Cities on Fire

by A J Newman

  “Good morning husband.”

  “Good morning beautiful. I guess the guard dog kept us safe last night.”

  “Yes, and he has adopted us. We are his new forever family.”

  Bill dressed while Jo prepared their breakfast. She made a sandwich for breakfast and two for lunch. Bill sat down at the table and noticed the orange juice bottles.

  “I will assume that I need to just drink the OJ and not ask too many questions.”

  “You are a smart man. Enjoy.”

  “Aren’t you going to feed the dog?”

  “No, he ate a rabbit last night, and I think he will forage for his food. We can’t spare human food for pets anymore. Hell, we’ll be damn lucky if we don’t have to eat …”

  “Girl, don’t say that. I hope and pray to God that we don’t have to do what I told you not to say.”

  Max looked up at Bill, cocked his head, and barked.

  “See, he doesn’t think dog stew is a good thing either.”

  They were on the road by 7:00 and headed south again. They were both tired but knew they had to keep ignoring their tired and aching muscles until they found their children.

  Bill picked up the pace and started to leave Jo behind when he said, “Come on Jo kick it up a notch. We can be at Dad’s house by noon if we speed up a bit.”

  “Bill, I’ll try, but I’m exhausted.”

  Jo pictured her children in trouble and was able to increase her pace to match her husband’s speed. The miles flew by until Bill pulled off the road and broke out the sandwiches.

  “We’ve been running for two and a half hours. Let’s eat a sandwich, pee, and get back on the road in 15 minutes.”

  “Hon, I can’t wait to see Mom and the kids. I hate to think what they had to go through to get there safely,” said Bill.

  “I know your Dad told you that the first two to three days are the safest, and then it becomes more dangerous each day afterward. We will see millions of people leave the cities and search the countryside for food. That’s when the situation will be the most dangerous.”

  “I never took Dad seriously about TEOTWAWKI. I actually thought he was a raving lunatic. I think I became a liberal just to piss him off. We have to do what it takes to help our family survive and then help others if possible. My family eats before all others. I won’t feed anyone who won’t work.”

  “Damn, Bill, you’ve become a conservative.”

  “Urgh.”

  “I know it hurts but get used to it. You’ll make the final conversion when “The Walking Democrats” try to steal our food, rape, and plunder.”

  “Jo, that was uncalled for.”

  “The federal government has fed millions of these people for 60 years without most of them lifting a finger. Who is feeding them now? Riots, burning cities, and lawlessness are in full swing by now in the cities. Cities on fire must be avoided from now on.”

  “Time to hit the road.”

  They ran another two hours with Max trotting beside Jo before they saw the large cooling tower for the canceled nuclear power plant just outside of Dixon Springs. There was a sign on the right at the entrance to a large industrial complex that said there was a TVA station in the complex.

  “Well we’re only a few miles from Dad’s place,” Bill said in an excited voice.

  “I know; I can’t wait to see everyone.”

  A few minutes later Bill said, “Look, there is Higher’s Drive. That’s where we cut off to get to Rome Road and on to Dad’s place.”

  They made the turn and saw a group of men standing in the Post Office parking lot. There were a half dozen armed men and a couple of women standing around the bed of an old pickup truck.

  Bill waved as they approached and several of the men came out to meet them blocking their way.

  “Where is you going? And who you be? You ain’t from around these parts.”

  Bill replied, “We’re heading to my father’s house on down the road a piece. Now if you get out of the road we’ll go on. We don’t want any trouble.”

  One of the men raised his shotgun and started to point it at Bill. Jo drew her Glock, shot the man, and yelled, “Police. Drop your weapons or I’ll shoot.”

  Another man whirled around as he raised his pistol, but Max jumped him and was tearing the man’s arm to pieces when Jo called, “Max heal.”

  Max sat beside Jo but kept snarling at the men.

  Jo said, “Move, and I’ll drop all of you. I have 16 more bullets, and that’s more than enough for a bunch of thugs like you.”

  “Do you think you can kill us all before we shoot you?”

  Bill drew his Glock and said, “I’m going to shoot you first, and then we will kill every last one of you bastards. Drop your guns, or you die. One…two…”

  Every man and woman dropped their guns.

  “Now, Bill, throw their guns in the bed of the truck. I’ll get in the back with Max and the stroller. I’ll watch these fine people until we get a mile down the road. Then we’ll park this piece of shit truck. If you try to follow, I’ll shoot every one of you.”

  Bill lifted the stroller into the bed and then watched the people as Jo climbed into the bed. Jo waved bye as Bill sped off toward his Dad’s place. He only drove half a mile before he saw a roadblock up ahead and slowed down.

  “Give me the binoculars. Thanks.”

  Bill surveyed the two men at the roadblock and said, “That’s Greg. He’s one of Dad’s friends. I’m going to drive up slowly. I’d holster the pistol.”

  Bill took off his white shirt and waved it out the window as they approached the roadblock. He parked the truck on the side of the road about 50 feet away and Jo, and he walked up to the men with their palms facing the men.

  “Greg, is that you?’

  “Yes, who are you?”

  “I’m Bill. Bob Karr’s son. This is Jo, my wife.”

