Chapter 7

Earl Withers answered, “Hello? Who is calling please?” I could hear shooting in the background. I asked Earl if they were alright. “Al? Al is that you? Is my daughter still with you? Are you all safe?” I laughed and answered, ‘Yes it’s me, Emily is here with all of us, and we are all safe for now.’

Earl called Murphy to the phone and I heard him say it was me. Murphy began by asking if we were safe and secure. I repeated the information and added that we had picked up three more people. I briefly explained how we met Daryl, Steve and Dana.

Murphy told me that they had been attacked on and off since we had left. The number of mutants seemed to be decreasing with every attack which was encouraging. He added that Karen had elected to have the operation, but they were still stuck in the main headquarters building.

I asked him if he needed us to return and help get them out. He asked if I could be reached at this current number. I told him it was good for the time being. He said that if things did not look good tomorrow by noon, he would call us and asked us to rescue them. I laughed and told him I would call again tomorrow before dinner if he didn’t call before then.

We said goodbye and ended the call. Daryl asked if things were ok. I told him what Murphy had said and that we would have to wait until tomorrow to find out. Linda called from the house to tell us dinner was ready.

The girls had put together a wonderful dinner of roast beef, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy. We had tea and coffee along with cool water to drink. After the meal the girls sent us guys to finish moving clothes and personal stuff to the bedrooms. We had just finished moving the last load when I felt or sensed company. Daryl picked up on my loss of concentration and gave a quick warning to the others. Tia was the first to reach me and ask what was wrong.

Just then we heard the knock on the door.

I could feel three people but there was something about them that I could not put my finger on, and it was what had me confused and concerned.

When I regained my senses, I found everyone had a handgun in their hand and were all looking at me. I found a pistol in my hand as well. It was encouraging to know that no matter what everyone’s first reaction was to grab a weapon.

Linda snapped her fingers and pointed to herself then to the door and made a motion of opening a door. I nodded and everyone moved into a position that allowed them to sight in on the front door without putting Linda in the line of fire.

Linda slowly and carefully moved to the front door and opened it just as slow and careful. Outside on the front porch were three kids. Well maybe they were teens, but they were young. A boy and two girls, none of them looked over 12 years but that was just a guess on my part.

15-year-old Danny Rivers stood between 14-year-old Shirley Jones and 14-year-old Mika Polvol. Danny was 5’3” and built like a swimmer, sleek but tone muscles, his long black hair and green eyes sealed his west coast persona. Shirley was 5’ and you could tell right from the start she was a dancer, and her dark brown hair and hazel eyes confirmed her Midwest roots. Mika was the strange one, she was short about 4’9” with hair as white as snow and hypnotic blue eyes. Each had a rifle in their hands and a pistol in a holster. The girls each had a daypack and Danny was carrying a large backpack.

Finally, Mika asked if we were going to shoot them. I smiled and put my pistol away telling her not if they didn’t shoot at us first. Everyone began to giggle and put away their pistols as he kids lowered their rifles.