Running Towards The Abyss Read online

  Beth’s room, The Northeast Georgia Technical College, Lavonia, Georgia, Tuesday, 1100 hours

  They all met in Elizabeth’s suite since Karen had forbidden Chuck from getting out of bed for a few days. She didn’t want to take any chances that the large trench on his hip might open back up. The nurse had checked his wounds, changed the bandages, and then she and Beth had helped their patient get cleaned up and into a fresh pair of sweat pants.

  A large dry erase board was brought in and set up where everyone could see it. Chuck designated Elizabeth as the secretary. She would be recording the flowchart of events: what had happened, where and when. On the right side of the board Beth and Tina drew a map of the campus; on the left, McCain had instructed Benton to create a numbered list as people talked, detailing the timeline of yesterday’s events.

  Tina had arrived early with Jake. She hadn’t seen Chuck since the incident. The campus police officer sat down beside him on the bed, putting her arms around the big man, her head against his chest, not saying anything. She started to speak a couple of times but nothing came out and McCain realized she was crying, the emotion of the last few days bubbling to the surface.

  Finally, Chuck said, “I’m sorry you had to see me kill that bastard. I heard you were pretty mad at me.”

  The red-haired woman pulled back, looking into his eyes, tears still dripping out of hers. “I was. I mean I am a cop,” she noted, drying her eyes with the back of her sleeve. “You’re a cop, too. We just don’t do that. But when I heard the whole story about how he’d tried to rob you and you let him live because of the baby, I realized there was a lot more to it. I heard him tell you that he’d abandoned that child and that it was your fault. When I realized he let a baby die, I changed my tune.

  “Jake and I had a long talk later,” she continued. “He said that Greg got what he deserved. I don’t know. He probably did. I’m not judging you. I guess I’m still processing everything.”

  Chuck nodded at her. “You’re good people, Tina. I hope that killing never becomes easy. We need folks with character to rebuild after what society’s been through. In the meantime, though, the rules have changed. There are no jails to hold criminals and no courts to prosecute them.”

  Tina stood up, taking a deep breath. “You’re right about the rules having changed,” she nodded and then smiled. “Thank you for what you did for Alicia. You’re her new hero.”

  McCain smiled back at her. “That’s nice. I just wished I could’ve pulled it off without getting half of my ass shot off.”

  Everyone who had been involved in the shootout packed into the small room. They either brought a chair or sat on the floor. The six sentries, along with Jake and Tina, Chuck and Beth, Alicia, and even Jermaine, his right arm in bandages and wearing a sling, were all there. Also present were Karen and her medical team. Even though they had shown up after the shooting had stopped, McCain requested that they be present, as well. Her team of nurses-in-training and EMT students had provided excellent care to the wounded.

  “My apologies for having to lead this meeting from bed,” Chuck opened, nodding across the room at his nurse, “but when Karen gives an order she’s pretty scary.”

  There was light laughter from everyone.

  “Before we do anything else, I’d like to have a moment of silence for our fallen friends.”

  A minute later, McCain spoke up. “The reason for this debrief is so that we can all get a clearer picture of what happened the other night and to see what we can learn from it. We’re not looking to point fingers or to criticize. In fact, I think that we’re going to see how well this incident was handled. Mr. Nicholson and I are both combat veterans, but none of the rest of you have had any experience dealing with this kind of an attack. Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Clayton have trained you guys,” he said, nodding at the sentries, “but you really didn’t know how any of that training was going to hold up until the bullets started flying.”

  Several of the sentry team members nodded their heads.

  “We just need to put the pieces of the puzzle that each one of us is holding onto the whiteboard and the only way we can do that is talking it out together. So, let’s start at the beginning. Officer Miles took a phone call from the roadblock. Tina, can you please tell us what time that call came in and as close as you can remember what they told you, word for word if at all possible?”

  Miles told the group what Todd had reported to her over the phone. Elizabeth wrote down the time and a brief synopsis on the left side of the dry erase board next to the number one. On the map, she placed a number “1” at the roadblock.

  After speaking with Todd, Jake was the first person whom Tina had contacted. Nicholson described his actions up until he heard gunshots.

  Robert Clayton recounted phoning Tina during their patrol, being given Todd’s status, and being ordered to go secure the dorm. He described his confrontation and the initial shootout with the attackers. As Robert talked about the exchange of gunfire, aiming at muzzle flashes, and seeing the intruders whom he had shot falling down, Chuck noticed everyone leaning in, many of them hearing this for the first time. McCain saw that Karen was especially engrossed as Robert told the group what he and his team had done.

  The debrief took almost three hours but by the end, everyone was feeling better. Each person detailed their role in the incident, no matter how small. For the first time, Chuck heard Beth describe her part in the drama. She started off by describing the fear she had felt as the three criminals rushed down the hall towards her.

  When they started into Chuck’s room, however, Elizabeth said she pulled her door open, raised her pistol in the two-handed stance that Chuck had taught her and started firing as the first thug, the biggest one, was silhouetted in McCain’s doorway. Beth said she stepped into the hallway as she kept shooting, not hearing the gunshots or feeling the recoil, just seeing the fire leaping out of the end of the barrel.

