Last Chance to Make Rent

8/14/2019 Last Chance to Make Rent

1/60

Clark Palmer about 12,000 words

[email protected]

Last Chance to Make Rent

by Clark Palmer

Ralph was on his feet and at the stockroom door just

seconds after the metal-on-metal banging reached his ears.

It was the all-too-familiar sound of someone or more than

one person trying to break into his store. He cocked his

Remington shotgun and slung a bandolier over his body.

Be careful, Ralph Sr. said soberly as he rolled up

behind him in his power chair, sawed-off shotgun in his lap.

Bang!

Ralph spoke calmly yet sternly, If I yell

lockdown...dont hesitate. Lockdown was code for locking

the stockroom when Ralph or one of the other adults was in

the store.

Bang! Bang! Ralph glanced at the back of the stockroom

at his sleeping wife and two children. He took a deep


2/60

Palmer / Last Chance / 2

breath and slowly let it out, but the queasy feeling in his

stomach only got worse.

It could have easily been kids or run-of-the-mill

vagrants doing a little vandalism or trying to break in and

steal a few things. It could also be Gods Children, who

were getting increasingly strategic and dangerous.

Assuming you were safe was the number one cause of death in

New Ritchie. He had no time for assumptions that day: his

family wouldnt make rent tomorrow if he got killed.

Ralph nodded at his father, who quickly pulled the

door open, shielding himself behind it. Ralph looked left

and right, his shotgun following his gaze.

He strode into the back of his familys flea market,

which had been a chain pharmacy/convenience store before

the Virus Wars. He lowered himself into a crouch and

hustled down the aisle in front of him, looking for

intruders through the holes behind the empty shelves. It

didnt look or sound like anyone had actually broken into

his store but hed learned to trust his instincts a long

time ago.

Dad, get Nang up and cover me, Ralph said, hoping he

kept his voice just low enough so the two or more people

outside wouldnt hear him.


3/60


Already did. Were ready, Ralph Sr. said. Ralph

heard the door creak open and someone step out into the

store, followed by the low whirring of the electric motor

on his fathers chair. Ralph Jr. saw the top of his

adopted brothers head a couple aisles over. His father

stopped a few feet in front of the door to the stockroom.

Ralph Jr. peered around the end of the aisle at the

store entrance. Two teenagers in tattered clothing were

banging on the door with metal sticks. Ralph Jr. looked

closer and saw that one of the sticks was an aluminum

baseball bat. The blazing sun tattoos with the eye in the

middle on their foreheads gave them away as Gods Children.

Years ago Ralph had welded metal pipes to the outside

of the door to help prevent people from breaking the

double-pane glass. The teenagers attempts to get in were

obviously pointless. But that wasnt what they were trying

to do.

Be ready, Ralph Jr. called over his shoulder.

Somethin else is goin on. He heard his dad roll down

the aisle behind him and Nang walk to the end of his aisle.

The teens banged on the door simultaneously. For all

of their talk about rebuilding the world according to their

philosophies, Gods Children were basically a ragtag group

of religious nuts. Most of them. But there was definitely


4/60


a strategy behind their actions. Not knowing what it was

made him very uncomfortable.

When Ralph saw the door hinges rattle around violently

he quickly stood and strode to the door, aiming his

Remington at one of the teenagers. The other one was about

to hit the wall to the left of the door, with something

that looked like it used to be part of a car, when he saw

Ralph approaching. Ralph returned the young mans nervous

stare with a steely-eyed, unblinking gaze. The teen

grabbed his friend and quickly pulled him away from the

door. They both started backing up slowly.

Ralph couldnt shoot through the door. Besides, a

shotgun blast would crack the glass, making it easier for

people to actually break in next time. That would also

create something for Ralph to fix, and he didnt have extra

panes of glass just lying around.

He pointed his shotgun at the ceiling without looking,

fired, and cocked the gun again. Nang charged to Ralph

Jr.s side, aiming his Glock at the door. His father

stayed right where he was to lock down the stockroom if

necessary.

One of the teenagers immediately turned and ran. The

other stared at Ralph Jr. as he backed away, his face like

a stone. He gave Ralph an evil smile then ran away. Ralph


5/60


stared after him, his eyes narrowing. Then he looked up at

the hole in the ceiling and dusted off the top of his head

and both shoulders.

He looked at Nang. Be ready for anything, he

ordered.

Nang nodded slowly, his gun aimed at the floor. Ralph

stepped forward to the door and looked through the glass

onto the sidewalk and the eerily quiet street beyond.

He saw an overturned trashcan that looked like it had

vomited on the sidewalk. A light breeze blew empty cans,

bottles, used syringes, bullet casings and other garbage

down the sidewalk or onto the road. A few blocks away he

saw scavengers sifting through trash and other items lying

on the street and sidewalks. Some crazies wandered

aimlessly on the other side of the street. Directly across

the street from Ralphs store sat the rusted-out hulk of an

electric car.

The streetlight on the corner closest to the store

illuminated a lot of the surrounding area. He kept the

light working for situations like this. Something just

didnt feel right, so he opened the lock, unwrapped the

chain, and set it down next to the door.

Im gonna make sure theres no one out there to worry

about, he said to Nang without turning around. If


6/60


somethin happens to me and you dont think you guys can

handle it, lock this door and get back to the stockroom.

Alright, Nang said.

He pushed the door open a couple feet, holding his gun

at his side. He looked to his left then peered around the

front of the door. He saw words spray painted on the face

of the building next to his store.

What is it? Nang asked from inside the store.

They left us a note, Ralph said.

He leaned farther out into the sidewalk and read it

silently: You shall be punished for profiting on the pain

of Gods children. We are the path to salvation.

Gods Children had killed people but it was usually

pretty random. A gun would go off during a robbery or an

act of vandalism would go a little too far. He didnt

think cold-blooded murder was in the Gods Childrens

repertoire. Then again, maybe he was wrong.

But at that moment, the most important thing was

covering up the message so customers wouldnt get scared

away. He needed all the customers he could get to pay the

$250s in rent he owed by the next morning.

Ralph stepped back inside.

So...whatd it say? Nang asked.


7/60


I wouldnt worry about it. Usual BS. Ralph picked

up the chain and lock next to the door. Nang had been a

little on edge the past few days and Ralph didnt want to

make him more nervous.

I can handle it.

You sure? Ralph finished locking the door. Youve

been kinda...jittery lately. I dont wanna scare you or

anything.

Yeah, no...Im, you know... Nang shrugged. Just

nervous about the rent. Dont wanna be a nomad again.

Alright, Ralph said. It was something about

punishing us for profiting from the pain of Gods Children

and theyre the salvation or something.

Nang tensed up and broke eye contact.

Does that mean somethin to you?

Nang forced himself to chuckle. No, it sounds like

usual BS like you said.

