Jack stopped his crew and waited. He would force the man to talk first. After a short standoff, the man said, “Where you headed?”
Jack looked the man in the eyes. “Home.”
The Elbe man shook his head once, ticked his tongue and said, “Fair enough. This here is a toll bridge and if you want to get home, you need to pay the toll.”
“And what is your toll?”
“We’re simple men with simple needs. We’ll be needing all your food.”
Diane reached for her weapon, but Jack stopped her. The men, to their credit, didn’t move. The man said, “The fire in her eyes is as red as the hair on her head!”
Jack said, “You understand you’re outnumbered, right?”
The man smiled, stuck two fingers in his mouth, and let out a long whistle. Seven more people came out from hiding, five more men and two women. That is what Jack wanted to see, he forced them to show their hand. He also hoped Diane learned something.
Diane recognized two of the men right away. She thought, Where have I seen them before? That’s right, the prick’s buddies. She shot a glance at Jack and then nodded toward the pair. Jack studied them for a moment and then returned his gaze to the apparent leader.
“You win,” Jack said. Jack opened Diane’s pack and grabbed what remained of her rations. Then everyone else followed. Jack wanted to stay mounted in case they needed to bolt. After all the food was handed down, Jack prodded his horse forward. The men parted and let them pass. Jack thought it was too easy. Just food? No guns, horses? What gives? He kept silent and kept his eyes on the Elbe crew. When they got around the corner, they picked up the pace.
Jack asked what everyone thought about the toll. He mentioned he couldn’t believe they just wanted food. It didn’t make sense.
Mark offered his opinion, “If they take our food, we’re mad. But we’re not mad enough to come back for revenge. If they take our guns, horses, and food, we’re on a warpath.”
“You could be onto something there, Mark. We are going to have to deal with them, however. This can’t go on.”
At a safe distance from the bridge, Mark and Jason resumed their scouting jobs while the other three waited for them to put distance between them.
∆ ∆ ∆
They reached Paul’s house later than they planned and agreed to stay the night rather than try getting home in the dark. Nikki was still there, waiting for her protégé.
They filled Paul in on everything that happened, from Morton to Elbe. “Well, I’m glad you all made it past the bridge in one piece. I agree with Jack, we’ve got to do something about this. But first, we’re getting Robin’s family back. I’ll coordinate with Morton and Eatonville to get you across the bridge and Morton to help with the rescue. We’ll get Packwood involved too. I’m sure it is a rescue.”
Jason said “Yes, not all of them had firearms. Certainly not Robin’s family. I second the Morton group’s assessment, the people without firearms are captives.”
“Okay,” Paul said. “Let’s get you fed and in bed. We’ve got a lot to do to prepare. Six days from now, you’re on the road again.”
∆ ∆ ∆
Ranger John sat in his office reading an Outdoor Life magazine for the 100th time. Just as he was about to turn to a page on wild bears eating honey, he heard the unmistakable noise of helicopters. Tossing the magazine onto his desk, he walked outside. The line for food was long and wound its way around the landing area and through the parking lot. The Rangers were standing by to help.
John watched as the Chinooks landed and opened the rear hatches. A squad of armed soldiers ran out of each and took up positions around the rear of the helicopters. More men inside the helicopter moved a pallet of boxes to the ramp of each. Then a man with a bullhorn walked out and started speaking.
“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I’m Captain John Barry. Today each and every person here will receive one box of food and one box only. You will not get a box for someone who isn’t present. If they aren’t here, too bad. I don’t have time or resources for your imaginary friends.”
“My men are here to make sure everything goes smooth. Don’t be an ass and they won’t be a problem. Take your box and leave. It’s a simple task.”
A brown-haired man walked up to the captain and introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Joel Rafino and I have a better idea.”
The captain spoke into the bullhorn, “Get your ass in line and shut your trap or you’ll get nothing but a swift kick in the nads!”
“You can’t talk to me like tha…”
Pain
A fiery sensation bolted through him. It started at his balls and ended in his belly. Maybe his balls were in his belly. That’s what it felt like. He doubled over and fell to the ground, ending in a fetal position. He thought he’d throw up any second.
The captain continued, “Do any more pampered snowflakes think they have a better idea? No? Good. Let’s get started. One person at a time at each ‘copter. Go!”
The captain was putting on an act. The truth was he was a nice guy. The past several months had forced him to put on a hard exterior. He’s seen the worst in people and discovered the nice guy gets trampled. Before he sees his family, he takes five to ten minutes to wind down, relax, and get normal. He doesn’t want them to see his work face.
A few rangers picked Rafino up and walked him to the end of the line. Others took up positions at the front of the Chinooks. They would make sure people made it past the crowd with their prizes.
