The Next Morning
Clamors filled the settlement streets, especially the town hall, teeming with people, drowning even the windmill creaks.
Yawn!
The constant background noise irritated him, and the sweet bread aroma wafting across practically begged to be devoured.
The clinic bed served no purpose; now that his exhaustion and soreness had been dealt with, he was back in the storage room's bed.
"Good morning, sister." He couldn't resist the food's allure.
"Good morning, Aden. I'll set you a plate. Let's head to the town hall after breakfast. I heard they're preparing for the departure."
"Okay, sister." He left for the wash basin for his morning routine.
They left for the town hall after breakfast.
***
Town Hall
The town was filled to the brim, mostly with people related to the participants: wives with kids, mothers or fathers, lovers, and other relatives. Varying emotions filled the atmosphere; kids: joyful to be present, and the rest with fear, grief, and uncertainty as the supply was about to commence.
More people poured in, curious about the commotion; Aden and Maria, one of them.
"You stay here, I'll go and determine the situation inside," Maria said, squeezing herself towards the town hall.
"Okay, sister." Aden began a search of his own for Tom and his mother; they were bound to be here somewhere.
The Town Hall's Front
"Let me, through. Excuse me!" Maria shouted while pushing people ahead to the side, but it was easier said than done.
Somehow, she reached the front and came across two familiar faces, working as guards.
"Hello, Kyle and James. No usual work today?" The gathering was a recurring event, but Franz had stationed the guards for the first time.
"No, can't work until the Captain finishes the briefing," Kyle said. "You can go in if you want. The captain has permitted your entry."
"If you say so." Maria walked in.
***
Inside, roughly 20 people were seated around the table, made from stacked crates with plywood on top. Franz was ahead in the table with Riku behind, sharing the plans about the supply run as everyone paid attention. Maria's arrival caught his eye.
She expected a chaotic scene inside; on the contrary, pin-drop silence ruled the hall.
"Ah! Maria, you arrived right on time." Franz exclaimed, "She'll now inform us about first aid. Everyone, listen carefully, it may save your lives."
"First of all, first aid refers to initial help given to...." Maria gave an explanation, followed by live demonstrations.
"And that's how you perform first aid." Her demonstration ended.
"Thank you, Maria. I hope you guys learned something from it. Maria, have a seat." Shortly, Franz resumed his briefing.
"Okay, brothers. We'll divide into groups of 5, each group is responsible for a block. Our priority should be the hardware stores, plumbing shops, garages/auto repair shops. The sooner we fix the water pump, the sooner we avoid dying of thirst. Once the priority is complete, our objective will switch to medical supplies, some car parts, and police armory, if possible."
"Here's the water pump impeller specifications, and the list for the medical supplies and car parts." Riku passed on 5 copies of the lists.
"Now that the objective is settled. Let's divide into groups. I'll lead the 1st group, Ben will lead the 2nd group, Jack will lead the 3rd group, and Rex will lead the last group. As for who you want to team up with, that's for you to decide." His body radiated a sharp and confident aura with every command.
"Yes, captain." Everyone replied in unison and discussed the group division. Meanwhile, Maria was in the corner watching the scene unfold; Franz's display of authority and participants' conduct strengthened her faith in the supply run.
Moments later, the rest of the participants picked the group they wanted to be part of, including Franz's.
"Alright, brothers. Suit up within five." Franz left for the workshop as everyone hurried to check the gears and arm themselves.
***
Vroom! Vroom!
Sometimes later, two vehicles stopped in front of the town hall, and the crowd backed up to make some space for them.
Dwarfing the people gathered was the Dodge Power Wagon, covered in utility-red paint and bleached by two decades of desert sun. Heavy, mismatched tires sat under the high chassis, looking barely adequate for the truck's bulk. Spotlights scavenged from different vehicles stared out from behind protective mesh, replacing original headlights. Meanwhile, extra metal sheets welded into the cargo bed offered more space for storage, and the fuel cans and water containers strapped to the side of the truck bed helped to balance the vehicle.
Clunk! Clunk!
The doors opened simultaneously, and two figures stepped out of the vehicle: Ethan with his giant stature, and Franz with what seemed like a shield on his back.
Thud!
Once inside, Franz laid down the shield on the table. He stood before the prepped team; gear checked, dawn barely breaking. His voice-rough and used to giving commands, cut through the chill air.
"Alright, listen up. You all know the main objective: Impeller for the reservoir pump. Without it, our water runs dry in less than a week. There are no other options. Maria needs supplies. The armory needs replenishing if we get the chance. This is not a scout run. It's essential."
"Bullhead City is hostile territory. We know this. Death Hounds are expected, maybe worse. That's why you were chosen, veterans, people who know how to watch each other's backs, follow orders, and get the job done without getting stupid."
"Stick to the plan. Maintain formation. Watch your blocks. Speed and efficiency are key – get in, secure the objectives, get out. No unnecessary risks. We bring back the parts, the meds, the ammo, and most importantly, we bring back each other."
