EMP Crash (Book 2): The Path Ahead (An EMP Survival Story)

by Nelson, Kip

  As the days went by they talked a little more about the state of the world and if civilization ever was going to be rebuilt. It was difficult to tell without knowing what sort of shape the rest of the country was in, especially Washington, but as Mack said, it was dependent on getting a communications network up and running. Right now nobody knew what anyone else was doing, and they were completely in the dark. This was a position that Mack hated and he wished he had more information about, well, just about everything. There were so many questions and he wondered if he ever actually would get the answer to any of them.

  On their way to the city their path eventually took them back toward the river, which snaked through the land. As they approached, Mack started noticing some marks on trees, and he pointed these out to his companions. They were notches carved into the trunks with knives, and each one had a different pattern. Some were stars, some were just two lines running parallel to each other. They were barely noticeable from the usual markings on the trees. Grace went up to look at them more closely; she was used to seeing symbols and was intrigued by what they could mean. Mack was about to tell her when Luis piped up.

  “I know what these are!” he said, beaming, “they're symbols used by backpackers to give information about the terrain. This one means that we're on the right track to the river, it means that there's water ahead. Others can talk about shelter, or friendly places, or even warnings, although I don't see any of those symbols around here.” Feeling pleased that he was able to contribute something, Luis then had an idea. He asked Mack for the knife and began carving something into an unmarked tree.

  “What are you doing?” Grace asked.

  “I'm just putting up a warning. Maybe before there wasn't a threat in the area, but now there is. If anyone else comes along and recognizes these things they should be aware of what's out there.” He chopped out some wood and bark fell to the ground, and by the end of it a crude symbol had been carved into the trunk.

  “Now people will be on their guard. Hopefully, it'll help somebody,” he said, and they continued on their way.

  It felt as though they had been in the forest for a long time, even though it had been only a matter of weeks. Yet, weeks in this world were like an eternity, for anything could have happened. The world had taken only a matter of hours to fall apart, and Mack wanted to get back to the city just so he could see what actually had occurred, even if it was something he rather would not see. When he thought about Mr. Smith's group it amazed him how they had been so organized so quickly, as it hadn't taken them long to band together. It suggested they were already a group of people who knew each other and were able to congregate swiftly. They must have come from somewhere with a large population, though, as they clearly had many mouths to feed. Mack couldn't believe there were so many people who just happened to be wandering around the forest at that time who then decided to throw their lot in with the famed Mr. Smith. The mystery nagged at him, and although for their own safety it would have been better if they never heard from Mr. Smith or his group again, part of Mack wanted to encounter them just so he could get the answers he was seeking.

  However, although they kept their eyes peeled for other people, none crossed their path, and Mack wondered how long their luck would last. As they approached the river they heard the water gushing as it splashed against the rocks and flowed in a steady, fast torrent. The air smelled a little sweeter than usual and they had to walk down a slope to get to the river's edge. While Grace and Luis were ready to walk down to the river, Mack held them back. He peered around the area and looked across toward the other side of the river. If there were other people nearby, this water source is what would lead them to come together.

  However, again the world around them was quiet, so the three of them stumbled down the slope and made their way to where the ground plateaued into the river. They set down their bags and stretched their aching muscles, glad to have the opportunity to rest. Mack walked forward and crouched down, cupping his hands into the water and splashing some on his face. Walking through the forest had worked up quite a sweat, and feeling the cool relief of water against his skin was refreshing.

  “I think we should stop here, it looks like a fairly safe place. We can bathe and maybe do a little hunting. I don't think we should stop for too long, though. This river is long and we'll be near it for a while. So we know we'll be able to find more water easily if we need it.”

  The area in which they were standing was a piece of flat land. The path continued to the right and the left. The right was the direction in which they were going to head after they finished their rest. Trees drooped over the river, blocking out the sun and giving them shade. To the left the path went further along and there was another area given privacy by a big rock. The river was wide, and the water gushed forward, sparkling like crystal in the sun.

  Mack looked up and down the river. It looked smooth, although there were places in which jagged rocks jutted out of the surface of the water, and the river was going at a fast pace. He had wondered if it would be possible to swim along the river, but judging by the water’s pace, it would be difficult to maintain control against the current. More likely, anyone who tried would be swept up by it, and he didn't fancy finding out what it would be like to be slammed against one of those rocks.

  Meanwhile, Grace walked around to the other side of the big rock and began peeling off her clothes. She pulled her hair across her face and pouted as she saw the dye beginning to fade. Soon her rainbow hair would be no more. Her hair was thick with sweat and dirt, and she was grateful for the chance to wash it. They had taken some small washing supplies from the plane, but she used them sparingly. The smell of coconut was a welcome change from what she had been used to smelling, however. As she let her clothes drop to the ground she closed her eyes and tilted her head back, letting the fresh air drift over her body. She stepped into the water, which was a pleasant temperature, and let it wash over her skin. There she bathed and sank under the surface, able to forget about her problems for a while.

