Whispers in the Night

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Sky

While Stan and his crew are setting their equipment up the twins are checking in with their guys. I go upstairs to the bedroom and gather all my stuff. I put my gun at my waist band and strap on a few knives. I haven’t even been able to process what happened between me and the twins before everything else blew up. I know I have feelings for the twins and I have never had a night like last night ever in my life. I just have to put that on the back burner for when all this is over. 

I did my meditation and martial art movements to help clear my mind and think everything through. I was able to picture the areas I have scouted and the caves where my stash is. Then it hits me, when they attack it will be under the cover of darkness. If I’m right then we will be able to use the mine shafts to move underground and attack at different areas. We just have to flush them in that direction. 

I arrive at the dining room where they are set up. The printer is going. I grab what’s there and start to put them together like puzzle pieces. When it’s finished I tape it all together. It’s a mass system of tunnels and large room area’s. There are air hatches in the pastor out back, that’s where we need to flush them. 

Sky-’ I have to go back to the loft and get my things from there and at another nest I have in the caves. We are gonna need everything we have for this.” 

Shane-” What does all this mean? What are you thinking, I have a feeling we are gonna fight like we have never fought before.”

Sky-” You got that right we are. See these air hatches? They are in the pastor out back, we can move underground through the tunnels and ambush them here.” 

Devon-” We have to check those tunnels first; they probably haven’t been used in sixty or so years. We don’t need them caving in on us. But how are we gonna flash them out there, most likely they will hit the house and barn first.” 

Sky- “ That’s what I’m banking on. Stan, did you bring any toys?” 

He gives me a crooked smile and eyes twinkling.

Stan- “ Don’t ya know it. I can put mines where they entered last time and some through this area here.” Pointing to the east side of the house. “ Oh um how attached are you guys to the house or barn?” 

Josh- “ What the hell is that supposed to mean!” You're not blowing up our home.”

Shane-” We will do whatever is necessary, but if we can leave it standing that would be great. It’s been in the family for generations.” 

Stan nods in understanding and Josh calms down a bit. 

Stan- “ Ok we will set them out a bit.” 

Sky- “ They came in here last time” I point to the map “ The mines will drive them back and will circle in through here or here.” Pointing to two other locations. “ That’s where we will have snipers in the trees and wait for them to come in all the way and another in the attic of the house. That’s how we flush them out back. If they take cover from the sniper fire then we can use some well placed trigger mines and hand grenade's. We won’t be able to flush them all back but I’m thinking most of them. We will have a team of four with each sniper and some men placed along the sides and create a funnel.” 

Josh-” And what if all hell breaks loose and we have to fall back? Where and how do we do that?” 

Sky-” That’s where the tunnels come in handy, we use them to travel back to this point and that’s the last stand. I can’t guarantee getting out of this alive or unharmed and even though I hope we don’t sustain many losses, It is a possibility. We have to talk to the men and give them the option to leave if they want to and get the women out. Stan that goes for you and your crew as well. I appreciate everyone’s help but  will not force anyone to stay.” 

Stan-” Oh hell you know I’m in it to the end. I gave your dad a promise and I intend to keep it to my last breath.” 

I look at his crew, they all nod and stand firm. 

Devon-” Ok let’s get this show on the road and talk to the men. We have a lot to do.”

He calls a meeting and has everyone meet us in the barn. Josh conference calls all the men on patrol and at the check points so they can listen in. We introduce them to Stan and his crew first, then explain everything that is going on and out plan. As promised Shane gave all the men a choice to back out with no one looking down on them or hard feelings. Shane and Devon understand this is not their typical fight. A few of the old timers opted to stay with the women stating ‘ this is a young man’s fight and they're not young anymore.’   answer questions they have and thank them. It’s getting late and  I still have to gather my equipment. 

Shane, Stan and Josh stay and organize the men for their duties and who will be where during the fight. Devon takes me back to the loft in his truck. He slowly rolls past the shop first to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Things look fine so we turn around and park in the back. He stands back from the door while I disarm it. I tell him what to get out of my truck as I go upstairs and gather the rest. I pack everything that is left and wipe down everything to leave no fingerprints. 

