by Steven Smith
Jim had selected Mike, Bill and Ann to go with him. Mike would be the main gun, though all were armed with an AR and a pistol. Ann would deal with any women that needed special contact and Bill would help as needed.
Driving north, they passed farm houses that were beginning to show signs of daily activity. Jim waved to those outside as he passed and told the others to do so as well, explaining that they would be contacting these people in the next day or so. It took them about fifteen minutes to reach the first housing developments, large million dollar homes on acre lots, and another five to make it into the more closely grouped neighborhoods and the Wal-Mart in far south Overland Park.
Pulling into the expansive parking lot, Jim thought at first that the store remained secure. Except for the lack of people walking around, it seemed like a normal day. Jim pulled into a parking spot so the Excursion wouldn't draw attention and they all got out, locking the vehicle behind them.
"We'll go in a diamond formation," Jim explained to Bill and Ann. "I'll lead, Mike will follow about fifty feet behind me, and each of you position yourselves about half way between us, but out to the right and left. Focus on your own direction point, but stay aware of everyone else's positions. Allow your rifles to hang by their slings, but keep your hand on the grip and finger off the trigger.”
Everyone nodded, and he continued.
“When we turn them on, hold your flashlights in your off hand, higher than your head and away from your body. And be careful not to light each other up. We'll go down the aisle leading from the door, clear everything back to the electronics department, across the back and back to the front through the grocery department, across the front and then come back to this door. If everything is clear, we'll each get some baskets and get started."
Everyone nodded again.
"Okay, let's go."
They walked through the parking lot in formation, slowly enough to watch their direction points but quickly enough to avoid making themselves easy targets. As they approached the doors, Jim saw that they were standing open. He stopped and went to one knee, motioning for the others to come to him.
"The doors are open, and I'd say there's a good chance that somebody or a number of somebody's are in there. This store is set up with the groceries to the far right, clothing in the middle, and sporting goods, pharmacy and such to the left of where we'll be going in. After we get our baskets, Mike and I will head to sporting goods for guns, ammo, tents and camping equipment. Bill and Ann, you head left for vitamins, painkillers, allergy medicines, body wash, toothpaste and brushes, shampoo and anything else that makes sense to you.”
Everybody nodded that they understood.
"Now, when we enter, we're going to be backlit by the sunlight and we'll make excellent targets if anyone is in there waiting, though if anyone is they're probably down at the grocery end. Mike and I will go in first." He looked at Mike. "I'll go in right and you follow to the left."
Mike nodded.
"We'll wait for a bit and listen. When we feel it's clear for you to come in, one of us will clap twice. When you come in, get away from the door and come to us as quickly as you can."
Bill and Ann nodded.
"It's going to be dark in there compared to out here," Jim continued, "so as soon as you get inside take your sunglasses off. Everybody ready?"
They all nodded.
"Okay, here we go."
Jim ducked in the door, quickly moved about twenty feet into the store and knelt down behind an ice freezer against the wall to his right. Mike went in behind him, advancing twenty feet further to the left. Both remained silent and listened.
After a minute, Jim advanced about twenty feet beyond Mike and took a knee between a barbecue display and a rack of swim accessories. Again, they waited silently, listening. Finally, hearing no unidentified noise, Jim nodded to Mike, who clapped his hands twice.
Bill and Ann came in, making more noise than Jim would have liked, and ran to Mike, who then had them take their positions on the wings of the diamond.
After another minute of listening, Jim signaled everyone to get to their feet and they started moving slowly toward the back of the store.
As their flashlights illuminated the areas around them, Jim was amazed at what he saw. Other than a few clothes scattered on the floor, the store looked as if it were simply closed. When they arrived at the electronics section, he saw the rows of black televisions hanging untouched on the wall. Merchandise still sat on shelves or hung on hooks untouched. There had been no looting or vandalism. He led them over to the grocery section, where they found aisles and aisles of empty shelves. The people had taken what they needed to survive and left the rest untouched. He knew it would be a much different story farther into the city.
He led them back to the front and past the long line of dark and silent cash registers to complete a circuit of the store, arriving back at their entry door.
"Okay," he said, keeping his voice low. "We may be alone, but still be careful. Bill, I want to change plans a bit and have you stay posted at this door to let us know if anyone is coming in. I don't want to be surprised. Ann, that means you'll have to make double trips." Both nodded. Jim could see they were both hyped up a bit from the unusual situation.
Jim then turned to the empty store and spoke in a loud voice. "If there's anyone here, we're not here to hurt you or take anything from you. We're going to be picking up some things we need and then leaving. If you need help, we'll do everything we can for you. Just holler out and we'll wait for you."
A minute went by with no response, and Jim turned to the group. "Okay, let's go."
Bill posted on the door and Jim, Mike and Ann got their carts and headed to their areas.
Arriving at the sporting goods department, they found shelves of tents and sleeping bags, and an untouched glass case of ammunition. The people in this area had houses to live in, and if they were campers they already had equipment. Many didn't own guns at all, and if they did, most weren't the type to think of ammo at this point. Jim nodded to Mike. "Take it all. Even the calibers we don't use may be good for trade later."
