The Incident | Book 1 | They Called It The Incident

by Johnson, J. M.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The storm continued for three more days. Jason paced until his mother and wife pointed out to him that he was making things worse.

  The meat that Sam had carried from the farm was almost gone and they almost gagged when confronted with another bowl of ‘stew’. As the supply dwindled, Irma added more water hoping to make it stretch further. Everybody ate less so the baby and six-year-old would not be hungry. Rufus became more lethargic as his body tried to heal without fuel. They could only allow him a small portion once a day.

  Finally, on the third day, as he dumped an armload of wood into the box, Sam said, “I think it’s starting to lift. The wind isn’t as fierce and I could see all the way to the barn.”

  Every head lifted at the news. George peered out the window. “I think you may be right, Sam.”

  Jason began to pull on his boots. “Good! I’m going to find those boys. And when I catch up to them, I’m going to give them both a good hiding for scaring us.”

  “Don’t go.” Monica laid her hand on his arm as he reached for his coat. “It’s slowed down, but it hasn’t stopped. And it’s late. It’ll be dark in an hour.”

  His father agreed. “You are in no shape to go fighting through four feet of snow in the dark. All you’ll do is make the rest of us worry about you too. Just wait until morning.”

  Jason sank into the nearest chair and put his head in his hands. “I feel responsible.” He told them. It was my bright idea to send them over to spy on those kids. They saw it as a big adventure and couldn’t resist.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Monica patted his shoulder. “We all thought it was a good idea until your Mom vetoed it. And nobody forced them to sneak out in the middle of a storm.”

  “Not the brightest move.” Sam nodded. “And they probably didn’t even know where they were going. We told them the school, but they don’t live around here so how could they know where it is?”

  Irma looked at him wryly. “Thanks for pointing that out, Sam. Now I have something else to fret over.” Angrily she slammed a bowl in front of Ty. “Eat!” she commanded him.

  He looked up at her with wounded eyes. “I’m not hungry, Grandma.”

  Instantly her anger evaporated. “Oh, Ty.” She gathered him into her arms. “I’m sorry, I’m not mad at you. I’m just a bit off-kilter.”

  Then she felt his forehead and looked across the table at Melanie who was listlessly playing solitaire. “He’s burning up, Mel. Are you sick, Ty?”

  Melanie looked up in alarm. “He’s been restless at night,” she said as she came around to take her son’s temperature with the back of her hand. “And he’s not hungry which is strange. He’s always hungry.”

  Irma stood up. “I have a thermometer somewhere around here. Let’s take his temp.” She looked at her son who still sat in the same position, with his head in his hands. “And don’t you go sneaking out too.” She told him firmly. “We couldn’t take one more crisis in this house.”

  Sam and Tony exchanged wry grins. They knew better than to contradict an angry wife. “Are you finished with the cards, Melanie? Maybe we’ll have another crib game.”

  Soon the little boy was tucked under blankets on the sofa. His mother gave him water to sip and his dad sat on the arm of the couch. The thermometer had registered 101 degrees. “Way too high”, they all agreed.

  The older men played cards and quietly discussed the situation. Hopefully tomorrow they would be able to make a trip to the farm and replenish their supply of beef. Sam was looking forward to seeing the men and bringing up a cut of meat suitable for a steak. He was worried, too, about the horses.

  “I hope they were able to get out to the barn and give them some water.” He worried to his old friend.

  Tony nodded. “Well, two things we all have plenty of are wood and water, so as long as they could open the door it’s probably okay.” He glanced out at the darkening sky. “At least the snow is quitting, but it’ll be a struggle going anywhere.”

  Jason interrupted them. “If you two go to the farm, George and I can make our way to the school and see if we can find those two juvenile delinquents.”

  “And on the way, you can check on the Dennis’ house,” his mother added. “With all those little kids they’re worse off than us.”

  “That’s because they’re not the gardener you are, Mother.” Tony smiled at her. “Your vegetables and canning helped keep us moving for a long time.”

