Dark Days Rough Roads

by Matthew D. Mark

  Haliday darted his eyes left and right quickly and could see people peeking out their windows. Why don’t you morons just come on outside and watch the show, he said to himself. I could use the distraction. The AR was still blindly searching for him. Mike had fired a few more shots toward them and the guys spun toward Mike’s direction, but couldn’t spot him.

  He was hiding behind some bushes and blended well, until Haliday saw Mike’s muzzle flash and watched the AR come up and take aim at Mike’s position and fire four quick shots. Haliday quickly readjusted himself and squeezed off one more shot. This one was dead center to the back of the head.

  The AR dropped to the ground and Haliday took aim on it instantly and put his fourth and final round of the fight through the receiver, rendering the rifle useless. He sat and watched for about 15 minutes as the last guy sat there shaking. Mike had stopped firing and Haliday wasn’t sure he was still alive. He wouldn’t be going to check either. Whether Mike was alive or not would be answered soon enough.

  Haliday scoped the area and didn’t see anything other than the last man sitting there, the guy with the shotgun blast squirming around on the ground and the old man who was now trying to get up. He was about to get up when he saw another man come out from behind the party store and approach the old man with a revolver in his hand. “Damn it,” Haliday said. He was readying the shot when he saw this guy reach down and extend a hand to the old man and helped him up.

  Haliday controlled his breathing and heart rate again and kept careful aim. The old guy steadied himself on his shopping cart. The guy with the pistol then walked over to the prisoner sitting there shaking and pointed the pistol at him. Haliday watched through the scope as this man executed the guy with either little or no remorse.

  He then watched him walk over to the squirming figure and did the same. He reached down and grabbed the bag the guy was holding. Turning back around; he helped the old man with the shopping cart get back to the sidewalk and gave him the bag back. That explained why his buddy shot him. No honor amongst thieves or something like that.

  Haliday waited another 15 minutes or so, and then satisfied he was safe, he rose up and packed up his rifle and rolled up his mat. He looked down at the trash. He wasn’t about to pick it up. He looked toward a couple of the houses and at the people sneaking peeks between the curtains.

  He looked at one guy and gave him a thumbs up sign; the guy returned it with a thumbs up. Haliday walked back toward the Tahoe. This had been an intense morning. Looking down at his watch, it had actually only been a total of about 10 minutes from the first shot until the last, if even that long.

  Reaching the Tahoe, he opened it up, looked around and saw more people looking at him through half open doors and parted curtains. He threw his gear in, climbed behind the wheel, started the Tahoe, and turned the ham on. “You there Mike?” he said. Linda came on and said he was at the table having a drink. She asked Haliday if he was ok. Oh ya, absolutely run of the mill morning is what he wanted to say but he was too tired. He just said, “Yes, see you guys in a few minutes, have the garage door open.”

  Five minutes later he was backing up into the garage. He walked inside, gave his daughter a huge hug and told her he loved her. She was in tears and he was too. He nodded toward Linda then wiped his face, walked over to Mike and said “Good job old man; can you spare one of those?” Mike poured him a couple fingers of Jack. Haliday drank it quickly and put the empty glass on the table.

  Mike looked up at Haliday and was speechless. He hadn’t expected anything like what he had just seen. He finally told Haliday that when he saw that AR pointing at him he rolled over a few times and laid there and prayed he wouldn’t die. He had wanted to just run at that point. It was one thing to fire at guys to scare them, but another to actually kill them.

  He asked Haliday how come it didn’t bother him. “Look Mike,” he said. “I don’t have time for it. Suffice to say that my daughter, hell you guys too, all needed me. I did what I had to, not for me, but for you guys.” Haliday looked at Linda and Mike and said, “I guess we have some business to talk about now.”

  Chapter 9

  Haliday’s parents had heard the exchange in the morning and waited it out while drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes, not knowing what was transpiring or sure they wanted to know. Dawn had listened in as well, but had a better idea of what had most likely taken place. All of them were glad they heard his voice and knew he was ok right now. They also decided to leave him alone until he called them.

