The Harvest (Book 1)

by Ferretti, Anne

  “What if she doesn’t come back?” Edward asked thirty minutes later.

  “She will.” Austin stood up, walked to the front of the store and stared out the door. Was sending Madison a mistake? This question circled around in his mind, crawled over his skin, even sparked a tiny fear that the answer might turn out to be yes. Fear wasn’t an emotion he was accustomed to feeling.

  As an adult, he had experienced fear only where the opposite sex was concerned. Asking Roxi to marry him ranked up there as the most frightening moment, and the best day, of his life. But he hadn’t been able to protect Roxanne. He’d sent her to his cousin’s instead of staying with her and their unborn son. The call to duty had been more powerful than his desire to protect his family. The Marines came first. Always his damn sense of duty above all else drove every decision he made. And where did it get him? Alone, fearing his wife was dead. Alone, fearing he had sent Madison to her death or worse.

  The sound of the Monster truck rumbling towards the station was a welcomed distraction. When it came into view, the first thing Austin searched for was Madison’s gray and blue parka. A powerful wave of relief washed over him. A less disciplined man would have rushed out the door to greet them, but Austin was no such man. He held tight inside the station watching their arrival, making sure Madison was not being held against her will. When she jumped out of the huge truck, he opened the door and dared to breathe.

  Madison rushed up to where he stood holding the door open and pulled her face mask off. “I found the bunker.” She announced, stopping short of throwing her arms around him, her vow to keep a safe distance between them echoed in her head as a loud reminder.

  “Took ya long enough.” Austin replied, disguising his relief, and joy, behind sarcasm.

  “You’re welcome.” She turned away so he wouldn’t see her disappointment and waved the Londergan boys to come inside. “They said we could stay with them, so try to be less of an asshole than normal.” Madison pushed past him, careful to avoid eye contact. What had she expected? That he would welcome her back with a hug and kiss?

  Madison went to check on Luke, leaving the guys to sort out who was who. She knew Austin was not going to like Zack, who called everyone dude and operated at a pace one step ahead of a tortoise. He was Austin’s polar opposite. Skip not liking him, she thought, Austin was going to hate him. But she didn’t care. The bunker was fully equipped with hot water, and hot water meant showering, shaving her legs, washing her hair. It meant feeling human again, for however fleeting that feeling might be and for whatever little it was worth.

  With a shower in mind, Madison stocked up on what shampoo and soap the gas station had to offer. Zack had assured her they had everything she would need, but what did a guy know about what she needed? Leave nothing to chance.

  An hour later they had loaded most of their gear in the truck, with only a few provisions being strapped to the back of the ATV. The sled was strapped to the top of truck. Luke and Edward were strapped in the back. Austin was taking the ATV with Madison riding on back. Colin filled Maddie in on where the actual entrance to the bunker was located, which turned out not to be the ranch, but inside the dilapidated barn.

  “You sure you don’t want us to wait on you?” Colin asked Madison one more time.

  She shook her head. “We shouldn’t be more than forty minutes behind you. Just take care of Luke. Ok?”

  “Ok.” He reluctantly started up the truck. “Hey Maddie. You want a radio? It’s good up to ten miles.”

  “Sure. That’s a good idea.” She took the radio from Colin. “See you soon.” He nodded and shifted the truck into drive. Madison walked over to where Austin waited on the ATV. “You ready?”

  He nodded, turned on the ATV and revved the engine. Madison climbed on back, wrapped her arms around his waist. He eased away from the gas station, picking up speed once they were on open highway.

  16 THE BUNKER

  By the time Madison and Austin arrived, Zack had Luke set up in the infirmary with an IV inserted into his arm providing much needed liquids to his fever racked body. When asked where he learned about IV’s, Zack made an offhanded comment about taking a few pre-med classes during one of his college stints. Austin had raised a brow at this, but couldn’t argue after examining Luke and finding Zack’s work was up to standards.

