by S A Ison
“Do you think the president has power?” Alice asked.
“I’m sure he is someplace safe, there are hardened locations scattered about. Secure, underground locations. The rest of us are on our own dear. We have to provide and protect ourselves.”
That had been last night. She had spent the rest of the night alternating between frustrated anger and sorrow, for what she had lost. Now, she waited for Blake to come back. The puppy was crying and she realized she was squeezing the poor thing. She set him on the ground and he tottered and then walked a few steps and squatted. He peed and then sniffed around. Her eyes tracked the puppy on his meandering shamble. He found a likely spot then pooped. It was a little better. She would feed the puppy more rice and chicken.
She looked up when Blake came back into the yard.
“They’re gone. They may be a problem. Hopefully they won’t come back.”
“I want you to teach me about guns. I don’t want to be defenseless.” Alice said abruptly. Blake nodded and smiled, then went back to the enclosure. He sat on the ground, and the puppy ran over to him. Alice watched as he played with the puppy for a few moments, before going back to work.
“What should we name the puppy?” She asked, getting up and walking over to watch Blake. She bent down to pick the puppy up and held him to her chest. Blake sat back on his haunches and looked up at her grinning.
“How about Fiasco?”
Ω
Castle Town, MT
Phoenix watched the snow coming down, it was getting heavier. The old wipers moved slowly across the windshield. He looked over at the man driving, who seemed at odds with the forest, but seemed to also belong. His spoke like an educated man, yet seem unphased about driving nearly blind in the snow. Phoenix could feel the sweat popping out and could barely see the road ahead, it was all white.
“Almost there, good thing, it’s getting pretty thick out there.” Miles grinned; his face relaxed. The jeep pulled onto a narrow road and it twist and turned and came around a large cluster of massive spruce. Ahead, Phoenix saw a small cabin, tucked into the trees. The place was well hidden and well away from well-established roads. This guy was truly off grid.
“We’re here.” Miles said unnecessarily. He got out of the jeep and pushed the driver’s seat forward, and extended a hand to help Yuma out. Thor jumped from the back and ran around to sniff the little dog. Phoenix reached in to help Lydia and Julian out. It had been a tight squeeze with all of them crammed into the jeep. They pulled their bags and backpacks out; damp footprints marked the fabric. Phoenix looked around him, there was a hush to the world, as though he had cotton stuffed in his ears.
He heard distant blue jays calling out, but all he could see in the sky was gray clouds and heavy snow falling. His heart sank, they may have to stay put for a few days. At least, they would be indoors. Miles led the way to the cabin and opened the door. Inside was neat and orderly. It was small but boasted two bedrooms. Phoenix could see that there were bunk beds. There was also a small wood stove. He thought that it would heat the space nicely. Then it struck him, the place was neat, but there was nothing very personal about it. No knickknacks, pictures or homey touches. It looked unlived in.
He looked at their host curiously. It was as though the space wasn’t used. As though to answer his thoughts, Miles opened a small coat closet and grinned at everyone. Phoenix wondered if the man was perhaps a little crazy.
“You’ll all sleep here, but my home is down in the ground. This place used to be an old bomb shelter. I fixed it up years ago. Come on down and I’ll show you around.” Miles moved something that was behind a coat and then the wall shifted and moved smoothly aside. The group gasped in amazement and Julian laughed.
“Woah, that’s crazy man.” He said, looking into the closet. Miles took a small green lantern off a hook and opened it up. A brilliant light flashed out and Miles disappeared down a set of stairs. Along the way, he opened other small lanterns. Phoenix realized they were solar camping lanterns and grinned. When they reached the bottom, Miles went over to a standing lamp and turned it on. The lamp had two bright LED bulbs in it and lit the living room very well. Around the room was comfort and cozy. A couch and easy chair. A small table with two chairs. A small open kitchen, with an island for prepping. A jar of peanut butter and jar of jam were sitting on the island, with a loaf of bread.
“Wow, this is crazy and it’s so warm down here. I don’t see a fireplace.” Julian crowed, a large grin on his face.
