by JEFF MOTES
“Yes, I do.”
“Welcome to Helena,” he says, and passes me through with a wave of his hat.
With the way they have the cars set up, I have to go through the middle, right by the police officer. Pedaling past I realize this is the first sign of authority I've seen since the…the what? What do I call it? EMP day? Is this the civilization changing event I've heard some talk about? It certainly seems like the crap has hit the fan. I decide to simply call it, The Day.
Chapter 9
Jill
In a Hurry
Day 2
Pedaling away from the roadblock, I notice the increasing number of houses. I’ve never travelled this way before. I always took AL5 to the interstate. It’s shorter this way, just faster to drive the other way. The houses and layout remind me of home and the neighborhoods there. There are more people walking in both directions now. People on side streets are moving around, including a few on bikes. In the distance, I hear the sound of an engine. Well, it sounds like one, although I can’t be sure. Some of the stores appear to be open and people are going in and out. I think about it for a minute, then decide not to risk it.
Downtown, there are dozens of people walking and milling about. Since people are walking on the road as well as the sidewalk, I am forced to slow down. I’m barely able to keep enough speed to keep the bike balanced. There are fewer people on the side streets and I consider taking one of them, then remember the officer’s warning: “If you're going through town, stay on this street. If you're caught wandering around town with no specific business, you will be arrested.” Arrested is the last thing I want to happen. Still, the side streets would be easier to traverse.
Maybe I could go a block or two on the—BAM! Somebody pushes me from the side. The bike loses balance and I have to put one foot down to keep from falling over. A teenage boy grabs the handlebars.
“No!” I scream as we struggle for control of the bike. He’s about to win and I consider just grabbing my bag and giving up the bike, when the biggest black man I have ever seen steps forward and grabs the kid by his collar, nearly lifting him off the ground.
“Boy, what are you doing!” he bellows, shaking the kid from side to side. The kid struggles and yanks back. The big guy is relentless and won’t let him go. “You apologize to this lady or I'm going to shake the crap out of you.”
Seeing he has no chance of escape, the kid bows his head and says, “I’m sorry.”
“Boy, if I catch you bothering anybody else, I’m going to put my foot up your butt. Do you understand me?”
“Yes sir.”
The moment the big guy releases him, the kid dashes off. The big guy turns towards me. “Ma'am, on behalf of the good people of Helena,” the man says, “I want to apologize for what happened here.”
Still a little nervous, I say, “Thank you.”
“My name is Elijah. Are you staying here in town or passing through?”
I right the bike, placing it between myself and the big man. I’ve never spoken to a man so large and it makes me nervous. I’m still wondering how best to answer his question, not knowing his full intentions.
Noticing my hesitation, Elijah says, “It's okay, ma'am. I understand if you don't want to answer. I'm only making conversation. I'm walking as far south as Miller Street. You're welcome to walk with me, if you want. I don’t think anybody will be bothering you if you do.”
I decide to trust this man. Giving a timid smile I say, “Yes. Thank you, Elijah. I will. I'm passing through, going south. I'm trying to get home. This whole thing, event, or whatever it is, has got people going crazy. I don’t know who I can trust.”
“You can call me Eli. You’re right to be cautious. This event, or as I've been told, EMP, has changed the whole world. Our lives are changed forever. Law and order is soon to be a thing of the past. The bad in some folks is going to come out and the good in others will flow to the top. Still, this world is changed. And more changes are coming.”
Puzzled, I ask. “What do you mean?”
“You see,” Eli says, waving his arm around, “all this is fine and dandy until the food runs out. Then there won't be no relief station or relief camp. Whatever you do, do not go to the relief camp. That will be the absolute worst place a woman alone can go. You seem like a cautious woman. I noticed how you put that bike between you and me, and I see how you keep looking at the opening in your pack, as if there’s something in there you really want to hold. A knife or a pistol, I guess. That's okay, though. You need to be cautious, otherwise in this here new world, somebody is going to take advantage of you.”