Are you worried?

Maybe. A little. But its probably nothin.

Ralph patted him on the shoulder. Why dont you get

some sleep? Me and Dadll watch the door in case they come

back.

Nang nodded and headed back to the stockroom.


8/60


Ralph wasnt sure if telling Nang about the message

was worse than keeping it from him. He had his doubts

about surviving some kind of full-on assault by dozens of

Gods Children. If thats what the message meant. It

could just easily have been foreshadowing more attempts at

shoplifting or vandalism. Or more spray-painted messages.

But he figured Nang was just scared of being a nomad

again.

He told Ralph about those years once: his mother

selling her body for food or shelter for him and his

father; never knowing if or from where his next meal would

come; watching from a moldy, maggot-infested dumpster as a

scavenger robbed his parents and bludgeoned them to death

with a leg from an aluminum desk; the paralyzing fear that

kept him from intervening.

Nangs story wasnt unique. The Virus Wars turned

hundreds of thousands of ordinary people into nomads.

Ralphs father claimed that the decades-long series of

little wars and skirmishes traced back to overly excessive

use of antibiotics and hand sanitizer in the first two

decades of the 21st century. Ralph Sr. said it created

super viruses that wiped out cities full of people, causing

conflict over medical resources which only led to more


9/60


death and destruction. Eventually, humans became immune to

the viruses and they began trying to rebuild civilization.

Nang was more fortunate than a lot of nomads. Ralphs

mother and father took him in and loved him like a son.

Ralphs mother educated him while his father taught him how

to defend himself and use his street smarts. But he

couldnt run from everything hed experienced in his

formative years. Nang was more like someone Ralph had

worked with for several years than a brother.

His father approached.

Everythings fine, Ralph said.

Kids?

Yeah. They left a message on the wall. Weve gotta

figure out how to get it off there before customers start

showing up.

Ralph grabbed a foldout chair and took a seat next to

the checkout counter.

Shoot it a few times. Nobodyll be able to tell what

it is.

Yeah, I dont think weve got time for anything else.

I just wish they wouldve left the spray paint. We

couldve sold it.

Ralph Sr. smiled. That would really piss em off

wouldnt it?


10/60


His son chuckled.

A few minutes later, Ralphs wife Jodie came walking

down an aisle. Everything OK?

Yeah. Were fine. You should try to get some more

sleep.

Jodie frowned. I thought you said you were gonna

wake me up the next time.

Ralph Jr. rolled his eyes. It was nothing. Were

fine.

I dont wanna wake up and find out youre dead. OK?

I just wanted you to be well rested.

Tired I can deal with. Jodie leaned down and kissed

her husband on the forehead. Come back to bed. You said

everythings fine.

I cant, Ralph Jr. said as he put his hand on her

hip. Ive got a bad feeling. Besides, sunll be up in a

few hours. His wrist watch said 5:06.

Jodie sighed. Alright. But yknow, your dad can

keep watch.

Sure, Ralph Sr. said.

Weve got to talk about some things.

You guys think exactly the same. What do you know

that he doesnt?


11/60


Ralph Jr. smiled up at his wife. Id just feel more

comfortable out here.

Alright, Jodie said, her voice filled with

resignation.

I love you, Ralph Jr. said as she walked away.

I love you too, Jodie said passive aggressively

without turning around.

She closed the door to the stockroom behind her.

Ralph Jr. stared at the door for a few moments then looked

at his father, who was smiling.

What?

Ralph Sr. shook his head, as if to say, Nothing.

Id rather she be alive and mad at me than dead.

Hey, I understand.

Besides, I can spend more time with her after Ive

made rent for this month.

Ralph Sr. shrugged. Youre a chip off the old block.

You say that like its a bad thing.

His father shook his head. Hey...I dont wanna

criticize your relationship.

Ralph Jr. eyed his father curiously. What? He

grabbed his shotgun from the counter and replaced the shell

he had fired earlier.


12/60


Ralph Sr. studied his sons face for a few seconds.

Youre keeping Jodie and the kids safe so you can spend

time with them. But if you dont spend time with them, it

kind of defeats the purpose. I didnt learn that until it

was too late.

Ralph Jr. frowned. You spent plenty of time with

mom. I mean, you did the best you could. His mother died

of cancer 15 years earlier.

Yeah, I guess so. His father said slowly. But

youre counting on tomorrow.

Ralph Jr. looked at his father then back at the

stockroom where his wife and kids were sleeping. Hed

never resented his father until after he had a family and

he had to live up to his example. But he couldnt have his

mind on that and keep his family safe and make rent.

When does the shipment get in? His father asked.

Huh? Ralph said as he turned back to his father.

Oh, ah...10. He checked his wristwatch. James said 10.

I mean, unless something happens on the way here, which I

dont even wanna think about.

James knows what hes doing, Ralph Sr. said. I

wouldnt worry about it. He wouldnt still be delivering

to us if he didnt have a handle on things.


13/60


Maybe. Maybe hes just been lucky so far. I wonder

what hed do if something really did go down. I dont

think he could win a staring contest much less a gunfight.

And lets hope hes got a good shipment. Not just spare

parts or cell phones.

James used to be just a common scavenger but he

figured out there was a lot of money to be made selling the

things he found to others. Then he discovered a gas-

powered van that still worked, and the money really started

pouring in. Ralph Jr. wouldnt have a business without

James.

The problem was that New Ritchie was a really

dangerous place for people who had something to lose. That

fact manifested itself in the prices James charged Ralph

Jr. for the goods he delivered. James always drove away

with boxes of goods that would fly off Ralph Jr.s shelves

if he had the money to buy them.

Unfortunately, Ralph Jr. and his family couldnt just

pick up and leave to setup their store in a place where

James would charge them a more reasonable price to deliver

products. New Ritchie didnt have many other businesses

for his flea market to compete with. Thats why they had

been open for several years. They wouldnt survive if they

had to start over in a new town with several flea markets


14/60


and other businesses. Ralph Jr. would do whatever he had

to do to prevent his family from living on the streets

again.

But things were getting to a point where Ralph Jr.

couldnt afford to stay. James prices kept going up.

Gods Children were getting increasingly bold. Ralph Jr.s

landlord told him the local government was going to impose

new laws on businesses and start levying taxes on him,

which would be passed down to Ralph Jr. and the other

tenants.

City governments needed more money to build

bureaucracies and begin to reassert authority over their

citizens. Unfortunately, businesses like Ralph Jr.s would

probably become casualties in that quest for authority.

Ralph Jr. and his father talked for an hour, keeping

watch on the street outside. Then Ralph Jr. went outside

and fired several shotgun shells into the wall to get rid

of the message from Gods Children, like his father had

suggested.

