Beyond the Barriers by Timothy W. Long Read Free Book Online Page A

on my face to see some response from the military. It didn’t matter if they were National Guard or the Marines. They could have landed a platoon for all I cared. They were here, offering some sort of protection.
    I slowed down as I neared the men. I laid the shotgun in the front seat next to me, so that if anyone looked in, they would know I was armed but not an immediate threat. I considered putting it in the back, on the floor where it was less likely to be seen, but what was the point after the day I was having, and I was pretty sure others were in the same boat.
    Two men dressed in camouflaged gear were in the process of maneuvering a heavy, concrete-filled barrel into place on the side of the road. A man dressed in jeans and a t-shirt jumped down from the back of a military transport. Others milled around a guy that gestured around the location. From the back, all I caught was grey hair shaved close to the skull.
    As I rolled to a stop, I waited for someone to come out and challenge me. No one did, so I pulled forward until I was level with the guys moving the barrel.
    “What’s the word?” I called after rolling down my window.
    “Fucked. That’s a word I would choose.” One man said without looking up at me.
    The other smiled and ignored me.
    “So you guys army?”
    “Something like that. We’re all they could call up on short notice. Some of us didn’t even have time to get our shit together, like Timmons over there—in the comfortable clothes.” He gestured to the guy in the t-shirt.
    I caught the eye of the older man as he came over. He moved with a sure step and didn’t take his eyes of me. He wore a pair of snake skin boots that gleamed in the sun. I felt like getting out and saluting, maybe reporting for duty. Some men are just made for the job he obviously had. The job of being in charge and making sure stuff gets done.
    He nodded, so I nodded back as he came around the front of the car.
    “Heading out of town?” he inquired in a baritone that probably boomed when the need called for it.
    “I was thinking about it. Depends on what’s out there.”
    “I’ll tell you what is behind you. A whole world of hurt.” He grimaced.
    I nodded. A couple of men rolled another barrel into place right next to my SUV. They nodded at the older man, and then looked at me like I was dirt.
    “Don’t mind them. We’ve been together for a long while.” He gestured toward the men. When he lifted his head, I noticed a fine scar running from his chin to his neck.
    “The name’s Tragger.” I stuck my hand out the window. I don’t know what possessed me to try and make a new best friend. The camaraderie of the military does that. Even though I had been out for a while, it felt like the right thing to do.
    “I’m Lee.” He shook my hand.
    Lee, huh? Was that a first name or last? His hand was strong, calloused. So was mine. We didn’t bother testing each other.
    “So are you going to read me the riot act now? Explain why I should go home and wait it out?”
    “It’s your life, son. I don’t really care where you’re going. My orders are to hold position here until we get other orders. You understand about orders?”
    “I was in the army for a while.”
    “You have the look. Things are getting crazy. We could use another man with some experience. You know much about that weapon?” He nodded at my gun.
    “Enough. I know a lot more about some of the automatics your men are carrying.”
    He glanced at his crew as they continued setting up the roadblock.
    “I didn’t see any insignia. You guys National Guard?”
    “Something like that. Let’s just say we have been together a long time, and we plan to watch each other’s back.”
    “And this outfit you’re in, they allow shoes like that?” I glanced toward his boots.
    “Damnedest thing. When the call came out, I didn’t have my regular boots. I think my wife put them in the attic somewhere. Anyway, these were the only shoes I had at hand that