  She sighed. “And now that’s all gone. I hope it helped them.” She frowned as another idea came to her. “you know, one thing I was holding on to was that spring would come and we could plant again.” Tony nodded as she continued. “But what will we plant? All the seeds were in the root cellar and from what you say, it’s completely empty.”

  Stella looked up from her knitting. “you’re right, Irma. I hadn’t thought of that. Even if they couldn’t be eaten, they will all be frozen by now.”

  At that moment, Jack began to whimper. Monica began to rock him gently. “He’s hungry,” she said. “I’ll give him the stew that Ty didn’t eat.”

  At the mention of Ty’s name, all eyes turned to the family huddled together on the sofa.

  “He’s still burning up,” George said to their inquiring looks. “I wish we had some aspirin.”

  “There might be some at the farm.” Stella said. “Tomorrow when Sam goes over there, he can check.”

  George nodded. “We’ll just have to keep him hydrated and as cool as possible until then.”

  “Kids get fevers all the time.” Irma tried to reassure them. “It’s probably just a cold.”

  The room became silent. Nobody had the energy to light the single candle so they sat in the dark listening to each other breathe. Outside the wind began to die, and by midnight the snow had stopped.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  When Jason came downstairs in the morning dressed for hiking, he found George and Melanie awake and hovering over their small son. The boy’s face was as white as paper and his breath raspy.

  “I can’t go and leave them,” George told him. “If I go anywhere it’ll be to the farm to see if there’s any aspirin over there.”

  Jason nodded. “I understand.” He answered. “I’ll go alone.”

  “Oh no, you won’t!” Monica had followed him down the stairs. “Nobody should go out of here by themselves.”

  “What do you suggest?” he asked her. “I can’t ask Dad or Sam...it’s way too far and too strenuous for them.”

  “I’ll go.” She turned back towards the stairs. “I’ll tell Mom and she’ll watch Jack. Just give me a minute to put on some warmer clothes.”

  “And eat something.” Her voice drifted down the stairs. “We can’t go out there without something hot inside us.”

  He looked doubtfully at George. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. What do you think, George?”

  He shrugged. “Why not? She’s as strong as the rest of us and she’s right about sticking together.”

  By this time everybody was in the kitchen, dressed and ready for the day’s activities. “If George is going with Sam,” Tony said. “I’ll stay here to bring in wood and watch over things.”

  “I’ll put some water and some soup in a couple of thermoses while you eat.” Irma busied herself at the counter. “And take extra socks.” She said over her shoulder as Monica joined her husband at the table. “There’s nothing worse than cold, wet feet.”

  “Okay, let’s go then, Monica.” Jason pulled on his boots and peered out the window. The snow had stopped and everything was covered in white. Trees had disappeared under a thick blanket and the land sparkled in the bright sunlight. The outside thermometer registered minus 35C.

  “If we don’t make it back by dark, don’t worry, “Monica instructed her mother-in-law, “we’ll go to the Dennis house and spend the night.” She kissed her baby boy, patted him on the head, then turned and followed her husband out into the frigid day.

 
Stella reached out and stroked Ty’s hot head. “How is he today?” she asked tenderly.

  “Worse,” Melanie answered her. “None of us slept much. I sure hope there is some kind of medicine over at your house.”

  “Why don’t you go upstairs and sleep in our room for a while.” Stella sat down beside the restless boy. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

  “Don’t worry,” she replied to Melanie’s questioning look. “I’ll call you if he looks like he’s getting worse. And I’ll see if I can get him to take some broth.”

  Melanie nodded. “Okay. I won’t be much use if I’m falling down.” She watched as George and Sam put on their boots and coats. “You be careful,” she told them shakily. “We need you back here as quick as possible.”

  George blew her a kiss. “We’ll be back before dark.” He told her. “You go have a nap. I’m sure Ty will be better soon.”