  Assured Luke was in good hands, Zack took them on a tour of the bunker. A thirty thousand square foot, self sustained habitat. The impressive design was by a famous architect Zack had befriended while trekking across Europe. They had worked several months on the layout alone, wanting to create a living environment suitable for a very long extended stay.

  The bunker was square in shape, with a wide corridor that looped the entire facility, and one running through the middle. The walls and doors of the corridors of the common areas were painted in various city skylines. The floor was the street and the ceiling the sky. LED lighting, which was triggered by motion or sound, provided illumination along the corridor. Behind the décor was steel reinforced concrete, able to withstand a minor nuclear attack.

  At the front of the bunker, hidden behind the Denver skyline, was the command center. Inside, four reclining chairs sat facing a wall covered with a giant screen. On each wall similar sized screens gave a three hundred and sixty degree view of the outside that extended to the highway. Zack replayed Madison’s arrival, including her near wipe out, to which she blamed on her being excited at finding the bunker. With a menacing look from Madison, he refrained from re-playing the footage of her talking to the raccoon.

  Under the giant screen was a row of smaller screens, used for inside the compound. These cameras covered the corridors, the infirmary, the diner and the pharmacy. There were no cameras in the living quarters. Zack voiced his opinion that some things should never be caught on camera. To which everyone agreed and was grateful. He also had a weather monitor fed by thirty sensors placed outside the bunker. Not that there was much to monitor, he joked.

  Denver gave way to a painted downtown that had everything from lamp posts to park benches and a bus stop. They passed by a launder mat, a barber/beauty shop, and the mini pharmacy they had seen on the live video. The pharmacy was kept under strict lock and key for obvious reasons. The group made a stop at the infirmary next door, where Colin was keeping watch on Luke. They were relieved to hear that Luke’s fever had dropped below one hundred. Upon examination Zack had come to the conclusion that Luke had pneumonia and not only did he have it, but he’d most likely been battling the symptoms for a couple of weeks. This bit of news hit Austin hard, adding to the responsibility and guilt he carried on his shoulders.

  They moved on to see an impressive recreation area where ping pong and pool tables, a half basketball court, and a lap pool were available twenty four seven. If you were in need of gear, there was a sports locker stocked with at least two pairs of shoes in every size, along with other sportswear and gear. Zack never exercised, but he had read somewhere when in a crisis situation it was important to keep folks occupied.

  Next on the tour was an exact replica of a fifty’s era diner, including stools, Formica counter tops, checkered curtains, and a soda fountain, no detail was overlooked. Madison and Edward thought it cool, but Austin’s furrowed eyebrow gave every indication he disapproved. Madison wouldn’t have been surprised to know he viewed it as a waste of space. If he had been the designer, she had no doubt he would have made it look and function just like a mess hall.

  Zack showed off a mini theatre, complete with every movie and TV show available to man. They stopped here, looking at the theatre seats complete with cup holders, the sound proof walls and the big screen. It hadn’t occurred to anyone that maybe there wouldn’t be any more movies made. In light of things, movies hadn’t been important. Yet there was something so desperate and sad about the theatre. But it wasn’t just the loss of movies. It was the Lions getting to the Superbowl, the Cubs winning the World Series, or watching the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square.
It was all these things and more that might be gone for good.

  Downtown gave way to painted green pastures and dairy cows. It was here the large hydroponic grow center was located. Inside, tomato plants, squash, green beans and a variety of other edible goods, including orange, lemon, and lime trees, were being cultivated. Adjacent to the garden, behind a large black and white cow, was a room lined with floor to ceiling shelves that were stocked with every imaginable type of boxed and canned food item available, as well as rice, sugar, flour, corn meal and a stunning variety of condiments.

  The pastures rolled into a neighborhood where the sleeping quarters were located. For the younger children, there was a large room designed in bold colors and soft round edged objects. At one end several bunk beds lined the walls; some stacked two high, others three high with gentle sloped steps to reach the top bed.

  In the play area well known Disney characters danced on the walls. Barbie, G.I. Joe and Legos galore filled the toy bins. There was something for all ages.

