tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70490143366503342852024-02-20T02:24:40.280-08:00SHTF FictionOriginal end of the world fiction and links.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-90144502096207685422015-11-30T12:31:00.001-08:002015-12-02T10:01:57.756-08:00SHTF Fiction: Night ComesMy mother sat cross legged on the floor of the living room. Her hands methodically shoved brass cartridges into the magazines until they were full. She would place the full magazine by her right knee in neat stacks of three. On her left side were the empty magazines. In front, sat the green metal can of bullets.<br />
<br />
Left, load, right, start another. Click, Click Click.<br />
<br />
I stood in the doorway watching her and waiting. She had nothing more to say to my father and even less to me. It wasn't our fault. <br />
<br />
My father entered the room carrying two shotguns. The longer of the two was the one he used to go dove hunting with in September. The other was the "home gun" my sister and I were not supposed to touch. He set the long gun on the good chair in the living room and then worked the slide on the home gun.<br />
<br />
Shik-Shak. Shik-Shak.<br />
<br />
He always did that before and after he went dove hunting. "Clear the gun, Kate" he'd tell me. "Always clear the gun.".<br />
<br />
My father took a red shotgun shell from the open box on the dining room table and slid it into the gun. Then another, then another, then another. He did not slide the gun action again though. Not yet.<br />
<br />
I left the room and went into the den off the kitchen. The news was still on and would be for hours if not days. I stared at the screen for a few minutes without seeing anything. I went into the kitchen. The light was out and it was late afternoon. Mom should be starting dinner but the stove was cold. She would not be cooking today. <br />
<br />
I went back into the living room. My mother stood and the cartilage in her knees popped. She leaned down and picked up a stack of loaded magazines and started putting them into a dull green bag with dark stains on one side. I recognized it as one of my father's bags he used to carry dead birds when he went hunting. <br />
<br />
"I'll take the Ford." said my father. My mother said nothing, she just kept putting magazines in the bag.<br />
<br />
"Kate." my father said. He handed me a large manila envelope.<br />
<br />
"Birth certificates, social security cards, insurance, house information. It's all in there." he said. <br />
<br />
I felt the creases of the manila envelope and stared at the floor. My father set down a blue metal box on the coffee table, took out a small key and opened the box. Inside was a stack of cash, credit cards and some loose papers.<br />
<br />
"Go to your aunt's house after we leave, she's waiting for you. Take this stuff and don't forget your bag. I don't know when you will need the papers, but the cash will come in handy. Do what you have to." he said.<br />
<br />
"Take this." he handed me a pistol.<br />
<br />
"You remember how to use this." It wasn't a question, but a statement. I nodded. My father left the room.<br />
<br />
My mother was standing in the living room looking at the mantle where my sister's picture stared back at us. Mother turned to me and her eyes returned to normal.<br />
<br />
"Come here." she ordered, " Turn around."<br />
<br />
She had a brush and began dragging it through my hair.<br />
<br />
"Take care of your hair. Comb it out after you shower, never put it in a pony tail wet and dry it before you go to bed at night."<br />
<br />
She was hurting me and I said so. She stopped brushing and pulled my hair into a pony tail, tying it with an elastic band. She turned me around and looked me in the eye. There was no sadness.<br />
<br />
I wanted to hug her, but she would only push me away. Like a kitten too old to nurse or a bird that needed to fly, she was shoving me out of her life.<br />
<br />
My mother picked up the game bag and put it over her shoulder. She casually picked up the rifle and thoughtfully checked a magazine before pushing it into the gun. Like a shopper considering a melon at the market before placing it in her cart. <br />
<br />
"Ready?" my father said. My mother said nothing and went to the open front door. My father turned to me.<br />
<br />
"Remember, go straight to your aunt's house. No dilly dallying, you hear?" he said. I nodded.<br />
<br />
The door closed and I heard both cars start out front. Seconds later, they pulled away, the transmission on my mother's Subaru whining as the gears shifted into their place.<br />
<br />
I picked up my sister's framed school picture and went into the den. I unmuted the television and stared at the images on the screen. The elementary school was smouldering and firemen poked carefully around the edges. A woman knelt on the ground with her hands in her hair, he face screwed with misery. Like sleep walkers, people stepped around and ignored her. The government declared an impotent state of emergency. <br />
<br />
Their place, that place where those people gathered was around the corner from my sister's school. The place of constant wailing, dour faces and tented women. Places similar to it all over town and everywhere else that knew suffering, torment and unrelenting horror. That place. <br />
<br />
An enemy without children is an enemy without a future, they said. My mother and father should be there about now. They won't be alone. This night will not end lightly nor soon. It will last for a very long time, black as ink, oily, dirty and sudden. <br />
<br />
My sister loved flowers, crayons and balloons. I once told her a certain flower had no smell,
yet she still oohed after she sniffed it as though it was the scent of a
rainbow. The end of her nose was yellow with pollen and she looked up at me and smiled. She believed. <br />
<br />
Now, I looked at the face of my eight year old little sister. She had a blue bow in her hair and her smile was crooked. I held her picture to my chest. All the flowers were brown and dying and taken all the color of the world away with them. <br />
<br />
I was standing on the front porch. In my left hand was my sister's picture, in my right, the gun. I was close enough that I could walk to her school and then some more. It was getting dark. It would be getting darker, as night comes.<br />
<br />
<i>"-- stated authorities at the scene, where the multiple fatalities may be impossible to identify. Calls for dental records have been issued, but with many of the victims under the age of ten, authorities warn it might be weeks before identities are released. Federal officials are warning everyone not to jump to conclusions over today's attacks and the arrest of several persons from the refugee community. Area clergy and ministers are planning a candlelight vigil....".</i><br />
<br />
<br />JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-50910100090465095052014-03-09T15:56:00.002-07:002014-03-09T15:58:17.488-07:00Short Story: Requiem for a raider<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You wouldn't understand. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>It's too hard for most you people to get your head around. I'm sitting here under a tree, well more like a half a burned out stump, watching my guts try to slide out my stomach. I'm holding them in pretty good with my old hoodie wrapped around my waist and cinched pretty tight. Don't matter much cause my leg's bled out a bunch and I'm getting woozy. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They say when your dying, your life flashes before your eyes. I'm here to tell you, it's more like a TV show. It starts to flicker like them old sets did. Not the fancy flat screens they got today, but like them big console jobs when we were little. We had one like that in the front room when I was three or four.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round that time, when I was little, Daddy up and left. I don't remember much about him 'cepting he was big and had hairy arms. I remember that much but that's all. Sometime after, Ray started coming around and was seeing Mama. Me and Colt, that's my little brother, he goes by Colton now 'cuz that's his real name. You probably remember him a few years ago, but that'll come later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyhow, me and Colt used to sneak out of our room and watch Mama and Ray fool around on the couch. We didn't get it and thought he was gonna hurt her, but she looked over at us out of the corner of her eye and gave us the evil eye. So we beat it but snuck out another time to see what was going on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was usually a few bottles on the table, cigarettes burning. I can still smell them things and it makes me want one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stick my hand in my jacket pocket and it hurts, but I find my last crumpled packet. Merits. Yuck. Oh well, ain't like I'm gonna get up and go to a 7-11 and get a pack of Marlboros. Not like those are around anymore. I stick the bent thing in my mouth and light it with my Bic. Takes a few tries to get the flame up, but I do. I take a deep drag and cough half my lung out. Damn that hurts. Where was I? </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yeah, so Ray moves in later and hangs out with Mama. We stay out of his way and he stays out of ours. One time he comes home drunk and Mama got mad. He laughed at her and calls me and Colt out. He tells us our Mama is a big fat cow. Colt starts crying and tried to hit Ray. Colt was only 2 or 3 and I told him to cut it out. Then I laugh along with Ray and start mooing. Ray got a kick out of that and didn't hit Colt on account of what I did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ray says, "You wanna see something funny?". He takes of his belt and starts whacking Mama on the butt. She starts crying and begging Ray to stop. Ray grabs this old slipper off the floor and shoves it in Mama's mouth and tells her to fetch it like a dog. Mama got on all fours and started going back and forth from the kitchen to the front room. Ray's howling and laughing and gets made 'cuz Colt is hiding his face. So I grabbed a piece of rope from the kitchen and hand it off to Ray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Make her a leash." I said and Ray forgot about Colt again. I started laughing at Mama and got Colt off to bed. I went out again and Ray was getting on Mama so I went back to me and Colt's room and told him to be quiet. I got ready in case we had to go out the window, but it never happened. Ray passed out and was snoring with his pants down. Mama was asleep next to him with the rope still around her neck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time went by and me and Colt went to school. Colt was two years younger, but he did good in school. Not me. I was bigger and got restless easy. Mama never came to the teacher meetings on account of work, getting drunk and Ray so the teachers quit sending home notes. I didn't care. When I was in third grade I swiped some of Mama's and Ray's smokes and started up. Haven't been without them since.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ray kept beating Mama but she kind of deserved it. She got fat and lazy and Ray was trying to keep her in line. All she needed was a belt and a shoe in her mouth from time to time, but she still got fat and didn't do nothing around the house. Ray took off and didn't come back. It was Mama's fault.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's some noises off in the woods. It's still full on dark and probably going to be like it for a few more hours. When they find me, I'll be as stiff as a board, I mean to tell you. When they started shooting, I took a couple and made it this far. The rest of the fellas, well, they probably ain't as lucky. Montezuma and Ulysses would be kicking our butts for this mess, but it ain't my fault. 'Sides, they deader than door nails too. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colt liked baseball but we didn't have no money for nothing like that. Still, I'd see him out with the other kids when he was 7 or so and he looked stupid with no glove. Just standing there slapping his fist into his other hand. The kids let him play 'cuz he could hit and run fast. But he didn't have no glove and it made me mad. The other kids know'd we ain't got no money and Mama was a drunk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I walked home and had a smoke in the alley between some old houses when I see these kids come down the street. They went to the other elementary up the road that was across the big street and nicer than ours. These kids all got fancy backpacks and they got baseball gloves too. I toss my smoke and go on out in the sidewalk and block em off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were about to run and I tell'd them to stop right there and turn out their pockets or I was going to bust them up. See I was bigger then they was and they knew I was from the not so good part of town. I got a few bucks and some change from those punks. I also took two baseball gloves and chucked their books down the storm drain. Then I chased them away and laughed when they runned off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept this one backpack for myself and another for Colt. I put both gloves in his pack 'cuz I don't play no ball sports. I put the bag on his bed when I got home and went to look at TV. He comes home and finds it and goes. "What's this, Ricky?". I says, "It's a present from Santy Clause cuz he missed our house last time."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colt was all happy and says "We got two gloves. You wanna play catch?" And I say "No, that's a stupid game. Why don't you go play with your friends?" and he takes off. I poke around after he left and found some more smokes. I was having one when Mama comes home and she starts to yelling and trying to hit me with a hair brush or the broom. I took it away from her and told her I was going to put a shoe in her mouth. She starts bawling and goes and gets the big bottle of vodka from the kitchen. I went outside and stayed there until it was real dark.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can hear dogs now and some shooting but it's far away. I figure somebody must have been playing possum and got up and runned the other way. Them fellas had us figured out and ambushed us when we come up on the house. More like a fort it was. Thirteen of us cut down, 'cepting for me cause I was in the back. We knew they had guns, gas, girls and grub and we needed all of it. I hate the woods 'cuz it's dark and there's noises everywhere. I liked cities and streets. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to high school but I was held back one year. That put me one grade up on Colt and I wasn't going to be in the same grade so I got this kid to copy his homework sometimes. I didn't have many friends but I had a few that I runned around with. We boosted some stereos back then and did some little things for pocket money.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colt did good in baseball and made the school team. The high school was bigger than our old school and had a lot of them kids from the nice part of town. Colt was pals with them on the team and would go over their house but didn't invite me. It wasn't Colt's fault but them stuck up kids. Colt told me about his friends and I'd ask questions like I was interested. Once he told me some kid and his family was going on a vacation. Me and my friends went over at night and got in the house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got some good stuff for hocking. We took their liquor and got drunk, pissed on the furniture and stuff. I found fifty bucks in a kid's room stuffed in a birthday card. Nobody sent me no birthday cards so I kept it. They had a teenage girl who lived in the house but was gone too so we messed up her stuff. Girls didn't talk much to me at school so that was fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was a junior I was 18 and they told me I'd have to repeat and I said "No way". I dropped out and nobody could stop me. But they felt bad and helped me get the GED. I called it a Deadbeat Diploma to the councilor but she didn't laugh. I got picked up by the cops around then 'cuz someone said I busted out their car window, but I didn't do it. The judge told me to get a job, go to school or join the Army. I joined the Army.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it's getting light now or I'm getting near done. No sounds now 'cepting some far off talking in the trees. They probably going through the fellas stuff, taking their guns and things. When it gets light, they'll find my blood I think and come find me. I gotta hurry 'cuz I ain't got much time. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Army didn't know what to do with me so they taught me how to work on tanks and the guns they got. I was an armorer they said. I didn't care 'cuz I got a check every month, a room and three meals a day. I put on some weight in basic and got cut. I was feeling pretty good. They sent me to armorer school and what do you know? They sent me to Germany. I'd never been out of town until basic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Germany, I lived in a place called a dorm with this other feller from Utah. He was alright. He had a job in supply doing this and that. I worked on guns like the machine guns on the tank and the side arms we had. M16, M60 and later M249. All kinds of stuff. I liked shooting them and made all kinds of excuses to blow stuff up. They let me do it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They had this big ol' store on the base called an exchange you could get everything at. I bought three cartons of cigarettes my first pay day. I tried to get some booze but they said you needed a coupon and you could only use two coupons a month. I asked somebody and got my coupons. I liked to drink but it added up so I stuck with beer at the local slop shoot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met some German girl named Astrid at some place and she was real cute. I never had a girl friend but she showed me the way and I took to it like a fish in water. She took good care of me but had a stubborn streak so I had to use the belt a few times. Never had to put a shoe in her mouth so that was all good. She had a friend, a guy, named Aki. I didn't like her having guy friends but he was kind of gay and it didn't bother me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aki wanted to know if I could get some stuff from the base to sell. Stuff like liquor or cigarettes. I thought on it awhile and figured out a good angle. I went to my room mate and he was Mormon and didn't touch no booze or smokes. He wouldn't buy me nothing, but he gave me his coupons. He wouldn't give me no more though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I come in the room one time and he stuck this thing under the bed. I asked "What was that?" and he wouldn't tell me. I went to get it and had to slap him around some to get it. It was a magazine with naked men in it! I started laughing at that poor kid. I told him I was gonna tell everyone and he starts begging me not to. So I tells him to give me his coupons and start getting coupons from all his Mormon friends. He done it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started selling good booze like Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels to Aki and making some money. All in all, I was collecting a thousand bucks or more some months. It gets better. Aki gets me some pot and other stuff that I turn around and sold to some of the guys on base. Everyone was cool with it and I collected more dust. I stashed most of my money around Astrid's apartment and gave her a couple of hundred a month to make her happy. I felt like a pimp or something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things went good till I got nabbed. They court martialed me and drummed me out of the Army. They even took my last check for my flight home. I went to Astrid's to get my money but she and Aki took it all. I slapped her around and beat her with my belt but she said Aki got all the money. I flew home with fifty bucks hidden in my shoe and the clothes on my back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They got me back to home and dumped me at the airport. I had to hitch to Mama's house. She was there and looking as sorry as ever. She probably weighed three hundred pounds, was diabetic and taking all sorts of pills. She was on the disability and didn't work no more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I talked all sweet to her and told her I was home on leave. Colt got a scholarship to some college in El Paso playing baseball. I told her I wanted to go see him. I went in me and Colt's old room and took some of his clothes and stuffed them in one of those backpacks I took a long time ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told Mama I wanted a shower and turned on the water. She was sleeping in her recliner so I went in her room and poked around till I found her stash. There was a couple of hundred dollars in the back of her dresser and I took it. Then I went through the medicine cabinet and found some Prozac, Oxycontin and codeine. I took it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left the water running and went out the bedroom window. I stopped by McDonalds and had a couple of hamburger sandwiches, fries and a big Coke. Then I bought some smokes and a Greyhound ticket to El Paso.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My leg is hurting but it stopped bleeding. I stuffed a bunch of leaves in the hole and tied it off with my right shoe lace. My leg went numb and will probably have to be cut off if they find me. I don't think they will in time, 'sides, my gut's all hurting and trying to pop out on the grass. I take out my last Merit and put my head against the rotted old tree. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got to El Paso the next day after I left home. I sold those pills to some pill heads outside the bus station and that helped with my bus ticket. I had about two hundred bucks left and put half in my left boot and the other half in a slit in my belt. I had six dollars in ones and change in my front pocket in case I get rolled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to ask four or five people how to get to the college and ended up walking. I got to the school and it wasn't like high school. There were a bunch of buildings and nobody knew Colt. So I bummed around until some feller told me where most of the sports guys live and I went over. Some guy at the front found Colt's name and made me wait. I drank two Cokes from a machine and sat outside smoking until Colt come up the steps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was all unsure how to act and I told him we was brothers and I was home from the Army for a few days. How was he going to treat me? He said okay and took me to his room. He had a dorm room like I did in the Army and I told him so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone come in his room and said Mama had called looking for him. I told him I'd call Mama 'cuz she was worried about me getting here. 'Sides, I told him to save his quarters on the pay phone and I'd pay for it 'cuz I was in the Army. He said OK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colt was going to a house party that night and I asked if I could go. He said OK but I knew he didn't want to be embarrassed so I borrowed some of his college clothes so I could fit in. We got to the party and I told everyone I was in the Army fighting ragheads and they got a kick out of that so they let me be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't get along or have much to say to his friends but there was some pretty college girls there. I drank a lot of free beer and figured Colt had a good thing going in college what with playing ball, drinking beer and chasing girls. Nobody gave me the time of day so I looked around the place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a bedroom everyone was tossing their coats and purses and stuff. I went inside, took a bunch of those purses, went in the closet and started going through them. I found some cash, about sixty bucks or so, a credit card and some other odds and ends. College kids ain't got much I learned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went back into the bedroom real quiet to put the stuff back when I see this girl passed out on the bed on top of all them coats and stuff. I asked her "what's up?" but she was passed out cold. I figured what the heck? I locked the bedroom door and got on top of her. I was pulling down her pants when she wakes up. She was going to scream or something so I told her I was going to kill her if she talked. She shut up and I had my way. Then I got my pants on, told her to close her eyes and if she left the room in the next fifteen minutes, I would kill her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left the room and the party house. I didn't know which way Colt's dorm was so I walked to a nearby street and went to an iHop for some pancakes and stuff. Later, after I got straight, I remembered where to go and I went back to his dorm and he wasn't there yet so I went to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, Colt come back and asked where I'd been. I lied and said I left at ten or so cause I was tired from my long flight. Colt said some girl was raped and I shook my head. "That's real sad. Probably some drunk frat boy." and Colt nodded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colt didn't have class that day but he had to study. "Where'd you get those books?" I asked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The book store." he said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They must be a lot of money. Who give you all that money?" I asked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The school. They pay for everything," he said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What do you do with them books after you're done reading them?" I asked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You sell them back to the bookstore."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What about food?" I said 'cuz I was hungry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The food court. You can get whatever you want" he says. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I ain't got much American money 'cuz I just came from Germany. You got any?" I asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Here," he says. "This is my meal card. Charge what you want on it, but bring it back when you're done. I have to study and then go to practice." he says.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took this credit card thing and went to where the food court was. I got two hamburger sandwiches, fries, two Cokes, apple pie and some pudding. They took the card, swiped it and sent me on my way. That was alright. I ate all my food when I see this dorky kid walk up with a tray of food. Only he ain't got a food card, only cash.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His tray of stuff was seven bucks, but he only had four. I had an idea. I went over and paid for his food with Colt's card and took his four bucks. Wheels started spinning then.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went through the line and found some other folks in the same predicament or some who just wanted more food but didn't want to spend so much money. In a few hours I made over a hundred bucks. I hoped the school wouldn't tell Colt until I was long and gone. I went back in line and got a half dozen sandwiches, chips and some Cokes and stuck them in my bag for later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was about to leave when I see this bunch of dorks sitting at a big table talking and playing a card game. I pretended to watch and when they weren't looking, I snagged this big old school book off the table and went on my way. I asked someone where the bookstore was. I was going to see how hard it was to hock a school book and when I got there, it was easy. They asked for my school ID but I said I lost it, but I had my meal card. They said "OK" and gave me twenty three bucks for that stupid book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a walk around the school that day and scooped up some more books from kids that weren't looking. I sold them and made another hundred and fifty bucks. Then I went back to the dorm. Colt was gone so I had me a look around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a couple of Colt's nice college shirts along with two gold chains he had in a box. I figured some rich friend gave him those things and he wouldn't miss them. I was about to pack up when I found a birthday card in his dresser. There was a twenty dollar bill inside and Happy Birthday from Mama written down. Mama never sent me nothing. I wanted to go back home and beat her with my belt and put two shoes in her mouth. I chucked everything across the room and left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to the Greyhound station and took the very next bus leaving. It was going to Houston and so was I. I never talked to my brother again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sun is creeping up. I feel sick to my stomach and I know why. My leg is all swollen 'cuz I left the shoe lace on too long. I can't feel my left side no more and I know the end is coming soon. I feel all fuzzy and don't want no more smokes. Don't have any no how. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Houston, it's easy to hook up with the right folks. I got a job washing dishes and met a bus boy selling pot. I met his dealer and then met some other folks. They hooked me up with another guy who introduced me to this guy name Valdez. He needed someone who knew guns. I told him about my job in the Army and he put me to work. I spent most my day cleaning and fixing guns. Some were old Army guns, others were strange commie guns like AK47s. Others were guns like you get at the sporting goods store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along the way, I got picked up and put in the Harris County lockup for possession. That was for three weeks. Another time I got picked up for a concealed handgun with no markings. That sent me to Huntsville for nine months. Each time I got out, Valdez had work for me. I don't tell too much about my jail time 'cuz of what happened to me in there. You wouldn't either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did meet this feller in Huntsville who led me to meeting Montezuma and his gang. That was later. Another time, we was watching TV and there's a baseball game on. Colt was wearing a uniform and playing the game right then and there on TV. Some fella asked me if I knew that kid on TV 'cuz we had the same last name. I said "Shut up. If I knew someone playing ball would I be in here?". What do you know?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valdez had his stuff together when I got out of Huntsville. I went to this warehouse with a janitorial company in the front. I wore a coverall and was working for Valdez on a work release program. In the back was this plain old door that said Electrical Room. In there was really a big warehouse room full of hardware. I went back to work on guns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of the guns were going south to this gang down in Mexico. The guns came from all over. Some even came from China and El Salvador. I didn't care. Valdez paid me cash money and gave me a girl from time to time. It was alright. I had an apartment and nobody bothered me. I didn't even have to see my parole officer no more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mama died around then. Nobody told me, I just happened to run into this guy I knew in high school at a Denny's. He said Mama died six months ago and that he saw my brother Colt in town then. I said nothing and left my breakfast on the table.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Round that time, things got hairy in the world. You remember, 'cuz if you're reading this, you lived too. The ragheads and the commies got together and started chucking nuclear bombs at America. I knew all about this stuff from the Army. I got out of my apartment before Houston got dusted and made it to the sticks. Well, out north to the suburbs around Conroe. I hooked up with Montezuma's gang not long after 'cuz they were turning the nice homes in the area upside down after Houston went up. I seen this feller I knew in Huntsville and they took me in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The feller told Montezuma what I knew about guns and he made me the armorer for the gang. I couldn't ride a bike so I drove this old pickup that still ran and used it for carrying tools, supplies, guns and more ammo. These guys went through ammo faster than the army, but that's not my business. They kept me fed and in smokes. We rolled plenty of nice homes, farms and ranches in those days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A lot of folks didn't get how it went down. We'd come along and find a neighborhood with some fine houses, wood smoke burning from fireplaces, folks trying to set up guard and putting out barricades with cars and such. What a joke. We'd blow through them things easy. Take what we want, rape the women, burn the houses, smash stuff, it didn't matter. We'd be gone before they could find their butt with both hands. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 13px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Then there'd be some kind of homestead or other nonsense. Two or three families bundled together in the sticks, growing a garden, got chickens and sitting watch in a tree or on a hill. All you gotta do is watch for a day or so, figure out their comings and goings and hit 'em when they're sleeping or changing guards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 13px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">'Member, we didn't try and grow food, or store stuff or fetch water. All we did was hit folks, take what we wanted and mess up the rest. Once we got inside a house or compound, we'd start raping and killin'. We didn't haul everyone together and make faces. Nah, we'd get busy right away. We'd shoot all the men, most of the little kids, start raping the girls and women and eat and bust stuff while we did it. We didn't care what we messed up or try to go through every little thing or bit and sorting stuff out. We'd take what was out in the open and burn the rest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, we had to hook up with Ulysses' gang as we needed the numbers. He as a big old psycho who'd just as soon rip off your head than look at you. He didn't care what I did, but he left me alone and me him. He packed a pair of .45, two sawed off shotguns and an M4 across his back. I kept his guns working and loaded and he didn't kill me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Here's something funny. Once we come up on this old house. There's a fat old guy living there with his sick wife, some grand kids and a couple of other old folks. This guy's gotta nice bunch of guns, ammo, a mess of these Army meals called Meals ready to Eat and other stuff. He's puffing and huffing around trying to hold us off but sooner or later he gets tired. We're hiding behind trees and stuff catcalling him and whistling and he's turning this way and that shooting at shadows. We got in and took all his nice guns. Then we stripped him nekked and put him in a circle and made him run this way and that while we poke at him with knives. After a while, Ulysses got tired, shot him in the gut and we got busy on the rest. Bunch of guns and ammo that guy had and it didn't do him a bit of good 'cuz he was a fat old cuss. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
Things got worse. There was sickness and food was hard to get. The military cracked down in some places and we had to watch where and how we hit folks. Militias sprung up and towns turned into forts. Finding an easy target wasn't so easy anymore. We had nearly one hundred in the combined gangs when Houston went up. Now there was only twenty or so. I was a spare mouth and had to earn my keep. I slit my share of throats I tell you, but I was only doing what I had to to live. Ulysses would have had me killed and eaten if I didn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ran low on gas and food. All that ammo we shot up was costing us. Even smokes were hard to get. We had finally got word of this remote farm/commune in the hill country. That's where we were two days ago. Word was there was only five able bodied men and twice that number of women inside. They had long term vittles, ammo, gas and even tobacco. We staked it out and made our move last night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a trap. A honey pot they called it. Another gang set it up to get what we had. They got ripped off as we didn't have much of anything. Montezuma went down first. Ulysses made it all the way to the front gate, his guns dry, cursing his head off. It took a dozen shots to take him down. I was hit in the gut first. When I got up to get away, they got my leg.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I staggered into the brush all evening. I lost track of where the truck and bikes were so I kept walking till I found this stump in the clearing. And hear I am .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That old TV in my head is flickering and and fading. It's not my fault, I only did what I had to do to live. I can see Mama now on her hands and knees, Ray laughing, those kids with the backpacks, Astrid, Aki, that scared college girl in the room, Huntsville. In fact, that's all I can see. I can't see my brother Colt or anything else. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>It's cold. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>There's a light and I can see Ray standing there with a piece of rope in his hand. He's a laughing but I don't feel like laughing no more. I'm scared and empty inside. I want to go home. I want this to go away. I can't feel nothing no more. </i></span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You wouldn't understand. </i>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-43787566815763026932013-11-26T17:10:00.000-08:002013-11-26T17:11:44.365-08:00The Rock, the rain and Vienna sausages<br />
The Rock, the rain and Vienna sausages<br />
<br />
I pick a place to stop for the night. I setup my shelter, line the floor with old trash bags, collect water, get inside, change my shoes, boil water, eat dinner, make my breakfast and then try to sleep while the rain pounds away all night on my tarp. It gets dark quick and stays dark until the gray skies lighten up enough to see. Then I break everything down and start plodding again.<br />
<br />
I'm still somewhere in Colorado, west of Denver. Or maybe south. There's no power and it's sometimes hard to make out the signs along the way. The rain is unrelenting. It falls in sheets. Drenching downpours that go on for never ending hours soaking the landscape and people alike. The mudslides are a constant danger as are washouts even on the roads. The creeks and streams are raging rivers now making crossing treacherous.<br />
<br />
I've taken to wearing plastic grocery bags around the outside of my pants below the knees like gators. It works for awhile at keeping my pants and shoes dry. I'd hate to think how this walk would work without shoes. I hope mine don't fall apart, I have a long way to Texas.<br />
<br />
---------<br />
<br />
The US Airways flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to San Francisco was on time and we were somewhere over the western edge of the Rockies when the pilot was ordered to put the plane down late in the afternoon. I learned later the pilot asked for clearance to Las Vegas, but instead was told to turn back to Salt Lake City where we eventually landed. We sat on the tarmac for two hours before we were allowed to taxi to a gate. The flight ended there. Permanently.<br />
<br />
When we touched down, the pilot told us there was a problem with the west coast and that another flight would have to take passengers on to San Francisco. I had a bad feeling and phoned my company's home office in Boston. I asked the secretary I shared with the rest of the field staff to call every rental place at the Salt Lake Airport until she found one with a car. I was lucky.<br />
<br />
After waiting what felt like forever for the plane to empty, I moved quickly through the terminal following signs to "Ground Transportation". I saw numerous groups of travelers gathered around TV screens at the gates and in airport restaurants, but ignored them.<br />
<br />
I finally reached the rental car counter and waited in line for twenty minutes before it was my turn.<br />
<br />
"Hi, you should have a reservation confirmed for Staton, please."<br />
<br />
"I hope so, sir. Because if not, I am not going to have good news for you. Oh yes, here we are, a compact or first available, right?"<br />
<br />
"Sounds good, but you have the car, don't you?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, it's the last one, it's a Fiat 500, that okay? If so, you got lucky. Did you want collision coverage on that for an extra thirteen ninety five a day?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, I would but what is the additional charge if I take the car to another airport? I may have to fly out of Denver for instance, if my flight to San Francisco is not leaving from here."<br />
<br />
"There will be a two hundred dollar charge if the car is not returned to this airport but is returned to another as long as it is dropped off at another Enterprise location. Did you still want the car?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, please. Could you make sure there's a GPS with the car?"<br />
<br />
"GPS unit? Sure, that's nine ninety five a day. I'll need your driver's licence and credit card please."<br />
<br />
Another thirty minutes later, and I was sitting in the rental car lot at the SLC airport. I phoned my wife.<br />
<br />
"Hey, I'm on the ground in Salt Lake City.." I started before she frantically cut me off.<br />
<br />
"Where have you been? I was worried sick!" my wife shouted into the phone.<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry. They kept us on the tarmac for a couple of hours, then I had to get a rental car." I said.<br />
<br />
"Have you seen the news? Do you know what's going on?" she blurted.<br />
<br />
"No, I haven't. I only know it was something big and I wanted an option just in case I'm stuck here or have to drive to San Francisco. I think there was some kind of disaster from what I overheard in the terminal and saw people looking at on the airport monitors." I responded.<br />
<br />
"It's awful. A asteroid or meteorite, I don't know which, hit China or nearby in the ocean. They say it's Iran's fault. They hit it with a rocket." she said.<br />
<br />
"Iran hit China with a rocket or the rock? I saw something in the news about an asteroid that was going to pass near earth, I think around eight thousand miles away, but that they said it wouldn't hit us. China said they were going to send a probe up to intercept the rock, but not hit it. Are you sure? That sounds impossible." I said skeptically.<br />
<br />
"Yes. China sent a rocket up, but Iran did too. They think Iran sent a bomb, a nuclear bomb up with theirs. Something went wrong and the bomb went off and broke a chunk of the rock off in space. It landed in the ocean, in the China Sea they said on TV. You need to get back home. They are cancelling flights and warning Hawaii and the west coast about a possible tidal wave. A big one." she added.<br />
<br />
"Well, I'm in Utah and that's two states away from the Pacific so I don't think I have to worry about getting washed away. Are they sure it was Iran?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Yes, they have video and know that Iran launched a rocket the same time as China. It's been on the news non-stop for the past two hours and they keep updating the story. Satellites aren't working, the Philippines were hit so was Thailand and Indonesia. It's really bad, Bill." my wife said quietly.<br />
<br />
"Okay, let me call my boss and find out what is going on. I had to get to that conference by tomorrow morning and that sounds like that's a no-go. Just hang tight and I'll call you right back, okay?" I said.<br />
<br />
"Do it. Just call me back and get home. I have a bad feeling about this." said my wife.<br />
<br />
"Okay, love you." and I disconnected.<br />
<br />
I phoned my boss, Barry but the call initially did not connect. I tried two more times before it rang through.<br />
<br />
"Bill? Is that you?" asked Barry when he picked up.<br />
<br />
"Barry? Yes it's Bill. Did I catch you at a bad time? What time is it?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"It's nearly nine here. Look, you're not in San Francisco are you?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"No, Salt Lake. The plane put down here and said we were stuck for the night. My wife said flights were being cancelled because of this asteroid thing in China." I replied.<br />
<br />
"Good, I'm glad you are on the ground. Look, it's worse than they are saying on the news. That rock landed in the China Sea and caused a major tidal wave. Whole areas in that part of the world are off the air, nothing, no radio broadcasts, no phones, nothing. And several satellites were damaged as well, maybe by that rock debris too, they are saying." Barry said quickly.<br />
<br />
"What is the government saying?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Nothing, just statements about the damage and calls the president had with Russia, India, and Australia. They are planning on a relief effort, but they're having a hard time reaching the Chinese government. In fact, they've only spoken with the ambassador in Washington so far. They are pissed." said Barry.<br />
<br />
"Wha..? I don't understand." I said.<br />
<br />
"China is blaming Iran. There was a military guy on CNN, you know, one of those retired expert types. He is claiming that China may retaliate, if they can." said Barry.<br />
<br />
"That would be nasty. China has the missiles and bombs to do it." I said somberly.<br />
<br />
"Look, Barry, I want to head back to Texas and home. It sounds like there is some concern about a tsunami or tidal wave on the west coast because of this." I added. <br />
<br />
"That's why I'm glad you called, I was thinking about you. There are no flights, the FAA cancelled everything for the night. If you have a car, drive to Denver or somewhere else and see if you can get a flight out in the morning. We'll reimburse you, of course, for the trip. But for the meantime, just get back to your home and we'll talk tomorrow or the day after, okay? I need to call Mike and Dan Brady. They're both traveling as well." replied Barry.<br />
<br />
"Okay, thanks, Barry. I'll check in tomorrow afternoon or so and let you know what I was able to do. Take care." I said and ended the call.<br />
<br />
I sat and thought for a few minutes before calling my wife. If things were this bad now, I tried to imagine what they might be like tomorrow or in a few days. I was about to pull out of the rental car parking lot, but hooked up the GPS instead. I turned it on and waited five minutes, but it never found a "bird" to lock on to. Eventually, my location posted on the tiny GPS screen, but it only gave a "waiting for signal" message. I wanted my nine ninety five a day back. <br />
<br />
I left the GPS on and dug out the map the clerk handed me with my rental agreement. It was an eight by ten inch piece of paper with the airport labeled and nearby roads. In other words, useless. I needed something better, a state map and maybe an atlas of some type. I texted my wife that I was leaving the airport and driving to Denver. I pulled out of the rental lot and headed for the interstate.<br />
<br />
There are two ways to get to Denver from Salt Lake City; Interstate 80 (north) or Interstate 70 (south). Although 80 would take me north then east through Wyoming, I chose that option. To get to 70, I would have to drive south then slightly west. In my head, going west (mentally looking over my shoulder) meant going toward falling space rocks, hundred foot talk tsunami waves and hordes of fleeing refugees. No, I took the north by north east route going the other direction.<br />
<br />
Taking 80 also got me out of Salt Lake faster and away from city traffic. It also meant I would find a truck stop sooner and sure enough, thirty minutes after leaving the airport, I pulled into a Flying J.<br />
<br />
Inside, I went to the magazine rack and found a Rand McNally atlas along with a state map of Colorado and Utah. I was about to make my purchases and decided to take a detour. I was in the process of going on a three day business trip to the beautiful and modern city of San Francisco. As such, I had no emergency provisions other than my standard carry stuff in my luggage. I needed to correct that situation.<br />
<br />
Let me point out, I'm not a survivalist. I'm not a prepper or whatever they call themselves these days. Rather, I'm a cautious guy. That's why I get full collision and a GPS on my rent car even though I already have auto insurance and GPS on my phone. I'm that guy who buys two bags of charcoal in case one is expired. I'm the guy that wears clean underwear when he goes out in case he gets hit by a bus. I'm not a paranoid raving conspiracy theorist, instead, I'm simply aware that Murphy has a standing reservation to interfere at the worse possible moment.<br />
<br />
I picked up a basket from near the front door and went shopping. I'm a weird eater. I like to eat protein, fresh fruit and vegetables most of the time and am not a big carb eater other than the complex variety. There's not a great deal of selection at a truck stop for such a diet, so I had to make do. I picked up several small cans of chicken, tuna and that bane of low cholesterol, Vienna sausages. For fruit, there was a small fresh variety and I ended up with a couple of bananas, oranges and the only apple that did not look like a shrunken head.<br />
<br />
Next up, water. I drink plenty of the stuff throughout the day so I had no problem taking twelve liter bottles from the cooler. That filled my basket, so I took it to the counter and left it with the clerk. I picked up another and went to the miscellaneous section they seem to have in every convenience store. I chose a three pack of Bic lighters, a flashlight, four spare batteries, a pocket knife, a small bottle of Clorox bleach and a four pack of toilet paper. If I'm stuck in my car or at a road side rest stop, I have the basics to get by for a day or so.<br />
<br />
I stopped along the way tp the counter and picked up two boxes of whole wheat crackers, a selection of chocolate and protein bars, some overpriced trail mix and two bags of beef jerky. At the counter, I added two two packs of Five Hour Energy and asked the clerk for two of the one and a half gallon red gas cans on the shelf behind him.<br />
<br />
"You must have been watching the news?" asked the clerk while he rang up my purchases. Behind him on the shelf was a portable television with a aluminum foil and coat hanger antenna. The news was on.<br />
<br />
"Heard some stuff. I possibly have a long drive ahead of me." I said.<br />
<br />
"Sure. I expect by this time tomorrow there's going to be a flood of people coming out of California and other points west. I heard the Chinese were going to bomb Iran. Did you hear that?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"No and I wouldn't put too much stock in that. Communications are down but I'm sure China is more concerned about their people and the damages. They'll get it worked out." I said.<br />
<br />
"I wouldn't count on it. Maybe these are the end times they talk about, you know?" said the clerk leaning on the counter with one elbow.<br />
<br />
"From what I understand, most folks around here are ready if that were to happen." I said referring to the large LDS population in Utah as I gathered my bagged groceries.<br />
<br />
"Not me," said the clerk, "I'm an atheist!", he laughed. "Have a safe trip!"<br />
<br />
"What an odd man. That's what happens when you work nights in a truck stop in the middle of nowhere." I thought to myself as I left the store. I loaded my stuff and pulled the car around to the pump. I topped off the small tank on the Fiat 500 and then filled the two gas containers. I put both in the hatch back, started the car and went back to the Interstate.<br />
<br />
I called my wife to check in.<br />
<br />
"Where are you?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Interstate 80, headed to Wyoming."<br />
<br />
"Wyoming? Why are you going there?"<br />
<br />
"Look on a map. It's straight due east of Utah. I'm going to go east then cut down I-25 when I get to Cheyenne. That will take me to Denver. If there's a flight, I'll take that back to D/FW or keep driving south and home."<br />
<br />
"That's crazy. When are you going to sleep? It's already almost ten here, you've got to be beat."<br />
<br />
"To tell you the truth, I am. I just wanted to get somewhere when I heard about this mess. I'll figure it out."<br />
<br />
"Be careful. By the way, after we talked, I went to Kroger and picked up a few things." she said.<br />
<br />
"You did? Were we out of something?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I've been watching the news and it's starting to scare me. I had to get out of the house so I went and did the shopping for the week." she replied.<br />
<br />
"We did that before I left." I said.<br />
<br />
"Yeah well, maybe it's for next week. I sound paranoid, but I started thinking about those old films from the 60's and everyone rushing out to buy canned goods at the last minute. I know, I'm nuts." my wife said.<br />
<br />
I looked down at the bag of groceries on the passenger floor board.<br />
<br />
"Nope, not really. I'm the one who has twenty rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom. What did you get?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Canned fruit, sugar, oil, batteries, a bunch of tampons and pads for Grey and I. Trash bags, bleach, soap, just your basic end of the world grocery list." she replied.<br />
<br />
"How much did you spend?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Two hundred and two plus change." she said.<br />
<br />
I whistled, "That's a lot of batteries and soap. Kids help you bring it in and put it up?"<br />
<br />
"Of course. They're worried about you too."<br />
<br />
"What are you going to do tomorrow?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I don't know. Until we get some answers about what happened, I was thinking about keeping the kids home from school. Just for tomorrow if that's okay?" she said.<br />
<br />
"I was thinking the same thing, with one exception." I replied.<br />
<br />
"What's that?"<br />
<br />
"First thing in the morning, take my truck and the kids and go to Costco. Fill both tanks on the truck up and get the usual stuff from the store. The kids can help you."<br />
<br />
"Are you sure? What about money?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"I moved two grand over from savings before I left. Get the big bags of the stuff we usually get and more batteries too. Don't forget shampoo and medicines. You know what to buy." I said.<br />
<br />
"This is bothering you too, isn't it?" she asked quietly.<br />
<br />
"Maybe. Don't buy perishables. We may be eating beans and rice for the next year if I'm wrong."<br />
<br />
We hung up a few minutes later after saying I loved her and the kids as well. Some time later, I crossed the Green River and I started wondering if this drive and route were such a good idea. This part of Wyoming was empty and there were few cars on the road. It was pitch black with the exception of the few stars visible in among the scattered clouds.<br />
<br />
I passed a road sign and decided that I would stop for the night and get a good night's rest in some town along the way. Hopefully, I would wake, get to Denver and catch a flight home by midday tomorrow.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
I woke up after a four hour "nap" at the Super Eight in Rawlins, Wyoming. I was about two hours west of Cheyenne and from there, only a couple of more from Denver. I had fallen asleep with the television on watching as the anchors updated what little they knew with more speculation and second guessing. The president was going to hold a press conference at nine A.M. east coast time. I planned on skipping the televised address and being on the road.<br />
<br />
A quick shower, shave and I was back to the lobby to check out.<br />
<br />
"We got breakfast if you have the time." said the clerk.<br />
<br />
"Maybe just some coffee. I want to make it to Denver and hopefully catch a flight."<br />
<br />
"Good luck with that. Flights are still on hold except for the military. Least that's what the TV said this morning."<br />
<br />
"Bummer. Is there a gas station near here?"<br />
<br />
"Yep, two blocks down on your right."<br />
<br />
"Thank you,"<br />
<br />
I pulled out from the motel with the gas gauge just above one eighth. I should have filled up before I got the room, but I was beat. When I reached the station, there was a line and it was only a little after six local time.<br />
<br />
I waited ten minutes for my spot and filled up. It took the card reader an extra minute or so to authorize my card. While I waited for the small tank to fill, a dirty mini-van with several bags tied on top pulled up to the pump next to mine. The passenger door opened and a woman with messy hair took a little girl from the back seat hurriedly inside the station. My pump shut off, I squeezed in a few more drops and put the handle back.<br />
<br />
As I pulled out of my tiny car out, I looked at the van. It had California plates.<br />
<br />
Back on the interstate, I phoned my wife and caught up with her in the truck already. I told her about stopping for the night and where I was.<br />
<br />
"They opened Costco early. We've already filled the tanks and are pulling into the store parking lot." she said. I could hear the kids, Grey, Luke and Sophie in the background.<br />
<br />
"Really? That's a surprise." I said.<br />
<br />
"Not really. I've been up listening to the news since five. Its bad. Very bad. How much longer until you think you will be home?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"A while. What's going on?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"No word from Hawaii and the west coast is getting pounded with huge waves. They won't tell us what has happened, but there are rumors online about San Diego, Santa Monica and LA. I saw it on Facebook but nothing in the news yet."<br />
<br />
"Sounds like panic and gossip. Look, do your shopping, get home and stay there. People will probably start going nuts and buying everything that's not nailed down in a few hours." I said.<br />
<br />
"Will do. Call me when you can. I love you." she said.<br />
<br />
"Love you daddy!" said the kids in the back ground. I hung up and put the pedal to the metal.<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
Sometime after eight I arrived in Cheyenne, connected with I-25 and headed south toward Denver. I called home and checked in with my wife.<br />
<br />
"I called the wood man after we got home and ordered two cords. They'll be here in an hour or so. He had extra after they said the weather was going to be warmer than last year." she reported.<br />
<br />
"Good thinking." I said.<br />
<br />
"What's your next stop?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"I don't know. I filled up about thirty minutes ago. I called the airlines and confirmed there are no flights from Cheyenne or Denver. Looks like I'm driving straight through." I said glumly.<br />
<br />
"Don't forget to eat something. Have you been listening to the news?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah, some. I turned off the radio a while ago and made some calls. I can't reach my boss in Boston or anyone else on my team. I called the hotel in San Francisco that I had a reservation with and the call did not go through." I said.<br />
<br />
