Chapter 6: Three Families

When we got to the ranch Teri was glad to see us. She was wearing an apron around her waist, and had on some sandals. The collar and cuffs were still locked in place, but I had extended the length to allow her wrists to reach her hips. She had done everything we told her too, and had dinner waiting for us. We unloaded and got to know the new girls. They were shy at first and did not want to talk about anything until after we finished dinner. We all moved into the family room and each of the girls told how we had met and formed our family.

Cheryl and Michelle went first. Then Ben and Two-Spirits told their story. Two-Feather exaggerated about how we met keeping my little secret. I thanked him later for doing that for me. He said, "I was saving my own hide. If they ever find out you lied and I covered for you, we'd both be safer facing the bear again!" I explained what the deal was with Teri and how I had survived, driven into town and met Brenda. Brenda took over from there. She told how things had progressed to the point where I asked the girls to be my wives. They all said yes.

It was after Brenda told them how I had asked Cheryl, Michelle, and her to be my wives and all three accepted that we saw the twins' reaction. Toni and Tina looked at each other and began to cry. Then as one would begin a sentence the other would complete it, which at first was confusing. They continued with the tale and we all began to understand them without any trouble at all.

This is what they told us - They both had photographic memory and something of a telepathic ability. It seems that whatever one looked at, read, or heard, the other would have the memory of it almost instantaneously. Strange was the fact that it did not confuse either of them when they did it. Like in school one would take English and the other would take Math and when it came time to take the tests for them they both would pass the tests even though each had only taken one class. This made for some interesting attention and brought a lot of unwanted people around them. Medical tests to see just how they could do this and pushing them to see just how much they could learn how far apart they could be and still have the power to communicate. They knew that after about a mile they could only sense the other and were able to tell what the other was feeling. When this all started, the girls were at a medical base and only three men survived so they took the girls and drove toward a larger base. When they stopped for food and fuel they were jumped by the scavengers and had been their slaves ever since.

They would beat one girl if either disobeyed or enjoyed watching the one who was not being whipped while they whipped the first. Their favorite thing was to watch the girl who was bound spread eagle to a bed while the other girl was savagely raped and tortured. Now they just wanted to know what we were going to do with them? I asked them where they wanted to go, and if they wanted to stay here with us? For some reason the twins seemed to connect with Ben and asked if they could stay with him. I asked Ben if he wanted to be responsible for them? Ben said that it depended on if they would agree to be his wives or not; he was not fast enough to keep both twins from jumping him and knocking them all to the floor! I just laughed as I could see the whole thing coming. So had everyone else.

We made a trip into town to pick up more clothes for the twins and I decided to pick up four snowmobiles since winter was coming. I wanted to be able to get around and with the four snowmobiles we could move eight of us and still pull a couple of trailers behind some of them. When we got to the snowmobile shop we found two that were built for power but only would carry one person and would be able to pull a trailer. Two others could care two people. A fancy machine that was like a snow-cat tractor which used tracks to move the vehicle that was almost the size of a small van, could carry 4 people and still had a 4 cubic foot compartment.

Two months later and we were all enjoying the view of the fresh snow as we were eating dinner, when the kitchen window broke inward and the growl of the big bear could be heard! He was back and had almost ripped the window bars off the frame. I went for the 50 cal rifle while Two-Feather and Ben grabbed their rifles and the girls checked the rest of the house.

Ben and Two-Feather had each gotten off about three shots when I had the 50 cal loaded and ready to fire, but the bear had run off again. We carefully made our way outside and looked at the tracks and small amount of blood telling us again that this bear was so big that our high power rifle were only doing minimal damage.

Two-Feather and I were concerned that he would be back and next time we might not be so lucky. It was too late to try and go after him, and I did not want to follow or search for him tomorrow when the trail was cold. A wounded bear was bad enough without it being as big and dangerous as this one was.

