The E.M.P. Chronicles (Book 1): 458 Miles & 24 Days

by McTatey, Zayden (Oz)

“Well, Frank,” Nicki said in an I told you so voice. “Mr. Keltec said he would defend me and he would like to show you what two well-placed shots, center mass, look like. Are you ready? And Frank, remember this: ‘Words are used by many, wisdom by few, and the trigger by me.’”

  That last phrase infuriated Frank. “I see,” Frank said as he turned and headed for home but then turned to make one last point. “This is the way it’s going to be? Me against you, Nicki? Well then, count me in,” he said as he walked into the dark.

  Once Nicki could no longer see the shadowy figure headed down the drive, she lowered her arms and tears began to stream from her eyes. She was careful to not make a noise. She would not let Frank see nor hear her cry. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing he had scared her.

  Now thoroughly exhausted, she walked up the porch stairs and turned the door handle. The door was locked. She thought for sure Benny would be barking but she heard nothing.

  Still holding the Keltec tight in her hand, she examined the door. Frank had beat the crap out of it but it didn’t budge. The door was solid as could be. She turned to do a 360 degree assessment of her surroundings before unlocking the deadbolt.

  Once inside, she locked the deadbolt before yelling for Randall. Within seconds, she heard Benny barking and soon after he ran up the stairs where he greeted her with excitement.

  As Nicki walked down the stairs she could see Randall holding the shotgun and Cali sitting on the couch. They were expressionless but slowly made eye contact with their mom.

  “Randall, Cali, are you okay? Did that beast hurt you?” Nicki exclaimed.

  Visibly upset, Randall responded, “No, mom. He didn’t hurt me but had you not come along I know he would have tried. He may have even killed us.”

  Though Nicki felt weak inside and out, she had to be strong.

  “Randall, Cali, he won’t touch us. Your dad has prepared this house well. We have food, water, heat, shelter, guns, ammo, and communication. What we need to do is read the manual your dad prepared and wait for him and BJ to come home. The sooner we get started the better.”

  Randall felt better knowing his mom was home and with relief in his voice said, “I’ve already started, mom.”

  Nicki glanced at he shotgun Randall was carrying and knew he must have truly feared for his life to be clutching the weapon so tightly.

  “Do you even remember how to shoot a shotgun? I know your dad took you out one time but after that, you lost all interest,” Nicki asked her son.

  “Not really,” Randall replied.

  Nicki picked up the shotgun, made sure the safety was on, and opened the gun port. Randall was surprised to see a 00 buckshot shell eject. It was loaded. All he had to do was push the safety off, aim, and squeeze the trigger.

  “You and your sister need to be armed at all times regardless of where you go; inside or outside. Do you understand?” Nicki asked Randall and Cali firmly.

  They shook their heads indicating they understood and said, “Yes, ma’am.”

  Nicki removed the PMR-30 and holster and placed it on the couch. She walked to the closet in Cali’s room and came back with two Springfield® XDM 9mm handguns. She made Randall and Cali stand next to her as she instructed them on the basic handling of a firearm.

  “Cali, Randall, first, check to make sure the weapon, in this case, a handgun, is not loaded before inserting a magazine and racking the slide. You do this by making sure there is no magazine in the magazine well and then pulling back on the slide, only slightly, to see if a round is in the chamber. See how the chamber is empty?”

  After she saw the weapon was in a safe condition she continued.

  “Second, slap a magazine into the magazine well and rack the slide. Third, pull the slide back slightly to ensure a round was properly seated in the chamber. Fourth, eject the magazine and physically check for physical damage and to verify the round count. Fifth, if you’re satisfied, slap the magazine back in the magazine well and holster. Now, repeat what I just did,” she said as she handed both of them a Springfield XDM 9mm.

  She intently watched them and made a few corrections as they went through the exercise.

