“Can't we help them?” his wife Anita asked.
“Honey, there are just too many of them. Our offered assistance would be a small drop in a big bucket and we'd be swarmed with victims that need help.”
“I don't think it's Christian to not offer some help.”
“I'll see if we can take some food to the sheriffs department and have them give the food out to others.”
“I'd be stealing from the stores, iffen I lived in town.” their youngest boy, Jonas, said. He'd just turned 22 the month before. He was like his father, six feet and four inches tall, muscled and well toned, with a big bright smile most of the time. He weighed close to 200 pounds and not an ounce of it was fat. His blonde hair and blue eyes showed the German blood from his great-grandfather flowed in his veins.
“Stealing is against the law and you know it.” Mike said, and he was the oldest boy, with no girls in the family.
The boys looked alike, but Jonas was in better shape. Mike spent less time at the gym and more at work. He'd been married, but his wife had been killed when the earthquakes hit. Two days ago the ground had opened up and swallowed both her and the car she was driving. Unfortunately, Mike had seen it all happen, as Tracy backed down the driveway to go to town. He was a veteran of the middle east wars, but he never talked about them. Death he knew well, so as heartbroken as he was, he was struggling to move forward. He'd tried to rescue her but the ground then closed as quickly as it had opened. They'd had a small ceremony in the family plot at the graveyard down the road about a mile and while they had nothing to bury, it brought about an end to his short three year marriage. Now he had to get Tracy out of his mind and focused more or surviving the emergency.
Terry and Anita only had the two boys, but she'd had a miscarriage once and a daughter was lost about ten years back. She'd taken years to accept there would be no other children and she'd always wanted a little girl so badly.
“So, what’s the latest news, besides the government is closed, Dad?” Mike asked.
“There is extensive damage, along with high number of fatalities, and substantial travel delays in Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri. Bridges are gone, the roads are twisted and torn, which hampers the search and rescue efforts. No one can cross the Mississippi, because of the lack of safe bridges, so evacuations cannot not happen right now. Then, because of the condition of the roads, the rescue folks have given up. If ya want to cross the Mississippi, you need a boat, not a car or truck.”
“What kind of condition is Saint Louis in? Have you heard?” Jonas asked.
“All I've heard is what you'd expect in a big city. Stores and restaurants are being looted and robbed of food, drink and women.”
“Women?” Anita asked.
“Women can be traded for what a man needs to stay alive. Looks like our so called perfect society has reverted back to caveman days.” Mike said.
Terry said, “It was close to reverting on it's own, before the asteroid hit. I saw many indicators that we were on borrowed time as a people. Killing new born babies up to 24 hours after they were born, corruption in our highest government, and then the sex trafficking that was taking place. Seems everyone was into sex with everyone else but their mate. God had a hand in this asteroid.”
Mike, not wanting to get his father speaking of religion again, shifted the conversation. “Dad, today Jonas and I will gather up some watermelons and take them to Rolla. Once there, we'll unload them in town and leave.”
“Good idea, son. While a watermelon ain't much, it'll kill the hunger pains and at least make the eater feel like they've had something to eat. I'm thinking at the end of this week we'll butcher one of the hogs and take it into town.”
“I think we need to do that early, while it's still dark, so no one can follow us back here. I don't mind helping folks, but if they discover where we live, there are some who will come and try to take what is rightfully ours.”
“Rough times comin' and most of those people in the towns and cities have no idea what to do. Many were depending on the government to care for them before the asteroid struck, so you know they're a mess now. When you take the melons in, watch the snow because it's about 8 inches deep now. You can be sure, no one will plow the snow either.” Terry said and then took a sip from his coffee cup. He slowly shook his head as he continued, “I'm not sure how many veggies and fruits we can take to town before this cold spell kills our supply. If it gets as cold as it did last night, we'll be making our last run at the end of this week.”
“Well, the weather is messed up too and with us being farmers, it'll hurt us in the long run. I have no idea when to plant crops now. It was 110 last week with the heat index, and that was just five days back. Last night was 30 degrees and today is 36. And, mixed with the falling snow is sand and dirt.” Jonas said.
“Just do what we can for others right now, because there will come a day we will not be able to help anyone but us. I also foresee us fighting for this place in the near future, maybe. We have a lot and most others will have nothing. Sooner or later, folks will leave the cities and towns to hit the countryside, where food is to be found.” Anita said, as she cleared the table of breakfast plates and cups.
“We'll do what it takes to survive, mom.” Jonas said and meant it.
“Mike, when you go to town to drop off the melons, take the 12 gauge shotgun and a box of shells. I also want you boys packin' a pistol ever minute you're awake from now on. Times have changed and not for the good.”
Both boys nodded, but they said nothing. They both understood that eventually folks would turn to killing for food, and then things would turn rough. As farmers, they both understood they'd eventually have to fight to keep what crops they had. Neither cherished the idea of killing over a potato, but they'd do it if it needed done.
Standing, and not hearing the screeching of his chair on the hardwood floor, Mike said, “Come with me, Jonas, and lets get the melons to town. Now, you get the guns and meet me in the barn. We'll load up and get this done.”
