Afraid of the Dark

by Chris Hechtl

  “Yeah,” Bill said with a nod. “You coming?” he asked, turning back when Shane didn't follow.

  “I'm going to check in with Jerry and Walt then I'll catch up. See you two in a bit.”

  “Suit yourself,” Bill said with a backwards wave as they walked off.

  Chapter 29

  “Where the hell did all the food go?” Shane heard someone demand as he sat and flipped through his e-mail. He looked up to see one of the guys who had been with him on their trip to the warehouses.

  “Sir?” the guy asked coming over. “We went there to get to the warehouses right? I heard they are all sick and stuff, not eating.”

  “That doesn't make sense. There is a Fresh and Easy warehouse like right down the street!” a woman said waving her hands. “I worked there!” she said.

  “Which is what's got me wondering. Why?” the first guy said. Shane put his tablet away and straightened as they looked at him. He'd been so focused on the mall area, hitting a warehouse further away hadn't registered on his radar.

  “I'm not sure what's going on folks. They didn't say anything. We've sent a UAV that way. What I can speculate on is the place is without power.”

  “So?”

  “So all the refrigerated stuff, freezer stuff is no good by now,” the woman said nodding. She grimaced and shook her head. “We should have hit it right off,” she said.

  “At the time we were saturated. We were dealing with everything around us,” Shane said waving. “Which isn't an excuse, just stating a fact. Here's another one. The area was blocked. We have just now cleared a path to that area.” That was annoying. Every time they cleared part of the path people would try to drive up the road. When they got to the inevitable end where the road crews had stopped they'd abandon their vehicles... and that would fill up the void all over again. At least the trend was starting to slow or stop. He wasn't sure if it was because there were fewer people or if the road crews were getting better.

  “True,” the guy said nodding.

  “And another, I didn't think of it,” the woman admitted. “I guess I should have spoken up earlier huh?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I don't know if it would have made a difference or not. We're looking into it.” He looked up to Jen as she came around the bend. She slowed at the sight of him and the group.

  “News?” he asked.

  “Jerry's back,” she said.

  “Anything on the food warehouse?” the woman asked. Jen blinked at her.

  “Yeah,” she said slowly, glancing at Shane. He shrugged. “Um, well, it turns out another group got in there and they are armed. They are hoarding what they've got.”

  “Oh,” the woman said shaking her head.

  “Seems they work there,” Jen said. “A couple of guys with guns and their families. They've let a few people in, but not many. Tight knit group. They've forted up pretty well.”

  “Interesting,” Shane said.

  “Yeah, but we can't get to them. The roads in that area are a parking lot,” Jen sighed. “Only way in is on foot. Which doesn't do us any good to get stuff out,” she said.

  “We could send road crews into clean it out,” the woman said. “I'm Yasmine, I used to work there,” she said holding one hand up while the other went to her chest.

  “Nice to meet you Yasmine,” Jen said nodding. “We can certainly use you as an ambassador if you'd like to try. We can trade with them.”

  “Oh, I thought we were going to like go in and take it,” a guy said.

  “No, not happening,” Shane said shaking his head. “I'm not setting that precedent. We're going to trade. We've got generators, we've got tools, and we've got knowledge. They've got stores of stuff. The stuff that needed refrigeration may be worthless, the bread's probably gone bad, but the canned and boxed stuff is still good I bet,” he said.

  “What gets me is that they didn't try trading with anyone else,” Jen said shaking her head. “They flat out refused to work with the furniture warehouse people.”

  “Huh,” Shane grunted. “Wonder why,” he said.

  “I'll find out sir,” Yasmine said.

  “We'll send you in with a volunteer on a motorcycle if you're willing,” he said nodding to her. “With a care pack of course. That should hopefully break the ice. Tomorrow or the day after. I'll see if we can get a survey team out to check the area.”

  “There is a UAV trying to get overhead now,” Jen said. “I think. Its at the edge of the range though. Maybe beyond it since its across from the March museum.”