“Radiant heating in the floor. I’ve an outdoor furnace that heats water in a boiler and circulates through.” Miles said, taking his coat and hat off. He hung his gear on a coat tree and squatted to take off his boots. Julian squatted and placed his hand on the floor.
“That’s really nice.” He smiled.
“Thank you again Miles, for helping us.” Lydia said, a tired smile on her face. Miles turned and smiled.
“This place isn’t that big, but have a seat on the couch and relax. I’ll cook us up some dinner. Won’t be anything fancy, mind you, but it will be filling. While I cook, you can tell me all about your adventure.”
SEVEN
Castle Town, MT
Miles and Phoenix were out in the snow, pushing and moving it. Julian had taken a load of firewood into the cabin. It had snowed all night and it was now mid-morning, their host thought it was possible to head to White Sulphur Springs. Thor and Albert were out in the woods, both barking. Phoenix stopped shoveling and stood, looking around the homestead. There were several neat sheds, a small area that he thought might be a garden, though it was now covered with snow. There was roughly an acre cleared, and it was nestled square in the middle of the forest.
Had he not just spent a grueling few days trying to survive, he would have thought the place very quaint. And it was. Outside of Boston, there were forests like this. He and his friends had enjoyed hiking in them. This time, he had been fighting for his survival. He admitted freely, that he had been out of his element and woefully unprepared to survive out there in the woods with nothing but his two hands and brain. If they hadn’t had food, they would have starved, if they hadn’t had a lighter, they would have frozen to death. He knew nothing what so ever about surviving. He didn’t even think they would have stood a chance in summer either.
Miles was a kind and thoughtful man. By the look of his small library, he was a very smart man as well. He hadn’t spoken much about himself, wanting to listen to their stories instead. He had been saddened by the loss of Taya and the others in the plane. He had graciously offered his shower to each of them, though he’d asked they only take a quick shower. He wasn’t sure how much water he had in his reservoir.
“During the spring and summer, I know I get quite a bit of rain, but I never stop and think about what I use. Snow, well, that’s hard to determine, collecting it in the catchment.”
Phoenix had enjoyed the brief hot shower. He and Lydia had washed the used towels for Miles, who had tried to stop them.
“You’re my guest. I’ll get to them.” He had argued.
“Please Miles, we’re causing you an awful lot of work. Please, let me do this.” Lydia said, smiling sweetly. Miles had blushed and acceded.
Both Miles and Phoenix paused in the shoveling. In the trees, somewhere above was a pileated woodpecker. Its call echoed in the canopy. Phoenix smiled and pointed at the large bird. It began to hammer away in the tree. Around them, the air was piercing, biting into their exposed flesh. The sky was a deep azure, not a cloud to be seen. It was peaceful here, deep in the woods.
“Thanks again for the coat. It fits pretty good.” Julian grinned; his arms laden with short logs for the cabin’s small wood stove. Miles waved him off, grinning.
“I picked those coats and outer gear up at an army surplus. I’m a bit of a hoarder, if you couldn’t tell.” Miles chuckled. Julian laughed and went into the cabin. Thor and Albert came running from the forest. Both looked happy. Thor’s shoulder wound was healing and Lydi
a had cleaned it once more, the night before.
They were all excited to leave, to get to town and call their loved ones. Phoenix set the shovel aside. He helped Miles clear off the snow from the jeep. Lydia was downstairs making brunch. Miles had graciously given her the run of the kitchen. Last night they had also retied Yuma’s arm.
“I think my arm is fixed.” Yuma said, smiling shyly at Lydia. Miles had also taken a look and though tender, it was determined that it wasn’t broken.
“Maybe keep the metal support on it, just in case, if it starts to hurt, put your arm back into the sling.” Lydia suggested. By Mile’s clock in the small kitchen, it had been after seven and they’d all gone upstairs into the bedrooms for an early night. They had all been tired, between the physical endurance and the emotional upsets, as well as sleeping out in a cold tent, it had taken its toll. The group had been nodding off and Miles had sent them to their beds.
“I think that about does it. We can head out after we eat.” Miles announced. Phoenix nodded and both men headed into the cabin. The dogs followed. They made their way down to the bottom level and took off their coats. Julian and Yuma sat at the small kitchen table. Lydia had made pancakes and both men were enjoying a stack. There was coffee by their plates. Phoenix grinned, Yuma’s cheeks were pink and he seemed to be enjoying his brunch.
