by Akart, Bobby
Sarah stood and gathered up the Styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons from everyone. After past meals, they had been discarded as trash. This time, Chapman noticed, she stacked them neatly and set them on the fender of the trailer attached to the Scooby van. He realized she planned on washing them for use later.
Chapman’s mind raced in those few seconds before Sarah addressed the group. There were no more Walmarts or Kroger stores. They couldn’t throw away their used Styrofoam plates because they couldn’t be replaced. What about dish soap? What happens when the bottles of Dawn run out? Will we eat off dirty dishes?
His pulse began to race. He’d chased storms and been chased by them as well. He couldn’t remember a time when anxiety and fear had overtaken him like it was in this very moment. He took a deep breath and held it. His eyes grew wide. Shit! We might be in real trouble here.
“Okay, everybody,” began Sarah. “Isabella, you just came off patrol. Do you need to get some sleep?”
“No, thank you. I am fine.”
Sarah nodded and smiled. “Would you mind taking Rachel and Jesse down to the overlook? Maybe the kids would like to take in the view?”
“Yeah!” they shouted in unison before Jesse laid out the day’s plans. “Rachel and me were talking about it. We’d like to do some exploring like Uncle Daniel.” The group laughed, as young Jesse had picked up his father’s habit of referring to their distant relative as uncle.
Isabella gave Sarah a knowing wink. She sensed an adults-only conversation was about to occur, and young minds didn’t need to be burdened with matters outside of their control. She took the binoculars back from Kristi, retrieved her rifle, and allowed Jesse, together with a chatty Brooke, to lead the way through the tree canopy along the flagstone path.
Sarah retrieved a notepad and pencil from the front seat of the Scooby van. When she returned, the group was gathered around the smoldering fire, respectfully allowing her to lead the family discussion.
“We have lots to go over, so I took some time last night and early this morning to organize my thoughts. As we review my list, I always want us to remember where we came from and how we got here. The decision to leave our home was not easy. The road to this point was the most difficult and frightening experience of my lifetime. But that said, we’re all alive and in one piece. I intend for us to keep it that way. Now, let’s get started.”
Chapter 10
Pinnacle Overlook
Cumberland Gap
Southeast Kentucky
“After Chapman’s alarming voicemail, Carly and I immediately put our heads together. Naturally, Squire pooh-poohed any thoughts of preparing for the apocalypse. Admittedly, in the past I was somewhat skeptical about the days of Armageddon described in Revelation. I personally don’t think we’re there yet, but instead, somewhere in between my dear husband’s approach of beating our chests chanting we’re Boones and the riding of the Four Horsemen.”
The group laughed along with Sarah as she tried to set the stage for a very serious conversation. The Boone family was comprised of strong-willed, opinionated individuals, each of whom had a unique perspective. Tommy was certainly included within the family unit as a result of his relationship with Kristi, but usually did not lead the charge when it came to decision-making, although his contributions had been lifesaving in many ways.
Carly commented on those initial hours and days after Chapman rang the clarion bell. “That’s a trip to Walmart I’ll never forget. Most everyone in the store was clueless. Mom and I went about our business, loading the cart like a couple of hoarders. Neither one of us cared what others thought about us.”
Sarah picked up from there. “To be honest, we sat down and made a list before we left. It was a checklist based upon common sense. You know, what are our daily needs as they relate to water, food, medicine, shelter, security. Stuff like that. That said, I think the most important thing Carly and I did was get our heads on straight.
“All of my family, including Tommy and Isabella, even our critters, are survivors. We’re not gonna lie down and get steamrolled by anything. The Boones may not have been at the Alamo, but if Davy Crockett had asked, we would’ve gone with our muskets leading the way. Well, right now, on this mountaintop, we’re facing a similar fight. Sure, we have things—inventions like can openers and fancy guns. However, everything Carly and I acquired, plus all of your contributions, are in short supply. It’s not a matter of wondering when this whole catastrophe will end. It’s a matter of will our old way of living ever get back to normal.”
“We have to learn to live like the pioneers,” offered Kristi, who immediately looked to Levi, who nodded in agreement.
“I’ll say this,” he began. “Not that it matters ’cause this ain’t a competition, but we’re a leg up on the rest of ’em. We just need to get started on the right footing and go from there. In a way, we’re like the pioneers except with a few special tools and a head start on taking care of ourselves. That head start will give us the time we need to set up a new homestead.”
Chapman began with the topic of security. “We were right to set up patrols during the evening. However, as Isabella and I discussed, it would be naïve of us to think that we’re the only ones who are seeking higher ground. We’ve got to expect that others will try to find their way up here, day and night.”
“He’s right,” said Levi. “Our patrols need to be ’round the clock. And we need to set up some additional security measures.”
“Like?” asked Sarah.
“First thing we all need to understand is the world is a much more dangerous place than it was before all of this started. The world we live in ain’t full of unicorns and rainbows. People will be desperate and mean. I’m not gonna take a chance with the lives of my children or you all because somebody got the jump on us.”
