The military presence in cities has somehow helped in controlling the situation. They were able to capture some Marauder supporters ruling the areas, but there are billions of them. For as long as Big Ira is out there, they will is war. Have they forgotten about the suburbs community? There are checkpoints, but it’s not enough. There were dead bodies found in most of the suburban towns. Most of them were victims of rape, kidnapping, and holdups.
Maxine was slicing vegetables in preparation for their dinner, but her mind is full of thoughts. She was looking on the knife, but her focus was on Joseph’s journey and the rebels.
“Ouch!” Maxine shouted in pain as she cut the skin of her finger.
“What’s happening with you, Max? You seem occupied.” Rashida ran towards her as she pressed Maxine’s finger and put around a band-aid.
“I couldn’t help, but think about Joseph and his group. They should’ve been here by now.” Maxine replied in a wary.
“Haven’t you heard from him?” Rashida asked.
“No, and he’s not answering his phone,” Maxine answered.
“He’ll be fine, Max. Keep your faith.” Rashida smiled and rubbed Maxine’s back.
Grandpa Carmichael, Tony, and four farm men were watering some of their plants. Bobby, his brother, and his cousins were playing with the farm animals. They started to get along ever since Tony, and his father had their conversation, seemed like Tony got a grip on his children’s attitude. All of a sudden there were gunshots from their front yard. Tony immediately fetch the kids, and they all ran inside the house.
There were twenty Marauder members, and they’ve been spying the farm for a few days. They found out that the place has a lot of supplies that they can use while they are hiding. The first group consisted of ten men, penetrated the yard as they ran towards the house.
“Hurry! Run.” Tony ordered the kids, but Bobby stumbled on the rock and fell to the ground. Grandpa was about to pick Bobby, but Tony lifted him immediately. All of them gathered in the kitchen.
“Go hide to your rooms! Tony and all farm caretakers follow me.” Grandpa Carmichael ordered, and they all went to the barn just ten feet from the kitchen. All of them ran, and Grandpa Carmichael opened a wooden chest that contained two single shot pistons, three AK-47 rifles, and two shotguns. Grandpa Carmichael grabbed the two single shot pistols and handed the AK-47 rifle to Tony while the other farm men get their guns.
“Do you remember how to use them?” Grandpa Carmichael asked Tony.
“Yes, dad. I might rust a little, though.” Tony answered.
“Great. let’s protect what’s ours.” Grandpa Carmichael ordered. Tony and one farm man positioned at the grass near the animals while Grandpa and the rest circled the house. Tony and the other farm caretakers around the house fired gunshots. It was difficult for them to aim moving targets, but they took down six Marauders, while the other four Marauders went inside the house.
“I think I should thank dad for pushing me to the Army. Cover the area. I’ll help dad inside.” Tony instructed another farm taker.
Grandma Carmichael, Maxine, Rashida, and their kids hid inside Rashida’s room. Bobby insisted that he should help his Grandpa, but Maxine was stopping him. Maxine pulled him, but Bobby bit her hand.
“Sorry, mom.” Bobby apologized and ran towards their room at the end of the hallway.
“Bobby!” Maxine shouted and tried to catch her son, but he ran so fast, and intruders already went inside the house.
“Maxine!” Rashida pulled Maxine with all her strength.
“My son!” Maxine shouted.
“Shhh! Calm down. Stay quiet.” Rashida tried to silence her as one of the intruders went upstairs and checked the rooms.
“I know your hiding.” The intruder laughed. He opened one door, but there was no one. Then he kicked the second door and smirked.
“Gotcha! Shut up, or I’ll blow your heads.” The children were crying, as the intruder grabbed Maxine and pointed the gun at her head. He ordered each of them to tape each other’s mouth and leash their hands and foot. Everyone followed the intruder because they were afraid that Maxine might get hurt.
When Grandpa Carmichael entered the kitchen, then there was another intruder taking their supplies. He immediately pulled the trigger as he aimed for the intruder’s head. He went to the living area when an intruder punched him behind the wall, and he dropped his gun. The intruder hit him in the face, then another on the abdomen.
“You’re too old to fight. You should die.” The intruder kicked Grandpa Carmichael then he fell to the floor and pointed the gun at the old man’s chest.
“No! You’re dead.” Tony suddenly appeared behind the intruder and pointed his gun at his head.
“Shoot him, or I’ll blow her head!” Another intruder shouted from the stairs, as he held Maxine as his hostage.
Tony saw the second group of Marauders was already gearing. He knew he has to make a decision, or else they’ll all die.
Bobby knew that her mother had a gun when a man hijacked them. He panicked when he heard screams of his cousins and his mom. Luckily, Bobby recovered the gun, and carefully moved out of the room and saw that her mom was a hostage. Tony saw him walking the dark aisle, and he had no choice but to beacon Bobby. Using the .380 ACP Automatic Colt Pistol that his father gave to his mom, he pointed the gun at the intruder’s head. Tony looked Bobby in the eye, nodded, and they both pulled the trigger. Maxine closed her eyes as she heard gunshots, and for the second time, she thought she’s dead.
“Mom?” Bobby whispered. Maxine looked behind her as the intruder fell to the stairs. She ran towards his son, grabbed the gun and hugged him.
“Please leave it to Mom. Okay? Help others in Rashida’s room.” Maxine said to Bobby. She wanted to scold him but now is not the time.
“There are more of them. Are you alright, dad?” Tony shouted as he helped Grandpa Carmichael stand up.
“Yes, thank you.” Grandpa Carmichael looked outside the yard, as he saw the Marauders on their way inside the house.
The farm caretakers were still firing, but only one of them left. Grandpa Carmichael, Tony, and Maxine waylaid the sofa on the front door and positioned themselves behind it. Rashida, Bobby, and Ross guarded the back door.
The head of the second Marauder group looked inside the farm, the moment they heard gunshots that killed the last two members of the first group. He was trying to call one of his members through their radio, but there was no one answering.
“Let’s go in.” He instructed the second group, then all of them went inside the farm.
Joseph’s group and the Army were approaching the farm when he saw two trucks parked outside.
“Captain Ellis, isn’t those trucks look familiar?” Joseph spoke on the radio as Walter checked.
“The unknown trucks.” Both Captain Ellis said on the radio, and Walter from behind.
“Maxine. My family,” Joseph uttered to himself.
Joseph immediately stopped the car, went out with his gun and ran towards the farm.
“Joseph!” Walter shouted.
“Kiddos, Stay. Here.” Walter emphasized to the kids, kissed his wife and followed Joseph as well as the nurse. The Army shortly followed, and they were all running. They saw the Marauders heading towards the house, and there were gunshots from inside the house. From the yard, Joseph aimed his gun.
“Men! Position, and fire!” Captain Ellis commanded his troops.
Everyone fired and in one blink of the eye the Marauders died. Joseph ran inside the house, but he saw one of the Marauders was still alive talking to his walkie-talkie.
“Men down. Need back up. Over.” The intruder said. Joseph stepped on the walkie-talkie and crashed it.
“Yea, you’re down. Not my family, bitch.” Joseph said and pulled a trigger on the intruder’s head.