When he got back inside, he and his father began

setting up the store for business. They opened the

stockroom, wedged the door, and carried out boxes of

clothes, books, CDs, canned food, and other items they


15/60


didnt sell the day before. Ralph Jr. wanted to get

everything off the shelves by the time the shipment arrived.

They stocked the items in the middle of an aisle.

They never put anything in the front of the store because

customers would steal as much of it as they could.

By that time, Nang, Jodie, Riley, and Jane were awake.

Jodie got the kids dressed and made breakfast for everyone.

Ralph Sr. chowed down on a can of baked beans while Jodie

and Ralph Jr. shared a can of dark tuna. Jodie opened a

can of peaches for Jodie and Riley to share, which took a

little stern language.

Riley, you can start work without breakfast if you

want!

Riley stared down at the floor and mumbled something.

What was that?

Fine. Ill share, he said angrily. Jane smiled as

she shoveled a peach slice into her mouth. Riley gave her

a dirty look.

Dont give your mother a hard time today, Ralph Jr.

said. Weve got a lot to do...and maybe...if youre

really good today, we can play chess after we close.

Really? Riley said.

Can I play too? Jane asked.

If youre really good, maybe.


16/60


Ralph Sr. chimed in, How bout you and me against your

old man? I taught him everything he knows.

Yeah, Riley said.

Ralph Jr. frowned at his father. I think theyre

getting tired of watching you beat me.

Well, Ralph Sr. said, leaning back in his chair.

Maybe youre right. Im just better than you. Guess I

should stop trying to prove it.

Can I sell some stuff today Dad?

Ralph narrowed his eyes and glanced briefly at his

father. Alright. Later tonight before we close. But

only if you dont give your mom any more trouble.

Rileys face lit up.

Finish up. Ralph ruffled his sons hair.

Riley grabbed another peach slice out of the can and

shoved the whole thing in his mouth.

Ralph leaned back in his chair and winked at his wife.

An hour later, at 8:30, Ralph Jr. unlocked the front

door to officially open the store. The unforgiving sun

peaked out above the partially destroyed buildings, melting

the morning dew off of the vines and weeds attempting to

retake the streets from the concrete and metal progress of

humanity.


17/60


Ralph saw pimps and prostitutes making their morning

rounds. They traded sex for just about anything (clothes,

food, guns, money). He saw the token street rats and

scavengers.

But some people were headed east toward city hall,

either for a job or to help out the fledgling government in

any way they were able and hopefully make some money in the

process.

The people with jobs had a confidence about them that

was almost indescribable. Hopelessness was all around

them, but they could ignore it because when they left their

homes they felt like they were contributing something to

society. When they watched the sun rise they saw all the

possibilities of a new day, while others felt oppressive

heat and struggled to cope with the feeling that they could

die at any moment. Ralph Jr. was somewhere in the middle.

He didnt think the world was completely irredeemable but

the reality was that too much hope was life threatening in

New Ritchie.

Nang stood by the store entrance, Ralph Jr.s

Remington shotgun in his hands and a bandolier around his

body. It was Nangs job to keep out potential shoplifters,

Gods Children, and anyone else he thought might put

himself or the Connors family in danger. Most people who


18/60


lived in New Ritchie were armed at all times, but some

people were crazy and Ralph Jr. didnt want to put his wife

or kids in any unnecessary danger.

Jodie stood behind the checkout counter with Riley and

Jane. She had a .45 holstered on her hip and a 12-gauge on

a swivel hidden under the counter. Ralph Jr. and his

father roamed the store to help customers and negotiate

prices. Ralph Jr. had cut out cubby holes in the checkout

counter that his children could climb into in an emergency.

He had welded metal plates around the insides of the cubby

holes to make them bullet proof.

Ralph Jr. was armed with Nangs Glock. His father had

his sawed-off shotgun and a .22 pistol hidden under his

chair.

Their first customer was a balding man of average

height with a greasy beard and twitchy eyes. What was left

of his hair went down to his shoulders.

Ralph Jr. approached the man when Nang let him in.

Whatre you lookin for? he asked very seriously. He

didnt project any false happiness or friendliness. It

wouldnt have worked anyway.

Weve got clothes, canned food, books, music?

The customer searched the shelves as he spoke.

Actually, Ive been reading this book about card games. I


19/60


20/60


Ralph Jr. smirked. Look, just because its nine in

the morning doesnt mean you can rip me off. Two fifty,

take it or leave it. I mean, it sounds like youre really

excited about playing those card games youve been reading

about. Cards are a luxury. You always gotta pay more for

that.

The customer shook his head, turned, and started

walking away.

Ralph Jr. sighed. Alright, fine...a dollar seventy

five.

The man continued walking.

Dollar sixty?

The man stood still for a few moments then said,

Dollar thirty five.

Ralph Jr. put on a sinister smile, knowing the

customer couldnt see him. Dollar fifty. Final offer.

Youre not gonna find a better deal. Trust me.

The customer turned around and stared at the floor,

shaking his head. Alright, where are they?

Wait right here, Ralph Jr. said, holding up his

index finger. He didnt want the man going to the checkout

counter and asking Jodie for playing cards. She knew the

only set of playing cards in the store belonged to the

kids. She wouldnt sell them and shed be furious with


21/60


Ralph Jr. for trying it. Shed find out eventually, but he

might have another pack of cards by that point.

You lookin for anything else? Ralph Jr. grabbed a

can of fruit. These peaches are really good. My kids

love em. You need a new shirt? Weve got a bunch of em

in really good shape.

No, I dont have--

--Well, take a look around. Ill be right back.

Ralph Jr. made eye contact with his father, who was at

the front of the store, and nodded twice, which was the

signal to follow the customer to make sure he didnt steal

anything.

Ralph Jr. was out of the stockroom a minute later,

hustling over to the customer. OK. Thats a dollar

fifty. Did you find anything else you wanted?

The customer reached into his pocket for the money.

He handed Ralph two dollars and he gave the customer 50

cents back. As the customer pocketed the deck of cards,

Ralph Jr. grabbed a can of rotini in tomato sauce. Ill

throw this in for a dollar 15.

You charged me 70 cents for that last time.

Well, as you can see, I dont have much canned food

left. I gotta make this last. Ralph Jr. rolled the can


22/60


around between his hands. Thisll be a pretty nice meal

tonight. Get a fire goin. Heat it up.

The customer bit his lip and looked around the store

as he thought about it. He looked at Ralph Jr. and put up

his index finger. One dollar.

Its a deal.

When the transaction was completed Ralph Jr. went to

the checkout counter and handed the money to Jodie. When

the store wasnt busy Ralph did transactions on the floor

rather than risk the customer trying to run out of the

store with the item he wanted to buy.

Whatd he buy? Jodie asked.

Canned food, Ralph Jr. said quickly, as he walked

back toward the middle of the store.

