Down the Hole

by Sally Six

  A slight drizzle had started just as they began their journey down the bicycle/walking path towards Asotin. It was hard to walk without seeing the ground real good.

  “Wonderful,” Andrew said. “Just what we needed. If it’s raining down here, that means it’s snowing up top.”

  All Crystal could do was groan. “Snow.”

  “Well,” Andrew said. “At least snow isn’t so wet right away. Look on the bright side.”

  “How far now? It never seemed to take this long in the car to get to Asotin.” Crystal asked about 15 minutes after they began their walk.

  Andrew was rolling his eyes and biting his tongue by this time. It was the third time that she had asked the same question in the 15 minutes they had been walking.

  Aaron who was taking up the rear told her they would be to Asotin in about another 10 minutes.

  As they walked in the drizzle, they noticed a couple more homes that had soft light coming from their windows. They all about jumped out of their skins when a gunshot went off back down the highway from where they came from.

  “Uh oh,” said Andrew. “I think we best get a bit more get in our getty up.”

  He was in the lead and started to walk faster. Crystal would just have to keep up. Who knows what was going on back there?

  Soon Crystal was panting. “Please Andrew, slow down a bit. I just can’t go this fast anymore.” She whined and started to sob.

  Aaron was right behind her and put his left arm around her and walked with her. “It’s okay Crystal. You are doing fine. See there’s the bridge. We’re at Cedar Creek, right by Asotin.”

  Aaron looked ahead at his brother and said. “Andrew, Crystal needs a break for a few minutes. She just isn’t used to all this exercise.”

  They walked over to the bridge and sat down on the curb right at the beginning of the bridge.

  Crystal was down to just sniffling now and the drizzle seemed to have stopped.

  Andrew decided that he best stay standing and on guard as he was at the bridge post.

  Even if he couldn’t see much, the concrete on the bridge wasn’t like the blacktop. It made things much easier to see. There wasn’t much to see anyway. Things were pretty darn quiet with no cars and trucks running down the road. He could hear a few dogs barking in the adjoining neighborhood behind and alongside the bridge. They hadn’t heard another gunshot since the first one thank goodness, but he still wondered what that had been about.

  After a couple more minutes, Andrew left the post and walked up to his brother and Crystal. “Okay, we have to get going again. We don’t know what went on behind us. I for one don’t want to find out right now. We need to get up State Route 129 the Anatone Grade and get to our rendezvous point. I hope Titus has made it there as well.”

  They picked up their duffels and this time Aaron took the lead. They began their way across the small town of Asotin via the short cut through town and down the side streets. The three reached the road that led up to the fairgrounds which was right below the grade that headed up to Anatone.

  As they walked and were almost even with the gate to the Asotin County Fair Grounds, Aaron decided to be funny.

  “Only four miles to go to the top and three to the meeting place.” Aaron said with a grin on his face.

  “You’re a real smart Alec you know that Aaron,” said Crystal. “Yeah only four miles left to the top and there all up hill. Wait, all seven are up hill, aren’t they?”

  “Yeah,” said Aaron. “Just the last three aren’t as steep. It levels out more after you get to the top of the grade.”

  Just then they heard a noise over in the fairgrounds. The gate was open. They finally noticed that fact which was unusual. Andrew grabbed Crystal and pulled her over to the side of the road and Aaron quickly joined them.

  “What was that?” Aaron asked Andrew.

  Andrew whispered. “How in the world should I know? Let’s just be quiet. We need to get past the chain link fence here without anyone noticing the movement. Even in the dark someone could notice us.”

  Then they heard a women’s voice. “Les how can we get along with so little. I just can’t leave so many of my clothes.”

  Then a man’s voice. “You can and you will Lou Ann. We can only take what we can carry besides wearing as many of our clothes as we can to not only keep warm but so we will have more extra clothing.”

  “But Dad.” A girl’s voice in a whine was heard from another quarter.