I stutter and respond, “You're right, Eli. I wasn't meaning to insult you and I do thank you for what you did and—”
“I told you, it's okay,” Eli interrupts. “It's what I would expect. We’re coming up on Miller Street, where we’ll part company. A little ways down, you will find the relief station. It's in the Walmart parking lot. Apparently, the manager at Walmart turned the entire store over to the city. They're cooking up all the perishable food and serving it as relief aid. That's only going to last another day or two.” Eli stops at the Miller Street intersection. “The food is going to smell good, and it is good. I had some earlier myself. But unless you're really, really hungry, I suggest you don't stop and keep moving out of town.”
Puzzled I ask, “Why?”
“If you want to keep that bike, you better not stop. Now good day to you and I hope you make it to wherever you're going.” He turns on to Miller Street.
“I won't stop,” I call after him. “Thanks again, Eli. Oh, and my name is Jill.”
Eli stops and glances back. “A good day to you, Jill.” Then he walks off down the street, not turning back around.
There are dozens of people walking in both directions. Getting back on the bike, I steer to the left side and continue southward. The number of people increases as Walmart comes into view. There are tents set up in the parking lot, just like Eli said. Many people are coming in and going out from both directions. The barbecue smell is thick in the air. It smells so good and I’m hungry. Two candy bars and three bottles of water is all I’ve eaten since leaving Mary’s this morning. Maybe I could stop and get some food and come right out. Then, Eli’s words come to mind and I decide against it. I need the bike. It probably means life or death to me. I continue pedaling past Walmart.
There are still a lot of people coming in from the south, most of them turning in to the relief station. How long can they feed people before the food runs out? Two days? Three days? I have no idea and I don't plan on being here to find out. I pedal to the south roadblock and slow down.
The officer waves me through and says, “Have a nice day,” as I pass by.
After going through the roadblock, there are fewer people heading south. Apparently more people are trying to get into Helena than out. I pedal faster, trying to get back to the happy speed. My legs are still very sore, and I’m hungry. I’ve got to find a place to stop and eat something, but there are still too many people watching. After what seems like forever, I come to a bridge crossing a small creek. I see no one in front and no one behind. I dismount from the bike and push down the embankment into the tree line close to the creek. Seeing and hearing nothing, I push further into the woods along the creek. The brush is thick and I continue until I can no longer see the road, then park the bike. I carefully observe all around. The area appears deserted. I get my pack and sit against a tree. It’s a nice large tree with big leaves and I wonder what kind of it is. I never was real good at tree identification. I guess that's why I didn't become a forester.
After getting comfortable, I pull out an MRE from my pack. Ravioli. I don’t want raviolis right now. I pull out the next pack. This one looks better, beef brisket. I don’t want to take the time to build a fire, so I eat it cold. It's pretty tasty. I’m so hungry anything would taste good right now. Deciding to splurge, I get a flavor mix out and pour it in a bottle of water. It's cool under the shade of the tr
ees. The sound of the flowing creek water is making me drowsy. My legs are sore, so I decide to rest for a few minutes. A short nap will make a world of difference in how I feel right now. Closing my eyes, I drift to sleep, listening to the running of the creek water.
Sometime later, much later, I awake with a start. By the sunlight, I can tell it’s late. Darn! I wanted to be through Montevallo before dark! Hurriedly, I pick up my gear. I’m down to three bottles of water. I look at the creek. It'll take a while to filter and treat five bottles of water. The three bottles, along with the quart stainless steel bottle and the gallon jug in the basket should be enough, even through tomorrow. I should be able to find water before then. I load everything into the basket, including my MRE trash, and push back to the road. At the tree line I stop. Not seeing or hearing anything, I push up to the road. The road is clear.
