After the EMP- The Darkness Trilogy

by Harley Tate

  Tracy closed her eyes. Everything was as bad as she feared. Worse. “What about the president?”

  “No one really knows. If he is alive, he’s not talking. No government official is out there saying anything.”

  “That’s because they’re too busy figuring out how to save their own skin. You better believe most of them are holed up somewhere in D.C. with hot rations and military guards and a bed to sleep in every night.” Brianna rolled her eyes. “All while the rest of the city burns.”

  Madison exhaled. “We’re lucky that we got out while we did. Chico isn’t a small town, but with most of the campus empty, we aren’t seeing the same problems here.”

  “It’s nothing like the D.C. Metro.” Brianna set down the reassembled gun. “There can’t be more than a hundred thousand people here. D.C. has what, six million?”

  Tucker answered. “Something like that.”

  “It’s chaos there because there’s millions of people who don’t have basic life-preservation skills.”

  “You’re selling people short.”

  Brianna raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend. “How many freshmen did you meet who couldn’t do their own laundry or even make spaghetti? Your roommate didn’t know how to boil water.”

  Drew half-coughed and half-laughed. “Even I can do that.”

  “Right?” Brianna shook her head as she spoke. “We’ve all gotten so used to living in our little self-sustaining bubbles that we’ve forgotten what it takes to make it on our own. Even if some of those people got out of the city and into the rural parts of Virginia, they wouldn’t know what to do.”

  “She has a point.” Peyton sat up in his chair. “Before this all happened, I’d never fired a gun. If it weren’t for all of you, I wouldn’t be here. I know how to grow crops and farm, but even if I managed to shoot a wild turkey or a deer, I wouldn’t have the first clue what to do with it.”

  “Neither would I.” Drew winced as he sat straighter in the chair. “Walter’s carried my weight ever since we left the airplane. I’m the one who got us trapped in the middle of a riot, got shot, and made Walter drag my sorry ass out of there.”

  “I wouldn’t have left you behind.”

  Drew smiled. “And for that I’ll be forever grateful. I think we underestimate the willingness for people to learn. I might not have skills now, but I can adapt.”

  “The college probably has an excellent library.” Tracy poured the muffin batter into a pan as she talked. “If we could find it, I could pull some books on food preservation and off-the-grid living. Even some books on solar power and hydroelectrics.”

  “Before we do any of that, we should go to the farm.” Madison opened the oven while Tracy placed the muffin pan inside. “If what Steve said is true, there could be goats and chickens and feed. If we could find an animal trailer, we could even take a cow.”

  Tracy glanced at her husband. Her gut told her to stay away from the farm. If that many animals lived there, they wouldn’t be the first people to think about pilfering a few. “It’s too risky. There are probably people still working there and others who know about it. We could be walking into a battle we don’t want to fight.”

  After a moment, Walter surprised her. “The agriculture department turned out to be a massive win for us. Maybe Madison is right. It doesn’t hurt to do some reconnaissance. If it looks like trouble, we can steer clear.”

  “And if it doesn’t?”

  “Then we might be eating a hell of a lot more eggs.”

  DAY TWELVE

  Chapter Nineteen

  MADISON

  University Farm, CSU Chico

  10:00 a.m.

  Madison sat on her hands to contain her excitement as they pulled the truck into a secluded spot a few hundred yards from the entrance to the farm. Her father had gone on his own earlier in the morning to scope it out and found no sign of anyone on patrol or standing guard.

  “Like I said this morning, I have no idea if any animals are even here. It looked like some had escaped through a portion of fence by the road. There were caution signs warning the fence was electrified, but without the grid, it obviously wasn’t live.”

  Brianna nodded. “Lots of goat and sheep farmers use electrified fence to keep coyotes out and their herd in. Without it, they might have just clambered on through.”

  Madison chewed on her lower lip. There had to be at least a few stragglers who stayed behind. “I’m sure we can grab some chickens, if nothing else.”

  “That’s assuming someone hasn’t beat us to it.” Her father put the binoculars up to his eyes and canvassed the area. “There’s four main buildings. One appears to be an open-air barn that’s more cover for the animals than anything. One might be for pigs, one is definitely chickens, and the other must be maintenance or farm equipment.”

  “Any vehicles or trailers?”

  “Not that I’ve been able to see. But they could be housed in one of the buildings. I can’t tell. We’ll need to clear every one and the surrounding grounds. It won’t be easy.”

  Tucker leaned forward from the back seat. “That’s why there’s more of us on this trip.” He glanced at Peyton beside him. “Even the gimpy one can use a handgun.”

  “You try getting a two by four to the head and tell me how you feel.”

  Brianna twisted around. “Knock it off, the pair of you. We need to stay focused. This place is big and unwieldy. It’ll be easy to miss someone.”

  Tucker turned serious. “If you’re that worried, maybe we shouldn’t go.”

  Brianna shook her head. “No, Madison is right. If we could come out of there with even a couple chickens, it could be the difference between surviving long-term and not.”

  Madison looked up at her father. “You still think it’s a good idea, right?”