We made a run into town and picked up glass brick to put in the windows. They were six inches square and four inches thick that would allow light in but you could not see through them very well. We returned to the house and put in the new windows along with a tower in the courtyard that was 16 feet tall made from 4X4, 2X4, and 3/4" plywood with the stairs circling up around the outside of the tower, and at the top was a solid aiming point to brace the 50 cal on so you could shoot in any direction. I was hoping that if the bear ever came by again we would be able to use the tower to get a shot or two off with the 50 cal sniper rifle.

It took us three days to round up all the cattle after the bear's last visit not to mention the fact that he killed two cows. I was at the point where it had become necessary to hunt down this bear and kill it before it killed one of us. I left Ben and the girls to maintain the ranch while Two-Feather and I took the single seat snowmobiles and went looking for the bear. I had the 50 cal sniper rifle along with my .357 and a contender single shot pistol in a 223 case necked up to 7mm bullet. Two-Feather had a 375 Weatherby magnum and his latest toy a 50 cal desert eagle. The bullet was 1/2" longer than a .44 magnum and had more stopping power.

We had been going out every day and following the trails of the bear but were not able to find his den or him for over a week. Just as we were pulling into the courtyard after being out for the entire day Cheryl saw the bear moving our way. I made my way up the tower along with Two-Feather. The girls along with Ben got ready with rifles in the courtyard. This was going to be the last time, I was not going to let that bear get away again.

When he was just about 50 yards out I took my first shot and hit him in the front shoulder. He spun in a circle and growled as he charged the house at a dead run like nothing had happened to him. On my second shot Two-Feather fired his first shot and we both hit the bear knocking him off his feet. He stood up and started to charge again. On my third shot I hit him in the head and Two-Feather hit him in the neck. This time he went down and stayed down. Two-Feather and I shot him in the head again and he still did not move. So we got down and went out to see if he was dead.

When we got to the bear he started to stand once again but this time only 5 feet away I saw the 50 cal bullet blow through the bear's chest and into his spine. Two-Feather's shot hit him in the lower jaw and almost blew it off twisting his head around backwards nearly breaking his neck. When the bear dropped this time it was for good. The bear measured 9 feet tall and weighted over 2100 pounds. His paw was 16 inches wide and his claws were 4 1/2 inches long. He was going to make a great rug! Two-Feather and Two-Spirits took the bear to the far Indian Village so it could be made into a rug while they visited with their family and friends.

Ben asked Toni and Tina to marry him and they both agreed. Cheryl and Michelle gave up their trailer as a wedding gift since they were going to move into my house with Brenda and me.

Teri was standing naked except for her collar and cuffs looking very sad until I asked her whom she wanted to live with? The twins smiled as they looked at Ben and I laughed along with Cheryl Michelle and Brenda. Ben said three T's as he shook his head and smiled. I threw the key to Ben and told Teri to return the collar and cuffs to Brenda after Ben removed them. She ran to me, gave me a hug then hugged Brenda, Cheryl, and Michelle. Ben was waiting for her to finish hugging Toni and Tina before letting him unlock the cuffs and collar.

Have you ever been hugged by a woman with her wrists locked in cuffs attached to a collar locked around her neck? It is different but I enjoyed it! The next morning the cell phone rang, it was the hospital calling to tell us that the military had returned and were asking everyone to give a general location and number of people. How they were set for survival and any immediate needs. I passed on the information and asked if there was anything we needed to know. I was told that a patrol of four trucks with five soldiers in each truck pulling two trailers would be by in about a week the challenge and password would be rain and apple. I repeated the two words and said thanks before ending the call. I told everyone what was up and Teri asked what a challenge and password were and why we needed that.

I told her that it was a way of making sure that only the right people are let into a camp or base. You would use the word in a sentence so if anyone was listening they would not know the word - I gave this example; did it rain around here last week - we need a lot more or the apple tree will not have much fruit. Everyone one got a kick out of the explanation and then asked what we would tell the military about our marriage status. I said we would have to wait and see what rules or laws would be imposed or enforced before we gave any information on our personal lives.

