Not Dead in the Heart of Dixie

by R Kralik

  The Kubota and backhoe will also be hidden even though Rick believes they'll have no use for them.

  Rick doesn't think they would requisition things like the concrete, logs, or animals except for the cows, which he is sure they would slaughter and eat. The pigs are still too young and small to be butchered and the chicks are still too young to lay eggs.

  We plan to wear the oldest and most worn out clothing we have and serve them a meal of plants that Emma plans to go out and forage.

  I have no idea what to do about the pools, but Josie believes they won't have any need for them since they continuously travel. They'll also have no need for the wooden buildings but Dane says we should hide the propane tanks in the woods behind the Masterson place. That job alone will take three or four people two days.

  We can't hide the garden, but we can hide all the seeds we have left. We'll put them in the tornado shelter with the food that's still there.

  I hate liars, and I hate to be forced into being one but I truly believe that this is for the best until we find out exactly what the military wants from us.

  We'll be making more decisions and plans as the week goes by. I'm already feeling frightened and anxious. I can't imagine what the week will be like.

  No one will leave the compound tomorrow. Half the crew will be working on the fence while the other half begins packing and preparing the vehicles.

  I'm worried, sick. It's gonna be a long week.

  Bye for now.

  Friday, April 4

  Two wooden buildings were set up before breakfast this morning, and are ready for occupants. Isabella and Anna will have one of them and Sabrina and Nicholas will have the other. That'll clear out Clinic Diane so it can be moved when the time comes.

  Carisa, Merry, Valerie, Rebecca, Lisa, and Shawna have started packing the large trailer with non-perishables that we don't expect to use this week. They're wrapping full canning jars in towels and placing them back into the boxes.

  Elaine, Marisa, and I are gathering linens and things like cookware so it doesn't look like we have a whole lot to work with.

  Nana's giving a crash course to the gypsy girls so that they can be put on the duty rosters for cooking and laundry, but we want them to stay out of sight when the troops get here.

  Rick believes there are both women and men in the unit, but he can't be positive and only assumes that from little tidbits he's heard over the air. There's also been several series of “click codes” over the airwaves. They sound something like Morse code but are definitely NOT Morse code, according to Rick. That makes Josie, Rick, and Ian very nervous.

  The men are working on the fence and Luke, Larson, and Deuce are helping them. Dane will push them like crazy today so they can get as much finished as possible before they come back to the house and begin preparing the vehicles.

  Hold on a second...

  Mick just came in and told me that Josie now says that the troops may be moving a little faster because they're getting out of the city and suburbs and into the countryside where there are less households to check. She expects them here within three days. My heart almost fell to my stomach.

  We are now headed into overdrive. We need to get everything ready and moved as soon as possible.

  3:25 PM...

  The gasoline tanker, hoist truck, crane truck, Clinic Diane, and freezer trailer are out in the boonies. The silver and gold suitcases are inside Clinic Diane. Hisa, Shawna, and Soo are there to guard them.

  We've almost finished packing the food trailer and will take it to join them tomorrow. We saved out enough food for two weeks because we wanna show that we have a little bit of food, but not enough to share in case they try to requisition it.

  Josie wants the radio set up inside the delivery truck tomorrow. She and Isaac will monitor the radio from the pull-off, and then Isaac will meet Soo, Shawna, and Hisa at the hiding spot.

  Josie says we should give no indication that we knew the troops were coming. If they suspect it one little bit, they might begin assuming things they shouldn't assume. They may suspect we are hiding tons of supplies or more nefarious things like fake National Guard members.

  Jason will be moving the propane tanks tomorrow as well. I guess we'll use the cook stove for meals. It's gonna get hot in here.

  Pop and Emma are harvesting in the garden to send any fresh produce that will last a few days along with the food truck.

  I don't know what else to do except wait. We can't move any more large items because it'll look bare around here, and that would be bad.

  I have no idea how to explain the concrete and trailer fence except to say that we bought the concrete, and convinced big rig drivers that we met at the truck stop to leave their empty trailers in the field across from us right when the problems started. I have no idea if they'll buy that explanation. Probably not.

  I suppose there's nothing else to do except finish packing the food trailer.

  I plan to keep my mouth shut as much as possible and use short precise words to answer their questions.

  I'm worried that they may want to search the house. They might find this computer and take a peek at this diary. I guess I could hide the power supply, but I'd be a fool to think they don't have their own power supplies. I guess I'll have to hide the entire laptop in a little hidey-hole Rick and Ian installed in the floor of the outhouse right beside the waste buckets. I'll have to disinfect this thing for my own sanity before I use it again, even though I plan to wrap it in plastic and tape it up.

  I really hate to expect bad things from the real military, but Josie says we have no idea what type of orders they are following, what kind of leader they have, or what they expect to find.

  I liked the world a lot better when I was able to fall into the comfortable blind notion that the military could protects us against any enemy, great or small.

