A/N: I don't own anyone but Alex…The rest belong to Kripke & Co (DAMN THEM!)
Central Illinois…..2027
"What you gotta understand is things used to be different. We used electricity for everything: For our computers, cars, medicine. We even used electricity to grow our food and pump water. But after the Blackout nothing worked. Not even car engine or batteries; sickness without medicine; fires without firefighters. People starved. Governments fell and militias rose up. If you were smart you left the city and if you didn't you died there! So what caused the Blackout? So what does everybody thing?"
The overweight man continued his lecture to the minute gathering of children.
"Look I know this isn't as fun as bow hunting or whatever but physics went crazy. But this should bother you. The world went crazy overnight and nobody knows why!"
His eyes peered through the scratchy lenses, noticing a few had begun to nod off. Most of these kids had been born post Blackout. Hell he had been a man of fortune right up to the night the lights went out. But money was as valuable as the rusted out shells that were once Priuses, Jags, and Hummers. Not that it mattered anymore. The world was sucker punched 200 years back into the past. Food had to be grown and harvested locally or starve. Grocery stores were something that people remembered and looked back at with fondness and mourned over. Most had taken their food supplies for granted as electricity sated the growing hunger for exotic foods from the four corners of the globe. Now they were an afterthought.
Ben emerged from the house in the center of what had been a cul de sac. He had been appointed the de facto leader of the peaceful settlement. He and his family had settled there after emigrating from the Windy City as staying would mean certain death. The country offered hope and life. It had been his family at first then others came. Refugees who fled the rising gangs of the cities and the violence that became law saw the gentle man with soft blue eyes. Everyone pulled their weight, planting, clearing or managing the livestock. Some were engineers or contractors in their former lives and together they banded as one cohesive unit. They were in essence a family.
"Morning Ben," Aaron hollered across the road. Ben smiled warmly at his friend. Aaron had wandered into the town, alone and hungry, offering nothing but the means to educate the youth to the best of capabilities. Ben and the others welcomed him with open arms as he now resided in the house at the right corner where he taught the history of the Old World to tired bored minds.
"Hey Aaron," Ben took a drink of his tea. Coffee had become nonexistent after the outage as the routes from South and Central America died when the lights went out. Tea was a better alternative. Maggie had seen to that. "You look terrible."
"I was up all night," Aaron took a short swig of the flask. "I had a raccoon ménage in my back yard."
"Have you seen Charlie and Danny?" Ben turned down the offering in the flask.
"They got up early; they said they were going to go hunting."
"That's what they better be doing." Ben brooded as he walked away. His kids had a bad habit of exploring instead of hunting. It wasn't safe out there. It was how Rachel was killed.
Maggie was a Brit who was knowledgeable in medicine for once upon a time she had been a physician. Her sense of self empowerment had led her to learning more about the holistic and Eastern practices that had been steeped in the psyche of many for centuries; well before the advent of Western medicine and technology. The soft spoken woman had offered Ben companionship after his wife had died. Ben had been alone, despondent even, but Maggie had been his saving grace. Charlie didn't approve of the arrangement but his eldest daughter had no say in his personal relationships. While she would never occupy the spot in his heart that his wife held, Maggie carved a place of her own. She didn't intend to replace anyone but Charlie didn't harbor the same sentiments as the adults.
Neville sat straighter in the saddle.
His right thigh ached as the chill bit the air around them. It was the harvest season for the Southern communities. He had received a tip that Ben Matheson was located somewhere in one of tiny villages that dotted the Illinois landscape. The townsfolk knew not to deceive any officer of the Monroe Militia or Republic for it had been established that General Sebastian Monroe leveled a heavy violent hand to those who dared and try to mislead him. The elected "mayors" of those independent colonies continued to point in the same direction, the very one that guided Neville towards the last town in what had once been LaSalle County.
