EMP: Heading Home

by Harp, Wilson

  “True,” said Ted. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come in a hundred years in technology and how much that has crippled us at the same time.”

  “Sophia told me time and again how grateful she is for you, Ted,” Anne said. “We talk all the time about what would have happened to her and the kids if you hadn’t taught her the basic skills for living off the land.”

  “I was glad to help,” Ted said. “When I realized how trapped I was by modern life, how helpless I would be if I were dropped into the wilderness, I started learning how to live. Then, I felt I should help other people. Sophia needed my help. Her husband left her with nothing. Three kids to feed and no way to earn a living. So I helped as best as I could.”

  “We just got lazy as a people,” I said.

  “No,” Ted replied. “I don’t think so. We improved life. Take map reading, for example. I can read maps because I learned, but before the event there was no need for most people to learn how to read them. GPS and trip planners were the best way to get where you were going, and that’s if you left your immediate area at all. That’s why I think learning the basic skills of survival are important and also very hard. It takes extra effort to learn them, when you really don’t need to know them.”

  “We need them now,” I said.

  “Yes, and you have them now. By the time we reach Chicago, you and Anne could make it back to Kenton all by yourselves. It wasn’t important to know the skills when we left, but it was important to pay attention and learn the skills. That’s what will keep people alive.”

  Kenton had been blessed with Ted. He taught many of us the basics and organized us so we would have time to learn. Buck, my dad, Luke and others had been vital as well. We learned about latrines and wells, hunting, planting, and water conservation all because there were people who knew what to do, and more importantly took the time to teach others.

  I thought of Bill on highway 60. He had a particular skill he taught others and it helped his town survive. Yes, he made a profit from his skill, but there was a desperate need for it.

  I wondered if Lexi would be able to learn. The idea of camping was miserable to her. Even walking in the sun without sunglasses and a hat was something she tried to avoid. Emma had always wanted us to go camping, or hiking, or even take a trip to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. I had always been the one to shoot the idea down, not because I wouldn’t have enjoyed them, but because I knew Lexi wouldn’t have. I regretted it now. I denied my daughter a chance to bond with nature, and with me, because Lexi didn’t want to be uncomfortable. But now there would be no choice. Lexi would have to sleep under the stars and eat fresh roasted rabbit in the cold rain. I couldn’t say no to that.

  I imagined a whole city like Lexi. People who wouldn’t know to boil water before they drank it, who would have waited for help until it was too late. My hope was Lexi had found someone like Ted who would have convinced her in time she had to do things for herself. If I were there, they would have been amazed at how useful I had become. I could fix things, but Lexi always called a repairman. She said we could afford it and there was no use in me messing it up more. I never got to show Emma how capable I really was. I would do that when I got them back to Kenton.

  The wind picked up and the snow came in waves when we ran across a small building.

  “We have to stop,” said Ted. “We’ll get in here and sit tight until it slacks up a little.”

  The terrain had become slick and we had all fallen as we traveled through the darkness, and it was welcome news we would get out of the cold and wind for a while. We clambered into the small shack and wedged the door shut as best we could. It was still frigid, but not as bad as in the storm.

  “Do you think they’re still searching for us?” Anne asked.

  “Not currently. Not in this storm,” Ted said.

  “But they might start fresh when it’s over,” I said. “And then they’ll find our tracks.”

  “I don’t know,” Ted said. “We did a good job and covered a lot of ground tonight. In this case, the snow will probably work as well for us as against us. They don’t know what direction we headed when we left the power plant. If it takes them more than a day to spot this little building here, we might reach the highway. That should be as far as Miller’s men go.”

  “How far is it?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” said Ted. “I would guess we’re still twenty-five to thirty miles south of highway 136. At least I hope it isn’t further. But if we can reach it, I think we’ll be safe.”

  “Unless he’s expanded further to the north than Andrews knows,” said Anne. “Then we could run into his men waiting for us.”

  “That’s true,” I said. “But let’s rest while we can. Then tomorrow we can make our run to safety.”

  “He will stop chasing us, won’t he?” Anne asked.

  Ted sighed as he unstrapped his pack. “I don’t know. I wish Kenny were here, he would have a better idea. The problem is everyone falls somewhere on the line of pragmatism and idealism. A true idealist will never be able to do anything useful because they are too worried about things like motive and collateral damage. A true pragmatic will just do things because they work the best overall. They ignore what conscience they have and will do what they think is most effective. Andrews is a pragmatic man. He would stop chasing us once he knew he was chasing us out of his territory. He wouldn’t send more resources which might get shot up. But I have a feeling Miller is more of an idealist. He’ll want us to pay for killing his men. He’ll feel that is the right thing to do.”

  “Then I guess we get some sleep and make a run for the highway tomorrow,” Anne said.

  Chapter 16

  The next two days were a blur as we staggered through the snow as long as we could, and then found shelter and rested as long as we dared. The storms continued with the snow coming in pulses. At times we walked under a thick blanket of clouds with just flurries, and other times it was so heavy we could barely see.

