The Myriad Resistance by John D. Mimms Page B

and Barbara watching me with amusement. Abbs grin didn’t last too long, however.
    â€œBye, Dad!” she said and ran after the group.
    I started to protest, and then reconsidered. She was eighteen and I imagined she was as safe here as she would be anywhere.
    â€œThat’s incredible!” Barbara said. “Do you think there will be a chance to meet him?”
    I looked to Burt. Barbara and I were the rookies to the camp. I didn’t know what Danny’s policy was about interacting with the Impals. Besides, Burt introduced me to the Impal quarters last night.
    â€œProbably, later … you and I have something big to do today.” He said, poking me in the chest in a playful manner. I think it was for Barbara’s benefit because I could see the seriousness in his eyes.
    â€œWhat?” Barbara asked with suspicion in her eyes.
    â€œNothing to worry about,” Burt assured her. “Just a little roundup we need to prepare for.”
    I knew what he meant. He wanted me to come with him to collect another group of Impals.
    â€œNot without me,” Barbara said. “I am part of this group too.”
    I knew the main reason she wanted to go was not to be one of the guys. It was because she still hadn’t given up hope of finding her mother.
    â€œYou certainly are,” Burt said. “That’s why we need you here to help watch over the camp.”
    Barbara started to argue until he brought up his next point.
    â€œBesides, every flesher we take is one less Impal we can bring back.”
    Barbara could be emotional with the best of them when the time came. She was also a very rational and logical person. Burt’s logic was flawless and she couldn’t argue.
    â€œWhere are we going?” I asked.
    â€œCan’t say just yet for security reasons. I’ll let you know when we are en route.” He patted Barbara on her on the arm and said, “He’ll be fine, I promise.”
    The words barely exited his mouth when a deafening crack rang out, echoing like rolling thunder around the valley. It was as if time ran in slow motion. I saw Burt spinning away like a top with shock in his eyes. I felt something warm and wet spray across my face. I turned to Barbara and saw crimson sprayed across the side of her face. I knew it was blood. Instinct took over and I dove forward, tackling Barbara to the ground. Another bullet whistled past my ear as the shot rolled around the valley like thunder.
    I was unarmed and my only thought was to protect Barbara. Spreading my body across hers, I heard another gunshot as a bullet kicked up a plume of Earth mere inches from us. Dirt rained down on my head as I heard the voice of a strange man.
    â€œYou damned Pythonians! I saw you takin’ your demons in there! I’m going to make sure you join them!” called a deep voice, distorted with rage. The breathing sounded like a marathon runner. The second voice belonged to a woman. It carried the same viral hatred and labored breathing.
    â€œI’m gonna blow your damn head off, demon lover!” she screamed.
    I braced myself and prepared for the shot. I covered as much of Barbara as I could, hoping that they, whomever they were, would be satisfied after they shot me. I heard her panting beneath me, my chest vibrating with every shuddering sob of her body.
    â€œI love you,” I whispered and closed my eyes to prepare.
    I flinched as two shots rang out. Convinced that my life was over, a crazy idea ran through my mind. Would I have to live in the mineshaft now?
    I waited … for what I was not sure.
    Would my spirit, my Impal part, rise out of my body or would I need to make a conscious effort to stand up? A second later, two more shots rang out. These were immediately followed by two hard thuds a short distance away. I opened my eyes and turned my head in the direction of the gunshots. My stomach lurched as I saw the face of a red-haired, middle-aged woman lying a