"We got home and watched the President on TV. As usual, the press conference started late. He said the country was mobilizing resources for the relief efforts in the Pacific and that there was significant loss of life. He asked everyone to contribute to the Red Cross and to listen to the authorities in effected areas." she said.<br />
<br />
"That's weird. What are effected areas? Why would he warn us about effected areas unless something happened here." I said.<br />
<br />
"I know. He was hiding something. There are all sorts of things being posted online, but the internet is running real slow. It's like someone is doing this on purpose." my wife said.<br />
<br />
My wife is prone to exaggeration and is a bit of a sucker for conspiracy theories.<br />
<br />
"It's probably because everyone is online doing the same thing you are. Remember nine eleven? Remember how slow the internet was when everyone was freaking out?" I said.<br />
<br />
"Well, I don't trust these people. Why aren't they showing California on the news? What about Hawaii? All they keep showing are graphics of the damaged area and some video someone shot yesterday. They keep saying that our satellites were effected by space debris and there's nothing they can do about it." my wife said exasperatedly.<br />
<br />
"The GPS in my car is not working or on my phone." I said. "I'm using a map and atlas I picked up at a truck stop, not that I need it. It's all interstate until I get home."<br />
<br />
"Oh crap.." I blurted as I saw what was in front of me.<br />
<br />
"Bill? What is it?" asked my wife.<br />
<br />
"Traffic. We just came to stand still on twenty five." I said.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
I waited for ten minutes before I realized we weren't going anywhere so I got out of the car to see what was going on. I was at the top of a short rise and was able to see a road crew was coning off the passing lane a few miles south of where I was. As the crew worked their way towards me, they would stop traffic, drop cones and then let traffic move on. Judging by their speed, we would be here for a while.<br />
<br />
I sat down in the driver's seat of my car but left the door open. I took out my road map, located my position give or take a few miles. I was north of Wellington and just south of the Wyoming border. There was not much to see other than mountains to the west and farm prairie to the east, but I noticed a small road on the map just to the north of where I roughly was. It as a county road, 126, according to the atlas. I stepped out of the car again and looked further down the road and spied a crossover.<br />
<br />
Now driving on the shoulder of an interstate and turning around on a crossover is highly illegal in most places. In Texas, it's called defensive driving. I hopped back in my car and edged out from behind a pick up in front of me and inched onto the shoulder. The crossover was about a quarter of a mile south but I rolled forward cautiously in case anyone suddenly wanted to jump out and play "monkey see, monkey do" in front of me.<br />
<br />
Sure enough, an older model pickup pulled out a few car lengths in front of me and headed for the same crossover. After that, it was a free for all. I made the turnaround and was the third vehicle to take it. Well, me and a Honda Gull wing made the turn at roughly the same, but we both fit. Barely. Behind us, the other cars started piling up and a made dash to change course before the road crew intersected. A few made it before the first wreck. I didn't stick around to see the outcome. <br />
<br />
I retreated north again and found the "blink and you'll miss it" exit for County Road 126. I exited, rolled down the access road, made a right turn at the stop sign and found myself more or less heading due east. 126 is two lanes and with the exception of the one street light town of Carr, is a straight shot through farm land before dead ending at state highway 85. I planned on taking 85 south to 34 and could go two ways at that point; west to 25 and on to Denver or east and hook up with I-76 in Fort Morgan.<br />
<br />
With several miles to go, I flipped on the radio to the AM side and looked for some kind of news or information on the latest goings on. I passed two country and three Spanish stations before I came upon the serious intonation of a broadcaster, program already in progress.<br />
<br />
"....<i>we will pass that along as it becomes available. The Pentagon continues to move personnel and material both domestically and overseas as part of the relief efforts in the Pacific. Military bases and airports, in and around Denver, Albuquerque and Salt Lake City are staging areas for food, clean water and aid supplies. The president, after today's address to the nation Washington D.C., also signed executive orders directing the usage of rail facilities and freight terminals for the military and civilian aid work. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The secretary of state reportedly held a brief call with his Chinese counterpart this morning. The two discussed mutual aid for the effected coastal areas of China and the situation with the nation of Iran. The secretary assured the Chinese foreign minister that the United States was committed to the international humanitarian mission and offered any and all assistance to the Chinese government. Until that call, all communications with Chinese officials had been impossible due to the recent disaster. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In other news, the Supreme Court declined hearing the same sex discrimination case pending in a lower court...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is Chet Henry, we'll get back to ABC News as things develop over in China and here back at home. We're back on the Chet Henry show and joining me on the phone is Dr. Linus Ustrader, recently retired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. Dr. Ustrader, thank you for joining us today. I know you are no longer with NOAA, but we wanted to see if you could help our listeners understand what has happened and what we can expect with this rock hitting the Pacific yesterday. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Chet, thank you for having me on. Now, I haven't seen any of the latest data - "</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Nobody has, Dr. The government seems to be keeping a tight lid on exactly what they know."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Yes, well, I'm not much for conspiracies or cover ups. I worked for NOAA for twenty nine years and there are some smart and competent people on staff there and I'm sure they are working around the clock trying to help in any way they can - "</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Sure, I'm just passing along the frustration that many of us are feeling out here."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Myself as well, believe me. The data, the satellite imagery and the details would be fascinating to an old weather bug like me. We haven't had something of this magnitude happen in thousands of years, maybe millions of years." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Well Dr. We'll have to use our imagination then. What can you tell us the ocean looks like around that area and what about the weather?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Chet, when this rock, this asteroid hit, the water was not only displaced, but completely evaporated into the atmosphere. I imagine, and I don't know the exact circumference of the object, but data models on past and hypothetical strikes like these could have resulted in hundreds of square miles of ocean simply being evaporated and displaced. Now that water would have gone into the atmosphere and probably did along with tons of other debris." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"What happens to all that water and stuff, Dr?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Some will dissipate while most will remain in the atmosphere and increase the moisture content and cloud cover substantially. We've seen this happen with debris from volcanic activity for instance in the past. It goes in the atmosphere, circles the globe for a few days or weeks and eventually breaks down.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But what we are talking about is on an order of magnitude much more than previously seen. I imagine, this will significantly increase rainfall in the northern hemisphere for several months, maybe years. It could also reduce the amount of sunlight over the same area, but that will have to be seen over time."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"On the break before you joined us, you said this could also lead to drought in some parts of the world. How can that be? I mean, you got all this water in the atmosphere you'd think it would be raining cats and dogs."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Yes and no. You've probably heard with all the discussion about global warming about the ocean conveyors and salinity of the water. This same event could effect it in the opposite manner. We might see increased drought conditions in the southern hemisphere in Australia or South America. We simply don't know and I can't say without seeing the data from NOAA and other organizations. That and time will tell."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Dr. I hate to cut and run, thank you for joining us, but my producer says we have to break back to ABC with an - "</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The signal changed and with it, the audio in the background, there were several voices speaking at once and the sound of camera's clicking. A male voice spoke over the background noise.<br />
<br />
<i>"We are joining the press conference at the United Nations (pause), in New York. The Foreign Secretary rather, the Ambassador to the United Nations from the People's Republic of China has entered the room (pause) hall and..</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
A voice, strained and hoarse, began speaking in Chinese. Seconds later, female voice began speaking for the radio listeners and translating.<br />
<br />
<i>"The actions and statements of the Iranian government are unacceptable in light of the circumstances. We are, um, always have been for peace and dialogue, but we cannot be expected to stand back while our nation is under, uh, such a blatant attack. A treacherous action are those of bandits and barbarians, we will do what we will, rather what we have to do to defend our nation. This is not vengeance, but rather, a matter of sovereignty and defense that would support from any other nation. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Somebody asked something unintelligible from the press. It was translated to the Chinese Ambassador who responded along with the radio translator. <br />
<br />
<i>"The Russian government has made it's position clear but their country was not attacked. We welcome their aid and assistance but have no plans to adhere to their current policies. This is senseless."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Another voice, with a British accent, spoke over the sounds of cameras and shuffling equipment.<br />
<br />
<i>"Mr. Ambassador, have you spoken or discussed the initiative from Her Majesties government on behalf of the Australian or Canadian governments yet?"</i><br />
<br />
After a few moments of translation, the Ambassador replies.<br />
<br />
<i>"We welcome their input and warm friendship, as they have put forth over the past few hours. We will review this information and naturally... share with them our thoughts in good time. In the meantime, the People's Government will continue its policy of self defense and will not rule out the use of such weapons as were used against it. Thank you.</i><br />
<br />
The sound of cameras and reporters shouting continued for a few seconds until it was clear the Ambassador had retreated to another room.<br />
<br />
I turned off the radio and was about to phone home when my phone lit up.<br />
<br />
"Hi, hon I was about to call - " I answered.<br />
<br />
"Did you hear the Chinese? Have you been listening to the news?" she asked<br />
<br />
"Yes, I did." I answered calmly.<br />
<br />
"Do you think he means nuclear weapons?" she asked frantically.<br />
<br />
"It's possible, but doubtful, hon. That's the option with the no turning back clause. I don't think the Chinese would do something that rash." I responded.<br />
<br />
"Okay, but what if, they do or someone else does. Like the Iranians." she said emphasizing the 'if'.<br />
<br />
"First things, the Chinese don't have the ability to hit us here in the United States. Well maybe, the west coast but not the rest of the country. Not without us knowing and that would take some work considering the shape their in right now. The Iranians are another matter. They sent a rocket up with a bomb allegedly, but there's no telling if they have another and if they can aim it another country like the U.S." I said.<br />
<br />
"What if they did?" my wife asked. "The Iranians hit a rock in space, why can't they hit New York or Dallas?"<br />
<br />
"Because it's easier to send a rocket up then to send it up and have it come down on someone you don't like..."<br />
<br />
I could tell my wife was upset. Taking a deep breath, I put myself in her shoes for a moment. I'm three states away in a rental car with no idea when I'll make it home all while the rest of the world is getting hit with space rocks and threatening each other with nuclear bombs. Meanwhile, she probably spent our grocery budget for the next three months in the past four hours and has a stack of firewood on the driveway reaching the roof.<br />
<br />
I changed tactics. "What did you get from Costco this morning?"<br />
<br />
"Rice, beans, canned things, oil, flour, sugar, medicine, you know the usual." she said quietly.<br />
<br />
"Okay, where is everything?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"We put most of it away, well, not the rice, it still needs to go into buckets."<br />
<br />
"Good. Now where is your car?"<br />
<br />
"In the driveway, no the garage. Yours is still in the driveway."<br />
<br />
"Okay, when we get off the phone, put it in the garage and close it up. What about water?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"We have six or seven cases of bottled water. Wait, let me get the kids to fill some containers." she said.<br />
<br />
"Great, have Grey start with the two tubs upstairs, then any containers we have in the kitchen. That should be enough for now."<br />
<br />
"What about the firewood?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I paid the two men an extra forty dollars to stack it in the rack you built next to the garage." she replied.<br />
<br />
"Send Luke out there to cover it securely with some tarps. There's a stack of them in the garage. Make sure he ties them down, too." I said.<br />
<br />
"Okay."<br />
<br />
"What about the containers on the patio or the garden? We should cover the raised beds at the very least. Can Sophie do that?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I'll send her out to do that."<br />
<br />
"Great. Now I want you to check with the Peregrins and the Boyles across the road. Don't scare them, but see if they are home and if they need anything from the store. They're the closest to our house and I want them to know that were around, you know?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I saw Sarah when the wood guys were here and we talked for a few minutes. Her husband is coming home early from work, after lunch I think. She was going to the Kroger for a big run this morning." she replied putting emphasis on Sarah's husband leaving work.<br />
<br />
"Good, they're thinking ahead, too. I hope it's nothing, but better safe than sorry." I said ignoring her subtle dig.<br />
<br />
"Hon, I'm coming up on 84. I'm going to take it down to Internet 76 and then head east. The radio said the airport was being used for moving relief supplies and the roads around there are probably a mess." I added.<br />
<br />
"Then what? How long do you think it will take to get home from there?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Not sure. I'll actually be closer to Kansas then Texas, but I think there's a way to hook up from 76 to 287. That runs right into Dallas/Fort Worth and puts me right close to home." I said.<br />
<br />
"Well, call me when you get to 76 or 287 and let me know where you are. I hate asking, but can you hurry? If there is anyway you can drive through without stopping, I'd appreciate it. I'm really nervous." she said quietly.<br />
<br />
"I know. Don't worry."<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
Colorado<br />
<br />
I took state highway 85 to Greeley and pulled over to check my maps again. I also took advantage of a nearby McDonald's to use the bathroom and order four cheeseburgers and a large iced tea. I took the first burger off the bun and ate it while I checked my route.<br />
<br />
I would take state highway 34 east and hookup with interstate 76 in Fort Morgan. From there, I had to find a way to get to 287 and found a county road would take me south to interstate 70 and directly to 287. I topped off the tank again and went east.<br />
<br />
I turned on the radio again and listened to some retired Air Force general talk about the strategic weapons possessed by China. His belief was that China would make some sort of punitive strike on Iran to simply save face. Perhaps a hit by sea on Iran's oil loading facilities in the gulf. He did not believe China would use nuclear weapons for the simple fact that fallout would naturally travel east into Pakistan and possibly India. Both countries held nuclear weapons as well and would not appreciate contamination from an errant Chinese strike. Then there was the Russians at which point, I switched off the radio and called my wife.<br />
<br />
"Where are you now?" were her first words.<br />
<br />
"What? No hello? I'm east of Greeley heading toward Fort Morgan. Let's see, there's a road sign up ahead. Alright, I'm nine miles from some place called Wiggins. How are you guys doing?" I said.<br />
<br />
"Good. I went over to the neighbors and talked to them about the stuff overseas. Jim Boyle thinks the Chinese are bluffing but Sarah Peregrin agreed with me. She bought a car load of stuff from Kroger and said the store was packed. It was funny, she said everyone was either buying frozen dinners or Spam!" my wife laughed.<br />
<br />
It was good to hear her somewhat relaxed.<br />
<br />
"What about the kids? How did they like the day off?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I've kept them busy. I made Grey clean her room, had Luke go through his drawers and Sophie pick out what stuffed animals she wants to keep. She has so many of them piled next to the bed - "<br />
<br />
The phone clicked and died. I only had a second to notice as the steering wheel tightened up in my hand and the car slowed and rolled to the right. I wrestled with the wheel and managed to get the car to a rolling stop only by pulling up the parking brake. The engine was dead.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
Night falls<br />
<br />
As I recall, I kept the two events separate in my mind. Surely, the phone died because I forgot to charge it. I had a car charger sitting in the console and immediately connected it so it would reboot in a minute or two. I then tried to start the car. Nothing. Not even the tell tale clicking sign of a dead battery.<br />
<br />
"Damn Enterprise." I muttered to myself. "No wonder this was the last car on the lot."<br />
<br />
I turned the key off and sat back in the seat. No, my phone still had not rebooted and it was then I noticed that the light on the car charger was not illuminated. So that was it, dead battery. I pounded the car steering wheel and opened the door. And the dome light came on over head.<br />
<br />
"Huh? The dome comes on but the charger doesn't work? What's up with this?" I thought to myself.<br />
<br />
I found the hood release and went to the front of the car. Opening the hood, I hoped I would find that magical loose wire that only occurs in movies, but no luck. Back home, I drive a full size Ford F250 diesel and looking at the Fiat's engine was like examining the guts of a popcorn popper. I shut the hood.<br />
<br />
I went back to the car, took out a bottle of water and took a long drink. Okay, the car won't start and I can't charge my phone. I'm on a small county road and there's nobody else coming along who can give me a lift or let me use their phone. Solution: I'm walking. Verdict: Great.<br />
<br />
It was nearly noon from what I recall (neither the car clock or the one on my phone worked) so I had plenty of daylight to work with. The nearest town was called Wiggins or something like that. It couldn't have been more than seven or eight miles east of where I was. I could make that in an hour or two. No probably two because I certainly wasn't going to leave my luggage here.<br />
<br />
I put the non-functioning GPS back in its bag and placed it in the rear hatch next to the two cans of gasoline. There was nothing else of mine back there so I closed up the hatch/trunk and opened up the passenger side rear door. I had a standard sized plain black rolling board suitcase, my SwissGear medium sized backpack and a large gym bag type duffle with me. There was also the three plastic grocery bags from the truck stop last night with my food and bottled water. Time to consolidate.<br />
<br />
I put most of the food in my backpack as I had packed that light for my trip. It currently only contained my laptop, power cable, accessories, notebook and some odds and ends. The water I put in the duffle as there was room in there as well. It had my work out clothing and tennis shoes. Everything put away, I took all three bags out of the car and set them next to the front wheel or on the hood.<br />
<br />
I cleaned out the console of my things including the McDonalds bag which still contained three uneaten burgers. I stuffed that bag into the backpack and then put on my black trench style rain coat. It was mid-October in Colorado and the temperature was in the mid 50's so I shouldn't be too uncomfortable. I heaved the back pack on, put the duffle over my shoulder and took my roller board by the extended handle. My dead cell phone and charger were in my coat pocket. I started off toward Wiggins but before I left, I turned on the hazard lights on the Fiat and manually locked the doors. <br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
It was actually about seven miles to the outskirts of Wiggins. The town supported the surrounding agricultural community and was home to about 800 souls according to the sign at the entrance to town. It was also at the intersection of state highway 34 and interstate 76 and just west of the larger town of Fort Morgan.<br />
<br />
My walk took me down 34 then a short jaunt down 4, under the interstate and then into Wiggins. But that was all on autopilot as I was surprised by what I saw coming into town. Nothing was running. No cars, no street lights, none of the businesses or machinery. Nothing. Just people milling around looking under open hoods and watching others walk by. My entry into town lugging my bags was completely in the norm and I am sure that if I went over to the interstate, I would see the same thing.<br />
<br />
I entered the main "drag" in town, saw a Clarion motel on my right and went inside.<br />
<br />
"How're your doing?" said a smiling clerk behind the counter.<br />
<br />
"Guess? Been traveling since yesterday, I just walked here after my car died and it looks like the power's off in the whole town." I replied.<br />
<br />
"Yes, sir. Whole town. Power went off about two hours ago and it took most of the cars and trucks with it. Phones out too." the clerk responded.<br />
<br />
"Any idea what caused it? Was it something to do with that darn rock." I asked irritably.<br />
<br />
"Maybe. The fellow who runs the garage down the street thinks the Iranians did it." he answered.<br />
<br />
"I'm sure there's all kinds of opinions. Who knows? Is there a bus station near here, like Greyhound? Maybe one that serves Wiggins?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"No, the closest stop is in Fort Morgan. I'd call for you, but like I said, the phones are out too." the clerk replied.<br />
<br />
"Wait, even cell phones? The battery died in mine, but surely someone else's works, right?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"No, cell phones are out to. I'd say it was something with the towers, but the darn doo dads won't even turn on now. I suppose maybe there was a power spike or something that overloaded everything. I don't know." said the clerk.<br />
<br />
"That's bad," I said, "Real bad. Um, well looks I might be stuck here until something or someone comes along or I decide to hike over to Fort Morgan. Do you have any rooms?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Do I? Only six are occupied and four of those by people like you. Can I see your ID and credit card, please? Now, I can't run the card with the power down, but I can take an imprint and run it later if that's okay." said the clerk.<br />
<br />
"Sure, sure. Here, you take Amex? Good. I just want to put down these bags and put my feet up." I said.<br />
<br />
A few minutes later the clerk handed me an old fashioned plastic oval key ring with the number 14 written on it and two keys attached.<br />
<br />
"We kept the old keys around and they're coming in handy today," said the clerk when he saw the look on my face. "We moved to those electronic locks but the owner didn't want to pay to remove the old ones. You're in room 14, just across the parking lot there."<br />
<br />
"Thank you. Is there an restaurant open? I know the power's out, but I'm sure I'll be hungry later." I asked.<br />
<br />
"No, the grill down the street is open, but Hap says he's closing up for the day or until the power comes on. My wife was going to walk down to the sandwich shop, but that's over a mile the other way. I don't think you want to walk that far. But hey, we serve breakfast in the morning and the gas still works so you look forward to that, okay?" the clerk said hopefully.<br />
<br />
"What about that place?" I said hooking my thumb toward the window and the store across the street.<br />
<br />
"Keane's Market? Yeah Joe's still there. Had quite a few come in this morning with all that ruckus going on overseas, but he's still open." replied the clerk.<br />
<br />
"Maybe I'll go over there a get a few things." I said. "Thanks for the room."<br />
<br />
I picked up my bags, walked over to 14 and let myself in. I automatically flipped the switch and nothing happened. I set down my things and went back to the office.<br />
<br />
"Hi, um, there's no lights, Do you have anything, a lantern, some candles?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, forgot all about it. Here's a box of candles, just take how ever many you need and some matches if you don't have a light. Just don't burn down the place, okay?"<br />
<br />
"Thanks, yeah, no problem." I replied as I took three stubby candles from the box and a paper folding pack of matches.<br />
<br />
I went back to my room, closed the curtains and lit all three candles. They only provided a little light and long shadows which danced on walls. I took off my shoes and sat down on the edge of the bed to take stock of the situation.<br />
<br />
No power in town. No running cars, clocks, or phones. No bus service. No lights in the motel. No way to call home. Rental car abandoned on a state highway. No way home.<br />
<br />
I put two and two together and came up with a river in Egypt. The power was out because someone had dropped the big one but the town of Wiggins and I had not yet come to terms with this yet. That was the only answer I could come up with.<br />
<br />
I don't want to die. I want to get home to my family. I don't know what to do.<br />
<br />
I curled up on the bed in a ball and sat there clutching the pillow. Why did I go on this trip? Why did I take this job? Why didn't I have a job that didn't require travel? Why didn't I tell my boss no and stay home? Why did I stop last night in Wyoming? Why didn't I just drive through the shortest route? I'd be in Texas right now and not in some dumpy motel.<br />
<br />
I sat up quickly. I needed to quit feeling sorry for myself, get a plan and a way to get home. I needed to get to another town, maybe Fort Morgan and see if there's a running car or bus there. I have no idea how far this place is, but I know I'll most likely have to walk. For all I know, I may have to walk all the way home.<br />
<br />
I pulled my laptop from my back pack and tried it. No good, it was dead too. I tossed it on the bed and took out my atlas and road maps. I traced the distance from Wiggins to the Dallas/Fort Worth area with six inch ruler from my the office supplies in my pack and calculated the distance. A little over 800 miles. Huge, but not impossible.<br />
<br />
A man can walk four miles an hour, sometimes more, sometimes less. I'm going downhill, but I've driven some of these roads before and know there are hills in both direction. If I can do 20 miles a day, I can be home in forty days. That's a powerful number with significant meaning. If I can get a ride I can shave that number considerably. There's no reason not to hope.<br />
<br />
First step is to get to Fort Morgan. That's one day. Then if that's no good, then on to the next town closer to my destination. I can try and find places to stay along the way, but if the power is out along with communications, those options will dry up sooner rather than later. In that case, I'll need a plan and supplies for camping out if need be. Food for forty days will be hard, same with water. I'll need to be able to get more of both along the way. And to pack lightweight food that provides fuel, but lasts a long time. And a way to cook and boil water.<br />
<br />
I grab the groceries I purchased at the truck stop and inventory what I have. It's a good start, but probably not enough for more than a few days. I'll need more. Food. Fuel. Shelter. Tools. I need to go shopping. I check my wallet and take stock of my funds.<br />
<br />
I have three hundred and forty three dollars in cash. Wait, I also have two hundred dollars in emergency cash in the back of my wallet so make that five hundred forty three dollars. I have a company Amex, my own Visa and a Mastercard for big purchases. I have two blank checks as well, not that anyone will take an out of town check, but it's worth a shot.<br />
<br />
I leave my coat on the bed along with the rest of my stuff and leave the motel room. I cross the road and go to pay Keanes's a visit.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
Keane's was a medium size white building that had seen better days. Probably in the 1950's. The Keane's sign was faded and cracked and the paint on the Affiliated Foods logo probably hadn't been touched up since Carter was president. The doors were closed and the ground pads didn't activate without power. I pulled the handle and went inside.<br />
<br />
Keane's had faded linoleum and lines of old grocery shelves deep into the dark corners of the store. The front door glass and two windows only provided a minimal amount of light so a few old Coleman lanterns had been placed haphazardly throughout the store. I saw several empty shelves and noticed that the coolers closest to the front were vacant.<br />
<br />
As I stood in the doorway adjusting to the lack of light, I heard someone come out of the back of the store.<br />
<br />
"Help you?".<br />
<br />
The speaker was a middle aged man, short, pudgy, with dark hair swept across his brow, glasses, a large dark mustache, two day growth of beard, wearing a heavy coat, sagging jeans and work gloves.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, I just wanted to pick up a few things. That alright?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, get what you like. I'm moving stuff from the cold case to the back. Power's out and I want to keep it as long as I can. Need anything holler back my way." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Thanks. I looked around and saw a short line of small grocery carts near the door so I took one. I hadn't written a list, but had a good idea in my head. First up, food.<br />
<br />
I went to the dry goods and pulled two large containers of oatmeal, followed by a small box of powdered milk, two five pound bags of rice, a large box of raisins, a bag each of dehydrated peaches, cherries, and cranberries, two big cans of peanuts, two bags of M and M's (one peanut, one chocolate), a jar of bullion cubes, a pound of sugar, a pound of salt, a one hundred count box of tea bags, a plastic squeeze bottle of honey, a dozen packs of Ramen noodles, a half dozen bags of beef jerkey, two packs of flour tortillas, a handful of chocolate bars, some overpriced protein bars, two dozen of the smallest cans of chicken, beef, Vienna sausages (blech), and corned beef.<br />
<br />
"I'm going camping, I'm going camping.." I repeated to myself. I went to the kitchen ware aisle which I was surprised was available. Now that I looked around the store, I realized Keane's was a small town grocery which probably carried a little bit of everything.<br />
<br />
I picked up a one quart stainless steel pot with a lid, a 1.1 quart Stanley thermos, a two quart plastic Thermos container, a blue pewter finish metal plate, bowl and cup set, a twelve inch kitchen knife and a four inch paring knife, a knife, fork and spoon set, a long handled wooden spoon, a 12 count box of heavy contractor trash bags, a 200 count box of coffee filters, a roll of foil, a box of 2 gallon zip lock bags and a box of 1 gallon zip locks.<br />
<br />
I found the hardware section and was amazed at the variety and some of the things I had forgotten. I found two tarps, both 8 x 10 and gray, (rather than the typical blue), six bungee tie downs, a big roll of duct tape, a 100' pack of clothesline, and surprisingly, a Coleman camp hatchet and knife set that was less than twenty dollars. (It was made in China and probably wouldn't win any Boy Scout Camp Awards, but it was better than the invisible set I had in my suitcase).<br />
<br />
I went looking for toilet paper, but only found three individual rolls of Scott paper on the shelf. All the rest was gone. Batteries were in the same state; two packs of D, one of AA were all that was left. There were no flashlights left. I did find two four packs of emergency candles though along with four two pack sleeves of the big Sterno cans. I considered a traditional single burner camp type stove, but a) they didn't have one and b) if they did, the selection available would probably be too heavy with fuel cylinders.<br />
<br />
I topped off with a 100 count bottle of multivitamins, another of aspirin, bandaids, gauze, compress, tape and a variety of small bottles of OTC medicine for colds and stomach problems. I also wisely picked up two packs of gel inserts for shoes. My last selection was for two big bags of snack sized candy bars from the Halloween display.<br />
<br />
I rolled the cart to the front and was looking at the stuff on display behind the counter when the proprietor came back.<br />
<br />
"Find everything alright?" he asked eyeing my cart.<br />
<br />
"I did, thank you. You have a nice place here, just about everything I needed." I said.<br />
<br />
He ignored the compliment and looked over my goods.<br />
<br />
"Lot of stuff there. Whatcha going to do? Go camping or have a party?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"My car broke down and I might be here a few days. Hey, do you know if there's a mechanic around who could look at it?" I asked changing the subject.<br />
<br />
"Sure, my brother, but no promises. Everyone's car isn't working right now, including mine." he said glumly.<br />
<br />
"That's too bad. My car actually broke down a few miles out of town. It's a newer model and I would really appreciate if he could take a look at it. Could you get me a good deal?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Not from him, but I could on the stuff you got here if you give me the keys and let me take care of it. He gives me a spiff for anything I bring his way." the clerk said.<br />
<br />
"Wow, that would be great. Does he have a tow truck?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, he's trying to get his old one running right now. Thinks he might too." said the man.<br />
<br />
"Well, let's get this rung up and I'll get you the keys and where the car is." I said.<br />
<br />
The clerk pulled things from the cart and added them up on a pad. The total shocked me, it was over three hundred dollars, but I appeared not to notice.<br />
<br />
"Well, on account of the power outage, so much of my stock being bought already and the fact I don't know you from Adam, that'll be three hundred and eighteen dollars for everything. But if you let me have your keys and your car's whereabouts, I'll take two hundred and call it a day. What you say?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"I think that'll work. You take American Express?" I asked.<br />
<br />
The clerk paused and pulled some of my purchases closer to his side of the counter.<br />
<br />
"Not a chance. Cash on the barrel head, bud. No cash, no sale." he said.<br />
<br />
"Hey, thought I would ask. My company takes care of my card purchases and you can't blame me for trying to pass it along, okay? Here, two hundred." I said handing him the money.<br />
<br />
"Uh huh. We had a few folks coming in trying to use plastic. EBT cards, credit. Don't know when I'm gonna get another shipment in. Got to take care of my business, bud." he said.<br />
<br />
"Wise policy. Cash and carry, that's what my grand dad always said. Hey, can I get a few extra of those plastic grocery bags?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, no problem." he said as he handed me a dozen bags.<br />
<br />
I finished bagging up the rest of my groceries and arranged them in each arm for the trip back to the hotel.<br />
<br />
"Oh sorry, here." I said handing over the keys and fob for the Fiat. "It's seven miles or so west of here on 34. You can't miss it. By the way, there's two gas cans in the trunk as well. You can keep that too for the tow."<br />
<br />
The clerk looked at the keys and put them in his coat pocket.<br />
<br />
"Where you staying, bud? When my brother gets the car, he'll probably want to talk to you about payment." he said.<br />
<br />
"Across the street at the Clarion. Just ask the clerk. Thanks." I said and went out the door loaded down with bags.<br />
<br />
I hurried across the empty street and back to room 14. I set down the bags, unlocked the door and brought everything inside. I emptied the bags, laid my purchases on the bed and started to work.<br />
<br />
The peanuts, M and M's and half the raisins were mixed together and put into two one gallon bags. The rest of the raisins and dried fruit was mixed and put into a one gallon bag. The oats were separated into bags, same with the rice. The other loose foods, the salt and sugar were put into sealed bags as well. I piled up all the food packaging I didn't need and shoved it into the hotel trash can.<br />
<br />
I checked the faucet in the room and the water came out, but only at half flow. I filled the two quart thermos as well as my two empty liter water bottles. I took the rest of my food from the truck stop and packed it and my new stuff into my backpack. I added the cook wear, dishes and thermos.<br />
<br />
I went to the closet in the room and found on the top shelf a big wool blanket, extra pillow and sheet all packed in a zippered plastic bag. I laid out one of the tarps, put the blanket inside and rolled it up. I then put it inside the pillow case and then back into the zippered plastic bag. I sat on it and removed all the air making it as flat as possible. I then wrapped the whole thing up into a tube shape and held it together with two bungee cords.<br />
<br />
I went through my clothing and pulled out two pair of dress slacks. I hung them in the closet and planned on leaving them behind along with my dead laptop computer. The rest of my clothing I sorted and put into two gallon resealable bags, removing as much air as possible and squeezing them into my back pack. The only exception was my work out clothing and sneakers which I put in the duffle surrounded by bottles of water.<br />
<br />
The atlas and map fit into the outside pockets of my backpack. I rearranged my other things like the flashlight, batteries, candles, sterno and so forth. It was tight and I wished I had a bigger bag. The roller board was getting left behind regardless.<br />
<br />
Looking over my work, I pulled on my coat and went over to the main office. I went inside and found the clerk behind the counter lighting a Coleman lantern. There were candles lit and sitting on each of the six tables in the lobby. There was a fifty-something old couple at one table and an older man sitting alone at another.<br />
<br />
"I know this is a crazy question, but do you have anything to read? You know magazines or something?" I asked the clerk.<br />
<br />
"Sure, over there on the other side of the lobby are some magazines and books folks left behind. Take what you want, leave something back if you're done with it." he said.<br />
<br />
"Thanks, getting kind of bored with no TV or internet." I said.<br />
<br />
I went over to the rack and found two copies of Field and Stream and a Louis Lamour novel. At this point, both seemed like appropriate theme reading.<br />
<br />
"Not much to do, is there?" asked the older man.<br />
<br />
"Nope, I guess not." I replied.<br />
<br />
"Seen you come out of that grocery store over there. Loaded down too." he said.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, I got a few things in case I'm here for awhile. Oh well, you take care." I said walking away.<br />
<br />
"Planning on bugging out weren't you? About time someone figured out the balloon went up. It's only days, maybe hours before the thin veneer of civilization peels back and shows us what men's hearts hold." he said as I walked away.<br />
<br />
I rolled my eyes and turned around.<br />
<br />
"Sorry, but I'm a little more optimistic that that. I think things are going to work out." I said.<br />
<br />
"You're a fool." the old man said.<br />
<br />
"Will you can it?" said the man sitting at the other table with the woman. "Why don't you go back to your room and talk to yourself. You're making my wife nervous."<br />
<br />
"Better her to be nervous than dead. There's a train a'coming and that right soon. Rows will be made straight and the harvest is at hand!" said the old man ominously.<br />
<br />
"Sir, if you don't lower your voice, I'm going to have to ask you to leave the lobby." said the clerk from the desk.<br />
<br />
"Bravo!" said the other man. "I'd kick him to the curb if I were the proprietor."<br />
<br />
"Be quiet, Floyd. You'll make things worse. See if you can get me a glass of wine." said the man's companion.<br />
<br />
"Sir, is there a bar in this hotel, or maybe a package store nearby?" Floyd asked.<br />
<br />
The clerk looked up, "Sure you can get beer or wine over at Keane's. Better hurry as he'll probably close when it gets dark. Speaking of which folks, I'm going to lock up the lobby at sundown as well. My wife and I are on property if you need something, but there's no sense in keeping the place lit up all night.".<br />
<br />
"What about food? Dinner?" asked Floyd.<br />
<br />
"There's stuff available at Keane's," I said. "That's what I did."<br />
<br />
"Thanks, friend." Floyd said. "Jean, I'm going to run over and pick up some wine and snacks for the night." said Floyd.<br />
<br />
"Bring cash if you have it. No credit." I mentioned as I held the lobby door open for Floyd.<br />
<br />
Floyd was about to say something when we both stepped outside but paused. It was starting to rain.<br />
<br />
------------<br />
<br />
The long rain<br />
<br />
I sat in my room and listened to the rain fall. For dinner, I finished off the burgers from McDonalds along with the fruit from the truck stop the night before. The toilet and shower still worked, so I took advantage of both even though the shower was cold.<br />
<br />
I packed and repacked the two bags I was taking with me three or four times. Each time, I would put on the back pack and get a feel for the weight and distribution. Naturally, I would start over again. I stayed busy to keep the fact that I could not talk to my family out of my mind.<br />
<br />
Besides going through the two big outside pockets of my pack, I also took out a number of small food items and created two small emergency bags to put in my coat pockets. I needed two smaller water bottles, but basically each bag contained some food (one can, some trail mix, chocolate bar, dried fruit, etc.), a lighter, and a few other things in case I lost my bag or worse, it was taken from me. I also planned on carrying some snack foods and first aid stuff in the inner pockets of my coat as well. Me being cautious again.<br />
<br />
In my backpack, I had some useful items I always seemed to have with me. I had an old compass, an LED flashlight, some hard candy, a roll of electric tape, a clip on flashlight, four AA batteries, a small umbrella and a spare tooth brush. I kept these things, but got rid of my business cards, presentation materials, work documents and other stuff which just took up room.<br />
<br />
The dress slacks were easy to discard for my trip. The rest of my clothing, t-shirts, socks, underwear, one pair of jeans, winter gloves, hat, ball cap, a sweater, spare shirts, a set of patagonia long underwear, my extra shoes and second pair of lined khakis were needed. I changed out of my work clothing and put on my work out clothes for the night.<br />
<br />
My plan was to get breakfast at the hotel, make up some excuse and walk to Fort Morgan. I didn't want that store owner or his brother coming after me for the rent car so I planned on leaving without a fuss. When I arrived in Fort Morgan, I would check on the possibility of bus service or any other form of transportation. More importantly, news and information. If that was a wash, I would move on to Brush to the east. After than, things got hairy.<br />
<br />
State highway 287 was about one hundred miles to the south, but it ran straight from Colorado, though the panhandle of Oklahoma and then into Texas. I had ridden that road dozens of times and knew the towns through Texas by heart. If I was to get home, I halfheartedly planned on making the walk eventually in that direction and hope for the best. It was all I had short of a flying carpet.<br />
<br />
Outside the rain continued and it reminded me of the radio broadcast I heard what seemed a lifetime ago. Was this rain caused by the rock in the Pacific? Who knows? I would ask that question many times in the coming days.<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
The next morning, unable to sleep any longer, I got up when it was still dark. The rain was still falling, not hard, but steady. I dressed, brushed my hair and teeth and went over to the office when I saw the lantern flare up.<br />
<br />
"Morning," said the clerk. "Hope you slept well."<br />
<br />
"I did thanks. Always do when it rains." I replied.<br />
<br />
"You might get a lot of sleep, that rain doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon." he said.<br />
<br />
"You think there might be some breakfast this morning?" I asked hopefully.<br />
<br />
"Yep. We still got working gas and my wife is using up the stuff in the fridge before it goes bad. Eggs, hash browns, some bacon. Can't get coffee, but we can boil water for tea or cocoa if anyone wants some. That and the bread won't be toasted." he said.<br />
<br />
"Sounds good to me. I'm starving." I said.<br />
<br />
I went into the lobby and looked through the magazines. Eventually, I found a copy of Sports Illustrated from last year and sat down to read. I could soon smell cooking food wafting into the room and my mouth watered.<br />
<br />
A woman, I assumed the clerk's wife, starting bringing steaming metal pans of food out and setting them on the darkened buffet underneath the sneeze guards. I waited until she was done before going to the counter.<br />
<br />
"Got to use paper plates and plasticware, no way to wash most of this stuff except by hand." the woman said.<br />
<br />
"No problem, it looks great." I said as I scooped up a plate of scrambled eggs and potatoes. I topped it with a slice of plain white bread and took a packet of butter. I set my food on my table and returned for a cup of hot water, a tea bag, plasticware and some napkins. I noticed a basket had been set down which contained bananas, apples and oranges. Another nearby contained a selection of Special K bars and granola bars. I took some of each.<br />
<br />
I ate my fill that morning, stunned at what I consumed and probably wouldn't have eaten for breakfast two days ago. Things change. After eating, I went back and fixed an egg and potato sandwich, wrapping it in two napkins. I snagged another granola bar and an apple to join the others now in my coat pocket.<br />
<br />
"Do you have any water?" I asked the woman who was wiping down the counters.<br />
<br />
"Sure, hang on." and she soon returned from the kitchen with a half dozen half liter bottles. I took two, thanked her and started for the door.<br />
<br />
"Planning on staying or you going to be checking out?" asked the clerk.<br />
<br />
"Staying. I think they are going to take a look at my car down at the garage." I replied.<br />
<br />
"Oh, Keane sold you on his brother's garage, huh? Well, good luck with that. He hasn't gotten his tow truck working last I heard." he said.<br />
<br />
"Thanks for the information. I might walk down there and see what's going on." I said.<br />
<br />
The clerk smiled and waved his hand. I went back to my room and got ready to go. With the rain, I changed into my khakis and shirt with my sweater. The khakis are L.L. Bean and lined with flannel. I also get them scotch guarded regularly at the dry cleaners which not only keeps stains off, but wicks away moisture.<br />
<br />
My socks are moisture wicking like my underwear. My shoes are Mephisto boots, recently resoled and comfortable for walking which is why I brought them on my trip. I add my coat and put my recently acquired food and water into the different pockets. I was about to leave when a thought struck me.<br />
<br />
I went in the bathroom and collected the toilet paper, soap and shampoo. Then I took the TV remote control and removed the batteries. AA, they would work in my LED flashlight. I checked the thermostat on the wall and found two more in the non-functioning panel. I put everything in my bags.<br />
<br />
I put the rollerboard on the suitcase stand at the end of the bed. I left the closet where my pants were hanging, halfway open. I put a twenty dollar bill on the shelf where the extra blanket had been. I tied the bedding bag to the top of my backpack with a bungee cord. The other tarp was folded and attached to the bottom. My duffel was closed tightly and the spare thermos was full of water.<br />
<br />
I put a contractor trash bag around my backpack to keep it dry and made two holes for the straps to go through. I put it on my back and made sure my coat was firmly closed. I added my ball cap to keep some of the rain off me. No sense in getting a cold. I had my small umbrella in my outside pocket.<br />
<br />
I opened the door and looked out and saw nobody around. The office was situated so they couldn't see my room unless the clerk turned and specifically looked. I left the key hanging in the lock and hurried around the building to the back parking lot. Afterward, I set off up the main street back toward the interstate and Fort Morgan beyond.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
The journey begins<br />
<br />
This sucks. That's the only way I can put it. It sucks. The rain is falling steady and even though there is only a light wind blowing, it feels like I am walking in a hurricane. My back pack is riding to the right and I want to redistribute things, but there's no where dry to do it. Even though I'm covered up, I'm still wet. I wish I had a poncho. I wish I had a running mini-van, unlimited gas and a straight road to my home for that matter.<br />
<br />
I reach the interstate and rather than go back up 4 to 34, I take the entrance to 76 just to check things out up there. Interesting to say the least.<br />
<br />
There are a few cars and eighteen wheelers stopped in the different lanes of the big highway. Nothing is moving. The drivers of the big rigs have clearly stayed with their trucks, I can see them sitting in the front seat or at the very least, can see the steamed up windows.<br />
<br />
The cars are all empty though. Nothing has been bothered with though, it looks like a long narrow parking lot. Nobody is standing around or walking like me. I'm uniquely nuts today. I walk for a half an hour a see a sign, Fort Morgan 14 miles. Swell.<br />
<br />
I do the math. Rain, walking. Probably four hours. My feet don't hurt, in fact, they feel pretty good. Despite the weather, I feel good all over. I'm doing something that's getting me closer to home. The bad thing is the quiet and the walk leads me to thinking about home. I'm sure my wife is a wreck, especially if the power is off there. We did the best we could to get ready and all I can do is pray and hope for the best.<br />
<br />
I'm outside of Wiggins proper and on either side of the road is fields and farms. I can see a few homes far from the road, but mostly, its just big fields of some crop which has already been harvested. From time to time I see a few cows (cattle?) just standing around in the rain. I'm glad it's not colder than it is now which is in the mid-50's.<br />
<br />
There are few sounds other than the rain, an occasional crow and the sound of my feet. Then I feel it. I have to go to the bathroom. The other one. I look around but there's no buildings, no shelter, no where but the road and me. And all the gear I'm carrying. Sure, I can set the duffle down, and then take off the pack, but then I have to take off my coat, lower my pants, do my business and then what? Toilet paper is in the pack all wrapped up. This really sucks.<br />
<br />
I put down my duffle, my backpack and take off my coat. Now my sweater and pants are getting wet so I take out my umbrella which offers some protection. I pull down my pants on the side of the road and squat down. A few moments later, I realize I have no paper so I have to dig into my pants pocket, (which down around my knees) and find a couple of paper napkins. Afterward, I stand and start getting dressed again, humiliated and determined to do this better next time.<br />
<br />
I get my gear together again and start walking, leaving my waste behind on the edge of the road. In my mind, I'm no better than a dog going on someone's front yard and running away. I continue on to Fort Morgan and hope for running water, lights and a big Greyhound bus with my name on it.<br />
<br />
Halfway to Fort Morgan, I pass a cluster of three stalled cars and a mid sized delivery truck when someone calls out.<br />
<br />
"Hey, you?" they say.<br />
<br />
I turn and see a man calling out from the passenger window of a Honda, I stop for a moment, my guard up that this may just be another weirdo.<br />
<br />
"Yes, can you tell me if help will be coming soon? I've been here since yesterday and nobody has come along yet." he asked once he had my attention.<br />
<br />
"No, there's nobody coming because cars aren't running. I suggest you get out of the car and walk back the other direction to Wiggins and see if someone can help you out." I reply.<br />
<br />
"Well that won't do. I need someone to give me a ride or at least get my car running." he said petulantly.<br />
<br />
"Won't happen, sorry. Like I said, walk back to Wiggins. Where's everyone else?" I asked nodding at the other cars and truck.<br />
<br />
"They left yesterday afternoon as well. I told them to wait, but they went anyhow. I think they went on to Fort Morton or whatever its called. Do you have a working cell phone? I can call triple A and you can be on your way." he said.<br />
<br />
"I don't have a working phone and I'm leaving. Good luck." I said walking away.<br />
<br />
"Hey, don't your turn your back on me! You need to help me out here! Get back here!" he called.<br />
<br />
I shook my head at his sense of entitlement and continued east with his voice calling after me. Not once did he get out of the car and do something, he just sat there and yelled. The road was probably full of people like the Honda guy this morning.<br />
<br />
I walked on, the time passed and I finally saw a sign alerting me that Fort Morgan was only five miles further. I had no working watch but figured it was sometime close to noon, not that I could tell with the constant gray skies and rain. I was starting to get hungry so I adjusted my things so my right hand was free and took out the egg and potato sandwich from my pocket. It was cold, but the walk had left me ravished. I ate it in four bites. I took out one of the bottles of water in my coat, took a long drink and finished up with a banana before they ended up squished. I should be in Fort Morgan an hour or so. Who knows?<br />
<br />
--------<br />
<br />
<br />
Two days later<br />
<br />
Fort Morgan was a bust, but the people were nice. Brush, no so much. When I made it to Fort Morgan, I went to a fire station as it was the first government building I could find. The firefighters were pleasant, but they had no running equipment. They had no more information about the details of what happened other than all of northern Colorado was affected as far as they knew. Other than that, it was all rumor and hypothesis from people growing more nervous by the day.<br />
<br />
I was put up that night in the high school gym where they had managed to get a generator started for electricity and where they were housing locals and refugees alike. They had fresh water distributed with this box contraption used by the football team and served an interesting combination of food which all came from those big number ten sized cans from the grocery store. Baked beans and peaches along with bread. Meat that was in danger of spoiling was in the process of being cooked in big open barbecues underneath quickly erected tents in store parking lots. I had a slice of pork roast, a chicken breast and some sausage. We were allowed to take leftovers which I had no problem with.<br />
<br />
I slept inside that night on a fold out cot along with a few hundred other people in the gym, watched over by local police officers and volunteer security guards. I think it was as much to keep us all in one location and from wandering around town than for our protection. Looking back, I can't blame them.<br />
<br />
The next morning, after cleaning up, changing and filling my water containers, I braved the rain and moved on to Brush. While the nearby town was working to the best of their ability with nearby Fort Morgan, it was more disorganized. It was suggested that I go back to Fort Morgan for lodging but I went on and found a Days Inn that was still taking guests, which was a liberal use of the word.<br />
<br />
The proprietor wanted ninety dollars cash up front for the room and then tried to stick me in a messy place that someone else had just vacated. I demanded another unused room and after some empty threats, he found one but he had to unlock the door with a master key. There was no way for me to lock up my things and leave the room if I wanted which meant I would have to trust this guy or carry my stuff with me around town. Worse, there was no running water, not even a trickle. To save the water still in the pipes and heater, the manager shut off water to all the individual rooms.<br />
<br />
By this time, I was too tired and irritated to continue arguing so I made do for the night. I realized that things were too far gone at this point and moving forward, I'd probably have to make do without the remaining creature comforts of pre-Rock life for the rest of my trip.<br />
<br />