  “That’s it. You will both listen to me and do as I say. This may become life or death to us. Get what you need that’s practical and get it on or into that backpack right now. Do you hear me? NOW.”

  “Another thing that I am hoping is that Titus Graham’s parents will take us in. I have skills and there will be safety in numbers. I know Titus is a good young man and he has told us about his parents. We have to find a place to live and hole up until this passes with likeminded people. Hopefully someday we can come home. Now we have to get moving.”

  The three on the outside of the side of the road were glad it was a family. Andrew now knew who they were.

  “That’s the Asotin County Sheriff, Aaron.”

  Aaron whispered back to his brother. “Did you hear them talking about our family? Do you think we should link up with them if there headed for Mom and Dad’s anyway?”

  “Yes, that’s what I was thinking also Aaron. After all there is safety in numbers as he said. He is a Sheriff to boot. That won't hurt matters at all.”

  Andrew looked at Aaron. “Keep Crystal over here. I am going to go talk to the sheriff. I’ll be right back. I hope.”

  Andrew stepped over and into the gate of the fairgrounds. He walked a few more feet until he could make out outlines of a vehicle and a small trailer. He could still hear whining, but the sheriff seemed to have things more under control now.

  “Well, here goes.” Andrew said to himself.

  “HELLO in the fairgrounds,” he called loud but too loud.

  Andrew could hear the unmistakable sound of guns clicking into action.

  “Hello Sheriff, it’s me Andrew Graham, Titus’s brother.”

  He heard. “HOLD. Keep your gun in his direction.” The sheriff yelled back at him. “Stay where you are.” Then he heard the footsteps of someone approaching.

  All Andrew could think of was, “where else would I go when I just yelled at you and let you know where I was.” The shadow of a man about Andrews’s height appeared out of the dark. Then he stood in front of him with the police pistol still aimed at him.

  “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” The man said.

  “Well for starters,” said Andrew. “Why else would I have yelled at you instead of either going on my way or if I was a bad guy shot you and yours instead of letting you know I was here? Another thing, your name is Les and you’re the Asotin County Sheriff. I have met you once at Titus’s house. You live right next door to him. Now can you point that gun somewhere else?”

  “Okay, your right.” Les said as he put his pistol back in its holster. “I believe you, now what?”

  “Well for one thing, we would like to have you join us on our trip up the grade. We overheard you talking about trying to get to my parents anyway.”

  “We? Who’s we?”

  Andrew turned around and called out but not too loud. “Aaron, Crystal come on over.”

  In a few minutes, footsteps could be heard coming out of the dark from the gate area. It didn’t take long for Aaron and Crystal to get where Andrew and Les were standing.

  Andrew spoke up. “Les, I want you to meet my little brother, Aaron, and his girlfriend, Crystal.”

  Les stuck out his right hand. “Hello. Sorry to meet you under such circumstances.”

  Aaron said. “Good to meet you to Sheriff.” Then shook his hand. Crystal also shook Les’s hand and said. “Hello, nice to meet you.”

  “Come on, come meet my family. I think that’s a very good idea us linking up. That should help us all b
e safer.”

  After they had met Les’s family, Andrew and Aaron helped Lou Ann and the kids get their stuff situated. The boy Brian was no problem, but the girl Tess, man alive. Made you not what to have kids.

  The drizzle had started again by this time and soon they were on their way. Everyone was dressed warm. Les had packed some rain gear just in case. He sure was glad that he did. Lou Ann, Brian and Tess had their ponchos on over their coats and backpacks. Most of his gear was water proof thank goodness. He was carrying the tent. Brian was carrying two sleeping bags. Lou Ann and Tess had their own sleeping bags tied under their backpacks. Les also carried his rifle slung over one shoulder and a duffel bag over a shoulder and his head. It was the same for his son. They were only one mile into the trip up the grade when Tess started whining again.

  “Why couldn’t we stay at the Fair Grounds in the trailer or get into a building? This stuff is too heavy and my legs hurt.” Why this and why that.

