by N. C. Reed
“I always figured. . .well, I worried you’d never be really happy with a man likes o’ me, Rhonda. I ain’t smart, like some, and I reckon I ain’t ‘cute’ or ‘handsome’ like ole Pete.”
“Pete’s a fine man,” Rhonda nodded. “And not anything I’m looking for in a man, Billy Todd. I want a man who holds me when I cry, even if he don’t know what to say, and just tries to sooth me ‘til I feel better. A man I can cook and clean for, and sew for, a man who hunts and works and provides for me, and the kids, and protects us from whatever wolf is foolish enough to growl at our door.”
“A man who keeps his promises, even gettin’ shot when he does,” she grinned. “A man who loves me like there ain’t no tomorrow, and thinks he can’t rightly breathe no more without me. That’s what I want.”
“Well, I reckon I might have the breathin’ part down flat, my little honey badger,” Billy admitted. “Cause I sure ain’t sure I could make it, you was to be gone from me.”
“You ain’t got to worry ‘bout that, Cowboy,” Rhonda whispered hotly into his ear. “I ain’t goin’ no where. This ain’t no game to me. I aim to be here with you when we’re old and gray, and have made this place an oasis for people who are willin’ to work and earn a place here.” She kissed him softly, tenderly.
“The rest’ll just have to work itself out.”
*****
George and his minions set out two days later, with the Hummer ready to roll. Billy, with Toby and Danny doing the labor, had checked the vehicle over thoroughly and found it ready to roll. Extra fuel, and plenty of food and water were onboard.
Dillon was tacked up now, wearing full gear, and ready to get back into the game. He took rear seat, in case he needed to use the Ma Deuce mounted in the gun tub. Toby rode shotgun, and would help navigate.
“Remember, you’re a scouting party,” Terry warned. “Information is all you’re after. We want to know where anything we may can use is at, so keep good records.”
“Yes, daddy,” George teased. Terry reddened at that, but smiled to show he got the joke. “We’re also looking for anything stray that looks interesting. You’ve got Howie’s list, Toby?”
“Yes, sir,” he held up his small notebook. “I even know what about half o’ this stuff is, was I to see it.” Everyone laughed at that a bit.
“All right. Stay in touch, report anything that looks like it could be a problem, or anything that looks like we should get it now.”
“We’ll be home for curfew,” George agreed. “Ready boys?” Toby and Dillon both nodded their agreement.
“Well, then. Let’s be off on this grand and glorious adventure, then, shall we?” George put an AC/DC cd into the player they had installed in the Hummer, and the tunes started cranking out ‘Who Made Who?’.
“Good road music for a trip like this, yeah?” George grinned at the pinched look on Terry’s face. The former platoon sergeant looked like he’d bitten into a green persimmon. He favored country music.
“Vaya von Dios, mi amigo!” George almost shouted as the Hummer pulled away, heading out on it’s mission.
“Travel with God, brother,” Terry said behind them as the Hummer pulled out of sight. He sighed. As always, he was torn. He wanted to go. He didn’t want anyone going. It was dangerous.
Then again, they needed supplies. And they needed to know what was out there.
It really was that simple.
*****
The day the scout trip departed, Billy took his new maintenance crew, consisting of Danny and supplemented by Trey, a now thirteen year old boy from the Clifton House, and went through all the vehicles the Farm used. Fluids checked, some replaced, with new filters. Tires checked, one replaced. Batteries charged and ready to roll. Fuel full and treated. Brakes, transmissions, checked.
It took all day, but by the end of it, every vehicle they could muster was certified ready. Danny and Trey, only a year or so apart in age, hit it off pretty good, and Trey asked timidly if he could spend the night. Rhonda agreed at once, and sent the two boys to the Clifton House to inform Regina, and secure clean clothing for Trey.
The two were back in less than an hour. After an early supper, and a shower, the two were in front of the TV playing an Xbox game. Trey was suitably impressed.
