seth was quiet for a moment, thinking. “Finding these doesn’t mean she’s dead.”
“True,” Trevor said. “You want to go rescue her?”
“I would if I could,” Seth said. “But we don’t have the info we need to do that.”
“I thought you were over her,” Trevor said.
“Are you for real, man?”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s alone and afraid, and she’s a human being,” Seth said.
Trevor looked back at him, tears in his eyes. “Oh, geez, I’m such a jerk.”
“I didn’t think about it right away either,” Seth said. “We need to talk to Ji-Ho, but right now we’d better just get the hell away from here.”
“Let’s get back,” Trevor said. “Ji-Ho’s rig will go through here just fine.”
They hurried to the coach and climbed inside.
“Nice job,” Ji-Ho said. “We need to go now.”
“Should we go get the other vehicles?” Angel asked.
“No,” Ji-Ho said. “We’ll go to Murrieta tonight. Pull inside warehouse. Maybe get other vehicles in morning, maybe not. Ready?”
“Yeah,” Trevor said.
“Let’s go,” Seth said.
Ji-Ho got back into the driver’s seat and used the touch screen on the targeting console to lower the front shield. Then he brought down the turret, raised the wheel plates, and hit the button to lower the console screen.
“Okay, we go,” he said, starting the big diesel. He drove forward to the access road and headed for the gate. Trevor went in the salon and sat on the couch near the front of the coach. Angel got on the dinette bench, Seth joining on the opposite side. Kaylee took the front passenger seat.
“She still looks pretty shook up,” Angel whispered to Seth.
“We found some stuff in the van,” Seth whispered. “Matt and Emma’s stuff. Once we get on the road, we need to talk to Kaylee and Ji-Ho.”
“Maybe we should wait until we get there,” Angel said. “Murrieta isn’t far.”
“Okay,” Seth said. “Did you see Trevor out there? Wish I could handle my gun like he does.”
“You shot a couple guys,” Angel said. “I was on my way out there, but Ji-Ho asked me to stay inside just in case.”
“Just in case of what?” Seth asked.
“In case the mini-gun jammed. He said we’d both need to fire out the slots in the side.”
“Yeah, I could see that,” Seth said.
“Kaylee likes Trevor,” Angel whispered. “Should have seen her watching him out there.”
“Yeah, I know,” Seth said. “That’s probably a good thing.”
“Probably?”
“Trevor isn’t as mature as she is,” Seth said. “He’s off-the charts smart, and that covers for it a lot, but not always.”
“Oh,” Angel said, chuckling. “I can’t think of one girlfriend I’ve ever had who wasn’t more mature than me.”
“Yeah, but that’s you,” Seth said, straining out a smile.
“What’s wrong?”
“Worried about Matt and Emma,” Seth said. “I’ve seen Emma scared to death a lot lately. Now all I can see is her face with that expression.”
“Maybe they aren’t hurting her,” Angel said. “Maybe they let her go. What good is she to them?”
“Her underwear was in the van,” Seth whispered.
“Oh no,” Angel said.
“Now you get it.”
***
“We’re back in town already,” Trevor said. “Didn’t look at the coach while we were out there. Are those bullet marks going to show up much?”
Ji-Ho turned to him for a second, smiling. “They show, but people don’t know. Scratches and dents.”
“You hope,” Kaylee said. “Think anybody followed us?”
“I have one eye on rear camera screen,” he said. “Guns mounted in back. We shoot if we need.”
“Let’s just hope nobody followed us,” Trevor said. “How far is the warehouse?”
“Not far,” Ji-Ho said. “Longest part is Route 79 through town. Once we get to I-15, another ten minute. Get off on Los Alamos Road.”
Kaylee fidgeted in her seat, then got up and walked into the Salon. She stopped in front of Trevor. “Can we go talk for a few minutes?”
He looked at her silently, and shook his head yes. They walked to the back, Angel and Seth watching them with concern.
“Think he’s gonna tell her?” Angel asked.
“I hope so, for his sake,” Seth said.
Chapter 9 – Warehouse
Kaylee walked towards the back of the motor home, Trevor following, looking as if he was in for a beating. He glanced at Angel and Seth as he walked by.
“Close the door,” Kaylee said as she sat on the bed. Trevor nodded and closed it, then sat next to her. They looked at each other for a moment.
“You look scared to death,” Kaylee said, looking him in the eyes.
“There’s something I need to tell you before we get started,” Trevor said.
“Hey, I called this meeting,” she said.
“I know, but you need to hear it. I was going to bring it up with you and Ji-Ho when we stopped.”
She got a worried look on her face. “Are we in more danger than we thought?”
“It’s what we found in the UN van,” Trevor said, looking down at his lap. He trembled as tears came.
“Oh, no,” she said, putting her arm around Trevor’s shoulders. “What?”
“Seth found some of Matt and Emma’s stuff inside.”
Kaylee froze for a moment, eyes tearing up. “Oh, God, what?”