  Haliday was looking at Mike and said, “Wait a minute, before we talk, what the hell happened to you?” Mike told him they made everyone stay at the plant for almost four hours until they realized the power wasn’t coming on any time soon. They all started to leave and Mike cleaned out his locker. He started the walk home and was going well around the hood. He hadn’t gone far enough away from it.

  He ran into a group of four punks that were shaking people down for drug money. Pickings were good with everyone walking to wherever they needed to go. He told them he didn’t have much and tossed whatever cash he did have down on the ground. One crack head said "What, we ain’t good enough for you to put it in our hands?"

  “That’s all I have,” he told him, “no offense but I don’t want any trouble.”

  The punks circled him and started making threats. Mike tried to push his way through thinking they were bluffing, but they weren’t. They jumped him quickly and started throwing punches. He dropped to the ground and they kicked at him. He managed to grab one’s leg and push him off balance, and then Mike got up.

  They threw more punches and Mike had fought them off the best he could and he managed to get away and started to run. He ran through a hole in a fence into an old tire factory. He managed to hide himself and sat there while they searched for him. They would kill him if they found him.

  "We’re going to kick your ass when we find you." they yelled. They searched for almost an hour, but didn’t find him. Mike stayed hidden for hours though before he would venture out. Once out, he got as far away as he could and finished the walk home. It was slow going; he was sore as hell and had bruises everywhere. His face was a mess and he had lost a couple teeth in the fight. Haliday looked at him. “Sucks to be you,” he said.

  Getting back to business he put it as plain as he could. “I brought some food that will get you by for a little while.” He got up and walked around looking in their cupboards. They had quite a bit of food. Linda was a food hoarder of sorts, always stocking up on sales, but not prepping. “With all the corn around these parts and this, you should be able to make it until spring,” he told them.

  “Whether you can find a FEMA camp or not before then, if they even exist, is up to you. I don’t trust them. I can leave you an AR and about 500 rounds. You have Mike’s bows and if you can hunt enough to help, that might work out ok. But game will become scarce very quickly with everyone hunting. Flat lands and cornfields won’t yield many animals.”

  Kayla started to tear up. Mike and Linda just kind of hung their heads low. Haliday said if he had any way of supporting them he would take them back, but there was no way they could make it adding two more adults to the mix. Haliday walked over and opened the freezer and saw it stacked with meat.

  He grabbed a package and read the label, it said venison. “Where did you bag this deer Mike?” Mike said he got it on his friend Bill’s farm. “In Michigan right?” Haliday remarked.

  Mike said, “Yes; couple months ago when we were in to visit.”

  Kayla said, “Dad, please, can’t they come with us? Mike and Mom helped get you here.” That was partly true, especially about half an hour ago.

  Kayla was crying steadily now, “Dad please, can they stay with us?” Haliday sat down and motioned for her to come over to him.

  “I don’t have room and food sweetie.” He looked at Mike and Linda who also were now in tears. “I’ll tell you what though. I’ll take them back to Michigan and get them to their fri
end Bill’s farm if they know for sure he’ll take them in.”

  Mike said he was positive Bill would take them in. He offered many times before that they could come and stay if they ever wanted to return to Michigan. He was even more convinced he could use their help with the farm in this situation. They were sure of it and Haliday was convinced as well.

  Linda gave him a quick hug and said thank you. Kayla gave him a bigger hug. Mike told him anything he needed him to do, let him know. “Good, because there is a lot to be done. Grab some paper and write this down.” Linda grabbed a notebook and took notes. Haliday left them very specific instructions on what to do. He told them what to pack, no more, no less, what to do with the food in the house and the rest of what he wanted them to grab.

  Mike said, “We’ll put it all in the truck.”

  Haliday said, “No, put it next to the truck. When I get up we are going to repack the load in the Tahoe.” Haliday went over to their ham and told Dawn and his folks he would be off the net for a few hours. “I’m going to go get some sleep. Wake me in three hours and we’ll finish getting ready.