“I can’t believe we’re playing Call to Glory!” he exuded. Sounding just like a teenager his age should sound. “We can’t play like this at the House.” Billy frowned.
“What d’ya mean by that?” he asked, as the two took a break. “I took a pair o’ them up there, and one o’ them playstations, too. Why ya can’t play on them?”
“Oh, we use them all the time,” Trey replied. “We just can’t play games like this one. Miss Townsend doesn’t want us thinking about how things are away from the house. But we play racing games, and stuff like that. And the little kids play the learning games. She says it helps them with their school work.”
Billy frowned a little at that, but decided he better let the others deal with it. He didn’t want to go up there half-cocked and cause a scene over what might be nothing. Better to just let the two boys have a regular night for once.
Even as he settled back down, he heard a vehicle coming up the drive, and Rommel gave a loud bark from the door.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
George looked at the small store in front of them, and sighed.
“Looks like this one was gutted,” he said, and Toby nodded. Dillon was on watch.
“Just a thought, Mister Purdy, but if them others came this way, they’d be more likely to have taken stuff from a small place like this, instead o’ something they was ‘sposed to report to them train people.” George nodded absently.
“Good thinking Toby,” he replied. “And just call me George. Mister is too formal by a half.” Toby nodded, a faint red tinging his ears at the compliment.
“Well, let’s load up. Wait,” he stopped short. “Let’s check the fuel.” He looked around and found the stick used to measure the tanks. It took only a few minutes to test all three tanks.
“Well, they didn’t take the fuel,” George shook his head. “Strange. According to this,” he raised the stick, “there’s better than a thousand gallons of gas here, and nearly five hundred diesel. Always tell you’re in farm or ranch country when a little country store like this carries diesel,” he grinned. “Mark it down, Toby. We’ll have to bring a pump and a tanker to get this.” Toby dutifully made the notation.
“All right, let’s head on up the road.”
They carefully avoided what had been heavily populated areas. They weren’t looking for trouble, or even for other people on this trip. George had decided he wouldn’t refuse to speak to someone who seemed okay, but it wasn’t their priority.
“Three Way community is next,” Toby mentioned. “‘Bout three more miles, looks like. There’s a small sportin’ goods store there, mom and pop grocery, and. . .huh. A motorcycle. . .no, it’s a cycle and ATV repair and racing shop.”
“Sound interesting,” George replied.
“Heck yeah,” Dillon agreed from the back. “Be nice to have a buncha four-wheelers and such. Lot easier on what gas is available, too.”
“Very true,” George agreed. “Billy and Jerry are the only one’s who have them right now, but it would be nice to place one at each farm. Get a lot of work done with one.”
“And they’re fun to ride,” Toby pointed out, grinning.
“That they are,” George smiled. The community came in sight, and George eased up on the gas.
“Might as well man the gun, Dillon,” he ordered. “Never know if there’s someone up here or not. Maybe they’re friendly, maybe not.”
“You got it, Sarge,” Dillon answered, and climbed into the turret. George kept the Hummer at about twenty miles per, both he and Toby looking in all directions. Nothing moved, and no one challenged them. The sporting goods store was first, so George eased them into the parking lot. Two vehicles sat there already, one with the hood up.
>
“Okay, let’s do this slow and easy,” George ordered. “Dillon, keep us covered. Toby and I will take a peek inside.”
“Roger that,” Dillon replied. Toby clambered out of the Hummer, his rifle already slung, and waited for George to motion him forward. Toby was proud to be making another trip, but he had learned the hard way that things were ugly. He took his cues from George, and made sure he did as he was told.
George pointed to the right side of the door, and Toby took up the position, while George took hold of the handle and pulled. The door resisted slightly, but came open with only a gentle tug, telling him the store had been abandoned for a while.
Looking inside, he could see signs of a hurried departure, but the store looked orderly for the most part. He motioned to Toby to follow, and stepped inside.