“Matt’s rifle and Emma’s underwear,” Trevor said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Oh no,” Kaylee said, collapsing against him in sobs. “She’s probably being raped right now.”
“Seth wants to go after her,” Trevor said. “Rescue her.”
She straightened up, trying to compose herself. “Matt’s probably dead.”
“Probably,” Trevor said. “Jamie too, I’ll bet, and Gus.”
“They’ll keep Emma for a slave,” Kaylee said. “She’s probably miles away by now.”
They sat silently for a few minutes, then Kaylee turned to him. “Thank you for telling me. I know that was hard.”
“I’m sorry,” Trevor said.
“It wasn’t your fault,” she said.
“I know, but she was your best friend,” Trevor said. He brushed her hair out of her eyes, looking at her with sympathy.
“You’re more mature than you act,” she said softly.
Trevor smiled. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”
“Can we talk for a moment, now?” Kaylee asked. “Seems stupid with all of this, but I need to get it out.”
“I watched you fidgeting out there,” Trevor said, hint of worry in his expression.
She smiled at him, and reached up to touch his face. “Poor Trevor, so afraid of girls.”
He watched her, feeling his heart beat quicker. “Go ahead.”
“There’s something between us,” Kaylee said. “Do you feel it?”
“Yes,” he said softly.
“Before Matt and I split?” she asked.
“Matt was my friend, so I wouldn’t allow myself to go there,” he said.
“I caught you watching me every once in a while,” she said. “I think my uncle noticed it.”
“Did it bother you?”
“No,” she said. “You looked at Emma sometimes too.”
“She couldn’t stand me,” Trevor said. “She was pretty, but I wasn’t interested.”
“I know,” Kaylee said.
“How?”
“You talked to me whenever you had the chance. I don’t remember you ever talking to Emma.”
“So what now?” Trevor asked.
“Nothing,” Kaylee said. “I don’t want to rush into anything. If our affection starts to grow, it’ll be natural, and something will come from it. I just don’t want you to be weird about it either way, okay?”
“You have affection for me?” Trevor asked, staring into her eyes.
“Yes,” she said, “but my match-making uncle isn’t helping it, and you getting weird won’t either.”
Trevor chuckled. “This is liable to make me more weird, not less.”
She smiled. “I know that. Let’s stay back here and talk for a little while. Let’s talk whenever we get a few minutes. We hardly know each other, really. If there’s something there, it’ll come out.”
“I like that idea,” Trevor said. “You’ll tell me if I get weird, right?”
“You’ll see me losing interest,” she said. “Be sensitive to me. All girls like that.”
Trevor’s eyes dilated, his breath coming faster. She noticed, watching him, frozen in time.
“Oh, God.”
“What?” Trevor asked.
“Your reaction,” she said. “This is going to be a challenge. What got you so worked up?”
“You just said you were interested in me,” he whispered. “Sorry, that has an effect.”
She looked over at him silently.
“You’re trembling,” Trevor said.
“Shut up,” she said, reaching for him, bringing him in for a kiss. For a moment, awkwardness, as they approached each other, then it felt natural, like they’d been kissing for years. Finally, Kaylee broke it and they stared at each other again. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“I’m not,” Trevor said. “Why did you do that? It didn’t fit what we were talking about.”
“Don’t try to use logic for something like this,” she said softly. “I wanted to do that as soon as we got back here.”
“Really? Why?”
“Watching you fight out there,” she smirked. “We females like to see our men in action.” She put her hand over her mouth. “Didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
“I understand,” he said. “I’ve never kissed like that before.”
“You have had girlfriends before, I hope,” she asked.
“Yes,” Trevor said. “Been a little while, but I’ve had several.”
“They didn’t kiss you like that?”
“No,” Trevor said. “I don’t know, maybe it’s me.”
“Maybe it’s you?” she asked.
“My mindset,” he said, “and the world we’re living in.” He was silent for a moment, thinking, staring at her delicate face, touching her black hair.
“You’re holding something back,” she said.
“I’ll have to if we’re slowly getting to know each other.”
“That’s not a good way to start,” she said. “Holding back.”
“Can’t have it both ways,” Trevor said. “Not if we’re going slowly like you’re suggesting.”
“Dammit,” she said. “Okay, okay, I get it. Now tell me what you wanted to say.”
“You sure?” he asked quietly.
“Trevor,” she said. “C’mon.”
He sighed, touching her cheek, looking into her eyes. “I adore you.”
“Oh, God,” she said. They kissed again, more passionately than before. Trevor broke it this time. “Feel that? We’re getting on I-15 already. Maybe we should get back up there.”
“Maybe so,” she said. “Do we understand each other? Can we at least try?”
“Yes,” Trevor said. “That means you can’t hold back either.”
“Okay,” she said, getting closer to him, petting his cheek. “I’ve never kissed like that before either.”
They kissed again, soft and tender, then stared at each other.
“We’d better get back out there,” Trevor said. “You gonna be okay? What should we tell the others?”
