Feast of the Locusts

by Mark Goodwin

  The audience began to murmur. The protests grew louder. “How can he do that?”

  Scott shook his head. “Leaving them in there would be a death sentence, and it would be one of the most inhumane ways you could kill a person.”

  “Then take them out and shoot them!” cried another.

  “These aren’t death-row inmates. This is a county jail, with mostly non-violent offenders, or at worst, people who haven’t been convicted yet.” Scott remained calm but firm.

  “This won’t end well!” someone else exclaimed.

  Scott pressed his lips tight. “You may be right, but I’m not willing to fall back to the dark ages within the first twenty-four hours of the lights going out.”

  “And what if they find their way to our community?” a woman from the audience asked.

  Scott’s eyes were stern. “Zero tolerance. If we’re attacked, looted, stolen from, or threatened, we shoot on sight. We’ll make handmade signs providing fair warning that trespassers will be killed. As of this moment, we’re officially operating under a new set of rules, but I can’t justify taking people around back and putting a bullet in their head because they got caught with a quarter bag of pot.”

  Marilyn Cobb spoke up. “I don’t think I’m comfortable with shooting people at all, especially for something as simple as trespassing.”

  Scott leaned on the tree-trunk podium. “Trespassing typically shows intent to commit further crimes, particularly if the perpetrator has done so after being warned he’ll be shot. But your comment is valid. Let’s take a vote. Those in favor of adopting my recommendations, please raise your hand.”

  Marilyn Cobb snarled at her husband, Corey, when he and Annie both showed their support of the new measures.

  Scott looked around. “Kate, could you count those up for me and make a note of it? It looks like about two-thirds, but I want this to be official.”

  “It’s not official without Edith and the other board members being present, but that doesn’t seem to concern you.” Marilyn crossed her arms tightly.

  “No ma’am, it does not.” Scott remained pleasant. “And those opposed, please raise your hands.”

  Kate tallied up the nays, which were significantly less than one third. It was obvious that several people had abstained from voting altogether.

  Scott continued speaking. “Everyone needs to go home for now, take a deep breath and relax. As Mrs. Dean said, we’ll get through this. Take inventory of what you have. Write down your immediate needs, and we’ll have another meeting tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. I think it goes without saying, Mauney Cove Branch is our only water source until we figure out a way to get water out of our wells. Let’s keep it as pristine as possible. No washing clothes or dishes in the creek. It runs along the road for the most part, so I’m sure no one would have a privy nearby, but just to be safe, I’ll say it. No human waste within 100 feet of the creek. Make sure your gray water isn’t running towards the creek when you dump it. Jack, you’re the water guy, am I missing anything here?”

  Jack stood up. “Even with our best efforts, animals can get sick and die in or near the creek upstream from us. And obviously, a raccoon or opossum may not be aware of our 100 feet privy rule, so there’s that. Boil your water before you drink it or put eight drops of bleach per gallon. Either one of those things will kill any contaminants.”

  “How long do we boil it?” asked a man.

  “By the time it comes to a full boil, anything that would hurt you is long gone.”

  Scott adjusted his holster belt. “Able-bodied adult men who aren’t already working security, come on up. We’ll set up a schedule and assess how much training we need to do. Don, if you could stick around and help me out with this, I’d appreciate it. If there’s nothing else, the rest of you are dismissed.”

  Amanda McDowell, Scott’s wife, held up her hand. “What about the ladies? Some of us can shoot as well as a man.”

  “Yeah,” said Kelly Russo. “I’d like to volunteer for guard detail.”

  Considering that Kate, Vicky, Annie Cobb, and Rainey Russo were already on the security team, Scott couldn’t very well say no. “Okay, any ladies interested in helping out, come on up, but it’s not required.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; the noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots. The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses: because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

  Nahum 3:1-3

  Saturday afternoon, three days after the lights went out, Kate placed a plate of fried squirrel at the center of the table. It was her first attempt at preparing the small forest creatures which were so abundant in the surrounding hickory and oak trees.

  “Yuck! I am not eating those things!” Vicky pushed her chair back from the table.

  “That’s fine. We have plenty of beans and rice.” Kate put two large bowls next to the fried squirrel.

  “More for me.” Sam forked a piece of squirrel onto his plate.

  “I think we should pray first.” Kate sat down and looked at Gavin.

  “Okay.” His face looked expectant. “But you’re not asking me to do it, right?”

  She lifted one shoulder. “You could.”

  “I’ll forgo the honor.”

  “Fine.” Kate crossed her hands and bowed her head. “God, thank you for our community, and for the food that you’ve supplied for us. Watch over us and protect us in this dark time. Amen.”

  Sam looked at his aunt. “That was a good prayer.”

  “Thanks, Sam. I hope everyone enjoys the squirrel,” she turned to Vicky. “But I won’t be offended if you don’t.” Kate stuck her fork in a rear quarter and put it on her plate. “I’m not so sure how much I’m going to like it myself.”

