“Yes Mom you can and don’t worry, there’s a 6 foot fence around the little patio outside, nothing will get in that way I promise.”
“I know babe,” she says.
The boys enter with boxes and bags. My mom starts telling them where she wants them. I leave her to it, I know she has everything under control.
Walking down the hall I head into the family room. Sitting in my favorite chair I turn the TV up. I wonder if there are any news updates. It’s still on the same channel as the past 2 days. So I sit there and listen.
Youngstown is in a state of chaos. The authorities and state officials are telling everyone to stay where they are. Don’t come into the cities as they are being overrun by gangs and the infected. If you are bitten or scratched quarantine yourself. Do not spread the contamination by going to hospitals. All stores nationwide are closing down. 911 will not take your calls as Martial Law is now in effect. Some scientists are calling the infected zombies. They are acting with the same symptoms while others are still calling them infected. On with other news from around the world. China is still unreachable. It is believed everyone is dead, dying, or in hiding. And at the end of the broadcast they say to pray.
Turning the TV down I sit back and cuddle with the puppies. We are really on our own now, we will have to defend what we have or die trying. This is it I think when they start throwing the Z word around you know it’s the end. I get up and walk out to the garage where Nate is still putting things together. I sit down next to him. I look around and notice that someone brought up the couch, chairs and tables and put them around the wood burner.
“How’s it going?” I ask.
“Almost done, Mom.” He points to several monitors. “This one’s for the front and sides of our place, this one will be for the back. You will be able to see everything from here. I even got a generator in place for when the power goes out. I have the solar hooked up … I just need to figure out what it can power. I don’t think we’ll have it running everything at once though. I mean we do have the natural gas generator and that will run until there’s no more fuel, I guess. But to power the RVs that will fall to the little generators. For now we have electricity and cords can be run to them,” Nate says.
“True I didn’t really think of all that I’m glad you did. Hey just a heads up your sister is pregnant I know it’s really bad timing and before you say anything … 1 -- It’s hardly ever planned. 2 -- She’s scared to death and we really need to be there for her,” I tell him.
“Ok Mom, I so didn’t expect to hear that right now but that’s my sister and I’ll protect her and my little niece or nephew with my life! You should know that,” Nate says.
“I know you will, let’s pray it doesn’t come to that. I’m telling you this so you know what’s going on. And I don’t want her lifting anything really heavy. And I know it’s an added stress. Let your brother know ok. Have you heard anything from your Uncle Pete? Are they ok?”
“I heard from them about 20 min’s ago. They ran into some problems with those things and people are starting to loot the stores but I guess that would be expected,” Nate says.
“Let me know when they are 10 minutes out. We will have to set someone up top and two people out front. Your G-dad is taking time out for a while and Mimi is unpacking, I just thought it would be smart to have their stuff in here and at least in their room so when Uncle Pete and them, get here we won’t be overrun with their stuff as well. Keep on top of it,” I say.
“Good call Mom,” Nate says and starts to hook stuff up.
Sitting down I look at the monitors and see nothing really going on.
“Oh Mom by the way, these will start beeping about a half mile out. So we will know if someone or something is coming our way!” he says.
“That’s really cool Nate!! We still need someone to watch them 24/7 and someone up on the roof too,” I say.
“Yep you’re right Mom,” he says.
I get up and walk to the stairs going under the garage to the storage room. I look around at all the canned goods and drinks. It’s piled from the floor to the ceiling on all four walls. I walk into the last room and it looks the same. I think we will be good for a while but we still should hit a few stores when we can. It’s never too safe to be sorry. Taking one last look I shut the lights off and head upstairs. I know Tabby took inventory and the lists should be in my office. I’ll look them over tonight. Liam should be there as well. I can look them over and see where we’re short on things and start a list of things we’re going to need.
