“My name is Rob and I saw your bag of guns and supplies from my house. I just didn’t want to get shot by walking up on you. You seemed on such high alert. Then you left. From what I seen we three are the only people left on our side of the neighborhood. I was so excited to see someone else still here and alive. So after you two left I decided I would try and see if the old man you left behind would allow me to meet you.” The man spoke quickly. His words were shaky. Michael could tell he had a genuine fear not that of a person faking fear to do harm later. Even though it didn't guarantee the man didn't have hostile intentions Michael still backed out of the man’s face.
"I don't think I have seen you around here before. Where do you live again?" Jack asked.
"A few houses down. I moved here about a month ago from the town over," Rob spoke quick with hints of depression in his tone. "They killed my wife."
"There is no way we can trust you. We just have no reason to," Michael glared at the man who never made eye contact. "Jack we need to discuss this for a minute."
Jack and Michael stepped on the other side of the door.
"Listen man I don't know if this is a good idea." MIchael immediately warned.
"You have to realize that it's still early in this crisis we're in. He is probably just freaked out and doesn't want to go it alone." Jack rationalized. He knew Michael had every right to worry.
"We don't know that for a fact man. He says he just moved in. Anyone could say that," Michael recognized Jack's face as dissenting. "Look man are you ready to put the kids in anymore danger regardless of how remote? I'm ready to send him packing with a few supplies. He can stay at his place."
Jack shook his head. "Look Michael if he wanted to steal or or hurt someone he would have done it while we were gone. He said he saw our guns. I'm sure he is just looking for some protection. Put yourself in his shoes. Not everyone has our experience and it is just the right thing to do." Jack was determined to set a civilized example for their group.
"If we gave him any supplies at all he would just come back eventually like a hungry alley cat," Michael rubbed his forehead. "Fine, I'd would rather keep him under my thumb anyway but he will be under a probation period." Michael reluctantly bargained. He just wanted Jack to understand how dangerous accepting strangers in can be.
"Agreed." Jack knew Michael had solid points but all-in-all Jack felt it to be the only choice.
The two men entered the room. “At this point in time we can’t take any chances. I can tell you don’t mean harm so we can let you hang around until we find out what we are going to do permanently. However, if you ever show one slight sign of aggression toward anyone in this house I’ll put a bullet in your head myself. Consider yourself lucky you were in the same neighborhood. We can't trust anyone from here on because of these damn bombs. We just can’t afford to.” Michael stated in a firm non faltering voice.
“I promise. I promise you won’t have any trouble out of me. I just don’t want to be by myself. Those prisoners... they killed any people who were left over. I'll do anything you need. I will pull my own weight I swear.” The man had a nervous tic in his finger. He seemed genuinely scared.
“Well go on down and have a seat I’m sure Marilyn will make you something to eat.” Jack offered.
The man stood up with an eagerness in shaking Michael’s hand first and then Jack’s. Rob left the room looking relieved that nothing worse had happened to him. Jack rubbed his short hair. Michael leaned against the wall.
“Being as most everyone was evacuated in our small town there are no grocery stores up and running. That is why I took the truck. Those convicts are rampant and they have probably looted most of the town. So how are we going to feed all the people downstairs? The food in both of our refrigerators won’t feed this many people for long and the refrigerators will stop eventually.” Michael had made a very important and somber point.
“That dehydrated food may last for a while without refrigeration but we don’t know how much actual food is in there. We’ll have to check it out later.” Jack sat on the bed.
“If the convicts have looted the town this early we will be in trouble with food and water sooner rather than later. We should stock up ourselves.” Michael enlightened.
“Well we can use our house to stock up on our running water before that eventually quits. We can feel buckets and save it. We’re not that far from the Ohio River we can have someone make trips after we scout providing our water has depleted but do you have any suggestions on which places would be safe to get supplies from that isn’t run over with convicts?” Jack asked.
Michael leaned against the wall silently thinking. After a small while of both the men pondering which store would benefit them most locally. Then Michael’s face lit up like the light bulb above his head that had just produced a grand idea. “What about Pete’s gas station? We can stock up on bottled water, other drinks, some food, and most importantly gas. If we ever have to leave I want to have plenty of gas.”
“That is perfect. It’s on the outskirts of town and the convicts probably haven’t even been out that way since the gas station is the only reason to go out that way unless you’re going to our park. We may have to borrow and board up one of our neighbor's houses for a stockpile.” Jack almost felt excited.
“Yes and I think we should leave as soon as possible to avoid the convicts and get there first. We have a race against time because they will take this town for all it’s worth and the school is empty and that was done by just two men and that means they have split up and gone to other places as well. If they keep this pace up they will have the whole town purged of anything useable within the week.” Michael offered. He was raring to go. Jack thought that Michael may have secretly wanted to run into the convicts again.
“Yes I agree but we need to sit down with the group first.” Jack said and the two started for the door when they heard a knock.
Jack opened the door to Pete. The two joined the old man out in the hallway.
“So do you guys know what is going on? We’re all so confused.” Pete asked as they walked to the stairs.
“We will tell you all what we can downstairs.” Michael answered.
