Restitution: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival series (The Dark Road series Book 8)

body was hidden inside, the other guard wouldn’t suspect anything if he came around to check on things.
“Sandy, can you and the kids look for his keys out there somewhere? They’re not on him. Maybe they’re in the lock or on the ground.” Ben was careful to keep his voice low while still being heard clearly so everyone knew that what he was asking of them wasn’t optional. Taking the guard out had started the clock, and they had to keep moving until they saw this through to the end.
“Dad, let me come with you,” Joel pleaded.
“No, I need you here with them,” Ben said sternly. There was no time to argue. But then he felt bad for snapping at him. “You did great. I couldn’t have done better myself, and I’m proud of you. But I need you to watch over these guys while I do a little recon. We need to know exactly what we’re up against here. How about we meet over by the cars in…fifteen minutes?” Ben tilted his head toward the collection of cars the moonshiners had stolen from people throughout their career of terrorizing travelers. The cars were parked in the corner of the compound and only twenty or thirty yards away.
Joel looked disappointed that he was staying behind but nodded that he understood. “Be careful, Dad.”
“I’ll be right back. Just stay out of sight and close the container before you head over to the cars. Oh, and don’t let the others out yet. We’ll do that when I get back.” Ben needed to get going. Joel had this under control. “You got this.” Ben looked his son in the eye and put his hand on his shoulder for a second before taking off.
He would have liked nothing more than to have his son by his side right now. He was a competent shot and levelheaded backup in the heat of the moment. Sure, he had some growing up to do and a lot to learn still, but who didn’t at seventeen? With a little instruction, Joel was nearly as capable as some of the guys he’d deployed with. And that was exactly why he wanted him to stay with the others and keep an eye on his brother and sister. Joel was exactly where he was needed most. Besides, Ben could move faster and quieter alone. Stealth and speed were crucial to the first part of his plan.
Ben avoided the path the guards had been using and made his own way through the thinner sections of brush and trees. Fortunately, the compound hadn’t been completely cleared of forest, and small outcroppings of vegetation were scattered about the interior of the camp. These made for great cover, and Ben moved from one to the other while making his way closer to where he thought the still was located. Rita had said it was on the far side of the camp, and while those weren’t exactly good directions, he could figure it out. The compound wasn’t that large; he figured the whole place to be under five acres.
When he could, he tried sticking to the perimeter, but eventually, he reached an area that was thick with thorns and brush. He was forced to follow it away from the fence and toward the center of the camp. By the time the thorny barrier ended, he was only a few feet from one of the container houses the moonshiners lived in.
He made his way to the far end of the house, stopped at the corner to get his bearings, and found himself looking at the massive firepit in the center of the camp. He was halfway there now. He took his time, listening and watching for any movement. A guy had passed out in an old weathered recliner near the firepit, but other than that, he didn’t see any signs of life.
The once-raging bonfire was reduced to mostly glowing embers and a few remaining smaller pieces of still-burning wood. It put off just enough light for Ben to study the man in the recliner and realize that the old man himself was passed out by the fire. He could also see the outline of a weapon leaned up against the ragged old chair.
Ben weighed his options as he scanned his surroundings one more time; there was no one else around. His goal was to reach the still, but it would be nice to have a weapon. He rolled the knife handle in his hand. A real weapon.
He began his approach to the chair by first moving to a position directly behind it. Another quick check to make sure he was alone, and then he moved again, this time straight in until he was inches from the back of the recliner. He was about to reach around when he noticed that the rifle leaning against the arm of the chair was his M24.
He wasn’t sure what made him more upset: the fact that the man had his rifle or the fact that he knew now, beyond a doubt, that the moonshiners had gone through the vehicles. Their supplies and belongings were likely scattered all over the camp. They’d be gathering what what was theirs until morning if they even found it at all.
No time to worry about that now. It just made it easier to do what needed to be done. Ben reached around both sides of the chair and placed his left hand over the man’s mouth while using his thumb and index finger to pinch off his nose. With his right hand, he skillfully guided the knife into the neck and through the carotid artery.
The man came to instantly, and his body went rigid with convulsions of panic, but within a few seconds, they stopped, and Ben felt the life slip out of him. He maintained the intensity of his hold just to be sure, all the while keeping his head on a swivel. This was where Joel would have been an asset. Not to see