  “Good to see you again. Bob has been as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs waiting for you to arrive. Was that Gunfire we heard coming from town?”

  Bill replied, “Some of the townsfolk weren’t happy to see us and tried to block our way. Two died for that mistake, and we kept their weapons and truck. We told them they could come down here and get them.”

  “I’ll take care of the truck and weapons,” the other man said.

  Jo blurted out, “Have my Mom and our kids arrived.”

  “Yes, they came in last night.

  “Are they okay?”

  “Yes, but one of the girls has a flesh wound but is doing alright.”

  “Oh my God. We have to get to her now. My husband is a nurse.”

  “She’s okay, but I know you want to get there fast so just drive the truck on down to Bob’s place. We’ll deal with it later. I’ll call over the radio and get everyone back home.”

  It was only a few minutes later, and they were finally at Bob’s house. Bill honked the truck’s horn, and before they could get out of the truck, Bob and Jake were flying out of the house to greet them. There was a chorus of ‘Mom and Dad’ filling the air.

  Then it was Jake asking, “Mom where did you get the dog? Can I play with him?”

  “Jake, don’t play with him unless I’m with you. He is a guard dog, and I don’t know how he will react around kids.”

  As if to answer, Max walked over to Jake and lay at his feet. Jake patted Max, and they were friends.

  They all hugged and then went in to see Missy who was awake and eating a late lunch.

  “Darling, I’m so sorry that you had to go through this journey and encounter with those bad people.”

  “Dad, we ran over the leader with a tractor and shot several of the others. Those assholes should have minded their own business and left us alone. We can take care of ourselves.”

  Maddie, Will, and Jane drove up and ran over to see Jo and Bill.

  “Hey, this is Maddie. We found Maddie on the road and kept her. She is one of us now.”

  Missy was in rapid fire mode, an
d no one else could get a word in edgewise. She finally wound down, and Bill checked her bandages and pronounced the patient was doing quite well.

  Jo hugged her baby girl and said, “I’m very proud of all of you. If possible, your Dad and I need to get some of this dirt off and then we can sit down and swap stories about our trip down here.”

  Jane and Will hugged both Jo and Bill and sat down to join the conversation. Maddie sat beside Will and enjoyed the loving family.

  Bill took a big gulp of warm beer and said, “Dad, I know you never thought that you would hear me say this, but you were right all along about being ready for TSHTF. I was very glad I remembered some of what you preached and I know I need to learn more. Civilization is gone and won’t be coming back soon.”

  “Son, I knew it was coming, but I prayed it wouldn’t. Your whole family did what it took to get the Hell out of Dodge and to safety. I’m very proud of all of you. Now the hard part starts.”

  “I know, Jo told me about “The Walking Democrats.” Do you really think it will be that bad?”

  “Son, what would you do to get food for your kids if they hadn’t eaten in four days and hadn’t had a decent meal in weeks?”

  “The thugs, criminals, and assholes will become worse, and we just shoot them down like the rats they are, but what do we do with honest men and women who are just trying to feed their starving children.”

  “I guess we share our food.”

  “Son you arrived with two backpacks with two day’s supply of food for two people. The good news is you are my family, and I prepared and will share with you assuming you will work in the fields to grow food and take up arms to defend our little group. You will also help earn your keep by supplying your nursing skills to the community. We can’t share our food, or we won’t be able to feed ourselves or our kids.”

  “Millions will die.”

  “Yep. But it’s billions with a B. In 90 days, about 70% of the civilized world’s population will be dead from starvation, murder, and disease. We can only save ourselves and can’t worry about the others. We help when we can but not at our expense.”

  “It will be awhile before we’re on the same page, but I’m catching up.”

  “Greg told me y’all had some trouble getting through town.”

  “Yes, some good old boys tried to block us from coming down this way. One pulled a gun, and Jo shot him and another asshole before they could shoot. I drew mine, and they became cowards and dropped their guns.”

  “Son, I hope you never have to kill a man. It stays with you forever.”

  “Dad, we ran into a bad bunch that had captured some women and were going to raid a family in a farmhouse. I killed three or four, and Jo killed as many. I didn’t want to, but it had to be done to save the people’s lives. Dad, this shit has made me reflect on my values. I still stand for taking care of people that need the help and believe in non-violence; however, I’ve seen firsthand that not everyone shares my beliefs. I will not let those bastards hurt my family or me. I won’t feed them if it takes food out of my family’s mouth.”

  “Son I am proud of you, but I am sad that everyone doesn’t share your beliefs. There are too many people that are just plain lazy and want someone to give them life’s necessities and others that are just plain evil. Sorry, you had to go through this, but it has just started.”

  “Yeah, Jo and I discussed it on the way down here. She calls the hordes of people leaving the cities “Walking Democrats.””

  Bob gagged and spit his beer out on the porch, “That’s my kind of woman.”

  “I know Dad, but she’s mine, and I am coming much closer to her way of thinking. And yours.”

  Son, tomorrow after we have a big group hug I want to take you and Jo over to Greg’s and have you two join our council. We are planning how to survive down here in the Horseshoe.”