  “Shit,” Shane muttered. “Just have to get closer.”

  “We will. Eventually,” Jen said. The group started to break up and fade as people drifted away. She nodded to him and walked off.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “How'd it go Jerry?” he asked, rounding a curtain wall to where he heard the doctor's voice.

  Niederman looked up, nodded to him and then made a 'quiet' sign with his finger to his lips and then took him by the elbow to lead him away.

  Shane looked back but couldn't quite make out the patient behind them. “She's pregnant if you're wondering,” Jerry said, voice a little on edge.

  “Pregnant huh?”

  “Five months. Its a wonder she didn't miscarry.” Again that odd tone.

  “Yeah. Malnutrition?” Shane asked.

  “Among other things. She's been in psychological shock for some time now. Apparently her boyfriend had been torn apart the first night and she hasn't taken it well,” he said.

  “Um...” he looked back. “Catatonic?”

  Jerry sighed a little. “A little. They actually have a nurse over there. She's good. I talked with her. We took four more of her worst cases.”

  “Not faulting you doc,” Shane said with a nod. “I told Walt it was okay.”

  “You did?” Jerry said, turning in surprise. “Then why did he...” He blinked after a moment and shook himself, frowning.

  “Why did he what doc?” Shane asked, looking at him. He sensed Walt had stuck his foot in his mouth.

  “Never mind. Um, we've got one broken bone, his arm wasn't set right. One woman that had her legs torn up and an infection. She's got sepsis and I'm worried about her right leg. It may have to be amputated.”

  “Ouch.”

  “The last is a girl with no parents. She survived in a metal kennel. She's severely traumatized. Apparently she'd been assaulted as well,” Jerry said.

  Suddenly Shane scowled ferociously turning to him. Jerry raised his hands up. “Yeah I know. People are animal’s man.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Jen hissed. They turned to see her. “She okay?”

  “She's... Screwed up. The bastard had her wear a dog collar. She's ten I think. Somehow she had the courage to escape that. I've got a couple of people with her now. She's latched onto Latisha, our social worker. If you want to...”

  “I'll peek but I'm not going to jog Latisha's elbow if they are bonding doc. Don't worry,” Jen said. She passed in between the men, patting both men on an arm and moving on.

  “How many other wounded do they have?” Shane asked, watching his wife as she looked around, craning her neck and moving hesitantly until she heard Latisha's voice. She then moved off in the indicated direction. Something similar happening to the girls was one of his and her ever growing nightmares.

  “A dozen. Maybe eighteen. We've were bombarded with people wanting to come with us. Walt said we didn't have room.”

  “Not in the convoy doc,” Walt said coming over. “We were full up and I ain't putting up with layabouts and whiners. Most of them were whiners. We need people who are willing to put their nose to the grindstone and work.”

  “Um...” Jerry looked angry but torn.

  “They have shelter doc,” Shane said. “The basics of survival are there if they pull together and work. I think though we can take their wounded off their hands. Wounded and any family members of wounded. Also did anyone get a list of missing people out?” he asked looking fr
om one man to the other.

  “No, didn't think of it actually,” Walt said after a moment. Jerry shook his head frowning.

  “I was too busy with the checkups and wounded.”

  “I'll see if Jayne or someone on the domestic side is available next trip to go with you. Maybe they can help them out a bit. We'll see if we can... hell, I'll have Jill or the Sparks on call in the radio shack call them and get an exchange of names going.”

  “Good idea. Save a trip,” Walt said with a nod. “I didn't see much over there boss, I was busy loading and unloading. What I did see wasn't much. They brought me around to the furniture warehouse. Of course you know about that,” he shrugged.

  “Right.”

  “I went straight to their infirmary,” Jerry said. “Such as they have of one. They've got the people lying on the floor in one of the warehouses. Never bothered to use the stuff available. I don't know if they even thought about it until you brought it up. That manager Buford is a tight ass. Won't let them do anything. They've got a couple of porta-potties outside and a couple of bathrooms. All are about clogged up.”