Getting on the bike, I start pedaling. Despite the continued soreness in legs and back, I pedal hard. I haven’t gone this fast all day. The road is flying under the wheels of the bike. I turn south on CR17 and keep pedaling. There isn’t a roadblock at Brantleyville and I pass through without slowing. There are a few people out and about, but no one bothers me as I speed through. After another mile I have to stop for a brief rest. I’ve been riding a couple of hours since I got back on the road. CR15 can't be too far ahead. If I hurry, I might make it through Montevallo before dark.
While pedaling, I wonder if there will be a roadblock. Montevallo is a bigger town, and a university town at that. I’ll just have to wait and see. I've got to hurry though. I head straight across the intersection onto CR15. This should go to AL119 and then into Montevallo. Turning onto AL119, I’m making good time. I must have covered at least fifteen to twenty miles since leaving Helena. I press on, pushing my already sore legs. My rear end is starting to get sore too. Another sore spot, that's all I need!
Up ahead are two stalled cars. That's nothing unusual, except these are close to each other in opposite lanes. They are blocking the outside parts of the lanes, forcing me to the middle. I slow a bit, continuing at a steady pace, and looking all around. Something doesn't seem right. Is that a snake in the road? I pull my feet up as I get close, not wanting to get bit on the leg. Suddenly, it jumps straight up and hits me in the middle of my chest. My body is jerked clear of the bike and my back hits the asphalt hard, knocking the wind from my lungs. The back of my head hits asphalt and darkness overtakes me.
Chapter 10
Jill
Darkness
Day 2
My eyes are fluttering. I don’t know where I am. Someone slaps me in the face. The voices sound so faint, as if they were far away. “Leave her alone, Hank. Let her wake on her own. We’re in no hurry.”
“The heck you say, Earl, I'm ready right now.”
“Hank you'll get your turn soon enough, just like last night.”
The sound fades away and darkness returns.
***
I open my eyes, still confused.
“She’s awake, Hank!”
Someone stretches my arms out. I’m being held down! I come completely conscious. Ignoring the throbbing pain in my head, I scream, “Get off me! Let me go!” I struggle, trying to free myself, to no avail. The men are too big and too strong. There are three of them, one holding each arm down and another between my legs.
The one between my legs leans over and leers. “Did you like our little rope trick? It worked real good too, except we didn't intend for you to go out cold. Honey, we been waiting for you to wake up. Now let the party begin!”
It’s dark outside and a fire is going. I don't see my pack or my Glock. I don't know where I am or how long I’ve been unconscious.
The guy in front rips the buttons off my shirt, pulling it aside.
“Stop it!” I scream, struggling to get free.
The guy smiles widely. “Honey, I like it when you talk dirty to me.” He pulls out his knife. It has a huge serrated blade. It’s dirty and nasty. I lay still, staring at the blade. “That's right, honey, you lay still for a few more minutes.” He slides the cold steel underneath my bra. I close my eyes and brace myself expecting to be stabbed, instead he cuts my bra apart, exposing my breasts. He sets the knife on the ground and says “Now, honey, you can squirm all you want.” He runs his rough hands are all over me.
I scream again, struggling to free my hands yet the men are too strong, I can’t move my arms at all.
“That's nice, honey. They’re really soft. Let's see what else you have down here.”
The other two guys egg him on, “Hurry up, Earl!”
He slides his hands down and begins undoing my belt. I scream again and become frantic. I’m fighting for my life. I can't move my arms, but I kick with my legs.
Earl is laughing. “The more fight, the more fun!”
I manage to get one leg free and over and my shoe catches Earl full in the face. He curses, holding his nose. The other two guys crack up laughing. Earl looks straight at me, evil in his eyes. He grabs my throat with one hand and squeezes, then slaps me hard across the face. I’m stunned. Stars are forming in my vision. I’m hoping I'll pass out, but instead I lay there conscious yet unable to struggle.
Earl grins. “Now, honey, you’re going to get what's coming to you.” He unbuttons my pants and pulls the zipper down.