With all my window and door locks removed, I sling my bag over my shoulder and met Devon outside in his truck. I looked through the bags he gathered to make sure nothing was left behind. “ Did you see my rifle?” I ask him. “ No where was it stashed?” I forgot I hid it. “ I’ll get it, I have it hiding, sorry I forgot.” I go back in and retrieve it. The look on Devon’s face is priceless when I come back out with it.  “ It’s almost as big as you!” he says excitedly. Giving him a smile I slide it in the back. 

I give him directions to the pull off to the caves. We cover the truck and hike in. We went to a waterfall and a pool. He looks confused. 

Devon-” Where do we get in?” 

Sky- “There is an opening behind the falls but you just need to go to the back and I’ll push everything through a hole. There is a tree with a bush with red berries on it. The hole  is behind the bush.” 

Devon- “ How do you know all this?”

Sky” I scouted the area before showing up at the shop the first day. I had this set up in case I needed to disappear.” 

Devon-” In case you couldn’t trust us, you mean.”

Sky-” Well yeah. I don’t want to hurt…”

He put his hand up cutting me off “ No explanations needed”. He gives me a kiss on the forehead and goes to the back. I climb down and make my way to the cave. I look everything over. It’s all here and shove it out the hole. I follow next and Devon is there to pull me free. 

Devon-” Now why didn’t you just go in that way to begin with?” 

He has laughter in his voice. I give a shrug. By the time we returned the men at the checkpoints and patrols were pulled in. The old times and women are gone to a safe house. Most of the mines are placed and the sniper nest’s are set up. 

Sky- “ How do the tunnels look? Will they be able to work?”

Shane- “ For the most part they look good, we marked the safest ones for us to use in red. The dangerous one in blue. The good ones lead here and here but i’m not to sure about the last stand area we might have to move that here.” 

As he points to different areas on the maps. 

Sky-” We might get cut off and boxed in if we go there so we will leave that for last resort only. Let’s just hope we won’t have to use it but I’m expecting at least double then last time.”

Stan- “ My boys are taking care of the sniper positions backed up with Shane’s and Devon’s boys. I will be on the right flank area and Shane and Devon will be in the pastor. Where will you be?” 

Sky- “ Oh I’ll be around” 

I have a big smile on my face, Stan knows what that means. I will be moving in and out with the shadows. 

Shane-” I don’t like the sounds of that. I would really feel better if I could see you and see that you are ok.” 

Devon nods in agreement. I let out a slow breath and walked them away from everyone else holding their hands.

Sky-” I know this is new for all of us and you guys will worry about me as I will worry about the both of you. This really is what I train for and have done countless times. I didn’t get the name shadow for no reason. I will be fine as long as you two are fine.”

They pull me into a hug where I’m sandwiched between them. 

Devon-” Just don’t take any unnecessary risks, please. I don’t know what I will do if anything happens to you.”

Shane-” I don’t like this, I’d rather have you in the barn or at the safe house until this is over. How can I keep you safe like I promised if I don’t know where you are?”

Sky-” Believe me you might not be able to see me but I will be able to see you. If I get into trouble I have a high pitch whistle I'll use. Then you will be able to find me and help. I will also have a tracker on me too, ok?” 

They both give me a kiss on the head, as I walk away to get ready I hear Stan telling them I’m the best there is in this. It’s starting to get dark and everyone is getting into their places. Most likely they will hit at the darkest hour of the night but we have to be ready for anything. I get my tac bag with my gear in it. I go in the house and take a quick shower with scent neutralizing soap.

I dress in a  tight turtleneck shirt, tight pants all black and boots.  I put my hair in a single braid and paint my face black. Next is my vest and gun holster followed by all my weapons. As I step out of the room I put on my black hat and gloves. Mack passes me with the twin’s men and gives me a wink. “ Give them hell.”  “ What is she gonna do?” I hear one say, Mack chuckles. I don’t hear the rest as they are moving away from me. 

I go outside, the sun is completely down, I grab the rest of my bags and move to different areas stashing my weapons there. The last stash is in the pastor by a hatch. With that done I moved to the barn. I sit up in the A frame of the roof with my sniper rifle and wait.