Right on time the military hummers stopped about 50 meters away from the ranch house and I could see the first and last had 50 cal machine guns mounted on them, the second and fourth were pulling trailers and the middle truck was a cargo vehicle with a couple of guys in back. A young officer got out of the lead hummer and walked to the front gate. I went out to meet him and see if he had the challenge and password right. He asked me if the storms brought rain or just blew over? I said we can talk weather or you can join us for some apple pie. He introduced himself as Captain Smith and explained that he had a medical team that would like to check us out if we would allow it. I said each person would have to agree on his or her own.

He said that was expected; and then asked if there was anything we needed? I asked him if there were any rules or laws that they were going to enforce or impose? He laughed and said that it was basically martial law which meant that unless you were causing harm or being destructive you could do just about anything you wanted. Two-Feather and Two-Spirits pulled up behind the hummers as the Captain waved them forward, the trail vehicle was watching Two-Feather closely and he seemed to be upset at the fact that they were pointing their machine gun at the hood of his truck.

We met the rest of the military team and everyone agreed to allow the tests, basically they drew some blood and checked our vital signs, did an EKG and took some measurements. The women all went to a bedroom with the lady doctor and did the womanly tests and I showed the Captain our courtyard and tower along with the bear rug that Two-Feather and Two-Spirits brought back with them. He was shocked at the size and asked to get a picture of it. The rug filled the whole floor in the living room with the furniture we had in it pushed against the walls. The military packed up and were ready to pull out when the Captain asked if there was anything else they could do for us before they went back to their base?

They were leaving us a military radio to contact them and for them to put out information. Their maintenance guy had given our work the once over and was very impressed; he even told the CPT that they would have a hell of a time getting in to this place uninvited. I was glad to hear that. I told the Captain that they had been more than helpful and would be waiting to hear from them.

Winter was ending and spring had sprung. The next day at breakfast the girls said they wanted to start a garden since it was spring and we could use the food it would provide, so a trip to Centennial was in the making. We would look for seeds and equipment to make a garden, and pick up anything else we needed. Ben and the three T's as we jokingly call Toni, Tina and Teri were going to stay at the ranch this time and do the chores. The girls said, "when were done we get to play" with a big grin! Ben just turned beet red and smiled. Two-Feather and Two-Spirits also just wanted to rest since they had been driving for several days to get here. I said that Michelle, Cheryl, Brenda, and I could handle getting the garden stuff without any help, and I stuck out my tongue to make my point clear.

Everyone laughed as I stated that we were going to stay the night so we could have some peace and quiet. An hour later the four of us were on the road. We stopped at the Hilton hotel in downtown Centennial and went for the penthouse suite. There was a family living in the hotel and they would clean the rooms and provide room service in exchange for certain things. I paid for our visit with a M1911.45 cal semi-automatic pistol with four extra magazines and 300 rounds for it. The wife really liked it and thanked me since they only had a Mini-14, pump 12-gauge, and .357.

Their 17-year-old son could handle any of the weapons so could the husband. But the wife and 11-year-old daughter could only handle the shotgun with the .45 cal pistol they each could have a weapon and she felt safer that way. I gave the daughter a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and two extra magazines and the wife a 9mm with two extra magazines and 200 rounds for each as a tip. That way the mother and daughter would have a weapon they could use comfortably and effectively. It also meant everyone in the family could have a handgun and with what they were doing I felt they could use that edge. The husband gave me a promise that we could stay anytime and were paid in full!

The girls and I enjoyed the jetted tub the suite had. I was so amazed at their beauty, and thankful that they loved me as much as I loved them. We make love to each other and enjoyed a peaceful night sleep. After breakfast we went to the local farming store and found a walk behind tilling machine and lots of seeds, hand tools, hoses, and general gardening stuff to fill the back of my truck. We topped off on fuel and headed back to the ranch. Half way home we blew a tire and slid off the road, not a big deal since I had a spare and a farm jack. I had just finished changing the tire, when Brenda called out. She had seen a body on the side of the road about 100 yards ahead of us.

We pulled up and found a woman who looked like she had been dumped out of a moving vehicle after being raped. She was naked and her wrists were still bound behind her, the ropes were still tied around her ankles with the other ends obviously cut. Cheryl and Michelle were checking her out as I drove and Brenda began to look for trouble to pop up. Several miles down the road Michelle said that the woman was going to live but she was in bad shape and we may have to turn around and take her back to Centennial to the hospital.