His eyes were masked behind the tiny rounded shades, blocking the harsh rays of the sun. His spine had long since ceased aching from the jolting of his saddle. The flaps of his wool coat lightly waved in the wind as the squad turned at the right fork. His body had acclimated to the ever fluid climate of the Republic but that damned wound in the upper part of his leg would never stay silent.
Be fortunate that Monroe wants you alive…..
The angry snarl looped in his mind like a bad 8 Track tape. That bitch Koch had succeeded in delivering a stinging blow before her short lived break from his unit. The sharp point of flint had pierced the upper right part of his thigh, missing the femoral artery but millimeters. The equally hateful smirk had raised her mouth as she spat back in his face.
Be fortunate I didn't aim 3 millimeters to the left…..Captain…..
Her hateful retort had haunted him night after night. Monroe had displayed a certain level of concern for one of his highest ranking men but since Neville had not bled to death, his attentions had fallen towards the captive who had been dragged alongside him from Central Wisconsin to their camps in Indiana. At least Neville had received some degree of retribution. But it wasn't enough to sate his rising rage towards the woman. No matter, her time as a fugitive would surely run out and Monroe would have his pet back and Miles Matheson would live to regret the day he had been born.
Matheson had been as equally elusive but Monroe had informed him where there was one, the other wouldn't be too far away.
Trust me Captain Neville when I say I know them better than the back of my own hands. They won't be too far apart.
The faded photo still resided in the pocket of his jacket, the only means for which to out the fugitives. It was on a beach, somewhere perhaps in the Carolinas or Florida. Matheson had his arms around her waist in a possessive hold as she was elevated off the sand. Both were extremely happy, full of joy and love. It reminded the older man of his wife waiting for him back home. The youthful vigor displayed between the shallow creases had conjured images of his courtship and subsequent marriage.
But Captain Neville didn't need to refer to the aged picture for he knew the woman's face as it had been seared into his brain. He would never forget the cold hatred that burned in her bright blue eyes that day in the woods. She had taken down five of his men before she landed face first into the rock. Consciousness had inhabited her long enough so that she could penetrate his eyes with the sharp sapphire daggers. It was as if she didn't want him to forget who she was.
The marking would betray her in due time as well.
No one would be stupid or foolish enough to harbor her; no one but Matheson.
Today was the day that Neville would achieve success.
Once Ben Matheson is handed over to Monroe, Alexandra Koch and Miles Matheson better run…..
I'm going to enjoy watching Matheson hang like the common street rat he is…..
As for Koch, I am going to return the courtesy…Only this time I won't miss…
The image of Matheson kicking and jerking as the noose closed off his throat warmed the man's mind and body though the straight somber expression would have one to believe otherwise. The contingent marched through the wooden gate with an air that demanded attention and respect from the citizens who resided behind it. A dog that was tied up barked at the strangers who invaded its territory while children and women scattered for the protection of their homes while the men froze and tensed at the arrival of the men.
Ben recognized the insignia and rushed to his friend's side. Aaron stared strangely at his friend as Ben concealed something in his hand and gripped the other's.
"Take this," he pressed the triangular object in Aaron's meaty hand. It was an amulet of some kind that was suspended on a cord. It looked to be comprised of brass or some sort of alloy but that was the least of Aaron's concerns.
"Ben no…"
"Take it! Don't take the main roads because they will be looking for it. Please just do it. Remember what I told you to do. Do you understand?"
"Ben, nothing's going to happen," Aaron was naïve in his response. Surely the men had arrived not to cause trouble.
Ben begged him, closing Aaron's fingers over the device. Aaron could see Ben wasn't backing down and reluctantly accepted the bizarre item. He shoved it in the pocket away from the men's eyes as Ben hurried to Maggie who was standing there watching the armed invaders. Why were they here? Ben had already paid the taxes for the season so there was no need for the unexpected calling.
"Maggie I need you to look out for my kids," Ben suddenly appeared at her side.
