Walking slowly through the house with militant stealth, Jack cleared each room one at a time. A dining room, then a bedroom, and then the bathroom. There was only one bedroom left. It was at the end of the hall with the door closed. Jack advanced slowly. His breathing was rhythmic. He put his hand on the doorknob and raised his pistol. If there was anyone waiting to ambush him now would be a perfect time. Jack held his breath and swung the door open with his gun raised. He was stopped dead in his tracks. What he was looking at was not someone waiting to defend their home. Jack had no need to be suspicious of the house now. An elderly couple lay on the king size bed before him. Their lips and fingertips were blue and the skin was pale yet stiff, rigor mortis had set in. They looked as though they had just gotten dressed for the day. There was no bullet holes in their heads or stab wounds on their body. Laying on the nightstand next to the wife was four bottles of super strength prescription painkillers. Three bottles were empty.
Out of all the horrid scenes Jack had seen this one was one of the worst. The thought of people eventually getting to the point where they can't stay strong any longer gave Jack a queasy feeling. What if that was he and Marilyn? People eventually feel they can't pull through and push against all the odds. Anyone could get to that stage and then many opt out. They give up. There was a lurch in his stomach and Jack heaved and spewed onto the bedroom floor. Jack looked up straightened himself and wiped his mouth. Jack had to move on, there just was no time to mourn. He grabbed the remaining bottle of pain pills. They had hardly any medical supplies back at home and with every injury they received the tiny bottle would help greatly. Jack walked back into the kitchen opened the fridge which was surprisingly still cool. Nothing was spoiled yet. Jack grabbed a bottle of juice took a swig and walked to the door. Jacked looked back towards the room and felt absolutely horrible that this day had forced him to just keep moving with no time for reflection and sorrow. It only got in the way of the objective and clouded judgment. He grabbed the bag and headed up the alley closer to Pete's family where he could actually do a little bit of good.
Chapter Thirteen
No Time To Mourn
The neighborhood at home was dark and quiet, almost docile. The silence had put Michael in a calm state of mind. He could focus for the first time on the survivability of the group. The reticence was odd. It was hushed in this neighborhood but chaos had to plague the city in some fashion. Michael hadn't really seen a soul so far. Either everyone was hiding in their homes or most people were somewhere else possibly rioting, plundering, and looting what remains of downtown. Nevertheless Michael had a job to do here, if the situations were reversed Michael would expect some progress to be made when he returned. The electricity had finally ceased and under cover of darkness Michael had decided to move the plundered school food from his garage to the big truck. Rob wheeled a dolly stacked with the last of the food boxes. He had asked for Rob's assistance in helping. If he was going to be a member of this group he would have to contribute. Keeping a close eye on the guy was also a top priority. From what Michael observed today there was no way he could put one hundred percent trust in an outsider. Michael also wanted to see the man’s work ethic. Could he pull his weight or was he a slacker. The two started to stack the boxes along the wall with the rest.
“Remind me again why we are putting the boxes in the semi when they were just stacked in the garage.” Rob asked wiping the sweat from his brow.
Michael put the last box on top of the final stack and he sensed a sarcastic attitude in Rob's tone. “This truck is our exodus. If we have to leave in a rush, I want the majority of our needs on this trailer ready to go and that is really all you need to know.”
The two men stepped away from the stack and looked at their job well done. Various containers of water, assorted kinds of food, and salvaged barrels of gasoline were stored along one wall of the semi trailer. On the other side was the small generator and camping supplies neatly organized and arranged along the wall. Michael turned off the electric lantern that they were using for light and handed it to Rob who threw the last box of electric lanterns and electric hotplates on top of the stack.
“We’re going to set up a night watch,” Michael told Rob as they began to walk back to the house. “Soon we’re going to do a perimeter check to keep an eye out.”
“Count me in.” Rob wanted to appear eager to please because he was grateful for Jack and Michael letting him join the group. He had hoped he hadn’t come off brash in their earlier conversation.
Marilyn had seen the two as soon as they walked in. She took the box from Michael. “Here sit and eat. It’s all cold food being as the power is out but you need to keep up your strength. You have done so much already and you have only eaten the breakfast I made you earlier this morning," After forcing Michael into a chair, Marilyn turned tending to a plate but she insisted upon his relaxation and continued to scold with a nurturing tone. "Like I said you have to keep up your strength, you need to keep yourself safe and you need to be mentally focused. The way to do that is to keep your stomach full. After all it's what Anne would have wanted."
Rob did as he was told after being commanded to sit by Marilyn's finger. Everyone at the table fell silent as they awaited their food. The children could be heard in the next room apparently in a slightly better mood. Marilyn set out the electric battery operated hotplate that Michael had brought her earlier. Marilyn lit an electric lantern. She decided she was going to use that for their dinner. Marilyn put three old plates on the table full of cold sausage, room temperature instant mashed potatoes, and a bologna sandwiches and then disappeared to give the kids their own portion of the meal.