  I was exhausted and tired, but grateful we saw no sign of another person for the entire trip. The sun was low in the west when we came to a small hill. The wind blew strong and I thought I smelled smoke in the air.

  When we reached the top of the hill, we saw a highway below us. On the other side of the road were two large, long sheds and several large fires. Between twenty and thirty men were gathered around the fires. Several more men were on top of the sheds. Those men held rifles.

  “Miller’s?” I asked.

  “Do you care?” asked Ted.

  We started down the hill toward the men. Several saw us and pointed. Ted held his rifle above his head and Anne and I imitated him. The men kept their weapons at the ready, but didn’t fire on us or motion for us to stop, so we crossed the highway.

  Several men moved forward as we scrambled up the ditch on the other side.

  “Howdy strangers. You look cold and hungry,” one of the men said. “Why are you out on a day like this?”

  “We’re just trying to find a place to get warm and dry,” said Ted. “We’re traveling to find some people.”

  The man smiled. “Well, you found us. But we’ve had some problems from the south, so why don’t you tell us where you’re from.”

  “Southern Missouri,” I said. “We had problems just south of here as well.”

  The man motioned toward one of the sheds and two men walked that way.

  “Come on over by the fire and tell us about yourselves. We might be able to put you up for the night.”

  He led us over to one of the bonfires. The warmth took the edge off the cold immediately. I was sure I would never feel warm again, but it was nice not to feel as cold.

  “You said you had problems to the south. Care to explain?”

  “Apparently there is a man named Miller who runs Springfield and the surrounding area,” said Ted. “We tried to give him a wide berth, but his men came upon us. One of us ended up back there.”

  “That’s a hard lesson to learn
about Springfield, but there’s nothing you can do about it now. Why would you travel this far north?”

  “My family’s in Chicago,” I said. “It’s my intention to find them and bring them back.”

  The man’s eyebrows rose and he stared at me with large blue eyes. “Now that is something. I can’t say what I think of it, but you’re welcome to bed down here. We don’t have much food, but maybe someone can spare something.”

  “We have food,” said Ted. “We just need to get warm.”

  One of the men who had left for the shed came back. “We have three bunks available”, he said.

  “Let’s get you inside and see if you can’t warm up a little better,” our host said.

  The shed was large and the heat which greeted us when we stepped in felt like heaven.

  “I’m Alex, by the way, and I’m the commander of this outpost.”

  “I’m Ted. This is an outpost? Against Miller’s men?”

  “Yeah, Miller, huh? We just know them as the men from Springfield. They don’t send many patrols up this far, but when they do, anything that ain’t nailed down is taken. We try to just be prepared for that kind of nonsense.”

  The shed had a dozen or more men sitting around, playing games or reading by the light of a few candles. A couple of wood stoves kept the structure warm.

  “Come on with me,” Alex said. “You can answer a few questions as you get settled in.”

  He led us to the far end of the building where there was a rickety metal stairway leading underground. Below the main floor of the shed were dozens of army cots lined up.

  “Looks like they’ve cleared out some near the wall. Get your packs and coats off and get comfortable. I know you are probably exhausted if you were out in this weather for very long.”

  “We are,” I said.

  “I guess the first question is one you probably have to answer every time you meet someone new. What in the world caused you to try to go to Chicago in the dead of winter? That just isn’t too bright.”

  I had shed my pack and coat and sat down on the cot. “My family was left in Chicago last spring. I had some obligations back in Kenton I had to see to before I could leave.”

  “What obligations, um… what’s your name?”

  “Oh,” I said. “I’m David and this is Ted and Anne.”

  “A pleasure to meet you. You said you had obligations. I’m guessing this family of yours wasn’t too close then.”

  “It’s my wife and daughter.”

  “Now what on earth could have kept you this long from finding them?”

  “I was visiting my parents, who weren’t doing well, when it happened.”

  Alex nodded. “I see. And now your parents are gone and you feel free to go find the others.”

  “There’s nothing holding me to Kenton now.”

  I saw Anne turn her head toward me when I said it.

  “But your friends, why are they with you?”

  “We’ve been friends a long time,” said Anne. “I would do anything to help him.”

  “And you?” Alex asked Ted.

  “I met him right after the event. He got our radio up and running and just about worked himself to death in the fields. I figure a man like that needs some loyal friends.”

  “He does indeed. I have family out in Ohio I’d like to go check on, but my wife and kids are here, so I’m staying put. But if I had to travel to Chicago in the winter time, I’d do it the same as you.”

  “Alex, do you have a lot of these outposts?”

  “Yeah, we keep an eye on about fifty miles of the highway; it keeps us safe. Although we shut down a few outposts when it got cold. Not as much risk from the south in the winter, we figure.”

  “Sounds like there’s more than one town,” said Anne.

  “Eight towns and villages in all. We started working together last spring. The first time we had trouble from the south was in September. A group of men came in a car and announced they were from the state government in Springfield and we were still under state law. When they left, we decided to send a delegation to the capital and find out for ourselves what was happening.