  Beth told the group that she instinctively moved the pistol along the line of the three men, putting bullets into each of them at close range. The light of the muzzle flashes was enough for her to see that her rounds were hitting home as the three intruders jerked in pain, and then collapsed to the floor. Benton said she continued firing as they lay on the floor, wanting to make sure they never got up again.

  By the time her Glock was empty and the attackers were down, gunfire had erupted in the lobby, bullets whizzing down the hallway of the dorm. Beth had darted back into her room, getting out of the line of fire. She reloaded her pistol like McCain had shown her and waited for the gunshots to cease.

  Chuck was proud of Beth and proud of the group. He saw in everyone’s eyes that they were proud, too. Each person had performed well to protect the campus. Sharing the experience together had lifted everyone’s spirits. After they had recorded a timeline, McCain took them back through the incident, praising the quick actions and response of everyone involved.

  Chuck hadn’t realized until now that Jake had saved his life by shooting Bo Harris when he had. McCain thanked him and commended him publicly for his leadership. His people had responded well to the violent assault on what had become their home.

  McCain also made a point of thanking Robert for his leadership and decisive actions. His team had definitely tipped the scales in the defender’s favor. If Clayton, Danny, and Maria hadn’t confronted the attackers when they did, the criminals would have gotten into the dorm undetected, which would have been a terrible scenario with a much different outcome. As Chuck spoke about Robert, he noticed Karen again watching the IT instructor closely.

  McCain praised Alicia’s courage and told the group that if anyone wanted to learn to use a knife, talk to her. That drew a smile of appreciation from the young woman and nods of approval from her friends.

  “Now, as we wrap this up, these last few minutes are for questions. If you want to know why someone did what they did, let’s ask. We’re friends here. If there’s something we missed in our discussion, bring it up and
let’s get it on the table.”

  There were several questions to clarify the chronology. Another questioner wondered if Mr. Nicholson or Mr. McCain anticipated any further attacks.

  “We’ll need to tighten up our defenses, that’s for sure,” answered Jake. “But if these intruders had any friends waiting for them to come home, they’re going to be waiting a long time. Robert and I will continue to offer firearms training for anyone who might be interested. I’m hoping that we’ll have some new people volunteer to be a part of the security force.”

  Maria, one of sentries on Robert’s team, shyly raised her hand.

  “Mr. McCain, this debrief has been very helpful for us to see what happened, and to get the ‘big picture’ that you mentioned earlier. I don’t know about everybody else, but talking about it together like this has really helped me to put things in perspective. I’m really thankful we were able to stop those people.

  “I have a question for you, though. We were right outside the front door and could hear most of the conversation between you and the bad guys. Can you tell us what you were thinking, why you did what you did, and why, in God’s name, did you taunt all those men with guns pointed at you?”

  This got a laugh from everyone, including Chuck. “That’s a great question. What was I thinking? I’m going to die. That’s what I was thinking. In fact, I knew I was as good as dead. When those gangbangers said they were going to kill Alicia if I didn’t give myself up, there was no doubt in my mind that when I walked out that doorway and down the hallway, that was it. I was done.

  “My second thought was, maybe I can save Alicia’s life before they kill me.

  “My third thought was, I’m gonna to take as many of these bastards with me as I can before I die.

  “I’ve been working with Elizabeth on weapons handling and tactics, and I knew she was standing in her doorway, holding her pistol. I hoped that by sending those scumbags to my room, she’d act decisively. And she was amazing, taking them all out.

  “Why did I taunt all those armed men? I don’t know. I knew they were going to kill me so I really didn’t have anything to lose. I was a professional MMA fighter for a while, and there were some guys I could gain an advantage over before a fight by getting under their skin. Plus, I figured if I was going to meet my Maker, I might as well have some fun with those pricks first.”

  This brought another big laugh from the group and everyone was smiling as they left. As they filed out, each person stopped by to shake McCain’s hand or give him a hug. Finally, only Elizabeth, Jake, and Tina were left with the bed-ridden warrior.

  “Thanks, Chuck,” said Jake. “That was pretty impressive for a cop and a Green Beret.”

  McCain laughed. “I wasn’t really a Green Beret. I just pretended for the entire two years I worked with them.”

  “Either way, that was a really good meeting, and I think it helped everybody in processing the incident and to get a complete picture of how it all went down. Even Alicia left with a smile on her face.”

  “I’m glad it helped. Any chance of you coming by sometime tomorrow?” Chuck asked. “I’ve got something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Sure, Chuck. It’ll be much harder without that bottle of bourbon to share, but I’ll be here.”

  Beth’s room, The Northeast Georgia Technical College, Lavonia, Georgia, Wednesday, 1300 hours

  Elizabeth had not left Chuck’s side for more than a few minutes at a time since he had been wounded. When Jake appeared at her door, though, she welcomed him with a hug, telling him she was going for a run as she left the room. Nicholson carried two bottles of beer, handing one to Chuck and pulling up a chair by the bed.

  “This must be serious,” Jake said. “I don’t think she’s been out of this room for two days.”