  Josie made me feel a little better when she said she's sure they won't hurt us or take our children, but I'm a nervous-nelly and will believe it when I see it, maybe.

  Everyone else plans to continue working on the fence until they get here.

  I'm headed out to help get more into the food truck and wander around, twiddling my thumbs.

  See ya later.

  11:30 PM

  Houston, we have a little problem.

  Please forgive me. I need to be quick.

  We were cleaning up from supper when Dane sounded the alarm out front. Someone was on the road yelling “Hello, the house!” through the gate.

  Dane and Mick quietly headed down the driveway and Jason went down the right side tree-line to cover them.

  It was pitch dark outside and we couldn't see a darn thing, but we could hear voices from the bottom of the driveway. After several minutes we heard the chain jingle, indicating that the gate was about to be opened and we were about to have company.

  I sent everyone running to their predetermined hiding spots and stepped out on the front porch. I squatted behind one of the rocking chairs on the front porch to wait.

  Our driveway is paved half-way up and around to the back of the house.

  I heard horse hooves on the pavement and those special “squeak and creak” leathery sounds of men adjusting themselves in their saddles as well as jingling of metal on the horses' gear. They continued up the driveway and along the sidewalk in front of the house.

  I heard Mick say “Ya'll make yourselves comfortable on the porch while I go get my wife.”

  I both saw, and heard, Mick walk up the wooden porch steps. I stood up straight from my hiding spot and startled Mick. He almost fell backwards off the porch. There were four military men standing beside their horses and pointing weapons at me. All I could say was “uh uh” as Mick swore under his breath.

  Mick turned, introduced me, and invited them in.

  Anyway, I need to hurry.

  They seem very nice and concerned about us. They are part of the large unit heading our way. They say they mean us no harm and are only preparing the way for the uni
t to arrive. They have a hand-held radio and they're sending “click codes” to someone.

  Someone's calling for me...

  Regardless, there are “scout's” here and I'm in the closet typing on this thing and trying to find a long skirt I can hide it underneath so I can head to the outhouse. I have a plastic dry-cleaning bag I can wrap it in but there's no tape in my room. I suppose I'll have to wrap in two dry-cleaning bags and tie it closed with strips from a third.

  Now, I really gotta hurry...

  Bye for now.

  Saturday, April 5

  2:00 PM...

  They camped near the trailer fence last night and came up to the house early this morning to talk to us.

  I know them as Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Private, and PFC Olsen. They gave us their last names but we decided to call them what they call each other.

  PFC Olsen's name I could easily remember because she reminded me very much of Diane. I kept looking at her, and when I saw that she was becoming uncomfortable with my stares, I explained to her why I was staring and how much I missed Diane. She seemed to be at ease with my explanation.

  They told us that a large military unit consisting of 400+ members will be arriving late tomorrow afternoon. They're led by a Colonel Thompson, and we'll probably be able to meet him. The unit is moving very slowly and trying to get an accurate count of all survivors near the Interstates.

  They will not take our children or Josie, Rick, and Ian. They also will not requisition our supplies. Thank you, Lord!

  I asked about a gazillion questions and they were patient with me and answered almost everything I asked. The questions regarding who was in charge, where the president is, and other related topics were ignored or answered simply with “We can't give you that information.” At least they didn't lie and say “We don't know” to all of my nosy questions.

  Traveling with the unit are two doctors, a psychologist, and two dentists. There's a veterinarian as well.

  They asked that all of the members at Kapper Hill be available for physical check-ups and counseling if found needy. Every member will be asked to sign a document after they are examined and found capable of surviving on their own.

  They'll look at our animals, their accommodations, and available food supplies. We'll have to write out a description of our plans for the animals.

  They will also ask us to sign a document stating that the unit may take refuge in our camp anytime they need it. Soldiers traveling on official orders without the unit will also be allowed to shelter at our camp.

  The entire compound will be surveyed, mapped, and given a name. All members’ names and social security numbers will be listed on the back of the final map and we'll be given a copy.

  The compound status will be listed as “Ownership Pending” unless every member here agrees to the ownership of a particular family or survivor.

  We are highly encouraged to list someone as “owner” so the camp won't be up in the air and legally available to any group or person with the resources and ability to “buy in.” Certain things are required of anyone who buys in. They must be able to provide life sustaining supplies to all members listed, but they also have complete power over decisions made for the compound. We didn't like the sound of that.

  They will be leaving supplies based on the number of members we have, the supplies we already have, and whatever they find we are lacking. They'll also set up radio equipment to be able to “contact” us when they are within range. Ian and Rick hid the equipment we had in the radio building as soon as they saw military personnel coming in the front door last night.

  They also keep a strict record of the number of HDI's they kill and will ask if we have an accurate count on the amount of HDI's we've killed thus far. I haven't kept count.

  Every room will be searched for fake National Guard members or insurgents. They will not go through our personal belongings. They are simply looking for enemy troops. I guess that means I can keep my computer but I still plan to hide it when I'm not using it. I'll figure out a way to hang it inside my big winter coat.