Ranger John saw everything was under control and grabbed his pack and a horse. He had to travel to Paradise for a meeting with other ranger supervisors. The future of their positions was hanging in the balance.
Old Friends
A s Jack and Diane were walking up the driveway, they saw a silver SUV parked in front of the gate. “It never ends!” Jack said. He shook his head and said, “Guard.” Basha and Mercedes were on alert. “Who are you and what do you want?”
The driver's side window came down and Jack heard his friends voice. “It’s me, Ralph! Brandon is with me. We need a place to stay.”
Jack relaxed his stance and called the dogs off guard. He said in a light-hearted voice “Ralphy boy! Damn glad to see you!”
Jack ran up and opened the gate. “Drive on up to the cottage and find a spot to park.” He jogged after them, the dogs and Diane followed.
“Where the hell have you been? I thought you might show up a long time ago.”
Ralph said, “I took your advice. I went home and packed all my camping gear, weapons, and ammo. Then Brandon and I headed for the hills.”
“Where have you been living?”
“We’ve been staying in the woods near Eatonville, camping out in a tent. The tent wasn’t made to live in and the wear and tear got to be too much. We abandoned it and came here, hoping you have room.”
“Of course! I’ll always have room for my oldest friend. It’ll be a tight fit for the both of you, but I’m sure you’ll make it work.”
“Yeah, the alternative kind of sucks,” Brandon said with a smile.
“Brandon, have you met Diane?”
“Yes, we met briefly once.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Brandon,” she said.
Jack said, “Ok, let’s get you unpacked and inside.” They helped father and son get their belongings into the cottage. There wasn’t much to carry – a few gun cases, a bow case, a big box of ammo, sleeping gear, and cookware. They were worse off than Ralph let on.
“Where did you find the gas to get here?” Jack asked.
Ralph pointed at his vehicle, “That’s the same tank of gas as the day we left. When we found our spot to camp, the car stayed parked. We walked for everything we needed. I knew someday we were going to have to move on. I started her up once a week to keep everything fresh. Other than that, it was a giant paperweight.”
“Good thinking. I may have rubbed off on you yet!”
“You two look hungry. When wa
s the last time you ate?”
Ralph said “It’s been two days. I think we ate all the animals in walking distance before we left.”
Upon hearing that, Diane went to the kitchen and whipped up a quick meal just for them. She and Jack had a good breakfast and didn’t need anything yet.
“Okay,” Jack said. “The couch is a bed and as I said, it’s going to be a tight fit. With two extra mouths to feed, we’ll need more meat.”
“I can do the hunting,” Brandon volunteered with a smile.
“We both can, we’ve been doing it for the past few months.”
“Good, that will take some pressure off me. Diane isn’t much of a hunter.”
Diane heard that and said, “But I make a mean meal out of what is brought in, smartass. Come and get it!”
Jack stepped aside before he got trampled.
While the two guests were eating, Diane said, “The couch is a bed, eh? That would have been good information for Robin, don’t you think?”
“Yes. But I didn’t want her to get too comfortable here.” He winked at her and joined his friend.
∆ ∆ ∆
Ranger John sat in a meeting room in the Paradise Inn. The ranger station was too small for the gathering. He’d arrived the day before and took a bed in a room reserved for park staff. On this day, he was not the leader and he liked it. He got to relax a little.
It was a somber mood in the room. Everyone was facing the same problems and there wasn’t much they could do about it. Finally, Debbie spoke up. Debbie Long managed the south side of the park and kept her office at Paradise. She loved to say, “Going to work was paradise!” She has worked at the park for the past 20 years and knew it inside and out.
“Thanks for showing up, everyone. I wish I had good news for you, but this isn’t going to be one of those meetings. I’m sure you’re all aware that FEMA won’t be coming back. Some of our guests have turned to hunting for food and I can’t say that I blame them.”
John spoke up and said, “I haven’t been doing anything about it. There are no alternatives for food. Fish, hunt, or starve.”
The other rangers nodded heads and agreed.
Debbie continued, “I hate to say this, but I think it’s time we all went home to our families. We’re better off at home and we can’t help anyone here anymore.”
Joanne agreed, “I think I knew it was over when I was told there would be no more food drops.”
Tim and Jerry followed with sad agreements.
John finally addressed the elephant in the room.
“Desperate people do desperate things. When the people find out they’re on their own, we become targets. If we stay, we’re dead men – and women – walking.”
Debbie sighed and said, “So we’re agreed? It’s time to abandon the park?”
Everyone nodded heads and agreed. Nobody said it out loud, they loved their park and leaving it to the masses was depressing.
Debbie told everyone to get back to their stations, tell rangers in private. The ones scheduled for days off will go as planned, take extra gear, and not come back. Set up meetings so everyone stays in touch. In a few days, all rangers should have the notice.”
