She pulled over and shut off the car, not knowing what to do again. She put her head in her hands and started to cry.
∆ ∆ ∆
Jack made it to the meeting hall with plenty of time to spare. Again, Paul was there before him. Jack was always early, but Paul had a habit of showing him up.
“It’s better to be early than late,” Jack always said. “If you leave early, you don’t have to speed or get angry at other drivers.”
Of course, Jack was walking now but that didn’t change his attitude about tardiness.
Paul was in a good mood, all things considered. Jack decided to bring up his wood shortage and ask about getting enough to build a chicken coop. He wanted to build the coop 7 feet long by 4 feet wide, and 6 feet tall. His chickens would be dirt floor poor.
“I got plenty and would be happy to bring some by. Hell, I’ll even help you build it.”
“Well, with the two of us, we’d get it done in a snap.”
“You have knowledge of how to cut wood?”
“Limited. But, I know a little carpentry. And the coop doesn’t need to be fancy. Just as long as it won’t fall down around the chickens.”
“Aw, we can get that done, no problem.”
Jack accepted the help and thanked Paul heartily.
As more people started showing up, they moved inside, and Paul got set up with his laptop. Jack took his usual seat near the head of the table. He’s one of the original members so he felt he belonged there.
By 11:55 everyone was present, with no new faces. Jack was hoping others would have made it by now. It’s not looking good for the missing, he thought.
“Okay everyone” Paul began, “I’m glad we all made it back. Things are progressing, and not in a good way. The attack on Mexico had the desired effect, they stopped letting Americans in. Canada has not backed down so far.
Furthermore, we’re getting new reports of cell phones crashing and not recovering. It appears someone is taking out a communication source and we don’t know how yet.” “The only good news is maybe we can track the source” he continued.
Nikki immediately sat up. “Yes but take it with a grain of salt,” she interrupted, “It’s a clue, not a positive ID. If these people can attack every major and minor city in America, they can hide a simple virus.”
“True,” Paul said. “We aren’t going to find the responsible party, or parties, in a day. We might not even find out in a month or more. This will take time and we’ll piece it all together. I trust everyone has linked up their modems and CB’s?”
A room full of confirmations answered his question.
“Good. We’re going to need them. It’s a blessing we still have electricity and running water. We should prepare for the worst and get our solar panels installed. I have no doubt they’ll attack our power grid soon. We can’t let it affect us.”
A few people chimed in and said they’ve already installed theirs. Jack was impressed, even he hadn’t got that far yet. “I need to quit slacking,” he mused. “Oh well, a dead body can slow things down. That’s what I’m going with.”
Paul began again, “Ok, let’s hear some reports. What has everyone been seeing and hearing?”
Jack stood up and began relating the incident with Diane, the crooks, and the boy she shot and killed. Jack didn’t want to call him a man and “little prick” seemed inappropriate at this time.
“So early?” Mark said, with surprise, “I didn’t expect this kind of behavior just yet.”
“Well to be fair, he was known to the ranger as a bad apple. He wasn’t the least bit surprised to see the guy’s face staring at him. So, while he probably used the event as a cover for his deeds, he may have had it planned already. His ideas with my girlfriend were an attempted crime of opportunity.”
Jack also mentioned the parking lot from Ashford to the park entrance, remarking that it was a time bomb waiting to explode.
Paul said “Well yes, that could be true. I’ll add that information to the report. Anyone else see or hear anything unusual?”
Brett chimed in saying he’s only seen a few groups of kids trying to start trouble. Nothing major, just bored kids.
“They may become trouble when they can no longer play video games,” he stated.
He also said he’s had conversations with a few of his contacts.
“The situation near the cities are deteriorating fast. FEMA camps are getting rowdy but are still a safe place to be. But people are starting to panic. All the available fuel in and near the cities is going to the military, police, and emergency crews. So, if people haven’t bugged out yet, it’s likely they’re stuck. People are wondering when martial law will be declared. From the reports I’m getting, that’s not far off.”
A few others chimed in with minor reports. Most of the looting had stopped by now as people either took everything or owners took up arms. Now it’s mostly petty theft by people who were unprepared to feed themselves in an emergency. Trusting the government to save you is only planning to fail. Jack loves his country, but knows you can’t rely on others, especially government.
“All right ladies and gentlemen,” Paul said “I think this is going to get worse before it gets better. Besides solar panels, we should all be thinking defense. Make sure your locations are safe from thieves and worse. Now may be the time to start packing heavier than a hand gun. Be proactive, not reactive. We need to stay ahead of everyone else if we’re going to survive whatever this is.”
He looked at his watch and nodded.
“We’ll meet again on Monday. Keep watch on your computers as things can always change before then. Most importantly, stay safe everyone.”