  Although there was no live internet, the bunker had the next best thing. Part of Zack’s contingency plan was to download everything from the internet on an ongoing basis to a server created for the bunker. Everything that happened on the internet up through the days of the drop was safely stored, giving the bunker its own internet.

  Having fully expected loss of satellites after the shit hit the fan, Zack created the ultimate non-internet hang out for teenagers. Large screen TV’s, all the latest gaming devices and a complete gaming library. There was also an extensive music library available for download to any one of the iPods lying about.

  Zack picked up a pink iPod. “Here Maddie.” He handed it to her. “Let me know when you want to connect and download. I’ll show you where all the music is saved.”

  “Thanks Zack. I miss having music.” She smiled up at him.

  “Kind of a waste don’t you think?” Austin asked.

  “Waste? Music?”

  “Waste of fuel. I’m guessing none of this is powered by battery.”

  “Well no sir Major. It’s powered by an Eco Boost power grid specifically designed to run this facility at maximum efficiency. It doesn’t run on fuel.”

  “Captain.”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s Captain Reynolds, not major. Doesn’t matter. Just call me Austin.”

  “Sure thing. Any other questions? Concerns? What have yous?” He looked around.

  “Where are the adult sleeping quarters?” Madison chirped in. “I’m dying to brush my teeth.”

  “Right this way my queen.” He swept his arm out in dramatic fashion and they proceeded back out into the corridor.

  The adult units were hidden behind brownstone fashioned facades. There were single residences and those for families. The singles were small, but comfortable, with a small living area and kitchenette equipped with a sink, mini refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. The bedroom was large enough for a queen bed. Adjacent to the bedroom was the bathroom which, in the unit they were touring, only had a shower. No one was disappointed by this fact. Fire extinguishers were placed in just about every corner and, for the first time in the tour, they noticed the overhead sprinkler system.

  They stopped in front of a cute brownstone. “I think you’ll like this one Maddie.” Zack opened the door. “It was designed for a chick.”

  Maddie stepped inside. “Wow.” She uttered. Not that the room was over the top, but all the comforts were present that she hadn’t expected to find in a bunker.

  “Check out the bedroom.” Zack pointed to a door.

  Madison opened the door to a bedroom dominated by a queen bed covered with a fluffy down comforter and large down pillows. On each side of the bed were floor to ceiling wardrobes. Inspection of the bathroom revealed a soaking tub, which was a welcome surprise. The bathroom was small, but the details were beautiful. “Wow.” Madison repeated.

  “So it works for you?”

  “Are you kidding? This is awesome.”

  “Awesome.” He repeated. “Colin will come get you when dinner is ready.” He turned to leave.

  “Where’s Austin’s room?” She blurted out.

  Zack gave her a sly look. “Where do you want it to be?”

  “It’s not like that.” She stammered, hoping Austin couldn’t hear them. “I was just wondering.”

  “Captain America will be right next door. And Eddie is in the room next to that.” He answered. “Each room has a phone. But they only work in the bunker. There’s a directory in the kitchenette. If you need anything, it’s only a jingle away.”

  “Thanks Zack.”

  “Ain’t nothin.” He shrugged.

  “But it is. We’ve been on the road for months…It’s just nice to have…” She looked around the room.

  “Hot water?”

  “Yes.” She breathed. “Hot water.”

  “My brother and I are up front by the command center. Number thirteen and fourteen on your speed dial.” With those words Zack departed.

  Alone for the first time in weeks, Madison wasn’t sure what to do first. She quickly decided to shed her many layers of winter clothes. She dropped everything in a pile and strolled about the space in her Under Amour shirt and leggings. She opened the first wardrobe to find it filled with lingerie in every size, an assortment of PJ’s, slippers and a thick terrycloth robe. The second wardrobe was stocked with sweaters, socks, jeans, t-shirts, and shoes, absolutely everything a girl needed.