Jack could only wonder what everyone had been thinking. Marilyn was probably worried sick after he left for the kids. He or Michael haven’t explained to anyone what they were planning to do or even that they had a plan. Jack and Michael had a silent understanding of what needed to be done and in what order it should be done in. They understood the depth of the position they all were in. If they wanted to survive in a world of chaos then they all were going to have to follow strict guidelines. Jack knew there was a possibility of rebuilding but until that option came available they were going to have to survive at any means necessary.
Everyone gathered in the living room. The atmosphere was awkward and nervous. Jake was napping. Rob sat at attention next Pete who had just sat on the couch. Jenna sat next to Pete and the two boys sat in the floor. Everyone was silent until Marilyn came into the room with cookies. Some chatter erupted within the group as Marilyn passed the cookies around. Marilyn left the room and quickly returned with a wet rag and began wiping Cody’s face. He winced but didn’t complain. Marilyn kept herself extremely preoccupied with cleaning and worrying about others when she was nervous and this evening he had more than an excuse to do so.
Jack spoke to get what he and Michael had to say started. “So I guess no one really knows what is going on out there. I’m sure you kids have a lot of questions and you should. I’m sure everyone has questions but let Michael and I explain a few things first.”
The group sat quietly so Michael continued. “We’ve heard of or have had some kind of encounter with these convicts. They aren’t to be taken lightly. So we need to do everything in our power not to provoke them and to stay out of their way any chance we get. Soon Jack and I will begin prepping this house and my own for long term living. We will have to secure food and water. Then we will try to make c
ontact with some kind of civilized society. Some towns may not be in as much chaos and may be maintaining their citizens. It’s possible only our prison was opened so if we find another town who is on their feet we will go there but only if it is necessary.”
"What are we waiting for? Why don't we go now?" Cody had asked. Michael had noticed that the boy's eyes haven't stopped ogling his daughter.
"That's not the best course of action yet Cody. We need to make sure we have certain provision stored before uproot. We have a lot of people here to feed and we need the resources before we can do anything. On top of that we haven’t the slightest idea of where to go right now." Michael answered keeping eye contact with the kid.e
“If you wouldn’t mind Marilyn I’d like to let Rob, Cdy, and Pete stay in our two houses with us. They really don’t have anywhere to go and it would be too much of a risk for Rob to live down the street. Only if you don’t mind Rob. It makes sense to stay together when we can. If you want to stay in your house you have that right but you will be outcast from this group because you coming back and forth could put us in jeopardy and as well as yourself,” Jack looked from Marilyn to Rob. Both understood and shook their head. “Now, Pete. If you wouldn’t mind we would like to get some gas from your store and some supplies to hold us over for a while.” Jack was serious but wanted to remain calm not to alert the group of how serious their life was about to become and how much work was going to go into gathering, storing, and boarding up the houses .
“I don’t mind. It don’t look like I’m going to be open anytime soon anyway.” Pete said.
“Thank you Pete. We should leave soon. When we return we will try to establish a permanent living area for everyone.” Jack offered.
“Yes we should and we need to get that truck unloaded as soon as we can. It a red flag sitting in my driveway.” Michael pointed out.
“But what about the bombs. We saw them on the news at school?” Jenna asked. She seemed curious not scared.
“Well we don’t know. We’re not sure how many cities are bombed but if they all are bombed the country may not recover and we may have to find a more permanent area to settle.” Michael answered his daughter truthfully. He knew she was mature enough to handle it.
“We would have to leave and go far away?” Marilyn asked.
“We may have to if all the cities are gone because that means people will be moving and small towns like our own would be hot spots to settle. But we do need to get that truck unloaded. Rob would you care to help.” Jack asked and Rob nodded and stood up. The group returned to conversation. Jack wanted to skirt the issue of having to leave because he knew Marilyn would be upset. They had worked hard to pay off the house. So many people in the area could afford their houses easily and they had to work hard at making payments. All that didn’t matter now. Jack fully admitted to himself finally that what mattered was survival.
The three men walked outside and headed for the newly acquired truck.
“Where should we stack the boxes?” Rob asked.
“We can put them in my garage for now i’ll back the truck up.” Jack and Rob stood in the garage and waited for Michael to back out of the driveway and then turn around and back into the driveway. Jack kept his eyes darting from house to house just in case there was anyone left.
Michael got out of the truck and climbed in the back and started handing Rob and Jack boxes. One by one the boxes were extracted. There was dehydrated bananas, apples, and other fruits. There was fresh fruit and orange juice and milk cartons that one would find in any school. What Michael found that was possible of the most use was hot plates and cooking materials.
After the boxes were unloaded the garage door was shut to conceal their plunder and the men went back inside. Jordan was in the kitchen with Marilyn. Michael went into the living room to tell Jenna they were going to the gas station and to ask Pete to come along since he had the keys.
Jack hugged Marilyn.
“I’ll be back soon. We just need these supplies at Pete’s gas station.” Marilyn understood. Jack knew she hated him leaving and he wasn’t excited about leaving her in Rob’s care. He had only just met the man and even though he seemed harmless and didn’t do anything while they were gone the first time, he still didn’t like the fact of leaving him unsupervised.