  Luis was just about to bathe as well, when he realized Grace had taken the shampoo. He walked around the rock, calling out her name so he didn't disturb her, but as she was under the water she was unable to hear him. So when he peeked around the corner, he saw her emerging from the water, and his eyes popped out of his head. He knew he shouldn't look, and after a moment his head jerked away and his darted to the ground, but that moment was enough to see the array of tattoos that wound around her body like vines, intricate patterns that covered much of her flesh.

  Along her right arm were cascading musical notes that reached down to her wrist. Words that he couldn't read stretched down from her shoulder to the middle of her chest. Spider webs hung on both sides of her stomach, stretching around to her back, leaving her navel bare. On her left thigh was a fairy holding up a wand, and stars fell down to her ankle. For a moment, time froze and the two of them stood there, too shocked to say anything, then Luis quickly excused himself and rushed back to Mack. He flung himself in the water.

  Grace dried herself and put her clothes back on. Nobody ever had seen her naked before, and there was something thrilling about the clandestine way Luis had happened to come forth upon her. When they first had met Grace had found his attention irksome, but as he grew close with Margaret she found she actually missed it somewhat.

  She wasn't sure if she wanted anything to happen with Luis because that would just make things awkward on the journey, and she didn't feel like the best catch anyway because she had a long list of intimacy issues, but the attention was appreciated. When she returned to Mack and Luis she decided not to say anything, but she noticed how Luis' eyes drifted down her body, then quickly darted away as her eyes threatened to meet his. It was notable how Luis kept his distance.

  Grace sat by the water's edge with her feet resting in the river while Mack and Luis continued bathing. Mack's body was in good shape, seasoned with muscle and cut in all the right places. Luis had the slim b
ody of a twenty-year-old, his muscles slender and stomach flat. Their waists were under the water but whenever they stood up Grace turned her head away, not wanting to know them that intimately, although she felt that seeing Luis' naked body would have been fair.

  Luis quickly grabbed his clothes and wrapped them around his body, then stood up to let the water drip off him. They had some old cloths that they used as towels but it was more effective to just dry naturally. As Luis was standing up, avoiding looking at Grace by gazing out down the river, he furrowed his brow. He stepped forward, and climbed up a few rocks to get a better vantage point.

  “Oh my God,” he said, “there's someone out there.”

  Chapter Three

  As soon as the words flew from Luis' lips Grace scrambled up and joined him, looking in the same direction. Mack turned his head as well; he was still in the water, and swam out so he could see what Grace and Luis were pointing at. The river was mostly smooth, with a little bit of foam curdling at the edges. It was deep enough that he couldn't stand but the bottom wasn't too far below the soles of his feet.

  As he strained his eyes he had to raise one arm to shade them against the burning sun, and in the distance, he could indeed see what looked like a body bobbing in the water. Downstream the river looked to be stronger, and the current was carrying the body in its wake. Mack couldn't tell too much from where he was swimming, but it was clear that whoever it was had lost consciousness -- or worse, was dead -- and wasn't going to be able to stop themselves from being knocked against one of the protruding rocks.

  Without a second thought Mack leaped into action and began making his way to the body, which was coming toward him. He had to fight against the current with all his strength. His sinewy muscles pushed himself through the water, crashing down, creating waves around him. Grace and Luis watched, worried for what may happen, not only to Mack, but to this stranger as well. Mack thrashed through the water, making sure to avoid the dangerous obstacles, turning his head to keep track of where the body was.

  As he grew closer he could see it was the body of a man. The neck lolled back, head dipping below the water occasionally, long, thick gray hair was matted together and clung to his face and upper body. His burly frame was clad in heavy clothes, and it was a wonder he had not sunk to the bottom of the river yet. With a final few strokes Mack made his way to the body and wrapped his strong arm around the chest, lifting it up so the head was above the water and the mouth could receive valuable oxygen. Although at that moment, Mack didn't know if the man he just had rescued was alive or dead.

  Turning around, Mack swam with one arm, thankful that in this direction the current was with him. Water came up around his mouth and he spat it out, trying not to swallow as he was concentrating on breathing. Luis and Grace already were getting in the water to help Mack when he returned. Even though he was fit and strong, the act of carrying the weight of the body back all by himself while trying to keep his head above water had drained Mack's energy. So he was grateful when his companions dove in and supported the weight of the body. Mack crawled back to shore and rested his head back against the ground for a few moments as he attempted to catch his breath. Then he quickly pulled on his underwear as Grace and Luis dragged the man out of the river.

  “He's got a pulse,” Luis said, pressing his fingers against the man's neck.

  Grace pulled the hair away from the man's face and tried talking to him, but there was no response. His entire body was soaked through with water, and it was amazing he hadn't succumbed to his death throes yet. Mack stormed forward and began pumping his chest hard in an effort to drive the water from his lungs. Mack breathed air into his mouth and, for a few terrible moments, it didn't seem as though his attempts would be successful. Grace and Luis watched, worried, concerned, and helpless.