"No, Ben don't do this please," Maggie's eyes swelled with the gathering deluge. She had already lost her children and losing another loved one was something she couldn't bear to stand happen again.
"My god…..What a beautiful village." The newcomer commented on the quaint picturesque scene laid out before him.
"There must be some mistake, we already paid our taxes to the garrison," Ben was firm but calm with a hint of submission.
"This isn't about your crops. We're not here with the local garrison. I'm looking for Ben Matheson," the dark skinned man dismounted the chestnut steed and plucked the glasses from his nose. The men who accompanied him brandished rifles and hand guns. Such armaments were illegal for regular citizens to possess in this new existence. But some had defied the Militia and held their weapons in secrecy knowing it was a hanging offense if caught.
"I'm Ben Matheson," Ben stepped up. The man cracked an ominous smile as he came closer.
"Miles Matheson is your brother and Alexandra Koch is your sister in law correct?"
"Yes but I-I haven't seen either one in years. I have no idea where they are."
Ben knew Alex would head to Chicago as Ben had told her when the world crashed to go there as Miles would hopefully have the smarts to follow. If she was there she would be safe as hiding in plain sight would be an advantage.
"I am in search of them as well. I come here on orders of Sebastian Monroe, General of the Monroe Militia and President of the Monroe Republic. You have no idea how long I have been searching for you. I have searched through dirt and filth. I have been away from my wife and my bed so you can see I am in a mood. It would be in your best interest and the interests of this town to cooperate and get in the back of the wagon without any resistance."
Neville tugged at the leather gloves then subtly drew back his jacket showing the gun that lay in the holster. It was a means to intimidate but Ben wasn't buying into what the man was selling. He didn't need to invoke unnecessary fears into the people he had sworn to keep safe.
"Why is this necessary? I don't understand."
"Do I have to repeat myself Matheson?" Anger simmered beneath the surface. "Get into that wagon or so help me I will conscript all of your children and re-educated them to forget who you are."
The tense smile lit up Neville's face once again. "Are we clear?"
Everyone felt the tension spreading out like a violent storm. Guns were loaded while hands held farm tools, prepared to lash out if necessary.
"Alright," he nodded and took a step in the direction of the waiting wagon. The black scorch marks of the Republic's insignia gloated as Ben continued on. Rumors of the manhunt for the Matheson Brothers and Alexandra Koch fanned through the farming lands like a summer prairie fire. But the rumors sadly materialized as truth as Captain Tom Neville stood in the center of the cul de sac. He prayed Alex and Miles were safe.
"Ben," Maggie rushed to his side.
"It's going to be alright," he assured her but she wasn't accepting one syllable.
"No, no it's not! Ben…."
"You can't have him!" Danny stood with his feet hips' width apart. In his hands was a crossbow.
"Danny," Ben held up a hand towards his son. "Put it down."
"I take it this is your boy?" Neville didn't hide his distaste. Lovely, an adolescent who thinks he can play hero. Perfect! Just what Neville needed!
"Just please go away and leave us alone," the teen quietly pleaded with the captain. A militiaman trained his gun on the boy, not caring if Ben stood in the way. His hands began to waver and tremble as he knew his actions were treasonous. But he didn't care! They weren't taking his dad away!
"Put down the weapon," Neville was harsh in his warning.
"Just forget about him and please leave us be," the teen didn't pause and kept his whimpers of mercy.
"Tell him to put his down first!" Ben jerked his head to the right as Caleb brandished his own rifle. Neville's temperament was shortening with every passing second.
"You realize possession of a firearm is a hanging offense." Neville curled his fists up then down.
"Caleb," Ben bemoaned the escalating situation. Now they would surely suffer greatly for this!
Neville retained his cold but calm demeanor, even as Danny fired off the arrow and the first crack of gunfire opened the gates to slaughter.
Note: Alex and Miles aren't married like the Militia and Bass assume as such. But Ben doesn't know that either and assumes if they found one another then they more than likely did. Think of it as more like common law for those two :)