I also knew that finding a running car, truck or bus was out of the question. I settled on sneaker power for the rest of my trip or at least the foreseeable future. Looking over my maps, my next stop would be far to the south, Limon. It was a jaw dropping seventy five miles away and there was only a couple of towns along the way. I went to the motel office and asked for bottled water but was not given any or the the chance to buy some. I had to risk leaving my things in the room unattended and go across the street to a convenience store where I managed to buy a six pack of half liter bottles for twenty dollars, cash. I didn't want to try for my walk to Limon without plenty of clean water. <br />
<br />
I ate a cold dinner in my room while I worked on some shelter designs using my tarp, rope and other things. I could always make a tarp/lean to shelter if there were two trees or even two fence posts available. I could use trash bags as a floor to keep from getting two wet. I was glad I had bought the big cans of Sterno, wet wood would not make a good fire. I tried not to think about my wife and instead tried to send happy thoughts her way, that I was still alive.<br />
<br />
I woke while it was still dark out, changed, packed and readied to leave. It was pouring rain and as I wondered when and how I would be able to wash out my clothing, I wished again I had a poncho so I went into the bathroom and took down the shower curtain. I laid it out on the bed, cut a hole in the middle and put it on. With a hank of rope for a belt, I had a ridiculous looking but serviceable poncho that reached almost to my feet. I didn't feel bad for taking it after overpaying the jerk manager for the room. I also didn't feel so bad when I snagged a container of anti-bacterial wipes off the unused housekeeping cart I passed as I left.<br />
<br />
I mapped it out and I figured I could get to the little town of Last Chance, which was halfway between Brush and Limon, by nightfall.. Once there, I would either setup camp or see if there was someplace I could rest for the night. For now, the countryside along state highway 71 was dominated by agriculture; farms and cattle.<br />
<br />
A couple of hours after leaving Brush, I passed a field where a farmer and another younger man were putting out hay for the cattle from a horse drawn wagon. Both men, wearing heavy rain gear and grim, stoic determination, merely looked up at me as I passed before continuing on with their work. I wondered if that was going to be the new norm for agriculture which would lead to less food production and eventually starvation if something wasn't done. Happy thoughts.<br />
<br />
It was approximately thirty seven miles to the aptly named town of Last Chance and I realized as the day wore on, I had been more optimistic than I should have been. It was dark enough with the low clouds and constant rain, but was growing darker as the sun set in the west. There was no sight of the town and I passed only one sign some miles back which informed me I was going in the right direction.<br />
<br />
As the light faded, I had no choice but to stick to the road until I found the town. There was no way I was going to have enough light to make a camp, so I had to hope I could find a gas station, restaurant or hotel I could hole up in.<br />
<br />
A few miles later, I made out something lighter colored on the ground next to the road so I flipped on my LED light and found a wooden sign laying on its side in the wet grass. My light, alien and foreign in this empty, damp land revealed a hidden signet.<br />
<br />
Last Chance Dairy King<br />
Just Ahead!<br />
<br />
The sign was faded and peeling. Not much of an advertisement to draw in weary and hungry travelers except those with a sense of false humility or masochism. I panned my light up and saw there was some structure ahead on the right about a half mile ahead. I plodded on and found myself in a wide spot of the road with a couple of burned down and dilapidated buildings. The Dairy King was there and intact, but it was also locked up and abandoned. There was an overhang in front protecting a small dry area, so I sat down, bone weary and broken.<br />
<br />
There was nothing to do but sit and wait for the sun to come up. I took off my bag and set it to the side along with my duffle and the silly looking poncho. I was about to dig around for something to eat when I saw the light bobbing my way from across the highway. I realized I didn't have a weapon of any kind handy and even the hatchet and knife were still in their packaging in the bag. I snagged a wet rock off the ground nearby and steeled myself. The light shown in my face and lowered.<br />
<br />
"How you doing?" said a voice.<br />
<br />
"Could be worse. Wet, cold and tired." I replied.<br />
<br />
"Saw you walking by when you passed the church back there. You can stay the night in the fellowship hall if you're done walking for the night." the stranger said.<br />
<br />
"That's very nice of you, let me get my stuff." I said as I stood.<br />
<br />
"Name's Jeffries, Tom Jeffries. I'm not the pastor, he's up in Woodrow." said Tom.<br />
<br />
"I'm Bill, Bill Staton." I said offering my hand before it was full. "I didn't even see the church." I added.<br />
<br />
"Across the road. Lights are out and the fellowship hall's around back." said Tom leading the way. "Last building standing after the fire two years back."<br />
<br />
"I didn't know. I was hoping there would be something open here, you're being here was an answer to a prayer I guess." I said.<br />
<br />
"That's our job, glad to see we're doing it right." said Tom laughing.<br />
<br />
The hall was around back of the simple, one story brick Methodist church. Inside, a Coleman lantern had been setup along with a large LED lantern. There were four other people inside, besides myself and Tom. An older couple, a fifty something woman and her daughter. All were sitting on or standing nearby a number of old army cots which were distributed around the room.<br />
<br />
"The cots came from one of our members, he had them out in the barn so they might smell like cow." said Tom.<br />
<br />
"No problem, it's a luxury hotel compared to the sidewalk I was about to sleep on." I said.<br />
<br />
"You hungry, want some coffee or anything?" asked Tom.<br />
<br />
"Coffee would be great, but I don't want to put you out." I replied.<br />
<br />
"No problem, brought my camp stove and percolator and made some just a bit ago. Here you go." he said handing me a steaming cup.<br />
<br />
"Thank you. Know anything about this mess? The power? The rain?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Probably as much as you if not less." said Tom, "Where did you come from?"<br />
<br />
"Salt Lake City, Wyoming, Wiggins, Fort Morgan and finally Brush." I said.<br />
<br />
"What you trying to do? Tour the Rockies?" asked Tom.<br />
<br />
"No, just get home. Texas." I then gave a quick explanation of how I ended up where I did and my plan.<br />
<br />
"You got a long way to go, our prayers go with you. For now, you're our guest. We got some potluck food the women have sent over and we can share with you what we have for your trip." said Tom.<br />
<br />
I thank him and ask where I can hang my shower curtain poncho without making too much of a mess. That makes Tom laugh and he shows me the rest room and an unused cot in the hall for me to use.<br />
<br />
It technically is "early" by pre-Rock standards and everyone is somewhat happy to have a new face to talk to so the another lantern is added, food handed out and we sit down and socialize.<br />
<br />
The older couple are Juan and Esmeralda Sanchez of Albuquerque. The women are mother and daughter, Joanne and Christy Finn of Denver, Colorado. All four found themselves with dead cars three days ago and managed to make it to the church in the last day or so. They have no idea what they will do next other than Joanne who says her husband, Paul, will search "hell and high water" until he finds the two of them. Knowing their route, I believe her when she says it's a matter of time before he arrives, gun in one hand and horse in the other.<br />
<br />
As for the Sanchez's, they are both retired, he, the post office and she, from a series of restaurants where she cooked for several years. They have seven children, twenty grand children, two great grandchildren and an angry cat at home waiting for them. If each of those kids and grandkids heads in one direction, I figure they'll find Juan and Esmeralda in a day. I tell them and they laugh.<br />
<br />
Tom is a retired rancher and now helps out at the church, the school in Woodrow and a dozen other places that a rural area is pressed to maintain. His work is cut out for him. I ask him how the church became an impromptu shelter.<br />
<br />
"The Sanchez' car broke down a few miles from here. They were sitting at the Dairy King probably like you were. I was on my horse helping a neighbor look for some head that went through a fallen fence and figured they needed help more than some dumb cows. So there you have it. I got them to the church, spread the word and here we go, just doing His calling now that He's turned off the lights. Can't hide that lamp under a bushel can we?" said Tom with humility.<br />
<br />
"I have a sister in Houston." said Joanne to me.<br />
<br />
"No, I don't know her." I said before she could finish. "There are a hundred million people in Texas and when we're not checking our oil wells or riding horses, there's not much time to meet new folks."<br />
<br />
Joanne stops and then laughs when I wink at her.<br />
<br />
"Seriously, I'm sorry for being a smartalec, I've been trying to get home... for what feels like a year.... and I really needed to be .... normal for awhile." I said laughing myself, probably a little too loud and too long. <br />
<br />
The room gets quiet when the laughter dies and the tears come down. It's getting to me. No sleep, the walking, the rain, it's too sudden. I want to be back at the Dairy King overhang alone and eating Vienna sausages. They surround me and that's enough. The lifeboat's leaky, but we're alive and together.<br />
<br />
---------<br />
<br />
I spent half the night talking to Tom about life, my family, the rain, the rock, everything. I was so caught up in getting from one place to the next, to acquiring food and water, to finding a place to sleep that I was in danger of losing myself and who I really am. I need to get home and I will, but not at the expense of my soul.<br />
<br />
The following morning, Tom had a surprise for me. Around nine (according to the pocket watch one of the men had), two men arrived on horseback at the church. Like Tom, they lived nearby, were church members and stopped by to spell Tom and bring supplies if needed. Tom spoke with one of the men for a few minutes and the man rode off. He returned soon after with two more saddled horses. After coffee and breakfast, Tom took my things and tied them onto one of the horses.<br />
<br />
"Tom, what are you doing?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Giving you a lift down to Limon. I have a friend down there we can stay with tonight, but this will get you home a day earlier I figure." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Tom, I don't know how to thank you. At least let me give you some money for feed or something." I protested.<br />
<br />
"No, keep your money, besides, it might not be worth anything in a few days anyhow. Ever ridden before?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, a few times." I said.<br />
<br />
"Good enough, let's go." said Tom.<br />
<br />
We set off soon after for the thirty something mile trip to Limon. Tom said we would probably stop a couple of times to rest the horses as well as walking them part of the way. He figured we would not get to Limon until after nightfall, but his friends home was north of Limon and he knew they way in dark or light. The ride gave us some time to talk about things and what the future may hold.<br />
<br />
"What do you think will happen?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"If the power's off all over the country, than this will be a hard winter." said Tom.<br />
<br />
"What about overseas? What do you suppose happened there?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I figure China went after Iran and Russia or India took offense with that and took a poke at China. This power outage was probably caused by one of them as well. They don't need to drop bombs on our cities anymore to take us down." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Just enough of a kick in the gut to get us out of a larger fight. How about you? What will you do?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Me? I'm retired and older than dirt. My wife and I live on our own land, have horses to get around on I guess. Living out here we should have enough food put away for this winter and we will put in another garden in the spring. That's all well and good, but don't do nothing about shoe leather, coffee or anything else that comes from the store. I guess we'll take it one day at a time." Tom said with a wry smile.<br />
<br />
"My wife always freaked out about this kind of stuff. She was the worry wart and maybe that paid off. I told you last night she went to the stores and got a big order of firewood when this happened. I hope the kids are keeping her head on straight." I said.<br />
<br />
"My wife was always worried I was going to get cancer. Sent me to the doctor twice a year and had me get all those tests. Doesn't run in my family, I've never done anything like smoke or such that will cause cancer and I've never been sick a day in my life, but I did it anyway. I haven't been diagnosed with cancer yet so she's happy with it." said Tom.<br />
<br />
I looked at Tom for awhile and understood what he was saying. When I got home, if I got home, I was going to spend more time with the wife and kids. I've been traveling too much lately and working even more than before. That would change.<br />
<br />
We arrived outside Limon late that night and went to Tom's friend who also had a ranch. His name was Arthur Jackson and he welcomed us into his home for the night. I slept in the living room on a couch while Tom took the bed in the spare room. The next day his wife made a big breakfast for us both before sending us on our way, Tom back north and I on to Lamar by way of Hugo and a few other stops.<br />
<br />
I thanked Tom and the Jacksons for their hospitality and help. Mrs. Jackson made sure my water bottles were full and gave me some homemade bread for my trip. I left Limon and walked toward 287 and toward home.<br />
<br />
------<br />
<br />
The stench of death<br />
<br />
The dogs left an hour or so ago, probably on the scent of something else or bored at waiting for me. I sat inside of the abandoned Hyundai craning my neck in each direction until I felt safe enough to open the door a crack and check to see if they had really left.<br />
<br />
I was three days out from Limon on 287, memories of Tom and the Jacksons long behind me when I heard the dogs. There were three of them, stray, mutts and hungry. There were cars and trucks left on the road and I made it to the Hyundai as it was the closest, but offered the least room. The dogs stood on hind legs, nails scratching the windows, growling, snapping, teeth bared. For several hours they wouldn't leave and I made the mistake of opening the door which only brought them back. I managed to shut the door just in time.<br />
<br />
It's still raining and I got myself and my gear into the car, but my shower curtain poncho was trapped in the door. I took it off, but the dogs had shredded the part outside leaving me with half now. I'd figure it out. My feet were muddy and I was wet. And I had to go to the bathroom. I couldn't hang out the window, so I had to go in the car. Now it stunk of urine and I was stuck waiting until these damn mutts went away.<br />
<br />
Eventually, they did but half the day was gone so I moved to another car nearby, this one a minivan. It smelled like Doritos, but offered much more room. I settled into my routine. I stuck a plastic bowl outside to fill with water and when that was done, I poured it through two coffee filters stuck in a funnel in the mouth of a two liter soda bottle. I learned a few days ago to filter the rain water as it had a fair amount of debris. That's probably China or some other country coming down with the rain I tell myself. After running the water into the soda bottle, I added a few drops of bleach and let it sit. Then it would go into my pot heating over a can of Sterno to boil.<br />
<br />
I had done this same thing this morning and added the boiled water to my Stanley thermos along with a cup of rice, a bullion cube and some bits of beef jerky. Now I scooped that out into my plate, swished a little water inside to get the rest out and had dinner. The newly boiled water was added to the thermos along with a cup of oatmeal, a spoon of powdered milk and some dried fruit. Breakfast would cook while I slept and be ready in the morning.<br />
<br />
Lunches were usually a can of something, crackers, some dried fruit and a protein bar or chocolate. I tried to avoid using my Sterno except in the morning and night to make it last. I had been lucky getting meals in Fort Morgan and Last Chance as they stretched my food supplies. The town of Hugo, nothing more than a wide spot in the road, made it clear they had nothing and sent me on my way.<br />
<br />
It was over one hundred miles to Lamar and after three days, I was only thirty four miles into my journey. The dogs cost me a day and fifteen miles. They were also a reminder that time was against me. My next destination was Kit Carson, CO, but I was less than half way there. I did the math against my food and it would work. I hope there is something I can buy, beg or borrow.<br />
<br />
I spent the night in the mini-van, the rain pounding on the roof. The non-stop rain was making a mark on the land as well. Washouts were full blown creeks, rivers torrents and mud slides a constant threat Yesterday, I passed a section of 287 that had partially washed away leaving the road down to one lane. Reservoirs I passed were full and overflowing. Farmland was soaked and cut with rivulets ruining late season crops.<br />
<br />
I reached Kit Carson two days later and basically received the same greeting as Hugo. There were no stores or other businesses open and the town had organized crews to scour the surrounding roads for vehicles carrying anything of value. I was okay on food for the time being, so I took their advice and kept on moving. I found that every car I passed afterward for the next ten or so miles had been broken into, pilfered and in many cases, vandalized. Most of the vehicles were left with broken windows, doors and trunks open.<br />
<br />
My next destination was Lamar, but first I had to see a couple of things which still disturb me when I think about them and what I did. A couple of days after passing through Kit Carson, I came to a wide spot on 287 where the road crossed over a washout. I saw that a pickup truck had gone off the road at some point in the recent past and it was now wedged against the tunnel that ran under the road. With the rain, that tunnel was now overflowing and clogged with the wrecked truck and other debris.<br />
<br />
I went over to the truck to see if there was anything useful when I saw him. The driver's body was still in the front seat, leaning over sideways towards the steering wheel. I was about to walk away when I noticed some stuff on the front seat and I figured I might as well check it out.<br />
<br />
The doors were wedged with mud and debris, so I climbed into the bed and wrenched open the back window. The smell hit me and made me gag. Having come this far, I pressed on and holding a rag to my face, I looked inside the cab and saw a gym bag. I dragged it out the window and sat down to examine the contents. It turned out to be the driver's work stuff including a blue company logo shirt, a pair of dark blue pants and some toiletries. The clothing all smelled pretty bad having been in the truck cab with the decomposing driver for so long so I had no intention of taking them with me. In the bottom of the bag, I found last item.<br />
<br />
It was a soft sided case and I knew exactly what it held just not the model. It turned out to be a Ruger SP101 chambered in .357, loaded and with a plastic baggie containing an extra ten rounds. The gun would come in handy especially if I had to deal with wild dogs or worse. The problem was taking it from a dead guy who probably lived nearby and whose family had no idea what happened to him. I wasn't about to dig through his pants for a wallet or ID, but I could take down the licence plate number and the name on the work shirt and pass it along to a cop or sheriff if I ever found one.<br />
<br />
I turned the gun over in my hands before dropping it into my coat pocket, the baggie of extra rounds in the other. I returned the bag to the truck cab and walked away.<br />
<br />
The next day I came across six bodies alongside the road. All had their hands zip tied behind them and a single bullet hole through the back of their head. I wondered then as I do now what did those six people do to earn an execution style death? Who know?<br />
<br />
Ever cautious, I broke off the smaller blade on my truck stop pocket knife, wrapped a small amount of duct tape around one end and inserted it into a slit in the back of my belt. If I was tied up like that, I wanted a chance to get lose.<br />
<br />
Afterward, I slept in abandoned cars for the next two nights until I made it to Lamar, Colorado. <br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
On to Lamar<br />
<br />
I reached Lamar and was running low on food. I was eating more than I planned and half my rice was gone as was half the oatmeal, most of the dried fruit and all of my protein bars and crackers. I was wringing out my socks nightly, but did not have a truly dry pair so my feet were always wet except for night time when I took off my shoes and socks and put on my sneakers or went barefoot.<br />
<br />
I took my chances and entered town looking for anything open. I eventually found the town police/fire station where the only officer on duty told me I could swing by the town rec center to see if there was anything I could find there. I forgot to mention the dead guy in the truck though and I wondered if I did that intentionally. Who knows? When I arrived at the rec center, I was shown the main room where stranded travelers were waiting and it was pretty depressing. I asked if there was any food I could buy or trade for and they directed me to the only open store in town.<br />
<br />
When I found that place, I learned that the proprietor was trading locals food for valuables, namely gold or silver coins or jewelry. I only had my wedding band which he was not interested in so I left empty handed. I went back to the rec center and took them up on their offer of a night inside and the chance to dry out my clothing. There was food; chicken broth with canned corn added and some stale crackers. I asked if there was anything I could to do for repayment and they handed me a mop. I mopped the main hallway where everyone was tracking mud and then went to sleep on a cot with the others.<br />
<br />
Lamar is very near the border of Kansas and just north of Oklahoma. The next town I would come to was Springfield which would then lead to the Oklahoma border. The person working at the rec center told me that travel between Lamar and Springfield was relatively safe, but south of there were reportedly problems with road gangs. That was the first I heard of that activity. The rec center employee felt bad about the food situation and gave me a two pound bag of brown rice, some more oatmeal and a few pounds of pinto beans. He also found me a three pack sleeve of Sterno in a cabinet that had been left behind from a wedding. Offering to do work the night before paid off.<br />
<br />
After sleeping in a room with a few dozen other stinky, snoring people, I left early the next morning for Springfield.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
Oklahoma<br />
<br />
I lost my duffle bag which contained ten of my liter water bottles, my dry sneakers, work out clothing and a few other things. But I'm alive and I still have my main pack, my two quart water thermos, three liter water bottles, a few smaller bottles and all my food. I call that a win.<br />
<br />
They were cleaning out an abandoned eighteen wheeler and I didn't see them until it was too late. There were four of them, all armed, tattooed and and nasty looking. They didn't care that I was a guy with dirty clothing, muddy shoes and twenty pounds lighter than when I left home, they just saw that I had stuff and they wanted it.<br />
<br />
I backed off and starting running back the way I came but one of them was faster. He caught up with me and grabbed the back of my coat slowing me down long enough for the others to join in. I swung the duffle around and hit him in the face. That gave me time to get the Ruger out of my pocket and fire off a round in the direction of the other three. They all stopped and we played poker. Now what? I didn't stick around to find out. I backed off hurriedly and went back the way I came.<br />
<br />
The four were armed, but they didn't take a shot at me. They simply picked up my bag and went back to looting the truck. Shortly afterward, I heard a number of motors kick to life and from a safe distance watched as three four wheelers and a dirt bike roared off to the south. I waited for a few hours before staring my journey again. <br />
<br />
Two days later, at Boise City, Oklahoma, it was a different story altogether. The town was an armed camp with locals manning a barricade blocking 287 in both directions. No, I could not enter the town and was instructed to go back the way I came or find another way around. I ended up backtracking a few miles, finding a local gravel road going east and taking it until I found another going south. I passed a few farm houses, one of the residents of which took a pot shot at me. I ended up east of the intersection of 287, 412 and 56 and waiting until dark to rejoin the road out of the sight of the barricade guards.<br />
<br />
A day or so later, I was about five miles from the Texas border when I was "arrested".<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
Captured<br />
<br />
It was late afternoon and I was close to the border and for my mental well being, wanted to cross over into my home state before bedding down for the night. Just shy of my destination, I heard the motor coming down the road behind me and I took cover behind some scrub brush. They had a spotlight on the car and when I didn't come out from behind the bushes I was hiding in, they lit up the area around me and fired a burst from a rifle. That was enough to convince me to come out and say "hi".<br />
<br />
I don't know how they got their Crown Victoria running, it ran rough and wasn't much to look at but it was a working vehicle. They both wore floor length dusters, cowboy hats with plastic covers. And both were armed, one with a .40 caliber semi-auto and the other with a AR style rifle so you'd understand why I thought they were cops. One searched my bag while the other went through my coat. They took the Ruger, my knives and my hatchet. They dumped out the last of my oatmeal on the road out of meanness I think.<br />
<br />
I was put in the back of the Crown Vic, my gear thrown in the trunk and we rolled away into the late twilight of the day. A short time later, they pulled into a compound with a chain link fence that said Agriculture Facility and some other stuff, but that was all I was able to read. They had lights and the place was lit up like a Christmas tree.<br />
<br />
We parked in a dirt and gravel lot full of similar cars and next to a big building with some type of barn behind it. I was pulled out of the car, but as I stood, fell backward but caught my balance. It was then I put the bottom of my shoe against the side of the car marking it with the sole. I wanted to know which car I was brought here in as my stuff was still in the trunk.<br />
<br />
I was brought inside the building and as my eyes adjusted to the idea of artificially produced light saw that the hallways and some of the rooms were crammed with boxes of food, pallets of drinking water, guns, suitcases, bags, and odd ball stuff like a mannequin wearing a fur coat, a set of chrome wheels and a life size stuffed moose head. These guys had some odd tastes in evidence.<br />
<br />
I wasn't booked though. A third guy, dressed like he rest, asked me some questions, took my wallet, ID and all my money and I was hustled out the back door and into the big barn structure. The doors were unlocked and I was taken down a long, concrete corridor surrounded by animal pens on both sides. Many were occupied by sadder looking people than me, all tied up, dirty and forgotten about. I was led to the furthest pen in the corner of the building, shoved inside and the chain link gate locked behind me.<br />
<br />
It was dark in the pen, but I felt around with my foot and found a small drain in the floor. The walls on either side were wood slats and metal with the inside wall raised about six inches off the ground. The gate was chain link but the back wall interested me the most. It was solid metal and wood slats, but again, was raised off the ground about six inches. The bottom slat was wood with a one inch pipe running the length of the wall.<br />
<br />
If someone were able to kick out the wood slat and bend the pipe out of the way, they could slide under the wall and be outside the barn. Now there might be another fence on the other side of that wall or a whole bunch of those cowboy guards outside, but that was a chance worth taking. I could kick out that slat with my feet, but I'd need my hands free to move the pipe, but both were tied behind my back with a zip tie.<br />
<br />
I shuddered at the thought of zip ties and head wounds and felt around my belt for the slit. I carefully pulled the broken blade out by the duct tape side and used the exposed inch and a half of sharpened steel to cut the tie loose. Once off, I stowed the blade back again in case it was needed. That was when I heard the voice.<br />
<br />
"Hey." it hissed to my left.<br />
<br />
"Hey, yourself." I replied.<br />
<br />
"Where you from?" it asked.<br />
<br />
"Texas, what about you?" I said.<br />
<br />
"Shreveport, name's David. Trying to get home like you I bet." he said.<br />
<br />
"You have that right. You want to get out of here?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, what you got in mind?" David responded.<br />
<br />
"I think we can break out the bottom slat in our cells to the outside wall and squeeze underneath." I said.<br />
<br />
"Sound great, but the slats on my wall are all metal." said David.<br />
<br />
"Can you squeeze into my cell?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Probably, be hard with my hands tied, but I can try." he said.<br />
<br />
"Hang on. Get down on the floor and watch for it." I said. I removed the knife blade and slid it under my cell wall.<br />
<br />
"Hey, I see it, let me see if I can pick it up." said David.<br />
<br />
I watched as a cluster of dirty fingers took hold of the blade and soon after, the plastic tie fell to the floor. A face appeared at the gap and a man squeezed under the cell wall into mine.<br />
<br />
"Thanks," he said as he held out his hand.<br />
<br />
"No problem, name's Bill, let's get out of here." I said shaking his hand briefly.<br />
<br />
We ended up on our backs, knees up to our chest and both kicked out at the same time. The slat popped out and hung sideways on the wall. Next, we both took hold of the pipe and pulled upward. It easily bent and then popped out of the connector.<br />
<br />
"Who are these guys?" I asked while we worked.<br />
<br />
"Criminals, nothing more. They steal stuff on the road, from warehouses and kidnap people. They either sell you or try and find someone who will pay to get you back." said David.<br />
<br />
I stuck my head under the wall and did not see anything in either direction or in front of us, but it was pitch black and raining so I expected the worse.<br />
<br />
"Okay, I planned the escape, I get first dibs on what we do next." I said. "Once I get out, I'm going left and around the building. You have to go right and don't come my way unless you are fenced in. Same for me, deal?"<br />
<br />
"Got it. If we go different directions, there's less a chance we'll both get caught and one of us might get away if not both." said David.<br />
<br />
"Exactly. Let's not waste time, good luck, hope you make it back to Shreveport." I said shaking his hand once more.<br />
<br />
"Same here, take care." said David and we both slipped out into the rainy night.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
I stood and started running to my left, keeping the wall within an arms reach to guide me. In a few moments, I was soaking from the rain now that I didn't have my rain coat any longer. Mud clung to my shoes but I kept going regardless of the speed. I came to the end of the barn and looked around the corner. The barn extended further than the building they originally brought me into and I could make out the parking lot where the Crown Vic had parked.<br />
<br />
I moved cautiously the thirty or so yards until I reached the lot. I could see the cars clearly now that the lights from the front of the building lit them. I dropped when I heard a car door slam and two more cowboys walked toward the building laughing. I waited until they went inside and then started checking the lot.<br />
<br />
It took me a few minutes before I found the car they brought me in. The doors were unlocked and I popped the trunk open from inside. I pulled out my coat and pack when I saw the stuff underneath. There was a cardboard box, a partial flat of bottled water and some other bulky objects. I opened the box and felt the plastic wrappers. I had a good idea what they were so I took the whole box out and set it on the ground. Next, I grabbed the bottled water flat and put it on the ground next to the other box.<br />
<br />
I dug down in the trunk one last time and felt the composite rifle butt. I carefully removed it and left only the spare tire and some tools in the trunk. Working quickly, I loaded by pack with the plastic packages and bottles of water. When there was no more room, I shoved bottles into the pockets of my pack until I had them all. I crawled up to the passenger side of the car and opened the front door. Looking around in the split second illumination of the dome light, I stabbed the button in the door frame and killed the light.<br />
<br />
From the floor, I grabbed a medium sized cardboard box and from the console, a heavy load bearing vest. I was pushing my luck at this point so I took the vest in one hand, the box in another, my pack on my back, the gun dangling by its strap and made a break for the edge of the gravel lot furthest from the building. There was a slight incline to a wash that was now three quarters full of running water and where I crouched down.<br />
<br />
The box had several full magazines for the rifle I presumed as well as two boxes of spare cartridges. The vest pockets were full as well, so I shoved the magazines and ammo into my pockets both of my pants and in whatever room was left in my coat. There was no time to take off my pack and coat and don the vest, so I draped it over my shoulder, kicked the empty cardboard box into the washout and started running toward the entrance to the lot.<br />
<br />
I passed the sign and went right into the darkness. It was ten minutes or so later I heard a car start, some voices yelling and soon after, a half dozen gun shots. I kept running and darted into the scrub off to the side of the road. I ran away from the building until the light faded and my side was about to split. Then I walked until dawn.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
On the road again<br />
<br />
I sat behind an old billboard under my tarp inventorying what I had liberated from those thugs. There were twelve MREs, fourteen half liter bottles of water, one AR-15, ten thirty round magazines from the box, four more from the vest, forty loose rounds of 5.56, a scope for the rifle, a fixed blade knife, an LED flashlight, two signal flares, a non-working radio, a pair of handcuffs, a cleaning kit for the rifle and a retractable baton.<br />
<br />
My stuff in the pack, including my remaining canned and dried food, the water bottles, Stanley thermos, two quart thermos, bleach and other things were still in the pack. Only my hatchet and knives were missing. That and the revolver which seemed tainted to me. Ever since I found that cursed thing events had gone poorly. I was glad to be rid of it.<br />
<br />
I repacked and found my way back to 287, but walked in the damp grass and rain some yards off to the side. I entered Texas that afternoon and set my sights on home.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
Texas<br />
<br />
The following days passed quickly. I made it to Stratford, Texas and there, learned some good news. The state and limited resources of the federal government were coming into play including getting power back to some locations that were not as badly effected by what was known to be an EMP attack on the country. Most of the western U.S. was effected but not much of the midwest or south. The eastern U.S. was another matter as an D.C. was bombed by a nuclear weapon, but not much else was known. I think some of the people I spoke with embellished details for their own reasons.<br />
<br />
The road gangs were working the periphery of the functioning areas taking advantage of aid and relief efforts. It made sense. There was no working transportation for people though, only for troops and stuff needed in hard hit areas. Nobody wanted to talk about the west coast for some reason or another.<br />
<br />
I made another leg of my journey from Stratford to Dumas a day or so later and wrangled a bed for the night in the town rec center. The next morning, I refilled water containers and headed south to Amarillo, a major hub for relief convoys going west. That trip took two days by foot. I went to the first hospital I could find and was told again there was no transport for civilians. Displaced civilians were to go to refugee centers or make their way home by whatever means they could find.<br />
<br />
It was 364 miles from Amarillo to Dallas. My home was another twenty miles past that point, so I started walking again. I was able to get some oatmeal, rice and a few other things at some point and water was for the taking as long as you could clean it. Over the next two weeks, my clothes got wetter, one of my shoes fell apart, at least two people took pot shots at me, I was pestered by some coyotes, stray dogs, followed by a weird guy for a few hours who thought he was related to me and finally, offered a warm bed and a meal by some woman who had other things on her mind. I opted for sleeping outside far away from her strange advances.<br />
<br />
When I reached Denton, I came to my first town in weeks that had power, but no working telephone. The cellular system was down, probably for good and the land line system had so much interference it was called the squawky box. I was directed to a refugee center by a uniformed officer who stared at the AR I was openly carrying as if he were trying to burn holes in it with his eyes. I thanked him and left town.<br />
<br />
Two days later I was close to home. I saw a lot of burned houses in Dallas which made me was glad we didn't live there. We lived on four and a half acres to the east and are surrounded by similar sized lots in a small community. It was nice but strange to be near home, and I was nervous. I arrived at the front door early in the afternoon. My wife knocked me over with a huge hug after she opened the front door.<br />
<br />
Who knows?<br />
<br />
A good part of southern China including Hong Kong is under water. The Phillipines, Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Thailand and other places exist only on maps and globes. We no longer refer to Beijing because its not there anymore. Neither is Tehran, Moscow, Pyongyang or Washington D.C. Austraila is a military dictatorship.<br />
<br />
San Francisco is an island, well what's left of it. Half of Los Angeles is buried under mud from the hills or under water from the sea. The aircraft carrier Midway is now on top of the Holiday Inn across the street from its last berth in San Diego. The Hoover dam is broken and hardly anyone is foolish enough to live in Las Vegas any longer.<br />
<br />
The capital of the U.S. is in Omaha now. The president disappeared a few days after the Rock landed and after it was revealed one of his advisers had ties to Iran and allegedly knew something about what Iran was up to. The new president wasn't a member of any political party, he is just really good at getting things done. And there's a lot to do and time to do it. Facebook, Yahoo, and Google aren't around anymore. Neither is texting but writing is making a comeback.<br />
<br />
It didn't stop raining until the following spring. Even then, the days are shorter because there's so much junk in the atmosphere. The upper midwest and New England were the least effected so the country grows a lot of food up there. Potatoes are more common than grain. Michigan is thriving again.<br />
<br />
We had enough basics in the house to go for two years as long as one like pinto beans and rice. We had a garden, first in the green house and later expanded to the front yard, back garden, side yard, neighbor's yard, their neighbor's yard and so on. We're essentially vegans by chance with the exception of eggs and an occasional yard walker, squirrel or rabbit. <br />
<br />
I still have nightmares and occasionally, go stand outside for long periods of time. Every now and then, I put up a tent and sleep in the yard where I feel safer. I have no idea why. Who knows anything anymore?<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I take out my backpack, now with only one strap remaining and look at what's inside. There's my broken shoe, some dried fruit rolling loose in the dark recesses, a used up roll of duct tape, an empty Bic lighter and some soap with a hotel chain name on the label. There's also a single can of Vienna sausages long forgotten. And no, I won't eat them, they're still gross.<br />
<br />
The end<br />
<br />
<br />JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-77200207546285777242013-07-03T10:33:00.002-07:002013-07-03T10:33:33.465-07:00Dunbar Heights Chapter OneDevlin told his wife, Barbara what was happening across the street.<br />
<br />
"Bill was kind of a dork, wasn't he?"she asked.<br />
<br />
"What do you expect?" replied Devlin.<br />
<br />
"You still want to give them food? He's going to be a bear about it." Barb commented.<br />
<br />
"He'll change. We all will." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"So what do you want to make? I don't want to give them any of the stored good stuff." she asked.<br />
<br />
"Me neither. Let's make an omelette with vegetables, but no cheese. That canned stuff has to last until we can get some goats." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Alright, what else?" Barb asked.<br />
<br />
"Some of the corn bread, we have an extra pan. Another pint of berries for sure. The greens are going bonkers so we can put together a big salad too. We have extra dressing stockpiled from couponing so we can toss that in as well."<br />
<br />
Devlin and Barbara turned on a hot plate (which ran off the solar power) and fried up two large omelettes stuffed with fresh peppers and tomatoes. They put them in foil pans covered with aluminium.<br />
<br />
They added the pan of bread which Barb baked in a small Coleman oven in the laundry room, the berries and the salad which Devlin put together in a large foil turkey pan.<br />
<br />
"Barb, can you grab a jug of bleach, some bathroom cleaner, a pack of sponges and rubber gloves, please? I have a bad feeling they haven't got far on cleaning yet." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
Devlin was right. After Mel let them in, he and Barb found the family either sitting on the couch, laying in bed or picking at whatever was left over from the earlier visit.<br />
<br />
Jason was eating a banana pepper while Cole sat on the floor digging through the Fruit Loops box for the last few rings. To their credit, the fire in the fire place was dying down and the doors in windows out back were all open. Also, Mel had piled all the dirty dishes into two laundry baskets and had wiped down the counters.<br />
<br />
"Bill! The Devlins are back." called Mel.<br />
<br />
Bill came out of the back room.<br />
<br />
"Smells good. You sure I just can't pay you for this, Mark?" he asked<br />
<br />
Bill pulled out his wallet and held out a ten dollar bill.<br />
<br />
"Nope, just sit down and eat. While you do that, we will go over some ideas and suggestions with you."<br />
<br />
The Holdens dug in without saying a word while Devlin went over a list in his head.<br />
<br />
"Barbara brought over some extra cleaning supplies. After you eat, get the toilets done and I will help you with a better long term solution for hygiene. Also, you will want to wipe down and disinfect as many surfaces as possible so nobody gets sick."<br />
<br />
"For clothes cleaning, we have been washing by hand with stored water from our rain barrels. You can make some rain barrels too using the recycle bins the city uses. We can hit some of the neighbors empty houses and grab their bins for that if you want. You can also use a swimming pool for washing clothes, but make sure you rinse well or they'll stink later."<br />
<br />
"For fresh water, I have an agricultural well in my backyard. It's nothing fancy and it was allowed under city rules as long as I used it only for watering my grass, but I had the water checked and it is more than drinkable."<br />
<br />
"Now, the Quillmans left this morning and gave me their keys. They have several hundred square feet of spare space in their backyard where I want to put in some more raised garden beds. They have some fence sections we can use for the bed construction. Also, we are going to replant their flower beds with food crops as well."<br />
<br />
"Sounds like a lot of work. Too bad we don't have any Mexicans around, they'd do it for next to nothing." said Bill nonchalantly.<br />
<br />
"Well, we don't Bill. I am going to need your help and probably a couple of your kids as well. Besides, it'll be fun." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Fun to you, back breaking to me. Besides, do we have to do this many projects at once? Why don't we break them up and do one thing a week? You know, put those beds together next week, replant the flower beds the week after, and so on?" Bill replied with a wave of his hand.<br />
<br />
"Because we need to increase our food production now, Bill, not later." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Didn't you say you had enough for now? I mean why the rush? The government will get it's act together soon enough, right?" asked Bill.<br />
<br />
"I don't think so, Bill. It's going to be a long road ahead." Devlin replied quietly.<br />
<br />
"Well, let me think about it and I'll let you know my decision."<br />
<br />
"Bill, can I talk to you outside for a second?" Devlin asked.<br />
<br />
"Can it wait until I'm done eating?"<br />
<br />
"No."<br />
<br />
"OK, let's get this over with." said Bill standing.<br />
<br />
Outside in the front yard, Devlin turned to Bill.<br />
<br />
"Bill, you don't get it do you? The government you and I knew is gone, didn't you listen to the radio? DC went silent almost two weeks ago. In fact, I have no idea who is president, do you?"<br />
<br />
"And what about the state government? Last I heard, the governor is focusing on keeping the capital functioning after laying off nearly every state employee everywhere else. And our fair mayor, if he's still in office, has the city hunkered downtown trying to keep the local riff raff from burning city hall to the ground. Have you noticed there are no more police officers driving around, no fire trucks, no ambulances?"<br /><br />
"How about our local business community?" said Devlin sarcastically. "Kroger was emptied three days ago and the doors locked. I happen to know it was broken into the night before last and everything left was stripped to the shelving."<br />
<br />
"That probably can be said for the other stores around here too. What are our neighbors going to do now for food? What about the people the next block over? Or how about all those apartments closer to the toll road? They don't even have a yard to plant a garden in."<br />
<br />
"Bill, you have three kids in that house, no job and no food. What are they going to eat tomorrow or the next day? You want them to come live at my house? They can and I will make sure they get fed, but you can't. You have to work for it, just like you did at your old job. Do you get it now?"<br />
<br />
"Mark, I think you are getting a little melodramatic about all this. If you want some help with some yard work, I can help you out, but I do it on my own terms." replied Bill, who up until now, stood their silently with his arms folded across his chest.<br />
<br />
Devlin sighed. "That's fine, Bill. Why don't you go on back inside and finish lunch. You can send one of the boys over with the pans and stuff when your done. I'll see you later."<br />
<br />
<br />
Three days later.<br />
<br />
<br />
Devlin, Barbara and the kids, (with four year old Mallory mostly watching) had the Quitman's flower beds converted and replanted with three different kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell and banana peppers. They also planted more than a dozen blackberry and raspberry plants along the Quillman's fence line as well.<br />
<br />
The home store was not open, but the garden section was outside and unattended. Deciding most everything would die without care, Devlin loaded his truck with every fruit tree, grape vine, berry starter and potted seedlings along with several bags of potting soil, fertilizer and soil amendment available. He left an envelope with a few hundred dollars under the glass door and drove home.<br />
<br />
Devlin took a chance and also drove his truck to an older part of town on the east side in search of a house where he had seen some goats in the yard, but was out of luck. While the owners were pleasant, they already had most of their neighbors in on the act and were setting up a sustainable urban farm in place.<br />
<br />
They suggested he check the feed store but that was fifteen miles north and he did not want to be gone that long. When he came home, Devlin saw Bill out front trying to look over the fence to the backyard.<br />
<br />
For the first time in several weeks, Devlin parked his truck out front and asked Bill what he was doing.<br />
<br />
"Trying to see where you are hiding all the goodies in your backyard. After that lunch you brought us, you haven't shared anything else."<br />
<br />
"I told you Bill, you have to work for it. We still have to build those raised beds, why don't you grab a hammer and some nails and give me a hand?"<br />
<br />
"Good gravy, Devlin. I don't want to hammer nails or dig in the dirt. That's Mexican work. I sell commercial real estate. Just let me pay you for a sack of groceries and we'll call it a day!"<br />
<br />
"I don't want your money Bill. It's not worth anything anymore. What's wrong with you?"<br />
<br />
"Nothing's wrong with me! The government's going to get things working again. My money will be fine and I'll make more than you just like before. And when that happens, I am going to talk to the neighborhood association about that mess of weeds growing back there and those noisy chickens. They are against the CCR's of the HOA!"<br />
<br />
"Bill, I don't care, do what you want. Again, if you need anything, I will be working on those projects I mentioned. Take care."<br />
<br />
Devlin put his truck in the garage and went back to work in the backyard. He cut a hole in the fence between his and Quitman's property and mounted the cut boards on hinges and made a door. He put a padlock on it and closed it back up.<br />
<br />
He went over to the other side of the yard and did the same thing with the fence between his house and the empty home next door. Then he checked their yard and while it had plenty of space, there were two large trees overhead which limited the growing space. He decided to use this space for livestock if he could ever get some goats and maybe some rabbits.<br />
<br />
A voice called out from the front yard and Devlin went out to see who it belonged to.<br />
<br />
"Hello?"<br />
<br />
"I'm back here. Hang on and I'll come up there."<br />
<br />
"Hi, you're Mrs. Paxton, right?" Devlin asked the woman he recognized as living a few doors down.<br />
<br />
"Yes, and you're Mr. Devlin? I am sorry we haven't spoken much to you or your wife, we meant to of course, but I wanted to come by and say hello and talk about things."<br />
<br />
"Of course, call me Mark, please. So how is your family doing?"<br />
<br />
"Um, alright. We are dealing with no water, no electricity and almost no food. It's not been fun at all. And you?"<br />
<br />
"The same."<br />
<br />
"Have you heard anything about the stores? Or from the city? We are genuinely worried about how things are going and how nobody is doing anything about it."<br />
<br />
Devlin shrugged and told her what he knew about the city government and the local Kroger grocery store. "So far, we are lucky. I am sure some parts of town are worse off."<br />
<br />
"I noticed earlier Mark, that you were driving your truck today. Could you give my husband a ride somewhere? We have hardly any gas in the car and can't seem to find any."<br />
<br />
"I might. Where does he need to go?"<br />
<br />
"Our restaurant. We closed it down two weeks ago when they started freezing money at the banks and shut down the credit card system. There was no way to charge customers. So we closed it up for the time being."<br />
<br />
"I see. Where is it located?"<br />
<br />
"Oh, its about fifteen minutes from here in the circle off of Liberty. You know, near the music pavilion?"<br />
<br />
"Sure, what kind of food did you serve? Maybe we ate there once."<br />
<br />
"Italian, but it was more a modern Italian fusion type thing. Very popular with the young people and all."<br />
<br />
"When did he want to go?"<br />
<br />
"Today, well, now if possible. We are nearly out of everything and we left a bunch of food down there. We are worried someone has already broken in."<br />
<br />
"That's a problem. OK, let's go. Let me tell my wife."<br />
<br />
<br />JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-18224916909482704312013-06-17T14:32:00.001-07:002013-06-17T14:32:10.149-07:00SHTF Fiction - Dunbar Heights IntroductionDunbar Heights<br />
<br />
They said once, the next war will be televised or something like that. They were wrong. The next war was tweeted, liked, pinned and instagrammed.<br />
<br />
Hostilities were announced on social media, intentionally by the political class no doubt, who viewed military engagements with distaste, but like Hollywood, knew war sold better than social programs. Or so they thought.<br />
<br />
We sat home and watched our cable monopolies like obscene peeping toms never knowing when to look away. We were shocked as pieces of our vaunted military fell from the skies or sank into the ocean, and as we debated online about what to do, the conflict ended as soon as it started.<br />
<br />
As we know now, we realized in the early 21st century, our nation, propped up on borrowed money and instant credit, could no longer afford to keep fighting a never ending war much like we could in our grandparent's time. Instead, we went to war with equipment and men paid for with loans and future forecast revenue.<br />
<br />
And when those loans came due and new money dried up we did not have sufficient resources left nor the will to sacrifice any further, never mind, to fund the current social needs of the civilian population. Half hearted, short term taxes, driven more by ideology and resentment and lauded to "reduce our deficits ten percent over the next decade" did nothing to stop the bleeding. It was too late.<br />
<br />
But don't worry, the rest of the world went down the financial toilet, as misery loves company, so it's not like there's an occupying army on our shores or anything. The world is home, broke and broken, witnessing everything they once knew now falling apart and unraveling.<br />
<br />
The war was quick. Most military action was over in the first thirty days, with all hostilities ceasing in three months. Millions died, were maimed, lost and forgotten. That part was easy. What happened next, was not.<br />
<br />
A brief global war decimated the fragile economies of the world which led to their collapse. Three months after the first shot was fired, the global economy was dead, most currencies worthless and a good part of the world kicked back to where we started.<br />
<br />
The government, at all levels, retreated. And left behind by the tide on the beach were each of us. Some alone, some in groups and each on his own.<br />
<br />
And that is how our story begins, the day after that tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
<br />
Mark Devlin watched as the Quitman's SUV drove down the suburban street, turned right and left their neighborhood, Dunbar Heights, for good. The Quitmans were going to their "lake house" and had no plans on returning. The plan, according to David Quitman, was to wait out there in the country for things to return to normal. In the meantime, would Devlin mind watching their house and keeping the swimming pool clean?<br />
<br />
"Is there electricity on at your lakehouse, David?"<br />
<br />
"Probably not, but we have plenty of candles, lanterns and flashlights. It will be like a camping trip."<br />
<br />
"What about running water?"<br />
<br />
"Hadn't thought about that. Well, it's not running here, at least not regularly, so having the lake out back will make a big difference."<br />
<br />
"What about food? Or gas for your car?"<br />
<br />
"We packed everything in the house and when we get closer to the lakehouse, we will do what we always do and stop off at the market and stock up. As for gas, I am sure there is some at the marina and besides, we aren't planning on driving anywhere until this mess sorts itself out."<br />
<br />
"David, the Kroger next door was closed three days ago, why would they have any food at the tiny supermarket near your lakehouse?"<br />
<br />
"Because, it's now how things work out there. I am sure there is plenty of food in the smaller towns because there are fewer people". Quitman said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We'll keep an eye out for other stores along the way as well. You worry too much, Devlin.".<br />
<br />
Devlin helped the Quitmans pack their truck and even lent them some rope for the stuff on the roof as they hadn't any. After they drove away, Devlin waited fifteen minutes before going over to the Quitman's house and inside.<br />
<br />
Of course, they left all of their furniture and fixtures. Devlin noted the light bulbs in the fixtures and checked the television remote controls for batteries (which he removed and pocketed). In the kitchen, he found Karen Quitman had left most of the spices and condiments in the cabinets taking instead all of the packaged and canned food (what they had). However, she neglected the canisters on the counter which contained sugar, flour and salt.<br />
<br />
In each of the closets was plenty of clothing and as Karen and David's kids (college age were hardly kids) were much older than his. The garments and shoes would come in handy down the road. It included several winter coats, gloves, hats and other things that it being spring, Karen and David thought they wouldn't need. <br />
<br />
Karen had taken a lot of the linens and towels, but left all of the beds made and the bathrooms stocked. Not only were there clean towels in the racks but soap, shampoo, razors and other things left behind unopened and unused. Devlin had an image of the Quitmans taking travel sized toiletries on their "camping trip" and promptly put the thought out of his mind.<br />
<br />
In the garage, Karen's coupe was parked inside, spare keys were on the kitchen counter and when he started the car, the tank showed three quarters full. The gasoline can for the mower was in the corner and while it had a carrying capacity of only one and a half gallons, it was more than half full.<br />
<br />