  Pretty soon Les who was in the lead for now stopped, walked back to his daughter who was fourth in line and got right in her face telling her if she didn’t stop complaining that he was going to kick her butt all the way to the top. He was so stern that he made it clear in no certain terms he would do so. “Suck it up.”

  “Just exactly where are we headed for tonight?” Asked Lou Ann.

  The walk wasn’t easy on her either, but she decided to grin and bear it. She realized that they had enough problems without her making things worse with more complaining. They were only as fast as their slowest walker.

  Andrew answered as they walked up the grade. “There is an old barn about three miles after the top of the Grade. It has been deserted and abandoned for years, but in pretty good shape yet. My brothers and I left some supplies there. We got it ready in case anything like this happened or even say we were caught in a snow storm up there, it would be some place to take refuge.”

  The grade up got steeper after that. That curtailed the talk for a while. The drizzle had turned to snow by now. The further up the Grade they walked, the heavier it was coming down. They took a break now and then because the ladies weren’t in good enough shape to hoof it all the way up without stopping. To tell the truth the guys enjoyed the breaks also. They were on the last corner and knew they were only one mile from the top of the Grade when they took another break.

  Andrew looked at the group and told them. “This should be our last break until we get to the top everyone. Then we will take another break. But just for a few moments. The longer we take the deeper the snow will get. Things are getting worse weather wise the further up we go.”

  They weren’t far from a stalled vehicle. Andrew and Aaron were looking at the stalled vehicle with the trailer and 4-wheeeler. Andrew looked over at Aaron and said. “No it couldn’t be, could it?”

  “Only one way to find out.” Aaron said.

  Everyone else just looked at them like they were crazy. The two guys got up and walked the 20 feet over to the vehicle. Andrew brushed off some of the snow.

  “Yes,” said Andrew. “It is. Look it’s the right color and there on the rear view mirror is that weird thing he keeps hanging on it.”

  “At least, we know Titus made it this far. I bet he is up there already warm and snug.” Said Aaron.

  Andrew replied. “I certainly hope so.”

  They walked back to the others and told them of their find.

  Andrew knew the break had to be over. “Okay all let’s get going to that barn.”

  “That sounds good,” said Les. “Do you two think you will be able to find this barn of yours in this snow storm?”

  Aaron answered him. “That shouldn’t be a problem. We have done a few dry runs in the dark. I don’t think that will be a problem at all.”

  Les breathed a sign. “That’s a relief. I for one am really looking forward to being out of this.”

  The ladies were too tired to comment. So they just looked up the white road. The talk had kept them at that spot a few more minutes.

  “Okay everyone, times up. Let’s go,” said Andrew.

  Les helped Lou Ann and Tess up. Aaron helped Crystal get to her feet. There were a few moans and groans. Andrew took the lead and Les took the rear this time. They began their last leg up the grade. They got to the top and could just barely see the ranch that sat there on the curve on the right. The house was dark. They could hear the six cattle, three mothers and one calf each, mooing in the small fenced pasture beside the hog pen. Else all was quiet and dark.

  “Gee I wonder if these people will make it home,” said Aaron. “If they don’t, these animals are going to get awfully hungry. There’s not much fodder left in those pens of theirs.”

  Andrew looked at his brother. “Yeah, that would be a real shame, but there’s nothing we can do about it, right now anyway.”

  They were resting sitting on the side of the road in the snow. They didn’t want to stay here too long as the snow was now four inches deep. Doesn’t seem like much, but all this walking up hill in it was very tiring. They stopped for five minutes every mile or so. Soon Andrew was saying. “Oh were are not far now. There is a weed covered driveway that goes to the old house and then the barn is quite a ways back from that.”

  “Here it is,” he said. “Not far now everyone.”

  Lou Ann gave a sign. “Oh thank goodness.”