  Madison chose a white t-shirt, a light brown long sleeve v-neck sweater and a pair of jeans to wear that night, nothing sexy or revealing. She was all too aware of being the only female on board. Despite the guys being cordial and unthreatening, having an escape plan was never far from her mind.

  Zack had enough supplies to sustain a hundred people for twenty five years. There were only six of them, which meant they could live down here until they died. A shudder went through her body at the thought of living out her life in the bunker. She couldn’t ignore any longer the fact they might be the only ones left alive.

  Soon she was going to have to break the news to Austin that the base at Cheyenne Mountain had been attacked and there were no survivors. She knew he was going to take the news hard, but Zack and Colin had already been there. They saw firsthand the destruction, the blood. She shuddered again, the gruesome sights threatened to overtake her emotions, but with some effort she forced unpleasant images from her mind. She grabbed the robe and headed for the bathroom.

  Next door, Austin was inspecting his accommodations, which were similar to the first suite they had toured, practical in design, without sacrificing comfort. He took a quick shower first, shaved his hair close to the scalp, leaving a five o’clock shadow. Then he did the same to his facial hair and, on a whim, splashed on a tiny bit of aftershave. His blank expression never changed. Somewhere in the back of his mind he was telling himself he didn’t deserve to be comfortable. He didn’t deserve to relax or to enjoy these basic comforts, even if he’d been without them for so very long.

  Feeling less exuberant about the clothes than Madison, Austin debated putting his uniform back on. One whiff told him he would lose friends fast if he made that choice. He opted for jeans and a dark short sleeve blue t-shirt. Staring into the mirror, Austin saw not the handsome man with chiseled muscles staring back at him, but a Marine who had failed in his duty to protect those closest to him. He absently rubbed his head.

  In the duplicate suite next door, Edward, half undressed, stood backwards in front of a full length mirror peering over his shoulder at the scars on his back. They were ugly, but healing. A gruesome reminder of his days in captivity. He didn’t know if God gave a damn about them anymore, but he thanked Him anyway for putting Austin, Luke and Maddie in the Dodge City Diner that day. He stopped short of asking God to give him back his family. His faith wasn’t strong enough for him to believe this was possible.

  Ed wasn’t shy about taking advantage of their host’s hospitality, enjoying
a long hot shower, even washing his shoulder length hair twice. The first opportunity available he planned on visiting the barbershop, hoping he could convince Maddie to cut his hair. The length hadn’t been a problem when no one questioned why he always wore a stocking cap, but down here he could walk about in one layer of normal clothing. He couldn’t continue wearing his cap forever.

  From the pocket of his parka Ed retrieved a picture of his wife and son. He placed it inside a silver picture frame found on the night stand next to the bed. He sat staring at his family. The shock wave created by the horrible sights he’d seen that day and along the way waited to send an emotional Tsunami ashore, but Ed refused to be washed away by grief. Not yet. He couldn’t allow himself to admit they were gone, for good. Not his sweet Jenni, with her laughing green eyes. And not Ryan, a true blessing to this world, with his unending questions. “Not yet.” He whispered and kissed the picture, placing it back on the night stand so it faced the bed.

  A pair of slip on shoes, made just for his feet it seemed, was amongst the many pairs waiting to be worn. Grateful he didn’t have to bend over Ed slipped these on. The clock on the wall read six ten when Ed emerged from his bedroom. Zack had mentioned dinner would be around seven thirty, so he had time to explore. Never one to sit idle for long, Ed thought checking in on Luke seemed like a good idea.

  A few minutes later Ed stepped out into the corridor. He looked towards his friend’s doors, but decided against asking them to join him. A little alone time was a good thing. He set off in the opposite direction of the hospital, planning to get a bit of exercise in by taking the long way around.

  The long way proved to be more arduous than he anticipated, taking him almost twenty full minutes to reach the hospital door. When he walked inside Luke’s room Colin was glad to see him, and a little concerned over his condition.

  “You all right man?” Colin eyed Ed with concern. He was breathing hard and perspiration dripped down the side of his face.