Free Pedestals of Ash by Joe Nobody Page A

the compound, the group had no place to go. No town or organized group of people would welcome 120 hungry, sick , and injured lodger s.
    While she had risen to the immediate challenge of the situation, the physical and emotional stress of the day clouded her mind, making long-term planning difficult, if not impossible. She had no doubt the “ skinnies ” would kill most of the congregation if she gave up. The women and children would suffer the most. She briefly entertained thoughts of surrender, but she might as well imitate Moses and lead her flock out into the desert. Thank heavens; she had not received instructions from G od to lead her people into the wilderness.
    A knock on her office door interrupted her train of thought. A young man reported that one of the wounded attackers was talking. It seemed that Bishop ha d successfully made off with some precious medical equipment , and that had caused the leader of the skinnies to lose his temper and attack. The prisoner indicated the skinnies had marshaled over 100 men and commanded a large cache of ammunition and food stored at the county courthouse.
    The mention of Bishop’s name caused Deacon Brown to recall a conversation sh e had had with him before he exited the compound. “Reach out to the people of Meraton,” he advised her. Deacon Brown strode to the main assembly area and located one of her key people . “Do we have a vehicle that could make it to Meraton and back? I think I can go there and get help. Is there anything left that can make it?”
    The confidant thought about his leader ’s request for a moment and responded , “Yes ma’am, my truck is in the maintenance shed , and it has enough gas in it to get to Meraton and back. It’s nothing fancy ma’am, but it’ll get you there.”
    Deacon Brown thanked the man and headed to her office to pack a bag. W hile she was gathering her essentials, she informed her lieutenants of her plans. A couple of them were skeptical of her return, but she reassured them that she would indeed come back, hopefully with help of some kind. She planned on leaving for Meraton at first light.

    Smok ey paced back and forth in the c hief’s office waiting on Hawk’s report. When his second in command finally arrived, the look on Hawk’s face told the boss what he already knew. Hawk reported the bad news, “We lost 39 men and have another 14 wounded.”
    Smokey tried to minimize their losses. “We hurt them , too. I know we killed a bunch of them.”
    Hawk nodded and continued, “Look at the bright side – we have fewer mouths to feed. It will take us a bit to regroup though . Do you want to hit them again tonight?”
    Smokey had anticipated that question and surprised his man. “No, let’s take a day or so and make sur e we put an end to this thing, once and for all . We should’ve taken more time to teach everyone the plan today. We were too slow , and it cost us. We can’t afford to fuck up like that again.”
    “You got it , boss. It ain’t like they ’re going anywhere.”

    Bishop’s watch alarm beeped in his ear , and he groggily located and pressed the tiny button. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and gingerly stretched his body. He was stiff and very sore, but the few hours of shuteye had helped. The few mouthfuls of water he had pulled from the sand were all but forgotten; his mouth feeling gritty and parched once again.
    After checking the perimeter of his bivouac, he quickly dressed and slung his rifle. He was full of anticipation as he approached the solar still and his bush traps. He decided the still would probably produce the most water, so he checked the bushes first.
    Bishop bent down by the first bagged plant and felt the tip of the plastic bag. There was water in there! It wasn’t much, perhaps a finger’s worth in his cup, but still he would get a drink. The second bush was a bit of a disappointment , as it had produced less of the valuable fluid .
    He took a knee beside the still and