Mike broke the glass case and loaded the ammo into two carts. "Don't worry," he called to Bill and Ann, "it's just us."
They went through the aisles, loading their carts with tents, sleeping bags, camouflage clothing, rain gear and assorted camping supplies. Some freeze-dried food had been left on the shelves, which they threw in.
Leaving sporting goods, they took their carts to the front door, picked up two new carts each, and went to hardware, where they loaded rope, twine, duck tape, bungee cords, tie downs and a variety of hand tools, then headed to electronics where they loaded up all the batteries. An idea occurred to Jim, and they returned to the front door to find Ann bringing her third and fourth cart up.
"How much more is there?" Jim asked Ann.
"I can fill up as many more carts as we have time for," she answered.
Jim turned to Bill. "Everything good?"
Bill nodded. "Yep."
"Okay. Ann, go ahead and fill up some more." He turned to Mike. "Jeans, underwear, socks, work shirts, t-shirts and anything else that makes sense. Let's go."
It took them another hour to gather everything they thought they could take. When Ann had finished with soaps and pharmaceuticals, Jim had sent her to collect underwear and socks for the women and girls. Another hour was spent loading the back of the Excursion and strapping large plastic totes filled with the overflow onto the roof. When they were done, there were three levels of twelve totes on the roof, held down by a spider web of bungee cords. Mike looked at it and shook his head. "I saw things like this in Afghanistan, but I've never seen it here before."
From Walmart, they headed west, their target destinations two churches that were in close proximity to the road Jim had ridden through the suburbs on the day of the event.
Within ten minutes they were pulling into the almost empty parking lot of the first church, a large modern structure wi
th a small metal cross on the roof. The sign by the street had indicated it was Family Church with a Dr. Harold Hanson as its senior pastor. A few cars were scattered around the parking lot, and three gleaming black vehicles, a Suburban and two Tahoes, we're parked in a line close to the door.
Jim pulled up in front of the main door, but stopped about twenty feet short of the sidewalk. He waited a few minutes, then got out and tapped the horn a couple of times. He left his AR in the truck and covered his pistols with his shirt.
Another minute passed before the door opened and a large man emerged, surrounded by four others. The man had a deep tan and was wearing a black silk shirt, khaki shorts and leather sandals. He wore a gold chain around his neck, another on his right wrist and an expensive gold watch on his left. The four men with him wore black BDUs and boots, with pistols holstered on their web belts.
"Greetings, brother!" exclaimed the man, with a big smile. "We’re happy to see you.” He nodded toward the totes on the Excursion’s roof. “Have you brought offerings?"
"We came by to see how you are," replied Jim. He nodded his head toward the black SUVs. "Has the government shown up?"
The man looked at the vehicles then back at Jim. "No, no. Those are mine and my family's - the senior pastoral staff."
Jim looked at the vehicles and again at the man's expensive jewelry. "Pastoring must pay pretty well."
Irritation flashed quickly across the man's face before he recovered his smile. "We simply strive to do God's work, brother. I'm Pastor Harold, senior pastor here at Family Church.” He nodded again at the totes. “What have you brought for God’s people?"
Jim saw some people opening the front door and looking out. One of the men in black immediately walked to the door and tried to usher them back in, but several pushed past him.
Hearing the commotion behind him, Hanson turned toward the people and raised his spread hands. "Men and women, God is faithful and our prayers have been answered. These good people have been sent by the Lord to help us in our time of need."
"Do you have any food?" called out a woman.
"How many people do you have?" Jim asked.
Hanson turned back toward him. "We have forty faithful souls, Plus eleven pastoral staff and six on my security team."
Jim looked at the four black clad men surrounding the pastor, and wondered where the other two were. “Why do you need a security team?”
Hanson looked as if the question were naïve. “Brother, in this age of evil, the shepherd must be protected even as he protects the flock.” He half-turned and indicated the security team with an outstretched hand. “These good men serve the lord by serving me in that capacity.” He smiled. “Their reward shall surely be great in heaven.”
Jim nodded slowly. “Interesting. How much food do you have?"
Hanson made a face that looked pious, resigned and hopeful all at once. "We are even now coming to the end of our food stocks.” Then his smile returned. “But we are grateful that God in his mercy has chosen to send you to our aid."
Jim nodded absently and spoke above the pastor to the people behind him. "Folks, we were just heading back to our place with a load of clothes and stopped to see if you were okay. I'm afraid we don't have any food with us, but we can bring you some in the morning if you can hang on."
A murmuring came from the crowd and irritation once again flashed across Hanson’s face.
"Our food's been out for two days," yelled one man. "Our children are starving!"
Jim raised his hands to the crowd. "Folks, we'll be back in the morning. Hang on till then."
"Is there nothing you can give us now?" asked Hanson. “God will reward you many times over for every mercy you offer.”
Jim looked at him and smiled. "Tomorrow morning, pastor. Be ready for a memorable day."
Jim turned and walked back to the truck. Getting in, he spoke to Mike. "Watch those jokers. If any of them pull a gun, take 'em out."