  “Naturally, we’ll be glad to pitch in and help any way possible.”

  “My thoughts are that you will take on health care and doctoring. We know there will be injuries and sickness, but I want to get ahead of any issues that would spread disease. Then I want Jo to start our Police Force. Jack Fulkerson will concentrate on external attacks while Jo hands internal crime and any conflicts. We will all be soldiers if we are attacked. Jane will split duties between the hospital and security.

  That reminds me that the kids will be trained how to handle guns and they will become part of our army. They also must start going on the scavenging trips and join in the work crews. These teens are the same age as my grandparents when they were married and had their own farm. Kids will become adults at 14-15 shortly.”

  “But Dad, they are so young.”

  “Son that I know. What would happen to Missy and Jake if the kind of thugs you had to kill ran over our settlement and took charge.”

  “I’d rather not think about it, but I get the point. We all live together or die together defending each other.”

  “Now you get it. Of course, we won’t throw them into battle unless absolutely necessary, but they have to know how to fight and be prepared to fight. Another question is –what will this world look like in 10 to 20 years when the kids are grown? We need to teach them survival skills and give them as much education as possible to help rebuild our civilization.”

  “Damn, I need a shot to go with this beer.”

  Bill didn’t hear his wife walk up behind him and his father during the conversation. She listened for a minute then left for their bedroom.

  “Hon, are you asleep?”

  “No, I was waiting for you to rub my legs so I could fall asleep. Those big strong hands feel so good on my thighs and calf muscles,” Jo said as she flirted with her husband.

  “I’ll do yours if you do mine,” he said as he started at her feet and worked his way up her legs.”

  Jo massaged Bill’s legs as he talked, “Dad and I had a great conversation. I’ll never be as conservative as you and Dad are, but I have to admit this adversity has made me reflect on how to keep my family safe from the very same people that I felt sorry for earlier this week.”

  “I am very proud of you, and I know that you will always have a soft spot for the downtrodden, but I am happy that you have learned that sometimes you have to make a stand against bad people. I wish this hadn’t happened; however, I feel much better about our chance of survival now that you and Bob are teamed up to help protect our family.”

  “Dad made it a point to remind me that Missy and Will are almost adults in this new world and that teens will be working beside adults in the fields and on the battlefields.”

  “I’ve given that some thought also and I think our boy Will is interested in Maddie.”

  “She is a very intelligent and beautiful young lady. She could be your twin sister.”

  “Bill what I was getting to is we have them sleeping just a few feet away from each other.”

  “Jake and Missy are between them. Besides, if a girl and boy want to do some cuddling, they will find a way to do it.”

  “I know, but they are too young to raise a family.”

  “Jo, I love hearing you say you are proud of me.”

  “Keep rubbing my feet.”

  ✼

  Chapter 10

  Day Three – Alliance of Evil

  “Sheriff the Kroger is on fire and looters have taken all of the food.”

  “What happened? I thought we nipped that in the bud by posting that we would shoot looters on sight,” Replied the Sheriff.

  “It’s not our people. It’s assholes from Nashville. Three old dump trucks brought in several loads of the looters before we could react. I don’t know what to do.”

  The Senator answered, “Mable, round up all of the Deputies and ask Rich to deputize some of our rifle toting citizens to run this scum out of town. Buck tell our men to shoot to kill. I don’t want a single looter to survive, and I want our food back. Now!”

  The Sheriff and his Deputies left in a hurry and left the Senator watchi
ng them step on each other’s feet as they scrambled to get away from the Senator. The Senator saw a movement out of the corner of his eye, looked up and saw a man in a police uniform walk into the station.

  “Is there a fire or a robbery? Those clowns were sure in a hurry,” the man said.

  The Senator took offense then realized the man was right. This put a smile on his face, and he replied, “Your patch says Louisville Police Department. Aren’t you a long way from home?”

  “That I am. I left Louisville to get away from the drug addicts, looters, and gangs. It appears I didn’t go far enough south.”

  “Perhaps those types need to be eliminated.”

  “That was always the case; however, those damned politicians always balked when the criminal’s family sued the government.”

  “Sir, I’m Senator O’Berg, and I am the only authority in this county, and I say kill all criminals, thugs, gangs and looters.”

  “Well damn, that’s my kind of law. Swear me in, and I’ll get to work. I brought my own hardware. I hope my fully automatic M4’s are okay to rid the town of this trash.”

  The Senator thought, ‘what the heck. He’ll either kill criminals or get killed’ and said, “Go to the Kroger store and tell the Sheriff I put you in charge of dealing with the criminals.”

  “Done. We need to talk about housing and pay later after the crooks are dead. Oh, I don’t bury them; I just kill them.”

  “Put you gun where your mouth is, and we’ll have a deal.”

  The Senator followed the man out the door; he hopped in an old pickup and headed to the store. The Senator waved at his assistant to fetch his car, and they followed the man to the Kroger store.”

  Walt walked up to the Sheriff with an M4 in his hand, another on his shoulder and two 9mm Berettas strapped to his tactical vest and said, “Tell your men to follow me and cover my back. Oh, the Senator placed me in charge of this turkey shoot.”