All of David's garden tools and equipment were in their places. He did not have a work bench, but there was a tool box nearly full and left behind. There were several bags of fertilizer, grass seed and lawn food in the corner and more than a dozen emtpy flower pots, all five gallons or larger, stacked in the corner.<br />
<br />
Out back, the swimming pool was full and the cover pulled over it. The rest of the carefully manicured yard was flat and clear and measured more than than six hundred square feet of space. Devlin stared at it before checking the far side of the house on the other side of the swimming pool.<br />
<br />
As he remembered, there was nearly a full cord of firewood stacked on a metal rack and covered with a couple of blue tarps. There were also three sections of fence stacked up after David replaced a falling section of the fence last month. Devlin made a mental note and then looked over the decorative beds along the rear fence. All were wide and populated by roses and decorative bushes. It would be some work pulling them out, but he knew what he would replace them with.<br />
<br />
Going back inside and cutting through the kitchen, David picked up a bag of stale hamburger buns from the bread box and went out the front door, locking it behind him. He went back to his house, but went through the side gate hidden in the bushes between his house and the empty one on the other side instead.<br />
<br />
In the backyard, the hens greeted him and scurried out of the way, but hurried back once he opened the stale bag of buns and started tearing them apart and tossing them on the ground. Once empty, Devlin balled up the bag and stuck it in his pocket for another purpose in the future.<br />
<br />
Devlin cut around the back of the house went and inside through the rear door and found the house still cool regardless of the late spring temperatures. He had the entire house insulated, caulked and weatherized the year before along with replacing the composite roof. In every room twelve-volt ceiling fans were hung and powered by the sun outside keeping a constant breeze blowing throughout the home.<br />
<br />
His four year old was on the floor of the family room coloring. His two oldest had a radio on and were moving through the bands looking for music. There were only three stations operating the last time Devlin checked one of which was operated by the city on the AM band. The only information it gave was what was expected of residents during this trying time and how all were responsible for their neighbors and community. At least the kids still had their i-whatevers for music.<br />
<br />
The house was intentionally dark as most windows were either boarded up (facing the front) or covered with heavy drapes to keep artificial light inside. The rooms populated by people had LED lighting for illumination while others were left dark on purpose.<br />
<br />
Devlin's wife was hanging socks and underwear to dry in the laundry room in the rear of the house. With the screened window open and the fan going, they dried quickly enough.<br />
<br />
Devlin looked out one of his peep holes in the front and watched the neighbor's house across the street. He knew they would be over at some point as soon as their food ran low. He had no problem sharing as he knew having neighbors was becoming a luxury.<br />
<br />
The Quitmans were the fourth family on the cul-de-sac to move out in the past month. All had gone to either a second home, like the Quitmans, or had disappeared elsewhere. The home next door belonged to an elderly couple who passed away within a month of each other and whose home had remained vacant for the past six months.<br />
<br />
The Paxtons, the Bermans and the Holdens were the last ones left besides Devlin's family. The rest of the neighborhood had similar vacancy rates in the area of town he lived in as far as he could tell. He occasionally saw those that remained, as they scurried in and out of their homes avoiding attention and evading detection.<br />
<br />
The front door to the Holden's home opened and Mellisa came outside with her youngest, Cole by her side. She had an empty bowl and walked carefully across the street looking both ways as she did.<br />
<br />
Devlin knew what was coming so he quickly went out the backdoor and around front from the other side of the backyard.<br />
<br />
"Hey, Mel, how are you doing?" Devlin said before she saw him.<br />
<br />
Startled by his appearance, Melissa replied, "Good Mark, I am sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you might have some cereal for Cole. We ran out yesterday and the store is closed and I could borrow some?"<br />
<br />
"Sure, but what about you, Bill or the older boys? What are you guys eating?"<br />
<br />
"We just had oatmeal for breakfast, but Cole hates it."<br />
<br />
"I see. Sure, no problem. Curious what are you guys having for lunch or dinner?"<br />
<br />
"I'll put together something. Oh, we'll be fine, Mark. I mean, it's not like the world ended or anything. As soon as the banks and Bill's office reopen, we will be back to normal. The radio said there will be an announcement any day now." Mel said responding to the look on Mark's face.<br />
<br />
"OK, I just thought I would ask. The power being off, all the stuff in our fridge went bad and we had to chuck a bunch of stuff out. Hang on and I'll get you some cereal. Does he like Cheerios, Rice Crispies or Fruit Loops? Forget it, I'll grab all three and bring them by."<br />
<br />
"You don't have to do that, Mark." replied Mel.<br />
<br />
"Really, it's no problem. Besides, the front door is not working and I don't want Cole to come in the back without shoes."<br />
<br />
"What's up with the door, Mark? And the windows?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Just taking some precautions. There have been some home invasions and I don't want criminals to think our house is an easy target." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Well, if you want to bring the cereal over and leave it by the front door, I am sure that will be fine. Thank you." said Mel as she turned away to her home.<br />
<br />
Devlin watched Melissa walk back with Cole who immediately started bawling about his cereal and how hungry he was. Devlin went around back, went in the house and picked up a couple of grocery bags. He put the three boxes of cereal inside and added a small box of powdered milk.<br />
<br />
Next, he filled the other bag with tomatoes, peppers and a pint of strawberrries from the garden. Finally, he picked up a half dozen eggs that we left over from collecting this morning.<br />
<br />
Leaving the house, he went around back again and was about to go out the front fence when Hannah called him.<br />
<br />
"Daddy, where are you going?"<br />
<br />
"Across the street to the Holdens. You want to come?"<br />
<br />
"Sure, I haven't seen them the last few days."<br />
<br />
Devlin and his oldest daughter crossed the street and went to the Holden's front door and knocked.<br />
<br />
There was some muffled conversation inside and the sound of people moving around. Finally, the front door opened a crack and Mel looked out from behind the door chain.<br />
<br />
"Hi Mark. If you want to leave it outside, I'll come and get it."<br />
<br />
"No I don't want to do that, Mel. I have the cereal and some other stuff and I don't want to leave it out here. I'd like to come in if I may." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Mark, the place is a mess. Can you just leave it and come another time?"<br />
<br />
"Mel, I don't know what's going on over here, but I am not leaving. Just let me in and stop acting weird."<br />
<br />
Mel looked resigned and slowly opened the door. The main room of the house was a mess with clothes and toys scattered everywhere, but what struck Devlin was the smell. It was like every toilet had backed up and run all over the floor. Also, the house was an oven, the heat stifling and the air still and putrid.<br />
<br />
Bill Holden came around the corner and looked like a bus had hit him. He had at least a week's growth of beard and was only wearing a dirty t-shrt and shorts.<br />
<br />
"Hey Mark. You're making me look like a bum." he said defensively.<br />
<br />
"Bill, it's been awhile. How are things?" Mark said as they shook hands.<br />
<br />
"Could be better, but it always can be. Have you been called back to work yet?" Bill asked.<br />
<br />
"Not a chance. My company locked the doors three weeks ago and cleared everyone out. I don't think they will be reopening ever." replied Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Oh. So what you got there?" asked Bill.<br />
<br />
"The cereal for Cole plus some other stuff from my garden. The tomatoes are out of control and I hoped you guys would take some. That and some eggs. The chickens eat, poop and make eggs and we can't keep up with the supply." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I mean okay. They're clean and everything, right?" Bill replied hesitatingly.<br />
<br />
"Cleaner than anything you could get at the store. I'll just bring them in the kitchen."<br />
<br />
"Mark... wait."<br />
<br />
Inside, the kitchen was a mess. Every cabinet was open and empty. The sink and counters were full of dirty dishes. The trash can was overflowing with empty cans, boxes and wrappers.<br />
<br />
"We haven't had time to clean up, I didn't want you to see it." said Mel.<br />
<br />
Mel had her eyes down and her arms folded. Bill walked up and put his arm around her. Jason, their oldest son, the same age as Hannah, appeared behind them and looked around at everyone in the room. Then his eyes fixed on the bags in Mark's hands.<br />
<br />
"Is that food? What did you bring Mr. Devlin? Can I have something?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, Jason. Why don't we put it over here on the kitchen table and you can get Cole a bowl of cereal and fix yourself one too." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Mom, this milk is powdered and the water is gone. Do we have to get some more from the Doyle's bird bath." asked Jason.<br />
<br />
Devlin looked at Mel and Bill.<br />
<br />
"Hannah, will you run over to the house and get a jug of water please? The watchword is California."<br />
<br />
"OK, dad." she said.<br />
<br />
"Bill, Mel, why don't we go in the living room? Where is Bill, Jr?" asked Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Bill! Come on in here." shouted his father.<br />
<br />
"Why?" replied the boy.<br />
<br />
"Because I said so." said Bill, irritation growing in his voice.<br />
<br />
"What is it?" asked Bill, Jr when he entered the room.<br />
<br />
"Go in the kitchen and see what your brothers are up to. We grownups have to talk." replied Bill.<br />
<br />
"Bill, Mel, what's the deal? The plumbing is backed up in the house because you have been trying to flush the toilets. And you have no water besides what you are taking from a bird bath. Is that why you have the fireplace going? To boil the water?" asked Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Yes, but I won't have you looking down or talking down to us, Devlin. I made more money last year than you did and have a nicer car and house. A few eggs and some dirty tomatoes don't make you a better man." said Bill, his anger starting to surface.<br />
<br />
"Bill, I don't care about your car or income. You're my neighbors and I want to make sure you and your kids are okay." implored Devlin.<br />
<br />
"I can provide for my own family. As soon as Kroger opens..."<br />
<br />
"Kroger is closed, Bill. Probably for good."<br />
<br />
The door opened and Hannah came in.<br />
<br />
"California is beautiful, Dad."<br />
<br />
"Great, why don't you bring the water in the kitchen and make some milk for the boy's cereal?"<br />
<br />
"How about I show them how and they can do it themselves next time?"<br />
<br />
"Even better, doll face."<br />
<br />
"Folks, here's the deal. We don't have a lot, but we have enough. I am going to bring over a few more things from the house so all of you have a good meal now and another this afternoon." said Devlin turning to Mel and Bill.<br />
<br />
"You guys can put out the fire in the fireplace and cool the house off. I suggest you open the back doors and windows to air the place out. This afternoon, get some buckets and clean out the toilet bowls as best as possible. I know it won't be pretty, but someone's going to get sick unless you do right away. I have extra cleaning supplies if you need anything, let me know."<br />
<br />
"So what's in it for you, Devlin?" demanded Bill.<br />
<br />
"Three things, Bill. One, you're my neighbors and your health and well being are important to me. Two, there's going to be plenty of physical work which needs to be done for us to get by and I am going to need all five of you to help. Third, I need someone watching my back and you need someone watching yours." replied Devlin.<br />
<br />
"I am not working for you or for a handout, Devlin." blurted Bill.<br />
<br />
"Bill, I am not asking you to. I am asking you to be the same man you were before this started. Work for your family and do the best you can." said Devlin.<br />
<br />
"Hannah, let's get going. And grab the eggs we brought over. We'll cook those over at our house and bring them back when they are ready."<br />
<br />
Hannah and Devlin said their goodbyes but didn't wait for an argument and left.<br />
<br />
"Jacob ate most of the box of Rice Crispies while I was in the room, Dad."<br />
<br />
"I know, they were starving. Most of what they ate came from to go places and fast food. I don't know if Mrs. Holden can even cook or cook very well, Hannah."<br />
<br />
"She'll learn."<br />
<br />
Hannah is a smart kid, thought Devlin.<br />
<br />
<br />JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-64465632631011448772012-12-30T08:15:00.002-08:002015-12-14T11:25:07.439-08:00Chatter - Short Story<div>
Chatter</div>
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Brandon carefully conned the shortwave radio bands searching for the faint signal he had heard a few weeks earlier. He located it on the maritime bands and while the speaker only spoke Spanish, he found it strangely comforting. After all, it meant someone was alive. That was, someone besides Brandon and his dog, Cooter. </div>
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<div>
Brandon hightailed it to his cabin in the middle of April when the plague first reared its ugly head in the far East. He stopped long enough to pick up some last minute supplies before making the four hour drive into the St. Francois Sauk mountains where his hideaway was located. Since then, he had barred the door so to speak and remained hunkered down until the mess passed. </div>
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He had a medium sized solar setup which kept the well water flowing, powered some LED lights and the shortwave set. At first, he limited his communications to an hour or so a day. The rest of the day he worked on his garden, construction of the coop and yard for his dozen or so layers, and getting the place ready for the duration. But lately, he found himself trolling the different frequencies more and more each day. </div>
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Brandon had few friends, none he could think of by name, only passing acquaintances from work and such. He was married once and briefly. His distance and lack of patience for her idle chit chat drove his wife away eventually. He had not spoken with her in more than a decade and could sadly assume she was carried away with all the others. </div>
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But for now, Brandon searched for any scrap of information about the outside world, more importantly, for the sound of another human. Cooter lay by his feet, resting his doggie chin on his crossed paws as he had hour after hour lately. </div>
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It was then the six inch speaker blared with the sound of a male voice: </div>
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"This is station WGY906 on air. Are there any listeners out there?" said the voice. </div>
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<div>
"That's not proper protocol," thought Brandon. "Clearly some sort of amateur working the dial." </div>
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<div>
He then reached over to his catalogue and looked up the call sign WGY906. He nearly fell out of his chair when he read it was a FEMA call sign out of North Texas. </div>
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"This is station WGY906 on air. C'mon folks, there's gotta be someone awake tonight?" said the voice which Brandon detected had a slight southern drawl to it. </div>
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<div>
Brandon decided to keep his cards close and play it safe considering it was FEMA and all. </div>
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"This is K... KGX713, over. Repeat KGX713, over. I hear you nice and clear, over." Brandon stated. </div>
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"Well, hot dog. We got one guys!" said the man's voice slightly fainter into the microphone as if he turned away for a moment. It seemed Brandon could hear at least one other voice in the background, maybe two. </div>
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"Sorry, I had to tell the rest of the team. How you doing out there, KG.. um, KG?" he asked. </div>
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"All is positive and affirmative, over. And the call sign is KGX713. Say, how long have you had your license, over?" asked Brandon. </div>
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"License? Oh, for the radio. I don't have one I'm afraid, KG. We just got this rig up and working this morning and we're just trying to spread the word. My name is Ryan and I am in Denton, Texas just north of Dallas. It's good to hear another voice as always. Where are you at?" Ryan asked. </div>
<div>
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<div>
Brandon panicked. Denton was far away, but who knew if the JBT's were triangulating his signal even now as he spoke. He'd have to make it quick and figure out how to play this one out. </div>
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"I'd rather not say, if you don't mind, over. What with things being as they have been the past few months, one can't be too careful, over." Brandon replied. </div>
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"I gotcha. Tell you what, I'll tell you about us and you just chime in whenever you want, okay?" said Ryan. </div>
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"Affirmative, over." said Brandon. </div>
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"Cool. OK, so we are where I told you and you're the first person we've reached on the big radio. We've found some others on the CB and with handhelds, but now that we've got this system up and running, we can really spread our wings."</div>
<div>
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<div>
For the next half hour, with Brandon furiously taking notes, Ryan explained how he and a group of others, primarily from Louisiana southern Arkansas and east Texas made their way to the FEMA center they were now broadcasting from. </div>
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<div>
Their hope that the center being a "continuity of government site" would have some sort of authority or organization. Instead, they discovered all within were dead. The power was still nominally on as were the computers and they learned the truth about the effects of the plague both in the United States and the rest of the world. </div>
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"So, the government is gone and it's the same everywhere else. Most of the people in the world are dead except for a few scattered crumbs like you and I, KG." finished Ryan. </div>
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Brandon slumped in his chair the enormity of the situation he knew in his heart to be true. </div>
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"Look, if you want, KG, and if you have the means, you can come visit us here. We got a great group of folks, more every day in fact." said Ryan.</div>
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"How many of you are there, over?" asked Brandon. </div>
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"Over two hundred now. We got the power working to this place and are working on clearing out bodies, you know? We've got a lot to do and need everybody we can find to get things going again." replied Ryan. </div>
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"I imagine so, over. I have some things to attend to, Ryan. Will you be on the air tomorrow, say the same time, over?" asked Brandon. </div>
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"Sure! I'll holler at you tomorrow, KG. Take care." said Ryan and then he cut out. </div>
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Brandon turned down the volume on the short wave and put his head in his hands. </div>
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-----</div>
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<div>
That night Brandon tossed and turned in his bunk.</div>
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"What if this Ryan guy was telling the truth? What if the plague had run its course and survivors were regrouping? What if there was a chance to rebuild society?" </div>
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Of of these possibilities were intriguing to Brandon. He had long embraced the survival movement known as prepping and the results were clear. He bugged out, survived and still had adequate supplies and knowledge to continue on indefinitely. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
But Brandon had never thoroughly thought out what would happen afterward. He always assumed that daily life would be dangerous, but over time, he would hook up with a burgeoning community and share what knowledge and skills he had obtained over time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon bolted out of bed, turned on an LED lantern, grabbed a notebook and pencil and began making a list of questions for Ryan the next time they spoke. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-----</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the first time in months, Brandon was actually excited about the day and could be caught whistling and even smiling to Cooter. He tossed the dog several treats as he cleaned and straightened out his small, but efficient cabin. Brandon had not realized it before, but he had been neglecting chores the past few weeks what with the hours he spent in front of the radio so now he had plenty to keep him busy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before long, the shadows through the window grew long with the setting sun and that meant prime broadcasting time. Brandon warmed up the shortwave set, put on a fresh pot of tea and took a quick trip to the outhouse while he let Cooter relieve himself in the yard. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eying his pocket watch, Brandon noticed that Ryan was a few minutes late for their arranged time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Young man does not know good radio etiquette or how to be perfunctory for appointments." he humphed to himself. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just then, the speaker crackled and Ryan's voice came through, loud and clear. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"This station WGY906 on air, who's got their ears on tonight!" his voice boomed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon adjusted the speaker volume and keyed his mike. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"This is KGX713, over." he said. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"KG! What's happening? Hey, did you hear me asking who's got their ears on? I learned that from a guy calling in from Arizona yesterday." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I did. If we get the chance to meet someday, I'll be happy to go over radio jargon and standard responses, over." replied Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"That would be cool. So you must be a real ham, do I have that right? A ham?" asked Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Indeed, I have had my license for several years, over. Any news you can share with me today, Ryan?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You bet, KG. After we spoke last night, we got in touch with five or six others during the night. We made contact with folks all over. Lesse, that guy in Arizona, someone in Washington state, Wisconsin, a lady in Ohio and even one guy in Iceland." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"That's great, Ryan. We're they thinking of coming down where you are, over?" inquired Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Almost all of them, even the guy in Iceland. He was talking about fitting a boat and trying his hand at getting to Canada and then down our way. He's all alone and said he'd rather die at sea than stay where he is." replied Ryan somberly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I can imagine. So these people who you are talking to, do they have any skills you need? I guess, does your community have a list of skills or trades you are looking for? Perhaps trade goods, over?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Right now they only thing we need are living people. It's more of a come as you are proposition right now. As for skills, Casey sitting at the radio next to me worked in a comic book shop before all this. Evie was a waitress." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"There are women there, too?" blurted Brandon without thinking. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Sure, men, women, some kids, some older folks. KG, you old devil, you sound like you're looking for a girlfriend." laughed Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon blushed and looked down subconsciously at his shoes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"No, I was just surprised that you are advertising women being at your survival community. I mean what if brigands or convicts were listening, over?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"They would if they wanted to KG, I can't control the airways. And besides, if there's one bad character out there, he'll have to deal with all of us. We stick by our own, you know?" replied Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"That's good to hear. So how do I know you won't rob me and steal what I have if I decided to pay a visit?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What would we steal?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Food, for instance."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Why? The stores are full of food, enough for a lifetime."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What about my truck or fuel?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I have a dozen different cars I can drive right now. And we can't use all the gasoline in the tanks if we wanted too."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Guns or gold?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"We got a National Guard armory down the road with anything you can imagine. The coin and jewelry stores are wide open if anyone wanted anything from those places, not that they're worth anything any more." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"How do I know you won't put me in chains and force me to labor for you?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Slave masters don't sleep well, KG."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What if I wanted to leave if I didn't like things there?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"How can we stop you? And if you left, we don't have enough people to look for you if you did." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon stopped and said nothing for a few moments. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"KG, you still there? Did we lose you?" asked Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"No, you didn't Ryan. Rather, I'm glad you found me. And please, call me Brandon. Brandon Mitchell is my name."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ryan cut off the conversation after fifteen minutes saying he had others to check in with including a group he had made contact with in Nebraska. Word had it they were heading Ryan's way in the next two days and wanted to check on road conditions. Brandon was immediately jealous. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Standing and stretching his back, Brandon looked around the cabin and was struck about how small and dark it was. Cooter lifted his head and looked up at his master sensing something was wrong. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Cooter, how would you like to go on a trip, buddy?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next evening found Brandon having winterized the place as best he could. He decided he would leave in two or three days once he calculated a route, fuel stops and taking time for detours due to road conditions. At the approximate time, he reached out to Ryan on the radio. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Ryan, this is Brandon Mitchell, you know, KG. Are you on, over?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"KG, how's it going good buddy. I was hoping you'd call in. So what did you decide you wanted to do?" Ryan asked. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Well, after thinking it over, I guess I'll give it a shot." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Great, we'll be glad to have you! We've been on the radio all day with people and groups all over. So many out there. So when are planning on leaving?" asked Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I think in a day or two. I have to get the place buttoned up, put gas in the truck, get some food and supplies together, round up the chickens.."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You have chickens! Man, I can't wait to see you! We got a small flock we found here about but everyone can't get enough fresh eggs." interrupted Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Indeed, I have chickens and plenty of good knowledge and skills which might be of use to you. Small engines, power systems, animal husbandry, gardening. I hope I can be useful." replied Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Why you're a regular Mick Steen, KG." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Mick Steen, who's that?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"He's our local jack of all trades. Older guy like you. Fixes stuff, got the lights on, found some dairy cows. Yep, you and he will get along great. Either that or you'll go at it like a couple of cats in a sack." laughed Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Humph," thought Brandon to himself, "this Steen character will be my assistant when I'm through."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Sounds great, Ryan," said Brandon through pursed lips. "Any good news you can share with me, I know your're busy and have to go soon."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Sure, KG. I got a great story. A woman and a little girl came in last night. The woman had stepped on something and had a pretty badly infected foot. I don't think she'll make it. The girl, she's about three or so but she's in pretty good health. The woman found her about a month back and they've been on foot this whole time. See, the woman couldn't drive a car." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Anyway, they don't have a radio, never they heard any of these broadcasts. Just the woman said she had a dream to head this way and so they did. The little girl keeps saying 'Go see G. Go see G.' We don't know why or what it means, but don't that beat all? That little girl is like our mascot around here. We don't know her real name or anything about her, but she's cute as a bug." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon paused as his eyes watered up, the first time in as long as he could remember. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I can't wait to meet her, Ryan. She sounds like a real little miracle." he said in a cracked voice. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"She sure is. OK KG, let's plan on talking one last time tomorrow and then I guess I'll see you in a week or so, good?" said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Sounds like a plan, Ryan. I am looking forward to meeting you, that little girl and the community real soon." said a beaming Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And he meant it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next day, Brandon filled the gas tank and turned over his old Ford pickup. It sputtered but finally caught and soon was purring away. He checked the tires and fluids and pulled it around in front. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He took two large duffles and filled them with clean shirts, pants and socks. He then took down a large tote and filled it with non-perishable foods including dog food for the trip. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Satisfied with his work, he fed the chickens one last time and took around his place. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm going to miss this old place," he thought to himself, "But seeing some new faces will be fine all the same."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The evening found Brandon pacing the floors until his scheduled call in with Ryan. He ended up calling in early and waiting as his attempts were ignored for a few minutes. Just as the first time, the speaker squawked to life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"This is station WGY906 on the air. KG, you out there?" came Ryan's southern drawl. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"This is KG, over. How's it going Ryan?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Just peachey. Man today is a day of all days. We've got dozens of people calling in to our broadcasts from all over and even more traveling here now as we speak. But I got good news for you tonight, KG." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What's that?" asked Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I got a full staff of ten folks working the radio tonight so that means you and I can have a good long chat. I figure this being your last night before you head out, you probably have a lot of questions." replied Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I guess I do, but to tell the truth, it's just good to hear another human voice. I guess I really missed it." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"That's what everyone says, KG. So tell me, were you married or have kids before all this?" asked Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Yeah, I was married, but that was over ten years ago. Don't know what happened, well, I do. I wasn't much of a talker and kept to myself. I think that drove the poor woman away. I realize that now." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Don't beat yourself up, KG. You got a second chance most don't get. So how long's it been since you talked to another person? We keep a sort of unofficial record around here of who's gone the longest." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Really? I haven't really thought about it. I bugged out when the virus started spreading and was fortunate enough to be off the beaten path when things fell apart. I guess I'd have to look at a calendar." replied Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"That's the same story most folks share with us. I was in Little Rock in the middle of May when the virus arrived in LA, Seattle and San Francisco. Afterward, I went down to Baton Rouge and helped my sister and her family until.. well they all passed. That was tough. Then I had to lay low for the rest of the summer, what will all the government folks looking for folks who weren't sick. Remember that?" asked Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"No, actually I didn't experience that, Ryan. I was fortunate enough to get to my place here in the hills before it got that bad." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You were lucky, real lucky. I haven't heard anyone who got out of the cities so late in the summer. By then the quarantines, the roadblocks and all were up. You must be like a fox, Brandon." laughed Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Well, I can be crafty when I need to be. But that's not what happened. See, I bugged out in April long before the virus reached the States. Where I am right now is miles from the nearest town or house. How many months does that make it? Six months? Is that right? How's that for the record, Ryan?" asked Brandon with a smile on his face. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was silence for a few moments before Ryan finally spoke. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Let me ask you something, Brandon," asked Ryan using Brandon's real name for the first time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Since April, have you had contact with anyone? You know, a trip into town for some groceries or gas? Maybe a look around in the past few months? Even just a drive through a nearby town?" Ryan asked in a serious tone. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Why no, Ryan. Like I told you, have been sitting tight here since April. If your worried I might be carrying the virus you don't need to. I have been maintaining strict mitigation and quarantine protocols the whole time. I even have a respirator and Tyvek suit I wore during the first few months whenever I left the house." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Yeah, those respirators, saw a lot of them in the end.." said Ryan his voice trailing off. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"So I don't think you have anything to worry about Ryan. Now you're starting to worry me, like I did something wrong or maybe you don't want me to come out your way." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"No, you didn't do anything wrong, KG. You did everything right, right by the book. But unless I heard your wrong or your left something out, then I can't let you come here." said Ryan quietly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"What do you mean," blurted Brandon, "What's wrong? I need to get there.. what are you talking about?" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Brandon, I want you to listen carefully to me. You have been in self-imposed quarantine for over six months and there's nothing wrong with that. The problem is none of us have." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"But.." interrupted Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Please, listen to me, this is hard for me to tell you, Brandon. The rest of us were exposed to the virus, from our friends, families and strangers before they died. But for some reason or another, we never got sick. Nobody can explain it and even here, on the FEMA computers, they could not figure it out until the end. It seems some people are naturally immune, but they are still carriers." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Well, obviously I am immune as well," replied Brandon. "I mean it's an airborne virus and it's not like I am in a fallout shelter with filtered air. So I don't think we have anything to worry about, do we?" said Brandon, now with a hint of desperation in his voice. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"It doesn't work like that, KG. The virus is airborne, but only over a short distance. Most were infected through contact and you.. you have had no contact. I guess there is a small chance, almost <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Infinitesimal</span> that you are immune, but the only way to find that out is for you to leave your cabin and come here."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Sure.. so I'll make plans to ..." said Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"But odds are you aren't immune and you will contract the virus long before you ever get near here. You'll drive through an infected town, pick up a gas pump handle covered in the virus, any number of ways. And you'll get sick and then you'll die. I can't let you do that, life is too precious. I won't have that on my head." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"But maybe there is a cure for the virus at that center you're at. Maybe they found a way for me to live there and not get sick. If anything, I can just bring my respirator and gear and live with you guys, I'll just be separate and keep covered up, OK?" begged Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"There's no cure, Brandon. It just how it is. And your gear won't work either, Brandon. All the authorities in the end did the same thing and they all died. Respirators, gloves, sanitizer none of it works long term. The virus finds a way around it." said Ryan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"But that's not fair! I am alive, just like you and all the others. You can't make me stay here! It's not fair! I want to see all the people, the little miracle girl! I have to show that Steen guy how much I know!" shouted Brandon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'm sorry, Brandon, I really am." said Ryan quietly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"You just didn't want me there, none of you did. You guys were just pulling my chain. There's probably nobody there, just you and a few other flea bitten good for nothings sitting around in an old building messing with people." said Brandon bitterly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was no reply or sound from Ryan, just the quiet static from the speaker. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Brandon, I'll be right here if you ever want to talk for a bit. I don't know what will happen, but there are more people coming here and I am sure we will have someone you chat with from time to time." said Ryan hopefully. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Sure, pick straws to see who gets stuck talking the old man in the woods. The freak who didn't die. A man in a jar cut off from the living world like a trapped lizard in some kid's room. Looking out and watching all of you live, love, grow old and do things. No thanks, Ryan."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"This is KGX713 signing off. That means good bye Ryan." said Brandon as he keyed the mike for the last time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon stood and balled his fists. He so badly wanted to smash the shortwave to pieces and toss the remains into the fireplace, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead he flipped the receiver to scan mode, the dial spinning away from Ryan's frequency to the next station. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Brandon kicked aside his packed duffles, threw open the front door and stared at the dark sky knitted with diamond like stars. In the background, the speaker sputtered with the chatter of hundreds of voices from across the globe. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-30905834694365578642012-09-25T10:26:00.000-07:002012-09-25T10:34:13.388-07:00Short Story - Surrounded By Idiots<br />
Rex was in his workshop working on his new tool organization system when his stupid wife knocked quietly on the door.<br />
<br />
"Dear? The president is on TV. He about to make an announcement about something.."<br />
<br />
Rex let out an extra big sigh to indicate his lack of patience with the bag of hammers he shared marital bliss with. That was how Rex communicated with his wife, the volume of the sigh measured only by the level of stupity of the question. <br />
<br />
"Busy. Leave me alone", Rex muttered.<br />
<br />
Rex went back to his project rearranging his sockets by inches rather than the New World Order metric system. If the UN invaded, they weren't going to find his tools ready to use but rather, in an American inch based confused manner. As he worked, he reached over and switched on his multi band AM/FM/Shortwave/Scanner set on the shelf above.<br />
<br />
"...clearly, this has profound implications on the security of the United States and the rest of the democratic and free world. Therefore, I have decided to impose unilateral sanctions on the Peoples Islamic Caliphate until they have demonstrated the desire and conviction to return to the civilized way of life share by the majority of peoples on this planet. Make no mistake, the United States has nothing but the up most respect for the Muslim faith and for the people of the historic and traditional region of the middle east, but their leaders have led them astray and for this, I must take action...."<br />
<br />
Rex sighed again, muttered "twit" under his breath and switched off the radio.<br />
<br />
A few moments later, the Box Of Rocks knocked on the door again,<br />
<br />
"Rex, honey? The television just went out. Could you take a look at it when you are not too busy, please?"<br />
<br />
"Leave a man alone, woman." Rex replied without turning from his work bench.<br />
<br />
Rex did reach over to the keyboard on his PC which was also on the workbench handy in the event he had to look something important up. He opened a browser and went to the only site with real news and information, "Detonator2012" The browser timed out after 30 seconds of trying and ended up on "404 Page Not Found".<br />
<br />
"Swell. What did that dummy do to the Internet?" thought Rex.<br />
<br />
Hauling his butt off his Craftsman stool, Rex went to the shop door, unlocked the three locks, swept the door open, his rage growing by the moment.<br />
<br />
"Woman! What did you do to the internet? I have work to do out here!" Rex growled as he strode from the shop into the kitchen.<br />
<br />
Darla looked up from the cinnamon rolls she was rolling out on the kitchen counter and then quickly looked down at the floor.<br />
<br />
"I didn't touch the internet connection, dear. I was waiting for you to come and check the TV set. I mean, when you weren't busy, darling" she quickly added.<br />
<br />
Rex let out an extra louder than normal sigh, "Surrounded by idiots." he muttered and stomped into the family room to check the internet connection.<br />
<br />
Family room was a misnomer as he and Darla had no children to speak of. Darla, that quack of a doctor said, was healthy as a horse and as fertile as a Kansas wheat field. It was Rex, he claimed, that had some "reproductive issues". BS thought Rex, and he refused to see another so called doctor again after that day seven years ago.<br />
<br />
"I want a son" he demanded of his wife. "Why can't you get that through your fat head?"<br />
Clearly it was her fault that Rex was heirless and was forced to fish and hunt alone each weekend.<br />
<br />
Rex went to the corner next to the television and saw that the power light on the cable/internet box was lit, but everything else was dark. "What the...?" he thought.<br />
<br />
Rex than tore back the curtains on the window and for the first time in as long as anyone could remember, was speechless.<br />
<br />
A pall of black smoke was hanging over the area in the direction of downtown. It was then Rex noticed the sound of sirens warbling in the air. His repose was interrupted when the emergency weather siren down the street sprang to life and let out its loud deep moan.<br />
<br />
"The Schumer has hit the fan!" Rex yelled. Excitement built in Rex's stomach much in the way a younger man would feel when he saw the woman he was going to marry for the first time or scratched off the winning number on a Lotto card.<br />
<br />
Rex bolted for his gun safe which was in the back of the walk in closet in the bedroom "What will I take? The AR? The SKS? The WASR? What about the Mossie? Got to have some firepower, but the need for multiple man stopping rounds is too important to neglect" he mumbled to himself.<br />
<br />
In the background, Darla was babbling something about the sirens and smoke, but Rex tuned her out as he was so adept at after many years of practice. Rex ripped open the closet door and went for the safe. His fingers were fumbling with the combination lock and he had to stop for a moment, take a deep breath before starting again.<br />
<br />
"This was going to be great" beamed Rex inside.<br />
<br />
--------<br />
<br />
Rex was sitting on the foot of his bed, (well actually Darla's bed as Rex had a habit of sleeping on the couch or a fold out cot in his workshop), loading magazines for his AR15. It had been a tough decision, but he decided to go with the AR after carefully considering a number of factors.<br />
<br />
Rex also had out his Para-Ordinance .45, his Mossberg 12 gauge and his Kel-Tec .380 for a backup piece. He was going through The Big Plan in his head, but Darla kept buzzing into the room like an annoying horsefly sharing news from the radio.<br />
<br />
"gas lines are forming.. government says to stock up on bottled water... the ball game was cancelled tonight.. looting reported downtown.."<br />
<br />
Looting. That word stood out to Rex like a neon sign in the desert. Looting meant looters to be dealt with and that was OK with Rex. Looting also meant "strategic reallocation" which literally made Rex's mouth water. He could not wait to get downtown.<br />
<br />
But for now, there magazines to be loaded. Rex had six down and fourteen more to do before he could even consider heading out the door.<br />
<br />
"Rex, I really think I need to go by the market and pick up a few things. I know you are busy and all, but if you could drive me in the truck, I could be in and out in just a few minutes..." Darla said quietly.<br />
<br />
"First, it is not THE truck, it is MY truck. Second, your inability to plan for an emergency does not make it a priority in my schedule. YOU should have listened when I told you to purchase extra food and stuff. But NO, you dilly dallyed around the house doing NOTHING while I planned, I prepared, and I did the heavy lifting. You can thank me later for having the foresight to purchase long term storage food some time ago. We will be able to eat well, but its NO THANKS to you, you ... dimwit." Rex growled.<br />
<br />
"What long term storage food?" asked Darla. "What are you talking about...?"<br />
<br />
Rex sighed. "The food I purchased online. Buckets of food. Freeze dried, dehydrated, MRE's. Real food we can eat when the poop hits the ocillator and our neighbors are eating their beloved cats and dogs. You are as dense as Jupiter, woman."<br />
<br />
"How much did you spend, Rex? Where did you get the money from?" asked Darla, her eyebrows drawing together.<br />
<br />
"Woman, MY finances are none of your business. Now you listen to me and listen good. The thin veneer of civilization is coming off the world right now. We can sit here and have a nice little conversation or you can get out of my hair and let me get to work!" Rex roared.<br />
<br />
Darla stood for one moment staring at Rex and then turned and left the bedroom shutting the door quietly behind her.<br />
<br />
Rex continued loading magazines for the next 45 minutes before carefully putting all of them in the load bearing gear he had purchased at a surplus store. Then he changed into the outfit he had laid out on the bed. A pair of 5 in 1 khakis with matching shirt, suspenders, steel toed boots and a black authentic SEAL stocking cap. He imagined he looked like an intrepid explorer or post-apocalyptic action hero, when in actuality, he looked more like an overweight janitor with a head cold.<br />
<br />
Picking up the two long guns, Rex opened the bedroom door and went with purpose to the garage where his truck waited. He said nothing to Darla, got in the truck, punched the garage door opener and drove out in what he imagined would be the urban wastelands of America. The adventure begins!<br />
<br />
--------<br />
<br />
Rex had wanted to join the military as a boy. But as high school ended and manhood approached, he had second thoughts and instead took a job at a local factory working the floor. In his mind, he rationalized that he could always join some branch of the service at a future date, and for the time being, he could earn money which would allow him to get out of the house and away from his doting, but simple minded mother. In reality and subconsciously, the thought of military training and undressing in front of other men mortified Rex.<br />
<br />
As for now, Rex was barreling through his neighborhood in the direction of downtown. The Big Plan, as he called it, was downloading its way through his buzzing brain. There were looters to deal with, resources to be located and missing pieces in his master prep list to be filled. Rex was sure this would be the best day in his life.<br />
<br />
Approaching the big intersection closest to his neighborhood, Rex was pleasantly surprised to see the long line at the gas station and the burst of activity in front of the super market. People were grabbing grabbing carts and actually yelling at each other in the parking lot. At the gasoline station, two men were fighting over the pump while a woman tried to separate them from a full blown fist fight.<br />
<br />
Rex was giddy with excitement as the world crumbled around him. The sheeple would be strayed and lost and men like him would step up to the plate ready to take charge. Finally things would be made right and he could feel the back slaps and see the welcoming grins as men who heretofore had more possessions and stature than he had would now be forced to see him in a new adoring light. It would be magnificent.<br />
<br />
The only drag was Darla and her worthlessness. More than once in the past hour Rex had considered inviting her along under the pretense she could load magazines or hand him weapons as he needed them. Secretly, however, he hoped that a stray bullet would take her out in all the action finally allowing him the freedom he needed to find the Perfect Mate for the strange new world coming. His fevered imagination created a woman who looked like Pamela Anderson but spoke as much as Clint Eastwood and could shoot like him too.<br />
<br />
Putting his fantasies out his mind, Rex got on the interstate and headed towards downtown. The first order of business was some target practice on the looters running rampant. Then a side trip to a couple of gun stores to "relieve" their overstock and then a quick run through Walmart to stock up on some essentials. All told, Rex figured he had a couple of hours to kill, then would head home to get his house in order. He cursed himself for not telling Darla to fill the bathtubs as they would need the water. She was so dumb, she was probably eating bon-bons and trying to get the TV to work.<br />
<br />
Downtown was approaching and Rex' excitement built. He would finally get to see his AR in action. For real.<br />
<br />
------------<br />
<br />
Rex exited the interstate into downtown off the ramp which led to the retail part of town. He knew there were some high dollar jewelry and electronics stores down there which would attract the kind of people he had a high desire to put down before they made their way, as they eventually would, to where his house was.<br />
<br />
Rex was stunned when he saw the phalanx of several dozen uniformed and armed police officers forming a skirmish line off the main avenue. "Why aren't they abandoning their posts and heading home to protect their families?" Rex wondered aloud. Something wasn't right so Rex continued driving further down the boulevard.<br />
<br />
Persistance paid off when he spied a line of "disadvantaged youths" walking out of the broken glass doors of a big box electronic store carrying televisions and game consoles. "What a bunch of idiots." thought Rex. "All those electronics are going to be worthless in a few hours. Time to relieve the gene pool" he figured.<br />
<br />
Rolling to a stop a few hundred yards away, Rex lifted his AR from the passenger seat and checked the magazine in the rifle. He opened the truck door and stepped out onto the pavement. His heart was beating a hundred miles an hour, his mouth was dry but his palms were sweating profusely. Rex shook his head and lifted the AR to his shoulder.<br />
<br />
Allowing his eyes to focus on the steady line of young people streaming out of the store, Rex sighted in one particullarly large man wearing a bright red tank top. He appeared to be directing the others and encouraging them on in their looting.<br />
<br />
Rex drew a bead on Red Shirt and squeezed the trigger. Everything happened fast after that. Red Shirt fell back onto the pavement and everyone else froze holding their boxes and loot in the middle of the street. Then one cried out and the whole mob began to flee in every direction including towards Rex.<br />
<br />
Rex tried to draw a target but looking through the scope at so many moving people up close was too difficult, so he just pulled the trigger in their general direction. That only made things more chaotic as people ran in circles with many getting closer to him.<br />
<br />
Panicking, Rex jumped back in his truck but momentarily forgot how to start or drive the thing. Something primordial clicked in the back of his head and he managed to turn the key and kick the engine to life just as the vanguard of the mob reached his truck. Dropping the truck in reverse, he screamed when a huge woman landed on his hood and started shouting the foulest curse words through the windshield.<br />
<br />
Another man grabbed the drivers door and actually got it opened as Rex floored the vehicle backwards down the street. For a moment, the man got his hand on the barrel of Rex's beloved AR, but the increased speed of the truck caused him to lose his step and fall to the street and roll against the curb.<br />
<br />
Rex turned the steering wheel to the right and managed to toss the big woman off his truck hood where she too landed and rolled across the empty street. The rest of the mob by this time was picking up anything they could get their hands on and started throwing things at Rex's rapidly retreating truck. Bottles, cans and a few pieces of asphault bounced off the roof and bed of the truck as Rex peeled down the side street.<br />
<br />
Rex looked back in the rear view mirror as the mob fell behind him, his hands shaking and barely able to keep the truck steady on the road. Rex turned back onto the main boulevard and he sped down the opposite direction from the interstate entrance which led home.<br />
<br />
Rex felt his breakfast coming up and he did not even make it to a full stop before a half digested mess of instant coffee, Pop Tarts and scrambled eggs launched itself all over the console, his lap and the floor of the truck cab.<br />
<br />
Rex just kept his head down as the contents of his stomach emptied into the truck and did not cease until it was done.<br />
<br />
"Oh lord," muttered Rex, "I gotta get out of here" as he wiped his chin with the back of his hand. Rex looked down at the AR which was partially covered in vomit on the receiver and stock and pushed it with disgust to the passenger floor.<br />
<br />
Rex looked around to make sure he was alone and then took his foot off the break and drove on. He was going to hit a gunstore and then get home. This was not the way it was supposed to be.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
Moments later, Rex's truck came to a stop in front of Masterson's Gun and Sporting World. Masterson's was on the edge of downtown in a semi industrial area featuring contractor supply stores, pawn shops, and a few "buy here, pay here" car dealerships.<br />
<br />
Rex did not frequent Masterson's as the prices were too high for his blood, but he assumed that the owners had probably abandoned the place knowing the rioters and mobs would be descending shortly. Rex grabbed his Mossberg from behind the truck seat and did not give the AR a second look. He had a feeling that he would not be touching that particular rifle for some time.<br />
<br />
Rex went to the front door and expected it to be open, but was surprised to find it locked. He pulled on the door a few times before putting his face upon the barred glass door and cupping his hands over his eyes looked inside. He found himself starting, through the glass, at the barrel of a very large shotgun.<br />