Mike nodded. "Okey dokey."
It took them less than five minutes to get to the next church, a beautifully traditional building of brick and stone with tall stain glass windows and a white steeple. A one-story school building sat separate.
As they pulled into the parking lot, they saw children playing on a playground, watched over by a number of adults, and more adults and teens working in a field next to the church. Some were turning the dirt with a shovel, followed by others breaking up clumps with hoes, and still others smoothing it with rakes to prepare it for planting.
"This looks a lot different than the last one," said Jim, parking the truck and shutting it off. "Let's all get out. Leave your rifles in the truck and keep your pistols under your shirts."
As they got out, they saw a man walking toward them. The man was stocky, broad in the shoulders and wearing a blue work shirt, jeans and work boots. As he approached them, a wide smile broke out on his sun darkened face and he held out a callused hand.
"Hello!" he said. "Welcome to Redemption!"
Jim shook the man's hand and introduced the group.
The man shook each hand with an earnest smile. "I'm Pasquale Paoli, the caretaker. Do you all need help? We don't have much, but you're welcome to share what we have."
Jim thought what a difference this was from the last place. "Thanks, but actually we came by to see how you all were doing and if you needed any help."
Paoli shook his head. "Thank you, but so far we're doing okay. We have always kept a food pantry for those in need, and some of our local families have come together to stay at the church, bringing food in with them." He turned toward the people working in the field. "And as you can see, we are trying to start a garden, though we can't claim to be very good farmers yet."
Jim looked over the area. The people were working hard, and were as dirty and sweat stained as Paoli, yet they were obviously in good spirits as evidenced by an occasional laugh or good-natured ribbing. "How are you for seed? What are you planting?"
Paoli shrugged. "Some of the members brought in seeds they had at home. It's kind of a hodge-podge, really. Some tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and the like. We'll plant what we have and pray for success. The Lord fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, so we'll see what he does with some Burpee seeds."
A bell rang from the church.
"That's the lunch bell,” said Paoli. “Would you like to join us?"
Everyone said thank you and followed Paoli to a large water barrel where they washed their hands, then through a side door into a fellowship hall beneath the sanctuary. Long tables ran the length of the hall, where those who had already gone through the food line were taking seats. They stood in line with Paoli, who seemed to have a smile, a word of encouragement and a pat on the arm or back for everyone. Finally getting their paper plates with baked beans, corn, a small piece of meat and two crackers, they followed Paoli to a back table where he sat them down and promised to return in a minute.
Paoli walked to the food line and held up his hands, gradually quieting the chatter of the crowd. "Friends, we have guests with us today," indicating those from Stonemont. "They came to see if we needed help. What a blessing that God has shown us there are others out there offering help."
He bowed his head and gave the blessing for the meal, which was followed by a chorus from all in the hall, "In Jesus' name, Amen."
Paoli returned to the table and sat down.
"I thought you said you were the caretaker, " said Jim.
Paoli smiled. "Indeed, I am. It is my responsibility to care for the church, which is the body of believers, and of the building we use. Some call me pastor, but it is the same thing."
"You're named for the Corsican patriot?" asked Bill.
Paoli looked up in surprise. "You are the first to catch that. Are you a political historian?"
Bill shook his head. "Just an amateur. Pasquale Paoli was a fascinating man, a man of his own star and the author of the Corsican constitution."
"Yes. I can't claim to be the man he w
as, but it was for him my parents named me."
"Have you been here since it happened? " asked Ann.
Paoli nodded and swallowed a spoonful of beans. "Yes. I was in my office when everything went out. One of our maintenance men was here and we tried to get things going, but no luck. Bible school was going on, so a number of parents and kids were here, and as the days went on others gravitated here as a kind of headquarters or sanctuary, like the old days when everyone gathered at the church during emergencies. After a week of no improvement and no help coming, we realized we were on our own and had better start planning how to take care of ourselves. You saw our efforts when you pulled in."
"What's this meat?" asked Bill.
Paoli paused before answering. "Venison. The woods around here are thick with deer, and I have a bow."
Bill smiled. "It's good. I'm glad we stopped by."
"Have you been joined by many non-members or started any outreach?" asked Jim.
Paoli nodded. “We have had a few come from the surrounding neighborhoods looking for help. Some left after seeing how little we had to offer and some stayed, becoming part of us." He hesitated, then continued. "I did walk over to another church to make contact with them and try to establish a relationship, but their pastor didn't seem to be interested. "
"Family Church?" asked Jim.
Paoli nodded. "You know them? "
Jim shook his head. "Nope, but we just met them. I didn't take to the pastor much.
Paoli didn't say anything for a minute, then "Are they okay over there?"
Jim shrugged. "Hanson and his security detail seem to be doing fine, but from what we could see, his flock isn't doing so we'll. We're going back tomorrow."
"To take them food?"
"No. To bring them out. We'll give some basics to anyone who wants to stay, but the ones I could see looked like they wanted a better alternative than just holding up in there. We came to see if we could help anyone by bringing them back to our place, so any who want to come under our conditions certainly may."