  When the house was nearly empty Irma called Tony into the kitchen. She pointed shakily at Rufus’s blanket. “He’s not moving.” She said tearfully. “I think this was just too much for him.” She sank to the floor and began to sob.

  “Poor old Rufus. What a way to go, hungry and hurting.”

  Tony sat down beside her and pulled her close. His voice was shaky as he tried to comfort her. “Poor old boy,” he echoed. “But he was old…. fifteen this year. He’s in a better place, I’m sure.” He pulled away from her and tried to smile. “Remember when we got him, all big feet and floppy ears?”

  She smiled back. “Yes, and remember when he ate your favourite shoes and chewed the TV stand?”

  Just then, Stella came around the corner. She stopped when she saw them sitting on the floor with their arms around each other. Her eyes went to the still form of the old dog.

  “Oh, Poor guy. I’m so sorry.”

  The old couple struggled to their feet. Irma groaned, “I’m too old to be crawling around on the floor,” she said. Tony nodded in agreement.

  “I guess we’ll put him in the shed for now,” he said. “In the spring I’ll bury him down by the creek.”

  He struggled to pick up the dog. Stella held the door open and he carried him on to the porch. He would move the body later when he was dressed for the bitter cold.

  For a moment he stood over the still form, taking deep breaths and bracing himself to face the family. He had to stay strong, he told himself. They were depending on him.

  Jason and Monica stepped out onto the verandah and surveyed the snow covered driveway. It sparkled and shone like diamonds in the bright sunlight. They were both grateful for the sunglasses Irma had found. They shouldered their backpacks and stepped off the porch, immediately sinking almost to their hips.

  “This won’t be easy.” Jason glanced at his wife. “Are you sure you want to come?”

  She met his gaze. “I’m not letting you go into potential danger by yourself. At the very least I can run for help.”

  He eyed the driveway ruefully. “I don’t think anybody will run anywhere in this.”

  “Okay.” He stepped forward. “I’ll go ahead and break trail and you follow. We’ll trade places every fifteen minutes or so.” He spoke over his shoulder as she followed. “It’s further by road than through the fields, but I’d hate to get lost out there.”

  She nodded. “Let’s just follow the road. Maybe the trees will have kept it from drifting too badly.”

  Fifteen minutes later they had reached the end of the driveway. The snow on the road was smoothed by the wind, and just as deep as in the yard. The trees on each side would help keep them on track. Sighing, Monica glanced back and saw Sam and George step out onto the porch.

  “I hope they find some medicine for poor Ty at the farm.”

  “I hope they make it to the farm.” Jason panted. “It’s hard slogging through this snow. I’d suggest waiting a day or so, but I don’t see it changing anytime soon.”

  “You know what we need?” Monica moved into the forward position. “Snowshoes, or skis.”

  He stopped and slapped his forehead with a mittened hand. “Of course. Remember our Christmas presents?”

  “Snowshoes.” She looked back down the driveway. “Should we go back and get them?”

  “Probably not. By the time we plow back down there and practice walking with them, it’ll be afternoon again. Let’s just go ahead.”

  To conserve their energy, they didn’t speak as they struggled forward. After an hour they had only covered a quarter of the distance to the Dennis farm. Their faces burned from the biting cold.

  “At this rate,” Monica took a sip of warm water, “We won’t get there until afternoon. We’ll have to stay there and set out for the school in the morning.”

  She tucked the water bottle into an inside pocket of her parka. “I hate to leave Jack that long.”

  “It’ll be easier going home,” Jason reassured her. “And Mom and Stella will take care of Jack just fine.” He reached out and touched her shoulder. “Ready?”

  “Yep, let’s go.”

  Late that afternoon the Dennis farmhouse came into view, giving them the energy to push forward. When the door opened the couple almost fell into the warm interior.

  Ervin Dennis stepped back in astonishment at the snow covered apparitions stumbling through his front door. “What the….”

  “Oh my goodness.” Flora hurried forward. “It’s Jason. What are you doing here in this weather?”