“Levi is right,” added Chapman. “The patrols are not enough. We need to do some things to deter others from coming up on us without us knowing about it. Maybe we could cut down trees and block the road and the walking trails leading to the top. At least any operable vehicles would be stopped, and even horses could be slowed down. Seconds matter if we’re being attacked.”
Sarah looked around at the surrounding forest. “We need these pines and lots of them if we’re going to build our new homes up here. If we clear an area around this knob we’re perched on, then we can see anyone approaching.”
“Agreed,” said Chapman. “That’ll make our patrols easier and allow us to set up defensive positions by creating cover on higher ground.”
Tommy joined in for the first time. “We need to confirm that the road was destroyed by the earthquake first. If it was, the vehicles are suddenly useless except as a means of storing things. We can use the gasoline for the chainsaws to cut down trees.”
“Even that’s limited,” Levi cautioned. “Gas is one thing; two-cycle oil and bar and chain oil are another. We only have one quart of each.”
“We can do it old school with the axes,” added Tommy. “At least on the smaller trees.”
Sarah was ready to move the conversation along. “Security is important, and interaction with other people is a whole ’nother topic of conversation that I plan on coming back to.” She glanced down at her list.
While she did, Chapman brought up the water situation. “We’re lucky to have a source of fresh water, but we need to learn more about it. Maybe Tommy and I can check it out after we’re done?”
“Yes, son. We need to consider other options, too. We also have to be careful about purity.” She reached into a duffle bag next to her and pulled out a device that looked like a thermometer.
“Oh yeah, I remember finding that thing in the camping section of Walmart,” interrupted Carly.
Sarah smiled and passed around the device to the others. “I’ve been using this since we left the house. This little digital water tester cost about fifteen bucks, but it could save our lives. Bad water will screw up our stomachs and cause us to become dehydrated. That�
��s really dangerous.”
“I’m surprised it works,” commented Chapman. “You’d think the geomagnetic storm activity would have harmed it.”
Tommy had a thought. “Maybe it survived because it doesn’t have an antenna? You know, no external wiring.”
Chapman shrugged and passed the water tester to Kristi.
“When I was in Africa, we all had something like this. Dysentery is the number one killer of people in those third-world countries.”
“Like ours, now,” quipped Tommy.
“Exactly.” Sarah took the floor. “I’ve confirmed the water coming into the building over there is safe. We still need to search for its source so we can determine how long the supply might last. At some point, we need to explore the surrounding areas and look for springs or other fresh water sources.”
Chapman changed the subject. “Mom, I couldn’t help but notice the portions were smaller this morning. It seems you’re already thinking about rationing.”
Sarah grimaced and addressed the issue of sustenance. “Son, Carly and I purchased food products with two things in mind. One was potential lack of refrigeration. We bought a lot of dry goods like oatmeal, beans, rice, and flour to make bread. All of those staples will run out eventually.”
“When?” asked Kristi.
Sarah hesitated before she answered, purposefully not making eye contact with Tommy. Their food and supply runs had been based upon the Boones’ immediate family. There were now two more mouths to feed.
“A few months, so it’s important we supplement our food supplies.”
“We can hunt,” Levi immediately suggested. “Fish, too.”
Sarah nodded. “Yes, and we should, although it seems like a mighty long hike down to the lake.” She laughed as she pointed her thumb over her shoulder toward the water-filled Cumberland Gap.
“How about foraging?” asked Kristi. “I know we’ve talked about this before, but we’re in survival mode. If there are abandoned homes or businesses around, we should get what we can before someone else does.”
“Good idea,” said Tommy. “It’ll spread us a little thin from a security standpoint, so we need to think it through.”
“The question is when,” added Chapman. “Plus, we have to consider the risk of the unknown.”
Sarah picked up her checklist again and made a suggestion. “This kind of gets into the whole division of responsibilities and levels of expertise thing. Plus, we have to identify priorities. I’ve come up with some work assignments.”
“Okay,” said Kristi.
“First, we need to work on a more permanent shelter. Sleeping in cars and horse trailers is not a long-term solution. This goes hand in hand with clearing space around our new spot. I’ve taken a look at the park’s restroom building. It has a great roof and is closed in on one side, with walls part of the way up the other two with block. If we could use logs to fill in the gaps, coupled with our tarps, I think we could make a shelter out of it.”
Kristi turned around and studied the facility again. “Makes sense. It’s certainly big enough for everybody. We can keep dry if it starts raining again, and we’d all be together in case something happened. Plus, the water and toilets are right there.”
“I like it,” said Chapman.
“Good,” continued Sarah. “Now, once that’s done, we need to start focusing on food. Levi and Carly are our most experienced hunters. They should handle those duties, which will also keep the both of them close to camp and their kids.”
Levi looked to Carly. “We agree. If I’m gonna hunt, it’ll be easier if I’m close by to bring the kill home. Plus, I can get here in a hurry to help with security.”
Sarah made check marks next to their names. “Next, I think we need to start this foraging process sooner rather than later. We’ll have two teams, Kristi and Tommy, Chapman and Isabella, who will be assigned to find out what’s around us. One team at a time and only a half-day journey at first. We’re not in a pickle food-wise. Let’s not take unnecessary risks.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Tommy.
