by Victor Zugg
Charlie spoke up. “This is our home.”
“It won’t be for long when people realize you still have food,” Chet said.
Sam edged forward in his chair. “Look, we’re not trying to scare you. You just need to understand that this situation will continue for months, maybe years. You can’t last that long in this house. You have neighbors. Neighbors talk.”
“People are hungry,” Chet said. “They’re desperate.”
“What about the government, the military?” Charlie asked. “Won’t they be spreading out to help?”
“What’s that saying—democracy dies in the dark,” Sam said. “It’s from some judicial opinion I think and this situation is not what the judge meant when he wrote the passage. But it applies none the less. We’re in the dark. Democracy has been suspended for the near future. This situation affects everyone, even the government. I’m sure the government will be jumping on the electrical grid situation as soon as possible and the military will do what they can to keep order and protect the country, but in the meantime, we the people are on our own.”
“Look at it this way,” Chet said, “in a single day the entire world has been plunged back to the eighteen hundreds. To survive we will need to fend for ourselves.”
Taylor sat without saying anything.
“What about Taylor?” Emma asked.
“I have no problem with all of you coming,” Sam said. “But I think that’s up to Tiffany and Taylor.”
Suddenly, awkwardness fell over the room, and everyone was quiet for several moments.
“Why don’t we put some grub together and sleep on it?” Chet suggested.
Tiff jumped to her feet. “Good idea, it will give everyone time to think.”
Chet got to his feet. “I’m going to pull the Hummer around back.”
“Good idea,” Elliot said. “I’ll give you a hand.”
Elliot got up and walked out the front door with Chet.
Sam got up and followed. “Need to get some things from the truck.”
“Me too,” Tiff said, as she followed Sam.
Sam glanced back and saw that Taylor got to his feet but stayed put as the four of them walked out the front door.
Outside, Sam and Chet hopped in the Hummer as Tiff and Elliot started walking around to the back of the house.
***
“I didn’t know he would be here,” Tiff said to Elliot in a low voice, as they ambled through the grass.
“I know,” he replied. “Now what?”
“When I look at Taylor, the only thing I see is an abusive little man with a big ego,” Tiff said. “He was an asshole when we were growing up and he’s still an asshole.”
“Why get engaged?”
“He can be charming, especially when my parents are around. After high school, he went away for a couple of years. Worked with an uncle out west or something. I got a job and started junior college. When he came back, he was super charming. I thought maybe he had changed, so I gave it a chance, mostly because of my Mom’s urging. I agreed to marry him. Shortly after that the asshole that he was started showing his true self. I joined the Marines to get away from him.”
“He and your parents act like you guys can continue where you left off,” Elliot said.
“Not going to happen,” Tiff said, as she placed her hand on Elliot’s arm and stopped.
Elliot stopped, turned, and faced Tiff.
Tiff stared into Elliot’s eyes. “Look, I’m not sure what you and I have, but I do know I want to find out where it goes. I seem to attract assholes like bugs to a bug light, but from what I’ve been able to tell so far you’re different.”
Tiff took Elliot’s arm, turned him, and they resumed walking. “But no matter what happens between you and me, Taylor is never going to happen.”
Elliot nodded his head and said nothing.
Sam and Chet pulled to a stop as close to the rear of the house as possible. Tiff turned to the Hummer and opened the rear hatch. She pulled packs from the back along with the rifles and some food items. Everyone picked up an arm full and headed for the back door. Neither Sam nor Chet asked any questions and Tiff offered no explanations.
***
Sam’s eyes blinked open. He smelled bacon. Chet, in an overstuffed chair, and Elliot, on the living room floor, still slept. Sam rolled to a sitting position on the sofa, slid his boots on, and tied the laces. It was morning but still dark outside. A faint light emanated from the short hall that led to the kitchen. Sam got to his feet and tiptoed down the hall.
