Of this group of leaders, for lack of a better term, you only recognized one of the guys. He lived a couple blocks over and you would see him working on cars in his garage from time to time as you drove past. He had waved one or twice but you had never spoken to him. Everyone else could have been from a different town for all you knew.

 

 

   You introduced yourself to the group and relayed what little had transpired in your brief meeting of neighbors from your block… It only took a minute and you could step back and see who else would speak.

 

   It was an older man named Gerry that took the floor and spoke for his block which included the men at the main entrance you had passed on the way in. They had mostly already agreed that controlling the prominent entrance would be a good first step. They had anticipated that the plan would have been met with the neighborhoods complete agreement but as the windbag had made clear, it was not unanimously agreed on by everyone…

 

   Gerry apologized for any overstepping of boundaries he may have caused and said he planned to seek approval of the group from this point forward. He hoped that everyone would work together and present a united front if and when the bikers made it to there neck of the woods. Apparently, the bikers anticipated arrival wouldn’t be for a few days. That theory must have been presented when you were lost in your thoughts? What else had you missed, hopefully not much!

 

   Another man stepped forward and introduced himself as the owner of the mini storage business that was recently built across the road and a short distance from the entrance to the neighborhood. He explained that he had been looking at the recent suburban expansion in this part of the county and thought getting in on the ground floor would be a smart business move… He said in hindsight his timing couldn’t have been worse. He actually lived in the attached apartment upstairs from his businesses office. Not actually living in the neighborhood but definitely wanting to throw in with the rest of us to attempt a defense against the coming marauders! His group had elected him by default because he volunteered and no one else wanted to take the lead. He felt that since he didn’t live inside the official boundaries he better make himself valuable for being allowed to tie in with us… You wished that you could have been an outsider and not have to be held so responsible for this group…

 

   Each of the six guys had introduced themselves to the others and other then what Gerry’s group had started doing, no one else had any firm plans yet. It was discussed that a survey of defensive assets must be taken and see what the collective group might have as far as firearms or possibly anything else that could be used to persuade the bikers to move on without bothering with this neighborhood… None of the men had volunteered any information about owning any guns themselves but your suspicions were that several of the men had more up their sleeves then their elbows… Only time would tell?

 

   The only plan of action was that each man goes and meets at their various times in the AM and sees what their group members had to offer in the way of defense. Possibly someone would bring up something that could help them avoid the fight altogether. They came to a consensus that everyone could probably think more clearly after having had overnight to think over today’s news!

 

   The other concerns that were discussed were of the more common nature over the last couple of weeks. Who might have some extra food to help this family or that individual? What are we going to do when the water pressure finally gives out? Did anyone have any news from town other then what Gerry’s neighbor’s brother brought? It wasn’t like they were unconcerned about the bikers but it was good to see that the other concerns hadn’t gone by the wayside… If they didn’t stay fed and warm, the bikers might not even have a reason to bother with them, who wants to take from those with nothing left anyway…A thought occurred to you that this might actually be a defense in itself! Have to give that more thought when you have time to sit down and really process all the things that were flying through your head!

 

   One of the men asked you why you had come down so hard on Gary? Your response was who the heck is Gary? In the back of your mind, you had a fairly good idea thatGarywas the jerk you had sucker punched an hour ago. His response surprised you, he said Garywas the president of the homeowners association and not someone you wanted to be watching over your shoulder for… “Why’s that”, you asked? “Oh,Gary has a way of getting what he wants and he does not like the word no”, he replied! “Well,Gary had better watch his own step, this neighborhood doesn’t belong to him! If he hasn’t noticed the rules around here have changed and his loud mouth antics aren’t going to get him very far with me”, you retorted. None of the other guys had anything to add so, the other man let it drop but you filed away the conversation for future consideration…

 

   It was agreed that the group would gather again at noon the next day to compare notes from the block meetings that should all be wrapped up by that time. With a round of goodbyes and good lucks, the group disintegrated.

 

   Mind still spinning you headed for home. Trying to be nonchalant as you checked that your handgun was still secure and hidden under your coat tail. Satisfied that you were still carrying undercover, you picked up your pace to make up time and only be late getting home but not so much so that your wife would be beside herself yet…

 

   Most of the crowd had either had time to get home already or were far enough away to be out of your line of sight. The second group had gone in all different directions as there were several trails from the park back to the development. Since you had come from an unusual route having left from your back gate and were thinking of returning the same way as you had preplanned with you wife, you found yourself walking alone back to the county road that would take you along your back fence.

 

   Your thoughts were all over the board and you had to keep bringing yourself back to attention or you might walk right past your gate in the fog of thoughts. As you came into view of your house your thoughts turned back to the present and all the questions your wife was going to barrage you with as soon as she had you safely inside… It was at that moment that you heard the crunch of gravel behind you! Without turning around or changing your speed your hand moved back and under your coat to rest on the handgrip of your pistol… The choice was all yours, turn and see what was happening behind you or make a leap of faith and hope you can get over your back fence before whatever was behind you knew what was happening… In the heat of the moment you make the decision that could possibly have saved your life!

 

Stay tuned for another update next week!

 

Prepper