Eric Vall [Vall - Without Law 5

I had one hand on the steering wheel and the other out of the window as I drove down the road in the old cargo truck we had picked up from the National Guard. My redheaded second-in-command Anna, dressed in a black tank top, a pair of loose green cargo pants, and hiking boots rode with me in the cab while the rest of the girls were in the back with all the gear we had packed for our mission.

Each of them was dressed in a fairly similar fashion to Anna. The blonde model Tara wore a black tank top and a pair of jeans held up by a heavy duty leather belt. She looked more rugged than usual but her platinum hair still hung perfectly like a frame around her smooth face.

Studious Paige had on a dark green T-shirt, brown pants, and her brunette hair was pulled up into her usual messy bun. She looked tough but couldnt escape her slightly geeky appearance due to her thick rimmed black glasses.

Bailey still somehow managed to look like the cute hippie she was despite all the guns and gear. She had on light blue jeans with large pockets, a light green shirt with a flower on the front, and her strawberry blonde hair was held out of her face with a red bandana.

My old handyman pal Rolly sat up in the front beside Anna in a brown button-up shirt and worn down tan work pants. He had a black newsboys cap covering his bald spot, and a pair of well-maintained black boots on his feet.

Each of us was fully kitted out for battle with our rifle of choice, a sidearm, a knife, a kevlar vest, and a couple of grenades. We carried some spare ammo, a bit of food, and whatever personal items completed our kit, but we had plenty of extra gear in the truck.

We had a week's worth of extra food and water. More ammo than we would hopefully need, and enough bedding to make sure we stayed comfortable while we were in the wild. A large portion of our medical supplies were brought along too in case the worst happened and some of us ended up wounded.

Despite the situation, the group seemed to be in a fairly good mood. Rolly and Anna were all smiles, and Paige, Tara, and Bailey chatted and laughed with one another in the back seat.

I smiled and looked back to the road. My arm still hurt a bit where it had gotten cut by shrapnel, but just that day of downtime had helped to kickstart the healing. That was good because I doubted the stitches would hold once the fighting started, but I was also sure Paige would be more than happy to patch me up again.

Hey, well be passing Bettys farm soon, Rolly said. Do you think we could stop in and see how they are doing?

That doesnt sound like a bad idea, Anna said. Do we have time for that?

It is a good idea, I said. If we keep it quick, well have enough time.

Yeah, Rolly, keep it quick, Anna teased as she nudged the old handyman.

Ill be okay, Rolly chuckled as his cheeks went flush.

Should I tell the others? Anna asked.

Yeah, give them a heads up, I said with a nod.

Anna turned around and stuck her head into the back.

Were going to make a quick stop, I heard her say.

There was some excited chatter, and a moment later the redhead got back into her seat and pulled on her seatbelt again and relaxed back into the cracked upholstery of the old truck.

So whatd they say? I asked

Theyre excited, Anna said. Paige and Bailey are both eager to meet this girl Rolly has talked so much about.

They better not take up too much of her time, Rolly said with a wrinkled grin.

Im sure theyll be quick, I chuckled.

A few minutes later I saw the turn off in the road that led up towards Bettys farm. I steered us in that direction and slowed down a little on the gravel pathway in an attempt to make the ride more comfortable for the girls in the back, but even with our slower speed the large and unwieldy vehicle bucked along the uneven ground.

No one was in sight as we rolled up in front of the farm, but the minute I stepped out of the truck Dan emerged in the doorway of the small farmhouse. He had a large smile on his face and a rifle in his arms.

Hey, I didnt expect to see you guys again so soon, he said.

Well, we cant stay long, but we wanted to make sure you guys were doing good, I said.

Anna, Rolly, and the rest of the girls joined me out in front of the truck while Betty and Jenny came outside, and then Betty rushed over and wrapped Rolly in a large hug.

Its nice to see you guys again, Jenny said.

You too, I said. I brought the whole gang this time though. The two gals that you guys haven't met are Paige and Bailey.

Betty pulled herself away from Rolly and smiled warmly at the girls. Well arent you all just lovely?

Thanks, its nice to finally meet you guys, Paige said as she stepped forward and put her hand out.

A handshake, really? Betty asked. The grey haired woman looked down at Paiges hand, chuckled, and then pulled the brunette into a big warm hug. If youre with Rolly, then there is no reason not to give you a hug. After all, your group has done so much for us already.

Um, thanks, Paige said with a small smile as she hugged the older woman back.

Betty let go of Paige and turned to Bailey. The blonde hippie grinned and opened her arms wide for a hug.

So where are you guys headed? Dan asked. You all certainly look ready for a fight.

Were going to see what we can do about the National Guard outpost, I said. We have to be ready for anything.

You guys do look pretty impressive all dressed up like that, Jenny said. If I didnt know better I might think you were actually military.

Were better than the military at this point, Anna said.

Dont get too cocky, I chuckled.

I meant we dont go around trying to steal peoples shit, and turning them into slaves, the athletic redhead replied.

We are certainly better than that, Rolly said.

Well, it sounds like you guys have important stuff to do, Betty said as she let go of Bailey. Dont let us keep you too long.

Youre not keeping us at all, Rolly said with a smile.

Hes right, we have a bit of time, and its important to make sure our friends are doing well, I said. I think after this we are going to stop by and see how Briar and the Millers are doing too.

We are? Paige asked.

Yeah, last we saw Briar he was in pretty rough shape, I said. I want to make sure he is going to pull through.

I hope hes okay, Dan said. I always liked Briar. He can be a bit grumpy at times, but we always got along well enough.

Yeah, back when we were younger, Dan and I would go visit him and ride his horses, Jenny added.

Oh, no one told me he had horses, Bailey said.

Well, he has at least one horse, Tara said. We made sure we got it back for him. Im hoping that once things calm down I can ride it.

Im sure you could, Jenny said. Like I said, he used to let us ride them all the time. Though that was back when he had more horses. I think he used to groom them for shows or something.

Ugh, thats so cool, Tara said.

Its not that cool, Anna teased.

Have you ever ridden a horse? Tara asked as she turned to eye her redheaded friend.

Well no, but it cant be that cool, Anna said.

Its actually pretty fun, Bailey said.

Yeah, I like riding horses, I agreed.

Alright, fine, but I really doubt its as awesome as Tara makes it sound, Anna said.

Guess youll just have to, like, wait and see, Tara replied with a grin.

Rolly and Betty had slipped away from us and onto the porch. They kissed each other gently then laughed and held each other close.

Theyre just too cute, Bailey said.