  “Ouch,” Shane said wincing.

  “I'd kick his ass out and dig down deep and get organized then,” Walt said in disgust. “Moron. He's that big guy right? Struts around bossing people? The guy with the clipboard and white shirt?”

  “Yeah,” Jerry said with a nod.

  “Stupid prick. Well, glad they've got him and not us. No telling how bad off we'd be if he'd been here and you'd been there boss,” he said stretching and smiling. “I ever tell you I'm glad you're in charge?” he asked.

  “I think you just did,” Shane said with a tight smile. “Any issues?”

  “Point got a little ahead, drag got a little too far up my keister, riding the bumper till I told him to back off and calm down. Other than that we're okay. I need to check the turret we made though. That SUV driver said he was having problems getting it to move. It was sticking like a sumbitch.”

  “Okay. I'm going to check in with Bill and Bob,” Shane said and then paused. “Did they say anything about coming back?”

  “Not much. That rat faced guy, short wiry guy with buck teeth said he'd have some stuff for us in a day or so. They'd call us.”

  “Right.”

  “Any idea on their plans on what to do if they get visitors?” Jerry asked. He glanced from one man to the other. “I mean aliens? They aren't prepared at all. I think I saw a few weapons, but not many.”

  “Probably hunker down and shit themselves,” Walt said sniffing in disgust.

  “Same thing we do actually Walt,” Shane reminded him. “We're keeping a low profile for a reason. I'd rather not let the aliens know we're here if at all possible.”

  “They'll figure it out eventually. If they haven't already you know,” Walt said indicating the stuff going on around them.

  “Maybe. Then again, maybe not. We're not sure how intelligent they are. Intel is scarce on that subject. We'll just keep doing what we're doing until we know otherwise.”

  “Smart,” Jerry said with a nod.

  “Either way, You two go over there tomorrow and pick up their other wounded and wounded family members. I'll get Jayne to get a steward to ride with you. Take as many vehicles as you think you need.”

  “Can we take a van? Or ambulance? There are several people that were badly clawed or chewed that we couldn't move.”

  “Sure,” Walt said nodding. “I've got no problem with people like that. They deserve a second chance. We'll give it to them since they can't get off their ass and do it.”

  “Walt,” Jerry sighed.

  “What?” Walt said. “Just sayin' man. You and I both know its true. I think one or two of them are getting their puckers loose and starting to think. We'll see how it goes. I'm going to get moving. If we're going to do this I need to spot the right cars before the harvest crews snag them come morning.”

  “Whatever,” Shane said with a dismissive wave. “Don't step on any toes,” he said walking off.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  The next day he got a report that Yasmine was back. “No dice,” he heard from Jayne over the radio. “They can't get through on bikes. The road is blocked off. Seriously blocked off. Whoever did it dug it up and stacked cars to do it. They said there is a sign warning of being shot on sight.”

  “No trespassing?” he asked.

  “Apparently,” she said.

  “Can we get a message in from the 215 side?” he asked.

  “The freeway? There are tracks in the way boss,” she said.

  “Yeah but we can get a UAV crew into fly a plane over. Maybe carry a message or something,” he said.

  “I'll ask,” she said. “Won’t be today I think though. I think they are all tasked,” she said.

  “Roger,” he said signing off.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  He looked over to Bob and tried hard not to wince at adding to the big guy's load. He couldn't help it though. “Bob about rain...”

  “Shit don't tell me. It’s going to rain?” Bob asked, looking up at the sky tiredly.

  “Not today. At least not that I know of,” Shane said shaking his head. “But that's what I wanted to talk to you about. We need to...”

  “I'm working on drainage. I know, I know,” Bob said nodding. “You don't have to tell me.”

  “That's actually only one concern. I was hoping we could find a way to capture as much rain as possible and store it.”

  “Catch rain?” Bob asked wrinkling his nose. “It’s not potable.”

  “No, but we've got plenty of purification equipment lying around,” Shane said waving. “We can also pour it on the plants.”