They got several more customers that morning,

including a boy of about 15 or 16 years who came in and

sifted through the shirts that were left on the shelves.

Ralph Jr. walked briskly over to him.

Can I help you with something?

The boy looked up at him and smiled. No, just

looking. Thanks.

Kid like you doesnt just look. You got any money?

Yeah, man. Relax.


23/60


Ralph Jr. spun the kid around and searched his pockets

for money, clutching a handful of the teens shirt to

prevent him from running away.

Man cut it out! I said I got money. The teen pulled

on his shirt to get it out of Ralph Jr.s grasp. So Ralph

Jr. put the kid in a choke hold and pushed him up against

the shelves to his right as he searched the teens front

pockets.

Someone from behind Ralph Jr. asked, Ah, excuse me,

do you own this place?

Yeah, Ralph Jr. said through gritted teeth, not

turning his head to face the man. Hold on a sec.

He didnt find any money in the kids pockets so he

released him from the choke hold and spun him around,

keeping a tight grip on his shirt. Dont ever come in

here without any money again. Next time you might not

leave alive. Now get the hell out.

Ralph Jr. released the teens shirt and stepped back

so he could walk away.

You better be glad you let me go, the teen said.

Ralph Jr. drew Nangs Glock from the holster on his

hip and touched the muzzle to the teens forehead. You

wanna test me? Go ahead.


24/60


The teen took one step away, Ralph Jr. keeping the

muzzle against his forehead. Ralph Jr. began gently

squeezing the trigger and the teen turned and ran out of

the store.

Ralph Jr. smiled and was about to holster his gun when

his fathers shotgun went off, spraying pieces of aluminum

shelving in all directions.

Shoplifter! Ralph Sr. yelled. The man who had asked

Ralph Jr. if he owned the store dropped into a crouch and

drew a Beretta from a shoulder holster.

Ralph Jr. saw someone run out the front of an aisle

and head to the door. Nang turned to face the man but for

some reason didnt raise his shotgun. Ralph gave his

adopted brother one more second to take down the shoplifter

then aimed and put a slug in the shoplifters head. Nang

turned sideways and covered his face with his forearm as a

thin line of blood shot out of the newly formed hole in the

shoplifters forehead. The force of the gunshot snapped

the mans head back and sent him into a belly flop on the

floor. Ralph Jr. lowered the gun and looked over at Jodie

and the kids.

You guys OK?


25/60


Jodie had her .45 aimed at the shoplifters body in

case he wasnt dead. Riley was peeking over the counter

and Jane must have been sitting behind it.

Ralph Jr. looked down at the man with the Beretta.

Me and my family are the only ones who can shoot people in

here. If you wanna buy something you better holster that

thing.

The man stared at Ralph Jr., gauging whether he could

trust him. He clicked on the safety and lowered the gun

but didnt holster it. You didnt even check to see if he

actually stole something. Youll excuse me if Im a little

on edge.

Ralph Jr. stared at him, waiting for him to back down.

But the other man calmly stood, still holding his gun. He

was a lot more confident than most of Ralphs customers.

He obviously respected himself. His shirt was tucked in.

His hair was combed. At first glance he looked like hed

be easy to beat up and rob. But his eyes said different.

They reminded him of his own eyes.

Ralph Jr. said, If you raise that thing above your

stomach Im gonna shoot you somewhere itll really hurt.

Then Im gonna kill you.

Fair enough.


26/60


Ralph walked past him and knelt down next to the

shoplifter. He checked his pulse to confirm that he was

dead.

Ralph stood and confronted Nang. Why didnt you

shoot him Nang? That was your shot. I almost missed.

I thought you had him.

Youve got a shotgun, Ralph said, pausing for

dramatic effect. One shot and hes down. He couldve had

a gun. If I didnt get him in the head he couldve taken

it out and shot at me or Jodie or the kids.

Nang nervously clutched the shotgun in both hands. He

stared down at the floor.

Ralph snapped his fingers. Hey, what the hells

goin on? I cant be worried about you for the rest of the

day. Theres too much stuff to sell.

Ill be more careful next time. Nang looked up at

Ralph for just a second. I shouldnt have let him in the

store. I just knew we needed a lot of customers today.

Ralph Jr. rubbed his jaw. I guess that kid was

borderline. Im better at reading people than you. But

still...I dont care about the rent when it comes to

safety. If its 8 and were not close to making rent, then

well talk about letting in dangerous people. I can lock


27/60


the kids in the stockroom. But thats a last resort. Just

treat this like any other day, unless I tell you otherwise.

Alright.

Are you only worried about Gods Children?

Yeah, maybe.

Ralph studied the other mans face. Tomorrow Ralph

might have to put his wife at the door, even though he

shuddered at the thought of putting her right in the line

of fire. But what did that say about his relationship with

Nang?

Theres blood on his shirt collar but his shoes and

pants are fine, Jodie said, kneeling next to the

shoplifters body.

Ralph said, Lets get those on the shelves and clean

this up. He looked at Nang. Stall people at the door.

They cant see this. Might scare em off.

Yeah, Nang said.

Ralph pushed the confusion about what was going on

with Nang out of his mind.

Ralph Jr. took off the mans pants and shoes and

handed them to his father who stocked them on the shelf

with the other clothes. They put the body in a dumpster

outside the back door.


28/60


It took Jodie a few minutes to clean up the blood and

chunks of the shoplifters brain that the bullet from

Nangs Glock had sprayed all over the floor by the front

door.

Ralph walked back over to the man holding the Beretta.

So whaddyou need?

The man holstered his gun and Ralph Jr. followed suit.

He stuck his hand out for Ralph Jr. to shake. Harold

Furlong. My friends call me Harry.

They shook hands. Then Ill call you Mr. Furlong.

What were you looking to buy today?

Oh, nothing. I actually just wanted to talk. See

Im the new sheriff-

Look, this is a flea market, we talk about what youre

gonna buy.

I know youre busy, Furlong said. I just need a

few minutes.

Fine. But you gotta buy something.

Alright. He grabbed the first thing he could find,

a paperback book. How much for this?

For you? Seven bucks.

Five.


29/60


Ralph Jr. shook his head. Its seven dollars. If

you wanna talk, thats what its gonna cost. Either take

it or get out.

Furlong reached into his shirt pocket, counted seven

dollars, and handed them to Ralph Jr. He pocketed the money

and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Now, you got

two minutes. Make it quick.

Furlong cleared his throat. As I was saying, Im the

new sheriff. Were recruiting people to the police

department. Mayor Green wants to start enforcing some laws

and making the streets safer for people like you and your

family. I thought youd want to be part of it.

Ralph Jr. stared at him for a few moments. You want

me to become a police officer? He chuckled. In New

Ritchie?