  “Good,” she said and continued. “Your gun does not have a mechanical safety. One more time. Your gun does not have a mechanical safety. The most important safety on all guns is your trigger finger. Always, I mean always, keep your trigger finger straight and off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. When you pull the gun from the holster, get your sight picture, release the tension on the trigger, hold your breath, and with a smooth motion, pull the trigger. Easier said than done. More later. Right now, we don’t have time for lessons. Put your holster on and in a safe direction place the gun in the holster.”

  Randall and Cali did as instructed. Nicki then took five additional magazines and loaded them with hollow point self-defense rounds and showed the kids how to do the same. They were now armed.

  24

  4:20 AM

  AFTER SLEEPING OVER TWELVE HOURS, BJ WOKE AND ONCE again sat up in his bed. This time it was dark and he was somewhat disorientated after sleeping so many hours.

  He grabbed his phone to check the time when he remembered it had died and he failed to plug it in to charge; or so, he thought.

  Trying to orientate himself, he looked around his room and noticed that his night light, which was always on, was off. He was also quick to see that the Star Wars® glow in the dark clock that he had since he was a young boy was not illuminated.

  “Wait a minute,” he thought to himself. “I did plug my phone in.” He followed the cord from his phone to the wall outlet and realized that it was, in fact, plugged into the outlet. “The power must still be out,” he muttered.

  He slipped on his sweat pants and sweatshirt and slowly got out of bed. The night had a chill to it, but he was thankful that the power hadn’t been lost in the dead of winter. After all, Illinois winters can be brutal; often dipping down to -30°F.

  BJ knew he needed to be at the greenhouse by 5:00 a.m. but wasn’t sure what time it was. He stumbled into the kitchen when he realized that without power the clock on the stove would be useless. He peeked into Scott’s room. It too was pitch black with no lights and no noises except for the occasional noise made by Scott tossing and turning in his sleep.

  BJ turned around and walked to the kitchen window where he peeked out and saw a sea of darkness. Darkness as far as the eye could see. No lamppost lights flickering. Not one neighborhood house with any type of light glowing. The only light that could be easily seen were the stars and galaxies above.

  “How eerie,” BJ whispered when his thoughts turned to his dad. “This is how it would be if the grid went down,” he thought as he recalled the training his dad had tried to give him and his brother and sister.

  Goosebumps ran up and down his body. “What if the power never came back on,” he whispered. “I would be so screwed.”

  BJ was amazed at how uncomfortable he was because he simply didn’t know what time it was.

  “It’s amazing how those digits control our life, tell us where to be and when. Unfortunately, I need to know what time it is. Can’t be late to the greenhouse,” he thought to himself.

  The first thing he would do is take a shower and then jump in his car. It’s ironic, he thought, that it would be the clock in his car that told him how his day would begin and end. If it was close to 5:00 a.m. he would head directly to the greenhouse but if it was earlier, he would drive to Waffle House™ and get breakfast.

  With his backpack thrown over his shoulder, BJ walked out the front door and headed to his car. He pressed the key fob to unlock the car door and when he reached for the handle, the door did not open. He pressed the button again and reached for the handle only to find the same result. He separated the key from the key fob, inserted it into the door lock, and turned it. The door unlocked. He opened the doo
r and placed his backpack on the passenger’s seat. He placed his foot on the brake and pushed the start button. Nothing. He placed the key in the ignition and turned it. Nothing. BJ’s mind came back to the thoughts he had earlier that morning.

  “What if the power is out across the United States?” he said quickly dismissing the thought.

  He walked back into the house and grabbed Scott’s car keys from the counter. He walked to Scott’s car only to find out that the key fob did not work. He unlocked the door using the key and sat down in the driver’s seat.

  “Please, please, please,” he whispered. He placed his foot on the break and pushed the ignition button. Nothing. He didn’t waste his time trying a second time. There was no need. There were no dash lights or noises of any type coming from the vehicle.

  His heart sank and for the first time in his life, he thought that maybe, just maybe, his dad may be right.