  “You have the list, get it all done and make sure someone stands guard. Don’t let anyone in, including your neighbor the deputy.” Haliday went into the living room and laid down on the couch. Just before he passed out, he was thinking it would be nice to have the extra guns on the trip home, but questioned if they would do what it might take if it came down to that.

  “What the hell?” he said as he jumped up. Something was licking his hand as it dangled off the couch. Haliday looked down at the ground at this mutant dog. He couldn’t figure out if it was supposed be a Chihuahua, border collie, Pomeranian or what. Kayla said, “Good morning Dad.”

  “Kayla, what the hell is that?” he asked.

  “That’s Max.” Haliday thought great, by the time I get out of here that damn Tahoe is going to look like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies.

  “Kayla, you expect to take him or can you leave him with the neighbors?”

  Here came the argument. “Did you give Romeo to the neighbor?” Haliday thought about that a minute. Romeo was his Siamese cat that he had had for over 12 years and he was 16 years old now. He, however, could be left for days on end and could fend for himself. He had a two gallon watering dish and a gravity feeder that held enough food for a month. He’d be fine; he was there now doing fine.

  “Ok,” Haliday said, “but if it comes down to it, Max is BBQ.” Kayla threw a shoe at it him for saying that.

  Haliday grabbed a bottle of water, went into the bathroom, took care of business and then gave himself a quick wash down covering the vital areas. He walked out to the kitchen where everyone was sitting. Haliday was livid. “Who the hell is watching the place?” he yelled? No one said anything.

  Linda said, “I thought since we were all up…” and Haliday interrupted her.

  “Listen, let someone get in here and you have to go look for a gun. It’s over if that happens. We do as I say, and that’s final. Let’s go see what we have.”

  Kayla grabbed her AR and said, “I got it covered,” and stood watch while they went over everything in the garage. Haliday told them to pull everything out of the truck, which they did and then they repacked it. He asked them if they had every ounce of jewelry and everything of value out of the house that was small and might be worth trading. They did. Linda had grabbed a couple of photo albums and Kayla grabbed a small box full of pictures.

  Haliday told Mike to grab his two gas cans he had seen and then meet him outside. They drained the gas from their cars and filled the Tahoe and the gas cans. Haliday wedged the gas cans between the KLR and the Tahoe. Room was tight. “Last thing on the agenda, go put on black clothing. I don’t care what it is, but make sure it’s black, plain black, no bedazzled or sequined anything either.

  “Look around, say goodbye to the house and what its meant to you and meet me by the truck.” They went and changed and they met him back in the garage. They had been crying again. It was like saying goodbye to your whole life. Taking very few possessions was hard, but leaving the security of their home was harder.

  “Mike, you get the door. Linda get in the back seat. Kayla, you keep guard and I’ll pull the truck out.” There was a small yapping sound and Haliday looked down at Max and then at Kayla. “Knock it off, Dad; I know what you’re thinking.” He clenched his teeth. Max was loaded up, Mike opened the door and Haliday pulled the truck out of the garage. Kayla walked out behind it and then Mike closed the garage door.

  Kayla was standing there with her rifle at low ready when they heard the neighbor. His name was Tom. He cut through the bushes and asked Mike what was going on. Haliday got out of the Tahoe and answered immediately. “We are leaving.”

  Tom looked at him and replied, "I recognize you, you’re Kayla’s dad. What are you doing with this truck?"

  “Mind your own business. We’re leaving.” Tom had his duty belt on over his jeans and put his hand on his pistol. Kayla raised her rifle and said, “Mr. Tom, not a good decision.”

  Tom looked at them all. “You guys are breaking the law. You’re stealing government property.”

  Haliday looked at him, drew his pistol out and aimed at Tom. Haliday was thoroughly pissed off now. “Kayla, get in the truck, Mike, head down the street about 100 yards and then someone get out and cover me.” He looked at Tom and told him to unbuckle his duty belt, drop it and then kick it over to him.

  Tom said, “You won’t shoot me; I’m a sheriff’s deputy.”