  As they got to the barn, Andrew had them stop a few feet back. He and Aaron then put down their duffels and took their backpacks off their backs. Les watched and Tess started to say something. Les shushed her immediately. He watched as both young men went different directions around the barn. All they did is nod to one another as they went their way. Andrew took the right side of the barn and Aaron the left. They both made their way slowly around the barn until they met up in the back of it. Someone had taught these young men well.

  Aaron whispered to his brother. “Everything’s okay on my side. Same on my side.” Said Andrew. “Okay let’s go back the way we came and double check.”

  In a couple minutes, they were back at the front of the barn and both walked over to the Carter family. Tess of course was standing there freezing while thinking, “This is all SO STUPID.”

  Andrew was the first to speak up. “Everything seems to be fine. There is nothing out of the ordinary around the barn. Les would you come with us. We are going to go in and I would prefer if Brian here watched over your wife and the girls while we check things out.”

  “Alright, said Les. “Is that ok with you Brian?”

  “Yeah Dad, that’s okay.” At that time he was starting to slip his backpack off and took the safety off his rifle. He was being treated more like one of the men and he liked it.

  Lou Ann looked like she would like to say something, but she bit her tongue and kept her opinion to herself.

  The three men went over to the barn rifles at the ready. Andrew got a hold of the lever handle and pulled the lever to the right it slid over easily. He then pulled on the handle to open the side door. It stuck tight.

  “It has to be locked from the inside,” he said.

  “I am going to chance it. I am sure it’s Titus, but there is only one way to find out. First Aaron go over to the left side of the barn and Les you go over to the right and both of you cover me.” Then he knocked on the door.

  After a minute of no response, he knocked even harder. A minute later he heard a faint voice. “Hark who goes there?”

  Then louder, “Hark who goes there?”

  Andrew gave a visible sigh of relief and said back. “Tis the brothers.”

  Les just looked at him kind of strange and heard the door unbolt and then swing open.

  “Yahoo.” he heard as the figure pulled Andrew in through the door opening.

  “It’s alright.” Aaron said. “It’s Titus alright.” He then told Les he could go get his family and Crystal.

  Les trotted back to the others and told them and it seemed like the snow was coming down even harder. “Come ahead everythi
ng was fine. The only one here is Titus.”

  Les picked up his pack, duffle and headed over to the barn behind his family. Andrew and Aaron were coming back out of the barn as the Carters and Crystal were going into the barn as they headed out to get their things. They were all very glad to get out of the snow. It was up to six inches now and getting colder to boot. It seemed to be much warmer inside the barn out of the wind and snow. They saw Titus still had his coat on, but he was dry and they knew he had been asleep.

  “What time would you say it is?” Said Les.

  Andrew said. “I’d say about 3 AM. At least that’s what it feels like.”

  Brian was stunned. “Do you really think it took us that long to get here?”

  “Yes I would,” said Andrew. “It was hard going and the ladies were having a hard time. We were only as fast as our slowest member, plus the breaks. It has to be that late.”

  “Man, I don’t know about you all but I am ready to sack out,” said Aaron.

  Tess added tiredly. “You have that right. I am dead on my feet. That’s the best thing I have heard all evening.”

  They all turned and looked at her. This was the first thing that she said since her dad had come down on her at the beginning of the trek up here. That got a grin from everyone and agreement.

  Titus said. “Well, I invite you all to my bedroom over the hay stack.”

  That got an odd look from Lou Ann. Titus, Andrew and Aaron started to laugh not just from the look on her face, but shear relief from finding each other safe and sound.

  “I know that I would like to hear how you all got together. I want to hear the stories,” added Titus. But I think the best thing would be to get you all settled in and get some sleep first. Then we will swap stories tomorrow. Is that all right with everyone?”

  Everyone agreed.

  “I think I will stand guard for now. No sense in having all of us asleep at the same time. At least, I have gotten some rest. Who wants next watch after me?”

  Les was the first to speak up. “I’ll take next watch.”

  Great said Titus. “I’ll wake you at what I think is about 7:00 AM. I’ll go by when it gets light. Is that all right Les?”