At the top of the stairs I shut the door behind me and lock it. I wave at Nate. He nods and heads back into the house. Looking at the clock I still have time to get some things done. It is taking Pete a bit longer than it should. Well maybe I should go check the basement make sure there’s stuff down there everyone will need. Heading downstairs I pass Nate’s room. On second thought I open his door and flip on the light. Looking around, I’m amazed how neat he keeps things. Heading to the closet I open it and grab the laundry basket. Might as well get these washed up while we still can. I grab Liam’s, mom and Hank’s clothes along with mine. Heading out of the room I hit the switch to turn off the light and close the door. Heading down the hall I open the door to the laundry room and head inside. I throw the laundry in the washer and start the wash.
Looking in the dryer I grab all the towels in there and put them in a laundry basket. Turning around with the basket in hand I head out of the laundry room. Shutting the door I head over and set the basket on the chair in the rec room. Looking around it’s all neat and tidy. Heading to Tabby’s room I open the door on the left. Well I really should not be surprised at the mess and still boxes all around. I grab the dirty clothes and walk out and toss them in the hallway.
Opening the door across the hall I walk into the spare room. I see that the bed is made and everything is dusted. It’s ready for my sister and Pete. Heading out I grab the clothes on the floor and check the bathroom next. Opening the linen closet I see tons of towels and bed linen, soap, shampoo, all the stuff for a bathroom. Bending down I check under the sinks and see all the stuff under there -- medicines, TP, the works. There’s nothing really to do in here so I grab the clothes and head to the laundry room, toss them on the floor and after that I head back upstairs.
Once upstairs I walk through the kitchen and dining room heading to my bedroom. I slowly open the door and notice that Hank isn’t in bed. I see that my patio door is open so I head to the door and go out. Hank is sitting in the chair by the fountain with the Bible in his lap. He’s reading. I go to leave and he looks up and motions for me to sit. I walk over to sit on the swing. He puts the Bible down and looks up.
“Hank how long have you been up?” I ask.
“About 20 minutes is all. Just thought I’d get some reading in, hope you don’t mind me using your Bible, mine’s still packed,” he says.
“No Hank, that’s fine you can use whatever you need to,” I say. “Pete’s about 45 minutes out. Nate has a sort of command center set up and Mom, Tabby, John and Liam are bringing the rest of the gear in for you guys. RVs are set up and power to them. They are done!”
“You’ve been very busy while I napped,” he says. “So what can I do to help out?”
“Well,” I say looking at him, “You said there has to be a chain of command here. And I know that I’m in charge but I was thinking that maybe you could be second?” I look at the ground nervous at what he will say.
“Egypt I would be honored to be second in charge. I’ll do whatever I can to help. I guess I’d better get to recon and knowing where everything is,” he says.
I pull a second set of keys out my pocket. And toss them to him. He catches them and looks through them one at a time.
“They’re all marked as to what they open Hank. If you like I can walk you through everything before everyone gets here and then it’s total chaos!” I say looking at him. “Oh and just so you know your room is across from mine and is set up
the same way.”
“Thank you Egypt and yes how about that tour of the place, so I know what’s going on,” he says. “Oh and by the way, this is really nice out here, peaceful.” He looks around.
“Thank you, Hank I come out here to relax and read all the time,” I say. Getting up we head into my bedroom and out the door into the hall way. As we walk down the hall I hear laughing coming from mom’s room. At least with all that’s going on they can still have laughter and a good time. And so we should, I think!!
Chapter 14
Hank and I walk though the dining room and head down the basement stairs. “Ok Hank down here there are 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a laundry and weight rooms. This is Nate’s room here on the right and on the left is the weight room.”
I open the door and walk in. Hank looks around and see’s there’s a full size refrigerator in there and he looks at a door that leads under the stairs. It’s locked so he grabs his keys and flips through them looking at me with a question in his eyes.
“It’s the gun room,” I tell him and he gets the right key and opens it and walks in. I follow behind him and he starts looking around.