  “Tastes like chicken!” Gavin’s eyebrows were high.

  Sam finished chewing. “It’s good, Aunt Kate!”

  With hesitant eyes, Vicky held her fork gingerly between her thumb and her index finger and slowly prodded a small piece of the meat. “Maybe I’ll try one bite.”

  “It’s very good!” Gavin took a drink of water.

  They were all quiet for a few minutes while they ate.

  Gavin turned to Kate and broke the silence. “So you’re working overwatch with Scott after lunch?”

  “Two to ten.” Gazing at the empty plate in the center of the table, Kate felt pleased with her culinary efforts concerning the wild game. “Why? What’s up?”

  “Nothing. I miss working security with you. That’s all.”

  Vicky paused from eating. “Aww, how sweet.”

  Kate smiled. “I do too, but I requested that we be mixed up from time to time. It’s important that we work with the guys who have law enforcement experience like Don and Scott; even hunters like Jack.” She placed her hand on his. “I hope you understand.”

  “Absolutely. I think it’s good for everyone to work with everyone else. We get to know each other’s strengths, and we can all learn something from the other group members.”

  Kate leaned to the side and gave him the lightest kiss. “Thanks.”

  “Tomorrow is church, right?” Sam picked a few missed morsels from a squirrel bone.

  “I would assume so. Mr. Pritchard hasn’t said otherwise.” Kate continued to eat.

  “I’m going to get my shower today. The bathroom is freezing in the morning,” Vicky announced.

  “Wash your hair while you’re at it,” Sam said bluntly.

  “Excuse me?” Vicky sounded incensed.

  “It’s looking a little greasy. That’s all.”

  “Ugh! I skipped like two days washing my
hair. That shower bag that Jack rigged up for us barely holds enough water to get a proper body wash, much less to shampoo my hair. I have to heat an entire extra bucket of water if I want to wash my hair. Besides, what do you care?”

  Sam’s eyes were filled with certainty. “We have exactly four teenagers in this compound. You, me, David, and Rainey.”

  “So?”

  “If you start neglecting basic personal hygiene, you’ll upset the balance.”

  “Ahhh! I skipped two days!” Vicky rolled her eyes. “But please, do go on.” She waved her hand at the air.

  “Rainey is managing to keep up her appearance, even in the midst of the apocalypse. If you start letting your standards slip, she’ll become more attractive to David. Living on the same street, those two already have a well-established rapport…”

  “A rapport? Since when do you say rapport? And since when do you care about whether Rainey and David hook up?” Vicky snarled her lip. “You do like her, don’t you?” She smirked.

  Sam set his teeth together and sighed. “I didn’t say I like her. I’m just pointing out our limited options. And if those two get together, our options get catastrophically slimmer.”

  “Catastrophically slimmer. I see.” Vicky crossed her arms and stuck her tongue in her cheek. “You’re in love with Rainey Russo. Well, brother of mine, for the sake of your tortured soul, I’ll wash my hair tonight.”

  One side of Sam’s mouth curled upward. “I’m sure that has nothing to do with your own smitten heart.”

  “Maybe, maybe not.” She lifted her chin and continued eating.

  Kate stood up and put her empty plate in the sink. “How about we see if the radio has any news for us?”

  “I thought we were supposed to be limiting our battery usage.” Vicky brought her plate to the sink.

  Gavin replied to Vicky’s comment. “We only have two solar chargers for all the walkie-talkies on the security team. So yeah, we’re being frugal with power. But a few minutes of news is considered situational awareness. We can afford to burn some energy for that.”

  Kate switched on the small AM/FM radio and scrolled to the NPR station.

  A male reporter was providing details of conditions around the country. “The US military has stepped in to fill the security void left by failed state and local law enforcement departments in major metropolitan centers since the outage. President Long used his emergency powers to sign an executive order which will permit all branches of the armed forces to participate in the security and recovery efforts. Additionally, he has closed all foreign bases and is recalling each and every US troop currently serving overseas. Bases in allied territories are being temporarily turned over to the host countries. In areas where US relations are stressed, critical weapon systems are being destroyed and the bases will be considered permanently closed.

  DOD Secretary Sergio Rosales gave a brief interview to NPR early this morning from the Pentagon. Here’s a brief clip of what he had to say to NPR reporter Megan Massey.”

  Rosales’ voice could be heard. “Recovery efforts are progressing best in cities where the population is the most calm. In cities like LA and Atlanta, we’ve had attacks against FEMA commissaries in which coordinated groups have fired on FEMA workers and security personnel. The groups have managed to steal FEMA delivery vehicles full of relief supplies. Not only does this limit the available food in those areas, but it also requires the military to expend resources on finding the violent criminals.”