As they began putting the table and chairs away, Paul approached Jack about the chicken coop.
“Jack, I’ll be able to deliver the supplies you need on Saturday, what’s a good time for you?”
“I think 9am would be great, if you can make it that early. That would give us all day to knock her out.”
“Sounds good, 9am it is. Lunch is on you!”
“It will be my pleasure,” Jack chuckled, “Although, Diane will have to be the cook and that can go either way!”
Once again, everyone said their fare wells and started back to their respective “homes.” Devoid of gunshot echoes, Jack did walk back with Jason this time. They talked for the 10 minutes before their paths split. They traded hunting spots in the area and told a few stories.
Jack told of the time he was hunting the Murray tree farm in Morton. “I was hunting with a 12-gauge shotgun and sabot slugs. It was the last day of the season and getting towards noon. I’d pretty much given up and was looking for a place to sit and have a bite to eat. I saw a nice log with a patch of moss on top, it looked comfortable.”
“I had to descend a short but steep hill to get to it. My feet were sliding in pine needles at least 6 inches deep! I’d been walking the roads all morning, and this was the first time I’d ventured off them. I sat down and started taking in the view. It was a pretty part of the forest, untouched for decades. Thick moss covered a lot of the trees, both the standing trees and the ones that had fallen.”
“The underbrush was thick and there were no trails. The sun didn’t make it to the ground too often. After a few minutes of taking in the scenery, the birds started chirping again. They decided I wasn’t a danger to them. Then I heard the snap of a branch and it snapped me out of my sightseeing break. “
“I slowly turned my head toward the sound and didn’t move any other part of my body. About 40 yards away on an even sight line, a doe. Figures, right. Then another doe. It’s like they know I can’t touch them. But they hadn’t seen me yet.”
“Then a few seconds later, the buck appeared out of nowhere. He wasn’t very big, but it was the last day of the season – the late season. It was today or see-ya next year. I slowly stood up and faced the buck. As I was raising my Ithaca he raised his head. He saw me. Surprisingly, he didn’t run. He stood there giving me a full br
oadside shot at him.”
“I took my time with the shot, since he was giving it to me. I aimed for his neck. He was so small I didn’t want to ruin any of the meat available. I slowly squeezed the trigger and fired.” The kick with a slug is a son of a bitch. When I got my eyes back on target I didn’t see any deer. I scanned right, nothing. Left, there’s the two doe making a break for it. Where’s the buck? I never saw him fall and assumed he ran. I couldn’t believe I missed at 40 yards.”
“I walked up to his location at the time I fired and there he was, out like a light. Upon closer inspection, I’d hit him right on the spinal cord. He dropped like a rock. It was then I realized I had to drag him up the hill! Then I was thankful for his small stature. I fired two more shots, using bird shot, to signal my buddy Ralph.”
“Great job, Jack. Last day tags are always the most rewarding. I’ve had a few of those myself – and I’m the professional! You’ll be thankful for that experience one day, probably soon. If this crap lasts too much longer, there will be a fight for game and getting into the stick will be the only way to win.”
Jack nodded in agreement, “The result of that hunt is at the cottage in the form of pemmican. I think we’ll be needing it soon. I’m almost out of bacon. That was also the last time I hunted deer with a shotgun. I made the switch to bow after that.”
“Bows are a great choice and if things do get worse before getting better, you’ll be glad for the experience and know-how. This is my turn, Jack. I’ll see you Monday. Stay safe.”
“Okay Jason, it was fun reminiscing. See you Monday.” With that Jack picked up his pace and headed home. “Home” still sounds odd when not referring to Steilacoom. He supposed he’d have to get used to it. This was in fact “home” for the foreseeable future.
∆ ∆ ∆
Diane had indeed decided on another walk. She was absolutely taking the dogs this time too. Her plan was to stick to the road but not get near the main road, then turn back and see how she felt at the driveway.
Lessons learned, she thought.
Once again, she got ready right after Jack left. With clothes being only what they brought, she wore the same outfit as last time. She called Basha and Mercedes and they were off. She stopped to lock the door and make sure the shed was locked. She was tasked with collecting eggs today but would take care of it when she returned.
As she approached the end of the road, where it meets the main highway, she passed a black Toyota parked on the shoulder. Inside she could see a woman in her 30’s with her head in her hands. When she looked up, Diane could see the woman’s eyes were bloodshot and tears were running down her cheeks.
Oldest trick in the book, she thought as she passed.
She didn’t see anyone else in the car, just a bunch of food and clothes. In the past, she might stop and ask if she could help. Things changed after the last walk. She needs to be on her guard, so she doesn’t get taken by surprise.