The store was larger than it looked from the outside. It was basically a convenience store with shooting and fishing supplies in a side room that took up most of the front of the store. The store smelled musty, and George was grateful that any rotting meat left behind had lost it’s odor. Toby propped the door open without being told, and then followed George inside.
Thankfully there were no dead bodies. George led the way into the gun room, Toby followed, making sure he kept a look behind them. George stopped, a low whistle escaping his lips.
“Looks like the owner took what he wanted, and left the rest,” he said, and Toby took a look.
“Wow,” was all he could think of to say. A weapons rack covered two walls, with only a few open slots. Cases of ammunition stood along the walls, and in neat stacks in the aisles of the room. Another wall was covered with holsters, belts, and other equipment.
“This is a gold mine,” George said softly. He stood there only a moment, before making his decision.
“We can’t leave this,” he told Toby. “We’re loading this stuff, and going back. Today.”
“Yes, sir,” Toby nodded. “There’s a trailer outside. Sittin’ long side the buildin’. Maybe we can hook it up?”
“We’ll sure try,” George nodded, looking at his watch. “We’ve got about six hours before dark. I want to be on the road home by then. Let’s get moving.”
*****
They took turns on guard, giving each man a chance to rest. It took some creative engineering, a long piece of chain, and not a little swearing, but they managed to get the trailer hooked behind the Hummer. That done, they wasted little time in getting to work.
By George’s watch it took them two-and-a-half hours to load the ammunition, firearms and accessories onto the trailer. All three men were tired and sweating with the effort. George examined the trailer, realizing it was just over three-fourths full.
“Let’s check out the grocery,” he ordered. “If there’s a few things we can use in there, we’ll add them to the trailer. Dillon, pull the Hummer over there, and then stand watch while we check it out.” Dillon nodded, and stepped into the Hummer.
“Let’s go Toby,” George ordered, and the two walked the short distance to the store. Again, they were fortunate in that there were no bodies. The aisles showed signs of having been hurriedly pilfered, but there was a lot of stock left.
George led the way toward the stockroom, and they entered it carefully. Boxes were sitting everywhere, with flats of canned goods wrapped in shrink wrap dominating one aisle of the back room. Toby wiped the dust from the top of the nearest one.
“Date’s still nearly two years off,” he said softly.
“We can’t get all this,” George shook his head. “Let’s get on the road. This is going to take more than just us. Mark it down, and let’s get going.”
Ten minutes later they were on the way home. Not even one day out, they had found a good source of food, weapons, fuel and ammunition. George decided that had to count as a good trip.
*****
Billy walked out onto his porch, surprised to see the Hummer pulling into the yard, pulling a trailer. Thinking something was wrong, he was off the porch in a flash.
“What happened?” he asked, as George got out.
“Nothing’s wrong,” George promised. “We weren’t far out when we came across a good little honey hole.”
“Three Way, Billy,” Toby commented. Billy nodded in recognition. Three Way was about thirty five miles north of them.
“There was a gun store there, and a small grocery. We took the guns and ammo from the store. We need to take bigger trucks and more people and go back to the store, though. Just no way for us to get it all.” George opened the door to the trailer as he finished speaking.
“Wow,” Billy said softly. “That’s a load.”
“Where in the world are we going to put all this?” George asked.
“Well, we can keep it locked in here for a few days,” Billy suggested. “We need to build an armory, I guess. Something under ground, maybe? Like a powder magazine?”
“That would be ideal,” George agreed. “Somewhere central, maybe? Where we can always keep an eye out. We still got all that stuff I got from the armory, too,” he added.
“We need to work on that,” Billy nodded. “I got some ideas about how to store this stuff, too. But I guess we need to go and get that food, first.”
“I thought we could head back out in the morning,” George nodded.
“Guess we better round up some help.”