Emma was standing at the stove in front of a pan full of sizzling bacon. She turned each piece with a spatula. Several candles scattered around the room provided a dull light.
“Good morning,” Sam said in a low voice.
Emma faced Sam with a smile. “Morning. Did you sleep okay?”
“Yeah, just fine.”
Emma turned back to the stove. “I thought a good breakfast was in order.”
“Gas?” Sam asked.
“Propane,” Emma replied. “It’s almost gone. I thought this would be a good time to cook the last of the eggs and bacon.”
“We don’t want to eat up your food, Emma,” Sam said.
“Can’t take it with us.”
“So, you’re going?”
“Charlie and I talked about it a good deal last night. We hate to leave, but you’re right. We can’t hold out here very long. We appreciate the invitation.”
“Does Tiffany know?”
“She does,” Emma said. “And she agreed to our only condition—“
“That Taylor joins us.”
Emma turned the fire off, slid the pan off the burner, and turned to face Sam. “Right.“ His parents died in an accident several years ago. He has plenty of friends here but no family. Back when he and Tiffany were dating and then engaged, we became his family.”
“I understand,” Sam said. “Like I said, everyone is welcome.”
“And she told us about Elliot,” Emma said, “how they met in Atlanta and Elliot being a detective and all.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “Does Taylor know about Elliot and Tiffany?”
“He went to bed early,” Emma said, “but these walls are thin. He knows.”
Emma turned back to the stove and started breaking eggs into a bowl. “Can you wake everyone so we can eat,” she said. “Tiffany is in the room to the right at the top of the stairs. Taylor is in the guest room to the left.”
“Charlie?”
“Outside.”
Sam woke everyone and then found Charlie sitting on the front stoop smoking a cigarette.
“Emma says it’s time to eat,” Sam said.
“I’m just taking some time to reminisce,” Charlie said. “Tiffany was raised in this house. Emma and I have grown old here.”
“You’re not that old,” Sam said smiling.
Charlie glanced at Sam. “Well, old enough.” He got to his feet and flicked the cigarette away. “I guess we should eat.”
Sam led Charlie back into the house.
Everyone was sitting around the kitchen table when Sam and Charlie walked in. Chet, Elliot, Taylor, and Tiff had already started digging in.
Emma pulled a chair back and motioned for Sam. “You’re over here.”
Sam took a seat and looked at Chet.
“Eggs, bacon, and biscuits,” Chet said. “Who would have thought?”
Charlie took his seat at the end of the table and started scooping food to his plate. Emma sat at his side and did the same.
“You’ll need clothes for the woods and the coming winter,” Sam said to Charlie and Emma.
“They’re going?” Chet asked.
“They decided last night,” Sam said. “Probably couldn’t sleep because of your snoring.”
Chet paused between chews, thought for a moment, nodded, and continued chewing.
“We’re good on clothes,” Charlie said.
“What about guns?” Chet asked.
“Do
n’t believe in them,” Charlie answered, and then took another bite.
Sam and Chet stopped chewing and stole a quick glance at each other.
“I hunt with a bow,” Charlie continued, “have since I was a kid.”
Sam looked at Taylor. “Taylor?”
“Taylor’s a black belt,” Emma answered.
“We’re likely to need help in the long-range department,” Chet said, with a raised eyebrow.
“I’ve shot before, but I don’t own a gun,” Taylor replied.
“We’ll need to find you a weapon,” Sam said.
The last morsels disappeared. Emma stood and began collecting empty plates.
Tiff and Elliot had been quiet for the entire breakfast. Finally, Tiff pushed her empty plate forward and stood up. “Look, I need to clear the air.”
Emma sat back down.
“Taylor and I were engaged once, but that ended years ago. I have no interested in resurrecting the past. I do have an interest in the future.” Tiff’s gaze drifted to Elliot. “Elliot and I have started something, and I intend to see where it leads. Period.”
