Carla laughed. “No!” She sat up so that she looked up into Liam’s eyes. “I’m serious. You’re really going to sit it out?”
That was a harder question than Liam realized. He had been so intent on returning to the homestead with Carla that he hadn’t considered disobeying Dad and going back for him and Mom. And why was Carla asking? Was she disappointed that he wouldn’t try helping his parents? Or was she relieved that her man was going to protect her and her child?
“I guess I can’t say no to him,” he finally said, which was probably the truth.
“I’ve been cut off from him for so long. I couldn’t just ruin what we got back.” He watched the sky continue to brighten. “I was more worried that I’d disappoint him. The son who comes back after thirty years. What did he think I would be? I don’t know a tenth of what he does about the outdoors and survival.”
Carla stared at him for a moment. “I don’t think you disappoint him at all.”
“You don’t, huh?” Liam asked.
“I know when people are disappointed in you. I’ve seen faces like that. He’s proud of you. He probably hasn’t told you the half of it.”
Liam’s face burned. “You know, I was actually afraid he would be disappointed for another reason, but it’s not what you think.”
“Really? Why?”
Liam turned away. “It’s nothing.”
“C’mon, spill it.”
Liam chuckled. “I figured he’d be mad that I got you pregnant without marrying you. He’d show up with a straw hat and a shotgun and threaten to blow my ass away unless I married you on the spot.”
Carla giggled. “Well, why should he blame you?” Then she crawled up to his face and looked into his eyes. “I was the aggressive party, if you remember.”
“You liar!” Liam playfully poked Carla in the forehead. “I started kissing you first.”
“I encouraged you. I helped you come out of your shell.”
“You didn’t do anything!”
Carla sat up. “Well, Mister, I have an idea. Get dressed and get your bike ready. We’ll race to your Dad’s, and the winner gets to be the aggressive party.” Then she quickly kissed him on the forehead before jumping to her feet.
Liam flung off the covers. “Oh, it is definitely on,” he said.
Carla let out a loud holler as her bike took the lead again. Liam was in the opposite lane, still close enough to pass her up easily. This trip had been a back and forth between the two for the past hour.
“I think someone’s getting tired!” Carla called out in a sing-songy voice.
Liam pulled even with Carla again. “Like Hell!”
“You know you’re screwed! You weigh more than I do! You can’t keep up!” Carla called.
“You’re the one who’s now eating for two!” Liam retorted. Carla responded with a raspberry from her tongue.
They approached a road that turned off from the state road. At last! This was the road that would carry them to the homestead. The two made the turn and continued their race.
As they pedaled past open fields, Liam realized he hadn’t had this much fun since the solar event struck. Despite the calamity that had stripped the world of its advanced technology, it seemed Liam would be able to enjoy a good life with his family.
They continued to exchange leads, with Liam out front first, then Carla, then Liam. The homestead was a little farther away than he thought. This race would drag out for a while longer. In fact, Liam’s legs began to burn as the homestead finally appeared over the horizon.
“Ha! Ha! It’s all over, Carla!” Liam poured on an extra burst of speed. He might have nothing else left in him.
“Forget it!” Carla then pulled up very close. It was now hard to tell who was ahead.
The homestead grew closer. “See that mailbox!” Liam pointed to the small dirt driveway off the side of the road. A mailbox lay just a few yards into the property. “First one that touches it makes it! Then we’ll know who wins!”
“You’re on!” Carla gripped the handlebars tighter.
The pair nearly had reached the driveway. The next few seconds were crucial. First, they had to make the turn into the driveway. How each of them made their turns would determine who would get close enough to the mailbox to touch it.
Liam and Carla made their turns. Carla’s was too wide. Liam’s was quick and sharp. That was all he needed to give the box a good slap with his palm a few seconds ahead of Carla.
He then turned his bike suddenly to stop it just short of the house. He let out a loud scream. “I got it!”
Carla skidded to a stop so quickly she nearly fell off her bike. Once on the ground, the two flung off their packs and rushed toward each other. Liam scooped his lady in his arms and kissed her.
“What a rush!” he said through heavy breathing.
Carla laughed. “I know. Oh darn, I lost.” She didn’t sound all that disappointed.
The pair was so exhausted from their race that they collapsed on their backs onto the dirt. Liam just had enough strength to get up and crawl over to Carla. Sweat dripped from his face.
“So, you want to go inside?” Liam asked.
“Actually, I may want to sleep out here.” Carla laughed. “I’m a little too exhausted to move.”
“No sweat. I’ll just carry you inside.” Liam then coughed. “But maybe not just yet. You know—”
Suddenly, Liam stopped talking. He froze his stance, his eyes glued to the homestead’s front window. Carla sat up. “Liam? What’s wrong?”
“Dad’s house has a visitor,” Liam replied with a hint of terror.
“What?” Carla turned around to look at the window. A human-sized shadow passed by the window frame. No question about it. Their home had an uninvited guest.
Liam scrambled to get on his feet. “The bike. Get back on the bike, now.” He seized Carla by the arm and hoisted her up. Liam then lifted his bike up and mounted it.
Carla ran to her ride and mounted it. “Pedal!” Liam shouted. He wasn’t going to go first. He’d make sure Carla was off the property before he made his escape. And if the intruder had a weapon…well…Liam would make sure he was the closest and easiest target.
As the pair made it to the end of the dirt driveway, the front door suddenly burst open. Liam and Carla poured on the speed when a loud bang rang through their ears. It rattled them so much that Carla suddenly stopped and jumped off her bike, flinging it down on its side. Liam, for his part, feared Carla had been hit and stopped riding to run toward her.
“Liam! Are you alright?” Carla ran to him.
“Carla, get out of here!” Liam fished for his pistol. “I’ll hold them off!”
But the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, followed by the cocking of a shotgun, stopped them cold. They turned and saw a woman approaching them from Conrad’s property, holding a shotgun aimed at their heads.
“Now you two hold it right there!” she cried out. “I don’t want to see you two move an inch, not even the hairs on your heads.”
Liam’s hand was close to his gun, but not close enough. He had no chance to draw it out before this mystery woman would decide to act, and her presence was somewhat unnerving to say the least. She had brown eyes so big they seemed almost cartoonish. There was no telling what she would do. He had to assume this woman wouldn’t think twice about gunning down a woman such as Carla, even if she knew Carla was pregnant.
So, he and Carla did as they were told. The woman slowed her approach. She wore a tank top with the American flag printed on it and worn blue jeans with brown leather boots. She was older than Carla, but not middle-aged. Liam pegged her at probably late thirties or early forties.
Their mystery assailant studied them. “So, you must be the ones takin’ Conrad's tomatoes. You sure look as though you’ve been eating well. Can’t say that about everyone nowadays.”
At the mention of his dad’s name, Liam raised an eyebrow. So, this woman knew Dad? He didn’t mention a female friend wou
ld be coming around the homestead.
“Ma’am,” Liam said, very carefully, “we didn’t come here to steal anything and we’re not here to harm anyone.”
The woman took one big step toward him, making Liam flinch. “Dearie, I’ll be the judge of that.” Then she looked slyly at Carla. “Now, you two start marching to that front door. And you better hope I like what I hear out of you.”
Liam glanced at Carla and gave her a nod. They were in a tough spot and would have to rely on their wits to get themselves out of it. Carla’s face tightened up a little and she nodded to her lover in return. She was ready for whatever Liam decided to do.
Find out what happens in part two! Coming soon!
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The Off Grid Survivor: An EMP Survival Story Page 16