Carly looked to Kristi and then over to Chapman. “While y’all are out there, see if there is a better option than this one.”
Chapter 11
Pinnacle Overlook
Cumberland Gap
Southeast Kentucky
Chapman glanced at Kristi and then spoke to his mother without addressing Carly’s suggestion. He really wasn’t interested in getting into it with his brother and Carly again over where to live. It had been a tense several days at Riverfront Farms after the family’s home began to collapse into the sinkhole. During that time, arguments were frequent, as Levi and Carly insisted upon riding it out. Without satellite data and a geological survey of the rising waters, Chapman couldn’t confirm his theory. But he was certain much of Indiana was under water based upon what he’d observed thus far. He tried to speak in a way that would put off the discussion of leaving already.
“Mom, I think you’ve got a great plan, for starters. We’re all tired from a heckuva trip. We’ve gotta remember we just got here yesterday. We’ve barely caught our breath, so it might be a little too early to discuss leaving. What do you think?”
Carly disrespectfully spoke out of turn. “All I’m saying is that this location has several shortcomings, and before we spend a lot of energy and resources cutting down trees to build a place to live, maybe we oughta look around for other options. That’s all.”
Kristi tried to be the voice of reason while supporting both her mother and Chapman. “We’re kind of at a dead end up here. I think we can all agree that going back down the mountain to where the earthquake opened up is not doable. Our next option is to venture off into the woods in the hopes of finding a farm or something. I’m not saying that shouldn’t be done, but it could take time, and then how the heck are we gonna get our stuff there?”
“Just like the old days,” responded Levi. “We build a road. There are hiking trails all over the place according to the maps of the park we found. If we follow the trails, it might lead us to a better spot.”
Chapman tried not to be combative. “What’s wrong with this spot?”
Carly was a little sharper with her tongue. “For one thing, as y’all agree, this is a logical place for others to come to. We could be spending half our time turning people away or, worse, fighting them off.”
“We can deal—” began Chapman before she cut him off.
“Plus, I’m not sure we can plant up here. We’re on top of a mountain. The good soil has been stripped away over time and landed in the valleys down there. That’s why the old pioneers set up their farms and settlements in valleys—near creeks and fertile land.”
Chapman was trying to keep his cool. “Well, the valleys are full of water.”
“Maybe not all of them,” countered Levi. “All up and down the Cumberland Mountains, there are pockets in between hills and ridges that could be suitable to farming and setting up a place to live. We don’t need to be in a location accessible to whoever survived that quake. We don’t need easy access to other towns because they’re all gone. What we need is seclusion and suitable ground to get a new start. That’s what Squire and Daniel found when they crossed the Ohio into Indiana. He didn’t build his home up on the ridges of O’Bannon Woods State Park. He built his place along the banks of the river.”
Chapman didn’t want to argue, and he wanted to keep an open mind. Mostly, he just wanted to be settled. “It just seems fate has led us to the right place. This parking lot was ready made to build homes on. That structure over there gives us working plumbing and, at least for the foreseeable future, a source of clean, fresh water. Plus, we will have the ability to monitor what’s going on around us using the overlook.”
“How?” asked Sarah.
“Well, I talked with Isabella about this. We plan on charting the water levels with certain obvious markers to gauge whether it continues to rise or, hopefully, possibly goes back down. We can’t do
that if we’re holed up in a valley in the middle of nowhere.”
Levi stood and stretched his back. “Listen, we can hike or ride our horses back up here anytime you want to take your measurements. But none of that will matter if we get overrun by people trying to take our stuff or we can’t grow crops in this rocky soil. We need to be smart about this.”
“Okay, okay,” said Sarah as she held up both of her hands. She didn’t want her sons at odds with one another. “You both make excellent points. Unfortunately, as long as we’re gonna remain a group, there has to be a decider. That would be me. So here’s what I think. Levi and Carly make great points about the location of our new home. When the Boone pioneers came through the Cumberland Gap and built settlements, they looked for good land and a source of water. Frankly, we only have one of those here and that may be in limited supply.
“However, that doesn’t mean we should discard the prospect of a more long-term solution. For now, let’s focus on what I outlined earlier. Security, a sturdy shelter, and supplementing our food supplies. Even if we find the perfect land, in a valley near a water source, as Levi and Carly suggested, it’ll take time to clear and build homes on. So, for a while, this is the best we’ve got.”
Carly joined Levi’s side and whispered in his ear. He was about to whisper back when Sarah interrupted them. She was perturbed.
“Everything on the table, you two.”
Carly closed her eyes and shook her head. Her frustration was coming out, and typically that meant her fiery personality came out with it.
Chapter 12
Pinnacle Overlook
Cumberland Gap
Southeast Kentucky
Carly pulled away from Levi and was about to speak when he squeezed her hand and looked at Sarah. “We’re still concerned about others. What’s the plan for when people from Middlesboro, or wherever, find their way up here?”
