Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure by Kyle Pratt Page A

toward the door, grabbed his coat and
stepped into the storm.
    Despite
the swirling wind and bang of gunfire, Zach heard shouts in Spanish. Curious but
scared, he retrieved his bow from the shed. The military rifle might have been
a more effective weapon, but he didn’t know how to use it and was much more
confident with the bow.
    Out
of hunting habit, Zach headed into the forest downwind of the noise. Making a
large arch through woods he knew well, he slowly came back toward the clamor.
It was clear the gunfight was along the road, but he could discern little else.
Concerned that he might be hit by a stray bullet, he hiked back up the hill a
few yards and moved parallel to the fight. Between the trees he snatched
glimpses of a battle between soldiers and civilians.
    Zach
moved into a better position near the top of a steep slope. He strained to see
detail. Only a single light from DeLynn’s home and the glow of moonlight,
diffused through clouds, provided illumination. From the tracks in the snow, it
appeared the gray van had spun out in a turn and slid off the road. The
occupants were using the vehicle as cover and firing on the advancing soldiers.
From shouts in Spanish, Zach guessed that the civilians were members of a
Mexican gang.
    He
was relieved that the fighting was not at DeLynn house, but it was close.
Despite the fear that churned in his gut, he determined to stay nearby. He was
surprised at his determination and relative calm. Perhaps it was because no one
knew he was there and that he could hunker down and observe without being judged.
    Behind
the van the ground was steep and covered in wet snow. The gang hid behind the
vehicle, but had no easy route of escape and the soldiers outnumbered them.
Using the gully and woods along the road, the military cautiously advanced and,
as they did, they gained greater angle of fire.
    Zach
spotted Caden with Sheriff Hoover and several men in the gully below him. Staying
low, three of the men ran down the slope to a cluster of trees near the edge of
the road. From there Zach caught a glimpse as they entered the forest. The
young man knelt down behind a bush as the soldiers hurried past his position.
It was soon clear these three were moving to a location where they could
overlook the gang. Zach crawled to a good spot behind a large stump, ready to
watch the unfolding battle as the soldiers on the hill with him opened fire.
    Two
of the gang fell immediately. Three others fled up the steep slope, falling to
their hands and knees as they ran in a panic for the cover of the trees.
    Movement
near the van caught Zach’s attention, but whatever it was quickly disappeared
into darkness.
    *                *                *
    Hoover
was beyond the vehicle on his way into the woods.
    Caden
called out to his men, “Stay close to them, but don’t be heroic. They’re hurt,
probably low on ammo and cold. We can afford to wait for reinforcements before
moving in.”
    With
that, Staff Sergeant Fletcher led the squad into the forest leaving Caden and
one soldier behind to examine the van and bodies.
    “What’s
the ETA on second squad,” Caden called over the radio.
    “We’re
a couple of miles away…be there in two minutes,” Brooks replied.
    The
private pointed to the van. A small fire flickered inside. “Should I check it
out?”
    Gun
in hand, Caden stepped closer to the soldier and glanced at the name tag.
    “Sure,
Private Collins, let’s check it out” With the young man a step ahead they
approached the van.
    A
thunderous boom filled the air.
    Caden
gasped as he hit the snowy pavement hard. He tried to stand, but couldn’t.
Something was on his legs. Heat, like an oven, radiated from flames a few feet
away. It was hard to see, harder to think. Caden pushed the smoldering bulk on
his legs. It was soft.
    The solder with me? “Private,
are you okay?” When Caden nudged him again he felt something wet and warm. “If
you can, I need you