<br />
"Place is closed! Get back in your truck and go! Got nothing to sell today!" shouted the voice behind the shotgun.<br />
<br />
"Are you the owner? Are you clearing the place out? Got anything you can't take away?" shouted back Rex. Suddenly he felt stupid. This wasn't like it was Christmas and he was trying to buy the last Nintendo thingie for his brat kids at the last minute. It was the freaking end of the world and this old toad looking man was pointing a shotgun at Rex!<br />
<br />
Rex stepped back and racked a shell into the Mossberg and leveled it at the store window. "Stand back old man, I'm coming in!" Rex yelled.<br />
<br />
Click. Nothing happened. Rex looked down and saw he had the safety on. By the time that dawned on him, the window of the shop blew outwards towards Rex.<br />
<br />
Rex instinctively shielded his face with his left hand and in doing so lowered the Mossberg when a second shot came out the now missing window. It went wide, fortunately for Rex who was standing directly in front of the store, and instead took out Rex's truck windshield.<br />
<br />
Shaking from his stupor, Rex dropped the Mossie and stumbled backwards towards his truck and promptly tripped over a low concrete parking barrier. He wasted no time and rolled over to his right and then crawled to the drivers door as another shotgun blast struck the hood of his truck.<br />
<br />
Climbing into the front seat, Rex struggled to get his keys out of his front pocket as tears of frustration and pain poured out. "Please don't shoot me!" he could hear his voice pleading as he pulled the keys out and fumbled with them while lying across the front seat, his fat butt hanging out the front door.<br />
<br />
Getting the keys free, he shoved them in the ignition and turned the motor over. Pulling down the shift he managed to pull his body into the truck, get his foot on the accelerator and jerk the vehicle back into the street. Dropping into drive. Rex floored the truck as a final shot took out his rear window.<br />
<br />
Bawling like a baby, Rex barrelled back down the street towards the interstate. It dawned on him then he had left his Mossberg in the parking lot in front of the gun store. Oh carp! They will trace it back to him and put him in jail. They are going to come for him and stick him in a cell with a bunch of murdering rapists who would do awful things to him. "I gotta get out of here!" Rex screamed out loud.<br />
<br />
Rex pulled onto the interstate and slammed on the breaks. Two police cars were blocking the entrance from traffic and there were at least four officers standing behind the roadblock. One put a megaphone to his mouth and shouted, "You! In the truck! Shut down the engine and step out of the vehicle with your hands in the air. This area is under lockdown! Step out of the vehice!"<br />
<br />
Rex slammed the truck in reverse and floored it back down the entrance ramp. He was lucky as there was not another car behind him, but in his haste hit the guard rail and bent the bed at a terrible angle and flattened the rear passenger tire.<br />
<br />
Two of the officers had drawn their guns and were coming around the roadblock towards the truck. Rex opened the drivers door, hopped out and ran for his life down the ramp back towards the street.<br />
<br />
As one of the officers shouted, Rex stumbled onto the main street just as a large group came down the street carrying something long between them. It was a door, with something red on it. A man. A man wearing red lying on the door. It was the people from the electronic store! One looked up, pointed and shouted something unintelligible at Rex.<br />
<br />
Rex screamed and ran the other way straight past the two officers who had been behind him on the entrance ramp. For a moment the two entities converged before a handful of police officers appeared from somewhere, but Rex was already fifty yards away running the fastest he had in his life.<br />
<br />
"Home! I gotta get home! Darla will hid me! She'll have too!" Rex wheezed. "Gotta get out of here! Where am I?"<br />
<br />
Too late. An older model sedan blocked the road in front of him and an older man wearing spectacles stepped out of the passenger side. "Hold it right there buddy!" he said as he pointed a shotgun directly at Rex. It was the old toad from the gun store! Rex looked back and saw the police, with the mob coming behind him. The old man in front with the shotgun.<br />
<br />
Rex, wheezing from lack of breath, released his bowels in a single dump into his pants and fainted to the ground.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
Rex woke up slowly, his head, no, his whole body aching like it had been run over with a steamroller. He sat up gingerly and allowed his brain to slide with a crash back into place and carefully opened his eyes.<br />
<br />
He was on a cot. In a cell. A jail cell. A holding tank or something, "Probably a FEMA camp", the little voice in his head said.<br />
<br />
"Wake up morning glory" said a voice to his left. It belonged to a uniformed guard standing outside the bars. "Hope you had a nice nap. Time to read you your rights and get you processed".<br />
<br />
The guard starting reading the standard Miranda warning while everything sank into Rex's mind. He needed to get out of here. He needed to call Darla. Get her down here. Identify him, pay bail. Get him home. Home, wonderful beautiful home.<br />
<br />
"I need to make a phone call. I get one of those don't I?" shouted Rex.<br />
<br />
"Sure, you get one. Get up" replied the guard as he opened the cell door.<br />
<br />
Rex looked down and noticed that his clothes were missing and he was now wearing an orange jump suit and some sort of cardboard slippers.<br />
<br />
"You made a mess of your old stuff. After we searched you and collected all those guns, we cleaned you up at the hospital and put you in that outfit. How do you like it?" the guard smirked.<br />
<br />
As the guard led Rex down the hallway, there were other jail cells, all full of leering and taunting voices. Rex stared at the floor and tried to block out the horrible and disgusting things the other inmates were saying to him,<br />
<br />
The phone was in the next hallway and the guard lifted the receiver and handed it to him. "One call, three minutes max, no redo's for wrong numbers. Got it?"<br />
<br />
Rex nodded and slowly punched his home phone number. On the fourth ring, Darla answered.<br />
<br />
"Darla? It's me Rex. I need you to listen to me. I need you to get downtown and arrange bail for me. I am being held downtown. I don't know why. All those other people were rioting and looting. I was only trying to help. Now I know you have questions, but you listen to me. Get down here. Bring your purse 'cause it's going to cost a few bucks to get me out. You hear me?"<br />
<br />
There was a pause and then Darla slowly spoke.<br />
<br />
"Rex. I am leaving right now for my mother's. I have taken half of the money from the bank account and am only taking my things with me. I will leave the keys to the front door on the kitchen counter. I am taking my car, the one you allowed me to drive. but will leave it for you to come get when I am done with it. Don't call me. I don't want to speak to you again. I hope things work out for you. Good bye".<br />
<br />
The line went dead.<br />
<br />
"All done cowboy?" said the guard, "Let's get you back to your cell, then"<br />
<br />
"Wait. What happened. The riots. The announcement on TV. The looting. Gas lines. What happened?" pleaded Rex.<br />
<br />
"Huh?" grunted the guard. "Oh downtown. They cancelled the ball game and some people started some trouble at the arena. Yeah, there was some looting and crime, but it's all under control now. Don't worry about that. You have plenty of other things to worry about. Lesse, attempted murder, discharging a weapon in public, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, attempted armed robbery. Yep, you got a full dance card tonight cowboy".<br />
<br />
The guard opened the cell door and guided Rex inside.<br />
<br />
Turning away, the guard muttered under his breath, "What a world. Surrounded by idiots".<br />
<br />
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<br />JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-52326674292791154612012-08-31T06:12:00.000-07:002012-08-31T06:12:23.501-07:00The Burnout - Author's notesThanks for reading this little story about Patty and her friends. It's been fun creating this world and bringing it to life.<br />
<br />
Between 2002 and 2008, my job had me traveling constantly. It was not unexpected for me to be on the road three days or more a week, usually several hundred miles from home. Around the time of Katrina, I read, in a business newsletter of all places, about a man trapped in New Orleans for the better part of a week in a hotel and how he survived. All of those things got me thinking and so I started the Burnout, in fact, I have a framework for the story somewhere on a hard drive from way back then.<br />
<br />
At the same time, I started writing a story called The Traveler. Same idea, but instead of a woman, it was a guy from south Texas trying to get home from San Francisco after a nuclear war. Several of the key events in The Burnout came from The Traveler, notably, the derringer, the dangers of strange old weapons, redemption and getting shot by your own family when you come home because they didn't recognize you. All realistic possibilities in my opinion.<br />
<br />
When the story started, I knew it was going to be about a woman and her name was Patty Valdez. I knew she would be in business and on a trip alone. I also knew that her sidekick would be a blowhard businessman who really means well, but just can't seem to ever adapt to the changed world. Everyone else, just came along as the story progressed, albeit with several modifications.<br />
<br />
The "DHS as the bad guy" was part of the original story because if you recall, that organization was formed after the 2001 terrorist attacks and with all the airports I found myself in, I kept having this vision of TSA agents continuing their job long after the end of the world. Only two things survive in the post-apocalypse, cock roaches and bureaucracy.<br />
<br />
As circumstance would have it, little news stories float to the surface (mainstream news, not whacky conspiracy sites) from time to time about strange things the government is up to. Recently, DHS ordered something like two hundred million rounds of .223 ammo, the US Department of Education ordered a bunch of semi-auto shotguns, the national weather service bought several thousand rounds of .40 caliber ammo and some other faceless fed agency bought a bunch of .357 rounds. All of that worked it's way into the story during the recent edits and made it seem more realistic.<br />
<br />
The story was sidetracked when I redid the middle to include more of a mythological element. Peri was actually going to be a man, the equivalent of a snake oil salesman/pharmaceutical rep who uses his sample bag to do evil. Instead, I wiped that out and made him a woman based upon Circe from The Odyssey. Some of the events found in that part of the story were influenced as well, such as the scene where Lamar and Patty go between the rock throwing thugs and the dog attack (Scylla and Charybdis) and later, the glass eyed rapist and the Deliverance inspired cannibal (Cyclops).<br />
<br />
Like all good ideas, it seemed right, until it got on paper and diverted the story. Add to that, some personal changes in my life at the time and we had the "Big Gap" around June. My muse returned and we got back on track, with a vengance.<br />
<br />
Someone asked about a sequel. Except for The Empire Strikes Back, sequels usually don't go well, at least not for me. The protagonist completed a journey and made it home, so now what? Have Patty kidnapped, dragged off to Oklahoma and have her do it all over again like Snake Plisskin? That works for some writers, (like some have done successfully in this genre, just not me), So, for now, Patty is home and will live happily ever and we probably won't hear from her again.<br />
<br />
So what's next? I have some other story ideas which are in progress, one of which is about done, but I have to look at it for awhile and decide what it will do. I really want to get back to America 2.0 for instance. The problem is my characters like to hide from me and I often have to coax them out so I can find out what will happen next. That's writing.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading, for your kind comments and for your patience.<br />
<br />
<br />
PS - Gun notes. There's a big subset of my readers who laser in on guns and gun factoids in my stories. Often, they educate me on something I did not know as I'll be the first to admit, I am not a big time "gun nerd" and make obvious mistakes. That being said, here are some things nobody noticed or at least they did not tell me so!<br />
<br />
- Chris, one of Peri's sidekicks, had a coach gun (that's a short barreled shotgun used by stagecoach drivers in the old west). If you recall, Patty disarmed them, took all their guns but never mentioned that particular weapon or who ended up with it. I assume she tossed it in the bushes, but that wouldn't make any sense would it? Chalk that up to a continuity problem courtesy of the author.<br />
<br />
- The .243 rifle. After the attack on the Hallmark store, it disappeared and was not mentioned in the story again. (Actually, it was left behind during the escape). Antonio was right about that particular gun, nobody wanted it.<br />
<br />
- The derringer. Patty only fired one of two rounds from it, leaving another for later, but the gun mysteriously disappeared from the story and was not used again, even when Patty was confronted by Peri on the bridge. I don't know what happened to that gun; maybe Merrick found it and took the long way home.<br />
<br />
Thanks again,<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-13082259512765431172012-08-30T07:59:00.002-07:002012-09-16T10:33:12.959-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty NinePatty was dreaming.<br />
<br />
She was riding on the back of Mark's motorcycle along a tree lined highway on a perfect day. Her shorts were too short, her t-shirt too tight and her cheek was pressed against his well muscled back, eyes closed and savoring every minute. She was young, in love and her stomach churned as fast as the engine of the bike but the air around her was strangely stuffy and overly sweet.<br />
<br />
The highway became a street, then an alley and strangely, the hallway of a nightclub. She stepped off the bike and found herself wearing a tight short skirt and sparkling gold top. Mark took her hand and they stepped through the door directly onto the dance floor to join the multitudes, but the air was still stagnant and sickly.<br />
<br />
The music pounded and the floor shook, all bodies moving in syncopation to the deep bass and rhythmic beats. There were not vocals, just the pounding rhythm of the music. Patty danced, her arms over her head while Mark wrapped his around her waist and moved in perfect synch with her. Patty tried hard to enjoy it, but the smell of the air was suffocating and enveloping her.<br />
<br />
Then the song, the voice of a child. Patty turned to the stage at the other end of the floor, despite Mark's insistence otherwise and saw Elena. She was along on stage, wearing a silver sequined dress, her hair crowned by a large white bow. She nervously held the microphone, but her voice grew more confident with each note.<br />
<br />
Patty pulled away from Mark, but he pulled back harder,trying to drag her back to the dance and him. She resisted and as their hands parted, he turned gray, frozen in time, then black and finally, crumpled to the floor in a pile of dust and blew away with same stench as the air.<br />
<br />
Patty walked toward the stage or was carried as is the case in dreams, but the dancers around her turned, twisted and reached for her arms, hand and legs with each step. She pushed them away and like Mark, they too turned to dust and left.<br />
<br />
Finally, the stage began to pull away from Patty, Elena still singing, oblivious to her mother and her struggle. Patty broke loose and with one last effort reached for Elena, but her legs did not work, neither did her arms and finally, she fell to the floor. The stage rocketed away into the distance and Patty...<br />
<br />
Sat up in bed. Her head was throbbing and the smell was still around her. She sat up, felt dizzy and turned to look over her right shoulder. There on the shelf were a half dozen candles, all in tall glass containers with images of saints embossed in cheap bright colors, the light spilling across the dark bedroom, the smoke sputtering blackly.<br />
<br />
Patty's mother had her head down on the edge of the bed to Patty's right. She was clutching a rosary and snoring lightly. In the flickering light of the dark room, she saw her father, seated in an old chair, his cap still on, wearing an old work shirt, jeans and clutching an old rosary in his left hand.<br />
<br />
Patty's mother looked up and saw Patty's eyes open.<br />
<br />
"Madre de Dios! Santa Maria! Patricia!" she gasped.<br />
<br />
She leaned across the bed, grabbed Patty's hands in hers and began to weep. Patty looked at her father, his black deep set eyes, rimmed with crows feet, open, tears streaming down the side of his face.<br />
<br />
"Um mom?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Oh my baby, oh my baby..." her mother moaned.<br />
<br />
"Um mom, can you move those candles or blow some of them out. They stink pretty bad." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Oh si, oh si. Santa Maria, gracias, gracias.. " she exclaimed as she replaced the candles with two large white pillar candles from the other side of the room.<br />
<br />
"What happened? The last thing I remember was the front yard and then something hit me in the head." said Patty as she gingerly put her hand on the left side of her head and felt a large bandage in place there.<br />
<br />
"Arturo is so sorry about that. He did not know who you were and things happened so fast." said her mother.<br />
<br />
"Arturo? What did that bonehead do? He's known me since he was a baby, I even changed his diapers!" said Patty referring to her teenage second cousin.<br />
<br />
"We were all very scared when you came so fast, but it was only a .22 so it's okay, you're home and that's what matters." said her mother.<br />
<br />
"It's not okay, Dad, will you say something?" Patty implored her still silent father.<br />
<br />
"Who shot you?" he asked nodding to Patty's bandaged shoulder.<br />
<br />
"That. It's a long story, but first, where is Elena?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Asleep. She just went down about an hour or so ago. She has been in here every day, reading to you, holding your hand. We have to pry her out of here just to go to bed?" said mother.<br />
<br />
"Asleep? Every day? What time is it? How long have I been home?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
Patty's father took out an old pocket watch and consulted it.<br />
<br />
"It's about nine o'clock. Say, do you like my new watch? I got it for five eggs. Pretty good deal, huh?" he replied.<br />
<br />
"Sure dad, it's real nice, five eggs..?" said Patty confused before her mother cut her off.<br />
<br />
"Eduardo! Quit going on about that silly watch. Baby, you've been home for three days and asleep most of it. Donna said you've been through a very rough time, if not for those antibiotics, she doesn't think you would have made it..."<br />
<br />
"Donna, the PA from Dad's doctor's office? What about the antibiotics.." answered Patty.<br />
<br />
"Yes, she came here as soon as we could get her. She treated your injuries and you were very sick. Fever, infection, so much. We found the medicine in your bag and have you on a .. regimen.. that's it, until it passes. Donna took two of the bottles, the rest are there." said her mother pointing at the dresser where six large bottles of antibiotics and two of pain killers sat, all courtesy of Peri.<br />
<br />
"Oh. How is Elena? Did she think I was, you know.. after the Burnout? Did she think I was not going to come home?" asked Patty quietly.<br />
<br />
"No, she always knew. She prayed by the window every night before bed and every morning when she woke up. She said you were out there, but you were not alone and you would come home because you promised." said her mother.<br />
<br />
"Mom, Dad? I have to tell you what happened. All of it, now, before Elena wakes up. Somebody has to know and if I don't I'll go crazy. It's not nice, but I need to tell you, please?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
They both nodded and listened for the next few hours while Patty told them about Shreveport, Lamar, Peri, the kids, the journey, DHS, all of it. They sat silently, except for the few times her mother excused herself for a new kleenex or when Patty needed a drink of water. Her father said nothing, but the tears rolled from his crow feet lined eyes at different parts of the story, those times when his little girl was hurt or scared and he was not there to save his little girl <br />
<br />
When she was done, Patty sat back, exhausted and said nothing.<br />
<br />
"Do you need to see a priest?" asked her mother.<br />
<br />
"Be quiet woman! She has said what she needed to and if there is more to say, we will be here for her. God has brought her home and here is where she and the baby will stay with her familia. We are all together now and it is good." and the matter was closed.<br />
<br />
He stood and went to Patty and kissed her on the head, squeezed her hand and left the bedroom.<br />
<br />
Patty's mother stood and straightened the covers and went to the door as well, but paused first.<br />
<br />
"I will be right next door if you need anything. Patty, I am glad you are home, I did not think..." she said and then left hurriedly to cry in her room.<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
Patty stayed in bed the better part of the week, most of it with Elena next to her. She held the little girl, read stories to her and told her of her great adventure home. Fighting dragons, giants and monsters to get back to her little princess and how the world was going to live happily ever after and she would never leave her again.<br />
<br />
Over the next few days as she recovered, her family told her of what happened when she came home and since the Burnout occurred.<br />
<br />
Arturo, along with her brother, sister-in-law and a few other relatives, were living in or around her parent's house. The young man heard the shooting and came around the corner with a rifle he kept close at hand and not recognizing Patty, fired, thinking she was a looter or crazy person, both which were common in those days. Fortunately, his nerves and inexperience prevented Patty from suffering nothing worse than a graze, concussion and awful headache.<br />
<br />
She paid Arturo back and made him and her brother go back to the bridge to retrieve the M4 which she had left behind and which surprisingly, was still there and suffering nothing more than a few scratches. Peri's body was there as well, but had begun the process of returning from whence it came. Patty rested easier knowing the sad young woman was not still alive and after her and Elena any longer.<br />
<br />
Arturo remarked about Patty having a "machine gun" which made her immediately think of Antonio, Catelyn and even Brad. She hoped they too, would find the same peace she had finally found.<br />
<br />
Her father told her what had happened since she left at home. The renters stayed in their homes and were allowed to remain rent free for the crisis as long as they a) helped with food production and kept their homes in good shape and b) helped in the common defense of the others. There had been some troubles with people coming from Fort Worth and other areas, but in the past few weeks, these things had died down.<br />
<br />
The morning of the Burnout, Patty learned her father, driving that beater of truck, had gone to the bank to put money into Elena's college fund. When the lights went out and nothing functioned, he withdrew fifteen thousand dollars from his savings account (with a threat to the bank manager that he would move all of his business to Bank of America if his request was denied) and went shopping.<br />
<br />
He went first to Costco, then the feed store, the hardware store and finally the gun store. He proudly told Patty how he filled Rosa the truck's bed with rice, beans, Colgate and Charmin and went home, where Patty's mother called him a fool for buying all that toilet paper. Rather than apologize later, she criticized him for not buying more cooking oil and then slapped him on the arm. Eduardo was right again as usual.<br />
<br />
Patty's brother arrived a few days later, but her other brother and sister had not come yet, but they held out hope. The house was surrounded with gardens, chickens and in the empty lot, a stand of corn grew, hopefully to be harvested and made into Christmas tamales later in the year.<br />
<br />
Things changed slowly, but for the better with the military back in control and the scourge of the DHS gone. Several of the Department's leaders were arrested, tried and imprisoned with most under investigation for crimes against humanity if one wanted to be so dramatic.<br />
<br />
It was accepted that the power grid would be down for the foreseeable future and as Americans invariably do and much to the dismay of a control freak like Merrick, alternatives were coming into play. A number of small factories were cranking out simple, but effective solar panels which could be massed produced and which could produce enough electricity for lights and basic appliances. This was followed by battery producers and even the GM plant in Arlington was talking about coming online and building a basic car without any electronics. They would all adapt and evolve.<br />
<br />
After a month of recuperation, Patty returned to work, not with ledgers and spreadsheets, but in the gardens, composting, cooking, tending to goats and chickens, but the entire time with Elena. They took books, paper and pencils and the little girl's elementary education resumed, but she did not complain, but relished having her mother to herself again.<br />
<br />
A few months after Patty came home, her strength returned and hair grown back over her head wound, Arturo alerted everyone to a stranger coming up the road. Regardless of how things were, old habits died hard.<br />
<br />
The man was tall, thin, wore a billowing shirt far too large for him, had a beard, carried a worn backpack and a long gun in his right hand. He walked slowly down the cracked asphalt road, now sporting sprouts of brown fall grass, looking carefully at the countryside until he crested the small hill and saw the mailbox to Patty's house.<br />
<br />
He removed an worn ball cap to reveal a head of wavy red hair going gray and then slowly walked down the driveway where Patty's family crouched holding weapons behind the truck or on the porch. Patty went out, unarmed to greet him.<br />
<br />
"Lamar?" she said.<br />
<br />
"Patty." his voice no longer booming but sorrowful and quiet.<br />
<br />
"You made it back, come over and have a seat, I want you to meet my family."<br />
<br />
Introductions were made and Patty's mother brought the man a glass of water, but left the two alone on the porch.<br />
<br />
"So this is your parents, took me awhile to find it, but I knew I would. Patty, I wanted to say first, before anything else, I am sorry. I am sorry for leaving you and the others. I am sorry for letting you down. Not a day went by that I did not regret my decision and I prayed that you would get home. Was your daughter alright?" he said.<br />
<br />
"Yes, she is inside with my parents, you can meet her here real soon. Lamar, I understand and I forgave you long ago, don't think about it any more. Your wife?" Patty asked.<br />
<br />
Lamar looked down and shook his head.<br />
<br />
"She died. Found out when I made it home. Stupid really. She was trying to help a neighbor string a laundry line between two of the town homes, not two or three days after the Burnout, and she fell, hitting her head. She went into a coma, there was nothing they could do, no 911, hospitals or doctors. They buried her nearby and fortunately, when I got there, somebody was able to tell me what happened."<br />
<br />
"Since then, I just tried to survive. Had to get out of the city and managed for a few weeks scavenging and keeping my head down. Thanks to you, and this" he said touching the barrel of the shotgun leaned against his chair, "I made it."<br />
<br />
"Lamar, I am so sorry." said Patty and she touched his hand out of sympathy.<br />
<br />
"How did you find my parent's house? I never told you the address and I can't remember if I told you they lived in Aledo." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"You did, but that wasn't how I figured it out. You gave me your business card in Shreveport when we first met. Fortunately, I didn't put it in my wallet or I never would have gotten this far. Anyway, after Dallas, I made my way to Fort Worth and found your offices. They were a mess, but after poking around, I found your office and then your parents address and here I am." Lamar said with a small smile.<br />
<br />
"Wait, you said something about your wallet. I don't understand." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"My wallet was stolen and I'm willing to bet yours was too. Do you have it?" he asked.<br />
<br />
Patty sat back and thought about it. No, she had not seen her wallet since Shreveport but why would she have. She carried her useless cash in her pants pocket, the same cash which was taken by the two TSA agents. And none of them knew who she was, only her name, so when they searched her pockets and fanny pack, they must not have found her identification.<br />
<br />
"Peri took it!" exclaimed Patty.<br />
<br />
"That's what I think too," said Lamar. "The night we first met her and she took the bullets out of your guns. Remember?"<br />
<br />
Patty nodded, "And that's how she found me." She then told Lamar about that fateful night she made it home. He shuddered remembering how evil the redhead was all too well.<br />
<br />
Lamar had lunch with Patty's family, but afterward, declined staying any longer. He was headed back to Fort Worth where the military was putting together work crews to move abandoned vehicles, salvage warehouses, cut firewood for winter and deliver food to aid stations around the city. He would be housed with other single men and fed three meals a day for payment. He looked forward to the honest work and made no secret, he eventually would move on to find his place in the world.<br />
<br />
Patty hugged the big man goodbye and he walked back out the way he came, alone. Elena stood next to her mother, holding her hand and watched Lamar walk away. After he was out of sight, they went back into the house, where Patty would read stories to Elena, ten hundred times, until they were all done.<br />
<br />
The End<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-14869974574989542632012-08-29T16:33:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:04:01.751-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty EightShe was the Wicked Witch of the Apocalypse.<br />
<br />
Her hair was matted, dirty and some appeared to have been pulled or maliciously cut from her scalp. Her face was scratched, lips swollen and her left eye was framed with a fading purple bruise. Her dress was torn, held up with an old piece of rope about her waist and soiled. Her legs and arms were covered with scratches, bruises and bug bites. Her shoes were ratty, water logged and one was missing a lace.<br />
<br />
Peri had a worse trip home than Patty.<br />
<br />
Peri stood stooped at the far end of the bridge, an ancient nickle plated revolver with a bone grip clutched in her hand. She leaned over the gun and scowled at Patty as if she was trying to stare all of the life out of the tired woman with her nasty gaze.<br />
<br />
"I got you, I got you, I got you. Told you I would. Waited so long, went through so much, but in the end, justice is served, revenge is sweet." muttered Peri.<br />
<br />
"Peri." said Patty coldly. "What happened to you?"<br />
<br />
"What didn't? Your fault, all of it. Robbed, raped, lost all my stuff, left for dead, that's what. Lost everything but this," she said brandishing the small gun.<br />
<br />
"Peri, I am sorry, but it's not my fault. You wanted to kill me, my friends and those kids. I had no choice." said Patty quietly.<br />
<br />
"IT IS! YOU COST ME EVERYTHING! THIS WAS MY TIME! A TIME OF MAGIK AND REBIRTH AND YOU DESTROYED IT YOU... YOU... B**CH!"<br />
<br />
"Okay, so you want to blame me. Fine. And killing me will bring about this 'rebirth and magic'?" replied Patty.<br />
<br />
"Don't mock me. Killing you will bring me satisfaction." snarled Peri.<br />
<br />
"Why? Why do this, Peri? If you kill me than what? Why aren't you with your friends on the lake? It's not far from here and you look terrible." said Patty taking a step toward the rail where she leaned the carbine.<br />
<br />
"My friends? The lake? What the.. Stop. Oh no, I see what you're doing. See you got a new rifle, huh? Well, you're going to need a new one after today." said Peri darting toward the rail while keeping the pistol trained on Patty.<br />
<br />
Peri snatched the M4 by it's barrel, lifted it as high as she could in her weakened state and tossed it off the bridge to the tracks below where it clattered on the rocks.<br />
<br />
"The pack, take it off and throw it over too." she said pointing at the bag on Patty's back. "Slow now, this gun goes off quick."<br />
<br />
Patty removed the strap from her left, then right shoulder and tossed the bag off the bridge.<br />
<br />
"Okay, turn around real slow in a circle with your hands over your head. I want to make sure you aren't hiding anything back there." Peri ordered.<br />
<br />
Patty did as she was told and turned to face Peri again. She looked Peri in the eye and spoke slowly.<br />
<br />
"If you are going to do this, do it. But please, can I do one thing? Can I just say a prayer for my daughter? I won't see her again and I want her to know I love her."<br />
<br />
"You want to pray? To what? Ha! Sure you can do that. My sainted daddy used to pray all the time, too! Holy mother of Jaysussss! He would prattle and blab all that mumbo jumbo all hours of the day. But when the sun went down, he got all heathen, going to the gin joints, moonshine and frolicking with the dark women of the bayou. All the sins and pleasures of the flesh, he rioted in it, wrapped up in his holier than thou false teachings!"<br />
<br />
"And me? What did he do with the little girl who worshiped the ground he walked on? Left me at night with others, he didn't care who. Good, holy men of the congregation he called them. Good men who did dark things at night behind closed doors with little girls too scared to tell!" Peri hissed.<br />
<br />
"And you want to pray to that same god? That false god of hate and lies? Go ahead, but be warned. When that little girl lies down to sleep tonight, I'll be the answer to your prayers. I told you I'd get that brat and that day is coming fast!" she shrieked.<br />
<br />
Patty could not control herself with Peri's last words and she lurched toward the girl, her hands outstretched like eagle talons. Peri's mouth opened in a surprised 'o' shape and without aiming, fired the revolver, or it went off involuntarily in her hand. The small gun barked and the round tore away a piece of Patty's left arm, just below the shoulder.<br />
<br />
Patty winced in pain and grabbed her arm, momentarily stopping her onslaught. Peri regained her footing and held up the gun in both hands, closed one eye and squeezed the trigger.<br />
<br />
From the barrel, came a tiny fizz sound, then nothing.<br />
<br />
Peri looked at the gun in horror and then at Patty. She raised the gun again and pointed it in Patty's direction.<br />
<br />
"PERI! DON'T!" yelled Patty taking a step forward.<br />
<br />
But it was too late. The cartridges, settled in their respective chambers, old, mossy green, milky white in color, expanding and contracting over decades of heat and cold, had meted justice with the cold calculation of physics and chemistry.<br />
<br />
The primer on the next round cracked and the tiny pistol exploded in Peri's hands. Patty instinctively averted her eyes and felt something painfully strike her right earlobe. When she looked up, what she saw was horrific.<br />
<br />
The barrel of the revolver was expanded and shredded into three pieces, the longest of which had peeled off, traveled in an upward arc and embedded itself in Peri's face, tearing out her left eye, exposing the bone of her skull and leaving a lightning shaped rip across her scalp. Peri's face was blackened with powder burn.<br />
<br />
Peri's right hand, her gun hand, was a bleeding stump, two fingers missing, her thumb at an awkward angle and a third finger hanging by a gory thread.<br />
<br />
Peri wheeled backward, the gun sliding from her blood slick hand and clattering to the deck of the bridge. She looked at Patty with her one remaining eye, wild and hate-filled as she fell forward. She waved both arms like windmills in an attempt to stay afoot and lurched toward the railing of the bridge.<br />
<br />
She opened her mouth, blood filled and gaping from lost teeth and muttered with in a dirt raspy voice,<br />
<br />
"Go****** yooouuuuuu... " and fell head first over the railing, her fall abruptly stopped by one of the ancient telegraph poles along the tracks. The back of her head was impaled on the splinted creosote soaked upright and her body flopped over the top, one arm catching on the cross bar where she hung, her body vibrating in the final contortions of death.<br />
<br />
Patty grabbed the rail and looked down on Peri's final demise and let out a deep gasp. She then fell to her knees as twilight whispered it's final sigh of the day.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
Some time after dark, Patty felt her way down the incline and retrieved her bag from the tracks. She could not see Peri's body, except for a dull outline sheathed in the fluttering fabric of her dress, but she could feel her presence. Patty grabbed the bag and climbed hand over hand up the rocky side to the flat surface above. Dragging herself away from the bridge, she opened the bag and by touch, found the small LED keychain light she had tossed inside while in Shreveport.<br />
<br />
She depressed the button and in the green glow it produced found the first aid kit, depleted from the injuries to Brad, Candace and Antonio. She took a large alcohol wipe, tore the package open with her teeth and painfully applied it to her injured shoulder, yelping as it burned the open wound.<br />
<br />
Catching her breath, she examined the wound in the dim light and wrapped a gauze bandage haphazardly around the injury. Tying it off as best as possible, she stood on shaky legs and started down the road toward home.<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
The final three miles were crossed staggering, limping and eventually, on hands and knees. Patty could not see more than a few feet in front of her face and worried constantly about snakes, coyotes and two legged predators. She mumbled to herself with cracked lips and in her delirium, kept seeing Peri staggering after her, the barrel of the gun protruding from her head and waving a foot long butcher knife over her head.<br />
<br />
Around dawn, Patty came to mailbox with Valdez written upon it in black paint, the letters neat and block like. She could not see the house from the road and slowly stood, using the mailbox for support. She staggered across the grass up the small incline and looked down upon her parents house, a few hundred yards from the road.<br />
<br />
As a child, Patty would race up the dirt drive to the mailbox while her mother timed her with the clock on the stove. She would count down the final seconds from the kitchen window as Patty ran the last few yards. 4.. 3...2....1! Run, Patty, run!<br />
<br />
Patty fell face forward into the grass and passed out.<br />
<br />
------------<br />
<br />
Time passed and Patty slowly lifted her head. The sun had climbed above the horizon and the sounds of life came from nearby. Patty dragged her body through the grass until she could partially see the home. She could hear voices from inside, talking, laughing, living. Tears formed in her eyes and she witnessed but did not take part in these stranger's home lives.<br />
<br />
The screen door opened partially, Patty could see the hem of an apron toss a handful of kitchen scraps into the dirt pan yard causing a handful of chickens to come scurrying to the door. The wearer of the apron stepped into the yard and her presence made Patty gasp. It looked like her mother, but she was easily twenty pounds lighter than the last time she saw her.<br />
<br />
Patty whispered, "mama' in a little voice and lay lower in the grass to avoid detection. She waited patiently until her father stepped onto the porch, as thin as he was when she left, wearing his trademark ball cap, holding a steaming cup of coffee and staring at the yard. He turned, opened the screen door and the little girl exploded outside.<br />
<br />
She was wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt, tennis shoes and had her hair in a single long pony tail halfway down her back. The pants were riding just a bit high on the ankle. "She has grown", thought Patty. "I will have to get to Target after work and pick up a couple of pairs before school starts again."<br />
<br />
Elena ran to the chicken coop, but turned halfway there and yelled at her grandfather.<br />
<br />
"Abuelo! I say ten, don't forget! If I'm right, I win! Don't forget!"<br />
<br />
"I won't, but you still have to get all ten to the house without dropping one or I win!" he yelled back.<br />
<br />
Patty watched as the child went into the fenced chicken yard and stooped inside the coop. Each time she popped out, she had another egg clutched in her hand to be deposited into a small basket on the ground. She whooped when she took number ten out and held it up to her grandfather who laughed at the tiny victory.<br />
<br />
Patty slumped down in the grass. She looked at her hands, her dirty nails, the palms of her hands lined with dirt, rough and calloused.<br />
<br />
"No, I can't do it. No, I'm too far gone. Too much blood, too many bad things. She has a monster of a mother, I can't sleep under the same roof as her. No, I must crawl away and keep going. Someday, someday I'll come back when she is older and understands. She has too..." Patty muttered to herself.<br />
<br />
She slid back into the grass and crawled back to the road trying to decide which way to go next. When she heard the child's voice one more time.<br />
<br />
"Abuelo, I win! I win! What do I get?"<br />
<br />
"What do you want, baby?"<br />
<br />
"A story, read me a story for ten hundred years, all of them!"<br />
<br />
"Of course, of course, let's go inside."<br />
<br />
Patty turned. Her Elena. Her baby. She had to see her one more time. Once more.<br />
<br />
Patty crested the grass covered rise and stared at the house. Elena was on the porch with her grandfather when Patty started toward her.<br />
<br />
"baby... it's mama, baby.. i'm home.." she crowed in a scratchy, parched voice. Her face was dirty, swollen, blood encrusted from her wounded ear, hair lopped unevenly short, clothing shredded and torn, she staggered toward the house like a zombie. Tears poured down her face..<br />
<br />
"elena! elena!" she heard in her head, but all that came out of her mouth was a horrible, gravely moaning.<br />
<br />
A scream from inside the house.. Elena shoved in the door.. Patty croaking.. her arms waving in front of her.. another man much younger came around the side of the house.. a rifle.. Elena screaming in terror.. shouting.. a shot.. impact...<br />
<br />
The world went black.<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-8100336538000614602012-08-29T08:04:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:04:15.953-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty SevenShe stared at the boot. It was the first thing she saw when woke up in the drainage ditch the next morning. Everyone knew the term "knocked out his boots", but it really didn't apply in this instance. There was something sticking out of the top of the boot which bore a passing resemblance to a state fair turkey leg, but way overcooked.<br />
<br />
The explosion, or multiple explosions knocked Patty off her feet and across the other side of the ditch. She was pretty sure, without benefit of mirror, that her eyebrows and bangs had been singed, but that remained to be seen. Otherwise, other than some significant dirt, burn marks, an aching rear end to go along with the egg shaped bruise on her right shin and several long scratches down her back, Patty was the picture of health.<br />
<br />
The last thing she saw after getting both the air knocked out her and off her feet was the helicopters, three to be exact, illuminated as they passed low over the BNSF facility. The choppers were huge, with short dark wings laden with short dark clusters of Hellfire missiles. They fired on the presumed DHS agents in the parking lot and at several other targets of interest. (What Patty did not know and never would, was that the targeting was done with infrared and heat sensors; it was due to the fact she had fallen into the drainage ditch and left wet and mud covered that she did not rate as high on the "kill" scope as the unfortunate ones in the parking lot.)<br />
<br />
Patty slowly got to her feet and surveyed the damage. The parking lot was still smoking in foot deep craters which pock marked the parking lot. There were at least three black bundles at different locations in the parking lot which Patty had no interest in investigating their contents, she knew well what they were.<br />
<br />
Patty looked around and found the carbine intact off to her right. She only located one of the two magazines she had scavenged and called it a victory in her fight with the DHS. Best of all, she was still alive and not on some cargo plane for Maryland. At least not now.<br />
<br />
In spite of her injuries, Patty had an urgent need to put as much room between her and the BNSF building as soon as possible. She first had to do something about the fact she had drank nothing since the night(?) before and eaten even less. She dug through her bag and found a plastic liter bottle which was half full of warm water. She took a few gulps and seeing the water in the bottom of the ditch, decided she could refill if need be with her water filter.<br />
<br />
After another drink, she pulled the filter out and heard the tell tale sound of two pieces of plastic striking each other. The filter was broken into and even with the spare cartridge, was useless. Patty stared at the final few sips in her bottle and closed the top securely. Another option would have to be found closer to home.<br />
<br />
Home. The word immediately sent a shiver down her spine. She had no idea what she would fine there, but she had no doubt that was where she was going, come hell or high water. Had last night gone any different, she would have never made it at all.<br />
<br />
Patty readjusted her bag, picked up the carbine and started limping south towards the Loop. She was going to walk around the north side of town, head south to 30 and then west to her parent's place. Her route would take her close to the municipal airport of Fort Worth and the Joint Reserve Base on the edge of Fort Worth. Forget about motorcycle gangs, roving cannibals and rioting mobs, Patty had Uncle Sam to worry about.<br />
<br />
The further and longer she walked, the more she felt like someone had run a bulldozer over her. She plodded on with her eyes focused on the west and Elena, a holy grail burning just beyond the next bend. Woe be tide the man, woman or beast who stood in her path, the carbine was no longer hanging benignly on her shoulder but instead our front in gripped hands.<br />
<br />
It was not an easy journey. She had to plod south on 35 to reach the Loop and that took her through some neighborhoods which in good times were dicey, now, they were wastelands. All of the cars along the interstate had been stripped, looted, vandalized and many were burned. Houses and buildings closest to the road had also been victims of random violence and destruction.<br />
<br />
At the intersection of the Loop and 35, it appeared that the police, DHS and other interested parties had gone toe to toe as it was littered with multiple burned out police cars, black Hummers and impromptu roadblocks. A single body, now long decomposed hung from a lamp post with a rotting placard around it's neck: TRAITOR. Patty turned west.<br />
<br />
She passed near enough to Meacham Field to see a similar scene of destruction as the BNSF building with multiple fires burning and no signs of activity. Similar to Addison Airport and adjoining downtown Fort Worth, Patty was sure the field would be a hub of DHS activity. Rather, it was devoid of people and sound.<br />
<br />
It was more than seven miles along the loop to the north side of the sprawling Joint Reserve Base formerly known as Carswell Air Force Base. Early in the afternoon, as she limped down the road, out of water and running out of steam, she nearly jumped out of her skin as two gray fighter aircraft screamed over the road in a north to south trajectory.<br />
<br />
She was still getting used to the sound of jet aircraft when she heard the familiar sound of heavy equipment rumbling nearby. She slowly turned and saw a small convoy of sand colored military vehicles approaching her along the Loop. She panicked and ran off the road into a small copse of trees and tall grass and tried to take cover.<br />
<br />
She heard the sound of a vehicle braking, metal on metal contacting and rolling to a protested halt. The other vehicles rumbled past and continued on when she heard a voice yell from the road.<br />
<br />
"Hey, you in the bushes. I need you to come out and show yourself, please."<br />
<br />
She waited.<br />
<br />
"Hey, come on, I gotta get back to work and I don't have all day. Can you just come out and let us know you're alright and not one of the bad guys? Then you can go on hiding in the grass for all I care."<br />
<br />
Patty sat still.<br />
<br />
"Don't make me send one of the guys in there, okay? We're tired and we don't want to get a bunch of chigger bites dragging you out of there."<br />
<br />
"No, go away and leave me alone." Patty finally said.<br />
<br />
"Good, so you can talk. Look, we don't want to hurt you, we just want to know if you're okay. Can you just stand up?"<br />
<br />
"No, you'll shoot me or something. Just go away and leave me alone, I want to go home." she replied.<br />
<br />
"Hey lady, me too. I'm not going to shoot you. Whatever, if you want to hide in the grass be my guest."<br />
<br />
"Hey. Are you with the DHS or what?" Patty yelled.<br />
<br />
"No, I'm Army. Geez, you don't have to insult a guy." he replied.<br />
<br />
"For real?"<br />
<br />
"Sure, take a peek. Look, I have an Army helmet, Army BDU's, a drive an Army truck and I even have Army underwear on. And Rodriquez here has ugly Army glasses on. I think they look good on him and so do the ladies."<br />
<br />
Patty lifter her head and sure enough, there were two soldiers standing next to a Humvee on the side of the road. She slowly stood up.<br />
<br />
"Please don't point that rifle at us ma'am. We have orders to shoot people who do that and I really don't want to radio my sergeant and make him come down here. He's been a real bear lately."<br />
<br />
Patty lowered the rifle and started walking toward the road.<br />
<br />
"You shoot me," she yelled, "And I'll get real nasty real quick on you. My feet are killing me and I haven't had a bath in weeks."<br />
<br />
"No problem." said the young soldier as she walked closer, "Thanks for warning us though."<br />
<br />
Patty walked up to the men and looked at them carefully.<br />
<br />
"Got any water?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, only in my canteen though. We haven't resupplied yet so if you don't mind drinking after me.." he said holding out the container.<br />
<br />
Patty took it and had a long draw.<br />
<br />
"Where you going, lady?" asked the other soldier, Rodriquez.<br />
<br />
"Home. Got anything to eat?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Can't help you there. We will after we get back to the base, but here, you can have this." and he handed her a pack of chewing gum with strange writing on it.<br />
<br />
"Kuwait" he said looking at her expression. "Grabbed a whole bunch of stuff on the way out the door when we moved out. That was from some little place near the docks."<br />
<br />
Patty nodded and put a slice of gum in her mouth. Spearmint. It was delicious.<br />
<br />
"You had any problems with DHS?" asked Patty as she took a second slice.<br />
<br />
"No, but they did with us. Bunch of mailmen with an attitude." said the first soldier, Dickinson, at least that was written on his jersey. "That one of theirs?" he said pointing at the rifle Patty was holding.<br />
<br />
"It was, it's mine now. And don't give me any of that U.S. Property business or interest of public safety talk either." she said.<br />
<br />
Both soldiers laughed. "That's for the brass to sort out. As long as it's not pointed at us or used for no good, we don't have orders to disarm anyone."<br />
<br />
"So what's the deal? You guys doing something about this DHS problem or you just puttering around?" Patty asked.<br />
<br />
"Lady, we've been out at the airport all night rounding up the last holdouts. We still have a few nests around, but now we have air cover, they're running like cockroaches." said Rodriquez.<br />
<br />
"Air cover? Like helicopters? Was that you?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Apaches? If that's what you saw, yeah, that's us. Took awhile to get what we had up and running and longer for the rest to arrive from Europe and the Middle East. Ever seen an Apache try to land on an aircraft carrier? Now that's funny, we were coming into the Gulf..." Dickinson was saying when Patty interrupted.<br />
<br />
"What about the rest? Who's in charge?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Rutledge is. General Rutledge, he's heading up the recovery right now. As soon as we get things settled down, that'll change probably. Communications are the.." he said.<br />
<br />
"What happened? We heard it was a solar storm." Patty said excitedly.<br />
<br />
"Solar something or another. Worldwide, but we can recover, it'll just take time. Like I was saying, communications are the most the important thing we can do. We got a bunch of factories like in Ohio, Arizona and others cranking out these portable radios with old fashioned glass tubes in them. They're really cool. Once people know what's going on, maybe they'll stop shooting each other. " said Rodriquez.<br />
<br />
"Hey lady, if you're okay, we gotta get going. We gotta get some chow and rack time before we head out west. You need anything else?" said Dickinson.<br />
<br />
"How about a ride. I'll be real quiet and won't ask any more questions. Promise." she said.<br />
<br />
They could only take her about five more miles down the road, but it was a relief to Patty's feet. The two young men told her how they were in Iraq when the solar storm happened. Most of their gear was hardened and the next few weeks were spent packing up and moving out before the region went nuts. They hooked up with units from Afghanistan and other countries in the area before joining an armada of Navy and private freighters which brought them back to the States.<br />
<br />
They said the rest of the world was dealing with the crisis in different ways, some countries were managing while others descended further into anarchy. The military was returning to the U.S. from around the world and starting relief efforts as they could, but knew it would take years for the nation to stabilize.<br />
<br />
Dickinson and Rodriguez offered to take her on base for a check up and maybe something to eat, but Patty declined and once they arrive at JRB, she thanked them and started back on her long walk home.<br />
<br />
She went west to Interstate 30 and as the shadows grew long behind her, she came to the merge of 20 and 30 and shortly afterward, the turn off for town. Her parents lived south of the town proper, actually, outside of town in a small cluster of homes, four of the six they owned and rented, situated near a farm to market road.<br />
<br />
She passed through the familiar country side and in time, came to the final stretch of road, a farm to market road five miles from her parents front door. She was overcome with nostalgia when she arrived at the small metal bridge which ran over a set of old railroad tracks long ago abandoned.<br />
<br />
As a child, Patty and her brothers would play there, where the old cross shaped wooden poles ran parallel to the tracks some still strung with rusty pieces of telegraph wire and where it was not uncommon to find one of the old green glass conductor bulbs among the grass.<br />
<br />
She looked down on the tracks and the wooden poles, some leaning, missing and other still upright and looking like a line of grave markers testament to a time past and whose time may come again. One day, she would take Elena there. She would take Elena many places and spend every waking hour with the child trying to recapture the time which was stolen from them. The sun was setting and it was almost time for dinner, she had to be going.<br />
<br />
But Patty turned and found her path blocked. One last time.<br />
<br />
"Got you, b**ch. Now you die."<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-19171232225486299152012-08-28T09:11:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:04:27.077-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty SixAs soon as the door slammed shut, Patty looked at the zip ties and shifted her hands around so the wrists were parallel. She bent her left leg slightly, raised up her joined hands and brought them down hard on her outstretched knee. It took two more attempts before the zip tie snapped apart.<br />
<br />
"Hey, that's pretty neat!" said a man across the room who's hands were also tied in a similar manner.<br />
<br />
Patty ignored him and scanned the room. No doors other than the main one and no windows. She looked up at the ceiling, climbed on the table and reached for the ceiling panel closest to the wall. The first one popped up easily and revealed a nest of wires and a thin fire sprinkler pipe. The next one she popped up was not blocked and opened up to a rectangular window of inky blackness.<br />
<br />
Patty reached up and grabbed the edge of the hole along the back wall. Raising herself to an upright chin up using the edge of the wall, she pulled herself up and adjusted her eyes to the dark. Just ahead, slightly to the right, she could see the faint glow coming from another office. Maybe one with an unlocked door.<br />
<br />
She carefully drew her knee up on the edge of the wall and strained to see the area around her. Using her fingers, she traced the top of the wall to the right and found where it ended and turned left. She could have killed for a lighter, a flashlight, anything.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, the area brightened slightly. Two more tiles were pulled out behind her and the emergency lights from the conference room transferred their glow inside the ceiling pocket. She turned to see two other figures following her lead; a man and a woman.<br />
<br />
"You're leading sweetheart, just let us know what to do." the man said.<br />
<br />
"We need to get over to that office just ahead. The door may be open and we can escape. Be careful." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
Gingerly feeling her way along, she climbed to a squat and slowly inched forward. At one point, a tile to her left caved in and partly broke loose into darkness, but she ignored it. A few more feet and she was over a dimly lit tile blocked only partially by ethernet and electrical wires.<br />
<br />