  His eyes warmed and his face softened as he made eye contact. “I do.” He shifted in his seat to face Brianna. “I know you’ve made the offer for us to come stay with you, but I can’t show up in good conscience empty-handed. The more we bring with us, the better.”

  “I agree.” Peyton slid forward in the back seat until he could touch Brianna’s shoulder. “We can’t mooch off you or your family. We should be bringing as much as possible. The plants and seeds and vehicles are a good start, but livestock would be better.”

  Brianna glanced down at her hands. “Don’t put yourselves at risk because you feel like you owe me something. My offer stands whether you show up with a trailer full of goats or only the clothes on your back. My parents won’t turn you away.”

  Madison gave Brianna’s hand a squeeze. “Thanks, but my dad and Peyton are right. We’ll get you there no matter what, but we aren’t staying unless we have something to offer.”

  With a glance up at her dad who nodded his approval, Madison took a deep breath. Whatever happened at the farm, they would be leaving Chico soon. Peyton was almost one hundred percent and Drew was stable enough to hit the road. They needed to finish up at the little college town and get out before their luck turned.

  She motioned toward the farm. “Are we ready?”

  Her dad nodded. “Let’s do this.”

  Brianna eased out of the truck from one door while Madison’s father climbed out the other. The rest of them followed, being careful to make as little noise as possible.

  “The bushes along the rear fence line give decent cover. We can get in on the west side where the fence is partially broken. From there, we’ll split up and take one building each. Who wants to keep watch outside?”

  Tucker volunteered. “I’ll do it. I’ve got good peripheral vision.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He smiled at his girlfriend. “Don’t worry about me, Brianna. I can handle it.”

  She frowned as she looked him over. “All right. If you’re sure.” As Brianna leaned in to give him a hug, Madison couldn’t help but hear her whispered words. “Just don’t get shot, okay? I kind of want you to stick around.”

  Tucker kissed her on the
cheek. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Madison’s father cleared his throat and Peyton stifled a laugh.

  “If everyone’s done making me uncomfortable, it’s time to go.”

  “Sorry, Mr. Sloane.”

  Her father nodded at Tucker and turned toward the farm, making his way through the trees along the edge of the road and into the scrub brush along the side of the fallow field. Madison followed second, with Peyton and Brianna next and Tucker pulling up the rear.

  Every ten yards or so, they would stop, survey the farm, and keep going. Her dad was right; most of the animals must have escaped. Madison didn’t hear a single bleating cry or see a single tail swish away the flies.

  As they eased under the stretched wire fence one by one, Madison hesitated. “Maybe we should go back.”

  “It’s too late. We’re already here.”

  She shook her head at Brianna. “Something’s not right.”

  “It’s just nerves.” Peyton put his hand on the small of her back to guide her through the wires.

  “Let’s just get inside and we can regroup.” Tucker slipped under the fence and her father followed. He was the only one not offering an opinion.

  “You feel it too, don’t you?”

  He brought his finger to his lips as he stood up. “Head to the nearest building. We’ll regroup behind the wall closest to the fence line. I’ll take up the rear.”

  Madison watched Peyton, Brianna, and Tucker each set off for the building while her father stayed back, rifle drawn and eye on the sight. With her friends halfway across the open space, Madison took off, hustling to catch up.

  Her father joined them a moment later. “I don’t see anyone. It could be that we’re spooked over nothing.”

  “Or a bunch of bad guys could be hiding just on the other side of this barn.”

  Her father nodded. “That is a possibility.”

  “Who would ambush us here? It makes no sense. Why wait until we’re all the way inside?”

  Madison checked to ensure the handgun she carried was loaded and ready to fire. For a moment she pined for the shotgun she’d used in the communications building, but her shoulder still hurt from the force of the discharge. The 9mm would have to do.

  Her heart thudded too fast and Madison forced air into her lungs, holding it there until her pulse slowed. “Are we still splitting up?”

  “Yes. If there are hostiles in the area, we’ll be harder to hit if we’re in different places.”

  Somehow the thought didn’t give Madison any comfort. “All right. I’ll take the open pole barn.”

  “I’ll take the chicken house.” Brianna brought her left hand down to wrap around her right as she held her pistol straight out in front of her.

  “I guess that leaves the shed over there for me.” Peyton looked uncomfortable as he held the shotgun in his hands, but at least the effects of the concussion seemed to be gone.

  Madison’s dad followed. “I’ll search the large barn here. Tucker, can you sneak around front and keep an eye on all the main points of entry?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Holler if you get into trouble.”

  “Will do.”

  Madison’s father glanced at each of them in turn. “Good luck. Meet back here in ten minutes.”

  Without another word, Brianna and Peyton headed off to their respective assignments. Madison didn’t make it a handful of steps before stopping to dry her palms on her jeans. Fear made her sweat like a linebacker in a bowl game.

  Chickens. Goats. A trailer.

  She tried to keep all the goals in mind as she walked, head on a perpetual swivel as she scanned the area in front and behind her. She approached the pole barn and squinted to see into the shadows.