Yes. Ive seen the way you-

-Hey Dad! Ralph Sr. began heading to their aisle.

Yeah?

Whaddyou think the survival rate is for policemen in

New Ritchie?

The other man chuckled. A few days, a week if youre

lucky. I mean, thats my best guess. Why?


30/60


Ralph Jr. put his hand on Furlongs shoulder and

pointed at him with his other hand. This guys the new

sheriff. He wants me to help him clean up the streets.

Harry Furlong. He stuck out his hand and Ralph Sr.

shook it. Nice to meet you. Did you fight in the wars?

I think everybody my age did son. What about your

old man?

He fought in the Battle of Pittsburgh. Made it out

alive but he didnt live much longer after that.

Sorry to hear it. Mustve been a tough SOB to make

it outta there alive.

He was. Thank you.

Like father like son I guess, huh?

Furlong nodded, smiling. Thats what Ive been

told.

I meant that you both seem to like attempting the

impossible.

Just wanna get civilization going again.

Ralph Jr. jumped in, You could just try surviving.

Ralph Sr. looked from his son to Furlong. Yeah. I

didnt know him but Ill bet your old man wanted you to

stick around awhile.

With all due respect, Furlong looked away then back

in Ralph Sr.s eyes. With your sons help, I think I can


31/60


stick around quite a while. All it takes is a few strong

leaders then everybody else falls in line. Before you know

it, people are thinking twice about robbing somebody or

shooting anybody they want to.

Ralph Jr. shook his head. Its gonna take a lot more

than that in New Ritchie. You wanna make a difference you

should go somewhere else.

Look, I know this is gonna be really dangerous.

People will die. But whats the alternative? The status

quo? Walking down the street knowing youve got a 30

percent chance of getting robbed, killed, or both? Then

getting eaten by cannibals, Furlong shook his head. We

cant go on like this. Theres no future in it.

Well, Ralph Jr. said. You and the mayor and

everybody else down at city hall can do whatever you want.

Im not helping you. My lifes already on the line. Im

not gonna put a big red target on my back.

Were all gonna protect each other, and our

families, Furlong said quickly. I mean, if you joined us

you might actually be safer than you are now.

Youre gonna protect me? I blew some guys brains

out and you didnt lift a finger to stop me. You were more

concerned about protecting yourself...not that I blame you.


32/60


Furlong looked from Ralph Jr. to his father. They

stared back confidently. Sleep on it then.

Ralph Jr. slowly shook his head. Dont need to.

Furlong exhaled heavily. Ill come back tomorrow

anyways, just in case.

Hey Nang?

Yeah? Nang asked without looking back at them.

Remember this guys face. Never allow him in here

again.

Nang said, Ill memorize his face when I watch him

leave.

Ralph Jr. smiled at Furlong, who nodded and turned to

leave. After a few steps he stopped and turned back

around, But I will be back tomorrow.

No one responded so he continued walking and left.

Ralph Sr. said, His old man mustve been a stubborn

SOB. I didnt wanna insult his son, thats why I said

tough before. He had a good point though.

Jodie walked over and stood next to her husband. So

he wanted you to be a police officer?

Yeah, Ralph Jr. said while staring at his father.

So you think I should help him?


33/60


Im not saying that, Ralph Sr. said as he leaned

back in his chair. But humanity cant survive if

everyones only out for themselves.

Maybe youre right. But I know how to survive the

way things are. I dont think Furlong really understands

what hes getting himself into. Besides, maybe hes only

got himself to think about.

Ralph Jr. put his arm around his wife and squeezed her

a little closer to him. Anyways, we better open this

place back up before we lose too many customers.

But even though Ralph Jr. didnt like to admit it,

there was some truth to what Furlong had said. He just

didnt have time to think about very deeply.

At 10:30 Ralph Jr. began getting a little worried that

something happened to James on the road. But he showed up

a few minutes later, wisps of smoke coming out of the

radiator, wheels grinding on their axles. James put the

van in park on the sidewalk to the right of the door. He

never shut off the engine for fear that it wouldnt

restart. His entire livelihood depended on the van.

When Ralph Jr. saw the van pull up, he had Jodie rush

the kids into the stockroom. She left the door cracked so

they could hear if Ralph Jr. or someone else yelled


34/60


lockdown. Riley was in charge of closing the door if the

order was given.

Ralph Sr. herded the customers who were in the store

outside. Walk around for a half hour. We want your

business but we just dont trust you.

Several people started walking away but a few

backpedaled. Ralph Sr. aimed his shotgun at one of them.

You think you can get a gun on me before I blow a hole in

your chest? He smiled slyly and turned around to leave.

Ralph Sr. stared after him, making sure he kept walking.

Same thing goes for the rest of you! Ralph Sr.s

voice echoed down the street. He pointed his shotgun in

the air and fired. Then he pointed his free hand at the

store behind him. We could hole up in there for three

days without running out of ammo.

Nang wedged the front door open and stood guard

outside it with Ralph Sr., who replaced the shells he had

already fired. Passersby steered clear of that side of the

street. A few stopped to try to see what was in the boxes

in James van. But they resumed walking when their eyes

met Nang or Ralph Sr.s. Every now and then an orphan or a

teenager who looked like trouble began crossing the street.

Sometimes Nang would handle it by raising his Remington or


35/60


telling the kid to leave. For Ralph Sr., all it took was a

stone-faced glare.

Ralph Jr. greeted James when he came out the back of

the van.

Any trouble?

James shook his head as he pushed the double doors

open as far as they would go. I left a little bit later

than usual. Dont have an alarm clock.

I think I was born with an internal alarm.

James smirked. You were born with an itchy trigger

finger. Kill anybody today? He got back into the van and

began moving boxes around.

Shoplifter.

Dyou keep his clothes?

His pants and his shoes. Sold em earlier. I got

blood on his shirt though.

James tilted his head back slightly. Whatd you blow

a hole in his chest?

No, it was a head shot. But I was using a Glock. It

didnt knock him down fast enough.

How much did you get for the clothes?

Ralph Jr. put his hand to his chest. These are

closely guarded secrets buddy. I tell you that you might

start ripping me off more than you already are.


36/60


Alright alright. James said with his hands up.

Whaddyou got today? Ralph Jr. asked as his wife

walked out of the store with the 12-gauge from under the

counter in one hand and an assault rifle and bandolier in

the other.

Good stuff, James said as he lifted a cardboard box

and set it down in front of Ralph Jr. Check this out.

Oh baby, Ralph Jr. said as saw what his wife was

carrying. Honey youve never looked sexier.

She smiled as he slung the bandolier and assault rifle

over his shoulder. She took up a position on the other

side of the van. Then Ralph Jr. turned back to the box to

see what James had.

We got Irish whiskey, Jack Daniels, spiced rum,

spiked fruit drinks, wine, gin...everything cept beer,

James said.