Dear God, help me! I pray silently and urgently. Help me, dear God!
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the guy on my left flinch and fall to the side.
Earl stops tugging on my pants. “What the—” A red mist appears from the side of his head and he crumples to the side. The guy on the right starts to stand, then falls across my chest. His full weight knocks the air out of my lungs, and everything fades to black.
Chapter 11
John
Nor the Next
The Day
I’m driving on the interstate near Leeds, listening to Sweet Home Alabama. It’s been a long day. It’s finally over and I’m heading back home to Clarke County. I just finished a project at an industrial plant north of Leeds. The project went well, should be a nice profit. Well, there will be when my secretary gets the invoice ready for my approval, then sends it to the project engineer for his approval, then to their accounting department for their approval then… Well, let's say about forty-five days from now it should be a nice profit.
This project had been cancelled until yesterday. The plant had an unexpected down day and wanted me there for starting some equipment. The window of opportunity for such things is sometimes very short and unexpected at times. It has certainly made for a long day, but they pay well. Now it’s time for a few days off. My son, Will, is out of school tomorrow, giving us a four-day weekend for our long awaited fishing trip.
A rooster crowing comes through the sound system, as my iPhone syncs with the truck’s audio system. Will’s calling.
“Hey, bud, what’s up?” I answer.
“Hey, Dad. You on your way home?”
“Yeah, I’m just getting back on the interstate at Leeds, should be home around 8:30.”
“Okay. That little blow that came through last night knocked a tree down across the fences in back of the pasture. When I got home from school, a couple of cows were out grazing away. I got them back in before they could get to Uncle Robert’s grape vines.”
“Whew, that’s good, otherwise I’d have to listen to Robert complain all summer. How big a tree and how much damage?”
“It’s not real big, maybe eight inches, but it landed on top of one of the wood posts, busted it, and broke the wire.”
Aw crap. There goes the fishing trip. That’ll take nearly a day to get fixed.
I respond to Will, “Can you stretch a couple of strands of barbed wire across to hold the cows in? We can fix it tomorrow. Do not try to cut the tree off.”
“I’ve already stretched the barbed wire. Don’t worry, I won’t be using the chainsaw.”
“Okay, then if you want, I’ll pick a pizza up on the way in a
nd see you around 8:30ish.”
“Sure, Dad, that sounds good. Love you. Drive safe.”
“Okay, son. I love you too. Bye.”
The call ends with me not realizing I wouldn’t be picking up pizza that night, nor the next, nor for a very long time.
Styx’s Sailing Away shuffles up to play from the iPhone. One of my favorites. Dad listened to them when I was a kid and 80s music grew on me. I didn’t realize how much music was out there that I didn’t like until I got a satellite radio subscription. Over a hundred stations and I decided to play music from my iPhone. With the auto-Bluetooth sync up, it’s as easy as selecting a satellite station. About the only thing I listen to on satellite is the news. Even Fox News has become more talking heads than news these days. Think I’m going to cancel my satellite service when I get back to the office. Ought to save me three hundred dollars a year.
It’s a few minutes after 4:00 p.m., so I turn to Fox News to catch the headlines. A breaking news alert begins.
“…is a Fox News Alert. Fox News has just learned the United Sates is under immediate threat of—”
The radio dies, the truck slows down, and the dashboard gauges go off. Great! On the interstate and my truck dies! Shifting to neutral, I try to crank again. Of course, it won’t crank. These new trucks will only crank while in park. I stay in neutral, coasting the truck to the side of the road. Just what I need.
Putting the transmission in park, I try to crank again. Nothing! It must be an electrical problem. All the electrical items of the truck have quit working. I pop the hood and step out. The battery connections are good. I retrieve my digital voltmeter from my tool bag and check the battery. Darn, the battery must be dead in my meter too! It doesn’t even come on. Yet the light is on under the hood, so the battery connection must be good.