  Their cooks will feed us every meal while they are here. That's the only part I liked about this whole mess.

  While the “big boys” are busy looking us over and counting every hair on our heads, the troops will be available to help complete any projects we have pending and/or fight off HDI's drawn by movement and noise of a large military force. I'm praying that means they'll help with the fence and kill any HDI near the area.

  They will be here approximately 48 hours to complete their missions. They travel both at night and during the day, usually moving 10-12 hours before resting when they aren't with a survivor group.

  They will continue their mission until they run out of supplies for groups, or they come to “a certain destination on their map,” whichever comes first. They wouldn't answer my question about the “destination” on their map. They also wouldn't answer the question about where their “home base “is located.

  The scouts left about an hour ago so they can gain a little time and try to stay one or two days ahead of the unit. They left copies of every document we'll be expected to sign.

  We met on the back porch as soon as they were out of sight.

  No one likes the idea that they will be physically examined, their names and social security numbers taken, and every animal and resource we have cataloged to be known to any government official who gets their hands on our folder.

  Isaac and Dane intend to leave the compound while the troops are here. They threw in a vote for Mick and me to be listed as “owner” before heading to their homes and preparing to bug out for a couple of days.

  Since Dane is leaving, Elaine has decided that she and Jesse will go with him. She also threw her vote for Mick and me as owners. They'll stay with the gasoline tanker and Clinic Diane until the unit is gone. They plan to head out first thing in the morning and tell Hisa, Shawna and Soo what's going on so they can make their own decisions about staying on the compound.

  No one else mentioned leaving. Marisa and Jason said they want to think it over and will let us know later.

  Meanwhile, we have to get supper made and do what we need to do on our regular routine.

  See ya later.

  11:00 PM

  Supper was rabbit stew... two different versions. Luke and Deuce checked their snares and brought in four rabbits after the scouts left.

  Emma and Elaine couldn't come to terms over what ingredients deserved to be in the rabbit stew, so they each made half enough for the group. I tasted both and they both tasted great. Emma's was a little more savory and thick while Elaine's had quite a few more vegetables and thinner gravy. I told them it was a tie because I loved both dishes and I love both women.

  Isaac, Dane, Elaine, and Jesse will head out first thing in the morning in case the military unit arrives “a little early.” Carisa begged to go with them and Mick and I agreed to let her go. She is sixteen, and that's old enough these days to decide whether or not you want all of your personal information in a file folder belonging to the US government. Carisa asked us to think of it as the new “living off the grid.”

  Marisa, Jason, and the kids plan to stay simply because they believe their “four count” will increase the amount of supplies we are given.

  Pop and Nana are staying, and Emma said “weren't nobody gonna run her off 'n her little house,” so she's staying as well.

  I don't know if I should send Merry. I guess I'll wait until lunch. If Soo and Hisa haven't returned to get her, I'll keep her here.

  I gave everyone else the option including Nicholas, Valerie, Sabrina, Isabella, Anna, Shawna, and Lisa. They all want to stay except for Valerie and Isabella. Valerie said that she would go with Hisa and Soo if they came to get Merry.

  Rona and Kevin will stay as well. They said the military already knows all about them including the color of poop they make. They gave Luke and Larson the option and they both decided to leave.

  Jeremy, Rebecca
, and Deuce will stay.

  Josie, Ian, and Rick plan to stay.

  Honestly, I wish we could all go, but I don't want to lose Kapper Hill Compound or have it taken over by someone else. I hate this. It's invasive and impersonal. Nope, I don't like it one bit.

  At least Carisa, Luke, and Larson will be “off the grid.”

  I have no idea where such a large unit will camp, but I'm assuming it'll be all over our hill and in the field across the road.

  I'm headed to lie beside Mick and not go to sleep.

  Bye for now.

  Sunday, April 6

  Isaac, Dane, Elaine, Jesse, Isabella, Luke, Larson, and Carisa left right after breakfast this morning.

  We had cold cereal. We're all on edge and no one wanted to cook. Everyone was busy straightening up their private living areas, hiding whatever they wanted hidden, pacing, wringing their hands, and worrying.

  We aren't worried as much about the unit arriving as we are worried that 400 people will know everything there is to know about us, including where we are and what we have. It would only take a few “bad” soldiers to decide they were leaving the unit and come back to attack us.

  We don't know what to do about it. Josie says everything depends on the personality of the Colonel. He may decide that he wants to go over every inch of the place, or he may decide to accept the information we give his staff as fact without prying into every corner.

  I asked Mick if he thought we could only allow the doctors and approved personnel on the compound and keep the remaining troops on the other side of the gate. “All we can do is ask” Mick said. So, I guess that's what we'll do.

  Mick thinks the troops will definitely visit Rick, Ian, and Josie's quarters because of their past military histories. Ian has one wall of his building papered in cash. He worries that it will be seen as a sign of disrespect from a former soldier.