Michael stared at Rob who timidly ate as if he were not welcome which Michael realized it would be hard feeling welcome with a former soldier sitting across the table glaring and all the while knowing the man wasn't a fan of the new arrival. Rob knew Michael didn't like him and Michael was ok with that. Someone had to stay skeptical in the new terror that was reality. What Marilyn had said stuck with him. He did have to stay sharp mentally to keep his daughter safe. He felt an immediate pain in his heart for not feeling remorse for the death of Anne as regularly as he should. He didn't think he could hide from the facts any longer. He was undergoing a change. A change that had been forced upon him years ago and he spent years more getting rid of that change and morphing his mindset. Survive. The word flashed through his mind. This thought process had morphed him into a monster who doesn't hide under beds at night but rather he walks among the unknowing awaiting any excuse to act. Michael was a monster who would do what it took to keep him and his daughter alive, a monster who would exist and endure.
“I hope Jack is ok. I can’t believe he just went off like that. I should kick his ass.” The outburst grabbed everyone’s attention. Marilyn’s face was red from anger. She stormed into the kitchen, her mothering nature was gone. She sat in her chair and ate her food swiftly. She forcefully stabbed each sausage with her fork as the other two watched in bewilderment to her new found anger. Something had obviously clicked in her and her coping ability being the group's mother hen seemed to have vanished completely.
“He feels he has to get to whoever they are tonight because they may not be there tomorrow.” Michael tried to explain the situation. He himself despised the fact that Jack is putting his life endanger when they had already been through so much today He didn’t think that he sounded too convincing.
“Those people can wait. He needs to be here.” Marilyn got up and began to clean. It was the end of the conversation.
Michael got up walked out back. There was no need to be arguing. Arguments could be dangerous in times of no law or order. However, he was frustrated at how Marilyn was mad when she knew that Jack had always been like that. Jack was the hero. He always had been. Michael on the other hand would do anything it took to live in cases like such. This was a different world they were living in now. Michael wasn’t so sure that Jack or Marilyn grasped the seriousness of th
eir predicament. Michael agreed with Marilyn that he shouldn't have left but should she have expected anything less? The first twenty four hours after these bombs will be the most ruthless and cutthroat of any other day after. So many people will die or have died. Jack needs to hurry. Marilyn was beginning to unravel with stress, worry, and the fear of the unknown. Michael needed Jack to hurry because he was in serious lack of manpower.
Rob walked out of Jack’s back door soon after Michael and joined him in standing amidst the dark. It was so dark that you could barely make out the outlines of the various objects in the back yard. The semi was a given but anyone could run right into that trampoline with all the street lights being out. It could be quite the challenge looking through these yards. Michael had a lot to take in just getting ready to fortify this house.
“Do you know what the kids are doing?” Michael asked.
“Marilyn just went to give them blankets and pillows to lay down.” Rob answered him. Rob awaited Michael’s command. He wanted to prove he could help and that he wasn’t as meek as Jack and Michael thought.
“We have two houses to maintain. Here is a pair of binoculars,” Michael said handing him the device. “Our houses are set up the same way your side of the street is. You are going to go to the south end of the alley and then cut up the yard that runs parallel to my house until you get to the street.”
Rob nodded his head. He understood. “What should I exactly be looking for?” Rob asked in ignorance.
“Look for anyone and anything. You hear even the slightest sound and you radio back to me,” Michael handed Rob the two way radio. “Once you reach the street you scan the entire area before you come and meet me. Even if I am in sight, you still check your surroundings. You always do a three sixty scan of your area every few moments,” Michael instructed Rob. He felt as if he were teaching a class back at the park. "All i'm really saying is be aware. At all times."
Rob walked to his side of the alley and then Michael towards his. Michael advanced down the alley. He took a long look at the road that was so far down at the end of the alley. After standing idle a few moments no cars had past and he advanced through Jack’s neighbor’s backyard. There was a shed and a pool but other than a leftover lemonade pitcher, half empty glasses on a porch table, and toys strewn around in a hurry to leave, the yard was just as Michael had remembered its owners; boring as the day is long. There was no one in the house. The entire neighborhood seemed as if it was completely empty. A ghost town. Michael almost expected a tumbleweed to roll by.
Michael was in his element. He silently stepped between the houses. He kept his senses alert. He was almost in bliss. A warm feeling of battling back in his war days was comforting. He had learned to block out the not so pretty situations even though they plagued him everyday at some point or another. Michel stopped his advancement between the houses. He thought he had heard a vehicle. His goal of finding out if there was anyone in the immediate vicinity may have been met. He strained his ears. From where the sound was coming from Michael could tell that it was approaching the rear of the semi. It was closer towards Rob’s side of the house.