  A tractor with conditioning equipment sat in the middle, and beyond a hay baler and a smaller ride-on mower took up the bulk of the space. With growing season barely underway, Madison couldn’t believe any of them saw much use the last few months. She ducked behind the largest machine as she entered the barn, gaining a bit of protection from the metal body.

  So far, so good.

  As Madison eased closer to the far edge, she froze.

  “I’m telling you, there’s five of them spread out like damn spiders in a jungle.”

  The muffled voice didn’t come from one of her friends. Madison’s heart kicked into overdrive, her blood whooshing through her veins so fast, the strangers must have heard the pounding.

  “But they’re kids. We handled a bunch of kids before and we can do it again.”

  “Damn college brats.”

  Madison could only distinguish two voices. She didn’t know if they were outside the barn, on the other side of the equipment, or even closer. Part of her wanted to rush them both. Shoot first and ask questions later. But for all she knew, there could be ten men right around the corner just waiting for an excuse to fire.

  She couldn’t stay still and not warn her father and friends. Even if it meant exposing her location, she would have to try.

  Madison swallowed down the spit clinging to the back of her tongue and took a step forward.

  Chapter Twenty

  TRACY

  863 Dewberry Lane, Chico, CA

  12:00 p.m.

  Fear grabbed ahold of Tracy’s spine, its icy fingers slipping into space between her vertebrae. She shivered in the warm kitchen. “Something’s wrong.”

  Drew chomped on a leftover muffin. “What are you talking about? These are perfect. Soft, but not squishy, moist but not wet.”

  “The farm. Something’s gone wrong. I just know it.” She gripped the edge of the sink and stared out at the Jetta in the driveway. The feeling wouldn’t go away.

  It was the same dread that shocked her into action when those two men showed up in George’s apartment. On some level, she had known if she didn’t act, if she didn’t take charge and eliminate the threat right then, it would be over.

  Her whole body trembled. Her family was in trouble. She could feel it.

  Tracy spun around at the sound of a slide racking. Drew stood at the dining room table, handgun in his hand. He held it out to her with the barrel pointed toward the floor. “What are we waiting for? If you think something’s wrong, we need to be there.”

  “You’re too sick. You can’t fight.”

  “Yes, I can. You all have been babying me for days. The antibiotic worked. The fever is gone, the wound is healing, and I’m up on my feet.”

  Tracy shook her head. “I can’t ask you to come.”

  “You don’t have a choice. I’m not going to sit here while you go off on your own. If they’re in trouble, the more backup, the better.”

  The last thing Tracy wanted to do was put Drew in danger. The man almost died. He should be resting until the wound in his shoulder healed completely, not rushing off to fight a battle that might be all in her head.

  He cracked a smile. “You can stare at me all you want and try to come up with a way to keep me here, or we can get in the car and help.”

  Tracy exhaled and let her head sag. Her husband went through hell to keep Drew alive. If she dragged him out into danger before he was ready…

  But if Walter got hurt or one of the kids…

  At last, Tracy took the gun with a nod. “Okay. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

  Drew held up his hands. “Believe me, getting shot once is enough for me. I’m not looking for an encore.”

  “All right. Then let’s go.”

  She grabbed the keys to the car, slipped the handgun into her waistband, and followed Drew out into the backyard. The bright midday sun hit her face, but still Tracy couldn’t shake the cold that crept into her middle the second her husband and daughter left for the farm.

  If anything, it grew stronger, fighting against the warmth of the sun to remind her of everything at stake. They shouldn’t have gone. A farm was such an easy target.

  Tracy’s fingers shook as she tried to put the key in the ignition.r />
  Drew reached out from the passenger seat and steadied her hand. “We’ll get there in time.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Tracy revved the engine and eased down the driveway and onto the quiet road. They had been lucky in Chico. After the communications building, no one had bothered them. It had been too easy.

  Too many hours had gone by where no one was trying to take what they had. Silence bred complacency and confidence. Tracy held onto the steering wheel so tight, her knuckles turned white.

  They’ll be all right.

  The drive to the university farm only took minutes, but every one stretched for an hour in Tracy’s mind. Visions of finding everyone dead consumed her. Would they be too late? Would they make it in time?

  The curve in the road Walter described that morning came into view and Tracy looked for the truck. It wasn’t there.

  Oh, no.

  Her tongue turned to brick and her throat to mortar. The words came out slow and thick. “The truck isn’t there.”

  Drew leaned down to peer out the driver’s side window. “Maybe they moved it.” Drew twisted in the front seat, grunting as his shoulder pulled. “I don’t see any sign of a struggle. There’s no tire tracks or run-over bushes. It’s been a few hours; they could have cleared the farm already and are hitching up a tractor.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Drew turned back around to face front. “So what’s the plan?”

  “I’m going to drive in there and get my family.”

  “Whoa. Don’t you want to circle around and check it out before we just pull up in there?”

  “Nope.”

  He fell back on the seat and closed his eyes. “You and Walter have got to be the craziest people I’ve ever met.”

  Tracy let out a snort. “We’re not crazy, Drew. We just make the hard choices.” She eased the car to the side of the road about twenty feet from the entrance to the farm. As she turned off the engine, she smiled at Drew. “Whatever happens, follow my lead.”