She barely moved the tile to once side and found herself looking down on the top of a shelf in what appeared to be an office supply closet. There were stacks of copy paper and ink cartridges lined up on the shelves and there was nobody evident in the small space.<br />
<br />
"Here goes," she said and lowered herself into the room and onto the shelving unit. It held and she climbed down to the floor, pausing to look up as the other woman decended followed by the unknown man. Once they were all down, she went to the door and put her ear against it. She could clearly hear gunfire and small explosions coming from outside but could not hear anything else.<br />
<br />
Patty carefully opened the door a crack and looked in the hallway. It was dark, but there was light coming from both an office across the hallway and from windows further down the hallway. Patty held up her hand to the two behind her and checked down the hallway in the other direction. It too was clear. Either there were fewer personnel than she assumed in this facility or they were tied up with whoever was shooting at them. Their loss, her gain.<br />
<br />
Patty stepped into the hallway and orienteered herself to the building and all the places she had been. She was about to go to the right, when she heard gunshots coming from down the hallway. Not hesistating for a moment, she dodged across the hall into the office with the light one and stepped quickly inside. Again, it was deserted but was piled with various items.<br />
<br />
Looking around for anything useful, she saw the office was nothing more than a storeroom for furntiture, lamps, boxes of files and a something piled in the corner. Waving in the couple behind her, she closed the door most of the way shut and hissed to the man and woman,<br />
<br />
"See if you can find anything we can use. A weapon, anything."<br />
<br />
Patty went to the corner to see what was piled and saw it was a mixture of bags, suitcases and clothing. Lifting the top suitcase up in order to see what was inside, she immediately saw a familiar colored backpack buried underneath two other suitcases. Ripping it out, she was overjoyed to see it was hers. She pawed through the remainder looking for her fanny pack, but could not find it.<br />
<br />
"Anything?" asked the man.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, my bag they took from me out on the road. Feels the same weight it was when I had it last, so maybe they didn't take anything or ran out of time. Whatever, I'm taking it." she replied.<br />
<br />
Patty was about to pull the bag on her shoulders when a thought dawned on her, something filed away in the back of her mind. She opened the bag and dug through the dirty clothes and odd food packages until she reached the bottom. She found it, cold, heavy and metallic - the derringer. She held it in her hand and checked the loads once more, just like on the highway.<br />
<br />
"You better let me handle that." said the man reaching for it.<br />
<br />
"Back off. I can manage fine and it's not like the two of you were doing anything to get out of there." said Patty. <br />
<br />
They went to the door, peeked out again and stepped into the hallway. Patty motioned to her left now and the couple followed her with a shrug. No sooner had they gone around the corner when they heard the loud sound of gunshots no more than a few feet in front of them. Patty pushed back the couple, dropped to the floor and peeked around the corner in the hallway.<br />
<br />
Standing by a broken out window was a beefy man firing an M4 at some unknown target below. He stopped and turned so quickly, Patty did not have time to dart back to cover.<br />
<br />
"Hey! What are you doing out here?" he shouted as he fumbled to remove the magazine from his rifle.<br />
<br />
Patty pushed backward and told the couple to run. She started to turn herself when the man yelled from only a few feet behind her,<br />
<br />
"Stop! Hold on there!"<br />
<br />
Patty turned and saw the man was still trying to reload the rifle. Patty drew the derringer and turned the tables.<br />
<br />
"No, you drop the rifle or I'll shoot!" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Huh? You got to be kidding me. Put that thing down..!" he replied coming toward her.<br />
<br />
Patty held the gun with both hands and squeezed the trigger. A twelve inch tongue of fire exploded from the barrel along with a tremendous boom. The round struck the man squarely in the chest and sent him to the floor where he let out an audible oomph as he hit the floor.<br />
<br />
Patty carefully walked toward the man on the floor and found him moaning, but no blood as far as she could see. She assumed his protective armor was enough to stop the round, but not he velocity. He probably had a broken rib or worse. Patty grabbed his dropped rifle off the floor and pulled two magazines from his vest before hurriedly jumping up and running down the hallway after the couple<br />
<br />
"Come on!" yelled the man from further down the hall.<br />
<br />
Patty ran after the pair as they went through a stairway door at the end of the hall. They went two flights of stairs noting the floors marked on the doors as they went. They came to the door marked 1 - Ground Floor and paused. Patty put her ear to the door once more, but heard nothing, not even the gunfire.<br />
<br />
She pushed it open and saw they were in a parking garage lit with flickering white lights along the walls. There were no cars in any of the ranks and they could clearly see outside of the garage through slits along the walls. They ran across the lot to the upward sloping ramp, pausing only when they reached the top which fed into a ground parking lot. There was nobody around and the gunfire was now only coming sporadic from the other side of the building.<br />
<br />
Patty sprinted to the edge of the lot which was bordered by a seven foot high chain link fence with rolls of concertina wire along the top. She stared at at dejectedly at the fence and did not see any sort of entrance in either direction.<br />
<br />
"Here, let's try this," said the man. He squatted on the ground and tried pulling and pushing the base of the fence. It rose about six inches off the ground in either direction.<br />
<br />
"I think we can shimmy under this if we take turns." said the man. "Flo, we'll hold it up and you give it a go."<br />
<br />
Patty and the man pulled up on the fence and 'Flo' squeezed underneath and to the other side.<br />
<br />
"I'm skinny, but you're gonna have a problem, Paul." she said.<br />
<br />
"To get out of here, I'll make it work. You girls pull it up high." he replied.<br />
<br />
Patty pulled while Flo pushed and after several sweaty minutes, Paul grunted under the fence and to join Flo.<br />
<br />
"Come on and hurry," said Paul.<br />
<br />
Patty pushed her backpack through and started to slide under the fence having her shoulders and upper body on the other side when Flo hissed,<br />
<br />
"Look! Here comes someone!".<br />
<br />
The couple dropped dropped the fence they were holding and it scraped painfully across Patty ripping her shirt and making three jagged cuts down her back. Patty gasped out a shriek in the pain as she heard foot steps coming toward her. Flo and Paul were no where to be seen.<br />
<br />
"Ungrateful jerks." thought Patty.<br />
<br />
Patty squirmed her backside under the fence and ended up ripping the fabric on her cargo pants in several places as she squeezed under. The last thing she did was pull the M4 under a barely three inch gap in the fence and hurriedly got to her feet as several footsteps and voices came her way in the darkness.<br />
<br />
Patty ran full on away from the fence into the darkness and promptly tripped over something concrete which sent her sprawling down an incline and into something wet and slimy. Her arms and face were torn by branches and limbs as she slipped into a creek or open storm drain badly barking her shin on a rock. Picking herself up, she managed to limp out of the ankle deep water and onto the muddy bank.<br />
<br />
She climbed halfway up and started down the bank in complete blackness paralleling the BNSF facility and staying out of sight, or so she hoped. She heard voices nearby, less than twenty yards away or less but kept moving, the rifle tight in her hand.<br />
<br />
"Something moving down there...!" a voice yelled.<br />
<br />
Patty froze and brought the rifle around, trying to control her breath in deep pants which would give away her location.<br />
<br />
"We know you're down there! Come out with your hands up or we'll shoot!" came the voice again, this time much closer than before.<br />
<br />
Patty froze and considered her options. She could move back into the ditch behind her or she could continue parallel along the short bank. Or she could open fire and hope for the best. She slowed her breathing and thought about Elena, so close and yet so far away. She could feel the burning tears forming in the corners of her eyes at the magnitude level of frustration and pain caused by so many others.<br />
<br />
And then the helicopter came. She could hear the chopping sounds vibrating the air around her as it came in low and close. Of course, they had called in a chopper to locate her and the others who might have escaped. Patty could outrun someone on foot, but should could not outrun a helicopter, not one this close.<br />
<br />
Patty checked the safety on the rifle with her finger, brought it to her shoulder and whispered,<br />
<br />
"Elena, baby. Mama loves you, mama loves you, baby..."<br />
<br />
As she fired the first round, the parking lot exploded.<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-52357126766918889102012-08-27T13:16:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:04:41.873-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty FivePatty was taken down the hallway to another set of elevators during which she passed a window and saw it was night, but judging by the smattering of lights below, they were on the third or fourth floor of the building she was held in.<br />
<br />
The guard pushed the top button once inside the car and the elevator rose to the top. "Must be the boss." thought Patty making the connection that the top dog always ends up the highest.<br />
<br />
When the car stopped and they exited, Patty saw the walls were dark mahagony and there immediately across the elevator was the logo and name Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway. Patty knew the railway had their headquarters in north Fort Worth<br />
<br />
Patty was led through the dark hallways of the upper floors of the building. While the building had power and the air conditioning still pumped out cool air, many of the office light fixtures were either non-functioning or removed as most of the offices they passed were dark and empty. Perhaps the boss did not trust his own employees so close to him.<br />
<br />
At the end of the wide hallway, the guard stopped, pulled a white key card from his pocket and swiped it on a keypad slot next to the door. A green light was illuminated on the keypad and the door lock clicked to the open position. The guard pushed open the door and Patty was shoved forward through the open entry way.<br />
<br />
Inside was a large board room lit only by two computer screens on a table, an overhead projector screen showing a map of the area and the LED lights from a control panel mounted on the far wall. A tall man in dark clothing stood in front of the window with his back to Patty and his hands clasped behind his back.<br />
<br />
"Sir?" said the first guard.<br />
<br />
"Company is here, wonderful. Put in her in the chair, Simmons, bind her wrists and then you can go." the man said without turning around.<br />
<br />
After Patty was seated and secured, the guard left wordlessly and closed the door behind them.<br />
<br />
"So, Ms. Valdez. is it? Quite an interesting little adventure we have been having, huh?" the tall man said as he turned to face her.<br />
<br />
He was about fifty and his dark hair was streaked with gray. He wore the same uniform as the others had; black long sleeve shirt with epaulets, black pants tucked into black military boots. On his collar was a single silver star. Other than that, his uniform had no other distinguishing markings or insignia.<br />
<br />
He stared at her for a second with a smile on his face before walking across the room and took a seat on the edge of the table.<br />
<br />
"Can I get you anything? Water, coffee, soda or maybe you prefer tea?" he said.<br />
<br />
"Water, water would be great." said Patty, her dry throat betraying her.<br />
<br />
"Water it is then." the man said. He went to a credenza, picked up a white stryrofoam cup, filled it with ice from a covered bucket, added water from a metal pitcher and placed a white straw in the cup.<br />
<br />
"Sorry for touching the straw, but you are not in a position to open it yourself." he said crossing the room.<br />
<br />
"Here," he said as he held the straw to Patty's lips. She drank deeply.<br />
<br />
"More?" he said holding the cup.<br />
<br />
"No, that was fine, thank you." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Great, let's get started then. My name is Merrick, deputy director, Department of Homeland Security, North Texas Sector." he said.<br />
<br />
"Why am I here?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Well, Ms Valdez, you had a number of items which belonged the DHS in your possession when we detained you west of Fort Worth. As I am sure you can guess, that caused some concern with our department and we just want to get to the bottom of the whole matter." said Merrick with a big smile on his face.<br />
<br />
Merrick turned and went back to his perch on the boardroom table.<br />
<br />
"You see Ms. Valdez, we have had our hands full lately and our resources are spread pretty thin for the time being. Taking the time to talk one on one like this comes at a great inconvenience for me and the department, but I have a feeling it will be time well spent."<br />
<br />
"Why is that," asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Well, I found it amazing that someone would have their hands on anything which belongs to our people, but even more so, when I found out it was a woman. I mean, I'm not that outdated, but don't you find it hard to believe also?" asked Merrick with the same smile, but held his hands out palms up.<br />
<br />
"I don't know what kind of women you think run around these days, but the world out there is not for the faint of heart. I'd love to hear what your wife, if you have one, would have to say about your attitude." remarked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Alas, my wife died on The Day. She was traveling by airplane from Seattle and perished. Regardless, don't bring her up again, Ms. Valdez." said Merrick, his face changing.<br />
<br />
"I am sorry, I had no idea." said Patty.<br />
<br />
Merrick waved his hand and his disposition returned,<br />
<br />
"No matter, you had no idea. Let me ask you something, Ms. Valdez. What did you do before the Day? I mean what was your occupation?" asked Merrick.<br />
<br />
"I was an accountant." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Worked for a private firm, you know private sector?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, a small company, based here in Fort Worth." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
"Great, and were you in Fort Worth when the Day occurred?" probed Merrick.<br />
<br />
"No, I was in Shreveport on a business trip." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"And how was that the first couple of days?" said Merrick, now leaning forward on the table.<br />
<br />
"Difficult, confusing. We did not know that this was a worldwide phenomena yet, didn't know how we would get home, food and water were an issue. Then it got scary pretty fast." she replied.<br />
<br />
"You want to hear something interesting?" asked Merrick, who continued without waiting for Patty to answer,<br />
<br />
"Three hours after the lights went out, I was being picked up in front of my home by a DHS vehicle. Six hours later, I had completed a debriefing and was en route, by air, to Pueblo, Colorado. Twenty four hours later, our forward contingent of one hundred and fifty agents had arrived and secured the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport."<br />
<br />
"Within forty eight hours, while you were stuck in the dark and watching the situation deteriorate by the hour, we had power restored at the airport and were in the process of taking charge of the three other area airports of significance, had obtained necessary fuel supplies and were making assessments of other critical infrastructure."<br />
<br />
He paused for a moment, then slapped the table with his open hand.<br />
<br />
"Is that efficiency or what!" he exclaimed with a big grin.<br />
<br />
"Yes, that is impressive." replied Patty, more than slightly startled.<br />
<br />
"Miraculous is what I would say. And how is the private sector fairing? Or at the local level? Same results. Failure, confusion, and finally, complete breakdown." said Merrick shaking his head.<br />
<br />
"So you see Ms. Valdez, we, the DHS and our fellow federal agencies, are the only hope to get this great country back on it's feet and pointed in the right direction again. So it hurts me deeply when one of the citizens we strive to serve, does something which makes me wonder if I am really doing the right thing." he finished, a look of pity on his face.<br />
<br />
"Where did you get the rifle and radio, Ms. Valdez?" Merrick asked quietly.<br />
<br />
"We were traveling west on a state highway..." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"We?" interrupted Merrick.<br />
<br />
"A group of people I was traveling with. I didn't know them very well, we were all traveling in the same direction and figured it would be best if we stuck together." she replied.<br />
<br />
"We'll get back to that after I hear the rest, go on." said Merrick.<br />
<br />
"Okay, um, oh yeah, we were somewhere outside of Terrell, I think. We came to wide spot in the road and found the bodies of several people. There were also bullet casings on the ground and it looked like there had been a fight or something, you know."<br />
<br />
"There was stuff scattered all over, you know, clothing, gear, junk, things people dropped or left behind, I don't know. And there, on the side of the road, was the rifle and little further down, the radio. We poked around and found a few magazines for the rifle as well."<br />
<br />
"We knew if we left the rifle, somebody might get it and use it against us, so we took it. We had not seen a working radio, so we took it too, but we couldn't understand anything the people were saying." she finished.<br />
<br />
"So you took the rifle and the radio. Take anything else?" said Merrick with his eyebrows raised.<br />
<br />
"Some of the others might have grabbed something. I think someone found one of those military food pouch things, I don't remember. After that, things went downhill." said Patty looking down.<br />
<br />
"Tell me about the other people you were with. Who were they and what happened to them?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"We were ambushed when we arrived in Dallas, just over the city line. There were five of us, a middle aged guy, two college kids, myself and another woman. One of the kids was shot, but was only wounded. The woman was shot.. but she.. didn't make it."<br />
<br />
"The middle aged guy, Larry, he took off for cover but went the wrong way than the rest of us. I don't know what happened to him. I went with the two kids until we had to separate. They wanted to go on to Denton and I was headed west to Fort Worth." said Patty quietly.<br />
<br />
"And you kept the rifle and radio? Why didn't one of the others take it?" asked Merrick.<br />
<br />
"First, I didn't trust any of them. They could have used it, the rifle, on me. The radio, well none of them wanted to carry it, so I guess I got stuck with it." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Ms. Valdez, I really want to believe you, but that rifle and radio were issued to two DHS employees who were in the east Texas area, around the area you say you came from. They are both missing and right now, you are our only suspect. I am sure you understand that I can't simply take your word and let you go, right?" said Merrick standing and walking around to the other side of the desk.<br />
<br />
"Mr. Merrick, I did not kill or hurt anyone, you have to believe me. I am only trying to get back home like a lot of other people." said Patty.<br />
<br />
Patty thought to herself, "They aren't going to let me out of this place. I've got to turn things around."<br />
<br />
"Mr. Merrick, you and the DHS seem to have a handle on things. Is there a nationwide effort like this going on? What's the plan for the country?" asked Patty as nicely as possible.<br />
<br />
Merrick turned and his eyes lit up,<br />
<br />
"I'm glad you asked. I don't have to hide it, I am quite proud of what we have accomplished and what we plan to do, Ms. Valdez."<br />
<br />
"For years, this country has labored under some sort of delusion," said Merrick, putting an emphasis on the word, "this concept that the rugged individual is some sort of master of his own fate in life. This selfishness has permeated every level of our country and up until the advent of this disaster, was destroying the very fabric of our nation."<br />
<br />
"Look at all the great monuments to accomplishment in this country. The Hoover Dam, Mount Rushmore, the Interstate Highway system and many more. All done with the collective, yes that is the key word, collective will and effort of the citizenry. By marshaling the people, our resources and the national treasure, we were able to do great things as a great people. Our infrastructure was once the envy of the world, but now look at what's become." said Merrick sadly.<br />
<br />
"We have split ourselves into selfish little islands of self interest and self absorption. There is no common purpose, no organization, nothing driving the masses towards big goals and common ideas."<br />
<br />
"But that is about to change. Permanently." said Merrick turning to Patty with fire in his eyes.<br />
<br />
"We have a country in utter chaos. Now is the time for those of us with the foresight to prepare for this catastrophe to take charge and put things right. To put people and resources where they are needed. A time for hard work and shared sacrifice." he said firmly.<br />
<br />
"So the president, the government, is this part of their plan or something. I'm confused." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"The president? Government? Hardly. Those small minded politicians, one minute expanding our good work, the next gutting it. Can you imagine what would have happened after the next election? Thousands of hard working public servants put out on the street after years of service and for what? To save a few dollars? So some fat cat CEO can live high on the hog while using the things we built? No, thankfully we are done with those people and good riddance." said Merrick with distaste in his voice.<br />
<br />
"You mean the president, the congress... what happened to them?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Oh, that's right, news gets around slowly these days, doesn't it? Let's just say, they won't be worried about running for reelection any longer. We made sure of it." said Merrick.<br />
<br />
"No Ms. Valdez, things are different now and for the better, you'll see. There's plenty to do, no doubt, but fortunately, we have plenty of bodies available. First, we need to continue our efforts of securing the nation's infrastructure, you know, the airports, key highways, rail lines and so on."<br />
<br />
"Next, the agricultural sector needs to get in line. That's part of our Rural Initiative, I don't know if you saw any of that during your journey. Getting farm towns on their feet, removing the misinformed and violent and putting people back in the fields to feed a hungry nation."<br />
<br />
"Ultimately, a new order for this nation, directed by those who know best for all. People will be put back to work cleaning up the mess from the lawlessness and confusion, then all will be directed to projects of rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, and finally, we will devise new projects to keep the masses busy and directed, free from distraction."<br />
<br />
"How nice," said Patty. "But will people do this for free? I mean, I want to get back to work just like the next person, but how is that going to work?"<br />
<br />
"Paid? Of course, with food and a place to live. The cities have been neglected for far too long. All will be relocated and housed in the major and midsize cities for the protection and utility. Manufactured goods will be sent to the farmers who will repay with food. The food will be paid to the masses for rebuilding. All will benefit and our nation will return to greatness."<br />
<br />
"What about people with children? What about schools?" asked Patty, growing more and more uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.<br />
<br />
"Well, naturally, we can't have the little ones underfoot, so we have a number of plans in mind. Relocation to central facilities for children only. There, they will be cared for, fed, educated and brought up to be more useful to the nation. That's just one of the ideas we have, the Department of Education is spearheading that discussion, mine is more focused on security and infrastructure." he said with a broad smile.<br />
<br />
"Do you have any children, Ms. Valdez?"<br />
<br />
"Oh no, too busy at work all these years. Someday, maybe, but now is not a good time." said Patty with a big nervous smile.<br />
<br />
"Good thinking. Do you see now what we are doing? Do you see the grand vision we have for this nation? Do you see the damage caused by the greedy, the selfish and the useless whose only contribution was pushing paper around and ignoring the real needs of the masses? I know it seems hopeless out there, but out of hopelessness and chaos comes order. And with order, we will have discipline for the good of all." he said and then smiled.<br />
<br />
"Now what to do with you? You know, there is a need for someone who is good with numbers. We have so many people to count and so many places to put them. No, that does it. I am going to overlook this transgression with the rifle and file it away and find somewhere useful for you."<br />
<br />
"Simmons? Come up and collect Ms. Valdez, please." said Merrick to a speaker on his desk.<br />
<br />
"Mr. Merrick? What about the military? You haven't mentioned them." asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"No reason to. They are as disorganized as the civilian population. No working communication, most of their vehicles are out. We have more aircraft than they do!" said Merrick giggling at the thought.<br />
<br />
"Well I saw a big train load of military equipment heading north just outside of Dallas. A train miles long loaded down with trucks, jeeps, armored vehicles.." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Impossible! You must have been mistaken. Those lunk heads are trying to find their backsides with two hands and a map right now. Simmons!" replied Merrick.<br />
<br />
The guard entered the room from the same door as before. He cut the ties from Patty's hands and brought them around her front and retied them with a fresh zip tie.<br />
<br />
"Simmons, see that she is on the next flight to Silver Spring for retraining." Merrick said.<br />
<br />
"Yes, sir." said Simmons.<br />
<br />
"Silver Spring? As in Maryland?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"The very same. Good bye, Ms. Valdez. Oh, and welcome to the fight. Some day, we'll all be heroes." said Merrick returning to his desk.<br />
<br />
Patty felt like she swallowed a rock. Silver Spring was across the country and here she was, only miles from Elena, but about to be taken away.<br />
<br />
"Oh, and Ms. Valdez, remember, great things don't just happen, great people make them happen." Merrick stated.<br />
<br />
Patty nodded and walked out with Simmons. He led Patty out the door and down the hallway presumably back to her cell where she would await her flight.<br />
<br />
"What time does the plane leave?" she asked Simmons.<br />
<br />
"Usually around two in the morning. We have a cargo plane which drops off supplies and personnel. We can send it back with prisoners if we have them." he replied.<br />
<br />
"I see. Is there a chance I can get something to eat and use the restroom before I go. It's been awhile since I've had a good meal and bathrooms, well they are even harder to find the days." Patty said in a flirty voice.<br />
<br />
"We'll see. The mess hall is off limits to civilians, but I can figure something out, as long as you play nice." Simmons added.<br />
<br />
"Oh, you'll find I can be sweet when I want to be. Simmons." said Patty.<br />
<br />
At that moment, there was a muffled thump followed by the signature rattling of small arms fire. There were no windows in the hallway, but it was clear the noise came from outside.<br />
<br />
"Code 8." blared a voice from Simmons radio.<br />
<br />
"Oh, cr*p. I gotta get you to holding and get to my post. Come on!" yelled Simmons dragging Patty by her zip tied hands.<br />
<br />
Simmons dragged Patty down a flight of stairs, through a stairwell door and down a long hallway lit by only one emergency light. Outside, the sound of gunfire and small explosions were getting louder. Simmons stopped and opened a set of double doors with a key rather than with his card.<br />
<br />
Inside was a board room dominated by a large table and illuminated by two emergency lights. There were no chairs and standing against the wall or sitting on the floor were about two dozen people looking as disheveled as Patty. Civilian and dirty.<br />
<br />
"Wait here and no funny business. And that goes for all of you!" Simmons barked at the group in the room. Then he slammed the door and locked it behind him.<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-51920870350728401352012-08-26T09:52:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:14:41.071-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty FourThe two men in the front seat were arguing over which music to play. One wanted Dean Martin, the other Johnny Cash. Patty didn't want to hear either, but they did not give her a vote. Other than that, the ride lasted about an hour as near as Patty could estimate. Patty hated being blindfolded, and made worse was the fact she was in a moving car. To control her panic, she tried to use her other senses as best as possible to figure out her destination and ultimate fate.<br />
<br />
Twice they made brief stops, but neither of the men in the front seat got out of the vehicle; they simply stopped for a few minutes then moved on. They had to be riding in a Hummer, thought Patty. She was in the back seat which was nothing more than a single bench and they failed to put a seat belt on her. A few times she rolled around like a loose package as they went around corners too fast. She felt car sick.<br />
<br />
During the ride, she went through the possibilities in her mind. They were going to "detain" her in some sort of camp. They were going to shoot her. They were going to drive her all the way back to east Texas or Lousiana. The last option bothered her the most and if it happened, she would beg them to put a bullet in her head rather than make her start her journey all over again.<br />
<br />
In the end, none of the above would be the correct answer.<br />
<br />
Patty had no idea what time it was. She had fallen asleep earlier that day in the back of the minivan around noon and probably slept for a few hours by her reckoning. The sun appeared to be in the west she seemed to recall before they put the hood over her head. That meant it could be late afternoon, but probably early evening.<br />
<br />
Regardless, they were taking her somewhere and if they did not kill her on the road, they probably had longer term plans for her. She could not rationalize any use they would have for her other than accusations over how she came into possession of the carbine and the radio.<br />
<br />
Shortly afterward, the truck slowed and came to a halt as the driver rolled down his window and said something to somebody outside. Maybe a gate guard or a check point. A few seconds later, they started forward again, made a few quick turns, rolled down a ramp in the road and came to a halt.<br />
<br />
Patty was taken from the vehicle and escorted by both men across a concrete surface. She smelled old exhaust and could hear the sounds of other vehicles nearby. In the distance, she could her the chopping sound of a helicopter. The temperature was cooler than it had been earlier which she took to mean that it was later in the day rather than the morning and the place she was inside of was out of the direct sun. Maybe even underground.<br />
<br />
A door opened and she was directed roughly through. The blast of cold air hit her first. Air conditioning. She had not felt it in weeks and she might as well have landed in Anarctica as goose bumps immediately formed on her sweat soaked skin.<br />
<br />
"It get's 'em every time." she heard the voice on the right way. The other voice laughed gruffly to her left.<br />
<br />
They led her down a hallway, she could hear it in their steps and could almost feel the walls on either side. The turned twice before entering an elevator. As the doors closed, Patty's stomach sank and she stifled the urge to scream.<br />
<br />
The elevator went up, not down and stopped seconds later. "I am in a building, more than two stories tall with an attached parking garage" she thought. "They are not going to kill me yet or they would have done so back on the highway. They want to question me, probably about the rifle. I must come up with a plausible story and stall them as long as possible. Most likely, they will want to hold me for some time, but unless I escape, they are probably going to kill me in the near future. I must be ready for any sort of escape available."<br />
<br />
They stepped out of the elevator, went left ("must remember the way we took, in case I can get away"), then into another door.<br />
<br />
"All yours." said the voice on the right.<br />
<br />
"Sign here." said a harsh female voice.<br />
<br />
"Thank you,"<br />
<br />
"Uh-huh, see ya later."<br />
<br />
The door opened behind her and closed again. The hood was pulled off of Patty's head and once her eyes adjusted, she was shocked. She was at the airport in the security line.<br />
<br />
That was the first thought that popped in her head. Standing in front of her were two people, a woman, big shouldered with short hair and a thin man with slicked back hair and bags under his eyes. They were both wearing TSA uniforms, blue shirts, black pants and complete with latex gloves exactly like the security people wore at the airline terminal. Only both of these guards had gunbelts with large semi-auto handguns. "Forties, I bet. Isn't that what Feds carry these days?" thought Patty to herself automatically.<br />
<br />
They were standing in what appeared to be an examining room complete with a privacy screen against one wall and a metal table holding a stack of plastic bins and a metal detector wand.<br />
<br />
"We are going pat you down and I need to know if you have any special injuries or areas sensitive to physical contact, ma'am." said the woman.<br />
<br />
Patty started to laugh at the absurdity of the question, but quickly turned it into a cough and cleared her throat.<br />
<br />
"Sorry, not used to the air conditioner. Um, no, I don't have any injuries or anything." she said.<br />
<br />
The man stepped forward and removed the zip tie from Patty's hands, raised both of her arms over her head and held them in place. The woman stepped forward and started patting Patty down while the man stood behind her.<br />
<br />
"I have one tube of lip balm, front pocket."<br />
<br />
"Sum of cash, U.S. currency, in front pocket. Assorted loose coins, also U.S. currency."<br />
<br />
"Two standard door keys in front pocket."<br />
<br />
"I have two hair ties, elastic, front pocket."<br />
<br />
Everything was put into a plastic bin the man held out for the woman as it was taken from Patty. The woman then carefully went over Patty patting her down from head to toe. While she was not certain, it felt like the woman took her time around Patty's chest and rear, but it might have been her imagination.<br />
<br />
"Recuffing the subject" said the man out loud as he brought down Patty's arms and put on a new zip tie. For a moment, Patty thought he was going to call her a passenger and ask for her boarding pass. Everything was entirely surreal.<br />
<br />
"Come with us, please." said the woman and Patty was led through another door in the rear of the examining room.<br />
<br />
They went further into the office past empty cubicles and silent desks. On the other side of the room, they went through a pair of double doors into a hallway with chairs lined along the wall. There were guards dressed in the same black uniform as the contractors and the men who captured her earlier in the day.<br />
<br />
She was put into one of the chairs and the two TSA guards stood nearby silently. A few moments later, another woman walked in wearing a white uniform similar to a naval officer. She too had the ubiquitous gunbelt and .40 caliber handgun like everyone else in the facility.<br />
<br />
She went to the two TSA guard and without looking up from her clipboard spoke to the two.<br />
<br />
"Do you have the subject, Patricia Valdez?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Affirmative. She is here." said the female guard.<br />
<br />
"Very good, escort her to room 14, please." the woman in white replied.<br />
<br />
Once again, Patty was stood and taken, a hand on each arm, down the hallway to another room.<br />
<br />
She was seated, hands still cuffed, while the woman in white took a seat in a chair with rollers on the legs. She put on a pair of reading glasses, sat upright and consulted her clipboard.<br />
<br />
"This will be much easier when we get our tablets working again." she said to nobody in particular.<br />
<br />
"I am Ms. Suarez with the U.S. Surgeon General's Office. Please answer the following questions.<br />
<br />
"Are you Patricia Valdez?"<br />
<br />
"Um, yes. Say, what's all this about.."<br />
<br />
"Just answer the questions.. Have you or any one you have been in contact with been exposed to tuberculosis?"<br />
<br />
"No."<br />
<br />
"Do you have acquired immune deficiency sickness?"<br />
<br />
"No."<br />
<br />
"Have you recently traveled to any of the following cities: St.Louis,Missouri, Rockford, Illinois, Oakland, California, or Schenectady, New York?"<br />
<br />
"No."<br />
<br />
"Have you had any cold like symptoms recently which failed to lessen their intensity in spite of over the counter or prescription remedies?"<br />
<br />
"No, and this is stupid."<br />
<br />
"Please answer the .."<br />
<br />
"No, I won't. I haven't done anything wrong nor have I been told why I am here, wherever here is or why I am being held. I was taken by force from a public road by agents of the United States Government which I paid for with my taxes.."<br />
<br />
"Shut it!" barked the big female.<br />
<br />
She crossed the room, leaned down and put her face inches from Patty's.<br />
<br />
"You will answer the questions given to you and you will not interrupt, get smart, sarcastic or protest! Do I make myself clear!"<br />
<br />
"If you are asking me if I hear you, yes. It's not hard considering the proximity of your big ugly -"<br />
<br />
Smack.<br />
<br />
Patty's head went to the side like a rag doll. Smack. And now, in the other direction.<br />
<br />
"Next time, we get serious. Are we clear?"<br />
<br />
"Crystal."<br />
<br />
The woman stood upright and resumed her position by the door. Suarez adjusted her glasses and looked back down at her clipboard.<br />
<br />
"Now, where were we. Ah yes, do you have any allergies or allergic reactions to the following medications.... "<br />
<br />
And so it went for the next half hour. Questions about drugs, medical history, sexual activity, visits to physicians, dentists, history of mental illness and so on. Patty gave up on protest and answered all questions as perfunctory as possible and kept her opinions to herself.<br />
<br />
At the end of the questioning, Suarez stood up and placed a pair of latex gloves on her hands. She went over to Patty and examined her scalp for a few moments and then pulled off the gloves with a loud pop.<br />
<br />
"She's clear. Go ahead and return her or take in her for processing." said Suarez.<br />
<br />
The two TSA people each took one of Patty's arms and pulled her to her feet, this time more forcibly than before.<br />
<br />
"I got under your skin, didn't I?" thought Patty as the went down the hall looking over at the female TSA agent. "Something I said really pissed you off?"<br />
<br />
"Keep moving, please." said the man this time, but Patty could feel the big woman's fingers tighter on her arm since they left. Patty shelved it away for later, but something was coming together in her mind.<br />
<br />
Patty was taken down another hall and deposited into a small room the size of which was somewhere between a closet and a phone booth. She was seated on the cold floor against the wall and her feet ziptied together. The agents shut the door, but before they did, the lights were turned off.<br />
<br />
Patty took the time off her feet to consider her situation. Clearly, they were not going to execute her anytime soon, that is unless they had a penchant for wasting incredible amounts of time for bureacracy before the act was done and considering it was the government, it was not too far fetched of an idea.<br />
<br />
She had no idea why they asked about those four specific cites in the interrogation, but assumed there was some sort of illness which was spread from or originated there. She also noted the extremes in behavior from Suarez's obliviousness to the situation of the outside world to the TSA agents short tempers. <br />
<br />
Patty replayed in her mind all the exchanges she had with the DHS, FEMA and other agencies over the past week looking for a common thread DHS handing out supplies in exchange for guns and local leaders. Security contractors. Government issued weapons. The man in the light blue shirt on the roof of the card store. There were three initials on the back of his shirt, but only one, the letter E was visible. TSA. Surgeon General's Office.<br />
<br />
At the same time, their activies seemed uncoordinated or even amateur what with the conversation between the dispatcher at the Addison Airport and his underlings. As if they had bitten off more than they could chew. Further, the reports of looting and outright theft of local resources by DHS agents.<br />
<br />
Multiple federal agencies working together, similarly armed, mysterious circumstances. Something was sticking in her mind from a few months ago. Something in the news about strange purchases by federal agencies which came to light around the same time as that GSA scandal. Some federal agency purchasing mind boggling quantities of ammunitition. A story about an armed EPA agent visiting a power plant. She could not remember the details as when the stories appeared, she had more important things to consider, like her job, Elena, and so forth.<br />
<br />
Her head was spinning. Patty closed her eyes for a few moments and tried to relax, but it was useless. She pushed her back against the wall and leveraged herself off the wall into a standing position. She stood there, balanced on her feet, drawn together and tied at the ankles. If only she could get her hands around in front, she might be able to get free. She did not hear them lock the door afterall.<br />
<br />
There was nothing in the room which might have a sharp surface or edge that she could use for a tool to cut the ties. Frustrated, she slid back down the wall and put her legs out in front of her as straight as possible to increase circulation. At that moment, she heard footsteps coming down the hall and seconds later, the door knob turned and light flooded the dark space.<br />
<br />
"C'mon," said a man wearing black, DHS clearly stenciled across his chest rig. "You're going to see Merrick."<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-72743592045900929582012-08-24T14:24:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:15:03.188-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty ThreeTechnically, Patty reasoned she would head back to the Loop and walk west until the road connected with the Bush Tollway or possibly further on past the airport. With some thought, she realized the airport was probably another antpile of DHS/FEMA chicanery, so she decided to stick with the Bush option.<br />
<br />
Emotionally, it was a different matter altogether. In the past twenty four hours she had shot numerous, unamed people. She had witnessed the death of a young woman whose life had just begun and for which she felt responsible. She had helped three people get home only to discover their families were either dead or missing which futher raised her anxiety about her own home and Elena.<br />
<br />
Most of all, for the first time since the Burnout, Patty was alone.<br />
<br />
The scene was rather apt. The sun was setting in the west as she walked quietly around the innumerable still cars, vast piles of debris and vacant buildings the windows of which stared at her with dead eyes. There were few sounds other than the occasional bird, breeze or noises of unknown sources floating from the distance. She saw no living person. It was if everyone checked out and went home, wherever that was.<br />
<br />
She had no plans to stop walking tonight although she admitted to herself she was tired. She needed this long walk as a penance for her sins. Her proverbial trial in the desert for forty days and nights and this was the first step. She ignored the potential for ambush and accident and focused only on the next foot step, one after another.<br />
<br />
The sun eventually set and the sky went from light to purple and eventual darkness. She strained her eyes on the next visible mile and continued on sure there was not a bottomless pit waiting in the middle of the road to suck her down into the netherworld. Time passed.<br />
<br />
She played games with her mind. She tried naming everyone she met in the past few weeks, but failed miserably as they all blended together in a blur of faces, clothing and expressions. She attempted remembering the towns, villages and wide spots in the road she had passed and again, they faded into a collage of buildings, faded signs and ruin.<br />
<br />
The violence however, she remembered all too clearly. She could see the faces of every person she had gunned down as if it had happened moments earlier. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine something pleasant from the past before the Burnout, but all of her old memories had been excorcized from her conscience and replaced with things dark and sinister. Only when she ran painfully into the bumper of a silent Lexus did she snap out of her thoughts.<br />
<br />
Then, to the west, the sun began to rise. The impossibility amused her and she moved forward with slightly more urgency at the idea of witnessing something unique. As the distance passed, the sky grew orange but flickered and waned with as much intensity as it had grown. As the understanding came to her, she negated her previous curiosity but enjoyed the practicality of the illumination.<br />
<br />
At the interchange of Interstate 35 and 635, a massive oil storage tank, maybe two, had caught fire, the flames shot high into the sky illuminating the road and surrounding landscape. Somewhere underneath, a gas line feeding into the tanks or inadvertently placed nearby had ruptured and was feeding the blaze with impunity.<br />
<br />
She stood and stared at the conflagration until the horns of Jericho sounded behind her. A single blat rising in volume as it grew closer. She saw coming toward her location, on the tracks below the bridge, running south to north, a single headlamp followed by a speeding juggernaut.<br />
<br />
As it passed below the overpass she stood upon, she observed four massive pushers pulling multiple flatcars each loaded with sand colored military equipment. Armored carriers, trucks, and humvees, most intact but surprisingly, some damaged, yet in transit all the same. With the fire and thundering of the locomotives, she imagined she was in a Dantean inspired ring of hell witnessing the wages of industrialized sin.<br />
<br />
She turned to watch the train pass under the bridge and saw them standing behind her in the shadow of an abandoned Staples Office truck. The boy was blond, roughly five years of age and wore shorts, sneakers and a dirty t-shirt. The girl was younger, probably no more than four, and wore a purple dress, cowboy boots and had a wild head of dark hair. She held a tiny purse in one hand and a faded stuffed bunny under the other arm. She and the boy were holding hands and staring at her.<br />
<br />
Next to them, an old man, seventy if a day, wearing a straw cowboy hat and an old brown suit jacket. In one hand, a plastic grocery bag and the other held a cane which he leaned upon. There was no way the trio was related in any way by their appearance. Like her, maybe they were drawn to the fire's light, but thrown together by circumstance.<br />
<br />
Patty took two steps toward them and the boy and girl darted behind the man and hid their faces against his pant legs. She squatted down, unzipped her fanny back and took something secret from within. It was her stash of protein bars which she had purchased in Shreveport and with the possible exception of Lamar, told nobody about them nor shared with any. They were her retort for the final miles home and to be used in an emergency only.<br />
<br />
She took two out and held them out at arm's length to the children. They both looked up at the old man for approval. He nodded and they cautiously stepped forward, took the bars from Patty and went back to the man. Patty looked up at the elderly man, removed her pack and took her last MRE from inside and handed it to him. He looked at it for a moment before placing it in his shopping bag.<br />
<br />
The man dug into his pocket, removed a small coin shaped object and handed it wordlessly to Patty. She examined it in the flickering light and saw it was a Saint Christopher medal. She slipped it into her pocket, nodded at the man and started walking west again. She did not look back.<br />
<br />
The fire lit her path for several more miles across the flat landscape as she traveled. She lost herself again in her thoughts and pondered upon the train bearing military hardware. How did it get here? How was the train running? Where was it going? Was the United States at war? Had it been invaded? She had no answers.<br />
<br />
The hours past and sometime before the real dawn, she took 161 south and began her trek past the airport toward the 183 interchange and then on to Fort Worth. At some point, as the sky lightened, she paused on the side of the road and snacked on some of her dwindling food supplies. She observed the situation with detached emotion. When the food ran out she would starve or be home. Pick one.<br />
<br />
After she took a long drink of water, she felt something poking her from the fanny pack. Unzipping it, she saw the derringer had rearranged itself with the additional room provided by the missing protein bars. She hefted the tiny gun in her hand and broke it open. Two unfired .357 rounds sat in their respective chambers. This weapon would only be useful in a honkeytonk fight at ten feet or less she reckoned.<br />
<br />
Not wanting it to go off accidentally so close to her core, she put it in the bottom of her backpack and promptly forgot about it. Standing, she put on the pack, picked up her carbine and started west by southwest on her journey.<br />
<br />
Around noon, she felt lightheaded and dizzy and knew she had to rest at some point. Not wanting to sit in the grass off the road and there being very little cover, she took advantge of an abandonded minivan sitting in the far right lane. It was an older model which still had window cranks, so she lowered the back windows, hung some clothing over the glass and made herself comfortable lying on the floor between the seats.<br />
<br />
"I'll rest for a few minutes and then start off again." she said to herself as she drifted off.<br />
<br />
------------<br />
<br />
She woke with a start, her mouth dry and the sound of the rumbling engine. Engine? That made no sense, the van was long dead. She shook her head and figured the noise was thunder.She sat up, pulled down the shirt she had hung over the window and found herself looking at something black. Her eyes were still blurry and unfocused so she opened the door. It opened few inches, then stopped and someone let out a muffled sound.<br />
<br />
The van door was yanked open and she was pulled from the vehicle by a pair of strong hands, the sunlight blinding her. She opened her mouth to say something but when the rifle butt struck her midsection, the air went out of her lungs and she fell to her knees. She reached for the Glock but felt it ripped from her finger tips before she had a firm grasp on it.<br />
<br />
She looked up and saw a man in black with a load bearing vest hold up her backpack in one hand like a freshly caught fish. He then excitedly reached forward into the van and took out her carbine. Dropping the bag to the ground, he carefully examined the gun while Patty knelt on the ground holding her stomach.<br />
<br />
The man turned to Patty, scowled at her and motioned to his co-workers. The world went black as a black bag was pulled over Patty's head and she was lifted to her feet. She felt her hands zip tied behind her and was dragged to what she presumed was a vehicle of some sort. She was put inside and moments later, the vehicle began to move with Patty, a prisoner inside.<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-80559225307863511992012-08-23T14:29:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:15:12.357-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty TwoHe was sixteen, maybe seventeen on a good day, but very likely only fifteen years of age. His thigh had a nickle sized hole in it spewing blood and he was in tremendous pain. He also had Patty's left foot, squarely on the gaping wound.<br />
<br />
"How many? Are there more?" she spat.<br />
<br />
"Please, it hurts. Aaauggghhhh! Getoffameeeeee!" he wailed.<br />
<br />
Patty placed the barrel of the M4 against the boy's crotch.<br />
<br />
"C'mon, you wanna see what happens next, honey?" she said in a cat like voice.<br />
<br />
The boy turned white, both from loss of blood and Patty-induced shock. His head turned side to side like the arm on a grandfather clock. Patty looked down with regret and sadness, raised the barrel of the rifle to the young man's chest and pulled the trigger twice. She then paused and looked upon her handiwork before turning to the next young man. He had a gaping wound to his stomach and was an hour, maybe two until death.<br />
<br />
"How about you? Any more of you guys around? Where did you come from? How did you know we were here?" Patty asked.<br />
<br />
The kid gasped and spat blood from his mouth. He wheezed,<br />
<br />
"You come into our hood, you gots to expect.. Shiv knew, he said you was easy.. aint had nothing new in a while.. c'mon and get me a docta.. ahhhhhh, this hurts...." he gasped.<br />
<br />
"Lot's more hurt where that came from." said Patty. "You know who raided this house and killed the people inside?"<br />
<br />
"This is Octavio's turf.. *cough* at least it was... he got done in last week. Ain't nobody running things down here now.. just free turf... *cough cough cough*.." he gasped.<br />
<br />
Patty turned and looked at the bodies on the ground. Most were dead, one of which was a friend. But justice had to be served first. She hung her rifle on her back, removed the Glock, turned and put it to the head of the boy with the belly wound.<br />
<br />
"Go play with Shiv." she said robotically and pulled the trigger. The boy's head exploded and he fell backward to the gore stained grass.<br />
<br />
Catelyn looked up from Candace directly at Patty.<br />
<br />
"Find another. Now." the teen said.<br />
<br />
"That's all of them. Come on, I'll help you. And with your parents too." said Patty.<br />
<br />
Cately let Candace's vacant eyes roll back in their sockets and gently laid her head on the grass. She then carefully stood and wiped her hands on her jeans and took a step back. Brad was rocking back and forth on his heels staring at the carnage before him. Antonio had disappeared. Candace had joined her parents forever.<br />
<br />
Patty put the gunfight out of her mind and started back into the house. "Should be burned to the ground when this is done" she thought to herself. But that was Catelyn's problem, not hers. Patty went into the garage, and found what she was looking for. A shovel, a matching pick and for some reason, a fork, heck who cared.<br />
<br />
She brought the three tools to the backyard, stepped over the girls' long dead father and into the backyard. There was not a great deal to work with as the pool took up most of the flat backyard. She finally decided upon a level spot underneath a crepe myrtle tree in the corner of the yard. The unwatered lawn was as hard as rock. She raised the pick and slammed it into the ground.<br />
<br />
<i>Catelyn had a hard time breaking the window glass when the shooting began. Patty reared her rifle back, rammed the barrel through the pane and started firing. The noise surprised the young men and three went down easily, the next seven not so much. Catelyn finally got her rifle through and took out her first target. </i><br />
<br />
The ground did not give easily to the pick, but eventually the grave began to take shape. Patty tried to make it in the classic grave shaped rectangle, but accepted the uneven oval which was forming instead. She did not think the occupants would mind.<br />
<br />
<i>The thug in the wife beater and giant sunglasses had the top of his head blown off at a one foot range by Antonio. Antonio put a round through the chest of another kid nearby, but did not see the guy to his left who was leveling a nine-millimeter semi-auto at Candace. The gun barked twice before Catelyn or Patty, neither was sure who, cut the shooter down. </i><br />
<br />
Patty had reached about a foot in depth before she felt a hand on her shoulder. In one part of her mind, she wanted it to be another gang member who would put her out of her misery. Instead, it was Antonio. He wordlessly took the pick from her hand, pushed her from the grave and raised the tool over his head. He face was bandaged, dirty, tear stained and there was a huge blood stain on his t-shirt. The place where Candace had buried her face.<br />
<br />
<i>Two of the gang members tried to run and they were fast. Patty stood in the window and fired her magazine dry before they both fell to the street. There was one left standing at that point. He waved his hands in front of his face pleading for his life. Catelyn saw her sister at that point and froze. Antonio's gun was empty as was Patty's. Antonio advanced on the young man and began beating him on the head with the magnum. It was hard at this point to recognize what the kid looked like now, what with his nose broken and beaten into his skull. </i><br />
<br />
Antonio progressed on the grave faster than Patty. Maybe it was his size or the amount of emotion coursing through his veins. They would both be sore in the morning.<br />
<br />
Patty put on a pair of gloves from her fanny pack and went into the house. She grabbed a discarded and dirty sheet off the bedroom floor and went into the kitchen. After laying the sheet on the kitchen floor, she rolled Candace's mother into it and wrapped it around her. She tied one end off and grabbed the other and dragged it to the door. She retrieved another for the father and then pulled both bodies out onto the deck. She did not look at their faces.<br />
<br />
<i>Patty managed to get her Glock out and shot the last kid, who at that point only had a superficial wound to his shoulder, in the stomach. One other was still alive when they went outside. Catelyn went to Candace first. Candace was dead before she hit the ground. </i><br />
