Apocalypsis 04 - Haven

the gate, pulling it for all I was worth. It flew open far enough to let the kids in. Ronald crawled out on hands and knees and pulled the girl who’d been praying on the ground in.
    “Close it!” yelled Peter. “They’re all in!”
    “Not all,” I said, smiling like a lunatic. “Just wait.”
    “Are you crazy?” yelled Jamal. “We need to get inside!” He looked at the truck and screamed.
    I smacked him on the shoulder. “Stop that.”
    He looked at me confused. “But we’re about to die. That’s what people do when they’re about to meet their maker.”
    “You’re not going to die. I know that guy.” I gestured to the truck that had stopped just outside the concrete barriers in front of the gate.
    The truck’s brakes engaged and a big shot of steam or air came out of somewhere. Then the door opened and a guy got halfway out.
    “Am I too late for the party?!” he shouted.
    “No, you’re right on time!” I yelled. “But wait there! We have canners on the loose!”
    “Not for long you don’t!” he shouted back. “Whoo hoo! I love me a round up, don’t y’all?!” He got back into his truck and honked the horn a bunch of times.
    Fohi’s voice came over the bull horn. “Haven welcomes … what’s his name again? Oh, yeah … Jackson! We welcome Jackson from the Triple Bar D Ranch.”
    Jackson honked the horn a few more times.
    “What in Jesus’s name is going on here?” asked Ronald, sounding totally confused.
    “He’s the guy we met on the highway before. The one with the big semi, smashing cars.”
    “Oooohhh, that guy. What excellent timing.” Ronald shot me a huge grin, showing off the most beautiful smile in Haven.
    “I’m sure he got a message from the Amazons just like we did. Guess he decided to come rescue us.”
    “Those are the kind of friends I like having,” said Jamal.
    “Should we go get him?” asked Ronald.
    “Yes. I’ll go. You guys get these kids inside and take care of Winky. She got tagged in the leg. But be careful! I saw light inside. I thought I heard shots, too.”
    Jamal nodded. “Right.” He faced the kids. “Okay, you people. Follow me. Stay between my shield and Ronald’s.”
    “You go too, Peter. Leave me with the keys.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yes. Go.”
    Peter joined the group of kids, all of them huddled together and crying, several of them looking back at Robson on the ground.
    “Don’t worry, we’ll get her later,” said Ronald.
    I waved at Jackson through the fence, and he stuck his head out. “Ready for me?”
    “Yeah. Let me come get you.” I looked all around, hoping we were alone but not trusting that we were. Our riflemen hadn’t gotten everyone who’d come, and I had no idea what was going on behind us or on the sides. I had to trust that my people had me covered. I couldn’t leave Jackson out there like a sitting duck.
    I ran as fast as I could with the awkward shield banging against my knees and the helmet sliding all over the place, only stopping when I was next to Jackson’s door.
    He climbed down and stood next to me for a second in the rain.
    “Long time no see,” he said, smiling down at me.
    “Too long. How’s Katy and the others?”
    “Everyone’s good. She sends her love. And Chantal says she’s coming next time I make a visit.”
    “Awesome.”
    “I got a present for ya in the back.” He jerked his thumb towards the trailer. The distinct sounds of mooing came to my ears.
    “Can I see it in the morning?”
    “Yeah, it’ll keep. Better get us inside before someone decides to take a pot shot at my hind end.”
    I gave him my gun and put my arm around him, holding the shield in front of both of us. “Ready to run?”
    “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s hit it.”
    We took off running across the pavement.
    Halfway to the gate I realized my mistake. I’d taken my eyes off the entrance for too long, standing at the door of the semi.
    Gail had slipped through the gate and was headed for the lobby door.

    ***
    “Gail! Stop!” I screamed, dropping the shield and running with everything I had.
    Jackson shouted behind me as he tripped over the heavy barrier I’d been carrying and went down on his knees.
    I couldn’t help him, I had to get to her before she could reach my friends.
    “Stop! Gail! I have a gun!” It was a lie. I wasn’t armed. I had to stop her anyway.
    She spun around as I reached the gate.
    I jumped through the opening, measuring the distance between us. She was a good twenty yards