  “If my dad is right, I’ll need to get home quickly before things get worse. But first, I want more proof the power’s out everywhere,” he thought to himself.

  BJ went back to his car unsure of what to do when he remembered the Bug Out Bag his dad gave him. He never opened it and it simply sat in the trunk of the car. He brought it inside the house and opened the main compartment. He saw an envelope in a plastic Ziploc bag. He could make out the words “BJ – My firstborn.” He took it out and began reading it:

  BJ,

  If you are reading this letter the Stuff Hit the Fan. Like your sister and younger brother, I know you well and there would be no other reason for you to use the contents of this Bug Out Bag.

  First, let me tell you that your safety is priority one. Be aware of your surroundings and constantly, I mean constantly scan your immediate area for danger. By car, your six hours from our house as well as the Bug Out Location. Assess your circumstances and determine which location is best for you. Either location will provide safety and security. The most IMPORTANT point is taking action. DON’T WAIT. If you can drive, then drive. If it was an EMP you’ll have to find a bike or begin walking.

  There’s an additional option you have. You’re only a two day walk from Brian and Elizabeth’s house. If you question your safety, only travel at night and hide during the day. IF TRAVELING AT NIGHT, PUT ON THE CAMOUFLAGE PANTS AND LONG SLEEVE SHIRT stored in your Bug Out Bag. Remember when I taught you about a gray man (fitting into your environment and not sticking out like a sore thumb)? Now is the time to be that person.

  I’ve included maps in the Velcro compartment on the very back of the Bug Out Bag. These are just in case your car doesn’t’ run or the highways are impassable. ALWAYS use back roads where possible.

  Second, your Bug Out Bag contains many things to keep you safe, warm, and fed. You will most likely not need them because of your distance to Brian and Elizabeth’s house. Just in case, you have:

  First Aid kit with many different supplies

  Baofeng radio (when you’re close to our house, or Brian and Elizabeth’s, contact us or them on Channel 1)

  3 flashlights

  3 Mountain House freeze-dried meals

  4 US Coast Guard water pouches

  Life Straw (use to filter water from a creek or a questionable source)

  Waterproof matches, blast match, cotton balls, char cloth, lighters, twine, and candles

  Two knives (on the outside of your BOB)

  Light (headlamp, glow sticks, and Stream Light flashlight)

  Emergency blankets

  Writing tools (Sharpie and Fisher Space Pen) with notebook

  Third, if you are the first-person home, go to the safe in the garage and grab the Red Binder that is labeled ‘SHTF—Elevated Threat Manual.’ Read it then re-read it and FOLLOW all directions. This binder contains directions on how to secure our house.

  If you get in a bad situation I want you to FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE. Do not give up. You’re a wrestler, use everything you learned. Pull hair. Kick or hit a guy in the nuts. As hard as you can, push your finger through someone’s eyeballs. Punch someone in the throat as hard as you can. Get your finger in your attacker’s ear and push as hard as you can. FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!

  BJ, there’s a chance I may not be home or it may take me some time to get home. If you’re not home by the time I get home, we will plan to find you. The first place we will head is to Brian and Elizabeth’s. Be strong in everything you do.

  I Love you very much, now get home or head to Brian and Elizabeth’s!

  Love, Dad

  BJ placed the letter back in the Bug Out Bag and zipped it up. He grabbed the flashlight hanging on the outside of the bag before putting the bag across his shoulders. A twenty-four-hour Walmart was less than a mile away. He simply needed to see for himself if the power was truly out in the city.

  His walk took him through several neighborhoods and he noted that all the houses were consumed by the dark. Not one indication that power was available to any house; not even the sound of a generator.

  As he turned the corner he saw the Walmart 200 feet in front of him. He took a quick glance and turned around and began walking home.

  “No lights and a few people milling around. No need to walk any further,” he said to himself. “Time to figure out what to do next,” he said out loud.

  25

  Supply Run

  OZ WAS AWOKEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING BY THE SOUNDS OF a group of people walking by. Oz was well hidden and unless they intentionally went into the woods he would remain undetected.