<br />
Patty picked up one more sheet and went out front where Catelyn was picking up firearms, ammunition and other weapons off the ground and putting them in a stack by the front door. Brad had disappeared into the house. Patty laid Candace on the sheet and noticed that it was blue and was not dirty or torn like the others. She then emptied Candace's pockets of anything useful and gently wrapped it up like the others.<br />
<br />
"I'll do that." said Catelyn as Patty tried to lift the body.<br />
<br />
"Let's do it together, she's heavier than she looks." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
"She always thought she was fat, she was so dumb." said Catelyn. "She never had a problem with boys, the all liked her. I was older, but they always called me Candace's sister at school."<br />
<br />
They carefully brought the body to the backyard and set it next to the bodies of her parents. Antonio stepped out of the grave which was now about two feet deep.<br />
<br />
"Should be enough, their bodies aren't that big anymore." he said looking at the bundles containing Catelyn's mother and father.<br />
<br />
They put the three together in the grave with Candace on top between the bodies of her parents and then stood there. Catelyn walked over and put a small, pink, plastic pony in the grave with Candace and then slowly stood up.<br />
<br />
"We're supposed to say something. They did at my Mamma's, we got to here." said Antonio.<br />
<br />
"Catelyn?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
Catelyn shook her head, her chin out and looked away from the grave site.<br />
<br />
Patty sighed.<br />
<br />
"Candace, I hope you are in a better place than the world we live in now. You were optimistic, sweet and caring. You carried your weight, overcame obstacles and never stopped believing. Rest in peace with your parents. You made it home." said Patty.<br />
<br />
Catelyn turned and went into the house without saying a word.<br />
<br />
"Where's Brad?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Dunno, he went in the house while you were outside." replied Antonio.<br />
<br />
Patty left Antonio outside by the grave and went into the house where she found Brad at the kitchen table writing something on a piece of paper. On the table was an old Thermos and a two-liter soda bottle full of water. One of the guns the gang members was carrying, a Taurus nine-millimeter with three magazines stacked next to it sat nearby.<br />
<br />
"What are you doing?" asked Patty, her voice hardly hiding the contempt she had for the young man.<br />
<br />
"Busy work. The water in the water heater is still good, that's what's in there. I'm taking one of the guns from those guys, there's more out there if anyone wants one." he replied.<br />
<br />
He stood up, put the water containers in his backpack which had been lying next to the table, put the spare magazines in his jeans pockets and simply held the Taurus by his side. He picked up the paper and went to the back of the house where the bedrooms were. Patty followed with her arms crossed.<br />
<br />
"Catelyn?" said Brad quietly at the open door to her old bedroom.<br />
<br />
"I'm going to my aunt's house in Celeste, did you want to come with me?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"No. I am staying here or at least in this area until I find out who killed my parents." she said coldly.<br />
<br />
"I thought so. When you get done with that or if you want a change, here is where I'll be and directions how to get there." he replied.<br />
<br />
Catelyn took the offered paper and stared at it before setting it on the floor next to her.<br />
<br />
"I'll be thinking about you and waiting. Bye." he said before turning and walking past Patty without saying a word and to the front door.<br />
<br />
Brad walked out the front door, paused to adjust his pack straps and then started off across the yard avoiding the dead bodies. He went to the end of the block, turned the corner and was gone.<br />
<br />
Patty stood there and watched him walk away before she noticed Antonio standing next to her silently.<br />
<br />
"How it ends, huh?" he said finally.<br />
<br />
"That's how it ends for all of us. I'm going to get my stuff together." she said and went inside.<br />
<br />
"So you taking off?" asked Antonio.<br />
<br />
"I said I'd get them home, I did. Time for me to get home too." said Patty.<br />
<br />
Catelyn came out of her room carrying a pillow case of things, her backpack in her other hand. She took everything into the family room and resorted things to get them into her pack. She picked up the carbine and removed the magazine.<br />
<br />
"Patty, how many of these magazines do you have left and may I have a couple of more? One won't be enough." she said.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I have five full ones and there are six more in the bag Brad left. How about you take five and I'll take the others? The one in my rifle is empty, okay?" Patty replied.<br />
<br />
"That will work. What about the other guns out there?" asked Catelyn.<br />
<br />
Patty went through the list in her head; the nine-millimeter Taurus Brad took, a nine-millimeter Ruger semi-auto, an unamed .32 caliber five round revolver, two Ruger Mark III .22, a sawed off 12 gauge double barrel, a Hi-Point nine-millimeter carbine and an SKS.<br />
<br />
"Most of them are in .22 or nine-millimeter, you'd have to figure out which one works best for you. As far as I am concerned, you and Antonio can have them all." said Patty, "Antonio, you should take that SKS, it's heavy, but it has some good stopping power and the kid who carried it had a bag full of stripper clips for it."<br />
<br />
"Umm, okay, that's cool." he said.<br />
<br />
"I meant what I said, Patty. I'm not going until I find out who killed my parents and what happened to all the people who used to live around here." said Catelyn defiantly.<br />
<br />
"I believe you. I can't stay, though. I have to get back to my daughter." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"I know. Thank you for getting us back home and that includes Candace." said Catelyn quietly.<br />
<br />
"What about you?" Patty asked Antonio.<br />
<br />
"Got nowhere else to go now you people messed things up, so I'll stick around with Catelyn if that's alright." he said looking at the girl.<br />
<br />
Catelyn shrugged, and said, "Okay."<br />
<br />
Patty allowed Catelyn to hug her briefly before they parted. Patty made the neccessary arrangements with the remaining ammunition and food. She also gave them some of the antibiotics and pain killers she took from Peri long ago.<br />
<br />
Afterward, as the shadows grew long on the grass, she put on her pack, adjusted her rifle and started down the street the same way Brad had gone. The only difference being she would head west when the right road came. The road home.<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-12317645642343864592012-08-22T14:41:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:15:23.478-07:00The Burnout Chapter Forty OnePatty stared at Catelyn and was about to speak when it dawned on her. The radio. Of course, the radio they took from the two contractors east of town. She dug through her backpack and turned it on, slowly adjusting the volume.<br />
<br />
"Firecracker Two, Firecracker Two, what is your position, over?"<br />
<br />
"Big Bopper, same place as before. Can I come in now? over?"<br />
<br />
"Hold position until instructed. Big bird and little bird in flight, over."<br />
<br />
"Come on, Bert! Cut out the game! We got cut to shreds out here. Forget you, I'm coming back, hold the gate open. Oh yeah, over."<br />
<br />
"Firecracker two, you hold your position, you hear me? Firecra.. Wayne! If you come back I'll have the gate bring you in for a write up, mister. You know I'll do it too, Wayne!"<br />
<br />
Another voice cut into the transmission.<br />
<br />
"Bert? There's someting big coming down Beltline our way. There's like ten or twelve trucks, a school bus, and what's that? A milk truck? Oh geez, it's an old Brinks truck out front. Bert, they're back and they got a bunch more guys this time. What do you want me to do? Bert?"<br />
<br />
"Sentinel four, how many time do I have to tell you, use your call sign! Hold your position, I will redirect big bird your way with suppression fire, hold your position."<br />
<br />
The radio filled with static as the broadcast stopped and did not resume. Patty scanned and found one other faint transmission where the voice was so distorted they could not understand a word. She turned it off.<br />
<br />
"They sound more disorganized than I thought they would," said Patty. "And Beltline? That's clear on the other side of the airport. It sounded like they are about to get some visitors they had not planned on."<br />
<br />
"Look! That helicopter is turning away!" said Antonio pointing to the south where Brad's neighborhood was.<br />
<br />
"Okay, sounds like we have an angel, let's not take this for granted. Look, we are going to loop around towards this big road called Midway and take it south to 635 where Catelyn and Candace's family live. Somewhere, we have to find some more water. How much does everyone have with them right now? I have about a liter and a half" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"I got three of these bottles pretty much full." said Antonio holding up three recycled water bottles.<br />
<br />
"I have one and a half, just about." said Cately holding the same type of bottles.<br />
<br />
"I had a full two liter bottle, but it's missing." said Candace looking in her pack.<br />
<br />
"You probably dropped it or left it behind. It's okay." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Umm, I don't have any." said Brad looking at the ground.<br />
<br />
"Okay, everyone take a good drink and let's get moving. Stay out of sight but keep an eye out for a creek or something like it." said Patty.<br />
<br />
They moved out under the rapidly rising sun and begain a circular, long route away from Brad's old neighborhood, but towards the street Patty had identified on the map. When they reached the large four lane road, they were not surprised to find it deserted with most of the stores and businesses looted, shot up and abandoned.<br />
<br />
They traveled non-stop for over three hours until the reached the intersection with the loop. Before dealing with the massive road, the scouted out and found a small creek hidden in the trees behind a section of warehouses all long abandoned and looted.<br />
<br />
Patty filtered more than three gallons of water and while they drank, they put together a quick meal of MRE's, freeze dried food partially rehydrated with the new water and some of the left over candy from the card store. Patty took stock of the ammo situation and realized she burned through two more magazines at this morning's firefight. Catelyn had fired less than twenty rounds from the Ruger, Antonio barely got four shots off and poor Candace did not even fire her adopted carbine once. She proudly showed Patty that she had managed to recover the spare magazines for the rifle even though she forgot the water.<br />
<br />
They crossed 635 without incident and noticed several plumes of dark smoke rising from both sides of the loop. Noting that Antonio warned them about possible gang activity, they kept a low profile by sticking to the sides of the road, moving slowly and keeping to the bushes or behind other cover when visibility was limited. The landscape changed from stores and businesses to homes and lawns.<br />
<br />
They came to a street which intersected with Catelyn and Candace's, but after the experience of Brad's home, they kept their excitement in check. They moved slowly, but the neighborhood was quiet, even eerily so. Houses were empty tombs, dead cars sentinels and yellow lawns left in rememberance of the dead. In time, they came to the girl's street and stood there, across from the house and waited.<br />
<br />
"You or me? Who's going first?" asked Catelyn out loud.<br />
<br />
"Both of us?" said Candace looking at her big sister.<br />
<br />
"Sure." they shifted their loads and took hands, a snapshot of the past, like two little girls coming home from a friend's house, an afternoon of Barbies and make believe, looking both ways before crossing.<br />
<br />
Brad started after them, but Antonio put his hand across his chest.<br />
<br />
"Hold up and give them some space. If there's trouble, we'll be here."<br />
<br />
The two girls pushed open the front door even though Catelyn had her house key with her, the door was unlocked. They stepped into the darkness and then silence. A few moments later, Candace ran outside and vomited on the grass while Catelyn staggered out behind her and put her hand on the door jamb, head down.<br />
<br />
"I was afraid of this," said Patty, "Come on." and the three crossed over to the girls' home.<br />
<br />
Candace looked up and ran into Patty's arms and began crying loudly. <br />
<br />
"They're.. they're dead! Somebody killed them... it's urghhh.." and she broke down further as the emotional trainwreck came to a stop.<br />
<br />
Brad and Antonio stood there until Antonio walked over and did a group hug around both Candace and Patty. Brad tried walking over the Catelyn, but she simply turned around and went back inside. Patty broke off from Candace and Antonio and followed her inside the house.<br />
<br />
The entry way seemed normal enough, with the exception of the smell. Their parents had obviously been dead for some time and the house long since ransacked. Everything in the living room was tumped over and someone had clearly defecated in the middle of an expensive Oriental rug littered with shards of china and crystal.<br />
<br />
The body of their father was in what must have been a family room which looked out onto a deck and kidney shaped swimming pool. His body lay half in and half out through a shattered sliding glass door, his face fortunately to the floor. Their mother was in the kitchen, blood long gone brown stained on the white tile floor beneath her.<br />
<br />
Patty went back into the family room and saw two portraits of the girls still hanging on the wall, both with crude graffitii scrawled around their faces. She went through to the bedrooms and saw the same wreckage. Drawers pulled from dressers, underwear and socks thrown about the room, beds ripped and stripped, and mirrors shattered in bathrooms as if the invaders were too ashamed to look upon their own reflections.<br />
<br />
She went back and found Catelyn crouched down next to a cabinet looking through the pages of a photo album, half of which was scattered in the hallway.<br />
<br />
"All the pictures from when we were little. The new pictures were digital so Mom kept them on her laptop. All the pictures I have of my parents, they are younger than they were." she said.<br />
<br />
She carefully picked through the photos, images of birthdays, trips, relatives long gone, a girl on her first bike, a Christmas, and stacked them neatly into a pile.<br />
<br />
"I'll find you something to put them in." said Patty quietly.<br />
<br />
She went into the kitchen and found an old zip lock bag, left alone in an otherwise empty cabinet. As she returned to the family room, she saw a shadow block out the sun from the front room and Brad's voice came to her.<br />
<br />
"Umm Patty, you'd better come here." he said shakily.<br />
<br />
Patty brought her carbine around and went toward the door, but did not make it to the entry way before her stomach sank at the sight she saw through the open door as they surrounded Antonio and Candace.<br />
<br />
---------<br />
<br />
There were more than ten of them. Scruffy, clothing dirty, faces covered in stubble, beards and on more than a few of them, dark fuzz. They moved like roosters, strutting slowly around the two teens, holding guns on shoulders or stuffed in to over sized pants. They summed up the prey before moving in.<br />
<br />
One, with oversize sunglasses wearing a faded white wife beater moved closer to Candace, his head moving side to side like a shark testing the water. He came within five feet of her and let out a long, loud whoop.<br />
<br />
"Fresh, new, clean and tasty!" he yelled to his friends who all let out hoots of joy.<br />
<br />
Antonio already had the .357 out at arm's length, pointing it from side to side at each man as he spoke or yelled. His arm was protectively around Candace who looked up and buried her face into his side when the man spoke. Her rifle was missing.<br />
<br />
Patty backed into the darkness and left Brad standing in front of her, his face illuminated by the light of the open door. As she backed up, she stepped onto Catelyn's foot who was just behind her.<br />
<br />
Patty turned and put her fingers to her lips as Catelyn was about to speak. She then put her hand on her rifle and mouthed to Catelyn, "Candace's rifle" and shrugged. Catelyn turned and reached behind the door and lifted it up. Patty nodded and quietly checked the rifle to verify it was loaded. She then handed it back to Catelyn along with a spare magazine from her belt.<br />
<br />
She pointed Catelyn to the window nearest the front door, but covered by a drape. Catelyn nodded and quietly moved over and stood ready behind a very good copy of a French provincial arm chair. Patty darted to the small office type room to the right of the front door and stood by the parted curtains. She hoped this would work.<br />
<br />
She looked at Catelyn and pantomimed the pulling of the curtains apart, then shooting with her two fingers. She held up three fingers and started counting down slowly.<br />
<br />
One, two, three .... boom ....<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-3494649679568522682012-08-20T20:49:00.002-07:002012-09-05T07:15:36.159-07:00The Burnout Chapter FortyPatty was three streets into Brad's subdivion and at least two blocks from the main road to the card store. Worse, she was running in the late morning heat with a pack, ammo and carrying the M4 carbine. Getting to the kids would not be easy.<br />
<br />
She did not hear shooting or any helicopters, so she took that as a good sign, but still played out scenarios in her head. The kids could have left the store after her departure which was a good and bad thing. The kids could have argued or decided to split up, again, good and bad. Finally, there was a chance she could get to the store before the DHS guys did and could get them away before the shooting started.<br />
<br />
She rationalized in her head that the kids left the card store, went looking for her, for the way home, for Brad's parents, heck, for a latte from Starbucks. Either way, they were no longer at the card store and the DHS thugs would show up and find an empty store.<br />
<br />
She dismissed all of that when she hit the main street outside of Brad's subdivision and heard the shooting from ahead. Most of it sounded one sided which made Patty's stomach turn.<br />
<br />
Within sight of the store, she kept to the left side of the street and used trees and other cover to hide her entry to the battle. Finding a low brick wall no more than six inches high underneath the shade of a large tree and surrounded by unkept grass, she found herself about one hundred yards from the front of the store and as close as she could get with adequate cover. It would be enough.<br />
<br />
In front of the store, parked a few hundred feet away from the entrance were two black Hummers. One was a hard top and had a large gun mounted on the roof with a shooter stationed behind it. There were two other men, both dressed in black wearing body armor and armed with M4 rifles similar to Patty's, crouched behind the other vehicle. All three were firing spaced rounds into the card store increasing their tempo presumably when they had a target in sight.<br />
<br />
Patty was aiming for the man on top of the Hummer when she spotted movement on the store roof. A lone gunman, wearing a black load bearing vest and light blue sports shirt was crouched down on the roof carrying a black rifle like the others. He apparently had climbed on the roof from the rear of the store and was searching for a hatch or way into the building below. There was something about the shooter's shirt which seemed out of place, but she put it out of her mind to focus on the job at hand.<br />
<br />
Seeing that the gunman was out of sight of the others, she planned to take him out first and then work on the others one by one. She carefully aimed with the ACOG gunsight mounted on her rifle and centered just above the vest in the event it was armored. She squeezed the trigger three times and the man dropped to the roof. She then turned her sights on the Hummer shooter and aimed for the side of his neck and head. It took four rounds before one hit above his ear and ended his part of the attack on the kids.<br />
<br />
One of the other shooters on the ground saw the man on the Hummer slump and he turned to see where the shooting was coming from. He turned, for only a moment, before Patty hit him with three rounds center mass. His body armor protected him from the shots, but not without knocking the air out of him, badly bruising his ribs and causing him to drop his weapon.<br />
<br />
Once he saw him fall, his partner grabbed the injured man and started dragging him to the rear of the Hummer, but Patty poured on the fire and at least one person started firing from inside the store at the DHS agent as well. The second shooter released his hold on his co-worker, hopped into the passenger seat of the Hummer and reversed it away from the store leaving his compatriot on the ground.<br />
<br />
At that moment, another man, dressed like the others on the ground, came from behind the store and ran after the Hummer as it drove off, the engine whining in reverse as the driver increased its' speed. Patty switched to Select and fired at the man fleeing on foot and hit him in the back of his legs and buttocks which sent him to the ground as well. He was still alive however, and pathetically tried to crawl after the fleeing vehicle.<br />
<br />
Patty reloaded and carefully looked over the scene before moving to her left to avoid fire from another shooter should they know her position. Once she took cover, she aimed and placed a head shot into man with the injured ribs and who was closest to her. She then took note of where the Hummer had relocated to, (about a block and half away) and then moved as quickly as possible to the store.<br />
<br />
Patty made it no further than halfway there when the door opened and Antonio, holding something to his face, wedged the door open. Candace stumbled out with one arm around Brad and the other holding both her rifle and backpack. Catelyn crawled out the door and stuck the barrel of the Ruger .22 around the jamb and started firing toward the Hummer. Antonio then ran out the door with the .357 in one hand and his other still covering his face.<br />
<br />
Patty ran to the edge of the building where earlier she had crouched after leaving the kids and waved them over. Once they joined her, she pulled them behind the store and back to the alley. They ran to the left and into the nearest side street, crossed and then into the neighborhood beyond. The quickly got off the street and into the alley running behind the homes before hunkering down for a brief break.<br />
<br />
"Candace, let me see your leg. Hold her. No, I'm not going to take down your pants or hurt you if I can help it, I'm only going to cut back your jeans around the injury. Give me that gauze. It looks like it was close, but only a graze. Yes, I know it hurts, but you'll live. Hold this, alright, let me tape this on there until we can dress it better."<br />
<br />
"Antonio, great, were you shot in the face? The glass? Some of these cuts are deep, but there's no glass that I can see. YOu are lucky you didn't lose an eye. Hold this. Here, I'll put some bandaids on these cuts for now. Let me rinse your face off. I know, it hurts hold on. Okay, that'll have to do. We got to get moving, now!"<br />
<br />
The five went down the alley, cut through another yard and began leapfrogging from house to house, street by street to the northwest away from Brad's neighborhood. Within a few minutes, they heard the tell tale sound of a helicopter approaching from the east. They laid low behind some high bushes and watched as a two seater flew low over their last position before turining towards Brad's neighborhood.<br />
<br />
"Good! That might buy us a few minutes. Let's move!" said Patty and they hurried away as fast as possible.<br />
<br />
They ran through a maze of cookie cutter homes with overgrown yards with the sound of the helicopter close behind them. They soon heard another bird to their right but further away and knew their pursuers were as blind as they were. However, the DHS had more people and faster transport than sneaker power - it was a matter of time before they found them.<br />
<br />
---------<br />
<br />
They ran for another twenty minutes before Patty ordered all to stop and take a rest. Water was short, but they drank what they could and took stock of their situation.<br />
<br />
"Patty, what happened? How did they know we were?" asked Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"Monroe. He betrayed us for food and other stuff. Apparently he had been doing that all along and explains why he was still in the neighborhood." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
"What happened to him? Where is he now?" asked Brad.<br />
<br />
Patty ignored the young man and turned her attention to the others.<br />
<br />
"Candace, let's change out that bandage with something else. Antonio, I want to clean those wounds once more and replace those bandaids."<br />
<br />
"I wish I had some way of knowing what those guys are up too. If they know where we are right now or if they are as blind as we are. If only I found the radio Monroe used, if knew where they were and what they were doing, we could do something.. da** it!" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"What are you talking about? You don't need Monroe's radio." said Catelyn.<br />
<div><br />
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</div>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-19627400316836377612012-08-17T09:22:00.002-07:002012-09-05T07:15:50.160-07:00The Burnout Chapter Thirty NineA quick update!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Patty stormed outside and walked with purpose but without direction. She barely made it around the corner and into a small alley separating two buildings before she broke down into tears.<br />
<br />
Finally, after several minutes, she wiped the tears from her face and blew her nose on a kleenex from her pocket. The she began to make deliberate plans in her head while going through her bag.<br />
<br />
"Fine. They can do this on their own, I'm going to get home to my baby. First, I have plenty of food. I've got three MRE's, a bunch of the freeze dried food I bought and still have some stuff from the CVS in Shreveport. I've got my rain gear, some extra clothing, my bathroom stuff, so I'm good there. I have the M4 with eight full magazines, my Glock and plenty of ammo there and I still have that derringer from those nutcases in the forest."<br />
<br />
"The only thing I need more of is water, but I know I saw a creek back near that school we passed. I'll filter some water, fill up my containers and be on my way. Let me look at that map. Okay, I'll take the tollway over to 183 or 30 and go straight through Fort Worth to home. Without everyone else and with twelve or so hours a day walking, even with delays, it should only take me a couple of days."<br />
<br />
"Well, I did what I could but I'm not a miracle worker. They can argue about going to Celeste or looking for the girls' parents, I could care less. I'm done with that whole mess." she said to herself.<br />
<br />
Patti stood up and adjusted her things and started walking toward the tollway when she heard the telltale sound of a helicopter. It amazed her how quickly the sound went from the mundane to the harbinger of terror in such a short amount of time.<br />
<br />
She dropped back behind a dead car and got as low to the ground as possible as the helo passed overhead travelling low to the ground. It was heading directly into Brad's old neighborhood and reduced speed as if it were searching for something. Then, it banked to the right and held position low to the ground for a few moments.<br />
<br />
Even though she was a couple of blocks from the helicopter, she could see that not only had it stopped, but there was movement from the passengers as well. The side door opened and a dark suited figure held out a long object and dropped it out the door to the ground below. Another followed soon after. The copter paused for a few more moments before subtly rocking back and forth and then peeling off in the direction of the airport.<br />
<br />
Knowing it was best for her to simply continue away and to the tollway, Patty ignored her own advice and hurried back to Brad's neighborhood. It only took her a few moments, once she arrived, to determine that the helicopter had not stopped over Brad's street, but rather to the south. She moved quickly, sticking to the front yards and near cover, to come to a street remarkably similar to Brads, but with far less damage.<br />
<br />
She saw nothing out of the ordinary other than all the homes appeared to be empty and there was no one around. Then she heard the sound of someone whistling, as if they were occupied with a task and making mindless music while they worked.<br />
<br />
She listened carefully and homed in on one home with an overgrown front yard and high fence blocking the back. She went to the house as quietly as possible, peered through the slats of the high cedar fence and immediately saw motion in the back yard.<br />
<br />
A man, wearing dark clothing, kneeled down next to a long, gray laundry bag and was looking through it. He pulled out an MRE, set it aside and pawed around in the bag, before puting the military meal back inside. He then stood and hefted the bag on his shoulder and went back to the house. When he turned, Patty saw it was Monroe.<br />
<br />
"Now why would the DHS, FEMA or whoever those guys are be dropping food off at Monroe's house? I thought he was trying to avoid those goons as he called them?" thought Patty.<br />
Knowing there was something more to the story, she followed the fence line until in the rear, facing the alley, found a partially open gate to the yard.<br />
<br />
Looking inside, she saw another bag sitting in the yard unopened and the back door to the house ajar. She quickly stepped inside the yard and hid behind a stack of firewood long gone gray and surrounded by weeds. A few moments later, Monroe stepped out of the house still whistling to himself. As soon as he picked up the bag and turned to the house, Patty stepped out.<br />
<br />
"Hold it right there, Monroe." she said holding the carbine on him.<br />
<br />
Monroe literally jumped and dropped the bag he was carrying and turned abruptly.<br />
<br />
"What the he--" he said, "You! I told you people not to follow me back. I'll kill you for that."<br />
<br />
"Not likely. Anyway, I didn't follow you here, a little bird with whirling wings told me where you lived. So what's the deal, Monroe? Doing a little side business with FEMA?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"I don't have to tell you anything, bi**c." he hissed. "It's just a matter of time before they get your little friends now they know where they are."<br />
<br />
Patty blanched. Monroe had turned them into FEMA and most likely, someone was on their way to get the teens who were completely unaware. Patty had to think fast.<br />
<br />
"How did you know we were in the park? Did you follow us last night? You snake!" she said.<br />
<br />
"Park? Don't try that with me. I followed your little group last night to the card store and I know the rest of them are still there. "<br />
<br />
"But Brad, what was all that about his parents? You know what they'll do when they find him." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Casualties of war, darling. A man's gotta do what he has to in this new world. Besides, his parents are probably dead just like the rest of the neighborhood. It's too bad really, if only some of the others around here would have just played along, they would be in the same situation as me." Monroe bragged.<br />
<br />
"Those were your friends and neighbors. What's wrong with you?" Patty replied.<br />
<br />
"Me? What's wrong with you and that black boy? I saw what you two did to Brad, I saw his injuries. So what's the deal? You and the black kid got your dreams to finally come true? Caught a few white kids and how have them to pick on and do the dirty work? What is it? Some sort of race revenge?" he sneered.<br />
<br />
"You're nuts," said Patty. "You're going to get Brad killed along with the other kids."<br />
<br />
"Well, it's too late now. They've probably already rolled from Addison and are on their way now to get them. If you hurry, you might get there in time to watch your black boyfriend get fried. But don't worry about the girls, though. My friends have already promised them to me afterward. Perks of the job." smirked Monroe.<br />
<br />
"You sick b**t**d." said Patty incredously. She knew she had to get back to the kids before it was too late. She turned back to the gate, but first said to Monroe.<br />
<br />
"When I get back, you're a dead man."<br />
<br />
"Not likely," he then snatched a small pistol from the small of his back but was too slow. Patty fired two rounds from the M4 and caught him squarely in the gut. Monroe grunted as if he had a bad case of gas, dropped the pistol to the grass and then fell to his knees.<br />
<br />
"You b**ch..." he gasped.<br />
<br />
"Sorry, Monroe, like you said, it's every man, or in this case, woman, for herself."<br />
<br />
She then ran out the gate and back towards the shopping center.<br />
<br />
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</div>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-10906810275946223622012-08-16T10:04:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:16:03.793-07:00The Burnout Chapter Thirty EightAuthor's note. Rebecca, Charles and all the rest. Thank you very much. This chapter is dedicated to you and everyone else who has stuck with the story and the rest of my meanderings. More is coming shortly, but I didn't want to leave you hanging for long.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Even in the faded light of the evening, made dimmer by the rain, they could see the wide swath of destruction. The epicenter was a deep black scar which ran two houses deep on either side and ran several streets perpendicular across the neighborhood. The surrounding houses in either direction were completely or partially burned five houses across.<br />
<br />
Brad's house was a ground zero.<br />
<br />
Brad stood in front of the pile of long burned wreckage and said nothing but instead clenched his fists and shook his head before falling to his knees. Everyone stood silent for a few moments shocked at the devastation before going to his side.<br />
<br />
"no.. we came to the wrong house.. this is someone else's house.. no.. mom.. dad..?" he moaned.<br />
<br />
Candace and Catelyn hugged Brad and rocked him slowly as he began to cry quietly at first before breaking down entirely.<br />
<br />
"Man, what hit this place?" said Antonio.<br />
<br />
"It looks like a bomb. Maybe it was a gas leak or something?" said Patty quietly.<br />
<br />
"Brad? Is that you?" came a man's voice from behind them.<br />
<br />
Patty and Antonio both turned at the same time, but Patty was the only one who pointed a gun at the approaching stranger.<br />
<br />
"Careful, lady. I don't want any trouble, but think I know that kid. Brad?" said the man who was in his late forties, wearing dark athletic clothing, carrying a pistol gripped shotgun and had an unlit headlamp on top of his head.<br />
<br />
Brad turned and looked at the man for a moment before a look of recognition went across his face.<br />
<br />
"Mr. Monroe, right. Yeah, hey, it's you. Where are my parents? I have to find them!" Brad said.<br />
<br />
"Easy, son. Yes, it's me, but I don't know where your parents are or even if they were home when this happened. It's been a couple of weeks and a lot has happened around here." Monroe replied.<br />
<br />
"What happened?" asked Patty. <br />
<br />
"Plane crash. Who are the rest of you people?" said Monroe looking over the group.<br />
<br />
"Catelyn and Candace were on the trip with Brad and go to his school. I'm Patty Lopez, I sort of found the three of them in East Texas. Antonio is our tour guide to your fair city.Now you know who we are, but who are you and how do you know Brad?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Name's Monroe and I live two streets over. Used to be the president of the homeowners association but there's no neighborhood or homeowners left anymore so I guess that title means nothing. I know Brad's parents, or at least I did before all this." he said waving his left hand behind him.<br />
<br />
"A plane did this?" asked Antonio, "Get real."<br />
<br />
"Yeah, a G5 I heard, taking off from Addison. Must have had a full tank when the Blowup happened and it cratered down here after losing power. Burned up most of the neighborhood, at least on this street and two others. Burned for days afterward." he replied.<br />
<br />
"You saw it? So what happened to Brad's parents?" implored Patty.<br />
<br />
"Never said I saw it. I was in downtown Dallas when the power went out. By the time I got home, it was nearly dark, I had to walk all day just to get back. Another fellow told me about the crash, but I never found out who lived or died, except for those who we knew about, you know, because their bodies were laying out on the street. We didn't find Brad's parents, but they might have been inside the house, I don't know." said Monroe.<br />
<br />
"Do you have a place we can talk?" asked Patty. "I'd rather not stand around in the rain, especially at night."<br />
<br />
"Not coming to my house. Nothing personal, but I don't know you or trust you. For all I know, you might be looking for a place permanent like." the man said.<br />
<br />
"Okay, fine. How about we go over to that house? It looks like it is still in one piece." said Patty pointing at a dark house further down the street.<br />
<br />
"Sure, but not for long. I don't like being out any more than you do." said Monroe.<br />
<br />
They walked down the street, but not after having to convince Brad that poking through the ruins of his parent's home at night would not be useful or wise at the present. He reluctantly went along with them with the promise they would return at first light.<br />
<br />
The front door to the home was open and that left the foyer wet from all the recent rain. The hallway carpet was damp and moldering while the house had the smell of burned wood and insullation even though it had not been damaged by the fire. There was obviously nobody living in the structure and the rooms had already been thoroughly looted.<br />
<br />
They sat down in the dark living room and after tightly closing the curtains, they lit two of Patty's emergency candles along with Antonio's LED lantern.<br />
<br />
"So you say most of the neighborhood is no longer here. Did they all go somewhere else? Maybe there is an emergency shelter or something where Brad's parents might have gone?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Shelter? You're kidding right? The day after the Blowup it was every man for himself around here. Most of the houses were burned up in this neighborhood and those that weren't didn't have it any better. No running water, food in the grocery store all gone in a few hours, no lights or gas. Anyone who lived took off on their own and never came back. Only a few of us stayed, mainly because we had no where else to go. I'm the last one I think." said Monroe.<br />
<br />
"But there wasn't any sort of shelters or Red Cross aid. In fact, things got worse when those people showed up at the airport, the FEMA clowns. For the first few days, we could leave the neighborhood, on foot or by bike, and check out the area. Got lucky too, at least I did. Found a some stuff I needed and managed to get it back home. But when FEMA got here, all bets were off. If they saw you anywhere on the street near the airport, they'd just gun you down. Saw it happen, too. They really didn't want you looking for food or stuff they might have wanted. So now we just wait." he added.<br />
<br />
"But why are you still here, Monroe?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Safest place to be, right under their noses. No looters come around here now and the FEMA people aren't coming to a burned neighborhood. As long as I have food and can stay out of sight, I'm in better shape than most people." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Well, we have to figure out what to do but there's nothing we can do until it gets light. Brad, I hate to tell you this, but we'll need to check what's left of your parent's home in the morning and see if we can find any.. find out where they might have gone." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I guess. I don't think they're dead." said Brad looking at his hands in his lap.<br />
<br />
"You people do what you want. But if you stay here, try not and draw any attention to this place. Last thing I need is you bringing a bunch of FEMA goons coming over here and blowing my cover. Brad, I'm sorry about your folks. They were good people." said Monroe standing and walking to the door.<br />
<br />
"Oh yeah and another thing. Don't try and follow me home or come over for anything later. It's every man for himself and I don't have anything to share."<br />
<br />
"Thanks, Monroe, we'll remember that." said Patty with a steely gaze.<br />
<br />
"This place stinks." said Candace after Monroe left. "I'd rather sleep outside than in here."<br />
<br />
"Me too," said Antonio. "Smells like a cat died in the attic. Let's go down the street and find somewhere else to sleep. I saw a Hallmark store that looked good."<br />
<br />
"A Hallmark store?" asked Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"Girl, what'd you been learning the last few weeks? Ain't nobody looting a Hallmark store and they got candles that smell good. Probably even some food in there too if you know where to look." replied Antonio.<br />
<br />
"I would have never thought of that, Antonio. You're a pretty bright kid, you know." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"'Bout time you realized. C'mon Bradley. I'll help you look through your folk's house in the morning." said Antonio. <br />
<br />
Brad looked up surprised at Antonio and then stood up stiffly from the couch.<br />
<br />
"Thanks, man, I appreciate that." he said.<br />
<br />
They took down their lights and made their way out of the stuffy mauseleum of a house. Antonio was right as there was a Hallmark store a few blocks away in a strip shopping center and as expected, was largely untouched. Inside, Patty imagined well intentioned women carefully inspecting christening announcements while sipping a Starbuck's latte until the children were released from school. She wondered what those same people were doing now.<br />
<br />
True, they had to bed down on the floor in the back, but Antonio was correct in that the abandonded retail store smelled better than the house there were recently inside of. He also correctly surmised and found some food to augment their depleting stores. "Dinner" included chocolates, honey roasted peanuts and peppermint candy left over from Christmas.<br />
<br />
After a fitful night and turns taking watch, Brad tapped Patty on the shoulder and asked if they could leave for his house. Patty looked into the front of the store and saw the sun had still not risen, but understood the boy's urgency. She suggested that the two of them go look first and let the others get some well needed rest.<br />
<br />
Outside, they went hurriedly back to Brad's neighborhood while Patty kept a sharp eye out that they were not being followed. At the house, the task was larger than they thought the night before as they could see the level of damage to the house.<br />
<br />
The roof was completely burned and had collapsed onto the supporting structure. Only one wall was standing and nearly all the contents of the two story house had fallen into the center and burned completely. Brad went around to where the garage was in the back and called Patty over.<br />
<br />
"Patty, look, mom's car wasn't here!" he said excitely.<br />
<br />
There was the burned hulk of a sedan of some type underneath the charred remains of the garage, but there was clearly a second spot empty alongside.<br />
<br />
"Mom hated driving and if dad was home, he would have driven if she wanted to go somewhere. The Burnout happened Friday morning and dad worked from home on Fridays so I bet they went somewhere that morning. I wasn't supposed to be back until noon or so. Maybe they went out for breakfast or shopping." Brad said.<br />
<br />
"You'd know better than I would Brad. I assume your mom had a newer model car and it was probably as dead as everyone else's was. But do you think they came back here and saw the damage to their house and left?" Patty asked.<br />
<br />
"I would have. I mean, I would have come home first, wouldn't you? And yes, mom's car was new so they had to have walked. And if so, they probably got here and their house was already gone. Where would they have gone?" said Brad walking around the other side of the house.<br />
<br />
"Patty! I found it!" yelled Brad.<br />
<br />
Patty went after the boy and found him pointing at the base of the only wall still standing. Patty had no idea what Brad was talking about until she saw what appeared to be a something written in permanent black marker on the one of the bricks.<br />
<br />
Brad<br />
Go to Aunt Peggys<br />
Love Mom and Dad<br />
<br />
Along with the date and year they wrote it.<br />
<br />
"The day after the Burnout," said Patty. "Brad, they survived! That's great news!" and she gave the young man a big hug.<br />
<br />
"Where does Aunt Peggy live? It must be nearby." asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"I told you where she lives the first day we met! In Celeste! She has horses, remember? And she lives on a big piece of land. Of course they went there. Let's get the others and start walking there now!" Brad exclaimed.<br />
<br />
"Um, Brad? Celeste is about sixty miles north of here. We still have to find the girls' family." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"I know, but we can come back. I am sure Catelyn and Candace will understand. And when we get to my aunt's we can ride horses back. It'll be great!" said Brad.<br />
<br />
"Sure, Brad. Let's go talk this over with the others, okay?" said Patty quietly.<br />
<br />
---------<br />
<br />
"No! I gotta get to my parents! This isn't fair, why can't we just get started for Celeste and come back? Anyway, you guys all agreed it sucks around here. We'll probably just get shot if stay much longer." said Brad.<br />
<br />
They were standing in the Hallmark store and Brad was wildly waving his good arm around as he lost his temper. The others did not want to go to Celeste until they had checked on the girls' family as expected. Antonio also had no interest in walking all the way to "Hayseedville" as he called it.<br />
<br />
"Brad," said Patty quietly. "We've come this far and are only a few miles from Candace and Catelyn's home. Let's go check and we will decide what to do after that, okay? It's not too much to ask and besides, your parents are probably alright."<br />
<br />
"I'll just go by myself. I don't need you guys anyway. Go on and do what you want, I'm going to Celeste." said Brad.<br />
<br />
"Brad! Wait.." said Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"No, Catelyn, let him do what he wants. If he stays he'll resent all of us. And if he goes, he'll be fine." said Patty calmly.<br />
<br />
"Good," said Brad and he started pulling his backpack together. "Patty, I need my rifle back."<br />
<br />
"Huh? Your rifle? I'm sorry Brad, you leave the group and you take what you brought. Nothing more." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
"That's not fair. You're just trying to psyche me out or something. Well, it's not going to work. I earned my place and my share of the stuff." he said and then he walked over to pick up the M4 Candace had been carrying.<br />
<br />
Patty intercepted and grabbed him briefly by his injured shoulder causing Brad to yelp.<br />
<br />
"Why'd you gotta go and do that." he said with his face contorted in pain.<br />
<br />
"Because you are acting like an idiot. You want to go running off to Celeste? Fine, but you're not leaving us holding the bag. When you got shot, we didn't run off and leave you and we haven't any other time there was a problem, did we? But look what you are doing to the girls and me. Taking off without a care in the world and on top of that, you want to take stuff that doesn't belong to you." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"It's not fair..." Brad stated to say.<br />
<br />
"Nothing's fair! Not this, not having to deal with bad guys at every turn, not having to stand around in Addison instead of getting home to my daughter! Enough already!" shouted Patty.<br />
<br />
"Fine. Try and guilt me out some more Patty. Me and everyone else." said Brad.<br />
<br />
"Oh Patty, we're all so helpless without you. Oh thank you for shooting everyone who looks at you the wrong way. Why don't we call you Queen Patty and you can tell everyone what to for the rest of their life?" said Brad, his voice dripping with sarcasm.<br />
<br />
Patty raised her hand to strike the young man causing his eyes to open wide and Catelyn to let out a small surprised sound. Instead, Patty lowered her arm and abruptly grabbed her pack off the floor. Slinging the M4 over her shoulder, she went to the front door of the Hallmark store.<br />
<br />
"Screw you." she said and walked outside.<br />
<div><br />
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</div>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-66592324261743585352012-08-15T08:08:00.000-07:002012-08-15T08:08:16.767-07:00How to support this blog<br />
First, thanks for visiting my blog, reading my stories and taking the time to leave words of encouragement, support and helpful comments.<br />
<br />
As I have always said, I am going to write these stories and will produce them for the low charge of your reading entertainment only. So if you were wondering, nope, I don't get paid for doing this, just the wonderful satisfaction of producing something someone else beside myself would like to read.<br />
<br />
Now, some other writers have tried bundling their stories and selling them as an e-book or self publishing on the Internet. I may do that some day, but for now, just don't have the interest of going down that path. I would rather spend my time weaving a story, putting it out there and listening to the reaction of readers than dealing with Lulu or Amazon.<br />
<br />
However, I am practical. I have tried to find ways to make some revenue from this site. After all, the story's in the middle of the page and there's all that extra space around it which lends itself to practical purpose. I tried traditional Internet advertising but that didn't go so well, so I had to drop it.<br />
<br />
I also tried advertising some useful e-reference books (over there on the left), Amazon stuff, and big advertisements for subject matter related products. I guess I am not a Don Draper or Darren Stevens as they have not resulted in big sales for my vendors. I am relieved to say that Thomas Edison and Louie Pasteur also had some failures as well before they were successful, so it's nice to have company.<br />
<br />
Finally, I did put a Paypal donation link up there on the left and I have been sent some very nice donations by readers (thank you!).<br />
<br />
I am realistic. With the current economy, some people simply don't have money laying around for unnecessary purchases. Further, many readers have limited entertainment dollars and use the library and the Internet for no-cost diversions. I know I do. So is there anything these readers can do to show their support? You betcha!<br />
<br />
First up, I have links to some of my other websites. Some are blogs, others are informational sites. None of them cost anything to visit and review and no black helicopters will chase you for visiting them.<br />
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The following sites offer rewards for the number of visitors so please, visit them and visit often. If you have an account with the hosting service (also free and fun to use) you can "Like" my sites and increase their visibility.<br />
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<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/prepare-for-the-worst" target="_blank">Tips to Survive the End of the World</a><br />
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These other sites are blogs I maintain; traffic interest is always useful. So please feel free to visit them as well.<br />
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<a href="http://survivalism.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Prepare!</a><br />
<a href="http://junksilver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Junk Silver Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://needmoneyblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Need Money?</a><br />
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Also, if you like the stories, email or tell your friends and ask them to visit here as well. Maybe you belong to forum which has a section on post-apocalyptic fiction. If you want to drop a link to my site, you'll get no complaint from me.<br />
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Finally, I appreciate everyone's support and kind words of encouragement. It has been fun writing these tales and I have many more to come.<br />
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Thank you, <br />
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-86427169783821586002012-08-14T13:34:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:16:18.239-07:00The Burnout Chapter Thirty Seven<br />
The door burst open and Antonio ran in still carrying the pistol and shoulder holster.<br />
<br />
"Get your stuff, we gotta get outta here!" he said.<br />
<br />
"Slow down, what's going on?" answered Patty.<br />
<br />
"We just got our packs off and my feet are killing me." whined Candace.<br />
<br />
"A bunch of guys are coming this way and they don't look like they wanna play golf. C'mon get your butts up we gotta go or I'm gonna leave you!" Antonio replied.<br />
<br />
Patty went to the front window, barely parted the dusty blinds and looked out onto the range. Sure enough, there were two groups of young men coming towards the building, a group of seven and another group of three. Both were about one or two hundred yards from the building, but appeared to be talking casually while they walked. <br />
<br />
"They don't look like they are in too much of a hurry. Are you sure they saw you?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"You can't take chances. Daytime, more of them then us, they got guns, this place is the only thing out here. Add it up and it spells trouble. If they find us, we got no way outta here. Get it now?" Antonio said to Patty.<br />
<br />
"Okay, I get it. C'mon everyone, saddle up. Let's get out the door and get moving. Maybe they'll let us go." said Patty.<br />
<br />
Patty put on her backpack, but knew she couldn't carry Brad and he couldn't either. While she debated on this conundrum, Antonio reached over and snatched the bag from her.<br />
<br />
"Give me that. Hell, if you gets caught, I can have what's in it." he said as he put it on his back.<br />
<br />
Patty, put Brad's sports bag on one shoulder and hefted the M4, checking the safety quickly.<br />
<br />
"Candace, you are going to have to carry that carbine and the .243. Put the big gun all the way over your head and shoulders and carry the M4 around front. Catelyn, you keep that Ruger handy. Antonio, did you put the shells back in your gun or do you need me to reload it?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Lady, I learned to load this gun real fast when I saw them coming. Let's get outta here!" he replied.<br />
<br />
They opened up the door and realized once they did, there was little they could do to avoid being seen, but they went out anyway. Seconds later, one of the men approaching yelled something, pointed their way and the group starting moving faster toward their location. The five went out the door, turned right and moved quickly to the rear of the building and the field beyond.<br />
<br />
Once they got to the open area, Patty yelled at Antonio,<br />
<br />
"Take them over there and find some cover! "I'm going to try and slow these guys down!".<br />
<br />
Antonio did not need to be told twice, he ran after Brad, Catelyn and Candace, and pushed them toward the edge of the property which was bordered by low bushes and a street beyond.<br />
<br />
Patty turned back to the building, went to the corner and took a quick look around. All ten men had come together in one group and were less than thirty yards away from the front of the building. One saw her and yelled to his compatriots,<br />
<br />
"Get that b**tch!" and raised a baseball bat over his head.<br />
<br />
Patty looked down at the M4 and switched the fire control to Select. She then poked it around the corner with the weapon at shoulder height and yelled back.<br />
<br />
"Hey!"<br />
<br />
Patty fired controlled three round bursts at the oncoming mob. It had the effect she wanted. Nearly all of them dropped to the ground voluntarily except for Baseball Bat who took a burst to his chest.<br />
<br />
"SH*T!" yelled one of them.<br />
<br />
Patty fired one more burst and then started running. While she ran, she removed the magazine, but could not get another clear of Brad's bag, so she moved the carbine to her left hand and pulled the Glock from it's holster.<br />
<br />
She was about ten yards from the bushes when the first shot went over her shoulder. Seconds later, the Ruger sounded from in front of her as Catelyn sent a few rounds over her pursuers heads. Patty prayed the teen wouldn't hit her in the process with friendly fire.<br />
<br />
Patty reached the bushes and found the other four spread out and laying on the ground. Only Brad did not have a weapon pointed at the oncoming attackers. Candace fired but stopped after only five or so rounds.<br />
<br />
"They're running away." she said.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, you better run suckas!" yelled Antonio as he fired the .357 with a thundering roar.<br />
<br />
"Save your ammo, they're too far away." said Patty as the last man ran behind the range office.<br />
<br />
Patty squatted down and watched the building for a few minutes and did not see anyone coming back into view from either side.<br />
<br />
"Let's not wait for them to get their courage back. Let's get moving. Which way Antonio?" she said.<br />
<br />
"C'mon. We gotta get across this street and we can cut through the other side of the campus. There's a creek we can take so nobody can see us." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Is it like this all the time?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, if you wander around this town with two teenage girls, big ole bags of stuff and some flash guns. Say, when you gonna let me shoot that other machine gun? I wanted to get all scarface on those dudes. Say hello to my little friend!" Antonio added.<br />
<br />
"It's not a machine gun and that's the best way to get killed or use up all your ammo." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"But you did it back there and it is a machine gun. I watch movies." replied Antonio.<br />
<br />
"With the odds against us, I took a chance that the Select fire on the carbine would make them think twice about messing with us. And no, its not a machine gun, but I agree, you do watch movies. Probably too many." Patty said dryly.<br />
<br />
"Whatever. Anyway, I been thinking about where you want to go. The fastest way is to get across campus and then cut over and down Coit to Beltline or Arapaho over to Addison. Where does that boy live anyway?" Antonio asked.<br />