Tiff sat back down. Taylor got up and walked out of the room. Emma stood back up with the dishes and took them to the sink. Sam, Chet, and Charlie exchanged confused expressions. Elliot and Tiff stared at each other.
Sam stood and got everyone’s attention. “I do need to warn you about one thing.”
Taylor stepped back into the kitchen and leaned against the wall.
“My cabin is outside of Townsend, a small town in Tennessee. The cabin is isolated on ten acres in a very sparsely populated area with water and plenty of game. Unfortunately, a group of outsiders killed the police chief and his two officers and have pretty much taken over the town.”
Charlie, Emma, and Taylor fixated on Sam’s voice.
“I’ve promised to return and help eliminate this group.”
“How big is the group?” Taylor asked.
“Six, eight, maybe more,” Sam replied. “They are pretty well armed. And worse—Chet, Tiffany, and I managed to ruffle their feathers already.”
Emma, with a worried look on her face, returned to her seat and took hold of Charlie’s hand.
“I thought you should know what lies ahead,” Sam said.
Chet cleared his voice and scratched his beard. “Look, surviving this thing will mean defending against those who will want your stuff. Sam’s neighbor is rounding up men willing to help and is waiting for us to return.”
“We have to take a stand,” Sam said. “And this won’t be the last time.”
Emma took hold of Tiff’s hand. “I thought this cabin would be safe.”
Tiff patted her mother’s hand. “This is not going to be a camping trip. We’ve had to battle our way from Florida. And it’s only been a few days since this thing started. It’s going to get worse. The cabin is our best bet.”
“You won’t survive here,” Chet added.
Charlie stood up. “We need to get loaded and on the road.”
CHAPTER 20
Sam reminded himself that the Hummer wasn’t built for comfort as he slid into the cramped quarters. It was built for battle. Which meant the interior was mostly metal with a bit of cushion on the seats. And even though the passenger capacity of the transport model was eight, Sam and the other six occupants, along with their essentials, more than pushed the limits of available space. Even Chet, as the driver, and Sam, as the front passenger, in their individual seats, were crowded by equipment and provisions. Like Sardines. But the front was sheer luxury compared to the back. A bench seat separated miniature single seats to each side. Charlie, Emma, and Tiff, with Tiff on the right, occupied the bench. Elliot on the right and Taylor on the left occupied the miniature seats. Baggage occupied every other possible bit of space including the passengers’ laps. Add to that stiff springs and they had the makings of an interesting trip.
Chet pushed the end of Charlie’s long bow to the side so it wouldn’t continue to gouge his hip, looked around the compartment, and chuckled. He then fired the engine, shifted gears, and pulled around the house to the front driveway. That’s as far as they got.
Fifteen men and women stood in Charlie and Emma’s driveway. Some had guns.
“Neighbors?” Sam asked.
“Yep,” Charlie replied, as he shifted items off his lap, reached past Taylor, opened the rear door, and stepped out.
Elliot, Tiff, Emma, and Taylor scrunched forward in their seat.
Sam listened from the open window. “Why is the military helping you but not us?” asked a man in front of the group as Charlie turned to face them.
“George, this is not the military—these are Tiffany’s friends.”
The crowd mumbled amongst themselves for a few moments until a woman said, “Looks like the military to us.”
Charlie approached the crowd with both hands raised. “I can assure you, this is not the military.”
“Where are you going?” George asked.
“Tiffany’s friends have a place in Tennessee they think will be safer,” Charlie replied. “We’re going there.”
“What about us?” another woman asked.
Sam opened his door and stepped out. “Charlie and Emma’s family has come together to survive. That’s what you should do.”
“Our families don’t have a working vehicle or a safe place in Tennessee,” George said.
Charlie glanced back at Sam and then faced the crowd again. “We have to do what we can to protect ourselves. All of you would do, should do, the same thing.”
“We can’t tell you what’s best for you,” Sam said. “Your best course will be different but, hopefully, just as effective.”