You ever get any beer?

No. Not enough to sell. James shook his head.

Ive had a few in my life but I always keep them for

myself.

Ralph Jr. sighed. You are one lucky bastard.

Dont I know it, James said, smiling.

How much for the whole box?


37/60


James took a second to respond. Somebodys movin up

in the world. You sure you can afford this?

Ralph Jr. nodded.

Id part with this whole thing for...40 bucks.

Cmon...30?

Ive got some rare stuff here Ralph. I may not come

across whiskey or rum or gin again for a while.

Ralph Jr. began doing math in his head. Rent was

$250. He had $113.65. But alcohol would fly off the

shelves. He just had to make more money than he was giving

to James. At $30 he could get 50 bucks or more from his

customers if he really pushed them. Anything higher than

$30 was really pushing it. He couldnt spend all of his

money on the shipment or they wouldnt make rent.

Lets come back to that, Ralph Jr. said.

James also had lots of clothes, canned food, books,

and four hot plates. Those would go for 15 bucks a pop.

But James wanted $10 for each one.

After James showed Ralph Jr. everything he had, and

quoted prices, Ralph Jr. began putting together his order

in his head.

Ill give you $30 for the alcohol, 15 for the canned

food, 15 for the clothes, 20 for two hot plates, and 10 for

the books.


38/60


James rolled his tongue around in his mouth. 32 for

the alcohol, 14 for the food, and 9 for the books.

31. And 14 for the clothes.

James shook his head. I was willing to go 35 but,

31s way too low.

Take out the bottle of wine.

James smiled and took out the bottle of wine. 31 it

is. They shook on it and James started moving the boxes

with the items Ralph Jr. bought to the threshold of the van

doors.

Ralph Jr. walked around the side of the van and his

wife looked at him. I think were gonna be OK. If we get

enough customers we might have it before it starts getting

dark.

Jodie smiled. Thats great. Now we just gotta get

it inside the store and get James outta here before anybody

tries anything.

After paying James for two of the five boxes and

setting them down inside the store, Ralph Jr. and Jodie

walked back outside to get the next two boxes. Jodie stood

a couple feet behind Ralph Jr., studying the street rats

and other dregs in their vicinity, making sure none of them

presented a serious threat.


39/60


Ralph Sr. focused on one woman about a block away. He

stared at her for 15 seconds then looked at the people on

the other side of the street. He looked up at the building

on the other side of the street opposite the flea market.

Jodie followed his gaze and saw two people standing on the

ledge staring back at them. One of them had one of his

hands hidden behind his back.

Hon?

Jodie flinched. Oh, she said, surprised. Ralph Jr.

was standing in front of her, a box in his hands. Then she

remembered that she was helping her husband take the boxes

into the store. Sorry, Jodie said as she grabbed the

box, turned around and headed into the store. Ralph Jr.

was half a dozen steps behind her.

When she got inside, Jodie set the box on the checkout

counter and headed back to the door. Ralph Jr. smiled at

her as he crossed the threshold and she approached. She

smiled back then reflexively ducked her head into her body

as she heard Ralph Sr.s sawed-off shotgun go off. Ralph

Jr. dropped the box of clothes he was carrying on the tile

floor, kicked it like a soccer ball down an aisle, and ran

to Jodie.

Then it became apparent what his father was warning

them about as bullets and shells rained down on the door


40/60


and building face around it. Ralph Jr. and his wife ducked

behind the checkout counter.

Riley! Lockdown! Ralph Jr. called toward the

stockroom. Dont open that door unless you hear the

password!

When the gunfire stopped, Jodie swallowed and said, I

think were surrounded. I saw some people on the roof

across the street.

Ralph Jr. took the assault rifle off his shoulder and

clicked off the safety. Youre damn right were in

trouble. If we dont get that other box were not gonna

make rent.

And if I know James hes about to leave, Ralph Jr.

thought. He quickly kissed his wife on the cheek.

Whatever you do, dont give em a clear shot at you. Ill

be right back.

I love you, Ralph Jr. said as he stood. Then he

crouched down and slowly approached the door.

Forget the box, well be lucky to make it outta this

alive, Jodie said.

Ralph Jr. heard a loud crash as a pleather office

chair flew out of the window of the abandoned store next to

his. It hit the sidewalk and tumbled onto the street.

Exactly, I dont wanna come outta this empty-handed.


41/60


Then gun fire erupted through the newly opened window.

Ralph Jr. waited for return fire then charged out of the

store and stepped up into the back of James van just as

the other man put it in gear and floored the accelerator.

The forward momentum sent Ralph Jr. sprawling onto a layer

of cardboard boxes. The van swerved onto the street,

slamming Ralph Jr. into the broken sliding door, bullets

whizzing by as they pierced the rusted metal ceiling and

sides of the van.

Ralph Jr. groaned.

James looked behind him for a second. Sorry man.

Not gonna have a business if I get killed.

The gunfire stopped as the van got farther away from

the attackers.

Ralph Jr. steadied himself against the broken door,

panting. I got one box left. Its gonna keep us off the

street one more month.

Thats what youre thinking about right now?

Yeah, Ralph Jr. said as walked behind the drivers

seat and touched the muzzle of his assault rifle to the

back of James neck. That and I need the van for a few

minutes.

James looked up at the other man. Cmon, I dont

wanna get involved in this, James whined.


42/60


You know I dont care about that...and you know Ill

pull the trigger.

James didnt respond so Ralph Jr. aimed his weapon out

the back of the van and fired off a few rounds. James

leaned away from Ralph Jr., his forearm blocking his face.

Alright! Dammit!

Ralph Jr. lowered the rifle. Lemme drive.

James heart fluttered. Dyou even know how to

drive?

Just get up, Ralph Jr. said impatiently. James

stopped the car, put it in park, started to get up and was

thrown into the passenger seat. My dad taught me.

When? James asked. 20 years ago.

19, Ralph Jr. said matter-of-factly as he surveyed

the steering wheel, pedals, and gear shift.

Yeah, well...you wreck my van up and Ill kill you,

James said, his false bravado readily apparent to Ralph Jr.

who smirked at the other man for a second then looked back

at the dashboard.

Accelerators on the right, right?

Yeah.

Ralph Jr. checked the rearview mirror, put the van in

reverse, and rested his hand on the back of James chair.


43/60


Better hold onto something. This could get bumpy, Ralph

Jr. said, smiling deviously.

James turned to look out the back of the van and was

thrown into the dashboard without time to brace himself.

His head smacked into the top of dashboard, blurring his

vision for a few moments.

Ralph Jr. jerked the wheel to the right and James

heard a loud thud as the bumper hit one of their attackers

in the chest.