<br />
"You know, I don't know. I never thought to ask the exact address as I figured we would get close and he would lead us down the right street. Brad? What's your address and can you show us on the map?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, it's off of Spring Creek close to this private school on the west side of the Tollway." he said.<br />
<br />
"Cool, as long as we aren't near the airport. That place is creepy." added Antonio.<br />
<br />
They walked on for a few more minutes, (with several looks behind them to make sure they weren't followed) before they came to a concreted sided creek which wound it's way through the campus. Antonio pointed at the map at where they would go before leaving the creek and cutting near a big street named Campbell which intersected Coit Road.<br />
<br />
"Off a Coit there's a bunch of neighborhoods, you know, houses and people. Until you get down to Spring Creek and then it gets bad. Best thing to do is cut over to Belt Line but then follow the Tollway to.. forget about it. Just follow me, we'll get there. Hey, when we get outta the creek, I wanna eat something solid. Gimme one of those army meals." said Antonio.<br />
<br />
"We are going to need more than that. We didn't sleep last night and I think everyone needs a break. Like for a few hours at least. Any ideas?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Oh yeah," said Antonio. "I know a place we can crib at."<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
They followed Antonio from the creek, through another field, behind some apartments, past a burned down fast food place and then made a quick dash across a wide street full of dead vehicles. They saw no one during the whole trip but they heard things, like the sound of a running motor and smelled others, the odor of food cooking on a wood fired grill which indicated people, good or bad, nearby.<br />
<br />
They came to a long strip shopping center which had several high end restaurants and stores. Antonio took them to the rear of the center and through a metal fire door he had long ago jimmied, into a high end furniture store. In the back, several couches, arm chairs and pieces of furniture were covered in plastic and labeled with inventory numbers.<br />
<br />
Leading them through a maze, Antonio took them to a darkened corner where a couch and end table were uncovered and clearly showed signs of use.<br />
<br />
"Man, I haven't been back here in a week or so. Nobody else moved in yet so we cool. Find a chair and let's eat." he said.<br />
<br />
Patty handed an MRE to Antonio and then went through the remaining food making a meal out of freeze dried camp food (with water heated over to emergency candles in a soda can) and a couple of left over pop top cans from the CVS across the street from her hotel in Shreveport. That morning seemed like a million years ago.<br />
<br />
Afterward, everyone staked out a place and make themselves comfortable for a nap. The journey being what it was, everyone dropped off quickly with very little conversation.<br />
<br />
Patty was not sure how much time had past, but she awoke to the sound of whispering and giggling nearby. Opening her eyes, she noticed that the chair where Candace had been was empty, her pack and the carbine left nearby. Stiffly she rose up and went around a stack of furniture and found Candace and Antonio sharing a large stuffed armchair, having an animated conversation.<br />
<br />
Rather than butt in, she retreated quietly and went back to the couch she had been resting on. She was thankful the kids were near their homes. There were some problems Patty had no intention of dealing with.<br />
<br />
Patty sat down and checked her carbine and the Glock. She had already replaced the thirty round magazine she used most of at the golf range, now she took inventory of actually how much ammo they had for the rifles.<br />
<br />
There were originally eighteen full magazines they had obtained from the contractors and she estimated she had fired the equivalent of three of them during the past twenty four hours. There were about one hundred loose rounds of .223 in the contractor's backpacks, but after that, without resupply, they would run out of ammunition if similar shootouts occured. <br />
<br />
She had plenty of ammo for the Glock and the Ruger of course, as well as for the twenty gauge if push came to shave. But thinking about the ammunition made her think about Lamar and she wondered if he had made it back to the city as well. If he did, he would be far to the south of them near downtown where he and his wife lived. She realized she would never see him again especially now that she was in such a large city. In a way she understood why he had left and in passing, had no ill will toward him in light of things. She hoped he found his wife well and knowing what he learned over the past couple of weeks, would manage. <br />
<br />
That lead her to think about the others over the past few weeks. The people in the hotel. The busboy who had been so kind. The young couple from the Midwest. Dee and that rude old man. The pawnshop owner. The kind truck driver. The people in Winona. So many people and she had forgotten most of their names. Too many events in such a short amount of time. It would come to her later she was sure.<br />
<br />
Here, in a city of more than one million people, things had finally broken down past the point of repair. She had seen such a limited area, but magnified times ten, one hundred, or one thousand more streets, neighborhoods and communities and the damage was beyond comprehension. The world would never be the same again.<br />
<br />
What would the world Elena grow in be like? That reminded Patty that Elena was fifty of so heart breaking miles away. Maybe less, but never was the gulf so wide as it was now. Had her daughter given up? Had she forgotten what her mother looked like? Would she remember her when she finally saw her? What if she didn't want Patty any longer? What if she found out the terrible things her mother had done to get home?<br />
<br />
Patty's world was shrinking. She was falling and getting smaller. She did not realize she had fallen asleep.<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
The sound of thunder. Patty awoke and clutched her Glock. The sound again, but instead of gunfire it indeed was thunder as she soon heard the sound of rain drops on the ceiling. She looked up and saw Antonio sitting nearby going through his bag.<br />
<br />
"It's good when it rains. Bad folks stay inside, don't want to get wet, so its easier to get around. Puts out the fires too. Everything burning up these days." he volunteered without being prompted.<br />
<br />
He pulled a black plastic garbage bag from his bag and flapped it out straight. He then carefully tore the top seam and then twice more along the edges. Admiring his handiwork, he looked up at Patty,<br />
<br />
"I ain't got another for you and them, so you gonna have to figure out your own way to stay dry."<br />
<br />
"I'll be fine. Everyone else still asleep?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Uh-huh."<br />
<br />
"You and Candace seem to get along well."<br />
<br />
"I knew you saw that. Yeah, she's cool."<br />
<br />
"I hope you too didn't take any chances while the rest of us were sleeping."<br />
<br />
"Lady, you still be tripping. You think that all a brother's got on his mind, don't you?"<br />
<br />
"No, only what every teenage boy has on his mind. You may not believe this, but I was once in high school."<br />
<br />
"Naw, she's .. sad like right now. You know, don't know about her family. That's not cool to hit on that."<br />
<br />
"That's very mature of you, Antonio. So, do you know how to get to Brad's house or close enough to it."<br />
<br />
"Yeah, I can do that."<br />
<br />
"Good. Can I ask you something?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Uh-huh."<br />
<br />
"Be honest, how likely is it that we are going to find Brad's family or the girls?"<br />
<br />
"Not. They probably normal. Normal folks got it first. Standing around, waiting for the police or FEMA to show up. Normal folks ain't got no gun and those that got one are afraid to use it cuz they think they'll get a lawsuit. Normal people went up to DHS for help and got shot. Normal people sat in their home while gangs were burning them out of it. Normal people went to the grocery store for food and got bashed upside the head." he said while poking through his bag.<br />
<br />
"I thought so. I am going to need your help when it comes to that if it does." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Sure, but don't make no difference. They got no where to go." said Antonio.<br />
<br />
"I know." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
A few hours later found the five hunched over, dressed in whatever kept them dry, trudging through the wet grass or across water filled gutters as a moderate, but soaking rain fell down. The rain extinguished smoldering fires as Antonio said it would, but left a stench in the air of wet insulation, molding paste board and rotted furniture.<br />
<br />
They walked without rest or hesitation. Brad, still recovering with his left hand holding his wounded shoulder from time to time, took the lead, stopping only when Antonio directed him away from potential trouble areas.<br />
<br />
By dusk, they had come to the outskirts of the airport and the scene contrasted with the totality of their journey until then. An corrupt island of modernity surrounded by the horrors of a third world dystopia. There were search lights probing the sky, the sounds of engines revving, trucks moving and amplified voices carried through the humid air. And there were gun shots. Single, slow, and plodding pops puncuated by occasional full auto outbursts, the firearm equivalent of a tempuer tantrum.<br />
<br />
The airport occupiers had clearly established a field of fire around the facility which constituted a no-man's land. The streets were filled with burned, bullet pocked vehicles. Dead bodies lay scattered on the ground, with some long decomposed while others appeared to be only a few hours old. The group kept well away from the periphery of the airport and took cover each time an aircraft took to the sky or rolled in for a landing.<br />
<br />
With darkness coming, they were able to avoid obvious detection and continued their trek to the southwest where Brad purportedly lived. His excitement was apparent as he pulled away from the group and hurried toward his neighborhood and his street. They were shocked by what they found.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-51093129203403295742012-08-11T14:56:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:16:29.623-07:00The Burnout Chapter Thirty Six"You got a map or something we can look at?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I use this." said Antonio as he pulled out a handful of loose pages from a local Mapsco guide.<br />
<br />
"Here is where we are. I don't mark it on the map in case I loses the map or something. I mark places where there might be food or water like this. And over here are places I don't go cuz of FEMA or DHS is there." he added as he pointed out markings on the maps.<br />
<br />
Patty looked at Antonio after that last comment before speaking.<br />
<br />
"Okay, we need to figure out a few things. First, how to get to Brad's house and then the girls home and see if their families are still there or otherwise. Then, I have to determine the fastest way for me to get across town and over to Fort Worth and beyond. It's more than fifty miles." she said.<br />
<br />
"Fifty miles on foot? The way I have to move around that's gonna take you a month." said Antonio.<br />
<br />
"I wish we hadn't lost the bikes or could replace them. I would like to go back to the tollway and see if those guys left our bikes behind." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"No chance. Bikes are worth their weight in gold these days. 'Sides, if they didn't someone else did after they left. It's how things go around here." replie Antonio.<br />
<br />
Patty sighed and kicked herself internally for walking into the ambush.<br />
<br />
"Antonio, what was it you said about the local police are holding things downtown and the hospitals?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, here's how it works. The police were out on the street the first few days after the lights went down. They let some parts of town go up where there was too many bad guys, so they blocked those areas off and held on to the rest. There was a police station near where I stayed and there was a bunch of cops there. They had these old cars they took from a car museum so they could get around."<br />
<br />
"Then DHS and FEMA showed up about three days after the Blowup. They didn't do nothing for the city except take what they wanted. They took the airports over and started bringing in big planes and helicopters. Then they spread out and hit gas stations and took the gas and diesel. After that, they put guys with guns around different things. Water towers, power stations, I don't know, just funny places that didn't work no more. All I know is if you get near the DHS or FEMA, they gonna shoot you, no questions asked."<br />
<br />
"Then things got bad 'cuz there wasn't no more food in the stores so the police gave up and let folks start fighting over nothing. The police crowded around the hospitals and the police stations and downtown, I heard, and let the rest go. Folks started figuring nobody was gonna stop them so now little gangs got eat up by bigger gangs and they is all getting their piece of the city. And that's where we at now." finished Antonio.<br />
<br />
"How did you hear about all this? You couldn't have seen it all?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"With this." he replied and pulled a 60's era transistor radio out of his pocket.<br />
<br />
"Does that work? Where did you get it?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"What is it? Like a MP3 player?" asked Candace.<br />
<br />
Antonio ignored her, "I found it in a desk in another office building. It had batteries and it worked. City was broadcasting on a station downtown, giving the news and talking about what FEMA and DHS are doing, like nothing. Station went dead a few days ago and now I can't get nothing except static."<br />
<br />
"Where did you live before this, Antonio? Where did you go to school?" asked Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"I went to Pearce, you know that school?" he replied.<br />
<br />
"Sure, I knew a girl I played volleyball with who went there." said Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"Well, that's where I went. I was going to be a senior next year and probably the starting quarterback, than this happened. I stayed in an apartment with my daddy's second wife and her two kids." he said.<br />
<br />
"What happened to them?" asked Candace.<br />
<br />
"Hell, I don't care. She kicked me out 'cuz there wasn't enough to eat, but that was a bunch of **it. She was sending her two boys out to steal food from the neighbors or from the only store in the 'hood. That woman was a big old fat lady and she was always stuffing her face. When they said go, I got. They probably dead now." Antonio replied.<br />
<br />
"What about your dad? Where's he?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"He left about a year ago. Went to go find a job somewhere and told me to be a man now cuz he couldn't look out for me no more." he said.<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry, what about your mom?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"She died when I was six. I had a Granmama that used to send me a birthday card every year, but she died a long time ago. Just me now." said Antonio.<br />
<br />
"I am so sorry, that is so sad." said Candace about to cry.<br />
<br />
"Hell, yall be trippin. I ain't got nobody to answer to or haul around wit me. Look at you. Got Brad shot up and you all held up together. Alls I got to do is run, hide and stay outa sight." he laughed.<br />
<br />
"So when is it safe to move around and when can we go?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"We can go now, but you got to help him and we got to move careful. South of here it ain't so bad cept for home folks taking pot shots at black kids. With you in front, maybe they won't shoot." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Let's get Brad up and get ready. Antonio, I want to get to where Brad lives as soon as we can. If his family is still there, they can take better care of him than we can." said Patty.<br />
<br />
They woke Brad up and he came around groggy, but cognizant of his surroundings. He did not have a fever and the bleeding had stopped so Patty changed his bandages after painfully cleaning the wound once more. Brad claimed he could walk, after gratefully drinking down some luke warm tea with plenty of sugar along with two ibuoprofen. He was dismayed to know he could not carry or fire the M4 or any other rifle, but faced the facts of his condition.<br />
<br />
They turned out the lights in the conference room and once again following Antonio, made their way to the front of the office building. Antonio took them to the far side of the offices and showed them where the bathrooms were and the breakroom he had already looted. While the toilets did not work, they had not been used which allowed everyone to relieve themeselves and get somewhat cleaned up.<br />
<br />
Afterward, the went out a different door and Antonio carefully described how to get around the city.<br />
<br />
"First up, night time only bad folks is out. Most of them walk around with a flashlight or some other kind of light and make a lot of noice so they's easy to avoid. Just get in the shadows or behind something and they'll pass you by." he advised.<br />
<br />
"What do they do at night?" asked Candace.<br />
<br />
"Hit houses where people live. They look for lights, or the smell of food cooking or the noise, you know like people arguing or kids playing. They used to hit places with generators, but there ain't no more gas for those so they have to look harder now." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Next, stay out of the street. Anyone can see you if you walking down the middle of the street. Also, don't go where the power and lights are on. Lights means police or FEMA. Both will shoot you dead after dark."<br />
<br />
"Finally, if you need something, like food, water or other stuff, go look where nobody else is. Looky here. The first week I got kicked out, I went over to the grocery store, Target and Walmart looking for food and so was everyone else. I looked under the shelves, out back and there wasn't nothing but other people wanting to kill you if you found something."<br />
<br />
"So I went over to this shopping center that didn't have no food stores or restaurants. I went into an office store and found a whole stack of bottled water, sodas and snack food. Nobody else looked there yet so it was all mine. After that, it was kinda easy. I went to where nobody else did and I still find food." he said.<br />
<br />
They went slowly along the street in front of the office building they exited westbound. Once, they heard a crashing sound from a building across the street. Antonio pushed them all toward a row of bushes and from there, they watched in the moonlight as four or five figures stumbled out of an alley laughing and tripping over each other.<br />
<br />
"Did you see the look on his face..."<br />
<br />
"stupid ole man.."<br />
<br />
"That chick was fine.."<br />
<br />
"I ripped my new shirt.."<br />
<br />
"Man, that place smelled.."<br />
<br />
And their voices faded as they wandered east down the same street the group was on.<br />
<br />
"See what I told you? Fools just making noise up and down the street. They be dead in a few days.. who cares?" whispered Antonio.<br />
<br />
They planned on following this street until it ran into the university. From there, Antonio said it was safe to cut across the sport fields to a place he knew that was safe to hide during the day. They would continue doing this until they made it a few miles to the outskirts of Addison, an upscale community tucked into North Dallas. Among the office buildings and popular restaurants, sat an improbable airport with an 8000' runway and where the DHS had set up its headquarters in the area.<br />
<br />
An hour later they reached the campus and fortunately, did not run into anyone. They took fifteen minutes to rest and check Brad's dressings, but did not dare use a light. Brad nodded at Patty's questioning and said he would be fine and to keep going, but she knew he was tiring.<br />
<br />
It took another two hours, including a hair raising fifteen minutes as they hid under a pedestrian bridge from a group of dangerous looking young men who had been trashing the university dormitories in a search for supplies and victims, but they managed to make it to an abandoned golf driving range. There, in the offices, they were able to take refuge as the sky began to lighten.<br />
<br />
The office was small and featured a long counter on one end of the room where golfers could purchase passes or coupons to use the range. There was a couple of coolers long emptied and a snack bar in the office, also cleaned out. Antonio went into the bathroom marked Ladies, and after a few moments, came out with a partial case of bottled water and a box of assorted candy bars and chips.<br />
<br />
"Stowed it in the ceiling last time I was hear. Chocolate might be melted, but it works all the same. I got stashes like this all over for when the pickings get lean, no whata mean?" he said.<br />
<br />
They all drank the water gratefully and each had something from the snack box. Patty checked Brad's bandage and needed to clean and change it again. She also gave him two more antibiotics from their supplies. Then she peeked through the blinds and looked onto the course and the sun's rays crested the horizon.<br />
<br />
The grass had overgrown most of the range and the ground was still littered with abandoned golf balls and trash. In a few years, if things stabilized, this area might make a good grazing pasture for livestock. Patty imagined cows grazing between the rusted yard markers occasionally finding a prehistoric Titlist among the grass. The world would adapt and move on.<br />
<br />
When she turned around, Antonio was practicing a quick draw with the .357 magnum from his waist band. Patty stepped forward with a smile and said, "Here, let me show you how to do that." Once she had the revolver, she dumped the rounds and held it, butt up in Antonio's face.<br />
<br />
"You want to kill yourself, feel free, but I don't want a bullet in my head or in these kids. This is a gun, not a toy. Don't ever fool around with it again, got it?" she said.<br />
<br />
"You crazy, lady. Get outta my face. Maybe you can find you way home with out me. Outta my way." Antonio said crossing the room to his stuff.<br />
<br />
"Chill out, we had a deal." she responded.<br />
<br />
"You don't yell at me. No b**ch yells at me. I don't care who you are." he snapped.<br />
<br />
"No b**ch yelled at you, I did." said Patty. "Chill out."<br />
<br />
"Shut up. I don't need this cr*p" he said.<br />
<br />
"Nope you don't. But is this what you want to do with your life? Wander around hiding in ladies rooms, living off M and Ms and old cokes?" she asked.<br />
<br />
"Get offa my.." he said.<br />
<br />
"No, I won't. Not until you hear me out. You could do something with your life. You could go along with us for awhile. See what's out there, we did. We've traveled more than two hundred miles, seen a lot of things, done a lot. It's a big world out there, Antonio. Now, you want to go scuttling around like a crab in a big circle around your old apartment, that's your call. But don't you want to live?" said Patty. Then she handed the revolver over to Antonio which he hesitantly took from her hand.<br />
<br />
"Hang on." Patty said. She went to her pack and fished out the shoulder holster the contractor had worn the pistol in previously.<br />
<br />
"Might as well take this, too. Make you look like James Bond." she said with a smile.<br />
<br />
"Um, yeah, okay. I gotta go to the bathroom." said Antonio and he opened the office door and went outside carrying the pistol and the gunbelt.<br />
<br />
Brad stood up gingerly and went and stood next to Patty.<br />
<br />
"Did you really mean that?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"I'll say or do whatever it takes to get you kids home and me back to Elena."<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-27411327982848311462012-08-09T09:29:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:16:53.786-07:00The Burnout Chapter Thirty FiveThe first round struck Brad in his right shoulder. He spilled off the bike backwards and landed on his backside on the hard road. The second round bounced off the road in front of Patty and ricocheted upward, missing her face by inches. It was so close, she could see the dull gray round pass by like a lead colored hornet.<br />
<br />
Patty dumped off the bike and dropped behind a dead Nissan sedan, pulling her carbine around in front of her.<br />
<br />
"Everyone, get down!" she yelled and immediately fired five rounds over the top of the hood without aiming.<br />
<br />
The rifle was unfamiliar to her and for a moment she wished she had the Ruger, but mentally slapped herself for the lapse of judgement. She had no time to turn and check on the others but instead, had to determine where the shots came from. She didn't have to wait long.<br />
<br />
There was a shout from nearby and three or four different firearms fired simultaneously in her direction. Things happened so fast, it was hard to determine where the shots were fired from and what type of arms were used. The rounds slapped the Nissan and the ground around her, hammering the cheap exterior, breaking the window glass and punching through the rear end of the car.<br />
<br />
Patty waited, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Sure enough, there was a momentary pause as their attackers stopped to reload or see the results of their handiwork. Patty instead rolled to her left and came to a rest behind the engine block of the Nissan, rose up and fired over the hood in a sweeping semi-circle in their direction.<br />
<br />
Once she dropped to the ground, she dumped the magazine and replaced it with a fresh one, shoving the spent mag in the left pocket of her cargo pants.She looked back to see Brad was against the center divider of the tollway and Catelyn was holding a t-shirt or rag against his bleeding shoulder. Candace had her head down and was squated against a mini van which was providing cover to all of them for the time being.<br />
<br />
"Candace! Get Brad's rifle! Now!" Patty hissed at her.<br />
<br />
A voice came from the road ahead.<br />
<br />
"Don't waste your time, mister! Stand up, toss out your guns, give us them two girls and your stuff and we'll let you go!" it said.<br />
<br />
Patty fired two rounds from the carbine and then squatted back down. She needed to convince these a**s that she wasn't the only one armed or shooting back. She pulled the.357 from her fanny pack and the Glock from her gunbelt. She lay down flat on the ground and looked carefully for any sign of movement from beneath the Nissan. Ten seconds later she saw something move in the grassy area off the road ten yards front of her.<br />
<br />
She fired both guns, alternatively at the figure. Somebody grunted and then more shooting came from the same general area. Patty set the handguns down and picked up the carbine. She rolled behind the trunk and fired two rounds and dropped back down again.<br />
<br />
Candace scooted up behind her with the M4 in one hand and dragging the .243 with the other. Patty turned and saw that Catelyn had put Brad's left hand on his wound and now had her Ruger ready.<br />
<br />
Patty pointed at the two girls, made a shooting gesture with her free hand and then held up her left hand to the two girls with three fingers. She slowly counted down and once the last finger was down, all three of them let loose with a volley has well aimed as possible without standing up.<br />
<br />
After a moment, the same voice came back.<br />
<br />
"Quit using up all them bullets. We got you surrounded. Just give up them girls and we'll call it quits!" it said.<br />
<br />
"Well, at least he is changing his demands." thought Patty.<br />
<br />
But Patty knew they were stuck. The sun was setting and perhaps if it got dark, they could get over the center divider and make a run for it. It would mean leaving behind the bikes and most of their gear, but it appeared to be their only option. She was reaching for her pack from the bike when another medley of shots rang out effectively stopping her from reaching it. <br />
<br />
Patty picked up both handguns and fired over the car to nobody in particular. She then put both away and made ready to charge these goons and make her stand. She decided she would tell the girls to get Brad over the wall once she started shooting and she would continue to fire until all three guns were empty. Hopefully, that would give them enough time to get away.<br />
<br />
But them things changed again. Something flew overhead and landed with a crash of breaking glass in the direction of the attackers. At once, the smell of something burning hit her nostrils. Moments later, another flaming object flew by and the same threatening voice ahead screamed in pain. Patty wasted no time.<br />
<br />
"Get Brad up and over that divider! Hurry!" she yelled at Catelyn. Candace scooted back and tossed the .243 over the wall along with her backpack. Catelyn grabbed her backpack as a number of shots were fired but not in their direction but to something or someone to their rear.<br />
<br />
Patty had the ability now to grab her backpack without being shot at and tossed it over the divider. She then grabbed a handful of smaller bags and a water container out of her bike trailer and tossed them over as well. Looking back once more at the bikes and for anything worth taking, she pulled herself over and squatted down next to the girls.<br />
<br />
"Psst!" came a voice to their right.<br />
<br />
Patty turned and saw a black face in the twilight hiding behind a dead pickup truck.<br />
<br />
"C'mon! Get over here, they won't wait long!" he hissed.<br />
<br />
Patty pushed Catelyn and Candace forward and tried to get Brad to his feet.<br />
<br />
"Girls! You're going to have to drag Brad. Put on your packs and take his arms."<br />
<br />
They did as they were told and half dragged Brad towards their mysterious savior. Patty scrambled around in the rapidly fading light grabbing all the loose things she had salvaged from the bikes. The shooting continued sporadically as the fires died down. Patty then crawled over to the pickup and came face to face with a young African American man. He was holding an unlit Molotov cocktail fashioned from a beer bottle in one hand and a Bic lighter in the other.<br />
<br />
"Hang on, I gotta gets some room here." he said.<br />
<br />
He then lit the old rag wick in the bottle, stood and lobbed it with a strong right arm over in the general direction of the attackers. At once the shooting stopped again and they clearly heard someone say "Oh cr*p!" as the improvised explosive struck.<br />
<br />
"Okay, listen up. We got to get to the wall by the side of the road and climb over. After that we're gonna haul butt down the hill to that building over there. If the road trash gets over here, they gonna be able to shoot us in the back so you gotta move, you hear?" the stranger said.<br />
<br />
They stood to move when he turned back to them.<br />
<br />
"Why you bringing him along?" he said pointing at Brad. "He's gonna slow you down and he's dead anyway!"<br />
<br />
"No he's not and he comes with us." said Patty getting in the young man's face.<br />
<br />
"Suit yourself, but you're carrying him, not me, lady." he said and then he hurried to the retaining wall bordering the south side of the tollway.<br />
<br />
The five made it to the other side and hastilly put Brad over the low wall. Patty was loaded down with both M4 carbines,, her backpack, Brad's pack, a water container and two smaller bags. She wanted badly to go back to the bikes and try to recover anything else they might have left behind, but it was impossible at this point.<br />
<br />
They hurried down the hill, Brad's face growing paler by the moment and his feet barely able to hold him up. Catelyn had her arm under his left side while Candace held up his right. Patty was pleased to see that they still held both the .243 and the Ruger and had not left them behind.<br />
<br />
At the bottom of the hill, they crossed the service road and made it to a strip shopping center lined with small shops and restaurants which had all their windows and glass doors shattered and hanging open. Moving carefully over the broken glass, they entered a frame shop, went through the front of the store, behind the counter and out the back door all while being led by the young man.<br />
<br />
Behind the store was a grassy field bordered by a two lane street running north to south. They made it to the street and loped, (dragging Brad along) hurriedly one block until the reached a larger street. Crossing, they entered a large abandoned two story office building, went through a door behind the receptionist desk and started down a pitch black hallway.<br />
<br />
"Don't worry, I know my way around this place. Take my hand and hold each other's hands until we get to the end." the young man said in the darkness ahead.<br />
<br />
They all joined hands and walked down a carpeted hallway, the air thick and stifling until they felt themselves pulled to the right. A door was heard opening in front of them and they were pulled inside and heard the door close behind them.<br />
<br />
There was a shuffling sound and the young man's face was illuminated as he turned up the light on a small LED lantern. In the dim light, he grabbed a piece of cloth from a nearby chair and stuffed in around the base of the door.<br />
<br />
They found themselves in a large, dusty conference room complete with a long table, numerous chairs and a dead big screen televison against one wall. There was a bedroll laid out in a corner along with a small number of personal items piled nearby.<br />
<br />
The young man lit another light and the room was illuminated enough for all to see. Patty sat Brad in a nearby chair and pulled open his shirt, inspecting his shoulder, front and back.<br />
<br />
"Catelyn, get that first aid kit out of my bag. You know the one we picked up off those guys. Set it here on the table. Okay, it looks like the bullet went through so that's a good side. Here, hold this flashlight up. Okay, he's lost blood, but the wound is not spurting blood so I don't think the bullet hit anything." she said.<br />
<br />
Patty went through the extensive first aid pack and grabbed some wipes and then put hand sanitizer on her already filthy hands. Using the wipes and some peroxide, she cleaned the wound as best as possible. She then put a QuikClot bandage on each side of the wound and then wrapped it some gauze as best as she could.<br />
<br />
Patty dug through the bag and found a container of anti-biotics, took two out and forced them into Brad's mouth, liberally pouring water down his throat. She then helped him to the floor and using his pack as a pillow laid him down. <br />
<br />
"Where did you learn to do that?" asked Candace.<br />
<br />
"TV. I used to watch a bunch of medical shows. I don't know if it's right, but I don't know what else to do." she replied.<br />
<br />
Patty took a long drink from the water bottle she had and removed and replaced the magazines in her Glock and the M4.<br />
<br />
"Candace, Catelyn. Check your weapons and top off if need be. Candace, hold this for me." and she handed the teen Brad's M4.<br />
<br />
Patty then turned to the young man who was sitting in a high back chair with one leg thrown over the side watching the scene with disengaged interest.<br />
<br />
"Now who do we have to thank for our rescue?" Patty asked him.<br />
<br />
"Antonio. And you're welcome." he replied.<br />
<br />
"Thank you, Antonio. Who were those guys?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Redneck road trash. They come down from the sticks looking for stuff. Everyone still thinks the city is a big grocery store full of stuff for the taking. Bunch a' idiots. What are you people doing wandering around the city during the day? Man, you wanna get nailed or what?" Antonio asked.<br />
<br />
"We are trying to get home." said Candace. "My sister and I live off 635 near the Galleria."<br />
<br />
Antonio threw back his head and laughed out loud.<br />
<br />
"Oh my god, that's funny. What were you out doing? Shopping? You think you gonna just ride your little bike to the Galleria to mommy and daddy? Hell, ain't nobody going over there. Is you all from there?" he added.<br />
<br />
"Brad lives in Addison and Patty lives in Fort Worth. Why can't we go over there?" asked Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"Hell, girl, the Razas got the Galleria and everything around it to LBJ and over. You want to go through them, be my guest. But you ain't gonna see your folks until they done with you." he said.<br />
<br />
"Great." said Patty. "What's happened here? How do you know all this?"<br />
<br />
"You must be new around here, girl. Dallas is getting carved up by those with the means, know what I mean?" said Antonio as he reached into a gym bag on the table and took out a Lance cheese and cracker snack wrapped in celophane.<br />
<br />
"City is still holding downtown and the hospitals. DHS has both airports including the one in Addison and a whole bunch of other stuff. The gangs got the rest if they can hold it. Everyone else is just trying to keep their heads down and stay alive. Like me." he said through a mouthful of crackers.<br />
<br />
"Why aren't DHS and the city working together? Isn't that what they are supposed to be doing? I don't get it." exclaimed Patty.<br />
<br />
"Girl, DHS is doing it's own thing. They got all the guns, helicopters, planes, them Hum-Vees, everything. They is taking what they want and shooting at anyone who comes near them. I stay away from them mo'fos." Antonio replied.<br />
<br />
"Okay, well, we need to get out of here. Girls, I don't know what to tell you, but I don't think it's safe right now to get you to your parents or Brad home either. We can go to my parents and you can stay there till things calm down, alright?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
That started Candace crying and Catelyn's eyes to water up as she held her sister.<br />
<br />
"Ah, sheet, that's all we need. Look lady, you got to move on before someone hears all this blubbering, you hear?" said Antonio to Patty.<br />
<br />
"Hold on, tell me something. Why did you help us anyway?" asked Patty ignoring the two crying girls.<br />
<br />
"I was checking those stores near the tollway and saw you coming down the road before those guys jumped you. I figured if I helped you, you might give me something. Think of me like a businessman helping providing you a service and you providing me one in return." he said with a smile.<br />
<br />
"Get your mind out of the gutter, kid. Ain't no way..." said Patty abruptly.<br />
<br />
"Hang on, sister! I don't roll that way. Whatchoo think I am? Like those guys out on the road? Sheet, you're hurting my feelings. I was hoping you had something better to eat then this junk." Antonio said holdling up the last cracker from the pack. "And I'll take one of those machine guns you got too, seeing as I don't have no gun and you got plenty and not enough folks left to shoot them."<br />
<br />
"No guns, I don't know you or trust you. Yet." Patty added diplomatically. "But here," and Patty tossed Antonio one of the MREs from her backpack.<br />
<br />
"Beef stroganoff. Don't know what it is, but it's better than fruit rollups and prezels." replied Antonio ripping open the package.<br />
<br />
-------<br />
<br />
Patty left the girls and dragged all of their gear over to the other side of the room and took inventory. They had lost the tent, both tarps, her sleeping bag, her tennis shoes, the camp stove, the dutch oven, Brad's machete, the camp hatchet, the last of the dried fruit, the cheese from Snuffy and of course all four bikes and the trailer. It seemed like there were other things missing as well, but she couldn't keep it straight in her head.<br />
<br />
They still had their packs, most of the food including the freeze dried stuff purchased long ago in the Shreveport sporting good store as well as the MREs from the DHS contractors. And their guns. They managed to get all of them out of there but unfortunately, she could only find one of the spare ten round magazines for the Ruger 10/22. The other must have fallen along the way.<br />
<br />
Brad had kept his share of the spare magazines for the M4 in a shoulder bag he wore which Catelyn fortunately took with her as they fled the tollway. Patty filled the two magazines she used at the gun battle from the small supply of spare rounds they found in the contractor's bags as well as topping off the .357 revolver.<br />
<br />
Antonio went about his business, but soon had all of his meager possessions packed up.<br />
<br />
"Well, ladies, and shot up guy, it's been fun, but I have to be on my way. Can't stay in one place too long or I might end up like him." he said pointing at Brad who was asleep on the floor.<br />
<br />
"Hold on, Antonio. I have a proposition for you." said Patty. "You like to be a businessman huh? Well, here's the deal. I have to get these girls and Brad somewhere safe and I could figure this wasn't the place. You know the lay of the land and we could use you as a guide."<br />
<br />
"You help me navigate our way out of here and we'll share what we have for food with you the whole time you're with us. And when our agreement is done, you can have one of the carbines. In the meantime, I'll give you a down payment. Besides three more MREs, you can have this rifle for now and until we are done." Patty held out the .243 to Antonio.<br />
<br />
"I don't want that big ol' Daniel Boone rifle. Give that magnum you got in your bag instead." Antonio replied.<br />
<br />
"So I'll take that as a yes. Fair enough, here's the .357. Now remember, you pull any funny stuff or try to leave us and I'll break my end of the contract, deal?" said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Your end? What you talking about?"asked Antonio.<br />
<br />
"That I won't shoot you in the back." she replied.<br />
<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049014336650334285.post-58701132033044972372012-08-08T20:41:00.001-07:002012-09-05T07:18:00.736-07:00The Burnout Chapter Thirty FourThey woke at dawn with no uncertain amount of apprehension about what was coming their way. All were eager to get home, but at the same time, well aware of what lay before them. The easy part was getting up, the hard part was getting started.<br />
<br />
The ride up 205 for the first few miles was uneventful. The repetitive handful of small homes, dirt driveways, metal outbuildings, non-functioning vehicles and staring, silent observers to their passing. There was no more friendliness in the eyes of these locals. They had seen too many travelers, pausing for water, advice, shelter or food these residents could neither spare nor share. The level of distrust had not reached the point where "shoot first, ask questions second" had become the law of the land, but that did not forbid each from openly bearing arms and directing them at Patty and the teens direction as they passed.<br />
<br />
Then, like the weather, things changed. Around a short bend, the small country homes with kitchen gardens, pole fences and sheds gave way to long shale driveways leading to garish mini-mansions complete with geographically diverse landscaping, swimming pools, oversize SUV's and topiary. All of which neither functioned nor provided protection from the elements or passerby.<br />
<br />
The Ford Excursions, F450 pickups and Suburbans were as dead as the iPhones and in-car DVD players they housed. The houses with pristine lawns were overgrown, patched with brown and worthless for food production due to the excessive fertilizers, weed killers and hardy foreign grasses. Some yards were nothing more than postage stamp sized enclosures surrounded by concrete swaths, patios and unending swimming pools now green swamps bereft of functioning filters, chemicals or pumps.<br />
<br />
Clearly, the residents of these fine homes did not send their children to 4H Club but rather advertised their new loyalties documented with signs that stated 'Brock played football' while 'Chelsea did cheer'. The gentrification of rural Texas extended the exoburbs out further not only by residence but by pass time as well.<br />
<br />
"Where is everyone?" asked Candace.<br />
<br />
"Oh, they're there. Just watching us from inside their homes." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"What are they doing?" asked Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"By now, who knows. But look at that." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
Up ahead, a home which once priced in the mid four hundred thousands, excessive by rural Texas prices, now featured a partially burned roof, broken windows and open doors. Toys, clothing and household goods were strewn across the yard. A useless Cadillac Escalade stood abandoned with it's hood and gas tank door left open. They turned their eyes and rode on.<br />
<br />
The change was gradual, but complete within a few more miles. The homes grew closer together as the hinterlands gave way to the actual suburbs of Rockwall, Texas. But Patty was having none of it. As they approached farm to market 549, they took a sharp turn to the east before heading north in a circular route around the spreading signs of population.<br />
<br />
Her plan was simple and hopefully, would help them avoid trouble. After FM549, they would cut over on FM542 to rejoin 205 which eventually intersected with state highway 78. 78 ran through a strip of land between the two sides of Lake Ray Hubbard and from there into Wylie. Years ago and just out of college, Patty briefly lived in Plano, a large bedroom community which bordered North Dallas to the south and Wylie to the east. Patty hoped she knew enough about the area to navigate around troubled areas.<br />
<br />
As they traveled north, they passed a more modest housing community on the west side of the road. Many of the home's windows were boarded or the houses were obviously abandoned, it's owners gone somewhere unknown. But in front of a simple ranch house just off the highway, a small boy, no more than three stood in front crying. The door to the house was open and there were no other people around.<br />
<br />
<br />
Just when Patty was ready to stop, a woman with hair a strewn wearing an old house coat ran outside and scooped the boy into her arms and huddled down on the yard turning her head away from Patty and the kids.<br />
<br />
"Please go. Don't .. we ain't got nothing.. just leave us be.. he's a baby.. let us be, please.." the woman whined.<br />
<br />
"Ride on, don't look back." said Patty. This time, the group followed her orders without question. Patty dared look back and saw the woman run behind the house deeper into the subdivision. "This is the new normal" thought Patty.<br />
<br />
Before they crossed to the next farm to market road, they saw their first body lying in the grass nearby. The carcass was bloated from the heat and the sex was indeterminate, but had clearly been left carelessly behind. The only sound was that of the relentless cicadas.<br />
<br />
"I thought there would be more people, didn't you, Patty?" asked Brad. <br />
<br />
"I thought there would be too. I wonder where everyone went?" she replied.<br />
<br />
"Maybe they went closer to Dallas. Maybe there is a center or something that people can go to for food and stuff." said Candace.<br />
<br />
"Maybe so, but how would they know?" asked Catelyn. "It's not like TV or the radio work. And that lady back there. She was scared of strangers and it looked like she and that little boy were all alone."<br />
<br />
"I don't know, let's just focus on the road ahead and please, keep an eye out. This place is creepy."<br />
<br />
They all agreed.<br />
<br />
Just southeast of the Mesquite Municipal Airport, they had to cross Interstate 30, the first major road they had seen since Interstate 20 far to the south. The scene there was no different. The road in both directions was littered with abandoned vehicles, many of which had been burned or heavily vandalized. A number of eighteen wheel dry trucks had their trailers open and the goods tossed aside likely by those looking for food or other relevant valuables.<br />
<br />
What struck Patty was that a path had been purposely cleared through the middle of the interstate in both directions, the blocking vehicles shunted aside without concern. As if a bulldozer had tossed cars and trucks like toys to the sides of the road. Something or somebody big and organized had done that. They crossed the bridge over the highway without incident and continued without seeing anyone on the interstate below. <br />
<br />
From the farm to market road, the cut across a road named Williams Street and rejoined 205 on the north side of Rockwall. To the west, a small subdivision jutted out into an undeveloped field and ended abruptly. To the east, the land was still populated by plowed fields and small houses. It was there, at a gate which had been reinforced with dead vehicles a young man holding a rifle by his side stepped onto the side of the road and waved at them.<br />
<br />
Patty's tires scraped on the rode as she stopped and she unslung the M4 carbine around to point at the young man.<br />
<br />
"Hey, I'm cool." he said holding his right hand up. "Just wanted to say hi and see how things were going."<br />
<br />
He was probably around eighteen years old and was wearing Wranglers, a t-shirt and a baseball cap. His gun was a scoped bolt action rifle. Behind the vehicles at the gate behind him, there were three other men and one woman, all armed and all looking apprehensively at Patty and the kids.<br />
<br />
"Be careful with that," Patty said, "The last person who pointed a gun at us ended up dead. We can't afford to take chances."<br />
<br />
"I getcha. Where are you guys going?" the young man asked.<br />
<br />
"Dallas. We are trying to get home." said Catelyn.<br />
<br />
"What's your name?" he asked Catelyn, "Mine's Tyler."<br />
<br />
Brad scooted his bike between Catelyn's and Tyler.<br />
<br />
"I'm Brad, this is Catelyn, Candace and she's Patty." he said pointing her way.<br />
<br />
"Cool. What's it like out there? We haven't been further than to see the rest of Rockwall and we don't go there anymore." Tyler said.<br />
<br />
"Bad. Look kid, nothing personal, but we've got to get moving, we have a long way to go." said Patty.<br />
<br />
"Do you guys need any water? We can't give you any food, but we have water from our wells and everyone needs water, don't they?." said Tyler with a smile. <br />
<br />
"That would be very nice, Tyler." said Patty. "I'm not trying to be rude, we've just had a real bear getting this far and it's not going to get any easier."<br />
<br />
"No problem. Hey Dad, can we give them some water?" yelled Tyler to a man behind one of the cars.<br />
<br />
"Sure, hang on." The man stepped back and brought out a large five gallon bucket from the shade of a nearby tree.<br />
<br />
"My name's David Ogle and you've met my son Tyler already. Where did you folks come from?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"Shreveport, well I did, these kids came from further east." answered Patty.<br />
<br />
"We've heard all kinds of stories from folks passing by. Did you hear anything about some sort of government aid or FEMA?" asked David.<br />
<br />
"Heard about it and saw it. If they haven't been here, count yourself lucky from what we can tell." replied Patty.<br />
<br />
She then told them about the trade off small towns to the east were doing to get a few supplies. She also told them about the convoy they saw, but she left out the part about the ambush the day before.<br />
<br />
"That don't seem right, but at this point, we'd be willing to listen to their offer." said David.<br />
<br />
"Where is everyone? It seems like all those homes back there were empty or everyone was hiding." asked Brad.<br />
<br />
"Little bit of both, I am afraid. Lot of folks moved in together or started walking towards the city looking for handouts and such. Lot of rumors going around about FEMA food trucks and aid camps so people just headed to Dallas or across the lake seeing if it were true. 'Course it probably wasn't but that's not gonna stop folks who ain't got a pot to pee in. Not many of them came back, neither."<br />
<br />
"At the same time, we also had some problems with groups of folks coming out of the city looking for food. They thought everything out here was one big farm. You know, fields of corn, eggs for the taking, apple trees full of fruit and all that nonsense folks in the city believe. Some of them people who came our way weren't real happy when they saw this." he said waving his arm around. "Figured we were hoarding stuff in our houses, so we've had to block off our area and let them know the hard way not to mess with us, if you know what I mean." he finished.<br />
<br />
"So how are you guys getting by?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Well, it's a little bit of everything. See, all these homes behind me sit on four or five acres. We got water wells and most everyone had some sort of garden or a few chickens. Sure, we do everything by hand, but we figure we got it better than they do just over the lake for instance. We've been throwing in together, expanding our gardens, doing guard duty, sharing with those who got less."<br />
<br />
"There's two stock ponds and that little lake over there has some fair sized fish. We've been putting a dent in the rabbit and squirrel population too, so we been eating. Can't say the same for the folks coming from Dallas and elsewhere. Even the people in those new housing communities over there don't have it like we do. No sense in moving on unless we have to." replied David.<br />
<br />
"What about the local government? Rockwall? The county?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Nope. The sheriff office and the local PD ran some patrols early on the first few days. They even used horses as there weren't many running cars, but that ended as soon as it started. We heard they kept having run ins with folks cutting through our town and they decided to hunker down with their own families, I guess." he answered.<br />
<br />
"So how are things north of here?" asked Patty. She then told the Ogles the direction and roads she meant to take. David then pointed out the places they had visited, but unfortunately, they had only gone a few miles from their home. They had one working vehicle, but driving it only brought attention from the 'have nots' so they kept it hidden. There was little else he could share with them other than rumors and rumors of rumors.<br />
<br />
After talking for a few more minutes, they decided to move on and thanked the Ogles for the water and fill up of their containers. Tyler told them they would be welcome to visit again, but much to Brad's displeasure, he directed the invitation to Catelyn.<br />
<br />
Before they rode off, David Ogle asked,<br />
<br />
"Hey, anything you'd be willing to trade one of them military rifles for? We got guns, but could use something fancy like that if it's doable."<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry, but we can't trade any more guns. They are too valuable these days." answered Patty.<br />
<br />
"Understand. Well, you folks take care." he said<br />
<br />
"You too, good luck."<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
The little group continued north until the hooked up with highway 78 and began the journey towards the lake and across it. Along the way, as they approached the lake, they saw several people, both in small watercraft and along the shore, fishing.<br />
<br />
"That many people, I doubt there's a fish alive or anywhere in the area." remarked Patty.<br />
<br />
Within a short amount of time, they crossed the thin strip of land dividing the southern and northern sections of the lake and crossed into Wylie or near enough to it. Patty led them to a farm to market road that took them through the wide spot in the road called St.Paul and then up to Parker Road.<br />
<br />
Parker ran east/west and would take them into northern Plano only a few miles from Dallas. Patty was going to make up the trip from there. She might take interstate 75 south or cut over to Ohio Road or the Tollway. Frankly, she had no idea. Her choice of direction would be determined by who or what threatened them along the way.<br />
<br />
Parker was a long stretch of road that alternated between rural, small homes to gated communities comprised of more upscale dwellings. There were people in both types of living arrangements and all were trying to make the best of the circumstances as they could and a few even waved at them as they rode by.<br />
<br />
The passed a large shopping center and saw that the stores were all closed, boarded up or looted. The gas station on the corner and some small restaurants were the same condition. The smell struck all of them the further west they went. Too many people and nowhere to put all the waste.<br />
<br />
As the afternoon grew late, they soon came to Interstate 75 and a hard decision as to what route to take the kids to their home. Candace was excited as they were probably only one or two hours from home by way the crow flies.<br />
<br />
As they paused in the parking lot of an abandoned Texaco station, they heard a loud chopping sound puncturing the air to the south. They looked up to see not one, but four dark helicopters come their direction and pass over heading north. All civilian marking numbers on their tails and had normal running lights on.<br />
<br />
"Wonder who that is and where they are going?" asked Patty.<br />
<br />
"Probably someone else who wants to shoot us, eat us or call us names." said Brad in a dry voice, "Does it really matter anymore? Let's get going."<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
The day was getting late and rather than find a place to stop, Patty decided it was pointless. It was best to use the remaining light to get everyone as close as they could to their homes. They took interstate 75 as the first choice and would ride it south to Loop 635 and then head west towards the girl's home first.<br />
<br />
The first few miles were not out of the ordinary. It was not until they came to several vehicles bunched together that they stopped and Patty carefully surveyed the situation from a distance. There were at least four eighteen wheelers, all dry vans, with their doors open and no fewer than thirty or forty people, mostly men, going through them and moving boxes to a couple of older model pickups with trailers attached.<br />
<br />
"I'm not riding through that, not with two teen age girls" thought Patty. So they turned their bikes around and took the closest off ramp, 18th street, which was in South Plano just north of the Dallas county line and the George Bush Tollway.<br />
<br />
"Do you want to take the Tollway instead?" asked Brad.<br />
<br />
Patty knew why he asked. He lived in Addision which would be closer that way. Patty relented and they cut over to Bush which turned out to be a better decision. The sides of the road were open and visibility was much better. There were also fewer vehicles diabled along the way.<br />
<br />
For a few minutes, Patty thought things were going to turn out better than she thought initially. Maybe they could get Brad to his house, stay the night, drop off the girls at first light (or have Brad do it) and she could be on her way to Elena and home. Maybe things would work out after all.<br />
<br />
She was wrong.<br />
<br />
<br />
Please support this website by visiting my other websites!<br />
<br />
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00305198483214282911noreply@blogger.com0