  There was nothing they could do other than hope the technique would work. And, just when they thought they had lost the man and Mack's efforts had been in vain, the body convulsed and sputtered and water splashed out of his mouth. Coughing heavily, the man heaved in air. The trio supported him as he sat up. They winced as they heard the raspy cough, water continuing to pour out, until there was nothing left. Then the man began groaning as he held his stomach and chest.

  Eventually, he became aware of his surroundings and began breathing normally again. He looked around at the three people beside him and his brow creased.

  “Thanks,” he said gruffly, nodding to Mack, who turned and got dressed.

  The new man looked warily at Grace and Luis, and his wariness was shared by the other two. Now that they had rescued this man there was the question of what to do with him, and who he was. There was no telling if a stranger was going to become a friend or an enemy, but when action had been called for Mack had been the one to stay true to his convictions and help someone in need. He held out his hand and helped the stranger up, having to tilt his head up as this man must have been about six and a half feet tall. The tension in the air was palpable. None of them knew who was going to make the next move; they hadn't had much chance to think ahead.

  “I'm Mack. This is Grace, and Luis,” Mack said, hoping to start a dialogue,” What's your name?”

  “Saul,” the man growled, his voice still raspy.

  He didn't offer anything else. Mack's confidence had suffered from his dealings with people in the new world. He had misjudged Kathryn and then, later, the man on the wagon who had held Willie's farm ransom. Despite them having the numerical superiority he was afraid of making another mistake. There was no telling who Saul was or what he was capable of doing, and there weren't too many good reasons why a man would be unconscious in the river.

  “So what happened here?” Mack asked.

  It took Saul a long time to answer. It was impossible to tell the wrinkles from scars on his face, and a gray goatee framed his pink lips. His eyes were beady and impassive, and it was clear Mack wasn't going to intimidate him into saying more.

  “There are some bad people around,” Saul eventually said, a vague statement that told Mack nothing more.

  Perhaps Saul was a good man and had fallen afoul of some bad people, and now he just was trying to play his cards close to his chest in case the three of them turned out to be disreputable, too. Mack tilted his head and tried profiling Saul quickly. He was wearing dark clothes with a lot of leather, not particularly appropriate attire for the surrounding area. So it was likely these were his clothes from before, and he was used to wearing them. His general appearance was that of a biker, and Saul had the posture of a confident man, an alpha male who played by his own rules and didn't particularly care about authority.

  These were the type of people who could thrive in the new world in terms of what they could gain rather than what they had lost. They saw this new life as an opportunity, something they could turn to their advantage. They could finally be free after a lifetime of being shackled by bureaucracies and arbitrary laws that seemed to serve no other purpose than keeping them from having fun. But bikers usually were found in groups. So if Mack's profile was accurate, then what had caused Saul to be separated from his group?

  These thoughts ran through Mack's mind in a whirlwind, but before he could say anything further Luis became nervous and blurted out something. When Mack talked to him about it later, Luis said he had had bad experiences with people such as Saul, and that back at home the bikers were not tolerant of other cultures or races. So seeing Saul standing there had put him on edge.

  At the time, Luis' voice was shaking and the silence seemed deafening.

  “Yeah, there are a lot of them around, and there is a mental hospital as well as a prison in the area. Who knows what kind of people have escaped from them?” he said.

  “What do you mean by that?” Saul snapped defensively, instantly taking Luis aback. The young man's mouth moved up and down, but no words found their way out. He looked at Mack with desperation.

  “My friend didn't mean anything by it,” Mack said, placing a reassuring hand
on Luis' shoulder, “we haven't run into many people around here.”

  “Count yourself lucky then,” Saul said, glaring at Luis. Then he sighed and ran his fingers along his drenched clothes, flicking away the drops of water that had collected on his fingers.

  “Mind if I dry off a bit?” he asked. Mack nodded. Saul walked over to a ledge.

  The sun broke through the trees and illuminated this ledge perfectly. It was here that he rested and let the sun beat upon his back. Mack cocked an eyebrow as he looked at Saul. The man was relaxed, and if Mack hadn't just dragged him from the water himself, he never would have thought Saul almost had died. Luis and Grace continued staring at Saul, but Mack urged them to leave him alone. Evidently he had been through something traumatic, and perhaps all he needed was some time to collect his thoughts. Mack finished getting dressed and noticed Luis and Grace weren't looking directly at each other.

  “Is everything okay between you two?” he asked.

  “Yes,” they answered at the same time, and all too quickly for Mack's liking. He pursed his lips but didn't ask them further, instead moving away to rummage through his bag, where he pulled out some water and food to offer to Saul.

  “What do you think his story is?” Grace asked in a hushed whisper.

  “I have no idea,” Luis said, “but I wouldn't be surprised if he was in that prison. Maybe there was a guard chasing him and he had to fall into the river to try escaping.”

  “He really didn't like it when you mentioned that place.”

  “I know, I wish I hadn't said anything now,” Luis said, and laughed nervously.