He turns to me and says, “Wow Egypt you have an armory down here. I knew you were buying ammo and guns but I guess I just didn’t realize how much you really have. This is really, really good we’re going to need this and more.”
We walk out of the gun room and back into the weight room. He makes sure the door is locked and we head out into the hallway. We go into the rec room and he looks around in each of the rooms. When he’s done we head back upstairs and out to the garage. He stops on the last step and I almost run into the back of him. I know this is a lot to take in. He continues down in the garage and walks over to Nate and sits down. They start talking about all the computers so I sit on the bottom step and just listen.
About 30 minutes later he gets up and asks, “So Egypt anything else you need to show me?”
“Yep’ sure is Hank!” I walk over to the steps that lead under the garage and unlock the door and open it. I motion for him to go down. He shakes his head and heads down the stairs. At the bottom he finds the key to open the storage doors and walks in. He looks around, walks into the adjoining room and comes back out.
“Egypt I must admit I really thought you were just plain old crazy when you’d buy stuff like this. But my God!!! I think you just gave us the chance to live through this,” he says.
He walks up and hugs me. Wrapping my arms around him I feel safe, like the world can’t touch me. For a while there, I can just be me, not someone that’s in charge of everything. Letting go I step back and smile at him.
“I’m not crazy Hank. I just thought in the back of my mind that this really could be a possibility and if it did happen I wanted to be ready!”
Laughing, he grabs my hand and we head back up stairs to the garage. “Well time for a drink, I think!!” Hank says.
“Wait Hank, one more thing.” I head up the stairs to the roof. He follows me up and is awestruck.
We walk around looking everywhere. This is amazing and a very good advantage point. He sits down in one of the chairs and I do the same. Looking over to the stairs I hear someone coming up fast…
It’s Nate and by the look on his face it can’t be good news. He stops in front of us and tosses us each a Dr. Pepper Cherry. Looking at both of us he shifts from one foot to the other.
“Mom that was Pete on the phone they have 15 minutes left on the highway and it sounds like they are being followed or chased. And it’s not in a good way. They said they’re being shot at!!”
Jumping up!!! Jogging to the steps I yell behind me, “Nate get them back on the phone and find out which way they’re coming. Tell them we’ll head right to them. Don’t stop for anything. Grab the M4 Carbines, extra ammo and get in the SUV.” I say.
Hitting the bottom of the steps, Nate goes past me into the house and down the basement. I say, “Hank, you’re in charge while we’re gone. I’m hoping that it won’t take too long but be ready when we get back we may have company.” I head to my bedroom, Hank is right behind me.
“Listen Egypt, you may have to kill those people that are after them. It’s everyone for themselves just shoot and think about it later. You hear me!! It’s you or them. Got it?”
“Yeah Hank I got it.” Running to the bathroom I quickly change into jeans and tank top. I run to the closet and look for my boots. Where are they? Looking around I see Hank holding them out. Just like him to be a step ahead of me. I grab them and put them on. Just as I finish up my mom comes rushing in with Tabby in tow. Hank jumps up and starts talking before I have to hear what everyone has to say.
“Listen you guys, she has to go. So don’t go whining and making her feel guilty! She can handle this, so trust me,” Hank says.
I really don’t have time to listen to all this. I hug them all and head out to the driveway. I have my 9mm on my hip and Nate tosses me the M4.
“Mom wait we’ll take my truck,” Nate says.
Nodding yes, I hop up into the passenger seat. “Ya buddy you’re driving, that way I can shoot freely if I need to,” I say.
Liam hits the code and opens the gate and we head out to meet them. I don’t know what we’re getting into I just know we have a ways to go. They are still on the highway two exits from ours.
“Nate don’t worry about the speed limit. Just GO.”
We drive by my mom’s house. I can see that there’re windows already broken. Man that was fast only hours of leaving and they start. Well I know nothing of importance is left in there. But man that still hurts and makes me mad. I see that Nate notices it too as he slows down a bit.