  “Look jackass. I spent the morning cleaning up the mess you and your fellow deputies left at the intersection down the street. Now if you really want to try my patience, please don’t.”

  Mike said, “Tom, you’re going to want to do what he says, trust me on this.” Tom unbuckled his belt and let it drop before he kicked it over to Haliday. Mike got in the truck and drove it down the street just a ways.

  Haliday bent down and picked the duty belt up. He pulled the pistol out and looked at it. He took about 15 steps backwards and turned his head quickly to see Kayla resting against the hood with her AR ready to go. Haliday jacked the slide back on the pistol but no round came out. He looked at Tom. “Tom,” he said, “are you that frigging stupid that you carry a pistol without one in the chamber?” Tom’s lips parted and Haliday interjected, “Don’t answer.

  “Here’s the deal Tom, I’m going to walk back to the truck, and I’m getting in and leaving. I’m going to leave your pistol on the sidewalk about halfway there. As soon we leave, I suggest you go get it, put one in the chamber and keep it that way. Forget you’re a cop, take care of your wife and leave it at that. Put together as much food and water as you can and safeguard it like gold. Good luck.”

  Haliday walked backwards for about 50 feet then unloaded the pistol and magazine. He turned and jogged back toward the truck. He dropped the pistol on the grass next to the sidewalk as he ran. He had noticed a few more neighbors outside looking around. One said, “Hey buddy, thank you for this morning. The party store owner was robbed and beaten, after that those hoodlums raped his wife. He’s the one who cleaned up the last two guys this morning.” That had explained a lot. Haliday simply nodded and jumped in the truck and they sped off.

  Haliday grabbed the mic and told Dawn and his parents they were on the way back. He asked if they had heard anything. Bev said she heard the big cities were really becoming a mess with a lot of looting and small riots. She heard that the government was having a hard time responding anywhere because a lot of equipment was unusable. Haliday asked them if anyone else made it in and she told him no. Damn, he was certain that at least his brother David and David's son Bobby would have made it there.

  “Ok folks, here’s the situation, I have extra company for now and we are going to look at the best route back to avoid the issues that are arising. I can’t give you a time line and I can’t guarantee regular check ins. Just make sure you guys double-check your security and keep someone awake at
all times. Take turns, three hour shifts will you give enough of a break in between watches so you can catch some sleep. Keep a pistol on you at all times too. I have a hell of a trip to make trying to get back. Hopefully I’ll see you guys soon.”

  *****

  Dawn had everyone meet back in the kitchen. “Look,” she said, “it’s getting really bad out there right now and we need to make sure the house is secured. I’m not sure it’s safe to go out yet and there’s no telling how long we will have to stay here.” Dawn’s sister Diana asked her what Roger thought.

  “Well,” she said, “he’s quite busy right now and said to stay put and run tight security. Everyone is going to have to take a turn watching the house.” Dawn’s mom Karen asked her how long. “Three hours at a time is good.” She didn’t seem to like that. “We don’t have a choice, get used to it. Let’s check the house.”

  The three of them started to double-check the windows and doors when Dawn heard Roger on the ham. “Dawn, can you read me?” She answered yes. “Listen,” he said, “go to A2.” This was an alternative frequency set up just for them. He did this in case he needed to relay information that he didn’t want anyone else on their net to hear. He did this for his mom and dad’s house too. He had something to say he didn’t want Rich and Bev to hear.

  “Roger I’m here,” Dawn said on the radio.

  Haliday responded, “Look, my folks only have Sarah and her baby there. I’m not sure if they are going to be able to hold down the fort long. They are closer to the city than any of us and if the animals start taking to the streets and moving into the suburbs quicker than I thought, then there’s going to be some real problems there.

  “You might have to alter your plans, so get things ready. If I call and tell you to get moving, then move out. You need to monitor the radio to keep in touch with what’s going on out there. There will be a lot of exaggeration and panic, but a lot of good info as well. Just pay attention to what happens close to you and give me a SITREP when I call.”