*****
The small convoy headed out the next morning. Pete and Billy stayed behind this time, keeping an eye on things with Jerry Silvers and Ben Kelvey. March was pressed into service again as a driver. He wasn’t too happy with that, but he really wasn’t in a position to argue, and he knew it.
Sooner or later things would come to a head with the new people. Everyone knew it, but no one wanted to say it. Even Ralph didn’t much care for them, and he liked almost everyone.
George, Dillon and Toby once more led the way. They would show the rest to the grocery, and then continue with their own mission. Terry, Ralph, Jon, Fred Williams, the Pinson Twins, Amy and Amanda, and Rhonda all went to help load the goods from the grocery and bring them home.
It was a hard day’s work, too. The little grocery had apparently just taken a delivery when things hit. Everyone was amazed that it hadn’t been ransacked any worse than it had.
“Short sighted people, or people that didn’t have any way to carry more than what they could grab from the shelves,” Terry shrugged when Rhonda had asked him about it. “Sometimes people in a panic don’t think clearly. Sometimes they do, and just don’t have a way to carry through.”
The crew took only a short rest break for lunch, and then went back to work. In addition to the canned food, there was still some flour and meal the mice hadn’t been into, and that was loaded as well. The rule was that if the seal or bag wasn’t broken, it went. If the can wasn’t dented, or the food a year or more out of date, it went.
Paper goods were loaded as well. The convoy had two trailer trucks, and an empty fuel tanker. Jon and Fred Williams had checked the tanks at the grocery, and found some fuel there, and were busy pumping as much as they could out, and into the tanker. They would stop at the little country store on the way out and empty that tank as well.
The resulting haul was a good one, but it was a tired and dirty crew of workers who arrived at near dark that evening.
Despite their exhaustion, all agreed it had been a lucky find, and one they couldn’t have afforded to pass up.
*****
George and company had ventured on North after leaving the grocery store. There hadn’t been any working ATV’s at the race shop, much to Toby, and Dillon’s, disappointment.
“We’ll find some somewhere, I’m sure,” George promised.
Their winding trail took them passed several more places, some of which had been turned upside down by scavengers, and some that didn’t seem to have been touched. They found some places had food, others had fuel, and one small place had carried fabrics and sewing goods. Toby made careful notes about wha
t was what as the Hummer crisscrossed the area.
It was nearing dark when George decided to call it a day. He had been watching for a safe place to spend the night, and decided that a house they passed would do nicely, providing no one was there. It was a two story brick, off the road about two hundred yards, with an attached garage. A perfect place to hide the Hummer.
If it was empty.
“Dillon, you’re with me,” George ordered. “Toby, I want you behind the wheel. Something happens, I want you ready to head out as soon as we’re back.” Toby nodded, and slipped into the driver’s seat. George and Dillon approached the garage door, and lifted it. The garage was empty.
“Well, that’s a good sign, maybe,” Dillon noted. The two of them entered the house from the garage, and searched it quickly in the fading light. A light layer of dust covered everything, showing no one had been here in a while. Otherwise, the house showed signs of a hurried but orderly departure. George was moving through the kitchen when he saw the note.
If you’re reading this, you’re welcome to use the house, and what’s in it.
We bugged out, and are hopefully somewhere safe. We ask only that you not
trash the place. We might live, and want to come back someday.
The Ellisons.
“Sound like nice people,” George spoke aloud. Dillon came down from the upstairs, informing George the house was clear.
Twenty minutes later, the Hummer was in the garage, and the three of them were eating supper, reviewing their notes.
An hour after that, they were sleeping.
*****
Billy went to see Ben Kelvey the morning after the short convoy trip to Three Way. The older man was already up, looking over notes he kept in a small hardback notebook.
“Mornin’ Billy,” he smiled. “How’s that arm?”
“Bout as good as it’s gonna be, I reckon,” Billy replied. Rommel saw a squirrel across the road, and took out after it. Billy shook his head.