  “Come in, come in.” She began to unwrap Monica’s scarf. “Look at you. You’re frozen to the bone.”

  “Get chairs for them.” She ordered one of the children gawking from the other side of the room.

  The chairs appeared and Jason and Monica sank gratefully into them. Ervin bent and helped them remove their boots and Flora continued unwrapping scarves and unbuttoning coats. Someone handed them cups of hot water which they cradled in their cold hands.

  “Thank you.” Monica was finally able to say. She glanced at Flora, noticing her diminished size. “Can I use your bathroom?” she asked. “It was a long walk”.

  “It’s the outhouse, I’m afraid.” Flora handed her coat back. “Sorry.”

  When Monica returned, after being escorted to the outdoor facilities by a small girl, she found Jason huddled beside the wood stove in the middle of the room. She stepped over the mattresses that were arranged around the stove and was gently guided to the couch.

  When they were all settled around the stove, steaming cups in their hands and wet coats hanging on the wall, Jason was able to ask his questions.

  “Our two young guests, Tom and Adnan went out the other night before the storm,” he explained. “We think they were going to the school to meet up with the other young people there. Have you seen them?”

  “They didn’t come here.” Ervin shook his shaggy head. “Barry!” he called to the boy who was standing in the corner warily watching their guests.

  The boy stepped into the circle of mattresses. “I ain’t seen them.” He muttered.

  “Are you sure?” Jason looked at him. “You’ve been over to the school. Did you see anybody new hanging around there?”

  “Nope.” The boy shook his head, keeping his eyes on the floor. His long hair fell over his face, hiding his expression from them all. “I ain’t been out of the house since it started snowing.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Barry.” His mother said impatiently. “Stand up and look at us when we talk to you. We know you were hanging out with those hoodlums.”

  She looked over at Jason. “He’s right about not being out of the house though. The furthest any of us went was to get snow to melt and wood for the fire.”

  “Do you know what these people have done for us?” she reached over and grasped her son’s thin arm. “You stole their food but they came over here and told us we could keep it. Do you know how close we were to starving?” She gave him a slight shake. “If you know anything at all, you’d better tell them.”

  Jason said gently, “Their names are Tom and Adna
n,” the boy’s head jerked up as Jason continued. “One is blonde and the other is dark. We’re desperate to find them.”

  “How dark? Like black?” Barry’s eyes met Jason’s with real fear showing in them.

  “More brown than black,” Jason answered.

  “They better not show up at the school. Those guys hate brown people. They’ll kill ‘im!”

  The adults all stared at him in disbelief.

  “What are you talking about?” Flora’s voice was shrill. “These kids will kill somebody? Who are they?”

  “They blame brown people for the power going out,” Barry spoke softly, but desperately. “I didn’t know they would hurt anybody. They were just hungry and needed food. I went over there and ‘cause I live around here they thought I would know where to find it.” He looked directly at Jason. “I didn’t want to steal, but they told me if I didn’t help, they’d beat me up and burn our house down, and they are MEAN.”

  Ervin leaned forward in his chair. His face was almost hidden behind a full beard, but his kind eyes shone at his son. “Have you ever seen them hurt anyone, Son? Threatening to beat you up is one thing, but killing them?? Really?”

  “They go into town sometimes.” Barry moved closer to his father. “They steal what they can find. Once they stole a girl.”

  “A girl?” they all gasped.

  He nodded. “They said that real men need a woman. I saw her at the school, and then she was gone. And I don’t think they took her home.”

  Tears leaked from his eyes. “I’ve never been back since we took the food from the Baldini’s.”

  “Well, you are going back tomorrow.” His father spoke firmly. “We need to know what’s going on over there. I thought it was just a bunch of kids banding together for safety. Now it appears that they are actually dangerous.” He glanced at his ten-year-old daughter standing silently by the stove.

  “You know them and they know you, so you can go in and see if they know anything about those boys.”