“Should we stagger our exits?” Joanne asked.
“No. Everyone should leave on the same day, so the residents don’t know what’s going on. Leave at night in the cover of darkness. If they see us all leaving, we’re doomed.
Debbie called the meeting and they said their goodbyes.
John rode with Tim, who was taking care of the Cougar Rock camping area. It was a tough job with there being no ranger station there. That duty was added a short time after the park closed to new visitors.
John asked Tim what his plans to stay in touch were. “We’re all in the Ashford/Elbe area, just like you. I was thinking we can all meet as one.”
“That sounds perfect. I was going to tell our guys to meet on the second Monday after we depart. Noon is always a good time. For lack of a better spot, I was thinking about the rest area in Elbe. Does that sound good to you?”
“Sure, but the Ashford people might gripe a little. Maybe switch it up each time and meet in Ashford next? We can figure out a spot later.”
“That works for me. Fair is fair and keeping everyone happy is the best option.”
They rode most of the way in silence after their chat. Lost in reflection and the realization that they were on their own for now. Technically, he has a job – he is a deputized state trooper, and nobody said their ranger job was done. It just felt like it was over. What does being deputized mean anymore? Only time will tell.
Morton 2.0
R alph had volunteered to help Jack’s group in Morton. He knows the town well, having hunted around Morton for years. The extra body would help to get past Elbe as well. Jack, Diane, and Ralph were getting ready to leave.
Brandon was staying home with Basha and Mercedes. Jack thought the trip was too rough on them last time and things could get hectic. It was too risky bringing them along. Jack said, “Hey Brandon, come here. I’ve got something to keep you busy while we’re gone. Unless you’d rather go stir-crazy?”
“I’m game,” Brandon said. “What do you have for me?”
“Follow me and help me with the boxes.”
They grabbed several small but heavy boxes from the shed and brought them to the front of the cottage. Jack said, “It’s time to ‘people’ proof the cottage. With winter coming, people will get desperate. Desperate people do desperate things. We need to be prepared.”
“Okay, so what’s in the boxes?”
“I’m glad you asked! Bars for the windows. I’ll need you to drill some holes and bolt them from the inside. It will be easier with the windows open. The shorter ones go first, the longer ones will fit over them.” The bars were bent at the ends and had a threaded piece sticking out from them, long enough to get through the wall.
“Don’t space them too close, but close enough so a small child can’t squeeze between them.”
“A child?”
“Of course. Desperate people, remember?”
“Oh yeah.”
Jack, Diane, and Ralph left Brandon to his task and started walking to Paul’s house to meet the party and borrow horses.
∆ ∆ ∆
Just before 9 am, they showed up at Paul’s house. The gang was all there: Robin, Nikki, Jason, and Mark. Brett and a few others from the group had also shown up.
Paul said, “Nikki, Martha, and I are going to ride with you to help with Elbe. Once we cross the bridge, we’ll go for a short distance then dismount and walk back. I know a place upriver we can cross without being seen by anyone in Elbe. Unfortunately, the horses can’t walk across the log. You’ll take our horses for Robin’s family and the other man.”
“Sounds good,” Jack said. “But who’s Martha?”
“Martha is Larry’s wife, of course.”
Jack scratched his temple and frowned with one side of his mouth.
“You know Larry, Jack,” Paul laughed. “Larry is the stablemaster. One of them. His wife is the other, they’re a great team. Larry is going with you, somebody needs to look after all the horses!”
As they were talking, Larry and Martha had started bringing horses to them. Larry asked, “Who’s taking the kid?”
Jason spoke up, “That’s my job. I’m to scoop him up and put him on a horse.”
“Okay, this is Missy. You’ll be riding her. Martha has her daughter, Jeannine. Wherever Martha goes, Jeannine follows. I can’t separate them. Martha will ride Jeannine until it’s time for her to get home. Jeannine will follow you, no need to lead her. She will be the boy’s horse for that reason. Scoop him up, run. Simple.”
Jason said, “Sounds like a solid plan.”
When all the horses were brought out, Jason and Mark took up the scout positions again and left. Five minutes later, the rest of the group followed. “Let’s roll!”
∆ ∆ ∆
As they got near Elbe, e
veryone stopped. Jack radioed JR to see if they were in place. JR gave the “All good.” Jason and Mark made their approach. As they neared the bridge, four men appeared and blocked the road. One of them said, “You again? I hope you brought more food this time.”
Jason said, “Oh, we did. A lot more.” He smiled.
The smile threw the leader off, until he heard horses galloping. The man whistled and everyone stood up. Then they heard the horses coming across the bridge from the Morton side.
The leader of the Elbe gang put his hands in the air and said “Well played, sir. You win.”
Aftermath of Disaster: Book 3 Summer's End Page 4