The first thought that crossed Michael’s mind as he turned and ran for the semi was that it was Jack returning safely. Then he thought of the convicts. He didn’t want to have to deal with them three times in one day. Whoever it was, Michael had to get to them before they could get to Rob, the semi, or the defenseless people in the house. He pounded his feet harder as he rounded the neighbor’s back yard and then he seen the semi. The car behind the semi was completely covered by the attached trailer of the semi. All he could see was a silhouette of light from the headlights from the car. Michael had no way of knowing who was in the vehicle or even if they meant him harm or not. He advanced along the right side of the trailer with the car still shielded by the trailer. He discovered Rob crouching between his two houses (that he had been walking between) but behind a large bush hidden from view. Michael ducked down and then rolled underneath the trailer. If Rob was hiding then that was enough indication to let Michael know to become scarce. He heard three car doors shut. There were footsteps on both sides of the trailer. They must have been making their way towards the engine but doing it silently. On the right stood two men and one on the left. The footsteps of the individuals were lit up and by the looks of the shoes it was a woman. Michael was relieved to realize the trailer sat lower than normal and being as it was dark there was little chance of the people noticing him lying on the ground only feet away. Michael also had to find out if these people meant harm and if they did he needed to get rid of them first before Rob decides to give himself away or Marilyn happens to come out the back door.
Michael had decided that these people had to go. Even if they meant no harm at all, they had to go. There would be no option. He will force them to leave or they will die. There was not enough food if they are looking for asylum and he wasn't so happy about letting them leave because then they would know where this little honey hole would be. They had to disappear. The monster was unleashed. He would do what had to be done.
The woman on Michael’s left was standing right about where his head laid. She took a step further and that was his chance. Michael silently rolled out from under the trailer. He stood up behind the woman. She was skinny and carrying a baseball bat. It was a relief not to see an orange jumpsuit for once. He quickly grabbed her by the mouth with one hand and secured her with the other. He trapped her hands (still clutching the baseball bat so it didn’t drop and give him away) against her chest. Michael hoped that these intruders would make it easy on him and attack. It would lessen the burden on his already strained conscience.
“Shhh.” She shushed her but barely making a sound doing so. He moved her towards the engine and around the front grill of the truck. He rounded the side and there stood two men. One large with a beard and the other skinny with a cap on. They’re eyes opened wide and they’re mouths dropped once they seen their friend held captive.
Michael let go of her mouth and snatched the pistol from the small of his back and pointed it at the two men. One man had a pistol but if fell with a clank on the ground once his hands flew up out of fear. The skinnier man shot his hand in the air as well. The two men seemed to be trembling.
“What are you doing here?” Michael asked calmly. His eyes never left the two men but off in the distance he could see Rob stand up from the bush just noticing what had happened.
“We were just seeing if there was anyone left in the neighborhood. We didn’t think we were doing anything wrong just seeing if we were the only ones left.” The skinny one seemed almost in tears. Michael could tell he had never had a gun pulled on him before.
“Yeah man that’s all. Let her go man she won’t hurt anyone.” The man with a beard pleaded.
The water in the eyes of this group. The trembling body of his captive victim. The skinny man fell to his knees. Michael had to do it. He had no choice. Survive and protect. It was the logical thing to do but he had worked so hard in his therapy. He had come so far. Michael could hear the faint cry of his captive women. Every moan she gave was was hot against his hand which he had to place back over her mouth because she kept whimpering louder and louder.The last thing Michael needed was even more attention drawn to this area. He squeezed her mouth tighter, drowning out the wretched sound.
"Please don't kill us." The bearded man welled.
“You’re trying to find other people at night? I don't believe you and I suggest that you leave. Go back to your side of the neighborhood and don’t ever show your face in this area again or I will kill you.” Michael seethed seriousness. He shoved the girl toward the two men. The bearded man grabbed her and the three rushed back to their car.
Michael waited until the people were out of sight when yanked Rob from the shadows and walked him back to the house Michael was furious. Michael hated himself for not being able to do it, for being weak.
“Why in the hell didn’t you radio? I practically walked
right into their faces. They could have seen me running and shot on site.” Michael seethed. This wasn’t a game and the people around him had to realize that.
“I’m sorry Michael. I really am. I didn’t know what to do. I froze. I hid and remained silent. That’s what I know. I’m so sorry.” Rob was almost in tears pleading. He saw the fury in Michael’s face. His temples were pulsing. Rob understood he could have gotten Michael killed. Rob couldn’t trust Michael not to kill him just because of that fact. Rob was almost at a full blown cry.
“If you want to stay with… no if you even want to stay alive on your own you are going to have to buckle down and man up. Keep your eyes on your surroundings at all times,” Michael took a step closer and put a finger on his chest. “When you are given a task you follow it, you keep your guard up at all times, and trust no one from outside the group.” Michael poked his chest with every statement. “Above all else you watch your six. Don’t screw up again. If you see anyone, anyone at all, radio immediately.”
Rob nodded his head. He felt the pressure of not having a second chance lifted off his shoulders. Michael started across Jack’s backyard. Rob followed him. “You know those people didn’t seem too harmful.”
Michael stopped and turned around quick. “What did I just tell you? You don’t trust anyone from outside this group. Who is to say they didn’t just put on an act to get away just to get more people and come take what Jack and I have risked our lives to obtain.”
Rob hung his head.
“I know these bombs only went off earlier today and everything seems to be becoming extremely serious really fast but there are only certain things we can do about it. The first twenty four hours will be the most turbulent that we should experience. From this point on we live to survive. If you don’t embrace that mindset then you won’t survive and you will put all of us at risk. There are only three of us men and we need your help.” Rob understood. He nodded his head with a smile. Michael felt he had finally gotten through to Rob. He could see the change of attitude in his face.
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