“You want your Colt 1911?”
“Of course, little brother.”
“Give me five minutes and I'll help you load.”
Ten minutes later, Jonas entered the barn and said, “I had to hunt for your box of shells. I have my .38 and your .45. Now, both boxes of shells are new and never opened. Do you want to open them and slip some in your coat pocket?”
“No, I'll just place the whole box in my coat pocket and keep the extra magazine where I can reach it in a hurry. You get on the truck bed and I'll hand the melons to you.”
As they loaded, little talking took place.
When they finished, Jonas asked, “You doin' okay?”
“I'm fine, and it will take time for me to adjust to losing Tracy; she died so quickly and I saw it happen. She joins a bunch of good men who died before her.”
“You've had some rough times.” Jonas said as he climbed up on the drivers seat of the old Ford flatbed truck. Turning the key and starting the truck, he placed it in gear and said, “Things will get better, but right now times are rough for everyone. I have never thought I'd see a day when the United States Government would close down and allow everyone to survive on their own.”
“It's happened, and that means the bad people will be out with the good. Keep your eyes open at all times and know what is going on around you too. Many a man has been killed because he had his head up his rear and not paying attention to his surroundings. I learned that first thing in the war. Always be aware of what is going on around you. All it takes is a minute and you, along with me, will be dead.”
“I will keep my eyes open. It's a shame this country has turned like it has, especially with all we had going for us. My only serious complaint is the States got to the point that the rights of minorities violated the rights of the majority. I don't care about declaring rights for various genders they claimed existed, because my science class taught me that by using DNA, there were only two genders, a man and w
oman. No, I don't think all the individuals who identified as this or that should have been mistreated, but you can remove your penis and balls, get a set of big boobs, and dress like a woman, but you'll still die a man. No, I don't think they should be mistreated, but I didn't care for the way they demand I accept their life style. As a Christian, I cannot accept it, but I'll not bother them either. Live and let live. God will judge all, not Jonas.”
“Well said. I had a couple of gays I served with in the service and I had no issues with them. They did their jobs extremely well and I did mine. So, sexual preference never was discussed and there was no need to talk about it at all. We all wore green, depended on each other to stay alive, and that's what mattered.”
“I thought of joining after you went in, but when you reenlisted, I changed my mind and decided your two tours met our family obligation for the boys to serve. I do have a strong opinion that families need to support the services and fight when it's needed.”
“I wish everyone, male and female, served at least 2 years. It changes people and they grow up quickly. I entered the military a boy but left them a man. I don't feel any great pride from serving but I do feel great pride when I see the flag. Many of my buddies came home with the flag draping their coffins, so I'll not see it abused.”
“Just last month some football player wouldn't stand for the national anthem and knelt instead. It angered me, but it must have really upset you.”
“I didn't like it, but I served so he'd have the right to do what he did. I supported, by serving, all the rights and didn't get to choose and pick the ones I liked. I fought to defend the Constitution and I did just that.”
“Wow, look at the road, all twisted and torn up. I'll have to drive on the grass in some spots.”
“It's okay. I'm in no hurry. I suspect we need to go into the woods and haul out about four cords of wood, with it snowing like it is.”
“Yep, I'll bring that up to Dad when we return. Ain't been no one else on this road this morning, because I don't see any tracks. Anything on the road this morning would not be filled with snow by now. This snow fall isn't much, except it's dead summer.”
“Where are people to go? There are no places open and away from town they'll not find much, unless they have friends or family near. Once their gas is gone, then what? They'll have to trade for it or steal it. We're lucky we have three 500 gallon tanks. Remind me to talk to Dad about that. We need to secure our gas at the farm, or we'll start to lose it over time.”
“We can place a dog at each tank as added security. I know ole Blue and Jim Dandy will keep anyone but us away from the gas. I'm just not sure of which dog should be the last one.”
“Knuckle Head would be good. She's protective as all get out, but she sleeps a lot. We'll discuss this with Dad and I'm sure he'll have some ideas.”
As they drove by the collapsed and now burned super store, Jonas said, “Wow, everything in there was lost. That store alone would have keep Rolla eating for a long spell.”
“Not anymore. Turn on highway 72 and we'll go down to Pine Street and then turn toward town. I don't like the idea of using all the main roads. All it would take is one good roadblock and we'd lose the truck, melons, and maybe our lives.”
“Do you see things as that bad?”
“Maybe not yet, but we're heading there. I think in six months, we'll not recognize this country.”
“You're probably right, but I hope not.”
“Wow, look at this place. The buildings all look like a war zone. Like a mass bombing or terrible tornado happened instead of an earthquake. I'm sure the death toll is high”
“Maybe, only you never know,” Mike said and then added, “I saw towns like this during the war and we'd blown the place up all around them and there were very few killed. It was hard to understand how they survived. Many, I think used bunkers or storm shelters in their living rooms. They'd pull the floor up, dig a shelter about 6 feet deep and the lay the floor back and leave a trap door they could cover with a rug. If the fighting grew intense, they’d go into the shelter with the soldiers and then once the fight was over, they'd come back out and start the fight again.”