“Have you had American pancakes before?” Phoenix asked, sitting on the couch. Thor came to lay at his feet.
“No, this is very good. I like, very much.” He grinned, his cheek bulging.
“That syrup, the one in the blue bottle, that’s homemade. My friend, Jael makes it. It is blueberry and boysenberry. She makes really nice jams and jellies. Has a nice little online business.” Miles beamed and Phoenix smiled. He thought that Miles might like more than her jams and jellies. Miles practically glowed when he mentioned her name.
“Here Miles, take my seat. I’m stuffed. Thanks Lydia, that was really good.” Julian said and got up, taking his plate to the sink. He quickly cleaned and rinsed his plate, setting it in the small dish drainer. Miles took a seat and Julian brought Phoenix a cup of fresh coffee. The cup warmed his chilled hands, and Phoenix enjoyed the sensation. There was nothing like being cold, only to warm yourself with a cup of something hot. He sipped the brew, letting it warm him from the inside out. For the first time in days, he felt calm and content.
“I was telling Phoenix, after we eat, we can head on into town. White Sulphur Springs is small, but, I’m sure the police department can help you.” Miles said, digging into his stack of pancakes.
“Thank you for helping us, Miles san. It is much valued.” Yuma said, getting up from the table and going to wash his dishes, as Julian had done. Phoenix got up from the couch and went to sit in Yuma’s place.
“Think nothing of it. I’ve been out in the woods too long, and it’s nice having visitors.”
An hour later, Phoenix held Albert and Thor laid across the three crammed into the back of the jeep. All were bundled up warmly and Miles drove the winding road away from his hidden home. Phoenix looked out the window, at the passing landscape, it was all white. Reminding him of Massachusetts, he thought about his friends, and work. He wondered if any of them knew about the crash? He felt a thrill of excitement, he would be calling his family and letting them all know that he was alive and safe.
He looked over his shoulder and grinned at the others. They all had an expression of anticipation and suppressed excitement. Even Yuma, who had expressed worry about his parents. He would have the sad duty of telling Chizu’s family.
“Her parents will be very sad, but I hope that I can bring her home to them. When the police find the crash place.” He had said last night, while they had relayed the story to Miles. Miles had shaken his head in sympathetic sadness for them all. Especially for Taya. When Miles had told about his own encounter with a mountain lion, the group had sat with their mouths open, in astonishment.
This is a wild place, Phoenix thought. More so than perhaps Massachusetts, we’re lucky to have made it out alive. Miles only drove about 30 MPH, taking turns and twists slowly. Phoenix could see that there was a buildup of snow on the ground. It was a good thing that Miles had four-wheel drive. Miles had also put a shovel and the tire chains in the jeep. He was surprised that the roads weren’t already scraped this morning.
“White Sulphur Springs boasts a small airport. You might be able to get a flight out. Though I’m not really sure what kind of planes fly out of there. Or, perhaps you’d want to drive to Seattle?” Miles said over the noise of the engine.
“I think we might want to drive.” Phoenix laughed. The jeep turned onto U.S. Highway 89. There had been several cars stalled on the road. But Phoenix put it down to the snow stopping them. Or maybe the cars stalled out? The highway had snow on it, but not nearly as much as was on the back roads. Miles sped up a bit. In the distance, Phoenix could see small farmsteads and low fences that divided fields. There were large corps of trees, conifers mixed with deciduous. It was lovely and picturesque.
Miles turned onto Highway 12W and Phoenix looked over to Miles, who had an odd look on his face.
“What’s the matter Miles?” Phoenix asked, and felt a small niggle of unease, though he wasn’t quite sure as to the reason. Something wasn’t right, but he didn’t know what it was.
“The cars on the road. There are just too many. One or two, sure. Cars break down all the time. But, see, there are a small cluster there. Look up ahead, see, a couple more.” Miles said, pointing a gloved finger ahead. Phoenix agreed. There was nothing usual about one or two, but they were now seeing dozens, spread out. The jeep slowed and Miles navigated around a delivery truck in the middle of the road. The back of the truck was open and the contents spilled out on the ground, littering the highway.