I stopped the truck and asked for a medical decision from Cheryl and she said to turn around. On the way back to the hospital Brenda and I saw two cars driving very slowly down the side of the highway where we had just picked up the woman, and we looked at each other as the second car suddenly turned and crossed the median to try and pull in front of us. All of the girls had their weapons out and I could hear the sounds of switches moving from safe to fire.

The car stopped in front of me since I did not make an effort to go around it. I had my .357 in my hand as the dumb shit walked up to my window carrying what looked like an SKS assault rifle. When I rolled my window down and asked why he stopped me the guy said that he was looking for something and wanted to know where I was coming from and where I was going. I told him that we were coming from that way as I pointed with my left thumb out my window and behind me then used my left index finger to point forward and said we are going that way! Then I asked him before he could comment on my smart-ass reply to his question what he was looking for.

The second car had crossed the median and was now behind us as Brenda quietly told everyone. The dumb shit pulled the bolt on the SKS and was about to point it at my truck when I told him to drop the rifle and set my pistol barrel on the ledge of my window so only dumb shit could see it. He was not as dumb as I thought since he slowly set the rifle down on the ground {he did not just drop it either} I could see two get out of the car in front and Cheryl said she had them covered as Brenda and Michelle both said that four were getting out of the car behind us.

I repeated my question and added why he was threatening us? He said that they were looking for a girl that jumped out of a van that was part of their gang. Nobody saw her and only after they stopped for gas and to eat did they see she was missing so they came in the cars that are faster and better on gas to find her. I asked why she would jump out of a moving van, and the dumb shit said it was none of my business and that now I should put my gun down before his friends blew me away!

I was right after all, he was a dumb shit, and shot him right in the chest. Brenda and Michelle opened their doors and fired on the four behind us. Cheryl blew out the windshield and driver side window making the two on that side of the car eat road. I was all ready driving around them and Brenda kept her door open to shoot as we drove by. We got to the hospital and found the army Captain was there with a smaller patrol just three hummers doing a check with the hospital. When we reported to him what happened he said that the military patrol would follow us home if we wanted to wait until morning. I accepted his offer and we stayed at the hospital to check on the woman.

Linda Mann turned out to be a deputy sheriff before all this happened in a small town about 300 miles northwest of here. She had been one of only seven women and three men to survive from their town no children, couples or elderly survived. She along with one of the men had driven toward Centennial to see about survivors and such. Some punks in two cars, two vans, and a Winnebago ran them off the road. They had killed the guy with her. They put her in the Winnebago, so each guy and even some of the women could rape her repeatedly while they drove back to her town. When they got to her town, they killed the last two men and one woman that fought against them. They did the same to the other four women that they had done to her. She had been left in a van since they had new playmates in the Winnebago. While they were driving down the road she managed to cut the ropes that tied her legs apart. She used a broken beer bottle in her teeth. Then slipped out the back door during a pit stop and was riding on the back ladder of the last van. Luckily they did not see her when they drove off. She waited until they slowed down and jumped off the ladder. That is all she could remember.

There were four women being held hostage as the Captain put it. He was planning to rescue them. He also reported to higher this whole situation and asked for guidance. Linda was cleaned up and given some clothes to put on. Linda was 5'-7" about 120 pounds 33 years old but looked about 19 or 20 with fiery red hair that was cropped short almost like a guy, but her 34C-28-32 figure left nothing about her being a woman to question! She wanted to help find and rescue her friends. The doctor said she would be sore and needed some rest but that she was free to leave anytime she wanted to.

The Captain asked Linda if she knew where they might be heading? Linda said that they never mentioned anything about where they were going and all of the vehicles had different state license plates her time as a sheriff gave her the knowledge to note the plates. The Captain said they would put out the information on the radio. He added that they would watch for them on patrols but doubted we were likely to find them anytime soon. He suggested that Linda stay at the hospital or join him at the military base rather than return to her home alone.