Diane got as far as she wanted to go and turned around. As she approached the Toyota again, she couldn’t help feeling pity for the woman in the car.
“Has my heart hardened so fast?” she asked Mercedes.
Mercedes answered with a wag of her docked tail. Yes, it could be a trap, but nobody is sneaking up on me with the dogs here.
She approached the drivers side window and tapped on the glass. The woman looked up and Diane decided this woman was either in real trouble or is a great actress. The window came down and Diane asked, “Are you okay, do you need some help?”
“I’m lost,” she sniffed, “Well not actually lost, I know where I am. I lost my husband and son.”
“How?”
“I couldn’t get him on my cell phone, and everything I tried didn’t work. I’m almost out of gas and there isn’t any way to reach them.”
Saying out loud brought it all home and her breathing shortened to quick breaths, her eyes welled up again, and she began sobbing uncontrollably.
Diane decided this woman was telling the truth and she would try to help her. She had no idea how, but she would at least try.
“My name is Diane, what’s yours?”
Between sobs, she managed to say “Robin Clark.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Robin. I don’t know what I can do but I’ll see if I can help you. I live up the road a ways, we can start with some hot tea. I don’t think there’s enough room for me and the dogs, so I’ll meet you there.”
Diane gave directions to find the driveway and pointed in the right direction.
“You can go on ahead now or wait 10 minutes for me to get there first. I’m okay either way.”
Robin brushed her raven hair away from her eyes and thanked her. She wanted to get a better look at the woman offering help and said she’d wait out the ten minutes. It would give her a little time to compose herself. Then she thanked Diane for her kindness.
About ten minutes later Diane had reached her driveway. It took a few minutes, but Robin finally arrived, making a slow turn onto the driveway.
“I’ve got to unlock the gate,” Diane told her. “Drive on up next to the truck, I’m right behind you.”
Robin got out of her vehicle and locked it by habit. She began to unload her fears but was stopped by Diane.
“Please, wait until we’re sitting with a hot cup of tea. There is plenty of time to figure this out.”
They got inside the house, and after unloading their feet of their shoes, Diane finally exhaled a large breath.
“So, where are you from?”
Taken aback but not knowing what else to say, Robin told her she lives in Puyallup.
She talked about her husband and son as tea was being prepared. She mentioned they had just bought a new house a few months ago and how happy they were there. Her son, Jay, fit in very well at his new school and was going great.
With the tea now ready, Diane sat with Robin on the couch and turned the conversation.
“Okay, fill me in on what happened. How are you lost?”
New Friends
When Jack reached the cottage he saw a black Toyota Camry next to his truck and shook his head “What now? Can’t I leave for a few hours without something happening?” he sighed.
Basha and Mercedes announced his arrival and Diane opened the door for him.
“Hello honey, I’d like you to meet Robin.”
Well at least this one is still breathing, his sarcastic side thought.
“Hello Robin, nice to meet you.”
She replied in kind. With the niceties out of the way, the two women filled him in on the situation.
“I heard about the phones going dead. It’s not a good sign. Ours still work, so maybe it’s only affecting people near a city?
“I wish I knew,” Robin replied, weakly.
“About finding your family, I’ll be honest, that is not going to be an easy task. They could be anywhere from Elbe to Ashford and across the Nisqually to Morton and Packwood. That’s a lot of miles to go with gasoline becoming a rare commodity.”
Robins eyes started welling up with tears as Jack explained the reality.
Good job, jackass, he said to himself.
“It’s not impossible, I have friends everywhere. It’s just not going to be easy and it may take some time. What’s your son and husband’s names?” “Mark is my husband and Jay is our son.”
Jack wrote all their names down on a piece of paper. He’d put out the request for help locating them later.
“I’ll need a description of both as well. Go ahead and write it down for me.”
He handed her the pen and paper and she began writing. With her head down, Jack shot Diane a look that just said “Really?”
Jack had things to do and he wasn’t going to get them done with a visitor watching. He excused himself and went to the door, saying he needed something in the truck.
Diane suddenly remembered the eggs and asked Jack if he could retrieve them for her. “Yes dear” was all he managed as he walked out.
When he got in the truck he fired up the CB and reached out to Nikki.
“My girlfriend picked up a stray, do you have room for a mother looking for her family?”
“Oh Jack, you’re asking a lot of me. I might, but you’re going to owe me big time.”
“I figured that was coming. I’ll keep watch on her here for a few days to vet her. Her story seems believable and I don’t think she’s acting. Paul is coming here on Saturday, if she checks out I’ll send her to you with him leading the way. She may be there a while.”
Aftermath of Disaster: Books 1, 2, and 3 Bundle + Bonus Book: When Jack Met Diane Page 6