  “Thanks for the beer. It is kind of serious. You’re the first one to hear this, Jake. Elizabeth’s going with me whenever I heal up and head out.”

  The Marine grunted and shrugged. “I’m not surprised. What changed your mind?”

  “My whole reasoning behind leaving her here was for her protection. No offense, but the other night showed that there is no safe place any more. By my count, we’ve killed eighteen of that gang but who knows if there are any more of them out there?”

  “I understand,” Jake said. “You don’t think she’s safe here.”

  Chuck shrugged. “Man, I don’t think it’s safe anywhere anymore. You’ve done an incredible job in securing this campus, but those guys came in here looking for me and her. If we’re together, I think we’ll be OK. We can look out for each other. Beth has the makings of a warrior. Did you see how she cut those three guys down? Plus, I’m going to keep training her from here on out.”

  Nicholson was clearly not thrilled by the news, but understood that it wasn’t his decision to make. McCain reached under his pillow and pulled out a piece of notebook paper containing a handwritten list, passing it to his friend.

  “Here are a few things that we need. I’ll make it worth your while if you can fill that list for me.”

  Jake reluctantly took the piece of paper and looked it over. He finally glanced back to Chuck, folded the list and put it into his breast pocket.

  “What makes you think I have all that stuff?”

  McCain grinned. “You were a sergeant in the Marine Corps. I’ve heard that you guys are the best scroungers on the planet.”

  Nicholson gave a reluctant laugh. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Chuck reached back under his pillow and withdrew the unopened bottle of Jack Daniels, handing it to Jake. The Marine’s eyes got big as he took the whiskey.

  “You’ve been holding out on me! I’m surprised you’re letting this go.”

  “That one’s yours. I’ve still got a bottle of scotch I recovered from that house where I rescued Beth that I’m keeping. You get me all the stuff that I asked for, and I have another special present for you.”

  “How long before you’re up and about?”

  “Karen wants me to stay in bed for a week but I’m going to see how it feels to walk tomorrow. I’d like to be able to leave in three or four weeks, but it doesn’t make any sense to leave before I’m mobile again. There are still zombies and bad guys out there, and I won’t do us any good if I’m not fit to fight.”

  Nicholson stood. “Thanks for this,” he smiled, holding up the bottle of whiskey. “I’ll start working on your list.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Preparation

  Eleven days after attack, Beth’s room, The Northeast Georgia Technical College, Lavonia, Georgia, Friday, 1000 hours

  After spending a few days in bed, Chuck’s head had finally started to feel normal again. He wasn’t walking far for fear of opening his stitches up, just short walks in the hallway. Now, a week and a half later, he was feeling restless. He knew the large wound would take a few more weeks to heal fully, but he hoped to at least get outside for some fresh air.

  Karen showed up to check his progress. She looked more rested this morning, McCain noted, having released much of the care of the other two patients to her students. Or maybe there was another reason she had a spring in her step. The nurse smiled at Chuck and Elizabeth, pulling on a pair of rubber gloves.

  After checking his face and head, Karen said, “Everything’s looking good upstairs. Has anyone ever told you that you have a hard head?”

  The big man chuckled. “I have been accused of that.”

  “Now I think it’s time to take out those stitches,” she said, helping McCain pull his sweats down far enough to expose the injury.

  “That’s healing very nicely,” she commented, snipping the sutures and pulling them out with tweezers.

  “How’s Robert?” Chuck asked, an innocent look on his face.

  Karen paused and glanced up. “What makes you think I’d know how Robert is doing?”

  “I don’t know,” he shrugged. “I’ve just heard that you guys have been spending some time together. Has he been impa
rting some of his survival skills to you? Or other things?”

  The nurse suppressed a laugh. “And where might you have heard those nasty rumors?” she asked, shooting a look at Elizabeth.

  Beth held her hands up in surrender. “It must’ve just slipped out,” she laughed.

  “Some friend you are!” Karen smiled.

  “Well, Chuck,” the nurse said, “I’ll give you this. He’s a great guy. I’m surprised I haven’t really noticed him before on this small campus. He does tend to stay in the background and he’s really shy. I can tell he likes me but I’m going to have to take the initiative. Right now, we’re just hanging out a little and he’s teaching me how to handle a pistol and a rifle. I was going to ask him over for a drink tonight and talk about something other than guns.”

  “I’m sure you two will have a lot to talk about,” McCain needled, putting air quotes around ‘talk.’”

  “Oh, aren’t you a funny one, Mr. McCain?” Karen grinned, pulling the last of the stitches out and giving his bare behind a swat.

  Elizabeth sat on the other bed laughing and thoroughly enjoying her boyfriend giving her best girl friend a taste of her own teasing.

  Karen checked Chuck’s other injuries and concluded, “It looks like my work here is done. Everything looks good. Just keep an eye on the gunshot wound. I’ll give you a tube of anti-biotic ointment to put on it until it’s completely healed.”

  McCain pulled his pants up, pushed himself off of the bed, and grabbed Karen in a bear hug. “You’re a great nurse. Thanks for taking such good care of me.”

  He kissed her on the forehead and noticed a tear running down her cheek. Elizabeth got off the bed and wrapped her arms around Chuck and Karen.