  “We didn’t hear back from those men. One morning, weeks later, a pair of hunters found a man who was starving and had been beaten almost to death. When he could talk, we found out he had escaped from Springfield and had come to warn us. The men in the capital were coming to take our towns and fields. By force if they needed to. We took the warning seriously and organized a militia. About a week later, the warning bells sounded and we mustered about two thousand in a couple of hours. The men from Springfield were surprised to meet as many organized, armed resisters as we had put together. They had about two hundred armed men and four trucks full of supplies. They high-tailed it out of here, but occasionally send a patrol close to test our vigilance.”

  My thoughts went to Kenny. I wondered if they could have captured him. If so, maybe he could escape like the man in the story did. It wasn’t much to hope for, but it lifted my spirits some.

  “Sounds like a tyrant,” Ted said. “I can see why you’re cautious.”

  “That’s it exactly. And now we have a name. The next time we see a patrol, we’ll send a message to this Miller and let him know.” Alex stood and stamped his feet. “You look exhausted and hungry. Get something in your bellies and get some sleep. I have to get back out there and finish the planning.”

  “Good night,” I said as he climbed to the ground floor.

  “I wonder what they’re planning,” said Anne.

  “No idea,” said Ted. “But at least we can rest easier tonight.”

  “Set watches?” I asked.

  “I think we should. I’ll take first watch and wake you in four hours,” Ted told me. “I don’t want to insult his hospitality, but there are too many men around for a few not to have sticky fingers.”

  I ate some dried pork and settled into sleep. Around four hours later, Ted shook me awake and headed to sleep himself. I heard the snores of men through the room, and I kept myself awake by thinking of where I would take Lexi and Emma once I found them.

  When sleep tried to take me, I made my way through the cots and up the stairs onto the first floor of the shed. The glow of the stoves gave some light, and I sat and listened to the noises outside. The wind was a constant hum, and there were footsteps on the roof. Even in the dead of night, they kept watch. They understood the danger they faced from Miller.

  I finally decided I had to wake Anne and let her take the rest of the night if she could. I found my cot and fell into an uneasy sleep.

  When I woke, there was a racket of activity outside. Nothing urgent, but the sound of a lot of busy people. I went upstairs and found Ted and Anne. They talked while they ate breakfast. Anne looked very tired, but Ted looked refreshed. It was the best I had seen him since the morning we lost Kenny.

  “What’s going on?” I asked as I sat down.

  “Not sure,” said Ted. “People started arriving about half an hour ago.”

  “Sounds like horses and cows,” I said.

  “Oxen,” corrected Anne. “There are two wagons being pulled by oxen and another by a team of horses.”

  The door to the shed opened and Alex came in.

  “Morning, travelers. I see you got some rest,” he said.

  “We did. What’s going on out there?” I asked.

  “Getting a caravan together for a trade gathering. We got word there is a big marketplace and everyone who wants to come trade is welcome,” he said. “Folks here are excited about it and have been preparing for a couple of weeks. And it’s something you might be interested in.”

  “How so?” Ted asked.

  “We’re headed up to a town called DeKalb.”

  I felt my eyes get wide.

  “You know it then,” he said. “Not too far from Chicago.”

  “No, it’s about fifty or sixty miles out of the city on the west side.”

  “I’m guessing you got here at the righ
t time. They’ll be leaving around noon. More folks will be joining them along the way.”

  “You up to traveling, Anne?” Ted asked.

  “Walking along a highway is easy even if I am a little tired,” she said. “Besides, we’ll be lost in a crowd.”

  “Is there a place we can fill our canteens?” I asked Alex.

  “We have a pump out back. I have to get going, but just thought you would like to know what’s happening. Good luck to you, I hope you find your family,” he said.

  I stood and shook his hand. He waved at us once more and left the shed.

  “I have to say I am pleased by this turn of events,” said Ted.

  We rested until the sun approached noon and then went to see the assembled traders. There were several smaller carts which groups of traders would pull in addition to the three big wagons. About twenty people with big packs milled about as well. We would blend into the crowd well.

  The wagons started right at noon and the mass of travelers filled the highway and shoulders. Soon we found ourselves near the front of the group. The wagons fell behind, as we thought they would, but so did many of those with packs.

  “I guess they’re not as used to traveling as we are,” Ted said.

  “We don’t want to get too far ahead, though,” said Anne. “The less attention the better.”

  It frustrated me as we couldn’t go as fast as we were able, but it made sense. Just as dusk started, the wagons pulled over to set up camp. We had barely gone ten miles. We found a good place near the front of the group and settled in. We had made small talk with some of the other travelers, and their camps and ours almost overlapped. They weren’t overly open with us, so it didn’t seem strange each camp had a person on watch during the night.

  The next morning more wagons joined our train and the number of walkers almost doubled.

  “This is a lot of people,” said Ted. “There are certainly safety in these numbers, but I would almost worry about disease at this point.”

  Several groups of walkers started well before the wagons were ready to go. We decided we would travel with the first group and made better time that day. Even though we stopped for a long lunch and found our camp when the sun still hung over the horizon, we were a good three miles ahead of the wagons by the second day.