  As expected they were sharing theories on what happened and how long it would be before help arrived and the lights were back on. Oz just shook his head. Not only was their conversation meaningless but he was still upset that he wasn’t able to travel at night because of not having a headlamp for his bike.

  He knew he needed to travel at night and finally decided to camouflage his bike and walk twenty minutes to Ashburn. His plan was to find a shop or store and buy a headlamp. He dared not ride his bike into town for the fear that it might be stolen or worse, someone would forcibly take it from him.

  The walk into Ashburn was uneventful as he passed several people but no words were spoken. A quick hand wave was all that was shared. Ashburn was a small town with no major retailers. Finding a headlamp would be a challenge and he knew he would most likely have to improvise.

  On the corner of Hill Avenue and North Street sat Ashburn Builders Supply. Oz approached the building, somewhat cautiously, and pulled the door. It was locked. He walked around the building and found all the doors locked. He came back to the main entrance and knocked. No answer. He knocked harder and as he peered through the door he saw a middle-aged man approach. The man looked confused and it appeared as if he had been crying.

  “What do you want?” the man yelled.

  “I need a headlamp for my bike,” Oz responded.

  “We’re closed but it wouldn’t matter anyway. We don’t have bicycle parts,” the man shouted even louder.

  “Do you mind if I come in and look around. I’ll need to improvise something,” Oz stated.

  “Are you alone?” the man asked.

  “Yes, I’m alone. Why do you ask?” Oz answered.

  The man turned the main deadbolt to unlock the door and allowed Oz in. “You look harmless enough,” the man said while not making eye contact.

  “Can you show me where your flashlights are?” Oz asked.

  “Follow me,” the man motioned.

  As Oz looked at the flashlights he noticed that the brightest flashlights were 300 lumens. Though not the greatest it would have to work.

  Oz’s plan was to keep it simple. He would buy three 300 lumen flashlights, duct tape two on the handlebars of the bike for headlights, and one would be kept as a spare.

  “Three flashlights, three extra sets of batteries, and one roll of duct tape, how much do I owe you?�
� Oz asked the man.

  “I can’t accept credit cards and I can’t make change because my cash register is locked. It won’t open until the power comes back on. Before you ask, I lost the key to open the drawer. What—”

  Before the man could finish his sentence, Oz interrupted, “The total cost of these items is roughly $50. I’ll give you $4.00 in silver quarters. The exchange rate is typically $3.50 for every pre-1964 quarter. You don’t need to make change and worse case is you now have a precious metal which you can keep or exchange later.”

  The man thought for a moment and looked Oz in the eyes before stating, “Who does that? In today’s world, who proposes a trade for silver coins?”

  The man thought for a minute before saying, “It makes sense, but you caught me off guard. I never thought I would be in a situation where I would accept silver. Deal. By the way, any idea of what happened or when we’ll have power back on?”

  Oz thought long and hard before responding.

  “To tell you the truth the power is never coming back on as far as I can tell, and I have no idea what happened. It would appear we were hit by some sort of Electromagnetic Pulse or EMP. Maybe even a cyber-attack. My computer, printer, and monitor were all fried. Listen to me. You have a well-stocked store which will serve you well. You’ll be able to trade your goods for food, bullets, guns, and medical supplies. I highly recommend you get around-the-clock security in this place and be prepared to defend it.”

  Oz shook the man’s hand, wished him luck, gathered his goods, and exited the store. As Oz walked back to his campsite, he was proud that he made the deal for the flashlights but sad because he knew that money would never have value again.

  “Unless you need something to start a fire,” he whispered.

  Once at camp, Oz duct taped two flashlights to the handlebars of the bicycle.

  “Perfect,” he said as he smiled.

  He was now ready to travel at night. It was only 1:00 p.m. and it was time to sleep if he could. His plan was to awake in the evening, about an hour before sunset, eat, and ride until sun up. At least that was his plan.