“Listen Jordan I want you to keep an eye on Rob while we're gone.”
“I will.” Jordan seemed proud of his new endeavor.
Jack turned to Marilyn. "Listen if there is any problem with that man there is a gun in the first drawer of my nightstand. They hugged and said their goodbyes once again. They now live in a world where saying your deepest goodbyes would be a regular occurrences and that is that worried Marilyn the most.
Jack grabbed his duffel bag and Michael grabbed his machete. Then they got into Michael’s truck. Michael, Jack, and Pete hit the road with yet another objective. The sight of the town had forever changed. Even as the darkness grew it was still evident everywhere from the scattered clothes to possible people shut in their house afraid to come out. Through the town Jack and Michael noticed there actually was evidence of life. The further they traveled from their neighborhood, in the current direction, the more lights that were visible began to appear and houses that weren’t evacuated had their cars hidden and curtains drawn.
Jack didn’t believe that these residents would be able to stay in the town long. Between the convicts running wild and residences eventually getting desperate the town could soon turn into a death trap.
Chapter Eleven
No Time To Mourn
Soon they were at the gas station with no sign of the convicts. It had appeared untouched. The men got out of the car. Jack was rummaging through the duffle bag. Michael was scanning the area. Pete checked the pumps but they were empty.
“Damn the pumps are empty Jack, what are we going to do?” Michael asked.
“It’s ok I have twelve barrels in the back lot. People must had stopped and filled up never mind the store being closed.” Pete solved their problem. He took one key off his keychain.
“Here take the keys,” The old man tossed the keys to Jack. “You can grab all the water and stuff you want. I’ll go unlock the chain that is around the barrels.
“I’ll go with you. Michael offered.
They started for the back of the building. They walked along the right wall of the building with Pete a few steps ahead. The old man turned the corner to go behind the building and there was a thundering sound. It wasn’t the sound of a pistol but a shotgun. Michael crouched and drew his Desert Eagle and as he did he saw Pete stumble back holding his stomach. Blood erupted from his mouth. He turned to Michael and there were holes where his stomach used to be. Blood flowed and soaked his garments and his entrails were forcing their way out. The old man then fell back with a thud, dead.
Jack opened the front door to the shop. He stuck the key in his pocket and entered. Walking straight past the cash register and to the large cases of water that sat on the back wall opposite the break room. He walked down a short aisle and stopped just before the back exit. He began pulling cases of water of the shelf and onto the ground when he heard a loud gunshot. Jack dropped low out of instinct. The shot sounded like it was just beyond the door. He stepped over the water and the exit door burst open. Two men came pushing through. Jack was startled and fell back over the water. He pulled his pistol from is belt. The first man had a shotgun. Jack pulled the trigger before the man noticed him and he fell dead with a bullet between the eyes. Jack stood with his gun aimed. The second man had turned around and ran before his partner hit the ground. They were just as surprised to see Jack on the other side of that door as Jack was to see them. Jack looked at the body. The man wore an orange jumpsuit.
Michael backed away from Pete's body as fast as he could. He wasn’t expecting that. Pete lay there with his stomach mangled. Michael had no time to consider Pete’s death because he heard footsteps and a door open from around the corner, so he aimed his
pistol at the corner of the building expecting someone to appear ready to fire. His mind was frantic and he couldn't keep his thoughts straight. Michael brushed the hair out of his face and refocused. He had to think quickly and clearly. Then there was a second shot which added to the extreme excitement and diluted clarity. There was no sure way to tell who was the shooter. Michael immediately made his way to the front parking lot. There was a fence around the gas station lot and past that was just open field but Michael didn’t want to be caught between a fence and a wall with a gunman that could fire with Michael having no place for cover. He backed up to the opposite corner with his back facing the parking lot and peered around waiting for a sign of the foe with his gun at the ready. He couldn’t be sure where the shot came from but he was sure it came from inside. Just then a man in prison garb came rushing around the corner stumbling over Pete's body.
“Michael!” Jack shouted. At that time a white van with a state prison insignia upon its door came flying up the street headed for the gas station. Jack could only guess who was in the van. Jack knew he had to get to his shotgun that was sitting in the bed of the truck. He had a feeling they would need the extra fire power.
With the new commotion Michael was distracted by the van and Jack's voice. He quickly looked over to see Jack sprinting from the front door to the truck. He looked the opposite way and there was the white van racing toward them. A shotgun burst peppered the brick Michael hid behind which had snapped him back to his objective. Michael knew now that there had to be two convicts and apparently more on the way. The convict came running, reloading his shotgun with his eyes fixed on Michael's crouched position behind the wall. With one well measured shot the former soldier took down his enemy. The prisoner’s head snapped back and then his knees buckled causing his lifeless body to hit the pavement.
“It’s those convicts.” Michael shouted at Jack who had reached the truck.
“I know damn it. That’s the one I didn’t waste,” Jack grabbed his shotgun and pumped it. “Get over here behind the truck there are more coming!” Jack shouted across the parking lot.
No Time To Mourn Page 12