James shook away the fog in his vision and looked out

the windshield. Two men and a woman stood a little less

than 10 feet away from the van, guns drawn. James turned

to Ralph Jr., who stared intently back at one of them.

Ever heard of a game called chicken? Ralph Jr.

asked.

I--I, James stuttered. What?

My old man played it in the marines. A course, they

had two cars but...I think this is a similar situation.

One of the attackers started talking. Whatevers in

there belongs to everyone. You have no special right to

it.

Ralph Jr. ignored the woman. Im really gonna enjoy

this. He thought his store was being attacked by Gods


44/60


Children from the start, but there were other street gangs.

The sun tattoos confirmed it.

...give it up and no one will be hurt. Then well

talk about shutting down your store.

Ralph Jr. stuck his head out the window. You really

think killing mell shut down the store? My old man used

to kill jerks like you in his spare time. For fun!

He lowered his head back into the vehicle and grabbed

the gear shift.

Please, the woman was saying. This is not how God

wants us to live. You must join us. We didnt survive the

wars to kill each other and force people to pay for the

things they need to survive.

Ralph Jr. smiled. You might wanna get down when I

put this thing in gear.

The Gods Children still hadnt raised their weapons.

Wait, wait, wait! James insisted.

Ralph Jr. put the van in drive and floored the

accelerator. As he did he ducked behind the dashboard.

After half a second Ralph Jr. swerved left. The left side

of the van violently bobbed up and down two times as one of

the Gods Children was crushed under the wheels.

Ralph Jr. looked up in time to jerk the wheel to the

left, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with the brick


45/60


corner of the first building on the next block. James

covered his head with his arms and leaned away from the

window as the right side of the van scraped along the front

of a building. The side-view mirror crumpled into the van,

sparks shooting out in all directions. After a few seconds

it broke off and tumbled away behind the van.

Ralph Jr. veered away from the building and back onto

the road. Gunfire ricocheted off one of the double doors

as it squeaked around in its hinges. The other door had

slammed shut. Ralph Jr. careened around a corner,

continuing to accelerate.

Ralph Jr. knew he had to get back to the store before

his wife or father, or both of them, got killed.

Youre running now? James asked.

Ralph Jr. made another right turn. Well sneak up on

em back at the store. Jodie said theres people on the

roof across the street. If we kill em and take their

positions this thingll be over in a minute.

Why are you including me?

Ralph Jr. turned right. You really need me to answer

that?

Look, I know if I leave youll come get me. Im not

an idiot.


46/60


Ralph Jr. said, Theres at least two or three people

up there. I cant do this by myself...By the way, you got

a gun?

James exhaled. Yeah...course. He reached under

Ralph Jr.s seat and pulled out a carbine machine gun.

Ralph Jr. eyed him suspiciously as James checked the clip

to make sure there were bullets in it.

Im surprised you didnt try to pull that out when I

jumped in.

James frowned. I didnt think youd threaten to kill

me and hijack my van. Besides...I ah...

What? Ralph Jr. asked as he made a right turn and

put the van in park in front of what used to be a corporate

office building. Gunshots ringing out outside.

Ive never...you know, James gestured at the other

man. Killed anybody.

Ralph Jr. did a double take. His mouth began to form

words but no sound came out for a few seconds. Never?

Not once?

James shrugged.

I dont know if I should be surprised or worried.

Ralph Jr. opened the drivers side door and got out.

Cmon, now, he ordered James, who quickly got out of the


47/60


48/60


Ralph Jr. sat down on the staircase below the door to

the roof. Im gonna open the door. You come right up

beside me and start shooting as soon as you see people.

When I duck back inside youve gotta be right with me or

you could get shot. I dont know. These guys arent very

good shots.

James nodded and swallowed.

Ralph Jr. put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed

it. You may not even hit anybody. Ill probably be the

one who kills them. Just dont hit me.

James nodded, his face extremely serious. Probably

too much so.

Ralph Jr. slung his assault rifle around his back and

walked up the stairs until the door prevented him from

walking up any further. James stepped up beside him,

sweaty palms clutching his weapon.

Ralph Jr. put his palms on the door and pushed up with

as much force as he could muster. The door turned out to

be a lot easier to open than he expected. It flew open and

slammed onto the gravel on the roof as air whooshed in.

The extra momentum from Ralph Jr.s overcompensation sent

his upper body flopping over on top of the door. James

stepped up next to Ralph Jr. a second later, hesitated, and

opened fire on the backs of two of the gunners. He pumped


49/60


several rounds into one of them, sending him plummeting off

the roof. As he fell over the ledge, he collided with the

other gunner and grabbed at him. But the other gunner

quickly slapped his friends hand away before he was pulled

over the edge.

Then the person on the roof who had been facing them

the whole time began to raise his gun. Ralph Jr. ducked

and pulled James down with him. They both ducked their

heads down as gunfire passed over the open door.

Nice work. You almost gave us an advantage.

The gunfire stopped after a couple seconds. Ralph Jr.

pulled out Nangs Glock from a holster on the back of his

belt and rested it on the edge of the doorway it was at a

45-degree angle. He slid it along the edge and stopped in

the general direction of the person who was facing them

when he opened the door. Ralph Jr. just started firing and

sliding the gun left and right along the edge, hoping to

hit something. The gun clicked as the clip was empty. A

moment later Ralph Jr. heard a crunch that sounded like

someones knees hitting the gravel.

He sat back down on one of the steps and tossed aside

the empty clip. He put the Glock back in his holster and

unslung his assault rifle. He looked into James eyes.

Im gonna stick my hand up so the last guy can see it.


50/60


Hell fire then we fire back in the direction. As long as

we get a piece of him we can finish this right now.

James nodded slightly, his stomach tightening and

heart rate spiking.

Ralph Jr. stuck his hand out and quickly lowered it

when he heard the first gun shot in the volley, but he

didnt pull it back quick enough because a bullet nicked

the meaty part of his palm. He squinted in pain but

quickly refocused and lifted his assault rifle as James

did. They returned fire until the other person stopped

firing. Ralph Jr. stopped firing and James followed suit.

He looked to Ralph Jr. for instructions. Ralph Jr. took

out the empty clip and quietly set it on the top step. He

reloaded and took a few deep breaths.

He walked up a couple steps, being careful to keep his

body below the plane of the roof. He closed his eyes and

tried to remember where the gunfire came from. He pointed

his head to the northeast corner of the roof. He stood up

straight, raised his rifle and let off three shots. He

panned left with his rifle then back to the right.

Were clear, he said.

But James didnt move.

Ralph Jr. looked down at him. Cmon, were good.


51/60


James slowly walked up the steps, holding his gun in a

death grip, his clammy, white-knuckled hands frozen in

place.

Hey Dad! Its Ralph! Im on the roof on the other

side of the street! I think theres only a few a these

punks left!