"Check your gear one last time. Any questions?" He scanned the hall, expecting some questions.
Silence
"Good, you have five minutes to meet your family. Then, we move out."
***
Meanwhile, Aden found Tom and Lucy within the crowd, anxiety written all over Lucy's face, and Tom didn't fare any better.
"Tom, why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting?" Aden asked.
"I'm here for my father." Tom said, "Why are you here, Aden?"
Aden shifted, suddenly feeling out of place. He had no solid reason to be in there except for his curiosity. "Oh, I was here with sister Maria. She's inside."
"Oh!" Tom exclaimed.
Suddenly, all the participants left the town hall one by one.
"Father!, Mother! Husband! Son! Daughter!" The names echoed as the relatives rushed towards the participants, Tom and Lucy included.
Meanwhile, Aden stood there alone in the same spot.
***
Tom and Lucy hugged Ben, clutching tightly.
Ben hugged them back. "I'll be going for a while."
"Do you have to go, dear?" Her face, filled with reluctance, clutched even harder.
"You know I have to, dear. Someone has to go. Better us veterans than the youngsters." Ben was familiar with his wife's worrying nature- he tried to console her.
"B…but." Lucy choked on her words.
Her reaction left him helpless, so he whispered in Tom's ear. "Come on, son. Help me convince your mom, and if anything happens to me, take good care of her."
The last few words upset Tom, but he toughened his will and listened to his father. "Don't worry, Mom. Dad will be alright, he has friends he can count on."
Ben knew it wasn't enough to console her; instead, he searched for a way to steer the conversation, and saw Aden alone on his feet.
"Aden...., come here, kid?" He called out.
Hearing his voice, Aden dashed towards him. There, he saw Lucy's gloomy state and Tom's failed attempt at consoling. Likewise, his eyes landed on Ben's pleading gaze.
"Aunt Lucy, Uncle Ben is a professional in this field. They all are. It'll be a piece of cake for them," he said, "Right, Uncle Ben?"
"Yes, yes. It'll be like stealing candy from a baby." Ben exclaimed, his chest puffed out.
"You mean it?" Lucy's mood brightened a bit.
"Y…" Ben started, but Franz's sharp command cut him off: from the town hall steps. "Everyone, time's up. Load the extra supply and get in."
"Take care of your mother, boy. You too, Aden, take care." Ben bid his farewell and left.
All the participants returned in front of the town hall and loaded the extra supply of ammo, fuel, water, and other essentials.
Once all the supplies were onboard, they armed themselves with various guns: a couple of M60 machine guns, some AR-10 and M14 assault rifles, a couple of Winchester M70 and modified M1 Garand sniper rifles, and some Remington M870 and Winchester M12 shotguns.
As for Franz, he had a battered kite shield made by Ethan and a sawed-off Stevens 311(double-barrel shotgun).
"Let's go, brothers.... For the settlement." Franz gave a final, resolute battle cry.
"For the settlement." The participants screamed, shouting a mix of determination and grim acceptance.
Vroom! Vroom!
With roaring engines protesting the load, both vehicles pulled away, rolling through the main gate and disappearing into the pale morning light.
***
The vehicles faded from everyone's vision, and the forced bravery dissolved. The settlement was left with raw sounds of fear, sorrows, and cries as the people saw their loved ones marching towards the uncertainty for their sake.
The collective negative emotions invoked something within Aden. Suddenly, a wave of unease washed over him, his gut tightened, and his instincts flared up.
"This feeling." He muttered, recalling the similar feeling before, during the death hound attack.
Lucy could no longer support herself and slumped to the ground. She felt her heart tighten, a heavy knot pressed against her ribs, her throat constricted as if a lump had lodged itself, forcing her to swallow hard to keep it at bay. Her eyes stung, a warm prickling heat built at the corners, where tears hovered.
Tom consoled her, the only support against her dark thoughts.
Aden stood by and watched the scene unfold with complex emotions stirring within him, but he knew he couldn't do anything about it. Tom was already there consoling her, he could only hope for Uncle Ben's safe return.
Maria approached Aden and their situation.
"Lucy," Maria said softly, " If you need help. I'm always at the clinic." It was the only sentence of comfort she could offer Lucy.
"If you need help, you know where to find me, Tom." It was the same for Aden.
Shortly, they left the area for the clinic. The day was bound to be long and agonizing for everyone.
***
Later that night
Tension peaked at the settlement as the supply team was overdue by hours. Anxious faces peered into the darkness from doorways and lookout posts. Every distant sound made their hearts jump.
Vroom! Vroom!
Headlights pierced the gloom as the two vehicles approached the front gate. Murmurs spread among the waiting crowd huddled near the entrance.
Creak! Creak! Creak!
The main gates opened in haste, allowing the vehicles to enter. However, a collective gasp rippled through the onlookers as the vehicles rolled into the yellow dim light of the settlement's few functioning lamps. Something was wrong.