  “True,” the contractor said, sitting on a pallet. “What you want is a way to catch and store it. Cisterns. Not sure,” he muttered.

  “We need two systems one, to store the water for us, one for the moat,” he said waving to the area they were planning to doze.

  Bob looked and suddenly scowled. “Shit man, I dunno. To do that we'd have to line it and stick gravel and rocks down, maybe concrete. That's a lot of material I wanted to use in the wall,” he said.

  Shane nodded. “I know,” he said simply. “But we need an accessible water reserve. We also need a water barrier. Something to keep the aliens back. Force them to use the choke points.”

  “Ah,” Bob said nodding. He remembered what Shane had said about the moat and having an oil slick to light if needed. “Let me talk with my guys. No promises. We may not catch much with the first or second rain that comes our way,” he warned.

  “Just try. We've got plastic barrels and stuff. We can bring in portable pools or make them. Use plastic to line containers, whatever works. If you have to, work with Jayne and the others to dig up the parking lots to make water tanks or something. We can always pave over them right?”

  “Um...” Bob looked thoughtful. “I'll see,” he said slowly. “You've been draining pools right?”

  “Yeah, and sucking water out of everything except sprinkler systems. We're lucky its fall. If this had happened in early summer we'd be in deep shit now. All the water would have evaporated by now,” he said.

  Bob shivered a little. He along with everyone else who rubbed two brain cells together and thought about the future knew that water was a serious issue here. Man could live for a couple of days without food, but water... “I'll do it. We'll figure it out man, just give me a day or two to work it out,” he said. “I gotta make some major shifts in the plans,” he admitted.

  “No problem. We're going to be opening up other areas too, so if you don't want to dig this up and disturb everything here we can always do it there,” he said waving.

  “Where?” Bob asked. “Oh Towngate and stuff?”

  “And Target. Eric wants to use the fish tanks for planters for the greenhouses I heard. He's bickering with Nate and Jen over it now,” he said shaking his head. Jen wanted the tanks to breed fish. He had already told them to split it ev
enly.

  “Dare I ask why?” Bob asked and then shook his head waving the thought away as he got up. “Never mind, too stupid or tired to care. Just let me figure this out.”

  “Sure. Check with Jayne and the stores people. Maybe we can use the drainage from the buildings. Gutters and such. Build water towers or use tarps to funnel water. Whatever works,” he said.

  “I... yeah, come to think of it, some of that isn't as half-baked as it sounds. Let me get back to you on it,” Bob said moving off.

  “Well, I don't think I made his day,” Shane said sighing. He turned. “Now who else do I bother...?”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Shane came in as Jerry waved. “I'm a bit busy boss, talk later,” he said, helping to unload a stretcher. Shane nodded and turned to Jayne. She had a girl there, one of her assistants.

  “How'd it go?” he asked, resting a hand on the butt of his shotgun.

  The girl gave him the once over and then shook her head. “I passed on your message. I'm not sure how well it'll go. We've got another twenty people. I'm not sure how well they will work out,” she said. As she said that the gate guards waved. They looked up. One touched his mike.

  “Boss we've got incoming vehicles, about six of them. It looks like they are loaded with people,” the guard said.

  “Where are they coming from?” he asked.

  “Day Street boss. They just made the turn onto Canyon Springs Parkway and are heading up the hill to us.”

  “Great,” he said shaking his head. “Any ideas?” he asked.

  “Visitors?” Jayne asked. “Or rats escaping a sinking ship?” she asked.

  “I ah, might have had a hand in that,” the girl said, looking a little embarrassed. They turned to her. “I sort of told some of the people a little about what we've got here. They could be coming to check it out,” she said.

  “Casing the joint?” he asked. He turned and touched a mike. “Bill, Adrienne, we've got a possible situation here. We've got uninvited guests. The human kind. Uncertain intentions, over.”

  “Roger that,” Bill answered.

  “They timed it right,” Jayne said, shielding her eyes as she looked to the West and the setting sun. “Another thirty minutes and it'll be dark,” she said.