“What on earth?” Miles muttered, moving the jeep around the truck.
“Stop, let me check this out.” Phoenix said.
“Sure, hold on.” Miles said and Phoenix was surprised to see the man pull out a gun. Phoenix was surprised, more so by the hard, green glint in Mile’s eyes.
“Something funny is going on. I don’t want to take any chances. Be careful Phoenix.” Miles said softly. Phoenix nodded and got out of the jeep. He carefully walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle and looked in. He looked back at Miles and shook his head. The cab of the truck was empty. Phoenix walked around the front and side of the truck, ending up at the back. He looked inside and saw that boxes were torn open; clothing and odds and ends were strewn about the inside of the truck. Had someone robbed the truck? Why? What had they been looking for? He looked at the ground and saw tracks, though there was fresh snow over them.
Phoenix looked around, but only saw flat snowy landscape, dotted with trees. He walked back to the jeep and climbed back in.
“Not sure, but looks like someone robbed the truck. I saw tracks, but they were covered with snow. I think whoever did this, might have done it yesterday, or the day before.” Phoenix shrugged.
“You know how to use a gun?” Miles asked, his body slightly turned toward Phoenix. Albert was sitting in Mile’s lap, alert.
“No, I never touched one.” Phoenix said, then looked behind him. The others shook their heads as well.
“You drive, I’ll ride shotgun. Somethings not right.” Miles said, opening his door and grabbing Albert. Phoenix looked behind and Lydia shrugged. She didn’t know what was going on either, he saw. Phoenix got out and walked around the jeep and got in. His long legs bumped the steering wheel. He pulled away from the truck, maneuvering around it.
“Just keep driving, we’ll run into White Sulphur Springs soon.” Miles nodded forward. One hand was on his weapon, the other petting Albert between the ears. Phoenix looked in the rearview mirror and caught Julian’s eye. Julian shook his head. They were all confused, but also disquieted. Something was wrong. Phoenix slowed as they passed more vehicles. Some pushed over to the side of the road.
Ahead, Phoenix saw t
he town coming into view. He let a breath out, he saw a couple of people walking. When he drew up to them, they looked at him and the jeep, their mouths hanging open. That was unsettling.
“Slow down, roll down the window.” Miles said. Phoenix did so, coming abreast to two young men.
“Hey, what’s going on? Why are all those cars in the road back there?” Miles asked, leaning forward, looking out Phoenix’s window.
“Everything went down. Most of the cars stopped working. Our power is out too.” A blond youth said, his knitted hat pulled down, and blond hair sticking out like straw.
“Yeah, our phones don’t work either. Everyone’s going crazy. Yesterday, a group of men busted into Town Pump and Mathis Food. They took everything. Man, it was crazy. They burned Cougar Merc to the ground.” Said the other young man, with a rawboned and weather-beaten face. The kid must be a farmer’s kid or rancher, Phoenix thought.
Miles nodded and looked at Phoenix, who rolled the window shut.
“Get us out of here now.” Miles said in a low voice, his hazel eyes scanning quickly and holding his gun up.
“What’s going on?” Phoenix asked nervously and looked in the rearview, he could see fear in Lydia’s large brown eyes. He turned the jeep around and started heading back the way they’d come.
“Hit the gas, there’s a group of men heading toward us!” Miles barked. Phoenix’s heart jumped as he saw five mean heading their way. He hit the gas and grinded gears, but the jeep lurched and took off. He saw the men running, one was raising a rifle toward them.
“Jesus, one of those assholes is raising a rifle at us.” Julian cried, from the back seat.
Ω
Chaparral, NM
Dr. Janet Abellano shoved another box onto the desk that sat inside the car of the elevator. Her arms trembled as she lifted the heavy box into place. The moron, Hilleman had knocked it over when he had climbed into the roof of the elevator car. It was a heavy box, filled with paper. It had not occurred to Abellano to empty the box first, before setting it on the desk. Her mind was disjointed and fuzzy. She was starving.