  A female interviewer asked, “Under the president’s expanded order, will the military abide by constitutional restrictions in searching for these criminals?”

  Rosales replied, “We’ll be using rules of engagement similar to those used in theatre where we were battling insurgencies. Technically, that’s what these attacks against the FEMA facilities amount to.”

  The reporter questioned, “Are we talking about door-to-door searches, like Iraq?”

  “Only in the most extreme circumstances, and only until the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

  “Will the military be confiscating firearms during these searches?”

  “The DOD is providing security for these areas. Individual citizens don’t need to be armed. Particularly in cities declared to be hostile zones for relief workers, guns are proving to be a hindrance.”

  “You mentioned recovery efforts. Does the Army Corps of Engineers have a timeline for power to be restored?”

  “As you know, much of the infrastructure was damaged by the attacks. The virus caused transformers to be hit with overwhelming surges of high voltage. Many of the components that make up the grid will have to be replaced. Our first priority is getting the capital back online. The DOD is requesting any experienced linemen and electrical workers who are able, to come to Washington DC. It should be seen as a civil service, but you will also be well-compensated. Workers can bring their credentials to the nearest FEMA commissary, and we’ll do our best to provide transportation. Once you’re here, meals and housing will be supplied.”

  Sam said, “He still never answered her question about when the lights would be back on.”

  “He probably won’t.” Kate poured a gallon of water and a couple drops of soap into a plastic dishpan. “If they say it will take decades, the cities will melt down even faster. Anything else would be a blatant lie.”

  “Why are they even bothering to try to maintain order then?” Vicky came to the sink to help her aunt clean up.

  “What else can they do?” Kate washed a plate, rinsed it and handed it to Vicky to towel dry. “They have to put forth their best effort.”

  “Or at least make a good show of it,” Gavin cleared the remaining dishes from the table. “The government has to appear to be working for the good of the country to justify everything they’re dumping into DC. I’m sure the Capitol has water, sewage, and generators humming on every street corner. They probably have internet and cable TV.”

  Kate put on the feigned look of a sacrificial servant. “We must hold the golden city together, to be a shining beacon of hope for the rest of America—tis our duty.”

  “But without the rest of the country, their supplies will eventually run out.” Sam helped his sister by putting away the dry dishes. “DC doesn’t produce anything.”

  “Yes, but the less they share with the rest of the country, the slower they’ll run out of food.” Kate rinsed the last plate and handed it to Vicky to dry.

  The four of them continued to discuss the trajectory of certain ruin for the nation until Kate had to leave for guard duty.

  CHAPTER 8

  And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

  1 Kings 17:2-6

  Later that evening, Kate lay prone next to Scott beneath the rudimentary shelter overlooking the checkpoint. The sun sank low behind the mountains in the west.

  “How are you guys set for ammo?” Scott asked.

  “We have some. I wasn’t counting on this being the end of the world as we know it, so obviously, I wish I’d bought more.”

  “Specifically 7.62. How much do you have, ballpark?”

  “AK ammo? I think Gavin brought about 1000 rounds when he came. We might have picked up another 300 from the shootout.”

  “Yeah, not a lot considering your whole group is running AKs.” Scott held a pair of binoculars up to his eyes.

  “We also inherited two AR-15s from the fight. But I doubt we even have 200 rounds for those.”

  Scott continued looking through the binoculars. “I stashed several thousand rounds of 5.56. Most ARs are set up to run 5.56. The department
gives us ammo to train with. When Don called and told me what was going on with the power grid, I figured we’d be doing a lot of training, so…”

  “You loaded up.” Kate squinted in the direction that Scott was looking. “Do you see something?”

  “Three does are just inside the tree line on the hill across from us. This is their rut. Lots of times, when you see a group of does together at this time of year, a buck is nearby. And he’s likely to be a big one who has chased off all the smaller bucks.” Scott passed her the binoculars.

  “If you see the buck, you’re going to shoot it?” She looked through the lenses.

  “Unless you want to take a shot.”

  “I see the does, but no buck.” She handed him the binoculars.

  Scott spoke softly into the radio. “Checkpoint, this is overwatch. I’ve spotted some deer. I’m going to try to take a shot. Don’t get spooked. We’re not engaging the enemy or anything.”

  The radio chirped back. “Roger that, overwatch.”

  Scott took one more look through the field glasses. “He’s probably deep back in those woods. I think we should try to take down two of those does.”

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to shoot does.” Kate kept her eye on the deer.

  “Like I said Wednesday, we’re operating on a whole new set of rules. I’ll take the one on the right. You take the one on the far left.”

  Kate lined up her open sight on the animal. “Where do I aim?”

  “Right behind the shoulder.”

  “It’s kind of far.” She wasn’t sure she could hit something at such a distance.

  “Don’t worry. Take your time. Tell me when you’re ready. We have to pull our triggers at the same time. They’ll bolt once they hear the rifles.”