George turned to the crowd. “Let’s go home. We’re not getting any help here.”
The crowd turned and began shuffling down the drive and into the street. Sam and Charlie resumed their spots in the Hummer.
“Rowdy neighbors,” Chet said.
“Good folks,” Charlie corrected him. “Just scared like we all are.”
Chet nodded, shifted the gears, and pulled out. He retraced his route which took them back to the scene of the previous day’s melee. Sam surveyed the area as they approached. There was plenty of debris scattered about, but no people, dead or alive.
“I guess the rioters are sleeping in this morning,” Chet said.
“How bad was it yesterday?” Emma asked.
“Bad,” Tiff replied. “I’m just glad they’re gone.”
“Why do I feel like this is the calm before the storm?” Elliot asked.
Sam glanced in the rear and smiled at the stuffed conditions. He saw Tiff put her hand on Elliot’s leg. Taylor looked away and remained quiet.
***
Five hours later, Chet pulled the Hummer to a stop in the same spot where they had first parked to approach the cabin on foot.
Sam twisted around in his seat. “We need to make sure the cabin is secure before we just drive up. How about if everyone stretches their legs here while Tiff and I check things out?”
“How far to the cabin?” Taylor asked.
“Half a mile,” Sam replied. “If all is clear, one of us will be back to get you in forty minutes or so.”
“And if it’s not clear?” Charlie asked.
“If you hear gunfire, Chet will lead you through the trees. Take your directions from him.”
Sam slapped Chet on the shoulder and then exited the Hummer with Tiff. Both carried their side arms and their rifles. They made their way through the brush and trees being careful not to make any noise. The Hummer was soon lost in the blur of green and brown behind them. Except for an occasional bird chirp or the rustle of a squirrel, the forest was quiet. Sam and Tiff continued until they were at the tree line between Sam’s property and the forest. They took a knee behind a large pine.
“Seems deserted,” Tiff whispered.
Sam nodded and was rising when he froze and then sunk back to his knee.
“What?�
� Tiff whispered.
“The shovel’s missing,” Sam replied in a low voice.
“Shovel?”
“There was a shovel leaning against the house. Now it’s gone.”
“Maybe Chet or Elliot moved it.”
“No, it was there before. Now it’s gone.”
“Okay, now what?” Tiff asked.
Sam took a few moments to think while he continued observing the property. “Go back and let them know what’s up. Bring Chet and Elliot back with you.”
“And you?”
“I’m going to make my way through the woods, around the back, and to the other side. I should be back here by the time you return.”
Tiff nodded and then started back the way they had come.
Sam moved from bush to bush stopping every ten feet or so to look and listen. He worked his way around until he had a clear view of the back of the property. The stream was to his rear; the clearing, pump house, garage, and the cabin were in front of him. Quiet. No movement. Sam continued through the trees until he was at the south side of the property with the south side of the garage and the driveway in view. Again, all was quiet. No movement. No signs of anyone having been there—except on the grass next to the driveway.
Sam saw the subtle imprint of vehicle tracks in the grass. They had been here, he thought. And they made the effort to not leave any prints in the dirt driveway. Jones and Smith knew the location of Sam’s cabin. There were only two people who could have told them—his neighbors, Dave and Bobby.
Sam stepped from the trees and marched across the front of his property to the north side tree line. He arrived at the edge of the brush and saw Chet, Tiff, and Elliot creeping toward him through the trees.
“They’ve been here,” Sam said, when they gathered together.
“How do you know?” Elliot asked.
“Vehicle prints in the grass,” Sam replied. “We didn’t drive in the grass.”
“So Jones and Smith know where to find us,” Chet said.
“But how could they know?” Tiff asked.
“My neighbors,” Sam replied. “Let’s head back to the Hummer.”
Sam took off in a trot, dodging brush and trees. Chet, Tiff, and Elliot followed close behind.