James surveyed the roof. A blond-haired man of about

22 years lay on his stomach, blood pooling underneath him.

A pained, nauseous expression on his nearly colorless face.

He reached for his gun, but it was just out of his reach.

On the other side of the roof a man lay on his back, limp.

Ralph Jr. pulled James forward and he walked up the

rest of the steps. Ralph Jr. stepped onto the roof and

hustled to the southeast corner. As he got closer he

crouched down and fired at the street in front of the

building opposite the one Nang and his father had ducked

into when the Gods Children first attacked.

He killed one person then dropped onto his stomach as

they returned fire. Then fire began pouring out of his

store and the abandoned building next to it. The attackers

turned their attention in that direction, allowing Ralph

Jr. to stand back up and actually take the time to aim at

people. He quickly killed a woman who was crouched down

behind a stripped electric car. Fire from his store killed


52/60


someone who was squatting next to where the rear bumper

used to be.

The last man left behind the car dropped his pistol

and ran down the street as fast as he could. Ralph Jr.

Nang and his father fired behind him, just to make sure

hed keep running.

Ralph Jr. surveyed the area to make sure there were no

more Gods Children around. He turned back to see James

walk over to the ledge and look around.

All of the sudden, James opened fire on the street a

couple blocks from the store. Ralph Jr. jogged over and

saw the last two Gods Children who chased them when they

were in the van. James was a horrible shot from that

distance but he succeeded in scaring them off. They both

ran in opposite direction without looking back.

Ralph Jr. patted him on the back. For your first

gunfight Id say you did pretty well.

They quickly got down from the roof and back into the

van. James drove back around to the store. Ralph Jr. paid

him for what was intact from the last box, which contained

canned food. Several of the cans got blown apart by

bullets when James drove away from the store. There were

only three cans left and Ralph Jr. paid six bucks for it.


53/60


You comin back anytime soon? Ralph Jr. asked as he

came around the back of the van with the last box.

Maybe...in a few weeks. Dont count on it though.

Just drop something off for the Gods Children.

Thatll make em relax, Ralph Jr. said.

James shook his head and pulled away.

Ralph turned around and saw Nang and his wife out in

front of the store, shotguns held at chest height. The

door was closed behind them. The streets empty. He smiled

at his wife and she immediately smiled back. Her

excitement to see him carefully concealed beneath her face.

She had to be on watch for any suspicious people. They

were especially vulnerable to another attack by the Gods

Children.

He looked at Nang, his forehead sweaty. Nang stared

back, his breathing labored. Scared determination in his

eyes. Something hed never seen before. Especially not

today. He didnt like it at all.

Then Nang shoved the butt of his shotgun into his

wifes chin. Knocking her to the ground. Then he raised

the weapon and aimed at Ralphs chest.

Wait...Nang...

Nang held the gun there for a couple seconds then

pulled the trigger. It felt like a superhuman kick to the


54/60


chest. He was on his back before he knew what happened,

beans and canned meat splattered all over his chest along

with blood.

He looked down at his chest in shock, his eyes wide.

He didnt feel any pain yet as he watched his shirt get

soaked in blood. He felt light-headed and he couldnt

move. He gasped for some of the air that had been knocked

out of him by the force of the gunshot.

He looked back up and saw Nang standing over him,

shotgun held at his side, a disturbed look on his face.

Why?, Ralph Jr. thought over and over again. He tried to

speak the word. His mouth moved but no sound came out the

first few tries. Finally, he said, Why?

Cause I cant live like this. The Gods Children

have a way out.

Must be an initiation, Ralph thought.

Nang turned around and fired back at the door to the

store. Then he ran off. Ralph rolled his head to the side

and saw Nang running toward a group of people. He saw a

Gods Children tattoo on one of their foreheads.

He heard the door open and his father wheel out. He

didnt have the strength to look up. He didnt know if he

wanted to. He shouldve seen this coming. He shouldve


55/60


known why Nang was acting strange. He could only go so

long being treated like an outsider among their family.

Son?

Ralph wanted to say something like, Goodbye, or I

love you, but he didnt have any wind or strength to get

it out. He also saw the group of Gods Children Nang had

ran to coming back. They were obviously going to finish

what they had started earlier.

#

About a half hour later, Harold Furlong pulled up in

front of the flea market in a two-door sedan. Like just

about everyone else in New Ritchie hed heard the gunfight.

If he had a police force he would have gone and tried to

stop it. But he didnt want to rush into a situation in

which he was outnumbered and outgunned.

He shut off the engine and got out, looking up and

down the street for any suspicious people. There were a

few scavengers out but most smart people were inside. They

were extra cautious about the Gods Children because of the

gunfight.

He tensed up a little when he saw that most of the

glass had been knocked out of the front door. He couldnt


56/60


see through it too well because of the bars but he guessed

that it was only worse inside because the door was open.

Ralph Connors didnt seem like a person who was dumb enough

to leave his door open after a gunfight.

Harold drew his Beretta and creeped toward the door.

He saw someone lying on the ground drenched in blood and a

few people around the body. Harold swallowed and slowly

opened the door.

Connors wife whirled around, startled, pointing her

shotgun up at Furlong. He raised his hands.

Whaddyou want? she asked, tear tracks down her

cheeks.

Furlong looked past her at Ralph Connors corpse. He

was propped up against the end cap of the aisle. His head

slumped over.

I wanted to see if everything was OK after the

gunfight earlier. He looked at the dead mans father.

His quiet confidence was gone. He had a relaxed look on

his face borne of exhaustion, physical, mental, and

emotional.

Furlong holstered his gun, lowering his hands. Jodie

lowered the gun. Well, he cant help you anymore.

Furlong looked around the store. Shelves were strewn

about the aisles. There were no goods on the shelves. He


57/60


58/60


Dont talk about that now. Please, Ralph Sr.

muttered.

But Harold pressed on. Some of my informants told me

they were getting bigger ideas. More than just robbing

people and spouting off their ideology. I didnt know what

to make of it.

They even started to threaten city hall. They

actually see us as some kind of a threat. Maybe thats a

good thing.

Jodie turned her head to look at Harold. Did they

see you come in here? Maybe we should be blaming you.

Maybe you brought this on us.

Jodie, Ralph Sr. tried to stop her.

No, she shook her head. Did you know about this?

Did your informants know they were coming after us like

this? Were the biggest business in town. You mustve

heard something.

Harold looked away, frowning. I...not, really. We

heard some things but I thought you could handle

yourselves. And I didnt think your husband would accept

any help from me.

You have to understand. We didnt think they were

capable of this. They just seemed like a cult. We--


59/60


60/60


actually doubted he could bring law and order to the

streets. The weight of his fathers accomplishments felt

like it increased that afternoon.

Last Chance to Make Rent

Documents

Transcript of Last Chance to Make Rent