“Must have been rough.”
“It was rough at first. One of our men came up with the idea of dropping a grenade in the cellars when we first started checking houses. It went fine for a few months, then we visited a Catholic Hospital and each of the rooms had a shelter built under it. The first time we dropped a grenade in, we discovered to our horror it'd been full of kids. I still have nightmares about that.”
“I'd guess so. Looks like we have a crowd gathered over by where Scotty's drug store use to be. Let's park there and start giving these melons away.” Jonas said as he pulled up into the torn up parking lot and then backed to the street. He parked the truck and then got out and they moved to the melons.
“Each of you can have one melon. We have enough for everyone so don't pressure me. I know you're hungry but this is all the food we have today. We need to eat the melons because the cold weather will kill them soon. Come, get a free watermelon.”
Toward the end of the group came an old white haired woman, who reminded Jonas of someone, but the name wouldn't come to memory. He handed her a big melon and was surprised when she said, “Thank you and may God bless you both. Your gift is desperately needed.”
“Y . . . you're welcome. Be here on Friday, we are bringing a whole pig cut up. Everyone will get about 3 pounds of fresh pork.”
The old women smiled, gave a nod and said, “I will be here. Will you arrive at the same time?”
“No we will be here before dawn, but will not start giving out meat until the sun comes out. Each of you will be marked too, so no one can come down the line twice.”
“That is fair. You two are surely angels in my mind and heart. I care for my elderly husband and he is stuck in his wheelchair. If not for you two, we would starve. I do not fear death, but I love my man and he's had a hard life. He spent over 40 years in prison for a crime he didn't do. He was cleared and his life sentence thrown away, but after all that time the outside scared him.”
“Ma'am it scares me at times and I've never been to prison.”
“I must leave now and I will be here Friday for sure. Do you remember the buildings across the street from the high school? I live at number 235. If you ever need someone to help prepare the food you give away, I can help you. If I help you, maybe I can earn a little extra something to eat.”
“I'll speak with my father and see what he says. I can't promise we need help, but I will ask him. He is a Christian, so he'll help you if he can.”
“I must go now and I will be back on Friday. God bless you and your family.”
As the old woman turned and walked away, Mike said, “I feel so sorry for people like that and eventually the lack of medication will kill them. Most are on blood pressure pills, heart medicines, or only God knows what. They'll soon be out of meds and there are no pharmacies open these days. As a matter of fact, nothing is open.”
“I'm setting her a nice lean cut of pork to the side to give her.”
“I agree, because she was nice enough to thank us for the melons. Can you imagine only having a melon for your meals?” Mike asked.
“Living on a farm, food has never been a problem for us, but money has. I can remember Dad not being able to pay the electric bill one month and they came out and turned it off. We did without power for two months. Do you remember that?”
“I remember, and we used kerosene lamps for light and we used an old wood burning stove Dad had in the barn that Grandpa had owned at one time. It was rough, but we survived.”
Glancing at his watch, Mike said, “We need to get back.”
Some of the now homeless men were eating water melon and standing by a fire in a 55 gallon metal drum. As Mike backed the big flatbed truck, two men jumped onto the bed, planning to go where these two men with food lived. They moved close to the cab and out of Jonas' view with the m
irrors as he drove.
The snow on the roads didn't cause any problems for Mike as he slowly took his time returning. He knew from experience that most folks drove too fast on snow covered roads. The only problem he had driving was the snow covered parts of the badly damaged road. He could see potholes by the recessed spots in the route. They were an inch or two lower than the rest of the asphalt.
He pulled straight into the barn when they arrived at the farm. Concentrating on parking safely, Mike didn't see the two men jump from the truck and hide behind some hay bales. He then turned the truck engine off and made his way into the white wooden framed farmhouse. He was pouring a cup of coffee when his Dad entered the kitchen and said, “I need you two to take some more food to town. I discovered most of the veggies are suffering from frost damage and if they're not eaten soon, they'll be bad in three days and start to rot on us. I'd rather give it to those hungry than watch it rot in the fields. You have any problems with another trip today?”
“No, no problem with it at all, Dad. I like the idea of giving it away too, because it's the right thing to do. I think it would be a sin to see it rot and know there were people around us going to bed hungry.”
“Give me about twenty minutes and you can take some pork in at the same time. I thought to kill a pig, gut it and then load it on the truck. Once in town, you two can cut it up and pass it out. I won't give another pig, because we will only have six left and I have no idea how long this food shortage will last. I'll help others, but my family comes first.”
An hour later, they were moving back to town, while the two men that'd hitched a ride to the farm had stayed behind. They intended to kill an animal for food and then steal the meat. With the two brothers gone, the old man and his wife would not be a problem.
Both of the men in the barn were of average size and they'd not missed many meals in the past because the emergency just happened a week ago. But, used to regular meals of excellent foods, they felt as if they were starving now. Both felt justified to kill a pig or cow and maybe steal a car to return to town with meat. They were selfish and nothing would stop their plan, even if they had to kill to complete the act. Meat they wanted and meat they would return with, no matter what they had to do.
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