“Nate. Don’t!! We need to just go we can’t change it or stop it,” I say.
Nate hits the gas and we lurch forward. We get to the end of our street and turn right onto Duck Creek Road. This is the way to the school. It wasn’t that long ago that I had to come this way to get my boys. Shivering I really don’t want to think about what happened. Or what it looks like now for that matter.
We get to the intersection of 224 and turn left. We are coming up to the school on the right and nothing could prepare me for what we were about to see. As we passed the school, Nate slowed down so that he could get a good look. Maybe this is what we really needed, a reality check. Most of the building was gone. In places it’s still smoldering. The smell is enough to make you lose your lunch. There are those zombie things just walking around. Some are still bending over the ones on the ground tearing out their insides. There’s blood and body parts all over the place. I put my hand over my mouth to stop from throwing up or gagging I don’t know. Some are walking around chewing on torsos missing arms and with guts trailing out. I see a few adults walking around or trying to maybe looking for their kids to see if they can find them, or maybe just to see if they are still around. Wiping tears from my cheeks, I know there’s nothing I can do for them. I just feel their hearts breaking as I know mine would do if things were reversed and I was looking instead of them! I reach over and grab Nate’s hand and give it a squeeze.
“Babe just go!! Let’s get out of here,” I say.
I know it has to be hard on him. He lived it just 24 hours ago. Some, if not all his friends didn’t make it. I know at one time he had two girls with him. I will have to ask about them but I don’t think now would be a good time to get into that.
We come up to the intersection with the Berlin Bear at the corner. We turn right and head to the highway in less than 20 minutes we will be at the highway. I wonder what those guys want. It really can’t be good. I mean come on. It’s the zombie apocalypse. I mean, at a time like this it could be anything. Theft, rape, carjacking, all those are bad.
Looking over at the speedometer, he’s going 80 mph, wow that would be one hell of a ticket.
Nate breaks me out of my day dreaming. “Mom there’s an RV heading right at us and I got Pete on the phone. What do you want them to do?” he asks.
�
��Tell him to blow right past us and then about a half mile out stop. Tell him we will be right by him NOW. Back into this driveway we will wait here as they go past and get behind them,” I say.
Nate talks on the phone fast. I can only hear what he’s telling them. He gets off the phone and says, “Mom, listen they brought two of Pete’s Fire Fighters friends with them, they are in the truck behind the RV. So just be careful of them.”
“What the hell did they bring people with them for? Damn it we can’t turn them away now I guess but still, they’re outsiders. This was a family thing.” The more people we have at the house, the harder it will be to take care of everyone!! How can I trust strangers?
Nate interrupts me, “Mom, here they come!! You can bitch out Uncle Pete when we all get home safe. For now lock and load mommy dearest, we got some bad guys to shoot!”
Shaking my head I grab my 9mm and slide it back. The RV flies past with the truck close behind and another truck with what looks to be 4 people in it. Nate peels out of the driveway and gets as close to the truck as he can. A woman looks out the back window and says something to the guys up front.
“That’s right bitch! We’re coming for you!” I say out loud before I can catch myself. Nate chuckles.
All of a sudden The RV in front hits the brakes and comes to a stop. The other trucks follows suit. Nate was smart he stayed back a bit so when he stops we were about 300 feet behind the assholes.
Here we go, I jump out and stay to the side of the truck for cover and Nate does the same. Pete’s friends do the same. They look like they have shot guns and one has a crossbow. Really?? This isn’t the Walking Dead and he sure isn’t Daryl. I snort and shake my head whatever.
I aim my gun at the people getting out of the truck. I can see into the back of the RV and Pete gets out with some kind of hand gun. Does he even know how to use it? Rolling my eyes. Oh never mind that!!
Outbreak The Beginning (The Outbreak Series Book 1) Page 7
